What about Singleness?

Dr. Andreas Köstenberger has written several posts on his blog addressing contemporary concerns over the biblical teaching on singleness. The two main texts in Scripture concerning singleness are Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7. Debbie Maken recently wrote a book entitled, "Getting Serious About Getting Married: Rethinking the Gift of Singleness" which she proposes a very controversial view of singleness. Dr. Köstenberger addresses these issues and some of his concerns in his two posts. I challenge you to read these two posts and to think biblically concerning the issue of singleness. I welcome any comments or questions that you might have. Click here to read his first post. Click here to read his second post.

Do You Love...Discipline? Rebuke?

As I reflect over the times when I saw significant spiritual growth in my life, it usually occurred when God used people in my life to discipline and rebuke me. At the time it hurt (wow, imagine there being a kind of discipline that didn't hurt - would we call that discipline). Anyways, I now thank God for using those people to speak truth to my life and help me to see areas of sin that I was totally blind to. Are you open to rebuke and discipline from others? Click here and read the very wise counsel that Bob Kauflin gave concerning discipline and rebuke. Bob Kauflin serves as director of worship development for Sovereign Grace Ministries, and as a pastor and worship leader at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Alert, MEN, MEN, MEN, Show Yourself a Man!

I recently read a great article by Randy Stinson, professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Executive Director for the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. The article is titled, "Show Yourself a Man." Men, I challenge everyone of you to read this and apply these principles to your life; I have read it and am putting many of these principles into practice. Share with me your thoughts. To read it, click here and scroll down to page 2 of the magazine.

Who Should an Atheist Thank?

Who should an atheist thank? Dr. Albert Mohler has written a great blog concerning this issue. So, when an atheist is at the Grand Canyon and they see the beauty and the greatness of it, who do they thank? Their joy isn't complete until they praise or thank someone, so who do they thank? Check out his blog here.

Movie - Facing the Giants

Jason Palmer just sent me this link to the trailer of Facing the Giants. It is a football movie coming out this September. It is endorsed by my college football coach at Appalachian State, Coach Jerry Moore. He said, "At some point in our lives, we all say "Why?" (like in the locker room scene). Then we turn our life, our family, our job, our circumstances over to God, and let him have room to work." Click here to read the other endorsements. In the trailer, the coach asks his players, "What's the purpose of this team." Then one of the players responds, "To win ball games." The coach then says, "Winning football games is too small a thing to live for. We're not here just to get glory, make money, and die. So I'm here to present you with a new team philosophy. We need to give God our best in every area. And if we win we praise him, and if we lose we praise him." This reminds me a lot of the life of Job when he said, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (1:21). Click here to see the trailer. I haven't seen the movie so I cannot condone everything in it, but it does raise a great question. I present you all with a new philosophy, "In whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God and praise him in all things, good or bad, because he is worthy. This movie goes hand in hand with a blog that I posted a few weeks ago entitled, "Basketball for the Glory of God."

Thoughts and Quotes on "Romans" - Part 2

If you have never done an indepth study of Romans then read the following excerpt which is the first paragraph from Martin Luther's Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans:

“This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian’s while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul. It is impossible to read or to meditate on this letter too much or too well. The more one deals with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes.” Click here to read his entire Preface.

Romans 1:1-2 "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures." For Paul, the gospel that he preached was the same gospel that was promised in the Old Testament. In light of this thought, listen to this excerpt from William Tyndale's Preface to Romans:

“Wherefore it appeareth evidently, that Paul’s mind was to comprehend briefly in this epistle all the whole learning of Christ’s gospel, and to prepare an introduction unto all the Old Testament. For without doubt whosoever hath this epistle perfectly in his heart, the same hath the light and the effect of the Old Testament with him. Wherefore let every man without exception exercise himself therein diligently, and record it night and day continually, until he be full acquainted therewith.” Click here to read his entire Preface.

Here is F.F. Bruce's reponse to the above excerpt:

“It is noteworthy that Tyndale commends this Epistle as an introduction, not to the New Testament but to the Old; that is to say, he finds it an indispensable guide to the Christian understanding of the books of the old covenant. In this he is in agreement with Paul’s own mind; for Paul claims that the gospel which this Epistle sets forth was announced beforehand in the prophetic writings and that the way of righteousness which is opened up in the gospel was attested by the Law and the Prophets. The Old Testament was the Bible which the apostles and other Christians of the first generations used in their propagation of the gospel; it was the arsenal from which they drew their proofs that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world; and the Epistle to the Romans provides an outstanding example of the way in which it served their purpose.” Bruce's commentary on Romans in the Tyndale New Testament Commentary Series, p. 9-10.

Thoughts and Quotes on "Romans" - Part 1

God has used the book of Romans more than any other book of the Bible to open my eyes to see the glory of the gospel. Over the next few days I am going to post some great quotes and thoughts concerning this great book that F.F. Bruce called, "The Gospel According to Paul." May God use these quotes and thoughts to stimulate a desire in you to read and study it in order to know God. A number of great men have been saved through reading through Romans. Today I am going to give excerpts from the accounts of some of these men.

AUGUSTINE
Augustine took up Romans and began to read Romans 13:13b-14 and then he said, "No further would I read,"he tells us, "nor had I any need; instantly, at the end of this sentence, a clear light flooded my heart and all the darkness of doubt vanished away." F.F. Bruce's Commentary on Romans in the Tyndale New Testament Commentary, p. 58 ; see Confession viii. 29.

MARTIN LUTHER
"I had indeed been captivated with an extraordinary ardor for understanding Paul in the Epistle to the Romans. But up till then it was not the cold blood ab out the heart, but a single word in Chapter 1, "In it the righteousness of God is revealed," that had stood in my way. For I hated that word "righteousness of God,"...Though I lived as a monk without reproach, I felt that I was a sinner before God with an extremely disturbed conscience. I could not believe that he was placated by my satisfaction. I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners, and secretly, if not blasphemously, certainly murmuring greatly, I was angry with God, and said, "As if, indeed, it is not enough, that miserable sinners, eternally lost through original sin, are crushed by every kind of calamity by the law of the decalogue, without having God add pain to pain by the gospel and also by the gospel threatening us with his righteousness and wrath!" Thus I raged with a fierce and troubled conscience...At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, "In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, 'He who through faith is righteous shall live.'" There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith. And this is the meaning: the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, "He who through faith is righteous shall live." Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. There a totally other face of the entire Scripture showed itself to me." Click here to read the entire account.

JOHN WESLEY
John Wesley was listening to someone read Martin Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans and later he wrote in his journal, "while he (Martin Luther) was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for my salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken my sins away, even mine; and saved me from the law of sin and death."F.F Bruce's Commentary, p. 59; see also Wesley's Works (1872), Vol. I, p. 103.

Heart-Wrenching Questions - Part 3

This is the last in a series of questions designed to penetrate our hearts and draw us to God. The following questions were created by Dr. Pete Schemm, professor of theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS).

• Have I been a "show-off" or a "know-it-all" recently?
• Am I enjoying the word daily?

Studying the Scriptures should not just be something you do just to get it over with. We study the Scriptures to KNOW GOD. What greater goal can there be in life than to know God; or put another way, to see and savor God in the face of Jesus Christ. "Now this is eternal life, that they may know you the one true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" John 17:3. Jonathan Edwards said, "Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same" (#28 of his Resolutions). So are you ENJOYING the word daily? Do you find yourself satisfied in God?

• Am I watching too much T.V.?
• Am I honest in all my words, or do I exaggerate?
• What do I regret saying recently? And why?

As you see your failings, turn to Christ and embrace the cross. Be amazed at the constant love of God that loves even rebellious and disobedient children. Wow, how deep the Father's love for us.

Heart-Wrenching Questions - Part 2

John Wesley and George Whitefield were involved in countability with other guys in what they called the Holy Club. The following questions are some of those that they asked themselves everyday in their private devotions.

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression than I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Can I be trusted?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
5. Did the Bible live in me today?
6. Do I give it time to speak to me every day?
7. Do I pray about the money I spend?
8. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
9. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
10. How do I spend my spare time?
11. Is Christ real to me?

May God use these questions to pierce your heart and soul and may he use them to draw you to himself and to stir your affections for him. God wants every inch of your life.

Click here to read the entire set of questions.

Heart-Wrenching Questions - Part 1

Over the next few days I am going to list some great questions that I have collected over the years from various places that probe deep into the depths of my heart to reveal sin and take me to Christ. Take these questions and make them your own. Read over them daily or at least weekly and may God use them to stir your heart and affections towards him, the greatest treasure. (If I do not give a source for a question, that is either because I don't know where I came across it or because it is my own.)

1. How would I describe the state of my affections for Christ right now?
2. What would have to happen in my life for God to have His way? What desires of mine would have to die?
3. What should a Christian of my stature be doing for the kingdom of God?
4. "Are you doing things that require you to walk by faith?" Bill Bright
5. Men, have you been with another woman, regardless of how innocent, that could be misunderstood and bring reproach on the name of Christ?
6. Have you conducted your financial and business matters in such a way that gives witness of integrity and godliness?
7. Have you just lied about any of these questions?

Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards was a great pastor who was used by God to spark revival in the New England area in the early 1700's.. He came up with 70 resolutions that he wanted to live by every day of his life. Concerning these resolutions he said, "Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake. Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week." Below are a few of the resolutions that he had, to view all of them click here. Notice how he desired to think of death often. Why do you think this was the case?

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

Filled with the Spirit of God

What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Campus Crusade for Christ has tracts devoted to answering this question. Billy Graham has a tract on the Holy Spirit. Dr. Andreas Köstenberger, a well-respected NT Scholar, has written a great article on this issue in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 40/2 (1997): 229-40, and he raises some great points. Here is the first paragraph of his article:

“A popular pamphlet challenges ‘carnal Christians’ to embark on the ‘Spirit-filled life’ by confessing their sins and presenting every area of their lives to God (referencing the Campus Crusade for Christ tract entitled “Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life?”). Thus they will experience the ‘abundant life’ Jesus promised (John 10:10) and be ‘filled with the Spirit’ (Eph. 5:18). While the intention behind the teaching is doubtless commendable—who would disagree that many fall short of the Biblical ideal for the Christian and desperately need to renew their commitment to their Lord?—the theology and terminology upon which this approach is based need to be reexamined to see whether they in fact reflect Biblical categories.”

Read this article as an aid to help re-think the issue of being filled with the Spirit. I would love any comments or thoughts concerning this question or article.

Talking to People Rather Than about Them

Check out this great article by John Piper addressing the issue of gossip and speaking truth to our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is a needed discipline in the church today.

Basketball for the Glory of God

C.J. Mahaney posted a blog titled Fathers and Sons and March Madness on March 14, 2006. In his blog he gave some practical advice on how he encourages his son to play basketball to the glory of God. Here is an excerpt of that article:

"So, prior to each practice and game I have a conversation with my son about how he can glorify God. Here is a sampling of the biblical priorities and practices I review with him:

• Humbly receive correction from your coach and ask your coach how you can grow in character as well as athletic skill.
• Thank your coaches for the way they have served you. And thank the referees after each game.
• Encourage your teammates for their display of godly character and athletic skill--in that order of priority.
• Encourage your opponents during and after the game. If you knock someone over, extend your hand to help them up.
• Play the game passionately and unselfishly. Serve your team by playing aggressive defense and passing the ball on offense.
• Humbly respond when the referee calls a foul on you. Do not complain or disagree in word or by facial expression.
• No inappropriate celebrating after you score; instead, recognize that others played a role.
• Thank the team manager for the way he served and recognize the humility and servanthood he is displaying each game. True greatness is sitting on the end of the bench.
  

There is nothing original or profound about this list. But helping my son apply it to his heart and life can make a profound difference. So after each game, I review the above list with my son. I go over the game with him and celebrate any and all expressions of humility and godly character. I tell him that this is more important to me than how many points he scored or whether his team won the game (although we do play to win!). Remember, fathers, that what you honor and celebrate, your son will emulate. Therefore, we must celebrate godly character more than athletic ability or achievement."

Read the entire blog here.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." God desires that every aspect of your life would be lived for his glory, honor, and praise. Men, may God use basketball in your life as a means to pursue godliness and not fame. Do you pursue the glory of God in everything that you do...eating, drinking, driving, talking, singing, teaching, working, relationships, and school? What would it look like to live for the glory of God in your driving, talking, singing, teaching, working, relationships, at school, etc.? Since I'm a Christian, does that mean that I always do all of those things to the glory of God or is there a certain way that those things must be done to give glory to God or not? May Christ be exalted in all things, to the glory of God.

Preaching and Biblical Theology

Thomas Schreiner recently wrote an article titled, Preaching and Biblical Theology, in the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology. Every teacher and preacher of God's word needs to read this whole article but especially this excerpt below which shows the great need in churches today for preachers and teachers to preach and teach biblical theology.

"Moreover, too often our congregations are poorly trained by those of us who preach. We have fed them a steady diet of moralistic preaching, so that they are taught to be kind, forgiving, loving, good husbands and wives (all good things of course!), but the theological foundation for such is completely neglected. We have ample illustrations and stories to support the lifestyle we advocate, and people’s hearts are warmed and even edified. Meanwhile, the wolf is lurking at the door. How could such preaching open the door for heresy? Not because the pastor himself is heretical. He may be fully orthodox and faithful in his own theology, while neglecting to preach to his people the storyline and theology of the Bible. He has assumed theology in all his preaching. So, in the next generation or in two or three generations the congregation may inadvertently and unknowingly call a more liberal pastor. He too preaches that people should be good, kind, and loving. He too emphasizes that we should have good marriages and dynamic relationships. The people in the pew may not even discern the difference. The theology seems to be just like the theology of the conservative pastor who preceded him. And in a sense it is, for the conservative pastor never proclaimed or preached his theology. The conservative pastor believed in the inerrancy of scripture but not its sufficiency, for he did not proclaim all that the scriptures teach to his congregation."

Read the entire article; this is a must read for every Christ because he gives an example of biblical theology in the body of his article.

Welcome

Welcome to my first and only blog. I am Jon Chasteen, the College Intern at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. I created this blog to use as a ministry tool to help college students to pursue the great and glorious God seen in the gospel. I hope you will enjoy and interact with the thoughts posted here as I pursue to know and to tell about this great God who has saved me by his grace...to God be the glory.