by Bret Capranica | Oct 5, 2005 | Uncategorized
Marvin Olasky of World Magazine fame notes some of the interesting history you will find at the Presbyterian cemetery in Princeton N.J. Two years ago, the two pastors I serve with and myself toured the cemetery, locating the burial markers of theological greats like B.B. Warfield and the Hodges (i.e., Charles Hodge). Other facinating personages include President Grover Cleveland and George Gallup. In my estimation, one of the most facinating arrangements in the cemetery is that of Jonathan Edwards, his son-in-law, Aaron Burr, and Edwards’ grandson, Aaron Burr (the former U.S. Vice President). The former Vice President’s headsone sits at the feet of his father and grandfather. According to Ian Murray, “In a career as a soldier, lawyer, and politician – becoming Vice President of the United States – he lived ‘without God.’ Dying, virtually friendless, in 1836, Burr asked that he might be buried as near as possible to the feet of his father and grandfather in the Princeton burial ground” (Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography, 445). By the way, today is Jonathan Edwards’ 302nd birthday (HT: Justin...
by Bret Capranica | Oct 4, 2005 | Uncategorized
In my estimation, President Bush has made a very shrewed choice in his selection of Harriet Miers for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. His poll numbers have plummeted to all time lows (only with slight increases lately), His management style has come under intense scrutiny due to Katrina and Rita (not unlike Reagan’s management approach), his top political adviser (among others) is in a legal morass, and the war in Iraq gains fewer supporters by the day (perhaps due to the almost exclusively negative reporting in the media). Thus, Bush has picked an appointee with stealth armour. Bush says he is not a man moved by the polls, unlike his predecessor. But as the referenced article suggests, he may be making decisions that will impact his long-term legacy more than his current popularity. Both liberals and conservatives seem to be somewhat nervous about this pick. Conservatives are trusting that there is something Bush knows about Miers, due to their long and trusted political relationship, that the rest of the world does not know – and that until she is confirmed, she won’t tell. Seems to me there were similar hopes for Miss. Mier’s predecessor. James Dobson’s assurances that she is an evangelical Christian create no calm in my mind about how she will interpret the constitution – especially sincie “evangelical Christian” is a virtually meaningless term today. President Bush is a shrewd politician. He has shrewed political advisers whispering in his ear. No man who sits behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office for two terms avoids the question of his legacy. President Bush could have picked...
by Bret Capranica | Oct 3, 2005 | Uncategorized
For some time I have been reading J. L. Dagg’s Manual of Theology during my regular morning prayer time. His Theology is not chaulked full of evaluations of other books and theories, it is a more devotional yet thorough deliniation of basic theology. Here’s an encouraging excerpt: If any one supposes that religion consists merely of self-denial and painful austerities, and that it is filled with gloom and melancholy, to the exclusion of all happiness, he greatly mistakes its true character. False religions, and false views of the true religion, may be liable to this charge; but the religion which has God for its author, and which leads the soul to God, is full of peace and joy. It renders us cheerful amidst the trials of life, contented with all the allotments of Divine Providence, happy in the exercises of piety and devotion, and joyful in the hope of an endless felicity. Heaven is near in prospect; and, while on the way to that world of perfect and eternal bliss, we are permitted, in some measure, to anticipate its joys, being, even here, blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.[2] We are enabled, not only to pursue our pilgrimage to the good land with content and cheerfulness, but even to “delight ourselves in the Lord.”[3] Our happiness is not merely the absence of grief and pain, but it is positive delight. If we loved the truth as we ought, we should experience equal delight in receiving it; and careful investigation of it would be a source of pure and abiding...
by Bret Capranica | Oct 2, 2005 | Uncategorized
Perhaps my favorite hymn is one we sang this morning in worship: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, Now to His temple, draw near; Praise Him in glad adoration! Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth, Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth! Hast thou not seen How thy desires e’er have been Granted in what He ordaineth? Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him! Let the Amen Sound from His people again:Gladly for aye we adore Him. For the tune, played enthusiastically by Scott Hill (he wishes) click HERE. As an aside – Pastor Stacy Johnson, who preaches in the AM services of our fellowship referenced this facinating link in his sermon this morning: www.deathclock.com. I’m not sure if the author of this site has access to the mind of God, but according to the deathclock, I’m due to reach glory on Friday, July 4, 2042. According to Pastory Stacy’s calculations, he’s planning to prepare my way three years earlier. This evening I will be preaching on the Dangers of Complacent Worship, from Malachi...
by Bret Capranica | Oct 1, 2005 | Uncategorized
The past number of weeks have been very full and thus the Capranica has had to suffer from neglect and dormancy. Here’s a brief update on the goings on around the world of The Capranica: Kelly and I thoroughly enjoyed time with my mom and dad a few weeks ago. Our jaunts to La Jolla and Oceanside were especially beautiful. In Oceanside, before taking mom and dad to the airport in San Diego, we had lunch at Ruby’s out on the pier. Throughout our walk down the pier, during lunch and heading back to the car, the dophins were entertaining us with their amazing gymnastics. I finished preaching through the book of Revelation and have begun a seven week exposition of Malachi. I continue to study and prepare for my next DMin seminar as well as finish up on some material in my present class (ending Oct 30). At the church, this a very, very busy time of the year for me. It is budget time and there is a host of work to prepare for it. Also, we are gearing up for our annual Christmas Concert. Our choir and a few other ensembles begin extra rehearsals during the week and there is a formidable amount of extra work for promotion and preparation. Our Christmas Concert is a major outreach event in our community each year. Oh yes, there is also this little issue with our home: The Capranica Villa. Back in May, we removed all the concrete sidewalk and patio. I must say, no one is better with a jack hammar than Pastor James Billings. His proficiency in...
