Theo Fi

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

The immensity of the sacrifice that Christ made for us is something we can never truly  grasp, especially when we consider that we are just as guilty as the crowd who called for his death.

If this is true then how could anyone who has even the simplest understanding of what Christ’s death was do this???

I came across a website the other day which has the following statement on it:

“If it seems shocking to accuse any group of opposing Gospel preaching and hindering soul winning, a little thought here will show that Calvinists must inevitably oppose soul-winning activities of those who try to get every sinner to repent, of those who offer salvation freely as purchased on Calvary for every person.
…But in actual practice. Calvinism cuts the nerve of soul winning on the foreign mission field as it does at home.
Did a great foreign mission program arise through the teaching and preaching of John Calvin? Many Calvinists will regret this fact. But the simple truth is that today those most active and most burdened about soul winning on the foreign field among Presbyterians are not those who believe in Calvin’s doctrine of predestination. In fact, nine out of ten Presbyterians do not believe it, and the great mission program of Presbyterians was not built by Calvinists.

As the Wesleyan revival spread in England, of course it affected many others besides Methodists and many besides Arminians. Most of the Bible-believing, soul-winning Christians in the world are NOT Arminian. But very few soul winners are unreserved Calvinists. Calvinism does not produce a passion for soulwinning.
Calvinism appeals to those who think that it is the only answer to Arminianism. There are very many Christians that are soulwinners, love God, seek the salvation of the lost and yet ARE NEITHER Calvinists nor Arminian.
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Doctrines/heresies_of_calvinism.htm

I have heard various versions of this argument against Calvinism several times over the last few years.  This may not seem like a really big thing but the problem is this statement does not fit within the doctrines of Calvinism, nor does it fit with history.  It is a lie.
The thing is Jesus Christ is the way, the TRUTH and the life.  Now I can hear you thinking “that statement above is about Calvinism, not Jesus or the Bible dude!”  And you are right, except that the doctrines of Calvinism and Reformed theology are based on the Bible, therefore the previous statement does relate to the Bible.

First, regarding Calvin, while it is understood his writings do not have an emphasis on evangelism it would be false to say he did not believe in its necessity.

“Since we do not know who belongs to the number of the predestined and who does not, it befits us so to feel as to wish that all be saved. So it will come about that, whoever we come across, we shall study to make him a sharer of peace . . . even severe rebuke will be administered like medicine, lest they should perish or cause others to perish. But it will be for God to make it effective in those whom He foreknew and predestined.”

John Calvin, Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God, trans. J. K. S. Reid (London: James Clarke and Co., Limited, 1961), 138.

Commenting on Ezek. 18:23, Calvin states

“God certainly desires nothing more than for those who are perishing and rushing toward death to return to the way of safety. This is why the gospel is today proclaimed throughout the world, for God wished to testify to all the ages that he is greatly inclined to pity.”

John Calvin, Calvin: Commentaries (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1963), vol. 23, The Library of Christian Classics, eds. Baillie, McNeill, and Van Dusen, 402.

There are many more quotes from Calvin’s writings and sermons that you are welcome to research, it is actually worth the time spent.

Secondly, regarding history, it becomes very obvious when looking beyond one particular missions program that a huge number of the most renowned evangelists and preachers were Calvinists:

• Jonathan Edwards
• George Whitfield
• John Knox
• John Owen
• Paul Bunyan
• William Carey (this dude was the man regarding missions in the Baptist Church)
• Matthew Henry

These are just a small number of the names that you may already know.  The fact is that from the time of the Reformation missionaries who adhere to the Reformed and Calvinist doctrines of faith have travelled throughout the world preaching the Gospel.

There may be a few people who use the doctrine of predestination as an excuse to not preach the Gospel, but that’s all it is, an excuse.

From my own experience as someone who was ashamed to be known as a Christian, coming to understand and agree with the doctrines of Refomed Theology I have been invigorated to preach the Gospel.  I see the same in others who have had a similar revelation.

The reason I have written this post, and especially in relation to the false statement at the top, is that a few years ago I would have read that statement and believed it and would have done so without looking at any of the facts.  And I know there are a lot of other Christians out there who would do exactly the same thing.  The reason, I believe, is that it is easier to believe something that does not challenge our view of the world and of God than it is to test what we are told or read against the Word of God and history.

In whom is your confidence? Or where do you place your trust?

Even as Christians we can often place our trust in ourselves in certain areas of our lives. This can take different forms, including self-righteousness and idolatry.

Any time I think I merit salvation by my own efforts, any time I think I am good enough for God, any time I think I’ve done a good job and God will be proud, I am trusting in myself. But the Bible clearly tells me my righteous acts are like filthy rags. No-one is righteous, not even one.

Idolatry can be perpetrated by the hands or the mind. We can create a god with our hands and worship it. But we also need to know that we are idolatrous any time we create our own notions of God. Any way of thinking about God that is not harmonious with the Bible, is not the God of the Bible!

What does God say about idols? He scoffs. Isa 44:6-11
6 “This is what the LORD says—
Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
apart from me there is no God.
7 Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
and what is yet to come—
yes, let them foretell what will come.
8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?
No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

9 All who make idols are nothing,
and the things they treasure are worthless.
Those who would speak up for them are blind;
they are ignorant, to their own shame.
10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol,
which can profit nothing?
11 People who do that will be put to shame;
such craftsmen are only human beings.
Let them all come together and take their stand;
they will be brought down to terror and shame.

He measure himself against idols made by men and says “who is like Me?”. He scoffs at idols and tells us they profit us NOTHING.

What about our self-righteousness? How does that fare before the Almighty God? Isa 6:1-8
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah was a self-righteous man. But in Isa 6 we see what happens when he is confronted in his own righteousness by God Almighty himself. The Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, who has the marvellous and massive seraph beasts worshipping at his throne day and night. When confronted by this amazing God, Isaiah sees his own filth, and cries out “woe to me, I am a sinner with unclean lips.”

It’s the same for ourselves. When we are faced with the knowledge of God, the infinitely holy one, we see how filthy we are. We see that we have placed our trust in ourselves, in our own works or in an image we have created.

But what is the reaction God has ordained? He forgives Isaiah sins by commanding the seraphs to touch the burning coal to Isaiah’s lips. He presses Isaiah into willing service – “send me Lord”.

It is the same for us. By the blood of Christ, shed on the cross, our sins are forgiven. We are made righteous – but not by anything we have done. Only by the blood of Christ.

Heb 10:19-22, 9 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

And we, too are pressed into service. God has commanded us to go, make disciples of all nations, baptising and teaching (Matt 28:19). That is why we are here in India. Our response to the gospel, the good news of what Christ has done for us, is to say “here I am Lord, send me.”

Phil 3:3, 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh…

Phil 3:3 is a statement of who we are in Christ. We ARE the circumcision, those made righteous. We DO worship God, and we glory in Christ. We put no confidence in the flesh, but we trust in Christ.

Repent of your sin of self-righteousness and idolatry. Your confidence is in Christ. Rest in His promises. “Praise the Lord”.

Over the last month or so the blogosphere has been going crazy regarding Rob Bell’s new book Love Wins.  Originally I thought I might get a copy but on reflection I realised it would only be for critiquing purposes and I knew that there would be a lot of critique done by a lot of top class theologians, so really there would not be anything for me to add.  Since the release of Love Wins I have listened to and read critiques, debates, interviews, discussions, compliments and charges of heresy.  It became very obvious quite quickly that there where two sides to the debate; those affirming the content of Love Wins and those denying it as unbiblical.  I was listing off some of the different commentators in my head the other day and something stuck out all of a sudden – on one side I had

• Albert Mohler
• Justin Taylor
• John Piper
• Tim Challies
• Michael Horton
• Matt Slick
• Mark Driscol
• Kevin DeYoung

then on the other side

• Brian McLaren
• Greg Boyd
• GregPadgett
• Carlton Pearson
• Tony Jones

Plus a few others on both sides.  The thing that stuck out to me though was the against side are essentially all reformed pastors or theologians  and the affirmers are mostly from the emergent camp.  Where are the non-reformed evangelicals?  The Rick Warrens the Bill Hybels the Bill Johnsons the Perry Nobles and Brian Houstons??  How about some of the self proclaimed prophets and apostles like Rick Joyner or Patrica King  or Todd Bentley?  Where are their voices in this debate?

I came across this video today by Doug Wilson of Christ Church in Moscow Idaho in which he discusses the need for us as Christians to claim the whole of the bible and where scriptures seem to be in contradiction find out how they harmonise together.  If the truthful proclamation of God’s Word is important to you this video is worth watching.

The lack of submission

“Wives, submit to your husbands”.  How many times have you heard it preached, or thought it to yourself?  Are you achieving it?

Often in our liberal society in NZ we hear this preached in connection with “husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”, and the message is that husbands have by far the greater and harder task.  As women we chuckle about this and continue in our ways.

But the point remains – am I submitting to my husband?  Looking at my life I would have to answer no.  I have an opinion, I lecture, I complain.  I don’t always or fully honour my husband.  Some women moan to their girlfriends about their husbands.  What’s more, we like it this way.  Against the command to submit to our husband, we all fall short.

The law requires us to submit

But the law requires us to submit!

The law was summed by Jesus in Matt 22:37-40 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

The command to submit to our husbands in everything in Eph 5:22-24 is law.  It falls under the command to love our neighbour as ourself.

We are not under law

But we are not under law any longer.  Law cannot save us, Rom 3:20 no-one will be declared righteous in the sight of God by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

The law requiring us to submit to our husbands exposes our sin.  It exposes our inability to comply with the requirement.  We have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

But there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death Rom 8:1-2.  We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus Rom 3:24.

We are not under the law.

I should not feel condemnation for falling short, because there is no condemnation for those in Christ.  Neither should I count myself obedient to the law, because this is self-righteousness.  If we think better of ourselves in any way because of our actions in fulfilling the law then we are under self-righteousness and Christ is of no value to us: If you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.  Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. Gal 5:2-3

Are you denying the work of Christ by believing you can meet the requirements of the law?  Or do you feel the weight of condemnation, knowing that you never can adequately meet the requirements of the law?

The Gospel

Come to the Cross of Christ!  He died knowing that you would not meet the requirements of this law.  He rose from the grave, his payment for our sins accepted by the Father.  His blood has been applied to us at the election of the Father, and we are now considered righteous!  Hallelujah my soul sings.  For once I was dead by now I am alive in Christ Jesus.  Where sin increased, grace increased all the more Rom 5:20

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom 2 Cor 3:17.  What is this freedom?  What does it mean?  It is freedom from the law.

Christ came to set us free from the law.  “Wives, submit to your husbands” is NOT a law to us.  It is not something we are commanded or obligated to keep.  Ladies, come out from under that law and feel the weight of relief.

The work of the Spirit

Instead we can know and trust that, while we rest in the freedom Christ has given us, we are being transformed into his likeness, 2 Cor 3:18.  The Spirit is at work in us, and sin is no longer our master.  God changes the desires of our heart.

Meditate on the love of God revealed in the cross, and you will find that your desires in your marriage become transformed.  The more we see how much we fall short, and how much we need the saving work of Christ, the more we can accept our husband’s failings.  He too, needs a Saviour!  Thank God for Christ Jesus.  The more we recognise the generosity of Christ’s love on the cross, the more abundant our own capacity to love becomes.

It’s not work.  It’s the natural outworking of the Spirit. By faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope Gal 5:5.

I am really loving how hip-hop seems to be leading the Christian music scene in regards to the use of theology in music.  Up until recently I had not listened to hip-hop for years, to be honest I’m not really into the whole playa/gangsta pop-hop thing ya’know but I have always had a respect for artists in most genres of music.  But recently I came across a bunch of artists from the hip-hop scene who are really nailing it on the theology side of things.  Shai-Linne’s album ‘The Atonement’ is incredible!

Anyway I came across this  video by Propaganda called G.O.S.P.E.L. check it out

G.O.S.P.E.L. from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

It seems almost weekly that I come across an assumption in my understanding of what it means to be redeemed by Christ.  Recently the issue of tithing has come up.  My wife and I are about to go to India on a short term missions trip and funds have been getting a little tight at times.  I was contemplating my financial situation one day and thought “Oh well, at least God will look after me because I’m tithing.”  Immediately I thought hang on there buddy!  God will look after me because I’m tithing??  Now I know that my works are not meritorious but for some reason this one had been hiding from grace.

As I was browsing through my google reader the other day I came across a post from Jim McClarty of Grace Christian Assembly titled “What about tithing?”  After watching his presentation I thought “Huh, that makes a whole lot more sense than God is gonna look after me because I tithe”

…So when he first raised this with me (the wife) my response was, “But I feel like I’ve only tithed as a response to God, and not because I have to.” Yet after sharing with me the lucid teaching on tithing (see below), I have realised that even though I may have been tithing as a response to God, I have still been tithing under LAW.  Suddenly I think, has all my tithing been worthless?  While I am sure that God has seen my heart, it also seems like the time is right to stop and examine how we give as a family.  Outside of the bonds or parameters we are used to, how could our giving look under the new covenant?

If you are not sure about what the biblical position is in relation to tithing under the new covenant we would recommend watching the videos below.

I came across a really nice post the other day by J. Todd Billings at the RCA Perspectives website called The Problem with TULIP, or More than TULIPs in this Field.  Todd discusses how the TULIP acronym has become popularised these days and how reformed theology is so much deeper than those five points.
Even if you are not reformed in your theology this post is worth reading – Todd ends his essay with this statement

Regardless of whether you consider the Reformed tradition to be your own, don’t be afraid to pick flowers from the Reformed field. Because even if you’re avoiding tulips, there is much in this spacious field that has grown from the seed of God’s word. 

Over the last week I have heard two great teachings on Law and Gospel.  The first by Chris Rosebrough of Pirate Christian Radio the other by Rev. Matt Slick (that really is his name) of Carm.org.

If you don’t have a good understanding of the importance of the role that Law and Gospel plays in the Bible or how it relates to us and how we are to preach the Gospel then you need to listen to these two podcasts.  Or you may not even know anything about Law and Gospel, if this is the case then you really need to listen.

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– Chris Rosebrough

or if you want to subscribe via  iTunes  click here

The piece from Matt Slick may require you to subscribe to the Carm.org, use this link

The episode to look for is called CARM: Repentance,salvation 1_25

For a long time now I have wondered what my role in sanctification is – what am I supposed to do???  Read my Bible every day, pray, worship, desire God..?  But I don’t!  And I can’t seem to make myself!  This results in me thinking that I’m not a good Christian.  Uh-oh.

But more and more I am understanding that sanctification is not my work. How could it be?  Sanctification is part of my salvation, so how could it be attributed to me?  It must be God’s work, or I would get the glory.  This position is backed by Scripture: 1 Thes 5:23-24 ²³Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it; 1 Thes 3:12 ¹²and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, ¹³so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

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