Entries from March 1, 2008 - April 1, 2008
Theological Term of the Week
Docetism
- From the Apostle John:
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. (1 John 4:2-3)
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:7)
- From The Definition of Chalcedon (451)
Following, then, the holy fathers, we unite in teaching all men to confess the one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This selfsame one is perfect both in deity and in humanness; this selfsame one is also actually God and actually man, with a rational soul and a body. He is of the same reality as God as far as his deity is concerned and of the same reality as we ourselves as far as his humanness is concerned; thus like us in all respects, sin only excepted. Before time began he was begotten of the Father, in respect of his deity, and now in these “last days,” for us and behalf of our salvation, this selfsame one was born of Mary the virgin, who is God-bearer in respect of his humanness.
We also teach that we apprehend this one and only Christ-Son, Lord, only-begotten — in two natures; and we do this without confusing the two natures, without transmuting one nature into the other, without dividing them into two separate categories, without con- trasting them according to area or function. The distinctiveness of each nature is not nullified by the union. Instead, the “properties” of each nature are conserved and both natures concur in one “person” and in one reality . They are not divided or cut into two persons, but are together the one and only and only-begotten Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus have the prophets of old testified; thus the Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us; thus the Symbol of Fathers has handed down to us. - From Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century A.D., with an Account of the Principal Sects and Heresies.
St. Jerome scarcely exaggerates when he says (adv. Lucif. 23): “While the apostles were still surviving, while Christ’s blood was still fresh in Judea, the Lord’s body was asserted to be but a phantasm.” Apart from N.T. passages, e.g. Eph. ii. 9, Heb. ii. 14, which confute this assertion, but do not bear clear marks of having been written with a controversial purpose, it appears from I. John iv. 2, II. John 7, that when these epistles were written there were teachers, stigmatised by the writer as prompted by the spirit of Antichrist, who denied that Jesus Christ had come in the flesh, a form of expression implying a Docetic theory. Those who held that evil resulted from the inherent fault of matter found it impossible to believe that the Saviour could be Himself under the dominion of that evil from which He came to deliver men, and they therefore rejected the Church’s doctrine of a real union of the divine and human natures in the person of our Lord….
Learn more
- From Truth for Today: Docetism
- Human, Body and Soul by Greg Johnson (There are a couple of places in this piece where I’d word things differently, not because I disagree with the point being made, but because I think the wording might be confusing.)
- My own quiz on Jesus as a human being.
a sermon I heard in which the pastor preached that Jesus’ blood was not human blood, but completely divine….I’ve heard this particular teaching is called Doceticism, but I don’t know why or what all it entails..
rebecca
in theological terms
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Sunday's Hymn: In Bunhill Fields
For the next few weeks, the Sunday’s hymn will be written by someone who is buried in Bunhill Fields.
He who would valiant be ’gainst all disaster,
Let him in constancy follow the Master.
There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.
Who so beset him round with dismal stories
Do but themselves confound—his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight,
He will make good his right to be a pilgrim.
Since, Lord, Thou dost defend us with Thy Spirit,
We know we at the end, shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away! I’ll fear not what men say,
I’ll labor night and day to be a pilgrim.
—-John Bunyan, but reworked by Percy Dearmer
Here are the original words from Pilgrim’s Progress:
Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither;
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather
There’s no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.Whoso beset him round
With dismal stories
Do but themselves confound;
His strength the more is.
No lion can him fright,
He’ll with a giant fight,
He will have a right
To be a pilgrim.Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit,
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies fly away,
He’ll fear not what men say,
He’ll labor night and day
To be a pilgrim.
Learn more about John Bunyan:
-
To Live Upon God that Is Invisible: Suffering and Service in the Life of John Bunyan by John Piper.
- The First Sunday After Easter at Magic Statistics
- Who Am I? at The Happy Wonderer
- The God of Abraham Praise at Hiraeth
- Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee at Seasoning of the Heart
- It Is a Thing Most Wonderful at Whatever Things…
- Christ the Lord is Risen Today at Field Stone Cottage
- Lord’s Day 13, 2008 at The Thirsty Theologian
- Now Be My Heart Inspired to Sing at JoythruChrist
Theological Term of the Week
Panentheism
- From the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 2, Section 2. (A biblical Christian view of the relationship between God and the universe.)
God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them: he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and manifest; his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature; so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain.
- From Panentheism—Part One by Norman Geisler.
Rather than viewing God as the infinite, unchanging sovereign Creator of the world who brought it into existence, panentheist think of God as a finite, changing, director of world affairs who works in cooperation with the world in order to achieve greater perfection in his nature.
Theism views God’s relation to the world as a painter to a painting. The painter exists independently of the painting; he brought the painting into existence, and yet his mind is expressed in the painting. By contrast, the panentheist views God’s relation to the world the way a mind is related to a body. Indeed, they believe the world is God’s “body”…. [L]ike some modern materialist who believe the mind is dependent on the brain, panentheists believe God is dependent on the world. Yet there is a reciprocal dependence, a sense in which the world is dependent on God.
Learn more
- Norman Geisler: Panentheism—Part One and Part Two
- What is panentheism? from GodQuestions.org
rebecca
in theological terms
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Complaint Department: Parcel Delivery
Yes, I do have a more substantial post coming (I hope) later today. Meanwhile, I’m amusing myself by tracking a parcel containing a gift I ordered for oldest son’s birthday last Wednesday.
Can you read that? According to this, my parcel has been right here in town since last Thursday (That’s eight days ago!) and on the truck for delivery every single working day since then, yet on three of those days, my parcel was not due for delivery. What’s up with that? Do they lug it around town just for the fun of it?
On Tuesday, it says I was not available, yet I was right here at home all day.
I’m taking bets on whether it will be delivered today or whether I’ll have to wait until next week. What’s your best guess?
rebecca
Grrrrrr!
The very nice Purolator delivery man delivering another parcel suggested that I call the delivery company with the local contract for Fed Ex deliveries. He even gave me the number. Unfortunately, I must have remembered the number wrong. And I don’t remember who it is who does the local deliveries, either, so I can’t look the number up for myself.
I tried calling Fed Ex’s 1-800 number three times. Each time, it cut me off while I was holding for the first available customer representative. I’ve wasted 40 minutes and achieved nothing but a tension headache, so I’m leaving it alone for a while.
Oh and get this: When calling that toll free Fed Ex number, it asks that I punch in my tracking number. When I punch in the tracking number given right there on the Fed Ex tracking form shown above, it says the parcel is not in its system. Yet there it is, updated daily on their own tracking form.
Grrrrrr again!
rebecca
Tension headache is gone; the parcel has arrived.
Before I could say anything, the delivery guy said, “I’ve been trying to deliver this to your neighbour for 4 days. Sorry about that!” When she was finally home to recieve the parcel she pointed out to him that the address was for us, not her.
I told him I’d been tracking the parcel in Whitehorse for 8 days. He laughed nervously, so I laughed, too, and left it at that.
Book Review: Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor
I’ve listened to quite a few of D. A. Carson’s sermons and lectures (Okay, I’ll be honest. I’ve heard every single one I can download for free.), so I already knew some of his stories about his family and upbringing. I already knew that there were at least a few parallels between my own upbringing and his. My dad, for instance, was a small church pastor and missionary like Carson’s father, Tom Carson, and some of what I’d heard Don Carson say about his father made me think that he might have been a bit like my dad. My own mother used old adult-sized clothing to create cute clothing pieces for my sister and me, while Margaret Carson, Tom Carson’s wife, remade hand-me-down suits for her husband. And like D. A. Carson, I grew up poor, but unaware how much less we had than most people around us until later.
This is the reason I was hoping I’d be able to read and review Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor, Carson’s new book on the life of his father, who was a missionary pastor in Quebec. I can’t pass up a good biography, anyway, and if there are similarities between the people portrayed and the people I know and love, so much the better. And this was a good biography. I received my review copy in the mail on Thursday and finished it a couple of nights later because I stayed up reading until 2:30AM on Easter morning.
As it turns out, Tom Carson was different than my own father in many ways. Still, the parallels are notable, making the book all the more engrossing for me. Like my dad, Tom Carson was a faithful, ordinary pastor. His congregations were small; he wrote no books. His circumstances were often difficult, but he kept on serving and loving God, serving and loving his family, and serving and loving God’s people. He was disciplined in his use of time, one thing I’ve decided I need to work at more consistently.
The marketing for Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor seems to be directed primarily to pastors. If you aren’t a pastor, don’t let that keep you from adding this book to the list of books you wish to read. You may be particularly interested in reading about the life of Tom Carson if
- You are an ordinary pastor. We all enjoy little peeks into the lives of others who’ve had lives similar to our own, don’t we? I bet you’ll find encouragement and wisdom for your own walk in this account of Tom Carson’s life.
- You were (or are) an ordinary pastor’s kid. It’s a good thing to be reminded again of the sacrifices our parents made and the discipline their vocation required.
- You have an ordinary pastor. Let this book give you a better understanding of your own pastor’s life.
- You are Canadian. Those of us who are Canadian are probably ahead of the game when it comes to understanding some of the circumstances surrounding Tom Carson’s experiences. Plus, this book contains a little piece of Canadian church history. And let’s face it: There aren’t that many biographies of Canadian missionary pastors, so when one comes out, we’re probably obligated to read it.
- You enjoy biographies. This one is a pleasing mix of real journal entries from Tom Carson, excerpts from his sermon notes and letters, and Don Carson’s engaging retelling of his father’s life.
- You are an ordinary Christian. The example of an ordinary Christian who remains faithfully dedicated to doing God’s work through the common problems of life can spur us all to remain faithful.
rebecca
in book reviews
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A Gaggle of Geese Goodies
[From the Farmer’s Almanac Newsletter]
rebecca
in tidbits of no consequence, words, puzzling
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What are the sins forbidden in the first commandment?
The sins forbidden in the first commandment are, atheism, in denying or not having a God;[1] Idolatry, in having or worshiping more gods than one, or any with or instead of the true God;[2] the not having and avouching him for God, and our God;[3] the omission or neglect of anything due to him, required in this commandment;[4] ignorance,[5] forgetfulness,[6] misapprehensions,[7] false opinions,[8] unworthy and wicked thoughts of him;[9] bold and curious searching into his secrets;[10] all profaneness,[11] hatred of God;[12] self-love,[13] self-seeking,[14] and all other inordinate and immoderate setting of our mind, will, or affections upon other things, and taking them off from him in whole or in part;[15] vain credulity,[16] unbelief,[17] heresy,[18] misbelief,[19] distrust,[20] despair,[21] incorrigibleness,[22] and insensibleness under judgments,[23] hardness of heart,[24] pride,[25] presumption,[26] carnal security,[27] tempting of God;[28] using unlawful means,[29] and trusting in unlawful means;[30] carnal delights and joys;[31] corrupt, blind, and indiscreet zeal;[32] lukewarmness,[33] and deadness in the things of God;[34] estranging ourselves, and apostatizing from God;[35] praying, or giving any religious worship, to saints, angels, or any other creatures;[36] all compacts and consulting with the devil,[37] and hearkening to his suggestions;[38] making men the lords of our faith and conscience;[39] slighting and despising God and his commands;[40] resisting and grieving of his Spirit,[41] discontent and impatience at his dispensations, charging him foolishly for the evils he inflicts on us;[42] and ascribing the praise of any good we either are, have, or can do, to fortune,[43] idols,[44] ourselves,[45] or any other creature.[46]
rebecca
in Westminster Catechism
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Gospel List 3
What does the gospel do?
- It is through the gospel that life and immortality are brought to life. (2 Timothy 1:10)
- It is through that gospel that people are called to salvation. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)
- The gospel is at work in believers. (1 Thessalonians 2:9-14)
- The gospel comes in power and in the Holy Spirit and convicts fully. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
- The gospel bears fruit and grows among people. (Colossians 1:6)
- The gospel gives hope. (Colossians 1:23)
- The gospel blesses. (1 Corinthians 9:23)
- It is through the gospel that Gentiles become fellow heirs. (Ephesians 3:6)
- The gospel saves. (Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:1; Romans 1:16)
- The confession of the gospel produces obedience. (2 Corinthians 9:13)
- It is through the gospel that people hear and come to faith. (Romans 10:14-17)
Gospel List 2
rebecca
in soteriology, lists
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Sunday's Hymn: See What A Morning!
S
ee, what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce, “Christ is risen!”
See God’s salvation plan,
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!
See Mary weeping, “Where is He laid?”
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It’s the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!
One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow’r and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!
—Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Kingsway Thankyou Music
- The Collect for Easter-Day at Magic Statistics
- Was It A Morning Like This? at The Happy Wonderer
- Ah, Holy Jesus at Hiraeth
- Christ the Lord is Risen Today! at Seasoning of the Heart
- Low in the Grave He Lay at Whatever Things…
- Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus at Field Stone Cottage
- Lord’s Day 12, 2008 at The Thirsty Theologian
Poetry of the Cross: Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14
W
hen I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God,
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down,
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
—Isaac Watts
More Poetry of the Cross
- Dorothy at Field Stone Cottage: Not All the Blood of Beasts
- Update: Brandon of Siris: Dream of the Rood
rebecca
in soteriology, poetry
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