Monthly Archive for August, 2008

On the Centrality of Baptism

Published on August 31, 2008 in Chris Brauns Radio Spots and Church. 1 Comment

What would you say if you were a pastor, officiating at a wedding ceremony and the bride decided that she was going to decline accepting the wedding ring? Can you picture that?

A wedding is the establishment of a sacred covenant. The wedding ring is the symbol of the establishment of that covenant. If I was officiating at a wedding where the bride refused to accept the ring, I assure you that there would be no signing of the wedding license after the ceremony.

What would you say if you were a pastor and the bride refused the ring?

Or, let me ask it to you this way. What would you say, if you were the pastor and someone in your church said they have professed faith in Christ, yet they prefer not to identify with Jesus in baptism? Scripture said that Jesus established a New Covenant with his people by the breaking of his body and the shedding of his blood. We participate in this covenant by professing true faith in him. We publicly identify with his death burial and resurrection by being obedient in baptism.

The idea of someone saying that they are a follower of Christ, but refusing to identify with him in baptism, is as troubling as a bride who takes a pass on the ring ceremony at her wedding.

I am Pastor Chris Brauns at the Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley. If you have professed faith in Christ, and yet have not yet been baptized, I encourage you to call your pastor today and commit to baptism.

Alaska Newspapers Weigh in on Palin’s Selection

Published on August 31, 2008 in Politics. 0 Comments

Click here to read what various newspapers are saying today about their governor being tapped for the GOP VP slot.  This is the most I’ve learned about Alaska since they took Northern Exposure off the air.

In the mean time, Doug Wilson reflects on McCain’s choice likening Palin to the OT Deborah before pointing out that in the Old Testament, Deborah upstaged a guy named Barak (quite a connection on his part).  Wilson writes:

One more thing. An issue that will be discussed among some conservative Christians is the propriety of electing a woman. Evangelical Christians are overwhelmingly hostile to feminism, and so what is with that? I have argued before from Isaiah 3:12 — “children are their oppressors, and women rule over them” — that feminism is one of the things Scripture uses as an indicator of God’s judgment on a culture. I still believe that, and also believe that we are in fact under this particular judgment in our culture. But as a biblical absolutist, and not a simple traditionalist, I also want to make room for the occasional Deborah. Life is funny, and you should remember that in the Bible Deborah was the dame who upstaged a fellow named Barak. Kinda spooky when you think about it.

Click here to read the whole thing.

HT for Wilson’s post to Andy Naselli.

VP Nominee Sarah Palin’s Greatest Decision

Published on August 30, 2008 in Parenting and Politics. 0 Comments

I posted this about Sarah Palin in May.  (Click here).  It is hard not to be excited about a candidate who is so strongly pro-life.

Forgiveness Quiz: A Free Book for South America

Published on August 30, 2008 in Forgiveness. 2 Comments

Okay, it’s time to get really serious about South America.  You will see according to the map at the right that people  from Egypt, South Africa, China, and even Scotland have participated in the Forgiveness Quiz.

(Click here to enter the Forgiveness Quiz.  Anyone who enters has a chance to win one of four free books).

I’m hearing nothing from South America.image Nil.

So, here’s the deal.  The first person in South America who participates will get a free book when Unpacking Forgiveness comes out in October.  I’ll send it off to Chile, Argentina, or whatever part of South America you find yourself in.

A couple of rules.  (1) No cheating.  This is a Christian book for crying out loud.  It doesn’t count if you’re from South Florida.  It is the actual continent of South America.  (2) Your pin has to show up on my map.  I assume that the map works.  But, the survey gizmo I am using does that part of it.

Maybe, put a note along with your e-mail address: something subtle like, “I live in South America.”

For the record, I’ve got a book for Antarctica too.  But, I need to see a picture with ice in the background.

Click here to participate in the Forgiveness Quiz.  I’ll start selecting winners in October.

C.S. Lewis on Repentance and Forgiveness

Published on August 30, 2008 in C.S. Lewis and Forgiveness. 6 Comments

Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness.  It therefore has nothing (as far as I know) to say to people who do not know they have done anything to repent of and who do not feel they need any forgiveness.   C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity.

How a Mom Can Feel Like Debbie Phelps

Published on August 29, 2008 in Parenting. 7 Comments

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One of the most recognizable faces from the Olympics in Beijing wasn’t even an athlete. Just as most of us could now pick Nastia Liukin or Usain Bolt out of a crowd, we can all spot Debbie Phelps.

I don’t have to tell you why. Debbie Phelps’ son can out swim Flipper. And, he has the gold medals to prove it.

But, Michael Phelps didn’t prepare alone.  And, he certainly didn’t celebrate by himself.  How do you suppose Debbie Phelps felt when her son won his eighth gold medal?

Never mind. No one could ever put that moment into words.  Debbie Phelps couldn’t. In an interview, she said, “There’s not one single word that can express how I feel . . .”

Wouldn’t you love to applaud your child at such a moment?  How would you feel if you saw your son touch the wall 1/100th of a second before his opponent?

Here’s the thing, mothers. It could happen for you.

The Bible says that Christ will reward those who finish well. Peter emphasizes (1 Peter 5:4) that pastors who serve faithfully will receive an eternal crown of glory that will never fade away. Theologian Thomas Schreiner summarizes that elders, synonymous with pastors in this passage, “. . . can be confident that they will receive the greatest reward conceivable when the eschaton arrives.”

The greatest reward conceivable.

Perhaps, God will call some of our young men to be pastors?  Where are the mothers who may sense such a call on the lives of their sons? Which moms will be willing to sacrifice now with a view to glory in the end?

Mothers: It is an acceptable thing to dream that one day your son might win eight gold medals. But, why not dream bigger? Why not dream that one day your son might be called to be a pastor? Why not encourage him spiritually as much as Debbie Phelps encouraged her son about swimming.

Be assured, the awards ceremony at the end of time, will be to the Olympics as the sun is to a flickering candle. And, those mothers who have encouraged called sons to be faithful pastors, will know infinitely and eternally more joy than Debbie Phelps.

“ . . . shepherd the flock of God that is among you. . . And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (From 1 Peter 5:1-4).”

McCain Chooses Palin

Published on August 29, 2008 in Politics. 0 Comments

I don’t know enough about her to comment.  CrunchyCon comments here.

25 Affirmations About Forgiveness

Published on August 29, 2008 in Forgiveness. 0 Comments

Ray Pritchard has posted 25 affirmations about forgiveness.  If you’re struggling to unpack forgiveness it would be worthwhile to read through this list and choose a few points on which to meditate.

I really like some of the points Ray (and a friend of his) make.  What I think this list captures is the idea that biblical forgiveness must built on the foundation of good doctrine.  If we are going to unpack forgiveness, then we must increasingly know what God is like: that he is gracious, sovereign, good, and justice.

  1. If you wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving, you will never forgive.
  2. Without God’s grace, we will never forgive.
  3. Forgiveness is necessary but it isn’t easy.
  4. Forgiveness is first of all between us and God.
  5. God does not intend that all of life should be pleasant.
  6. Nothing gets rid of pride like adversity.
  7. Nobody understands the art of revenge like the Lord.
  8. There is coming a day when every dispute will be resolved. When you understand this, you are freed from feeling like you have to personally solve every issue here on this earth.
  9. Good theology is imperative. What you think about God determines how you respond in the hard times.
  10. God is good. If you don’t believe that, it will be next to impossible to forgive others.
  11. God is sovereign. There are no mistakes in God’s economy, and no detail, no matter how small, goes unnoticed by Him.
  12. God’s grace is always sufficient.
  13. There is an old saying: ”Time heals all.” That isn’t always true. . . .

Read Ray’s entire post here.

Don’t Worry Rickey, You’re Still the Best

Published on August 29, 2008 in Stupid Stuff. 0 Comments

Scot McKnight relates various Rickey Henderson anecdotes including this one:

This one happened in Seattle. Rickey struck out and as the next batter was walking past him, he heard Henderson say, “Don’t worry, Rickey, you’re still the best.”

Read the whole thing here.

Or, watch Rickey modestly assess his accomplishments here:

 

Praying for Justice

Published on August 28, 2008 in Forgiveness and justice. 0 Comments

Given that we know we are sinners, it can be difficult to pray for justice when we are injured by another party.  All our righteousness is as filthy rags.  So, how can we plead our case before God? 

In a recent sermon on Psalm 43, Doug Wilson explains how Christians can properly pray for the justice of God.

Read or listen to it here.  (It is the sermon, Psalm 43: Judge Me O God).