samedi 24 mars 2012

Different views of atonement... they exist...

One should actually consider themselves blessed if they simply assume the Bible teaches Jesus taking the wrath of the Father on himself on our behalf. It has come to my attention that there is an increasing (re)interest in the view that this view of atonement, that is, penal substitution, is not a Biblical view.

It’s true that before the Reformation the fledgling church primarily viewed the events at Calvary as some sort of ransom paid to the devil to buy us back (versus the more contemporary Evangelical emphasis on Christ paying the debt owed to God incurred by our moral disobedience). This “ransom view” of atonement has been formulated by Gustaf Aulen for the modern context titled “Christus Victor,” or Christ the Victor, typically emphasized by more liberal or charismatic groups. The view underscores the power of Christ over the devil, the destructive effects of sin, and overall redemption within the fallen world - things I’m all gungho about.

However, it becomes worrisome when one denies the reconciliation that took place on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Romans 3:24-25, Hebrews 2:17-18, Galatians 3:13, Matthew 26:28, John 10:11-15). For every proof text I supply, there’ll be some argument in opposition, so I simply urge readers to investigate these views and come to a conclusion themselves. I have a bias for J.I. Packer’s argument for penal substitution, so I recommend that reading.

mardi 20 mars 2012

Mom perusing through my Facebook

“You definitely got fatter in LA. This is very good.”

“Where is Daphne Kim? Did that Jessica girl like the book you gave her?”

“In that video, you cannot be dancing in the street. Police are so strict nowadays and-… (insert long rant on criminal public policy).”

“Waiwai, you are a woman on your Facebook? I think a lot of guys will get the wrong idea. Whatever you want.”

samedi 17 mars 2012

On listening to sermons

I think another mark of sanctification is getting excited when the truth is preached faithfully and, well, truthfully during a sermon. No matter how dry the sermon might be delivered, something inside you screams “Amen!” when dat scripture is getting explained correctly. Because at some point during your walk, you realize there are false teachers out there, and quite a few of them! So we praise the LORD that we are given ears to hear him and no one else (John 10:4-5). 1 Corinthians 13:6 cannot have it any other way.

The point of prayer

is not only to bend our knees but bend our wills.

vendredi 16 mars 2012

Badly wanting to change the past is ultimately sin

An interesting Asian drama series-esque scenario played in my mind during Spring Break. Guy and girl are lovers but the girl dies of terminable disease. The cure is found some years later and the guy is given the chance to bring it back into the past. But just how far back? He finds himself having to repeat his life starting from 3rd grade. He is careful to recreate every scene and interaction the way he remembers - while comically avoiding some regrettable pitfalls! Maybe salvaging a relationship with estranged parents or setting a better example for friends of his.

Anyways, it’s pretty romantic. The whole time he is filled with the hope of the fated encounter with the girl, making sure to muster the correct amount of confidence and coyishness upon first contact. The rest of the script is arbitrary. The time is nigh and perhaps the girl doesn’t show up, the camera now shooting through scenes where the sum total of his changes to the past causes an impossibility in intersection. Or maybe they meet: she’s on a hospital bed while he, now an MD, can administer the dosage of cure reserved specifically for her. aw.

Not really important. But I think it highlights a desire a lot of people feel, which can get out of hand and consume oneself. Can we trust God with irreversible actions? How can we when he ordains really really hard trials on his children?

It’s all about that Jesus. The greatest evil ever permitted was the killing of a sinless God-man. Not only killed, Jesus infinitely felt the pain of loneliness while he hung on the cross by being disconnected from the once-tethered Godhead, let alone suffer the Father’s full wrath for the sins of the elect (Hebrews 4:15, John 17:5, 1 Peter 2:24). The result of such a disaster: a new hope and glory for man to finally meet his maker in an embrace rather than deserved punishment (John 17:24).

We can trust God in our suffering. I will close with an encouraging passage from Tim Keller’s King’s Cross:

“The resurrection means we can look forward with hope to the day our suffering will be gone. But it even means that we can look forward with hope to the day our suffering will be glorious. When Jesus shows the disciples his hands and his feet, he is showing them his scars.

Why is this important? Because now that they understand the scars, the sight and memory of them will increase the glory and joy of the rest of their lives. Seeing Jesus Christ with his scars reminds them of what he did for them - that the scars they thought had ruined their lives actually saved their lives. Remembering those scars will help many of them endure their own crucifixion.

On [the Day of the Lord] the same thing will happen to your own hurts and sadness. You will find that the worst things that have ever happened to you will in the end only enhance your eternal delight. … The joy of your glory will be that much greater for every scar you bear.”

Our God is awesome, can’t wait to see him!

Knowing God, Chapter 20: Thou Our Guide

A summary of this chapter from J.I. Packer’s book, provided by good study guide publishers right in my crib of Ellicott City, MD!

It is one thing to know what God has called you to do and quite another thing to actually do it. Many of us say if we only knew what God wanted we would do it. Would we; or is that a convenient excuse to avoid dealing with what we already know we need to be doing and aren’t? I have some seminal advice: do what you know to do and when you run out of those challenges then you can tell me that you wish God would tell what you are supposed to do.

dimanche 11 mars 2012

Gah school again

Passing friend on Locust:

“Hey Willis!”

“Hey! I’m good!” (overanticipates “How are you?”)

I will now flee from face-to-face conversation over the next week.

Spring Break 2012 @the west coast