My New ESV Study Bible Arrived -- Looks Like Everything We Hoped For!

The mailman just delivered my new ESV Study Bible, and so I spent much of my lunch break looking through it.  Oh, I'll have a few minor bones to pick with some of the study notes (i.e., Schreiner on Romans 2:6-11, although the note on Romans 7:14-25 is very good), but any study Bible which reproduces the Vos "two-age" model chart as the main feature of New Testament eschatology (p. 1804) can't be all bad!  There's even a chart including the "covenant futurist" view of Daniel 9:27 (p. 1608).

My initial sense is that the ESV Study Bible certainly meets, if not exceeds, some very high expectations.  The folks at Crossway are to be commended.

The binding looks pretty solid, but then so did the binding of my green ESV hardback (Classic Reference Edition) which didn't hold up at all.  Nothing a little duct-tape couldn't fix, however.

In any case, I'm thrilled.  The on-line version is truly amazing!  So, go get one! 

Who Said That?

"Heavenly Father, Open my heart to the silent presence of the Spirit of your Son.

Lead me into that mysterious silence where your love is received by all who call.

MARANATHA -- Come, Lord Jesus.

Begin repeating to yourself this one word (often called a mantra): `MA-RA-NA-THA', keeping the accent equally on each syllable. Do this throughout the time of prayer, which is usually 30 minutes, twice a day. Whenever you find thoughts or images coming to your mind, return to the mantra. If you are distracted from this repetition, gently return to it as soon as you are aware you have been distracted."

Leave your guess in the comments section below!  Please no google searches or cheating!  The whole point is to make a guess!

Update on Friday, October 17, 2008 at 02:45PM by Kim Riddlebarger

This quote is from John Main (1926-1982), a benedictine Monk, recently re-discovered by the emerging types. Main learned how to meditate from a "swami," and this is one of his favorite meditations.

You can find more of the same drivel here: Click here: John Main Prayer Association

Academy Audio Posted -- Amillennialism 101

Here's the link to Friday night's Academy lecture; "Christ: The True Israel."

http://links.christreformed.org/realaudio/A20081017-Amillenialism.mp3

"Draw Near to God" -- James 4:4-14

Here's the link to today's sermon on James 4:4-14:

http://links.christreformed.org/realaudio/KR20081019-James.mp3

Tonight's Academy Class -- Jesus Christ, the True Israel

Tonight's Academy lecture is entitled "Jesus Christ, the True Israel" and is part of my on-going series, "Amillennialism 101."

The Academy meets @ Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim.  The lecture begins at 7:30 PM.  For more information, Click here: Christ Reformed Info - Schedule of Academy Classes and Author's Forums

So, if you live in So Cal, have nothing better to do on a Friday night, come on out!

Update on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 01:44PM by Kim Riddlebarger

Scott Clark has written an important essay on this topic.  You may wish to check this out before Friday's lecture.  You can find it here:  http://www.wscal.edu/clark/israel.php

Update on Friday, October 17, 2008 at 02:34PM by Kim Riddlebarger

Some of you have asked about the handout I mentioned during our initial discussions of the "two-age" model. Here's a list of biblical passages dealing with "this age" and the "age to come," which I believe to be the basic eschatological structure of the New Testament. More handouts to come as our series progresses.

http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/the-two-age-model-chart/Two%20Age%20Model%20Biblical%20Texts.pdf

Warring Monks, Front Row Seats for the Second Advent and Other Weird Stuff from Around the Web

So, while monks fight over access to the roof, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is falling apart.  A recent article from the Times Online contains this gem.  "The church has been vigilantly managed by six competing and often fractious Christian denominations — Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic, Syrian Orthodox and Ethiopian — since an agreement reached under Ottoman law in 1757. Rival denominations often battle for access or space and the congregation at the annual Easter service sometimes resembles the terraces of a boisterous football match. The keys to the main entrance of the church have been held by a Muslim family since the 12th century because the Christians do not trust one another."  I've been there, and witnessed this on-going feud firsthand.  Amazing.   Click here: Warring monks threaten destruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - Times Online

Here's a piece from the Jerusalem Post (a rather respected publication), on how land prices near the temple mount will skyrocket because of speculators wanting a front row seat for the Second Advent.  You just can't make this stuff up.  And people ask me why I am interested in eschatology.  Let me just say, keeping up with this stuff is never dull.  Click here: When the Messiah comes... | Jerusalem Post

Here's an interesting essay on two-kingdom responsibilities (specifically voting) from a Lutheran perspective (Uwe Siemon-Netto).  Click here: The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - The Lutheran Witneness

Think about this headline for a moment . . .  What a novel idea????  Who would have thunk????  Click here: CNS STORY: Pope emphasizes that theology, Scripture must go hand in hand

The Canons of Dort, Second Head of Doctrine, Article Nine

Article 9: The Fulfillment of God's Plan

This plan, arising out of God's eternal love for his chosen ones, from the beginning of the world to the present time has been powerfully carried out and will also be carried out in the future, the gates of hell seeking vainly to prevail against it.  As a result the chosen are gathered into one, all in their own time, and there is always a church of believers founded on Christ's blood, a church which steadfastly loves, persistently worships, and--here and in all eternity--praises him as her Savior who laid down his life for her on the cross, as a bridegroom for his bride.
___________________________________

In concluding the second head of doctrine, the authors make the obvious and important point that nothing whatsoever can thwart God’s redemptive purposes--not human sin, nor the sinful human will.  God's plan is perfect, and God's purposes are immutable.

As stated above, God has decreed to save sinners whom has known by name from all eternity (Psalm 139, Ephesians 1:4).  God chose to save his elect in Christ, who has now accomplished everything that is necessary for our redemption.  The blessed Holy Spirit then applies the merits of Christ to these elect sinners, creating faith and sealing them until the day of redemption (cf. Ephesians 1:3-14).  Since it is the Triune God who acts to save his people from their sins, nothing can frustrate God’s plan of redemption.

Scripture clearly teaches us that the gates of hell can never prevail against Christ, or his church (Matthew 16:18).  Scripture tells us that there will always be a church of Jesus Christ upon the earth (Matthew 28:20), though in some ages and places Christ’s church may be small, persecuted, and struggling, while in other times and places, it will be large, triumphant, and prosperous. 

As the Canons remind us, the church is Christ’s chosen bride, and even now our gracious God is preparing this bride for his own Son.  One day that church, composed of all those chosen Christ, will be a radiant bride who is without wrinkle, spot or blemish—a church which has been purchased from every race, tribe and tongue under heaven, to God's own honor and glory. 

This is what God has decreed to do, and this is what he does.  Because of his unspeakable grace to those of us who deserve eternal punishment, God's unshakable plan of redemption reminds us that instead of getting what we deserve (eternal punishment), we are now the bride of Christ, and we will spend eternity in God’s presence, worshiping our Triune Creator-Redeemer for endless ages.

To God alone be the glory!

Mike Horton Has "Issues"

Mike Horton was interviewed on "Issues, Etc" by Pastor Todd Wilken.  They discussed Michael's forthcoming book, Christless Christianity.  I think you'll enjoy the interview.

Here's the link to the interview:   http://www.issuesetc.org/podcast/Show78101508H2.mp3

Here's a link to the Christless Christianity website, should you want more info on Michael's book and DVD:  Click here: Christless Christianity by Michael Horton

The ESV Study Bible On-line and Other Interesting Stuff from Around the Web

Justin Taylor (managing editor) posted a link to the Gospel of Matthew from the new on-line version of the ESV Study Bible.  If you buy one of the Bibles, the entire on-line Bible will be available to you as well.  You simply have to check this out to believe it!  If the ESV Study Bible doesn't become an indispensable study tool for everyone who loves God's word, I'll be very surprised.  Click here: ESV Online Study Bible | Crossway 

On the other hand, we have the "Testament," a so-called "Bible" filled with pictures of celebrities and set up to look like Harper's Bazaar or Us.  Talk about a contrast with the preceding.  Click here: Flashy "Bible" seeks to inspire the ADHD generation - WalletPop Blog

Our confessional Lutheran friend Chris Rosebrough (who is one the founders of Pirate Radio--Click here: Pirate Christian Radio - Pietists Beware!) deserves combat pay.  He's been living blogging the "Reveal" conference at Willow Creek.  Good on him for doing this.  Now that is taking a bullet for the team!  Chris is a sharp guy and he's describing some very scary stuff which is certain to appear soon at a church near you!  Click here: Extreme Theology

Elections always seem to bring out the worst in evangelicals and transformationists of every stripe.  Here's an Evangelical Free Church pastor calling down covenant curses upon those who don't vote for McCain.  Meanwhile, I'm very thankful Christ bore the covenant curse for me and in my place.   Click here: Pro-McCain Pastor Casts Election as Religious Contest - FOXNews.com Elections 

"They Did Not Cast Them Out Completely" -- Judges 1:1-36

The Second in a Series of Sermons on the Book of Judges

While we’ll need to read between the lines to see it, in the opening chapter of the Book of Judges there is already strong evidence that Israel failed to complete the task YHWH assigned to them.  That task was to drive all the Canaanites out of the land of promise and then occupy all the land that the Canaanites formerly inhabited so that the displaced Canaanites could not make their way back into Canaan and resettle there.  The failure of Israel to do as the LORD commanded will bear much sad fruit as the generations begin to go by.  Because of the pagan influence exerted upon Israel by the Canaanites, slowly but surely, the people of Israel will begin to turn their backs on YHWH and do what is right in their own eyes instead of obeying the commandments of God.  As that happens, the Israelites will begin to worship and serve Canaanite “gods” as well as engage in all kinds of Canaanite religious practices.  And just as Joshua had warned them in his farewell speech, the people of Israel will soon find themselves coming under the covenant curses, all the while crying out to YHWH for deliverance.

We continue our new series on the Book of Judges as we turn our attention to the opening chapter of this very interesting yet perplexing book.  Last time we dealt with “big picture” stuff and devoted our time to introductory matters regarding the background and major themes of the Book of Judges.  The Book of Judges tells the story of Israel repeatedly falling into sin, God then sending calamity upon his disobedient covenant people as a form of judgment, with God’s people then crying out to him for deliverance, before God sends a series of “judges” or deliverers (tribal leaders), who will pull the people of God back from the brink of disaster.  In all of this we see God’s longsuffering mercy toward his people.  We also see the innate tendency of the sinful human heart to worship and serve false “gods.”  This is a book in which we see the people of God do things which are difficult for us to imagine.  We will also see God rescue them in the most surprising of ways.

After the death of Joshua it did not take long for Israel to fall away from YHWH and begin to embrace the religion of the Canaanites.  In Judges 2:11-12 we learn of the sorry condition of Israel which characterized this entire period.  “And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals.  And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt.  They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the Lord to anger.”  Not only were the people of Israel soon serving Baal instead of YHWH, but they were provoking YHWH (their shield and defender) to wrath, bringing down his judgment upon their own nation. 

Not only can the pagan “gods” (especially Baal) do nothing for God’s people in terms of rescuing them from storms and increasing fertility–since the Baals were nothing but the figment of the sinful imagination–but the people of Israel had witnessed God’s great power and how he sent fear throughout the Canaanites when Israel entered the land.  Because of this, the Israelites were completely without excuse for turning away from YHWH.  Ironically, the people of Israel will find the same things happening to them that God did to the Canaanites.  As the author of Hebrews puts it (Hebrews 10:31), “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  The Canaanites learned this to be true when they suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of Israel under the leadership of Joshua.  Now God’s own people must learn this lesson as well.  Covenant blessings are much better than covenant curses.

To read the rest of this sermon, click here