Read the notes from our Youth & Family (re-) organizational meeting last Sunday here. Highlights include:

Since I am not preaching this week, I am sharing with you a letter I wrote in response to a question I got. It has been edited for publication in The Mouse. If you have theological questions that you would like me to answer, please send them to me.

Also, in case you don't know, theodicy means "a vindication of God." — JWD.

I noticed that you quoted one of my favorite quotes, Kepler's one about thinking God's thoughts after Him. Funnily enough, I usually take that as my starting point for explaining Calvinism.

You seem to be referring to what the Jesuits call "middle knowledge" or Molinism. To quote Hoeksema:

Instead, I say that mystery belongs to man, and that mystery is a necessary condition of man as a creature — and of being created. Even in heaven, mystery for us creatures will remain. Scripture never tells us that all of God's secrets will be revealed to us. (Indeed, demanding such a revelation was the first sin.) On the other hand, nothing is a mystery to God. For God not to know, is for God not to be God; in other words, a less than perfect being.

You also wrote, "I believe that God is sovereign, that he can choose to set aside some measure of his sovereignty...." At first, it would seem that the Incarnation of Jesus supports your thesis. Here we see God setting aside Himself. As St. Paul puts it in Philippians 2:7, "he made himself nothing." Still, I think that your conclusion — that there is an actual setting aside of God's sovereignty — introduces confusion and goes against the Council of Chalcedon.

In Jesus Christ there are two natures (human and divine) in one Person, without any resulting confusion. So, any setting aside of God's sovereignty must be ruled out, even if the "how-does-God-do-that?" part remains a mystery to us.

For instance, it is confusing to say that "God does not know what His creatures will do," or that it is possible for the Creator to lose anything He has created (see the Collect for Ash Wednesday, which begins, "Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made....")

I agree with you that God still loves the damned, but I think that in their case, God's love is a consuming fire and a never-dying worm. This is because, as St. Paul says, "God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts" (Rom. 1:24). Sin is its own punishment. If you deny the truth, you will never know that there is truth. How awful!

Created communities only form when there is differentiation, where what one person needs can be supplied by someone else giving it. This creates both economy and community. The Holy Trinity is the only perfect community because it is an uncreated community of differentiation, but without any resulting confusion: of giving without loss to the giver, and of receiving without need or gain by the recipient. Christians participate in the communal life of the Trinity: partially in this life, in all its fullness in the life to come.

P.S. As a model railroader, Jesuit "middle knowledge" sounds a lot like Centralized Traffic Control on a layout that is connected to a computer. Yes, there are rules and a timetable for trains to follow, but the dispatcher (God) is always on hand, waiting to see what will actually happen, and is prepared for any and every response. If we think we can model the mind of God, then we haven't found God.

[1] Herman Hoeksema, Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 1 (Grandville, MI: Reformed Free Pub. Association, 2004), 127.

In recognition of the Seamen's Church Institute's ongoing Christmas at Sea Project, there will be a "Knit-In" for St. Peter's Sunday School on Sunday Oct. 17 and Sunday Oct 24.

St. Peter's has participated annually for many years. The knitting session will take place during Sunday School hours, incorporating the day's lesson.  Wool, needles, and easy patterns will be provided. Learning to knit is a feature of the session.

The project provides hand-knit scarves, caps, socks, and vests to merchant mariners world wide. All interested persons, especially young people, are invited. Bring what you are working on, or start out fresh. Ingathering of completed items for SCI will be during the 9:30 AM service Sunday Nov. 28, 2021. Items will be packed and sent in early December.

Questions? Call Barbara Lindsley, Knit-In coordinator. 845-677-6401.

On Tuesday, I attended a meeting of the Dutchess Deanery. This is a gathering of clergy from Episcopal churches in Dutchess County. Our guest was the Rev. Canon Nora Smith, transition officer for the Diocese of New York. The topic was the challenge the Diocese faces in clergy staffing.

Below I share some of my notes with you, as I think they shed light on the state of the church in 2021 as we emerge from the pandemic.

Click here and you'll be able to watch recent sermons and read along, as well as download a copy of the transcript.

Go through your closets and choose one to three of your most fabulous, designer items that you no longer wear such as clothing, handbags, scarfs, hats, coats, shoes, and jewelry. Make sure items are dry cleaned, washed, pressed, polished and shined. Drop-off items at St. Peter’s Church in the Old Parish House by Sunday, September 26.

Columbus Day Weekend - Oct. 9th & 10th

Franklin Ave., Millbrook, N.Y. (Outside in front of Danielle’s Hair Design, near Babette’s.)

You may also support the work of the Pantry by writing a check. Payable to “Food of Life Pantry” please include in Memo line: CLOTHES SALE. Mail to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 40 Leedsville Road, Amenia, NY 12501.

The floral guild is always grateful for donations. If you are interested in dedicating flowers in memoriam or for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, please send an email to stpeterschurch@optonline.net with the date and the name(s) to whom you would like to dedicate the arrangements.

St. Peter's is pleased to offer the convenience of online giving via our website. You may make a pledge payment or a one-time gift either by ACH or credit card. From the website menu, click on Serve > Make a gift online, or click here.

Miss an issue of The Mouse?

Back issues are available on the St. Peter's website.

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may, for love of you, delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

To remember St. Peter's in your estate plans, please consider joining The Lithgow Society. To find out more, click here.