I have recently been reading Jonathan Edwards excellent book, Charity and Its Fruits. Edwards has taken I Corinthians 13 and challenged me at the core to consider the motivation behind every action. For those who believe Edwards is nothing more than a strange,fire-breathing out-dated theologian who has nothing to say to modern culture, read this tidbit:
"The work of redemption which the gospel makes known, above all things affords motives to love; for that work was the most glorious and wonderful exhibition of love that was ever seen or heard of. Love is the principal thing that the gospel dwells on when speaking of God, and of Christ. It brings to light the love eternally existing between the Father and the Son, and declares how that same love has been manifested in many things; how that Christ is God's well-beloved Son, in whom he is ever well-pleased; how he so loved him, that he has raised him to the throne of the mediatorial kingdom, and appointed him to be the judge of the world, and ordained that all mankind should stand before him in judgment. In the gospel, too, is revealed the love that Christ has to the Father, and the wonderful fruits of that love, particularly in his doing such great things, and suffering such great things in obedience to the Father's will; and for the honour of his justice, and law, and authority, as the great moral governor. There it is revealed how the Father and Son are one in love, that we might be induced, in like spirit, to be one with them..."
Despite what your fallen eyes and mind tell you, this is reality. The reality that seems so real to you (the hot summer day, the doldrums or joys of your job, the money you have) hinge on this ultimate reality. Christ sits enthroned and has won a people for Himself on the cross. I pray the Lord continually astonishes me by the infinite grace He has shown me in Christ. What are invincible realities now will all too soon become visilble realities. Until then, may our hearts be captivated by the love God has for his Son and his people through Christ.
I am very grateful to the pastor of the church of Northampton.
Monday, July 30, 2007
II Timothy
The good reverend Michael Lawrence has preached amazing sermons on II Timothy since the begining of July. Michael's infusion of his understanding of culture with the revelation contained within Biblical text makes any of these sermons worth your time. Be challenged by the apostle Paul as he instructs his trusted mentor in the faith.
You can listen here... http://chbcaudio.org/
You can listen here... http://chbcaudio.org/
Saturday, May 19, 2007
A Visit to Barnes and Nobles
I visited Barnes and Nobles this evening and found myself reading Bertrand Russell's classic, Why I am Not a Christian. I have read parts of it before but could not resist the urge to view a great philosopher's conclusion about Christianity. Clearly Russell is one of the more gifted philosphers history has produced, and he is troubled by some of Christ's teaching that he says were just plain wrong. He even questions whether Christ actually existed. Russell claims the rest of us following Christ are doing so out of fear. Of course, Karl Marx told us that religion is just "the opium of the masses." Is this true? Are we really just afraid? Is life so terrible that we will jump at anything to make it all seem worthwhile? Dr. Russell made me think.
For those struggling intellectually with Christianity, here are a few considerations. First, Christianity is an historical religion. It makes claims about events that actually happened in history. Without the events, there is no Christianity. It is important to understand that Christianity's truth claims are grounded in historical realities. In fact, that is what Scripture is. It is not just a reporting of the events of history, it is God actually interpreting the meaning of the events for us. Christians understand that to be an incredibly gracious act. So, Christians are not just blindly submitting to Scripture; instead, we understand Scripture to be revelation that not only makes sense of the world, but is also the very standard by which we judge what is "sense" and what is not. While Scripture is on the one hand something that happened then, on the other hand the canon encompasses our lives today. Secondly, consider Christ. I do think Dr. Russell is one of the few that actually questions whether Christ existed. Taking as truth that He actually did exist, the Bible claims He was raised from the dead. Now, this is the key issue. Again, this is an historical claim that is either true or isn't. It is important to consider unique evidences for His own resurrection. (appearing to women before anyone else, the many eyewitnesses, the folks who gave up their lives holding onto the truth that he was alive, etc.) If Christ were not raised from the dead, then Paul was right that Christians should be pitied above everyone else. Further, if Christ were not raised, He is no more authoritative than anyone else. Yet, the Christian believes He was. Once His resurrection is accepted, the whole of Scripture is viewed through that lens. It becomes clear that all of Scripture is pointing to Christ. He was here to recreate what had been tragically destroyed by the fall. His presence among us changes everything. At once, the Scriptures become alive. Thirdly, remember what Scripture is primarily giving us: a theological framework. Yes, there is history, poetry and prophecy, but Scripture, while not in any way threated by science or any other discipline, is a different kind of discipline all together. Scripture is giving us an understanding of the past as it conveys to us that we were created by God in His own image. It is giving us an understanding of the future as it declares that God will judge the world He created...soon. As such, we can begin to understand the present. We begin to understand our own epoch and the world around us. More could be said, but suffice it to say that if God is who Scripture says He is, the Bible's self-attesting authority is both logical and necessary. Without God revealing Himself to us, we could never know Him. Without God making sense of His own creation and action in the world, we would never understand. Without God condescending to save us from His just wrath, we would never repent. That is the message of the Bible. And because God has acted in mercy to me in Christ, that is why I am a Christian.
John Stott has written an excellent "response" to Russell's essay on Christianity. Stott's book, Why I Am a Christian thoughtfully lays out why Christ has a claim on our lives. It is worth reading if Christianity still seems foreign/unsatisfying intellectually to you.
For those struggling intellectually with Christianity, here are a few considerations. First, Christianity is an historical religion. It makes claims about events that actually happened in history. Without the events, there is no Christianity. It is important to understand that Christianity's truth claims are grounded in historical realities. In fact, that is what Scripture is. It is not just a reporting of the events of history, it is God actually interpreting the meaning of the events for us. Christians understand that to be an incredibly gracious act. So, Christians are not just blindly submitting to Scripture; instead, we understand Scripture to be revelation that not only makes sense of the world, but is also the very standard by which we judge what is "sense" and what is not. While Scripture is on the one hand something that happened then, on the other hand the canon encompasses our lives today. Secondly, consider Christ. I do think Dr. Russell is one of the few that actually questions whether Christ existed. Taking as truth that He actually did exist, the Bible claims He was raised from the dead. Now, this is the key issue. Again, this is an historical claim that is either true or isn't. It is important to consider unique evidences for His own resurrection. (appearing to women before anyone else, the many eyewitnesses, the folks who gave up their lives holding onto the truth that he was alive, etc.) If Christ were not raised from the dead, then Paul was right that Christians should be pitied above everyone else. Further, if Christ were not raised, He is no more authoritative than anyone else. Yet, the Christian believes He was. Once His resurrection is accepted, the whole of Scripture is viewed through that lens. It becomes clear that all of Scripture is pointing to Christ. He was here to recreate what had been tragically destroyed by the fall. His presence among us changes everything. At once, the Scriptures become alive. Thirdly, remember what Scripture is primarily giving us: a theological framework. Yes, there is history, poetry and prophecy, but Scripture, while not in any way threated by science or any other discipline, is a different kind of discipline all together. Scripture is giving us an understanding of the past as it conveys to us that we were created by God in His own image. It is giving us an understanding of the future as it declares that God will judge the world He created...soon. As such, we can begin to understand the present. We begin to understand our own epoch and the world around us. More could be said, but suffice it to say that if God is who Scripture says He is, the Bible's self-attesting authority is both logical and necessary. Without God revealing Himself to us, we could never know Him. Without God making sense of His own creation and action in the world, we would never understand. Without God condescending to save us from His just wrath, we would never repent. That is the message of the Bible. And because God has acted in mercy to me in Christ, that is why I am a Christian.
John Stott has written an excellent "response" to Russell's essay on Christianity. Stott's book, Why I Am a Christian thoughtfully lays out why Christ has a claim on our lives. It is worth reading if Christianity still seems foreign/unsatisfying intellectually to you.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Excessive Oil Profits?
We are hearing about those outrageous oil companies again. Next to the evil pharmaceutical companies, it seems that our friends in the oil business are the reasons for condemning capitalism. They are actually exploiting our society by making winfall profits after two terrible hurricanes. It is the height of greed and selfishness....or so some would have you believe.
Some of the wiser among us are calling for price caps on gas prices. Because this worked so well in the 70's, it seems that some of our nation's Senators believe it should be tried again. After all, people are more selfless now and will surely do everything they can to make certain they don't take any more gasoline than is needed, right? WRONG. Senator Byron Dorgan (D, North Dakota) was on National Public Radio this morning and made the following assertion:
"There’s no free market; that’s all nonsense. What there is is a market that takes an enormous amount of money out of the pockets of American consumers and sticks it in the treasuries of the major oil companies."
One can only wonder why someone like Senator Dorgan would make such a statement. As the good folks at Cafe Hayek pointed out, oil companies are no more determining gas prices than homeowners are determining the prices of their homes. If you think a few elected officials working together for political purposes are better at determining the fair market value of gas, then I certainly hope you enjoy spending your time waiting in long lines for gasoline. As for me, I trust the billions of people buying gas everyday who have never even met to continue to exercise far greater wisdom in setting gasoline prices than a few mislead Senators.
Some of the wiser among us are calling for price caps on gas prices. Because this worked so well in the 70's, it seems that some of our nation's Senators believe it should be tried again. After all, people are more selfless now and will surely do everything they can to make certain they don't take any more gasoline than is needed, right? WRONG. Senator Byron Dorgan (D, North Dakota) was on National Public Radio this morning and made the following assertion:
"There’s no free market; that’s all nonsense. What there is is a market that takes an enormous amount of money out of the pockets of American consumers and sticks it in the treasuries of the major oil companies."
One can only wonder why someone like Senator Dorgan would make such a statement. As the good folks at Cafe Hayek pointed out, oil companies are no more determining gas prices than homeowners are determining the prices of their homes. If you think a few elected officials working together for political purposes are better at determining the fair market value of gas, then I certainly hope you enjoy spending your time waiting in long lines for gasoline. As for me, I trust the billions of people buying gas everyday who have never even met to continue to exercise far greater wisdom in setting gasoline prices than a few mislead Senators.
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