The most often used argument that I hear egalitarians employ to defend their position seems to be that if women have the gift of preaching then surely they can use those gifts just as men.  Someone used this argument several days ago when we discussed this issue.  Scholars have made the same point.

In the context of 1 Timothy 2:11-15, Gilbert Bilezikian says, "The gifts of the Spirit to the church are never differentiated on the basis of sex in the New Testament, except in this one sentence of eight Greek words" (p. 175, Beyond Sex Roles, 1985 [12^th printing January 2001, 2^nd ed].).

But, is it fair not to allow 1 Timothy 2:11-15 to have a full voice, maybe even to shed light on other passages?  And, regardless of how one comes down on the male-rulership issue, saying that gifts aren't gender-sex related means little.  A person could believe that a woman has the gift of preaching or teaching or pastoring and still believe that it should only be used among other women or children.  The fact that spiritual gifts aren't gender-sex specific fails to guide us about the proper context for their use.  Clear passages like 1 Timothy 2:11-15 must teach us here.

As for the merits of this worn argument by egalitarians, it's not only weak it's far worse.  It musters the same strength as a shriveled old man, gasping for his last few breaths just moments before his life-support system gives way.

Also see, WOMEN AND SBC MINISTRY: CLARIFYING THE BF&M OF 2000

Last week I posted an article called WOMEN AND SBC MINISTRY: CLARIFYING THE BF&M OF 2000.  If you haven't had a chance to read it, I encourage you to prayerfully do so with your Bible open.

Outline:

• The Baptist Faith & Message of 2000 and Scripture
• Conforming to Scripture
• The Issues at Stake

Excerpt:

"We can't talk about the importance of accurate doctrine, as with, say, the Trinity and the trustworthiness of the Bible, but ignore Scripture's methodology for how the gospel spreads and how discipleship takes place."

See whole article.

Here's my outline:

• The Baptist Faith & Message of 2000 and Scripture
• Conforming to Scripture
• The Issues at Stake

Here's my article:

• WOMEN AND SBC MINISTRY: CLARIFYING THE BF&M OF 2000.

May Christ be glorified.

It has been my joy to listen to these historical sermons by John Piper.  If you haven't heard them they're worth the time.

• Calvin: The Divine Majesty of the Word

              Download

• Martin Luther: Lessons from His Life and Labor

              Download

• Charles Spurgeon: Preaching Through Adversity

              Download

• J. Gresham Machen's Response to Modernism

              Download

• Judson: How Few There Are Who Die So Hard!

Download

• You Will Be Eaten by Cannibals! Lessons from the Life of John G. Paton

Download

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/

If you've ever read about John Paton, William Carey, or Adoniram Judson (or a host of other forefather missionaries), you know they were anything but wimps.  Neither was Gladys Aylward, Amy Carmichael, or Lottie Moon what we'd typically call wimpy.  Yet Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, 

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.  But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

Talk about straight forward stuff, "…so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."  The triune God is too glorious and sovereign to share the credit with us.  The great things that happen with our mission efforts must be a God thing, as 1 Corinthians 3:7 says, "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." 

While there are the great heroes that we hold up as examples, and rightfully so, they all had their own sins and weaknesses that they took to the field.  God purified each of them with suffering and sorrow.  Why?  To show his hand mighty so that these people didn't get confused and think it was their greatness that brought forth the fruit of souls. 

God uses the weak broken vessels simply because there are no other kind of redeemed humans.  God can, as one of my professors used to say, "Strike many a straight lick with a crooked stick."  So, join the crowd of crooked sticks and weak vessels.  Look how you might be more involved in missions, for God is making a great name for himself. 

Recently I've received a few comments on an article I posted on March 26, 2009, entitled: Wes Hill, We Can't Accept "Homosexual Christians."  Because a couple of these comments could represent a strong undercurrent in evangelical thinking, I wanted to make note of them here and respond.

Person "S" writes:

"This is a perplexing entry, as Wesley would certainly rightly object to equating a homosexual orientation with molesting children. An orientation, as he has used it, is a kind of 'hardwiring' that one does not choose. As such, it is much more part of the fiber of one's being than hurting children, spouses, or oneself through drug abuse. Please make a note of this - it is a very important distinction. "

Dear S,

Thanks for your entry.  I encourage you to use your name in the future.  Nonetheless, I understand Wesley Hill's argument.  I wrote him several times in private and we talked about all of this.  I disagree with his position and think that it's invalid and unbiblical to make a distinction between the "orientation" of homosexuality and call it essentially neutral whereas to make other "orientations" (that is, proclivities towards other sinful actions) as necessarily sinful.  Many want to make an "orientation" towards molestation the same as the sin of molesting but not do the same for a homosexual "orientation."  The question is, why the need to give homosexual behavior a special class all of its own?  [Updated on Dec 20, 2009 to say "homosexual orientation"].  It seems this is exactly what practicing homosexuals in the "gay Christian" movement want.  I don't buy it….

Again, I understand his position.  I just simply reject it.

kev

Laura writes:

"You equate homosexuality with drug abuse, wife beating, and fornication. These are all willfully chosen and completed actions, different from desires. I think S's point is worthy. The Bible clearly states that homosexual activity is a sin. So is drunkenness. Yet, one can be an abstaining alcoholic, engaged in a lifelong commitment to deny those desires.

"You ask 'Why the need to give homosexual behavior a special class all of its own?' I'm probably not going to change your mind, but I think we'd all agree that sexuality is a particularly deep and powerful aspect of personhood. 1 Corinthians 6:18. A lifelong abstinence from mere alcohol pales in comparison.

"Perhaps the title 'homosexual Christian' is unwise in its ambiguity regarding practicing/celibate. But as people like Wesley who would accept such a label struggle deeply to obey and glorify their Savior, can we, who are their spiritual family, not have more grace?

"More gentleness & respect in approaching a subject which is so personal?"

Laura,

What I'm trying to do is use the argument of Wes Hill and S and point out an inconsistency.  I'm saying, if this camp were consistent, they'd equate a proclivity (orientation) toward the sin of homosexual behavior on the same level with a proclivity toward another sinful behavior, whatever that might be.

Those in the Wes Hill and S camp don't seem to see other proclivities (orientations) on the same level with a homosexual orientation (temptation) towards homosexual behavior.  As their argument goes, homosexual orientation gets a special place, that is, an accepted neutral orientation like it somehow deserves special treatment.  The other orientations (not the completed actions, mind you, but the temptations and tendencies toward) of other potential lifestyles like molestation or womanizing or wife beating aren't given this special treatment, no neutral orientations afforded them. 

But my point is this--I agree that there's no need to talk about other innate desires (potential molesters or womanizers or wife-beaters) as orientations.  Instead people tend to talk of these tendencies as inclinations toward sin (temptations) or just see these tendencies as the same as the action.  Yet, with homosexual temptation, there seems to be a whole discussion about orientation--this innate, deep-seated, hardwired desire.  Since many people don't extend the same courtesy to other "orientations" why do these same people do it for those with a homosexual bent?  Why give into the gay rights movement and carve out a special place in our arguments for people with serious longings for homosexual contact without doing the same for the potential molester, polygamist, or wife-beater?  I'm pointing out an inconsistency in the way people think of homosexual orientation.  I think the pull towards this type of reasoning has to do with decades of propaganda from the gay rights community not something that comes from a close scrutiny of Scripture.

And, Laura, as to your point of being gracious, telling the truth about these things doesn't equal the absence of grace.  In fact, we can never be gracious if we're deceived and thinking un-biblically.  Too often Western believers, and especially Americans, confuse niceness with biblical love.  Jesus wasn't a nice guy--he came to bring a sword (Matthew 10:34-39), and nice guys just don't do that.

Thanks,

kev

I hope these responses help us look closer at what the Bible teaches and to seriously question the presuppositions of those influenced by the gay rights movement.  The gay rights movement continues to make advances in our society at large.  Let's make sure they don't guide our thinking in the church (Romans 12:1-2).

At the 2008 Together for the Gospel conference, Ligon Duncan, the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi, preached an excellent sermon entitled, "Sound Doctrine – Essential to Faithful Pastoral Ministry."

I've listened to this sermon about three times.  In this sermon Duncan shows that the church needs solid, healthy, weighty theology.  The church especially needs systematic theology.  In his estimation, and I think rightly so, the Bible isn't just one long narrative.  It's more than a story and it takes sound systematic theology to understand it.

I wish all Southern Baptists would listen to this sermon.  It seems particularly relevant to missionary work.  Good scholarship, biblical exegesis, and detailed theology are always needed on the field.

Al Mohler has posted a great article entitled, Feminism Unfulfilled — Why Are So Many Women Unhappy?  It contains the typical marks of one of Mohler's articles--quotes of relevant authors and citations of recent articles.  It also reaches a significant conclusion.  Here's a snippet:

"Nevertheless, it appears that most women are uncomfortable with this total package. Instead of producing a vast expansion of happiness among women, the feminist movement must now answer for the fact that women, by their own evaluation, appear to be less happy than before the revolution."

Depravity Reeks

Scripture makes clear that man is born rebellious against God.  His heart is bent towards his own ways and against God.  All parts of his life are tainted and effected by sin; thus in his sin, man reeks of fear, shame, and guilt. 

• Mark 7:21-22: For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

• Luke 6:45: The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

• Romans 8:7: For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

There are two extremes: not spanking and abusing a child.  Neither is an acceptable form of parenting.  For those who try things other than spanking might, by the grace of Christ, still produce a child who follows Jesus.  But I fear they'll raise kids who become adults without respect for authority and themselves be in danger of hell fire.  The same could be said of children from abusive situations.

Scripture makes clear that we are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8); so the reality is that spankings in and of themselves can't save anyone.  The blood of Jesus alone is mighty to save.  But the Bible teaches that spankings help children connect sin with pain and thus want to avoid it, which God can use to turn their hearts toward him. 

If sin is really so deep and entrenched in the human heart, how does anything but spankings take the sinfulness in their little hearts seriously?  Spankings are a type of judgment but they're a judgment equaling love.  Who says a parent can't also abuse his child by failing to drive home the child's sinfulness?  Does a time out really drive anything home?  Reasoning biblically with a child about heart issues is important, but these discussions with children were never meant to be entirely divorced from spankings--pain connected with sin.  They teach a great lesson about the need to flee our sin, escape hell, and delight in God.  In the words of the truly wise: "If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol" (Proverbs 23:14).

Part 1 Intro

Part 2 Scripture Speaks

Part 3 Modern Minds Speak

(ESV)

See also 12/15/2008 - The Gospel for Children: Not Moralism (Part 1)

Modern Minds Speak

The biblical evidence seems clear.  Spankings are not just a legitimate option in parenting but they're necessary.  Yet today many Christians protest to spanking children, saying it's nothing more than abuse.  In the minds of some, a spanking was never hinted at in the New Testament:

The New Testament, Christ modified the traditional eye-for-an-eye system of justice with His turn-the-other-cheek approach. Christ preached gentleness, love, and understanding, and seemed against any harsh use of the rod, as stated by Paul in 1 Cor. 4:21: "Shall I come to you with the whip (rod), or in love and with a gentle spirit?" Paul went on to teach fathers about the importance of not provoking anger in their children (which is what spanking usually does): "Fathers, do not exasperate your children" (Eph. 6:4), and "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will be discouraged" (Col. 3:21).  In our opinion, nowhere in the Bible does it say you must spank your child to be a godly parent.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T062100.asp

In fairness, though, nowhere does the Bible say you can be a godly parent and avoid spanking.  The author uses Ephesians 6:4 to support his view.  The complete verse in the ESV says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  The passage clearly teaches that children need discipline.  But if spanking is off limits, what method of discipline does Scripture give if not spanking?  Time out?  Long lectures about right and wrong?  Should parents ask their children what sort of discipline they prefer so as not to exasperate them or provoke them to anger?  Sometimes parents have to exasperate their children, like when trying to doctor a wound or taking them to the dentist. 

Since the New Testament can't be understood without an Old Testament background, it's hard to think that Paul's readers would have thought about any thing other than using the rods on their children, especially when the Old Testament called for something far harsher than spanking for the really rebellious--stoning (Deuteronomy 21:19-21; Mark 7:9-13).  The passages in Ephesians and Colossians must then be warning against a habit of provoking them unnecessarily to anger or being overly harsh in discipline.

As far as 1 Cor 4:21, Paul had a gentle side and we should not downplay it.  It's hard to see, however, how such would negate spanking.  He was talking to adults, people who weren't in need of spanking.  Could he simply undue all the Old Testament laid down about discipline with this rhetorical question to the Corinthians ("Shall I come to you with the whip (rod), or in love and with a gentle spirit?")?  Besides, Paul also did some things that we'd consider far too mean today, such as naming those who'd done him wrong and calling for some rebellious church members to be turned over to Satan (Gal 2:11, 13; Phil 4:2; 1 Tim 1:20; 2 Tim 1:15; 2 Tim 2:24-26; 2 Tim 4:10, 14-15).  And, the Christ who, according to the author's quote above, "…modified the traditional eye-for-an-eye system of justice with His turn-the-other-cheek approach" doesn't mention the whip-welding Jesus who cleansed the temple (John 2:15).  Jesus didn't strike anyone as far as we know, but he still used a whip to get his point across.  Today he'd be stripped of his ordination papers, ridiculed in the blogosphere as rude, and possibly sued by those startled by his actions.

Blessedly, despite the modern American mindset working against the biblical method of discipline, many Christians still believe in doling out spankings.  See Thoughts on the Proverbs (Nazarene Friends), Would Jesus Spank a Child? (John Piper), Shepherding a Child's Heart (Tedd Tripp), Does Spanking Work for All Kids? (James Dobson), and Parenting in an Anti-Spanking Culture (John MacArthur).

Part 1 Intro

Part 2 Scripture Speaks

Part 4 Depravity Reeks

Scripture Speaks

While not all of the verses listed below talk explicitly about the rod or physical discipline, they seemingly paint a clear picture when coupled with those that do. 

• Psalm 141:5: Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it….

• Proverbs 3:12: for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

• Proverbs 10:13: On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

• Proverbs 13:24: Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.  (See John Rosemond's discussion about "the rod" and "a rod" at Parenting by the Book Proverbs 13:14 as he argues against spankings.)

• Proverbs 19:18: Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

• Proverbs 20:30: Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.

• Proverbs 22:15: Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

• Proverbs 23:13-14: Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.  If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol. 

• Proverbs 29:15: The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

• Hebrews 12:5-11: And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Part 1 Intro

Part 3 Modern Minds Speak

Part 4 Depravity Reeks

Intro

A man raising several sons once told our Sunday school class, "I don't know what we'd do at our house without spankings."  I was relieved to hear someone courageous enough to say something like this in public.  I can't imagine what my brother and I would have turned out to be if my dad and mom had just given us time out or put us in a corner or sent us to our rooms.  We were bad enough even with a steady dose of spankings, so I can't imagine what evil things we would have done without the language that all children understand--pain.  Just as the knee bone is connected to the leg bone, so the butt cheek is connected to the brain and heart.

At times my daughter has a sweet disposition, but I realize what Scripture tells me about her heart (Jeremiah 17:9).  She's cute, but she is not a cute little girl growing into an angel.  Sin reigns in her heart and she will grow up to be an enemy of God if she doesn't understand now that God has firm rules, and when they're violated, there are serious consequences to pay.  When done in love by a parent in control, spankings are judgments that equal love.  Just as some unrepentant church members cry "cruel and unjust" treatment when the discipline of Matthew 18 (see sermon) is meted out on them, so some people will cry the same in our day about spankings.  Yet, it is God's plan and no one has ever discovered a better way to raise a child. 

Coming soon…

Part 2 Scripture Speaks

Part 3 Modern Minds Speak

Part 4 Depravity Reeks

I don't know many people who live free of pride's gnawing longing to be seen and heard.  Nebuchadnezzar showed himself to be very human when he exalted himself as recorded in the book of Daniel.  An old John Piper sermon that I recently came across had some potent, applicable words for my life.  They're worth savoring here.

"So I think we've got here [in the words of Nebuchadnezzar] the essence of pride: the enjoyment of self-sufficiency rather than God-sufficiency and the enjoyment of self-exaltation rather than God-exaltation.

"Now don't make the mistake of saying to yourself right now, 'Well pride is surely not my problem, because I'm a loser. I don't feel self-sufficient at all. And I don't expect anybody to exalt me because I am so ugly or unintelligent or weak. So pride is not my problem.'

"Be very careful here and now. Don't let Satan trick you. I did not say that pride was the achievement of self-sufficiency or the achievement of self-exaltation. I said that pride is the enjoyment of them, the delight in them, the desire for them. You may see your life as a total failure and feel crushed by this morning and still have pride as the driving force of your life. The very pain you feel at being a failure may be owing to the desperateness of your desire to look successful and to taste the glory of human praise.

"One person may go to a party and brag and boast and draw attention to himself and his achievements. Another person may go to the same party and be so fearful and insecure that he hides in corners and tries to avoid people. And both of these persons may be driven by the unbelief pride. The strong person doesn't believe the grace of God is needed; the weak person doesn't believe the grace of God is sufficient. And since God is not their portion, man is—the longed-for esteem and praise of man. One person, fearful that he won't get it, hides. Another person, hopeful that he will get it, brags. Same disease, different symptoms. And all of us have it."  ("Believing God on Election Day" Daniel 4:28-37; Nov 6, 1988).

HT: www.soundofgrace.com

I recently listened to two out of three of Ware's lectures (March 2007) on providence and how it relates to human activity and responsibility.  I found them enlightening and encouraging.  They helped me think more biblically and clearly through some tough issues like libertarian free will and compatibilist views.

While his overall lecture had little to say directly about Charles Finney, it was interesting to note that Ware said Finney's theology wasn't a good representation of true Arminianism but more so of Pelagianism.  Too bad Finney's influence is so vast among preachers in America.

Ware's lectures aren't lightweight material and he says so himself.  But they're worth spending the time to think through.

• "Uncertain Hands of God and Men: Providence in Process Thought and Open Theism" Video Audio PDF Handout

• "Independent Hands of God and Men: Providence in Classic Arminianism" Video Audio PDF Handout

• "Coordinated Hands of God and Men: Providence in the Reformed Tradition" Video Audio PDF Handout

HT: Justin Taylor

God will wreck your life in order to help you enjoy real life (Micah 2:3-4). 

"Therefore thus says the LORD: behold, against this family I am devising disaster, from which you cannot remove your necks, and you shall not walk haughtily, for it will be a time of disaster.  In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you and moan bitterly, and say, 'We are utterly ruined; he changes the portion of my people; how he removes it from me!  To an apostate he allots our fields.'"

God doesn't mind bringing you to ruin when your hope rests in something besides him.  He is your greatest good (Ps 16:2) and performs a great act of love towards you when he strips you of the shirt that hides your skin from receiving the rays of his glory (Dan 4:28-37).  He performs the most beautiful act towards you when he pulls the plush carpet from underneath you and you stumble in shame and embarrassment to realize that you had placed too much hope in yourself and things. 

When he exposes your wicked idolatrous heart and eyes that lust after your neighbor's wife, then he has put you in a position to shift your trust from the confident self-realized you to the magnificent Creator of heaven and earth. 

When--sinful, fearful, shameful--you see Jesus in his misery on the cross all the way to his splendor in heaven, you have received a great mercy. 

Hell is your true reward and yet heaven is opened to you.

This question is like asking, Are pastors competent theologians?  Some are and some aren't.  But certainly both pastor and missionary should be some of the best theologians.

A few years ago a person in the know told me something interesting about the trustees of a missionary sending agency.  His words were telling when he said, "They're not theologians.  They're just pastors and lay people."  I remember thinking, If he's right, then how sad that this organization has so many pastors who aren't considered competent theologians.  I also thought, Why do they have trustees who are not competent theologians?  Just what can they be "trustee-ing" if they can't at least be considered good theologians?

What is a competent theologian anyway?  I don't mean a professor who has published a thick book on a theological topic.  I don't even necessarily mean someone who can speak intelligently on the details of middle knowledge and libertarian freedom or someone who can quote long stretches of Latin or recite the Baptist Confession of 1689, although, it wouldn't be so bad if more Baptists could do this.  Rather, I'm referring to someone who has spent many years thinking seriously through the general themes and nitty-gritty details of Scripture, and someone who, after being changed by these truths into a person of integrity, can synthesize those truths to deal with issues that surface along life's way.  The competent theologian in this sense would be someone who has hidden a great deal of Scripture in his heart; in fact, he bleeds it, but not in a showy kind of way, but with deep devotion, passion, and humility.  This same person has studied great scholarly theologians and can sensitively apply solid biblical exegesis to life's hardest situations.  (Scenario: A woman divorced her husband before she was a Christian because she just fell out of love with him.  Now that she's born again, is she free to marry another Christian man?)

Now, let me return to the issue of the missionary as a qualified theologian.  I suppose this will vary according to organization, but in the circles I run in, missionaries tend to be down to earth, busy people who care deeply about their people groups, who want to start churches, and who seek practical methods to complete the great commission.  Some missionaries are smart and others aren't.  Some are introverts and some are extroverts.  Most seem, nonetheless, to be practical people who want to know how to get something done; they want strategies that work.  There are some, perhaps even many, who are not just practical but also pragmatic. 

Since missionaries live in the high-demand trenches of cross cultural stress, they are not often given to lofty thoughts on the hypostatic union or arguments against JEDP, and most couldn't care less about which synoptic Gospel came first.  What does the Q-document have to do with the hungry children who keep pestering them for money?  Missionaries tend to gravitate towards methods that get results, stuff that seems to break down barriers and get people talking about Jesus.  And who can blame them?  They went to the field to see people saved and become disciples. 

But we would all do well to step away from our methodologies from time to time and ask, Is this truly biblical?  Where can I go in Scripture and see this methodology clearly taught?  Does the passage say what I have assumed it says?  Is there more than one clear passage to support this way of doing things?  (See Andy Johnson's article, "Pragmatism, Pragmatism Everywhere!") 

Admittedly, approaching our methodologies and the Bible with exegetical scrutiny is no easy task.  We all have biases and presuppositions.  But since the task of the missionary is so vital to thousands who'll be influenced by them, it's absolutely necessary that the missionary take time to read some of the older, deeper, classical works of theology that cause the mind to ponder the deep riches of Christ's goodness.  Some Anselm, some Augustine, some Luther, some Calvin, some Aquinas, some Owen and Edwards (and perhaps even a little Wesley).  Of recent decades, among some dead biblical scholars or theologians worth reading are F. Schaeffer, C. S. Lewis, D. M. Lloyd-Jones, B. B. Warfield, C. Hodge, F. F. Bruce, and C. F. H. Henry.  Living authors of substance worth the investment are John Piper, Don Carson, Mark Dever, Bruce Ware, Wayne Grudem, Iain Murray, Sinclair B. Ferguson, just to name a few.  The missionary who's a good theologian must of course plunge deep in the Word on a regular basis and more than just casual devotional reading.  None of this is easy to do with the full schedules that missionaries have, but it is critical.

Many missionaries already do theology well, and yet, there's room for others to follow suit.  For if any group should be great theologians, even good ones, it should be the ones out on the edge, those who daily smell the smoke of hell, those whom I tipped my hat to long before I became one--the missionaries.

Two months ago, I came across an interesting article by Andy Johnson at 9Marks, "Pragmatism, Pragmatism Everywhere!"  While Johnson's article is applicable to all Christians and all evangelical organizations, he deals mostly with pragmatism among IMB missionaries, since he serves as an IMB trustee.  The article is a bit long (10 pages) but well worth reading even if you don't agree with Johnson at every point.  If you're a missionary, his article at least deserves a good scan.

The article has many worthy quotes, and here's just one to whet the appetite:

"Now, I am not suggesting that everything we do which is pragmatic is ill-advised (taking airplanes overseas instead of boats, for instance). Rather, I’m talking about a willingness to overlook or even contradict what the Bible says for the sake of what appears to work visibly and immediately."

His outline goes like this:

A NEW BIBLICAL CRISIS?

THREE WORRISOME SIGNS

Arguing From Results, Not Exegesis

Evaluating Numbers, Not Faithfulness.

Assuming the Bible Is Silent About “How”

A DISCLAIMER

LET’S EVALUATE OUR FUNCTIONAL AUTHORITY

Attractions

Definitions

The Source of Our Methods

EVANGELICAL PRAGMATISM: AN OLD PATH TO LIBERALISM

A NEW CONVERSATION

Check it out:

"Pragmatism, Pragmatism Everywhere!"

Teaching on the triune nature of God can feel daunting, I know, because I'm preparing to do it now in another language.  The topic is difficult to teach in English let alone in a second language, especially when one wrong word can lead you down a heretical path, but God is worth the effort.  He doesn't want people worshipping some vague deity, who in the end isn't the God of the Bible.  He wants people knowing him intimately and loving him deeply, and that means delving into the doctrine of the Trinity.

I'm meeting more Christians these days who are supposed to be mature believers, who either hold heretical views of the Trinity or who don't think the doctrine is important enough to probe.  So, my plea to pastors is, please, whatever you do in your churches throughout the year, make time to preach at least two sermons every year on the Trinity.  If some missionaries don't understand the doctrine maybe it's partly due to the scarcity of teaching from their churches back in the States. 

I've included below what I think ought to be the bear minimum that Christians start out their Christian walk knowing about the triune nature of God.  My hope is that all Christians know at least these basics.  (And for you pastors who are already teaching on the Trinity, your reward will be great in heaven, and probably even here on earth as you fellowship with a group of believers who savor God for all he is in his glorious self.) 

There is one God

Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one."

The Father is God

Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Son is God

Colossians 2:9, "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form."

The Spirit is God

Acts 5:3-4, "But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit . . . ?  You have not lied to men, but to God.'"

The Father is not the Son

John 3:16, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. . . ."

The Son is not the Spirit

John 14:16, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper."

The Spirit is not the Father

John 14:26, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name. . . ."

The Father is a Person

Luke 22:42, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."

The Son is a Person

Ephesians 5:25, "Christ also loved the church."

The Spirit is a Person

Ephesians 4:30, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. . . ."

Also see:

Praise the Triune God

The other day I sat talking with Bill.  In passing he mentioned his calling as a full-time worker in vocational ministry.  A few days later another vocational minister mentioned the word "calling" in our conversation.  Neither person said anything unusual according to the normal way Christians speak to each other.  In fact it's what I've come to expect.

These two instances reminded me of how much American Christians use the word "call" or "called" in their daily conversations with other Christians.  I personally disagree with the concept, not just the vocabulary, of a personal calling to ministry.  But for those who believe such a thing exists then my challenge is this--think through what you really mean by the concept expressed in the word "calling."  Look for it and study it in the Bible, if you haven't already. 

After you've studied it in Scripture and thought it through, if you still believe in it, then the next time you're tempted to use it, try to say it or explain it without a form of the word "call."  This process of explaining will help you clarify your thoughts on the matter; it will help you clarify to your hearer exactly what you mean; and this clarification may help each person involved think more biblically about the idea. 

My contention is that even if such a thing as calling exists in the common way Christians speak of it, the word itself is used too often and too frequently with ambiguity.  Many people use it seemingly without knowing what they're really claiming by employing it.  So use it if you must, just know what you mean when you do.

Also see:

A Calling to Missions: Is There Such a Thing?

What does it mean to carry my cross? I think it means denying myself and doing God's will instead of mine, regardless of the difficulties involved, which include pain and suffering. But somehow, my cross has dwindled down into the shape of a splinter. My cross is no longer the price I have to pay for being faithful to the Lord, instead, it's a flat tire or a leaky transmission, it's another nagging overdue bill, it's my regret at having to return too many calls, or it's the weariness I feel when showing up at an extra meeting for church. Yes, I've somehow managed to take the real sting out of carrying my cross. My cross is the weight of a toothpick, but to hear me describe it, it's the weight of a boulder.

(Taken from my Spiritual Reflections: Attempting Honesty, 1999; published at NeedNotFret.com)

In light of all the gay victories lately, I decided to post links to all of the articles I've recently written (or found) regarding gay issues.  Within some of these links, you'll find helpful links to help combat the trend towards acceptance of homosexuality in our society.

On this blog:

Hopeful Despite Gay Victories

Wes Hill, We Can't Accept "Homosexual Christians"

Romans 1: Paul and Homosexuality

When Gays and Muslims Clash

Temptations for Christians Re: Gay Rights Movement

Training for Persecution

Resources to Help Combat Gay Arguments

Frank Pastore on "Prop 8: The Musical"

Why Gays Shouldn't Adopt

Same-Sex Morality Concerns

On my website:

Gay Rights: Equal to the Civil Rights Movement?

Invading Liberal Territory with Truth

Transgendered or Something Else?

Gay, Straight or Taken?

The Unashamed Gay Movement

Sidewalk Driver

Why are Gays so Intolerant?

The Gay Way Could Be More Hate Than Play

The Old Testament and Homosexuality

Examining Romans 1:18-32--Paul's View of Homosexuality

Letter to Geoffrey Kors, Advocate of Gay Rights

Letter to Professor Promoting Homosexuality

Trilogy (fiction)

The gay rights movement has made several advances, especially since the election of President Obama.  These successes are enough to discourage Bible-believing Christians.  But I'm hopeful, anyway.  As the days become darker morally speaking, Christians have reason to rejoice.  Our hope isn't in the moral climate.

As gay rights activists advance on the soil of our innocence, it will lead to more despair and misery.  Sin always does.  As people begin to feel the full weight of their depravity, the wake of darkness will leave many empty and harassed.  And this climate will be fertile soil for the gospel.  (A brief excursion to explain the gospel: God created the world right.  Sin entered through Adam and Eve and destroyed man's peace with God.  God is now angry against sin and all sinners.  He will cast all rebels, including practicing homosexuals, into hell unless they repent by his grace.  Only Christ's shed blood on the cross can turn away the wrath of God against sinners.  And only Jesus, the resurrected God-man, can reconcile lost man to God.  By defeating Satan's plan, Christ and the Spirit give glory to the Father.)

The gospel never loses its power or glimmer especially in the dark days of Satan's havoc.  Jesus reigns supreme and the ultimate message of Revelation is his victory over all.

The advances of gay activists most likely mean impending persecution for Christians.  For once, it might actually cost believers something to follow Jesus in America.  In such an environment we will have a grand opportunity to love our enemies and pray for those who harm us.  What fertile soil, for Jesus, to bring forth the fruit of righteousness that shows the lost the depth of their sin and demonstrates the joy of life in Christ.

Perhaps Christians will lose many rights, but Jesus will, nonetheless, be glorified as those who truly love him faithfully follow him, not because it's in vogue but because he is Lord and they delight in his glorious name. 

Unto that name be all power and glory and dominion, forever.

Also see:

Examining Romans 1:18-32--Paul's View of Homosexuality

(added later: Opposing Gay Rights: A Few Links)

Lately I've groaned much in your presence Lord. Sometimes that's the most articulate I can be. I've often felt bent beneath the weight of life. I know that walking with you requires suffering. I really don't like the pain, but I know that by these trials you're teaching me to reach out to you and cry for help.  Sometimes it's just a moan. But you are near to hear even my moans. Only you can understand them. 

(Taken from my Spiritual Reflections: Attempting Honesty, 1999; published at NeedNotFret.com)

Self-pity could be loosely defined as the feeling we get when we begin to identify ourselves by the calamity in our lives--Barbara dumped me, so I must be a loser.  We put the spotlight on us instead of on Christ.  We lose sight of God's divine plan, thinking that we're the lone sufferer in the world. 

When God brings sin to our attention, we must confess it to him and, by his grace, change our behavior.  "God, you know how I want all my friends to focus on me now that Barbara's gone.  I want their pity.  Help me receive their sympathy but not demand it."

Self-pity is pride wearing a sad face.  And God hates pride: 1 Peter 5:5, "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.  All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"  We have to be honest with ourselves about the pain in our hearts, but we also have to be honest with God about the sin that's there too.  "God, you know that I like people to feel sorry for me.  You know that I often see myself as a victim so I don't have to face my own sin.  Forgive me, Lord."

Excerpted from chapter 3 of my work, A Shattered Heart: Finding God Amidst a Dating Break-up

Dear Wesley Hill:

Thank you for being honest about your struggles with homosexuality and for your well-written article, "Will the Church be the Church for Homosexual Christians?"  I'm glad that you're not acting on your desires and that you're seeking to live a biblically celibate life outside of marriage. 

I'm sorry that you find yourself in such a state of loneliness and desperation.  I do pray that Christ will continue to make his presence known to you through his followers.  And, I pray that he delivers you from these desires.

The church should be a place where all believers can confess their sins and struggles and find comfort among the followers of Christ.  Most anyone who's been in the American church can testify to the fact that many churches aren't safe places where followers of Jesus can open up and be real about their issues.  The American church has a long way to go in becoming all that Christ has for his bride in this regard.  I'm glad that you have believing friends who encourage you to follow the pattern set out in Scripture rather than your own desires.

My major concern with your article, however, is not your honesty about where you are in your struggle or what you're struggling with, but with the label you give yourself and others--homosexual Christian(s).

Even though you reject the homosexual lifestyle and hold to the biblical pattern of one man with one woman in marriage, I think your label, "homosexual Christian," comes from the gay rights movement not Scripture.  Is it true that you're attracted to the same sex?  I take your word that you are.  Are you a follower of Christ?  I have no reason to doubt that you are.  So, I'm not denying what you struggle with as a Christian, but, again for clarity's sake, I take issue with the label you give it.  "Homosexual Christian" is a dangerous label simply because it promotes what you say you don't promote--the homosexual lifestyle.  Even though you probably aren't wishing to endorse the gay right's movement or the philosophy of those who call themselves "practicing homosexual Christians," that's what some people in of the gay right's movement would like--for evangelicals to get comfortable with the idea of "a homosexual Christian."

To demonstrate the odd nature of labeling yourself a homosexual Christian as opposed to, say, "a Christian struggling with gay or homosexual desires" can hopefully be shown with a few examples.  What if I wrote an article entitled,

• "Will the Church be the Church for Child-Molesting Christians?" 
• Or, "Will the Church be the Church for Wife-Beating Christians?" 
• Or maybe, "Will the Church be the Church for Drug-Abusing Christians?" 
• Perhaps, "Will the Church be the Church for Angry Christians?" 
• What about, "Will the Church be the Church for Fornicating Christians?" 

Hopefully my point is clear.  We wouldn't accept those as legitimate labels for people in the church because the word Christian doesn't go with any of these behaviors or lifestyles, even if the people in these categories are only tempted to act on their desires.  Now, of course, the redeemed person is still in sinful flesh and can get tangled in these sins.  But we wouldn't want to create a category or label for them even if they were only tempted to do these sins.  Instead, we'd call sin what it is, acknowledge that even the redeemed still sin, and then seek to help these people live in the fullness of Christ rather than to embrace a label that identifies them more with their sin than with their Creator.  If a professing Christian--who was also a child molester, or a wife beater, or a drug abuser, or an angry person, or a fornicator--didn't seek to turn from these sins, then after going through the Matthew 18 process of restoration and discipline we'd have to conclude that he wasn't a true believer. 

For the professing Christian who embraces the gay lifestyle, we'd have to treat him the same way as Matthew 18 instructs for rebelling people in the church.  And for a professing Christian struggling with homosexual desires (who either acted or didn't act on those desires) but who repented and acknowledged that such a lifestyle is sinful, we'd embrace and support him through these difficult times.

Does the church need to be a place where believers can confess the dark sins in their lives and find support to walk in holiness?  Most certainly.  But, we will never be what Christ wants us to be as the bride if we don't also seek to help people walk in the newness of what God created them to be, and part of that includes being careful about what we label ourselves, especially when the gay right's movement is making such headway into mainstream America, and unfortunately, the church.

The last thing I want my letter to be is a stinging barb or a slap in the face.  My heart goes out to you, but I'm concerned about your word choice and the view point behind the words "homosexual Christian."

In Christ,

Kevin L. Howard

HT: Justin Taylor

Almost forty years ago today, at the school where Molly T. Marshall now serves as president, a battle fought at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas, started to rage on March 25, 1971.  Discussions among students and faculty at this school--associated with American Baptist Churches--surfaced that some students thought their professors were promoting liberal views in the classroom. 

Key figures in the controversy that followed were professors, Alvin C. Porteous, M. Edward Clark, Warren Lane Molton, and student, James Rozmus.  Sometimes the little guys fight and win. 

Read more.

Shame seems like a natural response to a break-up.  We don't have to act as though we're fine.  Like grief, we can acknowledge shame to God and to our friends.

Maybe God placed the capacity for shame in us so that we won't intentionally do vile and offensive things.  So we need not be ashamed of our shame; we need only to lift it up to God as part of our confession that we are broken people living in a broken world.  This doesn't mean that shame will just disappear when we pray, but it does acknowledge to our sinful souls that Christ is our sustainer and the one who can deal with such issues.

Excerpted from chapter 3 of my work, A Shattered Heart: Finding God Amidst a Dating Break-up

When tragedy strikes and we encounter grief, we should acknowledge that we have experienced a loss of love and dreams.  Why pretend we're above grieving our losses?  Refusal to acknowledge our grief could be nothing more than our prideful hearts saying we are too strong to feel the hurt inflicted on us. 

The Psalms provide examples of people crying out to God in their brokenness and sin.  Just one example is found in Psalm 13:1-2, where David spoke words close to his hurting heart, "How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?"

As I moved through this period after my break-up, I realized that I had to go on with life, even if with tears.  Seeing myself as too manly for tears seemed only harmful.  I strove to be honest with myself and God.  "Lord, this pain hurts like I've never known pain before.  O Lord, receive the pain and the tears as offerings to you."

Excerpted from chapter 3 of my work, A Shattered Heart: Finding God Amidst a Dating Break-up

Timothy Edwards was the father of the infamous theologian, Jonathan (1703-1758).  Timothy thought highly of his own father, Richard, and said of him,

"In the presence of God, he appeared not only to believe but to delight...in prayer he seemed to draw very near to God...His feelings on religious subjects were at once strong and tender."

Grandson of Richard, Jonathan himself seemed particularly concerned with delighting in God.  I wonder how much of his grandfather's influence helped create this passion in the great theologian, who also passed on his passion for God's glory to his children and succeeding generations. 

I wonder how much of your passion and influence will carry over to your grandchildren even if they're not yet born.  I want to pass on a passion for the triune God so that my children easily pass it on to their friends and offspring.  By the grace of Christ, may our passion for his glory grow so our ancestors partake of the same pleasure in God.

Based on my readings from Iain Murray's, Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography, p5.

The people who love Owen usually admit that his writing is often hard to understand.  But these same people usually say that he's worth the effort.  A few years ago, I picked up his work on limited atonement, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, and thought that even the table of contents was hard to understand.  His work Communion With the Triune God is supposed to be a wonderful delight for the soul, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  Admittedly it's a tough read, but there's some great fruit packed among the thick brush, too.

First, let me give a sample of his dense writing and then some excerpts of the bounty I've come across so far.

"That the Scripture does distinctly assign all these [attributes] unto the Father, Son, and Spirit--manifesting that the saints do, in all of them, both as they are purely and nakedly moral, and as further clothed with instituted worship, respect each person respectively--is that which, to give light to the assertion in hand, I shall further declare by particular instances." p97

It was a different era for thinking and writing.  Fortunately, Owen isn't always that complex.  Here are some clearer samples:

"It was from eternity that [God] laid in his own bosom a design for our happiness.  The very thought of this is enough to make all that is within us, like the babe in the womb of Elizabeth, to leap for joy.  A sense of it cannot but prostrate our souls to the lowest abasement of a humble, holy reverence, and make us rejoice before him with trembling." p125

"'Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.'  Why should [God] fix his love on us, and pass by millions from whom we differ not by nature (Eph 2:3)--that he should make us sharers in that, and all the fruits of it, which most of the great and wise men of the world are excluded from?" p125-126

Speaking of the expansive love of God to his redeemed, Owen says,

"How unwilling is a child to come into the presence of an angry father!  ... Assure yourself, then, there is nothing more acceptable unto the Father than for us to keep up our hearts unto him as the eternal fountain of all that rich grace which flows out to sinners in the blood of Jesus." p127-128

As I continue to trek through Owen's Communion, I'm sure there will be some thick underbrush in my path, but also some rich soil yet unspoiled by human hands.  After all, anyone with such insight who also buried all 11 of his children and kept delighting in God is worth my time.

Based on my readings from John Owen's (eds K. Kapic & J. Taylor), Communion With the Triune God.

For more on Owen, click here.

• You mowed down all of your wife's tulips, just in case.
• You've burned a John Piper book.
• You've argued that Charles Spurgeon wasn't a Calvinist.
• You're suspicious of any sermon with five points.
• You've called someone a hyper-Calvinist lately.
• You've banned your family from going to the Founders.org site.
• You've read some of Calvin's works to prove that he didn't really believe in "Calvinism."
• You think Al Mohler is the anti-Christ.
• You believe Ergun Caner is really a closet Calvinist.

Also see

You Might be Reformed if...

You Might be an Evangelical if...

• You have an "I love D. A. Carson" tattoo.
• You camp out the night before tickets are released for a Desiring God Conference.
• You don't mind sermons on hell.
• You subscribe to Christianity Today.
• You can't define evangelical but like the title anyway.
• All your theological books have endorsements from J. I. Packer.
• You know who Carl F. H. Henry is.
• You spend too much time online reading lists like this.
• You've tried to smuggle Bibles into Fuller Theological Seminary.
• You thought the previous line was funny.

Also see You Might be Reformed if...

10. You want to burn dispensationalists at the stake.

9. You always spell out TULIP in your Alphabet Soup.

8. You've actually read the Institutes.

7. You think John Owen is easy reading.

6. You know the answers to the Westminster Shorter Catechism.

5. You want all Sunday school teachers to have PhDs in theology (from Westminster Theological Seminary, of course).

4. You pause before laughing at a joke to ask, "What would Jean Calvin do?"

3. You have a coffee mug with B. B. Warfield's picture on it.

2. You're disappointed that I didn't include Latin, Greek, or Hebrew in this list.^[1]

______

^{1 You always read footnotes.}

If you find yourself constantly disagreeing with your pastor, perhaps you're a troublemaker.  Now, of course, your pastor could be a real idiot.  He might even be an evil man.  But, he may just be a man of God, and you might be a thorn in his side (or somewhere else).  When was the last time you encouraged him or said something good about him?  If you're constantly finding fault with your pastor, it might be time to repent and confess your sin to someone.  If you won't, then find another church where you can be happy, but I'm guessing you won't be happy elsewhere either since disgruntled people tend to take their bad attitudes with them.

Jonathan Edwards faced great opposition in his church at Northampton, Massachusetts.  In a letter to a friend in 1749, he described his situation:

"I have been openly reproached in church meetings....  I need God's counsel in every step I take and every word I speak; as all that I do and say is watched by the multitude around me with the utmost strictness and with eyes of the greatest uncharitableness and severity, and let me do or say what I will, my words and actions are represented in dark colours, and the state of things is come to that, that they seem to think it greatly concerns them to blacken me and represent me in odious colours to the world to justify their own conduct--they seem to be sensible that now their character can't stand unless it be on the ruin of mine."

I wonder if these folks ever regretted what they did to such a wonderful pastor.  Perhaps you have a gem like Edwards in your midst.  Too many people today consider it their duty to resist their pastor and oppose his leadership.  If you're one of them, please consider what you may be doing to harm the man of God among you and your own soul, as Edward's people should have done so long ago. 

Based on my readings from Iain Murray's, Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography, p321-322.

A while back, when Rebecca Hancock of Jacksonville, Florida, was in the news, her situation raised questions in some people's minds whether a church should be able to discipline its members.  Since the issue of church discipline is so important, I figured this topic was worth dealing with again.

Some of the controversy over the Hancock situation was that she had, supposedly, removed herself from membership.  Whether she actually had removed herself from membership (and whatever that would look like), is a different point than what I'd like to pursue here.  The issue I'm after is twofold: The ability of a church to discipline and the extent to which a church can discipline a member claiming non-membership.

"Should a church be able to discipline its members?" 

Is there any reason to believe that what Matt 18 says, along with other discipline passages, would even warrant us asking, "Does the church still have a right to impose church discipline"?  It seems that Jesus says a church can, in fact, discipline its wayward members.  In other words, why would the church not be able to discipline its members? 

"If a member claims to have removed herself from membership in a church, can a church still biblically pursue the discipline?"

If a church stops discipline at a member's claim to no longer be a member of a church, what would stop people from revoking their membership when they refuse to repent?  Wouldn't every member unwilling to repent just say, "Well, you can't do that to me; I'm not longer a member, as of now"?

Perhaps the scenario would play out differently if a church has a legitimate way for members to cancel their membership when not joining another church.  But I'm not so sure a church is obligated to look the other way just because someone says, "I quit this church," and then goes on to live in (or is already involved in) serious sin. 

The first century church was much tougher than we are today.  The apostle Paul wanted at least one person turned over to Satan (1 Cor 5:1-13) and he had no qualms with listing those who had harmed him or stood against him in some way.

·         Gal 2:11, 13 Cephas (Peter) and Barnabas are practicing hypocrisy.

·         Phil 4:2 Euodia and Syntyche are squabblers who should live in harmony.

·         1 Tim 1:20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are blasphemers whom Paul delivered to Satan.

·         2 Tim 1:15 Phygelus and Hermogenes deserted Paul.

·         2 Tim 4:10, 14-15 Demas loved the present world and deserted Paul, and Alexander harmed Paul greatly and opposed sound teaching.

Even though these people were probably no longer considered under Paul's direct pastoral or apostolic care, he still wrote about them (which seems like a form of discipline itself) and called for their discipline.

I'm guessing more people know of Emmett Till than of Gerald Chatham, and perhaps that's the way it should be.  Till, a 14-year-old black boy, was visiting Mississippi in 1955 when he was abducted and murdered by white men.  His story reeks of tragedy indeed. 

Fewer people, however, know about Chatham, a white man, who served as the lead prosecutor against J. W. Milam and Roy Bryant, who were brought to trial in Till's murder.

This past week marked the 103-year anniversary of Chatham's birth on February 17, 1906, in Hernando, Mississippi.  Chatham was a Christian who stood bravely during a time where he could have been killed for his actions.  While I grieve our nation's history and the evil behind Till's brutal murder, I salute the courage and legacy of Gerald Chatham.

For more info on Chatham, click here.

For those of us who love God's Word, we must agree with Jonathan Edwards and never cease warning people of the horrors of hell.  And we must also make sure that, as preachers, our delivery on this topic backs up the seriousness of hell itself:

"If you should continue to speak to it only in a cold manner, as you are wont to do in ordinary conversation about indifferent matters, would not those about you begin to think you were bereft of reason yourself?"

"When ministers preach of hell, and warn sinners to avoid it, in a cold manner--though they may say in words that it is infinitely terrible--they contradict themselves."

We must not neglect our responsibility as Christians, and especially as preachers, to speak and preach of hell in the dreaded tones that it truly deserves.  It's the worst place ever, and frightening people from it is a good thing.

"Some talk of it as an unreasonable thing to fright persons to heaven; but I think it is a reasonable thing to endeavour to fright persons away from hell. They stand upon its brink, and are just ready to fall into it, and are senseless of their danger. Is it not a reasonable thing to fright a person out of a house on fire?"

Based on my readings from Experiencing God: Selected Readings From His [Edwards] Spiritual Classics, Compiled by Robert Backhouse, p41-42.

(For the whole text, see The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University.)

Jonathan Edwards delivered, "Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God" at Yale College in 1741.  Edwards was careful that with all of his preaching on the grace and mercy of Christ to also make sure people understood the Bible's teaching on hell.  And he was not one to mince words about the importance of this topic:

"If there be really a hell of such dreadful and never-ending torments, as is generally supposed, of which multitudes are in great danger--and into which the greater part of men in Christian countries do actually from generation to generation fall, for want of a sense of its terribleness, and so for want of taking due care to avoid it--then why is it not proper for those who have the care of souls to take great pains to make men sensible of it? Why should they not be told as much of the truth as can be?"

We do ourselves and others a great disservice when we neglect the place of eternal torment called hell.

Based on my readings from Experiencing God: Selected Readings From His [Edwards] Spiritual Classics, Compiled by Robert Backhouse, p41-42. 

(For the whole text, see The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University.)

At Yale College in 1741, Jonathan Edwards delivered, "Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God."  It stands as a great guide for us today in our preaching and evangelism:

"The gospel is to be preached as well as the law, and the law is to be preached only to make way for the gospel, and in order that it may be preached more effectually. The main work of ministers is to preach the gospel: “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.” So that a minister would miss it very much if he should insist so much on the terrors of the law, as to forget his Lord, and neglect to preach the gospel; but yet the law is very much to be insisted on, and the preaching of the gospel is like to be in vain without it."

Based on my readings from Experiencing God: Selected Readings From His [Edwards] Spiritual Classics, Compiled by Robert Backhouse, p41-42.

(For the whole text, see The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University.)

While I'm not good friends with Dr. Grudem, I had the chance to know him at one time while he taught at TEDS.  He was one of my professors and we worshipped at the same church for a while. 

I had the privilege of being one of his students when the first edition of his Systematic Theology was published.  I'll never forget the look on his face when the books arrived in our class and a student jokingly, but with a serious tone, said there was a typo on the cover.  There was a brief moment of tension and then a lot of laughter.  Mahaney's recent interviews with Grudem got me to thinking about all of the things that I liked about him.  So I thought I'd list a few: 

• He began each class with all students singing a hymn or praise chorus.  He knew that theology and worship went hand in hand--thus his reason for including so many songs in his Systematic Theology.
• He remembered people's names.  Specifically, he remembered my name.  TEDS had many students, so it struck me when Grudem actually used my name in the halls when he saw me.
• He had a servant's heart.  On more than one occasion, he helped me with a favor.  On a couple of them, I asked him personally, and then another one or two he did on his own.  One day when I was in the library working on my thesis, Grudem passed by and we chatted briefly.  He wasn't one of my readers, but asked something about my thesis.  The next time I saw him in the library he gave me some copies of research information relevant to my thesis.  Now I don't know if he had researched or copied some of this on my behalf or already had it for his own studies, but I was touched that such a busy man thought about me enough to give it to me.
• He was a gentle man and compassionately listened to students who disagreed with him.  I remember especially in class when we covered issues of manhood and womanhood how he listened with sympathy to egalitarians express their views and share their concerns with his views. 
• He was kindhearted.  He was kind enough to answer my miscellaneous theology questions at church, even when he was off the clock.
• He was an encourager.  Grudem encouraged me one Sunday after our pastor had allowed me to preach the sermon.   I'm sure he could have criticized too, but he didn't.  He just encouraged me.  And even though it's been more than 12 years, I still remember what he said.

I could say more about him but that's enough.  I know it's only by the grace of Christ that we can say these good things about him, but I thank God for Wayne Grudem and pray he always walks humbly before our Lord.  May the Lord grant him many more years of teaching and writing.

I recently read the sermon, "God glorified in the work of redemption, by the greatness of man's dependence upon," by Jonathan Edwards (Boston, July 8, 1731), and found a few memorable quotes worth sharing:

• Beginning text: 1 Corinthians 1:29, 30, 31, "That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

• "And we are not only without any true excellence, but are full of, and wholly defiled with, that which is infinitely odious."

• "So it is a more glorious work of power to uphold a soul in a state of grace and holiness, and to carry it on till it is brought to glory, when there is so much sin remaining in the heart resisting, and Satan with all his might opposing, than it would have been to have kept man from falling at first, when Satan had nothing in man."

• "The glorious excellencies and beauty of God will be what will for ever entertain the minds of the saints, and the love of God will be their everlasting feast."

• "Thus God has given us the Redeemer, and it is by him that our good is purchased. So God is the Redeemer and the price; and he also is the good purchased."

• "Now whatever scheme is inconsistent with our entire dependence on God for all, and of having all of him, through him, and in him, it is repugnant to the purpose and tenor of the gospel, and robs it of that which God accounts its lustre and glory."

• "Faith abases men, and exalts God; it gives all the glory of redemption to him alone."

Based on my readings from Experiencing God: Selected Readings From His [Edwards] Spiritual Classics, Compiled by Robert Backhouse, p1-18.

As evangelicals, we need to talk about missions and evangelism, but we must use caution.  Our all-consuming passion should burn for Christ not missions or evangelism.  While the great commission is important, we need to talk about the Christ of the great commission and center on him.  In talking about missions and evangelism, we must not leave out the heart of why we discuss outreach--Jesus himself, the good news made flesh.  I like the way John Piper says it in Let the Nations Be Glad, p15,

"All of history is moving toward one great goal, the white-hot worship of God and his Son among all the peoples of the earth.  Missions is not that goal.  It is the means.  And for that reason it is the second greatest human activity in the world."

The ultimate resurgence evangelicals need is not a great-commission resurgence, but one that fleshes out the gospel in terms of all that God is for us in Jesus.  As the God-man, he bore the Father's wrath on the cross for all who believe in him.  The Father and Son gave us the Spirit so we could walk in fellowship with, and truly worship, the triune God.

And then, with our focus in the right place, we can worship the one true God for all he is, which will naturally lead us to share with lost people what we treasure most.

Does God care about our pre-marital break-ups?  Does he offer help in his Word for those trudging through this tumultuous time?

I think so.  Christ came to redeem his chosen ones and to give them hope beyond this life, to enthrall them with a passion for the triune God.  God's greatest gift to those who believe?  Himself.  Despite sorrowful times like a break-up, Christ makes himself real to his followers.

"What do these reminders of God’s larger plan have to do with the indignity of a break-up, the sorrow of parting with a loved one, the stench of sour earthly love?  With each blow life gives us, Satan wants to wedge a knife of bitterness into our side, hoping the agony will cause us to see God as the enemy.  We must not cast aside the larger vision of God’s plan when pain dials our number.  We can keep walking in faith, crawling perhaps, if we stay mindful of God’s greater plan.  Admittedly, this sounds superficial.  But it’s the truth.  We must cling to the truth if we are to survive.  We must cast our eyes upon beauty, upon something far more stable than ourselves."

Excerpt taken from my free PDF book, A Shattered Heart: Finding God Amidst a Dating Break-up

It takes a little bit of work to qualify as a member, but www.puritanboard.com is a great resource for those who join.  You do, however, have to be truly Reformed and not just, say, a five-point Calvinist to join.  (See their requirements here.)

Even if you don't join, you can still search their topics and read the input of others.  Many of the people there are well read in the Reformed tradition and can serve as a guide to Reformed insights and resources.

Father, even now, as I sit in class, I'm bored and my mind wanders. But, I'm trying to think that you want even these dull moments to be incorporated into my faith journey, including them into my worship of you.

I'm not sure I know how to do this because boredom is boredom. Yet, even though I don't necessarily know how to worship you in the tired and sleepy moments of my life, I will try to dedicate even these slow, turtle-paced emotions to you. Be glorified!  

(Taken from my Spiritual Reflections: Attempting Honesty, 1999; published at NeedNotFret.com)

Here's an updated list of the one I posted a while back of helpful resources or reviews of biblical material for children, and especially toddlers:

• Andy & Jenni Naselli.
• John Beeson, Toddler Bibles Reviewed, Part II.
• Shepherd Press.

• Great Commission Publications.
• Christian Focus Publications.
• Desiring God.
• Westminster Theological Seminary Bookstore.
• Monergism Bookstore.
• Ministry to Children (Tony Kummer).
• Children's Hour Books (Ray Van Neste).

A few works at Ray's site to consider:

·         Big Picture Bible Story Bible. 

·         Bible Wise and Bible Time series by Christian Focus.

·         Susan and Richie Hunt, Big Truths for Little Kids.

My PDF book, A Shattered Heart: Finding God Amidst a Dating Break-up, recounts the grace of Christ through some sorrowful valleys I walked through a few years ago.  It's a book to help the reader who's facing a romantic crisis to hunger for God despite the pain.

Outline:

Chapter 1 THE ROMANCE SIZZLES

Chapter 2 THE SHATTERING BEGINS

Chapter 3 THE HEART BREAKS

Chapter 4 THE HEALING CONTINUES

Chapter 5 THE ARENA OF LOVE AND DATING

Chapter 6 THE FRETTING CEASES

For more details, click here.

My book, A Shattered Heart: Finding God Amidst a Dating Break-up, seeks to minister to Christian single adults facing pre-marital break-ups.  It recounts the grace of Christ through some sorrowful valleys I walked through a few years ago.  Basically, it's a book to help the reader who's facing a romantic crisis to hunger for God despite the pain.  Single Christian adults can walk with Christ, and glorify him, regardless if they ever get married. 

If you know someone who'd benefit from this work, please pass on this information.  For more details, click here.

Outline:

Chapter 1 THE ROMANCE SIZZLES

Chapter 2 THE SHATTERING BEGINS

Chapter 3 THE HEART BREAKS

Chapter 4 THE HEALING CONTINUES

Chapter 5 THE ARENA OF LOVE AND DATING

Chapter 6 THE FRETTING CEASES

With people's overgrown sense of importance and their overly sensitive feelings, many simply can't tolerate anyone's teaching on hell. Even many people sitting on our pews claiming to be followers of Jesus. Hell to them is a cruel topic. The thought that they or their loved ones might go there is taboo. This is why I'm glad we've got the example of Jonathan Edwards and his famous sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," preached in the year 1741. He did not hold back from telling people of his era the truth:

"The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your [the unconverted] heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood."

Societal pressure would have us believe that a loving God would never send people to hell. But this type of thinking presumes sinning people--who have offended an infinite God--deserve something better. Don Carson, in When Jesus Confronts the World, reminds us of some essential truth regarding this hot topic:

"The test for religious validity in this [pluralistic] environment is no longer truth but sincerity--as if sincerity were a virtue even when the beliefs underlying it are entirely mistaken. Teaching about hell is unpopular for another reason: it seems cruel to the modern mind, in which, unlike Scripture, it is popular and easy to believe in the love of God and difficult to make much sense of his holiness and wrath." p28

Church discipline is a hard issue.  To many people it feels plain mean.  Yet no church will honor God or be healthy without it.

"Jesus gives the procedure for carrying out church discipline in Matthew 18:15‑20.  The first step is one-on-one confrontation to encourage the offender to repent.  If that doesn't work, one or two other people should approach the sinning person.  Finally, if that isn't effective, the confronter should notify the church of the person's rebellion.  If the offender doesn't repent, the church must consider him a nonbeliever."

Read more (under section, "Accountability to the Local Church.")

Excerpted from chapter 6 of my work, Growing Up in Christ: Biblical Teaching for New Believers.  Also see my sermon, Operation Restoration.

Perhaps many American Christians already eat too much and fast too little.  Fasting can often feel like work, tough work, but it's still valuable to the church.  Can we embrace it as a blessing and joy?

"Fasting refers to consciously abstaining from anything, usually food, for a specific span of time for the purpose of focusing special attention on God concerning certain issues.  The Bible often links fasting with prayer (Luke 2:37; Acts 14:23).  Jonah 3:5 connects fasting with repentance.  

"The New Testament does not so much command fasting as it assumes that believers will fast (Matthew 6:16‑18; Mark 2:18‑20).  When you fast, try not to let anybody know about it, unless someone asks you directly or you need to tell someone not to cook for you.  Otherwise you might be tempted to fast to impress people.  The Bible teaches that those who fast and pray to impress others gain only applause from humans; God does not smile at these vain efforts (Matthew 6:16-18).  So, if possible, keep your fasting endeavors to yourself."

Read more (under section, "Prayer and Fasting.")

Do Calvinists do missions?  I certainly hope so, since I'm a reformed missionary.  If you're a missionary (short term or long term) or a part of a reformed missionary-minded church, and you'd like to have your site posted along with others possessing that same passion, go to FivePointMissionary.

"I am encouraged by Kevin Howard's earnest

sense of purpose in showing the harmony

between the divine purpose in grace and the divine means

of evangelism and missions…."

Prof. Tom J. Nettles, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

How are we to think of those who claim to be faithful Christians while at the same time practice homosexuality?  In concluding this four part series, I quote again from a paper I recently posted:

"Some people may claim to worship God while practicing homosexuality.  But if Paul views homosexuality as sin, then one cannot practice homosexuality and claim to be an obedient Christian.  These people forsook God by initially refusing to recognize His deity; therefore, God forsook them (v. 24)."

Read more, EXAMINING ROMANS 1:18-32--Paul's View of Homosexuality

When Edwards first considered these teachings, he balked at the idea that God might predestine some to eternal life and others to hell.  Later he changed his views:

"But I have often, since that first conviction, had quite another kind of sense of God's sovereignty than I had then.  I have often since had not only a conviction, but a delightful conviction.  The doctrine has very often appeared exceeding pleasant, bright and sweet.  Absolute sovereignty is what I love to ascribe to God.  But my first conviction was not so." p103

Samuel Hopkins had this to say of Edwards and the teachings of Calvinism:

"He looked upon those who called themselves Calvinists, that were for palliating the matter by, as it were, trimming off the knots of Calvinism, that they might conform it more to the taste of those who are most disposed to object against it, [as men who] were really giving up and betraying the cause they pretended to espouse." p98

Edwards writes of his complete dependence upon God for salvation:

"The very thought of any joy arising in me, on any consideration of my own amiableness, performances, or experiences, or any goodness of heart or life, is nauseous and detestable to me." p104

Murray himself comments on Edwards' strong views of God's sovereignty:

"Edwards' spiritual life was deeply affected by his belief that God owes salvation to no one and that he may justly withhold pardon from any." p104

Based on my readings from Iain Murray's, Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography.

Also see James White's, The Sovereign God, the Grace of Christ, and Sinful Man A Brief Inquiry into the Theology of Jonathan Edwards

Why does Paul talk about homosexual activity in this Rom 1 passage?  What greater point is he after here?  In my paper, I wrote this:

"Homosexuality is singled out by Paul for illustrative purposes, thus giving it more attention.  Even though idolatry is the main focus of Paul's passage, what he says (or omits) about homosexuality does not mean that Paul excluded homosexuality from his sin list.  Actually, the passage has every indication that Paul considered it a sin."

Read more, EXAMINING ROMANS 1:18-32--Paul's View of Homosexuality

These two topics are interconnected and often stir up controversy, but they're worth studying.  The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 (3:6) says,

"As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto;13 wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,14 are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified,15 and kept by His power through faith unto salvation;16 neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.17" [13 1 Pet. 1:2; 2; Thess. 2:13 14 1 Thess. 5:9, 10 15 Rom. 8:30; 2 Thess. 2:13 16 1 Pet. 1:5 17 John 10:26, 17:9, 6:64]

I've defined election and limited atonement this way:

• Unconditional Election: in eternity past God chose those whom he would save, not based on any quality that they would possess or any work that they would do or any faith that they would have but based on His good pleasure.
• Limited Atonement: Christ died to atone only for the sins of his elect.

For further study, also see,

• Theopedia
• A Puritan's Mind
• Monergism MP3s

What exactly lies at the heart of sins like homosexuality?  What drives this distortion on the physical level?  Here's part of my response from a paper at my website:

"Without a proper view of the Creator one will ultimately have a wrong view of creation.  And if one has a wrong view of creation (e. g., idolatry), one will interact with it wrongly (e. g., homosexuality).  However, this of course does not mean that every one who has a drastically distorted understanding of God will be a homosexual.  But it does mean that every one who has a seriously erroneous theology will be affected by those clouded views."

Read more, EXAMINING ROMANS 1:18-32--Paul's View of Homosexuality

• Is God obligated to save anyone?
• If we start the discussion with a robust study of God's holiness and man's sinfulness, it's difficult to see how we could arrive at an Arminian or non-Calvinistic position.  (But that may just be my bias.)
• One major problem that seems to underlie the theology of four-point Calvinists and Arminians is the assumption that man deserves better than hell, and that God can't rightly send them to hell without a fair hearing of the good news.
• Instead of asking, "How can God send people to hell?" should we not rather ask, "How can God justly allow anyone into heaven?"

B. B. Warfield clarified the topic when he wrote,

"It was that we might know ourselves to be wholly in the hands of this God of perfect righteousness and goodness--not in those of men, whether ourselves or some other men--that he [Calvin*] was so earnest for the doctrine of predestination: which is nothing more than the declaration of the supreme dominion of God."  B. B. Warfield, Calvin and Calvinism (Quote taken from Iain Murray's, Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography, p98.) [*According to James White.]

In fairness to those with opposing views, here are a couple of sites:

• Evangelical Arminians
• Scot McKnight, "Do Calvinists Understand Arminianism?"

Many in our culture today would have us embrace homosexuality, saying it's the only loving thing to do.  But, we should carefully study what Scripture teaches before we embrace something that, for so long, has been considered a sin.  In a paper I recently posted, I wrote:

"God demonstrates His wrath by giving over evil people to their evil ways.  At this juncture, one wonders why God does not treat all humans as severely as those referred to in this passage.  After all, every human is sinful.  However, Rom 1 indicates that there is a point at which God vents His wrath.  The text does not specifically say at what point God turns people over to their own devices.  Nonetheless, the "turning over" seems to transpire when a person replaces God with an idol and will not repent. 

"This text seems to imply that the act of God giving them over does not merely become passive but that He is actively judging them by plunging them deeper into the murky sea of their own depravity.  God's wrath is not only manifested in the act of turning them over to their sin; His wrath is also demonstrated in what He turns them over to (e.g., homosexuality)."

Outline of Paper:

• Overview of Romans 1:18-23
• Relevance of 1:18-32 in Romans
• Relevance of vv. 18-23 to vv. 24-32
• A Closer Look at Romans 1:18-23
• The Progression of Evil in Rom 1:18-23 and vv. 26-27
• Radical Voices on Romans 1:24-27

• A Closer Look at Romans 1:24-27
• Focus on "Against Nature" and "Natural Use"
• Homosexuality as an Illustration
• Conclusion
• Endnotes
• Original Outline of Thesis Chapter
• Sermon Outline of Romans 1:24-27
• Resources for Practical Details on Romans 1:24-32

Read more, EXAMINING ROMANS 1:18-32--Paul's View of Homosexuality

Lord, what does it mean for me to rest in you? It doesn't mean that I'm always passive, as though sleeping. Rather, I think it means that whether I'm busy or just quietly contemplating, I'm finding my comfort and hope in you. I don't necessarily have to be doing something for you. You bless your children with rest because they are your children. You are my father and because of this relationship I reap the harvest of peace and joy. I don't have to earn your perks, as though your goodness is based on my doing; rather I must be. As I learn to be in fellowship with you, I receive the overflow of your goodness.

(Taken from my Spiritual Reflections: Attempting Honesty, 1999; published at NeedNotFret.com)

While many church members are overly eager to confront their pastors due to a disrespect for spiritual leadership, there are occasions when someone has an issue that he legitimately needs to talk with the pastor about. 

How does one do this biblically and with respect?  Too often people charge into the pastor's office with a list of complaints without honoring his position as leader.  There's a right way and a wrong way to approach your pastor.  This (text) interview may be helpful, "How to Approach Your Pastor on a Difficult Subject".

Could it be that pluralism is its own worst enemy?  The ideal behind pluralism (especially religious pluralism) says that people of all walks, races, religions, etc, can co-exist in one society, presumably peacefully.  All belief systems are supposedly equal.  Yet perhaps within pluralism is the DNA to destroy itself.  When the extremes of the sinful human heart meet with other ideologies, eventually pluralism begins to implode.

Values seem to be changing in America.  Certain groups who've always proclaimed tolerance--an orthodox pillar of pluralism--now show little tolerance for others.  And thus the problem of pluralism: it's a system of life, a worldview that overlooks a need for Christ.  By letting in everything philosophically we let in a lot of good, but we also let in the worst society offers.  Eventually the bad undercuts the good and we have, well, modern day America.

On this Christmas day we celebrate the God-man, Jesus.  Many people in America have perhaps heard bits and pieces of his birth story.  Many people can sing the words to familiar Christmas songs.  But I wonder how many know that Jesus came not just to bring peace but unrest?  In Matthew 10:33-37 Jesus says:

33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.  34 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  35 For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother in law--36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'  37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me….

While we know Christ brings peace in many ways, that's not his primary concern.  He wants holy followers who give him glory, and that will cause unrest in relationships because those who don't know him will hate those who love him. 

How can the Christ child become the man of peace who also wield a sword?  How do we reconcile these two truths?  Such is the mystery of the God-man.

While I'm not willing to attempt to predict the future, I'd like to lay out a possible scenario that could unfold in the near future.  Both gays and Muslims are making inroads into mainstream American culture, but since they hold vastly different values, what would such a clash look like? 

I suppose the magnitude of a clash could depend on who has more power.  Either way, Christians would likely be caught in the middle, and that would probably mean what it usually means when Christians are caught in the middle of conflict--Christians suffer. 

What if God, in all of his wisdom, uses two sinful worldviews to clash so Christians might do the unthinkable amidst persecution--love their enemies, love each other, and suffer for God's glory?

Do you know about Shepherds’ Haven of Rest Ministries?  A few years ago, I served a troubled church in (somewhere USA) and was glad to take a break for a week with other pastors, just relaxing, and being ministered to by Charlie and Suzanne Grigsby.  They're great people and have a wonderful ministry to pastors. 

Visit their website, www.shorministries.com, and pass on their info to your pastor.

I believe the Sabbath is still important for believers today.  Lately I've drifted from that practice and am making an effort to savor all that Christ is for me in God on this day.  I hope you too will observe the Sabbath.

Here's something I wrote a while back:

"The word 'Sabbath' means rest.  God modeled the importance of a Sabbath rest in Genesis 2:1-3 before sin ever entered into the world.  Later on, God commanded the Israelites to take a Sabbath day once a week (Exodus 20:6-11).  Although scholars debate the issue, I believe Christians do well to honor the Sabbath. 

"Consider a few points about the Sabbath:

"1). The Sabbath reflects our peace with God (Hebrews 4:1-11).

"2). The Sabbath reminds us of a greater reality (Colossians 2:16-17).

"3). The Sabbath combats our idolatry by calling us back to God.

"4). The Sabbath helps us relinquish control (a faith offering).

"5). The Sabbath restores our energy.

"God has given the Sabbath as a gift more than as a rule.  God knows we need rest and time to reflect upon the more important things of life.  Six days of work done in God's strength will be more productive than seven days done in your own energy." 

Read more (under section, "The Sabbath.")

Excerpted from chapter 9 of my work, Growing Up in Christ: Biblical Teaching for New Believers.

Carl Trueman has written a thought worthy article pertaining to the gay rights movement, entitled, "Goodbye Larry King, Hello Jerry Springer!"

Here are a few excerpts:

• "One thing is now clear: the issue of the legitimacy of homosexual behavior and the legality of gay marriages and/or civil unions, is the issue of the hour, at least as far as the media seems to be concerned." 

• "There are two temptations here which must be resisted at all costs.  The first is to compromise biblical standards." 

• "The pro-gay issue is carried along by a veritable cultural tidal wave, with everybody from high-powered political pundits to soap opera screenwriters helping to create an environment where to be opposed to homosexuality is regarded as irrational, implausible bigotry."

• "As Don Carson commented recently, American Christians have yet to wake up to the fact that the gospel really is despised by the world." 

• "The second temptation is to become what the pro-gay left are saying we are already: hatemongers."

Read the whole article.

hat tip: Between Two Worlds

Recently the elders at Grace Community Church in Jacksonville, Florida, sent a letter to one of its members, Rebecca Hancock, encouraging her to repent of sexual immorality or else her sins would be brought before the church, per Matt 18:15-18.  "How could this church bear the name 'grace' when they're acting without grace?" might be question on some minds.  Of course, the media will portray the leadership's decision as an act of malice.  Lost people usually don't understand the teachings of Scripture and construe such as the antithesis of grace.  But we should expect this sort of misunderstanding because their hearts are hostile against God. 

I commend the senior pastor, T. Scott Christmas, and the elders for seeking to follow Scripture, even when their actions could be costly and, most certainly, could seem by many as lacking grace.

See related post, Jesus on Church Discipline.

hat tip: 9Marks & SBCvoices

A lady argued with me a few years ago about missions.  Our argument centered on the definition of missions and the priority of reaching the unreached.  I thought our church should be widening its focus from the local area to the international field.  She thought missions could be done by going down to witness to the local Hispanics (which, by the way, she wasn't doing).  I said it was important to reach the Hispanics, but why didn't our church care more than we did for those with no chance of hearing?  At least people in the U.S. can access the gospel. 

This lady pretended to care a great deal about missions and evangelism.  She even wanted to argue about a definition of missions when she'd never gone on her first overseas trip.  Some people presume to possess a big heart for missions but their lives don't bear fruit.  John Piper said it wisely, "Where passion for God is weak, zeal for missions will be weak" (Let the Nations Be Glad, 12).  I think this was her problem--a passion for arguing but little passion for God.

Are we like this lady?  Are we willing to talk about the importance of missions, even willing to argue about it, but in the end unwilling to go for a couple of weeks to get our feet wet?  Let's not be pretenders of the Word, but takers of the Word.

I recently posted a two part series on, "The Gospel for Children: Not Moralism," and figured it was worth noting that Andy Naselli has some helpful theological resources listed for youngsters. 

Check it out here.

Describing the incarnate Jesus is no easy task and is fraught with perils, so much so, that just a little wrong wording and you could become a heretic.  Perhaps because of the intellectual complexities and dangers of heresy, many pastors stay clear of the topic, just to be safe.  But these truths are the kind with a capital T, so we must try to explain what Scripture says, although with fear and trembling.  We do well to study those who've gone before us.

According to Tony Lane, the heretics and their heresies are as follows:

• "Arius denied his [Jesus'] true deity,
• "Apollinaris denied his full humanity,
• "Nestorius was accused of dividing him into two people--God the Word and Jesus the man. 
• "Eutyches was accused of blurring his two natures (deity and humanity) into one and creating a mixture." The Lion Concise Book of Christian Thought, p47.

We must teach what Scripture says so people don’t fall into these heresies, and thus damn themselves to hell.  So with a Bible in one hand and a solid systematic theology in the other, we have a starting place.  And sticking close to the confessions and creeds ought to keep us on safe ground, too.  One English version of the Chalcedonian Creed puts it this way,

"…begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the virgin Mary, the mother of God, according to the manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning him, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us."

For more on the Chalcedonian Council of A.D. 451, click here.

For more on the two natures of Jesus and heresies, click here.

John Piper writes, "Missions exists because worship doesn't."  Our main focus isn't missions alone, but God's glory.  We seek to help others know more about our great God.  Any place where God isn't known or worshipped is a place for believers to go--to be good news and to tell the good news.  Our goal isn't missions for missions sake, but to make much of Christ, especially in places where he isn't already known.

As Piper says in that same book, "Missions is not God's ultimate goal, worship is."  God exalts his name because he deserves it and because his exaltation is for man's ultimate good.  The best gift God can give man is himself.

Based on my readings from Let the Nations Be Glad, p11, 15.

If you've never heard of this place and ministry, I'd like to introduce you to Wears Valley Ranch in Sevierville, Tennessee.  I visited there many years ago on a ministry trip and met the founders, Jim and Susan Wood.

A quote from their website says, "Wears Valley Ranch is a Christian children's home and school that provides the Gospel of Jesus Christ, solid Bible teaching, an individualized education and the unconditional love of carefully chosen house parents to deserving young people from crisis family situations."

What a great place for children struggling through these crisis times.  Note what Dr. Jeanann Pardue, says, "Wears Valley Ranch is doing more than preaching against the problem [of child abuse].  They are taking children who have suffered horribly and are showing them a new way to live." 

Check out their website, www.wvr.org.

I mentioned in "part 1" that too frequently many Christian materials merely encouraged children to be good rather than telling them that they're sinners in need of a Savior, with him as their only hope of goodness.  I've asked a few people to suggest materials that don't just teach children to be good (do-good-ism) but teach them to realize their sin and believe in Jesus.  Here's my list below.  Some materials I have first-hand knowledge of and others I offer as recommendations from reliable sources or people, but I encourage you to weigh all materials against God's Word.

Links to gospel-centered (mostly Reformed) children's materials, in no particular order:

• Shepherd Press.
• Great Commission Publications.
• Christian Focus Publications.
• Desiring God.
• Westminster Theological Seminary Bookstore.
• Monergism Bookstore.
• Ministry to Children (Tony Kummer).
• Children's Hour Books (Ray Van Neste).

One thing that concerns me about many of the "Christian" materials for small children is that often they degenerate into moralism (do-good-ism).  I understand that a short book or film can only do so much theology given the time and length constraints matched with the attention spans and thinking abilities of their audience--small children.  Yet, I fear that too frequently they merely encourage children to be good rather than telling them that they're sinners in need of a Savior and only he can make them good.  While our children need robust biblical ethics (morals), they need to understand ethics in the larger context of the gospel. 

• They are sinners, rebels against God, who deserve nothing less than hell's flame lapping around them for all eternity. 
• God hates sin and pours out his wrath on all who stand against him.
• They cannot be good enough for God. 
• Jesus' death and resurrection are the only chance they have at peace with God. 
• Any goodness that flows from their lives comes after they have, by his grace, believed on Jesus, turned from their sin, and thrown themselves upon his mercy. 
• Then they will have his Spirit to enable them to live rightly unto their most holy and terrifying God, who will one day reward his children and bring unending torment on his enemies.
• They can know endless joy in this life and in the life to come after they have placed their faith in all that God is for them in Jesus.

Lord willing, in part 2, I'll provide some helpful links to resources.

Before long, following Jesus in the United States may actually cost believers something.  With the rights of gays making their way into mainstream America, and other radical groups making inroads as well, hard times for believers may lurk nearby.  If this happens soon, are we ready?

I once saw a movie about the 1950s or 1960s civil rights movement in America, where blacks and other activists received training on how to minimize their injuries during arrest.  Whether this movie was historically accurate, it presented an interesting idea--training for difficulty.

Some time ago when I was preparing a sermon on the persecuted church, I ran across a website that coached Christians on how to survive jail if they were arrested for their faith.  (It may still be on the web, but I couldn't find it with a basic search.)  I wonder if the American church shouldn't start thinking more along these lines.

See sermon outline, "The Persecuted Church."

I'm delighted that many American churches have refocused on church discipline.  When churches follow Scripture's pattern for restoration, we please God and receive the benefits of obedience. 

Some time ago, I put together a sermon on church discipline that some people might find helpful.

Text: Matthew 18:15-20.

Title: "Operation Restoration: Jesus' Approach to Church Discipline."

Outline:

1. The choice to sin leads to confrontation (vv15-17a).

2. The refusal to repent calls for discipline (v17b-d). 

3. The decision to correct (discipline/excommunicate/restore) is pre-approved in heaven (vv18-20).

See entire sermon outline.

I want to love my daughter perfectly.  Don't get me wrong, I love her dearly, but sometimes I feel inadequate for the task of fatherhood.  My (almost) three-year old has more energy than I do.  She's a delight, but many times I fall short of good fathering, let alone great fathering. 

I'm speaking of those times when I say something careless or do something sinful, like being too harsh.  Then, I see in her eyes that I've damaged her soul.  To see those soul-saddened eyes are some seriously painful, weeping moments of parenthood.  On many occasions I've confessed to my little girl that I was sorry for whatever sin I committed and asked for her forgiveness. 

It turns out that not only three year olds need Jesus to change their bad attitudes and sinful hearts.  Daddies need his grace for repentance, too, especially this daddy.

Gagnon

Dr. Robert Gagnon serves as associate professor of New Testament at Pittsburg Theological Seminary.  He's written a key scholarly work regarding biblical truth and the homosexual discussion, The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics, and contributed to the work, Homosexuality and the Bible: Two Views.  Check out his site, http://www.robgagnon.net/, which has many useful articles and responses to common homosexual arguments. 

LaBarbera

Peter LaBarbera is president of Americans for Truth.  His site www.americansfortruth.com provides another useful place where you can find information to refute common arguments from the gay rights movement. (Note: It comes with a caution that his site contains material not suitable for children.)

Most of us probably spend too much time online.  Recently, I've tried to cut down on some of my surfing and spend more time reading actual paper books.  I've thought, "What if I could only go to one main site, which would it be?"  For me, the choice is easy.  I'd choose Justin Taylor's site at www.theologica.blogspot.com.  He's well connected and seems to be abreast of the most important happenings within Reformed circles and broader Evangelical Christianity in America.  He's also smart and discerning, and seems to possess a generous heart.

So do yourself a favor and visit his site soon, Justin Taylor. 

Capital punishment is one of those topics that most every adult seems to hold an opinion on.

Not wanting to be left out, some time ago I tried to look honestly at what Scripture teaches and wrote down my thoughts on this subject. 

Here's my outline:

I. Introduction

II. What does the Old Testament say about capital punishment?

          A. The image of God

          B. Man as a judge

          C. God's covenant

III. Questioning the death penalty with the Old Testament

IV. What does the New Testament say about capital punishment?

          A. The adulterous woman

          B. Turn the other cheek

          C. Put away your sword

          D. The government

          E. Vengeance is mine

          F. The Cross

V. What crimes, if any, merit the death penalty?

VI. Christians opposing the death penalty

A. The value of life

B. Problems with the death penalty

1. Hasn't the death penalty failed to prevent crime?

2. What about discrimination and the finality of this decision?

          C. Questions for thought

VII. Summary and conclusion

See the full article.

One person I can't wait to talk with in heaven is Jonathan Edwards.  He had such depth of thought and heat of passion.  Since he was so prolific, and more profound that I could ever be, I'll just let him speak for himself.

• "The holiness of God has always appeared to me the most lovely of all his attributes….  I have loved the doctrines of the gospel; they have been to my soul like green pastures."

• "And God has appeared glorious to me on account of the Trinity.  It has made me have exalting thoughts of God, that he subsists in three persons; the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  The sweetest joys and delights I have experienced, have not been those that have arisen from a hope of my own good estate, but in a direct view of the glorious things of the gospel."

• "Often, since I lived in this town, I have had very affecting views of my own sinfulness and vileness; very frequently to such a degree as to hold me in a kind of loud weeping, sometimes for a considerable time together; so that I have often been forced to shut myself up."

• "When I look into my heart, and take a view of my wickedness, it looks like an abyss infinitely deeper than hell."

• "And it is affecting to think, how ignorant I was, when a young Christian, of the bottomless, infinite depths of wickedness, pride, hypocrisy and deceit, left in my heart."

• "The very thought of any joy arising in me, on any consideration of my own amiableness, performances, or experiences, or any goodness of heart or life, is nauseous and detestable to me."

• "Man is naturally exceeding prone to exalt himself and depend on his own power or goodness, as though from himself he must expect happiness."

• "…let [man] give God all the glory who alone makes him to differ from the worst of men in this world, or the most miserable of the damned in hell."

Edwards possessed insight into the human heart and God's greatness that we could use more of today.

Based on my readings from Iain Murray's, Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography, p99-111.

Mr. Pastore wrote a good article recently about the musical "Prop 8" starring Jack Black.  Pastore assesses the purpose of the musical: "The point of the production is to shame the voting public for passing Proposition 8 a month ago, which simply defined marriage in California as between a man and a woman."

Then Pastore turns his attention to an interesting scene in the musical: "At the pivotal moment of the musical, Jesus (played by Jack Black) confronts the 'Yes on 8' supporters for their belief that homosexuality is an 'abomination,' and lifts a shrimp cocktail to them and says that Leviticus also says eating shellfish likewise is an 'abomination.'"

The argument among some gays seems to go something like this: You can't condemn homosexuality based on the Old Testament unless you're also willing to condemn the other odd things that it condemns.  Pastore answers these common objections raised about certain Old Testament teachings.

Read the entire article here.

My family has a tradition--whatever we spend on gifts and cards for Christmas, we will (at least) match the same amount for missions.  This not only keeps us accountable when we want to spend a lot of money on ourselves or others, but it makes us more conscious of what we're giving to missions. 

We're missionaries too, but we don't just care about "our people."  We want all the peoples of the world to hear of Christ's death and resurrection, and that he's coming back to judge his enemies and bless his children.  We desire for people to bow before him in humility on this side of the grave and inherit heaven, rather than bow later in humiliation and inherit hell. 

I pray you join us in celebrating Jesus Christ, the God-man, who brings wonderful news to all who call upon him.  And I pray that you celebrate him by giving to missions from the abundance he has given to you. 

Also see, Your Money and Missions.

Do you ever have days where it feels like Satan's winning and you're losing?  I've had a few of those days lately. 

• Bats flying in our apartment
• Appliances breaking down
• Electricity sporadic
• Temperatures soaring
• Sleep interrupted

These are enough to bring a fellow down.  And then Hebrews 2 comes to mind.  Consider verse 8, which says,

"Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.  At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him." 

Things around us don't always show that God reigns supreme.  But if you're a follower of Jesus, don't let the things you see have the final word.  Verses 14-15 say,

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."

Sometimes it looks as though Satan is winning, but we need not fret.  God stands victorious no matter what seems the case, even in the tragedies of life.  Not only is he winning but he can keep you in his hand, give you joy, and still beat the daylights out of Satan.

Consider Jude 24-25,

"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen."

(ESV)

I received their gift un-expectantly.  I was working at a university and preparing to lead some students on a mission trip when some missionary friends of mine sent a check.  I thought, "How bad off financially am I, that missionaries are sending me money?"  But, of course, my heart was overjoyed with their love, and I told them so.  Then, I honored them by using their money for missions.

What struck me in that situation was that missionaries like to give towards missions too.  They give because it's close to their hearts; they give even when they could reason that they need the money to help with their own work. 

Our family loves giving to missionaries, even those in other denominations who share a similar passion for God's glory among the nations.  I pray that you also will reach down deep and give to missions, even when the current times strain your wallet and give you reasons to hold on to it. 

If you're not familiar with Mike Adams, you should be.  He's almost always worth reading.  Adams is a criminology professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and he writes for www.townhall.com.  Adams claims faith in Christ, and I have no reason to doubt his faith, especially after having read one of his books and dozens of his articles. 

He occasionally speaks of his faith and also speaks of his deliverance from liberalism; speaking of liberalism, he has recently left Methodism for a more conservative denomination.  But he's not your average Sunday school teacher type, and praise God for that.  He's got an edge about him, and he sometimes uses words you're not used to hearing in church.  But he almost always has something meaningful to say.  He's got a prophet's voice and knows how to use wit with just the right mixture of sarcasms.  He also loves guns and cigars, for whatever that's worth. 

He gives liberals a run for their money as well as any modern Christian writer I know of.  I hope he keeps up the good work. 

• His books: Feminists Say the Darndest Things and Welcome to the Ivory Tower of Babel.
• His website: www.dradams.org.
• His latest article: Letter to a Handcuffed Feminist

Recently in an article entitled, Gay Adoption: The Real Agenda, Steve Chapman (not to be confused with Steven Curtis Chapman) wrote in favor of allowing gays to adopt children.  He used a common argument: Isn't it best for children to have someone love them, especially those children who wouldn't otherwise be adopted, regardless of the sexual preference of the parents?

Emotionally this argument carries some weight.  I fear this argument could persuade some conservative Evangelicals.  Perhaps, however, there are some greater issues at stake.  The emotional argument that Chapman uses reminds me of a similar argument that homosexuals use about their lifestyles: Why should everyone else be allowed to get married but not us?

Both arguments are based on a wrong premise.  The wrong premise is--that the homosexual lifestyle is good and acceptable (and that it should never, under any circumstances, be condemned).  But, what if God says it's wrong, and always wrong, under all circumstances?  If this lifestyle is wrong, then we can safely assume that same-sex relations harm those who engage in them, and they also harm those strongly influenced by those relationships, like children reared by homosexuals.  The very nature of homosexuality rejects what heterosexual relationships could, under normal healthy conditions, give--children.  Since the very essence of same-sex relationships closes the door to children, why should anyone care to make children adoptable to them?

In his article, Why Homosexuals Should Not Adopt or Teach Children, Mike Adams offers some insight worth pondering when he talks of homosexuals adopting and teaching,

"The job of raising a child is important--as is the job of teaching a child. Both require dealing with emotionally immature beings that require constant supervision and guidance to ensure they will develop into mature adults.

"There is nothing wrong with discriminating against a class of people who are afflicted with an emotional or mental illness that is relevant to the completion of a given task--especially if that task is crucial to the well-being of the society at large. That is why I am opposed to the idea of gays adopting or teaching our children."

It wasn't long ago that homosexuality was considered a mental illness.  Perhaps the PR from the homosexual community has persuaded many that such thinking belongs in the world of slavery and Jim Crow.  But maybe the thought (that homosexuality is an abnormal condition) is worth revisiting again, especially as the group who has always claimed opened-minded liberal thinking, seems to be more intolerant than most groups.  After all, is this sort of bigoted intolerance really a good environment for children?

I'm glad that within recent years more authors have turned their attention to the topic of heaven.  All who follow Jesus will live there forever, so we should prepare for it.  In Alcorn's book on the topic he says, "Heaven will simply be a physical extension of God's goodness.  To be with God--to know him, to see him--is the central, irreducible draw of Heaven."  Heaven will hold so many wonderful attractions, including both things and people, but nothing or no one will compare to the center of it all, God himself.  He's so majestic and glorious that eternity will not be long enough to exhaust the pleasure we find in him.

Some fear that heaven will be little more than a long boring church service.  But nothing could be further from the truth.  Heaven is about God and his glorious riches.  If the spectacular aspects of this present earth don't bore us, how could heaven?  Again, Alcorn writes of heaven's splendor, "In Heaven, we'll be at home with the God we love and who loves us wholeheartedly.  Lovers don't bore each other.  People who love God could never be bored in his presence.  Remember, the members of the triune Godhead exist in eternal relationship with each other.  To see God is to participate in the infinite delight of their communion."

If you're a believer, I encourage you to reflect on heaven the next time you're discouraged.  Think of the greatest place you've ever visited and then imagine Jesus there with you, minus the sin, suffering, and poverty.  Could such a place really be boring?  I think not.

Based on my readings from Randy Alcorn's, Heaven, p187, 195.

If you want to make a group of Baptists mad, just quote to them Hebrews 13:17, which says,

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you" (ESV). 

Of course, it's never been hard to make Baptists mad, but if you really want to steam them more, quote this verse while being their pastor and watch their reactions.  (And it probably wouldn't hurt to have your résumé up-to-date.)  Unfortunately, this free-spirited rebellion against pastoral leadership isn't new to the last few decades.  Iain Murray writes of the problems many churches in New England faced in the 1700s (Jonathan Edwards, p15-18).  He speaks of the "…complaint now being heard in the land against the authority of ministers."  He talks about the disappearance of ruling elders as part of the problem. 

We always create problems for ourselves, and others, when we ignore Scripture (e.g., its teaching on pastoral authority, the importance of elders, the need of congregational submission, etc.).  While pastors aren't perfect, as most any deacon board will testify to, they (and elders) are, nonetheless, God's appointed leadership for the church; in fact, they are his gifts to the church.  Congregants should think twice before standing against their leadership.

See Roger Ferrell's short article, Biblical Eldership.  For a longer treatment, see my article, Learning How to Follow Your Leader.

How long has it been since you've delighted in the Triune God?  We can talk about the Father, or Jesus, or even the Spirit, but what about worshipping God for his Tri-unity?  He's not some vague god, but is three persons in one Godhead. 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 says,

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (ESV).

We should love our one God with all that we are--our total being.  That means we need to grapple with the complexities of his nature.  Many believers have never heard a sermon on the Trinity let alone researched the doctrine or read much on the Triune God.

One chorus of a Chris Tomlin song goes like this:

Praise the Father, Praise the Son
Praise the Spirit, Three in One
Clothed in power and in grace
the name above all other names

I love this song because it helps me put my theology into practice--in fact, into worship.  I wished we had more modern songs, books, and sermons about the Triune God.  The doctrine of the Trinity stands as a pillar of orthodox Christian theology, yet I fear that most American Christians know little about this doctrine.  Within the last few months, I've even met two missionaries who espoused a heretical view of the Trinity--the modalistic view--that God manifests himself as a Father, as a Son, and as a Spirit, rather than actually is three distinct persons in one Godhead.  We must make sure that the God we love is really the God of the Bible. 

For a primer on the Trinity, start here.

Ever felt a deep heartache over your own sin, over the sin of others, over the pain and poverty in life?  Ever felt confused, fatigued, and desperate for God?  I had a nighttime pang recently.  I couldn't handle the angst anymore so I rose from bed and went to another room with my Bible.  I needed to cast my burden on my Father.  At the end of myself, I turned randomly to Psalm 116 and began to read.  Verses 1-3 say,

1 I love the LORD, because he has heard

   my voice and my pleas for mercy.

2 Because he inclined his ear to me,

   therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The snares of death encompassed me;

   the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;

   I suffered distress and anguish.

Then came the cool spring from verse 4, like ice water during a hot sweaty day,

4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:

   "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"

I clung to all that God was (is) for me in Jesus and prayed over and over, "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"

Then came the soothing salve of verses 5-7,

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;

   our God is merciful.

6 The LORD preserves the simple;

   when I was brought low, he saved me.

7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;

   for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

If you're a follower of Jesus and feel desperate with your situation, soak in God's comforting words, and pray like a dying man, "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"

I'm posting this as a response to what I read on someone else's blog earlier today.  She seemed to think that all of this discussion in the SBC about Calvinism, etc, was too confusing.  Was she to believe that a child, if elect, would make it into heaven without having to believe?  Whatever happened to just preaching Jesus, she seems to ask.  Because I think many SBC folks feel this way, the following comments could be helpful:

The Reformed tradition doesn't say that an elect person doesn't have to believe.  In other words, an elect person will, in fact, believe upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When talking to someone about faith in Christ, a biblically Reformed person isn't trying to figure out if this person is elect.  The goal is to tell of God's greatness, his glorious plan in sending Christ to the cross, his willingness to forgive all who call upon him in faith, his justice in sending all to hell if he chooses (because all sinful humanity deserve just that), and to leave the election part of things in God's hands, where it belongs.  (Leaving it in his hands doesn't mean never talking about it.  To leave it in his hands means we don't have to search for the future elect; we can just share Christ with all.  )

Many people, especially SBC folks, misunderstand the Calvinistic issues of Reformed Theology.  The current discussion in the SBC doesn't keep little Jimmy or Jane from trusting Christ if they're elect.  The current discussion doesn't keep anyone from sharing the marvelous riches of God's grace with non-believers.  What the current discussion can do, however, is help a large group of woefully misinformed folks better understand Scripture and church history, even if they, after studying the Bible and history reject the tenants of Calvinism. 

I just wished SBC people would study the issues before they (embrace or) reject it.

More than a week had passed before Jonathan's wife, Sarah, received a letter telling of her husband's death.  What heartbreak it must have been to have received deathly news this way, and to have been absent from his side in his last days.  She nonetheless kept her faith in her Savior.  In a letter to her children, she wrote, with striking delight in her God, "What shall I say?  A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud.  O that we may kiss the rod, and lay our hands on our mouths!  The Lord has done it.  He has made me adore His goodness, that we had him so long.  But my God lives; and He has my heart."  Not only was Edwards a great man, his wife was a great woman of faith.  She knew her Redeemer was faithful and true, especially as she walked through the valley of the shadow of her husband's death.  Little did she know that within a few months, her body would be laid beside her husband's at Princeton.  But she was ready to go.

Based on my readings from Helen K. Hosier's, Jonathan Edwards: The Great Awakener, p170.

Peter Lumkins has posted a worthwhile read entitled, "HyperCalvinism: Professor David Allen Responds to Critics."

Outline:

1. What I said

2. The context in which I said it

3. Why I said it

Hat Tip: www.SBCvoices.com

As Edwards neared his death, he wrote a letter for his daughter, Lucy, so she could give it to her mother.  An excerpt from his letter speaks of the joy he found in his wife and the delight he received from his Master. 

"Dear Lucy,

"It seems to me to be the will of God, that I must shortly leave you; therefore give my kindest love to my dear wife, and tell her, that the uncommon union, which has so long subsisted between us, has been of such a nature, as I trust is spiritual, and therefore will continue forever.  And I hope she will be supported under so great a trial and submit cheerfully to the will of God."

Edwards had, seemingly, loved his wife and God well.  Upon his own death, he thought of his wife and wanted to comfort her with biblical truth.  He wanted her to delight in God's will, to cherish God, even if God's will was painful.  Edwards longed for her to, not just accept God's will, but to cheerfully submit to it.  A good word for all of us.

Based on my readings from Helen K. Hosier's, Jonathan Edwards: The Great Awakener, p167.

If you're a Southern Baptist, Tom Ascol has posted an article entitled, "SBC and Calvinism: Three events that widened the divide."

His outline:

1. Steve Lemke's article

2. David Allen's review

3. The John 3:16 Conference

One excerpt, possibly, gets to the heart of the current debate within the Convention:

"The anti-Calvinists (as opposed to non-Calvinists) are becoming, as one seminary student put it recently, 'increasingly irrelevant,' especially to younger SBC leaders.  While they are writing and preaching to themselves, more and more Gospel-centered Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike are showing a genuine willingness to link arms in order to move forward to make disciples of the Lord Jesus."

Read more.

Hat Tip: SBCvoices

It's no secret that Edwards held a high view of God's sovereignty.  This noble pastor-missionary-theologian of yesteryear took God seriously and wanted that same seriousness to flow from all the people he knew.  He especially wanted his children to stand in awe of God.  In 1755, Edwards wrote a letter to one of his young sons who was staying elsewhere at the time.  An excerpt shows Edwards' grand view of God: "Always set God before your eyes, and live in his fear, and seek him every day with all diligence: for he, and he only can make you happy or miserable, as he pleases…."  We would do well today to embrace this same view of God's sovereignty, and like Edwards, to seek our pleasure in our Creator, for our happiness can only truly bloom in him.

Based on my readings from Helen K. Hosier's, Jonathan Edwards: The Great Awakener, p156.

Some would say that full Calvinism takes away missionary zeal.  But such is not usually true and certainly wasn't true for Edwards.  Note what he wrote in a letter about his pastoral trials and mission opportunities: "I, with my family, have for this two years past gone through many troubles: But…the Lord has not forsaken us, nor suffered us to sink under our trials.  He has in many respects exercised a fatherly care of us in our distresses.  A door seems to be opened for my further improvement in the work of the ministry in this place which is situated in the north western frontier of New England…."  He and his family had endured the difficulty leading up to his dismissal from the Northampton pastorate.  God had never abandoned them.  In fact, he used the dismissal to redirect Edwards.  In 1751, Edwards moved his family to Stockbridge where sought to reach the local Indians for Christ. 

Based on my readings from Helen K. Hosier's, Jonathan Edwards: The Great Awakener, p139.

• Christian-Founded Dating Website eHarmony Forced to Cater to Homosexuals, LifeSiteNews.com

• Court to decide whether campus evangelism a crime, OneNewsNow.com

• Homosexual high school nixed until next year, OneNewsNow.com

• Stealth Jihad: How Islam is Infiltrating Your Neighborhood, Townhall.com

Not so long ago, I listened to Mark Dever's rendition of Edwards' Sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."  While the last decade or two has given birth to several books to refocus the church's attention on hell, there's always room for improvement at this point.  Americans seem so bent on feeling good about themselves that we tend, even as evangelicals, to neglect this most important subject.  Edwards knew the importance of preaching on the topic and did so with amazing clarity and graphic language: "The wrath of God burns against them, [the unconverted] their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the pit hath opened its mouth under them."  I pray that we would learn to tremble at the wrath of God, like those who heard this sermon in the 1750s.  May we feel the heat and smell the smoke. 

Oh that we would follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ who never feared addressing the subject.

While I like to visit many non-SBC websites and blogs, I wanted to list a few SBC sites that are worth visiting:

• Todd Burus at Todd on God
• Mark at Sweet Tea and Theology
• Matt Privett at The Matrix
• Justin Nale at Thoughts of a North Carolina Baptist
• Timmy Brister at Provocations & Pantings

Justin Taylor has posted a couple of good articles or links related to the homosexual-lifestyle debate:

·         Karnick on How the Forced Recognition of Same-Sex "Marriage" Undermines a Free Society

S. T. Karnick:

From the beginning, the debate over “same-sex marriage” has been one of those topsy-turvy issues in which the side that is truly tolerant and fair has been characterized as narrow-minded and oppressive, while the side that is intolerant and blatantly coercive has been depicted as open-minded and sympathetic.

Read more.

·         Tony Jones: Monogamous GLBTQ Should Be Sanctioned and Blessed by the Church

Tony Jones, in a Same Sex Marriage Blogalogue with Rod Dreher:

"I now believe that GLBTQ [people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, queer] can live lives in accord with biblical Christianity (at least as much as any of us can!) and that their monogamy can and should be sanctioned and blessed by church and state."

Read more.

"What do you think about George Bush and the war?" was the question they asked me as I sat with a group of men.  Here in this (non-American) country, they love to talk politics, and they love Barack Obama.  I sometimes engage with them in the political talk because politics brings with it important issues.  But I wanted to talk about the most important thing (or, shall I say, "person").  I talked about God, Jesus, and our reason for being on planet earth.  That got rid of a few people.  With those who stayed, we talked about creation, Jesus, and starting new churches.  While many political issues are worth discussing, we must always pursue the cross or we're likely to debate many current issues and never get to the glory of Christ--our whole reason for missions.

My wife told me of a Desiring God article, posted a few years ago by John Piper.  In it he writes about their readings during vacation.  One thing he wrote that caught my attention was this, "The older I get the more desperate I feel to have the Scripture memorized.  Nothing shapes and guards my mind like this.  Too much is at stake as death draws near and as age brings its unique temptations and fears.  I simply must have Jesus near by his indwelling word."  I'm a big fan of Piper, and I admire how he bleeds Scripture throughout his writings.  I want to pack the Word in deep now so it spills out when I'm pricked and when I'm old.

I recently read Ps 138:1, which says, "I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise" (ESV).  I've been savoring that verse ever since.  I can almost hear the intensity with which King David felt his hope in the Lord.  He cherished the God of Israel above all else, and in a moment of pleasure towards his Creator, offered thanks.  David decided that he would give thanks with all the contents of his heart.  But he wouldn't stop there.  He'd sing praise to the Lord, too.  A heart that overflows with thanksgiving can't help but belt out a few tunes for the Creator.  David sang despite the other gods of his day.  Truly, our God is majestic and worthy of praise.  He overshadows the other gods and makes them nothing.  Praise his great and glorious name.  Sing of his greatness.

After Edwards was fired from his church in 1750, he wrote about those in his congregation filled with pride.  "Spiritual pride is a most monstrous thing.  If it be not discerned, and vigorously opposed, in the beginning, it very often soon raises persons above their teachers, and supposed spiritual fathers, and sets them out of the reach of all rule and instruction, as I have seen in innumerable instances."  What discernment Edwards had.  He was aware of his own sins, but could also see clearly to say what the main problem was in his own former congregation.  Unfortunately, this problem of rebellion hasn't gone away.  How many pastors could tell similar stories of how some in their congregation have risen up in pride, thwarted the pastoral authority, and done their own thing?  Rebellion against spiritual authorities is a shame, and all too common in America where the free spirit seems a part of our culture.  Yet, Christ calls the church to submit to him.  Yes, the pastors (and elders) must submit.  But so must the church submit to their leaders (Heb 13:17; 1 Pet 5:5-6).  I suppose eternity will not go well for those who oppose their godly pastors.

Based on my readings from Helen K. Hosier's, Jonathan Edwards: The Great Awakener.

When Edwards explained his 1750 dismissal from his Massachusetts church, he attributed it to spiritual pride within the congregation.  (After all, many non-believers had come into the church through the years due to the common practice of allowing unbelievers to take communion.)  Of his firing, Edwards wrote about the problem with some people in his congregation, "...spiritual pride, that grand inlet of the devil in the hearts of men, and avenue of all manner of mischief among a professing people.  Spiritual pride is a most monstrous thing."  According to Edwards, pride led to the downfall of his congregation.  They became puffed up and decided they knew more than he.  Scripture tells us that pride goes before a fall (Pro 16:18).  So often, it takes others down too.  We must all guard our hearts from pride and ask God to grace us with humility.

Based on my readings from Helen K. Hosier's, Jonathan Edwards: The Great Awakener.

On June 22, 1750, the Northampton (Mass.) congregation, where Jonathan Edwards pastored for 23 years, voted to dismiss him.  (They dismissed him, basically, because he didn't want to allow the unregenerate to partake of the Lord's Table or become members--a common practice of the time.)  With such a large family to support, he could have despaired over his termination.  In one letter to a friend, he wrote about his situation and said, "I am now, as it were, thrown upon the wide ocean of the world, and know not what will become of me and my numerous and chargeable family."  Although the firing undoubtedly stressed Edwards, he nonetheless kept his confidence in God.  In that same letter, he wrote, "We are in the hands of God, and I bless him, I am not anxious concerning his disposal of us."  Mr. Edwards seemed enthralled at God's sovereignty, and I'm guessing that such hope and awe greatly sustained him during these trying times.

Based on my readings from Helen K. Hosier's, Jonathan Edwards: The Great Awakener.

How far away is the United States from religious persecution?  Perhaps not far.  Perhaps we're there already.  Before long we may find it illegal to preach or write against homosexual practices.  Then will come a few fines, pressure on Internet hosts to stop carrying "hate speech," and, maybe soon after that, preachers and others will find themselves in jail.

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Paige Patterson gave me Calvinism

When I entered The Criswell College in 1990, I knew very little about Calvinism, but I knew I didn't like it.  But it was there, at the school where Paige Patterson was president, that I became a full (five-point) Calvinist.  (Don't confuse full Calvinism with hyper Calvinism--see below).  Although Patterson didn't personally encourage me to embrace it, he helped.  Our professor, John Pretlove, was a committed Calvinist who greatly influenced me.  A fellow student also encouraged me to think through true Calvinism rather than the caricature in my mind.  As I studied more Scripture and read authors who embraced Calvinism, I found myself fondly drawn to it, almost as though it were irresistible.  During my time in college, J. I. Packer spoke at our school for a few days.  I don't think his speeches were about Calvinism, but I read his book, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, which I found persuasive.

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See Growing Up in Christ at NeedNotFret.com

See FivePointMissionary at NeedNotFret.com

See Bring Back the Lord's Supper at NeedNotFret.com

See Are Christians Free to Drink in Moderation? at NeedNotFret.com

See Learning How to Follow Your Leader at NeedNotFret.com

See The Old Testament and Homosexuality at NeedNotFret.com

See Capital Punishment at NeedNotFret.com