The Summit of Love

The church at Ephesus was a doctrinally solid church. It also had endured a great amount of hardship. They had remained faithful in the midst of false teachers. In our wishy-washy lite on truth society the church at Ephesus would have been a welcome sight. Yet, in the eyes of Jesus they were missing the mark:

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:4 ESV)

Scholars debate whether this is love for the Lord or love for one another. I agree with those that believe it is probably a combination of both. Biblically speaking the two often go hand in hand. You can’t love the Lord and hate his bride. Likewise you aren’t going to be lacking in love for Jesus but exploding in love for his broken bride. The doctrinally sound church at Ephesus was missing an awe of God. Perhaps they had gotten to a point where they equated believing correct doctrine with treasuring correct doctrine.

Jesus tells them that the prescription for this lack of love is to remember, repent, and to get back to doing the works that they did at first. In this statement in verse 5 I find something very interesting. In verse 5 Jesus says, “remember therefore from where you have fallen”.

That tells me something about correct doctrine and endurance; namely, they aren’t the summit. Love is. (Or at least love is higher than both of those). Otherwise their lack of love wouldn’t have been a height from which they could fall. Love is not optional to correct doctrine. It’s not the icing on the cake of having sound theology. If you don’t have love then your whole cake is jacked up. 

Why does doctrine matter?

From such a truth some have erroneously concluded that doctrine really doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is love. To this I say “poppycock”. Or at least I would if I said things like “poppycock”.

In Paul’s prayer for the Philippians he prays that their “love may abound more and more” and that it might do so “with knowledge and all discernment”. (Philippians 1:9) In other words Paul prays that they might have a growing love that is grounded in the truth.

You do not get to the summit of love without correct doctrine to fuel you upwards. Your love for Jesus grows when your grasping of the truth of Jesus grows. The argument from many of Paul’s letters is that there is an intimate link between our seeing and beholding Christ (doctrine) and our treasuring of Christ and His people (love).

You cannot treasure what you have little knowledge of. My son thinks that baseball is pretty cool. But he also still will sometimes run to second base before first base. Or he’ll think that the goal of the game is to tackle the pitcher after you’ve hit the ball. It’s a pretty cool version of the sport, I’ll give him that, but he doesn’t understand baseball and therefore he doesn’t rightly know how to treasure it. It’s the same way with Jesus. Correct doctrine fuels love. Or at least it ought to…

What does this mean for the local church?

I would like to also ask, “what does this mean for seminaries”, but because I have about as much influence on seminary life as Justin Bieber does on making solid music I will stick to the local church. I will say though, that I believe many seminaries err in training pastors how to have correct doctrine but seldom challenging them to learn love.

In the local church we must disciple people not only with correct doctrine but with a heart that treasures Christ. At the end of the day this is all the work of the Spirit. Even being able to swallow, embrace, and treasure correct doctrine is a work of the Spirit. How much more then is it the work of the Spirit to cause people to respond to correct doctrine with worship and and a life of love?

How does the church keep from churning out theological dolts and/or loveless theology nerds? I believe it’s by continually exposing them to the word of God while modeling humility and pushing them towards that. When discipling others we must value truth and excel in love.

Some need to be reminded that they haven’t arrived simply because they can win games of Bible trivia or go toe to toe in theology discussions with a seminary professor. They need to be reminded that doctrine truly embraced will express itself in worship of God and humble and loving service in a local church.

Others need to be reminded that if their doctrine is shallow more than likely so is their love. They ought to be congratulated that they are excelling in love but spurred on to make that love more grounded in the unchangeable truth of Jesus.

Both must, through the power of the Spirit, aim for the summit of love.

The Root of Angry and Divisive Calvinists: Part Six

Epilogue: What Continued Happening to Mark

Angry and divisive Mark is no more.  Next month Mark will be returning to Podunk Baptist Church.  This time as a new man.  He still has his beard, he still hold to much the same doctrine, but he holds it differently. 

It had been eight years since his disaster of a revival service.  Mark left the people wounded…and truth be told Mark left wounded as well.  His desire to “set his old church straight” came from a mostly good desire—though Mark will admit that it was mixed with a good deal of pride and bitterness. 

A good part of Mark thought that his former church would embrace the doctrines which have led to much growth in his own Christian walk.  He was shocked and dismayed to be met with rejection and to have caused somewhat of a division within the ranks of Podunk. 

Now Mark is a different man.  After much repentance on the part of Mark and healing of broken relationships he is being invited back to Podunk Baptist.  His doctrine hasn’t changed but his heart has.  This time Mark will be lovingly and passionately preaching on the excellencies of Christ. 

What happened to Mark? 

Shortly after his disaster of a revival service Mark went back to his seminary community.  He called upon one of his favorite professors—a faithful defender of all things Calvinism.  He figured that if he could have about 15 minutes of venting to this professor he would feel better.  Even more so he probably would be given a few tips about how to defend his doctrine even better and help those that differ to come to grips with what the Bible says about God and His sovereignty in salvation.

Mark was shocked when instead of a “go get those rank heretics” he was met with a gentle and loving rebuke.  This wise professor was every bit the Calvinists that Mark is in doctrine.  But something this professor had that Mark didn’t was that he was a  Calvinist in his heart.  He held the doctrines of grace quite graciously.  He trusted the sovereign Lord even in theological differences.  Through years of ministry, study, and life with the Spirit he had come to grips with the importance of love. 

Thankfully for Mark and for the Podunk Baptist’s of the world this dear man took Mark under his wrinkled wing.  He modeled for him the love and grace that every believer (nobody his stripes) should live.  He loved Mark and taught Mark to love.  They still chatted Reformed theology, they still even debated some texts, and at times disagreed with non-Calvinists but the way this dear man “debated” was contagious.  You see this old man was much like John Newton.

As Newton once said:

'I am more of a Calvinist than anything else; but I use my Calvinism in my writings and my preaching as I use this sugar'—taking a lump, and putting it into his tea-cup, and stirring it, adding, 'I do not give it alone, and whole; but mixed and diluted.'

His Calvinism was superseded by something more important—the gospel.  Yes, men like Spurgeon and even Newton could believe in one sense that “Calvinism is the gospel”.  (You can debate for yourself the wisdom of such a statement).  But at the end of the day we see with men like Spurgeon and Newton that fellowship, love, and advancement of the gospel trumped Calvinism.  Not that it was insignificant.  Their Calvinism permeated their fellowship, their love, and their advancement of the gospel, but it wasn’t the whole or end of any of those things—God and His glory were. 

Next time I will offer a few basic tips if God places an angry and divisive Calvinist in your life…

Review of Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris

Author: Joshua Harris

Pages: 256pgs

Publisher: Multnomah

Price: 13.49

Genre: Biography/Theology/Christian Living

Quick Summary:

This is the unfinished story of Joshua Harris. It is subtitled “Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters”. What, I think, Harris means by that is that this book is about his theology and holding good theology matters. “If we get theology wrong then our whole lives will be wrong”. So, Harris tells his story with humor, wit, and gospel-centered transparency. Along the way he explains “deep” theology in a way that those new to theological discussions could understand.

This book is a systematic theology but not the type you would read in a classroom. It is also a biography but not the kind that only tells a story. This book is about Christian living but not the kind that is divorced from solid biblical truth. It is a biography about Christian doctrine that leads to faithful biblical practice.

What I Liked:

Josh Harris is a tremendously gifted speaker and author, so it is fun reading every chapter. He even has very helpful illustrations to explain the process of sanctification. I am a seminary student and he explained “ivory tower” terms in a way that touched my everyday life. His chapter on sanctification was probably my favorite—but I also liked his “My Rumspringa” chapter.

This book is obviously written to those that are turned off to theology books. And Harris does a wonderful job of teaching sound doctrine that is also practical. Even those that are theologically astute will benefit greatly and should read chapter 11 on humble orthodoxy. This book models humble orthodoxy.

What I Disliked:

This book is definitely written on a level for those that are new to theology; which in my opinion makes it all the more awesome. But if you are a big nerd like me there will be some chapters that seem to drag a little. That’s totally fine because I got plenty out of it still and it is written to a different audience. But just know that if you read a ton of books on theology you probably will not learn anything new—but you will perhaps see in a new light that gives deeper roots to what you already know.

Should You Buy It?

If you are looking for a book that is finally going to settle the issue of limited atonement or once and for all solve the problem of evil as well as explain the Trinity, then this book isn’t for you. In fact I’m not certain you will find a book that will satisfy you. But this book is most certainly one that you need to purchase. Even if you are a theology student you will learn from this book. If you are turned off to theology I urge you to give this book a shot before you give up all that nerdy stuff. This would be a great book for a pastor to keep a few copies of in his office. Check out a sample or just buy the thing.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

 

The Beauty of Criticism From Both Sides

Tim Keller recently brought forth a few gems from Martin Lloyd-Jones concerning doctrine and living.  This is one particular quote I found challenging and yet refreshing:

It seems to me that we have a right to be fairly happy about ourselves as long as we have criticism from both sides… For myself, as long as I am charged by certain people with being nothing but a Pentecostalist and on the other hand charged by others with being an intellectual, a man who is always preaching doctrine, as long as the two criticisms come, I am very happy. But if one or the other of the two criticisms should ever cease, then, I say, is the time to be careful and to begin to examine the very foundations.

You would be well served to read the entire article. 

Today in Blogworld 2/8

C.J. Mahaney has a wonderful article on preaching in view of the Cross. Here is one helpful quote within the article: "We must never assume the gospel. We must always assume that those we serve need to hear the gospel yet again. Any sermon we preach is incomplete and insufficient until we explicitly reference Christ and him crucified."

Dr. Mohler lists the Top 10 books every preacher needs to read in 2008. (Looks like I need to update my list again).

Frank Turk has entered the discussion on total abstinence from alcohol. See his thoughtful comments here.

Greg Gilbert gives a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that all churches fast from all forms of instrumental music. He has some wonderful thoughts in this article. Here is an excerpt: "I am really afraid that we’ve managed to create a generation of anemic Christians who are spiritually dependent on excellent music. Their sense of spiritual well-being is based on feeling “close to God,” their feeling close to God is based on their “ability to worship,” and being able to worship depends on big crowds singing great music.

Brian, at Voice of the Sheep, has interesting question; "Are Any Called Who Do Not Come?"

Purgatorio has posted a very thought provoking picture. It is of Jesus washing Bin Laden's feet. It asks, Is this a biblical picture.

MacArthur's What Doctrines Are Essential series concludes with part 2 and 3.

Today in Blogworld 2/4-6

In case you have not heard Union University was hit hard by the recent tornadoes. Said at Southern has links to many articles, here. Be praying for the people at Union.

John MacArthur asks a very important question; What Doctrines are Essential, today we are introduced to Part 1.

An very interesting discussion is taking place on the 9Marks blog. Mike McKinley began the discussion by defending long, boring sermons. Then Thabiti joined the discussion by helping us see that Edwards agrees as does Calvin (who also serves to balance such a statement).

Challies attemps to answer this question: “If a person is ‘a child of wrath’ from birth due to Adam’s sin and unable to choose God because of Adam’s sin, how is he responsible for his actions if he was born this way (and has no ability of his own to choose God)? … If Christ didn’t die for all men, yet all men were condemned for one sin (and by that sin, thereafter, unable to choose good), how is it just of God to condemn all men if they are ‘determined’ to be sinful by the action of Adam?”

Pulpit Magazine addresses a question that Nikki and I are now asking; Home, Private, or Public School? (Actually, financially speaking, private is probably not an option).

Trevin Wax gives 5 Reasons why the Emerging Church is Now Receding.

Les Puryear interviews Dr. Mohler on the SBC presidency. (HT: Micah)

John Piper's daughter Talitha interviews Alex and Brett Harris.

C.J. Mahaney interviews Mark Dever. (HT: JT)

Last week Jonathan Leeman continued blogging through REVEAL: Part 10 and Concluding Thoughts.