Culture Archives - Page 3 of 69 - Kuyperian Commentary

On August 20, 2024 By Kuyperian In Culture 1

Liberty Requires God-given Rights Exercised in Free Markets

Guest Post by Bill Peacock

“Many persons, having never viewed the subject (of liberty) in this light, charge us with excessive zeal, when they see us so warmly and earnestly contending for freedom of faith as to outward matters, in opposition to the tyranny of the Pope.” – John Calvin

Most Americans these days are more worried about the tyranny of civil government than of the Pope. Yet many of them, including some Christians, are squeamish about or opposed to applying biblical teachings to the public square in order to address the problem of tyranny. Some conservative Christians are hesitant about this because they believe it will lead to conflating Christian liberty and civil liberty and undermining the message of the freedom from sin we have in Jesus Christ.

While these two terms should not be conflated, neither should they be put asunder. John Calvin, in his commentary on Galatians 5:1, wrote that liberty is “an invaluable blessing, in defense of which it is our duty to fight, even to death; since not only the highest temporal considerations, but our eternal interests also, animate us to the contest.”

These temporal considerations of liberty extend into our social and economic lives. The Eighth Commandment, “You shall not steal,” confers an obligation on citizens and rulers not to take property from others. This obligation includes allowing the application of our labor and creativity to God’s creation so that we may use, buy, and sell the property we can make from it, and keep the profits from doing so. “Free market” or “capitalism” are the terms generally used to describe this state of affairs.

Unfortunately, the free market is waning in today’s uber-regulatory world. The government tells us what we must inject into our bodies to keep our jobs, what products we can–or must–sell, what people we must serve–or reject, the wages we must pay–and receive, the price at which we can buy and sell products, and more.

Capitalism, which as the replacement for feudalism allowed people from all classes, for the first time in history, to freely use their land, labor, and capital to their own benefit, is rapidly being replaced by a modern-day feudalism in which the wealthy and politically connected are once again becoming our lords.

Many Christians, perhaps out of concern about maintaining a “separation of church and state,” appear to be oblivious to these problems. While they are quick to point to harmful actions by individuals or businesses in the marketplace, they often ignore worse injustices committed by our rulers.

This is not to say there have not been challenges with capitalism over the centuries since it sprung out of 14th-century Renaissance Europe—poor working conditions, fraud, and strained relationships between owners and workers among them. Even so, the benefits of capitalism indisputably outweigh its human faults in terms of human prosperity and health.

Also indisputable is the history of failure by government officials who attempt to override the decisions of market participants—and their God-given rights—by intervening in markets. Yet the interventions—and failures—continue.

A long line of philosophers, theologians, and political thinkers have understood that humanity’s “Unalienable rights” are not supplied by government but instead are “endowed by their Creator.” This dependence on God rather than the state was expressed by Abraham Kuyper when he wrote that the dominating principle of Calvinism “was not, soteriologically, justification by faith, but, in the widest sense cosmologically, the Sovereignty of the Triune God over the whole Cosmos, in all its spheres and kingdoms, visible and invisible.”

We express the sovereignty of God over us and the state as our God-given rights and obligations of charity, stewardship, and dominion are freely exercised individually and collectively by people. Outside the family and church, the primary way we do this is through markets.

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On August 20, 2024 By Paul Liberati In Church, Culture, Family and Children, Theology Like

What Does Baptism Accomplish? Part Three: A Marriage Ceremony

In this series, I am seeking to answer the question: What Does Baptism Accomplish? To begin with, I said: Baptism initiates a real covenant relationship with the Triune God and with each of the Persons in particular. This means that there are three different aspects to this relationship and each one corresponds to one of the Three Persons of the Trinity. As it pertains to the Father, the relationship is adoptive. As it pertains to the Son, the relationship is marital. And as it pertains to the Holy Spirit, the relationship is ministerial.

I covered the adoptive aspect and now I’ll be covering the marital aspect. First, I want to show that, in the Bible, the relationship we have with God in Christ is of a marital nature. Second, I’ll show the connection between marriage and baptism. Finally, I’ll provide some guidelines on how to think of this relationship in terms of objective and subjective realities.

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On August 16, 2024 By Kendall Lankford In Culture, Politics Like

How to Make America Christian Again (A Call to Christians to Become Leaders)

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. – Exodus 20:12

THE IMPORTANCE OF A CULTURE OF HONOR

The first commandment in the Decalogue that comes with a promise is to honor your father and mother. This promise, originally given to the Old Testament Israelites, assured them that if they adhered to this command, their days would be prolonged in the land the Lord had given them. While this was specifically spoken to the Israelites regarding their covenant inheritance, the principle carries a broader spiritual truth: any society that upholds a culture of honor, rooted in God’s law, will generally experience stability and longevity.

This principle is as true today as it was in ancient times. A nation cannot thrive without a culture of honor. When children are incentivized to disobey their parents, societal hierarchy begins to disintegrate, leading to moral chaos, political instability, and geopolitical vulnerability. We are witnessing the results of this breakdown in our own nation, where generations of children have not been taught to honor their parents, elders, or any authority. The resulting compromise of the family structure has sent adverse ripples through education, vocation, military, government, and every other facet of society. We are raising a generation of coddled, ego-sensitive narcissists who cannot receive orders, follow commands, or defend any cause greater than themselves. God help us in the days ahead.

THE NEED FOR A CULTURE OF HONOR

As daunting as this may seem, Christians can and must be part of the solution. But that solution goes beyond merely pulling our children out of public schools, homesteading, and drinking raw milk. The Westminster Larger Catechism rightly deduces that the command to “honor your father and mother” extends to all rightful and lawful authorities that God has placed in our lives. Yes, children must obey their parents, but adults must also honor their bosses, congregants must honor pastors, and citizens must honor governors. A culture of honor and respect for authority must permeate every level of society, for when it does, it preserves a nation and lengthens its lifespan. Conversely, when such a culture is lost, societal division and decay are inevitable.

If we desire to see American society redeemed and transformed into a Christian nation once more, we must “build it,” like Ray Kinsella, and pray that the spirit of honor “will come.”

THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM

To achieve this, we must embrace the mantle of leadership not only within our churches but also in the broader culture. We must move beyond the gnostic tendencies that have crept into Christendom, which suggest our only work is in the spiritual realm. Christians must re-engage with the public square, reclaim leadership in the public sector, and once again become thought leaders, inventors, CEOs, and politicians. While this calling is not for every Christian, it is a necessary pursuit for some.

Consider the absurdity of retreating from culture and expecting it not to decay. How can we assume that unregenerate men will take up the reins we have abandoned and provide Christocentric leadership that heals our land? Expecting the darkness to act as if it had the light is as foolish as waiting for a blind man to paint the next Mona Lisa. If we desire true transformation in our land, we cannot leave the leadership of this world to the morally blind, spiritually deaf, and ethically mute.

As Christians have retreated from institutions of leadership, the vacuum has been filled by sinful men. Here are a few examples: As we abandoned politics, the presidency has been handed over to greedy, narcissistic men leading our country into disaster. As we left the halls of power, they were occupied by bought-and-paid-for degenerates who vote according to who offers the biggest payday rather than according to the Word of God. The courts have become corrupted by men of compromise, college campuses have been overrun by irrational materialists, and corporate boardrooms are now occupied by spineless ideologues who promote insanity, like bikinis with a penis pocket. Most critically, as we have abandoned leadership in the home to government-run schools, babysitters, and daycares, our nation’s moral fabric has rotted in just a few generations, leaving us on moral life support.

THE SOLUTION TO A NATION IN CRISIS

But we are not without hope. If we simply change our level of involvement, we can begin to see improvement. Instead of fleeing from leadership, Christians should embrace it. Why? Because while common grace enables even non-believers to contribute to societal good, Christians, uniquely equipped by the Holy Spirit and guided by Scripture, bring a God-centered approach to leadership. When we step into the public square as Spirit-indwelled believers, we come as walking temples that house the presence of Almighty God. As we work hard, create excellent products, and demonstrate godly wisdom, we let the light of Christ shine in areas of life that have been devoid of a Gospel witness for far too long.

But what about those Christians who pursue leadership for selfish gain? They must repent and act like Christians! The problem of a few undisciplined Christians should not deter us from the discipline of leadership. On the contrary, we should strive all the more to become godly and righteous leaders, so the light of Christ shines brightly at the top of companies, counties, and countries, providing the world with a clear picture of Jesus rather than the caricatures they often receive.

The Westminster Larger Catechism offers a paradigm for how this can happen, stating: “Superiors are… to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents.”

When we speak of “superiors,” we refer to anyone in a position of authority or leadership. “Inferiors” are those in a position of following, including children under parents, employees under employers, congregants under church leaders, and, within the family, wives under husbands. It is not only the responsibility of the child to obey the parent but also the responsibility of the parent to exercise holy and righteous leadership. It is not only for the employee to honor his boss but for the company president to rule with integrity and Christ-like morality. Only Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can grow into this kind of leadership, and such leadership is desperately needed in our time.

The catechism assumes that Christians will step into leadership roles. Since there will always be superiors guiding inferiors, the goal of Christian maturity is to grow out of childlike ways and into Christian leadership. Out of love for Christ and to the glory of God, we are called to strive for leadership positions in the world, instructing, guiding, and nurturing those who do not know Him, thereby creating a culture where even pagans will thrive. If we desire a godly culture, we must build it, teach it, and disciple it.

This responsibility goes beyond mere instruction to imparting the knowledge of God through our verbal witness and Christ-like living. We are the ones who get the privilege of modeling Christ to those who have never seen Him and glorifying God in front of those who do not perceive Him. Just as parents teach their children to navigate life’s challenges, preparing them to live according to a prescribed manner, Christians must guide those under their charge—both Christian and pagan—to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in a way that honors God. We must create a culture where even atheists recoil at the thought of chemically roasting an infant in the womb, where the influence of the Church is so pervasive that when homosexuality is abolished and outlawed, unbelievers will cheer.

BUILDING A GODLY CULTURE

How can this be done? The Westminster Larger Catechism provides at least two starting points:

1. Expressing Love and Tenderness

Leadership, at its core, is not about authority or titles but about influence shaped by Christlike character. True leaders model the love and tenderness of Christ, demonstrating sincere care for the well-being of others. This is not merely passive kindness but active engagement with the needs, struggles, and burdens of those around us. As Christians, we are uniquely equipped to reflect the compassionate heart of our Heavenly Father, who is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness” (Psalm 103:8). By embodying these qualities, we do more than improve individual lives—we begin the profound work of rebuilding a culture fragmented by godless ideologies. Leadership rooted in Christ stands in stark contrast to the cold, utilitarian approaches that have left society hollow. Through such leadership, we can restore the very fabric of our communities and ultimately guide our culture back to a foundation that honors God.

2. Inspiring Willingness and Cheerfulness

When leaders express love and tenderness, they do more than fulfill their duties—they inspire others to rise to the occasion with willing and cheerful hearts. Godly leadership creates an environment where people are motivated not by fear or obligation but by a shared sense of purpose and joy. In every sphere—whether in the home, workplace, or church—leaders who are genuinely invested in those they lead cultivate a culture of enthusiasm, dedication, and excellence. This isn’t about merely getting tasks done; it’s about inspiring others to embrace their roles with a sense of calling and joy. When Christians lead in this way, we not only fulfill our own responsibilities but also empower others to fulfill theirs in a manner that glorifies God. This kind of leadership is transformative, creating communities where Christ is not only seen but experienced, leading to a broader cultural renewal that touches even the hearts of unbelievers. While this doesn’t mean salvation for them, it does mean that unbelievers will recognize that God is at work among His people, a concept deeply rooted in Scripture (1 Peter 2:12).

But this transformative leadership is not something we can merely admire from a distance—it demands action, reflection, and, where necessary, repentance. If we are to lead as Christ did, we must first examine our hearts and lives to ensure we live up to this high calling.

A CALL TO REPENTANCE

As we stand on the brink of a culture in desperate need of godly leadership, we must first look inward and ask: Are we embodying the leadership qualities Christ has called us to? Have we truly embraced our leadership roles, or have we allowed fear, complacency, or worldly distractions to sideline us? The time for passive Christianity is over; now is the moment for action, commitment, and—where necessary—repentance.

In the Workplace: Have you been content with mediocrity, avoiding leadership roles to escape responsibility? By shying away from these opportunities, you miss the chance to shine for Christ in places that desperately need to see Him. Imagine the impact if you stepped up, leading with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to righteousness. Your leadership could transform your workplace into a beacon of Christian values.

In Public Office: Have you been silent when your voice was needed? Our nation desperately needs leaders who will govern with justice, mercy, and truth. If you have avoided the political sphere out of fear or a sense of inadequacy, consider this a call to step forward. We need Christians in public office who will uphold godly principles and advocate for the well-being of all.

In the Home: Parents, what culture are you cultivating within your family? Are you actively teaching your children to honor God and respect authority, or have worldly influences crept in? Your home is the first place where godly leadership must be exercised. If you have neglected this responsibility, it is time to repent and recommit to leading your family in a way that reflects Christ’s authority.

In Marriage: Husbands and wives, does your marriage embody the leadership of Christ and the submission of His Church? Have you honored your spouse with love, respect, and selflessness, or have selfishness and strife taken root? Strong marriages are the foundation of strong families and communities. If your marriage has fallen short, seek God’s forgiveness and strive to model Christ in your relationship.

In Discipleship: Finally, are you taking the call to disciple others seriously? Have you invested in the spiritual growth of those around you, or have you focused solely on your walk with Christ? Discipleship is not optional—it is a command. If you have neglected this vital aspect of Christian leadership, it is time to change. Step into the role of mentor, guide, and spiritual father or mother to those who need it.

Now is the time to act. God has placed each of us in positions of influence, no matter how small they may seem, to lead and to shine His light in a dark world, to live out His plans and priorities, and to bring His truth into a world of lies. We all get to play a part, not by hiding, but by leading.

Let us repent where we have fallen short of this. Let us seek God’s forgiveness and strength to fulfill our calling, living publicly for Him with renewed vigor and determination. Brothers and sisters, embrace the mantle of leadership that God has placed upon you, and let us work together to rebuild this culture, God willing, so that it will honor Him in every sector and sphere.

May the Lord bless us with the wisdom, courage, and grace to lead well, to His glory, and to the advancement of His Kingdom. Amen.

On August 12, 2024 By Paul Liberati In Church, Culture, Theology 1

What Does Baptism Accomplish? Part Two: Adoption Ceremony

When God enters into covenant with His people, there is always an adoptive element involved: He becomes their Father, and they become His children. And this has always been the case. In Scripture, even Adam’s relationship with God is expressed in terms of sonship (Hosea 6:7; Luke 3:38), highlighting the filial dimension to the covenant into which he was created. Later, after his Fall and recovery by God in Christ, that relationship was available to those who renewed their covenant with God and maintained the true worship of the Lord (Genesis 4:26). They were called sons and daughters of God, while the rest of the world were called the sons and daughters of men (Genesis 6:2).

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On August 7, 2024 By Kuyperian In Culture Like

An Exhortation for a Classical School

By Pastor Brooks Potteiger
Pastor Brooks Potteiger is an ordained minister in the CREC. He has also received Master’s degrees in Christian Apologetics and Pastoral Care and Counseling . He enjoys live-edge woodworking, photography, the poetry of George Herbert, the sturdy theology of the Puritans, the creative destruction of a chainsaw, and the convulsive belly laughs that accompany G.K. Chesterton amongst friends.

[Recently, I was given an opportunity to encourage the staff at our local classical christian school as they push out into a new school year. Below is a lightly edited transcript of the talk.]

¹²And Isaac sowed in that land (that is Gerar) and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, ¹³and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy. ¹⁴He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him. ¹⁵(Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father.) ¹⁶And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”

¹⁷So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. ¹⁸And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them. ¹⁹But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, ²⁰the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. ²¹Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah. ²²And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

²³From there he went up to Beersheba. ²⁴And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” ²⁵So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well….

³²That same day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well that they had dug and said to him, “We have found water.” (Genesis 26:12-25; 32)

How do the sojournings of a patriarch from 4,000 years past relate to the encouragement of Christian educators? Why choose Genesis 26 as the concrete slab to build such an exhortation?

My defense for doing so is two-fold: Firstly, I have to admit I have been preaching through Genesis for a few years at church so I oft have Genesis on my mind. Secondly, as I consider our current cultural moment and your task as Classical Christian educators I find much common ground with you and Isaac’s situation.

Allow me to make a few parallels to explain. Beginning in verse 12 we learn that Isaac was tremendously blessed of God. He was astonishingly rich and as Americans in 2024 so are we. We have been trusted with a great inheritance and an embarrassment of riches both physically and spiritually. We can acquire food and medicine easily and access immediate information about anything at the tip of our fingers. If you hit a snag on any project you have YouTube to pull up a personal mentor who will walk your through each step to completion.

We have immediate access to, not just information, but literally anything, thanks to Amazon Prime. If any other person at any other point in human history saw us use this portal to the world’s goods, they would think we were practicing wizardry. Ponder this for a moment: if we want something we pull a magic wand out of our pocket, tap a button and it just appears on our front porch that same day, which is simply incredible.

So I go back to where I started. Like Isaac, we’ve been blessed with riches.

Andwe are not just physically rich, but we are rich spiritually as well. We have received a startling inheritance Even amidst the present onslaught of secularism in our day, we are still free to worship the Triune God on the Lord’s Day in broad daylight, through a live microphone and without fear. The currency we print in our country still reads, “in God we trust,” and our forefathers didn’t mean some vague sky-fairy by that; they meant the God of the Bible. In courtrooms throughout this land we still swear on the Bible and many judges still actually think that means something.

Here in Tennessee we are especially blessed by the recent actions of our legislature who enacted Resolution 803, which was a call to consecrate July as a time for prayer, repentance, and intermittent fasting. Consider this excerpt from the Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that we recognize that God, as Creator and King of all Glory, has both the authority to judge and to bless nations or states.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we recognize our sins and shortcomings before Him and humbly ask His Forgiveness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we ask the Lord Jesus to heal our land and remove the violence, human-trafficking, addiction, and corruption.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we ask that the Holy Spirit fill our halls of government, our classrooms, our places of business, our churches, and our homes with peace, love, and joy.

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Good Shepherd Preparation mosaic Immanuel

On August 3, 2024 By Kuyperian In Culture 1

“Shepherds for Sale” Turns up the Heat on Gavin Ortlund

Chase Davis is the Lead Pastor of Ministry of The Well Church in Boulder, CO. A two-time graduate of Denver Seminary (M.Div., Th.M.), Chase is also a Ph.D. candidate at the Free University Amsterdam studying historical theology. He is the author of Trinitarian Formation: A Theology of Discipleship in Light of the Father, Son, and Spirit and hosts the Full Proof Theology podcast.

Much Like Climate Alarmism, The Charges of “Misrepresentation” in Megan’s Book Are a Hoax

Gavin Ortlund has made a name for himself as a YouTube apologist. As the son of Ray Ortlund Jr., a “respected” voice in the Young, Restless, and Reformed (YRR) movement, and grandson of Ray Ortlund Sr., a pastor and Christian radio program host, Gavin follows in the tradition of his fathers by pursuing a career of being a big-time Christian communicator to the next generation. As the author of several books, he, too, has now established himself as a “respected” voice for many mainstream evangelicals.

While Gavin is staking out his own claim on the YouTube silver screen, he is also undeniably positioned within the broader ecosystem of what some call “Big Evangelicalism” or “Big Eva” for short.

Along with trading on his family name, he is a beneficiary of a family-created position as the theologian-in-residence at the non-denominational “gospel-centered” Immanuel Nashville, serving alongside his father. Also on staff with Gavin is the former head of the ERLC and current Editor-in-Chief of Christianity Today, Russell Moore, and Associate Pastor Sam Alberry, famous for his quibbling on matters related to human sexuality, and Assistant Pastor Barnabas Piper (himself a fellow progeny of a patron saint of the Young Restless Reformed, John Piper). To top it all off, he is a fellow at The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, a program started by The Gospel Coalition where the Lead Pastor of Immanuel Nashville, T.J. Sims, serves as a Council Member.

When it comes to his name and his elite evangelical pedigree, Gavin is a true blue blood. Perhaps that’s why he thinks he is above being questioned by scrappy reporters exposing a dark underbelly to Big Eva.

Names and Pedigrees Won’t Save You from Being Exposed in Shepherds for Sale

This week, Gavin found himself in hot water as an illustrative figure in the first chapter of Megan Basham’s blockbuster book Shepherds for Sale: How Evangelical Leaders Traded the Truth for a Leftist Agenda, which sits in the top 20 of all books available on Amazon at the time of this article. It should be no surprise that men like Ortlund would be a person of interest in Basham’s work. Basham’s book covers the gamut of Leftist ideologies and infiltration in the evangelical church in America. With the eye of an investigative journalist, she details how various figures and entities in evangelicalism have knowingly or unknowingly adopted Leftist frameworks either by taking money or by parroting leftist slogans.

Her thesis is that evangelical pastors and speakers with large platforms are attempting to convince their followers of certain policies associated with the Left because they are being influenced wittingly or unwittingly by outside entities. These pastors and speakers are caught up in the propagandist nature of our day because there are certain incentive structures created to be a “good boy.”

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On August 1, 2024 By Kuyperian In Culture Like

Twelve: Old and New Connecting the New and Old Testament Foundations

Guest Post By Pastor Josh Waller

Joshua Waller is the pastor of Christ the King Presbyterian Church (CREC) in Tallahassee, FL. He is married to Rebecca and has four wonderful daughters.

‘During Jesus’ ministry, he was laying the church’s foundation. The apostles are included in this work, as Christ is the chief cornerstone and Peter, James, and John, his inner circle, should be considered the other cornerstones. As with many images, there is more than one way to describe what occurs. For example, Jesus’ body is the temple, but the Spirit also grafts us into Christ as the temple. We should be able to see Jesus himself as the temple and the church, the body of Christ, as the temple at the same time. Ephesians 2:20 refers to the foundation laid as “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone” and I Peter 2:5 says that “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

A word on architecture. A chief cornerstone is the first stone laid and the one around which the rest are laid. The other stones are laid according to the chief cornerstone. You must lay that one stone first and work out from there because otherwise, the structure would not end up straight or sound.

Jesus chose twelve disciples because it represents the new Israel, to be sure, but twelve is a significant number in terms of foundation-building, as well. A twelve-stone foundation would be a 3×4 structure and 3+4=7, which signifies the completed project. Now, this has implications for the miraculous gifts, but that is not the purpose of this article.

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On July 31, 2024 By Uri Brito In Culture 1

How to Re-Build a Trust Culture

Aaron Renn notes, “America is in the midst of a slow-motion shift to a much lower-trust society.” The more our institutions fail, the more prone we are to distrust others, even those nearest us. In some ways, the challenges before us are challenges pertaining to the fifth commandment. The entire nature of communication and exchanges will add additional notes of skepticism to authority structures in our society. Who do we trust? How do we honor fathers and mothers who do not have a history of honesty and trust?

So, how does a biblical society rooted in authority and categories of honor succeed in an age where no one’s word is taken authoritatively? Renn notes that J.D. Vance’s email correspondences with close personal friends many years ago were revealed to the New York Times. Those emails offered personal information and back-porch chat between young men. Trust was broken. Intimacy was severed.

This is not exhaustive, but there are a couple of principles to remember when rebuilding a “high-trust” society:

a) Trust institutions and leaders that have a history of trust. If an institution has existed briefly and its history is marred by missteps, firings, and scandals, they are not worthy of your trust.

b) When looking for churches, see/check if they possess a DNA of durability and longevity. Have there been constant moves and changes in a short period of time among the leadership? Is there a consistency of message? Does the community manifest healthy interactions and practices? Is there fruit in their children?

c) When relating to other peers, keep intimate details close. Don’t overshare. Consider whether that person has a reliable story. Do you think that individual will repent readily? Does he/she affirm his/her weaknesses? Do they handle small personal details well or quickly disseminate information shared privately?

d) Finally, for more meaningful discourse, almost always choose face-to-face or phone conversations instead of email or lengthy chat exchanges. The value of personal interaction cannot be overstated. Our personableness doesn’t always translate well into words, or its interpretation can be misunderstood.

Our low-trust culture results from the failure of the trust currency in our culture. Government and ecclesiastical betrayals have led to a society of disinformation. Who can we trust? Who do we seek guidance? Who should we submit to? Who are my people? The answer to these questions must be rooted in a framework that allows longevity to shape our trust. Trust should not be given immediately. It needs to be built.

On July 29, 2024 By Uri Brito In Culture -1

Paris Olympics and the Fall

The mastermind behind the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, with his vast resources and power, created a spectacle that was a stark contrast to the beauty and order of Eden. Instead of using his power to create a harmonious environment, he allowed depraved creatures to roam that space, seeking affirmation and adulation from a world gone mad.

In Eden, the creatures moved, lived, and existed in God’s good pleasure. They were created, and therefore, they cherished their creator. But on that stage in Paris, these creatures re-invented themselves. Instead of doxology, they stood pridefully displaying their distorted postures and allegiance to the gods of the age. They denigrated God’s table of order, choosing a table of chaos.

That creator who designed and choreographed those liturgical movements in Paris used power to show what a world designed by Genesis 3 produces. The Christian should not be afraid of power, but he should use it to produce Edenic worlds, mini-Christendoms that show forth the worlds of Genesis 1 and 2 in their uncorrupted power and glory. Christians use power to show God’s artistic splendor and display heavenly realities in our daily liturgies.

On July 12, 2024 By Rich Lusk In Culture, Sexuality 5

A Masculinity Manifesto

I love it when various interests of mine converge in one place, and that’s the case with Romans 2:6-16. This passage brings together some of the themes I’ve emphasized in my teaching and writing on masculinity; of course, it’s also a key text in various so-called Federal Vision discussions, especially verses 6-7 and 13. When Paul says those who seek glory, honor, and immortality will be given eternal life, is he speaking hypothetically of those who seek to fulfill a covenant of works but obviously cannot? Or is that an actual description of what the faithful Christian life looks like? When he says the “doers of the law will be justified” is that hypothetical – if we could keep the covenant of works or keep the law perfectly, we could be justified by doing, but obviously that is not possible now? Or is it an actual description of what will happen to Christians at the final judgment, when our works are presented to the Lord and we hear the verdict, “Well done, good and faithful servant”?

I believe when Paul talks about God “rendering to each one, according to his works,” he’s not speaking hypothetically. I have developed the exegesis elsewhere (in essay form multiple times and sermon form multiple times with notes and further explanation), so I will not repeat that here. It should be obvious Paul is speaking of a real judgment to come at the last day. Likewise, when he talks about the “doers of the law” being justified in the eschatological judgment, it’s not hypothetical. He’s not talking about a covenant of works, or some kind of Pelagian system set up just to teach us we are sinners who cannot earn salvation. Rather, he’s talking about Christians, who conform imperfectly-but-truly to the law of God in their way of life. Christians do not fulfill the law perfectly, of course, but we do fulfill it to such a degree that we prove that we have been united to Christ by faith alone (cf. Romans 8:1-4). We are doers of the law, and we will be justified accordingly at the last day.

I especially love that line where Paul says God will give eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality. For Paul, this seeking is a matter of “patience” (a rough synonym for faith exercised over time in Paul’s writings, as we wait for God to keep his promises) and “well-doing” (a term for fulfilling the law in its new covenant form, which the Spirit empowers us to keep). But what does it mean to seek after glory, honor, and immortality? Some think it is a covenant of works, or even a pagan view, which Paul only mentions to refute. On the contrary, I think this is Paul’s way of summarizing what the Christian life is all about. As it turns out, it’s also a pretty good summary of what masculinity is all about. Let’s unpack it.

Unpacking Masculinity in Paul

If you were to talk to a church member and he was to tell you that he is seeking glory, honor, and immortality, you might think he’s left the reservation. You might wonder how a Christian could seek after glory and honor — isn’t that selfish? Isn’t that too works-oriented? Isn’t that arrogant? You might tell him immortality is a gift you receive, not something you seek after. But this misses Paul’s point. In reality, seeking after glory, honor, and immortality is exactly the shape of the Christian life. It’s what a saved life looks like, it’s what a life following Christ looks like, it’s what life in the Spirit looks like. Seeking after glory, honor, and immortality is not sin, it’s the essence of the life of faith and the way to eternal life.

What is sin? In the next chapter, Paul says sin is falling short of the glory of God. Sin is missing the target. The target is glory. That means hitting the target is glorious. Or, to put it another way, obedience is glorious. Righteousness is glorious. Those who live righteous lives will be covered in glory; those who want to be righteous will seek after glory because you cannot seek righteousness without also seeking glory. But, someone might ask, aren’t we supposed to seek after God’s glory, not our own? I would respond: Why pit our glory against God’s glory? When David defeated Goliath, God got the glory. But that glory was also lavished on David. David sought God’s glory on the battlefield and, in doing so, sought after his own glory as well.

Seeking Glory

There is no reason to think of God’s glory as a zero-sum game, as if God getting glory means his people cannot get glory, or vice versa. There is certainly a glory unique to God that cannot be shared with any creature. But there is also a kind of glory that God is happy to share with his people. Indeed, one aspect of God’s glory is surrounding himself with a glorious people. God does not want us weak and glory-less. It is God’s glory to make his people strong and to glorify them. The end goal of our salvation is our glorification.

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