Calvin on Prayer

In his commentary on Psalm 10, John Calvin writes:

“It should always be observed, that the use of praying is, that  God may be the witness of all our affections; not that they would otherwise be hidden from him, but when we pour out our hearts before him, our cares are hereby greatly lightened, and our confidence of obtaining our requests increases.”

The Reformed Church in America is Growing!

News from the General Synod is that the RCA is growing.  In fact, 10,000 people have been added to the denomination.  Surely, this is in part due to the recent church planting and revitalization initiative.  

The Samaritan Woman and Repentence

In John 4, it is recorded that Jesus knows about the woman’s relationships, that she has had 5 husbands and the one she is living with currently is not her husband.  Yet, unlike the beloved, though highly questioned as to its authority or accuracy, story of John 8 where Jesus instructs the lady to “sin no more” there is no admonition for her to have this man “move out.”  Yet, because of her testimony many Samaritans believed.  This certainly raises some questions of how to approach relationships pastorally where a newly converted Christian is living with their partner.  I am curious of anyone’s opinions on this.  

Update

For those interesting in what I might be reading now, I have updated my Currently page.  

Worship and Mission: A short quote by N.T. Wright

“Worship is nothing more nor less than love on its knees before the beloved; just as mission is love on its feet to serve the beloved” (9). - For All God’s Worth

Calvin and Use of Language

A large stumbling block for the Church has always been language, especially when discussing the more mysterious doctrines.  In discussing the Trinity, John Calvin humbly submits, “I am not so minutely precise as to fight furiously for mere words” (I.13.5).  Prior to saying this he denounces heretics, and after this he shows how many of the Orthodox scholars after and during the great debates and ecumenical councils of the Church continued to question the precise language used in denouncing the early heretics as shown in the creeds that were born from them.  May the Church continue to tread lightly in “fighting furiously for mere words,” while we pursue the peace, purity and UNITY of the Body.  He later says:

“The modesty of these holy men (those who questioned the language used) should be an admonition to us not instantly to dip our pen in gal, and sternly denounce those who may be unwilling to swear to the terms which we have devised, provided they…are will to ponder the necessity which compels us so to speak, and may thus become gradually accustomed to a useful form of expression.”

Mary, mother of Jesus, & Pentecost

A few questions for the online community:

Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the women were with the disciples in “the upper room” waiting as Jesus had told them to (Acts 1:12-14).  And in 2:1 Luke writes that “they were all together in one place.”  Did the Spirit fall upon Mary and the women?  Did they speak in other languages with the disciples?  If your opinion is that they did, does this have any bearing about women’s roles in the church?  

You are invited to join the discussion…

On the Domestic Church (the family)

Here is a short, yet thought provoking post by a friend.

Going “Green” and Transforming Culture

It has been interesting to see how the language of “going green” is adopted and understood by everyone today.  In referring to everyone, I mean everyone - children to adults.  In fact, those who are in elementary school are probably more familiar with this language than many of our seniors.  First, a warning: This post is not going to be on a Christian approach to environmentalism.  Instead, I want to reflect on how it happened that “going green” is now a conviction by most.  

Pentecost and the Church Triumphant

Pessimism surely has a stronghold in the church today.  Yet, it is this season, the season of Pentecost, that should actually provoke us to boldness is working for the Kingdom - that is transforming culture.  It is clear in the entire Scriptures that wherever God is there is victory or success for the Kingdom.  The words from 2 Kings 18:7 are striking, “And the LORD was with him (Hezekiah); he was successful in whatever he undertook.”