Atheism: Unyielding Despair

HT: mhcseattle

Church History in 4 Minutes

HT Dan Phillips

Following Directions

Back to Psalm 119.

Since moving into a part of Sydney I had never lived in previously I have gotten considerable use out of a GPS Navigator in our car. Prior to purchasing the GPS device, I was out one evening visiting a new family that had started attending our Church and got lost. What should have been a 15-20 minute trip turned into a very stressful 70-80 minutes. Getting home was no less an adventure, and took about 50 minutes. The following pay period we invested in a GPS device and travel has been considerably easier.

As I have become more familiar with the area, I rely on the GPS less often. This doesn’t lessen it’s value, as I still use it to map out the location of variance in speed limits, safety camera locations and School Zones. When traveling home from the office of an evening I have a choice of about 4 or 5 routes that I take depending on the time and traffic conditions. However, the GPS is insistent on taking the same single route each time regardless. I usually ignore it, and after a few commands to “turn a-round” it recalculates the route from my new position. Occasionally, when I go somewhere new, and I know how to get to the area but not the specific address I will leave the GPS off until the very last minute in the hope that I haven’t gone too far in the wrong direction. After all, men don’t like asking or taking directions, even from machines

The tendency to not follow directions is something that is prevalent in most of us when it comes to spiritual guidance. Like the owner of a new GPS, a new believer is often keen to read as much of the Bible as often as possible. They find, within the scriptures, a light and a guide that leads them in the way everlasting. They relish the time spent reading, praying, listening to sermons, participating in Bible Studies, small groups and conventions because in each of these they are increasingly exposed to Christ in his Word. They literally hunger for it, exactly as a new baby craves milk. Yet after a while, it is not altogether uncommon, for this enthusiasm to wane. Instead of being a daily source of spiritual nourishment, the Bible is relegated to the “Open in case of emergency” box. Soon afterwards, it is simply not consulted at all, even in times of crisis.

Quoting Harry Blamires, Kent Hughes in his “Disciplines of a Godly Man”, mentions a “religious anorexia, a loss of appetite for growth in Christ” as attributable to Christians dogged refusal to regularly read the Bible.

“God calls us in His Word to a massive and positive discipline of the mind. This can only happen through a profound exposure to and continual immersion in God’s Word, accompanied by the illumination of the Holy Spirit -” (p. 76)

Refusing to read, Hughes adds, is “in effect “editing God” and [you] will never have a fully Christian mind”. (p. 78)

When the Psalmist is seeking guidance and stability, he looks to the scriptures; not to subjective experiences, inclinations, impulses or other dubious phenomena, but to the objective, declaration of Jesus Christ and the will of God found in the Bible. Christians often lament and become angst riddled about making decisions concerning marriage, study, career and ministry. God’s wisdom is readily available to us in the Bible, if only we would pick it up and read it and allow that to influence our thinking instead of anxiously waiting on the advent of a special impulse or blinding vision. Praying and asking God to “direct your steps” whilst making lifestyle decisions is a prayer that he will definitely answer. You won’t know to pray like that if you don’t read the Bible though. Tolle Lege!

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133 (NIV)

Related Articles (Inserted by Author):

Guidance and the Voice of God by Matthias Media

The Nicene Creed

Over the next 2 Sundays we are going to be looking at the question of “Who is Jesus?“. In 325 A.D. (or thereabouts) a group of Christian leaders got together to ask the same question. Rather than only define themselves by what they were against, they decided to formulate a statement that positively expressed who Jesus is. That statement became known as the Nicene Creed (so named after the city where they meet for discussion and debate). This is not a subject to dismiss lightly. Either Jesus is God in the flesh or he is just another man and unable to be a suitable saviour. However the reasons that most will deny the identity of Jesus as God the Son is not because of some intellectual argument, rather it is the implications of who he is that determine their response. If he is just a teacher, than take it or leave it. If he is God, then what he says is of critical importance and has profound impact on what we value, how and for what purpose we live.

A modern version of the creed (copied from Phil Johnson) is below. Phil also has some excellent notes explaining each portion of the creed in more detail.

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son].
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. AMEN.

Forgetting Freedom

The Germans signing of the Armistice Treaty in the early hours of the morning on November 11, 1918 brought an end to official hostilities of World War 1 as of 11am (Paris time) that day. Since then each year on the eleventh-hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month a short time of silent remembrance is observed in honour of those who sacrificed their lives. Whilst the celebration of military servicemen and women and the multitude of auxiliary support services is generally observed on ANZAC Day in Australia, Remembrance Day is still an occasion to reflect on the loss of life, expense of war and the cost of freedoms that we daily take for granted.

In our own Church we have individuals and families that made incredible sacrifices, some with added mortal risks, to leave their ancestral homes, culture and loved ones to find a sanctuary of political, religious, moral and personal freedom in Australia. That freedom, by and large, was bought with the blood of men and women who never lived to see the magnificent opulence that we revel in, even now. The mere fact that you can read this blog, or dismiss it entirely without fear of reprisal, persecution, arrest, or torture is a bold evidence of our freedom and a product of the sacrifice of our military.

Their sacrifice, though, only acquired a temporal stay and a partial freedom. True freedom, from our inadequacy, insecurity, fear and sin was purchased once and for all by Jesus on the cross. His defeat of the final enemy, death, provides us with certainty of life with God as our Father now and in eternity. The choice to live that life and how to spend our time is ours. John Piper, a Baptist Pastor in the USA, suggests that we pursue godly pleasure with all our energy as a means to make the best use of our time. He contends, “God is most glorified in me, when I am most satisfied in him“, therefore to pursue a thankful, enjoyment of life as a gift from God is one of the greatest ways to serve and honour our heavenly Father. What will most glorify God in your life today?

For the Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

(as copied from Wikisource)

Sustaining Faith

Continuing a series on Psalm 119.

Australians ‘Stop’ each year on the first Tuesday in November at around 3:00pm AEDST to watch the Melbourne Cup horse race. Workers are given time off to gather in front of the television, students, if still in school, pause to do the same. In some parts of the country the entire day is a public holiday. All, so we, in unison, can watch the outcome of this race. I have attended corporate banquets put on in celebration of the race, others will spend a small fortune to don formal wear and play the ‘toff’ for a day at the racetrack. It is in many respects as much a public institution as some of the national religious and public holidays. Throughout workplaces and schools, sweeps are run, where, usually, by way of random allocation, entrants are given a horse for a small fee of maybe $2-$5. If your employer is particularly fortunate with their winnings, it is not unusual to be given the rest of the day off, to celebrate!

Sadly, or amusingly, if you’re so inclined, the condition of patrons at the race courses throughout the country later in the afternoon, differs considerably from earlier in the morning. What was at 11:00am, a beautifully adorned lady in a formal dress with accompanying hat or fascinator assembly, is at 5:00pm, a disheveled, crumpled, stained, torn, staggering embarrassment frequently accompanied by an equally uncouth, stupefied, lecherous lout. This from either over indulging whilst celebrating their win or from over indulging while commiserating their loss. Considerable stakes are paid in what is, in most cases, friendly one-up-man-ship, with punters trying to outdo each other in their betting on the horse racing. Hopes, quite literally, are “dashed” when another horse crosses the finish line ahead of the one they had ‘invested’ in. The Sydney Morning Herald estimated that the takings from punters yesterday exceeded $143 million in Victoria and New South Wales. The only clear winners are the State Government departments that profit from gaming and gambling. Everyone else comes out worse off.

The premise of gambling is an attempt to get something large for a disproportionately small price. The idea is that you make a bet, rather than have to work to earn the same amount. What might take several days, weeks or months to otherwise earn or cultivate, can be gained in a matter of seconds, simply by placing a well timed bet on the right horse (in the case of the Melbourne Cup). It doesn’t take much to argue yourself from there into the position that by increasing the bet, you could increase your winnings, and if you win enough, you might never have to work again. Obviously, not everyone is consumed with, or tempted by, an addiction to gambling. But for those that are, even a sweepstake entry can prove to be a deadly distraction. So, in wisdom, we must be careful how we represent and participate in the good fun of our nation’s (arguably) favourite past-time. If, by entering a sweep, you communicate that your sustenance and hope for provision is elsewhere than in what God has provided, you may find it difficult to convincingly discuss your faith in Jesus and why he is exclusively sufficient for spiritual salvation.

What would you truly prefer? That God dealt with us randomly by way of spinning a wheel, drawing lots, or let the roll of a dice determine our eternal fate or via his deliberate intention to set his love upon us and reveal his grace to us via Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection? Gambling is emotionally charged controversy that provokes passionate advocates both for abolition and enjoyment in moderation. I hope you consider carefully how you will “profit” from a little flutter compared to finding your passion in Christ.

Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Psalm 119:116 NIV
…
Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. Psalm 119:24 NIV

Related Articles (Inserted by Author):

• Is Gambling OK? Don’t Bet on it! by Phil Johnson
• Silent Killers and Silent Christians by Kevin DeYoung
• Gambling by Phillip Jensen
• Gambling and Alcohol (video) by Phillip Jensen

Revisiting Halloween History

James Harelman from Mars Hill Church has posted a thoughtfully reasoned post concerning this potentially controversial holiday. Some excerpts copied below:

The issue of Halloween and whether Christians should observe this holiday invariably rises from the grave each October. More to the point, most Christians do observe it, but differ in the level of participation or acceptance of it. Evangelist Jack Chick, for instance, the man famous for “Chick Tracts” naively depicts Halloween as a night when ancient Celtic Druids raped and sacrificed virgins, leaving carved pumpkins on the doorsteps of households that gave up their daughters (never mind the fact that pumpkins were a New World plant exported and only grown in Europe recently). Other Christians offer the opposite but equally naive defense of “it’s no big deal”, sending their kids out to eat candy and legitimize American obesity statistics.

There is an accrued mythology that Druids also wore masks on this night and went from door to door, but historical evidence does support this theory; it seems more like creative fiction manufactured to explain the evolution of modern customs. While not a bad educational supplement, something is not history simply because it appeared on the History Channel.

The seasonal change has been celebrated by pagans and Christians for centuries, taking on the customs of a dozen cultures along the way. Its present incarnation receives disdain not only from many Christians but also from professing witches and wiccans. The former feel that it’s intrinsically tied to satanic beliefs and the latter group sees it as a distorted mockery of their beliefs.

… we don’t believe in the deities worshipped by the Celts or the rituals used to appease or summon them. We do, however, recognize that there are evil spirits that confuse and lead people astray from relationship with the one true God. We recognize that the Bible calls all Christians “saints” and we don’t believe in the Catholic extra-biblical concepts of sainthood or purgatory. Many of the ideas and rituals that have contributed to the Halloween mish-mash aren’t congruent with our beliefs. However, setting aside times to remember or honor those we love that have passed away (hopefully to be with our Savior Jesus) is not a bad idea. On a less somber note, wearing Spider-man costumes, making funny faces on vegetables, and engaging in neighborhood activities where one can both give and receive hospitality is not something we oppose. Fictional fantasy tales of monsters and elves even scary ones are not wholly inappropriate either, whether punctuated on this particular weekend or sprinkled throughout the year in classic tales from authors including Tolkien and Lewis. We regard Halloween as a second-hand issue and ask that every Christian examine their response to the modern-day Halloween celebration in our culture.

For those who have shunned Halloween because they were simply told it was evil, or for those who have participated and never bothered to weigh its appropriateness, your pastors would encourage the employment of godly wisdom, discernment, and a sense of our shared mission as Christians. Our abstinence or participation in regard to Halloween should not be derived from fear, misinformation, or pressure but rather from a sincere love of Jesus; every response to our culture and its festivals is a way to point to the God we love and serve.

Reformation Heritage

This entry is part of a series on Psalm 119.

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111 NIV

Heritage is a word that has a broad scope of meaning about history, culture, identity, legacy, tradition and as the word itself might imply, inheritance. We have heritage listed buildings and heritage foundations which seek to preserve the landscape of architecture and landmarks, which due to age, unique structure or social background reflect something of history or significance in a locality. Our own Church building in Kogarah is heritage listed by the local municipality, as such there are strict guidelines governing the appearance and maintenance of the property.

God’s heritage for us is not limited to grass and dirt or bricks and mortar. This is vividly explained in the New Testament after Jesus arrives. We are given an inheritance in heavenly places that consists of a spiritual heritage conferred upon us through adoption. God chose us and set his love upon us, not because of any merit on our part and not because of anything in us or done by us, but because of his grace. He did this so that we could display his praise and his glory. This is made possible by the presence of his Holy Spirit who not only enables us to have faith and hope but also to enjoy our inheritance by displaying God’s praise and glory. However, in our sincere desire to provide a heritage for our children, that will see them financially secure and capable of independently supporting themselves, we, like Israel, value material possessions above faith. By our example, we teach salvation by University, that heaven is having a mortgage and God’s blessing equates to a 6-figure income. None of these things, in and of themselves are sinful or evil, but we make the mistake of worshipping created things instead of the creator. We make sacrifices to acquire or retain them, exclusively spend time on them, and grieve the loss of things given to us by God to enjoy and enable us to serve him.

The word “heritage” in Psalm 119:111 (nachal) used 59 times in the Old Testament, relates to an inheritance, allotment, assignment, possession or acquisition. Most often it is used in reference to land or property designated to an individual, family or tribe. It is also used to refer back to the original promise to Abraham regarding the Promised Land (Exodus 32:13). The Psalmist’s use of the word though, focuses on the ultimate spiritual inheritance we are invited to celebrate as God’s children. Whilst land was part of Israel’s inheritance they became materialistic and repeatedly ignored the legacy of Abraham’s faith. This greater inheritance, (their history, culture, identity and tradition) consisted in being a nation of God’s representatives (priests), taking delight in Him, serving Him and providing an example of his goodness, was a means to demonstrate His unconditional generosity.

In the 1500’s a priest called Tetzel raised the ire of Martin Luther due to the unethical manner in which he raised money for the construction of St Peter’s Basilica. He sold indulgences (credits alleged to cancel out sin). “As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs” was his marketing hook. In doing this Tetzel encouraged materialism which taught that money was a functional saviour that rendered Jesus and faith in him impotent. Luther protested to Tetzel’s superior and posted a copy of his protest on the door of All Saints Church in Wittenburg. That protest, in turn, sparked the Protestant Reformation, which recovered for Christians an emphasis on the rich heritage we have in the scriptures of God’s provision of salvation and blessing through the merits of faith alone in Christ alone, through grace alone, according to the Bible alone all to the glory of God alone.

What heritage do you value? What would your children/friends say is your heritage? Creator or creation?

Scientific Accuracy