January 2011
46 posts
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Polycarp and I Pray for You
After intense daily blogging on the Psalms and the Fathers for the last seven months, it is time to take a break. I am teaching four heavy courses, directing IBEX, pastoring Sojourners, teaching a Bible study, preparing for a TMC chapel and a Shepherds Conference seminar, proposing my Psalms manuscript to two publishers, planning a trip to Israel, appreciating my dear wife, and taking an...
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Papias on Jesus and Miracles
Papias (ca. AD 110), bishop of Hierapolis, who was a disciple of John the Theologian and a companion of Polycarp, wrote five books on the sayings of the Lord. In them he made a list of apostles, and after Peter and John, Philip and Thomas and Matthew, he included among disciples of the Lord, Aristion and another John, whom he also called “the Elder.” So, some think that this John is the author of...
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The Best Defense of the Faith
I have been quoting from the first known apologetic work among the Apostolic Fathers, the Epistle to Diognetus. There were many “proofs” or evidences for the faith offered by Diognetus and other second century apologists, such as Justin Martyr and Athenagoras. I am convinced, however, that the lives of Christians provided their most effective argument. And nowhere were their lives best...
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The Incarnation in One Glorious Sentence
The omnipotent Creator of all, the invisible God himself, established among men the truth and the holy, incomprehensible word from heaven and fixed it firmly in their hearts, not, as one might imagine, by sending to men some subordinate, or angel or ruler or one of those who manage earthly matters, or one of those entrusted with the administration of things in heaven, but the Designer and Creator...
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Christians Around AD 150
(1) In a word, what the soul is to the body, Christians are to the world. (2) The soul is dispersed through all the members of the body, and Christians throughout the cities of the world. (3) The soul dwells in the body, but is not of the body; likewise Christians dwell in the world, but are not of the world. (4) The soul, which is invisible, is confined in the body, which is visible; in the same...
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Description of Christians around AD 150
(1) For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom. (2) For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric life-style. (3) This teaching of theirs has not been discovered by the thought and reflection of ingenious men, nor do they promote any human doctrine, as some do. (4) But...
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Ignatius on Jesus - AD 110
“Moreover, I urge you to do nothing in a spirit of contentiousness, but in accordance with the teaching of Christ. For I heard some people say, “If I do not find it in the ancient writings, I do not believe it in the gospel.” I said to them, “It is written.” The “ancient writings” are Jesus Christ, the inviolable writings are his cross and death and his resurrection and the faith...
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My Last Word on Piper and the Fathers
I don’t want to keep harping on this, but a concerned friend thought that I misunderstood the intention of John Piper’s statement. So here is what I wrote back and it is my last word on the issue.
Whatever be the specific details of what John intended, I think that he was guilty of that generally negative attitude toward the early fathers that shows up in evangelical writers far too often. Yes...
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A Balanced Response
I knew that my critical post about John Piper’s own blog post would cause some response. Please see the comments on my last blog post for some good ideas. I liked the summary observation by a former student, PJ Tibayan, after a few interchanges between us. I think he is right.
“You seem to be guarding against belittling the early church and propping up our time as superior. Piper may...
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Piper's Shocking Statement
I do not look for controversy. As a matter of fact, having lived within the orbit of fundamentalism and evangelicalism since my rebirth 46 years ago, I am tired of it. But my beef today is not of the sort that is characteristic of “fundamentalist fussing.” As a matter of fact, my concern is over a blog post by an icon of the “Young, Restless and Reformed” crowd - John...
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Exodus Revealed or Revised?
It is sad but conspiracy theories just don’t go away. Furthermore, new so-called revelations about Biblical events just keep hanging on as well. What follows is a post on my blog dated October 20, 2009. I am reposting it only because this bogus theory about the place of the Exodus crossing just seems to rear its ugly head over and over again.
“In 2001 a video titled Exodus Revealed...
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Indirection as a Spiritual Principle
In his book,Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller makes the important point that removing idols from our lives is not enough. Something new and genuine must replace those idols in our hearts. That is clearly taught in the entire context of Col.3:1-5. The idols condemned in vs. 5 must be replaced by setting our affections on things above in vss. 1-4. Christ is our life! But how is this accomplished? Keller...
Indirection as a Spiritual Principle
In his book,Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller makes the important point that removing idols from our lives is not enough. Something new and genuine must replace those idols in our hearts. That is clearly taught in the entire context of Col.3:1-5. The idols condemned in vs. 5 must be replaced by setting our affections on things above in vss. 1-4. Christ is our life! But how is this accomplished? Keller...
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One Thing
Here is an insight from the new edition of the NIV, which appears in print this March, but is currently available online.
Recently I read the account of Jesus’ visit to the house of Martha and Mary (Lk. 10:38-42), and I was struck afresh by Jesus’ statement concerning what was different about Martha’s “serving” compared to Mary’s “sitting.” The Authorized Version, followed by most modern...
Lamenting to God - My Sojourners Message
A rabbi’s students were frustrated because he always answered their questions with a question in return! Finally, one of them asked, “Rabbi, why is it that when we ask you a question, you then reply with a question?” To which the rabbi wisely replied, “So what’s wrong with asking questions?”
The psalmist begins with series of questions addressed to the LORD. He then wonders how his concerns fit...
Lamenting to God - My Sojourners Message
A rabbi’s students were frustrated because he always answered their questions with a question in return! Finally, one of them asked, “Rabbi, why is it that when we ask you a question, you then reply with a question?” To which the rabbi wisely replied, “So what’s wrong with asking questions?”
The psalmist begins with series of questions addressed to the LORD. He then wonders how his concerns fit...
Two Ways - Psalm One
Since we just finished Sunday a series on the Psalter, I thought it might be good to post the one that started it all. A little deja vu I guess. I did not recognize then how I would be affected spiritually by this journey when I posted this on July 29, 2010.
Today I begin a series of devotional mini-messages from the ancient Hymnbook of Israel and the Church. I am inspired to do this because of...
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A Serious Man
Well I finally saw it. This penultima film from the Coen Brothers (their ultima film is the current True Grit) has been out for almost a year. I had heard about its Jewish themes, especially that of theodicy (God and bad things), and my son has urged me to see it because of its being a modern parable of the Biblical story of Job. My hesitation was in its R rating. Its amazing how gratuitous and...
A Serious Man
Well I finally saw it. This penultima film from the Coen Brothers (the ultima is the current True Grit) has been out for almost a year. I had heard about its Jewish themes, especially that of theodicy (God and bad things), My son had urged me to see it because of its being a modern parable of the Biblical story of Job. My hesitation was in its R rating. Its amazing how gratuitous and unnecessary...
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What I Have Learned During My Journey Through the...
This is the first time in my life that I have systematically worked through the Psalter by writing down what each psalm has spoken to my heart. Although I cannot say that I saw things that I had NEVER seen before, it is easy to list some features of the Psalms that play a more prominent role that I had realized previously. Here are some truths that have struck me with a fresh force as I have...
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What I Have Learned During My Journey Through the...
This is the first time in my life that I have systematically worked through the Psalter by writing down what each psalm has spoken to my heart. Although I cannot say that I saw things that I had NEVER seen before, it is easy to list some features of the Psalms that play a more prominent role that I had realized previously. Here are some truths that have struck me with a fresh force as I have...
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What a Way to End! - Psalm 150
Scot MacKnight on his Jesus Creed blog chose The Paraclete Psalter as his “Book of the Year” for 2010. I agree with his choice and have used this psalter as a prayer manual for the past year. The thin volume also includes devotionals on selected psalms, and I recommend its use if you want to make these psalms part of your daily walk.
What more can be said about the Lord God after 149...
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What a Way to End! - Psalm 150
Scot MacKnight on his Jesus Creed blog chose The Paraclete Psalter as his “Book of the Year” for 2010. I agree with his choice and have used this psalter as a prayer manual for the past year. The thin volume also includes devotionals on selected psalms, and I recommend its use if you want to make these psalms part of your daily walk.
What more can be said about the Lord God after 149...
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Sing Along! - Psalm 149
I will be honest with you. Since I have never been involved in a congregation that sings the psalms, I feel like I have been cheated out of a great worship experience. Paul tells us that in our corporate worship we should sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Eph.5:19). That sounds to me like a balanced diet of singing! Paul was simply following the advice of the psalmists...
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A Choir of Creation - Psalm 148
Beginning with the host of angels, then descending through the heavens to the creatures of earth, finally encompassing the people of Israel and all peoples of earth, this psalm unites the whole of creation in an oratorio of praise to the Almighty.
Read it and watch this progression develop: http://bit.ly/fC5QkA
Two similar expressions clearly divide this song into two stanzas. “Praise the Lord...
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A Choir of Creation - Psalm 148
Beginning with the host of angels, then descending through the heavens to the creatures of earth, finally encompassing the people of Israel and all peoples of earth, this psalm unites the whole of creation in an oratorio of praise to the Almighty.
Read it and watch this progression develop: http://bit.ly/fC5QkA
Two similar expressions clearly divide this song into two stanzas. “Praise the Lord...
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No Other Nation - Psalm 147
If you have ever pondered the Lord’s rhetorical questions in Isaiah 40 or His equally powerful questions to Job (38-41), then you will marvel also at the way in which He addresses us about the wonders of His powerful creation and His providential care in Psalm 147.
Read it as you recall Isaiah and Job, as the Psalmist was likely doing: http://bit.ly/h3HkQ3
The psalm asks us to praise...
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Faith, Hope, Love - Psalm 146
The final five psalms of this wonderful “book” we call the Psalter each begins and ends with “Hallelujah.” Thus these psalms form an extended benediction of praise that concludes this entire collection of praises, prayers, petitions, thanksgivings, laments, and descriptions of God, His word, and His world. But each of the final five is still a unique composition of its own....
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Faith, Hope, Love - Psalm 146
The final five psalms of this wonderful “book” we call the Psalter each begins and ends with “Hallelujah.” Thus these psalms form an extended benediction of praise that concludes this entire collection of praises, prayers, petitions, thanksgivings, laments, and descriptions of God, His word, and His world. But each of the final five is still a unique composition of its own....
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Who He Is and What He Does – Psalm 145
This is the only psalm titled by the specific words, “a praise psalm.” In its plural form, this is the title of the entire psalter: tehillim or “praises.” The psalm opens (Ps.145:1-2) and closes (Ps.145:21) with David blessing the Lord in the first person singular (“I”). These verses comprise an inclusio bracketing the rest of the psalm’s praises.
Here it is: http://bit.ly/h2l9mL
David praises...
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A King's Song - Psalm 144
Derek Kidner has been a valuable companion in this journey through the Psalter. Such is the case in his introductory comments on Psalm 144: “The psalm is a mosaic, not a monolith; most of its material, short of the final verses, is drawn from other psalms of David, most substantially Psalm 18. But occasionally other parts of the Psalter can be glimpsed here, (so it seems) that a later author...
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A King's Song - Psalm 144
Derek Kidner has been a valuable companion in this journey through the Psalter. Such is the case in his introductory comments on Psalm 144: “The psalm is a mosaic, not a monolith; most of its material, short of the final verses, is drawn from other psalms of David, most substantially Psalm 18. But occasionally other parts of the Psalter can be glimpsed here, (so it seems) that a later author...
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In Your Righteousness - Psalm 143
Sometimes Church tradition is helpful in the Psalter and sometimes it isn’t! This is the last of the seven penitential psalms in the liturgical approach to the Psalter, but only verse two makes a passing reference to sin or forgiveness. If his concern at first is mainly with his own troubles, by the end he is largely concerned with finding and following God’s way ahead. How many of the...
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In the Cave with Dave, Again! - Psalm 142
Psalms 57 and 142 are referred to as the “Cave Psalms.” The Cave of Adullam could be the setting, if not the Cave of En Gedi (1Sam.22:1; 24:1-3). Th two psalms give us some idea of the changing state of David’s emotions while a fugitive from Saul. Psalm 57 is bold and animated, almost enjoying the situation for the certainty of its outcome. In the present psalm the strain of being...
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In the Cave with Dave, Again! - Psalm 142
Psalms 57 and 142 are referred to as the “Cave Psalms.” The Cave of Adullam could be the setting, if not the Cave of En Gedi (1Sam.22:1; 24:1-3). Th two psalms give us some idea of the changing state of David’s emotions while a fugitive from Saul. Psalm 57 is bold and animated, almost enjoying the situation for the certainty of its outcome. In the present psalm the strain of being...
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Set a Guard for My Mouth - Psalm 141
Speech ethics play a large role in the wisdom literature in the OT and in the wisdom writing of the NT (Jam.3:1-12). David is keenly aware that the words he utters in these lament psalms can be understood wrongly as the spiteful response of a bitter soul. He writes carefully about the wicked, so don’t misunderstand him. This psalm continues the themes of the previous one.
1 Lord, I call on...
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"That's Not True!" - Psalm 140
Slander and the spreading of untruths about you is inevitable - especially if you are in the Lord’s work.This Psalm of Disorientation is all about slander against the David and his reaction to it. Don’t get tired of reading these “lament” psalms. If you do, then suddenly you will need one like Psalm 140 to give voice to your prayers.
Read it here: http://bit.ly/grfcdb
...
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"That's Not True!" - Psalm 140
Slander and the spreading of untruths about you is inevitable - especially if you are in the Lord’s work.This Psalm of Disorientation is all about slander against David and his reaction to it. Don’t get tired of reading these “lament” psalms. If you do, then suddenly you will need one like Psalm 140 to give voice to your prayers.
Read it here: http://bit.ly/grfcdb
The...
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The Omni-Psalm - Psalm 139
Psalm 139 is one of the most profound meditations on God in the entire Psalter, yea the entire Bible. The psalmist glories in the majesty and the perfections of the One who is the God of Israel and of the whole earth, but he also marvels in fear at His character. And yet it is at that very point that some treatments of this psalm fall short. Too often it is theologized and removed from its context...
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The Omni-Psalm - Psalm 139
Psalm 139 is one of the most profound meditations on God in the entire Psalter, yea the entire Bible. The psalmist glories in the majesty and the perfections of the One who is the God of Israel and of the whole earth, but he also marvels in fear at His character. And yet it is at that very point that some treatments of this psalm fall short. Too often it is theologized and removed from its context...
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On Publicly Airing Our Dirty Linen
Today John Piper published on the Desiring God web site a progress report about his voluntary leave to work on his marriage. I posted my response a few hours ago and a person I know responded quite viciously, even accusing me of condescension and envy! Because I respect this person, I removed the post. Others, however, thought that I had raised some important issues. Therefore, after examining my...
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Goodness Beyond Measure - Psalm 138
The last group of eight Davidic psalms (out of a total of 75) commences with David being intimately aware of the presence of his enemies. Although he is much threatened, he is also much protected.
Here it is: http://bit.ly/fTEN2w
At least three forces in David’s life compete against the sovereignty of God.
First, he says that he will sing praise to Yahweh before the “gods” (Ps.138:1)....
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Goodness Beyond Measure - Psalm 138
The last group of eight Davidic psalms (out of a total of 75) commences with David being intimately aware of the presence of his enemies. Although he is much threatened, he is also much protected.
Here it is: http://bit.ly/fTEN2w
At least three forces in David’s life compete against the sovereignty of God.
First, he says that he will sing praise to Yahweh before the “gods” (Ps.138:1)....
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By the Rivers of Babylon - Psalm 137
A title for this psalm is easy to find. The first sentence says it all. Every line of the psalm is alive with pain, and the intensity of the pain grows with each additional line all the way to the shocking climax.
1 By the rivers of Babylon— there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.
2 There we hung up our lyres on the poplar trees,
3 for our captors there asked us...
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By the Rivers of Babylon - Psalm 137
A title for this psalm is easy to find. The first sentence says it all. Every line of the psalm is alive with pain, and the intensity of the pain grows with each additional line all the way to the shocking climax.
1 By the rivers of Babylon— there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.
2 There we hung up our lyres on the poplar trees,
3 for our captors there asked us...