Think Wink.

When we read the actual narrative of Jesus’ birth in Matthew 1:18-25, we often focus on a few things such as whether or not Mary was a technical virgin or a woman of marriageable age or what the impact of Joseph’s decision to divorce Marry upon hearing about her pregnancy that is not a result of his sexual union with Marry. That’s about where people go in their thinking when it comes to Jesus’ birth narrative, except for Christmas and then it’s about Jesus as Emmanuel and celebrating Jesus being born. Then the debate about Jesus being born of a virgin or not rears it’s head, ugly or not.

I want to focus upon why Yahweh’s messenger tells Joseph to name the baby that is born of Mary Jesus in Matthew 1:21, “And you will name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.” What does Matthew intend for his readers to understand when they read this statement? How does Matthew believe that Jesus saved his people from their sins? Read more

Original Sin and Infants

Reflections on Jonah Part 4

Am I a Five-Point Calvinist?

Earlier this past week, a dear friend and one of the youth at my old church in KC asked me to reflect upon the book of Jonah. So I went and reread the story of Jonah and pondered upon what his story was trying to communicate. After some earnest reflection, I think that the story of Jonah shows: 1.) The character of God, first seen in Exodus 33:19; 34:6-7; 2.) God’s promise to Abraham was to redeem all creation, not just Abraham’s posterity, and Abraham was to be the vessel through which this redemption comes; 3.) Israel had become blinded by her position as Yahweh’s elect people and ignored her function as the channel through which God’s promise to redeem creation, not just Israel, comes into the world; 4.) Only in Jesus the Messiah was/is/will God’s plan to redeem his creation through Israel to be carried out and accomplished.

In previous posts, I have covered the first three points. In the following post, I want to look at the fourth and final point, which might be the most important point of the four. Read more

Reflections on Jonah

Reflections on Jonah Part 3

Reflections on Jonah Part 2

Here is a very important paragraph in Edwards Sermon, “The Final Judgment,”

Christ’s redemption of fallen man includes not only his obeying the Divine law, making atonement for sinners, or in preparing the way for their salvation. His redemption is also actually fulfilled in the converting of sinners to the knowledge and love of the truth, in carrying them on in the way of grace and true holiness through life, and finally raising their bodies to life, and glorifying them. This is completed by actually pronouncing of the sentence upon them, and crowning them with honor and glory in the sight of men and angels.

It is necessary that Christ should do this in order to finish the work He has begun. Raising the saints from the dead, judging them, and fulfilling the sentence are parts of their salvation. Christ must be appointed Judge of the world, in order that he might finish His work (John 6:39-40; John 5:25-31). The redemption of the bodies of the saints is part of the work of redemption; the resurrection to life is called a redemption of their bodies (Romans 8:23).

It is the will of God that Christ Himself should fulfill that for which he died, and suffered so much. The very reasons He suffered and died were to complete and secure salvation for His people. This final salvation will be obtained at the last judgment, and not before.

When Christ had finished His appointed sufferings, God put the purchased inheritance in His hands to be kept for believers and be given to them at the Day of Judgment

Edwards hits on a really important point. We cannot talk about salvation in terms of the cross and sins being propitiated alone. Our redemption is still incomplete at that point, our salvation still lacking. Our resurrection is vital to our salvation and redemption. Until we are resurrected, judged, and the sentence carried out that is our receiving the glory and honor in being the people of God and members of Christ’s kingdom, we are not saved.

Too often we talk about “walking the aisle and gettin’ saved.” Salvation is a category that includes being raised up to new life on the Day of Judgment and entering into the new heavens and new earth. The walking the aisle is conversion, not salvation. One of N. T. Wright’s biggest problems with contemporary Christianity is that the term salvation has come to equal and mean certain parts of salvation, i.e. salvation = conversion or salvation = justification. Salvation is going from God-hater and being brought into his eternal kingdom in the new Jerusalem on new earth as a God-lover. It’s the whole thing, not part of it. I know that a person who is converted is so assured of his entrance into the kingdom that he is said to be saved. A square is indeed a rectangle. But a rectangle is not a square. I hope we do a better job of keeping this in mind.

Edwards Quote of the Day

A taste of My Friday Morning

A Blissful Headache

In the previous post, I mentioned I was asked about the book of Jonah and my thoughts on the text as a whole. In response I said I think that the story of Jonah shows: 1.) The character of God, first seen in Exodus 33:19Open Link in New Window; 34:6-7; 2.) God’s promise to Abraham was to redeem all creation, not just Abraham’s posterity, and Abraham was to be the vessel through which this redemption comes; 3.) Israel had become blinded by her position as Yahweh’s elect people and ignored her function as the channel through which God’s promise to redeem creation, not just Israel, comes into the world; 4.) Only in Jesus the Messiah was/is/will God’s plan to redeem his creation through Israel to be carried out and accomplished. In the previous post I looked at point 1 and how Jonah highlights the character of God, as first seen in Exodus 32-34. In this post, I want to continue going through the points of my answer. Read more

Reflections on Jonah

Reflections on Jonah Part 3

Interview with Dr. Mark Futato

Yesterday I was asked by one of my youth and friends from Kansas City what my take on the prophet Jonah and his story as told in sacred Scripture. I went back and reread the story and looked to what I felt were some of the main points that the author, presumably Jonah but may be not, was trying to make. After some reflection, I think that the story of Jonah shows: 1.) The character of God, first seen in Exodus 33:19; 34:6-7; 2.) God’s promise to Abraham was to redeem all creation, not just Abraham’s posterity, and Abraham was to be the vessel through which this redemption comes; 3.) Israel had become blinded by her position as Yahweh’s elect people and ignored her function as the channel through which God’s promise to redeem creation, not just Israel, comes into the world; 4.) Only in Jesus the Messiah was/is/will God’s plan to redeem his creation through Israel to be carried out and accomplished. Read more

Reflections on Jonah Part 3

Interview with Dr. Mark Futato

Reflections on Jonah Part 2

In his sermon on the final judgment, Jonathan Edwards made this observation about that Day for his beloved saints,

How comforting it is for saints to know that their Redeemer is appointed to be their Judge. The same One who spilled His own blood for them has determined their ultimate fate. There is no doubt that they will obtain what has cost Him so much to purchase.

Oh, what joy it will be for them on that last day to lift up the…ir eyes and behold the very Person in whom they have trusted for salvation, fled to for refuge, and whose voice they have often heard, inviting them to Himself for protection and safety, coming to judge them.

It truly is a comfort to know that the one who died and rose for me is the one who will pass sentence upon me on the Last Day. I am confident that the Messiah will honor his own death and resurrection on my behalf when carrying out God’s contention against this evil age.

A taste of My Friday Morning

A Blissful Headache

Two Goals for the Summer

Last night was a true blessing to me. It started with High View Baptist Church trusting me enough to teach the youth. That was a lot of fun and a great blessing to me. I really love those kids and look forward to more opportunities to teach them and share with them the hope of the crucified and risen Lord and Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. What made the night even more fun was the fellowship and fun that we had. There was the rap by Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (myself and two other youth, why I am part of that name I don’t know but it’s fun). Then there was our fun game “Random Draw” where the youth drew a card that had a random activity on that they had to do. One had to dance (looked like the Napoleon Dynamite dance), another had to do the Hokey-Pokey, and a third had to lick his own elbow. I love it.

But to add to all of this, the Lord continues to reveal the impact of my ministry at Faith Community Church (FCC) while I was there for two years. About a month ago, one youth, Jakob, told me how he viewed as one of his favorite theologians, along with John Piper and Jonathan Edwards (my favorite theologian). That was extremely humbling and honoring. It’s an honor to be in such company. But it was humbling in that I know that I am not on the level of men like Edwards and Piper. I am reminded just how much of a theologian I am not. Yet I am looked at and viewed by others as such.

Last night, after church and dinner, I had the opportunity to talk to another youth, Bethany, from FCC. Her hermeneutics class was looking at Matthew 24–a strange text for high schoolers to be learning from. The teacher was making claims that made the student, my youth group member, uncomfortable. This led to the two of us talking about the passage for about three hours last night. She paid me the same complement the other student gave me, favorite theologian and one of the first people she goes to for needing help understanding theology.

The fact that these kids are so interested in theology, and wanting to be consistent in their theology, means so much to me. While there, the other youth leaders and I really tried to show them how theology matters to their lives and how it impacts their decision making and actions. Now I know that a discussion on eschatology may not seem like the biggest topic to impact daily living. But it does. And the fact that the passion is there, something I personally tried to instill in the kids, is so rewarding. The impact of my ministry puts a smile on my face. That Jesus chose to honor me and my ministry when I am so wretched a sinner blows my mind. I did not consider myself more than another leader of the kids at FCC and a teacher. I had no idea just how much of an impact I had until now and I have been gone since August.

It’s very encouraging and as Paul says, I press on towards the prize to which God has called me and to walk in a manner worthy of the call to which and with which God has called. I pray that God will give all his ministers enough of a glimpse at the fruit of their ministries to be encouraged but still keep them humble. There’s nothing like the knowledge that God is blessing your ministry to lift you up.

Reflections from Hebrews 1-2

Timothy and Esther’s Prayer

Some Interesting Reads

Today, continuing in my reading of the Israelite Monarchies introduced Saul, the first king over Israel. 1 Samuel 9-10 were very interesting to read. There were two points of interest for me in the text. First was the term Yahweh used to described Saul’s function as king over Israel in 1 Samuel 9 and then Saul’s actions when Samuel had called the entire nation together to publically appoint Saul as king in 1 Samuel 10.

First point of interest for my reading came in 1 Samuel 9:17. The author of Samuel uses the qal imperfect verb יַעְצֹר. It’s a word that means to restrain, but the idea has more to do with detainment or imprisonment. Why does Yahweh use this term to express how Saul is to rule over Israel as his prince? Is this to be a good thing, as in Saul is to imprison Israel under the rule of Yahweh? Or is this a bad thing, as in Saul will be a harsh ruler over Israel and ultimately pointing to Yahweh’s rejection of Saul’s house? Is the author of the text alerting the reader to Saul’s future, that Israel will suffer under Saul’s rule because he is a king like the nations and not a true “Son of God” who becomes an extension of Yahweh’s kingship over Israel? I tend to think that this latter option, a negative view of Saul’s reign by the author and Yahweh. We as readers–when reading the Hebrew–would see that Saul is not God’s choice of a king over his people but rather reflects the people’s desire to one like the nations to rule over them.

The second point of interest comes from 1 Samuel 10:20-24. Samuel has told Saul that Saul will be Israel’s first king, God has chosen him to defeat the Philistines. Then Samuel gave Saul a series of signs that will demonstrate Yahweh’s choice of Saul as king. So as Saul journeys home, all of the signs come to pass, including Saul prophesying at Gibeah under the direction of the spirit of Yahweh. When Saul finally gets home, he reports why it took him so long to return, but doesn’t tell his family about him being anointed as king over Israel.

Samuel calls all of Israel together at Mizpah to anoint and appoint Saul as their king before the whole nation. So Samuel, by way of lots, singles out the tribe of Benjamin, then the clan of Matri, then the house of Kish, and then calls for Saul. But Saul is nowhere to be found. So God tells Samuel that Saul is hiding amongst the “equipment” (NET) or “baggage” (ESV).

What I find so interesting is that Saul hides. My question is why hide in that moment? I don’t get the sense from the narrative to this point that Saul is just so humble that he doesn’t want the attention and humbly accepts the role of king. It seems that he’s scared for some reason. I want to know what his emotional state was at that moment, knowing that he is going to be king, and hears the call coming and decides to hide. And if it was fear that drove him, why was he scared? I’m no psychologist so I don’t know how to break down a person’s psychological makeup. But I want to know here.

I have to admit, that if Saul is hiding because he is afraid of the role he is about to take and the responsibility it carries, I find a little bit of Saul in myself. I don’t know why, but whenever I face tough decisions in life, my initial response is to hide from them. It could even be said to hide with the “baggage” of my books, friends, family, video games. I hide too. And as such, reading this story I am reminded that I am not the right person to rule over God’s people. I am a coward.

But God has not chosen me to be Israel’s king. He has his king, David. No a king even greater than David. He has carried me through death and into new life. He has given me the Spirit of Yahweh to create in me obedience to him. So that when those fears come, I can fight them. I am free from having to try to be king, I serve the King. I obey his will and so there is no fear because the decision is made for me. I only have to follow what the King directs.

Writing Scripture out

Thoughts on the Endings of Kings and Chronicles

Blessing and Psalm 72

One of the things about the Christmas narratives in Matthew and Luke that has always baffled me has been the fulfillment passages where Matthew will say that event X fulfills prophecy A. But when I read prophecy A in its OT context it doesn’t make any sense. What Matthew records as the fulfillment isn’t what is being promised by the prophet. Last Christmas I covered Matthew’s use of Hosea 11:1 (see Part 1 and Part 2). This Christmas I want to cover Matthew’s use of Jeremiah 31:15 in Matthew 2:18. Read more

Habakkuk 2:4 Part 1

A Loving God??

sane’, Malachi, and Paul Pt 2

In my previous post I defined the gospel in terms of how the Gospels and Acts looked at the gospel. That is to say, they viewed the gospel as God fulfilling his promises made to Israel to establish a new creation by his Spirit, ruled by his Servant-King from the house of David, ending Israel’s exile, and drawing the Gentiles out of their pagan darkness into the light of this new Israel in this new creation. God fulfilled these promises by raising up Jesus of Nazareth, who came and took dominion over the present evil age and creation, offered up his life as an atoning sacrifice for his people’s transgression, and was resurrected as the firstfruit of the new Spirit-wrought creation and the king over that new creation.

Now how does the Apostle Paul fit into this picture? When one reads his letters one does not see a lot of talk about a kingdom. He rarely speaks about Jesus earthly life and ministry, his teachings and healings that demonstrated him to be the Spirit-indwelt Servant-King from the stump of Jesse. Paul speaks minimally about the kingdom, though it is not absent from his theology. He talks about the gospel in terms of Jesus’ person, death and resurrection and their meaning. He is combating a certain form of Judaism that requires Gentiles to convert to Judaism to be accepted into the people of God. So how does his battle’s over the meaning of justification and the gospel fit into the picture seen in the gospels? Read more

One More Question

Truth, Salvation, and “euaggelion”

When I think of “euaggelion” or “gospel”…