Aug 6
That we are shocked by the idea that we are saved from God reveals two crucial shortcomings in our understanding. We fail to understand who God is, and we fail to understand who we are. Our view of God is too low, and our view of mankind is too high
-R.C. Sproul, Saved From What?, p.27
While approaching the Bible reverently, we must constantly distinguish responsible interpretation of Scripture from personal or corporate application. Of course, in hortatory passages the line between the two becomes thin; or, better put, it becomes easier to move from one to the other. But unless we preserve a principled distinction we are likely to succumb to many harmful interpretations.
For instance, we may so quickly pursue “what the Bible means to me,” greatly emphasizing “to me,” that we completely ignore the distance between ourselves and the text, and compromise the Bible’s historical specificity and thus the nature of God’s graciously given verbal revelation. Worse, the morbid person given to endless introspection will glumly focus on all the passages that establish human guilt; the triumphalistic extrovert will fasten on everything that shouts of victory; the self-seeking hedonist will find passages that speak of life and joy. It is far better for all Christians to read every part of the Scripture, think it through on its own terms, discern, so far as possible, its contribution to the whole of the canon, and then ask how such truth applies to themselves, and to the church and the society of which they are a part.
Because the Bible is God’s word, it is vitally important to cultivate humility as we read, to foster a meditative prayerfulness as we reflect and study, to seek the help of the Holy Spirit as we try to understand and obey, to confess sin and pursue purity of heart and motive and relationships as we grow in understanding. Failure in these areas may produce scholars, but not mature Christians.
Above all, we must remember that we will one day give an account to the one who says,
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” (Isa. 66:2)
- D.A. Carson, Collected Writings on Scripture
May 30
Are You Kidding Me?
I’m reflecting upon an issue that I imagine is not distinctly an American problem, but a troubling one none the less. The matter at hand is the role that our cultural and national identities play in the character of our local church. Having recently attended a gospel conference, I heard a speaker say that “the Church is multi ethnic but NOT multi cultural…we have one culture, and that is Christ”. Someone might immediately point out that it is impossible not to observe cultural distinctives in our local bodies. Some would argue that our language is a cultural norm. What about the wearing of suits? That conversation is all well and good but I’m thinking about another practice all together. That being the military parade that takes place in most Sunday morning services on this Memorial Day weekend.
I’m not going to waste your time attempting to prove to you that I’m a loyal American that loves his country. What I would like for you to consider is why every Memorial Day and July 4th weekend a fair number of our churches feel compelled to abandon the worship of our Sovereign and King in order that we might pay homage to our country’s military forces. This brings me to the place of my reflection. There are a couple questions I’m considering and wondering if you do as well. Namely,
You might ask, “what’s the big deal Bo?” Here’s the big deal. So much of my life is so distracted with the cares and concerns of this world that I have become very protective over certain things of my life. Things are distinctly separate from this world. Gathering corporately on the Lord’s Day to commemorate His resurrection is, for me, the epitome of that separation. And to drag my favorite national holiday into that assembly is not only out of place, it’s vile.
If I’m missing the boat on this one, please correct me.
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from EVERY tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Rev 5:9 NASB
These four testimonies represent millions of untold people in America (and the world) who believe themselves to be right with God because they have bought in to an easy form of Christianity that is nothing more than an insurance policy to save a person from hell. Christ’s power is not only to save one from hell, but to change His followers by giving them new hearts and making them more like Him in a lifelong process called sanctification. If you didn’t change, then you are not one of His. Please watch these testimonies and examine your own testimony.