I am looking forward to reading the latest from my friend John Crotts, pastor of Faith Bible Church in Sharpsburg, GA. His prior titles on biblical manhood and womanhood, marriage and family I highly recommend. In his newest, Loving the Church: God’s People Flourishing in God’s Family, Crotts looks at the biblical necessity that the believer be in a right, loving relationship with a local body–His Church. The book is further described below:
Product Description
Loving the Church reminds us how glorious God’s family really is, and the countless ways that you can flourish within it. In recent years the family has experienced a revival within Christian culture, but with this increased emphasis on the importance of the family, less value has been placed on God’s family, the church. One of the most important relationships for all Christians is their involvement in God’s family. Loving the Church lays the vital foundation for applying his glorious plan to our own lives. Enter as friends and explore together what it means to love the church. Follow the story of five friends as they wrestle with important questions about the church. After each of their discussions about the church, the author leads the reader to understand the beauty and joy of being a member of the household of God.
Sometimes you have to scratch your head and ask, “What are they thinking?” The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) yesterday affirmed a policy change that would allow non-celibate gay men and women in committed relationships to serve as clergy. At present, only men and women who are celibate or married (marriage currently defined as “between a man and a woman” ) are eligible to become clergy, elders, or deacons. But hold on — they vote today to change the marriage language to “between two people.”
None of this should come as a surprise. The PC USA is known to have liberal leanings, leanings that led to the founding of the conservative and biblically informed Presbyterian Church in America. It is distressing, however, to consider the answer to the question I began with, “What are they thinking?” I think one young man speaks for those for the proposed changes, “The world has become a more tolerant and accepting place.” There you have it — a worldview founded on the world and not the Scriptures, one that seeks to please man rather than obey God. Last time I checked, the world is fallen and corrupt. Hence, this worldview is predicated by fallen, sinful man and not the righteous, holy, and just God.
It remains to be seen what will become of the PC USA. The presbyteries must approve both changes by a majority vote, which is not likely on either count — this time. But this denomination continues to gravitate further from the centrality of Scripture to inform their faith. May we learn from their mistake!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Kevin DeYoung has an excellent series of posts this week reviewing Brian McLaren’s latest book, A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming the Faith. If you are not familiar with Brian McLaren, he is what I consider to represent the far left in the emerging church movement (what is now called “the third way” in some circles). You can find the entire review in .pdf format here.
Kevin DeYoung has a post titled “Religious Cushioning.” May we take care that we do not become that church! We should be a church that is comfortable only in the way the early church was comfortable:
Acts 9:31 — So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Kevin DeYoung offers the following insights after reading an article in Christian Century. His comments are brief but offer some things to think about.
1. Not catholic enough. It is true, no doubt, that some neo-Calvinists are ignorant of church history and suspicious of all but their contemporary movements. So let’s make sure we are eager to look at all of Christian history, learn from it, and celebrate what is good. But, I would also add, the New Calvinism is not bereft of historical appreciation. Clearly, we embrace the Reformers, the Puritans, and heroes of the faith like Edwards and Spurgeon. The New Calvinists I know see themselves as heirs of a tradition that stretches back at least to the Reformation. Where we are weaker is in learning from medieval theologians and early church fathers. But even here there are notable exceptions like Ligon Duncan’s expertise in Patristics and John Piper’s series of biographies, including men like Athanasius and Augustine.
2. Not sacramental enough. Well, this one depends on where you look and what you are looking for. The New Calvinists are not going to make the Eucharist the center of their worship services. Most of us are not terribly liturgical (though getting more so). But I often hear of young reformed guys excited about Calvin’s view of “real presence” and eager for weekly communion. So I agree with Billings main point here: don’t ignore the sacraments. I would simply add: some New Calvinists may be a-sacramental, but most of the younger leaders I know, especially in Reformed/Presbyterian denominations, are not.
3. Not kingdom enough. Billings would like to see the New Calvinist think big, embrace the cultural mandate, and be salt and light in all areas of society. This one is tricky, because the neo-reformed movement is simply not agreed as to how important this emphasis should be. Some would applaud Billings’ point about cultural transformation. Some would be wary of it. Others would say, “sounds good, but that’s the role of individual Christians, not the church as church.” Be a salt and light? Absolutely. Be neo-Kuyperian? Depends on who you ask.
You can read his entire article here and the Christian Century article here.
