Archive for April, 2007

Reading Lite

Josh April 16th, 2007

As I may have whined about already, I’m working full time and going to school full time. Thus, because I am a simpleton, I have not been as apt to keep up with my reading of the Puritans and Reformers as of late (though I have been touching a little Gurnall here and there). I’ve pretty much been sticking with my M’Cheyne Bible Reading and my boring text books from school. However, I have to get some relief- so I picked up a new book today for light reading. John MacArthur’s new release, The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception. I look forward to having this small bit of escape.

Though MacArthur is neither a Puritan or a Reformer (especially since he thinks Calvin would be a dispensational premillenialist!), he is nonetheless an excellent preacher and writer (on most things). I have always appreciated his books which show the complete absurdity of modern evanjellyfish thought. My two particular favorites of his are The Gospel According to Jesus and The Gospel According to the Apostles, in which he triumphantly and thoroughly exposes those modern easy believism teachers who seem to think that repentance is optional and wholly separated from faith.

Anyway, I just thought I’d share. Godspeed.

“But That’s Old Testament”

Josh April 12th, 2007

It’s been said, “But that’s Old Testament. We’re not under law, but under grace.” O, the ignorance in which that statement is so commonly made! Certainly we’re not under the law as a means of justification…neither was the ”Old Testament” Church. Salvation has always been by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. But here’s what folks usually mean when they make that statement. “We no longer need the law. That’s Old Testament. We’re under grace, which is life. The law brings only death. Jesus brought a new law…a better one. The perfect law of freedom.” And that’s what we call scary theology. Consider with me if you will the Psalmist’s words from the 19th chapter:

7 The law of the Lord is perfect…

Now, from my short-lived experience and my understanding of the term perfect, I’ve found that such a word means flawless, without error, cannot be improved upon, is lacking nothing good or right, complete, inerrant, infallible, sure, etc. Thus, if the Psalmist, who is inspired by God the Holy Spirit, writes that God’s Law is perfect, I’m pretty confident that we may rest in knowing that all of Scripture, both Old and New Testament is applicable to our lives. Particularly we’re speaking now of the Law.

This does not mean we are justified by the Law, but it is a means to sanctification. In the sermon on the mount Jesus was not bringing new law. He was correcting the Pharisees’ misinterpretation thereof! If God’s Law is perfect (and it is, as the Psalmist has said), it is in no need of improvement. God is the author of it, and He doesn’t author error. So those Who’d say that Christ has brought a new law are sorely decieved and misguided in their thinking. Such a conclusion leads to belief that there’s something wrong or incomplete about God’s Law as revealed in the Old Testament. May it never be so!

Jesus has said elsewhere in the gospels, “Your [God's] Word is truth.” Paul told Timothy that all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. Now, at the time Paul’s writing Timothy the Canon of Holy Scripture was not yet complete. So, what was Paul speaking of? That’s right! The Old Testament. Sort of shoots a hole right in the theory of Jesus bringing a new or better law.

God forgive us for not loving all of Your Word.

A Prayer

Josh April 11th, 2007

O Lord, deliver me from the force of my iniquities,
Lest they overtake me like the tempest

I cling to You, Lord- Hear my plea, O God my Savior,
According to Your Steadfast Love

My transgressions weigh heavily and constantly upon me,
As I consider my rebellion against Your Holy Law.

And yet, O Lord, I plead that You remember Your Covenant faithfulness-
Save me from faithlessness

Ever so present with me, Lord, is the knowledge of my sin
I am ever humbled at Your mercies given

O God! save me from the peril of it all! Grant me preace, O gracious Lord,
According to Your lovingkindess

Against You, O Lord, have I treasonously acted.
Against You alone have I so foolishly done evil.

May Your grace be magnified in pardoning sinners-sinners such as me.
Grant peace to my heavy heart

I am humbled and brought low within the bowels of brokenness,
Because of the awareness of my sin, which so easily entangles.

I cry out to You, O Lord, for You alone are able to deliver men from themselves.
You are both gracious and glorious.

You alone have the holy right to exact Your justice, to avenge sinners
Yet, you show mercy to those of Your choosing.

Blessed be Your Name, O Lord, in all the earth, for You are the kind and merciful God
Giving grace to humble, laying low the proud.

Blessed be Your Name.

« Prev