True Pleasure in True Religion

"A holy heavenly life spent in the service of God, and in communion with Him, is, without doubt, the most pleasant and comfortable life any man can live in this world." - Matthew Henry

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Hello to the blogging world. I hope that this page can turn into a forum that facilitates spiritual growth. By the Grace of God, I trust that we can participate in reasonable disputations and learn from our misunderstandings of eachother and varied viewpoints. I hope that this blog will be a safe-haven for the pursuit of truth in a world that often denies the existence of certitude.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

"The Marrow of the Gospel"

The continuance of Phil Johnson's series on 2 Corinthians 5:21 - justification by faith alone:

In other words, justification by faith is no optional second- or third-tier truth. On the contrary, I'd put it at the head of any list of fundamental, non-negotiable doctrines.

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Dr. Mohler on Larry King Live - "Gays in the Church?"

Here is the transcript from the show. And below is a quick excerpt:

KING: Reverend Mohler, why has the Southern Baptist, and you've been with us before, why does someone being gay bother you? In other words, what does it matter what someone's sexual preference might be when they are good people?

MOHLER: Well, the first thing should never be what really bothers me but whether or not as Christians, God has set a standard to which we are obligated. The issue is, always has been and always will be, the authority of scripture. The scripture very clearly tells us that our creator has a purpose for our sexuality and that homosexuality among other sins is a violation of that purpose and so love compels us to tell people the truth and also, as we understand the depth of their struggle with this, to tell them that there is a way out. I'm very thankful that Andrew Sullivan feels that pull. I believe that's a pull towards repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and I pray to see that continue all the way until he finds what I believe his purpose to be as God intended.

KING: Reverend Mohler, how could something be a sin if you didn't choose it?

MOHLER: Well, actually, that's just something I can't accept in the sense of choosing. Larry I have to say, first of all, we're choosing all the time. Even in the moments we spend together here, we're making moral choices. I do understand that there are some choices that we make that seem to be prior to anything we can even understand and I understand there are many homosexuals who say I don't even have any impression of having chosen this erotic interest, this sexual orientation. I accept that at face value, but that does not mean that it normalizes and makes acceptable homosexual acts. I want to help them through that struggle regardless of how it came into their lives.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

The Tenderness of Sovereign Joy


Without a doubt, the most tender, meek, humble, God-seeking man that I have encountered in my studies thus far is the late Scottish pastor Robert Murray M'Cheyne. As I read his biography, written by his long-time friend Andrew Bonar, I can't help but find encouragement and depth on every page. Here is a wonderful passage about M'Cheyne's view of tender sovereignty:

Of bitterness in preaching, he had little indeed in after days; yet so sensible was he of its being quite natural to all of us, that oftentimes he made it the subject of conversation, and used to grieve over himself if he had spoken with anything less than solemn compassion. I remember on one occasion, when we met, he asked what my last Sabbath's subject had been. It had been, "The Wicked shall be turned into hell." On hearing this awful text, he asked, "Were you able to preach it with tenderness?" Certain it is that the tone of reproach and upbraiding is widely different from the voice of solemn warning. It is not saying hard things that pierces the consciences of our people; it is the voice of Divine love heard amid the thunder. The sharpest point of the two-edged sword is not death but life; and against self-righteous souls this latter ought to be more used than the former. For such souls can hear us tell of the open gates of hell and the unquenchable fire far more unconcernedly than of the gates of heaven wide-open for their immediate return. When we preach that the glad tidings were intended to impart immediate assurance of eternal life to every sinner that believes them, we strike deeper upon the proud enmity of the world to God, than when we show the eternal curse and the second death(53-54).

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

God Killed Jesus...

This is a good article by John MacArthur regarding the death of Jesus.

Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: "Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ." For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done (Acts 4:24-28, emphasis added).

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Take a Deep Breath... Relax... Think

It is extremely difficult to deal with opposing viewpoints, especially religious viewpoints. And since we are wired as emotional creatures (certain individuals more than others), opposition is even more difficult.

Recently, I came across a blog post that supported the possibility of the idea that the "genealogy" of Genesis 5 was actually derived from the ancient Mesopotamian/Sumerian "king list." If this is true, that would be devastating for those of us who hold to the historicity and "direct conception" of Scriptural inspiration. Right? Unfortunately, at this point in my life I have not taken the time to immerse myself in ancient Mesopotamian history - something that I look forward to studying in the near future. So, for me to try to combat the claims would be foolish. But I am interested in something that the author said:

Obviously, issues like this raise important questions about the Scriptures, not least of which is the concept of “inspiration.” It would seem that those who hold to a very “strong” or “direct” conception of inspiration would have serious problems with this information.

Very interesting. I wonder if he even knows how right he might be. But the interesting thing is that I don't think he should be right. Let me try to explain.

When a claim is made that seems to confront a person's belief that is strongly held, the immediate reaction is often hostility toward the opposition and the claim. We tend to attack the "attack" (or what seems like an attack, although it's not necessarily malicious). In other words, we get emotional and let our emotions govern our responses. This happened most recently on a global scale with the release of The Da Vinci Code (let me be clear at the outset, I am in no way equating the historicity of Mr. Brown's book with the historicity of the "king list". The historical issue regarding the "king list" is a separate issue than I intend to address at the moment). Christians all over the world were making dramatic, emotional moves in response to the "historical" claims of the movie and book: protests with crazy signs, public hunger strikes, etc.

So what should be the response? Let's do a mock confrontation.

Opponent: Jesus was a mere mortal until the bishops at Nicaea voted on his deity!

Defendant: (deep breath... relax... think... be patient... then respond) Why do you say that?


Then we ought to listen to the reasons given and see how they match with reality. Does the claim have support? sufficient support? Are there any mitigating circumstances, presuppositions that affect the facts that we can immediately address and try to "peel back"? Does the claim seem possible (ie. Dan Brown's claim that over 5 million women were burned as witches by the Roman Catholic Church - most historians actually estimate around 30-50 thousand)? And there are many other analytical skills that should be employed in these circumstances. Sadly enough, I don't think that the majority of persons today employ these means of critical analysis. Rather, we tend to get angry, as that hot feeling boils inside of us, and we respond irrationally. I am as guilty of this as the next emotional person. But I am working, by the grace of God, toward the goal of patient, critical, Christ-centered thinking - wisdom.

Back to the original claim regarding the Sumerian "king list." Right now, I can say that I do not have sufficient knowledge in this field to make an accurate criticism, so I will refrain. But I will say that I'm not afraid of this information. The facts about the existence of this list don't seem like a threat to me at the outset of my studies. And I hope to be more familiarized with this information soon, trusting that God will lead me to the Truth.

The bottom line is that "attacks" have arisen throughout the history of Christianity. They're nothing to get flustered about. From "Q" to "J.E.D.P" to "Deutero Isaiah," to the denial of Daniel's authorship of "Daniel," to the denial of apostolic authorship, to the idea that the Torah was in some way dependent upon the "king list," and many other claims, the oppositions have been numerous and difficult to combat. But the historical, traditional, Orthodox Christian beliefs still stand, through the opposition (as to why they stand is another topic that is also intriguing, but I have massive amounts of studying to which I must attend).

So to go back to the issue one more time, here is the important quote again:

Obviously, issues like this raise important questions about the Scriptures, not least of which is the concept of “inspiration.” It would seem that those who hold to a very “strong” or “direct” conception of inspiration would have serious problems with this information.

Again, I think that this is a true statement. But I don't think that it should be true. We can't let the stacked chips threaten us. We must be patient, and think, and listen, and pray, and above all, grow in the face of opposition, trusting that God will protect us and lead us to the Truth, in Christ, to the glory of His Name.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Because I am a Sinner

Forty pages into the biography of pastor Robert Murray M'Cheyne, and I already feel a strong kinship with the Scottish-born preacher. Here is an excerpt from his diary:

May 6th, 1832 -

What a mass of corruption I have been! How great a portion of my life have I spent wholly without God in the world; given up to sense and the perishing things around me. Naturally of a feeling and sentimental disposition, how much of my religion has been, and to this day is, tinged with these coulors of earth! Restrained from open vice by educational views and the fear of man, how much ungodliness has reigned within me! How often has it broken through all restraints, and come out in the shape of lusts and anger, mad ambitions, and unhallowed words! Though my vice was always refined, yet how subtile and how awfully prevalent it was! How complete a test was the Sabbath - spent in weariness, as much of it as was given to God's service! How I polluted it by my hypocrisies, my self-conceits, my worldly thoughts, and worldly friends! How formally and unheedingly the Bible was read - how little was read - so little that even now I have not read it all! How unboundedly was the wild impulse of the heart obeyed! How much more was the creature loved than the Creator!--- O great God, that didst suffer me to live whilst I so dishonoured thee, thou knowest the whole; and it was thy hand alone that could awaken me from the death in which I was, and was contented to be. Gladly would I have escaped from the Shepherd that sought me as I strayed; but he took me up in his arms and carried me back; and yet he took me not for any thing that was in me. I was no more fit for his service than the Australian, and no more worthy to be called and chosen. Yet, why should I doubt? not that God is unwilling, not that he is unable - of both I am assured. But, perhaps, my old sins are too fearful, and my unbelief too glaring? Nay; I come to Christ, not although I am a sinner, but just because I am a sinner, even the chief.

And though sentiment and constitutional enthusiasm may have a great effect on me, still I believe that my soul is in sincerity desirous and earnest about having all its concerns at rest with God and Christ - that his kingdom occupies the most part of all my thoughts, and even of my long-polluted affections. Not unto me, not unto me, be the shadow of praise or of merit ascribed, but let all glory be given to thy most holy name! As surely as thou didst make the mouth with which I pray, so surely dost thou prompt every prayer of faith which I utter. Thou hast made me all that I am, and given me all that I have.


* Also, it is interesting to note that he was twenty years old when he penned this...

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

The Drippings of the Honeycomb

[First of all, there is a good (heated, yet Christian) discussion about the doctrines of grace going on at Frank's place... good stuff.]

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb (Psalm 19: 7-10).

A couple of Sundays ago, John MacArthur exposited this text for the local body at Grace Community Church. And, for me, it couldn't have come at a better time. With so much talk in the Evangelical world over the place of the Bible in the Christian life, it was a joy to sit under an exposition of one of the most clear and poignant affimations in all of Scripture regarding the role and authority of the Word of God.

Recently, I was engaged in an interesting discussion with a person who asserted the following:


I don't believe that the Bible is the "definer of truth." Christ--the Logos and eternal Wisdom of God, he who is co-eternal and consubstantial in being with God--is the only definer of truth. To claim that the Scriptures are thus is to deify them and make them consubstantial in nature with deity, which is supreme error.

His main point is that to claim that the Bible - the Word of God - is the "definer of truth" is tantamount to deifying the Scriptures, "which is supreme error." The problem with his argument is that he sees a separation between the written Word and the incarnate Word. He sees a distinction between God's revelation and our ability to commune with Him. I don't believe that these distinctions can be made. They are inextricably linked. We can't worship God except through the revelation of Him as found in Scripture. We don't worship our Bibles. We worship God, in the Spirit, through Christ, as revealed in Scripture. God is the definer of Truth. The Bible - His Word - is His Truth defined.

That was sort of a parenthesis. Although, it does tie-in to the following...

The Biblical text mentioned above makes six declarations about the Word of God (v 7-9). It uses six different descriptions for the Word, which describe six different roles of the Word: it is called the law, the testimony, the precepts, the commandment, the fear, and the judgments. Following each of these descriptions is the phrase "of the LORD," which seems to, in itself, claim authority. It seems to be saying that the revelation of which David is speaking is of YHWH, the supreme Sovereign, the one who is. It's also very exclusive. It is the law of YHWH that is in discussion, not any other law, revelation. And it is completely sufficient for all things.

After each of these declarations of Scriptural authority, David gives us an adjective that accords with the afore mentioned subject. The adjectival words used are perfect (complete, full, without blemish, undefiled), sure (firm, faithful), right (straight, direct), pure (polished, clear), clean, and true (certain). Each of these words gives us an understanding of the different aspects of the Word. Together they reveal the scope of its abiblity - an all-encompassing scope.

Finally, after each of the adjectival clauses David gives us a practical application for the Word. He tells us how the Word functions, practically: it restores the soul, makes the simple wise, produces joy in the heart, enlightens the eyes, lasts forever, and is altogether righteous.

Then in verse 10 we find something amazing:

They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb

For so many people today, this statement is probably foreign. How many people can say that the law of the LORD is this wonderful to them? more wonderful than gold? fine gold? sweeter than honey? I honestly don't believe that I can utter these words in full sincerity - God help.

But the thing that is truly amazing to me is that David is declaring his unmatched passion for the law of the LORD before Christ. He is still in the position of looking forward to the Messiah. His hope, joy, reverence, passion, and love for the law of God was rooted firmly in a future hope, not a past reality. He hadn't yet understood the consummation of God's salvific, atoning plan.

How much more should we cherish the Word! We have seen atonement come to fruition. We stand on the other side of the cross, looking back at our Passover lamb, who "died once for all, the just for the unjust," so that we might "walk in newness of life," without any fear of condemnation. We have the full revelation of God. The sweetness that David savored in the law should become to us, who have the full Word, a more purified sweetness. It should be an intoxicating fragrance.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

An Unrelenting Enemy and An Everlasting Joy

Before I was a Christian, my life consisted of self-indulgence to the highest degree possible. There wasn't too much that I said "no" to. The effects were obvious: a downward spiral in my spiritual condition, mixed with all manners of ungodliness. Then the day came when my life was changed forever. God, by His infinite grace, for no explainable reason, breathed life into an otherwise dead young man. Since that day my life has changed dramatically. The old things really have passed away; all things are becoming new to me. I am beginning to see the world, more and more each day, from a new perspective. Activities that were once sin-filled have been cleansed of corruption, and I am able to find a purified joy in these streams of pleasure (art, music, sports, education, etc). I am beginning to see the beauty of God's craftsmanship in all creation. Granted, I am still flawed in the extreme. But my hope and trust is that through His sanctifying grace He will open the eyes of my soul to more of His beauty in this - often times - ugly world.

Which leads me to my main point. This world is ugly. And sin infiltrates every aspect of life, hiding in the unseen crevices and around dark corners, waiting for the opportune time to jump out and mug the unsuspecting Christian in his or her afternoon joy-walk. And I think that most of us who study the Word and have solid support groups - as I have been given - are aware of this imminent danger in a cognitive sense. But cognizance alone won't prepare us for battle against this clever foe. Especially when it disguises its dreadful appearance with white robes.

The battle against sin is hard - it is really hard. As Kris Lundgaard says in his book The Enemy Within, "there is never a cease-fire with sin." It is a constant barrage from every front.

When I became a Christian I felt a huge sense relief - freedom. My chains were loosed. And my once shackled feet were now given space and reason to dance. The afflictions, the guilt, the worry, and the trivialities all seemed to fade away. But as the Lord has so graciously ushered me through my first year of new life, He has not just allowed me to float around this world with naivete regarding indwelling sin. He has shown me, though not in its fullness (for who could withstand such a sight?) the wretchedness of sin, in my own self and in this world system. This sobering look into the face of sin ("the mirror") has produced some upsetting times. But oh how wonderful the times have been when my Lord has brought me through the torrent and planted my feet on solid ground! All through the storms my hope and faith fluctuated. But He was faithful throughout.

There is some paranormal sensation and peace that I have experienced in the days following one of these little battles with sin - after the time of sorrow and repentance. It is almost as if the Lord picks me up in His arms and kisses me on the forehead; this act of love and mercy completely changes my disposition. I don't deserve His care in these times. He ought to condemn me. But no, He chooses to extend mercy. Fully can I exclaim with the prophet Micah the following:

But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, {And} I will see His righteousness (7: 7-9).

The confidence in this passage is amazing. Micah is so confident that he will be brought back into the light. Appropriately, his confidence is in nothing pertaining to himself. Rather, he trusts fully upon the Lord. He is Micah's hope. He is Micah's light. He is Micah's salvation.

This passage is one of the many wonderful, hope-giving texts that deals with sin, guilt, repentance, hope, faith, and God's all-encompassing salvific sovereignty. This confidence that we see in Micah should be the same among us. God is the same, and we have His promise that He will be with us, always (Matt 28:20).

So when sin attacks like a lioness pouncing an elk, let us be prepared. And when we fall - when we are bruised and broken - let us sprint, let us hobble (however we get there, let's just get there), into the arms of our Father who will bring us into His light.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Spiritual Breathing

Breathing is essential for life (wow, that's a shocker). If a person doesn't breathe, he or she will most definitely suffocate (notice a trend?). As a matter of fact, breathing is so fundamental (basic) to human life that it is most often overlooked. Since our respiratory functions are involuntary, it seems as though we rarely ever think about how, why, what, and when we breathe. We simply do it.

But when it comes to our spiritual lives, do we have the same luxury? Can we rely upon some sort of involuntary, mechanical system to provide "oxygen" to our souls? Or, is there something that we, as Christians, must do? Recently I heard a wonderful exposition of the book of Jude by John Piper that related to this very issue. The specific verses in consideration were 20 and 21:

(20) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (21) keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

So how do we "keep ourselves in the love of God"? By "praying in the Holy Spirit."

It seems like life is at stake in these verses. Don't we want to remain in the love of God? Isn't that essential for our lives? Yes and yes! We want to remain in the love God. We need to remain in the love of God. And by "breathing" properly, we will remain in the love of God. So what is this "breathing" of which I speak? Prayer.

Perhaps there is no subject in all of Christian living that can and will convict even the most devout Christian. Any Christian, who honestly examines himself or herself, will admit that his or her prayer life could be better. I don't think that there ever comes a point in a Christian's life where he or she can truly say, "Yep, I pray enough. Don't need any more of that." It's always something that needs improvement.

So obviously, we know that prayer is not an involuntary function. If it were something that involuntary forces controlled then we wouldn't have to worry about it. But, that doesn't align with reality. Because in reality, we do have to worry about it. We do have to wake up and force ourselves onto our knees. We do have to voluntarily "breathe." And the thing that is so astonishing is that we are told that by our praying, we will keep ourselves in the love of God. This is something that we must do. We must keep ourselves in the love of God by praying.

Often times in Reformed circles we try so hard to protect the sovereignty of God that we negate human responsibility. Sure we say things like, "God uses means of grace to bring about His ends." But at the same time we are often ready to call persons heretics when they are "doers", thinking that they are trying to earn favor with God. But Scripture clearly attests to the facts that God is sovereign over all, and that we must act. We must do. And in particular, we must pray.

This means that a mechanical Christian life, where the person just fills out a card and thinks that he or she is in the Kingdom, is utterly unbiblical. Any person that doesn't understand that the Christian life is a daily battle that must be fought has been fooled and will likely run into some real trouble in his or her walk. Because we can't just sit back and not act. God hasn't set it up that way. The Holy Spirit intentionally used actions words (verbs) all throughout Scripture in reference to the Christian's daily walk.

With that said, let's look at verse 1:

Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.

Note in this verse that Jude mentions that his readers are kept. So in verse 21 he exhorts his readers to act. But in verse 1 he states that they are kept - they are passive. The only way that I can make sense of this is to say that the latter verse is dependent upon the former truth. Jude can exhort his readers to keep themselves in the love of God through prayer because they are being kept by God for (some translations say "by") Jesus. That's our confidence in prayer. That's how we can be assured the we can keep ourselves in the love of God through prayer. Because we are already kept in the loving arms of our heavenly Father. In other words, the means by which God has declared to keep us in His love is through our prayers. And we can pray confidently, knowing that we will remain in His love, because we are sure that we have been, and will continue to be, kept by His powerful hand.

Brothers and sisters, let us be a praying people. Let us draw near to our Father in prayer so that we will grow in grace. Let us spend time with Him and show Him the delight we find in Him. Our lives depend on it. If we don't breathe we will suffocate. Likewise, if we don't pray we will suffocate - spiritually. But God has cleared a path for us that we might walk in it and receive sanctifying life.

In closing, remember this: "It's hard to stumble when we are on our knees."