Theology

Mission @ the Heart of God

/ Dennis Griffith / 1 Comment

There are the five parts of the Bible:

  • The God of the Old Testament is a missionary God, calling one family in order to bless all the families of the earth.
  • The Christ of the Gospels is a missionary Christ; he sent the church out to witness.
  • The Spirit of the Acts is a missionary Spirit; he drove the church out from Jerusalem to Rome.
  • The Church of the epistles is a missionary Church, a worldwide community with a worldwide vocation.
  • The end of the Revelation is a missionary End, a countless throng from every nation.

So I think we have to say the religion of the Bible is a missionary religion. The evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable.

Mission cannot be regarded as a regrettable lapse from tolerance or decency. Mission cannot be regarded as the hobby of a few fanatical eccentrics in the church. Mission lies at the heart of God and therefore at the very heart of the church. A church without mission is no longer a church. It is contradicting an essential part of its identity. The church is mission.

~ John R. W. Stott, from Authentic Christianity

Listen And I Will Tell You What God is Like

/ Dennis Griffith / 1 Comment

Listen and I will tell you what God is like:

He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  (Matthew 5.45)

Christ spent his last strength and his last moments in prayer for his enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23.34)

When Jesus returned to Jerusalem for the last time and had no further means of saving the ungodly and rebellious city, he stood on the Mount of Olives and wept for the city.  His prophetic eye saw the terrible doom which would befall the city and from which there was no escape. (Matthew 23.37-39)

Such is God.

– From Ole Hallesby, Prayer

Erasing Hell

/ Dennis Griffith / 4 Comments

Recent discussion about Judgement and Hell, spurred largely by a recent book by Rob Bell, have prompted many to rethink what they believe – what Scripture teaches – about this subject.  Among them, Francis Chan in this video titled Erasing Hell.

I had thought I was done with this thread, but Chan’s reflections warrant hearing.

Practical Importance of Doctrine

/ Dennis Griffith / 2 Comments

If there was one thing I could impart to the members of our church, or to other pastors, it would be an appreciation for the practical importance of doctrine.  I think it was R.C. Sproul who pointed out: “We are all theologians… the question is whether we are good theologians.”

Sprouls’ point is valid.  Everything we think, feel, and do is rooted in what we think about God.  Some may not give this conscious attention. Some even repress it or deny it, but then this a-theism is what they think or feel about God, and these folks will act accordingly.

I suppose that many are turned off by the very idea of doctrine because it has been abused so frequently. I imagine others have been guilty of taking these awesome truths and boring folks with them – something I am sure I share a guilt in.  But the inadequacies of a teacher should not turn people away from seeking to know God better by knowing about God, any more than a bad meal or a bad cook should make people turn away from food.

In this brief video, pastor/theologian Tim Keller offers a few simple insights about the practical importance of doctrine.  Even if you are a skeptic, give what Tim says at least a few moments thought.

Love Wins… Does Anyone Lose – Part 2

/ Dennis Griffith / 4 Comments

Now that the advanced copies of the book have been sent out, people have had opportunity to read it and reflect.

Kevin DeYoung has thoughtfully analyzed Rob Bell’s Love Wins and published his observations and concerns in a compelling review.  DeYoung’s opening paragraph offers a summary of Bell’s premise:

Love Wins, by mega-church pastor Rob Bell, is, as the subtitle suggests, “a book about heaven, hell, and the fate of every person who ever lived.” Here’s the gist: Hell is what we create for ourselves when we reject God’s love. Hell is both a present reality for those who resist God and a future reality for those who die unready for God’s love. Hell is what we make of heaven when we cannot accept the good news of God’s forgiveness and mercy. But hell is not forever. God will have his way. How can his good purposes fail? Every sinner will turn to God and realize he has already been reconciled to God, in this life or in the next. There will be no eternal conscious torment. God says no to injustice in the age to come, but he does not pour out wrath (we bring the temporary suffering upon ourselves), and he certainly does not punish for eternity. In the end, love wins.

I am not sure what the allure of Bell’s thesis is.  Oh, I understand why it appeals to some who are not Christians.  What perplexes me is why some – maybe many – who consider themselves Christ followers are intrigued with this notion of Universalism that has been debunked repeatedly by every expression of Christ’s Church for nearly 1500 years.   Could it be that we, in our feigned wisdom, imagine we might out-do God in compassion?

It is unusual for me to publish critical posts, and very unusual for me to harp on a trendy issue through repeated posts.  But I do so because I see the intrigue this book has stirred, even among some I know.  As a pastor I would urge folks not to even bother reading it.  There are so many great things out there to feed our minds and our souls, why should we choose warmed over heresy?  What spiritual benefit do you imagine you might gain?

But should you be among those who succumb to the temptation… please also read DeYoung’s review.

NOTE: This review is also available in .pdf.

Click: God is Still Holy and What You Learned in Sunday School is Still True

A Question of Universalism

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

For those following discussions of the recent posts, but who want a clearer understanding of what Universalism actually means, below you will find a good explanation from theologian J.I. Packer:

A universalist is someone who believes that every human being whom God has created or will create will finally come to enjoy the everlasting salvation into which Christians enter here and now. Universalism is the recognized name for this belief. . . .

Among Christian theological options it appears as an extreme optimism of grace, or perhaps of nature, and sometimes, it seems, of both. But in itself it is a revisionist challenge to orthodoxy, whether Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant evangelical; for the church has officially rated universalism a heresy ever since the second Council of Constantinople (the fifth ecumenical council, A.D. 553), when the doctrine of apokatastasis (the universal return to God and restoration of all souls) that Origen taught was anathematized.

This passage comes from J. I. Packer’s “Universalism: Will Everyone Ultimately Be Saved? in Hell Under Fire, ed. Morgan and Peterson (Zondervan, 2004), p. 170.

Thanks to Justin Taylor for originally posting this piece.

Love Wins… Does Anyone Lose?

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

Apparently the dance goes on and on!

That is in reference to the opening statement I made in a post yesterday.  A debate about the Doctrine of Hell has been spreading like a wild fire for a couple weeks now.  I only made mention of it because it is a subject that has subsequently been raised by some from our local congregation.  I wanted to touch on it, offer a few insightful links, and move on.

I am surprised by the interest that post has raised, especially since I came to the dance so late.  Not only are there discussions going on in the comment section, but quite a few folks have visited that post without commenting.

One of the most practical comments was that some people who are objecting to a book by Rob Bell, which is what apparently sparked the debates, had in fact not even read the book before offering criticisms.  This is true.  I appreciated John Armstrong and Mark Galli, two prominent voices who pointed out this glaring neglect and calling for patience that will lead to clarity once the book is released.  I did point out, however, that the responses were not only to the book, which had not been read, but to the publicity video, which many have viewed.  (See Love Wins).  Therefore, while being slow to speak is always wise counsel, those who wrote were not entirely without basis.

Now, however, some are chiming in who HAVE read the book; or who at least read the manuscript provided to reviewers.  In particular I commend Tim Challies’ & Aaron Armstorng’s Love Wins – A Review of Rob Bell’s New Book.  For those who were awaiting informed voices to chime in, I think you will find the tune still sounds quite the same.

Hellacious Discussions

/ Dennis Griffith / 28 Comments

I am coming to the dance late, but it appears the party is not yet over. So late may not be too late.  What party? Well, the  “Hell-acious” party that has been going on in the blogosphere.

Apparently the debate was kicked off by Rob Bell and his new book titled: Love Wins.  Apparently the video promoting the book leans a little too close to affirming Universalism.  Having watched it, I can see why there is some concern.

There is little I will add to this discussion, other than to affirm that the Bible is clear about Hell being an actual place.  Any notions that the reality of Hell somehow diminishes Grace or is a stain on God’s character are just uninformed and/or thoughtless.  More than that, such theories are not rooted in Scripture.  Thus we can assume they originate from the pit of… well, you know…

Some notables responding to Bell were:

John Piper & Josh Harris on Twitter:

Kevin DeYoung

Justin Taylor

Tim Keller also republished a post titled The Importance of Hell

  1. Hell is Important Because Jesus taught on it more than all other Biblical authors put together.
  2. Hell is Important because it shows how infinitely dependent we are on God for everything.
  3. Hell is Important because it unveils the seriousness and danger living life for yourself.
  4. The Doctrine of Hell is Important because it is the only way to know how much Jesus loved us and how much he did for us.

John Armstrong chimed in on the debate, and suggested that some of the responses were just knee jerk reactions.  Armstrong advocates waiting for the book to come out before developing any conclusions about Rob Bell.  Caution and charity is almost always good counsel.

But, while this discussion is still in vogue, I thought I would direct those interested to a few other resources.  In particular 9 Marks Sept-Oct ’10 e-Journal was devoted to it.  Click: Remembering the Awful Reality.   Two articles from that edition I find worth consideration are summarized below:

How Does Hell Glorify God? by James Hamilton.

  • Hell shows that God keeps his word.
  • Hell shows God’s infinite worth.
  • Hell demonstrates God’s power to subdue all who rebel against him.
  • Hell shows how unspeakably merciful God is to those who trust him.
  • Hell upholds the reality of love by visiting justice against those who reject God, who is love.
  • Hell vindicates all who suffered to hear or proclaim the truth of God’s Word.
  • Hell shows the enormity of what Jesus accomplished when he died to save all who would trust him from the what they (we) deserved. If there were no hell, there would be no need for the Cross.

Why is Hell Integral to the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert

  1. Hell shows us how heinous our sin really is.
  2. Hell shows us how unimpeachably just God really is.
  3. Hell shows us how horrific the cross really was, and how great God’s grace really is.
  4. Hell focuses our minds on the task of proclaiming the gospel.

One final word.  This is not a one sided discussion.  Many are picking up where Bell left off – or where they think he left off.  Wherever Bell will come out on this issue, some folks are running with their own half-baked theories… they are running fast like bats out of… well you know.

Saved From What?

/ Dennis Griffith / 1 Comment

Several years ago I was asked by a neighbor couple to meet with them for marriage counseling.  They were a pleasant couple, so I willingly agreed to assist them in any way I could.  Early during our first meeting I asked each to tell me about their spiritual journeys.  Hers was simple but heart-felt.  His… well that was a whole different story:

“I walked the isle once when I was in high school. So I guess I’m ‘saved’.  I don’t think about it much.”

When I inquired why he had “walked the isle”, he responded:

“Well, our whole baseball team was visiting this church – we do it every year – and my coach told us it would be a good thing to do, to walk the isle.  So I did.  That’s when I ‘got saved’.”

Taking the opportunity to dig a little deeper I inquired: “Saved from what?”  He paused for a moment, scratched his chin, and mused:

“That’s a good question….” 

I thought so. That’s why I had asked.  It just seems to me that if we are going to go around saying we “got saved” it might make sense to have some idea of what we got saved from.  (I didn’t have the heart at that moment to ask the other part of that question: What did you ‘get saved’ for? )

J.I. Packer offers a thoughtful response to the question I asked that day:

“What are believers saved from? 

  • From their former position under the wrath of God, the dominion of sin, and the power of death.  (i.e. Saved from God.)
  • From their natural condition of being mastered by the world, the flesh and the devil.  (i.e. Saved from Ourselves & Our Enemy.)
  • From the fears that a sinful life engenders, and from the many vicious habits that were part of it. 

How are believers saved from these things? 

Through Christ, and in Christ.  Our salvation involves

  1. first, Christ dying for us, and
  2. second, Christ living in us and we living in Christ, united with Him in His death and risen life. 

This vital union, which is sustained by the Spirit from the divine side and by faith from our side, and which is formed in and through our new birth, presupposes covenantal union in the sense of our eternal election in Christ.”

So, thanks to J.I. Packer,  if  you were not already, you now will have something to offer if I (or someone else) asks you: “What were you saved from?”   And thanks to J.I. Packer, we now also have something of substance worthy of our meditation.  If we think about these truths, we soon, like the psalmist, will freely declare:

My salvation and my honor depend on God;
   he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  –Psalm 62.7

Does Doctrine Merely Divide Us?

/ Dennis Griffith / 3 Comments

In this video, Lane Chaplin convincingly explains the God-given mandate to dig into theology. He also illustrates the practical importance.

Does doctrine divide us? Sadly, sometimes it does – or rather, sometime Christians do divide over doctrine.  But doctrine also unites. It unites us with other believers, both of our own day and of ages past.  And, when properly discerned, doctrine unites our minds with the mind of God.  I would say that is worth a little work.

Does Doctrine REALLY Matter?

/ Dennis Griffith / Leave a comment

In the first chapter of his excellent book, Dug Down Deep, Joshua Harris writes:

I know the idea of “studying” God often rubs people the wrong way. It sounds cold and theoretical, as if God were a frog carcass to dissect in a lab or a set of ideas that we memorize like math proofs.

I know  many professing Christians who personify what Josh describes, including some within our church. There are a number of reasons they find theology – study of God – distasteful.  One reason is that it is difficult. Another reason is that doctrine has been a point of contention between Christians for ages, and no one with any sanity enjoys being at odds with others. And for many, previous exposure to theology has been just plain boring.

Harris goes on in his observation, and addresses the concern about doctrine being boring:

But studying God doesn’t have to be like that. You can study him the way you study a sunset that leaves you speechless. You can study him the way a man studies the wife he passionately loves. Does anyone fault him for noting her every like and dislike? Is it clinical for him to desire to know the thoughts and longings of her heart? Or to want to hear her speak?

Knowledge doesn’t have to be dry and lifeless. And when you think about it, exactly what is our alternative? Ignorance? Falsehood?

We’re either building our lives on the reality of what God is truly like and what he’s about, or we’re basing our lives on our own imagination and misconceptions.

We’re all theologians. The question is whether what we know about God true.

I think Josh is correct: The study of theology does not have to be boring.

My own motive for studying and teaching theology is not to put myself above anyone else, nor to find grounds to debate and prove others wrong.  My motive is that I have found what Josh describes to be true – I have found beauty in the nature of God.  I have found joy through the discovery of his amazing grace.  I have experienced – and I am experiencing – the transforming power of his promises and principles in the gospel. And while I have found points where I disagree with others, those disagreements do not diminish my friendships with anyone.  So I engage in the study of theology to enhance my own life. And I endeavor to teach theology to offer those same benefits to others who are willing to enjoy them.

As for the study of theology being difficult, well that might be true. Especially when dealing with some important complex issues, such as our Union with Christ.  However, in his book, Josh describes an epiphany he had while vacationing in Florida.  One morning, while at the beach, it dawned on him that in order to “build a house on rock not sand” requires that we dig until we find the rock.  (Matthew 7.24-27) And digging takes work.  But in the end the benefits are worth the work.