Teaching - a bad word?

Mike Reeves 'table talks' with Carl Trueman in the latest podcast from theologynetwork.org, on doctrine. Bad word? A few choice crumbs from the table:

Doctrine is an articulation of God's claim on us.
Doctrine should drive us to our knees - it leads to doxology (praise of God).
God's love is creative and prior - it has the first word. (Gen 1 & 2 Cor 4)
The gospel is a proclamation that Christ has died and risen: it does have practical implications, but it's not a technique. So read books which tell you about God and what he has done - not primarily about you and how your life can be better.

Mike and Carl also take time to consider that common contemporary assertion: doctrine divides (so let's not consider it) - and perhaps you've met people into doctrine who're all arrogant about it - they talk about that too, and the dangers involved.

Now take half an hour to listen over a cuppa / the ironing / making dinner.

Does Reformation doctrine really matter now?

So there was a rumpus and split in the church some hundreds of years ago, and people believe different things. Surely it's not important: we've learned to see past these petty differences, hm? In a wide-ranging conversation, Mike Reeves interviews Mark Dever on the personal and practical implications and value of the Biblical truths mostly rediscovered at the time now known as 'the Reformation', showing just how vital and pastoral these things are. 

The latest UCCF Table Talk, here - as usual, an excellent use of your listening time: easy listening with an edifying twist, an informative skip and a good shake of heart-warming.

Quote of the day: extrinsic value

'Value and beauty are granted by our Creator to the Christian community: not fabricated by the symbols of status, prestige, or prosperity of our contemporary pagan consumer society.' 

- Ruth Padilla De Borst on Eph 2.10. To what extent to we live in line with this truth?

God set us to be shining like stars in the universe, and we tend to run after lightbulbs of status, and gold star stickers of success.

Quote of the day: labour to describe

'This truth is something that is culturally distant to most people. It's difficult for them to understand: how they can be redeemed from sin, how Jesus could turn God's wrath, and how the blood could cleanse them, how they are justified because he bore their guilt. So it's a difficult thing for our people to understand that. But it was difficult for the first century Jew. Paul says in 1 Cor 1.23 that the gospel is foolishness: 'We preach Christ crucified, which is foolishness to the Greeks, and a stumbling block to the Jew.' But, what did he do? Did he not preach this message? In 1 Cor 2.2 he says, 'I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.' He laboured to get this message across. And so in the epistles he used different pictures and all sorts of things to remind us of the fullness of our salvation.

'I fear that today many of us have surrendered to the culture and focussed on what is easy to understand, rather than labouring to describe what the work of Christ really did. We must be using our greatest creative energies to get through the Biblical concept of the work of Christ to the people that we minister to. That's the challenge that we have. Not to present God just as one who meets needs, but the One who has a plan for the whole universe.'

- Ajith Fernando, on Ephesians 1, from Cape Town 2010 [more expositions and talks here]

For more, watch the exposition below, in which Ajith Fernando advises that while many people come to Christ to fulfil a felt need, to keep going they must be taught the difficult truths, to recognise that Christ is Truth, and that they have been welcomed into something a lot bigger than a solution their initial felt need. 

Bible Exposition:Ajith Fernando (Ephesians 1) from Lausanne Movement on Vimeo.

Over the next while, I hope to highlight some quotes and teaching from The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, from those of various cultures and countries. This is partly because I didn't get to attend the sessions, so am catching up now; partly because I tend to hear only the negative crit so want to acknowledge the work of the Spirit during the Congress; and mostly because I do believe that for the health and growth of the Church, it is vital to listen to perspectives that Christ has given his people in different parts of the world.

What's so good about the gospel?

When the sun rises and warms the birds, they sing. And so, when our hearts are warmed by being reminded of the love of God, we cannot but speak of Him. The gospel - God giving himself in Christ - really is stupendously good news. 

Mike Reeves on John 20.19-23 (and assorted other passages), from UCCF's Forum conference: download here.

The Greatest Blessing

This year BCM's Birmingham Convention heard Dr Iain Campbell, of the Isle of Lewis, on the Greatest Blessing:

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (listen via media player or download)

The Love of God (listen)

The Communion of the Holy Spirit (listen)

So far I've listened to the first, which is good, and contained the memorable quotation, 'There's no such thing as grace.' I look forward to hearing the others.

Heart-to-heart

In the latest TableTalk from theologynetwork.org, Mike Reeves chats with Peter Mead about preaching, and more broadly, communicating God's word. A heart-to-heart well-worth listening to: teaching the Bible.

Quote of the day: What are you wearing?!

It matters what you wear. Whatever you do, don't go making your own clothes. You'll only be constantly wondering if it's enough. Or proud enough to imagine that it is, when everyone around you can see right through it.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. [Isaiah 61.10]

I've enjoyed listening to Mike Reeves' talks on Union with Christ on my way to & from the office lately! [Oh, and if you're looking for the quotation, it's from God's word this time. Lush.]

PS Just read Stephen Dancer's paper on Calvin on Union with Christ - a helpful addition to Mike Reeves' talks.

Studying theology with the Don

Tabletalk with Don Carson, on studying theology or preparing for future ministry. A helpful listen!

Billy Graham in 1974

The fascinating and challenging keynote address by Billy Graham to the Lausanne Congress on world evangelisation in 1974, is available to listen here - Why Lausanne? In this wonderful snippet from evangelical history, Graham addressed the opportunities and challenges of the time, as well as speaking of how mistakes of the past led into a lack of evangelism due to liberal theology. He introduced some central expected affirmations of the congress and the interplay of evangelism and social action which was so key in Lausanne. Not a dry introductory session, either, but Graham on fire preaching with vision! Slightly at random, a taster from the middle:

"The source of salvation is grace.
The ground of our salvation is the atonement at the cross.
The means of our salvation is faith.
The evidence of our salvation is works."

[The covenant produced from that '74 congress is well-worth a read, too.]

Trueman on Owen

Tramping the streets of Bournville this evening to deliver evangelistic church newsletters, I had as a soundtrack a series of 5 lectures on John Owen, by Carl Trueman. Definitely made the evening pass more interestingly and I recommend them to anyone interested in the man, the theology, or his times.

To see Jesus

My Pastor exhorted us on Sunday, when we have a problem and look in the Bible about it, don't look to find ourselves, or our problem: look to see Jesus (and in Him, we will indeed find all solutions). But look to see Jesus; not yourself or your issue. Mike Reeves' triad of talks from the UCCF South West's Transformission day are also helpful on God's Word and the Bible (thanks to Bish for posting them):
1 - The Most Valuable Word - Judges 3
2 - The Christian Word - John 5
3 - The External Word - Psalm 42
I rejoice that God's Word is external to me: that Truth and Salvation lies in Christ, not within.

Table Talk

The first of Theology Network's Table Talks has appeared:

In the mid-1500’s the Reformer Martin Luther and his wife Katie became famous for their hospitality. In their home, a big old ex-monastery called “The Black Cloister”, they hosted students, colleagues and friends for meals. With good company, good food, and Katie’s home-brewed beer (and their children tearing about after the dog), Luther and his friends discussed theology, life, and everything - a regular gathering which was recorded as his “Table Talk”.

In the spirit of such refined pursuits, Theology Network is proud to present our very own Table Talk. We’re taking time to settle down by the fire with key evangelical leaders and chat about issues that matter - and we’re releasing it as a podcast so you can download our conversations direct to your ipod. So come and join us at the table - there’s plenty of room!

This one gives us Mike Reeves and Andy Banister on Islam. It brings together a number of things I've gathered over the years as I've looked at Islam, chatted with Muslims and tried to help Christian students know better how to engage with their Muslim friends. In fact just the other night after Birmingham CU's meeting we were chatting about such things. Well worth a listen - because 1) it's good stuff, 2) it brings together many things you'd only get by reading several books and 3) it's easy to listen to even if you'd never think of reading those books!

Quote of the day: ode to joy

A triple-bill of excellent talks by Mike Reeves on the cross, on theologynetwork.org. In the third talk, applying this, he says:

Isaiah 61.10: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;my soul shall exult in my God,for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,...

So the next time you're asked how you're doing in the Christian life, you can say, "How am I doing? I know that in me lives nothing good at all. But I was crucified with Christ. The life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God." That's Paul in Galatians 2. No self-confidence at all does he have. A righteousness we will never have in our hearts covers, clothes, surrounds, envelopes us. And we simply trust Christ.

So, we do not look to our hearts, our feelings or our performance to know how we stand before the Lord. Your heart will lie to you. We don't even look to ourselves to see how much we trust in Christ! You ever done that? You say, "Oh ok, so it's all about trusting Christ - am I trusting him enough?" What's the problem with that? You've just turned faith into the one thing you've got to do! So you're asking, "Am I doing faith enough?" Totally irrelevant! Faith is not a thing you do which pleases God on the basis of which He saves you! It is God's blood, it is Jesus shed blood on the cross alone which saves you, and you simply receive that - that's faith. Accepting that free gift. Not looking to my heart to see, "Am I trusting enough?"; looking to Christ: there is all our righteousness. Now doesn't that bring a smile to your face?

What is the fastest killer of joy? It's not hard times. It's introspection. We live in the most self-obsessed, introspective age I think the world has ever seen. And I believe it's the culture of morbid introspection that is fuelling the spreading problem of depression. The cross is the Christian's ode to joy. And when the darkness comes for you, here in the cross is music so joyous it has the power to drive away every gloom. So when your heart feels cold, when your body closes you down, when your emotions imprison you, what do you do? You fight with God's word for perspective. That whatever I face, whatever I feel, this is the bigger picture. I do NOT depend on myself, I do not trust my heart. I have been taken utterly unworthy from the pit to the throne of heaven. Joy is something you cultivate. And if you can so shape your daily perspective that you know this before anything else, you will have a joy that can overcome death.

One for the kids

Ever feel a bit embarrassed when you realise you've been a bit silly? Especially when you were being stubbornly silly, hm? It might happen like this:

Dad: Right everyone, leaving in 5 minutes!
[Ben continues playing with the sandpit.]
Mum: Ben, you'll need to come in and wash your hands: we've got to go.
[Ben continues playing with the sandpit. The bucket handle's broken.]
Ben: Mum, can you please fix the bucket handle?
Mum: Not now Ben: we've told you twice now; leave that and come!
Ben: But Mum, I want to play with the sandpit! I don't want to go!
Dad: We can't be late, Ben: everyone else is ready. Let's go.
Ben: I don't care! I want to play in the sandpit!
Mum: But Ben, when we get there you'll have the whole beach to play with, and our new sand toys!

How was Ben being silly? Why do you think he acted like that - what got in the way of him going to the beach?

You know what, we could call those things that got in the way idols. Ben just really wanted something. And he let that completely control him. I want to play with the sandpit! He forgot the big picture - what was really happening - they were going to the beach, which is TONNES better than a sandpit and a broken bucket!

We each do that. We have our little idols. You really want something, and you let that control you. You go for it: you forget what's really true about life and you forget God. Here's one: "My Way". You hear grownups worship this idol: "I did it myyyyyyyyyy way!" or "You've just gotta do what's right for you", and we hear kids say it: "But I want..." Then here's another: "My rights". You hear adults saying this, "I have a right to be treated well round here!" and you worship this idol every time you whine, "But that's not fair - he got more than me!" And when you obey those things you want, it's like making a little idol and putting it on a stand and bowing down to it. It's like clinging on to your broken sandpit bucket handle when God's way is going to be a beach holiday. Stupid, hm? You know the really big truth, the reality. God is God and you're not: he's worth worshipping. Nothing else is! He's worth obeying - nothing else is. He's worth loving, and following, and trusting in: nothing else is. But those little idols, those I want-s can get in the way of the far better thing: worshipping our amazing God!

The good news is, Jesus is an idol-smasher. So ask for his help. Ask for his Holy Spirit in you to set about knocking down and smashing up those idols in you! Reading God's word helps us be idol-smashers since it reminds us of God's big picture - and points us to worship Jesus, not some dumb idol!

Ps.115.1-11

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
Our God is in the heavens;
he does all that he pleases.

Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.
They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.
They have hands, but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk;
and they do not make a sound in their throat.
Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.

O Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.

I'm pondering this for Children's Talk tomorrow... roughly. With credit to C.S.Lewis, Paul Tripp & Mike Reeves.

Don’t waste your (university) life: Jesus is Lord

Congratulations. You’re here. You’re a student. A returning student, having survived placement year. A second year student, having survived first year. You’ve got loads of people trying to give you advice. Your parents. Your Guild. Your friends. Your tutors. Your great-aunt who you thought was dead until she sent you a tenner to “help you at college with all those books you need to buy”. Here’s some advice from The Aston Times editor:

Just a thought... have you ever wondered where your life is going? I turned twenty recently and re alised that a huge chunk of my life had already been lived, but what had I achieved? I answered myself that I had gone through school and got GCSE’s and A-levels and had, in turn, got into Aston University. I’ve passed my driving test, can play an instrument and have done things I never dreamed I would... bla bla. All achievements and landmarks in my life that I am proud of. ... Where are you going and what do you plan to achieve in your life? For me my ultimate goal is happiness for me and all those around me.

Where are you going and what do you plan to achieve in your life? I don’t want to pile on more advice. I’m going to turn to a small bit of God’s picture on life, and give you just one thing to remember when you think about university life. Jesus is Lord.

Does that seem far away from being a student at Aston? It’s the ultimate message of God and the universe. It’s the ultimate goal of all things. Look, other people can tell you that Keycom are rubbish. Other people can invite you to Gosta. Other people can tell you which meals are good in Café Lago! Other people can remind you to get your assignments in on time. But if you’re going to think about where you’re going and what you plan to achieve while at uni – if you’re not going to waste your life, then remember this ultimate goal: Jesus rules.

That’s not just my take on life vs. last year’s editor’s take on life; it’s not just a lifestyle you might want to consider. It’s fact. I’m going to read a short section from the Bible – if you have one with you, turn to Romans 1.

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints... [ESV]

This, Paul says, is the gospel, the good news, of God. This is the creator of the universe speaking: not just your student newspaper editor. And he says there’s good news all about Jesus Christ our Lord. If you’re not going to waste your time at uni, remember this: Jesus is Lord. If you’ve trusted him with your life, he’s your Lord. Not that he belongs to you. Look how Christians are called in v6: you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

That’s your identity: you belong to Jesus Christ. You’re not defined by being a student. Your lifestyle (sleeping in, lectures, watch neighbours, study, coffee, chat with flatmates, study, pasta, go out, sleep in, lectures…) doesn’t define you. Your bank balance (or lack of it) doesn’t define you. Your clothes don’t define you. Your subject doesn’t define you. Your gender and sexuality don’t define you. Your background doesn’t define you. Your identity is that you belong to Jesus – Jesus Christ. What does that mean? Look again at vv.2-5. You belong to the one all the prophets spoke about in the old testament. The one to whom all God’s people looked forward to in faith for 2000 years. The one who was God’s faithful Son where all the others failed through disobedience and mistrust of God’s word. The one descended from David - the rescuing King God promised for thousands of years. The one who was shared our humanity – perfectly man, he represented us but didn’t sin. The one who rose from the dead and is appointed to a position of power and authority, God’s King, to rule the nations and judge the world! The one who will bring about a new heavens and new earth which will be perfect, redeemed, restored, renewed. The one whom ALL will worship, giving praise and glory because he ALONE is worthy. You belong to him. That’s your identity, because Jesus Christ is Lord. Not an academic or social interest: he’s Lord. You belong to Jesus Christ our Lord.

So what? So what for you on campus? You trust in Jesus and believe he’s Lord. So what? Paul says this gospel sets him apart. It makes him stick out.

Imagine this: one day you’re walking across campus with a friend and as you pass the lake you see a couple of students creeping up behind a Canada goose with a net. As you stop and stare, they quickly throw the net over the goose, and while one holds it down, the other grabs it by the neck and wrings its neck. They start to drag it inside, one saying, “I wonder how long it’ll take to roast?” You turn incredulously to your friend, who sees your look and says, “It’s ok: Canada geese are classified vermin so it’s not illegal to kill them.” You reply, “It’s not just whether it’s legal! Those girls are in the vegetarian society!”

Y’see, no matter whether it’s permitted on campus, a vegetarian won’t roast a goose. That's not who they are! And a leeetle bit like that, no matter what’s permitted on campus, or what everyone else is doing, if you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, your life will be shaped by him: that's who you are! Look at what God’s looking for, in response to Jesus, his saving kingship and his rule: in v.5 we’re told he wants to bring about the obedience of faith in all nations, for Jesus’ glory. He wants people trusting in Jesus and living it out.

That involves 2 things on campus, which aren’t really all that separate – living lives belonging to Jesus Christ, shaped by trust in him, and telling others about Jesus Christ, so they can respond with faith and live lives for his glory too! All to see him glorified. “What are you doing and what do you plan to achieve in your life?” the Aston Times editor asked. Glorify Jesus. Magnify his glory. There is nothing bigger you could do with your time at uni and the rest of your life.

Magnify Jesus on campus. What's that about? Well, it means we want to be like a telescope, not a magnifying glass. A magnifying glass makes tiny things look bigger than they are, but a telescope makes you see humungous things more like the size they really are! You look down a telescope and see that tiny speck you thought was dust on the lens of your glasses is actually a ball of burning gas so heavy that if our planet were anywhere nearer it, we’d fall towards it and be burnt to oblivion!

That’s what our lives & words should do with Jesus: students around us think he’s about as significant and precious as a speck of dust on the lens of their glasses. Looking at us, and listening to us, they should see down a telescope: see how in reality Jesus Christ is Lord: he’s magnificent, glorious, merciful, gracious, powerful, just, yet saving, and infinitely precious, for who he is and what he’s done.

Jesus is Lord. That’s why Christian Union exists: to promote the good news that Jesus rules. To be a telescope for other students to look at Jesus. We live for Jesus and we speak for Jesus. We get involved in church so we learn from those who know Jesus better & for longer, and see how they live for Jesus & speak for Jesus in their stage of life, and we hear from his Word and obey it. We get together on campus to encourage each other in living with Jesus as saviour-King and Lord, and we get together to show campus what Jesus being saviour-King and Lord looks like. We get together to help each other tell those around us why we have this hope in Jesus. We get together to obey the good news, to call people on campus – from all countries – to faith in Jesus, so he’ll be seen more and more for what he is – absolutely and above everything we know, magnificent.

You will find, if you haven’t already, that you have some different views from others in the CU, some different experiences of living for Jesus, and we certainly won’t all like the same style or way of doing things: but Jesus is infinitely more precious than what style we find helpful, he’s infinitely more worthy than what makes us feel comfortable. And he prayed for God to put his glory in those who believe in his apostles’ message, so we’d be one, so that the world would believe that the Father sent Jesus. It’s hard work, but we get to work as the various parts of that telescope, magnifying Jesus for our campus: displaying his glory, declaring his glory. The Christian Union glows with God’s glory, not because we’re wonderful, but as in life, in word, and with the power of the Holy Spirit we testify that Jesus is Saviour-King and Lord.

So Jesus is Christ and Lord. How are you going to respond to that? God’s good news demands trust in his Son. Do you trust in him for your life & death? Then live for him & speak for him at university, to be a telescope for your campus to see him by the Holy Spirit in us. That’s what CU is: but that’s beside the point. It’s what God’s gospel is.

Feast

Dave Bish has set the table for us to enjoy Mike's 3-course feast in 1 Corinthians from the South East leaders training weekend (Cheers, Dave!). (Tim Rudge treated us to 2 Peter in the Midlands, but they don't seem to be online yet - we only had the Leicester office media guys recording for us, after all...). Just been a bit of a glutton and listened to all 3 talks in 2 days - rich food, rich food. God's gospel wisdom shaming the wisdom of the world.

Jesus is Lord

Harking back to a couple of weeks ago, the final talk of the UCCF Graduate Network Conference was by Richard Cunningham, replacing John Stott who'd had an accident a while ago and is resting. He spoke very well on Romans 12.1-4 and other passages relating to Christ's lordship in our lives - and Sean has posted notes.

Forum 2006 talks

Talks from Forum 2006 are available online. I'd especially flag up Rico Tice on God's part & our part in evangelism [mp3].

Why trust a cross?

In Don's middle talk of the UCCF Grad Conference (that between Psalm 1 and 2 Tim 4, noted below) he expounded Romans 3.21-26. He started by noting that the Trinity or resurrection are no longer the sticking points in student missions - rather, sin, wrath and exclusivity are the hard ones to get across. Yet those things are exactly the background and context for Romans 3.21-26. The first thing for 'getting' the solution is to 'get' the problem. A weak view of sin leads to a dissipated view of the cross (and vice versa). From here I hand over to Sean, who's helpfully posted his notes.