Table Talk

TABLE TALK

Looking for some deep theological ‘truths’ to add to your already impressive resume of accumulated bible smarts, or further confirm you in everything that you already know? You may have come to the wrong place? I'm sure the boys at ‘Westminster’ can easily patch you up! Your local ‘church’ that distinguishes itself to itself as the embodiment of Christianity, where most are ‘scrubbed and tubbed’ and hurried off to ‘bed’ may also assist you! But perhaps, like myself, you are thinking, or have thought at some point in your life, that there's got to be something more to this thing that the world calls Christianity? I absolutely think there is! No, I've not stumbled upon some great mystery, but I can point you to ONE who has the key to every mystery! The BIBLE is a closed book, an explicable mystery, which can only be interpreted through the ‘lens’ of JESUS CHRIST. CHRIST in the revelation of the Gospel unfolds and explains it all! “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am GOD, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22.

FOREWORD: Although this book consists chiefly of fragmented articles on things relating to the glorious gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, most of which I wrote between the winter of 2023, and the beginning of 2025, (embracing about a 18 month period,) it's more so personally a book of remembrance for myself, Deuteronomy 8:2-3, which I realize sounds selfish? After all, if we are writing, or doing anything for that matter, shouldn't we be writing in order that we might extol the virtues and the glories of that ONE that hath called us out of darkness into the light of CHRIST, instead of zeroing in on some personal benefit to ourselves? There are countless writers who only and exclusively, (and they make no pretense about it,) devote everything to the glory of God, who are far more qualified in the way of Christ to explain the scriptures or convey some aspect of gospel truth than myself. Besides, GOD is already perfectly glorified in HIS SON, Philippians 2:9-11, and any endeavors to amplify the glory of that ONE from whom all glory proceeds, abides and consummates, just might be a doomed expedition from the outset? And as far as I can see every ‘thoughtful’ person engaged in so-called 'christian' writing or 'preaching' is enamored with that principle, runs alongside those unyielding parameters and thinks that “he doeth God service,” in broadcasting their own biblical correctness in order to convince their constituents that they have some infallible grasp upon all things relating to the doctrine of Christ, otherwise known in gospel cliche terms as “to Christ be the glory.” In a double-minded sense I also realize that the LORD may use anything, (Colossians 1:16,) or anyone, (Numbers 22:28,) to broadcast his glory, and lest I diminish the work of the SPIRIT of the LORD whom I trust measurably furnished my mind with some ‘gospel’ matter in a few of these discourses, so that regardless of any false pretense that I may have embraced along the way, or even despite my own duplicit heart in pretending to be something when I am nothing, if CHRIST is 'preached' I cannot but rejoice, Philippians 1:18, and do take a bit of consolation from the fact the LORD reigneth, Revelation 19:6, in such an absolute sense that despite my own unfaithfulness, mental darkness and confusion I know that inevitably CHRIST will be exalted. Of course, if any of those who are of the household of faith, or such looking for a bit of guidance or direction in calling upon the name of the LORD be mercifully helped and encouraged in the way of the truth of the gospel, or directed to CHRIST for all of salvation, whilst exploring its pages, to GOD alone be the glory and praise.

INTRODUCTION: “I will remember the works of the LORD, surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” Psalms 77:11. In grateful remembrance of the days when each night our family, {my wife and our six children, all six of them now married, and all with children of their own, Psalm 107:8,} were gathered around the scriptures together, as the wonders of Christ’s redemptive work was unfolded before us all, and we rejoiced together in the grace of life. So likewise, a call to remembrance as recorded in Deuteronomy 8:2, (“thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, &c.,”) has this additional connotation as it's been precisely forty years since I trust the LORD began to unfold the grace of CHRIST to my dark and bewildered mind. II Corinthians 4:6. How can we not but fall upon our faces in grateful remembrance unto the LORD for the manifold mercies received at his hands. It’s truly mortifying as life unfolds before us, and we are made to realize that all mercies received directly from the hand of the LORD have been dispatched in such a way as have worked together for our spiritual benefit, Romans 8:28, and we believe for the glory of CHRIST. I selected the title TABLE TALK not to mimic Luther’s great book by the same name, but more so as a true indication of the fact that herein lies so many random and fragmented thoughts, and ‘quite honestly’ could not think of another title that would more adequately describe its contents. Besides, since I was born in Germany, and since one of the first books that I ever purchased and read was by Luther on Romans, I hope that Luther will not mind if I take this title unto myself. Hope that herein may be found some things unto edification, things helpful, instructive, and chiefly instrumental in gathering our thoughts around our Saviour Jesus Christ, as we search the Scriptures together. Luke 24:32. MPJ 2025.