Where does a year go?
Last year, Marybeth decided to farm. Which led to a whole series of posts on our garden:
Planting Day for Marybeth’s Farm
This year’s Lowe’s pictures below!
Does Forgiving Mark Sanford Mean the Elimination of Consequences?
Should Christian voters who forgive Mark Sanford for his betrayals of trust have voted him back into office? He thinks so. Mark Sanford interpreted his return to the national political stage through a biblical lens.
To be sure, it was something of a political resurrection for Sanford whose career imploded in 2009 when an extra-marital affair with a woman in Argentina was uncovered.
Ross Douthat rightly questions Sanford’s theological analysis. Douthat writes:
Part of [my concerns with Sanford], I admit, stems from the combination of my personal preoccupations and the experience of reading quotes like these, from Sanford’s victory lap:
“Some guy came up to me the other day and said you look a lot like Lazarus,” Sanford told the crowd Tuesday night, referring to the man who, according to the Bible, Christ raised from the dead. “I’ve talked a lot about grace during the course of this campaign,” he said. “Until you experience human grace as a reflection of God’s grace, I don’t think you really get it. And I didn’t get it before.”
…
“I want to acknowledge a God not just of second chances,” Sanford said in his victory speech in Charleston, referring to his first TV ad in which he asked voters to support him despite his past problems. “But a God of third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth chances because that is the reality of our shared humanity.”
Because of course when Jesus told his disciples to forgive sinners seven times seven times, what he really meant was that they should affirm people in whatever they’ve done and want to do and then return them to high office as swiftly as possible. And when he raised Lazarus from the dead, it was likewise a sign that no political ambition need ever be set aside or abandoned, no matter how the politician in question has failed the public trust. For that matter, who can forget the famous gospel passage where John the Baptist officiated at King Herod’s second marriage, and then encouraged the Roman government to give Herod a few new titles and honors? I’m surprised Sanford didn’t reference that one!
Douthat is right to question Sanford’s theology. Below is an excerpt from Unpacking Forgiveness:
Forgiveness does not mean the elimination of all consequences.
If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are saved (Acts 16:31
). So far as east is from the west, so far does God remove the transgressions of his children from them (Psalm 103:11-12). There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). Nevertheless, these truths do not teach that those forgiven by God face no consequences for sin. On the contrary! This side of heaven, we will continue to work through the consequences of our rebellion against God. One of the most famous examples of this are the consequences David faced for his adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent attempts to cover up the sin through deceit and murder.
When God used the prophet Nathan to confront David, he realized the magnitude of his sin and was truly repentant (2 Samuel 12:7). Nathan told David that God would forgive him for his sin (2 Samuel 12:13). However, there were still consequences, and severe ones at that. Nathan told David that there would be violence amongst his family (2 Samuel 12:10) and that the baby Bathsheba and he had conceived would die (2 Samuel 12:13). Even after the death of the baby, David faced those horrible consequences of ongoing violence in his family. One son, Amnon, raped David’s daughter Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-22). Another son, Absalom, then killed Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23-33). Later, Absalom attempted to take over David’s kingdom (Samuel 15-19).
The reality of consequences raises a question: If God truly forgives, if he no longer holds the sin against the forgiven, then why are there are consequences? The answer is that God disciplines His own, not for the purpose of punishing them but for his glory and their joy in the future. These consequences are not punishment. Rather, they are how God trains and teaches.
The author of Hebrews stressed this point in Hebrews 12:5-12 when he wrote that God disciplines his children as a father the son he delights in. Two words are used to refer to the idea of disciplining. The first one means “to train.” This word was used in relation to raising children.Believers can expect to be “trained” by God. The second word we see is a harsher one. It means to scourge or punish. The ESV translates it “chastises.”This word appears seven times in the New Testament, and every other time it refers to literal “flogging.” Hebrews 12:6 says that we can expect discipline and direction from God, and at times it will be painful.
The reason God disciplines his children is given in Hebrews 12:10-11.
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
God allows us to face the consequences of sin for our own ultimate good, that we may eventually share more fully in his holiness and reap an abundant harvest of righteousness and peace.
Once when our son Christopher was only two, he made an unauthorized trip to our neighbor’s house. He snuck out our front door and crossed the street before my wife Jamie even missed him. He trotted up to our neighbors’ front door, knocked, and asked if he could play with their sons. Now obviously, we could not allow a toddler to leave our home without permission and cross a street again. So, we did our best as parents to make that a painful memory for Christopher. We lovingly sought to associate pain with his memory of disobedience.
Why did we do that? It certainly wasn’t that we wanted to “get him back” for going out on the street. Jamie and I weren’t thinking, “Okay, buddy, now you’re gonna pay.” Rather, we were seeking to train and instruct him for the future.
If you choose to disobey, then expect consequences. God loves his children too much to allow you to “play in the road.” But don’t confuse discipline and penalty. Discipline is the loving correction of a parent. Penalty is the price required for the offense. If you are a believer, the purpose of God’s discipline is not to inflict upon you the punishment you deserve. If that were the case, then God would send you to hell. God disciplines his children so that they might understand the seriousness of sin and be increasingly conformed to the image of his Son.
Mike Wittmer: The New Legalism?
This post makes me look forward to Mike Wittmer’s forthcoming books:
Anthony Bradley’s essay in World magazine is receiving some well-deserved attention. If that piqued your interest and you want to read more on the subject, I highly recommend Larry Osborne’s recent book, Accidental Pharisees.
Osborne wisely and pastorally explains how we’re never free from the temptation to legalism. In fact, the more zeal we have for God the more we’ll be tempted to look down on those who don’t measure up (p. 46). And so we become “accidental Pharisees.” But is there any other kind? No one becomes a legalist on purpose.
Osborne cites five kinds of Christians who can easily become Pharisaical about what they care about most (p. 92-94):
1. Radical Christians: these people think generosity is most important, and while they are careful not to give out a list, they are suspicious of Christians who live in large houses and drive expensive cars. Their parents’ generation worried about beer in the refrigerator; they worry about BMWs in the driveway.
2. Crazy Christians: these earnest believers think that you’re only committed to God if you’re taking wild leaps of faith, getting yourself in trouble to see if God won’t bail you out. They suppose that normal Christians who punch a time clock and pay their mortgage on time probably aren’t as committed to Christ as they should be. What these “crazy Christians” forget is that they’re only free to take their risks because of the normal jobholders who have saved enough money to help them should they fall (p. 188). . .
Read the rest here.
My Personal Thoughts on An Urgent Message from Crossway
Crossway (a non-profit) Ministry in Wheaton, IL recently sustained flood damage. The extra costs jeopardize projects that are planned including strategic Bible initiatives in Asia. Would you consider praying for them and helping them between now and May 31st? You can be assured that your gift will help further the Gospel ministry. I can think of no better investment in the coming weeks. My wife and I will be praying about and making a gift.
In 2008 I had the opportunity to publish Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds. It was a surprising opportunity. I was a first time author serving in a small church and community: the ideal combination for not getting a book contract. Further, Crossway was in the midst of preparing the ESV Study Bible for publication which was a tremendous demand on their resources.
The only reason Crossway published Unpacking Forgiveness was because they believed deeply in the need to teach God’s people about forgiveness in a Cross-centered way. I have observed this commitment repeatedly in Crossway’s heart for publishing God’s Word and Christian related materials.
Crossway has a wonderful team of people. One of the best part of writing Unpacking was the chance to personally so many quality folks. Jamie and I have spent personal time with Geoff Dennis (Executive Vice President). I have talked with Mr. Lane Dennis on any number of occasions. Justin Taylor’s blog blesses me several times each week. It is one of my central strategies for staying abreast of developments on any number of fronts in Christendom. And there are many others. I’ve continued to be amazed at how Crossway is building a wonderful team of young leaders who have the potential to continue to make an amazing difference for Christ. (They do occasionally add the obligatory old guy: D.D.)
In an ongoing way, many of us marvel at the opportunity we have to advance the Gospel and multiply our talents (Matthew 25:21) given all the developments of technology. Crossway is one of the organizations best leveraging our day. I’m praying that God provides for them in remarkable ways in the weeks to come.
Crossway Flood: the Damage and Ministry Impact from Crossway on Vimeo.
Four Suggestions for Reading Tim Keller’s The Reason for God
Yesterday, I offered motivation for reading Tim Keller’s book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. For anyone with questions about the Christian faith – - Christian or not- - this is the most important work in recent years. But don’t expect to breeze through the book like it’s the latest John Grisham novel. Those not accustomed to reading theology or philosophy should begin with a strategy for interacting with the content. Here are four suggestions:
- Write all over it – If you are going to benefit from Keller’s thinking, then you need to dialogue with him. You should find yourself rewriting his thoughts in your own words on every other page. Make notes. Underline things. Reread. Outline. I don’t write neatly, so my copy looks like a kindergartner got a hold of it with a crayon. Notice the above. Maybe click on it and make it bigger. I’ve written in a source, added a post-it which summarizes his argument, and cross-referenced the post-it in the paragraphs.
- Talk about Keller’s thought in your every day conversations. Nearly every page offers a discussion starter. Just ask the question in conversation, “Do you think it is arrogant to insist your religion is right and to convert others to it?” (page 11). Share Keller’s arguments. See if they are persuasive. The only way material like this is going to stick is if you talk about it, which leads to the next point.
- Read the book in community. Near the end, Keller makes a very important statement: “Almost anything – - from a new language to a new skill- – is best learned in a community of others who are at various stages in their own pilgrimage.” Find three people to share the book at the same time. Email one another quotes. See if you can give the arguments. Or disagree with the arguments. Develop your own illustrations with one another.
- Listen to Keller sermons while reading. I would especially recommend the Can I Believe selection of sermons. Keller is Keller. So he is going to make the same points but in slightly different ways in sermons. And they’re free!
The Reason for God is highly recommended. But you must be willing to work at being an active reader.
