I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel – Philippians 1:12 ESV
Many professing Christians like to hold God to His promises – and we are right in doing so. He is good and He is faithful to keep His Word. What many however, fail to realize is that not all of God’s promises are pleasant; and a particular promise is one we daily strive to avoid at all cost. The promise of suffering. God’s Word to us promises that we will suffer for His sake if we belong to Him. We the redeemed, are not only saved from the wrath of God, but He has saved us to service to Him – and that will include suffering because of our allegiance to Him and in order to make Him known.
“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake – Philippians 1:29
What in the world does this mean when God’s Word tells us that for the sake of Christ, those who believe will suffer? And if it is true that all of life is worship – we either worship God or worship an idol – how does suffering become worship to God? Tough stuff!
The children of God have a two-fold problem with the notion of suffering as worship:
1.) We aren’t warned that suffering is a promise and will come,
and
2.) We aren’t taught that this suffering is ordained (brought on) by our utterly sovereign, loving God for personal good - and good beyond ourselves.
Champion and martyr for Christ’s sake, Dietrich Bonhoeffer aptly stated this essential gospel-truth, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him ‘Come and die’.” How the sovereignty of God intertwines with the sin and suffering of man is one of the most difficult dilemmas in our day, but the understanding of the absolute sovereignty of God is essential in suffering as worship to God. If there be one rogue molecule in the whole of existence that is outside of the providence and control of God, then God is not Who He says He is. All knowing. All powerful. Unchanging. Ever present. If He is not Who He says He is, then He is not a god worthy of allegiance and worship, for He would be a liar.
The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms defines ‘worship’ as “The service of praise, adoration, thanksgiving, and petition directed toward God through action and attitude. Christian worship is Trinitarian in form as praise is offered to God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
“By the power of the Holy Spirit” is key – for without His indwelling and enabling, this worship of our great God is impossible. This is grace. We are only able to suffer as worship unto God by the Holy Spirit’s enabling power and grace. For the redeemed, God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness.
This sweet, God-given, enabling grace in Christian suffering is why Pastors John Piper and Matt Chandler and Mike Pohlman can boldly exhort us to “not waste our cancer” but rather to use it as a platform and an opportunity to tell people about our great God who is worthy of all praise and honor – even in suffering much. In this grace, the oncology department becomes the field to plant and nourish the gospel seed. God is the gospel.
This is why John Farese can be so content and purposeful as he lays in his bed with a crippling and utterly debilitating disease all the while testifying and affirming the Psalmist’s truth, “Those who fear You shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in Your Word. I know, O LORD, that Your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Let Your steadfast love comfort me according to Your promise to Your servant. – Psalm 119:74-76 ESV
This is why Horatio Spafford could pen the lyrics to one of our most treasured hymns after learning of the death of his four daughters as they crossed the Atlantic with their mother and proclaim to all It Is Well With My Soul.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
For Christians, all of our life is a platform and an opportunity to proclaim the worth and beauty and treasure of Christ. There is purpose to our life – it is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever – to reflect Him as glorious and worthy even in our suffering so others might know Him and make much of Him and have joy.
That His Name May Be Exalted Among The Nations ~
Jill
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Summer Reading - LOADED!
"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."
~ Paul to the Roman Christians ~
Letter to the Romans 12:3-5
Ladies,
We have what we have by the mercy and grace of God and not any of our own doing. When we remember this, we can be humble .... When we realize that not only are we undeserving of His goodness toward us, but truly ill-deserving of His goodness toward us, we can't help but be humble. This is true humility; all else is pride.
One thing I left off from our Monday evening follow up:
Encouragement for summer reading!
With all the discussion Monday night about theology - especially pertaining to the theology of salvation - called soteriology (so-teary-ology) - I wanted to point you toward some resources for further study. I am also sending this e-mail to my Sister, Erin, since she is studying this as well. I will have integrity and not only recommend resources that support my particular soteriological view. (I detest that kind of 'help'.) I'm a believer in studying all the orthodox views in order to know what you believe and why you believe it. You can't possibly have a ready answer to the hope within you if you are willfully ignorant of other orthodox stands ..... Facts are, there are differing 'orthodox' stands. We are seeing through the glass dimly. (I Cor. 13:12)
Remember, God calls us to be a work(wo)man approved in the study and proclaiming of His Word. (2 Tim. 2:15) This requires our effort. Good news is - this is God's will for you. If you are alive in Him and His Spirit is within you, He will grow you in this. God will grant the desire and He will grant the effort and He will grant the greater understanding. He is GOOD that way! Do not let the enemy discourage you. You may feel behind, but God is outside of time. He will honor your efforts to learn more about Him. He can restore what the locust have eaten and grow you exponentially. (Joel 2:25) I've seen it!
You need to know that concerning our doctrine of soteriology, the battle has been on since the early Church fathers - because Truth concerning God and man matters:
Ladies,
We have what we have by the mercy and grace of God and not any of our own doing. When we remember this, we can be humble .... When we realize that not only are we undeserving of His goodness toward us, but truly ill-deserving of His goodness toward us, we can't help but be humble. This is true humility; all else is pride.
One thing I left off from our Monday evening follow up:
Encouragement for summer reading!
With all the discussion Monday night about theology - especially pertaining to the theology of salvation - called soteriology (so-teary-ology) - I wanted to point you toward some resources for further study. I am also sending this e-mail to my Sister, Erin, since she is studying this as well. I will have integrity and not only recommend resources that support my particular soteriological view. (I detest that kind of 'help'.) I'm a believer in studying all the orthodox views in order to know what you believe and why you believe it. You can't possibly have a ready answer to the hope within you if you are willfully ignorant of other orthodox stands ..... Facts are, there are differing 'orthodox' stands. We are seeing through the glass dimly. (I Cor. 13:12)
Remember, God calls us to be a work(wo)man approved in the study and proclaiming of His Word. (2 Tim. 2:15) This requires our effort. Good news is - this is God's will for you. If you are alive in Him and His Spirit is within you, He will grow you in this. God will grant the desire and He will grant the effort and He will grant the greater understanding. He is GOOD that way! Do not let the enemy discourage you. You may feel behind, but God is outside of time. He will honor your efforts to learn more about Him. He can restore what the locust have eaten and grow you exponentially. (Joel 2:25) I've seen it!
You need to know that concerning our doctrine of soteriology, the battle has been on since the early Church fathers - because Truth concerning God and man matters:
(Click on Links)
TWO ANCIENT VIEWS ON RECORD - View of Man
Augustine - Man inherited fallen sin nature from Adam, unable to do anything to aide in being made alive in Christ - God must provide regeneration. We sin because we're sinners. We are incapable of not sinning. (today called the Reformed/Calvinist view)
Pelagian - Man did not inherit fallen sin nature from Adam, able to do what it takes to be 'right' with God. We're sinners because we sin. One is capable of not sinning. (today called Pelagian view - very few people are fully this position)
VIEWS ON RECORD MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Luther - Man's will is in bondage to sin. (monergistic view)
Erasmus - Man's will is free from the bondage of sin. (synergistic/semi-Pelagian view)
Helpful mini-lesson on YouTube.
TWO VIEWS LATER ON
Calvin - Monergistic view of God's work in regeneration and keeping of those saved.
Arminius - Synergistic view of the work of salvation between God and man.
(By the way, the website: http://www.gotquestions.org/ is a very good resource and I refer to it often even though I disagree with some points from their statement of faith. I provide this website to maintain the personal conviction of not 'tossing out the baby with the bathwater." The website link below is unapologetically monergistic in conviction. Being that I am now a 'monergist', I rely on it quite a lot.)
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/monergism_grid.html
(There are people who decry, "Why not just learn from the bible?! Shouldn't we just rely on the Word and not read men." This sounds pious and sound, but it isn't. To this, I say - "yes and no". Yes - we should be Bereans in all things and reconcile Scripture with Scripture for a biblically sound understanding BUT .... No - God gave His church teachers and ministers of the Word. If you are of the notion that we should not learn from men the things of God, then to be consistent in your stated ethic, you should refuse to attend church and listen to a preacher or listen to a teacher. This of course is absurd, for God gave us Preachers and teachers for edification. This 'I'm a biblicist' position is a cop-out. That is why we must always be Bereans, for they were recognized for readily and eagerly listening to what Paul was teaching, but they confirmed it through the Word.)
Debating Calvinism: Five Points - Two Views by Dave Hunt and James White
(Product Description) A centuries-old belief system is put to the test as two prominent authors examine and debate the subject of Calvinism from opposing viewpoints. James White, author of The Potter's Freedom, takes the Calvinist position. Dave Hunt, author of What Love Is This, opposes him. The exchange is lively and at times intense as these two articulate men wrestle over what the Scriptures tell us about God's sovereignty and man's free will. This thought-provoking, challenging book provides potent responses to the most frequently asked questions about Calvinism.
I like this book because two prominent 'theologians' from their particular view are represented in one tidy little book.
Don't forget about Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology - Part 5 is especially helpful. You can find the section on salvation in a stand alone book titled Making Sense of Salvation.
I just found a DVD resource by Grudem on systematic theology - oh, how I'm wanting this!
Remember, I really like Grudem because he plainly states what 'take' he believes to be true to the whole counsel of the Word, but he doesn't stop there. He has integrity by teaching all the orthodox views within systematic theology. He's not a pitch-man! That is worthy of respect.
For more one-sided takes on soteriology, consider:
Why I am Not a Calvinist
Why I am Not an Arminian
That said, one of the best books I've read on the Reformed (Calvinist) theology of soteriology is by RC Sproul titled Chosen By God. It is a small but meaty book. (I really appreciate the fact that Sproul points out that BOTH Calvinism and Arminianism LIMIT the ATONEMENT. One does so in it's application and the other does so in it's power. Amen!)
ALSO -
I love, love, love Paul Washer - his Pastoral heart is so evident with this young man. Watch it. Of course, Paul Washer believes a monergistic view of God and man and of salvation, but alerting you to this, you can hear how he answers this man's very common questions according to the doctrines of sovereign grace.
Loved Ones, this is beautiful stuff. I know what I believe and why I believe it. I have precious close friends who disagree with me. We can and do have vigorous theological discussions - and that is okay. We shouldn't be scared of having passion and vigor for what we believe to be the gospel-truth. We are not to be ashamed of the gospel. WE ARE STILL FRIENDS! We are still Sisters! We still enjoy biblical fellowship.
I love you!
Shine bright for Him! Flourish this summer for His Kingdom!
That His Name May be Revered Among the Nations ~
Jill Grier
Kingdom-MindedMoms
http://www.kingdom-mindedmoms.com/
http://www.livingwaters.com/good/
http://reformedgirlcrusader.blogspot.com/
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/NicholasWilliamBraveheart
Isaiah 58:11-12
“I am. I can. I ought. I will." ~ Charlotte Mason
TWO ANCIENT VIEWS ON RECORD - View of Man
Augustine - Man inherited fallen sin nature from Adam, unable to do anything to aide in being made alive in Christ - God must provide regeneration. We sin because we're sinners. We are incapable of not sinning. (today called the Reformed/Calvinist view)
Pelagian - Man did not inherit fallen sin nature from Adam, able to do what it takes to be 'right' with God. We're sinners because we sin. One is capable of not sinning. (today called Pelagian view - very few people are fully this position)
VIEWS ON RECORD MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Luther - Man's will is in bondage to sin. (monergistic view)
Erasmus - Man's will is free from the bondage of sin. (synergistic/semi-Pelagian view)
Helpful mini-lesson on YouTube.
TWO VIEWS LATER ON
Calvin - Monergistic view of God's work in regeneration and keeping of those saved.
Arminius - Synergistic view of the work of salvation between God and man.
(By the way, the website: http://www.gotquestions.org/ is a very good resource and I refer to it often even though I disagree with some points from their statement of faith. I provide this website to maintain the personal conviction of not 'tossing out the baby with the bathwater." The website link below is unapologetically monergistic in conviction. Being that I am now a 'monergist', I rely on it quite a lot.)
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/monergism_grid.html
(There are people who decry, "Why not just learn from the bible?! Shouldn't we just rely on the Word and not read men." This sounds pious and sound, but it isn't. To this, I say - "yes and no". Yes - we should be Bereans in all things and reconcile Scripture with Scripture for a biblically sound understanding BUT .... No - God gave His church teachers and ministers of the Word. If you are of the notion that we should not learn from men the things of God, then to be consistent in your stated ethic, you should refuse to attend church and listen to a preacher or listen to a teacher. This of course is absurd, for God gave us Preachers and teachers for edification. This 'I'm a biblicist' position is a cop-out. That is why we must always be Bereans, for they were recognized for readily and eagerly listening to what Paul was teaching, but they confirmed it through the Word.)
Debating Calvinism: Five Points - Two Views by Dave Hunt and James White
(Product Description) A centuries-old belief system is put to the test as two prominent authors examine and debate the subject of Calvinism from opposing viewpoints. James White, author of The Potter's Freedom, takes the Calvinist position. Dave Hunt, author of What Love Is This, opposes him. The exchange is lively and at times intense as these two articulate men wrestle over what the Scriptures tell us about God's sovereignty and man's free will. This thought-provoking, challenging book provides potent responses to the most frequently asked questions about Calvinism.
I like this book because two prominent 'theologians' from their particular view are represented in one tidy little book.
Don't forget about Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology - Part 5 is especially helpful. You can find the section on salvation in a stand alone book titled Making Sense of Salvation.
I just found a DVD resource by Grudem on systematic theology - oh, how I'm wanting this!
Remember, I really like Grudem because he plainly states what 'take' he believes to be true to the whole counsel of the Word, but he doesn't stop there. He has integrity by teaching all the orthodox views within systematic theology. He's not a pitch-man! That is worthy of respect.
For more one-sided takes on soteriology, consider:
Why I am Not a Calvinist
Why I am Not an Arminian
That said, one of the best books I've read on the Reformed (Calvinist) theology of soteriology is by RC Sproul titled Chosen By God. It is a small but meaty book. (I really appreciate the fact that Sproul points out that BOTH Calvinism and Arminianism LIMIT the ATONEMENT. One does so in it's application and the other does so in it's power. Amen!)
ALSO -
I love, love, love Paul Washer - his Pastoral heart is so evident with this young man. Watch it. Of course, Paul Washer believes a monergistic view of God and man and of salvation, but alerting you to this, you can hear how he answers this man's very common questions according to the doctrines of sovereign grace.
Loved Ones, this is beautiful stuff. I know what I believe and why I believe it. I have precious close friends who disagree with me. We can and do have vigorous theological discussions - and that is okay. We shouldn't be scared of having passion and vigor for what we believe to be the gospel-truth. We are not to be ashamed of the gospel. WE ARE STILL FRIENDS! We are still Sisters! We still enjoy biblical fellowship.
I love you!
Shine bright for Him! Flourish this summer for His Kingdom!
That His Name May be Revered Among the Nations ~
Jill Grier
Kingdom-MindedMoms
http://www.kingdom-mindedmoms.com/
http://www.livingwaters.com/good/
http://reformedgirlcrusader.blogspot.com/
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/NicholasWilliamBraveheart
Isaiah 58:11-12
“I am. I can. I ought. I will." ~ Charlotte Mason
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
ALL PARENTS HOMESCHOOL THEIR CHILDREN
You know this!
No matter where your child attends school, both the content and the context of that schooling is discipling your child. Parents who elect home-based, parent directed schooling are in greater control of both the content and the context - we have an easier time screening and selecting truth-filled curriculum, and we can scrutinize and hand-pick the teachers we enlist to help us on our journey. Christian parents who outsource their children to institutional schooling - whether that be government schooling, private schooling, or even Christian schooling - must be evermore vigilant in tearing down those things that set themselves up against the knowledge of God and evermore diligent to root their children in Truth. They have a harder job! A Christian-thinking education for our children is not optional - says God. We parents have been given a sacred stewardship of our children to raise them for His glory, and we only have a limited amount of time to do it and the deck of cultural and ecclesiastical decay is stacked against us.
Q1: What is the chief end of man?
Q2: The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Here, the word glorify does not equate 'making much of', although that is our privilege and delight, but rather the word 'glory' here means to reflect or to mirror. Like the moon, having no light of it's own, it shines bright in the night sky by simply reflecting it's light source - our sun. We benefit from this reflecting of the sun's light by illuminating our night sky. Likewise, we glorify God by mirroring Him and reflecting Him to the world - His attributes, His nature, His will. John Piper puts it this way, "'Glorify' does not mean make glorious. It means [to] reflect or display as glorious." When we glorify Him rightly, we are a benefit to this world in our applying His Truths to every sphere of our living - we shine forth His majesty and rightful reign in the darkness.
Facts are, most professing Christians - profess Him with their mouth, but deny Him in their hearts and their minds and actions. What shapes your thinking, shapes your living! It's not sufficient to have a little "Jesus" sprinkled on a compromised lesson or to know even heaps of bible trivia. When we don't think God's thoughts after Him concerning our family life, church life, community life, politics, economics and finances, entertainment, vocation, education, history, the arts, conduct and ethics, etc - we obscure His nature and majesty and infinite worth to a world in desperate need of Him, and provide grounds for God-directed scorn and mockery. This issue is not about you. This issue is not about your child. This is a Great Commandment and Great Commission issue (Luke 10:26-28, Matthew 28:16-20). The issue is the glory of God!
“There are a several troubling patterns to take notice. First, although most Americans consider themselves to be Christian and say they know the content of the Bible, less than one out of ten Americans demonstrate such knowledge through their actions. Second, the generational pattern suggests that parents are not focused on guiding their children to have a biblical worldview. One of the challenges for parents, though, is that you cannot give what you do not have, and most parents do not possess such a perspective on life. That raises a third challenge, which relates to the job that Christian churches, schools and parachurch ministries are doing in Christian education. Finally, even though a central element of being a Christian is to embrace basic biblical principles and incorporate them into one’s worldview, there has been no change in the percentage of adults or even born again adults in the past 13 years regarding the possession of a biblical worldview.”
~ The Barna Group ~
(Click to read full report.)
"Secular Education is the most powerful ally of Humanism [Atheism], and every American public school is a school of Humanism. What can the Theistic Sunday Schools, meeting for an hour once a week, and teaching only a fraction of the children, do to stem the tide of a five-day program of humanistic teaching?"
- Charles Francis Potter, Humanism: A New Religion, p. 128
No matter where your child attends school, both the content and the context of that schooling is discipling your child. Parents who elect home-based, parent directed schooling are in greater control of both the content and the context - we have an easier time screening and selecting truth-filled curriculum, and we can scrutinize and hand-pick the teachers we enlist to help us on our journey. Christian parents who outsource their children to institutional schooling - whether that be government schooling, private schooling, or even Christian schooling - must be evermore vigilant in tearing down those things that set themselves up against the knowledge of God and evermore diligent to root their children in Truth. They have a harder job! A Christian-thinking education for our children is not optional - says God. We parents have been given a sacred stewardship of our children to raise them for His glory, and we only have a limited amount of time to do it and the deck of cultural and ecclesiastical decay is stacked against us.
Q1: What is the chief end of man?
Q2: The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Here, the word glorify does not equate 'making much of', although that is our privilege and delight, but rather the word 'glory' here means to reflect or to mirror. Like the moon, having no light of it's own, it shines bright in the night sky by simply reflecting it's light source - our sun. We benefit from this reflecting of the sun's light by illuminating our night sky. Likewise, we glorify God by mirroring Him and reflecting Him to the world - His attributes, His nature, His will. John Piper puts it this way, "'Glorify' does not mean make glorious. It means [to] reflect or display as glorious." When we glorify Him rightly, we are a benefit to this world in our applying His Truths to every sphere of our living - we shine forth His majesty and rightful reign in the darkness.
Facts are, most professing Christians - profess Him with their mouth, but deny Him in their hearts and their minds and actions. What shapes your thinking, shapes your living! It's not sufficient to have a little "Jesus" sprinkled on a compromised lesson or to know even heaps of bible trivia. When we don't think God's thoughts after Him concerning our family life, church life, community life, politics, economics and finances, entertainment, vocation, education, history, the arts, conduct and ethics, etc - we obscure His nature and majesty and infinite worth to a world in desperate need of Him, and provide grounds for God-directed scorn and mockery. This issue is not about you. This issue is not about your child. This is a Great Commandment and Great Commission issue (Luke 10:26-28, Matthew 28:16-20). The issue is the glory of God!
“There are a several troubling patterns to take notice. First, although most Americans consider themselves to be Christian and say they know the content of the Bible, less than one out of ten Americans demonstrate such knowledge through their actions. Second, the generational pattern suggests that parents are not focused on guiding their children to have a biblical worldview. One of the challenges for parents, though, is that you cannot give what you do not have, and most parents do not possess such a perspective on life. That raises a third challenge, which relates to the job that Christian churches, schools and parachurch ministries are doing in Christian education. Finally, even though a central element of being a Christian is to embrace basic biblical principles and incorporate them into one’s worldview, there has been no change in the percentage of adults or even born again adults in the past 13 years regarding the possession of a biblical worldview.”
~ The Barna Group ~
(Click to read full report.)
"Secular Education is the most powerful ally of Humanism [Atheism], and every American public school is a school of Humanism. What can the Theistic Sunday Schools, meeting for an hour once a week, and teaching only a fraction of the children, do to stem the tide of a five-day program of humanistic teaching?"
- Charles Francis Potter, Humanism: A New Religion, p. 128
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