reformed blogging.

Been reading through Spurgeon’s “Lecture to My Students” and received a stinging rebuke as he discoursed on private prayer. It dawned on me that little faith (if any) is required to talk of belief in God’s sovereignty. Yet true faith in God’s sovereignty manifests itself, not in speech, but ultimately in prayer.

If we cannot prevail with men for God, we will, at least, endeavor to prevail with God for men.
- Charles H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students

…on a different note, I laughed out loud while reading this part. He’s giving advice on public prayers. I don’t know if it was supposed to be funny, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

On lengthy prayers:

…never appear to be closing, and then start off again for another five minutes. When friends make up their minds that you are about to conclude, they cannot with a jerk proceed again in a devout spirit. I have known men tantalize us with the hope that they were drawing to a close, and then take a fresh lease two or three times; this is most unwise and unpleasant.

In exhorting his students not to use nonsensical expressions:

We have heard of a good man who, in pleading for his children and grandchildren, was so completely beclouded in the blinding influence of this expression, that he exlaimed, ‘O Lord, save thy dust, and thy dust’s dust, and thy dust’s dust’s dust.’

There is what might be called an unhappy, somewhat grotesque, mingling of Scripture texts. Who is not familiar with the following words addressed to God in prayer, ‘Thou art the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, and the praises thereof‘!… the inhabiting of the praises of eternity, to say the least, is meagre; there were no praises in the past eternity to inhabit.

Then there is an example nothing less than grotesque under this head, and yet one in such frequent use that I suspect it is very generally regarded as having the sanction of Scripture. Here it is, ‘We would put our hand on our mouth, and our mouth in the dust, and cry out, Unclean, unclean; God be merciful to us sinners’… how incongruos a man’s first putting his hand on his mouth, then putting his mouth in the dust, and, last of all crying out, etc.!

The only other example I give is an expression nearly universal among us, and, I suspect, almost universally thought to be in Scripture, ‘In thy favour is life, and thy lovingkindness is better than life.’ The fact is, that this also is just an unhappy combination of two passages in which the term life is used in altogether different, and even incompatible senses…

There are times when sharing the gospel becomes burdensome, when each spoken word brings with it guilt and shame due to a lack of conviction. What hypocrisy to speak of the greatness of Christ, or the glory of God as the chief end of man, while having such dullness towards Him! Such is the condition I often find myself in. In the midst of the whole Virginia Tech incident, there seems an even greater difficulty in sharing this message when I am not absolutely convinced that a worse consequence lies in wait for those who do not love Christ.

Our whole work must be carried on under a deep sense of our own insufficiency, and of our entire dependence on Christ. We must go for light, and life, and strength to him who sends us to the word. And when we feel our own faith weak, and our hearts dull, and unsuitable to so great a work as we have to do, we must have recourse to him, and say, ‘Lord, wilt thou send me with such an unbelieving heart to persuade others to believe? Must I daily plead with sinners about everlasting life and everlasting death, and have no more belief or feeling of these weighty things myself? O, send me not naked and unprovided to the work; but, as thou commandest me to do it, furnish me with a spirit suitable thereto.’
- Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor

Was able to talk to a fellow student on campus today. He described himself as Buddhist, but after speaking he seemed more agnostic than anything else. He found it absurd (perhaps even bigoted) that I would hold to the Bible as much as I did and that I would believe anything as so certain. Normally when I go out and share I tend to speak of God’s wrath in a way so that, although I share it as it is in the Bible, I tend to leave the listener out of it. So today, rather than speak of the wrath of God towards sinful man generally, I felt that I should lay the guilt directly on the hearer. I’ve been going through the book of Acts lately and have been realizing that when the apostles preached the gospel, they laid the guilt of Christ’s death upon those to whom they preached. Thus I was convicted to share the gospel in a similar manner. It seems logical that if the preaching of the gospel is directed at a third party rather than directly at the audience, the need for repentance will not seem so urgent and Christ will seem more of an “option” that really has little to do with the listener. I told him that his sins were against God Himself and I spoke of God’s omniscience and His absolute justice, that He would punish every sin ever committed, if not in this life, then in the next. He was seriously offended when I told him that he would inevitably stand before the judgment seat of God. At this point of the conversation he refused to listen, feeling as though I had “threatened” him with God. He would hear nothing of Christ and after about 30 minutes of yelling at me, telling me why it was absolutely out of the question to have any sort of absolute truth he stormed away. Before leaving, however, he turned around to advise me not to speak of God’s wrath in such a “threatening” manner.
Looking back I am hesitant to think whether it was best for me to share what I did. I am comforted, however, as I turn to the apostles and their own gospel preaching. The responses they received were varied and there were not a few incidents where men were offended.

And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ - Acts 4:18-20

‘You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it…’ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. - Acts 7:51-54

One thing, however, that depressed me while walking away from the conversation was the fact that I could speak of such a supreme and sovereign God, and a Christ, who saves sinners from the wrath of God, that I could know these things and yet be so dull to the glory of Christ. O that I might be consumed with zeal for the glory of Christ!

Been reading through “Biblical Theology” by Geehardus Vos. As defined by the author Biblical Theology “deals with the process of the self-revelation of God deposited in the Bible.” Basically, going through the Bible historically to see how God reveals Himself. One point that Vos made about Biblical Theology is that it “relieves to some extent the unfortunate situation that even the fundamental doctrines of the faith should seem to depend mainly on the testimony of isolated proof-texts.” Because Biblical Theology seems to better capture the “big picture” it sheds light on key doctrines that come from Scripture showing that they are not “theories” that are upheld only by various verses. With that said I found a nice quote about monergism in the Old Testament:

Abraham was not permitted to do anything through his own strength or resources to realize what the promise set before him… in regard to the [promise] it might have seemed as if he might have contributed something toward the end in view… he attempted to proceed on the principle of synergism in proposing to God that Ishmael should be considered the seed of the promise. But this was not accepted for the reason Ishmael’s being the product of nature, whereas a supernatural product was required. Abraham was kept childless until an age when he was ‘as good as dead’, that the divine omnipotence might be evident as the source of Isaac’s birth… Abraham was not allowed to acquire any possession in the land of promise. Yet he was rich and might easily have done so. But God Himself intended to fulfill this promise also without the co-operation of the patriarch; and Abraham seems to have had some apprehension of this, for he explains his refusal to accept any of the spoils from the king of Sodom by the fear lest the latter should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’.

What is the reason that controversies hang so long between God and your souls, that it may be despondency of spirit? You will not gird up the loins of your minds, in dealing with God, to put them to a speedy issue in the blood of Christ. You go on and off, begin and cease, try and you scarce see a good day all your lives? Is it not, for the most part, from your sloth and give over; and, for the most part, though your case be extra-ordinary, content yourselves with ordinary and customary applications unto God. This makes you wither, become useless, and pine away in and under your perplexities. David did not so; but after many and many a breach made by sin, yet, through quick, vigorous, restless actings of faith, all was repaired, so that he lived peaceably, and died triumphantly. Up, then, and be doing; let not your ‘wounds corrupt because of your folly.’ Make thorough work of that which lies before you; be it long, or difficult, it is all one, it must be done, and is attended with safety. - John Owen, “An Exposition Upon Psalm CXXX” 

We lack the spirit of the puritans so clearly manifest in such writings. We ought not be content in any sort of rest until it be found in Christ. 

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Been thinking a lot about the benefits of going out random evangelizing and felt I ought to share a few because there are so many good reasons (although obedience is reason enough!). Admittedly, there are a few objections, but these are not sufficient to keep anyone from random evangelism. Of these, the most common objection is that we ought to focus more on evangelizing to those closer to us and win them over with our lives. And it is true, our lives as well as our talk should win people over to Christ. Paul even speaks of “adorning the gospel” with our lives. Yet, this is no reason to keep any Christian from sharing the gospel with those who may not have direct contact with any Christian. It is also helpful to see Christ’s ministry and the ministry of the apostles who evangelized much to strangers.

Having gotten that out of the way, here are some major points that ought to cause us all to go and share the gospel (these are in no particular order, except maybe the first couple):

The glory of God is the umbrella over everything else. “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever!”

1. Obedience — God commanded it, we should do it. (Luke 4:43; Matthew 28:18; Acts 10:42; 1 Cor 1:17; 15:11; Eph 3:8; 1 Tim 6:2)

2. Salvation of souls– How can anyone believe if they never hear the gospel? St. Francis said, “Witness at all times. If necessary use words.” And, again, while our lives should be reflective of what we believe, if we don’t say anything men will go to hell. We ought to hold closer to the words of Christ than the words of man. Preach the gospel at all times, using all means necessary. And words are necessary! Faith comes from hearing. And hearing from the word of God. Paul argues, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14) In order to be saved the hearing of the gospel is necessary. None can be saved apart from it.

3. A deeper understanding and greater gratitude toward God for the Gospel — Through the preaching of the gospel, we are better able to understand what it is that we ourselves believe. Those areas that we may have overlooked may be brought light when others question us. Also, one thing that has been a great encouragement to me and a major benefit to evangelism is that I realize that I have been blessed by God! So few know Christ, and “there is no one who does good.” That God would choose me among these people, of whom I am no better, causes me to be humbled and grateful. — “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” (Philemon 6)

4. Accountability towards holiness — the fact that I evangelize on campus is reason for me to watch my life closely that I wouldn’t dishonor God through my life, having professed that I am a follower of Christ. Some pressure, but it’s good pressure. Paul admonishes that “in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:7,8) And likewise Peter says to the scattered churches to “keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.” (1 Peter 3:16)

5. Dependence on God — I can convince no one to believe, I cannot generate faith in anyone or have them generate their own faith. The doctrine of man’s radical corruption is only strengthened each time I go out. And the more people I meet the greater my realization is that salvation is from the Lord. The only way any of these people will believe is if the Holy Spirit works in their hearts. This leads to a greater need for prayer, and also, again, a greater understanding of the supernatural work that God wrought in us to bring us to Himself. “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:48)

6. Sobriety — encountering so many who are headed to eternal damnation does much to sober a Christian. I think doing certain things (watching TV, movies, etc.) become less appealing and certainly more minute in light of the many who are daily headed towards hell. “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13) Paul’s words to Timothy are no less applicable to ourselves: “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Tim 4:5)

7. Zeal for Christ — Christ died for sinners. Christ deserves the glory and the fact that so many feel that hearing the gospel is an option, that ‘if they don’t want to they don’t have to’ is pure arrogance. They are in enmity with God and He is directly opposed to them. His wrath is being stored up against them unless they repent. They are in disobedience and are owing to God to hear and obey. Far be it from us to be “tolerant” while dishonoring God. Salvation is only in Christ. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) It is Christ’s desire to be glorified: “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)

8. To hasten the coming of the Lord and increase desire for the Lord’s return — Christ said that once the gospel has spread to all the nations, then the end would come. And in preaching this message of the truth we realize the depravity of men in rejecting the truth of God and we also desire that Christ return and show Himself to be King of kings and Lord of lords. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

9. Meditate upon the sufferings of Christ — random evangelism, and the rejection that it entails, does, to a certain degree, give the Christian a greater appreciation for Christ’s sufferings. And also joy in being able to share (albeit in a small degree) for the sake of Christ. “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council,rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 6:41)

10. Increase faith in God’s word — the challenges that arise in sharing the gospel lead one to a greater degree of faith in the word of God as His truth is confirmed in the hardness of men’s hearts to accept the gospel. “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

11. Developing an Evangelistic Lifestyle – We ought to evangelize with our entire lives. This just helps us to get into the habit of sharing the gospel so that when that spontaneous opportunity appears we will not falter, but will boldly proclaim the word of truth!

There are so many benefits to sharing the gospel even to those we may not know personally. The fact that we may not know everything extensively is no excuse. “He who does not act until he is ready will not act.” In Peter’s epistle he speaks of God’s “divine power [that] has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3) Therefore, if we lack anything it’s not proper knowledge of biology or physics but God’s Word. It is knowledge of Him through His word that brings the dead to life. Two things are necessary for evangelism: the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Let us neglect neither.

Started reading Calvin’s “Sermons on the Beatitudes.” The first sermon, based on Christ’s choosing of the twelve disciples, deals directly with sovereign election. Immediately, the message seems to delve deep into the doctrines of grace. Calvin, preaching on God’s election out of Mark 3:13-19:

How, indeed, can we explain our soul’s salvation except in terms of God’s good pleasure and his free gift of mercy? For if we think that we are better than others whom he has passed over or abandoned, we simply demean God’s unconditional kindness through which we obtain salvation. And this we do every time we seek to gain a measure of importance or esteem in men’s eyes. Every mouth must of necessity be shut. We must learn that God has chosen us, not because he saw something good in us, or found us more amenable than those whom he rejects, but simply that he might reveal the full splendour of his generosity.

Calvin’s ability to exposit scripture is well known and highly regarded even by those who may not hold his view of predestination. Yet it is an odd thing that such exegesis would constantly provide evidence of God’s sovereign choice despite man’s radical corruption. Calvinism is just a name for a doctrine already in scripture and it’s unfortunate that we must use a name other than Biblical for what is so apparent.