Thursday, August 23, 2007
See You in a Year
Yesterday a shipment came in from the States. Eight new Piper books plus many that I'm passing on to others. The best part of all was that each book cost $5 or less! Needless to say, I'm more and more impressed with the people at Desiring God.
Teach Us to Teach
The interplay between Christians and their emotions, and between Christianity and human psychology, has been floating through my mind constantly for likely a year now. Almost every time I read the Scriptures, or a related article, these matters surface in my thoughts at some point. I suppose this is largely due to the climate of our day. The stuff of psychology is everywhere: school, work, media, even the Christian bookstore. But it's also due to my exposure to several conversations and debates about this interplay.
One of the results of my mind being engaged on these matters is that I have been reevaluating our teaching when the church meets together. The relevance of teaching to this discussion is that, often, those who are getting help from professional counsellors find teaching irrelevant. And those who are all against Christians going "outside" for help hold up teaching as the only thing (almost) that is relevant.
So teaching in the church is something I want to make a New Testament study of in the near future. In the meantime, my hypothesis is that the concept of teaching in the NT is decidedly different from that held by many of us Christians. In my circles at least, teaching is considered to be the impartation of truth (doctrine) that forms up what Christians believe. That's it. Nothing more. Thus we will invite each other to come and hear a gifted teacher speak on some subject like the Church, Spiritual Gifts, or Justification by Faith. I'm starting to wonder if, in addition to this aspect of teaching, the NT further views teaching as including training. Training takes us beyond the question of what we believe to the questions of how we live.
In other words, what I'm suggesting is that the biblical concept of teaching embraces not only belief-modification, but also behaviour-modification. When Matthew tells us in Matthew 7:38 that "the crowds were astonished at his teaching", does he mean to suggest that Jesus' words, "Do not be anxious about your life" (7:25) constitute teaching? I think he does. We wouldn't call it teaching, but the Holy Spirit does. We would call it exhortation, encouragement, or practical ministry. Matthew calls it teaching.
In Luke 11:1 the disciples ask Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray." To which Jesus launches into a lengthy sermon on the difference in the Greek words of prayer, intercession, and supplication? No! Jesus, the great Teacher from a place farther away than Ireland, shows them how to pray by praying right in front of them, saying, "When you pray, say..."
None of this is meant to minimize the importance of what we typically call teaching. The impartation of doctrinal information is vital. But so is the impartation of how-to information. Thus a message on how a Christian husband can love his wife as Christ loved the Church belongs just as much under the rubric of teaching as does the sermon on marriage being a picture of Christ and His Church.
Incidentally, the secular world has much less difficulty with this concept of teaching. For instance, a basic Driver's Education course includes classroom instruction on the rules of the road and the functioning of a car, but it also includes instruction in how to drive the thing. This is how you parallel park. This is how you change a tire. In secular teaching, the rubber meets the road. Why should it not in the teaching of the local church?
How does all this apply to professional counselling, psychology, and emotional life? Well, if our teaching was more holistic in this regard, counsellees would likely find it to be much more relevant, and believers in the sufficiency of Scripture might actually see some day-to-day evidence for the Bible's sufficiency.
One of the results of my mind being engaged on these matters is that I have been reevaluating our teaching when the church meets together. The relevance of teaching to this discussion is that, often, those who are getting help from professional counsellors find teaching irrelevant. And those who are all against Christians going "outside" for help hold up teaching as the only thing (almost) that is relevant.
So teaching in the church is something I want to make a New Testament study of in the near future. In the meantime, my hypothesis is that the concept of teaching in the NT is decidedly different from that held by many of us Christians. In my circles at least, teaching is considered to be the impartation of truth (doctrine) that forms up what Christians believe. That's it. Nothing more. Thus we will invite each other to come and hear a gifted teacher speak on some subject like the Church, Spiritual Gifts, or Justification by Faith. I'm starting to wonder if, in addition to this aspect of teaching, the NT further views teaching as including training. Training takes us beyond the question of what we believe to the questions of how we live.
In other words, what I'm suggesting is that the biblical concept of teaching embraces not only belief-modification, but also behaviour-modification. When Matthew tells us in Matthew 7:38 that "the crowds were astonished at his teaching", does he mean to suggest that Jesus' words, "Do not be anxious about your life" (7:25) constitute teaching? I think he does. We wouldn't call it teaching, but the Holy Spirit does. We would call it exhortation, encouragement, or practical ministry. Matthew calls it teaching.
In Luke 11:1 the disciples ask Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray." To which Jesus launches into a lengthy sermon on the difference in the Greek words of prayer, intercession, and supplication? No! Jesus, the great Teacher from a place farther away than Ireland, shows them how to pray by praying right in front of them, saying, "When you pray, say..."
None of this is meant to minimize the importance of what we typically call teaching. The impartation of doctrinal information is vital. But so is the impartation of how-to information. Thus a message on how a Christian husband can love his wife as Christ loved the Church belongs just as much under the rubric of teaching as does the sermon on marriage being a picture of Christ and His Church.
Incidentally, the secular world has much less difficulty with this concept of teaching. For instance, a basic Driver's Education course includes classroom instruction on the rules of the road and the functioning of a car, but it also includes instruction in how to drive the thing. This is how you parallel park. This is how you change a tire. In secular teaching, the rubber meets the road. Why should it not in the teaching of the local church?
How does all this apply to professional counselling, psychology, and emotional life? Well, if our teaching was more holistic in this regard, counsellees would likely find it to be much more relevant, and believers in the sufficiency of Scripture might actually see some day-to-day evidence for the Bible's sufficiency.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Biography of Robert Chapman
Just submitted to Scripture Forum. A while ago the Moderating Committee there graciously invited me to contribute book reviews to their forum. I have not been very faithful in contributing, but I hope to change that in the future.
Title: Robert Chapman
Author: Robert L. Peterson
Review
Having wakened from whatever sleep I had last night with an obtrusive head cold, I took a sick day and settled down with this delightful biography of a delightful man.
In reading this book I encountered a remarkable servant of Christ. Robert Chapman (1803-1902) enjoyed a comfortable and cultured upbringing, but was converted to Christ in 1823. At the time of his conversion he held a promising career in law; after his conversion his business became “to love others and not to seek that others shall love me,” (p.13). He responded to criticism of his early preaching attempts by saying “There are many who preach Christ, but not so many who live Christ. My great aim will be to live Christ,” (p.29, original emphasis). Page after page reveals that this is exactly what he did.
The book records his tireless efforts in the gospel in Barnstaple, England, as well as his four missionary trips into Spain and his tour through Ireland on foot. We learn of his missionary zeal, financial dependence on the Lord, life of simplicity, and ministry of hospitality.
Of interest to many will be the accounts of his interactions with other leaders in the early Brethren movement. Darby could say of Chapman “He lives what I teach.” And again: “We talk of the heavenlies, but Robert Chapman lives in them,” (p.114). One thing that struck me was Chapman’s hospitality, a characteristic rarely associated with those who remain unmarried. He was “a missionary to missionaries” and many of God’s people found themselves refreshed and encouraged in his home.
Peterson writes as a careful and skillful biographer. He is careful by being well-researched, and by remembering that his subject had faults, even though, as in Joseph’s case, one must struggle to find them; He is skillful by organizing his material both chronologically and thematically.
Both Chapman and, it would seem, his biographer held more open views of reception than readers of this Forum would. But Chapman’s passion for unity—which lay behind his views on reception—is still good for us to hear. It should also be pointed out that Peterson does not have as much difficulty finding faults in Darby’s life as he does in Chapman’s; whether or not his criticisms of Darby are justifiable is a matter I am not qualified to judge.
Nevertheless, let us obey the command of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:29 (“honor such men”) by reading this biography. I recommend it to every Christian, especially to young men and women. In a day where Christian role models are those who show up at meeting nine times out of ten, we young people desperately need Christian biography of this calibre. Within these pages we shall discover the key not only to individual spiritual renewal, but to revitalization of our assemblies as well. Robert Chapman may have died over a century ago, but through this biography his love, life, and hospitality have today ministered to a worn-out Christian’s physical and spiritual needs one more time. May it not be the last time.
Resource Details
Number of Pages: 210
Publisher: Loizeaux Brothers, Inc.
Publication Date: 1995
ISBN: 0-87213-691-4
Title: Robert Chapman
Author: Robert L. Peterson
Review
Having wakened from whatever sleep I had last night with an obtrusive head cold, I took a sick day and settled down with this delightful biography of a delightful man.
In reading this book I encountered a remarkable servant of Christ. Robert Chapman (1803-1902) enjoyed a comfortable and cultured upbringing, but was converted to Christ in 1823. At the time of his conversion he held a promising career in law; after his conversion his business became “to love others and not to seek that others shall love me,” (p.13). He responded to criticism of his early preaching attempts by saying “There are many who preach Christ, but not so many who live Christ. My great aim will be to live Christ,” (p.29, original emphasis). Page after page reveals that this is exactly what he did.
The book records his tireless efforts in the gospel in Barnstaple, England, as well as his four missionary trips into Spain and his tour through Ireland on foot. We learn of his missionary zeal, financial dependence on the Lord, life of simplicity, and ministry of hospitality.
Of interest to many will be the accounts of his interactions with other leaders in the early Brethren movement. Darby could say of Chapman “He lives what I teach.” And again: “We talk of the heavenlies, but Robert Chapman lives in them,” (p.114). One thing that struck me was Chapman’s hospitality, a characteristic rarely associated with those who remain unmarried. He was “a missionary to missionaries” and many of God’s people found themselves refreshed and encouraged in his home.
Peterson writes as a careful and skillful biographer. He is careful by being well-researched, and by remembering that his subject had faults, even though, as in Joseph’s case, one must struggle to find them; He is skillful by organizing his material both chronologically and thematically.
Both Chapman and, it would seem, his biographer held more open views of reception than readers of this Forum would. But Chapman’s passion for unity—which lay behind his views on reception—is still good for us to hear. It should also be pointed out that Peterson does not have as much difficulty finding faults in Darby’s life as he does in Chapman’s; whether or not his criticisms of Darby are justifiable is a matter I am not qualified to judge.
Nevertheless, let us obey the command of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:29 (“honor such men”) by reading this biography. I recommend it to every Christian, especially to young men and women. In a day where Christian role models are those who show up at meeting nine times out of ten, we young people desperately need Christian biography of this calibre. Within these pages we shall discover the key not only to individual spiritual renewal, but to revitalization of our assemblies as well. Robert Chapman may have died over a century ago, but through this biography his love, life, and hospitality have today ministered to a worn-out Christian’s physical and spiritual needs one more time. May it not be the last time.
Resource Details
Number of Pages: 210
Publisher: Loizeaux Brothers, Inc.
Publication Date: 1995
ISBN: 0-87213-691-4
Monday, August 20, 2007
Shepherd = Border Collie?
I found Doug Wilson's selection from Mother Kirk suggestive. An elder's role in the local church is very much like "that of a well-trained border collie. There are shepherds above him."
Saturday, August 18, 2007
New Greek Blog
Great news! Alan Knox has started up a Greek blog for his students. As a self-learner of koine Greek (using textbooks by Mounce and Black), I see very little in the way of educational interaction. This is a serious disadvantage for learning a new language, a disadvantage I hope this blog will help lessen. Time to revise my blogroll!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Hard-Hitting Questions on the Church
There may well be such a thing as a stupid question, but you won't find one among this lot. Here's one of my favourites:
When we meet with other believers, why do we spend most of our time looking at one person and the back of everyone else's heads?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Doug Wilson at His Best on Bitterness at its Worst
Doug Wilson writes
Resentment is one of the most confused and confusing sins that we commit.
Another person has wronged you and hurt you, or you believe that he has, and so you store up bitterness in your heart. But this bitterness pollutes and eats away at your own soul, not the soul of the one who wronged you.
What this means is that someone came into your home and smashed your precious things. And let us say that you are not imagining it—he really did this. And so what does bitterness do? Bitterness goes to the workroom in the basement, finds a hammer, and goes through the house, smashing any of the remaining precious things that the other may have missed. At the basic heart level, this means that bitterness agrees with the vandal. For all the appearance of conflict, it is a false conflict.
Aggressive belligerence says that you should be hurt. And bitterness responds by saying, "No, I need to be hurt and damaged more than that. Leave me now—I can do the rest by myself."
Read the rest of the article here. By the way, if you want to read what first got me listening to Wilson, have some fun and read this (click here for the rest of the debate).
A Time of Fellowship, Anyone?
Join me in asking myself: "How does fellowship as I define it compare with how the early Church and her Lord defined it?"
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Amen to This
On a slip of paper from the late Mr. Robert Boyle, a great man of God. As his days on earth were winding down, his family graciously invited me to check over his library and take as many books as I wanted. I probably took half of a trunk full (including a bunch of Lange's commentaries)! In one of the books was this:
Do you say "Amen?"
When your brother sits,
After speaking to God in prayer?
Or does silence reign,
And there's not a word,
From those who are assembled there?
A hearty "Amen"
Is so good to hear,
And to God it must be so too.
For it shows our attention,
And fellowship too,
In all that we'd say and do.
So say "Amen"
When your brother sits,
After speaking to God in prayer.
Our hearts it will warm,
And our spirits unite;
We'll be blessed as we tarry there.
~ P.M. Weston
Do you say "Amen?"
When your brother sits,
After speaking to God in prayer?
Or does silence reign,
And there's not a word,
From those who are assembled there?
A hearty "Amen"
Is so good to hear,
And to God it must be so too.
For it shows our attention,
And fellowship too,
In all that we'd say and do.
So say "Amen"
When your brother sits,
After speaking to God in prayer.
Our hearts it will warm,
And our spirits unite;
We'll be blessed as we tarry there.
~ P.M. Weston
Saturday, August 11, 2007
To Post or Not To Post
Dave Black describes his self-check mechanism before posting:
For the record, I would like to follow his example.
Before I post anything (be it an essay or a blog entry) I always (a) pray about whether or not I should upload it and, if I get a green light, (b) ask the Lord Jesus to use it in the blogosphere to "strengthen, encourage, and console."
For the record, I would like to follow his example.
Entering the Blogosphere...
My first post, but first of how many? God only knows. If He should grant me a long and happy existence in the Blogoshere, this is what you should expect to see in future visits to my blog:
(1) The beauty, glory, and supremacy of Jesus Christ.
(2) Encouragement to read and study the Bible.
(3) A plug or two for learning to read the New Testament in Greek!
(4) Glimpses of what a local church should look like, and encouragement to join/remain in/re-shape one.
(5) Updates on life with Helen: how we're doing, what we're reading, where we're going, and who we're hanging out with.
I begin with a prayer.
Lord Jesus, I dedicate this virtual space to You.
You have so taken over my life that I can't even blog without You. Make this a place where everyone who stops by is loved and respected. Make this a place where Your people are encouraged, and where those who are not Yours are caused to give You second thought. I ask that You would save me from using this space to promote myself instead of You. Preserve me from causing others to stumble.
Give me Your wisdom, insight, and grace.
(1) The beauty, glory, and supremacy of Jesus Christ.
(2) Encouragement to read and study the Bible.
(3) A plug or two for learning to read the New Testament in Greek!
(4) Glimpses of what a local church should look like, and encouragement to join/remain in/re-shape one.
(5) Updates on life with Helen: how we're doing, what we're reading, where we're going, and who we're hanging out with.
I begin with a prayer.
Lord Jesus, I dedicate this virtual space to You.
You have so taken over my life that I can't even blog without You. Make this a place where everyone who stops by is loved and respected. Make this a place where Your people are encouraged, and where those who are not Yours are caused to give You second thought. I ask that You would save me from using this space to promote myself instead of You. Preserve me from causing others to stumble.
Give me Your wisdom, insight, and grace.
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