While reading John Piper's latest book, "Finally Alive" (see previous post), I was struck by Jesus' words in John 6:63-64, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.”
Or as the Good News Translation puts it, “What gives life is God's Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit.”
In worship (John 4:24), in understanding God’s truth (1 Cor.2:12-14), in the pursuit of holiness (Rom.6,8; Gal.5:16ff.), in effective evangelism (Acts 1:8) in the preaching of the gospel (1 Cor.1:18ff.; 2:1-5), in the ministry of the Word (1 Thess.1:4; Eph.5:18; Col.3:16), in leadership (Acts 6:3-4) and fruitful service to others (1 Cor.12:4-7ff.) we must always bear in mind the crucial distinction between ‘flesh’ (what man is, and what man can do, apart from God) and ‘Spirit’ (what God is and what God can do).
First it is crucial to really recognize the significance of that absolute distinction between Spirit and flesh in terms of what can be achieved/given when it comes to ‘life.’ (Cp. Jn.3:5-6)
Then it is crucial to see the connection between Spirit/life and Jesus’ words. Only what is Scriptural is Spirit-ual. What is unscriptural is fleshly/carnal. The Holy Spirit consistently works through the powerful words he inspired (2 Tim.3:16; 2 Pet.1:21).
And true life comes when the words of Jesus are received with faith/believing (Rom.10:17; 1 Pet.1:23-25).
When Christians and churches fail to take the ‘flesh vs. Spirit’ distinction seriously, a whole range of fatal mistakes are made (in all the areas listed above). When Christians, including ministry leaders, imagine that they can do 'in the flesh' (with human methods and techniques) what only God the Spirit can do, man-made results are substituted for authentic, lasting spiritual fruit.
Friday, February 13, 2009
"Finally Alive" (John Piper's new book about the new birth)
John Piper's new book on the new birth--"Finally Alive"--is now available.
Here are just a few endorsments for this important, helpful book:
“Regeneration, or new birth, meaning simply the new you through, with, in, and under Christ, is a largely neglected theme today, but this fine set of sermons, criss-crossing the New Testament data with great precision, goes far to fill the gap. Highly recommended.
- J .I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada
“When I was a boy my grandmother asked me, ‘Have you been born again?’ Though I didn’t understand what she meant at the time, that question led to my conversion to Christ. In this wonderful book, Pastor John Piper rescues the term ‘born again’ from the abuse and overuse to which it is subject in our culture today. This is a fresh presentation of the evangelical doctrine of the new birth, a work filled with theological insight and pastoral wisdom.”
- Timothy George, Dean of Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
“I cannot too strongly celebrate the publication of this book. Owing in part to several decades of dispute over justification and how a person is set right with God, we have tended to neglect another component of conversion no less important. Conversion under the terms of the new covenant is more than a matter of position and status in Christ, though never less: it includes miraculous Spirit-given transformation, something immeasurably beyond mere human resolution. It is new birth; it makes us new creatures; it demonstrates that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. All the creedal orthodoxy in the world cannot replace it. The reason why “You must be born again” is so important is that you must be born again."
- D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
The book is available through Desiring God Ministries, Westminster Bookstore, Amazon...
Here are just a few endorsments for this important, helpful book:
“Regeneration, or new birth, meaning simply the new you through, with, in, and under Christ, is a largely neglected theme today, but this fine set of sermons, criss-crossing the New Testament data with great precision, goes far to fill the gap. Highly recommended.
- J .I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada
“When I was a boy my grandmother asked me, ‘Have you been born again?’ Though I didn’t understand what she meant at the time, that question led to my conversion to Christ. In this wonderful book, Pastor John Piper rescues the term ‘born again’ from the abuse and overuse to which it is subject in our culture today. This is a fresh presentation of the evangelical doctrine of the new birth, a work filled with theological insight and pastoral wisdom.”
- Timothy George, Dean of Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
“I cannot too strongly celebrate the publication of this book. Owing in part to several decades of dispute over justification and how a person is set right with God, we have tended to neglect another component of conversion no less important. Conversion under the terms of the new covenant is more than a matter of position and status in Christ, though never less: it includes miraculous Spirit-given transformation, something immeasurably beyond mere human resolution. It is new birth; it makes us new creatures; it demonstrates that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. All the creedal orthodoxy in the world cannot replace it. The reason why “You must be born again” is so important is that you must be born again."
- D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
The book is available through Desiring God Ministries, Westminster Bookstore, Amazon...
Christ's Resurrection: "Nothing Else Matters"
“If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen— nothing else matters.”
—Among the last words of Jaroslav Pelikan (1923-2006)
posted at "Of First Importance"
—Among the last words of Jaroslav Pelikan (1923-2006)
posted at "Of First Importance"
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Assumed Evangelicalism: Some reflections en route to denying the gospel
from David Gibson, postgraduate student & editor of beginningwithmoses.org:
"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Hebrews 2:1
Introduction
You may have heard the story of the Mennonite Brethren movement. One particular analysis goes like this: the first generation believed and proclaimed the gospel and thought that there were certain social entailments. The next generation assumed the gospel and advocated the entailments. The third generation denied the gospel and all that were left were the entailments. [1]
Another story. In 1919, Trinity Great Court in Cambridge saw a meeting between Rollo Pelly, the Secretary of the liberal Student Christian Movement, and Daniel Dick and Norman Grubb (President and Secretary of the evangelical Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union). The meeting was to discuss the re-unification of the two movements that had split in 1910. Norman Grubb's account of the meeting is infamous:
After an hour's talk, I asked Rollo point blank, 'Does the SCM put the atoning blood of Jesus Christ central?' He hesitated, and then said, 'Well, we acknowledge it, but not necessarily central.' Dan Dick and I then said that this settled the matter for us in the CICCU. We could never join something that did not maintain the atoning blood of Jesus Christ at its centre; and we parted company.' [2]
In its earliest days the SCM believed and proclaimed the atoning blood of Jesus. The next generation assumed it but did not make it central. The following generations have rejected and denied the apostolic gospel. [3]
Proclaiming, assuming, denying. This description of a movement's history is admittedly something of a caricature - any such development would always be the result of many complex factors. Nevertheless, it is a useful way of attempting to identify defining decisions that profoundly shape a movement's evolution and it has lessons for us about the dangers and challenges facing other similar movements.....
(Read the entire article.)
"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Hebrews 2:1
Introduction
You may have heard the story of the Mennonite Brethren movement. One particular analysis goes like this: the first generation believed and proclaimed the gospel and thought that there were certain social entailments. The next generation assumed the gospel and advocated the entailments. The third generation denied the gospel and all that were left were the entailments. [1]
Another story. In 1919, Trinity Great Court in Cambridge saw a meeting between Rollo Pelly, the Secretary of the liberal Student Christian Movement, and Daniel Dick and Norman Grubb (President and Secretary of the evangelical Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union). The meeting was to discuss the re-unification of the two movements that had split in 1910. Norman Grubb's account of the meeting is infamous:
After an hour's talk, I asked Rollo point blank, 'Does the SCM put the atoning blood of Jesus Christ central?' He hesitated, and then said, 'Well, we acknowledge it, but not necessarily central.' Dan Dick and I then said that this settled the matter for us in the CICCU. We could never join something that did not maintain the atoning blood of Jesus Christ at its centre; and we parted company.' [2]
In its earliest days the SCM believed and proclaimed the atoning blood of Jesus. The next generation assumed it but did not make it central. The following generations have rejected and denied the apostolic gospel. [3]
Proclaiming, assuming, denying. This description of a movement's history is admittedly something of a caricature - any such development would always be the result of many complex factors. Nevertheless, it is a useful way of attempting to identify defining decisions that profoundly shape a movement's evolution and it has lessons for us about the dangers and challenges facing other similar movements.....
(Read the entire article.)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Wanting Meaning on Our Own Terms
James Davison Hunter shows us something of the moral confusion that results from being made in the image of God on the one hand and sinfully suppressing the knowledge of God on the other. Morally, and in every other way, fallen humanity is a house divided against itself.
"We want character but without unyielding conviction; we want strong morality but without the emotional burden of guilt or shame; we want virtue but without particular moral justifications that invariably offend; we want good without having to name evil; we want decency without the authority to insist upon it; we want moral community without any limitations to personal freedom. In short, we want what we cannot possibly have on the terms that we want it."
~ The Death of Character: Moral Education in an Age Without Good or Evil (New York, NY: Basic Books, 2000), xv.
posted at "The Big Picture"
"We want character but without unyielding conviction; we want strong morality but without the emotional burden of guilt or shame; we want virtue but without particular moral justifications that invariably offend; we want good without having to name evil; we want decency without the authority to insist upon it; we want moral community without any limitations to personal freedom. In short, we want what we cannot possibly have on the terms that we want it."
~ The Death of Character: Moral Education in an Age Without Good or Evil (New York, NY: Basic Books, 2000), xv.
posted at "The Big Picture"
The Authority of Jesus
Jesus came and said to the disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
“The authority of Jesus cannot be validated by reference to some other authority that is already accepted. The naming of this name calls for nothing less than a fresh and radical decision about one’s ultimate commitment.”
- Lesslie Newbigin, The Open Secret, Rev. Ed. (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Eerdmans, 1995), 15.
(HT: The Big Picture)
“The authority of Jesus cannot be validated by reference to some other authority that is already accepted. The naming of this name calls for nothing less than a fresh and radical decision about one’s ultimate commitment.”
- Lesslie Newbigin, The Open Secret, Rev. Ed. (Grand Rapids, Mi.: Eerdmans, 1995), 15.
(HT: The Big Picture)
Monday, February 9, 2009
God-exalting Worship at a Memorial Service
Today I attended an extraordinary memorial service for the Rev. Dan Cummings, pastor of Five Points Community Church in Auburn Hills, MI. It seems to me that all that was said that honored Dan clearly was an act of praise to God for what His grace and truth had produced in his life and ministry. Each of the ‘tributes’ (testimonies) from friends, fellow-workers and especially his kids were so powerfully Christ-exalting and gospel-of-grace centered. (The letter he wrote his kids on the eve of his cancer treatment was one of the most moving, and theologically wise, expressions of parental guidance I’ve ever heard.)
The music was just right too, full of rich Biblical truth and marked by the best kind of emotive expression.
And the entire service came to its climax in the funeral message brought by Dr. James Grier (who has for years been a mentor to Dan, and to me, and to so many others). His declaration and description of the Gospel was God-exaltingly beautiful, true, convicting and comforting all at the same time.
I can’t remember being more moved by a message in particular or a service of worship as a whole than I was today. Please pray for Pastor Dan's wife and kids, and for the church family at Five Points. And pray for the impact of this powerful memorial service, and for the ongoing fruitfulness of Pastor Cumming's faithful, Christ-honoring ministry.
At the heart of that ministry and legacy was this central question: do you love Jesus more than anyone or anything else?
The music was just right too, full of rich Biblical truth and marked by the best kind of emotive expression.
And the entire service came to its climax in the funeral message brought by Dr. James Grier (who has for years been a mentor to Dan, and to me, and to so many others). His declaration and description of the Gospel was God-exaltingly beautiful, true, convicting and comforting all at the same time.
I can’t remember being more moved by a message in particular or a service of worship as a whole than I was today. Please pray for Pastor Dan's wife and kids, and for the church family at Five Points. And pray for the impact of this powerful memorial service, and for the ongoing fruitfulness of Pastor Cumming's faithful, Christ-honoring ministry.
At the heart of that ministry and legacy was this central question: do you love Jesus more than anyone or anything else?
Reminder: "Magnifying God...." conference
South Church is teaming up with University Reformed Church (and other area churches) for a conference celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of Reformer, theologian and pastor, John Calvin. The focus of the conference will be the importance of Biblical truth and gospel-centered theology for Christians and churches today.
For information (or to register), you can go to the conference website. The conference will be held at Univ. Reformed Church on Friday and Saturday, February 20-21.
The primary speaker will be "Christianity Today" editor-at-large, Collin Hansen, author of "Reformed and Restless: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists." (Yours truly will also be presenting a seminar, "Calvin for the Whole Church: His Influence Among Baptists, Anglicans and Beyond.")
For information (or to register), you can go to the conference website. The conference will be held at Univ. Reformed Church on Friday and Saturday, February 20-21.
The primary speaker will be "Christianity Today" editor-at-large, Collin Hansen, author of "Reformed and Restless: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists." (Yours truly will also be presenting a seminar, "Calvin for the Whole Church: His Influence Among Baptists, Anglicans and Beyond.")
Saturday, February 7, 2009
'You will know them by their fruit...'
Yesterday I attended a memorial service for a godly Christian lady who went to be with the Lord at 92 years of age. Her Christ-centered, Bible-based, Spirit-led faith led her to be a loving wife and mother (and then grandmother and greatgrandmother). She served the Lord for decades in evangelism and Bible teaching.
She worked hard with the family business and even harder to care for her family.
She led many to faith in Christ, and by the end of her life, her family and friends loved her deeply and profoundly appreciated the legacy and example of love for God and for the gospel and for other people that she left behind.
Her life adorned the Gospel, because the Gospel had shaped her life.
So in the midst of all the new movements and perspectives pressing in on the evangelical church today, with the accompanying criticisms and calls for profound change, I think it's worth remembering that for this godly lady, and for so many, many people like her, it was the historic, orthodox, evangelical Biblical faith that transformed her into such an authentic follower of Jesus Christ.
She worked hard with the family business and even harder to care for her family.
She led many to faith in Christ, and by the end of her life, her family and friends loved her deeply and profoundly appreciated the legacy and example of love for God and for the gospel and for other people that she left behind.
Her life adorned the Gospel, because the Gospel had shaped her life.
So in the midst of all the new movements and perspectives pressing in on the evangelical church today, with the accompanying criticisms and calls for profound change, I think it's worth remembering that for this godly lady, and for so many, many people like her, it was the historic, orthodox, evangelical Biblical faith that transformed her into such an authentic follower of Jesus Christ.
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Power of the Cross in Sanctification
“One moment’s believing, close contact with the cross will do more to break the heart for sin, deepen the conviction of its exceeding sinfulness, and disenthrall the soul from all its bondage and its fears, bringing it into a sense of pardon and acceptance and assured hope, than a lifetime of the most rigid legal duties that ever riveted their iron chain upon the soul.”
—Octavius Winslow, The Foot of the Cross
—Octavius Winslow, The Foot of the Cross
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Carl Trueman on "Virtual Friendships," Blogging, etc.
A very brief excerpt: "...while they may be a phenomena, I am not sure that the success of things like Facebook, texting etc. is entirely to be welcomed. True, there are advantages: for example, families and friends living at a distance can exchange photos and news with ease; but a touch of skepticism about these wonderful new webservices is perhaps overdue."
Read his entire essay.
HT: Justin Taylor
Read his entire essay.
HT: Justin Taylor
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Biblical Words, Beliefs, Transformation and Mission
The Gospel is a message and it is news that is to heralded and communicated in words by faithful ambassadors/stewards/heralds who are scrupulously concerned to tell the message of reconciliation faithfully (or else they are disqualified from functioning in that role). The saving, transforming Gospel is “the word of the cross.” (2 Cor.5:19-20; 2 Tim.1:11; 1 Cor.1:1:18).
Evangelical Christians have an incorrigible connection with words and beliefs rooted in the fact that the God of the Bible is a speaking (Heb.1:1ff.) and writing (Dt.32:16) God who chose to communicate to his covenant people through prophets and apostles. And so through Moses we hear, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.” (Dt.32:45ff.) And David rhapsodizes regarding the transformational power of the words of God (commandments, precepts, statutes) in Psalms 19 and 119.
And it was the Lord Jesus himself who, when he encountered those who no longer wanted to follow him because they were offended by the specific and theological “Jesus facts” he had spoken to them, turned to the twelve and asked, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Their reply is relevant to the discussion here: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn.6:60-69)
The words of Jesus were the catalyst for their believing and their knowing, a knowing that was rich with content, and a believing that was the essential motivation for their following.
I think the reason evangelicals resist every trend or attempt to disconnect inscripturated words from life/transformation/mission is that we have come to believe, from Jesus himself, that the words of Scripture are living words that foster the faith and transformation that they describe and inspire.
No wonder then that Paul counsels the new covenant people of God too, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” (Col.3:16). And the writer to the Hebrews reminds us that if ongoing conversion and transformation is indeed going to take place in our midst, it will happen in connection with the penetrating power of the living and active word of God (Heb.4:12).
Evangelical Christians have an incorrigible connection with words and beliefs rooted in the fact that the God of the Bible is a speaking (Heb.1:1ff.) and writing (Dt.32:16) God who chose to communicate to his covenant people through prophets and apostles. And so through Moses we hear, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.” (Dt.32:45ff.) And David rhapsodizes regarding the transformational power of the words of God (commandments, precepts, statutes) in Psalms 19 and 119.
And it was the Lord Jesus himself who, when he encountered those who no longer wanted to follow him because they were offended by the specific and theological “Jesus facts” he had spoken to them, turned to the twelve and asked, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Their reply is relevant to the discussion here: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” (Jn.6:60-69)
The words of Jesus were the catalyst for their believing and their knowing, a knowing that was rich with content, and a believing that was the essential motivation for their following.
I think the reason evangelicals resist every trend or attempt to disconnect inscripturated words from life/transformation/mission is that we have come to believe, from Jesus himself, that the words of Scripture are living words that foster the faith and transformation that they describe and inspire.
No wonder then that Paul counsels the new covenant people of God too, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” (Col.3:16). And the writer to the Hebrews reminds us that if ongoing conversion and transformation is indeed going to take place in our midst, it will happen in connection with the penetrating power of the living and active word of God (Heb.4:12).
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Emergents and Exegesis
Recently I've been commenting on Michael Wittmer's blog, engaging with an emergent philosophy professor from Calvin College. To be honest, my interactions with him have led me to question, even more deeply than before, whether the emergent/emerging movements are committed to careful exegesis of Scripture as they formulate and communicate their ideas. I say this after reading to a modest but meaningful degree authors (and bloggers) like Brian McLaren and Rob Bell.
Titus 1:9 and 2 Timothy 2:15 come to mind.
Titus 1:9 and 2 Timothy 2:15 come to mind.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Kevin DeYoung's Book and Blog
Previously I have recommented the book, "Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be)" -- the authors are Kevin DeYoung (a friend of mine who is pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing) and Ted Kluck (a member at URC and an author of three previous books, also writing for ESPN the Magazine, etc.).
This is a very good book for understanding the serious concerns related to the emergent/ing church/movement. The authors focus on the weaknesses of the movement (although noting some strengths too), and they do so in a fair (and often funny) way that is easy to understand.So if you've been wondering what the Emergent Church is all about, and why some (like me) are so concerned about its serious flaws, this is a great book to read.
Kevin is a good friend, so I was happy to see that his book was selected for "Christianity Today" magazine's best book award in the category of The Church/Pastoral Leadership.
Kevin has also started a blog of his own with the clever (OK, that might be debatable) name, "DeYoung, Restless and Reformed."
This is a very good book for understanding the serious concerns related to the emergent/ing church/movement. The authors focus on the weaknesses of the movement (although noting some strengths too), and they do so in a fair (and often funny) way that is easy to understand.So if you've been wondering what the Emergent Church is all about, and why some (like me) are so concerned about its serious flaws, this is a great book to read.
Kevin is a good friend, so I was happy to see that his book was selected for "Christianity Today" magazine's best book award in the category of The Church/Pastoral Leadership.
Kevin has also started a blog of his own with the clever (OK, that might be debatable) name, "DeYoung, Restless and Reformed."
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Same Message That Jesus Declared
“Jesus’s teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people of his day. However, in the main, our churches today do not have this effect. The kind of outsiders Jesus attracted are not attracted to contemporary churches, even our most avant-garde ones. We tend to draw conservative, buttoned-down, moralistic people. The licentious and liberated or the broken and marginal avoid church. That can only mean one thing. If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did.”
- Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God
posted at "Of First Importance"
- Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God
posted at "Of First Importance"
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