It was a real pleasure to gather with family and friends for the baptism of our son, Jonathan James Miller, at Sandyford Henderson Memorial Church in Glasgow this morning.
The service was conducted by one of the leading evangelicals in the Church of Scotland, Rev Martin Allen who reminded us again that baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace and a reminder that God's promises are to us and to our children. And there we can stand firm and sure, trusting not in any "magic" surrounding baptism but trusting in God.
It was a pleasure to meet Martin last Tuesday to discuss today's service. And it was a pleasure to hear one of the finest preachers in the Church of Scotland today preach the sermon from the story of Hannah and Samuel in 1 Samuel 1-2.
I found the service very moving and it was a joyful experience for all the family. Yet also a sobering one as I reflected on the promises I made to bring up Jonathan in the Christian faith, to teach him the Bible and prayer, and to set him a Christian example. No lightweight promises those. But I pray that Laura and I will both make good our vows and one day Jonathan will come to a living faith in the Lord Jesus.
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Evangelical Resistance to the Gospels
An interesting piece this by Tim Gombis on how we as evangelicals tend to spiritualise what Jesus asks of us in order to avoid actually doing it!
http://timgombis.com/2012/04/26/evangelical-resistance-to-the-gospels-how-why/
I think he's on the money and will be hitting a few raw nerves with this too (if I can mix my metaphors like that).
http://timgombis.com/2012/04/26/evangelical-resistance-to-the-gospels-how-why/
I think he's on the money and will be hitting a few raw nerves with this too (if I can mix my metaphors like that).
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Discipleship - Part 1
Introduction
Jesus said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it starkly when he said, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."
I've been very focused on some quite heavy doctrines for a while (foreknowledge, predestination, divine sovereignty and human freedom, etc.) and I thought it would be good to look at something more practical for a change, so this is the first in a series of posts on the subject of Christian discipleship.
As my guide I'm using the book Discipleship by David Watson. The book was written in the early 1980s but it is still very relevant for today. It contains a great deal of spiritual wisdom and is deservedly known as a "Christian classic" though I think it is now out of print. I will be quoting, referring or alluding to Watson's book throughout this series and using its structure through the series of posts.
The Call to Discipleship
Watson's first chapter is about the fact that being a Christian is about being called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. He makes a number of interesting points about this and breaks it down into a subheadings.
1. We are called by Jesus. In Bible times, people would choose the Rabbi they wanted to follow and be a disciple of themselves. But with Jesus it is different. He chooses his disciples. Christ chooses his followers himself. At one point he said this to the disciples explicitly: "You did not choose me, but I chose you." The early part of the Gospels shows Jesus choosing the Twelve disciples.
2. We are called to Jesus. Even more remarkable than Jesus reversing normal practice by choosing his own disciples is what he called them to - namely to himself. It was normal for a rabbi's disciples to follow his teaching or even imitate his lifestyle. Certainly we do this as Christians, but incredibly Jesus' primary call is not to his teaching or his way of life but to a living relationship with himself.
As Watson says: "Everything centres round him. Discipleship means knowing him, loving him, believing in him, being committed to him." (p.23)
3. We are called to obey. Following Christ means paying the closest attention to what he says. It means doing what he wants, going where he leads, and putting our loyalty to him above all else. It also means that we learn to accept that his plan and his will for our lives is always the best for us.
4. We are called to serve. One of the most important ways we can obey Jesus is by living a life of service to others. Just as Christ served others so he calls us and sends us to serve and help others too. This is one of the most important acts of obedience to Christ we can do. Yet serving others should never be seen as an alternative to worshipping and serving God. Rather it flows out of our relationship with God. The paradox is that the more truly God-centred we are, the more we are other-people focused as well.
5. We are called to a simple life. A radical commitment to Jesus will affect every aspect of our lives, not least how we use our money and our possessions. In this respect, Christ seems to call his disciples to "live lightly" and focus their attention not on earthly treasure but in heavenly treasure. This will mean that we will see our money as a tool to be used wisely, to help and support others and to advance God's kingdom, as well as to look after the needs of ourselves, our families and our friends.
6. We are called to suffer. To become a Christian is to enlist in an army at spiritual war with the world. It is a life where the world will oppose us, misunderstand us, ridicule us and possibly mistreat us. Persecution is not something that should be unexpected, but rather anticipated. Being a Christian disciple is no easy life. It is not something to be entered into lightly or flippantly. There are serious consequences to naming Christ as Lord and Saviour. It is not for nothing that Christ exhorts his followers to "take up their cross daily" when they follow him.
7. We are called irrespective of Qualifications. The normal practice among rabbis was to only allow people they could vouch were spiritually clean or righteous. Christ turned this practice upside down. He proclaimed his mission was not for "the righteous" but for "sinners" and justified this by saying that it was not the healthy but the sick who need a doctor. Christ invites and welcomes everyone without exception to be one of his followers. All he asks is that they trust and follow him.
In the next part we will look at how disciples are brought into the family of God and called to live in community with each other (which are the subjects of chapters two and three of Watson's book).
Jesus said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it starkly when he said, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."
I've been very focused on some quite heavy doctrines for a while (foreknowledge, predestination, divine sovereignty and human freedom, etc.) and I thought it would be good to look at something more practical for a change, so this is the first in a series of posts on the subject of Christian discipleship.
As my guide I'm using the book Discipleship by David Watson. The book was written in the early 1980s but it is still very relevant for today. It contains a great deal of spiritual wisdom and is deservedly known as a "Christian classic" though I think it is now out of print. I will be quoting, referring or alluding to Watson's book throughout this series and using its structure through the series of posts.
The Call to Discipleship
Watson's first chapter is about the fact that being a Christian is about being called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. He makes a number of interesting points about this and breaks it down into a subheadings.
1. We are called by Jesus. In Bible times, people would choose the Rabbi they wanted to follow and be a disciple of themselves. But with Jesus it is different. He chooses his disciples. Christ chooses his followers himself. At one point he said this to the disciples explicitly: "You did not choose me, but I chose you." The early part of the Gospels shows Jesus choosing the Twelve disciples.
2. We are called to Jesus. Even more remarkable than Jesus reversing normal practice by choosing his own disciples is what he called them to - namely to himself. It was normal for a rabbi's disciples to follow his teaching or even imitate his lifestyle. Certainly we do this as Christians, but incredibly Jesus' primary call is not to his teaching or his way of life but to a living relationship with himself.
As Watson says: "Everything centres round him. Discipleship means knowing him, loving him, believing in him, being committed to him." (p.23)
3. We are called to obey. Following Christ means paying the closest attention to what he says. It means doing what he wants, going where he leads, and putting our loyalty to him above all else. It also means that we learn to accept that his plan and his will for our lives is always the best for us.
4. We are called to serve. One of the most important ways we can obey Jesus is by living a life of service to others. Just as Christ served others so he calls us and sends us to serve and help others too. This is one of the most important acts of obedience to Christ we can do. Yet serving others should never be seen as an alternative to worshipping and serving God. Rather it flows out of our relationship with God. The paradox is that the more truly God-centred we are, the more we are other-people focused as well.
5. We are called to a simple life. A radical commitment to Jesus will affect every aspect of our lives, not least how we use our money and our possessions. In this respect, Christ seems to call his disciples to "live lightly" and focus their attention not on earthly treasure but in heavenly treasure. This will mean that we will see our money as a tool to be used wisely, to help and support others and to advance God's kingdom, as well as to look after the needs of ourselves, our families and our friends.
6. We are called to suffer. To become a Christian is to enlist in an army at spiritual war with the world. It is a life where the world will oppose us, misunderstand us, ridicule us and possibly mistreat us. Persecution is not something that should be unexpected, but rather anticipated. Being a Christian disciple is no easy life. It is not something to be entered into lightly or flippantly. There are serious consequences to naming Christ as Lord and Saviour. It is not for nothing that Christ exhorts his followers to "take up their cross daily" when they follow him.
7. We are called irrespective of Qualifications. The normal practice among rabbis was to only allow people they could vouch were spiritually clean or righteous. Christ turned this practice upside down. He proclaimed his mission was not for "the righteous" but for "sinners" and justified this by saying that it was not the healthy but the sick who need a doctor. Christ invites and welcomes everyone without exception to be one of his followers. All he asks is that they trust and follow him.
In the next part we will look at how disciples are brought into the family of God and called to live in community with each other (which are the subjects of chapters two and three of Watson's book).
I enjoy using Facebook. I find it a useful way of keeping in touch with people I know. But I thought this piece by Tim Chester was interesting and a call to "keep it real" with people: http://timchester.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/will-you-be-my-facebook-friend-part-3/
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Across the Spectrum
Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology
Gregory A. Boyd & Paul R. Eddy
Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2009
This is a pretty good introduction to evangelical theology, particularly the disputes between evangelical Christians on secondary matters that they disagree about. It is reminiscent of the "Counterpoint" books that present two to five different points of view on disputed doctrine or practice. Across the Spectrum does a similar job in a series of some 17 debated topics each covered by two or three short essays putting forward the arguments for and dealing with common ojections against a number of important subjects. There's also an appendix that deals with a good few other topics very briefly. There is also a decent glossary of terms explained in straightforward words.
To gain an overview of the broad spectrum of evangelical views, this book is ideal.
Some readers would no doubt question how wide the boundaries of evangelicalism are drawn in this book. For example, open theism is presented as a legitimate evangelical option. Also, kenotic theory is discussed alongside the traditional view on the deity of Christ. And other views of the atonement apart from penal substitution are presented.
Personally, I'm fairly sanguine about drawing the edges of evangelicalism a good deal wider than Reformed confessional orthodoxy. We do well to remember the adage popularised by Puritan Richard Baxter: in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
One criticism that may possibly be fair is that there is perhaps a lack of balance detectable in some of the essay pairs. Greg Boyd is a well-known open theist, and though Paul Eddy's views are harder to find, it is clear he is no Calvinist. It would perhaps have been more useful to have Calvinist or Molinist views put forward by people committed to these views.
However, in the main, the authors are pretty fair with other views. The reading lists suggested for each topic covered are valuable for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the issues involved.
Gregory A. Boyd & Paul R. Eddy
Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2009
This is a pretty good introduction to evangelical theology, particularly the disputes between evangelical Christians on secondary matters that they disagree about. It is reminiscent of the "Counterpoint" books that present two to five different points of view on disputed doctrine or practice. Across the Spectrum does a similar job in a series of some 17 debated topics each covered by two or three short essays putting forward the arguments for and dealing with common ojections against a number of important subjects. There's also an appendix that deals with a good few other topics very briefly. There is also a decent glossary of terms explained in straightforward words.
To gain an overview of the broad spectrum of evangelical views, this book is ideal.
Some readers would no doubt question how wide the boundaries of evangelicalism are drawn in this book. For example, open theism is presented as a legitimate evangelical option. Also, kenotic theory is discussed alongside the traditional view on the deity of Christ. And other views of the atonement apart from penal substitution are presented.
Personally, I'm fairly sanguine about drawing the edges of evangelicalism a good deal wider than Reformed confessional orthodoxy. We do well to remember the adage popularised by Puritan Richard Baxter: in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
One criticism that may possibly be fair is that there is perhaps a lack of balance detectable in some of the essay pairs. Greg Boyd is a well-known open theist, and though Paul Eddy's views are harder to find, it is clear he is no Calvinist. It would perhaps have been more useful to have Calvinist or Molinist views put forward by people committed to these views.
However, in the main, the authors are pretty fair with other views. The reading lists suggested for each topic covered are valuable for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the issues involved.
Happy Easter
Happy Easter everyone!
I hope you are having a great day wherever you are in the world.
The apostle Paul wrote: "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:19-22)
The question facing all of us is this: are you still "in Adam" or are you now "in Christ" by faith in him?
I hope you are having a great day wherever you are in the world.
The apostle Paul wrote: "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:19-22)
The question facing all of us is this: are you still "in Adam" or are you now "in Christ" by faith in him?
Friday, 6 April 2012
In my place condemned he stood
For me no verse of any hymn quite sums up what Good Friday is all about for the Christian believer better than this one from Man of Sorrows by Philip P. Bliss:
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned He stood;
sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
This is why what would otherwise be the darkest day in history is forever "Good" Friday to the faithful, the day our salvation was achieved through the cross. And the darkness merely proved to be the prelude to the brightest day in history when Christ rose from the dead three days later on Easter Sunday.
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned He stood;
sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
This is why what would otherwise be the darkest day in history is forever "Good" Friday to the faithful, the day our salvation was achieved through the cross. And the darkness merely proved to be the prelude to the brightest day in history when Christ rose from the dead three days later on Easter Sunday.
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