Sandeman citing from Romans and then comments:
“But I say. Did not Israel know? To this a twofold answer is given, the one from Moses, and the other from Isaiah. In the first the Spirit of prophecy intimates, that, in sacred learning, the Jews would far excel the Gentiles, who, in comparison with them, are described as having no wisdom, and as unworthy to be accounted a people; yet declares, that these fools would obtain the right hand of them as to the true knowledge of God, and access to his favour, and so provoke them to jealousy. In the second it is declared, that this knowledge, with its attendant blessings, would be bestowed on them that were no way in quest of it. The two answers run thus:
‘First, Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.’
Though the Jews then eagerly studied the Scriptures, and had all the knowledge of them that the utmost of human zeal and sagacity could lead them to, yet all their knowledge only prompted them the more to gainsay and disobey the great scope and end of the law and the prophets” (Sandeman).
So, eagerly studying the Scriptures is bad? Eagerly studying the Scriptures is bad then. Well, no:
“And you do not have His Word abiding in you, for the One whom that One sent, this One you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for you think in them you have everlasting life. And they are the ones witnessing concerning Me. And you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men; but I have known you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in the name of My Father, and you do not receive Me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive that one. How are you able to believe, you who receive glory from one another, and the glory which is from the only God you do not seek? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one accusing you, Moses, in whom you have hoped. For if you were believing Moses, you would then believe Me; for that one wrote concerning Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My Words?” (John 5:38-47).
Many Calvinist or Reformed seminary graduates’ knowledge prompts them to gainsay Jesus Christ as the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes (Romans 10:1-4). For they receive those “Arminians” and “moderate Calvinists” who vilify the efficacious blood of Christ with their universal atonement doctrine. This theologically idolatrous and adulterous reception of God-haters is to seek the glory of man instead of the redemptive glory of God. Next Page (31)
Agrammatos 