Biblical Illiteracy in the Church

Al Mohler laments the spread of biblical illiteracy not just in Western society, but in the church:  "We will not believe more than we know, and we will not live higher than our beliefs. The many fronts of Christian compromise in this generation can be directly traced to biblical illiteracy in the pews and the absence of biblical preaching and teaching in our homes and churches."

What To Think of Trump

Serious concerns from Peter Wehner at the New York Times:  "Why I will never vote for Donald Trump."

Polarizing Provocation

Charlie Hebdo's special edition recognizing the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attack that left 12 dead in their Paris offices makes a reckless, dishonest, and profoundly damaging statement:  the cover portrays God as a Kalashnikov-wielding terrorist scurrying about with blood on his hands, and it has the caption:  "The assassin is still at large."  Their point is clear:  God is to blame.  God is the killer.  Religion is the problem.

This broad brush journalistic swipe at religion is both incorrect and irresponsible.  We would expect some measure of discernment, some capacity to make vital distinctions, by those who write for a paper with the following self-description:  "A different angle on the news, for an in-depth view beyond the everyday media offer.  Humour, food for thought and satire from cartoonists, journalists, reporters, writers and columnists."  But discernment is cast to the wind in this brazen gesture to smear any and all who believe in God with the guilt of ruthless killers.  The Vatican, rightly, has sharply criticized Charlie Hebdo's anti-God message.

I can't help but suppose that this poor excuse for journalism is really a clever publicity stunt to sell papers and turn a nice profit.  Tossing out the baby with the bath water may be "Foolish Thinking 101," but it serves nicely to inflame other careless minds, cause unnecessary division, and, again, sell papers.  As they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity.

Two seconds of honest reflection on the history of the world will remind an open-minded person that religious faith has motivated many of the greatest humanitarian achievements.  Yes, religious people have sometimes committed great wrongs.  But to let that fact erase the massive contribution of good would be tragic and foolish.  Consider, for example, the countless hospitals founded by Christian missionaries that dot the planet.  Or so many many schools and universities.  Or charities or shelters for the homeless or social service agencies.  The list could go on and on.  But I'll stop.

Culture Wars, Religion, and Today's Turmoil

Kevin DeYoung's recent post, "Thinking Theologically about Islam," lays out helpful baseline commitments that Christians are urged to accept and agree upon.  They fall under the headings of "identity," "faith" and "welcome." 

The Latest from Trump

I appreciate Russell Moore's thoughtful analysis of and objection to Donald Trump's recent statement that the USA should close the border to all Muslims.  

Remembering Officer Garrett Swasey

Police officer Garrett Swasey lost his life seeking to protect and defend others on Nov. 27 when he responded to a call to assist law enforcement on the scene at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic where a gunman was on a violent rampage.  Officer Swasey was also a co-pastor of his church, Hope Chapel, where he delivered his last sermon on Nov. 15, including a poignant call to consider Christ and not delay:  don't assume you've got tomorrow--tomorrow may not come.  See Jordan Standridge's overview of Swasey's sermon.

The World as 100 People

Fascinating:

by JackHagley.  From Visually.

Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Shooting

The recent shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood site was a deplorable act of violence that must be condemned in the strongest terms.  On the way that some pro-choice advocates are using this tragedy to try and advance their cause, see the helpful article by Trevin Wax.  For an overview of why Christians do not support resorting to violence against those who carry out abortions, see Joe Carter's article.

Syrian refugees come ashore in Greece

The Rising Tide from Samaritan's Purse on Vimeo.

Samaritan's Purse shows us a glimpse of what's happening on the shores of Lesbos, a Greek island just some six miles from the Turkish mainland.  Watch and pray.

Christian Presence in this World

After 9/11 the Elders at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis endorsed an article by their pastor, John Piper, on how Christians should relate to people of other faiths.  Today, in the wake of the recent Paris attacks, these are helpful, thoughtful words well worth our prayerful reflection.

Chipotle and Church

A humble, helpful, honest, challenging word from Brett McCracken about our consumerist mentality as we view churches.

Show Us the Evidence

In light of the recent series of undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood doctors and senior staff discussing the sale of body parts of aborted babies, I am reminded how the pro-choice community resolutely refuses to answer the key question brought to the surface by all of this:  "Where is the evidence that the unborn are not children?"

I'm sure that these videos are generating interest in the specific questions of whether certain laws have been broken having to do with specific prohibitions against the sale of fetal body parts, but it just pushes me to think big-picture and ask again (as so many people have been asking since 1973), "Where is the evidence that the unborn are not children?"  Why is it we are so sure that the unborn offspring of human beings is not a true human being?

See further my earlier post elaborating on the matter.

See here for info on the recent undercover videos.

On Christian Parenting

Helpful, balanced, God-honoring counsel for parents from Jason Helopoulos.  And always good to bear in mind that what God commands us to do, he will enable us, by the work of his Spirit and the teaching of his Word, to accomplish.  So we practice the obedience of faith.

Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015)

So thankful for the clear, bold, wise, courageous discipleship of Elisabeth Elliot.  See the many tributes that have appeared today, e.g., from John Piper, Justin Taylor, Kate Shellnutt, and Joe Carter.

I remember hearing her speak at Urbana '79, especially the way she handled Q and A with tact, directness, and how she got beneath the surface questions to matters of the heart--pointing everyone to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Majoring on Minors

Conrad Mbewe speaks a word of wisdom on the "prosperity gospel" and the way it confuses majors and minors:

The Prosperity Gospel Majors on Minors from Desiring God on Vimeo.

Baltimore News and Your Newsfeed

Trillia Newbell asks some penetrating, helpful questions in the wake of the chaos in Baltimore: 

"If your newsfeed is anything like mine, it’s full of pictures of Baltimore going up in flames as raging rioters become the narrative of the day. We see lives destroyed and like a swarm of bees we find our source and begin to sting.  It’s one thing to bring awareness to an issue, but are we sharing fairly? Have we succumbed to fearmongering and sensationalism, or are there ways to tell more than one story?"

Twenty-Two Years Like a Day

I can appreciate all the vigorous debate over religious freedom and equal rights and the delicate interplay of diversity and unity within our society, and how it all plays out in relation to Christians and Muslims and atheists and gays and straights and everyone else--it's an important conversation (did I say "shouting match"?).  But so very much more pressing and profound and (in fact) hope-awakening are the deep things of Jesus' love and his sovereign goodness through the storms and all the way home to heaven.  My soul is helped ever so much more by the testimony of Greg Lucas (and the witness of Kara Tippetts, and of Elliott Orr) than by all the excitement of politically charged culture war disputes.

Getting Beneath the Bruhaha

The recent rush to judgment against evangelical Christians for all the intolerance and discrimination they will now supposedly practice in light of Indiana's recently passed RFRA makes the words of NY Times Op-Ed columnist Nicholas Kristof worth pondering.

Update 4-10-2015:  I appreciated follow-up articles in NYT, The Atlantic, and the blog 'Mere Orthodoxy.'

Peace the Passes Understanding

I have so much appreciated the thoughtful, humble, hopeful, honest, God-ward reflections of Kara Tippetts, even as she stepped up to the brink of her departure from this world.  Praying for her husband, pastor Jason Tippets, and for their four children.  (See also this excerpt from her book.)

The Sad Situation of 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

The release of "Fifty Shades of Grey" in theaters the day before Valentine's Day sends a disturbing message about love.

Of course, I don't expect non-believing, Christ-defying writers and movie makers and advertisers to avoid promoting sexual exploitation--if there's a profit to be made, the sad mixture of free enterprise and sexual chaos in our day is going to result in grim effects like "Fifty Shades."  Not surprised.

But sad, and grieved.

And yet always looking to Christ with hope.  Followers of Jesus, let's PRAY that our ingenious Lord would accomplish all kinds of good and God-honoring things in his round-about ways through this sorrowful situation (Genesis 50:20).

Here are a few thoughtful comments about "Fifty Shades":

• Owen Strachan:  "50 Shades of Grey speaks to where things are headed in our culture. We should not expect that postmodernism will protect women. It will do no such thing. We should not expect that it will ennoble men and call them to self-sacrificial responsibility. It will do no such thing. We should not expect that postmodernism will bless children and strengthen the family. It will do no such thing."
• Tim Challies and Helen Thorne:  "As 50 Shades of Grey hits the screens, let’s love God well by honoring him wholeheartedly with our eyes, ears, hearts and minds. Let’s love our brothers and sisters well by encouraging them with truth rather than lies. Let’s love our unbelieving neighbors by showing them how beautiful and alluring purity looks. And let’s love ourselves by committing ourselves wholeheartedly to living in light of the immense love that has been lavished on us. “See what a great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)."
• Marshall Segal:  "The message that sex is selfish, manipulative, and even playfully violent will abuse and violate you. It might feel like a fun and harmless fantasy, but it’s not so subtly redefining the power and beauty of sex, creating spiritual blockages in your heart that will eventually kill you, and impairing your ability to enjoy real and lasting pleasure."
• Kevin DeYoung:  "There is nothing gray about whether a follower of Christ should see 50 Shades of Grey. This is a black and white issue. Don’t go. Don’t watch it. Don’t read it. Don’t rent it."

"This Life Only"

I'm struck by the logic and power of God's sharp word in 1 Corinthians 15:19 (it's like a scalpel--sharp but good):  "If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."

Not only is it pitiful to follow a kind of "Christianity" that denies or disregards the historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus and/or the promise of bodily resurrection into glorious future life for all who trust in Jesus, but it's pitiful as well when we say we believe these things but still live in such a way that our heart's passion and energy and attention is all caught up in the here-and-now.

And yet, that kind of pitiful state is so easy to fall into!  "Lord, awaken my silly heart from its dream of earthly bliss and from the illusion of the world's security, and focus it in on real joy, the lasting and infinite joy of knowing you--now and forever."

The Pope and the Limits of Free Speech

In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, Pope Francis has made ill-considered remarks inviting the conclusion that, at some point or in some manner, insulting words will / do (must?) provoke a forceful reply.  This is being construed, for example, by Vox as follows:  "Pope Francis on free speech: if you insult religion, expect violence."  

According to the Vatican News Service, "Pope Francis said on Thursday that there are limits to freedom of expression, especially when it insults or ridicules someone’s faith....  Pope Francis was asked by a French journalist about the relationship between freedom of religion and freedom of expression.  He replied saying that both are "fundamental human rights" and stressed that killing in the name of God “is an aberration.” But he said there were limits to that freedom of expression.  By way of example he referred to Alberto Gasparri who organizes the papal trips and was standing by his side on the plane. The Pope said if “his good friend Dr Gasparri” says a curse word against his mother, he can “expect a punch”, and at that point he gestured with a pretend punch towards him, saying: “It’s normal. You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others.  You cannot make fun of the faith of others.”"  

How this "punch" fits into Christian teaching is a puzzle--it surely doesn't seem to square with Jesus' message about love for enemies (Luke 6:27, 35).  Better to leave the matter of applying force to the state, since civil government has the responsibility to preserve law and order and to use means, even force when necessary, to protect citizens and apply justice (Romans 13:1-7).

[Jan. 17 update:  Numerous other reports are questioning the pope's remarks--e.g., British Prime Minister David Cameron, who contends that it is wrong to endorse revenge:  "I think in a free society, there is a right to cause offence about someone’s religion. I’m a Christian; if someone says something offensive about Jesus, I might find that offensive, but in a free society I don’t have a right to wreak vengeance on them."  And former Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries, writes, "I am a great admirer of the Pope but when, to make the proper point that we should not insult the faith of others, he said his assistant could “expect a punch” if he cursed his mother, I was aghast."]
.

The Startling Good News

I appreciate Amy Hall's post at Stand to Reason about the startling figure of the suffering Messiah:  "We forget how entirely unexpected and shocking the humility and servanthood of Jesus is—how foreign it is to human expectations of God, and in this case, to Muslim expectations."

14 Ways to Sabotage Your Prayer Life

1. Pray only when you feel like it.  Disregard any fanatic ideas of praying “day and night” or “without ceasing.”
2. Try to impress God with pious prayer performances so that you can win max­imum spiritual credit.
3. Pray publicly with an eye to exhibiting your “spiritual maturity” for others to admire.
4. Let your prayers degenerate into mindless repetitions.  Re­cycle the same old phrases even when your mind is far away.
5. Imagine that it taxes God’s ability to meet your needs and respond in the best possible way to your prayers.
6. Convince yourself that God doesn’t really care about you and your silly little struggles and trials and tears anyhow.
7. Pretend that God doesn’t like to be bothered, and that he’s “put out” by your numerous cries and appeals.
8. View prayer as a way of putting God’s arm behind his back.
9. Demand instant results.  Dismiss the idea that God would have you persevere in prayer, or that your loving Heavenly Father might be free to answer, “No.”
10. Imagine that prayer won’t make any difference anyhow.
11. Shrink prayer by equating it with asking.  So bypass all that fluff (like praise, confession, thanksgiving) and go straight to the real thing:  your requests.
12. Reserve the worst hours of your day for prayer.  This way you can give to God what has the least value to you.
13. Think of prayer as doing God a favor.
14. Reduce prayer to a mental exercise, a sort of self-therapy to put the mind at ease, and in this way remove God from the picture entirely.  How about that, prayer without God!

Joy to the World!

Joy to the World (Isaac Watts, 1719)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

This song oozes with joyful praise rooted in Psalm 98.  But what is “joy”?  It’s so much more than mere thrills or pleasure or momentary happiness:  joy a deep peace in God’s love and a confident wonder at his majesty.  Now this coming of God into his world to reign as King demands a response:  prepare him room; enthrone him, exalt him!

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

What’s all this about fields, floods, rocks, and hills?  Psalm 98:7-8, like Psalm 19:1 (“The heavens declare the glory of God”), tells us nature is programed to spotlight its brilliant, magnificent Maker.  And when we worship God, in a sense all creation echoes our praise.

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.

Here we harken back to Genesis 3 and God’s curse upon sinful humanity and on nature itself.  We sing with hope for the day when sin will be no more, and the curse resulting from it (e.g., sorrows, thorns) will be undone, and death itself will be abolished.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

The certainty of God’s final victory exudes from this stanza:  every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9-11).  God’s reign unites grace and truth, love and righteousness—the theological balance here is exquisite.  But in the end, Isaac Watts just can’t resist repeating the wonders, wonders, wonders, wonders, wonders, wonders of Christmas love!

.

Sobering Reflections on De-Conversion

I appreciated Ed Stetzer's heart-felt, humble, and searching reflections on the de-conversion of Bart Campolo.
.

Half-Truth and Happiness

I thank God for revealing his truth to humanity—for sending Jesus, who is the truth (John 14:6); for his written revelation:  “Your word is truth” (John 17:17).  The Scriptures give light to show the way in a dark world (Psalm 119:105).  How we need God’s truth!

But still, distorted or veiled or incomplete or diluted or slanted words of truth are dangerous:  half-truths hurt people.  Like teach­ing that “God is love” while ignoring the fact that “God is light.”  Or teach­ing that we’re not saved by good works without clari­fying that we are saved unto good works.  Or favoring the NT and ignoring the OT.  Or tell­ing people to love neighbors without helping them first love God.

A certain half-truth recently went viral online:  Victoria Osteen (co-pastor with Joel Osteen at Houston’s positive-thinking Lakewood Church) declared, “When we obey God, we’re not doing it for God … we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we’re happy.  Just do good for your own self.  Do good because God wants you to be happy.  When you come to church, when you worship Him, you’re not doing it for God really.  You’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy.”  Here's the video:

The Christian blog-o-sphere lit up like fireworks in response.  First it was everyone saying how outrageous Osteen’s remarks were.  Then, after a bit, it was how some of the criticisms revealed an opposite error.  One half-truth was being exchanged for another.

So, what’s the grain of truth from Osteen?  It’s that God doesn’t need our worship—he has no need.  We don’t do good “for” God in a way that makes up for any deficiency in God because, of course, he has no deficiency.  The Maker and Master of all things is not “served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24). 

What’s more, everything that exists belongs to God (Psalm 24:1; 50:10-12).  We’re merely stewards of his property entrusted to our care (Luke 12:41-48; 1 Cor 4:7).  So we’re just not in a position to “give” God anything.  Even you yourself belong to God (“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price,” 1 Cor 6:19-20).

So Victoria Osteen touches on something true:  we don’t act for God in a way that makes up for any lack on his part (he lacks nothing).  Plus, all that we might give to God is really his already.

But still, there is a grievous distortion of God’s true word in Osteen’s remarks.  In response, Ligon Duncan points to the Westminster Catechism:  “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”  Duncan contends, “Our fullest joy cannot be realized or exper­ienced apart from the pursuit of God’s glory.”  “True worship is both God-glorifying and soul-satisfying.”  Psalm 73:25 comes to mind, Whom have I in heaven but you?  And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  And 16:11, You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The whole truth is that God does want you to be happy—so much so that he insists you find your happiness in what’s truly, eternally satis­fying.  So don’t just worship or do good because “it’s the right thing to do.”  Saying the right words or doing the right thing without a heart of love for God is not Christian worship (Matt 15:8; Rev 3:16).

Here’s a good word from eighteenth century evangelist, George Whitefield:  “A life spent in communion with God, is the pleasantest life in the world” (from his sermon, “Walking with God”).

The Bible commands us, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).  So again, God wants you to be happy.  Now a reckless reading of this verse locks in on Part B:  Hey, here’s my ticket to getting what I desire—let’s see, I desire a big house, luxury cars, perfect health, high status, trouble-free rela­tionships…  But that interpretation is crazy—and wrong.  Any response to Psalm 37:4 that takes joy in God’s gifts more than in the All-Satisfying Giver himself (remember:  “Delight yourself in the Lord”) amounts to idolatry. 

It would have been so much better if Victoria Osteen had said, “God wants you to be happy in Jesus:  in his love and acceptance, in his forgiveness and comfort, in his purifying and refining work to make you holy and help you walk in his steps!  That’s what you were made for, and no pleasure in mere prosperity will ever satisfy your heart.”

(For a devastating critique of prosperity theology, see John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad, 3rd edn., pp. 15-32.  For other helpful resources, search on “prosperity” at Desiring God.  See also the Sept­em­ber 3 article from Al Mohler).
.

Discontented Contentment

This summer has been a season of wrestling to find the wise and healthy “place” the Lord has for me—and for all his children—somewhere between chronic restlessness and sinful complacency.

On the one hand, Jesus offers us “rest”:  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28).  He brings peace (John 20:19, 20).  So release your anxieties into his fatherly care (Matt 6:25-34)!  Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything—that’s how we receive God’s peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:4-7).  Christians under pressure (e.g., 1 Pet 4:12) are to cast their anxieties on God since he cares for them (5:7). 

The life Christ calls you to, here and now, is one of peace, rest, and humble trust.  Anxiety breaks out in our souls when we forget who we are—and who the Lord is!  But godly contentment takes root as we lift up our eyes to the One who loves and saves and sustains and cares for us eternally (Psalm 121:1-2; 123:1-2).  Are you walking with Jesus today in an attitude of contentment?  Or is your heart being lured by the Enemy into a fretful, anxious, contentious state? 

The thing about the restless, straining, driven, overly idealistic path is that, the further you take it, the harder it is to get back.  We know we ought to “be still” (Ps 46:10), but we feed off of the ego boost that comes with all our great work and in imagining our­selves so far ahead of others, and we want more.  And more!  Yes, God is able to deliver us from this swamp—but you may lose the desire to turn to him! 

So peace, rest, calm… that’s the one hand.  On the other hand, the Bible calls us to a life of striving:  Jesus goes on in Matthew 6 to teach his disciples to “seek first God’s kingdom.”  Seek.  Paul tells his story of relentless straining and striving, pressing on, pursuing the prize (Phil 3:12-14); he portrays the life of faith in terms of diligent labor (2 Tim 2:1-7).  God says, You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart (Jer 29:13).  Lukewarm, ho-hum, blasé spirituality in the church is revolting to the Lord (Rev 3:16).

So we’re called to a restless restfulness, a discontented contentment.  That’s our paradox.  And it’s a very delicate balance:  we fallen humans easily slide into one sad propensity or the other—that is, to relax our way beyond contentment into complacency and self-serving mediocrity, OR to strive our way beyond the quest for growth in godliness so we end up as proud, straining achievers who really long to feature our own success rather than the glory of Christ.

What’s more, in some seasons of life we lose balance in an ambitious, striving direction, while in others we tip toward sloth, stifled imagination, and lost vision of earlier dreams.  In light of the fact that we oscillate like that, how can we thrive together in Christ as a church community?  For example, as a family with loved ones at different “places” along the continuum living under the same roof—strivers and resters?  Or as a church family made up of members who are in every possible position along the striving-resting spectrum?

Here are a few words of encouragement when it comes to shaping a life of discerning, humble, hopeful spirituality.  First, remem­ber that we all still have a long way to go in terms of spiritual growth.  Which is to say:  you have not “arrived,” nor is your case hopeless, nor are you too old to make new strides, nor are you too young to have grand hopes.  Settling into a life of “settling” dishonors the Lord:  he is at work in you to will and to accomplish his good pleasure (Phil 2:12-13), and his good pleasure includes your development of a healthy, humble rhythm of spiritual life that truly rests in God’s love and that also truly presses on in pursuit of Christ.

Second, be on the lookout for your own “signature sins” (to borrow a phrase from Michael Mangis’s book by the same title).  Know thyself.  Are you prone to slip into the mire of self-pity or doubt or sloth—and are those actually expressions of unbelief?  Or are you inclined to plateau and lock in to a no-change life—and is that actually a way to try and exert control and insulate yourself from life’s harsh winds and waves?  Or, in the other direction, are you prone to push and pull and strive and strain, always seeking more, never at peace, ever chasing some magnificent ideal—yet is that actually a way your heart slides into self-promotion mode while sidelining Jesus Christ?

Third, have mercy on your brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they’re driving you crazy with raging ambition or torpid sluggish­ness.  Be patient (1 Thess 5:14).  Lovingly encourage one another (Heb 3:12-13).  And bear with one another, always ready to forgive:  you must forgive, just as Christ has forgiven you (Col 3:13).

.

Ice Bucket Options

Since the ALS Association allocates some of its funds for research that uses stem cells from aborted children, those who wish to respect human life may want to choose other options for helping to fund ALS research.  See this article for some ideas.
.

Some Insight about Ferguson

Pastor Bob Bixby's thoughts are shared by Justin Taylor--helpful insights for white Christians to probe and pray over.
.

Obscene Indifference

This New York Times editorial about the world's response to ISIS is sobering and serious.
.

On Singleness

A good word that gets to the heart of the matter when it comes to following Jesus as a single person.

.

Swift Change

Kevin DeYoung points out how rapidly President Obama's and Vice President Biden's positions on gay marriage have changed:  just six years ago, the conversation was entirely different.
.

About the "Nominal Christian"

Helpful thoughts from Mike McKinley:


.

"Faith Is..."

I love this vivid word-picture of Christian faith given by nineteenth century pastor J. C. Ryle—it shows both the active nature of trust in Jesus, yet faith is rightly portrayed not as our work but dependence on the all-sufficient work of Christ: 

Saving faith is the hand of the soul.  The sinner is like a drowning man at the point of sinking.  He sees the Lord Jesus Christ holding out help to him.  He grasps it and is saved.  This is faith (Hebrews 6:18). 

Saving faith is the eye of the soul.  The sinner is like the Israelite bitten by the fiery serpent in the wilderness, and at the point of death.  The Lord Jesus Christ is offered to him as the brazen serpent, set up for his cure.  He looks and is healed.  This is faith (John 3:14-15). 

Saving faith is the mouth of the soul. The sinner is starving for want of food, and sick of a sore disease.  The Lord Jesus Christ is set before him as the bread of life, and the universal medicine. He receives it, and is made well and strong. This is faith (John 6:35). 

Saving faith is the foot of the soul. The sinner is pursued by a deadly enemy, and is in fear of being overtaken.  The Lord Jesus Christ is put be­fore him as a strong tower, a hiding place, and a refuge.  He runs into it and is safe. This is faith (Proverbs 18:10).

.

Logic of the Resurrection

I am struck afresh at the relentless and hope-giving logic stemming from Jesus' resurrection from the dead and giving hope for future resurrection to all who trust in him.  See HERE on 1 Corinthians 15.
.

Visits to Heaven?

David Platt compiles an array of recent publications featuring visits to and returns from heaven, and he also shows from Scripture why these fanciful accounts should be dismissed:


.

Cosmos

I noticed today that the new FOX / National Geographic thirteen-week TV series, "Cosmos:  A Spacetime Odyssey," makes a bold philosophical statement in the first line of their primary promotional video in which they lay their worldview cards on the table.  The voice of Carl Sagan declares, "The cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be."  

So there.

Update March 9:  episode 1 of the rebooted "Cosmos" series began with that same line from Sagan:  "The cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be."  This "in your face" philosophical/ideological agenda is stunning.  One thing it isn't, however:  science.
.

Winter of Discontent

As I write, pellets of sleet are tapping on the window in front of me.  And I wonder:  is ice accumulating on those oak branches hanging high above the power lines out back?  Is our house about to go dark—again? 

This has become the “winter of our discontent” (that may have been Shakespeare’s line, but it has found new meaning in 2014):  freezing rain, sticky snow, tree limbs crashing down, raging icicles, plus some nasty cold temperatures.  And yet, of the many ways to describe this winter’s weather (such as horrendous, unprecedented, relentless, stunning…), I’d like to suggest a different term:  meaningful.  Packed with significance.  The convulsions of nature are one way God speaks.  So just what is he saying through the wild winter weather?

God exhibits his raw power through Nor’easter and Polar Vortex systems that bring our routines grinding to a halt.  It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that he’s charge and we’re not.  Are you at peace with that?  Or do you get all bent out of shape when conditions don’t toe the line for your “well-laid plans”?

Remember, Psalm 19:1 is true all the time, not just with pretty sun­sets:  “The heavens declare the glory of God.”  The Lord’s creative power and sovereign majesty are on display this winter:  do you have eyes to see?  Praise the Lord, fire and hail and snow and frost! (Ps 148:8). 

God is always at work for the good of his people (Rom 8:28), so let’s be on the lookout for the good in having our agenda squashed.  May­be we need to be disrupted.  Disruption gives us a chance to live by faith—to trust the Lord with down time, loss, discomfort, even pain.  Don’t forget: the Father “disciplines those he loves” (Heb 12:6).

James 4:13-16 confronts our vain self-assurance:  “Of course we’ll go here and there and do this and that tomorrow and the next day!”  Winter Storm Pax reminds us that tomorrow is God’s domain.  The One who runs the universe also holds our future in his hand.  Are you content with that, even amidst the storm?

One more thought:  could it be that God gives us this mild misery to awaken us from our self-sovereignty stupor so we’d see a world in need—people facing affliction far worse than our blizzard?

.

The Value of a Super Bowl Victory

I have to hand it to the folks at Mars Hill Church for connecting with various followers of Jesus who are part of the Seattle Seahawks organization and providing video interviews of them.  It helps put things in perspective--that is, that knowing the Lord and being eternally loved by him is FAR more precious than a Super Bowl ring.  Here is an interview with Mark Driscoll asking several of the Seahawks who they think Jesus is.  In this one Russell Wilson is featured and shares his story of faith.  Plus, a 20-minute halftime video is provided--no doubt a more enriching presentation than what will come from the stadium during halftime.
.

Loving God's Word

I appreciated Steve Fuller's blog post about the treasure we have in the Word of God, the Bible.  He draws attention to a video of a group of Chinese believers receiving their first Bibles--take a look.

Some may call this kind of love for the Scriptures "bibliolatry," but the charge misses the point:  this is not worship of a book but the adoring and trusting devotion of believers for the Lord who speaks to them in his Good Book.  No need to try and drive a wedge between God and his revelation.
.

Alone, Yet Not Alone

Here's the song and a glance at the recording of it by Joni Eareckson Tada, "Alone, Yet Not Alone," which has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song from the movie, "Alone, Yet Not Alone."

.

Sobering Information about Abortion

Serious and sobering words about the ongoing tragedy of abortion in our world.

See also David Murray's list of resources on this topic.
.

Paying Attention to God

Taking God seriously--wise words from a senior saint:
Taking God Seriously - J.I. Packer from Crossway on Vimeo.
.

Ideas About and From the Manger

Food for thought from Ross Douthat in the New York Times.
.

Ronnie Smith Killed in Libya

On Dec. 5, 2013, American teacher Ronnie Smith was shot to death while jogging near his home in Benghazi, Libya.  Smith had been a Chemistry teacher at an international school in Benghazi for the last year and a half.  Prior to that he had served on the ministry staff at Austin Stone Community Church in Texas.

ASCC provides helpful guidance and resources for their congregation, and for the wider public, in the aftermath of this tragedy.  If you want to get a feel for Ronnie's passion for Christ and the gospel, watch his sermon, "The History of Redemption" (see video below), which is made up entirely of memorized Scripture.  He tells the story of the whole Bible, and he tells it well.

Ronnie's widow, Anita Smith, has spoken out in a CBS interview in a most thoughtful, gracious, kind, Christ-honoring way.  Especially noteworthy is her open letter to the Libyan people, along with her specific remarks to the killers of her husband.  See also her remarkable interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper.  Note also this collection of news reports.

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39, ESV).

Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Sermon - The History of Redemption from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.
.

Mez McConnell's Story

Mez McConnell's Testimony from 20 Schemes on Vimeo.

Bible Reading Plan

Plan now to begin the New Year in God's Word!  If you don't have a plan to read, you're planning not to read.

I've found that reading the Bible through over a two-year period can be "just about right."  That is, the pace is swift enough to allow one to keep both the beginning and the end in mind, yet slow enough to allow some reflection on what the Lord has to say.  On this plan you'll read two chapters most days, and only one on weekend days.  All in all, about 15 minutes a day will do it.  But beware:  anything and everything will compete for your attention in those precious minutes.  So guard them.  And match them with daily prayer, so you can enjoy a rich spiritual conversation with the Lord!

Click HERE to download the 2014-2015 Bible Reading Plan.
.

Church Clutter

Some good food for thought on church programs and busy-ness and the danger of overloading God's people and failing to safeguard time and space to seek the Lord (regarding the danger of letting the cart (structure) get ahead of the horse (relationships), see also The Trellis and the Vine, by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne):

.

A Word of Hope

A message of God's transforming power--don't miss it:

.