Continuity and Discontinuity, John S Feinberg Editor

I read quite a lot.  At the suggest of our Pastor I am going to start reviewing the books I read in the hope that the reviews may be of benefit to my five or so readers.  This is the first installment in that series:

Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments, John S Feinberg Editor

If you are interested in exploring the difference between Covenant Theology and Dispensational Theology this is an excellent book. Six topics are chosen and a theologian from each side is given an opportunity to speak on the topic. These topics all deal with the issues of how we are to view the difference between the Old and New Testaments. It does not seek to be a complete discussion of the topic, but seeks to deal with some of the fundamental areas of disagreement. In particularly, how we are to interpret the Old and New Testaments in light of the other.

As someone who came to this discussion trying to decide which more accurately represents what Scripture teaches, I found it very helpful. My background spans both camps and perhaps two thirds of my library comes from the covenantal side though most do not deal with these topics. At the same time I am a member of a church who would clearly fall into the dispensational camp. I would say that this book gives a good representation of both sides.

Having said that, I don’t believe that the covenantal (continuity) writers did as good a job acquitting themselves, though they had many helpful points. Most of them seem to be talking to “their side” and did not engage the topic as well. In some cases they seem to just assume what they need to prove and don’t seem to recognize that the reader may not share some of their basic assumptions.

The Dispensational (discontinuity) writers seemed more lucid and engage the topic better with regard to the reader who may not share their assumptions.

In summary, I found the entire discussion very helpful and would recommend this book to someone trying to sort through this issue. While I was less impressed with the continuity side they did still offer helpful insights in many areas.  Both sides contributed well to the discussion.  It has definitely cleared up a number of thoughts on the subject, in my mind.

Speaking is Silver, but Silence is Golden

In contrast to blasphemy stands confessing God’s name. Confessing cannot occur without words. Nevertheless, there are moments when silence is golden. Earlier commentators speak of confession intempestiva, ill-times confession, when you want to defend God’s name, but at an inappropriate time. These are moments when God’s name could better be left unspoken because it would simply be dragged through the mud and held up to ridicule. We must not provide people, by means of our confession at an inappropriate time, an occasion for ridiculing the truth.

This wise advice is grounded in Scripture. The book of Proverbs says, “He who reproves a scoffer get shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man get himself a blemish” (Prov 9:7). The Sermon on the Mount teaches, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Mat. 7:6).

Must we then not defend God’s name at every opportunity? Does not Peter say we must always be prepared to give a defense of the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15)? Does Paul not remind Timothy that he must preach the words, convince, and rebuke in season and out of season (2 Tim 4:2)? Surely we need strong arguments to justify remaining silent about God’s name.

Speaking is silver; but, even so, silence is sometimes golden. Consider Christ Himself, who stood silent before the high priest and before (Pilate (Matt 26:62;27:14). There may well be occasions when we can defend God’s honor by being silent. If mentioning His name might give someone a weapon for holding God and His service up to ridicule, the our silence would communicate volumes.

Today that is no less relevant than earlier. In many debates – we will mention as examples opposition to abortion and to a homosexual lifestyle – it is often difficult to get a word in edgewise. Especially when we mention God’s name, resistance increases. In the secularized West, we may still think as we please about these issues, but we are permitted less and less freedom to speak or to demonstrate our convictions. Occasionally panel discussions are organized, which present you with the question: “Should I accept an invitation to participate?” Situations can arise where burning hatred is directed against you and public blasphemy is applauded. The question then becomes relevant: “Was I prudent in accepting this invitation?” That we ourselves might be accused of discrimination is not so serious: but when people start mocking God, that can shut the door for us. Speaking is silver, but silence is sometimes golden. You can encounter situations predicated by Christ. If you cast pearls before swine, such animals will turn away in irritation, for they cannot eat such food. And they will pounce on those who have put such food in front of them.

The message we must bring is precious. Confessing God’s name must remain our upright intention. We must always be prepared to bring God’s Word to people, regardless of whether it suits us or them. That Word matters above everything else. But occasionally we will need to ask ourselves if our speaking might be damaging for the Word of God. At that point, the issue is not what suits us or someone else, but whether it actually suits God that we would speak. We must exercise the kind of carefulness that makes us handle God’s name with caution. Occasionally we will be so careful that we will not mention it.

Silence can be a matter of prudence; but, unfortunately, more often it is a matter of laziness. A silent Christian is no Christian. Speaking is silver, but silence is sometimes golden. We will not practice proper silence if we do not feel compelled again and again to speak. Only then is our silence no denial and our caution no cowardice.

From:

As I said in my previous post I want to walk through 2 Timothy in order to encourage my son Trey in his faith and to encourage him to a clear presentation of the gospel in both his life and in his words. So let’s get started.

2 Timothy starts with an introduction from the Apostle Paul:

2Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

I don’t want to dig too much into Paul and his life. That is relevant to understanding the passage, but I am talking to Trey right now. I do, however, want to point out one thing to him. Paul starts right off with what is always the focus of his ministry: “the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus.”

The phrase “in Christ Jesus” is used seven times in 2^nd Timothy and 49 times in Paul’s epistles. This idea being “in Christ” is a common one for Paul, and it should be for you too as well Trey.

Being in Christ is more than just being saved. Certainly to be in Christ is, as Paul mentions, to have the promise of eternal life. But it is much more than that.

To be in Christ is to have a relationship with Him. That means to communicate with Him. He to you through His word, and you to Him in Prayer. It means abiding in Him.

It also means that all your work, hard things or easy ones, should be done in relationship with Him. It means:

1) All you work considers what is pleasing to Him. That means we follow both His message and His methods. It is a common disease these days to thing that all we need to get people to do is confess Christ to be saved. The message and the methods don’t really matter as long as someone confesses Christ. But Scripture makes it clear that man is not save simply by confessing someone name Christ or Jesus, but by confessing the one presented in the pages of Scripture.

2) Considering that He is Sovereign and that whatever the results of your work are they come from His hands. This means that labor in prayer is, if anything, more important than any of your other labors. It also means trusting Him when things don’t go the way you intended.

3) It means that your priorities are His priorities. Worldly wealth and fame are not important, the Kingdom of God and the salvation of the elect are.

Well I have probably dug enough from that one verse, but Trey, remember, do all things in Christ.

A new begining, perhaps…

My son Trey has started a new blog.   Since all the adoption discussion has moved over to our group blog, I though I might start something new on here.

2 Timothy was written by Paul to a young man named Timothy to encourage him in his faith and encourage him to clear and constant preaching of the Gospel.  My intent is to start a series of post based on 2 Timothy to do the same for Trey.

So stay tuned…

A new blog

My wife and a friend who has adopted children from Russia have started a new blog on adoption issues.  You can find it here

A good reminder

If, on the other hand, you meet a person who is not thus prepared, a person who as yet has no conviction of truth of the gospel and perhaps no idea, or even a false idea, of what the gospel actually is, it is worse than useless to try and stampede him into a snap ‘decision’. You may be able to bully him into a psychological crisis of some sort, but that will not be saving faith, and will do him no good. What you have to do is to take time with him, to make friends with him, to get alongside him, to find out where he is in terms of spiritual understanding, and to start dealing with him at that point. You have to explain the gospel to him, and be sure that he understands it and is convinced of its truth, before you start pressing him to an active response. You have to be ready to help him, if need be, through a spell of seeking to repent and believe before he knows within himself that he has received Christ, and Christ has received him. At each stage you have to be willing to go along with him at God’s speed. But that is God’s business, not yours. Your business is simply to keep pace with what God is doing in his life. Your willingness to be patient with him in this way is the proof of your love to him no less than of your faith in God. If you are not willing thus to be patient, you need not expect that God will favour you by enabling you to win souls.

J.I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

The Class I am teaching

My brother asked about the class I was teaching in the comments of the previous post.

I am currently teaching a class called The Fundamentals of the Faith on Sunday mornings at our church. It is a class for new/young believers where we systematically cover the basic doctrines of the faith. We also cover some basic areas of practice such as bible study, prayer, etc. I am teaching most of the classes, but we will bring in others to teach from time to time to give me a break and to let other qualified men have a chance to teach.

We are using as our primary doctrinal text a book by Wayne Grudem called Bible Doctrine. It is a good basic description of all the major doctrines and a number of significant minor doctrines. There are a couple of places where Professor Grudem teaches a different understanding of a particular doctrine than we would at our church. However, those differences are on what we would consider minor doctrines.

At the rate I am going, the course will probably run for about two years as we try to go slow and allow for questions and discussion. By that time we may very well have a new crop of students so I can see the class going on indefinitely.

It has been a while

It has been a while since we posted. I recently had an commenter ask that we continue because of the help we have been. I don’t know that I can start full time blogging again. Along with the remaining eight kids (three are out of the house now), I am now teaching a Sunday School class and taking a class at our church, along with my work schedule.

However, we certainly want to help any of you who are out there who may be struggling with your adopted children. So, we would be willing to answer you questions here. If your question can be asked in a general way, post a comment here and we will try to respond.

If the question is more personal in nature, you can either leave an e-mail address here or look at my profile and send me one from there and I will try to get back to you.

By His Grace

Bob

Education Question

Bob has enrolled in an online biblical counseling course and is staying busy with that, so I thought I would post an education question that someone asked and both of our responses to it.

Question:
Just as we’re ready to start our new year of Bible & worldviews studies, I’m having some second thoughts… Not about studying the Bible or even necessarily about studying other worldviews. The program we’ve chosen for our daughter this year takes a high schooler through ancient literature and simultaneously stands it up against the Bible, so you’re reading both at the same time. Lots of questions to ponder; lots of Francis Schaeffer help w/ reasoning; lots of Bible. Excellent stuff. However, in reading an excerpt from a book called “Heart of Wisdom” (re: the Hebrew model of education), the author asserts that it is not necessary to read the whole Iliad and Odyssey in order to find its fallacies. She points out that you wouldn’t allow your children to spend a lot of time w/ people who would talk to them about unbiblical or immoral things–why would you allow them to do the same by reading an author whose whole worldview is antagonistic to yours? Isn’t it the same thing?

So how much of Iliad & Odyssey is enough? Do I have to read all of Harry Potter to find its worldview? Do I have to read any of it? Does a doctor try to experience every disease in order to understand it or does he just observe it from a careful vantage point in order to recognize it?

I completely see her point! My children are going to and already do see things all around them that are antagonistic to the gospel of Christ, and my thinking is that, like a bank teller, if we spend our time studying the real McCoy, we can spot fake tender w/out blinking! So why would I subject them to Homer’s complete teaching?

I’m asking in the context of high schoolers, but truly, is it necessary for me as an adult to read it all either? What about Philippians 4:8?

How much is enough?

Ramona’s reply:
We have ten kids at home, nine of whom are teens, so I have a wide variety of experience from which to draw from for this question. To a great degree, it depends on the spiritual maturity and discernment of the child or person. We have one daughter (age 16) who recently wanted to spend the night with a friend and go to church with her the next day. This daughter is very susceptible to outside influences and we chose not to allow her to go to another church without us there to help her understand what was going on. However, another 16 year old daughter is very mature and discerning. She works with folks who are gung ho about the Harry Potter movies, so she asked if she could read one of the books so she could discuss it intelligently. This daughter is NOT easily influenced, but she did want to understand “where they were coming from” in their discussions of the subject matter. She read it and her comment was that it was “fluffy” and not at all interesting compared to CS Lewis. She also told us how the books were much different than the movies. The children are not as disobedient and rebellious in the books as they are in the movies, for instance. Not all of our kids would have been able to make these distinctions. As a matter of fact, some of them might have tended to pick up the beliefs and/or habits of the people in this book, so we would not have allowed all of our 16 year olds to read this particular book (although our 11 year old probably would have done fine with it!).

I would suggest that, as a parent, you should try to understand your child’s level of discernment and judge how “deep” to go into the subject matter according to that. If you see them start flailing, back off a bit. Do remember that the goal is to prepare them to thrive in a sinful world, where they will eventually be surrounded by these books, movies, etc. that you are teaching her about right now. It is best for her to learn to defend her beliefs while in your “greenhouse” rather than putting her out in the storm unprepared. Just keep a close eye on her and increase the scriptural influences if she is not growing straight and strong, though!

Bob’s response:
Let me add something to what my wife said. When we adopted Jennifer she was 14. Because of that we had no reason to expect to have her more than five or six years. In fact, we had her five and a half years before she got married and moved away. She and several of our others that we adopted did not have much schooling in their native countries, and were having to learn a new language on top of that. We have had to think long and hard about what it means to educate a child like this.

Having done that let me propose this as the purpose of education: To teach WISDOM. Facts are nice and necessary to achieve true wisdom,but they are not the purpose of education, wisdom is. What do we need to obtain wisdom:
1) The ability to learn God’s Word.
2) The ability to learn about the world around us.
3) The ability to reason from what we have learned in #1 and #2.
4) The ability to apply what we have learned to our own lives
5) The ability to communicate what we have learned to others.Thus we believe that it is more important to give children the tools for learning than it is to fill their heads with a group of unrelated(at least to them facts). Given the tools they can learn on their own after they have left your house.It sounds like you have the basic right idea, but perhaps keeping the focus on learning HOW to deal with these things rather than the WHAT will help keep her training in focus.Let me suggest that she would be far better off having dealt with a small amount of material in depth than a great deal of material in a shallow manner. If she encounters something new, she can always apply those skills to the study of it. However, without the tools she won’t know how to deal with something new if it comes up. Not that there is really anything new, but it often comes wrapped in a new package. Hope that helps.

If anyone is interested in more, let me know. The conversation did go a bit past this, but including the rest of it would make for a very long post. If there is enough interest, I can make another post, though.

Blessings
Ramona

What is a proverb?

I am doing a series of post on the Proverbs for our youth group blog. I thought I would post them here as well as they are taking up most of my bloggin time.

Proverbs 1:1 The Proverbsof Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

What exactly is a proverb? ABiblical proverb is a short statement designed to teach us wisdom. Wisdom in the Bible has more to it then knowing a bunch of abstract facts. Biblical wisdom entails the skill of being able to choose the right course of action. Certainly knowledge of facts and principles are part of Biblical wisdom, but they are not all of it. Biblical wisdom also involves skill in doing what is right.

But, how do these short little statements teach us wisdom? Some dont even seem to make sense, and some seem to contradict each other. Well each short statement is designed to teach one simple truth about how the world works. We are then called on to apply our other knowledge of the Scriptures to unpack them and see them for what they are. Having done this we are ready to apply the truth in our lives.

However, before we go too far we need to understand a few things about proverbs.

1) Proverbs dont always speak to the way things ought to be, theyspeak to the way things are. Lets look at an example:

Pro 25:24 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.

Does this mean that a man ought to retreat to his roof when his wife wants to quarrel? Does it mean that wives should quarrel? Certainly not! It does however teach a great deal about nature of the marriage relationship for those who are willing to ponder it.

2) Proverbs are not allegories. Several of our kids have had opportunities to write about proverbs as part of their school. Invariably they will try to over spiritualize the meaning of the proverb. Every thing will represent something else and all sort of hidden meaning will be found. However, this is not what the proverbs are about. There meaning should be taken as their plain meaning. There may be spiritual applications and they may illustrate other spiritual truths but, when interpreting them, the plain meaning should be the preferred meaning.
3) Proverbs need to be meditated on. Prov 1:6 calls them riddles or dark sayings depending on you translation. They need to be treated like a nut, a hard shell that first must be cracked and the good parts picked out of the pieces of the shell. Hard work, but very satisfying.

As we go on, we will look at many of the Proverbs in detail, and I am going to post some and get some of you to help crack the nut and pick out the pieces. However, next I want to talk about the author of the book and what we can learn from his life. Then we will take a tour through the earlier chapters which are not true proverbs but a series of short exhortations on various projects.

Feel free to comment and ask questions or even correct something you see wrong.