FreeTruth

I would like to take the opportunity in my post this weekend to express deep gratitude for and give honor to Tim and the entire pastoral team of TFC, specifically for how they approach the Scriptures in their lives, both personally and ministerially.

The particular guide that I use in my devotions alongside the Bible (and the one I personally recommend) is For the Love of God, by D.A. Carson. This guide follows a reading schedule that takes one systematically through the entire Bible each year (one of the reasons why I recommend it), with a very helpful explanatory/applicatory comment each day on the Biblical text (the other reason why I recommend it). The reading from the Older Testament for January 7 was Ezra chapter 7, and the thoughts expressed for this day focused on one of my favorite verses of Sacred Scripture, Ezra 7:10: "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel."

One of the things that came to mind as I read Dr. Carson's observations was how Tim our senior pastor, along with those who serve with him in pastoral ministry at TFC, exemplify the pattern set down by Ezra as he served the people of God in his day.

Note what Dr. Carson writes:

The nature of Ezra’s task could easily be taken as a model of the privileges and responsibilities of all whose duty it is to teach the Word of God to the people of God: “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

(1) Ezra devoted himself to the study of the Law. There is no long-range effective teaching of the Bible that is not accompanied by long hours of ongoing study of the Bible. Effectiveness in teaching the Bible is purchased at the price of much study, some of it lonely, all of it tiring. If you are not a student of the Word, you are not called to be a teacher of the Word.

(2) Ezra devoted himself to the observance of the Law. For some people, study is an end in itself, or perhaps a means to the end of teaching. But even though the subject matter is Scripture, for these people there is no personal commitment to living under its precepts--to ordering their marriage, their finances, their talk, their priorities, their values, by the Word of God. They do not constantly ask how the assumptions of their age and culture, assumptions that all of us pick up unawares, are challenged by Scripture. The study of Scripture, for such people, is an excellent intellectual discipline, but not a persistent call to worship; the Bible is to be mastered like a textbook, but it does not call the people of God to tremble; its truths are to be cherished, but it does not mediate the presence of God. Ezra avoided all these traps and devoted himself to observing what Scripture says.

(3) Ezra devoted himself to the teaching of the Law. He was not a hermit-scholar; he was a pastor-scholar. What he learned in study and obedience he also learned how to pass on. Whether in large, solemn assemblies, in family or clan settings, or in one-on-one studies, Ezra committed himself to teaching the Word of God to the people of God. It is difficult to imagine a higher calling." (For the Love of God - Volume Two: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Treasures of God's Word, by D.A. Carson, Crossway Books)

Simply put, our pastors reflect an Ezra 7:10 approach to life and ministry, and I wonder if we as a church fully appreciate and realize how God has blessed us with the pastors He has given to us? One only has to scan the ecclesiastical horizon to see the goodness of God toward us in the leaders He has given to care for and guard us.

Thank you Tim, Tim, Steve, and Scott for serving the church so well in how you carefully study, personally apply and teach God's sacred truth. We are in your debt.

Labels: Guest Post, Obedience, Scripture, Study, Teaching

In Acts 17:11 and 2 Timothy 2:15, God indicates His standard for nobility and approval: diligent and daily examination of His Word of truth. I know the Timothy passage is written to a pastor, but that really doesn’t let any non-pastors off the hook. After all, we’re all pastors to someone; we've been called to shepherd at least one or two in the way of truth. Noble and approved men and women of God are those who spend much time in God’s Word, examining, studying, applying, and then teaching it to others.

To this end we will need to:
1. Redeem our time. Time seems scarce for us all; let’s use it well by scheduling it diligently. We’ll need to plan devotional and study time. It’ll surprise us how much time we have when we strategize its use (e.g.-we can redeem even commute time by listening to selected sermons or Scripture on tape).

2. Read more, and read more selectively. Based on your reading skills, plan out the books you’ll read for the next year (six per year for those just getting started, perhaps twelve for those further along, then go from there.) Ask a good theologian in your church for how-and-where-to-get-started advice.

3. Resource technology. Those who struggle hard with reading need not despair. Technology is God’s gift, providing audio resources galore for truth-hungry men. In today’s world, inability to read well is hardly an excuse for being a poor theologian. Start by listening to your pastor’s recorded weekly sermon at least one or two times each week. Then ask your pastors for recommended audio series.

4. Strive for theological accuracy and consistency. Don’t read and study smorgasbord style. Too many American Christians are listening and reading based on what’s hot on the Christian scene, what appeals to their tastes, or how a writer/speaker tells stories or makes them feel. Remember II Tim. 4:3, 4, and be warned. Friends, truth and time are too precious to be spending hours reading what may be appealing, but is less than fully nourishing. Seek theological accuracy and consistency in your reading. Read books and listen to series that reflect consistently sound doctrine and application. In our church, our bookstore selections and all recommended materials and ministries provide a consistent, balanced and carefully applied theology for life. There’s enough spiritual pastureland in these resources to feed men and their families for the rest of their lives.

5. Create a library and study area. Again, ask your pastors what basic book and audio resources would be valuable for you to collect into a theological library for you and your family. If possible create a study area set apart for you and the Word.


Well friends, this gets you pointed in a right direction. There's no time like the present to go hard after God and truth. Enjoy.

Labels: Doctrine, Spiritual disciplines, Study, Theology

Some of the better theologians I know are not career pastors or seminary professors. One is an engineer, one a social worker, one a teacher, one an insurance guy, one a phone system operator, one a banker, one a computer geek, one a broker, one a musician, one a mechanic. There are more, but I hope you get the point. Theology is for everyone.

Looked at one way, we could say that all believers are, in fact, theologians. There’s no question that everyone has a view, or theology of God, life, sin, and salvation. That makes each one a theologian. The only real question is whether one is a good theologian or a bad one. The real concern is whether or not each one has developed a lifestyle of learning to ensure that his/her theology is true, Biblical, and pleasing to God. So what kind of theologian are you?

Before you beg off by copping an “I’m not the bookish type” attitude, you need to understand that whether that is true or not is irrelevant. A love of theology is not determined by bookishness; it’s determined by a love of God.

Friends, this isn’t hard to figure out. Theology is the study of God’s revealed truth, character, works, grace, salvation and glory. So if we love God we will love theology, since it is a study of who He is, what He is like, and what He does. It really is that simple. So, on to the question: how do we become better theologians?

Here are two initial suggestions:

1. Be grateful for grace. If you're reading this blog (which is an attempt at theological reflection on God’s truth, glory and love revealed to us), it means that you want to learn, and that God’s theology-teaching grace is already functioning in your life. Praise the Lord!

2. Redefine your relationship with Christ. The most common New Testament word for a Christian is disciple. A disciple is a student or learner in the school of Christ. That idea needs to be near the center of your self-understanding as a Christian. Get it there and you’ll be on your way to becoming the studying and learning theologian God wants you to be.

Labels: Doctrine, Spiritual disciplines, Study, Theology

Let me start by saying thanks to those sharing in this blog. The posts and comments by Bruce and Peter and John and Tom and others have been consistently great and in some cases so full of thought that there is enough to bless the soul for days, just through them alone.

If you haven't been keeping up on these you may want to spend some time reviewing.

As for me, I've got days of study and writing ahead of me. Here's my verse for the day: Acts 6:4.

Please pray for me as I have much ministry of the Word to do:
1. A Sunday sermon to prepare.
2. An important study I'm doing, and paper I'm writing on the very critical matter of what the Bible says about children and birth control. The pastoral implications of this are huge.
3. Ten messages I need to have outlined for my July 12-17 week of camp ministry up in Maine; followed by Sunday preaching ministry on the 19th at a church up in Massachusetts.
4. Counseling and mentoring in the Word to do (at least one appointment today and each day, through Friday).

And then pray for me that in the middle of all of this and throughout all of this I will pray. Pray for me that I will pray for you!

Just a glimpse into my week. I appreciate and love all of you who stand alongside in the work of the gospel.

Labels: Preaching, Study, The Word of God