Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Faith, Life, Personal, Philosophy, Religion, Thoughts

God Has Lost Weight

I am not talking about physical weight,

In David Wells book “God in the Wasteland: The Reality of Truth in a World of Fading Dreams”, he makes the following observation about modern society,

“It is one of the defining marks of Our Time that God is now weightless. I do not mean by this that he is ethereal but rather that he has become unimportant. He rests upon the world so inconsequentially as not to be noticeable. He has lost his saliency for human life.

Those who assure the pollsters of their belief in God’s existence may nonetheless consider him less interesting than television, his commands less authoritative than their appetites for affluence and influence, his judgment no more awe-inspiring than the evening news, and his truth less compelling than the advertisers’ sweet fog of flattery and lies. That is weightlessness. It is a condition we have assigned him after having nudged him out to the periphery of our secularized life. . . . Weightlessness tells us nothing about God but everything about ourselves, about our condition, about our psychological disposition to exclude God from our reality.”

Something to chew on…

Matt Capps Christianity, Faith, Life, Personal, Religion, Thoughts

C.J. Mahaney on being ‘Busy’

This is an excellent post from C.J. Mahaney! He provides a sobering look at ‘being busy’. We live in a world where we have endless options, and what seems to be, millions of things to do. So take a few minutes, a break, and read this pastor’s heart…here is an excerpt;

“I forget now who first brought these points to my attention. But the realization that I could be simultaneously busy and lazy, that I could be a hectic sluggard, that my busyness was no immunity from laziness, became a life-altering and work-altering insight. What I learned is that:

  • Busyness does not mean I am diligent
  • Busyness does not mean I am faithful
  • Busyness does not mean I am fruitful

Recognizing the sin of procrastination, and broadening the definition to include busyness, has made a significant alteration in my life. The sluggard can be busy—busy neglecting the most important work, and busy knocking out a to-do list filled with tasks of secondary importance.”

To read the whole thing click here!

Matt Capps Christianity, Faith, Religion, Thoughts

Mark Dever on the ‘Marks of a Christian Leader’

Last night I traveled to the North Carolina Baptist State Convention to hear Mark Dever. Dr. Dever is the pastor of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. A Duke graduate, Dr. Dever holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiastical History from Cambridge University. Dr. Dever is also the president of 9Marks Ministries.

Dr. Dever made some observations on Christian leadership out of the book of Jude.

“It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”

Here is an outline of his message,

1. Christian leaders should not be self seeking, but self giving.

2. Christian leaders should not self confident to the point of arrogance, but humble.

3. Christian leaders should not be troublemakers, but peacemakers, actively seeking to build and not blame.

4. Christian leaders should not be anti-Christian (non-believing), but solid/sound in teaching from God’s word with a strong commitment to Christ and the Gospel.

5. Christian leaders should not be immoral but disciplined, and self-controlled.

These were good observations/meditations on Jude. But there was one statement that Dever made, one statement that stuck with me;

He said that “all pastors must live in the tension between 1 Timothy 3:1 and James 3:1“.

Matt Capps Christianity, Faith, Philosophy, Religion, Thoughts

Church History Teasers (Part 4): Gregory’s ‘Pastoral Rule’

Brief Outline of ‘The Pastoral Rule’ by Gregory the Great

Purpose for Writing: To argue “what rashness it is for the unskillful to assume pastoral authority, since the government of souls is the art of arts!” (134).

Part 1: No Title Given
1. The unskillful should not venture in approaching the office of authority.
2. None should enter a place of government when not practicing in life what they have learnt by study.
3. On the weight of government; and that all manner of adversity is to be despised, and prosperity feared.
4. For the most part the occupation of government dissipates solidarity of mind.
5. Of those are able to profit others by virtuous example, but fly from it in pursuit of their own ease.
6. Those who fly from the burden of rule through humility are truly humble when they resist not the divine decrees.
7. While some laudably desire the office of preaching, others, just as laudably, are drawn to it by compulsion.
8. Of those who covet pre-eminence, and seize on the language of the Apostle to serve the purpose of their own greed.
9. That the mind of those who wish for pre-eminence for the most part flatter themselves with a feigned promise of good works.
10. What manner of man ought to come to rule!
11. What manner of man ought not to come to rule!

Part 2: ‘Of the Life of the Pastor’
1. How one who has, in due order, arrived at a place of rule ought to demean himself in it.
2. That the ruler should be pure in thought.
3. The ruler should always lead in action.
4. The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence and profitable in speech.
5. The ruler should be a near neighbor to everyone in compassion, and exalted above all in compassion.
6. The ruler should be, through humility, a companion of good livers, but through the zeal of righteousness, rigid against the vices of evildoers.
7. Rulers should not relax his care for the things that are within his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within.
8. The ruler should not set his heart on pleasing men, and yet ought give heed to what to phase them.
9. The ruler ought to be careful to understand how commonly vices pass themselves off as virtues.
10. The ruler’s discrimination should be balanced between correction and connivance, between fervor and gentleness.
11. How intent the ruler ought to be on mediations in the sacred law.

Gregory argues that “no one presumes to teach an art till he has first, with intent meditation, learnt it”. The Pastoral Rule is Gregory’s own estimate on the heaviness of pastoral care, with a contemplation of the expectations and implications of taking such an office. “For certainly no one does more harm in the Church than one who has the name and rank of sanctity, while he acts perversely”.

While Gregory’s Rule was composed in the 6th century, the overall principles considered reach across cultural constraints and still have much value for evangelical pastors today. The overall thread in Gregory’s argument seeks to prove humility as the key to unity in the church and effectiveness in the pastoral office. To accomplish this Gregory makes known how “vices assail us” and “how well-guarded virtues strengthen us”.

Gregory warns pastor’s of being ‘mastered’ by too many things. When occupied in many affairs the heart becomes distracted in “divers directions”. Gregory likens this condition to one on a journey who forgets where he is going. Yet the other extreme is considered with the same circumspect eye. There is equal danger in dwelling solely within the “contemplative life”. The pastor who ‘neglects his neighbor’ is equally misguided, “whoever abounds in virtues” and “refuses to feed the flock of God” is convicted. Gregory made much of the tension in the pastoral office, being both active in ministry to others and active in the personal contemplative life. The balanced fusion of public and private life illustrates the ideal pattern for spiritual devotion. This is a principle well heard in an age of perpetual distraction.

Gregory also attacks the vice of pride. He writes, “he that seeks, not the ministry of good works, but the glory of distinction, is himself a witness against himself”. The vice of pride is exposed in that “while he [the pastor] delights himself in his place of honor, he becomes the curse of ruin to his subordinates”. Therefore, “let everyone measure himself wisely” lest he reign unto condemnation. This word is useful today, seeing that the CEO/celebrity pastor model, which is often desired, lends to the bred pride in place.

Gregory calls for men aspiring the office of authority to “be pure, in action chief; discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; a near neighbor to everyone in sympathy, exalted above all in contemplation; a familiar friend of good livers through humility, [and] unbending against the vices of evil-doers through zeal for righteousness”. While desiring to be an example, those desiring pastoral office ought to show these qualities in the very gravity of life. Knowing that actions speak louder than words Gregory argues that virtue is shown in walking “better through example than through words”. Yet, whoever “enters the priesthood undertakes the office of herald”, therefore he must also be wise with words. How much more pertinent is this today when secular culture and skeptical seekers wait and bait for pastoral failure? “Let rulers, then, maintain outwardly what they undertake for the benefit of others: let them retain inwardly what makes them fearful in their estimate of themselves”.

Lastly, Gregory warns that coveting “being loved by the church instead of” God may lead to smoothing “down with flatteries the offence of his subordinates which he ought to have rebuked”. The fear of His eternal judgment should outweigh any temporal human judgment that might come in offending ones brother. This truth rages against the self esteem protective sentimentalism of today’s church, and speaks to the need of the renewed place of church discipline. Gregory prescribes that one must “meditate daily on the precepts of Sacred Writ, that the words of Divine admonition may restore in him the power” of God to undertake the office of pastor. This rightly places the word of God at the center! While Gregory’s Pastoral Rule was written in the 6th century it is very relevant for the church of today.

Part 1: Tertullian’s Apology

Part 2: Athanasius ‘On the Incarnation’

Part 3: Saint Benedict ‘The Rule’

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Faith, Life, Personal, Philosophy, Religion, Thoughts

President Obama, and a Proper Christian Response to his Election.

First off, it’s not the end of the world! It’s not the best of all possible outcomes (in my opinion), but all is not lost. This could be a wonderful opportunity for the Church to shine brighter than ever before.

The outcome of the 2008 election, to some Christians, will be a time of grief. President Obama’s stance on some moral issues are in direct opposition to the Christian worldview. With that said, we as Christian’s must not let the outcome of this election distract us from living in light of the Gospel.

“Remember that God is, and has always been Sovereign”

First, we need to be reminded of Paul’s words to the Romans, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

In this passage the Apostle Paul is speaking on the proper response to secular authorities. We must be reminded that President Obama has been placed in a ‘governing’ position over us. It is important to notice that Paul uses the word ‘submit’ here in reference to a proper posture to secular government. As Doug Moo puts it,

“To submit is to recognize one’s subordinate place in a hierarchy, to acknowledge as a general rule that certain people or institutions have ‘authority’ over us.” (Romans, 797)

The reason, these governing authorities have been ‘appointed’ by God. The Greek word here is literally ‘to order, to put someone over.’ Ultimately behind the affairs of this world is the hand of God. God’s sovereign providence is often a mysterious thing.

Thomas Oden rightly observes that anyone who reflects deeply on the issues of sovereignty and providence “stands at the confluence of many layers of mystery”.  The particulars of God’s providence within our world have only been partially revealed. The dynamics of these various layers are certainly complex. Udo Middelmann argues that “mystery refers to details not yet known, things which will be revealed later in order to complete what is now known in part.” One day we may be able look back and see how our current situation became a great catalyst for the Gospel. God is working, in spite of everything wrong in our world.

All this to say, ‘we can grieve and complain all we want’, this is a right emotion in light of the possible outcome of President Obama’s moral stances, but we cannot loose this opportunity to respond correctly as Christians.

This is an opportunity for us, as Christians, to live in such a way that America would take notice. Like the early church we should exhibit through our community life, through far from perfect”…that we are “sufficiently different and impressive to attract notice, to invite curiosity, and to inspire discipleship.”

We should make the “grace of God credible by a society of love and mutual care which astonishes” those around us so that they recognize us as something entirely different. (Michael Green, Evangelism in the Early Church)

“How Then Shall We live?”

1. We must still stand against abortion. But at the same time we must stand up for adoption. We need to let the world know that we, Christians, will raise the unwanted children. This is a radical response. The early Church was known for rescuing babies from death when they were left at doorsteps and in garbage dumps.

In the same way, we must support the efforts of our community organizations to provide care, counsel, and provision to pregnant women considering abortion so that they would choose life. We must also be involved in the process of caring for and restoring those who are dealing with the regret of past abortions.

2. We must outdo government programs that seek to provide for provision and necessities for the poor, oppressed, and outcast. We must walk beside the widows and orphans. It has been said many times that the Government had to step in because the Church was not doing it’s job.

Just as Dr. Martin Luther King once charged the church for not standing up for racial issues in the 60’s, “if today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will loose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning.” (Letter from Birmingham Jail)

I pray that we have not forever lost our voice! I pray that we do not step back in grief and become a community of escapists, and irrelevant social club. We need to impact our communities for the Gospel.

3. We must seek to use our finances in a way that wages war against the culture of greed, and the corruption and turmoil it brings. Greed is the reason our economy is unstable, its that simple. No top down financial plan will deliver America from the effects of greed.

The responsible actions of Christians who understand that money is gift from God will speak volumes to an America being drowned in greed.

4. We also must seek to uphold the family unit as designed by God. Some stats show that the divorce rate in the church is higher than the secular world. How can we have a voice on this issue if we are silent with our actions? Sure, we are not all perfect, and we have made mistakes, but we need to exhibit how the family unit should properly function in light of the Biblical pattern as an example to the world around us.

God provided a pattern of sacrificial love in the cross of Christ to show how marriage properly works. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”, and “Wives, submit to your husbands.”

The scope of this post cannot cover all the issues pertaining to this election. Nor do I fully understand the implications of every issue, nor have I greatly expounded on each of the issues above, but I feel that we need to respond out of love not anger.

5. Lastly,

1. Pray for our new President Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

2. Respect Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7).

3. Honor Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:17).

“Things We Must Rejoice In”

1. The implications of electing an African American president are huge. The horrible reality of our countries past illustrates the injustice of racism. We have made huge strides in recognizing all men as equal.

I am encouraged that we have an African American president. While I would rather it be someone else, I can rejoice in the fact that racial wounds can begin to heal in ways they never have.

2. Finally, and most importantly we must rejoice in the fact that our hope, as the Church, is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and nothing else. Our faith is not placed in politics, or the governing systems of this world.

Our citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. We are exiles in a strange land. But I pray that we are responsible citizens or in this world who recognize that our God is ultimately in control.

This is, more than anything else, a chance for the Church to shine the light of the Gospel in a dark secular America.

Note

Albert Mohler, John Piper, Mark Driscoll, C.J. Mahaney, Justin Taylor

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Life, Personal, Religion, Thoughts

Prayers for Election Day

First, Dr. Albert Mohler published an election day prayer this morning on his blog and I wanted to share it with you below;

“First, we should pray that God will bless America with leaders better than we deserve.  Democratic systems inevitably reflect the electorate’s decisions, and these decisions reveal underlying worldviews.  And, truth be told, all we can expect from democracy is the government we deserve.  We must pray for a government and for leaders better than we deserve.  May God grant us mercy as he reigns and rules over all things, including this election.

Second, we should pray that Americans will be motivated to fulfill the responsibilities of citizenship, yet also that we will be stripped of an unhealthy and idolatrous confidence in the power of government to save us.  God has given us the gift of rulers and governments in order to restrain evil, uphold righteousness, and provide for civil order.  No human ruler can save.  No government official or office holder can heal the human heart, solve the sin problem, or accomplish final justice.  These powers belong to God and God alone.

Third, we must pray that Americans will vote by conscience, not merely on the basis of celebrity or emotion.  Christian citizens must vote to uphold righteousness and contend for righteous and just laws.  But, at the same time, we must repent of moralism and the tacit assumption that better laws would produce better people.

Fourth, we must pray that Americans will vote to defend the least among us — and especially those who have no vote.  This starts, but does not end, with concern for the unborn and for the recovery of respect for the dignity and sanctity of every single human life at every stage of development, from conception until natural death.

Fifth, we should pray that God will prick the conscience of the nation on issues of morality, righteousness, and respect for marriage as the central institution of human civilization.  So much ground appears to have been lost on these issues.  We need to pray that much ground can be regained.

Sixth, we should pray that God will protect these candidates and their families.  They have been through an arduous ordeal and now face the deadline of the vote.  They are physically exhausted and now face the judgment of the people.  They are public figures, but they are also flesh and blood human beings, who are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters.  Their families have withstood much.  We should pray for their marriages and their children.  May God protect them.

Seventh, we should pray that the election is conducted with honor, civility, respect, and justice.  We must pray that we do not face another round of litigation after an election.  This brings democracy into disrepute.  May there be a clear winner, not a contested result.

Eighth, we must pray that Americans will be prepared to accept the results of the election with respect and kindness.  This will be no time for rancor, condemnations, and conspiracy theories.  Instead, we must pray that God will settle the hearts of the people.  May Christians be ready to respond with prayer, respect for office, and a gentle spirit.  Others will be watching.

Ninth, we should pray that this election would lead to even greater opportunities to preach the Gospel, and that the freedom of the church will be respected, honored, and protected.

Tenth, we must pray for the church, praying that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ would be strengthened in the truth, grounded in the faith, and empowered for witness and ministry.  May the church, the sign of the coming kingdom, be faithful to declare the Gospel — knowing that this is the only message that will save.”

John Piper also published a prayer on Desiring God’s web page;

Father in heaven, as we approach this election on Tuesday, I pray

1) that your people will vote,

2) and that they will vote with a sense of thankfulness for a democratic system that at least partially holds in check the folly and evil in all our hearts so that power which corrupts so readily is not given to one group or person too easily;

3) that we would know and live the meaning of

  1. being in the world, but not of it,
  2. doing politics as though not doing them,
  3. being on the earth, yet having our lives hidden with Christ in God,
  4. rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are God’s;

4) that we would discern what truths and values should advance by being made law and which should advance only by the leavening of honest influence;

5) that your people would see what love and justice and far-seeing wisdom demand in regard to the issues of education, business and industry, health care, marriage and family, abortion, welfare, energy, government and taxes, military, terrorism, international relations, and every challenge that we will face in the years to come;

6) and above all, that we will treasure Jesus Christ, and tell everyone of his sovereignty and supremacy over all nations, and that long after America is a footnote to the future world, he will reign with his people from every tribe and tongue and nation.

Keep us faithful to Christ’s all important Word, and may we turn to it every day for light in these dark times.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

This is a historic election in many aspects, just as every election is. But this election has the potential to either open or heal wounds that remind us of our sinful nature and our shameful past.

America is divided. Our hearts are divided. But as Christians we cannot place our ultimate hope in the next president. No man is upright or pure. Our world has felt the disastrous effects of sin and its implications. In the end we must realize that Christ is our only hope, in this life and the life to come.

We as Christians must be responsible citizens and vote. Vote realizing that whatever happens today does not change our mission to live and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of us might be upset about the outcome, and that is expected. Let me remind you of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Roman Christians;

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

The world is watching. How we as Christians respond to this election will have a massive impact on our influence in american society. Live, talk, and act with wisdom.

Matt Capps Christianity, Religion

Excellence in Teaching

Darryl Wilson (Ed.D) is the writer for ‘Sunday School Revolutionary’ and has recently expounded upon a blog post I entitled Ten Principles for Effective Teaching in the Church.

Dr. Wilson divided the ten points into three blog posts;

Part 1: Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching

Part 2: Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching

Part 3: Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching

Matt Capps Christianity, Culture, Personal, Religion

2008 General Election Voter Guide

The Family Policy Council has provided a good tool for thinking through the election.

“On November 4, 2008, North Carolina voters will go to the polls to elect individuals to represent them in federal, state and local government. In order to promote civic responsibility and to help voters better understand where the candidates stand on critically important issues, the North Carolina Family Policy Council is pleased to provide this impartial, nonpartisan 2008 General Election Voter Guide.”

To produce the Voter Guide, the Council sent questionnaires by certified mail to over 480 candidates during this election year. The candidates’ responses to the questionnaires are compiled on this website and may include additional comments and explanations provided by the candidates. In addition to viewing the candidate information on this website, you may also download a copy of the 16-page print version of the 2008 Voter Guide.“

CLICK HERE to visit their web page.

Matt Capps Thoughts

Dont Waste Your Vote

Outline:

  1. Womanhood
  2. Race
  3. Abortion
  4. Prophetic perspective
  5. Sovereignty of God
  6. Gospel
Matt Capps Christianity, Religion

Building a Theological Library (Part 3)

I recently came across Wayne Grudem’s “Basic List of Books” that he recommends for a theological library. Dr. Grudem is research professor (Bible and Theology) at Phoenix Seminary. His ‘Systematic Theology’ book is widely used in seminaries and Christian colleges.

Dr. Grudem earned his B.A. at Harvard, M.Div. from Westminster, and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. You can view his faculty page here.

Basic List of Books for a Seminary or Pastor’s Library (2006)

Hopefully this list will be a good resource for those looking to build a theological library. Below I have posted two other links;

Building A Theological Library 1

Building A Theological Library 2