QOD

The Federalist Patriot
Founders' Quote Daily

"[T]he States can best govern our home concerns and the general
government our foreign ones. I wish, therefore...never to see
all offices transferred to Washington, where, further withdrawn
from the eyes of the people, they may more secretly be bought
and sold at market."

-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to Judge William Johnson, 12 June 1823)

Reference: Original Intent, Barton (261); original Memoir,
Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas
Jefferson, Thomas Je

Colossians 2:8-9

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits [1] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily

I have been wanting to point out these two blog posts, here and here, by Dr. White for several days now. Dr. White is urging his readers to commit scripture to memory, starting with the verses quoted above. But, not only is he encouraging memorization and meditation, but giving us some great exegesis so we can understand fully what exactly we are memorizing.

These two verses are great because they warn against being fooled and letting yourself be taken captive by philosophy and deceitful ideas that are contrary to Christ and his wisdom. Secondly, verse 9 is a powerful declaration of Jesus' deity and humanity. You can find MUCH more on these verses at the links I provided above. So, let me invite you to commit these verses to memory along with me.

Memorizingly,
Russ

Interesting info on the origins of Christmas

For the last couple of years Christmas has brought about many mixed feelings for me. On the one hand I have many fond memories of Christmas, not just getting presents, but of spending time with family and celebrating Christ's birth through the typical Christmas activities. But then I heard that some Christians think celebrating Christmas is wrong, even sinful, because it was originally a pagan religious festival and therefore should be avoided and basically ignored. Now, this was troubling information for me, rightly so, but I have learned, thankfully, to take my time with information such as this and try to find a biblically balanced view of things.

So, I have now been reading that Christmas was in fact not a response to a pagan ritual but the other way around. Justin Taylor has put together the post I wanted to here. Please review the articles he has posted and there are some informative links in the comment section also.

I am still trying to understand how the argument against Christmas does not commit the genetic fallacy, a logical fallacy. This probably needs more study and thought, but you've got to start somewhere right? I am more concerned with the commercialism and superficiality of the holiday than any pagan rituals or Roman Catholic Masses that occured over a century ago. In the meantime, I'll continue to celebrate Christmas, somewhat reservedly, but encouraged that I get to celebrate Christ birth, death, and resurrection every single Sunday.

Obsessing over Calvinism?

This post over at Purgatorio was just too good not to link to. Enjoy!

Apocalyptic Christmas?

Shouldn't I take a break from the Apocalypse to highlight the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay? Isn't there something kind of, well, unseasonable about teaching, at this time of year, about a Christ who bears a sword and a cosmic entourage, who prepares his people a messianic banquet and then prepares for the birds a banquet of the flesh and blood of his enemies (Rev 19:17-19)? It is hard to imagine Tiny Tim exclaiming "God bless us every one" after hearing my lesson on southern-fried Gog and Magog.

Read the whole thing here.

Man, I have so many mixed feelings about Christmas that I am not ready to dive into that subject fully, but wouldn't it dampen a lot of people's exuberence for "the holidays" if we more boldly proclaimed that the little baby you have in your manger scene or the one down the street will one day come back to judge their every thought and action and the only way to escape impending eternal punishment is to bow the knee and place their faith in his bloody sacrifice on the cross?

Happy Holidays!

Mercer University...Baptist No More?

Dr. Bob Rogers has a sadly interesting post about what is going on over at Mercer University and their future as a Southern Baptist supported college. Apparently Mercer is "Baptist" in name only. A college that started by Christians as a Christian institution and over time completely removed itself from any semblence of Christianity, well that is just part of the American landscape. What college today over 150 years old does not fit that statement? Well, when we see this happening elsewhere we are not surprised, but in Macon, GA? And to a Southern Baptist school? The same convention that has done a yoemans job of purging itself of "moderates" apparently has some purging left to do...or does it?

According to Dr. Rogers the Georgia Baptists have voted to stop funding and cut all ties to the school. Now I can't argue with this decision one bit. Would I want my money going to support a "Christian" instituion that condones and encourages blatantly sinful activities? Of course not, and I agree with this decision. But a part of me says, should they give up that easily? I don't know all the details but I wonder what could be done to try and bring Mercer back to a institution that reflected Southern Baptists beliefs, not rejected them. Perhaps that is indeed an impossibility. I hate seeing Christians continue to seemingly back away from society and culture and instead confront it, or redeem it if you prefer that terminology. Instead of giving up on (fill in blank) lets get to work on redeeming (fill in blank).

Now let me reiterate, I am thinking out loud here and have no clue what the plans are for Mercer and I am not disagreeing with the decision to remove funding. I would just love to have a conservative, Baptist, missional college a couple of hundred miles away where my daughter could attend one day. I wonder if that is a realistic goal or am I just dreaming?

QOD

The Federalist Patriot
Founders' Quote Daily

"The house of representatives...can make no law which will not
have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well
as the great mass of society. This has always been deemed one
of the strongest bonds by which human policy can connect the
rulers and the people together. It creates between them that
communion of interest, and sympathy of sentiments, of which few
governments have furnished examples; but without which every
government degenerates into tyranny."

-- James Madison (Federalist No. 57, 19 February 1788)

Reference: Madison, Federalist No. 57

The series continues...Birth Control

Dr. Moore has a link to a very thought provoking article over at Christianity Today. My favorite line from Dr. Moore's post is this one:

Still, there's something refreshing about Tennant pondering aloud what it means to apply a biblical worldview to her bedroom, and her medicine cabinet.

Man, I want to apply a biblical worldview to *EVERY SPHERE OF MY LIFE*. How about you? If so, you'll want to read his post, then the article.

Frightening Display

Over at Dr. White's blog he has a pretty frightening report of a conference gone bad, at least the protesting has gone bad. See here. These kind of things are becoming more and more normal it seems. We as Christians need to stand up against this kind of behavior and do our best to hold our elected officials and and law enforcement personnel to some kind of modicom of common sense. Yes, this starts with prayer. I am challenged to always remember our civil leaders in prayer. But in addition, we need to let our voices be heard, in a civil, humble, and truthful manner. Our challenge in the here and now is a two pronged attack. To redeem individuals through the proclamation of the gospel of Christ, and to encourage our Christian brothers & sisters to redeem our culture through intellectually and morally honest cultural engagement.

Russ

JOC: Redemption Songs

My awesome wife gave me Jars of Clay's latest CD "Redemption Songs". I am really enjoying this CD tremendously. Some of the tunes might throw you off if you are really used to these old hymns, but the words are incredibly God exalting and encouraging. If your interested in what this CD is all about, check out this interview with Jars of Clay bandmember Charlie Lowell entitled "Old Words, Vibrant Faith."

I give it two thumbs up.

Calvinism Debate

Well, it looks like Dr. Mohler and Dr. Patterson are going to debate Calvinism next year.

Can't wait to see how this plays out. I'll try to let you know when I hear more about it.

Concepts in Listening

10 Reasons to Listen to Questions before you answer?

Anyone else been guilty of this but me?

More on Worship

Worship in truth requires a right conception of who we worship, but also of how we worship him. It requires right methods that are taught by God’s Word. All through the Bible, we find people worshiping God sincerely but according to their own ideas of worship – and they are rejected by God. The first was Cain, who failed to bring a blood sacrifice for his sins and thus was turned away. Nadab and Abihu brought “unauthorized fire” into the Lord’s house and they “died before the Lord” (Num. 3:4). Perhaps the most significant example of false worship is the golden calf made by Aaron at the peoples’ request, while Moses was away on the mountain with God. It is important to know that the name “Yahweh” was inscribed on the golden calf: this idolatrous feast was offered to “the Lord” (Ex. 32:5). They sought to worship the true God in a false way, according to their own designs, and God was angered with great fury.

Get your fill here.

New Book on Dating from 5 Christian Perspectives

The issues of dating, courtship, and marriage have become hot-button concerns among American evangelicals--and especially among young people, their parents, and those who would minister among them. This much is clear: The model of dating, "hooking up," and romantic involvement that prevails in the larger culture is incompatible with the Christian understanding of marriage, love, sex, and romance.

Dr. Mohler must have read my blog on dating and decided it was a worthy topic. :)

Those of you who are interested in forming a Christian understanding of dating/courtship might want to check out this new book profiled here by Dr. Mohler. Spread the word.

Russ

Next: MacArthur's Take on Halloween

From the Bible Bulletin Board.

Question:
I have a little boy who is going to Christian School--he's in Kindergarten. It has come to my attention that they are going to be making "Jack 'O Lanterns," for Halloween and "Black Cats." I talked to his teacher and she said that "at Christmas they make Santa Clauses, and Easter Bunnies on Easter." I told her, I said that, "This is why my son is in Christian School--I want him to be separated from this. I teach him at home that we are not supposed to be a part of Halloween or this and that, but yet you are compromising, or contrary to me, to what I am saying and it is confusing him." "Mommy, why can't I do this; they are doing it?" And he understands he is in a Christian School. I have an appointment to talk with the principle of the school tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock--can you give me some advice?

Answer from MacArthur:

I think that's good. Well, I think you're right. Why create the unnecessary confusion? "Jack 'O Lanterns," and "Cats," and "Witches," and "Devils," and "Demons," and people dressed up in funny costumes and all of that. That is all out of paganism. In fact, I wrote a whole thing on that one time--I don't know if we have any of those around any more. The terrible mixture of Old Church festivals with pagan festivals, you know, like the Saturnalia feast of the pagans that got all mixed up with Christmas and that kind of thing. I think that it is good to keep those things distinct, and I think you're right to go talk to the Principle. I think it is a simple an issue as basically saying, "Look, this is a Christian School so let's celebrate the things that speak of Christ and the Word of God, and set a different pattern."

What we have always done with our kids in reference to Halloween, is to give them some kind of alternative when they were little (now they don't care). But when they were little we wanted to do something as a family that would be even more special than what everybody else did; and if you can create that for your own child he's not going to have any problem with what the others are doing if you do something with him that is even better. But I would definitely speak to the people and let them know how you feel about that; I think that is very important.

Question:

Is there anything wrong with children going out ?Trick or Treating?, like Halloween, and if so, what specifically is bad in it, and what do the MacArthur kids do? And, should Grace get involved in any alternatives?

Answer from MacArthur:

I think, it?s not a wise thing to have children go out trick or treating. I mean, I think it?s kind of dumb for Christian kids to dress up like ghosts and witches and weird things, and devil suits, and trouble-makers, and all that. I think, for example, you know, the whole thing of All Saints Day or All Hallows Eve has connotations, first of all of Roman Catholic tradition.

It has connotations of demons and spirits. Plus the fact that little kids are exposed to screwballs as well as to cars, and all kinds of other things. What we do in our family is we have an alternative. Like you said, we do an alternative thing. We do something fun for the whole family. It varies from year to year, and our church has always done that, too, for the kids. Have parties and socials and things. Because other little kids, you know, may get involved in things that are that way and they get something to talk about, anyway. And, they can say that they had a good time, too, and what they did. But, I think we have to be aware of the fact that we have to deal with alternatives in those things.

We do the same thing with Christmas. Our Christmas is a Christmas without Santa Claus. You know, I saw an ad in a Christian magazine the other day advertising some deal coming up for Christmas with Santa Claus kneeling at the manger. You know, that is so repulsive to me, you know. Santa Claus, what is he? Santa Claus wasn't kneeling at the manger. I mean, that's absurd! That is the typical marriage of the pagan with the Christian. There's no Santa Claus in our Christmas, either. But, we have Christmas because that's a good time to remember Christ's birth and focus on him. So, I would be for an alternative. We would not have our children involved in that.

QOD

The Federalist Patriot
Founders' Quote Daily

"Would it not be better to simplify the system of taxation rather
than to spread it over such a variety of subjects and pass through
so many new hands."

-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to James Madison, 1784)

Reference: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Julian P. Boyd,
ed., 7:557.

Can anyone say...fair tax!

Nuther Halloween Article

Dr. Mohler's take on Halloween.

Followup to the Birth Control Post

I just wanted to make one thing clear concerning my birth control post. I am all for Christian couples who want to have as many children as possible and am decidedly pro-limited use of BC. I can think of nothing better than large Christian families who are dedicated to bringing up Children in a godly family in the nurture of Christ. Expansion of the Kingdom of God brings joy to my heart! But, I think this position is one to be reached from the mindset of Christian liberty, and do not see an absolute law set forth in The Bible for this to apply to all situations at all times. I am open to correction on this, but at this point I still echo the sentiments of Doug Wilson's article.

Some interesting articles

There are a few interesting articles that I wanted to point you to.

First, Can one be saved without knowing about Jesus by J.I. Packer in Chritianity Today.

Next, two articles in the Boston Globe. The first is "Dobson's spiritual empire wields political clout" and the second is "Baptist lobbyist walks a fine line" about Richard Land. I learned a few things in both of these articles that I did not know.

Birth Control

"So What About Birth Control . . . ?"

By Douglas Wilson

In one sense, the fact that birth control is an issue in the church again is a
good sign. No longer are Christians automatically assuming that a practice which is widespread in the world must be okay.

At the same time, just because multitudes of non-Christians are doing something does not automatically make it unlawful either. So how are we to approach the question?

The first step is to see if the Bible teaches directly on the subject. And at
this level it is clear that certain forms of birth control are expressly
prohibited in Scripture. Beginning with the most obvious, we may exclude
infanticide and abortion. The Bible excludes all such practices in the most
direct way possible -- "Thou shalt not kill." What many may not realize is that
this commandment also excludes certain birth control devices, such as "morning after pills," or the IUD. These are devices which prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg, and which consequently are unlawfully interfering with a human life after it has begun.

But what about other birth control devices? Does the Bible say anything about
the lawfulness of a husband and wife limiting the number of children they have, or spacing them? The answer is both yes and no. There is nothing in Scripture that says the act of using birth control is unlawful in itself. At the same time, most birth control as practiced today is sinful in its motivation and application. To understand this we have to look at a related subject first.

While the Bible says nothing about birth control, it teaches much about children and family. So before we can ask whether the practice of birth control is lawful, we have to ask whether or not it springs from an understanding of, and submission to, the Bible's teaching on the blessings of family. And because situations vary, sometimes it does and much of the time it does not.

Let us start with an example of a situation where the use of birth control would
not be godly. Suppose a couple is thinking this way: "You know, kids are a hassle, both our careers are going well right now, the world is really overpopulated, and besides, we can always go off the pill later." Nothing is more apparent than the fact that this couple has been drinking in worldly assumptions from a fire hose.

Now a counter-example: "The Lord has graciously given us six children, and they are all a delight to us. But we have recently been thinking about using birth control because it is getting harder and harder to feed them all -- and the tuition costs for a biblical private education (or the time costs for a biblical home education) really add up."

Now the second couple may be mistaken in their assumptions (about their ability to care for seven children, for example). But this mistaken assumption is not the same kind of thing as the sinful and rebellious attitude exhibited by the first couple. In contrast, we see a family which believes that children are a blessing, and they have been acting accordingly.


Because the Bible says nothing about birth control itself, we must evaluate the
action based upon whether the action is motivated by a biblical attitude toward children and family.

Some have argued that the case of Onan spilling his seed on the ground in
Genesis is an example of God's judgment on an act of birth control. And so it
was -- but here our point (about the primacy of motivation) is strengthened. The thing that was objectionable in Onan's action was his deliberate attempt to rob his deceased brother of his posterity (Gen. 38:9). In other words, judgment fell on him because his motives were evil. Consequently, those who practice birth control with ungodly motives are following in the footsteps of Onan. But it takes a good deal of ingenuity to make a connection between this evil motive of Onan's and the motive of a godly couple who practice birth control to space their children in order to maximize the number of children they can have (e.g., because she has to deliver by Caesarean section). So when there is no clear teaching in the Scripture on a subject of moral and ethical behavior, it is necessary for us to be silent. We may not condemn something as sin in itself simply on the grounds that most people who do it are sinful in their motivations.

But this does not mean that a Christian husband and wife practicing birth control are free to assume they are doing right. It is true, as was argued above, that this entire issue must be understood in the light of our motivations. It is also true that in the area of motivations, we are answerable to God and Him alone. The issue of birth control is not an area where the civil magistrate or the elders of the church have any business. If an ungodly attitude toward children and family is visible and apparent, then that should be addressed by the elders of a church. But they should deal with it the same way they would deal with an analogous situation(e.g., someone who has an ungodly attitude toward alcohol -- which is not sinful in itself but which can be abused).

Parents are stewards before God, and it is children which are entrusted to them. Some parents receive the resources which God gives and bring up many children to serve Him. They are greatly blessed. Other parents may limit the children they have but believe the children they have to be a great blessing, and they also bring them up to serve the Lord. These parents are also blessed by God. When Jesus told the parable of the talents, He did not refer to any quarrel between the man who had ten talents and the man who had five.

The one who got into trouble (with his master, and not with his fellow-servants)was the one who feared to be entrusted with any responsibility. He buried what he had in the ground and was condemned by his master. And this is what many Christian couples have done and are doing. They don't want the responsibility of parenthood, but God has said that He made them one for the purpose of godly offspring (Mal. 2:15).

So our modern debate about birth control has unfortunately gravitated to the methods used -- as if the lazy servant could have justified himself by pointing out that the action of burying money in the ground is not inherently sinful. True enough, but beside the point.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that the use of birth control is sinful. So it is wrong to say that it is. The Bible does consistently say that children are a blessing from the Lord. And it is a sin to say or act as though they are not.

[End of Article]