Archive - July, 2006

Prayer and Fasting

I recently finished reading A Hunger for God by John Piper, an older book (1997) that seems as relevant in our day as ever before.
God created bread and hunger “so that we would have some idea of what the Son of God is like when he says, ‘I am the bread of life’ (John 6:35).” And God also made food taste good because He meant for food to be enjoyed as a gift received from His hand. We glorify God by receiving food with gratitude (I Tim 4:1-5). Eating and not-eating are not ultimately essential (Rom 14: 3-6).
So why fast? As an intensification of our hunger for all the fullness of God. We fast because the Bridegroom has gone on a journey and will not return until the great wedding feast (Matt 9:14-17). And we want the conditions to be in place for the Bridegroom to return, meaning world evangelization (Matt 24:14). Piper shows how prayer and fasting have been a hallmark of the church in South Korea. The first Protestant church in Korea was planted in 1884. Today, 30% of the population is evangelical and there are an estimated 30,000 churches. That’s an average of 300 new churches a year for 100 years. And not surprisingly, the South Korean church is outstripping the West in missionary venture.
And we fast for the reward of the Father (Matt 6:16-18), which often includes greater sense of alertness, focus, and zeal in prayer. Fasting has been common for Christians throughout the ages when faced with difficult or perilous circumstances, perhaps through adversity or the need to make a very difficult decision (Acts 13:1-4, II Chronicles 20:3-4).
Fasting is fraught with dangers, primarily spiritual but also physical (the book deals mainly with the former). Piper explains the weakness both of asceticism (which leads to boasting in one’s own abilities, Col 2:23) and of an indulgent, pleasure-captivated life that cannot willingly deny itself (Luke 9:22-26). The book closes with some outstanding quotes from eminent Christians throughout history who have benefited immensely from fasting.
A Hunger for God is an outstanding read on a oft-neglected discipline.

July 12, 2006 in Theology | Comment

African American Church Leadership

Thabiti Anyabwile (an African American converted to Christ out of Islam) persuasively argues that “it’s well past time to reform the model of black pastoral leadership at play at the national and local church levels.”
Anyabwile describes the morphing of Black pastoral leadership from the days of Lemuel Haynes:
“Since the earliest days of an independent Black church, Black church pastors have played the role of community leader, organizer, and public intellectual. Historically, those roles were necessarily played by pastors because the church was the one institution controlled by African Americans and often pastors were among the better gifted and educated leaders in the community. There was no sufficient political infrastructure for mustering resistance to social and political injustice outside of the local church prior to the late 1960s. And once Dr. King became the icon of the Civil Rights movement, with television broadcasting the poignant protests of church leaders and community members into American living rooms, the pastor-as-Civil-Rights-leader became the dominant paradigm for successful pastoral leadership.”
African Americans must return to an older model of pastoral leadership, says Anyabwile, one that cares more for the conversion of sinners and the purity of the church (both doctrinally and morally) rather than the mere elevation of the political (either liberal or conservative).
The entire essay is a worthy read.
(HT: Justin Taylor)

July 11, 2006 in Theology | Comment

Liberal Christianity — A Dying Breed

In a recent (July 9, 2006) issue of the Los Angeles Times, Charlotte Allen, a Catholic, published a scathing analysis of the moral and doctrinal decline of American mainline evangelical denominations. The Episcopal Church USA and Presbyterians receive the brunt of the attack. An overview:
1. Liberal Christianity was embraced in the 1960s by the leadership of many mainline Protestant denominations as the future of the Christian church. However, each of the denominations who embraced liberal doctrinal positions (e.g., wincing at the exclusivity of Christ) are now in steep demographic decline if not overt disintegration.
2. In 1960, mainline churches (Episcopals, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, and the like) constituted 40% of all American Protestants. Today, it is closer to 12%. In 1965, there were 3.4 million Episcopalians; now, there are 2.3 million. In the same time, the number of Presbyterians fell from 4.3 million to 2.5 million. By contrast, the Southern Baptist denomination counts 16 million members. (Ref: Hartford Institute of Religious Research)
3. Mainline churches pioneered the ordination of women. Today, women make up 25% of all Episcopal priests as well as 29% of Presbyterian pastors. Other trends exhibited by these denominations include the growing toleration of same-sex marriages or cohabitation, and the degradation of the Trinity into trite platitudes such as “Rock, Redeemer, and Friend.” (Wayne Grudem ably presents the trend that mainline denominations which first embrace egalitarianism later have significant numbers favoring the acceptance of same-sex unions.)
4. Evangelical churches which preach biblical morality, affirm the Lordship of Christ, and eschew women’s ordination are growing robustly in the USA and around the world.
It is unfortunate that the article does not breakdown the term “Presbyterians.” Clearly, there are more conservative and more liberal Presbyterian denominations — it’d be interesting to see more data distinguishing these. Allen does note that PC(USA) has been in financial straits for several years.
The irony of Allen’s piece is that what was said to be the “future” of Christianity is looking more like a dying relic. Allen’s sometimes humorous article is worth reading in its entirety.
(HT: Nick Nowalk)
For further reading on this theme, see Albert Mohler’s excellent piece “The Cutting Edge Has No Edge.”

July 10, 2006 in Culture, Theology | Comment

Newsweek, Feminism, and the Disrespect of Women

The June 19, 2006 issue of Newsweek had a periscope called “Managing Mommies” in which Linda Hirshman discussed her book Get to Work: A Manifesto for Women of the World. Hirshman informs stay at home mom’s that they “should have work that brings influence, honor, compensation, a way of being political, and a hand in shaping the world around you.” It was incredible that Newsweek could be so foolish as to promote such an overt expression of feminism — and one that, ironically, demeans millions of women who are shaping the next generation and society in many significant ways. Not surprisingly, college-educated, intelligent, capable homemakers among Newsweek’s readership overwhelmed the Editor with nastygrams displaying (justifiable!) shock and fury.
As I alluded to when I reviewed Danielle Crittenden’s book, if women of a bygone era were discouraged from influencing the world through the pursuit of a career outside a home and thus restricted to their uniquely womanly callings (bearing and raising children, managing a home), society today has flipped to the other end of the spectrum: Intelligent, successful women are routinely discouraged from leaving the workforce for the sake of family because society considers this a “waste of potential.” Such sentiments are antagonistic and condescending towards women, who innately care deeply for their children. These expressions of feminism are anti-women; they invariably elevate maleness and push women into trying to be like men, denying aspects of their God-given orientation. It is not an issue of whether women are capable of having careers but of whether they must have them in order to receive the respect of society. In this regard, see Harvey Mansfield’s plea for a new feminism.

July 9, 2006 in Uncategorized | Comment

Anticipated Blog Topics – An Overview

I thought I’d take a moment to give readers an overview of the sort of topics on which I’ll be posting. Barring the occasional post when I just write on something that’s on my mind, the following are the sorts of topics you can expect to be discussed regularly:
1. Cultural issues impacting marriage and singleness. Such matters overlap with my most recent book, With One Voice (reviewed here), which deals with singleness and the relevance of complementarianism in premarital relationships & deliberations regarding marriage. It also discusses the biblical normality of marriage for adults (along the lines of what Al Mohler and Mark Dever (see his chapter in this volume) have occasionally discussed).
2. Book Reviews. My summer reading list includes Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture; Why I’m Not a Calvinist (which I will read and respond to for a seminary class in practical theology — I’ve heard it is one of the best books for articulating an Arminian position); I’m the Teacher, You’re the Student; Leading with Love; and The World is Flat. See previous posts here and here.
3. Commentary regarding contemporary political issues . For example, security, terrorism, the economy, issues related to the USA midterm elections, etc.
4. Theological commentary. (Could be anything.)
5. Breaking news (like the City Church thing).
Frequency of posting: My goal is to have at least one post, six days out of every seven (except when out of town or on vacation).
Thank you for stopping by, and I welcome any comments on how I can better serve you.

July 9, 2006 in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

North Korea & Appeasement

This past Independence Day, North Korea shocked the world by launching at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong. In the Fall of 2002, North Korea both revealed that they had broken the 1994 agreement to not development weaponry, and nevertheless promised a moratorium on missile testing. I guess one deception begets another.
The occurrence of these military exercises on the 4th of July was a clear attempt to gain one-on-one dialogue with the USA. President Bush, holding a press conference in Chicago yesterday, was asked about the developments in North Korea. One reporter suggested that Bush’s foreign policy was incongruous:
REPORTER: Mr. President, a lot of people here in Chicago tell us that they see an incongruity in your foreign policy. We’re involved in a shooting war in Iraq; yet we have a leader in North Korea who has announced his affection for nuclear weapons and no hesitation to use them against the United States. Is your policy consistent between the way you have dealt with Iraq and the way you have dealt with North Korea? And if so, are we headed toward a military action in North Korea? And if so, can this nation sustain military action on three fronts — Iraq, Afghanistan and North Korea?
This reporter failed to realize that over 15 UN Resolutions were passed regarding Iraq prior to the war starting in 2003. The Iraq conflict was in the making for 12 years, as Iraq repeatedly failed to live up to international expectations. We did not rush to war then, and a diplomatic solution is being carefully pursued now as well. (The President’s reply was outstanding and thorough.)
Here is an excellent comparison of North Korea’s leader, and his ability to keep his word, to pre-WW II Hitler. We need to observe the lessons of the past lest history repeat itself.

July 8, 2006 in Culture | Comment

Good news on the health of David Powlison

David Wayne, aka “the Jollyblogger,” provides a good report on the health of David Powlison. Having benefited tremendously by Dr. Powlison’s writing, I was delighted to hear the good news. An excerpt:
“He said that for five years he had been living with an undiagnosed sleep disorder. He was never able to enter deep sleep. Now that he has been properly diagnosed and is being treated he is starting to feel like his old self again. He mentioned that one of the great things about this is that, for five years he has been pulling back from involvement and activity and now he is in a place where he can begin thinking, praying and strategizing about where to plug back into activities. He is on a sabbatical now, will teach a bit in the fall and spring and during the next several months, should the Lord continue to bless him with good health, will make plans for the future.”

July 6, 2006 in Culture, Practical Ministry, Theology | Comment

While Europe Slept

Tim Challies posts a fantastic review on what appears to be a very important book on a concerning issue:
An excerpt:
While Europe Slept documents the mounting evidence indicating that radical Islam is destroying the West from within. Massive Islamic immigration to Europe has changed the face of the continent, leading to the likelihood that the Europe of the future will bear no resemblance to the Europe of the past. He [the author] found throughout Europe rapidly-expanding Muslim enclaves in which “women were oppressed and abused, homosexuals persecuted and killed, ‘infidels’ threatened and vilified, Jews demonized and attacked, barbaric traditions (such as honor killing and forced marriage) widely practiced, and freedom of speech and religion firmly repudiated.”
Check out the book here.

July 5, 2006 in Culture | Comment

City Church of San Francisco to Leave the PCA

When I lived in Berkeley, CA (1999-2004), I made a few visits to worship with City Church, a vibrant body of 800 or so attendees (as of 2003) in the heart of the city. An affiliate of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, NY, City Church sought to reach out to San Francisco with a theologically Reformed framework and methodological winsomeness akin to that of Tim Keller.
One of the tenets of the PCA is the belief that the ecclesiastical offices of the church (elders and deacons) are open only to qualified males. Sadly, City Church is now leaving the PCA over that particular issue. CBMW reports that City Church’s congregation and its pastors recently told presbytery officials, “The elders of this church find themselves out of accord with BCO chapters 8 and 9, which assume the role of deacon and elder are for qualified males only. We have changed our views and believe that the ecclesiastical offices of the church are open to both men and women, and can no longer with good conscience prohibit women from these offices.”
According to the CBMW report, the North California Presbytery of the PCA granted their request to leave the PCA on June 10, 2006. City Church is pursuing affiliation with the Reformed Church in America (RCA). Though more moderate than the PC(USA), the RCA website acknowledges that “deep divisions” exist within the denomination over homosexuality.
I am personally discouraged by this development, as I believe that the egalitarian position is not only unfaithful to the Scriptures, but that, as our understanding of manhood and womanhood touches all of life, this shift will inevitably have unintended consequences. In the past I have enjoyed my visits to City Church, have had numerous conversations with their leadership, and have recommended the church to others. Another reason for sadness is that I am no longer aware of any strong, calvinistic, complementarian church in San Francisco that I can recommend. If you know of one, please inform us in the comments section.
I have also written City Church’s leadership and expressed my concern. However, since these matters have been disclosed publicly, I feel at liberty to also comment publicly.
Update: Mike Hayes (Executive Pastor) informed me via e-mail that City Church leadership was persuaded over the past year of an egalitarian position regarding I Tim 2:8-15 and other related texts. In short, they believe that while the complementarian position is possible, the egalitarian position represents a better understanding of both the grammar and historical setting. Based on this understanding of Scripture, Hayes reports, they consequently found themselves out of accord with the PCA Book of Church Order chapters 8 and 9, which assume the role of deacon and elder are for qualified males only.
Update #2: If you are looking for an outstanding scholarly response to egalitarian arguments of I Tim 2:8-15 and other important passages, see Wayne Grudem’s tome, Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth, which is also available electronically.

July 5, 2006 in Culture, Practical Ministry, Theology | 10 Comments

Affirmation Ratio: Husbands, love your wives!

When my wife and I did premarital counseling, our pastor described something called an “affirmation ratio.” He commended the notion that a spouse should give ten compliments for every one critical remark. Not only would that tend towards softening the tone of the rare critique, but it ensures that the critical remark is heard in a larger context of love and delight. I thought that was a good word, particularly for type-A, perfectionistic husbands who tend to badger and nit-pick their wives.
The Mary Carol Winkler case is a dramatic, extreme example of what can happen when a husband fails to make regular, positive investments in the happiness of his wife. Winkler reports that she “told him I was sorry, and that I loved him” even as he was dying from the wound of her gunshot. I don’t know about you, but I take her at her word. I find it very difficult to believe that the murder was premeditated. She testified that her husband “had been really on me lately. He criticized me for things, the way I walked, what I eat — everything.” She said, “I was tired of it. I guess I just got to a point and snapped.”
Don’t get me wrong: In no way does that excuse what she did. She did something horrible in exacting a punishment that far exceeded his crime of being an inconsiderate husband (at least for a season). But it does serve as a graphic, extreme example of what can happen when a husband does not invest in his wife by making regular deposits of love and respect. God calls husbands to be about the business of making their wives lovely, even as they care for and nourish their own bodies (Eph 5:28-29). What’s even more interesting is that this pastor and his wife had an “ideal marriage” according to many of the parishioners who considered the pastor a “wonderful minister.” Let this be a sober reminder to all of us husbands (especially those in leadership) to love our wives privately and not just maintain the appearance of a healthy marriage before a sometimes unknowing public.

July 3, 2006 in With One Voice | 2 Comments

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