I was confronted on an assertion that I made in class. I realized that I often come to conclusions too quickly and sucker under with even little confrontation. In class I had asserted that Machen said that his teacher's definition of Miracles was sound or orthodox. His teacher said "A Miracle is an event in the external world that is wrought by the immediate power of God" (Machen 102). I was immediately asked, ow does he know? I initial thought to myself "Who do you think you are to question Machen?" I should have asked, however, What reasons do you have to doubt His assertion? In retrospect many arguments to which I have listen and in which I have participated are directed at the man or argumentum ad hominem. It must also be noted that ideas, definitions, and conclusion that are sound ought to have rational basis. Therefore, I ought to patiently and contemplatively deal with all questions for the sake of their concern for the truth. The knowledge of the truth must be aim of all my inquiries and endeavors. For "the truth will set us free."
McGrew asked me today if I would have a suggestions for him. Immediately I thought he was going to give me a suggestion. So I was a little surprised at his question. I fumbled around with some initial thoughts that were fragmented and displaced. I then said it would help if you help us see the relevance of the course. Ashamedly, in retrospect, I spoke in haste because he has explained and reexplained why these matters of apologetics are so important and good. He has explained the content and its extensions, entailments, and implications. There are gaps. However, I have yet to deal with what he has taught that is why I have failed to comprehend the profound relevance of the course content. I feel often that as a student I cannot adequately aid an accomplished professor in his attempt to better his class because he understands the content more fully and comprehensively than I. A course is ultimately subservient to the content; therefore, a student's estimation of a course is subject to his understanding of the content. The class has been thus far helpful because I have been forced to think about how I think, what I know.
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The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
http://www.creeds.net/ancient/nicene.htm
Symbolum Nicaenum A.D. 325
Πιστεύομεν εις ΄ενα Θεον Πατερα παντοκράτορα, πάντων ορατων τε και αοράτων ποιητήν.
Πιστεύομεν εισ ΄ενα κύριον `Ιησουν Χριστον, τον υ΄ιον του θεου, γεννηζέντα εκ του πατρος μονογενη, τουτέστιν εκ της ουσίας του πατρός, θεον εκ θεου αληθινου, γεννηθέντα, ου ποιηθέντα, ΄ομοούσιον τωι πατρί δι οϋ τα πάντα εγένετο, τα τε εν τωι ουρανωι και τα επι της γης τον δι ΄ημας τους ανθρώπους και δα την ΄ημετέραν σωτηρίαν κατελθόντα και σαρκωθέντα και ενανθρωπήσαντα, παθόντα, και αναστάντα τηι τριτηι ΄ημέραι, και ανελθοντα εις τους οθρανούς, και ερχόμενον κριναι ζωντασ και νεκρούς.
Και εις το ΄Αγιον Πνευμα.
Τους δε λέγοντας, ΄οτι ΄ην ποτε ΄ότε οθκ ΄ην, και πριν γεννηθηναι ουκ ΄ην, και ΄οτι εξ ΄ετερας ΄υποστάσεως η ουσιας φάσκοντας ειναι, [η κτιστόν,] τρεπτον η αλλοιωτον τον υ΄ιον του θεου, [τούτους] αναθεματίζει ΄η καθολικη [και αποστολικη] εκκλησία.
Martin Luther - 16th century
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