2.27.2006
In which I provide another update
I finished "Death of a Nation" the other night. It was a very good book on the Battle of Gettysburg, written as an apologetic for Robert E. Lee. I enjoyed it.
Then I read A Place on Earth, a novel by Wendell Berry. You know, I don't know why I keep reading fiction. I thoroughly enjoy reading them and love getting to know the characters, but I am never happy with the ending. It is always a let down. Is that a sign of good fiction?
I didn't make it to the Thomas Chalmers conference, but I'm hoping to get the tapes when the are out.
We stayed over at my parents place for two weeks while they were visiting my sister in China. The kids were sick for something like 10 out of 14 days, so that was fun.
I have almost all of my garden planted and have enjoyed spending the time working in it. We already have our beans and lettuce sprouting and I'm hoping for a good harvest. I am longing to be outside.
I am now reading "Family Farming: a New Economic Vision" by Marty Strange of the Center for Rural Affairs. I'll let you know what I think.
I have a few books that I am rebinding for some people. These will be the first ones that I am actually paid for!
So there it is. Sorry for the lack of substance, it shall come again, in time.
Then I read A Place on Earth, a novel by Wendell Berry. You know, I don't know why I keep reading fiction. I thoroughly enjoy reading them and love getting to know the characters, but I am never happy with the ending. It is always a let down. Is that a sign of good fiction?
I didn't make it to the Thomas Chalmers conference, but I'm hoping to get the tapes when the are out.
We stayed over at my parents place for two weeks while they were visiting my sister in China. The kids were sick for something like 10 out of 14 days, so that was fun.
I have almost all of my garden planted and have enjoyed spending the time working in it. We already have our beans and lettuce sprouting and I'm hoping for a good harvest. I am longing to be outside.
I am now reading "Family Farming: a New Economic Vision" by Marty Strange of the Center for Rural Affairs. I'll let you know what I think.
I have a few books that I am rebinding for some people. These will be the first ones that I am actually paid for!
So there it is. Sorry for the lack of substance, it shall come again, in time.
2.16.2006
It's good to laugh
This is the webpage of an improv comedy group that does "missions" (not in the evangelical sense) in NYC. Quite humorous if you ask me.
2.10.2006
The place of women theologians in the church
Here is an interesting post regarding an article in the PCA's By Faith discussing the place of women theologians in the church.
As the article states:
But as pastor Phil Henry points out:
My wife sometimes quips that she has no use for theology and that it should be left for me. But I try to be quick about reminding her that she is much more of a theologian than I am, and definitely a better practitioner. Her "study" of theology involves tangible things and real (little) people, not abstract ideas or methods.
As the article states:
The dilemma facing the PCA is what to do with this growing population of female theologians. What should be our response to this influx of female seminary graduates as they begin arriving on our doorstep with their gifts, training, and theological wisdom? How can we be faithful stewards of the rich ministry resources God has entrusted to us in the gifted female theologians in our pews?
But as pastor Phil Henry points out:
What is remarkable about this article--even astounding--is that not one mention is made of motherhood, the highest and most excellent post for women theologians to occupy. No mention of mothers reading Sacred Scripture to their children; no mention of sons being catechized by their mothers; no mention of wives praying for their husbands.
My wife sometimes quips that she has no use for theology and that it should be left for me. But I try to be quick about reminding her that she is much more of a theologian than I am, and definitely a better practitioner. Her "study" of theology involves tangible things and real (little) people, not abstract ideas or methods.
2.09.2006
Share all good things
Galatians 6:6 "One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches." (ESV)
Through my own studies on elders I have come to a definite position on elders/salaries/payment/etc., but it is not my intention to explore that here or even to attempt to define my views. Here is an example of someone who is doing that (use discernment - just found this through a quick search and haven't looked at anything else on the site).
Instead I would to like encourage you to think of tangible ways in which you can honor those in authority over you, especially those of you whose elders practice a two-office view. For those who do not know what that is, certain presbyterian denominations (like the PCA) hold to a two-office view regarding elders, with a (usually salaried and seminary trained) teaching elder and the ruling elders, called from among the congregation. In my limited experience I have seen the hard work of ruling elders who work normal jobs and also minister among the flock through teaching classes, prayer, visits to the sick and elderly and other various biblical duties of elders. These men to not receive monetary compensation for their work, even though they can often do as much as the "pastor."
1Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
Are the men who labor among you worthy of honor? Do they watch over your soul and labor in teaching you and in preaching the gospel of Christ? Think of a ways that you may bless your elders to show them "double-honor." Drop him a note, take him out to lunch, buy him a book, send his family a gift. Share all good things with the one who teaches.
EDIT: If i had looked earlier, I would have seen that Dave Black has a similar posting over at his Blog (look under Thursday, Feb 9).
Through my own studies on elders I have come to a definite position on elders/salaries/payment/etc., but it is not my intention to explore that here or even to attempt to define my views. Here is an example of someone who is doing that (use discernment - just found this through a quick search and haven't looked at anything else on the site).
Instead I would to like encourage you to think of tangible ways in which you can honor those in authority over you, especially those of you whose elders practice a two-office view. For those who do not know what that is, certain presbyterian denominations (like the PCA) hold to a two-office view regarding elders, with a (usually salaried and seminary trained) teaching elder and the ruling elders, called from among the congregation. In my limited experience I have seen the hard work of ruling elders who work normal jobs and also minister among the flock through teaching classes, prayer, visits to the sick and elderly and other various biblical duties of elders. These men to not receive monetary compensation for their work, even though they can often do as much as the "pastor."
1Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
Are the men who labor among you worthy of honor? Do they watch over your soul and labor in teaching you and in preaching the gospel of Christ? Think of a ways that you may bless your elders to show them "double-honor." Drop him a note, take him out to lunch, buy him a book, send his family a gift. Share all good things with the one who teaches.
EDIT: If i had looked earlier, I would have seen that Dave Black has a similar posting over at his Blog (look under Thursday, Feb 9).
2.08.2006
Elders and small groups
For any of you that have 'small-groups' or similar meetings at your church (and those of you that don't, but want to comment as well I guess): do your groups have to have a church officer present at them?
A small group meeting is a time of incidental, but great teaching. Everyone's theology kind of comes out without meaning to. It's easy to leave thinking to yourself 'I didn't know he believed that.' There is so much opportunity for false teaching and even heresy to creep in unchecked. Often times you have young or untaught Christians in a group, and when a dispute arises the default decision maker is the one who can speak with the most authority, which does NOT mean they are right. It seems odd that the church would allow just anyone to 'throw in their lot' when so many see the small group as their time for 'deeper' teaching.
It's not necessarily that people maliciously try and bring in false teaching, but even comments here and there bear so much importance in a small group, that if left unchallenged, may be represented as the teaching of that particular church. My intention isn't to shut people down, but it seems to me that there should be someone to appeal to, or someone to...watch over the flock I guess.
It seems to me that small groups (I'm using this term loosely) would be a prime target for wolves in sheep's clothing. One of the NT shepherd's primary duties is to guard the flock and identify wolves in sheep's clothing. Should they have to be at every gathering of believers? Of course not, so how do we handle this small group thing? Just let people go and hope that if there is a problem or question regarding teaching that it is brought to the elder's attention? Is it the responsibility of the 'small-group leader' or host to keep an eye on things. If so, what about these men, what are the qualifications for this 'office'? Maybe I am just paranoid and trying to complicate everything, if so, please forgive me. Let me know your thoughts, or if your church has thought through similar issues.
A small group meeting is a time of incidental, but great teaching. Everyone's theology kind of comes out without meaning to. It's easy to leave thinking to yourself 'I didn't know he believed that.' There is so much opportunity for false teaching and even heresy to creep in unchecked. Often times you have young or untaught Christians in a group, and when a dispute arises the default decision maker is the one who can speak with the most authority, which does NOT mean they are right. It seems odd that the church would allow just anyone to 'throw in their lot' when so many see the small group as their time for 'deeper' teaching.
It's not necessarily that people maliciously try and bring in false teaching, but even comments here and there bear so much importance in a small group, that if left unchallenged, may be represented as the teaching of that particular church. My intention isn't to shut people down, but it seems to me that there should be someone to appeal to, or someone to...watch over the flock I guess.
It seems to me that small groups (I'm using this term loosely) would be a prime target for wolves in sheep's clothing. One of the NT shepherd's primary duties is to guard the flock and identify wolves in sheep's clothing. Should they have to be at every gathering of believers? Of course not, so how do we handle this small group thing? Just let people go and hope that if there is a problem or question regarding teaching that it is brought to the elder's attention? Is it the responsibility of the 'small-group leader' or host to keep an eye on things. If so, what about these men, what are the qualifications for this 'office'? Maybe I am just paranoid and trying to complicate everything, if so, please forgive me. Let me know your thoughts, or if your church has thought through similar issues.
If you got time to read, you got time to...
As someone at church recently noted in our conversation together, it is very important to have an alert mind when reading books by writers such as Van til and Vos. But you see, the problem is that with three young children I have two chances to read during the day: early in the morning and late at night. Neither of these times are moments of particular 'alertness' for me. I desperately want to be a morning person, but I keep falling asleep in my chair, or at the table, or on the floor. Why does my body require sleep?!
In talking to one of my elders about this he told me to just stay up later. See, I was making myself go to sleep at a reasonable hour (not early though) so that I could wake up early and get my time in. He suggested that maybe I was just more of a night person. The problem with this is that my wife ends up going to sleep without me, which I don't like. Plus, sometimes I end up falling asleep reading at night anyways!
What I'm trying to do is stay up a little bit later at night and read whatever book I am reading, and then wake up in the morning a little bit later than I have been and do my bible thing. Kind of a compromise I guess. I also try and get some reading done on my lunch break if possible. So many books, so little time. Any suggestions?
In talking to one of my elders about this he told me to just stay up later. See, I was making myself go to sleep at a reasonable hour (not early though) so that I could wake up early and get my time in. He suggested that maybe I was just more of a night person. The problem with this is that my wife ends up going to sleep without me, which I don't like. Plus, sometimes I end up falling asleep reading at night anyways!
What I'm trying to do is stay up a little bit later at night and read whatever book I am reading, and then wake up in the morning a little bit later than I have been and do my bible thing. Kind of a compromise I guess. I also try and get some reading done on my lunch break if possible. So many books, so little time. Any suggestions?
2.07.2006
Welcome to February 2006
Not a whole lot going on down here lately. We've been a tad sick, reading alot and having a good time with our precious children. I have been preparing the gardens for planting and actually planted some lettuce last night. I will have two gardens this spring, one on the south side of the house that gets full sun all day long and one on the east side that I used last year that only gets about 1/2 to 3/4 sun.
For the south garden I ripped up about 100 sq/ft of sod that constitutes a side yard, adjacent to the house. I will plant some pole beans, lettuce, and herbs here, along with the garlic that I have already planted. Our bedroom window is on this side and lets in a lot of heat during the day. My pole beans should provide some shade and heat absorption that will be a nice benefit (passive solar principles in action!).
The east garden is maybe 150 sq/ft and is extremely poor soil. I have been supplementing with compost and manure for the last year and just have to make due with what the Lord provides. I'll be planting more beans, broccoli, squash, potatoes and some more lettuce here. We'll re-plant in June or so with some more stuff adding to the variety.
I'm just about finished reading Vos' Biblical Theology.
It was an excellent read, albeit v-e-r-y slow for me to get through. Alot of re-reading and note taking slowed me down to like 20 pages an hour! Well worth it though. I started reading Wright's What Saint Paul Really Said and that seems like a breeze.
This is my first Wright book and have really enjoyed it so far. I've kind of watched from the sidelines in all the fracas so far, but I've already benefited from this book.
My wife has been reading the Bluedorn's Teaching the Trivium and seems to be loving it and gaining much from the book.
For the south garden I ripped up about 100 sq/ft of sod that constitutes a side yard, adjacent to the house. I will plant some pole beans, lettuce, and herbs here, along with the garlic that I have already planted. Our bedroom window is on this side and lets in a lot of heat during the day. My pole beans should provide some shade and heat absorption that will be a nice benefit (passive solar principles in action!).
The east garden is maybe 150 sq/ft and is extremely poor soil. I have been supplementing with compost and manure for the last year and just have to make due with what the Lord provides. I'll be planting more beans, broccoli, squash, potatoes and some more lettuce here. We'll re-plant in June or so with some more stuff adding to the variety.
I'm just about finished reading Vos' Biblical Theology.
It was an excellent read, albeit v-e-r-y slow for me to get through. Alot of re-reading and note taking slowed me down to like 20 pages an hour! Well worth it though. I started reading Wright's What Saint Paul Really Said and that seems like a breeze.
This is my first Wright book and have really enjoyed it so far. I've kind of watched from the sidelines in all the fracas so far, but I've already benefited from this book.
My wife has been reading the Bluedorn's Teaching the Trivium and seems to be loving it and gaining much from the book.
