Revival and Revivalism

My first book for 2013 is Revival and Revivalism: The Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism from 1750-1858 by Iain Murray. Murray traces the history of evangelism in the American church and the influence it has on churches today in America. A question I always ask myself is, "Am I sharing the Gospel in a Bible way?" How we share our faith does matter. See Philippians 1:15-18 for a interesting paragraph on this topic in Scripture.

In the introduction, Murray explains his thesis of the book:

"My thesis in this book is that in the period of our study, American history was shaped by the Spirit of God in revivals of the same kind as launched by the early church into a pagan world. " page, XX

Revival and revivalism are two different things in church history. Murray explains that revival can be best defined by a quote from Jonathan Edwards speaking on the subject:

"The work of God is carried on with greater speed and swiftness, and there are often instances of sudden conversions at such a time. So it as in the apostles days, when there was a time of the most extraordinary pouring out of the Spirit that ever was! How quick and sudden were conversions in those days...So it is in some degree whenever there is an extraordinary pouring out of the Spirit of God; more or less so, in proportion to the greatness of that effusion." page 20

Revival was quick and came as a "surprise" to the church, directly ordained by the sovereignty of God given by the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is faithfully  preached and if God so chooses, He saves some. The thought process of these pastors are; man is depraved and can not chose God. Through the preaching of the word, the Holy Spirit opens the spiritual eyes of the converted. Regeneration and the faith are both  gifts from God, given by the Holy Spirit.

Revivalism can be defined as:

"A mass of evidence has been produced to show that the idea behind the revivalist methods of the call to the alter, that is, the public invitation to come forward to receive Christ was to separate those actively seeking salvation from the rest of the congregation so that they could be made more easily and more intensely subject to the psychological and social pressure of the minister and the community of the converted." page XIX

Revivalism is a planned event that is announced by a local pastor or church. Because of the emotionalism and possible manipulation that is felt with revivalism, Murray argues that a major problem with revivalism is the difficultly of recognizing true authentic conversations from false conversations. Many people who "came to the alter" show no fruit of conversion months to years later. They were responding to the emotions of the event and were not converted.

More to come........

Bible Reading Plan for 2013

For those interested in reading the Bible through the year or two - Ligonier ministries has helpful tools posted online for free. Just click here and happy reading!

**It should be noted that you can get a head start by starting today!**

What happens when our missions produce a deficient view of conversion?

This morning I read a interesting article by Petar Nenadov title The Pressures of Persecution. First, it helped me know how to better pray for believers in the 10/40 window. Personally I have several friends who live in the 10/40 window. Eight years ago, my friend came to Christ. After she told her family, her father held a "fake" funeral, even buying a tombstone with her birth date and the day she came to Christ as the date of her death. Her family ordered her to leave the country and never come back or she will be killed. Persecution in Muslim countries is real and intense. 

Second, it highlights a problem with large missions organizations. What is success in ministry? For example, what is the first question a  fellow Christian ask his or her friend?- "How many people go to your Church?" Hardly is it asked,  "Can your flock or students in your ministry handle the Bible correctly? or Does your church leadership or student leaders understand the doctrines found in Scripture" (1 Timothy 4:6-16)? In my experience topics such as understanding God's love, wrath, sovereignty (in both His plan for the world and salvation), the Holy Spirit, how the Old Testament relates to the New Testament, which laws do we obey today, and understanding God's will for my life are hardly discussed, and if they are discussed it is superficial at best. Going deep into the Bible is a rare jewel nowadays.

Lastly, this article brings me back to two words that if understood correctly could solve a lot of problems. Justification and Sanctification. What did Jesus accomplish for EVERY believer when He died on the cross? That is the ultimate question. Did Jesus' death ONLY accomplish forgiveness of sins? Hebrews 10:14-18 explains it well. Hebrews 10:14, "For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" and in verse 16, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds" For those who believe, Jesus' death, through God's loving election, and through the Holy Spirit = gave a new heart to EVERY believer and all of the believers sins are forgiven. That is the point of John 3 and Jesus' interaction with Nicodemus. A believer's life WILL change. He or she WILL love God (1 Peter 1:8-9)  and he or she will love God's commands (1 John 5:3). Every believer experiences justification and sanctification or another way to say it is - every believer has their sins forgiven and has been born again to love and obey their Lord. Both Justification and sanctification were paid for on the cross by His blood. As has been said so many times this Christmas season, Jesus was born to die! And for that I thank Him. 

Deity of the Man from Galilee

The Council of Nicaea in 325 is a important event in the history of the Church. The main topic of discussion for this conference was Jesus' deity. Was Jesus "begotten" (created) by the Father or was Jesus of the "same substance" of God the Father? It is believed that during this council, Saint Nicholas slapped Arius in the face for believing God created Jesus! Ultimately it was voted that Jesus is of the same substance as God the Father and this paved the way for the Churches Biblical understanding of the Trinity.

On Christmas Eve, I am in awe of my God. Jesus came to earth to die. He is King. He is worthy of my worship. He will be made known among the Nations. He created the world and rules the world. I have attached this link to a short blog by Justin Taylor that includes a few line from Spurgeon, Thomas Watson, and Augustine describing the deity of Jesus that I found encouraging.

Enjoy time with your family this Christmas. My kids have already told me they are waking up at 4 a.m. tomorrow!

Ancient of Days

This is taken from the advent devotion that Desiring God published titled Good News of Great Joy. This is a great advent devotional that our family used leading into Christmas.

"The uniqueness of his birth is that he did not originate at his birth. He existed before he was born in a manger. The personhood, the character, the personality of Jesus of Nazareth existed before the man Jesus of Nazareth was born. The theological word to describe this mystery is not creation, but incarnation. The person—not the body, but the essential personhood of Jesus—existed before he was born as man. His birth was not a coming into being of a new person, but a coming into the world of an infinitely old person. Micah 5:2 puts it like this, 700 years before Jesus was born: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. The mystery of the birth of Jesus is not merely that he was born of a virgin. That miracle was intended by God to witnessto an even greater one—namely, that the child born at Christmas was a person who existed “from of old, from ancient days.” (Piper, 42)

The threat of a baby

As I have read the Christmas story this year, four words caught my eye. Those four words, King of the Jews. These words are first spoken by the wise men from the east. "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men for the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" Matthew 2:3 describes Herod as "troubled" after hearing this. But why? The words threatened Herod. He was king. It was his land to rule. Now a baby is born and wise men from the east are calling Him king?! So what did he do? Did he worship this new baby that was born? Remember, Jesus is a baby. At most He is two years old. He did what he has done all of his life. Plot and kill. When the wise men did not come back and give a report to Herod, the Bible says he became "furious." So what did he do? Matthew 2:16-18 is a fulfillment of prophecy found in Jeremiah. Herod did not worship - he lead a massive murder spree of children. The king demanded and executed all children at the age of two and younger (verse 16) in Bethlehem and all in that region.  Imagine if the was passed in the US! 

Now, fast forward to Jesus' death. He is going to die. His hands and feet are nailed to a cross, a perfect and just payment for sins. Then, in mockery, a sign was nailed about His head. It is the the same four words the wise men spoke of Him. "This is Jesus, King of the Jews" (Matthew 27:37, ESV). WOW! From His birth to His death, Jesus is called "King of the Jews!"

Jesus is my King. He is the Sovereign King of the universe. Most do not submit to His Kingship. Most do not love my King. Most are threatened by my King. By God's love, grace, and mercy I am part of His Kingdom. I am adopted by God the Father through Jesus! J.I. Packer is famous for stating that the essence of Christianity being able to call God, "Father." I love my King. The Holy Spirit has given me a new heart to love Him. My sins are forgiven- past, present, and future. For that I am thankful.  

Jesus and His family tree

The Christmas story is filled with love, grace, mercy, and redemption. This can be seen by reading  the genealogy found Matthew chapter one. Granted Jesus does not have a earthly biological father. That is made clear in Matthew 1:16 which reads, "Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ." (ESV) Notice it does not say that Joseph is Jesus father but "Joseph the husband of Mary!" This is clear in Scripture. Jesus was born of a virgin through the Holy Spirit.

However, Matthew traces the history of Jesus' heritage through His earthly father Joseph. What is interesting is four women are included in the genealogy of Jesus. Including women in a genealogy was unusual for that time in history. Yet, Gods word included them. The women are Tamar (verse 3), Rahab (verse 5), Ruth (verse 5), and the wife of Uriah {who is Bathsheba} (verse 6). What is fascinating about this is Tamar was a liar, deceiver, and chose to dress up like a prostitute to have sex with her father-in-law. You can read her story in Genesis 38. This does make for a good children's Sunday School story! Rahab is not much better. She was a professional prostitute. Who knows how many men she slept with and many marriages she ruined. She would love Las Vegas. She also was a liar and a Gentile! Yet, through God's grace and mercy she is part of Jesus' family tree! For her story read Joshua chapter 2.

What I find most amazing is every person mentioned in Matthew 1: 1-17 has a story. Through the rebellion of Israel and the sins of murder (David and Bathsheba), prostitution, lie's, and plots of evil; came the earthly family of Jesus. This kicks in the face all legalism, good works, and self-righteousness. Jesus came to earth to die. He came to earth to, "save His people form their sins " (Matthew 1:21). Their is no person who is out of reach of God's grace. The Bible was written by adulterers (David), murderers (Moses and if you want to include Paul), and those who denied Christ  (Peter). Only through belief in Jesus, is forgiveness of our sins found. This should give us hope and cause us to be thankful for our own salvation! Because truthfully we are no better.

All who love Him, experience the peace that the Christmas story talk about. I encourage you to pray for your lost family, friends, and co-workers this Christmas. Pray that next Christmas they will experience their first Christmas as a worshiper of God.  

Free Course on New Covenant Theology

For those who want to go deeper in New Covenant Theology, In-Dept Studies offers a free online course. Get your Bible and click here to get started!

The Story of Santa Claus

I love reading about history. I am a big fan of World War II and church history. That is one of the reasons I find Kevin Deyoung's blog about the history of St. Nicholas so interesting. In my church history class, I read a little about St. Nick and his involvement with the Nicene Creed. It encouraged me to stand up against the false teachers of our day. I hope you enjoy the blog as much as I did. Here is a link to Deyoung's blog. Enjoy!

Is the virgin birth crucial to Christianity?

Let me start out by saying yes.....the virgin birth is critical to the Christian faith. Matthew 2:22-23 reads, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel." This was spoken 600 years before Jesus was born by the prophet Isaiah!

We live in a world where the authenticity of the virgin birth is being attacked. Some would say it is a mythological view of the Christmas story, others would say "what difference does it make?" Granted the Christmas story does have some mythological aspects to it. For example, the magi or wise men did not visit Jesus the day He was born. They did come to see Jesus however Jesus was in a house at the time of the visit (Matthew 2:11).

The virgin birth really happened and had to happen for Jesus to be born. Jesus is in perfect unity with the the Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus chose to come to earth, being 100% God and 100% man, to "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Jesus came to earth to die. And the best, most perfect, and only way for Jesus to come to earth was through a virgin birth. Jesus chose to come to sinful humanity; a humanity that rejects Him, mocked Him, disobeyed Him, added to His law, took away from His law, and did not even recognize the one that created them: so that He could die on the cross, rise from the grave and redeem those whom the Father has given Him (John 6:65). The virgin birth is the only way the King could come to the earth.

This Christmas season I am reminding myself of how Jesus came to the earth. Without the virgin birth we would not have Christianity. Jesus does not have a earthly, biological father. This is seen in the way Matthew describes the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter one. When describing the relationship between Jesus and Joseph, Matthew writes, "the Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ." Notice it does not read, and Joseph the father of Jesus!

As we move on in this world, fight for the virgin birth. The Scriptures are very clear on this issue. The world (and even some professing Christians) is going to deny or downplay the virgin birth. As I was reading the birth of Jesus last night, I was reminded of this essential truth, and I am going to fight for the virgin birth!