The Decalogue
As promised in my previous post, better late than never.
I. Calvin and the Deccaloge : 1) Its Importance.
I agree with the commenter on this post, any government who tries to enforce the first 5 commandments makes me beyond nervous. To me this is problematic because God is the only one capable of enforcing or judging the 1st tablet. A government run by sinful men is not capable of that. This is the great problem of modern day evangelical politics in my opinion.
II. Calvin and the Decalogue: 2) Its Primacy.
For Calvin, the Decalogue was both the fundamental law of the Old Covenant and the fundamental law of all of biblical ethics. This latter assertion can be illustrated in Calvin’s view of the sum of the law. Hesselink says, “…[I]t can be said that Calvin’s high esteem for the law, as summarized in the two tables of the decalog, is nothing other than an attempt to give meaning and content to that which lies at the heart of the Christian ethic, namely, love” (Ibid.). In the Decalogue, Calvin saw a distinct form of the law revealed with reference to its publication in redemptive history, but a normative function of the law with reference to its perpetual utility. “The form of the law is relative to time and circumstance, but the truth of the law ever remains the same” (Hesselink, Calvin …Law, 35).
III. Calvin and the Dacalogue: 3) The Two Tables.
IV. Calvin and the Dacalogue: 4) Interpretive Principles and 5) Abrogation.
Barcellos on Calvin on the Law
Over at the Midwest Center for Theological Studies blog Rich Barcellos has been enlightening us on Calvin’s thoughts on the Law, particularly the Three-Fold Use and the Decalogue. Awesome stuff. Here are the links. I’ll link to the Decalogue posts next time.
I. Calvin on the Three-Fold Division of the Law.
It is important to understand that, for Calvin, the three-fold division of the law is hermeneutically and theologically necessary because of the first advent of Christ and the redemptive-historical implications of the New Covenant for biblical law. Since the coming of Christ the whole Old Testament Law still functions, though not in the same way as before. The abrogation of certain functions of the law does not abrogate all uses of the law. In the words of Wendel, “…the Law was not in itself abrogated by the Christ, but only the slavery and malediction attaching to it under the ancient Covenant. Christians therefore remain subject to the Law, but not in the same way as the Jews used to be” (Ibid., 203).
II. Calvin on the Three-Fold use of the Law (I).
III. Calvin on the Three-Fold use of the Law (II).
IV. Calvin on the Three-Fold use of the Law (III).
V. Calvin on the Three-Fold use of the Law (IV).
VI. Calvin on the Three-Fold use of the Law (IV-Part II).
It is vital to understand that Calvin clearly taught a doctrine of abrogation or fulfillment of law under the New Covenant. However, his view of abrogation was qualified very carefully to protect the normative use of the Moral Law for believers. Niesel says:
…Calvin does not teach in the strict sense an abolition of the law. In this regard he is at one with the New Testament witness. …while we are free from the curse and compulsion of the law, from its ceremonies and political ordinances, we remain bound to its inner content. (Niesel, Theology, 100)
VII. Calvin on the Three-Fold use of the Law (IV – Part III).
Consequently Paul, to prove their observance not only superfluous but also harmful, teaches that they are shadows whose substance exists for us in Christ [Col. 2:17]. Thus we see that in their abolition the truth shines forth better than if they, still far off and as if veiled, figured the Christ, who was already plainly revealed himself. …Let it be regarded as a fact that, although the rights of the law have ceased to be observed, by their termination one may better recognize how useful they were before the coming of Christ, who in abrogating their use has by his death sealed their force and effect. (Calvin, Institutes, 364, 365)
We may say that for Calvin, the Ceremonial Law has been abrogated in use but not in effect and the Moral Law has been abrogated in effect but not in use.
Redemption as Drama
Drama. The word brings a few meanings to mind. To the youth culture a person or relationship that is defined by emotional instability or overreaction can generally be referred to as drama. We are all familiar with the term drama queen for someone who reflects this behavior. My wife and I on occasion have referred to our 1 year old daughter as a “drama queen” for her inconsolable outbursts when one of us takes the incorrect spot on her bed to lay down with her. And finally for the purpose of this endeavor, drama is the word we use for stories that touch us on deep levels and have mature and thoughtful themes and plotlines, sometimes even of epic proportions. Movies that have these characteristics are referred to as dramas.
Dramas can be found in all genres. I remember my first taste of drama as a 7 year old. It started when Darth Vader’s Super Destroyer was relentlessly pursuing Princess Leia’s starship over the desert planet Tatooine. Yes, it was Star Wars the epic science fiction fantasy story that tells the tale of heroes, heroines, and really bad guys a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
But was that really my first taste of a grand story that grabbed my imagination and my attention and uplifted my soul in a way that left me longing for more? No, on second thought I remember a much grander, much more robust, much more meaningful, and much truer story than the one I saw on the big screen that day.
I remember reading and hearing this long before I saw Star Wars. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:1, 31). This story didn’t end there though. “The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15) This story didn’t waste a lot of time setting the stage for the bad thing that happens in the beginning! Talk about drama, what in the world would the human race do? How could Adam and Eve do that? What were they thinking? And who is this one who will bruise the head of the evil serpent? These are cliffhanger questions if I ever saw one.
Now over the course of the next couple of thousand years God, through the writers of the Bible, spun a most excellent tale of towers, floods, kings, armies, battles, love stories, and love letters. All the while, building up to one great moment in storytelling history.
But is the Bible a drama? “When we look a bit more closely at the Bible, we find that the majority of its content is narrative in character. It is a storied revelation. This fact suggests that the unifying, insight-producing feature that gives the Bible its coherence as revelation is the story it tells. Indeed, the Bible as a whole is best understood as a story or drama. To be sure the Bible does more than tell a story. Scripture includes psalms and proverbs, songs and prayers, moral instruction and doctrinal reflection. But what holds all of it together, what makes it a unified revelation is the storyline, what theologians often call the drama of redemption. The nonnarrative pieces fit into and make sense only within their appropriate contexts in the biblical storyline” (“Far as the Curse is Found” by Michael D. Williams, Pg x).
And who is the Luke Skywalker, or Indiana Jones, or Optimus Prime of this grand story? The central figure of the Bible who holds the whole thing together and who every verse speaks about is none other than our own high priest and savior Jesus Christ. “Biblical religion holds that the central event in all human history was the execution of a wandering first-century Palestinian preacher and his rising from the dead two days later in fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. This is the Gospel…What was promised to Adam and Eve in the midst of their guilt and shame, what was prefigured over and over again throughout the Old Testament story of Israel…came to pass in a Judean backwater town where God “became flesh and made his dwelling with us””. (“Ibid, Pg. xiii)
So the next time you read your Bible, remember that the story is true and that it finds its fulfillment in Christ. This is why you are drawn to stories, because the very God who made you is the most excellent storyteller in existence. And the next time you are entranced by a drama or story, you don’t have to wonder why. It is because you are already part of the greatest story ever told. If you know and follow Jesus and have turned to him for salvation, then you are a central character in this great redemption story. You have been “grafted” into this never ending, eternal story of redemption and not as a mere extra, but a co-heir with Christ, the lead character, and will benefit from His gracious extension of his mercy. And if you don’t know Him and have refused his call, then you still have the opportunity to enter His story, but time is indeed running out. Your very love for the drama in life bears out this very fact.
Happy Thanksgiving
Friends, I wanted to pass along Thanksgiving holiday wishes from Follower of The Way. Is it just me, or does Thanksgiving have more of a Biblical feel than even Christmas these days? Doesn’t the very existence of this holiday presuppose that there is someone out there whom everyone deserves to give thanks to? I know there are many who either don’t give that a second thought, or find substitutes. But as for me and my house, we will eat Turkey and be thankful to the sovereign God who gives and takes for His own glory.
By the way, check out this post by Steve Weaver. The best parts are the historical information (please pardon the quotes by Lincoln and Bush).
Enjoy the holiday and make sure you give thanks where thanks are due!
Continuing Toward a Biblical Theology of Political Engagement
Unless you have been under a rock you know that the Presidential Campaign here in the U.S. is in premature full swing. For the Christian who wants to honor Christ, this may bring about the unsavory idea of delving into a media induced coma in order to gain some sort of understanding of the issues and the candidates.
And for some of us, it makes us once again start thinking about the proper role that politics should play in a full orbed, 21st century, Americanized, Christian concept of faith and politics. And that my friends, isn’t always easy.
Some of you may know where my political bent is. I have definitely seen a shift politically over the last few months, from a card carrying neoconservative to what I guess could be called a paleoconservative, or perhaps a classical liberal (not to be confused with modern day leftest liberalism-see link for definition.)
But above political ideology, for the Christian, our faith and our worldview must must reign philosophically supreme. We should not necessarily do politics like everyone else, though common grace sometimes goes a long way in providing capable and just administrations of government. I have brought up the subject before of the politicization of sinful behavior and the detriment I think it can have on not only our Christian witness, but on our very souls. I see this in the bigoted and hateful way we as Christian can speak about those who are our neighbors that we are commanded to love, but we find that difficult when trying to force them to bend to our political wills. I see the inconsistencies of the pro-life movement that doesn’t seem to care about life that has already been born and living in the middle east. And fundamentally, at least in this country, I see Christians politically equate the United States with, well take your pick, either Old Testament Israel, New Testament Israel, or the New Jerusalem (that shining city on a hill).
It is with those thoughts going through my head that I commend an excellent article to you. “Add, don’t Subtract” by Marvin Olasky of World Magazine is a great read. It is a little long by internet standards, but well worth it in my opinion. I don’t agree with everything in it or his somewhat narrow focus (that being “what Christian conservatives should do”), but overall I think it is a great primer on thinking through U.S. politics and little more Biblically balanced.
I’m opening myself up here, but I would REALLY like to know what you think of the article. Here are a few quotes to whet your appetite.
The future of American conservatism depends on the ability of libertarians to understand that liberty without virtue cannot last, and the ability of Christian conservatives to understand that being strong and courageous does not mean demanding ideological purity. Both parts of the coalition need to follow the Reagan practice of reasoning politely and patiently with those who disagree, giving in on secondary matters, and searching for common ground. Both parts of the coalition may need to sacrifice a little.
My oversimplified advice to American Christian conservatives: Be New Testament, not Old Testament. By this I don’t mean that the two parts of revelation are theologically distinct, for as the couplet sums it up, “The New is in the Old contained, the Old is by the New explained.” I am suggesting that the emphasis is different: to generalize enormously, the Old concentrates on subtracting, the New on adding, and the success of the American experiment has hinged on our willingness to add.
The first concerns our culture wars. Year after year Christians have called for boycotts of this or that art exhibition, movie, or television show. For example, in 1999 Christian groups wanted government funding removed from a profane show at the Brooklyn Museum of Art that featured a dung-displaying portrait of the Virgin Mary. The protest led to front-page stories about Christians trying to keep people from viewing art, and to record attendance at the exhibit. It would have been far better to push for a parallel show displaying the work of Christian artists. In 2004 and 2005 we had such parallel shows in the movie theaters: Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ (which reaped a rich bonanza in evangelism and ticket sales) and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Both Christian conservatives and libertarians could salute these examples of adding.
Few of my recommended actions would be sufficient for those who demand an Old Testament defense of America as the new holy land, but they’re consistent with the New Testament approach practiced by Paul and others in mixed cultures from Rome to the present: Instead of working fruitlessly to subtract evil from the land, add the good. American conservatism can have a bright future, with God’s grace, if we are strong and courageous in developing positive alternatives to the cultural negativities around us. But if we merely praise our own Christian circles and curse the darkness outside them, we will soon be surrounded by it.
Coram Deo.
UPDATE: I forgot to give a Tar Heel Finger Point to Justin Taylor’s blog for the assist in bringing this article to my attention. You can read his post here and for the record, I agree with the 1st comment on his blog. More government is not the answer to our political problems in this country. Good comment.
10 Ways to Avoid Community @ Church
Man, this list is incredibly, and painfully, insightful. I relate. It is sad. Need more grace.
Source: askingy.com
I read this post a few days ago and have been inspired to create a similar list about community.
Begin sarcasm…
- Keep conversations short.
You are busy, you have a lot to deal with in your life, if you talk to someone you might get close to them and that takes time and energy that you don’t have. Just keep it short and sweet, don’t bother talking about anything more than the weather. If you don’t know a person is hurting, then you don’t have to do anything about it.- Always sit in your “assigned” seat
By always sitting in the same seat you always sit around the same people. These folks know the deal, and stick to the appropriate 30 second conversations: weather, sports, how the new preacher is doing, etc. Also, this keeps you from having to venture out, meet new people, and possibly sit next to someone you aren’t familiar with.- Avoid new people
It’s one thing to deal with all the people that you already know at church, but it’s another to actually meet new people. Seriously, you aren’t good with names, you don’t have the time, or the energy, so just walk right past anyone you don’t know. After all, they won’t notice that you totally avoided them.- Come in late
Don’t overlook the beauty of this one. By coming in late you totally avoid even the 30 second conversations. And (bonus), you avoid the new people! It just makes life easier.- Leave immediately after the service (or early)
This has the same benefits as coming in late, with the added benefit of getting on the road more quickly to beat those other churches to eat. This way you get out of that crowded church building so that you can go sit with your people and eat a meal. If you add this method with the coming in late method you could go to a church for years and never meet anyone.- Be physically present but mentally absent
When talking to someone, pretend to listen by nodding your head and saying “uh huh” while you are really thinking about what show comes on TV later that night. Basically, just don’t engage anyone on any level. After all, you’re just there to put in your “time” and then get on with your life.- Don’t share a meal
If you goal is to avoid community, this step is of the utmost importance, don’t ask people to lunch! Sharing a meal is an intimate thing that creates deeper relationships. So, when someone asks you to lunch fake a stomach ulcer or something, just get out of it.- Stay very, very busy
The busier you are, especially on a Sunday, the less time you have to “deal” with people. In fact, attempt to be so busy that when speaking to someone you never even stop walking past them as you say hello.- Make your default response “everything is great”
People will always ask how you are doing. Make sure that you have your “default” answer ready so that when they ask you are ready to say, “everything is great!” This must be your default response, otherwise you might actually let on that your life is not perfect, or worse, that you are struggling. This colossal mistake could lead to deeper conversation and deeper relationship. If you are going to really avoid community while in church, this is probably your best weapon.- Don’t show up
This is definitively your best method of avoiding community overall because there is no community where there are no people.
Baptism Debate Tomorrow Night (11/8/07)
Dr. White vs. Gregg Strawbridge. Click here for info.
Doug Wilson on Pat Robertson’s Presidential Endorsement
Go Doug. I don’t think I could have said it ANY better myself. Though I disagree with Giuliani on not only his pro-choice but on practically every other issue also.
You know what evangelical acumen on cultural and political issues is like? It’s like a cold cup of coffee with a cigarette butt in it. It’s like drinking muddy water. It is like a watercolor left out in the rain. It is demented and twaddlesome. It’s things like this that leave me with that wet horse blanket taste in my mouth.
Truer words have rarely been spoken, though in my opinion this problem is far more rampant than just Pat Robertson.
Engaging Culture
Pastor Joe Thorn has a great article over at his blog on cultural engagement. Go check it out. Here’s the intro.
What do people mean when they say “cultural engagement?” That phrase is often spurned as if it means thoughtless syncretism between the church and culture. In my reading it rarely means that. It is certainly not what I mean. I am a fan of that three-fold approach to engaging culture: reject what is evil, receive what is good, and redeem what is broken/lost. I think this is a healthy way of thinking about how we should respond to our culture, because our culture(s) is not one thing. It is made up of hundreds of things, bad and good, that demand our attention. I recently spent some time going over this three-fold approach with the folks at Redeemer, but wanted to emphasize that agreeing that we will need to respond by rejecting, receiving, and redeeming actually requires a lot of us.
