This should be my first of many book review posts. The purpose of this type of post is to analyze different literature, almost entirely in the realm of Christian work, in order to give the reader a good synopsis of the book’s content and usefulness in the life of the believer. The reviews will be scrutinized under the authority of Scripture, and the theological soundness of the book will be attacked or defended. I will also analyze other aspects of the books I read here such as whether or not the book was interesting, or whether the book was relevant to most readers. I hope these posts will keep you up to date on some popular books and encourage or discourage you to read some of them.
Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith”
Overall - D+
Creativity – B
Ability to Hold Interest – B+
Theology – D-
Reliability – D
Useful – D
Final conclusion – If you only read a few books a year, don’t waste one on this book. If you are grounded in your theology and want to read from the perspective of a new age church movement, read it.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. It’s a cliché expression. Problem is, this saying holds an exact opposite truth than generally intended by that saying. This book has a great looking cover that was obviously designed by a talent graphic designer. However, once you get past the cover, “Velvet Elvis” not only has shoddy theology, by many of its ideas are dangerous.
I will let you know what drew me to this book. My friend from school loves Rob Bell to death, probably because my friend loves graphic design and all that cool stuff. For months I ripped on him about Rob Bell because of what I had heard about him from others. Finally, after a few months, I decided that instead of being a hypocrite, I would read the book. At times, the book is inspiriting and encouraging to the believer. However, if someone is not firmly grounded in Biblical theology, it can also lead to some dangerous ideas. I decided to post on this book because it has sold over 100,000 copies. Rob Bell’s NOOMA videos and other books, such as “Sex God”, have gathered him a national audience, and I think it is crucial for people in the church to use the lenses of Scripture to analyze all things, especially trendy or popular movements, such as the emergent movement Bell is tied to. I will try and make this review as brief as I can, but the books popularity makes me tend to what to analyze it in depth. For today, I will go over chapter 1, which is titled “Jump”.
CHAPTER 1 - JUMP:
Anyone who has written anything knows that you should try and begin and end well. This is crucial. Bell’s first and last chapters are nightmarish compared to the rest of his book. The overarching analogy in chapter one is that of a trampoline. He encourages everyone to follow with the fluid movement of Christianity, which he claims is constantly changing, adjusting, and growing. Bell states that God has not left us alone in human history, and that “As a part of this tradition, I embrace the need to keep painting, to keep reforming (12).” He goes on to say that by this he does not mean “better lights, sharper graphics, and new methods…I mean theology (12).”
Bell goes on to make the analogy of a trampoline. The springs of the trampoline represent doctrine. Like springs, theology has room to move (22). Bell claims doctrine has an importance to it, that it helps us put to words reality (25). He says that many of us wrongly make theology like bricks, where if one is removed, it damages the sturdiness of our faith (26). Then, he goes on to his famous statements on the virgin birth.
He says that if tomorrow, the virgin birth was disproved, one could keep “jumping”, could keep on with the faith and believing in God. “But if the whole faith fall apart when we reexamine and rethink one spring, then it wasn’t that strong in the first place, was it (27)?” He says that in brick world (those who believe doctrine is essential) are stuck to defend themselves, and that he would much rather enjoy the trampoline and invite others to enjoy jumping with him.
The problem with Rob Bell’s argument is that it is completely unbiblical. There is a problem called sin (which is tip toed around a lot in this book), and if Christ was born of a man, he would have imputed a sin nature. If Christ had imputed a sin nature, his sacrifice would have been worthless. And then me, Rob Bell, Jerry Falwell, Bill Graham and every other believer in history would have to account for their own sins, and would ultimately fall short and go to hell. It seems to me that the spring of the virgin birth is very important. I don’t think I can go “jumping” on the trampoline without it. You see this in the Bible with other doctrines.
Speaking about the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” Without the resurrection, we not only are not saved, but our entire lives on earth are to be pitied more than all men! We are the most pitiful creatures on earth if this doctrine is not true! Bell is correct that some beliefs about the Bible are not vital. That if certain springs broke (for example, if our views on the end times are wrong, the different views on miraculous gifts), we could continue jumping. He seems to forget that a doctrine about God changing over time means that God changes, that the Bible's claims of the immutability of God (theological term meaning He doesn't change) are untrue. He also seems to undermine the authority Scripture holds, aluding to theology changing even though the Word of God is the ultimate authority to the believer. Bell's ignorant, sweeping statements are completely heretical. There is no way around that fact.
Bell then goes on in this chapter and tells us to embrace doubt. Jesus never sponsored this type of thinking. He was always questioning his disciple’s faith, telling them they doubted too much. Yes, there is a time and a place for investigation, study, and research. However, I think there is healthy “doubt” and unhealthy doubt. One should not just accept everything they hear in the church or in a book blindly. They should always question and turn to the Word. And everyone goes through times where they do doubt, and those are times we need to have faith and trust in God and His character when things seems to make no sense. However, encouraging doubt seems to be pointing people to question God by our own standards. This is rebellion, and it is sin. There is a fine line. We should never hold ourselves above God like we can question Him.
I agree with him as he later says that seeking out truth will always lead to more questions, and we will never come to conclusions on everything. However, it is strangely absent that here Bell does not emphasis that we should turn to and lean on and desperately cling to the Bible for truth. I do like what he says on page 35, that many times we just try and convince people to believe the same things we do. With this, may people end up intellectually affirming these truths but never bowing their hearts to Christ or loving Him. This is not salvation, and this strategy of telling people that if they just agree with us in the truth that they are saved. Salvation always will result in a love for Christ, not just an ability to explain who He is.
In the end, the first chapter leaves the reader who embraces Bell’s teaching doubting doctrine, questioning God, and mostly focused on the experiential “jumping” of the Christian faith, which Bell encourages us to change and “repaint” as it continually changes. Not the best start to a book I have read. I will review the next few chapters in my next post.
Posted by John Carlson at 7:02 PM 0 comments
Friday, February 16, 2007
Academic Works
Academic Works
http://savefile.com/projects/1080352
This is a link (also on the right of my home page here) to some of my papers I have written during my undergrad/grad school work. They all fall under the categories of either Biblical Studies, Theology, or Church History. They do not all represent my best work, and some of them have many errors. They should be used to supplement learning, not for copying for academic dishonesty. Make sure when you click on the link to scroll down to see where they are to download. They will not be put as their own posts as most of them are at least 10 pages in length. Enjoy!
John
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
An Update on Life/Random Thoughts
Ok, so for the four of you that might check this out, I am sorry for the lack of posting as of late. I have a few posts primed and ready, but have not gotten to them yet. I will be posting a book review of Rob Bell's "Velvet Elvis" this week (I hope), and soon after hopefully one on "Fool's Gold" by John MacArthur.
So an update. February has been a rough month. This is the reason for a lack of inspiration here. It was a month where I allowed a lot of different things to take priority of the Word of God in my life, and struggle has ensued. I am hoping that is progressively changing. Sanctification is a process, unfortunately, and I can't just flip a light switch and become the person I want to be. The problem is, if I let that discourage me, it will get me nowhere. The beginning of March, however, began with a great weekend. The leadership in the youth group I lead Junior High worship for and volunteer with had a retreat in which we studies systematic theology and worshipped the Lord together. Now, coming from Liberty and having a Biblical Studies degree, I could have just acted like an arrogant fool as if I knew systematic theology like the back of my hand, but (for once) I was humble and really allowed God excite me with the truths of His Word again.
Rather than the details, one principle stands out to me. Proper theology should result in a passionate, Christ-exalting response of praise, rather than a general puffing up of knowledge. This is hard for me to keep in the forefront of my mind as I pursue degrees and write papers and take tests. This is not about knowledge. My pursuits are not about degrees, or about academia. Every time I approach my studies or my time in the Word or at church like this, I am wasting an opportunity to praise and exalt Christ in my heart. It’s a shame, because it happens too often.
The analogy goes like this. If you start dating someone, you can probably name a few reasons that you like that person (if you haven't known them too long). You could have been attracted to them because of their looks, or their kindness, or maybe the fun-loving attitude. But as your relationship matures, you begin to draw in a wide knowledge of who that person is. As time progresses, the reasons you like that person, or love them, is probably vastly more complex and beautiful than the original reason. The same goes for our relationship with the Lord. So many only know a small amount about who the Lord is, and they genuinely praise and glorify Him for these few things. However, there is a vast plethora of characteristics about the Lord and doctrine concerning our relationship for Him that can result in vastly deeper and more meaningful form of worship (not just with music) than the original. Too many of us just like the Lord (if we are honest), and this is only because we know so little about Him. If we know Him well, the only response is a deep and passionate love for Him. To many of us are still in the stage where we know about the Lord what a high school couple knows about each other. However, if you ask a wife why she loves her husband, it’s not because of the smile or his charm (if it is a healthy marriage), but rather probably because of his integrity, faithfulness, and his constant care under distress. We should aspire to know so much about God.
Regardless, I was challenged by the weekend, and had some leaders really speak truth into areas in which I am struggling and NEED to work on. I got to spend so much time with people much more godly than myself, many of them younger, and it was very challenging and encouraging.
Please pray for me, as I am contemplating a lot of issues in my life, mostly associated with my church and worship and my role there, as well as some other things. Though the request is ambiguous, I think that is specific enough to pray for. I will update you all on this if the need arises.
Now, as I get off of my soapbox, and attempt to live what I am talking about, I have a few more, less important thoughts.
On is that March Madness has begun, and it is great. I won my pool last year and hope to again. My final is Georgetown over Florida. Hope I pull that one off.
I have developed a slight addiction to espresso since I began working at Starbucks two months ago. I crave it when I have days off.
I don't believe global warming is legitimate (30 years ago at the peak of industrialization many scientists believer we were going to enter a global ice age), but IF IT IS REAL, I say bring it...it is too stinkin' cold. I hate the cold. People who like it are lying to try and impress you. That should not be something you like about them.
Ok, there is the update. Please be on the look out for my book reviews coming up and leave comments on what you think! Thanks!
So an update. February has been a rough month. This is the reason for a lack of inspiration here. It was a month where I allowed a lot of different things to take priority of the Word of God in my life, and struggle has ensued. I am hoping that is progressively changing. Sanctification is a process, unfortunately, and I can't just flip a light switch and become the person I want to be. The problem is, if I let that discourage me, it will get me nowhere. The beginning of March, however, began with a great weekend. The leadership in the youth group I lead Junior High worship for and volunteer with had a retreat in which we studies systematic theology and worshipped the Lord together. Now, coming from Liberty and having a Biblical Studies degree, I could have just acted like an arrogant fool as if I knew systematic theology like the back of my hand, but (for once) I was humble and really allowed God excite me with the truths of His Word again.
Rather than the details, one principle stands out to me. Proper theology should result in a passionate, Christ-exalting response of praise, rather than a general puffing up of knowledge. This is hard for me to keep in the forefront of my mind as I pursue degrees and write papers and take tests. This is not about knowledge. My pursuits are not about degrees, or about academia. Every time I approach my studies or my time in the Word or at church like this, I am wasting an opportunity to praise and exalt Christ in my heart. It’s a shame, because it happens too often.
The analogy goes like this. If you start dating someone, you can probably name a few reasons that you like that person (if you haven't known them too long). You could have been attracted to them because of their looks, or their kindness, or maybe the fun-loving attitude. But as your relationship matures, you begin to draw in a wide knowledge of who that person is. As time progresses, the reasons you like that person, or love them, is probably vastly more complex and beautiful than the original reason. The same goes for our relationship with the Lord. So many only know a small amount about who the Lord is, and they genuinely praise and glorify Him for these few things. However, there is a vast plethora of characteristics about the Lord and doctrine concerning our relationship for Him that can result in vastly deeper and more meaningful form of worship (not just with music) than the original. Too many of us just like the Lord (if we are honest), and this is only because we know so little about Him. If we know Him well, the only response is a deep and passionate love for Him. To many of us are still in the stage where we know about the Lord what a high school couple knows about each other. However, if you ask a wife why she loves her husband, it’s not because of the smile or his charm (if it is a healthy marriage), but rather probably because of his integrity, faithfulness, and his constant care under distress. We should aspire to know so much about God.
Regardless, I was challenged by the weekend, and had some leaders really speak truth into areas in which I am struggling and NEED to work on. I got to spend so much time with people much more godly than myself, many of them younger, and it was very challenging and encouraging.
Please pray for me, as I am contemplating a lot of issues in my life, mostly associated with my church and worship and my role there, as well as some other things. Though the request is ambiguous, I think that is specific enough to pray for. I will update you all on this if the need arises.
Now, as I get off of my soapbox, and attempt to live what I am talking about, I have a few more, less important thoughts.
On is that March Madness has begun, and it is great. I won my pool last year and hope to again. My final is Georgetown over Florida. Hope I pull that one off.
I have developed a slight addiction to espresso since I began working at Starbucks two months ago. I crave it when I have days off.
I don't believe global warming is legitimate (30 years ago at the peak of industrialization many scientists believer we were going to enter a global ice age), but IF IT IS REAL, I say bring it...it is too stinkin' cold. I hate the cold. People who like it are lying to try and impress you. That should not be something you like about them.
Ok, there is the update. Please be on the look out for my book reviews coming up and leave comments on what you think! Thanks!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Academic Works
http://savefile.com/projects/1080352
This is a link (also on the right of my home page here) to some of my papers I have written during my undergrad/grad school work. They all fall under the categories of either Biblical Studies, Theology, or Church History. They do not all represent my best work, and some of them have many errors. They should be used to supplement learning, not for copying for academic dishonesty. Make sure when you click on the link to scroll down to see where they are to download. They will not be put as their own posts as most of them are at least 10 pages in length. Enjoy!
John
This is a link (also on the right of my home page here) to some of my papers I have written during my undergrad/grad school work. They all fall under the categories of either Biblical Studies, Theology, or Church History. They do not all represent my best work, and some of them have many errors. They should be used to supplement learning, not for copying for academic dishonesty. Make sure when you click on the link to scroll down to see where they are to download. They will not be put as their own posts as most of them are at least 10 pages in length. Enjoy!
John
Friday, December 8, 2006
Acceptance of Mediocrity for Fear of Success
Friday, December 08, 2006
This blog will be in essence a rambling about some inspiration I recently received from watching the movie "Finding Forrester." For the most part, this may not be coherent because the idea I would like to convey is not tangible to me at this time. I just can't put my finger on it, but here is a shot.
WARNING: I will be spoiling some of the end of the movie, so do not read if you do not wish to know. The move involves t the end of the movie, there is a quote that basically goes as such: "Men often run away from their dreams for fear of failure, or better yet, for fear of success."
The entire movie, especially that quote, inspires a lot of introspection in me. You see, I don't quite understand my role on impacting this world. And yes, as a Christian, the answer is the Gospel, but I am just not quite satisfied with giving that answer, because I feel that such a simple, trite answer does not even convey the fulness of what that means. It seems stripped of value, waiting for some plaque on the doorway or answer while raising your hand in church but when it comes down to it not an answer for when I am waking up and pursuing my day.
You see, I am an American. And as such I fear that much of my life is being wasted away. When we are younger, we have dreams and aspirations, hopes filled with bright promise. But as I am getting older, I see some seemingly innocent concepts replacing those dreams. What may have been a dream so impact the world, to live my fingerprint on mankind, has now been subty and slowly replaced with the dream of security and stability. I find myself pursuing ends and means of being "successful" in the capitalistic American sense. That is, I want to do whatever it takes to have the assurance that I will be okay in the future, than I can raise a family and purchase a house and be able to set up college funds. I want to know that I can one day retire, that I will not be going from paycheck to paycheck, and while these aspirations are good, I see them replacing the youthful hopes I once had.
America was founded by men of valor, men who sacrificed much for us to live in freedom. They came over in ships, m any of them dying on the way, or while here or starvation, facing tough winters and eventually standing up to a great world power in Britian. And I do not think that in their wildest dreams they would have envisioned us living as we do today. We are entertaining ourselves to death, spending our lives aspiring to have the future set up, all the while grudgingly and often numbly pursuing the present as if it were a task, a chore. Much of this is so we can own a nicer car or be able to wear a certain brand of close. The irony seems unreal to me, and I'm a part of it.
William Forester in the movie had lived in seclusion for decades. He had written the great American novel of the 20th century, and then, after burying his brother, mother and father in a 5 month period, he seperated from life. Not until he met a young 16 year old gifted man who inspired him did he go out and pursue his dreams at the sunset of his life.
This does tie into the Gospel, although the intention of this post was not originally for that purpose. You see, if you are a Christian, you know the answer to the question of the most important thing in the world. So it would seem. But I think our envisioning of this is as far off from the truth as it could be. Because, as Christians, we view the Gospel as an event, soething for those who do not believe. Maybe that we give a tract out in some downtown neighborhood or we have to go to some foreign country and do a puppet show. And all the while everyone around us sees that we are miserable because in whatever we do we do not delight nor enjoy. We pursue our own comfort, fearful of the things we really desire to do. And the sad thing is everyone around us knows it. We can tell them about Christ and what He has done in our lives, but they see right through to our cores, and see that we are as miserable as them. This is not a flaw of the Gospel, it just shows how poor our grasp of it is.
The Gospel is for believers, as well as non-believers. The Gospel should shake the foundations of our lives in such a way that it permeates our approach to our jobs or our schoolwork. What I am not saying is that we should act happy all the time to make others believe what we believe. What I am saying is that we should be so consumed by what Christ has done for us, and so greatful for what He has gifted us with that we should passionately and unashamedly pursue the every passion of our hearts. If you are inspired to write, then write. Or if you have a passion for helping people medically, pursue that. But this is so much more than just your future job, it is a motivation that so few people seem to have. It is rare to see someone who is a passionate pursuer of life. It is something that cannot be trained, or faked.
And so it is not just now that I am at a crossroads, in a time where I am about to go to graduate school and move towards my future. Rather, it is everyday I am place at a crossroads to accept life as a sort of checklist, as a task, looking to some day in the distant future when everything will be right and then I can be happy, or to pursue that day with full, heart-wrenching enthusiasm. That joy and passion for life is what is lacking the Christian today, and that is what keeps us from really feeling satisfied.
Lastly, I just want to make sure I am not mistaken. I am not trying to say that it is wrong to save or to be wise with money. What I am trying to say is that it is wrong to make that the substance of life. Secondly, I am not saying is that you must pursue the job you want. I believe that Christians should pursue joy in all things placed in our lives, even the bad things, because we have Christ and He has provided all things in Him. There are people right now who are unfairly locked away in prisons and are tortured everyday. I do not think they are exempt from pursuing joy. One of the greatest books I have ever read was "Tortured for Christ", written by a believer who had years of his life taken away from him in jail, imprisoned for being a Christian and tortured. He had joy and contentment and passion, much more than us with freedom. We should pursue all such things with the joy of what we have in Christ - what he has provided us in Himself IS our security.
This blog will be in essence a rambling about some inspiration I recently received from watching the movie "Finding Forrester." For the most part, this may not be coherent because the idea I would like to convey is not tangible to me at this time. I just can't put my finger on it, but here is a shot.
WARNING: I will be spoiling some of the end of the movie, so do not read if you do not wish to know. The move involves t the end of the movie, there is a quote that basically goes as such: "Men often run away from their dreams for fear of failure, or better yet, for fear of success."
The entire movie, especially that quote, inspires a lot of introspection in me. You see, I don't quite understand my role on impacting this world. And yes, as a Christian, the answer is the Gospel, but I am just not quite satisfied with giving that answer, because I feel that such a simple, trite answer does not even convey the fulness of what that means. It seems stripped of value, waiting for some plaque on the doorway or answer while raising your hand in church but when it comes down to it not an answer for when I am waking up and pursuing my day.
You see, I am an American. And as such I fear that much of my life is being wasted away. When we are younger, we have dreams and aspirations, hopes filled with bright promise. But as I am getting older, I see some seemingly innocent concepts replacing those dreams. What may have been a dream so impact the world, to live my fingerprint on mankind, has now been subty and slowly replaced with the dream of security and stability. I find myself pursuing ends and means of being "successful" in the capitalistic American sense. That is, I want to do whatever it takes to have the assurance that I will be okay in the future, than I can raise a family and purchase a house and be able to set up college funds. I want to know that I can one day retire, that I will not be going from paycheck to paycheck, and while these aspirations are good, I see them replacing the youthful hopes I once had.
America was founded by men of valor, men who sacrificed much for us to live in freedom. They came over in ships, m any of them dying on the way, or while here or starvation, facing tough winters and eventually standing up to a great world power in Britian. And I do not think that in their wildest dreams they would have envisioned us living as we do today. We are entertaining ourselves to death, spending our lives aspiring to have the future set up, all the while grudgingly and often numbly pursuing the present as if it were a task, a chore. Much of this is so we can own a nicer car or be able to wear a certain brand of close. The irony seems unreal to me, and I'm a part of it.
William Forester in the movie had lived in seclusion for decades. He had written the great American novel of the 20th century, and then, after burying his brother, mother and father in a 5 month period, he seperated from life. Not until he met a young 16 year old gifted man who inspired him did he go out and pursue his dreams at the sunset of his life.
This does tie into the Gospel, although the intention of this post was not originally for that purpose. You see, if you are a Christian, you know the answer to the question of the most important thing in the world. So it would seem. But I think our envisioning of this is as far off from the truth as it could be. Because, as Christians, we view the Gospel as an event, soething for those who do not believe. Maybe that we give a tract out in some downtown neighborhood or we have to go to some foreign country and do a puppet show. And all the while everyone around us sees that we are miserable because in whatever we do we do not delight nor enjoy. We pursue our own comfort, fearful of the things we really desire to do. And the sad thing is everyone around us knows it. We can tell them about Christ and what He has done in our lives, but they see right through to our cores, and see that we are as miserable as them. This is not a flaw of the Gospel, it just shows how poor our grasp of it is.
The Gospel is for believers, as well as non-believers. The Gospel should shake the foundations of our lives in such a way that it permeates our approach to our jobs or our schoolwork. What I am not saying is that we should act happy all the time to make others believe what we believe. What I am saying is that we should be so consumed by what Christ has done for us, and so greatful for what He has gifted us with that we should passionately and unashamedly pursue the every passion of our hearts. If you are inspired to write, then write. Or if you have a passion for helping people medically, pursue that. But this is so much more than just your future job, it is a motivation that so few people seem to have. It is rare to see someone who is a passionate pursuer of life. It is something that cannot be trained, or faked.
And so it is not just now that I am at a crossroads, in a time where I am about to go to graduate school and move towards my future. Rather, it is everyday I am place at a crossroads to accept life as a sort of checklist, as a task, looking to some day in the distant future when everything will be right and then I can be happy, or to pursue that day with full, heart-wrenching enthusiasm. That joy and passion for life is what is lacking the Christian today, and that is what keeps us from really feeling satisfied.
Lastly, I just want to make sure I am not mistaken. I am not trying to say that it is wrong to save or to be wise with money. What I am trying to say is that it is wrong to make that the substance of life. Secondly, I am not saying is that you must pursue the job you want. I believe that Christians should pursue joy in all things placed in our lives, even the bad things, because we have Christ and He has provided all things in Him. There are people right now who are unfairly locked away in prisons and are tortured everyday. I do not think they are exempt from pursuing joy. One of the greatest books I have ever read was "Tortured for Christ", written by a believer who had years of his life taken away from him in jail, imprisoned for being a Christian and tortured. He had joy and contentment and passion, much more than us with freedom. We should pursue all such things with the joy of what we have in Christ - what he has provided us in Himself IS our security.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Glorification and Hope
Salvation is a work that is entirely from God to the undeserving sinner. As Christians, we often ask others the questions, "When were you saved?" However, salvation is a work of three parts, namely justification, sanctification, and glorification. This is an easily found doctrine in the Bible, but one verse I read recently does an excellent job in displaying what God has done for us in this. First Corinthians 1:9-10 says, "Yes, we had the sentence of death on ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God, who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us."
In justification, we are declared righteous by God. He imputes his righteousness into our account by regenerating us to repentance. Though we are sinful, we have the standing of the righteousness of God. This is a punctuated moment in time. This is God's deliverance from so great a death.
In sanctification, we are continually being made into the image of God. This is a progressive work that goes on throughout the believers life. Some embrace this process more than others do. However, all genuine believers will bear fruit; those who claim to be justified but never bear any fruit are not saved. Christians often seem to focus on the fact that they were saved from the penalty of sin, but not on the fact that we are being saved from sin, namely the power of sin and the hardship it brings.
Glorification is the completion of sanctification. This is what I would like to focus this blog on, and also the hope that comes with it. In sanctification, we are never fully made like Christ, but in glorification, our sinful, immoral bodies are removed and we receive a glorified body. This is the fact that "He will still deliver us."
This brings me to my discussion on the resurrection. As a brief explanation of the background to the passages I will be listing in Paul's letters to the church in Corinth, one must understand that the church at Corinth is under attack by false teachers. These teachers, who attack Paul's integrity and sow seeds of dissension, are also the resurrection of believers. They believed that all matter is evil, and that hence the resurrection wasn't true. (It is interesting to note that this same Gnostic philosophy is even seen in such recent issues as the supposed Gospel of Judas, which teaches that Jesus did good in turning in Jesus because Judas was freeing Jesus from his evil flesh).
Therefore, in both his letters we have to this church Paul spends extensive time on reiterating the resurrection. Paul says, "Now I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption (1 Corinthians 15:50)." In other words, believers in their current bodies could not inherit an incorrupt heaven. However, he goes on the explain that "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed...the dead will be raised incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:51,52)." This is what Paul is speaking of in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, saying:
"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation that is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."
Believers in their current tent (body) groan and wait for their glorified bodies. Indeed, we long not to rid ourselves of our bodies, but rather to be further clothed in our incorrupt glorified bodies. Those who God has prepared for this, meaning believers, are given the Holy Spirit as a guarantee and a seal for this future inheritance.
My largest application for this comes within 1 Corinthians 15 (its always good to use context). A very popular verse is found in 1 Corinthians 15:58, saying, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." How is it we can be encouraged during difficult times? How is it that we can be lifted up in ministry when everything seems ineffective, when you feel like you are wasting your time? It is because of our future resurrection! I could not word it better than John MacArthur, who says about this verse, "The hope of resurrection makes all the efforts and sacrifices in the Lord's work worth it...No work done in His name is wasted in light of eternal glory and reward."
If you are feeling down today, or worn out, especially in doing good, pray to God for his Spirit to work in you and open the spiritual eyes of your heart to behold the hope we have in our future glorification! How amazing it will be! How trivial our suffering and hardship and failures on this earth will seem when weighed with the glory we will receive in Christ in our future resurrection! I will close this post with one of the most encouraging passages in scripture, also found in 2 Corinthians, specifically chapter 4 verses 16 and 17.
"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen."
Amen.
In justification, we are declared righteous by God. He imputes his righteousness into our account by regenerating us to repentance. Though we are sinful, we have the standing of the righteousness of God. This is a punctuated moment in time. This is God's deliverance from so great a death.
In sanctification, we are continually being made into the image of God. This is a progressive work that goes on throughout the believers life. Some embrace this process more than others do. However, all genuine believers will bear fruit; those who claim to be justified but never bear any fruit are not saved. Christians often seem to focus on the fact that they were saved from the penalty of sin, but not on the fact that we are being saved from sin, namely the power of sin and the hardship it brings.
Glorification is the completion of sanctification. This is what I would like to focus this blog on, and also the hope that comes with it. In sanctification, we are never fully made like Christ, but in glorification, our sinful, immoral bodies are removed and we receive a glorified body. This is the fact that "He will still deliver us."
This brings me to my discussion on the resurrection. As a brief explanation of the background to the passages I will be listing in Paul's letters to the church in Corinth, one must understand that the church at Corinth is under attack by false teachers. These teachers, who attack Paul's integrity and sow seeds of dissension, are also the resurrection of believers. They believed that all matter is evil, and that hence the resurrection wasn't true. (It is interesting to note that this same Gnostic philosophy is even seen in such recent issues as the supposed Gospel of Judas, which teaches that Jesus did good in turning in Jesus because Judas was freeing Jesus from his evil flesh).
Therefore, in both his letters we have to this church Paul spends extensive time on reiterating the resurrection. Paul says, "Now I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption (1 Corinthians 15:50)." In other words, believers in their current bodies could not inherit an incorrupt heaven. However, he goes on the explain that "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed...the dead will be raised incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:51,52)." This is what Paul is speaking of in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, saying:
"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation that is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."
Believers in their current tent (body) groan and wait for their glorified bodies. Indeed, we long not to rid ourselves of our bodies, but rather to be further clothed in our incorrupt glorified bodies. Those who God has prepared for this, meaning believers, are given the Holy Spirit as a guarantee and a seal for this future inheritance.
My largest application for this comes within 1 Corinthians 15 (its always good to use context). A very popular verse is found in 1 Corinthians 15:58, saying, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." How is it we can be encouraged during difficult times? How is it that we can be lifted up in ministry when everything seems ineffective, when you feel like you are wasting your time? It is because of our future resurrection! I could not word it better than John MacArthur, who says about this verse, "The hope of resurrection makes all the efforts and sacrifices in the Lord's work worth it...No work done in His name is wasted in light of eternal glory and reward."
If you are feeling down today, or worn out, especially in doing good, pray to God for his Spirit to work in you and open the spiritual eyes of your heart to behold the hope we have in our future glorification! How amazing it will be! How trivial our suffering and hardship and failures on this earth will seem when weighed with the glory we will receive in Christ in our future resurrection! I will close this post with one of the most encouraging passages in scripture, also found in 2 Corinthians, specifically chapter 4 verses 16 and 17.
"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen."
Amen.
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