Warfield #3

3. I believe that the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture; unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by alleged new revelations of the Spirit or by traditions of men.

Clarification?

Based on some of the feedback I have received, I have concluded that it is necessary to provide some details of my position and clarify statements I made in my last post.  No doubt additional questions and concerns will arise based on the following:

Regarding salvation

1)  Salvation is an act of God and is made effectual in individuals through the Holy Spirit convicting and regenerating the heart of sinners.  The preaching of the gospel is the means through which this is accomplished.

2)  Salvation is not the result of responding to an altar call or saying a sinner’s prayer.

3)  Salvation is not the result of church discipline, however biblically it may be practiced.

Regarding Eternal Security

1)  I believe the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” is one of the most grievously misunderstood teachings of the modern American church.

2)  Just as salvation is granted by grace and not earned by any human means (including ancestry, behavior, or personal decision), eternal security is attributable only to the steadfast trustworthiness of God’s election and purpose.  We are eternally secure only if we are predestined unto salvation before the foundation of the world.

3)  Without an overall biblical perspective about salvation and the duty and role of the Church, this doctrine can lead to unspeakable evil acts conducted by dedicated church goers — those that believe themselves to be “born again” Christians with an assured place in heaven regardless of immoral, sinful behavior.

Regarding Church Discipline

1)  Since church discipline does not have the power of conversion, by itself it would not have been responsible for the rebirth of Dr. Tiller.

2)  The lack of church discipline can generate unwarranted satisfaction with one’s standing before the Lord.  In other words, without church discipline as a part of the overall practice of the Church, unrepentant sinners are led to believe (or are specifically taught) that their salvation is assured.

3)  In the book of Romans, Paul tells us “you are not under law but under grace.”   Nevertheless, in the next verse and throughout the New Testament, the Bible makes it clear that conversion results in fruit.  Christians are expected to demonstrate that they are a new creature by their words and actions.

In summary, I think Dr. Tiller was not aware of the basic principles of the faith.  He may have known that the wages of sin is death, but what did that matter to him?  He was not aware that he was a sinner and that his actions were contrary to the law of God.  The Church’s failure to discipline him sanctioned the choices he continued to make.  He did not think it necessary to repent because he had not been made aware of his error.

Dr. Tiller’s sin remains his responsibility, but his blood is on the hands of all of those that know Christ and had an opportunity hold Dr. Tiller accountable, but did not act.

Church Discipline and the “Good” Doctor

Why is church discipline so hard?  Is it because the Bible is unclear regarding the procedures?  Hardly.  Is it because we are unconvinced of its effectiveness?  Most likely, few of us have enough experience with it to draw any conclusions.

I would argue that, for the most part, we choose to not discipline to avoid confrontation and disagreements within our “happy” church homes.  It is like a home in which the parents avoid their responsibility and fail to teach their children the ways of the Lord and discipline accordingly.  Without such shepherding, the children become lawless, spoiled, selfish and rebellious.  What at first seems to be the easier path ends up being the way to certain destruction.

I think we justify our reluctance to exercise church discipline based on two interrelated aspects of our own spiritual lives.

1)       We are not convinced that the offense in question is sinful or in need of correction.

2)      As sinners, we believe ourselves to be inadequate to the task of pointing out the speck in a brother’s eye.

We refuse to be convinced that certain behavior and choices are sinful because we love our sin!  Holding others accountable opens us up to being confronted on our own transgressions.  We don’t practice church discipline because we don’t want to be disciplined!

We are quite fond of the opening verses in Matthew chapter 7 that warns against judging others inappropriately.  We use verses 1 through 5 to convince ourselves that we must never accuse others of wrongdoing because our own sins are so great.  However, in the very next verse, Jesus continues His teaching by warning against giving holy thing to dogs and casting pearls before swine!  Jesus does not prohibit our judging of others, He simply clarifies the standard by which we are to judge – God’s word!

Indeed, we must be prayerful and exercise wisdom as we consider each situation.  We cannot take the task lightly and our evidence against the brother or sister must be clear.  However, we must not allow our congregations to continue as they are – filled with lawless, spoiled, selfish and rebellious children.  Like the parents of the undisciplined children, the church leadership is responsible for correction of their flock.

These thoughts came to me as I read about the tragic slaying of the abortionist, Dr. George Tiller.  His crimes against innocent life are well-known, and I will not recount them here.  Suffice to say that to any honest student of the teachings of Christ, there is no doubt as to the sinful nature of his profession.  The commentators express shock regarding the fact that such a crime (his murder) was committed in church.  I, too, was amazed, but my shock focused on the crime that lead to his being, not only in church, but officiating at a service ostensibly devoted to worshipping the Holy Lord!

As a professing believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, Dr. Tiller subjected himself to Church guidance and discipline.  The Church failed him, and it is likely that he died an unrepentant murderer of thousands.  How many more Dr. Tillers are there in our congregations?  How many more professing Christians are deluded by the refusals of pastors, elders, and lay people to step up to the responsibility they have to each other?

Neither the illegal killing of abortionists nor legislation will rid this land of the abomination of abortion.  Only by the blessing of God through an obedient and faithful church will our nation turn from its evil ways.  May the Lord deliver His people from fear, weakness and irresponsibility.

B. B. Warfield #2

I believe that my one aim in life and death should be to glorify God and enjoy Him forever; and that God teaches me how to glorify and enjoy Him in His inerrant Word, that is, the Bible, which He has given by the infallible inspiration of His Holy Spirit in order that I may certainly know what I am to believe concerning Him and what duty He requires of me.

Interlude Presented by B.B. Warfield

If nothing else, I have learned how difficult it is to tackle a huge subject such as culture and break it into a series of concise blog posts.  However, because of its importance, I refuse to give up!  I am committed to posting meaningful, yet brief observations on culture that I hope will help fellow Christians better understand our environment and how it affects us.

In an attempt to provide edifying materials to my patient readers while I develop the series, I have decided to post B.B Warfield’s ”A Brief and Untechnical Statement of the Reformed Faith”

Adapted from Selected Shorter Writings of Benjamin B. Warfield-1. Edited by John E. Meeter. Nutley, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1970, pp. 407-410

(with thanks to www.reformed.org)

Warfield’s statement consists of 24 points which I will post individually over the next several weeks.  Warfield’s work is worthy of more than filler material for my culture series, so stay tuned and carefully consider every point.

1)  I believe that God, since the creation of His world, has plainly revealed through the things He has made His eternal power and divine nature, and the requirements of His law, so that there is no excuse for unbelief or disobedience on the part of any man; yet however glorious this revelation, it is not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary for salvation.

Father Daughter Reflections

Thanks again to Vision Forum for once again hosting their wonderful Father/Daughter Retreat at Callaway Gardens. The messages were particularly insightful, enlightening and convicting. Each speaker was at the top of their “game” and nearly caused me to run out of paper taking notes!

Scott Brown reviewed a biblical definition of the family, illustrated the implications of that definition using Ephesians, and presented the Jonathan Edwards family as an earthly example of a biblical family.

On Friday, Voddie Baucham reminded us that as fathers, we WILL leave a legacy.  We need to be aware and deliberate in order to leave one that is Christ-honoring.  Dr. Baucham followed that up on Saturday with a discussion of the criteria for marriage — biblical and man-made alike.

Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin reviewed what their father taught them about boys.

Saturday evenings address by Geoff Botkin was concise and convicting as he reviewed popular (especially within the professing church) manifestations anti-Christian culture.  Amazing and insightful!

Of course, Doug Phillip’s messages were incredible and encouraging as always!

Please visit the websites of each of these Christian leaders:

Scott Brown:  NCFIC

Voddie Baucham:  www.voddiebaucham.org

Botkin Family:  Western Conservatory

Doug Phillips:  Doug’s Blog

Each of these links are also listed among my favorite links at the side of this page.

Father/Daughter Retreat

I hope everyone has had an opportunity to read my last post.  I purposefully left that post for online for all this time because I cannot praise the Lord too much for the gift that I know as my wife.

I thought a comment on the anniversary of our wedding would be an excusable temporary sidetrack from the culture discussion, especially since my readers are used to these diversions by now!

It is a good thing that you are used to them, because we are not returning to the topic yet!

This weekend is the annual Vision Forum Father/Daughter Retreat.  This event has become an important “pilgrimage” for Morgan and I along with our friends, David, Elizabeth, and Rachel Fry.  This year, we are joined by our co-worker, Shane and his 4-year old daughter, Alex.  I am only somewhat familiar with Shane as he is assigned to the other building at work, and I seldom see him.  I am looking forward to building our friendship.

The focus of the retreat is teaching and encouraging the sound biblical relationship between these to family members.  Emphasis is placed on understanding the roles and responsibility each has to the other and where the relationship fits in God’s overall plan.  The most I can do at this point is give my personal testimony of the tremendous value of the retreat and the spiritual growth that has resulted in Morgan and me each year.  Please visit the website: Vision Forum Father Daughter Retreat

On Our Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to My Blessed Bride. 

Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”  Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.  Genesis 2:23-24

Today marks the 17th anniversary of our wedding day.  For 17 years, the Lord has worked through Lori for my benefit and His glory.  Each year has been better than the preceding one.  I consider her to be the instrument by which He finally drew me to Him, and I mark the day of my regeneration as the day I proposed to her.

An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.  The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.  She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

She takes very seriously her calling to protect and nurture her family.  She is keenly aware of the benefits of whole foods and prepares home-cooked meals.  She grinds her own wheat to make the bread we eat daily.  She shops for the best deals, but never sacrifices quality or our health.  There is always food in the house for her family (she often thinks that there is not enough, however).

She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.  She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.  She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

In spite of our decision for her to abandon her career as a pharmacist 10 years ago to home-school our children, she has an awareness of her abilities to supplement the family income through home business and making crafts.

She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.  She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.  She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

Her interest in the children of the community several years ago led us to become foster parents.

She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.  She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Similarly, Lori has been used of God to sanctify me.  She has been a steady companion and helpmeet.  I consider having Lori in my life as the most easily recognized evidence of God’s daily grace.  I am undeserving of the joys that she brings me.

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.  She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.  Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

In spite of my many flaws and struggles, she showers me with an unconditional love and affection that can only be from a supernatural source.  Her very presence in my life becomes an apologetic for Christ’s existence, grace, wisdom, and power.  She comforts me, encourages me, exhorts me and praises me.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.  She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

I cannot fully express all that she means to me, but I am sure of her influence through our children.  While it is often very difficult, she recognizes the kingdom purposes of our training our children at home.  She devotes tremendous energy into that task, and I know that her efforts will continue to bear fruit in this and future generations.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

This post is intended to praise my wife, but we both understand that all praise is due to our God.  He alone knows our true needs, and He alone is able to meet them.  He has done that in this case by providing Lori as my perfect helpmeet.

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

Lori and I both are what we are due solely to the grace of a God that loves us.  Our heart’s desire is to be faithful and obedient to Him. 

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Scripture passages are Proverbs 31:10-30 (ESV)

Who is Christ (Part 2)

The items listed in part 1 of “Who is Christ” are never to be trivialized when we discuss who He is, however, in terms of the topic of the debate; I believe it in necessary to touch on how the “basics” are manifested in what we call “culture.”

Clearly, cultures differ from nation to nation throughout the world.  American culture is quite different from that of the Japanese, Arabians, or even the British.  Many factors explain this, but primary among them is our origin as a specifically Christian society.  There are many that would try to deny this, but their arguments merely reveal their ignorance; for a careful review of history leaves no doubt about this fact – even to the degree of being specifically Protestant in faith.  Those of you interested in studying the facts should visit the American Vision Bookstore for a huge selection of resources.

This link will take you directly to the AV store:       

This uniquely Christian foundation determined the early priorities of our young nation and continues (albeit in regrettably diminishing ways), to shape our culture.  Even atheists are forced to admit that the man known as Jesus Christ developed a following that has defined Western culture for 2000 years.  I believe that what we term “Judeo-Christian” culture is so ingrained in us that we cannot separate Christ from culture in America.  I would not argue that our culture is Christ-centered by any means.  However, we can not imagine what our culture would be like without Christ. And we cannot even think of the issue without relying on the presuppositions that we possess because of His impact on our culture through the centuries.

At this point, it must suffice to say that we cannot understand all the ways that Christ has shaped our culture.  I will not try to be more specific beyond the following two closing comments:

a)  As I mentioned in the post defining culture, culture unfolds in many ways as a by-product of every day life as the members of that society make decisions based on their values.  How those people choose to spend their time and money translates into culture.  Consequently, Christ continues to impact culture to the degree that the society values Him.  The choices atheists make as well as those made by Christians combine to explain our culture.  Remember too, that what we call ourselves has little impact itself.  Atheists can make decisions that push their culture in a more godly direction.  Similarly, some who call themselves Christians love Jesus in the same way a child loves a teddy bear.  He is not heir true treasure and their choices are likely to be similar to the typical atheist.  (Side Note:  For a revealing look at the meaning of what we call ourselves, specifically “born again,” read John Piper’s book Finally Alive.)

b)  The key to understanding Christ’s relationship to culture is based on our concept of His sovereignty.  At the minimum, He was a remarkable, but mere man whose teachings were incorporated into society by His followers.  The other end of the spectrum (my view) cannot be overstated:  He is the Lord of all creation and He is entirely sovereign over all aspects of that creation, including all its cultures – Christian and non-Christian alike.  If God is not sovereign, He becomes a sort of spiritual Dr. Frankenstein.  In spite of His good intentions, His creation has become a monster which He cannot control

Who is Christ?

At the risk of bringing up an issue that may seem obvious to most, if not all of us, I would like to use this post to answer the above question.  Specifically, I want to touch on the elements of Christ that relate to culture.

First of all, the basics (a partial list);

Christ is the Son of God and our Savior–

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

1 John 4:14

He is the perfect reflection of the Father–

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

Hebrews 1:3

He is the creator–

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:3

He is God–

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1

He is presently at the right hand of God–

After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Hebrews 1:3

He is sovereign over all creation–

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 28:18

He will return in glory, and He will gather His people to be with Him for eternity.–

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

To Be Continued..(In less than one week!)