Genesis 36 - More than a list of names

Today we looked at Genesis 36.  This is one of those passages that we often gloss over.  We often read though passages such as this with lots of names and struggle with their pronunciation and wonder what this all has to do with anything.  To do that is to miss what God has for us to hear.

As I prepared for this passage it took a number of readings through and much study before it became clear.  This passage, among other things, creates a contrast with that of Joseph to follow and in truth also the life of Jacob that has passed.  While Esau and his descendants are shown as numerous and powerful Jacob and his descendants are wandering around and even in bondage. 

In reading the passage you may wonder who it is that is blessed.  But we know it is the line of Jacob that is of the promise.  Esau is the one that looks successful from the outside as this passage makes much of him.  The world desires to make much of itself and sees outward success as Esau had as what the aim of life is to be about.  The truth is we are to live lives that make much of God, who is absent from this chapter.  We are to make sure that all we do is done for God’s glory and not ours.

Another contrast that is seen is that Esau is said to have had children that were all born in Canaan (V5 ) but he would move out of the promise land to Seir.  Jacob on the other hand had children born outside the promised land but had taken them back there.  The message is that no mater what ones family looks like on the outside if we are leading them away from God what it looks like on the outside is of little matter.  Let us make sure that is what we are doing, leading our children towards God and not away.

These are just some of the things I found in the passage that initially looked like not much more than a list of names.  So, the next time you read this passage step back from your struggle with the names and notice that Moses is accentuating all that Esau had to let us see that was all he had.  His descendants contained chiefs and kings but Jacob would be the line through which the King of kings would come.

If you would like to hear the message from this week you can get it here:  Esau is made Much Of.

Kevin Swanson on Eschatology

Eschatology – One Big Rat Nest from Kevin Swanson on Vimeo.

You can also get the audio here.

Some Thoughts on Dominion

Matt 28:19-20  "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
This is not a call for only the 1st century and it is not an empty call for any other century. If Christ has called us to do this, “make disciples of all nations,” He has called us to do what is possible. It may be a long and arduous road but it is one that is to be traveled by His power and for His glory. We are to seek to disciple the nations and teach them to “obey” and that obedience is accomplished by a work of God, but it can be accomplished by His people seeking to obey Him in making disciples.


Matt 6:9-13 "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"

This passage is speaking not simply of some future event, "this day", to pray for but what the disciples were to pray for and seek after then as we are to pray and seek after now. We are to pray for His kingdom to be manifested in and though His people which is then exhibited in their works as James makes abundantly clear. The result of God’s people living out His word, all of it, in the world by His power is a changed world. The first century Christians changed the world by their lives can we and should we not do the same. Dominion starts with God having dominion over his people and then moves out from there.


2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Of course this change starts by God's power in the hearts and minds of His people by God's writing of His law on their hearts (Jer 31:31ff). This is a changed heart is one that radically transforms God’s elect. 2 Cor 5:17 is not a simply a wish but a reality accomplished by the hand of God and is where dominion begins. This change does not end with the individual but is to extend to all of God’s creation as He uses His people as the means to bring all things under His rule. We are to realize that the dominion and the change that God desires is wrought by Him by the means of the Spirit and the work of His people for His glory.

Dominion is not a word to fear but one to embrace as the call of His children.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (3/12/10)

For those of you like our family that were not able to attend, and even those that did, the Family Economics Conference put on by Generations with Vision the audio of the sessions is not available. You can get the MP3s of all 19 talks for $34.95 or the CD’s for $54.95. If you are more visual and would like to see the speakers you can DVD’s of 10 of the talks for $74.95 or they have a package deal for the CDs, MP3s and DVDs for $109. We have ordered ours and are very much looking forward to listening to them and I will post more on them once I have listened to the talks.

With the census fast approaching and the government further intruding into our homes here is article with at least one option for the census: Census Law. Also here is a link to Kevin Swanson sharing some thoughts on the census: Guns and Census:Honor to Whom Honor is Due. We all have to make our own decisions but one thing is clear, especially with the extended survey some may get, the government wants to know about you. This is clearly not one of its functions as Romans 13 shows but it is simply the direction the state heads when it sees itself as god. But, the true God already knows us, even the hairs on our head (Matt 10:30), and does not need a census to know these things.



The March Welcome to the Continuing Collapse (Exposing Government Schools: The Youth Ministry of the State Church of Secular Humanism) by Bruce Shortt has been posted.



Many in the professing church today have no problem separating Christ from government. However, Romans 13 says that government officials are to be ministers or servants of God and thus as believers should we not want to vote for the most biblically qualified men to be those ministers? Can God use the pagan for His purposes,of course. But our duty as believers should be to have godly qualified men as leaders, men who seek Christ and His will first and foremost. As this article articulates: It is Insanity Without Christ and presently many in the professing church are continually voting for insanity.



As a reminder: At Vision Forum until March 12th there is a sale on a great History Resource, The Expanded History of the World Mega-Pack Curriculum. We have a few of the items in this set and they are very good. The entire set includes 10 DVD's, 64 CD's and a Study Guide. The sale price is $165 which is 55% off.

The Expanded History of the World Mega-Pack Curriculum Sale

At Vision Forum until March 12th there is a sale on a great History Resource, The Expanded History of the World Mega-Pack Curriculum. We have a few of the items in this set and they are very good.  The entire set includes 10 DVD's, 64 CD's and a Study Guide.  The sale price is $165 which is 55% off.

From the Vision Forum site:

The Expanded History of the World Mega-Pack Curriculum Includes:

1) The History of the World DVD Collection (10 DVDs)
The ten powerful messages contained in this special DVD curriculum series provide an overview of six thousand years of earth history. Enjoy a sweeping overview of earth history, spanning the events of peoples and cultures over six millennia.

These presentations are designed to dispel anti-Christian myths of historiography, establish a distinctively biblical grid for interpreting historical events, and cover key themes in the rise and fall of civilizations.

Sampling of titles included in this album:
• Six Thousand Years of Earth History In 1 Hour — Douglas W. Phillips
• Vikings: Their Law, Culture, and Conquests — Col. John Eidsmoe
• The Crusades — Dr. George Grant
• The Miracle of America — Dr. Marshall Foster

2) The History of the World Study Guide
The perfect complement to The History of the World 10-DVD collection, this study guide presents summaries of the key ideas and events behind each DVD lecture topic, along with outlines and detailed notes for further study.

Dig deeply into some of the richest themes of providential history as you study definitions, discover new resources from the suggested readings, and add relevant Scripture passages to your memory.

3) History of the World B.C. (20 CDs)
Twenty Lectures on the Ancient World

Covering the first four millennia of earth history, History of the World: B.C. features twenty lectures covering the pre-flood world, the history of the ancient Babylonians, the Hebrew nation, the establishment of Rome, and ancient legal systems. These presentations are designed to dispel anti-Christian myths of historiography, establish a distinctively biblical grid for interpreting historical events, while covering, millennium by millennium, key themes in the rise and fall of civilizations.

Sampling of titles included in this album:
• The Implications of the Genesis Flood on Earth History — Dr. John Whitcomb
• The Search For Noah’s Ark — Dr. John Morris
• The Tower of Babel and the Dispersion of the Nations — Dr. John Whitcomb
• One Blood: The Origin of the Races — Dr. John Morris
• The Puzzle of Ancient Man — Douglas Phillips
• The History of the Hebrew Nation, Part 1 — Col. John Eidsmoe
• The History of the Hebrew Nation, Part 2 — Col. John Eidsmoe
• The Meaning of Rome — Dr. George Grant

4) History of the World A.D. (20 CDs)
Twenty Lectures on the World Anno Domini

Beginning with Christ’s incarnation, History of the World A.D. contains covers the rise of Byzantium and fall of Rome, the history of the Church, the history of the law of nations, Islam, and the establishment of America, concluding with a review of the twentieth century. Each lecture emphasizes the providence of God over every detail of history — that Christ is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), and that the history of the world is His story.

Sampling of titles included in this album:
• The Rise of Byzantium and the Fall of Rome — Dr. George Grant
• The Battle of Teutoburg Forest — Col. John Eidsmoe
• What Every Christian Needs to Know About The Reformation — Dr. Joseph Morecraft III
• The History of the English Church — Dr. Joseph Morecraft III
• Nineteenth Century Missions — William Potter
• Islam and the Modern World — Dr. George Grant
• The American Republic — Dr. Marshall Foster

5) Mysteries of the Ancient World
Unlock the mysteries of the ancients in this fascinating 12-part audio album. Explore the Nephilim, “the great men of renown” of Noah’s day. Consider the wonders of the moon, and trek through the lost civilizations of South America — from Machu Picchu and the legacy of the stone masons, to the Ica stones and Nazca lines. Finally, visit the Galapagos Islands — Darwin’s Eden — and discover the true story of man’s origins

6) Providential Battles I: Twenty Battles that Changed the World
In this four-part album, Christian historian William Potter provides a providential interpretation of twenty of the greatest military battles in the world that altered the course of history, serving strategic roles in God’s unfolding plan.

Including battles from ancient history, to the fall of Constantinople to the Turks, to the American War for Independence, to the Alamo and Civil War events, Mr. Potter presents a panorama of providential military highlights. This album concludes with the mysteries of providence that engulfed the Axis powers of WWII in the air, on land, and at sea.

7) Providential Battles II: Epic Conflicts that Changed the World
Building upon Providential Battles I, Bill Potter identifies eight more battles of monumental importance and details how God used men, nations, and events to accomplish His plans. From the Thirty Years War, to the events surrounding the Russian army and forces of the Empire of the Rising Sun colliding in Tsushima in 1905, each unfolding saga will leave you grateful for God’s orchestrating hand in the affairs of men.

8) Sabers, Spears, & Catapults: A Providential History of Warfare Technology
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory lies in the hands of the Lord.”

There are two sets of lectures in this series. The first examines weapons and warfare in the Old Testament era. Little has changed in principle since then: there are still hand–held, thrown, and fired weapons, including large engines of warfare. The use of combat and weapons terminology is common in Scripture as one would expect from the only One who is known as The God of Battle.

The subsequent lectures cover a trilogy of battles that occurred in three different centuries within a few miles of each other along the border of France and Belgium: The battles of Agincourt in 1415, Waterloo in 1815, and The Somme in 1916. Examined for each conflict are the weapons technology of the period and the warriors at the sharp end of battle, rather than the grand strategies and political outcomes. The study includes many possible types of confrontation: infantry against cavalry, infantry against infantry, infantry against artillery, cavalry against cavalry, etc., looking at how those deadly encounters resolved themselves on that day.

“Meet the Puritans” Book Giveaway

At the J.C. Ryle Quotes blog they are having a drawing to give away a copy of Meet the Puritans. Go to their site to sign up: J.C. Ryle Quotes “Meet the Puritans” Giveaway.

Adoniram Judson on Christian Baptism

I recently finished the book Adoniram Judson on Christian Baptism. The book contains a sermon he preached before his baptism in Calcutta in 1812. Also included are letters written by Judson regarding his change in his position on baptism as well as an article by C.H. Spurgeon on baptisim and other material relating to this subject.

What needs to be understood about Judson’s change in position on baptism, from paedobaptism (infant baptism) to credobaptism (believer's baptism), is that this was done after his leaving for India with his support coming from a Congregationalist church that held to paedobaptism.  The letters included in this book reveal that he understood that his change in position would cost him his support but he also knew that what was most important was to be biblically correct. Thus his change was not done flippantly or without cost but was done as a result of him asking himself what scripture said about baptism. We too should ask this same question about all that we believe.

I would encourage both those that hold to infant baptism as well as believer’s baptism to read this book.  It is important to see the struggle that Judson went through as far too many people hold to their view on baptism based more on tradition than themselves doing the hard work of seeking out scripture.  I am not saying this is true of everyone but as with many doctrines far too many people take other people’s conclusions rather than seeing what scripture says for themselves.  Others opinions and finding are important but as with all things we are to take all of this and filter it through God’s word as the final court of arbitration.

In recommending this book my intention is not to start a debate over baptism but to encourage all that hold to whatever position they hold to make sure they themselves have worked through scripture to come to their conclusions.  So, read this book and search out scripture.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (2/26/10)

At the NCFIC Blog there is a post with an excerpt from Scott Brown’s upcoming book on youth ministry: A Child of the Movement. I can relate to this excerpt as I too have been a youth minter and read all the books. The problem was, even if unintentionally, I gave more weight to the pragmatic reasoning of the books over the sufficiency of Scripture to speak to this area, as it speaks to all of faith and practice.


For those of you that are reading, or have read, R.J. Rushdoony’s Law & Liberty, there is now a study guide out, thanks to The Chalcedon Foundation: Law & Liberty Study Guide. This is a great book and one that I would highly recommend.


Over at Voddie Baucham’s blog the February Welcome to the Continuing Collapse (Exposing Government Schools: The Youth Ministry of the State Church of Secular Humanism) by Bruce Shortt has been posted.


At Steve Camp’s blog there is a great sermon by Charles Spurgeon: God’s Will and Man’s Will ….the tension of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. As always I appreciated the words of Spurgeon.

“How to Build Your Own Business” Resource Kit

Vision Forum is having a great buy on the “How to Build Your Own Business” resource kit. It includes the following:

• Venture Academy: Equipping Christian Entrepreneurs (6 DVDS w/ workbooks)

• The Best of the 2006 Entrepreneurial Bootcamp (20 CDs)

• Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Christian Families (10 DVDs)

They have a 50% of coupon code ( BUSINESSKIT ) that is good until February 26th. The $339.50 (after 50% discount) price is great for the Venture Academy alone but with the other resources it is an even better buy.

Where We are Heading as a Country

We have been reading R.J. Rushdoony’s book Law & Liberty during our family worship time and it has been a very good book. Last night we read a chapter called The Family and Property and in that chapter is laid out the 10 planks of Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto. Read them for yourself and see how much they sound like our current state of affairs:

1. Abolition of private property and the application of all rents of land to public purposes.

2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

3. Abolition of all rights of inheritance.

4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.

5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.

6. Centralization of the means of communications and transportation in the hands of the State.

7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state, the bringing into cultivation of waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

8. Equal liability of all to labor. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries, gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equitable distribution of population over the country.

10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production.

This is where we are heading, well we may actually be more there than many want to admit. When man turns from God’s law the only place left to turn to is himself and when man turns to himself to legislate life we end up with tyranny. We cannot turn back the tide of Marxism, Socialism, Fascism or any another “-ism” until we turn back to seeing the word of God as all sufficient for all of life. God has called a people to Himself and we need to realize that He has not done this in a vacuum. He has called us and empowered to follow His commands which most glorify Him and in the end benefit us.

Let us turn back to Him and follow His word and not our sin tainted reason. Yes, reason does still exist for the believer and we are to use it but it is to be used in conjunction with His word and His word is to be the arbiter of our reason.

I will post more from Law & Liberty as time permits.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (2/11/10)

We have been watching a DVD series on the history of the Christian Church called From Terror to Triumph by Dr. Marshal Foster. I would highly recommend this series as Dr; Foster shows that in the midst of terror and seemingly overwhelming odds God has continually brought about the triumph of the church.

Thanks to Steve Halbrook’s Theonomy Resource blog here is a good article by Mike Warren on: Some Objections to Postmillennialism Answered.


Over at the NCFIC website Scott Brown lists: Top Ten Things Ungodly Cultures Hate That the Bible Tells Women. Any argument with this list is with God and His word.


You can check out a number of videos from Haiti by Doug Phillips at: Rescue Haiti’s Children. Below is one of the video’s you can find there.

Solid Ground Christian Books

I thought I would post about one of the best book stores, as well as being a publishing company, I know of. Not only do they have great books they also have great prices. This books store is Solid Ground Christian Books in Vestavia Hills Alabama .

I have been buying books from them for some time and highly recommend them, especially for hard to find classics. You will not find fluff in their inventory but will find the type of meat that is all too often avoided but is needed to aid in the building up the body of Christ. Yes, we need to first and foremost read God’s inspired inerrant and sufficient word and if that is all the time you have to read make sure scripture reading fills that time. However it is greatly helpful to read what God has put on the minds of men and women in history and in this area Solid Ground and its owner Michael Gaydosh excel.

Here is what is on their site with regards to who they are:

Solid Ground Christian Books is a publishing company committed to the presentation of the cardinal doctrines of Holy Scripture. Our goal is to spread the fame of the Name of the Lord by finding, uncovering and restoring the best Christian literature from the past and bringing it into the modern world.

We believe that there are many treasured works from the past that the Lord has used in mighty ways, and yet are unavailable to the modern reader. We are always searching for works that have been used by the Holy Spirit in converting, sanctifying and keeping power.

Our desire is to serve the pastors, churches, missionaries, chaplains, the military, professors and students of the 21st century. We will seek to keep our prices fair, and our service prompt, personal and courteous.

Our prayer is that the God of sovereign grace will be pleased to smile upon our efforts to further His kingdom, and that multitudes throughout he world will be forever changed by reading the books we produce.

Soli Deo Gloria — To God Alone Be The Glory!

BOARD OF PASTORAL REFERENCE
In order to assure that this publishing business remains on track we have established a Board of Pastoral Reference to oversee the direction of this work. These men have served the Lord faithfully for many years. It is a delight to place their names before you.

-Earl Blackburn, Heritage Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA
-Richard Denham, Missionary to Brazil for over 50 years
-David Dykstra, Reformed Baptist Church of Lafayette, NJ
-Erroll Hulse, Leeds Reformed Baptist Church, Leeds, England
-Peter Jeffery, Libanus Evangelical Church, Morriston, Swansea, Wales
-Tom Lutz, Edgewood Baptist Church, Anderson, IN
-Conrad Mbewe, Kabwata Baptist Church, Zambia, Africa
-Geoff Thomas, Alfred Place Baptist Church, Aberystwyth, Wales
-David Vaughn, Missionary to France
-Todd Wilson, Grace Covenant Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL (my pastor)

CHURCH BOOK TABLE PROGRAM
More than 85 churches have taken advantage of our no risk Church Book Table program. Now your church can participate as well. Contact us for more information. Get started today — call (205) 443-0311 or e-mail sgcb@charterinternet.com.

So check out their inventory and for sure to get on their mailing list so you can see the great specials Michael sends out.

Thoughts and Ideas on Future Posts

Thanks to a good friend in Tennessee who has done this on her site I thought I would ask if there are any questions, ideas or topics you would like covered on this blog. They can range from homeschooling to politics to theology or any number of other subjects. Just leave a comment on what you would like covered and I will work on writing some posts on those subjects.

Every subject in some manner deals with theology as it is our understanding about God that informs all we do. One cannot escape the fact that what we believe, or do not believe, about God will in the end drive what we believe about everything else. Thus my posts will seek to see whatever subject that is looked at from a biblical perspective and how it relates to our view of God.

I look forward to your suggestions.

Grace and Peace,
Tony

Around the Web and Blogosphere (2/2/10)

On the American Vision’s site is an excerpt from Joel McDurmon’s book God versus Socialism: A Biblical Critique of the New Social Gospel called What is the State? One can know who their, or others, God is by who or what they put their trust in and for many that is the state. We live in a time when the state is seen as the solution to all man's problems and God is seen, if at all, as a fall back plan. The state does have a place in God’s economy but it is not the position and place it holds in the US and much of the world today.


While I am sure the substance of these sermons may be difficult for some I think Pastor Weavers Sermons on the Civil War are a must hear. Whether, when you are done with the series, you hold to his views or not the material he provides is that which must be dealt. Since most history is written to broad brush the Civil War so as to make the South bad and the North good and the war being all about slavery Pastor Weaver will shed light on aspects you may not have heard or contemplated. You can download the 14 sermons here. I would also recommend his sermon on the Black Robed Regiment that speaks on the part pastors took in the revolutionary war and stands in stark contrast to today’s call for churches to sit on the sidelines when it comes to politics.


If you like the music of Sovereign Grace Music they are having a great sale this month. The music they produce is $6 for CDs and $5 for downloads, also for orders over $15 shipping is free in the US.


If you would like a source of articles on soteriology check out Caleb’s blog Biblical Soteriology. There are many great articles there.

Sanctified By God - Dan Horn

I just finished reading Dan Horn’s book “Sanctified by God: A call to keep the Christian Sabbath" and it is a book that I would recommend to others. Truly not much is written today on the Christina Sabbath as it appears that many try and steer clear of such a controversial issue. But to avoid the subject is to miss out on the joy and blessing God has given us in the Sabbath He has called us to observe. I heard Dan speak on this subject at the Sufficiency of Scripture Conference last month in Western Kentucky and that was what instigated the reading of his book. You can read my summary of his talk here.

Obviously from the title you know up front that Dan holds to the need to observe the Christian Sabbath today. What was so useful and profitable about this book is that it covered all aspects of the Sabbath and not just that we need to keep it. The overarching theme, I felt, was that to not observe the Sabbath as God intends today is to miss out on the joy God intended in setting aside a day for His people to delight in Him. So Dan deals with the various issues that come about when dealing with the Sabbath so as to help us see that God’s call to obey the Sabbath in the 4th Commandment is not one of burden but delight. All too often the talk on the Sabbath revolves around if it is legalistic or not and if the Sabbath is even required today for the New Testament Christian. What is often not dealt with as much are the other aspects that revolve around the topic of the Christian Sabbath such as: Why, How, When, What For and all those questions entail.

Yes this book will be convicting to some but anything that deals with areas we have been negligent in will be such. It is what we do with the conviction that is important. Do we brush it aside or do we truly turn to scripture and deal with the issue so as to please and honor God. I think Dan has helped in this area as this book is not merely a defense of the Christian Sabbath and the need to observe it but it also gives practical examples of how this all works out. Also included in the appendix of this book is Jonathan Edwards defense of the continuation and the change of day of the Sabbath. The following are the chapters included in this book:

1) The Need
2) The Sanctification
3) The Defense
4) The Judgment
5) The History
6) The Day
7) The Rest
8) The Mercy
9) The Delight
10) The Practice
11) The Exhortation
12) Appendix: Jonathan Edwards on The Perpetuity and Change of the Sabbath

We live in a time that has made the Christian Sabbath difficult to keep. By this I mean the world offers all sorts of baubles for us to reach for when God has placed a magnificent gift right before us in the Christian Sabbath. We need to realize this great gift is before us and partake of it and not just for a couple hours a day but to put aside the entire day for God and His people to delight in Him together. Let us seek to glorify God and delight in Him on the day He has set aside for us. Yes we need to worship Him daily in all we do but that does not negate the one day God has pointed to since creation.

Sufficiently of Scripture Materials

The Sufficiently of Scripture MP3s and CDs are now available at Vision Forum. Until January 27th the price for the MP3s (32 Messages) and CDs (22 Messages) are $95 There is also a 10-DVD collection of sermons from the conference also for $95. There is a combo set of the 10-DVD collection and the CDs also available.

10- DVD Collection:

1. Woe to Those who go Down to Egypt for Advice — Scott Brown
2. Scripture is Sufficient for Ministry to Youth — Scott Brown

3. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Biblical Manhood — Voddie Baucham

4. The Sufficiency of Scripture in the Disciple-Making Ministry of the Church and the Home — Voddie Baucham
5. The Defining Battles in the War Against the Sufficiency of Scripture — Doug Phillips
6. The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Heart of the NCFIC — Doug Phillips
7. Scripture is Sufficient for Your Educational Decisions — Kevin Swanson
8. The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Gospel — Paul Washer
9. The Genesis Three Attack in our Era of History — Ken Ham
10. Is the Sufficiency of Scripture a Biblical Doctrine? — Dr. Joe Morecraft

MP3 Collection:
1. Do Not Learn the Way of the Gentiles — Scott Brown
2. The Defining Battles in the War Against the Sufficiency of Scripture — Doug Phillips

3. Our Declining Church and Culture: The Genesis Connection and How to Continue a Godly Heritage — Ken Ham

4. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Manhood and Womanhood — Voddie Baucham

5. The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Heart of the NCFIC — Doug Phillips

6. The Regulative Principle of Worship in the Old Testament — Joe Morecraft

7. The Inerrancy of Scripture — R.C. Sproul, Jr.

8. English Bibles and the Sufficiency of Scripture — Bill Einwechter
9. Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 1: Teachers of Good Things — Jeff Pollard
10. The Sufficiency of Scripture for the Laws of Nations — Doug Phillips
11. Scripture is Sufficient for Child Discipline — Steve Breagy
12. But How Could a Loving God Say...? — Dan Horn

13. Scripture is Sufficient for Personal Evangelism — Paul Washer

14. Applying the Sufficiency of Scripture in the Botkin Family — Geoff Botkin
15. The Regulative Principle of Worship in the New Testament — Joe Morecraft
16. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Family Life — Kevin Swanson
17. God’s Law or Chaos — Bill Einwechter
18. Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 2: Keepers at Home — Jeff Pollard
19. Is the Sufficiency of Scripture a Bible Doctrine? — Joe Morecraft
20. Scripture is Sufficient for Ministry to Youth — Scott Brown
21. The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Gospel — Paul Washer
22. The Sufficiency of Scripture and Family Integration — Kevin Swanson
23. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Evangelizing the Nations — Paul Washer
24. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Church Discipline — Joe Morecraft
25. Youth Ministry — Voddie Baucham
26. Scripture is Sufficient for your Educational Decisions — Kevin Swanson
27. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Culture and Aesthetics — Doug Phillips
28. Scripture is Sufficient to Define and Govern the Church — Dan Horn
29. Scripture is Sufficient for Times of Spiritual Decline — Bill Einwechter
30. The Importance of Biblical Family Life for the Spread of the Gospel — Paul Washer
31. The Sufficiency of Scripture in the Disciple-Making Ministry of the Church and the Home — Voddie Baucham
32. Closing Charge — Scott Brown and Doug Phillips

CD Collection:

1. The Regulative Principle of Worship in the Old Testament — Joe Morecraft

2. The Inerrancy of Scripture — R.C. Sproul, Jr.

3. English Bibles and the Sufficiency of Scripture — Bill Einwechter
4. Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 1: Teachers of Good Things — Jeff Pollard
5. The Sufficiency of Scripture for the Laws of Nations — Doug Phillips
6. Scripture is Sufficient for Child Discipline — Steve Breagy

7. But How Could a Loving God Say...? — Dan Horn

8. Scripture is Sufficient for Personal Evangelism — Paul Washer

9. Applying the Sufficiency of Scripture in the Botkin Family — Geoff Botkin

10. The Regulative Principle of Worship in the New Testament — Joe Morecraft

11. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Family Life — Kevin Swanson

12. God’s Law or Chaos — Bill Einwechter

13. Scripture is Sufficient for Women’s Ministry Part 2: Keepers at Home — Jeff Pollard

14. The Sufficiency of Scripture and Family Integration — Kevin Swanson
15. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Evangelizing the Nations — Paul Washer
16. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Church Discipline — Joe Morecraft
17. Youth Ministry — Voddie Baucham
18. The Sufficiency of Scripture for Culture and Aesthetics — Doug Phillips
19. Scripture is Sufficient to Define and Govern the Church — Dan Horn
20. Scripture is Sufficient for Times of Spiritual Decline — Bill Einwechter
21. The Importance of Biblical Family Life for the Spread of the Gospel — Paul Washer
22. Closing Charge — Scott Brown and Doug Phillips

You can see a list of summaries from the sessions I went to at the conference here:  Sufficiency of Scripture 2009 Conference Wrap-up

The Law and Us

Often when speaking on the law I think there is a misunderstanding with regards to the law and the believer today. This misunderstanding comes from seeing the law monolithically, that is as only relating to the unbeliever but that misses God’s full intent for the law. We need to see that the law is eternal and is applicable to all people at all times but it’s relationship is different for the unbeliever than the believer.

First let me say that I agree that we are not under the law, as it relates to salvation. We are saved by grace alone and not by our works thus the law does not save us by following it. When we see the law spoken of as a school master (Gal 3:24) or in other such terms it is in relation to us before we become a child of God. It is the law that reveals our great need for the atonement provided by Christ on the cross. So, again as the law relates to us before we believe we are under it but that relationship does change once we believe.

After salvation God’s law is our guide to the life that most glorifies God and is empowered by His spirit. Paul in 2 Tim 3:16-17 speaks of the whole council of scripture being useful, not just some of it, and this would first relate to the Old Testament that Paul would have taught from. Of course it also applies to the New Testament but all too often the relevance of the Old Testament to the New Covenant believer is overlooked. This comes, I believe, from a wrong understanding of our relation to the law after salvation. God has given us His law word as a guide for the path we are to follow, a path that most glorifies Him. We follow the law not for ourselves, primarily, but to worship Him magnify His name in all the earth as we realize the sanctification God works in our lives.

Matthew 28:19-20 an oft quoted section of scripture says:

(19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The call here is to teach the nations God’s commands that at the time of the writing of this passage would have been contained in the Old Testament and would also, necessarily, include what is in the New Testament as it came about. But, the call is not to simply teach about the commands but to teach to observe or follow them. The great glory in this is that as believers we are empowered by God to do just that. We may fail and struggle but by studying His word and by the power of His Spirit we are enabled to follow all God calls us to do in all His word, again, for His glory and His purposes.

It would be rightly called legalism to try and follow God’s law by our power. But to do so by His power is not legalism but is obedience to our Lord and Savior. We need to recognize this distinction with regards to position with the law if we are to correctly understand how we are to relate to it as believers today. The struggle should not be about what laws we are to follow but how can we follow all of God’s law, of course not the ceremonial law that pointed to Christ, for His glory

Charles Spurgeon in his sermon on The Allegories of Sarah and Hagar (Sermon 69) speaks on this distinction in how the law relates to us both before salvation and after and I think his words are helpful.

On the Law prior to Salvation
“The law is, so to speak, Jesus Christ's dog, to go after his sheep, and bring them to the shepherd; the law is the thunderbolt which affrighteth ungodly men, and maketh them turn from the error of their ways, and seek after God. “

On the Law after Salvation:
“What is God's law now? It is not above a Christian—it is under a Christian. Some men hold God's law like a rod, in terrorem, over Christians, and say, "If you sin you will be punished with it." It is not so. The law is under a Christian; it is for him to walk on, to be his guide, his rule, his pattern. "We are not under the law, but under grace." Law is the road which guides us, not the rod which drives us, nor the spirit which actuates us. The law is good and excellent, if it keeps its place.”

The law does not disappear once one is a believer but is simply in a different relationship to us. It is for the believer a path unto our feet and a path that we need to seek to follow diligently since it is a path set out by God first for His glory and secondly for our good.

Around the Web and Blogosphere (1/11/09)

If you have questions about Theonomy, here is a great site with many resources: Theonomy Resources: A database for resources for applying the law of God to every area of life.


Another new blog with much useful information is Biblical Soteriology.


If you have heard of J.C Ryle you may interested in J.C. Ryle Quotes. You can also have them sent to your daily in a number of formats including email and on Facebook. If you have not heard of J.C. Ryle check out this site.


A couple years ago I joined in a challenge to read the puritans for the year. Well this year you can join in and read A Year with Baptist Classics. To help in the cost Solid Ground Books is offering discounts on each book as well as the entire set. The list price for the entire set is $185 but it is on sale for $79.95 as of today and for at least right now there is free shipping. Here is the link to the books offered – SGB-Year with Baptist Classics.

Here are the books for the year and descriptions:

JANUARY - Benjamin Keach The Travels of True Godliness This is a work, written in the style of The Pilgrim's Progress, tracing the growth, struggles and temptations faced by 'True Godliness.' It is an enjoyable journey depicting the path of growth in holiness.

FEBRUARY - Andrew Fuller: A Heart for Missions (Pearce Bio) One of the best Christian biographies ever written! Samuel Pearce was the Baptist version of Robert Murray McCheyne--a young pastor known for godliness and zeal whose life was brief but impact was profound.

MARCH - Hercules Collins Devoted to the Service of the Temple A mighty man of God, Hercules Collins was a pastor of a very large London Congregation during the 17th century. This little book very helpfully collects some of his wonderful doctrinal and devotional writings.

APRIL - Adoniram Judson On Christan Baptism The Congregational Missionary Society was shocked when its first missionary, Adoniram Judson, adopted credobaptist views while on his way to serve in India. In this book, Judson demonstrates the nature of Christian baptism.

MAY - Southern Baptist Sermons on Sovereignty and Responsibility American Baptist history is full of great preachers. Here is a collection of sermons by Southern worthies, expounding vital topics; by Basil Manly, Sr., W.B. Johnson, R.B.C. Howell & Richard Fuller.

JUNE - John Broadus: Jesus of Nazareth Our Lord Jesus is wonderfully presented by another great Southern preacher, John Broadus.

JULY/AUGUST - Benjamin Beddome's Exposition of the Baptist Catechism Here is a gem, long out of print, but recently reprinted. Theology is made practical by this pastor from the village of Bourton-on-the-Water in the English Cotswolds.

SEPTEMBER - Andrew Fuller: The Backslider Christians struggle with sin--this is a fact. We need to consider this truth, learn about its dangers, and find the right method of recovery. This book will help.

OCTOBER - John Bunyan: Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ We can't neglect Bunyan! In this book, he calls us to find our full satisfaction in Jesus Christ.

NOVEMBER - Benjamin Keach: The Marrow of True Justification We live in a day when the doctrine of justification by faith alone is under attack. One of our fathers, Benjamin Keach, ably explains this doctrine here. This is the heart of the gospel.

DECEMBER - Charles Spurgeon: Sermons on Men or Women of the Bible What a great way to conclude the year! As always, Spurgeon shows us how the men and women of the Bible point us to Jesus Christ.

Sufficiency of Scripture 2009 Conference Wrap-up

I did not do a summary of the last session as it was more of a reflection on the conference with Scott Brown and Doug Phillips.  They shared their thoughts on the conference as well as what was ahead.

If you want the audio from this conference you can get them in CD or MP3 format here:  Sufficiency of Scripture 2009 Conference.

Here is a list of the Sufficiency of Scripture 2009 Conference summaries:

Session 1 - Scott Brown (12/10/09)

Session 2 - Doug Phillips (12/10/09)

Session 3 - Ken Ham (12/10/09)

Session 4 & 5 - Voddie Baucham and Doug Phillips (12/10/09)

Sessions 6 & 7 - Bill Einwechter and Doug Phillips (12/11/09)

Sessions 8 & 9 - Joe Morecraft (12/11/09)

Sessions 10 & 11 - Scott Brown and Paul Washer (12/11/09)

Sessions 12 & 13 - Kevin Swanson and Dan Horn (12/12/09)

Sessions 14 & 15 - Dan Horn and Voddie Baucham (12/12/09)

Sufficiency of Scripture Conference - Summary of Sessions 14 & 15 (12/12)

The Sufficiency of Scripture to Define and Govern the Church – Dan Horn

This was a second break out session where Dan Horn covered the topic of scriptures being sufficient to define how the church is to be governed.  He began by asking the simple, yet often argued over question,  “what is the church and who is the church.”  The church is not like any other institution as it is unique in the world. The church is not a building or a club as often seems to be what it ends up being in a large part of the professing church.  Dan shared how the church is led by Elders who are as Eph 4:12 says to “equip the saints” for the work that God has for them.

Dan then spoke on three aspects of the church.  The first aspect covered was the church as a biblical institution.  He spoke on the three institutions or spheres of authority God has set up: the family, the state and the church.  The church is to be the light to the world while the state has been given the word and the family the rod; again each has its area of authority.  The church and it’s members are responsible to proclaim God’s word to the nations.  Romans 10:13-15 reveals this responsibility with the preaching that is spoken of not simply being just to speak the word but to publish His word in all activates of life so as to proclaim to the world the glories of God.  Dan also shared how the church is spoken of as the Bride of Christ (Eph 5:22-32) and how we need to love the church as Christ loves the church.  Also, the church is spoken of as a holy nation (1 Peter 2:7-9) such that in a sense we are like a nation as we are a people chosen by God, a people set apart.  As a set apart people we have the authority God has given us apart from what He has given the family and state.  Yet another metaphor God uses of the church in His word is as a household of God (Matt 22:30).

In still dealing with the church as a biblical institution Dan Horn spoke on how often the place of the church is commingled with the other institutions God has instituted.  Thus one result is that many churches have become creatures of the state.  Another area that is often blurred is the relationship between the church and family with often going to the extremes of either minimizing the family or maximizing it rather then seeking to finds its true area of authority as set out in scripture.  One last aspect with regards to the church as in institution set up by God Dan deal with was that of the error in far too many church of not having a plurality in leadership.

Dan then spoke on how the church is also universal in that it includes all the elect of God.  That all the elect are in the universal aspect of the church the bride of Christ (Matt 16:16-18; Heb 12:22-24).  Thus when we speak of the body of Christ in a universal manner we speak of the body of Christ as all those that have and will believe. 

The last aspect Dan spoke on was the church as a local body meeting together.  This is also known as the visible church.  This gathering is for more than simply to gather but is about building up people to do the work of God.  As the visible/local church gathers it does so with a dual purpose, first being to worship God corporately and to glorify Him in that gathering.  Secondly the church gathers to teach men and women to glorify God.  As part of this look at the local church, which was too short due to time, was to ask the question: When is a Church a Church.  As part of an answer Dan shared what Calvin had said:  There is the preaching of the word, the sacraments are rightly administered and discipline is carried out.  I would personally add, and Dan may have gone here if time had allowed, that the church is governed as God’s word defines.

This was a good talk and much more could have been said.  We live in a day and age where it seems more and more what the church is and how it is to function is defined more by the culture it is within than what God’s word declares.  We need to return to the sufficiency of scripture to define what and how the church is.

The Sufficiency of Scripture in the Disciplemaking ministry of the church and the Home – Voddie Baucham

This last talk, not including the closing comments by Scott Brown and Doug Phillips, looked at the synergy of the church and home in disciplemaking. To look at this Voddie Baucham looked at Titus 1 and 2 to see that God has given us; godly mature men and women in the church, godly manly elders, and godly biblically functioning homes.

The first of these he looked at was that of godly mature men and women in the church and focused on Titus 2:1-5. Verses 2 and 3 speak to godly men who have walked with God over time.  It is not just about age, but age and action in character formed over time.  Verse 2 gives the character traits of older men that are sanctified by His spirit over time.  Traits such as self control which is actually being controlled by God and thus yielding to the control of God.  Another trait is that of being sound in faith.  This is a man that is to lead others but sadly this all to often does not happen unless a person thinks they are called ministry.  Other traits that are found in V2 are to be sound in love and being steadfast.

Voddie then turned to looking at V3-5 of Titus 2 which says much the same about women.  According to this section of scripture women are to be reverent in behavior through their time with God and their words are not to be slanderous.  Among other characteristics women are not to controlled by outward influences such as wine  and is to speak so as to impart biblical wisdom – “teach what is good.”  The women of the church are also to teach younger women which while followed with many things is tied to the end of V5 – so that the word of God will not be reviled.

Having godly mature men and women in the church is just the first aspect of discipling in the church.  This aspect is to be such that it raises up godly men and women in the church who will in turn raise up others that will be godly and mature.  Based on this we need to do what we can to be around God’s people in His church even if it is to move or start a church.

Next, Voddie dealt with the issue of godly, manly elders by looking at Titus 1.  Voddie shared that Titus 2:2 does not give a list of characteristics as were given for women in 2:3-5 because the Titus 1 list for elders in essence is a list for all men and thus no list is needed in Titus 2.  We also see that in 1 Peter 5 elders are to be examples to the flock so again whatever list is given for elders is applicable to the men of the church.  In Titus 1:5-9 gives us some of those characteristics such as needing faithful children since leadership starts in the home.  The list of characteristics then moves to those of character such as being above approach.  Again, these characteristics given are a picture of not just a godly manly elder but also are the same characteristics men are to seek after in general.

The last area covered was that of a biblically functioning home (Titus 1:10-11).  What is stressed is that of protecting the home as the importance of the home to the church is critical.  The home is to be a place to saturate with the word of God so that when they come to the corporate gathering of the church they are ready to be equipped.

These three aspects of the disciplemaking ministry of the church build up continuously so that there is complete saturation.  We need all three aspects so as to build a healthy family and a healthy Church and to have families and churches that most glorify God.  As usual Voddie reveals his passion in his sermons and that passion for God’s church needs to be a passion we all have.