Jonathan Edwards Resolutions by Catagory

Matt Perman from Desiring God has done us a great favor by catagorizing Jonathan' Edwards resoltions. If you, like Edwards, set for yourself goals or resolutions for the New Year, consider the God-centered approach of Jonathan Edwards. Read them weekly to remind yourself of what a life fully consecrated unto God looks like. After reading them, my resolution to drop 20 lbs. seemed rather shallow!

Overall Life Mission
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” June 25 and July 13, 1723.
Good Works
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.

Time Management
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

Relationships
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narration’s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July ii, and July 13.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

Suffering
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

Character
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14′ and July ’3′ 1723.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

Spiritual Life
Assurance
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
The Scriptures
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Prayer
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear’, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

The Lord’s Day
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

Vivification of Righteousness
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.
44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.
Mortification of Sin and Self Examination
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Communion with God
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.

John Piper and Bob Kauflin on Worship Matters

Time-markers:

00:53 — Advice for the pastor not on the same page as the worship leader.

05:19 — Advice for the worship leader not on the same page as the pastor.

08:09 — What lessons have you learned from past "worship wars?"

18:14 — Are worship services for believers or non-believers?

22:31 — How does someone worship God joyfully while in depression?

27:15 — Should we hire non-Christian musical accompaniments?

31:45 — What advice do you have for novice worship leaders?

35:06 — How do we make our greetings of one another go vertical?

40:11 — Did you really prefer basketball hoops in the sanctuary?

42:47 — Bob closes in prayer.

Favorite Books of 2011

We read to know we are not alone.” - C.S. Lewis

“The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read.” - Abraham Lincoln

“The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of the past centuries.” - Descartes

“Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.” - Mortimer Adler

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” - Harry S. Truman

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read.” - Mark Twain

This list is not in any specific order. Happy reading!

This is G.K. Beale's Magnum Opus. This is an outstanding New Testament biblical theology that is has an eschatalogical premise running throughout. Beale takes the subject of the reconcilation of all things as his primary theme that runs through the Old Testament and thus forms the foundation of the New Testament. A scholarly work that is readable to all.

Admittedly, I have not reda this entire volume but am slowly making way through it. However, i can tell that this is a premeir theological work on Edwards. Savvy theology, well written. A must for those who love Edwards and his vision of God!

Eugene Peterson has been a favorite author of mine for a long time. Now, with his personal memoir,we are invited to personal stories of Peterson's formative years and his life as a pastor. Peterson is a refreshing voice in the age of the CEO pastor.

I once heard Tim Keller say that the best way to prepare for the future of the church is to read British authors because they about twenty years ahead of us culturally across the pond. That being said, Tim Chester, a British pastor, church planter and theologian, has written a great little book on the practice of missional community around the common meal. Simple and yet profound, a taste of heaven on earth.

A historical biography about Louis Zamparini who was shot down, lost at sea and taken captive during W.W.II. This is a great story about perseverance under the severest of trials. An absolute page turner!

In preperation for a sermon series, I read several books on the Gospel. J.D. Greear's book topped the list. It was well written and theologically sound. I found myself stopping just to worship the glory of what God has done for us. Stunning!

Admittedly this book is not for everyone. But if you like philosophical enquiry, incredible prose and a willingness to work through some quirky theological insight, then you HAVE to read this book! So weird, so thought-provoking, so good!

I have been a fan of Hugh Halter's writting and ministry since I first read his book The Tangible Kingdom. Sacriledge doesn't disappoint in its attempt to demonstrate the unpredictable and untamable aspects of Jesus life and ministry. This is not a theological treatise of great Christology but it is an enjoyable read.

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I read everything Keller writes. He combines Reformed theology, practical wisdom, culture savvy and good writting in all of his books. This book tackles the cultural attacks on God's creation and standard for marriage. Great for those who are are abot to be married, newly married, or marriage veterans.

Pastor/theologian John Piper's treatment of racism is amazing. In typical Piper style, this book is well researched and theologically rich. If you think racism is an issue of the past THINK again!

This is a great book on what it means to be missional. A great read that will challenge your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus in today's world.

Gospel and Culture Conference

Last month in Manhattan. Redeemer Presbyterian Church hosted a conference on the connection between the gospel and culture. This was not your typical Christian conference were the majority of the audience are pastors. In attendance were over 400 business professionals, artists and cultural entrepreneurs. The central theme of the conference was to discuss the cultural mandate as seen through Christian involvement in creating culture in business and the arts. One of my favorite addressees came from Andy Crouch, author of Culture Making Andy's message addressed the rarely discussed issue in Christian circles of power. Taking the three major ethical issues of money, sex and power, he demonstrated how the church has had plenty to say about money and sex but have often failed to talk biblically about power. Often, Christians create a dichotomy when it comes to power. Using an example from a Rob Bell Tweet that compared the use of power between Jesus and Ceasar, Crouch demonstrated that there could be a third option that was true to Scripture. Other speakers such as Tim Keller spoke on Why Work Matters addressing the issues of vocation and calling. Using Luther's theology of vocation, Keller discussed how all vocations are ministry callings and it is the call of God to make the best music, arts, and craftsmanship for his glory just as much as preaching a sermon. Fuller Seminary President Richard Mouw's opening address spoke of God's delighting in the original creation but that God is still delighted in the things humans create that advance human flourishing. Over all this was conference that was much needed due to its neglect in the church. We often talk about the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer as referring to those whose voice is to be heard inside the church. But to truly understand this fullness of teh doctrine, it must extend to Christian vocation as a missional reality. I would encourage anyone to take time to watch the video messages at http://www.faithandwork.org/lecture_videos_page3658.php#16621383 and tell me what you think.

The Old Man and Me by Jeremy Pierre

It was the perfect commiseration: aching abs, shin splints, and The Old Man and the Sea. I was running to Donald Sutherland’s gravely voice reading Hemingway’s tale of the unrelenting old man who would not be conquered by his intemperate mistress, the sea, or by his own fearful misgivings. I loved the old man for the simple tenacity of his internal monologue. He spoke angrily to his cramped-up hand and rebuked his hunger and fatigue. It was his monologue that made me start listening for my own thoughts, disheveled as they were by my preoccupation with getting enough oxygen. If I don’t make my time, it’s because I ate too much earlier. . . I bet I won’t be ready for the race with these peroneal tendons flaring up. . . Stupid sidewalks in my neighborhood are so uneven, how could anyone go faster on them?

The sharp contrast between me and the old man helped me see how much mental energy can be spent on creating excuses for failure even before failure occurs. We are aware enough of excuses that work backward—no one ever believes the guy who blames a dropped pop fly on the sun being in his eye. But are we as aware of our tendency to pre-excuse ourselves before the fact, as displayed in my ambling monologue?

Excuse Making and Fear of Failure
This process can become so automatic to our thinking that we become like walking excuses, people who spend their days setting up rickety defenses against possible failure. But the only thing these defenses protect is inactivity. A teenager sees how difficult it is to be any good at the guitar, so he just plays video games instead. A young professional sees how much more demanding management is, so he sticks with his temp position.

While excuse-making is fatal to vocational accomplishments, far more tragic is its effect on the pursuit of obedience to God. Just doing what comes naturally is far easier than laboring to do the unnatural demands of the gospel. We are all too quick to point to reasons why we will fail.

“There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”

Do you know to whom the Proverbs attribute this hyperbolic excuse for inactivity? Not the fearful person, but the sluggard (Prov. 22:13; cf. 26:13-16).

“Master, I knew you to be a hard man . . . so I was afraid.”

Do you know what the Master called this servant in response to his fainthearted excuse for inactivity? Not fearful, as the servant had self-identified himself, but “wicked and slothful” (Matt. 25:24-30).

Fear of Failure and Love of Ease
These are strong words, and I don’t particularly like them. It puts a finger right on a tender strand in my nature. I pre-excuse myself because I fear failure; but my fear of failure is often not much more than my love of ease and comfort. We could all say that what we often sense as fear of failure is the subtle desire to take it easy. We have a certain distaste for difficulty.

Consider the anxiety of addressing unhealthy relational patterns in your marriage; it’s much easier to be satisfied with the adequately long periods of cease-fire. Even the pursuit of God in hearty prayer can be an intimidating prospect; far easier to maintain a sporadic, occasional prayer life. In all of these situations, we can be so focused on why things won’t work that we end up protecting our natural distaste for spiritual labor.

The apostle Peter had no room for such intimidation and half-effort in the Christian life, but encouraged active determination (1 Pet. 1:13ff). Likewise, Paul says that Christians run so as to win, not half-heartedly finding reasons why victory is unlikely (1 Cor. 9:24-27). In other words, it’s not our job to find reasons why we won’t be able to obey, but rather to determine that we will.

The Resolve of Another
I am not saying that the Christian life is simple, mind-over-matter determination. Rather, Christians humbly acknowledge we live in an age of incompletion (Phil. 3:12-13) but nevertheless are undaunted in our efforts (Phil. 3:14) because Jesus Christ has already guaranteed our completion (Phil. 3:12, 20-21). And how can Jesus guarantee this? Because he was resolved first.

“I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:50)

“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

The tenacity of this young Galilean was far greater than any old man on any sea. I hope one of our privileges in heaven will be to listen back on Jesus’ internal monologue as he faced the waters of God’s wrath. We will celebrate it as the masterpiece of the ages. Imagine how wondrous it will be to hear the private thought life of a man resolved to obey in dependent love the very One who was to plunge him under the seas of death.

And we who are in Christ don’t just imitate that determination. We share in it.

Jeremy Pierre is pastor of member care at Clifton Baptist Church and assistant professor of biblical counseling at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Sarah, have four children and live in Louisville, Kentucky.

Gospel Polemics by Tim Keller

Archibald Alexander, the first faculty member at Princeton Theological Seminary, was given the title “professor of didactic and polemic theology.” That seems a bit startling to us, because the term polemical in our day has an almost purely negative connotation. However, in the original plan of Princeton seminary, polemical theology was seen as a discipline separate from the positive exposition of systematic theology.

Alexander taught this as a distinct course that distinguished orthodoxy from all opposing views. If you look at the list of the subjects he covers, it is striking how much effort was given to help students discern and refute theological error. It is also striking that Alexander included in his course a lecture on “the evils of theological controversy.” In other words, he was concerned about two opposite errors—either refraining from polemics altogether or conducting it in an ungodly manner.

George Gillespie was a Scottish minister, a member of the Westminster Assembly, and a prominent controversialist, contending for Presbyterianism as the biblical model for church government. And yet in the forward to The Presbyterian’s Armoury he wrote, “I have often and heartily wished that I might not be engaged into polemic writings, of which the world is too full already.” Again we see neither a shrinking from polemics nor any relish in it. Indeed, Alexander and Gillespie indicated that anyone who enjoys theological controversy, who makes it their main purpose and who feels virtuous as they do it, is in a bad spiritual state.

Trouble in Your Soul
D. M. Lloyd-Jones once had a memorable encounter with T. T. Shields, the pastor of Jarvis Street Baptist Church in Toronto, and a leading defender of orthodoxy against the growing liberal theology of the churches in Canada. Shields regularly attacked other church leaders in both his preaching and his writings. Lloyd-Jones shared virtually identical theological positions with Shields, but he believed “that the Baptist leader was sometimes too controversial, too denunciatory, and too censorious. Rather than helping young Christians by the strength of his polemics against liberal Protestants and Roman Catholics, Lloyd-Jones believed that Shields was losing the opportunity to influence those whose first need is positive teaching.” (I. Murray, D. M. Lloyd-Jones: The First Forty Years, p. 271). We should recall that Lloyd-Jones was quite willing to engage in polemics himself. He and John Stott clashed publicly over whether evangelicals should remain in the Church of England. (Lloyd-Jones said they should not.) And yet Lloyd-Jones opposed making polemics a major part of one’s ministry, and challenged Shields.

In their meeting, Shields asked Lloyd-Jones if he enjoyed reading the works of another contemporary defender of orthodoxy. Lloyd-Jones said that he seldom read the author, because “he doesn’t help me spiritually.” Shields asked, “Surely you are helped by the way he makes mincemeat of the liberals?” Lloyd-Jones responded, “You can make mincemeat of the liberals and still be in trouble in your own soul.”

This touched off an extended debate. At one point Shields said that he was only doing what Paul did to Peter—contradicting and opposing him. Lloyd-Jones responded, “The effect of what Paul did was to win Peter round to his position and make him call him ‘our beloved brother Paul’ [2 Peter 3:15]. Can you say the same about the people whom you attack?” For this Shields had no answer. The simple fact was that his polemics were really designed simply to stigmatize and marginalize his opponents, not persuade them. Suddenly the younger Lloyd-Jones appealed to Shields in a bold way. In the 1920s, Shields had expected an appointment to McMaster University, but theological liberals blocked it. Lloyd-Jones pointed out that from that time it had changed the tone of his ministry.

Dr. Shields, you used to be known as the Canadian Spurgeon, and you were . . . but over this McMaster University business in the early twenties you suddenly changed and became negative and denunciatory. I feel it has ruined your ministry. Why don’t you come back! Drop all this, preach the gospel to people positively and win them! (Murray, p.273)

Part of Every Curriculum
On the lips of someone else, this could be seen as an appeal to “just preach Jesus” and not care about sound doctrine. But it is hard to accuse Lloyd-Jones of that. Rather, Lloyd-Jones was standing in the tradition of Gillespie and Alexander. Polemics is medicine, not food. Without medicine we will surely die—we can’t live without it. This is why “polemical theology’ must be a required part of every theological curriculum. Yet we cannot live on medicine. If you engage in polemics with relish and joy—if polemics takes up a significant percentage or even a majority of your time and energy—it is like trying to live on medicine alone. It won’t work for the church or for you. That was Lloyd-Jones’s message.

I fear that we are in a period in which many in the Christian church are dividing into extreme positions over the very conduct of polemics. On the one side there are seemingly more people than ever, especially through the internet, engaging in polemics, and yet it looks to me like there is a large number of younger Christians leaders who are reacting to this as if polemics is a pure evil. We want “conversation,” never argument or apologetics.

In the next post I’ll give some ideas for a way that I hope could help some avoid the polarization that is occurring.

Editor’s Note: This is a cross-post from Tim Keller’s blog at Redeemer City to City

The Church: Social Club or Community of Faith

In America, church members seem to understand the church in one of two ways – as a social club or as a community of faith. What is the difference? To start with, a social club is exclusive; its membership consists of individuals who are mostly the same type of people. In a social club there are membership dues and specific rules and regulations that each member is bound to follow. A social club is consumer driven. It exists to meet the needs of a certain segment of people. If those needs are unmet, there is no point in club membership. How many understand the church as a social club today? It seems that the majority of us Christians have at least some social club mentality when we think of the purpose of the church. On the other hand, there is the church as a community of faith view. A community of faith is inclusive; its membership includes all backgrounds, races, ages and economic situations. There are no dues, just the freedom to be generous. Sure, there are specific expectations of the members but those expectations are based on a common desire to represent Jesus in this world. A community of faith is much more like a family than a social club. Families are made up of different types of people and each has its own set of problems and dysfunctions, but it’s still your family! In the New Testament we find a list of “one another” passages that help us understand what family membership requires. Slowly and prayerfully read the following list:

"Be at peace with each other" (Mk. 9:50)
"Wash one another's feet" (John 13:14)
"Love one another" (John 13:34, & 12 other references)
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love" (Rom. 12:10)
"Honor one another above yourselves" (Rom. 12:10)
"Live in harmony with one another" (Rom. 12:10)
"Stop passing judgment on one another" (Rom. 14:13)
"Instruct one another" (Rom. 15:14)
"Accept one another, as Christ accepted you" (Rom. 15:17)
"Greet one another with a holy kiss" (Rom. 16:16, 1 Cor. 6:20 and 2 Cor. 13:12)
"When you come together to eat, wait for each other" (1 Cor. 11:33)
"Have equal concern for each other" (1 Cor. 12:25)
"Serve one another in love" (Gal. 5:13)
"If you keep on biting and devouring each other.you will be destroyed by each other" (Gal. 5:15)
"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other" (Gal. 5:26)
"Carry each other's burdens" (Gal. 6:2)
"Be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Eph. 4:2)
"Be kind and compassionate to one another" (Eph. 4:32)
"Forgiving each other as God in Christ has forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32)
"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" (Eph. 5:19)
"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph.5:21)
"In humility, consider others better than yourselves" (Phil. 2:3)
"Do not lie to each other" (Col. 3:9)
"Bear with each other" (Col. 3:13)
"Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another" (Col. 3:16)
"Teach one another" (Col. 3:16)
"Admonish one another" (Col. 3:16)
"Make your love increase and overflow for each other" (1 Thess. 3:12)
"Encourage one another" (1 Thess. 4:18, and 5:11)
"Build each other up" (1 Thess. 5:11)
"Encourage one another daily" (Heb. 3:13 and 10:25)
"Spur one another on to love and good deeds" (Heb. 10:24)
"Do not slander one another" (Js. 4:11)
"Don't grumble against each other" (Js. 5:9)
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed" (Js. 5:16)
"Love one another deeply from the heart" (1 Pet. 1:22 & 4:8)
"Live in harmony with each other" (1 Pet. 3:8)
"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling" (1Pet. 4:9)
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others" (1 Pet. 4:10)
"Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another" (1 Pet. 5:5)
"Greet each other with a kiss of love" (1 Pet. 5:14)

Did you read it slowly and prayerfully? If not go back and read it again. There is a common denominator in each of these passages. They are each presented as commands to each member. It would be easy to look at such a list and see where the church has failed us in one or several of these passages. But that is not the point. That is a social club mindset. No, the point is for each of us to look at ourselves in order to evaluate where we have fallen short, where we need growth and improvement. When I do that I instantly go from being self righteous towards the failures of others and become convicted of my own failures and sins. Wouldn’t the church be a better place if each of saw things that way. Wouldn’t we become less critical of others and more concerned about how we can be better family members? Doesn’t this completely shatter the church as social club mentality? What if we applied these verses at home, in our marriages and with our kids? I believe that this is the type of community that represents Jesus to the world, one worthy to be called the Body of Christ. Let us strive in our own hearts to daily apply these great commands.