The Inflexibility of the Law

My current Car Road Tax runs out at midnight tonight. Earlier today I collected all the necessary documents and went up to the Post Office; only to be told my insurance certificate was the cover note and had run out – aaargh! Panic struck, where was the certificate of insurance? Could I find it – no way!

What to do? I know, I’ll phone the insurance company and get them to email me a copy. Not possible. OK, fax me a copy. The fax didn’t work. The insurance posted a replacement certificate but it might not arrive till Thursday – too late. OK, phone the Police and see what they say.

The Police told me if there is no Tax Disc displayed in the car, it’s illegal, period. It didn’t matter that I was insured, that I had the logbook, that the car had a valid MOT. None of that mattered – without a valid Tax Disc, tomorrow the car would be illegal and I would be a law-breaker.

The law is the law and is inflexible. I would be illegal and that’s the end of it. How much more so is this true of the Law of God. ‘James 2:10  For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.’ It doesn’t matter if I’ve done this or that – just to break Gods’ law at one point is enough to damn me to hell.

Now here’s the thing – one has come to keep all of Gods’ law in every single point. The Lord Jesus. He died so all those that trust in His law keeping have that put to their account. It doesn’t matter if I’ve broken the law of God then, another has kept it perfectly for me. This is the Good News of the Gospel. Therefore whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Are you saved?

Read Full Post »

What is the Bible About

Here’s a question I often ask. I once asked it of a minister when he asked for questions in a teaching session and he couldn’t tell me. ‘It’s about a lot of things’ he said. The video from Tim Keller answers the question beautifully. It’s about Christ FOR YOU – but NOT about you.

HT. Nicholas T. Batzig – Feeding on Christ

Read Full Post »

The Atonement – A Christ the Center Broadcast

I regularly listen to the guys at The Reformed Forum in its multiplicity of broadcasts: Christ the Centre is one of these. The title of this broadcast of CTC couldn’t be more fitting than the one discussing a book on The Atonement. This program I think will Challenge, Encourage, Stir and Refresh your Soul way more than an awful lot of preaching – it certainly did mine.

Here’s the program blurb:

‘Gabe Fluhrer on the lasting importance of Christ’s act of penal substitutionary atonement. Gabe has recently edited Atonement, a collection of writings and sermons from J.I. Packer, Sinclair Ferguson, and several others on this critical doctrine.’

Get it HERE. It’s available to download on the page.

Have a listen and rejoice!!

Read Full Post »

New Quay

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to Aberystwyth but have never ventured further down the coast than Aberaeron. Last week we did just that and drove to New Quay, Dyfed, Wales. What a lovely place. If you had taken it up and re-planted it in Cornwall it wouldn’t have looked out-of-place. There are very narrow winding (one way) roads leading down to the Quay and back out to the main road. It has a beautiful outlook and we happened upon a Regatta that was in full swing. To top it all as you can see it was a really sunny day. We sat on the Quay wall and had our rolls to the occasional huge bang of the Regatta starting gun.

I had my usual Latte in a coffee shop overlooking the bay. There wasn’t space to sit outside – but you can’t have everything. A number of boat trips are on offer (we didn’t this time) with the possibility of seeing sharks and dolphins. As we sat drinking our coffee my daughter was convinced she saw a dolphin. None of us saw it so we joked about that for a bit – she was not amused.

All in all we had a lovely day – God is good. I’m sure we’ll be going back.

Here’s a couple more pictures to give the full flavour of the place. BTW – I don’t work for the Welsh Tourist Board. But I do like Wales.

Read Full Post »

Magma – Concert clip

Here’s a band I was listening to 30+ years ago and it’s amazing to see them still going. Christian Vander is Magma, the founding member and one of the great drummers. I never did see this band live, but if they were playing in the UK I would still like to see them play live. The clip is – I think – from a 2006 concert. And, they are still playing. There are some great clips to see and hear from last year.

Related Articles

• French prog band Magma are coming to the US (dates), playing NYC (tix on sale) & Sonic Circuits in DC (full lineup) (brooklynvegan.com)

Read Full Post »

Pilgrims Progress – Mason’s Notes 6

No 6 in a series of posts from Mason’s Notes on Pilgrim Progress.

Goodwill: That mountain (the Law) has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more: it is well you escaped being by it dashed in pieces.

Christian: Why truly I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelist happily met me again as I was musing in the midst of my dumps; but it was God’s mercy that he came to me again, for else I had never come hither. But now I am come, such a one as I am, more fit indeed for death by that mountain, than thus to stand talking with my Lord. But O, what a favour is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here! (y)

Mason’s Note (y)

It is a sure sign of a genuine work of grace, when the heart ascribes all to grace. Here is no talk of being faithful to grace; no ascribing any thing to his own free-will or power; but his escaping from destruction, and being yet in the way of salvation, are wholly resolved in the grace of the gospel, the mercy of God, and into his free favour and almighty power. It is sweet to converse with Jesus of his free grace to wretched and a unworthy sinners. Do you not find it so?

Goodwill: We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they come hither; they in no wise are cast out. And therefore good Christian, come a little way with me, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee; dost thou see this narrow way? That is the way thou must go. It was cast up by the patriarchs, prophets, Christ, and his apostles, and it is as strait as a rule can make it; this is the way thou must go.

Christian: But, said Christian, (z) are there no turnings nor windings, by which a stranger may lose his way?

Mason’s Note (z)

Christian is afraid of losing his way; a blessed sign of a gracious heart when it possesses good jealousy.

Read Full Post »

Frank Zappa – Genius

Cover via Amazon

I’m about 3/4 through ‘Electric Don Quixote’ a biographic journey through the music of Frank Zappa. It, or some other book about FZ has been something I’ve wanted to read for some time.

This may not be the book I thought it would be, but it was the only book on Zappa the library had. This is more of an extended discography rather than a biography. I was really looking forward to understanding the mind of Zappa and more of what shaped his thinking. Clearly from this book we understand the frustrations he encountered as a teenager and the prolonged bitterness (seemingly) towards authority, but I would have liked to explore this a bit more. This goes for the rest of his life as well. However, the interviews / quotations concerning his work rate and phenomenal output are fascinating. He was clearly not an easy person to work with and not one to suffer fools gladly.

I’ve read up to the release of Sheik Yerbouti and I think it must have been around this time that I managed to see him live at the Birmingham Odeon. As far as memory serves the audience wasn’t giving the reaction he wanted and so he cut the set short and left the stage. It wasn’t part of the act as he never came on again. I can understand this a little from the book – he hated the UK.

So far we know next to nothing of his home or family life. We know he’s a businessman and a self publicist but again there’s not an awful lot of objective biography. We know he hated Warner Bros but without the other side of the argument (as in most of the book so far) it’s difficult to arrive at a judgement. Was he a sexual pervert or was he merely letting people see themselves.   I’d like to think he matured out of an obsession with sex and moved into social commentary. Unlike – it seems – many of the other rock musicians (as far as I can tell) he was totally against drugs – preferring to put it in his ears. After spending a whole load of his own money on a project he is quoted as saying ‘Well, some rock and roll musicians make a bunch of money and stick it up their noses. I stick mine in my ear.’ p.215. He was truly obsessive and totally driven by music and an all-consuming energy to create.

From various interviews on the web (you tube etc) we discover – unsurprisingly – that he was very anti Christianity and again I would have liked to explore the reasons for this. I suspect he came up against Christian Fundamentalism that was more interested in wearing the right tie than a true understanding of the Gospel of the Grace of God. The more he was criticised the more he pushed back with even more extreme behaviour. In Gospel terms his was the reaction of sinful man but still, Fundamentalism (the Religious Right) and it’s connection with Reagan didn’t help. It’s often the way of genius, alone and misunderstood.

Readers – if there are any – of this Blog might wonder how a Christian could listen to Frank Zappa. There’s very little I do listen to of his music these days as the lyrics are so unsuitable. In fact when I became a Christian it was at a time of listening to a lot of FZ and it was one of the things I felt had to go. It spite of that though, I can recognise his genius. I thought so years ago, and I still think so now. Just recently on Sky Arts I watched an excerpt of the Zappa plays Zappa tour put together by his son Dweezil. The musicianship is just phenomenal! If the tour comes to the UK again I might even go.

Where is Frank now? Honestly, I do not know and it’s not really for me to say, though I do suspect he has gone to a Christless eternity. Despite his genius – he was like the rest of us – a sinner in need of a Saviour.

Read Full Post »

More on Steve Fuller

I find Steve intriguing: and this latest offering from his immense output is one I will be keen to read. For one thing it’s in my budget, and secondly I’m fascinated.

If he isn’t already, this book is going to bring him right into the firing line of the New Atheists. He knows exactly what he’s doing – I just hope for his sake the unintended consequences are ones he will be able to deal with and not have to prove through bitter experience the truth of the ‘Expelled’ movie.

Anyway the book is out – according to Amazon – 4th Nov 2010. Follow the picture link for more info.

Read Full Post »

Pilgrims Progress – Mason’s Notes 5

Image by David Masters via Flickr

For those that missed it, there’s some very brief info about Mason in a previous post.

These posts follow a sort of format: The text of Pilgrims Progress is followed by the relevant note by Mason and then some more text of PP text and another note and so on. The text of Pilgrims Progress is available from Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

PP Text: So when he was got in, the man of the Gate asked him who directed him thither.

Christian: Evangelist bid me come hither and knock, as I did: and he said, that you, sir, would tell me what I must do.

Goodwill: An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.

Christian: Now I begin to reap

the benefits of my hazards.

Goodwill: But how is it that you came alone?

Christian: Because none of my neighbors saw their danger as I saw mine.

Goodwill: Did any of them know of your coming?

Christian: Yes, my wife and children saw me at the first, and called after me to turn again: also, some of my neighbors stood crying and calling after me to return; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.

Goodwill: But did none of them follow you, to persuade you to go back?

Christian: Yes, both Obstinate and Pliable; but when they saw that they could not prevail, Obstinate went railing back; but Pliable came with me a little way.

Goodwill: But why did he not come through?

Christian: We indeed came both together until we came to the Slough of Despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbor Pliable discouraged, and would not venture farther (t). Wherefore, getting out again on the side next to his own house, he told me I should possess the brave country alone for him: so he went his way, and I came mine; he after Obstinate, and I to this gate.

Mason’s Note (t)

A man may have company when he sets out for heaven, and yet go thither alone. “Many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew xx.16.

Goodwill: Then said Goodwill, Alas, poor man; is the celestial glory of so little esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazard of a few difficulties to obtain it?

Christian: Truly, said Christian, I have said the truth of Pliable; and if I should also say all the truth of myself, it will appear there is no betterment betwixt him and myself. It is true, he went back to his own house, but I also turned aside to go in the way of death, being persuaded thereto by the carnal arguments of one Mr. Worldly Wiseman (u).

Mason’s Note (u)

When there is true grace in the heart, it will take shame to itself, and give all the glory to God’s sovereign grace, for any difference there is between us and others. Free-grace kills free-will and pride, and lays the sinner low, while it exalts Christ, and causes sinners to triumph in His righteousness and salvation.

Goodwill: Oh, did he light upon you? What, he would have had you seek for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality! They are both of them a very cheat. But did you take his counsel?

Christian: Yes, as far as I durst. I went to find out Mr. Legality, until I thought that the mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my head; wherefore there I was forced to stop (x).

Mason’s Note (x)

Though Jesus knows what is in man, and all his ways, yet He will bring the soul to confession unto Him. See the loving heart of Christ to sinners, and the free communications he admits them to with himself. Oh! “ye his people, pour out your heart before him. God-Jesus is a refuge for us.” – Psalm lxii.8.

Read Full Post »

What is Media Ecology?

I’m glad you asked that (Gary)! The following is from the Media Ecology Association Website. One definition by Neil Postman.

What is Media Ecology? (Neil Postman)

Media ecology looks into the matter of how media of communication affect human perception, understanding, feeling, and value; and how our interaction with media facilitates or impedes our chances of survival.

The word ecology implies the study of environments: their structure, content, and impact on people.

An environment is, after all, a complex message system which imposes on human beings certain ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

• It structures what we can see and say and, therefore, do.
• It assigns roles to us and insists on our playing them.
• It specifies what we are permitted to do and what we are not. Sometimes, as in the case of a courtroom, or classroom, or business office, the specifications are explicit and formal.

In the case of media environments (e.g., books, radio, film, television, etc.), the specifications are more often implicit and informal, half concealed by our assumption that what we are dealing with is not an environment but merely a machine.

Media ecology tries to make these specifications explicit.

It tries to find out what roles media force us to play, how media structure what we are seeing, why media make us feel and act as we do.

Media ecology is the study of media as environments.

—Neil Postman, “The Reformed English Curriculum.” in A.C. Eurich, ed., High School 1980: The Shape of the Future in American Secondary Education (1970).

Read Full Post »

Reformed Forum – Republocrat

The latest broadcast from the really excellent Reformed Review is Carl Trueman talking US Politics. Here’s the blurb from the program notes:

‘Carl Trueman visits the program to discuss his much anticipated book Republocrat: Confessions of a Liberal Conservative.  Relishing the outsider role, Englishman Trueman provides a helpful critique regarding the current state of American politics.  With sections devoted to the lost liberal cause, personality cults, and FoxNews, to name a few, this book is as enjoyable as it is insightful.  The foreword by Peter Lillback sets the stage for this sharp, yet humorous work.  Republocrat will be available from the Westminster Bookstore.’

The broadcasts are available as a Podcast – Go to the iTunes store and search for Reformed Forum.

Read Full Post »

Aberystwyth Conference 2010

This year I was able to get to one of the EMW Conference meetings – the very last one. The last time I attended any of the conference meetings was over 25 years ago!

The meetings are all held in the Grand Hall of the University. It’s always encouraging to see a good mix of people – age and culture – wanting to hear the Word of God preached. Singing hymns with so many others is always a good experience and I also managed to catch up with a few folk I’d not seen in a good few years.

Stuart Olyott was to give the ministry so this would be an excellent meeting to attend.

Before the ministry we were treated to an extended sales pitch for ‘Affinity‘ the new name for the now defunct British Evangelical Council (BEC). Several reasons were given as to why we should support it – whether as individuals or churches. Frankly, I can’t see why the old BEC name was not retained. I see the idea – affinity in the Gospel – but to me the name opens itself to ridicule. British = UK. Evangelical has deep theological and historic roots as does the word Council. I can’t see the point of it myself – but there you go.

After a couple more hymns, a Bible reading and prayer Stuart took as his text 1 Timothy 3:16.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory.

Stuart began with an introduction, a slip road to lead us onto the motorway, three great words and 6 facts and an inescapable conclusion. The 3 words were Great, Mystery & Godliness. The 6 Facts were the phrases of the verse laid out above.

The conclusion is this: our meetings are about a person. That person is the Lord Jesus Christ – and sinners must come to him.

Read Full Post »

‘Unbelievable’

I referred to the ‘Unbelievable’ program in a previous post – but here I want to recommend it. I first came across this program just recently and I forget just how – probably through a series of links.

The program broadcasts each Saturday with the Podcast available soon after. Follow the link here to the Podcast page.

The program is very well hosted by Justin Brierley with a debate style format. Normally he would have someone representing the Christian faith and an opposing view on the other. He has some really excellent guests from a number of disciplines.

I highly recommend this program.

Read Full Post »

I’m Going Fishing – Part 2

Peter is on a roller coaster of emotion as we pick up from part 1 of this post.

Even with Jesus risen from the dead would He want anyhing to do with Peter.

Maybe, Peter thought, next time I see Jesus I’ll try and set things straight – like the returning prodigal. Didn’t Jesus preach about that!

Let’s also remember Jesus wasn’t appearing to order. Jesus appeared acording to His own will and not that of the disciples.

And now Jesus appears on the shore just where the disciples are – and Peter. In the light of all this (context) to write off the account of Peter going fishing as implausable suggests to my mind 2 things.

1. A complete misunderstanding or even a deliberate misunderstanding in order to justify skeptism concerning the resurrection account – people just do not do that – really!

2. The more serious problem is that it comes down to a matter of Authority & Autonomy.

i. Authority. What the person – that denies the account – is doing is placing his/her own authority over the Biblical text. This is quite extrordinary given their skeptic atheism. One might say – who exactly do you think you are? Where does your authority come from to make such pronouncements!

ii. Autonomy. Not just any authority, but an autonomous one, thinking to subvert the creator / creature distinction. This is summed up as ‘I am my own authority’!

If this describes you, then you need to wake up to reality. You may say ‘I’m just like Dawkins and millions of other autonomous individuals’. Think about that for a moment – millions of self authoritative individuals! There’s clearly a problem here – all of these self authenticating individuals cannot be right!

So, as for me and my house we will servethe Lord and come under the authority of His Word and Kingly rule.

Read Full Post »

I’m Going Fishing – Part 1

In the Gospel of John the Apostle Peter says ‘I am going fishing’ (John 21:3). His mates went with him as well.

The question is this: Does this action seem incongruous within the context of passage and with the surronding events? And therefor put doubts on the reality of the resurrection. One man I know definitely thinks it is and does. He cannot understand why Peter would go fishing when he had seen the risen Christ. For him, this action by Peter casts a lot of doubt on the resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ. My friend is an atheist – that’s the label he gives himself anyway – so I guess he’s just looking for reasons not to believe. And Peter going fishing is one of them.

Maybe Peter – and friends – were just confused. So what must have been the state of Peters mind? Obviously we can’t delve into his actual mind but by thinking briefly about the circumstances we can have a pretty good idea. Context then, as they say, is king.

For Peter, events must have been like riding one of those huge rollers coasters – one minute you’re up, the next, plumiting downwards at an alarming rate. For 3 years Peter – and the other disciples – had been with Jesus and witnessed extrordiray things. He had seen and heard things few others ever had or would ever see or hear.

The disciples were Jews, and like many of their day were looking for a Messiah, a deliverer to come, boot out the Romans and restore Israel to a former glory. Expectations were high in their day, we might today even call it Messiahism. Peter had previously made his great confession as to the identity of Jesus. Here’s the account:

Mat 16:13  Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
Mat 16:14  And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Mat 16:15  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Mat 16:16  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

(In case you do not know, Christ is the Greek of the Hebrew Messiah both meaning ‘Annointed One’.) The time also came when Peter was in the garden at the time of Jesus’ arrest. Peter was also the one that ‘began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.”‘. Peter also saw his Lord, the ‘Annointed One’ crucified to die a death reserved for the most heinous of crimes.

After these things Peter finds that Jesus has risen from the dead – exactly as He said He would I might add.

What state of mind would Peter find himself in? It’s a fair question. It’s reasonable – I think – to suggest that Peter (and some of the others) would go to what they knew. Peter’s impetuous nature causes him to exclaim ‘I am going fishing’. This seems pretty clear to me and I can find no problem with Peter wanting to go fishing. It was what he knew well and perhaps here he could find space to clear his mind. Maybe he thought after his strong denial of Jesus that it was all up with him. Conjecture, sure, unreasonable, I don’t think so.

This post is getting a bit long now so I’ll call it part one and then later post part two.

Read Full Post »