In the fourth section of this chapter Packer removes any fog about his purposes in this book. He writes “This present chapter is, I confess, advocacy, barefaced and unashamed. In modern parlance this chapter is Packer’s “shameless plug” for the Puritan view of life.
Packer begins the chapter by discussing the mud which has been made of the name “Puritan” throughout the ages. He realizes that he may be climbing a wall of resistance in his readers who just might think that we have nothing to learn from the Puritans. Recounting the recent scholarship in Puritan life and thought, Packer makes his case that the opinion of these people as backward, repressed, darkened hangovers from medieval times has been removed in the area of the scholarship opening new doors to understanding a truly Puritan culture. Packer then contends that the main thing we have to learn from this people, who suffered and labored under extreme difficulty, is maturity. Maturity - a solid, weighty Christianity as compared to the light weight faith of contemporary North American evangelicalism; this is the gift of the Puritans to us today.
The middle of the chapter covers the several areas we can learn from these people who have gone before us. Packer expounds six themes: 1) An integration of their daily lives – seeing all of life as united in one purpose, the honoring of God with all that we are and do. 2) The quality of their spiritual experience – both theological and affective, head and heart, their joy was in God, and their mortification was at their sin. 3) Their passion for effective action – they felt it a Christian duty to reject idleness and laziness for a zeal for reform. 4) Their program of family stability – O for the devotion of the Puritan for “family order, courtesy and family worship” (Packer, 25) such are lost in our day of family entertainment, distraction, busyness in the name of activities. Packer’s cautious critique of the prayerlessness of evangelicalism was kind and gentle – the Puritans would be harder on us. Woe to us a prayerless people before the throne of God. 5) Their sense of human worth – each individual in the image of God – each individual racked and ruined by sin in great need of redemption. Though their view of human depravity is often reviled as pessimistic, their value of the human soul is great in contrast to today’s world saturated by Darwinian assumptions that declare us of little to no value beyond our so called social utility. And finally 6) An ideal for church renewal – and this flowing from reformed pastors, renewed to the calling of gospel ministry and prayerfully working for the good of his people.
The final section of the chapter focused on how the Puritan view of life is fine medicine for the ails of our day. Packer lists three groups as candidate for reform under the pious pen’s of the Puritan pastors. The first he calls restless experientialists, those who “…have fallen victim to a form of worldliness, a man-centered, anti-rational individualism, which turns Christian life into a thrill-seeking ego-trip.” (Packer, 31). For such the Puritans offer God-centeredness, the primacy of the mind, a demand for steadfastness and humility, a recognition that feelings go up and down and that God tries us in times when we are emotionally downtrodden, worship as the primary purpose of all of life, the need for regular self-examination, and the great purposes of suffering to help his children grow in the faith (Packer, 31). Strong medicine for needy souls. The second group mentioned are entrenched intellectuals, those whose need for absolute intellectual perfection in all matters of doctrine cause them to be a bit like a cadaver at the wedding feast of the Lamb…or in the midst of the wine filled party with Jesus at Cana. To these the calling of the Puritans to holy affections, practical theological application, and to a zealous love affair with the living God are a potent elixir. The final group mentioned are the disaffected deviationists, here I could not help but thing “Emergent.” These are those who began as evangelicals but due to a plethora of reasons, have left hurt and/or angry. They are the haters and self proclaimed victims of the evangelical subculture. They see evangelism as intellectually infantile, trite, and even deceptive in its offer of the “good life” as defined by the pop prophets of evangelical blessing theology. To these the salve of the Puritans is a lofty and large, and yes mysterious God. To these is offered a God of redemptive love, which “converts, sanctifies, and ultimately glorifies sinners” (Packer 33). To these is offered the salvation of God, the truth of suffering, spiritual conflict and sorrow, and the protection of God amidst the dangers, toils and snares. Overall, this chapter was effective as a shameless plug. No shame in offering a counterview to all sorts of our goofiness today. My experiential focus, my entrenched intellectualism, and my self-righteous disaffectedness can all use some salve. I look forward to the read.
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POC Blog
The random technotheolosophical blogging of Reid S. Monaghan
Puritan Luv - Chapter 1 Introduction - A Quest for Godliness
Give me some Good Ole Puritan Luv...
Historia ecclesiastica: WHY LAUGHTER IS AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO BARNA & HIS ECCLESIOLOGICAL PROPOSAL
I don't know Michael Haykin - but I have a class under him in two weeks - I really look forward to meeting him. The reading list he gave us for the class is great - and this blog entry is pretty funny:
A short exerpt:
There will be some, I am sure, picturing themselves as brave souls going where few in our day have gone before—and so experiencing the adventure of the Christian life in all of its white-water intensity—who take up Barna’s suggestions and try to do Christianity without Church. In so doing, they will be sculpting their Christianity into the shape of our culture or sitting down to supper with the devil with a short spoon—either metaphor is frightening—and abandoning one of the key verities of the Faith.There is no "churchless Christianity" this is a great myth of our times... ... --------
The So Called Revolution...
Justin Taylor has links to several reviews of George Barna's "Revolution" - the reviews at the bottom by Ken Miller, Michael Haykin and Chris Treat look very interesting.
As to some other sort of kooky things Barna is in to - see my entry from June 2005...
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Baby Not on Board...
Intentional Childlessness - a sign of our times. In our day there is no shyness or shame when it comes to intentional self-centeredness and selfishness...such is our world where self is first in all things. A recent book by Jennifer L. Shawne is recruiting the world to not have kids.
Here is a description from Shawne's web site:
If the world should take such advice the results would be catostrophic. In the malaise of predicted population bombs, consumeristic hoarding lifestyles, western culture somehow has bought into the idea that civilizations strength lies with the elimination of people. Less people means less ideas, less people to work, an aging population and shrinking revenue bases. Less people means that those who actually have kids, and their ideas and their civilization will cease to propogate and persist. What happens if Islamic fundamentalism continues to radically out procreate the secular west? We should watch Europe, a society which is not reproducing, with great interest in the next 50 years. Al Mohler is scheduled to appear tonight on the CNN news program Anderson Cooper 360 to debate Mrs. Shawne on the cultural phenomenon of deliberate childlessness ... --------If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're ready for the wonderful world of unparenting. In Baby Not on Board (Chronicle Books), author and humorist Jennifer L. Shawne reveals what you can expect when you're not expecting, offering advice, wisdom, and support on topics ranging from throwing yourself an unbaby shower, coping with dreaded OPCs (other people's children), finding appropriate child substitutes for those innevitable weak moments, plus plenty of reasons why your life is perfect just the way it is.
- Do you think minivans are for losers?Do you secretly believe all babies look like squooshed worms?
- Do you actively avoid eating at establishments offering complimentary crayons?
- Does the thought of giving birth make you reach for the nearest martini?
- Do you ever wonder - Why have kids when I could just have fun?
Sure, having a baby is great, but NOT having a baby is really great. Congratulations and welcome to your fabulous childfree lifestyle.
A Tame Movie
Narnia, Reviews, Reviews, and more Reviews
There are several reviews up on the Narnia film now that it is "officially out" - Here is a line up of a few of them:
I probably will not have a chance to see it any time soon. Too much going on on the other side of the wardrobe I suppose. People in need, a cousin's wedding to do, my sick children to care for. But maybe Kase and I can slip out for a date some time soon. It would be a refreshing thing to go to a movie with my lady.
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Book Review - Humility: True Greatness by CJ Mahaney
CJ Mahaney, Humility: True Greatness
(Sisters: Multnomah Publishers, 2005)
In a little book of 174 pages (it is one of those small-sized books, I read it in a little over an hour) CJ Mahaney has given us all a great gift. Mahaney in a fun self-depricating tone goes about his task of writing a book on being humble. After all the "expert" on humility seems disqualified to write upon it. The many people who know this man speak of the reality of his life as one rightly tested and seasoned to write such a book.
The first part of the book is refreshingly theological. Now, for those who are afraid of the "T-word" do not be alarmed. The tone is pastoral and the writing very approachable here...don't expect a boring dissertation. Part I deals with the wonderful quality of humility and contrasts it with the insidious nature of pride. Chapter 2 - The Perils of Pride, is a gracious cutting into the soul, revealing to us the sickness of pride that lurks, erupts and deceives all of us.
The second part of the book looks at the greatest person of humility in history - the person of Christ. Mahaney writes as one close to the person he is describing from the pages of the Bible. He is not a distant observer of the humble servant King, but one who has walked with the Savior for some time. It is such a refreshing thing in our day of sound bites and religious slogans to see one love Christ with heart and admiration...as well as respect for the Cross. His writings on the cross in other places echo here as well.
During the first two parts I just felt. "CJ, I'm with you dog, I get it, I hear you, I am a sick prideful dude...and Jesus is our solution, his cross is the great pride defeater...so I need some practical help, I need to know some stuff I can do to fight the beast of Pride!" Well, if I had purused the table of contents I would have know that Part III was called The Practice of True Humility
This third section of the book is a gem of practical example and council along with a simplicity that is missing today. So ofter we think the solutions to the issues of our soul are found in counseling, working through issues, etc. Now, these have there place, but what concerns me is the neglect of "Prayer, study of Scripture, Christian Friendship" as great formers of the soul. Mahaney goes to great steps to give us the goods from his own life...how he tries to walk humble with his God. As I made it through the final chapters I kept thinking "Man, it would great to have a little cheat sheet summary of this stuff" Well, wouldn't you know they provided just that with a summary listed on pages 171-172 under the title How to Weaken Pride and Cultivate Humility (Links and parentheticals are mine).
AlwaysMore than anything, I needed to read this book at this time in my life. God's timing I suppose. I can be so caught up in me sometimes it is just sickening. Many thanks to CJ as he points out our sickness and offers the Scriptural remedy:As Each Day Begins
- Reflect on the Wonder of the Cross
As Each Day Ends
- Begin each day acknowledging your dependence on God and need for God
- Begin each day expressing gratefulness to God
- Practice the Spiritual Disciplines - Prayer, study of God's Word, worship. Do this consistently each day, at the day's outset if possible
- Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripture (spoken from an author who lives in the Washington DC metro area)
- Cast your cares (worries, etc) on him because he cares for you.
For Special Focus
- At the end of the day, transfer the glory to God
- Before going to sleep, receive the gift of sleep from God and acknowledge his purpose for sleep.
Through Your Days and Weeks
- Study the Attributes of God - Go here for a starter
- Study the Doctrines of Grace - Go here for a starter
- Study the doctrine of Sin - Go here for a starter
- Play Golf as Much as Possible - (Well, I will have to pass on that one, but some of you will delight)
- Laugh often, and laugh often at yourself
- Identify evidences of grace in others
- Encourage and serve others each and every day
- Invite and Pursue correction
- Respond humbly to trials
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.Sola Deo Gloria ... --------1 Peter 5:5-7
Little Black Books
Now that I have finished up two seminary classes and a boat load of reading. I have a week or two of holiday reading to get to. So this week I hope to get to these little black books
God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love As the Gift of Himself (Hardcover)
by John Piper
Humility : True Greatness (Hardcover)
by C.J. Mahaney
While I am reading these little black gems, I really need to quit looking at this one:
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God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love As the Gift of Himself (Hardcover)
by John Piper
Humility : True Greatness (Hardcover)
by C.J. Mahaney
While I am reading these little black gems, I really need to quit looking at this one:
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John Piper - Books that Have Influenced Me Most
Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit? An Investigation into the Ministry of the Spirit of God Today
Can I just say that I am super stoked to read this book once it is out? In my own spirtual journey, I have straddled two parts of the body of Christ - The intellectual/confessional/ side of things and the Spirit filled/experiential side of things. I never quite saw why the two must be divorced. I think Word and Spirit ought to be both full throttle in our lives. The great thing about this book is that it is being promoted on Bible.org (a site driven by Dallas Seminary folks) - which is a great thing to see. Dallas has been a stalwart for the cessationist
side of things, so it is good to see men from Dallas putting forth a "pneumatic Christianity" (Holy Spirit led, experienced, intimate Christian faith).
May the tribe increase that rejects the false dichotomy of "Word over Spirit" or "Spirit over Word" - May Father, Son and Holy Spirit lead his people empowered, comforted and gifted by the Spirit, obedience to, fed by, and rejoicing in his Word.
Link - Who's Afraid of the Holy Spirit? An Investigation into the Ministry of the Spirit of God Today
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Books and Culture's Book of the Week: The Shrine Next Door
Books and Culture has a review of a new book about the religious developments of China. The book The Sinister Way:The Divine and the Demonic in Chinese Religious Culture looks to be an interesting read.
I have marveled lately at how God prepares a culture with its religious forms, linguistic traditions, to receive the gospel. It is like God prepares peoples for the coming of the good new of Christ and then it explodes. South Korea is such a phenomena in the 20th century. A country which went from almost zero Christian influence to a near majority in less than 100 years. Perhaps China is on the horizon as Jesus' next lands for his sheep.
Here is a brief exerpt from the Books and Culture piece:
"Traditional Chinese religion, driven underground for a while by Mao and his minions, has resurfaced in a remarkable resurgence, especially in rural and southern China. For the first time in their long history, however, Chinese have an alternative. As David Aikman's Jesus in Beijing has shown, the spread of Christianity now offers hope of deliverance from demons and from the dominion of greed, rather than the domestication of the former with rituals and the latter by a sanitized god of wealth."May God grow his church in the lands of China Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! (Psalm 67) ... --------
Whatever Happened to Truth? - Andreas J. Kostenberger (Editor)
Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey - Study Guide Now Available
Between Two Worlds: Christian Beliefs: 20 Basics Every Christian Should Know
Justin Taylor has an entry about a new version of Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. First there was "big Grudem" then there was "little Grudem" now there is a "tiny little Grudem"
Taylor has a breakout of the chapters of this book at the link below:
Between Two Worlds: Christian Beliefs: 20 Basics Every Christian Should Know
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Challies Dot Com: Radical Reformission (Part 2)
Part two of Challies' review of Mark Driscoll's Radical Reformission - very good review so far. It seems it will roll out over time. . --------
Radical Reformission...
Willie Wonka
As a little kid I loved the 1971 musical “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” - Even after a short bout of nightmares brought on by the Oompa Loompas I remained a huge fan. I know all the songs and quite frankly loved Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. So…when I first heard that a new film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was coming out, I must admit that I was a bit skeptical. I just knew it would ruin it for me if I saw the movie, but I decided to venture out for the 21st century version of chocolate factory fun. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The following are my quick list of what I liked with the new film and what I enjoyed more in the 1971 version. Now, I am no purest and have not read the book, so my opinions are just on the movies, not on their fidelity (or lack thereof) to the author’s original work.
What I like in Tim Burton’s Film
- This movie did quite a bit more historical development of the characters than did the 1971 version…so I really enjoyed the discovery of the Oompa Loompas and Loompaland. Also, Willy Wonka’s dad being a dentist and the “anti-Candyman” was a fun motif. Though I think it resonates too much with our “my parents made me this way” culture.
- Family is valued highly - Charlie holds his family above fame, money, comfort - this is a good message in a materialistic way. Even Willy’s reconciliation with his Father is a refreshing tale of healed relationships rather than persisting animosity. Taking care of one’s family - a good idea (1 Timothy 5:8)
- The sets and effects are marvelous - great art design in this film
- The Oompa Loompas - well done, more human looking, and very well produced musical numbers after the children fall away (this is also a negative for me)
What was better in the first movie
- The song “I got a golden ticket” - sung by Charlie and Grampa Joe after Charlie found his ticket was just fun in the first movie - the jubilance was contagious - I still find myself singing that song from time to time. For those who would like to sing, the lyrics are available online
- Oompa Loompas songs. While the songs were well choreographed and very fun, they did not have the moral strength that the first film had. The Oompa Loompas were much more morally certain of these children’s actual vices - Gluttony, Pride, TV/Distraction, Spoiled Brat…they called the sins out very clear in the first film - this movie did a bit, but is much more light hearted about it. You can read the songs and see what I mean… And who could forget the cheesy text overlays during the songs :) Thank God for the evolution of the computer so we can do cool text effects…
- Charlie’s virtue - In the second film his virtue is honesty, generosity, humility, and love for his family - which is very good. In the first film, he is presented very much the same. However, in the first film, Charlie has a moral dilemma - should he give in to give away Wonka’s secrets to Slugworth. Especially after Wonka treats him and Grandpa Joe very poorly (remember, he reneges on the contract because they stole fizzy lifting drinks - man those were sweet drinks). Instead of reacting back in spite, as Grandpa Joe suggests (Sluggworth wants a gobstopper he shall get a gobstopper), Charlie comes and returns the gobstopper in act of humble submission to a harsh Wonka. Doing the right thing, at the right time, when it would have been easy to do otherwise, is Charlies victory in the first film - a triumph even in the midst of a difficult dilemma - I found this a strength in the first script.
If you have not seen the first film, it is a fun movie told in a moral universe…but Burton’s film is pretty cool as well. I think you can see the shifting in cultural ideas over time in watching these two movies and the moral clarity in the first. Finally, for one who liked Wilder as Wonka, even Johnny Depp’s performance is pretty good.
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Recommended Reading
Justin Taylor has linked to two incredible reading lists available online. One from Desiring God and the other from Mark Dever at 9 Marks
Here is Taylor's entry Between Two Worlds: Recommended Reading
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