A Reformation Snapshot

  Calvin’s commentary on Habakkuk 2.4 is a great snapshot of what the Reformation was/is all about.  He mentions how the NT relates to the OT (Paul to Habakkuk), he makes exegetical conclusions based on the Hebrew text, he points out the terrible errors of Rome, he talks about the law/gospel distinction, he shows how doctrine relates to comfort, and he ends the discussion with an excellent gospel centered prayer of hope.  He also mentions what have been come to be known as the solas, specifically sola fide, sola gratia, and solus Christus.  Here are a few quotes on these topics.

“…the Prophet [Habakkuk] understands by the word amunat that faith which strips us of all arrogance, and leads us naked and needy to God, that we may seek salvation from him alone, which would otherwise be removed from us.”

“Paul [in Romans 1.17] very rightly connects these things together – that righteousness is made known in the Gospel – and that it comes to us by faith only.  …Paul assumes that these, even faith and law, are contrary, the one to the other; contrary as to the work of justifying…as to justification, the law accords not with the gospel any more than light with darkness.”

“But we obtain righteousness by faith alone for this reason, because God finds nothing in us which he can approve, or what may avail to obtain righteousness.  … If righteousness be of faith, then it is of grace alone, and if by grace alone, then it cannot be by works.  … As then, faith acquires for us favor before God, and by this favor we are counted just, so all works must necessarily fall to the ground, when righteousness is ascribed to faith.”

Of course, there is a lot more to his discussion – these are just a few great quotes.  In fact, I recommend finding it online (if you don’t own the commentary), printing it out, and spending ten or twenty minutes reading through it.  You’ll be encouraged in the Christian faith and reminded not only of the necessity of the Reformation, but also of the beauty of the doctrines of grace.

shane lems

God, Injustice, and Mercy (Anselm)

 The deep philosophical, theological, and practical question has been uttered for countless years: “If God is good, why is there evil and injustice.”  A better and more humble question was asked by Anselm of Canterbury (d. 1109): “How do You spare the wicked if You are all-just and supremely just?”  He asked this and similar questions in a prayer-like manner, which is found in chapters 9-10 of his Proslogion.  Here’s a small part of it.

“For though You are all-just and supremely just You are, however – precisely because You are all-just and supremely just – also beneficent even to the wicked.  You would, in fact, be less good if You were not beneficient to any wicked man.  For he who is good to both good and wicked is better than he who is good only to the good.  …And though perhaps it is apparent why You should reward the good with good and the bad with bad, what is indeed to be wondered at is why You, the all-just One who wants for [lacks] nothing, should bestow good things on Your wicked and guilty creatures.”

“O God, how profound is your goodness!  …It is from plenitude of goodness that You are gentle with those who sin against you….  O mercy, from what abundant sweetness and sweet abundance do you flow forth for us! …When You punish the wicked it is just, since it agrees with their merits; however, when You spare the wicked it is just, not because of their merits but because it is befitting to Your goodness.”

That is the prayer of faith seeking understanding, the prayer of the man who was humbled before the majesty, goodness, and justice of God.  Rather than put God on trial by asking him ”why injustice and evil?” we should follow Anselm and put ourselves on trial and ask “why mercy and grace?”  Or, in other words, we should pray Psalm 8 in light of Titus 3.5 every day.

shane lems

sunnyside wa

Christian Star Quest Part II

 Here’s part two of this blog post on Christianity and the culture of fame, stardom, and celebrity, quoted from Guinness’ excellent book, The Last Christian on Earth.  Part one is here.

“If consumer religion transforms congregations into clientele, their idolizing of celebrities produces a series of fateful switches in focus: from private identity to public image (devaluing inner life and character), from saints to stars (devaluing models of spiritual growth), from followers to fans (devaluing patterns of discipleship), from being gifted to glamorous (devaluing leadership and spiritual authority), and from wisdom, understanding, and experience to endorsements, personal glimpses, and slogans (devaluing faith).”

“Modern men and women do not live by bread alone, but by every catchword and revelation that comes from the lips and private lives of their heroes.  But since such fame is largely based on famousness, these celebrities are living tautologies and the emptiest of heroes.  Thus for ordinary people, the consumption of celebrities is like psychological fast food.  For Christians, it is not only non-nourishing but also a slow and deadly poison.  Those who live by the image die by it too.  And those who worship them are like them.”

The enemy of the church goes on to summarize this effective subversion and potential damage to Christianity with two main points, two main ways to hurt the church: 1) the passive acceptance of the masses, and 2) the allegiance of a ruling counter-elite.  “Christian reduplication of the current celebrity system” makes #2 an obvious way to achieve #1 – on this the enemies agree.

These are some penetrating critiques that are worth taking to heart.  This American celebrity culture is prevalent in large portions of Christianity today – not just in mainline denominations/institutions, but also in Reformed, Presbyterian, and Calvinistic circles.  Think of how books are hyped by Christian publishers, how Christian singers have fans, and how popular Christian speakers are announced and advertised.  I’m sure you can add to this list.   The remedies/remedy of this disease is the subject of another important discussion.  For now let me say that it is high time we purposefully start going against this unfortunate trend by resisting the culture of fame and cult of personality as they creep into our churches and Christian circles.

shane lems

Christian Star Quest Part I

 As I mentioned before, I really like this book: Os Guinness, The Last Christian On Earth.  It is a fictional account of two enemies of the church who are plotting to destroy it.  In memorandum 7, the discussion has to do with how to damage the church’s institutions.  One way is privatization of faith and belief. Another way to damage Christian institutions is to continue to lead them to duplicate Western culture’s celebrity system.  Here is how the enemy describes stardom and fame – and how it infiltrates Christianity.

“Politicians, it is now said, no longer run for office – they pose.  But Christians too have become hooked, inhaling publicity like chain smokers, quite oblivious to the warning on the packet.”

 ”As Oscar Wilde has said, ‘there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.’  Hence the celebrity, who is…’well known for his well-knowness….’ [Furthermore], publishing and the celebrity system overlap here.  A ‘best seller’ is becoming the celebrity among books, one that is bought more than read, yet one that sells well partly because it sells well, the essence of successful hype.”

“You might think Christians would be held back by that rather awkward saying of Jesus, ‘Woe to you when all men speak well of you.’  Conveniently they seem to have forgotten it, particularly in America where the access to the media is greatest.  Hence the celebrity system, Christian style (‘A Star is Born-Again’).  Titans from the world of politics, sports, music, television and religion stride the Christian stage and screen with an authority born, not of their faith and character or their missionary exploits, but of their mass appeal.  ‘Following the star’ has become the exact opposite of what it was for the three wise men.  Today it leads away from Jesus, not toward him.”

I’ll split this post up into two parts to keep it short and more readable.  Here is part two.  Note: the above quotes are found on pages 136-137 of Guinness’ book.

shane lems

Telling the Truth

 I’ve really enjoyed Patrick Miller’s commentary on the Ten Commandments in the Interpretation commentary series (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009).  This is a 400+ page commentary that includes an extensive Scripture index, topical index, and bibliography.  For each commandment, Miller examines the historical context, parallel themes in the Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament implications as well.  I really appreciate how Miller thoroughly gives the OT depth of each commandment.  This isn’t really a redemptive historical exposition of the commandments, but it is certainly worth having on the shelf if you’re going to study, preach, or teach on the Ten Commandments.  Here’s the opening paragraph of his exposition of the ninth commandment which I thought was helpful.

“With the commandment against false witness, the covenantal requirements for living with one’s neighbor move from dominant concerns for actions to an explicit focus on words and speaking.  It would be a mistake, however, to see this movement as one from more serious matters to lesser concerns.  Quite the contrary.  The prohibition against bearing false witness is not so much a general rule against lying as it is a guard against the capacity of words and speaking to endanger one’s neighbor in various ways, or indeed, to bring about violation of the commandments that precede from this one.  Telling the truth is thus a neighbor matter.  It is a form of the love of neighbor and a significant aspect of upholding communal relations.  Safeguarding the neighbor by safeguarding truth is an inevitable sequence to the protection of the neighbor’s marriage, life, and property, for lying against a neighbor creates a domino effect undoing the other safeguards.  Truth or consequences is indeed the choice in speaking about one’s neighbor.”

This isn’t the only commentary to use for the Ten Commandments, but it is one that I wouldn’t go without.  The above quote is taken from page 343, by the way. 

shane lems