10/03/2021 – “Gill’s Complete Body of Practical and Doctrinal Divinity: Being a System of Evangelical Truths, Declared From the Sacred Scriptures.” – Excerpt & Gill biography attached
So here is John Gill’s biography:
-One quick side note: I get it why he dedicated so much of his life to becoming an expert in the Old Hebrew in addition to the Bible. Send me an email query on Semikkah7@protonmail.com if you want me to expound on this.
A quick note before I turn to the book. There is an amazing John Gill commentary on the Bible that covers every single verse in the bible available free online here:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/
Now to our book. Again why would I paraphrase from this work? ISBN Reference : “B07CLPNNSW”.
Up front, Gill notes: “Systematical Divinity has now become very unpopular.” If I could meet him now, instead of at Heaven’s gate, I would tell him: “If you thought that was bad, you ought to see it now in 2021 where I am standing!” So the question that Gill follows up with is: “What art or science exists that hasn’t been reduced to a ‘system’.” Let’s look again at Romans 12:2: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed(*A) by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
(*A): “transformed” is actually the Greek work “Metamorphoo”. Want to take a guess what that means? You got it: “Metamorphosis” , as in caterpillar to butterfly. Sorry, all words here are too weak , but I prefer “Metamorphoo” over “transformed”.
I ran into this as our men’s weekly breakfast fellowship group is in Genesis. I have been eating humble pie because I thought I have so much theological ground to cover, that perhaps I could skip it,seeing as how how many times I have read through Genesis, let alone Genesis , chapters 1 through 11. Well, suffice to say here, there is some commentary that was revelational to me, a real head slapper, not one story but many. I will repeat what I have said before: “It is good thing we have all of eternity to get to know God, because that is how much time it is going to take!”
We must stay grounded in prayer and His Word! I remember a funny cartoon that I pinned up on my work bulletin board for all to see. I will give you the visual. It was King Arthur with a messenger in his tent asking if he could give a minute for a gentleman that had a “difference maker” to show him. King Arthur replies curtly to the messenger: “Son, I can’t be disturbed, I have a war to fight!!” Just behind the tent entrance stands the gentleman with a fully loaded gatling machine gun. Might that be beneficial to you? duh! Very weak analogy, as all are in this case, but I think you get the point.
And it is so sad , such a book as this has only 10 total ratings. The world is drowning with Christ centered life preservers all around! Stand fast and engage in the gap! Semper Fi!
Blessings,
Love,
Jimmy