God never intends His gifts to replace Him as the object of our desire and delight.
-Bob Kauflin from the book Worldliness
As I was driving to work the other day, I was thinking through several conversations that I've had with different people over the past few weeks. These conversations were usually of the type that involved one of those topics that "we shouldn't talk about out loud". Typically, the person would be talking about a subject and then make their conclusion with the following statement, "but, who am I to say what's right or wrong?"
As is usually the case with these conversations, after the person is done giving their speech and politically correct conclusion, they ask me for my take. For those that know me you know that I usually speak what's on my mind (Yes, I acknowledge that this usually..... okay, more often than not gets me in trouble) but I've been making an effort as of late to preface my answering with where I am getting my answer from and not being so abrupt as to the tone of my voice. So, it usually goes something like this, "Here's what I get from what the Bible says about ______ (insert subject here)" and then go on to give my take based on what the Scripture says. More often than not, here is the response I get:
I think you get the idea. The problem with this is that if I believe that the Scripture is absolute Truth (which I do), and I am getting my take from the Scripture (which I am), then it is not me who is "saying" these things, but rather it is God. I'm not saying or implying that I'm God (help us all if that were the case!) but what I am saying that their problem is not with my words, but rather with God's Word. So when you narrow down their retort, here is what it really means:
I would encourage you to do an examination of the Bible and see what happens when people question the Almighty out of a heart of accusation and pride. I'll give you a hint...... it usually ends up going badly for them.....
We live in a time that absolute truth has been side stepped for political correctness. We live in a time where absolute truth is look down upon in favor of a "gentler" more "loving" way of thinking called post-modernism. The fact is this though, God is not politically correct, and there is no other Being more gentle or loving that God almighty. He is so loving that He even defined right and wrong for us in the Bible. Our problem is that we have rejected His love (His definition of right and wrong) and exchanged it with a love for ourselves (our man made definitions of right and wrong, or better said, we have re-defined truth). And, although we don't say it this way, in reality we come back with "Who is God to tell me how to live?" Make no mistake, there are many people who would call themselves a Christian who subscribe to this way of thinking too.
If you are not giving your conclusion based on being Scriptually well informed, and you begin to lash out at the person who is giving you a take based on the Scriptures, you need to stop and think, "who am I questioning here, this person or God's Truth? Is my problem with them or is it with God?" The true question is, who are any of US here on planet earth to question Almighty God????????
I hope we learn to see the foolishness that is all around us.........
A. Liberalism – At the heart of liberalism is replacing scripture as the inspired word of God, and thus authoritative, with the notion that it is simply man's thoughts about God and thus interesting but optional. Everything else, God, the gospel, etc. falls from there. Jesus is simply a good teacher and moral example. The gospel is lost and the focus of church life becomes helping people become more ethical, happier and more fulfilled, helping the poor and underprivileged, social justice, etc. None of these are bad in themselves, but woefully inadequate apart from the gospel.
Edmund Clowney - "If the church rather than Christ becomes the center of our devotion, spiritual decay has begun. A doctrine of the church that does not center on Christ is self-defeating and false. But Jesus said to the disciples who confessed him, 'I will build my church.' To ignore his purpose is to deny his lordship. The good news of Christ's coming includes the good news of what he came to do: to join us to himself and to one another as his body the new people of God."
This could be the danger of the Christian right political movement
B. Formalism – orthodox in doctrine but without passion and personal application and involvement; meetings that weren't impacting life; studies that show that the ethical views and behavior of those claiming to be Christians and church goers does not significantly different than those who don't. Another study found that only 6-10% of those who claimed to be Christians were "highly spiritually committed".
Elton Trueblood (quoted by Bill Hull, The Disciple Making Pastor, 19) – "Perhaps the greatest single weakness of the contemporary Christian church is that millions of supposed members are not really involved at all, and what is worse, do not think it strange that they are not."
This has its greatest effect on progressive sanctification and assurance of salvation.
C. Consumerism – attempts to make the church relevant rob it of one or more aspects of its essential character. People become customers that need to be attracted and kept. Too much focus on being big. Its not that these churches aren't trying to proclaim the gospel the medium often overwhelms the message. And slowly but surely the method subtly begins to shape the message. Relevance without roots.
Mark Dever (Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, 11) – "The purpose of too many evangelical churches has fallen from one of glorifying god simply to growing larger, assuming that the goal, however achieved, must glorify God. One problem, theologically and even practically, with such a lowering of our vision is the self-defeating pragmatism that results: If the aim of the church is to grow, the way to do it is to make people feel good. And when people discover that there are other ways to feel good, they leave the church they no longer need. The relevant church is sowing the seeds of its own irrelevance, and losing its identity to boot."
D. Individualism – just Jesus and me. People see all the problems with the church and give up on it all together. Or they tailor their beliefs to fit themselves. My God…
One persons response to a Gallup poll on the church – "I am my own church"
The pluralistic, post-modern way of thinking.
Bruce Milne - "Scripture knows nothing of solitary religion. No one can be reconciled to God without being reconciled to the people of God among whom his experience of God's grace immediately sets him. Thus soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) is indissolubly bound up with ecclesiology (the doctrine of the church)."
The Emergent Church – Corporate Individualism
E. Elitism – thinking we are superior and lacking appreciation for the rest of the church and the church historic. Isolating ourselves from them.
The Pharisees were a elitist group with, at first, good intentions. Yes, we are a restoration church!!! One of the dangers of radicalism is elitism.
This can easily happen as we try to combat all the above.
Notes taken from an Ecclesiology class.
I meant to do this last week, but, well, I didn't.
Addiction is a Prison, but Wisdom Holds the Keys to Freedom
New Group Study Offers Hope to Addicts at the Crossroads of Recovery
To walk with an addict is both a gift and a grief. What begins as a temporary escape can become a permanent prison, engulfing the live of the addict and those who love them. Every addict eventually finds themselves at a crossroads, and in his newly released curriculum Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction, author Ed Welch states that the answer to addictions is found at the cross. 
In his newly released curriculum Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction, author Ed Welch reveals the common problem in the heart of every addict. "We are all cut from the same cloth. All of us, if we are truly honest, would have to acknowledge a familiarity with that tug of addictions," Welch states. "There is a lot of wanting in the human heart. The desire for drugs, alcohol, sex, and food are the more dramatic ones, but they aren't fundamentally different from our cravings for comfort, significance, relationship, money, love, and so on. Try to find one person who has successfully and consistently said no to any of those wants. You won't succeed."
Crossroads builds on the theological truths laid down in Welch's previous book Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave and was designed as a group study for those struggling with addiction. These ten steps, presented in Welch's trademark direct, no-nonsense style, provide a biblical framework for change. Welch is a wise and loving partner who walks beside readers on their journey to freedom. Along the way, they will learn to recognize the patterns of addiction, to choose wisdom over foolish desires, and to cling to the hope they have in Jesus, who sets captives free. The path away from addiction has been laid by a God who is full of surprises, who pursues them even as they have avoided Him.
Welch's definition of addiction as "voluntary slavery" distinguishes Crossroads from other recovery programs. Though many have approached the topic from a Christian perspective, most of the Christian literature currently available struggles to combine both the voluntary and enslaved aspects of addictions. "Some of the people who will work through this study will begin as those who love their addiction more than anything else-and there is a voluntary element that must be addressed there. Most resources usually emphasize the enslaved aspect, glossing over the voluntary nature of addiction in the process. My goal was to highlight both," Welch says.
In both the study guide and facilitators guide Welch guides leaders and addicts through the process of loving, connecting with, and speaking truth to each other. The facilitators guide contains helpful observations about the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual state common to most addicts. With access to Welch's solid theology of addiction and years of counseling experience, counselors, pastors, and others with a heart for hurting people can play an active role in God's restorative work in the lives of those enslaved to an addiction.
To learn more, visit newgrowthpress.com
Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney
My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Humility – Honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.
This is the first book I read in 2008. My biggest struggles in life stem from my pride; there is no way of getting around it. When I read in the opening paragraph, “Humility is a funny thing. On the one hand, it’s an extremely desirable trait. Most of us, as Christians, would say we want to be humble, right? Or at least WE WANT TO BE THOUGHT OF AS HUMBLE. At the same time, few of us have given attention to what being humble actually means” I knew I was in for a read that my flesh was going to absolutely hate and despise, but my Spirit would be refreshed by.
My plan is to re-read this book at the beginning of each year. I believe that ALL sin is rooted in pride, and it’s only in a pursuit of humility that pride can be properly dealt with. As the book says, “The real issue is not if pride exists in your heart; it’s where pride exists and how pride is being expressed in your life. Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: self-glorification”. And, just as I thought that I was getting what this book was saying I read, “Merely being inspired by the promise of humility or the meaning of true greatness is not sufficient; nor is it enough to also be educated about the perils of pride. If there’s ever to be meaningful transformation in our lives, if we are to make progress in restraining pride and manifesting humility, there must be the purposeful application of truth – an effort and pursuit on our part that God will use for sanctifying transformation in our lives”.
So, there you have it, my #1 book of 2008. At this rate, it might serve me as #1 for 2009 as well!
View all my reviews.
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp
My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Anything by Tripp is good, but this one is above them all.
I am always meeting with people, but not always do I feel like I have what it takes to meet with people. Does that make sense?
The core of this book is found in its title, "People in need of change helping people in need of change". This book is an outstanding resource and doesn’t seem like a 5 step solution to being the perfect counselor. My only regret is that I wasn't led to this resource sooner. Buy it, read it, apply it, use it!
View all my reviews.
Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World by C. J. Mahaney
My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
I CAN'T RECOMMEND THIS BOOK ENOUGH!!!!!!!
If there is a better book, talk, or movie on this subject, I've yet to ever hear of it. I'm still processing a lot of what I read in this book (which I will be blogging about at a later date) but God has used this book to expose my heart's desire for worldliness that I never knew exsisted.
Here's what I like about this book and what makes it different from most (if not all) on this subject. It is written with humility, is full of grace, and saturated with Scripture. If you are looking for a book that gives you the "approved listening, watching, and buying list for Christians", get another book because you're not going to find that here.
This book deals with the heart, exposes the wordliness inside of it, and by God's grace leads you through the process (notice not quick fix, but PROCESS) of tuning your heart to live a life centered by the cross of Christ.
I can't think of a better book for personal reading, small group discussion, for congregational reading, or a resource to give to another brother or sister that is struggling with this issue as you are in some way.
The people that God has brought together in Sovereign Grace Ministries are a blessing to me. I love that this book isn't authored by just one person, but rather is authored by several men who are in all kinds of different pastoral ledership situations. They are real with their sin and allow you to see the worldliness that still rests in their heart. This book is raw, honest, humbling, loving, and full of grace.
I will be buying a bunch of these books to hand out to folks in hopes that God would cultivate more of Himself in the people that explore this issue in their hearts. Thanks C.J. for your putting this project together, your humility, leadership, love for Jesus, and a great resource!
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The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller
My review
rating: 4 of 5 stars
I hope as many people as possible will read this book. I have bought several to give out to peeps, both Christians and non-Christians alike in hopes of just having additional conversation with both groups.
Tim Keller is an amazing pastor in NYC. I can't give this five stars b/c I'm not 100% on board with all his theology (His section on evolution for example). That said, his thoughts are very well laid out in a format of 2 sections:
Section 1 - The Leap of Doubt (doubts raised)
1. There can't be just ONE true religion
2. How could a good god allow suffering?
3. Chrisitanity is a straitjacket
4. The church is responsible for so much in justice
5. How can a loving God send people to hell?
6. Science has disproved Christianity
You can't take the Bible literally
Section 2 - The Reasons for Faith
8. The clues of God
9. The knowledge of God
10. The problem of sin
11. Religion and the Gospel
12. The (true) story of the cross
13. The reality of the resurrection
14. The dance of God
GOOD QUOTES FROM THE BOOK
Evil and Suffering Isn't Evidence Against God
It is a mistake, though an understandable one, to think that if you abandon belief in God it somehow makes the problem of evil easier to handle. God takes our misery and suffering SO seriously that He was willing to take it on Himself.
If you say all truth-claims are power plays, then so is your statement.
Freedom is not so much the absence of restrictions as finding the right ones, the liberating restrictions.
A central message of the Bible is that we can only have a relationship with God by sheer grace.
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
What strikes us as overly fanatical is actually a failure to be fully committed to Christ and His Gospel.
Those who believe goodness naturally feel that they and their devotion and moral goodness naturally feel that they and their group deserve deference and power over others. The God of Jesus and the prophets, however, SAVES COMPLETELY BY GRACE. He cannot be manipulated by religious and moral performance - He can only be reached through repentance, through the giving up of power.
We believe so deeply in our personal rights in this realm that the very idea of divine Judgement Day seems impossible. ...this belief is tied to a quest for control and power that has had terrible consequences in recent world history.
Anger isn't the opposite of love. Hate is, and the final form of hate is indifference... God's wrath is not a cranky explosion, but His settled opposition to the cancer... which is eating out the insides of the human race He loves with His whole being. -Beck Pippert, from the book "Hope Has It's Reasons"
I urge people to consider that their problem with some texts might be based on an unexamined belief in the superiority of their own historical moment over all others.
If you don't trust the Bible enough to let it challenge and correct your thinking, how could you ever have a personal relationship with God?
Only if your God can say things that outrage you and make you struggle (as in a real friendship or marriage!) will you know that you have gotten hold of a real God and not a figment of your imagination. So an authoritative Bible is not the enemy of a personal relationship with God. It is the precondition for it.
Jesus was the most moraly upright person who ever lived, yet He had a life filled with the experience of poverty, rejection, injustice, and even torture.
If I was saved by my good works then there would be a limit to what God could ask of me or put me through. I would be like a taxpayer with "rights" - I would have done my duty and now I would deserve a certain quality of life. But if I am a sinner saved by sheer grace - then there's nothing He cannot ask of me.
Repentance - Confessing the things besides God Himself that you have been relying on for your hop, significance, and security. That means we should repent not only for things we have done wrong but also for the motivations beneath our good works.
Christians are people who let the reality of Jesus change everything about who they are, how they see, and how they live.
View all my reviews.
Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be by Kevin DeYoung
My review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
A MUST READ!
Two thoughtful young guys with different styles, DeYoung (the pastor-theologian) and Kluck (the journalist)have teamed up to write a fair-minded, biblically grounded, insightful book. It's clear that they are not motivated by the desire to criticize, but rather by their love of the church as the body of Christ. -Justin Taylor
With careful observation, faithful handling of Scripture, and an eye for the ironic and absurd, DeYoung and Kluck have given us a feel for what attracts some to emerging churches and thoughts about why that's sometimes a very bad thing.
-Mark Dever
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