A Boomer in the Pew

Happy Reformation Day!

Happy Reformation Day!

Today is the day that Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg church, in Germany.

This day marked the beginning of the protestant reformation.

Tim Challies has collected a number of articles, in his Reformation Day Symposium, from various Christian bloggers from all over the world.

This might be a nice place for some weekend reading.

Hey Internet & Blog World, Wanna Fight?

I need to write another apology to those of you who read this blog.

You see, there is something deep inside me that likes a fight.  My younger brother, to my great shame, would certainly attest to this fact.

You may, or may not, have noticed that I took down a recent post regarding William P. Young's book, "The Shack". 

The reason?  I was not following my blog's mission statement and was really looking for sensationalism and a fight.

I understand that the blog world tells me to create sensationalism and controversy to attract readership.

However, my motives for this blog, are not the world's motives. 

For those of you, who saw the darker side of Dave Porter, please accept my humble apology.  I beg your forgiveness.

Can I ask a small favor? 

There are good fights and bad fights.  If you see me walking around, with my boxing gloves on, just looking for a fight, would you please take me to task!

Thank you! 

Crushed in the Mortar and Pestle of God's Sovereign Will

"Job", by Leon Boannt.

Before I start this post, please understand that I am NOT Job.  I have not lost every single earthly possession.   All of my children have not been killed in a single day.  Furthermore, my body is not covered with oozing boils from head to toe.

Nonetheless, God, in recent days, has made it clear that he wants me to understand life from the school of brokenness.

The roots of this lesson began back ten days ago, as I studied my way through Dr. John Piper's conference, "When the Righteous Suffer", which was a study of the book of Job.

Only four days later, in my study of Jonathan Edwards' "Religious Affections", I learned that:  "Gracious affections are attended with evangelical humiliation.  Evangelical humiliation is a sense that a Christian has of his own utter insufficiency, despicableness, and odiousness, with an answerable frame of heart." 

I found myself melted as I considered Edwards' words delivering crushing blows to my pride, which was is in stark contrast to Job, who immediately worshiped God, after losing absolutely everything, while covered in boils to boot.

To further my lesson, last Sunday I found myself at the Dallas Theological Seminary web site,  where I watched a very moving chapel service from Dr. Charles Swindoll entitled, "God's School of Brokenness".

In this message, Dr. Swindoll referenced a book by Gene Edwards, called "A Tale of Three Kings - A Study in Brokenness".  I immediately ordered the book, received it very quickly,  and started reading the book on Tuesday night.

I found myself awake at three o'clock in the morning, on Wednesday, considering all that I had been learning.  I wrestled with God, for over 90 minutes,  before I was able to get back to sleep.

The very next morning, I was invited to attend a businessman's early morning Bible Study.   Would you care to guess the title of the three part series that they started this very morning????

The Pathway of Brokenness!

Are you seeing a pattern here? 

I could barely breath, when I heard the speaker announce the series.  It was as if someone had taken the end of a baseball bat, and punched me in the stomach.  I found myself wanting to get alone,  so I could let out all the emotion that immediately came flooding to the surface.

Here are words from Jamie Rasmussen, Senior Pastor at Scottsdale Bible Church, "Everyone is wounded, but not everyone, in fact, very few are broken."

It is absolutely crystal clear to me that those who desire a deep, and beautiful relationship with their heavenly Father, and holy King, are going to discover, first hand, the beauty and pain of brokenness.

To be completely honest...I am a little apprehensive.  If you have been reading this blog, you know that I have already undergone quite a bit of servility, as I have considered some of the great doctrinal teachings of God's word.

I believe all that I have learned, my Father knows my heart, he knows that I am willing, scared but willing, to put my complete trust in his care, and submit to what ever further breaking that needs to take place.

My desire for a deep relationship with God, is greater than my fear of his sovereign hand.  Having just typed those words, and looking back at them, I am not sure that is true.  I greatly fear his sovereign hand.  Yet...I greatly trust him as my Father.  Perhaps both are equally true.

Abba,

Thank you for choosing me from eternity past, to be one of your adopted children.  Your blessings, now more clear before me, are immensely beautiful and precious.  I am afraid to tell you to have your way with me, as if I have anything to say about it in the first place.

I love you, Abba, and completely place myself in your care and trust that you know, better than myself, what is good and right for me.

Thank you for the wondrous, and beautiful awakenings that you have brought my way.  I long to know you more and more.

Your son,

David

How Can I Know That I Am Saved (Part II)

This is the 13th post in my study of Jonathan Edwards famous text Religious Affections.  I have also created a landing page to hold all of the posts in this study for you here.

This is also the second post on this particular subject.  The first post, dealt with becoming a Christian, whereas this post will explore one of the primary evidences of one's rebirth, from Jonathan Edwards' treatise.

Jonathan Edwards was one of the principle evangelists in the Great Awakening.  People by the thousands, all up and down colonial America, were experiencing saving faith in Jesus Christ.

The problem, however, was that along with this great revival, came a great many false teachers and false believers.  This troubled Edwards greatly, and therein lies the birth of his "Religious Affections".

In Edwards' 7th evidence of true faith (gracious affections), he puts forth the fact that there is indeed a change of nature, a new man, if you will, is born.

Let's together explore this important evidence of saving faith...

How Can I Know That I Am Saved? (Part I)

How can I know that I am saved?  This is a very common question in the community of Christians.  It is a very important question, and one that simply must be answered individually. 

To demonstrate the importance of this discovery, Jesus Christ gave us all the following warning in Matthew 7:21-23: 

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven...On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

In other words, there are people sitting in churches, all over the world, believing that they are Christians, who are simply deluded, and headed for eternal destruction in hell.

"Wow!, that's harsh", you say.  You are right, it is very harsh.  But if you read the Bible, it is clear.  Jesus didn't want any confusion in this matter.

How can I know that I am saved?

Thankfully, God answers this question, in the Scriptures.  Please join me as we explore this most vital question of all questions...

Jonathan Edwards - "Religious Affections" (True Affection #6)

"Christ in the House of Simon" c1440, by Dieric the Elder Bouts.

The story behind the painting:  Luke 7:36-50.

Lesson:  I am infinitely less than a layer of pond scum as compared to the holiness of my heavenly Father.  Pride is exceedingly foolish and an insult to his glory.

Jonathan Edwards:  "Gracious affections are also like those of Mary Magdalene, who also pours precious ointment on Christ, out of an alabaster broken box, anointing therewith the feet of Jesus, when she had washed them with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.  All gracious affections that are a sweet odor to Christ, and that fill the soul of a Christian with a heavenly sweetness and fragrancey, are broken hearted affections.  A truly Christian love, either to God or men, is a humble broken hearted love.  The desires of the saints, however earnest, are humble desires.  Their hope is a humble hope; and their joy, even when it is unspeakable, and full of glory, is a humble broken hearted joy, and leaves the Christian more poor in spirit; and more like a little child, and more disposed to a universal lowliness of behavior."

This section of Edwards' treatise was a challenging one to my soul.  It seems that the more I learn, the more I realize what little I know.  The more I begin to understand of God's holiness, and how infinitely far from that holiness I am, the more I realize how "altogether contemptible and odious" I am.

In Edwards' sixth gracious affection, he lays before us a very humiliating (humbling) proposition:

"Gracious affections are attended with evangelical humiliation.  Evangelical humiliation is a sense that a Christian has of his own utter insufficiency, despicableness, and odiousness, with an answerable frame of heart."

When you are allowed the slightest pulling back of the veil, you realize that, as compared to the holy and beautiful Creator, you are completely and totally depraved.  As the jolting light of God's holiness, and the attending of his indwelling Spirit allow you just the slightest of understandings, then, just as sinners before God's holy white throne, you are completely broken with your transgressions before a holy God.

Once again, Edwards lays bare the souls of those who would dare to profess any greatness in their faith.  With the sword of God's word, he cuts to shreds the proud and haughty.

To any son of God, who deeply desires our Father's favor, this understanding will leave you weeping in shame, and desparatly seeking God's forgiveness.

I can do no more, or furthermore, say anything to add to Edwards' brilliant filleting of our prideful nature.  If fact, I am going to end this post and challenge you to read and understand his pointing's to the words of Christ.

Here is a link to this section of his treatise.  Take a couple hours, get alone, pour over this brilliantly inspired man's words as he shows you the heart of the true Christian.

This will be a difficult read for many, but take it slow, read it out loud, and make yourself understand.

I would really love to hear your comments when finished.

Creation - From Life or Matter?

"The Second Day of the Creation" c1925, by M.C. Escher.

John 1:1-4 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life..."

There are only two options:  Life made matter, or matter made life.

Both, it seems to me, require faith, as neither position is empirically provable.

Placing your faith, in Life, is ultimately beautiful as that Life gives new life which the natural man is wholly destitute of. 

From Jonathan Edwards: 

"It is evident that there is such a thing as a spiritual belief or conviction of the truth of the things of the gospel, or a belief that is peculiar to those who are spiritual, or who are regenerated, and have the Spirit of God, in his holy communications, and dwelling in them as a vital principle.  So that the conviction they have, does not only differ from that which natural men have, in its concomitants, in that it is accompanied with good works, but the belief itself is diverse, the assent and conviction of the judgment is of a kind peculiar to those who are spiritual, and that which natural men are wholly destitute of."

Belief in Life connects you with the Creator, and that belief brings relationship with our Creator, and in turn He brings a spiritual belief that is completely unknown and hidden from those who place their faith in matter.

Further still, this Life, this Creator, Holy God calls us all to believe in Life:

Revelation 3:20   - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me".

Don't ignore this call.  Through faith, respond to Jesus Christ.  Then you too, will have the assurance of a spiritual belief granted by, and through, the Holy Spirit.  Without which, you will never know for certain!

Top 8 First Impressions of the new "On-Line" ESV Study Bible

I recently wrote a post on my Top 5 impressions of my new ESV Study Bible.

Today, I am going to follow up that post with my, "Top 8 Impressions of my new ESV On-Line Study Bible". 

As I contemplated how to best use these two resources (on-line & off-line Bibles) in concert with one another, it struck me that most of my serious Bible study is done with my computer open and generally recording notes in this blog. 

So here is my beginning plan to use both of these tools together:

• The on-line Bible is to host all of my notes and thoughts regarding my journey to deepen my relationship with my heavenly Father.
• The off-line Bible will act as an envoy when it is not possible, or practical to have the on-line version with me.
• Notes & thoughts received from the off-line Bible will be brought back and recorded to the main repository, the on-line Bible.
• When I write blog posts, about a particular passage, I will include links in the on-line Bible to them.
• When I find interesting podcasts, videos, etc, regarding particular passages in God's word, I will link them in my on-line Bible.

This weekend, I used my on-line ESV Study Bible to walk through a study of Job, with Dr. John Piper's 2008 Regional Conference in Austin, Texas, which I viewed from the comfort of my home office.

Here are my top 8 first impressions of from that particular study:

• Layout is clean and not busy.  I have found that some other on-line Bibles seem somewhat offensive in that they are so busy.  That is not the case here, this layout is very inviting to me.
• Reading the Scriptures, with this tool, is a joy.  The links to various notes are muted such that you first see the Scriptures, then the verse numbers, and lastly your eye is drawn to the links embedded in the Scriptures to various notes.
• When you do hover over an embedded note, the note is presented to you without whisking you away from the text.   I find it annoying when I am trying to read the Bible and I am constantly being swept away from the text.
• The Scriptures are presented in the center column.  The far right column contains wonderful study Bible notes to help you understand what you are reading.  Once again, when you hover over the links, the information is brought forward without ever leaving page.  All of the useful information is available without ever having to leave the main text!  I like that a lot! 
• There was a wonderful "backstory" article on Job available, with a simple mouse click.  Once again the article was presented "over" the Scriptures without taking you away from the text.  Nice!  Once you were done reading the article, you simply close the box and there is your main text lying beneath!  I like it!
• All of the Articles, Maps, Charts, and study tools that are available in the print version of the ESV Study Bible appear to be available here as well.  The depth of articles, on a wealth of topics is quite simply mind boggling.  What a gift to have all of these brilliant minds guiding you, by the hand, through God's word!  These articles, all by themselves, are well worth the price of the Bible.
• The far left column is for note taking.  With the simple click of a mouse, a box appears with a simple word processor that allows you to take notes, and, to my great joy, create links as well.  In my study of Job, this weekend, I was able to create a link back to Dr. Piper's online video of this conference on Job.  What a wonderful treasure that will be next time I journey back to study more from Job!  I like this a LOT!
• Another valuable tool, is the highlighter tool.  If you select a particular text, that you would like to stand out on your next visit, you can highlight the text with one of six different colors.  Nice!  For some reason, however, these highlighted colors did not save on my MAC.  Hey Crossway!  What's with that??

I suspect that Crossway Publishers main task, at this point, was to get the printed version in our hands.  My hope is that they will continue to pour some thought and resources in their on-line version now as well.

I am very pleased with what I have available thus far, and I suspect that there are some very cool add-ons that could come available in the future.

Overall, I give this on-line version, of the new ESV Study Bible,  a very happy thumbs up!

Once again, I hope Crossway will not rest on their laurels, but will put some attention into this on-line version.  In my humble opionion, this is very possibly the greatest use of their new Study Bible.

Dr. Wayne Grudem - God's Wisdom for Wives (1 Peter 3:1-6)

Jamie Rasmussen, the Senior Pastor @ Scottsdale Bible Church was on a study break this week.  To my delight, we got to hear Dr. Wayne Grudem speak this morning in our service.

We have been journeying through 1 Peter,  and this morning Dr. Grudem spoke on the subject of wives, and their submission to husbands.

This is a difficult subject for our culture to hear.  Unfortunately, some of that difficulty finds its way into the church.

But as you will see, Dr. Grudem brings this subject with humility, sensitivity, and helps wives understand that the beauty of Christ shines through them when they observe God's commands, and most of all, they can bring pleasure and glory to God the Father as they model Christ's love in the home.

Here is a link to the video from this morning's service.

Jonathan Edwards - Religious Affections (Part III - True Affection #5)

This is the 11th post in my study of Jonathan Edwards famous text Religious Affections.  I have also created a landing page to hold all of the posts in this study for you here.

It has been a month since I have set down with Jonathan Edwards.  I have missed him, and the group of friends reading along with me.  Unfortunately, life and travel have slowed my pace of late.

Nonetheless, I continue my quest and may have to journey the rest of Edwards' treatise on my own.  I just bet, however, a few of my friends will pop in to encourage me in my "catching up".

Here is Edwards fifth truly gracious affection: 

"Truly gracious affections are attended with a reasonable and spiritual conviction of the judgment, of the reality and certainty of divine things."

Put in 21st century vernacular, true Christians believe with the whole of their minds, and their spirits are attended by God's indwelling Holy Spirit as well, that the things of Christ are reality and certainty. 

From Edwards:  "All those who are truly gracious persons have a solid, full, thorough and effectual conviction of the truth of the great things of the gospel;  I mean, that they no longer halt between two opinions; the great doctrines of the gospel cease to be any longer doubtful things, or matter of opinion, which, though probably, are yet disputable; but with them, they are points settled and determined, as undoubted and indisputable, so that they are not afraid to venture their all upon their truth."

Edwards then turns his attention to the spiritual conviction of divine things:  "It is evident that there is such a thing as a spiritual belief or conviction of the truth of the things of the gospel, or a belief that is peculiar to those who are spiritual, or who are regenerated, and have the Spirit of God, in his holy communications, and dwelling in them as a vital principle.  So that the conviction they have, does not only differ from that which natural men have, in its concomitants, in that it is accompanied with good works; but the belief itself is diverse, the assent and conviction of the judgment is of a kind peculiar to those who are spiritual, and that with natural men are wholly destitute of."

The world's greatest minds find the teachings of the Scriptures wholly from their grasps.  Because they are unregenerate, God has hidden his truths from them.  Yet, for those who have received the effectual call of God, the Holy Spirit indwells and testifies of the beauty of Christ. 

As Edwards points out, even many illiterate have received the effectual call of the Father, and with the Holy Spirits indwelling, and the Holy Spirits teaching of the Scriptures, thus become children of God and are tapped into the wisdom of the Creator.

I think of the young, rich ruler.  He claimed to possess certain faith.  Yet, when he stood before the Creator of the universe, and was asked to sell all that he had, he turned and left. 

I can honestly say that if Christ walked into my house tonight, and asked me to sell everything that I had, and follow him, I would do it instantly and without hesitation.

Our challenge, is to have the same faith without him being seen.  I think back on the many martyrs of the faith.  How would I react if someone walked in my house, with a gun and demanded my life, or my denial of Christ. 

Although such thoughts first bring a certain sense of unlikeliness, that small taste inside, that Edwards speaks of, says to my spirit, we would honor and glorify Christ.

May it be so.