A giant of the Faith has finished his race. John Stott passed away yesterday. I remember reading his book The Preacher’s Portrait in college as I was beginning my training to be a pastor. And then his commentary on Ephesians which revolutionized my view of the church in seminary. Since then, I have gathered other commentaries and other books by him. I suppose I am one of countless many who have been touched in some way by his life and ministry. Here is a sampling of tributes and reviews of his life:
A review of his life by Justin Taylor including a memorial video.
Think by John Piper reminds us that thinking is important. It is a “plea to embrace serious thinking as a means of loving God and people” (p15). Thinking, he argues, “exists to help us know God more so that we may treasure him more. It exists to bring as much good to other people as we can – especially the eternal good of enjoying God through Christ” (p167).
The book is divided into several sections. He begins by considering the importance of reading as it relates to thinking, and then addresses the importance of thinking in conversion. He then combats two giants in our world (and too often our churches): relativism and anti-intellectualism. His section on relativism I found to be particularly timely and helpful as he argues that relativism undermines thinking, and hence love. He further outlines seven specific problems with relativism which I found particularly compelling. His section on anti-intellectualism addresses the all too common suspicion in the church of study and learning by relooking at some common misunderstood passages.
All in all a most helpful and needed book. Read it to be encouraged to think more about God that you might love him more. Read it to decimate any traces of relativism and anti-intellectualism in your own life, and to lovingly help others do the same in their lives. Highly recommended.
Christ Alone by Michael Wittmer does exactly what the sub-title states: it is “An Evangelical Response to Rob Bell’s Love Wins.” In ten chapters, Wittmer address the major themes in Bell’s book. In doing so, Wittmer goes way beyond the question of hell, showing that Bell’s view of hell has important ramifications for the doctrines of God, sin, Christ, and salvation. In the end, the issue touches on the gospel itself. Along the way, Wittmer helpfully sets the various issues in their historical contexts, granting further thought and insight.
Overall, he gives a careful biblical critique in a gentle and charitable tone. No ranting and raving here. His critique is further very readable and accessible, with even a touch of humor. Though a response to Bell’s book, it can easily be read on its own. If you have read Bell’s book and want another perspective, or if you are just curious about what all the fuss is about, or if you just want to understand these issues better, this is a great book to pick up.
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle addresses the current hell controvery. In a simple easy-to-read fashion they explore the various verses in Scripture that speak about hell. In the process they write against Rob Bell’s recent book as well as the American “everyone goes to heaven” funeral mentality. This is much needed in the world and church today.
Still, where the book really shines is when it challenges the way Christians respond to this doctrine of hell. Hell should make us weep. Hell doesn’t make sense to us, and so should humble us before a God that is greater than we are. Hell should cause us to examine ourselves to see if we are really of the faith. Hell is more than a doctrine to fight about or an issue only for the lost. Hell is something that Christians must wrestle with and live in light of. The reality of hell has ramifications for how we live. And these reminders are much needed in the church today.
Our local newspaper ran a story this weekend of four different people’s views of our country.
The first person was essentially happy with her life – life was good for her. She didn’t concern herself with the world’s problems. I suspect many people think in this rather care-free isolationist individualistic way.
The second person bemoaned the gradual loss of freedoms and the corruption in government. He sounded like many Christians (and others) I know that are constantly bemoaning how our country is getting worse. The poor economy, big government seeking to micro-manage our lives, the disintegration of Christian morals, abortion, the list goes on. I confess this is often where I find myself too.
The third person ranted about taxes and can best be summed up in his own words: “Who has the right to tell me to do anything?” He is an angry version of the second person. He is also similar to the first person with a strong individualistic bent, but unlike the first person, he isn’t happy. He represents numerous people in our country (both conservative and liberal) who want to be able to do whatever they want and are vocally angry about it.
To this point, I was speed-reading the article. If it had ended there I wouldn’t have even remembered it, let alone written a post about it. But the fourth person slowed me down. She had visited a formerly Communist country. She had heard first-hand accounts of life under a Communist regime. She expressed gratitude for our right as Americans to choose our religion and travel freely. In her words, “It makes me appreciate being American.”
I too have travelled outside the United States. Two separate trips to two separate countries on two different continents. And when I compare what I saw in those countries to what we have here, I too appreciate being an American. We have the right to choose our religion and freely gather to worship. We have the right to free speech. We can travel freely from state to state. Even the poorest among us are better off than countless millions around the world. We are blessed in ways that many people around the world only dream of – if they can even imagine it. God has truly blessed this country, and we ought to thank God for it. Yes, we have numerous problems (as persons two and three recognize), and we must not deny or ignore them (like person one apparently wants to do). But this is still a great place to live. As we celebrate our country today, I want to join the fourth person and say: I am grateful to be an American!
I have been writing about prayer for the last few weeks now, and I want to share some resources that I have found useful in thinking and writing about prayer.
First I watched/listened to the 2011 Desiring God Pastors Conference messages on prayer. I found the messages by Joel Beeke and Francis Chan to be particularly helpful, as well as the Panel Discussion.
Second, I read a lot of books:
Fresh Encounters by Daniel Henderson, I have already written about here. It was particularly helpful in thinking through the importance of praying together, as well as ideas to start and lead times of prayer.
A related book, The Church That Prays Together by Elmer Towns and Daniel Henderson, features the prayer ministries of ten different churches, a few of which I found to be helpful in my church context.
The Family at Church by Joel Beeke gives half of the book to considering the importance, history, purpose, and implementation of regular prayer meetings. (The other half of the book is about listening to sermons.)
Developing a Healthy Prayer Life by James W. Beeke and Joel R. Beeke gives 31 short meditations on personal prayer. This was the source of some of the prayer quotes to ponder I featured the last few weeks.
I am in the middle of some other books about personal prayer which I may mention in future posts as I finish reading them.
Finally, for a treasure trove of resources on prayer meetings, I invite you to visit PrayerMeetings.org.
Tomorrow for Resurrection Sunday many will sing Charles Wesley’s great hymn, Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (my sympathies if you don’t!). Wesley wrote the hymn in 1739 for the first service of the Foundry Meeting House in London – the first chapel for Methodists who followed the Wesleys. The hymn was originally written without the alleluias, which were added later by an unknown editor. Most hymnals only have four stanzas, but below you will find ten, though only the first seven were written by Wesley. The last three come from the 14th Century and were translated from Latin. These last three stanzas are found in many hymnals under the name, Jesus Christ is Risen Today. Both hymns share the same tune – Lyra Davidica.
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Last week I posted some daily Passion Week reflections. Below are some reflections for Easter and the following week to help us ponder what Christ’s resurrection means to us:
And let us learn from the story of the passion always to hate sin with a great hatred. Sin was the cause of all our Savior’s sufferings. Our sins twisted the crown of thorns; our sins drove the nails into his hands and feet; on account of our sins his blood was shed. Surely the thought of Christ crucified should make us loathe all sin.
A giant of the Faith has finished his race. John Stott passed away yesterday. I remember reading his book The Preacher’s Portrait in college as I was beginning my training to be a pastor. And then his commentary on Ephesians which revolutionized my view of the church in seminary. Since then, I have gathered other commentaries and other books by him. I suppose I am one of countless many who have been touched in some way by his life and ministry. Here is a sampling of tributes and reviews of his life:
Brian J. Mikul 