Re: The Bible
"Here, then, is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our duty to study God's Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy."
- R. C. Sproul
"You may as well quit reading and hearing the Word of God, and give it to the devil, if you do not desire to live according to it."
- Martin Luther
"The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts."
- AW Tozer
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Exodus 13:11-16
This particular study is a 1st draft...I am thinking my way through this passage but here goes:
Read Exodus 13:11-16
We note first that just as with verse 2, the command is given that the firstborn of the people and of the animals is to be consecrated to the Lord.
Note, however, that verse 13 makes a distinction for the donkey...either it is redeemed by the blood of a lamb, or it is to be killed.
What is the significance of this?
If we look at verse 15, we see that the donkey is representaive of the natural state of man!
Israel, like the donkey, would have been destroyed were it not for the substitution of the lamb, the presence of which caused the Angel to pass over those households stained by the blood of the lamb!
Look at it this way:
What are the characteristics of a donkey?
• stubborn
• stupid
• rebellious
• defiant
Now read John 5:37-40
can we say stubbornness?
Read Ephesians 4:17-18
stupidity?
Read Romans 1:18-23
rebelliousness ?
Read 2 Timothy 3:1-9
defiant?
So what does the comparison mean for us? Well, for one, it speaks to God’s love and compassion!
Read Romans 5:6-11
Can we agree that the attributes of an ass and of the natural man are similar?
Do we see ourselves in it?
And what, then, do we deserve from God?
A broken neck? Death!
But what have we received?
Grace!
Read 1 Timothy 1:12-15
Read Luke 18:11-12
With which of these two do you align yourself?
We should be thankful that a lamb, THE Lamb, was provided for our salvation, and until we acknowledge how unworthy we are, we cannot be properly grateful to our Lord and Master!
God Bless!
Read Exodus 13:11-16
We note first that just as with verse 2, the command is given that the firstborn of the people and of the animals is to be consecrated to the Lord.
Note, however, that verse 13 makes a distinction for the donkey...either it is redeemed by the blood of a lamb, or it is to be killed.
What is the significance of this?
If we look at verse 15, we see that the donkey is representaive of the natural state of man!
Israel, like the donkey, would have been destroyed were it not for the substitution of the lamb, the presence of which caused the Angel to pass over those households stained by the blood of the lamb!
Look at it this way:
What are the characteristics of a donkey?
• stubborn
• stupid
• rebellious
• defiant
Now read John 5:37-40
can we say stubbornness?
Read Ephesians 4:17-18
stupidity?
Read Romans 1:18-23
rebelliousness ?
Read 2 Timothy 3:1-9
defiant?
So what does the comparison mean for us? Well, for one, it speaks to God’s love and compassion!
Read Romans 5:6-11
Can we agree that the attributes of an ass and of the natural man are similar?
Do we see ourselves in it?
And what, then, do we deserve from God?
A broken neck? Death!
But what have we received?
Grace!
Read 1 Timothy 1:12-15
Read Luke 18:11-12
With which of these two do you align yourself?
We should be thankful that a lamb, THE Lamb, was provided for our salvation, and until we acknowledge how unworthy we are, we cannot be properly grateful to our Lord and Master!
God Bless!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Paul Washer Sermon
I found this sermon posted on The Reformed Gadfly and liked it so much I felt the need to "steal" it and post it here! :)
I do hope at least some of you take the time to watch it because it is well worth the 15 minutes it will take.
Enjoy!
This is War - Paul Washer from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.
I do hope at least some of you take the time to watch it because it is well worth the 15 minutes it will take.
Enjoy!
This is War - Paul Washer from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.
Friday, April 24, 2009
"Album of the Damned: Snapshots From The Third Reich" by Paul Garson
ISBN #9780897335767
I read this book about 2 weeks ago but I just came across it at work again and thought I'd post a quick review while I'm on break.
As you can tell from the title, the book is made up mostly of pictures with some text. These pictures were taken by everyday Germans; soldiers, Nazi party members, housewives, children, etc...
It is this aspect that makes the pictures so powerful because it shows everyday people doing everyday things. Normal people like you and I. But then you think about what some of these people did...and the author provides details that are haunting when compared with the idyllic represtation of the photos. Like the middle aged men in uniform smiling at the camera. Could be our neighbors, our family members. They seem like the kind of people you'd like to know. Then you realize the uniforms they are wearing are those of the police battalions assigned to the cleansing of Jews and other undesirables from Poland and other conquered territories. These smiling happy men killed other men, women, and children because they felt it was the right thing; it was necessary.
Take a look at the book...sometimes the author can get a tad melodramatic (for example in a picture of a pre-war matronly woman photographed before some trees he points out the shadows cast and comments that they bring to mind the shadow of war looming!); overall, however, it is quite an experience.
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them"
- Romans 1:28-32
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Quotable
"If Christ is to be our life we must look, in the first place, at Christ before us as our Example. When I speak of Christ as my life, it must not be a vague indefinite thing, but I must know. Life always works itself out in conduct and action, and if Christ comes into me as my life, it must not only be something hidden in my heart, but something that proves itself in every action and in every moment of my existence. And if I want to know how it will show itself, what my sentiments and words and actions and habits will be if I have Christ's life, I must go to the life of the Lord Jesus upon earth and study that. And as I study the life and walk of God's own beloved Son, I must remember that before God took Him up to heaven, God let Him live here upon earth, that in His life I might have a picture, a revelation, a complete representation of what my God wanted me to be, and was willing to make me. That is the light in which you must study the life of Christ in the Gospels- not the only, but one most important, light."
- Andrew Murray in "Absolute Surrender" page 77
As I contemplate these words this evening I think to all those whom I know that profess to be Believers but who do not hold to any of the basic doctrines of the faith. They claim that Christ is their Savior, but deny that the Bible is actually the Word of God...or if it is, then it is certainly not inerrant or infallible. How can they claim to know the One that is proclaimed only in the Bible which they don't believe? Or they claim to have a relationship with the Lord and go without gathering together with other Believers in church for corporate worship. How can they relate to the One that loves the church if they forsake the assembly? Can they love Christ and be apathetic towards the local body that is His Bride?
How true Murray speaks when he says that "if Christ comes into me as my life, it must not only be something hidden in my heart, but something that proves itself in every action and in every moment of my existence."
I hear echoes of James 1:22 here, where the brother of the Lord exhorts us to be doers and not just heares of the Word of God.
Oh for a people of God zealous to exercise their faith in deed AND word!
God bless!
- Andrew Murray in "Absolute Surrender" page 77
As I contemplate these words this evening I think to all those whom I know that profess to be Believers but who do not hold to any of the basic doctrines of the faith. They claim that Christ is their Savior, but deny that the Bible is actually the Word of God...or if it is, then it is certainly not inerrant or infallible. How can they claim to know the One that is proclaimed only in the Bible which they don't believe? Or they claim to have a relationship with the Lord and go without gathering together with other Believers in church for corporate worship. How can they relate to the One that loves the church if they forsake the assembly? Can they love Christ and be apathetic towards the local body that is His Bride?
How true Murray speaks when he says that "if Christ comes into me as my life, it must not only be something hidden in my heart, but something that proves itself in every action and in every moment of my existence."
I hear echoes of James 1:22 here, where the brother of the Lord exhorts us to be doers and not just heares of the Word of God.
Oh for a people of God zealous to exercise their faith in deed AND word!
God bless!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Exodus 13:1-10
Read Exodus 13:1-10
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens th womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine."
With these words, we see that God lays a claim upon the people of Israel. He sets apart the firstborn all the nation for Himself.
What do you suppose is the significance of the firstborn being consecrated to God?
Remember that all of these are the very ones whom God spared from death in Egypt!
So God claims Israel as His own, again, not because of any implicit worth in them, but because of what He did for them! He redeemed them, meaning He paid a price for them. This being the case, He has set them apart for a particular purpose. For His purpose, for His glory.
In verses 3-7 we see how God demands they remember what He has done for them...and a part of this remembering involves the unleavened bread.
Read 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The fact that we are saved and that we have been bought by the blood of Christ, just as Israel was redeemed by the blood of the lamb, does not free us to sin without fear of eternal punishment. On the contrary, our redemption imposes upon us a higher duty to keep away from evil, to not indulge the desires of the flesh, and to not keep worldly company.
What does it mean that we should not keep worldly company? This is not saying we need to avoid people who are not Believers, for how else could we "win" them to Christ? No, to understand the meaning behind this, ask yourself the following:
Who are the people you have the most contact with?
Who are those whom you spend the most time with recreationally?
Who do you seek out for friendship?
If you are a Child of Christ, then the answer to all of the above should be that it is other Christians! If we find that the people we most seek out, whethet at work or wherever else, are not Believers, then we should ask ourselves why! How could we say we love our Risen Lord and not love those for whom He perished and rose again?
Read Matthew 16:6-12
Note the warning which Jesus gave to His disciples:
To impose upon the Word something that is not there, to impose traditions that supersede the Scriptures, and to put ritual ahead of true faith is the essence of what Jesus warned about. This is the leaven of hypocrisy.
In Mark we also read about the leaven of Herod. What do you suppose this speaks to? The leaven herein speaks to friendship with the world!
So that when we join the world in mocking our Lord, we sin.
When we allow ourselves to compromise our standards for the sake of being friendly, we sin.
And when we keep silent and our Lord is being degraded, we sin.
Basically then, we as Believers have the obligation of obedience to our Lord. He has the right to expect us to live lives differently than the unbeliever does. And He has the right to expect us to remember His sacrifice for us.
It can be said, then, that the Passover for the Believer is now the Lord’s Supper. We must remember this and we must do so regularly.
You see, as Believers, our lives were saved from eternal damnation, and we no longer belong to ourselves, we are slaves to Christ. It is not for some simple reason that Luther taught on the bondage of the will...and it was not out of thin air that Luther spoke on this, for look to Romans 6:15-23 and you will see that Luther did nothing but echo the inspired words of Paul!
One final comment...note Exodus 13:8
"And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, "This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt."
The most important thing for us to do is to tell our children about the hope that is in us! What the Lord did for me!!! Oh that all of us parents would make this a priority instead of leaving it to others!
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens th womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine."
With these words, we see that God lays a claim upon the people of Israel. He sets apart the firstborn all the nation for Himself.
What do you suppose is the significance of the firstborn being consecrated to God?
Remember that all of these are the very ones whom God spared from death in Egypt!
So God claims Israel as His own, again, not because of any implicit worth in them, but because of what He did for them! He redeemed them, meaning He paid a price for them. This being the case, He has set them apart for a particular purpose. For His purpose, for His glory.
In verses 3-7 we see how God demands they remember what He has done for them...and a part of this remembering involves the unleavened bread.
Read 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The fact that we are saved and that we have been bought by the blood of Christ, just as Israel was redeemed by the blood of the lamb, does not free us to sin without fear of eternal punishment. On the contrary, our redemption imposes upon us a higher duty to keep away from evil, to not indulge the desires of the flesh, and to not keep worldly company.
What does it mean that we should not keep worldly company? This is not saying we need to avoid people who are not Believers, for how else could we "win" them to Christ? No, to understand the meaning behind this, ask yourself the following:
Who are the people you have the most contact with?
Who are those whom you spend the most time with recreationally?
Who do you seek out for friendship?
If you are a Child of Christ, then the answer to all of the above should be that it is other Christians! If we find that the people we most seek out, whethet at work or wherever else, are not Believers, then we should ask ourselves why! How could we say we love our Risen Lord and not love those for whom He perished and rose again?
Read Matthew 16:6-12
Note the warning which Jesus gave to His disciples:
To impose upon the Word something that is not there, to impose traditions that supersede the Scriptures, and to put ritual ahead of true faith is the essence of what Jesus warned about. This is the leaven of hypocrisy.
In Mark we also read about the leaven of Herod. What do you suppose this speaks to? The leaven herein speaks to friendship with the world!
So that when we join the world in mocking our Lord, we sin.
When we allow ourselves to compromise our standards for the sake of being friendly, we sin.
And when we keep silent and our Lord is being degraded, we sin.
Basically then, we as Believers have the obligation of obedience to our Lord. He has the right to expect us to live lives differently than the unbeliever does. And He has the right to expect us to remember His sacrifice for us.
It can be said, then, that the Passover for the Believer is now the Lord’s Supper. We must remember this and we must do so regularly.
You see, as Believers, our lives were saved from eternal damnation, and we no longer belong to ourselves, we are slaves to Christ. It is not for some simple reason that Luther taught on the bondage of the will...and it was not out of thin air that Luther spoke on this, for look to Romans 6:15-23 and you will see that Luther did nothing but echo the inspired words of Paul!
One final comment...note Exodus 13:8
"And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, "This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt."
The most important thing for us to do is to tell our children about the hope that is in us! What the Lord did for me!!! Oh that all of us parents would make this a priority instead of leaving it to others!
"Heaven Misplaced: Christ's Kingdom on Earth" by Douglas Wilson
ISBN #9781591280514
I have been meaning to do this review for some time but I was unsure of how to go about it since while I disagreed with the premise of the book and the theological conclusions...it was very well written and the author came across in a very loving manner. As an alumni of the University of Idaho, I am familiar with Mr. Wilson though I do not know him personally, so it was a genuine pleasure to read the book and find out in more detail what he believes regarding this issue.
But what is the verdict? Well I can certainly not recommend it in the sense that I was overcome by his logic and his arguments, but I CAN say that those who already believe in Wilson's type of eschatology will love this book. As a premillenialist however, I was unconvinced by the arguments. If, on the other hand, you believe that Christians will "conquer" the planet and prepare it for the return of Christ, then you will like it. :)
If there is one criticism I would offer in regards to the interaction of the author with the premillenial view, it is that he seems to deride it as a pessimistic view whose supporters view this world as "God's Vietnam," which is simply not true and nothing more than a caricature of the position. He refers to his position as "historical optimism" and that post millenialists actually believe the Great Commission will be "successfully completed." Well, I know that I don't hold to his eschatology and yet I too believe the Great Commission WILL be successfully completed too! :)
I guess this is not the best book review ever...I can't really interact as much with any points or this would be a very long review, and to be honest I simply feel that while the book is aimed at convincing people that the author's view is correct, it does not achieve that desire. Anyone who has studied the Word for any sufficient length of time has probably arrived at their view through careful study. I confess I am biased, but all I can say is that such careful study will not lead to the position of the book. If it converts anyone, it will be someone either new to the faith or a professing Christian for whom study of the Word is not all that important and is quick to be convinced by any argument. I do want to be quick to point out that while I think Mr. Wilson is wrong, I do not consider him guilty of any damning heresy. A Christian can be saved and yet hold to his erroneous view! :)
So there you go. Read the book to find out what others believe or to be further assured of your own convictions if you already hold to the view it advocates. For myself, I am glad to have it as a reference source, but that is all.
I have been meaning to do this review for some time but I was unsure of how to go about it since while I disagreed with the premise of the book and the theological conclusions...it was very well written and the author came across in a very loving manner. As an alumni of the University of Idaho, I am familiar with Mr. Wilson though I do not know him personally, so it was a genuine pleasure to read the book and find out in more detail what he believes regarding this issue.
But what is the verdict? Well I can certainly not recommend it in the sense that I was overcome by his logic and his arguments, but I CAN say that those who already believe in Wilson's type of eschatology will love this book. As a premillenialist however, I was unconvinced by the arguments. If, on the other hand, you believe that Christians will "conquer" the planet and prepare it for the return of Christ, then you will like it. :)
If there is one criticism I would offer in regards to the interaction of the author with the premillenial view, it is that he seems to deride it as a pessimistic view whose supporters view this world as "God's Vietnam," which is simply not true and nothing more than a caricature of the position. He refers to his position as "historical optimism" and that post millenialists actually believe the Great Commission will be "successfully completed." Well, I know that I don't hold to his eschatology and yet I too believe the Great Commission WILL be successfully completed too! :)
I guess this is not the best book review ever...I can't really interact as much with any points or this would be a very long review, and to be honest I simply feel that while the book is aimed at convincing people that the author's view is correct, it does not achieve that desire. Anyone who has studied the Word for any sufficient length of time has probably arrived at their view through careful study. I confess I am biased, but all I can say is that such careful study will not lead to the position of the book. If it converts anyone, it will be someone either new to the faith or a professing Christian for whom study of the Word is not all that important and is quick to be convinced by any argument. I do want to be quick to point out that while I think Mr. Wilson is wrong, I do not consider him guilty of any damning heresy. A Christian can be saved and yet hold to his erroneous view! :)
So there you go. Read the book to find out what others believe or to be further assured of your own convictions if you already hold to the view it advocates. For myself, I am glad to have it as a reference source, but that is all.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Quotable
“I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.”
-C.S. Lewis
All I can say to that is AMEN! :)
-C.S. Lewis
All I can say to that is AMEN! :)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Genesis 15:6
"And he [Abram] believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness."
The faith that justified Abram was a faith in the Lord. He understood that God is worthy of our complete trust because He is trustworthy and merits our devotion and our obedience. His was not a faith like demons have (James 2:19), where they understand and believe in God but don't believe unto salvation. To say I believe in God means nothing if I don't submit to Him as Lord and Savior. To say I believe in the Lord must be accompanied by obedience to Him. May God reckon unto us this righteousness!
May we exhibit such faith!
The faith that justified Abram was a faith in the Lord. He understood that God is worthy of our complete trust because He is trustworthy and merits our devotion and our obedience. His was not a faith like demons have (James 2:19), where they understand and believe in God but don't believe unto salvation. To say I believe in God means nothing if I don't submit to Him as Lord and Savior. To say I believe in the Lord must be accompanied by obedience to Him. May God reckon unto us this righteousness!
May we exhibit such faith!
Living Like We Believe What We Say We Believe
If it were not for the fact that I write mostly for my family and close friends, I would just give up on writing and post a permanent link to the Pyromaniacs site!
Go there are take a look at the latest post by Dan Phillips and get ready to be challenged!
Go there are take a look at the latest post by Dan Phillips and get ready to be challenged!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Exodus 12:7-8
Read Exodus 12:7-8
Here we have the instructions to Israel regarding the blood of the lamb. The blood which was to be placed on the doorposts and the lintel of the houses so that when the Destroyer came He would pass over and not kill the first born.
Regading the placement of the blood, note that it was to be placed in a very visual place, the above mentioned doorposts and the lintel of the house. Again, this was so the Angel of the Lord could note clearly which houses were marked for mercy, but what is the symbolic representation?
The blood on the outside of the house may be seen as apicture of how the blood of Christ, when applied to the sins of people, transforms us so that people know we are marked by something! It also points to the trust that God’s people have! We know, without a shadow of a doubt, that because the blood of Jesus was shed for us that God will someday welcome us into His arms with the greeting, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”!
Similarly, the Jews had this trust in God. They knew the Angel of Death was to pass their home seeking the firstborn to kill, yet they also knew that the simple act of sprinkling the blood was sufficient to keep the angel away. The Jews trusted and believed God. Still, remember what we we've already discussed...despite all of this, they continued to worship false gods, even in the Promised land!
Do you not realize that we too behave as the Jews? Having been purchased by the blood of the Lamb, we continue to sin against our Lord!
Now look at how verse 8 says that the people were to eat the lamb with unleavened bread. What does this represent?
Is leaven good?
That depends.
Leaven is, of course, what was (and is) used to make dough rise. In Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, it says that leaven was often “a piece of fermented dough retained from a previous baking that was placed in the new dough to cause it to rise.” The Bible uses it as examples of a substance that can permeate whatever it touches, and it is used as an example of both good and evil.
In this example, I think it is properly used as a form of something unwanted, something bad, which is why it is to be left out of the meal.
Let us look at an application for this metaphor of the leaven.
How does it apply to us?
The leaven, you see, is something that takes control of what it is immersed in, so we must discard the leaven of sin in our lives. Whatever practices we have, whatever things we contemplate that we know keep us from being totally devoted to Godd...then we are to root them out of our lives. We all know what these things are in our lives...so let us strive to daily examine ourselves and make sure such leaven does not corrupt us!
God bless!
Here we have the instructions to Israel regarding the blood of the lamb. The blood which was to be placed on the doorposts and the lintel of the houses so that when the Destroyer came He would pass over and not kill the first born.
Regading the placement of the blood, note that it was to be placed in a very visual place, the above mentioned doorposts and the lintel of the house. Again, this was so the Angel of the Lord could note clearly which houses were marked for mercy, but what is the symbolic representation?
The blood on the outside of the house may be seen as apicture of how the blood of Christ, when applied to the sins of people, transforms us so that people know we are marked by something! It also points to the trust that God’s people have! We know, without a shadow of a doubt, that because the blood of Jesus was shed for us that God will someday welcome us into His arms with the greeting, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”!
Similarly, the Jews had this trust in God. They knew the Angel of Death was to pass their home seeking the firstborn to kill, yet they also knew that the simple act of sprinkling the blood was sufficient to keep the angel away. The Jews trusted and believed God. Still, remember what we we've already discussed...despite all of this, they continued to worship false gods, even in the Promised land!
Do you not realize that we too behave as the Jews? Having been purchased by the blood of the Lamb, we continue to sin against our Lord!
Now look at how verse 8 says that the people were to eat the lamb with unleavened bread. What does this represent?
Is leaven good?
That depends.
Leaven is, of course, what was (and is) used to make dough rise. In Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, it says that leaven was often “a piece of fermented dough retained from a previous baking that was placed in the new dough to cause it to rise.” The Bible uses it as examples of a substance that can permeate whatever it touches, and it is used as an example of both good and evil.
In this example, I think it is properly used as a form of something unwanted, something bad, which is why it is to be left out of the meal.
Let us look at an application for this metaphor of the leaven.
How does it apply to us?
The leaven, you see, is something that takes control of what it is immersed in, so we must discard the leaven of sin in our lives. Whatever practices we have, whatever things we contemplate that we know keep us from being totally devoted to Godd...then we are to root them out of our lives. We all know what these things are in our lives...so let us strive to daily examine ourselves and make sure such leaven does not corrupt us!
God bless!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
I recently was pointed towards a blog written by an Episcopalian "bishop." This man is a life-long friend of someone with whom I work and in reading over the contents of the blog I can truly see why it is that the Episcopalian church is having so many issues nowadays. Considering that a man who professes faith in Christ can write some of what I've read is truly sad. That such a man would be elevated to the position of bishop is appalling.
I want to interact with something this man wrote considering the death and resurrection of our Savior, but since it's late and I need to get to bed I will just share the following:
"We have a special mission on the Reservation. There are practioners of tradtional Native Spirtuality, and there are Protestants who insist that the Native traditions are pagan evils to be deplored by Chrstians. We are the place where First Nations people can stay true to their culture and the ways of their ancestors and follow the gospel of Christ. The gospel is not about European culture. It is a flower that can grow in different soils. Seeing the gospel in these different contexts reaveals its essence and keeps us from confusing it with the social norms of our own backgrounds."
Hmm...so the Episcopalians are emergent? You can be Muslim AND Christian? You can be Buddhist AND Christian? I think not. Therefore you cannot cling to a spiritualist religion AND profess Christ. And any man who claims to be Christian and yet embraces such people as fellow Believers has absolutely no understanding of his professed religion. First of all, it is foolishness to utter a statement such as "The gospel is not about European culture." Okay. Who says it is?
The gospel came first to the Jews, then the Greeks, the Africans, etc...it took some time to get to central and northern Europe. This statement is nothing but a red herring intended to distract the reader from thinking through the implications of what this "bishop" has just written. The gospel, dear brethren, is radical. It calls us to repentance and to submission to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives. There is no repentance without the knowledge of our sin...and there is no repentance without the realization that we need a Savior to save us from the just penalty for our sin.
So let others try and hide this uncomfortable truth behind poetic language about the gospel being some kind of flower that will grow in all kinds of soil. Maybe this "bishop" needs to read the words of Jesus in Matthew 13:1-23 instead of trying to create some new kind of gospel. As for "confusing it with the social norms of our own background," it seems to me this is exactly what that writer is trying to do...confuse the gospel with the social norms of his own background. He obviously comes from a religious tradition that has rejected the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. He rejects the doctrine of substitutionary atonement (more on that in a different post), and so he must make things fit into the worldview of what he has accepted as normal. Out of this is produced a clergyman who does not call a people to repentance but to embrace his idea of Christ and mesh him with what they already have. This, you see, is nonjudgmental and accepting.
Who cares that it leads them straight to the pit of hell.
I want to interact with something this man wrote considering the death and resurrection of our Savior, but since it's late and I need to get to bed I will just share the following:
"We have a special mission on the Reservation. There are practioners of tradtional Native Spirtuality, and there are Protestants who insist that the Native traditions are pagan evils to be deplored by Chrstians. We are the place where First Nations people can stay true to their culture and the ways of their ancestors and follow the gospel of Christ. The gospel is not about European culture. It is a flower that can grow in different soils. Seeing the gospel in these different contexts reaveals its essence and keeps us from confusing it with the social norms of our own backgrounds."
Hmm...so the Episcopalians are emergent? You can be Muslim AND Christian? You can be Buddhist AND Christian? I think not. Therefore you cannot cling to a spiritualist religion AND profess Christ. And any man who claims to be Christian and yet embraces such people as fellow Believers has absolutely no understanding of his professed religion. First of all, it is foolishness to utter a statement such as "The gospel is not about European culture." Okay. Who says it is?
The gospel came first to the Jews, then the Greeks, the Africans, etc...it took some time to get to central and northern Europe. This statement is nothing but a red herring intended to distract the reader from thinking through the implications of what this "bishop" has just written. The gospel, dear brethren, is radical. It calls us to repentance and to submission to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives. There is no repentance without the knowledge of our sin...and there is no repentance without the realization that we need a Savior to save us from the just penalty for our sin.
So let others try and hide this uncomfortable truth behind poetic language about the gospel being some kind of flower that will grow in all kinds of soil. Maybe this "bishop" needs to read the words of Jesus in Matthew 13:1-23 instead of trying to create some new kind of gospel. As for "confusing it with the social norms of our own background," it seems to me this is exactly what that writer is trying to do...confuse the gospel with the social norms of his own background. He obviously comes from a religious tradition that has rejected the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. He rejects the doctrine of substitutionary atonement (more on that in a different post), and so he must make things fit into the worldview of what he has accepted as normal. Out of this is produced a clergyman who does not call a people to repentance but to embrace his idea of Christ and mesh him with what they already have. This, you see, is nonjudgmental and accepting.
Who cares that it leads them straight to the pit of hell.
Atheism & Evolution: Yup...They Make Total Sense!
Once again I am completely unable to give credit where credit is due here because this picture was on my computer but I cannot remember where I downloaded it from! Enjoy!Exodus 11:4-7
I was looking over my notes from 2006 and I found this study in Exodus. I made some slight revisions and here are the results! I hope you enjoy it and that it blesses you.
Read Exodus 11:4-7
Remember that the context here is that Moses is about to confront Pharaoh with that final plague to be visited upon Egypt.
The first words we read are, "Thus says the Lord!”
This phrase should fill us with awe because they signify the beginning of the work of the Lord. It is at this point that God begins to pour wrath on the depraved and mercy on His people!
The distinction which the Lord makes between His people and the Egyptians should serve to remind us that there will come a day when God shall indeed pour out His anger upon the world, a day when there shall be tears of regret on many eyes, but not on those of the Believer! On that day, however, seeing the lost go to their punishment, do you think we shall we stand there and gloat? I certainly don’t think so.
I think we’ll be remembering those opportunities we squandered. Those times we could have shared the gospel of Christ but did not because we were too shy, or too worried about what others would think of us! Now then, rest assured that I am not so foolish as to think that any one of God’s elect people can be lost, for I am convinced through the study of Scripture that all those who are of God shall be saved, but I am speaking of the opportunity to have been used by God to accomplish His holy will!
We should take the time now to make ourselves available to Christ. Do the work of the Lord, not thinking of rewards but of service to Him!
One other thing to think about. In verse 4, God says He will go out into the midst of Egypt. Brothers and sisters, when God says this, rest assured it probably did not make the Egyptians happy. For you see, when the Lord goes into the midst of a people, it is a blessing for those who are His servants, but woe unto those who are not, for God cannot stand the presence of sin! And those who are not His will experience only His judgment.
Why would God strike at the firstborn of the Egyptians rather than at the Egyptians themselves, or just at Pharaoh?
This can be answered in many ways, but a few of the answers are as follows:
In withholding this plague from Israel, God demonstrates His mercy and His goodness, whereas in His destruction of the Egyptian firstborn He demonstrates the “severity of His judgment.”
Read 1 Peter 4:14-18
Note the importance of this verse…how severe shall the judgment be upon the unbelieving? Very much so, for He will be as severe as He is merciful to the Believer! Arthur Pink maintains that the death of the firstborn also represents the manifestation of all that comes from the natural man. His first-fruits are a sample of the issue of sinful man, therefore meriting destruction from the Lord.
Finally, the judgment was on all of the Egyptians because of the reasons we’ve discussed before. Pharaoh was the protector and representative of Egypt. In his arrogance and sinful pride, he doomed his people to the judgment of the Lord. Likewise does the head of the household doom his family when he refuses to turn to the Lord and lead his family in the ways of God? To some extent yes. This is not to say that the individual Egyptian, just as the individual today, could not turn to the Lord for protection and forgiveness. Not one person who turns to the Lord in sincere repentance will be turned away!
But also, we must realize that ultimately it was God’s decision to include all of Egypt in this judgment and we do not need to seek reasons for Him. He does as He will and all that He does is right, whether we understand it or not.
Verse 7 is a beautiful picture of God’s Sovereign and Divine grace! Not even “shall a dog move its tongue.”
These were a people chosen by God…they were His to love.
A question remains. Knowing what we know of Israel, we are aware that they were extremely sinful and would continue to be so. What was it, then, about them that made God look down and decide these were to be His people, favored above all others? Were they more righteous than Egypt? Were they holier?
NO!
What was the spiritual condition of Israel at this point? Remember: this is when God is doing a mighty work for them!
Leviticus 17:7 reads as follows: “They [the Israelites] shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.”
Note the words no more…this worship was going on at the time, and God says, it must stop here!
Where had the Israelites picked up this worship of demons?
Joshua 24:14 reads as follows: “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!”
The people of Israel brought the worship of demons with them, out of Egypt! The implication is that at the time when the Lord was acting on their behalf, they were engaged in idolatry! Before we react with shock...how often do we engage in sinful behavior? Guess what? God is doing a mighty work in us right now!
One more reading and we’ll move on. Read Ezekiel 20:1-9
What can we learn from this awesome passage?
Without a doubt, Israel was involved in the worship of false gods. God commanded them to stop, and they refused. Furthermore, it hints at the fact (note verse 8) that some of the first plagues were punishment on Israel as well as Egypt. It shows without a shadow of a doubt that God delivered Israel not for their worthiness, but for the sake of His precious name!
Another thing is this, Israel has not responded to God in the way we would expect. Remember back in Exodus 2:23, it says, “…the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of their bondage.”
This says they cried out, but did they cry out to the Lord? No. The context suggests they merely cried out. But still God heard them, and the next verse says, “God remembered His covenant”. What does this tell us?
It was His Word God was keeping…this was the basis for His action. Israel had no faith, and many other in the world were suffering, but God chose to reach down and intervene for Israel! For His covenant’s sake!
God also made a covenant with Christ, “before the foundation of the world,” to deliver His people once again.
Read Ephesians 1:4&5.
Who is Paul speaking of? He is speaking of the people of God...he is speaking of us!
This, then, is the beauty of God’s grace!
We should marvel that we, like the Israelites, being totally depraved and without hope of heaven, were benefactors of God’s love and mercy, and we should remember to thank Him daily and never stop wondering at the immense and fearful Sovereignty of God!
Having gone through all that, what did Israel do to merit God’s making a distinction between them and Egypt, and what had they done to earn the favor of God? They had done absolutely nothing to earn God’s favor! It was God’s good pleasure to call them out to be His people. He has not yet asked (nor will He ask) if they want to be His people…He has chosen them and they shall be His!
Romans 9:15 shows God declaring that He will have mercy on whom He will!
Realize this: The actions of God in regards to His calling and choosing are characteristic of Him (Pink) throughout the ages. Even unto today. We as Believers were not more discerning than those who did not turn to God, neither were we more open to Him when we were yet “dead in our trespasses.” For if we were spiritually dead, then we were unable to seek after spiritual matters until we were made alive by the work of the Spirit! When Paul therefore asks, “For who makes you differ from another” (1 Corinthians 4:7), the answer is: God!
Let us always make sure we give God the full glory in everything, and not make the mistake of assuming we had even a small measure in accomplishing our salvation.
Another thing verse 7 shows us is that God is in control of everything. Not man or beast has the ability to harm the people of God unless he gives assent. And rest assured that when the Lord does give assent, it will be to His glory!
Therefore, consider this:
God is in control in the bad times and in the good times!
He sometimes allows misfortune and death and illness to reach the Saints!
But how do we react when this happens? How should we react when this happens?
Certainly not in anger and resentment against Him! How about if we work on responding like Job did when he blessed God for his misfortune?
Ultimately, God owes us nothing...yet He has given us everything!
What a wonderful God we serve!
Read Exodus 11:4-7
Remember that the context here is that Moses is about to confront Pharaoh with that final plague to be visited upon Egypt.
The first words we read are, "Thus says the Lord!”
This phrase should fill us with awe because they signify the beginning of the work of the Lord. It is at this point that God begins to pour wrath on the depraved and mercy on His people!
The distinction which the Lord makes between His people and the Egyptians should serve to remind us that there will come a day when God shall indeed pour out His anger upon the world, a day when there shall be tears of regret on many eyes, but not on those of the Believer! On that day, however, seeing the lost go to their punishment, do you think we shall we stand there and gloat? I certainly don’t think so.
I think we’ll be remembering those opportunities we squandered. Those times we could have shared the gospel of Christ but did not because we were too shy, or too worried about what others would think of us! Now then, rest assured that I am not so foolish as to think that any one of God’s elect people can be lost, for I am convinced through the study of Scripture that all those who are of God shall be saved, but I am speaking of the opportunity to have been used by God to accomplish His holy will!
We should take the time now to make ourselves available to Christ. Do the work of the Lord, not thinking of rewards but of service to Him!
One other thing to think about. In verse 4, God says He will go out into the midst of Egypt. Brothers and sisters, when God says this, rest assured it probably did not make the Egyptians happy. For you see, when the Lord goes into the midst of a people, it is a blessing for those who are His servants, but woe unto those who are not, for God cannot stand the presence of sin! And those who are not His will experience only His judgment.
Why would God strike at the firstborn of the Egyptians rather than at the Egyptians themselves, or just at Pharaoh?
This can be answered in many ways, but a few of the answers are as follows:
In withholding this plague from Israel, God demonstrates His mercy and His goodness, whereas in His destruction of the Egyptian firstborn He demonstrates the “severity of His judgment.”
Read 1 Peter 4:14-18
Note the importance of this verse…how severe shall the judgment be upon the unbelieving? Very much so, for He will be as severe as He is merciful to the Believer! Arthur Pink maintains that the death of the firstborn also represents the manifestation of all that comes from the natural man. His first-fruits are a sample of the issue of sinful man, therefore meriting destruction from the Lord.
Finally, the judgment was on all of the Egyptians because of the reasons we’ve discussed before. Pharaoh was the protector and representative of Egypt. In his arrogance and sinful pride, he doomed his people to the judgment of the Lord. Likewise does the head of the household doom his family when he refuses to turn to the Lord and lead his family in the ways of God? To some extent yes. This is not to say that the individual Egyptian, just as the individual today, could not turn to the Lord for protection and forgiveness. Not one person who turns to the Lord in sincere repentance will be turned away!
But also, we must realize that ultimately it was God’s decision to include all of Egypt in this judgment and we do not need to seek reasons for Him. He does as He will and all that He does is right, whether we understand it or not.
Verse 7 is a beautiful picture of God’s Sovereign and Divine grace! Not even “shall a dog move its tongue.”
These were a people chosen by God…they were His to love.
A question remains. Knowing what we know of Israel, we are aware that they were extremely sinful and would continue to be so. What was it, then, about them that made God look down and decide these were to be His people, favored above all others? Were they more righteous than Egypt? Were they holier?
NO!
What was the spiritual condition of Israel at this point? Remember: this is when God is doing a mighty work for them!
Leviticus 17:7 reads as follows: “They [the Israelites] shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.”
Note the words no more…this worship was going on at the time, and God says, it must stop here!
Where had the Israelites picked up this worship of demons?
Joshua 24:14 reads as follows: “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!”
The people of Israel brought the worship of demons with them, out of Egypt! The implication is that at the time when the Lord was acting on their behalf, they were engaged in idolatry! Before we react with shock...how often do we engage in sinful behavior? Guess what? God is doing a mighty work in us right now!
One more reading and we’ll move on. Read Ezekiel 20:1-9
What can we learn from this awesome passage?
Without a doubt, Israel was involved in the worship of false gods. God commanded them to stop, and they refused. Furthermore, it hints at the fact (note verse 8) that some of the first plagues were punishment on Israel as well as Egypt. It shows without a shadow of a doubt that God delivered Israel not for their worthiness, but for the sake of His precious name!
Another thing is this, Israel has not responded to God in the way we would expect. Remember back in Exodus 2:23, it says, “…the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of their bondage.”
This says they cried out, but did they cry out to the Lord? No. The context suggests they merely cried out. But still God heard them, and the next verse says, “God remembered His covenant”. What does this tell us?
It was His Word God was keeping…this was the basis for His action. Israel had no faith, and many other in the world were suffering, but God chose to reach down and intervene for Israel! For His covenant’s sake!
God also made a covenant with Christ, “before the foundation of the world,” to deliver His people once again.
Read Ephesians 1:4&5.
Who is Paul speaking of? He is speaking of the people of God...he is speaking of us!
This, then, is the beauty of God’s grace!
We should marvel that we, like the Israelites, being totally depraved and without hope of heaven, were benefactors of God’s love and mercy, and we should remember to thank Him daily and never stop wondering at the immense and fearful Sovereignty of God!
Having gone through all that, what did Israel do to merit God’s making a distinction between them and Egypt, and what had they done to earn the favor of God? They had done absolutely nothing to earn God’s favor! It was God’s good pleasure to call them out to be His people. He has not yet asked (nor will He ask) if they want to be His people…He has chosen them and they shall be His!
Romans 9:15 shows God declaring that He will have mercy on whom He will!
Realize this: The actions of God in regards to His calling and choosing are characteristic of Him (Pink) throughout the ages. Even unto today. We as Believers were not more discerning than those who did not turn to God, neither were we more open to Him when we were yet “dead in our trespasses.” For if we were spiritually dead, then we were unable to seek after spiritual matters until we were made alive by the work of the Spirit! When Paul therefore asks, “For who makes you differ from another” (1 Corinthians 4:7), the answer is: God!
Let us always make sure we give God the full glory in everything, and not make the mistake of assuming we had even a small measure in accomplishing our salvation.
Another thing verse 7 shows us is that God is in control of everything. Not man or beast has the ability to harm the people of God unless he gives assent. And rest assured that when the Lord does give assent, it will be to His glory!
Therefore, consider this:
God is in control in the bad times and in the good times!
He sometimes allows misfortune and death and illness to reach the Saints!
But how do we react when this happens? How should we react when this happens?
Certainly not in anger and resentment against Him! How about if we work on responding like Job did when he blessed God for his misfortune?
Ultimately, God owes us nothing...yet He has given us everything!
What a wonderful God we serve!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Good Friday 2009
"I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered."
-quoted from Zecharaiah 13:7 by Christ in Matthew 26:31
As I contemplate what yesterday reminds us of, I was drawn to these words of our Lord. He is that great Shepherd, of course, and He was struck down for our own transgressions...for our sin. Indeed the Word tells us that it was necessary for Him who knew no sin to be made sin for our sake, so that we could partake of His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). But why was this necessary? Have you ever asked yourself this? Why is it that a Perfect One, a divine One, THE divine One, had to come down, clothe Himself in our humanity, for the sole purpose of dying horribly on the cross?
Well for those of us who believe in the Bible as His authoritative Word, then we know it is because of how holy our God is...and how terrible an offense sin is. When we look at that marvelous epistle written to the Romans we read that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) and that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). I know that this is Christianity 101 to many of you, but don't let this truth become something you know but don't really think about. You see, brethren, God is a holy God. So great an offense is sin to our God that the psalmist tells us that He hates the "workers of iniquity" (Psalm 5:5). Furthermore, humanity is referred to as "children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3). This places us in such a terrible position...you see God would be just in condemning all of humanity to the pit of hell which is reserved for Satan and his demons. Nobody could bring a charge against God if He chose to do this, for He would be completely within His rights as Creator to do so.
So think about it. Morally, legally, in any way possible, we were condemned sinners fit only for execution. And yet, to satisfy His holy justice, God declared that what we now refer to as Good Friday should come about. Good Friday. The day on which God Himself, in the Person of the Son, was put to death...for us! He paid the price for our sin and died the death that should be ours! God did this. The Creator, the Shepherd. He died that the sheep might live. What a terrible price for our Lord Jesus to have paid...but He did it willingly because He loved us. There was a moment on that cross where the Father turned His face away from the Son. There was a moment when the sin that Jesus took upon Himself turned Him into something reviled by the Father. He became sin. And our great Savior, knowing that the perfect unity between the Godhead was at this moment temporarily ruptured, cried out "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46) He was forsaken. As terrible as the physical suffering of Jesus was...this being forsaken was what He came to do. Look at yourself now. You who have bent the knee to Christ and received Him as Lord and Savior of your life. Look at yourself. You are NOT forsaken...because He was. And so now we are saved from the wrath of God because of the spilt blood of our Savior (Romans 5:9). Our spotless Lamb was placed on the altar and our sin was attributed to Him, and became His, and so His righteousness is now attributed to us.
If this does not swell your heart with love and gratitude towards our Lord then I must question why you feel you are His.
So take some time today my brethren, take some time to meditate on His Word. And let us strive to live in such a way that we bring honor and glory to His name. And then let us go and tell others about His sacrifice, and let us exhort them to turn to Him in repentance.
God bless!
-quoted from Zecharaiah 13:7 by Christ in Matthew 26:31
As I contemplate what yesterday reminds us of, I was drawn to these words of our Lord. He is that great Shepherd, of course, and He was struck down for our own transgressions...for our sin. Indeed the Word tells us that it was necessary for Him who knew no sin to be made sin for our sake, so that we could partake of His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). But why was this necessary? Have you ever asked yourself this? Why is it that a Perfect One, a divine One, THE divine One, had to come down, clothe Himself in our humanity, for the sole purpose of dying horribly on the cross?
Well for those of us who believe in the Bible as His authoritative Word, then we know it is because of how holy our God is...and how terrible an offense sin is. When we look at that marvelous epistle written to the Romans we read that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) and that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). I know that this is Christianity 101 to many of you, but don't let this truth become something you know but don't really think about. You see, brethren, God is a holy God. So great an offense is sin to our God that the psalmist tells us that He hates the "workers of iniquity" (Psalm 5:5). Furthermore, humanity is referred to as "children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3). This places us in such a terrible position...you see God would be just in condemning all of humanity to the pit of hell which is reserved for Satan and his demons. Nobody could bring a charge against God if He chose to do this, for He would be completely within His rights as Creator to do so.
So think about it. Morally, legally, in any way possible, we were condemned sinners fit only for execution. And yet, to satisfy His holy justice, God declared that what we now refer to as Good Friday should come about. Good Friday. The day on which God Himself, in the Person of the Son, was put to death...for us! He paid the price for our sin and died the death that should be ours! God did this. The Creator, the Shepherd. He died that the sheep might live. What a terrible price for our Lord Jesus to have paid...but He did it willingly because He loved us. There was a moment on that cross where the Father turned His face away from the Son. There was a moment when the sin that Jesus took upon Himself turned Him into something reviled by the Father. He became sin. And our great Savior, knowing that the perfect unity between the Godhead was at this moment temporarily ruptured, cried out "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46) He was forsaken. As terrible as the physical suffering of Jesus was...this being forsaken was what He came to do. Look at yourself now. You who have bent the knee to Christ and received Him as Lord and Savior of your life. Look at yourself. You are NOT forsaken...because He was. And so now we are saved from the wrath of God because of the spilt blood of our Savior (Romans 5:9). Our spotless Lamb was placed on the altar and our sin was attributed to Him, and became His, and so His righteousness is now attributed to us.
If this does not swell your heart with love and gratitude towards our Lord then I must question why you feel you are His.
So take some time today my brethren, take some time to meditate on His Word. And let us strive to live in such a way that we bring honor and glory to His name. And then let us go and tell others about His sacrifice, and let us exhort them to turn to Him in repentance.
God bless!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Unending Service to Christ
Al Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Seminary, was asked about John Calvin and what we might learn from him. Here is his reply:
"Calvin was...a teacher and he understood the necessity of the church to be a school. We want the churches to again be the schools of Christ. I want to die like Calvin died, studying and teaching and preaching to the end. Calvin didn't retire; he died."
I love this quote. It reminds me of the John Piper book "Don't Waste Your Life" where Piper contrasts the lives of two separate missionary groups. The one, a couple who reaches middle age and then retires to enjoy the last years of their lives; the other consists of two older ladies, missionary widows whose husbands are long dead...yet they remain in service. As they travel along a mountain road in the country where they serve, their car runs off the road and they are killed. Piper says that the retired couple wasted their lives whereas the old ladies did not. You understand what he means don't you?
He means exactly what Mohler does when he says he wants to die studying and teaching and preaching to the end. Considering that we will spend an eternity serving our Lord then we have to wonder why it is people feel we need "a break" from the study of God's Word. From service to Him. I attended a church many years ago where during the Summer they would not have Sunday school....when my father in law was told it was so that people could take a break, he replied that Satan does not take breaks! :) How very true!
"Calvin didn't retire; he died."
Oh for ministers, missionaries, and laypeople who want to die doing the work which the Father has prepared for them!
"Calvin was...a teacher and he understood the necessity of the church to be a school. We want the churches to again be the schools of Christ. I want to die like Calvin died, studying and teaching and preaching to the end. Calvin didn't retire; he died."
I love this quote. It reminds me of the John Piper book "Don't Waste Your Life" where Piper contrasts the lives of two separate missionary groups. The one, a couple who reaches middle age and then retires to enjoy the last years of their lives; the other consists of two older ladies, missionary widows whose husbands are long dead...yet they remain in service. As they travel along a mountain road in the country where they serve, their car runs off the road and they are killed. Piper says that the retired couple wasted their lives whereas the old ladies did not. You understand what he means don't you?
He means exactly what Mohler does when he says he wants to die studying and teaching and preaching to the end. Considering that we will spend an eternity serving our Lord then we have to wonder why it is people feel we need "a break" from the study of God's Word. From service to Him. I attended a church many years ago where during the Summer they would not have Sunday school....when my father in law was told it was so that people could take a break, he replied that Satan does not take breaks! :) How very true!
"Calvin didn't retire; he died."
Oh for ministers, missionaries, and laypeople who want to die doing the work which the Father has prepared for them!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
When Pride of Learning Exceeds Actual Learning
In the most recent issue of "The Intermountain Christian News" there is a really good review by Dr. Youssef Shared of "The Shack." Most of you who know me well are aware that I am no fan of this book, and so it should be no surprise to you that the article in question is a critique of the book. You will find this review on page 1 of the paper, and it continues on page 5, along with a list of 13 heresies the author finds in the book. As exciting as it would be for me to share these with you, I will let the reader follow the link above and read it for him/herself.
What I want to actually share with you in this post is actually in the letters to the editor section of the paper...found on page 4. Apparently, the article is republished along with a couple of letters regarding it, one of them a positive and one of them a negative letter. Here is the text of the letter I wish to make a comment on:
"It saddens me that you have lost your own bearings. I know you to be educated but I’m pretty sure my theological credentials exceed yours. I have read The Shack twice with a careful attention to the story, the theological underpinnings and the fictional expression of exceptionally difficult but exceedingly critical personal issues.
Your adoption of this shallow (at best) and probably disingenuous critique of The Shack is disappointing and makes me think that you would have been one of the myopic critics of C.S. Lewis as well.
I recommend that you retract your endorsement of Youssef’s spurious and anxious critique as soon as possible lest you find yourself in the company of the Pharisees our Lord had so little regard for. You might discover that you have done a great deal of damage to the Kingdom of God in your zeal.
– John F., Boise, Idaho (Submitted 03/15/09)"
What struck me first about this letter is that in commenting on the article, the writer (who apparently challenges the editor to a war of theological credentials...such humility!) fails to address even one point brought up by Dr. Youseff. There is no "here is why he is wrong..." No, far from it. Instead the letter is filled with attacks that seem determined to make the issue one of opinion rather than facts. For someone bold enough to assert the supremacy of his own knowledge, Mr. John F. fails to demonstrate it through any interaction with the actual content of Dr. Youseff's article.
Furthermore, you'll notice the choice words used throughout..."shallow (at best) and probably disingenuous critique..." Okay, but how is it shallow? The article brings up 13 heresies and the reasons why the author thinks them heresies. Yet our theological warrior here instead says that the article makes him think "that you would have been one of the myopic critics of C.S. Lewis as well." Now how does that address anything in the article? Oh yeah, it doesn't. And what if you disagree with Mr. John F.? Why then you must be, as he says, "in the company of the Pharisees our Lord had so little regard for. You might discover that you have done a great deal of damage to the Kingdom of God in your zeal." Wow...strong words. And all they do is confuse the issue and, yet again, fail to actually have any meaningful dialogue with the content! You disagree with me? Pharisee!!! You dare critique an author I like? You damage the Kingdom of God!
Obviously I dont' know who Mr. John F. is...but I pray whatever lofty school he received those theological credentials from normally does a better job of teaching its students how to properly critique the writings of another person. Maybe he should read Dr. Youseff's article again...'cause that was a good example right there!
What I want to actually share with you in this post is actually in the letters to the editor section of the paper...found on page 4. Apparently, the article is republished along with a couple of letters regarding it, one of them a positive and one of them a negative letter. Here is the text of the letter I wish to make a comment on:
"It saddens me that you have lost your own bearings. I know you to be educated but I’m pretty sure my theological credentials exceed yours. I have read The Shack twice with a careful attention to the story, the theological underpinnings and the fictional expression of exceptionally difficult but exceedingly critical personal issues.
Your adoption of this shallow (at best) and probably disingenuous critique of The Shack is disappointing and makes me think that you would have been one of the myopic critics of C.S. Lewis as well.
I recommend that you retract your endorsement of Youssef’s spurious and anxious critique as soon as possible lest you find yourself in the company of the Pharisees our Lord had so little regard for. You might discover that you have done a great deal of damage to the Kingdom of God in your zeal.
– John F., Boise, Idaho (Submitted 03/15/09)"
What struck me first about this letter is that in commenting on the article, the writer (who apparently challenges the editor to a war of theological credentials...such humility!) fails to address even one point brought up by Dr. Youseff. There is no "here is why he is wrong..." No, far from it. Instead the letter is filled with attacks that seem determined to make the issue one of opinion rather than facts. For someone bold enough to assert the supremacy of his own knowledge, Mr. John F. fails to demonstrate it through any interaction with the actual content of Dr. Youseff's article.
Furthermore, you'll notice the choice words used throughout..."shallow (at best) and probably disingenuous critique..." Okay, but how is it shallow? The article brings up 13 heresies and the reasons why the author thinks them heresies. Yet our theological warrior here instead says that the article makes him think "that you would have been one of the myopic critics of C.S. Lewis as well." Now how does that address anything in the article? Oh yeah, it doesn't. And what if you disagree with Mr. John F.? Why then you must be, as he says, "in the company of the Pharisees our Lord had so little regard for. You might discover that you have done a great deal of damage to the Kingdom of God in your zeal." Wow...strong words. And all they do is confuse the issue and, yet again, fail to actually have any meaningful dialogue with the content! You disagree with me? Pharisee!!! You dare critique an author I like? You damage the Kingdom of God!
Obviously I dont' know who Mr. John F. is...but I pray whatever lofty school he received those theological credentials from normally does a better job of teaching its students how to properly critique the writings of another person. Maybe he should read Dr. Youseff's article again...'cause that was a good example right there!
Friday, April 3, 2009
A Picture Says It All
I found this picture online...don't remember where so if you know tell me so I can give appropriate credit!
I thought this picture was a good commentary on the surface and simplistic beliefs of too many Christians! God does love us...but it is foolish to give voice to the words in the caption if you don't believe the picture also represents God's will for the lives of some of His followers.
Reputation vs. Character
I was finishing up reading the book "Dominion" a couple of weeks ago when I came across a quote that was pretty profound. Dominion is a Randy Alcorn book (isbn# 1-57673-661-x), so you know it's going to be really really good! :)
I confess that this is the book I like least written by Alcorn, but it is still a good book. In the book, Clarence Abernathy is investigating the murder of his sister and his niece, and when he gets a bit too close to the truth he is set up. He is accused of rape and everyone but his close friends and family believes him to be guilty. There is a powerful scene where Clarence is speaking to his father and he breaks down and tells him all a man has is his reputation...and his has been ruined. His father looks at him and says, (i'm paraphrasing) no son, all a man has is his character, and nobody can take that away.
I was struck by the truth of this statement. The world can believe what it wants of us, but as Christians our worth rests upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let the world mock us, let it accuse us falsely of crimes...our true brothers and sisters in Christ will stand by us till the end. And even if not...what does it matter if the Lord is for us?
No matter what befalls us, let us continue to serve Him with zeal. And if we are truly His, then if we ever find ourselves falsely accused we will be ultimately vindicated by our Lord...maybe not in this life, but definitely in the next. That life, dear brethren, is so very real. And you know what? When troubles come our way, those who truly know us...who know our character, they will stand by us.
Praise God!
I confess that this is the book I like least written by Alcorn, but it is still a good book. In the book, Clarence Abernathy is investigating the murder of his sister and his niece, and when he gets a bit too close to the truth he is set up. He is accused of rape and everyone but his close friends and family believes him to be guilty. There is a powerful scene where Clarence is speaking to his father and he breaks down and tells him all a man has is his reputation...and his has been ruined. His father looks at him and says, (i'm paraphrasing) no son, all a man has is his character, and nobody can take that away.
I was struck by the truth of this statement. The world can believe what it wants of us, but as Christians our worth rests upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let the world mock us, let it accuse us falsely of crimes...our true brothers and sisters in Christ will stand by us till the end. And even if not...what does it matter if the Lord is for us?
No matter what befalls us, let us continue to serve Him with zeal. And if we are truly His, then if we ever find ourselves falsely accused we will be ultimately vindicated by our Lord...maybe not in this life, but definitely in the next. That life, dear brethren, is so very real. And you know what? When troubles come our way, those who truly know us...who know our character, they will stand by us.
Praise God!
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