Modern Paganism, Rich People, and Sister Aimee

It is easy to think of pagan rituals as something tied to the ancient past.  This photo essay of contemporary images of European paganism is not only creepy, but a reminder of how prone the human heart is to worship the earth and its creatures.  Seems like Paul knew what he was talking about in Romans 1.  Pagan Rituals

Who are the twenty-five richest people who ever lived (adjusted for inflation)?  Only two contemporary Americans made the list.  You get two gold stars if you've even heard of the richest guy (# 1).  The 25 Richest People

Here's an interesting essay (complete with photos, then and now) on Aimee Semple McPherson's Angelus Temple--she was a huge national celebrity complete with the scandals to go with it, and Angelus Temple was LA's first mega-church.  Chuck Smith and Jack Hayford's theological roots are here as well.  Sister and Angelus Temple

"Blessed Is the Man" -- Psalm 1

A Sermon on Psalm 1

The Book of Psalms was the hymnal of ancient Israel, composed of 150 songs which reflect a whole range of human emotions from despair to jubilation.  The Psalter is divided into five books, written by different authors over the course of much of Israel’s history.  But the Psalms are closely tied to the life and times of David (Israel’s most prominent king), and many of the Psalms reflect Israel’s worship of YHWH during this turbulent period in the nation’s history.  The Psalter is one of the most beloved portions of God’s word, and the book of Psalms provides Christ’s church with its song, and serves as the foundation for much of the devotional life of God’s people.

We begin a new series on the Book of Psalms.  The goal of this series is direct our attention to select Psalms so as to stir in our hearts a desire to read, study, reflect upon, and sing this wonderful portion of God’s word.  The more we know about the book of Psalms, the greater our desire to read and sing them as God’s people have done throughout the ages.  During this series we will cover select Psalms ascribed to various writers (i.e., David, Moses, Asaph, the Sons of Korah).  We will also look at different types and genres of Psalms.  There are Psalms of praise, Psalms of lament (sixty-seven of them), there are imprecatory Psalms (which invoke God’s judgment on his enemies), there are messianic Psalms (which prefigure the coming of Christ), there are “enthronement” Psalms (which speak of God as king and ruler of all), there are wisdom Psalms (which reveal to us wisdom from God), and there are Psalms of trust, (which express confidence in God’s power, and in God’s faithfulness in keeping his covenant promises.  And we will look at some of our favorite Psalms, such as the so-called “Shepherd Psalm’ (Psalm 23).

There are a number of names attached to the 150 Psalms.  73 of the Psalms are ascribed to David (king of Israel).  Twelve Psalms are ascribed to Asaph (who was one of David’s three temple musicians, along with Heman and Jeduthun).  Eleven Psalms are ascribed to the Sons of Korah (who were a guild of temple singers), three are ascribed to Jeduthun (a Levite), two are connected to Solomon, as well as one each to Moses, Heman (a grandson of Samuel), and Ethan (a symbol player in David’s court and thought by some to be another name for Jeduthun).  The remainder of the Psalms are unattributed.  With the exception of Moses, the others to whom various Psalms are ascribed are mentioned throughout the two books of Chronicles, so we know certain details about them and their service of YHWH.  So even through not all of the Psalms were written by David, it is reasonable to speak, as many do, of the “Psalms of David” since the vast majority of them are ascribed to David or his known associates.

The Psalter is divided into five books, which, as some have suggested, mirror the five books of the Moses (the Pentateuch).  Book One includes the first 41 Psalms–all of which (with the exception of a couple of unattributed Psalms) are ascribed to David.  Most of these Psalms speak of distress and trial, and there is a constant refrain throughout Book One that God alone can save his people.  Book Two (Psalm 42-72) includes several Psalms attributed to the Sons of Korah, and one ascribed to Asaph (Psalm 50).  These Psalms include various laments and prayers for deliverance during times of trouble.  Book Two ends with a Psalm ascribed to Solomon (Psalm 72), a royal Psalm with strong messianic themes.

To read the rest of this sermon:   Click Here

Shane Rosenthal Has Issues

White Horse Inn producer, Shane Rosenthal, was on Issues, Etc., today with Todd Wilken discussing "Faith Formation in the Family," which dove-tails with our current White Horse Inn series on youth ministry.  Here's the link:  Click Here

This Week at Christ Reformed Church (May 19-25)

Sunday Morning (May 18, 2014):  We are covering select Psalms for the next few weeks.  This coming Lord's Day we will be considering Psalm 46. 

Sunday Afternoon:  Ken Samples is leading our catechism service which begins @ 1:15 p.m. 

Wednesday Night Bible Study (May 21, 2014):  In our "Studies in the Book of Revelation," we are covering Revelation 19 and the Marriage Supper of Christ the lamb.  Bible Study begins at 7:30 p.m.

Friday Night Academy (May 23):  We are continuing our series "In the Land of Nod" dealing with the two kingdoms.  As we move into part two of the series, my lecture is entitled, "A Church-Driven Purpose:  The Marks and Mission of Christ's Church."

If you wish to catch-up and review the previous lectures in this series, you can find them here:  Audio of Academy Lectures

For more information and directions, check out the Christ Reformed website:  Christ Reformed Church

"I Delight to Do Your Will, O My God" -- A Sermon on Psalm 40

Here's the audio from this morning's sermon on Psalm 40

Click Here

Audio from Friday Night's Academy Lecture (5/16/14)

Here's the audio from Friday night's Academy lecture, dealing with the Reformed tradition's reflection upon the relationship between Christ's kingdom, and the civil kingdom.

Reformed Tradition on the Two Kingdoms

Note: The audio file is badly distorted--we did our best
to clean it up and may need to re-record it (sorry for the inconvenience).

This Week's White Horse Inn

Keeping Our Kids, Part 1

On this edition of White Horse Inn, Michael Horton talks with Greg Koukl and Brett Kunkle from Stand to Reason about various strategies of passing the faith on to the next generation. In particular, Brett discusses his own crisis of faith during his first semester of college and how that crisis affects his unique approach toward youth ministry.

Click Here

Friday Feature -- Police Squad

I miss Frank Drebin and Police Squad . . .

A Brief Review of Logos' Reformed Library Base Package

Logos Bible Software's new Reformed "base packages" library is certainly worthy of a brief review (Reformed Library Base Packages).

First, Full Disclosure: 

I was given a free review copy of the Platinum Reformed base package.  I was asked to evaluate the package before offering any sort of promotional comments--which I did.  I was also asked to write a review of the product with no strings attached.  In other words, I was never pressured to write a positive review, nor to say anything favorable about the software, if I didn't like it.  I was encouraged to speak my mind, and so I will.

About Logos 5.0:

The basic program is mind-blowing.  I first purchased Logos 3.0 years ago when it was first released, and used it occasionally.  But I'm a book guy at heart, so I would rather look at a book than my computer screen, despite the speed and search features Logos offered.  But that was back in the days before the advent of cheap 20 inch plus computer monitors, or the existence of iPads and android tablets.  A larger monitor makes Logos much easier to read and utilize--almost as good as a real book.  Almost.  And the constant electronic companion changes the game completely.  You buy a base package, and all of your resources are also available across your portable electronic devices. 

I've used version 5.0 with the Platinum base package for a few months now, and I am beginning to get familiar with it.  Logos has a number of helpful tutorials and great support (https://www.logos.com/videos); (https://www.logos.com/advanced-training).  No complaints here.

I've used Excel just enough through the years to know that it can do a whole bunch more than I'll ever ask it to do.  The same holds true for Logos 5.0.  I simply don't have the time to completely master it (the learning curve is steep although the system is very intuitive).  However, the features in 5.0 make the time I have spent learning it well worthwhile, even though I've probably maxed out with what I will be able to do with it.  No complaints here either.

What You Get:

At the Platinum level the Reformed Library base package is absolutely loaded with great resources--what you would expect from a "deluxe" software package.  You get the Logos 5.0 software, and a host of resources (of which I'll list but a few--the link above will allow you to see all that is available with the various packages and what is included in them).

• The writings of the Church Fathers--all 37 volumes
• The works of John Calvin (including his commentaries, tracts, and letters, as well as  multiple editions of the Institutes)
• Richard Muller's Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics (all four volumes)
• Herman Bavinck's Four Volume Systematic Theology
  
• The complete works of John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, B. B. Warfield, Charles Hodge, Louis Berkhof, and Geerhardus Vos--all in one place, all searchable, and all accessible on any number of portable devices. 

I've since purchased Michael Horton's The Christian Faith and Turretin's Institutes of Elenctic Theology (which is soon to be released), and they are fully searchable as well.

Searching through all these resources instantaneously for how a particular biblical text is handled, or to look-up how a particular doctrine is addressed/defined, etc., in any and all of these works is simply invaluable. 

The Starter and Bronze Packages obviously have fewer resources than the more expensive packages; Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.

But Is There Too Much Included?

If you have cable TV and the four hundred channels which come with basic cable--three quarters of which you'll never watch--then you'll understand my minor complaint.  This is how the Logos Reformed base package strikes me.  In addition to the really useful stuff described above, there is a whole bunch of stuff I'll never use.

Frankly, there are a number of "resources" included in the package which make no sense.  I seriously doubt that I'll ever have the occasion to search or utilize Rousas J. Rushdoony's Systematic Theology.  There are far too many biblical language and background helps, Bible versions (English and original languages) included which I will never use.  I know that someone must be looking at all those Greek manuscript fragments, but it isn't me.

The reality is you are paying for resources which are not useful, and which seem only to serve the purpose of padding the number of advertised titles available.  Granted, many of these likely do not add much, if anything to the base package price, but they do "gum-up" the works a fair bit.

I would love to see a slimmed down version of the Logos 5 Software with a true cafeteria plan.  You pay a reasonable price for the program and a few essentials (like Calvin's works, Hodge's commentaries and Systematic Theology--standard fare kinds of things).  Then you can purchase separately each of the additional resources you truly want and will actually use--at a good discount once you purchase the base system.  While this approach makes perfect sense to me, I'm sure the Logos sales people can argue why the graduated base packages make more marketing sense, or give you more bang for the buck. 

But just as I don't wish to pay for Spanish language TV channels on my cable system, I don't want to get stuck with Rushdoony's Systematic Theology, only because I want some other Reformed writer/work whose works just happen to be included in the same package with Rushdoony's.

Are the Logos Reformed Base Libraries Worth the Price?

Yes, and no.  Like anything else, some will buy the appropriate base package, and soon find it absolutely indispensable, and will use it constantly. 

Sadly, others will max out their credit card simply to buy the newest goodies (there is a book lust factor here, no doubt) and not really know what they have, or how to fully utilize it.  Such a person reasons, "it is new and I must have it."  Others will buy it and never use it, because they soon realize that they like real books better than images of real books on their computer screens.

There is no question that the software, the base packages, the ease of usage (especially for searching, etc.) are first rate--this is a high quality product.  In the case of the Logos 5.0 software and Reformed base packages, you will truly get what you pay for.  Logos is expensive because the product is very good.

Personal factors will determine the final decision whether or not to spend the money.  One factor for for me in this favorable review is that I cannot tell you how nice it is to carry an entire library of Reformed theology with me everywhere I go.  At church, or Bible study, the Academy, taping the White Horse Inn (or whatever it may be), the value of having access to a massive library at all times is huge.

The other is the quality of the software--the searches across a range of sources, hyper-links to Bible verses, footnotes, etc., immediate access to resources of all kinds while preparing sermons or writing essays--make this product well-worth the price, for someone like me.  I will use it many hours every week.  

That said, the Logos Reformed base packages are not for everyone.  There is no doubt this is a quality product.  But it is rather expensive, and if you do not have need of such a powerful program for use on a regular basis, then stick with kindle, or google books.  These can serve you well for much less.

Worth it?  Absolutely, if you have the means, and if you will use it for reasons such as those I've mentioned above.

Thanks to the folks at Logos for a great product!

"The Great Shepherd of the Sheep" -- Hebrews 13:17-25

The Twenty-Fifth and Final in a Series of Sermons on the Epistle to the Hebrews

By the time we come to the last chapter of the Book of Hebrews, we still know very little about the author of this epistle, and we know virtually nothing about the church receiving this remarkable letter.  We don’t even know in what city the church receiving this letter is located–Rome or Alexandria.  In the final chapter, the author implies that he personally knows those who were leading this church, and that he’s familiar enough with the congregation to tell them that he desires to return to see them again.  Although we don’t know much about the details of authorship and location, we do know the primary problem facing this church.  Many of its members had returned (or were considering returning) to Judaism from which they had recently converted to Christianity.  In response, the author skillfully proves to us that Old Testament types and shadows pointed ahead to Jesus Christ who is Israel’s Messiah, an eternal priest after the order of Melchizadek, and the mediator of the new covenant (with its greater promises).  Jesus has none of the human weaknesses of Moses and he secures much better covenant promises.  The author has made a compelling case for the superiority of Jesus Christ, as well as warning this congregation of the danger of neglecting such a great salvation and/or falling away from the savior.  And he now brings this letter to a close.

And so we wrap up our series on the Book of Hebrews.  When we took up the final chapter of this epistle (chapter thirteen), I mentioned that we could either cover the entire chapter in one sermon by rushing through it (which I did not really want to do), or we could cover it in two sermons, even though there was not a good place to break up the chapter.  So I took up the first sixteen verses last time (part one), while we conclude the chapter (part two) by covering verses 17-25.  But with this section of Hebrews completed, we will have finished our study of this epistle–a most powerful and remarkable epistle indeed. 

As we saw in the opening 16 verses of chapter thirteen of the Book of Hebrews, the author shifts from setting out his case for the superiority of Jesus Christ (mostly indicatives–which are a statement of fact, things we are to believe) to issuing a number of imperatives (commands which we are to obey).  These imperatives reflect the fact that those who have been made perfect by the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ should strive to live their lives in a manner consistent with that salvation secured for us by our covenant mediator.  

In the opening verses of this concluding chapter, the author exhorts the congregation to “let brotherly love continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers . . .” to “remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”  To “let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”  And to “keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have.”  All of these things are found throughout the New Testament’s ethical teaching and should characterize those who have believed the gospel and been united to Jesus Christ through faith.

To read the rest, Click Here