The Lord always deserves to be praised for what he is in himself, for his
works of creation and providence, for his goodness towards his creatures,
and especially for the transcendent act of redemption, and all the
marvellous blessing flowing therefrom. It is always beneficial to praise
the Lord; it cheers the day and brightens the night; it lightens toil and
softens sorrow; and over earthly gladness it sheds a sanctifying radiance
which makes it less liable to blind us with its glare.
Have we not something to sing about at this moment?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Jonah is like Narnia
from an interview w/ Mark Futato, who wrote ESV study bible notes on Jonah:
How long have you been interested in studying the book of Jonah, and what led to your interest in this particular book?
I first read the book of Jonah in Hebrew in the summer of 1974. As a college student I had just finished my first year of elementary Hebrew and read the book of Jonah with Willem VanGemeren, my first Hebrew professor. That was the beginning of my fascination with the book. I started teaching Hebrew at the seminary level in the fall of 1988 and have read the book of Jonah with Hebrew students every year since.
We might be tempted to think that you do not get much out of Jonah since you have been teaching it so long. How would you respond to that type of idea? Do you still see new insights in Jonah?
I have often likened the book of Jonah to the Narnia Chronicles by C. S. Lewis. On one level the storyline is very simple, so that young children can enjoy the book and understand its message. On another level the book of Jonah is a highly sophisticated piece of literature that continues to yield new gems with each read. I continue to learn from the scholarly writings of colleagues in the field, and I also learn much from the fresh questions that students bring to the text each year.
How long have you been interested in studying the book of Jonah, and what led to your interest in this particular book?
I first read the book of Jonah in Hebrew in the summer of 1974. As a college student I had just finished my first year of elementary Hebrew and read the book of Jonah with Willem VanGemeren, my first Hebrew professor. That was the beginning of my fascination with the book. I started teaching Hebrew at the seminary level in the fall of 1988 and have read the book of Jonah with Hebrew students every year since.
We might be tempted to think that you do not get much out of Jonah since you have been teaching it so long. How would you respond to that type of idea? Do you still see new insights in Jonah?
I have often likened the book of Jonah to the Narnia Chronicles by C. S. Lewis. On one level the storyline is very simple, so that young children can enjoy the book and understand its message. On another level the book of Jonah is a highly sophisticated piece of literature that continues to yield new gems with each read. I continue to learn from the scholarly writings of colleagues in the field, and I also learn much from the fresh questions that students bring to the text each year.
The Setting of Jonah c. 760 B.C.
Jonah prophesied during the politically prosperous time of Jeroboam II of Israel (2 Kings 14:23–28). During this time the Assyrians were occupied with matters elsewhere in the empire, allowing Jeroboam II to capture much of Syria for Israel. The Lord called Jonah to go to the great Assyrian city of Nineveh to pronounce judgment upon it. Jonah attempted to escape the Lord’s calling by sailing from the seaport of Joppa to Tarshish, which was probably in the western Mediterranean. Eventually he obeyed the Lord and traveled overland to Nineveh at the heart of the Assyrian Empire. --from ESV study Bible
Jonah, where should you find it in library?
In fiction, or history?
This is a very familiar story. Some people say its an allegory or parable. But parables are usually basic. The story itself has historical and geographical elements. Whoever wrote it seemed to want us to believe that this was a real event. It assumes historical correctness. Jesus likens himself to Jonah and spoke of the people of Ninevah as real people who really repented. Jesus took it seriously, so if we want to follow him so should we. (Adrian Warnock's summary of a Liam Gallagher sermon at New World Alive-- UK stuff)
from ESV study bible:
The book of Jonah has all the marks of a prophetic narrative, like those about Elijah and Elisha found in
1 Kings, which set out to report actual historical events.The phrase that opens the book (“the word of the
Lordcame to”) is also at the beginning of the first two stories told about Elijah (1Kings 17:2,8) and is used
in other prophetic narratives as well (e.g.,1 Sam.15:10; 2 Sam.7:4).Just as the Elijah and Elisha narratives
contain extraordinary events,like ravens providing bread and meat for the prophet (1 Kings 17:6),so does
the book of Jonah,as when the fish “provides transportation”for the prophet.In fact,the story of Jonah is
so much like the stories about Elijah and Elisha that one would hardly think it odd if the story of Jonah
were embedded in 2 Kings right after Jonah’s prophetic words about the expansion of the kingdom. The
story of Jonah is thus presented as historical, like the other prophetic narratives.
There are additional arguments for the historical nature of the book of Jonah. It is difficult to say that
the story teaches God’s sovereignty over the creation if God did not in fact “appoint” the fish (1:17), the
plant (4:6),the worm (4:7),and the east wind (4:8) to do his will.Jesus,moreover,treated the story as histori-
cal when he used elements of the story as analogies for other historical events (see Matt.12:40–41).This is
especially clear when Jesus declared that “the men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this genera-
tion and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah”(Matt.12:41).
This is a very familiar story. Some people say its an allegory or parable. But parables are usually basic. The story itself has historical and geographical elements. Whoever wrote it seemed to want us to believe that this was a real event. It assumes historical correctness. Jesus likens himself to Jonah and spoke of the people of Ninevah as real people who really repented. Jesus took it seriously, so if we want to follow him so should we. (Adrian Warnock's summary of a Liam Gallagher sermon at New World Alive-- UK stuff)
from ESV study bible:
The book of Jonah has all the marks of a prophetic narrative, like those about Elijah and Elisha found in
1 Kings, which set out to report actual historical events.The phrase that opens the book (“the word of the
Lordcame to”) is also at the beginning of the first two stories told about Elijah (1Kings 17:2,8) and is used
in other prophetic narratives as well (e.g.,1 Sam.15:10; 2 Sam.7:4).Just as the Elijah and Elisha narratives
contain extraordinary events,like ravens providing bread and meat for the prophet (1 Kings 17:6),so does
the book of Jonah,as when the fish “provides transportation”for the prophet.In fact,the story of Jonah is
so much like the stories about Elijah and Elisha that one would hardly think it odd if the story of Jonah
were embedded in 2 Kings right after Jonah’s prophetic words about the expansion of the kingdom. The
story of Jonah is thus presented as historical, like the other prophetic narratives.
There are additional arguments for the historical nature of the book of Jonah. It is difficult to say that
the story teaches God’s sovereignty over the creation if God did not in fact “appoint” the fish (1:17), the
plant (4:6),the worm (4:7),and the east wind (4:8) to do his will.Jesus,moreover,treated the story as histori-
cal when he used elements of the story as analogies for other historical events (see Matt.12:40–41).This is
especially clear when Jesus declared that “the men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this genera-
tion and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah”(Matt.12:41).
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Jonah and the New Testament
The New Testament, of course, proclaims that Gentiles can come to God and be part of the covenant people. Jesus Christ was sent to the world, and not just to Israel (see John 1:6-14).
Jesus himself compared & contrasted His ministry with the ministry of Jonah (Matthew 12; Luke 11). He was asked for a miraculous sign, and in response He said that He would be 3 days & 3 nights in the earth; He compared this with Jonah's stay in the belly of the fish. His reference was to the time between His crucifixion & His resurrection (Luke 24:46). He is "greater than Jonah," however, because while Jonah reluctantly preached to save a city against his will, Jesus freely gave up His life to save many. --Dillard & Longman
God loves outsiders
The book of Jonah focuses in two ways on God's compassion for those outside of Israel.
1.) Contrasting spiritually sensitive pagans with the reluctant Israelite prophet.
2.) Ending on a note that focuses on God's feelings toward Ninevah as He rhetorically asks Jonah, "Should I not be concerned about thay great city?"
1.) Contrasting spiritually sensitive pagans with the reluctant Israelite prophet.
2.) Ending on a note that focuses on God's feelings toward Ninevah as He rhetorically asks Jonah, "Should I not be concerned about thay great city?"
--Tremper Longman & Ray Dillard
True
In the book of Jonah there is no indication that it is an allegory, nor has there been much support for this view in recent years.
--Joyce Baldwin
--Joyce Baldwin
Monday, July 20, 2009
What is Jonah about?
"Jonah is everything you need to know about a biblical worldview--all in 48 verses. Only God!"
Sunday, July 19, 2009
“I’m afraid I must ask too much of you again."
This is a quote i was absolutely struck by when I saw the trailer for the HBP movie. (Not sure if it is from the book or not. Tom?)
Regardless, when Harry's mentor--Dumbledore--says this to Harry---I couldn't help but feel THIS IS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE MENTORED BY JESUS!!
He loves us.
He asks "too much"---The death of pride, selfishness, sin because He loves us.
Regardless, when Harry's mentor--Dumbledore--says this to Harry---I couldn't help but feel THIS IS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE MENTORED BY JESUS!!
He loves us.
He asks "too much"---The death of pride, selfishness, sin because He loves us.
Jonah: NOT just a fish tale
"Jonah is about the unrelenting & transforming grace of a sovereign God." --Paul Tripp
Bump the fish, Jonah is about God.
We will seek to know God through the book of Jonah July 26, August 2, 19, 26.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Duke & Oxford Grad
Mark Dever, at 22:00 min mark of sermon on Jonah
on question of:
Was the fish that swallowed Jonah a whale?
I can produce for you newspaper accounts of men surviving 3 days, and longer, in the belly of a whale. Accounts where a member of the crew fell overboard and then that same crew catches a whale and cuts the whale open and finds their friend, alive.
Dever is a dukie and a phD from Oxford or Cambridge. Read, at least one person who can read thinks it is possible for Jonah to have stayed in the belly of a fish for 3 days.
on question of:
Was the fish that swallowed Jonah a whale?
I can produce for you newspaper accounts of men surviving 3 days, and longer, in the belly of a whale. Accounts where a member of the crew fell overboard and then that same crew catches a whale and cuts the whale open and finds their friend, alive.
Dever is a dukie and a phD from Oxford or Cambridge. Read, at least one person who can read thinks it is possible for Jonah to have stayed in the belly of a fish for 3 days.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Packer on Church & Kingdom
The theme of the kingdom of God runs through both Testaments, focusing God’s purpose for world history. In Old Testament times God declared that he would exercise his kingship (his sovereignty, Dan. 4:34-35) by setting up his kingdom (his rule or reign over people’s lives and circumstances) under his chosen king (the Davidic Messiah, Isa. 9:6-7) in a golden age of blessing. This kingdom came with Jesus the Messiah as a worldwide relational reality, existing wherever the lordship of Jesus is acknowledged in repentance, faith, and new obedience. Jesus, the Spirit-anointed, Spirit-filled ruler-designate (Luke 3:21-22; 4:1, 14, 18-21, 32-36, 41), died, rose, ascended, and is now enthroned in heaven as ruler over all things (Matt. 28:18; Col. 1:13), King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 17:14; 19:16). The golden age of blessing is an era of present spiritual benefit (salvation from sin and fellowship with God) leading to a future state of unmixed joy in a reconstructed universe. The kingdom is present in its beginnings though future in its fullness; in one sense it is here already, but in the richest sense it is still to come (Luke 11:20; 16:16; 17:21; 22:16, 18, 29-30).
The kingdom came as not only mercy but also judgment, just as John the Baptist, its forerunner, had said it would (Matt. 3:1-12). Those who obediently received Jesus’ Word and put their destiny in his hands found mercy, while the Jewish leadership, which would not do this, was judged. Strictly speaking, the Jewish leaders were self-judged, for they chose to live in darkness by retreating from the Savior (John 3:17-20).
The task of the church is to make the invisible kingdom visible through faithful Christian living and witness-bearing. The gospel of Christ is still the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23; 24:14; Acts 20:25; 28:23, 31), the good news of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit through entering a disciple’s relationship to the living Lord (Rom. 14:17). The church must make its message credible by manifesting the reality of kingdom life.
The coming of the kingdom meant a new stage in God’s redemptive-historical program. The Messiah arrived, redeemed, and withdrew to his throne with a promise that he would come again. All that was typical, temporary, and imperfect in the God-given arrangements for Israel’s communion with himself became a thing of the past. God’s Israel, Abraham’s seed, was redefined as the company of believers in Jesus (Gal. 3:16, 26-29). The Spirit was poured out, and a new way of life, namely life in Christ and with Christ, became a reality of this world. Thus the new internationalism of global church fellowship and global evangelism was born (Eph. 2:11-18; 3:6, 14-15; Rev. 5:9-10; 7:9; Matt. 28:19-20; Col. 1:28-29). Although these were great changes, none of them meant that a new set of moral standards emerged, as is sometimes supposed. The moral law for Christians, the law of God’s present kingdom, is the law found in the Ten Commandments and the prophets, now applied to the new situation. Jesus has not abolished that law but has merely filled out its meaning (Matt. 5:17-48).
Monday, July 13, 2009
Couple o' announcements from Sunday
In case you missed it:
1.). Instead of having a Vision Night this August, we are taking 5 weeks to consider our calling and vision as a local church. Starts August 23.
2.) We will stay one Sunday morning worship service this Fall.
1.). Instead of having a Vision Night this August, we are taking 5 weeks to consider our calling and vision as a local church. Starts August 23.
2.) We will stay one Sunday morning worship service this Fall.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Claims by rejecters of Christ as Only Way to God
A couple of claims made by folks who think Christianity's claim to "THE truth" is to be rejected--- and a brief counter-thought:
Claim #1 “All major religions are equally valid and basically teach the same truth.”
Tim Keller: Ironically, the insistence that doctrines do not matter is really a doctrine itself. It holds a specific view of God, which is touted as superior and more enlightened than the beliefs of most major religions. So the proponents of this view do the very thing they forbid in others.
Claim #2 “Each religion sees part of spiritual truth, but none can see the whole truth.”
<> Three Blind Men and an Elephant
Blind Guy #1 grabs trunk and says, "Elephant is pliaple thin thing, like a snake."
Blind Guy #2 grabs a leg and says
Truth be told, as the story goes, they all have part of the truth and none have all of the truth. We--the chaps who aren't blind and are actually all-seeing--will now tell you what an elephant is in reality.
In response, Leslie Newbigin: “There is an appearance of humility in the protestation that the truth is much greater than any one of us can grasp, but if this is used to invalidate all claims to discern the truth it is in fact an arrogant claim to a kind of knowledge which is superior to [all others] . . . We have to ask: ‘What is the [absolute] vantage ground from which YOU claim to be able to relativize all the absolute claims these different scriptures (and religions) make?
Claim #1 “All major religions are equally valid and basically teach the same truth.”
Tim Keller: Ironically, the insistence that doctrines do not matter is really a doctrine itself. It holds a specific view of God, which is touted as superior and more enlightened than the beliefs of most major religions. So the proponents of this view do the very thing they forbid in others.
Claim #2 “Each religion sees part of spiritual truth, but none can see the whole truth.”
<> Three Blind Men and an Elephant
Blind Guy #1 grabs trunk and says, "Elephant is pliaple thin thing, like a snake."
Blind Guy #2 grabs a leg and says
Truth be told, as the story goes, they all have part of the truth and none have all of the truth. We--the chaps who aren't blind and are actually all-seeing--will now tell you what an elephant is in reality.
In response, Leslie Newbigin: “There is an appearance of humility in the protestation that the truth is much greater than any one of us can grasp, but if this is used to invalidate all claims to discern the truth it is in fact an arrogant claim to a kind of knowledge which is superior to [all others] . . . We have to ask: ‘What is the [absolute] vantage ground from which YOU claim to be able to relativize all the absolute claims these different scriptures (and religions) make?
Can There Be Only One Way to God?
Quotes from Chapter 1 of Tim Keller's Reason for God
"It is common to say that 'fundamentalism' leads to violence, yet, (as can be easily seen), all of us have fundamental, unprovable faith-commitments that we think are superior to those of others. The real question, then, is which fundamentals will lead their believers to be the most loving and receptive to those with whom they differ? Which sort of unavoidably exclusive beliefs will lead us to humble, peace-loving behavior? (19,20)
Christians have within their belief system the strongest possible resource for practicing sacrificial service, generosity, and peace-making. At the very heart of their view of reality is a man who died for his enemies, praying for their forgiveness. Reflection on this could only lead to a radically different way of dealing with those who were different from them. It meant they could not act in violence and oppression toward their opponents. (20)
--Tim Keller
Friday, July 10, 2009
Isaac Watts hymn on Psalm 146
I'll praise my Maker while I've breath;
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler powers.
My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.
Happy the man whose hopes rely
On Israel's God! He made the sky,
And earth, and sea, with all their train.
His truth forever stands secure;
He saves the oppressed, he feeds the poor,
And none shall find his promise vain.
The Lord gives eyesight to the blind;
The Lord supports the fainting mind;
He sends the labouring conscience peace;
He helps the stranger in distress,
The widow and the fatherless,
And grants the prisoner sweet release.
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler powers.
My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.
Happy the man whose hopes rely
On Israel's God! He made the sky,
And earth, and sea, with all their train.
His truth forever stands secure;
He saves the oppressed, he feeds the poor,
And none shall find his promise vain.
The Lord gives eyesight to the blind;
The Lord supports the fainting mind;
He sends the labouring conscience peace;
He helps the stranger in distress,
The widow and the fatherless,
And grants the prisoner sweet release.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Sermon Mini-Series
The Problem with Christianity
(Looking at two main perceived problems with historic Christianity)
(Looking at two main perceived problems with historic Christianity)
July 12 Can There Be Just ONE True Religion? Rob Pendley 1 John 4:1-10
July 19 How Could a Good God Allow Evil & Suffering? Steve Lammers
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
The Riches of Grace
"When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears. Such is not the way to rise from
the dust, but to continue in it. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at
first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of
love allure him to Jesus' bosom…Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting
rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be--the thirsty land shall be springs of water." Charles Spurgeon
the dust, but to continue in it. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at
first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of
love allure him to Jesus' bosom…Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting
rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be--the thirsty land shall be springs of water." Charles Spurgeon
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Worship
I need to post Scotty Smith's excellent "Tensions in Worship". Til then:
Transcenence & Imminence (sp?).
Our Triune God is Majestic AND in our Midst!
Corporate & Private
Holiness & Grace
Humility & Boldness
---developing
What is your only comfort?
In life and death, my only comfort is:
That I am not my own,
but --in life & death--belong, body & soul,
to my faithful Savior--Jesus Christ.
(Hberg Cat 1)
5 functions of The Church
Think octagon where all 5 points are equally important.
Evangelism
Fellowship
Learning
Mercy
Worship
Spurgeon "A singing bird in an open cage"
"Our heart shall rejoice in Him."
- Psalm 33:21
Blessed is the fact that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest
distress; although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and, like
many birds, they sing best in their cages. The waves may roll over them,
but their souls soon rise to the surface and see the light of God's
countenance; they have a buoyancy about them which keeps their head always
above the water, and helps them to sing amid the tempest, "God is with me
still." To whom shall the glory be given? Oh! to Jesus-it is all by Jesus.
Trouble does not necessarily bring consolation with it to the believer,
but the presence of the Son of God in the fiery furnace with him fills his
heart with joy. He is sick and suffering, but Jesus visits him and makes
his bed for him. He is dying, and the cold chilly waters of Jordan are
gathering about him up to the neck, but Jesus puts His arms around him,
and cries, "Fear not, beloved; to die is to be blessed; the waters of
death have their fountain-head in heaven; they are not bitter, they are
sweet as nectar, for they flow from the throne of God." As the departing
saint wades through the stream, and the billows gather around him, and
heart and flesh fail him, the same voice sounds in his ears, "Fear not; I
am with thee; be not dismayed; I am thy God." As he nears the borders of
the infinite unknown, and is almost affrighted to enter the realm of
shades, Jesus says, "Fear not, it is your Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom.
" Thus strengthened and consoled, the believer is not afraid to die; nay,
he is even willing to depart, for since he has seen Jesus as the morning
star, he longs to gaze upon Him as the sun in his strength.
Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire.
He is at once
"The glory of our brightest days;
The comfort of our nights."
- Psalm 33:21
Blessed is the fact that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest
distress; although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and, like
many birds, they sing best in their cages. The waves may roll over them,
but their souls soon rise to the surface and see the light of God's
countenance; they have a buoyancy about them which keeps their head always
above the water, and helps them to sing amid the tempest, "God is with me
still." To whom shall the glory be given? Oh! to Jesus-it is all by Jesus.
Trouble does not necessarily bring consolation with it to the believer,
but the presence of the Son of God in the fiery furnace with him fills his
heart with joy. He is sick and suffering, but Jesus visits him and makes
his bed for him. He is dying, and the cold chilly waters of Jordan are
gathering about him up to the neck, but Jesus puts His arms around him,
and cries, "Fear not, beloved; to die is to be blessed; the waters of
death have their fountain-head in heaven; they are not bitter, they are
sweet as nectar, for they flow from the throne of God." As the departing
saint wades through the stream, and the billows gather around him, and
heart and flesh fail him, the same voice sounds in his ears, "Fear not; I
am with thee; be not dismayed; I am thy God." As he nears the borders of
the infinite unknown, and is almost affrighted to enter the realm of
shades, Jesus says, "Fear not, it is your Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom.
" Thus strengthened and consoled, the believer is not afraid to die; nay,
he is even willing to depart, for since he has seen Jesus as the morning
star, he longs to gaze upon Him as the sun in his strength.
Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire.
He is at once
"The glory of our brightest days;
The comfort of our nights."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)