Church Matters

Recently, our pastor, associate pastor, and I have begun working on our church constitution/by-laws/covenant/statement of faith, and I have been digging around a little in some of the examples posted below. 9 Marks, a ministry of Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church, I recently discovered, has launched a new blog called Church Matters, and several posters on that blog are current or former Cliftonites like Dee Reju and Jonathan Leeman. Despite some playful banter, the blog seems dedicated to challenging discussions about what a biblical church should look like.

Blue Light Special on Piper Books!

I just noticed on the Desiring God Blog that all of DG's books will be on sale for $5 each Wednesday and Thursday, June 27-28. I am particularly interested in reading:

• Future Grace
• Brothers We Are Not Professionals
• What Jesus Demands from the World
• Seeing and Savoring Christ
• Suffering and the Sovereignty of God
• When I Don't Desire God
• Don't Waste Your Life
• God is the Gospel
• The Hidden Smile of God
• A God Entranced Vision of All Things
• The Supremacy of God in Preaching
• and, of course, Los Deleites de Dios

Just kidding; that last one is the Spanish version of The Pleasures of God. So, that's only ... $60. Maybe I can afford one or two.

Wishing for more time and money,

Todd

Rated R?

Jake Tipton is selling t-shirts with the following text in a movie rating design:

R | REFORMED
Explicit Calvinistic Language
Christocentric Themes
Strong References to Sovereignty

I want one! :)

Sermon Soundtracks?

I recently visited Founders Ministries Blog to read about a recent theological conflict brewing in the Florida Baptist Convention, and I stumbled upon a link to Relevant Revolution. What is this "Relevant Revolution," you ask. Well, if you have ever watched a Hollywood blockbuster, you know that the soundtrack is one key element to the telling of the story. Interestingly, John Mahshie has merged engaging beats with biblical exposition from great preachers like Alistair Begg and John Piper. These sermons are aimed at today's culturally relevant unbelievers, and with them Mahshie is seeking to fulfill Romans 10:14. Check out Sermon Jams.

Maybe we can get Gabe home from the military and he can mix up some stuff for Roger's sermons. :)

Jamin' to the gospel of our Lord and King,

Todd

Biblical Christians

The Apostle Paul gives believers several commands in Romans 12:9-21 that are characteristic of a true Christian. This passage has several themes including how a true Christian should relate to other believers. Let’s examine Paul’s instructions on how we should treat one another. “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor (v10).” “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality (v13).” “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (v15).” “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited (v16).”

Here we have Scriptural commands from God on how to treat one another. How often do we consider the Bible when we think and act? Do we simply allow our emotions to control our thoughts? Do we choose to love and honor one another, or do we give in to our selfishness and pride? Do we contribute to the needs of others? Do we practice the ministry of hospitality? Do we really feel each other’s pain? Do we rejoice in the good fortune of our brothers and sisters, or are we jealous?

We must remember that we do not obey these commands to earn God’s favor; we obey these commands to honor the name of Christ, the one who sacrificed his place as King in heaven to be born poor, grow up doing hard labor, be rejected by his own people, and be murdered by the very people he loved. Jesus Christ died for his enemies; you and me. And now Paul gives us instructions on how to show others evidence of our trust in Christ.

We might ask, “How can I possibly live up to the demands of Scripture?” The answer is we can’t without relying on the Holy Spirit, spending time nourishing our spirits in Bible reading and prayer, and encouraging one another in fellowship.

With “brotherly affection,”

Todd Young

Church Constitutions and Covenants

OK, it's been over a month since I posted last, and I don't understand why it is so hard to be more consistent! So, our church is planning to work on a new constitution and covenant this summer and I am trying to find some good examples. Here are a few that I have come across:

• Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC - Constitution, Covenant, Statement of Faith
• Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN - Constitution (and By-Laws), Covenant, Elder Affirmation of Faith, Congregational Affirmation of Faith , Pastors' Covenant
  
• Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, CA - Doctrinal Statement, Bylaws, and Distinctives
• Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, FL - Constitution, Bylaws, Covenant, Articles of Faith
• Parkside Church (Not Baptist), Chagrin Falls, OH (outside Cleveland) - Constitution
• Clifton Baptist Church, Louisville, KY - Constitution, Covenant, Core Values, Statement of Faith

If you know of other Reformed Baptist churches that have exemplary church constitutions and/or covenants, etc., please post a comment with the name, location, and website.

Looking forward to this big challenge,

Todd

Where Our Tax Dollars Go

Check out this great interactive chart detailing how U. S. tax dollars are divvied up.

I think I need a refund.

Todd

An Interesting Experiment on Gun Control

I am not normally interested in political debate, simply because it turns ugly too fast. I would prefer to discuss topics in a civil manner. That being said, I just found an interesting article that seems to give some interesting evidence to support the peoples' right to bear arms.

The article compares two cities in the U. S. One city, Kennesaw, GA, requires "each head of household to own and maintain a gun." The other city, Morton Grove, IL, banned all firearms in the city except for police officers.

You will have to read the article for the results of the experiment.

Thinking about moving to Kennesaw...

Todd

"Most Influential Books" -- Russell Moore

Recently I had the opportunity to communicate with Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, executive director of the Carl F. H. Henry Institute, and a former professor:

Me: "Dr. Moore, what books would you consider most influential in your life?"

Dr. Moore:

• Irenaeus, On the Apostolic Preaching
• Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew
• C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
• Tom Nettles and Russ Bush, Baptists and the Bible
• George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel and the Kingdom
• Carl F.H. Henry, Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism
• Walker Percy, Love in the Ruins
• Wendell Berry, Life is a Miracle

Thank you Dr. Moore; we look forward to reading these!

"Top Ten Great Christian Biographies"

I recently posted the book list Dr. Michael Haykin sent me in response to my question, "Which books have been most influential in your life?" Dr. Mohler has recently posted ten of the top great Christian Biographies on his blog, including biographies on the lives of Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Lloyd-Jones.

In addition, I recently received book recommendations from several of my professors, and I plan to post these soon.

Looks like it's time to get reading...

Todd

Disgusting Media

So, am I the only one who feels disgusted at how the media is handling this Virginia Tech shooting? Part of me feels like I did when the WTC towers were destroyed, starving for more information, trying to understand why and how such a thing might happen, but the media is constantly forcing my attention to how the campus authorities should have handled the situation better, or how this shooting might impact gun control laws. It makes me sick! They are like attack dogs, trying to find the slightest angle to accuse someone for wrong-doing, placing blame on someone for such a terrible crime.

How about we place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the murderer? Of course he was troubled, and I'm sure he was terribly impacted by his environment, but why do we think we must blame all this on anything else but the person who committed the crime?

I personally see quite clearly the logic behind the decisions of the campus authorities to not shut down the school; murders happen (grievously) on a regular basis, and when they are tied to a domestic disturbance, there is usually not additional aftermath like the VT shootings. I read the VT description of the events and decisions as they took place, and I don't think I have any criticisms.

But then I wouldn't be a very good reporter, would I?

Grieving the loss of invaluable lives,

Todd

Christ-Centered Bioethics

So, last night at church, we were planning to dive back into a study on the book of Kings, but due to technical difficulties we decided to have an "Ask Anything Sunday" service (kinda like Dr. Mohler's "Ask Anything Wednesday" radio show, only not on the radio, and not with Dr. Mohler).

One question that caused many of us to stop and think was, "Is it right to use birth control to decide how many and when we have children, or should we simply trust God with the number and timing?" This question hit home with me because recently my wife asked me the same question after reading a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. In the book entitled Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free!, DeMoss claims that one lie women believe is that they should have any deciding role in family planning. She argues that family planning should be God's prerogative.

So, I was thankful that we were able to approach this question thoughtfully last night. No one, however, had solid logical, fully biblical, and convincing arguments for or against non-abortive birth control. We moved on from the question leaving the choice up to the personal conviction of the family.

Thankfully, brother Justin found this great article on John Piper's web site. "John Piper and most of the pastors on staff believe that non-abortive forms of birth control are permissible," and they make several great points to support their position. First, they argue that just because children are good gifts from the Lord we should not necessarily seek as many of these good gifts as possible, just like a wife is a good gift from the Lord (Proverbs 18:22), but it is not necessarily wrong to stay single. If we are focused on kingdom purposes, we are free to manage the resources God gives us.

Second, they argue, birth control is no guarantee that a couple will not have a child. We don't shun haircuts so God can determine the length of our hair, and farmers don't necessarily cultivate every acre of land that they own (especially if they have lots of land). God actually desires for us to manage his creation for his glory. "God very often causes us to plan as the means towards improving our lives and advancing His kingdom purposes."

There are other very good arguments in this article that support the view that birth control is permissible and may even be considered a blessing from God if used for the right reasons.

Thankful for freedom in Christ and God's sovereign rule over this world,

Todd

Book Recommendations by Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin

I recently requested a list of books from my current professor of Personal Spiritual Disciplines, and he provided me the following list:

15 Key Books in Christian Spirituality
(arranged chronologically)

• The Letter to Diognetus
• Augustine's Confessions
• Confession of St. Patrick
• On Spiritual Friendship by Ailred of Rievaulx
• The Book of Common Prayer by Thomas Cranmer
• On the Mortification of Sin in Believers by John Owen
• On Religious Affections by Jonathon Edwards
• The Hymns of Charles Wesley
• The Olney Hymns by John Newton and William Cowper
• Letters by John Newton
• The Hymns and Letters of Ann Griffiths
• The Memoirs of Samuel Pearce by Andrew Fuller
• Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• The Weight of Glory by C. S. Lewis
• Desiring God by John Piper

Puritan Interpretation - Six Questions to Ask of the Text

J. I. Packer, in his book A Quest for Godliness, suggests six questions one must ask the text in order to interpret the text faithfully (like the Puritans):

1. What do these words actually mean?
2. What light do other Scriptures throw on this text? Where and how does it fit into the total biblical revelation?
3. What truths does it teach about God, and about man in relation to God?
4. How are these truths related to the saving work of Christ, and what light does the gospel of Christ throw upon them?
5. What experiences do these truths delineate, or explain, or seek to create or cure? For what practical purpose do they stand in Scripture?
6. How do they apply to myself and others in our own actual situation? To what present human condition do they speak, and what are they telling us to believe and do?

These are important questions for the faithful preacher or teacher to answer; may God grant us to be more like the redwoods.

May we all be more influenced by the Puritans,

Todd

Entirely For Us

I listened to a sermon this morning by John Piper on Romans 8:28-32, and once again God helped me understand clearly that he is "entirely for us":

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). God is entirely for us, and never against us. None of our sicknesses is a judgment from a condemning judge. None of our broken cars or failed appliances is a punishment from God. None of our marital strife is a sign of his wrath. None of our lost jobs is a penalty for sin. None of our wayward children is a crack of the whip of God’s retribution. If we are in Christ. No. God is for us, not against, in and through all things – all ease and all pain.

What a blessing! If God is for us, who can ultimately prevail against us?!?!

Enjoying God,

Todd

The Gospel: Puritan Style

I am reading a book by J. I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness; The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life, and I wanted to post an interesting statement reflecting the views of the Puritans regarding the gospel:

The Puritan position was that only God, by his Spirit, through his word, can bring sinners to faith, and that he does this, not to our order, but according to his own free purpose. Our evangelistic practice, the Puritans would say, must be in accord with this truth. Modes of action which imply another doctrine cannot be approved.

The Puritan position seems [undoubtedly] biblical, and ... its implications are of great importance for the reforming of inherited evangelistic traditions today. It implies, to start with, that all devices for exerting psychological pressure in order to precipitate 'decisions' must be [avoided], as being in truth presumptuous attempts to intrude into the province of the Holy Ghost. It means, further, that to [renounce] such devices is no loss, since their use can contribute nothing whatever to the effectiveness of evangelistic preaching. Indeed, it will in the long run detract from it; for while psychological pressures, skillfully handled, may produce the outward form of 'decision', they cannot bring about regeneration and a change of heart, and when the 'decisions' wear off those who registered them will be found 'gospel-hardened' and antagonistic. Such forcing of tactics can only do damage, perhaps incalculable damage, to men's souls. It follows, therefore, that high-speed evangelism is not a valid option. Evangelism must rather be conceived as a long-term enterprise of patient teaching and instruction, in which God's servants seek simply to be faithful in delivering the gospel message and applying it to human lives, and leave it to God's Spirit to draw men to faith through this message in his own way and at his own speed.

How does the Spirit work? Does he authentically work through our begging people to walk an aisle, or does he work most powerfully through the preaching of God's word? "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).

What do you mean I’m Jewish?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was one of the most famous preachers in England. He was a pastor in London from 1854 until he died in 1892. Spurgeon was the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, a church some call the first modern “megachurch.” Not only did he preach several sermons per week, he also was a prolific writer. In 1865, he began editing a magazine called The Sword and the Trowel. The title of the magazine refers to the way Nehemiah instructed the people of Israel to both stand guard and work to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem. I often wondered why they chose that title, until I realized that believers are Jewish.

“Funny,” you might say, “I don’t remember being Jewish.” Well, if you are a believer you are. Romans 2:28-29 tells us, “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” So, believers in Christ are born again into his family, the true Israel.

“Ok, so I’m Jewish. What’s the point?” Well, like Abraham, God rescued us from idolatry (Genesis 11:27-31; Abram was Chaldean, a people known to worship a moon goddess named Sin) and made a covenant with us so that we would be his people and he would be our God. And the sign of this new covenant was circumcision of the heart instead of physical circumcision. The point of all this is that the Jewish people in the Old Testament weren’t the people of God; they were a foreshadowing of what God would do through Jesus Christ. And we have a much better covenant than the first Israel.

So now we can read the Old Testament in a new light!

Actually, The Takamine EG461SC

I posted about a guitar I was targeting last month, the Takamine EG361SC; I have since selected that guitar's sibling, the EG461SC. The 461 is made from the same materials but has quite a different (and even more attractive) shape, and produces a similar and more balanced sound.

I began to learn to play on a friend's Epiphone (thanks Jeff), and while his guitar had a decent sound, it helped me to appreciate the ease of playing a better guitar. The strings on the Epiphone were quite difficult to fret, and the difference between his guitar and my new Takamine is a welcome change.

I have been "playing" now for about two months, and I have made great strides! I have progressed far beyond what I thought possible in this time period; that being said, however, I still cannot play the silly thing well enough to play in front of an audience. I still take much too long to change between chords. But I am making progress; if it used to take me five seconds to change between chords, maybe it takes me two or three now. Hopefully I will be able to contribute with this guitar in worship before too long.

Speaking of contributing in worship, it looks like I might get to participate with a different instrument; a bass guitar. Our church recently purchased a Yamaha RBX170 electric bass because our bass player is joining the military. I have practiced a little with the new bass, and I am able to apply the very little I know about the guitar to the bass and contribute in a significant way! I am really excited to be able to play in the band! Here's a pic of the RBX170:

An Appraoch to the Extended Memorization of Scripture

Dr. Andy Davis spoke at a chapel service at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary this past semester, and he brought with him a box full of booklets he had written on "An Approach to the Extended Memorization of Scripture." Rumor has it that Dr. Davis has memorized the entire New Testament, and is working on portions of the Old Testament.

I am amazed by this extensive exercise, but at the same time I am terribly shamed. I have often struggled in my adult life to memorize Bible verses, and I often struggle to remember the words to a song I might be singing, and yet David lets us in on a secret to combating sin in Psalm 119:11; "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

May God have mercy on us for our laziness and toleration of sin.

The Takamine EG361SC

Well, I think I have found the guitar for me. I never knew all the variables involved in producing great, rich sound from a guitar! Rosewood, apparently, is the Cadillac wood of guitars, and the sound it produces is much deeper and louder than most others. I think the Takamine EG361SC is my best bet for the money, and I have not played a guitar in its price range that comes close to the beautiful sound this guitar produces.

I have been practicing the guitar for almost two weeks. A good friend at work let me borrow a guitar that he learned on, and I've been playing almost every day. My fingers are starting to become calloused, but my inability to put together the chords fast enough to play a song really irks me! The guitar I am playing on is a bit difficult to play, and I am really looking forward to practicing on this guitar!

One Way Christianity Is Different

I am reading a compilation of three of John Owen's works entitled Overcoming Sin & Temptation, edited by Kelly M. Kapic and Justin Taylor. Owen, in the first work, Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, contrasts the work of the Spirit in "killing sin" with the normal way by which most of us try to be better Christians:

Mortification from a self-strength, carried on by ways of self-invention, unto the end of a self-righteousness, is the soul and substance of all false religion in the world.

Are you trying to be a better Christian by making yourself better? This is not biblical. Romans 8 tells us that the Spirit will do this in our lives.

Now, I have an idea that Bible intake and meditation play a big part in this, but I'll have to keep reading.

Two More Classes Down

I just completed two more classes on my way to a Masters degree from Southern Seminary. This was possibly one of the most difficult semesters I have taken. By the grace of God, I completed Elementary Greek and Church History I. Hopefully, I will have more time now to blog occasionally.

Esteeming Others More Highly...

"Try to be patient in bearing with the failings and weaknesses of other people, whatever they may be. You too have many faults, which others have to endure. If you cannot make yourself the kind of person that you wish, how can you expect to have someone else to your liking? We want perfection in other people, and yet we do not put right our own failings. It is clear how rarely we apply to our neighbors the same standards as to ourselves."
-- Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, 1.16

Forgive us, Heavenly Father.

Modern Hymns - "Oh To See the Dawn" or "The Power of the Cross"

Keith Getty and Stewart Townsend have written many modern hymns, incorporating sound biblical theology and new tunes. Many people recognize the Getty/Townsend song, "In Christ Alone"; here are the words to another awesome, truth-filled hymn:

Oh to see the dawn
Of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary
Tried by sinful men
Torn and beaten then
Nailed to a cross of wood

CHORUS:
This the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross

Oh to see the pain
Written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Every bitter thought
Every evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow

Now the daylight flees
Now the groun beneath
Quakes as it's Maker bows His head
Curtain torn in two
Dead are raised to life
Finished the victory cry

Oh to see my name
Written in the wounds
For through Your suffering I am free
Death is crushed to death
Life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love

FINAL CHORUS:
This the power of the cross
Son of god slain for us
What a love What a cost
We stand forgiven at the cross

What an incredible testimony to the torture and death of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. With his obedience from birth to unjust death, Christ earned the right to sit on the throne of heaven and rule for all eternity, and by the power of the cross we too will reign with Christ for all eternity!!!

What Was Said To The Rose?

I have been listening to some of David Crowder's music (a Christian artist), and I have noticed that his music seems to reflect some great reformation influence. One line I wanted to share is this:

And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
was said to me here in my chest so be quiet now and rest...

I cannot think of any other way to interpret this line, especially in the context of the song, Here Is Our King:

Here is our King, here is our Lord, here is our God who's come to bring us
back to Him;
He is the one, He is Jesus.
He is our King, He is our Lord, He is our God who's come to bring us back
to Him;
He is the one, He is Jesus.

Another section from another song (Wholly Yours) from the same album (A Collision) also points to reformation theology:

I am full of earth, you are heaven's worth,
I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity
And you are everything that is bright and clean, the antonym of me, you are
divinity
But the certain sign of grace is this,
That from the broken earth, flowers come, pushing through the dirt...

I praise God for lyrics like this on the radio! May God be praised among the nations!