Book Recommendation-On Being Presbyterian by Sean Michael Lucas

That I was reading a book called, “On Being a Presbyterian” amused a newer attendee of our congregation. Certainly I should know what it means to be a Presbyterian-after all I have been one for many years. I advised the book was on loan from our pastor, and I was interested in seeing how the author stated things. It would also be a good review, and in the history portion it could provide new information. I would also know if it was a book I could recommend, and I highly recommend it.

The subtitle of the book also indicates the sections in it, “Our beliefs, practices, and stories.” Lucas is dean of faculty and assistant professor of church history at Covenant Theological Seminary, so he is no stranger or outsider to Presbyterianism, or the PCA.

In Part 1 he looks at Presbyterian Beliefs. He does look at what we would have in common with other Christians, but the bulk is looking at the distinctives. This section has 5 chapters, but it is not one for each of the letter of TULIP, as some might assume. The five points of Calvinism do appear, but in Chapter 2 where he explains the Presbyterian beliefs on grace. This is where they belong. They are part of the picture, but not the whole picture. The chapter subjects are God’s sovereignty, grace, covenant and kingdom, the Church and sacraments. The chapters are well done looks at these beliefs. He doesn’t merely state what the beliefs are, but looks at how they affect the others, and us.

Part 2 is on Presbyterian practices. These do involve beliefs, and so this section flows out of the last one. In the first chapter of this section Lucas explains why he uses the word piety, and what he means by it. It’s on how we practice our beliefs, but also who we base them on. It’s a well done look at how God is connected to them.

In Part 2 he also writes on worship and church government. The chapter on worship is refreshing in that he looks at all worship, not just music and singing. Too often we use worship too narrowly. This short look at worship is instructive in how worship is more. The chapter on church government is also instructive as some feel this distinctive is a bigger difference between Presbyterians and Baptists than sacraments.

Part 3 is on Presbyterian stories. He presents an interesting historical look at how we got from the Reformers to what we have in North America today. Calvin and Knox loom large n the first part. He looks at the divisions, reunions, and new denominations as well. It gives a clear picture at how we got where we are today.

I highly recommend this book for all Christians, not just Presbyterians. I would also recommend it to any who are interested in church history. Its more obvious benefits would be for those who are new to Presbyterianism, or those who are considering attending or joining a Presbyterian church. But Christians with no intention of being Presbyterian could also benefit by better understanding of their brothers and sisters. I would read the same sort of book written by non-Presbyterian Christians if they were available. (This one is published by P&R Publishing.)

Episcopalians urge against diocese breaking away

I saw a link to this on James White's blog. In one way it's hardly surprising given recent history. In another it boggles the mind.

Here's the story. It's a reaction to those within the Episcopalian Church in the USA that want to be under the authority of more religiously conservative bishops. There are those that oppose them. And in their opposition they say things that make me shake my head, things like this-

"We take no position on Scripture or theology or morals," said Donna Bott, a leader of a group called Episcopal Voices of Central Florida, which sponsored the meeting. "We are just Episcopalians."

It brings up a question in my mind-If you take no position on Scripture or theology or morals, then why do you exist? What's the point? Why do you call yourself Episcopalian?

The history of the Episcopalian (Anglican) Church contains many Godly men and women through the years. Did they care about Scripture, theology or morals?

You bet they did.
Here's J.C. Ryle for starters.
Here's a list of writings by Ryle from CCEL (mentioned in the LOTW post below.)

Things in my Profile-Part 1-Theology

In a new series that I will post from time to time I will go through what I have listed in my profile, and hopefully explain why it's there, and what use or value it has. Partly in case you were wondering, and partly because they are things that interest me.

I'll start from the beginning-
The first thing I listed is under interests-Theology.

Why do I like theology?
1-If you love someone you want to know more about them-if you love God you should love theology. Yes, you can overdo it. You can get so involved in theology that you ignore God. You can forget to put theology into action. But let's not go too far and treat theology as a hindrance to loving God and serving Him--they should work hand in hand.
2-I love to read, and theology makes for interesting reading. It stimulates my mind, and it gives me things to think about-both wonderful and not so wonderful.
3-It can be corrective in my beliefs, actions, motives and thoughts. This helps me to better serve God and man. It is a protective against a danger mentioned in #1 above.
4-In the hands of a gifted author or speaker it can be exciting. Yes, exciting. Theology is the study of God, and by studying it I learn great things about God- things that excite me about His love, grace, forgiveness, etc.
5-It can drive me deeper into the Word. Why should I take an aithor or speaker's word for it--what does God's Word say?

I'm sure I could go on longer--but those are major reasons I enjoy theology.

Book Recommendation-The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross by Arthur W. Pink

This is one of my favorite books by Arthur Pink. He goes through each of the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross as recorded in the Gospels. The sayings shed light on the character and work of Christ. We can learn much studying them. As you might suspect, this book contains seven chapters with an introduction. The crucifixion and atonement are very much in view here, and Pink never forgets the character of Christ, which shines through.

Chapter One is “The Word of Forgiveness.” It looks at Luke 23:34-“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Pink points out how man has crucified Jesus, and yet He prays for His enemies to be forgiven. Pink writes, “The first of the seven cross-sayings of our Lord presents Him in an attitude of prayer. How significant! How instructive!...Surely He has left us an example!”

Pink also outlines the following points about this saying: 1)It fulfills prophecy (Isaiah 53:12); 2)Christ identifies with His people-previously Jesus did the forgiving Himself, here He petitions His Father; 3)Sin is often through ignorance-yet it is still sin; 4)It shows the blindness of the human heart; 5)Jesus exemplifies His teaching on forgiving others; 6)We see man’s great and primary need; and 7) The triumph of redeeming love.

Next is, “The Word of Salvation.” (Luke 23:42-43)-The passage ends with Jesus’ words to one of the thieves He was crucified with “...Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” Pink writes, “It was no accident that Lord of Glory was crucified between two thieves.” God had it set up that way. Pink takes us through the following points: 1) A representative sinner; 2) Man has to come to the end of himself before he can be saved; 3) The meaning of repentance and faith; 4) A marvellous case of spiritual illumination; 5) The Saviourhood of Christ; 6) The destination of the saved at death; and 7) The longing of the Saviour for fellowship.

Chapter 3 is “The Word of Affection” from John 19:25-26-which is the account of Jesus leaving Mary in the care of the Apostle John. Pink shows how this fulfills prophecy (See Luke 2:25-25). He also shows how Jesus fulfilled the commandment to honour your parents.

When Jesus was arrested the disciples fled-but here we see John has come back. Pink writes,

Here is encouragement for you. Christ did not rebuke John on returning: instead, His wondrous grace bestowed on him an unspeakable privilege. Cease then your wanderings and return at once to Christ, and He will greet you with a word of welcome and cheer; and who knows but what He has some honorous commission awaiting you!

Pink covers other aspects of Jesus’ relationship with His mother, John and by extension all His people as well.

Next we find “The Word of Anguish”-“Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani? That is My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Pink writes early on in this chapter, “The crucifixion of the Lord of Glory was the most extraordinary event that has ever happened on earth, and this cry of the suffering One was the most startling utterance of that appalling scene.”

In these words, (and the context in which Jesus said them), we see the seriousness of our sins. We get a sense of God’s holiness and the penalty required. Also shown is God’s love for His people, Jesus’ fidelity to His Father, and also a foretaste of the consequences of rejecting Christ. It is only a short sentence, but it tells us a lot about Jesus.

“The Word of Suffering” is next as Pink writes on Jesus’ words in John 19:28- “I thirst.” The very idea Jesus suffered can be mind boggling when we consider who He is, and also why He suffered. The points Pink makes here are 1) this shows Christ’s humanity, he explains why this is important. (As a side note-many of the heresies throughout Church history have either denied Christ’s deity or His humanity). 2) We see the intensity of His sufferings. 3) We see His deep reverence for the scriptures. 4) We see His submission to the Father’s will. 5) We see how He can sympathize with us in our sufferings. 6) We see the expression of a universal need and 7) Pink shows how this thirst ties in with Christ being eternal water.

A familiar passage to many Christians is John 19:30-“It is finished”-Pink calls this, “The Word of Victory.” We turn from the tragedy of Christ’s sufferings to triumph! This is a big part of what the gospel is all about-Christ has accomplished payment of the sins of His people-and it is finished! Pink shows what is finished and what that means for believers.

The final chapter is “The Word of Contentment.” This is from Luke 23:46-“Father, into Thy hands, I commend My Spirit.” These words have a very strong impact. The first recorded Christian martyr, Stephen, refers to them when he is stoned to death. (Acts 7:59).

Pink’s points here include seeing the communion between Jesus and the Father being restored. We also see a contrast as before Jesus was in the hands of men-He was there willingly-but now He is in the Father’s hands. We see our salvation as well by extension, and the absolute uniqueness of Christ.

These words are well worth our time in reading, studying, and meditating upon.

Theism and Deism

This post is primarily to set up a point in the one that will appear above it.
I tried fitting this in the other post--but it felt too forced.

In this post I am presenting a general broad definition of these two worldviews.
I acknowledge there is a lot of variation among those who hold these views--and I can't cover them all here.

Theism is a view that says there is a God (or gods.) Christianity is theistic. While there are those who would call themselves Christians who are not theists, if we look at it biblically & historically, all Christians are theists. The reverse is not true, for not all theists are Christians.

Theism goes beyond just believing there is a God/gods. It speaks to the nature of God. The Bible says there is a God, and that there is one God, and so Christianity is not merely theistic, but monotheistic.

In his book "The Universe Next Door", James Sire outlines several world views, starting with theism and deism. He lists characteristics of Christian theism-
God is infinite, personal, transcendent (beyond us, otherly), immanent (He is with us), omniscient, sovereign, and good. From there he points out the Christian view of God's relationship to the world and people. God created the Universe and cares for it. He is involved in His creation.

Deism is different. There are many variations of deism, but in general to the deist, God is otherly but not with us. The song, "From a Distance" is often used as an example of deism. God is "watching us from a distance." He is not directly involved. Some deists do believe in a personal god, but that god is distant. He may watch, but he doesn't get involved-or perhaps he cannot.

For many deists "Reason" replaces a personal god. God is impersonal to them. He is more of an "it" or a "force." He started things rolling, but lets it run itself.
The deist god is not sovereign. Whether this god is good is a relative concept.

I have heard deism described as "God without the baggage." While I do not want to ascribe motives to others, it seems likely many deists hold to their beliefs to have some comfort from belief in God, or they make some sense of the world by this belief. Yet they do not want a god who has claims on their lives. So they have a god who, if he watches us (for many deists would say he does not watch us), it is "From a Distance."