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The last several weeks have generated significant amounts of discussion and debate regarding the release of Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Rob Bell.

While there are many great resources available on christianaudio that discuss this topic, none is more timely or informative than Jesus: The Only Way to God by John Piper. Though short in length, it offers much to learn in the areas of evangelism, sin, salvation, and heaven & hell.

Download this timely resource absolutely FREE until March 31, 2011!

Theology Thursday

IMAGO DEI

Lat. “image of God”

The theological concept that man uniquely represents the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26-27). It is debated exactly what characteristics are unique to man. The options are many: personality, eternality, relationality, volitionality, rationality, spirituality, morality, dominionality. The best option seems to be that man possesses all these qualities to a greater degree than does the rest of creation. According to the Christian worldview, the imago dei was marred at the fall, but not destroyed. Therefore, all people still represent God”s image and have dignity as his image bearers (Gen. 9:6; Jam. 3:8-9).

ASSUMPTION OF MARY

The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox teaching that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed bodily into heaven either shortly before her death or shortly after. The Catholics do not dogmatize when Mary was assumed but the Orthodox believe that the assumption took place three days after her death. Although this doctrine finds no biblical support and little support in early Church history, it was dogmatically and infallibly declared to be true by Pope Pius XII on 1 November 1950 in the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus.

APOLOGETICS

Apologetics is the discipline of defending or giving an answer for the faith to those who have questions or objections to the Christian faith. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” Significant apologists today include J.P. Moreland, William Lane Craig, Robert Bowman Jr., and Alvin Plantinga, among others.

PROPITIATION

Propitiation describes the act whereby God’s wrath toward sin is fully satisfied through the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. It is debated among Christians as to whether Christ’s death was a propitiation for all sins of all people, or limited only to the sins of the elect. 1 John 2:2 seems to suggest that the propitiation is universal, but this is not without its problems. “Propitiation” translates the Greek words hilaskomai (Luke 18:13 “be merciful” and Heb. 2:17“to make expiation”), hilasmos (1 John 2:2 and 4:10 “expiation” or “propitiation”), and hilasterion (Rom. 3:25 “an expiation” and Heb. 9:5 “mercy seat”)

THEOPHANY

God appearing
A term that delineates an appearance of God to man in a tangible way. In Christianity, many biblical theologians believe that God appeared to man as “the Angel of the Lord.” Many would also believe that this Angel is a pre-incarnate appearances of Christ. This is often called a “Christophany.” Examples of theophanies might include Gen. 12:7-9; 18:1-33; 32:22-30, Ex. 3:2-4:17; 24:9-11, Deut. 31:14-15, Josh. 5: 13-15, Job 38–42, Dan. 3:22-25.

INCLUSIVISM

The belief concerning the destiny of the unevangelized that the blood of Christ is the only way for a person to be saved, but that one does not necessarily have to hear and believe the Gospel in order to be saved by the blood of Christ. In other words, Christ is needed ontologically, but not epistemologically. Inclusivists would argue that heaven will be populated by many who did not ever accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ such as Old Testament saints (who never heard it) and those who are mentally unable (infants and the mentally handicapped). Therefore, according to inclusivists, God does save people without explicit belief in the Gospel as we know it and he may save those who have never heard the Gospel today in the same way.

Credit: http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/

He Is Exalted

He is exalted
The King is exalted on high
And I will praise Him
He is exalted
Forever exalted
And I will praise His Name

He is the Lord
Forever His truth shall reign
Heaven and earth
Rejoice in His holy Name
He is exalted the King is exalted on high

He is exalted
The King is exalted on high
And I will praise Him
He is exalted
Forever exalted
And I will praise His Name

He is the Lord
Forever His truth shall reign
Heaven and earth
Rejoice in His holy Name
He is exalted the King is exalted on high

He is the Lord
Forever His truth shall reign
Heaven and earth
Rejoice in His holy Name
He is exalted the King is exalted on high

He is exalted the King is exalted on high

Liberated Through Submission

"When we define submission properly, it ceases to be controversial and complex and becomes simplistic and applicable. Learn about it today on Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss."

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10772

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/roh/today.php?pid=10777

What Does Headship Look Like in Reconciliation?

Husbands: Headship Means Taking the Lead in Reconciliation

John Piper:

Leadership means we must take the lead in reconciliation.

I don’t mean that wives should never say they are sorry.

But in the relation between Christ and his church, who took the initiative to make all things new?

Who left the comfort and security of his throne of justice to put mercy to work at Calvary?

Who came back to Peter first after three denials?

Who has returned to you again and again forgiving you and offering his fellowship afresh?

So husbands, your headship means: Go ahead. Take the lead. It does not matter if it is her fault. That didn’t stop Christ.

Who will break the icy silence first?

Who will choke out the words, “I’m sorry, I want it to be better”?

Or: “Can we talk? I’d like things to be better.”

She might beat you to it. That’s okay. But woe to you if you think that, since it’s her fault, she’s obliged to say the first reconciling word.

Headship is not easy. It is the hardest, most humbling work in the world.

Protect your family. Strive, as much as it lies within you, to make peace before the sun goes down.

Standing Firm in the Grace of God

For quite some time, our pastor has been taking us through 1 Peter.  This past Sunday he wrapped it up by recapping the highlights.  They were so good I wanted to share them.  May you be blessed by it.

Standing Firm in the Grace of God
by Pastor Dan Gunter

A) Standing firm in the grace of our inheritance means that we accept joyfully the grace of faith tested.

1 Peter 1:6-9   In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

B) Standing firm in the revelation of our inheritance means not conforming to our former godless conduct.

1 Peter 1:14-16  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." 

C) Standing firm means putting away all the actions that once fed and filled us and longing for new real nourishment in the Word of God.

1 Peter 2:1-3 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation--if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 

D) Because we are a chosen race and a royal priesthood, the true people of God's own possession, standing firm calls us to a conduct befitting the true people of God.

1 Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 

1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 

E) Standing firm in God's grace calls all of us to endure unjust suffering, it calls wives to submit to unvelieving husbands, and it calls us to submit to unjust governments.

1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 

1 Peter 3:1-2 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 

1 Peter 2:13-15 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 

F) Standing firm in God's grace demands that we live the rest of our lives no longer dominated by the passions of this world, but passionately for the Kingdom of God.

1 Peter 4:1-2 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 

G) Standing firm in God's grace beckons us to love each other earnestly and sincerely because time is short and the times are evil.

1 Peter 4:7-10 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.  Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace...

H) Standing firm summons us to rejoice when we suffer as Christ suffered and as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 

I) And standing firm calls to us in times of difficulty to be humble toward each other and God and to resist the temptations of the Devil as he reveals our weaknesses.

1 Peter 5:6-9  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 

Theology Thursday

MONARCHIANISM

[muh-nar''-kee-uh-niz''-um] (Greek mono, “one” + Greek arche, “ruler”) Monarchianism represents a type of teaching in the early Church which sought to preserve the uniqueness of the rulership of God through the preservation of an extreme monotheism and the essential denial of a plurality within the Godhead (i.e., the Trinity). There were two main types of monarchianism: 1) The Adoptionists or Dynamic Monarchians believed that Christ was not truly God in essence, but became God sometime during his life or at the resurrection. 2) The Patripassionists or Modalistic Monarchians (modalists) believed that God was one who revealed himself in different ways or modes. Sometimes he would be the Father, sometimes the Son, and sometimes the Holy Spirit. To the modalist, God is not three persons, but one person who wears three different masks. Both types of Monarchianism were condemned in the early church since they did not recognize the plurality within the Godhead and therefore denied the Trinity. Modern day modalists are represented by those of the Oneness traditions.

ANALOGIA FIDEI

(Latin, “analogy of faith”) A principle of interpretation which believes that Scripture can never contradict itself, and therefore Scripture is the primary interpreter of Scripture. The assumption behind the analogia fidei is that since the Scriptures have one ultimate author (God), consistency and relevance in light of other Scriptures will be found. This principle, with regard to hermeneutics (theory of interpretation), was popularized by the Reformers. The Westminster Confession 1.9 put it this way: “The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.” Some would object to this principle, believing that progressive revelation does not allow for such a subjective approach in interpretation. The principle is taken from Romans 12:6 (kata tes analogian tes pisteos- “according to the analogy of the faith”).

ANALOGIA ENTIS

(Latin, “analogy of being”) Also, “analogy of imitation” or “analogy of participation.”

The belief that there exists an analogy or correspondence between the creation and God that makes theological conversation about God possible. While many would say that finite beings with finite language cannot describe an infinite God, theologians of the medieval era discussed this problem, seeking to resolve it by developing a theory which allotted the communication of words into three separate categories. Some words are univocal (always used with the same sense), some were equivocal (used with very different senses), and some were analogical (used with related senses). It is this third sense that the analogia entis finds meaning. While finite man cannot describe an infinite God perfectly (univocally), he can do so truly, as God has created man in his image and hence, has provided an analogical way of communicating himself. To deny the analogia entis is thought by some to be a self-defeating proposition since it would present the situation where an all-powerful God is not powerful enough to communicate himself to his creation.

SCRIPTORIUM

(Latin, “A place for writing”)

Additions to medieval libraries and monasteries that were designed for the reproducing of ancient texts by scribes and copyists. Many biblical texts were copied in the scriptorium, but the scribes” assignments were not limited to the Scriptures.

PAEDOCOMMUNION

[pay''-doe-kuh-myoon''-yun] (Greek paidos, “infant” or “child” + Latin communio, “common union” (communion) or “fellowship”)

Paedocommunion describes the practice of allowing infants or small children to the Lord’s communion table. This practice was common in the early church. Today, the Eastern Orthodox church allows for all baptized children to receive communion. This practice is not common in the Protestant or Catholic church.

AUGUSTINE, SAINT

(Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis) November 13, 354 – August 28, 430

One of the most notable and important figures in the history of the church, Saint Augustine was a western theologian and philosopher who has shaped the way that theology is understood for most of Christendom (especially Protestants and Catholics). After his conversion from a life of carnality, Augustine became the Bishop of Hippo in North Africa. Because of his view on election, sovereignty, grace, and sin, Augustine is often considered by Protestants as the father of Reformation thought. He is most well known for his autobiography, Confessions, his polemics against the heretic Pelagius concerning the nature of sin and man, and his work On the Trinity, which is often considered one of the greatest theological works of all time.

THE FIVE WAYS

Refers to the five arguments for the existence of God given by Saint Thomas Aquinas. 1) Argument from Motion: if things are in motion, they must have been moved by an ultimate mover. 2) Argument from Efficient Causes: if there are effects, there must be an efficient cause for the effects. 3) Argument from Possibility and Necessity (Reductio argument): if contingent things exist, there must be a non-contingent explanation for them. 4) Argument from Gradation of Being: if there is gradation in being (some things are better than others), there must also be something perfect, a standard which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection, including their perception of these things. 5) Argument from Design: if there is purpose and design to all things, then there must be a sufficient designer which births, guides, and directs all purpose and ends.

Credit: www.reclaimingthemind.org