Feeding on Christ Has Moved!

We will no longer be posting here. You can find the new site here. We would like to encourage all of you to add the new site to your blogroll or RSS feed. In the next couple of months we will be hosting rare book giveaways, media projects and reviews. Thank you for making Feeding on Christ a part of your regularly visited sites.

Rev. Dr. John V. Fesko to Become the New Vice President for Academic Affairs (Academic Dean) at Westminster Seminary California

It is my pleasure to inform our readers that the Rev. Dr. John V. Fesko, currently pastor of Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Woodstock, GA and adjunct professor of systematic theology at the Atlanta campus of Reformed Theological Seminary, has been appointed the new Vice President for Academic Affairs (Academic Dean) at Westminster Seminary in California and he will also serve as associate professor of ST. Deo volente, Dr. Fesko will take up his new duties on 1 July 2009.

Please keep the Fesko family in your prayers.

Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: The Principia

We’ve been attempting to hit some of the highpoints of Bavinck’s Prolegomena. His basic presupposition is that the knowledge of God comes through his own disclosure (special revelation) and is contained in Scripture. The discovery of this knowledge is not reserved for a handful of scholars scattered throughout history, but instead is the work of the whole church, as the redeemed people of God, for all time.

Revelation is knowledge, and as such it has a cause and a source. God is the ultimate source of our knowledge of him (principium essendi). The general sense in which we learn God’s self-consciousness is through his self-communication presented by the word in scripture (principium cognoscendi externum). The third principle foundation is the internal work of the Holy Spirit (principium cognoscendi internum) “the illumination of human beings by God’s Spirit.” For Bavinck, these three distinctions are rooted in the being of God, and the method of revelation moves forward on this Trinitarian model.

Well, is it as easy as it sounds? That depends. To defend his view, Bavinck first takes the reader through a literary history of dogmatics. When modern dogmatics began to look for the ‘purest’ source possible for authentic doctrine some (Harnack) put forward that Christian theology was too corrupted by Greek thinking, and confined doctrinal purity to the New Testament era. If that were true, argues Bavinck, then the Trinitarian model of Christian knowledge (along with Paul’s interpretation of Christ) would have been abandoned, and the literary history says otherwise; early Christian writers were at pains to avoid Hellenistic influence when formulating such doctrines as the Trinity. In very broad, generous terms, Bavinck shows that the Church has always received her doctrine from scripture, and that many of the early battles with Greek and Roman philosophers took place over scripture credibility. Despite any objections, at the end of the day Bavinck hangs his hat on the peg of certainty: dogmatics is an objective science, “a mighty attempt to appropriate the truth of God revealed in Christ and to fully understand the essence of Christianity.”

Almost Rev. Nicholas Batzig

I am very pleased to announce that Nick Batzig has sustained his ordination trials and will soon be ordained and installed as an evangelist in the PCA, planting a church in Richmond Hills, GA which is just outside of Savannah. Ephesians 4:8-16 tells us that the ascended Lord Jesus Christ has given gifts to his church, among which are evangelists. We are deeply grateful to our Triune God for saving, sanctifying, gifting, and calling Nick to this specific ministry. Those of us who have been called to the ministry of Word and Sacrament know that we are not capable of fulfilling our calling and so we look to our great God and Savior to enable and sustain us. I will miss Nick's close fellowship, although we will be brothers in the Lord and in ministry no matter where the Lord chooses to place either of us. Philadelphia's loss is Richmond Hills' gain.

Nick, we will be praying for you and your family as you enter into this awesome new ministry. May all that you say and do bring honor and glory to God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

John Piper on the Power of Knowing the Word

My wife pointed this out to me the other day. In the first part of this message John Piper quotes various portions of Scripture that he has memorized in order to encourage others to do the same. I would also point out the fine example he sets for ministers of the Gospel, in the way that he reads with passion. You really must listen.

Weeping for the Lost

D.A. Carson on the wrath of God:

“To speak faithfully of the wrath of God, very often what we most urgently need are tears. A few years ago on a radio talk show with a large audience in Chicago, the host asked several guests to discuss whether anyone could be saved apart from Jesus. Three pooh-poohed the idea in graphic terms. The fourth was a Jewish-Christian believer on the faculty of Moody Bible Institute. His ethnic background was known by everyone there, so when it was his turn to speak, the host baited him by asking him if he thought his fellow Jews could be saved apart from Christ. This Christian brother began to weep, and then to sob quietly, uncontrollably. After a minute or two, the host said that he had never heard a more compelling reason to become a Christian. So we teach the wrath of God, for faithfulness to Scripture demands it; and we follow Jesus and learn to weep over the city.”

(From: D. A. Carson, “The Wrath of God,” in Engaging the Doctrine of God, ed. Bruce McCormack, (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008), 63.)

May God increase our tears, love, and action for the lost and hurting!

HT: Joseph Randall

Vern Poythress Articles Online

Vern Poythress has been writing articles at the World Magazine website for some time now. Here are a few you should check out:

Second Coming
Small Wonders: Do You Matter to God?
Its Not Fair: We Need a God Who is Just
Feeling Guilty?
Me, Myself, and My iPhone
He Makes Wind Blow
Day of Small Things

Other Poythress articles can be found here.

Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: Borrowed Presuppositions

In our last few posts we rifled through some of Bavinck’s Prolegomena. His basic presupposition is that the knowledge of God comes through his own disclosure (special revelation, SR) and is contained in Scripture, which is the guiding light of theology. So, which has the ‘rights’ to govern and explain the content of revelation; philosophy (rationalism) or theology (realism)? We shall see.

In Part III of his Prolegomena, Bavinck discusses the Principia of dogma as a science whose object of study is independent of other disciplines. As a science, dogma is driven by its own content (SR) otherwise it would not be “a science concerning God (scientia de Deo).” Against Bavinck’s claim is the [qualified] rationalism (Kant, Schleiermacher) that presupposes the content of dogmatics is dependent on philosophy to make its truths known; e.g., are dogmatic claims made through empirical or idealistic theories? Bavinck says neither, insisting in strong terms that philosophical investigation cannot explain, or stand at the fore of dogmatics as they question the very possibility of God’s revelation: the very foundation of dogma. If theology were to proceed on this course, it could never arrive at certainty. Supposing dogma gets its foundations from another source, the principle of dogma would depend on something other than God’s special revelation.

Bavinck’s term “borrowed presuppositions” divides the central issue facing dogmatics: the faith of theology and the rationalism of philosophy. He does not, however, divide faith and reason as strikingly as say, Elohim dividing day from night and calling it a done deal. Instead he asserts up front, as he has so consistently maintained everywhere, that, “there is indeed some room in theology for theoretical reflection on fundamental principles,” so long as theologians do their reflecting within Christianity. The weight of Bavinck’s point rests on the assumption that rationalistic speculation starts with a principle other than revelation and eventually works towards (or away from) faith. Bavinck does not use the term “borrowed presuppositions” to expressly indicate other worldviews ‘borrowing’ their philosophical framework, signs and signifiers from Christianity, and so far it doesn’t seem as if he is heading in that direction. For one, he’s less concerned about apologetics (cf. Bahnsen/Van Till), and for another he is clearing the study of dogma from the subjective “history of religion” approach that entrenched itself in the modern approach to theology.

It is so tempting to roll right into Bavinck’s discussion of the problem of evil/origin of sin, with the aim of demonstrating the consistency of his theory and practice. But our next few posts will at least draw a few more thumbnail sketches of Bavinck’s views on general and special revelation, before plunging into the deep problem of darkness.

So Thankful for Grace: Both Common and Special

I just finished reading two books not related to my dissertation research. That in itself is interesting. Over the Christmas break in Canada I went and saw the new movie Valkyrie with Tom Cruise. At the very least, Cruise actually looks like the main character in the real story. The movie depicts an all too real tale of heroism and tragedy. The tale of the German resistance to Hitler and Nazism during the Third Reich is amazing and awe-inspiring (sadly ironic is the fact that I just went out to my car and found a swastika etched in the snow on the window which was summarily wiped off). The story is recounted in several books. The account which I have just finished was by a man involved first hand in the resistance. Many Germans worked tirelessly to bring down the Nazi juggernaut and I came away from that book (entitled Valkyrie by Hans Bernd Gersavius) thankful for common grace. Men and women put their lives in jeopardy not once but over several years. The resistance amazingly reached to the highest levels of the German civilian and military government (including SS officers). It is a complex tale of mixed and varied motives. Yes, I am thankful for the Christians who worked for the resistance. But I am glad that those who were not Christian, but because they were made in God's image and reflected that (albeit imperfectly) in the pitch black night of Nazi Germany, also did the right thing (yes, I actually believe Nazi Germany was a bad thing and that the holocaust really happened). I am so thankful for God's common grace. We couldn't live without it.

The other book I finished was Iain Murray's second volume of his mammoth biography of David Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Especially moving was the recounting of Ml-J's last days and how he welcomed his home-going. I have been truly blessed as I have worked through this two-volume set. At the end of the day I believe ML-J's desire has been met: that God be glorified in the telling of the Doctor's story. ML-J realized that he was a debtor to God's mercy and grace alone. This was a salient reminder to me. I too am but a debtor to God's mercy and grace alone. At the end of the day, when I stand before the great God of all, it is not my good deeds or other accomplishments to which I will appeal (there are none!). Not at all! I will stand before the judge of all the universe and claim the perfectly obedient life and sacrifice of my dear Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. I am looking forward to seeing my Lord when he calls me home. But there are other family members to meet and greet (and by family I mean brothers and sisters in the Lord, although I am blessed that many of those are also biological family members). I hope to sit down and talk a little while with David Martyn Lloyd-Jones. And he is only one of so many! Of course we will really be busy casting down crowns before our great and glorious God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As the hymn Amazing Grace has it, "when we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we first begun."

I am so thankful for God's superabundant grace: both common and special.

John McLaurin on Paradox and the Glory of Christ

In his famous sermon Glorying in the Cross of Christ, John McLaurin has a magnificent section in which he contrast the humiliation and the glory of Jesus. He wrote:

His birth was mean on earth below. But it was celebrated by Hallelujahs by the heavenly host in the air above; He had a poor lodging, but a star [brought visitors] to it from distant countries. Never [did] a Prince have such [visitors] so conducted. He had not the magnificent equipage that other kings have, but He was attended with multitudes of patients, seeking, and obtaining healing of soul and body; that was more true greatness than if He had been attended by crowds of Princes. He made the dumb that attended Him to sing His praises, and the lame to leap for joy, the deaf to hear His wonders, and the blind to see His glory. He had no guard of soldiers, nor magnificent retinue of servants, but the Centurion who had both, acknowledged that heath and sickness, life and death, took orders from Him: even the winds and storms, which no earthly power can control, obeyed Him; and death and the grave dare not refuse to deliver up their prey when He demanded it. He did not walk upon tapestry, but when He walked upon the sea the waters supported Him. All parts of creation, excepting sinful men, honored Him as their Creator. He kept no treasure but when He had occasion for money, the sea sent it to Him in the mouth of a fish. He had no barns or cornfields, but when He inclined to make a feast, a few loaves covered a sufficient table for many thousands. None of all the monarchs of the world gave such an entertainment. --By these and many such things, the Redeemer's glory shone through His meanness, in the several parts of His life.1

John McLaurin, Eight Sermons on Some of the Most Important Subjects (Glasgow: Printed by William Smith, 1782) pp. 62-63

Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: Prolegomena

In our last post we introduced some of the high points in Bavinck’s definition of dogmatics and its relationship to the faith, creeds and members of the church. We continue our series with a few more significant elements in Bavinck’s prolegomena before exploring his thought in the doctrines of God, creation, fall, and redemption.

Herman’s Dogmatic Presuppositions

If the church is defined and lives by the Word, dogma demonstrates the truth of the faith and her confessions by scripture and not by, “what is conceived by philosophy.” Bavinck presupposes that scripture contains the truth that was with God in all eternity, and has been made known by its own power, “even after the fall, sin notwithstanding.” One of Bavinck’s compelling arguments shows that philosophers of religion (in this instance Ritschl and Troeltsch) proceed on an “unproven presupposition … that God exists” and can be known. With the rise of rationalism and the scholastic character of theology, prolegomena has taken a much more formal character, taking forever to get to the actual content of dogma. Bavinck’s analysis is quite demanding, but the payoff is a clear cut case for a dogmatics that corresponds with scripture and not one built on the speculation of ‘natural theology.’

Right here would be a good place to furnish a sample of Bavinck’s course of action from the doctrine of God, or other loci. But for all that Bavinck lays down for the firm and foundational guidance of scripture he has raised a lot of questions. Sure, everyone knows the term ‘theology’ is not used in scripture, and usually take it for granted; but some writers have pointed out the difficulty with the strict use of scripture terminology, especially during the Arian controversy. Further, I can imagine someone being uncomfortable with Bavinck’s analysis of the fall (Gen. 3), which holds that scripture doesn’t really explain the fall or the problem of evil, and for that matter merely records the event. On the other hand, he does hold to the historic character and unity of the Genesis narrative. Tensions like these are what give Bavinck’s work longevity.

These last two posts summarized some of the issues in part one of Bavinck’s prolegomena. We’ll hopefully continue to track his presuppositional claims of scripture in parts three and four (principia and principium externum) before moving into our study on the fall. A recent book well worth reading along side Bavinck is Daniel J. Treir’s Virtue and the Voice of God, Toward Theology as Wisdom (Eerdmans, 2006, 278 pps.). His introduction echoes many of Bavinck’s concerns with a philosophically driven theology in the current context.

Jonathan Edwards and Scotland Conference

At the end of March I will be presenting a paper at the Jonathan Edwards and Scotland Conference at the University of Glasgow. The Jonathan Edwards Center and Glasgow University are hosting what looks like a very stimulating conference. Speakers include David Bebbington, Wilson H. Kimnach, and Michael McClenahan. You can check out the conference schedule here. The title of my paper is "Edwards, McLaurin and the Transatlantic Concert of Prayer."

A Brilliant Plan for Pastoral Time Management?

Donn Arms has a brilliantly written post about a not-so brilliant plan for pastoral responsibilities. This is something that every pastor should give serious thought to.

Jonathan Edwards on False Humility in Pauline Interpreters

The more things change the more they stay the same...

I would take some notice of another thing, observable in the writings of Dr. T. and many of the late opposers of the more peculiar doctrines of Christianity, tending (especially with juvenile and unwary readers) not a little to abate the force, and prevent the due effect, of the clearest scripture-evidences in favor of those important doctrines; and particularly to make void the arguments taken from the writings of the apostle Paul, in which those doctrines are more plainly and fully revealed, than in any other part of the Bible. What I mean, is this: These gentlemen express a high opinion of this apostle, and that very justly, for his eminent genius, his admirable sagacity, strong powers of reasoning, acquired learning, etc. they speak of him as a writer of masterly address, of extensive reach, and deep design, everywhere in his epistles, among in every word he says.

This looks exceedingly specious: it carries a plausible appearance of Christian zeal and attachment to the Holy Scriptures, to bear such a testimony of high veneration for that great apostle, who was not only the principal instrument of propagating Christianity, but with his own hand wrote so considerable a part of the New Testament. And I am far from determining, with respect at least to some of these writers, that they are not sincere in their declarations; or, that all is mere artifice, only to make way for the reception of their own peculiar sentiments. However, it tends greatly to subserve such a purpose; as much as if it were designedly contrived, with the utmost subtlety, for that end. Hereby their incautious readers are prepared the more easily to be drawn into a belief, that they, and others in their way of thinking, have not rightly understood many of those things in this apostle’s writings, which before seemed very plain to them. Thus they are prepared, by a prepossession in favor of these new writers, to entertain a favorable thought of the interpretations put by them upon the words and phrases of this apostle; and to admit in many passages a meaning which before lay entirely out of sight; quite foreign to all that in the view of a common reader seems to be their obvious sense; and most remote from the expositions agreed in by those who used to be esteemed the greatest divines, and best commentators. As to this apostle, being a man of no vulgar understanding, it is nothing strange if his meaning lies very deep; and no wonder then, if the superficial observation of vulgar Christians, or indeed of the herd of common divines, such as the Westminster Assembly, etc. falls vastly short of the apostle’s reach, and frequently does not enter into the true spirit and design of his epistles. They must understand, that the first reformers, and indeed preachers and expositors in general, for fifteen or sixteen hundred years past, were too unlearned and short-sighted, to be capable of penetrating into the sense, or fit to make comments on the writings, of so great a man as this apostle; or else had dwelt in a cave of bigotry and superstition, too gloomy to allow them to use their own understandings with freedom, in reading the Scripture.

But, at the same time, it must be understood, that there is risen up now at length, in this happy age of light and liberty, a set of men, of a more free and generous turn of mind, of a more inquisitive genius, and of better discernment. By such insinuations, they seek advantage to their cause; and thus the most unreasonable and extravagant interpretations of Scripture are palliated and recommended: so that, if the simple reader is not very much on his guard, if he does not clearly see with his own eyes, or has too much indolence, or too little leisure, thoroughly to examine for himself, he is in danger of being imposed on with delusive appearances.

But I humbly conceive, that their interpretations — particularly of the apostle Paul’s writings, though in some things ingenious — are in many things extremely absurd, and demonstrably disagreeable, in the highest degree, to his real design, to the language he commonly uses, and to the doctrines currently taught in his epistles. Their criticisms, when examined, appear far more subtle, than solid; and it seems as if nothing can possibly be strong enough, nothing perspicuous enough, in any composure whatever, to stand before such liberties these writers indulge. The plainest and most nervous discourse is analyzed and criticized, till it either dissolves into nothing, or becomes a thing of little significance. The Holy Scripture is subtilized into a mere mist; or made to evaporate into a thin cloud, that easily puts on any shape, and is moved in any direction, with a puff of wind, just as the manager pleases. It is not in the nature and power of language, to afford sufficient defense against such an art, so abused; as, I imagine, a due consideration of some things I have had occasion in the preceding discourse to observe, may abundantly convince us.*

I pray that our great God will preserve us from the kind of handling of the Sacred Word that Edwards identifies and rightly chastizes here.

* This is found in the conclusion of The Christian Doctrine of Original Sin Defended in The Works of Jonathan Edwards: Vol. 3/Original Sin. Clyde E. Holbrook, ed. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1970), 434-37.

Editor's Note: We previously wrote a post in which Edwards dealt with the arguments now espoused by proponents of the "New Perspective on Paul," which, by the very fact that Edwards deals with them, proves that they are not, in any way, "new." You can read that post here.

R. Scott Clark is Blogging the WSC Conference Live

R. Scott Clark has announced that he will be blogging the 2009 Westminster Seminary California Conference on John Calvin. You can subscribe to the feed here.

There will be frequent updates and photos; the coverage begins at 6:00 PM sharpPacific time Friday night, 16 Jan. Clark will be posting links to the live blog at the HB also.

Dr. Clark has informed us that the Conference is just about sold out. This blogging endeavor will help those who cannot go be able to benefit from the talks.

Two Great Giveaways

Michael Ives, over at West Port Experiment, is giving away five copies of John Mackay's Thomas Chalmers: A Short Appreciation. Michael has done a good bit of blogging about Chalmers--specifically in regard to Chalmers' focus on deaconal mercy ministry. You can find out more about the giveaway here.

Desiring God is also promoting a giveaway until January 9th. This time they are giving away the Scholar's Library from Logos, a pair of tickets to the Pastor's Conference, and a Logos John Piper sermon manuscript library. There are several chances to win one or more of these goodies. You can find out more and apply here.

Sinclair Ferguson on Edwards' Resolutions

The Ligonier Ministry Blog has posted an article by Sinclair Ferguson on Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions. Ferguson offers an extremely insightful analysis of the Resolutions, emphasizing Edwards' age, theology and spiritual maturity. You can read the article here.

Reformed Media Review

The Christ the Center guys have begun a new venture. The Reformed Media Review is our attempt at providing audio reviews of new releases. The latest episode is here. In this episode we discuss at some length T. Desmond Alexander's new book From Eden to the New Jerusalem.

Joel Heflin Joins the Feeding on Christ Blog

If you haven't noticed, we have recently added another member to the Feeding on Christ blog. Joel Heflin recently posted an introduction to a brief study we will be doing on Herman Bavinck's Dogmatics. Joel was born in Portland, OR, and has spent much of his life on the west coast between Orange County and Vancouver BC. Joel's dad is a Baptist pastor (CBA) and inspired his love for Puritan studies early on. Prior to finishing his undergrad, Joel began working in his field of fine arts in the SoCal area, and later did graduate work at Regent College. Joel worked closely under profs. Hans Boresma, J.I. Packer, and Paul Helm, who supervised his thesis on the Puritan and Socinian controversy over election. He is currently authoring book reviews and articles for several theological journals, and works for a small publishing company editing and typesetting 17th c. Puritan works. He and his young family currently reside in Muskegon, Michigan.

We welcome Joel to the blog and are excited about his contributions!

Derek Thomas Sermon on Hell

Derek Thomas preached on the doctrine of Hell at the 2008 GPTS Spring Conference. The theme of the conference was "A Reformed View of the End Times." You can listen to Dr. Thomas' message here.

John Webster Lectures

John Webster, Professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Aberdeen, has a number of audio lectures online. You can find his series, "Perfection and Presence: God with Us, According to the Christian Confession," here. These were part of the Kantzer lectures at Trinity Evangelical Theological Society. Dr. Webster also has a lecture on the subject of mercy, given during the Christianity and Ethics Conference at the Garret Evangelical Theological Seminary. You can listen to that here.

Nick Needham Lectures on Church History

Nick Needham, Professor of Church History at Highland Theological College, has a series of lectures on various figures in church history here. Prof. Needham is a very gifted church historian. The following are the lectures available at Monergism:

John Chrysostom #1
John Chrysostom #2
Athanasius on the Deity of Christ #1
Athanasius on the Deity of Christ #2
The Life and Times of John Knox #1
The Life and Times of John Knox #2
Life and Times of John Knox #3
Life and Times of John Wycliff #1
Life and Times of John Wycliff #2
Life and Times of John Huss
Luther's Life Up Until the Diet of Worms
Luther: From the Diet of Worms to the Peasants Rebellion
Luther: From the Peasant's Revolt to Ongoing Reformation
Life and Theology of John Calvin #1
Life and Theology of John Calvin #2
Life and Theology of John Calvin Q & A #3
Life and Theology of John Calvin Q & A Continued #4

C. Gregg Singer Audio and Books

Those of you who appreciate the apologetics of Cornelius Van Til will love the works of C. Gregg Singer. Dr. Singer was the apologetics professor at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary from 1985 to his death in 1999. Dr. Singer's magnum opus is entitled, From Rationalism to Irrationality. If you do not have this book, I would encourage you to buy a copy immediately. They are actually fairly hard to come by, and often very expensive. Dr. Singer also wrote A Theological Interpretation of History, and The Unholy Alliance. The Unholy Alliance can be downloaded for free here. Quite a few of Dr. Singer's lectures on apologetics can be found here. Many of Dr. Van Til's lectures can also be found here.

Beside his lectures on apologetics, you will find Dr. Singer's course on church history of special interest.

GPTS Calvin Conference and Resources

This looks like it is going to be one of the best conferences of the year. I realize that everyone and his mother is having a John Calvin conference, but as far as those in the U.S. are concerned I am certain this will be hard to beat--it is affordable, the topics look great and the speakers are top notch theologians. At least check out the details. Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary will also be hosting a Pastors Institute in the summer. This year's looks especially interesting. I will be posting more in the weeks ahead.

I also want to point out that GPTS has taken over the Mt. Olive Tape Library. While most of-- if not all of--the audio is available on Sermon Audio, Greenville has put it on the school website in an easy to use MP3 format. Among all the other incredible resources, you will find Joel Beeke's course on Reformed Expository Preaching. This one probably the most valuable course I have ever taken. If you have time check out the audio by Dr. Joseph Pipa and Morton Smith as well. You will find many valuable lectures and sermons from these men.

For those of you who do not know, GPTS happens to be my Alma Mater Studorium.

Jonathan Edwards and Humor

Jonathan Edwards is not known for being a funny guy. In fact, many readers have found him to be rather dense and tough going. Let's just say that Edwards never signed on to Calvin's maxim of brevity and clarity! However, Edwards was not without his moments. The pastor from Northampton (or more accurately, the missionary from Stockbridge at this time) knew how to use his rapier wit on occasion. One such occasion was his debate with John Taylor on the nature of sin.

At one point in his masterful treatise The Great Christian Doctrine of Original Sin Defended, Edwards takes Taylor to task for the way he (Taylor) tries to interpret Paul's argument in Romans 1-3. Whereas Edwards notes that Paul is arguing for the universality of sin across the Jew/Gentile divide, Taylor tries to perform hermeneutical gymnastics by arguing that Paul is not arguing for the pervasive nature of sin but that some, even a large contingent, among Jews and Gentiles, were sinful. Taylor was opposed to the doctrine of original sin, period.

Here is Edwards at his wittiest best:

Or secondly, if any universality at all be allowed, it is only of the collective bodies spoken of; and these collective bodies but two, as Dr. Taylor reckons them, viz. the Jewish nation, and the Gentile world; supposing the Apostle is here representing each of these parts of mankind as wicked. But is this the way of men's using language, when speaking of but two things, to express themselves in universal terms, of such a sort, and in such a manner, and when they mean no more than that the thing affirmed is predicated of both of them? If a man speaking of his two feet as both lame should say, "All my feet are lame. They are all lame. All together are become weak; none of my feet are strong, none of them are sound; no, not one," would not he be thought to be lame in his undersdtanding as well as his feet? When the Apostle says, "That every mouth may be stopped," must we suppose that he speaks only of those two collective bodies, figuratively ascribing to each of them a mouth, and mean that those two mouths are stopped!*

Yes, Edwards can be funny. Now, it is true that we must needs be careful how we use humor, wit or sarcasm in our speaking or writing and especially in debating as here. But the fact of the matter is that our Lord and the Apostle Paul, not to mention the prophet Elijah (among others), all used humor or sarcasm to great and pointed effect (see 1st Kings 18:27; Matt. 21:23-27; Gal. 5:12). There is a time and a place for the use of such humor.

May God give us the wisdom to know when to use it.


*This is taken from The Works of Jonathan Edwards: Vol. 3/Original Sin. Clyde Holbrook, ed. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1970), 288.

Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: A Vital Luxury

After I received my degree from Regent College I thought, “Finally! I have time for Bavinck!” Recently I’ve formed a small study group to explore volume 3 of Bavinck’s Reformed Dogmatics: Sin and Salvation in Christ, as our primary text. Our plan is to produce a series of summary readings in Bavinck, in an effort to encourage others to take on the work of this great theologian.

Bavinck’s Prolegomena: Outset

The outset of Bavinck’s dogmatics is highly sensitive to the relationships between Scripture and Church Confessions, and other branches of systematic theology. The whole enterprise of dogmatic theology rests on the proposition that “God has said it” and must conduct its work within the wider social elements of the church (confessions, etc.) and never be left to private judgment or opinion. Dogmatics is an ‘objective science’ and arrives at certainly on the authority of Scripture; if it were subjective, the content of religion is solely human in origin, and not universal truth. For Bavinck, objectivity gives theology both its scientific character and a social aspect, keeping dogmatics from being crusty or aloof from the vital life of the Church.

Bavinck’s ‘organic relations’ between ourselves and Scripture takes into account our different communities, locations, times, culture, and place in history. We all have various backgrounds, and that is a good thing, because it contributes to our personalities, and ultimately the social settings in which we interact with the world around us. Theology is aided by our personal experience and our personalities. However, Bavinck cautions, it becomes a total bummer when we make our experiences the rule of theology, which tend to minimize the results and deaden the impact of our spiritual labor. The goal of Bavinck’s theology is to see the church, and the theologian work together under the guidance of Scripture, through the Holy Spirit. Faith is personable: God reveals himself in a way that is intended to generate faith in our hearts, “and place us in a proper relationship to God … to give us the knowledge of faith” (Vol. 1: 91). I’ve found this social/organic element in Bavinck quite beneficial for engaging his work. In many ways it draws the reader into a historically long and daunting conversation, which Bavinck handles with relatively simple ease.

T4G Blog is Alive and Well

Somehow I failed to see that Ligon Duncan started blogging again at the Together for the Gospel Blog. This is due, according to Dr. Duncan, because of Tim Challies. For those of you who used to follow the T4G blog and stopped because they didn't post anything after April 24, 2008, you will be glad to know that they started again on Dec. 5, 2008. Here is a very helpful post on obstacles to sharing the Gospel. I want to encourage our readers to start checking out the T4G blog again.

Reading Calvin's Institutes in a Year

The 500th anniversary of Calvin's birth is surely a fitting time to read entire the Institutes. Princeton Seminary has a web-site that lays out what to read for each day of the year. The portion is available on-line in the Battles edition. You can also click on a page that has reflections by Professor Elsie McKee of Princeton. She's worth reading in my opinion. The readings aren't that long, so why not seize the opportunity to get acquainted or re-acquainted with this amazing book! You can find the web-site here. Happy New Year everyone!

Christ the Center's Greatest Hits of 2008

Here are some highlights of a year of great interviews on Christ the Center. One could say these are the panel's all time favorite moments.

Welcome the New Year with Our New Site

We want to wish everyone a happy new year, encourage you all to read Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions, and introduce you to our new website. We are encouraging our readers to check out the new blog page. While it is still under construction it is already more user friendly. We have changed our address from www.feedingonchrist.blogspot.com to www.feedingonchrist.com. We have changed our look, and will most likely be changing it again soon. We are now formally linked up with Reformed Forum, the website that hosts the Christ the Center podcast and the Reformed Media Review. We are excited about upcomiong projects and posts that we hope will be a blessing to each of you in the year ahead. Our great deaire is that this blog will be useful to you in your spiritual walk as you continue to feed on Christ by faith.

Almost Happy Birthday

As most of you all probably know by now, 2009 is the 500th anniversary of the magisterial Reformer John Calvin's birth. Many significant and substantial books, articles, and conferences have been issued and planned and will continue for the next year. Among the multitude of books that have been published to honor Calvin, and more importantly, Calvin's triune God, is this little gem written by John Piper, John Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God. The book is comprised of seven chapters and an appendix on the barbaric world of Calvin with specific concern for the Michael Servetus affair. The focus of the book is where it ought to be: on the majesty of the God whom Calvin worshipped and proclaimed. This material originally appeared in Piper's The Legacy of Sovereign Joy but this format is very convenient and can be read within an hour or so (the book has 59 pages).

It is my prayer that we remember the great John Calvin, who points us to one even greater than he, indeed the greatest of all, God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Christ the Center Interviews Lane Tipton

The panel of Christ the Center recently hung out with Lane Tipton and talked with him about Cornelius Van Til's Trinitarian theology. You can listen here. Lane did an outstanding job of explaining the relationship between the Trinity and theology as it was found in the writings of Dr. Van Til. This was, of course, also the subject of Dr. Tipton's doctoral dissertation and certain articles.

Shai Linne on the Glories of Jesus Christ

This is a beautiful sermon about our exalted Savior Jesus Christ:




HT: Josh

Here is the link to an outdoor concert in Philly where Shai Linne performed! Here is a longer video.

46 John Piper Books Online

In case you did not know, Desiring God has 46 English titles by John Piper online for free. You can find and download a PDF copy of any of them here. This is a great blessing for those of us who do not have unlimited funds for book buying. I hope you all will make good use of this resource. There are also several in other languages as well.

Consider Him!

The amazing thing about Scripture is that it provides so much comfort and instruction by way of example. When Christians are put through trials, or called to suffer, they are not alone. This is one of the primary reasons the writer of Hebrews wrote about the cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11. We so often think about Hebrews 11 as the chapter that commends faith that leads to obedience. And while this is certainly true, the entire context is one of testing and trials and obstacles in which faith is to be exercised. After reminding his readers of all the great men and women of faith, who exercised faith in the midst of these extreme trials and situations (trials so great that it appeared as though everything was against them and the fulfillment of God's promises--as in the case of Abraham offering up Isaac), the author of Hebrews adds:

the time would fail to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets--who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.

Here is a list of several OT saints who were tested, tried or persecuted, and yet, who persevered in faith:

Abel was killed by his brother because he worshiped God in truth.

Jacob spent half his life fleeing from his brother, and then had his favorite son taken from him.

Joseph was thrown in a well and sold into slavery by his own brothers.

Moses chose the reproach of Christ rather than the passing treasures of Egypt. He faced the anger of the most powerful man in the world without fear. He was also put to the test by a complaining church of 2 million people in the wilderness for forty years.

Hannah was mocked by her husband's other wife because she was barren.

David stayed alive by fleeing from Saul for many, many years. David also fled from his own son, Absalom, who spent many years trying to kill him.

Daniel was thrown into a lions den for his faithfulness to the LORD.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Adednego were thrown into a fiery furnace for thier faithful to the LORD.

Jeremiah was put in a pit for preaching the truth.

Zechariah was killed by the alter of God.

But the greatest example of righteous suffering was, of course, our Lord Jesus Christ. He, unlike all the men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11, was sinless. This is precisely why they are commended for looking to Him by faith. This is why they were righteous sufferers. And, contrary to the idea that the life of Jesus was simply an example to follow, we learn that we are to look to Him by faith in the midst of our trials and temptations--because He has redeemed us. There is, however, a very real sense in which He is the supreme example of suffering and endurance. We see this as we transition from Hebrews 11 to Hebrews 12. There, at the beginning of chapter 12 were are reminded that Jesus "for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." It was all the wrong He suffered at the hands of sinners (even from sinners in the OT church), and for our salvation, that provides us with the strength to follow Him. We are to remember Him when we are wronged and spitefully treated. We are to look to Him who will one day judge the living and the dead.

There are many helpful books on suffering, trials and temptations but I would simply like to mention a few here:

John Piper and Justin Taylor's Suffering and the Sovereignty of God. A free PDF version of this book can be found here.

James W. Bruce III's From Grief to Glory. James Bruce also has a nice blog here.

Sinclair Ferguson's Deserted By God.

William Henry Green's Conflict and Triumph.

Rick Philips on the Obama-Warren Connection

Rick Philips has done it again! He has provided a very thoughtful and well argued analysis of the problems concerning Rick Warren's prayer at Barak Obama's inauguration. You really should read this.

Stephen Nichols on Christ the Center

Here is the latest Christ the Center interview. The panel talked with Stephen J. Nichols about his book Jesus Made in America. This was, far and away, the most lively Christ the Center interview.

Dr. Nichols gave us a summary of the book and the panelists interacted with him about the prevalent American Evangelical temptation to make Jesus over in our own image or into the image of some ideal far removed from his Biblical context. The group looked at how Jesus was understood by the Puritans in New England as well as the manly Jesus of Jacksonian America and the gentle Jesus meek and mild of the Victorian era. Closer to the present time the panelists discussed Fosdick and Van Dyke and their views of Jesus in contradistinction to the orthodoxy of J. Gresham Machen. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the American made Jesus was the consideration of the roots of contemporary Christian music (CCM).

We always love having Nichols on the show. I hope you enjoy.

The NT Teaching on Fighting Error

Jay Adams has posted some thoughts on what the New Testament has to say about guarding against false teaching. You can read it here. The only reference I would add to the list he provides is Ephesians 4:11-16.

Noel Weeks on the Contextualization of Scripture

Noel Weeks' volume The Sufficiency of Scripture provides some very helpful guidelines in regard to the multi-variant issues that arise during the hermeneutical process. Weeks deals with such issues as cultural "Contextualization," "The Human Element of Scripture," and "'Rabbinic' Exegesis in the New Testament." When he comes to explain the dangers surrounding the trend to emphasize cultural contextualization--a contextualization centering on the belief that "the fundamental concepts, ideas, and themes of Scripture are shaped by the culture within which the Scriptures were given(76)"--Weeks gives two examples to illustrate an illegitimate and a legitimate use of historical contextualization. First, he explains that all of Scripture is aimed at promoting truth in the midst of a world full of falsehood. He writes:

The ideas of a culture are not neutral. They are much influenced by the cultures acceptance of, or rejection of, the truth of God. This was true in Biblical times. Much of Scripture is a polemic against the ideas of the time. (78)

The great danger Weeks is seeking to confront is the potential loss of the Gospel. He explains:

If we may revert to the idea of sacrifice. The Scripture does not simply accept the ideas of the time. For contemporary ideas tended to see sacrifice as food for the god worshiped. Scripture, in rejecting this, is asserting a different view of God as the just, and hence the wrathful, God. If we change our view of sacrifice, and hence the work of Christ, we must also change our view of God...The fact is that such concepts as the justice of God cannot be relativized and "contextualized" without destroying the Gospel. (78)

Weeks is very careful, however, to note the fact that Scripture is, in fact, written within a cultural context:

It may be objected that Scripture is very much in terms of the culture of its time. The tenth commandment refers to an ox or a donkey and not to a llama or a yak. Surely such passages of Scripture must be 'contextualized' in order to be applied today. (78)

So how does one reconcile the fact that contextualization, if approached illegitimately can potentially be used to destroy the Gospel, while at the same time acknowledging the fact that Scripture has a historical context that must be taken into account? Weeks concludes with these thoughts:

It all comes down to a crucial question: Do we meet in Scripture a truth which transcends cultural barriers, even though it is applied to a particular culture, or do we meet a truth expressed in terms of the limited ideas of a particular culture?
If the truth is not culture bound, yet is directed to a particular culture, then we can apply that same truth to different cultures and different situations...If we may revert again to the example of the tenth commandment , the commandment already provides the ground for including llamas and yaks by the fact that it includes 'anything that belongs to your neighbor.' (78)

All of this is to say that this volume is an exceptional contribution to hermeneutics. Weeks faithfully and clearly articulates the issues the exegete is confronted with when seeking to faithfully and clearly interpret and expound Scripture. It is a valuable tool for scholars and pastors alike.

Paul Helm on the Two Natures of Christ

Did Jesus act at one time in His human nature and at another in His Divine? Is this the way we can reconcile the words of and about our Lord in the Gospels when they seem to contradict one or the other essential attributes of the human or Divine nature? Paul Helm seeks to give (or you might say 'not to give') an answer to this all important question. You can read his thoughts here.

Penn (Of Penn and Teller) on Witnessing to Athiests?

You have to watch this video.




HT: Ed Stetzer

Jay Adams' Blog

The Institute for Nouthetic Studies has a new blog. Jay Adams (or in the words of C.J. Mahaney, 'Jay-let's-get-right-to-the-point-Adams') is featured on it. Knowing Jay's writing ministry, this blog looks like it will have some excellent posts in the days ahead.

Another Christ the Center Interview with Darryl Hart

Here is the link to the latest Christ the Center interview. This is the second time that we had the privilege of sitting down with Darryl Hart. The panel sat down with Darryl to discuss his book Deconstructing Evangelicalism. Hart points out that Evangelicalism actually is an umbrella term used to unite conservative Christians from different traditions. There never has been a generic Evangelical. The panel discussed the different senses of the word “Evangelical” and noted that the use of the word today in America is more or less governed by the rise of Neo-Evangelicalism in the mid-twentieth century. Perhaps it is best to identify oneself by one’s denominational affiliation. Listener’s will find this discussion timely and fascinating.

You can listen to the first Darryl Hart interview here.

Sinclair Ferguson Lectures on Preaching Christ and the Gospel

RTS has an annual John Reed Miller Lecture Series. In 2005 they hosted Sinclair Ferguson. Dr. Ferguson gave a series of lectures on preaching Christ and preaching the Gospel. The lectures he delivered were:

Preaching Christ
Reaching Our Standards
Using our Grids

New Book on 1 Corinthians 15:56: "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law."

Here

John Owen Giveaway Winner!

Gino Curcuruto is the winner of our John Owen Giveaway. I would be remiss if I did not mention that Derek Thomas was just one number off of the random drawing. Sorry Derek! I guess Seminary Professors don't get all the free books after all.

New Book on Paul, the Law, and the Covenant of Works

Here.

D.A. Carson Sermons and Lectures (List 3)

Here is the final list of D.A. Carson sermons and lectures. Again, many thanks to P.J. Tibayan for the hard work of gathering these into one place. Some of the titles over at God is Greater Than All are left off since many of the same lectures are given at different locations:

My Lord and My God (John 20:24-31)
Streams of Living Water (John 7:37-39)
The Pastor as Son of the Heavenly Father(2008 Bethlehem Conference for Pastors)
The Pastor as Son of the Earthly Father(2008 Bethlehem Conference for Pastors)
The Pastor as Father of His Family and His Flock(2008 Bethlehem Conference for Pastors)
Panel Discussion
What is Evangelicalism
What Makes You Greater Than King David (Matthew 11:2-19)
The Dissatisfied, the Smug, and the Broken (Matthew 11:16-30)
How to Wait for the End (Matthew 24:36-25:46)
An Apostolic Dispute and Justification (Claris Conference)
Justification, Righteousness and the Cross of Christ (Claris Conference)
The Authority of Scripture
Evaluating a Complex Movement
A Biblical Mediation on Truth and Experience
The Night of Questions (John 3:1-21)
Difficult New Testament Passages

Matt Chandler Blog and Sermons

Matt Chandler, pastor of the Village Church in Highland Village, TX, has started the Dwell Deep blog.




Matt is a very gifted, bold, and biblical preacher whose teaching on church planting can be found at the Acts 29 Website. You can also listen to Matt's sermons here. A few of Matt's other sermons are online. They include:

Gravity: The Weight of Pastoring and the Knowledge of Christ
Preaching the Gospel in the Center of the Evangelical World
Vision of a Church Planter
Q & A with Matt Chandler and John Piper
Interview with Matt Chandler
Advise for Preachers
Knowing and Preaching the Authority of Scripture

A Plea for Theological Waterboys

I have just listened to an excellent lecture by D. A. Carson on the training of future Evangelical scholars. This just goes to show that I do, in fact, read posts by my colleagues here at Feeding on Christ. Carson points out in this lecture (an ETS address going back to the 90s) that there is a need to bring together the various theological disciplines which have been fragmented for various and sundry reasons over the past hundred plus years and there is a need to bring together the church and the academy. I thoroughly resonate with both concerns. Carson is not the only theologian/scholar to raise these concerns. My friend and former school mate Lane Keister over at Green Baggins is researching the theme of unity within the theological curriculum or encyclopedia. This is absolutely essential for the health and wellbeing of individual Christians and of the church as a whole. It is essential that we read the Bible, for instance, as a whole book inspired by a single divine author working through many human authors. And Carl Trueman has written on the unfortunate divorce that has occured between the church and the academy in his book The Wages of Spin. The unusual hybrid which we call the seminary is the place where this divorce is most keenly felt. But my concern moves beyond these two, although it is intimately tied to them both. My concern is that we disciple theological generalists as well as specialists. Both are needed in the Christian academy and in the church. Given the heavy emphasis on specialization in the academic environment the thrust of my comments will be about discipling and supporting theological generalists.

My concern that seminaries and churches raise up theological generalists is, I believe, Scriptural, theological, and personal. The concern is Scriptural in that the Bible calls us to integrity. To have integrity is to be integrated. That is, a man of integrity is a man who is not fragmented. Morally, fragmentation is understood as "double-mindedness" and Scripture frowns on double-mindess as it is an indication of instability (James 1:5-8). Yes, I believe that an over stress on specialization to the detriment of generalization is not only an intellectual and pragmatic problem, it is an ethical one. As Christians, whether laymen or officers in the church, we are called to walk the Christian walk in union with our risen Lord and with integrity and that has implications for education and the ongoing life long learning process.

A concern that we have theological generalists in the academy and the church is also wise theologically. To speak of a theological encyclopedia is to speak of the the whole circle of disciplines that goes into making a well-rounded theologian. A theologian ought to be conversant in Bible and other languages. He ought to be familiar with church and secular history. He ought to be at home in the Bible, being adept at both exegesis of particular texts and understanding and explaining how particular texts relate to their contexts (which ultimately means the whole Bible). A theological generalist will be familiar with the history of philosophy and other kinds of thought. He will also be intimately acquainted with systematic theology. And, this is important, he will be able to apply what he knows in appropriate ways in the life of the school and/or the church. This is a pretty tall order. And I do not expect this to happen overnight or even in three or four years of seminary. A good seminary education starts you on your life-path, it does not land you at your destination. And what I say here about formal theological education and application (and yes, a theological education is meant to be used and put into practice in the church-oh my!) applies in its own way to laypeople who ought to desire to learn as much as they can about different aspects of the Christian faith. If you are wondering what a theological generalist looks like I would like to suggest two examples: Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield. I could list a whole host of others. These were theological rennaisance men.

My plea for theological generalists in the church and the academy is also rather personal. It is the way I personally lean. Yes, I have my special areas of interest and research, but I also desire to learn about areas outside of my speciality. God has wired me that way and I think I have an obligation to pursue knowledge in as many different areas as possible. I am not suggesting that I personally transcend the Creator/creature distinction and gain comprehensive knowledge (although I surely felt that was what was demanded of me in my doctoral comprehensive exams!) of everything. No. I am suggesting that the church needs ministers, elders, deacons, and laity who are well-rounded. I remember many years ago talking with a professor of mine about the fact that I was interested in a little bit of everything. He told me then that I would have to choose one topic to delve deeply into. He was surely correct. And I struggle with that. But I am suggesting that just like we need general practitioners and specialists in the field of medicine, we also need them in the field of spiritual medicine (if I may put it that way). Perhaps I am drawn to apologetics just because it is a discipline that requires that the apologist be familiar with many different fields that impinge upon the claims of the Christian faith. I am a theological waterboy.

In the end my plea is not about me. It is about what is good for the people of God. And what I have said, though geared more toward those attending seminary or those who have attended or want to attend it, is also applicable to the layperson. I would remind us that Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 that we are to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. This what it means to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do we need specialists in the Old or New Testament? You bet! Do we need people who are experts in systematic and biblical theology and church history? We certainly do. But we also need theological generalists or waterboys who know how to integrate the different aspects of the Christian faith in order to bring them to bear in the life of the church.

Water anyone?