Quote of the Day: David F. Wells on ideologies

David F. Wells on ideologies:

Ideologies, we might say, are worldviews with an attitude. The intent of every ideology is to control.”

- Above All Earthly Pow’rs

Advice to Young Scholars Considering Marriage

Daily Devo - Thursday, May 15, 2008

“Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ
to command you to do what is required…”
Philemon 8a

In ancient Jewish culture one finds many references to the saliah. This Hebrew word literally means “sent one” and refers to the person sent on behalf of a private individual or group. If someone desired to get married, the head of the household would sent a saliah to negotiate for the bride. Also, the religious leaders in Jerusalem would send out saliahs to the Jews scattered throughout the Roman Empire to collect the annual temple tax.

The saliah was granted the right to legally and fully represent the one who sent him. There actually was a legal phrase for this: “The-one-whom-a-person-sends (saliah) is like the sender”. In the New Testament, which was written in Greek, the writers use a different—but very similar—word. The New Testament word for this idea is apostolos, from which we get the word ‘apostle’. The word simply means “messenger” and signifies ‘a person sent by another’. Many times rulers and leaders would send out ‘apostles’ to represent them in a legal matter or to intervene on their behalf. The legal principle still applied, “The-one-whom-a-person-sends (apostolos) is like the sender". He had full authority to act on behalf of the one who sent him as long as he stayed within the confines of his mission.

In the passage above we see Paul subtly referring to his apostolic authority. Behind all of this is the legal idea that “The-one-whom-a-person-sends (saliah) is like the sender”. As an apostle ‘in Christ’, Paul is not simply giving good advice—rather, he is expressing the will of the one who sent him.

Yet the true beauty of this is not that Paul had the authority to order Philemon around—though he clearly did have such authority! As the authoritative representative of Christ, Philemon had a duty to submit to Paul’s leadership. Paul spoke on Christ’s behalf, and therefore Paul’s words were Christ’s words. This is important, and we must never forget that scripture continues to hold apostolic authority over us. To dismiss scripture, or any portion of it, is to reject the authority of the apostles and prophets. Considering the ancient legal principles that “The-one-whom-a-person-sends (saliah) is like the sender”, this is in reality a rejection of God himself.

The authority of the apostles is important, but it is the mission of the apostles that is truly beautiful. The saliah (or, apostolos) was the one trying to secure a bride for the groom he represented. He also was the one trying to secure those precious coins that belonged in the Temple’s treasure-house. In both cases, the saliah/apostolos’ main mission was to collect what rightfully belonged to the person he represented.

In this letter Paul is not pushing his authority. Instead, he is reminding Philemon of the great mission—securing souls for the treasure-house of heaven. Paul’s great mission was to unite people in an eternal relationship with God. He could simply command them to be obedient to Christ, but that would be placing authority over mission—something no true saliah could do. It was important, and necessary, for Philemon to submit to the apostle’s authority. This remains important for us today, as well. Yet the issue has never simply been submission, it has always been about relationship. By refusing to heed Paul, Philemon would have indicated that he was outside of a healthy relationship to God—the very thing Paul was trying to accomplish.

Quote of the Day: D.L. Moody on Evangelism

D.L. Moody on Evangelism:

“If this world is going to be reached, I am convinced that it must be done by men and women of average talent. After all, there are comparatively few people in the world who have great talents.”

BOOK REVIEW: The Reason for God (Keller)

Title: The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
Editor: Timothy Keller
Publisher: Dutton
Year: 2008
Cover: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Binding: Smyth-sewn
Reading level: 3.0
ISBN-13: 9780525950493
Price USD: $24.95 list price.

WHERE TO BUY:
Monergism Books: $14.97
Westminster Bookstore: $13.72

REVIEW: Timothy Keller is the preaching pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Ministering mainly to young urban intellectuals, the shape of Keller's ministry conforms to the intellectual demands and questions of his target audience. Previous to this, Keller served as pastor to a blue collar workers in Pennsylvania for several years. As a result, the sum total of Keller's pastoral work has enabled him to produce an apologetical work that probes the deepest questions of the intellect in a communication style that is engaging and simple.

The Reason for God is divided into two sections. The first ("The Leap of Doubt") gently dismantles seven arguments against the Christian faith. There is no hint of an argumentative spirit in Keller's work. Rather than challenging agnostics and atheists with his Christian presuppositions, Keller instead challenges them with their own intellectual presuppositions which are contradictory with the way they live. Far from disproving Christianity, Keller demonstrates how the arguments against Christianity do more damage for the atheist/agnostic position. Throughout the section Keller's tone is respectful and engaging. Clearly he has a heart for young intellectuals and patiently journey's with them in their discussions of Christianity. Section one offers what is the best example of applied presuppositional apologetics in print. While never mentioning terms such as 'reformed', 'presuppositional', or 'Calvinism', Keller clearly writes from such a perspective. A fine example of being reformed with being hung up on terms.

The second section ("The Reasons for Faith") is Keller's attempt to lay out a foundation of belief for the existence of God. In this later half of the book Keller also spends much time outlining the basic Christian message of the gospel. He has an innate ability to bring his readers to an understanding of the nature of 'sin' without overusing the word, and this book offers one of the clearest definitions of sin I have seen in print (chapter 10). At the end of the work, the evangelistic nature of Keller become clearly evident. The reader clearly sees that Keller is not interested in intellectual debates. Rather, he is interested in having conversations with people while pointing them towards a deep and biblical relationship with the Triune God.

This work is an amazing resource for pastors. It would be an excellent book for small group discussion and serves as a valuable resource in aiding young men and women who have questions about the faith. Furthermore, the work also serves as a model of doing ministry. Pastors are called to be scholars, but never simply scholars. Our primary focus should always be compassionate care for God's sheep, and a sacrificial willingness to go after the 'lost sheep' to bring them into the fold. Yet, as we go about this work, we are to be wise, informed, and disciplined in our own thinking. We live and work in the devil's playground, and therefore must be thoroughly equipped. Keller is a wonderful model of a church servant with the heart of a pastor, and the mind of a scholar.

Physical Copy: Dimensions are 9.25 x 6.25 inches. Appears to be a Times New Roman text type or equivalent.

The Cedarville Issue

Yesterday I received an anonymous email warning of Cedarville's supposed departure from the historic faith. Presumably, the email was associated with a group that runs a website called http://www.cedarvillesituation.com.

I have not kept up with the Cedarville issue, though the rumble of this thunder in Ohio can be heard even in furthest regions of northern Michigan. I am not an alumnus of that school, though I do have some connection with the current president Dr. William Brown. I was a student of William Jennings Bryan College (now just 'Bryan College') in Dayton, TN while Dr. Brown served their as president. I found him to be a true believer in Christ, dedicated to the historic faith 'once for all delivered', and a man whose personal and theological life was beyond question.

Frankly, I have no idea if the above group have legitimate concerns. They may well. What disturbs me is the anonymous email that was sent. I find such tactics more in line with the prince of darkness than the Lord of light. Sending out a mass email, without attaching one's name to it, amounts to libel. "Slander" is spoken statements and "libel" generally refers to written or otherwise permanent defamation. Interestingly, libel is also more prone to litigation, which is why the writer of the email covered his/her name.

When we use such tactics---anonymously hide while throwing mud at our opponents---it can only serve to make a mockery of Christ. I suggest, instead, that the individual call and make an appointment with Dr. Brown or another official from the school. Spend an hour together and hear their perspective.

And....don't send me anymore emails.


---------------------------------------
Below is the email I received, followed by my response:

Hello,

I am writing you to inform you of an important situation currently taking place at Cedarville University. It is critically important for your Church and potential future students of Cedarville to be aware of the school's current direction. The ramifications of what happens next will surely have an eternal impact and your prayer is greatly needed.

Please visit and notify your colleagues:
http://www.cedarvillesituation.com

Currently there are four articles with in-depth discussion regarding the current theological struggle at the University. The links page contains crucially important material as well, including:

-Content from the student newspaper advocating gay marriage, abortion, the liberal Emerging Church movement, etc.

- Letter from the 'Coalition of the Concerned' detailing concerns over the school's direction and multiple terminations of conservative Bible professors

-Multiple stories from newspapers and magazines detailing the legal aspect of revoked tenure contracts issued to in bad faith

-Legal threats by the school against concerned alumni who post material about the situation

-And much, much more.

Please continually visit the website as many more updates will be coming as the summer unfolds. The University has already released broad statements to calm concerned audiences, yet the fruit clearly indicates a shift quite opposite of that which is publicly shown. The situation is not yet resolved and prayer is currently needed by you and many others.

Please pass this e-mail to other staff members or individuals who would be concerned enough to pray for the future of Cedarville. Again, continue to check for updates this summer as the site will update you on the status of the situation.

Please pray for Cedarville add this to your prayer requests.
May God richly bless you as you continue to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Him,
Anonymous & Concerned

--------
Dear Anonymous,

While you may have correct concerns about Cedarville, I believe writing such things anonymously is shameful, sinful, and unbecoming a child of God. Sin hides in darkness. I will not listen to any voices that have no name attached to them. Furthermore, I will direct my congregation accordingly.

Pastor Josh Gelatt

--------------------------
UPDATE:

[Received May 15, 2008]

Pastor Gelatt,
You are more concerned over my method of notification than the substance of that site.
Anonymity exists for the purposes of protection, not slander.
The site author is not anonymous nor are the posted signatures of the concerned faculty.

If you read the material, you would know the proper avenues have been explored to no avail.
In addition, if you do not deem the content on the links page as solid evidence -- including signed statements from Godly men and restatements of already public material -- nothing will convince you.

Have a good day.

------

Anonymous,

There is no justification for darkness. I am not contesting your claims. I am rebuking your methods. If you do not model godliness, on what basis do you attack Cedarville's lack of it?

JG

Quote of the Day: Attersoll on the need for personal savlation

William Attersoll (17th cent. Puritan) on the need for personal salvation:

“No man can be saved by another man’s believing, no more then be nourished by another man’s feeding”