Witherington on the "Code"

Ben Witherington has a great entry today on the upcoming blockbuster and the church's response.

http://benwitherington.blogspot.com/

See also a good article for pastors:

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%3D162232&M%3D150035%2C00.html

Baptists and Public Schools

I read over the weekend that a group of Baptist leaders called on its members to 'speak positively about public education' in response to a movement to pull children out of public schools. It seems 56 pastors and organizational leaders signed a letter supporting public schools and posted it on the website of the Baptist Center for Ethics. The letter states in part that it is wrong for church leaders to urge their congregations to abandon public schools in favor of homeschooling or private Christian academies.

I have never made a statement from the pulpit about this issue, nor do I plan to. I recognize the absolute sovereignty of parents to make the decision about their child's education. God has given each of us a very short-term stewardship over our kids, and parents must do what they believe is God's will in this matter. My wife and I have sent out children to public schools. We believe Christian kids are needed in schools as "salt and light." By and large, we believe we have gotten good results. My son graduates in May and my daughter is a 10th grader. Both are great Christian kids who have had influence among their peers. Our decision was the right one. I would never tell a parent who decided on another course that their's was the wrong one.

I have disagreed with attempts to pass a resolution at recent Southern Baptist Conventions which held up homeschooling over public education. I also disgaree with statments such as the one publicized over the weekend. Parents should pray and allow the Lord to lead them on this issue, keeping the best intersts of their children in mind. Church leaders should stay out of it.

Death Rate

The Fort Worth-Star Telegram reported yesterday that the death rate in the U.S. fell 2% in 2004. There were nearly 50,000 fewer deaths in 2004, the biggest decline in nearly 70 years. Life expectancy has inched up again as well, to 77.9 years fora child born in 2004. This is all well and good, of course, but remember this--the rate of death is still 100%. Until Jesus comes, everyone will die. Are you ready?

Pastor as Theologian

Al Mohler has a great three-part commentary: "The Pastor as Theologian."

http://www.albertmohler.com/

I tell students that in today's climate, the pastor must also be an apologist. No longer can the pastor be ignorant of the beliefs of other religions and cults. He does not need to be an interfaith expert, but he does need to know basic information. A good place to get some of that basic info is www.namb.net , then click on "Sharing Christ", then "Equipping Churches." There you'll be able to download basic belief charts of major religions and cults.

Easter Sermon

We had the best attendance at Riverside on Easter than in a long time. Praise the Lord! My sermon was based on Romans 1:1-4, especially verse 4. Jesus "was established as the powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead."

Title: The Meaning of Easter

You can believe Jesus rose from the dead, as in many opinion polls, but do you know what Easter means?

• It Means Jesus Is Who He Says He Is--In essence, I spoke of His proclamation as the "I Am". I then briefly discussed the "I Am" statements found in John. He also proclaimed Himself as the Son of Man. I dealt here with Daniel 7:13-14 and some key statements found in Matthew [9:6; 12:8; 16:27 for example]. Who is He? He proclaimed Himself God.
• It Means Jesus Can Do What He Promised He to Do-He promised to save and give life [1 Timothy 1:15; Luke 19:10; Matthew 20:28; John 10:10].

What difference does it make? Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. Your faith is based on truth; your sins are forgiven; you have the hope of eternal life and of a future resurrection!

Post Easter Article

There is a very good article in The Washington Post religion section about the resurrection. In essence, more people want to beleive the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

www.washingtonpost.com

He Is Risen Indeed!

Matthew 28:1-10 (HCSB) ¹ After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. ² Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” ⁸ So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. ⁹ Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”

He is risen indeed!

Good Friday

Matthew 27:45-54 (HCSB) ⁴⁵ From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land. ⁴⁶ At about three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” ⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah!” ⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, fixed it on a reed, and offered Him a drink. ⁴⁹ But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save Him!” ⁵⁰ Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit. ⁵¹ Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split. ⁵² The tombs also were opened and many bodies of the saints who had gone to their rest were raised. ⁵³ And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. ⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”

Sunday is coming!

Commentaries--Gospels

Often students ask me about my favorite commentaries. Over the next several days, I'll post the books that have been helpful to me. The first deals with the Gospels. I have an exhaustive bibliography that I share with my classes, but here I will share only a few of what I deem the best for the busy pastor.

Matthew

Blomberg, Craig. Matthew. NAC. Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1992. This is the best commentary for pastors available.

Broadus, J. A. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids: Kregel [1886] 1990. One of the best older commentaries available from a Southern Baptist giant.

Carson, D. A. "Matthew." In EBC, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 8 Matthew-Luke. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984. Excellent but I like Blomberg more.

Morris, Leon. The Gospel according to Matthew. PNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992. Morris is always a must.


Mark

Brooks, James. Mark. NAC. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1991. This is an excellent volume for the busy pastor.

Cole, Alan. Mark. TNTC. Downers Grove: IVP, 1990. As with the other volumes in this series, it is terse and valuable for those in a hurry to get to the crux of the issue.

Cranfield, C. E. B. The Gospel according to St. Mark. Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1959. A most important work on Mark.

France, R. T. The Gospel of Mark. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. The best modern work in Greek available.

Witherington, Ben III. The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. Witherington at his best. This is an excellent work for those interested in modern NT scholarship—plus there are excellent application
ideas found.

Luke

Bock, Darrell. Luke [2 vols]. BECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994, 1996. The best!

Fitzmyer, J. A. The Gospel according to Luke: Introduction, Translation, and Notes. AB [2 vols]. New York: Doubleday, 1981, 1985.

Green, Joel. The Gospel of Luke. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. This is another excellent example of a commentary written on the basis of modern NT methodologies [narrative criticism particularly].

Marshall, I. H. The Gospel according to Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978. A bit dated sometimes but still excellent.

Morris, Leon. Luke. Rev. ed. TNTC. Downers Grove: IVP, 1995. Particularly helpful to get to the bottom-line.

Stein, Robert H. Luke. NAC. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1992.

John

Blomberg, Craig. The Historical Reliability of John's Gospel. Leicester: Apollos, 2000. Helpful to get a handle on modern issues.

Borchert, Gerald L. John. [2 vols]. NAC. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1996, 2002. Very helpful and often quite devotional. He has an interesting take on the book's overall scheme.

Bruce, F. F. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983. Still one of my favorites.

Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. PNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.

Kostenberger, Andreas. John. BECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004. Good new commentary from a first-rate Southern Baptist Johannine scholar.

Morris, Leon. Commentary on the Gospel of John. 2nd ed. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. This is still one of the top commentaries.

________. Jesus Is the Christ: Studies in the Theology of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.

The Question for All-Time

This is an outline of a message preached yesterday at Riverside from Matthew 21:1-11. The sermon hangs on v. 10: "Who Is this?" This is not just the question for our time but for all-time.

In Matthew's Gospel you can see the answers to that question--the same answers which are given by and large today.

• He is a Prophet [v. 11]--This is a partial but inadequate answer. Jesus was a prophet [Matt 16:14; Luke 13:33], but the Scriptures teach more than that--He is the God/Man [Matt 1:23].
• He is a Threat--Certainly He was a threat to the religious leaders [21:15-16; 26:3-4]. He is still a threat today. To believe in Jesus means to believe what the Bible says about Him and about you.
• He is a Disappointment--He was a disappointment to Judas [26:6-16] as well as the crowds [27:23b]. He was not who they thought He was. Today as well people misunderstand who Jesus is and become disappointed when He doesn't "measure up" or "perform" to their expectations.
• He is a Mystery--Pilate didn't know what to think about Jesus [27:14]. He was a mystery. I admit, it is impossible to fully explain the person and work of Christ. He is, however, no mystery. The four Gospels reveal Him, Acts tells us how He affected the early church, the letters explain more fully His life and work, and Revelation tells us of His complete victory and Lordship.
• He is an Embarassment--That seems to be the reaction of the crowd around the cross [27:39-40]. How can one who claimed to be the Son of God die on a cross? Consider 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
• He is Savior--Here you must go to Luke 23:40-43. To the dying thief, Jesus was more than a prophet, was no threat, no disappointment, no mystery, and no embarrassment. He was Savior. "He saves to the uttermost those who come to God through Him" [Hebrews 7:25].

Who is Jesus to you?

Gosel of Judas

Today is one of those days. I guess there are more than the usual number of wild stories about Jesus, Christianity, and the truth of Scripture because we're nearing Easter. Anyway, now the Gospel of Judas is being touted in today's newspaper as the latest big find.

In today's Star Telegram there is a story from a Los Angeles Times writer with this teaser beginning: "Judas Iscariot, long reviled as history's quitessential betrayer, was actually the best friend of Jesus and turned him over to authorities only because Jesus asked him to." The story goes on to share the virtues of this gnostic writing, which was ruled heretical by the church centuries ago with good reason.

The story goes on to indicate that the Gospel of Judas was written 140 or so years after the death of Christ and is indeed a gnostic writing. Bart Ehrman, the new poster child of the secular press, is briefly quoted in this article.

This is not a big deal and will make no impact. Its newsworthiness is based soley on the continued attempt to disregard the authority and veracity of the Gospels.

For further links on this subject see:

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=599

Jesus Walked on Ice?

Well here we go again. Professor Doron Nof of the Florida State University says that Jesus walked on ice instead of water. Professor Nof used records of the Mediterranean Sea's surface temps and statistics models to examine the dynamics of the Sea of Galilee. The study found that a period of cooler temps in the area between 1,500 and 2,600 years ago could have included the decades when Jesus lived. Thus, Jesus walked on ice.

The telling quote from this story is Nof saying, "If you ask me if I believe someone walked on water, no, I don't . . . Maybe somebody walked on the ice, I don't know. I believe something natural was there that explains it."

Something natural explains it. Professor Nof joins a long line of people who for two millennia have tried to explaim away the miraculous.

If Jesus is God, walking on water is no problem!

Poll Results

An interesting poll released by Scripps Howard News Service shows that most Americans don't beleive in a resurrection of the body. The findings showed that only 36% of 1,007 adults interviewed said "yes" to the question: "Do you believe that, after you die, your physical bod will be resurrected someday?" 54% said they do not believe and 10% were undecided.

Al Mohler is quoted as saying in the story: "This reflects a very low state of doctrinal teaching in our churches . . . I am continually confronted by Christians, even active members of major churches, who have never heard this taught in their local congregations . . . We have the lowest-common-denominator Christianity being taught in so many denominations that has produced a people who simply do not know some of the basic Christian truths."

What is weird here is that 63% believe Jesus rose again. Let's remember 1 Corinthians 15:12: Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”?

For more on the poll see:

www.shns.com

By the way, I agree with Dr. Mohler on his assessent of things. He would be glad to know that I taught 1 Cor 15 just last Wednesday night at Riverside. By the way, another factor in all this could be that more people are being influenced by the American version of Eastern mysticism.

Byzantine Priority

Dave Black has posted a quick link to an essay by Maurice Robinson on his theory of Byzantine priority. If you're wondering how one can come to this conclusion, here's the answer.

http://rosetta.reltech.org/TC/vol06/Robinson2001.html

Thanks for that!

Prayer Study

Here's more on the recent "prayer study."

http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=592

Missouri Tornado

These tornadoes were seen near Kennett, MO Sunday evening. Wow!

Intercessory Prayer Study

You've no doubt heard by now of the $2.4 million study that reported that heart surgery patients showed no benefit when strangers prayed for their recovery. The study, financed by Templeton Foundation, followed about 1800 patients at six medical centers. Three Christian groups prayed for particular patients, starting the night before surgery and continuing for two weeks. The volunteers prayed for "successful surgery with a quick, healthy recovery and no complications" for specific patients. The patients were split into three groups: those who knew they were being prayed for, those who were prayed for but only knew it was a possiblity, and those who weren't prayed for but were told it was a possibility.

Among patients who received prayers, 59% of the patients who knew they were being prayed for developed a complication, versus 52% of those who were told that it was only a possibility that someone would be praying for them.

I've been hearing all week--"Prayer has no effect on the sick." I don't think I need a scientific study to determine whether or not Christians should pray for the sick. Dr. David Stevens, executive director of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, said he believes intercessory prayer can influence medical outcomes, but that science is not equipped to explore it. He is quoted as saying: "Do we control God through prayer? Theologians would say absolutely not. God decides sometimes to intervene, and sometimes not...I don't think...it's going to stop people praying for the sick." [Source: AP story reported in The Las Vegas Sun].

I was just studying 1 Thessalonians 1. Paul told the church he was always praying for them. That is not the only time Paul writes of his constant intercessory prayer. I think he believed in it!

So did James--"Is anyone sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him . . . The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" [James 5:14, 16 NASB].

Baptism of Tertullian & Cyprian

After the ETS meeting in Ft. Worth, I mentioned that I particularly appreciated a paper by Dr. Rex Butler entitled: "Sacramentum: Baptismal Practice and Theology of Tertullian and Cyprian." Of course, I do not embrace the theology of baptism endorsed by these church fathers, but I did want to quote a few sentences from Rex's paper.

Tertullian indicated in his treatise, De Baptismo, that baptism candidates received "pre-baptismal instruction . . . Prior to the cermony, the candidate engaged in prayer, fasting, humility, a nightlong vigil, and confession of sin . . .The final step toward baptism was the renunciation of Satan . . . baptism was conducted by triple immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit . . . After emerging from the baptismal water, the one newly baptized was anointed with consecrated oil, was signed with the cross, and had the administrator's hands imposed in welcome of the Holy Spirit . . . The new members of the church then joined the congregation for prayers and for their first celebration of the Eucharist, at which time they were given a drink of milk and honey, which symbolized the Promised Land."

Baptism in no way washes sins away; nor does it save in any way. I am struck, however, at the rich biblical symbolism involved in the ceremony described in part above. While I still might want a simpler ceremony, which seems more in line with the New Testament, I do think we can learn from this ancient church practice. Should there not be a more compelling baptismal service than what we have most of the time? Do we glorify God and encourage the baptismal candidate by just tacking the baptism on to a service, either at the beginning or at the end? We Baptists strongly embrace "believer's baptism," but do we really think it is a significant part of a corporate worship service?

Just some musings about baptism and Baptist church practice.

Church Lite

While looking for something else in my files, I ran across a description of "The Lite Church:"

• 24% few commitments
• Home of the 7.5% tithe
• 15-minute sermons
• 45-minute worship services
• We have only 8 commandments--your choice
• We use only 3 spiritual laws
• We have only an 800-year millennium
• Everything you wanted in a church...and less!

Sounds like one that will grow into another American mega-church!

Baseball Is Here!

Well everything is right with the world again. Baseball season began in earnest on Monday. Unfortunately, it was the same ol' story for us Ranger fans, but only one game--161 to go. My Cardinals did pick up where they left off last season with a convincing win over the Phillies. The Braves were also winners.

Not everything is so wonderful, of course. The hated Gators are national champs of college basketball. In this sinful world, not everything is perfect.

Tornado Victims

Tornadoes devastated my home area over the weekend. I read reports in The Jonesboro Sun that Marmaduke, a small town in Greene County, Arkansas was almost levelled. Many people were killed in Dyer County, TN. Also, Caruthersville, MO saw a lot of damage. My brother, who lives in Kennett, MO. said one of his friends took pictures of a tornado as it touched down in a field in town. I'm thankful my hometown was spared, but we certainly need to be in prayer for all those who were not.

Announcement

I thought I'd throw on here an announcement I made tonight at Riverside. I have been invited to join the faculty of North Greenville University in South Carolina. I will be teaching New Testament & Preaching in the new graduate school that opened this spring. My last Sunday at Riverside will be May 21; I will begin teaching at NGU in June. Please remember us in prayer as we transition. Also, pray for RBC as it transitions as well.