Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Danger of Forgetting
I have just began reading THE GREAT EXCHANGE by Jerry Bridges and Bob Bevington. The foreword was written by Sinclair Ferguson, and in it he wrote of the similarities the Church of Luther's day has with the western Church of today. Here is an excerpt from the foreword:
"The church of the Middle Ages was marked by several obvious characteristics. There was a strong emphasis on influence and power. One index of this was the way in which church leaders sought -- and gained -- social and political leverage and enjoyed having a voice at the table of the affairs of this world. Another was the rise of what we call 'megachurches' (which they called "cathederals"). Here well-known and influential pastors (whom they called "bishops") exercised great influence in their society. The model to which young ministers were encouraged to aspire was not faithfulness to the gospel, but success. In these churches the "quality of worship" was thought to be outstanding (stunning acoustics, magnificent musical performances beyond the ordinary). It was also a world where the image dominated the Word, where people -- so it was thought -- would not listen to preaching, and so drama became the order of the day, whether in the colorful liturgy of the services or in the famed medieval mystery plays. And, to some degree, if one wanted health, wealth, and (especially eternal) happiness, these, too, the church could provide, for it had men who possessed charismatic gifts. Indeed, from the extraordinary power in their hands one could receive forgiveness, and from them, or at least from objects they possessed, one could seek even physical healing.
But something was sadly absent from all of this, as Luther, who was once part of the whole system well knew. The true message of the cross was lacking, and it's true meaning obscured."
I find Sinclair Ferguson's insights to be rather profound and the comparisons of the modern western church to the church of Luther's day to be convicting. The modern church in the west has forgotten it's church history, and thus we are repeating it's errors from days gone by. It looks cooler and is more cutting edge, but it's as empty and void of the true gospel as any Catholic liturgy ever could be.
Romans 8:28
__________________
"The church of the Middle Ages was marked by several obvious characteristics. There was a strong emphasis on influence and power. One index of this was the way in which church leaders sought -- and gained -- social and political leverage and enjoyed having a voice at the table of the affairs of this world. Another was the rise of what we call 'megachurches' (which they called "cathederals"). Here well-known and influential pastors (whom they called "bishops") exercised great influence in their society. The model to which young ministers were encouraged to aspire was not faithfulness to the gospel, but success. In these churches the "quality of worship" was thought to be outstanding (stunning acoustics, magnificent musical performances beyond the ordinary). It was also a world where the image dominated the Word, where people -- so it was thought -- would not listen to preaching, and so drama became the order of the day, whether in the colorful liturgy of the services or in the famed medieval mystery plays. And, to some degree, if one wanted health, wealth, and (especially eternal) happiness, these, too, the church could provide, for it had men who possessed charismatic gifts. Indeed, from the extraordinary power in their hands one could receive forgiveness, and from them, or at least from objects they possessed, one could seek even physical healing.
But something was sadly absent from all of this, as Luther, who was once part of the whole system well knew. The true message of the cross was lacking, and it's true meaning obscured."
I find Sinclair Ferguson's insights to be rather profound and the comparisons of the modern western church to the church of Luther's day to be convicting. The modern church in the west has forgotten it's church history, and thus we are repeating it's errors from days gone by. It looks cooler and is more cutting edge, but it's as empty and void of the true gospel as any Catholic liturgy ever could be.
Romans 8:28
__________________
Monday, February 8, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Second Worst Day of my Life
Two years ago today the doctor gave us the terrible news that my dad's cancer was not only back, it was terminal. Five days later he was in heaven (that was the worst day of my life BTW). I miss him terribly and wish everyday that I could talk with him, and get his advice on any number of subjects. Life doesn't soften it's blows, but those blows are softened by God's grace and the hope that is particular to those who are the children of the most High God.
Romans 8:28
Romans 8:28
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same
"In this age, the life of many religious persons, I fear, is nothing better than a continual course of spiritual tasting. They are always morbidly craving fresh excitement; and they seem to care little what it is if only they can get it. All preaching seems to be the same to them; and they appear unable to to 'see differences' so long as they hear what is clever, have their ears tickled, and are part of a crowd. Worst of all, there are hundreds of young believers who are so infected with the same love of excitement, that they actually think it their duty to be always seeking after it. Insensible almost to themselves, they take up a kind of hysterical, sensational, sentimental Christianity, until they are never content with the 'old paths' and like the Athenians, are always running after something new."
An excerpt from J.C. Ryle's sermon on self-examination written in the 1870's. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
We are in desperate need of a new reformation that emphasizes the principles of the Reformation of Luther's day. Indeed, the more things change, the more clear our need to walk the old paths becomes.
SOLA SCRIPTURA:
“Scripture Alone.”
All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness: so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
SOLA GRATIA:
“Grace Alone.”
(He) who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
(2 Timothy 1:9)
SOLA FIDE:
“Faith Alone.”
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.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
SOLUS CHRISTUS:
“Through Christ Alone.”
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(Titus 3:5-7)
SOLI DEO GLORIA:
“To God alone be the Glory.”
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.
(Romans 11:36)
Romans 8:28
An excerpt from J.C. Ryle's sermon on self-examination written in the 1870's. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
We are in desperate need of a new reformation that emphasizes the principles of the Reformation of Luther's day. Indeed, the more things change, the more clear our need to walk the old paths becomes.
SOLA SCRIPTURA:
“Scripture Alone.”
All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness: so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
SOLA GRATIA:
“Grace Alone.”
(He) who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
(2 Timothy 1:9)
SOLA FIDE:
“Faith Alone.”
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.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
SOLUS CHRISTUS:
“Through Christ Alone.”
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
(Titus 3:5-7)
SOLI DEO GLORIA:
“To God alone be the Glory.”
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.
(Romans 11:36)
Romans 8:28
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