Oct 2nd, 2009
by GarrettWishall.
The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) today features an article I wrote on Paul David Tripp speaking on marriage.
Along with Russell D. Moore, Tripp is one of the two best, most concrete, communicators I have heard. His insights on marriage are excellent, as he dissects the human heart and rightly explains why conflict arise in marriage and how it can be overcome.
This article came out of a presentation Tripp gave at Sojourn Community Church at their recent conference on Gospel-centered (biblical) counseling.
Tripp explicates Scripture clearly, faithfully and powerfully. Listen and be helped!
Posted in: Biblical counseling.
Tagged: CBMW · Paul David Tripp
Sep 2nd, 2009
by GarrettWishall.
Bruce K. Waltke has written an intriguing and insightful article on Elisha as a type of Christ for Ligonier Ministries Tabletalk magazine. Waltke serves as professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary.
In the article, Waltke briefly lays out some typological connections between Elijah and John the Baptist and then the transition from Elijah to Elisha and the transition from John the Baptist to Christ. He then moves to the typological connection from Elisha to Jesus.
Here is an excerpt:
But now let’s really swim by comparing Elisha and the Lord Jesus. Both are designated by a prophet, whom the general populace recognized as a true prophet. Both receive the Spirit on the other side of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:7–15; John 1:28); are surrounded by more disciples than their predecessors; are itinerant miracle workers; give life in a land of death; cleanse lepers (2 Kings 5; Mark 1:40–45); heal the sick (2 Kings 4:34–35; Mark 8:22–25); defy gravity (2 Kings 6:6; Matt. 14:22–33); reverse death by raising dead sons and restoring them to their mothers (2 Kings 4: 1–7; Luke 7:11–17); help widows in desperate circumstances; are kinsman redeemers to save from slavery (2 Kings 4:1–7; Luke 4:19); feed the hungry (2 Kings 4:1–7; Mark 8:1–12); minister to the Gentiles (2 Kings 5:1–16); prepare (2 Kings 6:20–23) and sit at table with sinners (Luke 5:29); lead captives (2 Kings 6:18–20; Eph, 4:7–8); have a covetous disciple (Gehazi and Judas); end their lives in a life-giving tomb from which people flee (2 Kings 13:20–21; Mark 16:1–8).
These replications and foreshadows cry out for reflection. As God’s elect children, we too can inherit — can be filled — with the same Spirit as Elijah, Elisha, John the Baptist, and our Lord by prayer and perseverance (Eph. 4:18). After all, as James says, “They were men just like us” (James 5:7). Elisha is a type of Christ’s disciples: elected by I AM; leaves father and mother behind; forsakes everything to be a disciple to his Master; becomes like his Master; perseveres with his Master; does greater works than these (2 Kings 4:31–35; John 14:12); brings life to those who stay close to their Master in a culture of death; and develops disciples for whom they also serve as types.
As we read Scripture, we must always remember that every Word is inspired by God and that all of Scripture moves toward the death and resurrection of Christ as its center, and then looks ahead to His triumphant return. Waltke’s article helps us in this quest.
Posted in: Christ-centered interpretation.
Tagged: 2 Kings · Bruce Waltke · Elisha
Aug 13th, 2009
by GarrettWishall.
I enjoy Albert Pujols. I enjoy his dedication to what he does. I enjoy his attitude and demeanor on the field. I enjoy that he does not take steriods. As a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan from a family of Cardinals fans, I really enjoy that he is a St. Louis Cardinal.
I have heard strains about Pujols walk as a Christian, but not a lot of details. I just read some details.
On his website Pujols has posted an article that details his faith in Christ. Here is an excerpt:
My life’s goal is to bring glory to Jesus. My life is not mostly dedicated to the Lord, it is 100% committed to Jesus Christ and His will. God has given me the ability to succeed in the game of baseball. But baseball is not the end; baseball is the means by which my wife, Dee Dee, and I glorify God. Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I would also rather be known as a great husband and father than an All-Star baseball player. Perhaps one day I could be honored with an invitation into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. That would certainly be a boyhood dream of mine come true, but it is a far greater honor that one day I will be in heaven with God to enjoy Him forever.
Good stuff. Many athletes evoke the name of God and sometimes Christ following good performances on the field. Some of credit God with their ability to play well. But you sometimes wonder if they have a substantive walk with God that is built on true faith in Christ. Pujols seems to be the real deal. He continues:
How do I know that I will spend eternity with God in heaven? It goes back to the original discussion – Faith. The Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” It is my faith in Jesus Christ’s work in my life that grants me eternal life with God. Nothing more, nothing less. That’s why the mission of this Foundation is “Faith, Family, and Others.” It is because our faith is at the heart of everything we are and everything we do.
Pujols also talks about Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross in his place and lays out a ten-point doctrinal statement of what he and his foundation believe. The doctrinal statement is biblical and orthodox. Pujols also talks about how winning the 2006 World Series was not the high point of that year for him, but instead seeing some of his teammates and friends come to faith in Christ.
Let’s pray for Pujols’ ministry and all those who proclaim the name of Christ, whatever the profession.
Posted in: Sports.
Tagged: Albert Pujols
Aug 6th, 2009
by GarrettWishall.
In the fall of 2008, Ray Ortlund delivered a series of lectures on the power of preaching at Southern Seminary. I found the talks to be thoughtful, engaging and appropriately urgent, with Ortlund challenging students to be faithful and loving ministers.
Ortlund, 59, serves as pastor of Immanuel Church (PCA) in Nashville, Tenn. The church is affiliated with the Acts29 Network. In a recent blog post, Ortlund gave six reasons that provide an inside perspective on why he is glad to be a part of Acts29. Here are two of the six reasons:
2. I am inspired by the men in A29. They are doctrinally conscientious, risk-taking, hardworking, imaginative, manly, fun. If there are some rough edges, they’ll get knocked off in time. (Proverbs 28:1)
6. I have so much to learn about gospel ministry. I need wisdom to understand and adapt and contextualize with Stott’s “between two worlds” faithfulness. A29 specializes in missional wisdom. In my opinion, this is their greatest strength. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
Ortlund holds a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, served as an Old Testament professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for nine years and has pastored churches in California, Oregon and Georgia.
And he is in Acts29.
Is this an odd combination? Are these two things — extensive formal, academic theological education and a new, burgeoning church planting network — that can’t go together?
Apparently not, according to Ray Ortlund.
Posted in: Acts 29.
Tagged: Acts29 · Ray Ortlund
Aug 5th, 2009
by GarrettWishall.
Tim Challies had a helpful post on preaching the gospel to yourself from Jerry Bridges book “Respectable Sins”.
Here is an excerpt:
In his book Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges writes about the important discipline of preaching the gospel to yourself every day. Realizing that many people have heard of this discipline but do not know how to practice it, he provides an overview of how he does so. I found it helpful and trust you will too.
***** (From Bridges)
Since the gospel is only for sinners, I begin each day with the realization that despite my being a saint, I still sin every day in thought, word, deed, and motive. If I am aware of any subtle, or not so subtle, sins in my life, I acknowledge those to God. Even if my conscience is not indicting me for conscious sins, I still acknowledge to God that I have not even come close to loving Him with all my being or loving my neighbor as myself. I repent of those sins, and then I apply specific Scriptures that assure me of God’s forgiveness to those sins I have just confessed.
Bridges goes on, providing several Bible passages to help you preach the gospel to yourself. He then concludes:
Whatever Scriptures we use to assure us of God’s forgiveness, we must realize that whether the passage explicitly states it or not, the only basis for God’s forgiveness is the blood of Christ shed on the cross for us. As the writer of Hebrews said, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (9:22), and the context makes it clear that it is Christ’s blood that provides the objective basis on which God forgives our sins.
Posted in: Biblical counseling, Gospel.
Tagged: Jerry Bridges · Tim Challies
