Having Two Legs

Archives For February 2012

The Assault Weapons of the Spirit

February 29, 2012 — 2 Comments

While I’m on the Reformation, I’d just like to make a comment about worship music in general.

Channeling some of what James Jordan has pointed out in the past: you can probably identify some of the most potent practices in the church by following how they get distorted or marginalized in the history of the church, repeatedly pushed aside by the devil so that God’s people are not in full strength.

One example of this is congregational singing. This is one of the hallmarks of the Reformation: the people of God singing the praises of God together loudly.

The captivity of the Roman church had included a perverse professionalism that relegated all the most important stuff to the front of the church where only the special people could handle the “holy stuff.” Thus, the liturgy was done almost entirely by the pastor and a deacon or two or maybe a highly trained choir while the congregation watched and listened. Frequently the clergy were the only ones who actually partook of the sacraments, and if anybody actually understood the Latin Mass, it would have been a few of them. The Roman church had effectively passed a weapons ban on the people of God and locked all the most effective assault weapons of the Spirit in a vault in the front of the church where they were occasionally taken out of the case and lifted up for everyone to look at and pray to.

When the Reformers busted out of the Roman prison, they ransacked the altar area of the church and gave all the weapons that the priests had been hiding up there back to the soldiers of God: normal men, women, and children. They opened the word of God by putting it back into the language of the people, they gave all professing Christians the sacraments (both bread and wine), and they put the war-psalms of David back into the mouths of the army of Jesus, His saints. Continue Reading…

In Against Christianity, Why I Won't Convert, Worship

Glory Fat

February 29, 2012 — Leave a comment

This last Sunday I got back into my sermon series on the Ten Commandments, picking back up with the Fifth Commandment. As you may note in the outline published a few posts below this one, we traced some of the connotations of the word “honor,” particularly in Exodus.

I need to make one clarification about my assertion that the word “glory/honor” is sometimes translated as “fat,” particularly in connection with the sacrifices. I noted that Eli’s sons steal the fat of the offerings for themselves instead of giving it to the Lord. In 1 Sam. 4:18, when Eli hears the news that his sons are dead and the ark has been captured, he falls backward, breaks his neck and dies. We are told that this is because he was old and “heavy.” In other words, there is a strong “fat” connection running through the Eli narrative. Eli has gotten fat on his sons’ stolen fat.

However, in some of the verses I referenced, the root word for “glory/honor” is not translated “fat” — that’s a different word. The word is actually frequently translated “liver” (Ex. 29:13, 29:22, Lev. 3:4, 3:10, 3:15, 4:9, 7:4, 8:16, 8:25, 9:10, 9:19), all contexts where the fat is being isolated and burned on the altar. So the point still stands: the fatty part of the liver belongs to the Lord, but just in case you’re trying to trace the Hebrew word, you should be aware that the normal word for “fat” is a different word in those verses listed above.

At the beginning of Exodus, the pharaoh was stealing the glory and honor due to the Lord, by heaping burdens upon God’s people, but the Lord intervenes as a faithful Father and delivers His people in order to give them a glory that will give life rather than crush them. By the end of the story, the Israelites are learning to give God the “glory,” pictured in burning the glory-fat on the altar of the Lord.

This is the difference between faithful fathers and tyrannical fathers, pharaohs and shepherds. Pharaohs demand glory and pretend that they are preeminent. But shepherd fathers look to God as the Chief Shepherd Father and seek to call their families to give Him the glory. And when faithful under-shepherds give glory to God and teach their children to do this, they are being given a glory that cannot be taken away and children delight to add to.

In Bible - Exodus, Bible - Leviticus, Family, Pastoral Theology, Sermon Outlines

The Reformation was an Exodus

February 29, 2012 — 2 Comments

The Reformation was an Exodus: Luther, Bucer, Calvin, Knox and their sidekicks were the Moses and Aaron and Joshua and Caleb of the 16th century, and they led a great mixed multitude out of an Egypt that had arisen in the very Church of God. The Pope had become a tyrannical pharaoh, and his bishops and prelates laid heavy burdens on God’s people. God heard their cries, and raised up judges to free His people. He lifted His mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, He brought His people out of the Roman house of bondage. Anyone who denies this should be sentenced to a decade in politics where you will simultaneously fit in with your fellow camel-swallowers and get what you deserve.

Since history is God’s story, and God delights to rehearse His main points and themes repeatedly in motifs and types, wisdom is found in reading our stories in light of the stories of Scripture. As soon as the Israelites have gone three days into the desert, sure enough, they’re ready to head back to slavery. Later, at Sinai, some of the gold plundered from the Egyptians is used for casting a golden calf. But even a generation later, you have pharaoh wannabes like the cowardly Achan, coveting the treasures of Jericho in a hole in his tent, like a slick pollyanna megachurch pastor. Continue Reading…

In Against Christianity, Bible - Exodus, Calvin, Church Calendar, Federal Vision, History - Reformation, Lent, Pastoral Theology, Why I Won't Convert

Day 5: The Circus

February 29, 2012 — 2 Comments

Table of contents for Journal Project

I teach Rhetoric 2 to sophomores at Logos School here in Moscow, Idaho, and every year around this time, I assign the (now famous) Journal Project. The Journal Project consists of 30 days of journal entries on the same topic. The students are given one day off each week, so we complete the Journal Project over the course of five weeks (writing six days each week). Only this year my students asked me to do the Journal Project with them. So here we go… My topic is my family.

Day 5: The Circus

When my wife describes our children in church, she frequently uses the word “circus.” I loved the idea of the circus when I was little so this pleases me a great deal. A circus is not chaos. A circus is not bedlam or mayhem. The circus is a circle of finely crafted busy-ness. There are things going on everywhere. There are dancers, there are jugglers, there are gymnasts, there are clowns, there are acrobats and tight rope walkers and animal trainers. It’s live. It’s lively. And you’re always missing something, but it’s teeming with excitement, teeming with energy. That’s what we’re aiming for at church. I would really be rather worried if my children sat motionless, in tidy little piles, each carefully arranged on their chair, painted into precision, every hair in place, every tie just so. Actually I wouldn’t be worried; I’d be mortified. I may not want my family to be the Walmart family (visualize a bedraggled mom on a cell phone hurling empty threats at the three savages behind her grappling with each other, throwing fits, screaming, all disheveled, grimy – in short, a small soap opera on wheels). But I’m not going for Mormon either. The Mormons can have their shiny, spit-polished row of child-bots. I don’t want any. I want life. And I especially want life at church. It needs to be ordered, it needs to be directed, and I certainly don’t mean that families should put on a show to distract all six rows around them. I only mean that Jesus loves children, and He didn’t mean that they had to pretend they were adults. They need teaching, they need encouragement, and yes, sometimes they certainly do need discipline. But some wiggling is part of being three years old. Some whispering and chattering is part of loving each other and helping one another listen and participate. I’m a big fan of drawing pictures and note taking too. I was rather pleased to hear that my daughter giggled when I explained this past Sunday that the word “honor” in Hebrew is related to the same word for the “fat” that goes on the Lord’s altar. My daughter giggled and then proceeded to draw pictures of fat men. This is what I mean by a circus: a joyful, childish enthusiasm for what’s going on.

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In Family, Journal Project

First Sunday in Lent: Fifth Commandment: Dt. 6:16-25, Eph. 5:1-11, 6:1-4, Mt. 20:20-28

February 28, 2012 — Leave a comment

Introduction
While we frequently assume that the fifth commandment is particularly for our children, there is no reason to assume that this word was any less directed at the rest of Israel than the others. In fact, if this command does anything, it actually assumes that all of Israel qualifies as children, and therefore the command is for all of Israel. This is still true for us: unless we are first children who honor God as our Father, we cannot hope to teach our children how to honor God or anyone.

The Command
“Honor” literally means “heavy” or “fat,” and it is frequently translated as “glory.” In Leviticus, the word is used repeatedly to refer to the “fat” of the offerings that are always offered on the altar to the Lord. In 1 Samuel, Eli’s house is judged because his sons have become “fat” with the offerings that should have gone on the altar. They have honored themselves rather than God (1 Sam. 2:29-30). In Exodus, the word is used many times to refer to the “hard” heart of Pharaoh, the “hard” plagues that fall on Egypt, and ultimately in the “glory” that the Lord gets when the Egyptian army has sunk down into the Red Sea (Ex. 14:17-18). The word is also used to refer to the “heavy” burdens that the pharaoh laid on the Israelites when he forced them to build his projects (Ex. 5:9), but by the end of Exodus, Israel is being taught how to build Yahweh’s house and lay the “fat/glory” on His altar (Ex. 29:13, 29). In other words, the story of the Exodus is the story of Yahweh’s son, Israel, being freed from a false, tyrannical father and being adopted by his true, loving Father, going from a false, burdensome glory to the true glory of their Father in heaven. In Deuteronomy, the word is used in the restatement of this command (Dt. 5:16) and in the summary of Israel’s covenant with God and their obligation to fear God’s “glorious and fearful” name (Dt. 28:58). The honor of parents and the honor of God is inescapably linked, and the honor of all other authorities in between. This is also true in a general way for all people because they are made in the image of God (1 Pet. 2:17). You can’t say that you are honoring God when you are not honoring those who bear His image all around you, and you can’t truly honor them without first honoring Him. Continue Reading…

In Bible - Deuteronomy, Bible - Ephesians, Bible - Matthew, Sermon Outlines

Day 4: Face to Face

February 28, 2012 — Leave a comment

Table of contents for Journal Project

Day 4

My son sits in his high chair looking from face to face, studying features, taking in the eyebrows and expressions. He has no words of his own yet, but he already reads faces. His own eyes open wide or squint to a grin. His face understands our faces. His face mimics our faces, but he’s also reading, learning, responding.

His siblings love to make him laugh. They laugh at him; he laughs back. His chin tilts back and he smiles at the sky and a baby laugh shakes his body. Again and again. It never gets old.

My wife points out that sometimes a new face enters the room or a new situation arises, and frequently his first response is to look at one of us. He’s watching our faces to see what it means; he’s watching to see how we respond. If we smile or nod, he smiles and goes with it. Sometimes a bit of hesitation or concern on our face can translate to the same on his. He’s speechless, and yet he’s already learning how to face the world, how to respond to life.

Moses was God’s friend. He talked with Him face to face, and even though Israel couldn’t handle that glory, Moses wore the fading light on his face for them, showing them a face they couldn’t remember, a face forgotten, a new face for them to learn.

My son is in the process of putting on his face, learning his part, and our prayer is that the face of his Father is shining through to his.

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In Family, Journal Project

Good Works as Starting Glory-Fires

February 23, 2012 — Leave a comment

Please note: All the best stuff in here is cheerfully and unabashedly stolen from James Jordan.

Servant Leadership Talk for Knight’s Festival at Logos School

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Mt. 5:14-16)

Introduction
I’ve been asked to speak to you about service, being servants as Christians to and for the world. Jesus says that our good works are part of the light that we are commanded to shine before men. I want to talk to you today about light and fire and how they are related to serving others.

In the Beginning
In the beginning God created the world. Everything He made was good except for the fact that Adam was alone. That was not good. So God made the woman out of the side of Adam, and He brought the woman to help Adam and then it was all good. It is not good for man to be alone, and this is not just a statement about bachelors. This is a principle for humanity in general. Isolation is not good. God made people to live in community, to help each other, to serve each other. God made Adam out of the “adamah” which is the ground, the dirt. God made the woman out of the side of man and called her “ishah” which comes from the word for “fire.” In fact, Adam is also given a new name at the very moment that the woman is created and named. He is named “ish” which is obviously also related to the word “fire.” When the glory flame is cut out of Adam’s side, he is glorified. He is lit on fire. When he marries “ishah,” he receives a new name too. They are called “Adam” together, and the man can be called by that name. But they are called “Ish” and “Ishah” respectively. The help and companionship of the woman glorifies the man. Continue Reading…

In Bible - Exodus, Bible - Genesis, Bible - Matthew, Bible - Romans, Justice & Mercy, Lent, Pentecost, Theology - Ecclesiology, Theology - Pneumatology

Chesterton on Christian & Pagan Asceticism

February 22, 2012 — Leave a comment

“The essential difference between Christian and Pagan asceticism lies in the fact that Paganism in renouncing pleasure gives up something which it does not think desirable; whereas Christianity in giving up pleasure gives up something it thinks very desirable indeed.”

- G.K. Chesterton

In Church Calendar, Lent, Wisdom

The Discipline of the Grace of Donuts

February 22, 2012 — 9 Comments

If you feel guilty about missing your Bible reading, morning prayers, or family devotions, stop it. There is no sin called “missing Bible reading.” Those are man-made traditions, and you won’t get an ounce holier by keeping them. You are free. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. You are not under the law. God loves you, you overachieving legalist brown-noser. Stop pretending your rituals are special. You need to sleep in more often and eat donuts for breakfast (especially during Lent).

But you should only *not* feel guilty about missing your Bible reading or morning prayers or family devotions if the relief of no-guilt drives you to love Jesus more enthusiastically and recklessly than ever before. Do you love Jesus? Is His word sweeter than honey? Is it better than sleep? Are you accidentally telling everyone you know about your Savior? If you just end up sleeping in longer, become even less disciplined, and you don’t miss any of it, you should feel guilty, you lazy slob. Repent, believe the gospel, and get up and say your prayers, man.

Grace drives you toward greater glory not less. Some people especially need to learn the discipline of the grace of donuts, and some people especially need to learn the discipline of the grace of getting up early. Everyone needs to learn to do both, and you can tell you’re making progress when you are as dedicated to your prayers as you are to your donuts.

In Church Calendar, Creation, Food, Grace, Lent, Pastoral Theology, Wisdom

Day 3: My Brother Getting Married

February 19, 2012 — 4 Comments

Table of contents for Journal Project

Day 3

My brother is getting married today. Two other brothers have already married, and yet this time I somehow feel even more of the weight of this glory. My closest childhood friend, my sparring partner, my partner in crime, my sidekick is getting married. We sat in car seats next to each other in the old Volkswagen van with the manual transmission stick shooting up out of the floor like some kind of alien appendage. I can remember the smell of those black poly-plastic seats. I remember the raisins and peanuts crammed down into their crevices. I remember the smell of hot against the seats and glass. I remember our sweaty backs.

My brother wore red hair and I went with light, sandy blonde. We both had freckles. Even though I was 18 months older than him, he was always as big as me and at times bigger. We rode bikes together, skateboarded together, built forts and jumps together. We played army, G.I. Joes, stuffed animals, and in the cool evenings of suburban southern California we rounded up neighborhood kids for kick the can as the misty blue dusk spread over the sandy hills. Shorts and t-shirts and farmers tans were the uniforms, and we shared bedrooms until midway through my high school years when I got distracted by the busy-ness of friends and work and sports and eventually I moved away for college.

My brother never was one for words. But he wasn’t a pushover either. He had thoughts and opinions though he was frequently happy to go along with my ideas. I’m pretty sure every once in a while when he wouldn’t go along with my plan I would just punch him a couple of times. He’d turn away a little bit, maybe block the third uppercut, and then go on disagreeing. Maybe he punched back a few times, but I don’t remember. I mostly remember knowing that by the time I was trying to force him into my way of thinking it was already too late. Tiffs never lasted long. Quarter of an hour later, we’d have teamed up on something else in the backyard. I had so many ridiculous ideas and thoughts, I sometimes wonder what it was like to be on the receiving end. I suspect he took his time finding a woman and settling down purely on principle. He let me do the family thing for a dozen years before he figured it wasn’t another one of my hair-brained schemes. Continue Reading…

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In Family, Journal Project, Writing

Having Two Legs

Archives For February 2012

The Assault Weapons of the Spirit

Glory Fat

The Reformation was an Exodus

Day 5: The Circus

Table of contents for Journal Project

First Sunday in Lent: Fifth Commandment: Dt. 6:16-25, Eph. 5:1-11, 6:1-4, Mt. 20:20-28

Day 4: Face to Face

Table of contents for Journal Project

Good Works as Starting Glory-Fires

Chesterton on Christian & Pagan Asceticism

The Discipline of the Grace of Donuts

Day 3: My Brother Getting Married

Table of contents for Journal Project

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