Proclaimer Blog
If you must…
And if you must… here is part 2 of the Chalke-Wilson debate from Premier TV. This is actually a helpful episode, because Andrew draws out from Steve what he really thinks about historicity, where events truly happen, but the Bible still is not literally true – for example, the man picking up kindling in Numbers 15 really is put to death, but Moses "mishears" God's instruction. This is not just an OT issue – Steve also falls at the Ananais and Sapphira test. This is liberalism and nothing more.
Proclaimer Blog
Watching over the flock
Chalke again (see here and here). And again today. Sad though it is, in a way I am glad that Steve’s statement is such a blatant expression of already existing liberal positions. Better to have openness than pretence.
We preachers have a key task, week by week, year by year, in making sure that our people aren’t swayed by attractively presented error when it happens to be promoted in their direction. The apostle Peter puts it in terms of watching over the flock that is under your care (1 Peter 5.2). A while ago I was helped by Timothy Witmer’s The Shepherd Leader to think through the elders’ vital task of protecting the flock from error through the right kind of regular preaching. (He did, though, fail to persuade me to turn Presbyterian.)
Some may fear that Chalke’s article will unsettle many believers. That is surely less likely to happen to those whose preachers have not just spoken the truth but have also denied the error. There are some who denounce others by name from the pulpit most Sundays, and their protective warnings probably lose impact according to the ‘boy who cried wolf’ principle. Others of us prefer not to be thought of as nasty name-callers, and by nature err on the side of too much just-saying-the-positive and too little pointing-out-of-the-negative. It’s vital for those who preach regularly to know our natural tendency and to keep working to correct it, so that the flock under our care develops the spiritual instinct to sense serious error when it comes their way, however famous and engaging its proponent.
As it happens, I am preaching this Sunday on 1 John 4.1-6: the ones who know God are those who bring their beliefs and conduct into line with the truth taught by the apostles who saw and heard the Truth himself. I think I will need to do some protecting.
Proclaimer Blog
A great book. A truly rubbish cover.
Book designs have come on leaps and bounds. But even so, there's no accounting for the 2004 cover of Eric Lane's Special Children. It is truly, awfully so bad that I cannot show it to you before the nine o'clock watershed. Which is something of a shame, because this is a great book. It's a theology of children for credo-baptists. It does interact with paedo baptist views, but it's not a paedo baptist book. Rather it answers carefully and thoughtfully some of the questions that credo baptists sometimes struggle with: can I teach my child to pray, for example? What about children who die in infancy? I must acknowledge an interest – Eric was my mentor, my Gamaliel as I trained for ministry. I love everything he writes. But I've found this especially useful – so much so I keep copies on the shelf to give to people. It's not a scholarly defence of one particular view, but it has very helpful wisdom for those of us who are consciously credobaptist.
Proclaimer Blog
What if…?
So, here's a thought. What if our introductions and illustrations were not a function of the message but rather of the congregation? It's long intrigued me that some of the great puritan preachers could get away with no introduction whatsoever. Why? Were they that good as preachers? No. But their congregations were eager and hungry. This was brought home to me as two of us here discussed a sermon we'd heard. Hardly any introduction. Hardly any illustrations. But it all worked and was well received.
We think that we need good and engaging introductions to let those listening know why they ought to listen. That's going to be true in many congregations. Don't give up on good introductions just yet! But a hungry, eager congregation: do they really need that five minute story which loosely links to the heart of the message? Quite possibly not.
And illustrations are always good for illustrating hard things. But we also use illustrations as pause points and breathing space. Again, imagine an eager and hungry congregation. Do they really need this second kind of illustration? I'm not sure they do.
Of course, all congregations are different. And we're preaching into different contexts. But increasingly, people are coming to church because they want to, not because they ought to, and so we should not be surprised to see the nature of congregations changing. In which case, I gently ask, might our introductions and illustrations not be quite as necessary as they once were….?
Proclaimer Blog
“Of course I believe the Bible’s true”
Premier hosted a debate between Steve Chalke and Andrew Wilson (NFI). Andrew is a good guy and this is worth watching to follow up on the issue I raised last week. It's a great camera angle. Andrew could not be more laid back. This is part one of four. Mark Thompson has also responded to Chalke's paper here. In this first episode, Chalke says some very alarming, but sadly, not unexpected things. I do notice, however, that much of his language is very orthodox-like. The Bible is indeed a library and we read each book in the light of this. But it also has a unifying inspiration, and so to set off, say Isaiah against Ezra/Nehemiah is just plain wrong. He's also rather poor at listening to someone else's argument. "Of course, I believe the Bible's true." Hmm. Yes. But what does that mean? See what you think.
Proclaimer Blog
Job, Satan and God’s governance
Many people are puzzled by Satan's appearance in heaven's throne room in Job 1. I'm just reading through Job in my devotions, making use of Christopher's forthcoming commentary on Job in Crossway's Preach the Word series. [It will be published in May and available first in the UK at the EMA – another reason for coming!]. I thought this little section on governance was very helpful. It comes after a rejection of two alternatives – polytheism (which essentially becomes dualism, a battle between good and evil) and monism, where one God rules the world absolutely. He is the only supernatural power, the absolute Power. This, points out Christopher, is essentially Islam. But it is not Christianity, even if it is how many Christians think the world is governed.
Neither does justice to the Bible’s picture, which is more nuanced and complex. The Bible portrays for us a world that lies under the absolute supremacy and sovereignty of the Creator, who has no rivals, who is unique, such that there is no god like him. And yet he does not govern the world as the sole supernatural power. He governs the world by the means of and through the agency of a multiplicity of supernatural powers, some of whom are evil. That is to say, “the sons of God” [Job 1.6] represent powers that are greater than human powers and yet are less than God’s power. They include among their number the Satan and his lying and evil spirits. (p41)
Proclaimer Blog
Christian books on sex.
There are LOTS of Christian books on sex. It's useful to know which are worth passing on without having to read them all. Here are Mrs R and my favourites. But it's worth saying that pretty much of all them have a fatal flaw: they never seem to get to Eph 5.32. That seems to me to be an enormous oversight. There is a deep, mystical connection between the union Christ has with his bride and the union enjoyed by a husband and wife who are one flesh. So, if you're giving some marriage prep for couples, make sure any discussion on sex is grounded in this remarkable and essential biblical truth.
The reality is that some disucssion of sex is essential for such prep – but it can be a bit embarrassing, depending on your nature and personality (and, it must be said, marital status). So, a good book can be a great help. Here are three of the best:
- Kevin Leman's Sheet Music: Uncovering the secrets of sexual intimacy in marriage (Tyndale House) is now relatively old in marriage book terms (2003). However, I still think it's the best. Helpfully it also has sections for pre-married couples together with guidance on which chapters to read when (you need to be disciplined to make the most of it). It's frank and you may not agree with all his conclusions (though, as it happens, I do). It also has helpful sections on intimacy later in marriage when other stresses and physiological changes take place.
- Greg and Amelia Clarke's book One flesh: honeymoon sex and beyond is much shorter (153pp), but also very useful. It has the added benefit (I think) of being frank without being cringy. It's published by Matthias Media and is a really good intro for pre-marrieds. Less useful, I would say, for those who have been married some time.
- A different book, but one we find useful to recommend to couples, is Intimacy Ignited by four people, two couples – the Dillows and Pintus's. It's a reading of Song of Songs with the couples interacting with each other. It requires you to read Song of Songs as primarily a love song (which, of course, we understand to have deeper meaning also, given Eph 5.32). Again, it's not one to be left lying down, but it's strength is that its style gets couples talking, as that's what the authors are doing.
There are others, of course. And then there are marriage books with useful sections on sex in them (and some not so useful, it must be said). And, if appropriate, do read these before you give them away. Don't take my word for it. The two longer books are also available on kindle.
Proclaimer Blog
Chalke. Again.
I can't help thinking that Steve Chalke's "helpful" contributions are rarely that. This is his latest – his views on biblical inerrancy which do little to add to the debates except to bring it down to a more popular level. The thinking reader will be able to easily drive a coach and horses through his arguments. If you're not a thinking reader, don't despair. The coach and horses driver Dan Strange has already done the job for you. Why read this kind of thing? Because, inevitably, this kind of popular interpretation ends up in our churches at some level. Stevey boy may not come and apply for membership at your church, but someone who shares his views – even subconsciously – may. As always, the greatest danger is not from the wolves outwith but those wearing sheepskin coats within.
Proclaimer Blog
EMA International Reception
Each year at the EMA we have a special reception to welcome those from overseas attending the EMA. It's important to us to recognise that some people make a sacrifice to come to the EMA, and that we want the EMA to serve preacher in churches in the UK and abroad. It's reasonably expensive to put on; nevertheless, we feel it is important to continue to do so. If you know anyone who'd like to help support this important welcome and sponsor some or all of the reception, please do let us know. Thank you.
Proclaimer Blog
It’s that book. Again.
This is a repost of a book review from April 2012. I'm reposting it because I'm just reading this book with someone and have been reminded how useful it has been to me. It's not one of those books that are "out there" or particularly in the public consciousness, so I'm very happy to highlight it and say, what's been good for me may well be good for you. In the meantime, I notice that Andrew Evans likes it too!
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This is a hard book review to write. Why? Because in the review I am about to give I will reveal something of my heart and a lot of my sin. That's unavoidable. As soon as I tell you that this was a book for me, I've let the cat out of the bag. So here goes – Pleasing People by Lou Priolo. This was a book for me. There, said it. Why write a review then, if it is all so heart-revealing? For the simple reason that being a people pleaser is a common sin in many pastors and preachers. We tend not to be, on the whole, those who err by thinking nothing of others. We're soft hearted towards others – and so we tend to err by being overly sensitive to others – and very, very often this means overly sensitive when it comes to what others think about us.
In so many ways it's the kind of book I don't really enjoy reading – lots of numbered lists. It's not quite a seven-step-to-success program but at times, because each chapter is often a collection of points, 1., 2., 3. and so on, it does feel like that. But, in one sense, it's very puritan-like – and that's not surprising because Priolo draws heavily on Timothy Dwight, Hugh Blair, Jeremiah Burroughs (hoorah, East End boy!) and, especially, Richard Baxter. That means what you get is warm, biblical wisdom suffused with pastoral punch. I got beyond the lists to the heart of what Lou was saying: and very often I found those lists describing me from lots of different angles.
To be frank, this is the pastoral punch many of us need. OK, let's not beat around the bush. It's pastoral punch that I need. So here, for example, are ten characteristics of an approval junkie:
- he fears the displeasure of man more than the displeasure of God
- he desires the praise of man more than the praise of God
- he studies what it takes to please man as much (if not more than) what it means to please God
- his speech is designed to entice and flatter others into thinking well of him
- he is a respecter of persons
- he is oversensitive to correction, reproof, and other allusions of dissatisfaction or disapproval on the part of others
- he outwardly renders eye service to man rather than inwardly rendering sincere (from the heart) ministry to the Lord
- he selfishly uses the wisdom, abilities and gifts that have been given him for God's glory and the benefit of others for his own glory and personal benefit
- he invests more of his personal resources in establishing his own honour than he does in establishing God's honour
- he is discontented with the condition and proportion that God has appointed for him
Sound familiar? Oh, and the people-pleaser is also often a procrastinator. Did I mention that? You'll have to read the book to find out why. This book was good for my soul. It's the kind of book that I won't lend to you. I'd lend you most of the books in my library should you ask nicely, but not this one. I need to read it regularly, I think. Plus, you don't want to see my scribbled comments and highlights (or rather, I don't want you to see them. I don't think that's just because I'm a people pleaser (!!) but there are some things that are better not shared).
As well as being suffused with the wisdom of the puritans, it's also highly biblical (no surprise that the two go together). If I had a criticism, it would be that there is almost too much Scripture (e.g. on humility, p168-170) which can mean running the risk of taking some texts out of context. But this is a minor niggle. Overall, the tone is gentle, persuasive and focused. And – this is possibly my highest praise – the book is very God-centred: Christ-centred, even. Again, using the puritans makes this less than surprising, but time and time again I found myself thinking less of myself and more of him. That's got to be good, right? And in so doing, my motives and thoughts are laid bare – this quote from Jeremiah Burroughs is typical:
I urge you to consider that God does not deal with you as you deal with him. If God were to put the worst interpretation on all your ways towards him as you put on his towards you, it would be very bad for you.
So, buy, read and keep.
[And please keep my sin to yourself!]
Oh, and it's got a neat cover.