Reformation Day, 489 years later

As many of you know, on this date in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. What some of you may not know, however, is that by taking this action, Luther did not intend to overthrow nor to make a sharp break with the Roman Church. He simply wanted to start a dialogue with the church because of what he perceived to be doctrinal and moral corruptions within it. The 95 theses were, thus, 95 points for dialogue with the church. It was the church that excommunicated Luther, deciding, as it would appear, that there would be no such dialogue.

Well, just this morning I was reading over a document that was written about ten years ago by several prominent ministers and theologians in the wake of ECT (Evangelicals and Catholics Together), which offered 7 (not 95, thankfully) points for dialogue between Evangelicals and Roman Catholics. And rather than post these to the door in Wittenberg, I thought the internet will just have to do! Here goes...

RESOLUTIONS for Roman Catholic & Evangelical Dialogue
Drafted by J.I. Packer and Michael Horton
The following statements of evangelical belief are offered as material for dialogue between Roman Catholics and Evangelicals, following from the recent document, "Evangelicals and Catholics Together..."

We...offer this response in a spirit of irenic debate on issues arising from that important joint statement. As that document was crafted to encourage cooperation on the basis of a consensus deemed sufficient for the purpose, though confessionally incomplete, so the following statements seek to identify issues of concern to evangelical Protestants that the thrust of the document raises. What follows is intended to encourage further discussion of the possibilities and problems of acting together.

1. While both Evangelicals and Roman Catholics affirm the ecumenical Creeds [i.e., Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, etc.], we do not see this catholic consensus as a sufficient basis for declaring that agreement exists on all the essential elements of the Gospel.

2. The doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone has since the Reformation been acknowledged by mainstream Protestants as "the article by which the church stands or falls," and the tenet that distinguishes a true from a false church. While affirming an indissoluble bond between justification and sanctification, this doctrine insists that justification itself is God's present forensic declaration of pardon and acceptance, and that the righteousness required for this declaration is neither attained by human effort nor infused or worked internally by God in the human soul, but is the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to those who believe. The Council of Trent anathematized [i.e., placed under curse] those who embrace this doctrine, and all subsequent magisterial declarations, including those of the Second Vatican Council, continue to bind Roman Catholics to the conviction that this Gospel of free justification by faith alone, apart from works, and the assurance of salvation that springs from it, is not consonant with Roman Catholic teaching. While gladly noting in modern Roman Catholic exposition a growing emphasis on Christ and the biblical promises as objects of faith and trust, we see justification by faith alone as an essential of the Gospel on which radical disagreement continues, and we deny the adequacy of any version of the Gospel that falls short at this point.

3. Furthermore, while rejoicing in our agreement that God in the Gospel offers salvation in Christ to all who will receive it, we radically disagree with the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that unbelievers may be saved by their good works, apart from faith in Christ.

4. The extent of the creedal consensus that binds orthodox Evangelicals and Roman Catholics together warrants the making of common cause on moral and cultural issues in society. Roman Catholics and Evangelicals have every reason to join minds, hearts, and hands when Christian values and behavioral patterns are at stake. Yet it is incorrect to regard such cooperation among Christians as common ecclesial action in fulfilling a common ecclesial mission. The mission of the church as such is primarily the fulfilling of the Great Commission of Christ through the ministry of Word and sacraments, and cultural, moral, political and social concerns in which Christians rightly engage must not be thought to determine the relationship of ecclesial communions, or allowed to become decisive in the setting of their respective agendas.

5. We affirm that Christ's prayer for unity requires vigilant patience and diligence as we seek a greater visible unity. We deny that this prayer refers merely to the spiritual or invisible church. We further affirm that the unity we seek is shaped, bonded, and controlled by the teaching of the canonical Scripture, the written Word of God, comprising the Law and the Gospel in its message of reconciliation with God and new life in Christ. To this Word the church must submit and by it must correct its understandings, so that its unity will be a unity in truth. The Roman Catholic Church claims to be graced with an infallibility that attaches to conciliar declarations and Papal pronouncements ex cathedra, such that these are in principle irreformable, and must be treated as decisive guides to the theological interpretation of the Bible. We deny that the defined doctrines of the church's infallibility, Papal primacy, justification according to [the Council of] Trent, transubstantiation and eucharistic sacrifice, and the immaculate conception and assumption of Mary, can be proved from Scripture, and we cannot accept any form of joint action that appears to imply agreement with them. Also, we deny that visible unity has been or can be achieved where a common confession of the Gospel in all its essential elements is lacking.

6. We affirm that individual Roman Catholics who for whatever reason do not self-consciously assent to the precise definitions of the Roman Catholic Magisterium regarding justification, the sole mediation of Christ, the relation between faith and the sacraments, the divine monergism of the new birth, and similar matters of evangelical conviction, but who think and speak evangelically about these things, are indeed our brothers and sisters in Christ, despite Rome's official position. We perceive that the Roman Catholic Church contains many such believers. We deny, however, that in its present confession it is an acceptable Christian communion, let alone being the mother of the faithful; to whom every believer needs to be related.

7. We affirm that the Great Commission of our Lord requires every Christian and every congregation to be engaged in witness for Christ, and that this is concerned not merely with conversion, but with the catechesis, nurture, and discipline of converts. Therefore, we deny that it is advisable to imply that whether one is in a church where the Word is rightly preached and the sacraments are rightly (that is, biblically) administered is no longer important; and we insist that every Christian, Roman Catholic no less than Protestant, needs regular exposure to accurate, Christ-centered preaching and exposition of the Bible.

Comments?

"O Canada" and Camp Hope

This week we have a large group in town from Canada, part of them are from British Columbia and the other part are from Ontario. Both are here representing Word & Deed Ministries, which is itself based in Ontario. Word & Deed has been a HUGE supporter of ours since the hurricane. In addition to the generous financial support they have given us, they have also prayed for us, written two articles in their widely-circulated newsletter about us, and sent down FIVE teams of volunteers (including the current one) to help us! What an encouragement! And from people we really had no connection with at all before Katrina.

Well, last night (blogger seems not to have been working last night, so my comments had to wait until this morning), we all met together for dinner, Bible study, and singing...and, oh, what singing there was too! For those of you who missed last night, you missed it (profound statement, I realize). The singing was absolutely divine. It was like hanging out in the "suburbs of heaven" for an evening, to borrow a phrase from dear, old Samuel Rutherford. One thing I have to say for our northern brothers and sisters, THEY CAN SING! Okay, I'll give them two things: they can also work! Talk about "Protestant work ethic." What a testimony to the Lord. We look forward to the next Canadian team coming down and, in the meantime, let's practice up on our singing!

Update on downtown church property

I recently was asked to give an update on the status of our downtown church property. So, here goes...

As of today, we have received several "soft" offers to buy our property but, so far, have received no firm offers in writing, such as would allow us to come before the congregation for a decision (which, by the way, will have to happen before the property can be sold). The property is not currently listed for sale, and there are no plans in the works to do so. We have been told that FEMA will be tearing down the small office building behind the sanctuary, since that building is on a separate deed and "qualifies" for this free service. There is no definite time schedule yet as to when this will happen. As far as the main sanctuary, classrooms, and fellowship hall, there are no plans to demolish them at the present time.

If and when we, as a congregation, do decide to sell or to demolish the property, we will be sure to have a special service on site beforehand.

As far as our new property goes, we hope to submit our application to the Corps of Engineers in Mobile sometime within the next few weeks (we are gathering the necessary info they will need). Once we submit this application, we are told that it could be four months before we know anything back from them. Please be in prayer for the church and for this process. And let me know if there are any questions or concerns at any time.

Gulfport Gridiron, Bama Again

For the second week in a row, our speaker at Gridiron was an Alabama man. And for the second week in a row, I can say that, in spite of that fact (which is no small thing, considering the verbal abuse I, as an Auburn man, had to endure both weeks from both speakers!), I have to admit that it was an excellent evening. John Croyle, of Big Oak Ranch, in Gadsden, AL, spoke tonight. John played in the early '70s for Bear Bryant and was part of Alabama's 1973 National Championship team. And his son, Brodie, also played quarterback for Alabama (and, now, the Kansas City Chiefs) from 2003-5.

John spoke passionately and movingly about his work with children at Big Oak Ranch. He told us that our children are themselves looking for a hero and challenged us to be that hero in their lives by living according to three "Ps." They are as follows,

Prepare. John encouraged us to invest our lives in preparing our children for the future. He reminded us that there is no such thing as "self-made men." Everyone got a break somewhere or was helped along the way to become what they are today. Everyone of us had role models or mentors.
Purpose. John also encouraged us to be men whose lives are purpose-driven. We are not to be "wandering generalities" but men who know what we are about and who live accordingly. We need to pass this along to our children.
Passion. The third thing John encouraged us to be is passionate about what we do and about what we believe. He said that one of the distinguishing characteristics of Coach Bryant was that he chose young men to play for him who were motivated men. Coach Bryant, he indicated, was not so much a motivater as a director or steerer of men who were themselves motivated.

John Croyle is an outspoken Christian, who seeks to teach the young men and women he takes in about the transforming love of Jesus Christ. He has "raised" over 1600 children since he opened his ranch. Join me in praying for John's family and ministry.

Playing the Man

This past Sunday in our Inquirer's Class, we looked at the history of the Christian church from Jesus through the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century (insert audible gasps here...yes, we really covered over 1500 years of church history in about 40 minutes!). When we got to the Reformation, we mentioned the influence that John Calvin had upon John Knox, who was in Geneva because of the persecution in England that was initiated by the Roman Catholic Queen, Mary Tudor (a.k.a. "Bloody Mary," the eldest daughter of the notorious Henry VIII).

Upon ascending to the throne in 1553, Mary began to undo many of the reforms that her half-brother Edward VI had initiated. Two prominent "protestant" bishops under Edward, Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer, were arrested by Mary and summarily tried and burned at the stake in Oxford this very week 451 years ago. They were executed because they were seeking to reform the church and to bring it in line with what the Bible has to say.

In the midst of the fire, Latimer turned to Ridley, who was suffering greatly, and said: "Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle by God's grace, in England, as I trust never shall be put out."

As it turns out, Hugh Latimer was right. Their martyrdoms only served to intensify the people's zeal for reform in the church. And Mary was "forced" to initiate a series of ferocious attacks on the newly reforming church in which over 200 men, women, and children were killed for their convictions. Mary's tirade began on October 21, 1555.

Biblical Principles of Giving

Since this month is Stewardship Month, I wanted to re-emphasize what the Bible has to say about how we give to the church. Below are 10 principles gleaned from Scripture. They are by no means intended to be exhaustive. There is a lot more that could (and probably should) be said.

1. The Old Testament states that we are to tithe (literally, to give 10% of) our yearly produce each year (Deut. 14:22. Cf. Gen. 14:20; Lev. 27:30-31; Num. 18:21, 24, 26).

2. Failing to give this 10% is unambiguously called "stealing from God" in Malachi 3:8-9.

3. The tithe is to be given to the "storehouse," i.e., to the "house of God" (Malachi 3:10; Nehem. 10:37-9), the main place you are fed spiritually.

4. The tithe is to be used to support those who work full-time in serving the "house of God," to care for widows and orphans and the needy in our community, and to feed and care for the congregation as a whole (Deut. 12:17-18; Deut. 14:22-8).

5. As we move from the Old Testament to the New Testament, we do not see a principle of restriction or of limitation but one of expansion (i.e., prophecy expands to fulfillment; the covenant expands from Jews only to Jews and Gentiles; etc.). Thus, we would expect to find that the OT teaching on the tithe is not restricted or even overturned in the NT but, rather, expanded upon. We would also expect, therefore, 10% should be a minimum amount for the Christian.

6. Jesus states that Christians should tithe as scrupulously as the Pharisees, who even tithed their mint, cumin, and dill (Matt. 23:23), but without ignoring the weightier matters of the law, as the Pharisees did.

7. The NT locates our example in giving in the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul says, in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." If, therefore, we really understand grace and the way in which Christ gave, we should have little difficulty in giving as the Macedonians, who gave "beyond their ability" (2 Cor. 8:3).

8. Tithing should not be a drudgery; it ought to be an offering that proceeds from a joyful heart (Deut. 12:18; Deut. 14:26; 2 Cor. 8:2; 2 Cor. 9:7). This does not mean that it won't cost you; quite obviously, it will. But, as King David once said, how can we offer God a sacrifice that costs us nothing (2 Sam. 24:24).

9. In some of the most astonishing words in Scripture, God commands us to test Him by tithing to see if He will not "open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need" (Mal. 3:10). This is the only time in the Bible where we are encouraged to put the God of this universe to the test! And though this is not a "health and wealth" promise, it is surely financial to some degree.

10. The NT states principially that it is impossible for Christians to out-give God: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give....And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Cor. 9:6, 8).

Camp Hope Gathering

Tonight we had yet another great time together at Camp Hope amid all the rain. We talked about hope and the relationship between it and true freedom, the freedom we have in Christ alone. What an encouragement to sup with teams of volunteers from Kansas and Virginia and with a few of the homeowners we are helping! The show of support from our brothers and sisters around the country continues to amaze me. We had one homeowner that just couldn't stop thanking us for our help. Pray for her. She has been struggling since the hurricane with a damaged house that has been broken into three times! Pray for her and others like her who need to experience the freedom that is found only in Christ.

Gulfport Gridiron

As much as it agonizes me to admit it, I thoroughly enjoyed tonight's Gridiron Club meeting in Gulfport. Now, before you jump to conclusions, let me be quick to point out that I thoroughly enjoy Gridiron every week. What made tonight so different was that the speaker was an Alabama man. And that is what makes enjoying the evening agonizing! (BTW, for those of you who may not know, I am kidding......well, for the most part anyway!)

Tonight, Jay Barker spoke and did a wonderful job too. Jay, as many of you will remember, played quarterback for Alabama from '91 through '94 (which includes the national championship they won in '92). But, more significant than that for me (which, admittedly, is not saying much for an Auburn fan, because almost anything would be more significant than that!), is that Jay is an outspoken, committed Christian. Tonight, he challenged us as men to strive to be champions in our lives. He used that word (champion) as an acrostic to highlight 8 characteristics that he believes it takes to be a champion. And I wanted to share them with you in order to challenge you as well:

C - Committed to Excellence. A champion is committed; he/she doesn't quit. And he/she always gives their best and expects others to do the same.
H - Humble. A champion is humble. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
A - Attitude. A champion has a winning attitude at all times and always looks for the best in himself/herself and in others.
M - Motivates. A champion motivates others to be and do their best at all times.
P - Prepared. The difference between a champion and a failure is not the will to win but the will to prepare to win. Everyone wants to win.
I - Integrity. Champions operate with integrity in every area of their lives.
O - Opportunities to Serve. A champion doesn't live for himself/herself but looks for opportunities to serve others, to influence others for good, and to make this world a better place.
N - Never Compromises. Champions never compromise their convictions or their families just to get ahead. The divorce courts are full of successfull businessmen and women.

Thanks for the reminder, Jay! I, for one, am thankful for your commitment to Christ, your family, and the church.

The fleetingness of life

With yesterday's plane crash in New York City, we were all once again graphically reminded that life is fleeting. No matter how long we think we may have on this earth, we are never guaranteed a tomorrow. As the psalmist says, "Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow" (Psalm 144:4, NIV). One moment, Cory Lidle, a 34-year old pitcher for the New York Yankees, was on top of the world, playing the game he loves in the playoffs for one of the best baseball teams in the league, and the next moment he is dead and all that is gone.

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field....The grass withers and the flowers fall, but [it is] the word of our God [that] stands forever" (Isaiah 40:6b, 8, NIV).

Let us not be so preoccupied with the here and now of our lives that we neglect the things that are really and eternally important, namely, being right with God through faith in Jesus Christ and growing in that faith by growing in our knowledge and understanding of His Word, which alone stands forever.

A Night with Graham Presbyterian Church!

We had yet another great evening together with folks from the Graham Presbyterian Church in Graham, NC. These dear brothers and sisters have truly been an encouragement to our church over the last year. They have supported us with their finances and with their prayers. They have encouraged us with personal letters sent to many of our ladies, oftentimes arriving (providentially) just when they were needed most. They even held a special musical concert at their church earlier in the year to benefit our congregation and the work we are doing through Camp Hope. What a blessing! What a reminder of the unity of Christ's Church and the fellowship we look forward to sharing in heaven with them and many, many like them! Join us in praying that Christ will be praised by the world knowing that we are Christians through this kind of love expressed one for another.

Stewardship and the Reformation

As many of you know, this month at FPC is "stewardship month," the month of the year in which we talk about what the Bible has to say about how we manage the gifts God gives to us. The first four Sundays of this month I will be preaching from Malachi, Dv, and looking at topics that relate to stewardship in general. We've already looked at "Stewardship of our Attitude towards God" and "Stewardship of Church and Family." This Sunday, we'll be talking about the dreaded "M" word (Money, in case you were wondering) in a "Stewardship of our Finances." More to follow on this soon...

For the final Sunday of the month, however, so-called Reformation Sunday, we will switch gears and look at a topic that is particularly related to Reformation theology. And, of course, we will sing "A Mighty Fortress is Our God!"

Speaking of Reformation Sunday, I came across the following quote from the Puritan Richard Baxter on the topic, which I thought you would enjoy:

"Alas! Can we think that the reformation is wrought, when we cast out a few ceremonies, and changed some vestures, and gestures, and forms! Oh no, sirs! It is the converting and saving of souls that is our business. That is the chiefest part of reformation, that doth most good, and tendeth most to the salvation of the people."

Jonathan Edwards' Birthday

Today in 1703, the greatest "American" theologian Jonathan Edwards was born in East Windsor, Connecticut. Edwards is perhaps best known for his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," which has been read by school children the world over. For me, the two most significant works he wrote were his A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections and Freedom of the Will. And, of course, it is nice to point out that his understanding of the affections was influenced to some degree by his reading of Samuel Rutherford's Survey of the Spiritual AntiChrist. Shortly before his death, Edwards became the third president of Princeton, only to die a month or so later of a smallpox vaccination.

Camp Hope Tonight!

I have just returned from yet another glorious evening at Camp Hope. We looked at that fabulous passage in 1 John 2:1-2 and then sung and prayed together. What a night!

This week, we have one large team of volunteers in from Lexington, NC, folks that are near and dear to our hearts. Most of these men and women have been here before, some as many as five times since the hurricane. Their church, Meadowview Reformed Presbyterian Church, was among the first churches to call me on the phone and pledge their financial support, their prayer support, and streams of volunteers. The first team they sent down arrived the second week after the hurricane. I still remember standing on the front porch of Tim and Libby Murr's house (our base of operations for just about everything at that time) and meeting these guys for the first time. Emotions were still quite raw then. We stood shoulder to shoulder and arm in arm and prayed, giving thanks to the Lord for His Church. Since then they have helped several of our members and others in the community as well to get back into their homes. We are grateful for these brothers and sisters and their tangible expression of God's hesed (Hebrew word often translated "lovingkindness;" it refers to God's covenant love by which He doggedly pursues His people and refuses to let us go).

The Sands of Time Are Sinking

A fantastic conversation I had with a friend today about heaven prompted me to think of this hymn, which will be familiar to some of you. To my shame, we have not yet sung it in worship (some of my friends will be aghast at this!). Though the words to this hymn were written by Anne Cousin, the wife of a Free Church of Scotland minister in the nineteenth century, they are based upon and drawn largely from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford (the man I did my Ph.D. on--now you know why some of my friends will be shocked that we haven't sung it!). Rutherford's last words, as he lay dying in 1661, were reputedly: "Glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel's land!" I wanted to share the hymn with you as encouragement.

The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of heaven breaks, the summer morn I've sighed for, the fair sweet morn awakes; dark, dark hath been the midnight, but day-spring is at hand, and glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel's land.

The King there in his beauty without a veil is seen; it were a well-spent journey though seven deaths lay between: the Lamb with his fair army doth on Mount Zion stand, and glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel's land.

O Christ, he is the fountain, the deep sweet well of love! The streams on earth I've tasted, more deep I'll drink above: there to an ocean fulness his mercy doth expand, and glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel's land.

The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bride-groom's face; I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of grace; not at the crown he gifteth, but on his pierced hand: the Lamb is all the glory of Emmanuel's land.

Amen!