Passion '07

This months CT features Passion '07 as the modern "Moravian Pietistic movement" or more closely related to our modern minds the "Youth for Christ Rallies" of the post-war era. The article is really good, and summarizes the essential elements of the Passion ideology/theology. The worship leaders are the Dave Crowder band, and Chris Tomlin, while the Preacher is John Piper. A women speaker, Beth Moore is brought along to teach and admonish the women, speaking on "insecurities and temptations that prey upon women".

Piper has been doing the conferences for 11 years. Concerning the american dream and giving Piper says, "You don't want to be always sitting in your SUV dropping nickles into other people's dreams". He spoke to CT saying, "Too long we have preferred theology to passion or passion to theology. I like Passion and Louie Giglio [the organizer of the events] and have been here 11 years because I believe in the potential to get it together. Most of these students have never heard anyone plead with them to think hard, go deep, get a theology, and jump up and down with David Crowder."

One student responded to CT by saying, "We're the generation who likes things raw and uncut and really in-your-face. It's almost like reverse psychology. [Piper's] not doing it for shock value, but he almost elicits that some response. He's saying the gospel without any sort of sugar-coating, with very few illustrations, and its hitting home."

I guess we'll have to wait and see what exactly God is doing through all of this with this next generation. Passion seems to be a great means that God is using to accomplish his global efforts for his supremecy.

Have You Heard...God still speaks

I am referring to John Pipers grievence with this months CT article, "My conversation with God". You must take the time to read this article ALL THE WAY THROUGH. It is a huge rebuke to me. Piper, though I have never met the man personally, is the most influential person theologically in my life. As most all of you know, God has used and continues to use Piper in magnificant ways. He can articulate what all of us believe and make it so clear that no one can hardly voice any disagreement. I think that you will see what I am talking about in this article. MUST READ.

(Thanks Garrett for the hit on this article)


http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2007/2021_The_Morning_I_Heard_the_Voice_of_God/

A word on the atonement

This is a brief understanding of my view (the traditional Reformed view) of the atonement and my reasoning behind why it is I believe that the death of Christ was specifically and purposefully for his elect.

The Scriptures declare that “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). This is decisively expressed in the coming of Christ and his efficacious death on behalf of those in whom the Father had elected to save. When God the Father elected to save he sent the Son for the recovery of his people who would worship him singing a new song before his throne for all eternity (Rev. 5:9). This was then appropriated by the effectual calling of the Holy Spirit by which they were sealed for all eternity (Eph 1:13). The Holy Trinity worked in unison and completion to gather together the elect of God from “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Rev. 7:9). Thus the death of Christ actually secured their salvation infallibly. Simply put, Christ saves sinners. This might seem subtly different from but is actually radically different from saying, “Christ makes it possible for all sinners to be saved,” however, it is not a simple nuance.
Paul states, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen (1Tim 1:15-17).
Christ died for sinners in order that they would be saved securely and infallibly. According to Paul, Christ came into the world to save, as demonstrated in his life, not simply to make salvation “possible” for all men equally. This was demonstrated in Paul’s salvation as an example for all the elect sinners in the redemptive plan of God the Father. The outcome of Christ’s actual accomplishment of saving sinners is praise and worship as demonstrated by Paul in v17.
The Scriptures affirm that the cross of Christ saves in all actuality. Christ was paying the penalty for his elect in a substitutionary fashion receiving their liability before God in himself suffering the wrath and judgment of God as a result. In this work he was accomplishing and securing forever their eternal life and all of its Christ-centered benefits. To suggest that all of heavens Christ-centered gifts such as faith, his priestly prayers and intercessory work, the giving of his Spirit and his Shepherding in the lives of his people throughout their days on earth (John 10) were accomplished on the cross for all men equally without distinction in the event itself simply seems foreign to the text. That is, this argument is never established or promoted in any text of Scripture. The work of redemption is one unitary work in the triune Godhead, where, the sinner receives all the benefits of God in Christ or none. That is to say, the benefits of Christ’s life are conditioned on his bearing our sins in his body. Warfield states, “The fundamental characteristic of the New Testament conception of redemption is that deliverance from guilt stands first; emancipation from the power of sin follows upon it; and removal of all the ills of life constitutes its final issue.[1]”
The argument must be made that God’s mighty sovereign grace did not “appear” to them since there was no evidence of it. For according to Paul, the mighty grace that “appears” is indeed grace that is irresistible. Once the grace of God appears (i.e. Jesus Christ) “it teaches us to renounce ungodliness…and to live godly lives” (Titus 2:11ff).
We do not teach ourselves, rather it is the grace of God that teaches us, and storms our rebellious hearts and unbending depraved wills conforming them to Christ. Paul affirms that when the “grace of God appears” it changes all who it appears to (Titus 2:11-3:1-15).
Other Scriptures:
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood,
Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Acts 20:28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Matthew 1:21 And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

[1] Warfield, The Person and Work of Christ, 352.

Dear Abby

This post comes from the "Dear Abby" column in the Virginia Pilot Thursday March 15. I found it quite humorous. The topic was "What's in a Name, Sometimes a Profession."
A women's name is Dragony and she works in a local pharmacy located in a medical building. Her license plate reads "DRAGONY". Well, someone went into the pharmacy and asked the girl at the counter, "Who is Dr. Agony?"

Another:
One of The North American Tobacco Co. sales representatives name is "Flicka Ashe". This is for real. Not joking.

Another:
Dear Abby I have sold real estate for 18 years, and no one ever forgets my name, Beth Newhouse, Mayville New York.

Another:
A Surgeon in Tennessee is named "Dr. Mark Cutright".

Another:
A Psychiatrist in Roton Bell, Dallas in named "John Looney".

Another:
In Idaho a man was arrested for urinating in a public place. His name is "Charles T. Sprinkle".

The Beauty of Belief Through the Action of Love

I have been convicted recently with reference to thinking that "right belief" is demonstrated in "right love". That is to say with Paul, "And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1Cor 13.2). The statement which encapsulates all of Augustine's theology is "faith which is operative through love". For belief is not enough since it is clearly stated that "even the demons believe and tremble" (James 2:19).
As I emphasize belief to myself I think of Calvin, who so perfectly expressed right belief, "This is our assurance, that Christ the Son of God is ours and has been given to us, so that in him we may also be sons of God...We experience such participation in him that, although we are sinners, he is our righteousness; while we are unclean, he is our purity; while we are weak, while we are unarmed and exposed to Satan, yet ours is that power...given him...to crush Satan; while we still bear about with us the body of death, he is yet our life. In brief, because all his things are ours and we have all things in him, in us there is nothing."
As now I am reminded, once again, belief is not enough or rather it is not the "proof" of a saint. Rather as Augustine expresses it, "As for love, which the apostle [Paul] pronounced greater than faith and hope, the greater it is in any person the better that person will be. When the question is raised whether someone is a good person, it is not what he believes or hopes that is at issue but what he loves. For someone who loves aright, assuredly believes and hopes aright, whereas someone who does not love believes in vain, even though what he believes is true, and likewise hopes in vain...unless what he believes and hopes is that in response to his prayer he can be granted to love."

May God grant us the power to love what we believe in a real measure throughout the body of Christ, lest we believe and hope in vain.

Quotes taken from, Justification in Perspective ed. Bruce L. McCormack

A MUST HAVE-SERIOUS THEOLOGY

I am currently reading Justification in Perspective (a Baker 2006 ETS special ISBN0-8010-3131-1). It has been really informative and well written thus far. The book contributes theological insights to the doctrine of justification that are truly important, centered and worthy of MUCH thought. Some notable authors include, Nick Needham, David Wright, Bruce McCormack, Henri Blocher, Somon Gathercole and of course last but not least, N.T. Wright. I think that he has the "closer" in the book for the sake of attempting perhaps to unsettle the book.

Westminster Theological Seminary Review: Justification in Perspective is an excellent example of this latter sort of constructive theological dialogue. Each contributor comes from one of Reformed Protestantism's many strands and examines justification within a particular period or theologian from the early church and Augustine through the Reformers to modern developments in Barth and the New Perspective.

Seriously, the book is great, a MUST HAVE for my humble opinion with regards to the "issues" of justification.

The Westminster Legacy-Ministry

These men are some of the earliest scholars to establish and work at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, founded in 1929. The commitment of these men was to the development and propogation of the Reformed faith (Five Solas). These teachings are perhaps most perfectly described in the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Five Solas:

Sola Gratia (grace alone)

Sola Fide (faith alone)

Sola Scriptura (Scriptures alone)

Sola Christus (Christ alone)

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone)

The Confession states:

By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life . . . . These angels and men, thus predestined, . . . are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased of diminished. Those of mankind that are predestined unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting gory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto; and all to the praise of His glorious grace. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power, through faith, unto salvation. - (Westminster Confession of Faith, III/ iii-vi)

Too Beautifully Biblical To Ignore

Many of you may have your "reservations" or nervous twitches when it comes to typology in Scripture, but I have to, as you probably well know by now, once again sound the trumpet. Graeme Goldsworthy's book "According to Plan" was written for laymen (and by the way EXTREMELY HELPFUL TOO) and I had to read it for an OT Theology class 2yrs ago and it revolutionized my thinking about the Gospel and HIS impact upon all of Scripture. I know that you can only know the Text as you know it in relation to Christ, since it is indeed as "testimony" of him.


Goldsworhty gives an interview on this blog and it is well worth the time to check it out (http://buzzardblog.typepad.com/buzzard_blog/2007/02/graeme_goldswor_1.html).
Goldsworthy says, "Biblical theology is the study of how every text in the Bible relates to every other text in the Bible. It's the study of the matrix of divine revelation. At the heart of the gospel is the person of Jesus Christ; he is the word of God come in the flesh. The nature of the gospel is such that it demands that it be at the centre of the biblical message. Biblical theology is, then, the study of how every text in the Bible relates to Jesus and his gospel. Thus we start with Christ so that we may end with Christ. Biblical theology is Christological, for its subject matter is the Scriptures as God's testimony to Christ. It is therefore, from start to finish, a study of Christ."

Consider these "types" of Scripture in relationship to the salvation revealed in Christ:
(1) Adam (Genesis 1-2; Romans 5).
(2) Moses (Exodus 32-34; John 1:1-18). Jesus is presented as a new Moses who brings about the new exodus of a new people (Jn 3:14-15; Num 21:8-9; Jn 6:32-35, 49-51, 58; Num 11:7-9; Heb 3:1-6).
(3) Israel (=son language; Isaiah 5; Hosea 11:1; Mt 2:15; Jn 15).
(4) Leaders (prophets, priests, kings).
(5) David (2 Sam 7:14; Isa 9:6-7; 11:1f; Ezk 34; Mt 22:41f; Acts 2:22-36).
(6) Institutions (temple, Passover, sacrifices).
(7) Events (exodus – Isa 40, esp. vv. 1-5, 9-11; Isa 63-64, esp. 63:7-19 and 64:1-12; cf. also Hos 11:1ff).

Well, You asked for It

"G" said:

I think I can guarantee that Thomaswon't be gaining celebrity status any time soon. Imagine seeing his face on the cover of one of those cigar magazines! "Adam Thoms: The Theologian America Loves to Hate".

smLogan said:

now that's a magazine i would definitely subscribe (and gladly contribute) to.

*Please don't be offended guys. A little "locker room" humor is perhaps fitting for just a moment.

Many Thanks to James Gordon and his finding this old copy of my life as an aficionado

Simply Described, yet Devastatingly Accomplished

What it means to be justified (which means imputation of righteousness!) as a Christian is perfectly described by early church father, John Chrysostom (349-407 AD):

And what has he done? "Him that knew no sin He made to be sin, for you." For if he had achieved nothing elsebut done only this, think how great a thing it is to give His Son for those that had outraged Him. But now he has truly achieved mighty things, and besides, has allowed him that did no wrong to be punished for those who had done wrong. Yet Paul did not say this, but mentioned that which is far greater than this. What then is this? "Him that knew no sin," he says, Him that was righteousness itself, "He made sin," that is allowed Him to be condemned as a sinner, as one cursed to die. "For cursed is he that hangs on a tree" (Gal. 3.13). For to die like this was far greater than simply to die; and this he also elsewhere implies, saying, "Becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2.8). For this thing carried with it not only punishment, but also disgrace.

Reflect therefore what great things He bestowed on you. For it would indeed be a great thing for even a sinner to die for anyone whatever; but when He who undergoes this is righteous and yet dies for sinners; and not only dies, but even dies as one cursed; and not as cursed only, but thereby freely bestows upon us those great benefits which we never anticipated (for he says "we might become the righteousness of God in Him)-what words, what thought shall be adequate to realize these things? "For the Righteous One he made a sinner," he says, "that He might make the sinners righteous." Indeed rather, he did not even say this, but what was greater by far; for the word he employed is not he habit [sinner], but the quality [of sin] itself.

For this is the righteousness of God, when we are justified not by works, in which case it would be necessary that not even a spot should be found, but by grace, in which case all sin is done away. And this, at the same time that it does not allow us to be lifted up (for it is entirely the free gift of God), teaches us also the greatness of what is given. For what came before was a righteousness of the law and of works, but this it the righteousness of God."

Nick Needham notes, "Here is what the Reformers were to call "the wonderful exchange": Christ being made sin with humanity's sin, so that we might become righteous with a divine righteousness."

Quotations taken from:

Needham, Nick. "Justification in the Early Church Fathers." quoting John Chrysostom's work, "Homilies on 2Corinthians 11.5." All quotations coming from "Justification in Perspecitive" edited by Bruce L. McCormack, (Baker: Grand Rapids, 2006), 35.

If Anyone is Above Reproach Tit. 1.6

My Pastor has recently begun preaching through Titus. Our church has been forced to think through many issues with regards to church leadership (organizational structure i.e. Elder Rule), our testimony as believers among "outsiders" (unbelieving co-workers, neighbors etc), and most controversially what means exactly for a minister to be "above reproach". The format at our church is structured in such a way that our small group meets on wednesday nights at someone's home for discussion on the Sunday service/message.

When it came time to discuss the Sunday message it was very interesting when people began to discuss what it meant to them to have their Pastor to be "above reproach". As a aspiring Pastor I am always interested in this kind of discussion. I would like to know what you might think constitutes being "above reproach"? What was in the mind of the Apostle when he was saying that Elders must be "above reproach"? In other words, what brings about "reproach"? It is an interesting phrase in the hands of many people. Many love to use it in relation to "liberty issues", however, what is reproachable about living in freedom? Is being "above reproach" biblically defined and clearly objective? Should Pastors seek to honor the myriad of preferences among those to whom they minister all in the name of being "above reproach"whether those prefrences are biblically defined or not?

Case in Point: Charles Spurgeon (I know, I know, everyone can "use" Spurgeon, and it is true that he is the most misquoted and manipulated minister of the Christian Church but just listen).

In reference to his love of fine cigars and the controversy that surrounded it (i.e. loss of testimony, no longer "above reproach", loss of influence etc) Spurgeon wrote:

I demur altogether and most positively to the statement that to smoke tobacco is in itself a sin. It may become so, as any other indifferent action may, but as an action it is no sin.Together with hundreds of thousands of my fellow-Christians I have smoked, and, with them, I am under the condemnation of living in habitual sin, if certain accusers are to be believed. As I would not knowingly live even in the smallest violation of the law of God, and sin in the transgression of the law, I will not own to sin when I am not conscious of it.There is growing up in society a Pharisaic system which adds to the commands of God the precepts of men; to that system I will not yield for an hour. The preservation of my liberty may bring upon me the upbraidings of many good men, and the sneers of the self-righteous; but I shall endure both with serenity so long as I feel clear in my conscience before God...I am told that my open avowal will lessen my influence, and my reply is that if I have gained any influence through being thought different from what I am, I have no wish to retain it. I will do nothing upon the sly, and nothing about which I have a doubt.

What say you?

Quote taken from:

(http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm)

Update: Cummings, David, Mike, Lerro

I have been very slack in updating my blogger-role. When I started this blog I was merely trying to "tag" a minimum number of people since I did not intend to keep this blog anyway. However, much time has passed and many blogs have been started and or continued. So, I say all that to say this, I have updated my blog "shoutouts".

I have added Mike Osborne's blog. Mike is a good friend that really had a hand in my earliest discipleship. I shared a room with him in college for 2 years and it was very formative in my early growth. I really look back on those days with appreciation.

I have also added the Lerro family site. Dan has become a good friend since I have come to know him better ministering alongside him at CBCOceana (our church). He has much to offer.

I have added David Griffiths' blog also. This was a long time coming in that David has had his blog up and running for a long time. He is very good on cultural engagement. He is a good writer and very thoughtful. I have known David as a classmate, oddly enough as a teacher of mine and also as a friend. I will never forget when I took Ephesians in Bible College from David. Our final projects reflected Davids view of exegesis (the more I think about it especially) and life. It was great. I look back on those days in that class upstairs in the ERC building at NBBC right before lunch and I can do nothing but smile. Hey David, I still don't think that I liked your "Mr. Rogers-esqe" cardigan, but hey you da man.

Finally, I have added the Cummings family site also. Jonny was one of my best buddies at NBBC, especially speaking in terms of my last year there. Jonny was ALWAYS challenging me to stop thinking like a "literal dispensational" dare I say 'psycho'. I was not always ready for Jon's thoughts, but yet I always welcomed them. We would hang out in my room after school eating Cheez-it's, drinking some soda (no Guinness) and talking about where we were going to go to Seminary. I won't even say who chose the, oh let's say, perhaps the "better" choice.
He also gets the credit for introducing me to the great John Owen. He printed out about a $50 copy of "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ" for me when he worked up stairs at NBBC as a 3ohr. worker. Thanks to Jonny's efforts of printing out an illilegal amount of paper upstairs under the guise of 30 hr. working I spent that whole semester reading Owen. Thanks Jonny.
I must say, it is a family blog so Christine does most of the posting, if not all, but hey you can enjoy the pictures. Their kids are cute.

On a sad update notice: I may have to take off the CRBlog. I think that Chris Bruno, another college roommate of mine seems to be no longer out there in blogosphere. Are you out there Chris???? I am guessing he does not have time to blog seeing as how he working at getting into a Wheaton PhD. That is much sweeter than blogging I must say.

And So It Begins!

The Tigers are now back in action. The offseason has been an interesting one too. As you may know the "Tigs" (tie-gs) have acquired Gary Sheffield from the New Yor Yankees. The 19 year veteran came to Detroit in light of some "disagreements" with the Yankees clubhouse. He is considered to be one of the fastest bats/quickest hands (wrists) in MLB. However, let's be honest here it is not like he is getting any younger and if I am correct on this I believe he had surgery on those quick hands/wrists last year. This might leave him a little slower? Anyway, all indications from Manager Jim Leyland seem to point to nothing but excitement for the All-Star and his abilities.

In other notes, Jeremy Bonderman signed a 38 million dollar deal, which will leave him in Detroit for atleast 4 more seasons. Bonderman was awesome in the Postseason last year and added much to the Tigs overall changes. Bonderman seems to be worth his weight in gold, or in this case green, and lots of it. He is working hard to add a deadly change-up to his pitching arsonal. If this happens he will perhaps not only win games for Detroit, but may very well dominate.
So far the Tigers beat the Mets 1-0 in the first unofficial outing of the pre-season.

All I can say, once again is, Play on Playaz.