Huckabee-McCain Ticket in 2008

I, for one, think it's a great idea. What would it mean if they went ahead and joined together pre-primaries? Ever been done before?

Anyway, these two were by far the most appealing candidates in tonight's CNN/YouTube debate. The commentators afterwards seemed to think so, albeit begrudgingly. Huckabee is great on domestic affairs and McCain is great on foreign affairs. Unstoppable.

As for the others, Romney wanted to consult everybody for everything, getting defensive when Anderson Cooper pushed for a response. He also seems very unnatural. He has two faces: one for "talking serious" and one for telling awkward jokes. Guiliani did okay, but certainly missed some points with conservative evangelical voters: he called Islam a wonderful religion, he wouldn't sign a federal ban on abortions, and he doesn't believe the Bible to be literally true (all fine and well, but what were Southern Christians thinking when he said he doesn't believe Jonah spent three days in the belly of a whale?). Also, I admit it's unfair because it's the entire realm of his experience, but I get tired of hearing about NYC. I wonder if that's the case with other voters. Thompson stumbled over himself the entire night. Ron Paul was himself, which is great and horrible at the same time. I can't remember the other guys' names, which tells you about their performance.

Hopefully their performances will give Huckabee and McCain more play on the major newsstations. I'm tired of seeing CNN polls when one or both of them isn't listed.

Any other people watch the debate tonight? Thoughts?

Scoffers in Psalm 1

I am reading With Willful Intent: A Theology of Sin by David L. Smith (for class) and came across a discussion of Psalm 1:1, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers." He notes the progression of conformity to the world in these stances. Particularly convicting was his explanation of why the final place is reserved for scoffers, "because scoffers, if not the most scandalous of sinners are the farthest from repentance" (246).

The Psalms show that God despises pride, but a broken and contrite heart He will not despise (Prov 6:16-17, Psalm 51:17). Paul also explains that scoffing is a fruit of pride, setting it opposite of thankfulness in Ephesians 5:4, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."

In a lighthearted culture, I need to be careful that joking is for building truth up and not myself. In talking with my wife, Maggie, we have realized how our lives do not show a seriousness concerning eternity or zealousness for God's glory. Our conversation is filled more with joking and frivolity than with sobreity concerning sin and awe concerning God. Laughter is by no means always bad, and often accompanies joy and thankfulness and contentment. In similar fashion, though, laughter can accompany joy in wickedness and thankfulness for an easy life and contentment in meaninglessness.

I need to remember that mine and my wife's flesh hates the Spirit and desires to preoccupy our minds with worthlesss, silly things. I need to discipline myself to think seriously. I need to be a faithful husband in leading conversations with my wife toward eternity. Pray for grace and mercy and change.

The Second Amendment

The Supreme Court decided to hear a case against a Washington, D.C. statute outlawing hand-gun ownership in the district. This is the first time they have looked directly at the Second Amendment in nearly eighty years. See NYT article.

It struck me as I have been hearing/reading commentary on this, how governments have to account for the sin of its people and its rulers. An understanding of human depravity is key to its self-understanding (cf. Rom 13:1-7). The amendment reads, "A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Can you imagine the day when freedom does not require a well-regulated militia to preserve her? When those in authority do not require the sword to be for the good of neighbor-hating, desparately selfish people? When those in subjection do not need the sword in fear of greed and jealousy for power overwhelming a leadership's calling to maintain order? When freedom is real and true and complete and forever? When perfected people live in complete harmony with Creator and created?

One day soon.

Discipline

From Cornelius Plantinga's Not the Way It's Supposed to Be:

Just as in sports and music, discipline in spiritual hygiene has a point. Anybody can play, but only a disciplined person can play freely. Discipline is the basis and presupposition of both freedom and power. (36)

I despise discipline because I'm lazy. Discipline feels suffocating and doesn't show immediate fruit. How is painful ritual an expression of freedom in Christ, I reason. Short-sighted, I ignore Plantinga's point: Freedom without control is spasmatic and not enjoyable or beautiful, like me trying a layup or a Chopin etude sight-unseen. In sports and music, I am not a natural. Neither am I a natural at spirituality. Disciplined effort is required if I am to experience true Christian freedom.

Remind me of that next time I use grace for license.

The False Reality of Slavery

Leviticus 25:35-55 details how Israel was to think about hired hands and slavery between Israelites. The principle is in 25:39-40, "If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave: he shall be with you as a hired servant and as a sojourner. He shall serve with you until the year of jubilee."

Why? Not because humanness requires autonomy. Precisely opposite, to be human is to be dependent. However, slavery is a false dependence. God holds the right to our servitude. He is Sustainer and Lord. 25:55, "For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."

Jesus picks up on this in Matthew 23:8-11, "But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called teachers, for you have one teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant."

Paul, too, teaches Philemon that brotherhood trumps ownership. He is to receive Onesimus "no longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother" (v. 16).

The Lord knows how easily we are influenced by our circumstances. Accordingly, he desires that our circumstances would accord with eternal reality. Slavery is a false reality. Consider how American Slavery influenced American thought. Black people were viewed (and often viewed themselves) less than human, property like cattle, not persons created in the image of God. This is one among myriad reasons societal and family oppression, even peaceful oppression, should be put down. The wicked lordship of wicked men eclipses the ultimate and true (and good) Lordship of Jesus Christ. Society's structures are to image God not obstruct him.

Heresy

I found this to be very instructive... It's from Heresies by Harold O. J. Brown

In a general way, however, we can say that orthodoxy assigns the priority to history, heresy to understanding. Thus, in a general way, orthodoxy appeals to the less theological and more historical minds among the theologians, heresy to the more theological, more philosophical, and more imaginative. Of course there are philosphers and artists among the orthodox, and dull pedants among the heretics, but it seems fair to say that the heretics are frequently more imaginative, the orthodox more plodding. [emphasis added]

Some contemporaries come to my mind. Can you think of some? It also reminded me of 2 Tim 4:2-5

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things...

In our effort to proclaim the gospel clearly and winsomely, let's be careful not to proclaim something that is as damning as it is enrapturing.

The Worth of One Sparrow

I saw this bird the other day outside my apartment. Hundreds of these sparrows live within a few blocks of my home. This one bird is pretty insignificant when it comes to birds, incredibly insignificant when it comes to all of life. Jesus Christ pointed to sparrows in his "Sending Out" Discourse in Matthew 10:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows

Take comfort, friend, that our loving Father is in absolute control. He knew and purposed this little sparrow to fall as it flew over the 1200 block of S Floyd St in Louisville, KY, as he purposes all sparrows in their final fall. In a far greater way, he knows and purposes everything having to do with you.

If this God is for us, who can be against us?

Who is sufficient?

I have been mercifully humbled of recent concerning my present inadequacy in serving the church as an elder. I think I knew this before, but wasn't too worried. I reasoned that I'm not an elder yet; I have a few years left before seminary is over, right? No hurry. And even when I'm done, I'll work out the kinks my first years. I can't be perfect, anyway.

The Lord has pointed out the presumption, laziness, immaturity, misunderstanding and lack of reverance and zeal in these thoughts -- all things unbecoming of an elder or elder-to-be. I am thankful for this scolding, and my prayer is that it stays before me for years.

Spurgeon discouraged/encouraged me in his Lectures to My Student, "The Minsiter's Self-Watch." He holds the standard incredibly high (discouraging). But, then Spurgeon encouarges those whom God calls to ministerial labor to "endeavor to get grace that we may be strengthened into fitness for our position" (encouraging).

Pray for me, that I might receive this grace and be made adequate. Pray that I would discipline myself for the purpose of godliness, that my efforts would be as noble as the end for which I desire (1 Tim 3-4). Praise the Lord, as well, knowing that wherever he places me, he has created me in Christ Jesus for good works and gone ahead to prepare them so that I may walk in them. As I quoted earlier, everything is subservient to my salvation.

Heidelberg Question 1

Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

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I cannot get over the line, "All things must be subservient to my salvation." All things? Every moment from the beginning of my day to the end, and then from the end of my day to the beginning again? Every blessing I graciously receive and every woe I rightfully earn? It's all working towards my salvation, towards the day when I will be like him because I will see him as he is! Can you believe it?

This question/answer is so soothing to my soul. To think that I seek comfort in lesser things than Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

What do you say to married unbelievers contemplating divorce?

While in one of Dr. Greg Allison’s systematic theology classes, I was very encouraged to hear him say that he had no qualms about officiating a wedding between two unbelievers. He reasoned that marriage is a creation ordinance which should be celebrated and encouraged for all persons created in the image of God (Gen 1:27b). Marriage is a testimony to our creation (Gen 2:24). It is and should be found in all cultures, believing and unbelieving throughout the world. My heart’s impulse accords with him.

What about when difficulties come? Or, more likely, what about when self-centeredness is challenged? (It was always there, just hadn’t been tested.) What recourse do we as Christians have to encourage persistence in marriage for unbelievers living in a culture that views marriage as expendable? Non-gospel reasons look like Band-Aids on compound fractures (e.g., remember how you used to feel, the good times are worth the bad times, do it for the kids). Others feel like lies (i.e., anything along the lines of “you/he/she can change”).

My wife finds herself in this place with a close family. We’re at a loss because we know the only meaningfulness to be found after the Fall in marriage is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have defiled Edenic marriage beyond recognition. Like all things, it’s original intention has been destroyed. We need a gospel-centered marriage, which expects spouses to be sinful and selfish and in mercy persists in covenant love towards fruitful relationship and ultimate restoration.

We pray for common grace, that deep in their person they would somehow feel uneasy about divorce and work towards joy, even temporal joy, in marriage. It’s certainly the only reason other non-Christian marriages stay together. More earnestly, we pray for God’s saving grace, that in the emptiness of their present marriage they would long for a Husband who will hold fast to them without condition, a perfect love which casts out fear and frees the soul from sin to delight in Him who knows no sin.

I would appreciate your encouragements, reprimands, wisdom, and past experiences.

Hatred Remembered

NPR has just begun a series marking the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. The first three segments can be found here, here and here. (This is a picture of Elizabeth Eckford walking to school surrounded by a mob, before she's turned away by the Arkansas National Guard who refused entry. Behind her is a peer yelling "Nigger," at the approval of concerned mothers.)

Over the past year, I have grown to realize my incredible ignorance about the civil rights movement (and all things race, really). It is remarkably significant, even 50 years later. Many, many people live today with these events in their personal history. They are so emotionally charged and hurtful, it is no wonder white people don't tell their kids about it and black people can't help not to.

As well, it is a harrowing picture of hate, hate which is in every heart not renewed by God's grace. The Civil Rights Mov't merely drew that hate out and gave it expression. There's not many places more dangerous than the arena where stereotypes, judgments and privileges go challenged. There's not many places more honest, either.

Private Musings

I've created this blog as a place for me to work out thoughts. Basically, it's a V.I.P. gym for my brain and my heart. If you found this site, you're welcome to watch, to join in, to spot me when I bite off more than I can chew, or to add some challenge when I'm being a wuss.

Above all, though, help me to remember that the goal is not a big brain, but an ability to apply truth to life (my own and others) in a loving, humble and gracious manner. My heart is pastoring. If this is your heart too, join in.