if you haven't listened to the Worship God '09 sessions,i highly recommend them.I listened to the first one, and John Piper spoke of Christ work on the cross. He said that the first reason for cross was to solve a problem; the problem is that God's righteousness was clouded by sin and need to be shown.So Christ died, first, so that God's righteousness would be shown, and then, second, to save us.
"Before the cross can become for our sake, it has to be for God's sake", says Piper. Christ died to reveal what we, through sin had hidden in the world. God's righteousness was being corrupted and clouded by our sin. So Christ died first to promote God, and then to save us.
The cool thing about this is that God knows that this is the only thing that can make us happy. John Piper says this: the only happiness for man is a happiness focused on the riches of the glory of God in the face of Christ." We can't be satisfied with anything else. Everything else will leave us empty and wanting.
So through Christ death he saved us and gave us the greatest give ever; Himself!!!!! What a great God we serve to give us what we don't deserve. He gave us life and the greatest source of happiness!!! He has knit this into our being! we are incomplete without Him and yet we try so hard to be complete apart from Him. He created us the way we are and He created us to be dependent on Him, but He also made that dependence and that relationship the greatest source of joy and pleasure for us! this truly is amazing!!!
Again I recommend you listen to the sermons. I believe they can be located at http://worshipgodconference.com/
The speakers there can explain a whole lot better than I. I just wanted to share what I have learned through the teaching of God's word by these men.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
So Sovereign
Yesterday was just like any normal day for me. i got ready, i went to work, took my lunch break and as i sat at my computer to figure out what i wanted to prepare for today i got sidetracked reading another blog that some girlfriends of mine write on. It's nice keeping in touch but its even better when i find out that one of them is engaged. Oh what rapturous delight came upon me to know that a very dear friend will be getting married in about 2 months. talk about short engagement.
My friend and her fiance have had a very long history of being in and out of a relationship together and he even proposed to her before, but she broke it off. As i was thinking about their relationship and future marriage, i could not help but cry tears of happiness in the realization that God is so Sovereign in his timing and just overall sovereign. His ways are not our ways and his timing is always best. I love that God knows us best even more than we know ourselves. He is so good to divinely ordain big things and little things (whether good or bad) in our lives that all we should do is praise his name.
My husband brought up a good point in asking "what if they weren't going to get married ever" and i said then thats Gods will and thats what im happy for. So many people have this idea that God is sovereign only in the things that are good that happen in our lives, but he's sovereign and should be praised even in the "bad" times. Easier said that done, most definetly, but still so absolutely true.
So God,
thank you for being sovereign in your timing and knowing exactly when to place two people together and all the other big and little, "good" and "bad" things that happen in this short life of ours.
amen.
My friend and her fiance have had a very long history of being in and out of a relationship together and he even proposed to her before, but she broke it off. As i was thinking about their relationship and future marriage, i could not help but cry tears of happiness in the realization that God is so Sovereign in his timing and just overall sovereign. His ways are not our ways and his timing is always best. I love that God knows us best even more than we know ourselves. He is so good to divinely ordain big things and little things (whether good or bad) in our lives that all we should do is praise his name.
My husband brought up a good point in asking "what if they weren't going to get married ever" and i said then thats Gods will and thats what im happy for. So many people have this idea that God is sovereign only in the things that are good that happen in our lives, but he's sovereign and should be praised even in the "bad" times. Easier said that done, most definetly, but still so absolutely true.
So God,
thank you for being sovereign in your timing and knowing exactly when to place two people together and all the other big and little, "good" and "bad" things that happen in this short life of ours.
amen.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
O for a thousand tongues to sing
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.
He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.
Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.
In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.
Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.
On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.
Sudden expired the legal strife,
’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.
Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.
I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!
I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.
Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.
See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.
Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.
Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.
Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.
With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
King Jehoshaphat's Prayer
After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the LORD; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
In Jehoshaphat's mind, he and the people that he was leading were on the verge of invasion and disaster. There was no appearance of a way out. There were no words slick enough to change the opposing armies' minds. There were no actions that could be taken to appease their enemies. There was not enough strength to defeat those who were coming after them. There was no way to win!
As these thoughts passed through the mind of the king, he turned to his God. Where else had he to turn? Read again these words that were prayed by the king aloud in front of his people: "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you". Imagine if we turned on the TV and heard the president of the United States pray these words. What humility! What a confidence in God. What faith! What a moment of true leadership! In a time where disaster and defeat were at the door and ready to crush all hope, the king of Judah turned to the King of the universe in faith.
What can we take away from Jehoshaphat's circumstance and response? Have you ever prayed "I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you"? This seems like a simple prayer. Yet this is a self-confidence abandoning, pride-dissolving, heart-rearranging prayer. Maybe this prayer is not so simple. No one enjoys admitting that they don't know what to do. Yet in this story a king prays before his people these very words as he, in faith, throws himself upon the mercy of the Maker.
Do we have this kind of faith? Do we trust our Father this much? Do we have this kind of humility? Would we dare to pray this prayer? Would we dare to pray this prayer in front of others? Would we dare to pray this prayer before those whom we are responsible for or leading? Do we have this kind of confidence in God?
As the story progresses, we see that God chose to honor the king's prayer. As the king led his army to battle, trusting his Lord, the Bible tells us that God set an ambush for his enemies and that they were miraculously defeated. The king and his people gathered all the spoil and returned home. God's Word says that they had joy and rejoiced because of God's great victory.
This story from 2 Chronicles is a wonderful picture of our Sovereign Creator. Our God rules over all kingdoms. Our God has such power and might in his hand that none is able to withstand him. Our God is the God of Heaven and he does all that he pleases. How could we not, as the king of Judah did, fix our eyes on him? Jehoshaphat humbled himself before the Lord and the Lord raised him up and gave him the victory. It is impossible to pray a prayer like this when pride and self-confidence are too strong in our hearts. It is impossible to deal with pride appropriately without first kneeling in submission at the the foot of the cross. May we submit our hearts in humility to the one who humbled himself to the point of death, even death on the cross that we might live. Let us follow this example given to us and abandon any inappropriate faith, confidence, or reliance that rests on anything or anyone other than the matchless King of kings and Lord of lords.
And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you— for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.' And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." --2 Chronicles 20:1-12
In Jehoshaphat's mind, he and the people that he was leading were on the verge of invasion and disaster. There was no appearance of a way out. There were no words slick enough to change the opposing armies' minds. There were no actions that could be taken to appease their enemies. There was not enough strength to defeat those who were coming after them. There was no way to win!
As these thoughts passed through the mind of the king, he turned to his God. Where else had he to turn? Read again these words that were prayed by the king aloud in front of his people: "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you". Imagine if we turned on the TV and heard the president of the United States pray these words. What humility! What a confidence in God. What faith! What a moment of true leadership! In a time where disaster and defeat were at the door and ready to crush all hope, the king of Judah turned to the King of the universe in faith.
What can we take away from Jehoshaphat's circumstance and response? Have you ever prayed "I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you"? This seems like a simple prayer. Yet this is a self-confidence abandoning, pride-dissolving, heart-rearranging prayer. Maybe this prayer is not so simple. No one enjoys admitting that they don't know what to do. Yet in this story a king prays before his people these very words as he, in faith, throws himself upon the mercy of the Maker.
Do we have this kind of faith? Do we trust our Father this much? Do we have this kind of humility? Would we dare to pray this prayer? Would we dare to pray this prayer in front of others? Would we dare to pray this prayer before those whom we are responsible for or leading? Do we have this kind of confidence in God?
As the story progresses, we see that God chose to honor the king's prayer. As the king led his army to battle, trusting his Lord, the Bible tells us that God set an ambush for his enemies and that they were miraculously defeated. The king and his people gathered all the spoil and returned home. God's Word says that they had joy and rejoiced because of God's great victory.
This story from 2 Chronicles is a wonderful picture of our Sovereign Creator. Our God rules over all kingdoms. Our God has such power and might in his hand that none is able to withstand him. Our God is the God of Heaven and he does all that he pleases. How could we not, as the king of Judah did, fix our eyes on him? Jehoshaphat humbled himself before the Lord and the Lord raised him up and gave him the victory. It is impossible to pray a prayer like this when pride and self-confidence are too strong in our hearts. It is impossible to deal with pride appropriately without first kneeling in submission at the the foot of the cross. May we submit our hearts in humility to the one who humbled himself to the point of death, even death on the cross that we might live. Let us follow this example given to us and abandon any inappropriate faith, confidence, or reliance that rests on anything or anyone other than the matchless King of kings and Lord of lords.
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Best of Men Are Men at Best
Yesterday I visited a very nice Presbyterian church (myself being a Baptist). I've only visited two Presbyterian churches in my life (that I can recall) and I always love it. If it weren't for the paedo baptism issue I probably would have joined a Presbyterian church by now (since I visited one before I visited my current church whom I love).
One interesting thing about Presbyterian churches is the way they follow their tradition. Whereas some more litergical denominations hold to traditions in their form of worship and others (like my denomination) hold to traditions as they evolve over time, Presbyterians refer back to certain documents written by some of the wisest men of biblical history. That is why it was interesting to me when the pastor brought up a glaring weakness in the go-to document (outside of Scripture) for reformed Christians- especially Presbyterians, the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
In the question #4 of the Catechism we read:
The glaring weakness in this is not what it says, these are all true things. But it is the attribute that is left out, namely, love. I have written several posts on the love of God in the past, as have my friends here on the Grace and Peace blog, so instead of addressing that topic I want to look at what I learned simply from the ethos of the pastor.
How much do we love our traditions more than we love the truth? Or to put it another way, how much do we treat tradition as equal to the truth? This issue can take many forms. Sometimes it comes in the form of "I don't know where but I know somewhere the Bible says..." and instead of knowing the Scripture and applying it to our lives we usurp its authority in order to say what we think. Other times it can come in the form of gripping our views tightly in the face of what we see taught in Scripture. Still other times we think it's wrong to question the great men of the faith for whom we have great respect. We might say "if that's what Spurgeon taught, who am I to question it?"
We must remember that "All Scripture is breathed out by God" (2 Tim. 3:16) and any tradition that doesn't root itself in that Scripture will be flawed in some way. Does that mean that no tradition is good? Can we learn anything outside of the Bible? Of course we can. But we must be willing to critique our traditions according to Scripture. If we don't do that we will never be able to correct the blindspots in our doctrine or in our lives.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
One interesting thing about Presbyterian churches is the way they follow their tradition. Whereas some more litergical denominations hold to traditions in their form of worship and others (like my denomination) hold to traditions as they evolve over time, Presbyterians refer back to certain documents written by some of the wisest men of biblical history. That is why it was interesting to me when the pastor brought up a glaring weakness in the go-to document (outside of Scripture) for reformed Christians- especially Presbyterians, the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
In the question #4 of the Catechism we read:
4. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
The glaring weakness in this is not what it says, these are all true things. But it is the attribute that is left out, namely, love. I have written several posts on the love of God in the past, as have my friends here on the Grace and Peace blog, so instead of addressing that topic I want to look at what I learned simply from the ethos of the pastor.
How much do we love our traditions more than we love the truth? Or to put it another way, how much do we treat tradition as equal to the truth? This issue can take many forms. Sometimes it comes in the form of "I don't know where but I know somewhere the Bible says..." and instead of knowing the Scripture and applying it to our lives we usurp its authority in order to say what we think. Other times it can come in the form of gripping our views tightly in the face of what we see taught in Scripture. Still other times we think it's wrong to question the great men of the faith for whom we have great respect. We might say "if that's what Spurgeon taught, who am I to question it?"
We must remember that "All Scripture is breathed out by God" (2 Tim. 3:16) and any tradition that doesn't root itself in that Scripture will be flawed in some way. Does that mean that no tradition is good? Can we learn anything outside of the Bible? Of course we can. But we must be willing to critique our traditions according to Scripture. If we don't do that we will never be able to correct the blindspots in our doctrine or in our lives.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Garbage in, Garbage out
I go through different stages with music that i listen to. Since ive gotten my new phone , ive been able to listen to pandora pretty much whenever i want which is amazing, but something has been lacking. I have to admit i am a little bit of a music snob and so i get kinda picky sometimes, but more than anthing i haven't been listening to all christian music all the time. the other stuff i have been listening to isnt' necessarily unholy but its just not "christian" themed. I like secular music, but ive noticed that i miss singing about God and truths of the bible.
like if im having a bad day or if im wanting to focus on Christ a song (for me at least) helps me focus, and with the stuff ive been listening to lately its harder and harder for me to recall christian music as i go through my repertoire of music in my head. In know im still going to listen to secular things, but right now i just miss christian music and letting music about christ fill me head. So yesterday that was what i listened to and i sang along and then i woke up with a sore throat because of singing so much, but all of this is to say that one of the songs i was listening to was so great i just wanted to share it, and since the last two posts have been songs im going to add to it.
So here it is --> The Atonement Q & A
ok so its not letting me paste my song so im copying it into a comment.
enjoy,
grace and peace sarah bean
like if im having a bad day or if im wanting to focus on Christ a song (for me at least) helps me focus, and with the stuff ive been listening to lately its harder and harder for me to recall christian music as i go through my repertoire of music in my head. In know im still going to listen to secular things, but right now i just miss christian music and letting music about christ fill me head. So yesterday that was what i listened to and i sang along and then i woke up with a sore throat because of singing so much, but all of this is to say that one of the songs i was listening to was so great i just wanted to share it, and since the last two posts have been songs im going to add to it.
So here it is --> The Atonement Q & A
ok so its not letting me paste my song so im copying it into a comment.
enjoy,
grace and peace sarah bean
Help My Unbelief
Here are some notes I took in my journal today from Mark 9. If anything I say is wrong, please tell me. I'm still learning how to study my Bible and I may have some things wrong.
Today I read Mark 9, which is the story of Jesus' transfiguration and a time he healed a boy with an unclean spirit. Jesus comes down from the mountain (after the transfiguration) and finds his disciples (minus Peter, James, and John) arguing with some scribes. He finds out (of course He already knew) that his disciples had tried to cast out an unclean spirit, but were unable. The father of the child desperately calls out to Jesus for help. Verse 19 says this:
"And he [Jesus] answered them, 'O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?'"
I find it so powerful the way Christ views sin and the hearts of men. Christ sees sin as such a problem that a demon possession seems somewhat minimal. So often people came to Jesus to be healed of physical ailments, but they failed to see that they had the ultimate source for spiritual healing right in front of them! We are blind. We can't see past our own physical, mental, and emotional "issues."
At the sight of Jesus, scripture tells us that the spirit convulsed the boy.When Jesus asked him how long the child had been tormented, the father replied (vs. 21b-22):
"...from childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus' sarcastic response cuts deep into the father (and should into us as well), revealing his faithlessness.
"If you can! All things are possible for one who believes."
Next a beautiful thing happens. Jesus opens the man's eyes and he sees his doubt. The man then shows his deprivation as a human and his need for constant grace and help through his wonderful request.:
"I believe; help my unbelief."
This should be the prayer of every Christian,because we do fail to trust and believe that Christ is everything we need and can do anything. Christ then humbly heals the boy. Even though he is more concerned about their hearts, he shows love and mercy by physically healing the boy. The God we serve shows so much grace to us, feeble, simple-minded humans, and we take Him for granted. Thank you for your grace, Lord. Help our unbelief.
Today I read Mark 9, which is the story of Jesus' transfiguration and a time he healed a boy with an unclean spirit. Jesus comes down from the mountain (after the transfiguration) and finds his disciples (minus Peter, James, and John) arguing with some scribes. He finds out (of course He already knew) that his disciples had tried to cast out an unclean spirit, but were unable. The father of the child desperately calls out to Jesus for help. Verse 19 says this:
"And he [Jesus] answered them, 'O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?'"
I find it so powerful the way Christ views sin and the hearts of men. Christ sees sin as such a problem that a demon possession seems somewhat minimal. So often people came to Jesus to be healed of physical ailments, but they failed to see that they had the ultimate source for spiritual healing right in front of them! We are blind. We can't see past our own physical, mental, and emotional "issues."
At the sight of Jesus, scripture tells us that the spirit convulsed the boy.When Jesus asked him how long the child had been tormented, the father replied (vs. 21b-22):
"...from childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus' sarcastic response cuts deep into the father (and should into us as well), revealing his faithlessness.
"If you can! All things are possible for one who believes."
Next a beautiful thing happens. Jesus opens the man's eyes and he sees his doubt. The man then shows his deprivation as a human and his need for constant grace and help through his wonderful request.:
"I believe; help my unbelief."
This should be the prayer of every Christian,because we do fail to trust and believe that Christ is everything we need and can do anything. Christ then humbly heals the boy. Even though he is more concerned about their hearts, he shows love and mercy by physically healing the boy. The God we serve shows so much grace to us, feeble, simple-minded humans, and we take Him for granted. Thank you for your grace, Lord. Help our unbelief.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
O Great God
Continuing the "O" series that is very inconsistent. Here is a song I enjoy by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Valley of Vision
O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore
I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace
Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
So Sweet to Trust
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
--Proverbs 3:5-6
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
--Proverbs 3:5-6
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
--words by Louisa M. R. Stead
Monday, May 17, 2010
Subtraction by Addition
"For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (1 Corinthians 1:17).
Some people don't see the glory in the penal substitutionary atonement for various reasons. When we try to make the gospel too much about a relationship or a better life we think we are giving immediate application for the sinner so that they understand things better. The problem is that it can hinder people from seeing the necessity of the cross and the great kindness of God.
That said, here is a quick breakdown of one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith, namely the penal substitutionary atonement. Don't run away from this because it has a big word or two in the name, it is really quite simple.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands . This he set aside, nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14).
This is typical of the great Christian doctrines because it is simple enough for a child to understand and yet, at the same time, complex enough for PHD students to write their dissertations on. The three writers of Pierced For Our Transgressions give a simple definition,
"The doctrine of penal substitution states that God gave himself in the person of his Son to suffer instead of us the death, punishment and curse due to fallen humanity as the penalty for sin" (p 21).
This is an essential of the gospel that must be understood to some extent for a person to be saved.
Penal because we deserve wrath.
Substitutionary because he took it in our place.
Atonement because it worked.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
Some people don't see the glory in the penal substitutionary atonement for various reasons. When we try to make the gospel too much about a relationship or a better life we think we are giving immediate application for the sinner so that they understand things better. The problem is that it can hinder people from seeing the necessity of the cross and the great kindness of God.
That said, here is a quick breakdown of one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith, namely the penal substitutionary atonement. Don't run away from this because it has a big word or two in the name, it is really quite simple.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands . This he set aside, nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:13-14).
This is typical of the great Christian doctrines because it is simple enough for a child to understand and yet, at the same time, complex enough for PHD students to write their dissertations on. The three writers of Pierced For Our Transgressions give a simple definition,
"The doctrine of penal substitution states that God gave himself in the person of his Son to suffer instead of us the death, punishment and curse due to fallen humanity as the penalty for sin" (p 21).
This is an essential of the gospel that must be understood to some extent for a person to be saved.
Penal because we deserve wrath.
Substitutionary because he took it in our place.
Atonement because it worked.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
Friday, May 14, 2010
Short Prayer of a Highschool Graduate
Lord, thank you so much for saving me and for extending your gift of salvation. I would be nowhere without you. I would still be enslaved to sin and seeking after my own happiness by every means that I would want to. You have blessed me with so much throughout my life at home. You have given me good parents that teach me from your word. You have also given me mentors that desire my sanctification. Thank you for all the blessing you have given me during these first 18 years of my life. I pray that you would continue to show me that all of the glory and credit for any accomplishment during that time goes to You and You alone.
I pray that you would go before me. I know that you have already planned my life and are in control, Lord. Thank you for your interest in me, a sinner. It's humbling to know that you care about us in so much that a hair doesn't fall from ours heads without your knowledge. You see my heart and know that I am wicked, but you forgive me anyways. Thank you. I pray that you would forgive the shortcomings that I will commit later in life. I pray for strength and courage to be devoted to you, especially in college. Give me wisdom and discerning to relate and be a light to those whom I will meet in life.
Thank you again, Lord, for sending your Son to die, so that I might be freed from sin and be able to share the wonderful news of Savior who wishes to save His people. It's in His name that I pray. Amen.
I pray that you would go before me. I know that you have already planned my life and are in control, Lord. Thank you for your interest in me, a sinner. It's humbling to know that you care about us in so much that a hair doesn't fall from ours heads without your knowledge. You see my heart and know that I am wicked, but you forgive me anyways. Thank you. I pray that you would forgive the shortcomings that I will commit later in life. I pray for strength and courage to be devoted to you, especially in college. Give me wisdom and discerning to relate and be a light to those whom I will meet in life.
Thank you again, Lord, for sending your Son to die, so that I might be freed from sin and be able to share the wonderful news of Savior who wishes to save His people. It's in His name that I pray. Amen.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
J-O-Y
I've got joy down in my heart
Deep, Deep down in my heart
Spell it J-O-Y down in my heart
Deep, Deep down in my heart
Our lesson in STEP last night was about joy. Once again i love getting to remember that happiness is an emotion but joy is what comes from christ. Even if i have a bad day and nothing goes right i can still be joyful because christ is in my life and my anchor. Happiness is fleeting and changes with circumstances. Im happy because i get a chai from starbucks, im angry because im stuck in traffic and no one seems to know how to drive. One is good and one not so good, but even though my emotion changes i can still be joyful. i like that. I want to be joyful in all things, no matter what the circumstance. And the Lord really is good at putting things in our lives that don't seem too convenient, but by his will and by his grace we get to experience joy.
when was the last time you were joyful?
grace and peace
sarah
Deep, Deep down in my heart
Spell it J-O-Y down in my heart
Deep, Deep down in my heart
Our lesson in STEP last night was about joy. Once again i love getting to remember that happiness is an emotion but joy is what comes from christ. Even if i have a bad day and nothing goes right i can still be joyful because christ is in my life and my anchor. Happiness is fleeting and changes with circumstances. Im happy because i get a chai from starbucks, im angry because im stuck in traffic and no one seems to know how to drive. One is good and one not so good, but even though my emotion changes i can still be joyful. i like that. I want to be joyful in all things, no matter what the circumstance. And the Lord really is good at putting things in our lives that don't seem too convenient, but by his will and by his grace we get to experience joy.
when was the last time you were joyful?
grace and peace
sarah
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Immanuel
I found this this week and its been a great source for thinking on the sovereignty, faithfulness, grace, and power of God. Enjoy
When once I mourned a load of sin;
When conscience felt a wound within;
When all my works were thrown away;
When on my knees I knelt to pray,
Then, blissful hour, remembered well,
I learned Thy love, Immanuel.
When storms of sorrow toss my soul;
When waves of care around me roll;
When comforts sink, when joys shall flee;
When hopeless griefs shall gape for me,
One word the tempest's rage shall quell--
That word, Thy name, Immanuel.
When for the truth I suffer shame;
When foes pour scandal on my name;
When cruel taunts and jeers abound;
When "Bulls of Bashan" gird me round,
Secure within Thy tower I'll dwell--
That tower, Thy grace, Immanuel.
When hell enraged lifts up her roar;
When Satan stops my path before;
When fiends rejoice and wait my end;
When legioned hosts their arrows send,
Fear not, my soul, but hurl at hell
Thy battle-cry, Immanuel.
When down the hill of life I go;
When o'er my feet death's waters flow;
When in the deep'ning flood I sink;
When friends stand weeping on the brink,
I'll mingle with my last farewell
Thy lovely name, Immanuel.
When tears are banished from mine eye;
When fairer worlds than these are nigh;
When heaven shall fill my ravished sight;
When I shall bathe in sweet delight,
One joy all joys shall far excel,
To see Thy face, Immanuel.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Monday, May 10, 2010
High Five- Soli Deo Gloria
So far we have looked at the first four solas at the reformation. We have seen that Scripture alone is the source of equipping our minds for life in the faith. We have seen that our salvation is by grace alone, that we are justified by faith alone and that this happens because of the work of Christ alone. But now, as we address the fifth sola, it is as if we are asking the question that every 5 year old asks, “why?” Why does He save us? And, why does He save us in this way?
The answer is Soli Deo Gloria. For the glory of God alone. It would be impossible to attempt to go in depth on this topic. Volumes have been written on the fact that God does all things in order to bring glory to Himself. But in this post I want to keep our focus on Soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) and show how salvation is the chief means by which God glorifies Himself. Even this will be surface level but hopefully it gives us all a moment to glory in the cross of Christ.
1. We are saved by his glory.
There are two ways in which we are saved by His glory; his perfect life of righteousness and his death of atonement.
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. (John 17:4)
This is part of Jesus’ prayer just before the passion section of John. As we will see in the next portion Jesus is about to display the glory of God in a way we never could have imagined. But it should not be lost on us that Jesus’ work throughout his life was also his glory. It is this righteous life that will be credited to the account of every Christian. It is this teaching that sustains us in our Christian walk.
But now it gets better…
When I stop and think about this fact I am utterly amazed. The glory of God in Christ Jesus is the act that saved me. In the verse cited above we see it clearly. As D.A. Carson writes:
“It is not just that the shame of the cross is inevitably followed by the glory of the exaltation, but that the glory is already fully displayed in the shame. “(The Gospel According to John, 437)
He then goes on to connect this passage to Isaiah 53:12:
Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.
2. We are saved to His glory.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 4:6)
It is easy for me to lose sight of this point. God has not only saved me from hell to heaven, He saved me to Himself and His glory. Let me say that again, He saved me to His glory. That assumes something huge, namely, that people find some sort of joy in the glory of God. Outside of the Bible no text has put this point more concisely than the Westminster Shorter Catechism which says that the chief end of man is “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” Dr. John Piper, however, has expounded this point by rephrasing man’s chief end as “[glorifying God] by enjoying Him forever.” Or as he most commonly summarizes, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
It is always nice to hear from men like Piper and the Westminster Divines but it is better to focus our attention on the text of Scripture here. 2 Corinthians 4 pictures man, blinded by Satan to the truth of the gospel and the glory of God. Yet God, in His mercy, causes light in our hearts to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus. What does that create? Faith! Saving faith comes from beholding the glory of Christ and clinging to it for salvation. Thus, we are saved to the glory of God.
3. We are saved for His glory.
After seeing the first two points this one seems pretty straight-forward. But perhaps it is this point that we need more than the others. Did God save you because there was something in you that made you irresistible to Him? Was it because of your sincerity? Did Jesus die so that there would be a way to God just in case somebody decided to take the narrow road? Not according to Scripture. What we see here in Ephesians is God lovingly choosing to save some, by the work of Christ, in order that He would have a people who see and savor His glory.
In the end what we will see is a saved people from every nation singing the praises of their savior:
The answer is Soli Deo Gloria. For the glory of God alone. It would be impossible to attempt to go in depth on this topic. Volumes have been written on the fact that God does all things in order to bring glory to Himself. But in this post I want to keep our focus on Soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) and show how salvation is the chief means by which God glorifies Himself. Even this will be surface level but hopefully it gives us all a moment to glory in the cross of Christ.
1. We are saved by his glory.
There are two ways in which we are saved by His glory; his perfect life of righteousness and his death of atonement.
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. (John 17:4)
This is part of Jesus’ prayer just before the passion section of John. As we will see in the next portion Jesus is about to display the glory of God in a way we never could have imagined. But it should not be lost on us that Jesus’ work throughout his life was also his glory. It is this righteous life that will be credited to the account of every Christian. It is this teaching that sustains us in our Christian walk.
But now it gets better…
And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:23-24)
When I stop and think about this fact I am utterly amazed. The glory of God in Christ Jesus is the act that saved me. In the verse cited above we see it clearly. As D.A. Carson writes:
“It is not just that the shame of the cross is inevitably followed by the glory of the exaltation, but that the glory is already fully displayed in the shame. “(The Gospel According to John, 437)
He then goes on to connect this passage to Isaiah 53:12:
Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.
2. We are saved to His glory.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 4:6)
It is easy for me to lose sight of this point. God has not only saved me from hell to heaven, He saved me to Himself and His glory. Let me say that again, He saved me to His glory. That assumes something huge, namely, that people find some sort of joy in the glory of God. Outside of the Bible no text has put this point more concisely than the Westminster Shorter Catechism which says that the chief end of man is “to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” Dr. John Piper, however, has expounded this point by rephrasing man’s chief end as “[glorifying God] by enjoying Him forever.” Or as he most commonly summarizes, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
It is always nice to hear from men like Piper and the Westminster Divines but it is better to focus our attention on the text of Scripture here. 2 Corinthians 4 pictures man, blinded by Satan to the truth of the gospel and the glory of God. Yet God, in His mercy, causes light in our hearts to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus. What does that create? Faith! Saving faith comes from beholding the glory of Christ and clinging to it for salvation. Thus, we are saved to the glory of God.
3. We are saved for His glory.
In [Christ] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
After seeing the first two points this one seems pretty straight-forward. But perhaps it is this point that we need more than the others. Did God save you because there was something in you that made you irresistible to Him? Was it because of your sincerity? Did Jesus die so that there would be a way to God just in case somebody decided to take the narrow road? Not according to Scripture. What we see here in Ephesians is God lovingly choosing to save some, by the work of Christ, in order that He would have a people who see and savor His glory.
In the end what we will see is a saved people from every nation singing the praises of their savior:
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12)
Friday, May 7, 2010
Christ's Example of Humility
So two weeks ago, I wrote about "Humility and Absolute Surrender"(which you can read here). Pride is a big struggle, so I wanted to post a passage talking about Christ's Example of Humility.
Philippians 2:1-11
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Now I know that there is tons of stuff that I could take from this passage write about, but this is what I want to do. Read the passage again, and think about your thought life.
How often do you think of yourself more highly than others(even small passing thoughts)? How often do you get hurt because someone hurt your pride(was better than you at something and "put you in your place")? How much time do you spend thinking about yourself in comparison to others? How much time do you spend thinking about yourself in comparison to God?
Test yourself and be open to what the Lord will show you. The Lord has shown me things that I am ashamed of, and yet, out of grace, He hasn't shown me all my faults. He is also merciful to forgive.
Read the passage and see how you compare to Christ's example of humility. Don't just think about it now, while you are reading this. Think about it when your with your friends, when you're doing homework,etc. Be constantly aware of your thoughts, because that's the reflection of your heart.
Lord, we are wretched and sinful creatures. And we continue to sin over and over again. Our thoughts are constantly self-centered, even in the good, righteous things we do. Humble us, Lord, and give us hearts to hear your voice of truth that tells us we are wrong. Take our pride and turn it into a worship and exaltation of You, instead of us. This is only possible through your grace and the Holy Spirit. We praise you and thank you for that as well. Amen.
Philippians 2:1-11
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Now I know that there is tons of stuff that I could take from this passage write about, but this is what I want to do. Read the passage again, and think about your thought life.
How often do you think of yourself more highly than others(even small passing thoughts)? How often do you get hurt because someone hurt your pride(was better than you at something and "put you in your place")? How much time do you spend thinking about yourself in comparison to others? How much time do you spend thinking about yourself in comparison to God?
Test yourself and be open to what the Lord will show you. The Lord has shown me things that I am ashamed of, and yet, out of grace, He hasn't shown me all my faults. He is also merciful to forgive.
Read the passage and see how you compare to Christ's example of humility. Don't just think about it now, while you are reading this. Think about it when your with your friends, when you're doing homework,etc. Be constantly aware of your thoughts, because that's the reflection of your heart.
Lord, we are wretched and sinful creatures. And we continue to sin over and over again. Our thoughts are constantly self-centered, even in the good, righteous things we do. Humble us, Lord, and give us hearts to hear your voice of truth that tells us we are wrong. Take our pride and turn it into a worship and exaltation of You, instead of us. This is only possible through your grace and the Holy Spirit. We praise you and thank you for that as well. Amen.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Marriage.
This Saturday my older brother will be getting married. He will see his bride walk down an aisle, make some very special vows, be united with a woman till death does he part, eat some cake, dance, and leave for a honeymoon. All these things are great, but does he really know what he is getting into? No. No unmarried person can possibly begin to comprehend the amazing, beautiful, sometimes frustrating, but blessed gift of marriage. Even if you know a person your whole life, there is something about marriage that just sets the relationship apart. This union is holy and sacred, just as God meant it to be. There are so many things that i want to tell him to help him be a better husband and better man, things to expect, and things not to expect, but i think all of it can be summed up in that God made marriage to make you holy not happy.
This sounds so strange and our flashy culture which would instantly label me as crazy, but it is so true. If your getting into marriage because you think a person will make you happy, I've got some non-sugarcoated new for you, they won't...at least not always. God uses a husband and wife to sharpen each other. I mean gosh, within our first year of marriage God revealed sin in my life that i never knew i had, and used Jonathan to help me realize my sin and then help me get through it. Even when God isn't revealing major sin in my life, he still uses jonathan to help me get over those selfish, mundane tendencies in me that keep me from God. Its not pretty, it doesn't make me happy, but sanctification isn't always a fun process, but being closer to God is and He is worth it.
Why holy and not happy? Because God isn't concerned with the trifle things of this world that give us a temporary buzz...He wants all of us to be wrapped up in all of Him. He wants us to be holy as he is Holy, and the only way we can do that is through Christ, not in seeking something that was never meant to fill us anyways. My brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, do not be fooled into thinking that you deserve to be happy and that that is what marriage was supposed to provide. No, God uses marriage to point us to him and to make us holy, as Christ is holy.
Grace and Peace.
Sarah B.
This sounds so strange and our flashy culture which would instantly label me as crazy, but it is so true. If your getting into marriage because you think a person will make you happy, I've got some non-sugarcoated new for you, they won't...at least not always. God uses a husband and wife to sharpen each other. I mean gosh, within our first year of marriage God revealed sin in my life that i never knew i had, and used Jonathan to help me realize my sin and then help me get through it. Even when God isn't revealing major sin in my life, he still uses jonathan to help me get over those selfish, mundane tendencies in me that keep me from God. Its not pretty, it doesn't make me happy, but sanctification isn't always a fun process, but being closer to God is and He is worth it.
Why holy and not happy? Because God isn't concerned with the trifle things of this world that give us a temporary buzz...He wants all of us to be wrapped up in all of Him. He wants us to be holy as he is Holy, and the only way we can do that is through Christ, not in seeking something that was never meant to fill us anyways. My brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, do not be fooled into thinking that you deserve to be happy and that that is what marriage was supposed to provide. No, God uses marriage to point us to him and to make us holy, as Christ is holy.
Grace and Peace.
Sarah B.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Mom
Photo by Vic Orenstein
(note: this post is not to shame moms into anything. Mothers day is coming and I wanted to post on the new found respect that I have for the role of parenting that came through this quote/thought process.)
Moms have a tough job. I have recently come to a greater respect for that seeing my wife carry out normal everyday tasks without motherhood responsibilities. Looking back I see in my childhood where I made it even more difficult for my mom. There have to be many joys that come with motherhood because I am fully aware of the emotional pains that my siblings and I have cause our mother over the years.
On a car ride this Sunday there was a quote by Charles Spurgeon that was brought to my attention. This has shaken me into a reality check of new proportions when pondering parenthood.
First the context for the mind blowing revelation is remembering this quote
"If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for. - C.H. Spurgeon
How important is the job of a parent? The responsibility of carrying the gospel and sharing it with your children. And even more so teaching them that god is sovereign and completely just.
With that being taught it must also be believed...
“seek God for yourself; or rather, God must seek you. You must have vital experience of godliness in you heart, or else you are lost, even though all your friends were in heaven. That was a dreadful dream which a pious mother once had, and told to her children. She thought the judgment day was come. The great books were opened. They all stood before God. And Jesus Christ said, "Separate the chaff from the wheat; put the goats on the left hand, and the sheep on the right. The mother dreamed that she and her children were standing just in the middle of the great assembly. And the angel came, and said, "I must take the mother, she is a sheep: she must go to the right hand. The children are goats: they must go on the left." She thought as she went, her children clutched her, and said, "Mother, can we part? Must we be separated?" She then put her arms around them, and seemed to say, "My children, I would, if possible, take you with me." But in a moment the angel touched her; her cheeks were dried, and now, overcoming natural affection, being rendered supernatural and sublime, resigned to God's will, she said, "My children, I taught you well, I trained you up, and you forsook the ways of God; and now all I have to say is, Amen to you condemnation." - C.H. Spurgeon
The gut wrenching thought, and yet how beautiful to know the perfect righteous God will always be just in His actions. And that no man will enter the without the cover of Christ's blood.
Ephesians 2:1-10
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
That I might Grow
I asked the Lord, that I might grow
in faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.
I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request,
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.
Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
"Lord , why is this?" I trembling cried,
"Wilt thou pursue Thy worm to death?"
"'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and faith.
"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may'st seek thy all in me."
--John Newton
in faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.
I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request,
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.
Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
"Lord , why is this?" I trembling cried,
"Wilt thou pursue Thy worm to death?"
"'Tis in this way," the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and faith.
"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may'st seek thy all in me."
--John Newton
Monday, May 3, 2010
Book Giveaway- The Holiness of God
You can buy loads of ammunition but it doesn’t help if you don’t have a gun. You can go to the grocery store and get your milk, TV dinners, and casserole ingredients but it doesn’t do much for you if you don’t have a refrigerator, microwave, or oven. And this weekend I learned that you can write a wonderful blog post…but it doesn’t do much good if your internet is out.
With that I put the final part of my “high five” series on hold for one week and announce the start of our Grace and Peace Book Giveaway. We will be doing it once a month and the details can be found at the “Book Giveaway” link at the top of the page.
Our first book is R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God. This book is highly regarded as a classic and it’s one of my very favorites. The book will help you understand what it means to call God “holy” and will give you a better understanding of why God did some of the things the Bible describes (especially in the Old Testament). The chapter titled “The Insanity of Luther” is well worth the effort of entering this drawing.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
With that I put the final part of my “high five” series on hold for one week and announce the start of our Grace and Peace Book Giveaway. We will be doing it once a month and the details can be found at the “Book Giveaway” link at the top of the page.
Our first book is R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God. This book is highly regarded as a classic and it’s one of my very favorites. The book will help you understand what it means to call God “holy” and will give you a better understanding of why God did some of the things the Bible describes (especially in the Old Testament). The chapter titled “The Insanity of Luther” is well worth the effort of entering this drawing.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
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