CBC News: Military operation frees 2 Canadian hostages in Iraq: "Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, were freed along with Briton Norman Kember, 74. All three were members of the Chicago-based Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), an international peace activist group.
They were abducted in November in Baghdad with American Tom Fox, who was later killed. His body was found March 10 with gunshot wounds to his head and chest."
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Spud Files: "I Now Pronounce You (Ex)Husband and (Ex)Wife"
Click here to read the post
Dan S. has a great post on the silliness of Divorce Blessings. If there ever was an oxymoron...
Dan S. has a great post on the silliness of Divorce Blessings. If there ever was an oxymoron...
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
John Bunyan on His Unjust Imprisonment
Bunyan was, of course, arrested for preaching Christ. It is good to read his account of the matter and see his incredible wisdom in dealing with his enemies and his confidence in his God. I include a quote here that recounts his reaction after the first 5 days of imprisonment when news arrived that he would not be released through the efforts of good friends:
From, A Relation of My Imprisonment in the Month of November 1660, by John Bunyan (emphasis mine). You can read the entire booklet online here.
"... I was not at all daunted but rather glad, and saw evidently that the Lord had heard me; for before I went down to the justice, I begged of God that if I might do more good by being at liberty than in prison, that then I might be set at liberty; but if not, His will be done; for I was not altogether without hopes but that my imprisonment might be an awakening to the saints in the country, therefore I could not tell well which to choose; only I, in that manner, did commit the thing to God. And verily, at my return, I did meet my God sweetly in the prison again, comforting of me and satisfying of me that it was His will and mind that I should be there.
When I came back again to prison, as I was musing at the slender answer of the justice, this word dropt in upon my heart with some life, FOR HE KNEW THAT FOR ENVY THEY HAD DELIVERED HIM.
Thus have I, in short, declared the manner and occasion of my being in prison; where I lie waiting the good will of God, to do with me as He pleaseth; knowing that not one hair of my head can fall to the ground without the will of my Father, which is in heaven. Let the rage and malice of men be never so great, they can do no more, nor go any further, than God permits them; but when they have done their worst, We know all things shall work together for good to them that love God.
Farewell."
From, A Relation of My Imprisonment in the Month of November 1660, by John Bunyan (emphasis mine). You can read the entire booklet online here.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Being gay, Christian and African
Click here for BBC article...
Although I have never been there, I have a certain love for Africa - especially due to one dear brother and his family. That is why this article caught my attention and my sorrow. It seems that Western norms are continuing to creep into Africa, and as is often the case, it is our worst that is exported most effectively.
One homosexual, Kenyan man wrote to the BBC about the liberation he experienced while studying in the UK...
Although I have never been there, I have a certain love for Africa - especially due to one dear brother and his family. That is why this article caught my attention and my sorrow. It seems that Western norms are continuing to creep into Africa, and as is often the case, it is our worst that is exported most effectively.
One homosexual, Kenyan man wrote to the BBC about the liberation he experienced while studying in the UK...
"Although there are laws against sodomy in Kenya, there is a secretive gay scene in Nairobi - certain pubs and clubs.
However, because my faith is so pivotal to me, I've chosen to be single and to be celibate. I can't say I've always been successful - I am a human being, not perfect.
For the last two years, I've been studying in the UK and the church in the West is a lot more accepting and has taught me to accept myself for who I am...
It has been easier to come to terms with being gay in the UK because Nairobi is a much smaller society and people talk - the stigma associated with homosexuality does cut. I really hate the way people run to the Bible just to justify their biases and fears. If they knew more about Christianity they would accept homosexuals or anyone else for who they are."
Things You Should See...
Scouring through some fave blogs today I came across the following:
Be sure to read Tim Challies post as he reflects on a few sentences written by John Piper in "God is the Gospel."
Michael Haykin offers some excellent balance to my post on Reform the Seminaries!
Darrin Brooker is back after a week's vacation (hurray!) with some timely advice on how to speak to error - from his pen and that of his dead pal, Horatius Bonar.
Julian has a very funny post on that most hideous Toronto landmark... the FAN!
And if you are really brave you could try reading about Josh's love for Edna St. Vincent Millay! (But I mean... REALLY brave!)
Be sure to read Tim Challies post as he reflects on a few sentences written by John Piper in "God is the Gospel."
Michael Haykin offers some excellent balance to my post on Reform the Seminaries!
Darrin Brooker is back after a week's vacation (hurray!) with some timely advice on how to speak to error - from his pen and that of his dead pal, Horatius Bonar.
Julian has a very funny post on that most hideous Toronto landmark... the FAN!
And if you are really brave you could try reading about Josh's love for Edna St. Vincent Millay! (But I mean... REALLY brave!)
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Reform the Seminaries!
An article in the St. Patrick's Day New York Times says that enrollment in Protestant seminaries is increasing, even as the number of graduates entering pastoral work is shrinking. This is no surprise.
I have watched with dismay as all the major "theological schools" in Canada have shifted from training preachers and missionaries, to graduating "Christian professionals." Here it comes - hoogly!
Seminaries on the whole have completely lost focus. What is the purpose of the seminary if not to help train men how to perfom pastoral ministry both locally and "to the ends of the earth?" I fear what motivates decisions more than anything else in this realm is money. As post-moderns grow increasingly bored with genuine Biblical thinking, school enrollments nose-dive. As numbers decrease, the powers-that-be decide to "broaden our course offerings" in order to get more students. It happens all the time.
Of course, when a school does this, it must shift resources to fill in all the new course addtitions. Professors end up teaching things they are not as skilled at. New professors have to be brought on staff in order to offer key courses. Course schedules get stretched into wonkiness and students end up spending too much of their week on campus instead of in their local church. I could go on.
In my opinion, the bottom line is that true "theological education" suffers. Not a sudden death, but a slow blood-letting that fools those in the middle of it that nothing is really that wrong. Then one day everyone wakes up and they are the new Liberal School of The Day.
My solution is this. Let the seminary be a seminary!
I think it would look something like this:
1. Courses are taught by elders of local churches.
2. Courses are geared toward "the grammar subjects" - like languages, theology (Biblical and systematic), Bible surveys, in-depth book studies (like a semester in Philippians!), historical theology, and even grammar (English, Greek, Hebrew) itself.
3. Courses are restricted to men (at the very least in the M.Div. program).
4. All the other good things that seminaries could teach are sent to some other school or local church to teach.
5. Personal spirituality is the greatest emphasis with regular accountability in Bible reading, prayer, evangelism, purity, and personal character.
6. No man gets a degree who cannot have a board of elders affirm him as an elder in their own church.
That's at least a start .
I have watched with dismay as all the major "theological schools" in Canada have shifted from training preachers and missionaries, to graduating "Christian professionals." Here it comes - hoogly!
Seminaries on the whole have completely lost focus. What is the purpose of the seminary if not to help train men how to perfom pastoral ministry both locally and "to the ends of the earth?" I fear what motivates decisions more than anything else in this realm is money. As post-moderns grow increasingly bored with genuine Biblical thinking, school enrollments nose-dive. As numbers decrease, the powers-that-be decide to "broaden our course offerings" in order to get more students. It happens all the time.
Of course, when a school does this, it must shift resources to fill in all the new course addtitions. Professors end up teaching things they are not as skilled at. New professors have to be brought on staff in order to offer key courses. Course schedules get stretched into wonkiness and students end up spending too much of their week on campus instead of in their local church. I could go on.
In my opinion, the bottom line is that true "theological education" suffers. Not a sudden death, but a slow blood-letting that fools those in the middle of it that nothing is really that wrong. Then one day everyone wakes up and they are the new Liberal School of The Day.
My solution is this. Let the seminary be a seminary!
I think it would look something like this:
1. Courses are taught by elders of local churches.
2. Courses are geared toward "the grammar subjects" - like languages, theology (Biblical and systematic), Bible surveys, in-depth book studies (like a semester in Philippians!), historical theology, and even grammar (English, Greek, Hebrew) itself.
3. Courses are restricted to men (at the very least in the M.Div. program).
4. All the other good things that seminaries could teach are sent to some other school or local church to teach.
5. Personal spirituality is the greatest emphasis with regular accountability in Bible reading, prayer, evangelism, purity, and personal character.
6. No man gets a degree who cannot have a board of elders affirm him as an elder in their own church.
That's at least a start .
Friday, March 17, 2006
Your Weekend Hymn Special...
Don't tell Bob Kauflin, but we sing this to the tune of "A Debtor to Mercy Alone" as it was released on Bob's Hymn Project CD.
What You Think of Christ is the Test
What you think of Christ is the test,
To try both your state and your scheme;
You cannot be right in the rest,
Unless you think rightly of Him.
As Jesus appears in your view,
As He is beloved or not;
So God is disposèd to you,
And mercy, or wrath are… your lot.
A man, or an angel at most;
Sure these have not feelings like me,
Nor know themselves wretched and lost:
So guilty, so helpless, am I,
I dare not confide in his blood,
Nor on his protection rely,
Unless I was sure He… is God.
But mix their own works with his plan;
And hope He his help will afford,
When they have done all that they can:
If doings prove rather too light
(A little, they own, they may fail)
They purpose to make up full weight,
By casting His name in… the scale.
Some style Him the pearl of great price,
And say He's the fountain of joys;
Yet feed upon folly and vice,
And cleave to the world and its toys:
Like Judas, the Savior they kiss,
And, then while they greet Him, betray;
Ah! What will profession like this,
Avail in the judgment… that day?
Though still my best thoughts are but poor;
I say, He's my meat and my drink,
My life, and my strength, and my store,
My Shepherd, my Husband, my Friend,
My Savior from sin and from thrall;[1]
My hope from beginning to end,
My Portion, my LORD, and… my All.
Original lyrics by John Newton. Altered by
[1] “Thrall” means “slavery”
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
New Blog: Fearfully & Wonderfully Made
Fearfully & Wonderfully Made:
Ryan enters "the blogosphere" (sorry Tom) in a new way!
Nice to see he can talk about more in creation than flowers! :-)
HT: JLF81
(Hey, maybe he could coach JLF81 on design and get that hideous, disgusting, eye-drilling white font on black blackground blog improved!!!!)
P.S. I look nothing like Aki Berg, although I do play defense better than him!!
Ryan enters "the blogosphere" (sorry Tom) in a new way!
Nice to see he can talk about more in creation than flowers! :-)
HT: JLF81
(Hey, maybe he could coach JLF81 on design and get that hideous, disgusting, eye-drilling white font on black blackground blog improved!!!!)
P.S. I look nothing like Aki Berg, although I do play defense better than him!!
Why Men Don't Preach Sovereign Grace
You won’t find this piece in your average church hymnal! As far as I can remember, we have never sung this hymn, but it speaks to an issue with some uncomfortable clarity. Some might read the words and sense an attacking spirit, but knowing something of Joseph Hart, I rather think it was written sorrowfully and with the hope it might provoke a brother to think through his theology more carefully.
I am not suggesting you sing it this Sunday, but it might be worth reading one day – when the occasion merits it.
I am not suggesting you sing it this Sunday, but it might be worth reading one day – when the occasion merits it.
Why Men Don't Preach Sovereign Grace
What makes mistaken men afraid
Of sovereign grace to preach!
The reason is, if truth be said,
Because they are so rich.
Why so offensive in their eyes
Does God's election seem?
Because they think themselves so wise
That they have chosen him.
Of perseverance why so loath
Are some to speak or hear?
Because, as masters over sloth,
They vow to persevere.
Whence is imputed righteousness
A point so little known?
Because men think they all possess
Some righteousness their own.
Not so the needy, helpless soul,
Prefers his humble prayer;
He looks to him that works the whole,
And seeks his treasure there.
His language is, "Let me, my God,
On sovereign grace rely;
And own 'tis free, because bestowed
On one so vile as I.
Election ! tis a word divine;
For, Lord, I plainly see,
Had not thy choice preceded mine,
I ne'er had chosen thee.
For perseverance strength I've none,
But would on this depend...
That Jesus, having loved his own,
Will love them to the end.
Empty and bare, I come to thee
For righteousness divine:
O may thy matchless merits be,
By imputation, mine."
Thus differ these; yet hoping each
To make salvation Sure.
Now most men will approve the rich,
But Christ has blessed the poor.
First titled: "Because thou sayest, I am rich." Rev 3:17. By Joseph Hart. A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. by William Gadsby. The Gospel Standard Societies, 1977. 8 Roundwood Gardens, Harpenden, Herts. AL5 3AJ, England. Hymn 222. Pages 183-4.
What makes mistaken men afraid
Of sovereign grace to preach!
The reason is, if truth be said,
Because they are so rich.
Why so offensive in their eyes
Does God's election seem?
Because they think themselves so wise
That they have chosen him.
Of perseverance why so loath
Are some to speak or hear?
Because, as masters over sloth,
They vow to persevere.
Whence is imputed righteousness
A point so little known?
Because men think they all possess
Some righteousness their own.
Not so the needy, helpless soul,
Prefers his humble prayer;
He looks to him that works the whole,
And seeks his treasure there.
His language is, "Let me, my God,
On sovereign grace rely;
And own 'tis free, because bestowed
On one so vile as I.
Election ! tis a word divine;
For, Lord, I plainly see,
Had not thy choice preceded mine,
I ne'er had chosen thee.
For perseverance strength I've none,
But would on this depend...
That Jesus, having loved his own,
Will love them to the end.
Empty and bare, I come to thee
For righteousness divine:
O may thy matchless merits be,
By imputation, mine."
Thus differ these; yet hoping each
To make salvation Sure.
Now most men will approve the rich,
But Christ has blessed the poor.
First titled: "Because thou sayest, I am rich." Rev 3:17. By Joseph Hart. A Selection of Hymns for Public Worship. by William Gadsby. The Gospel Standard Societies, 1977. 8 Roundwood Gardens, Harpenden, Herts. AL5 3AJ, England. Hymn 222. Pages 183-4.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Sheepish Excuses
Tim Challies had a colorful post the other day about sheep plunging off an embankment as their shepherds busied themselves with breakfast. The point was to consider how stupid sheep are and how easily they are herded to their doom – they are natural followers. More than that, look what sheep do when not properly shepherded!
I commented on challies.com, but thought I might pose a similar problem here. When do the sheep bear responsibility for their own misstep? In other words, isn’t there a time when the sheep ought to say to themselves, “Hey, everybody is plunging to their doom off that cliff up there. Maybe I should stop and go the other direction?”
I have met more than 11 people who kept grazing away in some silly church which they knew was rushing headlong to destruction. They gave reasons for staying, but I have yet to be very convinced by any of them...
1. My whole family goes there. It has been our church for generations.
Well, God doesn’t bless walls, He saves souls. If the church you are in is not preaching the gospel, then get your whole family out!
2. Things will fall apart if we leave there.
Well, I hate to tell you this, but things have already fallen apart if the Word is not preached and the Lord not delighted in! Besides it may shock you to find out that things will continue along on the same path without you. You are never as indispensable
3. We’ve been there so long!
Well, Lot’s wife lived in Sodom for a long time, too. Long enough to stop seeing what was wrong with that debauched city. Have you been there so long you cannot see how bad things really are?
4. We don’t like changing churches and starting all over again at relationships.
Well, neither do I. Neither do many people I know. But, in serious matters, serious steps need to be taken. Sometimes change is the only option.
5. We are so comfortable there.
Well, Peter and James and John were comfortable sleeping on the ground in Gethsemane. Just because you can nap on a rock doesn’t mean there isn’t something better for your spiritual posture. If the Word is not preached – go out and find it and there will be comforts for your soul you never imagined.
6. We like to go to church close to home.
Well, so do I – and hopefully there is a church close to your home that preaches the Word and delights in its Author... but if there isn’t, I think it is worth driving as far as you have to in order to be with God’s people and grow in His grace.
But do you know what would be better than all these options? If you stopped in your tracks, called out to all the other sheep around you and said, “Hey, we are dying down here! Let’s go talk to the shepherds!” Then you all meander over to the misguided shepherds and say, “Attention, Shepherds. We want the green pastures and still waters! Baaaa.”
If they get up from their distractions and take you there – you have won your shepherd (and you can stay in your church!) But if they refuse to listen, you kick the dust off your hooves (do sheep have hooves) and find yourself shepherds that are following the Chief Shepherd.
I am never for leaving churches if we can avoid it... but life is short, and if your church is committed to ways that oppose the Gospel and the glory of God, I say, get out and find a place where God is delighted in. Only, don’t come to my church – that would be sheep-stealing.
I commented on challies.com, but thought I might pose a similar problem here. When do the sheep bear responsibility for their own misstep? In other words, isn’t there a time when the sheep ought to say to themselves, “Hey, everybody is plunging to their doom off that cliff up there. Maybe I should stop and go the other direction?”
I have met more than 11 people who kept grazing away in some silly church which they knew was rushing headlong to destruction. They gave reasons for staying, but I have yet to be very convinced by any of them...
1. My whole family goes there. It has been our church for generations.
Well, God doesn’t bless walls, He saves souls. If the church you are in is not preaching the gospel, then get your whole family out!
2. Things will fall apart if we leave there.
Well, I hate to tell you this, but things have already fallen apart if the Word is not preached and the Lord not delighted in! Besides it may shock you to find out that things will continue along on the same path without you. You are never as indispensable
3. We’ve been there so long!
Well, Lot’s wife lived in Sodom for a long time, too. Long enough to stop seeing what was wrong with that debauched city. Have you been there so long you cannot see how bad things really are?
4. We don’t like changing churches and starting all over again at relationships.
Well, neither do I. Neither do many people I know. But, in serious matters, serious steps need to be taken. Sometimes change is the only option.
5. We are so comfortable there.
Well, Peter and James and John were comfortable sleeping on the ground in Gethsemane. Just because you can nap on a rock doesn’t mean there isn’t something better for your spiritual posture. If the Word is not preached – go out and find it and there will be comforts for your soul you never imagined.
6. We like to go to church close to home.
Well, so do I – and hopefully there is a church close to your home that preaches the Word and delights in its Author... but if there isn’t, I think it is worth driving as far as you have to in order to be with God’s people and grow in His grace.
But do you know what would be better than all these options? If you stopped in your tracks, called out to all the other sheep around you and said, “Hey, we are dying down here! Let’s go talk to the shepherds!” Then you all meander over to the misguided shepherds and say, “Attention, Shepherds. We want the green pastures and still waters! Baaaa.”
If they get up from their distractions and take you there – you have won your shepherd (and you can stay in your church!) But if they refuse to listen, you kick the dust off your hooves (do sheep have hooves) and find yourself shepherds that are following the Chief Shepherd.
I am never for leaving churches if we can avoid it... but life is short, and if your church is committed to ways that oppose the Gospel and the glory of God, I say, get out and find a place where God is delighted in. Only, don’t come to my church – that would be sheep-stealing.
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