Sabbatarianism

Now I would be the first to say, with Thomas Watson, that "If I am not mistaken, practical points are more needful in this age than controversial or polemical." That being said, being immersed as I have in the Puritans this summer, I have inevitably come to question the modern evangelical church's position on the Sabbath. Or "Lord's Day" as it is called to divorce it from the jurisdiction of the 4th commandment. Depending on your view of the scope of the Old Testament, you can either easily or not-so-easily dismiss the implications of this commandment for the 21st century Christian. How is it that we can say that 9 of the 10 commandments are still applicable to the modern believer, and neatly cut out one?

Now, I am not a Sabbatarian--yet. But I am starting to think about it. So far, I haven't seen a consistently scriptural defense of our modern "Lord's-Day-not-at-all-the-same-as-the-Sabbath" observance. Thanks, James for passing this link on Sabbatarianism to me. I was surprised to hear it echo my conclusions. Very stimulating.

Fourteen Marks of a True Believer

I have been nibbling this week at Thomas Watson's All Things For Good. Nibbling, because it is a short book, and I am trying to enjoy every paragraph. I read in Meet The Puritans that Thomas Watson was one of the easiest Puritans to read, and the authors' assessment is right on--Watson does not mince words or develop clever philosophical arguments. He doesn't need to.

Consider the following outline of chapter 5, "The Tests of Love to God":

1. The first fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God. Those who love God think about Him often.

2. The next fruit of love is desire of communion. We long to meet him in prayer, His Word, his ordinances, and finally, in heaven.

3. Another fruit of love is grief. Grief for sins committed by us and others, because it injures God's glory, and tramples upon the opportunities and kindness He has extended us.

4. Another fruit of love is magnanimity. Christ's followers are not afraid to own Him or His Gospel: "He who is afraid to own Christ has but little love for Him."

5. The fifth fruit of love is sensitiveness. It brings us pain to see God's honor besmirched, His truth neglected, His laws violated.

6. The sixth fruit of love is hatred against sin. "He that loves God will have nothing to do with sin, unless to give battle to it. Sin strikes not only at God's honor, but His being. Does he love his prince that harbours him who is a traitor to the crown? Is he a friend to God who loves that which God hates?"

7. Another fruit of love is crucifixion. "He who is a lover of God is dead to the world" (Galatians 6:14).

8. The next fruit of love is fear. Fear of displeasing God, fear that God's presence would depart.

9. If we are lovers of God, we love what God loves. His Word, His day (the Sabbath), His Laws, and His people.

10. Another blessed sign of love is, to entertain good thoughts of God. To give God the benefit of the doubt in affliction (Job 13:15). "It is Satan that makes us have good thoughts of ourselves, and hard thoughts of God."

11. Another fruit of love is obedience. In things difficult and dangerous. If we love God, we set ourselves against sins in purpose and in practice.

12. He who loves God will endeavour to make Him appear glorious in the eyes of others.

13. Another fruit of love is to long for Christ's appearing.

14. Love will make us stoop to the meanest offices. Considering what Christ stooped to do as a servant (John 13:3-5), we realize no task is below us.

The Excellency of Christ

I have been slowly savoring a book of collected sermons of Jonathan Edwards for the past several months. This morning I finished "The Excellency of Christ," and though not an easy read, like most things in life, it is well worth the effort, just as filet mignon takes more effort to prepare than say, hot dogs. It is, however interesting, that in this case, bookstores seem to sell filet mignon in the discount section, and hot dogs are always at a premium.

This particular sermon is magnificent in its comparison of Christ's diverse and seemingly irreconcilable characteristics--his majesty and yet his humility; his dominion and yet his meekness; his judgment and yet his mercy. He compares and reconciles that Christ is both a Lion of Judah and yet a lamb. He receives poor sinners with all gentleness, then defends them as a roaring lion.

There is an interesting interplay between these diverse characteristics as they pertain to his crucifixion. The lamb is overcome by another lion who prowls about (Satan), and yet though Christ is consumed as it were, Satan is finally overcome. Edwards' presentation masterfully illuminates that this act is both a divine and bottomless mystery.

The apex of the sermon is in its application, both in compelling those who have not yet received Christ, as well as those who already count him Lord and Brother. The final pages, which detail his greatness, goodness, and warmness toward us are very moving, and through them one gains a glimpse into the blessed eternity that awaits those whom he has redeemed. Both the sermon and the Savior are highly recommended.

Spurgeon's 'Marks of True Conversion'

This is quite useful.  This summer our church's formal activities (home groups, children's ministry, choir, etc.) all spin down, and we have organized an informal "Puritan Book Club".  Our first selection, for the month of June, is Matthew Mead's The Almost Christian Discovered.  James Kubecki talks about it on his blog as well.

Do you ever have the feeling you are being watched?  That is the unsettling feeling you get when reading this book--you get the distinct sensation that the book is somehow reading you!  After reading this book, I found the following (from Charles Spurgeon) helpful:

"When the Word of God converts a man, 

    it takes away from him his despair,

      but it does not take from him his repentance.

True conversion gives a man pardon,

    but it does not make him presumptuous.

True conversion gives a man perfect rest,

    but it does not stop his progress.

True conversion gives a man security,

    but it does not allow him to leave off being watchful.

True conversion gives a man strength and holiness,

    but it never lets him boast.

True conversion gives harmony to all the duties of Christian life;

    it balances all duties, emotions, hopes, and enjoyments.

True conversion brings a man to live for God.

    He does everything for the glory of God,

       whether he eats, drinks, or whatsoever he does.

True conversion makes a man live before God;

    He desires to live as in God's sight at all times,

       and he is glad to be there.

And such a man now comes to live with God.

    He has blessed communion with him;

       He talks with him as a man talks with his friend."

 Why doesn't anyone write with this kind of 'studied plainness' today?