Kevin DeYoung's Blog, page 77

Diversity? Look No Further than the Church

Guest Blogger: Jason Helopoulos

Some say that Sunday morning at 10 a.m. is the most segregated hour of the week. That may be the case. I don’t know. I hope it isn’t. I pray it isn’t. It surely shouldn’t be. However, what I do know with certainty is that at this same hour of the week there are more diverse people doing one united thing than at any other time. For the Christian faith is practiced by and the Church is made up of a tapestry of people, whose diversity far surpasses that of any other entity on the face of the earth.

The often repeated sentiment that Christianity is a Western religion is a falsehood. Neither is it a “white man’s religion.” This wasn’t true at its beginning, over the course of its history, nor is it true in the present. Christianity is African, South American, North American, European, Asian, and Australian. It is a faith practiced by as diverse people as American Indians, Mexicans, Spaniards, Germans, Russians, Nigerians, Japanese, Laotians, and Samoans.

A Western religion? Christianity began in the Middle East. The Church started in Jerusalem, spread up the coast to Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), and southwest across North Africa. The most important early centers of Christianity were not Paris, Chicago, London, or even Rome. They were Alexandria, Damascus, and Antioch. The early leadership of the Christian faith wasn’t milky white. It was rich with Africans and Asians. Origen, Cyril of Alexandria, Athanasius, Augustine, the Cappadocian Fathers, and Cyril, among others, left a lasting imprint upon the contours of the Christian faith. The early church councils reveal the very “non-Western” ethos of early Christianity: Nicea, Chalcedon, Ephesus, and Constantinople are far from western metropolises. The Christian faith spread across Europe with great success, but it also spread to Iran and India by the end of the second century. Armenia and Georgia adopted it as the state religion in the early fourth century. The faith reached even as far as China as early as the middle of the first century and as late as the beginning of the seventh century. Christianity has always been an international faith.

What about today? The Pew Forum reports that only about a quarter of all Christians live in Europe (26%). More than a third of the world’s current Christian population lives in North and South America (37%). About one in every four Christians lives in sub-Saharan Africa (24%), and about one in every eight Christians is Asian (13%). Five of the top ten countries with the most Christians are either in Africa (Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) or Asia (China and the Philippines). If we take a look at the Global North versus the Global South, the Pew Forum reports that more than 1.3 billion Christians live in the Global South (61%), compared with about 860 million in the Global North (39%).

What about the future? Christianity is growing at a rapid pace in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia that far surpasses its growth in any other part of the world. The Center for the Study of Global Christianity reports that in 1910 there were 9 million Christians in sub-Saharan Africa.; in 2010 they reported that there are 516 million. In Asia there were about 28 million Christians in 1910; in 2010 they reported that there are now more than 285 million. In China alone the estimates range from 90 million to 130 million Christians. If these estimates are even close to correct, then about 8% of the Chinese population is Christian. Gardam, in his book, Christians in China states, “More people go to church on Sunday in China than the whole of Europe.” There are few who would balk at the prediction that the future of Christianity will be dominated by the Global South, Africa, and Asia.

Diversity? Christians only comprise 1/3 of the world’s population today, yet the Pew Forum reports that it is the majority of the population in 158 countries and territories of the world. That is 2/3 of all the countries and territories on the globe. There is nothing on earth like the Christian Church.

Of course, it is true that Christianity thrived in the West from the 300′s to the 1900′s. Most of us are the recipients of this blessing of providence. However, this does not make it a Western religion. Nor does it make Christianity a “white man’s religion.” Christianity wasn’t monolithic or parochial at its start, it hasn’t been in its history, and it surely won’t be in the future.

Is Sunday morning at 10 a.m. the most segregated hour of the week? I don’t know. But I do know that there is no entity, no institution, no movement, and no organization that is as multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-national, or multi-linguistic as the Christian Church.  It is a tapestry of colors, dialects, and ethnicities.  And on that day when we are gathered before the throne of God no one will dare utter the ludicrous and silly idea that Christianity is a Western or “white man’s religion.” The evidence will be too great. For on that day there shall be those from every tongue, tribe, and nation worshipping with one voice, one heart, and one affection–as they bow before the Lamb upon the throne, who unites all these peoples into one.

Was Jesus a Party Animal?

Craig Blomberg provides a succinct, biblical, and balanced answer:

To end the question with which this chapter began, was Jesus a party animal?

Not in the sense we usually mean by the expression: someone who simply loves to eat, drink and enjoy other forms of entertainment with friends just for the immense pleasure of it. There were always kingdom purposes involved in Jesus’ presence at banquets and other special meals.

Yet it remains striking how willing he was to socialize, even in the intimacy of table fellowship, with anyone and everyone for the sake of accomplishing his mission. (Contagious Holiness: Jesus’ Meals with Sinners , 129)

Likewise, Craig McMahan lists five common characteristics which are evident in Jesus’ meals with outcasts.

1) Jesus or his representatives eat with those who in some sense are considered second-class citizens in Israel.

2) These outcasts regularly respond to Jesus’ message with joy.

3) Pharisees and scribes, by way of contrast, equally commonly grumble and complain about Jesus’ behaviour.

4) The episodes are consistently introduced by calls to discipleship.

5) Finally, the scenes regularly conclude with a statement of Jesus’ mission and redemptive purpose in order to refute the objections raised against his behaviour. (Quoted by Blomberg in Contagious Holiness, 130)

Conservatives need to be challenged by Jesus’ willingness to socialize with “sinners.” Indeed, they were powerfully drawn to him. Liberals, on the other hand, need to be cautioned against depicting Jesus as an easy going, always-affirming dude’s dude who loved to blast religion and hang out at frat parties. Jesus was happy to share a meal with sinners, but those meals always had a mission.

Full of Grace and Truth

[image error] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

We need to be grace people and truth people. Not half grace and half truth.  Not all grace on Mondays and all truth on Tuesdays.  All grace and all truth all the time.

When I was being interviewed to be the pastor at University Reformed Church, I had to indicate where I was on a spectrum of issues.  One of the lines measured grace versus truth.  I wrote something like: “This is a bad question.  Seeing as how Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth, I believe we should be 100% in both directions.” I think they knew it was a loaded question and wanted to see my response.

“Or” Is Not an Option

By personality and upbringing and a whole bunch of other factors most of us lean in one direction or the other.

Grace people are pleasant to be around.  They don’t ruffle any feathers.  They cut us a lot of slack.  They’re easy going.  They accept us for who we are.  They don’t make demands.  They are always welcoming.  But without truth, grace isn’t really grace, it’s just being accepting and nice.  But affirmation and being grace-filled are not the same thing.

Grace people without truth are pleasant to be around, but we wonder if they really like us or if they are just trying to be liked.  They are tolerant, but they often do not know the difference between right and wrong.  Or they don’t care to line up one way or the other. Grace people can be cowardly.  They often refuse to make tough decisions in life.  They demand nothing from others and get nothing in return. They accept us for who we are, but they never help us become who we should be.

And then there are truth people. Truth people are easy to admire.  They have convictions and principles.  They believe in right and wrong.  They set standards.  They speak out against injustice, oppression, and evil.  They are articulate and well-spoken.  But without grace, telling the truth can become an excuse for belligerence.

Truth people without grace are loyal to their cause, but we wonder if they are really loyal to us.  They want to change us and make us better, but they don’t allow for mistakes.  They are quick to cast judgment on others.  They make difficult decisions, but they also make life difficult for others and for themselves.  They can be slow to forgive. They inspire us with their courage, but turn us off with their intimidation.

If you are a grace person you are most concerned about being loved.  If you are a truth person you are most concerned about being right even it means being unloved.  Both have their dangers.  Something is wrong if everyone hates you, and something is probably just as wrong if if everyone loves you.

Grace and Truth Walked Among Us

Jesus was all grace. He welcomed sinners and tax collectors and ate with them.  He had compassion on the crowds when they were hungry and far from home.  He welcomed the little children to come and sit on his lap-gentler and kinder than any department store Santa.  He healed the lepers, the lame, and the blind.  He saved the criminal on the cross, who, in his dying breath, confessed that the dying man next to him was truly the Son of God.

And Jesus was all truth.  He condemned many of the religious leaders of his day for being liars and hypocrites.  He talked about hell more than he talked about heaven.  He called all his those who would be his disciples to take up their cross daily and follow him.  He prophesied judgment on Jerusalem for their unrepentant hearts.  He obeyed the law, set standards, and demanded everything from his followers, even their very lives.

Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth. All grace, all truth, all the time.

But he didn’t come simply to give us an example of grace and truth.  He came to save us in grace and truth.  It’s only after we’ve been saved and made right with God, the God says, “Alright, now that I have saved through Jesus, you need to know that I have saved you to look like Jesus.”  The motivation to be full of grace and truth is not because we need to earn God’s favor, but because being a follower of Jesus Christ, means we look like the one we follow.

We desperately need grace in our lives.  We need to hear from Jesus “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)  We need to know that God doesn’t expect us to clean up our act before we come to him.  He implores us to come, now, today, just as we are–in brokenness, in pain, in humility, in repentance, and in faith.  We need to hear that wayward children, who have squandered their inheritance and lived an immoral, rebellious life, can come home into the arms of their heavenly Father (Luke 15:20).

And we desperately need truth in our lives.  We need to hear from Jesus “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).  And we need to hear from Jesus what this saying really means: “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin…But if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).  We need someone as gracious as Jesus to tell us the truth: you are not okay.  You do not need to push away those feelings of guilt that weigh you down.  You are guilty.  And anyone who tells you otherwise, is not telling you the truth.  And because they won’t tell you the truth, you won’t experience the grace you need.

We need truth. We need grace. We need Jesus.

Only Jesus Christ lived in perfect grace and perfect truth.

Only Jesus Christ can save hard-hearted, hard-headed sinners full of lies and deserving judgment.

And only by union with Jesus Christ, can we grow in the same truth and grace that walked among us in the miracle of the incarnation.

Monday Morning Humor

Why the Ascension Matters

[image error]This past Thursday was Ascension Day. In some churches, tomorrow will be a celebration of Ascension Sunday. I’m not convinced the church must have a special day to commemorate Christ’s ascent into heaven. But I am absolutely convinced that we need to do more to think theologically about the magnificent importance of this key event in redemptive history.

That’s why I thought it worthwhile to repost some previous thoughts on Ascension Day.

But first a scene from The Lord of the Rings.

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The about-to-be-formed Fellowship of the Ring has gathered at Rivendell to weigh their options. Elrond, the ancient leader of the Elves is in conversation with Gandalf, the wise wizard.

Elrond: Gandalf, the Enemy is moving. Sauron’s forces are massing in the East. The Eye is fixed on Rivendell. Now you tell me Saruman has betrayed us. The list of our allies grows thin.

Gandalf: His treachery goes deeper than you know. At Falcraft, Saruman has crossed orcs with goblin men. He is breeding an army in the caverns of Isengard. An army that can move in sunlight, and travel great distances at speed. Saruman is coming for the ring.

Elrond: This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the elves. We do not have the strength to stand against Mordor and Isengard both. The ring cannot stay here. This peril belongs to all Middle-Earth, and they must decide now how to end it. The age of elves is over. My people are leaving these shores. Who will you turn to once we are gone? The dwarves hide in their mountains seeking riches and care not for the troubles of others.

Gandalf: We must place our hope in men.

Elrond: Men! The race of men is weak, failing. The blood of Numenor is all but spent, its pride and dignity forgotten. It is because of men that the Ring survives. I was there, three thousand years ago, when Isildur took the ring. I was there when the strength of men failed.

Pretty cool, uh? And the scene has everything to do with Ascension Day.

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Ascension Day marks the 40th day of Easter (or 39 days after Easter Sunday). Getting Christians to celebrate Ascension Sunday (this coming Sunday) is not the point of this post (though Bucer and Calvin argued for retaining the “Five Evangelical Feasts” in the church calendar: Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost). Christians can disagree on how to remember the key events in Christ’s ministry, or if holy days are appropriate at all. But whether we remember Christ’s birth, death, resurrection, ascension, and pouring out of the Spirit–that’s not an option.

Is there any part of Christ’s life on earth that we think about less than his ascension? Everyone knows about his birth—that’s what Christmas is for. His death, burial, and resurrection are pretty well covered by Holy Week. But who cares that Thursday was Ascension Day? Most of us know the stories of his miracles. We’re familiar with his sermons and parables. We could talk about the people he healed, the demons he cast out, and the Jewish leaders he ticked off. We are well-versed in what Jesus did on earth. But who thinks about how he left this earth? Or why it matters?

So how does Christ’s ascension benefit us? The Heidelberg Catechism (Question and Answer 49) mentions three ways.

First, Christ’s ascension benefits because we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). Our Lord Jesus in heaven pleading our case, so that whenever Satan accuses us in our conscience or dates to lay a charge against us before the Father, Jesus, Christ, God’s own Son and our flawless advocate, stands ready to defend us and plead His own blood for our sakes. Think about that. Christ is our prayer partner in heaven. He intercedes for us before the throne (Rom. 8:34).

Second, Christ’s ascension benefits us because we now have our own flesh in heaven; our lives are hidden with Christ who dwells in glory above (Col. 3:3-4). Christ’s flesh in heaven is a guarantee that ours will be there too someday. Our hope is not an eternity as disembodied souls but real, resurrected, material human bodies in God’s presence forever. Christ’s body is the first one there, but not the last.

Third, Christ’s ascension benefits us because we get the Holy Spirit as a result. As Jesus Himself explained to His disciples, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). This was no knock on His own earthly ministry, but Jesus understood that as a man He was limited to one place at a time. But once He ascended to heaven, He could send another Helper (John 14:16) to give us power from on high and to be with us forever.

Think about the implications of Christ’s ascension.

The ascension means we are in heaven, right now. Through union with Christ, we truly are not citizens of this world. Colossians tells us to set our minds on things that are above, because our lives are hidden with Christ who dwells there (3:2-3).

The ascension also implies that “asking Jesus into your heart” does not mean inviting a kind friend or comforting therapist into your life. It means—if we are using the non-biblical phrase in a biblical way—that we are expressing our desire to be one with the king of the universe. The Jesus who lives within our hearts is sitting exalted at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

Most staggering of all, the ascension means that God has granted all rule, power, authority, and dominion (Eph. 1:21-22) to a man! This is why the scene I mentioned at the beginning from Lord of the Rings has everything to with Ascension Day. Yes, men have stumbled badly. Sin has wrecked havoc on the world because Adam reached for the fruit like Isildur grabbed hold of the ring. Elrond was right: the race of men is weak, failing. But Gandalf was more right: we must put our hope in men. One with our flesh reigns in heaven. One from our race will return as King. A man sits on Gondor’s throne, and the race of men will reign once more (2 Tim. 2:12).

The good news of Ascension Day is that Jesus Christ is exercising the dominion that man was made to have from the very beginning (Gen. 1:28). The ruin of the first Adam will be undone by the reign of the second. Because of Christ’s ascension, we know that the incarnation continues, Christ’s humanity lives on in heaven, the Spirit lives in our hearts, and a flesh-and-blood, divine human being rules the universe.

Bio, Books, and Such: Thabiti Anyabwile

During the summer I’ll be posting micro interviews on Fridays (mostly). I’ve asked some of my friends in ministry–friends you probably already know–to answer questions about “bio, books, and such.” My hope is that you’ll enjoy getting a few more facts about these folks and getting a few good book recommendations.

Today’s interview is with Thabiti Anyabwile, the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church (Grand Cayman) and soon to be a church planter in the Washington, D.C. area.

1. Where were you born? Lexington, N.C.

2. When did you become a Christian? When I was 25 years old. Fourth of July weekend, 1995.

3. Who is one well known pastor/author/leader who has shaped you as a Christian and teacher? Mark Dever.

4. Who is one lesser known pastor/friend/mentor who has shaped you? Peter Rochelle.

5. What’s one hymn you want sung at your funeral? You rushing me off already? But since you’re planning my funeral, how about “Abide with Me”.

6. What kind of nonfiction do you enjoy reading when you aren’t reading about theology, the Bible, or church history? Uhhh… what’s left? I do enjoy good biography. I also enjoy good applied social science.

7. Other than Calvin’s Institutes, what systematic theology have you found most helpful? I enjoyed Lloyd-Jones’ Great Doctrines of the Bible and Grudem’s Systematic Theology.

8. What are one or two of your favorite fiction authors or fiction books? Anything by Toni Morrison (Song of Solomon is my favorite, though) and Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series.

9. What is one of your favorite non-Christian biographies? The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

10. What is one of your favorite books on preaching? Preaching and Preachers. I also really loved Stott’s Between Two Worlds and the recent book, Saving Eutychus.

11. What is one of your favorite books on evangelism? C. John Miller’s A Faith Worth Sharing: A Lifetime of Conversations about Christ

12. What is one of your favorite books on apologetics? Chesterton, Orthodoxy.

13. What is one of your favorite books on prayer? I haven’t read many books on prayer. I did enjoy Carson’s A Spiritual Call to Reformation.

14. What is one of your favorite books on marriage? Emerson Eggerichs’ Love and Respect. Also Dave Harvey’s When Sinners Say I Do.

15. What is one of your favorite books on parenting? Mack Stiles’ 17 Things My Kids Taught Me About God. Not exactly a parenting book but it’s wonderfully encouraging to parents. Besides, I don’t like books on marriage and parenting. They tend to leave me lumbered down with guilt and discouragement.

16. What music do you keep coming back to on your iPhone (or CD player, or tape deck, or gramophone)? Jazz and Christian hip hop.

17. Favorite food? Meat.

18. After the Bible, a hymnal, and a shipbuilding guide, what book would you want with you on a desert island? My wife.

Christian Death: Mourn or Celebrate?

Guest Blogger: Jason Helopoulos

Christians need a good theology of Christian death. It matters. Should we rejoice or weep when a brother or sister in Christ dies? Is a Christian funeral service a celebration or time for mourning? A right understanding of how to consider a Christian’s death will stymie the two extremes of merely rejoicing or merely grieving.

It is routine to hear the heartfelt sentiment of a dear dying Christian say, “Don’t weep when I die. Rejoice, for I shall be with Christ”? With the same affection, it is normal to hear family members of a deceased Christian say, “He didn’t want us to grieve. We want to joyfully remember the life he had and remind ourselves that he is truly in a better place”? These are endearing statements. We don’t want to disparage the affection that moved these sentiments. However, these responses are not sufficient. We should not merely rejoice when a Christian dies.

As Romans tells us, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  It is not a good thing that our Christian friend or family member has passed away. No matter the benefits after death, death itself is an abomination. Death is an unwelcomed guest. It had no place in creation. Rather, it stormed onto the scene as the thief of life upon the entrance of sin into this world. Therefore, death itself is not to be celebrated. We cannot merely rejoice when a Christian dies somehow forgetting that death is an enemy.

For God formed man from the dust of the earth. Creation is turned on its head as man is returned to the dust in his death. There has been loss and loss that was not meant to be in this world. There has been death, which had no place in the good creation. In fact, at death man is torn asunder. His body and soul, created as one person, is separated. It is true that at that moment when a Christian dies, their soul immediately passes into the presence of Christ (Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23), but their body is left to decay. The soul is naked before the Lord. And the body lies lifeless and void of the soul until the resurrection. Therefore, there is a sense in which we could say that our naked souls are longing for the day of resurrection. For on that day they will be reunited to our bodies never to experience that horrible separation again. We will forever dwell as we were created to be.

Martha, Mary, and their friends have good reason to weep at the loss of Lazarus (John 11:33). The Scriptures never ask Christians to deny the feeling of grief–it is a right and holy sadness. And we should never ask our loved ones to deny that emotion either. There is a sort of super-spirituality present with such a request or repression. It is an attitude that surpasses the teaching of the Bible and what our Creator has asked of us.

However, we should not merely grieve. When a Christian dies we should also be filled with rejoicing. Truly, for the Christian, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). As a believer in Christ departs from this life they are immediately in a far better place (Philippians 1:23). They are with Christ! They have finished the race and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7); and that faith has become sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). They no longer see in a mirror dimly, but see Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). The object of their love, affection, and joy is before and with them forevermore.

What glories await the Christian at death. One moment, a feeble sinner experiencing the miseries of this life, and the next moment, one who is adorned with the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) in the presence of the King of Glory. There the Christian shall be–surrounded by His glory. A glory which banishes all our enemies. In that place there shall  no longer be the experience of loss, grief, pain, discomfort, or regret. Rather, the saint shall dwell in sheer joy and bliss as they revel in the beauty and glory of their Savior and God forever. Therefore, we should rejoice at the death of a Christian, for as the Apostle Paul says, they are “in a far better place” (Philippians 1:23). There may be no greater understatement ever penned–for what glories await us!

When a brother or sister in the Lord passes away, there should be grief and rejoicing. They both have a place. We grieve for what is lost and rejoice at what is gained. That is a good Christian theology of Christian death.

University Reformed Church Votes to Leave the RCA

On April 27, 2014, University Reformed Church (URC) voted 282-9 in favor of leaving the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and affiliating with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

The following Wednesday, the consistory of URC voted unanimously (14-0) to file a petition with the Classis of South Grand Rapids that we might leave the RCA with all our real and personal property and join the Presbytery of the Great Lakes in the PCA.

For the past three years, our church has wrestled with our place in the Reformed Church in America. We have prayed, studied, strategized, spoke, listened, prayed, asked questions, explored options, tried to discern what is in the best interest of the Kingdom, and prayed some more. We did not come to this decision lightly.

And this decision on our part does not mean that we have already left the RCA. Now that our petition has been filed, we will enter into a formal process with the classis—a series of meetings and reports which will take place over the next 6-8 months, as spelled out in detail by our Book of Church Order. We anticipate a final vote on our petition sometime in the first part of 2015.

Perhaps at a later date I will be able to share our 39-page petition for withdrawal. But for now the process is one that needs to take place between our church and the classis, not by blogs and in the public eye. Let me simply say at this point that our reason for seeking to leave the RCA is not one thing, but many things. From the adoption of the Belhar Confession, to the removal of the conscience clauses related to women’s ordination, to the growing acceptance of homosexual practice in the denomination, we believe the RCA has changed significantly in the last several years. The denomination has moved away from churches like ours. Our request is that we may be able to move too.

We are hopeful that our brothers and sisters in the classis will conduct a fair process and seek with us “how Christ’s Kingdom may best be served in this matter” (BCO 1.II.7.19b).

Thanks in advance for your prayers.

Remembering Memorial Day

This piece has appeared on Memorial Day before, but I thought it was worth posting again.

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Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was instituted to honor Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. After World War I, the purpose of the day was expanded to include all men and women who died in U.S. military service. Today, Memorial Day is mainly thought of as the unofficial start of summer–a long weekend with a car race, playoff basketball, and brats and burgers on the grill.

It is always tricky to know how the church should or shouldn’t celebrate patriotic holidays. Certainly, some churches blend church and state in such a way that the kingdom of God morphs into a doctrinally-thin, spiritually nebulous civil religion. But even with this dangers, there are a number of good reasons why Christians should give thanks for Memorial Day.

1. Being a soldier is not a sub-Christian activity. In Luke 3, John the Baptist warns the people to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. The crowds respond favorably to his message and ask him, “What then shall we do?” John tells the rich man to share his tunics, the tax collectors to collect only what belongs to them, and the soldiers to stop their extortion. If ever there was a time to tell the soldiers that true repentance meant resigning from the army, surely this was the time. And yet, John does not tell them that they must give up soldier-work to bear fruit, only that they need to be honest soldiers. The Centurion is even held up by Jesus as the best example of faith he’s seen in Israel (Luke 7:9). Military service, when executed with integrity and in the Spirit of God, is a suitable vocation for the people of God.

2. The life of a soldier can demonstrate the highest Christian virtues. While it’s true that our movies sometimes go too far in glamorizing war, this is only the case because there have been many heroics acts in the history of war suitable for our admiration. Soldiers in battle are called on to show courage, daring, service, shrewdness, endurance, hard work, faith, and obedience. These virtues fall into the “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just” category that deserve our praise (Philippians 4:8).

3. Military service is one of the most common metaphors in the New Testament to describe the Christian life. We are to fight the good fight, put on the armor of God, and serve as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. When we remember the sacrifice, single-minded dedication, and discipline involved in the life of a soldier, we are calling to mind what we are supposed to be like as Christians in service to Christ.

4. Love of country can be a good thing. As Christians we have dual citizenship. Our first and ultimate allegiance must always be to Christ whose heavenly dwelling is our eternal home. But we are also citizens of an earthly country. We will stand before God not as individuals wiped clean of all earthly nationality, but as people with distinct languages, cultural affinities, and homelands. It is not wrong to love our distinct language, culture, or nationality. Whenever I’m at a ball game I still get choked up during the singing of the National Anthem. I think this is good. Love for God does not mean we love nothing else on earth, but rather that we learn to love the things on earth in the right way and with the right proportions and priorities. Love of country is a good thing, and it is right to honor those who defend the principles that make our country good.

5. This may be controversial to some, but I believe the facts of history will demonstrate that on the whole, the United States military has been a force for good in the world. Obviously, as a military power, we have blundered at times, both individually and corporately. But on the whole, the men and women of our armed services have fought and are fighting for causes that promote freedom, defend the rights of human beings, and reject tyranny. War is still hell and a tragic result of the fall. Praise God for his promise to one day end all human conflict. But in a world where people are evil by nature and leaders are not always reasonable and countries do not always have good intentions, war is sometimes the way to peace-at least the best peace we can hope for between peoples and nations this side of heaven.

So thank God for a day to remember God’s common grace to America and his special grace in enlisting us, poor weak soldiers that we are, in service to Christ our Captain and conquering King.

Summer Plans: Read, Write, Relax, Repeat

As you may know, last year I enrolled in a PhD program through the University of Leicester. My research is focusing on the theology of John Witherspoon in the Scottish half of his career. It has been great fun so far.

My church has always been generous in granting me time for study and writing, no more so than in setting out to write a doctoral dissertation. The Board of Elders has granted me three summer sabbaticals, the first of which starts today.

For the next twelve weeks, I’ll be spending as much time as I can with my family and in the 18th century. It is such a gift to have these months for study, writing, and refreshment. No sermon prep, no elder meetings, no to-do list other than a dissertation that needs to be written in the next three years.

I will be hunkered down in my study most of the summer, pretending that I’m not really at church. Without Sunday responsibilities, our family will be able to take a number of short weekend trips, in addition to our usual vacation with the in-laws. Next week I’ll be on the east coast doing archival work. Here and there I’ll be preaching for a few friends. But for the most part it’s: read, write, relax, repeat.

And what about the internet? Well, I will be trying to avoid her as much as possible. It does the soul much good. And our relationship can be rocky anyway! Look for less tweeting, less blogging, and less interaction with whatever the crisis du jour may be. The plan is to keep Monday Morning Humor going, write a new post for Tuesday, have my friend and pastoral colleague, Jason Helopoulus, do another day, and then see what happens the rest of the week. That’s a lot less blogging than usual, but I doubt anyone will suffer too badly for it. Don’t look for fastidious email replies either.

Lord willing, I’ll be back to my regular schedule in the first half of August. Grace and peace.