Doers of the Word

Imagine you're on the edge of 2013, and you're looking back at 2012. What changes do you hope to see? What accomplishments do you hope to have? A lot of people don't like making New Year resolutions. Most of us are rarely successful at keeping them, so why make them.

I'm not so interested in getting people to make resolutions, rather I'm interested in why that make decisions to change. How do you make the decision? How does God's will affect your planning? Where do you turn for guidance?

At Monticello, the Word of God is our guidebook. The Holy Scriptures are our "authority in matters of faith and practice," and they "were given by the inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience."

We believe the Scriptures teach us all that we need to know about God, His will, and how we can be apart of it. The Bible teaches what to believe and how to act. Faith and practice go hand-in-hand.

James, a leader in the early church and brother to Jesus Christ, reminds us of this truth throughout his letter. In James 1:22-25, he urges us to be doers of the Word. Discipleship is more than mere profession. A true disciple is one who does what he has been taught to do.

If we are to be doers, we must search the Word diligently. We search the Word by reading (and rereading), studying, memorizing, and by seeking understanding. It has to be a continual, ongoing process. We must persevere in it. As we learn, we must put that knowledge into practice.

Genuine faith produces fruit. We call that fruit "good works." Our works do not save us, but they do demonstrate our salvation. Are you a doer of the Word?

Spiritual Songs "Shadows"

I recently discovered this song, and it has quickly become a favorite of mine. The song is a profession of faithfulness in the midst of difficulty. It is also a reminder of God's faithfulness to his people. This song is by the David Crowder Band and features Lecrae. I hope you find it encouraging.

FAQs Mondays: How Can Man Be Rescued? Part 1

Last week, we looked at man's fallen condition. You can read that post here.

This week, we will begin looking at the solution to mankind's problem. These questions and answers are from Henry Clay Fisher's Baptist Scriptural Catechism, Lesson 6, part 3. You can find it here.

We have seen that in Christ the divine nature was united with the human nature; why was this union necessary?
 

That he might make an atonement for sinner, by being "obedient to the point of death," and become the Savior of sinners (Phil. 2:8).

Could not some other being have made an atonement of sufficient value, for the salvation of sinners?
 

The necessary value of his atonement consisted, mainly, in his exalted dignity; and hence God alone could make an adequate atonement.

Could not God have saved sinners, without an atonement?
 

He could not. For it is written, "Without  the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Heb. 9:22).

Would God have been true to his word, if He had saved sinners without an atonement?
 

No, for He had said, "The person who sins is the one who will die" (Ezek. 18:4).

Did not the justice of God also stand in the way of His pardoning sinners?
 

It did. Justice demanded the infliction of the penalty of His law, which pronounced a curse upon all transgressors. See Gal. 3:10.

Did the atonement of Christ remove this necessity for the punishment of the guilty?
 

It did. God set him forth "so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26).

Did Christ endure the same kind and degree of sufferings contemplated in the penalty pronounced against sinners?
 

He did not. His were not eternal sufferings, for he has "also suffered for sins once for all" (1 Pet. 3:18). Nor did he suffer remorse of conscience, as do souls in perdition, for he had known no sin. (See Heb. 4:15).

Did he suffer absolute despair, which, no doubt, lost souls suffer?
 

He did not; for we are taught to "consider him" who, "for the joy that lay before Him, endured a cross . . . so that you won't grow weary and lose heart" (Heb. 12:2-3).

Since, then he did not suffer the identical penalty due to transgressors, how could God, consistently, allow them to go unpunished?
 

Because his death secured the same great moral ends which justice and the law had in view; satisfying the demands of justice, and magnifying the law and making it honorable. See Rom. 10:4; John 12:24; and Isa. 42:21.

The only solution for mankind's sin problem is a Savior. These questions and answers focus on the how and why of Christ's saving work. There is no salvation in any other.

Note: All quotations are the HCSB. I took the liberty to update the quotations for easier reading.

Sunday Recap 12-25-11

Morning: We had a special Christmas morning service today. The sermon, "This Is Christmas," focused on the angel's proclamation from Luke 2:10-14.  The focus of this message was acknowledgement of the importance of Christ's coming.  The angel offered several important statements:

Don't be afraid. Perfect love drives out all fear. Because of Christ, believers will be able to stand in the glorious presence of God, unashamed and unafraid.

It is good news of great joy. The good news of Jesus Christ is the source of inexpressible joy. It is a rich and glorious joy. It is an enduring joy that lasts in the face of hardship and humiliation.

A Savior has been born. As the hymn says, "The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight." We don't have to wait for someone to come and rescue us, we have to trust in the one who has already come.

Give God the highest glory. Christ's humiliation is the source of his exaltation ( see Phil. 2:5-11). Because he came in the flesh, died, and rose again, Christ has been given the highest name. In the incarnation we see God's holiness and mercy meet.

There will peace on earth for those on whom God's favor rests. On whom does his favor rest? All those who receive Christ and believe on his name.

Christmas is a time for family, friends, gift-giving, and love. But it is also about God's great love. In his love, he sent his Son into the world to redeem it. Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Spiritual Songs: Mary Did You Know?

This song, "Mary Did You Know," has been recorded by numerous people. The lyrics were written by Mark Lowery. The song asks the question many have wished they could ask Mary--how much did she really comprehend? It's a beautiful song. I hope you enjoy.

FAQs Mondays: What Is the Nature of Man?

We are going to continue looking at Henry Clay Fish's Baptist Scriptural Catechism. We will look at mankind in this post. These questions come from Lesson 5, part 2: "Man, His Fall, and Universal Corruption."

We have already noticed that God, having made man upright, and having placed him in the garden, commanded him not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Did he obey that command?
 

He did not.  "Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it" (Gen. 3:6).

What penalty had God annexed to eating of the forbidden fruit?

God had said, "for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die" (Gen. 2:17).

What is meant by "death in this place; was it the death of the body, or moral and spiritual death; or was it both?

Did our first parents stand in such a relation to their posterity, as to involve them in the consequences of their transgressions?
 

They did. "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sin" (Rom. 5:12).  "For just as through one man

s disobedience the many were made sinners" (Rom. 5:19).

Are we not, nevertheless, alone responsible for our own sins?

We are.

What does the Bible teach concerning the wickedness of mankind?
 

It declares that "all have turned away;all alike have become useless" (Rom. 3:12),  that "there is no one righteous, not even one" (Rom. 3:10). See also Eccl. 7:20.

Is this corruption natural, that is, are men by nature depraved? 

They are.  "Man's incliination is evil from his youth" (Gen. 8:21).

Can we account for the very early waywardness and sinfulness of children, on any other ground than that of a natural bias to evil?

Is man wholly, or only partially depraved?
 

Wholly.  "The Lord saw that man's wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time" (Gen. 6:5). See also Ps. 14:1-4; Rom. 1:20-32, and Rom. 8:7-8.

Does the expression wholly depraved necessarily imply that all men are as bad as they can be?

It does not.

Does it imply that all men are equally wicked?
 

It does not.

Do not impenitent individuals often possess many amiable and estimable qualities?

They do.

What, then, is meant by being wholly depraved?
 

It means being who is destitute of love to God or true holiness and, not only so, but in a state of enmity against Him, "But I know you--that you have no love for God within you" (John 5:42). "For the mind-set of the flesh is death" (Rom. 8:7). See also Eph. 2:1-3, 5.

Is every impenitent individual, because of his sinfulness, under condemnation?
 

He is. "Anyone who does not believe is already condemned" (John 3:18). See also Rom. 5:16.

Are you under condemnation? If so, what should be your feelings?

The nature of mankind is fallen. We are not able to be what God demands us to be. If man in his disobedience is under condemnation (and he is), he needs help. We will begin looking at the solution for mankind's problem next week (hint: it is the work of Christ on the cross). Feel free to leave a comment.

Note: All quotations are the HCSB. I took the liberty to update the quotations for easier reading.

Sunday Recap 12-18-11

Morning: The sermon, "Jesus: the Reason for the Season," looked at Matthew 1:21. This text focuses on the reason that Joseph is to name the child Jesus. Jesus means the Lord saves.

The angel said, "He will save . . .," but what does he mean? What do we mean when we say that Jesus saves. Much like the context of this passage, we usually mean that Jesus saves from sin. What does it mean that he saves from sin. He saves from the penalty of sin (justification). He saves from the power of sin (sanctification). He also saves from the principle of sin (glorification).  When Jesus saves us he moves us from slavery to freedom, from death to life, from hell to heaven, from rejection to acceptance, and from alienation to adoption.

The angel said, "He will save his people . . .." It is interesting to note that the angel doesn't say that Jesus will save "God's people," that would be redundant. Jesus' identity is hinted at in his name. Jesus means "the Lord saves." The term "Lord" refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Yahweh was the covenant name of God, and expresses his compassionate, faithful nature (see Ex. 34:5-9). Jesus will save his people, those he has created and chosen to redeem. But what does he save his people from?

The angel said, "He will save his people from their sins."Scripture is clear, we have a big problem-sin. We have a problem even larger than our own sinning, and that is the sin nature passed down from Adam. Even if we could keep from sinning (which we can't), we still bear the sin guilt of Adam. God, who created mankind, set Adam as the head of our race. As our representative, he brought us into sin and death. Christ sent a second Adam, Jesus Christ, to become our head (representative), and he brings us into obedience and life (see Romans 5:12-21).

We need our sin forgiven, and Jesus provided the payment for our sin by dying in our place.

Evening: A group of 25 hit the road tonight and sang Christmas carols for some of our neighbors. At the risk of sounding boastful, I thought we sounded good. I want to thank everyone who participated.

Thursday Humor: "Christmas Songs" by Tim Hawkins

Here is some more Christmas comedy to make you holiday a little merrier.

Brotherly Love

In 2 Peter 1:5-8, Peter expresses the components of a vital, effective faith. He calls us to add goodness to our faith, knowledge to our goodness, self-control to our knowledge, perseverance to our self-control, godliness to our perseverance, brotherly kindness to our godliness, and love to our brotherly kindness. What is brotherly kindness?

Brotherly kindness, or better, brotherly love is the kind of love one has for their brothers and sisters. It is that kind of love that sticks together through thick and then. Brotherly love was a common expectation in the ancient world, much like today, although it wasn't practiced any more back then than it is today. It was a common enough problem that it is addressed by several writers in the New Testament (See Heb. 13:1, Rom. 12:10, and 1Pet. 1:22).

First John 3:11-18, helps us to understand the nature of brotherly love. John reminds us that the Christian message is rooted in love. We should love one another just as God loved us. We are now his children, and that makes us family.

John commands, "Don't be like Cain" (see 1 John 3:12). Why? Because Cain belonged to the evil one, he murdered his brother, and he was an evil doer. His hatred of his brother marked Cain as a son of the devil. The mark of God's children is love. The devil hates and murders; God loves and redeems. This dichotomy drives the tension between God's people and the world. God's people seek to do right and please God. The devil's people seek to do evil and disobey God. 

If Cain teaches us to understand hate, how are we to understand love? John tells us that we know what love is because Jesus' death. Love sacrifices itself. It gives to others, before taking for itself. John gives a practical example of how this plays out for believers: the will to help those in need. Those who don't want to help others, don't really show (or possess) the love of God. Our love is to be in word and deed.

The mark of the Christian is love. Love for God, and love for our fellow believers. Love isn't just what we are called to do, it is who we are. It is deeply ingrained in our spiritual DNA. Do you love your brothers? What are some of the ways you show it? Leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Spiritual Songs: "This Is Christmas"

Here is another great Christmas tune to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. I hope you enjoy it.

FAQs Mondays: What Are the Attributes of God? Part 4

Last week, we looked at the justice and holiness of God. You can read that post here.

This week, we will be looking at the goodness and mercy of God from the Baptist Scriptural Catechism, Lesson 3, part 6.

Do the Scriptures represent God as possessing the attribute of goodness?

They do, declaring that "God is love"(1 John 4:8) and that "You are good, an You do what is good" (Ps. 119:68). See also I John 4:16; Neh. 9:17; and Matt. 19:17.

Is not this apparent, also, from the light of nature?
 

It is.

Do the Scriptures attribute perfect goodness to God only?

They do. "There is only One who is good" (Matt.19:17).

Is He good to all His creatures?
 

He is; for "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing"(Ps. 145:16) and His "Compassion rests on all He has made" (Ps. 145:9).

Is the goodness of God liable to the least interruption?

It is not, "God's faithful love is constant" (Ps. 52:1).

Mercy, as you know, consists in doing good to an unworthy object, and that without hope of reward; is God a God of mercy as well as goodness?

He is. "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and rich in faithful love" (Ps. 103:8). See also Ex. 34:6-7; and Eph. 2:4.

Is man worthy of any blessings from God?

He is not worthy "of the least of all the mercies" of God (Gen 32:10). See also Matt. 8:8.

And yet does he not receive many blessings at the hand of God? 

He does. He is crowned "with loving kindness and tender mercies" (Ps. 103:4).

Does not this prove that God is a merciful Being?

Is not the very fact that we live, proof of it?

"Because of the Lord's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end" (Lam. 3:22). See also 2 Pet. 3:9.

How has God, in the most striking manner, exhibited His mercy toward man?
 

"God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:9). See also 1 John 3:16, 4:10; Rom. 5:8; and John 3:16.

Is His mercy everlasting and unchanging?

Should not men be very thankful, and praise God for his goodness and mercy?
 

They should. "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and his wonderful works for all humanity" (Ps. 107:8). See also Ps. 36:7-9;and 1 John 4:19.

How are you affected in view of these features of the divine character?

Through these questions, we are driven to consider the mercies of God. We also see another fine example of combining rote memorization with higher level questions. Students are being encouraged to think through these questions, take them to heart, and answer for themselves.  

This concludes our brief look at the attributes of God. Scriptures make clear that God is infinitely worthy of praise. FAQs Mondays will return next week. Feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

Note: All quotes have been changed to the HCSB. Questions without answers lacked answers in the original source. You can check it out here.

Sunday Recap 12-11-11

Morning: The message, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," focused on Matthew 2:1-6. The main idea of the message was the that significance is only found in will of God. Although the passage deals with the arrival of the Magi, I focused on the prophecy to Bethlehem. Why did Jesus have to be born in Bethlehem? I know it was prophesied, but another town could have been. We couldn't answer the why because Scripture doesn't tell us, but we were able to glean some important principles to guide us.

One thing we learn is that our story has been woven to fit into God's story. Bethlehem was a small town, overshadowed by its more prominent neighbor, Jerusalem. However, it was the birth place of King David, and as we read the Scriptures we see how God worked in and through various people connected with Bethlehem.

We also learn that it is God's promises that make the difference. We can pursue many avenues as we want when it comes to finding significance, but apart from God's will we won't find true significance. God's promises make the difference. What God says he will accomplish through (and for) his people will be done.

We also learn that there is a Shepherd. Although we don't like to admit it we are sheep. We need someone to watch over us and protect us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and Overseer of our lives.

The world may not see you as significant, but God treasures you. He loved you so much that he sent his Son to pay for your sins.

Evening: There was choir practice tonight.

Thursday Humor: "The Christmas Puppy"

I really relate to this one, except we ended up with a beagle. Hope it make you laugh (The video, not the puppy).

Godliness

As believers, we are called to live godly lives. But what is godliness? Godliness is a respect for God that makes you want to live for his pleasure. It's also known as the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord isn't just about fearing the wrath of God. It is about loving him.

The Bible is clear, God's people live in ways that please him. How do we do that? There are numerous places we could look for an answer. Here are a few Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 4:17-32, Colossians 3:1-17, James 4:1-10, 1 Peter 2:1-12, and 1 John 1:5-10.

In 1 John 1:5-10, we see one truth by which we measure every claim. John says, "God is light; in him there is no darkness." Most likely, John is stressing the perfect holiness of God. God alone exists in moral purity. John uses this as a backdrop to test the claims of belief.

Claim one says, "I know Jesus," but in reality the person lives like the devil. First John 1:6 states, "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth." A profession of faith that lacks obedience is not genuine faith.

Claim two says, "I know Jesus," and the persons life shows it. First John 1:7 states, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." Walking in the light, means that a persons lifestyle is one of obedient faith. Faithful obedience has fruit: fellowship and forgiveness.

Claim three says, "I have no sin." John states, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). We should not confuse forgiveness with sinlessness. We are completely justified before God, through Christ, but we still sin.

Claim four says, "I have sin, please forgive me." John states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). This view understands that while we strive toward righteousness, we never fully attain it in this life. It is Christ's sacrifice that makes us pure in God's eyes.

Claim five says, "I have never sinned." John warns, "If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives" (1 John 1:10). Jesus took the penalty for all of our sin, but that doesn't mean it never happened. The sin we have committed, although forgiven through Christ, is still real.

If we aren't careful, we will confuse our standards with God's standards. God demands perfection. The only way to get it is by trusting in Jesus. We are called to trust Christ, and to live to please him. Godliness has great value in this life, and in the one to come. As the author of Hebrews said, "Without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12:14).

Spiritual Songs: "Welcome to Our World"

This song, "Welcome to Our World," has long been a favorite of mine. Chris Rice is great song writer. His songs provide food for thought. As we move toward the celebration of Christ's birth, this is an excellent song to meditate on.  I hope you enjoy it (it ends abruptly, but it was the best I could find).

FAQs Mondays: What Are the Attributes of God? Part 3

We have been looking at the attributes of God for a couple of weeks now. Last week, we looked at the omnipotence and independence of God. You can read it here.

This week we look at the justice, truth, and holiness of God. The questions come from Henry Clay Fish's Baptist Scriptural Catechism, Lesson 3, Part 5.

What is meant by the word justice?

Giving to one his due; practical conformity to the laws of rectitude.

Is God perfectly just in all that He does?

"It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice" (Job. 34:12, NIV). See also Deut. 32:4; Neh. 9:33; Ps. 89:14; Rev. 15:3.

Does He demand anything of His creatures which it is not perfectly right that he should demand?

He does not. 'He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Mic. 6:8, NIV). See also Deut. 10:12.

Is God perfectly just in the distribution of His rewards and punishments?

He is: for "He will reward each person according to what he has done" (Matt. 16:27, NIV). Every one shall "receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). See also Ps. 62:12; 2 Thess. 1:6.

Do the dealings of God with His creatures, in this world, always appear to be just?

They do not. The wicked sometimes "are free from burdens common to man," (Ps. 73:5) and have more than a heart could wish; while some good men are "plagued . . .punished every morning" (Ps. 73:14). See Psalm 73:3-14.

How did Asaph solve this apparent difficulty?

"When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny" (Ps. 73:16-17, NIV).

Do the Scriptures represent God as a God of truth as well as justice?

They do. He is called a "A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he" (Deut. 32:4, NIV). See also Rom. 3:4.

May we be confident that He will fulfill all His predictions and promises, and execute all His threatenings?

We may. "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and then not fulfill?" (Num. 23:19, NIV). See also Ps. 89:34. Prov. 11:21; 19:5; Matt. 5:18; and Luke 16:17.

Do the Scriptures also represent God as perfectly Holy?

They do. "'For the Lord our God is holy" (Ps. 99:9, NIV). "Who is like you--majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Ex. 15:11, NIV). See also  Lev. 9:2; Joshua 24:19; Isa. 6:3; Rom. 9:14; and Heb. 12:29.

Can He take any pleasure in impurity or unholiness?

He cannot. "You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell" (Ps. 5:4, NIV).

What should be the practical effect of the doctrine of God's justice, truth, and holiness, upon the minds of Christians? Of the wicked?

If you are unreconciled to God, may you not well be alarmed in view of these truths?

It is easy to memorize questions and their answers. It might be better to say, it is easier to memorize these questions and answers, than to really think through these truths. However, the last two questions force us to wrestle with the implications of God's justice, truth, and holiness. How will a holy God respond to our rebellion?

Sometimes, we allow ourselves to be lulled asleep in our thinking. We might think, "What does it matter if God is holy?". It means we cannot stand in his presence. It's good to think through these truths. Next week, we will continue to look at the attributes of God. Feel free to leave a comment.

Sunday Recap 12-4-11

Morning: The message, "Immanuel," focused on Matthew 1:22-23. In these verses, Matthew reveals the importance of Jesus. We can see four important things in these two verses.

First, we see that "all this" happened to fulfill Scripture. The "all this" refers to the previous 21 verses. Matthew is saying that the call of Abraham, the promise to David, the betrothal of Mary and Joseph, the supernatural conception of Jesus, all happened that God's Word would be fulfilled. Prophecy is not rooted in will of the prophet, but they speak what God has told them to say.

Second, there is a virgin with child. Before we dismiss this as a product of an unscientific, unsophisticated culture, we need to understand the need of a supernatural conception. The first promise of Christ's coming is in Genesis 3:15. God says woman shall bear a child that crushes the head of the serpent. Without a human father, Jesus would have been free of the taint of Adam. He would not have possessed a sin nature. The virgin birth is not a myth, but a historical event.

Third, she bears a son. David was promised a son to sit on his throne. The Son was the only one worthy to inherit the Father's kingdom. The Son lived to do his Father's will, and for his obedience he was given a name above every name.

Fourth, Mary's son, Jesus, would be called, Immanuel, "God with us." It isn't a name, but rather a title. It is the expression of the hope of God's people. They yearned, we still yearn, for the presence of God. Christ in his ministry demonstrated his divine nature. He was and is fully human, and fully God. He is the God-man. His presence in our lives brings forgiveness, healing, and acceptance.

This Christmas we need to remember that Jesus is God with us. God stepped down from glory and became one of us, so that we might be freed from sin and death. Christmas is a celebration of this gift.

Evening: Business meeting.

Thursday Humor: "Unconditional Love"

Here's a funny clip from Bob Smiley. I hope you find it funny, but I'll still love you even if you don't.

Staying the Course

When you hear the words perseverance, endurance, and steadfastness, what image comes to mind? Do you envision a runner completing a marathon? Do you see a mountain climber reaching the peak of Everest? Do you see a child being potty trained or learning to tie their shoes?

What is perseverance? Put simply perseverance is not giving up. Those who persevere have a keep on keeping on attitude. Perseverance is one of the components of a vital faith. 2 Peter 1:5-8 gives us a chain of the necessary elements to maturity: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

Perseverance is central to eternal life. Jesus said, "But the one who endures to the end will be delivered" (Matt. 24:13, HCSB). The author of Hebrews warns,

For you need endurance, so that after you have done God's will, you may receive what was promised. 'For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him (Heb. 10:36-38, HCSB).

James, the brother of Jesus, explains why trials should be the source of joy.  He states,

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that yo may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4, NIV).

We should be grateful for testing. Why? Because it develops perseverance. Paul states,

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produce perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Rom. 5:3-5, NIV).

Perseverance pushes us forward. It keeps us moving toward the mark. Like exercise, it turns resistance into muscle. Like study, it sharpens the mind.

Perseverance must complete its work. The maturing process is engrained in the system of life on earth. Puppies are born, and we hope they'll grow to be dogs. Kittens are born, and we hope they'll grow to be cats. Babies are born, and we hope they'll grow up to be healthy, happy citizens.

Without testing, we would develop perseverance. Without perseverance, we wouldn't mature in our faith. We would be incomplete. We would be lacking something. So we are called to keep on keeping on. We push on in faith. We keep building ourselves up in our most holy faith. May it be said of us that we are staying the course.

Spiritual Songs: Winter Snow

Another year has almost passed, and Christmas is once again on the horizon. The next few week will be dedicated to Christmas themed music. If you have a favorite, leave a comment. I may feature it in a Tuesday post.

This song, "Winter Snow," is about Christ's entry into the world. It reflects on the gentleness of his entry into our world. It also expresses an awed devotion to the Christ who came. I hope you enjoy it.

FAQs Mondays: What Are the Attributes of God? part 2

Last week, we began our look at the attributes of God. We started by looking at the eternity and unchangingness of God. You can read that post here.

This week, we turn our attention to the omnipotence and independence of God.

What is the meaning of omnipotence?

 All-powerful.

Does the Lord declare Himself to be possessed of infinite power?

He does. "I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless" (Gen. 17:1, HCSB). See also Job 26:14; Dan. 4:35; Rev. 19:6. Note: All quotations have been updated to the HCSB.

Can you mention a striking exhibition of His power? 

"Oh, Lord God! You Yourself made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched are. Nothing is to difficult for you" (Jer. 32:17). See also Jer. 10:12; Isa. 11:26.

Does not God sustain and govern all things?

He does. He is "sustaining all things by his powerful word" (Heb. 1:3). "our Lord God, the Almighty, has begun to reign" (Rev. 19:6).

Does not this require unlimited power? 

It does.

Is the mind of man, as well as his body, subject to the power and control of God?

It is. "The king's heart is like streams of water in the Lord's hand: He directs it wherever he chooses" (Prov. 21:1). See also Rom. 9:21.

Is it to the power of the Lord that the uniform operations of nature are to be attributed?

lt is. "Who covers the the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, and cause grass to grow on the hills" (Ps. 147:8). "I for light and create darkness, I make success and create disaster, I, Yahweh, do all these things" (Isa. 45:7).

Is not His power concerned in every event that transpires, even the most minute and apparently unimportant?

It is. "The lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord" (Prov. 16:33). "Aren't two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's consent" (Matt. 10:29).

Must He not, if possessed of such power, be independent of all other beings?

He is. He "works out everything in agreement with the decisions of His will" (Eph. 1:11). "There is no one who can hold back His hand or say to Him, 'What have you done?'" (Dan. 4:35).

If God is perfectly independent, can any other being in the universe be so?

It is impossible. "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Rom. 11:36).

Is it possible for us, or even an angel in heaven., to gain an adequate conception of this powerful and independent God? 

It is not. "The Almighty--we cannot reach Him--He is exalted in power!"(Job 37:23). "His greatness is unsearchable" (Ps. 145:3).

Since you are wholly in the power of this Almighty being, have you reason to fear or rejoice, judging from your present character and condition?

The learner is again asked to respond to the lesson. Since these things are true, they demand a response. They are tools shaping the heart, moving it toward faith. As the student learns to think about God as independent and omnipotent, he must choose whether or not to trust.

And what about you? Does knowing you are in the hands of the Almighty God make you fear or rejoice? I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to leave a comment. We will continue to look at God's attributes next week.

Sunday Recap 11-27-11

Morning: The sermon, "Keeping the Good Confession," explored 1 Timothy 6:11-16. In this passage, Paul tells Timothy how to keep the good confession.

It starts by fleeing wrong attitudes, wrong opinions, and wrong ambitions. We are to flee from temptation, sin, and false teaching. We run away from those things to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. We run to Christ in faith.

As we pursue these things in faith, we fight to good fight of faith. He hold on to the truth. We remain watchful. We remember that our enemies the flesh, the world, and the devil seek to destroy us. We battle on because future generations need our faithfulness.

We also need to take hold of the eternal life that God has given us in Christ Jesus. Paul isn't just calling Timothy to come to faith in Christ. He is convinced that Timothy has already done that. Instead, he is calling to move beyond fears to confidence. Timothy, and we with him, need to know that we have reason to be confident in Christ.

Finally, Paul urges Timothy to remember. He calls God the Father, and Jesus Christ as witness, forcing Timothy to contemplate their love and faithfulness. He allows Timothy to overhear his praise of Father and Son. Timothy is for a moment, but God is forever. Timothy can't approach God, but in Christ God has come down to Timothy.

The source of our hope and life is Christ Jesus our Lord. Without him, we have no righteousness, no forgiveness, no life. But through him, we can keep the Good Confession.

Evening: We enjoyed another movie night with our church family.

Thanksgiving Humor: "Can Turkeys Fly?"

How do you combine, Thanksgiving, Thursday Humor, and Education? Check out this clip for the answer. I hope you have a blessed holiday.

Spiritual Songs: "Voice of Truth"

Our minds are a battlefield. Although, at times, it may feel as if we are out matched and unarmed, we are not. A lie is at the root of all human rebellion and sin. A lie so engrained in the human experience and psyche that it feels like reality. The lie suggests that we don't need God, that we can make it on our own, that our desires are more important than anyone else's.

James said it well,

No one undergoing trial should say, "I am being tempted of God." For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn't tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death (James 1:13-15, HCSB).

Because of sin, we each went astray. We were lost, and needed someone to come and rescue us. Jesus, through the presence of the Spirit, has done that through his church. Now, as his followers, we need to learn to hear and obey his voice.

This song, "The Voice of Truth," by Casting Crowns expresses the battle that exists between the lie and the God's truth. We counter the lies of Satan with the truth of God's Word. As we listen to the voice of truth, we learn to live in obedience. Battle on, my dear friends. May this video encourage you.

FAQs Mondays: What Are the Attributes of God? Part 1

Last week, we concluded our look at the Scriptures. You can read that post here. 

We  are now shifting our focus slightly to look at the author of Scripture, God. We pick up in Henry Clay Fish's catechism in Lesson 3, part 2. You can review his catechism here. The overarching question for the next few weeks, will be, "What is God like?". This week we will look at the eternity and immutability of God.

Was there ever a time when God did not exist?

There was not. "Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, Your are God" (Ps. 90:2). See also: Ps. 102:12, 27; Ps. 135:13; Rom. 1:20; Rev. 1:4. Note: All quotes have been updated to the HCSB, and references have been put into the modern format. You may wish to use the version you prefer.

Will God ever cease to exist?

He will not. He is called the "King Eternal" and the "Everlasting King;" and again it is said, "But You, LORD, are enthroned forever" See 1 Tim. 1:17, Jer. 10:10. Ps. 102:12, 27; 135:13; Job. 36:26; Deut. 32:4.

Is He uncreated and self-existent, or does He depend on some other being for his life?

He is uncreated and self-existent. He styles Himself "Jehovah," [Yahweh], "I am," and Christ declares, "the Father has life in Himself." See Deut. 6:2; Ex.3:14; John 5:26.

Is He subject to change, as are other beings?

He is not. He declares, "Because I, Yahweh, have not changed, you descendents of Jacob have not been destroyed" (Mal. 3:6).

Will any of His plans and purposes be ever, in the least degree, altered?

They will not. "But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what he desires" (Job 23:13). See Ps. 33:11; Prov. 19:21; Heb. 6:17.

How are we to understand by those expressions of Scripture which represent God as repenting; as in Gen. 6:6; Ex. 32:14; Jonah 3:10?

It is a change in the external discovery of his purpose, or in His mode of dealing, and not in His actual determinations or principles.

Is there the least ground for believing that God will change His laws by which He governs His creatures, or the plan of mercy by which He saves souls from guilt and pollution?

There is not; for with Him there "no variation or shadow cast by turning" (James 1:17).

If so, what effect should the doctrine of God's immutability have upon the minds of believers?

What effect should it have upon the minds of unbelievers?

Can you rejoice in the truth that God changes not, and never can change; or does it fill you with fear and trembling?

Notice that the last three questions are open-ended. The answers are left for the student to contemplate. This leaves the student room to wrestle with the implications of the the "doctrine of immutability," that is, the teachings of Scripture that tell us God doesn't change.

Considering the first seven questions, how would you answer the last three? I would love to know. Why not answer them in the comments? Next week, we will continue our look at the attributes of God.

Sunday Recap 11-20-11

Morning: The sermon, "Bigger Than Us," focused on 1 Timothy 6:1-10. In this passage, Paul urges Timothy to be content with the pursuit of godliness for the glory of God. We all want to be apart of something bigger than ourselves. It's way we join clubs, participate in politics, join sports teams, and login to Facebook. In the gospel, we are joining something bigger than ourselves, bigger than our community, bigger than our nation, bigger than our world. As we live for Christ, much is at stake.

Paul reminds us that the gospel is bigger than our rights. We have to be willing to pursue God's glory of our rights.

He reminds us that the gospel is bigger than our opinions. False teachers reject sound doctrine because they are full of themselves and ignorant of the truth. They push their agenda over the gospel to make a quick buck.

Paul urges Timothy to see the gospel as bigger than our ambitions. The quest to make it rich was destroying a lot of people. Ambition isn't bad, in and of itself, but it can drive us to do bad things.

The gospel is about the glory of God. It is the source of life and hope. In Christ, we join in something that has the power to change our lives, and the lives of others. Live for his glory.

Evening: We joined with other Baptist churches tonight for the community Thanksgiving service. Dr. Paul Chitwood, the executive director of the KBC, was the speaker. It was a wonderful time, and Monticello was well represented.

FAQs Mondays: How Should We Respond to the Scriptures?

We began looking at the question, "Are the Scriptures complete?" You can read that post here. We continue to answer the question by looking at the excellence of Scripture.

For what are the Scriptures profitable?
 

They are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim. 3:16.

How should we receive the word of God?
 

We should "give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Heb. 2:1. Luke 8:18.

For what were the Bereans particularly commended?
 

For searching the Scriptures, "They received the word with all the readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so." Acts17:11; 2 Thes.2:10,11;. 1 Pet. 2: 1, 2.

Are the wicked to be condemned by the word, at the last great day, for not practicing what it enjoins?
 

They are. "He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." John 12:48.

If the Scriptures are of superlative excellence and value, ought they not to be given, without delay, to all mankind?

Yes.

Do you heartily believe, and endeavor to practice according to all the truths revealed in the word of God?

The last question is open-ended. A child (or adult) should not be required to memorize an answer to a question that they cannot, in good conscience, affirm. It is one thing to teach historical facts and teachings of the church, it is another to press a child into making a commitment they are not spiritually ready to make.  Feel free to leave a comment.

Sunday Recap 11-13-11

Morning: The sermon, "Leadership: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly," focuses on the 1 Timothy 5:17-25. In the passage, Paul explains how leaders should be treated.

Good leaders should be treated with double honor. First, they should be provided. Second, they should be respected.

Bad leaders should be rebuke (possible even removed). The rebuke should be public. It should be done without partiality, and without favoritism.

The ugly truth is that every leader must be careful or else he might stumble. Paul warns Timothy not to be hasty in appointing leaders. He suggests that he stop living by other people's rules. Then, he tells him not to make superficial judgments.

Leadership is a heavy responsibility. It should be given with caution, and treated with respect.

Evening: We had business meeting.

Thursday Humor: "Pie" by Julian Smith

Here is a little granny humor from Julian Smith. For the record, "powning" means defeating an opponent. A "noob" or "noobs" are individuals that don't know "how the world works, what is going on, or anything."

This kind of makes me miss my grandma.

Self-control

In 2 Peter 1:5-8, Peter gives us a framework for maturing in Christ. He commands us to add to our faith. I have been using this framework for a series of lessons at Monticello on Wednesday nights. Tonight, we covered self-control.

What is self-control? Let's skip the "control of self" answer, and dig a little deeper. It covers discipline, and the resistance of temptation (including avoiding the cookie aisle). Self-control is the restraint of one's emotions, impulses, and desires. It is mastery of one's self.

When we come to faith in Christ we are no longer our own. Jesus speaks of it in terms of losing and saving our lives. In Mark 8:35 he says, "For whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it."  Paul tells us, "Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God? Your are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19-20, HCSB).

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul uses the metaphor of a race to explain the self-controlled life. Here are some principles to guide us.

1. We need to set our mind to it. We are all in the race, and all the runners run.

2. We need to establish our priorities. As runners, we run the race to win.

3. We need to focus on what is gained. When athletes train, they give up a lot. But they do it to gain a prize. Paul says they run for a prize that fades, but we run for an eternal crown.

4. We need to work hard. We aren't called to run in circles in the faith, but to move with discipline. We are to master our bodies and souls, so that we can bring glory to God.

5. We need to fear failure. Paul said that he ran in a way that would keep himself from being disqualified. He didn't want to get to the end and see that it was all for nothing.

Self-control grows as we grow in our knowledge of Christ and the gospel. It grows as we exercise goodness and faith. We are commanded to exercise control over our emotions, impulses, and desires. We should instead be driven by the glory of Christ.

Spiritual Songs: "After the Last Tear Falls" by Andrew Peterson

Here is another excellent song by Andrew Peterson. This is a song about the reality that love, especially God's love, is greater than sin. Sin cause so much heartache. God is love, and he is waiting to heal those who turn to him in faith. I hope this song encourages you.

FAQs Mondays: Are the Scriptures Complete?

Last week, we concluded a look at the integrity of Scripture. You can read that post here.

We are going to be looking at the completeness and excellence of Scripture this week and next. The questions and answers draw from Lesson II, Part VII of Dr. Fisher's catechism. You can find it here.

We have now proved, that the Scriptures are a revelation from God. Are they the only perfect revelation of God's will, that the world will ever possess?

They are. "If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Gal. 1:8- 9. 2 Thes. 2:2.

Do the Scriptures contain all the truths necessary to our salvation? 

They do. They are "able to make us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:15-17. 2 Pet. 1:4.

What has God said He will do unto him who shall add any thing to His word?

"If any man add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book." Rev. 22:18.  See also Deut. 4:2. Prov. 3:6.

What will God do to him who shall take any thing away from the Scriptures?

"He shall take away his part out of the book of life." Rev. 22:9

To what standard should we refer all our opinions and actions?

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 7:20. See also Jer. 23:28.

Should we teach, or practice, as a Christian duty, any thing that is not laid down in the word of God?

We should not. "In vain do Ye worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. 15:9. See also Col. 2:8. Tit. 1:13-14.

Should we esteem the Scriptures as of the highest value to us?

We should. "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold." Ps. 19:10.

This post deals more with our attitude toward the Scriptures, than with the Scriptures themselves. However, it helps us to think through important matters. For many Christians today, the Bible is just another book. For many, it isn't even an important one. The Scriptures are the very words of God. They reveal to us our Creator and Redeemer, so we should give them the highest respect possible. Showing that respect means reading, studying, obeying, and memorizing them.

Nest week, we will continue to look at the integrity of Scriptures. If you have a question or a comment, feel free to post it in the comments.

Sunday Recap 11-6-11

Morning: The sermon, "Widow Care," focused on 1 Timothy 5:3-16. In this passage, Paul explains how to care for widows. James, the brother of Jesus and an early church leader, said, "Religion the God and Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27, NIV). This passage functions as a guide for caring for widows.

Churches, in the 1st or 21st century, have limited resources. The task of providing care for the needy must be approached with care. Paul said that the first rule in widow care is make sure there is a real need. A woman without a husband or grown children was in a desperate situation in Paul's day. He calls on those who have family in need to be the first to offer help, so the church can minister to those without support. The next mark of a truly needy widow is one who pursues God over her own personal pleasure.

The church should seek to aid women of the right character. The women must be over 60, having been faithful to their husbands. They need to be known for doing good like raising children, showing hospitality, helping, etc.

Paul warns against helping younger widows. Instead, he suggested they get married and raise a family. It prevents them from getting caught up in idleness and gossip. If they were to get caught up in such activities it might cause the name of Christ to be slandered.

Finally, Paul urged women to tend to the widows in their families. This command implies that husbands were to support such work. Woman serving women has some practical purposes: first women understand women better, and second, it protects the reputations of the woman and the men who minister to them.

Evening: There were no services tonight.

Thursday Humor: "Three Little Pigs" John Branyan

There are a couple of laugh aloud moments in this clip. John Branyan's retelling of the Three Little Pigs is pretty impressive. I hope you enjoy it.

Knowledge Is Power

In 2 Peter 1:5, Peter commands us to add knowledge to our goodness. In 2 Peter 3:18, he commands us to grow in grace (favor) and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The commands prompt us to consider knowledge?

What is knowledge? Knowledge is the sum of all we know. There are many streams of knowledge. They derive from every field of study (and interest). Knowledge can be categorized in three ways: factual knowledge (what we know we know without a doubt), theoretical knowledge (what we think we know, but could be wrong), and false knowledge (what we know, but is definitely untrue).

Peter speaks of a specific field of knowledge. The knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. But what does that knowledge encompass? It covers all biblical knowledge and theology.

Here are five things we need to remember about the knowledge of Jesus Christ:

1. The knowledge of Christ is the starting point of faith. A person must hear about God and Christ before they come to faith. (see Rom. 10:13-17)
2. The knowledge of Christ is the heart of every prayer. Even the Lord's prayer points us to pursue the knowledge of Christ (see Eph. 3:14-21; Col. 1:9-14).
3. The knowledge of Christ is the goal of every ministry. Everyone who serves Christ labors to see others come to him (see Eph. 4:11-13; Col. 1:28-29).
4. The knowledge of Christ enables self-control.
5. The knowledge of Christ fuels perseverance.

As we grow in knowledge, we grow in goodness and faith. They say knowledge is power, and there is some truth in that saying. But the knowledge of Christ is power unto salvation.

Spiritual Songs: "The Good Confession (I Believe)" by Andrew Peterson

Andrew Peterson is one of my favorite artists. He is an amazing storyteller. His songs pull you along in the experience. This is a song about conversion. I hope it encourages you.

FAQs Mondays: Can We Trust the New Testament?

We began our look at the integrity of the Bible by answer in the question, "Can we trust the Old Testament?". You can read the post here. Now we turn attention to the New Testament.

What evidence is there that we have the New Testament as it was at first written, or free from corruption?

The multiplication of copies in the original language, and of versions or translations, and their frequent private and public reading, rendered it impossible that any material and general alteration should have been made.

Have not Christians, from the first, entertained a reverence for the Scriptures, and a sense of the guilt of adding to or taking from them?
 

They have.

You know that, from an early period, there have been sects or parties among professed Christians; would not an attempt on the part of one to mutilate the word of God, have been surely noticed and made known by those who differed from them?

It would.

Can you mention any other evidence of the uncorruptedness of the Scriptures?

There is a remarkable agreement between them and all the quotations made from them by early writers.

Is there also a general agreement of all the manuscripts and versions of the New Testament now extant?
 

There is: so close is this agreement, that the worst manuscript extant does not misrepresent one article of faith, or destroy one moral precept.

Will You now state, in their order, the Proof's in support of the integrity or uncorruptedness Of the sacred Scriptures?

Ques. 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. Note: Questions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 11 are on the previous post. You can read them here. Questions 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 are the first 5 questions of this post. 

Does it not become us to be very thankful that we possess the word of God in its original purity?

It does.

Again we see that the evidence points to the integrity of the Bible. What we have today reflects what was written by the biblical authors. We have a sure Word that is worthy of trust. Next week, we will look at the completeness or excellence of Scripture. Feel free to leave a comment.

Sunday Recap 10-30-11

Morning: The message, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T," focused on 1 Timothy 5:1-2. In this passage, Paul reminds Timothy to treat others in the church with love, humility, and respect. 

Timothy is not to issue a harsh rebuke to older men, but to encourage them as a son would a father. He is to treat younger men as they were his brother. Older women should be treated like mothers, and younger women should be treated, with all purity, as sisters.

The church is a family, and should act like it. We walk through this world together. We should treat each other with love, humility, and respect.

Evening: We had our fall fellowship tonight. It was a fun time.

Thursday Humor: "Morning People" John Branyan

Here's a funny clip about morning people. I hope you enjoy it.

Excellence of Character

In 1 Peter 1:5, Peter encourages us to add goodness to our faith. The type of goodness Peter had in mind is moral excellence. But what is moral excellence? Moral excellence is not only doing what is right, but it is also desiring right over wrong, good over evil, and holiness over commonness.

How do become morally excellent? Do we get it by hard work? Do we get it by following the rules? Paul tells us that we get it through faith in Christ, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21, NIV). Peter expresses it similarly, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and grace" (2 Pet. 1:3).

Moral excellence is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ. It is his righteousness that is credited to us by God's grace. Apart from Christ, all of our moral acts are like filthy rags before the Lord.

But moral excellence isn't perfection. It is a process through which we increase in our likeness to Christ. Job was a good example of this. God says of Job that he was "blameless and upright," and that he feared God and shunned evil (see Job 1:8).

In Christ, we are called to walk in faith. True faith has an obedience component. We cannot truly say we trust Christ if we don't obey him. As we walk in the Spirit by faith, we learn to put off the old things. We learn to say no to ungodliness (shun evil) and delight in righteousness (fear God).

Galatians 5:16-26 does an excellent job of contrasting a life devoted to the flesh against a life devoted to Christ. Colossians 3:1-14 also paints a powerful picture of a life fixed on Christ.

There is no doubt that Christ's followers are to walk in moral excellence. The good news is that Christ enables them to do so. We have everything we need for life and godliness. Are you pursuing excellence of character?

Hymns: In Christ Alone

Several years ago, Delia and I heard this song at a marriage conference. I found the lyrics so powerful. It moves through the story of salvation displaying the work of Christ on our behalf with such elegance. I hope you enjoy it.

FAQs Mondays: Can We Trust the Old Testament?

We begin our look at "the integrity or uncorruptedness of the Scriptures," this week. We are going to look at the first 12 questions from Lesson II, Part VI in Henry Clay Fish's Baptist Scriptural Catechism. They focus on the Old Testament. It is important to remember that this document was written in 1850. Since then, there have been several more discoveries that further demonstrate the integrity of Scriptures.

Have we conclusive evidence that the books of the Bible have been preserved free from material errors or alterations, since they justify the hands of their respective authors?

We have.

Were not the Jews extremely sedulous (diligent) in their efforts to preserve the manuscripts of the Old Testament in their original integrity?

They were.

Did they exercise the utmost care in transcribing them?

They did, comparing the transcriptions with the original, and even numbering the words and the letters.

What is the testimony of Josephus on this point?

He asserts that there was such a veneration of the Jews for the sacred Scripture that no one down to his time dared to add or take away from them, or even to make the least alteration. (See Josephus Against Apion, b. 1, 8). 

You know that Christ, and the later prophets before him brought many serious charges against the Jews; but did they ever charge them with mutilating the Scriptures?

They did not.

Did they even intimate that they were guilty in this respect?

They did not.

Had they been guilty of it, would so great a sin passed unrebuked?

It would not.

Do the different versions and manuscripts of the Old Testament, now extant, agree, in all essential particulars?

They do. (Of these manuscripts there are now extant about 1200). 

Is it supposeable that good men, since the time of Christ should have altered the Old Testament?

It is not.

Have Christians ever charged the Jews with doing it?

They have not.

Is it possible that it should have been done by any individual or company of individuals, and not detected by either Christians or Jews; especially since copies have been so numerous and so widely scattered?

It is not.

Is not all this satisfactory evidence to the purity and integrity of the Old Testament?

It is.

The Baptist Scriptural Catechism was written at a time when the Bible was coming under attack. The author moves his students to consider the evidence and the logical implications of that evidence. The first question concerning "conclusive evidence" of the lack of errors in the Bible anticipates the following questions. The remaining questions are the evidences.

A lot of accusations are thrown around. Believers are expected to doubt the accuracy of the biblical text, but as these questions demonstrate the opposition can show no real proof that Bible contains errors. Those who disbelieve the Bible operate from their own belief systems. Disbelievers are no less biased than believers. They are just biased in a different direction.

This catechism encourages believers to question the assumptions of their opposition. Next week, we will look at the questions concerning the integrity of the New Testament. Feel free to leave a comment.