Joy in Christendom

A Letter to My 13-year-old Son

Thirteen years ago today, the Lord blessed us with a son, and He has been teaching us what that means ever since then.  Brogan has been such a huge help to us - he is always there to help, teach his siblings, and humor us all.  Hopefully, this letter expresses my deep love, devotion, admiration for my son.

"Brogan,

You are entering the next chapter in your life.  During the next 10 years or so, you will own the Faith, you will decide on a life calling, you will begin to think of the businesses you want to own and will begin to have a very good idea as to the qualities of a godly help-meet.  These are tall and exciting demands on the young Christian man.  The good news is that the Scriptures give us a framework for help in these areas.

Pray often: A godly man, is a man of prayer.  Men don't naturally want to pray - they want to do it all themselves.  The Lord has other ideas for us.  As we read, "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak." Colossians 4:2-4

Before they call I will answer;
        while they are yet speaking I will hear.
(Isaiah 65:24)

Secondly, we are to Read often: Read and benefit from the wisdom of other people.  A man of God is a humble man and seeks the wisdom of others.  There are many good authors available that will provide much comfort and godly knowledge for your use in every area of life.  Above this, read scripture - continually.  Reading the very words of God is to be in the presence of God.  "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16) (Psalm 111:10) (Duet 6:7)

Finally, Work often:  There isn't anything tricky or fancy about this.  It's rather simple:  Just Work Hard. A Man is called to work hard and honestly.  A man is also called to work hard - and it's a good thing.  You will never be happy with mediocrity in this area.  Consider the following,  "and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

"From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him." Proverbs 12:14

But above all of these things, remember that "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will (Eph 1:7)".

You have already exhibited all of these traits and your mom and I are profoundly grateful to you and your God for all that you've become and will be.

Love you,

Dad."

20 Books Every Young Person Should Read Before Leaving Home

A good friend of mine posed the following question to me:  "Large piles of books and good intentions are a waste of time.  What are the 10 to 20 books, upon reading and rereading would continue to nourish the reader for a lifetime, assuming the Scriptures make the top of the list?"  Furthermore, being good and Godly parents to our children, what legacy could we give them that would help them honor Christ and take dominion in His name. 

I thought it was a good question.  It is good for a couple of reasons.  First, modern [American] man over-complicates nearly everything because modern man is essentially pagan.  The Christian life is a simple life.  We complicate things immensely when our culture moves away from Biblical underpinnings. This includes education. When we first think "education" we immediately bring to mind institutions, degrees, tests, processes, and memorization (all with a hefty price tag).  However, the Bible says that Fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom - and this puts us at odds with this modern understanding of education.  The moment we begin to answer the question of "why educate" with "to get a job", we move away from the Biblical reason for education.  Second, it gives fathers (the chief principal of the home) fuel, vision and a handy check list on how to raise Godly children.  Although, just reading these books with your children will not automatically create the desired Biblical worldview, it certainly provides the medium for which said worldview can grow.

Without further delay, here is the list of essential reading material for our children:

1. "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan
2. "Holiness of God" by R.C. Sproul
3. "Pushing the Antithesis" by Greg Bahnsen
4. "Tithing and Dominion" by RJ Rushdoony
5. "Westminster Confession of Faith" and "Three Forms of Unity"
6. "Fox's Book of Martyrs" by John Foxe
7. "The Politics of Guilty and Pity" by RJ Rushdoony
8. "Introduction to Logic" by Irving M. Copi
9. "A Christian view of men and things" by Gordon Clark
10. "Essays," The Works of G. K. Chesterton
11. "A Defense of Virginia and the South" by R. L. Dabney
12. "Structures of Scientific Revolutions" by Thomas Kuhn
13. "The Institute"s by John Calvin
14. "Les Miserable" by Victor Hugu
15. "The Scottish Chiefs" by Jane Porter
16. "The Philosophy of Science and Belief in God" by Gordon Clark
17. "Prevailing Worldviews" by Glenn R. Martin
18. "The One and The Many" by RJ Rushdoony
19. "Idols for Destruction" By Schlossberg
20. Various Poetry by Chesterton, Gerald Manley Hopkin, Ethelwyn Wetherald
21. "Amusing ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman
22. "The Outline of Sanity" by G. K. Chesterton
23. "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat
24. "Economics in one Lesson" by Henry Hazlitt
25. "I Pencil" (essay on line)
26. "Basic Economics" by Thomas Sowell
27. "The Road to Serfdom" by Fredrich Hyek
28. "What Has Government Done to Our Money?" by Murray Rothbard
29. "The Case Against the Fed" by Murray Rothbard
30. "A Humane Economy: The Social Framework of the Free Market" by Wilhelm Ropke
31. "The Creature From Jekyll Island" by Em Griffin
32. "The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression" by Amity Shlaes
33. "New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America" W. Folsom Jr.
34. "de Magistro" by Augustine
35. "Mathematics: Is God Silent?" by James Nickel

OK, so that's a little more than 20 books.  This list is certainly not exhaustive.   It is my belief that anyone of my children that complete this list will be well-educated.  Praise be to God for these good gifts.

Thanks to my good friends for helping produce this list: Bret McAtee, Mark Chambers, Misty Richards, Robert Fort and L.E. Sam Koon.

I'm sorry, we are but exiles in Babylon

I say, "The Lord shall have dominion - He shall have the schools, television and radio stations, music, art, families, law and the magistrate;  this means nothing short of the Christianization of all things, all institutions, all areas of life.  The Gospel will conquer in history, in time.  The world increase in the fullness there of and his Kingdom will grow on earth and it is in Heaven.  Wherever there is darkness, injustice, profanity, there is need for the Gospel - in our schools, television and radio stations, music, art, families, law and the magistrate.  We were given the Great Commission, and what He starts, He is faithful to complete it." (Dan 2:35, Psa 110:1, Mat 13:31-33, 1Cor 15:23, 15:25)

You then reply with, "ah, but we are just exiles in Babylon; for this is not our home".

You say, "but we would like for you to volunteer in the church's nursery".

I say, "ah, but we are just exiles in Babylon; for this is not our home".

You say, "can you please host a small group in your home?"

I say "ah, but we are just exiles in Babylon; for this is not our home".

You say, "we could use your help cleaning the church's bathrooms".

I say, "ah, but we are just exiles in Babylon; for this is not our home".

You say, "we are in need of a new church building, would you please contribute your money?"

I say, "ah, but we are just exiles in Babylon; for this is not our home".

You say, "you need to evangelize, and tell your neighbor about Jesus".

I say, "ah, but we are just exiles in Babylon; for this is not our home".

You say, "the Lord is my salvation"

I say, "ah, but we are just exiles in Babylon; for this is not our home".

If the Lord does not have all, He has nothing.  The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” Psa 110:1

Rendering to the Lord All Things

Ever hear an argument for a particular understanding of the Scriptures that was so intertwined up into itself that it was nearly impossible to understand how the argument started?  I heard such an argument on the christian life recently.  Before I get into the argument itself though, here is a little background. 

There is a writhing, current controversy in the Church today that creates what is called a "common realm" in reality and in this realm, the Scriptures don't provide or require guidance for life and godliness.  Some suggest that this common realm is the "earthly kingdom", while the Church and the Scriptures are among the "heavenly kingdom".  That is the one side, so then on the other side of the debate we have folks saying that there is no such common realm and even if there were a common realm, Christ and His Word lord over it.

Now, there are many variations to this idea and there are variations as to what exactly is in this realm (most would place our role in Government, politics, and other such matters).  To sum up the "conversation" I believe it is relatively safe to say that on the one side we have a radical (departing from orthodoxy and history) 2-Kingdom approach, and then on the other, we have the side that maintains that the Scriptures alone speak and have authority on such things (sometimes, referred to as "Theonomy" by it's opponents and "confessional" by is proponents).  One only has to think for a few minutes on this dichotomy to start to realize that the implications of the debate are absolutely huge and very difficult. 

I recently heard an argument from the passage Mark 12:13-17:

13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances,1 but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” 15 But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” 17 Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.

 from that passage, I heard that:

1. The Gospel brings people together - either for it or against it.  Loving the Gospel makes some strange allies and Hating the Gospel likewise makes for some really strong, but otherwise, strange partnerships.
2. This passage lays a foundation, a Christian view of politics and religion
3. We should be good citizens, even if you think the government is bad.  There was some good about Rome and there was some bad.  Even though Rome was bad, Jesus says "pay your taxes".  Rom 13, makes the same point.  Even though your government is bad in some ways, we should pay our taxes.  You are ethically obligated to pay your taxes no matter what.
4. Human government has legitimate authority.  God has instituted it.  Having government is a gift.  Government is a good thing, as a general category.  It is instituted by God and therefore should be respected by Man.  Chaos is bad. (I Tim 2).  We need to pray that they will uphold the law, bring order, punish wrong-doing, and live our life relatively free from their interference.  Christians should lead the way to show respect and honor to those in authority.
5. Allegiance to God and allegiance to your country are not inherently incompatible.  It is possible to honor Caesar and to honor God.  (I Peter 2) It seems that the normal state is one of compatible loyalties.  Are there times where civil disobedience is required - yes.
6. It is acceptable that there be some separation between religion and government.  It is acceptable that there be some separation between Church and State.  God and Government have "overlapping" but distinct spheres.  Government is always accountable to God but if we render to Caesar and to God different things, they must be different and distinct.  On the one hand, we can't strip Government from moral influence.  On the other hand, it seems that Jesus is saying here that government should not be ruled by all the laws of God.  As one author states, "Jesus was not a Theonomist".  D.A. Carson says that "everywhere up to this point, religion and state were intertwined.  This was true of course in ancient Israel, at least in theory - Israel was a Theocracy.  Similarly in the Pagan world the gods of the people were the gods of the state.  When the Romans took over some territory, the Romans did a "god swap".... but no where was there a state where it was divorced from all gods. ... what we could a secular state... where religion and government occupy separate spheres. on the face of it, this is what Jesus was advocating."  After all, Jesus says "My Kingdom is not of this world", and it won't be until the end of the age. [he is confusing himself here between the difference of will, is and ought].  Here is what one theologian says about living today - we are more like the Israelites living in babylon, then we are the Israelites living in the Promised Land.  [still confusing is and ought].  We are continually called strangers, pilgrims, etc in the NT.  Our position is not the Jews, but of exiles.  It helps us to know what to expect.  "Both of these spheres are ordained by God and under His Law, but they have different functions and operate according to different rules.  In their capacity as citizens of the spiritual kingdom, Christians insist of peace and refuse to bare arms in the name of His Kingdom.  In there capacity of citizens of the civil kingdom, they participate in the coercive work of the State.  As citizens of the Spiritual Kingdom, they have no patriotic allegiance to earthly kingdoms.  But as citizens of the earthly kingdom, patriotism is certainly possible.  As citizens of the Spiritual Kingdom, they can make all sorts of critiques of everything not Christ-like [paraphrased]  but as citizens of the earthly kingdom, they can acknowledge the benefits of all the benefits the State brings... seek common cause with non-christians on a host of issues and social projects.  As citizens of the spiritual kingdom they submit to the Scriptures, but as of the civil kingdom they can engage in genuine moral conversations with those of other faiths, with the universally accessible law of nature without making adherence to scripture a test for participation of cultural affairs.  As citizens of the spiritual kingdom, they can view social institutions like the State as temporal, destined to pass away.  But as citizens of the civil kingdom, they can have a keen interest in society, here and now.  "  This is crucial, and it remains to be seen if Islam can work in a Western Country.  There is nothing in the NT that tells us how to rule as the majority (taken from a P. Yancy quote).  Islam grew up as state and religion intertwined - it was always one.  The muslim view had a hard time with distinct spheres.  This is why there is rarely if ever freedom of religion in these countries.  It's because of this passage in Mark that Christians can accept the First Amendment - freedom of religion, for instance.  We can accept people worshiping other gods and worship in ways we don't approve.  Islam, on the other hand, doesn't have such a thing.  
7. God's people are not tied to any one nation.  You can be a part of a nation that doesn't worship, formally, the one true God.  True religion is not bound up in one country.  The Church is trans-national.  A government's legitimacy is not bound is not determined on whether is supports the worship of the one true God or even allows for it.  Jesus unhitches the requirement for governments to follow Jesus and for those being governed by those governments to have dual loyalty (37:36).  Christianity is not a Western Religion.  Christianity was born in regions of the World where people are crying out for freedom now and were these people are forced underground.  The center of gravity of Christianity is shifting away from the West. [this is spoken as a good thing].  The Church is international - you don't have to be an American to follow Christ.  You can be from any country and worship Jesus.
8. The State is not God.  Jesus says in this passage that we need to give God God's things and Caesar's, Caesar's things. Human government is run by humans, so it is full of sin.  The State gravitates towards more power, that the State has all the answers.  Jesus says respect Government, but the State is not ultimate.  The State does not have ultimate authority. 
9. We owe our ultimate allegiance to God.  The power of the State is good but limited.  Our allegiance is never ultimate.  We see so many examples of civil disobedience in the OT.  Verse 16 - the likeness - what are the things that are due Caesar:  honor, taxes, respect.  But what belongs to God?  You.  Your whole self.  Caesar gets the coins, God gets you.  God says to you - who's image do you bear?  God.  God gets you.  You are made in God's image, you owe your life, existence to God.  His face is on you.  You belong to Him.  You must ask yourself, what am I holding back from God?  Have you been putting off complete submission to Him?  Come to Christ and surrender the fight - render to God his things.  Give God yourself.

While I dissect this argument, I am assuming the author of it has chosen his words very carefully, and in doing so, has reveled some troubling beliefs that he has about God, His Word and His Work.  This is why it makes this so incredibly important to work out.  I am treading very carefully here - I care very deeply for and respect the author of these words and I hope everyone sees that I am very much for him and am very much interested in his personal walk and holiness.  As we all live in community with one another, I believe that we are called to sharpen each other, in the Lord.  I pray that this is the intent of this post.

So, I will break my argument down as I respond to each of the 9 points above. 

1. First point is spot on.  Especially if we understand the Gospel as the full counsel of God from Genesis to Revelation.  One cannot be neutral on the Word of God in anyway.
2. It is a bit of a stretch, in my opinion, to pull SO much from this passage.  The point is, mainly, that the Jews were trying to snare and ultimately murder Christ.  This point should not be over-shadowed by a discussion on politics.  They were trying to trick the Lord as to hasten His demise.  The Lord in turn was showing their hypocrisy in the utmost (because it showed their WILLING submission to Caesar already) and confounding them in their stupidity.  And, this interaction certainly did not stop the Jews from accusing him of not giving tribute to Caesar anyway (see Luke 23:2).
3. In general, I agree with this sentiment as well, as long as it is properly qualified.  No such qualification was given though.  We are never, never to pay anything, including taxes "no matter what".  Doing so, is simply idolatry.  If the author of this comment truly believed this, they would also take issue, to remain consistent, with the American War for Independence against Britain (just an example), as it was, among other things a war about unjust taxes.  Furthermore, such an unqualified statement would also require the Christian to disobey the First Commandment.
4. Again, agreed.  I would offer a question to help hone in on the discussion.  On what basis, or standard should we punish "wrong doers"?  This isn't an easy question for those who claim the existence of a "common realm".
5. Yes, this is correct if taken in the best possible light.  Christians do not honor Caesar and God in the same way, at the same level.  It is because we FIRST honor God that we also, to a lesser degree honor Caesar.  When Caesar refuses to honor God, in a public-facing way, then Christians have a duty to react to that.
6. Here's where we come to a large departure from Orthodoxy.  Hear me loud and clear:  it is entirely impossible to separate religion from ANY thing, any piece of knowledge, any work, any action, any thought - anything period.  External realities are manifested by inward beliefs.  The beliefs are religious to the core.  Christians are called to be Holy ("religious") in ALL they do.  There is not one piece of life, where Christ does not say "mine".  Christians should NEVER, NEVER be "neutral" on anything, nor can they be as it is impossible to act but not believe. 
   
   It is therefore, just as impossible to separate religion and government.  The Scriptures DO call for a separation between Institutions or Spheres, and it is precisely beacause the Scriptures say this that Christians are to uphold the Separation.  Period.  Not because we like it or because it "seems to work", but because it is commanded by our King to do so. 
   
   In this quote, Carson is so blinded by the god his government serves that he cannot see that his own country (the USA or Canada) is indeed bowing the knee to a god.  Are we really to believe that secular humanism isn't really a god, or a religion?  That our ideals of "personal choice" no matter who is murdered, is really devoid of a god of some kind?  This slight-of-hand appeal to the "neutral" has blinded so many in our pulpits today.
   
   Again, we see a picture of dualism and some kind of monstrous christian split-personality disorder.  If this line of reasoning were taken to it's own conclusion, we cannot blame the gas chamber operators for their role in the atrocities of mid-century Germany.  Because these operators were acting in the common realm, or the "civil kingdom", they should not be held accountable for their actions.  The Scriptures, our only rule for godliness, does not allow for this duplicitous approach to life.
   
   Finally, we cannot engage and must not engage in "moral dialog" without invoking the Scriptures (at some level).  It is only a matter of convenience that "most" religions say "thou shalt not murder" and it is only a matter of practicality for most.  Is that why Christians do not murder?  Because it's not practical? No, we do not do such things because it is offensive to God, and because he said not to do it.  A neutral, unbiblically founded conversation with Pagans is never an option for the Christian.  Proclaiming such a neutrality speaks volumes on one's own belief about God, their Savior and His Word.
7. How are we to judge a government good or a government bad?  Those on the extreme side of "common realm" theology, would say, well, we certainly aren't to make a judgement call.  But these same folks certainly don't live this way practically.  The alternative view to this is that God Himself has ordained civil magistrates, gives them authority and regulates what they do by His Word.  Without this understanding, the State IS God (see WCF 23:  God, the Supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under him over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defense and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evil-doers.)
8. Agreed.
9. Agreed.  God gets everything.  When we give what is Lawful to Caesar we honour God.  When we give what is unLawful to Caesar, we dishonour God.  There is no middle ground, no neutral territory.

There is so much more to say on this topic and the debate will likely not be resolved anytime soon - it is all unfolding before us in this generation.  We should  continue to keep our eyes focused on the only stanrdard for holiness that we have - the very word of God.

"May the Lord raise up a generation that seeks His Worship in every area of life.  May we be that generation that kneels before the almighty in every hard way.  May we worship the one true King."

A Pastor on "Preaching Politics"

"I preach politics all the time.  I proclaim that Jesus is Lord.  That's a political statement, isn't it? 

Beyond that, I frequently pray that He would wield the rod of iron that He has been given to shatter the nations -- and their rulers -- that oppose Him and that all the kings (and presidents and prime ministers and other elected officials) of earth would "kiss the Son lest He be angry," acknowledge Him as "King of kings" and "Lord of lords" and therefore as *their* king and lord, and obey Him.

In fact, I see the Lord's service on Sunday morning as far more important politically than anything else we might do all week long, including voting.  As a friend of mine wrote, we need bread-and-wine parties with Jesus in the heavenlies more than tea parties on earth.  Like Esther, when we are at the king's table, we have the ear of the Great King and He hears our requests and destroys Haman and all who are like Him.

And all of that is political."

Rev John Barach
Pastor, Covenant Presbyterian Church (CREC)
via the CO-URC forum

The above quote was ripped off, without this pastor's permission, from a public forum that I follow.

The Well-Educated Child

It's funny how hard it was for me to get these things written down.  We sort of just assumed them but there is a danger in just assuming things.  In the hopes of staying true to the Goal and the charter set before us, here are the things that my wife and I seek to achieve in the education of our children:

1. To know that they are a sinner saved by King Jesus.  And that every area of life is to be lifted up in submission to His Good Will;
2. A thoroughly Christian worldview and epistemology;
3. An active lifestyle of reading, understanding, and praying with and through the Scriptures;
4. An understanding of place and an appreciation for Land;
5. Thinking, writing and speaking well, in that order;
6. A solid grasp of History - this is the principle study;
7. A personal sense of belonging to a people;
8. A thorough admiration for the Western Culture - more specifically in language, art, music, philosophy and literature;
9. An understanding of the profitable household;
10. A strong sense of Dominion, a love for reading, a hunger for discovery and a Godly attitude towards stewardship;
11. A rest in God's Sovereignty: to be hopeful in the coming consummation and victory of the Gospel;
12. A boldness for Proclamation of a Large Gospel; and finally,
13. A life-long attitude of self-denial in service to others for His Kingdom purposes.

"Lord, may our family continue to put your purposes for our family above our own; may we delight in your Word and praise your name in all things.  Worthy are you, Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.   To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God forever and ever. Amen."

Is it Reformed to Celebrate Christmas?

There are many working definitions of "Christmas", "Reformed" and "Celebrate", but here's what the Divines said about celebrating Christmas:

"The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear; the sound preaching, and conscionable hearing of the Word, in obedience unto God with understanding, faith, and reverence; singing of psalms with grace in the heart; as, also, the due administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ; are all parts of the ordinary religious worship of God: besides religious oaths, and vows, solemn fastings, and thanksgivings upon special occasion; which are, in their several times and seasons, to be used in an holy and religious manner." - WCF 21:5, Nehemiah 10:29, Esther 4:16, 9:22, Acts 2:42, 10:33, 15:21, I Cor 7:5, 11:23-29, Eph 5:19

Furthermore, Calvin says:

"Since my recall, I have pursued the moderate course of keeping Christ’s birth-day as you are wont to do." From Letter One, 1555

"I declare that a church is not to be despised or condemned, because it observes more festival days than the others." From Letter Two, 1555

There is plenty that is definitely unholy about this time of year but, as much as I hate to admit it, there is nothing in and of itself unholy about Christmas.

Hat Tip: James McDonald and Bojidar Marinov

Colonists vs. Exiles

In the modern church today, we often here that the Church, we Christians, are "exiles in Babylon" - usually this is an appeal to not care too much for this world because it will "blow away" and "burn in the end".  The strange thing is though that no where in the New Testament are we called to think of ourselves, the Church or the World in this way.  No where are we called to treat life and Kingdom as having only a short-lived, temporary value.

To be sure, there are times of retreat for the Church as she is judged for her unfaithfullness, but we do not find in the Scriptures that the Church will shrink or fail in history.  "Captivity" is not a normal mode for the Church.  Instead, what we see in the Scriptures is an overall theme of victory. Matt 13:3-23; Matt 26:51-52; Luke 17:30-31; Psa 22:27; Psa 67:7; 86:9; 102:15; Acts 2:33-35; 5:31; 7:56; Rom 8:34; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3, 13; 8:1 10:12; 12:2; I Pet 3:22; Rom 11:11-26; I cor 15:20-28

One point of confusion could be the 1 Peter 1:1 passage where it states, as Peter is writing to the church as "exiles".  But a quick look up of the word "parepidemos" (the Greek for 'exile' here) signifies a very different meaning then someone "who has been displaced in a negative situation and awaits to return home".  In fact, the word is more akin to "colonist", meaning someone who is from a foreign land and who has made this land his home and staked it for the Hinterland.

To the reader, this might seem like a slight jot and tittle but the ramifications of this shift in thinking are huge.  For instance, the colonist view encourages faithfulness in several positive ways:

1. It sets our priorities for Worship in Truth and Spirit in ALL (everything, all, total inclusiveness) that we do.
2. It reminds that God is not primarily our personal savior.  There are more important things outside of "saving souls" and that we come along side the work that is already underway.
3. We can proclaim the Truth with more vigor while at the same time having a prayerful attitude and a confidence that since the Lord has placed us in our particular context, we will provide plenty of opportunity to do the work.
4. Seek a more selfless attitude toward those in need.  We tend to care more about our surroundings if we believe that it is not all "throw-away". If we believe in a real, corporeal Kingdom, here and now, then all work that is done in His name, is for His glory.
5. Because this IS our home, we need to take care of it and be godly stewards of everything God has given us.
6. The Culture should be a reflection of the Kingdom reality and we seek to spread the Gospel into every nook and crany of the vestages of pagan culture.
7. And finally, we don't suffer in vain, we suffer by the and for the name of the Victor.  Our Victor is not in a lame duck session, loosing more and more territory to the forces of Darkness, rather He is Lord over all, now and forever more, and the Dominion (the Great Commission) mandate is a Good Work with very large scope indeed.

Finally, as we're reminded of this full hope in the Lord's Prayer, we pray with our Risen King that:

Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.

Thy king­dom come, Thy will be done
in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And for­give us our debts, as we
for­give our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen

 

 

PS: Hat Tip to Borijar Marinov for his insights and inspiration for this post.

Organic Bible Study

Rushdoony is  a hoot.  I often state that reading him is like listening to your grandfather go on and on about the good ol' days - you start at point A, think you're going to B but visit D, E, G, F and end up at point Z; having gained much more than you originallty intended.  I was reading a very worth-while treatise on Romans while I ran into the following quote:

"One of the problems of modern scholarship is its over-specialization.  Much can be said to commend the very extensive and more intensive research that goes into many studies.  The problem, however, is that a unified whole is arbitrarily divided into a variety of parts.  A man cannot live if he is arbitrarily reduced to a heart, muscles, digestive systems, or bones.  All of these belong to an essential unity.  Similarly, to divide theology into systematic theology, biblcial theology, and so on is to create arbirtrary and false divisions; any theology which is not all of these things and more is false.  Biblical studies are divided into Old and New Testament departments, and, if more funds and more students were forthcoming, more divisions would be made. " - R. J. Rushdoony; "Romans and Galations".

There is a LIFETIME of wisdom in that quote.  I'll only add that what is true of formal Biblical studies can also certainly be said of personal Biblical studies.  If the Lord has written it all, it is all important and it is all cohesive.  Something to keep in mind.

The Utterly Ridiculous Nature of the Salt and Light Argument

There are lots of supposed reasons why parents will not keep their children from the government churches (or schools).  "Socialization", cost, convenience, etc.  But the worst upon worst argument I have ever heard is the "salt and light" argument.  The reasoning goes something like this:  we are to be missionaries, a witness, to a dying world, salt and light, so therefore sending our little ones out into the world to do just that in the government schools is fulfilling the "great commission."  People who use this argument, are well-meaning, usually, but always naive.  The sincerity of the parents of wanting their children to be missionaries to the lost is real, but that sincerity doesn't make it right.  But even this sincerity is questionable at times.  These same parents would certainly not send there 4 and 5-year-old children (or even their teens) to a crack house to "bear witness" to the lost there and they certainly wouldn't send them to a Hindu school either to do the same.  So why do pagan secular humanist of the behemoth American system get a free pass?  Why do Christian parents give this system, opposed to Christ in every way, a free pass for 6-7 hours a day? 

Parents, you are simply believing a lie when you think that your children are getting a "neutral" or somehow a compatible christian education in the government schools.  Any system of education that does not start with Christ is NOT christian and is contrary to the Word.  If you still remain unconvinced, go in peace, but never, never be deluded into thinking that you are somehow honoring Christ, or doing the Church or your Children any favors by sending them gladly to the government schools to be "salt and light." 

If you want your children to truly be salt and light please don't raise them to believe that Christ really isn't everything; please don't teach them that walking with the Lord is a 2-3 hour-a-day enterprise; and please don't teach them that somehow being a faithful servant of the Sovereign King of the Universe means that Jesus is for Sunday School. 

Matthew 5:13 - “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.