FEAR NOT

When Jesus first used Peter's fishing boat as an impromptu pulpit and then commanded him to put down his nets for a catch, the haul was so large that the nets began to tear under the weight.

What happened next seems to be the climax of the story. And perhaps the most significant aspect was what did not happen.

Note carefully: It was not that Peter asked to follow Jesus - only to have Jesus respond, "Depart from me, for you are a sinful man".

No, it was the exact opposite. 

Peter fell on his knees and pleaded with Jesus, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man" ... only to have Jesus invite him to follow. (Luke 5:8) In fact, Jesus promised to put Peter to work as a "fisher of men". 

After the very first sin, it was Adam who hid from God.

Not vice versa. 

Jesus told Peter, "Fear not". 

DIRT OR DUST?

Certain preachers (especially those of the Calvinist persuasion) paint humanity as dirt - foul and worthless.

Certainly not something to be loved. But something to be disdained. And punished. Avoided, maybe, too.

Even from birth.

Voddie Baucham likes to say that babies are "vipers in diapers". 

And his audience laughs and applauds.

He speaks this way of Yahweh's image-bearers!

The ones whom He made "a little lower than the angels" and then "crowned ... with glory and honor". (Psalm 8:5)

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, King David reminded God's people:

"As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are dust." (Psalm 103:13-14)

God doesn't see dirt when He looks at us. 

He sees dust. 

And that's not to say He sees us as filthy and disposable. 

It means He sees us as fragile and needing extra care.

BLESSED

So many reasons to consider myself blessed this year. But much too tired to list them all. So here's one:

Thanksgiving Day was our first full day together as a family since last May and it was a good one. Here are a couple of photos of the four siblings enjoying a ride together in Sarah's little convertible. 

Imagine that: the baby of the family driving the other 3 home from Grandma's house after a big turkey lunch! Times are a-changing.

ASYMMETRY

I came across a concept that might help explain the present state of American culture. And much of life in general. 

I heard it explained on Chris Williamson's Modern Wisdom Podcast #675.

Since this is a family-friendly blog, we shall call it The Bullsnot Asymmetry Principle.

Simply stated, the principle goes like this: 

It takes far less energy to produce bullsnot than to refute it. 

Therefore, the world is filled with unrefuted bullsnot.

When I was younger, I often wondered, if the Truth is the Truth, why does it always seem to be the minority position? 

The BS Asymmetry Principle says there will always be much more BS in this world than Truth. 

(At least until the trumpet sounds and a certain Someone comes down on the clouds.) 

[P.S. Melissa and I will head to the airport in about 30 minutes to pick up Samuel - returning from a trip to Mexico - and Caleb - on a short leave from Fort Moore, Georgia. Though unplanned, they will land within 30 minutes of each other. What are the chances? Hannah is already home, so the whole family will be together for about 3 days, starting Thanksgiving Day and we are thrilled.]

THE MORE I LEARN

I listen to theological debates on YouTube sometimes in the mornings while I exercise or get myself ready for the day.

A large part of the fascination for me is how two people can confidently hold diametrically opposed opinions, try to persuade each other ... and not gain an inch of concession.

I always end up rooting for the one who strikes me as most humble.

Albert Einstein famously said, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.”

Too many Christians seem to operate more like this: "The more I learn, the more arrogant, condescending, and dogmatic I become."

SCIENCE SET TO THE RIGHT JOB

In my dissertation I intend to put what social scientists have learned about habit formation, willpower, and self-discipline to use in helping believers achieve a healthy and consistent personal study of Scripture.

I anticipate needing to make the case that science is not opposed to faith and is not to be distrusted. 

(I know this because one of my professors already expressed reservations about my using scientific findings in this way!) 

I came across reinforcement for my approach while listening to C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity today:

"Christianity has not, and does not profess to have, a detailed political programme for applying ‘Do as you would be done by’ to a particular society at a particular moment. It could not have. It is meant for all men at all times and the particular programme which suited one place or time would not suit another. And, anyhow, that is not how Christianity works. When it tells you to feed the hungry it does not give you lessons in cookery. When it tells you to read the Scriptures it does not give you lessons in Hebrew and Greek, or even in English grammar. It was never intended to replace or supersede the ordinary human arts and sciences: it is rather a director which will set them all to the right jobs, and a source of energy which will give them all new life, if only they will put themselves at its disposal." (Emphasis mine, page 82)

Isn't it strange? If we applaud the expertise of linguists and historians and gladly use their discoveries to further our understanding of Scripture, why would we distance ourselves from the expertise of the social scientists and neurologists who can give us insight into developing the discipline needed to do that study on a regular basis?

Science is not the enemy of faith. 

It can and should be the servant of faith and "set to the right job". 

EZEKIEL IS INTERESTING!

Can anyone point me in the direction of a Calvinist sermon on Ezekiel 18?

Particularly verses 20 to 23:

20 The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.

21 But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. 22 None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Or 30 to 32: 

30 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. 31 Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?

32 For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Actually, I would love to hear ANY preaching on these verses. They seem a little problematic for lots of traditional approaches to theology. 

"Fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit" sounds rather monergistic, but with the human doing all the work rather than God! It is certainly not a verse you would want to rip from its context and build a systematic theology around.