IT HAS BEGUN.

"Today: A few flurries ending this morning then cloudy with sunny periods and 40 percent chance of flurries. Wind west 40 km/h gusting to 60. High plus 3."

Driscoll Demonstrates More Humble Orthodoxy

Count It All Joy | TheResurgence:

Mark Driscoll writes some very positive things in response to an upcoming protest planned against Mars Hill Church. These comments demonstrate a further step along a good trajectory.

"I learned that my theological convictions, even the most controversial ones, are as unwavering as ever. But I also learned that as my platform has grown, so has my responsibility to speak about my convictions in a way that invites other people to experience charity from me, which means inflammatory language and such need to be scaled back. I was also sad and sorry to hear that various things I have said over the years have been received very personally by some people who felt personally attacked. A female pastor had a very good insight: as my platform has grown, so has my audience, and that in some sense I need to consider myself the pastor of two churches. In Mars Hill where I labor as a pastor who deeply loves his people, they are gracious with my faults and flaws because they know me and they know of my love for them. But outside of Mars Hill, for those who do not know me or my pastoral affection for people, the perception of me can be very different. Therefore, I need to learn how to function most effectively in a new role as someone given a broader voice to speak for Jesus. There is much to learn."

Like it or not, Driscoll has gained a voice in America. I say, keep praying the Lord graciously leads this brother along. I am thankful for the evidence of God's work in Mark.

Is Mohler Right?

SBC Baptist Press - FIRST-PERSON: A call for theological triage & Christian maturity:

Dr. Al Mohler has a helpful discussion on what he labels "theological triage" - how to assess those issues that are direct attacks on the integrity of the church as compared to those issues that cause certain levels of disagreement between genuine Christians.

I have found this a useful way to think through certain issues. Mohler writes:

"Second-order issues would include the meaning and mode of baptism. Baptists and Presbyterians, for example, fervently disagree over the most basic understanding of Christian baptism. The practice of infant baptism is inconceivable to the Baptist mind, while Presbyterians trace infant baptism to their most basic understanding of the covenant. Standing together on the first-order doctrines, Baptists and Presbyterians eagerly recognize each other as believing Christians, but recognize that disagreement on issues of this importance will prevent fellowship within the same congregation or denomination.

Christians across a vast denominational range can stand together on the first-order doctrines and recognize each other as authentic Christians, while understanding that the existence of second-order disagreements prevents the closeness of fellowship we would otherwise enjoy. A church either will recognize infant baptism, or it will not. That choice immediately creates a second-order conflict with those who take the other position by conviction."

My question, however, is if such a disagreement dictates the same response in every case? Is it a logical necessity that I separate from those with whom I have a second-order disagreement? In some cases, this seems like the only option. For example, Mohler raises the isse of women elders:

"In recent years, the issue of women serving as pastors has emerged as another second-order issue. Again, a church or denomination either will ordain women to the pastorate, or it will not. Second-order issues resist easy settlement by those who would prefer an either/or approach. Many of the most heated disagreements among serious believers take place at the second-order level, for these issues frame our understanding of the church and its ordering by the Word of God."

I can see a sort of "functional necessity" to separation with this issue. The actual running of the church would be hindered by continued fellowship. But is this the case in every area of second-order disagreements?

I often wrestle with this kind of separation when it comes to the issue of baptism. Do not think for a nano-second that my convictions on Believer's Baptism wane! May it never be! But I tend to believe there are ways for a local church to function smoothly made up with those who disagree on this second-order doctrine.

So my question for you, dear reader, is this: Do you think Christians can remain unified (in one local church or one denomination) while firmly disagreeing about a second-order doctrine? And if they can, how would it work out? And if they cannot, then why not?

What to Do When You Disagree With a Brother [Romans 14:1-15:13] (Part 5)

This is a multi-part series. You can catch up and get some context by reading the first four parts here: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV.

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In the last study, we saw that the positive action that must take place in order for real unity to be achieved is this: strong brothers must determine to never throw up stumbling blocks in front of weak brothers. They must not exercise their freedom in a way that pressures the weak brother to ignore his scruples and violate his conscience. Paul describes four crucial reasons (“motivations” if you like) why the strong must commit to this.

Four Reasons You Must Judge Rightly

(Never Condmen and Never Cause to Stumble) (:14-18)

A. First Reason: Everything is clean to the Christian, but not everything is clean to every Christian (14:14)

I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself,

This is the idea that the strong have to get into their heads! Yes, everything is clean. But if you are coming out of a certain background, that may be hard to understand. Three times the Lord lowered the blanket of animals in Peter’s vision and three times he proclaimed, “Eat.”

Acts 10:10-15 And he [Peter] became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

There is nothing “common” or “unclean” to the Christian! This is staggering though! Imagine going to Hebrew school and learning which animal was which and what you could eat when! All that is out the window!

Mark 7: 14-19 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

Everything is not clean to every Christian

“...but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.”

Peter needed to hear it three times – and even then he fell back into his old ways of thinking in Galatia! Mark had to add an explanatory addition to his Gospel since this truth was so revolutionary!

Do you see what Paul is allowing for here? As long as a Christian is not looking to his eating or not eating as the grounds of his justification, then he is free to keep that diet. In fact, to go against his thoughts on this matter would be dangerous.

If a Christian man deems something unclean, even though it is not unclean, to him it IS unclean, because that is how he perceives it! He imputes to that thing or food or day a commonness that makes eating or drinking or participating... a violation of God.

So, when you find a brother has a different view on a secondary matter than yours, you must realize that if he is the weaker brother, for him to participate with you would be to violate his conscience. That is why you do not welcome “in order to” change him. No, you welcome him with an agenda-free reception.

B. Second Reason: Love demands it (14:15)

“For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love.”

We have just spent a huge amount of time saying that authentic love is what ought to mark our whole Christian life. That is who we are and what we are to be and do. If we yap about love out of one side of our mouth and practice log-tossing at the same time – we show we know nothing of true love.

This is so very much at the foundation of the whole matter. Stronger brothers, you are to love your weaker brother. And here again, it is not some condescending, pat on the head, “one-day-you’ll-learn” kind of thing – this is hating evil, holding fast to good, self-denial, cross-carrying, Jesus-following genuine self-sacrificing love.

We ought to expect that such love would require us to deny ourselves or tolerate differences. If we are not willing to love in these ways, we will “grieve” our brother – put him in distress. And this is not just some minor embarrassment or inconvenience! In the very next phrase he warns that the one who parades his strength is liable to cause the weak “to be destroyed.” Whatever Paul intends by that word, it is not pleasant.

C. Third Reason: Logic demands it (14:15b)

“By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.”

People do the strangest things. The picture Paul draws here is striking! It is a little bit like a poor slave man who always complains to his fellow slaves about the King. Then one day through ancient DNA testing, he finds out he is the King’s son! What rejoicing! He is free! He is wealthy! He is healthy! He is strong!

And the first thing he does is go back to his former slave-mates and show off his new clothes, and new servants and new power! He does not bring them food or help – he just rubs it in their face!

Some Christians are like this! “Look at my freedom! Look at my strength!” Paul says, “Are you kidding me? You are destroying others by your good!” That is illogical! It makes no sense.

Jesus died for him! And you want to shipwreck his faith by exercising your right to have a little glass of wine?

D. Fourth Reason: Kingdom priorities demand it (14:17)

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For, the one serving Christ in this is well-pleasing to God and approved to men.

What are we about? What do we aim for? Why do we live? Is it to drink wine, eat meat and treat every day alike? Is that what the Christian faith is all about? Is that why we are on the planet?

No, we are here to perform Holy Spirit-infused righteous deeds.

And we are here to help create a Holy Spirit-empowered peace within the church of the living God.

And we are here to find our joy in the Holy Spirit – not our diet or days!

These are the kingdom priorities. And this is the way that we serve Jesus, our Master. We do right deeds to other Christians, we pursue peace with other Christians and we experience joy with other Christians.

This is an excellent test of our church: Are the Kingdom priorities practiced here? Do we see righteous acts, genuine peace and real joy? And of course to answer that you must ask yourself the same question: are these priorities in my life? Or do I think I have been given the gift of laziness, disunity and strife?

What is your attitude toward those with whom you differ?

Should You Evangelize?

“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”
- Spurgeon At His Best, compiled by Tom Carter, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1991 reprinted edition, first published 1988), 67.

Calvary Reformed Church - Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Remember that new church planting effort in Calgary, Alberta I described a few days ago? Well, Clint and the gang now have a website up and running to which you can direct folks.

Worst Burglar Ever!

Worst Burglar Ever

This is beyond pathetic... and sadly funny.

In one way, it shows how far we will go to satisfy ourselves. Sin being what it is, it always leads us away from what is logical. At the very least, it is worth a Monday Morning Chuckle... even though I have not been able to get on blogger all day so this is getting posted at 6:15PM!

HT: Pyro Phil (and where he is right now!)