God's Not Dead by Rice Broocks

A few months ago, I was given a copy of God's Not Dead by Rice Broocks to review. It is a new apologetics book directed to three different type of people. 

"The Seeker is attempting to believe but faces doubts about whether God is real. I offer the evidence in these pages hoping that person will be able to realize that it is indeed credible as well as fulfilling to believe in God. Even before understanding Christianity or the Bible, there is ample evidence that the world around us is no accident. The Believer knows God is real subjectively but cannot easily articulate this faith to unbelievers. Hopefully these chapters will make the evidence for God clear so that it can be easily comprehended and then presented to others. The Skeptic may be reading this book from a critical point of view and a predetermined mind-set that there is no God. My hope is that regardless of how attached this reader is to skepticism, the following evidence will ironically allow a seed of doubt to be planted, helping that person break free of the matrix of a godless worldview and embrace the real story that best corresponds to the evidence, the one that declares, 'God's not dead'" (xviii-xix).

As Broocks writes, he tries to answer the question of why the Christian believes what they believe, particularly about creation and the meaning of life. But I did appreciate that he goes further than just arguing the issues of creation versus evolution. He spends ample time on the arguments for Jesus and the Christian life. In the end, he argues that true Christianity has produced a grace effect and living proof that there must be Someone who changes people from the inside out. 

If you have never read a book on apologetics, let me explain what you might expect. Some of the arguments are going to be hard to understand. But if you are willing to reread a page or two from time to time, your understanding will be expanded. I will not promise you that this is the easiest book you will ever read. But it is one that is needed by the Christian community. In fact, I would say that it is easier to understand than many other books like it I have read. 

The thing I appreciated most about this book is that Broocks clearly and definitively articulates the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not enough for him that someone become a theist. He must believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He shares a story of sitting next to a man on an airplane that stated God could not have existed because of all the evil in the world. He says,

"I told the man in 14D, 'God could get rid of all the evil in the world in a moment. All He would have to do is kill everybody.' Think about it. That's exactly what happened in the biblical account of Noah and the flood. God 'saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart" (Genesis 6:5-6). He eventually destroyed the majority of living things and saved one family of eight. The virus of evil was in them as well, though not fully manifested, and it has grown into the world we have today. 

I continued, 'God has a plan to get rid of all the evil in the world without having to destroy us.' The man was now somewhat stunned that his reasoning for rejecting God was being critiqued. 'He wants to remove all the evil in your heart without having to destroy us for being a carrier of this virus. God wants to get rid of all the evil in the world, starting with seat 14D.' The problem was the passenger wanted to get rid of others' evil, but he wasn't willing to give up of his. The truth is, we want God to stop evil consequences but not our own evil actions. We want evil to stop happening to us, but not through us" (62-63)

He goes on later to share why he preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"First, the gospel is the only thing on this planet that can tell a person what is really wrong with him or her . . . the gospel tells us that the source of our pain is our separation from God because of sin. As we have broken God's moral laws, it has resulted in our lives and our souls becoming broken . . . The second reason I preach the gospel is because it is the only thing on this planet that can tell us what to do to heal our condition" (63-64).

This book is more than just a book on apologetics. You will find the gospel weaved throughout it. For that reason, I would recommend it to you. I can envision giving this book out to a few people who are searching for answers.

Inside Out

I am sure you have heard it said before that Christianity is different from any other religion. There are many aspects of how believing in Jesus is different than believing in any other religious leader. But the one that I want to focus on today is how we are changed. I doubt many people think they do not need to be changed. I know I do. I know those around me need to be changed. That is one of the reasons why I blog, to share how I have and am being changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

But here's the deal. Every religion in the world tries to change you from the outside in. They make rules that you have to follow in order to be accepted into their religion. They say things like, "your made holy by the things you do." But that simply is not true with Christianity. When we believe in Jesus, He changes us not from the outside in, but from the inside out. He begins with the greatest place of trouble in our life, our heart.

This concept was visibly displayed through the life example of Moses. When he would go up on the mountain and meet with God, his life became radiant. He was externally changed through spending time with God. When He spent time with God, the glory of God would then radiate from his face. It was so bright that he had to veil his face so that people would not die.

"When Moses removed his veil in the Tent of Meeting and spoke with the Lord face to face, he experienced a physical transformation when his face became luminous. At the same time he underwent a sanctifying moral transformation as, being exposed to God's presence and revelation, his character and will became so marked with God's image that he lived in profound obedience to God's glorious revelation." (Kent Hughes, 2 Corinthians, 79).

Moses had to wear the veil to protect people from the radiation of the glory of God that shone from his fact. But over time, that glory would fade. What is interesting is that the Apostle Paul says that should not happen for the Christian. 

"To this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." (2 Corinthians 3:15-18)

When a person turns to Jesus (believes in Him), the veil is removed from their heart. And they begin to radiate from the inside out like Moses radiated. Instead of the glory of God radiating and fading, it gets stronger and stronger as He changes us from the inside out.

When you spend time with Jesus today through His Word, prayer, and the community of believers, you shine a little brighter. The external comes about through the transformation that is taking place in the internal. You are changed from the inside out.

Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves

Several months ago, a friend of mine recommended that I read Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves. He said it was the best book on the Trinity that he had read in a long time. I must agree. It has been about two months since I finished this book and I am just now getting to review it. I did not want to write much on it until I had a chance to meditate on its truths for some time.

Reeves subtitles this book, "An Introduction to the Christian Faith", which seemed to me a rather curious thought. Not many of us would say the doctrine of the Trinity, let alone our delighting in the Trinity, is the place to start when it comes to the Christian Faith. But Reeves argues it is the only place to start. He states in his introduction:

"Christianity is not primarily about lifestyle change; it is about knowing God. To know and grow to enjoy him is what we are saved for--and that is what we are going to press into here . . . the triune nature of this God affects everything from how we listen to music to how we pray; it makes for happier marriages, warmer dealings with others, better church life; it gives Christians assurance, shapes holiness and transforms the very way we look at the world around us. No exaggeration: the knowledge of this God turns lives around" (10).

The rest of the book is his attempt to show how a biblical understanding of the Trinity can change the way we view all relationships in life. 

We define Trinity as three in one. There is only one God, which means we are monotheists. But that is not enough when it comes to understanding our God. He is deeper than that. He is three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. At some levels it is very right in saying that Christians believe in one God. But at other levels, that will not suffice. Reeves says,

"If we content ourselves with being mere monotheists, and speak of God only in terms so vague they could apply to Allah as much as the Trinity, then we will never enjoy or share what is so fundamentally and delightfully different about Christianity" (18).

The book is divided into five chapters on how the Trinity interacts among each other and how this relationship affects the Christian life.

• Chapter 1: What Was God Doing Before Creation?
• Chapter 2: Creation: The Father's Love Overflows.
• Chapter 3: Salvation: The Son Shares What Is His.
• Chapter 4: The Christian Life: The Spirit Beautifies.
• Chapter 5: "Who Among the Gods Is Like You, O Lord?"

Each chapter contains its own gems of knowledge. The Trinity's interaction before Creation shows us how God was pursuing and loving each other before all time. He did not create because He needed relationship, but already had it fully and perfectly. He created to share and pour forth to others what He already had with each other in the Trinity. And then the Father sends the Son as an outpouring of His love for His Son.

"The Father sent his Son to make himself known--meaning not that he wanted simply to download some information about himself, but that the love the Father eternally had for the Son might be in those who believe in him, and that we might enjoy the Son as the Father always has. Here, then, is a salvation no single-person God could offer even if they wanted to: the Father so delights in his eternal love for the Son that he desires to share it with all who will believe. Ultimately, the Father sent the Son because the Father so loved the Son--and wanted to share that love and fellowship. His love for the world is the overflow of his almighty love for his Son" (69-70).

And on and on the book goes about what it means that God is Trinity. He pours out. He pursues. He moves. And that stands as a basis for our understanding of Him. It stands as a introduction to the Christian faith because when we understand that God perfectly loves in Himself and then moves to share that love with others, we are learning the foundation of what it means to live the Christian life.

Towards the end of the book, he vividly paints the picture of Jesus on the cross being being the perfect example of God perfectly pouring out of love towards us. 

"In 1882 Friedrich Nietzsche boldly announced the death of God. By that he meant that belief in God is simply no longer viable. He meant it to be an end to all faith. In actual fact, though, 'God is dead' is where true faith begins. For, on the cross, Christ the Glory puts to death all false ideas of God; and as he cries out to his Father and offers himself up by the Spirit (Heb 9:14), breathing out his last, he reveals a God beyond our dreams. Through the cross we see a God who is infinitely better" (127-128).

His word pictures are helpful and convicting. It has to change the way I relate and move towards people. If it doesn't, I wonder how much I really know or understand about God.

Before reading this book, I thought I had a very high view of God. But after reading it, I felt as if I have just barely touched the surface of understanding what kind of a God I serve. This is most definitely one of the top books I have read the past year. He writes at a fairly deep level, but puts the truths into words that are understandable. And his sarcastic writing style keeps you interested as you make your way through a very hard concept to understand. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who calls themselves Christian. But I warn you, the truths that you learn about the Trinity will probably force you to think about how you love and pursue one another. It just might change the way you relate to your family and friends. But then again, that's why we read books . . . to be changed.

The Puritans on Idleness

I often think of how productive I am in the office as a pastor. But I am even more concerned at times at how productive I am as a Christian. Am I working as a servant of Christ Jesus to His glory or wasting my time on this earth with the things of the world? As I think of that, I came across a few quotes on idleness from A Puritan Golden Treasury that helped convict me of why I need to stay busy for the cause of Christ. I hope they might help you as well.

"Ah, doubting Christians! Remember this, that the promise of assurance and comfort is made over, not to lazy but laborious Christians; not to idle but to active Christians; not to negligent but to diligent Christians....The lazy Christian hath his mouth full of complaints, when the active Christian hath his heart full of comforts." (Thomas Brooks) 

"Idleness tempts the devil to tempt." (Thomas Watson) 

"O spend your time as you would hear of it in the Judgement!" (Richard Baxter)

Leading in the Early Days of Ministry

I have spent the past week at Parkside's Basics Conference. I have tried to share each day something I learned relationally through the teaching or interaction with other pastors. This morning, I wanted to add one more thing I learned from a breakout session with Thabiti Anaybwile.

His session was on starting over without leaving. He tried to impress upon us that it is very easy to begin a new ministry without the right motives. We think they are right, but they are probably focused upon ourselves and not the people to whom we are ministering. I am now part of the way through my third year at Cornerstone Bible Church. Early on when I came here, people would ask me about the ministry. They wanted to know how it was going. My general response was that it was better than I thought it would be. Now, maybe my expectations were low or it really was going well. Either way, I was excited about what was happening here.

I still am. However, I couldn't help but think while Thabiti was talking that there may have been times in these first two years in which I have pushed too fast and hard. There are sure things I wish I could undo that I did in these first two years. I wish I would have been more patient. I wish I would have spent more time with some people. While I can't go back in time, I can certainly learn from those mistakes.

At the end of his message, he gave a list of 10 ways to respond in order to start over. I do not think I am need of starting over, but this list was very helpful for me.

1. Listen to your critics.
2. Keep your mouth shut & don't talk out of school.
3. Recognize that not all disagreement is opposition.
4. Let other leaders set the pace as much as possible.
5. Take all the controversy off the table.
6. Recognize that the messiness is the ministry.
7. The only thing I have to change is me.
8. Declare your intention to serve the church.
9. Set an example for everyone to follow.
10. Explain everything in detail (teach, teach, teach).

The first one is so hard for me. It is difficult to listen to your critics. It is very easy to come into a new ministry position as the expert. I am the one with the doctorate in pastoral ministry. I am the one who has the experience. But I know that with every critical statement, there is some truth in which I need to learn. Combine that thought with the third thought, that not every disagreement is opposition, and you can find a helpful way to respond to people when they do not agree with you. I need that.

I know our ministry has changed since I have been here. I hope it has been for the good and not the bad. At the end of the day, I pray God continues to use me as a humble servant, leading His church that He is building all to His glory. I count it a privilege to just be part of it.

Basics Conference 2013, Day 3

Pastoral ministry can be one of the loneliest professions. It becomes very easy to know everyone at your church, but for nobody to really know you. That is just one more reason why I love going to conferences like Parkside's Basic Conference. There are many things I could say about the last day of the conference. The Q & A was insightful and entertaining. Alistair Begg's last message on the end of Jude was helpful. But I want to focus on the friendships that I was able to engage in this last day.

Throughout the conference, I spent time with a college friend, Josh Lough, who pastors in Wisconsin. It was encouraging to talk about everything from our churches to our families. We have always had a good relationship, where we can push each other on some minor theological points without feeling like we are condemning each other. We were able to rejoice with each other in the joys of ministry as well as hurt for each other on the hardships. I count it a privilege to have him as a friend.

And then there are my friends from Parkside. I am thankful for their investment in my life. I appreciate the thoughtful conversations I was able to have with Jonathan Holmes. I count it a blessing to being able to interact with Adam Romans. Along with the others I was able to talk to, these men have all played a significant role in my spiritual development.

Then there is my friend, Dave Fry. He is the pastor of a nearby church and has been a great help to me personally. Along with another friend, Dave and I get together once a month to encourage, challenge, and help each other run this race of the Christian life in ministry together. He is a good man with helpful insights into my life.

Finally, there is Luke Rosenberger. He is another pastor at our church. Since he came in August, 2012, I have enjoyed spending time with him. He has a great love for the church and the gospel. I am privileged to serve CBC alongside of him.

All of these men and many others help make my life what it is today. Friendships are rare these days. But Godly friendships that spur you on to continue your run in the Christian life is even rarer. I can't help but to think of the author of Hebrews words . . .

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

I understand the cloud of witnesses that he is talking about are those that lived by faith in chapter 11. But in some way, I wonder if there are those in our lives today that live by faith that help us run as well. I want to be that for others and I need that in my life. So, thank you to all of you that have impacted me. And thank you to Parkside for hosting a conference that is much more than teaching. The aspect of bringing pastors together to come alongside each other for encouragement is priceless. 

Basics Conference 2013, Day 2

The Tuesday of the Basics Conference is always the longest. It starts early in the morning and goes till late at night and contains six sessions of teaching. As I have shared the past two days, I am not going to detail every session, but try to pick one aspect of the day that really hit home to me relationally and show how it can apply to my personal relationships.

In the evening session, Kevin DeYoung spoke on the parable of the laborers in the vineyard from Matthew 20. His point was whether we are looking at the world through lenses of grace or lenses of unfairness (read the parable and you will understand what that means). At the end of the parable, the land owner asks three questions to test the heart. First, did you not agree with me for a denarius? Second, am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? And third, do you begrudge my generosity? When good things happen to others, things that I believe should be happening to me, how do I respond?

Now, all of the message was thoughtful and powerful. But there was one part, really a tangent part of that message, that made me stop and think about me and our church. As he was detailing the second point (second question), he talked about how friendly our churches are. He said that many people do not care about how friendly your church is, but about whether or not they are interested in being friends. I tell people all the time that we should be the friendliest church around, but I am not so sure I teach that we should pursue friendship with them. 

Then he shared an illustration about a student from Japan at their church. She told him that she felt the church was very friendly and people had really welcomed her. But in that, she felt as though she needed their friendship while they did not need hers. It gets to the heart of how we view people. Is our relationship quota full? Do we feel as though we don't need anyone else in our life?

At some level, people that step into our lives several years ago, we treat differently than people that step into our lives last week. Now, I understand that we have built deep bridges of trust with them that we do not have with the new people. But I wonder how many times we are too comfortable with those we went to work with at 6 am and won't even give those that show up at 3 pm the time of day in our life. Even though, we know they need us, we hardly ever let them know that we need them. We live as if we don't.

This is where pride reigns. The reality is that we do need others. We need the person that just showed up. It made me think about some of the relationships that I have with those that are newer at our church. I feel it that I need them, but I wonder how much I have communicate that. I hope I can more in the future.