Tuesday, September 26, 2006
The Young And Reformed
I was asked recently by the pastor of a large, successful and well-known church, "so what's the deal with all you young guys and reformed theology?"
Well, it is indeed an honor to be called...young and reformed. I really like the 'young' part. My answer, off the cuff, was that there is a drive and even hunger for solid truth with no gray areas just to make folks comfortable. It might be that this culture, and it's mantra of 'anything goes', 'whatever is right for you is right' and 'all roads lead to some kind of God', has created a vacuum of truth and filling that hole is the solid, unwavering, uncompromising, uncomfortable and unimpeachable belief that God is supreme, He is God and He is soveriegn, His Word is infallible, His ways are grace, and His love is redemptive. This is reformed theology at is simplest and best.
Christianity Today has written an article that highlights what has become a strong resurgence of reformed theological principles and standards of doctrine. Read it here. It is particularly interesting that the article addresses the impact of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary on the resurgence of reformed theology in Southern Baptist circles.
By the way, lest you be confused...the first couple of sentences are NOT about yours truly. Though I am often found talking loudly, waving my arms and scaring folks. (that's supposed to be funny)
Well, it is indeed an honor to be called...young and reformed. I really like the 'young' part. My answer, off the cuff, was that there is a drive and even hunger for solid truth with no gray areas just to make folks comfortable. It might be that this culture, and it's mantra of 'anything goes', 'whatever is right for you is right' and 'all roads lead to some kind of God', has created a vacuum of truth and filling that hole is the solid, unwavering, uncompromising, uncomfortable and unimpeachable belief that God is supreme, He is God and He is soveriegn, His Word is infallible, His ways are grace, and His love is redemptive. This is reformed theology at is simplest and best.
Christianity Today has written an article that highlights what has become a strong resurgence of reformed theological principles and standards of doctrine. Read it here. It is particularly interesting that the article addresses the impact of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary on the resurgence of reformed theology in Southern Baptist circles.
By the way, lest you be confused...the first couple of sentences are NOT about yours truly. Though I am often found talking loudly, waving my arms and scaring folks. (that's supposed to be funny)
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
W reads Piper
President Bush reads the inscription on a copy of Life as a Vapor, a book by John Piper, after it was presented to him by Andrew Benecke, left, and his parents Jim and Barbara Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at Lambert Field in St. Louis. Bush presented Andrew with the presidential scholarship medal. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Dylan On Grace
"The wicked know no peace and you just can't fake it, There's only one road and it leads to Calvary. It gets discouraging at times, but I know I'll make itBy the saving grace that's over me."
Bob Dylan, "Saving Grace"
Bob Dylan, "Saving Grace"
Monday, September 18, 2006
Reformed Theology part 1
In a study of any particular movement or system of belief it is important to understand it's history and prefaces. In my personal study of systematic theology, both through seminary classes online and on campus, and a more indepth personal examination in recent years, I have found that the reformed tradition is reliable and true to God's Word.
Personal Journey
My personal study and struggle began with a class in the interpretation of the Bible, also called "hermeneutics", which involves establishing the principles for our interpretation and understanding of any part of the Bible. I have always been convinced in the inerrancy of Scripture, meaning that the Bible in its original forms and correctly interpreted is entirely true and never false, whether that relates to doctrines or ethics or to the social, physical, or life sciences. This strong belief in inerrancy formed my personal foundation for the building of my convictions on certain areas of theology. I believe that the reformed tradition honors God's Word, God's Sovereignty and properly places man in God's plan for redemption.
I can recall debating the not so finer points of arminianism and calvinism with colleagues. In the past few years this has become a well talked about issue in this region primarily due to a conservative resurgence in area seminaries. In fact, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and Asbury Theological Seminary in nearby Wilmore are two bastions of reformed teaching, at both of which I have taken classes.
Perhaps the most profound influence on my personal theological stance is my observation that those in the reformed tradition use Scripture alone as the foundation for their conviction. While too often, other traditions have elements of humanism infiltrating their core- some more than others.
Historical Notes
The Protestant Reformation was a movement in the 16th century to reform the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformation was started by Martin Luther who wrote his 95 Theses. This began what is known as the Protestant Reformation.
"The four most important traditions to emerge directly from the reformation were the Lutheran tradition, the Reformed tradition, the Anabaptist tradition, and the Anglican tradition. Subsequent protestant traditions generally trace their roots back to these initial four schools of the reformation. It also led to the Catholic or Counter Reformation within the Roman Catholic Church through a variety of new spiritual movements, reforms of religious communities, the founding of seminaries, the clarification of Catholic theology as well as structural changes in the institution of the Church." (from wikipedia)
Disclaimer
I want to be careful not to get really technical here and open up to side issues and the endless plethera of peripheral points that are attached to any discussion of theology, especially in this case. So I will keep it simple (both for myself and readers). I am not a theologian, I enjoy the study of theology because I grow in my faith as I understand the grace I have been given. However, I do not love theology - which I believe some do to the point of sin. Theology cannot be one's God and pursuit. My heart hurts when I see this occuring in bright young men, that are in love with knowledge about God more than God Himself.
Coming Soon
In the next post I will look at the distinctives of the reformed tradition and attempt to contrast reformed theology and Calvinism. Although basicly they are interchangable, there are some important contrasts in my personal opinion, here's a hint - there's far more to reformed theology than a tulip.
Personal Journey
My personal study and struggle began with a class in the interpretation of the Bible, also called "hermeneutics", which involves establishing the principles for our interpretation and understanding of any part of the Bible. I have always been convinced in the inerrancy of Scripture, meaning that the Bible in its original forms and correctly interpreted is entirely true and never false, whether that relates to doctrines or ethics or to the social, physical, or life sciences. This strong belief in inerrancy formed my personal foundation for the building of my convictions on certain areas of theology. I believe that the reformed tradition honors God's Word, God's Sovereignty and properly places man in God's plan for redemption.
I can recall debating the not so finer points of arminianism and calvinism with colleagues. In the past few years this has become a well talked about issue in this region primarily due to a conservative resurgence in area seminaries. In fact, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and Asbury Theological Seminary in nearby Wilmore are two bastions of reformed teaching, at both of which I have taken classes.
Perhaps the most profound influence on my personal theological stance is my observation that those in the reformed tradition use Scripture alone as the foundation for their conviction. While too often, other traditions have elements of humanism infiltrating their core- some more than others.
Historical Notes
The Protestant Reformation was a movement in the 16th century to reform the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformation was started by Martin Luther who wrote his 95 Theses. This began what is known as the Protestant Reformation.
"The four most important traditions to emerge directly from the reformation were the Lutheran tradition, the Reformed tradition, the Anabaptist tradition, and the Anglican tradition. Subsequent protestant traditions generally trace their roots back to these initial four schools of the reformation. It also led to the Catholic or Counter Reformation within the Roman Catholic Church through a variety of new spiritual movements, reforms of religious communities, the founding of seminaries, the clarification of Catholic theology as well as structural changes in the institution of the Church." (from wikipedia)
Disclaimer
I want to be careful not to get really technical here and open up to side issues and the endless plethera of peripheral points that are attached to any discussion of theology, especially in this case. So I will keep it simple (both for myself and readers). I am not a theologian, I enjoy the study of theology because I grow in my faith as I understand the grace I have been given. However, I do not love theology - which I believe some do to the point of sin. Theology cannot be one's God and pursuit. My heart hurts when I see this occuring in bright young men, that are in love with knowledge about God more than God Himself.
Coming Soon
In the next post I will look at the distinctives of the reformed tradition and attempt to contrast reformed theology and Calvinism. Although basicly they are interchangable, there are some important contrasts in my personal opinion, here's a hint - there's far more to reformed theology than a tulip.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Emerging or Emergent?
I recently ran across an interesting article that does a good job at summizing the critical differences between the 'emerging' church and the 'emergent' church. The nomenclature may be similar but the results are vastly different. I must admit that as I first started reading and studying newer movements among churches a few years ago, I was intrigued by the movement of the emergent church. But a closer examination reveals that the what is known as the emergent church too often is a compromising church. I find much more affinity with the broader scope of the emerging church. The article can be read here.
Mark Driscoll is quoted in the article...he says..."I was part of what is now known as the Emerging Church Movement in its early days…. I had to distance myself, however, from one of many streams in the merging church because of theological differences. Since the late 1990s, this stream has become known as Emergent. The emergent church is part of the Emerging Chruch Movement but does not embrace the dominant ideology of the movement. Rather, the emergent church is the latest version of liberalism. The only difference is that the old liberalism accommodated modernity and the new liberalism accommodates postmodernity".
This is yet another confirmation of Driscoll's commitment to the Gospel. I like this guy more and more.
Why is this important? The Point is a new church and is taking it's place as a church with potential and promise. Our identity is one that is taking shape and we must always be careful about how we see ourselves and be ever watchful of with whom we identify.
Mark Driscoll is quoted in the article...he says..."I was part of what is now known as the Emerging Church Movement in its early days…. I had to distance myself, however, from one of many streams in the merging church because of theological differences. Since the late 1990s, this stream has become known as Emergent. The emergent church is part of the Emerging Chruch Movement but does not embrace the dominant ideology of the movement. Rather, the emergent church is the latest version of liberalism. The only difference is that the old liberalism accommodated modernity and the new liberalism accommodates postmodernity".
This is yet another confirmation of Driscoll's commitment to the Gospel. I like this guy more and more.
Why is this important? The Point is a new church and is taking it's place as a church with potential and promise. Our identity is one that is taking shape and we must always be careful about how we see ourselves and be ever watchful of with whom we identify.
