Toward a Godward Passion

Leave It In The Car Next Time!

2009-11-06T13:23:00.000-06:00

It has been my unpleasant experience to observe various pastors using their cellphones in a nonsensical fashion. Things really need to change.

One pastor answered his cell phone in the middle of his sermon at a mid-week service. Yes, he later apologized and attempted to explain why he did so, but he no longer had as good of reception with his audience as he did with his phone. "The Word's important, folks, ... but, say... can you hang on just a sec'? I gotta take this.... Now, where were we?"

Another instance was at a burial service. Scanning the crowd to see if everyone had finally arrived, I spied a pastor, standing not too great a distance from the coffin, on his cellphone chatting away. "Yep... Nope... At a cemetery... Should be done pretty soon... I don't know... Later..."

Guys, these things ought not to be. Shut 'em off or leave them in the car. You are not married to your cellphone, nor is it a permanent appendage to your ear. Shame on us for setting such examples to the flock. What do such behaviors tell the sheep (and the goats) about our priorities?

Suggested Prayers Regarding Sin

2009-11-05T19:58:00.001-06:00

Thomas Manton (1620-1677) wrote regarding the relationship of prayer and sin in his commentary on James (Crossway Classic Commentaries, p.224):

Lord, if ever sin overcomes me, let it be a burden and not a pleasure. (p. 224)

Lord, deliver me from one evil person, and it will suffice." (p. 225)

We Bury One of Our Own Today

2009-11-04T08:23:00.000-06:00

This afternoon we will participate in a funeral service for Stan, a dear friend, discipler, and church member. We gathered last evening at the funeral home in his hometown to express sympathy to his family, as is the custom of our region.

Stan farmed his entire life, but from the turnout at the funeral home, one would have thought a local dignitary of some sorts has passed away. A constant line of people, young and old, patiently waited to shake hands and exchange hugs with his wife and children.

Today we will seek to exalt Stan's God in the service. I will be preaching (more than teaching) from John 8:31-59 on the nature of genuine faith. The Gospel was a precious matter to Stan. He gospelized frequently during the last half of his earthly life. He was born of God at the age of 40, and sought to share that same Good News with others till the day he died.

Following the indoor service, we will carry his body across the road to bury this man who fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the Faith. His body will be laid to rest among the remains of his great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and siblings. But as he would say, "Don't look for me here. I've gone to be with Jesus."

He stood for Truth long after various pastors backpedaled. He challenged us all to be truthing in love. Well done, my friend. Till we meet again.

Isaiah Series Updated

2009-11-02T10:40:00.000-06:00

Our church's web site was recently updated to include the latest notes from my series in the book of Isaiah. I have completed chapters 40-43, which outlines can be found here. They form a basic outline for me to teach from, but by no means are a restrictive manuscript that I slavishly follow.

One of My Friends Died Today

2009-10-29T11:09:00.000-05:00

Toward the end of a long 14+ hours day of work yesterday, a decades-long friend suffered a brain aneurysm while spreading manure to the glory of God while driving his old tractor. He was found unconscious on that tractor and taken by ambulance to a local hospital, and then air-lifted to the regional hospital. He entered his eternal home this morning just before 7 AM. Well done, and well run, my dear friend.

This man stimulated my life spiritually beyond most people in my circle of acquaintances. He farmed to the glory of God. He raised cattle to the glory of God. He raised hogs to the glory of God. He cleaned hog barns to the glory of God. He climbed and repaired silos to the glory of God. He handed out church bulletins on Sunday mornings to the glory of God. He talked regularly with young children and teens at church to the glory of God. He took people out to eat to the glory of God. He taught himself to play guitar and sang with his dear wife at numerous nursing homes to the glory of God. He ate deserts at church fellowship meals to the glory of God. He loved his wife to the glory of God.

He was in the the Word and prayer every morning, and allowed that Word to dwell richly within him. He consistently grew in Christ-likeness as few people I know. Perhaps this is in part because one of his most frequent early-morning prayers was, "Lord, give me wisdom. Use me today for Your glory." When I grow up, I wanna be like Stan.

Where Are The Alert Elders?

2009-10-26T09:52:00.001-05:00

Hebrews 13:17 is one of those texts found in the NT that gives to us what the ekklesia is commanded to do toward elders as well what elders are to be doing. We have here the shepherd-flock relationship precisely defined and described. Some time back here at Calvary I taught through this passage. During that study we learned the following:

God gives specific commands for the flock to obey--be persuaded by and yield to the elders (i.e. assent to their teaching and defer to their rule, even if, or especially if, your opinion is contrary. Quite obviously, if your elder is teaching something clearly unBiblical that is a different matter for a different post.)
God gives specific leaders for the flock to obey--the ones leading you (i.e. those who are leading through the teaching of the Word as the previous elders had done in 13:7)
God gives a specific reason why the flock is to obey these commands--because they are keeping alert on behalf of your souls as those who will give an account (i.e. the flock will not stay alert to surrounding dangers, but leaders must; see also Acts 20:28-31 for Paul's warning and personal example)
God gives a specific purpose for being persuadable and yieldable--in order that they may be doing this with joy and not with sighing, because this is unprofitable to you (i.e. recalcitrant sheep bring inner groaning to the shepherds, which is turn hinders the intended result)

Oh that God would enable us as shepherds as stay alert in these dangerous times. Oh that God would enable our flocks to be persuadable and yieldable to the faithful teaching of His Word.

Belief in Plenary Inspiration of the Word of God

2009-10-22T12:15:00.000-05:00

John Owen (1616-1683) addressed the religious enthusiasts of his day with A Defense of Sacred Scripture Against Modern Fanatacism [sic] written originally in Latin in 1659 (published by Soli Deo Gloria in 1994, though I have the 6th printing from 2007.)

On pp. 827-833 Owen lists 10 points referring to Scripture that refute "inner light" enthusiasts.

If the revelation of the divine mind which is made in the Scriptures is perfect and absolutely complete, then what need can there possibly be for new revelations, imagined or real, of inner light, spiritual irradiation, uncontrolled enthusiasm, heavenly inspiration, angelic colloquies, or what-not, to instruct us in the ways of God and our duty? What aid is there to our salvation, or benefit to the greater glory of God?
The Bible operates in a unique way, having its own peculiar manner of operation and efficiency, working on the inner and moral nature, which is adapted to be effected by such a written revelation.
The Holy Spirit very seriously condemns and rejects all attempted additions to the words of the Bible, of whatever kind they be, and along with them necessarily all of these supposed ways and means to the knowledge of God and communion with Him of which these fanatics boast.
When God so frequently enjoins upon us and proclaims that we must pay diligent attention to the Scriptures (His Word), and that lest we be snatched from or turned aside from the true and correct knowledge of Him by the efforts of deceiving spirits, new revelations, groundless imaginings, false teachers, boasts of dreams or visions, angelic communications, or any such enthusiastic manifestations, then the rule which He proposes as antidote to all such must be perfect.
That to which we are nowhere, never, sent by God in order to learn the directions for our duty cannot be any rule, principle, canon, or (if I may so speak) directory of faith, knowledge, or teaching or obedience.
For all things which it is needful to examine and prove, we are required to do so by the touchstone of the Scripture, and the test of all is their agreement or otherwise with the written Word. What fails to so agree cannot be considered, individually or collectively, as rules for faith, obedience, or the worship of God.
The great uncertainty of the teaching and practice of all these fanatics. What is under every aspect confused, uncertain, and contradictory must be fallacious.
From our knowledge of the devices of Satan. He is a stranger to all religion who has no insight into how that father of lies has, from the foundation of the world, used the mask of pretended revelations and interior inspiration to patch together his cunningly devised fables and false reasonings, for the sole purpose of training men in the paths of deceit, and so dragging them down to eternal destruction.
In praising their inner light we, in fact, see these fanatics dragging forth from darkness into the sunlight false doctrines, things heretical and contrary to the Word of God, matters pernicious and blasphemous.
It is evidence of no small importance to consider how these enthusiasts, following their leaders and acting out their principles in rejecting the rule of the written Word, are daily and in so many places impelled to destructive ways, to wicked idolatry, to fornication, blasphemy, and to wanton vandalism.

Looks like these things could also apply to some within the continuationist realm of our day.

Reminders for Shepherding Theologians

2009-10-19T09:01:00.004-05:00

In Book 6, Chapter 9 of his book Biblical Theology, John Owen (1616-1683) concludes his chapter and book with six reminders to true theologians. (see pp. 699-703)

First, everyone who devotes himself to the study of holy literature should keep it firmly before his mind, in all of his reading and meditation, that the all-holy God is, in an [sic] special manner, close to him as he works....

Second, it is in the student's own interest that he carefully weigh up and monitor what progress he is making both (a) in all of the truth which he is busy digging out of the Word, and (b) in acceptable worship of God....

Third, the student of theology must demonstrate by his life the absolute authority of the Scriptures, and show himself devoutly submitting his own will and judgment to the authority of the Bible in all matters....

Fourth, a great help for the investigation of truth is the diligent study of the Holy Scriptures in those languages in which they were written by the Holy Spirit....

Fifth, all of these activities, and any others of similar nature, are always to be preceded, accompanied, and closed by continuous and heart-felt prayer....

In addition to his studies, let the student keep up a regular and godly connection with those who practice holiness and true religion as demonstrated by gospel standards.

Where are the Innocent Servants of Christ?

2009-10-19T08:34:00.003-05:00

From 1523 to 1549, Martin Bucer (Butzer) ministered the Word of God in northeastern France in the city of Strasbourg. Fifteen years into that ministry Bucer wrote his helpful book, "Concerning the True Care of Souls." This book was translated for English readers in 2008 and has now been printed in 2009 by the good folks at The Banner of Truth Trust.

In Bucer's introduction, he asks the question found in the title of this post. The entire quote is this:

Where are the innocent servants of Christ who bring Christ's sheep nothing but the Lord's voice and word, who are zealous to seek all the Lord's lost sheep, to bring back those which have gone astray, to heal the injured, to strengthen the weak, to guard the strong and feed them aright? And also to shut out from the congregation of Christ all those who do not wish to listen to the Lord's word and mend their ways? (p. xxxii)

Perhaps this is one reason why Bucer had such an influence on another young Frenchman who eventually shepherded in Geneva. Ever heard of John Calvin?

The Christian's Use of the Old Testament

2009-10-14T14:48:00.003-05:00

Allow me to quote a rather lengthy portion from Eugene Merrill's conclusion to his helpful Everlasting Dominion: A Theology of the Old Testament. On pp. 650-651 he writes:

Finally, of what use is a theology of the Old Testament to the Christian believer? Is not the Hebrew Bible irrelevant to the Christian faith, and if that be too extreme, is it not of only marginal interest and importance in the light of the finished work of Jesus Christ? To these and similar questions we offer the following observations in bring this work to a close.

1. The New Testament and the gospel never claim to have superseded the Old Testament in terms of its canonical status. Over and over again and until the end of the apostolic age, it is cited as the Word of God, inspired and authoritative in its parts and in the whole. The testimony of Jesus and the early church in the matter is sufficient proof that the Old Testament is not only the continuing Word of God, but it has lost nothing of its magisterial character for the Christian believer.

2. The Old Testament constitutes over 75 percent of the biblical text and therefore its denial as Christian Scripture or even its benign neglect as a work worthy of theological investigation constitutes a repudiation of a significant portion of divine revelation. Some central doctrines--for example, the nature and character of God--find scant treatment in the New Testament. Old Testament theology, then, is crucial to the full elaboration of this foundational truth as well as many (if not all) others.

3. The New Testament presupposes the Old at every point, so much so that one can say that the New Testament is largely meaningless apart from its Old Testament orientation. The life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus as well as apostolic preaching and pronouncements betray on every hand their indebtedness to the Old Testament which, after all, was their only Bible. It is as though one should begin reading any book three-quarters of the way through it and claim to have full understanding of its message and meaning. So it is with the Bible. The Christian who shuts himself up to the New Testament alone and who has no interest in or concern for the theology of the Old is hardly in step with Jesus on the road to Emmaus who, 'beginning with Moses and all the Prophets,... interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures' (Luke 24:27).

I have stated before, and will repeat myself here: you need to get and read this book.

On Misreading God's Creatures

2009-10-14T10:04:00.003-05:00

We have had what appears to be a confused hummingbird literally hanging around our house. We have photographic proof! Torpor is akin to hibernation. Torpidity is sluggishness, lethargy, or inactivity.

At first glance we thought the creature was dead. It even fell off the bird feeder upon which it had been hanging upside down. Further investigation proved it was not dead. After our meager attempts to do something beneficial for it, we returned it to the out-of-doors, assuming it would fly away like normal hummingbirds do in the autumn. However, this morning my wife related her most recent observance of this creature. Still here.

I recount this avian story because it reminded me of how I too often misread the human creature. Do you find it difficult to distinguish whether someone is spiritually dead or in spiritual torpor? I think we can justify the use of a phrase such as spiritual torpidity. But as a shepherd I find that no matter what amount of experience of shepherding I may have, I still misread situations. I suppose it proves our humanity, but oh how I pray for wisdom, discernment, and sound judgment.

I am not talking about being judgmental, but rather of making sound judgment. Apparently Lydia was not offended to be judged by the apostle Paul. She assumed she should be judged as to whether she had been faithful to the Lord (Acts 16:15). Oh that God would grant grace to us to make careful evaluation.

When Reading the Psalms

2009-10-12T11:00:00.003-05:00

Eugene Merrill (Everlasting Dominion, p. 601) gives the following summary of the Psalms:

The theology of the Psalms can be summarized as a poetic expression of Israel's struggles to be the theocratic covenant people of the Lord in an intensely hostile world, a people who, though often beset by personal and national failure, nevertheless confessed the reality of the Lord and the fidelity of his everlasting promises to their fathers, themselves, and their children yet to come.

I would suggest this is enables us to have a Godward perspective while reading the book of Psalms.

True Wisdom is Theocentric

2009-10-06T13:10:00.002-05:00

While prepping for an upcoming small group study in James 3:15-16, I was struck by the example of God's wisdom in and through James at the time of the Jerusalem counsel (not council) in Acts 15. Consider his decision in light of all the other discussion. He directs the gathered (and not necessarily unified) group of people to do three things.

Put your focus on the worth of God--15:14 The Father worked among the Gentiles to acquire a people for His name. It's about His name, not yours.
Put your focus on the word of God--15:15-18 The Father has revealed in His Word that these are to be so. Therefore, humble yourself and submit to the authority of the Word.
Put your focus on the work of God--15:19-21 The Father is at work among both Gentiles (15:19-21) and Jews (15:21). God is not limiting His activity to just one group.

May God grant us such wisdom to do the same with those among whom we minister.

Are Knowledge, Faith, and Reason Incompatible?

2009-10-05T13:04:00.003-05:00

Over the years there have been scoffers who have declared that knowledge, faith, and reason are incompatible. These mockers have adamantly declared that reason or knowledge are the only sufficient foundation on which to build one's life, as though faith in the one true God did not provide an adequate bedrock.

How interesting to read God's own words on this matter in Isaiah 43:10. Yahweh stated to the nation of Israel, "You are my witnesses," utters Yahweh, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know [yada] and believe ['aman] Me, and understand [bin] that I am He." Sounds to me like God does not see knowledge, faith, and reason as incompatible.

Looks like fallen man is wrong once again.

Your Affections and Emotions--part 3

2009-10-02T16:04:00.006-05:00

I received the following comment as an email, which ends up here instead of in the comment section.

Thank you, Phil, for delving into this. I'm afraid my time is limited, so I'll have to be brief in my reply.

I don't think any of us are claiming "that there is a contrast between upper and lower abdominal affections or desires." We are simply pointing out that contrast between base appetites and noble affections, and using abdominal names to describe them. Obviously, neither appetites nor affections reside in our splagchnon, koilia, or kardia for that matter. These words are simply used as metaphors to describe different kinds of desires.

Paul used koilia as a metaphor for base appetites that we should not indulge (Rom 16:18; Php. 3:19). He used splagchnon as a metaphor for our noble affections which we should cultivate.

The comment then quotes from BAGD, Robertson's Word Pictures, and NIDNTT.

My initial response would be this: does the Bible use koilia metaphorically in a good sense? Yes, in John 7:38. Thus, koilia is not ncessarily "base" in nature. It can be, but it is not necessarily so. As demonstrated in an earlier post, the LXX does not always portray it in a negative light. I would agree that splagchnon, however, is always noble, from what I can determine.

As we know, physical appetites are not evil in and of themselves. However, if we are characterized by those physical appetites, and not the Spirit of God, then we are indeed sinning.

What think the rest of ye?

Your Affections and Emotions--part 2

2009-10-02T08:16:00.004-05:00

As promised at the end of the first post on Affections and Emotions, I would now like to address the word koilia (# 2836). Does the claim of a marked distinction between this word and the word group from the previous post hold water?

Koilia is used in the NT 23 times, 14 of which are in the Gospel accounts. There are two aspects to a definition: 1) the "hollow" part of the body (cavity) where digestive or reproductive functions take place, existing in a temporary, perishing world; and 2) the broader inward part of people.

These 23 uses may be divided between the literal/physical and the metaphorical. Literally, we find this referenced to animals in Matthew 12:40, as well as Genesis 3:14 in the LXX. We also find literal references to people, referring either to digestive (Mt. 12:40; 15:17; Mk. 7:19; Lk. 15:16; 1Cor. 6:13; Rev. 10:9-10) or reproductive (Mt. 19:12; Lk. 1:15, 41-42, 44; 2:21; 11:27; 23:29; Jn. 3:4. Ac. 3:2; 14:8; Ga. 1:15) systems. Curiously, it is used in the LXX to translate the same Hebrew word as splagchnon in Gen. 25:23; 30:2; Dt. 28:4, 11; Judg. 16:17; Job 1:21; etc. Apparently the LXX translators saw little, if any, difference between the Greek terms.

Metaphorically we find koilia referring to the inner self or heart (Jn. 7:38). This usage is also found in the LXX in Job 15:35; Prov. 18:20; 20:27, 30; and Hab. 3:16. It is also used in reference to the desires or appetites associated with the pleasures of the gullet/stomach (Rom. 16:18; Phil. 3:19).

Koilia is contrasted with kardia (Mt. 15:17-19; Mk. 7:19), but also regarded as essentially synonymous with kardia (Mt. 12:40).

Thus, to say, as these men claim, that there is a contrast between upper and lower abdominal affections or desires is not an accurate description of the Biblical record. It may be a older secular Greek distinction in some instances, but it is certainly not a valid Biblical Greek or Hebrew distinction (see Thayer on splagchnon, as well as the discussion in Louw-Nida on 26.11).

The Purpose of the Old Testament

2009-10-02T08:10:00.002-05:00

Eugene Merrill reminds us of the following:

... the purpose of the Old Testament is to reveal God as the Creator and Sovereign of the universe who created mankind as his image and viceroy to rule on his behalf over all things. That rule continues in history, though hobbled and hindered by sin and the fall, and will be consummated in the eschaton as God, by his grace, provides forgiveness and restoration through One chosen in David's royal line to accomplish in his perfection what mankind has failed to achieve. (Everlasting Dominion, p. 493)

Your Affections and Emotions

2009-10-01T08:40:00.004-05:00

There is a small group of people within my broader range of potential fellowship that are attempting to teach conservative Christian folks concerning their unique view of music (and other arts). They are positing a distinction between 2 Greek words and building their arguments on this alleged distinction. When I first heard/read these arguments, I confess it sounded good position, assuming that these Christian leaders had done their homework and were handling the Biblical text accurately. Later, after having sought to verify that what they had written/spoken was indeed accurate, I found that what they were teaching was in actuality not so. In reality, their arguments appear to be based more on human authors than upon precise exegesis of the inspired Word. Quoting 3-4 secular or Christian authors/philosophers accurately and impressively does not excuse the mishandling of God's Word. It may indeed sound erudite and even elitist, but the more pressing question is, Is it accurate?

The topic they were addressing included the concepts of affections and emotions. The alleged distinction was between the Greek word group splagchnon/splagchnizomai [# 4698/4697] and koilia [# 2836].

The noun splagchnon is found 11 times in the NT. The verb splagchnizomai is found 12 times in the NT.

This word group is used in two ways in the NT: literal/physical, and metaphorical. We find the literal use in Acts 1:18. This word is also found in the LXX in 2Mac. 6:8; 9:5; 4Mac. 5:30; and 10:8.

We find the metaphorical divided into: 1) the inner self or heart, and 2) inward affection, pity, or sympathy. The references to the inner self are: 2Cor. 6:12; Phlm. 1:7, 12, 20; 1Jo. 3:17. See its use in the LXX in Proverbs 12:10 (Hebrew racham) and 26:22 (Hebrew beten). It is parallel to kardia in 2Cor. 6:12 and Phil. 1:7-8.

The references to inward affection, pity, or sympathy are: Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 18:27; 20:34; Mk. 1:41; 6:34; 8:2; 9:22; Lk. 1:78; 7:13; 10:33; 15:20; 2Cor. 7:15; Phil. 1:8; 2:1; and Col. 3:12. See also its use in the LXX in Proverbs 17:5; Sirach 30:7, and Wisdom 10:5.

In my next post I will attempt to show the uses of koilia to ascertain if there really is such a marked distinction as these men are claiming.

Remember As You Read the Old Testament That...

2009-09-29T16:25:00.004-05:00

I have been thoroughly enjoying Eugene Merrill's Everlasting Dominion (A Theology of the Old Testament). Today I was challenged regarding my reading of the OT accounts. Merrill writes:

As we have argued before, the sacred nature of the old Testament record of the past does not preclude its being founded on actual, even documentable, events. These events, however, were filtered through an ideological (better, theological) grid that offers insight into their causes and effects, especially in the context of the divine plan or purpose to which they contributed and within which they must be interpreted. Sacred history is never content only with what happened. It seeks to explain how and why as well. It is not anthropocentric but theocentric in that everything finds its ultimate explanation in terms of the sovereignty of God who superintends the affairs of nature and nations, leading them to an eschatological objective.

Of most relevance to our present concern, sacred history is selective in what it includes and what it chooses to ignore. Were the biblical history to be view as a purely human product, its authors could in all fairness be charged with historical revisionism at the least because of their blatantly obvious sympathy with the subjects of their inquiry, particularly in Chronicles. But the point precisely is that it is not their story in the final analysis but the story of the God of history who, in his omniscience and in line with his purposes, has crafted an account that includes and excludes what is appropriate to those purposes. (pp. 477-478)

For the Suffering Christian

2009-09-29T14:09:00.002-05:00

You will want to read this helpful post by Adam Bailie at Faith and Practice blog. His list of 10 observations from Job are worth copying and hanging somewhere in one's house.

The Dangers of Grandchildren

2009-09-29T13:36:00.003-05:00

Grandchildren are a wonderful gift from God, for which we are truly thankful. But such gifts can have an accompanying set of tests as well, which topic is beyond the scope of this post.

I was recently directed to a passage in Judges 18:30 that seems to indicate that a grandson of Moses was involved in enabling the worship of a carved image among the people of Dan in Northern Israel. Gershom's son Jonathan was the priest.

But who was Gershom's father? Many Hebrew texts read "Manasseh", but some read "Moses", as do some manuscripts of the LXX (Septuagint) and the Vulgate. The NET Bible and Expositor's Bible Commentary both posit that "Manasseh" is a scribal attempt to protect Moses' reputation. In the Hebrew text, the raised letter nun may indicate a later editorial insertion.

The textual issue is beyond the scope of this post, but the whole idea does cause one to ponder. Is it possible that Moses' grandson is reported so far astray from righteousness? Is it possible for our own grandchildren to be so spiritually askew? The answer is, Yes. One's parentage or grand-parentage does not guarantee a right standing before God, nor does it guarantee a future life of obedience. Our grandchildren face great spiritual dangers, from within and without. Cute little grandchildren are still sinners by birth and choice. That sin nature must be addressed by God's grace to the glory of His name. May God grant us all this grace.

Rethinking the Concept of Evangelists

2009-09-28T10:35:00.003-05:00

You may want to read this helpful article on Evangelists. I found it quite similar to what I have been teaching the past several years. It is better written and organized than what I have attempted to say on the subject.

I Came From Something Worse Than A Monkey

2009-09-25T11:23:00.002-05:00

Some evolutionists like to say that modern people descended from apes. I like J. Vernon McGee's response to that line of thinking:

I don't accept the evolutionary theory that I evolved from a monkey; I came from something worse than a monkey! I came from a rebellious sinner who on the physical side had been taken from the ground. That first man passed on to me a fallen nature which will never be reformed or repaired. But God has given me a new nature. (Thru The Bible, 3:291)

Your view of your origin clearly impacts your view of your future.

Teaching People to Think For Themselves?

2009-09-23T11:39:00.004-05:00

Teaching is a wonderful privilege and responsibility, as is learning. Recently I scanned an article that highlighted an atheistic group holding "camp" to teach young people to think for themselves. I have also had conversations with pastors who excitedly talked of teaching God's people to think for themselves. The thought arises: is that process even possible?

Can I really teach someone to think for himself, or will he simply be thinking my thoughts after the fashion of thinking I taught him? For atheists to undo the thinking of their parents is problematic on many levels. But it is naive to say that after the child has completed the camp he or she will think for themselves. They won't and they can't. They will mimic the thought process they were taught by the atheist teachers. A Christian teacher may deceive himself into assuming he is teaching people to think for themselves, but he is simply seeking to get people to think like he does.

Let us briefly consider the Holy Spirit's Words through Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6: For though we are walking in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh, because the weapons of our campaign are not fleshly, but are divinely powerful for the demolition of fortresses, destroying arguments and every arrogant thing that is elevating itself against the knowledge of God, taking captive every thought to the obedience of the Christ, we are prepared to punish every disobedience whenever your obedience may be completed.

NB the steady progression of the military campaign regarding thoughts: destroying the defensive walls of the city (arguments and arrogant anti-God thoughts), taking the citizens of the city captive (bringing thoughts captive to the Christ), and punishing the city for its rebellion against the Authority.

It is not a question of whether Christians will fight the spiritual war for the truth and against lies; the battle is unavoidable. But those who are successful in the conflict will imitate Paul's method and utilize the weapons God has granted for his glory and the good of those who are held captive. Rather than deceptively claiming to teach people they can think for themselves, teach them instead the Truth about how they can think obediently to Christ to the glory of God. Too often we are too willing to sign a truce with the opposition forces and thoughts. All teaching and speculations of people must be judged in light of the teachings of God as contained in His Word.

A Shepherd's Heart Until Death

2009-09-18T18:33:00.003-05:00

The last letter of John Owen was written to a close friend, the day before Owen crossed into eternity. Two things struck me as I read his brief note: 1) his deep confidence in God; and 2) his tender love for the small flock he shepherded toward the end of his earthly days. I realize the first quote is the more familiar, but the second deserves some notice as well. Notice that he is a theologian to the end, even correcting himself to be more Godward on his own deathbed. (The quotes are found in, The Works of John Owen, vol. 1, p. ciii.)

I am going to Him whom my soul has loved, or rather has loved me with an everlasting love,--which is the whole ground of all my consolation.

I am leaving the ship of the church in a storm; but whilst the great Pilot is in it, the loss of a poor under-rower will be inconsiderable. Live, and pray, and hope, and wait patiently, and do not despond; the promise stands invincible, that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.

O that God would give us such Godward shepherds today.