A BRIEF OVERVIEW
By Mark Zimmermann
For those of you who take the plunge into Heaven by Dr. Alcorn I would highly recommend that you read his Appendix A before reading the beginning. This will explain his motive behind writing this work.
I believe his doctrine of “Christoplatonism” is dead right and we all have bought into this doctrine in some manner. What he defines as Christoplatonism is a false philosophy that gives the spiritual realm a higher ground than the material and physical world that we live in and view as common. In this philosophical system we end up with a Gnostic idea that Heaven and Earth are opposites.
Gnosticism taught that anything spiritual was good and anything material, or had matter, was evil. This is where many early heresies began to enter into the first stages of Christianity. These heresies attempted to dismantle Trinitarian doctrine. (Any doctrine that tampers with the Trinitarian framework described in scripture will inevitably result into idolatry.) By this worldview we tend to see heaven as non-physical and surreal and thus are basically disinterested in it when we compare it with our here and now.
Dr. Alcorn has placed literal biblical references before us in this book so we may know the reality of the physical heaven described by the Bible. By doing so he has attempted to place a true Christian worldview back on track within us so we can find the joy of anticipation of where we as Christians are going to spend eternity.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Between Two Worlds: All of Grace
Between Two Worlds: All of Grace
Here is the link to a free audio book. It is Charles Spurgeon's book All of Grace. Every month www.Christianaudio.com does a free book. Check it out.
Here is the link to a free audio book. It is Charles Spurgeon's book All of Grace. Every month www.Christianaudio.com does a free book. Check it out.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Getting Confession Right
From Joshua Harris, Not Even a Hint:
Often, when a person is confessing sin, they're more aware of their sinfulness than they are of God's grace and mercy. It's a mistake to think that emphasizing guilt will lead to change. The opposite is true. It's only when we remember that God has forgiven our sin because of Jesus Christ that we can find the resolve to keep battling sin (145).
Often, when a person is confessing sin, they're more aware of their sinfulness than they are of God's grace and mercy. It's a mistake to think that emphasizing guilt will lead to change. The opposite is true. It's only when we remember that God has forgiven our sin because of Jesus Christ that we can find the resolve to keep battling sin (145).
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
My Rant
From chapter 2:
Believing the true Gospel, and responding to it in repentance and belief, is the only way to be saved. The Gospel and its required response, therefore, are the very last things we want to assume that people know – even if some of them insist otherwise. The human heart is astoundingly deceptive (Jer. 17:9), nominalism (being a Christian in name only) has spread in our churches like gangrene, and misunderstandings about the Gospel abound among professing evangelicals, especially regarding its relationship to other religions and its implications for our everyday lives. People need to hear the Gospel – whether they’re professing Christians or not.
2Cor. 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. The implication is that once you try to turn the corner from technique, program, or entertainment to the Gospel, it’s likely that you’ll either lose them, or they will be converted to you, not Christ. The Gospel of Christ has never needed the gimmicks of man to effect conversion in the soul. (p44)
It has been my conviction that one who attends a “real” church should get a “real” Christian education. If I am to attend “every time the doors are open” then why should one attending seminary for only a short duration have any better education than me who spends a lifetime in corporate study? Acts 2:42. And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. How serious are we about knowing our great God? I know of only one place where He has given to us His own self-revelation. Should not we be adamant about knowing what He has said? This is the only manner that we will be His light to the world that He desires the salvation thereof. 1Tim2:3-4 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4. who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Believing the true Gospel, and responding to it in repentance and belief, is the only way to be saved. The Gospel and its required response, therefore, are the very last things we want to assume that people know – even if some of them insist otherwise. The human heart is astoundingly deceptive (Jer. 17:9), nominalism (being a Christian in name only) has spread in our churches like gangrene, and misunderstandings about the Gospel abound among professing evangelicals, especially regarding its relationship to other religions and its implications for our everyday lives. People need to hear the Gospel – whether they’re professing Christians or not.
2Cor. 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. The implication is that once you try to turn the corner from technique, program, or entertainment to the Gospel, it’s likely that you’ll either lose them, or they will be converted to you, not Christ. The Gospel of Christ has never needed the gimmicks of man to effect conversion in the soul. (p44)
It has been my conviction that one who attends a “real” church should get a “real” Christian education. If I am to attend “every time the doors are open” then why should one attending seminary for only a short duration have any better education than me who spends a lifetime in corporate study? Acts 2:42. And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. How serious are we about knowing our great God? I know of only one place where He has given to us His own self-revelation. Should not we be adamant about knowing what He has said? This is the only manner that we will be His light to the world that He desires the salvation thereof. 1Tim2:3-4 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4. who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Coincidence? I think not
I'm reading Joshua Harris' book Not Even a Hint and by the grace of God Josh has returned us this morning to our theme of accountibility.
From page 133:
Alone, isolated, and without accountability, [we become] the perfect target for temptation. Our enemy goes after people who have isolated themselves from other Christians. Stragglers make easy victims. Without other people to encourage them, watch out for them, and confront small compromise in their lives, they often end up drifting into serious sin.
From Paul:
Think of a herd of wildebeasts on the African plains. They are constantly being followed by lions and hyennas. Who are those predators looking for? The weak; be they young, old, or sick. Those predators do not waste their energies on the others. So, the herd is there to protect. Did you know that a giraff can actually kick your head off? Think about what a herd of giraffs can do. But when you seperate that one young, old, or sick giraff from the herd then it becomes dinner.
I believe we who make up the church should always find ourselves in one of two positions: either seeking the protection of the church in our weaknesses through accountibility and confession or seeking to protect those in the church through accountibility and confession. Again, this is impossible without relationships.
Go out there, gather the herd around you, and kick the head off of the sin that so easily entangles.
From page 133:
Alone, isolated, and without accountability, [we become] the perfect target for temptation. Our enemy goes after people who have isolated themselves from other Christians. Stragglers make easy victims. Without other people to encourage them, watch out for them, and confront small compromise in their lives, they often end up drifting into serious sin.
From Paul:
Think of a herd of wildebeasts on the African plains. They are constantly being followed by lions and hyennas. Who are those predators looking for? The weak; be they young, old, or sick. Those predators do not waste their energies on the others. So, the herd is there to protect. Did you know that a giraff can actually kick your head off? Think about what a herd of giraffs can do. But when you seperate that one young, old, or sick giraff from the herd then it becomes dinner.
I believe we who make up the church should always find ourselves in one of two positions: either seeking the protection of the church in our weaknesses through accountibility and confession or seeking to protect those in the church through accountibility and confession. Again, this is impossible without relationships.
Go out there, gather the herd around you, and kick the head off of the sin that so easily entangles.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The Preventative Function of Accountability Relationships
From page 69:
Sin needs darkness to grow--it needs isolation disguised as "privacy," and prideful self-sufficiency disguished as "strength." Once these conditions prevail, sin is watered with the acid of shame, which then makes darkness appear more attractive to the sinner than the light. But when we walk in the light by confessing our sins, we realize that we are not alone in our struggles, and we open ourselves to the protective rebukes and loving corrections that function as pesticidies to curb the destructive and enslaving potential of habitual sin.
From Paul (the pastor not the hurricane):
I appreciate so much the emphasis in the chapter on relationships which make correction possible as well as profitable. I am always prone, like the rest of us, to want to correct someone else's theology, attitude, or behavior while honestly belieiving there is nothing in need of correction in my own theology, attitude, and behavior. But in a real relationship my theology, attitudes, and actions will come out and call for correction.
Here's my question: How do we cultivate those relationships while being so busy?
Sin needs darkness to grow--it needs isolation disguised as "privacy," and prideful self-sufficiency disguished as "strength." Once these conditions prevail, sin is watered with the acid of shame, which then makes darkness appear more attractive to the sinner than the light. But when we walk in the light by confessing our sins, we realize that we are not alone in our struggles, and we open ourselves to the protective rebukes and loving corrections that function as pesticidies to curb the destructive and enslaving potential of habitual sin.
From Paul (the pastor not the hurricane):
I appreciate so much the emphasis in the chapter on relationships which make correction possible as well as profitable. I am always prone, like the rest of us, to want to correct someone else's theology, attitude, or behavior while honestly belieiving there is nothing in need of correction in my own theology, attitude, and behavior. But in a real relationship my theology, attitudes, and actions will come out and call for correction.
Here's my question: How do we cultivate those relationships while being so busy?
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Between Two Worlds: America's God
Between Two Worlds: America's God
I thought this was pretty interesting about how the denominations break down at a glance and also the precentages of how those people view God. Check it out.
Paul
I thought this was pretty interesting about how the denominations break down at a glance and also the precentages of how those people view God. Check it out.
Paul
Reading Dever's synopsis of the Gospel, which I thought was incredibly simplistic but accurate, my first thought was how many of our people would feel that they were being put on the spot and offended. Do we have the relationships even within the church to be able to ask such bold, but simple questions?
Another thing that is not spelled out but is implied is Dever's view of the role of the pastor. It's a view that the pastor's role is much more than what many in Baptist circles would care to enjoy. I would personally like to see that these kinds of questions come from deacons, even Sunday School teachers.
How many of our Sunday School teachers could answer let alone ask their students to explain the Gospel in 60 seconds. Encourage it in your class next Sunday. Take somebody out to lunch that you haven't gotten to know very well; maybe a new member.
We have got to raise the bar in Sunday Schools. Many of us may say, "Amen," but if we don't set the standard and then tell them that there is a standard, they will not live up to it!
Start there building the relationships. It's not enough that the pastor holds us to it, we must, we must hold each other to the standard of being able to explain the Glorious Gospel in 60 seconds, and understand how to live it a lifetime.
On a technical note, when posting make sure that your font is set to "normal size"(12 pic). It seems to cause the template to force everything down below the lowest link. Mark your the culprit.lol.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Aaron
Thursday, October 19, 2006
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
The introduction of this book states that the church of God is the only institution entrusted by God with the message of repentance of sins and belief in Jesus Christ for forgiveness. This single task ultimately displays His glory to His creation. This solitary message is what is known as the gospel – euangelion – the good news or as the Old English says, “Glad tidings.”
The gospel is what grows the church in both the vertical (spiritual) and horizontal (numerical) realm. It does so by protecting the assembly from doctrinal error and moral wickedness. The church must be faithful to this gospel message and trust that Christ will build His church by this very method that He has set forth before us. We, as a church, do not measure success by the count on our membership role but by our faithfulness to remain steadfast to the whole of scripture.
So what is the gospel? The authors of this book have outlined the gospel as:
God is our holy Creator and righteous Judge. He created us to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever, but we have all sinned, both in Adam as our representative head, and in our own individual actions. Rom. 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. Rom. 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, We therefore deserve death – spiritual separation from God in hell. Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Eph. 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. We, in fact, are spiritually stillborn, helpless in our sins. Ps. 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Rom. 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Eph. 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins. We are in need of God to impart spiritual life to us. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." So God sent His Son Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, to die the death that we deserved, and He raised Him up for our justification, proving that He was God’s Son. Rom. 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 1:4 declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord. If we would have Christ’s perfect righteousness credited to us, and the penalty for out sins accounted to Him, we must repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. 2Cor. 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The Old Testament showed us the Law and how helpless that we were in our own efforts to keep it; this is not good news. The New Testament contains this good news that even though we are all sinners we have Jesus Christ as our substitute. He alone paid our sin debt in full making us alive to righteousness and an access to God’s peace. He is Jacob’s ladder.
The introduction of this book states that the church of God is the only institution entrusted by God with the message of repentance of sins and belief in Jesus Christ for forgiveness. This single task ultimately displays His glory to His creation. This solitary message is what is known as the gospel – euangelion – the good news or as the Old English says, “Glad tidings.”
The gospel is what grows the church in both the vertical (spiritual) and horizontal (numerical) realm. It does so by protecting the assembly from doctrinal error and moral wickedness. The church must be faithful to this gospel message and trust that Christ will build His church by this very method that He has set forth before us. We, as a church, do not measure success by the count on our membership role but by our faithfulness to remain steadfast to the whole of scripture.
So what is the gospel? The authors of this book have outlined the gospel as:
God is our holy Creator and righteous Judge. He created us to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever, but we have all sinned, both in Adam as our representative head, and in our own individual actions. Rom. 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. Rom. 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, We therefore deserve death – spiritual separation from God in hell. Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Eph. 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. We, in fact, are spiritually stillborn, helpless in our sins. Ps. 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Rom. 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Eph. 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins. We are in need of God to impart spiritual life to us. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." So God sent His Son Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, to die the death that we deserved, and He raised Him up for our justification, proving that He was God’s Son. Rom. 5:1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 1:4 declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord. If we would have Christ’s perfect righteousness credited to us, and the penalty for out sins accounted to Him, we must repent of our sins and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. 2Cor. 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The Old Testament showed us the Law and how helpless that we were in our own efforts to keep it; this is not good news. The New Testament contains this good news that even though we are all sinners we have Jesus Christ as our substitute. He alone paid our sin debt in full making us alive to righteousness and an access to God’s peace. He is Jacob’s ladder.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
THE DELIBERATE CHURCH
The following will serve as our scheduled reading assignment:
Week of Oct 1 Intro and chapters 1&2
Week of Oct 8 Chapters 3-5
Week of Oct 15 Chapters 6-8
Week of Oct 22 Chapters 9-11
Week of Oct 29 Chapters 12-14
Week of Nov 5 Chapters 15-17
Week of Nov 12 Chapters 18-20
Week of Nov 19 Chapter 21
Monday, October 09, 2006
Christianity Today's top 50 books
You've probably seen the list by now but if you haven't check it out and be surprised. I want to thank Denny Burk at www.dennyburk.com for pointing me to the list.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
When I went to Shepherd's Conference a couple of years ago it unearthed a question long since buried in my mind from my Baptist History, or was it Systematic Theology, class: Who should I invited to the Lord's table? Should the sprinkled, the immersed, the covenant, or just plain ole everyone come and partake?
I have given you a link to a paper dealing with that very issue. It's a Southwestern publication written by a PhD student at Southeastern who earned his MDiv at Southern. How about that for getting a taste of Baptist higher education?
I have given you a link to a paper dealing with that very issue. It's a Southwestern publication written by a PhD student at Southeastern who earned his MDiv at Southern. How about that for getting a taste of Baptist higher education?
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Arthur Pink on using "trump texts"
But the Word of God does not contradict itself, and it is an evil practice which cannot be too strongly condemned to pit one passage against another: any attempt to neutralize one text by another is handling the Truth deceitfully (Arthur Pink, An Exposition of Hebrews, 1011).
Friday, September 22, 2006
Sam's third movie of the year
I have found now the third movie Sam will have to see this year; my what a busy year the Long's will have. It's the documentary titled Jesus Camp.
The sad thing is that this is how the liberal media views evangelicals. They do not see this as an aberrant group who has missed the point at several points. I bet they assume this is what is happening at Mambrino VBS every summer.
The sad thing is that this is how the liberal media views evangelicals. They do not see this as an aberrant group who has missed the point at several points. I bet they assume this is what is happening at Mambrino VBS every summer.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Jacob's Ladder
One of the hardest things about being a preacher is getting ahold of something interesting and not being able to use it in a sermon. Well you guessed it, I came back across some information that I'm not going to be able to use this Sunday so you get it today.
What in the world is Jacob's ladder all about in Genesis 28:10-15?
10 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (NKJV)
Is this simply the product of poor pillow selection or something more?
The something more is Jesus Christ. Did you know Jacob's Ladder is Jesus Christ?
See John 1:51 and tell me what you think
51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (NKJV)
What in the world is Jacob's ladder all about in Genesis 28:10-15?
10 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (NKJV)
Is this simply the product of poor pillow selection or something more?
The something more is Jesus Christ. Did you know Jacob's Ladder is Jesus Christ?
See John 1:51 and tell me what you think
51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (NKJV)
Monday, September 18, 2006
The results are in
The next book has been placed on order and it is
Mark Dever's book The Deliberate Church
For those Mambrino folks out there the cost will be 10.00 to get in on the action. If you want to go ahead and take a peak than look at the amazon.com site here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581347383/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/002-4210980-7344013?ie=UTF8
And check out Mark Dever's site here:
www.9marks.com
Mark Dever's book The Deliberate Church
For those Mambrino folks out there the cost will be 10.00 to get in on the action. If you want to go ahead and take a peak than look at the amazon.com site here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1581347383/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/002-4210980-7344013?ie=UTF8
And check out Mark Dever's site here:
www.9marks.com
Friday, September 15, 2006
Teens and Media
I'll confess up front that the incompassing use of media in todays teens surprises me (and I'm 27)! Web cams, My Space, camera phones, text messages, blogs, mp3 players, and whatever is coming tomorrow is consuming our teen culture. And when I say 'consuming' I am using a negative reference.
Last night Angela and I watched the end of the ABC Primetime special on Mean Teens. Here is a snipet video from the show. YOU ARE WARNED the language used is not your Sunday morning straighten up you're in church language. I normally would not link to this but a daughter in the house has called me to action.
Primetime Webcast: The Teenage Girl
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2436321
Please, Please, Please follow the link connected to "Teens and Media" above and listen to the biblical response by Al Mohler president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Besides, if you tithe to a SBC church you're helping to pay his salary.
Paul
Last night Angela and I watched the end of the ABC Primetime special on Mean Teens. Here is a snipet video from the show. YOU ARE WARNED the language used is not your Sunday morning straighten up you're in church language. I normally would not link to this but a daughter in the house has called me to action.
Primetime Webcast: The Teenage Girl
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2436321
Please, Please, Please follow the link connected to "Teens and Media" above and listen to the biblical response by Al Mohler president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Besides, if you tithe to a SBC church you're helping to pay his salary.
Paul
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Books I'm reading for the present
Mark is the only post on what to read next. There was mention previously, undocumented of course, between Paul and Sam to the ends of reading God is the Gospel by John Piper. Since Mark is so adament and I have two copies let's read Deliberate Church next. Until those all come in and we get started here's what I'm digging into and where you can get a taste.
1. The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance & Assurance, Thomas R. Schreiner & Ardel B. Caneday
If someone disagreeing with John MacArthur is just like someone talking bad about your momma I would stay away. No, I would encourage. They are very graceful and biblical (aka I think they're right).
Check out Tom Schreiner (sermons and writings) here: http://www.theopedia.com/Thomas_Schreiner
2. Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor
I'm not too far in but if you want a better explanation for biblical sexuality than what masquarades for an explanation in most of our churches than check this one out.
3. War of Words, Paul David Tripp
If you want to learn to talk to your wife, kids, friends, pastors, deacons, in a way that glorifies God then you need to check this one out. Angela and I are reading it together and moaning about how often it nails us right in the heart of our communication struggles.
4. Genesis Commentaries
5. Hebrews Commentaries
I would list those but dinner is on the table!
Paul
1. The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance & Assurance, Thomas R. Schreiner & Ardel B. Caneday
If someone disagreeing with John MacArthur is just like someone talking bad about your momma I would stay away. No, I would encourage. They are very graceful and biblical (aka I think they're right).
Check out Tom Schreiner (sermons and writings) here: http://www.theopedia.com/Thomas_Schreiner
2. Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor
I'm not too far in but if you want a better explanation for biblical sexuality than what masquarades for an explanation in most of our churches than check this one out.
3. War of Words, Paul David Tripp
If you want to learn to talk to your wife, kids, friends, pastors, deacons, in a way that glorifies God then you need to check this one out. Angela and I are reading it together and moaning about how often it nails us right in the heart of our communication struggles.
4. Genesis Commentaries
5. Hebrews Commentaries
I would list those but dinner is on the table!
Paul
Monday, September 11, 2006
Arthur Pink on using "trump texts"
But the Word of God does not contradict itself, and it is an evil practice which cannot be too strongly condemned to pit one passage against another: any attempt to neutralize one text by another is handling the Truth deceitfully (Arthur Pink, An Exposition of Hebrews, 1011).
Lessons learned from Grace Abounding
1. Grace abounded for me to finish the book.
It is so easy to get involved and complete what is easy is it not? Reading Grace Abounding was on a small scale like getting involved in someone's life who constantly takes a great deal of our emotional effort. I found myself wanting to at times scream at Bunyan but that's because I lack compassion, gentleness, patience, and the like. Uh oh, sounds a little bit like the fruit of the Spirit doesn't it? Reading Bunyan is prep work for dealing with people. Grace abounds for us to get involved and persevere in a way that glorifies God and builds His kingdom.
2. The unexamined life is not worth living
Socrates said it consumed with himself but Bunyan lived it consumed with God. The deeper Bunyan dug into his desires the greater he discovered his need for grace. The more sin he discovered the more concerned he became over the state of his own eternal soul. The roller coaster ride took him to places I dare say our own 'secure' faith will not take us. How many of us could endure 12 years of prison, the death of a child because of the stress, placing our family in poverty, and the like all so we can preach the gospel? Bunyan struggled greatly and he was used mightily. I wonder if there is any connection with struggling a little and being used a little?
3. Scripture must be used constantly and rightly
We mentioned the inadequacies of Bunyan's interprative methods previously. He botched some things and this caused him difficulties. His proper use of Scripture, however, brought him greater strength, endurance, and joy than his improper use. This does not excuse him or us but it should show us the value of constantly using Scripture in the battle of life (as Bunyan did) and it should encourage us to think of the even greater advantage of using it rightly (as Bunyan at times did not do).
Paul
It is so easy to get involved and complete what is easy is it not? Reading Grace Abounding was on a small scale like getting involved in someone's life who constantly takes a great deal of our emotional effort. I found myself wanting to at times scream at Bunyan but that's because I lack compassion, gentleness, patience, and the like. Uh oh, sounds a little bit like the fruit of the Spirit doesn't it? Reading Bunyan is prep work for dealing with people. Grace abounds for us to get involved and persevere in a way that glorifies God and builds His kingdom.
2. The unexamined life is not worth living
Socrates said it consumed with himself but Bunyan lived it consumed with God. The deeper Bunyan dug into his desires the greater he discovered his need for grace. The more sin he discovered the more concerned he became over the state of his own eternal soul. The roller coaster ride took him to places I dare say our own 'secure' faith will not take us. How many of us could endure 12 years of prison, the death of a child because of the stress, placing our family in poverty, and the like all so we can preach the gospel? Bunyan struggled greatly and he was used mightily. I wonder if there is any connection with struggling a little and being used a little?
3. Scripture must be used constantly and rightly
We mentioned the inadequacies of Bunyan's interprative methods previously. He botched some things and this caused him difficulties. His proper use of Scripture, however, brought him greater strength, endurance, and joy than his improper use. This does not excuse him or us but it should show us the value of constantly using Scripture in the battle of life (as Bunyan did) and it should encourage us to think of the even greater advantage of using it rightly (as Bunyan at times did not do).
Paul
Friday, September 08, 2006
Where to next?
I looked back over the schedule and we are supposed to have finished Grace Abounding this week. Well, I'm a week behind. Hopefully I'll finish it this weekend.
What matters is what we are going to read next. Where do ya'll want to go?
Tom wants to get together and talk face to face about Grace Abounding. I think it's a good idea and I need to know when and where is best for everyone.
Paul
What matters is what we are going to read next. Where do ya'll want to go?
Tom wants to get together and talk face to face about Grace Abounding. I think it's a good idea and I need to know when and where is best for everyone.
Paul
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
A Relation of the Imprisonment of John Bunyan
What impresses me about Bunyan's imprisonment is his persistent kindness. From his account there is no trace of anger or bitterness over the trial. Instead there is the aire of trust in God.
I wonder in my disputes and trials how often there is an overpowering aire of trust in God? Better yet; how often do I trust God enough to be patient in trails? My anger, bitterness, and sulking days afterwards display everything but trust in God.
But Bunyan wasn't all smiles while in prison. His agony over separation from his wife and family were great. He clearly did not enjoy his imprisonment but clearly handled it with his eyes fixed on the author and perfector of his faith. I wonder how many John Bunyans there are today?
Paul
I wonder in my disputes and trials how often there is an overpowering aire of trust in God? Better yet; how often do I trust God enough to be patient in trails? My anger, bitterness, and sulking days afterwards display everything but trust in God.
But Bunyan wasn't all smiles while in prison. His agony over separation from his wife and family were great. He clearly did not enjoy his imprisonment but clearly handled it with his eyes fixed on the author and perfector of his faith. I wonder how many John Bunyans there are today?
Paul
Thursday, August 31, 2006
How to encounter death (part 2)
Bunyan realized in order to encounter death properly he had to be prepared. The first step in preparation was to "pass a sentence of death upon everything that can properly be called a thing in this life." Then,
326. The second was, to live upon God that is invisible; as Paul said in another place, the way not to faint: is to look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporal; but the things that are not seen, they are eternal (II Cor. 4:18)...if I conclude that banishment is the worst, then if death come, I am surprised; so that I see the best way to go through sufferings, is to trust in God through Christ, as touching the world to come; and as touching this world, to count the grave my house, to make my bed in darkness, and to say to corruption, thou are my father, and to the worm, thou are my mother and sister; that is, to familiarize these things to me.
I wonder what Bunyan would have to say about the "Baptist Mistake" article?
326. The second was, to live upon God that is invisible; as Paul said in another place, the way not to faint: is to look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporal; but the things that are not seen, they are eternal (II Cor. 4:18)...if I conclude that banishment is the worst, then if death come, I am surprised; so that I see the best way to go through sufferings, is to trust in God through Christ, as touching the world to come; and as touching this world, to count the grave my house, to make my bed in darkness, and to say to corruption, thou are my father, and to the worm, thou are my mother and sister; that is, to familiarize these things to me.
I wonder what Bunyan would have to say about the "Baptist Mistake" article?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
How to encounter death Bunyan style
Yesterday I posted Bunyan's thoughts on how to endure. Now his thoughts on how to encounter death:
325. As to [how to encounter death], that saying, II Cor. 1:9, was of great use unto me, But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we might not trust in ourselves, but in God that raiseth the dead: by this scripture I was made to see that if ever I would suffer rightly, I must first pass a sentence of death upon everything that can properly be called a thing of this life, even to reckon myself, my wife, my children, my health, my enjoyments and all, as dead to me, and myself as dead to them. He that loveth father or mother, son or daughter, more than me, is not worthy of me (Matt. 10:37).
How dead do I count myself to anything? Well, I'm pretty good at counting myself dead to those things I do not enjoy and those people I do not like. I'm pretty horrible at counting myself dead to those things I enjoy and those people I like. Pray my imprisonment does not come soon and my maturation in the faith does!
Paul
325. As to [how to encounter death], that saying, II Cor. 1:9, was of great use unto me, But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we might not trust in ourselves, but in God that raiseth the dead: by this scripture I was made to see that if ever I would suffer rightly, I must first pass a sentence of death upon everything that can properly be called a thing of this life, even to reckon myself, my wife, my children, my health, my enjoyments and all, as dead to me, and myself as dead to them. He that loveth father or mother, son or daughter, more than me, is not worthy of me (Matt. 10:37).
How dead do I count myself to anything? Well, I'm pretty good at counting myself dead to those things I do not enjoy and those people I do not like. I'm pretty horrible at counting myself dead to those things I enjoy and those people I like. Pray my imprisonment does not come soon and my maturation in the faith does!
Paul
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Why my Abigail? Why this way?
Here is an email my wife, Angela, received from her sister concerning an unborn little girl named Abigail:
Dear friends,
This week has been filled with joy and sorrow. After a summer in Missouri serving students at our regions summer training program we returned to Denton. Our homecoming brought with it the excitement of a sonogram and finally being able to begin thinking of names for our child. Dr. Cummings who we love and appreciate quickly noticed that something was wrong with our little one.
He informed us that our child had a development disability, anencephalic. Anencephalic babies do not form a brain. They live and grow from their brain stem and spinal chord, as well as the support of their mother. These precious children do not survive once born, the life expectancy estimates vary but it seems that half make it to a live birth. The information available is overwhelming but one note I have found is that 95% of these children are aborted. Please look at the website www.asfhelp.com Please, please, please read the stories of these precious women and their beloved children.
A little bit about our precious daughter Abigail. Her name means "father's joy". We consider her a joy, but not only ours, she is the joy of her heavenly Father. Her name is found in 1 Samuel 25... Several things stand ut to me about Abigail. A few are her humility, her reputation as a person o go to in crisis, her wisdom and tact, she was a foot washer, she was a ood judge of character, she believed in -- recognized -- called on the overeinty of God. But there are two things that mean the most to me. irst, it says that Abigail was "an inteligent & beautiful woman" -- this eans so much to us as our little sweetheart's condition not only leaves her ith out a brain but also the condition prevents the skull from forming ully, leaving her with a disformity. It is so comforting to know that God onsiders our little Abigail as inteligent & beautiful. Second is that it says "Abigail waisted no time" -- again the meaning is so deep to us in that there will be no waisted time in our Abigail's life, she will be a blessing to our family and friends her whole life. She will leave a legacy that will grow. She will quickly go from birth to her heavenly Father's arms, waisting no time...
The name Abigail has been in our minds since before we were married, what a treasure that God has revealed to us it's deep meaning in our little sweetheart. We, like Abigail, trust in/recognize/call on the sovereignty of God our Father. Please keep us in your prayers. These days will be filled with joy and sorrow, probably fluctuating moment by moment.
For all of our dear friends who have ever lost a precious child we are so so sorry...
Some thoughts and Scripture that God had prepared us with this summer are Psalm 18:30-36 in Kara's quiet time, Hebrews 11:6 in my prayers for our campus, "Jesus always stepped into the pain" from the times of training with the students this summer, and 2 Timothy 1:12 which says, "He is able to guard what we have entrusted to Him for that day." He is able!
Lord we entrust our little sweetheart to you until the day you make all things new!!! Now I know what it is to long for His appearing, no longer is it an abstract thought... Please pray for
1. Comfort & Peace in mourning
2. Wisdom in the decisions that lay ahead
3. That these few days we have with Abigail would be so so sweet!!!!
thanks for your love, prayers & support of our family,
steve shank
From Paul- check out the comments for a few thoughts
Dear friends,
This week has been filled with joy and sorrow. After a summer in Missouri serving students at our regions summer training program we returned to Denton. Our homecoming brought with it the excitement of a sonogram and finally being able to begin thinking of names for our child. Dr. Cummings who we love and appreciate quickly noticed that something was wrong with our little one.
He informed us that our child had a development disability, anencephalic. Anencephalic babies do not form a brain. They live and grow from their brain stem and spinal chord, as well as the support of their mother. These precious children do not survive once born, the life expectancy estimates vary but it seems that half make it to a live birth. The information available is overwhelming but one note I have found is that 95% of these children are aborted. Please look at the website www.asfhelp.com Please, please, please read the stories of these precious women and their beloved children.
A little bit about our precious daughter Abigail. Her name means "father's joy". We consider her a joy, but not only ours, she is the joy of her heavenly Father. Her name is found in 1 Samuel 25... Several things stand ut to me about Abigail. A few are her humility, her reputation as a person o go to in crisis, her wisdom and tact, she was a foot washer, she was a ood judge of character, she believed in -- recognized -- called on the overeinty of God. But there are two things that mean the most to me. irst, it says that Abigail was "an inteligent & beautiful woman" -- this eans so much to us as our little sweetheart's condition not only leaves her ith out a brain but also the condition prevents the skull from forming ully, leaving her with a disformity. It is so comforting to know that God onsiders our little Abigail as inteligent & beautiful. Second is that it says "Abigail waisted no time" -- again the meaning is so deep to us in that there will be no waisted time in our Abigail's life, she will be a blessing to our family and friends her whole life. She will leave a legacy that will grow. She will quickly go from birth to her heavenly Father's arms, waisting no time...
The name Abigail has been in our minds since before we were married, what a treasure that God has revealed to us it's deep meaning in our little sweetheart. We, like Abigail, trust in/recognize/call on the sovereignty of God our Father. Please keep us in your prayers. These days will be filled with joy and sorrow, probably fluctuating moment by moment.
For all of our dear friends who have ever lost a precious child we are so so sorry...
Some thoughts and Scripture that God had prepared us with this summer are Psalm 18:30-36 in Kara's quiet time, Hebrews 11:6 in my prayers for our campus, "Jesus always stepped into the pain" from the times of training with the students this summer, and 2 Timothy 1:12 which says, "He is able to guard what we have entrusted to Him for that day." He is able!
Lord we entrust our little sweetheart to you until the day you make all things new!!! Now I know what it is to long for His appearing, no longer is it an abstract thought... Please pray for
1. Comfort & Peace in mourning
2. Wisdom in the decisions that lay ahead
3. That these few days we have with Abigail would be so so sweet!!!!
thanks for your love, prayers & support of our family,
steve shank
From Paul- check out the comments for a few thoughts
How to endure Bunyan style
324. Before I came to prison, I saw what was a coming, and had especially two considerations warm upon my heart; the first was, how to be able to endure, should my imprisonment be long and tedious; the second was, how to be able to encounter death (more on this tomorrow), should that be here my portion. For the first of these, that scripture, Col. 1:11, was great information to me, namely, to pray to God to be strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness: I could seldom go to prayer before I was imprisoned, but for not so little as a year together, this sentence or sweet petition, would as it were thrust itself into my mind, and persuade me that if ever I would go through long-suffering, I must have all patience, especially if I would endure it joyfully.
Bunyan recognized God was preparing him for a task requiring patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. In the less difficult times Bunyan was preparing for the difficult. He knew that if he were to endure with joy he had to have patience.
I think the church in American, as a whole, today lacks patience and joy. To be more specific, I think this pastor lacks patience and joy. In the midst of short-suffering I possess an attitude of self-righteous bitterness. How will I ever endure 12 years of long-suffering imprisonment with all patience and joy if I can't make it joyfully through 3 months of short-suffering freedom?
To prayer, memorization, and meditation!
Paul
Bunyan recognized God was preparing him for a task requiring patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. In the less difficult times Bunyan was preparing for the difficult. He knew that if he were to endure with joy he had to have patience.
I think the church in American, as a whole, today lacks patience and joy. To be more specific, I think this pastor lacks patience and joy. In the midst of short-suffering I possess an attitude of self-righteous bitterness. How will I ever endure 12 years of long-suffering imprisonment with all patience and joy if I can't make it joyfully through 3 months of short-suffering freedom?
To prayer, memorization, and meditation!
Paul
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
JOHN BUNYAN'S MINISTRY
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR’S CALL TO THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY
Starting with paragraph 265 Bunyan begins to tell of His experience as a minister of the gospel. He recognizes his ability to express God’s Word to the benefit of others and says that it was never intended for men who have gifts and abilities should bury them (270). He records that his gift of preaching was not long exercised until men became aware of their sin and need of Jesus Christ (272).
His method was begun with where God’s Word begins, that is with sinners and to condemn all flesh by the curse of God’s law due to their sin (276). Bunyan recognized the gravity of sin and how God viewed sinners. His own struggles were vivid as he showed others how the Word was effectual to the salvation of the soul (280).
He relates how the religious took offense to his preaching when he would “go abroad”, and rather than argue with them he would present the gospel to see how many of their carnal professors he could convince of their miserable state by the law (283).
Bunyan was deeply concerned about those false conversions as he says, “those who were awakened by my ministry did after fall back (as sometimes too many did),” likens as his own flesh and blood children going to the grave. But, he counts those who truly converted under his teaching of the word the pinnacle of his own existence (286).
Starting with paragraph 265 Bunyan begins to tell of His experience as a minister of the gospel. He recognizes his ability to express God’s Word to the benefit of others and says that it was never intended for men who have gifts and abilities should bury them (270). He records that his gift of preaching was not long exercised until men became aware of their sin and need of Jesus Christ (272).
His method was begun with where God’s Word begins, that is with sinners and to condemn all flesh by the curse of God’s law due to their sin (276). Bunyan recognized the gravity of sin and how God viewed sinners. His own struggles were vivid as he showed others how the Word was effectual to the salvation of the soul (280).
He relates how the religious took offense to his preaching when he would “go abroad”, and rather than argue with them he would present the gospel to see how many of their carnal professors he could convince of their miserable state by the law (283).
Bunyan was deeply concerned about those false conversions as he says, “those who were awakened by my ministry did after fall back (as sometimes too many did),” likens as his own flesh and blood children going to the grave. But, he counts those who truly converted under his teaching of the word the pinnacle of his own existence (286).
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Bunyan found joy in the words
At the highest points in his life it appears Bunyan cared more for each individual word of Scripture than an overarching theme.
249. Now also I should labour to take the word as God had laid it down, without restraining the natural force of one syllable thereof: O what did I now see in the blessed sixth of John, And him that comes to me, I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37). Now I began to consider myself, that God had a bigger mouth to speak with, than I had a heart to conceive with; I thought also with myself, that he spake not his words in haste, or in an unadvised heat, but with infinite wisdom and judgment, and in very truth and faithfulness (II Samuel 7:28).
264. through this blessed sentence the Lord led me over and over, first to this word, and then to that, and showed me wonderful glory in every one of them. These words also have oft since this time been great refreshment to my spirit. Blessed be God for having mercy on me.
Obviously he understood words make up themes but he tried to let each syllable speak. I wonder how much more healthy dissonance there would be in our own spirits if we let each syllable speak instead of instantly filing it in a category or theme we've concockted. A great deal of his struggle resided with the warnings of Hebrews. How many of us have quickly brushed aside those biting words with "once saved always saved?" I wonder at times if that is the lullaby Satan whispers as he rocks people to sleep.
Let the syllables speak
Paul
249. Now also I should labour to take the word as God had laid it down, without restraining the natural force of one syllable thereof: O what did I now see in the blessed sixth of John, And him that comes to me, I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37). Now I began to consider myself, that God had a bigger mouth to speak with, than I had a heart to conceive with; I thought also with myself, that he spake not his words in haste, or in an unadvised heat, but with infinite wisdom and judgment, and in very truth and faithfulness (II Samuel 7:28).
264. through this blessed sentence the Lord led me over and over, first to this word, and then to that, and showed me wonderful glory in every one of them. These words also have oft since this time been great refreshment to my spirit. Blessed be God for having mercy on me.
Obviously he understood words make up themes but he tried to let each syllable speak. I wonder how much more healthy dissonance there would be in our own spirits if we let each syllable speak instead of instantly filing it in a category or theme we've concockted. A great deal of his struggle resided with the warnings of Hebrews. How many of us have quickly brushed aside those biting words with "once saved always saved?" I wonder at times if that is the lullaby Satan whispers as he rocks people to sleep.
Let the syllables speak
Paul
From The God Who is There
Whenever the evangelist preached the reality of Hell, men who did not believe were more miserable after hearing his preaching than if they had never heard him. We are in the same position. We confront men with reality; we remove their protection and their escapes; we allow the avalanches to fall. If they do not become Christians, then indeed they are in a worse state than before we spoke to them. ____ Francis Schaeffer
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Where was that?
Here is the link to a search engine for Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. You can search a word or a phrase and it will take you to the paragraph in the work. It's a pretty cool resource if you are trying to remember something Bunyan wrote but just can't find it by flipping pages.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Getting to the heart of conflict
Here is an excellent article concerning conflict. You have been warned! It does not give you better techniques to win arguments; it deals with the heart where the problem really begins.
May God give us healthy relationships
Paul
May God give us healthy relationships
Paul
Friday, August 11, 2006
THE POINT OF GRACE
Bunyan now has his theology accurate but yet still struggles with his faith. (200) the tempter again laid at me very sore, suggesting, that neither the mercy of God, nor yet the blood of Christ, did at all concern me, nor could they help me, for my sin; therefore it was but in vain to pray. Yet, thought I, I will pray. In the next paragraph (201) he reflects that this was his point of salvation although it took six more months before he had confidence in that, his faith.
Through this time he would continue to saturate his mind with
God’s Word to find, and focus upon, My grace is sufficient for thee (206) and also For the scriptures cannot be broken (209). (215) But Satan would greatly labour to pull this promise from me. These internal struggles he calls diverse frames of spirit (212).
Bunyan’s point of grace comes as he describes: (215) I saw that to come aright, was to come as I was, a vile and ungodly sinner, and to cast myself at the feet of mercy, condemning myself for sin. He then, by the command of God to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling, asks a very rational question as to: “Whether it be possible for any soul that hath indeed sinned the unpardonable sin, yet after that to receive, though but the least true spiritual comfort from God through Christ? He reasons that this could not be and that he had not committed such a heinous crime (220). (222)When I had with much deliberation considered of this matter, and could not but conclude that the Lord had comforted me…I began to take some measure of encouragement.
It is from this point our friend, Mr. Bunyan’s faith begins to blossom by his continuing study of the Holy Writ.
Through this time he would continue to saturate his mind with
God’s Word to find, and focus upon, My grace is sufficient for thee (206) and also For the scriptures cannot be broken (209). (215) But Satan would greatly labour to pull this promise from me. These internal struggles he calls diverse frames of spirit (212).
Bunyan’s point of grace comes as he describes: (215) I saw that to come aright, was to come as I was, a vile and ungodly sinner, and to cast myself at the feet of mercy, condemning myself for sin. He then, by the command of God to work out his own salvation with fear and trembling, asks a very rational question as to: “Whether it be possible for any soul that hath indeed sinned the unpardonable sin, yet after that to receive, though but the least true spiritual comfort from God through Christ? He reasons that this could not be and that he had not committed such a heinous crime (220). (222)When I had with much deliberation considered of this matter, and could not but conclude that the Lord had comforted me…I began to take some measure of encouragement.
It is from this point our friend, Mr. Bunyan’s faith begins to blossom by his continuing study of the Holy Writ.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
How to love God
What is worship? How do I as a man who wants to be viewed as a manly man express greatefulness to God for who God is and what he has done? Here are Bunyan's thoughts on the issue (except for the manly man part):
193. And as I was thus in musing, and in my studies how to love the Lord, and to express my love to him, that saying came in upon me, If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquity, O Lord, who should stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (Pss. 130:3,4).
193. And as I was thus in musing, and in my studies how to love the Lord, and to express my love to him, that saying came in upon me, If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquity, O Lord, who should stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (Pss. 130:3,4).
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
A sermon worth reading
Here is a sermon I was pointed to by John Piper on understanding justification; pretty good stuff.
Paul
Paul
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Godly Mentors
The fruits of a godly mentor play out in John Bunyan’s life as he relates of his instruction: (117) He [Mr. Gifford] pressed us to take heed, that we took not up any truth upon trust, as from this or that or another man or men, but to cry mightily to God, that he would convince us of the reality thereof, and set us down therein by his own Spirit in the holy Word.
This is the beginning of discernment. There were at his time, and even more in our day, those cults that paraded as true religion. I often tell my students that we recognize a counterfeit not by studying the counterfeit but by studying the truth. The only way one will be able to discern the truth from error is by being grounded in the absolute truth of God’s holy Word.
Godly mentors teach their students truth so that they may discern the “fly in the ointment”. Bunyan’s first published book was one where he took on the errors that the Quakers were teaching as truth. The list of these errors may be found in paragraph 124.
Another of Bunyan’s mentors was none other than Martin Luther. We view this acknowledgement in these words (130): I do prefer this book of Mr. Luther upon the Galatians, (excepting the Holy Bible) before all the books that ever I have seen, as most fit for a wounded conscience. At this point I could easily rant on how men have failed in their command to take their role as men, but I will spare you.
Godly mentors pass on that love of God in His truth so that when error is dispensed as fact, a righteous indignation will be ignited in those students of truth. Error is fire in their bones and cannot be unattended without confrontation. God’s word must not be misquoted or “spoof-texted” as we see many of the Emergent and Mega Church leaders do to their own liking.
This is the beginning of discernment. There were at his time, and even more in our day, those cults that paraded as true religion. I often tell my students that we recognize a counterfeit not by studying the counterfeit but by studying the truth. The only way one will be able to discern the truth from error is by being grounded in the absolute truth of God’s holy Word.
Godly mentors teach their students truth so that they may discern the “fly in the ointment”. Bunyan’s first published book was one where he took on the errors that the Quakers were teaching as truth. The list of these errors may be found in paragraph 124.
Another of Bunyan’s mentors was none other than Martin Luther. We view this acknowledgement in these words (130): I do prefer this book of Mr. Luther upon the Galatians, (excepting the Holy Bible) before all the books that ever I have seen, as most fit for a wounded conscience. At this point I could easily rant on how men have failed in their command to take their role as men, but I will spare you.
Godly mentors pass on that love of God in His truth so that when error is dispensed as fact, a righteous indignation will be ignited in those students of truth. Error is fire in their bones and cannot be unattended without confrontation. God’s word must not be misquoted or “spoof-texted” as we see many of the Emergent and Mega Church leaders do to their own liking.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Emotions, confusion, or something else
I agree with Aaron, Bunyan at times took too much license with Scripture, but when we chastise him for his misuse we must be careful not to miss what he gets right. Page 31, paragraphs 113-116, are great examples. It appears from his writings that the majority of these were in his memory or came through his dedicated study. Though he did get it wrong sometimes he was in the practice of trying to preach the truth to himself. His emotions and confusion clouded the truth.
I try to be quick to point out the dangers in “touchy feely” religion that preys on passions and captivates (2 Tim 3:6). Yet it is not the theologically ignorant who fall prey to emotions as Bunyan proves. We could argue from previous mishandlings that Bunyan wasn’t equipped to fight properly but I think we should be careful to pass quick judgments. Is it a simple fix such as straightening out his soteriology (doctrine of salvation) and all would be emotionally well?
Bunyan has me confused.
Paul
I try to be quick to point out the dangers in “touchy feely” religion that preys on passions and captivates (2 Tim 3:6). Yet it is not the theologically ignorant who fall prey to emotions as Bunyan proves. We could argue from previous mishandlings that Bunyan wasn’t equipped to fight properly but I think we should be careful to pass quick judgments. Is it a simple fix such as straightening out his soteriology (doctrine of salvation) and all would be emotionally well?
Bunyan has me confused.
Paul
Saturday, July 29, 2006
ASSIGNMENT #3
HOW CAN I KNOW FOR SURE THAT I HAVE FAITH?
Posted by Mark
Bunyan struggled immensely with his faith. He did know that the only place to go that could ever offer him any chance of hope was the Scriptures. (Come on Aaron cut him some slack… until God opens his eyes it would be natural to take things out of context) He quotes Rom. 9:16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
(59.) With this scripture I could not tell what to do, for I evidently saw that unless the great God of his infinite grace and bounty, had voluntarily chosen me to be a vessel of mercy, though I should desire, and long, and labour until my heart did break, no good could come of it. Therefore this would still stick with me, how can you tell your are elected? And what if you should not? How then?
(61.) By these things I was driven to my wits’ end.
How many of us struggle with these thoughts? Do we really have any conception of how big God really is? Do we have any concept of how sinful we really are? Do we truly understand holiness, especially the holiness demanded by the One who would save us?
(70.) He quotes Dan. 5:18,19 He had given him all the kingdoms of the earth. Yet, I thought of him (Nebuchadnezzar), if this great man had all his portion in this world, one hour in hell fire would make him forget all.
(88.) Yea, I thought it impossible that ever I should attain to so much goodness of heart, as to thank God that he made me a man. Man indeed is the most noble, by creation, of all the creatures in the visible world: but by sin he has made himself the most ignoble. The guy constantly beats himself up because he understands the gravity of sin and he knows that it has hold on him. But it gets worse as he puts words in God’s mouth:
(109.) I should think that God did mock at these my prayers, saying, and that in the audience of the holy angels, this poor simple wretch doth hanker after me, as if I had nothing to do with my mercy, but to bestow it on such as he: alas poor fool! How art thou deceived, it is not for such as thee to have favour with the Highest.
Posted by Mark
Bunyan struggled immensely with his faith. He did know that the only place to go that could ever offer him any chance of hope was the Scriptures. (Come on Aaron cut him some slack… until God opens his eyes it would be natural to take things out of context) He quotes Rom. 9:16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
(59.) With this scripture I could not tell what to do, for I evidently saw that unless the great God of his infinite grace and bounty, had voluntarily chosen me to be a vessel of mercy, though I should desire, and long, and labour until my heart did break, no good could come of it. Therefore this would still stick with me, how can you tell your are elected? And what if you should not? How then?
(61.) By these things I was driven to my wits’ end.
How many of us struggle with these thoughts? Do we really have any conception of how big God really is? Do we have any concept of how sinful we really are? Do we truly understand holiness, especially the holiness demanded by the One who would save us?
(70.) He quotes Dan. 5:18,19 He had given him all the kingdoms of the earth. Yet, I thought of him (Nebuchadnezzar), if this great man had all his portion in this world, one hour in hell fire would make him forget all.
(88.) Yea, I thought it impossible that ever I should attain to so much goodness of heart, as to thank God that he made me a man. Man indeed is the most noble, by creation, of all the creatures in the visible world: but by sin he has made himself the most ignoble. The guy constantly beats himself up because he understands the gravity of sin and he knows that it has hold on him. But it gets worse as he puts words in God’s mouth:
(109.) I should think that God did mock at these my prayers, saying, and that in the audience of the holy angels, this poor simple wretch doth hanker after me, as if I had nothing to do with my mercy, but to bestow it on such as he: alas poor fool! How art thou deceived, it is not for such as thee to have favour with the Highest.
Friday, July 28, 2006
A prayer long forgotten
There never seems to be a shortage of times when I think I'm right, even ready to fight to the death for it, and later my error is exposed. There also never seems to be a shortage of people who are just like me. I guess that is why Bunyan's prayer in paragraph 44 stood out. Here it is:
"O Lord, I am a fool, and not able to know the truth from error; Lord leave me not to my own blindness, either to approve of, or condemn this doctrine; if it be of God, let me not despise it; if it be of the devil, let me not embrace it. Lord, I lay my soul, in this matter, only at thy foot, let me not be deceived, I humbly beseech thee."
I know this prayer was offered concerning matters of which Bunyan was NOT sure. But why should we not in healthy doses exposes those things we are so sure of to this prayer and a return to Scripture? I fear we have forgotten that we see through a mirror dimly.
May God give us His wisdom and confound all of our own.
Paul
"O Lord, I am a fool, and not able to know the truth from error; Lord leave me not to my own blindness, either to approve of, or condemn this doctrine; if it be of God, let me not despise it; if it be of the devil, let me not embrace it. Lord, I lay my soul, in this matter, only at thy foot, let me not be deceived, I humbly beseech thee."
I know this prayer was offered concerning matters of which Bunyan was NOT sure. But why should we not in healthy doses exposes those things we are so sure of to this prayer and a return to Scripture? I fear we have forgotten that we see through a mirror dimly.
May God give us His wisdom and confound all of our own.
Paul
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Ok, so I just got thru reading the assigned pages (15-30). So I'd like to put out some thoughts that I had during reading and maybe you had the same.
Probly the first thing that one can observe from Bunyon is the misuse of Scripture. A verse out context here and there can lead to one questioning and totally misunderstanding the doctrines of Scripture that are meant to give assurance.
The form that seemed to be prevelant in Bunyon seemed to be an exagerrated form of typology.(paragraph 71). Typology can be interesting when used appropriately, however, they way Bunyon makes use of Moses' counting some animals clean and unclean as referring to different types of men...
But appearantly Bunyon wasn't the only one. The sermon of the pastor from Song of Solomon (para 89,90) completely mishandles the intent of the text. Everything that could not be explained in Scripture, had to refer to the church or Christ somehow, just make it fit.
Along the same lines the second danger that he falls into is taking verses, or parts of verses, out of context. (i.e. Luke 22.31, "Simon, Simon, ..." Para. 93f). This just fed his insecurities and confusion that other verses, in context, would remove doubts.
In fact, his feelings seemed to be a stronger guide and force for him than Scripture at this time in his life. Bunyon seems to be searching for a feeling of salvation, something that cannot be sure, when he should have relied upon the priori of Scripture to first see the glory of God's salvation.
So here are some questions for discussion:
1. How much of our salvation "experience" is based on emotion?
2. Should churches do more to help their membership understand HOW to interpret Scripture correctly?
3. What are some passages of Scripture that gave you peace when doubting your salvation?
Till next time, (I gotta work on my autobiography for Paul-he may beat me!lol)
Soli Deo Gloria,
Aaron
Probly the first thing that one can observe from Bunyon is the misuse of Scripture. A verse out context here and there can lead to one questioning and totally misunderstanding the doctrines of Scripture that are meant to give assurance.
The form that seemed to be prevelant in Bunyon seemed to be an exagerrated form of typology.(paragraph 71). Typology can be interesting when used appropriately, however, they way Bunyon makes use of Moses' counting some animals clean and unclean as referring to different types of men...
But appearantly Bunyon wasn't the only one. The sermon of the pastor from Song of Solomon (para 89,90) completely mishandles the intent of the text. Everything that could not be explained in Scripture, had to refer to the church or Christ somehow, just make it fit.
Along the same lines the second danger that he falls into is taking verses, or parts of verses, out of context. (i.e. Luke 22.31, "Simon, Simon, ..." Para. 93f). This just fed his insecurities and confusion that other verses, in context, would remove doubts.
In fact, his feelings seemed to be a stronger guide and force for him than Scripture at this time in his life. Bunyon seems to be searching for a feeling of salvation, something that cannot be sure, when he should have relied upon the priori of Scripture to first see the glory of God's salvation.
So here are some questions for discussion:
1. How much of our salvation "experience" is based on emotion?
2. Should churches do more to help their membership understand HOW to interpret Scripture correctly?
3. What are some passages of Scripture that gave you peace when doubting your salvation?
Till next time, (I gotta work on my autobiography for Paul-he may beat me!lol)
Soli Deo Gloria,
Aaron
Monday, July 17, 2006
An interesting practice
Unlike Mark who has zipped probably through the whole book by now, I've only read the introduction. Several things caught my eye about Bunyan's life but I'll save that until we get there in his own words on his terms. What I do want to talk about is the practice of recording a spiritual autobiography. Owens writes, "Most of these spiritual autobiographies followed a fairly conventional pattern, comprising three major stages: a sinful pre-conversion state, sometimes including providential escapes from danger; a proces of conversion which may be sudden or gradual; and post-conversion trials and resolutions" (xix). Owens also noted that although writers from most denominations contributed to this genre, Baptists and Quakers wrote the most.
So, as good Baptists the assignment is to comment on this post by giving us your spiritual autobiography. Mine will be coming soon but since I'm in the process of moving offices to make room for a nursery I bet one of you can beat me.
Paul
So, as good Baptists the assignment is to comment on this post by giving us your spiritual autobiography. Mine will be coming soon but since I'm in the process of moving offices to make room for a nursery I bet one of you can beat me.
Paul
Saturday, July 15, 2006
THE EARLY YEARS AND CONVERSION
The Early Years and Conversion
John Bunyan was born in 1628, just 17 years after the first King James Authorized Version of the Bible was established. He offers that in his younger years, “For the Holy Scriptures I cared not.”
Like many children he suffered nightmares but the source of his imagination came from sermons about eternal damnation. He says, “I was afraid to sleep lest the devil should carry me to hell.” It is at this point that I commend this preaching of hell for it is the place to be avoided at all costs.
Upon marriage his wife brought into their home some religious books that he read and was convinced that he was a sinful creature who needed God’s forgiveness to get into heaven. How many people today even consider this fact?
One Sunday after attending church he was involved in a sporting game and was convicted by a voice in his head that said, “Wilt thou leave thy sins, and go to heaven? Or have thy sins, and go to hell?” So what does he do but immediately devise an orthopraxy of giving up a couple of his favorite passions; dancing and bell-ringing.
By this time he had begun to recognize sectarian religion. As an avid reader he developed a fondness of scripture and delighted in those who spoke this “scripture language.” But there were those known as the Ranters who were an antinomian sect that taught that for those who were saved there was no such thing as sin. He said that he found this doctrine rather seductive but resisted and began to read the Bible more carefully.
Having read Bunyan’s Visions of Heaven and Hell I’ll admit that I was not looking forward to reading more of his misery that will not let his soul rest. He goes on endlessly over his mood swings from the depth of the pit to the height of relief at the idea of making peace with God. He really wears on me but I have to admit that even I must continually learn that my sin must forever be before me that I understand the depth of the grace gift of the atonement and never view that as common.
At this point I relinquish the keyboard to one of my fellow bloggers.
John Bunyan was born in 1628, just 17 years after the first King James Authorized Version of the Bible was established. He offers that in his younger years, “For the Holy Scriptures I cared not.”
Like many children he suffered nightmares but the source of his imagination came from sermons about eternal damnation. He says, “I was afraid to sleep lest the devil should carry me to hell.” It is at this point that I commend this preaching of hell for it is the place to be avoided at all costs.
Upon marriage his wife brought into their home some religious books that he read and was convinced that he was a sinful creature who needed God’s forgiveness to get into heaven. How many people today even consider this fact?
One Sunday after attending church he was involved in a sporting game and was convicted by a voice in his head that said, “Wilt thou leave thy sins, and go to heaven? Or have thy sins, and go to hell?” So what does he do but immediately devise an orthopraxy of giving up a couple of his favorite passions; dancing and bell-ringing.
By this time he had begun to recognize sectarian religion. As an avid reader he developed a fondness of scripture and delighted in those who spoke this “scripture language.” But there were those known as the Ranters who were an antinomian sect that taught that for those who were saved there was no such thing as sin. He said that he found this doctrine rather seductive but resisted and began to read the Bible more carefully.
Having read Bunyan’s Visions of Heaven and Hell I’ll admit that I was not looking forward to reading more of his misery that will not let his soul rest. He goes on endlessly over his mood swings from the depth of the pit to the height of relief at the idea of making peace with God. He really wears on me but I have to admit that even I must continually learn that my sin must forever be before me that I understand the depth of the grace gift of the atonement and never view that as common.
At this point I relinquish the keyboard to one of my fellow bloggers.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Reading Schedule
Week of July 12 vii-xxiii
July 19 note-15
July 26 16-30
August 2 31-45
August 9 46-60
August 16 61-75
August 23 76-90
August 30 91-105
September 6 106-120
July 19 note-15
July 26 16-30
August 2 31-45
August 9 46-60
August 16 61-75
August 23 76-90
August 30 91-105
September 6 106-120
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
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