I got back last night from the Woodland Theology Conference on unity and diversity in orthodoxy. It was a great time. I am already looking forward to the next such conference. I have a few thoughts on what took place that I think will be helpful for our own church’s unity.
The debates that took place had two distinct flavors. The Baptism debate was generous and thought provoking. Schreiner and VanDurnen were a great example of how two men should disagree. It seems that the greater the knowledge of the whole of scripture along with Christian maturity tends toward a more unified and healthy body, even if there disagreements. On a side note I have yet to hear a Credobaptist loose a debate on Baptism.
The second series of debates, on eschatology, was disappointing. There was a lot less exegesis of the Bible and more defending against name calling and misunderstanding. DeMar and Horner are godly men I am sure but their presentations lacked a level of maturity that was exhibited on the previous night. In my opinion they should have simply stuck to the text and allowed their argument to stand or fall on the Biblical nature of their presentation. Both men at times made good points. DeMar’s discussion on Matthew 24 being fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD was quite compelling. Dr. Horner’s love for the Jewish people is encouraging and to be not only commended but modeled.
All in all it was a great time. The discussion at Wenershnitsal (I do not have any idea how to spell that) in the middle of the night with Jerrod, Ginger, Jim, Lesley, Gumpy, MoJo, Faith, and the Wife was a highlight. How can you go wrong with chili dogs and theology? It is good to hear your thoughts on these issues too. Anyways, my prayer for our Church is that when we do disagree we would not allow our emotions to rule the discussion but instead clarity, maturity, and most of all the authority of the Bible.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Sunday Thought
Here is a quote from Octavius Winslow. It is an excellent thought for meditation on the Lord's Day.
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." Ephesians 1:11, 12
The doctrine of predestination is well calculated to confirm and strengthen the true believer in the fact and certainty of his salvation through Christ. Feeling, as he does, the plague of his own heart, experiencing the preciousness of the Savior, looking up through the cross to God as his Father, exulting in a hope that makes not ashamed, and remembering that God the Eternal Spirit only renews those who are chosen by God the Father, and are redeemed by God the Son, this doctrine is found to be most comforting and confirming to his faith. The faintest lineaments of resemblance to God, and the feeblest breathing of the Spirit of adoption he discovers in his soul, is to him an indisputable evidence of his predestination to Divine sonship and holiness.
Another blessing accruing from the doctrine is, the sweet and holy submission into which it brings the mind under all afflictive dispensations. Each step of his pilgrimage, and each incident of his history, the believer sees appointed in the everlasting covenant of grace. He recognizes the discipline of the covenant to be as much a part of the original plan, as any positive mercy that it contains. That all the hairs of his head are numbered; that affliction comes not out of the earth, and therefore is not the result of accident or thence, but is in harmony with God's purposes of love; and that thus ordained and permitted, must work together for good—not the least blessing resulting from this truth is its tendency to promote personal godliness. The believer feels that God has "chosen us to salvation through sanctification and belief of the truth;" that He has "chosen us that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love;" that we are "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." Thus the believer desires to "give all diligence to make his calling and election sure," or undoubted, by walking in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless, and standing complete in all the will of God.
And what doctrine more emptying, humbling, and therefore sanctifying, than this? It lays the axe at the root of all human boasting. In the light of this truth, the most holy believer sees that there is no difference between him and the vilest sinner that crawls the earth, but what the mere grace of God has made. Such are some of the many blessings flowing to the Christian from this truth. The radiance which it reflects upon the entire history of the child of God, and the calm repose which it diffuses over the mind in all the perplexing, painful, and mysterious events of that history, can only be understood by those whose hearts have fully received the doctrine. Whatever betides him—inexplicable in its character, enshrouded in the deepest gloom, as may be the circumstance—the believer in this truth can "stand still," and, calmly surveying the scene, exclaim: "This also comes forth from the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. He who works all things after the counsel of His own will has done it, and I am satisfied that it is well done."
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." Ephesians 1:11, 12
The doctrine of predestination is well calculated to confirm and strengthen the true believer in the fact and certainty of his salvation through Christ. Feeling, as he does, the plague of his own heart, experiencing the preciousness of the Savior, looking up through the cross to God as his Father, exulting in a hope that makes not ashamed, and remembering that God the Eternal Spirit only renews those who are chosen by God the Father, and are redeemed by God the Son, this doctrine is found to be most comforting and confirming to his faith. The faintest lineaments of resemblance to God, and the feeblest breathing of the Spirit of adoption he discovers in his soul, is to him an indisputable evidence of his predestination to Divine sonship and holiness.
Another blessing accruing from the doctrine is, the sweet and holy submission into which it brings the mind under all afflictive dispensations. Each step of his pilgrimage, and each incident of his history, the believer sees appointed in the everlasting covenant of grace. He recognizes the discipline of the covenant to be as much a part of the original plan, as any positive mercy that it contains. That all the hairs of his head are numbered; that affliction comes not out of the earth, and therefore is not the result of accident or thence, but is in harmony with God's purposes of love; and that thus ordained and permitted, must work together for good—not the least blessing resulting from this truth is its tendency to promote personal godliness. The believer feels that God has "chosen us to salvation through sanctification and belief of the truth;" that He has "chosen us that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love;" that we are "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." Thus the believer desires to "give all diligence to make his calling and election sure," or undoubted, by walking in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless, and standing complete in all the will of God.
And what doctrine more emptying, humbling, and therefore sanctifying, than this? It lays the axe at the root of all human boasting. In the light of this truth, the most holy believer sees that there is no difference between him and the vilest sinner that crawls the earth, but what the mere grace of God has made. Such are some of the many blessings flowing to the Christian from this truth. The radiance which it reflects upon the entire history of the child of God, and the calm repose which it diffuses over the mind in all the perplexing, painful, and mysterious events of that history, can only be understood by those whose hearts have fully received the doctrine. Whatever betides him—inexplicable in its character, enshrouded in the deepest gloom, as may be the circumstance—the believer in this truth can "stand still," and, calmly surveying the scene, exclaim: "This also comes forth from the Lord of hosts, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. He who works all things after the counsel of His own will has done it, and I am satisfied that it is well done."
Friday, November 7, 2008
Good news
I have a few links to check out.
1) James White has a very insightful commentary on the recent election of our new president.
2) Grace to You is offering all of John MacArthur's sermons free to download.
3) Some fun t-shirts.
4) R.C. Sproul the state of the church in our day.
5) If you are looking for a new podcast to listen to.
1) James White has a very insightful commentary on the recent election of our new president.
2) Grace to You is offering all of John MacArthur's sermons free to download.
3) Some fun t-shirts.
4) R.C. Sproul the state of the church in our day.
5) If you are looking for a new podcast to listen to.
Book of the Month
This month I have chosen a book that has caused no small controversy. It is Hard to Believe by John MacArthur. I do know of one man who had been in church all of his life and upon reading this book realized he was no Christian at all. Here is the publishers description:
Popular perception of Jesus Christ is that of a tempered, genteel man who walked the earth, offering nuggets of wisdom to His followers. But what we sometimes fail to recognize is that although Jesus Christ offered a message of forgiveness, He also spoke challenging, demanding words about what being a follower of Christ requires.
In contrast to the superficiality of much modern Christian teaching, Dr. John MacArthur serves up the unvarnished truth of what Christ taught and lived. In simple, compelling terms, he spells out what is required of those who would follow Him. Going beyond Jesus' life to include the crucifixion and resurrection, MacArthur shows readers that Jesus modeled the commitment and loving obedience He requires of us by making the ultimate sacrifice for humankind.
I would love it if our church read this book and began telling others of the difficult message of the cost of following Jesus.
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