Veritas et Lux

THE PEACE WHICH CHRIST GIVES HIS TRUE FOLLOWERS – Jonathan Edwards (1750)

Imagine shepherding a congregation of people, only to find yourself
expelled from the church. That is exactly what happened to Jonathan Edwards – America’s greatest intellectual. Within a month of his dismissal, Edwards pens a series of sermons – one of which is entitled The Peace Which Christ Gives His True Followers.

The Text: John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

The Doctrine

That peace which Christ, when he died, left as a legacy to all his true saints, is very diverse from all those things which the men of this world bequeath to their children when they die.

It is not surprising that Edwards is inclined to turn to John 14:27, especially in light of the recent events that turned his world upside down. Three central propositions support the doctrine.

1. Christ at his death, made over the blessings of the new covenant to believers, as it were in a will or testament.

Edwards clearly shows how Christ promised not only peace, but joy and grace and victory over the world. Indeed, we have a delightful inheritance.

2. A great blessing that Christ in his testament hath bequeathed to true followers, is his peace.

Two things are granted to believers in this monumental promise. First, Christ bestows true peace and comfort on every believer. Each believer experiences peace with God, peace with one another, and peace within themselves. Edwards notes, “By these means true saints are brought into a state of freedom from condemnation and all the curses of the law of God” (Rom. 8:34).

Second, Christ bestows his peace to his followers: “So Christ’s true disciples, though in the world they have tribulations, yet in God they have peace.”

3. This legacy of Christ to his true disciples is very diverse from all that the men of the world ever leave to their children when they die.

Edwards assures believers that Christ’s peace differs from worldly pleasures in four specific ways.

Christ’s peace is a reasonable peace and rest of soul.
Christ’s peace is a virtuous and holy peace.
This peace greatly differs from that which is enjoyed by the me of the world, with regard to its exquisite sweetness.
Christ’s peace infinitely differs from the world, in that it is unfailing and eternal peace.

Application

Edwards urges believers to cling to Christ and make good use of the peace he gives so freely. He urges unbelievers to receive the free offer of Christ or suffer the temporal and eternal consequences: “As long as you continue to reject those offers and invitations of Christ, and continue in a Christless condition, you never will enjoy any true peace or comfort; but in whatever circumstances you are, you will be miserable.”

Edwards choice of John 14:27 is certainly no surprise. His resolute handling of the text is no less bewildering, given his gospel-centered track-record as a pastor. The remarkable thing about this sermon is that Edwards forges into the future, unhindered by life-altering circumstances. His is an example of a Christ-exalting hope and a Christ-satisfied faith!

Hearken, therefore, to the friendly counsel that is given you this day: turn your feet into the way of peace; forsake the foolish and live. Forsake those things which are no other than the devil’s baits, and seek after this excellent peace and rest of Jesus Christ, that peace of God which passes all understanding.

Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering – Timothy Keller (2013)

I have yet to meet a person who enjoys pain and suffering. Yet suffering is a part of the warp and woof of life. It is not a part of God’s original intent for creation. Since Adam’s first sin, pain and suffering have been an abnormal part of the cosmos. Suffering is an unwelcome guest who bullies his way to the table and makes demands – much like a soldier on a bloody battlefield.

Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller addresses this topic with candor and clarity. Keller leaves no stone unturned here. The book is organized into three sections:

Understanding the Furnace

Keller introduces the problem of pain and suffering and explores some of the philosophical challenges that Christ-followers must understand and address.

“Nothing is more important than to learn how to maintain a life of purpose in the midst of painful adversity,” writes Keller. Yet our culture has a tendency to respond to suffering in ways that are helpful and wrongheaded. The moralist response to suffering is to “do good.” The fatalist’s response to suffering is to “hang in there” and “endure.” The dualist response to suffering is “purified faithfulness.” And the secular response to suffering is focussed on “technique.” A combination of these erroneous responses to suffering litter the current milieu and produce a generation of confused and discouraged people.

Keller rightly alerts readers to the importance of worldviews and their relation to the subject of pain and suffering. Ultimately, the matter of pain and suffering is a matter of faith. “Faith,” writes Keller “is the promise of God.” He adds, “We can be fully accepted and counted legally righteous in God’s sight through faith in Christ, solely by free grace … It means freedom from fear of the future, from any anxiety about your eternal destiny. It is the most liberating idea possible and it ultimately enables you to face all suffering, knowing that because of the cross, God is absolutely for you and that because of the resurrection, everything will be all right in the end.”

Facing the Furnace

Part two provides readers with the theological muscle – a crucial part of the battle. Keller unpacks the doctrine of God’s sovereignty and provides a painful but biblical rationale for the role of suffering the lives of people.

At the heart of this discussion is an important look at the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ. The author summarizes, “That is, in order to satisfy justice, in order to punish sin so that in love he could forgive and receive us, God had to bear the penalty for sin within himself. God the Son took the punishment we deserved, including being cut off from the Father. And so God took into his own self, his own heart, an infinite agony – out of love for us.”

Keller’s treatment in part two travels great distances to help resolve the problem of evil – the so-called “Achilles heal” of the Christian faith: “So while Christianity never claims to be able to offer a full explanation of all God’s reasons behind every instance of evil and suffering – it does have a final answer to it. The answer will be given at the end of history and all who hear it and see its fulfillment will find it completely satisfying, infinitely sufficient.”

While Keller never attempts to provide a comprehensive answer to the problem of evil, his treatment of this thorny subject is some of the best in print. He may not satisfy the disciples of David Hume, Voltaire, or Sam Harris – but he does give ample ammunition for believers who are looking for honest answers.

Walking With God in the Furnace

Parts one and two explore the philosophical and theological angles of pain and suffering. Part three helps readers with practical application. They are given practical tools for “walking with God in the furnace.” The very notion of walking with God in the furnace assumes pain – pain that some are unwilling to admit. But practical experience reveals that we live in a broken world; a world which has been torn to shreds by the consequences of sin.

Keller urges readers to walk with God in suffering: “If you go into the furnace without the gospel, it will not be possible to find God in there. You will be sure he has done terrible wrong or you have and you will feel all alone. Going into the fire without the gospel is the most dangerous thing anyone can do.” So the gospel is the first and last defense of every Christ-follower; indeed it is the hope of the watching world.

Second, the author stresses the importance of weeping during seasons of adversity. Elijah serves as an example of a man who cried out in great agony. He was a man unafraid of weeping. Such an approach is not only honest – it is a sign of emotional health.

Third, Keller demonstrates the need for trusting in God during days of pain and adversity. Joseph is portrayed as an example of a man who trusted: If the story of Joseph and the whole of the Bible is true, then anything that comes into your life is something that, as painful as it is, you need in some way.” Jesus too demonstrated trust in his Father and points believers in the identical direction. Keller continues to alert readers to other tools that they should utilize during their dark days.

Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering is a watershed book that deserves to be read. Christ-followers will no doubt be encouraged by this Christ-exalting book; a book which drives readers to the cross of the suffering Savior.

Highly recommended!

2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 19,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 7 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

41: A PORTRAIT OF MY FATHER – George W. Bush (2014)

“Read my lips. No new taxes.” These are the words that enter the minds of most Americans when then think of President George H.W. Bush. It is an unfortunate turn of events that the President was placed in a position where a decision to raise taxes become a necessary compromise with Democrats.

President George W. Bush writes about his father in the gripping biography, 41: A Portrait of My Father. The book represents the first attempt of son who served as president to write about his father who also served as president.

The book spans the life of George H.W. Bush from his days growing up to his college years at Yale, his military service, numerous federal positions, not to mention his time in the oval office. Several reviews note sharp criticism for 41 but nothing could be further from the truth. Perhaps the most revealing insight into the life of the 41st president is his unfailing loyalty to country and comrades. George H.W. Bush was not a war monger as suggested by the liberal left. Rather, he was a political heavyweight. But more importantly he was a man of integrity and honor. He loved his country and is showed – it still does!

President George H.W. Bush was not a perfect man. He made mistakes as we all do. But the 41st president of the United States made principled decisions; decisions that were informed by facts and inspired by honesty.

4 stars

FAVORITE READS OF 2014

My top reads from 2014 are listed below:

1. Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God – Timothy Keller (2014)

I’ve read many books about prayer over the last 25 years. This is the best by far!

See my review

2. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief – John Frame

Ranks alongside Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology as the best of the best.
See my review

3. Edwards on the Christian Life – Dane Ortlund

Dane Ortlund offers up a well-written book on the theology of Jonathan Edwards.

See my review

4. Gospel-Powered Humility – William Farley (2011)

A powerful treatment that every Christian needs to read and re-read.

See my review

5. Hand in HAND – Randy Alcorn (2014)

Alcorn offers good biblical wisdom on paradox of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility.

See my review

6. Jesus Continued – J.D. Greear (2014)

A terrific look at the ministry of the Holy Spirit from a Reformed perspective.

See my review

7. The Advocate – Randy Singer (2014)

A behind the scenes account of Theophilus in the first century. Historical fiction that sings! Highly recommended.

8. Essentialism – Greg McKeown(2014)

Personal productivity at it’s best.

See my review

9.True Beauty – Carolyn Mahaney (2014)

A truly beautiful book.

See my review

10. What’s Best Next – Matthew Perman

Gospel-centered personal productivity.

See my review

WRATH UPON THE WICKED TO THE UTTERMOST – Jonathan Edwards (1735)

The sermon is dated May, 1735. Jonathan Edwards makes his way into the pulpit to read his manuscript – which was his consistent habit. The full title of the sermon is When the Wicked Shall Have Filled Up the Measure of Their Sin, Wrath Will Come Upon Them to the Uttermost. The text that the preacher from Northampton utilizes is 1 Thessalonians 2:16 – “To fill up their sins alway; for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”

Before Edwards wrestles with the doctrinal implications, he makes two important observations:

1. To what effect was the heinous wickedness and obstinacy of the Jews, viz. to fill up their sins.

2. The punishment of their wickedness: “The wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” There is a connection between the measure of men’s sin, and the measure of punishment. When they have filled up the measure of their sin, then is filled up the measure of God’s wrath. Edwards observes, “God often punishes men very dreadfully in this world; but in hell “wrath comes on them to the uttermost.” He alerts his congregation to the certainty of this punishment: “For though the punishment was then future, yet it is spoken of as present: ‘The wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.'”

Edwards repeats his doctrine and continues by setting forth 3 primary propositions.

Doctrine

When those that continue in sin shall have filled up the measure of their sin, then wrath will come upon them to the uttermost.

Proposition #1:

There is a certain measure that God hath set to the sin of every wicked man.

Edwards explains, “But sometimes the reason why God lets them alone is, because they have not filled up the measure of their sins. When they live in dreadful wickedness, they are but filling up the measure which God hath limited for them.” In other words, each person shall live until they reach the tipping point.

Proposition # 2:

While men continue in sin, they are filling the measure set them.

Proposition # 3:

When once the measure of their sins is filled up, then wrath will come upon them to the uttermost. God will then wait no longer upon them.

Edwards notes, “Now is the day of grace, and the day of patience, which they spend in filling up their sins; but when their sins shall be full, then will come the day of wrath, the day of the fierce anger of God.”

God’s wrath is never fully exerted against wicked men while in this world but once they have filled up the measure of their sins, wrath will come upon them to the uttermost as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:16. Edwards makes five important observations about God’s wrath which will be unleashed on unregenerate men when they reach what I call the “tipping point.”

1. Wrath will come upon them without any restraint or moderation in the degree of it.

“The wrath of God will be poured out like fire. He will come forth, not only in anger, but in the fierceness of his anger; he will execute wrath with power, so as to show what his wrath is, and make his power known. There will be nothing to alleviate his wrath; his heavy wrath will lie on them, without any thing to lighten the burden, or to keep off, in any measure, the full weight of it from pressing the soul.”

“Then shall wicked men know that God is the Lord; they shall know how great that majesty is which they have despised, and how dreadful that threatened wrath is which they have so little regarded. Then shall come on wicked men that punishment which they deserve.”

2. Wrath will then be executed without any merciful circumstances.

Edwards is quick to point out that in this life, God shows forbearance with sinners; he is merciful. “But in hell there will be no more exercises of divine patience.”

3. Wrath will be so executed, as to perfect the work to which wrath tends, viz. utterly to undo the subject of it.

“The soul will be, as it were utterly crushed; the wrath will be wholly intolerable. It must sink, and will utterly sink, and will have no more strength to keep itself from sinking, than a worm would have to keep itself from being crushed under the weight of a mountain.”

4. When persons shall have filled up the measure of their sin, that wrath will come upon them which is eternal.

Edwards provides his congregation with divine perspective and adds, “Nothing can be longer than eternity.”

5. When persons shall have filled up the measure of their sin, then wrath will come upon them to the uttermost of what is threatened. Sin is an infinite evil; and the punishment which God hath threatened against it is very dreadful.

Application

Jonathan Edwards jumps immediately to application and draws the attention of his congregation to three concluding points. He is especially concerned to warn natural men to flee from sin!

1. Under what great means and advantages you continue in sin.

Edwards challenges adults who grew up in Northampton and were warned repeatedly to flee from sin. Some have even had what Edwards refers to as “awakenings,” but they continue in sin. He refers to some congregants who “narrowly escaped death by dangerous accidents” yet they continue to persist in their sin.

2. How dreadful the wrath of God is, when it is executed to the uttermost. To make you in some measure sensible of that, I desire you to consider whose wrath it is. The wrath of a king is the roaring of a lion; but this is the wrath of Jehovah, the Lord God Omnipotent.

3. Consider, you know not what wrath God may be about to execute upon wicked men in this world.

Edwards concludes with a stern warning: “Therefore it behooves all to haste and flee for their lives, to get into a safe condition, to get into Christ; then they need not fear, though the earth be removed, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof: for God will be their refuge and strength; they need not be afraid of evil tidings; their hearts may be fixed, trust in the Lord.”

Jonathan Edwards reminds us of the importance of faith in Christ and the dreadful consequences of anyone who refuses to turn from their sin and flee to him for forgiveness. His preaching may sound strange to the postmodern ear. His theology may be uncomfortable. His tone may appear sharp and uninviting. But these concerns only indicate the great height from which we have fallen.

THE THINGS THAT BELONG TO TRUE RELIGION – Jonathan Edwards (1751)

The text is Acts 11:12-13 which describes an episode in the life of Cornelius. Edwards describes Cornelius as he preaches to the Mohawk indians at Stockbridge as a man who was a non-Jew, a man who came from the stock of a heathen nation; a man who came from a nation that had beaten down the Jews. This man had heard rumblings about God – but he knew nothing of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This man had a teachable heart and prayed that God might instruct him. God listened to his prayer and sent an angel “to tell him how he should come into greater light.” When he heard Peter proclaim the message of the gospel, he surrendered; he trusted Christ for his eternal salvation.

Edwards tells Mohawk friends that his intent is to preach this same message: “Now I am come to preach the true religion to you and to your children, as Peter did to Cornelius and his family, that you and all your children may be saved.”

He describes the essence of true religion. As such he condemns the teaching of French Roman Catholics who must have gained a hearing among the indians: “True religion [does not] consist in praying to the Virgin Mary and to saints and angels. It [does not] consist in crossing themselves, in confessing sins to the priest, and worshipping images of Christ and of the saints, and other things that the French do.”

Doctrine

But these things which I am now going to tell you of belong to true religion.

Edwards wastes no time in getting to the core of his message: “In order to men’s being truly religious, they must see how they have sinned against God and made God angry: [they must see] what wicked creatures they [are], must see what wicked hearts they have, and [that they] are all over wicked … [They must see that they] deserve that God should hate ’em and should take ’em into hell and show ’em no mercy. He proceeds to proclaim the necessity of knowing about and understanding the person and work of Christ and turning to him for salvation. He adds, “[They must have] new hearts given to ’em.

In simple terms, Edwards describes the essence of saving faith which involves a turning from sin and a turning to Christ.

Application

Edwards encourages his readers that his commitment is to preach the message of the gospel – faithfully. He says, “Such as have this religion are happy men; they need not be afraid to die: death can do ’em no harm.”

The shift in the homiletical style of Edwards is evident in his move to the Stockbridge mission. He is a perfect example of contextualization. The message is more simple. The sentences are shorter. He is ministering to a people with very little education. As such, he contextualizes the message so they might understand and embrace the gospel.

Edwards was concerned that the Mohawks understood veritas et lux. His desire was that his new friends who embrace truth and light. For “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).

52 LITTLE LESSONS FROM LES MISERABLES – Bob Welch (2014)

Sin and salvation. Grace and greed. Mercy and justice. Good and evil. Truth and lies. God and the rejection of God. These are just a few of the themes that emerge in Victor Hugo’s monumental work, Les Misérables.

Bob Welch, author of seventeen books has been touched by Hugo’s story and has a passion to share that story with his readers.

The title gives away the central purpose of this well-written book. Welch provides readers with a short, crisp introduction to Les Misérables and rightly argues that “context matters.” Once the context is in place, the author takes readers on a journey through this classic work and carefully enters the mind of Victor Hugo.

I was originally skeptical and wondered if Welch was prone to exaggerating and embellishing the story to make a quick buck. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Welch carefully weaves his way through the story and picks up on themes which are ultimately tied to real life situations. The gospel weaves in and out of these life lessons. The lessons could easily be developed and utilized in a small group setting.

52 Little Lessons From Les Misérables is a book worth reading and digesting. It is a book for all kinds of people – believers and unbelievers alike as one of the final citations illustrates so well. The author writes,

Challenged by an agnostic to tell the Christian message in ten words, Will Campbell, a Yale Divinity School graduate and former director of religious life at the University of Mississippi, said it like this: ‘We are all bastards but God loves us anyway.’

“Yes, we – les misérables.” [the poor” or the miserable ones]

4 stars

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

SPURGEON’S CALVINISM

The seventeenth century theologians at Dort responded swiftly and decisively to the rising tide of Arminianism. The official response came as a result of the Synod of Dort which convened in 1618-1619, over one hundred years after John Calvin’s birth in 1509. Their response is summarized in the famous TULIP acrostic:

T – Total depravity

U – Unconditional election

L – Limited Atonement

I – Irresistible Grace

P – Perseverance of the Saints

So while the formulation of Calvinism as we know it today did not originate with Calvin himself, it is important to understand that these doctrinal moorings originated with the apostles and Jesus himself, 1500 years before the birth of John Calvin!

This reality becomes clear in C.H. Spurgeon’s little book, “A Defense of Calvinism.” Spurgeon’s Calvinism, edited by Stephen McCaskell is an updated version of Spurgeon’s original work. The author has edited out much of Spurgeon’s Victorian language which will be a valuable service for most readers.

Spurgeon was a unashamed Calvinist, a label is wore until his death in 1892. He held that “Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else.” In Spurgeon’s Calvinism, the Prince of Preachers walks readers through the five points that were formulated at Dort. Readers familiar with his style will be drawn to his passion for Scripture and his ability to relate the doctrines in a unified whole. While Spurgeon’s treatment of the doctrines of grace prove to be unshakeable in the final analysis, the real highlight of the book is its ability to draw worshippers to the throne of God. Spurgeon’s Calvinism is a fitting introduction to this biblical way of viewing God’s purposes in redemptive history.

“The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach today, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox’s gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again.” – C.H. Spurgeon

MASTERING GOLF’S MENTAL GAME – Michael T. Lardon (2014)

Reading an instructional book on the game of golf is a study in contrasts. I would rather watch paint dry than reading some of these books. On the other hand, some of these instructional books are quite inspirational and helpful. Dr. Michael T. Lardon’s book, Mastering Golf’s Mental Game is of the later sort.

The book is organized into two parts. Part one details what the author refers to as the six components of mental excellence, which include: (1) Attitude, (2) Motivation, (3) Control, (4) Optimization, (5) Concentration, and (6) Mental Plan.

The components are thoroughly research and have been field tested in several arenas. Most importantly, the six components of mental excellence have been tested on the golf course.

A chapter is devoted to each quality noted above. The author carefully describes each quality and backs the concept up with at least one case study. Additionally, each chapter includes a practical homework assignment where readers (or golfers in this case) can apply the principles that are presented.

Part two includes the “Mental Scorecard.” Dr. Lardon essentially takes the philosophical components in part one and applies the lessons which can be immediately utilized on the golf course.

The primary ingredient in the mental scorecard is the “pre-shot pyramid which is designed to fine tune the golf game of everyone from amateurs to professionals. The pre-shot pyramid includes three critical components, namely – 1) Calculate, 2) Create, and 3) Execute. Golfers are encouraged walk through these carefully defined steps which will theoretically improve one’s score. The author presents a workable system wherein golfers can apply each principle set forth in the book.

Mastering Golf’s Mental Game is a fascinating read that will be of tremendous help to golfers who seek to lower their scores. The writing is clear and concise. The case studies help show how the principles work in the real world. Essentially, the author presents a system; a system which is designed to renovate the mind and lead to positive results on the golf course.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

4 stars