Thoughts from Paralegal Land...

It's been a year since I swapped duties in my office and became a Court/Trial Paralegal, two years since I started with the Agency (TM), and a little over two years since I completed my Paralegal studies.  Many jobs have learning curves, but I think that for the first time, I think I actually understand my job.  I finally feel confident when a judge asks me a question, or if I have to talk to an Attorney or a Paralegal who's unfamiliar with DSS policies and procedures, and even arguing with starting spirited and emotional discussions with some of the other Case Workers, Paralegals, and Attorneys in our office.  It's becoming natural for me.

However, what comes with that confidence is a bit of sadness.  While rebuilding one of my Trial Files, I finally had a chance to really pay attention to a lot of the Court Orders and other reports and such (that I will not discuss here because I like my job and need to feel my family), and I finally realized that one aspect of my work that I often forget is that each piece of paper in our court files has to do with people, all made in God's Image. 

Often, the trappings of a legal career--hearings, trials, mediations, depositions--can all become a huge game of chess or Risk, with Paralegals and Attorneys focused on building an amazing win/loss record and climbing up the Golden Chains of Success and Power.  One thing I think we often forget is that all of our work in the industry has to do with people and the best interest of our clients and (hopefully) any other folks involved in the matter.  I realize now that if I ever reach the point in my career in the legal field that I become numb to the fact that my work and actions has a direct impact on my fellow man and get caught up in the Golden Chain climb, I need to find another line of work.  

Heidelberg Catechism, Weeks 7 and 8

I didn't get a chance to post last week; Jenn and I were out of town, and, once again, life got in the way of posting.  I plan on doing a better job of keeping up with my blog in the future.

In the meantime, here are weeks 7 and 8 of the Catechism.  Once again, this translation can be found at the URC Learning web page.  

Lord’s Day 7

20. Are all men, then, saved by Christ as they have perished in Adam?

No, only those who by true faith are ingrafted into Him and receive all His benefits.¹

¹ Ps 2:12; Mt 7:14; Jn 1:12-13, 3:16, 18, 36; Rom. 11:16-21; 1 Cor 15:22; Heb 4:2-3, 10:39

21. What is true faith?

True faith is not only a sure knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in His Word,¹ but also a hearty trust,² which the Holy Spirit³ works in me by the Gospel,⁴ that not only to others, but to me also,⁵ forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation are freely given by God,⁶ merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.⁷

¹ Jn 17:3, 17; Heb 11:1-3; Jas 1:6, 2:19; ² Rom 4:16-21, 5:1, 10:10; Heb 4:16; ³ 2 Cor 4:13; Php 1:19, 29; ⁴ Acts 16:4; Rom 1:16, 10:17; 1 Cor 1:21; ⁵ Gal 2:20; ⁶ Rom. 1:17; Heb 10:10, 11:1-2; ⁷ Acts 10:43; Rom 3:20-26; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:7-10

22. What, then, is necessary for a Christian to believe?

All that is promised us in the Gospel,¹ which the articles of our catholic, undoubted Christian faith teach us in summary.

¹ Mt 28:19-20; Jn 20:30-31; 2 Tim 3:15; 2 Pt 1:21

23. What are these articles?

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, a holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Lord’s Day 8

24. How are these articles divided?

Into three parts: the first is of God the Father and our creation; the second, of God the Son and our redemption; the third, of God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.¹

¹ 1 Pt 1:2

25. Since there is but one Divine Being,¹ why do you speak of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Because God has so revealed Himself in His Word,,² that these three distinct persons are the one, true, eternal God.

¹ Deut 6:4; Isa 44:6, 45:5; 1 Cor 8:4-6; ² Gen 1:2-3; Ps 110:1; Isa 61:1, 63:8-10; Mt 3:16-17, 28:18-19; Lk 4:18; Jn 14:26, 15:26; 2 Cor 13:14; Gal 4:6; Tit 3:5-6

Child Abuse, Neglect, and Total Depravity

One of the sad constants about our country is that incidents of child abuse and neglect increase when the economy goes bad.  While I can't go into detail on any of my stories due to the nature of my work (prosecuting abuse and neglect cases involving children and vulnerable adults), many parents, in an attempt to try to work out their own issues, don't choose healthy means of coping with their problems.  As a result, their children end up suffering.  Maybe it's because Mom and Dad would rather spend their hard-earned cash on drugs and on themselves instead of on food or medical care for the children.  Maybe it's because Mom and Dad physically or sexually abuse the child.  Maybe it's because of some other form of abuse--mental, emotional, or otherwise.  Ultimately, the child suffers because of what Mom, Dad, or some other caregiver does or fails to do.  That said, our office has been very busy this past year.

In whatever free moments I get at work, I think about the Christian doctrine of Total Depravity. In a nutshell, the doctrine teaches that due to the fall, mankind lost the free will and ability to seek after God and turn from sin.  The blessing is that even in our wickedness, we are restrained from how evil we could be.  The sad thing is that in our fallen state, even the good we do is not enough to make us right in the sight of a holy and just God. 

One thing I do struggle with is that even though in my head--and in my heart--I know that mankind is sinful and I shouldn't be surprised by it, there are still things that surprise me.  What some parents do or allow to happen to their children.  Even though I know and understand that mankind, thankfully, is restrained from being as wicked and sinful as it could be, I still get shock and anger at some of the stories and situations that Child Protective Services workers find innocent children in. 

So, how can knowledge of Total Depravity help someone?  How should it affect and color a Christian's world view?  Better yet, what's the point of it? 

Lord willing, we'll talk more about it this week. 





 

Heidelberg Catechism, Week 6

Lord’s Day 6

16. Why must He be a true and righteous man?

Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned should make satisfaction for sin;¹ but one who is himself a sinner cannot satisfy for others.²

¹ Rom 5:12, 15; 1 Cor 15:21; Heb 2:14-16; ² Isa 53:3-5; Heb 7:26-27; 1 Pt 3:18

17. Why must He also be true God?

That by the power of His Godhead¹ He might bear in His manhood the burden of God’s wrath,² and so obtain for³ and restore to us righteousness and life.⁴

¹ Isa 9:5; ² Dt 4:24; Isa 53:8; Ps 130:3; Nah 1:6; Acts 2:24; ³ Jn 3:16; Acts 20:28; ⁴ Isa 53:5, 11; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Jn 1:2

18. But who now is that Mediator, who in one person is true God and also a true and righteous man?

Our Lord Jesus Christ,¹ who is freely given unto us for complete redemption and righteousness. ²

¹ Mt 1:21-23; Lk 2:11; 1 Tim 2:5, 3:16; ² Acts 4:12; 1 Cor 1:30

19. From where do you know this?

From the Holy Gospel, which God Himself first revealed in Paradise,¹ afterwards proclaimed by the holy patriarchs² and prophets,³ and foreshadowed by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law,⁴ and finally fulfilled by His well-beloved Son.⁵

¹ Gen 3:15; ² Gen 12:3, 22:18, 49:10-11; ³ Isa 53; Jer 23:5-6; Mic 7:18-20; Acts 3:22-24, 10:43; Rom 1:2; Heb 1:1; ⁴ Lev 1:7; Jn 5:46; Heb 10:1-10; ⁵ Rom 10:4; Gal 4:4-5; Col 2:17; Heb 10:1

(taken from URC Learning)

Heidelberg Catechism, Week 5

This week's installment got posted late due to life getting in the way.  Hopefully, it's received in time for us all to meditate on our Lord's Day evening this week.  I also found another translation of the catechism here at the United Reformed Church in North America's website.  As always, here is the link to the previous version of the catechism that I've used in the past.  

 

 

 

12. Since, then, by the righteous judgment of God we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how may we escape this punishment and be again received into favor?

God wills that His justice be satisfied;¹ therefore, we must make full satisfaction to that justice, either by ourselves or by another.²

¹ Ex 20:5, 23:7; Rom 2:1-11; ² Isa 53:11; Rom 8:3-4

13. Can we ourselves make this satisfaction?

Certainly not; on the contrary, we daily increase our guilt.¹

¹ Job 9:2-3, 15:15-16; Ps 130:3; Mt 6:12, 16:26; Rom 2:4-5

14. Can any mere creature make satisfaction for us?

None; for first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man committed;¹ and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin and redeem others from it.²

¹ Ezek 18:4, 20; Heb 2:14-18; ² Ps 130:3; Nah 1:6

15. What kind of mediator and redeemer, then, must we seek?

One who is a true¹ and righteous man,² and yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God.³

¹ 1 Cor 15:21-22, 25-26; Heb 2:17; ² Isa 53:11; Jer 13:16; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 7:26; ³ Isa 7:14, 9:6; Jer 23:6; Jn 1:1; Rom 8:3-4; Heb 7:15-16