Mr. Kalkwarf
14 years ago
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Briefing Library: Factotum #1: The Ministry of the Pew
Nice article by Colin Marshall on the ministry of the pew. Good article for every church member to read.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
This is a very insightful blog by one of my guys from Pittsburg who is now a seminary student at Dallas Theological. To read the original go to: http://danielattaway.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/are-you-reading-the-bible-wrong/. It is worth the read.
Guest blog by Daniel Attaway (Student at Dallas Theological Seminary)
“Bible, Bible, Bible. Everybody is reading the Bible.” This is how one of my seminary profs chose to begin one of his classes and it was slightly shocking because it was satirical. This statement is more or less true about Evangelicals because the Bible is our authority and the written revelation of God (no argument there). Have you ever encouraged someone to read their Bible? Have you ever told them that if they want to know God’s will for their life then they need to read the Bible? Have you ever even given the slightest thought as to what you were asking that person to do?
On a large scale we as Evangelicals claim that if Christians will interpret Scripture using a historical-grammatical method and good exegesis they will arrive at an orthodox interpretation. Is this true? No, and here is one reason why: interpretation never arises from a blank slate, which is what the historical-grammatical approach claims. This approach does not take into account that everyone comes to the text with presuppositions and a predisposition to interpret the text in a certain way. Currently, we find ourselves living in a post-enlightenment world, which states, “I am just concerned with the data.” So we look at the original language, the grammatical structure, and the cultural setting for our interpretation. This method is not all-together wrong or incorrect, but is it complete?
Here is how this scenario plays out… Suppose the head pastor of an evangelical church wants to do a sermon on David and Goliath. He spends the week leading up to Sunday studying the cultural background, geography, history of the Philistine/Israelite controversy, and the fight between David and Goliath. What will likely happen is after this information has been given, the pastor will say, “Here is how you slay the giants in your life,” and he goes off on that subject. Is that a poor application to make? Maybe not, but is the interpretation whole? Is that reading distinctively Christian? I submit that it is not because it is not informed by the Christ event, namely the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Stopping at the “facing your giants” interpretation seems to be what Dr. Christian Smith calls “Therapeutic-Moralistic Deism.” So what is the distinctively Christian reading? Tim Keller gave a good answer when he said, “Jesus is the true and better David whose victory becomes his people’s victory, though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.”
So what is the alternative? A Christocentric, orthodox informed lens through which we read and interpret the Scriptures. The early church interpreted Scripture through the lens of what had been passed down to them, known as the “rule of faith.” A simple definition of the rule of faith is apostolic, orthodox teaching. Irenaeus was a mainstream defender of the Christian faith against heretical teaching and he wrote that the one standard of correct interpretation is the rule of faith, which has been preserved in the church in the apostolic succession. So what is the lens? What should inform our interpretation? Orthodoxy. What is distinctively Christian is our starting point and that informs our interpretation.
In conclusion, we should not seek to read Scripture as anyone other than a Christian. You should not want to read the Old Testament like a Jew. You are not Jewish! You are Christian. The call is that we no longer place ourselves at the center of the Scriptures and determine “what they have to say to me,” but to read the Scriptures through the lens of orthodoxy and what is distinctively Christian. Is the Bible about what we are to do, or about what God has done? I believe that we have taught our people to read the Bible. We have even taught them to read it correctly with a historical-grammatical approach. But have we taught them how to read it Christianly? Don’t get me wrong, the historical-grammatical approach to interpretation is beneficial, but I do not believe it is complete. My fear along with others is that we are encouraging people to go home and read their Bibles in isolation and we give them no lens through which to do so. Sadly, the average layperson does not view God as Trinitarian, nor do they read the Scriptures through a Christocentric lens. This is raising up a multitude of people who view the Bible as their “roadmap to life,” and have little to no knowledge concerning historic Christian orthodoxy. This, among other things has lead many to predict an evangelical collapse. Do you agree or do you think orthodoxy as a starting point is ill conceived?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Last Sunday I finished a 12 part sermon series on What is a Healthy Church. As usual, I have more information than I can preach. While the sermon was fifty minutes long it did not seem that long and in reality it could have been much longer. Even to the last minute of preparation I was debating on using the article I am about to refer to.
It is sexy among young people—my generation—to talk about ditching institutional religion and starting a revolution of real Christ-followers living in real community without the confines of church. Besides being unbiblical, such notions of churchless Christianity are unrealistic. It’s immature actually, like the newly engaged couple who think romance preserves the marriage, when the couple celebrating their golden anniversary know it’s the romance. Without the God-given mandate of corporate accountability, we will not prove faithful over the long haul (76).
DeYoung goes on to say: Until we are content with being one of the million nameless, faceless church members and not the next globe-trotting rock start, we aren’t ready to be a part of the church. In the grand scheme of things, most of us are going to be more of an Amliatus (Rom. 16:8) or Phlegon (v.14) than an apostle Paul. And maybe that’s why so many Christians are getting tired of the church. We haven’t learned how to be part of the crowd. We haven’t learned how to be ordinary. Or jobs are often mundane. Our devotional times often seem like a waste. Church services are often forgettable. That’s life. We drive to the same places, go through the same routines with the kids, buy the same groceries at the store, and share a bed with the same person every night. Church is often the same too-same doctrines, same basic order of worship, same preacher, same people. But in all the smallness and sameness, God works –like the smallest seed in the garden growing to unbelievable heights, like beloved Tychicus, that faithful minister, deliver the mail and apostolic greetings (Eph. 6:21) Life seem pretty ordinary, just like following Jesus most days. Daily discipleship is not a new revolution each morning or an agent of global transformation every evening; it’s a long obedience in the same direction.
It’s possible the church needs to change. Certainly in some areas it does. But it’s also possible we’ve changed—and not for the better. It’s possible we no longer find joy in so great a salvation. It’s possible that our boredom has less to do with the church, its doctrines, or its poor leadership and more to do with our unwillingness to tolerate imperfection in other and our own coldness to the same old message about Christ’s death and resurrection. It’s possible we talk a lot about authentic community but we aren’t willing to live in it.
The church is not an incidental part of God’s plan. Jesus didn’t invite people to join an anti-religion, anti-doctrine, anti-institutional bandwagon of love, harmony, and re-integration. He showed people how to live, to be sure. But He also called them to repent, called them to faith, called them out of the world, and called them into the church. The Lord “didn’t add them to the church without saving them, and he didn’t save them without adding them to the church” (John Stott) (76-77).
What we need, according to DeYoung, are fewer revolutionaries and a few more plodding visionaries. That’s my dream for the church—a multitude of faithful, risk-taking plodders. The best churches are full of gospel-saturated people holding tenaciously to a vision of godly obedience and God’s glory, and pursuing that godliness and glory with relentless, often unnoticed, plodding consistency (76).
DeYoung conludes, Don’t give up on the church. The New Testament knows nothing of churchless Christianity. The invisible church is for invisible Christians. The visible church is for you and me . . . (so) stop the revolution, and join the rest of the plodders. Fifty years form now you’ll be glad you did.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Preacher's Heart
Robert Murray McCheyne on the preacher and preaching:
Michael
Friday, February 5, 2010
Masculinity and Christianity
Dr. Al Mohler has written an excellent blog on masculinity. It is worth the read.
A note to men on masculinity and Christianity. Standing firm on the gospel, for the gospel and covenant keeping is the best foundation on which masculinity should build. It is better than extreme sports, big trucks, motorcycles, sexual conquest or anything else markets itself as proof that that you are a man. Masculinity is best developed and defined in Christianity. Likewise, femininity develops the fullness of its character in Christianity.
D2L,
Michael
Here is the link: http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/02/05/newsnote-masculinity-in-a-can-fight-club-at-church-and-the-crisis-of-manhood/
http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/02/05/n...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Wide Way Leads to Destruction
I have been preaching through the Sermon on the Mount for the last few months and I am almost at the end of chapter seven. At the conclusion of his sermon, Jesus gives his listeners (and readers) as series of statements to help them evaluate their lives and confront them with choices they must make. In verses 13-14, Jesus paints the picture of the wide and the narrow way.
There is no escaping it, the narrow road leads to heaven and the wide road leads to hell. Preachers and scholars may try to weaken this text by saying it does not or even weaken the Bible’s position and teaching on hell but that is wrong too. Our culture does not like to hear about the reality of hell. Therefore many develop elaborate doctrines to minimize it, redefine it or just ignore it altogether.
Perhaps this is why Jesus follows vv. 13-14 with the caution to beware of false teachers. It seems it never goes out of vogue to redefine hell and biblical doctrine in general. Liberalism comes in many forms and today she is finely dressed with lots of degrees, eloquent, sweet language, nice white teeth and perfect hair. She does many good things and tells half to three-quarter truths. There are fragments of light in everything she says and it fools many.
The problem is that underneath the sheep’s fur is the hair of a wolf and his teeth and claws have sunk deep in the flesh of his prey. The tree’s fruit is really thorns with barbs and hooks to keep all who are snagged. False disciples do not tell people they are false, wolves do not reveal their identity and thorn trees keep you a full growing season before you realize what the harvest is.
In other words, the wide road has a sign above it that says heaven. It is an easy road to walk and its doctrines appeal to the flesh and tickle the ear. However, the end of this road is death and destruction as John Bunyan so beautifully illustrates in the Pilgrim’s Progress. Wise judgment must be exercised or you will cast your pearls before swine and find yourself broke and broken because you were trampled under their feet.
Today’s emerging church makes such promises and offers doctrines that taste good to the flesh. They do not only say that their way leads to heaven but they say that there is no hell. They make these claims while embracing many orthodox doctrines. They do many good works in the name of Jesus but it is a social gospel they practice. They want to help the down and out in the name of morals but not for the glory of God or the sake of the gospel. Good works, like meeting the physical, social and financial needs, are good things but they will not save.
Even Muslims, with their false religion, practice a social gospel of sorts. Today in the slums of Kenya and in Eastern Kenya, in the city of Malindi, if you convert to Islam you and your family will receive food, water and free education for your children. These are very wonderful services for converting to Islam but it is the wide road that leads to destruction and many will enter it.
As followers of Christ, let’s tell the simple truth about hell and the glorious truth about heaven. Let’s make hell sound as horrible as it does in the Bible and heaven beyond what anyone could imagine (within Biblical description of course). Let’s serve and love and lay down our lives as followers of Jesus to reflect the true glory of God and show that true doctrine brings real life change that meets needs too because the grace of Jesus and the Spirit of God empowers it.
In addition to that, let’s not be afraid to identify the doctrine of wolves and call it what it is—deadly error. Dr. Al Mohler has a very nice blog on how the church, in recent history, has walked away from the biblical doctrine of hell. It is worth the read. Here is the link to his blog: http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/01/26/air-conditioning-hell-how-liberalism-happens/.
Dying 2 Live,
Michael
Monday, January 25, 2010
Getting My Heart Right
Living Life in Ps. 119: The Universe of God’s Word
At this writing, it is my second year to work and meditate through Ps. 119. When I first began reading Psalm 119, I thought it was long and laborious. You know how you first feel when you start a trip to a new place and it seems like you will never get to your destination. Then after you have made the trip a few times all of the sudden it does not take as long (that is unless you are traveling across Nebraska). This is how I feel about Psalm 119 now. Since I have lived life in Psalm 119 for one year, I am learning to soak in the scenery as I travel its road each day of the month.
Here is what I mean. I read an eight verse stanza each day of the month. It takes me twenty-two days to travel the Psalm but it seems like such a quick journey now. The scenery is becoming more and more clear as I travel its route each day. I am beginning to see my life in each verse and stanza. The colors are rich and the scenery is now in high definition. Each trip I see deeper and deeper into the Psalm and most importantly, into my heart.
I want to share with you the first leg of the journey for February:
Psalm 119:1-8
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
2Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,
3who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
4You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
5Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
6Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
8I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! [1]
Here is what I see as I look out the window. God immediately wants my heart right in the first eight verses before I go any further:
vv. 1-3: He wants my whole heart. He does not want half, a quarter but all of my heart and he wants my heart to love walking in his word.
vv. 4-6: He wants me to have a diligent heart. The diligent heart is the heart that has been made whole and is in love with God and his word. There seems to be a progression here. The whole heart is going hard after God by pressing deeper into God and His word. There is no shame in going hard after God for he is the prize that we fix our eyes on.
vv. 7-8: The upright heart is the righteous heart. It has been made whole and is diligent in its pursuit of God. The upright heart loves the word of God and finds the rules of God not a burden, not a way of earning God’s favor but a reflection of his love of Jesus.
After all, this is a picture of Jesus. Jesus is the One who has the whole heart, diligent heart and upright heart. It is His heart that has been birthed in me so that I can have a new heart that loves God and His word. This is what is going on at the outset of this Psalm, God is getting my heart right so that my hearts affections will be for Him and His word.
Father, get all of my heart today. Make it whole, diligent and upright. Make my heart like my precious Savior's because He has bought and paid for my heart on the cross. He purchase a new heart for me. This is my heart's desire. I love you Lord!
Your Son,
Michael
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Small Groups @ Grand part 1
Grand Avenue is working on our small group ministry. We have some godly, hard working men who have poured a lot of years of experience into this ministry. Last Saturday morning we met at 7am to do more work on the direction and vision of Small Groups @ Grand. Together with what they had done five to six years ago and with me now working with them this is part of what we have produced. This is only half of one page of an eleven page booklet that lays out the the basics of small group life at Grand. I hope you are blessed to read over this as I was to meet with our leaders to hammer out simple, straight forward language that gives us a path to walk down.
SMALL GROUPS @ GRAND CORE VALUES
The purpose of small groups @ Grand is to provide a predictable small group environment where participants experience authentic biblical community and spiritual growth in the gospel.
· Shepherding: The leader(s) should shepherd the group and by modeling shepherding the group should shepherding others as well
· Biblical Life Change: to provoke and challenge group members to grow in their spiritual maturity[1] and growth in the gospel so that their lives are conformed into the image of Christ.
· Authentic Community: People will do biblical life-on-life together
· Building a Healthy Church: to motivate and equip group members for personal and church-related ministry for the glory of God. Care for those who are part of GABC’s body. While these goals are accomplished most directly through the “discipleship,” “fellowship,” “service,” and “prayer,” their accomplishment is reinforced by “evangelism” and “worship.“
[1] Another way of describing “growth in spiritual maturity” is “growth in sanctification,” defined by Wayne Grudem as “the progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more (a) free from sin and (b) like Christ in our actual lives.”
TBC . . .
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