Of Church Order & Family Matters

These last 2 days have left me with much to say and no position from which to say it.  AKA... I am an infant among men who are wise, mature, and understanding of God's Word in ways in which I hope to be in 50 years.  Today, I'm sitting next to Wayne Spear.  He was my Systematics prof at RPTS.  As debate, dialogue, and diatribes have gone on today I've often wanted to crawl inside his mind and process things from his perspective... having been ordained 50 years ago.

One thing is certain... to this former Congregationalist... order is good.  Yes, we debate how best to be orderly and accountable as God is blowing the doors off our ministry efforts in the Sudan.  Yes, we disagree on what the exact metrical translation of some Psalm texts should be. No, we will not stop submitting all to Christ.  He is our King and Head.  We are members, individually & corporately, of him.  We are a family.  An ordered family.  Not a perfect family, but a family, nonetheless.

I've been blessed to reconnect with men, young and old, who poured into my life during very tempestuous days during our time in Pittsburgh.  Those same men are continuing to welcome me to the RPCNA, pour into my life & ministry, and bless me by their prayers, by their love, by their brotherhood... their family-ness.

We laugh, we cry, we debate, we pray.  But due to Christ WE truly are a WE and not a ME & THEE.

Thanks be to God.
Soli deo Gloria...

Of Calvinism & Calvinism

I've been considering for some time using titles for my thoughts that contain two seemingly unrelated items, yet drawing them together by the end... that seems "foolish"... and it seemed like no better time to use it than when I could bring together two seemingly OVER-related topics... Calvinism and Calvinism.  Specifically, "New" Calvinism and "Old" Calvinism.  My thoughts specifically pertain to Mark Driscoll's response to Justin Taylor's interview over at Between2Worlds.  You should check out B2W here... very helpful "pointing" blog that helps us process data present out here on the blogosphere.

Now, let me clarify... I like Mark Driscoll.  Some see him as a bag of hot air, others as the "hipster" pastor, I see him as a guy whom God is using to reach Seattle.  Totally Rad.  And I like "The Gospel Coalition" which is the hub of "New Calvinist" activity.  Drawing in the gray-hairs, no hairs, spiked-hairs, and even some combed-over hairs into the Calvinistic fray.  I attended TGC2009.  Great time.  Totally Rad.  Got to meet John Piper face to face & tell him that had I known then (when I attended Moody Bible Institute with his son Ben) what I know now (how much his preaching has impacted me) I would have come home with Ben on every break and probably not left.

Ok, that being said... look with me at the text... I mean the answer Driscoll gives to the final question of the Between 2 Worlds interview found here.  You can see it below... in moderately larger quotes:

"What is the most encouraging thing you see about the so-called “New Calvinism”? What are some areas of caution or concern as we enter this new decade?

I think “New Calvinism” is possibly a myth, and I fear it may fracture before too many years are up.

There are four issues:

1. Reformed
2. Complementarian
3. Charismatic
4. Missional

I hold all four of these.

What is touted as “New Calvinism,” though, includes those who disagree with 3 and/or 4. My fear is that cessationist and fundamentalist Calvinists will use those two issues to turn distinctions into divisions.

Many are working hard behind the scenes among various tribal leaders to keep the peace, and I pray we can hold it together and truly have a “New Calvinism” and not the same old unnecessary infighting and separation as old Calvinism."

His statement just below the list tells it all.  "I hold all four of these."  What will the problem be? (I would suggest the ONLY issue here is being Biblical... following the GOSPEL.  And expending every effort to discover just what that means.) No.  The thing that will bring down "New Calvinism" won't be fellas not reforming enough.  The issue won't be not keeping Scripture in its primacy in our pulpits.  In short, the issue is not everyone will be like Mark Driscoll.  If we're all like him... holding to all 4 of the issues in "New Calvinism" then we'll all be ok.  So, if your conscience compels you to be a cessationist.  Or a "fundamental" v. "missional"... wow... let's not define any terms here... put your conscience on the shelf.  Don't be like those "Old [Fuddy-duddy] Calvinists" who divided over secondary issues (again, some definitions would be nice) like the purity of worship of a holy God within varying cultural contexts (I'm just guessing here...).  And I'm glad many men are working behind the scenes to keep peace in God's house... for a moment there I thought we would have to expound Psalm 133... Spurgeon does that here.

So what is an "Old Calvinist"?  Well, apparently I are one.  I LOVE dividing, and infighting, and not getting anywhere in ministry... oh... wait... that's not really happening in my church here... um... a cappella Psalmody?  Anyone?  Perhaps holding to at least one of another list of 5 points (Solas or TULIP) rather than the new (arbitrary) list of 4 points.  Seeing oneself as better than another because our credo or praxis is better... oh... wait... so the moment I put you down or am willing to see you walk from the team for not holding to my 4 points I become like those who put others down for not holding to their 5 points... so then the "New" Calvinism becomes just like the "Old" Calvinism... which would make neither "Calvinism" at all.  It makes it sin.  Me-ism is always sin. [You disagreeing with me is unnecessary disagreement, me disagreeing with you is "ok" because I'm right.]  When we can only say "Be like me" without quickly adding "as I'm like Christ!", put it away.  Listen to the other end of the bench.  Maybe the benchwarmers have something to add to the strategy of the game.  After all, the "Old" Calvinists have fought this battle before.  Hey, some of us even had our own army!  That's why we're the "Old" guys... and why you are able to have a "Calvinism" to call your own.  

WSC #37

Death.  Where is thy victory?  Death.  Where is thy sting?  2 deaths hit close to home.  What have you accomplished today death?  What victory did you really win by sneaking up on a 94 year old saint?  She woke up fine.  Fell.  Hit her head.  Now she holds your hand.  And how did you sting my friend by stealing her husband in his prime while they were seeking to rear godly children in a  godly home?  He set out on a trip whole.  Now you carry him broken.


Nothing death.  You are a graduation ceremony.  You're the used car salesman in the tacky sport coat that hands us the keys to that car we've always wanted... because we're not yours.  We're his.  You hold our hand simply to help us hop from rock to rock to arrive across the river in the arms of our Savior.  Take that, Death.

Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death? 

A. The souls of believers are, at their death, made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves until the resurrection. 

Heb. 12:23; 2 Cor. 5:1, 6, 8; Phil. 1:23; Luke 23:43; 1 Thess. 4:14; Isa. 57:2; Job 19:26-27. 

Where are Shiphrah & Puah when you need them?

If such honest reporting were present in the US, more people might get mad about this atrocity within our own nation... also let us not be careful not to romanticize the "Holy Land"...

Read about Abortions in Israel...

I'm glad I don't have to remember petty details and can now focus on the important stuff... like what?!?

Max your brain potential.

The Pulse smartpen remembers everything you write and hear, so you can save your brain for important things, like fantasy football.

Evolution Evidence Found

Interesting article with a comment from the sponsor of the Harvey Milk legislation stating that Gov. S has "evolved in his thinking here.

We have no desire to replace the local church...

that's why we're replacing the local church.  Here we have a church wanting to do a good thing, but the evangelical mainstream has now so equated "worship" with "evangelism" that the distinction can no longer be maintained.  And, yes, there is a distinction.  More often than not, when I read that a church is trying to "engage" culture, it can only mean "adopt" culture.


I know their heart is not to "replace the local church."  But in a techno-savy, spiritually indifferent generation where I already read Facebook updates stating:  "I attended church ONLINE today!", where do our brothers and sisters think this will end up?  Welcome to the new "slash & dash" of Christian worship. 

Welcome to Crossover from Ronnie Floyd on Vimeo.

As Easy As Pie...

Apparently not. I've been pondering giving and the church lately. This is a simple, but excellent, illustrative video.

I've also been pondering the message: "What you are obsessed with is what you are worshipping..." Our budgetary designations are no different, I suppose.

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

Psalm Singing... for Your Consideration

Our family has recently made our transition for a broader evangelical church to a Reformed and Evangelical church, the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America.  One of the particularities in our new denomination is that our churches only sing the Biblical Psalms and without the aid of musical instruments.  You can read a general statement of our beliefs here.

After quite a few years battling over worship in local congregations, struggling through the narcissism of modern worship and the theological incompleteness of both modern and "traditional" worship, we have found a healthy home where heart-worship is the goal.  This year, the RPCNA is publishing a new Psalter:  The Book of Psalms for Worship.  Like Psalters before it, it won't be perfect, but I'm excited to be coming into the RP Church at a time when such a vital part of our worship is also new.

Below are 4 videos produced by the Psalter Revision Committee explaining various points from Psalm singing in general to what facets of the new Psalter are different from the 1973 Book of Psalms for Singing.  Enjoy!

Up-to-date Ecclesiastes

My friend Flick at puddlegum.net gave this band a recommendation.  And I dare anyone to not bob their head... or tap their toe... depending on their generational distinction... as they listen.


Great music.  And the lyrics are nearly biblical... My summation:  There is nothing new under the sun.


Enjoy!


The Walls Are Coming Down

They swallowed it whole, they went for the gold for the gold
We fall for the same lies, we all have the same shoes to fit

The preachers and books of your empire will fight here alone
Some day they will be forgotten and die one by one

The walls the walls are coming down, the here and now is coming round
It will some day let you down
The ships the ships are coming in, the great ideas are wearing thin
There is nothing left to do

For atoms have gone as far as atoms will go
Your books write themselves, they line up in row after row

The walls the walls are coming down, the here and now is coming round
It will some day let you down
The ships the ships are coming in, the great ideas are wearing thin
There is nothing left to do

Idolatry

Indra Jatra : A Nepalese Hindu priest cleans the idol of Swet Bharab which is uncovered only during the Indra Jatra festival in Hanuman Dhoka, Kathmandu.

 (AFP/Prakash Mathema)


If only our idols were as clearly described.  We, too, shed them away until the time is right.  Wheeling them out.  Polishing them up.  Showing them off.


If only our understanding of not being our own, both in life and in death, body and soul, would come to a full satisfaction in Christ.  In him always and only.

Standing in the Need of Prayer

There's no such thing as time management, only self-management. Self-control being one of the fruits of the Spirit, I know what need I have for prayer. It's me, it's me, O Lord.

The Skies over Sterling...

A Sterling Ministry

A Sterling ministry... that's what I have... I'm not bragging... that's just where I'm at: Sterling, KS. Yes, we've moved from our beloved land of fruits and nuts to the land of cows... and cow products. In the words of my favorite humorist: "Some days, 'pig' hangs heavy in the air!" But so do relationships. I get to reminisce about growing up in Dunkirk nearly every day, as I learn to function in a small town again.

Tonight, in my Sterling ministry, I was pleasured to meet with the session of the Sterling Reformed Presbyterian Church, my new charge in the kingdom. The session was complete tonight with Interim Moderator Stan Copeland, a dear brother who makes most cowboys look like pansies!

We discussed things you discuss in the lowest court of the church: people, doctrine, discipline, and the future. We are standing on the precipice of great potential for the gospel to greatly renew Sterling, KS and Sterling College via the Mediatorial Kingship of Christ at work in the trenches of the daily life of a small midwestern town. And we get to be here. We get a front row seat to the action here at the Manse, our new home.

God is good. All is well. We are at peace tonight. Now to empty some more boxes...

I`m posting this from my phone! I love technology!

Da Guys

I teach a Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study.  7:30am.  Yeah, I was suprised, too, when I found out that Saturday has two 7:30's, am & pm.  Amazing!  Yet, I've found it so rewarding.  I look forward to getting up and spending time with da guys!  Part of what I love about it is the dialogue.  We have some hilarious guys that aren't afraid to talk about anything.  We've been working our way through Genesis, and hearing these guys discuss all the reproduction passages has been a trip.  And I love how the dialogue reveals something to me:  I don't know it all.  And I love that.  Christ makes room in his body for those who are well-studied, and those who have lived a lot more life than I, and those who, while never having graduated from a theologically-centered institution, have managed to carve out years of study in their own studies.  They have thought and wrestled and concluded with much sweat and many tears.

To my pastor friends:  Don't look down on the laity.  To be honest, there are times they've got it down better than we do.

To my non-pastor friends:  Keep studying.  Keep reading and wrestling.  Keep finding those gospel nuggets and bringing them to class with you.  Keep talking.

Am I a Pastor Dude?

Through a couple different mediums (including a weekly email from The Familyman), I've been pondering the difference between success and significance.  Then this morning, when I ducked my head into Youth Pastor/Missionary/Theologian/Blog-consumer Sam's office to drop off Isaac's ski cap he left at our house after he and Esther were done playing "Princess Somebody and Spiderman Get Married" again, he tells me that Mark Driscoll was featured on Nightline some time ago and that I should check out the blog where the link is posted.  "You HAVE to read that blog."  Sam likes to pile things on my plate... *smile*...  So I just googled it and clicked right to the story (linked above).  Avoided another blog... I'll live to read it another day!

So... here's my issue.  Will I ever be on Nightline?  Seriously.  Will I ever be considered successful in the eyes of my Bible College buddies or my Seminary cohorts?  Will I ever accomplish that Ph.D.?  Write that book?  Be considered a key part of the president's pastoral advisors?  Sad to say, I lose sleep over this stuff.

I'm called to be a pastor.  I want to blog.  But I rarely make time for that.  I want to Podcast, but my perfectionism keeps me from just posting the silly things so the word can go out.  I know that those who are faithful in little will be given much, but what if I get to much and much doesn't match my definition for much.  But then it strikes me, and it actually struck me while watching the Nightline piece on Driscoll.  Good for him.  He tells folks about Jesus.  So do I.  He's successful, and so am I.  We're both significant, not because we both pastor 8,000 member churches (I don't!), but because we're fulfilling the role God has made us for in the kingdom.  Many things seem insignificant, until they aren't there.

Am I a Pastor Dude?  I hope so.  I often receive the compliment:  "You don't LOOK like a pastor."  I always reply:  "Thank you.  I think..."  Am I cool?  I don't know.  Am I significant?  Yes.  Because I have the gospel... and I give it away.

When Foolishness is Better than Wisdom

If the Gospel leaves you longing for more, pray to God that he gives you a longing for the Gospel.

Son of A Preacher Man

I'm a preacher.  It's what I love to do.  While I courted my wife, she constantly teased me because I would always say:   "Ok.  Three points here."  She knew she was marrying a preacher... especially when I would pass the offering plate on our dates!  That a joke, son.

I've held preaching positions before.  Preached week in and week out.  Much to my chagrin, I many times stepped into the pulpit unprepared.  God was gracious to me, a sinner, and I made it through those days.  Now that I serve in an associate roll in a larger church, I don't preach as much.  With the resignation of our Senior Pastor, I'll be preaching a few more times than usual.  So, I'm faced with the realities of the task before me.  My brother (also, a preacher... like our father before us, and our grandfather before us, and our great-great grandfather before us... much like Jedis...) spoke at our father's church this past weekend on the foolishness of preaching.  He delved into Bullinger's thoughts in the 2nd Helvetic confession.  I post that text here, along with my confession.... that this whole idea of preaching scares me to death, but 'If I say, “I will not mention him,or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.' -- Jeremiah 20:9

THE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WORD OF GOD. Wherefore when this Word of God is now preached in the church by preachers lawfully called, we believe that the very Word of God is proclaimed, and received by the faithful; and that neither any other Word of God is to be invented nor is to be expected from heaven: and that now the Word itself which is preached is to be regarded, not the minister that preaches; for even if he be evil and a sinner, nevertheless the Word of God remains still true and good.

Neither do we think that therefore the outward preaching is to be thought as fruitless because the instruction in true religion depends on the inward illumination of the Spirit, or because it is written "And no longer shall each man teach his neighbor..., for they shall all know me" (Jer. 31:34), And "Neither he who plants nor he that waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (I Cor. 3:7). For although "No one can come to Christ unless he be drawn by the Father" (John 6:44), And unless the Holy Spirit inwardly illumines him, yet we know that it is surely the will of God that his Word should be preached outwardly also. God could indeed, by his Holy Spirit, or by the ministry of an angel, without the ministry of St. Peter, have taught Cornelius in the Acts; but, nevertheless, he refers him to Peter, of whom the angel speaking says, "He shall tell you what you ought to do."

INWARD ILLUMINATION DOES NOT ELIMINATE EXTERNAL PREACHING. For he that illuminates inwardly by giving men the Holy Spirit, the same one, by way of commandment, said unto his disciples, "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15). And so in Phillippi, Paul preached the word outwardly to Lydia, a seller of purple goods; but the Lord inwardly opened the woman's heart (Acts 16:14). And the same Paul, after a beautiful development of his thought, in Romans 10:17 at length comes to the conclusion, "So faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God by the preaching of Christ."

At the same time we recognize that God can illuminate whom and when he will, Even without the external ministry, for that is in his power; but we speak of the usual way of instructing men, delivered unto us from God, both by commandment and examples.

Do we really not know why?

I was joyfully cruising through the church office today when something in my mailbox caught my eye.  I still love getting mail, my heart still leaps when I find ANYTHING in my mailbox, be it home or office.  I love getting little notes from L.J. or cards of encouragement from Church members.  Even if it's an elder meeting agenda... I LOVE to get mail.  But today, the "mail" was a magazine!  Even better... so I thought.

What I found was a "FREE Sample of The Worshiper Magazine."  The pasted on fishing sheet says it best:  "So what is The Worshiper?  Its a free resource geared towards helping believers understand why we worship."  C'mon.  Seriously?  We're now going to devote 10's of thousands of dollars to helping American Christians know why we worship?  Is anyone else smelling what I'm stepping in?

Have we really reached a point where American consumerism is so staunch that we can no longer turn to our pastors and leaders to guide us in why we do what we do?  Is the commercial propaganda machine now so strong that it must guide our day to day thoughts on... we already let it tell us WHAT the church should be... WHY the church should be?  I won't unleash all my frustration on my loyal readers... both of you... but suffice it to say I've uttered the words:  "I hate Christianity!" today and thrown the magazine out of my office and down the hall.  (My next post will be on sanctification.)

Psalm 139:14 says:  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 

There's a start to why we worship.  Because God made us.  His works are wonderful.  And we recognize that life is not all about us.

Here's my issue:  it's fine to help worshipers understand why they are worshipping.  It's even ok to spill ink on the issue.  But don't so water down the gospel being preached from the pulpits of America that now people are reminded that their worship (work, liturgy, "worth-ship" of God... pick up a decent text book by Morganthaler or Hustad!) is supposed to impact how they view the world around them only through a pithy magazine filled with "if a Christian super-star said it than that settles it!" theology crammed tight between its covers.  I'll believe it's more than this when there is a negative "Review" of a Christian CD in the, I'm sure, objective review section.

Do we really not know why we're spending our lives for the sake of the gospel?   Do we really not know why it is worth it week in and week out to lay aside as much time as possible to lay at the Master's pierced feet?  Do we really not know why we do what we do?  If not, maybe it's because we're not REALLY doing it.

Dialogue

I've been chatting, via blog post replies, with some Atheists this week.  It's been an interesting time.  They are a lively bunch, who love to dismiss anyone who thinks differently than they do.  Their circular reasoning is blatantly obvious... at least I think it is.

So why am I blogging about this?  Here's why...

I'm trying to forge some new relationships with people who think differently than I do.  Perhaps it will lead to an "Evangelistic" moment, maybe not.  But I'm going to hang in there with it, get to know some folks, be challenged in my stances, and, hopefully, come away with a greater appreciation for my God, His truth (as HE defines it!), and a better stamina for relationships within the Church, when I don't EXACTLY agree with someone.

It's small... but it's a start.

Happy, Happy 2008!

In keeping with tradition, I'm keeping at least a year between blog posts.  We're getting this blimp back off the ground, this time from Carlsbad, CA.  Look for more in the coming days!

Life is Good!

I realized tonight it's been a year since I posted on my blog. I guess it's more of a web-occasionalrandomthoughtfromthebaldman than anything else. My family has been through a transition of the worst kind in the past year... to suffice, it involves church. The Lord is using this time to tighten the bonds of marriage and family between the wife and I and our 3 younglings. They rock my brain everyday!

So, for those of my friends who may check here occasionally, know that the static has been strong in the last 6 months, particularly... but we're still getting reception and following the storyline.

Peace.

Positive Condition Leading Toward "Why?"

At the end of the day, the author more often than not will look around his home at his wife, children, thoughts of friends and family and think, “I am blessed.” On days of particular introspection, he may even ask, “Why me?” This is a common example of the other conditions leading to the asking of “Why?” Surviving a car crash without harm, escaping a house fire, catching a World-Series ending grand-slam from the front row of the bleachers at Wrigley field – All of these might leave the experiencer feeling a little “lucky.” But when he or she asks of themselves, or the camera crews from the evening news knock on their door, push a microphone in their face, and ask “Why you?” What would one say? “I don’t know”? “I don’t deserve this”? “If you only knew what kind of man I am”? One can easily see that even positive conditions in life can lead to the problem of “why?”. With these thoughts tucked away, one must not leave this problem after just peering in the door. In fact, the author has not presented anything really new, just maybe coordinated two aspects of life not previously put together by the reader. But the question in presuppositional apologetics is still begged: “What truly is being said or presupposed when the question ‘why?’ is being asked?” We shall now see.