Dr. Mohler was scheduled to be on NBC's Nightly News on November 30th.
Dr. Mohler:
"I am scheduled to appear on tonight's edition of NBC's Nightly News to discuss younger evangelicals and the Emerging Church movement. I discussed these issues with NBC's Tom Brokaw earlier this week, and I was very encouraged by the quality of the discussion and by Mr. Brokaw's interest in the story and knowledge of the background. It will be interesting to see how the segment comes together. The segment is scheduled for tonight's edition of Nightly News. Check television schedules for your area."
Charlie Albright at Renewing Thoughts has weighed in. His post, "Tonights interview with Dr. Mohler, offers a very accurate interpretation of the event. I was disappointed with the piece overall. I was looking forward to hearing more from Dr. Mohler, but he was only given a sound bite. The piece was more a profile of Pastor Grandstaff and his church. It's angle is that the new breed of Christians are not all destined to be Republicans. The message is, "This is not your father's church." It seems like an attempt to pit the young Christians against the old Christians. Homosexuality and the church was also discussed, but the way it was presented seemed disingenuous. It seemed like the clips were manipulated to produce the impression the director wanted to convey. They juxtapose Pastor Grandstaff, Dr. Mohler, and their input which creates the appearance that Pastor Grandstaff and Dr. Mohler are in adversarial roles. A parishioner's comments are used out of context to support their point. The impression is also given that Dr. Mohler is concerned that the youth movement will hurt the mega-churches. The piece is a classic media hatchet job. Michael Moore has taught them well. At first blush I find myself becoming irritated, even angry. I do not know why though. I know the routine. Please do not take my word for it. View it for yourself. I invite your comments.
Dr. Mohler is truly a hero of mine and I admire his willingness to stand up for the Truth.
RC
You can follow the link below to view the piece.
Dr. Mohler on NBC Nightly News.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Bible Before Blogdom
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I hope Doug Smith the proprietor of Gazing at Glory feels that way, because I lifted this feature straight from his blog. He chose to entitle the feature on his blog, "Have you read your Bible before you read your Blogs?" I chose "Bible Before Blogdom", because of the cool alliteration. Also it fits better on the sidebar. It seemed like a wonderful feature and I hope it causes some blog readers, including myself, to set aside the time to read the Bible. I chose the plan incorporated by the ESV site. It uses a modified version of Robert Murray M'Cheyne's reading plan and offers audio as well.
D.A. Carson has penned a two volume set of books. They are entitled "For the Love of God." I recommend them as a daily devotional while reading through the Bible. They follow M'Cheyne's reading plan. The first volume comments on the first two daily readings entitled family readings and the second volume comments on the last two daily readings entitled private. It should be noted that the reading plan I am using on this blog is adapted from M'Cheyne's reading plan so it varies from the original plan, as well as, Carson's books.
May this feature cause me, as well as others, to spend daily devotional time reading our Bibles so that we grow in spiritual maturity and better glorify God.
RC
D.A. Carson has penned a two volume set of books. They are entitled "For the Love of God." I recommend them as a daily devotional while reading through the Bible. They follow M'Cheyne's reading plan. The first volume comments on the first two daily readings entitled family readings and the second volume comments on the last two daily readings entitled private. It should be noted that the reading plan I am using on this blog is adapted from M'Cheyne's reading plan so it varies from the original plan, as well as, Carson's books.
May this feature cause me, as well as others, to spend daily devotional time reading our Bibles so that we grow in spiritual maturity and better glorify God.
RC
Religious Affections
Today is the last day to download the audio version of Religious Affections for free from Christian Audio. Take advantage of it.
RC
Reading the Classics Together
I got the idea for my Theological Book Study blog from Tim Challies at Challies.com. He has an ongoing project entitled Reading the Classics Together. He is three weeks into his second book Overcoming Sin and Temptation. I plan on purchasing the book this weekend and catching up with the rest of the class. On a side note I will get the Theological Book Study blog started, but it will probably be after the first of the year.
RC
RC
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Why Join a Church? Revisited
I had wanted to post some of my thoughts regarding Scott Aniol's post, Why Join a Church?, on his blog Religious Affections.
However, due to time constraints I have not. Suffice to say it is an excellent post and should be read by Christians who do not belong to a local church and Christians who belong, but do not attend and regularly support a local church.
He ends with a gem of a quote from Spurgeon speaking of those who refuse to join a church:
"I know there are some who say, “Well, I have given myself to the Lord, but I do not intend to give myself to any church.” Now, why not? “Because I can be a Christian without it.”
Are you quite clear about that? You can be as good a Christian by disobedience to your Lord’s command as by being obedient? There is a brick. What is it made for? To help build a house. It is of no use for that brick to tell you that it is just as good a brick while it is kicking about on the ground as it would be in the house. It is a good-for-nothing brick. So you rolling-stone Christians, I do not believe that you are answering your purpose. You are living contrary to the life which Christ would have you live, and you are much to blame for the injury you do” (Spurgeon at His Best, 33–34)."
May I be a brick to the glory of God.
RC
However, due to time constraints I have not. Suffice to say it is an excellent post and should be read by Christians who do not belong to a local church and Christians who belong, but do not attend and regularly support a local church.
He ends with a gem of a quote from Spurgeon speaking of those who refuse to join a church:
"I know there are some who say, “Well, I have given myself to the Lord, but I do not intend to give myself to any church.” Now, why not? “Because I can be a Christian without it.”
Are you quite clear about that? You can be as good a Christian by disobedience to your Lord’s command as by being obedient? There is a brick. What is it made for? To help build a house. It is of no use for that brick to tell you that it is just as good a brick while it is kicking about on the ground as it would be in the house. It is a good-for-nothing brick. So you rolling-stone Christians, I do not believe that you are answering your purpose. You are living contrary to the life which Christ would have you live, and you are much to blame for the injury you do” (Spurgeon at His Best, 33–34)."
May I be a brick to the glory of God.
RC
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Rote Memory
Rote Memory - you learn by repeating something over and over again. Examples include reviewing flash cards, listening to something several times on a tape, writing something over and over, going over the words of a speech again and again.
Rote memory has been oft maligned by students and educators alike.
To a student Rote Memory can seem boring and time consuming. I prefer educational activities that require me to apply what I already know. That begs the question how do I know what I already know?
To educators it seems too much like regurgitation. They want children to understand why they solve a problem a certain way not just be able to shout out the answer. How many times have we heard, "Please show your work?"
Ralph A. Raimi of the University of Rochester's Mathematics Department wrote a wonderful article about the subject.
On Rote Memory
The question has come up, what should teachers ask students to memorize, and the answers seem to differ. But I suspect the answers are not really as different as all that, because the word "memorize" tends to take on different meanings in different people's minds. Should one memorize the Pythagorean Theorem, for example? One person will say one should, rather, understand it, and be able to use it, and maybe even be able to prove it. Well, of course, but how does this say it shouldn't be memorized? Well, says that person, we don't want kids standing up in four straight rows and reciting thesquareofthehypotenuse..., and calling that the lesson for the day. The other guy says, no, that's not what he meant when he said kids should memorize the theorem. He did mean it should be known. He meant that when someone shows the kid a diagram in which there is some right triangle two of whose side lengths are somehow known, perhaps from other considerations, that kid should be able to calculate, on demand, the length of the other side. And he calls this "memorizing".
Indeed I do, nor can I see how “understanding” and being able to use the theorem can be divorced from the use of our memory, even for professional mathematicians who have known and used the theorem all their lives. But it is conceivable that someone could memorize the statement of the theorem, and to recite it without thinking about what it is saying, or how to use the theorem. So the phrase "rote memory" has been invented to describe such fruitless memorization, something we all do not want in the use of memory.
But this, too, is tricky. I have "rote-memorized" the fact that 7X8=56, in the sense that I don't draw a 7 by 8 rectangle and count squares every time I need that particular product. I have it by rote as surely as if I were taught a Chinese song (I don't know any Chinese language at all). In the case of 7X8 I do know how to arrive at the result, so that the "56" is not the only thing I know about it, while in the Chinese song I would be able to exhibit nothing analogous, but this doesn't mean that my memorization of 56 as the answer has any fault. Indeed, it is valuable to know such things "by heart" --- meaning, without further use of the head --- and we all know that. So why all the dispute about rote memory?
The trouble mainly is that we don't have terminology to distinguish the kind of "memorization" that can be replaced by a crib sheet on an exam from the "memorization" that cannot. And so we argue about a word, rather than about the two distinct ideas that generally are conveyed by that same word in two distinct contexts. And yet the distinction is not really something to worry about.
Generally speaking, I have never been sorry to have memorized anything, from snatches of poetry to the wording of theorems. To put the matter even more strongly, I have never learned anything, anything at all, that I was later sorry to have learned. Why should others be so fearful of knowledge? They make it a virtue to avoid teaching facts, for fear they will be memorized without understanding. Yes, that does happen, but shall the best forever be the enemy of the good?
Ralph A. Raimi
Revised 12 April 2005
I would like to emphasize that last paragraph:
"Generally speaking, I have never been sorry to have memorized anything, from snatches of poetry to the wording of theorems. To put the matter even more strongly, I have never learned anything, anything at all, that I was later sorry to have learned. Why should others be so fearful of knowledge? They make it a virtue to avoid teaching facts, for fear they will be memorized without understanding. Yes, that does happen, but shall the best forever be the enemy of the good?"
I especially like the last question.
That brings me to the purpose of this conversation:
What should we apply the rote memory technique of learning to? What is the most important application of rote memory for a Christian?
Bible Memorization:
I would like to say that my reason for producing this post was a Bible verse I read such as the following, but it was not.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (English Standard Version)
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (English Standard Version)
18 "You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
21 that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.
Joshua 1:7-8 (English Standard Version)
7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Colossians 3:16 (English Standard Version)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Those are a few verses from Scripture admonishing us to dedicate to memory the Bible.
The reason why I decided to write about learning by rote memorization the Scripture was an event one of my professors related to my class. He had occasion to have a full MRI done. He was nervous about the procedure due to the fact he was claustrophobic. He needed a method to overcome this problem. His problem is a problem many individuals face to varying degrees each and every day. It may be as simple as facing a small problem or as difficult as being imprisoned. What, or whom, do we lean on? I have heard of several techniques. "Keep your eyes on the prize" or focus on a "happy thought" seem to be oft suggested. I wonder how well those would work when facing certain death. My professor's solution, which is the Biblical solution, was to recite to himself Scripture verses and hymns. To recall the promises of God. To find his support in the Triune God alone.
The basic fact is that most of us, including myself, have not dedicated to memory vast swathes of the Bible. Since Sunday School, as a youth, I have only attempted to memorize scripture a few times. We would not have the ability to forebear hardship very long on the Word of God. We like soldiers are training for things to come. Soldiers, among other individuals, practice techniques over and over. Then when the situation occurs they have the appropriate response because they have had it drilled into them. They do not have to think about what they should do they just do it. As Christians we should try to always have the appropriate response. That requires Bible Study and Bible verse memorization. That requires Rote Memory.
May I use the rote memorization technique to the Glory of God.
RC
Rote memory has been oft maligned by students and educators alike.
To a student Rote Memory can seem boring and time consuming. I prefer educational activities that require me to apply what I already know. That begs the question how do I know what I already know?
To educators it seems too much like regurgitation. They want children to understand why they solve a problem a certain way not just be able to shout out the answer. How many times have we heard, "Please show your work?"
Ralph A. Raimi of the University of Rochester's Mathematics Department wrote a wonderful article about the subject.
On Rote Memory
The question has come up, what should teachers ask students to memorize, and the answers seem to differ. But I suspect the answers are not really as different as all that, because the word "memorize" tends to take on different meanings in different people's minds. Should one memorize the Pythagorean Theorem, for example? One person will say one should, rather, understand it, and be able to use it, and maybe even be able to prove it. Well, of course, but how does this say it shouldn't be memorized? Well, says that person, we don't want kids standing up in four straight rows and reciting thesquareofthehypotenuse..., and calling that the lesson for the day. The other guy says, no, that's not what he meant when he said kids should memorize the theorem. He did mean it should be known. He meant that when someone shows the kid a diagram in which there is some right triangle two of whose side lengths are somehow known, perhaps from other considerations, that kid should be able to calculate, on demand, the length of the other side. And he calls this "memorizing".
Indeed I do, nor can I see how “understanding” and being able to use the theorem can be divorced from the use of our memory, even for professional mathematicians who have known and used the theorem all their lives. But it is conceivable that someone could memorize the statement of the theorem, and to recite it without thinking about what it is saying, or how to use the theorem. So the phrase "rote memory" has been invented to describe such fruitless memorization, something we all do not want in the use of memory.
But this, too, is tricky. I have "rote-memorized" the fact that 7X8=56, in the sense that I don't draw a 7 by 8 rectangle and count squares every time I need that particular product. I have it by rote as surely as if I were taught a Chinese song (I don't know any Chinese language at all). In the case of 7X8 I do know how to arrive at the result, so that the "56" is not the only thing I know about it, while in the Chinese song I would be able to exhibit nothing analogous, but this doesn't mean that my memorization of 56 as the answer has any fault. Indeed, it is valuable to know such things "by heart" --- meaning, without further use of the head --- and we all know that. So why all the dispute about rote memory?
The trouble mainly is that we don't have terminology to distinguish the kind of "memorization" that can be replaced by a crib sheet on an exam from the "memorization" that cannot. And so we argue about a word, rather than about the two distinct ideas that generally are conveyed by that same word in two distinct contexts. And yet the distinction is not really something to worry about.
Generally speaking, I have never been sorry to have memorized anything, from snatches of poetry to the wording of theorems. To put the matter even more strongly, I have never learned anything, anything at all, that I was later sorry to have learned. Why should others be so fearful of knowledge? They make it a virtue to avoid teaching facts, for fear they will be memorized without understanding. Yes, that does happen, but shall the best forever be the enemy of the good?
Ralph A. Raimi
Revised 12 April 2005
I would like to emphasize that last paragraph:
"Generally speaking, I have never been sorry to have memorized anything, from snatches of poetry to the wording of theorems. To put the matter even more strongly, I have never learned anything, anything at all, that I was later sorry to have learned. Why should others be so fearful of knowledge? They make it a virtue to avoid teaching facts, for fear they will be memorized without understanding. Yes, that does happen, but shall the best forever be the enemy of the good?"
I especially like the last question.
That brings me to the purpose of this conversation:
What should we apply the rote memory technique of learning to? What is the most important application of rote memory for a Christian?
Bible Memorization:
I would like to say that my reason for producing this post was a Bible verse I read such as the following, but it was not.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (English Standard Version)
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (English Standard Version)
18 "You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,
21 that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.
Joshua 1:7-8 (English Standard Version)
7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Colossians 3:16 (English Standard Version)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Those are a few verses from Scripture admonishing us to dedicate to memory the Bible.
The reason why I decided to write about learning by rote memorization the Scripture was an event one of my professors related to my class. He had occasion to have a full MRI done. He was nervous about the procedure due to the fact he was claustrophobic. He needed a method to overcome this problem. His problem is a problem many individuals face to varying degrees each and every day. It may be as simple as facing a small problem or as difficult as being imprisoned. What, or whom, do we lean on? I have heard of several techniques. "Keep your eyes on the prize" or focus on a "happy thought" seem to be oft suggested. I wonder how well those would work when facing certain death. My professor's solution, which is the Biblical solution, was to recite to himself Scripture verses and hymns. To recall the promises of God. To find his support in the Triune God alone.
The basic fact is that most of us, including myself, have not dedicated to memory vast swathes of the Bible. Since Sunday School, as a youth, I have only attempted to memorize scripture a few times. We would not have the ability to forebear hardship very long on the Word of God. We like soldiers are training for things to come. Soldiers, among other individuals, practice techniques over and over. Then when the situation occurs they have the appropriate response because they have had it drilled into them. They do not have to think about what they should do they just do it. As Christians we should try to always have the appropriate response. That requires Bible Study and Bible verse memorization. That requires Rote Memory.
May I use the rote memorization technique to the Glory of God.
RC
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanks
I have nothing clever to say to the men and women of the the U.S. armed forces and their families.
All I can say is thanks.
My heart breaks.
All I can say is thanks.
My heart breaks.
Blog added to Blogroll
I have added Scott Aniol's blog Religious Affections to my blogroll. He has a wonderful post: "Why Join a Church?." Hopefully over the weekend I will have time to dissect and add my thoughts to his post.
RC
RC
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Ravi, Al, and RC on Postmodernism and the Emergent Church
When I say Ravi, Al, and RC ---- I mean Ravi Zacharias, Albert Mohler, and R.C. Sproul.
Friday, November 16, 2007
An Humble Prayer
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.
Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett
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Did you know that there is a worship CD based on The Valley of Vision?
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Mark 8:36 (English Standard Version)
36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
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When we lose we gain. What a wonderful paradox.
RC
Should the average Christian care about Theology
There has been a steady movement away from intellectualism in the Christian church to the point that large portions of Christians are not taught the basic tenets of their faith. J.I. Packer, a personal hero of mine, addresses this in his book Knowing God.
"Should the average Christian care about theology?
As it would be cruel to an Amazonian tribesman to fly him to London, put him down without explanation in Trafalgar Square and leave him, as one who knew nothing of English or England, to fend for himself, so we are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it.
The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfold, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul."
J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p.17
"Should the average Christian care about theology?
A fair question! - but there is, I think, a convincing answer to it. The questioner clearly assumes that a study of the nature and character of God will be unpractical and irrelevant for life. In fact, however, it is the most practical project anyone can engage in. Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives.
As it would be cruel to an Amazonian tribesman to fly him to London, put him down without explanation in Trafalgar Square and leave him, as one who knew nothing of English or England, to fend for himself, so we are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it.
The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfold, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul."
J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p.17
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This quote was made available by Monergism a valuable resource on the internet (http://www.monergism.com/).
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I would say yes the average Christian should care about Theology. What do you think?
RC
What Makes a Good Blog Post?
If one has begun a blog, assuming one wants a moderate level of readership, there is a need for the posts on the blog to garner attention. The posts need to have qualities that make them worthy enough to read. I have recently made the acquaintance of one Mr. Charlie Albright who is the proprietor of the Renewing Thoughts blog (http://renewingthoughts.blogspot.com/). To me his blog is a wonderful blog which glorifies God, although he did post a prayer from the book Valley of Vision yesterday which I was contemplating doing in the not so distant future. Scratch that idea. I have to admit, though, when reading blog posts if they are more than a few paragraphs I tend to lose focus. I am a product of the instant gratification society that we live in today. The esteemed Phil Johnson, (http://teampyro.blogspot.com/), posted an article Quick-and-Dirty Calvinism in which he discussed the ill behavior of some Calvinists on the internet. One statement he made was very appropriate to our discussion of a good blog post.
Phil Johnson in his post Quick and Dirty Calvinism: (http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2005/06/quick-and-dirty-calvinism.html)
I recently received an e-mail inquiry that is all too typical of what I have observed for years among Internet Calvinists. Someone whom I do not know and whose name I will not divulge wrote me to ask:
"Can you explain in one paragraph or less how to make sense of the distinction you make between the "decretive" and "preceptive" aspects of God's will? Please don't give me a reading list of books and articles. One paragraph. One sentence if you can do it. Because the whole idea seems loony to me. So far, no one has been able to describe it in a way that makes any sense. I don't have time to read 10 volumes of dead guys' reflections in Puritan prose. And don't refer me to Pipers article on the subject. It's too long and convoluted. I just want a short answer."
To this question Mr. Johnson quips: "Right. The quick and dirty approach to untangling the mysteries of the universe. "
Untangling the mysteries of a universe created by the Triune God can not be done quickly. In fact in my present state I could never untangle the mystery, but I can work diligently to understand it as much as my mortal mind can.
Short and Concise may not be than answer. If a blogger produces a wonderful paper discussing a specific doctrine, but the reader deems the article to be too long who is at fault?
For me personally what makes a blog post good is the outcome it garners. If it glorifies God it is a good post.
May my posts glorify God.
RC
Phil Johnson in his post Quick and Dirty Calvinism: (http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2005/06/quick-and-dirty-calvinism.html)
I recently received an e-mail inquiry that is all too typical of what I have observed for years among Internet Calvinists. Someone whom I do not know and whose name I will not divulge wrote me to ask:
"Can you explain in one paragraph or less how to make sense of the distinction you make between the "decretive" and "preceptive" aspects of God's will? Please don't give me a reading list of books and articles. One paragraph. One sentence if you can do it. Because the whole idea seems loony to me. So far, no one has been able to describe it in a way that makes any sense. I don't have time to read 10 volumes of dead guys' reflections in Puritan prose. And don't refer me to Pipers article on the subject. It's too long and convoluted. I just want a short answer."
To this question Mr. Johnson quips: "Right. The quick and dirty approach to untangling the mysteries of the universe. "
Untangling the mysteries of a universe created by the Triune God can not be done quickly. In fact in my present state I could never untangle the mystery, but I can work diligently to understand it as much as my mortal mind can.
Short and Concise may not be than answer. If a blogger produces a wonderful paper discussing a specific doctrine, but the reader deems the article to be too long who is at fault?
For me personally what makes a blog post good is the outcome it garners. If it glorifies God it is a good post.
May my posts glorify God.
RC
What Makes a Good Blog?
When one first endeavors to generate a blog it is probably a good idea to figure out the motivation for starting the blog. One's motivation may be to get noticed, to generate profit, or to get a message out in the public square. In general starting a blog is an exercise in narcissism. That is it takes a certain amount of pride to think that what one has to say is important or interesting enough that others will want to read it. This blog is a Christian blog. I have for my motivation a desire to share the gospel with others and to provide a place on the internet where others can come and have genuine fellowship. I have to admit there is an element of desire for the adulation of others, however, my motivation should be to glorify and honor God. I hope that I will succeed in this endeavor and I fully expect that you the readers, as Christian brothers and sisters, will bring it to my attention when I fall short of this goal.
This blog takes the answer to the first question posed by the Westminster Shorter Catechism seriously:
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Proof Texts:
To Glorify God:
Psalm 86. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. Isaiah 60:21. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.... Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Revelation 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
To enjoy God forever:
Psalm 16:5-11. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 144:15. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Isaiah 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Luke 2:10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
The Westminster Confession of Faith, the longer and shorter Catechism along with other historic church documents can be found at:
http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html
May I bring glory to God in all that I do.
RC
This blog takes the answer to the first question posed by the Westminster Shorter Catechism seriously:
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Proof Texts:
To Glorify God:
Psalm 86. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Show me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me. Isaiah 60:21. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.... Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Revelation 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
To enjoy God forever:
Psalm 16:5-11. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 144:15. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Isaiah 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Luke 2:10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Revelation 21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
The Westminster Confession of Faith, the longer and shorter Catechism along with other historic church documents can be found at:
http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html
May I bring glory to God in all that I do.
RC
Thursday, November 15, 2007
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
Over a one year period Jonathan Edwards committed to paper 70 Resolutions.
By the grace of God may we in our feebleness keep but a few of these resolutions.
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1722 - 1723)
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.
(Resolutions 1 through 21 written in on setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to east away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is
perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, "A faithful man who can find?" may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narration's never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord's day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.
44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July ii, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; "knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord." June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14' and July '3' 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those "breakings of soul for the longing it hath," of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear', of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton's 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723
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I promise you that this blog will not be all Jonathan Edwards all the time. RC
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Through the Bible in Four Years Blog Note
I have made an executive decision to postpone the actual Bible Study on this blog until the first of the year.
That way we can start fresh January 1st.
I may change the reading plan prior to the start date as well.
That way we can start fresh January 1st.
I may change the reading plan prior to the start date as well.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Reformed Book Study
Sorry about the delay.The Theological Book Study is on hold for the moment.
(I borrowed the idea for the snail from another blogger. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I hope to him it is.)
The Sermon of the Week Has Begun!
I have finally established a good timetable for the Sermon of the Week. I will post the link plus any other information I have each Sunday evening. Listen to it and let me know what you think.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Preliminary Bible Study Considerations
I have posted the Chicago Statement of Inerrancy which was produced by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals on the Through the Bible in Four Years blog. It is a good starting point for discussing a proper view of the Bible. I hope you will read over it and post your comments. We will go over preliminary considerations on that blog before we begin the Bible Study.
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