April 30, 2008 at 9:59 pm · Filed under Book Review, John MacArthur
In “A Tale of Two Sons: The Inside Story of a Father, His Sons, and Shocking Murder”, John MacArthur takes us on an in-depth journey through the most well-known parable “The Prodigal Son”. He talks about how offensive and sinful the younger son was in his prodigal living. He talks about the father’s shocking actions in offering undeserving grace at no cost to the prodigal son. And, not at all the least important, he explores the stubbornness and the prideful attitude of the elder son.
What I enjoy most about “A Tale of Two Sons” is how well MacArthur ties in cultural context and his ability to place the reader in that time; as if Jesus were telling it to us at that very moment. He expresses the shock and awe his listeners would have experienced. For example, he talks about the implications of the Father running to welcome back a wayward and disobedient son:
And make no mistake: in the context of that culture, the father’s action of running to the boy and embracing him before he even came all the way home was seen as a shameful breech of decorum. In the jaded perspective of the scribes and Pharisees, this was just one more thing that added to the father’s shame. For one thing, noblemen in that culture did not run. Running was for little boys and servants. Grown men did not run–especially men of dignity and importance.
A huge theme of the book is how much grace the father extends to the prodigal son. The first half of the book explains how offensive and sinful the actions of the prodigal son was. In fact the name “prodigal” explains a huge part of what that living was like:
The word is used in Luke 15:13 in the New King James Version, where we are told his younger brother “wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” The Greek term there is asotos, meaning wastefulness–but don’t get the notion that the Prodigal’s dominant character flaw was merely that he was a spendthrift. As we’ll soon see, the Greek expression is much stronger than that, conveying strong overtones of licentiousness, promiscuity, and moral debauchery.
The young man is a classic illustration of an undisciplined young person who wastes the best part of his life through extravagant self-indulgence and becomes a slave to his own lust and sin. He is a living picture of the course of sin and how it inevitably debases the sinner.
MacArthur takes us phrase by phrase through the parable and how the younger son degrades both his and his father’s honor with each action he takes. It degrades all the way to the point in which the son desires to eat the garbage the pigs are eating. And it is truely shocking the context that MacArthur ties here:
They start by collecting massive amounts of garbage from the Las Vegas strip, where several tons of spoiled or leftover food are thrown away daily from the casinos’ extravagant buffets. Those leftovers are systematically gathered and hauled to the pig farm in enormous slop trucks.
In the desert heat, by the time the garbage arrives at the farm, it has already blended into a tank of nauseating semiliquid stew. The stench from so much decomposing food must likewise be virtually unbearable. The slop is poured onto a kind of flumelike conveyor system where workers take out as many pieces as possible of various plastic food containers and other nonbiodegradables. The steam of spoiled food is channeled into a two-story-tall kettle, where the whole mess is cooked in order to eliminate the worst bacteria. The resulting goulash is then allowed to cool. By then it’s a nondescript, chunky, globby, bile-colored goo.
Knowing this context of how pig food is made, it gives a whole world of meaning to the fact the prodigal son wished to eat the slop of the pigs. You can see the desperation he has and the hunger he had for something to satisfy him; even if it was temporary.
The story then flips to the father and his abounding grace to the repentant prodigal son. He runs us through how crazy it was for the father to instantly welcome his disobedient and sinful son. He tells of his fathers unending lovingkindness in instantly restoring the son into the family. And he explains us the implications of the father providing sandals, a ring, and the choice robe.
The ultimate purpose is not to talk about the father’s redeeming grace and the joy the prodigal son has in receiving that grace. (Though it is a wonderful truth spoken) The real aim MacArthur is going for is the warnings shown by the elder son; how the father extends the same sufficient grace to him. The difference here is that the elder son rejects this grace and is oblivious due to his self-righteous pride. His response to the father shows how much disdain he has:
The elder son’s self-assessment is one of the most telling aspects of his whole rant. Listen as he expresses the typical hyperinflated self-image of a religious hypocrite: “I never transgressed your commandment at any time” (v. 29). He sounds like the rich young ruler who listened to Jesus’ summary of the Ten Commandments and then blithely replied, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20)
Where does this disdain and distrust lead? How does the story end when the pride of the elder son is examined by the father? This parable simply has no ending. MacArthur points out who he is telling the story to, which is the self-righteous Pharisees. These are the people he meant to offend continuously with the details in the parable. The abrupt ending was to force the pharisees to realize that this parable was for them. They needed to examine themselves and see what Jesus was telling them. So how did they really respond?
They simply responded how God intended them to respond to make complete the gospel at the cross. The elder son beats the father to death. This is a sobering thought, at least for me. This book has forced me to examine myself and my pride. Do I examine my sinful ways only to come to the father like the prodigal or do I stay in my pride and reject the offer of grace from the Father? Thank God for grace and his sufficient lovingkindness and faithfulness.
This is a great book and a recommended read to give yourself more of an arsenal in thinking about the parable of the Prodigal son.
April 29, 2008 at 5:20 pm · Filed under Around the Horn
How will you use your economic stimulus money?
Clue: Nobody in the world will see you spend your money on yourself and conclude that Christ is your treasure. They will assume you are just like them, no matter how loudly you thank God for this boon. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend it on yourself (the way we do with most of what we earn). Not everything we do can look different from the world—eat, pay utilities, fill up the car, wear clothes (even thrift-store clothes). And yes, we hope (somehow) that spending on ourselves in some way contributes to our being more Christ-exalting people.
I think this principle applies not only to our economic stimulus, but our standard paychecks. Do we simply fall into the mold of the “world”? Or do we have hearts that yearn for the glory of God?
Calvinism vs Armenianism
No theological tradition has cornered the market on arrogance. I have been accused of it (sometimes, I fear, with very good reason). Yet there seems to be – though I’m sure that what I say here is highly fallible – an amazing quantity of it among the New Calvinists. I’ve been told that my resistance to “the doctrines of grace” (no hubris in that label?) is a sign of my probable reprobation. I’ve had the senior pastor of a fine evangelical church tell me that although we were welcome to attend, I could not expect to be involved in any way because I was not “Reformed” – even though this particular church was not confessionally Reformed at all (their official statement of faith was generically evangelical).
It’s such a shame when our gospel becomes calvinism or armenianism, losing the actual sight of the gospel that Jesus proclaimed and carried out. Yes, these views affect, in very important ways, our view of God and our view of the gospel. But no matter which side we land, we should not be judgemental or prideful in our actions. Let the gospel offend, not the ideals of calvinism or armenianism.
Principles for architecting a church
The Bible says that Jesus is the Senior Pastor of every church—whether he’s given credit or not—and that he should be honored as such.
I have never thought of it that way, but it is very true. Jesus is the senior pastor. We need to look to him for leadership, for guidance. There is no one else qualified for such position. Only Jesus has full knowledge and control of the church and is the only one who can be trusted in prayer.
April 28, 2008 at 5:20 pm · Filed under CJ Mahaney, Commentary, Proverbs, Psalm
Sleep is often talked about negatively in the church today. We examine sleep from the perspective of laziness. That too much sleep or rest is to take away or have hearts not focused on God, but more on yourself. While partially true (there is a limit to how much you should sleep — not 12 hours!), I would argue that sleep is not only a gift from God above, but it is also a way to show trust and faith in our great God.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
-Psalm 127:1,2
There are two things to notice here.
1. Sleep is a gift from God: “for he gives to his beloved sleep.”
Sleep is given to us! God has created sleep for our own good. Not only has God given us sleep as a gift, he gives it lovingly, as shown by the term of endearment “beloved”.
2. To stay awake in anxiousness is vain. “eating the bread of anxious toil”
Notice the build up to the phrase “for he gives to his beloved sleep.” Since our LORD is in full, complete, and sufficient control, why do we lay awake anxious? Do we really trust in our sovereign God? This psalm by Solomon makes it very clear that to stay up or wake early in anxiousness is a clear distrust in the control our father in heaven has over all things.
Proverbs 3:24 expands on this point:
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
So, when we lay to slumber, do we think about God? Do we praise God for the ability to fall into slumber and not be anxious about work, school, family, friends, “enemies”, failures, successes? God has provided us with sleep as a gift, and if we trust in his goodness and sufficiency, our sleep can be sweet for the glory of His name.
(For more on biblical understanding of sleep, check out C.J. Mahaney’s message on sleep here).
April 24, 2008 at 4:07 pm · Filed under Commentary, Psalm, Thomas Brooks
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
-Psalm 43:5
Why am I ever downcast with any despair? Don’t I see the hope in God. Don’t I see the moments when i shall praise and worship Him fully in his presence. God has given me salvation, I should praise and hope in Him forevermore!
“That Christian who has free grace, who has free justification, who has the mediatorial righteousness of Christ, who has the satisfaction of Christ, who has the covenant of grace most constantly in his sight, and most frequently warm upon his heart—that Christian, of all Christians in the world, is most free from a world of fears, and doubts, and scruples which do sadden, sink, perplex, and press down a world of other Christians, who daily eye more what Christ is a-doing in them, and what they are a-doing for Christ, than they do eye either his active or passive obedience.
Christ has done great things for his people, and he has suffered great things for his people, and he has purchased great things for his people, and he has prepared great things for his people; yet many of his own dear people are so taken up with their own hearts, and with their own duties and graces, that Christ is little eyed by them or minded by them!
This is the great reason why so many Christians, who will certainly go to heaven—do walk in darkness, and lie down in sorrow.”
- Thomas Brooks, A Cabinet of Choice Jewels
April 23, 2008 at 10:05 pm · Filed under C.S. Lewis, Commentary, Micah
God’s Steadfast Love and Compassion
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.
You will show faithfulness to Jacob
and steadfast love to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old.
-Micah 7:18-20
Time and time again I can testify to how God has saved me from the depths of my sin, how God has showed me grace unending. I feel like I am Israel, constantly turning my face from God’s grace and finding pleasure in the mundane and meaningless. C.S. Lewis puts it best, we are far too easily pleased:
Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
However, I have much to be joyful for and much to be happy about, because time and again God extends grace. God keeps me. God sustains me. Praise God, for his steadfast love endureth forever.
Do you praise God enough for grace undeserved?
April 22, 2008 at 5:40 pm · Filed under Around the Horn
Bibleman, you’re my hero! …
The heart of the show is the fight sequences, typically involving a darkened warehouse (all the better to obscure the lackluster choreography) and Bibleman swatting away CGI fireballs with his lightsaber while announcing, “Isaiah 54:17 says ‘no weapon forged against me will prosper!’” Every now and then, Bibleman shares a lesson with his sidekicks, as when he laments that people “allow their minds to cover up what God has placed on their hearts”—a near perfect pitch for the common evangelical notion that feelings are to be trusted above rational discernment, a belief that many nonevangelicals would be distressed to hear is being passed on to eight year-olds.
As funny as Bibleman sounds, if I had a kid, I think I actually might prefer him to watch Bibleman than to watch Pokemon. Reciting verses is way better than reciting Pokemon stats.
Atheists going to church?
Well it is certainly true that science and reason do not make hospital visits, but it is difficult to see how a church of unbelievers would offer much comfort. McManus’ article begins with Richard Dawkins poking fun at the idea that belief in God offers solace. “Isn’t that a little childish?” he asked. Atheism just doesn’t have much to offer when it comes to spiritual assurance. How could it?
Isn’t it funny how some atheists desire a church or a place to gather together? It is their God-given desire to have true fellowship, however, they won’t have true fellowship unless it is met with Christ in mind.
God uses whom He pleases to use
The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” (Judges 7:2)
John Piper writes of a great reminder that numbers hardly mean anything in God’s book. He is in full control no matter if big or small. He can use anything for his grand purpose, weak or strong. I believe that God has done great things in our fellowship both when it is full of attendees in summer and when it is low in numbers when everyone is away at school. God is good.
Interracial Marriage, what does the bible say?
The New Testament strongly emphasizes the unity of the human race (all are sinners; all are in need of salvation; God is not the respecter of any person; all are saved through faith in Christ; all are one in Jesus Christ). Colossians 3:11 clearly says that salvation puts off the old barriers that separated people — we now have “A renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.” In Christ all previous religious, cultural, and social barriers are destroyed.
This is a very interesting article by John MacArthur on understanding what the bible says about interracial marriage. The best point made is that there really is no definition of race after the new testament. We are all sinners and all in dire need of God.
April 21, 2008 at 7:14 pm · Filed under Around the Horn
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the Earth!
My answer is that the magnitude of the universe is not meant to correlate with the image, but with the Original. The heavens are not designed to declare the glory of man. “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalms 19:1). The point of the universe is that God is great and man is infinitely less great.
John Piper writes a good reminder of the purpose to the creation of the universe. It is easy to get lost in the wonder and beauty of space and feel but a small speck compared to the planets created trillions of miles away. And, so true that we are but a spec, because the purpose of the universe is to declare the majesty and glory of God. If the universe seemingly expands boundaries forever, how much more so is our God limitless, the creator of this the whole universe.
Our rebellion to God’s authority
The issue of authority is a tough one even for adults. A few weeks ago my friend, my son and I went to the home opener for the Toronto Blue Jays. It turned out to be kind of a rowdy game with people running onto the field and others getting dragged out of the stands due to poor behavior. At one point, just a section over from us, a man was hauled out by the police. As soon as an officer showed up the crowd started chanting, “Let him stay! Let him stay!” They jeered at the officer and at the security guards. They laughed at the authorities, threw things at them, and did all they could to mock and belittle them. Their hatred of authority was tangible; it was alarming for those of us who remained sober and who, with our senses about us, knew that only authority holds off the utter breakdown of society. Our human sinfulness causes our hearts to rebel at the first sign of authority. So often we obey only with great reluctance and with our hearts in utter rebellion.
This is a sobering reminder from Tim Challies about the fact that we often act like children in response to our sins. We defy the ultimate authority, which is God. We pout, we make excuses, we ignore. This is all because our child-like minds can’t see to God’s grand purpose of pulling us closer into his presence.
Imago Dei
The problem with each of these is Romans 1:25, which says idolatry is worshiping anything created. By taking an aspect of our being over and above the rest, we are guilty of worshiping created things such as our body, mind, emotions, soul, or culture instead of the Creator God who makes all things.
Pastor Mark Driscoll gives a very educational write up on the doctrine of imago dei (”Image of God”). There is a lot of great things in the article that teach us about how the doctrine of imago dei is applied in our lives. I also like how the article sets the tone that even though we are made in the image of God, we still have no claim to greatness or pride. We fall very short of the glory of God. Priase the LORD we have hope in Christ.
April 18, 2008 at 4:27 pm · Filed under Around the Horn
Morals vs Values
No thinking person can ignore the massive and seemingly insoluble moral debates that plague our society and frame national debate. When the most basic issues of life, sexuality, family, marriage, and moral responsibility are up for grabs, the nation has reached a testing point of unprecedented proportions. Given the confusion, only the most radical relativist can celebrate our current state of moral affairs.
What is the difference between morals and values? Has culture blurred the lines? Do you still grasp unto the global moral standards set by God? Or do we set our own standard, our own values?
Piper in Kenya
At Moffatt Bible College in Kijabe, for example, the librarian gave me a tour. One set of double doors opened to the textbook closet. Most students can’t afford to buy books for their classes, so here they can check out the required texts for the term. In the center of the center shelf was a stack of The Supremacy of God in Preaching.
It’s great to see God using Pastor John Piper to have his preaching of God’s word affect Kenya. His wife Noel Piper is visiting Kenya and is noticing the teaching and writings of Pastor John Piper around the bible college. It is even more great to know that the message about the supremacy of God is being told among all nations.
When to Baptize Your Kids
The Bible does not put an age requirement on baptism. But it does describe water baptism as a post-conversion act of identification with Christ. In Acts 2:38, Peter emphasized repentance as a corollary to baptism. In verse 41 of that same chapter, Luke records that it was “those who had received his word” that were baptized. Acts 16:34 indicates that the Philippian Jailer’s household believed before they were baptized. Colossians 2:11-12, 1 Peter 3:18-21, and other passages associate baptism with saving faith; and even the order of the Great Commission puts “making disciples” before “baptizing them” (Matt. 28:19).
What does the bible say in regards to baptism and children? What does the bible say about infant baptism? I haven’t really researched too much into this before, but I’m convinced scripture talks about being a believer in Christ before being baptized. I will definitely do more digging on the subject though.
April 17, 2008 at 4:01 pm · Filed under Around the Horn
Give thanks to God, for He is good!
And it’s not just a mediocre, sometimes-there, tiny stream of goodness. No, as a Christian, I’ve got a future that’s full of God’s abundant, overflowing goodness. Each day, for the next week, and year, and decade, I will experience God’s goodness. Will I experience hardship? Yes. Will I endure painful trials. Without a doubt. But all of these experiences will be sweetened by the goodness of God. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know it will be good.
I’ve been reading through all instances of when God has shown mercy in the bible and all instances of the word “steadfast love”. Stephen writes a really great testimony to how great and good our God is. In fact, scripture tells us that God “abounds in steadfast love” and he is “slow to anger”. Throughout scripture we also see how great God sustains his people and shows goodness. (Once I finish my studies, it will be my first series of articles on this site explaining the different aspects of the mercy of God.)
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever
Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
-Psalm 118:1-4
Creationism (6 Views)
Before we jump in, I would like to stress that Genesis was not written as a scientific textbook. Rather, it is a theological narrative written to reveal the God of creation, which means it emphasizes God, not creation. As one example, Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
The topic of creationism is such an intriguing topic to me. It always emphasizes how great and how “large and in cotrol” our God is. I think how we view the creation of the world, definitely effects how we view the sovereignty of God. I really like how Pastor Mark writes this article to explain the views of creationism, but emphasizes that, regardless, our God is THE creator. No way do I believe in chance.
Proverbs and Parenting
The book of Proverbs is a wonderful, intensely practical guide that contains much wisdom you can impart to your children as you train them in godly living.
I’m not a parent, nor am I even married yet. =) But I will always take the wisdom of proverbs in my heart. Not just for parenting, but for all aspects of Christian living.
April 16, 2008 at 6:49 pm · Filed under Around the Horn
Passion for Christ
Nevertheless, if you have it, and if it is really a passion for Christ, then it will have a God-designed effect on others. This is part of why passion is so good. It is an honor to Christ, and satisfying to us, and transforming to others.
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I ama father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name.”
-Malachi 1:6
“For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.”
-Malachi 1:11
What if we get an ungodly president?
We should pray fervently for leaders who will fear and seek the Lord, and fight for the rights of the unborn. But if an ungodly or pro-abortion president is elected, we shouldn’t fear. We should continue to pray earnestly for our country and those in authority. Don’t panic, God is in control, and he uses even wicked leaders for his own purposes. He can turn the hearts of men any way he chooses:
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will (PR 21:1).
What if someone who does not honor God get elected? I think God calls us to trust in his sovereign will. I really like how the article quotes one of my favorite bible passage; Proverbs 21:1.
Together for the Gospel
Audio streaming for sermons preached at the Together for the Gospel conference are being adding in the link above. I haven’t heard any of them yet, but I’m sure there is good teaching to be found.
« Previous entries ·
Next entries »
