"Do You Really Mean It?"

I am, as so are many of you, fresh off of the T4G Conference. The conference was everything that I was anticipating it to be. I must say that the entire conference made me feel like the Norman Rockwell painting entitled, "I will do my best" (placed here for your viewing pleasure) in a certain way. That is, I felt like standing and making a pledge (or "cutting a covenant" if you prefer biblical terminology) with each speaker as they confessed Christ and admonished me to fight the good fight for the glory of God and the Church which is his body. R.C. Sproul was one such speaker who God used to both reprove and encourage me. He made it painfully clear that it is one thing to "believe", defend and proclaim justification by faith alone and it is totally another to "have it in your blood"! As R.C. spoke I was stunned at my own lack of faith in Christ's justifying work of grace. I was also strenghtened with that same sense of awe; God is marvelous and exceedingly kind.

Piper was certainly a spiritual "highlight" if I could phrase it in such terms. He brought a sense of blood earnestness that only Piper could do. What more can I say than, you know, Piper. His Godward sobriety puts all who stand in the pulpit nearly to shame. Even Ligon Duncan acknowledged that much during the answer and question time (who I might add was quite remarkable himself while preaching the whole Bible as Christian Scripture).

I must say this, each scholar represented (Sproul, Dever, Duncan, MacArthur, Piper, Mohler) had a pastoral heart and concern. Each referred to the joy of the pastorate as joy which cannot be experienced elsewhere. I found that humbling and encouraging.

Finally, the most "Rockwell" moment for me (and others I'm sure) was when Piper spoke to the "men in their twenties". He spoke of the current church with a pessimistic tone however, he spoke of the future generation with optimism, with reference to our theology. He said that he is seeing a trend in "little pockets" everywhere of men who love the glory of God. As he explained he said, "let me be clear" I mean "calvinism". Then he went on to add that worship is fueled by theology and admonished us to keep going. Perhaps now, you can most rightly understand how I felt like the boys in the Rockwell painting. I wanted to stand and tell each man, who commended himself to me through speaking at this conference, "I'll do my best". Specifically, John Piper I hear you loud and clear and "yes" I will continue to stand by the Spirits power for the glory of God in the Gospel!
Brothers, we must teach and preach calvinism, that is the articulation of the Gospel revealed in Scripture.

" God is the Gospel" T4G

Yes, you have read my title right, I did steal it from John Piper. I am preparing to leave this morning after my counseling exam for Louisville, KY in order to be at the "Together for the Gospel" conference, where I will be able to hear some of my "friends I've never met" (Scroll down to see series part one- Van Til), of perhaps most importantly is John Piper. I am greatly anticipating this trip, my friend Dan Valentine and I bought tickets last April, so as you can imagine we are ready to go.

I am perhaps most excited about the conference because of the statement being publically made. That is, I find great encouragement in the fact that the "reformed" gospel (not to say that there is any other) is being promoted between brothers of faith over and against more minor elements of faith and practice (i.e. denominational boundaries, eschatology etc.). Now, I know that for some of you I am going to have to "give an account" for some of the undefined statements that I have just made, but that will have to wait. I am leaving. I will look forward to interacting with everyone's thoughts about the conference when I get back. In the words of Bill O'reilly, "Until next time America".

Both The Rebuke and The Encouragement Are Free

"The principle charge against the human race, the world's deepest guilt, the all-inclusive cause of judgment, is idolatry." -Tertullian, Early Latin Theology, text: Idolatry pg83.

I find this so very true, unfortunately, within my own heart. Outside the comedic relief of Michael Scott at the "Office" arogance is ugly. May God wash it from us.

I will bless you with the words whereby I was blessed. The words of Saint Augustine:

"Stand with him and you will stand firmly rooted. Rest in him and you will have true rest. Why do you continue to go along these rough paths? Where are you going? The good things that you love come from him, and as long as the good is from him, it is good and enjoyable. But it will justly become bitter if that which comes from his is loved instead of him. Why then do you continue to walk farther and farther along these difficult and wearying paths? There is no rest where you are searching for it. It is right that you should seek rest, but the rest is not to be found where you are seeking it. You are looking for a pleasant life in the land of death, but it is not to be found there. How can there be a happy life where there is no life at all?

Our True Life came down to earth, and bore our death. He slew our death out of the abundance of his own Life. He thundered forth, and cried out to usto return with him to that secret place from which he had come forth to us."

Augustine's Confessions, pg 29

Be Blessed Brothers

"The Pure Joy of Rediculous Arrogance"

The office was halarious tonight. The best comment of perhaps the entire season took place tonight. I hope that you did not miss it. After Michael beat up Dwight he restored him to fellowship by quasi-promoting him from "Assistant TO the Manager" to (a pretend) "Assistant Manager" position. Dwight responded to the promotion as a child who receives his first bike. It was awesome!
Michael went on to talk about the event as though he was (of course) the greatest person that ever lived because he did that for Dwight after beating him up at lunch. At the close of the show Micheal looked into the camera and rhetorically said, "Do I want people to fear me or love me? That's easy, both." Then, with great dramatic skill as to conclude the matter he said, "I want people to fear how much they love me."
I'm sorry, but folks, that is pure genius! Michael rules! Of course, in his own rediculous way that is.

"Evolution, the Gospel of Judas and the Indians"

I have recently been reading through 2Cor. As a result I have been struck in my "inner man" with the stewardship of reconciliation, which has been graciously given me. My framing crew is steeped in depravity, each day demonstrating a total disregard, of which I would deem hatred, for God.
Thursday at work I tried to take the message of reconciliation to my boss as we worked side by side all day. I was quickly reminded of Paul's total context where he writes, "Who is sufficient for these things"? I tried to engage him with a heart of sincerity speaking the words of Christ with affectionate love. However, I began to be discouraged. My boss was, once again, referring to evolution, the Gospel of Judas, and the American Indians as proof to why all religion is insufficient. His approach was that since God, (if there is one) did not create mankind then he has no "right" to "be so assumptious" as to say that "all men would reject him" if he showed himself to them. I proceeded to demonstrate that since God did make all men it is nothing of the assumptious sort for God to know all men including their hatred of him.

When I asked him about his perspective on the words of Jesus in the NT he quickly referred to the new "Gospel of Judas" as proof positive that conspiracy does exist! Therefore, no Gospel, NT or otherwise is "purely authentic". When I pushed him on the words of Jesus being that, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes but by me" he responded, "so your telling me that everyone without Jesus is completey @&$%-ed!" To which I kindly, but forcefully retorted, "YES", that is what He is saying. My boss quickly brought up the American Indians and how God is utterly infair and not loving if he would send men who have not had a chance to know him to hell. His estimation was that if God is a human God, then it is certainly unfair of him to send people to hell if they have not heard of Jesus! I responded, like any good calvinist would, Who are you O' Man!

For the sake of not wearing you out with this story I will cut the blog short here and just say two last things: (1) We must be aware of these present day attacks upon the bible. I know, I know, it is not completely worth all of our efforts, but hey, My boss only pursued formal education through highschool (barely) and he is fully aware and capable of interacting with current issues and debate, (2) We must witness to those who God has brought upon us, but how? It is a challenge in real life to engage dead men with a living Gospel, we must utterly pray for these individuals and pray specifically that God will unleash his sovereign grace upon them and "irresistably" arrest their souls. This is the ministry of reconciliation, "who is sufficient for these things"?

Have you any edifying witness experiences for me?

Tigers on a Role!

Tigers first baseman Chris Shelton was named AL Player of the Week! This is quite a stride within the Tigers organization! The "Tigs" are off to a great start this year. Maybe, just maybe we'll go to the post season! Today they continue their series with defending world champs Chicago White Sox. If they win today they will tie the series up to 1-1.

Chris Shelton joined Lou Brock and Barry Bonds as the only players to homer five times through the first four games of a season and for that I say, play-on playa'!

"Be Eager to Maintain the Unity" (Eph 4.3)

Thank you to all who have asked about the visitors dinner at Westminster that my wife and I attended on Friday. I was able to share my concerns about covenant baptism (childhood) with the Pastor. The exchange was gracious and very Christian. I appreciated his kind and ecumenical spirit toward my doctrinal viewpoints. It was refreshing (and reassuring) to witness the unity of Christ's body at work between two brothers who share different viewpoints and convictions of doctrine. It is my conviction that among evangelical brothers mode of baptism is not an issue of separation! The Pastor and I share great fellowship around the doctrines of grace and all fundamental issues regarding the holy Scriptures.

From his standpoint (and rightfully so) I could not serve as either a Pastor or elder within the church until I was able to doctrinally embrace covenant baptism. However, all other avenues of ministry are openned to both my wife and I within the Westminster community. This is a Christian gesture of unity and for that I am greatful. Through this interdenominational experience I am learning and growing in what it means to be 'one new man' united in one Spirit having one Lord and yes, ONE baptism:) (Eph 2-4).
The pastor has found my theology and exegesis interesting enough to meet me for lunch to discuss Christian theology more, or perhaps to try and supplant me:). Either way, I am looking forward to it!
I will end with these thoughts; it refreshing to be united in ministry with other members of the body of Christ, for whom he died, united upon exactly that, his gospel. Might I also say, that it is great to enter a place of worship knowing that a great and LARGE God is going to be prayed to, preached, taught, sung, praised, and worshipped (i.e. Calvinism).

Thanks for listening.

For anyone interested there is going to be a 20/20 "investigation" into to the "hidden history of Jesus" tonight. James Tabor performs some pseudoscience, writes a book and is ushered into the lime light. Agenda? Absolutely! In watching an interview with Tabor I heard him say that there was no way that Jesus could have been virgin born, because "it takes two sets of chromosomes". Since Tabor is working off of a typically depraved presuppositional foundation, he postulates that Jesus' father was a Roman soldier named, "Pantera" (No, not the Dallas based death exalting Rockband).

Thus, Jesus is emphatically not the Son of God or the child of Joseph. Tabor believes that what he has found destroys the traditional views of Christianity and presents a Jesus, who teaches much differently than the first century Christianity that spread abroad in his name. Of course there is also the other "new historical" find "The Gospel of Judas" which is another bit of pseudoscholarship/science. (More about this can be found on Almohler.com see my link over on right).

I think (don't hold me to it though) Carson is going to be a part of the "investigation" tonight on 20/20. They have selected him to, obviously, represent the orthodox scholarship, which is sweet because he is certainly up to the task!

It is true that whether all of this resurgence in the historical Jesus type of junk is annoying or not it, we must be ready to give an answer. Anyone up to going to see the DaVinci Code when it comes out?

Friends I've Never Met - Part 1

The Promise is for you and your children?

Recently I have been attending Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church in Suffolk, Va. I have really enjoyed the worship and doctrinal atmosphere. I began attending because of the church's strong and public adherence to the Doctrines of Grace as articulated in the Westminster Catechism (longer and shorter). The worship style is blended and very gracious. The expository preaching has richly blessed not only myself, but my wife also. The pastor is a sharp guy (Westminster DMin) and presents studied material not personal issues. The church is Christ honoring and very refreshing! But................., I am struggling with their perspective on baptism (infants) and what that might mean for me as a member seeking out minstry within the body. My wife and I are going to the Pastors home this Friday for dinner and I will be able to cover this ground with him. However, here are some theological issues I would like to present.

As I understand it they articulate 3 "special" covenants in scripture. Those "special" covenants being, Abraham (Gen 12, 15, 17), Moses (Ex 19-24), and David (2 Sam 7, Ps 89, 132). Historically within these particular covenants both believers and unbelievers resided. Thus, a pattern throughout Scripture is that not everyone within the covenant community is regenerate.
Move forward into the context of the New Covenant community and you will also find that not all covenant members are regenerate Heb. 10:26-27; ("This verse is a warning to church members that are not true believers that they will be judged if they continue in their evil ways" - Richard Pratt). Notice also, Heb. 10:29-30 this suggests that "sanctified" is not to be confused with saved it is simply meaning "set apart" by the covenant.

I guess the view is this: Old Testament covenants included children (Gen 6:18; 17:17; Ex 20:5-6; Ps 132:11-12) and therefore the New Covenant includes children (Acts 2:38-39; 1 Cor 7:14).

Let me be clear! In no way does baptism include any element of salvation, in the sense that a child does not need to call upon Christ from their own faith. Rather, baptism is used to call children to faith just as circumcision called children in the Old Convenant to faith (Jer 4:4). Baptized children are called to make the outward sign an inward reality by trusting Christ.


Well, what do you say?
signed,
Struggling church member

For all of you out there that appreciate good sarcastic dry humor the office BBC edition might be just what your looking for. However, it is a bit more off-color than its American counterpart in some spots. I rented it, so I did not have time to watch all of the episodes for season one, but what I saw I liked. The main boss in the English version is halarious! If you rent it make sure that you watch Episode 4 on season 1. It is sure to make you laugh! The boss revisits his rock and roll days in the office and it is completely obnoxious.

I was recently reading the latest issue of Christianity Today and there was an article that caught my attention. The article was entitled, "The Conservative Humanist" and was written by Glenn T. Stanton, who works at Focus on the Family. No, the article is not a new Manifesto of sorts, but rather it serves as a call (general not effectual J/K) to evangelical Christians for rediscovery of "what it means to be human" (p44). He states, "True humanism will demolish our gnostic tendencies to believe in a small God who is only interested in our eternal destiny and our moral behavior" (p45).
I find myself in a very precarious position here; (1) I am in agreement (atleast in some respects) with someone at Focus on the Family and, (2) I am wondering about the accusation of us (evangelical Christians) being "on the verge of Gnosticism" with our concerns being purely in reference to the eternal/moral (small God?).

I guess the question I am asking is, "what does it mean to be human?" and what is my role (socially, politically, economically etc.)as a "new creature" among those who are still suffering the effects of the old creation (i.e. depraved)?