The CHRISTian Good News

As I worked through some of Neighboring Faiths today, I read an important section dealing with the nature of the Christian Gospel, especially in regards to Shinto and other Japanese religions. Corduan says:

Thus the church's mission is defined by the tasks given by God: evangelism and nurture. Its mission is not defined by numerical objectives or successes the church may have in these tasks. I am emphasizing this fact because to violate it will almost invariably violate the nature of Christianity as well. Christians may erect buildings that compete favorably with local temples [local to Japanese culture]; they may link Christian worship to various practices that are associated with pagan worship in the minds of local people; they may soft- pedal the gospel in order to gain a hearing. And they might just raise the numbers of nominal Christians in the process. But if the gospel is no longer the true message of redemption from God, nothing of genuine consequence has been gained.

As a Christian I see the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. Consequently, sharing the gospel is the highest good I can do for another person. Clearly, I need to abide by New Testament exhortations regarding my conduct in doing so. For instance, I may never force the gospel on another person. However, I also need to remember that by compromising the gospel in order not to cause offence, I may actually deprive someone of the good news that has been entrusted to me. In the end, everyone needs to know the authentic gospel: that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord (335).

This is a helpful statement to consider as we seek to share our faith within particular cultures.

Semper Reformanda

Observing All Things

Some friends and I just started a new blog, observing all things. Each of the contributors (and perhaps more will contribute in the future) is a good friend of mine, and indeed a partner in doing life Christianly. My goal for this blog (for my part) is to interact with theology proper, and from that, flesh-out some practical implications; we will attempt to ascertain orthopraxy from orthodoxy.

Our exact format for interacting together is still developing, and will continue to be flexible. But for the most part, we will attempt to post regarding certain doctrines, cultural dilemmas, Scripture passages, etc., and then post well thought out agreements and/or counter arguments.

I hope that our new blog will benefit all who read it, my friends and I will grow in love for God and each other, and that Christ will be magnified in all things.

Semper Reformanda

Musical Reminders

O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
("Come Thou Fount")

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
("It Is Well")

Semper Reformanda

Major Discovery

I just bought a couple books from BN.com. And I've made a major discovery: the shipping was free. Apparently not all items have free shipping, but from what I found (and I looked around for a while), the vast majority of books from Barns and Nobel online qualify for "FAST&FREE DELIVERY." Yes!

I doubt I'll ever fully forsake Amazon, but this changes my online book-buying experience.

(If you've known about "FAST&FREE DELIVERY" for a long time, please forgive me.)

Edward's Orthopraxy

I just finished a new book by Steven J. Lawson, Senior Pastor at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, AL. Reformation Trust, a division of Ligonier Ministries, published The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards in 2008.

Lawson's book primarily deals with Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions, a document he composed from mid 1722 to mid 1723 as a "practical expression" of his intention to "live out Reformed theology on a personal, experiential level." Lawson also offers a chapter (chapter 1) surveying the influential and admirable life of Edwards, which provides a good framework for studying the Resolutions. The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards presents a good picture of the discipline and dedication one must possess in living a godly life.

After introducing Edwards, Lawson briefly introduces the Resolutions, and explains his dividing them into six categories: pursuing God's glory, battling sin, disciplined use of time, offering all to and for God, striving for "humility and love," and often self-searching for any characteristic not glorifying to God. Lawson proceeds to give an exposition of these six categories; he dedicates a chapter to each division, citing a few resolutions from each. Much to the benefit of the reader, Lawson spends a paragraph or two at the end of each chapter trying to make applicable Edwards' Resolutions. Lawson's writing is long with citations and short with personal analysis, which only serves (in my opinion) to emphasize the depth of his research. Lawson wisely notes that dialog between the other Edwardian writings (his Personal Narrative and diary in particular) is paramount to best understanding the Resolutions.

Below I share a resolution and a diary entry from Edwards, both of which most impacted me as I read through The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards. I hope these two points will wet your appetite for this influential and practical book.

(Resolution 52) "I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723."

On the subject of spending God-allotted time judiciously, Lawson concludes that "[Edwards] could not waste time and bring honor to God" (chapter six). Consider this perspective on time: "Edwards understood that he could lose money and potentially recoup it later. He could lose his health and yet recover it. He could even lose a relationship and later restore it. But time lost could never be regained."

(Come on, Aaron. Get out of bed!)

(Diary Entry) "I think it would be advantageous every morning to consider my business and temptations; and what sins I shall be exposed to that day: and to make a resolution how to improve the day, and to avoid those sins."

Edwards was so intensely committed to avoiding sin, that he would "anticipate what sins he might be prone to in various situations" (chapter nine). I cannot help but think about the times when I (we?) blindly stumble into sin (think bitterness, jealousy, etc). Would to God that I might, like Edwards, proactively anticipate and avoid sin--even tempting situations.

Here is the Resolutions from The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University. I currenty have a copy of the Resolutions placed next to my bed to read through and consider how I can better live with my highest priority on God's glory.

I fully recommend this book to all who are serious about living to that end. Here it is. May growth and much spiritual dicipline ensue.

Semper Reformanda

The Qur'an

I just bought a copy of the Qur'an. My particular copy is translated by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem. During the next several weeks, I will be studying the major religions in the world, with particular emphasis given to Islam. As I thumbed through my new book, I was surprised by it's organisation. I suppose I expected the book to be organized like the Bible, but instead the Qur'an is divided into 114 sections. These sections appear to be either stories or treatments of various Muslim doctrines. I will soon know for sure.

I am excited about becoming more familiar with Islam, and I hope to establish an understanding which will allow me to better serve God's Kingdom. My friend and former professor Dr. Dan Ebert (Ebertblog) spent weeks in Jordan studying Islam, and he chronicled his studies here. Please pray for me as I attempt to engage with this increasingly influential religion.

An Overdue Recommendation

Not uncommonly , I am a about a year behind the rest of the world; I just recently finished Tim Keller's The Reason for God. Keller serves as senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Dutton published Keller's book early in 2008. Aimed at skeptics and/or believers with doubt, the book presents a defense of the orthodox Christian faith. 

Keller organizes his book in two sections: the first seven chapters respond to seven different objections to Christianity, and the last seven offer "reasons for faith." The chapters dealing with objections seek to answer common apprehensions to Christianity using logic and rational. The "reasons" chapters present highly logical, empirically-based arguments for the existence and knowledge of God, sin nature, misconceptions about Christianity, etc. Keller does not use Scripture (much) to support his arguments, making his book seemingly less circular to a skeptical audience. The epilogue gives the gospel message and makes a call to action. 

I found chapter fourteen, The Dance of God, the most helpful in the book. In this chapter, Keller reveals the relational nature of the Christian life. Chapter fourteen serves to teach (remind) readers about the relationships within the Trinity, and the implication of those relationships.

Chapter five deals with Hell. Reading through it, I found this chapter ambiguous and confusing. I struggled to decipher whether or not Keller thinks Hell is an actual place, or more of a state of existence. After hearing a couple of lectures/talks by Keller, I undoubtedly believe him to propagate an orthodox position on Hell. However, chapter five of The Reason for God presents Keller's position quite confusingly. If you were also confused by Keller's statements in chapter five, or you are about to read through the book, here is an article by Keller from Redeemer's website about Hell. The article not only well outlines a proper view of Hell, but it clarifies any confusing points from Keller's book. 

Apart from one ambigious chapter, The Reason for God represents one of the great contibutions to orthodox Christian apologetics in recent years. I strongly recommend this book to both belivers and non believers alike (and yes, the book is going on my recommended list).

Here is a link to the Reason for God website. And my friend Luke recently commented on a chapter of Keller's book, here.         

Buy The Reason for God here. May growth and renewed confidence ensue!