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On August 19, 2021 By In Culture, Discipleship, Family and Children, Men

Headship and Mission

In the beginning, God gave a mission to the man: he was to take dominion over the earth. This was his mission, but it was revealed he could not do it alone. So, God created the woman to be his helper, one who would come alongside him, who would be oriented to him and his God-given mission. The mission of the dominion of the world, bringing order and glory to a disordered and immature world, was beyond the capabilities of two individuals. God blessed them, giving them the ability to be fruitful and multiply. As children grew and eventually left their original household, cleaving to a spouse and creating a new household, a division of labor emerged that moved the mission forward. Each household, led by the husband who was helped by his wife, would develop its own mission that would contribute to the larger mission of the dominion of the world.

The grand mission continues and, therefore, the division of labor continues. Each household or family is responsible for an aspect of the mission. Within each household, the man is responsible to determine the mission of the household. That is the duty of headship. What this means is that must determine how the family fits in and works toward the advancement of Christ’s kingdom. You are not responsible for the entirety of the mission. But you and your family are responsible to pull part of the load.

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On August 18, 2021 By In Politics

America’s Foreign Policy and the Ethics of Paris Hilton

I have always opposed neo-conservatism and a massive part of the Trump attraction to me was his opposition to nation-building, which incidentally was what built the conservative movement’s opposition to the Bush and Obama administrations post-Iraq war. That said, what is taking place in Afghanistan is barbaric in too many ways to count. I am of the opinion that a word can paint a thousand pictures, but the scene of Afghans clinging to the U.S. military plane painted a thousand words.

Without delving into a thesis on the role of the United States foreign policy and how fast or how slow withdrawal needs to take place if at all, I want to delve into two brief implications of the current crisis that touches on the subtle ways in which we have re-imagined ourselves after the ethics of Paris Hilton.

The first is the American administration’s failure to understand basic patterns of culture. Charles Taylor uses the language of “immanent frame” to describe those who build ideologies on the basis only of what they feel and sense. In other words, only what we see is valuable in grounding our philosophy of war, sex, and language. This is in contrast to a “transcendent frame” that allows our worldviews to be shaped by transcendent/divine meaning and morality.

There was an interview where an American journalist interviewed several men of the Taliban. The discussion turned rather transcendent when she posed whether the Taliban would vote in favor of putting women into office. The men laughed and the interview ended. It ended because that journalist was operating under an “immanent frame” category. She failed to see–what leftists fail to see–that Middle Eastern tribal men function on the basis of an other-worldly view of the cosmos. Of course, we’d affirm that Islam is both satanic and sadistic, but that’s beside the point. They still function on the basis of an unalterable law called Sharia. The journalist couldn’t comprehend the totality of a worldview that functions with divine imperatives.

The second failure stems from a variety of voices, but most namely Twitter’s dissent from reason in allowing the Taliban to function as if they are good schoolboys operating under basic rules. “Ok, Jonny, you follow these basic rules and we will allow you to speak your truth to millions of people.” This entire brouhaha stems from a confusion of determining who are the real enemies. We, humble Christian people, should know that you don’t negotiate with satirists. And that is exactly what these individuals are doing to the effeminacy of American politics. They are satirizing us and we are too stupid to pick up on subtleties. We are more eager to allow Abdul Ghani Baradar to speak to our audiences than the rural, good-guy, wife-lovin’, church conservative who defends Trump. It’s a failure of epic proportions and distortions, which they are targeting daily.

The moral of the story is that when we allow the Bidening of America, we are making America disgraced again. It’s a tough thing to say, but Schwarzenegger was right: “We are led by girly men.”

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On August 16, 2021 By In Family and Children, Pro-Life

The Delay of Motherhood

The New York Times addressed the current birthrate decline in the United States. In an article entitled, “Why American Women Everywhere Are Delaying Motherhood,” the authors peruse the landscape of the American scenery and conclude that the prioritization of careers and education have caused women to delay having children well into their 30’s. In fact, the pattern has become quite acceptable and the reason for enormous jubilation among the feminist elites.

America is now experiencing its slowest growth among the population since the 1930s. The traditional route of having children early on has now been quickly substituted for children in the 30s, which inevitably diminishes the opportunities for larger families (the birthrate in America is 0.8%). These are not barren women, but physically capable females who could decide to bear children but decline to do so.

As the NYT observes, the American women find themselves desiring the incentives of careers rather than the incessant needs of little children. They have traded the classic model of womanhood accepted in much of Christendom and classic Western history for the trailblazing academic and career pursuits. Thus, by the time their 30’s arrive, they are psychologically fulfilled and ready to bring children into a world of financial stability and happiness–or at least that’s the theory. The theory is summarized further by a demographer who notes, “Maybe there are fewer babies right now, but people are able to live the lives they want to, and that’s a profound thing.” And another who summarized the sentiment: “I want to know who I am first before having kids,” she said.

This identity crisis is a result of the professionalization industry which treats the priority of the home for the woman (Titus 2:5) as a dismissal of logic. The concept of woman as a beautifier of the home is a strange artifact in the ever-so-modern library of humanity. What we are witnessing in our day is the reversal of categorical trends established in history for new ways of contemplating the woman’s role in society.

It is also worth observing that this quest for “knowing who you are” contradicts basic sociology. Young couples often understand themselves at an entirely new depth when children enter the world. It is true that we may discover the hideous fact that we are self-absorbed beings, but we too may also find that we have the gift of self-giving in a way that never would have been manifested prior to children. We may even say that identities are built in the presence of diapers and sleepless nights. But instead, many women will have to convince themselves that their identities come only through well-furnished apartments and other pre-requisites. And who determines when enough is enough? Ultimately, this is a quest of self-deception for no woman can truly be happy outside their God-giving humanity.

Indeed, the reality of God’s imperative cannot be overturned no matter how much the modern woman seeks to find solace in her childlessness or even in the significant delay to motherhood. She cannot undo “be fruitful and multiply” for “be yourself and simplify.”

Such philosophies cannot succeed long-term. Women under such spell will find themselves utterly dissatisfied when their 30’s are passed. They have changed the benedictions and flatteries of bosses for the gentle and tender affirmation of their Lord and Master.

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On August 12, 2021 By In Books, Podcast

Episode 89 of Kuyperian Commentary, On Writing

Another lovely informal chat with Dr. Dustin Messer about writing habits and the role writing plays in popularizing ideas.

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On August 12, 2021 By In Discipleship, Wisdom

The Wealth of Wisdom

“Honor Yahweh with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” (Proverbs 3.9-10)

“Do you want your needs met? Do you want to be wealthy? God is calling you to plant a seed of faith of one hundred, two hundred, or one thousand dollars in this ministry. The return you receive depends on how many seeds you plant.” If we haven’t heard it directly, many of us are familiar with the message of the prosperity gospel hucksters who siphon off money from the desperate and gullible. We dismiss these charlatans with disdainful laughter because we know that God and his world are not a divinely rigged slot machine that produces a fortune every time the handle is pulled or the button pushed. (Sorry, I’m a little unfamiliar with slot machines.)

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On August 9, 2021 By In Culture, Scribblings

The Plague of Individualism

Christians are people of the book; we are a people of the corporate book called the Bible. The Bible was composed by men who were Spirit-led in all they wrote (II Peter 1:21). But when we read the Bible, we tend to make it an encyclopedia of our favorite life verses. “You like your verses, but I have mine,” we say as if we were making observations about our poker hand.

This is perhaps one of the greatest tragedies of our day. We have come to see the Scriptures as a collection of isolated texts. We have accepted the plague of individualism under the guise of special hallmark cards. As a result, we forget that when we read John 3:16 it is true that God so loved the world, but it is only true in the context of John’s judgment-filled theology of Jesus’ coming. God loves the world, but he does this also by condemning and judging people to eternal destruction. In our day, we have decided that if John 3:16 is good enough for Tim Tebow, it’s good enough for me.

But the Bible is a corporate and contextual text. It is vastly different than the individualized approach many take to it. My own assertion is that the individualization of the Bible—the read one-verse a day Bible programs–has created a culture that practically minimizes the corporate gathering and treats the unified vision of the Scriptures as secondary in importance. Therefore, to quote James B. Jordan, “individualism means that the Bible history is reduced to moralistic stories.” But Samson, Jacob, and Ruth only make sense in union with the rest of the Bible and read in union with the hermeneutic of all Scriptures.

When we gather for the Lord’s Day worship, we are worshiping with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven and all the Christians on earth; true enough. But when we worship, we also worship in the context of the entire biblical story. We are participants in the corporate nature of the text. We are people of the book and therefore, opposed to the plague of individualism. We come to worship not as atomized creatures, but restored humanity put together in a corporate body of worshipers reading the Scriptures in all its fullness.

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On August 5, 2021 By In Discipleship, Wisdom

The Name of Wisdom

Jezebel. Adolf Hitler. Paul. Mao Zedong. Augustine. Fidel Castro. Martin Luther. Joseph Stalin. John Calvin. Donald Trump. Joe Biden. Names provoke various reactions, from respect to revulsion. They have this effect because they are not benign tags to distinguish one person from another but carry with them the revealed character of the person.

Should we care about our name? Should we be concerned about what people think when they hear our name? Joan Jett says she doesn’t care about her bad reputation, but Solomon says that we should care about ours. “A name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor (that is, a good reputation) is better than silver or gold” (Pr 22.1). There is something else in Proverbs that is worth more than silver, gold, and precious jewels: Wisdom (cf. Pr 3.14-15; 8.10, 11, 19; 16.16). Solomon is making a connection. Your name ought to be “Wisdom.” When people speak your name, the speaker and those listening ought to think, “well-ordered life, integrity, faithful, diligent worker, a reflection of God’s character, fears God.”

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On August 4, 2021 By In Church, Worship

Ecclesiology 101: The assembly must share gifts with one another

In this series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

The fourth duty that assembly-members have toward one another is the giving and receiving of gifts.

All members of the assembly have gifts that God has given them, and those gifts are to be shared with others. Whatever skills, expertise, or knowledge you have is for the benefit of all. Each person is a unique image of God with unique traits and perspectives. Each person has interests and abilities that are not identical to anyone else. You are to share your gifts with others, and they are to share their gifts with you.

Consider the following passages:

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit…given to each one for the profit of all…the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you” (1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 21)

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10)

Peter says that we are to “minister” our gifts to one another. That’s a profound command that should not be dismissed easily. It’s a ministry of yours to share your gifts. Maybe you’re a musician, a mechanic, a doctor, a math genius, or a babysitter. Maybe you’ve learned wisdom from life experiences. Whatever the case may be, the Bible views your gift as a benefit to the whole assembly. Don’t think that you have nothing valuable to offer! You do. Each member — clergy and layperson alike — plays a vital role in the life of the assembly.

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On July 29, 2021 By In Discipleship, Family and Children, Wisdom

Adorning Wisdom

Instruction, education, or discipleship can sometimes be reduced to the transference of ideas from one brain to another. The young person who needs to learn needs to read a book, listen to a lecture, and follow commands, we think. Teaching of this sort is indispensable to learning wisdom. God, after all, gave us a book of books that we are to hear and read to know him, to understand his works and his will.

If left to mere talk, the communication of information, our teaching is truncated and insufficient. The goal of education in wisdom is about formation not merely information. Teachers are looking to capture the disciple’s heart, shaping his desires as well as his ideas, forming habits as well as inculcating facts.

Desire is key. What you desire you will pursue, love, and cherish.

What do we desire? We desire that which we believe is beautiful. What is beautiful is the highest good. What we consider beautiful draws us to itself promising us, with and without words, the good life.

Solomon wants his son to desire wisdom’s beauty. So, in Proverbs 3.13-18 he paints a portrait of wisdom’s beauty for his son. This little section might even be considered a hymn of praise of Wisdom. There are no commands in the section. There is only the portrait of the beauty of Wisdom with the promise of the blessedness for those who lay hold on her. There are commands, exhortations, and admonitions elsewhere in Proverbs. All of those are needed, but they need to be conjoined with why we are doing all of these things: the pursuit of the beautiful.

Because of the foolishness that is bound up in our hearts from conception (Pr 22.15), our visions of beauty are distorted. We will tend toward the superficial, vaporous beauty of Harlot Folly. We need our vision reordered to see the beauty of Wisdom; the beauty of a well-ordered life that lives at peace with God, others, and the non-human world around us.

Instruction in wisdom, therefore, is not merely explicated but demonstrated. For our children to learn wisdom, wisdom needs to be exemplified in our well-ordered lives as parents. It is not enough to have strict rules, stridently catechizing children, and rigidly doing all the right things. Rules are needed. The discipline of catechesis and doing the right thing even when you don’t feel like it are needed. There will be times you will need to fight the distorted visions of beauty that come from the heart of foolishness in a child. But there must be more. Wisdom’s beauty must be exemplified in the home in affection between husband and wife, parents and children. There should be hefty bouts of laughter as well as non-anxious quiet that comes when people are at ease with and around one another.

I’m not talking about putting on sappy, superficial, over-the-top, fake acts, but training your own hearts to love wisdom’s beauty so that the genuineness of your love so pervades your life that your children want to grow up and be like you. As your children grow, they can see the contrast between the life that they see in you and what is going on in people who give themselves over to sin. As you have instructed them along the way about why you are the way that you are, they know how to lead the life that will direct them to be like you.

This wisdom must also be portrayed in the church for the sake of the world. The church is, after all, Lady Wisdom, the helper of the eternal Son in ordering the world under his lordship. Because we are Lady Wisdom as the church, we are to be the embodiment of beauty. The church is to be living a well-ordered life with proper relationships in authority, serving one another in love, maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, exuberantly worshiping our God.

As we adorn the gospel in wisdom, with our well-ordered lives, in union with Christ we become “the Desire of all nations” (Hag 2.7), the beautiful bride of Christ to whom the nations come for healing and to bring their gifts (Rev 21.9—22.5).

The incarnate beauty of Wisdom is key to discipling the nations.

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On July 26, 2021 By In Culture

Friendship in an Overly Sexualized Aged

Why are we so lonely? One can begin to articulate indefinitely. But I believe that one of the major reasons is that we have over-sexualized everything. We have allowed the intrinsically failed sexual order of the modern culture to dictate how Christians should act towards one another.

Let’s say two married men while smoking a cigar add a passing but lucid commentary on the beauty of Aubrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The more pious among the Christianese universe will condemn such acts as a betrayal of our fidelity to our wives. That is sheer silliness and false piety. There is a difference between lusting and affirming beauty. A father should affirm the beauty of his daughter because beauty is an objective reality. God is a God of beauty. As someone once told me, your daughter should have heard of her beauty before the first man comes and affirms it. So too, by extension, a man’s wife should hear often from her husband that her beauty exceeds that of Aubrey Hepburn. Men should thrive in praising their wives ‘ beauty and glory.

But in our day, a simple joke can turn into an obscene narrative. Two men hugging one another can send out mixed messages. Why? Because long ago (enter whatever year you like), we decided to accept the premise that intimacy and tenderness are erotic categories reserved for the married or the immoral. We are poorer because we allowed this to become the prevailing ethos of our culture.

I remember well growing up in South America and seeing female friends walking around holding hands, sisters and brothers held hands in public also; men greeted women with a kiss, and men gave one another big monstrous hugs as a public sign of affection. I did not think twice about their masculinity or femininity. It was natural. Even now, when I return to my home country, it takes me a day or two to adjust because I, too, have accepted the strange assertion that intimacy and tenderness belong only in particular categories. And I am of the hugging-party, so imagine someone who is not.

The side-effects of an oversexualized society that is more alone than ever are that it is the most connected society that has ever existed, and yet we are the most drugged, loneliest, and the most comfortable with being drugged and lonely. If you read letters only 100 years ago between friends–let’s say Bonhoeffer’s exchanges with Eberhard– you very quickly get a sense that we don’t live in those times anymore. We are far removed from the words of affection of those two men because we do not treasure intimacy. In fact, we fear it. It is a rare thing for a man to say to another man, “I love you.” Social distancing only confirms our love for the self. In this season, we have decided that relational poverty is our mode of operation. There is much to say, but I leave only with the earnest desire that you will pursue friendship; that you will seek out the other without the fears that so often accompany our erotic-driven world. Love abundantly by not taking people for granted and by not despising their presence.

C.S. Lewis once said that if we could recognize who we were, we would realize that we were walking with possible gods and goddesses, whom if we could see them in all their eternal dignity and glory, we would be tempted to fall and worship.

If anything, let the call of charity and care drive your view of others by accepting beauty and grace where it is found. Let the world misunderstand us. In some ways, our call as Christians is to be misunderstood by the world because they reject our communion with the friend of sinners who is the most beautiful of all.

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