Luther and the Care of Souls

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I have previously written on the pastoral impulse of the Reformation, the fact that this renewal of the church arose primarily from the earnest desire to care for souls, to see that they be taught the gospel and shown the way to peace with God and eternal life. This is a crucial point.

Just recently I came across another reminder of this truth, as I am re-reading Roland Bainton’s wonderfully written biography of Luther, Here I Stand, this time with my sons. Bainton describes how Luther’s conflict with Rome began over indulgences, a practice which at that time funded his own university, his church and his position. Bainton writes:

This first blow was certainly not the rebellion of an exploited German against the mulcting of his country by the greedy Italian papacy. However much in after years Luther’s followers may have been motivated by such considerations, his first onslaught was not so prompted. He was a priest responsible for the eternal welfare of his parishioners. He must warn them against spiritual pitfalls, no matter what might happen to the Castle Church and the university.[1]

This should be a central part of the legacy of pastors who arise from the Reformation tradition- care for the eternal welfare of our people, guiding and guarding them on the way to the celestial city.

 

[1] Roland Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther (Meridian, 1995), 55-56.

The Holiness of the Church in Baptist Thought

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JBSThe most recent issue of the Journal of Baptist Studies is devoted to Baptist thought on the four historic marks of the church- One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic. Chris Morgan wrote on unity, Matt Emerson and Luke Stamps on catholicity, Jim Patterson on apostolicity, and I wrote on holiness (making this a Cal Baptist and Union University project!). The full journal is available free online.

Each of these areas is challenging for Baptists and my friends have provided some helpful thought and suggestions for us. I encourage you to check out this issue.

Here is an excerpt from the conclusion of my article on the holiness of the church:

It is difficult to talk about Baptist ideas on the holiness of the church when Baptists have given so little thought on a theological level to the church at all in recent years. Much has changed in this area in the last decade or so, thanks in large part to the work of Mark Dever, but in the broader church there is still a gaping hole where our ecclesiology ought to be. We have seen fulfilled C. S. Lewis’s comment: “The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.” I am afraid we have found such “success” in our ecclesiology. Historically we have known better but have succeeded in making ourselves stupider for the sake of “efficiency” or increased “practicality.” But holiness is messy. And holiness is honored by God.

All our cries for revival, all our calls for kingdom advance ring hollow and hang limp when we show little concern for the holiness of the church. Do we think we can be more efficient by ignoring God’s commands?

When we maintain as members those who show no concern for the things of God, we soothe their consciences and grease the tracks as they speed along the path to hell. We ensure their opportunity to enter damnation undisturbed. …

The holiness of the church is no abstract doctrine. Souls hang in the balance, and the glory of God is at stake. We must think clearly, we must labor heartily for the holiness of the church.

“Christian Hearts in Love United”

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As I teach through John’s letters at church we are singing this hymn at each meeting. I only recently came across this hymn, but it captures much of what John says so it is wonderful to sing it together a we begin each study (we’re singing it to the tune, “Beach Spring,” rather thant he tune typically associated with it).

 

“Christian Hearts in Love United”

Christian hearts, in love united,
Seek alone in Jesus rest;
Has He not your love excited?
Then let love inspire each breast;
Members on our Head depending
Lights reflecting Him, our Sun,
Brethren His commands attending,
We in Him, our Lord, are one.

Come, then, come, O flock of Jesus,
Covenant with Him anew;
Unto Him Who conquered for us,
Pledge we love and service true;
And should our love’s union holy
Firmly linked no more remain,
Wait ye at His footstool lowly,
Till He draw it close again.

Grant, Lord, that with Thy direction,
“Love each other,” we comply,
Aiming with unfeigned affection
Thy love to exemplify;
Let our mutual love be glowing,
Thus will all men plainly see,
That we, as on one stem growing,
Living branches are in Thee.

O that such may be our union,
As Thine with the Father is,
And not one of our communion
E’er forsake the path of bliss;
May our light ’fore men with brightness,
From Thy light reflected, shine;
Thus the world will bear us witness,
That we, Lord, are truly Thine

Othello, Jesus and the Gospel

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I just finished reading Shakespeare’s Othello with my sons for school and was once again reminded why Shakespeare is regarded as a genius. He not only had a way with words but he deeply understood the human condition.

Othello is a moving portrayal of the terrible power of slander, suspicion and jealousy. It was painful at certain points as I saw this loving young couple torn apart by the conniving slander of Iago. Othello and Desdemona are devoted to one another, newly married and deeply in love. But, Iago, proud of his “divinity of hell,” insinuates and cultivates baseless suspicions of infidelity in Othello’s mind so that Othello begins to hate his bride and eventually kills her. Part of the power of the portrayal is that it makes sense- you can see why Othello falls for the lies, why others caught in Iago’s web of deceit are sucked in. The frailty of human nature is accurately portrayed.

The tragedy serves to warn us against the danger of slander, suspicion and jealousy. In our own relationships we must beware the insidious erosion of evil suspicion. I’m sure Elvis was pondering Othello when he sang, “We can’t go on together with suspicious minds.” There is a proper jealousy, such as God has, but combined with evil suspicion, jealous is warped and deadly. Only open communication and ready repentance can save us from this monster.

Further, I was reminded of how grateful that Christ is a better husband to the church than Othello was to Desdemona. Although we are not faithful and chaste like Desdemona, Jesus remains ever faithful and unlike Othello does not destroy us. Instead he bears with our weakness and forgives us. This also reminded me, once more, that all the great stories are, in one way or the other, reflections of the Great Story.

Singing Psalm 19

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This week with my kids we have been singing the following version of Psalm 19 to the tune of “Lead on O King Eternal.” This only covers verses 1-6 & 14, so it would be better if it covered all these verses. It does capture though the connection between natural and special revelation, and the grandeur of God’s word. Joined with this noble tune, it is a grand celebration of the glory of God in creation and the purity of His word as well as a call to faithful obedience.

 

 

Psalm 19

The heav’ns declare Thy glory, the firmament Thy power;

Day unto day the story repeats from hour to hour;

Night unto night replying, proclaims in every land,

O Lord, with voice undying, the wonders of Thy hand.

 

The sun with royal splendor goes forth to chant Thy praise;

And moonbeams soft and tender their gentler anthem raise;

O’er every tribe and nation that music strange is poured,

The song of all creation, to Thee, creation’s Lord.

 

How perfect, just, and holy the precepts Thou hast given;

Still making wise the lowly, they lift the thoughts to heav’n;

How pure, how soul restoring, Thy gospel’s heav’nly ray,

A brighter radiance pouring than noon of brightest day.

 

All heav’n on high rejoices to do its Maker’s will;

The stars with solemn voices resound Thy praises still;

So let my whole behavior, thoughts, words, and actions be,

O Lord, my Strength, my Savior, one ceaseless song to Thee.

 

 

Bible Conference with Sandy Willson

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But As For You: Regaining Our Confidence in God's WordOn March 20-21 the Ryan Center for Biblical Studies, which I direct, will host it’s 7th bible study conference, aimed at helping people grow in their ability to interpret and apply the Scriptures. Sandy Willson will be our guest speaker and he will address the theme, “But as for You: Regaining Our Confidence in God’s Word.” “But as for you” is taken from Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy as he called Timothy to hold fast to biblical principles in spite of what others around him were doing.

This is a timely word as cultural pressure increases against any who would hold firm to biblical truth and practice. I am looking forward to hearing Sandy Willson address this theme. If you know of Sandy and his ministry at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, then you know what a gifted expositor he is. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear him.

As always, we will also have breakout sessions led by faculty members from Union’s School of Theology and Missions.

You can see the full schedule online and you can register online as well.

The conference is intended for anyone who wants to study the Bible, including Bible study leaders and pastors.

I hope you will come and join us.

Here is a brief video talking more about the conference:

 

The Travels of Marco Polo

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marco poloI just finished reading The Travels of Marco Polo with my older sons for school. The historical value of the breadth of information it contains about the eastern lands where Polo travelled is undeniable, but the telling itself is not very compelling. I expected a bit more narrative. While some stories are told, it is largely a catalogue, region by region, of various facts including religion, monetary practice, flora, fauna, and particular practices of the people. These facts are often related in a formulaic way so that it sounds like you are reading the same section over several times. You could get most of the value of the book by reading the prologue.

While not very exciting, there are interesting bits of information if you are looking. I was intrigued to hear how far Christianity had spread into the east with Christians being reported in many of the regions described, sometimes just a few, sometimes a significant group. The main religions were idolatry, Islam (he calls them Saracens) and Christianity. Polo described one group who had somewhere in the past lost much of their religion but continued to cling to what was remembered from their fathers. When Polo investigated he saw the “holy book” they were using was the Psalter and he recognized them as Christians.

The peoples described varied in many ways. The most striking thing to me about the habits of the people across this wide area was the rampant sexual immorality. The immorality took various forms but in most places it was an accepted way of life.

The saddest story concerns Kubilai Khan’s request for Christian missionaries to come and teach the gospel to him and his people. The Khan was interested in becoming a Christian but required people to come to teach the truths of this religion so his people could understand and so he could make a reasonable decision to accept it. As the prologue relates:

He [Kubilai Khan] sent word to the Pope that he should send up to a hundred men learned in the Christian religion … and skilled to argue and demonstrate plainly to idolaters and those of other persuasions that their religion is utterly mistaken and that all the idols which they keep in their houses and worship are things of the Devil- men able to show by clear reasoning that the Christian religion is better than theirs. (36)

However, when Polo’s father and uncle returned to Italy they found the Pope had died, and they waited for two years with no Pope being elected due to conflicting interests in the church. The decided to return anyway (this time taking young Marco with them), and just in time were finally sent two friars to take on the missionary work. However, before they had gotten past modern day Turkey they came into difficulty so that the friars “were scared at the prospect of going farther” (39). The Polos went on, but the missionaries did not.

So, the ruler of much of the Far East requests missionaries but fulfillment of the request is delayed due to division within the church. Then, finally two missionaries are sent (although up to 100 were requested), only to turn back early on due to fear of personal safety. The explorers/businessmen continued, but the missionaries did not. What a rebuke.

Though this is not a thrilling read, there is much to be pondered here concerning missions and Christian involvement in non-Christian societies.

[We read the Penguin Classics edition, and page numbers refer to this edition. Other editions may vary since there is an interesting textual history to this book. The Penguin edition does text critical work to draw from the differing manuscripts]

“Come, Sinners, to the Gospel Feast”, Wesley

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This Charles Wesley hymn is a powerful presentation of the gospel call, pleading for people to come to Christ.

Come, sinners, to the Gospel feast;
Let every soul be Jesus’ guest.
Ye need not one be left behind,
For God hath bid all mankind.

Sent by my Lord, on you I call;
The invitation is to all.
Come, all the world! Come, sinner, thou!
All things in Christ are ready now.

Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed,
Ye restless wanderers after rest;
Ye poor, and maimed, and sick, and blind,
In Christ a hearty welcome find.

Come, and partake the Gospel feast;
Be saved from sin; in Jesus rest;
O taste the goodness of your God,
And eat His flesh, and drink His blood!

You vagrant souls, on you I call;
(O that my voice could reach you all!)
You all may now be justified,
You all may live, for Christ hath died.

His love is mighty to compel;
His conquering love consent to feel,
Yield to His love’s resistless power,
And fight against your God no more.

See Him set forth before your eyes,
That precious, bleeding Sacrifice!
His offered benefits embrace,
And freely now be saved by grace.

This is the time, no more delay!
This is the Lord’s accepted day.
Come thou, this moment, at His call,
And live for Him Who died for all.

– Charles Wes­ley, Hymns for Those That Seek and Those That Have Re­demp­tion in the Blood of Je­sus Christ, 1747.

 

Psalm-singing & Beheadings

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Last night after getting home from church, as I was about to gather the things for the Psalm my family would sing this week, I saw the news of the Egyptian Christians beheaded by ISIS. I pointed the story out to my older sons. We have talked much over the last year about the call in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful unto death.”

Then I returned to the Psalm work. I remembered a Psalm we had sung in church recently that I thought worked well (tune & words), and I thought we could sing it at home. When I pulled out the worship guide I saw that it was Psalm 31, the metrical version of Tate & Brady, with some adjustments by Chris Mathews. We sang it to the tune, “St. Thomas,” which my family associates most readily with “Rise Up O Men of God.” The closing verse seemed particularly appropriate in light of the news.

(v24) Ye that on God rely, courageously proceed:

For He will still your hearts supply with strength in time of need.

I was glad to be able to sing this Psalm with my children this morning, God-inspired words to a noble tune reinforcing in our souls the call to carry on courageously in the face of opposition (context of the rest of the Psalm) trusting that God will supply the strength we need.