I've been asked why I support capital punishment but detest abortion as a Christian. In Genesis 9:4-6, just after the Flood, God declared that one who sheds blood shall his blood be shed. In the Law, murder vs killing is outlined, and the best translation in the Ten Commandments regarding the shedding of blood is "Thou shalt not murder". In the New Testament, Christ never condemned execution of the guilty, for He did not deny justice in the case of the two thieves on the cross next to him. Likewise, the Apostle Paul in Romans 13 speaks of how God uses governments to enact justice on the wicked.
Tragically, we see the opposite of this throughout America and the world today. Abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, homicide, and other forms of murder take place on a regular basis with little or no justice. However, those who commit such crimes are either exonerated with light sentences as is the case with those in many of our "correctional" institutes, or they are never charged with a crime to begin with, which is especially the case with abortion and early infanticide. This directly reflects the worldview in which we live, but it is not new. The Psalms and the Prophets are filled with texts demonstrating such vile behavior, yet God will vindicate the righteous, and His wrath will be ferocious.
Nonetheless, we are commanded to love our enemies and pray for our leaders and the lost as we admonish them to repent of wickedness at the same time. Concurrently, we are commanded to take a stand for the innocent and exalt justice for them, but we must never take vengeance in our hands no matter how enraged we become, for vengeance is the Lord's, and He will repay (Rom 12).
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
When "I Love You" is Hard to Say
In light of the sermon from Chris today on love, I thought I'd write out a specific reflection as it pertains to a Biblical marriage. In this fallen world, even a Biblical marriage can be tough. Both the husband and wife understand what Biblical love is in this case, yet it can still be hard to say "I love you." This tends to occur the most when we find ourselves at odds for various reasons. It is in these moments that we are given the opportunity to demonstrate Biblical love in a beatiful way. Why is this? It is easy to say "I love you" when everything is going well, but it's not so easy when things aren't going as we have planned or when we've been wronged. This never excuses sin, but we must be mindful of our dispositions before God and man, lest we cease to love as God commands. Therefore, let us be long-suffering and patient with our spouses by telling them with a good attitude that we love them whether in good times or ill.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Mind of God Sundays: Proverbs--Proverbs 1
1The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
9for they are a graceful garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.
10My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
11If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
let us ambush the innocent without reason;
12like Sheol let us swallow them alive,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13we shall find all precious goods,
we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14throw in your lot among us;
we will all have one purse"—
15my son, do not walk in the way with them;
hold back your foot from their paths,
16for their feet run to evil,
and they make haste to shed blood.
17For in vain is a net spread
in the sight of any bird,
18but these men lie in wait for their own blood;
they set an ambush for their own lives.
19Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.
20Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
23If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
24Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
26I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror strikes you,
27when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
31therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
32For the simple are killed by their turning away,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."
2To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
3to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
9for they are a graceful garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.
10My son, if sinners entice you,
do not consent.
11If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood;
let us ambush the innocent without reason;
12like Sheol let us swallow them alive,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13we shall find all precious goods,
we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14throw in your lot among us;
we will all have one purse"—
15my son, do not walk in the way with them;
hold back your foot from their paths,
16for their feet run to evil,
and they make haste to shed blood.
17For in vain is a net spread
in the sight of any bird,
18but these men lie in wait for their own blood;
they set an ambush for their own lives.
19Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;
it takes away the life of its possessors.
20Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
23If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
24Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
26I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror strikes you,
27when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
31therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
32For the simple are killed by their turning away,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Heart of God Saturdays: Psalms--Psalm 2
and the peoples plot in vain?
2The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
3"Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us."
4He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6"As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill."
7I will tell of the decree:The LORD said to me, "You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel."
10Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Friday, March 26, 2010
ESL & Missions Fridays: Teaching English, Learning Nepali
For folks who were not aware, a new strategy has emerged because the building that we used before was closed down. At present, teaching occurs in the home of the students. I am currently teaching the Dahal family every Thursday just after lunchtime before I go in to work. However, word has spread quickly because two other ladies were there today as well. Therefore, I intend on encouraging volunteers to 'adopt a family'. In this way, we can teach ESL to people in their respective homes based on a regular schedule agreed to by both teacher and student. This allows more flexibility for both. I wanted to try it out myself first, and it has been superb. Not only is the small group teaching better, but it also provides a more hospitiable environment to develop frienships as we share God's love and His Word with these people.
It has also been exciting because I am not only teaching English, but I am also learning Nepali. It is a tough language to learn for English speakers because the sounds and characters are quite different, but I am making progress.
I have been asked numerous times by our students as to why we would volunteer so much time to help them learn English. It's simple and transparent. I tell them that God has set His love in our hearts through Jesus Christ, and He has commanded us to spread this same love to others. We continue to spread His love by teaching English in particular because this is a real need for these people as they seek to assimilate into American culture and language.
May God be glorified in our efforts to be instruments of His love, joy, and peace to these wonderful people! Amen!
It has also been exciting because I am not only teaching English, but I am also learning Nepali. It is a tough language to learn for English speakers because the sounds and characters are quite different, but I am making progress.
I have been asked numerous times by our students as to why we would volunteer so much time to help them learn English. It's simple and transparent. I tell them that God has set His love in our hearts through Jesus Christ, and He has commanded us to spread this same love to others. We continue to spread His love by teaching English in particular because this is a real need for these people as they seek to assimilate into American culture and language.
May God be glorified in our efforts to be instruments of His love, joy, and peace to these wonderful people! Amen!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Exposition Thursdays: 1 Peter The 24/7 Christian--1 Peter 1:1-2
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. (ESV)
Peter is writing to a persecuted Chruch through Asia minor--the area we call modern day Turkey. Like all of Scripture, this is not written in a vacuum; on the contrary, these Christian believers are suffering and even dying for the faith.
In stating who he is, the recipient can know that the message is authoritative because it comes from Peter, who is and Apostle of Christ. Notice that the Greek word reguarlarly translated as 'Church' is used next as 'elect'. This is not insignficant and is usually passed over. Church means 'called out ones', 'elect ones', or 'chosen ones'. These Christians are 'the called out ones' or 'the elect ones'. This kind of language would have immediately brough comfort as it still ought to today because, in being chosen/called, the believer knows that He is secure in Christ.
After listing the specific regions his letter is to go to, Peter continues with a glorious Trinitarian passage that is loaded with eternal significance and comfort. He then concisely explains how they were chosen, sanctified, and justified. It is according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father, the Sanctifying Work of the Spirit, and the Sprinkling of the Blood of Christ.
First of all, this foreknowledge is not foreseen faith; rather this is forelove, which is the same verb used in 1 Peter 1:20 regarding the foreknowledge of Christ. This knowledge is of intimacy and not mere data; otherwise the passage in 1 Peter 1:20 about Christ makes no sense. In light of this, one can see how comforting it is to be chosen by God; because it was not by my strength that I chose Him neither shall it be through my weakness that I will lose Him.
Secondly, The sanctifying work of the Spirit is how they were changed from death to life, and now each day they are made into the likeness of Christ as we are empowered to be obedient to Christ. This in particular ushers in a spirit of endurance and joy because the old self is being crucified as its vanities are being put off day by day. Oh that the Christian might relish in the freedom we have in Christ, for now we are free to do what we were created to do: worship God in spirit and in truth!
Thirdly, by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ (remember how Moses sprinkled the people, which was a foreshadow of Christ), they were justified before a Holy God! Christ did not merely make his sheep saveable; on the contrary, he declared them not guilty and saved them on the cross, and not one shall be lost! Amen!
Now in light of all that Peter has said, this grace and peace that He commends to them from the Lord is not some cheezy greeting; rather, this grace and peace is what they need and are longing for in the midst of heavy persecution and difficulty. Let us abide in this same grace and peace.
Peter is writing to a persecuted Chruch through Asia minor--the area we call modern day Turkey. Like all of Scripture, this is not written in a vacuum; on the contrary, these Christian believers are suffering and even dying for the faith.
In stating who he is, the recipient can know that the message is authoritative because it comes from Peter, who is and Apostle of Christ. Notice that the Greek word reguarlarly translated as 'Church' is used next as 'elect'. This is not insignficant and is usually passed over. Church means 'called out ones', 'elect ones', or 'chosen ones'. These Christians are 'the called out ones' or 'the elect ones'. This kind of language would have immediately brough comfort as it still ought to today because, in being chosen/called, the believer knows that He is secure in Christ.
After listing the specific regions his letter is to go to, Peter continues with a glorious Trinitarian passage that is loaded with eternal significance and comfort. He then concisely explains how they were chosen, sanctified, and justified. It is according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father, the Sanctifying Work of the Spirit, and the Sprinkling of the Blood of Christ.
First of all, this foreknowledge is not foreseen faith; rather this is forelove, which is the same verb used in 1 Peter 1:20 regarding the foreknowledge of Christ. This knowledge is of intimacy and not mere data; otherwise the passage in 1 Peter 1:20 about Christ makes no sense. In light of this, one can see how comforting it is to be chosen by God; because it was not by my strength that I chose Him neither shall it be through my weakness that I will lose Him.
Secondly, The sanctifying work of the Spirit is how they were changed from death to life, and now each day they are made into the likeness of Christ as we are empowered to be obedient to Christ. This in particular ushers in a spirit of endurance and joy because the old self is being crucified as its vanities are being put off day by day. Oh that the Christian might relish in the freedom we have in Christ, for now we are free to do what we were created to do: worship God in spirit and in truth!
Thirdly, by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ (remember how Moses sprinkled the people, which was a foreshadow of Christ), they were justified before a Holy God! Christ did not merely make his sheep saveable; on the contrary, he declared them not guilty and saved them on the cross, and not one shall be lost! Amen!
Now in light of all that Peter has said, this grace and peace that He commends to them from the Lord is not some cheezy greeting; rather, this grace and peace is what they need and are longing for in the midst of heavy persecution and difficulty. Let us abide in this same grace and peace.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Worldview Wednesdays: Thinking & Acting Biblically--Homeschooling
Why has homeschooling become so popular, and why do we tend to see it growing amongst Christians especially? The answer is that the Biblical worldview requires parental responsibility on education. As public education and even much of private education become more infused with naturalism, the more hostile these outlets become to Christianity. Combating 40 hours a week of secular indoctrination with a few hours here and there at home and Church is virtually fruitless.
For this reason, many Christian parents have decided to homeschool their children instead,which is not new, for this has been done for millennia. Not only does the actual education tend to be far better (more one-one-interaction, regular field-trips, etc.), but it also gives the parent far more authority in raising a child in the fear and admonition of the Lord. This is what the anti-Christians condemn, for they desire nothing more than to lead our children astray with a set of values that lead to moral and salvific bankruptcy.
Home-schooling for its own sake is meaningless, but, when it is done for the right reason, the glory of God shines all the brighter as each family takes seriously the importance of raising a child according to His Word.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Vindication of Scripture
It's amazing to see how often Scripture is vindicated as more archaeological and scientific research is conducted. For now, we'll just look at the historical figure Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
For some time, many were determined to even deny the reality of a real person Jesus. However, more and more early documents began to arise which made it ludicrous to deny that Jesus existed.
Another tactic was to then deny that he was crucified with nails, but then a nail was found in the region of a person's foot and ankle dating to the era in which Jesus lived. This then made it foolish to claim that Jesus could not have died in such a manner.
Yet another tactic has been to declare that the Old Testament prophecies used to attest the Deity of Jesus Christ were manufactered after the time of Christ. However, the dead sea scrolls which were written well before the time of Christ made it evident that such prophetic texts were not fabricated after the earthly life of Christ.
We could go on and on, yet many still cannnot allow for supernatual explanations of the world. Why is this? If one presupposes a purely naturalistic world, one is then forced to revise history to fit this worldview no matter how bizarre the fabrications turn out to be.
Ultimately, the implications of accepting the Biblical accounts as historically accurate imply more than a rebel wants to accepts. That then is the real problem: a hard sinful rebellious heart.
For some time, many were determined to even deny the reality of a real person Jesus. However, more and more early documents began to arise which made it ludicrous to deny that Jesus existed.
Another tactic was to then deny that he was crucified with nails, but then a nail was found in the region of a person's foot and ankle dating to the era in which Jesus lived. This then made it foolish to claim that Jesus could not have died in such a manner.
Yet another tactic has been to declare that the Old Testament prophecies used to attest the Deity of Jesus Christ were manufactered after the time of Christ. However, the dead sea scrolls which were written well before the time of Christ made it evident that such prophetic texts were not fabricated after the earthly life of Christ.
We could go on and on, yet many still cannnot allow for supernatual explanations of the world. Why is this? If one presupposes a purely naturalistic world, one is then forced to revise history to fit this worldview no matter how bizarre the fabrications turn out to be.
Ultimately, the implications of accepting the Biblical accounts as historically accurate imply more than a rebel wants to accepts. That then is the real problem: a hard sinful rebellious heart.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Explaining the Death of Jesus Christ
Explaining the Death of Jesus Christ apart from a Christian Worldview is difficult. Many want to retain the moral teachings of Jesus Christ because they like many of his moral teachings, yet they desire to disentangle themselves from His statements of Deity, for this implies more than they care to swallow. This is chiefly done by denying His statements of Deity and then claiming that Jesus' followers fabricated His claims of Deity.
However, if He would have never claimed Deity, the Jewish leaders would not have brought Him before the Roman leadership to be crucified. The other idea that the Romans leadership wanted Him crucified goes against both Biblical and extra Biblical data written within the lifetime of Christ. According the Biblical text, the Roman leadership actually tried to free Jesus, so that hypothesis is unsubstantiated as well. Josephus, the Jewish historian, comments that it was the Jewish leadership that brought Him to the Romans to be executed. Even if what is attributed to Josephus is suspect, nothing recorded during the time of Christ and the apostolic Church rejects the claim that it was the Jewish leaders who wanted Him crucified. Therefore, the only way to make sense of the data is to admit that Jesus Christ was executed because He claimed Divinity.
This then begs the question of His goodness, sanity and/or truthfulness. C.S. Lewis argues that one is then left with either bowing before Him as Lord, calling Him insane, or the devil of Hell; He never meant for us to claim He was just a good teacher as many who like His parables and such try to claim; He never left that option on the table.
To Him be the glory! Amen!
However, if He would have never claimed Deity, the Jewish leaders would not have brought Him before the Roman leadership to be crucified. The other idea that the Romans leadership wanted Him crucified goes against both Biblical and extra Biblical data written within the lifetime of Christ. According the Biblical text, the Roman leadership actually tried to free Jesus, so that hypothesis is unsubstantiated as well. Josephus, the Jewish historian, comments that it was the Jewish leadership that brought Him to the Romans to be executed. Even if what is attributed to Josephus is suspect, nothing recorded during the time of Christ and the apostolic Church rejects the claim that it was the Jewish leaders who wanted Him crucified. Therefore, the only way to make sense of the data is to admit that Jesus Christ was executed because He claimed Divinity.
This then begs the question of His goodness, sanity and/or truthfulness. C.S. Lewis argues that one is then left with either bowing before Him as Lord, calling Him insane, or the devil of Hell; He never meant for us to claim He was just a good teacher as many who like His parables and such try to claim; He never left that option on the table.
To Him be the glory! Amen!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Calvin's Institutes Lesson 5 Ch 13 The Trinity
Click here for the notes.
Audio was not present during this lesson; one may be recorded in the future.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
ESL Home Outreach
Because the building that was used before for ESL is no longer usable, I have implemented a different strategy. Teaching the people in their homes appears to be the best option for now, which is what I have begun to do with one Nepali family and may do with several more depending on logistics and time constraints. These folks are eager to continue their English as I am eager to learn Nepali as well. As both sides learn each other's language, I pray that we are able to develop deeper friendships and share the love of Christ in our service and speech to them.
It has been and continues to be a great joy to work with these people. May the Lord be glorified in how we love them as they work to establish roots in the United States.
It has been and continues to be a great joy to work with these people. May the Lord be glorified in how we love them as they work to establish roots in the United States.
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