Joyeux anniversaire!!

In honor of our good friend Mr. John Calvin let’s all sing Happy Birthday in French…No? Ok then. Today is John Calvin’s 500th birthday! Because this year is his 500th, there is a lot of focus on him in major ministries such as Desiring God. Whole conferences centered on his life and his teachings and how they exalt Christ. I have heard silly person (Monica Dennington) after silly person (Tony Campolo) say that we’re heretics because we “follow” a man. And the people who follow them say the same things!…That’s pretty ironic I find. What I love about Calvin is that he truly exalts Christ. Everything the man taught was aimed at, as Spurgeon says, “the placing of the eternal God at the head of all things”. Calvin really believed that “salvation is of the Lord.” (Jonah 2:9) and taught it. He wrote, spoke, and taught with Christ at the center of everything. His commentaries on the Bible are some of the most insightful and useful commentaries around, and his Institutes of the Christian Religion is by far one of the best books you can buy. He was not perfect and had flaws like the rest of us, but his influence on not only Western theology, but the whole of Western society is unmistakable. So read Calvin and study him, not for his own sake, but instead to see Christ in him and to see how he exalts Christ in everything he does. I don’t follow Calvin. I follow Christ. Calvin was a sinful man who was used greatly by God to expound and teach the Scriptures in a marvelous way.

May God give us more men like John Calvin. May God raise up those who truly seek to put God at the head of everything.

Happy Birthday Calvin!

“He now ascends into the highest strain of glorying; for when we glory that God is ours, whatever blessings can be imagined or wished, ensue and flow from this fountain; for God is not only the chief of all good things, but also possesses in himself the sum and substance of all blessings; and he becomes ours through Christ. We then attain this by faith, — that nothing is wanting to us as to happiness. Nor is it in vain that he so often mentions reconciliation: it is, first, that we may be taught to fix our eyes on the death of Christ, whenever we speak of our salvation; and, secondly, that we may know that our trust must be fixed on nothing else, but on the expiation made for our sins.”
John Calvin’s Commentary Notes on Romans 5:11

If an unregenerate man were taken out Hell and given the chance to get into Heaven if he would only bend the knee to God, he would walk up to God, spit in His face and walk back into Hell.

Tweets from the French Reformer himself!

1. I think my wife’s planning a surprise birthday party for me…I LOVE surprise birthday parties!

2. So apparently calling the Papists, “Pope dopes” doesn’t fly too well…

3. I’m confined to the bed for a while since I accidently dropped my finished copy of Institutes of the Christian Religion on my foot…

4. I just had some delicious french toast for breakfast!

5. I’ve been thinking of getting a new hat….maybe like a top hat or a bowler….

6. I found a stray dog today! I brought him home but Idelette said to let him go…

7. Anybody want to play Rummy?

8. Someone shouted at me, “Synod of Dort? More like Synod of DORK!” and ran away…weird, huh?

9. I want some french fries…

10. It’s better if we call it “Particular Atonement”…but TUPIP isn’t as catchy as TULIP….

This is a conversation I had with a postmodern the other night on Facebook.
*Disclaimer: Names have been changed….ok. Only her name was changed. My name is still Jacob*

Jane
i was reading your note about Wesley and i was wondering if you think that Methodists are not Christians

since they obviously follow Wesley’s teachings

Jacob

no. Topic got off on to Catholics. Jane, Wesley taught mostly right doctrine. But his own quotes say that he taught others what he did not know. I don’t think Methodists aren’t Christians in general. But a lot of people who claim to be Christian in America, whether Methodists, Church of Christ, or even Southern Baptist. A prominent member of the SBC even said that if we take seriously what the Bible says about salvation, then less than 10% of our membership isn’t saved. There have been many Methodists that were great preachers, i.e. Ravenhill. and Whitefield contributed heavily to Methodism too.

Jane

ok. another question

you had something in there about women being preachers

if God doesn’t condone that, then why do so many women feel called by God to do so? and if it wasn’t God’s will, then why are there so many successful female preachers?

Jacob

First of all, feelings can be wrong. The heart is deceitfully wicked and who can know it? Lots of people feel called by God to do things. People feel called by God to run people over with their car and to have an affair and do all kinds of stuff. Your feelings of what God wants you to do may be wrong. God doesn’t communicate to people via a still small voice. He communicates via His Word. So we have to examine all feelings and such by His Word. Then if it doesn’t contradict His Word we seek the advice of older Godly people to see what they think. Then we decide what to do.

But 1 Timothy 2:12 clearly states that women are not to teach or hold authority over men. Now teaching means opening up the Scriptures and explaining them. A girl can give her testimony, tell a story, etc. but the office of pastor and teacher is given to the men. Kinda like, I wouldn’t eat with soup with a fork. A fork’s not better than a spoon, just different. As to why there are so many “successful” female preachers, well God can use wrong to bring about right. Even if a person isn’t following God’s Will, God can still use them. But that doesn’t give us license to abandon His Will.

Jane

okay. i disagree with you but that’s okay. thank goodness we live in America haha.

Jane

oh yeah, and coming from a Methodist who’s spent alot of time in many Methodist churches, from what i’ve seen, the book of Wesley is used more for the structure of the church and the actual worship service. as far as teachings go, the Bible is the primary source for what is actually taught in the service

you may already know that

not saying that you were saying different, but just some info in case you didn’t know

Jacob

yeah, we’re talking about Catholicism with all the extra book stuff. I have no problem with books like that that fall under Scripture. Hey just curious, I know you disagree with me, but what support do you have for your position?

Jane

honestly, just my faith and my experiences

Jane

i don’t know the Bible that well. i differ from you in the fact that i see the Bible as a set of guidelines rather than a rule book that i should follow word for word. i may be wrong, and trust me, zack stephens has made me very aware of this, but in my life experiences, that is the way i think and what i have come to believe

Jane

i still believe in God and Jesus (although i have a difficult time with the trinity etc. i have a very scientific mind and sometimes having faith is very hard for me) and i love Them/Him very much

Jacob

How do you know about God and Jesus?

Jane

obviously from growing up in a church and a Christian family. i also know because of experiences i’ve had in my life.

Jacob

Hahaha, well where does you family and your church get their knowledge of God and Jesus from? Come on, it’s obviously the Bible. Without the Bible we’d have no idea who Christ is, what He did, why He did, or anything. We’d be lost without a compass. I think that’s evident enough. And the Bible is either completely right in everything it says, or it can’t be trusted at all.

Jane

that’s what i hear

but to me, it’s all in how you interpret it

Jacob

what do you mean

?

Jane

for one, i don’t take everything literally. i think alot of things are metaphorical, like how long it took God to create the earth. i fully believe that God created this whole universe. it’s too intricate and perfectly balanced to just have happened. but i think that the “7 days” mentioned in the Bible are metaphorical. man created time and i think that it really did take millions or billions of years for Him to perfect His creation. no one was around then so no one really knows

secondly, i think that alot of things in the Bible are cultural. like the role of male vs. female

Jacob

so you’re saying that you think the Bible is literal and that you believe that the 6 days of Creation were 6 literal days and that the male vs. female thing wasn’t cultural, but binding still in this time?

Jane

no, i’m saying the opposite

Jacob

well, I think the way I said it is what it really means.

when you wrote that, you meant what you said

it doesn’t matter what I think, what matters is what you said

It doesn’t matter what we think or feel, but what the text means and says, regardless of how we feel about it.

Jacob

And if you go with the 6 days – billions of years things, when does it stop being figurative? Also, that means there was death before sin, that there was no original sin. The whole of Scripture breaks down when you do that. Also, Jesus quoted from the creation accounts as if they were real. So if they’re not, He’s a liar. You see? If I write, I’m going to go for a run today. I mean, I’m going for a run today. It doesn’t mean that I’m going to ride my bike or run tomorrow. It means what it means.

Jane

and that is where i disagree with you

Jacob

why?

Jane

because i still stand by what i said.

and i’m not going to change my opinion

Jacob

ah I see. So you really just want to keep your own opinions and beliefs you made up than submit to God’s Word and accept what He says. It’s not about what’s right or what’s true. It’s about what’s comfortable and easy.

Jane

trust me, this isn’t comfortable and easy

but i honestly don’t believe in God the way you do, and if i did, i would be lying. it wouldn’t be real

but i need to go. i’m really tired because i’ve been busy working all day

Jacob

ok good night Jane. Sleep well. Well, one day we’ll see who’s right.

Jane

maybe we’re both right =)

like i said, to me it’s all in how you interpret it

Jacob

I say it’s true, you say it’s a lie. It can’t be both. There’s truth, and then there’s lies. Black and white. Good and Evil. Christ and Belial. Believers and unbelievers. There’s Heaven and Hell. Antithesis. Two opposing statements aren’t both true.

Jane

i don’t say it’s a lie, i just say it’s different than what i think. i don’t think you’re any less of a Christian for what you think. and i’m a big fan of gray.

Jacob

Goodnight Jane, we could debate this all night, but you should get some sleep. Maybe later if you want. I know I may come across as…kinda angry or something in these, but it’s fun to talk about this. Fun and sad. Good night.

Jane

i enjoy talking about it too, that’s why i asked you. it’s nice to get the opinion of someone other than Church of Christ or Kern. even though i seem sorta…anti-religious? (i’m not sure what word to use there) but i really like religion. i believe in the science of comparative religion but that’s definitely another topic for another time. talk to ya later! =)

Just wanted to share a picture I got from Phil Johnson. Hahaha.

Tweets from the Prince of Preachers Himself!

1. I just found a pack of razors in the medicine cabinet. I think my wife is trying to tell me something…

2. Can’t decide whether to preach on Luke 13:1-5 or Psalms 2

3. Finished my 134th book today!

4. My wife made delicious Peach Cobbler tonight.

5. I seem to have misplaced my Trowel, does anyone know where it is?

6. Free Will, Schmee Will! Arminians are crazy man.

7. Today I found a moth in my beard! CrAaAaZy!

8. So I bought a new suit today! Can’t wait to preach in it!

9. I’m going to get some pizza for dinner.

10. Anybody up for a game of Clue?

Last night on Facebook, I saw a friend’s status update and it just…made me want to cry, let me share it with you….
“So-and-So cant decide if she wants to work all year to get in a fashion show next summer or if she wants to go to Jacksonville for a two month mission trip…:/”

But it got me thinking. Obviously this situation is a ridiculous one and the answer is obvious to any Christian. Help people and share the gospel with them, or be self-centered…A durr. But why is it obvious? And what happens if it is not so obvious? As a high school student about to apply for colleges, there are lots of choices and decisions I have to make now that will impact the rest of my life. I have to choose a college, major, financial aid, in the next 5-10 years I’ll be looking for a wife, and on and on. How can I know how to make these decisions according to the Will of God? What does He want in my decisions? Do I wait for a still small voice in the back of my mind to tell me to go to Covenant College? Or is it in 3 Corinthians, Thou Shalt Go to Covenant College?
I was listening to a Paul Washer sermon on marriage, and he addressed this quite wonderfully. What is your ultimate purpose in your life? What is God’s ultimate purpose in your life?
As a Christian, your ultimate purpose in life is found in 1 Corinthians 10:31- “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” Everything you do, even the most menial tasks, do for the glory of God. To glorify Him. To make Him look good and great! When was the last time you drank a glass of water to the glory of God?
Things are great! Don’t get me wrong. Cars, Computers, etc. Are good to use, if you use them rightly. If you use them for the glory of God. Use Cars to show that cars are not your treasure, Christ is. Use computers to show that computers are not your treasure, Christ is. And so on. Everything you do should be based on one question, Will this glorify Him? Will this advance His Kingdom? Make Him look great?

Now, what’s God’s ultimate purpose in your life? This can be found in Romans 8:28-29- And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. In other words, everything that happens in the life of the true Christian is God working things to the good of that person. That good is obviously not temporal good (if so Paul the Apostle wouldn’t have been beaten, starved, imprisoned, shipwrecked, stoned, and ultimately killed), but rather is explained in verse 29 where we see that God has predestined the elect to be conformed to the image of His Son so that Christ would be glorified. That is, every event in the life of a believer is ordained, predestined, and caused by God for one purpose, to make the Christian more like Christ. More like Christ.
So the truth is, the decisions you make shouldn’t be based on what you want, or what will be easy, or what will make you happy. Your decisions should be based on one thing, What will glorify God and make me more like Christ? Lots of decisions become easy when put to that test.
Paul Washer said, “Lots of times young boys will come into my office with that goofy smile and say, ‘I’m in love with so-and-so. I want to Marry her.’ And I’ll ask them why and they’ll say, ‘Because she’s beautiful! We can talk. We have a great time together and we get a long. She’s perfect for me!’ Then I’ll say, ‘Let me get this right, you want to marry this girl because she meets all your selfish silly conditions?’ ‘That’s not what I’m saying!’ ‘That’s exactly what you’re saying.” Marriage is not based upon what a person looks like, how compatable you are, how well you get along, or anything like that. What happens when that wife you married because she was beautiful is no longer beautiful. Or what happens when that wife you used to be able to laugh and talk to, wont laugh or talk to you anymore? What happens when (and it will happen) someone more beautiful who you can talk to enters your life? A secretary or bank teller? Marriage is based upon one thing: God has called a man to be with a woman to glorify Him and to make them into the image of Christ. If your wife’s beautiful and perfect, Hallelujah. Praise God. If she’s anything but, it doesn’t matter because that’s not what your marriage is based on. Because let’s be honest, God isn’t going to give you a wife who’s perfect. Why? Well, what’s God’s puprose for everything in your life? To conform you to the image of Christ. What are the three characteristics that best describe Christ do you think? My three would have to be mercy, unconditional love, and grace. I think those three are about what anyone would say. So what will your spouse be like? She will be someone who teaches you how to be merciful, how to love someone even though they don’t live up to your conditions, and how to be gracious. She will fail in ways you would wish she would not, she will let you down time after time after time after time. Because God’s going to do what it takes to make you into the image of Christ.

Same thing with anything really. The college you chose, the church, the home, the car, whatever choice you have in your life. Simply ask yourself, What will glorify God and make me into the image of Christ?

Are we made righteous at justification? Or are we declared righteous?

It may seem like just a small question, but the implications of this question are quite large.
But for those of you who don’t know, let’s define Justification. Justification is a legal term. A catchy way to remember justification is “Just as if you never sinned”. When a person repents and puts his/her trust into Christ, then they are justified, made legally right before God. All the sins they have committed or will commit are wiped clean with Christ’s blood and Christ’s perfect righteousness is imputed (this is an important word as we’ll see later) into them, and not only do they stand before God forgiven, but God sees us (poor wretched undeserving sinners mind you) as righteous! Me, righteous! The thought is mind-blowing. Not only are we forgiven, we are seen as righteous. But only in a legal sense before God. Not in a physical sense. There are two majorly important doctrines when dealing with the past event of salvation. Justification and Regeneration (which is a WONDERFUL book by Charles Lieter as well). Regeneration is where God makes the justified Christian into a new creation. The new birth where we put on the new man and are born again spiritually. A new spirit still in this body of death.

So the question is, at Justification are we declared righteous or made righteous?

I would say we are declared to be righteous and we are made righteous at glorification and are being made righteous now by sanctification. If we were MADE righteous at justification we would never sin again, we would be righteous since we were made righteous. Also, if we were made righteous, there would be no need for glorification (when God makes us perfect) for we would already be perfect. So this made righteousness deal is a little….ridiculous. This idea is more of a Catholic doctrine. Last night while working I was listening to a debate between James White (marvelous teacher) and a Catholic priest (Father Pacaw or something) and this issue came up. Romanists hold that we are infused with Christ’s righteousness, not imputed, and now we are made able to be righteous and in fact have to have good works to be justified. The difference between imputed righteousness and infused righteousness can be explained with this analogy. Let’s say you have to run a 7 mile race. Protestants believe that Christ ran the race and then imputed his accomplishments to you, so it’s seen that you ran the race, when Christ did. Roman Catholics hold the stance that Christ ran the race and then gives you the power to run the race, but you still have to run the race. See the difference? It’s a big one.

It was big enough to start a Reformation over.

A bondslave of Christ Jesus,
Jacob