Proper Christian Hatred

One of the most frequent ethical exhortations in the Bible is for God’s people to love – him, fellow Christians, and others (even praying for our enemies).  But there is an object of hatred that is proper in the Christian life.  We can and should hate Satan and his kingdom of darkness. 

Satan is a murderer who is so full of lies that he cannot speak the truth (John 8.44).  He is Christ’s sworn enemy (Gen. 3.15, Lk. 4.2, Heb. 2.14, 1 Jn. 3.8, etc.).  He is the Christian’s sworn enemy (1 Pet. 5.8).  He is the church’s sworn enemy (2 Cor. 2.11).  Satan wants to destroy God’s kingdom and his evil and dark heart is absolutely and in every way opposed to everything good, pure, and noble (Luke 8.12, Acts 5.3, 13.10, etc.).  Therefore, it is right and proper for Christians to hate and detest Satan.  Biblically, there is “a time to hate” and we are called to “hate evil” (Ecc. 3.8, Amos 5.15).  In fact, the fear of the LORD is the hatred of evil (Prov. 8.13, cf. Ps. 139.21).

William Ames said it this way: “With our entire heart and all our strength we ought to be against the kingdom of the devil….” (A Sketch of the Christian’s Catechism, 212).

The WLC Q/A 191 says that in the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer we are praying “that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed.”  Likewise, the HC Q/A 123 says the second petition is a prayer that God would “destroy the devil’s work.”  In the sixth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, we are praying that “Satan [be] trodden under our feet” (WLC 195).  It is good and right for us to pray fervently against Satan’s temptation and his wicked work. 

Thomas Watson wrote that the Christian “must offer violence to Satan. …We must offer violence to Satan by faith.  …There is a lion in the way but we must resolve upon fighting.  …Faith is a heroic grace; it is said, above all, to quench the fiery darts of Satan.  Faith resists the devil.  …Faith holds the promise in one hand and Christ in the other.” (Heaven Taken by Storm, ch. 10).

Martin Luther, as many of you may know, struggled intensely against Satan’s temptations and assaults. 

“The devil forever and a day would very much like to have us stray from the right way.  He knows very well that whoever believes in Christ will be saved.  That is why he tries with might and main and all manner of tricks to mislead us” (Sermons, 7.298).

The devil’s temptations are very real.  He tries to get us to lust, lie, doubt the promises of grace, and ignore God’s word.  If he would have his way, we’d all be literally doomed.  But Christ is much stronger than Satan and his horde.  He dealt the death blow to Satan on the cross and in the resurrection, and one day he’ll return to finish him off by throwing him into the pit of hell forever (Rev. 20.10).   This truth should make a great cheer rise up in our hearts already; part of the gospel is that Jesus will win total and eternal victory over Satan. 

So when Satan tempts you, with true love for Christ and deep hatred for the devil, you can tell him that you realize now he might win a few skirmishes here and there.  And you can tell him you hate him with every fiber of your Christian being.  You can tell him to leave you alone because you’ve been baptized and you have Christ as your Savior and Protector.  Finally, because of Christ’s certain victory, you can tell him to go to hell where he belongs.  You, however, belong to Christ, body and soul, and not even Satan can snatch you from his hand.  The battle may be hard, tear-filled, and bloody, but victory is certain.  Keep fighting!  God will soon crush Satan underfoot (Rom. 16.20).

rev shane lems

The Formula of Concord and the Third Use of the Law

Even though I disagree with several aspects of Lutheran theology, I’ve found some brilliant Christian statements in the Lutheran confessions.  I love the emphasis on Christian liberty, vocation, the five solas, and the penetrating critiques of the papacy and fanaticism (i.e. the Anabaptists). 

In my opinion, one of the most incredible and remarkable statements is found in article 6 of The Formula of Concord Solid Declaration (1577).  In this section of the Formula, Solid Declaration the authors discuss the third use of the law, namely, how Christians “learn to serve God…according to his written Law and Word.  This is a sure rule and standard of godly life and walk.  The Law shows how to order a life in accordance with God’s eternal and unchangeable will.”

Here’s the statement that I’ve underlined and highlighted:

“This doctrine of the law is needed by believers in order that they may not make up a holiness and devotion of their own.”

The statement is brilliant because it clearly echoes Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees (i.e. Matt. 15:9; cf. Is. 29:13).  It is brilliant because it also condemns the Roman Catholic Church for their man-made religious rules such as fasts, indulgences, penance, and other such church rituals. 

The statement is also brilliant because it helps us as Protestants fight the tendency to add our laws to God’s law.  For example, we have the tendency to think that “good” Christians will school their children this way or that way, will use this or that translation of the Bible, will only listen to Christian radio, will never celebrate “worldly” holidays, and so forth.  All of us have a little Pharisee buried in us.  All of us have a little pope somewhere down there – a voice that wants to go beyond the Bible in defining what is holy and shows devotion to God.

So we need the law to show us what is actually pleasing to the Lord.  Like the Heidelberg Catechism says, the only thing we do that is truly good is that which arises out of true faith, conforms to God’s law, and is done for his glory – not that which is based on what we think is right or based on human tradition (Q/A 91).  A summary of what pleases God would be this: Love him and your neighbor (Matt. 22:37-39).

The third use of the law also is deeply intertwined with the doctrine of justification by faith alone and the doctrine of Christian liberty.  Because we’re justified by faith alone (Rom. 3:28), and because we have freedom in Christ (Gal. 5:1), the Bible alone – specifically the law – tells us how to live in a thankful, God-pleasing manner (Ps. 119:105, Rom 7:12).  Our conscience is free and only bound by God in his word. 

I must not make up rules that I think would please God, nor can you force me to please God by your rules.  Holiness is defined by God in his word, not by our likes, dislikes, or traditions.  You and I don’t define devotion, God does.  We’ve got to be careful not to add to God’s law; sadly, when we do so, even though we may think we’re pleasing God, we’re really not! 

“[The third use of the law] is needed by believers in order that they may not make up a holiness and devotion of their own.”

- The Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article VI.

shane lems

The Righteousness of Christ

  Here’s a great quote by puritan Robert Haldane (d. 1842) which has to do with the righteousness of Christ and our justification.  Jerry Bridges used this quote in The Discipline of Grace (specifically in his exposition of Romans 3:21 found on page 49).

“To that righteousness is the eye of the believer ever to be directed; on that righteousness must he rest; on that righteousness he must live; on that righteousness he must die; in that righteousness must he appear before the judgment seat; in that righteousness must he stand forever in the presence of a righteous God.”

Like the Heidelberg Catechism says so well, we can receive Jesus’ righteousness and make it ours in no other way than by faith alone (Q/A 61).  Indeed, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness!”

shane lems

sunnyside wa

The Story of the Heidelberg Catechism for Kids

Here’s an excellent book to introduce kids to the story behind the Heidelberg Catechism: The Quest for Comfort by William Boekestein.  In around 30 pages, Boekestein gives a brief and readable background of how the Heidelberg Catechism came to be.  The main storyline deals with the lives of Caspar Olevianus, Zacharias Ursinus, and Elector Frederick III.  At the same time the book also briefly describes the main themes of the Catechism (sin/salvation/service or guilt/grace/gratitude).  This book, The Quest for Comfort, is just a bit briefer than the one by Thea Van Halsema, Three Men Came to Heidelberg.  Here’s a little blurb from The Quest for Comfort in case you’re interested in a preview.

“Like many other Protestants of his day, Caspar began his training for the ministry in Geneva, Switzerland, under the teaching of John Calvin.  After his training he returned to his hometown of Treves, Germany, to teach philosophy and Latin.  He also began to preach.  Caspar’s goal was for the church to be reformed according to the Word of God.  So he plainly and powerfully preached what the Bible taught.  He also told about some of the errors of the Roman catholic Church.”

“Angered by his preaching, Roman Catholic leaders ordered him to stop and leave the city.  He refused, giving the same answer that Peter and the apostles gave fifteen hundred years earlier: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men’ (Acts 5:29).”

This book is great for a church library, family library, and even Sunday school or Catechism classes.  I’d say that kids around 10 years old would benefit most from this book, though I might even give it to older Christians who need a simple, straightforward, and accurate introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism’s historical background.  I recommend it without any reservations.

William Boekestein, The Quest for Comfort (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2011).

shane lems

sunnyside wa

New Creeds/Confessions Booklet

 Last year, a few friends and I edited a booklet of the Reformed Creeds and Confessions called Christian Truths Summarized.  It contains the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed, the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort.

This booklet is around 100 pages long.  Along with the above documents, it contains an introduction to each creed/confession, along with a Scripture index and a cross-reference chart.  We even put Scripture references in the three early creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian).  Our intention in this booklet was to make it understandable for those new to creeds/confessions (hence all the Scripture citations, the index, and the references).  We also wanted to keep it inexpensive, which explains the plain paperback cover (in the picture above).  While it is ideal for anyone who wants a readable (and study-able) copy of these documents, it is especially helpful for church plants since it gives numerous proof texts and introduces these documents in understandable language (high-school level). 

You can sample the booklet here: TFU Booklet Final Sampler.

Since this is a not-for-profit booklet, we prefer to sell in bulk to churches (but we will make exceptions).  The cost is only $2.50 for one copy, and $2.00 for 25 or more copies.  Please email us: reformedreader @ gmail . com if you want to order or if you have questions. 

shane lems

sunnyside, wa