“Men may try; but they will try in vain, when they attempt to convert the weapons for defending against infidelity, into bread to feed God’s hungry children.” -(Ichabod Spencer, Pastors Sketches, 59) In the context of this quote Spencer is lamenting the overabundance of speculations about faith and the continual labor to defend and explain the faith against those that do not believe. The problem, says Spencer, is that “speculations about faith have no tendency to invite faith”. Rather they tend to do just the opposite. “Many of our treatises on the subjects of faith…are so filled up with … [Read more...] about Don’t Starve the Sheep to Fight the Wolves
Amens on Monday
“Carron-shore. My last. Some tears; yet I fear some like the messenger, not the message; and I fear I am so vain as to love that love. Lord, let it not be so. Perish my honor, but let thine be exalted forever.” -Robert M. McCheyne I am at times so shallow in my aims and hopes for those that are within earshot of my preaching. At times I can be tempted to think that if I get an “Amen” on Sunday that I have done a solid job and that I have been faithful in my task of preaching. But deep down I know the truth. I know that I know enough, and have been speaking for long enough, that I can … [Read more...] about Amens on Monday
The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part Seven
This will be the last installment in this series. Hopefully it has been helpful. One of the greatest critiques that has come to this series is the title. Why in the world would I have titled this Angry and Divisive Calvinists if the real issue is not about Calvinism? Why bother with the potential vitriol that could come from people on either side of the issue? There were three main reasons why I wrote this series and titled it the way that I did: First, I wrote this series for angry and divisive Calvinists. There really are angry and divisive Calvinists. Yes, there are those that … [Read more...] about The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part Seven
The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part Six
You probably have a “Mark” in your life. We want to be living in the epilogue and not in the beginning of the story. Here is how to help the “Marks” in your life. If “Mark” is not a Calvinist but is carrying some other doctrine in an angry and divisive manner I think the advice could still pertain. Also keep in mind that I’m a Calvinist who sadly used to be a little too close to Mark. These are some of the things the Lord used in my life—both from Calvinists and non-Calvinists to help me walk more faithfully in step with the Spirit and not be “Mark”. Calvinists helping … [Read more...] about The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part Six
The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists Part 5
Epilogue: What Continued Happening to Mark Angry and divisive Mark is no more. Next month Mark will be returning to Podunk Baptist Church. This time as a new man. He still has his beard, he still holds to much the same doctrine, but he holds it differently. It had been eight years since his disaster of a revival service. Mark left the people wounded…and truth be told Mark left wounded as well. His desire to “set his old church straight” came from a mostly good desire—though Mark will admit that it was mixed with a good deal of pride and bitterness. A good part of Mark thought … [Read more...] about The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists Part 5
The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part 4
“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.” This knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 Concerning the question of eating food offered to idols, logically and theologically the “strong” Corinthians had this question nailed. They rightly believed that there is only one God, “an idol has no real existence” and correctly deduced from this that a “nothing cannot affect meat”[1] Yet, what they failed … [Read more...] about The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part 4
The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part 3
If it wasn’t seminary (or any other new found education) that caused mark to become angry and divisive what happened to Mark, then? Probably the same thing that happened to students in Newton’s day when he said: I do not mention this as the necessary fault of the institution, but as the frequent effect of notions too hastily picked up, when not sanctified by grace, nor balanced by a proportional depth of spiritual experience.[1] Newton is saying what Luther said 200 years prior, “experience alone makes the theologian[2]”. What happened to Mark and a host of students like him is that he … [Read more...] about The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part 3
The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part 2
Last time we looked at the story of Mark, a young seminary student coming back to his home church to set them straight. We wondered “what happened to Mark”. Unfortunately that fictional story is all too real in many church settings. For our discussion we will be tackling the problem of angry and divisive Calvinists, but truth be told we can make Mark’s sermon topics whatever you desire. In our day and age many may be tempted to drop the C word (Calvinism) as one of those topics bearded Mark picks up. 300 years ago it may have been Arminianism. It doesn’t matter what topic you pick … [Read more...] about The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part 2
The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part 1
“What happened to Mark?” asks one of the bewildered purple-haired saints. Two years ago Podunk Baptist Church sent a bright, energetic, and humble young man off to the seminary. This little gathering of believers has for over two-centuries housed some of the dearest saints. But Mark was different. Though young and a relatively new believer he stood out because of his marked brilliance, passion, and dedication. Tears of joy mixed with sadness now watered the out-dated carpet, as Mark was sent off to learn how to be a pastor. Most of the members could still remember that cold September morning … [Read more...] about The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part 1
Review of Trained in the Fear of God
There is a classic story (that probably has Jewish roots) about a new bride that is cooking her first big dinner for her husband. She decides to go with a recipe that has stood the test of time; a roast that was passed down to her by her mother, who in turn had learned it from her mother. Part of the recipe called for cutting off the ends of the roast. The husband, is astonished by this. He asks, “why in the world do you cut off the ends of the roast? That is the best part!”. Her reply is simple, “That’s the way my mom always made it”. There is a classic story (that probably Later on … [Read more...] about Review of Trained in the Fear of God