The Wisdom of Men

My Sunday School (ABF - the Bridge - for anyone reading who also goes to Heritage Baptist) has recently started a study in 1 Corinthians, so I thought I'd do some posts of my thoughts on what we are studying as we journey through this great epistle. 1 Corinthians was one of the first books I studied once I started seriously reading Scripture back early in high school, and it was a great and very enjoyable study for me. It's been awhile since I delved into this wonderful letter, so I'm pretty excited to be reacquainted with it and see what new insight and truth I will glean.

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians is a great book which covers a wide array of topics. The book is largely a reprimand against the church for the many problems which it was experiencing and causing. But, be assured, Paul does take ample room to commend the church for the things it is doing right (though they are few) and encourage them with some doctrinal teaching.

In the second half of chapter one Paul brings up an interesting idea of the "foolishness of the cross" vs. the "wisdom of the world." What does he mean here?
I think we can solve this by asking another question:
      "What do all religions aside from Christianity have in common?"
If you take a look, every religion outside of Christianity essentially believes in a works-based salvation. Even many who do not consider themselves "religious" have a hope that somehow they can earn heaven by doing enough good, outweigh their bad with good, or live a somewhat moral life. This, I think, really sums up the "wisdom of man." Sinful man wants to believe that he is independent; that he can live life on his own without the help of God and ultimately get to heaven.

Now here is where the "foolishness of the cross" comes into play. For the unsaved, the idea that a person can be granted heaven simply by faith in Christ is nonsense. It completely puts to naught his idea that he can be good enough to make it on his own. The "wisdom of the world" says that we can get it right on our own, while the "foolishness of the cross" shows us that we are completely helpless and hopeless on our own and can do nothing to save ourselves. We have nothing for which to be proud in our Salvation, since God did the work of Salvation for us. All we did was believe. And in this God is glorified.

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  

1 Corinthians 1:28-29 ESV

Praise God that we do not need to rely on our own wisdom and performance, but can trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross to pay for our redemption!

Just do Something

I just recently read the book Just do Something by Kevin DeYoung. If you have read my blog any in the past, you might have read my six-part series on The Will of God (check them out here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). DeYoung's book is a great little read and very similar to Gary Friesen's book Decision Making and the Will of God, but shorter, more concise, and to the point. I highly recommend this book, especially to anyone struggling with the question of God's will (Aren't/haven't we all?). It is a very easy and short read but very informative and enlightening. The book will likely make you examine and reconsider your ideas and preconceptions on the topic. For any who did not read my previous series and do not care or have the time to read them now, I will follow soon with a post on my notes and outline of the book.

A List of Important Sermons and Articles That Are Worth Reading

A List of Important Sermons and Articles That Are Worth Reading

Great article by Justin Taylor. I'll definitely be keeping this bookmarked as a resource for the future. A lot of great recommendations here.

The reality of God

So often today I think we take the reality and glory of God far too lightly. We are nonchalant with God, seeing Him merely in light of His love and goodness and forgetting His majesty and power. We claim to have "experienced" God in a church service or special gathering when emotions are high and people are happy or when we go through seasons of blessing in our lives. To us, experiencing God is this happy-go-lucky thing. This is not at all, though, how those who experienced God in Scripture felt. When Isaiah received his commission from God and was brought into the Presence of the Lord he was struck with the realization of his utter depravity and hopelessness as a sinful man (Isa. 6). When John saw Jesus in his vision while on Patmos he "fell at His feet as though dead" (Rev. 1:9-17). When Saul, the leading persecutor of the early church, met the risen Christ face to face on his journey to Damascus he was blinded for three days and never the same (Acts 9:3-9). And when Moses asked to see God he learned that the Glory of the Lord was so potent that he could only catch a glimpse of His back lest he die (Exod. 33:18-23). After this encounter his face was literally radiating light
(Exod. 34:29-35).

God is not some old man with a long beard sitting in the clouds all day. He is not a magic genie in a bottle or simply an "Intelligent Designer." And He is not your "homeboy." Our God is a fierce God more powerful than anything we can imagine. He created the entire universe with the Word of His mouth. He makes the earth tremble at his call. He is transcendent above all things. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. He is the ruler and the sustainer. He is eternal, and He is omnipotent. He is sovereign over all. He is LORD over all. He is God.

Summer Book Log

Recently I have developed an insatiable love for reading. Now that school is back in swing, my free time is even less, and, therefore, I sadly have less time for reading. But, just for you enjoyment, here is a list of the books that I was able to read this summer. I enjoyed all of these and most (if not all) should be followed shortly with reviews. I would recommend all of them, especially Decision Making and the Will of God, Crazy Love, Unsilenced, and The Legacy of Sovereign Joy.

Decision Making and the Will of God - Gary Friesen

The Sovereignty of God - A.W. Pink

Crazy Love - Francis Chan

Unsilenced: How to Voice the Gospel - James Boccardo

The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination - Loraine Boettner

Tortured for Christ - Richard Wurmbrand

The Old Testament View of Revelation - James Thomson

The Legacy of Sovereign Joy (Book 1 of "The Swans are Not Silent" series) - John Piper

Luther: Man Between God and the Devil - Heiko A. Oberman

Surprised by Grace - Tullian Tchividjian