A New Year Begins

My new school year at Puritan Seminary begins this week. I look forward to another year of study and of spiritual enrichment that the seminary encourages. This year will bring new challenges as I begin my Hebrew studies as well as go out to preach in the churches (Lord willing). Please pray for me as I again take up the challenge of balancing family, school, church, and work.

Your Lord's Day a'Brakel

The subject of this virtue is the heart of the believer…. The seat of uprightness is neither to be found in the countenance, the clothing, the mouth, nor in their actions, but in their heart. Their intellect is illuminated by a wondrous light, the will embraces the spiritual matters which are revealed to them by that light, and their passions go out after those matters in order to have them in possession and to perform them in a manner pleasing to the Lord. They thus have an internal propensity, and that propensity shines forth in their countenance, clothing, words, and deeds (III: 428-429).

Standing on Holy Ground

How often do we forget that when we come to worship (whether private, family, or public) we are entering into communion with the true and living God. Too frequently we allow our thoughts to wander to the things of this world and we refuse to train our hearts and our minds to focus and to come before Him with grace in our hearts.

How much would backslidings and faint-heartedness cease if we would be aware of our standing on Holy Ground.

When we come to a sermon, or when we take the Bible in our hands to read, God cites and summons us...His majesty is present therewith, and we are present in His sight. -John Calvin

Abortion is Okay Under SOME Circumstances

Today, at a press conference, our great 'Christian' president was asked what he thought of the abortive drug 'Plan B' . His reply had nothing to do with the fact that this drug may cause murder, nothing to do with the law of God 'Thou shalt not kill', or even about the necessity to teach abstinence as a 'moral alternative'.

Instead of these answers, our president, who claims Jesus Christ as Savior, said that he thought that 'Plan B" should only be available by prescription. Wow!

Your Sabbath a'Brakel

Oh, that you were truly destitute and perplexed! Then there would be hope for your salvation, not because of your perplexity, but because there is a Surety for such perplexed ones--Jesus Christ, whose voice sounds forth, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mat. 11:28). To you who are perplexed, without hope, destitute, and troubled, I proclaim that there is one Savior--a Savior unknown to the heathen. Although they know that there is a God, nevertheless they do not know that there is a Savior and Surety who is proclaimed among us. This Surety calls you, invites you, and promises to save you if you come to Him. Therefore rejoice in such a blessed reality. Look outside of yourself, go to Him, receive Him by faith, and be saved (I: 491).

The BVM in Milky Rich Goodness?

The so-called Blessed Virgin Mary has appeared in chocolate according to a recent article.

"For Jacinto, the discovery came just in time. The single mother said she has struggled with personal problems for months and says she was about to lose her faith.
"I have big problems right now, personally, and lately I've been saying that God doesn't exist," she said, pulling the dog-eared prayer card out of her pocket. "This has given me renewed faith."

Whoever said that Rome breeds superstition must not really believe in the ability of dark chocolate.

A Scottish Christian Heritage

I must say that I am excited to begin this book. The forward has even gotten me excited!

From the forward:
To have books is not the same, however, as reading them. It is not only books that need to be handed on. Continuing testimony to their worth is no less needed, and I hope this volume will be a help to that end.
These pages are not principally about books. The theme is rather people and movements; yet the books from those times bring the abiding spiritual lessons to us and prevent the history becoming an excercise in nastalgia. The best Christian books never leave us as mere spectators. As one of these authors once advised a friend, 'Study the Spirit's work for the purpose of experiencing it.'

In ___ We Trust

Have you ever wondered about all of those 'forwards' that people send you asking you to sign a petition to keep In God We Trust on the penny? Or the one about the woman who dies after jumping out of her car to meet Jesus in the rapture? Or the one that tells of the Koran predicting the American military cleansing the lands of Allah? You can read up on all of the great amounts of religious trash that circles the internet and see for yourself what is true or untrue.

Free Will Hymnology

'Rabbi' John Duncan, a staunch Presbyterian and much loved missionary to the Jews of Budapest, once said of the hymns of Charles Wesley,
I have a great liking for many of Wesley's hymns, but when I read some of them, I ask, 'What's become of your free-will now, friend?'

The Approachability of the Lord Jesus Christ

Many people make excuses about why they do not approach the Lord in prayer. Some feel as though they are not 'Christian' enough to approach Christ yet. They desire to approach him, but they want to renovate their own lives first. This is a tragedy in thinking.
Others desire to approach Christ, but they feel as though their problems are insufficient to approach the Throne Room of Grace. They think that Jesus is more concerned with greater matters than they can supply.
Friends, the doors of Grace have been opened wide for all kinds of sinners. Walk through them and receive the grace and the healing that you desire.

Dear reader, what is your state? Are you feeble in prayer? Are you tired in prayer? And yet, is there anything of real want, of real desire in the heart? Is it so? Then draw near to God. Thy frame will not be more favorable tomorrow than it is today. You will not be more acceptable or more welcome at any future period than at this moment. Give yourself unto prayer. I will suppose your state to be the worst that can be, your frame of mind the most unfavorable, your cross the heaviest, your corruption the strongest, your heart the hardest; yet betaking yourself to the throne of grace, and with groanings that cannot be uttered, opening your case to the Lord, you shall adopt the song of David, who could say in the worst of frames, and in most pressing times, 'But I give myself unto prayer' (Ps.109.4) ~Octavius Winslow, 1808-1878

Sabbath Morning a'Brakel

No one could be Surety and bring man to God but He who was God and man in one Person. The Son of God first had to be personally united to the human nature before sinful man could be restored into friendship and union with God. Behold, how great a work it is to save a sinner! What manifold wisdom was required to conceive such a remedy! All the holy angels together could not have conceived such a remedy as God has conceived and revealed. They are desirous to look into this, but they shall never be able to comprehend it. What a blessing it is that none but He was able to do this, that He has sent His own Son for this purpose and caused Him to unite personally with the human nature! What omnipotence is required to execute such a design! (I: 511).

To Spank or Not to Spank

The spanking of children is a topic that sends many strong emotions stirring through the hearts and minds of Christians. Some Christians say that spanking is 100% necessary to be obedient to God in the area of the rearing of children. Other Christians believe that spanking is borderline abuse or just bad parenting.

It seems to me that the word of God promoted the idea of chastisement quite clearly. My confession is that in my family we do use spanking as one of the disciplinary techniques for raising our children. When one spanks it needs to be out of love and with the goal of restitution of the relationship between parent and child; but more importantly, between family and God.

Charles Bridges is one of my favorite commentators on the book of Proverbs. He presents a balanced view as well as a Christological view of the topic.

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction
shall drive it far from him. -Proverbs 22.15

What parent, what instructor of children, will not bear sad, but decisive, testimony to the foolishness of the child? 'A little innocent' --is the miscalled name of fondness and fancy. One only of Adam's race, and he--adored be his name! preserved by his holy conception (Luke, i. 35)--lays claim to it. Foolishness is the birthright of all besides. The early development of waywardness and passion,--even before the power of speech;* before the child is capable of observing and imitating those around him--is a touching, but undeniable, evidence of the innate principle. Resistance therefore cannot begin too early. Education should commence even in the cradle.

Observe--it is foolishness, not childishness. That might belong to an unfallen child. No moral guilt attaches to the recollection "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child." (1 Cor. xiii. 11.) A child is to be punished as Mr. Scott wisely observed--'not for being a child, but for being a wicked child.' Comparative ignorance, the imperfect and gradual opening of the faculties, constitute the nature, not the sinfulness of the child. The holy "child increased in wisdom." (Luke, ii. 52.) But foolishness is the mighty propensity to evil--imbibing wrong prin- ciples, forming bad habits, entering into an ungodly course. It means the very root and essence of sin in a fallen nature--the folly of being revolted from a God of love. It includes all the sins of which a child is capable-lying, deceit (Ps. lviii. 3), wilfulness, perverseness, want
of submission to authority (Job, xi. 12)--a fearful aptness for evil, and revulsion against good. It is not the sheet of pure white paper; not the innocent, or even the tractable, creature, easily guided by proper means, that we have before us; but a little heart full of sin, containing all the seeds of future evil, multiplying to a fruitful harvest. We delight in our children's harmless play. We would make ourselves one with them in their sportiveness. But this foolishness-- visible every hour before our eyes--never let it be a subject of sport, but of deep and constant sadness. Nor let childhood plead as an excuse for this foolishness. Children's sins may not be chargeable with the guilt of adult responsibility; yet God has awfully shewn, that they are sins against Himself. The judgment on the "little children" of Bethel is enough to make "both the ears of" thoughtless parents "to tingle." (2 Kings, ii. 23, 24)

But whence the origin of this foolishness? "Look unto the rock whence we are hewn." Look unto "Adam" our father, and unto "Eve that bare us." (Isa. li. 1, 2.) As is the root, so ate the branches. As is the fountain, so are the waters. Our nature was poisoned at the spring. Our sinful parent, having lost God's image, could only "beget a son after his image" (Gen. v. 3)--a sinner begetting a sinner. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh" (John, iii. 6), and could be nothing else. Now "who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?" (Job, xiv. 4; xxv. 4.) The creature therefore is produced into being with a radical enmity to God;--"by nature" therefore "a child of wrath."
(Eph. ii. 3.) The entail is held from "our first father," and can never be cut off. There is no division of this sad inheritance. Each of his children has the whole. His Maker testifies, that he is "a transgressor from the womb, that his heart is evil from his youth."1 In shame he acknowledges the testimony--"Behold! I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Ps. li. 5.) If the joy of a child's birth blot out the remembrance of its pain and sorrow (John, xvi. 21), yet must not this joy be chastened in the humbling recollection of what
the child brings into the world--foolishness? That self-will, that proud independence, that shakes the very foundations of society, is the birth-sin of our fallen nature. Nor does it lie only on the surface, like some childish habits, easily corrected. It is bound in the child's heart,
'held firmly there by chains invincible to human power.'* It is incorporated into his very nature. And so various are its forms, so subtle its workings, that the wisest parent is often at a loss how to detect and treat the evil.

The prescribed remedy, however, is clear. It is vain to bid the foolishness depart. And little inclination is there in the child himself to drive it far away. The rod of correction is distinctly named, and repeatedly inculcated, as God's own means for this important end. And surely the thought of having been an instrument of producing nature envenomed against a God of love must constrain the parent to use the means thus divinely appointed for destroying the deadly
poison.

Only let the child see, that, as with our heavenly Father, love is the ruling principle;1 that we follow the example of the wisest and best of parents, that we use his rod for driving men from foolishness;2 that, like him, we "chasten, not for our pleasure, but for our child's profit" (Heb.
xii. 10); not from caprice or passion, but from tenderness to his soul. Use the Lord's means, and we can then, what otherwise we cannot do, wait in faith for the promised blessing. Many a stirring movement of the flesh will be restrained. Man's will will be put down, and God's will
gain the supremacy. Shame of sin will issue in abhorrence; and in this sorrow and humiliation the path of wisdom will be chosen, loved, and followed. (Chap. xxix. 15.)

We have indeed no right to demand to see God's reasons for his ordinance. Yet we may be permitted, in part at least, to trace its workings. Habits are of immense value, as wrought into the character by the Holy Spirit. But there must be a beginning, and the use of means to fix the principle. If a child be punished for falsehood; to avoid future punishment, he abstains, and speaks the truth. As he advances, he finds the blessing and comfort of the right path. He
learns gradually to speak truth from a higher motive. Insensibly his conscience acquires tenderness respecting it; and it becomes a principle in his character. Thus the rod of correction performs its work with permanent benefit.

* Augustine mentions a living demonstration of the fall--the sight of an infant, before
it could speak, shewing an evident look of envy and passion towards another infant about
to share its nourishment. He adds--in reference to himself--'When? I beseech thee, 0
my God, in what places, when or where, was I innocent?'--Confess. lib. i. c. 7.

Some new blogs

Eva Lemmon? has added another blog to her already hard-to-beat blogging.

Droll has decided to rejoin us with another attempt at blogging. I hope that he does well..he has great things to say.

Loretta has made another attempt at blogging as well. After an incident of blogging about work while at work...has she learned her lesson?

Are there any other new good blogs that I should check out? What was that new Joe Schelling address? Leave a comment about a blog that you think that I may be interested in and if I like it I will put it on my blogroll.

PRESBYTERIAN THOUGHTS: Geneva Bible Spam

The Geneva Bible has recently been updated with current English spelling, modern font, and complete with the 1599 notes that have been loved by Protestant Christians for years. This would be worth the purchase for anyone who prefers the Byzantine Textform but does not really enjoy the Authorized Version (King James). When you read the Geneva Bible you see that the Reformed believed in having a Bible translated into the vulgar or common tongue. I prefer this translation and am ecstatic that it is available once again for use by the people of God.

Click here for a short history of the Geneva Bible by Gary DeMar.

Catechism 101

Training children in theological education can be tough for most Christians. It is especially the duty of the father, although in our culture the mother is usually the spiritual head.

In my family, the Children's Catechism has been a helpful place to start with our two children who are under 3 years-old. Soon we will begin the Shorter Catechism, but as children who do not have well-developed verbal skills- we start with the children's catechism.

Lord's Day a'Brakel

On a Church's Lack of Discipline (A Word to Office Bearers)

You are the cause that the church is becoming degenerate to the core. You are responsible for all the consequences of this. As a result, God's Name is dishonored, many people are kept from joining the church who otherwise would do so, souls are destroyed who by the use of the keys of God's kingdom would repent, and the flourishing of godliness is obstructed. You will be the cause that one member imitates the other in the commission of evil, and that the godly are oppressed and secretly must sigh over the wretched condition of the church. Know that the Lord will bring you into judgment for all these things, and that there you will have to give an account of the manner in which you have ruled the church entrusted to you and concerning the souls over whom the Lord appointed you as an overseer. The Lord will demand the blood of all those souls who will perish due to the neglect of the use of this key. Oh, what a weighty responsibility this is, and how dreadful will God's judgment be upon all unfaithful elders! Oh, that many would never have been elders! Oh, that all elders would be stirred up and, in this matter, would lift up their hearts in the ways of the Lord! (II: 185).

A Case of Conscience: Fiction and Other Entertainment

An amazing amount of ink (pixels?) has been spilled concerning the topic of fiction and what I see as a more broad topic- entertainment.

We live in an age of entertainment, where people no longer find their identity by what they do for work and where they worship; but we live in an age of 'what do you do for fun?'. Our Reformed forefathers were not kill-joys, as fiction writers such as Nathaniel Hawthorne portray, but were people who attempted to define 'what they do for fun' in the context of how it will make them able to serve God and man in a refreshed manner.

In Richard Baxter's Christian Directory he gives many thoughts to meditate upon when choosing a sport, recreation, or other entertainment. I would like to share a few that may help us in our discussion of fiction as well as carry it to other means of recreation:

Keep a watch upon your thoughts and fancies, that they run not after sports and pleasures. Else you will be like children who are thinking of their sport, and longing to be at it, when they should be at their books or business.

Avoid the company of... time-wasters. Come not among them, lest you be insnared [sic]. Accompany yourselves with those that delight themselves in God (2 Timothy ii.22).

See to the sanctifying of all your recreations, when you have chosen such as are truly suited to your need; and go not to them before you need, nor use them beyond your need. See also that you lift up your hearts secretly to God, for His blessing on them; and mix them all along as far as you can with holy things; as with holy thoughts and holy speeches.

Be much more severe in regulating yourselves in your recreations, than in censuring others for using some which you mislike. For you know not their case, and reasons, and temptations...

Fiction or Damned Lies?

Dr. Robert Godfrey of Westminster Seminary, California, has recently published an article in Evanglium concerning Christians and fiction. Dr. Godfrey gives some historical reasons against reading fiction, and with the help of Lewis, a literature scholar, gives reasons for the reading of fiction. I have a difficult time reading fiction because it often is a waste of reading time- but I do read some, for the sake of a balanced reading diet. One who reads only systematics and dogmatics has difficulty relating the Christian life to all areas (in my humble opinion).

Here are the pros and cons that Dr. Godfrey mentions:

Reasons not to read fiction:
1. Reading fiction is a waste of time.
2. Fiction is fundamentally dishonest.
3. Fiction is too often morally corrupting.

Reasons for the reading of fiction:
1. Reading literature is enjoyable.
2. Fiction is a way to experience many things that we would not otherwise experience.
3. Fictions helps us to grow as human beings in the understandings of others.
4. Fiction will help us to read the Bible better by learning to read well.

For a free subscription to Evangelium click here.

Living the Sweet Life!

The idea of 'sweetness' is an idea that the Puritans promoted heavily. They thought that the Christian life should be one that is enjoyed to the fullest. They also thought that this was the highest purpose to human existence, as well. Remember that the main purpose of life was glorify and enjoy God forever. Sweet!

"Every thing that a man leans upon but God, will be a dart that will certainly pierce his heart through and through. He who leans only upon Christ, lives the highest, choicest, safest, and sweetest life."
THOMAS BROOKS

Sabbath Wake Up Call from Wilhelmus a' Brakel

Listen to the knocking and arousing voice of the Lord Jesus and reflect upon the words of the bride: "I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night." She, not being worthy of arising says, "My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him...My soul failed when he spake" (Song of Sol. 5:2, 4, 6) [IV: 273]

A Beginner's Tour of Puritanism

Many of my readers are lovers of the Puritans. Many also cannot say that they have read any Puritan material, save maybe Pilgrim's Progress.

Here is your chance to own a great beginning in Puritan classics. Vision Forum is offering 20 of the Puritan Paperbacks for $120.00. This is a very nice price for an opportunity to grow into some of the richest and deepest spirituality any Christian can hope for. Purchase them and see that they will enrich your soul!

Calling the Sabbath a Delight

It seems to me that calling the Sabbath a delight has been highly disregarded in our day and age. Christians have put their own 'needs' above those holy duties that God has graciously given to his people. May the Lord turn us back to Him as we call the Sabbath a delight!

Of all of the commandments of a decalogue, the Sabbath is the most controversial in current evangelical Christianity. Would you say that you do not usually put other gods before God? Would you say that you usually do not murder? Would you say that you usually are faithful towards your spouse? Would you say that you usually do not worship with idols? Why do we usually keep the Sabbath day?

Isaiah 58:13-14 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Hebrews 4:9-11 There remaineth therefore a Sabbath to the people of God. For he that is entered into his Sabbath, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that Sabbath, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Sins of omission [on the Sabbath day] are exceedingly prejudicial; because, though they have a tendency to harden the heart and stupify the conscience, yet they are, of all others, least regarded. As to the omission of holy duties on the Sabbath day, it is slighting and casting away of a great prize, put into our hands. Hence, in such a case, it will be said, 'Wherefore is there a prize put into the hands of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart for it?' It may be observed also that the omission of holy duties on the Sabbath day is generally attended with the neglect of secret duties, and is an inlet to all manner of sins, and to a total apostasy from God.
~Thomas Ridgeley

Sobriety Test

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! -Matthew 18.6-7

What sobering words from Jesus Christ. Think of the care with which he takes care of his children, and especially those little ones. We all need to be sobered by these words and watch our actions as we attempt to live lives in conformity to Christ and his law. Christ is a gracious saviour, but he is also a judge to those that offend his children.

Here are the words of Bishop JC Ryle on this verse:

It is a great sin to put a stumbling block in the way of believers. We put offences or stumbling-blocks in the way of men's souls whenever we do anything to keep them back from Christ, or to turn them out of the way of salvation, or to disgust them with true religion. We may do it by what we say or how we live, and this a great sin. It is awful to think of the amount of harm that can be done by one inconsistent professor of religion. He gives a handle to the infidel. He supplies the worldly man with an excuse for remaining undecided. He checks the enquirer after salvation. He discourages the saints. He is, in short, a sermon on behalf of the devil.

Your Sabbath Morning Cup of a'Brakel...mmm...Meaty.

The cause of patience is not to be found in man himself…. The Lord grants the godly faith and gives them a lively view that He inflicts this affliction upon them with His Fatherly hand. He secretly sustains them by strengthening the inner man. In their affliction he comforts them much according to the soul and permits them to taste His grace. He causes them to perceive the lightness, advantage, and transitory nature of affliction. He shows them how advantageous and glorious the outcome will be. This causes them to be quiet and encouraged. They are then willing to suffer, and tribulation will then work patience, and that experience, and that hope which maketh not ashamed (III: 417-418).

On Evangelicalism

That only is true evangelicalism in which sounds clearly the double confession that all the power exerted in saving the soul is from God, and that God in His saving operations acts directly upon the soul.
~B.B. Warfield

Israel: The Land and Her Way to Heaven

In light of today's newest surge of violence in the Middle East, I must again ask myself the question, why does the USA continue to pour her taxpayer's dollars into a country that would not stand without our aide.

The Trinity Foundation's latest article asks some good questions about why so many American Christians refer to this area of the world as the holy land? Is it holy? Is it holy because Christ was there, or is it because we have a false theology surrounding it and it's future?

As a postmillennial Christian I do believe that God will again restore His people of old. I do not believe that it will be political though. The church will be her knew home as the Jews return unto God. I am afraid that Dispensational theology has made Christ's death of little effect as their system promotes two various ways of salvation. The Jews can have their sacrifices and Christians have their faith? That is absurd! Faith in Christ is how one is reconciled to the Father- and it has always been so. But with the separation of Church and State in all, why do we let Dispensational theology influence where our tax dollars are spent? This view does not mean that we have to pour money into this American pet-project called Israel.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday John Calvin... Happy Birthday to you.

Today Calvin would have been 497 years old. Here is a quick biography on his life and work.

Lord's Day a'Brakel

It is therefore, first of all, necessary that you have and maintain a soul which is pure and undefiled, fully devoted to God, and finds her existence in communion with God. You will then--as was true for Nehemiah--be able to speak with men while simultaneously praying unto God (Neh. 2:4-5). It is with such intent that you must leave the home, and in order to preserve such a condition within, you must pray each time when going out. He who in the solitude of his home is not exercised in continually turning to God, walking with a perfect heart, or acknowledging the Lord in all his ways; who in believing union with the Lord Jesus does not strive to cleanse the heart from worldconformity, vanity, cleaving to sinful lust, and a continual thinking upon vain imaginations; and who does not continually exercise himself to be of a spiritual disposition--such a person, when in the company of and engaged in conversation with others, will not be fit to maintain this good disposition which as yet he has, although he be beset with the corruptions mentioned before. The good frame of heart will readily vanish and you will not have within yourself a fountain bringing forth all manner of spiritual matters to your personal benefit and that of your neighbor. Instead, you will frequently speak of spiritual matters for conversations's sake, doing so, however, without inner warmth and without causing the hearts of others to burn within them. Yes, you will even become engaged in worldly conversation, and upon arriving home your spiritual frame will have vanished and you will have a restless conscience. Therefore, you must especially endeavor to have a pure heart (II: 636-637).

The New Bible Code and Colon Cleansing Revealed!

DaVinci Code eat your heart out! We have topped your claims in the realm of the ridiculous:

I think that so many people use the Bible to promote their own ridiculous ideas. This guy claims that if you look at the miracles associated with food in the Bible then you can be healed of various diseases. I am sure that there is some truth the idea of whole foods, etc. but he takes a miraculous jump when he talks about how these foods are really just a secret-Bible-code for a colon cleaning.

Wow.

Benny Hinn's wife talks about a different type of colon cleaning. She claims that we all need "Holy Ghost enemas" because we are man pleasers.

You have to watch this video!

Kuyper College and my Alma Mater

This post that I had about Reformed Bible College changing its name to Kuyper College is restirring controversy. It seems that when Kuyper College is googled, this post comes up third. So as people are searching for the KC site, they get my opinion on the background of the name-change.

I still hold that the name-change is for the purpose of separating themselves from the Reformed tradition. I know that there are other reasons as well, but is an American not entitled to a freedom of speech as well as freedom of the press?

Not all are happy with my thoughts. Here is a comment that I received at midnight:

Hmmm Nate...So if my senses are right, I think you're feeling angry... I remember you from RBC, er, KC. Brother, I encourage you to get your head out of the sand and start loving people. REALLY loving them. ALL people... Arminians, pentecostals, female preachers, adults who get baptized, Kuyper College board members....

My response is that I love Christ, the Church, and the Reformed Faith. I also love sinners who are dying and in danger of hell. That is why I am in seminary as well as why I maintain this blog. I desire to see God's truth spread from East to West, from sea to sea. I desire to see men converted and fall in love with my Redeemer. This my friends lies behind my passions.

Love for Christ.

And I hope that this post comes up fourth!

What's Your Problem?

DM Lloyd-Jones was one of the best preachers of the twentieth century. His sermons are timeless as they pierce right to the heart of matters concerning faith and life. His sermons are filled with the call for men to turn their hearts toward God and the practical wisdom that only can be matched by our Puritan forefathers.

Here Lloyd-Jones calls on preachers to be honest with themselves as they preach. Preachers are not pulpiteers of psychology, or promoters of self-help. Preachers are men who are called to show humanity that they are dead-men who can only be healed by Christ, the physician of the soul.

There are so many people trying to diagnose the human situation; and they come to the conclusion that man is sick, man is unhappy, man is the victim of circumstances. They believe therefore that his primary need is to have these things dealt with, that he must be delivered from them. But I suggest that is too superficial a diagnosis of the condition of man, and man's real trouble is that he is a rebel against God and consequently under the wrath of God.
-Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers.

General Assembly 2006

Radio Talk Shows and the Magistrate

Many American Christians would rather receive their political doctrines from radio pundits than from the Word of God. The Word of God makes clear what a magistrate is to look like as well as some of the functions of the magistrate.

For those who find a biblical harmony between the Bible and radio talk-shows, may this latest news from the 'Christian right' and so-called 'moral majority' leader remind us that our hope is not to be in man, but in the Son of Man. May the magistrate reward those who do good and punish those who do evil.

Lord's Day a'Brakel

If therefore the Lord leads us in difficult ways, and brings us in a situation where we must lose our life for the truth's sake, may we then not love our life and deem it precious, but offer it willingly to the Lord as a sacrifice. Paul said, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand" (2 Tim. 4:6). There is no more glorious death imaginable than to die as a martyr for Christ. Oh, how blessed is he who may thus use Christ as Priest, and who himself may be a spiritual priest! (I: 560).

Pastor's Wives Gone Wild

We ministers and theology students need to learn to be less critical of our wives. They are fragile beings that need to be loved and cared for and not criticized and yelled at. Pastor's wives are people too.

Ridgeley on the Purpose of the Lord's Supper

Thomas Ridgeley's A Body of Divinity: Wherein the Doctrines of the Christian Religion are Explained and Defended, Being the Substance of Several Lectures on the Assembly's Larger Catechism is a book for which I have looked for well over a year. It is quite rare and does not appear in the used book market very often (I got it Tuesday!).

Here is a sample from the section on preparation for the Lord's Supper:

Another duty preparatory to the Lord's Supper, mentioned in this answer, is serious meditation. We are to perform this duty that we not engage in the ordinance without considering the greatness of the Majesty with whom we we have to do, together with our own vileness and unworthiness to approach his presence. We must also consider his power, wisdom, and goodness, to encourage us to hope for those supplies of grace from which we stand in need of; and we are to have an awful sense of his omnipresence and omniscience, as he is an heart-searching God, that we may be excited to an holy reverence, and guarded against the wandering of our thoughts and affections from him, or any unbecoming behaviour in his presence. More particularly, we are to consider beforehand, the end and design of Christ's instituting this ordinance- namely, that his dying love to sinners might be signified and showed forth, and an encouragement to our faith, and an inducement to thanksgiving and praise. -p534

Generation-Tech Evangelism

Left Behind the video game is soon to be released. On the Fringe brought this to my attention and I cannot stop ruminating on how ridiculous American Christianity has become. The game, according to creators, is meant to show, "...situations resulting from the stories' post-apocalyptic time-frame are used to encourage gamers to think about matters of eternal significance, a topic largely ignored by modern games."

Is this what Arminian evangelism has lead to? Are we so ashamed of the Word of God and so doubt the work of the Holy Spirit that we rely on destructive and apocalyptic video games to do our evangelism for us?

I prefer the method of the Apostle Paul personally. I may be old fashioned and not Generation-Tech enough, but I think that the Spirit still works this way:

"WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. -Romans 10.13b-17

Maybe if the Apostle Paul knew about this video game he would change his view of evangelism. It would not be faith comes by hearing Christ in preaching, but faith comes through gaming and how can they game without a programmer.

Lord's Day a'Brakel

The object of such meditation is divine matters of which he has prior acquaintance. There is, furthermore, an inquisitive thinking about and meditation upon those matters with which one is not acquainted as yet but, nevertheless, desires to be acquainted with. However, the meditation in question here is a practical reflection upon matters with which we are acquainted, concerning which we wish to be inwardly moved again by way of meditation. He who is desirous to engage in spiritual meditation will sometimes pursue what comes to mind, and thus follow the Spirit indiscriminately from one subject to the next…. Hastiness in meditation will rob us of its fruitfulness (IV: 27-28).

When I say that I am Presbyterian- this is not what I mean.

Thanks for the article eChuck.

Lord's Day a'Brakel: Self-denial

[O]ne must deny his sinful self, that is, the old Adam, in a general sense, with all his motions and desires--whatever the nature and contrary to whatever commandment these motions may be, and whatever the faculty of the soul and of the body may be by which such motions are executed.
Specifically, one must, first of all, deny his natural and darkened intellect; that is, to refuse to make this a rule of doctrine and life.
Secondly, we must deny our own will.
Thirdly, we must deny our inclinations.
Fourthly, we must deny our own honor. There is no sin more common to man and is more deeply rooted in the heart than a desire to be honored.
Fifthly, we must deny our desire for possessions. Man's corrupt nature focuses on the physical. He desires to posses much, puts his trust in it, and determines to live from it.
Sixthly, we must deny our friends.
Seventhly, we must deny our life (III: 400-402).

The OPC and the New Perspective on Paul

The OPC has released their statement of on the New Perspective on Paul. In my opinion the OPC is the classic 'play both sides of the argument' denomination when it comes to some of the hard issues of the church. The report, as well as a critique can be read here.

Hopefully the congregations of this denomination will be able to stand for what is good and just and call out those who teach a false gospel.

Pray for the OPC and other reformed churches as they struggle through this trying time in the history of the Church.

Faithfulness and Holiness

Today I sat down with a copy of the 'new' JI Packer biography of JC Ryle, entitled, Faithfulness and Holiness. My little guy Owen and I reclined on the couch to begin the journey into the life of the great Victorian bishop of Liverpool and easily began to enjoy Packer's appreciation.

As I began to notice the speed with which Packer wrote I flipped through the book to catch a glimpse of some of the chapter titles.

Outrage is all that I can say.

Why do you ask? The 'appreciation' is only 85 pages. The last 3/4 of the book is a copy of one of his greatest works- Holiness.
I am glad that the biography is so great and it is nice that Holiness is included, but do not make a $20 hardcover book that is only 85 pages!

Worth the read- but do not pay full price.

Lord's Day a'Brakel

These divine revelations [of justification through Christ] are the foundation upon which saving faith rests. Since all fullness is to be found in Jesus, and since this fullness is being offered to you personally by this good Jesus, receive Him then as your Jesus with a ready and willing mind, heartily surrender yourself to Him, and entrust your soul entirely to Him in order that by Him you may become a partaker of all the benefits of the covenant. The acts of choosing, receiving, surrendering, and entrusting constitute saving faith. The promises are applicable to a person who is thus engaged. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12); "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36); Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him" (Psa. 2:12) [II: 613].

"The Christian's life should put his minister's sermon in print."
WILLIAM GURNALL

How well are you being a commentary on the preaching of your minister?

Caleb's Lamb

I have just finished reading Caleb's Lamb, by Helen Santos, to my family. This book is a wonderful look into the life of a young shepherd named Caleb. Caleb learns of his own selfishness and sinfulness as well as substitutionary atonement from his first lamb, Isaac.

This book is such a powerful tool for teaching children (and adults) the power of what it means for one to lay down his life for another. This book has shed light on the purpose of typology and has strengthened the way in which I look at the death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Good Shepherd truly loves his sheep and this book will deepen your love for Jesus Christ! It is available here for $7.50. It is a small price for a great book.

a' Brakel on Reading the Word

Read, search, and meditate upon the Word of God with all diligence and persistence. This should even be the practice of kings. "And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life" (Deu. 17:19). It is the duty of scholars as well. "Give attendance to reading" (1 Tim. 4:13). It is the privilege and obligation of the lowly and of every individual. "Search the Scriptures" (John 5:39); "Have ye not read?" (Mat. 12:3).
The eunuch read while riding in his chariot (Acts 8:28). The Bereans searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). How everyone ought to practice this in private, prior to going to work, both by himself alone, and with his family! At noon when one nourishes his body, he ought also to nourish his soul. In the evening after work, one must end the day by seeking some refreshment from the Word of God. In the meantime, while engaged in his occupation, by meditating upon what has been read, the soul will maintain communion with God. He will be enabled to understand the spiritual meaning as well as to experience the power of God's Word. This will cause the soul to grow in grace, protect against vain thoughts, control the tongue, suppress corruptions, and direct man to fear God (I: 77).

It Depends On What Your Definition of 'Is' Is.

When does day mean day, and how is one to respond when a church tells you different? I have been thinking a lot about the 'framework' theology debate since a friend of mine has decided to join the OPC ? Any thoughts on whether that should be a standard of the church or should it be classified as 'things indifferent'? Personally, I believe that Presbyterians have a confessional stance on the debate thus binding them to 6 literal days. Any thoughts?

An Old Kind of Christian on A New Kind of Christian

I have begun A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren. I really have enjoyed some of the insights that McLaren brings to the theological table. We have, in American Evangelical Christianity, read ideals into the Bible that are not there. As an example, many American Christians view democracy as the biblical standard of civil government. In the Middle-Ages the divine right of kings was seen as the biblical standard. We are called to examine these ideas in the light of the Word of God.

Some of the ideas that I am not persuaded by include the idea that Modernity (and the Christianity that fits into it) found its fullness in 19th century rationalism. Most of the book thus far, argues that this is the fullness of Modern Christianity and we interpret our experiences and our understanding of Scripture from this vantage point.

I would argue that there was a decline in Christianity and its adherence to the Word of God after the end of the 17th century. Thus making Modernity itself a falling away from the biblical standard. We are called to a personal as well as a communal relationship with Christ. Modernity stresses the personal at the expense of the communal. Although much fruit for the sake of the Gospel has been produced after the 17th century- Christianity was at its height as a spiritual and cultural power prior to this time.

There are many things that I have enjoyed about the book but I think that McLaren is missing the mark. McLaren challenges Christians to take the leap from Modernity to Post-Modernity to aid in our understanding of culture and Scripture- but I would find the biblical challenge to be to jump out of Modernity and Post-Modernity into an eternal perspective from which to view the world, the Church, and the cultures around us.

Dignity of the Pulpit II (Westminster Larger on Preaching)

Q158: By whom is the word of God to be preached?
A158: The word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted,[1] and also duly approved and called to that office.[2]

1. I Tim. 3:2, 6; Eph. 4:8-11; Hosea 4:6; Mal. 2:7; II Cor. 3:62. Jer. 14:15; Rom. 10:15; Heb. 5:4; I Cor. 12:28-29; I Tim. 3:10; 4:14; 5:22

Q159: How is the word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?
A159: They that are called to labor in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine,[1] diligently,[2] in season and out of season;[3] plainly,[4] not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power;[5] faithfully,[6] making known the whole counsel of God;[7] wisely,[8] applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers;[9] zealously,[10] with fervent love to God [11] and the souls of his people;[12] sincerely,[13] aiming at his glory,[14] and their conversion,[15] edification,[16] and salvation.[17]

1. Titus 2:1, 82. Acts 18:253. II Tim. 4:24. I Cor. 14:195. I Cor. 2:46. Jer. 23:28; I Cor. 4:1-27. Acts 20:278. Col. 1:28; II Tim. 2:159. I Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12-14; Luke 12:4210. Acts 18:2511. II Cor. 5:13-14; Phil. 1:15-1712. Col. 4:12; II Cor. 12:1513. II Cor. 2:17; 4:214. I Thess. 2:4-6; John 7:1815. I Cor. 9:19-2216. II Cor. 12:19; Eph. 4:1217. I Tim. 4:16; Acts 26:16-18

The Dignity of the Pulpit

In my seminary we often here the phrase "the dignity of the pulpit". We talk about how the pulpit needs to be a place that is seen as holy and reverent. The preaching of the Word is as Christ speaking to his bride.

My wife and I just heard a sermon by the dean of an evangelical seminary that actually ended his sermon with this- "and if you do not like it I have one word for you- www dot get over it dot com"! The crowd then burst into applause.

Dignified?

Lord's Day a'Brakel: On Spiritual Deadness

Listen to the knocking and arousing voice of the Lord Jesus and reflect upon the words of the bride: "I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night." She, not being worthy of arising says, "My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him...My soul failed when he spake" (Song of Sol. 5:2, 4, 6) [IV: 273].

Soul Tsunami

Pat Robertson's latest prophecy had better be correct. I think that Moses would not like this kind of thing- neither would Jesus.

Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Sedimentary rock or do you prefer Igneous for tossing?

A Hearty Invitation

The graduation services of Puritan Seminary will be available to watch here Thursday evening, 7:00 PM. Mr. Terreth Klaver, who many know and love, will receive his Master's of Divinity at this event. All are welcome to attend if they wish. Commencement speaker will be Rev. Geoffery Thomas who will be speaking on the offices of Christ. We are hoping for an announcement from Terry concerning whether he will accept the call to be a minister in the Southern Presbyterian Church of Tasmania.

Systematic Belief in the Believability of Our Belief System

I was reading a great article on the Council of Nicea. A discussion was being had as to the differing views that were debated concerning the Divinity of Christ and His relationship to God the Father and the God the Holy Ghost.

A total side note, but there was a great quote by Saint Augustine as to the Christian faith being a faith of thought. Christ preached first to the mind- Christianity is to be believed. The true faith is one that is believable as well as to be believed.

"No one believes anything unless one's first thought is that it is believable...not everyone who thinks believes, since many think in order not to believe; but everyone who believes thinks, thinks and believes and believes in thinking."

Lord's Day a'Brakel

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10). Our compassion must also extend itself toward those who hate us. "Do good to them that hate you" (Mat. 5:44); "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him" (Rom. 12:20). Among all natural relationships with people, our relatives are nearest to us, and they must have preference over all other people. "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Tim. 5:8) [IV: 115].

Some thoughts on Ephesians

Ephesians 2.19. Then accordingly, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow-citizens with the holy-ones, and of the household of God. 20. And are built over the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, and the Cornerstone Himself-- Jesus Christ. 21. In whom all the building fit together is caused to grow into a temple, holy unto the Lord. 22. In whom you also are built as a dwelling for God in the Spirit.

Paul shows the Gentile believers in the area of Ephesus their standing before God. There must have been some questions concerning their position as to their citizenship within the body of Christ as well as in the history of the Church (both Old and New Economies). The Apostle answers these questions with great pastoral clarity and compassion. The Gentile believers are not second-class citizens within the household of faith, but are being built upon the same foundation as the Jewish believers past and present.

The foundation on which these believers are being built is the one that has been laid by the Testaments of the Old Economy as well as the New Economy. The Old Economy was laid by the Prophets of old. They were the ones who brought the Word of God, the oracles of God, the thoughts and rebukes of God. The Prophets were the primary writers of the Old Economy and held the schools of prophecy to ensure the preaching of the Word for the covenant people.

The New Testament section of the foundation was laid by the Apostles. The Apostles were the ones who learned at the feet of Christ; they were given the ordination by Christ to preach the Word and to dispense of the sacraments. The Apostles of the New, as the Prophets of Old, were entrusted to ensure the carrying on of preaching, the administration of the sacraments, and the proper use of discipline. The Apostles are the primary Words that are read and studied in the Church today as the Prophets were in the Old Covenant.

The Cornerstone is Jesus Christ. A cornerstone, as a tool of architecture, is important to be laid as straight as possible, since it is the stone by which all other stones will be laid. If the cornerstone is not straight then the rest of a building will be crooked. Jesus Christ is the canon by which all believers are to judge themselves as well as the standard by which all Churches measure their faithfulness.

The purpose of this allegorical building is so that a spiritual habitation can be made for the Spirit of God as well as to grow spiritually in holiness. This needs to be reflected in the Church as the Gentiles as well as the Jews who believe attempt to live lives that are holy and set apart for the use of the Lord. The Church is also to be a dwelling place that is fit for the Spirit of God. A dwelling place for God must be holy and cleansed, and this is what Paul is promoting, as well as the Church of Ephesus is to be set apart for a fit dwelling of the Spirit of God.

Closed until May 12

Please pray for me as I attempt to finish this semester . I am having a difficult time managing my time, so I will see you in a week and a half! I also am preaching May 10th at Puritan Seminary, I covet prayer for that as well. See you soon.