Light and Heat, Truth and Zeal

Bob Kauflin on Worship Songs

2006-10-19T23:47:00.000-07:00

Bob Kauflin of the Worship Matters blog on why we write worship songs:

"If I'm a songwriter, I need to remember that while music is important, in the end truth outlasts tunes. A catchy melody can be a distraction unless it helps implant God's truth in people's hearts.

If I'm a song leader I need to remember that music is meant to direct people's attention to the lyrics. My song choices should be made more on the basis of theology and theme than tempo and key.

If I'm pastor, I need to make sure my church is singing songs that enable them to feed richly on the Word of Christ. It's part of my responsibility in shepherding the flock of God.

If I'm a worshipper of God, I need to remember that music may move me emotionally, but truth can change me eternally. I want to do everything I can to meditate on the riches of God's Word when I sing to feed my soul, and not simply see it as a time when I express my own thoughts and feelings.

Of course, expressing our thoughts to God as we worship Him is right and good. Part of the dynamic of worshipping God is giving to God and receiving from Him, speaking to Him and listening for His voice. But our feelings and expressions are only reliable and true as they're rooted in who God is, what He's done, and what He's said to us."

Seeker-Driven Church Humor

2006-02-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

(Source: Reverendfun.com)

Friday Hymn: The Solid Rock

2006-02-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

I will devote Friday entries to God-centered, theologically sound hymns. This week, I decided to post one of my favorite hymns, The Solid Rock, reminding us that only Christ alone is our hope (1 Tim. 1:1, 4:10), our rock (1 Cor. 10:4), and our firm foundation (Eph. 2:20).

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

(Words: Edward Mote, circa 1834; Music: William B. Bradbury, 1863.)

One morning it came into my mind as I went to labour, to write an hymn on the ‘Gracious Experience of a Christian.’ As I went up Holborn I had the chorus,

‘On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.’

In the day I had four first verses complete, and wrote them off. On the Sabbath following I met brother King as I came out of Lisle Street Meeting…who informed me that his wife was very ill, and asked me to call and see her. I had an early tea, and called afterwards. He said that it was his usual custom to sing a hymn, read a portion, and engage in prayer, before he went to meeting. He looked for his hymn-book but could find it nowhere. I said, ‘I have some verses in my pocket; if he liked, we would sing them.’ We did, and his wife enjoyed them so much, that after service he asked me, as a favour, to leave a copy of them for his wife. I went home, and by the fireside composed the last two verses, wrote the whole off, and took them to sister King…As these verses so met the dying woman’s case, my attention to them was the more arrested, and I had a thousand printed for distribution. I sent one to the Spiritual Magazine, without my initials, which appeared some time after this. Brother Rees, of Crown Street, Soho, brought out an edition of hymns [1836], and this hymn was in it. David Denham introduced it [1837] with Rees’ name, and others after…Your inserting this brief outline may in future shield me from the charge of stealth, and be a vindication of truthfulness in my connection with the Church of God.

Edward Mote
Letter to the Gospel Herald

(Source: The Cyber Hymnal)

Being Mocked: The Essence of Christ’s Work, Not Muhammad’s

2006-02-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

Considering the Islamic demonstrations regarding the Danish cartoons of Muhammad, here's an interesting take on this matter from John Piper:

The work of Muhammad is based on being honored and the work of Christ is based on being insulted. This produces two very different reactions to mockery. If Christ had not been insulted, there would be no salvation. This was his saving work: to be insulted and die to rescue sinners from the wrath of God...

If Christ did his work by being insulted, we must do ours likewise... What does this mean? It means that a religion with no insulted Savior will not endure insults to win the scoffers... It means that Jesus Christ is still the only hope of peace with God and peace with man. And it means that his followers must be willing to “share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

The complete article can be read here.

Al Mohler on Reading

2006-02-06T15:29:00.000-08:00

Al Mohler's response to readers on reading on the T4G Blog.

The Emerging Church Paradigm

2006-02-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

More on the Emerging Church movement from the TMS Faculty. Dr. Larry Pettegrew on The Emerging Church Paradigm.

C.J.'s 10 Most Influential Books

2006-02-03T10:01:00.000-08:00

C.J. Mahaney's ten most influential books:

1. Knowing God by J.I. Packer

2. The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

3. The Cross of Christ by John Stott

4. The Cross and Christian Ministry by D. A. Carson (must reading for every pastor)

5. John Owen on the Christian Life by Sinclair B. Ferguson and Temptation and Sin (Volume 6) by John Owen

6. The Forgotten Spurgeon by Iain Murray (must reading for every pastor)

7. The Journal of Biblical Counseling edited by David Powlison (must reading for every pastor)

8. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul Tripp (must reading for every pastor)

9. Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood edited by John Piper and Wayne Grudem (must reading for every pastor)

10. The Days Are Just Packed: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection by Bill Watterson (must reading for every pastor)

And the list could just go on and on although I would agree with the wise counsel of Richard Baxter:

“It is not the reading of many books which is necessary to make one wise, but the well-reading of a few, could they be sure to be the best.”

(Source: Reformation 21 Blog)

The Virtual Church

2006-01-31T09:49:00.000-08:00

The time has come where mankind will attend the virtual church, also known as the "Church of Fools". The name speaks for itself. Read the news article for more details.

2006 Desiring God National Conference

2006-01-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

This year's theme for the Desiring God National Conference:

Theme: Above All Earthly Powers: The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World
Date: September 29 to October 1, 2006
Speakers: David Wells, D.A. Carson, Timothy Keller, Mark Driscoll, Voddie Baucham and John Piper

Visit the Desiring God website for more details.

The Emerging Church Movement

2006-01-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

Here's a sermon from the TMS Faculty Lecture Series in response to the Emerging Church movement. Click here to listen to the MP3.

Contending for Our All

2006-01-27T16:03:00.000-08:00

John Piper came out with a new book titled, "Contending for Our All", which explores the lives of Athanasius, John Owen and J. Gresham Machen and their battles in defense of the truth. There are doctrines in the Bible that are worth dying and living for. More information available on the Desiring God website.

Tulipedia

2006-01-27T00:12:00.000-08:00

An online resource of the five points of Calvinism: Tulipedia.

Does Christianity Squash Women?

2006-01-26T10:49:00.000-08:00

Mary Mohler's review of the book on biblical womanhood titled, "Does Christianity Squash Women?" by Rebecca Jones:

Mrs. Jones readily admits that she is not a theologian. That is actually encouraging to those of us who, like the author, consider ourselves to be diligent, intelligent Christian women but do not hold theological degrees. Such credentials are not necessary to articulate a Biblical view of womanhood. While we certainly appreciate the work of both men and women who have studied the languages and earned terminal degrees, women who have been dedicated wives and mothers at home need not shy away from stating boldly and proudly what we believe. We are not on the lecture circuit to expound on our views but we hold them with deep conviction nonetheless.

(Source: Reformation 21)

Cut to the Heart

2006-01-26T09:05:00.000-08:00

Reformissionary on evangelicalism, homosexuality and the emergent church:

What about Peter (Acts 2) preaching to the crowds and saying YOU crucified this Jesus, and they were cut to the heart and responded, "What shall we do?" Maybe many homosexuals aren't asking, "What shall we do?" because they aren't cut to the heart. And maybe they aren't cut to the heart because we have equated being non-committal with being "pastoral."

The most pastoral thing we can do for someone who run with down the avenue of homosexuality (just like any sin) is help them be cut to the heart in a God-intended way, through the truth of their sin in comparison with truth of God's law...

... The answer for "emerging leaders" is not a moratorium on deciding, but boldness to take the Scriptures at face value and to approach sinners with a firm kindness that will lead them to repentance.

The complete article can be read here.

Hall of Contemporary Reformers

2006-01-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

The Monergism website has posted caricatures of contemporary Reformed theologians.

(Source: JT)

Holding Hands, Holding Hearts

2006-01-22T00:40:00.000-08:00

P&R Publishing came out with a book by Richard and Sharon Phillips titled, "Holding Hands, Holding Hearts: Recovering a Biblical View of Christian Dating."

(Source: Reformation 21 Blog)

Children of the Secret State

2006-01-22T00:26:00.000-08:00

Originally shown on the Discovery Times Channel, here is a documentary made on the orphans in North Korea, a convicting reality of the hunger epidemic in the world's most secret state. Please take some time to view it entirely.

Topics for prayer:

1. Immediate aid for the orphans and people who are literally dying from hunger, many who have not heard the gospel (N. Korea is a communist country). Sadly, the aid that the U.S. and American Red Cross has been providing for the past few years is getting redistributed to the party elite and/or is being sold on the black market (for those who are able to afford it).

2. Change within that country; that God will prepare the groundwork for the gospel and missions.

3. That God would awaken the hearts of His people with a heart of compassion and a desire to proclaim Christ and His glory to those that desperately need it.

(Matthew 9:36-38; James 1:27)

50 Most Influential Christians in America

2006-01-17T16:07:00.000-08:00

For what it's worth, here's the list of the Top 50 Most Influential Christians in America, published by the Church Report.

A review and analysis of this list can be read here.

Caution Towards Fundamentalism/Legalism

2006-01-17T11:34:00.000-08:00

Reformissionary has posted a letter to fellow SBC students regarding the dangers of fundamentalism/legalism in the Southern Baptist Convention:

We need to be better evangelists who aren't looking to repackage for the Gospel but rather looking to better understand and live the Gospel. I think we need to remember that we are to truly be in culture, not looking down on it, and not avoiding it. I think we need to remember that working for justice is a biblical idea, not a liberal one. I think we need a resurgence of love for and creation of art as reflecting the imago dei. I think we need better seminaries that aren't just telling us what we should think, but rather are teaching us how to think through Scripture and know The Spirit. I think we need an ethic based on biblical boundaries and biblical liberties. As Derek Webb has sung, it's much easier to follow a new law rather than be sanctified through learning to live out our freedoms and liberties.

For the complete letter, you can read it here.

Doctrine is Practical

2005-12-07T12:06:00.000-08:00

Phil Johnson posted a blog entry from an article by John MacArthur regarding sound doctrine and practical truth.

Practical insights, gimmicks, and illustrations mean little if they are divorced from divine principle. Before the preacher asks anyone to perform a certain duty, he must first deal with doctrine. He must develop his message around theological themes and draw out the principles of the texts. Then the truth can be applied.

Romans provides the clearest example. Paul doesn't give any exhortation until he has given eleven chapters of theology.

You can read the full article here.

Zhubert.com Biblical Greek Tool

2005-11-30T16:02:00.000-08:00

For students of the Biblical Greek language, the ESV Bible Blog noted the following unique website tool created by Zack Hubert. You can read the review from ESV Bible here or visit zhubert.com for more details. A Flash-based interface is available also for real-time content.

A Note on the Blog Title, "Light and Heat, Truth and Zeal."

2005-11-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

Why title this blog, "Light and Heat, Truth and Zeal"? The inspiration for this title comes from the Desiring God website. Christianity is not just about having truth (knowledge), but zeal (passion), from which the love of Christ compels us (2 Cor. 5:14-15). Knowledge without humility and love is meaningless (1 Cor. 8:1; 13:2). On the other hand, a person can have zeal without having truth – deceived people who have "faith without spiritual light," as Jonathan Edwards would put it. But genuine faith in Christ is having truth accompanied with zeal.

God is glorified not only by His glory's being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that he might communicate, and the creature receive, his glory; but that it might [be] received both by the mind and heart. He that testifies his having an idea of God's glory [doesn't] glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it (Jonathan Edwards, Miscellany #448).

A passion for God, a passion for His people, a passion for His truth and a passion for the glory of Christ. True light must produce true heat.

Light and heat, truth and zeal are what characterize authentic Christianity. As John Piper would say, "Your greatest treasure is what produces the most pleasure in your heart... Because God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him."

Rules for Commenting on My Blog

2005-11-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

1. I may not be able to reply to your comments. If there is an urgent need to reply or if time permits, I may reply in a blog entry, post a comment or just e-mail you.

2. You may disagree with me as strongly as you like, but please keep within the parameters of Christian civility. Please note that I will delete comments with profane or unwholesome words, including abbreviated or otherwise disguised ones.

3. Please be sure your comments are on the topic in the entry. If you have other topics to discuss, please send me an e-mail.

4. The three-strikes rule applies to this blog, particularly for Rule #2. After three-strikes, I will have no choice but to automatically delete further comments from you. Thank you for being understanding.