A Plain Word

...have you not read what was spoken to you by God? (Matt 22:31)

Okay, I'm back. Doubt any of our five readers are still paying attention. However, since I'm so painfully long-winded when I teach my church, that I end up rushing important points and skipping pages of notes that die in obscurity in my filing cabinet, I figured that disseminating teaching into the blogosphere might be helpful (or at least garner some measure of personal fulfillment). So, I'm back.

Why not begin by filling-out a survey on the Bible's clarity, addressing the phenomena of the divergent interpretations of the Bible and the difficulties that are faced when one reads the Bible? So, in subsequent posts, we'll attempt to answer two questions: (1) How does the Bible address its own clarity? (2) Why do Bible readers face difficulties and arrive at divergent conclusions on the meaning of any given text(s)?

We'll begin in earnest tomorrow, Lord willing, followed by a short break, as the prostrate Calvinist becomes the vacationing Calvinist (1 Cor 10:31!). So, to whet the appetite on this matter consider perusing:

• "The Perspicuity of Scripture" by Larry Pettegrew
  
  
• A Clear and Present Word by Mark Thompson
  
  
• Kevin DeYoung's blog summary of Thompson's book

Thankful for an Imperfect Church

...just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless (Eph 5:25-27).


It has been one month since we left mercy ministry in a para-church organization to be a minister of mercy in a local church. Any regrets? None.

We are grateful beyond measure to pastor a local church. Not because she is perfect. There are areas of weakness, immaturity, and sin that are assuredly beyond the purview of the leadership. Nor because we expect her to ever arrive at perfection on this side of the Lord's return. Certainly our exegetical skill, theological depth, and pastoral wisdom are massively insufficient to lead this church anywhere near a destination resembling perfection. This church is not perfect, but she is beautiful because she is beloved by Christ.

A holy temple of God (1 Cor 3:16-17), purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28), the Lord Jesus has cleansed her that she might be presented to Him as a glorious and holy bride. And it is this reality that infuses pastoral labor with joy. Iain Murray noted the same of the Reformers and Puritans who pursued the reformation of the Bride of Christ:

They could say with Robert Rollock: 'Whilst I live I never expect to see a perfect Reformation in the Church.' Their vision for the Church was one which stretched beyond the boundaries of time and earth; by faith they saw her in her future beauty as the faultless bride of Jesus Christ. Yet this view, far from making them complacent about existing conditions, rather gave them the passion and determination to see that God's people upon earth acted as consistently as it was possible for redeemed sinners to act in relationship to the claims of the Saviour who had purchased the Church by His blood.

-- Iain Murray, The Reformation of the Church, p. 9

Lacking in passion for an imperfect local church? Consider her future glory. Consider that Christ has redeemed His bride. She is not what she should be, but she will be what He has made her. Passion for the present is derived from our assured hope for the future.

Semper Reformada

Calvinist Crossing

New blogs are forthcoming. Maybe even later this week, DV. We are beginning to fall into a groove at RCG, so some extra blog-time is anticipated.

As a matter of principle, however, we would like to remind one sundry acquaintence that we have, in fact, posted in 2009. It's right below.

Until further notice, some Calvinist Crossing...

Why Read Christian Biography?
We usually answer, "To remind us that other saints have been far more faithful to Christ in far worse circumstances than we face." Ms. Cook, however, offers some more articulate reasons: (1) a grand overview of the progress of the Christian church, (2) the development of a deeper appreciation of the basic principles and progress of the spiritual life, (3) the outworking of faith in the experiences of widely differing individuals, (4) the warnings it gives, the signposts along the way of dangers to be avoided, of pitfalls awaiting the unwary, (5) how to suffer rightly, and (6) tracing certain recurring principles and patterns of the activity of God.

Is Arminianism Damnable Heresy?
A reminder to be kind to those Arminian brethren whose hearts are better than their heads.

Myanmar Abusing Christian Chin Minority
It was not long ago that we sat having tea and encouraging these brethren in Yangon. Remember the prisoners... (Heb 13:3) ...I was in prison, and you came to Me (Matt 25:36)

Same Theology, Different Location

As we're sure our vast readership has noticed, TPC has been dormant as of late. The management begs your forgiveness and assures you it is not a byproduct of theological vacillation, historical revisionism, nor personal lethargy. The truth is that we were just... busy.

After several months of discussion, prayer, and reflection, we have received a call to the pastoral office at River City Grace Community Church in Sacramento, CA. Thus, years of prayer, training, and preparation have come to fruition in full-time vocational ministry in the local church. God's kind and gracious hand has knit our hearts to RCG and it is with great enthusiasm that we join this body to share in the joy and burden of ministering the Word and shepherding the flock for Christ.

So, in this case, blog silence equals life activity, such as packing, moving, Christmasing, and unpacking... which are all good things. But do not despair, the TPC has more to share! Until then, we would covet your prayers for His grace to fulfill the mantle of pastoral leadership commended to Timothy by Paul:

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
- 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Soli Deo Gloria

Calvinist Crossing

Piper on the new birth... his most important book?
Warnock gives a preview of Piper's forthcoming work, examining the nature of true salvation.
HT: DG

The Writings of John Calvin
JT on essential reading for sincere Calvinists.

Carson in One Spot
Fellow TMS alum has served us by putting D.A. in one on-line location.

Understanding Depravity Encourages Evangelism

And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9-10).

At T4G 2008, John MacArthur presented a searching exposition of the doctrine of total or pervasive depravity. In the panel discussion that followed, Mark Dever commented on how contemplating the doctrine of depravity actually encourages evangelism:

I was encouraged. Not just in the personally affecting way… but I’m encouraged in my evangelism. Because when I know I’m preaching to corpses, I don’t have to figure out how to make them believe. I just need to work on loving God and preaching the Gospel faithfully.

You know it is the most amazing thing when people contrast belief in election and say that hurts evangelism. In Acts 18 when Paul was discouraged, what does the Lord give to him? An understanding that “I have many people in this city.” Does He mean there was a lot of population? No! He means He has chosen many people in that city, so Paul, go ahead. There will be response. You don’t have to see any signs of it. Go ahead and preach the Gospel.

If faith comes by hearing, it cannot be manufactured by coercion. So understanding depravity, among other things, frees us to proclaim. The doctrine of depravity does not inhibit evangelism, it liberates us to evangelize.

Calvinist Crossing

We're back with highlights from better blogs. Look for more original TPC thoughts tomorrow.

Voddie Baucham on Calvinism in the SBC
We try to stay out of the SBC in-fighting, as it always strikes us as more Southern than Baptist, but when brother Voddie speaks, we listen!

HT: Provocations & Pantings

Don't Coast!
Piper may have convinced us to cancel our Blockbuster membership. "All around me I feel like young people and older people are being eaten alive by the entertainment mindset… As long as you can walk, talk, eat, sing, do something for the King!"

If You're Thinking of Cutting the Missions Budget
First of all... SHAME ON YOU! (Was that sensitive enough?) Secondly, read these helpful thoughts from our friend keeping and teaching the faith in Uganda. Our favorite thought, "God’s heart is for all nations so I doubt that he would sign-off on cutting your budget for the nations."