In Mark 5 we read the story of the "bleeding" woman. Verse 26 reflects my own attempts at self-atonement: "[this woman] had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse". My "physicians" are not actual doctors but rather the numerous disciplines I place in my life to heal the disease of sin. Yet, these (at least when divorced from the Cross) cause me to be worse instead of better. In fact every time that I set up a discipline to "become more holy" it ends up either causing me despair or self-righteousness. The woman spent everything that she had trying to cure this disease but only became worse--I feel her plight.
Our only hope for curing the disease of sin is not spending all we have on expert physicians but rather "touching the hem of His garment". Our only hope is Christ--the Great Physician.
"And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him..."
Isn't it astonishing that a hole in the roof does not move Jesus to anger but rather compassion?
Seriously, imagine yourself in this situation. You have been on a business trip (or preaching tour) for weeks on end. Now you are finally at home. (By the way it's probably not Jesus' actual house--more than likely it is Simon Peter's). But the crowd wants more. You know what that feels like; being totally spent with nothing to give--but people still need more. Not only would the crowd be a little draining (and dare I say annoying) but add to all of this some guys climbing on your roof and tearing a whole through the ceiling. (Again, let's not lose the context--this would have been far more "fixable" in Jesus' day, but nonetheless still potentially annoying).
Would you have been annoyed by someone tearing a hole in your roof or would you have been moved with compassion? I would have probably been at least a little annoyed. But then again maybe not, with such an extreme case.
The point is this--being available (as believers should be) is not always convenient. However, if we are to be like Jesus then we cannot afford to be ticked off by large crowds or holes in our roof. The glory of God and the souls of people have to be more important and be our heart's greater affection, or else we will miss opportunities because of the inconvenience of availability.
"...the primary reason people are in bondage to sin is because people are bored with God."-Sam Storms, Pleasures Evermore, p.108
Pages: 192 pgs
Publisher: Soli Deo Gloria
Price: 8.95
Genre: Theology/Evangelism/Puritan
Quick Summary:
One of the primary critiques of Puritanism and folks like Jonathan Edwards is a lack of evangelism and evangelistic appeal in their sermons. Is it possible that the greatest Calvinistic theologian may also be one of the most evangelistic preachers? In this work John Gerstner attempts to systematize the evangelistic methods of Jonathan Edwards.
The first four chapters are Gerstner’s attempt to justify, as well as reconcile, the diverse views of Edwards. The major part of the book is comprised with the exploration of Edwards’ doctrine of seeking. After fully developing Edwards’ view of seeking Gerstner address other issues such as “faith alone”, “backsliding”, “regeneration”, and “preservation of the saints”.
What I Liked
If the reader desires a more full understanding of the Puritan (and Edwardsean) doctrine of seeking then this is an excellent resource. It is often difficult to grasp the relation between sovereign election and calling sinners to repentance. This book will give the reader a better (although still not complete) understanding of such doctrines. As it says on the back cover this is an excellent resource for those “desiring a theology of the greatest of all the Puritan divines”. Gerstner does an adequate job of systematizing Edwards’ doctrine of “steps to salvation”.
It is also helpful that Gerstner brings in many quotes from Edwards, and does so in a manner that is still quite readable. It is an enjoyable read but also not a light read.
What I Disliked
At times Gerstner interacts with the Edwards’ views. It is my opinion that the book would have been helped along with more interaction from Gerstner. The subjects are often so deep and seemingly contradictory that the reader would be helped by thoughtful interaction—as well as Scriptural defenses of Edwards’ belief. This is, perhaps, due to the pointed focus of Gerstner and such a book was not his intent. Nonetheless, it would have been more beneficial to hear more from our collaborator.
Gerstner also uses the sermon more than the written text of Edwards. Edwards was a man of orderly thought. Every sermon was thought out, but perhaps not as thorough as the theological writings of Edwards. It would have been helpful to see the development of Edwards’ theology. Footnotes and a bibliography are also not included in this work and would have been quite helpful.
Should You Buy It?
The student of Edwards (and Puritan theology) does not want to miss this work. It systematizes the thought of Edwards in a quite helpful way. It also gives help to the student in formulating his own views of the “steps to salvation”. This is also a very difficult read. It may not be the most beneficial to the unlearned. Chances are that if you are reading this review you have some exposure to Edwards, if so then I would recommend this book. If you are reading this review and looking for an introductory to Edwards then look elsewhere; perhaps Iain Murray’s A New Biography on Edwards or George Marsden’s classic biography.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
This is not a political post, although it will touch ground in that realm. Honestly, I have very little care about politics (you can call me a bad Southern Baptist). My passion is the gospel, not legislation. On with the story.
This morning while purchasing my customary biscuits and gravy at Casey's (they are amazing by the way), I overheard the conversation of the man in front of me. Apparently because of the flood he has to get his mail in our town instead of his local post office. The Saverton community about 10 miles East has been hit pretty hard with the flood. They moved the post office to New London. So, this man was complaining about the $10 he has to spend on gas just to get his mail. He, half-jokingly, had asked the post office lady if they would pay him for the cost of gas. He was in line at Casey's belly-aching about the price of gas (which is quite ridiculous I might add) and his post office being moved, telling us how ridiculous our senators are for not stepping in and doing something.
Now take this man's complaint to Africa or another struggling third world country. Whine to them about having to pay for gas (luxury) to put in your car (luxury) to get the mail (luxury) that they no longer deliver to your home (luxury). Now, hand them a $20 bill (blessing) and get a $10 bill back (blessing) and walk (blessing) out the door to your wife (blessing) and children (blessing) griping about the cost of gas. What has happened is that we view the luxuries that this country offers us as absolute necessity and something that we are owed--when in fact it is all of grace.
I understand there is another side to this coin. I know that our government makes mistakes and I know that there are billionaires padding their pockets by gouging us poor folk at the gas pump. And I do know that the simple solution is not "don't drive anymore". Because of the location of jobs many either have to drive or lose their source of income. I understand; my $20,000 per year (blessing) no longer stretches quite like it used to. But I also know that my job, my house, my wife, my child, my car, my ability to walk, my ability to work, all of these are blessings from God. I also know that if every one of those ceased to be given to me that the Lord would be absolutely just in all of his actions. I would grieve. I would hurt. And I would probably even sin quicker than Job. But it does not change the truth that everything we have is a blessing and a benefit of grace.
All too often I am guilty of this same offense. It's a cloudy day and I wish it was sunny--so, I whine. I want to play baseball and it gets rained out--I whine. I have a headache--I whine. I feel like I am getting too busy--I whine. I too am a big cry-baby. Instead of viewing every moment as grace I falsely assume that I deserve better. Ughhh, the agony of not being fully redeemed (see, even that was whiny).
Here is my point, quit crying. If we are going to open our mouths we ought to do it to praise God for breath. Stop treating grace like it is owed to us and instead rejoice in God's benevolence.
Yesterday was my wife's birthday. I felt a little sick, but was determined to rough it so that we could spend the day together. After our morning prayer meeting I drove to Wal-Mart to buy presents. I called my wife to let her know what time I would be home, and for her to be ready because we were going out. I closed my cell phone. It immediately rings. It's my dad. He sounds shaken up. They had just taken my grandpa in the ambulance to the hospital. It seemed at first like he was dehydrated and once on IV's for a while he would be better. But, 24 hours later he is in eternity.
At this point we have no idea exactly what it was that he died from. Something with his intestines. Maybe his heart.
Tonight is youth group. I am excited to preach the gospel tonight. Yet, I am physically and emotionally exhausted. Grandpa was alive and seemed well at our family reunion Saturday. Now he's dead; a reminder of the grace of God in giving us 87 years and a reminder of the gravity of sin. I am not certain where my grandfather will spend eternity. I know I shared the gospel with him. I know that he seemed to understand. And I know that God is very merciful. But also know that sin is real and God is just. My grandfather...as with you, me, and anyone else...has only one hope--Jesus Christ. May He be glorified in this time.
Pages: 252 pages
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Price: 6.40
Genre: Christian Living/Puritan
Quick Summary:
Thomas Watson is one of the most enjoyable authors of the Puritan era; he combines rich insight with captivating illustrations. One would expect, then, to breeze through 252 pages of such wonderfully written material. This would be the case if Watson’s words were not as soul-searching and penetrating. Watson is straightforward and calls sin exactly what it is. He does not lower the bar of holiness but paints a picture of the godly man as he ought to be.
After slowly reading and thinking deeply upon Watson’s 24 characteristics one is left feeling the weight of sin and longing for grace. I found myself wishing to hear from a dear Richard Sibbes, to remind me that my feeble spark of grace is enough. To my surprise a few chapters after exhorting us towards godliness Watson comforts us with the gracious words of Matthew 12:20. He, too, reminds us that Christ will not “crush grace in its infancy”.
And finally, Watson closes by reminding us of our union with Christ. It is from this union that the believer is made godly and considered godly. Watson comes full circle in this book. He begins by pointing us to the Cross. Then he paints a picture of what we ought to be in response. And finally, he points us back to the Cross for repentance and cleansing because we are often not what we ought to be.
What I Liked:
The word pictures that Watson employs are mind awakening. He paints pictures to help the believer think thoughts he never thought before. This makes such a soul-piercing work actually enjoyable. One can scarcely open the book without finding a metaphor on the page you opened to. This causes Watson to be remembered and very quotable.
Had the book ended without the final two chapters it would not have been as effective. However, had the book only contained the last two chapters it would not have been as effective. Watson does a wonderful job of raising the bar of holiness where it ought to be, then pointing to the grace of Christ when we fail. In reading through this book I felt the weight of sin and yet at the same time the depths of grace.
What I Disliked:
Watson does do a good job of providing grace and pointing to Christ. However, because this book is so soul-piercing one finds it difficult to get to page 222 without receiving comfort. It is occasionally hinted at throughout the book. As it stands, though, this book could be applied quite dangerously. If the believer goes about trying to attain the characteristics Watson mentions, and paint the picture of godliness himself, then he will find much despair. Therefore, it would have been more effective in my opinion for Watson to have paused occasionally and pointed us back to the Savior and to the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.
Because of this I would suggest three different ways to read it for maximum benefit. First, this would be a wonderful book to read alongside a book like The Bruised Reed, or a Cross-Centered CJ Mahaney type of book. Secondly, one could read a few sections of chapter four…stop…let the weight of sink in…and then go to chapter 11 or 12. Thirdly, sit down and read the entire thing in one or two sittings.
Should You Buy It?
I would certainly suggest this. Watson’s beautiful way of putting things is enough to recommend this book for your collection. If Watson’s words are heeded and they are used to point to the Cross and inspire in holiness then certainly this book is well worth whatever time you put into it.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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