What is the Regulative Principle?

Kevin and I have discussed this rather extensively (Kevin... have we ever discussed anything in any other way?) and last night I found this debate between Professor John Frame (Kevin... John Frame is not a Doctor! He never finished his dissertation! Also... Machen's Doctorate was honorary!!) and Dr Hart, the librarian at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.

Where do you stand on this whole argument? Maybe you have no idea what I am talking about. Go here or here for an introduction.

Sin Kills!

I wonder if you have ever thought about sin in this way:

The bead of sweat rolls down your brow and your eyes squint as the setting sun’s glare hinders your vision. Somewhere out there in the underbrush, the man-eater is resting from its morning meal. Its satisfied purr carries through the sparse vegetation and your blood runs cold as you hear the bones crunch between her massive teeth. The tension of the moment and the pain from the earlier attack begin to overcome the adrenaline rush and you pause to catch your breath and to listen to the guide’s constant whispered instruction.

“Watch out,” He breathes, “this beast is never satisfied. It can gorge itself on the flesh of any number of individuals and still have room to consume more.” “Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”[1] You’re pulse quickens as the guide continues: “These brutes are bold and willful, they do not tremble. They are irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast on you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.”[2]

“Born to be caught and destroyed?” you wonder to yourself, “this thing almost destroyed me!”

You feel the dull ache along the top of your shoulders and down your back as the wounds begin their incessant throbbing once again. It had been much earlier this morning when the fiend had made her attack on you and the blood was still seeping from your wounds.

There you were, rising early as is your custom, walking down to the market for the day’s provision. The peaceful rest of the night before had dulled your senses and the festive sounds of the waking village always caused you to think of the wonderful trinkets offered along the way. The colorful textiles and the gleaming metal of the shop keepers’ wares often lured you into their stalls and enticed you to satisfy your desires.

How often have you fallen victim to this monster’s claws and yet, once again, you enter into her domain? The scars of past attacks line your flesh just as the fruits of them line your closet and your shelves. Once again you feel yourself drawn into her lair and your desire, when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.[3]

Your reverie is broken by the careful gestures of your guide. He points to the ground and his fingers reveal the tracks of the man-eater and the bright red blood of its prey as it was dragged helplessly through the dirt. By its tracks, this devil is larger than any one you have ever trailed. Your wounds seem to recognize their creator and scream at you for relief but you know there will be no relief until the demon is dead.

You check your weapons and smile confidently when you see that they are armed and ready. You almost yell when your guide firmly shakes your shoulder and clamps his solid hand over your mouth.

“Quiet!” He commands. “She is moving up ahead!”

“I wish he would remember his place more often,” you think to yourself, “who is the hunter and who is the guide anyway?”

Impatiently you shrug off his grip but you fail to notice the glint in the faithful guide’s eyes as you wonder to yourself what you ought to do. Without waiting for any guidance and despite the guide’s warnings you begin to advance on the cursed beast. You will end this once and for all. This creature has committed the last attack it will ever make. You will make certain of that. Everything is silent and there is no more movement in the undergrowth ahead. “How in the blazes does he know she’s moving?” you ask yourself. I thought she was right over there. Your gaze drifts across the clearing and the crumpled carcass draws your attention. Something vaguely familiar about it piques your interest and for a moment you forget where you are. You gasp in terror as recognition finally dawns on you.

That broken body, that flesh which once held life, that blood that you have trailed most of the day is that of your guide!

“What is this?” you hear yourself screaming! You turn to find your faithful guide. “Joshua!” you cry but to no avail.

How can this be? What started out as another harmless theft has turned into the death of someone who has always and only been your greatest friend. As you turn to look at the body you notice that the chest slowly rises and falls. He is alive! How can this be? How can it be that this terribly broken body could live?

I am reading John Owen’s The Mortification of Sin in Believers. What a humbling, what a convicting work! How often do we realize the living reality of sin? How often do we aggressively counter attack sin’s devastation in our own lives? How come we cannot come to grips with the violent war that we are each engaged in every day?

The wages of sin IS death! He who knows to do good and doesn’t, to him it IS sin. Anything that is done apart from faith IS sin! Sin destroys. Sin hardens. Sin kills and yet we pass them off as though they were nothing much to think about.

Our apathy to this saps our understanding of this truth: He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.[4]

When we forget about sin’s vile accomplishments we cheapen the gospel and tarnish God’s worship.

Have you gone hunting lately? For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

[1] Genesis 4:7 [2] 2 Peter 2:9-22 [3] James 1:14-15 [4] 1 Peter 2:22-24

Trouble With Blogger!

I am sorry for the lack of posts this week. Blogger will not let me upload my stuff. Are any of you using another blog program? Kevin wants us to look at Wordpress. Any opinions?

Sin Kills!

I wonder if you have ever thought about sin in this way:

The bead of sweat rolls down your brow and your eyes squint as the setting sun’s glare hinders your vision. Somewhere out there in the underbrush, the man-eater is resting from its morning meal. Its satisfied purr carries through the sparse vegetation and your blood runs cold as you hear the bones crunch between her massive teeth. The tension of the moment and the pain from the earlier attack begin to overcome the adrenaline rush and you pause to catch your breath and to listen to the guide’s constant whispered instruction.

“Watch out,” He breathes, “this beast is never satisfied. It can gorge itself on the flesh of any number of individuals and still have room to consume more.” “Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”[1] You’re pulse quickens as the guide continues: “These brutes are bold and willful, they do not tremble. They are irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast on you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.”[2]

“Born to be caught and destroyed?” you wonder to yourself, “this thing almost destroyed me!”

You feel the dull ache along the top of your shoulders and down your back as the wounds begin their incessant throbbing once again. It had been much earlier this morning when the fiend had made her attack on you and the blood was still seeping from your wounds.

There you were, rising early as is your custom, walking down to the market for the day’s provision. The peaceful rest of the night before had dulled your senses and the festive sounds of the waking village always caused you to think of the wonderful trinkets offered along the way. The colorful textiles and the gleaming metal of the shop keepers’ wares often lured you into their stalls and enticed you to satisfy your desires.

How often have you fallen victim to this monster’s claws and yet, once again, you enter into her domain? The scars of past attacks line your flesh just as the fruits of them line your closet and your shelves. Once again you feel yourself drawn into her lair and your desire, when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.[3]

Your reverie is broken by the careful gestures of your guide. He points to the ground and his fingers reveal the tracks of the man-eater and the bright red blood of its prey as it was dragged helplessly through the dirt. By its tracks, this devil is larger than any one you have ever trailed. Your wounds seem to recognize their creator and scream at you for relief but you know there will be no relief until the demon is dead.

You check your weapons and smile confidently when you see that they are armed and ready. You almost yell when your guide firmly shakes your shoulder and clamps his solid hand over your mouth.

“Quiet!” He commands. “She is moving up ahead!”

“I wish he would remember his place more often,” you think to yourself, “who is the hunter and who is the guide anyway?”

Impatiently you shrug off his grip but you fail to notice the glint in the faithful guide’s eyes as you wonder to yourself what you ought to do. Without waiting for any guidance and despite the guide’s warnings you begin to advance on the cursed beast. You will end this once and for all. This creature has committed the last attack it will ever make. You will make certain of that. Everything is silent and there is no more movement in the undergrowth ahead. “How in the blazes does he know she’s moving?” you ask yourself. I thought she was right over there. Your gaze drifts across the clearing and the crumpled carcass draws your attention. Something vaguely familiar about it piques your interest and for a moment you forget where you are. You gasp in terror as recognition finally dawns on you.

That broken body, that flesh which once held life, that blood that you have trailed most of the day is that of your guide!

“What is this?” you hear yourself screaming! You turn to find your faithful guide. “Joshua!” you cry but to no avail.

How can this be? What started out as another harmless theft has turned into the death of someone who has always and only been your greatest friend. As you turn to look at the body you notice that the chest slowly rises and falls. He is alive! How can this be? How can it be that this terribly broken body could live?

I am reading John Owen’s The Mortification of Sin in Believers. What a humbling, what a convicting work! How often do we realize the living reality of sin? How often do we aggressively counter attack sin’s devastation in our own lives? How come we cannot come to grips with the violent war that we are each engaged in every day?

The wages of sin IS death! He who knows to do good and doesn’t, to him it IS sin. Anything that is done apart from faith IS sin! Sin destroys. Sin hardens. Sin kills and yet we pass them off as though they were nothing much to think about.

Our apathy to this saps our understanding of this truth: He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.[4]

When we forget about sin’s vile accomplishments we cheapen the gospel and tarnish God’s worship.

Have you gone hunting lately? For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

[1] Genesis 4:7 [2] 2 Peter 2:9-22 [3] James 1:14-15 [4] 1 Peter 2:22-24

What a Precious Gift the Bible IS!

I found this post today as I was preparing for our Wednesday Evening study of The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. J.L. Dagg (1794-1884) gives us another vivid description of the value of God's Word and there world's need of it:

"What a precious gift is the Bible! Who will not prize it? Who will not bind it to his heart? We stand on a narrow isthmus of life, between two oceans, the boundless past and the boundless future. The records of eternity past are beyond our reach, but the Ancient of Days has opened them, and has revealed to us in the Bible whatever it is necessary that we should know… For myself, I realize that I am standing on the shore of the boundless ocean, with but an inch of crumbling sand remaining. I hear the shrieks of the dying infidel at my side, to whose view all is covered with impenetrable darkness. He, too, has come to the brink, and would gladly refuse to proceed, but he cannot. Perplexed, terrified, shuddering, he plunges in and sinks, he knows not whither. How precious, at this trying moment, is the Book of God! How cheering this light from heaven! Before it I see the shades retiring. The Bible lifts its torch – nay, not a feeble torch, such as reason may raise, to shine on the darkness and render it visible; the Bible sheds the light of the noonday sun on the vast prospect before me, and enables me, tranquil and joyful, to launch into eternity with the full assurance of hope. Mortals, hastening to the retributions of eternity, be wise; receive the revelation from heaven presented to you in the Bible; attend diligently to its final instructions, and reverence its authority, as the word of the final Judge before whom you will soon appear.[1]"

What do you think? When was the last time that you threw the Word to some lost soul careening toward eternity?

[1] J.L. Dagg, Manual of Theology (Harrisonburg, Virginia: Gano Books, 1990), 41-42.

The Southern Baptist Primer - God the Spirit; part 2

Here is the next section of the 2000 BF&M article on The Holy Spirit (the 2000 BF&M text appears in bold/italics):

He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures.

The Scriptures came about as the Spirit exhaled. The very idea of the word inspiration carries the meaning of breathing. We believe that the Holy Spirit actively influenced the authors of Scripture to such an extent that their recorded message was the very breath of God Himself. The Spirit worked in such a way that the ancient writers thought, felt, and put to paper only what the Spirit said.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul claims that all Scripture (all graphe) is breathed out by God. This word, graphe, is used 51 times in the New Testament and every time it refers to the Old Testament. Paul believed that the Old Testament was inspired by God. This is important because in Luke’s (Paul’s fellow traveler) writings, he attributes Old Testament passages to the Holy Spirit’s speaking (Acts 1:16; referring to Psalms 69 & 109). Peter directly teaches that even the Apostles are not proclaiming something that they made up but things they witnessed (2 Peter 1:16-21). He then directs his readers to be careful. They cannot interpret things any way they see fit because the Scriptures were not produced according to man’s desire but by the direction, by the carrying, of the Holy Spirit. ‘The Holy Spirit exerted that special influence upon the minds of the Scripture writers which enabled them unerringly to perceive and express the truth of God (John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 7:40; 2 Peter 1:21).’[1] ‘The question of “how” the Spirit guided the authors in their writing, however, is far from clear. At times He may have done this through a vision (Obadiah 1; Nahum 1:1; Habakkuk 2:2; Revelation 1:11) or through a voice (Exodus 17:14; Jeremiah 30:1-2; 36:2; Revelation 1:11), but how Paul or Luke were guided by the Spirit in their writing is unclear.’[2] It must be noticed that Jesus promised His followers that He would not leave them alone to figure it out. In John 14:26 He promises them that the Spirit will come and teach all things and bring to remembrance all that He said to them.

The Scriptures we hold are the very words of the Spirit of God. They are the literal substance of His speech. Are you listening?

[1] Dargan, Doctrines, page 70.
[2] Robert Stein, A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible, page 63.

200th POST! Look at the Proud Poultry!

Among other things to announce this morning I was to say that you are reading our 200th post! Isn't that grand? I want to thank all 3 of you for reading our blog. God is so good isn't He?

Also I want to present to you one finely-feathered-family!

This is our mama chicken. She hatched out 2 little chicks this week (unfortunately one died) and she adopted my six! (We were somewhat apprehensive because mama chickens have a strange habit of killing others' chicks.)

She has 9 more eggs but for what ever reason she is so caught up in mothering her chicks that she failed to return to her eggs (so momma Steve has placed them in his brooder and will play momma again).
This all reminds me of Matthew 23:37 - "Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!"

This momma chicken gathers her chicks under her wings and they find shelter. This 'mean' momma tears up every other chicken (and child) who enters her chicks' presence. Imagine one of those pathetic little babies rejecting the protection of this feathered bodyguard.

What about you? Have you experienced the shelter of Christ's cover? He promises to watch over us! Do you hear Him clucking?

UPDATE at 4:30 Saturday afternoon: Mama Chicken has rejected the 3 lighter colored chicks. I have moved them in with their 9 older brothers and they are enjoying the fellowship!

The Results Are In!

Do you remember Spencer's poster?

Well check this out!

He was one of the 10 chosen at the state level! The winners' posters were displayed this week at the Tennessee State 4-H Congress! Check out the other winners as well. All the posters look great!

We are so proud of him!

Quotable Quote: Thursday!

I got John Piper's new volume in his The Swans Are Not Silent today. It is a biographical sketch of Athanasius, John Owen, and J Gresham Machen. In his introduction he writes about a tendency that I see more and more as I hit the comments sections on most blogs today: The tendency to want to 'love each other' and 'focus more on relationships than on dogma.' Lokk at what he says:

"In every age there is a kind of person who tries to minimize the importance of truth-defining and truth-defending controversy by saying that prayer, worship, evangelism, missions, and dependence on the Holy Spirit are more important. Who has not heard such rejoinders to controversy: "Let's stop arguing about the gospel and share it with a dying world." Or: "Prayer is more important than argument." Or: "We should rely on the Holy Spirit and not on our reasoning." Or: God wants to be worshipped, not discussed."
He goes on to say that he loves "the passion for faith and prayer and evangelism and worship behind those statements. But when they are used to belittle the gospel-defining, gospel-defending controversy they bite the hand that feeds them. Christ-exalting prayer will not survive in an atmosphere where the preservation and explanation and vindication of the teaching of the Bible about the prayer-hearing God are devalued. Evangelism and world missions must feed on the solid food of well-grounded, unambiguous, rich gospel truth in order to sustain courage and confidence in the face of afflictions and false religions. And corporate worship will be diluted with cultural substitutes where the deep, clear, biblical contours of GOd's glory are not seen and gaurded from ever-encroaching error."

I love to read that kind of propositional statement! The powerful and desperate need we have of the truth is so important to recognize! Hopefully I will quote from another passionate author next week: Francis Schaeffer. As I read through The God Who Is There today I was so encouraged by his presentation of the Truth and Its power to save!

Anyone else encouraged by this quote? What does it make you think of?

"The Southern Baptist Primer" Manuscript Proposal is Almost Ready to Mail!

The manuscript proposal (the chapter summaries and first 3 chapters of my book) is almost complete. I will be sending it out today (Lord Willing). I never realized how much work this whole thing is and I only have 9 chapters finished!

Update: I am leaving right now to mail the proposal! I emailed one proposal already to Founder's Press. Kinda cool hunh?

John IS alive!

Some of you might be aware of the terrible storms that hit Middle Tennessee this past weekend. I believe that almost 30 Tennesseans have lost their lives this month because of tornados and heavy thunderstorms.

John Wootten, our trusty 'mithra' expert, emailed me on Tuesday to tell me that he was alive. I want to post his email and let him tell the story.

"Hey Steve, we just got electricity and cable back and I wanted to let you know how crazy this weekend has been. We live across the street from Vol State, so all the tornadoes were right in our subdivision. Some houses about a mile from us are totally destroyed but there wasn't any damage to our house. Mom was by herself and she hid in her closet when it hit, and I was at work and it crossedVietnam Veteran's parkway right beside my store. Here's the view of the second tornado from my store:



One of the people who's house was destroyed in my subdivision was Dr. Trent Butler's. He is a member of my church and did some of the translation on the new Holman Standard Bible. He used to teach at NOBTS and did some of the OldTestament commentaries for the Holman Commentary series. The only room not destroyed in his house was his study. They moved it into the church and gave himan office. My pastor was gloating that he's always wanted a seminary professor down the hall from his office."

John: Praise the Lord that your mother is fine! Why don't you post a comment or 2 here so that we can see the update! Also let us know how your mother is doing. God bless you brother!

Band of Brothers

I have just finished reading one of the most moving books I have read in an awful long time. Stephen E. Ambrose did an absolutely amazing job of bringing to life the history, and the powerful story, of E Company of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. I'm sure many people have watched the miniseries HBO made based on this book, and it is definitely worth the time it takes to do so. It is likely the best book to TV adaptation I have ever seen, but anyone who is really interested in this story should take the time to read the book as well. It reads very well, as Ambrose has the ability to put the reader's imagination right in the midst of the war, the death, the hopelessness, and the love of the Company.

There are many things about this story that struck me to the core. The change that took place in these men as they went from normal everyday boys of 18- 23 to the most elite of soldiers was almost, well, shocking. To see their ability to immediately react to battle situations with a very brotherly attitude was warming to the soul, as well as disturbing. To see their obvious love for one another, for their Commanding Officer, and their loyalty moved me several times as I read about what they went through. These were men who loved life, and yet when faced with the thought of losing their comrades, they held their own life as nothing. There were many instances where men willingly died, or risked their own life, for one another. And also, they willingly killed for one another as well.

I wish I had more time to write about this book. Its picture of war is blunt, and yet at the same time very complex. I thought several times of how the attitude these men had shaped their entire outlook on life. They did not necessarily always care about the war itself. They disagreed often with the commands they were given, and felt bitterness towards the men who controlled their fate, but they held together out of their real love for each other. These were men from all different walks of life, many of whom would never have met in a normal situation.

I thought several times about the war we as Christians are in. We often have difficulty cultivating the attitude that these men took towards each other because, well, there aren't real bullets flying at us. The enemy we face often does not have a clear name, or look about him. But, while these men fought for the great cause of stopping Nazi Germany, we fight for a greater cause, the Gospel of Christ. That is a freedom that is not limited to this life only, but to all eternity. Would that we could see with the eyes of Faith more clearly, so that we would be willing to hold our life as nothing for the cause of Christ, and for our brothers and sisters. Let's pray that our attitudes would be such that when we see our brothers and sisters in need in this oh so very real war, we would not hesitate or falter because of fear or timidity, but that we would risk our life, our position, and our dignity for Christ's sake.

I don't have any more time to write about this, but I hope that if you are interested you take the time to read this book. If you like history, or even just action, it is well worth the time.

- Kevin

The Southern Baptist Primer - God the Spirit; Part 1

The Holy Spirit is spoken of quite often in our congregations but is probably the least understood of the members of the Godhead. His presence is felt and His work is seen but what He is and does is often not understood. He is treated as though He were sent to serve us and to help us as though we were the subject of His attention. We must realize that He is present to help us but not for our primary benefit. Rather it is for the Glorification of the Triune God of All! The Spirit is serving, helping, teaching, empowering, and guiding for His Glory alone! In this study we will learn 11 things about the Holy Spirit; the first is that:

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. (The text for the BF&M will be bold/italics).

The Holy Spirit is Essentially God. "The deity of the Spirit is not so often questioned as it is neglected. We treat Him as though He were something for us to use or neglect, according to our convenience or need. What we need is not so much enlightenment on the subject as emphasis."[1]

"Once we understand God the Father and God the Son to be fully God, then the Trinitarian expressions in verses like Matthew 28:19 (consider other Trinitarian verses such as: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21.) assume significance for the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, because they show that the Holy Spirit is classified on an equal level with the Father and the Son."[2]

Many other passages identify the Spirit:
- The Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4)
- The Spirit is active in Creation (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4; Psalm 104:30).
- He is God’s very Spirit (Gen 1:2; Nehemiah 9:20; Psalm 51:11; Isaiah 11:2; 61:1; 63:10-11; Matthew 3:16; 10:20; Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Galatians 4:6; Philippians 1:19; 1 Peter 1:11; 4:14; Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6).
- The words of YHWH in the Old Testament are attributed to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament (Isaiah 6:9-10 & Acts 28:25-27; Psalm 95:7-11 & Hebrews 3:7-9).
- It is the Spirit who gives life (John 6:63).

In many places things which are properly said only of God are said of the Spirit. This is true both in regard to characteristics, or attributes, and to works. That is, the Spirit is and does what is peculiar to God.

As examples of such passages the following may be referred to:[3]
- Creation in Genesis 1:2.
- Ruling the Spiritual World in Matthew 12:28.
- Outside of man’s control of knowledge in John 3:8.
- Declaring things that will come in John 16:13.
- Brought freedom and life in Romans 8:2.
- Comprehends the thoughts of God in 1 Corinthians 2:11.
- Secures believers in Christ in Ephesians 4:30.
- Renews and regenerates in Titus 3:5.
- Was the Conduit of Christ in Hebrews 9:14.

[1] Harold W. Tribble, Our Doctrines, page 75.
[2] Grudem, Theology, page 237.
[3] E.C. Dargan, The Doctrines of Our Faith, page 68.

Qualifications??

Consider this guy for a second. He just got saved about three months ago, maybe it was four. His conversion story is amazing, and it is so obvious that God worked a miracle in his life. He loves the Lord with all his heart. He is turning his life around, and in a really good way. You can tell that the words of Scripture of having an effect on him. He is so passionate, and he is so zealous that he makes the other Christians around him look a little shabby, although they haven't necessarily been slouches either. And now, after being a Christian for about three months, he really feels like he should be teaching a Sunday School class, or maybe even a study on wednesday nights or somehting. And man, he is passionate about it. The only problem is that he doesn't really know all that much about the Bible. He has the Gospel dead on (he has trusted in Christ), yet he doesn't even know Samson from Samsonite, and would be confused if you started talking about some guy named David in the Old Testament (I mean, really, David does not sound like a name from thousands of years ago!) The high schoolers in your youth group know more about the Bible than this guy. But he is so passionate. So much more passionate right now than any other volunteers you got (like there are any). moreover, he tells you, "I know I don't know a lot, but man, what better way to learn than to teach it right? To talk through it with the people in my class?" And yet, you think to yourself, "yes, but you don't even know where to start." So the question I have is this (and mind you, I do have an opinion, and it's likely pretty obvious)

Are zeal and passion for the Lord the only qualifications necessary to teach in our churches, at any level?

The Southern Baptist Primer - God the Son; Conclusion

This is the concluding post on The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message; Article II - B: God the Son. We will all do well to consider all of the implications that we have seen over the past 8 parts. All of the beauty, majesty, grace, power, perfection, mercy, miraculous intervention, and sovereign direction that we have seen in Him will be seen in Him again when He returns in power. It can also be seen as He rules in and through us. Won't you take a moment to consider The Savior of the World? Get your life right with God know that:

He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. (Text for BF&M is in bold/italics).

Jesus will return and succeed. Just as Jesus of Nazareth, the Eternal Son has always done exactly what He promised and set out to, He will return to fulfill His Promise (Matthew 24:44; John 14:1-4 ;Revelation 22:20). Scriptures are clear that He is coming back (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2), it will be soon (James 5:8; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 1:3; 22:7; 22:12), and we should be ready (Titus 2:12-13; Philippians 3:20). When He comes this next time, He will not come as a lowly carpenter. He will come as the Son of God, the King of Kings (Revelation 19-22). He will complete the work He began in our redemption.

He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.

Jesus is present by His Spirit. Jesus did not leave His Followers alone. Although He ascended into Heaven, He is still with us in a real way. He sent His Spirit to us to help and guide us (John 16:7 & 13). Jesus promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Even now the Ruler and Sustainer of the universe is present in you. After all He said that He is the Vine and we are the branches, by abiding in Him and He in us we bear much fruit (John 15:5). Paul’s testimony was very clear about this. He said “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The mystery that God had for ages and generations is “Christ in you the Hope of Glory” (Colossians 1:27).

"The very factor that determines whether someone is a Christian is whether Christ is in Him (Romans 8:10; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Revelation 3:20). It is important to maintain, on the basis f these verses, that there is a real, personal dwelling of Christ in us, and that this does not mean that we merely agree with Christ or that His ideas are in us. Rather, He is in us and remains in us through faith (Ephesians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 13:5). To overlook this truth would be to neglect the great source of spiritual strength that we have in us (1 John 4:4). To remember it destroys our pride, gives us a constant feeling of deep dependence on Christ, and gives us great confidence, not in self, but in Christ working in us (Romans 15:18; Philippians 4:13).[1]"

Conclusion:
The enormity of this doctrine is tremendous. Each one of these sections (even each of the subsections) could easily be developed into studies of their own. It is so important to remember that as Christians we bear His name and we must strive to reject everything else in the world so that we may “Know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:7-11)!

[1] Grudem, Theology, 845. Grudem has been very helpful for my understanding of this section.

Belated Birthday Party/ Belated Quote of the Week

Seeing as I haven't been keeping up with my quotes for the week, I'm picking up the slack on Saturday. Yesterday was the 236th birthday of William Wordsworth, England's Poet Laureate for a time and the man who kicked off the Romantic Period (along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge). In honor of this occasion, my quote for the week is from Wordsworth, and I hope I get it right because I'm going off of memory on this one. I can't find my book with his poetry in it.

If Thou be one whose heart the holy forms
Of young imagination have kept pure,
Stranger! henceforth be warned; and know that pride,
Howe'er disguised in its own majesty,
Is littleness; that he, who feels contempt
For any living thing, hath faculties
Which he has never used; that thought with him
Is in its infancy.

- "Lines left upon a seat in a Yew-Tree"

Thanks to Bartleby.com, I have found the exact quote. Go check out the rest of this poem.

The Southern Baptist Primer - God the Son; Part 8

As we consider the next section of The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message we need to notice that for Christians this is one of the most amazing and sobering pictures of Jesus. We do not serve and worship an idea. We do not obey a principle. We do not live up to a standard. We are the servants of a Living Being whose very existence demonstrates our salvation.

For those of you who continue to reject Him it is even more sobering because you are not rejecting some opinion but some... one. He is alive and He is the Savior of all who believe. Won't you believe today?

(The 2000 BF&M text appears in bold/italics)

He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man.

Jesus Christ is the savior and has ascended to His rightful place in heaven. Just as we believe that Jesus is God incarnate, was born of a virgin, was our substitute on the cross, and was resurrected from the dead, we also believe that He returned to His Father in Heaven just as He said (John 14:1-4). The Scripture tell us that after He appeared to His disciples He ascended into Heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9).

In His rightful place in heaven he has been given His perfect honor. He is exalted. Peter told the Jews at Pentecost that Jesus is “therefore exalted at the right hand of God” (Acts 2:33). Paul told the Philippians that because of Jesus accomplishment of obedience God “has highly exalted Him” (Philippians 2:9). The author of Hebrews said that after “he had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High” (Hebrews 1:4). John, in the book of the Revelation, reveals that Jesus is “Worthy to receive power and wealth and might and honor and glory and blessing” (5:12) and that every creature cries out “to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever (5:13).” He is the White Rider of chapter 19:11ff. He is the Alpha and the Omega (22:13).

Jesus is the only mediator. “He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus holds a unique position in the Order of God’s Plan. He is the only was to God. John calls Him the Bread of Life (6:35), He is the Light of the world (8:12), He is I Am (8:58), He is the Good Shepherd, the Door of the Sheep (10:7), He is the resurrection and the Life (11:25). He is the Way, the truth, and the Life (14:6), He is the True Vine (15:5), He is the Overcomer (16:33), He is the King of the Jews (18:37).

To mediate means to occupy a middle position. It means to come between two parties and bring them together. There is only one mediator between God and man: Jesus (1Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:5). It is only by His representation, His Name, that anyone can be saved (Acts 4:12). As the only God-man, Jesus is the only one qualified to come between deity and humanity because He is the only being who is fully both. It is in this role that He accomplishes the reconciliation in Himself.

The Southern Baptist Primer of Faith - God the Son; Part 7

Well how do you like it? I think I do prefer calling it The Primer and yes, John, I did get the other title from Reymond's Systematic. I love Robert Reymond's A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, although it is Presbyterian (and so, very wrong in the areas of Baptism and church government - shameless jab at my heretic, Presbyterian relatives) it is so very solid in the areas of soteriology (salvation) and such. Reymond structured it after the Presbyterian confession (The Westminster Confession) , thus my connection to it. (HT to John for also making the connection. John; Kevin and I are reading Robert Culver's Systematic now. Have you seen it? If you can, pick it up and look at the description on page 474. Who does that remind you of? Maybe we should get him to visit our site and engage in some dialogue?)

Today as we continue in our study of The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message I want to remind the reader that I am writing this to explain to Southern Baptists and non-Southern Baptists what Southern Baptists believe. Yesterday Jane displayed her uncanny ability to read her own spin into a conversation. As we have been trying to get her to at least read what we've been writing, I guess I should consider that a somewhat stilted success. The problem, once again, is that... well she won't get it.

Yesterday I wrote on Christ's Substitutionary work on the cross. Southern Baptists believe that 1) We are sinners 2) The wages of sin is death 3) We cannot save ourselves 4) Jesus Christ died on the cross as a substitute for those who will believe and 5) His blood is that price, that wage of sin to satisfy the Father's wrath.

Jane; you are not freed from your sin. How do I know this? You do not believe! You ridicule and distort the message. Stop twisting our words and just read them. Quit your mind-numbing distraction and actually learn what Christians believe. Today is a good day to try and listen because the next part of the lesson is on the most important aspect of Christ's work: His Resurrection. Why is it most important? Read and see but also imagine... the One you ridicule isn't moldering in a grave, He is sitting on a throne and you will answer to Him someday... soon!

The 2000 Baptist Faith & Message goes on to say (BF&M text in bold/italics):

He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion.

Jesus’ resurrection is most significant. We have three options when we consider the resurrection of Jesus Christ: It is either False, Fiction, or Fact.

If it is False or Fiction then the entire idea of Jesus’ real, literal, historical, bodily-resurrection is a lie or simply make believe. Those who believe that the resurrection is false or fiction have argued in the following manner.

- Jesus didn’t die, He just passed out and they thought He was dead. This is the ‘swoon theory.’
- His spirit returned and not His body.
- The Disciples all hallucinated.
- That it is simply Legend/Myth. It doesn’t matter if the resurrection really happened it can still be used as a great teaching point.
- That the body was stolen. This is the earliest theory.
- The disciples went to the Wrong Tomb.
- That it was a deliberate lie.
- That the disciples made the mistake of mistaken identity. The man they thought was Jesus was someone else.
- That Jesus had a twin brother.

Whether it is harder to believe the biblical testimonies or these, I will leave up to the reader. The Roman soldiers responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus took their job too seriously to allow this to happen. They were professionals who took the place of their victims if they failed. The New Testament’s testimony is that Christ’s physical body returned to earth and ascended to heaven. Women “took hold of His feet” (Matthew 28:9). Jesus ate (Luke 24:43) and allowed His disciples to touch his scars (John 21:25-29). There is no record in all of history where a large number of people all had identical hallucinations at the same time and in exactly the same way.

The resurrection cannot be simply myth and still reflect the truth of the Gospel. The most obvious way to discredit the entire story: would have been to produce a body. The question of mistaken identity is historically incompetent. The large number of eye-witnesses is overwhelming. For further study, each of these ‘theories’ have been dealt with quite extensively in books like Josh McDowell’s Evidence that Demands a Verdict, J.P. Moreland’s Jesus on Trial, and Lee Strobel’s A Case For Christ.

The biblical, Christian response is to understand that the resurrection is a fact. To prove this we can look to the testimony of Christ, Himself. The resurrection was predicted by Christ (Matthew 12:38-40; 16:21; 17:9, 22, 23; 20:18-19; 26:32; Mark 8:31 - 9:1, 10, 22-27, 31; 10:32-34; 14:28, 58; Luke 9:22-27; John 2:18-22; 12:32-34; 14-16) and so His own integrity is on the line. He stated that the resurrection would happen. To disbelieve this is to disbelieve the entirety of His instruction.

We can also look at the very eyewitness accounts themselves: the Gospels’ testimony. Each of the gospels bear witness that Jesus was resurrected from the dead in bodily form (Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-53; John 20:1-21:25). One other witness can be found in the Apostle Paul’s testimony. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul states that he delivered to the Corinthians what was of first importance! What was it? It was what He had also received: “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve and then to more than 500 brothers at one time” (15:3-6). He goes on to insist that the resurrection happened and uses that to prove that there will be a resurrection of the dead for us also. Paul makes a huge statement in 15:14 that if Christ has not been raised then their preaching has been in vain. What does this mean? Well Paul has been preaching the hope of Christ and the Power of His Gospel. If there is no life in Christ, i.e. if He is still dead, then what hope does Paul preach? None. He even accuses himself of misrepresenting the Father if the resurrection did not occur.

The Resurrection is significant to our salvation because if “in this life only we have hoped in Christ” (15:19), if we have set our hopes on a man who is dead and gone, if we have looked forward to a future provided by someone who is held captive by the grave then we of all people are most to be pitied.

Shedding Light on the Scripture?

A scientist said today in this article that a study shows in Jesus' day there is a possibility that random patches of ice formed on the Sea of Galilee, hence explaining the biblical account of Jesus walking on water. In reading the article, I find myself amazed at the lengths to which certain people are willing to go to explain away the miracles of God. But really, I am trying to imagine Jesus finding a random block of ice on the Sea of Galilee, coming up with the idea of floating on it out to the disciples, and then managing to balance on it all the way out to their boat (not to mention somehow navigating the ice to said boat).

Then he goes about finding a second block of ice for Peter. Although, it does make sense that Jesus would have better balance than Peter, explaining why he could stay up on his block of random ice. After all, he is Jesus, and the Son of God should have perfect balance.

Does that sound ridiculous to anyone else?

- Kevin

The New Baptist Theology of the Christian Faith - God the Son; Part 6

After a brief interlude I am now posting part 6 of the fourth chapter of my book. As I have been preparing this for publication I have been considering the title. I could use some help. Do you like the title "The New Baptist Theology of the Christian Faith" or "The Southern Baptist Primer of Faith"? I appreciate your thoughts on this.

On to the topic of conversation. Today we are going to see some of the most important truths about Christ's obedience and His ministry to His people. Take a moment to thank Him for His perfect accomplishment of God's plan and our punishment! Without Him... we have NO HOPE!
(As usual, the text of the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message is in bold/italics).

He honored the divine law by His personal obedience...

Jesus displayed the Father’s splendor. This has to do with the honor He showed to His Father by taking His name and living accordingly. To Jesus, His Father was so worthy of worship and honor that He did whatever He said! This gives us a picture of His righteousness. Jesus makes this clear in His high priestly prayer of John 17. Jesus prays that His Father would be glorified. He acknowledges that He glorified the Father while here on earth in that He “accomplished the work that you (Father) gave me to do” (John 17:4). He fulfilled the absolute perfection demanded by the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:2-12). He fulfilled the obedience that God required of the Israelites in the Old Testament and glorified the Father in that He loved Him with His whole heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). His righteousness demonstrated the wonderful perfection of God’s instruction. This plan of God is “according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:4-12).

....and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin.

Jesus is the substitute. The idea that we need a substitute, a provision made for us, speaks of the reality of the gospel. This is the pinnacle of God’s gracious work toward us! There is no doubt that men are sinful from their birth (Genesis 8:21; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 2:25; Romans 3:10-18). Paul even describes them as “dead in their sin” (Ephesians 2:1-2; Colossians 2:13). We need someone who is alive to give us life! Jesus is that Life (John 1:4; 10:10; 17:3). He accomplished, by His death, life for those who are dead in their sins (Hebrews 9:26)! John the Baptist alludes to this when he proclaims to those who are following him: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29)!

The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, here, has in mind the substitutionary aspects of the prophet words in Isaiah 53. Isaiah prophecies that the coming Servant of God, the Christ, would “bear our griefs and carry our sorrows” (53:4). He “was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” He took the punishment that brought us peace and “by His stripes we were healed” (53:5). Even though we are the ones who are full of sin and evil, even though we are doing whatever we want to, God “laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (53:6)! Why? Because He was an “offering for sin” (53:10). Why? Because by this offering, the “righteous one shall make many to be accounted righteous” (53:11).

Jesus Christ is this perfect substitute. His enemies killed Him because “it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (John 50). A central part of Christ’s service, mentioned above, is seen in this substitution; whereby He did not come to be served but to serve and “to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus loved us and gave Himself up “for us” (Ephesians 5:2). Jesus has freed us from our sins “by His blood” (Revelation 1:5). Jesus made us holy “through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). Our very redemption comes because Christ became the cursed one that we already were (Galatians 3:13). His blood is what bought our redemption (Ephesians 1:7).1 Peter’s statements in 2:22-24 and 3:18 complete this instruction. The one who only spoke the truth and committed no sin (2:22) bore “our sins” in His body on the tree “so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” It is only by “His wounds that you have been healed” (2:24). Christ suffered, the righteous (Christ) for the unrighteous (us), “the He might bring us to God” (3:18). Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. He is the Great Substitute!

Update:

Poultry Learning Curve Claims Several Eggs
I have lost several of my eggs due to high humidity. Still working to get that under control. I cannot believe how exact God has made the processes of birth. How can a stupid chicken hatch these things so much better than me? I have almost 10 years of higher education and its... well a chicken! (Let the Peanut Gallery begin!)

Feline Death Rocks Morse Household
Hannah (our oldest) lost one of her kittens this morning. The runt had been very sickly and Hannah worked heroically to try to nurse it back to health but to no avail. Burial was this morning with Spencer officiating.

Canine Gang Rousts Roost
Our Dogs have been wreaking havoc, constantly giving our flock flak. Fortunately (so far) there have been no casualties (Ulrich can sure RUN!!!!). He has lost most of his tail feathers and my dogs have lost most of their sense but if they get him, Spencer will be officiating at a mass burial. Stay tuned!