“The year is made up of minutes. Let them be watched as having been dedicated to God. It is in the sanctification of the small that the hallowing of the large is secure.”
-G. Cambell Morgan
11.30.2009
11.24.2009
Wright is Wrong
For those interested, I recently listened to a very helpful talk given by Ligon Duncan on N.T. Wright and the New Perspective. Here is the link. Also check out the Boyce panel, the Southern Seminary panel, and the Al Mohler radio show with Duncan & Piper discussing the same thing. Also, let me say that I have benefitted greatly from the Bishop. However, I think he gets justification wrong, which is no small thing.
11.21.2009
Be You
Praise God we have so many gifted preachers today. Numerous amazing sermons are just a few clicks away. It comes with a temptation for preachers though. We are all influenced by those we listen to, and we can end up just trying to imitate our favorites or favorite. Somewhere, I heard Keller advise preachers to listen to a variety of preachers. He said something like, "If you listen to one guy, you'll become a clone. If you listen to three, you'll be confused. If you listen to 100, you'll be you." I think he is onto something. All that to say, here is a helpful and wise word to young preachers by Kevin DeYoung. Preacher, read it. Also, go here to watch a sermon by Matt Chandler in chapel where part of his sermon is a call to be you. He goes so far as to say that trying to be anybody but you is sinful.
11.19.2009
Midwifery & the Sovereignty of God
My wife Alicia is about 20 weeks pregnant with our first child, Josiah White. Recently, we had a visit with the midwife who, Lord willing, is going to deliver our baby. We mentioned that I am currently in school and she asked where I attend. When I told her that I am a full time student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary her eyes lit up and she said she delivers babies of Southern students all the time. I said, “Well, I hope they are some of your best patients.” She said they were.
She went on to say that one thing she appreciates about Southern students is that they are rarely disappointed with the birthing process. She mentioned that some couples get so intent on delivering a certain way – for instance without the use of medication – that they are very disappointed in her and themselves when it doesn’t go the way they had planned. Some think that she led them poorly; others think their bodies failed them, but Southern students accept their lot as from the hand of a good and kind God.
I found this to be very appropriate and encouraging. Southern is known for a robust belief in the absolute sovereignty of God over all things. We also believe in the fallenness of this created order. All that is involved in the birthing process is cursed. It’s messy. There will be disappointments. But our view of the world gives us realistic expectations. Epidurals may be needed; blood will be present; cries will be loud; babies will have abnormalities; some babies will even die. When these things happen, we are deeply hurt, but not devastated.
This world order is broken, but Jesus will make it all right. If Josiah is born with Down syndrome, I know that God will use him to conform my wife and I more fully to the image of Christ. We are praying daily that Alicia will carry Josiah to full term, but the Lord may take him. If that should happen, we will not blame our midwife. We will not blame God. We will weep long and hard. Then we will bless the God who gives and takes away, knowing that death is dead because of the death of Christ. Whatever our lot, He has taught us to say, “It is well with our soul.”
It is good that Southern is known for a deep belief in God’s sovereignty. It is even better when our attitude about disappointment reflects this truth. All too often this is not true in my daily life. I can go from exulting in the doctrine of God’s meticulous providence, to muttering under my breath because I have a flat tire. O, how we of all people ought to have a favorable interpretation of God’s dealings with us. He is for us in Jesus. He is ordering world history, and our own individual histories, to be summed up in Christ. May we view all of the details of our lives, both good and bad, in light of that end.
(Previously published in Towers, p.5)
She went on to say that one thing she appreciates about Southern students is that they are rarely disappointed with the birthing process. She mentioned that some couples get so intent on delivering a certain way – for instance without the use of medication – that they are very disappointed in her and themselves when it doesn’t go the way they had planned. Some think that she led them poorly; others think their bodies failed them, but Southern students accept their lot as from the hand of a good and kind God.
I found this to be very appropriate and encouraging. Southern is known for a robust belief in the absolute sovereignty of God over all things. We also believe in the fallenness of this created order. All that is involved in the birthing process is cursed. It’s messy. There will be disappointments. But our view of the world gives us realistic expectations. Epidurals may be needed; blood will be present; cries will be loud; babies will have abnormalities; some babies will even die. When these things happen, we are deeply hurt, but not devastated.
This world order is broken, but Jesus will make it all right. If Josiah is born with Down syndrome, I know that God will use him to conform my wife and I more fully to the image of Christ. We are praying daily that Alicia will carry Josiah to full term, but the Lord may take him. If that should happen, we will not blame our midwife. We will not blame God. We will weep long and hard. Then we will bless the God who gives and takes away, knowing that death is dead because of the death of Christ. Whatever our lot, He has taught us to say, “It is well with our soul.”
It is good that Southern is known for a deep belief in God’s sovereignty. It is even better when our attitude about disappointment reflects this truth. All too often this is not true in my daily life. I can go from exulting in the doctrine of God’s meticulous providence, to muttering under my breath because I have a flat tire. O, how we of all people ought to have a favorable interpretation of God’s dealings with us. He is for us in Jesus. He is ordering world history, and our own individual histories, to be summed up in Christ. May we view all of the details of our lives, both good and bad, in light of that end.
(Previously published in Towers, p.5)
11.16.2009
Francis Chan
From a nice little article on pastor and author of Crazy Love & Forgotten God, Francis Chan:
Despite what is clearly a flourishing ministry, Chan remains an anomaly. He lives in a tract house in one of Simi Valley's down-and-out suburbs with his wife and four children. He rides a 1995 Honda Elite scooter to work. An avid surfer, he emits a laid-back Californian coolness.
According to one comment he made in a sermon, Chan gives away about 90 percent of his income (though his church administrator preferred the phrase "most of his income"). Chan doesn't take a salary from his church, and his book royalties, which total about $500,000, mostly go to organizations like International Justice Mission, which rescues sex slaves in foreign countries. The Chans often open their home to families who need a place to stay. One of Cornerstone's community pastors, Bill Lucas, lived with Chan for nine months, and says he "lives out what he says."
Despite what is clearly a flourishing ministry, Chan remains an anomaly. He lives in a tract house in one of Simi Valley's down-and-out suburbs with his wife and four children. He rides a 1995 Honda Elite scooter to work. An avid surfer, he emits a laid-back Californian coolness.
According to one comment he made in a sermon, Chan gives away about 90 percent of his income (though his church administrator preferred the phrase "most of his income"). Chan doesn't take a salary from his church, and his book royalties, which total about $500,000, mostly go to organizations like International Justice Mission, which rescues sex slaves in foreign countries. The Chans often open their home to families who need a place to stay. One of Cornerstone's community pastors, Bill Lucas, lived with Chan for nine months, and says he "lives out what he says."
11.12.2009
N.T. Wright & Rome
Francis Beckwith is the former president of the Evangelical Theological Society. I recently read his book, which is kind of interesting. A couple of weeks ago, Collin Hanson wrote a piece on the justification debates, and I thought this little bit was very interesting: Beckwith told Christianity Today, "I have met several former evangelical Protestants who have told me that Wright's work in particular helped them to better appreciate the Catholic view of grace."
Also, Taylor Marshall, director of the Catholic Information Center in Washington, D.C., said he speaks with new Catholic converts every month, about half of whom have been "deeply influenced" by Wright. Isn't that interesting?
Also, Taylor Marshall, director of the Catholic Information Center in Washington, D.C., said he speaks with new Catholic converts every month, about half of whom have been "deeply influenced" by Wright. Isn't that interesting?
11.11.2009
11.07.2009
11.03.2009
11.02.2009
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