Hmmm...

My NEW POST about hope is down at December 28th for some very strange reason. 

This is a test post. 

Book Review #1: Faith Alone by R. C. Sproul

"It is entirely by the intervention of Christ's righteousness that we obtain justification before God. This is equivalent to saying that man is not just in himself, but that the righteousness of Christ is communicated to him by imputation, while he is strictly deserving of punishment."

- John Calvin

I made a New Year's resolution to read one theology book per week, as we have so many books that I have not yet read. I wish to read them all, and I figure a book per week will take me a few years - not that long.  

As we are now into the second week of January, I am now on my second book. I finished the first one a little bit late - I took my time with it. 

Faith Alone by R. C. Sproul is an excellent book. It highlights the doctrinal issue of sola fide - Sproul brings to the table the importance of faith alone for Christians.

The background for the entire book is the debate between the Reformers and Roman Catholicism. What was (and is) the difference between the two parties? 

Sproul outlined the logic followed by the Reformers:

"1. Justification by faith alone is essential to the gospel.

2. The gospel is essential to Christianity and to salvation.

3. The gospel is essential to a church's being a true church.

4. To reject justification by faith alone is to reject the gospel and fall as a church."

Rome disagreed with the stand the Reformers took. It was agreed that faith is necessary for salvation, but Rome considered "faith alone" to be heresy.  They believe that faith and works sprouts justification, while the Reformation view is that faith sprouts justification and works. 

Let me clarify: Reformation belief does not negate the need for works. Faith without works is a dead (or barren) faith. Real living faith in a real living God brings about fruit in good works. We do not do works so that we may be viewed as good, we do works to please our God. We do them not for our sake, but for God's. This is the difference between Roman Catholicism and Puritanism, and it is a weighty difference indeed. 

It is, in fact, so weighty a difference that men and women were willing to stand up to the great Church no matter the consequences. 

The question comes up: were Paul and James at odds with one another? Paul states that we are justified by faith. James states that it is not faith alone that justifies but works also. (James 2)

At first it seems like James is contradicting Paul, until we look closer. What James is saying is that mature faith brings works - works are not the basis of faith but the result. 

This is where we need to understand that faith is the essential to salvation - but if you are not doing good works for God's glory, you need to search yourself to find if your faith is real and living. This is a warning not from me, but from the Gospel itself. 

Let me explain this in my own words.

1) No one is righteous, not one. (Romans 3:9-20) Mankind as a whole is corrupt, with no one being able to save themselves through the good they can accomplish. All the good we do is as dirty rags. 

2) If our righteous acts are filthy rags, they are a disgusting abomination to God. Even our good acts are sinful acts. How then can we think to save ourselves through any work of our own? 

3) Praise God that it is not up to our acts! God justifies us by grace as a gift through Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:21-31) 

4) Jesus died for our sake and was raised in order that we might be justified. Justification comes through Christ alone, not through any virtue we might possess. (Romans 5)

5) If righteousness were through the law, Christ died for no purpose. (Galatians 2:15-21) This is an important thing to remember. If we could in any way earn our own righteousness through works or thoughts or anything else, Christ need not have died for us - He could have sat back and watched how many righteous men and women could make it to Heaven. This was not possible. Christ had to die because man could not help himself - we were dead in our trespasses and sins until Christ gave us life. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but through Him. 

6) The Law (and therefore works) was a guardian, and we no longer need it because Christ has come. Faith nullifies the need for a guardian. We do not now follow the Law because we must; we follow God's law because we wish to please Him. All things are lawful, not all things are beneficial - What brings Christ glory? This is what we should do. 

Roman Catholicism should take heed of this warning: 

Galatians 5:4 - "You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace."

If we rely on anything but God's grace through faith in Christ Jesus, we are on the wrong path. We need to repent and turn back to godly living, trusting in Christ and Christ alone. 

It is not faith + works = justification. It is faith = justification + works. They are not compatible - one is Biblical and the other is heretical. 

In closing, I would suggest this book to anyone who wishes to refresh their minds regarding just why we call ourselves Puritans. Sproul calls us to remembrance. Read the word and confirm your faith. 

As Calvin said, 

"Let it therefore remain settled that this proposition is exclusive, that we are justified in no other way than by faith, or, which comes to the same thing, that we are justified by faith alone."

Song of the Week

"My Only Swerving" - El Ten Eleven

I love these guys. I want their CD. I mean, listen to them! I've listened to a few of their songs now, and they've all  been good so far.

ENLIGHTENMENT???

I was asked recently where my rants have gone. Well, girls, here's one for you! >:}

You know what makes me laugh? 

People who say that Christians are "mindless", and Christianity as a whole is run by idiots, and idiots flock to the Christian religion because it suits their simple minds. 

Please. How much more ridiculous can you get? 

Let's look into this for a moment, shall we? I've read these sorts of comments about Christians - we are, to much of the world,  

"Mindless" (That's a big one - like a catchphrase. Hilarious.)

"Unenlightened"

"Irrational"

"Thoughtless"

"Illogical"

"Unreasoning" 

"Run by emotions and fairy tales" 

And the list goes on, but those are enough for now. 

The first question to all those unsubstantiated descriptions, is how would they know? Have they met every Christian, ever? You know what I hate? Assumption. But that's another rant entirely. (Don't worry - it's coming. Oh my, yes.)

Second, how could they possibly know everything about the "Christian religion" in order to make such judgments? I was surfing the website of a former atheist-turned-theist, and you would not believe the comments from the regular visitors. They called this man all manner of names (none good), but all had the same underlying message: Good luck in la-la-land, with the godidiots and the deathcult...etc. etc. 

Seriously. They think they're not a religion? (Again, a different post entirely...probably a rant, too.) They were all repeating one anothers' sentiments - yeah, that's thinking! That's rationalizing! No, sorry - that's conformity and mob-anger. That's being run by emotions. 

When an atheist finds God, why do other atheists care? Is that not evidence that they consider themselves a group *coughreligioncough*? It made them angry! And they say Christians are the ones run by their emotions! 

Is Christianity a rational religion? YES. I know that I came to where I am now through a whole lot of thinking. I'm the sort who can't accept something unless I've thought about it a great deal.

Do Christians throw their minds out of the window at their conversion? NO. If they did, I wouldn't be a Christian. I have to think in order to live. You want to go ahead and tell me I'm brainwashed into knowing no better? You go ahead and try me. I'll respond right back with the fact that you've brainwashed yourself into thinking believing in God means you're mindless. 

Don't get me wrong - there are Christians who do, in a sense, "throw their minds out". There are those who say thought is dangerous - feel the presence of the Lord and sing Kum By Ya! These I want to slap upside the head! Fools! God gave us our minds! We're to use them to the praise of His glorious grace! Smarten up! 

And the other side of the coin is the Christians who focus so much on thought that it becomes an idol. No. You've gone to far! Not this either! Stoicism is not the answer any more that wishy-washy-sentimentalism! Arg! Find the balance in Christ!! 

Anyone who thinks he can separate emotion from thought is deluding himself. We're emotional beings. Anyone not "run by their emotions" is a robot that needs to be dissected so we can grasp the technology within. (I'd like a robot. It could do my work for me.) 

Seriously. Thinking is a means to an end. This world glorifies the "deep thinkers". Well, what are they thinking so deeply about? Does any of it matter? Are they REALLY thinking at all? Or are we so caught up in the idea that they are smart that anything they talk or write about is considered the wisest thing since, like, ever? (I totally want to kick everyone in the pants right now. Get back. No, further, my legs are long.) 

I could sit here all day and tell you what I "think". But, as I said, we don't stop with thinking. Either we apply things, or reject them as useless. Everything we think about has to have some meaning, or it's garbage that our brain doesn't keep for very long. 

So, is there any meaning in what Christians think? 

(Afterthought: I'm speaking to no one in particular here): 

Tell me: is the Christian religion disprovable? Is religion the only cause of suffering in the world? Can you support your answers? 

Don't give me generalized statements about the wickedness of past Christians. We're all wicked. Christians are the ones who know it. I cry for the mistakes people make, but that doesn't mean I'm going to reject the only God there is - the only One Who could save me. 

Do you have solid evidence that God does not exist? Then shut up. You're being run by your faith in the fact that He doesn't exist. I'm sick of hearing it. You're fooling yourself into thinking you have the thoughtful, mindful facts and we don't. That's ignorant and arrogant. The fact that so many people have to mock Christianity proves to me that they're threatened by it. Why? Could it possibly be because they know deep down that God is real? Hmmmmmmm. 

Do you have solid evidence that neither hell nor heaven exist? That Jesus is not the Saviour of the world? That there was no virgin birth? Then, again, zip it. 

Every human being is living by faith in something. We all live for a reason - for ourselves or for God. That's the simplest way I can put it. 

I know the truth and I'm going to continue to proclaim it. I'm going to continue to think about God's Word and what He tells me therein. I'm going to reason about the character I'm supposed to have, and the traits I am to put on or off. 

~

The best thing for Christians to do in light of the accusation that we don't think, is to think. Don't believe "that guy over there", no matter how great he is - find out for yourself. God will open your eyes, if you seek His answers with a willing heart. Don't leave it to others to do your thinking for you - unless, of course, you want to leave it to me, because I know everything. ;)

*I thought this post-in-progress would suit nicely after the one above. They kind of go together. 

Thinking For Yourself - Through Scripture

Freedom of thought is something everyone takes for granted. We talk about how we're "allowed" to think a certain way, to decide certain things for ourselves - we have freedom, man! The Canadian Charter of Rights states that we have freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression. 

But what does this autonomy really mean? More specifically, what does it mean to Christians? 

Are Christians supposed to have freedom of thought, as the world knows it? Does the Bible not talk about having every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)?

All through the Bible you'll find examples of men and women who did not, in fact, think for themselves - they threw themselves upon God's will and His mercy, casting their cares upon Him. They were not looking for autonomy - they did not want to "be their own man". They wanted to be God's man. (Among others, and in no particular order, Abel, Noah, Abraham, 

Moses, Samuel, David, Deborah, Elijah, Mary (all of them :) ), Matthew, Paul, Peter, and Stephen)

Have we lost that? Does this generation of Christians push away from God, saying "I can handle myself, Lord - just be there when the big problems come, okay?" Do we really rely on God for everything? 

Proverbs 14:15 - "The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps."

You know, I often find myself going forward without giving thought to what it really means to go forward. Every moment is a moment that counts. Do we think about that? Do we consider consequences of our actions, our words? Yes, we do - but usually afterward. Leap first, look later, right? (At least, for me.)

We're supposed to give thought to our steps - I take this to mean, the path of life we walk. Everything we do in our life, speaking, living...writing...should be thought through. We think too little. 

Psalm 94:10-11 - "He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge - the LORD - knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath." 

First of all, read that verse again. Second, look at what it says - God teaches us knowledge, and God knows that our thoughts are but a breath. Knowledge from God is the only knowledge that matters.

Think about a breath. What goes in is helpful to us, right? We breath in, and live. Knowledge from God is the air that goes into us. What do we breath out? The air expelled from our body is no use to us. What comes out of us - the thoughts of man - is worthless to us. 

We should think thoughts of God, not of man. 

The first thing to do is say "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!" (Ps.139:23) We need to know where we're at in order to change. Have you ever prayed that God would reveal your secret sins? That He would show you just how corrupt you are? 

I'm too stupid to know how often I sin. The Bible says that God feels indignation every single day. That's because of me. 

How can we think thoughts from God? Well, where are the thoughts from God recorded? Go back to Scripture:

Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

The more we dig deep into the Word of God, the more we will see our own thoughts and intentions - and want to change them. God doesn't leave us in our own thoughts. He wants us to reform our minds. He provides the way to do that. 

1 Corinthians 14:20 - "Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature." 

What is mature thinking? 

1Peter 4:12 - "Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God." 

Mature thinking is Christ's thinking. Living for the will of God. That's mature. Going our own way and deciding for ourselves is immature. Standing up on our own two feet - well, we're not really standing. We're in a free-fall, and we cover our eyes and deny it.  

So, by all means, think - through Scripture. 

Fin. 

2009 Resolutions

I've made some New Year's Resolutions. Wanna see? I'd appreciate reminders, too. :) Thanks.

2009 Resolutions

Read over these resolutions every Sunday. 

·         Continue Memorizing Scripture. Having the Word of God at hand is good – having it on your heart is better. Let these be my words: “Thy word have I hid in my heart…”

·         Read through ESV-SB.

·         Develop a character of helping others. Grow in grace and compassion. Let me never consider myself better than others, but consider myself the chief of sinners – seek God’s help in developing humility. Let me consider all others better than myself.

·         Develop patience. No-one is so sinful or bad that they deserve sinful wrath from another sinner. God is infinitely patient with me. How can I be any different?

·         Develop Christ-likeness. Study the gospels of Christ in order to learn better how to imitate Him.

1.  Spend time with Him. Relationships are made and fostered by the time we spend functioning within them. Spend time with your Lord in prayer and study of His Word  Reconnect through talking with the Lord of Lords. 

2.  Take obedience to the Lord seriously. The Lord's commands are made out of love for us. He laid them out in His Word so that we might best find His blessings, and to help us avoid the pitfalls of living in this world. 

3.  Recognize your sinfulness, and recommit your life to the Lord. Make a spiritual contract with the Lord. 

4.  Dive into worship. Worshiping the Lord does not have to be just singing along with the choir on Sunday. While that is good and it honors God, you can also worship Him while going for a walk in His beautiful creation, while marveling at the works He is doing around the world, or recognizing and appreciating the provision that He makes in your life. 

5.  Start to tithe. The Lord promises to provide for you and bless you when you are faithful in giving back to Him. 

6.  Start serving others. Become the hands of Christ as you serve others and allow the Lord to work through you. 

7.  Give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings that He has placed in your life. 

- From Dr. David Jeremiah

·         Prayer time - Designate prayer time and stick to it.

·         Seek God’s help in controlling temper.

·         Redeem the time – do not waste away idle hours doing nothing.

·         Let me never waste an opportunity to spread the gospel – I pray that I may have courage to step forward when the way is frightening, when all are against me. May fear of death or pain never keep me from proclaiming God’s name.

·         Let every word of my mouth, every thought from my mind, every emotion I feel, be held captive by God for His glory. In every circumstance, may I remember that I am God’s letter to this world, that I am His ambassador to this Earth. May I live like it every moment.

·         Read biographies and histories – Take the examples of faith from Christians past.

·         Read 50 theology books – and write reviews/comments to prove it.

·         Let this be the description of my life from this day forth :  Romans 12:9-21 

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

·         If ever I come to terrible persecution, let me not curse those who torment me, but instead follow the example of Stephen, and die praying for them.

·         Be a godly example to family and friends. May I be ever ready for God to work through me.

·         May I never be afraid to stand up for others weaker than myself. 

If I fail in any of these resolutions, let my repentance be swift, that I may once more seek to achieve these things.  Amen.