Creeds and Deeds...and In That Order

The White Horse Inn interviews author Michael Wittmer on his book Don't Stop Believing: Why Living Like Jesus is Not Enough. Wittmer touches on many of the important topics that Justin and I have been wrestling with in many of our posts. I particularly like their discussions of "creeds and deeds" and what is the main reason why conservatives and liberals disagree. It is quality listening if you have a half hour. Listen Here.

Tip (Koinonia)

Mormon Vampires in the Garden of Eden

I've been intrigued by the explosion of the popularity surrounding the Twilight books. While I have no intention of purchasing and reading such books, I just stumbled across this article (thanks to Dr. Moore). It breaks down Mrs. Meyer's Mormon faith and how she has weaved into the story between Bella and Edward (the two main characters in the book).

It's a fascinating read, however, it contains spoilers. So if you're planning on reading the books and don't want to know what happens, come back and read the article when you're done. Otherwise, click here.

~sdg

The Word Became Flesh

Today is Advent Sunday, and while the world may kick off their Christmas celebrations with Black Friday (how fitting in a consumer driven society), the Church has the grand opportunity to use this season to reflect upon the doctrine of the Incarnation. This is our time to ponder and stand in awe of the ultimate mystery that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory" (Jn 1:14). We often do a good job of understanding that Christ was born of a virgin and was born into poverty. We contemplate the events surrounding His birth as so much history. Then we skip to the Atonement. He came to die. The end. It is true that one of the reasons Christ came was to die to redeem us, but maybe we shouldn't rush to the end of the story during this time of year. We have Lent, Good Friday and Easter to contemplate those aspects from a Church calendar standpoint. But this time of year is the season to wrap our minds around "God with us." God one of us. The Incarnation is mind blowing. Trying to understand the intricacies of the Theandric Union can either fry our brains or fill us with wonder at the greatness of Almighty God.

Luther wrote: "It is not for the angels to be proud of Christ's incarnation, for Christ did not assume and angelic but a human nature. Therefore it would not be a surprise if the angels looked at us with envy in their eyes because we human beings, creatures far inferior to them and sinners besides, are placed above them into an honor so high and great. They worship Christ, who has become our Brother, our flesh and blood" (Serm. on Col. 1:18-20 quoted in Thomas Oden, The Word of Life).

We have a God who can identify with us! He knows, in an experiencial way, our struggles and weakness. This is one of the messages of the Advent season. What might it mean that God became flesh? Not just in a systematic theological sort of way but in a personal way. Do we need to sit back and think about that one for a while? That's what this season is all about.

Highly Recommend: New Gospel v. Old Gospel

Kevin DeYoung has another solid post up on his website. It's a careful dissection of the the trendy New Gospel that is peddled by the likes of Shane Claiborne, Rob Bell and their ilk. It's the source of much angst for Nick and I as we were forced to look for churches more inline with the biblical gospel (Old Gospel).

Check out the post here.

If you'd like a good example of the New Gospel, see this Shane Claiborne piece in Esquire.

Enjoy and think. I guarantee there's a church peddling this New Gospel near you. There's a giant one real close to me. Discernment is desperately needed!

~sdg

(Hat tip: Justin Taylor)

I Thank My God

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. " (Philippians 1:3-6)

At this time of year we stop to give God thanks for all the blessings He has given to us. At least that's the idea. We celebrate having our needs met by indulging in gluttony. Hummm. Anyway here is an idea for a new Thanksgiving ritual: follow Paul's example and thank God for all the brothers and sisters He has placed in your life. Maybe send them an email to let them know that you are praying for them and greatful for the blessing that they have been to you.

Instead of Thanksgiving being a blip on the radar--a speed bump on the way to Christmas--let us rediscover it as a time of prayer and worship for all that God has done throughout the year. We have so much to be thankful for.

Thanks for interacting with us here at 4sixteen...we thank God for you too.

A Groaning Creation

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation t has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. - Romans 8:19-25

There is something wrong with this world.

Death reigns in this world, even amongst the creation. This has hit home personally. This morning, my dog that my family has had for the past 8 years passed away. Her name was Allie Grace. This past week, she began to grow weak. She had great difficulty walking and was hardly eating. A trip to the Vet revealed cancer. Five tumors, one on each major organ. Death was immanent. As I digested the news, I couldn't help to think how this wasn't right. This suffering was unjust! Why is my dog developing cancer? For what crime is she suffering? The reality is she suffers under the weight of sin, but not a sin of her own.

While the imputation of Adam's sin on his posterity is disputed among theologians, what cannot be disputed is the curse that God has placed on creation because of the sin of Adam. When Adam choose to disregard God in the garden and go his own way, he set off a chain of events that destroyed the delicate shalom that God had created. Sin and death entered the pristine creation, but it did not effect humanity alone. All of creation was subjected to futility. There is something to be learned from this horror story. When we sin, we do not do so in a vacuum. The effects reach farther than we ever thought they could. It is a serious thing to disregard the commands of God. We injure not only ourselves, but those whom we may not even meet.

But thanks be to God, who has not left us without hope. Even though Allie Grace is gone, there is still hope. I don't know if God will raise animals from the dead. But I do know that one day, in the words of Tolkien, "he will make all the sad things untrue." I'm not sure how that'll work. However, I know that God is good. I know that God took notice today when Allie Grace breathed her last. I know that God is close to those who mourn, even if it's for a beloved animal companion. Please pray for me and family. Pray we remember our true hope and let us be comforted in the knowledge of His love for us.

~sdg

UPDATED: Goer, Sender or Disobedient?

According to John Piper, there are only three options for involvement in missions. "You can be a goer, a sender or disobedient." So what are you? I'm a sender (as of right now). Are you a sender? Are you currently living in disobedience? I have an opportunity for you.

I have two very close friends that are leaving for the mission fields of Thailand in January. The Lord has blessed their fund-raising efforts so far and they are currently at 96% funded. The reason for this post is that they need a little help getting over the top. They are currently looking for four partners willing to commit to $25/month for the next five years. So, if you feel a burden to help missionaries go and spread the Gospel, please prayerfully consider supporting them.

Their information can be found here.

I really hope that you consider partnering with them. They are dear friends and you will be blessed by partnering with them. Their blog is located here.

Even if you are committed elsewhere, would you at least pray for them and for Thailand. A very difficult mission lays before my friends and they will need the Holy Spirit to be upon them in order to be faithful to the task He has laid before them.

~sdg

UPDATE:

Just wanted to let you all know that my missionary friends are now 100% funded for the next 5 years! They have their plane tickets to Bangkok in hand! If you supported them, thank you so much! I pray God's richest blessing upon you.

~sdg