Charles Dickens’ The Chimes & Comforting Those Who Mourn

Posted by on

Dickens is good to read for reminders of what all you have to be grateful for and for reminers of the plight of the working poor.

The Chimes is not as good as A Christmas Carol, but has some similar themes and ideas (man shown his future, warned by ghosts).

One of the more striking passages provides a portrait of a very common but very poor approach to comforting people in grief. A poor woman with a young child has just watched her husband die, and her landlord and landlady approach comfort in different ways.

“Mrs. Tugby tried to comfort her with kindness.  Mr. Tugby tried philosophy.

‘Come, come!’ he said, with his hands in his pockets, ‘you mustn’t give way, you know.  That won’t do.  You must fight up.  What would have become of me if I had given way when I was porter, and we had as many as six runaway carriage-doubles at our door in one night!  But, I fell back upon my strength of mind, and didn’t open it!’”

This is a reminder of one reason it is helpful for pastors to read good fiction- good fiction provides truthful snapshots of the human condition. Too often men, in particular, try to comfort the way Mr. Tugby did. In the story we are shown also that Mr. Tugby speaks this way because he thinks too highly of himself and really does not care for those in need. This is not the pastoral heart and not proper pastoral comfort. Tugby sounds a bit like Job’s friends. We must weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15).

More Endorsements for New Edition of Calvin’s Sermons on 1 Timothy

Posted by on

Since yesterday’s post, three more kind endorsements of the new edition of Calvin’s sermons on 1 Timothy have come in.

“John Calvin’s sermons are the headwaters of the Reformation’s rediscovery of apostolic preaching with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. It is all here; exegesis and application, believers and unbelievers are addressed, exhorted and beseeched to hear and obey. The messages are declared with divine grace through Jesus Christ. God is honoured, and the people of God edified.”

–          Geoff Thomas, Pastor, Alfred Place Baptist Church, Wales

“For many years, I have turned with great profit to the facsimile edition of John Calvin’s Sermons on the Pastoral Epistles. They are faithful, profound and helpful expositions of the text of Scripture. This new edition makes these important sermons more accessible and useful for the Twenty-first century. Scholars, pastors and lay people will all profit immensely from a careful reading of this book.”

–          James M. Renihan, Dean, Professor of Historical Theology, Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies

“This updated edition of Calvin’s sermons on Paul’s first letter to Timothy is a labor of love by Ray Van Neste. The financial proceeds from this volume will never repay the years of work he invested in its preparation. So why did he make the effort? Well, is a man never to do anything for the sake of Christ and His kingdom that offers little earthly reward? God help him, if not. Besides, Dr. Van Neste knows that these sermons, which have been in print for half a millennium, will continue to have an enduring appeal to many of Jesus’s followers in every generation. This will be especially so among those who are faithful shepherds of Christ’s flock and who have the responsibility to feed not only their own souls, but also the souls of Christ’s sheep. Long after Dr. Van Neste has gone to enjoy his eternal reward, these sermons will still bless the church. I am grateful for scholars like Ray Van Neste who gladly use their education, skills, and time ‘for the joy set before him’.”

–          Don Whitney, Professor of Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Calvin’s Sermons on 1 Timothy, New Edition

Posted by on

Calvin sermons coverI have finally published the new edition of Calvin’s sermons on 1 Timothy which Brian Denker and I worked on for so long. Due to its size (330,000+ words) the digital format seemed a good way to go, so it is published through Amazon for Kindle. The cost is only $2.99 for all 54 sermons.

These sermons reveal Calvin’s pastoral heart, his evangelistic fervor, and his devotion to the word of God. I have posted my introduction and a sample sermon for free so you can get a feel for the book.

I have pasted in below the commendations for the book which I have received. Howard Marshall had enthusiastically responded to my email saying he wanted to write a commendation, but sadly he passed away before being able to write it. Howard commented on how Andrew Walls read from these sermons (directly from the French original) at one of the early InterVarsity meetings he attended as a student.

I hope these sermons can encourage, challenge, and bless others as they have me.

“In this new edition of Calvin’s sermons on the Pastoral Epistles we meet the Reformer at his liveliest and most compelling. The subject matter lends itself to practical application, and here we see Calvin at the height of his pastoral powers. This new edition brings the original to life for our generation and we must hope that it will be widely read and used by preachers everywhere.”

–          Gerald Bray, Research Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

 

“So many think of John Calvin as a theologian, as one who lived separate from the people writing theological books in splendid isolation. But Calvin was a pastor who was involved in the rough and tumble of everyday life. Above all else, he was a preacher, one who proclaimed the word of God to the people of God. We see in these sermons the heart of a preacher as he exhorts and instructs his congregation. Calvin’s theology was not abstract to him; it was meant to be believed and lived out in the home and in the market place. In these sermons on 1 Timothy we see Calvin the pastor at work as he proclaims God’s word for the church of Jesus Christ. Read and be instructed, challenged, encouraged, convicted, and changed.”

–          Tom Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

 

“Ray Van Neste has done English readers a great service by making John Calvin’s sermons on 1 Timothy readily accessible. The 1579 English translation is simply too intimidating for many modern readers to tackle leaving the theological and pastoral wisdom of the reformer in these sermons virtually locked away. This edition is completely retyped using modern words and phrases to maintain the original English meaning. Where serious questions remained these then were checked against the original French in which the sermons first appeared. A helpful introduction which includes a suggested approach to reading the sermons makes this work all the more valuable. Those who know Calvin only as a theologian will discover in these sermons that he was a first and foremost a tender, compassionate and evangelist pastor. I hope this book gains a wide reading.”

–          Tom Ascol, Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral, FL

 

“Today’s preachers have much to gain by reading and studying sermons from past masters of the pulpit. Unfortunately, some great preachers of the past are relatively inaccessible because of differences of language. Thus, Ray Van Neste and Brian Denker have done us a great service by editing and updating the 1579 English edition of Calvin’s Sermons on 1 Timothy, making them accessible to 21st century readers. In these 54 sermons, Calvin is revealed not to be the austere theologian of modern caricatures, but a loving, caring pastor who wanted his people to understand the truth of God’s Word. This significant collection will be of interest not only to students of Calvin but to any reader interested in better understanding Paul’s inspired first letter to his protégé Timothy.”

–          Michael Duduit, Executive Editor, Preaching magazine, and Dean of the College of Christian Studies & Clamp Divinity School, Anderson University, Anderson, SC

 

Fun, Fascinating Read from Hal Poe

Posted by on

This past weekend I finished reading the latest book from my friend & colleague, Hal Poe. Total Commitment: A Memoir of God and Politics When South Carolina Elected a Republican Governor is a fascinating read on so many levels. If you know Hal, then hearing that he has published his memoirs from his days in politics is you need to know!

In case you don’t know him, the story of the 1974 governor’s race in South Carolina bears striking similarities to the presidential race this year. Additionally, Hal tells of his call to ministry in the midst of what was going around him. Then, the book is filled with wonderful stories from a masterful story-teller relishing friendship, fellowship, and the beauties of the South Carolina countryside.

Here is the review I posted on Amazon:

This was a delightful read! Other reviewers have rightly pointed out the book’s value in regard to politics and faith. I affirm those points, but what I enjoyed most was the sheer delight of reading. Hal is a consummate story teller and he relishes the telling of these tales. Brimming with delight in nature, the South, friendship, food and travel, this book is just so much fun!

At such a great price, you can’t go wrong. You’ll love reading this, unless, of course, you despise beauty, friendship and stories. In that case, don’t buy it.

Scalia and the Legacy of Teachers

Posted by on

image

As a teacher- and that seems to be a key way in which Justice Scalia saw himself- I found this picture to be deeply moving. In case you haven’t already seen it, these are former clerks of Justice Scalia’s (accounts varied on the number, as many as 180) lined up ready to receive his body.

In an age which has largely forgotten honor, this is a beautiful portrait of it. This is also a portrait of why we teach. Of course there are lectures to prepare, papers to grade, and so forth, but those are the details not the goal. We teach to shape lives, to form thinking that will inform living that will transform the individual and society. Our success is bound up in our students, in what they do with what we give them. Thus we must invest in them well. And when I see men drop what they’re doing, come, line up and wait like this to receive the body of their mentor, I think, “Here is a man who made an impact on the lives of those he mentored.”

Lord, grant me such success.

Jesus! What a Friend for sinners!

Posted by on

We sang this wonderful hymn at church yesterday, and I knew I wanted it to be my poem of the week. It beautifully makes the point that the all holy Jesus graciously decided to be a friend for sinners, to love us and redeem us. Then it points out in helpful particularity various ways in which he is our refuge and hope.

It was good for my soul to sing this once more, and I hope it is helpful to you.

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

–          J. Wil­bur Chap­man, 1910.

Value of Greek in Preaching, Pastor Nathan Joyce

Posted by on

Nathan Joyce, Union alum and pastor of Heartland Worship Center in Paducah, Kentucky, recently recorded this brief video on the value of Greek for preaching and pastoral ministry for my first year Greek class. In just about 90 seconds he makes the point so well, so I wanted to share it here as well.

He makes the important point that knowing Greek isn’t simply about examining specific words but getting deeper into the flow of the text. I also appreciate the pastoral heart evident in his comments. Greek isn’t about impressing or building the pastor up. It is all about being able to communicate more faithfully to the people you have been called to shepherd, as Nathan puts it, “the people I love so dearly.”  If Greek is just another academic tool, it won’t mean a whole lot. But, as a useful tool in the hand of a faithful shepherd, enabling to more faithfully and carefully tend, feed, care for and defend his flock- in that case this is a powerful thing indeed.

Thank you, Nathan, for your example.

Prayer of Thanks for the Life of Howard Marshall

Posted by on

I was richly blessed attending the service of thanksgiving for the life of Howard Marshall last weekend in Aberdeen. The service was rich, profound and moving. I may write more about it in days to come, but here I want to share a portion of the prayer given by Professor Andrew Walls. Walls has for some time been a member of Crown Terrace Methodist in Aberdeen, where the service was held and where Howard had been a member for over 60 years (CT once referred to Walls as “the most important person you don’t know”). Prof. Walls thanked God for the gospel, the church, teachers and preachers given to the church, and then specifically, as one of those teachers, Howard Marshall. I include here his words which followed. His description of Howard is fitting and provides an example to emulate.

 

“a scholar who diligently sought heavenly wisdom and the truth as it is in Jesus

a teacher who cared deeply for those he taught and was ever at their service

a writer whose work has illuminated scripture for many all over the world

a preacher who called us to righteousness and always pointed to Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life

a Christian leader who was content to be the servant of Christ’s people

a dear friend whose warmth and care brought cheer and encouragement and succor time and time again.

As we gratefully remember his life, his work, his example, we thank you that you gave him to us. …

We humbly ask for the continuance of his work and his witness through his writings, through those of us who learned from him and through all of us who were touched by his life and his words and his example.”

Go Set a Watchman

Posted by on

Go_Set_a_WatchmanMy first completed book of the year is Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman. Despite all the criticism of the book, I thought it was superb. They say it was a draft. May I be so blessed as to write such drafts! If Lee announced she had a forthcoming volume of scrap stories about Jean Louise’s childhood, I would pre-order it today (or at least I’d start looking for a sale!). I love the way she writes, and the childhood stories are a favorite part of her books for me. So, even if such a collection had no great moral tale, I’d enjoy reading it.

I haven’t closely followed all the discussion about Go Set a Watchman, but from the general talk, I had heard two main complaints: 1) as a draft it needed further editing and 2) disappointment with Atticus who now appears as a racist. I found neither criticism compelling.

On the editing, just about any work could be further edited. Fine. But this is a compelling story as it stands. To Kill a Mockingbird was masterpiece and the foreshadowing and parallelism was brilliant. I did not see the same in this book, but that is no real criticism. There are some dangling story lines that I’d like to see completed (What will she do with Hank? Personally, I like him!), but that is not uncommon in novels. The main point of the story is resolved, and that is what is required (more on that below).

Then, it seems the main complaint is that our hero Atticus is tarnished. This response is understandable at one level, because it is a testimony to the power of the previous book. It seems most readers had a similar experience to me in being completely taken with Atticus. He is the exemplary father, the strong, quiet, faithful man. So, any disappointment with such a hero is bound to go hard. But, that is the point of Go Set a Watchman. I wonder if those who complain about the book caught its point. This book, unlike its predecessor, is not a morality tale on race. It is primarily a coming of age tale. The racial tension in Maycomb is not central. Instead the central point is the need for Jean Louise to become her own person- still respecting and loving her father, to see he is only a man and to stand on her own two feet. This is an important point in life. Mockingbird stoked my desires to be a good father. Watchman reminded me to give my children, particularly my sons who are beginning to set out on their own, the opportunity to move out from under my shadow. I long to be a faithful, strong example for them, but not for them to be lost in my shadow, thoughtlessly imitating me. I want them to own their faith and stand on their own two feet. That is what Watchman is about.

So, if you object to Atticus’s handling of the racial tensions in Maycomb, so be it. Make a good argument and stay by it as he encouraged his daughter to do. This reminds us as well how complicated such issues are at the time they arise. Living well through them is much different from assessing them from the cool, convenient distance of history. Good men wrestled with the issues of their day and none handled them perfectly. Let us wrestle carefully then today.

And, good fathers teach, train and provide examples. Then, they prod their children out of their nest to try their own wings. Such prodding can be painful, but good parents will embrace the difficulty for the joy set before them.