Free Kindle Book - The Gospel of Ruth by Carolyn James

This is supposed to be an excellent book on the Gospel as it is proclaimed in Ruth.

Enjoy if for FREE here in Kindle format!

Very Good Movie on Abortion

(HT: Z)

Toy From Hell

As a pastor and father, I feel obligated to warn all parents of the evil and wicked entities of Hell.  It is with great earnestness and seriousness that I write these words to you.  Our children are at stake.  Our sanity is at stake.  Even our world as we know it is at stake.  We must do something before the toy from Hell takes us all down.

If you are a parent, you may know precisely what I am talking about.  This is no laughing matter.  The toy has invaded my home.  I am resolved to have it out.  If you aren't worried, you should be.  If you do not know what I speak of, allow me to describe this evil compilation of electronic plastic to you.

First, this toy is subtle about its sabotage.  We are not talking about a clown that watches you walk across a room.  No, that would be to obvious.  This toy is described as being "fun for all ages 6mo and up."  This is the toy everyone cheers about once it is opened.

Second, this toy has a personal vendetta against dads.  It not only goes for the children, but also the moms.  Some mommies are not fooled.  However, dads, if you try and get this thing out of the house, expect to be persecuted by the rest of the family.  The toy has long, seductive fingers that cling to the hearts of women and children.  They will soon choose sides.  If you aren't careful, you will become the bad guy.

Third, this toy is somehow related to the in-laws.  I have not figured out all of the relational ties yet - but, the clues are convincing.  The in-laws have something to do with it.  I suspect they snuck this thing in my house.  I didn't think it was possible, but all things are possible with grandma and grandpa.  Next time your in-laws are over, watch their faces as the kids "play" with the toy.  Watch the smirk develop as they wink in the toy's direction.  And I didn't even see it coming!

I also remember seeing in the news that V-Tech is run by in-laws.  This is no mere coincidence.

Forth, the toy is throw-away proof.  You can take the batteries out, turn it off, or even try and break it.  But as soon as that thing comes within a two-foot radius of the garbage can, it goes into something called "tantrum-mode."  It goes crazy!  And this craziness attracts kids and mommies, calling them to full sympathetic attention.

Fifth, the toy is doggie-proof.  Yes, I have tried the whole "leave-the-toy-in-the-floor-by-accident-trick." My dog chews everything so I figured this was my best shot.  But ALAS! I found the toy in my dog's kennel wrapped in a Snuggie.  Not a tooth mark on it.  This toy is ruthless, turning even "man's best friend" against us.

Sixth, if you make this toy mad it becomes highly dangerous.  It will find its way into your car in no obvious place.  Once you reach a maximum speed it will randomly begin playing the most aggravating music you have ever heard.  It will not stop.  I repeat, it will not stop.  I would move immediately into distraction mode if this happens.  Once the kids and mom start to sing along with the toy - your trip will soon go down hill.

If this isn't enough, it is also common for the toy to "sneak" into the baby's crib.  It will hide there, waiting...Once the baby is asleep and the house is quiet...WHAMMO!  It will go off for no reason whatsoever, filling the dark room with an array of colors and sounds, scarring the ever-living crap out of the infant.  Dad's, be on your guard at this time.  Don't play the hero too soon.  If you rush into the room too quickly and grab the toy, the baby will see YOU as the one who sent her into panic.  This is the toy's plan.

Last, this toy will place a curse on you.  This morning I felt something watching me from across the room.  It was dark.  I stopped.  After I saw nothing I made my way across the "play-area" when, out of nowhere, and for no good reason, it began laughing and chanting at me in some childish voice.  Then, it started counting!  In my rage I picked it up and was about to slam it on the ground when...It began cursing me in Spanish!!!  At least I think it was a curse.  This toy, my dear friends, is bi-lingual.  Watch out!  I suspect it uses this as a protective measure so that it can cuss us out in front of the kids without being found out.

I am humbled to say that the expertise required to have this toy out of my home is beyond my training.  I have therefore decided to go to Target (imagine me saying that with a French accent) to get Diego (Dora's brother I think).  He speaks Spanish.  He is also the only one who seems to disrupt the toys scheme.  Whenever Diego comes on the television and I hear "Go Diego, Go!" the toy begins to groan and stutter.  When this happens, the children seem agitated that something is distracting them.  This is my way out.  I'm going for it!

Pray for me - as I pray for you.  Together, we will win.  Long live Diego.

Language and Grammar to the Glory of God

Communication is vital to our human experience.  It is a gateway into the inner being of those we love, are curious about, or want to get to know.  It helps us understand and learn what (and why) others do what they do and think what they think.  Communication helps us to see past the skin; to get beneath the surface, and to truly know someone or something other than ourselves.

Granted, a lot of communication is unspoken.  We may give a certain facial expression or a particular bodily motion to add texture to what we are saying.  The expression may even speak for itself.  But for the most part, we communicate through words. Words articulate what we are thinking and feeling about ourselves, about others, and about things. 

Simply put, clear, meaningful, and thoughtful communication, expressed through words, is a significant way by which we love others.   Therefore, words are extremely important.  They are vital to community, relationship and thus to the progress of humanity toward the Promised Land. 

Because words, by nature, are representatives, we must make sure that we are using them correctly.  We must use the right word, or construction of words, that best represents the facts.  On the same note, we must also refrain from using words that do not represent the facts correctly.  Misrepresenting the facts breaks the 9th commandment at least.

But there is more.  Words are a means by which we know that we are loved.  The greatest example being God, who decided to communicate to us through His Word.  I understand that He communicates to us in other ways (i.e., general revelation); but His children come to know His special love for them through His written Word.

Through this Word, expressed in many Words, we can know and understand the One who made us.  Through His Word (and by His Spirit) we can know His thoughts - even the deep things of God (1 Cor 2:9-13).  This truth is given fuller expression in Hebrews where we read that God "spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son..."  And the words that are spoken by the Son, Jesus Christ, are not merely ink on a page, they are life (Jn 6:63); yes, even eternal life (v.68).  

This is why language and grammar is so vitally important.  It is for this ultimate reason that we strive to teach our children (and ourselves!) how to communicate properly - to communicate unto the glory of God.  I never heard that growing up:  "Scott, you must communicate properly because this glorifies God...So, go do your English homework and do it well!"

Our children will soon usher in and lead a new generation.  We must love them and others by educating them unto the glory of God.  Miscommunication breeds strife, frustration, lies and needless controversy.  It is not glorifying to God.  But when we communicate properly, we love well.  We impart, in words, the things freely given to us by God (1 Cor 2:13).  Nothing is perhaps more loving than the Gospel communicated through words saturated with clarity, faithfulness, love and truth.

We are not teaching merely language and grammar.  We are not educating our children so that they can get high marks on some test; or even get some great job in the future.  We educate our children in language and grammar because we want to see our children, and all of their friends, in heaven.

Free Music - Pro and KB

Here is some really good FREE music from Reach Records!

KB is pretty amazing and so is PRO.  Pro is the guy who raps second in the video below.

Memorize This - G.O.S.P.E.L.

Thanks again Z for a good post...


G.O.S.P.E.L. from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

Absolutely Amazing.

(HT: Challies)

How A Woman Set Me Free From Porn

It was about five and a half years ago.  I sat on the couch looking at my wife.  I had something to tell her.  I felt as if there was a war going on inside of me.  I would almost vocalize when every involuntary protective measure retaliated, full-force, to stop me.  It was awful.

For the first year of our marriage, I took great pride in my ability to wake up early, before she did, to study my Bible.  Day after day, I read and read and read.  But there was a wall.  My prayers were seemingly hindered.  I had something to tell my wife.  It was like the Lord was telling me to leave worship to make things right.  I resolved that day that I would.  Again, it was awful.

So, we were sitting there, after dinner if I remember correctly.  Inside, however, I felt as if I was standing on the edge of a great confessional cliff.  There is fire down there you know.  One more step and I was sure to take an eternal plunge.  My death by exposure was inevitable.  At first, I could only cough.  But it was enough to get her attention.  She asked me if I had something to say.

This was the most dreadful moment of my life.  My affair with pornography, though secretly kept from her eyes, was producing noticeable fruit in our marriage - strife, frustration, condemnation, lack of sexual desire, and a host of other things.  Dragging this sin out of its dark closet was more strenuous than I could have ever imagined.  But His grace was sufficient for me.  I told her just how awful I was.

For the next hour, she wept.  Her voice was filled with righteous anger, hurt and sorrow.  I had never seen another person hurt so much because of my sin.  I had stepped off of the cliff.  I was falling to the bottom.  But I didn't care.  My apparent death paled in comparison to the dying that I was watching right in front of me.  She felt awful.

And then it happened.  She came and sat close to me.  As she looked at me, my falling went into slow motion.  And when she embraced me with tearful forgiveness, I felt safely broken.  Because she wept, I could tell that she loved me.  And because she forgave, it was obvious that she loved Another.  That was the first time I physically felt justification by faith.  It was amazing.  I will never be the same.

My deepest sin was keeping me from understanding the deepest love.  At that moment I finally understood what it felt like to be fully accepted.  Christ, through my wife, showed me His redeeming love.

I write this because it is my testimony.  That night I saw the militant love of Christ, in my wife, murder my sin.  That night pornography lost its life line, and my love for it has been withering ever since.  Katie has been the single most important instrument in this war.  She continues to provide an environment where confession is safe and where the gospel is center.  She doesn't treat my sin as if it doesn't matter.  And she doesn't give me what I justly deserve.  Rather, she helps me by bearing with me.  She helps me take my sins to Jesus - to the Cross.

As pornography continues to ravage our world, it is imperative for wives (and women) to understand they can make a difference.  I am living proof that women do not have to be objectively distorted by men; but that they can be redemptively deliberate in setting men free.

Thank you my love.  Because of Christ, in you, I am a new man.


 

We Can Know God

This is the first part of the section in Berkhof entitled The Being of God.  In our age, an age saturated with a rationalistic and relativistic worldview, it is not uncommon to hear many different definitions of God.   We often ask (at least ourselves) "Who is God?" "What is He like?" "How can I know Him?"  The answers to these questions are vitally important, and must not become diluted in the pool of subjective conjectures.

The Knowledge of God.  While we can never fully comprehend God, we can have a partial knowledge of Him that is both real and true.  This is possible only because God has chosen to reveal Himself.  If man were left to his own resources and abilities, he would never have been able to discover or to know God.  The fact that we can know God is a gracious gift.  As sinners, we do not deserve it.

Everyone Knows God.  Everyone has a knowledge of God that is very general in nature.   According to Romans 1, everyone knows of His invisible attributes - His eternal power and divine nature - having been clearly perceived by them in the things which have been made (vv.18-21).   While this "general" knowledge is enough to leave one without an excuse, it is not enough to save.  It destroys the myth of the "neutral ground" and actively places every person in a relational category.  We are either a covenant-keeper or a covenant-breaker.

For many, this is a hard pill to swallow.  We typically don't like to learn of our guilt; but would rather stay in a state of rational limbo saying, "What I don't know won't kill me."  Well...yes, it will.  That's why we must embrace the wealth of redemptive knowledge found in the Scriptures.

We Must Come To Know God in Christ, Through the Scriptures.  Only the sacramental cup of Christ enables us to swallow the jagged pill of our sin, shame and guilt.  The Scriptures tell us that God created everything, that man fell into sin, and that God is on a relentless mission to rescue man from his sinful plight.  The Scriptures are about Christ, the redemptive "He" found in Gen 3:15, the great prophet who is to come (Deut 18), the priest who is both the King of Righteousness and of Peace (Gen 14:17-24), the King who will forever occupy the Throne of God's kingdom (Num 24:17; Ps 89).  The Word is alive.  When it is read, Christ is speaking.

Christ Exegetes the Father.  In short, we cannot see God because He is Spirit.  And because we are so confessedly empirical, we conclude that God cannot be known at all.  The Scriptures, however, tell us otherwise.  We can know God.  While we cannot see Him, Christ has made Him known.  As we learn about Christ, we learn about God.  As we hear the words of Christ, we hear the very words of God.  Christ, the God-Man, the Son of God, is the mystery, which was hidden for ages, but has now been revealed to His saints (Col 1:26).

This simplifies things a bit doesn't it?  If we really want to know about God, we must come face to face with the Lord Christ Himself.  If we desire to remain ignorant, we need only to look the other way.  But even there, you see what He has made.  That's why looking the other way is not ignorance, but rebellion.

African-American Men in America

Fifty percent of African-American men will drop out of high school (although, I have heard from reliable sources that, if you begin tracking in middle school, the number goes well over seventy percent).

African-Americans were brought to America over four hundred years ago to be bought and sold as cheap labor.

There are more African-American men in prison than there are in colleges.

One out of every three African-American men will spend time in prison.

In prison, an inmate makes around $15 every two weeks while incorporated prisons in America constitute a billion dollar industry.  

The irony presented in this video is that the African-American population seems to be going headlong back into slavery.

Watch more free documentaries

While the video is very insightful, informative, alarming and undoubtedly inspiring, it lacks biblical instruction, a Christ-centered goal, and relies heavily on the individual's will power to "Bring his A Game." 

I must confess.  My immediate tendency is to separate myself, as a white man, from this community - being some sort of "savior" rather than a brother.  I begin to think about how I can help and how things could be different.  

I am reminded of Dr. Gordon's (an African-American) words one day: "The African-American community in America used to have the right eschatology as they longed for heaven (their only hope).  It was truly their promised land...Just look at the hymns they used to sing."  "Sure, we may get on to the MLK's and Cone's for their liberal theologies, but we must not overlook the fact that they were not allowed in the conservative [white] seminaries at that time."

Sure, the video singles out the African-American community.  In so doing, I believe it serves a powerful purpose.  I like the video.

But while the numbers for the black community may be troubling, I resist the temptation to say "they" are in trouble.  I resist the temptation to say that "they" have to do something; that "they" need to get responsible; that "they" need to bring "their" A game. 

The black man in the video was always alone.  This should not be the case. 

We are all in this together.  WE must humble ourselves and pray.  WE must seek His face and turn from OUR wicked ways.  In so doing, it is possible that God, in His mercy, will hear US, forgive US, and heal OUR land (2 Chron 7:14).  

Telling Interview with Rob Bell

Rob Bell's view and teaching on Hell is, as far as I am concerned, a secondary matter.  I have said this from the beginning of the whole "Love Wins" promotional mascarade.  The primary problem that I have with Rob Bell is that he is supposed to be a shepherd to God's people, one who proclaims the message of Christ, a man who is to bring Good News to the broken - and it seems that no one can figure out what he is saying.

What is even more alarming is that uncertainty and ambiguity seem to be the chief jewels of his crown.    And he places this crown in front of us all...for the world to see.  Did you catch the irony?  All but his own crown seem to be ambiguous.  We are left not knowing a whole lot about Christ, man, heaven and hell; but we do know a lot about Rob Bell.  We may not know what he believes, but we know who he is and what he looks like.

I understand this is a statement with strong implications.  I do, however, feel that it is far from arbitrary and/or dogmatic.  He has given more than a sufficient supply of premises upon which to base such conclusions.  

After watching this video, I got the impression, as I feel the reporter did as well, that this is all somewhat of a game to Bell - something to smile about and to laugh about.  

When people are not understanding us in Gospel matters - heaven and hell matters - matters of eternity - I find it hardly a laughing matter.  It is devastating.  Clarity in speech and thought should permeate our banner of love.  When we are unclear, we are less than loving.  I am not so sure that Martin Bashir came away from his encounter with Pastor Bell feeling loved.  This, too, is irony.

Great Illustration to Show the Difference Between Belief and Unbelief

Cornelius Van Til, in The Foundations of Christian Education, gives a wonderful illustration to show the antithesis between the believer and unbeliever.  We say that we see the truth, while the unbeliever is quite sure that we do not.  Van Til gives a well-known story to illustrate the point:

There was a country where most of the inhabitants were blind, including the philosophers.  But there were a few simple people whose eyes were not sealed, and they spoke of the joy of seeing the sun.  'But,' said the philosophers, 'you must not talk in that excited metaphorical strain.  There is a diffuse warmth, as we all know, but your talk about a visible luminous body is an antiquated objectivism.  There is no sun.'

Yet the simple people asserted all the more that they saw the sun, and a psychological committee was appointed to investigate the matter.  They made many experiments and in the course of time they discovered that whenever those whose eyes were not sealed said they saw the sun, they had opened their eyes.  

The blind psychologists felt over the seeing faces and they made sure that there was a precise correlation between the openings of their eyes and the visions of the sun.  'Dear friend,' they said, 'you are suffering from an illusion; the image of the sun that you speak of somewhat unintelligibly is produced by this trick of opening your eyes.  Be honest now and tell us if you ever behold the image of the sun except when you open your eyes.'  

The simple seers said, 'No' and the committee was well pleased with them and hoped that they would recover from their sight.  But the simple seers smiled to themselves, and went away saying, 'We see the sun.'

Van Til comments on the story: "This story illustrates the point that our opponents cannot make their position of doubt or negation reasonable to themselves unless they seek to show that we as well as they know nothing of the matter at all.  If one should argue that airplanes are the illusions of the heated imagination while Lindbergh [an American aviator] was flying overhead, he would have to give good reasons for his faith.  So our opponents are driven to appoint psychological and philosophical committees to prove that we are self-deluded.  And the woeful plight of the world gives them a lenient and favorable jury."

This is why I read Van Til.

Analogous to Abortion - A Video

Thanks Z for posting:

Education Unto The Glory of God

I have been asked to write a series of posts concerning education.  I do feel a bit hesitant to do so as I am no expert on education and have much to learn.  I do, however, believe that the issue is essentially religious.  In other words, it is our creed that Christ Himself is the Rock upon which every bit of our life flows - especially our educational methodologies, premises, and conclusions.  It is because of this momentous fact, that I feel I should at least offer something.

Due to the nature of this subject, this post may fall outside of my typical 500 word limit!

It is obvious from the current state of things that we, as a nation and society, are becoming more secular.  Secularity involves the whole person - mind, heart, emotions and all that.  It is not merely intellectual, but also highly ethical.  A person cannot fill his mind with what "is" without proceeding to make conclusions concerning what "ought" to be.  The indicative precedes the imperative.  And in our secular society, the imperatives are all jacked up.  We must conclude, therefore, that the indicatives are all jacked up as well.  This involves education.

In this series, I will not focus on methodology as much as philosophy.  I will not concentrate on the facts or the means by which we reach facts, but more so on the presuppositions that interpret them and give them contextual value.  In other words, I will not discuss the multiplication table, or how two times two equals four; but rather, how mathematics in general ought to bring the child face to face with the personal God who created him/her.

The first principle that we must understand is that all education is personal - that is, there are no propositional truths that fall outside of the Personal purposes of God.  Every fact is, and must be, interpreted theistically.  Mathematics is an act of, and must ultimately lead one to, worship.

How do we know this?  Because the Scriptures tell us: "For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible...all things were created through Him and for Him...and in Him all things hold together" (Col 1:15, 17).  And, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31).  The most fundamental, intrinsic value of every fact is found in that it is from Him, through Him, and to Him.  Yes, even mathematical "laws," historical data, logic, science, english and grammar.

Secular education provides us with a stark antithesis.  It would have us come face to face with an impersonal universe.  We can learn about this universe independently of God.  As a matter of fact, the more we learn about this impersonal universe, the more we can understand whether or not there is a God and if we ought to obey Him.

It is detrimental to the image of God within every person to teach that one is able (and ought!) to think independently of God.  Why?  First, this just isn't true (breaking the 9th Commandment).  It is impossible to think independently of God.  Everyone presupposes God in every facet of life.  Second, it teaches that one ought to trust in some other point of reference for all predication (breaking the 2nd Commandment).  The reason then becomes the ultimate trustworthy source that places God in the dock.  Third, it teaches pride - that we are able to know things independently of God (breaking the 1st Commandment).  There are more reasons, these three should get the point across.

Think about it.  When is the last time you have heard a science teacher stop to give praise to God for His faithfulness after conducting a successful experiment?  On the other hand, how many times have we heard scientists use scientific consistencies in their attempts disprove God?  This is the cultural bend - the secular agenda, which teaches its pupils that science is simply an independent means by which one can find or not find God.

This didactic persuasion is not ethically neutral, untainted by the deep stain of sin.  Therefore, it stands in dire need of Redemptive intervention through proper education (Rom 1:16).  I wonder how much error could be prevented if we would base our educational processes upon this fundamental understanding - that we must bring our children face to face with the Personal God,  upon whom we are all completely dependent for everything in life - especially learning and communicating.

Understanding education this way sheds a completely different light upon reading, writing and arithmetic.  These subjects are not simply a means by which children gain information.  Christ is not only taught in Sunday School.  He is not only preached in the sermon.  As Christians, we must understand the faithfulness of Christ communicated in Science; the consistency of Christ presupposed in logic; the providence of Christ seen in history; the strength of Christ displayed in astronomy; and the love of Christ vocalized in language, grammar, and rhetoric.

Disclaimer:  This post, along with those that follow, are not a direct "attack" on any one educational preference, whether public, private, Christian, or home schooling.  I feel that any educational methodology that does not 'honor Christ the Lord as holy' should be redemptively confronted and corrected.

More importantly, these posts are meant to encourage, inform and to promote Gospel-centered growth.  I understand that I have just introduced a philosophical "elephant."  It is my goal to share ways in which parents can teach, and help their children learn unto the glory of God.  I'm not an expert; but I am a parent.  I'm struggling through this thing along with many of you.  I hope these posts will be helpful.  My plan, Lord willing, will go something like this:

1.  Reading/Grammar unto the Glory of God.
2.  Science unto the Glory of God.
3.  History unto the Glory of God.
4.  Math/Logic unto the Glory of God.
5.  Language/Rhetoric unto the Glory of God.

Questions to Seriously Consider About Abortion

Townhall.com posted some serious questions concerning abortion.  They credit pro-life activist Scott Klusendorf (of www.prolifetraining.com) for the following:

1. Morally speaking, is having an abortion really just like picking a scab?

2. If abortion is not murder because the fetus is not a person then why make it “safe, legal, and rare”?

3. Do you have a similar desire to make scab-picking “safe, legal, and rare”?

4. If a woman were raped and got pregnant, which one would you kill a) The baby, b) the rapist, or c) both?

5. Are you comfortable with the fact that “a” is the only answer you may choose according to (the present interpretation of) the Constitution?

6. Abortion advocates frequently focus on the size of the fetus. Why is that relevant?

7. Do tall people have more rights than short people?

8. Do men have superior rights relative to women given that men are, on average, larger than women?

9. Is fetal lack of self-awareness a justification for abortion?

10. Is murder permissible when the victim is sleeping and hence unaware of the surrounding environment?

11. Does the fact that there are many miscarriages really lend credence to the argument that abortion is justified?

12. Does the high infant mortality rate in Third World nations justify infanticide in Third World nations?

13. Does the spontaneous termination of life by nature justify the intentional termination of life by man?

14. Are human beings inherently more valuable than other animals such as dogs?

15. What gives human beings more value than dogs?

16. Should a woman abort a baby because it may be expensive and time-consuming to raise a child to adulthood?

17. Should a woman be able to kill a puppy because it may be expensive and time consuming to feed and care for a dog?

18. A person can be held criminally responsible for killing a dog. Should a dog be held criminally responsible for killing a cat?

(HT: Z)

Everyone Limits the Atonement

It is not uncommon for someone to ask me if I believe in the doctrine commonly called Limited Atonement.  I agree that the name itself stirs up more negative reactions than positive.  I, too, was once appalled by the suggestion that Christ's death was, in any way, limited.

While Christians may disagree, we may not remain indifferent saying that it doesn't really matter.  The implications of this doctrine run deep - yes, even experientially deep.  While some may cringe, I have personally seen some weep with humble gratitude.  It changed them.

Why can't we remain indifferent?  Because everyone limits the atonement; and it matters much where we place the limitation.  Consider the maxim from Owen's Death of Death:  God imposed His wrath due unto, and Christ underwent the pains of hell for, either:

1.  All of the sins of all men (the universalist's view).
2.  Some of the sins of all men.
3.  All of the sin of some men.

The first option will not be considered in this post considering it is not accepted within the boundaries of historical orthodoxy.

The second option limits the atonement by saying Christ died for some of the sins of all men.  Now, many people (who disagree with option 3) balk at the statement that their view is "limited."  But a simple question brings the balk into check - "Why do some for whom Christ died perish in hell?"  The common answer is, "They perish because of their unbelief."

This statement, however, raises a vital question, "Is unbelief sin or not?"  If it is not, then why are they punished for it?  If it is, then Christ underwent punishment of hell for it on the Cross.  And if Christ was punished for it, then God would be unjust to punish the same sin again, in hell.  In summary, if a person undergoes punishment for a sin in hell, we cannot say that Christ underwent punishment for the same sin on the Cross.

The third option limits the atonement by saying Christ died for all of the sins of some men.  If Christ underwent the pains of hell for all of the sins of a particular group of individuals - namely, the elect, then not one of them will ever undergo the pains of hell for any of their sins.

Allow a few thoughts for those who may disagree with Option 3.

1. This position is totally supported (and never contradicted) by Scripture.
2. Because of the nature of grace and mercy, both being totally free, Christ was under no obligation whatsoever to die for all.
3. Because of the sinful, fallen nature of mankind, it should shock us that He decided to die for any.
4. That this doctrine is an occasion for great comfort - Hell is not an option for those who are in Christ.
5. That, at the Cross, Christ did not "try" to save; but actually saved his people from their sins (Matt 1:21).

Take comfort, therefore, in the Gospel of Jesus Christ - He is the Savior of the world!

What is Revelation?

Continuing our study in Berkhof's Summary of Christian Doctrine, we now come to the topic of Revelation.  The topic is of greatest importance in that it provides the origin of religion altogether.  In other words, without revelation, there would be no religion.  Berkhof writes, "Man could not possibly have had any knowledge of God, if God had not made Himself known."

There are two types of revelation - general and special.

General Revelation.  General revelation comes before special revelation in point of time.  In it, God does not speak verbally to His creation "but in the facts, the forces, and the laws of nature, in the constitution and operation of the human mind, and in the facts of experience and history" (Ps. 19:1, 2; Rom 1:19, 20; 2:14, 15).

General revelation is insufficient to bring about salvation.  This is not God's fault but man's, it "being obscured by the blight of sin resting on God's beautiful creation." Berkhof continues, "While it conveys some knowledge of the goodness, the wisdom, and the power of God, it conveys no knowledge whatever of Christ as the only way of salvation."

This does not mean, however, that general revelation has no value at all.  It is essential in forming the "background for God's special revelation."  Without the facts, laws and history of language, people, communication and the like, there would be no ground for special revelation to stand on.  Here we see the two are inseparable in nature, all-the-while carrying certain essential distinctions.

Special Revelation.  Special Revelation is now embodied in the Scriptures.  It is essential and necessary because of the entrance of sin into the world.  Berkhof comments, "God's handwriting in nature was obscured and corrupted, and man was stricken with spiritual blindness, became subject to error and unbelief...Therefore it became necessary that God should re-interpret the truths of nature...and should illumine the mind of man and redeem it from the power of error."

The principal aspect of the character of special revelation is that it is a revelation of redemption.  The Doctor writes, "It reveals the plan of God for the redemption of sinners and of the world, and the way in which this plan is realized.  It is instrumental in renewing man; it illumines his mind and inclines his will to that which is good; it fills him with holy affections, and prepares him for his heavenly home."

Our Scriptures are amazingly powerful in that they not only illumine the mind, but they enlighten the heart to the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  As they enter through the senses, they effect change through the soul.

I might add a note concerning this small book.  It is about 200 pages and is refreshingly simple and succinct.  It is not, however, exhaustive; but serves to be more of a primer to wet the appetite for a fuller meal!

Free Kindle Book - Healing For a Broken World

You can download this book by Steve Monsma in Kindle format here.  The book describes a Christian perspective on Public Policy. Enjoy!

Continuing to Ring the "Bell"

I admit that I am not a fan of Rob Bell.  Many may say that this is a qualification to being a part of the Reformed camp; or, that I am stuck in my "orthodox-box" and cannot see past my confessional nose.  This may be the case at times, I do confess.  But not now.  Not about this.

Allow me to add that I hate doctrinal disagreement.  Polemics is a cause for weeping rather than smirking.  Simply put, I do not enjoy this discussion concerning Bell.

I am writing to confront those who may say it is wrong to criticize Bell before the book comes out.  Much of this advice is warranted.  And there are many criticisms that should be withheld until the book is read.  But there is occasion here for criticism and pastoral rebuke.  Here are a few of my criticisms:

First, Bell's communication style/agenda, by making no indicative statements (save one at the end), is irresponsible and careless to say the least.  He is communicating words to people.  And he is doing it through a one-way medium that is more prone to miscommunication than others (namely, two-way).  His particular words, in this context, are far from trivial.  Bell is asking questions about eternity - ones that, if answered incorrectly, people may die.  It is one thing to raise questions about the upcoming iPhone; but a very different thing to raise questions about the upcoming Judgment.

I fear that Bell carelessly and irresponsibly confused the art of promotion with the mandate of proclamation.  Bell does not have the same communication liberties as Steve Jobs.

Second, Bell is not feeding sheep in this video, as a pastor should, but tempting them.  These questions provoke spiritual longings.  They raise eternal hungers and thirsts.  At the end of the video, people are left longing.  In short, the people who watch the video (who don't know the Biblical answers) are left with more hunger and thirst than when they came.  I understand book writing and publishing and promoting.  But questions like these must be answered quickly.  A good shepherd seeks to sooth the 'stirring' conscience within minutes; not stir the conscience for months.  March 29th is a long time to wait for the hungry and unsettled.

By the way, I understand the Socratic epistemological way.  Questions do provoke good thought and thus, often times, answers.  I often leave people with thought-provoking questions myself - but never from the pulpit; and certainly never from a video.

Third, in this video (at least) Bell does not speak how he ought.  The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians says, "At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak" (4:3-4).  According to many of Bell's advocates, it was Bell's intention, as it is commonly, to remain ambiguous and unclear.  I am not sure Paul would have appreciated the video.

Forth, Bell communicates in way that is less than loving.  If people do not know the answers to these questions - questions that are essential to a proper understanding of Christ, faith, Hell, Heaven, the Cross and redemption - then they ought not be left wandering about the answers.  If people are dying, they need immediate, life-giving, answers.  They need indicatives and imperatives.  It is obvious that the questions that Bell asks can be answered any number of ways.

Make no mistake, the answers have eternal consequences.

I know that it may sound arrogant to say that I know all of the answers to Bell's questions.  However, I would consider myself unfit for ministry if I didn't.  I, personally, can wait until March 29th for the book to come out, to be challenged or whatever.

But I wonder if other people can.  I wonder if the thousands of viewers know the gospel well enough to answer the questions well.  I wonder if some, who do not know Christ, have concluded that they will wait to read the answers when the book comes out on March 29th.

I wonder if they will be afforded life that long.

It would have taken less than ten minutes to answer the eighteen questions (or so) that Bell raised.  Its my pastoral opinion that if Bell loved his audience, he would have given them the answers that could have won them, then - during the same video.

Call me closed minded.  When it comes to the gospel and how (and when) it is presented, I welcome the indictment.