Passivity

“…when it comes to most of our daily decision, and even a lot of life’s “big” decisions, God expects and encourages us to make choices, confident that He’s already determined how to fit our choices into His sovereign will. Passivity is a plague among Christians. It’s not just that we don’t do anything; it’s that we feel spiritual for not doing anything. We imagine that our inactivity is patience and sensitivity to God’s leading. At times it may be; but it’s also quite possible we are just lazy. When we hyper-spiritualize our decisions, we can veer of into implusive and foolish decisions. But more likely as Christians we fall into endless patterns of vacillation, indecision, and regret. No doubt, selfish ambition is a danger for Christian, but so is complacency, listeless wandering and passivity that pawns itself off as spirituality. Perhaps our inactivity is not so much on God as it is an expression of the fear of man, the love of the praise of man, and disbelief in God’s providence.”

- Kevin DeYoung, Just Do Something, p. 51, 52

Top Ten Advice to New Bat Students #10

10. Knowing Dr. Mobley:
Dr. Mobley is a rather monotone lecturer. It can be difficult to stay awake during his classes at 8:00 in the morning. He has a dry sense of humor, which will help keep you up, if you have a similar sense of humor. Just take notes on his powerpoints, making special note of the lists that he gives. Knowing these lists are the biggest parts of the test.
I have never enjoyed studying in groups, but with Dr. Mobley I found it helpful. The most productive method I found for taking his tests, is to create anagrams out of his lists. Working in a group helps make these funny and memorable. If you miss questions on the test do not worry, he gives a lot of extra credit on each test, and throughout the semester.
The reading will seem boring to you, especially if you have not read scholarly work before, but the resources he gives are useful. Blomberg's Jesus and the Gospels put me to sleep multiple times, and I sold it back to the bookstore. Yet I regret the decision to sell it back. I remember so many things that Blomberg said that was greatly useful for a text I was working on, but not having it really hurt me. Keep the book it will be useful later.
Finally, he has one ten page paper in each Jesus and the Gospels and Paul and the Early Church. It is divided into three parts due at different times. It was nice in some areas, but you are probably not used to writing a two page introduction. Just remember to follow his instructions exactly, do not add more information than what he wants, and do not take away from any piece. Remember to focus on how your topic applies to the first century not our current one, especially in your introduction. The bible dictionaries and the commentaries that are in the reference section downstairs in the library will be useful to you. It is very possible to get an A in his class if you just apply yourself and used the tricks I have mentioned.

The Convergence of Doctrine and Belief

from Between Two Worlds by JT

The audio from the May 2009 Clarus Conference is now online:

• Ray Ortlund: “True Spirituality: Delighting in Truth” (Psa. 1)
• Sam Storms: “Jonathan Edwards on Religious Affections: The Soul Set on Fire for God”
• Ray Ortlund: “False Spirituality: Flirting Around” (2 Cor. 11:1-4)
• Sam Storms: “Enjoying Election: Finding Delight in God’s Decree”
• Panel Discussion 1
• Ray Ortlund: “Dangerous Moderation: The Nausea of Christ” (Rev. 3:14-22)
• Panel Discussion 2
• Ray Ortlund: “Break Through: No Other Desire” (Psa. 73)
• Sam Storms: “Delighting Ourselves in the Lord: Why Joy in God Matters” (Psa. 37:4)

Audio from previous Clarus conferences is here.

The Devil Votes Christian Values

from Between Two Worlds by JT

A transcribed excerpt below from Russell Moore's excellent talk, "The Devil Votes Christian Values: Why We’re Tempted to be Glorified Satanists Rather than Crucified Followers." Dr. Moore shows that in Satan's third temptation of Christ he is willing to broker a deal with the Son of God: Satan will give up his authority over the external rule of the nations in exchange for keeping the power of accusation.

Satan ultimately has a power that is not found most importantly in moral decay or in cultural chaos. His power is in the authority to accuse.

The power of accusation.

The power of holding humanity captive through the fear of death and the certainty of judgment.

Satan is not fearful of external conformity to rule. Not even to the external conformity of the rule of Christ--provided there is no cross.

Satan does not mind family values--as long as what you ultimately value is the family.

Satan does not mind social justice--as long as you see justice as most importantly social.

Satan does not tremble at a Christian worldview. He will let you have a Christian worldview as long as your ultimate goal is viewing the world.

If Jesus will receive the kingdoms of the world, this crafty serpent thinks, then he can hand them to him apart from the shedding of blood at the cross.

Apart from the overthrow of the demonic powers through the empty tomb.

Apart from a reconciliation between a holy God and a renegade humanity.

If he can just bypass the cross--and get to the kingdom apart from the cross--then he will have everything that he wants.

Pastor: Satan doesn't mind if you preach on the decrees of God with fervor and passion every single week--provided that you do not ever preach the gospel of the cross.

Homeschooling Mom: Satan does not mind if you teach your children all the books of the Bible and all the Ten Commandments and all of the catechism--provided you do not teach them the gospel of a bloody cross.

. . . He will let you get what it is that you want, no matter what it is--sanctity of marriage, environmental protection, orphan care, all of these good and wonderful things--he will allow you to gain those things provided you do not preach and proclaim and live through the power of a cross that cancels his power of condemnation.

He so fears the gospel of a Christ crucified and raised from the dead that he is willing to surrender his entire empire just to appease the threat of it.

This is a rich and very important message, which I commend to you.

Raising Affections in Preaching

from Desiring God Blog
(Author: John Piper)

Here is one of the most insightful and influential quotes on preaching I ever read. It's from Jonathan Edwards:

I don't think ministers are to be blamed for raising the affections of their hearers too high, if that which they are affected with be only that which is worthy of affection, and their affections are not raised beyond a proportion to their importance, or worthiness of affection.

I should think myself in the way of my duty to raise the affections of my hearers as high as possibly I can, provided that they are affected with nothing but truth, and with affections that are not disagreeable to the nature of what they are affected with.

Carson on Hebrews

from Between Two Worlds by JT

D.A. Carson recently delivered three addresses (MP3s below) at Union University's “Word Within the Word” conference on "How The Book of Hebrews Makes Use of Old Testament Passages":

• Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14 in Hebrews 1 |
  
• Psalm 95 in Hebrews 3–4
  
• Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 in Hebrews 7
  

A few years ago Carson gave the 2005 J.B. Gay Lectures at Southern Seminary on the same subject but with other passages: "Hard Texts: Why Does Hebrews Cite the Old Testament Like That?":

• Hebrews 1:5-6
  
• Hebrews 1:8-9
  
• Hebrews 5:5-6

A good article on the Canaanite Problem

http://epsociety.org/library/articles.asp?pid=63&ap=6

Conviction or accusation

"He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." John 16:8

". . . the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down . . . ." Revelation 12:10

How can I tell the difference between the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit and the accusing attacks of Satan? Some thoughts:

1. The Holy Spirit puts his finger on a specific sin I have committed, something concrete I can own and confess, but the accusations of Satan are vague and simply demoralizing.

2. The Holy Spirit shows me Christ, the mighty Friend of sinners, but the devil wants me spiraling down into negative self-focus.

3. The Holy Spirit leads me to a threshold of new life, but the devil wants to paralyze me where I am.

4. The Holy Spirit brings peace of heart along with a new hatred of sin, so that I bow before Jesus in reconsecration, but the devil offers peace of mind with smug relief, so that I fold my arms and say, "There, that's over with."

5. The Holy Spirit helps me to be so open to God that I allow him to control the conversation, but the devil tempts me to take off the table certain questions I just don't want God to talk to me about.

We are thankful for our dear Friend, the Holy Spirit.

R.C. Sproul on the need for righteousness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IapqqQ45Q4w&feature=player_embedded

The Non Difference Between youth and adults

from Desiring God Blog

(Author: Abraham Piper)

Recently, Tyler Kenney and I were able to get a quick interview with Paul Tripp. We'll be blogging it over the next few days.

Our first question was, "What differences do you see between ministering to youth and ministering to adults?"

For his full answer, you can listen to the audio. (Please forgive how rough it is.)

Here is my summary of his thoughts:

There are ways in which there's no difference. There's only one gospel, not a different one for children, young people, and adults.

And there's a way the struggles of the heart are the same. These struggles play out differently depending on our stage in life, but when it comes down to it, we all want to be sovereign over our own lives.

If you understand that about your heart, and you're humble about it, you'll get what a kid or teenager is going through. You'll understand that it isn't first a problem of misbehavior; it's first a problem in the heart.

For more from Paul Tripp, check out Paul Tripp Ministries and follow him on Twitter.

Carson on use of the old testament in Hebrews

from SoCal Theologica: Theological Musings from the West Coast by jeffmooney

RV posted this

Plenary 1- Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14 in Hebrews 1
Plenary 2-Psalm 95 in Heb 3-4
Plenary 3- Gen 14 and Psalm 110 in Heb 7

In these lectures Carson not only demonstrates the way to understand the use of the Old Testament but also makes valuable observations on theology and pastoral application. Listening to these lectures will be a valuable investment of time.

Times Are Changing

Choice?

Kevin DeYoung posts on the connection between the arguments for slavery and abortion as seen in Abraham Lincoln's arguments against the former. For example, Kevin substitutes the word "choice" for "liberty" in this excerpt from Lincoln's 1864 speech at a Sanitary Fair in Baltimore:

We all declare for choice; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word choice may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor. While with others the same word may mean for some men [and women] to do as they please with others, and with other men's labors. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name--choice. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names--choice and tyranny."

See also John Piper's post from earlier this year making the same connection between arguments against slavery and against abortion.