Like my notes on Krispin's lecture, my notes on Kleinig's second lecture are not representative of all the wonderful things he said. His second lecture at the Gerhardt symposium was on spiritual warfare. So much of what he spoke was preaching (with all its sweetness and comfort) and only part of his talk was "lecture" and information. And you don't usually take notes during preaching! You listen to Jesus' sweet-talk. I'm just saying this because what I'm going to write is so inadequate in light of what was actually said.
Dr Kleinig spoke on May 8 about how Gerhardt's beliefs about Satan are embarrassing to us today. Modern man doesn't take Satan seriously. Our popular sensibilities see Satan as a symbol of evil. But Paul Gerhardt recognized the reality of Satan as a person, an enemy of God, an enemy of the Christian. Gerhardt knew something about spiritual warfare.
Dr Kleinig reminded us that it takes prayer, meditation on the Word, and anfechtung [spiritual attack by Satan] when one studies theology. Although Satan attacks Christians with the intent of destroying faith, anfechtung paradoxically teaches us to experience the sweetness and comfort of God's word. When we are attacked, our confidence in ourselves is shot to pieces, and we learn that the only thing that matters is God's word and His love. So Satan inadvertently drives us to Jesus.
And that's why the apostle said that he rejoiced in his infirmities.
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