Discerning the Secret Will of the Lord?

April 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment

On Sunday evening I preached on Deuteronomy 18:9-22, Determining God’s Will for Your Life: A Definitive Guide. [Audio of this sermon can found by clicking this link.]

The premise of the sermon can best be summarized by O. Palmer Robertson’s quote on Deuteronomy 18:

Every possible word describing a method by which men might attempt to determine, control or predict the future is designated as an abomination to the Lord. Any proposed substitution for the revelatory word of God that comes through his prophet must utterly be rejected (qtd. from The Final Word: A Biblical Response to the Case for Tongues and Prophecy Today).

In light of all of the talk today of “seeking God’s will” by promptings and leadings of God’s Spirit, we must remember that the task of seeking God’s will in the Bible was supremely the task of understanding God’s revealed will, not his secret will. To be “led by the Spirit” according to Scripture, is to be led in righteousness, fruit, and greater sanctification. To be “led by the Spirit” is not to be led by promptings, nudges, or signs which the Spirit may give us in facing decisions. When Paul speaks of being “led by the Spirit,” he is always speaking of growth, sanctification, and fruit (Romans 8:13-15; Galatians 5:18-23).

Here are some links to just a few additional articles that may help your understanding of a profoundly misunderstood aspect of the Christian life.

The Ministry of the Spirit in Discerning the Will of God, by J.I. Packer

The Task of Seeking God’s Mysterious Will, by Sinclair Ferguson

Finding God’s Will, by Robert Rayburn

In this last article Robert Rayburn recounts the tragic story of a Christian friend of his who was struck with a fatal disease.

The person shared with me and others that the Lord had revealed by means of a strong impression that healing would take place. Even as severe physical deterioration gave us every indication that the doctors’ prognoses were correct, my friend continued to act and speak as though healing would occur.

The death of this individual came about, contrary to what the so-called guidance he had indicated. As I look back on this event, I see how this view of guidance prevented my friend from a significant work in the Christian life - namely to die well, giving glory to God who gives and takes away, and to leave this world confessing before all that “the Judge of all the earth does right” and that , in Christ, “to die is gain!”

I can’t help but think of many of the couples at the Christian college I attended. For many of these couples one partner was “led” by God to end the relationship, and the other had the exact opposite “leading,” to continue in the relationship. This means that either one of the partners misinterpreted God’s true leading, a possibility I suppose; or that God actually led them in different directions, an impossibility we know; or it means that God never “led” them one way or the other. In light of the fact that God’s people are never commanded to seek the secret will of God, in light of the fact that no one in Scripture is ever “led” by a fallible urging, nudging, prompting, or feeling from God’s Spirit, and in light of the fact that God’s people are expressly forbidden to look into the future and the secret things of God (Deut. 18:10; 29:29), I would suggest that it’s not God’s normal practice to lead Christians in this way.

God does indeed lead Christians by his Spirit. But inevitably, that leading is directly to life in Christ and growth in sanctification!

Romans 8:11, 14-15 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you…. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Theology 

Speaking of the Gospel…

March 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment

John Piper on what is, and isn’t the gospel…

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Theology 

What is the Gospel?

March 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Last Sunday as I preached I asked and answered the question, “What is the gospel?”

In part I relied on a definition offered by J.I. Packer in his introductory essay to the John Owen work, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. There Packer describes the biblical gospel as “always and essentially a proclamation of Divine sovereignty in mercy and judgment, a summons to bow down and worship the mighty Lord on whom man depends for all good, both in nature and in grace.”

Packer’s essay on the gospel is a tremendous treasure, well worth the read. It is perhaps the best short essay on the gospel that I have ever read, and I commend it to you for your reading.

J.I. Packer’s Introduction to The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Theology 

A Common Word Between Christians and Muslims?

January 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Recently, a number of leading Muslim and Christian leaders began a discussion together looking for unity based on the common ground both faiths share of “loving God and loving neighbor.” These exchanges have been called A Common Word.

Today, John Piper issued an excellent response to this dialog expressing profound disappointment with the Christians who have affirmed this common ground. Piper’s response is well worth listening to.

In reading through some of the “Common Word” documents, it seems more and more clear to me that the greatest threat Islam brings to Christianity is not violence, but peace… the kind of peace that denies the absolute uniqueness of Christ as mankind’s only hope of salvation. While it is certainly right for us to call for and pray for and hope for peace, we do not embrace peace at all costs.

Rick Phillips’ comments are particularly helpful:

I suppose that a survey of the history of religion and war would show that in times of great violence there is usually an impulse to downplay important religious differences so as to soften inter-religious anger and hatred. But it is always distressing to see Christians so willing to downplay the most central and vital aspects of our faith in pursuit of some “higher” end. I am sure that the signatories of the Christian response mean well. But for Christians there must never be a higher end that the glory of God as revealed in his Word and the spread of the biblical gospel with clarity, love, and courage. At the very moment when increasing numbers of people have concluded that “all religions believe the same thing,” the very worst thing Christians could do — the least loving and ultimately the least peaceful — is to foster the idea that one’s understanding of God need not embrace Jesus Christ as the unique revelation of God and as the Savior-Son God has sent as the only hope for a sinful world.

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Church and Culture, Theology 

Peter Jones Interview

January 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

In light of our Christianity and Culture conference Pagan America coming up this weekend, Dr. Peter Jones was interviewed Friday on the Calling for Truth radio program (South Carolina).

You can listen to the interview at their website - just click here.

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Church and Culture, Theology 

Assurance and the Gospel: A Post in Celebration of Reformation Day

October 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment

It’s no coincidence that Reformation Day, the day Martin Luther posted his 95 theses, falls on All Hallows Eve. Luther’s 95 theses was a protest primarily against the Catholic Church’s system of indulgences, and there were few bigger days for indulgences than All Saints Day itself. On this day faithful pilgrims would visit the relics of the saints in hopes of earning an indulgence (remission from purgatory) for loved ones in purgatory. Even today the Catholic Church promises special indulgences in connection with All Saints Day.

At the heart of the indulgence debate was the question of who could ultimately forgive sin. Could a person buy a letter of forgiveness from the pope (an indulgence) and then be certain of forgiveness? Luther said this idea was “madness” (theses 75). He instead insisted, “We say, on the contrary, that papal pardons are not able to remove the very least of venial sins, so far as guilt is concerned” (theses 76). Ultimately, Luther argued that the practice of issuing indulgences for the forgiveness of sins deceives the people (theses 24) and any assurance of salvation by a letter of pardon is vain, “even though the pope himself were to stake his soul upon it” (theses 52).

Although the Protestant Reformation sprang from a number of people, ideas, and movements, Luther’s posting of the 95 theses is considered its beginning. In reading through his theses it is obvious that nothing less than the gospel of Christ was at stake, and in the years following the true, biblical gospel was once again made plain to the masses. Thankfully, the Reformation reminded Christians once again of the supremacy of Christ, the true nature of saving faith, the glory of Christ’s righteousness imputed to the believer, and the sovereignty of God over all of life. Eventually, “after darkness, light” came to be the slogan that represented the recovery of the great Reformation truths.

Time, however, can dim even the greatest of lights.

Today, even among many evangelical churches, assurance of faith is too frequently peddled to the masses in the guise of a gospel that is just as inadequate as the gospel Luther struggled against. Too often the gospel is promoted as a pathway to wholeness, and not forgiveness. Too often the gospel is marketed as a product to be purchased, when it is in reality a truth to be obeyed. Too often people are urged to merely have faith, while Christ, the proper object of true faith, is ignored. Too often God is presented as a helpless, would-be guest knocking on the doors of our hearts, when he is actually the sovereign Lord and Judge over all. Too often the cross is presented merely as an example of love, and not as the place where both God’s mercy and justice meet. Too often the gospel is viewed as a means to wealth and happiness, and not as a call to holiness. Too often the gospel is grounded on our works, and not on the finished work of Christ.

Today you need not buy an indulgence to receive false assurance, you need only believe any number of the false gospels available. Another Reformation, another recovery of the biblical gospel, the old gospel, is desperately needed. J.I. Packer describes the “old” gospel of the reformers in the following way, “It was always and essentially a proclamation of Divine sovereignty in mercy and judgment, a summons to bow down and worship the mighty Lord on whom man depends for all good, both in nature and in grace. Its center of reference was unambiguously God.”

On this Reformation Day, pray that the biblical gospel, the old gospel, would be recovered. And after you’ve prayed – proclaim!

Ephesians 2:1-10 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)

Note: This blog post is part of a Reformation Day symposium sponsored by challies.com. Be sure to check out all of the Reformation Day blogging there!

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Church and Culture, Theology 

Key Factors for Good Theology

October 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Several months ago, I wrote a blog post commenting on the suggestion that good beer and good theology are related. That post is here. It seems, however, that there may be other, less than desirable factors that lead to good theology, like ugliness. Get the full scoop at this blog post from Team Tominthebox News Network.

The great thing about satire is there’s always at least a little truth behind it.

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Humor, Theology 

Good Worship + Good Theology

August 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment

While in seminary a friend of mine visited a church he was considering attending. He liked the church, but he said the worship songs were almost too theological for him to really worship. I understood what he meant - although I didn’t fully agree with him. When we worship most Christians rightly want an emotional experience. We want to express our love and adoration to God in song with simplicity and beauty. Worship need not be the place for a complex theological treatise - but certainly it has to be a place for rich theology.

When John sees four creatures worshiping in heaven, he records their incredibly simple praise in Revelation, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (4:8). Not only is their praise simple, they never cease saying it. That is, they repeat the same praise over and over again. Although many would criticize contemporary worship music for being too repetitive and simple, this generally is not a valid criticism.

Must our worship music be stripped down or devoid of theological content to be truly engaging and truly worshipful? Certainly not. Although simple, the creature’s worship in Revelation is abundantly rich in theological content. In their song, simple as it is, they proclaim the praises of a preeminent God, holy to the extreme, eternal, powerful, the rightful Lord over all of creation, who will come again to bring his judgment. Good worship, true worship, must be theologically rich!

Here’s an analogy. I don’t know a lot about computers. I couldn’t begin to tell you what most of the specs on a computer package mean. I’m told that the computer in my study is top of the line - but that’s about all I know about it. On the other hand, the gentleman who picked out that computer knows almost everything about it. He knows the specs, he knows it’s performance ratings and capabilities, etc. The question is, “Who is better equipped to sing the praises of the computer?” The one who knows it best, of course.

Lately, I’ve been thankful for a new wave of theologically rich worship music that maintains the sort of simplicity and beauty that is conducive to true worship. There are many new songs that have been written by those who know their theological “specs,” and thus know their God. Please allow me to point you to a few of these resources. Maybe you have some others to add.

1) Reformed University Fellowship (RUF): RUF is the college ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America. Some involved in this ministry have rewritten new music for many old hymns. In my opinion some of the music is an improvement, and some not over the traditional tunes. But the truly great thing is that many truly great hymns that have been forgotten are now being remembered. Their hymnbook can be found here.

2) Sandra McCracken: Sandra has written new music for a number of old hymns as well. Her album The Builder and the Architect is full of great stuff. She has also written some lyrics for worship music.

3) Getty Music: Here you’ll find some wonderful new original hymns. Check out O Church Arise.

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Church and Culture, Theology 

Locking Church Doors for the Good of the World

August 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment

I recently finished reading a brief overview of the Reformation by Stephen Nichols called, The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World. Although brief, it was an excellent overview of the people and events surrounding the Protestant Reformation, and I learned a number of things I hadn’t known before. Of those, perhaps the most interesting is the simple fact that Calvin would lock the church doors in Geneva after the worship service.

Nichols writes:

Despite his insistence on the primacy of the church, Calvin knew the church had its limits. John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress illustrates these limits well. In his classic allegory Bunyan calls the church “The house built by the Lord of the Hill for the safety and rest of pilgrims.” Bunyan has his main character, Christian, enter this house, the church; he has him “fed,” his allegory for the sermon and the Lord’s Supper; and he has him led into the armor, where he is equipped. Then Bunyan has the keepers of the house send him away, out into the world. Calvin did the same for his parishioners by locking the church doors after the service. Christians, having been fed and equipped, refreshed and nourished, are to be in the world, according to Calvin.

Theologians of the medieval era tended to downplay life outside the walls of the church or monastery or convent. They tended to give little credence to one’s work in the world and to the world itself. Calvin and Luther, joined by many other Reformers, hammered out a doctrine of vocation: one’s work is a calling. They also reminded their congregations and us that this is God’s world, and we are to cultivate it and enjoy it for God’s glory. Calvin locked the church doors so the church could be in the world.

Having read this, I was struck by how poorly we do the same today. Too often, rather than sending Christians into the world, we’re continually calling them back to the church. Today we have Bible studies - fellowship groups - youth groups - elder/deacon meetings - children’s programs - VBS - recreation programs - church softball - church choir - church picnics - church schools - church dinners - etc.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with any of these things. Some of them are quite biblical (such as church dinners, fellowship and Bible study). The problem is that the sheer volume of all of these church activities effectively removes the Christian from the world altogether. There is no time for involvement in community activities and no time to love and care for and interact with one’s neighbor.

For many, evangelism now simply consists of inviting someone to church, yet the true Biblical idea of evangelism means going into the world to share the gospel. I can’t think of one instance in the N.T. where a conversion takes place within the context of church worship. Paul allows for the presence of unbelievers within worship (1 Corinthians 14:24-25), but his statement is conditional, “if” an unbeliever enters. It is not a command to bring unbelievers to worship. Every instance of conversion in the New Testament (unless I’m missing something) takes place in the world, not in the church.

Maybe we would do well to ween our church activities down to a necessary few - and then actually live in this world. Maybe we would do well to recapture the Reformation vision that affirms the goodness of the world, and then devote ourselves to community life in the neighborhoods, towns and cities where we live. Maybe we would do well to invite unbelievers to church less frequently, and more frequently accept their invitations to participate in their lives. Maybe we would do well to lock our church doors a little more often.

Maybe we would do well if our boasting were a little more like Paul’s, “For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God…” (2 Corinthians 1:12).

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Church and Culture, Missions, Theology 

Ordering Our Worship

July 31, 2007 | Leave a Comment

All who agree with the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s answer to the question, “What is the chief end of man?” would agree that worship is both serious and joyful business. Our chief end is indeed to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

In light of this Chris, our pastoral assistant at Calvin PCA, has drafted a guide to help us worship with both joy and reverence. The guide is given below.

Worship Guide for Calvin Presbyterian Church

Prelude: Use the time before worship begins for silent prayer, meditation, reading the printed reflections, and examining the liturgy. Prepare your heart and mind for worship (1 Peter 1:13).

Please note that our worship moves in three parts (God calls…, God offers…, and God sends…). In each move, God initiates and we respond. In addition to the pastor, a ruling elder assists in leading morning worship.

GOD CALLS US TO WORSHIP

The first move in our worship is that God calls us to worship Him (Ps 67). We respond by acknowledging His glory and majesty through prayer and singing. We also recognize our sinfulness, causing us to confess our sin and acknowledge our need of forgiveness. Once assured of forgiveness, we sing a song of renewal and confess our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Call to Worship: A portion of Scripture is read to call God’s people to attention and to worship the One, living and true God (Deut 31:12).

Prayer of Invocation: The pastor calls on the Triune God to be present among His people as we worship Him (Ps 141:1-2).

Hymn: This opening hymn, usually from the Trinity Hymnal, is a hymn of adoration, praise and thanksgiving to the God we worship (Ps 100:2).

Confession of Sin: Seeing a holy and righteous God, we immediately recognize our sinfulness. To worship properly, we confess our sin in two parts: silent, meditative, and personal confession and corporate confession. The corporate confession is read aloud in unison (1 John 1:9).

Assurance of Pardon: For those who have truly and sincerely confessed their sin and repented, God has forgiven. We are assured of God’s grace and forgiveness (Heb 4:16).

Song of Renewal: Having been assured of pardon and forgiveness of sin, we rejoice in song for the Lord’s grace. These praise songs are printed in the bulletin.

Confession of Faith: We are a confessional church (Rom 10:9). The assurance of pardon allows us to profess and affirm belief in our Lord and Savior. Our confessions of faith are taken from the early ecumenical creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, Council of Chalcedon, Athanasian) or the Reformation confessions and catechisms (e.g., the Westminster Confession).

Songs of Praise: We not only confess our faith but also sing our faith. Thus, we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to give praise, glory, and honor to our God (Rev 4:8, 11).

GOD OFFERS HIS MEANS OF GRACE

The outward means of grace which Christ uses to communicate the benefits of redemption are His ordinances of His Word read and preached, His sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Table, and prayer. During this move of worship, these means of grace are on display. All of these are effectual to the elect for salvation.

Old Testament Reading: Paul commanded Timothy to not neglect the public reading of Scripture. As Reformed Christians, we believe that this is a means of grace to build us up in the most holy faith. The Old Testament portion often serves as a compliment to the New Testament portion to be preached. The OT portion may be prophetic or typological.

Offering/Prayer: In response to hearing God’s Word, we give to Him tithes and offerings for the work of God’s Kingdom (Gen 14:20; 1 Cor 16:2).

Doxology: We acknowledge God as the Giver of all material wealth and sing praise in accordance.

Choir Anthem: This is a hymn, song, or spiritual song of praise and adoration sung by the choir.

Pastoral Prayer: Paul also commands Timothy to have men pray publicly (1 Tim 2:1-3). This is also a means of grace (WSC 98). This prayer is a focused prayer of supplication mainly for the needs of the congregation.

New Testament Reading: This public reading of Scripture is the text for preaching the sermon (2 Tim 3:16-17). We should give attention to it, receive it with faith, and practice it in our lives (WSC 90).

Sermon: The pastor or other qualified minister explains the text and its application to the congregation (1 Cor 1:18).

Psalm of Praise: In response to hearing God’s Word proclaimed, we stand and sing a Psalm of adoration.

The Lord’s Table: As a sacrament, this is a sensible sign that shows Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant (WSC 92). Particularly, we receive bread and wine by faith to partake of Christ’s body and blood and show forth His death until His return (WSC 96).

GOD SENDS US OUT

Having assembled and worshiped, God now sends us out with His blessing and assurance to be with us as we make disciples of all nations.

Hymn: We sing a hymn, usually from the Trinity Hymnal as an appropriate response to the preaching and demonstration of God’s Word.

Benediction: Through the minister, the congregation is blessed by God (Num 6:22-24).

Announcements: After morning worship officially ends, we sit and hear announcements relevant to our congregation. This enables all of us to participate in the life and community of this church fellowship. It is at this time that the red “Friendship Registers” are passed. Please note your name and other pertinent information and circle any items which interest you.

Posted by Aaron | Filed Under Blog, Church and Culture, Theology 

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