I know what you're thinking. "Ah, there it is! Here is the Calvinism! I knew it was coming; the name of the blog totally gave it away. Here's the Calvinism coming out!" And I'm going to be honest with you....kinda. I'm not going to really be defending any part of Reformed theology; at least not here. (more on that in a minute) Rather, I'm going to defend why my doctrine is what it is.
I believe Scripture. All of it. Period. I love it. It is my highest authority that I can touch and see right now. So when I'm labeled as "Reformed" or "Calvinist", I don't neccessarily take offense to that; but understand I follow Scripture; and what it says is what I beleive. When I'm having any discussion, my position is from Scripture. All of it. Period. I'll be really honest, it doesn't matter what Piper says, or what Washer says, or what Adrian Rogers said, or what Calvin said, or what Luther said. I'm not interested in the "What saith Calvin?" Rather, my convictions come from "Thus saith the Lord"
So may it never be said that I'm a Calvinist because I follow Calvin. Who is Calvin? Calvin did not purchase my justification. That is Christ. Calvin did not free me from sin and guilt. That was Christ. Luther and Piper are not my highest joy. That is Christ.
I believe in Scripture, Reformed Theology just so happens to be so clearly laid out in Scripture for me that I cannot disagree with it. I have prayed, wept, studied, and resisted, only to end up where I'm at now. I have no desire to be wrong. I fully understand that if I'm wrong, I have the strong likelihood of leading many people down a road of falsehood. God help me if I do that. I fully understand that if I'm wrong, I will have to give an account for what I say. And may God have mercy on me if that's the case. If I were to be wrong, whatever the Lord would say to me is fair and right. But I do not believe this is the case.
And please, understand, I'm not against people disagreeing with me. There are men who have had at least some impact, if not a great impact on my life, do not agree with me-my father one of them. And it's ok. They are not heretics for disagreeing with me. I love them, I pray for them daily. Though we disagree, though I think they are wrong, they love Christ, and that is what is important to me. I would actually rather talk to a million Free Wills who love Christ than a single Calvinist who has no grace in his or her life.
"I am afraid there are Calvinists, who, while they account it a proof of their humility that they are willing in words to debase the creature, and to give all the glory of salvation to the Lord, yet know not what manner of spirit they are of. Whatever it be that makes us trust in ourselves that we are comparatively wise or good, so as to treat those with contempt who do not subscribe to our doctrines, or follow our party, is a proof and fruit of a self-righteous spirit. Self-righteousness can feed upon doctrines, as well as upon good works; and a man may have the heart of a Pharisee, while his head is stored with orthodox notions of the unworthiness of the creature and the riches of free grace." - John Newton
And I've not always been the most gracious. I've not always been the most calm. I've not always been the most open minded, and I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry for those who may have thought I was cold and uncompassionate. I promise, that's not who I am; that's not the person Christ has called me to be, and i must walk in humility every day. And it's a struggle for me, I have no problem being open and admitting my past faults, and even my present faults. Approach me with grace or with a question and I'll gladly help with grace and love. I can promise you that.
But there are some that approach me for alternative reasons. There are some who do not seek to learn, or hear alternative views, or to sharpen one another. There are some who, as a said tonight, just need their ego stroked. There are some who merely want to make arguments, start theologiacal "discussions", aren't willing to listen and learn.
They have been spoon fed everything. They can preach well, teach well, believe the Scriptures, but have no compassion. Humility is not their strong suit, but they call us arrogant. Grace is never exteneded, but they call us graceless. They have been silenced time and time again, and their arrogance screams and fits, "Feed me!" and so they come back again, ready to discuss. Ready to attack. And yet we're the ones who pick fights? Sadly, no.
Some of them have been invited to participate in friendly conversations, public conversations; so that those who are willing to also develop their own doctrine may do so without prejudice. And they refused, which is their right. But in the same week, are back on the attack. But never organized, never calmly, never face to face. Only in passing.
I can- very easily- defend my doctrine. And will to any person who comes to be seeking to talk. And I would love to pull away the blinders and misconceptions with truth not just seasoned, but covered in grace and desire to see people grow in Christ. But I will not be attacked for my beliefs. I will not be constantly bashed for simply seeing the Doctrines of Grace in Scripture, believing them, or preaching them. Remember the article? Remember how we were all pissed that we had not attacked anyone on anything, and we were crtiqued. Here it is! Here is exactly the fuel to the fodder! Here is what they are complaining about! Here lies the problem! But who is responsible? Who is attacking? Who is making the statuses, and the snide comments, and the bogus remarks? The angry, arrogant, non-loving Calvinists? No! Not them! But the few. The minority who give the fighting reputation.
It must stop. These men should realize that their arrogance is hurting only themselves. If it is a discussion, they should calmly engage. They should not call for truces then continue on. This constant attacking- from either side- is not gaining anything. The discussions are good. if they are in grace, if they are benefitting Christ, if they are of a friendly nature-even when heated- are good and beneficial. But ducking and dodging except when one has numbers. Either come and discuss or shy away
Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain reason in those Scriptures that I have presented, for my conscience is captive to the Word of God, I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.
SDG
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Little Boy Puppies and My (Difficult) Pursuit of Manhood
So this should have been said a long time ago; I guess I just want to let it go and keep it all bottled up inside. But the Theses was intended to be a place where I could unbottle everything, so I'll gladly let this all out.
And, this is NOT directed to married couples at all. This is strictly dating only. Just covering all my bases.
At the time of me writing this it's 8:30, February 13th. That means that in about three and a half hours it will be Valentine's Day. The one day a year where not only do I realize I'm getting older, but that couples are celebrating their love or their "love"-yes there is a difference and I'm going to explain it.
Because Tuesday is Valentine's Day there are going to be a lot of guys drooling all over themselves to make this one day absolutely perfect for a girl they've known for less than six months. And they're laying down everything possible just in the name of "love". Just because they're in a relationship , a guy is throwing this word love around and it makes me sick.
And I know, some of you are thinking one of two things.
Either
1. Jay is saying this because he wants to rain on the relationship couples parade, because he is single. And I'll dispell the idea. I would love to be in a relationship. I desire that, I want that. I don't have that right now. But even if I was (ask the people who know me quite well) I would still say all of this.
or you could be thinking
2. Jay is anti-romance. This is also not true. I think that relationships, provided they are healthy and God-centered are legit things. I'm not antidating at all. I've been in relationships, and have enjoyed several good relationships. So i'm not anti-dating, but I am anti-idolatry.
And I think that there are plenty of couples who have made their boyfriend/girlfriend thier functional Savior. Or just as bad, there are people who have made one person their sole identity. That they must be around that person. They must be with that person. And that's completely unhealthy. Or, just as bad, there are people who go through this destructive cycle of in and out of relationships and throwing all of their eggs into these relationship baskets. When they're in a relationship, they're two days from a wedding and when they're not in a relationship their world's caving in or their saying the same things to all different types of people as if to say, "Notice me! You define me! You give me worth!" and that happens over and over and over.
And the problem, and I've been saying this for over a year now, is that as guys, we are content with remaining Little Boys. We've placed a value on relationships, regardless of who the person is, and we've said anything in the name of "love", not because we actually care for that person but becasue we want our god. We "love" someone so that we can find our identity in them.
And don't think, Little Boy, that just because you're not a complete douche who never cheats that your doing these girls a favor; throwing around the word love like you can get it two for ten and at a dollar store. You don't know romance, you don't know Biblical pursuit. You're a coward, not a man.
And, what's worse is that many of us- I say that knowing that I'm just as guilty sometimes- call ourselves believers, but throw ourselves to the next possible relationship that comes along. You throw the word love around because you get all sorts of emotional when we're with someone, but have no idea what that word means, how to walk in that, and how to live that out.
And I don't know who the hell you think you are, spiritually and emotionally scarring a beautiful young woman. I don't know who you think you're impressing not even considering the eternal weight of what you're saying and doing; but I wish you would stop. Because regardless if you're a 16 year old in high school, a college freshman, a young man, a middle aged man, if you're not focused on Christ, if you're identity isn't found in Christ, you're killing young women.
And I say all of this knowing I fail everyday. I'm not perfect. I am prone to fall into the same traps I just railed against. But we were made for so much more than this. The women that we come into contact with deserve more than a cowardly little boy; and I fail at that. I have a long way to go too. But we cannot just throw ourselves to our idols of relationships and romance.
We cannot
And, this is NOT directed to married couples at all. This is strictly dating only. Just covering all my bases.
At the time of me writing this it's 8:30, February 13th. That means that in about three and a half hours it will be Valentine's Day. The one day a year where not only do I realize I'm getting older, but that couples are celebrating their love or their "love"-yes there is a difference and I'm going to explain it.
Because Tuesday is Valentine's Day there are going to be a lot of guys drooling all over themselves to make this one day absolutely perfect for a girl they've known for less than six months. And they're laying down everything possible just in the name of "love". Just because they're in a relationship , a guy is throwing this word love around and it makes me sick.
And I know, some of you are thinking one of two things.
Either
1. Jay is saying this because he wants to rain on the relationship couples parade, because he is single. And I'll dispell the idea. I would love to be in a relationship. I desire that, I want that. I don't have that right now. But even if I was (ask the people who know me quite well) I would still say all of this.
or you could be thinking
2. Jay is anti-romance. This is also not true. I think that relationships, provided they are healthy and God-centered are legit things. I'm not antidating at all. I've been in relationships, and have enjoyed several good relationships. So i'm not anti-dating, but I am anti-idolatry.
And I think that there are plenty of couples who have made their boyfriend/girlfriend thier functional Savior. Or just as bad, there are people who have made one person their sole identity. That they must be around that person. They must be with that person. And that's completely unhealthy. Or, just as bad, there are people who go through this destructive cycle of in and out of relationships and throwing all of their eggs into these relationship baskets. When they're in a relationship, they're two days from a wedding and when they're not in a relationship their world's caving in or their saying the same things to all different types of people as if to say, "Notice me! You define me! You give me worth!" and that happens over and over and over.
And the problem, and I've been saying this for over a year now, is that as guys, we are content with remaining Little Boys. We've placed a value on relationships, regardless of who the person is, and we've said anything in the name of "love", not because we actually care for that person but becasue we want our god. We "love" someone so that we can find our identity in them.
And don't think, Little Boy, that just because you're not a complete douche who never cheats that your doing these girls a favor; throwing around the word love like you can get it two for ten and at a dollar store. You don't know romance, you don't know Biblical pursuit. You're a coward, not a man.
And, what's worse is that many of us- I say that knowing that I'm just as guilty sometimes- call ourselves believers, but throw ourselves to the next possible relationship that comes along. You throw the word love around because you get all sorts of emotional when we're with someone, but have no idea what that word means, how to walk in that, and how to live that out.
And I don't know who the hell you think you are, spiritually and emotionally scarring a beautiful young woman. I don't know who you think you're impressing not even considering the eternal weight of what you're saying and doing; but I wish you would stop. Because regardless if you're a 16 year old in high school, a college freshman, a young man, a middle aged man, if you're not focused on Christ, if you're identity isn't found in Christ, you're killing young women.
And I say all of this knowing I fail everyday. I'm not perfect. I am prone to fall into the same traps I just railed against. But we were made for so much more than this. The women that we come into contact with deserve more than a cowardly little boy; and I fail at that. I have a long way to go too. But we cannot just throw ourselves to our idols of relationships and romance.
We cannot
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