Hey Preacher, You Just Never Know!

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Sometimes you cross paths with a story that puts things in vivid perspective. It exposes your warped thinking and shames you for the energy you have invested in misspent emotion. Whether it be a pastor, or really anyone actively attempting to serve the Lord, we fall far short of four in calculating two plus two. The story, with a link for you to follow and read for yourself below, involves a missionary who left the field after some years of hard labor thinking he was a failure. Wait to you read what was recently discovered!

How often does it dog you? How often do you run from the nipping at your heels from a general sense of failure? How often do you size it all up and calculate it nothing? Besides the lunacy of forgetting that the Lord gives “the increase”, what makes you and I think we even know what we are talking about?

It seems to me we had better wait for the Lord to sort it all out. We ought not form opinions of ourselves, or others, until the Lord has added the final ingredient. To not wait on Him is like gathering all the ingredients for fried chicken except the chicken! It is time to wait on final grades now. But hey, in how it all turns out, you just never know.

Link to great story.
Picture is from that great blog post–hope you go read it!

Related article :
Success versus Victory

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The Return of the Kosher Pig–A Book Review

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kosherpig

Here is a definitive volume on the “Divine Messiah in Jewish thought” by Rabbi Itzhak Shapira. The candor of this volume comes from the author as a Rabbi deciding to delve into who the Messiah truly is. Trained to despise Christianity and Jesus Christ, his journey took is profound. These pages show the depths to which he dug and the thoroughness of his work. He went through all the documents that make up Jewish thought since Bible times. There is nothing superficial as you would usually find in such writings. What would satisfy one already a Christian will not satisfy an Orthodox Jewish person. He even explains why that is so when he goes at the heart of what Jewish writings actually say.

He begins by explaining why Christianity is so offensive to Jewish people. It is our belief of God becoming a man that they find complete idolatry. This he calls for a Jewish person “the ultimate uncleanness.” Hence, the pig, the ultimate unclean animal, is Christianity. He then sifts through, not only the Old Testament Scriptures, but the writings all through the centuries that define Jewish thought.

He finds extraordinary things in their writings. The pig (animal) will be kosher again when the Messiah comes.He finds that the midrash says the pig of Christianity will return when Messiah comes. You have to wade through a great deal of information, but you will be surprised on several occasions on what previous leaders and writings have said. It is clear–Jesus Christ fits perfectly into what their own writing say. It is not enough, as he says, to just quote Isaiah 53, but his findings, on the other hand, will give the most studious Jewish person pause. It may lead them to Christ as well.

This book is heavy and so is three stars to the uninitiated, but it is five stars plus for one immersed in Jewish thinking. I will then average it and give it four stars. It will make a fine reference tool as well.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Why I Am Remaining An Independent Baptist (IBTR #29)

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Baptist01Recently, someone suggested that I quit being an Independent Baptist. Their reasoning was that since I no longer held to all positions that they personally felt defined an Independent Baptist I should leave. I have nothing to say about that person as they are certainly entitled to their own opinion, but I will say that I am still, and plan to continue for the forseeable future to be, an Independent Baptist.

At the same time, as this blog series shows, I do not want to be associated with some trends and practices held by those who call themselves Independent Baptists. For the record, even in those cases, it is the practices more than the people that I battle for change. Whether it be someone else’s standards or preferences, abusive practices, or an overall mindset that some call IFB, I feel perfect liberty to disagree without feeling the slightest need to remove the label Independent Baptist from myself. That some have chosen to leave (who I still love and respect) has no bearing on my choice either.

I can give you two good reasons:

1. Independent

As an adjective as I use it here, it means “free from outside control; not depending on another’s authority” (from first result on Google for “definition of independent”). Think what a lousy Independent Baptist I would be if I allowed any individual, periodical, or group tell me to stop being one! Really when someone purports to speak for all of us in narrow terms and particulars it is they who deny, by definition, what it means to be an Independent Baptist. They may have switched the adjective to a noun, but I never have.

2. Baptist

The Baptist heritage is one I embrace. I just added to my Klock & Klock collection the 2 volume The History of the Baptists by Thomas Armitage and I marvel as I peruse its pages and see our history. It is a history of Christ and His Word first and that is exactly what I want my life and ministry to be about. In fact, the distinctives of Baptist thought are still where I stand. There are a few of them that some disagree on though they dearly love our Lord, but my understanding of the biblical evidence brings me down firmly on the side of these distinctives. Someone came up with an acrostic in the 1900s that summarizes well where we stand out, and have stood for centuries, from other Christian groups.

———————————————————————————————————–

Biblical Authority

Autonomy of the Local Church

Priesthood of the Believer

Two Ordinances

Individual Soul Liberty

Saved Church Membership

Two Offices

Separation of Church and State

——————————————————————————————————————————-

That last one was added on a little later, but no matter what one may think of them, they are what Baptists have historically stood for. These things I believe.

Notice I bolded two of them because 1) I treasure them, and 2) they are so pertinent to this discussion. When I think of what Christ paid to make me a priest where I needed no other mediator with God but Him, and the corresponding soul liberty that sprang from it, I will never lightly give it up–especially just because some man or group told me to. They are not my priest. If fact, and I am not trying to be a smart alec, it would seem they would have less right, again by definition, to the name Independent Baptist than I would. At least that is what this Independent Baptist with all his soul liberty thinks!

Find all articles in the series here.

 

Be The Dad She Needs You To Be by Kevin Leman

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I certainly want to be the Dad she needs me to be, don’t you? Since three of my six children are girls, I was totally intrigued by Dr. Leman’s subject. Fortunately, the book lived up to its expectations for me. My wife has read several of his books, but this was my first one. He is worth reading! In an engaging, personal style, he gets you thinking on deeply important subject matter. I laid this book down with definate  knowledge of where I need to tweak my parenting of my daughters.

He masterfully explained how girls are so different, and so bewildering to we fathers, yet they need us so badly in their lives. The sobering fact that the kind of confidence she will have in life, and the corresponding choices she will make, particularly about relationships, will come from me. He then spends the balance of the book telling me not how to be a perfect Dad, but a good Dad. A Dad who really impacts her life to the good.

He leads past the idea that we can just criticize and command them to be the person we want them to be. We must purposely leave an “indelible imprint” on them. Sadly, we actually will leave one no matter what–that is why we must be purposeful. We must realize that every child we have is different so we have to know her heart. There is no foolproof little 10 Steps To Perfect Parenting. In the case of daughters, ours is the relationship that matters most.

He explained how we Dads are different, but that is good. She needs our approval, not another girlfriend in us. She needs me to live a “disciplined, balanced” life in front of her to give her security. He coached us in how to be involved in “the talk”. That is something we would rather pass off to her mother, but she needs to hear about men from me. If we don’t, some other guy will! He also gave counsel on when there are catfights under your roof–we can be a help!

There is so much more here. He has my ear even more because of how his daughters turned out, and how they now cherish him as father. What could be better than that? Thanks Dr. Lehman for an awesome book!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

Related Posts:

The Good Dad by Jim Daly

Father Hunger by Douglas Wilson

 

The Task Of Preaching The Bible

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Imagine many years ahead (though not a certainty) and a Bible to find messages to preach three times a week. Several times I have heard pastors say that one of the biggest problems is always coming up with ideas to preach on. They say they really struggle with new sermons.

I have a different problem. So much so, that even the title of this post is misleading. I am sitting on my back deck, in near perfect temperatures, thinking about what I am going to preach on. You see I am soon to get my new building to make into a study and then I can bring all my books to South Carolina. (Thank you Jesus!) So, I now am thinking of which books of the Bible to preach through. I am overwhelmed!

Am I going to tackle Colossians, Philippians, or I Peter? Or what about the Minor Prophets I really have been thinking through? I have really had my eye on Micah, is that the one? Then I have always wanted to preach Ecclesiastes, and actually Nehemiah. There would be I Kings, but I Samuel really beckons.

Then there are the books I have preached through in the past that I would like another shot at. The craft of making my sermons, such as they are, is likely, for the better or the worse, fully developed. I would love to work through those books again in any event!

No doubt it is hard work, though I must confess that perhaps my sermon preparation methods are more cumbersome than most. But I relish the work as the most pleasant I have ever known!

There are texts to flesh out all over the Bible for textual sermons on Sunday morning, then all those books of the Bible to develop into a series of expository messages–not that running commentary thing that some do, but take it by natural units ands make a fully developed sermon. Notice I did not mention topical messages as even the best preachers, whoever they are, are really blessed if they can have even 30 great topical messages in one lifetime. ( I’d be lucky to have 3) No, I am speaking of this matter of preaching His Word. That privilege of being aided by the Holy Spirit to inject a little creativity into sharing only what is His Word–that task is one of ceaseless joy.

Overwhelmed? You bet! I will never live to get the whole thing preached! I will not have to scramble to find something to preach on, but be ever chasing the elusive dream of preaching every text. There is no hope of making it. But what a rich life to be called to preach and try.

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Spurgeon And A Lesson On Handling Critics

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Spurgeon-608x279Having just read a story from the life of Spurgeon and being inspired by it (Link below to the short, but gripping story), I thought how difficult it really is to handle a critic. In that we can not live totally above being open to real criticism, nor is there ever a shortage of those peddling off-base criticism, we had better figure out how our Lord would have us handle it. For we who name the Name of Christ, that is all that matters, isn’t it? That is what you will see in Spurgeon’s advise to a fellow preacher if you will take the time to follow the link and I hope you do.

Spurgeon learned his lessons the hard way. When he was just starting out he faced a most ugly attack from the Right by extreme Hyper-Calvinists. Beyond theological disagreement, they were just ugly. (In fact, there is an example of it in the linked story). In his later years they came attacking from the Left in the Downgrade Movement. It was just as ugly.

Probably like Spurgeon, if we ever come down on a biblical position, we will find enemies coming from both directions. That is not to say that truth is just a middle-of-the-road proposition, but that every good road has a ditch on either side. Wreck in either and you will damage your car, but I digress…

Spurgeon, in my opinion, gives us quite the Christ-honoring example. He always spoke passionately about what the Scriptures taught, he confronted trends or ideas that ran against Scripture with equal earnestness, but he treated individuals with grace. Don’t think he couldn’t have said more! Spurgeon was one of the wittiest men who ever lived. He had the ability to filet you with words, but he chose not to.

It all came back to Christ. Please follow this link to read this story for yourself.

 

Related Post: Charles Spurgeon

 

Grace Killers! (IBTR #28)

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Have you felt it? Have you had someone, or even a whole church, never let you live past your lowest point? Have you had the load of condemnation strapped to you back and cinched too tight to ever be loosened? Have you, a child of God, a recipient of grace, had grace stripped out of your hands every time you would dare drink in its soul-quenching properties? Then you have faced them–Grace Killers!

Grace Killers lurk everywhere the children of God exist. Perhaps they repackage themselves for whichever group or denomination they are in, but they are the same. Being an Independent Baptist, I, of course, have seen them most in action there. So I encourage each of us to learn to spot grace killers and not let them do their dastardly work.

To some we are where we _____. Always. Our brothers and sisters in Christ now define us by what we once did rather than by what Christ has done. We all have low points in our Christian life. Maybe someone for a short time fell off the wagon into drunkedness. Perhaps someone had marriage difficulties or even a divorce. Maybe they got in trouble with the law. There are so many possibilities, sadly, in this corrupt world. The problem is that when we arrive on the positive side of repentance, when we experience the warmth of the grace of His forgiveness, and when we feel the joys of restored fellowship, we have some who act as if grace never came. Well, it did come, so we must label these accusers as Grace Killers!

The question is whether grace is as spectacular and far reaching as the Bible presents it to be. For the record, it is. To some, however, we will always be that person who messed up, or that divorced person, or that guy who got in trouble. They will recommend we have no opportunities. They will whisper as if we are still in the backslidden state. They would condemn us to stay in the dark place, encourage others to keep us there as well, but what is forgotten? Grace.

But grace is part of the fabric of the Christian life. No grace, no Christianity. To weigh others down and be a Grace Killer is to deny the very system whereby we were delivered.

Grace Killers do a gruesome work. Have you ever noticed the abysmal record we have of retaining people after a church discipline process? Particularly, those who respond with repentence? They almost never stay around. Why? They can never escape the dark shadow. The oppressive weight of condemnation never lifts. It was all fine with Christ. He gave us Galatians 6:1, remember? No, the problem is Grace Killers! They never let it go.

I do not deny that sin has consequences–that is the nature of sin. But we do not ever have to always live under the guilt–that is the nature of grace!

We can’t help what others say and do, but we can champion grace. Demand the rights and privileges of all God’s children as those rights and privileges were purchased by the Blood of Christ. No Grace Killers can actually even give a little wound. They can’t take it away–it is our eternal possession. Ignore them then. But remember too those around you in the clutches of these Grace Killers. Lift up those who are constantly weighted down by those who deal in condemnation.

Grace Killers live in a house of cards. When you realize they have no power, not even a spiritual BB gun or spitball, the cards come tumbling down. Treasure grace and never let anyone obscure it for you or someone around you.

Find all articles in the series here.

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A Commentary On Judges And Ruth–Kregel Exegetical Commentary

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Judgesruthchisholm

Do you need a really quality commentary on Judges and Ruth? Look no farther than this latest in the Kregel Exegetical Commentary series, this time by Robert Chisholm. Mr. Chisholm has 30 years teaching this portion of Scripture under his belt and it shows. Though a major commentary, this volume is effectively aimed at pastors and teachers. Instead of the rubbish approach of “speculative fancy that litters the history of biblical higher criticism”, he takes the superior and helpful “literary-theological” approach. That means he takes the text as he finds it! As a pastor, I am glad to have this book.

His Introduction for Judges is extensive and covers all the issues we might wonder about as well as the issues that scholars wrestle with. Chronological questions are the trickiest, but whether you finally come down where Mr. Chisholm did or not, you will for sure have the information to decide for yourself. The section entitled “What Is The Point Of Judges?” is exceptionally good. In addition, the section on female characters, of which Judges has many, is fascinating as a backdrop for the abject failure of men in those dark days. Preachers will love his suggestions on how to approach preaching the book as well.

The commentary itself is good. Just look at, for example, his explanation of Jeththah’s vow or of the Levite and his concubine shows he will tackle hard passages with verve. He thoroughly gives the different viewpoints, yet never fails to argue passionately for his point of view. I so prefer that approach whether I agree with the commentator’s conclusion or not.

He is equally as good on Ruth. I was unconvinced on his arguments against Daniel Block on the wrongness of Naomi’s sons marrying Moabites, but feel I know the issues involved like never before. There is no skepticism here.

In this second release in this series, Kregel is batting one thousand. If they can keep this level of quality, I say keep them coming!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 . 

Related article: Psalms Volume 1- Kregel Exegetical

 

 

 

Formation of the Bible By Lee Martin McDonald

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In light of the barrage of attacking media on the Bible these days, canonicity is suddenly a hot topic. Sadly, most Christians do not really know how to discuss the topic of how our canon of Scripture came about, or more importantly, how it can be trusted. So we need volumes to educate us such as we have in this volume published by Hendrickson.

We have to either remove the rustiness that has developed or come up to speed as the world is asking the tough questions. The book can distinctly help us. This subject is complex and so subject to easy potshots! You will need a basic knowledge if, say, someone starts reading Bart Ehrman and says your Bible is hopelessly an untrustworthy text of antiquity and dares you to answer. Mr. McDonald is a scholar who gives us an introduction, a starting place, that assumes we may not the story of the our canon.

Though it comes as a surprise to some there were pseudepigraphal and apocryphal books that rose up to compete with the cannon that became what we know as authoritative Scripture just as the critics say. What is not true is the level of acceptance. This volume weaves through how that worked out.

The key value in this book is the way unfamiliar things are defined and explained. Both in the text and in an outstanding glossary of terms one can learn the language of canonicity. He gives full charts on all the books that you may hear of as “lost” too.

I do not reach every conclusion he does, but my only real fault with this book is that it does not hold up as a work of apologetics nearly as well as it as simply an educational one. On occasions he raised more questions than he answered, or at least answered powerfully. I believe an even stronger case can be made. Still, this book will be handy to have on the shelf.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

BONUS REVIEW:

Another book I just read that you may enjoy along these lines is Behind The Bible: A Primer on Textual Criticism by Jeffrey D. Johnson.

In around a short power-packed 100 pages the issue of how we can trust the text of Scripture is given. I don’t personally agree with which family of texts he says is best, but he is calm in his handling of these issues. You really get a feel for how the process has worked and how scholars have approached it in different time periods. I recommend it.

 

 

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So Jimmy, Why Do You Write This Stuff? (Independent Baptist Truth Revolution# 27)

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Quillpen1

Well, it is a fair question. I am aware some are asking it too. For that matter, I realize how the articles in this particular series might be hitting some readers. In fact, let me name each category of those who may cross paths with this series, followed by a word to each.

1. Non-Christians

They simply would have little inclination to read this series and rarely do. It is likely too far removed from their lives to hold more than a momentary interest. To them I say that while we have our issues, our Savior, Jesus Christ, has none. In fact, He can help each of us with our issues.

2. Non-Independent Baptists

They might on occasion read to see what weird things go on in our group. It can be perversely therapeutic to read other’s problems to feel your own are not quite so bad. Probably they find some similarities within their own groups, just on different issues. I read often where other groups have their own foibles. For example, I read where some (not all) Calvinists absolutely rip each other up over some minute detail of their theology. I have even heard when one tells the other that they are not really a Calvinist (one held a ‘forensic’ view of justification while the other held a ‘transformative’ view). That sure sounds familiar! I mean if you switch our quirks for theirs. To them I say, please pray for us as we pray for you.

3. Balanced Independent Baptists From Balanced Ministries

They read this series and it feels dark. This is the group that I feel most awkward about. I must seem an unbalanced, rabble-rouser to them. They know nothing of what I am talking about. They probably will choose to stop reading and I don’t blame them. To them I say, be thankful for your church and the wonderful pastors you have had, but please know that others have had a far different experience than you have had.

4. Balanced Independent Baptists Who Have Suffered In Unbalanced Ministries

They love reading these type of articles. Their deliverance means so much to them as the casting off of bondage has liberated them and they want to see others delivered too. Christ means everything now and denominational politics and outward conformance never will mean anything again. My prayer is that the Lord would use my attempts at writing to help a few others move into this category. To them I say, “To whom much is given, much is required” applies to us.

5. Former Independent Baptists

They may love reading these types of articles too. They may hand my articles to show someone why they left. (I have actually heard of such occurences). They may be either: a) folks just like #4 above but who just felt they should move out of the Independent Baptist world, or b) someone who is bitter toward Independent Baptists. To them I say, either a) sorry to lose you, but may the Lord bless and keep you, or b) I do not discount your pain but Christ can move you past it. To live a life of ridicule (like stufffundieslike.com) is but to fall prey to the same lifestyle that hurt you. Ugliness will not cure ugliness.

6. Status-Quo Independent Baptists

They may or may not be aware of the abuses I have written about. They probably dislike this series and articles like it. It rocks the boat. It causes discussions they don’t want to be part of. When the discussion gets rather intense, they resent being forced to address these issues. To them I say, sorry I make you squirm, but the great issues, those that demand a right or wrong label, deserve to be addressed. If more banded together to address abusive behavior in our ranks we might live to see it changed–come help us.

7. Abusive Independent Baptists

They despise this series. I am glad. Others have cowered at their feet and let them have a reign of terror. I will not! If we can help some who are abused to see these abusers for who they are, lives will be helped. To them I say, you have hijacked certain segments of the Independent Baptist world and I will continue to do my bit to stop you as long as I am able. I believe the pen is far mightier than the abusive sword you wield and you will lose in the end if you continue on this course. Still, Christ stands ready to help you too.

8. Hurting, Confused Independent Baptists

They read this series as just one of the many ways they sincerely try to find direction for what they deal with. Their letters will break your heart. Often, every step to stop the mistreatment they face is met with more intense abuse. If the Lord will enable me to help any of them, even a little, I will be so grateful. To them I say, Christ has better for you than this. Walk out of the dark bondage into the light of His grace. Your soul can feel His warmth again. You must only shut out the voice of manipulative men and listen only to His voice. You will heal when you only listen to His voice.

Conclusion

I can not explain why the Lord has led me to write this series, but I know He has. No amount of criticism, nor even as bad as I hate it, no amount of misunderstanding of my motives, will stop me. As an Independent Baptist, I look back to the John R. Rices and Lee Robersons who felt compelled to stand against a convention they believed to be drowning in liberalism and unbelief and took great heat to make their stand. I follow in a long tradition. There are many more like me and we are not going away. May the Lord help us away from a new sort of denominationalism, from a slaughter of soul liberty, and from abusive practices of the most unchristian sort. God bless you all!

Find all articles in the series here.