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McCheyne Poem, As Promised

Last night at study we discussed the crucifixion and resurrection narratives, as well as Jesus' final discourse and themes from the entire gospel. In talking through the parables in chapter 25, I referenced this R.M. McCheyne poem that I love. I hope you are edified by it.

TEN virgins, clothed in white,
 The Bridegroom went to meet;
Their lamps were burning bright
 To guide his welcome feet.

Five if the band were wise --
 Their lamps with oil filled high;
The rest this care despise,
 And take their vessels dry.

Long time the Lord abode -
 Down came the shades of night -
The weary virgins nod,
 And then they sleep outright.

At midnight came the cry
 Upon their startled ear -
Behold the Bridegroom nigh,
 To light His steps appear.

They trim their lamps; in vain
 The foolish virgins toil -
Our lamps are out, O deign
 To give us of your oil!

Not so - the wise ones cry -
 No oil have we to spare;
But swiftly run and buy,
 That you the joy may share.

They went to buy, when lo!
 The Bridegroom comes in state;
Within those ready go,
 And shut the golden gate.

The foolish virgins now
 Before the gateway crowd;
With terror on their brow
 They knock and cry aloud:-

"Lord open to our call -
 Hast Thou our names forgot?"
Sadly the accents fall -
 "Depart, I know you not."

Learn here, my child, how vain
 This world, with all its lies,
Those who the kingdom gain
 Alone are truly wise.

How vain the Christian name,
 If still you live in sin:-
A lamp, and wick, and flame,
 No drop of oil within.

Is your lamp filled, my child,
 With oil from Christ above?
Has He your heart, so wild,
 Made soft and full of love?

Then you are ready now
 With Christ to enter in;
To see His holy brow,
 And bid farewell to sin.

Sinners! Behold the gate
 Of Jesus open still;
Come, ere it be too late,
 And enter if you will.

The Saviour's gentle hand
 Knocks at your door to-day
But vain his loud demand -
 You spurn His love away.

So, at the Saviour's door
 You'll knock, with trembling heart
The day of mercy o'er,
 Jesus will say - depart.

Name Game (Participation Required)

As my roommate and I were "tropical plant" shopping we came across some T.U.L.I.P Bulbs, which I had to buy. I must say Tulips aren't the most beautiful flowers, in my opinion, but they do have the best name. I've decided to plant five of them in a pot and name them. Four of the names are going to be Calvin, Edwards, Owen, and Spurgeon. I'm taking suggestions on the fifth, so please give me a name and reason why they are worthy of pot hood. Criteria: 1. Must be dead That's it and that's all!

Pavlovian Response?

I've found that, for me, there are (at least) two easy ways to immediately induce salivation. 1. Introduce a food item lovingly garnished with Tabasco(c) sauce to my environment. 2. Let me look at this, this, this, or this. [Caution: Theological Books!!] On the note of building a puritan library, I found Tony Reinke's series to be informative thus far. Now for something completely different: If you haven't already, read Piper's suggestions on ministering to your pastor. I think every christian should read and apply this.

Mortification of Sin

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13 (KJV)

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13 (ESV)

“Hatred of sin as sin, not only as galling or disquieting, a sense of the love of Christ in the cross, lie at the bottom of all true spiritual mortification.” – John Owen from Mortification of Sin in Believers

More NPP fodder

Recently my pastor did a series on N.T. Wright and "New Perspectivism." His emphasis was on the doctrine of imputed righteousness and where/how that is handled in his view and Wright's. I've organized the links in this short list to make it accessible.

• Zechariah 3 on Imputation here.
• Bunyan on Imputation here.
• Edwards on Justification here.
• Romans 3:21 part 1 here.
• Romans 3:21 part 2 here.
• Romans 3:22 here .
• Anybody out there? (on NPP) here.
• Romans 3:24 and Imputation here.
• Romans 4:2 and Boasting here.

As I mentioned previously, I'm perusing N.T. Wright’s Paul for Everyone commentary on Galatians. Frequently in reading it, I’m left asking, “Wha Happan?” So what is the source of my befuddlement? Wright specifically organizes the thought of this passage, and selects words such that his interpretation is quite perspicous. I think the highlighted sections below are telling of his emphasis. Allow the Scripture translations to tell the rest of the story:

First from the ESV: 23Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Now from N.T. Wright's translation in Paul for Everyone: "23Before this faithfulness arrived, we were kept under guard by the law, in close confinement until the coming faithfulness should be revealed. 24Thus the law was like a babysitter for us, looking after us until the coming of the Messiah, so that we might be given covenant membership on the basis of faithfulness. 25But now that faithfulness has come, we are no longer under the rule of the babysitter. 26For you are all children of God through the faithfulness which is in [of] the Messiah, Jesus." (N.T. Wright, Paul for Everyone. SPCK, London England, UK. pg. 39. Emphasis added by me.)

Encouragement from Cowper

LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS. God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill, He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace: Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain: God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain. [part of William Cowper's contribution to the Olney Hymns, compiled by John Newton.]

Broad concern or mere fiddle faddle?

Here is an excerpt from a 9marks interview that Mark Denver did with Ligon Duncan on Justification and the New Perspective.

Mark Denver: Why should this (New Perspective on Paul) be a matter of concern for pastors and church leaders, I mean is it or is it really just a matter for concern for a few professors who read and critique each others concern?

Ligon Duncan: I think it's a matter of broad concern and I think that the amount of ink that's being spilled over that is proof of that fact I don't think it's a tempest in a teapot and for me the proof is this, some of the best students that I've taught in seminary over the past dozen years have fallen hook line and sinker for it and consequently in my opinion they are fuzzy in their presentation of and understanding of the gospel and for me that's a serious issue.

Mark Denver: How are they fuzzy in their presentation of the gospel?

Ligon Duncan: Well they are confused about what justification is, one, and in my view you don't really do a good job of presenting the gospel unless you understand justification and what Paul is is talking about when he says justification. Two, um, they become unsure of whether justification is really a very important issue in relation to the gospel, but the gospel becomes redefined. Ah, N.T. Wright himself will often say the gospel is not in Romans 3 in the section from 3:22-28 on justification; the gospel is in Romans 1:3 and 4, which is the declaration that Jesus is Lord and Messiah that's the gospel, not that we are justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Listen to the rest here.

Open Graves and Poisenous Lips

As I was at work today I was listening to talk radio (as I usually do). Yes, I enjoy the conservative commentaries of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, I am one of "those". Today though I was listening to a less conservative show and during a commercial brake I heard the following from Dr. Dean Adel: "Can cussing be good for you?...Studies show that cussing can relieve stress...we are the only animals capable of using such words...think about it if you were to get cut off in a car, simply saying a cuss word to yourself or in your head is better than the alternative...after all, if you bottle it up you can let it go and border on Terretts Syndrome which is a neurological disorder...while we don't encourage you to teach your children that they should do this, it can be a good thing" (this is a paraphrase of his words...I couldn't write them all fast enough) Wow...I would like to know what kind of doctor this guy is...perhaps him and Kavorkian meet up for coffee and discuss philosophy and ethics. This sort of worldview is permeating our society, our education and media institutions, our political system and even our churches. We must be vigilant in our churches and daily lives to prove the transforming power of the Holy Spirit AGAINST this sort of depravity. Cussing doesn't relieve stress, it is SIN and causes more anxiety (instead we should "Cast our anxiety on him because he cares for us"). Even cussing in our heads isn't a 'good thing' (But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.) Indeed we need to be transformed. Oh Lord help us NOT to conform but be transformed by the renewing or our minds and sanctified by your truth, YOUR WORD IS TRUTH!

Mission Field and Spiritual Quest

Here are a couple excerpts from "Above All Earthly Pow'rs - Christ in a Postmodern World" that I read tonight. "Some of the more conservative Christian groups continue to speak of America as a Christian country, or at least that it should be a Christian country, or at the very least that in its origins it once was a Christian Country. The reality, however, is that America is the world's most religiously diverse nation now and from a Christian point of view it is as fully a mission field as any to which churches now are sending their missionaries. This is true, not only because of the arrival of these new immigrants with their diverse religions, but also because of the postmodern decay in American culture." (page 108) "Beginning in the 1960s, and blossoming in the 1970s and 1980s, "spirituality," for a significant number of people, came into its own and became preferable to "religion." The distinction that quickly took root was that religion stood from organized belief in its public form. It stood for participation in worship, support of the church or synagogue, and acceptance of its doctrines. Spirituality, by contrast, has come to stand for what is private and internal. What this typically means is that those who are spiritual accept no truth which is not experientially grounded. In the one, there is doctrine which is part and parcel of the church; in the other, mystical encounter which may often be accompanied by an unorthodox disposition. In the one, faith is lived out with a religious structure; in the other, there is suspicion of, if not hostility toward, religion which is organized." (page 109-110) Wells, David. Above All Earthly Pow'rs: Christ in a Postmodern World. Grand Rapids, Michigan / Cambridge, U.K. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2005

"Slick Willy"

I know Ann Coulter can be a little "over the top" but I find her articles to be full of truth as well as wit, which makes it enjoyable to read. I think everyone should be made aware of the information in this article, thus I post it: http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/welcome.cgi

What’s Wrong with the Ministry???

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? -Jeremiah 23:29 (ESV)

Webster Definition for pragmatism: 1 : a practical approach to problems and affairs pragmatism> 2 : an American movement in philosophy founded by C. S. Peirce and William James and marked by the doctrines that the meaning of conceptions is to be sought in their practical bearings, that the function of thought is to guide action, and that truth is preeminently to be tested by the practical consequences of belief

I was involved with the Navigators for the past 3.5 years until my recent retirement this past summer. God has blessed the Navigator ministry at Purdue and through that has blessed me as well (and I’m sure all the rest of the bloggers at 5_pointers agree). I’m very thankful for the ministry He has set up at Purdue and, especially, for the leaders He has placed there. It is a true blessing to have a gospel centered and glorifying to God ministry at Purdue. That said this post has nothing to do with the Navigator ministry at Purdue being pragmatic, but one that is in deep contrast.

My first contact with pragmatism occurred a couple different times last year at Nav Rally’s or our large group meetings that are held every Friday. On a couple different occasions people would come up to me and mentioned how much the attendance had dropped since the previous year. After a few minutes of discussion with each, it was quite clear that they were getting at the question of, “what’s wrong with the ministry?”

Both times I was caught aghast, because knowing the solid Foundation of the ministry and the fruit that it produces, left me to ponder their ideology of a successful ministry. It was clear that their mindset was this, if the ministry wasn’t growing and the attendance was dropping something was wrong with the ministry. I’m learning that this is an all too common theme in the postmodern world that we live in and an all too wrong understanding of a successful ministry.

The book of Jeremiah is a gold mine in refuting pragmatism. Through out his whole ministry nations and his own family were at war against him and it had a lack of converts. Also, if you read the first two chapters of 1 Corinthians you see the gospel message producing mixed results. Just because your ministry isn’t growing doesn’t mean there is something wrong.

My question to you is what is a successful ministry?

Of Use to Whom?

I have been side-tracked and put this post off for several months. I'll be quick and recreate the scene. I was sitting in the food court at Purdue around 4:00 meeting with Cliff, a former boss. He wanted to talk to me about struggles I've had over the last year, and didn't soften much up for me. What stood out most was Cliff's story about how he had done spiritual stuff (overspiritual), so much so that it hurt his ministry to those closest to him. When he was in college, he dated a girl at another college. They lived a couple hours apart, so his weekends were made up of driving back and forth, staying up late, and spending time with her. They would pray together and read the Bible together. Someone told Cliff during that time, "As far as I can tell, you're not doing anyone any good these days." While he met with his girlfriend, his mom was at home, and he was missing the less spiritual things of engaging those related and closest to him.