To understand the Bible you have to submit to it ...

There's an interesting piece in First Things arguing in favor of more literal Bible translations because more "interpretive" translations can distort the meaning of the text.


Part of the author's argument depends on the Protestant doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture. In doing so, he quotes Wycliffe as follows:

Likewise, Wycliffe, for all his faith in the power of boys who drive plows to know their Bibles, makes it clear that Scripture exhibits its clarity only to those who undergo the lengthy intellectual discipline of submitting to its authority: “The faithful whom he calls in meekness and humility of heart, whether they be clergy or laity, male or female, bending the neck of their inner man to the logic and style of Scripture will find in it the power to labour and the wisdom hidden from the proud.” 

The whole piece is worth reading. You can find it here.

Why baptism IS a big deal ...

Craig Blomberg posted a piece on why baptism is really important at Denver Seminary's blog. Here's a choice quote to whet your appetite:

"My concern here is rather the inordinate number of young adults (and a few older ones) I meet these days who seem to think baptism is just no big deal ...  What a striking contrast from believers out of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and other religions in various parts of the world today who are completely ostracized by their families, not if they show an interest in following Jesus but if they "seal the deal" by means of baptism! What a striking contrast from believers past and present who occasionally have become targets for martyrdom, not if they merely profess some kind of commitment to Christ, but only after their public testimony in baptism! What an insult it is to their sacrifices to take this ordinance of our Lord so lightly!"

The rest of the post is here: http://www.denverseminary.edu/craig-blombergs-blog-new-testament-musings/baptisms-no-big-deal-is-it/.

The Church's One Foundation

My most recent post got me to thinking ...

The foundations of human institutions are susceptible to erosion and collapse. But the church, which is the City of God, has eternal foundations and cannot be shaken (Heb 11:10, 12:27). In the words of the Apostle Paul, "For no-one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 3:11).






Or, in the words of the great hymn:

The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.

She is from every nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

The Church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end:
Though there be those who hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against both foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.

Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song!

’Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
With all her sons and daughters
Who, by the Master’s hand
Led through the deathly waters,
Repose in Eden land.

O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
Forever shall abide!

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

I ran across this sad video today ...


Emerging Spiritualities in the American Church from Fuller Seminary on Vimeo.

The thing that saddened me was not the principals in the video, from whom I have learned to expect nothing more. Rather, the thing that disturbed me was the fact that the session was sponsored by Fuller Seminary.

It hasn't been so long since Fuller was a solidly evangelical seminary. It's a little shocking that things have so declined in the last 40ish years that this shallow, man-centered gabfest is supposed to pass for serious theological discussion.

Fuller's decline is testament to the fact that the church's most destructive enemies are always the enemies within. When the institutions in which we train our pastors loosen their grip on the faith once delivered to the saints in order to seek the approval of the wise of this present age, this is the inevitable result ...

A verse that comes to mind is "A little leaven leavens the whole lump ..." It's good to remember that the invisible church is still the Lord's and that He will preserve her until His coming despite all of the machinations of the Enemy.

Compelling evidence that the gospels were written by eyewitnesses

I ran across these videos on Justin Taylor's blog last weekend. Dr. Peter Williams presents some really interesting analysis of details like the names and geography in the canonical gospels as compared with non-canonical gospels. And presents a very compelling case for the gospels being (as Christians contend) written by eyewitnesses, as opposed to (as critics such as Bart Ehrman allege) being written decades after the fact by non-eyewitnesses in far-flung locations.

I highly recommend them to your viewing ...

Sanctification is inevitable ... but how is it experienced?

This is a follow-up to this post, made this past Sunday.

When the theological statement is made that the truly justified are being sanctified, it's fairly common for people to react in one of the two following ways:

(1) I continually fall into sin "X", therefore I'm not being sanctified, therefore I must not be justified.
(2) I'm a Christian, therefore I'm justified, and if it's inevitable that I'll be sanctified, then I won't make any effort - I'll just wait until it happens.

Both of these reactions have in common that they reason invalidly from a true theological statement to untrue experiential conclusions. Let's unpack that more slowly:

For reaction (1) above, the person is looking at their present state of imperfection and trying to conclude something about their state of justification on the basis of that state of imperfection. But this reasoning is invalid, because justification is by faith in Christ alone, independent of works (Romans 3:28). In this life we will always be in a state of imperfection, so if we were to reason solely from the fact that we still see ourselves sinning we could conclude that no-one is justified. We do need to be a little careful here, though, because we're told in many places (e.g., 1 John 2:3-6, 3:3-6) that the one who is born of God does not continue to sin. Doesn't this mean that we should use our works to assess our state of salvation? Well, yes and no. When we sin (which we will do often - some might say continually), we will have one of two reactions: either to excuse ourselves or to judge ourselves, repent, and to cling to Jesus in faith that His sacrifice covers all sin. The process of sanctification is principally the process of becoming increasingly dependent on Jesus in faith and love.

Reaction (2) above makes the invalid assumption that because sanctification is inevitable that it therefore requires no effort. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are to make every effort (2 Peter 1:5-10) to "make our calling and election sure". But to what end should we be directing our effort? Is our sanctification a matter of works but our justification a matter of faith? God forbid! Our salvation is a matter of faith in Christ from beginning to end. We must look to Jesus and away from our radical self-dependency and our addiction to self-justification. As we place Jesus always before our eyes in faith and love (this is where our effort should be spent -- but paradoxically, true faith and love can only be produced by God!) and renounce ourselves and our desires, the Holy Spirit will bring forth the fruit of holiness and obedience to God.

May the Lord sanctify our hearts to pursue Him and His righteousness alone, forgetting what lies behind and pressing on for the prize of the upward call.

Perfected For All Time ...

"For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." Heb 10:14


The doctrine of justification and sanctification are brought together in this remarkable verse. 


First, "He has perfected for all time ...". A single, definite, historical act has accomplished an eternal perfection.


But this act has accomplished this for "those who are being sanctified".  The verb tense here is present continual. Being sanctified is an ongoing process.


So, those who are being sanctified have been perfected for all time. This might appear at first to be a kind of contradiction. How can one be simultaneously perfected and still "being sanctified"?


A couple of possible answers:


(1) The end state is certain for those who are being sanctified. That is, Jesus initiated an inevitable process for those who are being sanctified. Said another way, "For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified." (Rom 8:29-30). Jesus will ensure that all of His people will persevere until the end.


(2) In this life, the fact of justification (i.e., the fact that a person has been made perfect) is made evident through the ongoing process of sanctification. That is, only those who are being sanctified are justified. That is, "if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23). The process of sanctification is the daily process of self-denial and the setting apart or dedication of the entire self to the use of our Lord.


In fact, these two explanations are related. The daily act of will that denies the self is rooted in a real faith that it's inevitable that God will complete the process that He's already begun. "And I am sure of this, that He Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6).

Outside the Camp

"Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.  For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come."  Hebrews 13:13-14


We are to go to Jesus outside the camp.  Why?  


To be with Jesus.   


We don't seek to avoid reproach by staying inside the camp.  But we also don't seek out reproach for its own sake.  We bear the reproach for the sake of being with Christ.  


"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ" Philippians 3:8


The first sign of the new birth, and the first step of discipleship is the recognition of the infinite value of gaining Christ.  When we see that Jesus is the pearl of great price and the treasure hidden in the field (Matt 13:44,46), we will willingly surrender everything we have for the sake of the surpassing value of knowing Him and being His.

"So therefore any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."  Luke 14:33

Yes we renounce all that we have -- but we renounce it for the sake of Christ!  

The desire to be with Christ is very direct.  We don't pursue Jesus in order to gain salvation as something separate.  We pursue Jesus because knowing Him is salvation.  We don't pursue Jesus in order to gain eternal life.  We pursue Him because He is eternal Life.


Jesus is not a means to attain other goals.  He is the goal.  When we are asked to bear reproach for the sake of Jesus it strips away our self-deception and allows us to see any ways in which we are still seeking to use Jesus to attain other goals.


We also don't bear reproach as a means of paying for the privilege of knowing Christ.  The value of Christ is so high that no sacrifice or reproach can even weigh in the balances.  Rather, it's the height of foolishness to seek to avoid reproach if doing so will keep us from Christ.

What is this, Lord Jesus, that Thou shouldst make an endOf all that I possess, and give Thyself to me?So that there is nothing now to call my ownSave Thee; Thyself alone my Treasure.Taking all, Thou givest full measure of ThyselfWith all things else eternal --Things unlike the mouldy pelf by earth possessed.But as to Life and godliness, all things are mine,And in God's garments dressed I am;With Thee an heir to riches in the spheres divine.Strange, I say, that suffering loss,I have so gained everything in gettingMe a friend who bore a Cross."-- Jim Elliott's Diaries, Oct 9, 1948 

Lord, give us this day eyes to see your surpassing greatness and goodness.

Does the Kingdom Grow? – Kevin DeYoung

Great post from Kevin DeYoung on misconceptions we have about God's Kingdom ...

Does the Kingdom Grow? – Kevin DeYoung

Thabiti Anyabwile nails it ...

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2011/02/03/wickedness-warring-against-women-and-the-womb/

Completely Clean!

Christian, have you been reminded today that God has forgiven all of your sin? 

If you're anything like me, it's easy in the daily battle against sin to forget that despite your constant failures and rebellions, you've been forgiven.  

And not just "kind-of" forgiven.  

Jesus has carried the penalty for all sin from those who trust Him for salvation.  "All" is a really big word, and there's a messed-up part of my thinking that refuses to completely accept the fact that I've been completely forgiven.  Not just barely forgiven, or grudgingly forgiven, or "You're-off-the-hook-for-outer-darkness-but-you-don't-really-belong-with-me" forgiven, but completely and joyfully accepted by God as clean.

And not only am I clean, but because I'm united by faith to Jesus, I was crucified with Him (Galatians 2:20) and so the penalty of my sin has been paid and I stand before God not only free from the penalty of my sin but also accepted as beloved!  

So even in the ongoing grief at offending God that I experience as part of this life of repentance that I now lead, I am stirred to ever deeper humility and gratitude that He would have done such a thing for me.

May God bless you today, Christian, as you continue to trust in Jesus' sacrifice of Himself on your behalf for the forgiveness of your past and future sins.  And may God give you joy as you look forward eagerly to the day when He will complete the work He started, removing not only the penalty of sin but also the ongoing presence of sin in our lives.

Christmas - Already and Not Yet ...

On this the (approximately) 2010th anniversary of the first coming of the Messiah Jesus into human history, we should take a moment to remember that the work which He began at the first Christmas, and finished at the Cross of Calvary will be fully revealed when He appears for the second time.


When He appeared the first time, He was not recognized.  Although He was God's Son and the anointed King He chose to empty Himself of His glory and to be born in the squalor of a borrowed stable; to live a life in obscurity and poverty; and to be put to a criminal's death on a Roman cross by those who had more faith in Caesar's rule than in God's.


When Jesus appeared for the first time it was not for the purpose of judging the world but for the purpose of providing sacrifice for sin, for calling men on the basis of that sacrifice to be reconciled to God, and to henceforth live their lives as subjects of the hidden Kingdom of God.


But, when Jesus appears for the second time, there will be no doubt of His identity.  And His purpose then will be to bring to an end all of the existing human governments and to replace them with the no-longer-hidden Kingdom of God.  The revolution which began at the first Christmas will be complete when we sing "The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever."


This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of the Savior, let us not forget that Jesus is the Present and Future King, and that the Kingdom of God, currently hidden, will one day be revealed along with its King.


May we, like Anna and Simeon at His first appearance, be prepared and waiting for His second!

Is the Sabbath Still Required for Christians?

Excellent post by Justin Taylor from an about-to-be-released book by Tom Schreiner called 40 Questions about Christians and Biblical Law. The specific subject of this post is on whether Sunday should be thought of as the Christian Sabbath and treated as a continuing ordinance of the Lord.

I recommend the post to your reading.

Is the Sabbath Still Required for Christians?

Great entry in Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" today ...

Evening, October 14

Go To Morning Reading

“And be not conformed to this world.”

Romans 12:2

If a Christian can by possibility be saved while he conforms to this world, at any rate it must be so as by fire. Such a bare salvation is almost as much to be dreaded as desired. Reader, would you wish to leave this world in the darkness of a desponding death bed, and enter heaven as a shipwrecked mariner climbs the rocks of his native country? then be worldly; be mixed up with Mammonites, and refuse to go without the camp bearing Christ’s reproach. But would you have a heaven below as well as a heaven above? Would you comprehend with all saints what are the heights and depths, and know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge? Would you receive an abundant entrance into the joy of your Lord? Then come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing. Would you attain the full assurance of faith? you cannot gain it while you commune with sinners. Would you flame with vehement love? Your love will be damped by the drenchings of godless society. You cannot become a great Christian—you may be a babe in grace, but you never can be a perfect man in Christ Jesus while you yield yourself to the worldly maxims and modes of business of men of the world. It is ill for an heir of heaven to be a great friend with the heirs of hell. It has a bad look when a courtier is too intimate with his king’s enemies. Even small inconsistencies are dangerous. Little thorns make great blisters, little moths destroy fine garments, and little frivolities and little rogueries will rob religion of a thousand joys. O professor, too little separated from sinners, you know not what you lose by your conformity to the world. It cuts the tendons of your strength, and makes you creep where you ought to run. Then, for your own comfort’s sake, and for the sake of your growth in grace, if you be a Christian, be a Christian, and be a marked and distinct one.

Concerning sin and the obsession of Christians with it ...

It's easy as one raised in the church, and surrounded from earliest memory by the gospel of salvation from sin through faith in Jesus, to assume too much knowledge of, and engagement with these "basics of Christianity" on the part of those not raised in that environment.

The predominant worldview today is materialism (meaning that reality is understood through the lens that all of "life, the universe, and everything" is understood only by reference to physical Law, and without reference to supernatural causes).  In this worldview, there's no such thing as an absolute moral/ethical standard -- codes of morality are just individual or social constructs which have in some way evolved as useful to the survival of tribe/species.  Said more concisely, a materialist worldview leads to a relativist view of morals.

Even when people aren't themselves ardent materialists/relativists, their thinking has often been deeply colored by some of the assumptions of this worldview, with results that are very damaging to a proper understanding of the core truths of Christianity.  In order to communicate the gospel effectively we have to begin by properly defining some of these foundational concepts that don't even exist in the materialist/relativist environment that so many have been raised in.

A good example of this is with regard to the definition of sin.  The notion of sin is, of course, absolutely central to the orthodox Christian worldview.  But the acceptance of a relativist ethic makes the gospel of Christ meaningless.

To make this concrete, ask a random sampling teenagers and young adults what "sin" is.  The first answer is usually kind of vague, although technically correct:  sin is "doing something wrong".  If you probe a little by asking "wrong according to who?" the answer will often take one of two flavors: (a) wrong according to them, or (b) wrong according to a social group of which the person is a part.

If a person has this view of sin, what does it mean to them when someone says to them that Jesus came to "forgive them" or to "save them from their sins"?

If their "sin" was the violation of their own moral code, then "salvation" only means release from whatever feeling of guilt they may have about having broken their own rules.

On the other hand, if their "sin" was breaking the moral code of their tribe or social group, then "salvation" would have to be construed as somehow "making right" the broken relationship between the "sinner" and their offended tribe.

In either of these cases, it's easy to see why people would be confused about the gospel.  In both cases there doesn't seem to be any connection between the death of Christ and the "salvation" effected.  That is, why would the fact that Jesus died 2000 years ago make me more likely to forgive myself for breaking my own rules?  And what relevance would His death have to whether I've "made up" to my social group whatever the penalty was for my breaking of their rules?   The answer is, of course, nothing.

So, the gospel of salvation from sin through Christ can only make sense when sin is understood to be a human being's lack of obedience to an absolute Law of  God.  The only one who can forgive a debt is the one to whom it is owed.  The only one who can forgive a sin is the one who was sinned against.  Said another way, the only way that God can forgive all sin is if all sin is ultimately against God!  To the extent that we deny the universality or applicability of the Law or our obligation to God for breaking it, the Christian gospel is meaningless.

On the other hand, it is only when a person knows the nature of sin, and when they understand Who they have sinned against, and what the consequence of that sin is, that they can ask for the grace of forgiveness that is given through the gift of faith in Christ.

So, why are Christians so "obsessed" with sin?  First, we're at war with sin because we've been taught to love God and to hate the things that God has said grieve Him.  Second, because we treasure the enjoyment of friendship with Him and hate the things that hinder that enjoyment.  Third, because we have been made conscious of what Jesus suffered in order to save us from our sin, and our gratitude to Him makes us desperately want to avoid sinning further.  Fourth, because the Bible teaches that the entire universe has been made subject to decay as a result of sin -- that is, all of the death and evil in the world are ultimately attributable to rebellion against God.  Fifth, because we know that sin is deceptive, and that there are many false Christians throughout history who started out believing that they were Christians but subsequently fell away because they were gradually led from their faith by compromise in little sins.

Of course, it's important to emphasize that the battle against sin is not a battle to "earn our salvation" or to root out sin in others, but rather to seek through the Spirit to put to death our sinful nature (Rom 8:13), to encourage our brothers and sisters "to press on to the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14), and  to pray for people who don't yet know the Lord that God would "grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will" (2 Tim 4:25-26)

I should acknowledge that some people, having read the above, might concede that the Christian gospel is incompatible with a relativistic ethical framework, but would rather jettison the gospel than the relativistic framework.  More in response to that issue in a future post ...

Will the evangelical movement hold together?

Patheos has put together an interesting set of essays on the present and future of the evangelical movement.  The full range of writers (even some who, in my humble opinion, don't belong in the category of "evangelical") is represented. 

If you're at all like me you'll find lots of fodder for thinking about where the lines ought to be drawn relative to finding the right kind of unity with other churches concerning the true gospel.

You'll find the essays at

http://www.patheos.com/Topics/Future-of-World-Religions/Evangelicalism.html#4th

Living life in the light of the Kingdom to Come ...

How deep and solid is your faith, really?  Would you continue to trust God if doing so implied suffering or death for you or your loved ones?  Are you ready to walk the way of the Cross?  These are questions I ask myself as a sort of "ultimate test" of the state of my faith.

And, even though I know that God promises He will provide me with His presence and with the strength to face every trial I will encounter, and that He'll bring me safely home, I have to confess that I often ask myself how I could possibly face a life-or-death test like that when I fail so regularly on a day-to-day basis to put the priorities of the Kingdom of God above my own priorities.

But asking myself the question is a good discipline.  The question corrects me and encourages me to keep asking God for the faith to exercise in the small tests day to day, as the best way to prepare for possibly large "life-or-death" tests of faith in the future.

God grant that in the day of trial we may all be able to sincerely pray the prayer of Jim Elliott:

What is this, Lord Jesus, that Thou should'st make an end
Of all that I possess, and give Thyself to me?
So that there is nothing now to call my own
Save Thee; Thyself alone my treasure.
Taking all, Thou givest full measure of Thyself
With all things else eternal -
Things unlike the mouldy pelf by earth possessed.
But as to life and godliness, all things are mine,
And in God's garments dressed I am;
With Thee, an heir to riches in the spheres divine.
Strange, I say, that suffering loss,
I have so gained everything in getting
Me a friend Who bore a Cross.

Lord God, open my mind and heart to be willing to sacrifice all things for the sake of the Gospel.

How God's words and men's words are different ...

Jeremiah 23:25-29 came into my mind this morning:

"I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

and also Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

and Isaiah 55:10-11

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

God's Word is very different from the words of men. Men imagine and describe. God's Word embodies His power.

Lord, grant that we your people may not speak words of own own imagining, but rather that we may speak your Word faithfully. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer."

If the penalty of sin is paid by Jesus, then why do Christians die?

If you've ever engaged with the question of why Christians still have to die if Jesus paid the penalty of sin, the following post at The Gospel Coalition is interesting food for thought and discussion:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/07/14/why-do-believers-have-to-die/

Interested in your thoughts ...

Timely caution on "rock-star pastors" at Challies blog ...

There's a good guest post by Ed Seltzer at Tim Challies' blog today on the dangers associated with "rock-star pastors". I commend it to your attention.

http://www.challies.com/guest-bloggers/the-problem-with-pastor-as-rock-star?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+challies/XhEt+(Challies+Dot+Com)

The Finitude of Man - D.A. Carson

I understand that matter can be changed
To energy; that maths can integrate
The complex quantum jumps that must relate
The fusion of the stars to history’s page.
I understand that God in every age
Is Lord of all; that matter can’t dictate;
That stars and quarks and all things intricate
Perform his word—including fool and sage.
But knowing God is not to know like God;
And science is a quest in infancy.
Still more: transcendence took on flesh and blood:
I do not understand how this can be.
The more my mind is stretched to understand,
The more it learns the finitude of man.

-- D.A. Carson

The Long Goodnight | Challies Dot Com

I was touched by the words of an old song posted by Tim Challies at his blog: The Long Goodnight | Challies Dot Com:

The song has been put to music by Matthew Smith of Indelible Grace (link to the album at Challies' blog above).

What a great testimony to the Christian attitude toward death and the life to come.

"I journey forth rejoicing
From this dark vale of tears,
To heavenly joy and freedom,
From earthly bonds and fears;
Where Christ our Lord shall gather
All His redeemed again,
His kingdom to inherit.
Goodnight, goodnight till then!

Why thus so sadly weeping,
Beloved ones of my heart?
The Lord is good and gracious,
Though now He bids us part.
Oft have we met in gladness.
And we shall meet again,
All sorrow left behind us.
Goodnight, goodnight till then!

I go to see His glory,
Whom we have loved below:
I go, the blessed angels,
The holy saints to know.
Our lovely ones departed,
I go to find again,
And wait for you to join us.
Goodnight, goodnight till then!

I hear the Saviour calling,
The joyful hour has come:
The angel guards are ready
To guide me to our home,
Where Christ our Lord shall gather
All His redeemed again,
His kingdom to inherit.
Goodnight, goodnight till then!"

Prayers from the Valley of Vision - Meeting God

A prayer from The Valley of Vision, a book of Puritan prayers and devotions from The Banner of Truth Trust:

Great God,

In public and private, in sanctuary and home,

may my life be steeped in prayer,

filled with the spirit of grace and supplication,

each prayer perfumed with the incense of atoning blood.

Help me, defend me, until from praying ground

I pass to the realm of unceasing praise.

Urged by my need,

invited by Thy promises,

called by Thy Spirit,

I enter Thy Presence,

worshiping Thee with godly fear,

awed by Thy majesty, greatness, glory,

but encouraged by Thy love.

I am all poverty as well as all guilt,

having nothing of my own with which to repay Thee,

But I bring Jesus to Thee in the arms of faith,

pleading His righteousness to offset my iniquities,

rejoicing that He will weigh down the scales for me,

and satisfy Thy justice.

I bless Thee that great sin draws out great grace,

that, although the least sin

deserves infinite punishment

because done against an infinite God,

yet there is mercy for me,

for where guilt is most terrible,

there Thy mercy in Christ is most free and deep.

Bless me by revealing to me more of His saving merits,

by causing Thy goodness to pass before me,

by speaking grace to my contrite heart;

Strengthen me to give Thee no rest until Christ

shall reign supreme within me,

in every thought, word, and deed,

in a faith that purifies the heart,

overcomes the world,

works by love,

fastens men to Thee,

and ever clings to the Cross.

On the philosophical foundations of the Progressive movement in the United States

I ran across this article in the National Review today.

http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=MzM0YWZjMTIxZWNmYjJmMDk0OWYyMjgxY2Q4Y2Y0MzQ=

The author contrasts the theory of natural rights and limited government that underlay the foundations of the United States' political system with the philosophies and theories which animated the people who lay the foundations of the Progressive movement during the 1890's.

More on my view of where these two philosophical systems coincide and deviate from a Christian worldview in a future post.

7 Counterfeit Forms of Repentance from Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll posted a list of seven counterfeits of repentance. Worth reading.

http://theresurgence.com/7_counterfeits_of_repentance