In a Dark and Quiet Room (Part 8)

(The previous installment can be found here.) It's been far too long since I have sat in my dark and quiet room. My world has been far too full of late for me to find peace or sanctuary within its imaginary walls. But tonight I came here to write, and as I did, I discovered another key awaiting me. It is simple and unadorned, but I know what it means. I cast my eyes to the locked box in the corner. What else had appeared inside that accursed box? Key 5

Wal-Mart report for 10/26/2005

(The previous report is here.)

Misusing the Westminster Confession

Misusing the Westminster Confession by James Jordan "Along these lines, the continual use of the Standards over a long period of time has not infrequently had a bad effect. The writers of the Standards were men of breadth and depth, who were primarily interested in the Bible, the whole Bible, and what God says in and through the Bible to humanity. Continual focus on the Standards, however, often leads over the course of time to a narrower and shallower religion. It can lead to sectarianism and even to a kind of functional idolatry in which the Standards become practically more important than the Bible. Preachers and teachers can go round and round inside the Standards, assuming that all that is really important is found there, and virtually ignoring everything else the Bible has to say. The issues that were primarily in focus in the 1640s are assumed to be the major issues in the Bible itself. (After all, while the doctrines of predestination occupy the Standards to a considerable extent, how often does the Bible touch on this matter in any kind of direct way?) Over time, the limited concerns of the Standards are pressed into every part of the Bible, while the actual teaching of many parts of the Bible goes unnoticed."

Once more, with feeling...

This article has appeared again, and, with my current thinking about the love of God, I thought that it was good to point it out again.

Thoughts on the Present Controversy: Part 1, "Names, labels, & Slogans"

Thoughts on the Present Controversy: Part 1, "Names, labels, & Slogans" Uh, this one is good, too. Actually, I want to point these posts out, because I see important truth in them. Something that continually breaks my heart is the arrogance that we Reformed Christians show to other Christians, especially those within our own circles. I know this, and I am certainly guilty of it. This post is a call to patience and discernment in our disagreements and debates. Certainly, this is worth repeating. Regularly.

Subscription & Freedom

Subscription & Freedom It looks like one of those days. I keep stumbling over really good stuff that I feel like I have to share with all of you. This article is about Calvin's opposition to strict subscription. That's right. In fact, here's a quote: "I have long learned by experience, and that over and over again, that those who contend thus pertinaciously about terms, are really cherishing a secret poison." (Institutes 1.8.5) Sound like any controversy that you've heard of?

Another reason to like Doug Phillips

Grace and Justice This is a blog post (squib, whatever) by R.C. Sproul, Jr. about Doug Phillips. There is so much good here that I'm not sure where to start. Perhaps the best thing to say is this: Doug Phillips' ministry is, in my mind, completely vindicated by the evidence that he is raising sons of honor and compassion. Maybe he actually has a clue about what he is saying.

The Cedar Room: We Are Talking About Emergent Christians And Orthodox Christians Holding Hands And Singing "We Are The World."

We Are Talking About Emergent Christians And Orthodox Christians Holding Hands And Singing "We Are The World." Long name. Amazing results. Seriously, I was mentioning to someone the other day that I appreciate Josh Gibbs. In particular, I appreciate him because I think that he is representative of a new breed of Reformed young men who are passionate about the Church catholic and are struggling to pursue the unity of the Church with vigor. This post is just another example of this good trend.

Have you been touched by His Noodly Appendage?

Have you heard of the Flying Spaghetti Monster? Well, now you have. The Flying Spaghetti Monster is the deity of the religion called (oddly enough) Flying Spaghetti Monsterism. This religion was created as a joke by Bobby Henderson in response to the Kansas Board of Education's debating about teaching Intelligent Design. The text of the original letter can be found here. And, oddly enough, I think that Mr. Henderson has made an excellent point. It's not the one that he thinks he's making, mind you, but it is an excellent point. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that most religions believe that the world was created by one or more deities. They may or may not be the deities that are currently running the show, but, for most of history, humanity has believed in Intelligent Design. So what? Is this really a triumph for Christianity? Have we really made gains if some people say that maybe, just maybe, there's some Being out there that made all this? I think not. Because, unless we're talking about the God of the Bible, then it's all just more idolatry. As far as Intelligent Design is concerned, the Flying Spaghetti Monster could explain all the evidence at hand. Yet, at the risk of stating the blindingly obvious, Pastarianism is not Christianity. Until people believe in Biblical Creation and acknowledge the Creator rights of the God of the Bible, then we have not won. Intelligent Design is not a victory for us. Just ask the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

We Are A Thought For Searchers.

This is well-said. The Cedar Room: We Are A Thought For Searchers. You know, I just realized that this is another aspect of our disposable culture. Sigh. Maybe this means that I need to learn how to fix more things....

Wilson on humility and catholicity

My Answer Is Right, Darn It All quite well said. I particularly liked the bit where he affirmed sola fide and the bit where he discussed wine in communion.

Desiring God

Ever have the experience of working through some issue and then stumbling across just the right book to help?

You haven’t?  Oh…

Well, anyways, remember those articles about the love of God from a couple of weeks back?  Well, last night I decided that I was in the mood to read something substantive.  So I went rooting around in my sister’s books and found a couple of books that I had been intending to read.

One of them was “Desiring God” by John Piper.

Wow.

I’m only a couple of chapters into the book, but I think that this is going to be quite helpful.

ASCII Doodles

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The Closing of the Calvinistic Mind

The Closing of the Calvinistic Mind James Jordan weighs in on the current unpleasantries.