2009-06-08

Hays responds further to some claims regarding 1 Cor. 10:13 by an Arminian, who argues that the passage speaks of the general free choice to sin or not (i.e. a person is free to choose to or not to sin because God has provided a way out), rather than being a particular statement about apostasy. Hays points out, with support from numerous commentaries, and not all by Calvinists, that there is a wedge being driven between apostasy and idolatry in this reading, and that Paul has in view apostasy. If a new covenant believer is guilty of idolatry it’s a breach of covenant, like in the OT. For OT Jews, idolatry implies apostasy. Paul is emphasizing God’s intolerance of idolatry, alluding to Numbers 25:1-9. Avoiding idolatry in all forms was hard: Withdrawing from all idolatrous functions would scuttle any ambitions for social advancement, impair patron/client relations, fuel ostracism, and damage economic partnerships. So Paul warns them of the danger of idol worship, using the OT verse about idolatry. Hays also points out that Paul isn’t saying that God gave people a choice to either commit idolatry or not – his point is freedom from something, not to do one thing or the other. The Christians will not be forced to commit idolatry, and freedom from it is their God-given choice. A cross-examination of a contextual examination of 1 Cor 10-13

Hays points out that while unbelievers think that an appeal to paradox is special pleading for Christians, paradox also appears in logic, mathematics, science, and philosophy. Hays asks, is it antecedently impossible or improbable that there are humanly insoluble paradoxes? He quotes a few writings on the subject of paradox. They point out that paradoxes are serious problems, but are historically associated with revolutionary advances. A paradox is an ‘apparently unacceptable conclusion derived by apparently acceptable reasoning from apparently acceptable premises.’ i.e. We are deceived by appearances. Paradoxes come in degrees. Logic will not help in resolving a conflict, as it tells us no more than that one claim must be abandoned, but doesn’t tell us which. The resolution of paradox requires an external vantage point beyond the incompatible premises, something which allows us to assess them (which they do not in themselves permit). Paradox theory (aporetics) holds that every paradox is resolvable in principle by abandoning commitments. Logicality & paradoxicality

AiG responds to the assertion that they hide other views since they don’t have a comment/discussion forum on-site (they do have feedback). They ask whether the detractor, in deriding them for this, pursues the ‘free exchange’ of ideas at secular institutions like universities and schools, i.e. views other than evolution? This objector also denies that evidence is interpreted from the worldview [i.e. the myth of objectivity, that somehow if you’re atheist you’re now free from your worldview influencing how you interpret evidence!] Evidence does not support or refute. It is inanimate. It is not a rationally thinking being. Hence, this reveals the fallacy of reification—where people try to give humanlike qualities to something that doesn’t have it. So we are back to interpretations of evidence, based on one’s worldview. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/05/08/feedback-are-we-hiding-other-views

Bird briefly summarizes Andrew Gregory on non-canonical ‘gospels’, and whether they deserve that title. Gregory argues that, while their historical usefulness for shedding light on the historical Jesus is highly suspect, (a) what we have of them is scant, and (b) they appear to contain biographical narrative; thus, they may fit this ‘gospel’ genre. Bird defines a Gospel as a biographical story about Jesus climaxing in his death and resurrection and consists of narrating the a biographical story as a continuation of the story of Israel. Moreover, the gospels contain an expression of the gospel. Andrew Gregory on the non-canonical Gospels

Grimmond at Solapanel posts an excerpt of Factotum that makes the point that, in terms of finances and ministry, one needs to be inventive. One may need to be flexible. The post offers anecdotal suggestions for how to generate funds while doing ministry more often, such as starting a business, etc. Moreover, If you have seen your ministry grow under God's hand, that is a good indication you can do the job with the gifts he has given. The negative side of wealth gets most of the press, to the diminishment of the biblical positive side (i.e. it can come from God and His generosity). Some people may be wealth generators to fund the ministries of others. A flea in your ear part II (Factotum #12)

Hays comments on the neglect of secularist philosopher Quine by atheists. Why would he be so ignored, despite his abilities? Well, he’s a bit technical and dry, lacking the hortatory and inspirational style, and he doesn’t use atheist language specifically nor does he explicitly attack theism. Which all shows the average atheists are anti-intellectual, and would rather be entertained. Clownish potboilers like Hitchens and Dawkins are best-sellers, while Quine gathers dust. “Quine begins with hard science, which endeavors to reduce everything to a third-person description, only to end up with a highly internalized and ultimately projective viewpoint–where the input is the output. His epistemology is so circular and skeptical, while the resultant ontology is so subjective and attenuated, that his outlook is practically indistinguishable from solipsism [i.e. the only thing that you know exists is your mind.” Hays then posts some excerpts: e.g. “These reflections on ontology are a salutary reminder that the ultimate data of science are limited to our neural intake, and that the very notion of object, concrete or abstract, is of our own making, along with the rest of natural science and mathematics.” The secular solipsist

Engwer, in his canon series, responds to the charge that he’s basing his argument off of later writings approved by history, which were in this way continued, while the others were not preserved (i.e. Engwer is begging the question by appealing to a unity of only people in that religious community). i) Engwer points out that its mere assertion. He’s gone to heretical and non-christian sources for corroboration of the canon, and he’s cited Donatist agreement for the 27 book NT. ii) He doesn’t just accept the testimony of people because they are part of the ‘church.’ Their participation is relevant, in that the testimony of a 2nd century Christian is useful, but also their temporal and geological locale is another reason to rely on a person. iii) Jerome derides Tertullian, and while Tertullian and Origen had supporters from mainstream Christians, they had detractors – so how is history ‘preserved those it approved’? Engwer just cited disapproval from a significant source of a preserved work! Other examples include Hippolytus critique of Callistus. So also Cyprian’s letter 74, and Firmilian and Stephen. Engwer observes that all of these can be classified Christians, but not on their own standards – so how is it that a critic can accepts some of their standards while rejecting others if a Protestant cant’? iv) The church fathers like Tertullian, Origen, Augustine, Irenaeus, etc. aren’t just witnesses to the mainstream but also less popular views. We can accept their testimony without agreeing with everything they believed. v) While the critic appeals to apostolic succession, Engwer points out that the fathers themselves cited other lines of evidence – like he does. vi) While many sources held some form of apostolic succession, some didn’t, and the views held differed. “We're all selective in what we do and don't believe in historical sources.” The New Testament Canon And Church Authority

DeYoung writes about one of the theological arguments “revolutionaries” and church-leavers make, namely, that we don’t have to go to church to be the church. Wherever two or more gather, that’s the church. This confuses definition with function. To say that the church is the people of God is not the same as saying that wherever the people of God are there you have a church. The problem here is that in the first part of the sentence the ‘church’ is used in the universal sense, while in the second it refers to the local, concrete expression of that universal fellowship. So a gathering that is a church must function in a certain way – e.g. the gatherings to which Paul wrote his letters. Their structure and functions made them a church (e.g. worship, etc) and not just an exercise in hanging out. Revolutionist theology doesn’t tend to be well-thought out. They don’t spend time developing their ecclesiology, but just bring a host of assumptions allowing their church leavers to redefine church to their minimalist liking. The Chuch of Shrinking Definition

Challies reviews/recommends the biography of John and Betty Stam. In 1934 they were serving as missionaries in China, attempting to take the gospel message to unreached people. They were executed for their work, through which they inspired many more, having suffered willingly for their Savior. John and Betty Stam

A former Mormon writes on Koinonia that The Worldwide Church of God has announced a name change in line with what it calls a ‘complete reformation to Christian Orthodoxy’ – they have abandoned the teachings of Armstrong. It’s fascinating to see that a whole cult as a group can turn to God, and she hopes for this with Mormonism. “A pseudo-Christian cult uses the terminology of Christianity and the Bible, but does four things. First, it humanizes God or otherwise redefines Him in unorthodox terms. Second, it deifies humans or otherwise redefines them other than how the Bible does. Thirdly, it ostracizes Scripture by devaluing, rewriting, or defining it as only one of multiple sources of scripture. And fourth, it provides a different view of salvation other than the orthodox one.” The Mormon Mirage 5 of 5 by Latayne C. Scott

Luther writes about how he wanted one thing, that the divine Scriptures be given preeminence. While the Roman Catholics learned much of the vicious argumentation of begging the questions, when they come to applying their teaching, they do nothing but this. “when I exclaim: The Gospel, the Gospel, Christ, Christ; they reply, The Fathers, the Fathers, use, use, statute, statute!” The Quotable Luther #8 The Fathers, the Fathers

Bird doesn’t like the idea of Jesus “offering salvation to Israel, knowing that they will reject it, so that the real mission and the real offer of salvation can then be given to the Gentiles. Instead of viewing Jesus' mission to Israel as the bottleneck which must be traversed before the real mission to the world can proceed, I prefer to see Jesus as focused on Israel so that the Gentiles get "in" but only on the back of a restored Israel.” Review- Jesus and the Origins of the Gentile Mission

Oddly, some “impossibly perfect” crystals have been found in nature. I’ll leave people to speculate on this. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/06/04/quasicrystal-nature.html

Mounce comments on the use of mello in Romans 8:13, in response to a question regarding whether Paul's use is the same as if he employed a simple future. "you will die... you will live." Mounce points to the basic meanings given in BDAG, and points out that nothing in the context eliminates any of them, but still, the certainty of the destination is clear, a destination based on whether one lives according to the flesh or puts to death the deeds of the body. A word survey might provide more information. Mounce points out that the verse assignments in BDAG are interpretive and should be treated accordingly. Romans 8-13 and the Meaning of μελλω (Monday with Mounce 38)

A contributor to sola panel recommends Driscoll's Christ-centred A book you’ll actually read On Church Leadership. It deals with biblical manhood and womanhood, frequently references Scripture, and it is realistic. Driscoll on Church Leadership- 6 things I loved about it

Bayly posts a sermon on the killing of Tiller, discussing the issues of authority. i) Killing is not always wrong (e.g. the state is authorized), so those against abortion are not de facto inconsistent. ii) "Like the couple who boldly went into the tent before the congregation at Peor and were immediately killed by Phinehas, Dr. Tiller’s bold practice of the indefensible, his brazen boasting of his practice rendered judge and jury superfluous. He was self-accused and self-convicted." iii) However, Phinehas acted according to the Law of the land. Tiller's killer didn't. iv) "If there should come a time when shots are legitimately fired to prevent the murder of babies in America, it will be—as in the American Revolution and the Civil War—when those who shoot do so under civil authority." v) God raises up lesser authorities to oppose greater ones (e.g. David and Saul, Jeroboam in his rebellion against Rehoboam) - the actions are legit because they derive authority from God. vi) While it it is wrong to take up arms hoping to provoke war so that righteousness may prevail without legitimate authority, it is equally wrong to participate or even to silently accept such wicked deeds (cf. Hebrew midwives who obeyed Pharaoh to kill Hebrew babies - they feared man more than God). vii) God has declared Christ to be King of kings and Lord of lords by raising Him from the dead - If Christ were not King of the world today, we would not need to suffer as Christians. But our declaration of a present kingdom, a present Lord, a present authority is what necessitates our suffering. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” viii) A chilling challenge and warning is given to Obama, who stands as the nation's head, who claims Christ's name while defending Mohammed, and who defends and promotes the slaughter of children. Obama is called to repent, for though he bears the sword of the state, the ministers of God bear the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and Obama will answer to God. A Sermon for the President--and for the People of God

Nifty. A Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint Now Complete

Turk has some words for Driscoll, pointing to the incongruity between Driscoll's second talk at Advance '09 and his own preaching in that he has to have a great deal of what he decries in order to preach that without having repented of the vile that has come from his pulpit. "So without issuing any apologies for all the vile talk in the past, say, 18 months, he goes about 90 days without a dirty joke or a scatalogical reference, and we call that "repentance"? I think we can call Pat Robertson repentant of being a false prophet if that's the standard. I'd like to hear comments about that." Weekend Red Meat

Adams makes the interesting point that in Christ's wedding the bridegroom is first. Weddings

"The indispensable LaShawn Barber comments on the disparity between The One's [Obama] instant, thundering response to the heinous murder of heinous abortionist George Tiller, vs. his eventual, more moderate response to the heinous murder of Pvt. William Long by an American Islamist... Meanwhile, President Obama continues his "apology tour." I guess O's seeking common ground, hoping to bring the world together on two shared core values: contemptuous hatred for America, and worshipful love for The One. In the face he showed to America during the campaign, Obama played down his Muslim roots; here he played them up. He even quoted the Koran — albeit so selectively as to be misleading. No wonder Israel's backers are worried. I wonder whether American Jewry, which regularly supports Israel's enemies for public office, is having second thoughts. Charles Krauthammer explains further why they should be, and American Thinker gives more (thanks CR). With this unprepared, doctrinaire, historically-clueless novice at the wheel, America's backers should worry, too." And Sotomayor actually said that Latina women are better judges than white men because they bring more life experience??? 09

This article from USA Today is amazing in its implications. "The recession is driving the safety net of government benefits to a historic high, as one of every six dollars of Americans' income is now coming in the form of a federal or state check or voucher." Challies a la carte

Here’s all the MP3’s from the Advance conference. MP3s from the Advance Conference

Burk has a comment on the disappearance of the magazine CCM, with the demise of the contemporary christian music industry – bands don’t want to be part of a separate industry, and young Christian fans aren’t primarily interested in the music that used to be called Christian rock. What happened to CCM-

While some say that the church isn’t talking about sex enough, Phil Johnson points out that for the last thirty years the church has been fornicating with the world, that some of neo-evangelicalism's favorite jargon—missional, contextualization, authenticity—has been tortured and misappropriated in order to justify and institutionalize gross worldliness, that the thing missing from evangelicalism is talk of holiness, that modesty is all but gone, and that many have convinced themselves that obsessive talk about sex in explicit terms is necessary for "reaching" people in a culture that is already hopelessly sex-crazed. Many are trying to mirror the world’s preoccupation with sex. The End of Evangelical Innocence

Challies, spring-boarding off a student protest at a university where they cover up the mirrors (with a mild chuckle at how 18 year olds always think that they are so clever and inventive and have the wisdom in their vast experience to solve all the world’s problems), points to the necessity of looking in the ‘mirror’ of God’s word, which gives a clarity in self-examination that is essential – the law of liberty. We so often look at the real mirrors to make sure we’re ready for our day, but do we devote the appropriate time to the mirror of the soul, God’s word? Are you just the person James warns about who "looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." The One Who Looks

MacArthur writes on the very real danger facing American Christians: the temptation to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches. “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. (1 Tim. 6:17)” “Proverbs 11:28 warns that “he who trusts in his riches will fall.” Proverbs 23:4–5 adds, “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” “Matthew 6:19–21: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The Uncertainty of Riches

An apt Scripture for gay pride month: “Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” June - Sexual Depravity Pride Month - Part 4

Piper points to the strange appearance of both an imprecation (“let them be put to shame and dismayed forever”) and the supplication (“fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord”) in Psalm 89. He quotes Dickson who appears to speak to the effect of a dual intention in prayer, namely, for the conversion of God’s elect among the enemies of God, and the eternal doom of the rest of the wicked. Imprecation and Supplication in Psalm 83

Trueman writes on the bad news of the election of some right-wing neo-nazis to European Parliament… in more recent times the British National Party has been able to capitalise on the crass corruption of the major parties, the veritable intellectual disarray of the British Left, and the fear generated by immigration and the radicalising impact of fundemantalist islam on young British Muslims. Trueman warns us against adopting their agenda, and doesn’t think that Islam is the greatest threat to Western Christianity (greed and materialism are more viable candidates). “Easier to blame `them out there' than to look inward to our own hearts.” Bad News from Britain (Carl Trueman)

Spurgeon: “Until they find me a better fountain than the Lord has opened in Christ Jesus his Son any soul will abide in her old place, and plunge her pitcher into the living waters. Where my cup is filled there shall it stand, and run over still.” Hold Your Cup Steady

T-fan points to a number of anecdotes, in courting, in gambling, in voting and politics, to show that there is tension in the common man's mind. “He exhibits a number of Calvinistic traits in recognizing that the human will is determinable and that there is a force that determines what happens, and yet he exhibits Arminian traits in asserting his own autonomy from determination and his attempt to control deterministic forces.” This Calv-minian wants to manipulate God by prayer, but deny that He has the power to manipulate his own creation. They hate being puppets but love making God a puppet. He has a problem with God fore-ordaining the salvation of his best friend but has no problem with God hardening Pharaoh. The cure to root out the ‘minian’ is the Scriptures. Calvi-minians - Fatalism, Luck, and Superstition

In case it bothers someone, AiG has an answer for the ‘contradiction’ of the value of Pi in the Bible. [the answer is good, but I think that the objector thinks far too much of his own intellect if he even makes the objection.] Of interest, they account for the fact that the vessel in question “was a handbreadth thick.” in doing their math. http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/06/08/contradictions-as-easy-as-pi

James White’s speaking schedule. He’s insane [or seriously sleep deprived ;) ]. New York, June, 2009

Hays points out two reasons why Roman Catholics must default to Protestant scholarship. i) Most Catholic scholars are quite liberal – and sanctioned by the magisterium. ii) Ehrman’s argument against the canon is structurally parallel to the Roman argument for the canon – he contends that the NT canon represents an arbitrary anthology of Christian writings. “It was the Catholic authorities who imposed this miscellaneous collection on Christendom. Absent the Catholic authorities, this is not the canon which Christians, if left to their own devices, would come up with all by themselves.” And this is exactly how Romanists argue against Protestants. So it’s just better on their part to say nothing! The Catholic conundrum

Bird comments on the new book by his friend Daniel Kirk. “The strenght of Kirk's volume is how he shows that the general statements about salvation must be understood in light of particulars. For example, definitions of grace, work, faith, and law must be related to YHWH's relationship to Israel and not treated as timeless theological terms.” He does think that Kirk is a little hard on Luther, and that God's righteousness is a far more comprehensive term than his "covenant faithfulness”, connoting his intent to establish justice throughout all of creation (cf. Ps. 98). Book Notice- J.R. Daniel Kirk - Unlocking Romans

Solapanel comments on the danger of a human rights charter: “The reasons that it would fail are manifold, but the most significant one is raised by Carr in the end of his article. A human rights charter ends up legislating liberalism and allowing no room for conscience. Or in other words, it forces everyone to adopt exactly the same moral position as the authors of the charter.” Agreeing with the opposition

DeYoung posts a convicting quote by Baxter on how the lack of holiness in the preacher will poison/starve/infect the flock. Watch over your hearts, pastors! Study your heart, constantly attend to it: keep out lusts and passions, and worldly inclinations; keep up the life of faith, and love, and zeal. Be much in secret prayer and meditation. Richard Baxter- Look to Your Hearts!

John Stott compares the penetration into humanity of Christ’s incarnation to the meager and dismal efforts of people to even cross sub-cultures to minister the Gospel to others. A Much More Radical and Costly Kind of Evangelism by Michael Mckinley

Patton is going to be putting forth a case for Classical Theism (not in vogue as of late), and asking, what is God? He is planning to look at the ontological, historical, and personal perspectives on the question. What is God (1)

JT has an outline of D.A. Carson's helpful paper, “Reflections on Salvation and Justification in the New Testament,” JETS 40 (1997): 582–608. Carson- Reflections on Salvation and Justification, Evangelicals and Catholics

Sproul has two simple rules to remember in prayer: “You should remember who is being addressed and who is doing the speaking.” Nothing will condition your prayer more than to know that you pray to God, and to remember that, well, you’re not Him. Sproul- The Only Two Rules of Prayer

JT points to two articles for leaders in the church. Are you approachable? Accountable? Leaders- Are You Approachable- Accountable-

Only one book is essential to save us, to equip us to glorify God in all we do. “Yet the irony is that if we use only this book, we may in fact be in disobedience to it. We should count good teaching about the Bible — whether through commentaries, books, sermons, study Bibles, and so on — to be a gift from God for the good of His church (see Eph. 4:11; James 1:17). So what may look pious on the outside (“Just me and my Bible!”) can actually mask pride on the inside.” Tabletalk Article- A Teachable Spirit

Here’s a piercing quote on western man’s self-suicide. “… himself blowing the trumpet that brings the walls of his own city tumbling down, and, in a process of auto-genocide, convincing himself that he is too numerous, and labouring accordingly with pill and scalpel and syringe to make himself fewer in order to be an easier prey for his enemies; until at last, having educated himself into imbecility, and polluted and drugged himself into stupefaction, he keels over a weary, battered old brontosaurus and becomes extinct.” Muggeridge on the Self-Suicide of the West"

James MacDonald writes of two mistakes by young preachers. i) Going too long (i.e. you can’t handle 40 minutes until you can handle 30 minutes). ii) Doing anything but focusing on the people, the notes, and the Bible. http://blog.harvestbiblefellowship.org/?p=2414