Round the Sphere Again: Order of Salvation

…or ordo salutis.*

Slowing the Camera Down
”I want us to take a fresh look at salvation from several angles. We will note that although many of the things happen in an instant, if we could slow the camera down (so to speak) we will see that one thing occurred before the other….” (Reformation Theology)

Evaluating the Position
that regeneration precedes faith. 

Why do Reformed theologians insist upon an ordo salutis in which regeneration precedes faith? There are two primary reasons. First is because of their strong stance on total depravity. Second is because certain Scriptures seem to support the view.

(Parchment and Pen)

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*Now there’s a Theological Term page begging for me to “new and improve” it.

Sunday's Hymn

I Am Not Skilled to Understand

I am not skilled to understand
What God hath willed, what God hath planned;
I only know at His right hand
Is One who is my Savior!

I take Him at His word indeed;
Christ died for sinners—this I read;
For in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my Savior!

That He should leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die,
You count it strange? So once did I,
Before I knew my Savior!

And oh, that He fulfilled may see
The travail of His soul in me,
And with His work contented be,
As I with my dear Savior!

Yea, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my king
Once died to be my Savior!

—Dor­o­thy Green­well

(Could it be sung any slower than this?)

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

• Jesus Saves at Conjubilant With Song
• O Love, Beyond Conception Great at Tried With Fire
• Like a River Glorious at Field Stone Cottage
• Pause My Soul! And Ask the Question at Whatever Things
• There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood at Theology for Girls
• Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting at Rosemary at Home
• Ye Holy Angels Bright at Hiraeth
• Still Whiter Than Snow at The Happy Wonderer
• Lord’s Day 9, 2010 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Let Your Light Shine at Daily On My Way to Heaven
• Voices of the Past - February 27, 2011 at The Upward Call
• Sabbath Keeping at Thistle Grove Farms
• The Lord’s Day at Everyday Mommy
• Your Weekly Dose of Spurgeon at Pyromaniacs: Don’t Follow a Bad Leader
• Lord’s Day 2/27/11 Forever at Here I Blog

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.

Round the Sphere Again: Books

Two on Dying Well
Nancy Guthrie has edited a new book of collected essays, this one on facing death, something we all would rather not think about. But, says Guthrie,

I’m convinced that there is a real freedom, and even joy, in thinking it through, and that exploring death in light of the Scriptures can actually soothe our fears and infuse our thoughts about death with hope and peace.

You can read the preface and first chapter (an essay by J. I. Packer titled Only When You Know How to Die Can You Know How to Live) of O Love That Will Not Let Me Go: Facing Death with Courageous Confidence in God, or listen to Justin Taylor interview Nancy Guthrie about this book.

I’ve just ordered this one for the church library because while we have lots and lots of books on the Christian way to do just about every other life task, we have nothing at all on dying well.

While looking for books on dying, I also found a newly released book from Crossway: Finishing Well to the Glory of God: Strategies from a Christian Physician by John Dunlop, MD.  You can read an excerpt at the Crossway Blog. I’m interested in this one, too, but I think I’ll wait until I see a few reviews before deciding whether to order it or not.

One on Living in an Affluent Society
Jen (Like Snow in May) reviews Unfettered Hope by Marva Dawn and recommends it, although she does disagree fairly strongly with Dawn’s views on some things.

A Few for Kids and Youth
Now I’m looking for your recommendations. The children and youth section of the church library needs serious updating. (We have a complete set of Danny Orlis books. Need I say more?) I have some funds. What Christian books have your children enjoyed? Your teenagers? What would you recommend?