How My Wife and I Are Changing Our Devotional Times

My wife and I are changing the way that we do devotions together. For one, we want to be more faithful in actually reading the Scriptures and praying through them. With two young children, ministry, and a host of other things we have had a difficulty blocking out time to spend together in the Word.

Secondly, we have developed an unhealthy pattern. We have a tendency to bond in negative things. This means that when we interact with the Scriptures we talk more about how we blow it than we rejoice in the provision of Christ to meet our weaknesses. I have not led well in making our devotions life-giving.

I want this to change.

For an undetermined amount of time we are going to study the Scriptures for the sole purpose of worshipping together. No questions. No focusing on our sins or successes. Simply worship. With every text we are going to make it our aim to feast on the beauty of God.

This practice is largely inspired by this quote by John Newton.

“I hope what you find in yourself by daily experience, will humble you—but not discourage you.

For if our Physician is almighty—our disease cannot be desperate. Our sins are many—but His mercies are more. Our sins are great—but His righteousness is greater. When our sins prevail, remember that we have an Advocate with the Father, who is able to pity, to pardon, and to save to the uttermost!

It is better to be admiring the compassion and fullness of grace which is in our Savior—than to dwell and pore too much upon our own poverty and vileness.”

Pray for us. Pray that the Lord would cause us to worship together, and that he would give us eyes to see Him.

The Trembling Hands of an African Blasphemer

I found myself deeply moved earlier this week upon reading the diary of John Newton. Newton has become a dear friend of mine and there was something deeply moving about reading his diary, from his own pen, near the end of his life. Here is a selection:

That is barely legible. By this time Newton has almost totally lost his eye sight and his memory is quickly fading. If one reads his diary from the the 1770’s you see the diary of a man with good penmanship, able to express deep and poetic thoughts. It is everything but this in 1804.

Why bother with journaling when you are nearly blind?

The answer is found in piecing together the scribbling of Newton in the above selection. His first line reads: “Though I cannot write, I can pray and praise”. This was (I believe) his birthday. Towards the end of the his life he only wrote in this diary on special anniversaries: the anniversary of his physical birthday, his spiritual birthday, and his wedding anniversary. And every time Newton praises. He kept writing because he believed that while the lips of the “African blasphemer” could still move he was to praise the Lord for His goodness.

Secondly, Newton wrote in the above selection, “I hope some may be benefited by my lispings”. Until the day of his death Newton wanted to praise God and help people. Perhaps this is why some 200 years later an associate pastor in Indiana is still benefiting from his life and labors.

This is why I found myself deeply moved. I can picture Newton with faint eyes and trembling hands dipping his pen in ink because whatever energy he had left he wanted it to be spent on praising God and helping people. I want to be this type of pastor. This type of man.

May I never stop being enamored at what the Lord has done for me. If the Lord tarries and I’m granted old age, I pray that my trembling hands are used to praise God and help people.

Is It Enough to Just Speak the Truth?

On the day of his first public service at St. Mary Woolnoth, John Newton explained to his hearers the truths that would inform his gospel ministry. They are evangelical and gospel-centered as to be expected with on like Newton. One thing, however, that I believe sets Newton apart as an exemplary example for us to follow. He believed that just speaking truth was not the whole of his duty:

But the cause of truth itself may be discredited by improper management; and, therefore, the Scripture which furnishes us with subject-matter for our ministry, and teaches us what we are to say, is equally explicit as to temper and spirit in which we are to speak. Though I had the knowledge of all mysteries, and the tongue of an angel to declare them, I could hope for little acceptance or usefulness, unless I was to speak “in love”.

I believe Newton is correct. Just speaking truthfully—even eloquently--about the great mysteries of our faith is not sufficient. Certainly the Lord is powerful and convert sinners using even the weakest means. But the apostolic method of preaching/pastoring/leading/living is to speak the truth in love. Both are necessary.

“Loving” people without speaking truth is a sham. At the same time, speaking truth without loving people is a mockery of Christ our example.

How Would You Like This Résumé?

How would you like to have this on your résumé?

• Wrote a best-selling book
• Wrote arguably the most popular hymn of all time
• Faithfully married to your sweetheart for 40 years
• Pastor a growing church for 15 years
• Pastor a thriving church in the largest city in the country
• Instrumental in ending the slave trade
• Wrote hundreds of letters that are still being read today

That is only a small portion of what John Newton could write. He could also list the names of William Wilberforce, William Cowper, Hannah More, and a host of others of whom he was influential in their life. Newton was also a key behind the scenes influence on the modern missionary movement. His influence is still be uncovered even in our day.

One might be tempted to having a life and ministry similar to that of Newton. Reading his writings makes me want to drink deeply from the well that is Christ. I further want to make an impact for the kingdom as Newton did. You might say that part of me seeks great things.

All of these accomplishments happened to John Newton after 1764 (save for his marriage to Polly). Listen to a somewhat discouraged Newton in 1761:

My comfort is comprised in this one sentence—“I know whom I have believed”. I know that Jesus is mighty to save; I have seen myself lost in every view—but the hope of his mercy; I have fled to him for safety; I have been preserved by him thus far; and I believe he will keep that which I have committed to him even to the end. Blessing and honor, and glory and praise, be to his name, who has loved poor sinners, and washed them in his most precious blood! Amen.

For the rest, alas! alas! I am unfaithful and unprofitable to a degree you would hardly believe; yet, vile as I am, I taste of his goodness every day, and live in hope, that in his own time he will enable me to show forth his praise. I have been much exercised with respect to the ministry; my heart is led that way—but the Lord's hand keeps me in; I need much humbling; there is that in me which seeks great things, though I am, as I said, sadly unfaithful in small ones; therefore, for my pride, I am set aside for the present.

In the early 1750’s Newton felt a tug to pursue vocational ministry. Finally in 1757 he applied to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England. He was not met with willing arms. He was met with denial. This is why Newton says, “I am set aside for the present”. The above quote was written in 1761. It wouldn’t be until 1764 that Newton was finally ordained.

Most of us would desire Newton’s resume. Less are as willing to embrace the humbling. In 1761 Newton was learning the lesson of being faithful in the small things. What is interesting is that this seemed to be the call of his entire life. Most of the things on that resume were thrust upon him. A good portion of them came as a result of him just being faithful in the small things and the Lord gave them increase.

Newton is drinking deeply from the fountain of Jesus. He believes that if the Lord sees fit he will eventually “enable me to show forth his praise”. Until that time Newton knows that he needs to be faithful in the small things and rest in the Lord’s unending grace.

Résumés like Newton’s seldom come without an equal catalog of humbling.

Why the Calvinism Discussion Matters

Last week Dave Miller posted a great article with the hopes of outlining what a productive discussion of Calvinism would require. For the most part I’m in agreement with David Rogers who said in a comment, “Calvinism schmalvinism. I never have understood why we get so hung on this one…I like your suggestions, Dave, but I will probably check out of any new round of Calvinism debate marathons.”

Entering into another season of Calvinism discussions is about as appealing as repeatedly whacking myself in the head with a hammer.

I’m fatigued by unhelpful debates about all things Calvinism/Traditionalism etc. I’m not clear of guilt myself. Though I hit “cancel reply” far more than I actually post a comment, even still I’m not immune to leaving a comment I wish I hadn’t. I’d say that my fatigue has even shown in some posts that I’ve written.

A good part of me wants to only write an article that shows why this Calvinism discussion doesn’t matter and we all ought to just move on. (That article will be posted later today). Yet I do believe that Calvinism matters. I don’t think it’s just some tertiary issue that has no bearing on the Christian life.

I don’t want to surrender the truth of Calvinism. I say that not for the sake of some “ism” but because I believe that it best describes how God saves sinners. You can call it Billy-Bobism for all I care. The name means little. What matters to me is a theology that unblushingly proclaims that God saves sinners. At its core I believe that God revealing how He has saved us is for our joy and comfort and His glory.

If God has revealed Himself to us in this fashion for our comfort far be it from me to say that it doesn’t matter. So in one sense Calvinism does matter. I believe it leads to greater joy and comfort for us and greater glory for the Lord. I believe it is the truth of Scripture and as such it needs to be embraced.

But at the end of the day you can’t make someone swallow it. God can change affections, I cannot. God can mold us to truth, I cannot. Therefore, I want to pursue this balance that John Newton spoke of:

I allow that every branch of gospel truth is precious, that errors are abounding, and that it is our duty to bear an honest testimony to what the Lord has enabled us to find comfort in, and to instruct with meekness such as are willing to be instructed; but I cannot set it my duty, nay, I believe it would be my sin, to attempt to beat notions into other people’s heads.

Later today I’ll show in what way this discussion doesn’t matter…

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If you dig this article you may also like this one: What Should a Newtonian Calvinist Say in a Pastoral Interview?

Singing to the Deaf

Yesterday I looked at the Mystery of “God Moves in Mysterious Ways”. In my research for this I read through John Piper’s biography of William Cowper again. There was a statement that Piper used that came alive to me. One of his section headings reads: Never Cease to Sing the Gospel to the Deaf.

Piper writes,

Let us rehearse the mercies of Jesus often in the presence of discouraged people. Let us point them again and again to the blood of Jesus…Don’t make your mercy to the downcast contingent on quick results. You cannot persuade a person that he is not reprobate if he is utterly persuaded that he is. He will tell you he is deaf. No matter. Keep soaking him in the “benevolence, mercy, goodness, and sympathy” of Jesus and “the sufficiency of the atonement” and “the fullness and completeness of [Christ’s] justification”…Pray that in God’s time these truths may yet be given the power to awaken hope and beget a spirit of adoption. (Piper, The Hidden Smile of God, 117-19)

This is what John Newton did in the life of William Cowper. Newton was very discouraged and perplexed at Cowper’s ailment. Yet he remained by his side, even at times foregoing vacation so as not to leave his dear friend alone. Newton never ceased to sing the gospel to the deaf. It took a toll in Newton too.

On one occasion Newton wrote to John Thornton of the toll it was taking on him:

Mr. Cowper’s long stay at the vicarage in his present uncomfortable state, has been upon many account inconvenient and trying. His choice of being here was quite unexpected; and his continuance is unavoidable, unless he was to be removed by force…I make myself easy by reflecting that the Lord’s hand is concerned; and I am hoping weekly for his deliverance…The Lord evidently sent him to Olney, where he has been a blessing to many, a great blessing to myself. The Lord has numbered the days in which I am appointed to wait upon him in this dark valley, and He has given us such a love to him both as a believer and as a friend, that I am not weary; but to be sure, his deliverance would be to me one of the greatest blessings my thoughts can conceive.

Why it was so taxing on Newton?

Sometimes when I read through tattered pages from days long ago I slip into a type of fairy tale thinking. People stop becoming real. John Newton becomes a hero without warts. I rejoice in the fruit of his ministry but I do not accurately reckon the toil that such fruit entails. I say things like—and will say again in a moment—that we need more pastors like John Newton. But I forget the travail that Newton must have experienced as he bled with William Cowper.

Consider this letter from Cowper and how it must have pained Newton. Keep in mind this is written in 1784. That is eleven years after Cowper’s second bout with madness (first under the watch of Newton). Now it is happening again after a brief respite. Listen as if you had received this letter from a dear friend that you had been counseling and bleeding with for years:

Loaded as my life is with despair, I have no such comfort as would result from a supposed probability of better things to come, were it once ended ... You will tell me that this cold gloom will be succeeded by a cheerful spring, and endeavour to encourage me to hope for a spiritual change resembling it—but it will be lost labour. Nature revives again; but a soul once slain lives no more ... My friends, I now expect that I shall see yet again. They think it necessary to the existence of divine truth, that he who once had possession of it should never finally lose it. I admit the solidity of this reasoning in every case but my own. And why not in my own? ... I forestall the answer:—God's ways are mysterious, and He giveth no account of His matters:—an answer that would serve my purpose as well as theirs that use it. There is a mystery in my destruction, and in time it shall be explained.

Do you hear what has happened in the mind of Cowper? His mind has become so set upon destroying him that his precious hymn written in 1773 is now darkened. “There is a mystery in my destruction, and in time it shall be explained”. He has somehow believed that the mystery of God’s ways is that he will be damned even though he is one of the elect. He theologically agrees with everything that Newton is saying but he is, as on biographer said, “utterly deaf” to “every consolatory suggest” because he had “concluded that God had rejected him”.

Yet Newton never abandoned his friend.

We Need More John Newton’s

Some would probably consider Newton’s soul care of Cowper a failure. After all he never really found healing. We like magic words that somehow fix everything. But Cowper wouldn’t be “fixed”; not on this side of Eden.

Newton couldn’t be Cowper’s savior. But he could be his friend. Though it’s a mystery and not something I would really want to write a theological dissertation on, it seems that at times the Lord calls people like John Newton to hold the hand of his friend while simultaneously holding the hand of Jesus. His dear friend was in such despair that he could no longer cry out for mercy. It seems that Newton interceded for Cowper when he was too weak to even plead for help.

Newton’s ministry to Cowper was a ministry where he continued to “sing the gospel to the deaf”. He did it as his friend not as his fixer. He loved William Cowper, madness and all. He was never a project but always a brother in Christ. To this end Newton never gave up on his friend. He pleaded for Cowper’s stake in Christ even when Cowper was confident that he had been forsaken.

Ministry success isn’t defined by the number of hands we heal but the hands we hold. Healing belongs to the Lord. Holding on is our sacred duty as fellow sojourners. We need more pastors like John Newton. Pastors that aren’t discouraged because their “projects” fail. But pastors that ache because their friends hurt. Pastors that stay and preach, and plod, and proclaim the excellencies of Christ even when it seems that we are only holding a symphony for the deaf.

Jesus is pleased with such faithful husbands, daddies, friends, and pastors. I pray that I am one.

How Our “But” Keeps Us From Obedience

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all”
Romans 12:18

Yesterday, I posted an article that was mostly a quote from John Newton on the necessity of living at peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ though we have theological differences.  It’s a really tremendous article that you should read.  I can say that because my words are only those of introduction, Newton is the one that drops the gospel bombs. 

As I was reflecting on Newton’s words, and even more the words of the apostle, my “but” voice reared its ugly head.

But certainly there is a place for intense debate and dialogue. 

But isn’t orthodoxy just as important as orthopraxy? 

But doesn’t Jesus say that He did not come to bring peace but a sword?  How can I live peaceably with all if I am proclaiming an offensive gospel?  Ahhh, yes that is why Paul said, “so far as it depends on you”.  The gospel is offensive.  Sinners don’t like the gospel.  Therefore, you can chalk their charges of abrasiveness to their hatred for the gospel. 

But Arminians are in error and an Arminian view of the gospel will inevitably harm the church.  (There, I said it).  If I believe something is in error am I not just being a good pastor to fight those that are ignorantly feeding the sheep something that will harm them?  Isn’t there a time to stand up and fight?  Even if it’s those within our own ranks. 

But those on the other side of the aisle are lobbing stink grenades at us.  They are hoisting up straw-men, torching them, and then mocking our theology.  Doesn’t truth matter anymore? 

And those of you that are more of the Arminian stripe can woundedly look at the example two paragraphs up and say But I’m offended.  How can we do NOT do battle when you say things like my theology is in error?  How can we really love one another when you think I’m wrong?

Each of those “but’s” has some legitimacy.  Truth does matter.  But just because truth matters it does not mean that our charge to live at peace with one another and not to devour each other is somehow negated.  Just because we have a “but” that we may rightly need to obey it does not let us off the hook of obeying the other truthful proposition. 

Some of us are wired to latch onto the “peace” type of verses and every time we hear a “fight” verse we throw out our “But…peace”.  Others are more geared to latch onto the “fight” verses and every time we hear a “peace” verse we throw out our “But…fight”.  Though our “but” might be true we cannot neglect the truthfulness of the other side. 

May we not let our “but” keep us from diligently pursuing obedience.

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Given the pattern of my blog, I doubt anyone will comment on the Newton article. I  pray it will be read and digested, but I seriously doubt anyone will leave a “but” type of comment.  However, because Scripture tells me to live at peace with everyone I want all readers to know that though this article will post a day or more after the previous article, it is NOT in response to any comments.  Because at present there are not any. 

One Reason You Don’t Agree With Me

In reading a letter of John Newton I came across this gem:

…he could remove every prejudice, and give equal degrees of light to all his people, so that there should be no difference among them either about doctrine or discipline.  But were this the case, their uniformity would not afford them such opportunities of approving their obedience to him, and their love to each other, as they may draw from lesser differences.  But alas! remaining corruptions, and the subtlety of Satan, operate so strongly, that the sheep of Christ think they do Him service, by worrying and tearing one another. 

In other words, while we are still living on this side of a Redeemed Eden one of the reasons that the Lord continues to allow differences amongst us is to give us an opportunity for love and obedience to Him. 

Newton then gives a horribly wonderful example of our tearing at one another in the name of defending the cause of God.

Alas, when self fights in holy armour, and the cause of our own unsanctified passions is honoured with the specious name of the cause of God and truth, then religious zeal is seen in all the sense the original bears but the good sense, and breathes forth indignation, envy, and wrath.  Then Satan is transformed into an angel of light, and men suppose themselves to be men abounding in duty, in proportion as they depart from the spirit of love, which is the chief criterion and characteristic of the religion of Jesus.

And now the illustration:

I remember a passage somewhere in ancient history, of a battle fought in the night; both parties were resolute, many were the slain and wounded on both sides, both congratulated themselves on the mischief they had done to their opponents—at length the day broke, and turned their joy into sorrow.  They then found to their confusion that their animosity had been wholly owing to fighting in the dark before they had made proper inquiry, for though they had mistaken each other for enemies, they were friends and allies, engaged in the same cause, and had been weakening each other for the advantage of the common enemy.

May we not bruise one another and strike the heel of our common Master whilst thinking that we are in the business of crushing the head of the Serpent. 

What Should Declining Shepherds Do?

In 1800 John Newton felt his body failing him.  He was almost blind, he was becoming increasingly deaf, and his mind was not as sharp as it had been.  He wrote what he thought would be his last letter to his good friend William Bull.  In the letter he asks for Bull to pray for him, saying:

I have known good men in advanced life garrulous, peevish, self-important, with some symptoms of jealousy, and perhaps envy, towards those who are upon the increase while they feel themselves decreasing. 

Newton also had hoped that once the Lord had clearly “laid him aside” that he would graciously remove himself and rejoice at others that are beginning ministry.  Though never garrulous, peevish, or any of those other loathsome vices it does appear that Newton had a difficult time stepping aside. 

In 1804 he absolutely botched the wedding of his Bull’s son Thomas.  He had to stop and start over several times.  Even on occasion having to ask the congregation what he was supposed to do next.  Yet even up until 1806 he was still preaching though everyone seemed to be encouraging him against it. 

Newton kept a very strong opinion that he could still deliver sermons.  “I cannot stop.  What! Shall the old African blasphemer stop while he can speak?”  But clearly he couldn’t still preach.  As William Bull noted, “Everybody else shakes his head and laments that he preaches at all…His understanding is in ruins, yet its very ruins are precious”. 

The old African blasphemer wanted to glorify God with every day of his life.  Even though he could barely see or even remember much he knew two things, “That I am a great sinner and Christ is a great savior”.  He desired to be a fool for Christ until the day that he died.

Honestly, I’m not sure what to take from this little historical tidbit.  Part of me wants to say that we ought to follow Newton in being absolutely spent for the glory of God.  Even if we stumble and bumble through sermons because our mind and our eyes are shot if we are desiring to glorify Christ then he’ll use broken and weak vessels. 

But the other part of me thinks that Newton should have stepped down and that he wasn’t being a very good shepherd.  If a shepherds hands are so feeble that he can barely feed his flock wouldn’t it be loving to give way to a more apt shepherd?  Is it possible that sometimes the most God glorifying thing we can do is step down and let another take our place? 

What do you think? 

The Question of Busyness

John Newton was typically a happy and joy-filled man.  He said many things such as this, “I have as little reason as any one to be weary of living, for my situation is in all points comfortable”.  That was the typical refrain of Newton’s life.  Yet in 1778 he wrote these words to his friend William Bull:

At present it is January with me — both within and without. The outward sun shines and looks pleasant — but his beams are faint, and too feeble to dissolve the frost.

So is it in my heart! I have many bright and pleasant beams of truth in my view — but cold predominates in my frost-bound spirit, and they have but little power to warm me!

I could tell a stranger something about Jesus, which would perhaps astonish him. Such a glorious person, such wonderful love, such humiliation, such a death! And then, what He is now in Himself, and what He is to His people. What a Sun! what a Shield! what a Life! what a Friend!

My tongue can run on upon these subjects sometimes, and could my heart keep pace with it — I would be the happiest fellow in the country!

Stupid creature! to know these things so well, and yet be no more affected with them!

What caused this “January within”?  I cannot help but think that it might have been the busyness that Newton commented on a few paragraphs later.  He lamented at one point that “night comes before I am ready for noon”.  Such was the cost of a growing audience for Newton.  As he also noted, “letters come that must be answered, visitants that must be received, business that must be attended to.” 

Newton, just like any other minister is prone to do, became so overwhelmed with the busyness of ministry that it caused a January in his soul.  Yet Newton never stopped.  He was seldom busy for the sake of busyness, but he rarely found himself idle.  Newton was a man that was spent for the glory of God. 

I’m left wondering how I should respond to Newton here.  I think the 21st century advice would have been for him to cut back on ministry and fight this “January within”.  Yet, I can’t help but wonder if maybe the more biblical response is to continue laboring and being spent even in spite of January.  Is it possible that the ministry the Lord has given us may actually lead to January’s instead of July?  And is there some way in which this exposes that we are but jars of clay and destitute without His Spirit? 

In Defiance of Them All

He had been working on his glorious castle for at least 10 minutes.  Not very long to me but 10 minutes is like 12 years in Isaiah time.  He had put every bit of his creativity and effort into building what was going to be the most amazing Lego castle known to man. 

His masterpiece was finally taking shape and the little master builder was beaming with joy.  Then the unthinkable happened.  The permanency and impregnability of his creation was questioned in the form of a curious little sister.  Isaiah the architect and his creation did not stand a chance as Godzilla—played masterfully by Hannah—took vengeance upon her brothers joy. 

Anyone with children knows what happened next: Godzilla was firmly rebuked by the discouraged builder as the now tear soaked Lego’s were gathered together to begin their resurrection.  As mommy and daddy set Godzilla on another mission of destruction the little architect began to recreate his castle.  He would not be stopped this castle would be built and built as it was intended to be. 

After about 5-10 more minutes of reconstruction the castle was beginning to take shape again.  Little Gehry was well on his way to fame and notoriety as the world’s greatest castle builder.  Then, without one moment of warning, the entire thing was destroyed by two rambunctious kittens reenacting their version of the Hatfield and McCoy’s. 

Getting up from this bitter betrayal would require the help of daddy.  Together we picked up the pieces and began rebuilding the castle.  Eventually, with Godzilla distracted and the Hatfield/McCoy feud moving to higher ground, the master architect completed his masterpiece*. 

A Little Help From Newton

A couple hundred years ago John Newton compared the work of Christ in our lives to a master-builder that does not stop his creation until “it appears to others as he intended it should be”.  And just as little Isaiah did, Christ finishes His work “in defiance of them all”. 

I couldn’t help but think of Isaiah’s diligence in completing his castle when I read these words from Newton:

But nothing can disappoint the heavenly Builder; nor will He ever be reproached with forsaking the work of his own hands, or beginning that which He could not or would not accomplish.  Let us therefore be thankful for beginnings, and patiently wait the event.  His enemies strive to retard the work, as they did when the Jews, by his order, set about rebuilding the temple.  Yet it was finished in defiance of them all.  (Letters of Newton, 219)

There are many **Godzilla’s within and without that seem to greatly frustrate the work of the master-builder but He is powerful enough to even make these “set-backs” resound to His glory and our good.  We would not enjoy Him as fully or as sweetly had these “rambunctious kitties” not wreaked havoc on our hearts and lives.  But as they crumble and the building stands the wisdom and splendor of the master-Builder shines more brightly. 

Brothers and sisters Christ will complete His work in defiance of them all!

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*Just to show you that you should be careful not to stretch analogies too far you ought to know that shortly after reaching the apex of his Lego career little Frank Lloyd Wright then proceeded to take his bicycle and unleash havoc upon his unsuspecting castle.  I am pretty sure the analogy breaks down at this point. 

**I should probably also mention that I do not typically refer to my beautiful little girl as Godzilla or the work of demons.  But from little Isaiah’s perspective when his creation came toppling down I think Godzilla would have been a nice response.  See how easily you can break down analogies? 

O For a Warmer Heart

Sometimes it is really helpful to read the struggles of someone that you greatly admire.  When I read of John Newton’s complaints of his own walk with the Lord it helps me to think that perhaps I am not alone in my struggle.  Seeing that Newton remained faithful throughout his life and that he is still ministering—even to associate pastors in Indiana—some 250 years later makes me think that perhaps the Lord can shine His light through a cracked vessel like me. 

I want to comment on every line of this little letter from Newton but I will refrain.  I do urge you to read through it slowly as I found great encouragement from it:

I hope you will find the Lord present at all times and in all places.  When it is so, we are at home every where; when it is otherwise, home is a prison, and abroad a wilderness.  I know what I ought to desire, and what I do desire.  I point him out to others as the all in all; I esteem him as such in my own judgment; but alas! my experience abounds with complains. 

He is my sun; but clouds, and sometimes walls, intercept him from my view.  He is my strength; yet I am prone to lean upon reeds.  He is my friend; but on my part there is such coldness and ingratitude as no other friend could bear.  But still he is gracious, and shames me with repeated multiplied goodness. 

O for a warmer heart, a more simple dependence, a more active zeal, a more sensible deliverance from the effects of this body of sin and death!  He helps me in my endeavors to keep the vineyards of others; but, alas! my own does not seem to flourish as some do around me. 

However, though I cannot say I labor more abundantly than they all, I have reason to say, with thankfulness, By the grace of God, I am what I am.  My poor story would soon be much worse, did not he support, restrain, and watch over me every minute.

Is This Helpful or Needlessly Pessimistic?

As an aging man, and one who had been a Christian for over 30 years, John Newton had this to say about his experience:

At my first setting out, indeed, I thought to be better, and to feel myself better from year to year; I expected by degrees to attain everything which I then comprised in my idea of a godly Christian. I thought my grain of grace, by much diligence and careful improvement, would, in time, amount to a pound; that pound, in a farther space of time, to a talent; and then I hoped to increase from one talent to many; so that, supposing the Lord should spare me a number of years, I pleased myself with the thought of dying rich in grace.

In other words Newton expected to grow exponentially in his faith.  You can imagine that there were various sins of the heart that Newton figured he would have conquered within 30 years time.  Not only that but there were certainly a good number of graces that Newton had hoped to “improve upon” within this time.  Yet this was what he discovered:

But, alas! these my golden expectations have been like South-Sea dreams! I have lived hitherto a poor sinner, and I believe I shall die one! Have I then gained nothing by waiting upon the Lord? Yes, I have gained, that which I once would rather have been without, such accumulated proofs of the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of my heart, as I hope, by the Lord's blessing, has, in some measure, taught me to know what I mean, when I say, "Behold I am vile!"

The core of what Newton learned was that he is more vile than he imagined.  If he stopped there this would be obviously depressing.  There is really no benefit in acknowledging our sinfulness and wretchedness if we don’t look to Christ the remedy.  Admitting human need is empty application unless God’s provision is simultaneously exalted.  And this is what Newton does:

And, in connection with this, I have gained such experience of the wisdom, power, and compassion of my Redeemer; the need, the worth, of his blood, righteousness, attention, and intercession; the glory that he displays in pardoning iniquity and sin and passing by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage—that my soul cannot but cry out, "Who is a God like unto you!"

Still, my question to use is this: Do you find Newton’s testimony here helpful or needlessly depressing?  Is he denying the image of God and work of the Spirit in his own life too much?  In his desire to exalt the work of Christ on the Cross is he at the same time casting a dark shadow on the work of the Spirit in the Christians life? 

I’m interested to read your comments…   (I’m hoping to get opinions from both sides). 

When Serpents Bite Your Granny

Perhaps the most offensive claim of the gospel is that a hate-filled cannibalistic child molester finds the same redemption and has an equal status in the eyes of God as your dear old church lovin’, bake-sale havin’, baby burpin’ granny.  The truth that there is only one way to salvation for granny and the cannibal is equally comforting and offensive.  It’s offensive to the vestiges of self-righteousness in our own heart but it is a great comfort to those acquainted with the darkness of their own hearts. 

In the late 1700’s John Newton wrote a letter to a dejected pastor that was stricken with illness and despair.  This man felt that though he had preached to many and rejoiced in seeing their having found grace he was not sure that he himself could be pardoned.  Newton did what any good pastor does to those that are in despair—he preached to him the gospel.  His counsel here is especially rich:

When the brazen serpent was erected in the wilderness, to cure those who must otherwise have died, the benefit was not restrained to those who had been bitten by the fiery serpent but once or a few times.  The worst case amongst the people was relieved as soon and as certainly as the very slightest.  The remedy was universally proposed to every person.  The application was easy; it was only, look and live.  But if a man had spent all his time in measuring or counting his wounds, instead of looking to the ordinance of God, he might have died, though the means of life were within his view.  The sense of the evil of sin is given to quicken application to Christ, and not to discourage our approach.  The Scripture has concluded all under sin, and as such we are all condemned already.  But the Gospel proclaims a free pardon to everyone who, with the eye of his mind, looks for life to him who hung upon the cross.  (Letters of John Newton, 198, emphasis mine)

If you find yourself in despair over the greatness of your sin do not spend your time counting your wounds or licking them.  Turn your eyes away from your serpent bite and fix your eyes on the blood-drenched yet resurrection healed face of Jesus.  This is the remedy whether you find yourself a cookie makin’ granny or an openly shamed sinner. 

From the Pen of Newton: Those Other Folks…

Why can’t I seem to get it? 

I look around at other believers and they seem so passionate about Jesus.  They seem to not be marked by my negativity and skepticism.  Holiness seems to come easy to them.  They don’t seem to have the desires that I have or to be privy to the battles like the ones that wage war in my fragile mind.  They seem jovial, cheerful, and together. 

Not me.

I’m broken.  I’m jaded.  My prayer life stinks.  My hope is often dashed.  I constantly proclaim the sufficiency of the gospel but I have a hard time living in it myself.  Even this little tirade is dark, morbid, and skeptical. 

Why can’t I be like those other guys?  Why do I struggle as I do? Why can’t I seem to conquer this junk, this heart that is prone to negativity? 

These other believers are amazing!  They have such a tremendous relationship with the Lord and never seem to struggle as I do.  They always seem to be in a happy and blessed frame.

To such a heart Newton replied:

I must say it is well that they do not live here; if they did, they would not know how to pity us, and we should not know how to understand them.  We have an enemy in Olney that fights against our peace, and I know not one amongst us but often groans under the warfare.  I advise you not to be troubled by what you hear of other folks experience, but keep close to the written word, where you will meet with much to encourage you, though you often feel yourself weary and heavy laden.  For my own part, I like that path best which is well beaten by footsteps of the flock, though it is not always pleasant and strewed with flowers. 

In other words, the way of believers isn’t an unhindered and constantly blessed frame.  The way of believers is marked by war, struggle, defeat, and bewilderment.  But it is a path that is trodden by many faithful believers and one that plods through the valleys with eyes to follow the Master’s sandal prints.

From the Pen of Newton: On Being a Consistent Protestant

According to John Newton, popery “has a very extensive sense”.  Newton believe that anyone that desired to confine another person to “follow his sentiments, whether to doctrine or order, is so far a papist”.  He then described a consistent thus:

Whoever encourages me to read the Scriptures, and to pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and then will let me follow the life of the Lord gives me, without being angry with me because I cannot or will not see with his eyes, nor wear his shoes, is a consistent Protestant.

One of the reasons that I love John Newton so much is because of his gracious spirit and desire to see unity within the body.  He constantly strove to encourage believers of all stripes to “love one another, bear with one another, to avoid dispute; and if they must strive, to let their strife and emulation be who shall most express the life of the Son of God in their temper and conduct”. 

If we really believe the gospel and the unity that Christ has bought for us then we have no other option than to pursue the type of unity and mindset that Newton models and exhorts us towards.  Consistent Protestantism means that we believe in the priesthood of all believers and we believe that the Spirit guides others just as much as us.  It means that we humbly acknowledge that the Christ is Lord over their lives and not us or any other “vicar of Christ”. 

From the Pen of Newton: Turning the Gospel into the Law

…it is common and easy in a dark hour to turn the gospel into a covenant of works.”  -John Newton

These words from Newton come in the context of counseling what appears to be a discouraged Joseph Symonds.  Symonds seems to be struggling with what I have experienced both in my own life and in counseling other believers in the way of the gospel. 

In dark times many believers begin to turn the gospel into law.  They chastise themselves for not being what I word term “gospely enough”.  Rather than living in the freedom that Christ has already purchased these believers despair over their imperfections, their lack of spiritual experiences, their feelings of doubt and restlessness, and their shamefully meager love for Christ.  As this despair takes root the believer can conclude that he/she must not be truly saved because he/she does not have the gospel flowing through their life as they should. 

Newton’s counsel is again solid. 

“If a fear of being deceived, a mourning under a sense of vileness, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, a sense of the evil and danger of sin, a persuasion of the preciousness and suitableness of Christ in his offices, etc; if these are not spiritual experiences, I know not what are.” 

Luther rightly said that “it is the supreme art of the devil that he can make the law out of the gospel”.  One of the most deadly things that believers can do to hinder their spiritual growth is to neuter the gospel by making it a checklist to perform rather than a Person to savor.  Newton’s very biblical counsel (See Colossians 3:1-4) is to look not on self and your level of “gospel-centrality” but to look on Christ the author and finisher of our faith. 

Evidences, as you call them, are of use in their place; but the best evidence of faith is the shutting our eyes upon our defects and our graces, and looking directly to Jesus as clothed with authority and power to save to the very uttermost. 

It’s foolish to look to yourself and try to determine whether you are gospely enough.  Don’t seek rest in your level of gospel centrality, rest in Christ.  “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God”.  Therefore, stop analyzing the dead man and exult in the hope of life that we have in Christ. 

From the Pen of Newton: Rock Stars and Heavenly Jewels

Apparently celebrity pastors and rock star Christianity are not new to our culture.  Many even in John Newton’s day struggled with the assumption that more visible and mightily used men like George Whitefield must be more pleasing to God. 

The formula is simple. 

Whitefield is a pastor, Whitfield is a successful pastor, therefore, he must be a great man in the sight of God.  Frank is a shoe-shiner, though a good shoe-shiner and a humble man that loves Jesus, still he’s a shoe-shiner, therefore, he must not be quite as great a man in the sight of God as one like Whitefield.  To this notion Newton responds:

One man, like Mr. Whitefield, is raised up to preach the gospel with success through a considerable part of the earth.  Another is called to the humbler service of sweeping the streets, or cleaning the minister’s shoes.  Now, if the latter is thankful and content in his poor station,—if he can look without envy, yea, with much love on the man that is honored,—if he can rejoice in the good that is done, or pray for the success of those whom the Lord sends,—I see not why he may not be as great a man in the sight of God as he who is followed and admired by thousands. 

His point is that God has called George Whitefield to be George Whitefield and not Frank the shoe-shiner.  Frank is not judged because or seen as unfaithful because God has not called him to be George Whitefield.  Frank is judged as a “great man in the sight of God” by his attitude and response to the lot the Lord has given to him.  Perhaps American ingenuity and the mantra we feed our kids that “in America you can be anything you want to be” has even infiltrated our views of heaven, rewards, and gospel faithfulness. 

Newton continues by imagining a quest to find the “best Christian in the land”.  He says:

…it is more than two to one we should not find the person in a pulpit, or any public office of life.  Perhaps some old woman at her wheel, or some bed-rid person, hid from the knowledge of the world, in a mud-walled cottage, would strike our attention more than any of the doctors or reverends with whom we are acquainted. 

None of this is meant to demean the faithfulness of a Whitefield.  Instead it is to exalt Frank the shoe-shiner and the grace of God in his life.  His point is simple.  “Let us not measure men, much less ourselves, by gifts or services.  One grain of grace is worth abundance of gifts”.  What really matters is our heart and our response to the situations the sovereign Lord directs us into.  Newton brings this point home by looking at in from the view point of levels of sin:

The sin of nature is equal in all; and so I think would actual sin be likewise, but for the differences made by the restraining grace and providence of God.  He is not, perhaps, in the sight of God, the greatest sinner, who has committed the most notorious acts of sin in the sight of man.  We should not judge one wolf to be fiercer than another because he had opportunity of devouring more sheep.  Any other wolf would have done the same in the same circumstances.  (emphasis mine)

We are either righteous in Jesus and stand in a position to enjoy all of His lavish gifts or we are not.  So enough talk about comparing rock stars and heavenly jewels.  Love Jesus and be content with a happy pursuit of all that He is. 

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The above quotations are from Newton’s Letter to Joseph Symonds.  The whole thing is worth a read.  It’s letter 4 when you follow this link: Eighteen Letters to a Pastor.

The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part Five

One of the first signs of healing in the life of an angry and divisive Calvinist is in the way or the frequency that he/she responds to criticism, debate, or disagreements.  A wonderful model of humble and consistent Calvinism is John Newton.  Consider his response to a “controversy”. 

The June 1772 edition of the Gospel Magazine held within its pages a letter from Omicron (which was one of Newton’s pen names). In this letter, fittingly titled On the Doctrines of Election and Final Perseverance, Newton outlined for Joseph Milner his views on these often controversial topics.

Six years later, a Methodist preacher named Nicholas Manners took up his pen to dispute Omicron’s letter. Manners “disputed Newton’s letter line by line in the controversial style of the period.”[1]

Now imagine for a moment that this took place in the twenty first century.

Imagine that you just wrote an article that was picked up by a popular blog (let’s say The Gospel Coalition). In this article you felt that you did a fair job of explaining a very difficult and controversial topic. Your tone was not demeaning. It was a balanced explanation of what you believe.

To this stellar article another brother strongly disagreed and posted a lengthy series on his personal blog, going through your article line by line and disputing it.  How does a twenty-first century believer respond?

Simple. You pop your knuckles, get your Mountain Dew, sit at your swivel chair, and slam out a response.  Line by line.  Defending your argument and your dearly loved doctrine, under the guise of gospel fidelity. The debate roars through the blogosphere and your blog traffic hits Challies type numbers.

That’s what we would do in the 21^st century. But, what did Newton do? (By the way, WWND bracelets are for sale on my website for a quarter a piece)

Nothing.

That’s right.  Nothing. “He let the dispute die in silence[2]”. Newton’s letting this discussion die in silence exemplifies his philosophy of how people become Calvinist. As Bruce Hindmarsh has rightly noted, “He was increasingly convinced that a person became a Calvinist through personal experience, not by argument”[3].

Once a Calvinist is able to “let a dispute die in silence” he is well on his way to finding healing from his angry and divisive stage.  The sooner young Calvinist see living models like Newton and are introduced to saints of old (such as Newton) hopefully the sooner their angry and divisive stage will be over.

Consider, tomorrow, one additional help from John Newton. 

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[1] Hindmarsh, John Newton and the English Evangelical Tradition, 161

[2] Ibid, 162

[3] Ibid, 162

The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part Four

“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.”  This knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”  If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.  But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.”  1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Concerning the question of eating food offered to idols, logically and theologically the “strong” Corinthians had this question nailed.  They rightly believed that there is only one God, “an idol has no real existence” and correctly deduced from this that a “nothing cannot affect meat”[1]  Yet, what they failed the most important test; namely, that of love.  In other words the “strong” Corinthians had notions in the head but it had yet to trickle down and transform their hearts.  Such a knowledge only puffs up the individual it never edifies the body. 

Anthony Thiselton helps us to see that Paul subtly challenges the “strong” Corinthians’ view of knowledge:

Paul distinguishes between knowing (using the verb) as a process that is continuous and ever learning and knowledge (the noun gnosis) as denoting a static, completed state.  The latter (but not the former) leads to a cast of mind that regards everything as “buttoned up,” mastered, and fully processed. 

Herein, lies the root of angry and divisive Calvinism.  Fundamentally, it is a problem of the heart and has little no bearing on the validity of the “ism” being distorted by its follower.  The puffed up pride that comes from only have a notion in the head is what makes for an angry and a divisive Calvinist. 

Really all of these posts is only backing up what Joe Thorn noted as the three reasons for angry and divisive Calvinists.  In his interview with Ed Stetzer (which you should real all of including the comments, here) Thorn notes three principle reasons that I will summarize. 

1. Over-zealous and excited about a new found truth.  “Some of us, and I was one of them, would benefit from being locked up in a cage for a few years until our heart can catch up with our head.”

2. Anger at being denied this in the past.  “They feel as if they've wasted years of their life, or the church has let them down. So, they're angry about that…”

3. A short-circuit between the head and heart.  “When we Calvinists are ungracious, unnecessarily combative, proud, and arrogant, we are not being true Calvinists. We are posers.”

So how do you disciple a young Calvinist whose either angry, over-zealous, or simply has a short-circuit between his head and heart?  Apart from patient plodding and let the gospel take deeper roots one particular thing I do with young Calvinists (including myself) is introduce them to John Newton--and that will be what we do in Part Five and Part Six. 

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[1] Anthony Thiselton’s Commentary on 1 Corinthians, 124