Al Mohler Recommends Some Christian Biographies

Here is a helpful link from an avid Christian reader. It recommends and introduces 10 Christian biographies.

If you are wondering which one to start with, Mohler recommends the one on Martin Luther.

The Resurrection

Here is a quote from John Calvin regarding the absurdity of the resurrection, were it not revealed from God:

There is nothing that is more at variance with human reason than this article of faith. For who but God alone could persuade us that bodies, which are not liable to corruption, will, after having rotted away, or after they have been consumed by fire, or torn in pieces by wild beasts, will not merely be restored entire but in a greatly better condition. Do not all our apprehensions of things straightway reject this thing as fabulous, nay, most absurd? (John Calvin, Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians, 2:46)

Praise God that we have a God who reveals truth we would not know otherwise. Praise God we have a God who has conquered death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and offers life in His name.

In Christ

Pastor Mike Walters

The Good Leader

This morning, I was reading in Proverbs 31 and was struck by the advice given to King Lemuel in verses 1-9.  It was instruction on what a good king is to and not do.  It seems that the following principles can be applied to any in leadership or positions of power.

1. Don’t be distracted by pleasure, particularly by the desires for illicit sex (31:3).  Just think of all the leaders who have been brought down by sexual immorality.  It is a sobering thought.
2. Don’t do anything that will dull your abilities to understand, apply and enforce God’s Law (31:4)
3. Give comfort to those who are dying and despairing (31:6-7)
4. Defend the helpless (31:8-9).  Be extremely careful to speak up for those without a voice or resources.
5. Actively speak out for righteousness (31:9)
6. Make sure your judgments (and decisions) are righteous (31:9)

As I look through this list, it convicts me.  The American evangelical church fails in many of these areas.  May God convict us.  May we repent.  May He raise up leaders and congregations who will be devoted to righteous leadership, as He defines it.  And, may He bless our nation with governmental leaders who will lead in accordance with these principles, as well as the many others throughout His Word.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

How Old Should Someone Be to Baptized

Here is a link to an article dealing with this question: click here.  The post doesn’t offer a specific age, but presents some important things to consider.

Personally, I lean towards encouraging those younger than 12 to wait.  I don’t have a direct scripture for this, but like the post above, think too many kids below 12 have not fully formed their own convictions.  They typically don’t understand the meaning and symbolism of baptism and membership in the church.

Pastorally, I will baptize those younger than 12 if they ask themselves, their parents are supportive and think they are giving good evidence of belief, and they can articulate their faith and the Biblical meaning of baptism.  I recognize this is subjective, but my goal is not to withhold baptism to a genuine believer or to administer baptism to an unbeliever.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Resurrection Hymn

Here is a link to one of the songs we will be singing in our church this Lord’s Day.  It goes by two titles: See What a Morning or Resurrection Hymn.  There is a brief segment of the song you can listen to in order to learn the tune.

I would encourage you to read and meditate on the words.  Then praise God for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

The Bible on Spanking for California Legislators

Check out this link for an excellent explanation of why the Bible requires parents to spank their children as a loving and normal part of raising them up to love and honor God (link).  It is a Bible Study that Ralph Drollinger presented to some of the California state legislators.

As a resident of California and a parent, I am really glad there are people like Ralph Drollinger ministering to the legislators on capitol hill.  As some of you may know, there has recently been an effort to ban spanking of children under 4 in California.   This is a horrible idea that I personally oppose.

Please be praying for Ralph as he ministers in California.  I expect he will be facing some opposition for taking this stand.  Also, please be praying that the legislators in California will act with wisdom on this issue.  Pray that they will not make parenting more difficult for those who want to honor God.

A Testimony of God’s Grace

Tim Challies has encouraged Christian bloggers to post their testimonies this Tuesday.  I thought it was a good idea, so here is mine:

The Lord saved me by His grace on December 19, 1993. Here is how it happened.

I grew up in what I consider a typical American middle class home. My family attended church regularly, but that was about the extent of our Christianity. Apart from an hour on Sunday, there was very little discussion of who Jesus was or what place God should have in our lives.

As I headed off to college, I rapidly jettisoned any involvement with the Christian faith. I went to the University of Southern California. I was aware of groups like Campus Crusade and even had some friends who tried to get me involved. Unfortunately, I also had some friends who were involved with a cult, the Los Angeles Church of Christ. Because the cult claimed to be Christian I associated everything about Christianity with the cult that was destroying my friends and wanted nothing to do with Jesus. So, I spent my college years studying and having fun, but with no real spiritual input.

In 1993 I graduated from USC. Since I was an Air Force ROTC student, I had a four year commitment to the Air Force. However, they could not take me immediately, so I went to graduate school in Ohio for a year. My goal was to eventually become a History professor at the Air Force Academy or the Air War College.

It was while I was in Ohio that God began to move in my life. I started going to church because I thought that was what Air Force Officers did. I began to read the Bible a little, just to know what it said. Little did I know that God was preparing me for a Christmas visit with my family. My Uncle Jack is an accomplished officer and committed Christian. All of my extended family members who follow the Lord trace their conversion back to his witness. In the providence of God, I headed to his house a week before the rest of the family to do research in the National Archives.

On December 19, 1993 the first Sunday I was there, Jack took me to church with his family. In the discussion afterward, he recognized that I did not understand the gospel or have a relationship with Jesus; although I would have claimed to be a Christian. Jack took the time to share the truth of the gospel with me. God in His mercy decided to open my eyes to the truth and save me. That afternoon I could not deny the simple truth of the gospel. God gave me faith and I committed my life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

As I headed back to Ohio, my Uncle encouraged me to go to a Bible-teaching church and look for an organization like Campus Crusade. I did. They took me under their wing, taught me the basics of my new faith and even gave me opportunities to serve. This pattern has continued throughout my life. Ultimately, God by His grace led me to get out of the Air Force, go to Seminary and serve the church as a pastor. My greatest joy in life is to see others find their satisfaction in Jesus and commit their lives to living for His glory.

As I consider what God has done in my life so far, I am amazed, humbled and grateful. I am truly an example of God’s grace. I was not looking for Him. I did not even realize I needed Him. I was successful and happy. But, I thank God that He put someone in my life that showed me the true nature of sin and grace. I give Him all the glory.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Perspective for Pastors of Small Churches

Here is a quote from Charles Simeon that encouraged me:

It was painful indeed to see the church, with the exception of the aisles, almost forsaken; but I thought that if God would only give a double blessing to the congregation that did attend, there would on the whole be as much good done as if the congregation were doubled and the blessing limited to only half the amount. This comforted me many, many times, when, without such a reflection, I should have sunk under my burden.

I found it in the following biographical sermon by John Piper: Brothers, we must not mind a little suffering.

Calvin on Scripture

Scripture has its authority from God not the church.

But a most pernicious error widely prevails that Scripture has only so much weight as is conceded to it by the consent of the church.  As if the eternal and inviolable truth of God depended upon the decision of men! (1:75)

The apostles had authority prior to the church because the apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church [see Ephesians 2:20] (1:75)

In order to accept Scripture as Scripture we need the witness of the Holy Spirit.  Calvin does acknowledge that there are rational proofs that God speaks in Scripture – proofs that should be accepted by all but the most hardened.  Yet, he clearly states that without the work of the Holy Spirit, no proof will be enough to convince them.

The testimony of the Spirit is more excellent than all reason.  For as God alone is a fit witness of himself in his Word, so also the Word will not find acceptance in men’s hearts before it is sealed by the inward testimony of the Spirit. The same Spirit, therefore, who has spoken through the mouths of the prophets must penetrate into our hearts to persuade us that they faithfully proclaimed what had been divinely commanded. (1:79)

Calvin concludes that Scripture is “self-authenticated” by the Holy Spirit and not by proof and reasoning. 

And the certainty it deserves with us, it attains by the testimony of the Spirit. (1:80)

Bonus word regarding “new revelation”.  This is not set in a context of modern claims that God still gives prophecy, but it seems to apply.

Now daily oracles are to sent from heaven, for it pleased the Lord to hallow his truth to everlasting remembrance in the Scriptures alone [cf. John 5:39] (1:74)

Knowing the Bible to Know God

Here are some reasons from Calvin’s Institutes why we need the Bible to know God:

Without the Bible we might seek out false gods:

“God, the Aritificer of the universe, is made manifest to us in Scripture, and that what we ought to think of him is set forth there, lest we seek some uncertain deity by devious paths.” (1:71)

The Bible makes faith unambiguous

“For by his Word, God rendered faith unambiguous forever, a faith that should be superior to all opinion.” (1:71)

The Bible preserves the truth of God forever

“Finally, in order that truth might abide forever in the world with a continuing succession of teaching and survive through all ages, the same oracles he had given to the patriarchs it was his pleasure to have recorded, as it were on public tablets.” (1:71)

The Bible keeps us from falling into error about God

“Suppose we ponder how slippery is the fall of the human mind into forgetfulness of God, how great the tendency to every kind of error, how great the lust to fashion constantly new and artificial religions. Then we may perceive how necessary was such written proof of the heavenly doctrine, that it should neither perish through forgetfulness nor vanish through error nor be corrupted by the audacity of men.” (p.72)

Brothers and Sisters if we want to know God we need to be diligent students of the Bible. It is the place He reveals Himself clearly. We also must thank Him graciously giving us the Bible. Without it, we would be lost in a fog of darkness and confusion.

Quotations taken from the McNeill, Battles 2 vol. edition.