TIRESOME: Blogging

Finally broke with a scheduled blog entry every three days.  This type of thing tends to get old, as do many things, including blog reading and the Internet in general.

The intention is to continue blogging… just not sure how often.  Not that there is, or should be, a great following of this blog, which demands the need for a great effort on my part. 

As mentioned elsewhere, the main reason for this blog is that it operates as a repository for worthwhile things found on the Internet (other blogs, etc) and some personal thoughts. I used to do something like this in a Word Document, but thought to make it public for a few friends with whom I interact. 

The hope too was that this blog might prove useful in some small way in the future in demonstrating something of what it means to be a Gospel-oriented believer.  At least for those who have already begun to come under the sway of the fuller ramifications of the Gospel as the creative and sustain Word of God.

MUSING: Less is More

A few random thoughts from this past week (or two) loosely tied together: 

We all are wired for self-righteousness, regardless of what form it most manifests itself in…legalism or licentiousness.  Fact is, we as believers will always (this side of Glory) struggle with what we do RIGHT and WRONG, both.  Granted, daily we’re faced with our own shortcomings.  Yet, Mr. RIGHT has the same fundamental problem…SELF-righteousness.  Either way, Christ’s righteousness is always alien.  But for His ongoing graciousness, we’d have ZERO participation in the Kingdom.  ZERO! 

Do not kid yourself for a moment, brethren; all of us are struggling to live according to faith in Christ.  He who does not think so is the greater fool.  Faith does not come as a commodity we pull off the shelf at Wal-Mart.  So yes, there are God given means to His giving/sustaining/nurturing us in faith, but the measure too is His, not only the means. 

As someone once said, our growing in grace is about our becoming more realistic (honest) about our being human.  Becoming a Christian is about our no longer “being as gods”.  It is tough for us (and understandably so) to get very comfortable with ourselves, even in Christ.  The entirety of our days are spent laboring according to a performance model.  No labor, no pay!  Yet, the whole of the Christian Faith is hinged on an entirely different model…Christ crucified for sinners (which we remain while here).  So, daily we struggle between (confusing) the two, on top of the fact that the world goes round and round like this, we have a natural inclination to perform and be stroked for doing so.  God’s plan is different.  He does all the essential work!  He does all the salvationing.

So then, let us not get bogged down in wondering too long, about how self-righteous we might still be.  ALL of us are Selfish and everyday this kills us; and boy does it ever hurt.  I hate it!   

I hope that anyone who hears me is reminded of at least two things: 1) God saves, and 2) We are sinners (and we never quite get over either one).  

The world (and sadly much of the Church) hates it when we say…screw that idea of our “measuring up!”  Christ is our measure and may this – by His mercy – become something central in our lives.  We who hate this have a common response: “What, aren’t you going to do anything?!”  NO.  NO.  NO.  HE HAS!  Get over it!  God help us to think in this way without lacking due charity.

The equation then is this: 

Less = More  (< = >). 

Less of us, and the totality of Christ! 

Christ then is our YES! YES! YES!

PREACHING: Why Johnny Can’t (4th post)

We left off last time (in our discussion about Why Johnny Can’t Preach) with a remark about the alleged Pauline statement regarding the “folly of preaching”.  I claimed that Paul did not say such.  Let us look at the text itself:

1 Corinthians 1 (ESV)

V.17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

V. 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

V.19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

V.20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

V.21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

V.22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,

V.23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

V.24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Notice that it is not “preaching” that the World considers folly.  No, rather, it is “WHAT we preach” that is folly, not preaching in and of itself (v.21).  The world and its churches preach all the time (v.20).  The world has its own proclamation.  So I dare say it is not “preaching” proper that is the problem (folly) but the Cross (God’s humiliation saving sinners).  Christ (God’s anointed) crucified for sinners is folly.  It is folly to the world (undiscerning; see 1Cor.2.14), that, CHRIST, dead and risen, is the power and wisdom of God. 

Why do I bother to stress this?  Because all too often folks are thinking that preaching itself is the answer (almost regardless of what’s preached).  In addition, too often this proclamation is being reserved for the pulpit.  Anything taking place outside the pulpit is somehow inferior.  I simply do not buy a high-church tendency that hijacks the Gospel ministry, chaining it to an elevated desk.  Granted, wherever the Gospel is proclaimed/taught God be thanked, but let us not quarantine the Word of Life to one platform when there are other acceptable ones.

Notice too, that Paul understands that a “polished” ministry is not only what the World wants (is wooed by) but is something that in itself can empty the Cross of its divine power and wisdom.  There was no shortage of such “eloquent wisdom” in Corinth and Paul knew it, repeating the matter multiple times (see 1Cor.2.1; 2.4; 2Cor.4.2; & 10.10). 

Consider also the following from the JFB Commentary:

“not with wisdom of words” — or speech; philosophical reasoning set off with oratorical language and secular learning, which the Corinthians set so undue a value upon (1Co_1:5; 1Co_2:1, 1Co_2:4) in Apollos, and the want of which in Paul they were dissatisfied with (2Co_10:10).

In sum, then, it would be the case that Christ himself is foolishness and eloquent preaching (particularly that which only allows Jesus to make guest appearances) a subtraction.  Reader beware…not only the World but believers too stumble at Christ crucified being the simple and sufficient means whereby God does His salvationing, all of it, beginning to end, from here to glory. 

One last post to come…

PREACHING: Why Johnny Can’t (3rd post)

Again, we are dealing here with the discussion between Mike Horton and T. David Gordon (WHI program: Why Johnny Can’t Preach) on how the ‘medium is the message.’

Gordon explains that the “sermonic portrait” delivered well, makes all the difference.  He understands that the messenger is to be shaped by the medium of high-end literary works in order for the message to penetrate the hearers.  It is almost as if he is failing to account for the working of the Holy Spirit, not by carnal weapons, but by the Gospel itself. I understand it is not likely that he forgets this entirely, but only that he is caught up in something that is a life-occupation for him. 

As I have said in the previous posts, the Gospel shapes the messenger, the message, and the hearer(s).  No doubt, Gordon believes this, unfortunately though, this does not come across loud and clear, but is muffled by the cry for a more literarily astute clergy. 

Gordon also reminds us (and rightly so) that ours is not a WORD-shaped culture but an IMAGE-driven culture (TV, DVD’s, etc).  Here again, as an academician he wants to bring the full weight of top-notch literature to bear.  Granted, a televised people can tend to be a trivial lot.  Mush for minds is not a good thing.  What is needed though is not well-read people filling the ranks (and pulpit), but a believing people.  Is not Christ’s person and work, simply preached, sufficient to create and sustain believers?  Do not the people of God need a continual refreshing and gradual deepening in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as He is revealed in all of Scripture? 

Word-shaped?  Yes!  Nevertheless, it is content, not style, that is our foremost concern.  Where there is genuine content (Gospel-concentrated content), we have reason to hope for preachers (and laypersons alike) to present in plain speech the glories of Christ, for all to hear.  Yes, we might end up with people who are not so full of themselves as to present their style as Gospel.  Heaven knows, there is plenty of that to go around.

Next, Gordon utilizes this supposed biblical notion of the “folly of preaching”.  What?  Where does Paul ever speak like this?  I know, I know…in the First Letter to the Corinthians, right?  Wrong.  Look again at the text (1Cor.1.17-24; & 2.14)!  Let us deal with this text next time.

Stay tuned…

PREACHING: Why Johnny Can’t (2nd post)

As stated in the previous post, “I believe Gordon places too much hope in being literarily astute, rather than in the literal Gospel.” 

To begin, Mike Horton and T. David Gordon (WHI program: Why Johnny Can’t Preach) discuss how the ‘medium is the message.’  How the medium (media) does things both ‘for’ and ‘to’ us.  Ok; so far so good. 

The concern is how Gordon sees literature (not just the Bible, but also all high-end literature) shaping a minister of the Gospel.  He alleges that reading and studying literature (poetry, classic works, etc) are a key tool in creating the abilities to “preach the Gospel” in a way that is best.  The reason why we have so many poor sounding preachers (perhaps upwards of 75%), so David says, is due to their not having been trained in things like classic literature.  (Wow, sounds a lot like Doug Wilson and company with their Trivium.)  These poor preachers are people who could not write their way out of a wet paper bag.

Gordon’s literary prowess is to be respected and all, but I have a real hard time imagining that the chief problem we face in the pulpit has to do with not enough literary studies.  I fear that he is engaged here in that same search many others are on…for those days gone by, with an eye toward an era that “took things more seriously”, especially literature.  Granted, we can be ignoramuses about the World (classic literature, poetry, etc), but I honestly do not believe that this has too awful much to do with why the Word (all Scripture in the Light of the Gospel) is not soundly preached.  Gordon is barking up the wrong tree.

Now, I am with Gordon in regards to the majority of preaching being terrible.  However, for Gordon the problem is the style of delivery; whereas, it would seem to the content that is of concern.  Give me a common country-bumpkin pastor who knows and loves Christ (like Peter, James, and John), preaching Him from all the Text, and I would say we have something.  I have listened (as I am sure you have too) to enough “finely educated” people in my life to know that this does not necessitate one’s getting and keeping the Cross of Christ dead-center. 

The problem does not happen to be an uneducated clergy in regards to the World, but that men are not being schooled in the Word of Christ.  They come to believe, somehow, that the Bible has something other than Christ and Him crucified at its core and that the church needs to hear about “something other”.  Men simply do not believe that the Gospel (God revealed in humiliation) itself is sufficient to shape the messenger, message, and hearers into conformity to Christ’s image.  Rather, we get all in a tizzy because things are not happening fast enough.  This is not a new problem due to our failing to be literarily solid.  No, it is an age-old problem… this Age Old problem. God’s work of redemption in Christ alone is sufficient and simple enough to affect whatever God would create by this Word of Christ.  Unbelief is the problem, and yes, we all struggle with it!  Get used to it.  Do not try to get around it by circumventing the Gospel.

This bring us then… to the Gospel, as God’s exclusive tool in revealing Himself and creating a people for His name’s sake?  So yes, as Gordon points out, media “tools” work both for and upon us; yet, God’s tool is Christ crucified and risen being projected by words into the ears of the hearers.  This is God’s means whereby men (sinners) are being drawn unto Him.

Stay tuned…….

PREACHING: Why Johnny Can’t (1st post)

Well, I just finished listening to last week’s WHI program featuring T. David Gordon and his book Why Johnny Can’t Preach.  It makes for an interesting conversation between Horton and Gordon.  One will hear Gordon in his prime.

I for one appreciate T. David Gordon, particularly for his labors in teaching the structural (covenantal) framework of all Scripture as it centers on the Gospel (person and work of Christ).  In addition, his ability to keep this (the Gospel) distinct from God’s working within the church (you and I), all the while helping us understand the relationship between the two – the Gospel and our growing in Christ. 

As an aside, a word about those who incessantly desire to make the Gospel to include what God does “in” us along with what the Gospel is…the personal and particular work of the God-Man.  This is what some would call the “Gospel in the broader sense”.  Well, I for one do not buy it.  Sorry, but it is true.  In their claiming that the Gospel incorporates our lives in this way, they end up with an existential baseline (usually themselves) upon which we are to place our hopes, rather than solely in Christ himself.  It is a very subtle shift, but a shift away from the Gospel nonetheless.

The folks over at Creed or Chaos hit this on the head: “We take from the gospel whenever we add to it, therefore, let us be satisfied with its overflowing fullness.”

Now, back to our program…at the WHI.

In following this conversation by T. David Gordon around the Internet (and in the book), it seems that his writing as a dying man did not make for the best context in which to write this kind of book.  There is much one can appreciate about the book, surely.  However, I fear that David’s natural tendency to be inflammatory and his preoccupation with his occupation (academician) both end up distracting us from the real fault as to why most sermons one will hear are sub-standard.  His being on what appeared then to be a ‘death-bed’ seems to have made it all the easier for David to “let loose” at what has long nagged at him, but ends up somewhat wide of the mark of what has always turned the church to preaching everything but Christ. 

In the next post, I intend to share thoughts gathered from this program.  Let me just conclude here by saying that Gordon’s remarks have an entirely different air about them as opposed to John Piper’s or Ken Jones’:  BROTHERS, WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS! 

Ken Jones’ message here: The Joy of Preaching the Gospel of God

Though some of what Ken Jones says coincides with T. David Gordon, I believe Gordon places too much hope in being literarily astute, rather than in the literal Gospel. 

Stay tuned, more to come……

TRANSFORMATION: All Passive

Bill Mounce has an interesting blog entry here:  To Be Changed (Transformed)

The topic is Transformation.  Bill summarizes in saying,

“But notice what these four uses of μεταμορφοω all have in common: they are all passives. The power to change does not naturally well up from within us but is the gift and the work of God’s Spirit.”

It was previously asked: “But how does this transformation happen?”

Answer: “There are two clues (outside of Rom 12:2). Paul tells the Corinthians, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed (μεταμορφουμεθα) into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18).”

Well, at least two passages come to my own mind here:

1)   “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Mt 13:23)

2)   “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”  He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.  By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.  Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”   (2Cor 9:8-15)

Thus, we see that Paul does not forget what he stated earlier (2Cor 3.18) by the time he gets around to 2Cor 9.13.  The Gospel itself is the SOLE means that God uses to workout God’s image, Christ Jesus (2Cor 4.4), in us.  And in what measure?  As He sees fit… “some a hundredfold, another sixty, and in another thrity.”

Ours then is always but a “passive capacity” in the way of salvation.  God alone is the prime mover, the “active” Operator.  The Cross itself was and remains emblematic of our always needing God’s intervention of salvationing.

SANCTIFICATION: God to man (not the inverse)

Here is an interesting conversation by the folks over at Reformed Forum along with Richard Gaffin.  What is interesting (at least in my mind) is how difficult a time these brethren have in calling Sanctification a work that is ENTIRELY God’s. 

If you care to listen to only part of the conversation where they get into the ‘nitty-gritty,’ try listening from 40:00 min onward.

Gaffin makes two very interesting remarks:

1)   The ‘Guilt-Grace-Gratitude’ model that many within the Reformed camp hold to does not hold up under Scriptural scrutiny.

2)   Referring to G.C. Berkower (though there is angst in his doing so by the others), he expresses quite plainly that “good works” in sanctification are “not the way of man to God, but of God to man.”  Meaning, it is entirely a work of God.

Sadly, as things are wrapping up, the other fellows toss in two comments that are seemingly polar to what Gaffin just finished saying.  Nonetheless, Gaffin is cordial enough to leave it at that; not to say that he himself entirely avoids working man’s will back into the equation during the course of the conversation. 

 Anyway, check it out here:  Sanctification and the Gospel

GOSPEL: Nutshell

GOSPEL IN A NUTSHELL:

 

In Adam: DEATH

In Christ’s death: LIFE

God came, died & rose to make

Us be-ALIVE-ers.

 

Find others at  the 9marks blog

GRACE: Totally, Beginning to End

1)   “If we have all become Christians in this way, can our progress be according to any other principle or power than our beginning?”

2)   “Since we take from the gospel whenever we add to it, therefore, let us be satisfied with its overflowing fullness.”

Wonderful. Total grace for total sinners!

God is salvationing from beginning to end.

Go here for the rest of the story by Brannan.

COUNSEL: Stop it!

Now here is some of the best the world has to offer in the way of COUNSEL…in a comedic way, of course.  Sadly, this is much of what so-called “Christian” counsel gravitates toward, in assuming that the believing-sinner (each of us) has only to appropriate the counsel (precept of God) in order to ‘make-it-all-happen’.  Sounds like something out of Palestine, oh, about 3400 years ago:

Newhartian Counsel

CROSS: The Wilderness Before It

What does this mean, our being “in the wilderness before the cross?”  Simply put, it captures something of what our existence is here.  As sojourners, exiles, we find our place outside the camp, outside Jerusalem, outside those alleged strongholds along with our Lord, dying to the World and the World to us.  In this dying in (because of) Christ’s dying, there might be found then something of a genuine working of God in making us alive. 

The goal is not our getting as alive as we can, as if somehow we entirely (or almost so) put off mortality and corruption.  Rather, there is a proper ongoing dying, because of our being brought to the Cross; a dying that only the Cross itself can bring about and sustain.  What subsequent making alive that takes place is in spite of us, but only insofar as the dying is ongoing by the Sovereign (albeit merciful) hand.  Fact is, oftentimes, there is little of either genuine dying of self or divine life-giving going on.

Our existence now is before the Cross, where we are in ourselves naked (natural condition fully exposed) and yet not ashamed, for Christ alone is our boast and covering.  Amen. 

PICTURE: Dog’ma-Driven Assembly

CHURCH… GONE TO THE DOGS!

GOSPEL: Seeing Things As They Are

Another good program by the guys at WHI:  Gospel Driven

Really appreciate what’s said concerning:

1)   Paul’s finding the Gospel (Cross of Christ) to always be the context for seeing things as they are.

2)   The fear/ignorance that b(l)inds men from preaching Christ crucified as the Sum/Substance of faith and life…that which guards and nurtures the body of Christ.

PICTURE: Feeling Lucky!?

A picture’s worth thousands of words…