The cycle of speeches between Job and his 3 friends has finished with Job’s final speech. Their rather limited theological views couldn’t answer Job’s questions. They ended up condemning Job.
There is one telling statement about Job in 32:1- “because he was righteous in his own eyes.”
Job shared their faulty theology. Since he was certain he had not sinned, he thought he was suffering unjustly. This book exists, in part, to let us know people suffer for a number of reasons, all under the soveriegnty of God. It rebukes our presumption- but I get ahead of myself.
Elihu appears out of nowhere. There is no prior indication that he was there. And he isn’t mentioned at the end of the book either. This has led some to speculate that Elihu is a later addition. But the whole book is mysterious- suffering often doesn’t make sense. So why should we expect the book to tie up all the loose ends.
Elihu’s contribution seems to be that suffering is a warning from God. Job is being warned that he is in danger of departing from God. He spends lots of time saying not much of anything.
Before we get to God’s response and the conclusion, I thought I should summarize the various reasons people suffer. Some of those are found in this book, and some of them aren’t. These are helpful to keep in mind when we suffer, and when people we counsel (formally or informally) are suffering.
Posted in Apologetics, Biblical Theology, Christian Living, Counseling, Theology | Tagged concurrence, divine sovereignty, faith, grace, Job, redemption, Satan, sin, suffering | No Comments »
This is from the too strange not to be true file. I’m just going to quote the BBC news report.
Pride often does come before destruction. One man’s pride lead to death, maiming and economic devastation on numerous families- all for a few bucks.
Posted in Current Events, Stupid Stuff | Tagged lion, maulings | No Comments »
Yaz in his final year
Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski is recuperating after a triple bypass.
#8 is the last man to ever win the Triple Crown in the magical ‘67 season (giving birth to Red Sox Nation). It was a different era because .326, 44 HR and 121 RBIs won’t get you far these days. But that magical September push for the pennant was amazing. I was too young to have any memory of the Impossible Dream season, but watched Yaz play from the mid-70’s until he retired in 1983.
He’s not always remembered outside of New England, but there is a reason he holds a special place in the heart of all who are part of Red Sox Nation.
All the best to one of the greats!
Ted & Yaz (Globe file photo)
Posted in Baseball, Health, Red Sox, Sports | Tagged Boston Red Sox, Carl Yastrzemski, Triple Crown | 2 Comments »
Photo: Michael Wilson The Ledger
This is my last post on Todd Bentley. I don’t want to spend too much time thinking about him. But there are things I think need to be said, for the cause of Christ.
I came across this yesterday but didn’t address it. Contrary to what Todd Bentley told Stephen Strader, there was another party involved. Fresh Fire Ministries announced that he had an unhealthy emotional relationship with a staff member, and that this had happened before.
My original point, which I didn’t express clearly, was this:Â Is this-
A. an example of a man who did not appropriate the blessings of the gospel in his battle with sin.
B. the result of a truncated, incomplete understanding of the gospel.
C. the result of a deviant, and therefore false, gospel.
If the first, it doesn’t affect the validity of the ‘revival’.
If the second, it should cause those who partake in the ‘revival’ to gain a fuller understanding of the gospel.
If the third, I hope it will bring people to realize a false gospel was being proclaimed and to forsake it for the true gospel.
The press release from Fresh Fire Ministries places the blame on the Enemy, as though sin was “out there” instead of in our hearts. As a result, there is little personal accountability, just the need for “healing”. This minimizes the sinfulness of his actions- they need healing, not repentance. Perhaps there are some ways in which Todd Bentley has been sinned against in the past that still require the balm of the gospel to bring healing. But his transfer of affection in sinful, and indicates a bigger problem than he admits.Â
We are not sanctified after encounters with angels (as he seems to claim)- we are sanctified as we appropriate the gospel and put our sin to death in the power of the Spirit. The obsession with miracles and power is remarkably similar to the triumphalism (and sin minimization) of the Corinthians as taught to them by the false apostles. This obsession with miracles reveals at least a truncated understanding of the gospel, and most likely a false gospel.
This is not a continuationist-cessationist argument, but one about the central message of the gospel (regeneration => conversion => justification by faith => adoption => sanctification => glorification). When parts of this are dropped off, you have a truncated gospel. When something is put there in its place, or in addition to them, you have a false gospel. In the NT they authenticate the message and messenger. But in some circles they pretty much are the message. I fear that healing has replaced the core message and people are being summoned to a false gospel that leaves them in their sins and under the wrath of God. This is far more important than Bentley’s marriage problems.
Posted in Christian Living, Counseling, Current Events, Revival, Theology | Tagged conversion, faith, false gospel, Fresh Fire, glorification, Justification, Lakeland outpouring, miracles, regeneration, sanctification, Todd Bentley | 2 Comments »
Job shifts to a series of shorter speeches. Not quite sound bites, but more succinct than the first cycle of speeches.
Eliphaz basically says ‘you’re wrong, and tradition is on our side’. He continues to say that Job must be suffering because he has a sin issue, so stop blaming God.
Job continues to assert his innocence AND God’s great anger. His former position of honor has been stripped from him and he is despised by all. He is weary of his friends.
Bildad is weary of Job’s stubborn claims. Ho-hum, only the wicked suffer.
“How long will you torment me and crush me with words? Ten times now you have reproached me; shamelessly you attack me. (19:1-2)”
Job feels surrounded by God, under seige. He has been abandoned by all his friends- particularly those who now accuse him. Zophar continues the attack as Job grows weary. Job adds to his complaint. He says that the wicked often prosper, which often dismays God’s people. Like today, many non-Christians live well and enjoy life. In light of their rebellion against the fabric of the universe, this is disheartening at times for those who love and fear God. Particularly when things are very difficult for us.
Finally Eliphaz lays out some concrete accusations:
“Is it for your piety that he rebukes you and brings charges against you? Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless? You demanded security from your brothers for no reason; you stripped men of their clothing, leaving them naked. You gave no water to the weary and you withheld food from the hungry, …. And you send widows away empty-handed and broke the strength of the fatherless. That is why snares are all around you …. (22:4-10)”
He accuses Job of being an oppressor. Job must begin to submit to God to find peace and then prosperity will return.
Posted in Bible, Biblical Theology, Christian Living, Justice, Theology | Tagged sin, suffering, oppression, consequences, mystery, introspection, presumption | No Comments »
It was a different week. My brothers-in-law were away on a missions trip to Mississippi. Not as much male interaction. ESPN and ESPN 2 have not been available on the cable the last 5-6 days, so I’m suffering from the DTs. I was also slowed down by a summer cold that started with sniffles => sore throat => running nose => cough. A real pleasure.
On Wednesday and Friday we went to the Word of Life Ranch to visit the petting zoo. The kids loved it. They had goats, sheep, llamas (in desperate need of dental work), chickens, cows, horses, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets. CavGirl’s priceless comment- “They’re stinky. They need a bath.” We were also able to spend time in the fort playground. I pushed the kids on the tire swing, and they enjoyed the slides. On Wednesday’s trip we had lunch at the WoL campground with some friends of CavWife who still work at Word of Life. Both trips ended with rain shortening the stay.
Radio station options way up here are limited. So for both rides to Schroon Lake, we ‘enjoyed’ the worst of the 80’s. Lots of bad flashbacks, so I’m surprised we didn’t crash the SUV. I hadn’t heard “Total Eclipse of the Heart” for many years, and heard it 2 times this past week. Sigh.
CavParents arrived Thursday and stayed until Saturday. They skipped the petting zoo. Don’t blame them- smelly animals and poop-covered shoes. It got pretty noisy around here though with up to 11 cousins running around. Sometimes they played well together, and other times …. not quite. The rainy week didn’t help matters. CavBoy and his youngest cousin here are getting along famously. Just like Frick & Frack now that she is feeling better. This is good since CavGirl is able to enjoy her older cousins. He doesn’t feel as left out now.
Friday night we all got together for dinner at Aunt Jane’s place at the bottom of the hill. Mom’s lasaugna with meatballs & sausage, and Bernie’s eggplant parmesian (I passed on the eggplant) followed by ice cream.
Saturday I helped my sister-in-law work on their new home near the bottom of the hill. I spackled over the screws in the drywall, helped move in some furniture, and helped with some staining of the trim.
On Sunday I preached at Calvary Bible Church in Wevertown. I ended up choosing a shortened version of my sermon on adoption from Ephesians. It went well.
I’m antsy … I want to become a productive member of society again. Still no progress on any fronts. It can eat at you if you have too much time on your hands, which, by definition, you do.
Posted in Family, Food, Music, Preaching, Sports, Vacation | Tagged building a house, ESPN, Family, petting zoo, Word of Life | No Comments »
Though often hailed as a monentous, historic revival, I have not found the Lakeland Outpouring to compare favorably to other revivals using biblical criteria. Whether people want to admit it or not, leadership matters.
The “mother of all revivals” was the Great Awakening. There have been many books critically examining the Great Awakening, some by no less a heart and mind on fire for God than Jonathan Edwards. Imagine how that assessment might change if Edwards, or Whitefield was discovered to have been an adulterer. Or simply divorced his wife? Would we say that God uses flawed people? Well, of course he does since only Jesus was perfectly righteous. But when you look at the flawed folks who led revivals in the Bible, did they have such smudge marks? No. David’s life was marked by pain and conflict after his affair with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah the Hittite (not to be confused with Uriah Heep).
Photo 6/12 by Michael Wilson
Today I heard that Todd Bentley is separating from his wife- the first step of divorce proceedings in Canada, of which they are both citizens. She recently packed up her bags and left the warmer climes of Florida with the kids. This after a few years of marriage counseling.
Rev. Stephen Strader assures us that no third party is involved. Is this supposed to make us feel better? No adultery, they just can’t get along. The ‘gospel’ he preaches can not help them work out their marriage issues. There is no grace to be offered to one another. There is no power to change their sinful patterns of behavior. No miracle for them.
Posted in Current Events, Jonathan Edwards, Marriage, Ministry, Revival | Tagged gospel, Revival, miracles, Lakeland outpouring, Jonathan Edwards, Todd Bentley, divoroce, the Great Awakening, George Whitefield | 18 Comments »
Head Rub from Papi
An odd thing happened this year. Kevin Youkilis made a transition from a hard-working, Gold Glove, OBP guy to a player on the brink of stardom. He is hitting for more power, having equalled his career high in HRs with about 6 weeks to go, and should soon pass his career high in RBIs. His 2nd spot in the line-up has gone to Dustin Pedroia, and Youk has been batting in the 4-6 range. With the Ramirez trade, he is emerging as a potent clean-up hitter to protect Big Papi. Mike Lowell’s injury means Youk is the natural choice to play that role. And since he finds 3rd base less taxing physically, Youk will have more in the tank for those end of the season at-bats.
Extra Bases provides these stats which should set many a member of Red Sox Nation’s mind at ease.
Youkilis hitting in 7+ innings: .390
Ramirez hitting in 7+ innings: .213 (Sox); .357 (Dodgers)
Youkilis OPS (on-base plus slugging): .948
Ramirez OPS: .786 (Sox); .899 (Dodgers)
I had been considering the Red Sox pitching needs with Wakefield injured and Clay struggling way too much for my comfort. I had just picked up Byrd in my fantasy league. He has rediscovered his curve ball, and also thinks he was tipping pitches. He allows the Sox to put Clay back in the minors to regain his confidence. This means Wakefield will be replaced by a combination of young guys from the minors. That leaves 4 reliable starters. And when Wake is ready to pitch again you could consider giving Lester a rest in early September. He leads the team in innings pitched.
A funny thing happened around June. Jon Lester “got it”. I had a chance to pick him up in June, but decided against it because of his WHIP. He walked too many guys. But if you look at his most recent games, he isn’t walking batters. He is attacking the hitters more (Dice-K may have finally realized that, and hopefully Josh will remember that). He as emerged as their ace- the guy you can count on for a win, not just a quality start. If Beckett.2007 returns, the Red Sox are well-situated for a run into November. Starting pitching dominates in the playoffs, and I’d take the new & improved Lester, Beckett.2007 and an aggressive Dice-K against any other team’s best 3. Yeah, no Manny- but a bunch of guys who want to prove they can win it without Manny. And a bunch of guys who know it is about more than one player.
I confess I dumped Ellsbury from my fantasy team too soon. He was killing me. He wasn’t hitting, and he wasn’t stealing bases (the main reason I needed him). He was mired in a horrible slump, and platooning with Coco. He seems to have regained his stroke which is great for the Red Sox- but not so much for me. Someone else picked him up off waivers. The Rookie of the Year honors are no longer in sight, unless he hits .400 and steals 30+ the rest of the way leading the Sox to dominate and claim the best record in baseball (it helps that Longoria is on the DL with a fractured wrist). Ellsbury seems over his own wrist issues, and has fixed any mechanical flaws that resulted from it.
This may explain Varitek’s struggles at the plate this year- he’s getting divorced. He probably has a few things on his mind. Knowing nothing of the details, I am sad. As a professing Christian, I’d think he’d try to work it out. But he may have biblical grounds- don’t know. But it is difficult on the 3 kids regardless of the grounds for divorce.
Posted in Baseball, Red Sox | Tagged Big Papi, Boston Red Sox, Byrd, Dice-K, Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, Mike Lowell | No Comments »
Things take an ugly turn in Job 9-14. Job’s friends continue to claim he suffers for his sin. Job continues to declare his innocence. This does not mean he thinks he is perfect- just that there is no sin he has hidden from God, no sin which he has refused to confess. He upholds the righteousness of God, knowing he cannot argue (successfully) with God. All he can do is plead for mercy.
Then we see an inkling of something:
“I despise my own life.” (9:12c)
“I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.” (10:1
Job has something of a death wish. On the one hand he wants vindication. On the other he fears that God will destroy him.
Zophar the Naamathite chips in with the incomprehensibility of God, … and Job’s obvious sinfulness. If Job will just repent God will let up and restore him.
Job essentially responds, mockingly, “you are the man, and all wisdom will perish with you.” He laments his lousy group of counselors. “Come on, Zophar, show me my sin!”
Finally he returns his comments to God.
“If only you would hide me in the grave and conceal me until you anger has passed!”
Job basically wants God to finishe him off. He can no longer bear the pain of this hardship and wants God to hurry up and end his life.
Have you ever felt that way? No, not suicidal. This is not Job wanting to take his own life. This is Job wanting God to end his pain by ending his life. Job is hitting bottom, and it is scary. His patience and perseverence are on the verge of collapse. He isn’t sure how much more he can take.
Thankfully, God doesn’t honor this request. His plan is not to destroy Job- but to show that Job loves Him even when life isn’t grand. He’s out to show that Job loves God more than he loved his kids, wife and possessions. And Job is struggling with this, just like the rest of us.
Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Counseling | Tagged doubt, fear, Job, patience, righteousness | No Comments »
I just finished Faithful God: An Exposition of the Book of Ruth by Sinclair Ferguson. I wish I had had this book when I preached through Ruth in the Spring of 2007 (chap. 1, chap. 2, chap. 3, chap. 4). Originally given as a series of addresses presented to the English Conference of the Evangelical Movement of Wales back in 1996, he was asked to adapt them into written form. It took some time, but he ‘just happened’ to come across his disk of the material and finished the project.
This exposition is neither overwhelming to the lay person or too simplistic for the pastor looking for substance. As usual, Dr. Ferguson is like a mother bird, digesting difficult material and regurgitating it for the benefit of the average person. He does not avoid, nor get mired in, Hebrew and the historical background. There is enough to make his points clear, and not so much you lose that point.
Ruth is a story of grace and providence; or put another way how God graciously acts for His glory and our good in providence. Ruth, Naomi and Boaz aren’t sure what God is doing until after the fact. The same is true for us as well. We are often prideful and presumptuous, thinking we know what God is doing. But His purposes are not crystal clear until after the fact- sometimes LONG after the fact. In this case, the little romance is cute but meaningless until we see that first David and then many generations later Jesus himself are the purposes God has in view as He works to bring Ruth to Himself by faith, into Israel and eventually into the home of Boaz.
There is much to chew on here if you are in the midst of a difficult providence. But I get ahead of myself. He begins with an introduction that points us to 2 Timothy 3:16-17. On the basis of this passage, and its context, he says we should always ask ourselves 4 questions:
Posted in Bible, Biblical Theology, Books, Christian Living, Counseling, Sinclair Ferguson, Theology | Tagged Sinclair Ferguson, providence, Redeemer, trust, Scripture, John Newton, sin, suffering, Holy Spirit, guidance, Willam Cowper | No Comments »
High gas prices can make people consider strange things. We struggle to avoid pain. Is the compressed air car (CNN story) an innovation or a vain attempt to avoid reality? Developers claim it can get over 100 miles per gallon.
Zero Pollution Motors has received the U.S. rights to produce the technology developed by MDI. They claim they will make cars available for sale in 2010 for about $18,000.
How does it work?
This sounds like a commuter car, not one to be used to travel 150 or more miles a day. This means you would have to add this car to your ordinary vehicle rather than replacing it completely.
Some have expressed doubts about the technology.
Only prototypes exist at the moment. Will they be able to translate them into useable cars that can carry multiple passengers? We’ll see.
Sounds like there are still lots of questions that need to be answered. And they will not be answered until ZPM actually tries to sell one. Until then I, for one, won’t hold my breath. It sounds too good to be true, and it just might be.
Posted in Current Events, technology | Tagged air car, auto safety, commuting, mpg, new technology | 1 Comment »
It is hard to believe it is Saturday. Life has slowed down tremendously since we hopped on that plane Tues. morning. The big rush to de-clutter the house was done. We were packed and gone.
Since then I’ve been doing some reading. That has been hard for me lately. I’ve had trouble concentrating. There were far too many things going on, and I deperately needed a change of scenery- and weather. I got both. So my concentration has returned. As you may have noticed, I read Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christian. Dr. Nicole taught me to read those I don’t agree with (or other ivew points) so I can see their own arguments first hand lest someone mischaracterize them. Glad I read it, and I still disagree with him.
In addition to starting to read Job, I’m reading Sinclair Ferguson’s book on Ruth, Faithful God. It is really good. As someone who is going through a difficult time, I need that reminder that God’s plan is not always evident until it has completely unfolded. And that might be long after you’re gone.
It’s not all serious- I’m reading a Dean Koontz novel I picked off the bookshelf here.
I’ve been helping my brother-in-law get the website ready for his business. I’ll also be helping to get their financial system integrated on the software. My sister-in-law has too much going on the learn the system and get it all integrated herself. Since the guys at Riedinger & Sons are heading off to Mississippi for a missions trip today, I’ll be able to work on this with no new invoices etc.Â
The weather has been quite varied. Plenty of sun, and plenty of rain too. The tempuratures are mostly in the 60’s-70’s. A very nice change of pace allowing me to sit outside and read. Sadly, no cigars to enjoy outside. But my sister-in-law provided me with some Smithwick’s Irish Ale as a treat. Quite nice.
I helped my other brother-in-law work on his new house today. I was priming the dry wall in a few closets. And tonight I’m cooking some Cajun Back Ribs.
I know some of you are more concerned about the kids. They are having a blast. CavGirl loves coming here and playing with her cousins. It is the first time CavBoy has come to the Farm. He might be feeling a bit left behind as she goes on adventures with her cousins. But he’s getting more adventurous. Both are playing long and hard, so naps and night time have been met with quickly nodding off to sleep. Parenting has required less time and energy.
I got some great pictures of the humming birds. At one point there were 5 vying for the feeder. I couldn’t get the beautiful finch. He was too skittish when I came near with the camera. That and the territorial battle he was engaged in with another bird. I don’t have the right software here, so posting any of them will have to wait.
I was disappointed to discover that my capo and picks were not in the guitar case where I thought I left them. This greatly reduces what I can do with old vacation guitar while I’m up here.
Well, a beautiful sunny afternoon is calling my name.
Posted in Beer, Bible, Biblical Theology, Books, Family, Food, Missions, Parenting, Sinclair Ferguson, Theology, Vacation | Tagged birds, Brian McLaren, guitar, pork ribs, providence, Ruth, Sinclair Ferguson, Smithwick's | 3 Comments »
Job responds to Eliphaz’ claim that he is obviously guilty of some great sin, bringing this disaster upon himself. Yes, Job admits that God has striken him. In fact, he wants God to go all the way and put him out of his misery. Job is losing perspective, but he sees he is in great danger of denying “the words of the Holy One.”
Job feels quite let down by his friends- they are like intermittent streams (wadis). He asks them to show him where he has gone wrong. They accuse him of sin generically, not a specific sin. Their faulty theological formula means they must accuse him- but they know of no particular sin of which he is guilty. As a result, Job continues to “speak out in the anguish of (his) soul.” And it is in this anquish that he speaks the antithesis of Psalms 8 & 139.
“What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, that you examine him every morning and test him every moment? Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have I become your target? Have I become a burden to you? Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.” (7:17-21 NIV)
He’s not sure why God values humans so highly that he watches them and examines their actions and attitudes. In his grief he does not reckon with our being made in God’s image. We are meant to be like him- good and righteous. In our fallen condition, God examines us and tests us. And he finds us wanting.
Job somehow understands this, but still isn’t sure of what he’s done to offend. He’s not sure why God, his God, has not forgiven him. Just as he has sacrificed for his children’s sin, he most likely sacrificed for his own sin- by faith. “Where, O God, is your mercy?” he asks. Since there seems to be no mercy, he wants God to turn his gaze away. Apart from mercy, the gaze of God is disturbing, discomforting and oppressive.
Enter Bildad the Shuhite. His messages seems conflicting. God is just so you wouldn’t suffer without just cause. But he then says the unthinkable:
“When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.” (8:4 NIV)
He tells Job his children died because they sinned. God, he says, brought them to justice. If they were in some obvious, grievous sin this might make sense. But, like with Eliphaz, no specific sin is mentioned- just a vague condemnation.
He seems to offer some hope for Job personally.
“But if you look to God and plead with the Almighty, if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place. Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. … Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tents of the wicked will be no more.” (Job 8:5-7, 20-22 NIV)
He is right … Job will be more prosperous in the future than he was in the past. Job is blameless before God, despite his friends suspicions. But this sliver of truth does not outweigh the pointed lies he speaks to his friend. Not only are Satan, the Sabeans, Chaldeans, and seemingly God himself, against Job but his wife and friends have turned against him.
Posted in Bible, Biblical Theology, Christian Living, Counseling, Theology | Tagged bad council, forgiveness, God's holy gaze, image of God, Job, Job's friends, sin, suffering | No Comments »
I’m continuing to work my way through McLaren’s book A New Kind of Christian. I would sum it up as increasingly frustrating. Neo keeps getting further and further out there. And the strawmen he argues against are increasingly obscure.
This is an incredible nit-pick, but World Cup soccer is played by national teams. DC United wouldn’t play, much less win, that competition. Yep, this is fiction but try to keep the connections to reality there to make it believable and in the spirit of being missional- being ignorant of such matters means you lose street cred. Okay, off the box.
Neo’s sermon contains a section from C.S. Lewis’ The Last Battle, one I have a particularly difficult time with. But Neo uses it to teach truth, not illustrate truth. This would be because the truth he’s trying to illustrate doesn’t exist. Kind hearted muslims (or pick your religion) are not serving Jesus unknowingly. In Scripture you find that people forsake their worthless idols to worship the true God. That’s a bit different than what Neo is trying to encourage.
I’ll give McLaren the credit for reminding people that the church exists to expand the kingdom, benefiting the world. How he and I understand that is a bit different. Yes, some Christians reduce the gospel to personal salvation, ignoring the cosmic implications. Is it possible to make too much of the cosmic implications? Yes, if you minimize what Scripture maxamizes. Scripture addresses the need for personal salvation far more than the cosmic implications of redemption. Jesus and the Apostles do show a great deal of concern for the people’s fate. His first “sermon”, “repent and believe for the kingdom is at hand.” “Repent and believe” is conversion talk. “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins” is conversion talk, and the point of Peter’s very first sermon. So this notion that “it’s none of your business who goes to hell” is not in step with Scripture. If modern evangelicals are to be chastized for importing modern notions onto the Scripture (and they are at times), so should McLaren be chastized for importing notions foreign to Scripture and deny notions prevalent in Scripture. He also takes some Scripture completely out of context to make his point. He mentions Jesus’ words to Peter as though we should not be concerned with anyone else’s eternal destiny. But Peter is asking how John will die. THAT is of no concern to Peter.
Posted in Books, Emerging Church, Hermeneutics, Justification, Theology | Tagged Brian McLaren, C.S. Lewis, glorification, Justification, modernism, pluralism, postmodernism, salvation, sanctification, sin | No Comments »
While we are away, I thought I’d work my way through Job, again. It can be a good place to go when you are suffering precisely because it doesn’t offer prepackaged answers. It is not all neat and tidy. He’s in pain and becomes confused at points. His friends are not quite helpful. They speak truth, but not the right truth- it was not true in Job’s situation and as a result was not loving.
Job 1-2 set the stage for this theodicy (defense of God). Job does not know why all these horrible things happened to him. We know since the author gives us access to the heavenly council. But Job never knows.
This is instructive to us. We usually don’t know why we suffer. Oh, he knew about the Sabeans, Chaldeans and “natural disasters”. But our souls long for something more than evil guys and a fallen world.
At first Job was ‘content’ to worship and trust God. He exhibited great faith, boldly acknowledging that God is ultimately at work. He suffers from a wife who like Peter had the wrong things in mind. She tempts him to ‘curse God and die.’ In other words, ‘get it over with, God obviously hates you.’
Job’s friends, seeing how devastated he is, sit silently with him for a whole week. This was the wisest thing they did- it all goes downhill from there. But it is Job who breaks the silence…
With his first speech, we move into wisdom literature in poetic form. Lots of white space as my professors used to say. Flowerly language and lots of word pictures. Definitely not succint. Job curses the day he was born. He does not curse God, but rather himself. He wished he had never been born rather than suffer these devastating losses. He buried all his children and was immediately bankrupt. It was an incredibly profound reversal of fortunes. He is understandably upset. At this moment, all the years of good fortune seem insignificant.
This is what we often do in those moments. The scales seems quite unbalanced and we lose all objectivity. I’m not poking a finger at Job here. I do this- we all do this. We are people of the moment. Life is as life currently is- apart from the sustaining grace of God to keep it all in context. His greatest fears have come upon him!
Posted in Bible, Biblical Theology, Christian Living, Counseling | Tagged discipline, faith, God, grace, hardship, Job, Satan, sin | No Comments »
On the right, where he doesn't want to be!
Feeling quite behind the times, I borrowed a friend’s copy of A New Kind of Christian. I have been unable to get to it the last few weeks. It was as if I just didn’t have the mental energy. Oddly, I was able to make some significant headway today on the plane and relaxing in the backyard.
I am sympathetic to the concerns often raised by members of the emergent church movement. I don’t often like their answers to the problems. As I read Brian McLaren’s book, I experienced that same strange conflux of thoughts.
As I read the book I would be considered one of the modernist Christians McLaren is trying to ‘convert’. I guess I feel like a non-Christian would feel when reading one of those poorly written novels intending to convert you to Christianity. Not completely- I’m not angry with McLaren though I take exception with some of his conclusions. Thus far anyway.
McLaren does point out that the extremes in popular American Christianity are problematic. He comes off a bit reductionistic to me. He does this by neglecting the good things that those modernistic American Christians have contributed to society. He thinks we should do more than we preach- showing the gospel with our actions. Yes, and many do this. Many American evangelicals reach out to the poor and oppressed. They are often very generous. And it seems less than generous to ignore this in his gentle diatribe against enculturated modern Christians a.k.a. organized religion or the institutional church.
Posted in Books, Culture, Emerging Church, Theology | Tagged authority of Scripture, Brian McLaren, consumerism, emergent church, institutional church, organized religion, providence, seminary, strawmen, worldviews | No Comments »
The kids have been playing “going to the Farm” and “riding on the airplane.” I think they are ready to head north, away from the heat and humidity to spend time with grandparents and cousins galore.
I know I need a change of scenery. I’ll continue my “search for work” while I’m up there. It would be great to have an offer on the house and a job close to in hand by the time we return. I should spend some time working for my brother-in-law, so I’m not sure how often I post while we are gone. Oh, and I do need to spend time with CavWife and CavKids!
I will be preaching at the small church nearby while we’re up there. The pastor will be taking a trip himself. I’m undecided as to which sermon to offer.
Posted in Family, Ministry, Parenting, Preaching, Vacation, Work | No Comments »
I can’t remember what the name of this tree is. But we bought it because of these beautiful purple flowers. I’m a sucker for purple flowers. Perhaps it has to do with that line from The Choir’s Circle Slide album. These are very beautiful purple flowers.
Sadly we have seen too little of them! Every time we go away on vacation something happens to the tree. It comes back around just before we head off again. Last summer it was a dry August, and we returned to find it nearly dead. In mid-December it had been revived such that blossoms were beginning to reappear. We were off for Christmas vacation. While away there was a frost. The tree had to be pruned back there was so much damage to it. It has just been in the last few weeks that the flowers re-emerged. I decided to take a picture just in case something happened, again. While in bloom, these flowers could work a spell on any potential buyers!
This is from our mandevilla. A friend gave it to us years ago. Not too long ago it was over-run with catapillars. We haven’t seen any of the beautiful flowers that attract the butterflies who lay those eggs on it. It has finally bounced back, and these pretty flowers also have a very pleasant smell to them. The bring great delight to CavWife. Once again, I’m hoping they catch the nose and eye of a prospective buyer.
Posted in Family, Photography | Tagged butterflies, catapillars, Circle Slide, drought, frost, mandevilla, purple flowers, the Choir | 2 Comments »
I have an older copy of Sinclair Ferguson’s A Heart for God, part of the Christian Character Library. It is a short, very accessible book. It is understandable to those without any theological training, but it also has a depth of heart that should challenge those who do.
It is dedicated to his old mentor William Still. His main premise is that the main problem with contemporary Christianity is that we lack a deep knowledge of God. Lacking this knowledge, we therefore are tossed about by winds and waves as well as experiencing stunted character. Growth as a Christian is connected not with steps or methods, but primarily knowing God and being transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is the thought that fills the book. So he explores who God is. As he goes there is plenty of application and illustration. Sinclair Ferguson is the theologian for everyman. He writes books of great meaning without assuming you have lots of theological training.
In these chapters, Ferguson brings us back to Scripture. Often it feels like a series of sermons turned into a book because he’ll work through a primary text. This is purposeful.
“Only as God’s Word impacts how we think, live, and feel will we develop hearts that are characterized by obedience to God and filled with love for Him.  … There is no such thing as genuine knowledge of God that does not show itself in obedience to His Word and will. The person who wants to know God but who has no heart to obey God will never enter the sacred courts where God reveals Himself to the soul of man. God does not give divine knowledge to those who have no desire to glorify Him.”
So you see that Ferguson writes with a pastor’s heart. He doesn’t just want there to be an information dump, but life transformation as we wrestle with God in His Word. More than that, that God subdues us and transforms us with His Word. This is a book worth finding and reading.
Posted in Books, Christian Living, Sinclair Ferguson, Theology | Tagged knowledge of God, love, obedience, Sinclair Ferguson | No Comments »
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