Be Armed

The brilliant words of Bishop J.I. Ryle, written over a century ago:

You live in a world where your soul is in constant danger. Enemies are round you on every side. Your own heart is deceitful. Bad examples are numerous. Satan is always laboring to lead you astray. Above all false doctrine and false teachers of every kind abound. This is your great danger.

To be safe you must be well armed. You much provide yourself with the weapons which God has given you for your help. You must store your mind with Holy Scriptures. This is to be well armed.

Arm yourself with a thorough knowledge of the written Word of God. Read you Bible regularly. Become familiar with your Bible... Neglect your Bible and nothing that I know of can prevent you from error if a plausible advocate of false teaching shall happen to meet you. Make it a rule to believe nothing except it can be proved from Scripture. The Bible alone is infallible... Do you really use your Bible as you ought?

There are many today, who believe the Bible, yet read it very little. Does you conscious tell you that you are one of these persons?

If so, you are the man that is likely to get little help from the Bible in time of need. Trial is a sifting experience... Your store of Bible consolations may one day run very low.

If so, you are the man that is unlikely to become established in the truth. I shall not be surprised to hear that you are troubled with doubts and questions about assurance, grace, faith, perseverance, etc. The devil is an old and cunning enemy. He can quote Scripture readily enough when he pleases. Now you are not sufficiently ready with your weapons to fight a good fight with him... Your sword is held loosely in your hand.

If so, you are the man that is likely to make mistakes in life. I shall not wonder if I am told that you are having problems in your marriage, problems with your children, problems about the conduct of your family and about the company you keep. The world you steer through is full of rocks, shoals and sandbanks. You are not sufficiently familiar either with lighthouses or charts.

If so, you are the man who is likely to be carried away by some false teacher for a time. It will not surprise me if I hear that one of these clever eloquent men who can make a convincing presentation is leading you into error. You are in need of ballast (truth); no wonder if you are tossed to and fro like a cork on the waves.

All these are uncomfortable situations. I want you to escape them all. Take the advice I offer you today. Do not merely read your Bible a little - but read it a great deal... Remember your many enemies. Be armed.

Referenced from 18 Words by J.I. Packer

A century later John Piper repeats a similar message for us:

The Authority of Scripture

Through the words of Paul's second letter to his beloved disciple, Timothy, God states:  

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)

These words boldly stress the divine origin and thus the authority of Scripture.  Paul does not point to the human authors of Scripture as inspired people but says that the writings themselves are the words spoken (“breathed out”) by God!  Why is Paul addressing the origin and authority of Scripture?  It seems that Paul and Timothy's opponents (false teachers) stressed certain aspect or portions of Scripture and Paul stresses the authoritativeness of all of Scripture.  Because Scripture comes from God himself, “all” of it is profitable in a range of ways, ultimately leading to righteousness. 

Another author, almost 1800 years later addressed the question of the authority of Scripture from a much different lens.  America's 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson, in making good on a promise to a friend to summarize his views on Christianity set to work with scissors, snipping out every miracle and "inconsistency" he could find in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Then, using a cut-and-paste technique, he reassembled the excerpts into what he believed was a more coherent narrative and pasted them onto blank paper.  

In a letter dispatched from Monticello to John Adams in 1813, Jefferson said his "wee little book" of 46 pages was based on a lifetime of inquiry and reflection and contained "the most sublime and benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man."  He called the book "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth." Friends dubbed it "The Jefferson Bible."  

Jefferson said, "I have performed the operation for my own use," he continued, "by cutting verse by verse out of the printed book, and arranging the matter, which is evidently his and which is as easily distinguished as diamonds in a dunghill."

Percival Everett, commenting on Jefferson's editing of the Bible said, "He decided that the rules of the club to which he wished to belong were not the rules he wanted to play by. So instead of changing clubs, he changed the rule book by literally cutting and pasting together only the sections that he found relevant to his interpretation."

What an offensive and sinful view of God's Word, that "diamonds" must be dug out of a "dunghill"!  Jefferson attempted to  nullify God's authority of writing and binding together Scripture because of what he believed in an attempt to create his own god.  What a weak and worthless god Jefferson worshiped once we reduced the God who created the universe to one of his ignorant and worldly liking.  Yet, are we much better than Jefferson when we pick up the Holy Scriptures? 

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 

1 Timothy 2:8-14 

These words are weighty for any woman, especially one called to ministry.  I continue to find myself faced with the question: How do I handle this passage of Scripture?   In a culture breathing liberal and feminist air, what should I do in response to "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quit"?  Should I respond as God commanded through Paul, that I am meant to be taught, corrected, and trained by these words?  Or shall I follow in Jefferson's footsteps and get out my scissors -- snip -- snip -- snip -- choosing what I want or don't want to view as authoritative? 

Each of us make this decision every time we open the Bible.  Today, many churches and ministries choose to ignore or personally interpret 1 Timothy 2:8-14.  When God's Word is disregarded and a woman is given the authority to corporately teach from the Scriptures to men, a stance is not just taken on gender roles or personal liberties - but a stance is taken on the authority of the Holy Scriptures.  (There is much more to this conversation about a woman's role in ministry which I will not breach today.  Currently, my focus is on the foundational issue: one's view of the authority and inerrancy of Scripture.)

As John Frame says, "Since the Word is powerful, it never leaves you the same."  Therefore, we are either changed in accordance with 2 Timothy 3:16 or we are hardened against it.  I pray that I never, by God's grace, follow in Jefferson's footsteps as I read 1 Timothy 2:8-14 or any other passage of Scripture!   I pray that God will guide me as as I seek the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Attempting to be an Avid Reader

The books I aspire to read/finish over Christmas break:

Future Grace by John Piper

Death by Love by Mark Driscoll

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

18 Words by J.I. Packer

Overcoming Sin & Temptation by John Owen

Keep In Step with The Spirit by J.I. Packer

Humility by C.J. Mahaney

That's a staggering number of pages, but I can smile because I already know that the content will be beautifully rich and refreshing. Here's to sitting by the fire with a glass of eggnog and a stack of books as I take it one page at a time...

Taste and See

Here's why much of our generation reads Joel Osteen, Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, and other such authors. They have not yet read the soul shaping works of Jonathan Edwards.

“True virtue never appears so lovely as when it is oppressed; and the divine excellency of real Christianity is never exhibited with such advantage as when under the greatest trials: then it is that true faith appears much more precious than gold, and upon this account is “found to praise and honour and glory.” –Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections

They are unfamiliar with John Owen, George Whitefield, and Charles Spurgen.

"...God has among the vilest of the vile, the most reprobate, the most debauched and drunken, an elect people who must be saved. When you take the Word to them, you do so because God has ordained you to be the messenger of life to their souls, and they must receive it, for so the decree of predestination runs. They are as much redeemed by blood as the saints before the eternal throne. They are Christ's property, and yet perhaps they are lovers of the ale-house, and haters of holiness; but if Jesus Christ purchased them He will have them....Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be; and this is our comfort when we go forth to them with the quickening Word of God." -Charles Spurgen

They misunderstand the beauty of John Calvin's teachings. They overlook to wisdom of John Piper. They have not known the life of William Carry.

"When I left England, my hope of India's conversion was very strong; but amongst so many obstacles, it would die, unless upheld by God. Well, I have God, and His Word is true. Though the superstitions of the heathen were a thousand times stronger than they are, and the example of the Europeans a thousand times worse; though I were deserted by all and persecuted by all, yet my faith, fixed on the sure Word, would rise above all obstructions and overcome every trial. God's cause will triumph." -William Carey, after 3 months in Kinmen

Most of our generation is yet to read truly BEAUTIFUL thoughts upon the Lord!

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"
Psalm 34:8

They have not tasted and seen what is good. They are far too easily pleased. In Weight of Glory C.S. Lewis said it beautifully:

"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

The ability for man, drink, sex, and ambition to stroke the cords of your heart is not difficult. Writing a book which catches your eye and relates to your soul cravings takes *some* talent. But I beg you, do not be so easily pleased with what you read. Raise the standards of who and what you allow to teach you.

In His hands

God spent two months tearing apart my life plans, breaking my heart for missions, shattering the worldliness in my heart, pushing me to cry out 'I will go ANYWHERE!'... and then he closed the door for me to go. Did God just want me to be available where I'm at? Does He have another course to direct my steps? I'm upset at this inability to go... to do ministry in a place that, two months ago, was a personal hell for me to even consider going to... but now, I'm broken and willing to go.

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 9:20-21)

I am a finite human being without the right to rebelliously question God's ways. His knowledge is as far superior to mine as His holiness is to my sinfulness. I am a lump of clay in the hands of a holy holy holy Creator, and He will choose a shape and purpose for me at His own good pleasure. My true joy is found at the center of His shaping, not in my attempts to self-create or mold my own future. "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10). Ohh that I might continue to trust more deeply in the beauty of God's sovereignty over my identity and life. I am thankful for the moments that tested and sanctified me this past day... although my heart did feel that it exploded through my throat at moments, I praise God in his infinite love. He is a God worth worshiping. I would freely give my life for His glory, yet it is already His.

A Video from Matt Chandler

This video was taped of Matt Chandler a few days before his surgery and it was aired this weekend at The Village Church worship services. I pray your heart is challenged and encouraged by it; mine was.

Video from Matt

I am grateful for the men of God in my life, namely John Piper who taught me to hold my life cheap and to join with Paul in saying “I don’t count my life of any value or as precious to myself if only I might finish my course and complete the work that He gave me to do to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. I’m nothing, I just have a job. God keep me faithful on the job and then let me drop and go to the reward.” Without this strong view of God’s sovereign will, I’m not sure how you don’t despair in circumstances like mine.

-Matt Chandler