New Book!

Taylor's blog alerted me to a new book by Tim Keller that looks great!  It is entitled "Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hop that Matters", and will be on the book shelves in October.

Here is a brief review offered by Tullian:

The issue of idolatry has been with the human race for thousands of years; the subtle temptation is always to take what is good and turn it into the ultimate good, elevating it above all other things in the search for security and meaning. In this timely and challenging book, New York pastor Timothy Keller looks at the issue of idolatry throughout the Bible — from the worship of actual idols in the Old Testament, to the idolatry of money by the rich young ruler when he was challenged by Jesus to give up all his wealth. Using classic stories from the Bible Keller cuts through our dependence on the glittering false idols of money, sex and power to uncover the path towards trust in the real ultimate–God. Today’s idols may look different from those of the Old Testament, but Keller argues that they are no less damaging. Culturally transforming as well as biblically based, Counterfeit Gods is a powerful look at the temptation to worship what can only disappoint, and is a vital message in today’s current climate of financial and social difficulty.

Hope you enjoy the read!

Equal Rights for Homosexual Couples???

Recently in the state of Iowa (where our church is located) the supreme court decided to legislate from the bench.  The decision was unanimous; marriage should not be limited to one man and one woman.  While there are several key issues that could be placed on the table for debate (the validity of the court taking on the role of the legislature or the social costs of homosexual behavior) at this point in the debate one issue seems central: homosexual "marriage" undermines the God intended picture of the gospel that is seen in a union between one man and one woman.  Such a picture was given by God to demonstrate the beauty of his plan to redeem fallen man and provide lasting joy through a relationship with their creator.

The issue must be understood through this lens.  There are many within the church who are quick to look down their holy noses at those who have chosen this lifestyle all the while these same "Christians" overlook their own enslavement to food, self righteousness, or social status.  Such an attitude does not draw a sinner to the Savior.  It does not speak to the heart of the issue at hand.  Our culture needs to see the reality of the gospel which stands behind the picture of marriage.  It will not suffice, however, to merely trumpet a relationship that merely appears "right" on the surface.  Justification does not come through a marriage relationship (thankfully for some!)  We will not save the world by overturning this ruling.  If we intend to portray the truth of the gospel we must begin by living it out in our own lives and marriages.  Husbands, do you love your wife as Christ loved the church?  Do you love her regardless of her deserving or meriting this love?  Do you choose to view her as a sister in Christ, one who is currently seated at the right hand of God in Christ?  Wives, do you submit to your husband showing the true reality of the church and her place under the Savior?  

God, through the beauty of his common grace, has given fallen mankind a picture of the majesty of his divine plan.  Those who have seen this reality must grasp this tool and live the gospel out through their marriage.  Being salt and light to a dying world is sometimes as pleasurable as loving your spouse and thus living the gospel! 

Limited Atonement

Thought this was a great article by John Piper on the doctrine of Limited Atonement.  Here's an excerpt.  

If you say that he died for every human being in the same way, then you have to define the nature of the atonement very differently than you would if you believed that Christ only died for those who actually believe. In the first case you would believe that the death of Christ did not actually save anybody; it only made all men savable. It did not actually remove God's punitive wrath from anyone, but instead created a place where people could come and find mercy -- IF they could accomplish their own new birth and bring themselves to faith without the irresistible grace of God.

For if Christ died for all men in the same way then he did not purchase regenerating grace for those who are saved. They must regenerate themselves and bring themselves to faith. Then and only then do they become partakers of the benefits of the cross.

In other words if you believe that Christ died for all men in the same way, then the benefits of the cross cannot include the mercy by which we are brought to faith, because then all men would be brought to faith, but they aren't. But if the mercy by which we are brought to faith (irresistible grace) is not part of what Christ purchased on the cross, then we are left to save ourselves from the bondage of sin, the hardness of heart, the blindness of corruption, and the wrath of God.

Therefore it becomes evident that it is not the Calvinist who limits the atonement. It is the Arminian, because he denies that the atoning death of Christ accomplishes what we most desperately need -- namely, salvation from the condition of deadness and hardness and blindness under the wrath of God. The Arminian limits the nature and value and effectiveness of the atonement so that he can say that it was accomplished even for those who die in unbelief and are condemned. In order to say that Christ died for all men in the same way, the Arminian must limit the atonement to a powerless opportunity for men to save themselves from their terrible plight of depravity.

If you would like to check out the whole article you can find it here!  Happy reading!