Through the Veil

Strutter

Originally uploaded by Through the Veil

(Eighth in a 52 part introspective devotional series, weekly more or less, based on the Scriptures that inspired George Federick Handel to write The Messiah.)
[see the entire series here]

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. –Isaiah 60:1-3

History is the display of the supposed advantages of power and intelligence which some men possess over others, of the struggle for existence hypocritically described by ideologists as a struggle for justice and freedom, of the ebb and flow of old and new forms of human righteousness, each vying with the rest in solemnity and triviality…

–Karl Barth, The Epistle to the Romans (p. 77)

Looking at history it is all to common to see the struggle for power be so prominent. In fact, history could be conceivably described as the running account of sin on mankind since sin originates in the power seeking of Satan himself.

The judgement of God is the end of history, not the beginning of a new, a second, epoch. By it history is not prolonged, but done away with…God speaks: and He is recognized as the Judge…the end is also the goal; the Redeemer is also the Creator; He that judgeth is also He that restoreth all things. –Barth (Ibid)

If history then is a running account of the effects of sin on mankind then our history is not something to be tolerated by God. He, if He is indeed the Holy God described in the pages of the Bible, must end it. In fact, Jesus Christ on the cross was the beginning of the end of history. That was the statement of action that put God’s judgement on all humanity.

The most radical ending of history, the negation under which all flesh stands, the absolute judgement, which is the meaning of God for the world of men and time and things is also the crimson thread which runs through the whole course of the world in its inevitability. –Barth (Ibid)

Yet, we are stumbling around in darkness looking for the light as Isaiah foretold to Judah. Humanity knows its fate in the darkness. Will the church universal hide the light? Will the bride of Christ not look expectantly for her Bridegroom in the dark of the night?

One day the fulfillment of history will occur and God’s final Judgement will bring an end to “this terrestrial ball.” With expectancy, we must look to shine the gospel light into the darkness of mankind, freely weave the thread of the crimson stain that is the blood of Christ for redemption, and bring all “to thy light.”

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I pray, Lord, that I will be able by Your strength, to look with expectancy to Your coming. Until then help me to bring out darkness those that would seek Your light and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As recently posted to SBCImpact, Les Puryear will allow his name to be submitted for consideration for president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Rev. Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, TX, will announce his intention to nominate Puryear in an official press release tomorrow (Monday, May 12, 2008).

A native of North Carolina, Puryear has been pastor of Lewisville Baptist Church since 2005. Prior to his call into fulltime vocational ministry in 1996, Puryear served as a telecommunications executive for 25 years. Puryear has degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Fort Worth, TX and is currently working on a PhD at Trinity Seminary in Newburgh, IN.

I only know of Les through the blogosphere. But, I am familiar with the area he serves in having lived in Clemmons and Winston-Salem a number of years. Having also started my ministry “career” in a NC small church in the Sandhills region of NC I hear Les’ call to have the heart and soul of the SBC restored — churches cooperating in missions, locally, nationally, and worldwide.

“Les is a small church pastor and he represents the majority of the convention. It’s time for the Southern Baptist Convention to acknowledge that small churches are just as valuable in God’s Kingdom as any other size church. Les will encourage the convention to provide specific support in the way of conferences, materials, etc. for the small church environment.”

In my small corner of influence, I will endorse this nomination.

In viewing the recent blogosphere (so-called) conversations about the reported statistical decline in Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) membership the (now capitalist) Said at Southern has attempted to harmonize two resolutions that seek to address this issue.

In no particular order, the first of the resolutions are being presented by the Association of Convictional Baptists and the second of the resolutions is being presented by Tom Ascol of the Founders Ministries

Instead of having different and competing resolutions, I offer this harmonized version (Word document) below that may be used to present a united effort to address the issue of declining membership.

harmonized-resolution

What are your thoughts? Anyone?

HORATIUS BONAR
December 19, 1808 - July 31, 1889

Following are quotes from the Scotish theologian and hymn-writer, Horatius Bonar, as presented in the anthologized biography Christ Is All: The Piety of Horatius Bonar (Haykin & Brooker, Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2007)

Chapter 12: The True Stimulus to Missions

What we need as the true stimulus to missionary action and the true power of missionary endurance and bravery, is not the Arminian dogma of an aimless universal benevolence, but the Calvinistic recognition of an irresistible divine purpose. It is this that must form the basis of our working plans, our missionary directory, our incentive to missionary enterprise, our consolation under failure, and resistance, and reproach. (p. 75)

If indeed the work of missions be merely one of the many schemes of human benevolence, like that of a society for clothing the naked or feeding the hungry, there might be felt to be a necessity for a belief in universal and immediate success. (p. 75)

But if the estrangement of humanity from God be a thing quite beyond man and man’s argument or eloquence; if the resistance of a human will be a thing of almost inconceivable potency, and if the subjugation of that will require the direct forth-putting of Omnipotence, such as that which created heaven and earth, then God’s purpose is the first and last thing to be considered in going forth to deal either with Jew or Gentile. (p. 76)

The Pauline…scheme which connects all work for God with a definite purpose, and not with and indefinite wish, is that which alone can make us either comfortable or successful. Armed with this divine purpose, we feel ourselves invincible; nay, we are assured of being victorious. Having ascertained God’s purpose, and adopted it as the basis of our operations, we feel that we are in sympathy wit God while working for Him. And it is this sympathy, this oneness of mind with God, that cheers us and sustains. (p. 76-77)

We are far less evangelistic than you think we are, but too proud (and pragmatic) to admit it.

–Nathan Finn

This was said in Nathan’s timely and insightful post commenting on the newly released data revealing a decline in SBC membership.

Nathan has been the only person that has actually articulated an understanding of the issues facing the SBC. If someone were to come forward and nominate him for SBC President I believe I could support that. (But, I’m not going anywhere near Indy this summer! LOL)

HORATIUS BONAR
December 19, 1808 - July 31, 1889

Following are quotes from the Scotish theologian and hymn-writer, Horatius Bonar, as presented in the anthologized biography Christ Is All: The Piety of Horatius Bonar (Haykin & Brooker, Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2007)

Chapter 7: On Prayer

Be much alone with God…He wants, not merely to be on “good terms” with you, if one may use man’s phrase, but to be intimate; shall you decline the intimacy, and be satisfied with mere acquaintance? What! intimate with the world, with friends, with neighbours, with politicians, with philosophers, with naturalists, or with poets; but not with God! That would look ill indeed. Folly, to prefer the clay to the potter, the marble to the sculptor, this little earth and its lesser creatures to the mighty Maker of the universe, the great “All and in all!” (p. 62-62)

Chapter 8: Blameless Christians

If you are Christians then, be consistent. Be Christians out and out; Christians every hour, in every part, and in every matter. Beware of half-hearted discipleship, of compromise with evil, of conformity to the world, of trying to serve two masters — to walk in two ways, the narrow and the broad, at once. It will not do. Half-hearted Christianity will only dishonour God, while it makes you miserable. (p. 65)

Chapter 9: A Strong and Bold Witness

For there is some danger of falling into a soft and effeminate Christianity, under the plea of a lofty and ethereal theology…[Christianity] does not fear to speak the stern word of condemnation against error, nor to raise its voice against surrounding evils, under the pretext that it is not of this world. (p. 67)

Chapter 10: Our Eternal Heritage

It is a great thing to be a Christian. The very name is a noble one, beyond all the noble names of earth. The thing itself is inconceivably blessed and glorious. To say, “I am a Christian,” is to say, “I belong to God’s nobility; I am of the peerage of heaven.” (p. 69)

Be true to Him who loved you, and washed you from your sins in His won blood. He deserves it at your hands. It is the least that you can do for Him. (p. 70)

Chapter 11: The True End of the Ministry

It is the man who has made up his mind to confront every difficulty, who has counted the cost and, fixing his eye upon the prize, has determined to fight his way to it — it is such a man that conquers. (p. 73)

I found this via SBC Voices at Borrowed Light. It is a church constitution written in 1869. I think is so simple in its structure and yet complete in its theology and would do wonders as constitution for churches today.

The church met at 4 o’clock p.m. Reading, singing and prayer by the moderator.
1st The minutes of the last regular and subsequent called meetings read and on motion adopted.

2nd The report of the committee on Constitutions, Articles of Faith, and Rules of Decorum was called for, submitted, received, (Committee discharged), amended and adopted as follows:

Constitution & Rules of Decorum
of the First Baptist Church
Palmyra, MO

I Constitution

Article I. Name
This church shall be known as the First Baptist Church of Christ, Palmyra, MO

Article II. Powers
This church in her ecclesiastical capacity has no legislative power, only Executive and Judicial. Christ is her Lawgiver and the New Testament her Rule of faith and practice; and the enactments of this Constitution and these rules of decorum are founded upon the upon the New Testament, or pertain only to the church in her business capacity.

Article III. Articles of Faith
1. We believe in one only true and living God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and there three are one.

2. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God, and the only Rule of Faith and Practice.

3. That by nature we are fallen and depraved creatures.

4. That regneration, justification, sanctification, and salvation are only by the life, death , resurrection, ascension, and intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ and the operation of the Holy Spirit.

5. That all the saints will finally persevere from grace to glory.

6. That believers baptism is only immersion, and is necessary to the receiving of the Lord’s Supper.

7. That the salvation of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal.

8. That no minister has the right to administer the ordinances, until he legally comes under the imposition of hands.

9. That it is our duty to be tender one toward another, and study generally the happiness of God’s people at large, and endeavor to promote the honor and glory of God.

10. We believe in election by grace given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

11. That it is our duty to commune with orderly Baptists only.

12. That each church has a right to keep up its own government as it may seem best.

Article IV. Covenant
As we trust we have been brought by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the influence of his Spirit to give ourselves up to him, so we do now solemnly covenant with each other, that God enabling us, we will walk together in brotherly love; that we will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully warn, rebuke, and admonish one another, as the care shall require.

That we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor omit the great duty of prayer,
both for ourselves and for others; that we will participate in each other’s joys, and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows; that we will earnestly endeavor to bring up such as may be under our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; that we will seek divine aid to enable us to walk circumspectly and watchfully in the world, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust; that we will strive together for the support of faithful evangelical ministry among us; that we will endeavor by example and effort to win souls to Christ; and through life amidst evil report and good report, seek to live to the glory of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

HORATIUS BONAR
December 19, 1808 - July 31, 1889

Following are quotes from the Scotish theologian and hymn-writer, Horatius Bonar, as presented in the anthologized biography Christ Is All: The Piety of Horatius Bonar (Haykin & Brooker, Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2007)

Chapter 3:  Biblical Religion:  A Via Media

One feels, in our day, how little there is of simple reading of the Divine Word, and simple understanding of it, unwarped by system, or undiluted by speculation.  Not that Scripture is left unstudied, but it is little studied for the simple end of learning the mind of God, and of having the way that leads to the kingdom traced out for our personal guidance.  (p. 52)

Chapter 4:  The Apostolic Way of Evangelism

Nothing less than this is our work now; nothing below this must be the church’s standard i every age.  Out and out Christianity, unmistakable religion; not varnished worldliness or baptized paganism.  “Ye must be born again;” “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;” “Ye are washed, ye are sanctified, ye are justified:”  these are the keynotes of the church’s testimony.  Let us not lower this for a moment.  (p. 54)

Chapter 5:  Health of the Soul

Whether, then, we consult our own interests or those of others, we must advance in holiness.  If we would have a deeper peace, we must be holier men.  If we would shed brighter light upon a dark world to attract them and win them out of their darkness, we must be holier men.  If we would glorify God each day, we must be getting holier each day.  (p.56)

Chapter 6:  On Reading

…beware of light reading.  (p.57)

Let your reading be always select; and whatever you read, begin with seeking God’s blessing on it.  But see that your rlish for the Bible be above every other enjoyment, and the moment you begin to feel greater relish for any other book, lay it down till you have sought dliverance from such a snare, and obtained from the Holy Spirit an intenser relish, a keener appetite for the Word of God (Jer. 15:15; Ps. 19:7-10).  (p. 59)

HORATIUS BONAR
December 19, 1808 - July 31, 1889

Following are quotes from the Scotish theologian and hymn-writer, Horatius Bonar, as presented in the anthologized biography Christ Is All: The Piety of Horatius Bonar (Haykin & Brooker, Reformation Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2007)

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Chapter 1: No Ordinary Work

The power of the pulpit is said to lie on the wane. Yet learning and eloquence are admitted be in full play. All kinds of artificial appliances — music, ornament, humour, style, rhetoric, architecture — have been called in to prop up the pulpit and neutralise, or at least minimise, its supposed failure. (p. 45)

The work among the lapsed is not ordinary work…It is a work that tries a minister’s faith and strength; and it is not to be done by fits and starts, nor lightly entered on, as if any one could undertake it. It is the roughest, sorest work to which we are called, and it needs hardy men, men of no common faith and love. (p. 46)

Chapter 2: God’s Trees Grow Slowly

[God's] trees grow slowly…God can afford to take His time. Man cannot. [Man] is hasty and impatient…He insists that, because it is God’s purpose that His saints should be holy, therefore they ought to be holy at once. (p. 48 )

But the question is, “Has God in Scripture anywhere led us to expect the rapidity, of growth, the quick development of perfection in which some glory, and because of the confessed lack of which in others they look down on these others as babes or loiterers?” (p. 49)

Yet we are called with a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9); and as so called, are bound to take the highest standard for our model of life. The slowness or swiftness of the progress does not alter the standard, nor affect our aiming at conformity to it. (p. 49)

(Seventh in a 52 part introspective devotional series, weekly more or less, based on the Scriptures that inspired George Federick Handel to write The Messiah.)
[see the entire series here]

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Isaiah 40:9

Isaiah, foretelling of the captivity of Judah and the resultant restoration, brings an interesting admonishment to the people. And its one that that is taken up by the writers of the New Testament some 800 years later.

Good tidings. Good news. Gospel. What was the gist of the good news Judah was to tell? They were free! That is good news. The Gospel is the same today — we are free! We have to tell the world we are free. Free? What are we free from? A place to start to explore that is Galatians 5:1 — the yoke of slavery, the slavery of sin (John 8:34; Romans 6:16-22).

Jesus Christ has come and released us from that bondage (Matthew 1:21). We should then therefore walk out into the world and bring good tidings of our release that those who hear of it may want the freedom Christ alone can give.

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Father, may I be found proclaiming the good tidings of the freedom granted me by Your Son at His return. In His Name, Amen.