Al Mohler posts that some of the media find it noteworthy that Sarah Palin’s pastor believes in the reality of hell. (Click here to read it).
Monthly Archive for September, 2008
Page 3 of 4
In a recent post, Daryl Dash points out that forgiveness is a topic that quickly connects with nearly everyone. After going to see the movie, The Big Question: A Film About Forgiveness, he writes:
Whenever I speak on forgiveness, I can tell that it’s an issue for almost everyone out there. You could feel that tension last night. The director said that he tried interviews on the street, asking people what they would like to say about forgiveness. Most of the people essentially said, “You don’t want to ask me about forgiveness.”
The most poignant stories for me were those of the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania who chose to forgive the gunman who slaughtered their children. They asked the director to mention that this was not easy for them, contrary to what some have said. It was also interesting to hear the story of a man who had just finished writing a book on forgiveness when his mother was killed. Although he had spent years teaching and writing about forgiveness, he felt consumed with a desire for revenge until he caught himself and turned to forgiveness instead.
I haven’t seen the movie yet. So, I’m not sure how they frame “the big question.” I’m curious about that. There are so many big forgiveness questons:
- How is forgiveness defined?
- Should everyone be forgiven?
- What is the relationship between forgiveness and reconciliation?
Of course, you can always start interacting with forgiveness questions by taking the Forgiveness Quiz! Only a couple of weeks or so until I start blogging on the responses.
You can read all of Daryl’s post here. (Daryl links to me – - so, if you keep clicking, you could find yourself in an endless loop between our two blogs).
You see, it’s for posts like this that I recommend you subscribe to the blog: Vitamin Z.
I know, I know. You’re busy people. But, you must watch this.
It’s the Bulgarian version of American Idol. That’s all you need to know.
First, credit to Mike Wittmer for the title of this post (see his book by that title here).
In Heaven is a Place on Earth, Wittmer encourages us that God’s people have an earthly destination. We are “earthlings” created for this earth. Believers will not spend eternity hovering about in the clouds somewhere strumming golden harps.
When I first heard this point in seminary, it was new to me. In fact, I had always been scared that Heaven would be a combination of an old person’s home (don’t have fun or you will break something) and church (you will be bored stiff).
While I didn’t want the alternative destination, I wasn’t sure I was going to have much fun in heaven.
In recent years, however, there has been an increased emphasis amongst theologians on the continuity between this creation and the next. While it is true that this earth will be purged by fire, that doesn’t mean there is no continuity whatsoever.
If you haven’t explored this thought previously, then spend time reading what Tullian Tchividjian wrote today, as well as the posts to which he links.
Tullian writes:
For a long time now, I’ve been convinced that the way most Christians think about redemption is influenced more by ancient Greek philosophy than by the Bible. We think of ultimate redemption as being redemption from the body, not of the body; redemption from the world, not of the world; redemption from the material, not of the material.
This, however, goes against what the Bible clearly teaches about redemption.
In the Lord’s Prayer we see that God’s ultimate goal is for earth to become like heaven: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s mission is to bring heaven to earth—this planet!
You can read the whole thing here.
In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Paul issued a grim warning for people who damage local churches.
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)
As William Mounce points out, “You” in this passage is plural. Hence, Paul is referring here to God’s people. Paul’s point is that God will deal ever so severely with those who destroy local churches.
Perhaps I am biased given that I am a pastor, but I agree with Mounce (who is not a pastor) who says that the most common way local churches are damaged is through attacks on pastors.
While there is plenty of blame to go around, I am shocked to be finding hundreds of what I call “Pastor Abuse Retreat Centers,” camps and cabins set aside for the healing of battle weary pastors. I’m still waiting to find a retreat for abused elders — not to say this doesn’t happen, but I think the absence of such is telling.
When shepherds of God’s flock fail to do their job, when they allow evil men into positions of power because they are rich or willing to work, when people lusting for power and control destroy a pastor’s ministry, family, and dreams, then the perfect and patient vengeance of God is promised to deliver the crushing blow. Perhaps the movement in America from “Church” to “Religious Mall” is the first stage of that punishment.
But the thing about God’s patience is that it is meant to lead us to repentance. But in always the right time, in always the right way, God will keep his promise and will destroy those who persist in destroying his holy temple—the true followers of Christ.
Having been in the pastorate now a number of years, it amazes me to hear and experience the flippancy with which shepherds are often treated. While pastors are flawed, remember, they are called by God. It is a fearful thing to presume to undermine a pastor.
Having said that, it is still more fearful for pastors who abuse their position (Hebrews 13:17). A point that should cause me and other pastors to tremble.
Read Mounce’s post here.
. . . it is only when God’s wrath and vengeance are hanging as grim realities over the heads of one’s enemies that something of what it means to love and forgive them can touch our hearts. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in a letter to Eberhard Bethge.
I was trying to think of a reason to post about the football games my sons played yesterday. . . and then Steve Altrogge stepped up and threw a touchdown pass right where I needed it. In his new book, Game Day for the Glory of God, Altrogge describes one of the things I love most about my sons’ football games (or my daughter’s volleyball):
Isn’t God kind to give us the gift of sports? They allow us to focus our minds on a reality that’s completely outside ourselves. When I play basketball, I’m temporarily transported out of the swirling mass of subjective thoughts and emotions that would normally occupy my mind and into a rock-solid world of layups, rebounds and crossover dribbles. This is a very good thing indeed. Self-centeredness only leads to unhappiness and misery. Sports are gifts from God that allow us to temporarily forget about self.
If you click here, you can find more information on Crossway’s new blog, and even read a sample chapter.
The picture illustrates another of sports’ most important lessons, and greatest sources of joy. My son is not the guy running through the hole. (Nor is my son the opposing linebacker (#44) coming up to greet the running back). Chris is the guy helping make the hole by blocking number #78 – - notice #78 has a good football name.
I love that football teaches the value of working in the trenches, out of the limelight. While one guy (Tristan in this case) has the ball, 10 others are working in the pews to throw blocks.
Knowing that you made a hole where it counts, when you weren’t the guy carrying the ball, is one of the greatest joys in life. Throw a block this week.
“Imprecatory Psalms” refers to those Psalms that cry out for the judgment of evil people. These Psalms raise a number of questions in how we apply them to our own lives. Can it be Christian to ask God to pray that God will destroy or curse evil people?
We must proceed with caution when answering that question!
Having said that, these Psalms must be incorporated in our theology of forgiveness. Indeed, resting in the fact that God will take care of justice, that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19), is a foundational way that the Bible helps Christian deal with bitterness, a thought I develop in Unpacking Forgiveness.
The most helpful material I have read on the subject of imprecatory Psalms is easily John N. Day’s book, Crying for Justice.
Today I scanned another helpful article by Stanley D. Gale (HT: Tullian Tchividjian). Gale writes:
Sometimes people post Bible verses in their homes for encouragement, or to remind themselves of something. My guess is not too many people have this passage from Psalm 137 posted on their refrigerator door:
O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us! Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock! (Psalm 137:8-9)
A framed print of that passage likely wouldn’t be a big seller at your local Christian bookstore. Here are some others you probably won’t see on sale:
Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none. (Psalm 10:15)
O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! Let them vanish like water that runs away; when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun. (Psalm 58:6-8)
COMFORT, REFRESHMENT, AND . . .
The Psalms are wonderful places to which we can retreat to find comfort and refreshment and courage to press on. Yet the Psalms are filled with passages like these, imprecatory passages that pronounce malediction instead of benediction. In some cases, whole Psalms seem to be dominated by malediction, such as Psalm 35 or 58 or 83 or 109, so much so that they are designated “imprecatory psalms.” Yet these imprecations are not just isolated to certain Psalms; they are spread across the Psalter, many even employed as calls to worship and impetus for rejoicing.Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! (Psalm 104:35)
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. (Psalm 96:11-13)
When was the last time you, in your prayers, addressed God as the psalmist does: “O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance,” and then asked Him to “Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve!” (Psalm 94:1-2)?
What’s going on?
Click here to read the whole thing.
Studying Colossians 3 for the weekend. Paul admonishes the Colossians (3:5) to put to death sin.
How many times is our approach more like the clowns in certain beef-jerky commericals? With a similar, though worse, outcome.
Feeding your wild side doesn’t end well. Kill it.
In this interview (at about the 16 minute mark) John Piper shares transparently about how he and his wife worked through a difficult period in their marriage. I think it is helpful to reflect on not only how God used counseling, but how he didn’t use it.
I respect Piper’s humility and willingness to be transparent.
HT: Joe Thorn
