Discernment and anti-denominational church ads

For several months an ad has persistently appeared in the Charlottesville Daily Progress newspaper that reads in part:

Several families from the Charlottesville area have fully dedicated themselves to worship and actively work as a congregation according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles. We fully believe that the only answer to the denominational spirit which exists among professed Christians is to let the Bible constitute our only creed and drop all denominational names, titles, creeds, and organizations.

We have no desire to "found" a new church, but through faith understand that the Lord adds the saved to the church which he purchased with his own blood (Acts 2:47, 20:28). Since God and his Son are owners, we are content to be known as belonging to the church of God or the church of Christ. We will not be ashamed to wear the name that brings glory to our Savior and be known individually as Christians.

The families mentioned above have no intention of making the bigoted claim of being "the only Christians", but we do seek to go back to the Bible for every practice and therefore to be only what men of the first century were; that is, "Christians only".

I read a copy of this ad to the three college men I meet with each Monday morning for systematic theology study and then asked them what theological/spiritual problems this statement raises.

Here are a few problems we discussed at that time, along with some added reflections:

1. The ad assumes that "denominations" are necessarily bad. For a contradiction, see the audio of my teaching "Are Denominations Bad?"

2. The ad disparages the clear declaration of one’s Biblical faith in Confessions or Creeds. Do these men affirm the classical orthodox creeds that are drawn from—while being subservient to— the witness of Scripture? Would they affirm the doctrine of the Trinity? The Chalcedonian definition of the nature of Christ? The New Hampshire Confession’s affirmation of Scripture as "truth without any mixture of error"? If not, why?

3. The ad reflects a "purity" movement that presumes to restore primitive Christianity without any reference to the historical reality of the Christian movement since the time of the apostles, including the Reformation.

4. While disparaging "denominations" and "organizations" this movement clearly has some denominated beliefs. In addition, someone had to "organize" the placement of these ads. I do not blame them for this. The organization of a church is Biblical. Is being disorganized a more godly and faithful approach? Was Paul in error, for example, when he told Timothy to "set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders" in the church (Titus 1:5). Is the disparagement of clearly confessed beliefs and Biblical organization more a reflection of ancient (Biblical practice) or modern egalitarian and anti-authoritarian sentiments?

A little web research revealed that the ads are being placed by a local Church of Christ congregation (see the full ad here). With some study, one will find that the sentiments expressed are clearly consistent with the "Church of Christ" "denomination" begun by Alexander Campbell. Campbellites have some very distinct doctrinal beliefs that not all Christians will affirm. For example, they believe that one must be physically baptized in water in order to be saved (a form of baptismal regeneration). Christians shaped by the Reformation (whether they be Baptist or Presbyterian) will reject this as an affront to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, not by any human work (including baptism) lest any man boast (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

I would not want to attend a church that is unwilling to declare forthrightly what it believes about the doctrines the Bible teaches. A clear confession of faith—again not above but under the authority of Scripture—is the best safeguard against doctrinal error. After all, both Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses will quickly tell you they fully believe in everything the Bible teaches (the Mormons even affirm the KJV English translation exclusively!), but their doctrines are heterodox.

Since the ads continue to run, I assume that some folk must be responding. Let us echo Paul’s prayer for discernment:

NKJV Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Exposition of Jude: Part 2 of 25

This series is an occasional, verse-by-verse commentary on the book of Jude.

Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you (Jude 1:2).

After identifying the sender and the recipient, most of the letters in the New Testament begin with some kind of blessing or prayer for those who will read the epistle. In Paul’s letter to the Roman church, for example, he writes: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:7b). Jude 1:2 is a similar blessing. Jude is asking God to give three particular things to those who will read this letter: mercy, peace, and love.

First, he asks for mercy. What is mercy? Someone has said that "grace" is when we do get something we do not deserve, and "mercy" is when we do not get something that we do deserve. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). Jude is praying for his readers to be as merciful to each other as God in Christ has been to them.

Second, he asks for peace. The Greek word for "peace" is the root of our English word "irenic." Jude, likely a Jewish believer, would also have had in mind the Hebrew concept of shalom, wholeness and complete health. Jude is praying for his readers to avoid small-minded fractions and fissures and to be united.

Third, he asks for love. The word "love" is the great Christian word agape. It is the inclination of a Christian man towards his wife, rooted in the self-sacrificial, cruciform way that Christ loves the church (see Ephesians 5:25). It is the way God loves the world in Christ (John 3:16). Jude is praying for his readers to serve each other’s needs self-sacrificially, as God has loved us.

We should note that these blessings are directed to the whole body of believers, the called out ones (see v. 1). One of the tests of true Christian faith is whether or not we really want to bless the local body of believers to which we belong: "He who loves His brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in Him" (1 John 1:10).

Practical Application:

1. Have you been as merciful to someone whom you believe has wronged you as you would desire God to be toward you for the wrongs you have done against Him?
2. Have your words and actions contributed to peace among God’s people or division?
3. Have you put the needs of others (your family, your fellow church members, your fellow man) above your own?

JTR

Old Books and Interpreting History

I recently read J. A. Brendon’s The Ancient World (Glascow, Scotland: Blackie and Son, 1925). This popular-level work was written to teach British young people the basics of ancient history in the 1920s. I was struck by the presumption of and outright claim toward Christian and Western cultural superiority. Here are a few quotes:

1. On the ancient profundity of Mesopotamia in contrast to its contemporary poor agricultural condition:

"If the Tigris-Euphrates basin—Mesopotamia, "the land between the two rivers"—is now a desolate and barren country, that is because of the indolence of the Turks and Arabs, who have held it since the eleventh century of our era" (p. 17).

2. On the intellectual acumen of the ancient Greeks:

"Intellectually, however, the Greeks were supreme among the peoples of the ancient world, and to them we owe all, with the exception of Christianity, that is essential to our social and political life" (p. 117).

3. On the contrast between Greeks (West) and Turks (East):

"The Turks are a typical oriental people; and we have seen in our own times, wherever the Turk has ruled a blight has fallen on the land" (p. 117).

4. On the significance of the life of Jesus Christ in world history:

"In Judea, during the reign of Herod, occurred an event which has influenced human development more profoundly than any other event, before or since, in the history of mankind. That event was the birth of Jesus Christ" (p. 162).

Brendon’s The Ancient World is not a "Christian" text, but it flatly acknowledges the impact of Christianity. It would, no doubt, be dismissed today as imperial, colonial propaganda, but does it speak accurately about the impact of Christ and the difference he makes in the cultures he influences?

JTR

Paul Washer's Counsel for Young Men

This scene was typical last weekend at the end of each session with Paul Washer. A group of young men would gather around to ask questions about ministry, doctrine, and life.

Among some of the things Paul told these young men:

1. When you are young, do not worry so much about doing as about being. Work on developing your character. Spend time in disciplined reading of the Bible and good Christian books. The season of young manhood is one of preparation. Learn to be a man.

2. Submit yourself to membership in a local church. Find a church with a godly Pastor/Elders and sit under their shepherding.

3. Adolescence is a myth. Don’t try to prolong your childhood. Men don’t have time to play video games; they have to worry about paying the car insurance. Don’t engage in recreational dating. Don’t approach a girl about dating unless you intend marriage and are ready to be a man.

JTR

The Old Baptists, Revivals, and "the axe of discipline"

I’ve been reading through Robert Baylor Semple’s History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia (originally published in 1810; extended and revised by G. W. Beale in 1894).
I was struck by Semple’s description of what would happen in the aftermath of a season of spiritual revival or renewal among the early Baptists.

For example, of the October 13, 1792 meeting of the Dover Association at the Bruington meeting-house, Semple writes:

"By then it appeared that in the Dover District the harvest was past and the summer ended. Coldness and languor were generally complained of. The great revival had now subsided and the axe of discipline was laid at the root of the tree. Many barren and fruitless trees were already cut down. In many churches, the number excluded surpassed the number received. The Association, however, was full. Great crowds attended the preaching, and it was doubtless a happy season to God’s children" (p. 124).

In describing the history of the Grafton Church in York County, Semple explains:

"They had in the year 1805, under the united labors of Elders Gayle and Wood, one of the most heavenly revivals; not less than about 330 or 340 were baptized. After the revival they had a winnowing season. Many that seemed to be somewhat proved to be nothing. Yet there is still a large and respectable church" (p. 151).

The assumption seems to be that after a season of revival there would always be a season of "winnowing" or testing to see if the professions of faith were genuine. If there was no fruit, then "the axe of discipline was laid at the root of the tree." What can we learn about revivals and integrity from the old Baptists?

JTR

Washer Audio is Online

Wow! We just finished the weekend's series of meetings with Paul Washer and I feel both tired (physically) and refreshed (spiritually). In addition to our JPBC folk, we had out of town guests from Landover, Md; Greenville, NC; Dale City, Richmond, Newport News, and Lynchburg, VA.

We have the four audio sessions posted now on our sermonaudio site. Click here to listen. Warning: The audio on the first message ("I am under obligation") is a little distorted, but the problem is corrected in the other messages.

The message that stands out to me was Paul's gospel presentation on Saturday (click here).

JTR

The games people play

My friend Steve Hills was thoughful enough to send me this link, since he thought I might be interested in finding a new board game. I think I'll wait for the tv gameshow version....

JTR

Gospel Preaching Mission with Paul Washer

We are looking forward to this weekend's Gospel Preaching Mission at JPBC with Paul Washer of HeartCry Missionary Society. Paul will be here Friday-Saturday-Sunday (March 23-24-25). We had a few contacts from out of town folk who thought the evenings meetings were at 8:00 pm, as listed on the HeartCry website. The note has since been corrected. Paul will preach each evening at 6:00 pm and on Sunday morning at 10:45 am. We pray these meetings will be edifying to those in the faith and convicting to those outside.

JTR

Of Sabbaths and Spelling Bees

Below is our call to worship last Sunday (3/18/07) at JPBC:

When God listed the top ten principles for healthy human living, he included the command that we spend one day of seven with our focus on Him in worship. Exodus 20:8 says, "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy."

The March 10, 2007 issue of World magazine had an article about Elliot Huck, a 14 year old 8th grader in Indiana (see the World blog post here). In 2005 and 2006 Huck went to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D. C. after winning the regional contest sponsored by the Bloomington Herald-Times. His friends took to calling him "Spelliot." He was an odds on favorite to go to D. C. again this year, until it was announced by the Herald-Times that their 2007 championship was schedule for Sunday, March 4th. Elliot made the difficult decision not to compete in his last year of eligibility.

Why did he do this? God commands Christians to keep the Sabbath holy. Huck commented: "If I make exceptions to following God’s rules, even if it is only once, there will be more exceptions that will follow."

He added, "My chief purpose in spelling is to glorify God. My chief purpose in not spelling will be to glorify God."

JTR

The diligent use of scriptural means

Another quote from Bishop J. C. Ryle's Holiness (read the whole book here):

Sanctification, again, is a thing which depends greatly on a diligent use of scriptural means. When we speak of ‘means,’ I have in view Bible reading, private prayer, regular attendance on public worship, regular hearing of God’s Word and regular reception of the Lord’s Supper. I lay it down as a simple matter of fact, that no one who is careless about such things must ever expect to make much progress in sanctification. I can find no record of any eminent saint who ever neglected them. They are the appointed channels through which the Holy Spirit conveys fresh supplies of grace to the soul, and strengthens the work which He has begun in the inner man. Let men call this legal doctrine if they please, but I will never shrink from declaring my belief that there are no ‘spiritual gains without pains.’ I should soon expect a farmer to prosper in business who contented himself with sowing his fields and never looking at them till harvest, as expect a believer to attain much holiness, who was not diligent about his Bible reading, his prayers, and his use of his Sundays. Our God is a God who works by means, and He will never bless the soul of that man who pretends to be so high and spiritual that he can get on without them.

JTR

The harvest truly is plentiful

I recently read an article that listed Albemarle County, Virginia as the 13th most unchurched county in Virginia with 64.4% of the population claiming no religious affiliation.

The data was drawn from the Association of Religious Data Archives. Here's the info for Virginia, for the Charlottesville Metro region, and for Albemarle County.

"Jesus then said to his disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest'" (Matthew 9:37-38).

JTR

Exposition of Jude: Part 1 of 25

Note: I am beginning an occasional verse by verse exposition of the book of Jude, the next to last book in the New Testament.

Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: (Jude 1:1).

Jude is a polemical work. It is written for the purpose of defending the faith (see v. 3). In form it is a letter or epistle. Ancient letters usually begin by identifying the sender and the recipient. Jude 1:1 follows this form.

Who is the sender? He is "Jude (Greek: Ioudas), a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James."

The name Jude (or Judas) was common among first century Jews, especially after the exploits of Judas Maccabaeus (d. 160 B.C.), a patriot who had fought against Israel’s enemies. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, shared this name as did an early Christian prophet (see Acts 15:32). The name came from the tribe of Judah. It was a proud Hebrew name. The writer is a Jew.

Next, he calls himself "a bondservant (Greek: doulos) of Jesus Christ." He is a servant or slave of Jesus Christ. He is a man who has found true freedom by coming under the Lordship of Jesus. He has been saved, liberated from sin and eternal death. He has come to see Jesus of Nazareth as God’s Messiah (Christ). The writer is a Jewish Christian.

He also says he is "brother of James." Does he mean that James was his Christian brother, or his biological brother, or both? Who is James (Greek: Iakobos or "Jacob")? Most likely the James he refers to is the great leader of the early church in Jerusalem (see Acts 15:13; 21:18; Gal 2:9). This might also be the James who wrote the book by that name in the New Testament. Though direct reference is absent in the text itself, Christian tradition has suggested that not only were James and Jude biological brothers, but they were also the half-brothers of Jesus himself! In Matthew 13:55 the skeptics say of Jesus, "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James (Greek: Iakobos), Joses, Simon, and Judas (Greek: Ioudas)?" So, the sender is a Jewish Christian who may have been the half brother of Jesus himself.

Who are the recipients? No specific church or city is mentioned, but Jude writes to believers. He describes them as possessing three qualities. First, they are called. They have received an external call to believe in Jesus. They have responded to the effectual internal call to believe in Jesus as Lord. They are part of the ekklesia (church), the called-out ones. Second, they are sanctified by God the Father. They are in the process of being made holy or set apart by God. Third, they are preserved in Jesus Christ. They have the assurance that they will not ultimately fall away from the faith. Nothing can remove them from the Father’s hand (see John 10:29).

Practical application:

1. What does it say about Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah if even members of his own family recognized that claim as valid and became his bondservants?

2. Have you heard and responded to God’s call? Is he making you holy? Do you have the assurance that you are saved and that Jesus will preserve you in the faith?

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 3/7/07)

Bart Campolo's "Modest Proposal"

As a younger, moderate evangelical I enjoyed the preaching/teaching of Tony Campolo. I even heard him preach when he came to my college (Wake Forest) once. As God worked on me and drew me back to more traditional theology, I began to see problems with Campolo's social gospel and his light hold on the doctrine of scripture. When some of his more recent permissive views on homosexuality were revealed, I saw where the moderate trajectory inevitably leads--to compromise with Biblical fidelity.

Well, all that to say I ran across the website the other day for Campolo's son, Bart, also in "evangelical" inner city ministry and a frequent speaker at Baptist and evangelical events (he did a weekend of speaking a few year's ago at my wife's home church in NC).

There I read his 2/17 post titled "A Modest Proposal" in which he advocates not having children in the name of "environmental sustainability." Here's a section from the post:

So then, here is my somewhat less Draconian proposal: We United States taxpayers should offer $100,000 cash to any and all childless men and women between the ages of 18 and 40 who freely volunteers to be permanently sterilized. While we are at it, we might offer $50,000 to those with one child, and $25,000 to those with two. Regardless, the main point is simple: If that kind of fast money is enough to convince someone to forgo parenthood, they probably shouldn’t be having kids – or more kids – in the first place.

I find this to be not only incredibly disappointing from one who claims to be in Christ but also incredibly offensive. It denies the dominion mandate of Gen 1:27-28; the sovereignty of God; and uncritically accepts wordly thinking on "overpopulation." This kind of thinking seems more in line with communist China and its one-child-policy than with Biblical faith that values children. One wonders how Bart would feel if his parents had traded him for $100,000. For a corrective to Campolo check out the QuiverFull ministry website.

JTR

Update on Elder/Deacon seminar with Sam Waldron

Brian Davis and I from JPBC went to the Elder/Deacon seminar at Covenant RBC in Warrenton on Saturday (3/3/07). Sam Waldron taught on the 1689 Baptist Confession.

Session I: Why the local church should use the 1689 confession.

Here Waldron shared his critique of Shawn Wright's 9 Marks Newsletter article discouraging the use of the 1689 as a local church confession. Waldron argued that full sbuscription is not needed for new and immature members in 1689 churches; however, full subscription is required for elders.

Session II: Current challenges to the 1689 confession.

Waldron adressed New Covenant theology and the New Perspective on Paul.

We enjoyed checking out the well put together Covenant bookshop while at the seminar and received gracious hospitality from Pastor Steve and his members.

JTR

Pastor Greg Barkman coming to 2007 Evangelical Forum

We have recently confirmed our second plenary speaker for the 2007 annual meeting of the Evangelical Forum which will be October 5-6, 2007 (Friday-Saturday) at JPBC. Joining Dr. Michael Haykin in addressing "Baptists and the Bible" will be Greg Barkman, Pastor of Beacon Baptist Church, an independent Baptist congregation in Burlington, NC (Listen to some of Pastor Barkman's preaching/teaching here). This is a strong line-up of speakers and we hope many of you will be able to join us.

JTR

Follow Up Thoughts on Unitarians and Neo-Pagans

A few follow-up points on the recent conversations here concerning Unitarianism, Neo-Paganism and Evangelical Christianity:

Lonnie, NatureSpirit leader and frequent contributor here, complained that the JPBC discussion on Unitarian-Universalism (sorry for just using the first U of the UU in previous posts!) falsely charged that all UUs were social liberals and were pro-abortion. He said:

I think you've rather blatantly misinterpreted Unitarian Universalist beliefs (note, I didn't say "Unitarian"). First of all, you assume that religiously liberal necessarily means politically liberal. That's not always true, even if it is often the case. For example, one of my close friends at the church is openly Pro Life.

Granted that all UUs do not believe the same thing. In defense, I would say I was going by what I read on the UU website. The UU has taken numerous pro-abortion stands through the years. See the women's rights page of the UU website which lists pro-abortion resolutions in 1963, 1968, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987. Furthermore, the 1987 clearly states:

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That we reaffirm the right to choose contraception and abortion as a legitimate expression of our constitutional rights.

Despite Lonnie's protest and his testimony of at least one Pro-Life UU member, the official position of that non-creedal body is clearly to support abortion. The research here can be applied to other social issues simply by searching the UU website. So, yes, liberal religion does necessarily lead to liberal politics.

Next, I think those reading the discussion will find Lonnie's post today (Are NeoPagans the New Transcendentalists?) on his blog to be of interest. For one thing it sounds like the whole flyer episode created some controversy in the local UU concerning the Neo-Pagan subgroup. Lonnie also acknowledges that Neo-Paganism in the UU is a bit tamer than in other quarters. He states:

Truth be told, most UU Pagans are far more moderate than many other outside groups. For example, it is not unusual for me to attend a Reclaiming event, and have it be clothing optional, but I think its rather clear you'd never see that sort of thing at a UU Pagan group. Nonetheless, the same ideas espoused by Walt Whitman and other Transcendentalists are still quite radical today, and while other UU's might find them interesting reading or philosophically worthwhile, they may not be willing to follow them as literally as many modern NeoPagans do. So while Whitman may have praised the merits of nudity, poly amory, and biocentric equality, you'll still find these ideas to be radical in practice within a UU Congregation. If that's not enough, UU Congregations have leaned increasingly Humanistic over recent years. Pagans are often not only theists but polytheists. We also don't make any appologies for anthropomorphizing nature, indeed we almost flaunt it.

Back in the day, well known Transcendentalists like Thomas Wentworth Higginson and Theodore Parker were kicked out of Unitarian Churches because of their radical ideas about abolition and women's rights. As a parallel, I've witnessed several CUUPS Chapters have a falling out with their parent congregation then disolve. Apparently, the problem is big enough that CUUPS even has a whole guide published on how to maintain a good relationship with your congregation. Our group, NatureSpirit, has done a reasonable job over the six years of our existence of avoiding conflict; however, our success has also made us more daring. I think now that some of our members are more willing to take on works of activism and publicly speak their views, I think life will get a little more challenging. Of course, I'm also learning that conflict isn't always something to be avoided. Sometimes it is only in conflict that we can be truly honest with each other. I can only hope that like our Transcendentalist ancestors that Neopagans can somehow find a way to maintain our connection to UU's, and that our fellow UU's will be patient with us until we figure out how our thealogy can be reconciled after all.

Hmmh? I wonder if our local public school officials knew that Neo-Paganism sometimes includes things like clothing optional "Reclaiming events," "poly-amory," and "biocentric equality" in its "thealogy"? I'll let my readers judge whether our discussion at JPBC on both Unitarianism and Neo-Paganism was accurate, as well as whether or not it makes any difference if the local school board allows Neo-Pagans equal access in sending home flyers in public schools alongside Baptists and Methodists in the name of religious tolerance and diversity.

JTR

What do you say to a Neo-Pagan?

Wednesday before last (2/21/07), I followed up my teaching on Unitarianism (see my blog post here) with an interactive teaching on Neo-Paganism (listen to the audio here). Below is the outline from our study:

What do you say to a Neo-Pagan?
JPBC February 21, 2007
Jeff Riddle

I. Definitions and Background:

II. Two main categories:

1. Reconstructionists: "Pre-Christian."

2. Modernists: "Post-Christian."

III. Historical Background:

1. Religion before the time of Christ.

2. The triumph of Christianity (see Acts 14:8-20; 17:22-34; 19:23-28; Letter of Pliny).

3. Julian the Apostate, ruled Rome 361-63.

4. The long slumber of Paganism.

5. American Primitivism.

a. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82).
b. Henry David Thoreau (1817-62).

6. British Romanticism.

7. The 1960s.

8. Living in a Post-Christian world.

IV. Beliefs:

1. Worship of Nature: Pantheism, Panentheism, Animism

2. Man is divine.

3. Presumed superiority of pre-Christian religions to Christianity.

V. What do you say to a Neo-Pagan?

1. If Paganism was such a superior religion/spirituality why do you think Christianity was able to spread so widely, so quickly in the ancient world?

2. Is modern Neo-Paganism anything like ancient paganism?

3. How do the capricious ancient gods compare with the God of the Bible?

4. If everyone creates his own gods, what happens to order in life and society?

5. What does the Bible say about stewardship of the earth?

VI. Closing thoughts:

1. The example of Athenagoras (c. 133-190) and his "Plea for Christians."

2. G. K. Chesterton: "When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing—they believe in anything."

Note: We only made it through point III the first night. I finished off the outline last night (2/28/07) but did not get it recorded. We got a little giddy in discussing some of the bizarre aspects of Neo-Paganism but tried to bring it around to the serious and sobering realities at the end. Last night we began our study by reading this humbling passage from Paul:

NKJ 1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

JTR

Reformed Baptist Fellowship blog

My friend Steve Clevenger tipped me off to the new Reformed Baptist Fellowship blog. The contributors in this collaborative effort include Richard Barcellos (see my review of his In Defense of the Decalogue), Sam Waldron, James White, and Jim Savastio, among others. There are already some good posts up, and I look forward to checking in from time to time to read more.

JTR

The Lord's Supper

Below are a few excerpts from the study material for JPBC 101 (Unit Six: What are the Ordinances?) which we offer for new members and attendees at JPBC to understand better our church’s doctrine and practice.

What is the Biblical view of the Lord’s Supper?

The Lord’s Supper was established by Jesus himself on the night that he was betrayed. The Gospels tell us how Jesus gathered in an upper room with his disciples to celebrate the Passover meal (see Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22). In the midst of this "last supper" with his disciples, however, Jesus transformed the meal into a symbolic anticipation of his sacrifice on the cross. He declared that the bread represented his body and the cup represented his blood (see Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20). He also commanded that the disciples continue to celebrate this meal "in remembrance of me."

We know that the early Christians were, in fact, obedient to Jesus’ command. Paul describes the observance of the Lord’s Supper in the church at Corinth (see 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:17-34). Some Christians refer to the Lord’s Supper as "communion," while others prefer the Biblical phrase "Lord’s Supper" (1 Corinthians 11:20).

Who can participate?

As with baptism, the New Testament seems to reveal that the proper participants in the Lord’s Supper are those who are already believers and members of a local church body (thus baptized believers). Paul rhetorically asks, "The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16). Therefore, children of believers who have not yet professed faith in Christ and been obedient to baptism and non-believers should not participate in the Lord’s Supper. Paul warns that anyone who takes the Supper in an unworthy manner "will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:27) and may face dire consequences (vv. 29-30).

Who hosts the Lord’s Supper?

The New Testament also teaches that the proper host of the Lord’s Supper is the local church. Paul tells the believers in Corinth about proper observance of the Supper "when you come together" (1 Corinthians 11:20, 33). This does not mean that only the members of a local church can take the Supper. That view is sometimes called "close (or ‘closed’) communion." Baptized believers who are visiting in a local church that is not their own are certainly welcomed to the table. This does mean, however, that the Lord’s Supper is not a private or individual event. It is hosted only under the authority of a local church. The Lord’s Supper symbolizes our commitment to Christ and to a local body of believers. This is why it is especially important that every member of the church try to be present at those times when the Lord’s Supper is being served.

What does the Lord’s Supper mean?

Some have taken the words of Jesus literally when he said, "This is my body," and "this is my blood." This view, however, misses Jesus’ point. He often used symbolic language. Jesus also said, "I am the door" (John 10:7, 9) and "I am the vine" (John 15:5), but we hardly take these words literally. In like manner, when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper he meant these words to be taken symbolically. The bread is like his body; the cup is like his blood. When we take the bread and cup, we remember the death of Jesus on the cross. We recall that he died for us. We are also challenged to take up our cross and follow him (see Luke 9:23).

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 11 of two important things about the Lord’s Supper. First, it is a festival of self-examination. Before we take the Supper we should examine ourselves closely. "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (11:28). The Lord’s Supper is a time for taking spiritual inventory of our lives. We ask deep within, "How closely am I walking with the Lord?" Second, it is a time to remember and proclaim Jesus. Paul said, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes" (11:26).

See you this Sunday as we observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper in morning worship.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 2/27/07)

Baptist Identity and the "Angry Young Men" of the SBC

I am working my way through listening to the audio sessions from the "Baptist Identity II" Conference at Union University (held Feb 15-17, 2007). Very interesting discussion. Greg Thornbury (pictured above) gave his address on the "The 'Angry Young Men' of the SBC" (listen here), discussing the impact of bloggers on the SBC. Good analogy drawn from Wired Magazine's feature on what's expired, tired, and wired. So, according to Thornbury:

What's expired? Baptist programs;

What's tired? Baptist battles;

What's wired? Baptist basics (doctrine, regenerate church membership, etc).

I also found Mike Day's message on "The Future of Baptist Associations and State Conventions" (listen here) to be of interest in light of the development of the Evangelical Forum. Day discusses the emergence of non-geographical affinity groups in place of traditional associations and state conventions.

For the other audio presentations from folk like LifeWay's Thom Rainer, Paige Patterson, and David Dockery, look here.

JTR

Beware of Lot's choice!

J. C. Ryle (1816-1900) was the evangelical Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, England. Ryle wrote the spiritual classic Holiness (read the book online here). One essay in that work is titled "Lot – a beacon." At one point, Ryle examines Lot’s poor decision to settle in the well-watered plain of Jordan, near the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (see Genesis 13:10). While Abraham settled in Canaan, "Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom" (v. 12). Ryle observes: "Make a wrong choice in life, an unscriptural choice, and settle yourself down unnecessarily in the midst of wordly people, and I know no surer way to damage your own spirituality, and to go backward about your eternal concerns." He warns, "Beware of Lot’s choice!" then makes application to several key decisions in life:

a. Remember this in choosing a dwelling place or residence. It is not enough that the house is comfortable, the situation good, the air fine, the neighborhood pleasant, the rent or price small, the living cheap. There are other things yet to be considered. You must think of your immortal soul. Will the house you think of help you toward heaven or hell? Is the gospel preached within an easy distance? Is Christ crucified within reach of your door? Is there a real man of God near, who will watch over your soul? I charge you, if you love life, not to overlook this. Beware of Lot’s choice.

b. Remember this in choosing a calling, a place, or profession in life. It is not enough that the salary is high, the wages good, the work light, the advantages numerous, the prospects of getting on most favorable. Think of your soul, your immortal soul. Will it be fed or starved? Will it be prospered or drawn back? Will you have your Sundays free and be able to have one day in the week for your spiritual business? I beseech you, by the mercies of God, to take heed what you do. Make no rash decision. Look at the place in every light, the light of God as well as the light of the world. Gold may be bought too dear. Beware of Lot’s choice.

c. Remember this in choosing a husband or wife, if you are unmarried. It is not enough that your eye is pleased, that your tastes are met, that your mind finds congeniality, that there is amiability and affection, that there is a comfortable home for life. There needs something more than this. There is a life yet to come. Think of your soul, your immortal soul. Will it be helped upwards or dragged downwards by the union you are planning? Will it be made more heavenly or more earthly, drawn nearer to Christ or to the world? Will its religion grow in vigor, or will it decay? I pray you, by all your hopes of glory, allow this to enter into your calculations. "Think," as old Baxter said, and "think, and think again," before you commit yourself. "Be not unequally yoked" (2 Cor. 6:14). Matrimony is nowhere named among the means of conversion. Remember Lot’s choice.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 2/20/07)

Hymn Singing, Cyberhymnal, and Family Worship

Just finished reading John Blanchard and Dan Lucarini's Can We Rock the Gospel? (Evangelical Press, 2006). Hope to post a review soon (for my review of Lucarini's Why I Left The Contemporary Christian Music Movement, look here). It just confirms the value of solid hymnody over rock inspired contemporary Christian music.

We were discussing singing hymns in Family Worship yesterday in our "Family Foundations" Sunday School class at JPBC, and a friend suggested the use of Cyberhymnal. I was not aware of this resource. It is pretty awesome. For those who cannot read or play music, you can find your hymn by title and listen to the tune in addition to finding extra verses in some hymns.

In our family devotions, we have been using the "Christ-centered Hymns" booklet, cheaply published by Chapel Library. It has been great singing some of these classic old hymns with our children. Some of their favorites:

"Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted"

"When I Can Read My Title Clear"

"How Sweet and Awful"

Note: The above hymn links may shift as time goes by and their internal set up on Cyberhymnal changes.

JTR

Wilberforce on Unitarianism

As a young man, newly converted to Christ, William Wilberforce (1759-1833) devoted himself to two life goals: the end of slavery and the reformation of manners. God chose to achieve much good through this one man’s life.

In his book "Real Christianity," Wilberforce also addressed the rise of Unitarianism in Britain [which was at the time much more "Protestant" than is its contemporary manifestation]:

The Unitarian teachers by no means claim to absolve their followers from the unbending strictness of Christian morality. They prescribe love for God that dominates all life and a habitual spirit of devotion. However, people who seek a refuge in this form of faith seem to go there because they want a watered-down sort of faith; they want the joys of Christianity without the difficult doctrines. In particular, most of them seem to want to escape the Bible’s command to be separate from the world, a unique and special people. They prefer to remain at one with the world’s philosophies….

Christianity has not gone to the same efforts to promote its arguments that the Unitarians have. If they were attacked as they have attacked orthodoxy, and asked to defend their tenets, I doubt they would be able to keep their ground so well. In short, we can find no watered-down alternative to Christianity that can be rationally supported. If we have abandoned Christianity, then we must logically abandon all its forms. We must abandon any hope we have of finding the comfort of faith without its demands.

(As quoted in Lon Fendall, William Wilberforce: Abolitionist, Politician, Writer [Barbour, 2002]: 193-95).

Wilberforce, "Amazing Grace," and the end of slavery

The older I get (and the more conservative my theology becomes), the less interest I have in movies. I am, however, planning to go see the new film "Amazing Grace" based on the life of William Wilberforce and his fight to end slavery in the British Empire. It opens February 23.

This morning there was an interesting interview with Adam Hochschild, author of Bury the Chains on NPR's Weekend Edition in light of the movie's release and the 200th anniversary of Britain's abolition of slavery. Hochschild's affirmation of the new film was tepid to say the least. Oddly enough, he nearly completely ignored speaking about Wilberforce (arguing instead for slave revolts in the West Indies and a British populist movement as bringing the end of slavery). He also seemed intent on besmirching the legacy of John Newton. The interview is titled "Ending Salvery in Britain: A Shifting View of History." Indeed, there seems to be a move afoot to erase the evangelical Christians roots of the abolitionist movement (couched in terms of eliminating British colonial self-congratulation; listen to an earlier interview on NPR with Hochschild here when Bury the Chains was released). For a corrective to Hochschild, see Rodney Starks' account of the end of slavery in For the Glory of God.

JTR

What do you say to a Unitarian?

I've posted the audio for last week's midweek study at JPBC on Unitarians in our evangelism and apologetics series. Below is the outline for the study:

What do you say to a Unitarian?
JPBC February 14, 2007
Jeff Riddle

I. Definitions: What is Unitarianism?

II. Historical Backgrounds:

• Monarchianism.
• Arianism.
• Michael Servetus (1511-53).
• Faustus Socinus (1539-1604).
• John Biddle (1615-62).
• American Unitarian Association formed in 1825.
• In 1961 they merged with the Universalist Association of America to form the Unitarian-Universalist Association.

III. Beliefs:

1. Reason and conscience as authority, vis-à-vis the Bible.
2. Complete religious toleration.
3. The innate goodness of man.
4. Universal salvation.
5. Liberal social agenda. Examples: Pro homosexual behavior/marriage; anti-war, etc.

IV. What do you say to a Unitarian?

1. What does the Bible teach about God?

The Bible teaches the Trinity.

Examples: (1) Baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3; (2) Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20; (3) Acts 2:32-33; (4) Romans 1:2-3; (4) 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Does the Unitarian view do justice to Jesus’ own self-understanding?

Compare the claims Jesus made for himself. See:
John 10:30: "I and My Father are one."
John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
Luke 5:17-26: "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (v. 21).

Does the Unitarian view do justice to the early Christian view of Jesus?
See "Jesus is Lord" (Rom 10:9; 1 Cor 12:3).

See the warning against those who do not preach Jesus properly: 1 John 4:1-3; 5:1, 9-13.

2. Does it make sense to say that all religions deserve equal toleration and consideration?

3. If men are innately good, then why is there so much human evil in the world?

4. If all men meet the same eternal destiny what does this say about the justice of God?

5. Can we ever hope to solve all the world’s problems apart from God’s complete and final intervention?

Book Recommendation: Pinocchio

My wife had my son Sam read Pinocchio in home-school last year and I finally got around to reading it myself.

The journalist Carlo Lorenzi, who went by the pen name Carlo Collodi, wrote a fairy tale about a mischievous wooden puppet that was serialized in an Italian newspaper in 1881-1882. The book Pinocchio was published in Italian in 1883, and an English translation appeared in 1892. The Disney movie in 1940 popularized the work but omitted a lot of the compelling moral lessons.

At the end of Lorenzi’s story, the wayward Pinocchio learns to obey his elders, to keep his word, to work hard, and to think of others above himself. As he drifts off to sleep, the Blue Fairy appears to him in a dream and says:

Brave Pinocchio! In return for your good heart I forgive you all your past misdeeds. Children who love their parents, and help them when they are sick and poor, are worthy of praise and love, even if they are not models of obedience and good behavior. Be good in the future, and you will be happy.

When he awakes in the morning, Pinocchio finds he is a real boy and exclaims, "How ridiculous I was when I was a puppet! And how happy I am to have become a real boy!"

What a great book for a child (or adult) to read!

JTR

Winter Reflections

"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease" (Genesis 8:22).

"You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter" (Psalm 74:17).

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13).

As I write we are in the midst of a cold snap. All the complaining about warm winters is over. It is keep-your-pets-indoors, wear-layers-of-clothing, see-your-breath-in-a-fog-before-your-face COLD!

When Noah and his family emerged from the ark after the flood, the Lord made a promise to mankind: "I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done" (Gen 8:21). Then, as a reminder of this, the Lord promised the constancy of the seasons. As long as there is seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night, we know that there is a covenant God.

This account reminds me of Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:13: "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." Just as the preservation of the earth does not depend on God’s approval of human conduct, so our salvation does not depend on God’s approval of our human efforts at faithfulness. If we are saved and persevere in the faith, all the glory goes to God alone. "If [read "when"] we are faithless, He remains faithful." Now this is not to make any excuses for slackness in our behavior. The redeemed man will strive to live a godly life. This word humbles us and it gives us hope.

So, when it gets cold outside or the snow starts to fall, consider for a moment a faithful Creator God who has entered into a covenant with unfaithful men whose hearts are evil from youth. Remember also that the same God who is faithful to give us winter and summer is also faithful to keep those who are saved in Christ.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 2/6/07)

Michael Haykin coming to JPBC in October 2007

We just got confirmation yesterday that Michael Haykin, Principal of the Toronto Baptist Seminary and noted Baptist church historian, will be coming to JPBC October 5-6, 2007 (Friday-Saturday). Dr. Haykin will be one of the plenary speakers for the annual Evangelical Forum meeting which will be hosted at JPBC. More details TBA as the date approaches.

Winter 2007 Evangelical Forum Newsletter

Brian Davis has just posted the Winter 2007 issue of the Evangelical Forum Newsletter (volume 4, number 1). Click here to read. Bonnie Beach is working to get the hard copy edition in the mail later this week.

Grace, JTR

Great Post-Super Bowl Quote

We had no Super Bowl party at JPBC last night, though we did meet for worship and study of Leviticus 12 on the Rules for Purification after childbirth.

I liked the quote from winning Colt's coach Tony Dungy that I read in the Daily Progress this morning as the media was hounding him after the game for a sound byte on being the first African-American coach to win the Super Bowl:

"I'm proud to be the first African-American to win this.... But again more than anything, Lovie Smith [the Bears' coach] and I are not only African-American but also Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that."

JTR

Happy Birthday Stylos!

This blog turned one year old back on January 19. My first post was "The 2006 Golden Globes: Hollywood and the Homosexual Agenda" (look here for the January 2006 archive). The present post is the 176th.

The most comments (53 to date) on any post came on the one back on December 2, 2006 (Happy Holidays? Pagan Evangelism). It got quoted in the local Charlottesville weekly, The Hook (see here), was linked on a multitude of progressive blogs (which led to all the comments--just google it), and was even quoted in the December 17 Virginian-Pilot newspaper (look here).

At one point I was considering ending the blog on its one year anniversary, but I guess I'll keep plugging along for now.

Thanks to those who read and join in the conversation.

JTR

The Patience of the Saints

"Here is the patience and faith of the saints" (Revelation 13:10).

"Here is the patience of the saints" (Revelation 14:12).

In reading again through Revelation, the last book of the Christian canon, I was reminded of the comfort and assurance God gives to those who follow the Lamb. Though Revelation describes many evil things, both things present and still to come, things like the wickedness of the beast and his false prophet, it also reminds us that God will ultimately triumph in the end. Good will defeat evil; Christ will overcome Satan; death will be swallowed up with life.

At several points, John points to "the patience and faith of the saints." The believer is given patience—rooted in his faith in Jesus Christ—for enduring trials. What trials are you facing? Have you been sick? Do you fear death? Just last week I got an email from a Pastor in South Carolina who has been a close family friend. The email told me how he had just received word that his 33 year old son had died suddenly leaving behind a wife and infant child. Truly, no man knows his time (Ecclesiastes 9:12). Are you frightened by the world’s wars and rumors of war? Are you worried that you might not be able to get your bills paid this month? Do you fear for the waywardness of a son or daughter? Have you lost fellowship with a Christian friend? Are there moments of bewilderment and even despair?

Christian, hear the comfort of Scripture. God’s hands are firmly on the steering wheel of the universe. God will triumph over evil in the end. Nothing can take you out of his hands (John 10:29). Look at how God takes care of birds and plants, and "Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26).

"Here is the patience and faith of the saints."

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 1/31/07)

In Zeus They Trust

An AP story the other day reported that a group of modern pagans reinstituted worship of Zeus in Athens for the first time since the 4th century AD.

The comments of these neo-pagans sound more like those of politically correct moderns than what you might read from Zeus' faithful in Homer.

Apparently "ecological awareness" was key for the Greeks. The modern hymns of praise to Zeus stressed "the brotherhood of man."

One leader concluded: "We do not believe in dogmas and creeds, as other religions do. We believe in freedom of thought."

What was it G. K. Chesteron said? "When people stop believing in God [the God of the Bible], they don't believe in nothing--they believe in anything." When Paul, the Jew who had come to believe in Jesus as Messiah, came to ancient Athens, he said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things, you are very religious.... Therefore, the one whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you" (Acts 17:22-23). He proceeds to preach Jesus crucified and raised and coming as Judge. The crowd mocked Paul but at least two hearers--Dionysius and Damaris--were converted to faith in Jesus (see v. 34).

JTR

Reading suggestion: The Swiss Family Robinson

Al Mohler has a good post today on declining literacy among young people.

Looking for a good book to read on Christian family or an entertaining book to recommend to an older child? Check out Johann Wyss’ classic, The Swiss Family Robinson (make sure you get hold of an unabridged version!). The Disney movie, only loosely based on the book, of course, eliminated all the spiritual and explicitly Christian elements. Wyss’ tale of a Swiss family (father, mother, and four sons) shipwrecked on a deserted island is really a story about Christian family. The father (a pastor) is a wise spiritual leader who defends the family, teaches his young sons to be resourceful and good, and frequently leads his family in prayer and devotions.

After ten years on the island, the father reflects on their circumstances:

The shade of sadness cast on my mind by retrospect of this kind was dispelled by thoughts full of gratitude to God, for the welfare and happiness of my beloved family during so long a period. I had cause especially to rejoice in seeing our sons to manhood, strengthened by early training for lives of usefulness and activity wherever their lot might fall.

And my great wish is that young people who read this record of our lives and adventures should learn from it how admirably suited is the peaceful, industrious, and pious life of a cheerful, united family to the formation of strong, pure, and manly character.

JTR

The Spiritual Discipline of Reading

We live in a world in which the visual image dominates. Christians, however, are a people of the Book. God has given us His truth in Scripture. We are to take it up and read. As Paul urged Timothy, "Till I come, given attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (1 Tim 4:13).

Let me take this opportunity to urge our church body to take up the discipline of reading through the Bible over the course of the next twelve months. It is not too late to take up this resolution. Begin reading three chapters a day. Or, read five chapters per day at least five of seven days in a week. Bible intake is essential to our growth in Christ.

If reading the whole Bible seems daunting, make it your personal goal to read at least through the entire New Testament. Begin in Matthew and read through to the end of Revelation. Put a book mark in your Bible and register your progress.

Our first priority in reading is the Word of God. There is no substitute for this. In addition (as a supplement and not a replacement!) begin the discipline of reading good Christian literature. In an 1863 sermon on Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to "bring the books, but especially the parchments" (2 Tim 4:13), famed London preacher Charles Spurgeon urged believers to pursue the discipline of reading:

You need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible. We are quite persuaded that the very best way to be spending your leisure is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service. Paul cries, "Bring the books"—join in the cry.

Beware of just picking up any book off the shelf at the Christian bookstore. In general, avoid works on the current Christian bestsellers. We have some good books for sale at JPBC by the side entrance. We have also set up a table with various Christian tracts and booklets in the sanctuary offered at no cost. These include evangelistic tracts, devotional, doctrinal, and family works. Next time you are at church, pick up something to read that will feed and grow you in Christ.

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

(Evangel article 1/24/07)

Christian meets Ignorance

It is truly amazing to see how John Bunyan, writing Pilgrim’s Progress from the Bedford Jail, was able so astutely to analyze the human heart and anticipate so many of the false paths while illuminating the true.

As Christian leaves the Delectable Mountains on the highway towards the city, he meets with "a brisk lad" whose name is Ignorance. Ignorance is a man who strives to be religious and live a good life, but who is ignorant of the fact that one is only saved through Christ alone (Solus Christus).

Christian learns that Ignorance is heading for the Celestial City, but this man has not begun his journey by passing through the "Wicket-gate."

Christian asks how Ignorance hopes to enter the gates of the Celestial City without the parchment given those who pass through the Wicket-gate:

Christian: "But how do you think to get in at the gate, for you may find some difficulty there?"

Ignorance: "As other good people do."

Christian: "But what have you to show at the gate, that may cause that the gate should be opened to you?"

Ignorance: "I know my Lord’s will, and I have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I pray, fast, pay tithes, and given alms, and have left my own country for whither I am going."

Christian: "But thou camest not in at the Wicket-gate that is at the head of this way; thou camest in hither through that same crooked lane, and therefore, I fear, however thou mayest think of thyself, when the reckoning day shall come, thou wilt have laid to thy charge that thou art a thief and a robber, instead of getting admittance to that city."

Ignorance: "Gentlemen, ye be utter strangers to me; I know you not: be content to follow the religion of your country and I will follow the religion of mine. I hope all will be well. And as for the gate you talk of, all the world knows that that is a long way off of our country. I cannot think that any man in all our parts doth so much as know the way to it; nor need they matter whether they do or no, since we have, as you see, a fine pleasant green lane, that comes down from our country the next way into the way."

Seeing that Ignorance is "wise in his own conceit" Christian and Hopeful discuss how they are to respond. Hopeful concludes with this verse:

"Let Ignorance a little while now muse
On what is said, and let him not refuse
Good counsel to embrace, lest he remain
Still ignorant of what’s the chiefest gain
God saith, Those that no understanding have,
(Although he made them) them he will not save."

JTR

Racism is Sin

Acts 17:26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

The passing of another Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday brings reflection on the Biblical view of the relationship between people of different ethnic groups. The Bible speaks of a person’s nation (ethnos) rather than "race."

When Paul preached on the Areopagus (Mar’s Hill) in ancient Athens, he reminded the cultured Gentiles that the God of the Bible is the God of the nations: "And he has made from one blood every nation (ethnos) of men to dwell on all the face of the earth…."

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul says that for those who have put on Christ, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (3:28).

What matters is not the ethnos to which you belong in the flesh but whether or not you have been made part of the "holy nation (ethnos)" composed of those called "out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9). Have you by grace through faith come to know Christ? This is what matters.

When Southern Baptists revised our confession, the Baptist Faith and Message, in 2000, an article was added that addressed "The Christian and the Social Order." Included was this line: "In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography."

Though in this age there remain differences among men in language, cultures, and customs, what matters now is whether or not we are in Christ. Let us put racism behind us and preach the gospel to all nations!

Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

Answering a Friendly Challenge: What Do I Have in Common with a Neo-Pagan?

Several weeks ago Lonnie, from the NatureSpirit group posted a comment on my blog, offering a "friendly challenge." Here is the last paragraph of that post:

Okay... so we disagree. That's not exactly unexpected. Where do we go from here? Or do we simply abandon dialogue altogether? You've suggested some books, and I might have some suggested books as well, that I'd wish you to read. Knowing how busy I suspect both of us are, I sincerely doubt we have the time to get through each other’s reading lists. I did however go back and reread the Bible verses that you referenced (and I concede that the "rocky ground" metaphor might possibly apply, since I was but a youth when exposed to Christianity). So... instead I offer a friendly challenge. I would ask that you write an entire blog entry about only the points we seem to agree upon. I will then do the same (although I don't currently have a blog, I can make one, or find an appropriate community forum). If this is successful, then maybe we can take things a step further. I have little power over our group (being non-hierarchical and all) but I am willing to take this dialogue further if that's of interest to you. If not, then I wish you well.

Respectfully,Lonnie

Lonnie, I do appreciate and respect the tone in which you have entered this dialogue. I also very much appreciate the fact that you were willing to read the Biblical texts I suggested to you for interpreting your previous spiritual experiences.

So, the challenge is for me to post "the points we seem to agree upon."

From a worldview perspective, I think it will be hard to find things we agree upon. I am a conservative, evangelical Christian who believes in the full authority (inerrancy) of Scripture. You are a self-described Neo-pagan. We do not agree on epistemology (how do we know what is true), theology (who God is), anthropology (who man is), Christology (who Christ is), soteriology (salvation), or ethics (what is just, right, and good).

I would sum up our agreement, however, in this: We both believe that no one should force another person to engage in a religious practice or belief against his or her conscience. I would not, for example, attempt to make you a "Christian" at the point of a sword and hope that you would not attempt to make me a neo-pagan by the same means.

Now, I do believe there is much that we have in common (though perhaps we would not agree about this). Here are the things I believe we have in common:

1. We are both human beings made in the image of God and, therefore, have a God-given dignity and value, merely by virtue of our humanity (see Genesis 1:27).

2. We are both sinners. As Paul put it: "All sin and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We have sinned against a holy and righteous God. We inherited our sin nature from our first parents, Adam and Eve. We are sinners from the moment of conception, even before we commit actual transgressions (see Genesis 3; Psalm 51;3; Psalms 58:3). "We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners."

3. Sin has badly tarnished or wounded the image of God in us. On the spiritual level our ability to seek God has been deeply damaged to the point that aside from the grace of God we will not seek the God of the Bible. As Paul put it: "There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none who understands. There is none who seeks after God" (Romans 3:11-12). This is not to say that men are irreligious. We love to create gods and religions that meet our needs. When the Apostle Paul went into ancient Athens, he told the inhabitants, "I perceive that in all things you are very religious" (Acts 17:22). Paul even noted that the Athenians had an idol to "the unknown God," and then declared, "the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you" (v. 23).

4. Despite the impact of sin, all human beings are still capable of doing some good things and some things that are pleasing to God. Christians call this "common grace."

5. No matter how "good" we are in this life, we will both receive the just wrath of God for our sin for all eternity, until and unless, God, by his sovereign grace, saves us and brings us to believe in Jesus alone: "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).

Lonnie, please understand that Christians do not feel that we are superior spiritually or ethically to other people (including people who are neo-pagan). Faith in Christ, rightly understood, should fill one with awe and humility at the grace of God.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. First Paul describes all those who will not be able to enter into the kingdom of God because of their sin in vv. 9-10:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

He then adds this final note to the Christians at Corinth in v. 11:

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Christians know we deserve God’s wrath as much as anyone else. We are not inherently more spiritual than other men, or more kind, or more good. Any good we do we must attribute to God’s grace and given Him glory for all things.

This is my response to your challenge. Sorry it took so long to post. I hope you will find time to reply.

JTR

Paul Washer is Coming to JPBC (Again!)

We have rescheduled a Preaching Mission at JPBC with Paul Washer, Director of HeartCry Missionary Society. Paul will be here Friday-Sunday, March 23-25. He will preach each evening at 6:00 pm and on Sunday morning at 10:45 am.

JTR

Christian meets Atheist

In the category of there being "nothing new under the sun," note the point in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress when Christian and Hopeful encounter Atheist, a man "with his back toward Zion" who laughs at the "ignorance" of the pilgrims heading to the Celestial City:

Now after a while they perceived afar off, one coming softly and alone all along the highway to meet them. Then said Christian to his fellow, "Yonder is a man with his back toward Zion, and he is coming to meet us."

HOPEFUL: "I see him; let us take heed to ourselves now lest he should prove a Flatterer also." So he drew nearer and nearer, and at last came up unto them. His name was Atheist, and he asked them wither they were going.

CHRISTIAN: "We are going to Mount Zion."

The Atheist then fell into a very great laughter.

CHRISTIAN: "What is the meaning of your laughter?"

ATHEIST: "I laugh to see what ignorant persons you are, to take upon you so tedious a journey; and yet are like to have nothing for your travel but pains."

CHRISTIAN: "Why, man? Do you think we shall not be received?"

ATHEIST: "Received! There is no such place as you dream of in all the world."

CHRISTIAN: "But there is in the world to come."

ATHEIST: "When I was at home in mine own country, I heard as you now affirm, and, from that hearing went out to see, and have been seeking this city this twenty years: But find no more of it, than I did the first day I set out."

CHRISTIAN: "We have both heard and believe that there is such a place to be found."

ATHEIST: "Had not I, when at home, believed, I had not come thus far to seek: But finding none (and yet I should, had there been such a place to be found, for I have gone to seek it further than you), I am going back again, and will seek to refresh myself with the things that I then cast away, for hopes of which I now see is not."

Then said Christian to Hopeful his fellow, "Is it true which this man hath said?"

HOPEFUL: "Take heed, he is one of the Flatterers; remember what it hath cost us once already for our hearkening to such kind of fellows. What! No Mount Zion! Did we not see from the Delectable Mountains the gate of the city? Also, are we not now to walk by faith? Let us go on, said Hopeful, lest the man with the whip overtake us again. You should have taught me that lesson, which I will round you in the ears withal: ‘Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from words of knowledge.’ I say, my brother, cease to hear him, and let us believe to the saving of the soul."

CHRISTIAN: "My brother, I did not put the question to thee for that I doubted the truth of our belief myself, but to prove thee, and to fetch from thee a fruit of the honesty of the thy heart. As for this man, I know that he is blinded by the god of this world. Let thee and I go on, knowing that we have belief of the truth, and ‘no lie is of the truth.’"

HOPEFUL: "Now do I rejoice in hope of the glory of God." So they turned away from the man; and he, laughing at them, went his way.

JTR

Christian at the cave of Pope and Pagan

In John Bunyan’s classic Pilgrim’s Progress, as Christian emerges from his battle with Apollyon in the Valley of Humiliation, the narrator notes:

In the light therefore he came to the end of the valley. Now I saw in my dream, that at the end of the valley lay blood, bones, ashes and the mangled bodies of men, even of pilgrims who had gone this way formerly: And while I was musing what should be the reason, I espied a little before me a cave where two giants, Pope and Pagan, dwelt in old time, by whose power and tyranny the men whose bones, blood, ashes, etc., lay there, were cruelly put to death. But by this place Christian went without much danger, whereat I somewhat wondered; but I have learnt since, that Pagan has been dead many a day; and as for the other, though he be yet alive, he is, by reason of age, and also of the many shrewd brushes that he met with in his younger days, grown so crazy, and stiff in his joints, that he can now do little more than sit in his cave’s mouth grinning at pilgrims as they go by, and biting his nails, because he cannot come at them.

Sadly, it seems that Christian’s intelligence that Pagan "has been dead many a day" was in error. Apparently, he was only slumbering and has now awakened in these postmodern days. Likewise, his twin Pope does not now seem to be so "stiff in the joints." Many pilgrims passing by their cave are mangled by these brutes and their bones, blood, and ashes added to the pile before they can pass by to the Celestial City. Pilgrims, beware.

JTR

Spiritual Inventory for a New Year

A member who runs a small business told me that she will be doing inventory this week. The start of a new year is a good time for taking spiritual inventory. In his work "Evangelical Repentance," Scottish preacher John Colquhoun (1748-1827) recommends the following questions for self-examination:

Survey minutely your inclinations and thoughts, your words and actions, even from your earliest years. Put to yourself seriously questions such as these: What have I been intending and pursuing all my days? What has been the rule of my conduct? The maxims of men or the Word of God? The customs of the world, or the example of Christ? What has the supreme love of my heart been fixed on? Have I given to Christ, or to the world, my strongest desires and warmest attachments? Has it been my habitual intention to please God, or to please myself? Has it been His glory that I have aimed at in every pursuit, or my own gratification, wealth or honor? Is it in heaven or upon earth that I have been chiefly aiming, to lay up treasures for myself? Has God in Christ been the delightful subject of my frequent meditation and conversation? Or have I regarded religious thoughts and converse as insipid and wearisome? Have I been out of my element when employed in the delightful work of prayer and praise, of reading and hearing the glorious Gospel? And have I found more pleasure in licentious mirth and trifling conversation? Have I kept the Sabbath, and with holy reverence frequented the sanctuary of the Lord? Or have I profaned His Sabbath, and poured contempt on His ordinances? And have I relied for all my right to eternal life on the surety-righteousness of Jesus Christ, and trusted cordially in Him for all His salvation? Or have I relied for a title to life partly on my own works, and trusted in Him for a part only of His salvation? Propose with impartiality these questions to yourself, and suffer conscience to return a faithful answer, in order that you may so discern your self-deformity, as to abhor yourself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Source: John Colquhoun, True Repentance (Choteau, MT: Old Paths Gospel Press, n.d.): 23-24.

Grace and peace in the New Year, Jeff Riddle

High housing costs in C-ville and rootlessness

A USA Today money article posted today gives a real estate snap-shot for Charlottesville. It notes the fact that UVA shelters the local real estate market. With the example "medium-priced" home at $315,000 you can understand why many young individuals and families say they cannot afford to live here (or stay here after graduation). What really hurts is comparing the $120,000 "medium -priced" house in Indianapolis (look here).

OK, Jeff, isn't this a departure from the usual Biblical-theological fare? In fact, it's about the challenges of ministry to young people in a church that is situated in a college town with a high cost of living. And this does not even address the problem of church hopping! Rootlessness is a challenge. It is hard to blame the person who moves to get the bigger house or the better paying job, but if we never stay put, will we ever put down the roots that will make us grow strong?

JTR