"No boys allowed in my room. If you want to come in my room, you have to pay me a quarter."
Friday, October 28, 2011
Funny Friday (10/28/2011)
It's towards the end of the month and my allowance is running very low. Actually, I'm in the red. I guess I won't be entering in my little girl's room until the first...
"No boys allowed in my room. If you want to come in my room, you have to pay me a quarter."
"No boys allowed in my room. If you want to come in my room, you have to pay me a quarter."
Thursday, October 27, 2011
In the Seminary of Soul
Eschatology
Sovereignty and Providence
The Immanence and Love of God
The Grace of God
Sovereignty and Providence
The Immanence and Love of God
The Grace of God
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Something About Soul
There is something about "soul" that grabs every human being. Soul moves a person beyond the intellect, beyond dignity, and beyond wondering what other people might think. Soul is what I think, what I feel, and what I am experiencing, while I am fighting and struggling this wilderness life. When others stand by and observe, they too, are often moved into the world beyond - into they very heart of human existence.
I have often wondered what it is about Dave Matthews that I love so much. Even when he is singing blasphemy (i.e., in the song What You Are or The Deed is Done), he is doing so with soul. It is honest, transparent and moving. It would be totally wrong at this point to correct what he is singing about - though correction is merited. Soul demands an audience first, an instructor second (or fifth!). For the most part we need to hear it before we instruct it.
Carl Ellis Jr., in Free At Last?, discusses the origins of soul in the African-American community. I am deeply grateful for his insight because it helped me understand my own heart. He helped me to understand why it is that I lack soul and why it is so uncommon for many in our communities to feel the depths of it. Ellis writes,
The early masters, with few exceptions, had never intended that their slaves should become Christian. However, this did not prevent the slaves from experiencing the power of the Word of God...Resistance to oppression is itself an expression of God's grace. When a people are subjected to such oppression, they are driven inward, to the depths of the very humanity the oppression is trying to negate. Any cultural expressions that emerge from such a suffering people will come from those human depths. Other human beings who encounter these expressions will be affected at comparable depths. This, I believe, is what LeRoi Jones meant when he described us as the "Blues People." This cultural depth and the skills to express such depth are what is today popularly known as "soul."
It is because of these depths that the African-American church is very significant. And it is because of the apparent lack of these depths that a lot of white churches are practically insignificant. Theology mixed with oppression and suffering is powerful and authoritative as it commands the hearts of its audience. It is not difficult to understand how theology worked out only over coffee lacks the power and authority mentioned above. Theology with no "soul" often enters the mind where it is quickly forgotten or used as a means to gain one's own glory.
The African-American spirituals that were sung during the dark days of slavery where beams of meaningful light, filled with biblical eschatology, and pregnant with meaningful truth. That is why I try to listen. It is also why I long to worship with my brothers and sisters who are filled soul.
I have often wondered what it is about Dave Matthews that I love so much. Even when he is singing blasphemy (i.e., in the song What You Are or The Deed is Done), he is doing so with soul. It is honest, transparent and moving. It would be totally wrong at this point to correct what he is singing about - though correction is merited. Soul demands an audience first, an instructor second (or fifth!). For the most part we need to hear it before we instruct it.
Carl Ellis Jr., in Free At Last?, discusses the origins of soul in the African-American community. I am deeply grateful for his insight because it helped me understand my own heart. He helped me to understand why it is that I lack soul and why it is so uncommon for many in our communities to feel the depths of it. Ellis writes,
The early masters, with few exceptions, had never intended that their slaves should become Christian. However, this did not prevent the slaves from experiencing the power of the Word of God...Resistance to oppression is itself an expression of God's grace. When a people are subjected to such oppression, they are driven inward, to the depths of the very humanity the oppression is trying to negate. Any cultural expressions that emerge from such a suffering people will come from those human depths. Other human beings who encounter these expressions will be affected at comparable depths. This, I believe, is what LeRoi Jones meant when he described us as the "Blues People." This cultural depth and the skills to express such depth are what is today popularly known as "soul."
It is because of these depths that the African-American church is very significant. And it is because of the apparent lack of these depths that a lot of white churches are practically insignificant. Theology mixed with oppression and suffering is powerful and authoritative as it commands the hearts of its audience. It is not difficult to understand how theology worked out only over coffee lacks the power and authority mentioned above. Theology with no "soul" often enters the mind where it is quickly forgotten or used as a means to gain one's own glory.
The African-American spirituals that were sung during the dark days of slavery where beams of meaningful light, filled with biblical eschatology, and pregnant with meaningful truth. That is why I try to listen. It is also why I long to worship with my brothers and sisters who are filled soul.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Unconditional Election: Breaking Down Broken Analogies
Analogies are common and useful tools that help us get a message across in an understandable way. Because we are hard-headed, getting truth into our skull is like trying to drive a nail into a brick. We have to use every means possible, and there is something about analogy that does the trick.
But as useful as they can be, they can often be just as harmful.
In my context, false analogies often arise in discussions concerning the nature of God. And because I am a reformed evangelical, these analogies are often used as discussions center around the doctrine of salvation - especially the doctrine of unconditional election. The analogy goes something like this:
Imaging that a dozen children fell into a pool of water. They are drowning. As they reach for help, you stand on the edge and choose to save only three of them. The others sink to the bottom and die. I would call you a mean person. God is not that way. Your doctrine of election is therefore false.
You may have heard it put another way, but the gist is the same. God is unfair and mean for electing some and not electing others.
This analogy, while very powerful, is also very false. It does not describe the biblical picture of humanity or God truthfully at all. It is true that people are "in a pool" and "drowning." But that is about all that is not false about it. Let's break it down.
First, the children. If there is a skewed theology, it can commonly be traced to one's doctrine and understanding of man's sinful condition. We are not children who accidentally fell into a pool. We are a wicked people who chose to defy and rebel against a holy, good, and just God.
Second, the pool. The pool is not merely water, but a sinful lifestyle that wicked people choose and love. It is also a context of hatred towards God and not love for him.
Third, the actions of the people in the pool. Wicked people who are willfully enslaved to sin are not reaching for God. They are metaphorically running away from him, while at the same time, they hate him and would rather have him dead.
Fourth, the God who elects. God is not sitting at the edge of the pool turning down those who would love to be saved by him (Jn 3:16). Rather, he gives his own Son to die in order to rescue wicked sinners who are swimming headlong to the bottom of the very pool that is killing them. As they rebelliously run/swim away from him, he mercifully chooses one saying, "No. Not you." Then he mercifully chooses another, "Not you either."
Simply put, our Lord never turns people away from heaven. Rather, there are many who are turned around by God from running toward hell.
If the first [false] analogy is bought, one is left wondering and questioning how God could not choose someone. The biblical analogy, however, is very different in that it should leave us all wondering how in the world God would choose to save any.
We should be thankful and humbled that he chose us while we were sinners. We should also beware of using analogies that distract and even dissuade us from such gratitude and humility.
But as useful as they can be, they can often be just as harmful.
In my context, false analogies often arise in discussions concerning the nature of God. And because I am a reformed evangelical, these analogies are often used as discussions center around the doctrine of salvation - especially the doctrine of unconditional election. The analogy goes something like this:
Imaging that a dozen children fell into a pool of water. They are drowning. As they reach for help, you stand on the edge and choose to save only three of them. The others sink to the bottom and die. I would call you a mean person. God is not that way. Your doctrine of election is therefore false.
You may have heard it put another way, but the gist is the same. God is unfair and mean for electing some and not electing others.
This analogy, while very powerful, is also very false. It does not describe the biblical picture of humanity or God truthfully at all. It is true that people are "in a pool" and "drowning." But that is about all that is not false about it. Let's break it down.
First, the children. If there is a skewed theology, it can commonly be traced to one's doctrine and understanding of man's sinful condition. We are not children who accidentally fell into a pool. We are a wicked people who chose to defy and rebel against a holy, good, and just God.
Second, the pool. The pool is not merely water, but a sinful lifestyle that wicked people choose and love. It is also a context of hatred towards God and not love for him.
Third, the actions of the people in the pool. Wicked people who are willfully enslaved to sin are not reaching for God. They are metaphorically running away from him, while at the same time, they hate him and would rather have him dead.
Fourth, the God who elects. God is not sitting at the edge of the pool turning down those who would love to be saved by him (Jn 3:16). Rather, he gives his own Son to die in order to rescue wicked sinners who are swimming headlong to the bottom of the very pool that is killing them. As they rebelliously run/swim away from him, he mercifully chooses one saying, "No. Not you." Then he mercifully chooses another, "Not you either."
Simply put, our Lord never turns people away from heaven. Rather, there are many who are turned around by God from running toward hell.
If the first [false] analogy is bought, one is left wondering and questioning how God could not choose someone. The biblical analogy, however, is very different in that it should leave us all wondering how in the world God would choose to save any.
We should be thankful and humbled that he chose us while we were sinners. We should also beware of using analogies that distract and even dissuade us from such gratitude and humility.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The Rest of the Rest (10/22/2011)
Applied Theology
Anthony Carter describes the practical nature of our doctrine of justification. It is unfortunate that many may know the doctrine in their heads but struggle to feel it in their hearts. If anyone has been in involved in any sort of relationship, for any length of time, this article The Cross and Self Justification is a must read. It will pin you down and force you to look upon the work of Christ in justifying sinners by faith.
Social/Politics
I was very thankful for this article The Forever Recession. In it, Seth Godin discusses the implications of the current recession as well as those of the "forever recession." Technology and pragmatic consumerism is taking us to places we have never been as a culture. To act as if this is not happening, and to build strategies accordingly, is like building sand castles right at the shoreline. All of the efforts are soon whipped completely out, because we fail to recognize and account for our current context.
Pornography
Al Mohler gives a sobering description of two types of men in our present over-sexualized, pornographic culture. Take the time to read this. I would also consider discussing it with young men that are within your circle of influence.
Funny
What can I say? I love pranks!
Anthony Carter describes the practical nature of our doctrine of justification. It is unfortunate that many may know the doctrine in their heads but struggle to feel it in their hearts. If anyone has been in involved in any sort of relationship, for any length of time, this article The Cross and Self Justification is a must read. It will pin you down and force you to look upon the work of Christ in justifying sinners by faith.
Social/Politics
I was very thankful for this article The Forever Recession. In it, Seth Godin discusses the implications of the current recession as well as those of the "forever recession." Technology and pragmatic consumerism is taking us to places we have never been as a culture. To act as if this is not happening, and to build strategies accordingly, is like building sand castles right at the shoreline. All of the efforts are soon whipped completely out, because we fail to recognize and account for our current context.
Pornography
Al Mohler gives a sobering description of two types of men in our present over-sexualized, pornographic culture. Take the time to read this. I would also consider discussing it with young men that are within your circle of influence.
Funny
What can I say? I love pranks!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Obeying God Without Even Knowing It - Some Thoughts on Christian Liberty and Law
Paul writes to the Romans, "Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law" (3:31). Similarly, James writes, "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing" (1:25). The law, for the Christian, is not some burdensome, tyrannous, Old Testament thing that Jesus abolished by his advent, death and resurrection. On the contrary, it is a gracious and liberating gift from the Lord himself.
I say that it is liberating, not only because this is the biblical witness, but because it is the reality of the Christian experience. Freedom, regardless of modern day definitions, is not being freed to do whatever a person wants. Rather, true freedom is being freed to do, and to want, whatever the Lord commands. When a Christian desires to do what he or she ought to do - that is freedom.
After saying this, I believe it is important to realize that we often allow our freedom in Christ to go unnoticed. That is, we are often blinded to the reality that we almost unconsciously desire and do that which we are obligated by God to do. A man kisses his wife before leaving for work without necessarily knowing he is following the command to love his wife well. A young lady is excited to be at church on Sunday without actually recognizing the Lord's commands to fellowship with other believers. And a wife joyfully sings while she prepares dinner for the household without intellectually acknowledging her duty to care for her husband and children.
For the Christian, the desire and ability to do what the Lord desires is more the rule than the exception. When we do fall into sin, like when an argument between the above husband and wife happens, the law comes in and directs them both back to Christ. I cannot think of a more gracious gift.
The heart of flesh (Ezek 36) which was ordained by the Father, purchased by the Son, and effected by the Holy Spirit, is the primary source of empowering liberty in our lives. It runs deeper than our intellect and even directs our volition. The law, in this sense, is truly written on our hearts. It is, therefore, not uncommon for us to obey without even knowing it. While this is a good thing, it is not good to leave the work of the Spirit unrecognized in our lives.
Failing to understand this, many tend to give most of their attention to the areas of life that demand a bit more sanctification than others - the areas of our lives where the law and our desires don't exactly match up. If we focus on this, we become inclined to say that the law is more burdensome than liberating. We are also more inclined to live lives of ingratitude, failing to thank him for the thousands of liberties the Lord has graciously given (see above).
But when we recognize the tremendous, blood-bought, grace of a changed and liberated heart, we are moved to give thanks and praise after we willingly love our spouse, when we joyfully serve a friend, and when we freely love the Lord who bought us. He has made us free indeed! And most of the time, it is not burdensome at all to do what the law commands (1Jn 5:3).
I say that it is liberating, not only because this is the biblical witness, but because it is the reality of the Christian experience. Freedom, regardless of modern day definitions, is not being freed to do whatever a person wants. Rather, true freedom is being freed to do, and to want, whatever the Lord commands. When a Christian desires to do what he or she ought to do - that is freedom.
After saying this, I believe it is important to realize that we often allow our freedom in Christ to go unnoticed. That is, we are often blinded to the reality that we almost unconsciously desire and do that which we are obligated by God to do. A man kisses his wife before leaving for work without necessarily knowing he is following the command to love his wife well. A young lady is excited to be at church on Sunday without actually recognizing the Lord's commands to fellowship with other believers. And a wife joyfully sings while she prepares dinner for the household without intellectually acknowledging her duty to care for her husband and children.
For the Christian, the desire and ability to do what the Lord desires is more the rule than the exception. When we do fall into sin, like when an argument between the above husband and wife happens, the law comes in and directs them both back to Christ. I cannot think of a more gracious gift.
The heart of flesh (Ezek 36) which was ordained by the Father, purchased by the Son, and effected by the Holy Spirit, is the primary source of empowering liberty in our lives. It runs deeper than our intellect and even directs our volition. The law, in this sense, is truly written on our hearts. It is, therefore, not uncommon for us to obey without even knowing it. While this is a good thing, it is not good to leave the work of the Spirit unrecognized in our lives.
Failing to understand this, many tend to give most of their attention to the areas of life that demand a bit more sanctification than others - the areas of our lives where the law and our desires don't exactly match up. If we focus on this, we become inclined to say that the law is more burdensome than liberating. We are also more inclined to live lives of ingratitude, failing to thank him for the thousands of liberties the Lord has graciously given (see above).
But when we recognize the tremendous, blood-bought, grace of a changed and liberated heart, we are moved to give thanks and praise after we willingly love our spouse, when we joyfully serve a friend, and when we freely love the Lord who bought us. He has made us free indeed! And most of the time, it is not burdensome at all to do what the law commands (1Jn 5:3).
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