The Basics of the Reformed Faith -- The Covenant of Works

Here's the next installment in my series on basic Reformed doctrine on the Westminster Seminary California blog.

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Focus Group Tested Speech

The Beltway crowd is at it again.  Obama's speech on the debt ceiling was packed with focus group tested positive speech.  Words like "balance" and "compromise" apparently tested quite well (Obama kept repeating them), while pejoratives like "extreme" and "Tea-Party" tested poorly and produce a negative reaction when applied to one's political opponents, as Obama did.

The Reformed have their focus tested speech as well.  "Covenant" is a good Reformed word.  "Arminian" is a negative term.  When we wish to say something positive in our circles, we call it "covenantal" or tie it to "covenant."  When we wish to mark something off as problematic, we call it "Arminian," for obvious reasons, of course.

Apparently, the pre-trib rapture people have their focus tested speech as well.  One pre-trib rapture blog has a list of theologians/pastors and ranks them as to whether they are a "good apple" or a "bad apple" (check this out, it really is a hoot--Good and Bad Apples on the Bible Prophecy Blog).

Here's the "Bible Prophecy blog" description of that "bad apple," R. C. Sproul.

"A brilliant scholar and founder of Ligonier Ministries and ligonier.org, he is probably best known in prophecy circles for his support of preterism.  He is a `partial preterist' which claims the events of most of the book of Revelation occurred during the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., yet there will be a future bodily return of Jesus Christ.  A difficult, confusing model of Bible prophecy, few scholars accept this form of eschatology which has roots in liberal covenant and reformation theology.  He, along with other scholars, authored the Reformation Study Bible.  He is a professor, pastor, teacher, conference speaker and author.  He writes against the pre-tribulation rapture position."

When I think of R. C. "brilliant" certainly comes to mind, but "liberal"?  Apparently, "liberal," "covenant" and even "Reformational" are negative focus tested words in this circle.

We can have some fun with this.  How about some examples of "focus tested speech" found in the Christian world?  Leave them in the comments section below.

Christian "Terrorists", the Crusades, and Ecclesiology

Mike Horton addresses the tragedy in Norway on the White Horse Inn blog.  Behring Breivik is a child of the Enlightenment, not a follower of Christ.  Enlightenment Terrorist

Dr. Robert Godfrey addresses the two kingdom confusion associated with the Crusades -- important to consider in light of Breivik's ranting.  The Crusades

And then for something completely different, PCA pastor Terry Johnson (with whom I served on the Westminster Seminary California board) wrote a great essay on the importance of a sound ecclesiology in light of the "evangelical" disinterest in the church.  The Importance of the Church

How I Love the Bureaucrats! Let Me Count the Ways!

Pythagorean Theorem: 24 words

Lord's Prayer: 66 words

Archimedes' Principle: 67 words

10 Commandments: 179 words

Gettysburg address: 286 words

Declaration of Independence: 1,300 words

U.S. Constitution with all 27 Amendments: 7,818 words

U.S. Government regulations on sale of cabbage: 26,911 words

(h.t. Rod Rosenbladt)

This Week's White Horse Inn

The Road to Emmaus

What is the Bible principally about? Some say it’s about life transformation, while others say it’s a recipe book for achieving health, wealth, and prosperity. But what if you had the chance to listen to Jesus himself explain the basic message of Scripture? Interestingly enough, this is exactly what we find in Luke chapter 24 as Jesus walks with his disciples on the road to Emmaus. On this edition of the White Horse Inn, the hosts walk through this fascinating chapter and discuss its implications for our understanding of Scripture.

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The Basics of the Reformed Faith -- Creation

Here's the next installment of my series on basic doctine at the Westminster Seminary California blog

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This Week's White Horse Inn

Conversations With Tullian Tchividjian and Thabiti Anyabwile

On this edition, Michael Horton talks with Tullian Tchividjian, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The conversation centers on Tullian’s forthcoming book, Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Later, Michael Horton talks with Thabiti Anyabwile, author of The Gospel for Muslims and The Decline of African American Theology: From Biblical Faith to Cultural Captivity. Thabiti is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands.

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The Basics of the Reformed Faith -- The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

Here's the link to the next installment of my series on the basics of the Reformed faith.

Valiant for Truth

Sell It on Ebay or Pay the IRS?

Christian Lopez had quite a day on Saturday.  When Derek Jeter hit number 3,000 into the left field seats, not only was it another great moment in Yankees history (yet another reason to be a Yankees fan), but a life-long Yankees fan caught the ball.  What a thrill for a loyal fan hoping to see another great moment at Yankee Stadium.

Good guy that he is, Mr. Lopez promptly gave the treasured ball to Derek Jeter.  Mind you, some say the ball was worth between 200-400K if Mr. Lopez sold it to the highest bidder!  Instead, he said the ball was rightly Jeter's and all he wanted was a hand shake from the man himself.

The Yankees obliged.  The 23-year old Mr. Lopez shook Jeter's hand as the cameras rolled, and the media hailed the young man as a sort of hero for so willingly giving up the ball to the Yankee captain.  Because of his graciousness, in return the Yankees gave Mr. Lopez several Jeter signed bats, balls, and jerseys plus season tickets in the top-end luxury suite, and for the post season, if there is one.  All those goodies, apparently, are worth more than $32,000.00.

Enter the IRS who will likely stick Mr. Lopez with a bill between 5K and 13K.  They say the same rules apply here as those who win prizes on Game Shows.  I'm not buying it.  Given my disdain for all things associated with the IRS--and yes, it is hard to think clearly about 2K issues when I dislike the DC Beltway crowd so much for both personal and political reasons--I see this as yet another illustration of Uncle Sam's shamlessness in picking our wallets to pay for his over-indulgence.  I'm all for rendering to Caesar, but . . .

Quite a dilemma.  Meet Derek Jeter, get some cool stuff, plus a bill for $13,000.00?  Or might it have been better to just drop the ball?  If I had caught it, and had my wits about me, I would have told everyone my name is "Zrim."

This Week's White Horse Inn

The Great Commission and the Great Commandment

Sometimes we confuse the Great Commission (making disciples through the gospel) with the Great Commandment (serving our neighbors through loving works), as if the official mission of the church is the same as the individual Christian’s many obligations in the world. If Christians are called to citizenship, social justice, and good works in the world, does this mean that the calling of the church as an institution is to transform the kingdoms of this age? This special edition of the White Horse Inn was recorded live at The Gospel Coalition in Chicago, and features special guest Julius Kim, associate professor of practical theology at Westminster Seminary California.

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