Through quite a number of good quality conversations with my brother Rob, I have decided to write for myself a 'position statement' for predestination. I wonder how long this will stand before I'm forced to rewrite:
First and foremost, God chooses some to be his people. The means by which his Chosen are received, is by them hearing the message of our Saviour and Lord Jesus preached, and then responding by a real decision. So God works through real decisions, in which we fully have the power to say yes or no.
It would stand then, that if God has chosen you, you WILL say yes, but because God works through real life and real choices, your acceptance was totally what you wanted to do, that is, you willed it, desired it, yearned for it. At this point, it's important to remember that God's 'mind' is infinitely about our own, and ultimately his 'decision' will come to pass. That is to say, our mind is not (at all) on the same level or above God's, so in no way is it possible to override His 'decision'.
Finally, if God chooses you to be His, you will always be His and never fall away. But the only true sign of having been chosen is by the perseverance of faith. In effect: if you die having still believed, you could say with surety that you are chosen (so until then, stand-fast!).
It's late now, but hopefully soon I'll add some Bible references. Also, I'm assuming there's a WHOLE lot more to cover in regards to predestination... but this position stand satisfies the extent of my knowledge at this point in time.
If you read this and disagree or have any thoughts or something important to add, please comment... otherwise I'll just (naively) rest assured that I've solved what was the perennial dividing-line between Christians of yester-year :)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Leading the service
To keep a track of what I learn, I thought I'd make a few notes for next time:
Extra note- I am against exact procedures/communication 'techniques' that people think they should follow to be a good communicator (at least for a contemporary service). A line of thinking such as, 'if I use more hand gestures, it'll be much more effective', or 'If I look at my notes 10 times, that should give a good balance of 'freedom-from-notes' but also assure them I'm being guided by notes' etc etc.
Maybe these aren't great examples, but I've heard a few pieces of advice like these that try to pin-point a set of 'to-do' communication techniques. There are certainly helpful things that one should keep in mind, but some things get too much into the micro- side of things. Just lead as you feel best, and you'll learn and develop over time.
And maybe overtime, we might be able to add selected communication techniques (that one might consider helpful) to the character already developed.
- In the intro, possibly lay 'a seed' to ponder, in regards to the topic for the sermon
- Leading the service can require 'sign posts' in which we direct the people as to what's happening next, and possibly why. I could do a few more of those. Because, as John Forsyth would say, "the leader may as well lead" :)
- End clearly. End the service with clear instructions as to what's next and what to ponder during the week
- Speak a bit slower
Extra note- I am against exact procedures/communication 'techniques' that people think they should follow to be a good communicator (at least for a contemporary service). A line of thinking such as, 'if I use more hand gestures, it'll be much more effective', or 'If I look at my notes 10 times, that should give a good balance of 'freedom-from-notes' but also assure them I'm being guided by notes' etc etc.
Maybe these aren't great examples, but I've heard a few pieces of advice like these that try to pin-point a set of 'to-do' communication techniques. There are certainly helpful things that one should keep in mind, but some things get too much into the micro- side of things. Just lead as you feel best, and you'll learn and develop over time.
And maybe overtime, we might be able to add selected communication techniques (that one might consider helpful) to the character already developed.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
the gospel in miniature
I came across this as I continue a short Theology course on CARM.org. It was written by Luther, and just unravels the gold on one of the most well-known and familiar verses on the Bible. Instead of associating John 3:16 with banners at football matches and men on street corners with sandwich board signs, think of this:
“God…" …The greatest Lover
“So loved…" …The greatest degree
“The world…" …The greatest number
“That He gave…" …The greatest act
“His only begotten Son…" …The greatest Gift
“That whosoever…" …The greatest invitation
“Believeth…" …The greatest simplicity
“In Him…" …The greatest Person
“Should not perish…" …The greatest deliverance
“But…" …The greatest difference
“Have…" …The greatest certainty
“Everlasting Life…" …The greatest possession
“So loved…" …The greatest degree
“The world…" …The greatest number
“That He gave…" …The greatest act
“His only begotten Son…" …The greatest Gift
“That whosoever…" …The greatest invitation
“Believeth…" …The greatest simplicity
“In Him…" …The greatest Person
“Should not perish…" …The greatest deliverance
“But…" …The greatest difference
“Have…" …The greatest certainty
“Everlasting Life…" …The greatest possession
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Courage
The ramps hit the sand and our men poured on to the beach. Darkness covered everything and the soft sounds of small waves tumbling onto the beach is all that was heard- besides the rustling of hardened woolen soldier attire and the rattling of the metal machinery.
Our commanding officer had earlier reasserted the significance of the clash at hand. "If we stop them here, if we block their channel, we will starve their main army of supplies..."
With iron determination and eyes set, with aspirations of routing the enemy, we were all advancing. As men before me descended from the ship to the beach, an ill-timed cloud hazed my thinking. "What if..."
Abruptly, the silence was broken and machine gun fire pierced the air! My haze vanished and cries of agony echoed over the beach. The men on the beach were bowing dead to the ground in groups.
My legs kept rushing forwards, but everything in me was pushing the other way. I heard my officer shout 'Courage!'
And like never again I pushed forwards.
Our commanding officer had earlier reasserted the significance of the clash at hand. "If we stop them here, if we block their channel, we will starve their main army of supplies..."
With iron determination and eyes set, with aspirations of routing the enemy, we were all advancing. As men before me descended from the ship to the beach, an ill-timed cloud hazed my thinking. "What if..."
Abruptly, the silence was broken and machine gun fire pierced the air! My haze vanished and cries of agony echoed over the beach. The men on the beach were bowing dead to the ground in groups.
My legs kept rushing forwards, but everything in me was pushing the other way. I heard my officer shout 'Courage!'
And like never again I pushed forwards.
evangelism
37 Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'
40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
I would say evangelism fulfils both of these laws pretty well
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Reading the Word
I started reading 'Knowing God' by J I Packer and within the first few pages I was struck head on...
As Christians we read and desire to increase our knowledge of Him. But why? For what reason?
In the answer to this question lies our motives. Now, uncovering motives can be like walking through a muddy field looking for a something that's been lost, like a ring. It's hard! And rarely do we find exactly what we're looking for. But in the process, it can be impossible not to realise that our motives are varied and mixed and do not resemble the undivided and wholehearted devotion to God's glory that is worthy of Him.
So, at least in regards to increasing our knowledge of Him, we need to ask God to make known our motives, purify them until we, like David in Psalm 119 (v1,2,5), learn in order to know and enjoy God, desiring to understand God's truth in order that our heart and life might respond appropriately to it.
As Christians we read and desire to increase our knowledge of Him. But why? For what reason?
In the answer to this question lies our motives. Now, uncovering motives can be like walking through a muddy field looking for a something that's been lost, like a ring. It's hard! And rarely do we find exactly what we're looking for. But in the process, it can be impossible not to realise that our motives are varied and mixed and do not resemble the undivided and wholehearted devotion to God's glory that is worthy of Him.
So, at least in regards to increasing our knowledge of Him, we need to ask God to make known our motives, purify them until we, like David in Psalm 119 (v1,2,5), learn in order to know and enjoy God, desiring to understand God's truth in order that our heart and life might respond appropriately to it.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Psalm 22
What a Psalm!
It's so nice to hear such a familiar New Testament message told so beautifully in the Old Testament. It's the gospel that the OT points forward to...
Beginning with Jesus crying out in agony and feeling almost despondent on the cross, cut off from life, that is, the Father (v1). The Son pleads with the Father (v2), but He does not answer, but still the Father is holy and worthy to be trusted (v3-5).
He's like a worm! A worm! The Son of God - God himself- is treated as if a worm. Bare and made physically and emotionally empty. Scorned and despised. Mocked. (v6-9)
Here comes the prophecy: surrounded, bones out of joint (v14), as brittle as dried up pottery, dying. Pierced hands and feet, so skinny that his bones can be counted and his garments divided among the executioners. Yet still, his trust, reliance and dependence is unwaveringly caught on the Father to rescue him (v19-21).
As unexpected as it might be for a man to rise from death, comes the joy of the next few verses (v22-24). Something's happened. The affliction's over, he's made alive, free from the pain, now praising the Father's name!
Verses 27-31: He's been made King over the whole Earth, everybody needs to turn to Him and He welcomes all who come. He will be judge (v29). His story, his achievement, his salvation, will be told to the ends of the Earth "that he has DONE IT!"
It's so nice to hear such a familiar New Testament message told so beautifully in the Old Testament. It's the gospel that the OT points forward to...
Beginning with Jesus crying out in agony and feeling almost despondent on the cross, cut off from life, that is, the Father (v1). The Son pleads with the Father (v2), but He does not answer, but still the Father is holy and worthy to be trusted (v3-5).
He's like a worm! A worm! The Son of God - God himself- is treated as if a worm. Bare and made physically and emotionally empty. Scorned and despised. Mocked. (v6-9)
Here comes the prophecy: surrounded, bones out of joint (v14), as brittle as dried up pottery, dying. Pierced hands and feet, so skinny that his bones can be counted and his garments divided among the executioners. Yet still, his trust, reliance and dependence is unwaveringly caught on the Father to rescue him (v19-21).
As unexpected as it might be for a man to rise from death, comes the joy of the next few verses (v22-24). Something's happened. The affliction's over, he's made alive, free from the pain, now praising the Father's name!
Verses 27-31: He's been made King over the whole Earth, everybody needs to turn to Him and He welcomes all who come. He will be judge (v29). His story, his achievement, his salvation, will be told to the ends of the Earth "that he has DONE IT!"
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Bunyan's Burden
Just finished The Pilgrim's Progress
Sin so affected Bunyan. Christian walked with such a burden, it weighed upon him like nothing else, but how great it was when he came to the cross and the whole burden was lifted!
How about Ignorance! He got so close! His theology would have sounded okay to so many Christians, I mean, he mentioned Jesus in his spiel. But to Bunyan, or Christian, he was clearly in the wrong: he didn't understand the base nature of man and so didn't really understand the need for Christ. And it made ALL the difference!
To see and taste the wrong things I do, to be reminded of how aweful my condition is outside of Christ and how ghastly my sins are in comparison to the glory of God and his grace toward me- I will pray these things weigh upon me heavily, at least from time to time...
And so how sweet the grace of God will always taste
Sin so affected Bunyan. Christian walked with such a burden, it weighed upon him like nothing else, but how great it was when he came to the cross and the whole burden was lifted!
How about Ignorance! He got so close! His theology would have sounded okay to so many Christians, I mean, he mentioned Jesus in his spiel. But to Bunyan, or Christian, he was clearly in the wrong: he didn't understand the base nature of man and so didn't really understand the need for Christ. And it made ALL the difference!
To see and taste the wrong things I do, to be reminded of how aweful my condition is outside of Christ and how ghastly my sins are in comparison to the glory of God and his grace toward me- I will pray these things weigh upon me heavily, at least from time to time...
And so how sweet the grace of God will always taste
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Reject the Caricature
"Most people have not rejected Christianity. They have rejected a caricature"
Arnold Toynbee, a historian
A simple plan for a clear take on Christianity:
1. Read the Gospel of John
2. Write down who you think Jesus is and why he came to Earth
3. Then, define a Christian
Arnold Toynbee, a historian
"Genuine paper currency always seems to have its counterfeit"
Jack Durkee, author
------------Jack Durkee, author
A simple plan for a clear take on Christianity:
1. Read the Gospel of John
2. Write down who you think Jesus is and why he came to Earth
3. Then, define a Christian
giving
I've been doing a bit of systematic theology and have just finished glazing over the doctrine of the Trinity
I learnt about subordination, which states that the Son is eternally subordinate to the Father NOT in being or essence or attributes, but in role or function.
John 14:28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”
So the Father plays a 'greater' role or function than the Son. How then does He express this 'greater' role? I'm sure it involves much more, but it could include Him giving:
The Father (through the Son) created all things- the universe, all people, creatures and authority- and GIVES them to the Son. I might go as far as to say the Father's purpose for creating all things was to commit it to the Son (Col.1). The Father, who is greater than the Son in ROLE (not essence) chooses to give ALL THINGS! What a generous Father!
Doesn't that truly reveal something of giving, and give such deeper meaning to the verse: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
I learnt about subordination, which states that the Son is eternally subordinate to the Father NOT in being or essence or attributes, but in role or function.
John 14:28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”
So the Father plays a 'greater' role or function than the Son. How then does He express this 'greater' role? I'm sure it involves much more, but it could include Him giving:
John 3:35 "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands."
The Father (through the Son) created all things- the universe, all people, creatures and authority- and GIVES them to the Son. I might go as far as to say the Father's purpose for creating all things was to commit it to the Son (Col.1). The Father, who is greater than the Son in ROLE (not essence) chooses to give ALL THINGS! What a generous Father!
Doesn't that truly reveal something of giving, and give such deeper meaning to the verse: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35)
An empty self-confidence
Who was the only apostle who didn't consider the women's testimony of Jesus' empty tomb 'an idle tale' and the first to run to the tomb to be joyfully informed first-hand? It was Peter.
Peter, whose weakness and sin had just been eerily uncovered when the rooster crowed. By Jesus' prediction and subsequent fulfillment, His name was glorified and Peter's was made low.
Having now very little confidence in himself and much confidence in the Words of the Saviour, he runs expectantly to the tomb
Peter, whose weakness and sin had just been eerily uncovered when the rooster crowed. By Jesus' prediction and subsequent fulfillment, His name was glorified and Peter's was made low.
Having now very little confidence in himself and much confidence in the Words of the Saviour, he runs expectantly to the tomb
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Small typo
One of my friends is at the very beginning of a possible relationship and they're at a point of regular mobile messaging, and with every message comes a wave of excitement. They were sharing over mobiles each others favourite bible verse...ahhhh... romantic
He meant to type '1 Peter 1:7', but instead, by accident, typed '1 Peter 3:7', which reads:
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
Classic! Maybe not the best time to discuss marriage dynamics!
She was a little confused
He meant to type '1 Peter 1:7', but instead, by accident, typed '1 Peter 3:7', which reads:
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
Classic! Maybe not the best time to discuss marriage dynamics!
She was a little confused
ponder this...
I've heard it said-
Many people think the gospel was given to us to help us understand the world. Not so. Rather the world was given us to help us understand the gospel.
Certainly gets my cogs turning...
once a baby
I've sometimes thought: how could Satan so deceive himself to think- in the presence of the God of all Glory- that he could establish his own throne above that of the Creator's, it's crazy!
But how so many mere men/women deceive themselves! The fertilization of microscopic sex gametes, formed in somebody's tummy, and born as babies who cry and can't speak. Beautiful, cute but totally helpless. These men (and women) grow, and from their perspective, they grow and grow and grow... far away from ever entertaining the thought they were once helpless babies and begin to compete against the God of all things, as if they have a chance.
Remember you were once a baby
But how so many mere men/women deceive themselves! The fertilization of microscopic sex gametes, formed in somebody's tummy, and born as babies who cry and can't speak. Beautiful, cute but totally helpless. These men (and women) grow, and from their perspective, they grow and grow and grow... far away from ever entertaining the thought they were once helpless babies and begin to compete against the God of all things, as if they have a chance.
Remember you were once a baby
Oh the golden promises of scripture
"How can you write a commentary without the word 'oohhh' in it!" - Piper
Darkness and Evil Revealed
I was thinking last night as i was reading the Bible with my beautiful lady:
isn't it great, but at the same time awefully SCARY, how God revealed the darkness and pure evil of the Israelities/Jews and Pharisees (and i suppose, generally, the human heart without God). God sent His Son, a member of triune God (and so God himself), and the people 'in their righteousness' killed him! They murdered Jesus! (as for his human nature; God certainly didn't die!)
wow! That's dark and scary and ironic. Thank God for the revitalising work of the Spirit
isn't it great, but at the same time awefully SCARY, how God revealed the darkness and pure evil of the Israelities/Jews and Pharisees (and i suppose, generally, the human heart without God). God sent His Son, a member of triune God (and so God himself), and the people 'in their righteousness' killed him! They murdered Jesus! (as for his human nature; God certainly didn't die!)
wow! That's dark and scary and ironic. Thank God for the revitalising work of the Spirit
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