Say it without saying it

I came across the following in a sermon from Charles Spurgeon on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and thought it was good counsel, especially in light of some over-the-topness in evangelical and reformed circles on issues of sex in recent years:

You will notice that in this chapter the apostle Paul has been dealing with sins of the flesh, with fornication and adultery. Now, it is at all times exceedingly difficult for the preacher either to speak or to write upon this subject; it demands the strictest care to keep the language guarded, so that while we are denouncing a detestable evil we do not ourselves promote it by a single expression that should be otherwise than chaste and pure. Observe how well the apostle Paul succeeds, for though he does not mask the sin, but tears the veil from it, and lets us know well what it is that he is aiming at, yet there is no sentence which we could wish to alter. Herein he is a model for all ministers, both in fidelity and prudence.

Gentle Answers #2: How Fast?

Short and sweet, here’s the next question:

Is it a sin to go 66mph in a 65mph zone?

(I hope you’ll join in the conversation! And remember to keep submitting your questions.)

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Rich Holdeman responds:

No.

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Barry York responds:

Yes, but it is a far greater sin to keep the speed limit and believe yourself superior to those who do not or, dare I say, to swerve to miss the gnat hitting the windshield only to run into a camel.

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James Faris responds:

Is it a sin to go one mile-per-hour over the speed limit? Not if you a first responder such as a police officer! But, what about the rest of us? God has given the state real authority. The state must establish certain laws beyond the specific direction of Scripture for safety, just as parents do for their children. These laws should be obeyed as part of our obedience to God, insofar as the do not require us to sin (Romans 13:5).

We must also understand how the law functions. Jesus showed the Pharisees in Matthew 12:11 that they did understand how the law is to function based on what the Pharisees would do with one of their own sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath. It may be wrong to curl sheep on the Sabbath to build your biceps, but it is not wrong to lift a sheep from a pit on the Sabbath.

So with speed limits, a civil law instituted by man for the sake of safety. We are to abide by the law, but for the sake of safety there will be times when we need to speed up – the magistrates who wrote the law knew so, and officers on the roads enforce the laws with that knowledge. However, we should not use those times of necessity as an excuse for sin.

What does it mean to go-with-the-flow of traffic for safety’s sake? It is a judgment call, and it requires wisdom. Far more could be written about the nature of law and government on this topic. But, this kind of question often reflects matters of the heart. Are we simply looking for excuses to sin? Let’s be honest, it’s not all that difficult to figure out at a practical level. Examine your heart by asking: “When I pass an officer on the side of the road, do I instinctively slow down?”

Help to Read

A few great links about reading:

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N. D. Wilson on The Hunger Games (thanks to Trevin Wax):

One final thought: never read or watch a story like a passive recipient, enjoying something in a visceral way and then retroactively trying to project deeper value or meaning onto the story you’ve already ingested. Such projections have been making authors and directors seem more intelligent than they are for decades. As you watch, as you read, shoulder your way into the creator’s chair. Don’t take the final product for granted, analyze the creator’s choices and cheerfully push them in new and different directions. As we do this, the clarity of our criticism will grow immensely. Which is to say, we’ll be suckered far less often than we currently are.

For anyone who’s read the books (and for parents!), the whole essay is truly worthwhile reading.

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Tim Challies’ interview with Russell Moore about reading fiction & literature is enlightening and helpful.

Fiction can sometimes, like Nathan the prophet’s story of the ewe lamb, awaken parts of us that we have calloused over, due to ignorance or laziness or inattention or sin…Fiction helps the Christian to learn to speak in ways that can navigate between the boring abstract and the irrelevant mundane.

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I recently read this review of Alan Jacobs’ latest book and can’t wait to read it. Anyone want to join me?

 

Gentle Answers #1: A Friend in Sin

The question came to us: How can you minister to a friend (professing Christian) who is addicted or becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol? How can you lovingly come along side them and help them avoid the friends they have been keeping who are negatively influencing them, especially when you only see them in person when you come home from college?

Good Reading

After our President’s public affirmation of homosexual marriage and our recent posts about the general subject, here’s a helpful reminder from Kevin DeYoung about why Christian should continue to oppose gay marriage. Also, it may be helpful to read Andrew Sullivan’s post of support for the President’s announcement, if only to hear the hearts and feelings of those on the other side of this debate.

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David Murray has been doing a lot of thinking and writing about the importance of our bodies (a good reminder that gnosticism is still stupid). Professor, if you’re reading this, be assured that I’m paying attention and wrestling with what you’re thinking. And I’ve been trying to walk the dog more. In no particular order, here are some of those posts:

-6 Ways to Avoid Burnout–an infographic
-Learning from the Wrecker’s Yard (…down here in Indiana we call it a junkyard)–a video of the author’s concerns, especially about those in ministry
-A Massage or a Message?–a response to this post from Scott Thomas, who may be over-prescribing spiritual solutions to physical problems

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“Returning to church, despite my doubts” by Andrew Palpant Dilley–articles like this short memoir can be helpful to those who love the church, love people and can’t always grasp why the two don’t get along. Although there are several things in the article I disagree with, I’m still thankful to read it, thankful she is back in the church, and thankful to be slightly more understanding of those wrestling with God.

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The realities of sermon prep: This was humble and mostly true. This was just hilarious.

Gentle Answers: A New Feature

We’re excited today to announce a new feature here at Gentle Reformation: Gentle Answers! (See the form on the right hand column.)

The vision: At our high school and college conferences, one of the annual highlights is the question-and-answer panel of pastors. To hear several godly men discuss a question close to one’s heart is often a great encouragement as well as a great teaching opportunity. Given the great group of men brought together to author this blog, we see an opportunity to create a similar blessing to you, the readers.

How it works: Simply fill out the form in the right hand column. Your questions will be emailed to me (Jared) and then I’ll pick one at a time to distribute to all the gentlemen authors, asking them to supply fairly brief answers for the question. Once I receive back several answers on one topic, we’ll publish them together.

While this is not a new idea–many blogs have a “suggest a topic” feature–we see Gentle Reformation taking it a step further by making the answer a discussion among several authors, rather than just one man’s thoughts. And, of course, we’ll be excited for you to participate in the discussion as well.

So (drumroll, please)…have at it! Let us know what topics you’d like to have us discuss together.

Finally, the fine print: first, in each post the questioner will be kept anonymous, unless you request otherwise. Second, we can’t promise to work through every question.

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p.s.–some of our answers will be super-awesome like this one:

 

Follow-up

In addition to Barry’s post about the forthcoming The Gospel and Sexual Orientation and my post about Dan Savage, here are a few more related and helpful things that have come across my desk lately:

“Is the Megachurch the New Liberalism?” Al Mohler addresses both the general question of megachurches’ theological pragmatis and a very disturbing sermon from North Point’s Andy Stanley, which strongly intimated the legitimacy of homosexual lifestyles.

A Christian Psychology of and Response to Homsexuality–I listened to this address from Sam Williams to the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary just before I heard Dan Savage’s memoir. With a slightly different approach than I’m used to, I found it extremely helpful and plan on returning to it soon. He especially does a good job applying the gospel: “The gospel changes the most important things initially, and it changes everything eventually.”

“Do you think homosexuality is disgusting?” Ed Welch’s answer to this question may or may not surprise you, but it will challenge you. “I deeply desire to imitate Jesus in tone and content. I want to approximate his way of inviting others, especially his way of inviting those who couldn’t imagine being invited by the Lord. “

Jesus’ Bride and Mr. Savage

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 1:12)

Dan Savage is a leading sex-advice columnist and homosexual activist. In a recent lecture/memoir, he describes his Roman Catholic upbringing, his identity as a homosexual and the tragic death of his loving mother. He wrestles with the Roman church as an organization that drove him to atheism through its hypocrisy and stand on homosexuality. Yet his mother’s legacy continues to gnaw at him, drawing him into cathedrals as he longs to be able to believe as his mother did. He even compares this desire to believe with a virus that lay dormant until his mother’s death. His memoir is heartfelt and moving, yet also deeply disturbing to those who believe the Bible and trust its God.

Consecutive Preaching, Ezekiel 23 & Hobbits

Like a deer frozen in headlights, I knew it was approaching and yet I couldn’t get out of its way. Ever since beginning to preach through the book of Ezekiel, I knew that chapter 23 was quickly approaching…as did most of the pastors who laughed at me for preaching through Ezekiel. I actually remember the day when, around age 12 or 13, sitting in the back of the sanctuary with my friend, I found or was shown (don’t remember which) Ezekiel 23. “Surely there’s been a rank editing error. Certainly someone let things into this Bible that God didn’t intend.” Truth be told, some of those thoughts crept again into my preparation last week.

Weekly Picks

Digging for change in the internet couch…

The Songs of Ascent–Phil Johnson is beginning a new teaching series on the Psalms of Ascent (120-134). These brief lessons are worth gold, especially for Psalm-singers:

1. We are pilgrims, not tourists
2. We are disciples, not academics
3. We are servants, not superstars

Straight in His Face–Kevin DeYoung’s short meditation on the return and judgment day of Christ is completely wonderful, in the wonder-full sense of that word. “There will be no mistaking who he is at that moment—the Lord, the Messiah, the image of the invisible God, the Word made flesh…You will either thrill to realize that this is the One you have loved and have longed to look upon, or you will hate to look on One so lovely when you’d rather be looking at yourself. “

 

Entertainment and What You Become–Doug Wilson powerfully addresses the deep power of entertainment and of giving ourselves to entertainment. “The central concern we should have about our entertainment standards is that stories have a catechetical power; they have a teaching role. Who is the protagonist, and what standards does he live by? Who are you being trained to identify with, and who are you being trained to despise?”

 

The Gospel is Insufficient–Carl Trueman’s reflections on the necessity of church structure to safeguard the gospel are extraordinarily helpful, not the least because this is one of the areas most neglected by the youngrestlessandreformed folks. It’s good to be presbyterian. Not just good–it’s necessary.

 

John Calvin & the NT Sabbath–Be reformed and concerned about the Sabbath long enough, you’ll hear someone accuse Calvin of not believing that Sunday is the Sabbath. Adam Kuehner helps us out of this jam sandwich.

 

Weekly Picks

Turning the internet upside down and giving it a good shake…

Lakes and Oceans–Web-comic-supreme xkcd outdoes itself (himself?) with this infographic about the Lakes and Oceans. Take some time to peek around, be amazed, feel small and laugh at the hidden jokes.

 

CS Lewis’ self-forgetfulness–This quote about CS Lewis is from one of my favorite books, Alan Jacobs’ The Narnian. If you like Lewis at all or have ever wanted to take your summer vacation in Narnia, you should treat yourself to it.

 

5 Things You Should Know about Child Sex Offenders–No, this isn’t fun at all. But this post is a must-read for every pastor, elder and parent. Especially frightening is the truth that churches are often targeted because of the trusting community we promote. A question for discussion: how do we faithfully protect the church family without losing trust and grace, without diving headlong into cynicism?

 

66-Volume Collection!–Again from our friend Adam Kuehner is this pithy reminder about the great privilege we have in reading and meditating on God’s Word. In a day and age when puritan collections and ebooks have made so many good reads available so easily, we do well to give ourselves to God’s Word first and foremost.

 

Wendell Kimbrough, Things That Can’t Be Taught–Though Spotify has made me reticent to actually download anymore albums, I’m making an exception for this one. World magazine pointed the way to this spiritual and eclectic singer-songwriter from Washington, D.C. Definitely worth a listen. Click through to this video and enjoy, especially the clarinet!

Weekly Picks

Finding the sweet-cheese filling in the cannoli that is the internet…

 

“More Love to Thee, O Christ” — Says Kevin DeYoung, “We are all natural evangelists for the people and things we love most.” Therefore, the root of poor (or nonexistent) evangelism is a lack of love for Jesus. The best thing we can do to grow as evangelists? Love Jesus more–what a joyful mission!

 

“When Wives Say No” — How to teach and hold and obey authority while recognizing the sinfulness of those in authority? Wives (and anyone under authority) need to learn when and how to say “no”. Here is balanced help from Doug Wilson.

 

Tebow, Texas & Easter – Celebration Church in Georgetown, TX, will be having Tim Tebow deliver the Easter message on Sunday. What really stood out to me was this from the pastor about Easter: “Obviously it’s our Super Bowl…” Like, “You know that really huge thing you guys have some Sunday in February? We have something big, too! Really!”

 

“Death, thou shalt die” — Illness and death seem closer to me than in the past. This longer quote from David Murray is a refreshing meditation on the power of Christ over death…not just his own, but mine and yours.

 

“Can We Be Postitive About Psychiatric Medications?” — If it seems like we keep linking everything Ed Welch writes…well, that’s probably correct. Again, he gives wise advice about the place of psychiatric medications.

A Few Thoughts on Hope

Hope isn’t magical–at least not like we often think it is. Hope isn’t simply a peace about the future that wraps our heart in a down comforter without warning or forethought. Rather, hope is a Christian virtue, something to be pursued and found through Holy Spirit-powered discipline. And the type of discipline might surprise you.

Weekly (or so) Picks

…where the internet puts its best face forward.

Faith planted in history, not ideas

The means of our new birth is not first the message of the resurrection; it is the fact of the resurrection. When Christ rose he secured our salvation. He entered that new day of which the prophets spoke, and he brought us with him…In giving life to Christ, God gave life to all those who are united to Christ. God’s elect have a hope that is as sure as Christ’s resurrection. Christ has not just made their salvation possible; he has made it sure.

-Ed Clowney on 1 Peter 1:3