Thursday, March 1, 2012
Theodicy
"You must take heed of making God to have a hand in men’s sins. Is it likely that God is the author of sin and the avenger of it? Is it a likely thing that God should make a law against sin, and then have a hand in breaking his own law? God permitted their sin, which he never would, if he could not bring good out of it." - Thomas Watson
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Book Review: Every Body Matters
Gary Thomas has entered a risky arena in his Every Body Matters. Many evangelicals voice considerable objection over the current cultural obsession with body image. Conversely, some Christians have fallen prey to the mindset that “image is everything.” In this book, Thomas adds his input in a way that brings us back to the center.
The premise is that God has given each of us only one body through which we live to the glory of God. Stewardship of this resource is as important as any other aspect of life. Thomas states his position clearly: “Whether you’re in your twenties, thirties, or forties – or facing your fifties, sixties, seventies, or beyond – one thing is certain: you’re doing it in a body, a body that not only contains a soul but affects your soul as well. We are not angels, pursuing God without physical covering, and if we try to pretend that we are – living as though the state of our bodies has no effect on the condition of our souls – all the proper doctrine in the world can’t save us from eating away our sensitivity to God’s presence or throwing away years of potential ministry if we wreck our heart’s physical home.”
The intent of this book is not to produce marathon runners (although Gary Thomas runs in marathons), bodybuilders, or swimsuit models. It is to encourage the Christian to seriously consider the totality of the individual created in God’s image.
The premise is that God has given each of us only one body through which we live to the glory of God. Stewardship of this resource is as important as any other aspect of life. Thomas states his position clearly: “Whether you’re in your twenties, thirties, or forties – or facing your fifties, sixties, seventies, or beyond – one thing is certain: you’re doing it in a body, a body that not only contains a soul but affects your soul as well. We are not angels, pursuing God without physical covering, and if we try to pretend that we are – living as though the state of our bodies has no effect on the condition of our souls – all the proper doctrine in the world can’t save us from eating away our sensitivity to God’s presence or throwing away years of potential ministry if we wreck our heart’s physical home.”
The intent of this book is not to produce marathon runners (although Gary Thomas runs in marathons), bodybuilders, or swimsuit models. It is to encourage the Christian to seriously consider the totality of the individual created in God’s image.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Living in the Light of the "Hour"
Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly spoke about “his hour.” This is a reference to his impending death on the cross. In John 12:23-26 that “hour” had finally come. Everything would be different. The world became a different world.
Up to this point, the disciples were clueless about the events of the coming days. They would be taken by surprise at Jesus’ crucifixion and suffer crushing despair, unaware that the Savior would rise from the dead.
In John 12: 23-26 Jesus prepared his disciples by telling them how to live in this different world. He would show them in concrete ways by his death and resurrection.
In a series of paradoxical statements, Jesus left instructions for his disciples, the Twelve and those who would follow their teachings down through the centuries.
One must die if he is to Live – 24
All who heard Jesus were familiar with this agricultural analogy. The seed goes into the ground and “dies” so it can germinate. If it doesn’t do this, it cannot take root and bear.
Jesus’ was about to do this very thing. He would die and go into the tomb, but He would come out alive. His resurrection would bear fruit that still has yet to be gathered.
In all likelihood, you and I are not called upon to die – yet! Tertullian said that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” But if not called upon to die for the sake of Christ, we are certainly to die to self for the sake of Christ. This is amazingly difficult. Yet we discover that the only way to truly live without fear and without hesitation is to die to this life and live to the glory of God.
One must lose his life if he is to keep it – 25
Most of our lives are spent providing for this life, making ourselves comfortable, attractive, healthy, safe and secure. It’s all about living in the now.
Jesus says that to keep our lives we must lose them. There is more to life than “now.” And while we know there is a life to come that will overshadow this life, it is true that so few of us prepare for that life because we are so consumed with this one.
To lose our lives means to lose them in following Christ. All of the things we do to maintain life here is good and right – but not if it consumes us; not if life becomes our life.
One must be humble if he is to be honored – 26
We would expect Jesus to have something to say about serving God and following Him. This is right and proper. At the end of the statement he adds this: if anyone serves me the Father will honor Him. This is consistent with Jesus had said previously about seeking the most prominent positions at a feast. In the kingdom of God the way up is down; the first shall be last; the last shall be first.
This is counter-cultural to a “me-first” culture. But it is only being Christ-like.
Up to this point, the disciples were clueless about the events of the coming days. They would be taken by surprise at Jesus’ crucifixion and suffer crushing despair, unaware that the Savior would rise from the dead.
In John 12: 23-26 Jesus prepared his disciples by telling them how to live in this different world. He would show them in concrete ways by his death and resurrection.
In a series of paradoxical statements, Jesus left instructions for his disciples, the Twelve and those who would follow their teachings down through the centuries.
One must die if he is to Live – 24
All who heard Jesus were familiar with this agricultural analogy. The seed goes into the ground and “dies” so it can germinate. If it doesn’t do this, it cannot take root and bear.
Jesus’ was about to do this very thing. He would die and go into the tomb, but He would come out alive. His resurrection would bear fruit that still has yet to be gathered.
In all likelihood, you and I are not called upon to die – yet! Tertullian said that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” But if not called upon to die for the sake of Christ, we are certainly to die to self for the sake of Christ. This is amazingly difficult. Yet we discover that the only way to truly live without fear and without hesitation is to die to this life and live to the glory of God.
One must lose his life if he is to keep it – 25
Most of our lives are spent providing for this life, making ourselves comfortable, attractive, healthy, safe and secure. It’s all about living in the now.
Jesus says that to keep our lives we must lose them. There is more to life than “now.” And while we know there is a life to come that will overshadow this life, it is true that so few of us prepare for that life because we are so consumed with this one.
To lose our lives means to lose them in following Christ. All of the things we do to maintain life here is good and right – but not if it consumes us; not if life becomes our life.
One must be humble if he is to be honored – 26
We would expect Jesus to have something to say about serving God and following Him. This is right and proper. At the end of the statement he adds this: if anyone serves me the Father will honor Him. This is consistent with Jesus had said previously about seeking the most prominent positions at a feast. In the kingdom of God the way up is down; the first shall be last; the last shall be first.
This is counter-cultural to a “me-first” culture. But it is only being Christ-like.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Hmmm...
"Whether you’re in your twenties, thirties, or forties – or facing your fifties, sixties, seventies, or beyond – one thing is certain: you’re doing it in a body, a body that not only contains a soul but affects your soul as well. We are not angels, pursuing God without physical covering, and if we try to pretend that we are – living as though the state of our bodies has no effect on the condition of our souls – all the proper doctrine in the world can’t save us from eating away our sensitivity to God’s presence or throwing away years of potential ministry if we wreck our heart’s physical home." – Gary Thomas, Every Body Matters
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Determinations
I gave up on New Year's resolutions long ago. Instead, I have composed a list of "determinations," things that are continual goals for my Christian life.
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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." (Acts 20:28)
"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Tim. 4:16)
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." (2Pet. 3:18)
Principles:
I am responsible for my own progress in holiness.
My own sanctification takes priority over ministry to others. 1Tim says that I will not be able to be an instrument of salvation to others if I do not take heed to myself.
Being is more important than doing.
Therefore, in order to better take heed to myself, I have composed these determinations:
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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." (Acts 20:28)
"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Tim. 4:16)
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." (2Pet. 3:18)
Principles:
I am responsible for my own progress in holiness.
My own sanctification takes priority over ministry to others. 1Tim says that I will not be able to be an instrument of salvation to others if I do not take heed to myself.
Being is more important than doing.
Therefore, in order to better take heed to myself, I have composed these determinations:
- I will say fewer prayers, but pray more.
- I will read the Bible, and allow myself to be read by the Bible.
- I will be less critical of others and more critical of myself
- I will be ruthless in the sin I see in myself; gracious in the sin I see in others.
- I will be ready for the worst and anticipate the best
- I will take the work that God has set before very seriously; I will not take myself seriously.
- I will be a better husband, father, grandfather, and friend; I will be an enemy of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
- I will declare war on pride, arrogance, conceit, and Phariseeism – beginning with my own.
- I will approach the work of God with the same attitude that David had in 2 Samuel 24:24 "And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen."
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Books
On this final day of 2011, I will get back into the “business of blogging” with a review of some of the books I read this past year.
33 Men: Inside the Miraculous Survival and Dramatic Rescue of the Chilean Miners by Jonathan Franklin. This is a riveting account of the men trapped in a Chilean mine collapse 2300 feet underground for about 9 weeks.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Henrietta Lacks was a poor woman from Clover, Virginia. Though she died of cervical cancer in 1951, her cells became the first immortal human cells. In the opening chapter we are told that Henrietta’s cells went into space to study the impact of zero gravity on human cells, and that one scientist estimates “that if you could pile all [Henrietta’s] cells ever grown onto a scale, they’d weigh more than 50 million metric tons – an inconceivable number given that an individual cell weighs almost nothing.”
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Lauren Hillenbrand. Unbroken is the story of Louis Zamperini who survived 47 days at sea following the downing of his aircraft. He was “rescued” by Japanese soldiers and became a POW, suffering under some of the most brutal conditions of the war. Hillenbrand gives limited attention to Zamperini’s conversion to Christ during the famous post war Los Angeles Crusade of Billy Graham.
Abortion: A Rational Look at an Emotional Topic by R. C. Sproul
History and Fallacies by Carl Trueman. This is a critique of how we understand history.
Ship of Ghosts by James Hornfischer. This book chronicles the history of the USS Houston, its sinking and the imprisonment of many of her crew during the early days of WWII.
A World Lit Only by Fire by William Manchester. Reads like a novel.
Stiff – The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. Absolutely intriguing, but not for the squeamish.
The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin. One of the worst blizzards to hit the prairies fell on January 12-13, 1888. It was called the Children’s Blizzard because many children were sent home from their one room schoolhouses at the onset of the storm. When the blizzard ran its course, more than 100 children lay dead in the snow.
33 Men: Inside the Miraculous Survival and Dramatic Rescue of the Chilean Miners by Jonathan Franklin. This is a riveting account of the men trapped in a Chilean mine collapse 2300 feet underground for about 9 weeks.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Henrietta Lacks was a poor woman from Clover, Virginia. Though she died of cervical cancer in 1951, her cells became the first immortal human cells. In the opening chapter we are told that Henrietta’s cells went into space to study the impact of zero gravity on human cells, and that one scientist estimates “that if you could pile all [Henrietta’s] cells ever grown onto a scale, they’d weigh more than 50 million metric tons – an inconceivable number given that an individual cell weighs almost nothing.”
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Lauren Hillenbrand. Unbroken is the story of Louis Zamperini who survived 47 days at sea following the downing of his aircraft. He was “rescued” by Japanese soldiers and became a POW, suffering under some of the most brutal conditions of the war. Hillenbrand gives limited attention to Zamperini’s conversion to Christ during the famous post war Los Angeles Crusade of Billy Graham.
Abortion: A Rational Look at an Emotional Topic by R. C. Sproul
How to Write a Sentence: and How to Read One by Stanley Fish (I guess I need to re-read this one).
History and Fallacies by Carl Trueman. This is a critique of how we understand history.
Ship of Ghosts by James Hornfischer. This book chronicles the history of the USS Houston, its sinking and the imprisonment of many of her crew during the early days of WWII.
A World Lit Only by Fire by William Manchester. Reads like a novel.
Stiff – The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach. Absolutely intriguing, but not for the squeamish.
The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin. One of the worst blizzards to hit the prairies fell on January 12-13, 1888. It was called the Children’s Blizzard because many children were sent home from their one room schoolhouses at the onset of the storm. When the blizzard ran its course, more than 100 children lay dead in the snow.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Judgment Day
Unless you have recently crawled out of a cave, you know that Mr. Harold Camping has predicted that Judgment Day will occur on May 21, 2011. Mr. Camping leaves no room for doubt. On “Open Forum,” his radio call-in program, he has stated that it is as certain as the virgin birth or the resurrection of Christ. Billboards around the country announce the date and claim “The Bible guarantees it.”
Smarter people than I have written critiques of Camping’s claims and the hermeneutics he uses to arrive at his conclusion. He is extremely harsh towards those who do not hold his views, calling them deceivers and false prophets. On the outside chance he is wrong in his predictions (hear the sarcasm in the voice), will he admit to being a false prophet? That is unlikely, since he has made similar predictions at least twice before. No doubt he will revise his figures and be just as dogmatic about the next date. No matter, you must admire his chutzpah. But when his “judgment day” predictions prove false, what will scoffers think of the Bible since it “guarantees” that it will happen on May 21? No doubt his caricature of truth will be the only one that some people will ever consider.
This is a good time for us to remember Millard Erickson’s counsel to avoid the extremes of “eschatomania” and “eschatophobia.” Erickson coined this phrase in his Introduction to Christian Doctrine. He describes the term like this:
Eschatophobia is the reaction to the opposite extreme. It is unfortunate that some tend to avoid this truth that Scripture calls “the blessed hope.”
So, as long as people are making money on eschatology, why not me? I am making available “Harold Camping End of the World Tour” T shirts. Let me know if you want one, but get your order in before May 21.
Smarter people than I have written critiques of Camping’s claims and the hermeneutics he uses to arrive at his conclusion. He is extremely harsh towards those who do not hold his views, calling them deceivers and false prophets. On the outside chance he is wrong in his predictions (hear the sarcasm in the voice), will he admit to being a false prophet? That is unlikely, since he has made similar predictions at least twice before. No doubt he will revise his figures and be just as dogmatic about the next date. No matter, you must admire his chutzpah. But when his “judgment day” predictions prove false, what will scoffers think of the Bible since it “guarantees” that it will happen on May 21? No doubt his caricature of truth will be the only one that some people will ever consider.
This is a good time for us to remember Millard Erickson’s counsel to avoid the extremes of “eschatomania” and “eschatophobia.” Erickson coined this phrase in his Introduction to Christian Doctrine. He describes the term like this:
One pastor is reported to have preached on the Book of Revelation every Sunday evening for nineteen years! Sometimes the teaching is augmented by large detailed charts of the last times. Current political and social events, especially those relating to the nation of Israel, are identified with prophecies in Scripture. As a result, some preachers have been caricatured as having the Bible in one hand and the daily newspaper in the other. Hal Lindsay’s Late Great Planet Earth is a noteworthy example of this type of “eschatomania (p. 374).
Eschatophobia is the reaction to the opposite extreme. It is unfortunate that some tend to avoid this truth that Scripture calls “the blessed hope.”
So, as long as people are making money on eschatology, why not me? I am making available “Harold Camping End of the World Tour” T shirts. Let me know if you want one, but get your order in before May 21.
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