Is Your Church Liberal? Part 1

It is a hard thing to criticize thoughts and intentions of others when you know that your own thoughts and intentions are equally sinful and reek of idolatry. However, there are some pressing concerns that have come to my attention. Friedrich Schleiermacher is known for being the father modern liberalism, who reacted to Kant and Hegel and much of the enlightenment misconceptions, and developed much of “modern Protestant theology.” Schleiermacher sought to resolve the problem that these systems raised by going back to the heart of religion, religious feeling (though it was a sort of Hegelian dialectic). This religious feeling is the normative dictation of everything else. It is Schleiermacher who Barth was responding too and, in conjunction, Neo- Evangelicalism was responding to both. However, it is a fear of mine that the influence of Schleiermacher has not completely left us, even in our own evangelical circles. I have been reflecting on some recent conversations as well as comments certain individuals in authority have made and I think that these looming affects of liberalism might still exist in our churches. Much of what we hear preached, taught or discussed presents a stark dichotomy between theology and evangelism; between knowing theology and knowing Christ—caring about calvinism and caring about Jesus. Theology is often presented as an academic exercise that is, while good, one cannot get absorbed in. This is, however, a false dilemma. There are people who have bought into the “just love Jesus” theology (and it is a theology, a bad one), and I am afraid that has put us in a dangerous position. We are right back where Schleiermacher was. I am afraid that many people in liberalism and, strikingly, conservative Christianity, abstract Jesus from His person and work. In doing so, Jesus is taken out of who he has revealed himself to be and has placed him into either an abstract conception or an emotionally induced conception that really has no meaning. In understanding and knowing Christ we must first know his work; we must know him as Prophet, Priest, and King; the historical redemptive narrative that preaches his name and gives him glory throughout the ages. Anything that underminds the importance of theology undermines our knowledge of Christ.

Resurgence Conference 2008

The National Resurgence Conference 2008: Text & Context will be held February 25-27 at Mars Hill Church’s Ballard Campus. The speakers to be at this conference are Mark Driscoll, John Piper, Matt Chandler, and Jim Gilmore. The conference is focusing on “the text of Scripture and the cultural context that surrounds us.”
Here is the promo video for the conference. I also urge you to visit the Resurgence Website for further information and just to look around a bit.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c1K6R_0QhY]

Ramadan, An Opportunity for Ministry and Prayer

Dr. Vicker’s informed my New Testament I class today that the Islamic holiday of Ramadan starts today.  Ramadan is the ninth month on the lunar calender and is held to be the most holy month for Muslims.  Muslims believe that it was during this month that the Qu’ran was first revealed.  This month-long time of remembrance is celebrated by fasting from food, drink, and sexual relationships during the daylight. 

As Dr. Vicker’s encouraged our class today, please be in prayer over the next 30 days for Muslims around the world.  As is the case with Easter in the Christian faith, there are many nominal Muslims who will be keeping this holiday because, “it’s what they are suppose to do.”  If you know or work around any Muslims take this opportunity to ask them questions about their faith, and use it as an opportunity to show love for these people, and ultimately an opportunity to show them life in the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pray for those missionaries around the world who are working in Islamic countries where there may be heightened animosity towards an anti-Muslim message during this “holy month.”  Pray that this month may be an opportunity for Muslims around the world to see the emptiness in tradition and ritual, and freedom in the life and work of Jesus Christ.

 Links on Ramadan:

Belief Net

Islami City

Around the world….Driscoll and Mohler have stones thrown at them.

Collin Hansen, CT associate editor and writer of the a new book on the rise of Reformed theology among young evangelicals that will be published by Crossway in 2008, featured a  6 page article on Mark Driscoll in Christianity Today this month.  Although Driscoll is rapidly growing in popularity in the reformed evangelical community, he still has his critics.  John MacArthur says,

“The lifestyle he models especially his easygoing familiarity with all this world’s filthy fads—practically gurantees that his disciples will make little progress toward authentic sanctification.”

 

In Other News

Ben Cole throws stones at Mohler

ESV Literary Study Bible Reviewed

Dr. Steve Wellum interviewed by Justin Taylor on Baptism and the Covenants

Dr. Richard Albert Mohler 11th grade yearbook photo

New ipods are released.

Title of new Indiana Jones revealed

How did Huckabee do in the most recent debate?

santa claus is coming to town

On Oct. 23-25 Alvin Plantinga ( The John A. O’Brien Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame) will be delivering the Norton lectures here at Southern Seminary. This is a rare treat that i encounrage everyone able to attend.

Lig addresses the Storm

Here is Ligon Duncan’s response to Sam Storm’s article and my follow up to Brady’s post:

Yes, we really are Together for the Gospel

Overdressed

Well I know that all of the contributors to Carver 319 have differing musical tastes, but I would find it hard to believe that any of the guys would disapprove of me endorsing the newest Caedmon’s Call album.  Regardless of the fact of the style of music you prefer, Caedmons always finds a way to write songs that pull off the blinders and cause us to turn our head towards real issues that are facing the church today.  Caedmons has always had this gift of speaking prophetically about culture and the church, not shying away from hard issues. 

Derek Webb has joined back up with Caedmons on this album and lends his skills on a few songs.  Derek’s wife, Sandra, wrote three of the songs on the album (one co-written with Derek) all of which Derek sings on.  Andrew Osenga and Randal Goodgame (member of The Square Peg Alliance) write the rest of the songs on the album.  There are two songs on the album which currently stand out above the rest for me, these two songs are “Hold the Light”, sung by Osenga, and Ten Thousand Angels, sung by Derek.  Both songs hold you captive, one with some honest lyrics about struggles in the Christian life, and one about the Love that has come to rescue us.  The title for the album, Overdressed, is taken from the first song on the album, Trouble, written by Derek Webb.  Caedmon’s drummer, Todd Bragg writes of the meaning of the title:

…Overdressed comes from the idea that since the Fall (see Genesis), in order to cover up our shame or our sin nature, we put on clothing that makes us look better before others and ultimately before God. Many times unknowingly trying to reconcile the broken relationship with our Creator.

The more I listen to the album, the more I enjoy it.  The vocals of Cliff, Derek, Danielle, and Andrew all mix nicely to bring the album an eclectic but well-integrated feel.  I’ve always loved Caedmon’s sound, but what makes Caedmons is the raw truth that is expressed in their albums.  So I encourage all of you , “Take and Listen.”

 Here is a teasing of lyrics from the album:

 ”oh my sister, my brothers
we’ve got history on our heels
and we’re running like we broke the law” - Derek Webb, Trouble

“my cup runneth over
and I worry about the stain” - Randal Goodgame and Andrew Osenga, Sacred

“standing around a willow weeping
we were praying in the backyard
in the chill of the night
the friendship light reminded me who we are” - Andrew Osenga, Hold the Light

“o lift up your heart now, to this unfolding
all that has been broken will be restored
here runs deep waters for all who are thirsty
love has come, love has come for you.” - Sandra McCracken, Ten Thousand Angels

 [HT: caedmonscall.net]