Fluency

I’ve written a couple times about the ESV Study Bible which will begin shipping on October 15.

If you are interested in purchasing one, I found a great pre-order special–45% off.

Check out Rejoice Software.  (I’ve ordered software from there before and have been please.)

The special is for pre-orders only.

Does our church reflect the culture or does it shape the culture?

If we want to shape the culture, we must: Keep the main thing the man thing.

What is the main thing–keeping God the focus by passionately teaching His Word in such a way that individuals feel/are motivated to change and compelled to reach out.

How do we do this?

We must teach the depth and breadth of God’s Word—Simple but not simplistically. That is, communicate clearly the incredible depth of absolute truth.

In an age of biblical illiteracy, we cannot afford to water down truth. But we cannot simply “tell” truth, we must show it. We must help people not only understand biblical truth, we must help them apply it—developing a biblically based, biblically formed world view that governs and directs every area of life.

We must teach the Word with application (practically) within relational contexts. People not only need to know—the what and why of truth, they must understand how. And the how, if often not only learned but practiced in a relational contexts. People don’t grow in isolation. People don’t become “spiritual” by themselves. To grow includes change and fruit bearing. And the most important fruit is loving God and loving others.

How well do we do this?

I tend to begin evaluating the “negative side” first. So let me start with the positive. I think we do a fairly good job of maintaining a focus on the majors. Holding firmly to the truths of Scripture. We have many opportunities for people to study the Bible.

But do we help people see the relevance of teaching, particularly theological truths to everyday life? Probably not as well as we would like.

Helping people understand the depth and breadth of theology (not doctrine) is not easy. While we try not to simply “indoctrinate,” I’m not sure we have provided as strong a foundation as we need to. Helping people understand theology requires more than telling people what to believe. It requires helping people learn how to think. How to read Scripture in a way that doesn’t miss the particulars of an individual passage while at the same time developing the larger framework of how Scripture supports, interacts, develops and interprets itself. This process of exegesis of individual passages leading to a comprehensive coherent system of theology (or belief system) should be self-critical. The exegesis of an individual passage must evaluate our system of theology and our system of theology must inform our exegesis. Both work together. We haven’t taught this well.

Then from teaching people how to think biblically, we must help people live biblically.  To live godly discerning lives.  So I ope we can be and develop discerning learners.  Being a discerning learning is not just about what we should avoid but more how to influence (see previous posts for more and here).

Miscellaneous thoughts on the biographical section of Daniel.

Daniel 2:4b through the end of chapter 7 are written in 3rd person by Daniel in Aramaic.  These chapters contain the “story” of Daniel and his three friends.  Within these stories are messages of judgment (related to Gentile kings) wrapped in lesson of conviction, commitment, courage, confidence in God and calm in the face of conflict–all pointing to what integrity is.

This makes we wonder–how did Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah develop this integrity?  An integrity that did not waver even in the face
–a challenge to their identity and therefore a commitment to their God (Daniel 1)
–a challenge to their lives due to their commitment to their God (Daniel 3 and 6)
–and the other challenges of living and working in a pagan society and maintain their commitment to God–for a life time (see Daniel 1:1 and 27; 6:1-2 and 28).

While I would love to know how their parent raise them (until they were deported to Babylon), we don’t have that information.  But Daniel does gives us three clues to developing and maintaining integrity.

First, in the early chapters when the four men were faced with a difficult situations and decisions–they stuck together, supporting and praying (Daniel 1; 2:17-18; 3:16-18).

Second, Daniel is a man of prayer.  We see this when he faces difficulty (Daniel 2:17-18; 9:3-19). But also how being a man of prayer (devoted to God) was the cause for him to encounter difficulty, because prayer was a personal discipline (Daniel 6:5, 10).

Third, Daniel is a man of the Word.  Even though he held a very significant office (busy?) and was probably in his 70s or 80s, he made time to study God’s Word (9:1-2), it was another of his personal disciplines.

Lesson

To develop integrity we must spend time with God.
To develop integrity it helps to pursue God with others (2 Timothy 2:22).

In a past post I mentioned the yet to be released ESV Study Bible, due out on October  15, 2008.  It has quickly become the most anticipated Study Bible I can remember.

One of the unique elements of this Study Bible will be, that everyone who purchases a copy will have online access to the content as well.

If you are interested in finding out more, visit www.esvstudybible.com.

J. I. Packer on the ESV Study Bible, from the Between Two Worlds blog of Justin Taylor.

More videos can be found at the new ESV Study Bible Video page.

A lesson from a missionary friend.

ASKIM TASOL

Papua New Guinea has a cultural difference that is sometimes hard to get used to. It is the “ASKIM“. The askim is when a national will come to us and ask for a favor or request usually far exceeding what we would expect in our home culture. But their attitude is “Askim Tasol”. which literally means “Asking that’s all”. They know if they don’t ask it will never be granted so why not ask! It’s done in the context of relationship. The interesting part is that while it is sometimes embarrassing to us, it really isn’t to them. I was thinking, in a way, this is what God expects from us. In our relationship with Him, He is not embarrassed to hear our every request. Sometimes, we ask more than what we need and he doesn’t grant it to us but He never gets mad or tired of hearing from us and our own ASKIMS!

Tim Scott

Have you ever had the feeling that you will never overcome a persistent weakness?

Perhaps a propensity to:
Anger
Bitterness
Impatience or negativity?

You pray, you try—and still you seem to lose the battle.

Could it be possible that God does not want us to have victory over all our persistent weakness?

That almost sound like heresy to our ears.

Would God really do that? Would He leave us with weaknesses? If so, why?

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)

A 17^th c French Bishop François Fénelon, in Spiritual Letters: Letters to Women—Forbearance (Letter XCVII Forbearance to Others and to Self), wrote:
“…for sometimes He leaves people with certain unconquerable imperfections…”

Let me put the quote in context:

“It often happens that eager faultfinding, even with one’s self, is but an untimely zeal, while God is carrying things on altogether differently; for sometimes He leaves people with certain unconquerable imperfections, in order to deprive them of all inward self-satisfaction. It would be far less real mortification to them to be corrected of certain involuntary failings than to feel that their weaknesses got the uppermost. Everything in its own time. Self-reliance even in matters of curing one’s faults fosters a hidden conceit.”

Notice that these “unconquerable imperfections” are not the same as rebellious acts or willful sins, they are “involuntary failings.” While the concept of willful sin versus “unwillful” or unknowing sin is hard to fully comprehend—since I’m not sure I have ever sinned without knowing what I was doing, usually I sin knowingly (by the way this is different than sins of omission versus commission)—the point seems to be the difference between outright rebellion and failings.

What Fénelon seems to be saying is that there are aspects of our personality and disposition which make us prone to certain weaknesses and sins—which while still wrong, are not God’s main concern. His main desire is for us to be wholely devoted, fully surrendered, humbly yielded to Him.

Lessons

We all have “unconquerable imperfections”—but they are no excuse for “bad behavior.”

Our “unconquerable imperfections” should not cause us to despair but to depend. To depend more fully on the mercy and grace of God. To depend more on Him and less on ourselves.

It may be that God wants submission and humility more than He wants perfection from His Children. A humble heart that quickly repents seems to truly please God.

Psalm 51:16-17 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (ESV)

So, praise God for your “unconquerable imperfection” for through them you learn dependence on God. And when we are dependent on God, then He will receive the glory and we will receive His empowerment.

Unconquerable imperfection should not lead to despair, but to hope. God has left us with our unconquerable imperfections because He is not through with us yet—He has plans for us, and the ultimate end of the plan is our conformity to the image of Christ.

But, perhaps not all our “imperfections” are “unconquerable.” There is hope for victory—but the only hope is through surrender and humility.

(More on the hope and victory later.)

The story of Daniel in Daniel 1, is a wonderfully encouraging and challenging story of commitment and courage.  It is also a familiar story to many and often relegated to “it’s a kid’s story.”

And yes, it should be taught to kids–not because it is simple or simplistic–but because it is profound.  And though it is appropriate for kids because it is profound–it should also be taught to adult because it is simple.

The book of Daniel as a whole could be summarize as teaching the sovereign plan of the One true providential God.  That sounds lofty.  And yes, it deals practically and prophetically with the Kingdom of God during Gentile times.

But right now I am interested profiting from the prophet, the man Daniel.

Daniel 1 tells the story of Daniel abduction, exile to Babylon, the attempts of his captors to brainwash–transform him into a productive member of the Babylonian society.  They assumed that for him to be a productive member, he needed to be Babylonian.  So they changed his location, name and dress. They wanted him to have a Babylonian world view so they put him through their educational system.  They wanted him to develop a taste for their foods and customs so provided him with the best.

But Daniel teaches us how to be resident aliens. How to be influential and productive in the country we live in, while never forgetting where we are from.

Jeremiah 29:4-9 helps us understand that though we are resident aliens, we are to make an impact on our host country.

How did Daniel distinguish himself as a resident alien?

He determined or resolved not to defile himself (Daniel 1:8).
He wanted to do what was right personally–that’s purity
He wanted to do what was right before God–that’s piety
He wanted to do what was right before other–that’s propriety

He was not content to simple be anonymous and keep his “religion” to himself.  He understood that purity and piety, though developed from the inside must give evidence on the outside.  So when he approached the individual under whose care he had been placed, he requested–not demanded, he sought a win-win compromise–instead of projecting a defiant attitude.

That is a great lesson.  Daniel was a man of integrity.

Integrity is a word we through around often without thinking about it definition, it is being true, whole, undivided.  It is being what you are whether in private or public.  Or we could define integrity as a math problem:
Conviction + Courage – a concern for consequence = Integrity.

That is Daniel.

There is so much more–like the “behind the scenes” activity of God (Daniel 1:2, 9, 17).

But one more simple, practical and convicting lesson from Daniel 1.

Daniel 1 ends on an editorial note.  The story teller interjects a historical notation, which presents us with another lesson.

When we compare the dates in Daniel 1:1 and Daniel 1:21 (and add to it Daniel 10) we find that Daniel serve a series of different kings for a total of no less than 64 years.

Daniel finished well.

He not only determined not to defile himself at one point in his youth, but for his whole life.  He did not take a vacation from being a God-follower.  He remained consistent and committed throughout his life.

Oh, that that be true of me.

 From a message by John Piper

I say that all the pictures of the supremacy of Jesus in the book of Hebrews are pictures not only of the perfection of the all-sufficient means of our salvation, but also of the all-satisfying goal or end of our salvation, namely the supremacy of Christ himself experienced with all-satisfying joy. He is the Great Reward. He is the one we know in the “better resurrection.” He is the light of the city to that is to come.

Therefore everything this epistle says about him intensifies our love for him now as our Treasure, and our desire for him later as our final Reward.

He is

• God’s final revelation (1:2).
• The heir of all things (1:2).
• The creator of the world (1:2).
• The radiance of God’s glory (1:3).
• The exact imprint of God’s nature (1:3).
• He upholds the universe by the word of his power (1:3).
• He made purification for sins (1:3).
• He sits at the right hand of the Majesty on High (1:4).
• He is God, enthroned forever, with a scepter of uprightness (1:8).
• He is worshipped by angels (1:6).
• His rule will have no end (1:8).
• His joy is above all other beings in the universe (1:9).
• He took on human flesh (2:14).
• He was crowned with glory and honor because of his suffering (2:9).
• He was the founder of our salvation (2:10).
• He was made perfect in all his obedience by his suffering (2:10).
• He destroyed the one who has the power of death, the devil (2:15).
• He delivered us from the bondage of fear (2:15).
• He is a merciful and faithful high priest (2:17)
• He made propitiation for sins (2:17).
• He is sympathetic because of his own trials (4:15).
• He never sinned (4:15).
• He offered up loud cries and tears with reverent fear, and God heard him (5:7).
• He became the source of eternal salvation (5:8)
• He holds his priesthood by virtue of an indestructible life (7:16).
• He appears in the presence of God on our behalf (9:24).
• He will come a second time to save us who are eagerly waiting for him (9:28).
• He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (13:8)

All of this supremacy of Christ is poured into the word “him” in Hebrews 13:13: “Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” To him!

I have spent much of the last two years studying and teaching through the wonderful book of Romans (that material will be posted on this site soon). This requires looking at doctrine, wrestle with concepts. These truths are very important and necessary for a firm foundation. But not all truth was given through or in a didactic form/genre. Most of the Bible teaches truth through narrative-through story. These truths are not less important, just harder to identify.

Stories are actually more effective for communicating certain truths and for motivating individuals toward action.

Think for instance of a paradox.  It is one thing to state a paradox (i.e. God is loving. John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; God is Righteous, just and wrath. John 3:36; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). Another to tell a story were the paradox is in full view but where we must wrestle with the truth (see Habakkuk).

This is also true for motivation.  We are told, “love your neighbors.” But that doesn’t seem to be as motivating as the story of the Good Samaritan.

In spite of this, we often relegate stories to Children’s ministry—as though they are less important, less meaningful or too familiar.

So for the next few weeks I will be seeking to learn not only through stories, but through characters.  And though these “stories” are familiar-there is much to learn.

The series will be:
Profiting from the Prophets

Daniel 1 and 6 (2 lesson)

Decisions and Dedication

Jonah and Psalm 15 (2-3 lessons)

Decisions and Disappointment

Habakkuk        (1-2 lessons)

Disappointment to Faith

Fear to Faith

Worry to Worship

Haggai (2 lessons)

Possessions, Priorities, Purity and Providence

Conviction, Courage, Cleanliness and Consummation

As part of an extended celebration of our 20th anniversary, Mary Anne and I went to see Les Misérables  at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia.

The Walnut Street Theater is the oldest (199 years) continually operating theater in the English speaking world.

What we saw was the musical adaption of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel Les Misérables.  A novel about an ex-con who through the act of kindness, grace and redemption sees to live out his live as a force of good.

What struck my about the musical versus the movie was how strong the redemptive themes and religious overtones where.  The references to prayer, redemption, grace and salvation are sprinkled throughout the play.  In the movie there are several references but not to the degree as the musical.

One of the elements of the novel/play/book that should serve as a wonderful reminder for Christians is the impact an act of forgiveness.  One act of forgiveness leads to a life of service.  Shouldn’t that be our story?

If you every have the opportunity to see the play, take it.  The musical has various adaptations and in some of them does have some colorful characters.