Okay, so I should have known I couldn't talk about the Authority of Scripture in just one post. But oh well. Anyway, here is just a quick addition to today's post I wanted to share. Once again I go to John Piper to say much better than I can what I desire to communicate. This sermon just shows one of the many reasons why I love John Piper - He loves Scripture. I mean, for the first 16 minutes of the sermon he is simply quoting Scripture. Here's a link to the sermon notes.
For a second addition, I just wanted to give you a quote I heard from David Platt in a talk I was listening to today. "Gospel theology necessitates urgent missiology." This is such a true statement. As I said in my last post, a proper understanding of the Gospel will lead to "a Greater love for God based on a greater understanding of Him, resulting in a greater love for others and a greater heart for the lost."
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Sufficiency of Scripture (Part 2)
So, after finishing The Sovereignty of God this morning I decided there is still some I wanted to comment on about the sufficiency of Scripture before I move to the will of God.
In my last post I focused mostly on the "training in righteousness" aspect of Scripture. And although much could be said about each one of the benefits of God's Word, I want to comment quickly(without diverging too much from our topic of God's will) on Doctrine. Simply put, doctrine is teaching(specifically about God here). It teaches us about God, who He is, what He is like, How he interacts with humanity, etc.
In today's society doctrine has become quite unpopular for most people. They do not want to invest the time and effort to search and study Scripture. They see doctrine as "impractical" and "unnecessary". They have substituted doctrinal exposition of God's Word for so-called "practical" preaching. But this belief is just plain ridiculous. As Pink says, this wrong view is "the root cause of many of the evil maladies which now afflict the church of God." How can you rightly worship and adore God if you do not know Him. Like Paul said, this is the first(and probably most important) outcome of Scripture(2 Tim 3:16, 17). Rightly taught and understood doctrine will give way to a Greater love for God based on a greater understanding of Him, resulting in a greater love for others and a greater heart for the lost. To quote Pink again, "where doctrine is neglected, growth in grace and effective witnessing for Christ necessarily cease."
A note must be made, though, that doctrine, like anything else, can easily be approached with a cold heart simply for academic or intellectual means, leaving the seeker with a haughty spirit and unpassionate life. I can, though, from my own experience, testify that a sincere search for doctrine based on a desire to know and understand God deeper - approached with a right heart and attitude - will, inevitably, lead to a greater passion for God and closer walk with Him.
Ending with a final quote from Pink: "Doctrine properly received, doctrine studied with an exercised heart, will ever lead into a deeper knowledge of god and of the unsearchable riches of Christ."
LORD, may we seek and desire to know You more through doctrine in order that our love for You and others may grow, and let us rejoice in the blessing that it is available to us through Your Scriptures.
In my last post I focused mostly on the "training in righteousness" aspect of Scripture. And although much could be said about each one of the benefits of God's Word, I want to comment quickly(without diverging too much from our topic of God's will) on Doctrine. Simply put, doctrine is teaching(specifically about God here). It teaches us about God, who He is, what He is like, How he interacts with humanity, etc.
In today's society doctrine has become quite unpopular for most people. They do not want to invest the time and effort to search and study Scripture. They see doctrine as "impractical" and "unnecessary". They have substituted doctrinal exposition of God's Word for so-called "practical" preaching. But this belief is just plain ridiculous. As Pink says, this wrong view is "the root cause of many of the evil maladies which now afflict the church of God." How can you rightly worship and adore God if you do not know Him. Like Paul said, this is the first(and probably most important) outcome of Scripture(2 Tim 3:16, 17). Rightly taught and understood doctrine will give way to a Greater love for God based on a greater understanding of Him, resulting in a greater love for others and a greater heart for the lost. To quote Pink again, "where doctrine is neglected, growth in grace and effective witnessing for Christ necessarily cease."
A note must be made, though, that doctrine, like anything else, can easily be approached with a cold heart simply for academic or intellectual means, leaving the seeker with a haughty spirit and unpassionate life. I can, though, from my own experience, testify that a sincere search for doctrine based on a desire to know and understand God deeper - approached with a right heart and attitude - will, inevitably, lead to a greater passion for God and closer walk with Him.
Ending with a final quote from Pink: "Doctrine properly received, doctrine studied with an exercised heart, will ever lead into a deeper knowledge of god and of the unsearchable riches of Christ."
LORD, may we seek and desire to know You more through doctrine in order that our love for You and others may grow, and let us rejoice in the blessing that it is available to us through Your Scriptures.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Sufficiency of Scripture
As I have said before, the primary purpose of this blog is to simply communicate what God has been/is teaching me in my own life and study. For some time now I have been intrigued by the idea of "the will of God." So, this semester I decided to look into the subject a bit. My plan for this week(and next if necessary) is to take a few days to write about what God has taught me about His will. Although I do not claim to have a full understanding of the subject I do believe I understand it much better than I have in the past and may have some good insight to provide.
But first, I feel the need to stress some background and foundational ideas - primarily, the sufficiency of Scripture. Now I will assume that anyone reading this would not dispute such qualities of Scripture as its authority, inerrancy, infallibility, and inspiration by God. These are basics of the Christian faith which I hope you hold to without dispute(If not, here are some good resources on the subject: Westminster Confession(Chapter I), Monergism directory of theology). But, in spite of these truths about Scripture, I feel many Christians today are not fully convinced of the Sufficiency of Scripture. The primary text to support this wonderful truth is one which you are no doubt familiar with:
First of all, we see that all Scripture is given to us directly by God. Paul here uses the word theopneustos - from the Greek words for God(theos) and breath(pneo) - literally meaning "God breathed." In other words, Scripture is God's direct words given to us straight from God's "mouth".
Second, Paul explains what Scripture provides for us:
1. Teaching
2. Reproof
3. Correction
4. Training in righteousness
Finally, we see that the outcome of these things is so that we can be "complete" and "equipped for every good work" - i.e., to know how to live right(righteous) lives(lives in God's Will). This is where the "training in righteousness" comes in. Although Scripture does not explicitly cover every possible moral issue one may face in life, it provides principles which can(must) be applied to every situation in order to direct us in our decision making.
So, from this text we can see that Scripture is the ultimate authority in a Christian's life and that it provides us with all we need to know in order to live God-pleasing lives(lives in God's Will).
But first, I feel the need to stress some background and foundational ideas - primarily, the sufficiency of Scripture. Now I will assume that anyone reading this would not dispute such qualities of Scripture as its authority, inerrancy, infallibility, and inspiration by God. These are basics of the Christian faith which I hope you hold to without dispute(If not, here are some good resources on the subject: Westminster Confession(Chapter I), Monergism directory of theology). But, in spite of these truths about Scripture, I feel many Christians today are not fully convinced of the Sufficiency of Scripture. The primary text to support this wonderful truth is one which you are no doubt familiar with:
16 All Scripture is breathed out by [given by inspiration of] God and profitable for teaching(doctrine), for reproof, for correction, and for training(instruction) in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent(complete),[thoroughly] equipped for every good work.In these two short verses are packed many truths about Scripture in which we can rejoice.
-2 Timothy 3:16, 17 ESV, parenthesis added
First of all, we see that all Scripture is given to us directly by God. Paul here uses the word theopneustos - from the Greek words for God(theos) and breath(pneo) - literally meaning "God breathed." In other words, Scripture is God's direct words given to us straight from God's "mouth".
Second, Paul explains what Scripture provides for us:
1. Teaching
2. Reproof
3. Correction
4. Training in righteousness
Finally, we see that the outcome of these things is so that we can be "complete" and "equipped for every good work" - i.e., to know how to live right(righteous) lives(lives in God's Will). This is where the "training in righteousness" comes in. Although Scripture does not explicitly cover every possible moral issue one may face in life, it provides principles which can(must) be applied to every situation in order to direct us in our decision making.
So, from this text we can see that Scripture is the ultimate authority in a Christian's life and that it provides us with all we need to know in order to live God-pleasing lives(lives in God's Will).
Friday, June 25, 2010
God's Sovereignty and Prayer
So my current read is a great little book by A.W. Pink called The Sovereignty of God
(book review soon to come(along with a few others)) (You can read it online here) This has been a really good and intriguing read thus far and one which I have learned a good deal from. The chapter that has occupied my spare minutes(the very few that I actually have right now) yesterday and today has been "God's Sovereignty and Prayer." I have to say that this insightful chapter has been some of the best teaching I have ever come across on the subject of prayer. Although Pink's attempt is not to discuss and study prayer in general but to relate it to the sovereignty of God, he does a wonderful job of explaining prayer and what it should look like in this respect.
As is his primary aim throughout the book, Pink highlights the importance and exaltation of God in prayer. He devotes a good portion of the chapter to talk about the erroneous and unscriptural contemporary views of his day on prayer(although written in the early 20th century, the problems he addresses are surprisingly similar to the popular views in the present day). He specifically comments on the idea that through prayer man can, in effect, change the will of God. Although we may not see it as quite so bold as saying outright that we can change the will of God, this is essentially what I see many people believing about prayer today. They have a skewed idea of prayer which says that the purpose of prayer is, essentially, to tell God what they think is best and expect Him to conform to their will. They tell Him what they want and what they think they need and what they think is best for their lives and are angry when God does not grant their requests.
Pink says, "To say that 'human destiny' may be changed by the will of man, is to make the creature's will supreme, and that is, virtually to dethrone God." I think he is exactly right here. When we have the idea that what we do can affect God and his decisions we elevate ourselves much higher than we belong. To quote Pink, "God's will"(sovereign will - more will be said on this topic in the future) "is immutable and cannot be altered by our cryings." It is here that we must heed the teaching of scripture such as Eph. 1:11("In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of his will"), 3:11("This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord"), Dan. 4:35("all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to Him, 'What have you done?'"), and a host of others. What God has purposed from before time began(2Tim. 1:9), no man can change.
The question is thus raised of, "Why then should I pray?" Pink then gives three of the primary reasons for why God commands us to pray.
First, prayer has been appointed that the Lord God Himself should be honored.
Second, prayer is for our spiritual blessing, as a means for our growth in grace.
Third, prayer is for our seeking from Him the things which we are in need of.
As Pink says, "Prayer is not for the purpose of informing God, as if He were ignorant, but it is to acknowledge He does know what we are in need of." And, "Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude - an attitude of dependency upon God." My high school youth pastor used to say, "the purpose of prayer is to conform our will to God's will."
It is only when the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts and we pray like Christ did(Luke 22:42), asking "anything according to His will"(1John 5:14), that we will experience the full satisfaction and understanding of prayer. When we pray for God's will to be done our prayers will always be answered since God's will is always ultimately accomplished. Let us not pray as greedy fools for our own lusts and desires(James 4:3) but humbly with passion and fervor(James 5:15, 16) and in accordance with God's perfect and sovereign will.
(book review soon to come(along with a few others)) (You can read it online here) This has been a really good and intriguing read thus far and one which I have learned a good deal from. The chapter that has occupied my spare minutes(the very few that I actually have right now) yesterday and today has been "God's Sovereignty and Prayer." I have to say that this insightful chapter has been some of the best teaching I have ever come across on the subject of prayer. Although Pink's attempt is not to discuss and study prayer in general but to relate it to the sovereignty of God, he does a wonderful job of explaining prayer and what it should look like in this respect.As is his primary aim throughout the book, Pink highlights the importance and exaltation of God in prayer. He devotes a good portion of the chapter to talk about the erroneous and unscriptural contemporary views of his day on prayer(although written in the early 20th century, the problems he addresses are surprisingly similar to the popular views in the present day). He specifically comments on the idea that through prayer man can, in effect, change the will of God. Although we may not see it as quite so bold as saying outright that we can change the will of God, this is essentially what I see many people believing about prayer today. They have a skewed idea of prayer which says that the purpose of prayer is, essentially, to tell God what they think is best and expect Him to conform to their will. They tell Him what they want and what they think they need and what they think is best for their lives and are angry when God does not grant their requests.
Pink says, "To say that 'human destiny' may be changed by the will of man, is to make the creature's will supreme, and that is, virtually to dethrone God." I think he is exactly right here. When we have the idea that what we do can affect God and his decisions we elevate ourselves much higher than we belong. To quote Pink, "God's will"(sovereign will - more will be said on this topic in the future) "is immutable and cannot be altered by our cryings." It is here that we must heed the teaching of scripture such as Eph. 1:11("In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of his will"), 3:11("This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord"), Dan. 4:35("all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to Him, 'What have you done?'"), and a host of others. What God has purposed from before time began(2Tim. 1:9), no man can change.
The question is thus raised of, "Why then should I pray?" Pink then gives three of the primary reasons for why God commands us to pray.
First, prayer has been appointed that the Lord God Himself should be honored.
Second, prayer is for our spiritual blessing, as a means for our growth in grace.
Third, prayer is for our seeking from Him the things which we are in need of.
As Pink says, "Prayer is not for the purpose of informing God, as if He were ignorant, but it is to acknowledge He does know what we are in need of." And, "Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude - an attitude of dependency upon God." My high school youth pastor used to say, "the purpose of prayer is to conform our will to God's will."
It is only when the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts and we pray like Christ did(Luke 22:42), asking "anything according to His will"(1John 5:14), that we will experience the full satisfaction and understanding of prayer. When we pray for God's will to be done our prayers will always be answered since God's will is always ultimately accomplished. Let us not pray as greedy fools for our own lusts and desires(James 4:3) but humbly with passion and fervor(James 5:15, 16) and in accordance with God's perfect and sovereign will.
ESV Study Bible
Okay, so I wanted to take a minute to put my plug in for the ESV Study Bible.
First of all, the ESV translation is one of the most popular and widely used bibles today. It is a great literal translation that stays true to the original languages while using contemporary and easily-understandable language. The ESV Study Bible is an immensely wonderful resource and tool. Written and edited by a star-studded list of pastors and theologians such as Wayne Grudem, J.I. Packer, Justin Taylor, and John Piper, this is - in mine and many other's opinions - the best study Bible available to date. In addition to the thorough commentary throughout, it is filled with numerous helpful articles, charts, tables, time-lines, outlines, and more.
One of the coolest features, though,(and probably my favorite part) is that it comes with access to the online version(try it out here) which includes everything found in the printed version along with some really nice and helpful features. I use this any time I am reading and love it.
So, if you don't have one yet, go get one now! It's worth every penny(and more). The best place I've found to buy it is on desiringgod.org.
*Here's what some people have to say about it.
First of all, the ESV translation is one of the most popular and widely used bibles today. It is a great literal translation that stays true to the original languages while using contemporary and easily-understandable language. The ESV Study Bible is an immensely wonderful resource and tool. Written and edited by a star-studded list of pastors and theologians such as Wayne Grudem, J.I. Packer, Justin Taylor, and John Piper, this is - in mine and many other's opinions - the best study Bible available to date. In addition to the thorough commentary throughout, it is filled with numerous helpful articles, charts, tables, time-lines, outlines, and more.
One of the coolest features, though,(and probably my favorite part) is that it comes with access to the online version(try it out here) which includes everything found in the printed version along with some really nice and helpful features. I use this any time I am reading and love it.
So, if you don't have one yet, go get one now! It's worth every penny(and more). The best place I've found to buy it is on desiringgod.org.
*Here's what some people have to say about it.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Comments Welcome
Just FYI, I welcome and appreciate any comments. I'd love to hear what you think about any of the stuff here and any input you may have on a topic. So go on and feel free to comment.
God's Passion for His Glory
So for my first post I thought I'd share something not my own. I'll do this often with the men that I am learning from since I am by no means a scholar or preacher, and they will many times be able to communicate truth far better than I could here.
John Piper is one of my favorite pastors and theologians. He preaches the Word unashamedly and with great passion and heart. He has written many books on a great deal of theological topics, all being very practical and applicational in nature while still being rooted in deep theology and Biblical exegesis. Here is a sermon by him that I was greatly encouraged and taught by. This idea is one which Piper talks and writes about over and over and is a profound truth that should encourage you in your walk with God and direct you to greater worship and appreciation of Him.
*Piper's book The Pleasures of God is a great book I would highly recommend that goes into great depth on this topic.
John Piper is one of my favorite pastors and theologians. He preaches the Word unashamedly and with great passion and heart. He has written many books on a great deal of theological topics, all being very practical and applicational in nature while still being rooted in deep theology and Biblical exegesis. Here is a sermon by him that I was greatly encouraged and taught by. This idea is one which Piper talks and writes about over and over and is a profound truth that should encourage you in your walk with God and direct you to greater worship and appreciation of Him.
*Piper's book The Pleasures of God is a great book I would highly recommend that goes into great depth on this topic.
Here I Go
Okay, so I thought it would be a fun idea to start a blog. My plan is to use this to simply share my thoughts about what I am learning and reading or just about anything really. My hope is that it will be a source of encouragement, edification, and education. I intend to make a short post on my daily reading or thoughts every day or two and a maybe a longer post to tie the week together once a week. After I finish a book I endeavor to write up a review on it and keep it on my "Book Reviews" page. So I hope this will be a great resource and place of encouragement for you in the future.
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