the gospel is not about Western ideas of health, wealth and prosperity. the gospel is about the Jewish-Christian conviction that 'life - all life - is meaningful and good, and that evil distorts and disrupts the good and cries out to be set right' (Westerholm, Understanding Paul).
But the story of the bible, which is the story that I am telling you, is not - as many of you may have been brought up imagining - is not a story simply about random individual men and women, and whether they behave or misbehave, and whether or not they go to heaven or hell at the end. That is our Western reshaping of the story of the bible, our fitting of it into different categories.
The story the bible itself actually tells is the story of the creator God and His world, of the plan for humans within that world to manage creation and then to help in the task of putting it right.
- N.T. Wright, Reconstructing Hope (Harvard Graduate School Christian Fellowship Series, 18 Nov 08)
the gospel is not about saying the sinner's prayer so that we can go to heaven when we die. the gospel is the good news that Jesus has come to earth to launch the new creation of the world, and is coming back soon to complete it! in the meantime, we - who are a new creation in Christ - are called to participate in the new creation of the world through evangelism, missions and social action.
"As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"" - Romans 10:11-15 (NIV)
How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him
Who brings good news, good news
Proclaiming peace, announcing news of happiness
Our God reigns, our God reigns!
You watchmen lift your voices joyfully as one
Shout for your King, your King
See eye to eye the Lord restoring Zion
Your God reigns, your God reigns!
Waste places of Jerusalem break forth with joy
We are redeemed, redeemed
The Lord has saved and comforted His people
Our God reigns, our God reigns!
Ends of the earth, see the salvation of your God
Jesus is Lord, is Lord
Before the nations He has bared His holy arm
Your God reigns, your God reigns!
*****
as i was watching prison break last night, i was thinking about how we don't know for sure how the series will end. we hope that it will end well - and it probably will - but until it actually ends well, we can't be completely sure.
on the other hand, we do know for sure how God's big picture of creation will end - with God putting the world to rights.
"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more." - Isaiah 65:17-19 (NIV)
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."" - Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)
Thursday 27 November 2008
Friday 21 November 2008
political philosophy and theology
While the decision to preserve our sentiment of justice might be rational, we may in the end suffer a very great loss or even be ruined by it. As we have seen, a just person is not prepared to do certain things, and so in the face of evil circumstances he may decide to chance death rather than to act unjustly. Yet although it is true enough that for the sake of justice a man may lose his life where another would live to a later day, the just man does what all things considered he most wants; in this sense he is not defeated by ill fortune the possibility of which he foresaw.
The question is on a par with the hazards of love; indeed, it is simply a special case. Those who love one another, or who acquire strong attachments to persons and to forms of life, at the same time become liable to ruin: their love makes them hostages to misfortune and the injustice of others. Friends and lovers take great chances to help each other; and members of families willingly do the same. Their being so disposed belongs to their attachments as much as any other inclination. Once we love we are vulnerable: there is no such thing as loving while being ready to consider whether to love, just like that. And the loves that may hurt the least are not the best loves. When we love we accept the dangers of injury and loss.
- John Rawls, A Theory of Justice
To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.
- C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
links: education sentimentale (11 feb 09), justice and justification (23 feb 09), justice and love (23 mar 09)
The question is on a par with the hazards of love; indeed, it is simply a special case. Those who love one another, or who acquire strong attachments to persons and to forms of life, at the same time become liable to ruin: their love makes them hostages to misfortune and the injustice of others. Friends and lovers take great chances to help each other; and members of families willingly do the same. Their being so disposed belongs to their attachments as much as any other inclination. Once we love we are vulnerable: there is no such thing as loving while being ready to consider whether to love, just like that. And the loves that may hurt the least are not the best loves. When we love we accept the dangers of injury and loss.
- John Rawls, A Theory of Justice
To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.
- C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
links: education sentimentale (11 feb 09), justice and justification (23 feb 09), justice and love (23 mar 09)
Thursday 20 November 2008
more on classical calvinism vs moderate calvinism
this is the continuation of a previous post on classical calvinism vs moderate calvinism.
classical "supralapsarian" calvinism
1. God predestined man to sin.
2. God predestined Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
3a. God predestined some to be reconciled to Him.
3b. God predestined others not to be reconciled to Him.
4. God created the world.
5. man sinned, having been predestined by God to sin.
6. God sent Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
7a. those who are predestined to be reconciled to God are reconciled to Him.
7b. those who are predestined not to be reconciled to God are not reconciled to Him.
according to classical "supralapsarian" calvinism, both the fall and faith are caused by God.
classical "infralapsarian" calvinism
1. God created the world.
2. man sinned of his own free will.
3. God predestined Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
4a. God predestined some to be reconciled to Him.
4b. God predestined others not to be reconciled to Him.
5. God sent Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
6a. those who are predestined to be reconciled to God are reconciled to Him.
6b. those who are predestined not to be reconciled to God are not reconciled to Him.
according to classical "infralapsarian" calvinism, the fall is occasioned by God while faith is caused by God.
moderate "middle knowledge" calvinism
1. God saw that the best possible world (from His perspective) was one in which man would sin of his own free will.
2. God saw that the best possible world (from His perspective) was one in which He would send Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
3a. God saw that the best possible world (from His perspective) was one in which those who would freely believe in Christ would be reconciled to Him.
3b. God saw that the best possible world (from His perspective) was one in which those who would freely not believe in Christ would not be reconciled to Him.
4. God created the best possible world (from His perspective), predestining that i) man would sin of his own free will, ii) He would send Christ to reconcile the world to Him, iii) those who would freely believe in Christ would be reconciled to Him and iv) those who would freely not believe in Christ would not be reconciled to Him.
5. man sinned of his own free will.
6. God sent Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
7a. those who freely believe in Christ are reconciled to God.
7b. those who freely do not believe in Christ are not reconciled to God.
according to moderate "middle knowledge" calvinism, both the fall and faith are occasioned by God.
God - knowing (not causing) each of our free choices - created the best possible world (from His perspective) in which each of our free choices would work 'for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV). in this way, God is completely sovereign and man is compatibilistically free.
*****
we might question whether this particular world is indeed the best possible world which God could have created. to answer this question, we have to bear in mind that God created this particular world to reflect His glory. to this end, the best possible world which God could have created is the world which most reflects His glory.
if creating any other possible world (eg. a world without evil) could reflect His glory more than creating this particular world, then God would have created that other possible world instead of creating this particular world. however, God created this particular world. therefore, creating this particular world reflects His glory more than creating any other possible world.
for that matter, if not creating at all could reflect His glory more than creating this particular world, then God would have not created at all instead of creating this particular world. however, God created this particular world. therefore, creating this particular world reflects His glory more than not creating at all.
at the end of the day, we have to trust - not against all odds, but with complete assurance - that this particular world is indeed the best possible world which God could have created, that this particular world is indeed the world which most reflects His glory.
link: classical calvinism vs moderate calvinism (22 oct 08)
classical "supralapsarian" calvinism
1. God predestined man to sin.
2. God predestined Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
3a. God predestined some to be reconciled to Him.
3b. God predestined others not to be reconciled to Him.
4. God created the world.
5. man sinned, having been predestined by God to sin.
6. God sent Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
7a. those who are predestined to be reconciled to God are reconciled to Him.
7b. those who are predestined not to be reconciled to God are not reconciled to Him.
according to classical "supralapsarian" calvinism, both the fall and faith are caused by God.
classical "infralapsarian" calvinism
1. God created the world.
2. man sinned of his own free will.
3. God predestined Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
4a. God predestined some to be reconciled to Him.
4b. God predestined others not to be reconciled to Him.
5. God sent Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
6a. those who are predestined to be reconciled to God are reconciled to Him.
6b. those who are predestined not to be reconciled to God are not reconciled to Him.
according to classical "infralapsarian" calvinism, the fall is occasioned by God while faith is caused by God.
moderate "middle knowledge" calvinism
1. God saw that the best possible world (from His perspective) was one in which man would sin of his own free will.
2. God saw that the best possible world (from His perspective) was one in which He would send Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
3a. God saw that the best possible world (from His perspective) was one in which those who would freely believe in Christ would be reconciled to Him.
3b. God saw that the best possible world (from His perspective) was one in which those who would freely not believe in Christ would not be reconciled to Him.
4. God created the best possible world (from His perspective), predestining that i) man would sin of his own free will, ii) He would send Christ to reconcile the world to Him, iii) those who would freely believe in Christ would be reconciled to Him and iv) those who would freely not believe in Christ would not be reconciled to Him.
5. man sinned of his own free will.
6. God sent Christ to reconcile the world to Him.
7a. those who freely believe in Christ are reconciled to God.
7b. those who freely do not believe in Christ are not reconciled to God.
according to moderate "middle knowledge" calvinism, both the fall and faith are occasioned by God.
God - knowing (not causing) each of our free choices - created the best possible world (from His perspective) in which each of our free choices would work 'for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV). in this way, God is completely sovereign and man is compatibilistically free.
*****
we might question whether this particular world is indeed the best possible world which God could have created. to answer this question, we have to bear in mind that God created this particular world to reflect His glory. to this end, the best possible world which God could have created is the world which most reflects His glory.
if creating any other possible world (eg. a world without evil) could reflect His glory more than creating this particular world, then God would have created that other possible world instead of creating this particular world. however, God created this particular world. therefore, creating this particular world reflects His glory more than creating any other possible world.
for that matter, if not creating at all could reflect His glory more than creating this particular world, then God would have not created at all instead of creating this particular world. however, God created this particular world. therefore, creating this particular world reflects His glory more than not creating at all.
at the end of the day, we have to trust - not against all odds, but with complete assurance - that this particular world is indeed the best possible world which God could have created, that this particular world is indeed the world which most reflects His glory.
link: classical calvinism vs moderate calvinism (22 oct 08)
Sunday 16 November 2008
remember, remember
britain recently commemorated the 5th and 11th of november, guy fawkes night and armistice day respectively.
in this morning's sermon at york baptist church, revd gary patchen pointed out that the first world war, ironically, was thought of as the war to end all wars. in fact, the war to end all wars ended 2000 years ago at calvary, and it ended with Jesus and the victory of God.
Much of "traditional" Christianity gives the impression that God has these rather arbitrary rules about how you have to behave, and if you disobey them you go to hell, rather than to heaven. What the New Testament really says is God wants you to be a renewed human being helping him to renew his creation, and his resurrection was the opening bell. And when he returns to fulfill the plan, you won't be going up there to him, he'll be coming down here.
- N.T. Wright, Interview with TIME Magazine (7 Feb 08)
in the pursuit of holiness, jerry bridges describes a change of kingdoms which occurs when we pass from death into life. while we continue to struggle with sin, we no longer view sin as a friendly ally to be fed but a defeated enemy to be finally put to death.
Struggling with Sin
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!
"So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." - Romans 7:15-25 (NIV)
The Resurrection Body
"I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
""Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 (NIV)
The Ministry of Reconciliation
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 (NIV)
if we remember the 5th and 11th of november, how much more should we remember the life, death and resurrection of Christ through which we are reconciled to God!
The Lord's Supper
"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)
in this morning's sermon at york baptist church, revd gary patchen pointed out that the first world war, ironically, was thought of as the war to end all wars. in fact, the war to end all wars ended 2000 years ago at calvary, and it ended with Jesus and the victory of God.
Much of "traditional" Christianity gives the impression that God has these rather arbitrary rules about how you have to behave, and if you disobey them you go to hell, rather than to heaven. What the New Testament really says is God wants you to be a renewed human being helping him to renew his creation, and his resurrection was the opening bell. And when he returns to fulfill the plan, you won't be going up there to him, he'll be coming down here.
- N.T. Wright, Interview with TIME Magazine (7 Feb 08)
in the pursuit of holiness, jerry bridges describes a change of kingdoms which occurs when we pass from death into life. while we continue to struggle with sin, we no longer view sin as a friendly ally to be fed but a defeated enemy to be finally put to death.
Struggling with Sin
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!
"So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin." - Romans 7:15-25 (NIV)
The Resurrection Body
"I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
""Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 (NIV)
The Ministry of Reconciliation
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 (NIV)
if we remember the 5th and 11th of november, how much more should we remember the life, death and resurrection of Christ through which we are reconciled to God!
The Lord's Supper
"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)
Friday 14 November 2008
middle knowledge and the double effect
if God created this particular world because He knew that our free choices in this particular world would bring Him the most glory (compared to other possible worlds, or no world at all), then didn't God create this particular world based on our free choices?
no, because God did not create this particular world to enable us to be saved by our free choices. God created this particular world to reflect His glory, and it just so happens that this particular world brings Him the most glory (compared to other possible worlds, or no world at all) as He enables us to be saved by our free choices.
God did not create this particular world based on our free choices. God created this particular world based on His knowledge of our free choices.
in other words, God's sovereign choice to create THIS particular world is based on His knowledge of ALL possible worlds, and God's knowledge of THIS particular world is based on His sovereign choice to create THIS particular world. God has middle knowledge in between His knowledge of ALL possible worlds and His knowledge of THIS particular world (ie. God has middle knowledge in His sovereign choice to create THIS particular world).
no, because God did not create this particular world to enable us to be saved by our free choices. God created this particular world to reflect His glory, and it just so happens that this particular world brings Him the most glory (compared to other possible worlds, or no world at all) as He enables us to be saved by our free choices.
God did not create this particular world based on our free choices. God created this particular world based on His knowledge of our free choices.
in other words, God's sovereign choice to create THIS particular world is based on His knowledge of ALL possible worlds, and God's knowledge of THIS particular world is based on His sovereign choice to create THIS particular world. God has middle knowledge in between His knowledge of ALL possible worlds and His knowledge of THIS particular world (ie. God has middle knowledge in His sovereign choice to create THIS particular world).
Thursday 6 November 2008
weekends away
this weekend, i'll be going down to london for a prison ministry conference.
next weekend, i'll be going up to durham for a course on preaching from the gospel of Mark.
the following weekend, it's off to the lake district for houseparty 2008!
next weekend, i'll be going up to durham for a course on preaching from the gospel of Mark.
the following weekend, it's off to the lake district for houseparty 2008!
gunpowder and guns
today is the 403rd anniversary of the foiling of the gunpowder plot. today is also the 2nd anniversary of my ord.remember, remember the 5th of november!
Monday 3 November 2008
the doctrine of the double effect
The doctrine [of the double effect] distinguishes two kinds of outcomes of actions: intended consequences of actions, and outcomes that are foreseen but not intended. Suppose that the outcome in question is evil...
For example, if the brakes on my car fail and I deliberately swerve to avoid a busy pedestrian crossing, seeing that in so doing I'll hit a passer-by, the evil outcome (the death of the passer-by) is foreseen but not intended by me. My intention is to avoid the people on the pedestrian crossing, not to kill the passer-by (if the passer-by were to leap out of the way, I wouldn't be disappointed at having my intentions frustrated).
- Stephen Holland, Bioethics: A Philosophical Introduction
the doctrine of the double effect lines up with graded absolutism, which i believe is philosophically and theologically sound. evil that is foreseen and intended (ie. evil that is formally intended) is always wrong, while evil that is foreseen but not intended (ie. evil that is materially intended) is never wrong.
God's sovereign choice
"What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath - prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory - even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?" - Romans 9:22-24 (NIV)
the objects of God's wrath are prepared for destruction, while the objects of God's mercy are prepared by God in advance for glory. the objects of God's wrath are foreseen but not intended by God, while the objects of God's mercy are foreseen and intended by God.
1. God foresees and intends good.
2. God foresees but does not intend evil.
3. God foresees and intends that evil 'works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV).
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
For example, if the brakes on my car fail and I deliberately swerve to avoid a busy pedestrian crossing, seeing that in so doing I'll hit a passer-by, the evil outcome (the death of the passer-by) is foreseen but not intended by me. My intention is to avoid the people on the pedestrian crossing, not to kill the passer-by (if the passer-by were to leap out of the way, I wouldn't be disappointed at having my intentions frustrated).
- Stephen Holland, Bioethics: A Philosophical Introduction
the doctrine of the double effect lines up with graded absolutism, which i believe is philosophically and theologically sound. evil that is foreseen and intended (ie. evil that is formally intended) is always wrong, while evil that is foreseen but not intended (ie. evil that is materially intended) is never wrong.
God's sovereign choice
"What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath - prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory - even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?" - Romans 9:22-24 (NIV)
the objects of God's wrath are prepared for destruction, while the objects of God's mercy are prepared by God in advance for glory. the objects of God's wrath are foreseen but not intended by God, while the objects of God's mercy are foreseen and intended by God.
1. God foresees and intends good.
2. God foresees but does not intend evil.
3. God foresees and intends that evil 'works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV).
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
Saturday 1 November 2008
labour pains
it is interesting to ponder why - of all the possible consequences of sin - God chose to 'greatly increase [the woman's] pains in childbearing' (Genesis 3:16, NIV). could it be that this typologises the process of being born again?
sin gives birth to death
"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." - James 1:13-15 (NIV)
the Spirit gives birth to life
"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." - James 1:16-18 (NIV)
1. every good thing in this world is a foreshadowing of the new creation.
2. every evil thing in this world is a remnant of the old creation.
3. every evil thing in this world 'works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV). at the same time, there will be labour pains as the old creation gives way to the new creation.
as Christ - the first man to be born of the Spirit and the first man to be raised in the Spirit - is the firstfruits of man, so man (first Jew, then Gentile) is the firstfruits of creation. of course, Christ is fully God and fully man.
as Christ was born to bear the image of God, so we are being born again to bear the image of God. as we are being born again to bear the image of God, so is the world being born again to reflect the glory of God.
given that the world is being born again to reflect the glory of God, we should ensure that we are being born again to bear the image of God.
"Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."" - John 3:5-8 (NIV)
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." - Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)
given that we are being born again to bear the image of God, we should ensure that the world is being born again to reflect the glory of God.
"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." - 1 Peter 1:22-23 (NIV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NIV)
even as the new creation will only be completed when 'there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away' (Revelation 21:4, NIV), God has ordained that we participate in the process of completing it (and even speed its completion) by loving one another (cf. 1 Peter 1:22-23) and spreading the good news (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." - 2 Peter 3:9-13 (NIV)
sin gives birth to death
"When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." - James 1:13-15 (NIV)
the Spirit gives birth to life
"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." - James 1:16-18 (NIV)
1. every good thing in this world is a foreshadowing of the new creation.
2. every evil thing in this world is a remnant of the old creation.
3. every evil thing in this world 'works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV). at the same time, there will be labour pains as the old creation gives way to the new creation.
as Christ - the first man to be born of the Spirit and the first man to be raised in the Spirit - is the firstfruits of man, so man (first Jew, then Gentile) is the firstfruits of creation. of course, Christ is fully God and fully man.
as Christ was born to bear the image of God, so we are being born again to bear the image of God. as we are being born again to bear the image of God, so is the world being born again to reflect the glory of God.
given that the world is being born again to reflect the glory of God, we should ensure that we are being born again to bear the image of God.
"Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."" - John 3:5-8 (NIV)
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." - Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)
given that we are being born again to bear the image of God, we should ensure that the world is being born again to reflect the glory of God.
"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." - 1 Peter 1:22-23 (NIV)
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NIV)
even as the new creation will only be completed when 'there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away' (Revelation 21:4, NIV), God has ordained that we participate in the process of completing it (and even speed its completion) by loving one another (cf. 1 Peter 1:22-23) and spreading the good news (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." - 2 Peter 3:9-13 (NIV)
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