Dr. Francis Beckwith's Conversion

May 5, 2007 Posted by Roger Overton

It has recently become public knowledge that Dr. Francis Beckwith has returned to the Roman Catholic Church (he was raised RC). There has been some speculation and discussion around the blogspehere about his possible motives and such, but Dr. Beckwith has now made public his thought process, especially as his conversion relates to the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS). His post explains his decision to step down as president of the society and offers some of his rationale for conversion. I encourage those interested to read what he's said before judging him based on all the rumors and speculation. Though we strongly disagree with his reasons for converting, we appreciate his integrity and desire to do what's best for those who are impacted by it. His post is available at Right Reason, where he also posted some reflections on Biola University's new candidate for their president earlier this week.

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts 6 Comments »

Hypocritical Oath

May 2, 2007 Posted by Amy Hall

Yes, Roger and I are still alive. Life took a busy turn for both of us at once, but I should be back to posting regularly now, so be sure to stick around!

I'm back today because I just read a brilliant observation by Steve Wagner over on the STR Blog, and I want to direct you all to it. He's responding to this section of the statement given by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in response to the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the partial birth abortion ban:

We have seen a steady erosion of women's reproductive rights in this country. The Supreme Court's action today, though stunning, in many ways isn't surprising given the current culture in which scientific knowledge frequently takes a back seat to subjective opinion….

My first response to that statement when I read it last week was to object that we'd better have ethics (what they refer to as “subjective opinion”) at the center of our decisions rather than “scientific knowledge,” or we'll end up with more atrocities like this one. But Steve's deeper observation gets right to the core of the ACOG's hidden assumptions and reveals the hypocrisy inherent in their accusation:

My simple request: be consistent. Either put science first or don't. If you want science to trump subjective opinion…let's let science tell us when the unborn is a human being, okay? Science's answer is uncontroversial: it's a living, whole organism, of the human species. You might question the definitions of these terms, but if we know that you are a biological human being, we know the unborn is one too, from the moment she comes into being.

That's science. The ACOG might respond, as many scientists do, “Sure, the unborn is a biological human being, but it's too dependent and undeveloped to be a real human being.” Done with science so soon? How does any scientist know a certain level of development or independence determine our rights and value? Philosophical reflection. They are doing philosophy, which I assume is a synonym in the ACOG lexicon for “subjective opinion.”

Read the rest of Steve's post here.

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Ethics, Main Page, Science No Comments »

Meredith Kline (1922 – 2007)

April 15, 2007 Posted by Roger Overton

(HT: JT)

“It
is with great sadness and heavy heart that we say goodbye to Dr.
Meredith G. Kline, who passed away on Friday night, April 13, 2007.
Dr. Kline greatly influenced me personally through his writings, which
constantly led me back to our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet, even
in the midst of the sadness at our loss, there is also rejoicing that
Meredith has now been joined with the crucified and risen Lamb of God
in Heaven. Heaven was one of the major themes in Meredith's writings
and it is a great comfort to us all that what was once his by faith is
now his by sight. May our dear brother now rest from his labors in his
sabbath rest in Christ as he has already entered glory through the first resurrection and as he awaits with anticipation the even more glorious second resurrection to come.”

Dr. Kline was one of the most prominent scholars of covenant theology. Those unfamiliar with his work should dive into the abundant resources available on this page. Some of the books he authored:

The Structure of Biblical Authority.Wipf and Stock, 1997.
Images of the Spirit. Baker Book House, 1980.
Kingdom Prologue, Two Age Press, 2000
Glory in Our Midst, A Biblical-Theological Reading of Zechariah’s Night Visions, Two Age Press, 2001
God, Heaven, and Har Magedon: A Covenantal Tale of Cosmos and Telos: Wipf and Stock, 2006.

UPDATE: Reflections on Dr. Kline:

Kim Riddlebarger
R. Scott Clark
Lee Irons

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts 2 Comments »

Whether They Listen or Not

April 12, 2007 Posted by Amy Hall

I've been a little discouraged lately as I've been reading the words of people who hate Christianity (not to mention Christians) and interacting with others who go round and round in circles of pseudo-intellectual misdirection, avoiding God at all cost. Then I came across this passage in Ezekiel:

I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” As for them, whether they listen or not–for they are a rebellious house–they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious (Ezekiel 2:4-7).

On the one hand, this is encouraging. I'm not experiencing anything unusual, here, and just as Ezekiel was commanded to speak God's truth regardless of the results, I should also speak the truth as God has commanded me. It's valuable for me to honor God by proclaiming His truth even if nobody turns toward it. But, oh, the grief and frustration! After all my efforts and prayers–no matter how intense, only the Holy Spirit can change people, not I. And when He chooses not to draw people to Himself, all I can do is look on helplessly as people refuse to see the truth and, instead, grow darker and darker. I fully believe that God has good, just, and merciful reasons for this, but that doesn't always make it emotionally easier, as Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, could tell you.

Nor does it make it easier to continue. I've had times when I've been able to put hope aside and simply honor God with my work and be satisfied, but the hopelessness is starting to drain me, leaving in its place something that scares me even more–apathy towards the lost. I don't want to stop caring about people or trying to help them, but lately I've caught myself shrugging my shoulders and thinking, “What's the use?”

I can only pray for God's mercy through Psalm 51:10-13:

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners will be converted to You.

May it be, Lord Jesus!

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Apologetics, Main Page, Poetry/Scripture/Liturgy/Etc. 6 Comments »

Book Review: An Emergent Manifesto of Hope

April 9, 2007 Posted by Roger Overton

An Emergent Manifesto
of Hope is a large collection of essays by leaders and participants in the
emerging church edited by Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones. This loose collection of
writers is united generally by faith and friendship and brings to the table
some diversity as to how their emerging faith and friendship should be
practiced. Due to the nature of the book, each chapter will be individually
summarized and reviewed below (my reflections begin after each *):

Growing
Pains by Mark Scandrette: Friendships and communities are the
foundation for what is being done in the emerging church and are vitally
important for the “Kingdom
of God” being lived
out. *Mr. Scandrette speaks of the questions being asked within these
communities (such as “What is the message of Jesus?”) but does not attempt
to explain how these questions are answered.
Meeting
Jesus at the Bar by Heather Kirk-Davidoff: According to Mrs.
Kirk-Davidoff, the best way to evangelize is through relationships. It’s
not about “recruiting” people to Christianity, but conversing with others
about life. *While she tries to deny “recruitment” mentality, her
motivation for evangelism is still the same.
What
Would Huckleberry Do? By Nanette Sawyer: Ms. Sawyer contends that we
should not be concerned with categories or boundaries but with loving
people. Traditional interpretations don’t work and are broken by
paradoxes, but love guides all things. *The result of this perspective is
a biblically uninformed view of love. A love not directed by biblical
boundaries can become less than loving and lead away from the God of the
Bible.
The
Postmodern Parent by Carla Barnhill: Parents are not to be
“instructors” but are to share life with their children. Children should
be valued members of the community because of imago dei. Spiritual maturity isn’t really about being
well-behaved but being socially acclimated and experienced. *This seems to
promote the “parents as friends” model that offers few boundaries and
direction from experienced authorities (parents). Parents should guide by
example, but must also instruct and discipline.
The
Art of Emergence by Troy Bronsik:
Emergent is an exploration of faith (or story) and practice. It is like
art in that it creatively explores fresh expressions on the canvas of the
world. *The reader is left wondering what motivates the creative
expressions of Emergent.
An
Ever-Renewed Adventure of Faith by Sherry and Geoff Maddock: According
to the Maddocks, salvation isn’t so much about “saving souls” as it is
about manifesting God’s love and justice in the world. We must expand our
notion of salvation to include local communal living and caring for the
poor. *While Jesus did “reconcile all things to Himself,” He also redeemed
the elect, and the approach of this perspective neglects the elect.
Jailhouse
Faith by Thomas Malcom Olson: This chapter makes the point that
jailhouse conversion and rehabilitation are examples of Christian
community at work through stories from a prison ministry. *This chapter
bears great testimony to the power of God to change lives, but it’s
unclear what this has to do with the emerging church specifically.
The
Existing Church/Emerging Church Matrix by Tim Conder: Traditional and
emerging churches often clash resulting in little to no productivity. We
can begin to work together by focusing on three things: 1) common cultural
criticism 2) openness to historical traditions/theologies 3) Allowing for
diverse theological discussion. *Mr. Condor points out some good ways
forward. “Traditional” and emerging churches should realize more often
that we’re on the same page in criticizing modernity and some times
post-modernity. But biblical boundaries for theological discussion must be
emphasized.
The
American Catholic Merger-Church by Brian Mitchell: The Roman Catholic
practice of merging smaller parishes has unforeseen consequences for
ministry. There is an urgent need to address questions of leadership and
membership. *This chapter may be good and accurate, but I have no idea
what it’s doing in this book.
Presbymergent
by Adam Walker Cleaveland: Reflections are offered from Mr. Walker’s
struggle to be PC(USA) and Emergent. He sees himself as a “loyal radical.”
*It’s unclear whether he can be both well, especially considering how
clashes occur as noted in Tim Condor’s chapter.
Following
Jesus into Culture by Ryan Bolger: Dr. Bolger offers five aspects of godlike
movements that the Emergent
Church seeks to live
out: communal, reconciliation, hospitality, freedom, and spirituality.
*Most of the insights offered here are good and helpful. However, the
goodness, truth, and beauty of God are absent. Without Him in the picture,
there’s nothing necessarily Christian about the movement being described.
Church
Emerging by Brian McLaren: It’s time to stop debating “postmodern
epistemology” and shift to postcolonialism. We must make right the errors
of the past through progressive faith and “proper confidence.” *Mr.
McLaren makes some interesting points but never defines what his “proper
confidence” looks like as opposed to the extremes he criticizes. Some of
his controversial points are unsupported and he continues (as he has in
the past) to say things about his critics and then refuses to defend what
he says.
The
End of Reinvention by Will Samson: How we join in God’s work is
determined by our prior understanding of who God is and what He’s doing.
The desire for certainty, doctrines such as Sola Scriptura, and creedal
division have led us to misunderstand God and His work. Instead of seeking
to be right, we should seek to understand God within our current context
and community experience. *Though the chapter asks some good questions,
the diagnosis of the problem offered here is misguided and results in a
socially relativistic solution.
Converting
Christianity by Barry Taylor: Traditional religion cannot sustain
Christian faith into the future. We must seek an open faith lived out in
real world contexts. *The chapter is vague (the “religion” it rails
against is never defined) and borders on relativism. What is clear is that
the Christianity it advocates lacks biblical boundaries.
Leadership
in a Flattened World by Sally Morgenthaler: The mechanical CEO style
of leadership has been damaging the church. A crucial part of flattening
leadership is to promote more women into leadership. *We can agree about
the problems with CEO style leadership, but the solution commanded by the
Bible is to seek a plurality of male elders who serve their community.
The
Sweet Problem on Inclusiveness by Samir Selmanovic: Western Christians
have made an idol of Christianity. We must humble ourselves and accept
that there are truths we can learn from other religions. *Christianity is
the whipping boy never defined. Instead of looking to the Bible to explain
the Gospel and its relation to the world, Mr. Selmanovic argues for
unbiblical inclusivism.
Orthoparadoxy
by Dwight J. Friesen: Christians should seek to practice
orthoparadoxy- the right holding of tensions, paradoxes, and
contradictions. Good conversations and relationships are more important
than converting or debating. *There seems to be little value for knowledge
and seeking truth in this perspective. It ends up affirming orthopraxy at
the expense of orthodoxy.
Humble
Theology by Dan Kimball: It should be okay to explore theology with
humility. We must believe and discuss theology with humility, realizing
that our methodology flows from it. *An excellent chapter with important
correctives for those on both sides of the theological spectrum.
Leading
From the Margins by Tim Keel: The world is changing and requires
leaders who understand it. They must be able to shape environments where
people can grow in diverse ways. *A good but brief chapter with an
excellent emphasis on balancing the “left” and “right” brain in forms of
leadership.
Digging
Up the Past by Chris Erdman: We must realize that our future is
connected with our past. Karl Barth provides some historical context for
doing theology freely in urgent times. *Mr. Erdman offers a good
perspective on the importance of history and helpful application of
Barth’s methodology.
A
Pound of Social Justice by Rodolpho Carrasco: God is very serious
about social justice, so if we are concerned about doing God’s work, we
must invest in long-lasting relationships in our local communities with a
giving heart. *Mr. Carrasco offers the ministry of Harambee as an example
of how this can be done well and the result is an excellent picture of how
biblical social justice can happen today.
Emergent
Kissing by Karen E. Sloan: Too often the church only offers superficial
reflection on sexuality. We need to create environments where people are
able to discuss sexual sin and think critically about it. *This is a good
chapter that challenges the church to deal openly and aggressively with
sexual sin.
Our
Report Card in the Year 2057 by Deborah and Ken Loyd: We have
opportunities to help women, the poor, and the oppressed. The church is
called to recognize, seek out, and act in ways that bring justice to these
people. *The emphasis on helping the poor and oppressed is an important
reminder for the church today. Though some claims here lack support
(particularly controversial ones regarding women), the general call for
Christians to advance God’s Kingdom in these areas is necessary for the
church to hear.
Practicing
Pentecost by Anthony Smith: Racial division still infects the North
American church because it’s still clinging to the teachings of modernity.
We must repent and seek reconciliation. *The description of the problem is
not well argued- it’s not clear what acts of racial injustice are being
criticized. It is clear, though, that racial division is something that
must be crushed by the advancement of God’s Kingdom.
Restoring
Honor in the Land by Randy Woodley: Native Americans are still
suffering the consequences from having their land stolen and identities
broken. The Emergent
Church has shares
some core values with Native Americans and they may be able to help each
toward a better future. *The plight of the Native Americans is often
ignored or forgotten. There are at least some good suggestions offered
here for moving forward that should be heeded by the church universal, not
just the Emergent
Church.

One thing that should become clear to readers of this book
is that the Emergent
Church is not, nor is it
seeking to be, a monolithic movement. Voices in this book range in their views
of theology and the role of the Bible in their ministries- some calling the
church to fulfill its biblical mandates and some others straying from biblical
teaching.

An Emergent Manifesto
of Hope is valuable in that it presents a variety of Emergent practices and
theologies in the words of its promoters. Those who are looking to participate
or to better understand the movement will benefit from reading the volume.

Category Posted in Book Reviews, Emerging / Emergent Church, Main Page, Roger's Posts 2 Comments »

We Support Dr. Craig Hazen

March 28, 2007 Posted by Roger Overton

Dr. Craig Hazen, Director of the Masters of Apologetics program at Biola University, is currently a leading candidate to become President of the university. Unfortunately, this has brought attention back to some controversial things he's said about Mormonism over the past few years. Most of the current controversy is being inspired by Jill Rische who has accused him of blasphemy. The responses by Francis Beckwith and Greg Johnson on that blog (multiple posts) are well worth reading. Greg Koukl has also offered his thoughts on the situation. Amy has already sent a supportive letter to Biola, here is the one I just sent:

To Whom It May Concern,

Dr. Craig Hazen has come under renewed criticism by certain
Christian apologists due to his candidacy for President of Biola University. As
a friend of Dr. Hazen and student at Talbot School of Theology, I would like to
express my support for him and his candidacy.

Over the past few years, Dr. Hazen has been involved in two
controversial events having to do with Mormonism. The first was a “dialogue”
event at the Mormon Tabernacle where Ravi Zacharias was the main speaker and
Craig Hazen offered a prayer. The second was the publishing of a book by Mormon
theologian Robert Millet which was endorsed by Dr. Hazen and published by a supposedly
Christian press.

Jill Martin Rische has been the most vocal critic against
Craig Hazen claiming that his remarks constitute blasphemy. While I don’t agree
with every word Dr. Hazen used in those of these instances, but the accusation
of blasphemy is completely unfounded. Frankly, I wish Dr. Hazen had not
endorsed Robert Millet’s book, but nothing he said promotes or encourages
Mormonism. Dr. Hazen’s words do promote the search for truth and he has been
uncompromising about what the truth is. Mrs. Rische has even acknowledged this
stating, “In his own defense, Dr. Hazen argues he has spent his life telling
people that Mormonism is a false religion.” While I occasionally disagree with
Dr. Hazen over his methodology, to my knowledge he has never compromised the
Gospel or backed down from identifying Mormonism as “an achievement of the
devil.”

Mrs. Rische has cited 2 Cor. 6:14-18 in support of her
apparent view that Christians should not build relationships with
non-Christians in an effort to evangelize to them. However, following her
logic, Jesus was wrong for dining with prostitutes and tax collectors, and the
Apostle Paul was wrong for addressing the Areopagus as he did in Acts 17:22-34.
In fact, Dr. Hazen’s prayer at the Tabernacle even bears striking resemblance
to Paul’s address in that they both appeal to the non-Christian’s religious in
order to point them to the truth.

Through all of the criticisms that have been directed his
way, Dr. Hazen has maintained an attitude like that which Paul exhibited in
Philippians 1:15-18. Regardless of what is said about him, Dr. Hazen has shown
that his greatest desire is that the Gospel go forth into the world and
rigorously defended.

I know nothing of the other candidates for President of
Biola University, so I can say nothing of them. But of Dr. Craig Hazen I can
say that he is an incredible visionary who exemplifies what it means to act
with wisdom, knowledge, and character, even in the midst of harsh and
slanderous criticisms. I believe Dr. Hazen would make an outstanding President
and it is my hope that the accusations being made against him would not be held
against him.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Roger N. Overton

Category Posted in Main Page, Miscellaneous, Roger's Posts 12 Comments »

Get on the Highways!

March 23, 2007 Posted by Amy Hall

I guess it's A God Entranced Vision of all Things week. I want to share something with you from Donald S. Whitney's chapter, “Pursuing a Passion for God Through Spiritual Disciplines.”

Several years ago at a church I formerly attended, I went to someone in leadership for prayer and for some help and accountability in being more disciplined. My times praying and reading the Bible had slowly become less regular and less frequent, and I could tell this was negatively affecting my life. I desperately wanted the spiritual fruit and closeness to God I had previously enjoyed when I had been disciplined, but my soul had become fat and lazy, and getting started again was proving to be difficult.

After opening up my heart to this leader about my need, he responded that I shouldn't seek to be disciplined with my prayer and Bible study–that is, I shouldn't try to develop a schedule and stick to it–because that would be “doing things in my own strength.” Stunned, I went away without help.

Obviously, I would need God's strength to be disciplined–that's why I was asking for prayer! I think he meant something more, though. He thought there was something wrong with my wanting to put regular, structured effort into seeking God because he saw this as a form of legalism.

I think the following passage–particularly the last paragraph–from the chapter cited above speaks well to this concern, defining the purpose of the disciplines, God's part in our spiritual growth, and the need for our effort:

How shall we satisfy these ever-thirsty longings for the ocean of God?…If I wanted to go to the Pacific and enjoy its beauty and immerse myself in it, what should I do? I could stay in my house all my life and express my longings to experience the ocean but never feel its water on my skin. I must get on the highways that will take me to the ocean.

God has built highways by which those he has made alive can come and be satisfied with the ocean of himself….These highways are the personal and interpersonal practices revealed in the Bible by which we may find and enjoy God. The highways do not exist for themselves. Our souls do not find satisfaction in the highways, but only in the ocean to which they take us.

It is God who makes us alive. It is God who has graciously built these highways to himself. It is God who gives us the ongoing thirst that this crystal-clear ocean alone can satisfy. It is God who entreats us with the invitations to come to him on these royal highways. It is God who gives us a spiritual affinity and enjoyment for the highways that take us to him. But we must get on the highways (pp. 126-127).

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Main Page, Theology No Comments »

Irrelevant Characteristics

March 21, 2007 Posted by Amy Hall

The following is an argument against slavery given in a sermon by Jonathan Edwards, Jr. in 1791:

Should we be willing, that the Africans or any other nation should purchase us, our wives and children, transport us into Africa and there sell us into perpetual and absolute slavery? Should we be willing that they by large bribes and offers of a gainful traffic should entice our neighbors to kidnap and sell us to them, and that they should hold, in perpetual and cruel bondage, not only ourselves, but our posterity through all generations? Yet why is it not as right for them to treat us in this manner, as it for us to treat them in the same manner? Their colour indeed is different from ours. But does this give us the right to enslave them? The nations of Germany to Guinea have complexions of every shade from the fairest white, to the jetty black: and if a black complexion subject a nation or an individual to slavery; where shall slavery begin? Or where shall it end?

(Quoted in A God Entranced Vision of All Things, p. 158. You can read the entire sermon, Injustice and Impolicy of the Slave Trade and of the Slavery of Africans, here.)

Edwards does an excellent job here of showing that the color of your skin is irrelevant to your personhood. Choosing the point on the scale of colors after which a person would lose his rights as a human being would be a completely subjective and arbitrary enterprise. Would someone on the other side of that arbitrary line suddenly become a non-human without rights? Why? If the characteristic of color is truly relevant, then anyone with lighter skin is more deserving of rights than someone with darker skin. Am I more human than someone with a tan? The notion is ridiculous.

In the same way, those who advocate abortion rights often cite similar irrelevant characteristics such as size (the fetus is so small!) or level of development (the fetus can’t do everything I can!) to disqualify the unborn child as deserving of rights. (I’m indebted to STR for their clarification of this in the SLED Test.) But if those characteristics were relevant to our rights and humanness, why should the line be arbitrarily drawn at birth? If they’re relevant, then Andrew Jones (“Tall Skinny Kiwi“) should have more rights than I, and I should have more rights than a young child who has not yet learned to walk.

The truth is that, as with slavery, our culture is defensively protecting its sin with some very weak arguments about irrelevant characteristics.

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Apologetics, Ethics, Main Page No Comments »

Behold the Wonder

March 20, 2007 Posted by Amy Hall

I've always had a certain bizarre fascination with things that annoy me, and now, it has happened: Someone has finally succeeded in bringing together everything that makes me crazy into one amazing conglomeration–including (but not limited to) certain New Age ideas (we're our own god, there's an impersonal base behind the universe, we should blame victims for their situation); Marxist theories; conspiracy theories; infomercials; historical revisionism; pseudoscience; narcissism; hoaxes perpetrated against lost, hopeless people; putting feelings in charge; and even the use of quantum physics to support dubious philosophical claims. (It would achieve total perfection if only it were set to the music of the Electrical Light Parade and hosted by the dancing Six Flags guy.)

Ahhh. It's so beautiful in its (near) perfection of all things annoying, I can only stand in awe of…The Secret.

[Warning: You probably should not watch that whole video in one sitting. You will not know whether to laugh or cry at any given moment, and various points may cause strokes and/or exploding heads among viewers. Too much of it at one time is likely to bring on all of these things at once.]

But seriously, I don't mean to make light of this. Real people–including some of my friends–are into this, and it's frustrating because God is so much better than the impersonal “universe” the video is offering, but people settle for this cheap imitation! The Secret offers health, wealth, love, and power? Big deal! God is the one for whose sake people endure painful physical persecution, lose all their possessions, suffer rejection from their family and friends, and become the servant of all. Which, then, is greater?

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13:44-46).

I hope you'll go out there today and tell people this good news.

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Culture, Main Page, Religion (General) 4 Comments »

Sinners Unaware

March 19, 2007 Posted by Amy Hall

I'm currently reading A God Entranced Vision of All Things: The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards and have come upon the chapter titled “Trusting the Theology of a Slave Owner.”

Even as Edwards argued against the slave trade, saying that it was wrong because we are all of the same human race, made by the same Maker in His image, and we ought not steal human beings and tear them away from their families, nor should we profit from others who do so–even as he argued this, Edwards continued to own slaves.

It's a scary thought that a man who knew God's word far better than I do and who spent far more time in prayer, study, and meditation than I do was blinded enough by his own sin and culture not to see a sin that is now glaringly obvious to us–that a man of such incisive and precise thinking could not see that he condemned himself with his own arguments against the slave trade.

His son, who was able to follow the logic of Edwards's arguments and the implications of his theology to the end, argued eloquently against slavery and not just the trade. But it took those of that next generation to finally work their way completely out of the blinders of cultural complacency.

It's difficult to see clearly and then fight against a sin you're already participating in. How much more so if your culture condones it! Our sin blinds us and distorts our perception (a frightening reality that ought to make us more careful about giving into temptation). Edwards had slaves, so he was not able to see the wrongness of it, and while he was ahead of his time morally in many ways, including in his arguments against the slave trade, his treatment of his slaves, and his inclusion of slaves as members of his church, we can see now how far he was from God's standard of perfect righteousness.

If this doesn't point out the need of all of us for a savior, I don't know what does! We are all desperately in the “sinner” category (a category which includes everyone but God) in ways of which we haven't even a clue. Edwards fought so hard for holiness in himself and mastery over his sin, and people around him would have considered him a very good man. Some who misunderstood the gospel probably thought he was good enough to get to heaven based on his works. But they could not even see the sin of slavery.

In the same way, as best as we try to conquer our own sin, there will be sins in our lives that we will never even recognize. This is a humbling thought to which we are forced to respond like Paul:

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!…Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus….For what the Law could not do [i.e., make us righteous], weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Category Posted in Amy's Posts, Main Page, Theology 6 Comments »

Dr. Francis Beckwith's Conversion

May 5, 2007 Posted by Roger Overton