Archive for January, 2009

Adam & Eve or Adam & Steve?

by Hugh on January 30, 2009 in Faith with 3 Comments

Gay DebateEarlier this week my vicar, Phil Moon (also my boss) took part in a public debate with Clive Gardner, a local LGCM leader in Brighton. Interestingly despite Brighton being a ‘gay capital’ the LGCM is pretty small, but they initiated the idea of a public debate, the two speakers also aired on local radio earlier in the day.

Phil started off, taking us through what I think were 7 ‘gay’ passages in the Bible, explaining what they meant and building a case to show how the Bible condemns not only gay sex, but sex outside of God’s plan for it – heterosexual, monogamous marriage.

Now I could have guessed what Phil was going to say, so I was more intrigued to hear what Clive was going to say – but was disappointed. Here was the basic flow of his argument…

  1. I love Jesus and I love the Bible
  2. We can’t be sure what the Bible says in the 7 ‘gay’ passages
  3. Why would God be against stable, loving homosexual relationships?

These were not good arguments – the first aims to appeal to our emotions, the second is an argument from silence, well trying to silence what the Bible says, and the third is a pragmatic argument. What I wanted to hear from Clive, was a Biblical (some verses) case in support of homosexual relationships.

When pressed further on the Romans 1 passage and also on the nature of God, his relationship in Trinity and with the Church, the LGCM position of claiming to love the Bible and belief in its authority was sadly exposed.

At the end of the evening we said ‘the Grace’ together, a nice sentiment, but tragically I fear those from the LGCM aren’t actually Christians! I don’t say this to provoke, or to be controversial, or to deny the LGCM the things they claim to believe, but… if 1 Corinthians 6:9 refers to those in homosexual relationships, as I believe it does, then it also says that those who continue in that way of living will “not inherit the Kingdom of God”.

If you’re interested in listening to the full debate and the Q&A then you can download the audio.

Ballast in your boat

by Hugh on January 30, 2009 in Books, Faith with No comments

“It is not my calling to help you to have chipper feelings while the whole of creation groans. My job is to put the kind of ballast in the belly of your boat so that when these waves crash against your life, you will not capsize but make it to the harbour of heaven battered and wounded but full of faith and joy”

John Piper, Spectacular Sins [pg. 28]

Porn-Again Christian

by Hugh on January 25, 2009 in Books, Faith with 1 Comment

Porn Again Christian‘Porn-Again Christian‘ is the punningly named title of a new e-book written by Mark Driscoll and published online (for free) at The Resurgence. Driscoll doesn’t mince his words, hence the sub-title – “a frank discussion on pornography and masturbation”… and that’s what it is; real, honest words to men about the issues surrounding lust, with a grasp of both the theology and practicalities of the issue.

Because the book is very frank I won’t go into details… but there’s two focuses of the book… firstly the theology – what is lust, why do we lust, why do we sin, why do we reject God for the inferior pleasures of lust? and secondly the application of that, how practically can I avoid temptation and fight it when it comes… it covers porn, masturbation, godly sex in marriage, being a man, and some Q&A.

The book concludes with something very profound, and very disturbing. It is an interview with Ted Bundy, American serial killer who explains in an interview with a Christian leader James Dobson how experiences of soft porn started a slippery slope into more hardcore, more violent materials and then ultimately to sexual violence and murder in the real life. What’s frightening is that Bundy had a ‘normal’ upbringing… a stable family and a Christian home, but the images of pornography and the violence of films changed him. There’s also an appendix looking at the real, current effects of prostitution and sexual slavery in the world today.

“In closing, sin leads to death. Jesus died for your sin. You are in a war. Be a man. Put your sin to death.”

A Few Good Men

by Hugh on January 24, 2009 in Books, Faith with No comments

A Few Good Men is an encouraging read, designed to spur Christian men on in their faith through the example of Biblical heroes of the faith. Author, Richard Coekin (Co-Mission, London Men’s Convention) takes us to these heroes and applies the good principles of how they lived and applies it to us, here and now. He uses the following 10 examples, drawing on one particular aspect of their character:

Obedient Noah, Sacrificial Abraham, Self-disciplined Joseph, Unworldly Moses, Wholehearted Caleb, Humble Isaiah, Distinctive Daniel, Pastoral Paul, Prayerful Epaphras, and Loyal Onesiphorus.

Each chapter includes the Bible text telling the story of one of these heroes. Coekin then rewrites the story in his own words drawing out the situations and characters in the stories, helping the reader to really grasp what’s going on, after reading that you feel a lot closer to understanding the character. From this point Coekin helps us to apply the principles of godly character into our own situations; at home, at the workplace, at university etc.

The chapters conclude with some extra biblical background information on the character, and then some group discussion questions in light of the applications of the chapter. There is also a concluding 11th chapter conclusion… “Jesus: the perfect man”… Coekin finishes by showing how Jesus is the fulfilment of all these heroes and how he shows perfection in all of these godly characteristics.

The book is an enjoyable read, it’s helped greatly by Coekin’s retelling sections, they help you to understand what’s going on, each chapter is almost like a short commentary/biography on the character – very useful. The book has great story telling, great application and it’s always grounded in and directs the reader to the cross of Christ.

Having said that one of my concerns in the way the book is written is that it may come across as a little bit religious. While the book is aimed to spur Christians on, and it’s made clear that Jesus is the only perfect man, Coekin ignores the massive failures of these men, reading some chapters just made me feel a bit rubbish, I feel the book could be better if it also picked up on these men’s failures and the grace that kept them. So it was great that Coekin always took us to the cross, but I felt it needed the GRACE of God in the cross and in the lives of these men to be emphasised more.

I do highly commend it, great to read, great as a resource looking at Biblical characters, and I’m sure it would be great for a men’s group to read together and discuss. Get your copy from the Good Book Company, only £7.

Spectacular Sins

by Hugh on January 6, 2009 in Books, Faith with No comments

Spectacular SinsMe and my dad are both reading one of John Piper’s recent books – ‘Spectacular Sins and their global purpose in the glory of Christ’. It’s a book about God being in complete control of EVERYTHING, and not just that it’s about EVERYTHING having one purpose – to give God glory… everything means everything, even the worst sins ever committed in human history!

“At the all-important pivot of human history, the worst sin ever committed served to show the greatest glory of Christ and obtain the sin-conquering gift of God’s grace. God did not just overcome evil at the cross. He made evil serve the overcoming of evil. He made evil commit suicide in doing its worst evil.

Evil is anything and everything opposed to the fullest display of the glory of Christ. That’s the meaning of evil. In the death of Christ, the powers of darkness did their best to destroy the glory of the Son of God. This is the apex of evil. But instead they found themselves quoting the script of the ancient prophecy and acting the part assigned by God. Precisely in putting Christ to death, they put his glory on display – the very glory they aimed to destroy. The apex of evil achieved the apex of the glory of Christ. The glory of grace.”

John Piper, Spectacular Sins [pg. 12]

When I read this it blew me away, and this is just part of the introduction! I’m going to give a full review when I finish reading it… shouldn’t be long, it’s hard to put down!

Christians are immortal

by Hugh on January 2, 2009 in Faith with No comments

They shall not die prematurely; they shall be immortal till their work is done; and when their time shall come to die, then their deaths shall be precious. The Lord watches over their dying beds, smooths their pillows, sustains their hearts, and receives their souls. Those who are redeemed with precious blood are so dear to God that even their deaths are precious to him. The deathbeds of saints are very precious to the church, she often learns much from them; they are very precious to all believers, who delight to treasure up the last words of the departed; but they are most of all precious to the Lord Jehovah himself, who views the triumphant deaths of his gracious ones with sacred delight. If we have walked before him in the land of the living, we need not fear to die before him when the hour of our departure is at hand.

Spurgeon comments on Psalm 116:15

Can we trust the Bible?

by Hugh on January 2, 2009 in Faith, Talks with No comments

How do we know that what we read is true?

The Bible says it is! – 2 Tim 3:16

Thus says the Lord, I tell you the truth,

That is a circular argument – yes, it has to be!

Think about the American Constitution…

Expanding the circle…

Prophecies Fulfilled

Unity of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation

Harmony between 40 authors over 1500 years in 3 languages

Style of writing – factual, eyewitness accounts, ‘little details’

“I have been reading poems, romances, vision literature, legends and myths all my life. I know what they are like. I know none of them are like this.”… they are either reportage, or the first realistic novelistic writing without predecessor or successor…

CS. Lewis

Archaeology – Ebla archive, Hittites found in Turkey (19th Century)

Dead Sea Scrolls – The Book of Isaiah (150 B.C.)

Secular Historians – Josephus, Tacitus

Christian Historians – Tertullian, Justin Martyr

How do we know that what we read is what was written?

See Manuscript Evidence!

What about all the different versions?

Translation Errors There are errors in the Bible! - “as originally given”

Transcription Errors 24,000 copies, check the footnotes (Mark 16)

Four Points of the Gospel

God created us in his image, for his glory

We have rejected God’s rightful rule over us as his creation and deserve to die

God sent his Son, the man Jesus Christ to take the death penalty for our rejection of him and to restore a right relationship with God

We will face God in judgement, there are two pleas, “I will take the punishment for my rebellion” or “Jesus took the punishment for my rebellion”

Is it coherent?

Does it correspond with reality?

Does it work?

We make our own errors…

Changing Scripture

Jehovah’s Witnesses – systematic removal of references to the deity of Jesus

“[Paul] writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.” – 2 Peter 3:16

Adding to Scripture

‘Strict’ / Legalists – adding rules and morality not given by the Bible

Charismatics – too high a view of prophecy?

Roman Catholics – Papal Infallibility?

Denying Scripture

“There is no external, objective, revealed standard writ in scripture or on tablets of stone that will govern our ethical behaviour for all time.”

– Bishop John Shelby Spong, ‘New Reformation’

Misinterpreting Scripture - It’s all down to interpretation!

Is God loving or wrathful? Is homosexuality a sin? Can women lead churches?

CONTEXT is KEY!!!

How should we view the Bible?

“The Holy Bible, as originally given, is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It is the supreme authority in all matters of belief and behaviour.” – CMFs Christian Beliefs

2 Timothy 3:16 Breathed out by God, thoroughly equipped for every work (Sufficient)

Hebrews 1:1-2 God’s final word, all about Jesus, from God (Authoritative)

Luke 24:44 One book, one message… it really is all about Jesus

How should we answer questions from non-christians?

- Avoid disputable matters – creation, end times, spiritual gifts, election etc.

- If you don’t know, say so! Be honest and come back with an answer.

- Be prepared. Study the Bible. Study apologetics. (1 Peter 3:15)

- Look behind the question. Who’s asking it? Why are they asking it?

- Pray for the questioner. Pray for your answer. Be gracious in your response. (Colossians 4:2-6)

Herod, Quirinius and Jesus’ Birth, Luke 2

Caesar Augustus 63BC – 19AD

Herod the Great Died 4BC

Quirinius Governor from 6AD (Josephus)

Consul from 12 BC (Deeds of Augustus)

Advisor to Augustus’ son in Armenia and Syria (Tacitus)

The Bible says Quirinius was ‘governing’ in Syria, not the Governor

Census’

- Augustus had the power, used it to tax provinces

- 104 AD (Gaius Maximus), 48 AD (Tiberius Claudius)… required a returning to native land

Tertullian – 155-222 AD

Tertullian, a lawyer of the second century, had no trouble reconciling the statement of Luke 2:2 that Quirinius was “hegemon” of Syria with Saturninus’ governorship of Syria, because he would have understood Quirinius’ position in Syria as a special assignment. Because of the special assignment of Quirinius, Luke refers to him as the “hegemon” during the registration. Schurer mentions other scholars who have accepted the position that Quirinius was a special legate to carry out this census.

- See Emil Schurer, The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ

Canon of Scripture

Irenaeus AD 160 – Four Gospels

Justin Martyr, in the early second century, mentions the “memoirs of the apostles,” which Christians called “gospels” and which were regarded as on par with the Old Testament

Origin 3rd Century – 27 New Testament books

Athanasius 367 AD – calls 27 books ‘canonized’

Synod of Hippo 393 AD – confirms canon

Divinity of Jesus – Council of Nicea 325 AD

Heretic called Arius

Vote was 318 – 2

Gospel of Thomas

GoT 114: Simon Peter said to them, “Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life.” Jesus said, “I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Manuscripts

Author

Date Written

Earliest Copy

Time Span

Copies (extent)

Secular Manuscripts:

Herodotus (History)

480 – 425 BC

900 AD

1,300 years

8

Thucydides (History)

460 – 400 BC

900 AD

1,300 years

?

Aristotle (Philosopher)

384 – 322 BC

1,100 AD

1,400 years

5

Caesar (History)

100 – 44 BC

900 AD

1,000 years

10

Pliny (History)

61 – 113 AD

850 AD

750 years

7

Suetonius (Roman History)

70 – 140 AD

950 AD

800 years

?

Tacitus (Greek History)

100 AD

1,100 AD

1,000 years

20

Biblical Manuscripts: (note: these are individual manuscripts)

Magdalene Ms (Matthew 26)

1st century

50-60 AD

co-existant (?)

John Rylands (John)

90 AD

130 AD

40 years

Bodmer Papyrus II (John)

90 AD

150-200 AD

60-110 years

Chester Beatty Papyri (N.T.)

1st century

200 AD

150 years

Diatessaron by Tatian (Gospels)

1st century

200 AD

150 years

Codex Vaticanus (Bible)

1st century

325-350 AD

275-300 years

Codex Sinaiticus (Bible)

1st century

350 AD

300 years

Codex Alexandrinus (Bible)

1st century

400 AD

350 years

(Total New Testament manuscripts = 5,300 Greek MSS, 10,000 Latin Vulgates, 9,300 others = 24,000 copies)
(Total MSS compiled prior to 600 AD = 230)

Sir David Dalrymple sought to do this, and from the second and third century writings of the church fathers he found the entire New Testament quoted except for eleven verses (McDowell 1972:50-51; 1990:48)! Thus, we could throw the New Testament manuscripts away and still reconstruct it with the simple help of these letters. Some examples of these are (from McDowell’s Evidence…, 1972 pg. 51):

Clement (30- 95 A.D.) quotes from various sections of the New Testament.
Ignatius (70-110 A.D.) knew the apostles and quoted directly from 15 of the 27 books.
Polycarp (70-156 A.D.) was a disciple of John and quoted from the New Testament.

3 Types of Error

Textual

Written within eyewitness time frame (from 15 years)

Lots of copies

Good oral tradition as back up

…see manuscripts (Josh McDowell)

Factual

Written within eyewitness time frame (from 15 years)

No problems for the early church and early historians

Named eyewitnesses (Mark 15:21), 500 witnesses (1 Cor 15)

Most ‘errors’ aren’t when read in context

Secular history is not 100% reliable, the Bible sometimes wins (Hittites)

Fabrication - it’s a bad one!

Unhelpful facts – women witnesses, Peter’s denial, Mark runs away, crucified leader…

Genuine Error – casts doubt on ‘God breathedness’ rather than on truth

Social / Cultural

Slavery? Women? Sex?

Mark 14 (argument from TK – Reason for God)

62“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

71He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

Mark 16:7 – Peter restored to leadership

Why is our culture deemed more progressive? How arrogant!

‘Stepford God’? - The Bible should contradict us!

Biblical Discernment

by Hugh on January 2, 2009 in Faith, Talks with No comments

What is Discernment?

2 Types:    What is God’s will? (specific)
Truth – what is right and wrong?

Premise:    There is Truth and error, right and wrong

General worldview: No Ultimate Truth / Many truths

What is Discernment?  -  from the Bible

•    Hebrews 5: 11-14
•    Philippians 1: 9-10
•    Romans 16: 19
•    Ephesians 5: 8-10
•    Romans 12: 2
•    1 Thessalonians 5: 21-22
•    1 John 4: 1

What is the gospel?

1 Corinthians 15: 1-5  (shamelessly plagiarised from John Piper)
•    Planned
•    Historical
•    Objective Accomplishment
•    Offer
•    Application to you
•    Joyful, eternal future

Warning!!!    Galatians 1:6-9

Case studies

What is good?    What is bad?

What are humans like?

‘While we have spent centuries arguing over the doctrine of original sin, pouring over the Bible and huge theological tomes to prove the inherent sinfulness of all humankind, we have missed a startling point: Jesus believed in original goodness! God declared that all his creation, including humankind, was very good. And it’s this original goodness that Jesus seeks out in us’

Bible Passages:   Genesis 1-3, Psalm 51, Romans 3,  Mark 7

God is incapable of forgiveness!

“The traditional understanding says that God asks of us something that God is incapable of Himself. God asks us to forgive people. But God is incapable of forgiving. God can’t forgive unless He punishes somebody in place of the person He was going to forgive. God doesn’t say things to you Forgive your wife, and then go kick the dog to vent your anger. God asks you to actually forgive, and there’s a certain sense that, a common understanding of the atonement presents a God who is incapable of forgiving. Unless He kicks somebody else.”

Bible passages:    Hebrews 9: 22, Romans 3: 21-26

Christian life?

“A little over 2,000 years ago, they crucified Jesus on the cross; they put him in the grave; they thought that was the end of it. But thank God on the third day, he arose. He said, ‘because I live, you shall live also.’ He wasn’t talking about just breathing; he was talking about living an abundant life. Not a barely get by life, not a life filled with bad habits and addictions and lack and mediocrity. Because of the price He paid, we have a right to live in total victory… not partial victory.”

Bible Passages:    John 14:19, 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10

Virgin Birth?

“What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archaeologists find Larry’s tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologising the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births? But what if, as you study the origin of the word ‘virgin’ you discover that the word ‘virgin’ in the gospel of Matthew actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the Hebrew language at that time, the word ‘virgin’ could mean several things. And what if you discover that in the first century being ‘born of a virgin’ also referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had intercourse? What if that spring were seriously questioned? Could a person keep on jumping? Could a person still love God? Could you still be a Christian? Is the way of Jesus still the best possible way to live? Or does the whole thing fall apart?…If the whole faith falls apart when we re-examine and rethink one spring, then it wasn’t that strong in the first place, was it?”

Hint question:    What does this say about Jesus and about the Bible?  What falls apart?

3 Studies in Colossians

by Hugh on January 2, 2009 in Faith, Talks with No comments

Day 3 Study - Colossians 1:9-14

9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Tee-up

Suppose you could know God’s will (plan) for your life… what would you want to know??

Read passage

Group intro: divide the passage into 3 sections, giving a title

What things does Paul pray for v.9?

Why does he pray for these v.10-11?

What has God done for us v.12-14?

Further Questions:

So… what is the ‘knowledge of God’? Is it just in our heads?

How can we grow in the ‘knowledge of God’?

What is the ‘dominion of darkness’ v.13? – How does this rescue make us feel about what God has done?

So… what is God’s plan for your life???

Pray for each other

Filled with the knowledge of God

Live a life that pleases God

Day 7 Study - Colossians 2:16-23

16Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Question

Have you ever felt like you’re not a ‘proper Christian’ or not a very good one?

- things people say? Comparing yourself with others? Keep sinning! Don’t make time for God…

Read passage

What 2 commands are we given: v.16 and v.18?

Split the passage into 3 sections based on these headings:

Special Days v.16-17

Spirituality v.18-19

Human Regulations v.20-23

Can you think of examples of things within the church or other religions that fall in to these categories today?

Mustn’t shop on Sunday… You must speak in tongues… You shouldn’t drink!

Paul points the Colossians away from these ‘rules’ and directs them to Jesus – where do we see this in each of the 3 sections?

v.17 “..the reality, however, is found in Christ”

v.19 “He has lost connection with the Head..”

v.20 “Since you died with Christ..”

Day 9 Study - Colossians 3:18–4:1

18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favouritism.

1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Brainstorm: Make a list of people that we have to obey… parents, government, police etc.

Read Passage

What are the 3 main relationships discussed in the passage?

Which of these commands are directly relevant to me – now and in the future?

What other relationship can be seen in Ch.4 v.1?

Compare this relationship with Ch.3 v.17

Keller on Lust

by Hugh on January 1, 2009 in Books, Faith with No comments

The solution to a bad marriage is a reorientation to the radical spousal love of Christ in the gospel. “Thou shall not commit adultery” makes sense in the context of the spousal love of Jesus, especially in the cross, where he was completely faithful to you. Only when you know the spousal love of Christ will you have a real fortitude against lust. His love is fulfilling – which keeps you from looking to sexuality to give you what only Jesus can give.

What is the point? What makes you faithful or generous [or sexually pure?]  is not just a redoubled effort to follow moral rules. Rather, all change comes from deepening your understanding of the salvation of Christ and living out of the changes that understanding creates in your heart. Faith in the gospel restructures our motivations, our self-understanding, our identity, and our view of the world. Behavioural compliance to rules without heart-change will be superficial and fleeting.

Tim Keller, The Prodigal God (pg. 118)

Rarely do you ever get anyone give any practical advice in terms of battling lust (except lists of don’ts)… Keller gives both the theological advice (above) and the practical – also worth checking out is his after sermon Q&A on this subject, his main point, that I remember anyway, is that all physical lust is sexual energy, certainly it is more than just physical but it is still energy that needs to be released… through a punch bag maybe? I’m pretty lazy, but he’s got a point, it’s all energy and there’s different ways, some godly, some not, to release that energy. Have a listen below…

Redeemer Q&A  -  Celibacy and Sexual Fasting