For awhile now I have been following the Michael Patton from Reclaiming the Mind Ministries and his blog Parchment and Pen. What Michael and his team do here is beyond amazing and is a great service to the church and the Christian community.
We believe that God has called us to have a impact on the church and culture by taking back what rightly belongs to God – the mind. We live in a time of anti-intellectualism, skepticism, and confusion. Our goal is to reclaim the mind by energizing the church providing resources for intellectual engagement. In short, we seek to help people believe more accurately and more deeply today than they did yesterday by making theology accessible.
RCC has a number of programs they run for believers to grow in their faith and knowledge of God such as:
The most recent addition the slew of RCC resources is their Theology App which is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and they are working on an Android version. The Theology App. is only $6.99 and has over 60 hours of Theology Training available at your finger tips. The Theology App. includes the following features:
All 60 Video sessions covering our 6 courses (Introduction to Theology; Bibliology & Hermeneutics; Trinitarianism; Soteriology; Humanity & Sin; Ecclesiology & Eschatology)
More than 2,000 powerpoint slides that can be flipped through while watching the videos.
All 6 Workbooks. More than 1,200 pages of workbooks that can be flipped through while also watching the videos and slides.
A “More” section with updating articles that add to your learning experience.
You can purchase this app right from iTunes through your account. Check out RCC’s web site for more information on their various ministries and resources and learn how you can start learning more about your faith at home, church or by attending their School of Theology.
As many of you are aware, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the KJV. This year there are a number of books that are being written in commemoration of the KJV as well as Bibles. Of all the Bibles that will be produced to celebrate this historic translation, perhaps none will be as commemorative and remembered as The Four Holy Gospels.
Newly-commissioned, full-color artworks by renowned artist Makoto Fujimura
A full-page, full-color art piece for each Gospel; illuminated letters to begin each chapter, and hand embellishments by the artist on every page
Printed on highest quality art paper
Housed in a permanent slipcase
Smyth-sewn binding
As an illuminated Bible this will provide a much needed freshness while reading the Gospels once again. This Bible is available in both cloth cover and genuine leather. This will be a great Bible to use while reading through the Gospels as a family or to set on your coffee table to use as an evangelistic tool as it will no doubt catch your friends attention.
The Four Holy Gospels is an exquisitely designed and produced edition of the four canonical Gospels in the English Standard Version, published in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Version (KJV) Bible in 1611.
The Four Holy Gospels features newly commissioned original paintings representing the four Gospel Evangelists, illuminated initial letters, and other embellishments and design elements, printed in full color throughout and on high-quality art paper. The text of the Gospels is reproduced in a highly readable, large font; ideally suited for public reading, liturgical use, and as a family heirloom.
The Four Holy Gospels stands in the historic stream of the beautifully hand-illuminated editions of the Gospels created many centuries ago. This exquisite and unique modern edition carries on a classic tradition, beautifully combining the words of the Gospels and original art, inspired by the text, and brilliantly executed for the glory of God.
“According to Christian theology, the Illuminator is the Holy Spirit, and therefore I believe from what I can see that the Illuminator has illumined the illuminator of the illuminated bible, and will continue to illuminate through both the images and the words”
In this final video Makoto Fujimura is interviewed by Justin Taylor of Crossway Publishers:
Every academic discipline, religion and career has its own language. By that I mean that each of these areas has a vocabulary and phraseology that is unique to itself which those outside of the field may or may not be familiar with. Each area has a vocabulary and phraseology that one needs to familiarize themselves with and learn in order to “get around” in that discipline, job or career path.
For example, if you are in education then you have to know what words like alignment and phrases like alternative scheduling mean. If you are a mechanic then you also need to know how to do an alignment and what it means to do a coolant system flush. If you are an accountant then you need to know how to do a cost analysis sheet and what a ledger is. These are words and phrases that the people who work in these fields need to know in order to accomplish their job effectively. These are things that the rest of us expect them to know in order to do their job effectively especially when we are the direct recipients of their services.
Religion is no different. If you are a Hindu or Buddhist then knowing what karma is would be important for you because it is a central teaching to both religions. If you are Mormon then you should know who Joseph Smith is and what they mean when they use terms like missionaries, Jesus and heaven. While many religions have similar aspects and practices (prayer, reading their holy book, acts of service, etc.) they do not always mean the same thing by them.
Christianity is no different. Christians have their own language, vocabulary, phraseology, etc. Each denomination can have its own vocabulary and phraseology as well. Even Christian educators, pastors, academics (especially) and laymen have their own lingo. With each of these areas having their own lingo it can make one confused.
Some denominations do a better job of educating their people than others. Some denominations wrongfully pride themselves on how much they know. They can tend to wrongly think they are better Christians than others because they know more. As equally unfortunate, some denominations think it is an exercise in spirituality to be ignorant of the language of their faith. These Christians can tend to wrongfully persist (sometimes intentionally) in ignorance of Scripture and theology because they think knowing less means they have more childlike faith. Both sides of the road are wrong. We need to be humble as we learn and grow in the knowledge of our faith. We also need to make an effort to grow in the knowledge of our faith. I call this “growing in the knowledge of our faith” concept The Language of the Gospel.
The Language of the Gospel is the name of a blog series I am starting. My goal is to help explain the language of the Christian faith – the language of the Gospel – so that the average reader can understand it and grow in their understanding of Christian theology and Scripture. I believe all Christians have the responsibility to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pt. 3:18)” and that “like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation (1 Pt. 2:2).”
The general outline of each post will be guided by the following format:
1. Terms & Definitions – Each week I will select one term, phrase or Biblical concept to discuss. I will define that week’s selection and provide a definition as stated by a major theologian who captures the essence of the term more clearly than I do. With some terms, phrases or concepts that have great theological significance, I will present more than one definition by some who hold to vastly different understandings. I will either directly quote those who hold to the other positions or cite a supporting source where further explanation of my summation can be found.
2. Rooted in Scripture – Sometimes when people hear a new theology word it sounds so odd that they sometimes wonder if it is even Biblical to begin with. My goal is to provide 1-3 verses of Scripture to show that these words are in fact rooted in Scripture. Readers must be able to distinguish between words that are actually in Scripture (holy or wrath) and words we use to describe what is taught in Scripture (trinity or inerrant). By showing that these words, concepts and phrases are in fact rooted in Scripture, I hope this will encourage you as readers to take knowing and understanding them seriously and spur you to further study on your own.
3. Gospel Relevance – Rooting these things in Scripture is needed and important but it is only half the picture. I want to show that these words, concepts and phrases relate to the Gospel. That is, as often as I can I want to show that these things communicate and encapsulate truth from Scripture that is important to the Gospel. So, what difference does it make to the Gospel if Scripture is or isn’t inerrant? What does the atonement mean to the message of the Gospel?
4. Going Deeper – While my aim is to reach the average reader with each post, I also want to stretch readers in their understanding and appreciation for theology. In an effort to do this I will try to close each post with an additional description, definition or resource where readers can go to dig deeper into the week’s word, phrase or concept. This will both stretch new learners and provide more depth for more seasoned believers looking to go the next step.
It is my desire to help people know, appreciate and understand the language of the Christian faith. I look forward to growing and learning with my readers. Feel free to leave comments with questions, suggestions or other studies that have helped you better understand the week’s topic.
Bible reading and prayer are two of the most important Christian practices to aid the believer in their spiritual growth. Of the two, Bible reading seems to be more central as it should inform our prayers and it gives us what we need for life and godliness. Central to the practice of Bible reading is discipleship.
Reading One to One is a variation on that most central Christian activity – reading the Bible – but done in the context of reading with someone. It is something a Christian does with another person, on a regular basis, for a mutually agreed upon length of time, with the intention of reading through and discussing a book or part of a book of the Bible (p. 11).
David believes that this practice of reading the Bible one-to-one is for everyone whether you are a non-Christian or seasoned believer (p. 17-19) and getting started is as easy as asking someone to join you (p. 21-25).
Throughout the book David clearly lays out the what, why and how of reading the Bible one-to-one. David gives many helpful hints and strategies for how to make your one-to-one Bible readings have their maximum effect in the lives of the participants.
David presents two models for one-to-one Bible reading. The first is the Swedish method. This method is more for beginners. Among its seven stages of discussion time, it is centered on three steps to gleaning truth from your Bible reading: (1) A light bulb – anything that stands out from the passage, (2) A questions mark – things that are hard to understand and (3) An arrow – things that apply to the readers life personally. The second model is called COMA. COMA stands for Context, Application, Meaning and Application. This method can be used by beginners but is geared towards more seasoned believers and Bible readers.
In the final chapters of the book Helm spends time laying out some set reading schedules for one-to-one readings for a number of books. For example, Helm sections reading through Colossians as follows:
Colossians 1:1-14
Colossians 1:15-23
Colossians 1:24-2:5
Colossians 2:6-15
Colossians 2:16-23
Colossians 3:1-4
Colossians 3:5-17
Colossians 3:18-4:1
Colossians 4:2-18
In chapter 10 Helm provides a helpful overview of how to read different genres of the Bible. Following the COMA reading method, Helm goes through each genre of the Bible showing the kinds of questions to ask of each genre.
In book concludes with an eight week outline of Mark for readers to get a start on one-to-one Bible reading. The appendix points readers to other helpful resources for successful one-to-one Bible reading programs.
One to One Bible Reading is a great tool to help you hit the ground running during what will hopefully be your first of many one-to-one Bible readings. This is a short easy read that simplifies one-to-one Bible reading so first timers don’t run in despair after the first chapter.
If you found this review helpful can you take a minute to give it a positive vote onAmazon?
We have all heard of him and we have all read quotes from his works but too many of us have never read any of his works. His name is G.K. Chesterton and he was one of the most prolific, thoughtful and engaging writers and thinkers of his time.
Each of the over 850 quotes is cited to the original work so readers can go back and read more if a certain quote peaks their interest.
To wet your appetite a little for Chesterton I have selected a few quotes for you to read:
Academia – Though the academic authorities are actually proud of conducting everything by means of examinations, they seldom indulge in what religious people used to describe as Self-Examination. The consequence is that the modern State has educated its citizens in a series of ephemeral fads (p. 1).
Culture – How many excellent thinkers have pointed out that political reform is useless until we produce a cultured populace (p. 52).
Heretics – You hold that your heretics and sceptics have helped the world forward and handed on a lamp of progress. I deny it. Nothing is plainer from real history than that each of your heretics invented a complete cosmos of his own which the next heretic smashed entirely to pieces (p. 107).
Orthodoxy – One searches for truth, but it may be that one pursues instinctively the more extraordinary truths (p. 196).
Truth – When a man really tells the truth, the truth he tells is that he is himself a liar (p. 261).
Worldview – A cosmic philosophy in not constructed to fit a man; a cosmic philosophy is constructed to fit a cosmos. A man can no more possess a private religion than he can possess a private sun and moon (p. 282).
I hope these samplings have sparked your desire to buy the Quotable Chesterton and maybe even purchase one of his many classic works.
Readers of this blog probably know that I am a huge fan of the ESV Study Bible. If you already own one then you know that you have online access to the ESV Study Bible and all of its content found in your hard copy. Soon after the release of the ESV Study Bible Crossway made the ESV MacArthur Study Bible edition.
Crossway has decided to go beyond the English text and has developed Greek Tools. This online tool aids the reader of the NT in better understanding the text of Scripture. Crossway explains:
ESV GreekTools puts the original language of the New Testament into the hands of beginning and advanced students, as well as seasoned pastors, scholars, and laymen looking for an affordable and accessible Greek reference tool. Intuitive, easy-to-use, and fully customizable, ESV GreekTools is an online application available through the ESVBible.org platform. Now you can do serious work with the Greek text, at home or on the go, no matter your level of proficiency.
ESV interlinear and reverse-interlinear renderings of the text
Complete data set for each word, including lexical data, contextual and morphological information (including parsings), and Strong’s number.
Powerful search tool that lets users search by Greek word, transliterated Greek word, Strong’s number, English word, or any combination of those values
Complete English and Greek concordances
Customizable interface that works seamlessly with other ESVBible.org features, including study resources and notes
Crossway is offering this innovative tool for an introductory price of $9.99. This is a tool for everyone!
Depending on the kind of church you grew up in you might or might not have heard of The Sword of the Lord and its newspaper. Since its inception in 1934, The Sword of the Lord (TSL) has been a major publisher and influence within many Fundamentalist churches (also known as Independent Fundamental Baptist).
TSL was founded by the famous Fundamentalist pastor and evangelist John R. Rice. Author Andrew Himes, the grandson of John R. Rice, has written a new book called The Sword of the Lord: The Roots of Fundamentalism in an American Family in an effort to understand the history of his family and a movement.
Since Andrew Himes grew up in the thick if its beginnings as a Rice family member, he has a unique perspective on TSL, John R. Rice and the roots of Fundamentalism. For those who are familiar with TSL and John R. Rice or who have grown up within Fundamentalism, this will be a welcome book as it seeks to provide an historical grounding of all three as set within the context of American history. The chapters in the book are manageable and contain many helpful illustrations and discussion questions.
Once I have finished my review copy I will provide a review on this blog. Until then get your own copy here and check The Sword of the Lord Book web site for more info not in the book.
Adrian Warnock’s recent face-to-face interview with Rob Bell aired Saturday. Initially Adrian tried to stay out of the Bell controversy by not writing a book review of Love Wins. Since his interview, Adrian has decided to formally respond and interact with Bell because as he puts it, “I have now decided that this is a sufficiently important controversy, with sufficient interest from others, and so much at stake, that I should convert that set of notes into a fairly substantial series of posts.”
You can read Adrian’s Introduction here and then follow up later for the forthcoming reflections and interactions with Rob’s book and interview.
Some people love a good conspiracy. Others avoid them like the plague. Stephen Altrogge believes that whether we like it or not we are all part of one big conspiracy. This is not a conspiracy like Area 51 or Lee Harvey Oswald. It is bigger and more sinister than that – it is a cosmic conspiracy.
It’s a conspiracy between the world, my heart, and Satan to steal my happiness. These three are plotting and scheming together to make me perpetually discontent. They’re stubbornly determined to poison the joy I have in God and to deceive me into believing that I can find happiness somewhere other than God. They want me to dishonor God by gorging on the unsatisfying pleasures of the world instead of finding true joy and satisfaction in Christ (p. 12).
The Cause of Discontentment
So what is this conspiracy trying to perpetuate in our lives? Discontentment. Discontentment with what God has given us in Christ.
Where does this discontentment come from? My circumstances or others around me? No – it comes from me. In referencing Mark 7:21-23, Altrogge points out that “the problem is me. I am my own worst enemy. The raging, covetous, discontented desires come from within. They’re not the product of my circumstances, and the desires won’t be satisfied when circumstances change (p. 17).”
Throughout Scripture we see that God is the center of the universe and its activities. That means I am not. God made me for Himself (Isa. 43:6-7). “Discontentment begins when I start trying to be God….when I attempt to displace God from his rightful place at the center of the universe (p. 24).”
Discontentment is the symptom of a greater problem – idolatry. “Discontentment is the result of misplaced worship. It’s the result of giving our heart to someone or something that should never have it (p. 37).” We were made to worship God and not the misplaced desires of our hearts.
But this idolatry has its own cause. Our hearts idolize things when we buy into the lies that Satan has fed us. Satan wants us to think that God is withholding good things from us (p. 51). He wants us to think that God owes us something (p. 53). He wants us to believe that if we get what we want then we will be happy (p. 55). Further, Satan wants us to believe the lie that we know what is best for ourselves (p. 56). But Satan is wrong on all accounts. God gives us everything we need in Christ (p. 52). God owes us nothing because He is our creator. Only God can satisfy and not the things we want. And I do not know what is best for myself.
The Cure for Discontentment
“Contentment is a disposition of the heart that freely and joyfully submits to God’s will, whatever that will may be (p. 28).” It is not an asceticism that rejects all of the good things of life that God has given us to enjoy. It is a self-denial of what I want for myself and a humble submission to what God wants for my life. A truly content person rests their lives in the sovereign will and hand of God.
If the root of discontentment is idolatry then how do we root it out? We do so by putting off these idolatrous desires. We put them off and live in light of the new creatures in Christ that we now are. We do it in the power of the Holy Spirit (p. 43).
But this putting off of idolatry can only come when we bathe ourselves in bloody contentment. That it is bloody refers to the fact that true contentment in life stems from first being content in Christ’s work on the cross. Altrogge explains,
Forgiveness of sins and power to change is possible only because of an exchange far greater than our idolatrous exchange of God’s glory for created things. This exchange is a three-way transaction between God the Father, God the Son and humble sinners who throw themselves on the mercy of God (p. 60).
At the cross Jesus took our idolatry on Himself and the wrathful punishment for our sins from God the Father. As idol worshipers we can be restored to fellowship with God because “our wicked exchange is swallowed up in the greatness of the divine exchange (p. 63).”
The net result of this divine exchange is that we now have what we need to be content despite our circumstances – “God himself. The gospel of Christ makes it possible for us to dwell with and be truly satisfied in God (p. 66).” It is the gospel of Christ that “is the fountainhead of contentment (p. 70).”
The Process of Contentment
So if contentment is found in God through the gospel of Jesus Christ and we have this now, then shouldn’t contentment be immediate? Not so says Altrogge. If anyone knows the painful process of learning to be content despite the circumstances it is the Apostle Paul. Paul was stoned, beaten and shipwrecked numerous times for the gospel of Jesus Christ. And yet Paul could come on the other side of it and say, “I have learned that whatever situation I am in to be content (Phil. 4:11).”
If Paul were to find his contentment in his circumstances then he would have been an emotional roller coaster. Rather, “the unbearable weight of Paul’s circumstances forced him to find strength and contentment in God (p. 81).” It was in the thickness of horrible circumstances that Paul could open his famous words, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).” Altrogge aptly states, “In the midst of trials we never expected, God wants to give us grace that we never expected (p. 82).”
So how do we draw on this grace that we never expected? First, we claim the promises of God. This is not a promotion of name-it-and-claim-it theology. This is a call to claim the promises God has clearly given to us in His Word – promises we are given in Christ. Again Paul states, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).” Second, we go to God in prayer. A content person prays for God’s will to be done and not our own (p. 95). Finally, we find strength in people. “Our growth in contentment will only happen in connection with other Christians. We cannot grow in contentment apart from the body of Christ (p. 97).”
Lest we think that we cannot persevere through the tough circumstances we need only look to Christ. Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Jesus was a “man of sorrows”. He endured the greatest injustice and yet was content because He had everything in His Father. Because Jesus endured suffering so can we. Because Jesus was content with what He had in the Father so can we.
The Contentment Thief
Can a Christian be robbed of their contentment in Christ? Altrogge suggests, yes. Just like Israel complained to the Lord in the wilderness in the face of His provision for them, so we can complain despite God’s gracious provision in our lives. “Complaining proves that discontentment is nearby. It is a slap in the face of God. When we complain, we’re saying that God hasn’t been god to us (p. 103).”
So how do we fight complaining? We count our blessings. We need to thank God continuously for what He has given us. If we always think about what we don’t have and play the “what if” game then we will always be discontent with what God has given us and it will never be enough.
The Promise of Eternal Relief
When we look at the first chapters of Genesis we see that God made a good creation. We see that man enjoyed fellowship with God. Then we see that fellowship broken by sin – our sin of idolatrous discontentment with what God has given us. Man had fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden and then he lost it. This fellowship is restored through Christ in an introductory manner. Salvation has been inaugurated in Christ and we now get a taste of its eternal glories. One day when Christ returns we will have full fellowship with God as sin will no longer be in the picture. We will enjoy God forever in heaven as we experience “consistent, constant, guilt-free pleasure (p. 137).”
Discontentment is a sin we all struggle with. Stephen Altrogge shows us how to navigate through its idolatrous roots so that we might turn to our heavenly riches in the gospel of Christ. I recommend this book for everyone!
For awhile now I have been following the Michael Patton from Reclaiming the Mind Ministries and his blog Parchment and Pen. What Michael and his team do here is beyond amazing and is a great service to the church and the Christian community.
Craig's Book Reviews 