February 13, 2008

Theology for the heart, not entertainment

February 13, 2008 – 2:45 pm
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That theology is neglected is easy enough to establish. But that it is abused by those who claim to love it is perhaps a more necessary point to make in my circles. All who love theology, please take note:

[Theology] ought not to be laid on the shelf, as an object of speculation; but it should be deposited deep in the heart, where its sanctifying power ought to be felt. To study theology, for the purpose of gratifying curiosity, or preparing for a profession, is an abuse and profanation of what ought to be regarded as most holy. To learn things pertaining to God, merely for the sake of amusement, or secular advantage, or to gratify the mere love of knowledge, is to treat the Most High with contempt.

John Dagg, Manual of Theology

By Joe Thorn | Posted in Truth | Comments (4)

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The proper attitude in theological study

February 13, 2008 – 2:29 pm
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James P. Boyce wrote that all who engage in theological study should do so with the proper “spirit.”

1. With reverence for truth, and especially for the truth taught in the Word of God.

2. With earnest prayer for Divine help.

3. With careful searching of heart against prejudice.

4. With timidity, as to the reception and propagation of new doctrine.

5. But with a spirit willing and anxious to examine, and to accept whatever we may be convinced is true.

6. With teachable humility, which, knowing that God has not taught us in his word all the truth that exists, not even all the truth on many a single point, accepts with implicit faith all that he has taught, and awaits his own time for that more full revelation which shall remove all our present perplexities.
Abstract of Systematic Theology

By Joe Thorn | Posted in Truth | Comments (1)

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December 19, 2007

The Secret to a Better Prayer Life

December 19, 2007 – 12:00 pm
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Are you one of those people who find prayer difficult? I am. It has always been easier for me to spend hours reading, studying and journaling, than to spend less time on my knees. I know some who experience the opposite, but most of my friends share my weakness. And it is a weakness. There is no propping ourselves up with “I can study for hours!” when prayer is such a struggle. Study will always be fruitless if it is not a prayerful study. If communion with God is not an inherent part of our time in a book, or the Book, then we are most likely engaging in an impotent discipline.

When it comes to struggling with prayer I often hear things like:

“I don’t know what to say.”
“I run out of things to pray about.”
“My prayers amount to little more than a laundry list of requests.”
“I feel like my prayers just bounce off the ceiling.”
“My praying feels artificial.”

There are a number of things I recommend to people who are learning, or re-learning, to pray. The simplest is the ACTS acronym. Most of you know what it is, but just in case - it is the model of prayer that encourages us to begin with Adoration (praise), and then continue with Confession of our sin, moving on to Thanksgiving for all God is and has done for us, and concludes with Supplication (specific requests for self and others). I like this model, and it typically structures my prayer time even when I am not thinking about it. There are some great books I encourage people to read and use as well. Reading and praying through the Valley of Vision is a great aid to learning to pray more theologically. The Bible and the Closet by Thomas Watson and Samuel Lee was instrumental in altering my prayer life forever. Herman Witsius’ Sacred Dissertations on The Lord’s Prayer should be read by every pastor. But the best advice I can give someone who wants to deepen their prayer life, is typically the most unexpected. I am convinced that one of the best things to help your prayer life is systematic theology.

I know sys theo fell out of vogue, even in many of our evangelical seminaries, over the past few daceds, but apart from systematic theology your prayer life will be weak, short, and frustrating.

The brief explanation is that unless you know God and his works praise will be limited, confession will be shallow, thanksgiving will be narrow and supplication will be chained to uncertainty. I’ll go into more detail using that old ACTS model of prayer.

Adoration.
Without a robust theology a Christian is crippled in lifting up, blessing and praising the name of God because we do not know what his names mean. To adore God is to marvel at his character and work and express this to him with our own voice. The more we know of God, the better equipped we are to praise him for who he is. For example, good theology teaches us that God is both sovereign and good. This is truly praiseworthy and should elicit singing and blessing. The mystery of his tri-unity, the wonder of his creation, the depths of his mercy, the covenant the Father made with the Son for our salvation, the gift of his perfect and trustworthy Scripture - all of it and more is cause for adoration. How many ways can we adore God? We are only limited to the breadth and depth of our theology. The weaker your theology, the weaker your praise.

Confession.
The more we know of God (theology) the more we may know God personally (theology’s end) and the more clearly we will see ourselves. Good theology gives birth to good conviction and confession because at every point of God’s character we see the antithesis in our own. Even the imago dei condemns us since it too is corrupt, a shell of what it was in the beginning. Though we are made in his image we often reflect the world before we do God. Do you feel like you run out of things to confess? The knowledge of God will remedy that. Are you not sufficiently grieved over your sins? Good theological meditation of both the glory of God and the heinousness of our corruption will be of great assistance in both knowing and mortifying your sins.

Thanksgiving.
Let’s be honest. Your thanksgiving is weak. I am sure you thank God daily for things that we should in fact be thankful for, but I also know that for many of us our thanks is offered with too little conviction and passion. We thank God for things like food or the weather so often because we can think of little else. Our thanksgiving will only be as weak as our theology. God’s work, gifts, promises and presence are all things for which a Christian should be immeasurably thankful. You should run out of time before you run out of reasons to thank God. Systematic theology is a great help here, because through it we can see much more of God’s giving, and our unworthiness.

Supplication.
Supplication is pleading with God for grace concerning specific needs both for ourselves and others. I have heard from a number of Christians (and in the past have felt this myself) that “my prayers feel like a simple list of needs that I recite. It doesn’t seem like prayer.” That’s because often it isn’t. God isn’t a computer who simply needs data in order to perform certain functions. He is the Person who made us for his own glory, who invites us into a relationship with himself despite our sin and corruption. God invites us to dialog! To “reason” with him. Good theology can change our stale list of requests into a more meaningful interaction with God. How? At the very least, good theology teaches us to what we may appeal in God when making our requests. Because God is righteous, we can appeal to him to vindicate the oppressed and persecuted. Because God desires his glory to be known in the world we can plead for his grace to extend to the unconverted. Know who God is and on what grounds he operates gives us confidence in praying to him. We are not praying to a God who different from day to day; inconsistent in his character and attitude. Good theology provides a Christian with a healthy humility and confidence while on our knees before God.

In the end, I believe prayer is impossible without systematic theology. It is the secret of a healthy prayer life. Theology of course is inherent in any prayer, but systematic theology helps us to develop a more holistic, comprehensive and detailed picture of God, self and the world. Therefore, it allows us to connect our needs, thoughts and desires to God with greater precision and hopefully, a more confident and joyous faith. So is you’re new to (or not fond of) sys theo, start small and read it with an aim of learning to know God, not just facts. Read it prayerfully with the understanding that this will equip you to communicate better with the God who has revealed himself to us.

By Joe Thorn | Posted in Truth | Comments (18)

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May 21, 2007

Altered Abstract w/ Scripture

May 21, 2007 – 5:53 pm
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The Abstract of Principles is a solid, simple confession written in 1858. It was the first confession drawn up by Southern Baptists for the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is in use by many churches today. I like it, but the language is a bit archaic and there are a few things I would say differently, or not say at all.

This is a hack on the Abstract that makes it better for our church. The language has been modestly updated, we made some minor adjustments in a couple of places, and - get this - we added Scriptural support to each article. I am not sure why, but I have not seen a copy of the Abstract with Scriptural proofs. I am sure it’s out there, but until we put this together we have not seen it. What many will not like is that we removed the second clause on the article on the Lord’s Day that reads, “resting from worldly employments and amusements, works of necessity and mercy only excepted.” I am sure many will not like this, but others may. So here it is: what we use as our confession, or statement of faith.

I. The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

II. God
There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in and of Himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. (Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; 1 Tim. 1:17)

III. The Trinity
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being. (Mt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)

IV. Providence
God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as not in any way to be the author or approver of sin nor to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures. (Heb. 1:3; Mt. 10:39-31; Prov. 16:33)

V. Election
Election is God’s eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life-not because of foreseen merit in them, but of His mere mercy in Christ-in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and glorified. (Rom. 8:30; Eph. 1:3-6; Acts 13:48)

VI. The Fall of Man
God originally created Man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors. (Gen. 1:27; 3:4-7; Rom. 5:12-21; Eph. 2:1-3)

VII. The Mediator
Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God, is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law; suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe. (Mt. 3:17; 1 Cor. 15:3-7; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 5:6-11; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb 1:3)

VIII. Regeneration
Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who gives life to those who are dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God’s free and special grace alone. (Jn. 3:1-8; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:3)

IX. Repentance
Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being by the Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbles himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk before God so as to please Him in all things. (Mk. 1:15; Acts 20:21; 2 Cor. 7:9)

X. Faith
Saving faith is the belief, on God’s authority, of whatsoever is revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for justification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness. (Jn. 1:12; 5:24; Eph. 2:8, 9)

XI. Justification
Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith. (Rom. 3:23-24; Rom. 5:1-2; 18, 19; 2 Cor. 5:21)

XII. Sanctification
Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified by God’s word and Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life in heartfelt obedience to all Christ’s commands. (Jn. 17:17; 2 Thes. 2:13; Heb. 12:14)

XIII. Perseverance of the Saints
Those whom God has accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. (Jn. 10:28-29; 1 Jn. 2:19; Rom. 8:30)

XIV. The Church
The Lord Jesus is the head of the Church, which is composed of all His true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its government. According to His commandment, Christians are to gather together into local churches; and to each of these churches He has given needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which He has appointed. The regular officers of a Church are Elders, and Deacons. (Col. 1:18; Mt. 16:18; 18:15-18; 1 Tim. 3:1-15; 1 Pet. 5:1-4)

XV. Baptism
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of giving himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. (Mt. 28:19-20; Rom. 6:3-5; Acts 8:38-39)

XVI. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine, and to be observed by His churches till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate His death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion with Him, and of their church fellowship. (Mt. 26:26-27; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-26)

XVII. The Lord’s Day
The Lord’s Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Col. 2:16; 3:16; Rev 1:10)

XVIII. Liberty of Conscience
God alone is Lord of the conscience; and He hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word, or not contained in it. Civil magistrates being ordained of God, subjection in all lawful things commanded by them ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:17)

XIX. The Resurrection
The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God-the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked, to be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised.
(1 Cor 15; Jn. 5:28, 29; Phil. 3:21)

XX. The Judgment
God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world by Jesus Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life. (Mt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 15:35-58; 2 Cor. 5:10)

By Joe Thorn | Posted in Bible, Truth | Comments (12)

April 3, 2007

An Ardent Love

April 3, 2007 – 9:43 am
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Good Friday is almost here. Many of us will be holding special services on Friday celebrating the awful and beautiful death of Jesus. Traditionally people read from the Gospels, telling the story of all that led up to the crucifixion. But when we do this it is important that we also exalt the meaning of these historic events, what his death eternally accomplishes, and how all people should respond.

This morning I was reading one of David Clarkson’s sermons on the death of Jesus, “Christ’s Dying For Sinners.” He spends a lot of time explaining the nature and meaning of the death of Jesus. Afterwards, he focuses on the death of Jesus as the greatest demonstration of his love for sinners, and how the Father’s and Jesus’ love for us should result in our love for him (1 Jn. 4:19). Today, let Clarkson help you consider Jesus’ ardent (passionate) love for the unlovely - that’s you and me.

Such was his love to us, a love strong as death. Death itself could not give any check to it, he would love us through he died for it. Many waters could not quench it, the sorrows of death could not extinguish it, nor any floods or sufferings abate the fervour of it, though all the waves and billows thereof went over him, and seemed to overwhelm him. Oh, can we be content, that our love to Christ should be weak and remiss? No; let us have such an affection for other things, the things of the world; let us love them as though we loved them not. But let us not so deal with him who loved us so as to die for us. Let it be a greater shame and affliction to us, that we have so little love for Christ, than that we have little worldly wisdom, little wealth, little power, little interest, little respect, or little of any thing that men naturally desire. Let little in any thing be more tolerable to us, than little affection to Christ… Kindle this love by all means. And that it may kindle effectually, bring it to the flame, lay your hearts under the serious consideration of this love of Christ; if this will not influence them, they are hearts of stone.

He loved you more than he did the sinning angels; they tasted not of redeeming love, this runs out in full streams to sinful men.

He loved you more than that which is dearest to you, and which naturally is most loved. He loved you more than riches (2 Cor. 8:9), more than honour and repute (Phil. 2:7), exposed himself to scorn, reproach and shame.

More than the comforts of life: he became a man of sorrows, and lived a life of sorrows, afflictions, and sufferings.

More than his own blood (Rev. 1:5).

More than his life: he “counted not his life dear,” but laid it down as the price of your redemption (Mt. 20:28).

More than blessedness: would be made a curse (Gal. 3:13).

More than his own body: he gave up that to be scourged, pierced, wounded, crucified, hanged on a tree.

More than his soul (Is. 53:10).

More than himself (Gal. 2:20; 1 Tim. 2:6). When he had no greater thing to give, he gave himself.

After all this, shall any thing, any person whatever be loved more than Christ, or equally with him?

By Joe Thorn | Posted in Bible, Truth | Comments (2)

February 26, 2007

Monergism 2.0

February 26, 2007 – 4:13 pm
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I have made good use of the Monergism website for a few years now. It is an excellent resource that links to solid reformed articles on various issues and doctrines. The website has been redesigned by the talented Challies and it looks great. Check it out.

By Joe Thorn | Posted in Truth, Web/Blogs | Comments Off

January 28, 2007

Westminster’s Evangelium

January 28, 2007 – 9:50 pm
7 #

I’ve been receiving Westminster Seminary’s periodical, Evangelium, for a while now and thought I would pass on the information. It’s made up of faculty written articles that address “various theological, ethical, or social issues confronting Christians today” from a biblical, Reformed perspective. Good stuff. The recent issue is on the “The Bible, the Law and the Christian.” You can receive this publication for free by subscribing here. Warning: this will actually come to your home through the postal service. It is a print publication and is not read on your computer. Old school baby - it’s good for you.

By Joe Thorn | Posted in Bible, Church, Truth | Comments (7)