He Was, Is and Is to Come

     Often in this Advent season two senses of advent are emphasized.  First, we see nativity scenes in many church’s lawns and in many Christian houses, and we hear many sermons on out of the early chapters of the Gospels, thus helping us to remember Jesus the Christ’s birth.  Then, often in our hymns and sermons we emphasize that he is coming again “to judge the living and the dead.”  Therefore, emphasizing two “comings.”

     Yet, there is a present tense advent that often is left out in this Advent season.  Christ comes to us even now.  This is done in various ways.  First, he has sent us his Spirit, so he can truly say, “Lo, I am with you even to the very end.”  Also, he is with us spiritually by virtue of his rule in heaven over the earth.  Thirdly, he is with us through the ” ordinary means of grace.”

     By these I mean the Sacraments (the Lord’s Supper and Baptism), the preaching of the Word, and prayer.  In these “means” Christ is presently nourishing his people and uniting them more and more to himself.  For instance, in the preaching of the Word he instructs, admonishes, condemns, convicts, feeds, and encourages his Body.  And through the Eucharistic celebration (or Lord’s Supper) he Spiritually feeds his people at his table his body and blood; thereby, making them “very bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh.”  It certainly is a mystery, but he is truly present as we are lifted to him, and he descends to sup with us.

     So as we celebrate Christ’s coming, especially in the past and future, let us not forget that he is present with us, even now, defending, nourishing, and preserving his Body that she may be presented unto him a victorious and glorious Bride.

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New Book on RCA and CRC relations

If one were to bring this topic up when around me, they would quickly find out that I am very passionate about the possibility of a RCA and CRC union.  There is a new book out on this topic; one that I really can’t wait to read.  Here is the link to the short blip the RCA has on it: http://www.rca.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?&pid=2574&srcid=2225

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The Law and Christian Worship

     With all that has been said in the previous posts on the Law of God, there is one more thing that should be noted.  In the Reformed tradition the reading of the Law has come after the Prayer of Confession and the Assurance of Pardon.  This is usually found at the beginning of the service.  This ordering of the services fits very well with the third use of the Law for Christians, as described in the last post on the application of the Law to Christians.

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The Westminster Standards and the Law of God: the use of the Law for Christians

     What work is the Christian to do?  Of what use is the law to the Christian?  Is the use of the law only for the unbeliever, as the believer is lead by the “law of the Spirit?”[1]  The Westminster Standards do emphatically extend the use of the law for the believer.[2]  This use is similar to the use to all men and the unregenerate, but it is not altogether the same.  Like the unbeliever, the law awakens and drives to Christ.

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The Westminster Standards and the Law of God: the Law is binding upon all people

     And the moral law is that which “does bind forever all (people).”[1]  And it is this aspect of the Mosaic economy that is thought of as that which is engraven on the all peoples’ hearts.  But even this definition can be confusing, showing the complexity of the law.  Yet, even in the complexity, the Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC) makes, in simple terms, the connection between the law on the hearts of Adam and Eve, the moral law, and the Ten Commandments.[2]  Thereby making the Ten Commandments the summary of the moral law[3]; moreover, making the Ten Commandments binding upon all who have them. 

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The Westminster Standards and the Law of God: The Law has always existed

(This will actually be a series of postings adopted from a paper I wrote in a class I had this past semester on the Westminster Standards.  For those of you who are not familiar with these standards, they are the doctrinal standards coming from the Presbyterian tradition.  They are a more systematic representation of  Reformed doctrine than those standards of the continental reformed churches – the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort.  These standards are very helpful and valuable, if you have not read them, I would recommend that you do.) 

Oh How I Love Your Law: An Exposition of the Westminster Standards Teachings on the Law of God (Pt. 1)

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” (Ps. 19:7) “Oh, how I love your law!  I meditate on it all day long.” (Ps. 119:97) “See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it.  Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’…And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” (Deut. 4:5-8) “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29) 

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:17-19)

     It is clear from the Scriptures quoted above that the law of God is to be held in high regard, especially among God’s people.  And the Westminster Divines, in line with most of Christian history, knew this and exemplified this understanding in the Westminster Standards.  In the system of doctrine taught in these standards the law of God has always existed, is been binding upon all humanity, and is to guide the Christian as to how he is to live.

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The RCA and Christian Education

    For the most part the Reformed Church in America has supported public education since its inception.  Yet, this was for various reasons.  For instance, in Holland, MI there is record that many thought that it was unwise to support Christian schools when schools could be set up and supported by the government, and Christianity and the tenets thereof could be taught within those walls, essentially allowing them to be the same as the parochial schools.  But this is clearly not the case today.  Christianity is blantantly attacked in the school systems, as well in other public arena’s.  Maybe it is about time for the RCA to begin to instruct that their members send their children places where their faith will be nourished and strengthen, instead of questioned, battered, and attacked. 

(I understand the arguments for and against.  I also understand there are areas in this country where Christianity can be “taught,” or at least discussed without many reprocussions.  But even in that case Christianity sits in the category as a viable option, not as the only true religion.)

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Comfort, Comfort My People: A brief look at the NT’s use of OT prophecy

     One of yesterday’s lectionary readings was from Luke 3:1-6 – this was also the text used for the sermon.  In reading this text and listening to a sermon on it, I thought it would be appropriate to make a few comments, especially Luke’s use of Isaiah 40:3-5.

     How should we read the New Testament’s (NT) use of Old Testament (OT) prophecy?  Is it merely a proof text to validate, or give authority, to their message?  Or is there more going on in what they are trying to convey?  Well, there are a few steps the reader must take in order to understand the authors use of the passage.

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Will a Real Sabbatarian Please Stand Up

I was reading the Westminster Shorter Catechism earlier today, studying for an exam on it, and it says this concerning the Sabbath:

Q. How is the sabbath to be sanctified?

A. The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.

Those who follow this today in American Christianity seem to be a rarity.

(Look for further posting on this in the future.)

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Mom taught me to never talk to strangers…

     Sometimes when discussing different doctrinal/ biblical topics with other Christians it seems as though we are talking with strangers.  Though we all submit to the same Lord, read from the same standard, and all have the same Spirit dwelling in us, the diversity of interpretation and understanding can be overwhelming.  One may see black where the other sees white, and yet another may see gray or brown or even pink.  So, how are Christians to talk in the midst of such diversity?  I think a few things are important to keep in mind, and I am hoping others will expand upon them.

     First, we must realize our own limited knowledge; only God’s knowledge is exhaustive.  Due to this limitation, we all have more to learn, and maybe somethings aren’t as black and white as we may think.  Or to put it another, truth is black and white, but because of our inherent ignorance due to sin, our knowledge of that truth at any given moment waxes and wains.  Yet, this does not mean that there is no such thing is absolute truth, but it is only to show our weakness.

     Also, it is important to understand that we are all growing in grace and understanding.  Part of the sanctification process is growing in the knowledge of the Lord, so some “new” Christians are not going to know the Bible as well as those who are “well-seasoned.”  Yet, even with this said, the professor who has studied the Bible his/ her whole life is still learning, and they too sometimes forget the elementary truths of the faith.

     Moreover, it is important to understand the situation and personality of the person.  Sometimes there are sociological/ behavioral/ psychological reason one is not able or willing to understand a certain truth.  Sometimes the discussion has to be more Q & A because the person does not respond well to straight admonishment.  Because of the various personalities that God has endowed to people we have to try and realize who we are talking to, working on communicating to them well.  A standard delivery of truth does not always work.

     Lastly, we should always deal with “strangers” in the Lord with grace, love and patience, giving them the benefit of the doubt, realizing that may be looking at us the same way.  We should always be praying that God would soften their and our hearts to the truth of his word.  Differences are not a reason to shy from discussion or debate.  Instead, such things are most important for the unity of the Church, whether we end up seeing eye to eye or not.  We see today in American denominationalism what the “separate and be holy” mentality can do to the church.  In Christ there is no stranger, only brothers and sisters, and we should always approach each other as such.  

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