One In Christ

One In Christ Has Moved

2007-04-09T16:23:00.000-05:00

If you are searching for "One In Christ," the theological discussion blog of Michael Estes, Ross Parker, Ben Hames, Charlie Wallace, and Drew Jones, the site has moved. The new address is www.oneinchrist.wordpress.com.

If you have a link to this blog on your website, we would greatly appreciate it if you would update your links. Thanks, and drop by the new site to join in on the discussion!

New Blog

2007-02-08T08:04:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen,

It is now official. Because yours truly irreparably broke the coding of this blog, the group blog will be on Wordpress. The advantage of Wordpress is that one does not have to have a Wordpress account in order to comment on posts. I will send out invites to join the blog to each of you, and then we can reorganize some of the aesthetics (pages, links, etc.) on the blog to our liking. Thanks!

CAJ

Blog News

2007-02-02T17:49:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen,

I just want to give you an update on the blog situation. Yes, I am the one who broke the blog. I was trying to update Charlie's link information and inadvertently erased a line of code. My bad. To remedy this, Rev. Wallace has been kind enough to offer to create a new blog, and it looks like it will most likely be on Wordpress.

Charlie, I took the liberty to secure a web address (www.oneinchrist.wordpress.com) earlier. If you have not already begun to work on the new group blog, then let me know and I'll sign you up on that one so we can actually have the URL match up with the blog title.

On a personal note, I have created a new blog for myself on Wordpress. I am not sure if I am going to use it yet, as I have grown quite attached to my bowtie and fountain pen look on Blogger. I am including the link to the Wordpress version of Post Tenabras Lux. The only drawback I can see so far is that Wordpress does not have a justified margin feature. That may be a deal breaker. Let me know what you think.

Do What?

2007-01-30T15:47:00.000-05:00

Saints,

I've been reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell as of late. Let me just say that his theology seems to be all over the place. Please read the following quote and comment on the ramifications of it:

"Heaven is full of forgiven people.

Hell is full of forgiven people.

Heaven is full of people God loves, whom Jesus died for.

Hell is full of forgiven people God loves, whom Jesus died for."

(Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, p.146)

Something about this quote doesn't sit right with me. Gentlemen?

What about Joy?

2007-01-29T14:01:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen, I have been reading much the last several weeks on the concept that has come to be known as "Christian Hedonism." I have found many of the arguments in favor of this position very compelling. I did not come to conclusion that I, myself, am a Christian Hedonist by way of John Piper's Desiring God as many others have. My discoveries came through reading various bits of C.S. Lewis. In particular, his book Letters to Malcolm and his address The Weight of Glory (which was turned into a short book of addresses) make the case that we should seek joy in doing the works of God. The works of God (i.e. prayer, attending church services, reading Scripture) should not merely be duty-based works (deontological). They, instead, should be something that we delight in (to use the language of Scripture). I would argue that if we do things out of a sense of obligation, we are doing a disservice to God and are not likely to find any spiritual health in them. This paradigm shift extrapolates out into the physical world as well. We should find much pleasure in the pleasurable things of this world. For further explanation on this point, check my last post (I'm not trying to be self-serving; I just don't want to explain it again). But, I want to know what you guys think.

U is for Uh-oh!

2007-01-23T12:44:00.000-05:00

One thing that all five of us have in common on this blog, besides being brothers in Christ, is that we probably all have an opinion about the TULIP. Some of us accept all five points and others do not. Therefore, I would like to continue the conversation about the holy acronym and its impact on the Christian life. We'll now discuss the "U." (No, I'm not referring to the University of Miami Hurricane football team). The following definitions come from the sinless and without fault, Theopedia.com.

"Unconditional Election is the doctrine which states that God chose those whom he was pleased to bring to a knowledge of himself, not based upon any merit shown by the object of his grace and not based upon foreseen faith (especially a decisional faith). God has elected, based solely upon the counsel of his own will, some for glory and others for damnation (Romans 9:15,21). He has done this act before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4-8).

This doctrine does not rule out, however, man's responsibility to believe in the redeeming work of God the Son (John 3:16-18). Scripture presents a tension between God's sovereignty in salvation, and man's responsibility to believe which it does not try to resolve. Both are true -- to deny man's responsibility is to affirm an unbiblical hyper-Calvinism; to deny God's sovereignty is to affirm an unbiblical Arminianism.

The elect are saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). Thus, though good works will never bridge the gulf between man and God that was formed in the Fall, good works are a result of God's saving grace. This is what Peter means when he admonishes the Christian reader to make his "calling" and "election" sure (2 Peter 1:10). Bearing the fruit of good works is an indication that God has sown seeds of grace in fertile soil."

I think one key point in our limited understanding of how God elects people to salvation is this statement: "Scripture presents a tension between God's sovereignty in salvation, and man's responsibility to believe which it does not try to resolve." Indeed, there is a dichotomous relationship between human responsibility and "free will" and the sovereignty of God.

Ephesians 1 clearly states: ""He chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved … also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will." (Eph. 1:4-5, 11).

However, it is worth noting that we are elected "in" Christ and not "to" Christ.

What is conditional election? According to Theopedia, conditional election, "is the predominant view of Arminianism which concludes that God's choice of individuals for salvation is conditioned upon personal faith. In this view, God looks down through the corridors of time and sees who will believe of their own free will and then elects, chooses, or predestines those individuals for salvation and eternal life. This perspective maintains that predestination is based on God's divine foreknowledge, where foreknowledge is erroneously equated with foresight."

So - my question is this: Is there really a difference between God having foreknowledge and Him having predestined future events? Are these two aspects contradictory? Is it possible for Him to possess both?

Interesting Baptism

2007-01-17T11:18:00.000-05:00

Not sure what to think about this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31nA6LCMxE

MLK Day

2007-01-15T23:42:00.000-05:00

Somehow tonight I found myself reading Martin Luther king Jr's "Letter From Birmingham Jail." I'm ashamed to say that up until tonight I had not read any of Dr. King's works. The civil and learned spirit of the letter speak volumes for the depth of character that this man had. Although I'm not sure of the complete orthodoxy of his view of Christ (there's a passing reference to Christ's "elevated God-consciousness" and several references to neo-orthodox doctrines), anyone interested in the relationship between Christianity and culture should read this letter.

I So Swear on the...Purpose Driven Life???

2007-01-11T09:56:00.000-05:00

I ran across this story today, and I was a little bit more than concerned. Check this out.

Swearing on the Purpose Driven Life

Is this really the state of evangelical Christianity? I understand that Rick Warren's work is highly acclaimed and many have said that it is a life-changing book, but this is, I think, symptomatic of a deeper issue. What do you guys think?

Scot McKnight on the role of a seminary

2007-01-09T17:42:00.000-05:00

hey guys,

I'm not exactly sure how I came across this article by Scot McKnight (it's from a while back), but I thought that he did a really good job of speaking to why we have seminaries. Being that all of us here are current or former seminarians, and that I personally would love to be involved in teaching at the seminary level one day, I think that it would be profitable to keep McKnight's words in mind.

http://www.jesuscreed.org/?p=1619

Judgment in Heaven?

2007-01-04T15:34:00.000-05:00

While preparing to preach a sermon on Ephesians 4:7-16, I was reading J.M. Boice's commentary on the book. In the discussion on the purpose of spiritual gifts, Boice states a curious comment:

"If a Christian is using a gift to bring attention to himself rather than to Christ, he is misappropriating it and will answer to his Master in the judgment." (emphasis mine)

What is Boice saying here? That when we go to Heaven God is going to bring up a sin that we did? I thought forgiveness of sin meant that sin was forgotten. To bring up a previous sin would mean that one did not forgive that person of that sin. Surely Boice is referring to loss of rewards in Heaven - not judgment judgment.

Maybe I'm wrong - my wife sure thinks I am on this subject.

Also, not to spark up a Cessationist/Non-Cessationist debate but, he also states in the chapter that the spiritual gifts of prophet and apostle do not exist anymore...I'm not sure whether I agree or disagree.

Robertson on Terrorism

2007-01-03T08:18:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't read this yet, gentlemen, Pat Robertson made remarks on yesterday's episode of the 700 Club stating that God had told him that the US would suffer a major terrorist attack in 2007, possibly even nuclear.

Robertson has a track record for making "prophetic predictions," which rarely if ever come to pass, claiming direct revelation from God. My question for us is, how do we as seminary students and pastors react to these declarations? What does this teach us about how we ought to act in the public square, particularly with unbelievers? How should we use this to teach our people?

T is for Total

2006-12-28T09:35:00.000-05:00

Genesis 6:5: "The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
Jeremiah 13:23 (NIV): "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil."
John 6:44a: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him."
Romans 3:10-11: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God."
Romans 8:7-9: "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. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him."
Ephesians 2:3b: "[We] were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
1 Corinthians 2:14: "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

At first glance I am not 100% convinced that all of these verses speak directly to the "T."

For instance, Genesis 6:5 is a descriptive passage which tells the reader what mankind was like at that time. Now, one can conclude that maybe this has not changed over time, but this passage seems to speak to a certain time in the history of mankind.

I think Jeremiah 13:23 does a good job of buttressing the argument of human depravity and its bent towards evil.

John 6:44 concludes that salvation comes first from the Lord's initiative.

Romans 3:10-11 seems to state that all are not righteous, but sinners. No one seeks God. This, of course, stands in stark contrast to today's philosophy that people do seek God and that is why many churches have "seeker services." If a church has a seeker service does that mean they reject the doctrine of Total Depravity?

The next passage in Romans seems to further the position stated earlier in the book.

The passage in Ephesians states that we are children who deserve God's wrath, presumably because we are in sin from birth.

The passage in 1 Corinthians seems to state that we cannot understand the things of God unless the Spirit sheds light on them.

It seems clear that the doctrine of Total Depravity is more then just, "we're born sinners." It seems to be made of several aspects of the doctrine of man. That man is:

*born corrupted by sin
*born enslaved by sin
*born unable to choose to follow God
*born to serve self rather then God

The opposite of these premises would state that man is:

*born sinless
*born enslaved by no one or no thing
*born able to choose God
*born able to serve God

Obviously the latter projects a much higher view of the doctrine of man then the former.

The questions I pose to you gentlemen are:

1) How does belief in the "T" effect one's spiritual life?

2) How does belief in the "T" effect a church's preaching and message?

3) How does belief in the opposite effect one's spiritual life?

4) How does belief in the opposite effect a church's preaching and message ?

On Academics & Imperialists

2006-12-19T10:33:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen, lately I have been reading George M. Marsden's Fundamentalism and American Culture, which traces the background and events of the Fundamentalist/Modernist Controversy in the 1920's. Here is a quote that I'd like to leave for your perusal by J. Gresham Machen, founder of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the founding president of Westminster Theological Seminary:

What is to-day [sic] matter of academic speculation begins tomorrow to move armies and pull down empires. (Marsden, 137)

Marsden notes that Machen believed that ultimately the key arena for evangelism was not in the pews nor the streets, but in the universities. (137) Is Machen's diagnosis correct? What implications does this have for ministry in the early twenty-first century?

2006-12-14T17:47:00.000-05:00

You know, gentlemen, for a reasonably well-educated group, we have not had much intelligent conversation to show for ourselves lately.

New Blog Link

2006-11-11T07:41:00.000-05:00

After caving in to peer pressure, as well as desiring a shift in the overall role in my blog, I have decided to change re-forge my blog. The new link is listed above. If you would be so kind, I would appreciate you updating your links accordingly. The new blog will be a bit more serious than my former, and more focused on ecclesiastical, theological, and cultural issues than under The Indigent Intern.

Creeds & Confessionalism

2006-10-31T16:08:00.000-05:00

Over the centuries Christians of all persuasions have seen it beneficial to craft creeds and theological declarations detailing their faith. From Nicea to Westminster to the Baptist Faith & Message, confessionalism is a part of Christian orthodoxy.

This begs the question, "Why is their so much resistance to confessionalism in so much of modern evangelicalism?" Glib statements like "No creed but Christ" and "Doctrine divides, Christ unites" are proclaimed from pulpits and throughout cyberspace. In response, I'd like to pose the following questions to you brothers:

Is confessionalism a healthy practice?
To what extent does a congregation's particular polity factor in when crafting a creed?
Should congregational churches (with the SBC in particular) adopt confessions that are more sharply focused than those endorsed by the denomination? Is this a healthy or a divisive practice?
What level of confessional subscription should a local church hold its officers (elders and deacons) to in election and ordination?
If you were to choose a historical confession of faith to be adopted by the congregation you serve, which one would it be and why?

I look forward to some healthy debate and discussion from you brothers.

A question for everybody...

2006-10-25T14:13:00.000-05:00

Should we be in Iraq?

Drew's Turn

2006-10-25T12:51:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen, I (Drew) am working on a post (it'll be a zinger) to have posted by tomorrow. Thanks for your patience to a man who completely forgot the schedule he made!

Augustine on Marriage

2006-10-11T14:19:00.000-05:00

I recently read an interesting piece by Saint Augustine. While many have enjoyed his Confessions and The City of God (two literary masterpieces), he wrote on various and sundry other topics. This particular piece I read is entitled "On the Good of Marriage." In it, Augustine is apparently arguing a group of people who had been arguing against marriage. Well, I quickly discovered that Augustine had some very interesting positions with regard to marriage. At first, I found myself disagreeing with him, but after a careful reading of his positions, I think I agree with some of what he says. He makes three important points, which are the keys to his understanding of marriage and in turn of sex.

They are as follows:The purpose of marriage is the begetting of children.

He writes:

"If, therefore, even they who are united in marriage only for the purpose of begetting, for which purpose marriage was instituted..."

And, again:

"Marriage itself indeed in all nations is for the same cause of beggeting sons, and of what character so ever these may be afterward, yet was marriage for this purpose instituted, that they may be born in due and honest order."

So, he is arguing that marriage was made for the particular reason of begetting children. He even makes reference to the creation mandate, "Be fruitful and multiply."

Additionally, he makes a similar argument about sex in marriage. There is only one legitimate reason for sexual intercourse in marriage, that is making babies. If you are having sex in marriage without the motivation of begetting children, then you are not following God's proscribed order. While sex for other reasons (I guess he means pleasure) is not totally wrong, it is a missing of the mark in some way. It is not aiming at God's best. It is good (for it is no sin in his eyes), but it is not best (on a side note, this seems odd coming from Augustine since I think he would say that anything not focused on and aiming for God's best, no matter how good it is, is in some form sin).

He writes:

"For sexual intercourse for begetting is free from blame, and itself is alone worthy of marriage. But that which goes beyond this necessity, no longer follows reason, but lust. And yet it pertains to the character of marriage, not to exact this, but to yield it to the partner, lest by fornication the other sin damnably."

Hold up, JENNA!!!! He just said that sex for pleasure is not good. Seems a tad problematic when the Bible has a book all about that, Sing of Solomon.

Ok, so far, we have two things that I strongly disagree with. This is where he saves himself. He ends with stating that marriage can build faith. Unfortunately, he doesn't go far enough. He simply says that husbands and wives need to be faithful to one another.

He writes:

"All these are goods, on account of which marriage is good: offspring, faith, sacrament."

He fails to make the connecion that marriage, by teaching us to be faithful to one another, it can teach us how to be faithful to God.

Anyway, just wanted to share with you this intriguing piece and see what you think about it.

Amish Girls

2006-10-03T10:33:00.000-05:00

Another school shooting-3 in 1 week now. This one, a man shooting 12 young girls in an Amish schoolhouse, strikes me particulalry hard. Why? I think it is because this man attacked those people that were trying to live apart from so much of the trash of this world. Young girls------he seemed to steal a bit of the world's innoncence yesterday. The world had little to spare, but still he found some & stole it from this community. And men, he stole it from us-the brothers of these sisters in that community of faith. Better yet, were all one universal community of faith is the more important thing to say. Things like this serve as a reminder that this world is not our home. If we are too comfortable here-it speaks only to our denial of the pain & evil that is everywhere around us. I was studying the doctrine of glorification yesterday & I believe the Spirit brings this full-circle for me now. I praise God that these girls will one day have beautiful new bodies/ that they are now with their compassionate Redeemer/ & that we too have not forever lost these souls. The fellowship of God's people will not be broken by any person or any thing.

Don't worry...Oprah and Dr. Phil will tell us how to think, right?

2006-09-29T19:48:00.000-05:00

So, yesterday at school, my students and I discussed an interesting and unfortunate phenomenon. We talked about the fact that we live in a nonliterate society. All that means is that our society is actually literate (people can read and write), but we choose not to read or write. We choose instead to learn via images. We allow ourselves to be educated by our television sets and computer screens. We also learn from the spoken word via the radio. While there are certainly advantages to these types of learning, what are the problems that come from a society that is nonliterate? Answer the question in two ways. First, answer the question in a general way. What effect does this have on society on general? What are the positive or negative effects of nonliteracy on society? Second, answer the question with regard to the church. Why would it be good or bad to have a nonliterate congregation?

Posting Assignments

2006-09-20T11:02:00.000-05:00

Since most of you agreed to the assigned week for posting idea, I've put together our weekly assignments. Remember, if it is your week then you must post something for us to discuss sometime during that week. Here goes:

9/25 Charlie Wallace

10/2 Ben Hames

10/9 Ross Parker

10/16 Michael Estes

10/23 Drew Jones

I'm looking forward to some good discussion!

Prayer Request

2006-09-16T06:45:00.000-05:00

Guys,

Please be in prayer for my wife and I. My wife, Julie, is very pregnant. In fact, she is six days overdue and MISERABLE. Well, yesterday, we were told that they wouldn't be able to induce until Wednesday because there were so many people having babies. This would be fine except for Julie is having some serious comfort issue. Her overall health and the health of the baby boy are not in question. In fact, they are doing well, but she is having real problems sleeping and even moving. So, I guess pray for her comfort and my ability to minister to her. Also, pray for her mom and dad as they are traveling up here Saturday evening and Sunday. Thanks.

Congratulations Charlie & Emily

2006-09-14T05:22:00.000-05:00

Isn't he beautiful? Congratulations to Charlie and Emily on the birth of their first...child. Emily was in labor for 945 hours before they got this child out, when the doctors decided to smoke him out. All is well. Dad is nervous, Mom is afraid of her child, and little Jackson is plucking the hairs out of his unibrow. Congratulations again!

The Missional Church

2006-09-09T18:24:00.000-05:00

Okay, gentlemen, I'll go first. The buzzword in emerging and non-emerging circles lately has been defining what it means to be missional as a church within culture. Being missional simply means that the church must take a step back and re-evaluate the cultural stories, values, and mannerisms of the community in which God has assigned them to minister, and act as a missionary to their community. Being missional is distinct from both being evangelistic or being "seeker-friendly." Two well-known "missional" churches are Mars Hill Church in Seattle (Mark Driscoll) and Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan (Tim Keller).

Here is a quote from Breaking the Missional Code by Ed Stetzer and David Putnam:

We are convinced that you can be equally called, gifted, and passionate and yet experience different levels of success due to the model of ministry being used. In other words, the way you do things does impact your ability to reach your community effectively. (p.2)

Are Stetzer & Putnam correct? What role, if any, should the culture play in determining ministry focus and methodology? Is a large-scale shift in church culture necessary to reach a culture that is growing more secular?

Question...

2006-09-07T11:02:00.000-05:00

Should we dissolve the blog? Not trying to step on any toes or anything like that, but just wanted to ask. What do you think?

Holistic Medicine

2006-08-31T10:32:00.000-05:00

Ran across this article today and was interested in your thoughts. Finally, somebody who desires to integrate work and faith.

Medical practices blend health and faith

One In Christ

2006-08-22T11:01:00.000-05:00

Mercy Ministry
Much of Jesus' ministry on this earth was a ministry to the weak, the broken, the marginalized & yes, the poor. Seeing this model for life & ministry, we at Christ Presbyterian Church believe strongly in ministering to those in need, even to those with needs of a financial nature. Accordingly, we set aside a nice chunk of our budget to aid those in our community with their needs & emergencies. (we have another set-aside for our own people who have needs, it is larger) Not only do we set aside money for these folks but we have a committee of three caring men who oversee this ministry, the "Mercy Ministry." There are two busy deacons who take part, looking for ways to give away part of the largesse that conssits of their own offerings & then their is me, a Teaching Elder who is dealing directly with the "needy people." We have established a ministry that looks good on paper-but that is the only place it looks good. Why? Because most everyone who calls, I find to be little more than liars & theives looking to fleece the people of God in what is one of the most despicable ploys I can imagine. Some folks who call in for assistance now have three children when they had reported five when calling two months prior. Was there a carwreck we didn't hear about-how are you handling the loss? I had a young guy call the other day needing help & he reported things must be tight at his church because they were only willing to help with one of the two bills he had submitted to them. Upon my review with the pastor there, the young man (a member mind you) had submitted nothing. I share these two examples just to paint a picture of the deception that is around every corner when you deal with these "needy folks." As I've come in contact with many pastors who lead mercy ministries I've discovered they harbor a strong scepticism/cynicism about the "needy." And After being involved for a while, I see why. As for now, I'm still looking for people to help-but I'm telling you brothers that it is harder than hard to do so effectively.

Put on Your Hermeneutic Hat

2006-08-10T08:25:00.000-05:00

Ok fellows, I have been reading through the book of Ecclesiastes the last couple of nights before bed. As I have read through it, several things stood out to me. Solomon (assuming he wrote it) had done pretty everything to happiness and joy and contentment in life, and everything he tried had failed him. Ok, no big surprise here. We would all agree that true joy and contentment comes from the Lord. Fine. Then come the tricky part. I keep running into peculiar statements about death. At times, Solomon seems to be pointing to life and judgment after death. Others, however, he is indicating that the grave or Sheol is the end. So, we need to work together to help me properly exgete these passages. I am going to put down the apparently contradictory passages at the end of this post. Let me know how you would approach them. Remember as "iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17) Make me sharper. By the way, I haven't looked at any commentaries.

"Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work." - Ecc. 3:16-17

"I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?" - Ecc. 3:18-21

"Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few." - Ecc. 5:2

"Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good--do not all go to the one place?" - Ecc. 6:6

"Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God." - Ecc. 8:12-13

"It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten?" - Ecc. 9:2-5

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going." - Ecc. 9:10

"So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. " - Ecc. 11:8

"Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." - Ecc. 11:9

"Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them"; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, and the doors on the street are shut--when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low-- they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets-- before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." - Ecc.12:1-7

"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." - Ecc. 12:13-14

Ok, I know that is a lot. So, take your time and give a brother a hand. Thanks.

Encouraging Words

2006-08-08T22:51:00.000-05:00

Tonight, I read a portion of a debate. In it, Cornelius Van Til explains why he believes in the Christian God. I found two statements particularly encouraging.

The first deals with the frustration some might and probably have felt when discussing the faith with some non-believers. He expresses both a consolation and a warning.

"Now before I drill into the nerve of the matter, I must again make apologies. The fact that so many people are placed before a full exposition of the evidence for God’s existence and yet do not believe in Him has greatly discouraged us who do believe. We have therefore adopted measures of despair. Anxious to win good will, we have again compromised our God. Noting the fact that men do not see, we have conceded that what they ought to see is hard to see. In our great concern to win men we have allowed that the evidence for God’s existence is only probably compelling. And from that fatal confession we have gone one step further down to the point where we have admitted or virtually admitted that it is not really compelling at all. And so we fall back upon testimony instead of argument. After all, we say, God is not found at the end of an argument; He is found in our hearts. So we simply testify to men that once we were dead, and now we are alive, that once we were blind and now we see, and give up all intellectual argument."

"Do you suppose that our God approves of this attitude of His followers? I do not think so. The God who claims to have made all facts and to have placed His stamp upon them will not grant that there is really some excuse for those who refuse to see. Besides, such a procedure is self-defeating."

The second statement, I think, hits at the heart of all disbelief.

"Looking about me I see both order and disorder in every dimension of life. But I look at both of them in the light of the Great Orderer who is back of them. I need not deny either of them in the interest of optimism or in the interest of pessimism. I see the strong men of biology searching diligently through hill and dale to prove that the creation doctrine is not true with respect to the human body, only to return and admit that the missing link is missing still. I see the strong men of psychology search deep and far into the subconsciousness, child and animal consciousness, in order to prove that the creation and providence doctrines are not true with respect to the human soul, only to return and admit that the gulf between human and animal intelligence is as great as ever. I see the strong men of logic and scientific methodology search deep into the transcendental for a validity that will not be swept away by the ever-changing tide of the wholly new, only to return and say that they can find no bridge from logic to reality, or from reality to logic. And yet I find all these, though standing on their heads, reporting much that is true. I need only to turn their reports right side up, making God instead of man the center of it all, and I have a marvellous display of the facts as God has intended me to see them. "

Just something to share with you. If you would like to read the whole discussion, click here.

Man and Woman's Heavenly Roles

2006-07-24T19:30:00.000-05:00

In the latest issue of The Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, there was an article written byTennessee pastor Mark David Walton entitled, Relationships and Roles in the New Creation. Throughout the work, Walton discusses what man (and woman's) roles and relationships will be like in Heaven. He quotes C.S. Lewis a good bit. Quoting from an old article of Christianity Today, Lewis stated:

The New Testament "tells us that ... (every) one is to work with his own hands, and what is more, everyone's work is to produce something good...there is to be no 'swank' or 'side', no putting on airs...On the other hand, it is always insisting on obedience - obedience (and outward marks of respect) from all of us to properly appointed magistrates, from children to parents, and (I am afraid this is going to be very unpopular) from wives to husbands. Thirdly, it is going to be a cheerful society..."

Lewis suggests that in the new creation, redeemed life will be reverted back to God's original plan, where man will still be the spiritual leader of woman. Has anyone ever heard this argument? Frankly, I've never even thought about it.

One In Christ

2006-07-18T08:27:00.000-05:00

Jury Duty
Perhaps no call in life is so dreaded, at least by those citizens who are gainfully employed and likewise uninterested in daytime TV (see Judge Judy), as that call for jury duty. Unendingly, business people, professionals, college students and those of their ilk flee this obligation as if it were the plague. Consistently we hear this from these productive, though obviously not particularly civic-minded, citizens: “I don’t have time for this,” “I have to get out of this,” “how can I appear biased and be dismissed.” How adversely is our justice system affected by this poisonous mentality, most pervasive among the upper-middle class. How many juries decide in error because those seeing a case rightly, perhaps the most educated & productive citizen in the bunch, refuse to hold up a juries deliberations or decision in their mad dash back to their routine of work & life. When this apathy and even willingness to dismiss the pursuit of justice became so prevalent I am unsure, but I imagine many of us who are aware of this dynamic would hate to sit and be judged by a jury of our peers, because more often than not, the attitudes discussed here render a collection of peers who are least qualified to judge. We must, as a society, regain a love of justice and a new sense of civic-mindedness lest our judicial system fail to execute justice. After all, the pursuit of justice for our neighbor is the most basic expression of brotherly love.

A Good Reminder

2006-07-17T09:52:00.000-05:00

After spending some time this morning surfing the web, I ran across an excellent article. Stuart McAllister has written a particularly convicting (as a Southern Baptist) article about the state of the church. The majority of the article is a critique of novelty versus tradition. Here are some of the best parts of the article:

"What disturbs me personally—and many people whom I have talked to across the country and internationally—is the growing trend to ignore Christian history, to devalue Scripture, to reframe worship, and to lessen the role of discipleship, holiness, theology, and content. What matters is whether God is “experienced” (something I also seek), whether worship is compelling (a commendable value), and whether people actually come (a valid desire). However, this tendency and practice of avoiding the past is distracting, and I believe, wrong."

This is his comment on a "new" way to learn about the Scripture:

"I was reminded of this by my wife who sat in on a discussion about learning Scripture. One individual concerned with the other adult’s lack of biblical knowledge suggested this be might remedied by watching the Veggie Tales! (Might it also have been possible to suggest reading the biblical book itself?) "

If you are interested in "the rest of the story," then click the link below.

Novelty and the Church

The reason I found this article to be as convicting as it is stems from the decision handed down recently by the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America (PCUSA) to rename God. This group took it upon themselves to create all "new" names for God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. One of the more interesting ones was "Rainbow, Ark, and Dove." To read more, check this link. Find the blog entry entitled, "God talk is not a game."

The Fallacy of Absolute Certainity

2006-07-12T12:21:00.000-05:00

Here is a superb article by Alister McGrath. It deals with the fallacy of absolute certainity with regard to any worldview. In it, he discusses the issue of faith as a necessity of all worldviews, including atheism. He also deals with arguments against the existence of God from both a philosophical and scientific perspective. The article is long BUT worth the time and effort. Let me know what you think after reading it.

Doubt and the Vain Search for Certainity

Have You Ever...

2006-07-07T15:55:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered what your name would be if you were a hobbit? Well, now you can know. Here it is, everyone's name in Hobbitish (?):

Drew Jones - Bodo Boffins of Whitfurrows

Charlie Wallace - Grigory Brockhouse of Loamsdown

Ross Parker - Fard Danderfluff

Ben Hames - Todo Grubb of Little Delving

Michael Estes - Berilac Loamsdown

Welcome to the Shire!!!

If you are interested in finding out your elvish or pirate names, go here and here.

One In Christ

2006-06-29T08:54:00.000-05:00

One In Christ

Trying to Fix the Blog

2006-06-24T20:27:00.000-05:00

We are sick and I'm just trying something.

Liturgy for the Modern Evangelical Church?

2006-06-20T19:30:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen:

First, please accept my apologies for being absent from the conversation for quite a long time. Summer has quite an effect of encouraging me to slack off in many ways, and blogging doesn't seem to come naturally to me in times of idleness. Business is my muse, which I utilize in genuine escapist fashion!

Secondly, I just finished reading Worship by the Book, edited by D.A. Carson with Tim Keller, Mark Ashton, & Kent Hughes contributing. Essentially the book is prefaced by a broad biblical theology of worship, and the three contributors explain in great detail how they go about applying those basic truths in the "mechanics" of building liturgies for their own congregations. I found it to be an excellent read, especially because it allows a "one-stop shop" for interacting with different traditions. This short volume contrasts the traditions of the Free Church, evangelical Anglicanism, and Reformed/Presbyterian.

My question for you fine men is this: What, if anything (we can be honest, we're among friends here), do you consider when creating a liturgy (order of worship). If you've never attempted this, then what are your thoughts on this matter? Is a liturgy still relevant today? Should we call it something else?

I'm interested in seeing varying viewpoints with respect to various theological traditions within our little group.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Prayer Request

2006-06-16T09:20:00.000-05:00

I have been entrusted to lead a group of young people up to White Plains, NY next week (we leave tomorrow). This trip is designed to provide support for a church plant by the name of Christ the King. Our group will be participating in various servant evangelism tasks as well as survey evangelism. This area is spiritually dark with only one evangelical church (CMA) in the city. The people there are interested in spirituality, but they have very mixed ideas as to what that really is. Many are hostile to the Gospel. Pray that we will have opportunities to share. Pray also that the young people will have boldness. Thank God that I have a wonderful support group of adults going with me. Pray that we provide an excellent witness for this church plant and ultimately Christ in the community of White Plains. I doubt I will have access to the internet; therefore, I will not be able to give updates as to the progress of the mission. However, when I return, I will let everyone know how things went.

Seatbelts and Helmets

2006-06-13T17:49:00.000-05:00

This post is probably the result of boredom, but here goes. Yesterday, the quarterback for the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger, ran his motorcycle into an on-coming car. This accident was serious enough as it was, but it was made more dangerous by the fact that Ben was not wearing a helmet. In Pennsylvania, the governing body repealed the law enforcing motorcyclists to wear helmets two years ago. This got me to thinking about the constitutionality of seatbelt and helmet laws. The question is not whether it is foolish to drive without a seatbelt or ride a bike without a helmet. What I am more interested in is whether or not it is fair for the government to actually force us to do something like this. Or, the way one person explained it today, is it fair for the government to protect us from ourselves? What do you think and why? I know this is a little outside the realm of our normal discussions, but I think it is more pertinent than we might initially realize.

Craig- Ehrman Debate

2006-06-08T14:34:00.000-05:00

Hey all,

Sorry I've been out of the loop. For all of you who are interested in apologetics, here's a link to a recent debate between William Lane Craig and Bart Ehrman on the resurrection of Jesus. I haven't made it all the way through myself, but it's looks to be a good intro to Craig's apologetic approach (as well as Ehrman's skepticism).

Is God present everywhere?

2006-06-04T22:37:00.000-05:00

Today, in Sunday School, someone asked an interesting question. Is God present in Hell? Like all orthodox believers, we would all quickly say God is omnipresent, everywhere at all times. The question is then, is God present in Hell? If so, how? Isn't Hell separation from God? God can't be in the presence of sin, right? But isn't Hell the ultimate reality of sin and sinfulness?

I have thoughts, but I would like to get answers from you guys. Flex some theological muscles for me. I will post my thoughts in a couple of days.

Favorite Charlie Memory

2006-06-03T07:39:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen, as a final blog salute to our patriarch, Mr. Wallace, please share your favorite memory of Charlie. I look forward to thoroughly embarassing our good friend.

Golf

2006-06-01T14:31:00.000-05:00

I had the greatest pleasure to enjoy my last round of golf here in North Carolina with Drew and Michael this morning. It was always fun to play bad golf, laugh at each other's bad shots, and sprinkle theological discussions in and around strokes.

Pictured above: Drew's second shot on Wil-Mar's third hole.

PING!!!!

2006-05-30T23:48:00.000-05:00

Ahhhhh, yes. It is that time of year. It is the time when the "ping" of aluminum bats becomes familiar to us again. It is time for the NCAA College Baseball National Tournament. My Bulldogs (Mississippi State) got in by the skin of their teeth. We are playing in the number one seed's (Clemson) bracket.

I can almost smell the grills in the Left Field Lounge. I can feel the warm sun of the back of my neck (yes, all Mississippians are rednecks in at least in one sense). I can imagine the ebb and flow of the game with its gentle and graceful pace. I can hear the crowds rising to roar at the sound, PING!!!!

With baseball, there is never any hurry. Some of my fondest memories at Mississippi State were spending an afternoon relaxing in the bleachers with Julie or my best friend, Anthony, and talking about anything and everything. Oh, how I wish I was at a regional site this weekend!!!

GO BULLDOGS!!!!!! BEAT CLEMSON!!!!!!

The Most Important Verse in the Bible

2006-05-25T19:03:00.000-05:00

I was sitting at home watching the sun set, and it dawned on me that there is a most important verse in the Bible and I think I know what it is. It might sound odd to say that one verse is more important than another in a book that is divine in origin. However, it seems obvious to me that God is not an egalitarian with regard to bible verses. Think about it. Romans 8:1 is significantly more powerful and real to us than Colossians 4:14.

So, what is my point? My point is that in one verse all of the words of Scripture can be brought to bear. In fact, had these words not been spoken by God and penned by man, then all would have been lost. Let us turn our attention then to Genesis 1:27. It says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." There it is. The most important verse in the Bible. You don't even have to flip too many pages in your Bible to find it. It's probably on the first page. Why, you might ask, is this verse so important? I'll give you at least three reasons.

First, it explains the character of God. He is creative and responsible. Now, we can see that God is creative from the verses that directly proceed this one. However, God wants to make it undeniably and unmistakably apparent to us that creation is His doing. How? By putting his ultimate stamp of approval on us. His image. We are image-bearers of God. He says to us in the beginning that "You are my doing, I am responsible for you." We also see the kindness of God, simply because He made us. He was under no obligation to create us or the world, but He wanted to so He did. So God has left His indelibale mark on us.

Second, it tells us all about ourselves, who we are. It tells us that we are valuable. God has attached his image to us; therefore, it is true that God has placed a high value on this part of creation. It tells us that we are not all the same. There is a uniqueness to each of us. Why do you think He created us male and female instead of male and male or female and female? He did not make us genderless robots. There is a beautiful nobility to each of us because that is what God intended. It tells us that He made us free. Since we are created in His image and we share in His likeness and God himself is free, then we must be also. Finally and most importantly, it tells us why there is hope for us. We are image-bearers, and as such God desires to redeem us. He cannot deny Himself. Our image-bearing is the reason He was willing to give of Himself in the ultimate way. By placing His stamp on us, He obligated Himself to redeem, not for our sakes but for His own. This verse sets up the rest of redemptive history, and the whole of the Bible after it is, as Paul Harvey likes to call it, "the rest of the story."

Third, it is in this verse that we can find ultimate meaning and purpose. It is here that we discover ourselves. This is true self-actualization. Only in realizing that we are made in God's image, can we understand both ourselves and God. In Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Heaven, Peter Kreeft makes this utterly profound statement: "But we are objects to God (though we are subjects to this world); we too, therefore, are true only when we conform to God's knowledge of us, God's artistic plan for our identity. Since our highest freedom means freedom to be ourselves, we are most free when we are most obedient to God's will, which expresses His idea of us." That last statement is amazing. God in His infinite wisdom has an idea of us and an ideal for us. It is there we find ourselves completely, fully. What is God's idea of us? It is grounded in His very being, in the concept that we are made in His image.

Isn't wonderful that God told us the entire story one page into the book?

The Use of the Invitation

2006-05-19T20:44:00.000-05:00

Guys,

I'd like to get your opinion on this topic: the use of the public invitation. Allow me to follow Drew's pattern of asking specific questions. I'd like for all to answer this if you are able to do so.

1) Is a public invitation biblical? Please include Scripture to back your point.

2) If a public invitation is indeed biblical, is a public profession (i.e. coming forward) biblical?

3) Lastly, assuming a public invitation is biblical, upon accepting Christ, is baptism necessary?

I'll give my opinions toward the end of the discussion.

C S Lewis audio

2006-05-18T16:34:00.000-05:00

At Drew's request, here' s a link to one of C S Lewis' Broadcast Talks. If only I had a British accent....

Manual Labor

2006-05-18T12:01:00.000-05:00

Sometimes seminary education can seem like manual labor. Like the man in the picture who has been at the plow all day long, when we look up long enough to take a rest we can look behind us and see how many rows we've hoed. Earlier today, I looked up and saw no rows left. After 3 1/2 years, and two schools, I have completed my seminary education. For those left in seminary, I'll give you the same advice my dad has always given me: "Keep your head down plowin' away and when you look up from time to time you'll see the progress you've made."

The Christian Scholar

2006-05-13T21:50:00.000-05:00

Ross, Michael, Charlie, and I were discussing a wide variety of items tonight at a party, and the subject of Christian academia was briefly addressed. I'd like to raise this issue again for more comprehensive analysis, if you gentlemen don't mind.

First, here is a wonderful article written by Alister McGrath of Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University on the role that the Christian scholar can and should play in both the church and the wider culture. To read his article, click here.

The questions I'd like to raise are:

What is distinct about Christian scholarship?
What role should Christians play in the academy?
What roles should Christian academics play in the life of Christ's church?
What criteria should aspiring Christian academics use to choose institutions in which to study?
What biblical mandate, if any, do we have for pursing ministry in academic circles? Why shouldn't all bright gifted teachers in Christ's church simply pursue pulpits for their teaching ministry?

I submit these questions as guiding framework for what I sincerely hope is a fruitful conversation.

Ronnie Floyd for SBC President

2006-05-12T09:55:00.000-05:00

Hey guys,

I know that only 3 of us here are Southern Baptist, but I'm really interested in the debate that has been swirling around several possible candidates for SBC president to be elected this year in Greensboro.

Johnny Hunt was initially mentioned, which sparked much controversy from reformed Baptists (you can check out discussions at the Founders Blog back in February sometime)

Now Johnny Hunt has said that he will nominate Ronnie Floyd, pastor of FBC Springdale, AK. But Floyd has been criticized for some unconventional evangelism strategies as well as his church's giving to the CP (check out this excellent article)

I'd be interested to hear what you guys think.

Prayer Request

2006-05-11T21:47:00.000-05:00

Earlier today, Drew Jones, one of the contributors to this blog, sprained his ankle pretty badly. I was at the scene and took him to the ER. They have him in a soft-cast and on crutches. Unfortunately, his sister's wedding is next weekend! Let's pray for him that his ankle heels quickly and normally and that He can enjoy next weekend.

J. Frank Norris: God's Rascal

2006-05-08T17:35:00.000-05:00

The history of Christianity is filled with many colorful characters, none of which may be as colorful and controversial as the Baptist preacher, J. Frank Norris. Here are a few of his more memorable moments:

"The famous pastor by the name of J. Frank Norris enters into the pulpit carrying a broken quart bottle with him. It is the early part of the 20th century and the church is relieved that their pastor was just acquitted by court allegations that he had torched the church. With fervent passion the preacher is proud in his exoneration from the accusations. He preaches a sermon from the text, "Thou are weighed in the balances and found wanting." He tears into the attorney who had brought charges against him. The lawyer has just met a horrible death driving his Cadillac on North Main accompanied by a lady companion. His vehicle is full of liquor and is driven head on into the streetcar. Pastor J. Frank announces to the congregation that in the broken bottle there is whiskey and brains from the lawyer"

if that is not wild enough,

"When the Fort Worth city council voted to buy a section of land from the Catholic Ignatious Academy for $90,000 more than the original price for the whole campus, many citizens felt it was nothing more than a gift to the Roman Catholic Church. Norris immediately began to attack Mayor H. C. Meacham for his Roman Catholic sympathies and associations. Dexter Chipps, a close friend of Meacham’s, became angry and called Norris, threatening to come to his office and settle matters. He did appear about 20 minutes later and exchanged words with Norris. In the tenseness of the situation, Norris reached for the pistol in his desk and fired four shots. Chipps was mortally wounded with bullets in his arm, abdomen and neck. In the murder trial, Norris claimed self-defense"

and to top things off,

"Norris designed First Baptist’s Sunday evening services to attract people from outside the church … He advertised his sermon titles on a large canvas banner that stretched along the side of the church building. The provocative titles got Fort Worth’s attention … He treated the congregation to visual spectacles as well. Once, when a cowboy was converted, he had the horse brought into the service to witness the baptism … when Norris preached against evolution, he brought a monkey into the meeting. The monkey, dressed in a little suit, sat on a stool next to the pulpit. Each time Norris made a point against evolution, he turned to the monkey and asked, ‘Isn’t that so?’ Norris was quite the showman.”

That last bit of monkey-business seems like a 1920's version of Ed Young, Jr.

For a full reading of his bio, click here to read a postive assessment of his life.

For a more critical analysis, check out this site.

For an unbiased look, click here.

As one can see, Dr. Norris was not just some loud-mouth hick preacher. He was a scholar and a renaissance man of sorts with a heart for the lost, even if his methods would now be considered "unorthodox" (to say the least).

The State of the Church...

2006-05-04T13:01:00.000-05:00

A friend e-mailed me this article, and I thought that it would be a good topic of conversation here.

http://www.theologicalstudies.citymax.com/page/page/1573625.htm

The Doctrine of Hell

2006-05-02T22:24:00.000-05:00

Drew, is this a better picture?

The Law: Binding?

2006-05-01T20:50:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen,
Though I am fully aware of the academic demands which accompany the closing weeks of the semester, I simply could not resist throwing this question out for your discussion: How is the Christian believer, justified by grace through faith, to relate to the Old Testament Law?
Is the Mosaic Law binding on the believer, or are we simply under pure grace? If we are indeed "under law" in some sense, then how does this relate to salvation by faith in Christ?
I'm sure Ben and I will answer this question similarly, but I think that this will encourage some hard, fruitful dialogue. I encourage you to examine the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XIX, for an excellent theology of the Christian and the Law.

The Doctrine of Hell

2006-04-20T10:47:00.000-05:00

Obviously, Hell is not a popular topic in our day and age. Yet, the man of God must be committed to preaching the whole scope of biblical revelation. How then is the Christian minister to do so? Is he to stutter and stammer and dance around the hard truth, like a popular preacher did so recently on a major primetime talk show? Or is he to adopt a "grip it and rip it" approach, and let the chips fall where they may? Or perhaps there is a third way.

Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, wrote an insightful article called Preaching Hell in a Tolerant Age. I think that he has much to say to us as we consider how to minister in a culture that rejects the doctrine. To read his article click here.

C.S. Lewis on Forgiveness

2006-04-19T19:40:00.000-05:00

He writes:

"I find that when I am asking God to forgive me I am often in reality (unless I watch myself very carefully) asking Him to do something quite different. I am asking Him not to forgive me but to excuse me. But there is all the difference in the world between forgiving and excusing. Forgiveness says, 'Yes, you have done this thing, but I accept your apology; I will never hold it against you and everything between us two will be exactly as it was before.' But excusing says, 'I see that you couldn't help it or didn't mean it; you weren't really to blame.' If one was not really to blame then there is nothing to forgive. In that sense forgiveness and excusing are almost opposites...And if we forget this, we shall go away imaging that we have repented and been forgiven when all that has really happened is that we have satisfied ourselves with our own excuses. They may be very bad excuses; we are all too easily satisfied about ourselves."

It seems to me that this is the perpetual state of the American church. We are all too satisfied with ourselves. We see God as some cosmic grandpa who cares much for our satisfaction and little for our sin. We see Him as a constant Christmas of sorts. He is a never-ending train of gifts who expects us simply to "be good." God is a gigantic Santa Claus who smiles at us with his rosy, red cheeks and winks at our "tiny" indiscretions. That is honestly the state of a large number of Christians. Unfortunately, it is the state I am in many times.

It is only once we come to grips with what sin means to God, what a horrid offense it is to Him that we will truly behold His glory and grace. It is only then when we will understand forgiveness. When we realize that God has really forgiven us (for a truly inexcusable offense), that is when grace becomes truly amazing.

"They may be very bad excuses; we are all too easily satisfied about ourselves."

Are you BLIND???

2006-04-19T19:20:00.000-05:00

I saw something funny yesterday at a fine eatery's drive-through. As I pulled up to the window to pay, I noticed that there was a sign there. It read: Braille and Picture Menus Available Upon Request. Now I realize it was a big sign, but two things struck me as rather odd. First and most obvious, why have a sign for a blind person? Second, why have this unusual sign in a drive-through?

Not really thought provoking I know, but I wanted to share it with you.

Wake Up!

2006-04-17T11:29:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen, here is a post that truly will convict me the next time I get drowsy in Dr. Robinson's New Testament class. Dr. Mohler has written the first section of a three-part commentary on The Pastor as Theologian. Here's a brief excerpt from today's post, and I'm including a link to the whole article here.

The transformation of theology into an academic discipline more associated with the university than the church has been one of the most lamentable developments of the last several centuries. In the earliest eras of the church, and through the annals of Christian history, the central theologians of the church were its pastors. This was certainly true of the great Reformation of the sixteenth century as well. From the patristic era, we associate the discipline and stewardship of theology with names such as Athanasius, Irenaeus, and Augustine. Similarly, the great theologians of the Reformation were, in the main, pastors such as John Calvin and Martin Luther. Of course, their responsibilities often ranged beyond those of the average pastor, but they could not have conceived of the pastoral role without the essential stewardship of theology.

Let's give ourselves whole-heartedly once again to the difficult task of truly understanding God's Word!

Sola Scriptura!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

2006-04-16T14:57:00.000-05:00

"But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said." Matt. 28:5-6

This is the reason for our joy and existence. Let us meditate on this today.

"Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!"

Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Charles Wesley. 1739

Life After Seminary

2006-04-13T05:15:00.000-05:00

My apologies, gentlemen, but this post is primarily for Ben Hames to answer. Ben, would you please give us a brief overview of your first year after seminary? Specifically, what unique joys and challenges has daily ministry life brought? Which ones did you expect and which caught you by surprise?

Ben, as you approach ordination exams with the presbytery, know that I am praying for you. Guys, if you do not know, this can be a very arduous experience, and so I encourage you all to give Ben concentrated focus during this time. I'm looking forward to hearing what you've got to say!

Open or Closed

2006-04-11T19:26:00.000-05:00

What should we do at the communion of our Lord's Supper? Is it a time for a very exclusive, local body of believers? Or, is it a time to celebrate the unity of believers in Christ?

I would argue that the Lord's Supper table should be opened to all who have professed in Christ as Lord and Savior and are walking accordingly. There will be only one required at the marriage supper of the Lamb, faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. The Passover was a feast for all those who had faith in God. Closing the communion of believers (who have examined themselves) and God seems to place unnecessary stipulations on salvation. Maybe, I'm wrong. If I am, I'd like to know it.

Exclusive Brethren

2006-04-10T17:16:00.000-05:00

My blogger friend, Matthew, over at Dyspraxic Fundamentalist, answers my questions about the practices and theology of the Exlusive Brethren, who are located in the motherland.

Libertarian Freedom Experiment

2006-04-08T22:47:00.000-05:00

Ross,

I went over to thinkingdeeply.com and saw this post. I know what libertarian freedom is, but can you translate this for me?

"Benjamin Libet conducted a series of experiments that seem to undermine a libertarian view of free will. In Libet’s experiments, each subject was asked to form spontaneously an intention to wiggle his or her finger within a thirty second time interval. When the subject decisively formed the intention, he was instructed to note the time this occurs. While subjects were deciding when to wiggle their fingers, Libet was measuring the neural activity in each person. Libet discovered that a significant increase in neural activity typically preceded the reported time when the agent claimed to have formed the intention (on average by about 500 milliseconds). In other words, the physical causal nexus was well-established to guarantee the resultant action before the agent had decisively formed an intention to act in a certain way. The results of the experiment led Libet to conclude that a person’s feeling of willing was actually ineffectual to bringing about the intended action. Instead, Libet concluded that one’s experience of conscious willing is caused to occur by unconscious physical events. If this is so, then there seems to be scientific data that rules out the efficacy of a person’s will."

Thanks.

another gospel?

2006-04-07T15:32:00.000-05:00

Another Gospel has been found! Well, actually it was found several years ago, but conveniently now just before Easter this Gnostic "Gospel of Judas" has been revealed to the public in a National Geographic news conference yesterday.This will be a topic of conversation with folks around us, especially with the Da Vinci Code movie coming out soon. To put it simply, the early church rejected these gospels (gospel of Thomas, gospel of Judas, etc) not because they didn't like what they said, but because they weren't true.

Here are some great resources to learn about the gospel of Judas and how we as Orthodox Christians need to respond to those who ask us about the text.

From Traitor to Hero? Responding to “The Gospel of Judas” -Al Mohler's commentary on the issue
The Gospel of Judas et. al. - part one Ben Witherington's blog on the issue

Broken Cisterns and a Broken Heart

2006-04-06T20:32:00.000-05:00

In the spirit of confession and encouragement, I'd like to let you gentlemen in on some heart struggles I've been staggering through this week. For all of this week, and yes, even now, I've been experiencing a sense of hopelessness and dissatisfaction with life. I've loathed responsibility, both at work and with my academic coursework. A life of freedom and pleasure is what I've craved, but I've found that to be a mirage which only leads me further into the desert.

I've missed my wife this week (she's been in Arizona), but that is not the cause of it. Rather, I've allowed the temptation to total selfishness that comes with no responsibility to rule in my heart, and I've rejected the structured joy of living under the lordship of Jesus Christ. It's a frustrating paradox, isn't it? Seeking pleasure yet finding only misery!

God has not abandoned me, however, and his gospel promises remain true: I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the most convicting and consequentially healing passage of Scripture God has shown me is from Jeremiah 2:12-13:

Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

The broken cisterns of selfishness and leisure have left me thirsty, but by God's grace, I am beginning to drink of the refreshing gospel of Christ. Be encouraged, brothers, and pray for me. I am grateful to our Lord for you all.

Tension

2006-04-05T09:26:00.000-05:00

Today, as I sat in Ethics, I began to ponder something the teacher said. We were discussing capital punishment and our reaction to it as Christians. He said that believers live in a world that does not function as it ought to. As I allowed this thought to seep in and take root, I realized something that had been apparent to me for a long time. Christians will inextricably live lives of constant tension on this earth. Think about it.

Luther said it this way: simul iustus et peccator. We are simultaneously justified and sinner. This is a paradox. How can we be sinner and justified at the same time? In the same way, we are to love and desire justice and equally to love and give forgiveness. For example, a Christian juror should be equally saddened by handing down the verdict of guilty and sentencing to death and joyful about seeing justice accomplished. Almost all of the Christian life should be seen in this way. Think for a moment about the death of a saint (by that I mean simply a believer). We, as finite beings, see death as an end to our relationship with this world and all its entailments. It is a time when we mourn because we will no longer experience the fellowship of this loved one. However, Psalm 116:15 answers the question of the death of a believer in a different way. It says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." There is an obvious tension here. Listen to the words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account." Paul saw the benefits of both living and dying. He really grappled over the benefits of living and dying. We also ought to feel this tension in our lives. We ought to desire to depart and be with Christ, but at the same time, long to remain for the sake of Christ.

Romans 7 and 8 is the highlight of tension in the life of a believer. In Romans 7, we have the old and new man warring against one another. Both striving for victory, one having already conquered. However, the constant battle remains until I am glorified in Heaven with Christ. That old man will continuously knock on the door of my will seeking the smallest crack through which he can gain a foothold. The new man will have to be ever diligent in defending my heart and mind. You can almost hear the despair in Paul's words when he writes in 7:24, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Paul sees this struggle very clearly, but he does not despair. He answers with Romans 8. Some would argue that this is the magnum opus of Paul's magnum opus. The tension we feel has been resolved Christ. That is why he can say: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." All the tension of this life are conquered in Christ.

The whole point of this is to say that we should never be comfortable as Christians. We should be at odds with the world as it is because it is not as it should be. Comfort is the bed in which sin lies waiting. This is something I struggle with daily. I allow myself to be comfortable. Tension is a healthy thing. It causes to be aware and mindful. It ought to cause us to think biblically. It ought to cause us to long for Christ because that is the only place we will find true comfort. He is where all tensions end and where true peace begins.

Just some food for thought.

Postwhat?

2006-04-04T20:14:00.000-05:00

A blog discussion on what it means to be "postreformed." I'm interested in Drew and Ben's opinion on this topic.

Monday Night

2006-04-02T22:06:00.000-05:00

Sorry Michael. Looks like your team hit the skids. You can't be that upset about LSU losing though, can you? At least you made some sort of prediction and did not simply admit that you preferred watching women's tennis.

Prediction for Monday night: Gators by 6.

Michael's Final Four - Hopefully Better than the Rest of My Bracket

2006-03-31T23:19:00.000-05:00

I, like Charlie, would love to see an all-SEC national championship game. Unlike Charlie, I believe that will happen and here is why:

Florida will end the Cinderella run of George Mason. The Patriots have been a wonderful, heart-warming story; however, that dream will come to a close. Florida is just too good and will be playing with a chip on their shoulder with Mason getting so much attention. Florida just seems to be the forgotten team in the remaining field. Also, Billy Donovan is the only coach remaining that has coached in this situation.

LSU will beat UCLA for two reasons. First, LSU will be playing with the motivation of their state behind them. Louisiana needs to be a champion in some way this year. Glen "Big Baby" Davis, as seen on Sportscenter tonight, was one of the first people at the Maravich center when victims from Katrina arrived from New Orleans. He said that he volunteered to help any way he could. At one point, he held an IV bag as a doctor performed surgey on a critical patient. Not too many 20 year-old men going to be willing to do those type of things. New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast need something to bring some hope and happiness. Second, Tyrus Thomas and Glen Davis are game-changers. Both are dynamic big men who make it easy to defend the perimeter aggresively. Geaux Bayou Bengals!!!

In the final, Florida and LSU will battle it out. It will probably be an epic game. Both teams feature dynamic frontlines. With that being said, the guards will be the determining factor in this game. While Florida probably has more talent in the backcourt, LSU has a senior running the show, which can make a world of difference. LSU wins the national title in a close one. LSU 75 Florida 70.

PS - Realize that I didn't pick a single participant in this Final Four so I will probably be totally and completely wrong. Have a nice day!

Final Four Picks

2006-03-31T18:28:00.000-05:00

Alright, guys. Let's see if God has given you the gift of prophecy. Who are your Final Four picks?

As much as I'd like to pick George Mason, I can't. I like:

Florida over Mason - I just think that UF is going to be tough. It will be a close game, though.

UCLA over LSU - As much as I'd like an All-SEC championship (by the way, I think all of us here are public school SEC guys, with the exception of Ross....Me=S.Carolina, Drew=Auburn, Michael=Miss. State, Ben=Georgia, and Ross= Tennessee fan, but we won't hold that against him. But I digress. UCLA is once again stealing wins and they will continue this trend until...

Florida beats UCLA - in the final. The Gators finally win one after being to several final fours in the past few years.

SBC Internships: A Possibility

2006-03-29T18:37:00.000-05:00

I may not speak for all Southern Baptists but I believe that the autonomous nature of each church probably has led to an exclusion of an organized internship program. While SBC churches are of course, joined together, they are so joined less loosely then PCA churches. Also, with 40,000 churches, the sheer size of a mandatory internship program would be a challenge. Also, I'm pretty sure that at least some of the 16 million Southern Baptists would not be in favor of such a system, for one reason or another.

With that said, I think that a system like the PCA's would be beneficial. It is encouraging to note that in the next couple of years a seminary internship program will be a reality. SEBTS is partnering with several churches throughout the convention to establish a type of "3+1" education. The program is optional and will probably be selective, due to the number or churches participating. The seminarian will go to school for 3 years and then spend his last year on the field shadowing a pastor or staff member at a particpating church. The seminary is going to be very cautious about which churches particpate, and for good reason, as there is a greater deal of diversity among SBC churches than PCAs. I doubt that there 40,000 pastors who would be good role models for young pastors. I doubt 2,000 would be. With that said, I think the step the seminary is making is one in the right direction. But, because of the sheer size of the Convention, the autonomous nature of each church, and the lack of a cohesive theolgoy, an intership system probably will not be anywhere in the near future.

P.S. Drew, this "justification" is for you.

Introduction and Response

2006-03-29T13:19:00.000-05:00

Gentlemen,

First, I would like to welcome Ben Hames as a contributor to our blog. For you readers that do not know Ben, he is a recent graduate of Southeastern Seminary and a dear friend to us, who is now completing an internship with Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Marietta, GA. Ben, I appreciate the paedobaptist backup!

Charlie, thanks for asking about my internship. I'll try to be brief. As part of the preparation process for ordination as a teaching elder (minister) in the PCA, a year-long internship has to be completed and approved by the presbytery. This can be done while you're in seminary (like me), or upon completion of seminary (like Ben). For my specific internship, the goal is to immerse (no pun intended for my Baptist friends) me in every aspect of the ministry of the local church, which in my case is Christ Our Hope Church. I have a substantial number of assigned books to read, as well as various projects and papers that I am to complete. Currently, I am teaching junior high Sunday school and am responsible for organizing and starting the youth ministry for our church. This summer I will serve as a teacher in adult Sunday school. As stipulated in my internship proposal, I also will preach for this congregation ten times (I've currently completed two) by next May. Since Presbyterian polity emphasizes strong connectionalism, I will be meeting with many other Presbyterian ministers in the presbytery to discuss various aspects of Reformed theology and ministry practice.

I'm sure that I have forgotten many other duties in this quick explanation, but I think that you get the broad strokes. My question for you is this: What prevents most SBC churches from enacting some type of structured internship program? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?

Soli Deo Gloria!

2006-03-29T13:10:00.000-05:00

I really appreciate the invite. It is my hope to teach the whole bunch of you a few things about theology, church, liberals, etc. if you'll simply accomodate me with a willing spirit. Anyways, I hope all of you are havng a nice day, enjoying the fellowship of our Lord. Talk to ya'll later.

Drew's Internship

2006-03-28T20:54:00.000-05:00

For those who do not know, Drew is an intern at a PCA church here in Raleigh. Drew, if you would, please post and inform us all about what your internship entails (i.e. your duties, obligations, responsibilities, etc.).Thanks.

A Dream Come True

2006-03-27T13:20:00.000-05:00

Friends, fellow bloggers, lend me your ears! Today, a desire that I've had for the last year and a half has been realized. A monumental moment, really. One worthy of alliteration and proclamation. A milestone in life, one worthy of erecting Ebenezer stones. Well, perhaps the last statement may be stretching it a bit, but I'm pretty pumped. Gentlemen, please let me explain.
To some of you reading this, you will have no earthly idea why I am so excited. What is the root of this excitement? I have the opportunity to attend the Together for the Gospel Conference in Louisville next month. I have wanted to go to this since I first learned about it in January of 2005, but didn't think that I could afford it and also take the class time off. Well, to be brief, things worked out to let it happen! My soon-to-be brother-in-law, Matt, mentioned that he was required to go for a seminary class he's taking, and that he was looking for something to lodge with. That was all of the incentive that I needed, and dream become reality. I've just got 9 hours of driving to hurdle before the festivities begin.

If any of you guys are interested in going, the price for seminary students has been busted down to $95 (the full price is $175), and rumor has it that included in the conference is a gift bundle of books valued at $250. If you're able to go, let me know and we can catch a ride together. I believe that we've got space for two more guys in our hotel room.

The Awesome Providence of God

2006-03-27T12:12:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned the other day, God put someone in my life to test me. I was tested and I failed. I was disobedient. I wasn't graceful despite God's graciousness to me. Well, God is awesome in the way he deals with his children. I was given a second chance. The same man who was standing at the stoplight on Thursday evening was standing at that same stoplight Saturday afternoon. All the material I gathered the other night was still in my car. As I pulled up to the stoplight, I stopped, left the car, approached the man, handed him the material and money, and shook his hand. I wanted to share that I am thankful to God that He is faithful in the face of our disobedience. Malachi 3:6, "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed."

Neighbor Love: I Fail

2006-03-23T22:43:00.000-05:00

Today, I was put in a situation that really tested my understanding of neighbor love. Christ told us that the second part of the greatest commandment is to love your neighbor. Well, today I think, no, I know I failed. I had the opportunity to show love to someone who probably needed more than most.

Tonight, after a busy and long day, I was sitting at a stoplight trying to get home, and a man was sitting on the side of the road with all his belongings in a bag next to him. He was holding a sign that said, "HUNGRY PLEASE HELP." All I had to do was roll down my window give him the few bucks I had in my wallet and tell him about Jesus Christ, the bread of life. What did I do? I started thinking about all the bad things that could possibly happen. I reasoned away a great opportunity. I began to think about what he would do with the money whether he would really buy food or maybe buy liquor. I began to wonder if he had a weapon. Basically, I became a utilitarian at a moments notice. I really believed that I could determine the future. Instead of showing love, I became a self-righteous moralist in thinking that he must have done something to deserve to be there. I acted like all the other people waiting there and looked upon that man with a mix of disdain and pity. Just like a Pharisee.

As soon as I began to drive away the Holy Spirit went to work on me. He convicted me of my faulty thinking. He showed me that I was wrong. That man could have just as easily used my money and a few kind words about Christ to turn his life around. He could have one day been that man we hear about in sermons from time to time. You know the one I'm talking about. Someone, out of the blue, stopped and ministered to him, and God used that one encounter to radically alter that man's life. After I got home, I prayed about it. I grabbed a small New Testament, wrote a small note on the inside cover, highlighted Romans 6:23, grabbed a card that gave information about the church I attend, and put my few dollars in it. As I headed back, I asked God for boldness to speak clearly about Him. I was doing what I should have done in the first place.

Unfortunately, when I returned, the man had left. I missed my opportunity. I had played God when I should have been OBEDIENT. I knew that God wanted me to show kindness to that man, and I simply shook my head, folded my arms like an obstinate, stubborn child, and said, "NO!" It times like these that reveal to me that I am really not like Christ at all.

Just wanted to encourage you all not to be like me.

A Word of Thanks

2006-03-21T06:53:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys,

I don't intend to get too mushy, but I just want to let you know how much I appreciate the friendship of each one of you. From meeting you through Sunday School class, to working at the Y and later trembling before the President in Dr. Akin's class, it's been fun and encouraging each day. If everybody bails at the Y like I expect, next year will be pretty dull!

This blog in particular has been quite fun. Charlie, as your graduation draws near, I eagerly anticipate using this venue as a way of encouraging one another in the months and years to come. Michael, you remind me constantly that ministry and godliness are not just about head (though you certainly do have a keen mind), but the necessity of heart. And Ross, when you post, I am encouraged and challenged. Thank you, gentlemen, for your friendship.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Flip Flops and Worship?

2006-03-19T18:31:00.000-05:00

How does fashion express worship? What does our dress say about our attitudes? The following is a sermon by Dr. Derek Thomas, Professor of Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and Pastor for Teaching at First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Mississippi. The sermon title is Flip Flops and the White House, and I believe that he hits a home run with regards to how societal attitudes are exercised within the church.

In an article in the Chicago Tribune this week, Jodi Cohen and Maegan Carberry discussed the case of Kate Darmody, a winning member of the National Championship Women’s Lacrosse team from Northwestern University. She, along with her fellow players had been invited to the White House to meet the President and, as is customary at these events, an official photograph was taken which subsequently appeared in the news-media (a quick search showed that in addition to the Chicago Tribune, USA Today and CNN also carried the photograph).

The problem? Kate Darmody was wearing flip-flops!

True, she had purchased a special dress and put on a string of pearls, but she had reasoned on comfort being the most essential requirement and chosen flip-flops with heels. The article went on to describe the dismay of her mother when the photograph was published as well as an equally telling e-mail sent by her brother, saying in capital letters (in e-mail this is tantamount to shouting): “YOU WORE FLIP-FLOPS TO THE WHITE-HOUSE????!!!!”

The article then went on to discuss today’s twenty- and thirty-something’s attitude to dress, arguing in a mild defense that there are flip-flops and then there are flip-flops! Apparently, there are “high-fashion” flip-flops which could set you back several hundred dollars and then there Wal-Mart varieties which could give you change from a ten dollar note.

In today's laid-back society, the Chicago Tribune asked, whether there is a distinction between ratty old flip-flops and ones from Neiman Marcus? And is there any circumstance where flip-flops may be worn at the White House, perhaps the most formal setting in the United States? Meghan Cleary, co-author of this article and herself a “shoe-expert,” author of The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About You, answered in a decided “no.” There is apparently a chapter in this riveting summer read entitled “to flip-flop, or not to flip-flop” in which a White House visit is in the “not” category.

What, you may ask, has any of this to do with us? Simply this, that it raises the issue of whether or not clothes have the least relevance when it comes to defining who we are or what it is we are saying in specific settings and occasions.

Was the mayor of this city correct in suggesting that young men should “pull up their pants and hand over their ear-rings to their sisters”? Why do certain young men wear T-shirts tucked in at the front but not at the back? Or young girls (and not so young women) who wear very little! Why does the Bible have legislation forbidding cross-dressing—a prohibition interpreted in one location where I have ministered to mean that women should not wear trousers (pants)! And what of tattoos, especially ones that are visible to the public?

To suggest that none of this has the least relevance is to fly in the face of a multi-billion dollar industry designed to ensure that fashion changes according to regular cycles to justify further expenditure—all, that is, except tattoos which carry a life-time’s regret.

We are all children of fashion. An intern (who was dangerously stepping on the edge) suggested to me this week that a shirt and tie I was wearing was “very British” and he wouldn’t be “seen dead in it.” Even the Minister of Teaching succumbs to changing fashion! Style and group identity are important in contemporary life and postmodern society is fashion-conscious, pre-occupied with what’s “in” and what’s “out.” The obsessional need to be “cutting edge” shapes our lives and for many, there is nothing worse than the feeling of being left out of the pack.

Gene Edward Veith suggests that the modern era defined its identity by achievement (property, money, athletic prowess), and the postmodern era defines its status in terms of style (wearing the right clothes, striking the right attitude).

“Thus, contemporary teenagers define themselves by the music they listen to and the clothes they wear, which in turn makes them part of a group. One teenager told me that in her high school, people are identified and sorted out into cliques according to the radio station they listen to. Head-bangers listen to heavy metal; blacks and “wanna be’s” listen to rap; the popular crowd listens to pop; the FFA [Future Farmers of America] subculture listens to country.” (Postmodern Times: A Christian Guide to Contemorary Thought and Culture, [Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1994], 85).

Two issues are worthy of some reflection from a Christian point of view:

First, even though it would be of interest to ask, should Christians be enslaved to fashion and the advertising industry as most of us to some degree are, a more pertinent question is the extent to which we are prepared to allow Madison Avenue to define us. Modesty is hardly a concern for the cat walks but it is a concern of every Christian. Many fashions placard sexual availability and Christians who deny it live in a dangerous fantasy world. A recent visitor to this church, a minister from New Jersey, was horrified by the scantily attired females. True, it is wretchedly hot in Mississippi, but a line must be drawn that safeguards basic definitions of modesty. It is not insignificant that the cost of enslavement to today’s fashions is eating disorders and sexual promiscuity.

Second, it might be reasonable to ask whether a certain dress-code is appropriate to public worship. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread, they say, and to suggest that there is comes about as close to a definition of heresy that today’s postmodern generation is capable of making!

Two considerations seem worth contemplating. One is the issue of immanence. In the New Covenant, the middle wall of partition has been torn down allowing us to come into God’s presence apart from the intimidating complexity of priests and ritual that hampered our Old Testament brothers and sisters. A measure of informality accompanies that ease of access, and it is not insignificant that the primary name for God in the New Testament is not Yahweh but “Father.” Equally, there remains an issue of transcendence. God is on his throne still. In the one New Testament letter that signals the new access we have as New Covenant Christians, Hebrews, a warning is given that could well be lodged in time of Moses, “God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29, Deut. 4:24; 9:3).

Approachability and formality seem appropriate then. And what does that say about appropriate dress in gathered worship? Though we must avoid legalism, it seems to me at least that some effort in recognizing these is appropriate. Our Christian forebears universally recognized something called “Sunday best.” True, it has been associated with empty formalism and hypocrisy, but future Christian historians will note, I think, its demise in our time, bringing in its place something less durable, less substantial, less memorable.

Wake Up!

2006-03-16T19:04:00.000-05:00

Five days without a post? Someone has to cave in. Schoolwork must be taking its toll. By the way, who is going to be the first to audio blog? I've started doing it on my site. What does everyone think?

Michael's Hero of the Faith?

2006-03-11T22:55:00.000-05:00

After much thought, I have struggled to find a "hero" of the faith. There are several men I would say that I admire. J.I. Packer is a superb theologian and writer. I also appreciate the work of Mark Dever. However, I cannot truthfully say that I closely follow the life of either of these men.

The person I probably most admire is Daniel Akin. I realize that this might be misconstrued as an attempt to stuck up to el presidente. However, that assumption would be narrow and frankly wrong. Just kidding. I really believe that he is the real deal. He is brutally honest, an outstanding preacher and expositor of God's Word, a solid thinker, a careful theologian, and a kind man. He is always willing to talk with and discuss the questions of his students. As far as I can discern, he is a great husband and a wonderful father. He believes in and fights for reform where it is necessary. He is fearless with regard to the issues of the present day. All around, he is type of preacher-theologian-pastor-person that we should all hope to be. He and Dr. Mohler are and will continue to be the future of our denomination.

What if...

2006-03-09T12:13:00.000-05:00

Here's a question that hopefully all four of us will answer this time: If you could not minister within the Southern Baptist Convention (or in my case the PCA), what other denominations would you seriously consider? To force us all to actually choose, the option of just starting an independent, "non-denominational" church is forbidden. Moohoohahahaaha!

Charlie's Hero of the Faith #1

2006-03-06T09:56:00.000-05:00

After much contemplation I have decided that one of my three heroes of the faith has got to be Dr. Al Mohler. He is not #1 (I don't want to rank), but he is one of the three. A stalwart cog in the conservative resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Mohler became president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at age 35. Here is his bio. As you can tell, the man is simply a genius. God has really blessed him and he, likewise, has allowed God to use him for His glory.

I've also had the pleasure to meet him in person. He preached at my home church a while back, while I was in the middle of my seminary studies. I came up to him and introduced myself, along with my wife and my parents, and he took the time to talk to all of them and carried on an extensive conversation with us. For a man with so little time on his hands, to talk to a family without that "hurried, nervous" pastor look, is a special gift...call it sanctification.

On another note, a friend of mine met him when he visited up at Southern, but ended up attending Southeastern instead. A few years later, that same friend ran into Dr. Mohler and Mohler called him by his name and asked why he didn't end up at Southern! That is truly amazing. From firsthand experience, I can attest that Dr. Mohler exhibits true humility (Christ's measuring stick of greatness) and as a result, God is blessing him and using him for His work.

Modern Heroes of the Faith

2006-03-05T16:35:00.000-05:00

Good Sunday afternoon, gentlemen. I hope this post will be a really good one. What I'd like to know is who are the men currently ministering that you greatly respect, and why? For brevity's sake, try to narrow it down to three tops.

I suppose that it is only proper that I go first. Without a doubt, Dr. Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, tops my list. I have written extensively on my other blog concerning the ministry of Redeemer, which you can read here. Scroll down and see the Christ and New York post. You can also read an article about him in the New York Times. His preaching is truly God-centered, insightful, and highly intelligent.

I look forward to reading your nominations!

What's your favorite hymn?

2006-03-04T09:27:00.000-05:00

Here is a simple question to think about some. It might tell us alot about each other. What is your favorite hymn and why? Our preaching is the primary place we learn our theology. The music is the second most important place.

Spring Break Plans?

2006-03-02T10:25:00.001-05:00

Due to the lack of posts, I felt obliged to ask the preceding question. As for me and my wife, we are going to catch the tail-end of Mardi Gras and then head out to Vegas. Remember, what happens in Vegas, stay's there.

Actually, I'm fibbing. We are going to Spartanburg and Columbia to see the parents.

Are Calvinists Better Evangelists?

2006-02-27T11:31:00.000-05:00

I want to extrapolate on a conversation underway on TFTG. Dr. Dever asks Dr. Duncan if Calvinists are better evangelists based on these statistics:

14.8% decline in the United Church of Christ

11.6% decline in the PCUSA

6.7% decline in the United Methodist Church

5.7% decline in the American Baptist Churches

5.3% decline in the Episcopal Church

5% growth in the Southern Baptist Convention

18.5% growth in the Assemblies of God

21.8% growth in the Christian and Missionary Alliance

40.2% growth in the Church of God

42.4% growth in the PCA

57.2% growth in the Evangelical Free Churches

Dever then asks:

"In light of your post on not losing a grip on the gospel, would you suggest that Calvinists are better evangelists? Is that what these statistics suggest? To what do you attribute the PCA's much more rapid growth?"

I would suggest that (1) the denominations which have showed decline are generally more liberal in their theology. The fact that people are leaving these denoms is no surprise to me because why would people come to church to get worldly ideas when one can just get those from the world itself? Also, (2) The denoms that have showed growth are the ones that profess the inerrancy of Scripture. However, why have the PCA and the EV Free churches grown so much? I would say that because they are relatively new, the growing curve will be pretty steep, however both of these two denoms as a whole practice SUFFICIENCY of Scripture, meaning that they preach and teach the ENTIRE Word of God and let the Spirit convict and move their congregants and do not teach "self-help" psychology.

This finding begs the question, "Why have Southern Baptists only grown 5%?" I would surmise that most SB churches DO NOT practice the sufficiency of Scripture. And what I mean, is that I doubt most pastors in the SBC preach through entire books of the Bible, preach doctrinal series, and generally strive to have a biblically-minded church. There is a big difference between stating that one believes the Bible is the Word of God and actually practicing this belief.

In conclusion, being a Calvinist does not make you a better evangelist, but placing yourself under the authority of Scripture, and witnessing faithfully for the glory of God (and NOT the for the glory of ourself), will result in denominational growth. Lost people can discern between godly intentions and ungodly ones.

With that said, growth does necessitate success. One only has to look at Joel Osteen and the Mormon Church. They are growing, but are they growing because God is blessing them?

Ross's Seminary Experience

2006-02-25T16:52:00.000-05:00

I know that I’m a little behind here, but I would like to put my $0.02 in about the seminary experience. Now don’t forget, I’ve only been in seminary for one full semester, so my thoughts perhaps will change as I go further along.

1. What is the best thing about seminary education (particularly at Southeastern)?

So far, I would say that by being a full time student Seminary has enabled me to devote more time to study which I wasn’t able to do previously. I think that with seminary, as with most endeavors in life, you get out of it what you put in. The aspect of the Southeastern experience that I’ve only began to benefit from is the unique apologetics track here. Since this is the field that I want to study and eventually teach, I’m glad that this specific track is available.

2. Where, in your opinion, is the system lacking?

Drew already hit on a one aspect that I wish could be improved – the size of the classes. It has been difficult for me to cultivate a relationship with the professors of my classes, especially when they have 50 students and probably don’t even know my name.

I believe there is another difficulty in the Seminary system in general, but I’m not sure what I would propose to improve the state of things. My experience at seminary has been that there are two basic classes of folks (broadly speaking). The one class really wants an in-depth study of the material that is being taught, whereas the other group just wants to pass the class so they can get the MDiv to hang on the wall so they can get to preachin’. This is similar to Charlie’s differentiation of the academic track and the ministry track, but there are tangible differences. I think that many folks who are on the ministry track still want to learn all they can in the classes, so I definitely wouldn't want to include these folks in my second group.

I supose that my frustration stems from the simple truth that there is still a bit of underlying anti-intellectualism in some corners of Baptist life. So perhaps I would agree that something should be tweaked in the track system, but I’m not sure that this would fix the problem.

I also would like to see a little more flexibility in the class selection process. Being that I want to take the “scholar’s track” I wish that there were more elective opportunities. Without naming specific classes, I believe that some of the required MDiv core classes could be changes to electives, or at least combined in some way to give more hours for specifying your educational experience.

3. How has God used seminary in your life to teach you more about Him?

I think that my constant struggle has been not to equate intellectual acumen with spiritual health. So to be here and see the professors as examples of people who have the head, heart, and hands all in line with the Lordship of Jesus has been a great help.

4. If you could start seminary all over again (uggh...that's an unpleasant thought), what would you do differently?

I think it’s a bit too early for me to answer this question, so I’ll pass on this one :-)

Excursus: C.S. Lewis on man's standing before God

2006-02-23T22:16:00.000-05:00

I was sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office this morning and read a short paragraph in Mere Christianity that I had read before. It is, however, very revelant to us and our culture in particular.

On the other hand, we know that if there does exist an absolute goodness it must hate most of what we do. This is the terrible fix we are in. If the universe is not governed by an absolute goodness, then all our efforts are in the long run hopeless. But if it is, then we are making ourselves enemies to that goodness every day, and are not in the least likely to do any better tomorrow, and so our case is hopeless. We cannot do without it, and we cannot do with it. God is the only comfort, He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from. He is our only possible ally, and we have made ourselves His enemies. Some people talk as if meeting the gaze of absolute goodness would be fun. They need to think again. They are still only playing with religion. Goodness is either the great safety or the great danger-according to the way you react to it. And we have reacted the wrong way.

I think Lewis' words have great application in our day. Many people believe God is the great friend. That He just wants to love them. Don't worry about what you do, God doesn't care. Well, Lewis couldn't have disagreed more with this assertion. God does care and is offended by our filthy rags. There are those disguised by their sweetness that are leading many down the path to destruction based upon this message of God absolute goodness. They ignore God's holiness and justice. Our message is not intended to be a sweet or kind message. It is one of confrontation. At least at first, then people began to realize who they are and the message becomes sweet to us. Lewis understood grace and the gospel. Do we?

Drew's Seminary Experience

2006-02-22T13:29:00.000-05:00

You asked for it, you've got it.

What is the best thing about seminary education?

The great worth of theological education is that when it is done rightly it should fuel and inform worship for the good of Christ's church. That's my thesis. I have not been disappointed at Southeastern in this regard; each class and the faculty is consciously church-focused and ministry driven. Flowing out of that, I have found that there is great benefit in the process because the nature of theology breeds conflict (by this I mean godly discussion and debate). I've always found a humorous analogy in the animal kingdom that relates to we young seminarians. When two young bucks (male deer) first begin growing their antlers, they often spar with one another. I guess this is to "get the feel of them." Seminarians, armed with the fiersome antlers of knowledge, spar with one another continually, testing out new doctrines and theological approaches to "get the feel of theology." If this is done with a spirit that recognizes we have much to learn from one another, this is healthy and wholesome. Sometimes I do fear (and fall into this trap) that a significant amount of debate on campus is pride-driven. Who is the greatest emerging theologue? Who can outsmart whom? Just an observation.

Where, in your opinion, is the system lacking?

I do have a couple of soapboxes about seminary education, both in general and more specifically at Southeastern. First, more specific to Southeastern. The class sizes are far too large and I believe that this hampers effective theological education because it forces formal lecture to be the pedagogical method of choice. Dialogue and variety have been shown to be effective teaching tools, but the sheer amount of students in most SEBTS classes stifles this. Not to advocate one seminary over another, but my class this winter term at RTS-Charlotte had 25 students, and I was informed that this was about average. I found this to be a refreshing experience.

My second concern is that even though seminary church-focused and ministry-driven, there is a real disconnect between the churches and the seminary with regard to how young aspiring pastors are trained. Many local churches around here are simply swarming with seminary families, and there is no real way of mentoring these young men and women. A focused plan from the seminary and the churches to work hand-in-hand to train not only the minds but also the hearts and hands of the students would, in my opinion, be of great value for the Kingdom. As a further plug, I believe that God has taught me far more about humility through the mentorship of my pastor than I have in the classroom, no matter how godly my professor is.

How has God used seminary in your life to teach you more about Him?

God has shown me the enormity of Himself in seminary. It did not take me long to discover through my classes that His truth is much more than I ever gave Him credit for. Some parts of the Bible are simply difficult, and I am learninng to bow in humility before His incomprehensibility at times. Deuteronomy 29:29 is a great reminder of this.

If you could start seminary all over again (uggh...that's an unpleasant thought), what would you do differently?

This is a difficult question to answer, because I have to realize that God's providence is what has brought me here and what keeps me here. It's tempting so often to dream about what it would have been like to be at a seminary that would matches my theology more closely, but God has brought me (and kept me) here for a reason, as my pastor often has to point out to me. So, even though I am the one who proposed this question, I decline to answer it. Sorry gentlemen.

Excursus: Martin Luther on Preaching

2006-02-21T08:56:00.000-05:00

This commentary on preaching is taken from Luther's The Freedom of a Christian (1520). The context is discussing the appropriate relationship between faith and good deeds.

I believe that it has now become clear that it is not enough or in any sense Christian to preach the works, life, and words of Christ as historical facts, as if the knowledge of these would suffice for the conduct of life; yet this is the fashion among those who must today be regarded as the best of preachers...Rather ought Christ to be preached to the end that faith in him may be established that he may not only be Christ, but be Christ for you and me, and that what is said of him and is denoted in his name may be effectual in us.

I know that most of us will be teaching or preaching in the next few weeks. As I keep this in mind for my preparation, my prayer is that God will impress this always on all of our hearts.

Michael's Seminary Experience

2006-02-19T22:07:00.000-05:00

Great discussion topic, Drew!

What is the best thing about seminary education?

There are two answers to this question, from my perspective. First, it has been a fresh breath of air to come here and not be deemed a stupid, brainless fundamentalist. My past educational experience dealt only in relatives. There were no absolutes in their world. However, here I get to deal in reality and absolute truth. It is awesome! Second, I feared coming here because of my reformed background and bent. I worried that Southeastern would simply feed me the company line (SBC) and tell me to like it or leave. That hasn't been the case at all. In fact, most of my teachers have allowed me to test, reason, and discover for myself. The only doctrine that they have been dogmatic about is the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, which I completely agree with. This experience has been a blessing to me. The teachers are kind and gracious. They simply want us to base our decisions on the absolute truth of Scripture.

Where, in your opinion, is the system lacking?

I have to agree with Charlie, but for a different reason. The track system must create a M. Div. in theology. It is absolutely frustrating that a theological institution does not include a track that would focus on theology.

The languages are another area that I would agree with Charlie on. It is good and right to have a cursory understanding of Greek and Hebrew. However, one professor, in particular, has told us that he uses language helps in preparation to preach. By the way, he is an accomplished scholar, writer, and a darn good preacher. I think you guys know who I am referring to.

This point is going to show where Charlie and I are simply different people. I would like to see a little less practical curriculum. I enjoying reading and writing. It is the medium by which I learn the most. For others, this medium is less helpful. Some prefer to learn through experience. I, however, learn more on my own. I hope that this won't hurt me in the future, but it could.

How has God used seminary in your life to teach you more about Him?

This answer will connect with the last point of the last question I answered. First, seminary has made me undoubtedly a much better Bible student in two ways. First, I understand how to read it. Second, I actually read on a daily basis now. This leads me to my second point. Seminary has increased my level of discipline (which is still pitiful at best). God is refining my life in ways I never imagined He could or would even want to. Third, I have observed the apathy of some of my fellow students and vowed to never think of ministry in these terms. I am sure all of us have met the guy in our class who sleeps through class or doesn't show up or doesn't care about his grades as long as he graduates. It is doubtful that this attitude glorifies God and lasts long once actually in the ministry. That is exactly why only 1 in 10 of seminary students are still in the ministry after ten years of service. I will always pray for each one of you guys because I think, no I know, that God wants to use each one of us in amazing ways. We only need to bow our will to His and be obedient children.

If you could start seminary all over again (uggh...that's an unpleasant thought), what would you do differently?

Like Charlie, not too much. I would avoid certain teachers in retrospect. Also, I would have read more diligently in my first two semesters.

Charlie's Seminary Experience

2006-02-19T20:37:00.000-05:00

Q: What is the best thing about seminary education?

A: Well, I feel that the best thing about seminary education is the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being able to sit at the feet of so many gifted, and well-studied scholars. Most of my professors have their own little niche that they are "experts" in. I do feel that the faculty at Southeastern is extremely well-rounded. Time after time I've heard chapel speakers mention how distinguished SE's faculty is...and they are right.

Q: Where, in your opinion, is the system lacking?

A: One way I feel that the seminary experience should be tweaked is in the track organization. I feel that there should be a real ministry track and then a "ph.d" or "scholar" track. Instead of making guys who are going to go into ministry and never set foot in a ph.d seminar learn 15 hours plus of Hebrew and Greek, offer more classes that will prepare them for what they will be experiencing in ministry. The scholar track could beef up more on the languages and other scholarly things, such as a class on how to do research.

Equip the pastors with a semester of each language and teach them the basics and teach them how to use technical commentaries for their preaching. If they choose to study more Greek or Hebrew on their own, then let them. However, no preacher, unless he goes on to write a language textbook is ever going to have the ability to sit down and translate Scripture witouth helps. Practicality is the issue. There are those few preacher-scholars who may get their ph.d's but they are in the minority and the scholar track can be for them. I still say make preaching classes a requirement for the scholar track, but replace the practical ministry aspects with research and language classes. I'm sure the world of academia would disagree with me on this but that is to be expected.

Q: How has God used seminary in your life to teach you more about Him?

A: The main way God has used seminary in my life to teach me about Him is to trust Him. Sometimes one can lose track of what the goal of seminary is: preperation to send one out into the world and pastor the flock. However, so many people enter seminary and do not finish. In this way, seminary is like a proving ground. God tests our faithfulness through this time. If one cacn make it through seminary, he can most likely make it through many ministry situations! Seminary without a doubt has the capability of teaching the pastor how to think critically and strenghthen his faith. Of course, the reverse may also be true, if one goes to a seminary that is not dedicated to the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture.

Q: If you could start seminary all over again (uggh...that's an unpleasant thought), what would you do differently?

A: Not too much. I feel that every step of the way for me has been in God's plan - even when I spent my first semester at Southwestern. I guess, while I was there, I could have spent more time studying and less time playing Playstation but I was fresh out of college and 1,000 miles away from home and still single.

Seminary Experience

2006-02-19T16:36:00.000-05:00

Here's a fun topic: Let's talk a little bit about our own personal experiences of seminary. These are some specific questions to help guide the discussion:

1. What is the best thing about seminary education (particularly at Southeastern)?

2. Where, in your opinion, is the system lacking?

3. How has God used seminary in your life to teach you more about Him?

4. If you could start seminary all over again (uggh...that's an unpleasant thought), what would you do differently?

Let's try to keep specific professorial names out of this, okay gentlemen? :) Happy hunting!

The Virgin Birth: Important or essential?

2006-02-15T18:35:00.000-05:00

After reading Millard Erickson's chapter on the "The Virgin Birth," I found myself questioning some long held beliefs. Let me begin by stating my view. First, the virgin birth did happen. It is a part of the canon of Scripture and I hold to the authority of Scripture; therefore, the virginal conception of Mary did take place. Second, I hold to the full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ. Without his full humanity (since this post will be, in part, addressing the humanity of Jesus), the incarnation and the atonement would have been incomplete as well as ineffective for us. I state these things so that I will not be deemed a heretic.

With that being said, the rest of the post will hash out Erickson's understanding of the virginal conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary. Here are the key points of Erickson's section on the theological meaning of the virgin birth:

1. Jesus did not have to have any parents because God had set the precedent of creating man from the ground, as was the case in Adam. Therefore, it would not have been impossible for Him to do the same thing in Jesus' case.

2. Jesus could have been the child of two parents. He argues that insisting that Christ could not have had a human male parent would smack of Apollinarianism, which is simply put the belief that Jesus had a human body, but a divine soul. (Here, I think Erickson has not made a strong enough case for himself because this interpretation could lead to adoptionism)

3. God's part in the virginal conception was to provide the necessary male component, which was both at the same time fully human and fully divine.

4. The fully human and fully divine natures do not depend on the virgin birth.

5. Erickson, then, moves on to answer questions about original sin. He states the virgin birth was not necessary to protect Jesus from a sin nature. There are to logical conclusions that occur if our sin nature is caused by conception.

A. The father is the source of depravity.
B. Depravity is directly related to sexual intercourse.

6. It is, in fact, the power of the Holy Spirit that protected Jesus from acquiring a sin nature (Luke 1:35).

7. The virgin birth is not a first-level doctrine due to the surprising omission of it in the evangelistic sermons in Acts.

8. It is possible, therefore, to be ignorant of the virgin birth and still be saved.

On the positive side, Erickson lists four reasons that the virgin birth is an important teaching.

1. It reminds us that our salvation is supernatural. It was initiated by God; therefore, there was a complete lack of human effort in producing our Savior.

2. Consequently, it reminds us that salvation is fully a gift of grace from God.

3. It is evidence of the uniqueness of Jesus as Savior.

4. It is another evidence of God's power and sovereingty over nature.

Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T23:15:00.000-05:00

Today was Valentine's Day. Forget honoring the martyred St. Valentine and the love letters that he wrote his "valentine." How was everyone's night? My wife made the best meal that she has made in a while. We also exchanged the customary cards and I got her a stuffed bear holding a box of Snickers. Isn't that sweet? Anyone have any stories? Keep 'em clean.

Pride & The Fear of Man

2006-02-13T10:51:00.000-05:00

Here is something that God has taught me over the past twenty-four hours: A prideful heart will perpetually be gripped by the fear of man.

The background for this revelation was the two Bible studies I led yesterday. The first was middle school Sunday School and the second was an adult small group. At the close of each session, I felt disappointed, guilty, and insecure because of the disparity between my own expectations for my teaching ability and its actual performance. My heart was gripped by fear of being "discovered" as less than the great leader, teacher, and preacher I obviously am convinced that I am, or at least conclude that I will be. Fear of rejection by middle schoolers and later adults (who in truth I care more about impressing) struck a chord within me because it reveals that my heart is ruled by pride!

The gospel offers the only escape from this vicious cycle. John Stott, writing in The Cross of Christ, remarks, "The proud human heart is there revealed. We insist on paying for what we have done. We cannot stand the humiliation of acknowledging our bankruptcy and allowing somebody else to pay for us." (162) The Gospel teaches me one thing: In my own strength lies no power for any everlasting good. That same Gospel is also a beacon to radical self-renouncement, as demonstrated in II Cor. 12:9, in which God asserts that "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I cannot allow myself to stop reading this passage here, however, for Paul's reaction is crucial to understanding this radical self-renouncement. "Therefore," he writes, "I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses [!], so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I hope you guys learn what I did before you have to crash. Pride and fear are cruel masters, but the Gospel is freedom!

Soli Deo Gloria