What the Thunder Said...

Reading: Susan Hunt Heirs of the Covenant
Enjoying: Scoresby's
Listening: Ordinary Means podcast

Whenever miracles are recorded in the New Testament, one of their primary duties is to point to either the arrival or the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God in this present evil age. The miracles Jesus performed show Him to be the true King, who binds Satan, sickness, and evil, and each miracle is a shaft of light piercing through the clouds and showing the imminent arrival of the kingdom.

Now, post-resurrection, the apostolic miracles confirmed this truth, and furthered the joys to be owned in the eschatological age. All miracles were in this sense redemptive-historical, ultimately pointing to God's glory and causing men to glorify Him. Ridderbos notes, "...in the whole of Jesus' power to work miracles the coming of the kingdom is realized and is evidence of its presence... Jesus' preaching of the kingdom and his miracles are repeatedly mentioned in the same breath (cf., e.g., Matt 4:23, 9:35)... Moreover, the real issue with miracles is the glorification of God..."[1]

One other interesting aspect of miracles is their function in an apologetic nature in furthering the kingdom individually upon men's consciousnesses. Francis Schaeffer noted a kind of "pre-evangelism" that clears away people's preconceived ideas that hinder them from believing the Gospel when it is presented. An example would be explaining theodicy - the problem of evil - to someone who cannot stomach the message of Christ crucified because he is too overwhelmed by this seeming impossibility. Thus explaining the problem of evil is not necessarily preaching the gospel, yet it is an important part of the entire evangelical process with the individual.

Calvin recognizes a similar function for miracles. In his commentary on John 3 when Nicodemus inquires from Jesus, he notes, "In a word, as miracles have a twofold advantage: to prepare the mind for faith, and, when it has been formed by the word, to confirm it still more..."[2] Here, Calvin describes miracles as going before "the word," and then following to confirm the faith "still more." The clear miraculous quality of what Jesus had done, and what his followers continued to do, overwhelmed any carnal defenses the mind had projected to defend itself, and the Holy Spirit "irresistibly" draws the heart to belief in the good word of the Gospel. Finally, the miracle functions to strengthen and confirm the individual's faith. "God always intended that miracles should be seals of his doctrine."[3]

This is not, as Calvin goes on to say, grounds for thinking that "faith depends on miracles."[4] The word of the Gospel is the fulcrum on which these two uses of miracles turn, "for this reason the miracle in itself is not the most important thing nor even the sharing in Jesus' miraculous power, but much rather, the participation in the redemption of the kingdom which is thereby revealed... where Jesus interrupts the miracles in order to go elsewhere to preach the kingdom of God with words..."[5]

Is there a sacramental parallel with miracles? In some senses, such language could be justified. While miracles are not the Gospel, "they make visible and audible the fulfillment of the promises, the coming of the great era of salvation... Jesus' miracles reveal the coming of the kingdom of God." Again, while they are not properly the Gospel, they do produce the same crisis: "A miracle, as much as preaching in its sense of being a revelation of the kingdom of God, is a confrontation which necessitates a decision: for or against Jesus as the victor of the Evil one and the Bearer of the Spirit of God."[6] So like the sacraments, miracles do herald signs of the Gospel, but ultimately are in the end signs of the Gospel themselves.

Except in certain circles, no matter one's cessated view we live in an age where there seems to be less miracles than in the apostolic era. While healings and other miraculous occurrences still pop up, they seem more sporadic and less sensational (no doubt due to several factors, materialism and technology not the least of these). Nevertheless, one of God's greatest miracles is power of godliness the releases and enables men and women to walk by the Spirit. The God who stopped the sun, split the sea, and raises the dead has made us His handiwork for good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). The faith He has planted in our hearts, which was a divine gift, has the seeds of love within it. Our regenerated lives with hearts that love for the first time are His miracles. We have been resurrected (Colossians 3:1), and we who were dead in trespasses have been made alive and live with our Life, Christ Jesus, in heaven (Colossians 3:3-4).

We ought to think further how the miracle of resurrection living can function in Calvin's two bookends of miracles. Our resurrected lifestyles should "prepare the mind [of others for] faith," and it ought to confirm the good word of the Gospel preached. If we for even a second focus on the bookends to the exclusion of the Gospel-middle, we will be lost. At the same time, Christian character has for too long been a stumbling block to the free offer of Christ crucified, and instead of holding forth the miracle of the new birth it looks more like hypocritical curses. Only by recovering an emphasis on Gospel will our miraculous lives have any lustre to prepare minds, and only by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus will we find the grace to live Spirit-led lives that confirm His good testimony.
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What do you think? Is this an accurate portrayal of miracles? Of faith? Of evangelism and the Gospel? Follow up with a comment or shoot me an email.

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Footnotes

[1]Ridderbos, H. The Coming of the Kingdom. P&R Publishing, 1962. p. 65, 70. Back

[2]Calvin, John. Commentary on John, Vol. I. Christian Classics Ethereal Library (John 3:1-6). Back

[3]Ibid. Back

[4]Ibid. Back

[5]Ridderbos Coming of the Kingdom p. 70. Back

[6]Ibid. Back

Labels: theology

While no doubt this post won't be as good as the books (but better than the movie), here's a few things we here at What the Thunder Said... have been reading in a drive-by fashion. Click through for cyber-stimuli on tech tricks, lying to God in worship, Bono the arch-capitalist, the PCA on NPP & FV, how to swear, and more.

Free up space on your Windows XP with free/open source programs that work better than your commercial apps. Especially Foxit Reader. Especially.*

***

Bono gets dumped on for being quite so altruistic. So the article premised that Bono was some sort of tax-evading, hypocritical fraud. Then you read the article, get to the end, and realize its that Bono is just a really shrewd businessman (an "arch-capitalist," by one critic), and also happens to speak out for a lot of good causes. It is also the case that he's smart enough to realize he holds more power/loyalty than do most national governments, and he throws his weight around. Big deal. Of course I think the RED campaign is a waste of money. That doesn't make Bono any less brilliant than he truly is.

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The Siouxlands Presbytery Committee Report on New Perspective(s), Federal Visiony stuff, and N. Shepherd was posted to a flurry of comments. Some charitable, some less so. In regards to "The Law of God: 3.a," we too, were surprised at the original wording. In the comments (#22 - 24) it is clearly and (to our minds) satisfactorily explained, but why not edit the original document? Thanks to Lane and Wes for the hard work.

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Bob Kauflin of Worship Matters weighs in an important subject: what place do first person declarations have in corporate worship, especially in singing? From the title, if we sing "I will glory in my Redeemer //... I have no longings for another/ I'm satisfied in Him alone" and yet at times are not satisfied in Him alone, are we lying to God?

Kauflin argues that such instances are appropriate, as they are not only pleas (Lord, help me to be satisfied in you alone) but also statements of general truth. He compares such statements to how we would address our spouse.

Our take: hypothetically, Kauflin has a point, but I think this isn't dealing with all the data. Statements such as these run rampant in contemporary song lists, while statements that reminds us we are unfaithful and adulterous (even NC believers, cf. James 4) are fewer and farther between. Our take is that the Psalmist correctly balances the fraility of humanity as well as our longings to live like Christ, who alone says that He is satisfied in His Father alone.

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While we've logged our disgust with New Year's Resolutions (NYR, and easily the most bizarre of all hobby-horses to ride), surely there are a few exceptions to every rule. Here are Jonathan Edwards' resolutions (not New Year's, mind you) grouped into ten categories. We hope you might enjoy them as immensely as we do. In just glancing over the list right now, there is not one that I cannot grow in much more. Here's to hope in God's grace in '07. What think ye? Log your vote in our poll, and take a look in the sidebar on the bottom to the right.

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You probably saw the blogstorm produced when John Piper talked about using "foul language" and then talked about NOT doing it. On top of all of this, Wayne Grudem weighed in with his opinion on "foul language." Now we may be going out on a limb here, but with all respect, we are going to disagree with Grudem and, to a lesser extent, with Pastor John. There was much to agree with, like Piper pointing out he would not choose to go this route a second time, or Grudem's pointing out continuum(s) of language, and bringing the Scriptural text to bear on the issue. Nevertheless, we may have to develop a "theology of swearing." Look for it in future posts. Until then:

Out of the heart, the mouth speaks.

The Bible determines what is wrong, and culture only derivatively.

There is no speech as bad as profaning God's holy name, including "the F-word."

These ideas will be elaborated on later. What do you think? Also, consider Dr. Gene Veith's insight into the difference between Old World and American profanity: holy vs. bodily.

*And yes, that means Firefox, too.

Labels: blogging

Rev. Danny Hyde, pastor of Oceanside United Reformed Church (URC) and prolific blogger over at Pilgrims & Parish has published another book:
The Good Confession: An Exploration of the Christian Faith.

Begun out of his own membership courses, this latest effort is a workbook set to help introduce and establish new members into the beauty of biblical Christianity through the historic creeds and confessions of Reformed Christianity.

Reformed pastors are always looking for a good curriculum to use with new Christians and inquirers that is solidly Reformed, yet which does not major on the minors. The Good Confession is a well-balanced book that will help us instruct all those inquiring about our doctrine.

Dr. Kim Riddlebarger, Christ Reformed Church, Anaheim, CA

For more info on the book, including further reviews and comments, take a look at it on Rev. Hyde's blog. For purchasing information, see the book at Wipf & Stock publishers.

Labels: blogging, books, theology

Reading: Tripp Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
Enjoying: Rocky Road Ice Cream
Listening: Soular (HT: WHI)

No doubt you've heard about internet scams where you can buy a degree for $19.99. Personally, I don't know what the big deal is. I'm sure glad I got my Ph.D. in Religion from the prestigious Progressive Universal Life Church. I guess to be honest, I'm a bit miffed that I have to pay my current institution thousands of dollars for a measly M.Div, and I've already got a Ph.D. Sheesh.

But despite all of my angst, this might be taking it to a new level. Oklahoma Wesleyan University has put one year's tuition up for bid on eBay (HT: Slacker Manager). While I agree with Slacker Manager, I disagree with the update. We here at What the Thunder Said... think its a dumb way to get tuition no matter what clauses are added. You get what you pay for, no? Of course, that is why I am so proud of my Ph.D. in religion. Does anybody know of any job openings? And yes, that is Dr. Lund to you.

Labels: blogging, City of Man, WtTS Stuff

Reading: Trinity Psalter
Enjoying: some cardboard healthfood bar
Listening: "Battesimo Del Fuoco" The Dearhunter

Just wanted to quickly point out a few resources you may have already heard about. The first is a new website devoted to Herman Bavinck, the great Dutch theologian. It has some terrific material - both his own, on the impressive articles page, and by modern scholars, such as Joel Beeke. Its a well done page (in my expert opinion. What? You don't think I'm an expert in these things? Just look at the aesthetic beauty of this page, bub! That's right!... Sorry for the rant) with pictures, quotes, and more. Dr. Beeke is on a committee that is attempting to republish his works, and if you've ever benefited from Louis Berkhof's Systematic Theology, then you owe Bavinck a "thank you."

The second is a podcast we had failed to mention last time.Recently, What the Thunder Said... composed a list of hip podcasts, and regrettably, this particular one was not on our radar screen. So without further ado, it is our pleasure to introduce to you Ordinary Means, "where ordinary men call you back to the ordinary means of grace." The discussion follows the three pastors Matt Bohling, Peter Jones, and Shaun Nolan, and it looks like they are currently posting roughly once a month. Enjoy them.

Thank you, that is all. We hope you enjoy your new reading and listening.

Labels: blogging, theology

Transcendental
Christian J. Faur
encaustic on panel

source

Labels: Art | Culture

Westminster Seminary California recently held their annual conference on the Law and the Christian. Dr. R. Scott Clark posted a few of his thoughts as well as some nifty pictures, and Matt Haeck did a terrific job live-blogging the event.

I took some (incomplete) notes on the lectures, which may be of some use to some of you. Horton's opening lecture was a popular recap of the highpoints of his latest book on covenant theology, so be sure to check that out. Dr. Estelle's lecture was based off a handout, but I think I got most of the quotes for you to follow up on if you'd like. The elective sessions were also based on handouts (bug Dr. Clark to post his), and if anyone wants them I'll upload them. Dr. Hywel Jones lecture was amazing and worshipful, but my wife was resting on my shoulder and I couldn't keep up (I know, I'm such a wuss...). Its not much, but maybe there will be a few quotes to chew on. Click the link to download a .doc file (MS Word).


Conference Notes

Labels: downloads, theology

One of my requirements this past semester regarding historical theology was to find instances of the process done poorly. Posting some finding publicly isn't for the sake of discredit or pointing fingers, but to warn others of missteps and (re-)circulate better scholarship. Without further ado:

My example of bad historical theology is derived from Alan C. Clifford’s Atonement and Justification: English Evangelical Theology 1640 – 1790, An Evaluation.[1] His work stems from a personal reevaluation of Calvinism in light of contemporary research suggesting a discontinuity from the actual thinking of John Calvin and latter forms which would bear his moniker. Having been stimulated and confirmed by R. T. Kendall’s works,[2] his monograph deals with the issue of the nature of the atonement further down the chronological chamber than Kendall’s work. The fruit of his labors investigates the relationship between atonement, justification, and orthodoxy particularly between John Owen (1616 – 83) and John Wesley (1703 – 91), with Richard Baxter (1615 – 91) and John Tillotson (1630 – 94) filling in middling voices. His concluding observations lead the reader to understand that Calvin’s theological legacy was varied, and not always best continued by those who taught under his name.

There are a few puzzling moves Clifford makes that betray holes in his overall presentation, and we will here present three. First, Clifford thoroughly interacts with Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, but does not deal significantly with Owen’s mature work on Clifford’s locus, The Doctrine of Justification by Faith.[3] Secondly, the theological and social contexts that Owen and Wesley worked in varied significantly: different continents, denominations, contexts, and theological trends. These differences are not, however, developed by Clifford, and instead it is assumed without apology that their respective work and views can be thought of univocally.[4] Finally, Clifford anachronistically fails to account for development both philosophically and theologically: first regarding Owen’s and Wesley’s views and uses of Aristotle (part II, chapter 6) and within the Reformed tradition from Calvin to Owen to Barth. His misuse of Owen and Aristotle, and especially Clifford’s own appeal to David Hume and Bertrand Russell – which compounds the problems, has been pointed out before.[5]

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Footnotes

[1]Clifford, Alan C. Atonement and Justification: English Evangelical Theology 1640 – 1790, An Evaluation. Oxford: Oxford & Clarendon Press, 1990. Back

[2]Trenchant among was: Kendall, R. T. Calvin and English Calvinism to 1649. Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 1997. Back

[3]Mason, Mattew W. “The Significance of the Systematic and Polemical Function of Union with Christ in John Owen’s Contribution to Seventeenth Century Debates Concerning Eternal Justification” M.Th. Diss. Unpublished, May 2005. p. 34, n. 112. Back

[4]Ibid. p. 17 – 18. Clifford notes, “The fact that Wesley was not a contemporary of the others in no way affects the investigation, which is concerned primarily with their convictions rather than their careers” (ix). Back

[5]Trueman, Carl R. The Claims of Truth: John Owen’s Trinitarian Theology. Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 1998. p. 216. Back

Labels: theology

Reading: Tripp Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
Enjoying: Christmas candies
Listening: R. Scott Clark's CrossTalk

Well, we're back in sunny SoCal after a wonderful vacationing in siberia Minnesota. Actually, it wasn't that bad; the weather in MN was quite balmy all things considered, and when we finally did get snow on New Year's Eve, it only made the winter wonderland more beautiful. But we gave thanks for good weather and safe travels, along with another year and the Christ child.

We'll have tons of pix to put up over at the Thunder Photo Album, including some of our recently released Firebellied Frogs.

I was excited to finally be able to get my hands on a copy of Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry, a monograph I have been ranting about and salivating over for a long time now. Now the book hasn't been out that long, and already its promoting strong reactions. For several positive reactions, keep your eyes glued to The Heidelblog for many of the positive reviews and blurbs. However, another book has already been planned, A Faith That Is Never Alone, as a critical response to the book. Further comments on the book:

The Center for Cultural Leadership announces it will be publishing a symposium in response to Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry: Essays by the Faculty of Westminster Seminary California, P & R Publishing Company, edited by Scott Clark. The provisional title of our symposium is A Faith That Is Never Alone: A Response to the Faculty of Westminster Seminary California, edited by P. Andrew Sandlin. Contributors include John H. Armstrong, John M. Frame, Don Garlington, Mark Horne, P. Andrew Sandlin, and Norman Shepherd.

Obviously, this is going to present some challenges. I find the authorship of the responding monograph somewhat troubling, but I look forward to seeing what the actual arguments are. Ligon Duncan has already responded, and I'm sure this will manage to produce far more writing flurries.

Labels: bio, WtTS Stuff

There's a new game in town, and for my money, this machine is eating up the action. We've spent a good deal of time here at What the Thunder Said... coming up with what makes the best Pocket PC device, and this one has it. Now there may be detractors (EDGE and download speeds?), and we accept that, but allow us to make our case and then feel free to make yours in the comments.

For starters, you can't just jump into this discussion. You've got to discuss pedigree. The device, going by various names of HTC TyTN, Hermes, and Cingular 8525, has not dropped out of the sky, and follows a particular train of thought both from HTC and the larger Pocket PC/Smartphone community. While we don't pretend to know every intricate loop and detour in that pedigree, it is still important to consider, and we'll try to do just that.

Currently, the best all-around Pocket PC device is the HP iPAQ 5555. Please close your mouths. You heard it, and we know you are shocked. This device has the best memory, processor, and connectivity available. You may ask about the hx4705 by Hp, and while it is superior in some aspects, its touchpad, lack of sled connection, and WM 5.0 upgrade flaws leave it just shy of first place. (The late-release and little produced Toshiba e830 may actually be the true great, and we hope to get our mits on one, but its scarcity leaves it out of contention.)

And what is it about the iPAQ 5555 that makes it so great? For starters, it was one of the last great devices HP made before its ship began to sink, and so marks an important era in PPC craftsmanship. This is seen in that the iPAQ 5555 was one of the first HTC composed devices, yet it still retained the old Compaq iPAQ shape that allowed it to insert into the connectivity sleds.

Not only did the 5555 possess the HTC mark, but it had 128 megabytes of RAM and a 400 megahertz processor. It possessed both Bluetooth and WiFi, and carried the peak OS at the time, Windows Pocket 2003 SE. Its connectivity with past extension sleds and forward looking technology (like being the first device with thumbprint security) set it apart. Indeed, about the only deficiency is the dwarfed infrared (and $price$), which was on the decline anyway.

Into this consideration, consider what has been produced since. The Treo has become a major force on the market, and while HP has struggled with various hw-converged and media-centric devices, HTC has risen to the forefront. This article should not be thought to dismiss Dell's contributions too lightly, or any other player (Acer, eTen, etc.), but their respective shares of the market have generally been divided and too small (except for perhaps Dell's Axim vX series. These may show greater showings in the future).

So with HTC being the major player in the new world of converged devices, the primary question is which HTC device is the best? While the Wizard was gargantuan and formidable, its strengths became its weaknesses and became too bulky for consumer use. The Hermes' size and usability commends itself.

Its produced by HTC. It bears the leading OS - WM 5.0. It has 128 MB of RAM, a 400 megahertz Samsung processor. A not-leading-but-none-too-shabby 2 megapixel camera. Side-sliding QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth (2.0!), and Wifi. Quadband, HSDPA. Scroll wheel for top notch one handed use. The Hermes was clearly well thought out by HTC, and the accompanying software is terrific. While no doubt there will continue to be improvements made on devices in the future, the HTC TyTN will stand as a benchmark for awhile.

*Obviously a very obscure, very coulture, and very high brow reference to Finding Forrester,you know, with Sean Connery and what's his name...

Labels: Technology

Reading: Horton, Michael S. In the Face of God
Enjoying: my new slippers from Christie. cozy...
Listening: enjoying the winter quiet

So I didn't mean for the last post's title to be indicative of my entire blogging attitude, but its been a bit long. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. Welcome to '07.We've had a very merry, and hope yours was as well. Its been a pleasure seeing and visiting with old friends and making new ones. One wedding down, one to go. I only got one game of broomball in, but that's ok. I got to play the Wii, and beat Pete Sampras and Rod Laver at tennis on it. I've seen both sides of my families. I've heard a Presbyterian sermon, a Baptist sermon, and plan (DV) to hear a Reformed sermon. I've been making good use of del.icio.us. I gave, among other things, a home-made CD; I received, among other things, a four-wheel swiveling hang-up bag (for clothes, not personal hang ups). So it has been, and will continue to be, a busy break.

So, we're not much for New Year's Resolutions (NYRs) here at What the Thunder Said... Though we've got lots of love for all seventy some of Jonathan Edwards resolutions, NYRs have not been a big hit. Is it not so much the resolution so much as the timing? Probably not. Is it that NYRs inherently smack of CoW | law and we are oh so past that? No and no. Now that we think about it, I'm not really sure why I'm so sure I'm against NYRs, but we are, and you should be too. Leave us some feedback. To NYR, or not to NYR? Check out the poll in the sidebar to the right and towards the bottom, or comment as well.

Hopefully, substantial posting will resume to exceed previous standards. Not that there has been time for a lot of computers, but here's a bit of what we've had our noses in. Maybe you'll find some of it intriguing as well.

Links and WhatNot:
The Dark Side of Owen: The Cromwellian Invasion

What Would Not Be If Jesus Had Not Been
(HT for both: JT)


The Rapture is Imminent: R. Scott Clark Descends Upon the Blogosphere
My professor/pastor furthers his online onslaught oppression domination with a blog and, lo and behold, a Reformed podcast. Here's a paper he authored a while back on Calvin and natural law, which will definitely have to be a part of my larger reading on Two Kingdom theology.

Doug Wilson alludes to Clark and the Westminster necktie party

As close to a New Years Resolution as I'll take
Lifehacker: The Book TOC and downloadable index

Ok fine, I'm still against New Year's Resolutions, but if you're gonna go ahead and make them, this might be helpful for actually keeping them


Also contributing toward negative feelings toward Islam: terrorism.

Mmmm... BBC got a new website. Shiny!
I thought TBI had already received a new website? We were at the south site (Burnsville) on New Year's Eve.
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We would still really appreciate any comments or emails on this note: How was it switching over to Blogger beta?

Labels: bio, WtTS Stuff