"The very greatness of the subject matter (The Study of Theology) will intoxicate us, and we shall come to think of ourselves as a cut above the other Christians because of our interest in it and grasp of it; and we shall look down on those whose theological ideas seem to us crude and inadequate and dismiss them as very poor specimens."
J.I. Packer in the preface to 'Knowing God'
Packer warns students of theology to take heed lest they become conceited like the Corinthians.
Showing posts with label Theology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theology. Show all posts
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, November 30, 2007
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
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
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
Monday, October 29, 2007
Theological Book Study
The Theological Book Study is near launch. Edited 1-10-08
I will predetermine and post a week prior to each post what pages will be covered.
There will be a link on the left side of this blog which links to another blog that covers the book study.
I have selected: Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards and welcome your comments.
Many have told me that this is an important read, however, it is a difficult read so we will plod through it together.
Religious Affections can be read on-line at:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/works1.vii.html
Religious Affections can be downloaded for free from Christian Audio as of November 1, 2007 and must be ordered before December.
http://christianaudio.com/
I will predetermine and post a week prior to each post what pages will be covered.
There will be a link on the left side of this blog which links to another blog that covers the book study.
I have selected: Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards and welcome your comments.
Many have told me that this is an important read, however, it is a difficult read so we will plod through it together.
Religious Affections can be read on-line at:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/works1.vii.html
Religious Affections can be downloaded for free from Christian Audio as of November 1, 2007 and must be ordered before December.
http://christianaudio.com/
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