Pigs and persistence

Listening to: Nothing

The Merrie Theologiane is back.

Why history is relative

Listening to: Nothing

Karl Barth is usually characterised as being down on the doctrine of scripture. But here's part of the preface to his (in)famous Romans commentary which demonstrates a pretty strong view of the Bible.

Paul, as a child of his age, addressed his contemporaries. It is, however, far more important that, as Prophet and Apostle of the Kingdom of God, he veritably speaks to all men of very age. The differences between then and now, there and here, no doubt require careful investigation and consideration. But the purpose of such investigation can only be to demonstrate that these differences are, in fact, purely trivial.

Our scientific advances, cultural discoveries, and accumulated wisdom might mean our society is vastly different to ancient Rome, yet the words of scripture speak with equal force to them and us. It's fashionable to say that the Bible was not written to us but for us (a point which does make sense) but it is clear that as an ever relevant, universally true, and totally authoritative divine word, the Bible was given to all cultures, all times, all people, and with one subject: Christ. History, in this sense, it utterly relativised.

IAN

Listening to: Nothing


Ian, the smiling sinister box. Watching you.

I know...

Listening to: Nothing

For weeks and weeks I've had in my head Handel's aria, 'I know that my Redeemer Liveth' from Messiah. Last night in my cell group, we looked at the resurrection of Jesus as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, and so the song is back with a vengenace today. If you see me, I'll probably be whistling it.

Here's a really great version sung by Lynne Dawson with the Brandenburg Consort, with Stephen Cleobury conducting. The cool thing about this ensemble is that they play period instruments- a particular love of mine since my A-Level music days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtU1c5JZf0k

The best doctrine of God in the whole wide world, ever, full stop

Listening to: Nothing

Recently, I've been thinking quite a bit about Christology (the study of the Person of Christ). These verses are quite revolutionary:

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Colossians 2:8-10

In all our thinking about God we can be hijacked by various philosophies and human traditions which take their lead from 'basic principles' (or 'elemental spirits')- that is, demonic powers and authorities- rather than the true source of knowledge about God. And that is Jesus Christ.

How do we get deep knowledge of God? How can sinful people plumb the depths of the Holy One? Is it even possible for us to begin to understand Him?

In the LORD Jesus, all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily form! The deepest, furthest advanced, most comprehensive doctrine of God is wide open and available to us in the Incarnation. In Yeshua of Nazareth- life, death, resurrection, ascension- is the fulness of the Deity.

Far from being just a helpful demonstration for sinful people, or a great example of godliness, in Jesus is showcased the widest vistas of what it is to be God. Far from being the beginners' module in the doctrine of God, or the colourful cover on the heavy textbook, Jesus really is the first and last word on divinity. That's why Paul in Colossians is so keen to say 'Don't think it's possible to move on from Christ! To add anything to Jesus is to lose out completely!' He really is the fullness of God.

And we are given that fulness in Him. If you know Jesus, love Him as LORD, and are filled with His Spirit; if you've read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, you have the best doctrine of God possible (subject to you confirming your thinking to what you read, of course!). Never mind PhD's, theological tomes, and the wise thoughts of everyone who's gone before... in the Man Jesus Christ, the fulness of God lives bodily, and is given to those of us found in Him.

Book of the Summer

Listening to: Nothing

I may be biased, but this will surely be the book of the Summer.


Burning pyres, nuns on the run, stirring courage, comic relief: the story of the Protestant Reformation is a gripping tale, packed with drama. But what motivated the Reformers? And what were they really like?

'With the skill of a scholar and the art of a storyteller, Michael Reeves has written what is, quite simply, the best brief introduction to the Reformation I have read.'
Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC

'A lively and up-to-date account of this important event in Christian history that will stir the heart, refresh the soul and direct the mind towards a deeper understanding of our faith.'
Gerald Bray

Having read it at the manuscript stage, I can say that it's an enlightening, entertaining, and inspiring book which will not only serve as an introduction for total beginners, but will also help readers with some background go deeper.

Don't miss out: pre-order now from IVP online. Enter the code 'FLAME09' when you order before May 31st to get a £1 discount.

Creation's voice...

Listening to: 'Song' by Artist

Here's a song I used to dread having to play at church many years ago (it's in A flat, which I always struggle with!)- but what great words to remember this time of year as we celebrate Resurrection Day, hear the birds singing, watch the trees blossoming, and enjoy the sunshine.

Jesus is LORD! creation's voice proclaims it,
For by His power each tree and flower
Was planned and made.
Jesus is LORD! the universe declares it,
Sun, moon and stars in heaven
Cry, 'Jesus is LORD!'

Jesus is LORD! Jesus is LORD!
Praise Him with Hallelujahs
For Jesus is LORD!

Jesus is LORD! yet from His throne eternal
In flesh He came to die in pain
On Calvary's tree.
Jesus is LORD! from Him all life proceeding,
Yet gave His life a ransom
Thus setting us free.

Jesus is LORD! o'er sin the mighty conqueror,
From death He rose, and all His foes
Shall own His Name.
Jesus is LORD! God sent His Holy Spirit
To show by works of power
That Jesus is LORD.

David J. Mansell

Sabbath

Listening to: Nothing

Here's a great snipptet from an Orthodox website to think on this Easter Saturday.

The Lord Jesus' resting in the sepulchre corresponds to God's resting on the seventh day of creation. Christ in the tomb is the completion of the Sabbath, for by His Death He has recreated the universe and completed the divine labour:
Thou has sanctified this, the seventh day, which of Thou didst bless by rest from work;
for Thou dost bring all things into being and renew them, O my Saviour, while resting and reviving on the Sabbath. (Ode 4)

From The Epitaphion

The LORD reigns from the tree

Listening to: 'For the Cross' by Matt Redman



This famous piece of ancient graffiti is from approximately 30 years after Jesus' crucifixion, found scratched in the wall of a Roman barracks in the Pædagogioum near to Nero's Golden House on Palatine Hill in Rome. The text says, 'Alexamenos worship his god'.

The cross of Christ is foolishness to wordly wisdom. Greeks demand wisdom and Jews demand miraculous signs, but we preach a crucified Messiah. But the cross is the pinnacle of the wisdom and power of God. On the cross, Jesus displays in full measure what it is to be God (Philippians 2:5-11).

The early fathers believed that Psalm 96:10 read 'Tell ye among the nations, the Lord hath reigned from the wood' or '...the tree'. Jutsin Martyr in his Dialogue with Trypho says,

Now no one of your people has ever been said to have reigned as God and Lord among the nations, with the exception of Him only who was crucified, of whom also the Holy Spirit affirms in the same Psalm that He was raised again, and freed from [the grave], declaring that there is none like Him among the gods of the nations: for they are idols of demons.

Dial. LXXIII

Justin believed that Jewish leaders removed a couple of words from the Psalm because the crucifixion of the Messiah on a tree was incomprehensible in the light of Deuteronomny 21:23, '...anyone who is hung on a tree is under God's curse.' Whether or not Justin was right, the Church in the centuries immediately after the crucifixion frequently used the slogan, 'The LORD reigns from the cross'. The Epistle of Barnabas says that 'the kingdom of Jesus is on the cross and... they who set their hope on him shall live forever.' (Barnabas 8:13). They reveled in the paradox of the cross as throne, and the crucifixion as coronation. In John's Gospel, the cross is continually Jesus' much anticipated 'hour'.

Against all our natural inclinations, and against all the wisdom of our age, the foolish message of Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God. The death of God is the key to life for the world. The curse on the one hanging on the tree, mocked and beaten, facing the just wrath of his Father, was ours and through this great, wise, powerful gospel we are free.

Pesach

Listening to: 'Paschal Lamb' by Red Mountain Music

!חג שמחח

Passover is a Jewish festival, right?

Socially and politically, yes. Biblically and theologically (i.e. really) it's all about Jesus Christ. This wasn't lost on Christians around the world when they called the celebration of Jesus' resurrection 'Pascha' which is just 'Pesach', the Hebrew for 'Passover'.

The Passover and Exodus of the Israelites deliberately figures-out the redemption of Christ that is to come. The LORD tells the Israelites to kill and eat a spotless lamb, painting its blood on the doorposts of their houses. The blood of the sacrificed lamb will be a sign to him not to come in judgment on these homes. For those families without the protection of the blood, the judgment is the loss of their firstborn.

The LORD God of Israel redeemed his people from slavery in Egypt; ordering the lamb's blood on the doorposts, destroying the Egyptians, guiding them and providing manna in the wilderness until they reach the promised land. And he is the Messiah who redeems his people from slavery to sin and Satan; shedding his own blood as the true Passover Lamb, defeating sin and Satan, and bringing us safely through to eternal life in the city with foundations (Hebrews 11:8-10).


Passover is about Christ, a gospel promise of the coming Messiah. For the believers of the Old Testament, it taught them about the work of the one to come. Christians post-Incarnation ought to claim it as our own, too as we remember the work of the cross (Ephesians 2:12-13), the blood shed for our salvation, and the promise that he will be our God, and we his people.

Sibbes on preaching

Listening to: Nothing

'To preach is to woo... The main scope of all [preaching] is, to allure us to the entertainment of Christ's mild, safe, wise, victorious government.'

Lord, let my preaching be like that!

'That's Easter' two short films

Listening to: Nothing

These two films are from St Helen's, Bishopsgate. HT: Duncan Hollands.


THAT'S EASTER Life to Death from St Helen’s Church on Vimeo.


THAT'S EASTER Death to Life from St Helen’s Church on Vimeo.