Have you heard of this movement? I don't know all that much about it--but I have looked into it just enough to realize that the name fits. They call it "emerging," or "emergent." Very aptly stated. It springs out of the ground, or the earth. It is of the earth, and it seeks to accommodate those of the earth.
The true religion, conversely, is not "emergent." Instead, it is heavenly, from above. It is "descendent," (or even "condescendent").
Actually, nothing of any spiritual good ever comes from the earth. All truth, grace, mercy, love, and goodness comes *down* from above, to the earth.
Therefore, in layman's terms, it is rather easy to critique the emergent church movement. But in doing so, let us be glad that even this (latest fad to come along) seems to grasp the intrinsic and inherent need of community--God's community in particular. Perhaps those who get worn out with this most recent effort will not become totally discouraged, but will rather look to the "old paths," the places of true rest, worship, peace, and plenty.
These good things are only to be found in Jesus--and He will administer them only in His own way, which always includes church officers, membership, accountability, and doctrine.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Ecclesiastical Copernican Revolution
It was a big deal when Copernicus realized (and taught) that the earth revolved around the sun, and not the other way around.
It was big news when Immanuel Kant united the formerly competing philosophical positions of Plato (rationalism), and Aristotle (empiricism).
But these insights are really somewhat “small potatoes” compared with the notion that Christians within different and divergent denominational camps—be they Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Orthodox—can and must be united around the Lord Jesus Christ, and His gospel of grace.
The Ecclesiastical Copernican Revolution (henceforth, “ECR”), works this way: The True Religion (or Puritanism) governs the field. All professing Christians that embrace the Christ of the gospel of grace, by faith alone, possess the kernel of the True Religion.
All doctrines, theologies, teachings, creeds, confessions, ideologies, etc., that accord most closely to and with the True Religion are, to the degree with which they correspond, more faithful. (And, to the degree that they diverge, less faithful.)
Some of the glories of the ECR are that there is now no reason to bicker amongst ourselves; or worse, to sit as judges of one another’s souls (a role fit only for Almighty God).
With ECR, there is much greater stock of grace, patience, compassion, and latitude that may be tapped into, as we pray for one another, and seek the best for each others’ souls.
May the ECR prove to be a blessing to the church—for our generation, and for all those that follow us.
It was big news when Immanuel Kant united the formerly competing philosophical positions of Plato (rationalism), and Aristotle (empiricism).
But these insights are really somewhat “small potatoes” compared with the notion that Christians within different and divergent denominational camps—be they Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Orthodox—can and must be united around the Lord Jesus Christ, and His gospel of grace.
The Ecclesiastical Copernican Revolution (henceforth, “ECR”), works this way: The True Religion (or Puritanism) governs the field. All professing Christians that embrace the Christ of the gospel of grace, by faith alone, possess the kernel of the True Religion.
All doctrines, theologies, teachings, creeds, confessions, ideologies, etc., that accord most closely to and with the True Religion are, to the degree with which they correspond, more faithful. (And, to the degree that they diverge, less faithful.)
Some of the glories of the ECR are that there is now no reason to bicker amongst ourselves; or worse, to sit as judges of one another’s souls (a role fit only for Almighty God).
With ECR, there is much greater stock of grace, patience, compassion, and latitude that may be tapped into, as we pray for one another, and seek the best for each others’ souls.
May the ECR prove to be a blessing to the church—for our generation, and for all those that follow us.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Success in Iraq
Here is a neat story, where Muslims want their Christian neighbors to return to Iraq: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311933,00.html
What will success in Iraq look like? Will the establishment of democracy signal success? Will stability be a sign that the war was won? Will the defeat and exclusion of al Qaida mean that the efforts of America (especially) and other countries was well worth the sacrifice?
Actually, no.
Success in Iraq will be measured by the freedom and the prosperity of the church there. Will the gospel be allowed to spread, without hindrance? If so, good. Will the church be able to grow, mature, and develop? If so, all is well.
The benchmark is the state of the church. Under Saddam, the church was freer and better off in Iraq, than in almost any other Middle Eastern nation, (perhaps *any* other nation).
It would be a true shame if so much noble American blood was shed in Iraq in vain.
What will success in Iraq look like? Will the establishment of democracy signal success? Will stability be a sign that the war was won? Will the defeat and exclusion of al Qaida mean that the efforts of America (especially) and other countries was well worth the sacrifice?
Actually, no.
Success in Iraq will be measured by the freedom and the prosperity of the church there. Will the gospel be allowed to spread, without hindrance? If so, good. Will the church be able to grow, mature, and develop? If so, all is well.
The benchmark is the state of the church. Under Saddam, the church was freer and better off in Iraq, than in almost any other Middle Eastern nation, (perhaps *any* other nation).
It would be a true shame if so much noble American blood was shed in Iraq in vain.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The True Religion
At the church I serve, we talk a lot about reviving the true religion. We do this because, first of all, we believe we possess it (the true religion). We also do this, because it is our responsibility to share this treasure with the whole world: made up of everyone from sincere believers in Christ, to the worst of the religious hypocrites.
"The true religion" is another term for the Puritan faith. Only the Puritans had the audacity to refer to their living Christianity, codified in their Westminster standards, as "the true religion." And this is for good reason: can you think of anyone else, who could, with credibility, make such a claim?
Possessors of the true religion do not believe that they are perfect. In fact, they know that, in themselves (apart from Christ), they are slime, deserving of hell. Also, the "true religionists" do not believe that they have impeccably perfect theology, or thoroughly error-less doctrine. (No one on the fallen earth has this.) Adherents of the true religion do not "look down their noses" at those who do not yet share their faith. Instead, they look upon them with humility, pity, concern, and love.
The true religion fends off all false religion. On one hand, it defeats Arminianism, and all forms of "will-worship" religion. On the other hand, it slays all the fancy, pseudo-sophisticated forms of self-, law-, and works-righteousness, (especially exemplified today in theonomy, patriarchalism, "New perspectives on Paul," and Federal Vision).
The true religion has always existed, it exists today, and it will always exist. Why? Because the God it praises and serves always lives.
"The true religion" is another term for the Puritan faith. Only the Puritans had the audacity to refer to their living Christianity, codified in their Westminster standards, as "the true religion." And this is for good reason: can you think of anyone else, who could, with credibility, make such a claim?
Possessors of the true religion do not believe that they are perfect. In fact, they know that, in themselves (apart from Christ), they are slime, deserving of hell. Also, the "true religionists" do not believe that they have impeccably perfect theology, or thoroughly error-less doctrine. (No one on the fallen earth has this.) Adherents of the true religion do not "look down their noses" at those who do not yet share their faith. Instead, they look upon them with humility, pity, concern, and love.
The true religion fends off all false religion. On one hand, it defeats Arminianism, and all forms of "will-worship" religion. On the other hand, it slays all the fancy, pseudo-sophisticated forms of self-, law-, and works-righteousness, (especially exemplified today in theonomy, patriarchalism, "New perspectives on Paul," and Federal Vision).
The true religion has always existed, it exists today, and it will always exist. Why? Because the God it praises and serves always lives.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
The happy Christian
A Christian is a person baptized into the church, (or who would have been baptized, but was not able to receive the sacrament, for whatever reason).
Happy Christians are people who "arrive" every Sunday of the week. Instead of always being on the lookout for the newest and latest spiritual, or evangelical, or religious, or entertainment "high"--they are more than contented by resting their souls in Christ, in His worship, in His church, on His day. At these services, the saint is fed the word of God (via sermons), and he is partaking of the other means of grace, too, by which his faith is built up.
Just as in the Old Testament, the Old Covenant church "ascended" to Jerusalem for worship, (hence, the Psalms of Ascent)--so, in the New Covenant church we do the same thing, on Sundays.
This kind of Christian lifestyle saves believers from having to scurry around all week, hoping to snatch up some crumbs of spiritual food from whatever source they can find: extra services, christian radio and tv, or whatever.
The soul is satisfied. The saint is resting in Jesus. She has laid down her burdens at the cross; and she enjoys the blessed rest of the Sabbath Day. She has quit working for her salvation.
Are you ready to arrive? Try a good church. You'll find Christ there.
Happy Christians are people who "arrive" every Sunday of the week. Instead of always being on the lookout for the newest and latest spiritual, or evangelical, or religious, or entertainment "high"--they are more than contented by resting their souls in Christ, in His worship, in His church, on His day. At these services, the saint is fed the word of God (via sermons), and he is partaking of the other means of grace, too, by which his faith is built up.
Just as in the Old Testament, the Old Covenant church "ascended" to Jerusalem for worship, (hence, the Psalms of Ascent)--so, in the New Covenant church we do the same thing, on Sundays.
This kind of Christian lifestyle saves believers from having to scurry around all week, hoping to snatch up some crumbs of spiritual food from whatever source they can find: extra services, christian radio and tv, or whatever.
The soul is satisfied. The saint is resting in Jesus. She has laid down her burdens at the cross; and she enjoys the blessed rest of the Sabbath Day. She has quit working for her salvation.
Are you ready to arrive? Try a good church. You'll find Christ there.
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