Tag Archives: theology

God-breathed Scripture

08 Sunday Aug 2010

Posted by in Theology

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , ,

Brandon Mouser has a great post on his blog and I wanted to continue to interact by posting this reply…it got a little long for a combox:

Basically, what I would point to is the idea that Scripture claims for itself the idea of being “theopneustos,” or “breathed out by God.”  Bart Ehrman and others have erroneously postulated that thiswould have to mean that God dictated the Scriptures, much like many non-Christian sects claim their Scriptures were written.  Instead, it points to divine agency being played out in the words used by human beings.  This sort of inspiration is unique to the Scriptures, though the norm amongst biblical authors in the writings which were recognized by the Church as being authoritative.

Continue reading →

Only the Law, Ma’am

04 Wednesday Aug 2010

Posted by in Book Discussion, Scripture, Theology

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

In part 6 of my ongoing series on C. F. W. Walther’s  Law and Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible, I said:

…if the only teaching applied to people is the Law, then they despair, die and perish in their sin.  More on this in a future post…

Here is that future post.

This statement is one side of a coin.  Some people grow up, live and die under all-law preaching and never have this melt-down I’ve described, or better put, never realize that this is what’s ticking under their hood.

The other alternative is for a person to be crushed under the weight of the fact that they don’t love the Lord with all of who they are…and to not let themselves off the hook because they realize that they do not keep the law perfectly.

Obey! No exceptions! This is the demand of the Law.

Teaching people that “it takes more than faith to really please God” is, in reality, extremely cruel.  To those who are convinced of their own righteousness, it pushes them on in their odious good works.  Telling the ones who despair of their sin such a thing drives them further and further away from the Gospel…that Christ has obeyed perfectly in their place all that the law demands.

Continue reading →

It Slices! It dices!

03 Tuesday Aug 2010

Posted by in Book Discussion, Scripture, Theology

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

Part 7 of a series discussing C. F. W. Walther’s important treatise Law and Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible.

The effects of the Gospel are entirely different in nature when compared to the Law.  The Law, as we’ve discussed, breathes threats and does not give us any means by which to fulfill those demands.

Could the people at your church wear this shirt and not be sued for false advertising?

The Gospel, as some of you will rightly point out, does demand faith.  “Repent and believe the good news!” is indeed the way the Gospel is to be preached, for it is the very message the Lord Himself gave us to dispense.

The second component of this point, however, may have escaped the notice of some, so I’ll flesh it out here:  The Gospel gives the very faith it demands.  When we preach “Believe in Christ!”, God gives them faith through our preaching.  It’s not, of course, the physical sound of the spoken word which saves…it’s the content of the preaching.

The Gospel doesn’t condemn or rebuke those who hear it.  Rather, it takes all the terror, fear and anguish away from them, filling them with peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Think about the prodigal father:  he lavishes his riches on his wayward son.  In this same way, Christ has welcomed us, his wayward and hateful children, into His home where he eats with us and us with Him.

Furthermore, the Gospel never requires anything good from the person:  not a good heart, not an improvement in behavior, not piety…not even love.

Continue reading →

You’re Having an Effect On Me

27 Tuesday Jul 2010

Posted by in Book Discussion, Theology

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Part 6 of a series discussing C. F. W. Walther’s important treatise Law and Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible.

The Law tells us what to do.  It doesn’t give us the strength to carry out its demands; instead, it urges us on in an unwillingness to keep the Law.  When the Law has forced its way into the heart, the heart rebels against it (against God himself) and becomes furious at the idea that God would demand such impossible things from him/her.  This even leads to them cursing God and wishing Him dead.  “The effect of preaching the Law, then, is to increase people’s lust for sinning,” says Walther.

Second, the Law offers the person no means to free himself from sin and throws him into despair.

Third, if the only teaching applied to people is the Law, then they despair, die and perish in their sin.  More on this in a future post…

Come on, Dave you may say.  Where is THIS taught in Scripture?

Continue reading →

I Have to Divide the Scriptures?

23 Friday Jul 2010

Posted by in Theology

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Another instrumental lecture I’ve encountered (albeit more academic in nature) was given by Dr. Rod Rosenbladt and was aired on Chris Rosebrough‘s program, Fighting for the Faith. If you wish to listen to this important lecture, you may do so by clicking here…but you may need to give it your undivided attention as he gets fairly technical at times.

Rightly Dividing the Word: Law & Gospel

22 Thursday Jul 2010

Posted by in Theology

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

One of the instrumental programs which has helped me to understand the distinction of Law & Gospel is The White Horse Inn, hosted by Reformed theologian Michael Horton.  This episode is a live panel discussion, recorded in Los Angeles. I hope you enjoy it.

Listen here.

Podcast Description: What does it mean to “rightly divide the word of truth”? (2 Timothy 2:15) On this program, the White Horse Inn hosts will be taking a look a one of the most crucial and fundamental distinctions in all of Scripture, namely the contrast between justice and mercy, precept and promise; law and gospel.  (Originally broadcast on May 22nd, 2005)

Are you threatening me?

14 Wednesday Jul 2010

Posted by in Book Discussion, Theology

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Part 5 of a series discussing C. F. W. Walther’s important treatise Law and Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible.

There is a marked difference between the Law and the Gospel in the aspect of threats: namely, that the Law is nothing but threats and that the Gospel contains no threats of any kind.  The Gospel contains only words of consolation: “Your sins are forgiven,” “Christ came to save sinners of whom I am the foremost,” and so on.  Should you come across a passage with a threat in Scripture, you can be sure it’s Law. Continue reading →