Series 3, Lecture 8: A Theological Grounding for a Standard Sacred Text — The Holy Spirit and a Standard Sacred Text, part 2

Posted byDr. Peter Van Kleeck, Sr.Posted inUncategorized

Tonight 7/181 at 7:30 we will hold the eighth lecture of series three on “A Theological Grounding for a Standard Sacred Text — The Holy Spirit and a Standard Sacred Text, part 2.”

William Bucanus Served as professor of theology at Lausanne from 1591 to 1603. His major dogmatic work was the Institutes of the Christian Religion published in 1603. In his writings we find a clear accounting of the Protestant orthodox understanding of the relationship between the Word and Spirit. Bucanus asks the question, “How may it appear that the writings of the Prophets and Apostles were indicted of God?” to which he answers,

            The internal witness is one alone; namely of the holy Ghost inwardly speaking to our heart, and persuading us that those writings are inspired of God, and sealing them up in our hearts, Eph. 1:13; 1 John 2:20, 27, Ye have an anointment of the Lord, and this anointment teaching you all things. For whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, can easily discern his power speaking in the Scriptures….And this testimony properly maketh for our confirmation, and this alone doth satisfy us, being known of them alone that are converted unto Christ, which doth evermore agree with the Scripture, without which the testimony of the Church can be no weight with us. For as none but God alone is a fit witness to testify of himself in his word, even so the word never findeth credit in our hearts, till such time as it be sealed up unto us by the inward testimony of the Spirit.[1]

[1] William Bucanus, Body of Divinity, 42, 45-46. Note the continuity of Bucanus’ commentary with that of the Westminster Confession of Faith, 1647, Ch. 1.5., “yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward testimony of the Holy Spirit bearing witness with and by the Word in our hearts.” See 1 Cor. 2:15, The spiritual man discerneth all things, and Isa. 53:1, The arm of the Lord is not revealed to all men. So, Luke 8:10 and Mark 13:11, The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are not revealed to all men, but to whom it is given of God.

Dr. Van Kleeck, Sr’s travel schedule was changed and will be unable to meet with the saints this evening. Dr. Van Kleeck, Jr. will be lecturing in his place.

Don’t miss the study of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the unquantifiabity of the Canon tonight at 7:30.

Class Link – Click Here

Published by Dr. Peter Van Kleeck, Sr.

Dr. Peter William Van Kleeck, Sr. : B.A., Grand Rapids Baptist College, 1986; M.A.R., Westminster Theological Seminary, 1990; Th.M., Calvin Theological Seminary, 1998; D. Min, Bob Jones University, 2013. Dr. Van Kleeck was formerly the Director of the Institute for Biblical Textual Studies, Grand Rapids, MI, (1990-1994) lecturing, researching and writing in the defense of the Masoretic Hebrew text, Greek Received Text and King James Bible. His published works include, "Fundamentalism’s Folly?: A Bible Version Debate Case Study" (Grand Rapids: Institute for Biblical Textual Studies, 1998); “We have seen the future and we are not in it,” Trinity Review, (Mar. 99); “Andrew Willet (1562-1621: Reformed Interpretation of Scripture,” The Banner of Truth, (Mar. 99); "A Primer for the Public Preaching of the Song of Songs" (Outskirts Press, 2015). Dr. Van Kleeck is the pastor of the Providence Baptist Church in Manassas, VA where he has ministered for the past twenty-one years. He is married to his wife of 43 years, Annette, and has three married sons, one daughter and eighteen grandchildren.

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