Surprise Delivery!

Our cat delivered 5 kittens this morning (one died).

(FYI - the only problem with kittens is that they grow up to be cats and the only good cat is a.... oops sorry. I didn't realize the microphone was on).

These Are Some Hot Chicks!

We have a total of 9 chicks to date. I had to do some delicate assistance with the last one and it lost several layers of baby feathers when I removed part of the dried on shell. I still have 28 eggs in the incubator but only 23 of them are yet to hatch. I had 12 that we set to hatch this week and 8 of them did. I have another 12 set to hatch next week and one of our brooding hens left her nest (for whatever reason) and so I transferred her eggs into the incubator (this means that I have no idea when they will hatch - 1 of them hatched Wednesday). God in His sovereignty brought 9 chicks through the process and kept 4 from hatching.

What do you think about that? Life is so transient isn't it? Somehow.... Somewhere.... in that tiny little body is life. How do you quantify it? Where does it start and end? It is very easy to recognize but impossible to duplicate. Jesus says (in John 14:19): "because I live, you also will live!" In John 11:25 Jesus tells us that He is the resurrection and the life! In John 14:6 Jesus reveals Himself as the way, truth, and the life! In John 1:4 Jesus has life in Himself and in John 10:10 Jesus came to give us abundant life.

As I hold that little life in my hands and experience the reality that is its being I am so amazed that God has given even more to us! That chick is only concerned with getting away from the others, cleaning its feathers, picking at its food and water, and establishing its place in the 'pecking order.' We, humanity, have been given that awesome privilege of reacting to and recognizing God's Providential and Gracious work around us. Please do not take that for granted today! We are so much more important that a little chick in God's eyes and look at how well He takes care of them!

"Jesus, help my heart this morning. I am so full of my own desires and distractions. Like this chick I spend most of my time doing things for my own satisfaction: cleaning my feathers, eating, drinking, and fighting my way up the food chain. Please help me to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness! Help my soul to hunger and thirst for the Living Water and to eat fully of your Bread of Life. Father, thank you for this day and all that you have brought into it. Help us to recognize You more than ANYTHING else! Because Christ loved us first and gave Himself for us... Amen!"

Here are our BABIES!!!

Well the Lord blessed us with 3 more chicks last night (bringing the total so far to 5 chicks!) We have 4 more that have broken through their shells. We are anxiously awaiting any more that God allows to hatch!

Am I the only one who is amazed at the process, the fragile and tender process, that God sustains by His powerful Word every single second of every single minute of every single hour of every single day etc...? He is too amazing for words!

This reminds me of the passage that I read on Tuesday morning in Matthew 3:11. John the Baptist proclaims the coming One and then says that he, John, is not even worthy to carry His, the Mighty Coming One: Jesus' sandals!

Think about that for just a moment. I look at these eggs and their precious cargo and have to, very helplessly, watch and wait for God to bring them safely (or not so safely) through the process. Isn't He amazing? Now consider the humility of carrying someone's shoes (or taking out the garbage or cleaning up after someone or any other form of demeaning activity) and ask yourself when was the last time you thought that way about our Lord.

We aren't even qualified to touch the dirty part of the Lord's clothing and yet how often do we presume to address Him so informally and commonly? How often do we ignore and trivialize His truth, assuming that it is no big deal?

We need a mind alteration... more than that we need a heart change!

Until I, myself, can deliver even a chicken to freedom... I need to remove myself from the shoe carrying line and find satisfaction in the dust that has the pleasure of covering His feet!

Dinner Arrived Early!

I am so excited to share with you the good news: Ulrich (our Fighting Rooster) is a proud daddy!

I was anxiously waiting for the little chicks to make their arrival yesterday. All day long we could hear their plantive cries for their momma (I wonder if I am their momma since I am the one who checks the temperature, turns them over, and 'broods' all over them?). At 4:30 this morning I was awakened by a little different cry. I hopped out of bed and low and behold... my babies! So far we have 2 of the cute little fryers in our brooder bin!

Before I left for work I counted 3 more eggs with hole poked in them! Get ready for a bar-b-q!!!!

We are hoping that we will have enough to justify purchasing a rotisserie! YUM!!!

I will post pictures of my delicious new babies before too long!

My Bags are Packed!!! October 16!!!

Steve, you best have your bags packed, and the date October 16 etched in your calendar. We be goin' to Virginia!!!!!

You can see it all here!!!!!

It was just a brain lapse, really.

Okay, so I'm perusing the headlines and I come across one about plagiarism. So I go and read this.

Can anyone please explain to me how on earth this ten year old girl was unable to realize that someone else, besides her, wrote this poem? I mean, come on. Back where I'm from, ya'd get whupped for a stunt like this. Instead, let's tell the girl we understand...she just had a slight brain lapse (I mean, it could happen to anyone, right?), and forgot that poem she found published in a book wasn't really her poem.

It could happen to anyone, really.

"It's okay honey, you didn't cheat. You just used a creative method for finishing your assignment! Good Job!"

After all, we don't want her to feel guilty, or that she did something...bad. Children can't handle that kind of pressure. She didn't know it was wrong to put her name on someone else's work. It's unfair to put all that pressure onto them. They're just kids.

I can't believe they made her give the money back. How cruel.

Jane... Here is another post to keep everything in order.

We have been enjoying a wonderful dialogue with Jane here at Throwtheword.com for several weeks now (well over a month I guess it has been). I am posting a response to Jane here so that we can keep the conversation recent and at the top of the blog (I am tired of scrolling all the way down to keep responding).

Jane haas been trying to prove that Mithraism influenced Christianity. John and I have been asking for proof of this and so here is my response:

Jane... You are missing the point. John and I are asking for you to provide one source that proves that Christianity was influenced by Mithraism (or any other religion for that matter). The question isn't 'were there other religions at the same time as Christianity?' The burden of proof that you must bear is: 'How do you prove that Mithraism influenced Christianity?' Finding recent authors who want to believe this and so write about it doesn't prove anything. What John and I want is some proof that the gospel writers or Paul or James or Jude or the author of Hebrews (if in fact it wasn't Paul) were influenced at all by these other religions. We asked you this before when you spoke (and cut and pasted) the stuff about the Egyptian religions but you didn't prove anything.

Remember, we acknowledge that there were other religions at the same time... what we want you to demonstrate is your argument that these other religions influenced Christianity.

Can you?? No. Why? Because Christianity is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Judaic religion.

How? Because God spoke in times past through various ways and through various people. He spoke to them about who He is and what they were. He also worked through them to bring about the salvation of His people... the Jews and pointed to a time when He would be with them and would bring the final deliverence from their sins. This He did actually do in the historical fullfillment of the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is the Messiah that God promised in the Old Testament. He accomplished God's work by bearing the brunt of God's judgment of the sinfulness of humanity when He was wrongly accused, beaten, and then Crucified. God recognized the purity of Christ's sacrifice and accepted it as a substitution for everyone who believes His promise. He demonstrated this accomplishment when He rose from the dead on the third day just like He promised. He is now living and seated at the right hand of His Father in Heaven.

This is the God that you are denying. This is the grace that you refuse everytime you deny your own sinfulness and try to argue for some other distraction. Stop the futile rejection and trust the Word that God has given in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament.

I love great writing!

I love to read great writing. During the summer of 2004 I spent the bulk of the summer months with Kevin and his most gracious wife Sara (who, btw, makes my favorite enchilado stuff! Although I did not get enough of it and so will not spend another summer with her, much to her chagrin I am sure). I cannot remember a time where Kevin and I spent more time together (I am not certain if any of you remember his respectful and honoring post from last week but he is the youngest - read little annoying brother - and I am the oldest - read big, strong, hero - so I was living in Atlanta when he was still really little).
Aside from getting my rump roasted in videos games like boxing, golf, and my favorite: Halo, we talked books! It seems that the only thing I have to offer him at this point in my life is book referrals and so I do it with a passion.
That summer we talked books and the one that caught most of our attention was not even theological. I great friend of mine, Steve Newman from Franklin Kentucky, gave me a book by African hunter Peter Hathaway Capstick called Death In the Silent Places. If you can handle a little inuendo and crude language (and I mean just a little. Capstick is descriptive but not very vulgar.) and you like to read true adventure biographies then this book is definitely for you!
Anyway I want to give you an example of his writing. As he was giving a heart-stopping accounts of the Tsavo Lions (The Movie with Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas: The Ghost and the Darkness is a shallow adaptation of this story) he made this subtle observation of life at the receiving end of a lion's charge:

Should you be under the impression that the most terrifying sounds of the world of big-game hunting are the close snarl of a man-eater and the shrieking trumpet of a bull elephant right over your head, you're wrong. It is the cold, dead, metallic click! of the firing pin falling on a defective cartridge primer. There is no sound quite like it - trust me; unimaginably clear and crisp, yet at the same time slightly hollow and muffled by the barrel's chamber. It is one of the true sounds of death.

Capstick's descriptive powers kept me glued to his book all day and Kevin all night as we soaked it up. I have read several of his books now waiting in Border's or Books-a-million as my wife browses the homeschool materials but this one remains the best of them all. Check it out and let me know what you think. (This book is good enough that I am currently rereading it for the forth time!)

The Tragedy of What we are Watching

I am feeling a little more at peace about the loss to George Mason that UNC suffered on Sunday. I recognize that every now and then, unnatural occurences take place, and this is one of those times. But I've taken some time to consider, and I realize that what I wrote about watching Basketball games is simply incomplete. It is very true that we must always remember as we watch those games that there are real people involved, and real personal struggles. This should have an increased meaning for the Christian, because we recognize that all those struggles rise from one struggle, rebellion against God. We should consider the words written by the prophet Isaiah:

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

It is not that our Lord is impotent to save us. We should never doutb that his hand is shortened in the slightest. When we see an unbeliever, we see a person in the tragic state of separation from God. As we watch sports events, yes, we should keep this in mind. When we watch TV, we should remember that each actor and actress is in all honesty a human being, many of whom have their faces hidden from God by their sins. How tragic! But it is difficult to remember this when we are doing something as impersonal as watching TV, or a sporting event. After all, we have nothing to do with these people. We'll never know them, or have any effect on them personally. But let's not be so quick to count them off. We can, and should, pray for these very real people who are trying to gain immortality through their actions.

I didn't want to focus on TV though. I wanted to apply this to everyday life. Each day we go out into the world, and in one sense or another, we Throw the Word, sharing the Good News that Jesus Christ has bridged that separation between God and us. Isaiah says:

No one enters suit justly; no one goes to the Law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, they concieve mischief and give birth to iniquity."

Yet we have this hope:

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Romans 3:21

Although we don't see those people on TV, we do see other very real people in our day to day activities. And these people also stand in the exact same tragic position. People might come to you with their problems, concerns, worries, and fears. These are very real things, but let's not let that cloud our eyes to what is the real issue. These are simply the branches that have grown out from the main problem. We can try and trim them back, but if the issue isn't attacked at the root, then there is no hope of peace. As Christians we have a hope that overshadows every problem we face. That hope is in the eternal promise of Christ. Yet, to be consistent, we have to realize that without that hope, humans are lost in sin. And we should never have to be reminded that that fact should break our hearts, and fill us with compassion for those we see each day. Let's throw the word faithfully in our lives, living and speaking the Light that has come into our lives in this oh so tragic, dark world.

- Kevin

Youth Ministry - What Is It... Really?

I found this link at David Alan Black's blog this afternoon. I have often wondered why we put so much emphasis on ministry to youth. As a former youth minister I have been there.... done that and have more t-shirts that I care to mention. Why do we focus so much on our youth? Why do we divide up our families and then wonder why the split? Why do we say out of one side of our mouth that a unified family is our goal and then do whatever we can to accentuate the division by organizing our congregation according to ages and so on?
I welcome any and all comments on this topic. I would love to interact with you!

March 21: Seniors Day at ThrowtheWord.com!

I awoke this morning, and it was exactly the same as every other morning. There was nothing special about it. However, today is a very special day. In fact, this day is one of the days that I truly enjoy out of the year. Whenever I start to feel down on this particular day out of the year, I simply have to remind myself what day it is, and I start feeling better right away. Would you like to know why I enjoy this day so much?

I’ll tell you why. This is the day when I am constantly reminded that one of my brothers (both of which are gettin' on up there in years) is AN OLD MAN!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!! I take great comfort in reminding myself that whatever else I may be, I’m not an old fuddy-duddy like Steve.

So, Steve. Congrats on your birthday, old timer. And sure, you might try and make some crack about age bringing wisdom, or youth is foolish or whatever, but we both know the truth. You’re just trying to be cool and funny and it’s all an act. How many years have you been trying to make that argument?? Well goodness, I just can’t seem to remember. Probably since before I was born…

Happy Birthday Old One.

- Kevin

What Are We Watching, Anyway?

Last night, I watched in horror as my North Carolina Tar Heels fell to the 11th seeded whatever-their -names are! It was a hard pill to swallow, made worse because I live in Kentucky and the mucky-mucks who decide what game each area gets to watch kept switching us back to the Kentucky game. There were 34 seconds left on the clock, UNC was moving the ball up the court, and they switched the game back to Kentucky!!!! Who cares about Kentucky??! They had like ten minutes left in their game!!!! I want to see UNC!! Because of this infraction and offensive behavior on the part of the heads of CBS, I’m going to point the finger of blame at them. Without a doubt, if I had been able to watch the UNC game in its entirety (or at least the end of it!), then they would have surely won. They would have been able to feel my support for them, and that would have boosted their energy just enough. That being said, I hope the other # 3 seed, Gonzaga, wins now. Pooh on this whole system anyway.

I find it fascinating how important the month of March is to so many people. Those guys out on the court, this is their whole year. For those coaches, their job is on the line. After all, how many times have you heard someone say, “Yeah, sure he’s good, but he’s never made it out of the first round.” Or, “He just can’t win the big one.” Therefore, everything else that coach has done has been thrown in shadow. Yet, a coach can slam chairs to the ground (like a certain UNC coach might have done yesterday at one point), scream and curse at players and referees all in the name of winning. Why do we call what goes on out there on the court a game again?

Those coaches, and players come into the month of March with such an intensity, and a passion that anything can happen. Did anyone else think that the games the # 1 teams played in the first round were pretty close? We have a 7 seed, an 11 seed, and a 13 seed all playing in the Sweet Sixteen. I mean, who is Bradley anyway??

I guess what I’m trying to get at is, why is this so important? Why is there so much riding on March Madness? Should Christians involved with March Madness put so much stake in what surrounds the “game”? We should keep in mind, as we watch these games, that those are real people involved, not just “players” and “coaches.” Those players have struggles just like everyone else. Those coaches are people just like everyone else. The thing we should keep in mind is that every person on that court is exactly like us in one key area: we all need Jesus Christ. What are we watching, anyway? We are watching fellow human beings, some with Christ, and many without. Now another question: should that change our perspective when we watch these games?

The New Baptist Theology of the Christian Faith - God the Son; Part 5

This next section of the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message speaks of Christ's humanity and gives us a wonderful picture of Christ's identification with and presence among us.

…taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind...

Jesus became a servant. The God of the universe became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He came to do the will of the Father; “to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5). The King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16) came “to serve, not to be served” (Mark 10:45).

Once again this has to do with the incarnation of Christ. He “took on the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:8). He, God Almighty, put on human nature to save us. When the Son became a man He became a man in every sense of humanity. He submitted to the demands of the body (hunger, thirst, weariness...etc) so that He would fulfill the will of the Father. “He became like His brothers in every respect” (Hebrews 2:17). He has experienced all that we will (with the exception of guilt for His sins – Hebrews 4:15).

...yet without sin.

Jesus is sinless. As noted above, Jesus has experienced everything that a human being can except the guilt for sin. He was sinless (Hebrews 4:15). Christ must be sinless if He would be our High Priest for the earthly high priests were “obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people” (Hebrews 5:3). The sacrifice for the atonement of sins is to be a perfect lamb, without blemish (Leviticus 20:19). Jesus Christ was that only perfect sacrifice (1 Peter 1:19). He is the One who has conquered! He is the One who is the Lamb slain (Revelation 5:5-6). He is the Sinless One testified to in the Scriptures.

Even the antagonists of Christ witnessed to His goodness: Judas repents of betraying an innocent one (Matthew 27:4). Pilate and his wife testify to His innocence (Matthew 27:19-23; Luke 23:4, 14; John 18:38; 19:4-6). Some Pharisees and Herodians bear witness to His purity (Mark 12:14). Herod found nothing wrong in Him (Luke 23:15). The Jews could not respond to Him as He challenged them to convict Him of sin (John 8:46).

Paul and the rest of the New Testament authors testify to His sinlessness: Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:21; Peter in 1 Peter 1:19; 2:22; 3:18; John in His gospel writes that Jesus is light (8:12), always pleases the Father (8:29), and has kept his Father’s commandments (15:10). John calls Jesus the righteous (1 John 2:1) and says that in Him there is no sin (1 John 3:5). The author of Hebrews pointedly makes this assertion (4:15; 7:26).[1] Jesus, though tempted, remained pure and sinless. He is the perfect sacrifice!

[1] Grudem, Theology, 535-536.

And you think I am nuts?

I am amazed at the commercials for all of the new medications on the market. Who in their right mind would take some of them? I am talking about the ones that have the list of side effects that are worse that the symptoms were to begin with.

Did you know that the consequences of sin are worse than the pleasure of it. The Bible says that we can be sure, our sins will find us out! It also says that we should not deceive ourselves into thinking that we can get away with our sins. Whatever we sow we will reap!

Have you had a spiritual check up yet? Have you consulted a heart doctor lately? I am not speaking of a cardiologist, I am speaking of the greatest physician ever: Jesus Christ. He came to seek and to save the sick of heart. He came to deliver the sinful from their sins.


Legal Disclaimer:
Sin’s side effects include despair, depression, desperation, guilt, emptiness, hopelessness, helplessness, hatred, anger, rage, wrath, loss of trust, loss of purity, loss of friendships, loss of sleep, loss of appetite, broken hearts, broken homes, stomach disorders, head aches, heart aches, and certain death.

Seek the help of the Great Physician before it is too late.

Not So Interesting...

This post has come into fruition for no other reason than that I don't have internet anymore. Therefore, I must leave my house, and drive to a "hot spot," such as a coffee shop, or the campus at school to access internet. For this reason, when I have internet access I feel obligated to post a little somethin' somethin'. So here are a few thoughts for the day:

UNC is ranked no. 3. That ain't bad. Michigan State worries me though. And I think this is Gonzaga's year to win it all (unless UNC does, of course). Oh, and....Tennessee #2 ??

Lost wasn't a new episode last week. And the upcoming one isn't new either. Much sadness. That guy is an "Other" though.

I'm listening to Greg Bahnsen's lectures on apologetics. He is my homie.

I'm reading Francis Schaeffer. He is also my homie.

i'm graduating in two months. What's next? Somebody give me a job.

Not having internet at home is a good thing. I actually do stuff now.

I just read this by Dr. Mohler on March Madness, and whew boy! He takes March Madness to a deeper level. He should write a few articles for ESPN. (oh and Dr. Mohler plays Sudoku! I feel like I've jumped up a few levels in my cultural standing now!)

Along these same lines, C.J. Mahaney has weighed in with how to approach sports, and your children here. Scroll down and read the discussion, it's pretty rich.

And that's all folks. Maybe next time I'll have something worth reading.

The New Baptist Theology of the Christian Faith - God the Son; Part 4

Today's segment of the 2000 BF&M speaks of Jesus, the man, alone revealing to all humanity the holiness and perfection of God. It also demonstrates His own obedience to God's holiness and perfection. (The text of the 2000 BF&M is in bold and italics)

Jesus perfectly revealed...

Jesus alone showed us the Father. John 1:18 demonstrates the intensity of this statement. It says that “no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” This is strong, absolute language. Christ’s revelation of His Father to the world is supported throughout Scripture (Exodus 33:20; John 5:37; 6:46; Romans 1:20; 1 Timothy 1:17, 6:16; 1 John 4:12 & 20) and yet is not to be separated from the fact that He reveals Himself to His creation and to His people. People do see God but they will only see Him as He reveals Himself to them.

How does He reveal Himself? His Son shows us the Father! Jesus is the very “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). “No one has ever seen God, the only begotten God” (Jesus)...He has made Him known” (John 1:18). As a matter of fact “anyone who has seen Me (Jesus says) has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature” (Hebrews 1:3). Even though the Father has “hidden these things from the wise and understanding, He has revealed them to little children” because “no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him” (Matthew 11:25-27; Luke 10:21-22). The Son alone can show us the Father He serves.

...and did the will of God,

Jesus is submitted to the Father. Not only did Jesus perfectly reveal the Father but He also perfectly obeyed the Father. He was totally submitted to the Father’s design and His purposes. Philippians 2:8 demonstrates His obedience to the point of the death on the cross. Throughout Jesus’ life and ministry He was absolutely committed to glorifying His Father and performing His will. In Luke 2:49 as a 12 year old boy, Jesus was constrained by the will of His Father. He “can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does also” (John 5:19).[1] The fact that He must work quickly because there is a time coming when no one can work (John 9:4) indicates that He is following a timeline that His Father set and He only does what the Father commands Him (John 14:31). This is an important statement because the next thing that Jesus does is to become obedient unto death. He does this so that the world may know that He loves the Father! One of the most revealing passages of Scripture that concerns His obedience is seen in the prayer He gives to the Father. He prays that the cup would be removed from Him and then He submits. He prays “nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42). This is so important to note: He pled with His Father three times in Matthew (26:42 & 44). He was totally dependant upon His Father and He was heard because of His reverence (Hebrews 5:7). The will of God is the will of Jesus. He did what the Father said.

[1] Leon Morris, New International Commentary on the New Testament; John (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdman’s Publishing, 1995), 277. Morris says that “the verse contains the thought of subordination, for the Son is pictured as completely obedient to the Father.”

The New Baptist Theology of the Christian Faith - God the Son; Part 3

There has always been something inherently supernatural about the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Today, as we read the next section of Article II - B of the 2000 BF&M, we will see the foundation for this belief:

In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

His birth was supernatural. Because believing in Christ is a primary responsibility for mankind, it is absolutely fundamental for Christians to believe what the Scriptures say about Christ. Because of the influence of evolutionary thinking and the “tolerant” universalistic and pluralistic mentality that is evident in our society there is an obvious attack on the supernatural aspect of the Biblical Doctrines. There is a blatant denial of God; His existence, His authority, and His personality. Satan has used Darwin’s theory and man’s selfish ambitions to destroy society’s belief in the very Revelation of God.

It is the supernatural doctrine of Christ’s virgin birth that serves as an effective tool for judging the orthodoxy (rightness of their doctrines) of someone’s theology. If you want to know if a person believes the basic fundamentals of the faith, ask them what they think of this doctrine: the incarnation. Why? Because if they don’t believe that God became flesh and dwelt among us then they don’t believe that Jesus is God. If they don’t believe that Jesus is God then they don’t believe that God died in their place. If they don’t believe that God died in their place then they are not Christians. Ask them what they think of the virgin birth. If they don’t believe that God actually did what the Word says He did then they think they can pick and choose whatever part of the truth they want to believe. If they don’t believe that Jesus was born of divine lineage then they believe He is not deity and this follows the discussion listed above. How a person responds to these 2 doctrines will tell you more about what they believe than an hour of discussing many other doctrines.

So then, what do we believe about incarnation and virgin birth?

The Incarnation
A simple description of the incarnation is found in John 1:14, God “became flesh and dwelt among us.” We believe what Isaiah said would happen in Isaiah 9:6 happened in Bethlehem (Luke 2:7). We believe that a child was born into history. We believe that the Eternal Son was that child. The Son who always existed came in the form of a child conceived and brought forth of a virgin. We believe that "the second person of the blessed Trinity truly and personally 'became' a pinpoint fetus in the body of a young Hebrew woman. But though He became what He was not, He did not cease to be what He was. He, who continued to fill all things and to sustain all things, also became contained in a virgin’s womb, and was sustained by a human mother, living simultaneously the massive life of Godhead and the creaturely and painful life of humanity."[1]

While the word “incarnation” (in – “to cause something to be something” & carnis – “flesh”) does not appear in Scriptures, the doctrine that the word represents is very clear.
There is not much dispute that Jesus of Nazareth was human.[2] The Scriptures are very clear that a man named Jesus, the son of Joseph (John 6:42; Luke 3:23), lived and worked in Nazareth. He was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4 & 7). He grew to be a 12 year old boy (Luke 2:42). He responded like a man in that He grew hungry (Luke 4:2), He slept (Mark 4:38), He was thirsty (John 4:6), and He was thirsty (John 19:28). Jesus was a man. This is only part of the doctrine of the incarnation though. The fact that Jesus is flesh is only half of it. Who Jesus is is the other half: Jesus is God. Jesus is the God who became flesh. We will discuss more on Christ’s humanity and His deity in section IX.

The Virgin Birth

There is a wonderful prophetic fulfillment in the virgin birth. “Scripture clearly asserts that Jesus was conceived in the womb of His mother Mary by a miraculous work of the Holy Spirit and without a human father.”[3] This is demonstrated in Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Luke 1:35. Isaiah 7:14 predicts a coming son who will be both virgin-born and Immanuel (“God with us” – the incarnation). This is quite significant for this section because it demonstrates God’s sovereign bringing about of His eternal plan.

By His virgin birth, Christ, the last Adam, enters the world guiltless of the sin of the first Adam....All men are involved in the primal rebellion of the fall, in the guilt that follows from it as well as the depravity (sinfulness) that flows from it (Romans 5:12; cf. Hebrews 7:10; Psalm 51:5). Like all others, any child of Joseph and Mary would have been involved in the guilt of that first, racial, transgression. That is why help from the outside is necessary. Christ, the last Adam, must be such as can begin and be a new beginning for humanity. He is born of Mary so that His humanity can be true; He is born of God so that His humanity can be new....It is not that Jesus will avoid guilt. Not at all! Rather He will not share in the world’s guilt as a sinner, but will bear the world’s sin as a savior (Matthew 1:21). He will do so voluntarily; not passively in His birth, but actively in His death.[4]

To believe the reality of the virgin birth is to believe the Word in its totality and to honor the One who accomplished it. To reject any part of the miraculous event is to call God a liar and to trample His perfect name in the dirt.

[1] Peter Lewis, The Glory of Christ, page 133-134.
[2] For a solid discussion of secular references to the life of Christ I refer the reader to Robert H Stien, Jesus, the Messiah (Downer’s Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 25-50.
[3] Grudem, Theology, 529.
[4] Peter Lewis, The Glory of Christ, page 155.

Something Interesting, Something Edifying.

For those people who have had the patience and fortitude to continue checking this site, I have a special prize. If you follow the link in this post, you will hear a debate between Greg Bahnsen and Gordon Stein on the existence of God. It might be helpful to anyone who is interested in this kind of discussion. It's also better than the discussion that is going on here, so take two hours and listen to it. It's worthwhile. Thanks for checking in.

Greg Bahnsen v. Gordon Stein, The Great Debate

- Kevin

The New Baptist Theology of the Christian Faith - God the Son; Part 2

The 2000 Baptist Faith & Message begins the article on God, the Son with this dogmatic statement:

Christ is the eternal Son of God.

This is where the rubber meets the road. We as Baptists, more specifically as Christians, believe that the man, Jesus of Nazareth, is the Son of God and the Son is the Christ. The word “christ” is simply the Greek word for the Hebrew: “messiah.” This term, “messiah,” simply means “anointed” – something set aside or prepared to be used by God. It is not the most common term used to predict the prophesied One who was coming to deliver Israel. If a more promising title were to be chosen, based on frequency alone, it would be “Servant of the Lord.”[1] The term, “messiah,” is found 39 times in the Old Testament referring generally to kings, priests, and prophets (even King Cyrus in Isaiah 45:1). In at least 9 of these occurrences there is a specific One who will be coming in the future (1 Samuel 2:10, 35; Psalms 2:2; 20:6; 28:8; 84:9; Habakkuk 3:13; Daniel 9:25-26). It is because “messiah” was limited primarily to persons who were priest, prophets, or kings that it became a title. This messiah or anointed One is the King raged against by the nations while He laughs and terrifies them with His words (Psalm 2:2).

In Psalm 45 He is the King to whom the Psalmist writes (verse 1), the most handsome, blessed spokesman of God (verse 2), the mighty Warrior riding out well armed and victorious (verses 3-5), His throne, God’s throne, is forever and ever and founded on righteousness and rejects wickedness and this is why He is the “messiah” (verse 6-7). Of this Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled and reflected (there are several more “messianic” Psalms that Jesus lived out: 16; 22; 40; 45; 68; 69; 109; 110; 118). This “Christ” is the Eternal Son of God.

In the New Testament there is an even more significant proof. Jesus, Himself, testified that He was the Christ (or Messiah) (John 4:25-26; Mark 8:27-30; Matthew 26:63-64). Jesus is God. The coming Messiah was predicted to be “God with us” in Isaiah 7:14. He was to be given four high names, one of which is YHWH (the Mighty God of Israel) in 9:6! Hebrews 1:8 connects the God (the Messiah) of Psalm 45:6 to the God of 45:7. Malachi predicts that Elijah will come to prepare the way for YHWH and then John the Baptist is identified as this Elijah. John proclaims that Jesus is the One he is preparing the way for (hence Jesus is YHWH).

The New Testament uses the word “theos,” (Greek word for “god”) as a description of Jesus (John 1:1, 18; 2:28; Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1; 1 John 5:20). There are numerous other words and titles that were been used to describe Jesus as God (Examples: Lord, Son of Man, Son of God, Christ, King of Kings, Alpha and Omega, I am, etc). Jesus was fully God (Colossians 1:15-19; 2:9).

Another telling proof that Jesus is fully God is the fact that He accepted the Worship and the prayers of men. As an honorable and righteous Jew, Jesus knew that there is to be no gods before God. That no one was to bow down and worship any other being than the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 20:5; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8) and yet time and time again Jesus accepted the worship of man (Matthew 8:2; 14:3; Luke 19:38-40; John 9:38; 12:13; 20:27-29). He promised to hear and answer the prayers of His disciples (John 14:13). The New Testament church obviously prayed to Him and taught that it was proper (Acts 1:24; 7:59; 9:10-17; 2 Corinthians 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:16).

The Son is also the second person of the Trinity. Israel and man in general are sometimes referred to as “son of God” (Matthew 2:15 or Luke 2:38). Jesus is often referred to as the specific, "heavenly, eternal Son who is equal to God Himself (Matthew 11:25-30; 17:5; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Hebrews 1:1-3, 5, 8). This is especially true in John’s gospel where Jesus is seen as a unique Son from the Father (John 1:14, 18, 34, 49) who fully reveals the Father (8:19; 14:9). As Son He has been sent by the Father, and therefore He existed before He came into the world (John 3:37; 5:23; 10:36)."[2] This is a tremendously important statement to understand. By being labeled as the “eternal Son of God” Christ (Jesus) is being called God. As we will see, God accomplished His own will by Himself! Because Jesus is God, He is to be honored as God, worshipped as God, obeyed as God, treated as God, responded to as God, and so on. Jesus is not just our “big brother”! He is God’s Son.

[1] Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., The Messiah in the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing, 1995), 16. I used this book for most of the discussion carried on in this section.
[2] Grudem, Theology, 547.

The New Baptist Theology of the Christian Faith - God the Son; Part 1

In light of our ongoing dialogue about what Baptists believe I hope this chapter will spark even more conversation about the Christian faith.

As Christ-ians, Southern Baptists hold firm to the fundamental, historical, Biblical doctrines of Christ. This is the section of our beliefs that set us apart from every other religion in the world. Some of these doctrines are hard to understand and require God-given faith to believe but are evident throughout the Scriptures. Of all that we know and profess, these truths are the essentials of our faith. It is upon these truths that Christianity rises and falls. These truths separate us and exclude others from the identity of Christian. When someone says they believe in Christ, these truths will help us determine what it is exactly that they believe. As Christians we must grow in our understanding of and our ability to defend these truths so that the fragrance of the knowledge Christ will be evident to the world.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

A solid understanding of the Bible’s teaching in these matters will carry a believer in almost any conversation they enter into.

In the following posts I will present commentary on the 2000 BF&M's Article on God the Son.

A Post to Keep All Commenters Involved in Our Discussion

In order to keep our comments in line and available for those who are trying to follow all of the comments from several different posts I am starting this new post.

In the following post I am responding to a comment from Jane or thomas from this page here. If you are interested, try to catch up the numerous comments back and forth between jane/thomas/fred, Kevin, John, and myself.

Thomas/Jane/Fred have done all of the Christians who regularly visit this blog a huge favor by interacting with us this way. Let's continue to return the favor by consistently pointing them to the source of our Hope! If you care to join us please do.

Here is my response to Jane's last comment:

Once again you are connecting 2 things that aren't being connected in the Scripture. I wrote, above, that Jesus isn't talking about killing or murder, but about personal offense in the form of insults or personal attacks. He isn't speaking of defending someone else or the such. Another interesting passage to note in this regard is Mark 9:42. Here Jesus tells us that the proper end for someone who cause a little child to sin is to have his neck connected to a large rock and to be thrown into the water to drown. Here Jesus is making an objective moral statement. He says it would be better for this individual to die this way than for him to cause a little child to sin.
You on the other hand have no point of reference for what would be better or worse. In your world everything is equal. How 'good' is that? Even according to your own 'reason' you would not think someone who destroyed your life was 'good' would you?

If you are to interact, you have to look at the references, not make up your own connections. Look at Matthew 5-7 for the Sermon on the Mount. Then look up Exodus 20:13 and also Exodus 21:12-14 to notice what God says about killing and the motivation behind it.

Why do you condemn me as too 'simplistic' when your responses haven't gone deeper than your own opinions?

You say that I have implied that I have all of the answers for everyone's problems. I don't think you could prove that statement under examination. I, along with Kevin and John, have tried to demonstrate how the Christian Scriptures do answer the problems that you have raised. I willingly admit here that I don't have any answers myself, nor do I claim any intrinsic authority all my own. I appeal to a higher authority as revealed to us in the Sciptures of the Old and New Testaments which, themselves are the testimony of God concerning the answer: Jesus Christ.

You see, thomas,/jane,/fred, we all are responsible to answer for the reality of the 'bad' things that we have done. The smokescreen of 'someone else is badder than I am' will not work before the God whom we have offended by the darkness of our own hearts. Keep pointing to the sin of others and find refuge in peace when there is no peace, but there is a time coming and a Judge waiting. He has already answered all of your claims. We have tried, and will keep trying, to point you to the source of those answers: Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

What will you do about it? That is the question.

When I came to the point that I realized I couldn't do it on my own, and the sins of others dulled in comparison to my own, I was broken beyond repair. I was dead in my trespasses and my sins. I was not righteous. I didn't understand. Then God opened my eyes and He shined the light of His glory in the face of Jesus into my dark heart and I could see.

Won't you look to Him today?

The New Baptist Theology of the Christian Faith; Part 5; God the Father - Conclusion

This is the concluding post for Part A of Article 2 in the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. So far I have posted what amounts to 4 chapters of what I hope to be my first published work: The New Baptist Theology of the Christian Faith or A Baptist Primer. We have had numerous visitors to our site over the past few months. Most, I believe are Southern Baptists. Lately we have been interacting with a group of individuals from the United Kingdom. These dialogues have been very invigorating to say the least and have called several of our Baptist beliefs into question. (To Thomas, Jane, and Fred: This section of the Baptist Faith and Message briefly discusses God's goodness again. Refer to the Scripture passages before commenting please.) As you read this post and the rest of the posts of the 2000 BF&M please give me some Baptist feedback (do you agree with it and how can I improve it) and help us communicate what, exactly, we believe as Baptists.

The final phrase on God, the Father says:

He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.

In this section we see the Father’s Conduct. The Father withholds His judgment and condemnation from those who are destined for hell until the time appointed for them, giving them the general blessings and providence that He bestows to all because of His grace and generosity (mercy). Grace is His goodness towards those who deserve destruction. Generosity is His goodness towards those in distress.[1] The Scriptures clearly portray the Father as being both gracious and generous to mankind (to all living things for that matter in Psalm 104:10-30). The Father feeds and clothes (Psalm 104:27; 145:15; Matthew 6:25-34). He gives the sunshine and the rain impartially (Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17). Our very life, our movements and our existence comes from Him (this is speaking generally to all men in Acts 17:28; 1 Timothy 6:13). The Father is good to all (Psalm 145:9, 13, 15-17; Malachi 2:10).

Conclusion
As we meditate on this aspect of the Godhead, let’s prayerfully consider Matthew 6:9-13, following the example of the Son, and submit to the Father’s authority over all. Let’s consider His direction over every aspect of our life. Let’s address our prayers to Him and give Him thanks for everything we have in the Son. Let’s petition Him for the salvation of our children, families, and friends. Let’s turn to Him and glorify Him by our walk and our talk. He alone is our Father!

[1] These definitions come from Grudem, Systematic Theology, 198.

Moms are Grace-Full/ Dads Get the Job Done

(No Morsels were hurt too terribly during the making of this post)

There we were. On our front porch, finishing another 4-H project. This week we were taking photographs for the monthly competition.

Spencer took some beautiful pictures of our backyard.

Hannah took a trip back in time and captured this adorable girl sitting on some of our rocks and feeding some game chickens (Ulrich is so proud).

During the course of Geneva's photo shoot our family experienced the difference between men and women. While Mom and the girls positioned our littlest 'Scooter' amongst their stuffed animals,

Dad thought that a better set-up would be his 'Rascal' and some man tools (Dad do you recognize this?). I got the 'Rascal' positioned and Geneva started to shoot. Picture after picture after picture. The 'Rascal' have having a great time. It isn't often that Dad lets him play with his tools but this time... Dad just wanted to get the job done.

Anyway, gravity made a visit and the shoot turned ugly. One minute 'Rascal' is smiling and the next? Well, depending on your perspective, Mom thought it was horrible. That big ugly drill smashed her baby's toe! Her baby was in pain and she wanted nothing more than to rush to his side. Dad? Well he wanted to get the job done and this was a perfect opportunity to get some feeling into the photos. As Mom fell over herself to get to her offsrping, Dad hollered to Geneva: "Keep Rolling! This is what we want!"
Pathetic... eh? Yeah. But can't you 'feel' this picture? He did!

Let me introduce you to Ulrich Zwingli

Isn't he handsome? This is our gamecock. He is a grey rooster and I think he is one of the most beautiful birds around. He manages a flock of 17-18 game hens (we keep losing hens to dogs and such) and they adore him. I never had chickens before but these really fascinate me. I just like to watch him strut around the yard clucking and crowing.

You know I used to think that roosters only crowed at dawn but that isn't true. They also crow as a warning of danger. Think about Jesus promise to Peter in John 13:38. Jesus says to Peter "truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will no crow till you have denied me three times." This comes about in John 18:27: "Peter again denied it, and at once the rooster crowed."

What is the significance of the rooster crowing? Think about the danger of denial.

Kevin, pack your bags... We're heading to Virginia!

Daniel Randle at Christ and Culture has made my day. Go visit his blog and read about the most exciting debate of the year. Apparently Dr. White and an undisclosed partner will debate the Caner brothers on the issue of Calvinism! WOW! What a great thing! I cannot wait to see it.
I have appreciated hearing one of the Caner brothers speak in the past (He spoke at the last SBC Pastor's Conference but I am not sure which brother it was.) He is very articulate and logical. I have also heard James White speak on the Potter's Freedom. He is very articulate and extremely clear thinking. He has played a large part in my understanding of the Scriptures and I look forward to seeing him give us another example of how to give a reason for the hope that is in us with gentleness and meakness.

(Anyone up for a road trip? I mean it. Let's get together and carpool to the debate! Kevin? John? Anyone?)

God is Good, We Are Not

This post is for the benefit of Jane6666. Rather than add to the long list of comments I decided to post it here in order to keep some order to the comments. I hope this will make it easier to follow the discussion. Thanks jane/thomas. I am really enjoying our conversation. In response to your last posts:

I am not saying that I believe in God because of the eye. I am saying that I can look at the eye and see that behind its creation there is an incredibly complex, wise, and good designer. On the whole the eye is a very good thing isn’t it? Just because there are a few (compared to the total number of eyes in this world) defects due to disease, violence, and old age, doesn’t negate the reality that an eye is a good thing to have.

I asked you to read the Old Testament book of Job concerning the question of the existence of bad things. The explanation that I have found to be most satisfactory is that we are living in a fallen world, a point that my brother brought up several days ago but you have ignored. The point is the reality that men are corrupted and that we live in a world which, for the time being, is corrupted. The bad things that we see around us do not negate God’s goodness. We will see, in the near future, that He has been working to bring these things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Look in the New Testament at Romans chapter 8. Beginning in verse 18 the Apostle Paul continues to argue that this creation is in its state because of the One who created it. Read what this passage has to say. Read Genesis 3:14-19 to see God’s curse on His creation. Why did He curse it? Because He is bad? No! But because of the ‘badness’ of the sin of mankind. He retains His goodness and establishes His justice.

The question of whether or not God ‘could’ prevent bad things isn’t entirely relevant to this discussion. How do you know if preventing these bad things would be for the best or not in the big picture? Have you read Genesis 45? In it Joseph is explaining to his brothers, his brothers who hated him, beat him, conspired to murder him, and sold him into slavery, that while they meant all of their actions for a ‘bad’ end, God meant them for ‘good.’ This is the testimony of God’s Word throughout the pages of the Bible.

When you charge that the Law is too simplistic you are being too simplistic. When you do the ‘good’ to the starving man you are doing ‘bad’ to one who owns the apple. Now what is he going to feed his children? You cannot justify ‘goodness’ and ‘badness’ this way. You cannot make judgments based on personal preferences.

Have you actually read much of the Scriptures? As far as the Legion discussion, the narrative doesn’t speak of the end of the angels only the beginning of the new life of the delivered man. As to the disparities of the 4 gospels, why don’t you give me some references so that I can discuss them with you? I can assure you that there are several viable explanations for your questions in this area (unless you insist on relegating all arguments that you can’t explain to ‘pure superstition”).

When I speak of the ‘goodness’ of humanity I am not speaking of their moral goodness. I look around and see that there isn’t a righteous person around. There isn’t anyone who does ‘good.’ Everyone has turned away from God, no one understands. What I meant by ‘good’ has to do with the fact that God created us in His own image. That in the beginning God looked at what He had done and said it was ‘good.’

A world view is the way you look at the world. If you are an evolutionary Darwinist then you look at the world as though it just randomly comes about. You consider things as though they are all chance and have no ultimate purpose. This affects your decision making and impacts your choices. As a Christian, my worldview is that God is good. He has created this world with a purpose in mind. He has subjected this world to the ‘falleness’ that we see all around us and has sent His Son Jesus Christ to deliver us from the ‘falleness’ that is inside of us.

I have no idea where you get the idea that I promote some form of autonomous freedom, free will, as you call it. I have never mentioned that and reject the idea of libertarian freedom. I believe that humanity has a will that is not bound by any fatalistic determination. I believe that humanity is free to choose that which they want to but with many restraints. For example: Humans cannot fly without certain accessories (even then they are limited to conditions), humans cannot drink acid without dire consequences, humans aren’t free to run 50 miles an hour or survive at the bottom of the ocean without certain accessories, and humans cannot determine to live forever, nor can they determine where they go after they die.

Once again I want to refer you to the Scriptures in regard to the discussion on the empty tomb. What passages are you referring to? Also what would you expect from several different witnesses? Each gospel is an eyewitness account of the event from the perspective of the witness. Each one recorded that which was important to him.

Indeed we are poor lamb. Each one of us is like a sheep without a shepherd, doing exactly what we want and so the Lord laid on our Shepherd the sins of all of His sheep. We have all gone astray. We are all, at one time in our life, lost little lambs. Won’t you read more about it in the gospels? Look to the Shepherd Jane.