St. Vincent Trip

We are thankful for an awesome time in St. Vincent. The Lord was good to us, and opened our eyes in many ways. We also got to see the place where part of "Pirates of the Caribbean" was filmed. It was a great trip. Thanks to all who made it possible for us to go.

Father, let me burn with passion for Christ!!

"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems. Ill tell you why I left. Because those Stateside young people have every opportunity to study, hear, and understand the Word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever. I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man. When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here. Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible, they were bored with it---while these never heard of such a thing as writing." - Jim Elliot

Kind of makes some of the things American Christians bicker about look really dumb. I pray that in all my endeavors I would pursue the supremecy of Christ, keeping the gospel at the core and letting the superficial things fall by the wayside.

Capitol Hill Baptist Church

Jule forgot to mention one of the most enjoyable experiences of our anniversary trip to Washington DC. We were able to participate in the worship service Sunday morning at Capitol Hill Baptist Church - home of 9 Marks and pastored by Mark Dever.

I am thankful to our God for the opportunity to fellowship and sit under the ministries of fellow-ministers in the body of Christ. Pastor Dever was not preaching the Sunday of July 1st when we were there. Michael Lawrence, the associate pastor is currently preaching a series out of 2 Timothy. It was both encouraging and convicting to hear Pastor Lawrence admonish the people out of 2 Tim 1:1-14 to joyfully suffer for the sake of the gospel. He concluded:

"On the cross, Jesus destroyed death by suffering on the cross for us. Jesus paid the penalties we owe by dying on the cross. He got up from death and revealed eternal life. This is the source of Paul’s confidence. This is why Paul is joyful and invites Timothy to join him, and us too. What are a few years of suffering for eternal life?

"Elders in the church, consider carefully the high and noble calling we have been given. We are guarding the message that brings eternal life. Let us carry this message with love and faith.
Members of CHBC, we are known as a deliberate church. Paul challenges us to live by faith, and not by our own skills and righteousness. Can people see the fruits of our ministry?

"Thinking about Paul’s vision for the future invites us to have a similar vision. What will we have passed on to the next generation when it comes time for us to pass the message on? I hope we will say, “come and suffer with us.

What a challenge! I pray that God will enable us to joyfully suffer for Christ.

Anniversary Trip to DC

We had a fantastic trip to DC for our second wedding anniversary. Praise God for two wonderful years!

We enjoyed staying at a great Bed and Breakfast a couple miles outside the downtown area. We were given a coupon for a free bike tour of the monuments and that was really fun. We also enjoyed dinner at I Ricchi - a gourmet Italian restaurant. There is so much to see in DC that we hardly got started, so we look forward to our next trip!

Christ our Mediator

Three posts in one day - this is definitely a record!

I just wanted to say that the book - Christ Our Mediator, by CJ Mahaney is an excellent, easy, and short read. I highly recommend it!

If you need to refresh your appreciation for Christ's work for you on the cross - read it!

One of his prayers: Thank you that when there was no other alternative - even after you so desperately pleaded for one - You rose from Gethsemane's ground and stepped forward to the cross in obedience to Your heavenly Father, even unto death. For if you had not done this, I would have been lost forever to sin and death and hell. Instead, because you drank the cup of God's wrath, I can drink forever from the cup of salvation. O Jesus, how can I thank you enough?

Eight Little Known Facts About Myself

Well, my sister-in-law sweetly tagged me to share these eight facts. I hope you find them amusing.....

1. I love going to Sam's Club - what it is, I'm not sure - but it is definitely my most enjoyable grocery shopping experience - maybe it's all those good taste-testing options!

2. I'm waitressing part-time at IHOP this summer. It's crazy - I have never waitressed before, and it has been an extremely unique experience.

3. I'm really bad at gardening - I feel like I'm a pretty creative person in most areas, but I feel like I totally missed out when they were passing out green thumbs. I'm trying to improve, but find that this is a very complexing area of owning a home.

4. Bored yet????? One of my favorite things in the world is ice cream. I could eat it almost any day of the year.

5. Once I fell out of a tree at my friends house and got a concussion - but just over night. I was wearing those big bobble hair things - eighty's girls will know what I'm talking about - I hit my head on those!!!

6. I love to wear sandals, especially flip-flops. I wish I could wear them year-round.

7. I can't ever talk on the phone without doing something else. I'm always trying to get a project done, drive, clean, etc.....instead of just listening. I think it's because I love to multi-task, but my mom, for one, always gets mad at me for doing this...................

8. Whew, I made it. Last of all, I lived in Africa for a month the year I graduated from college. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

Well, let me know if you relate to any of my facts!

Life in the Hall Household

Here is a brief update of our last few months:

In April we enjoyed having Rob’s mom with us. She is a missionary in Africa and came back for a visit and for Phil’s graduation. We had a great time at Northland’s graduation in May – it’s always nice to connect with people you haven’t seen in ages.

We also had my dad here to visit when we got home from Northland and were able to get a bunch of projects done – the picture here is of our baseboards in the living room finally!

We had a great trip to the Outer Banks over Memorial Day. It was a much-needed break, and we had perfect weather.

The last couple weeks we had my mom, Grandma, Aunt and cousins here to visit. It was a blast. Then Jolene Syroteuk was here for a few days. Needless to say, things have been a little hectic, but totally worth it and so much fun!

The next few weeks should be a little more low-key until the end of July when we leave for St. Vincent on a missions trip with the youth group we work with. Please pray for us as we prepare!

The New Kitchen Floor!

Well, we finally got around to tiling the kitchen and are very excited about how it turned out. Steve Schwartz did an awesome job. Here are some pics!

Just another Valentine’s Day…or not

Well, I have to say that everyone counsels you not to have high expectations in marriage or you may be disappointed. I don’t think I have a huge problem in this area, but on Valentine’s Day I have to admit, that no matter how hard I try, there are a few things that I would like to happen. This being the case, I thought it was a little strange that when February 14th rolled around, Rob handed me a card and made some comment about how he hoped I wasn’t disappointed that he didn’t do anything else….hmmmmm. What do I say to that? “Oh, it’s no big deal.” Or, “that’s fine” – the typical girl phrase.

Well, I got to work and after an hour or so, my student came in and told me I had a package in the office. Of course, I rushed out and found a gorgeous arrangement of tulips with a note telling me where to meet Rob for dinner after work – a great restaurant in Old Town Portsmouth we have been wanting to try out. I showed up to find him in a little corner of the restaurant beaming because his surprise had been a success.

Of course, he would still be a wonderful husband without doing these things, but it’s very meaningful when he plans ahead and continues to show me that I am special to him. Sorry if it sounds like I’m bragging – I don’t do that often on this blog, so once in a while I hope that’s ok.

If anyone else wants to brag on their man, feel free - or just make a nice comment about mine!

Paul Feinberg's "Hermeneutics of Discontinuity" and the problem of dual authorship

For a class at CBTS, I have been reading Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments. We were recently required to evaluate the chapter titled above. I found it to be a very thought provoking chapter and liked its content in general. Feinberg is very thorough and has a great ability to identify important details that demand consideration where others have, to use his words, "conflated a number of issues that need to be separated." The problem of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments is not an easy one.

That being said, I have several questions/problems with Feinberg’s proposal for meaning in the OT. Two of which I will highlight here.

First, Feinberg addresses the issue of meaning in the context of OT predictions and states that meaning is associated with authorial intent, in this case human and divine. I normally would have no problem with this statement. However, Feinberg spent the paragraphs before explaining that what he intends by “human and divine” is to say that the divine author’s intent is the same as the human author’s intent. I will illustrate why I disagree with this in a moment. But if we assume it to be true for the sake of argument, it makes his following explanation of sense and reference very confusing. Feinberg asserts that sense is roughly equivalent to meaning, whereas the reference is equivalent to the actual object or state of affairs referred to (117). In the case of OT prediction, the sense is easily known, but the reference is “not known except to God” (118). This last phrase is important, because it identifies the problem and possibly a false dichotomy. If an author knows both the sense and the reference, are they not both part of his intention, especially if the author is the One bringing about the reference? Clearly we cannot say that the human author knows both “sense” and “reference” in the case of predictive Scripture. However, the divine author does, and it would seem that both are what He intended. So I think that saying that there is a sense that is known by the human author and a reference that is not known by the human author may be legitimate. Conversely, I think that saying the reference is not included in the intention (and therefore meaning) of the divine author is illegitimate.

Furthermore, the fact that Feinberg displays his view of God in regards to God’s knowledge of the future in the quote in the above paragraph is significant, and it seems inconsistent with the idea that the human author and the divine author have the same intention. In the case of predictive literature, the human author’s intent is to give a snapshot of the divine author’s intent. Thus both of their intents are in line with one another, but the divine author’s is more informed so to speak, because He knows the actual referent.

I find a second problem in Feinberg’s discussion of types. If we assume that Feinberg’s statement about divine and human intent is true, again for the sake of argument, it would naturally be assumed that it should be applied across the board to genres other than predictive literature. Thus in narrative literature, the human author’s intent would give the meaning of the text. It would seem that Feinberg is departing from this with his discussion of OT types. If you stayed consistent, there would be two options (the second flowing out of the first): first, because the human author did not intend the type, the type is not included in the meaning of the text. Second, either the type must be abandoned because it is not what the OT text means, or one preach a meaning that is external to the text.

I find it difficult to see how the human author could have intended a type that would find its antitype in the NT. I am not denying that types exist—I find no difficulty in seeing how the divine author could have intended a type that would find its antitype in the NT; I am saying that types do not fit into a model of authorial intent where the intent of the divine author is limited to the intent of the human author. Even Feinberg would seem to agree with this conclusion when he says “it is not hard to accept that such analogies were intended by God. What would be a matter of debate is whether the analogy drawn in the NT is a true exegesis of the original event” (122).

So I repeat the question, if an author knows both the sense and the reference, are they not both part of his intention, especially if the author is the One bringing about the reference?

Thoughts anyone?

live outside the graveyard

Sometimes I imagine my Christianity as if I am a caterpillar cloaked in a cocoon waiting for the day when I will break through the membrane into true reality…the presence of God…as a beautiful butterfly created for the glory of God.

I have heard it spoken of Charles Spurgeon, who wrapped up in pre-sermon prayer, felt as if he was in the very throne room of God, and was disappointed when he opened his eyes and found himself still standing in his pulpit. I feel that way. How distracted my heart is Oh God!! At times in prayer and worship, I find myself imagining that I am with the saints in heaven gathered around the great God we adore, praising him and shouting with all our might how great, and wonderful, and terrible, and majestic, and lovely God is. At those times I feel as if I am straining at the membranes of my earthly cocoon and breaking through to see the joys of the real world. But then I come out of the throne room of God—I sink back into my cocoon—and believe it or not, I start to think that it is pretty cozy in this earthly shell. The cares of work, paying bills, entertainment, and school come over me, and I am distracted from worship. I don’t want to be that way. Truly, my greatest joy is found when I am straining at the walls of this shell—completely enthralled by the presence of my God!!

I am like a man waiting in a graveyard. My God has dug up my grave and breathed in me the breath of life. I have been told by Him that there is a wonderful world outside this graveyard waiting for me, but I have to stay here for a while helping to unearth others and describe to them what I have learned about the beauty outside the cemetery. But I am distracted…I look at the grave next to me of someone who is yet in their coffin, and I begin to covet their headstone, or the nice flowers someone planted there. Or maybe the grass over their coffin is green, while all I have is an empty hole: the remains of a grave that has been opened. How foolish!!

God, how I am distracted! Captivate my heart!

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah

10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Last few months.......

Well life has been hectic to say the least-hence the lack of material showing up on our blog lately. But we are finally getting back to routine.














At thanksgiving we were able to go to Charlottesville to spend time with Rob's family, which was so fun. These are his cousin's children - Aran & Robbie - they are a blast!

We also refinished our wood floors in the living room and dining room the same weekend.














Christmas was great with my family in Wisconsin. Not as cold as we thought! And now Rob is back in school and I'm back to work at The Music Staff. So here are few pictures from our adventures. Hopefully we will get a slideshow up soon, but for now, these will do!

A Question for Discussion

Just thought I would throw this out to anyone who wants to respond...It is a question that I have been pondering for a while.

What has the rise of denominationalism over the course of church history contributed to the understanding of the church as the body of Christ?

I know this question is very broad, but any of the wisdom of my readers would be appreciated. I personally see impact on all kinds of levels...I am just interested in your thoughts.

Comfort for doubting believers

This is not original with me, but it is good nonetheless.

Upon some points the believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks the most. He believes that an invisible hand is always on the world's tiller, and that wherever providence may drift, Jehovah steers it. That re-assuring knowledge prepares him for everything. He looks over the raging waters and sees the spirit of Jesus treading the billows, and he hears a voice saying, "It is I, be not afraid." He knows too that God is always wise, and, knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes; that nothing can occur which ought not arise. He can say, "If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose than have, if God so wills: the worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing that could befall to me if God ordains it." "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God." The Christian does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has worked for good as yet: the poisonous drugs mixed in fit proportions have worked the cure; the sharp cuts of the lancet have cleansed out the proud flesh and facilitated the healing. Every event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results; and so, believing that God rules all, that he governs wisely, that he brings good out of evil, the believer's heart is assured, and he is enabled calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, "send me what thou wilt my God, so long as it comes from thee; never came there an ill portion from thy table to any of thy children."


"Say not my soul, 'From whence can God relieve my care?'
Remember that Omnipotence has servants everywhere.
His method is sublime, his heart profoundly kind,
God never is before his time, and never is behind.

God is sovereign even in the sinfulness of His children

I recently wrote this letter to encourage a friend who had recieved news of a fellow believer who had recently fallen into disobedience. When I think of my own sin, I am comforted by the truth of God's sovereignty. I pray that this will be a blessing and encouragement to every believer who reads it to pick themselves up when they sin by basking themselves in the debt they have to God's grace. May we dig ourselves deeper into this debt, because it is the only way we can do right. I took the names out to keep it generic, and to not hinder those who don't know the situation.

"Friend,
I don't know what happened with D___, and I am not sure that it is healthy for me to know. But something that helps me when I think of what it means to glorify God in all circumstances, both good and bad, is to remember Romans 8:28 which says that all thing always work together for good to those who love God. It is further explained by saying that this is for those who are the called according to His purpose. And then of course is the promise that these people are the ones who will become conformed to the image of Christ.

"What this tells me is that God is sovereign in every circumstance, divinely working each one in love to make me like Christ. I have this assurance that everything that happens--everything--is purposed by God and will become good in that it makes me more like Christ. This does not mean that the circumstance itself is necessarily good. The circumstance very well may be bad and very painful...but in each and every case for each and every believer, each and every circumstance will have its final end in the believer's Christlikeness.

"Something also of comfort is that this is not ever in any circumstance a conditional promise. It is unconditional. Some people may take this promise and think that when they have a high level of love for God, they will have a high level of their circumstances working out for good, and when they have a low level of love for God, they will have more of their circumstances working for bad. That is wrong thinking. God never imposes that on this passage. Notice that if a person is called according to God's purpose (which all believers are) he automatically is one who loves God. The loving of God is the natural response of a person who has been made alive by God.

"The way this plays itself out has application for both you and D___. For you, you are right now being driven to your knees, you are crying out in dependence to God, you are seeking Him earnestly as the hart pants after the water brooks, you are desiring His presence, and you are being comforted by the Holy Spirit who alone knows your hurt greater than anyone else. He alone can provide the wisdom, comfort, and assurance you need, and He is kind. This is the kind of worship that God desires from us continually--and the bottom line is that sometimes it takes great pain to drive us to that place of dependence.

"And if D___ is truly a believer, this promise is for him also. That means that this circumstance, whatever his sin is, will work out for his good in driving him into greater Christlikeness.

"I think this happens this way: God knows D___ far better than any of us do; He is D___s' Father. God will break him. God pursues His children unto sanctification. Because of our sin, we come to know our need for God in a greater way. When I think of my own sin, I realize the magnitude of God's forgiveness. While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me. If D___ is truly a believer and truly God's child, and if God allows him to live, God will chasten him, and D___ will learn what it means to be a son. Being chastened by God is a beautiful thing, because although it hurts, it drives us to Him. Thus, D___ will be brought closer to God as a result of sin. Isn't that beautiful? What Satan means for evil, God uses against him. Satan is sitting back chuckling, and then God overcomes him again.

"Christ is the greatest example of this. I often imagine Christ hanging on the cross in agony, and Satan gleefully rubbing his hands together assuming that he had triumphed because he had coerced the people into slaying the Son of God. And then I hear Christ on the cross cry "IT IS FINISHED!" He just accomplished redemption for me!! This is Christ's proclamation of triumph. Satan, horrified, realizes that all his work to tempt the crowd in to deceitful and bloodthirsty riot and even murder of the Messiah was designed by God to accomplish salvation. God uses sin to bring his children to Himself. If I had never known my sin, would I know God's grace so deeply?? The one who loves deeply is the one who realizes that he has been forgiven much.

"I have to constantly remind myself of these truths. God's promises are for all of His children. The unconditional promise of Romans 8 is true for you and it is true for D___. I think the best way to glorify God in this situation is to embrace the fact that He is driving you into dependence on Him, then to seek to restore Dennis with a Spirit of gentleness and bear his burdens (Galatians 6:1), and realize that God is refining D___ and will accomplish D___s' Christlikeness if D___ is truly God's child.

I am praying for you.

Rob

A Fabulous Weekend

We had a wonderful getaway last weekend and were able to take some great pics, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to post. I'm sorry to say that this is only the second time I have posted since the inception of this blog, but without internet at home, it makes it a little difficult. Anyways, we were able to go to Nellysford (near Charlottesville) to visit Rob's Aunt Gayle.
She lives in a beautiful deck house on the side of a mountain. With the leaves changing in the valley, it gives you a gorgeous view. It's always so relaxing to go to their place - they like to cook, chat, show us their garden, listen to music, play games....all that stuff that makes you just forget about the hectic lifestyle back home.
Anyways, we had a great time and are so thankful the Lord allowed us to get away for a little break before we hit the really busy time of the semester.

What is going on in our world?

My mother tells me that a theology blog can get a little heavy at times. While we understand that our theology must drive every aspect of our lives and we love what we are learning, here is an update on what is going on in our lives.

As you can see from previous blogs, we bought a house this summer. God has been so gracious to provide for us in this purchase. He has used many friends and family members to accomplish this, and we are grateful for their help. We continue to stumble through the process of learning what it means to be homeowners, but the Lord has been graciously guiding us providing for us every step of the way while making sure to keep us dependent on Him.

Julie is working at a music school called The Music Staff. She runs the office and teaches quite a few piano students, besides teaching Kinder Music--a program designed to introduce small children to musical foundations. We have developed a good relationship with the boss/owners of The Music Staff, Maryanne and Roger Medlin, who sort of look after us like another set of their kids. They were the ones who helped us find the house we purchased (Roger works in real estate).

I am working at HSBC part time. The Lord has blessed there with a good atmosphere, a good manager, excellent benefits, and a measure of success in my position. God takes all of the credit for that. I am taking ten hours at Central Seminary right now, and I am loving my classes. I have found that my professors have gracious spirits and discipler's hearts. My greatest goal in these classes is to come to walk with God more in every aspect of my life. I am hoping to graduate in May of 2008 with a Master of Divinity Degree.

We remain members at Colonial Baptist church. The Pastors and leadership of CBC is made up of godly men who love Christ. I appreciate them, and in this area I wish to follow in their footsteps. Both of us are involved with discipleship ministries in the Colonial Youth Group. We have come to love the many families in our church, and we count it a privilege to be able to minister their children.

As to the future after graduation. Only the Lord knows. We have many desires, among them being post graduate studies. But both Julie's and my greatest desire is to know God deeply. We know that He will guide our steps in the future as we seek to enjoy His presence right now. This continues to be our pursuit; we trust God for what will follow.

The Canons of Dort: part II

Each head is set up with the doctrine explained followed by a rejection of errors associated with the doctrine. I have found that the rejection of errors is just as valuable as the explanation because it further clarifies the doctrine.

Some of these caused a spontaneous reaction in me of worship and praise to God for His sovereign work of accomplishing my redemption. May the reader be blessed as I was.

REJECTION OF ERRORS

The true doctrine concerning election and reprobation having been explained, the Synod rejects the errors of those:

FIRST HEAD: PARAGRAPH 1. Who teach[RH1] : That the will of God to save those who would believe and would persevere in faith and in the obedience of faith is the whole and entire decree of election, and that nothing else concerning this decree has been revealed in God's Word.

For these deceive the simple and plainly contradict the Scriptures, which declare that God will not only save those who will believe, but that He has also from eternity chosen certain particular persons to whom, above others, He will grant in time, both faith in Christ and perseverance; as it is written "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. (John 17:6). "and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48)". And "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Eph 1:4)."

FIRST HEAD: PARAGRAPH [RH2] 2. Who teach: That there are various kinds of election of God unto eternal life: the one general and indefinite, the other particular and definite; and that the latter in turn is either incomplete, revocable, non-decisive, and conditional, or complete, irrevocable, decisive, and absolute. Likewise: That there is one election unto faith and another unto salvation, so that election can be unto justifying faith, without being a decisive election unto salvation.
For this is a fancy of men's minds, invented regardless of the Scriptures, whereby the doctrine of election is corrupted, and this golden chain of our salvation is broken: "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Rom 8:30)."

FIRST HEAD: PARAGRAPH [RH3] 3. Who teach: That the good pleasure and purpose of God, of which Scripture makes mention in the doctrine of election, does not consist in this, that God chose certain persons rather than others, but in this, that He chose out of all possible conditions (among which are also the works of the law), or out of the whole order of things, that act of faith which from its very nature is undeserving, as well as it incomplete obedience, as a condition of salvation, and that He would graciously consider this in itself as a complete obedience and count it worthy of the reward of eternal life.

For by this injurious error the pleasure of God and the merits of Christ are made of none effect[RH4] , and men are drawn away by useless questions from the truth of gracious justification and from the simplicity of Scripture, and this declaration of the apostle is charged as untrue: "who has saved us and called us to a holy life, not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace[RH5] . This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time (2 Tim 1:9)."

FIRST HEAD: PARAGRAPH 4[RH6] . Who teach: That in the election unto faith this condition [RH7] is beforehand demanded that man should use the light of nature aright, be pious, humble, meek, and fit for eternal life, as if on these things election were in any way dependent.

For this savors of the teaching of Pelagius, and is opposed to the doctrine of the apostle when he writes: "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast (Eph 2:3-9)."

FIRST HEAD: PARAGRAPH 5. Who teach: That the incomplete and non-decisive election of particular persons to salvation occurred because of a foreseen faith, conversion, holiness, godliness, which either began or continued for some time; but that the complete and decisive election occurred because of foreseen perseverance unto the end in faith, conversion, holiness, and godliness; and that this is the gracious and evangelical worthiness, for the sake of which he who is chosen is more worthy than he who is not chosen; and that therefore faith, the obedience of faith, holiness, godliness, and perseverance are not fruits of the unchangeable election unto glory, but are conditions which, being required beforehand, were foreseen as being met by those who will be fully elected, and are causes without which the unchangeable election to glory does not occur[RH8] .

This is repugnant to the entire Scripture[RH9] , which constantly inculcates this and similar declarations: Election is "not by works but by him who calls (Rom 9:12)." "And all who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:48)." "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Eph 1:4)." "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (John 15:16)." "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works (Rom 11:6)." "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son (1 John 4:10)."

FIRST HEAD: PARAGRAPH 6. Who teach: That not every election unto salvation is unchangeable, but that some of the elect, any decree of God notwithstanding, can yet perish and do indeed perish.

By this gross error[RH10] they make God be changeable, and destroy the comfort which the godly obtain out of the firmness of their election, and contradict the Holy Scripture, which teaches that the elect can not be led astray (Matt 24:24), that Christ does not lose those whom the Father gave him (John 6:39), and that God also glorified those whom he foreordained, called, and justified (Rom 8:30).

FIRST HEAD: PARAGRAPH 7. Who teach[RH11] : That there is in this life no fruit and no consciousness of the unchangeable elect to glory, nor any certainty, except that which depends on a changeable and uncertain condition.

For not only is it absurd to speak of an uncertain certainty, but also contrary to the experience of the saints, who by virtue of the consciousness of their election rejoice with the apostle and praise this favor of God (Eph 1); who according to Christ's admonition rejoice with his disciples that their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20); who also place the consciousness of their election over against the fiery darts of the devil, asking: "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? (Rom 8:33)."

FIRST HEAD: PARAGRAPH 8. Who teach: That God, simply by virtue of His righteous will, did not decide either to leave anyone in the fall of Adam and in the common state sin and condemnation, or to pass anyone by in the communication of grace which is necessary for faith and conversion.
For this is firmly decreed: "God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden (Rom 9:18)." And also this: "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them (Mat 13:11)." Likewise: "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes , Father, for this was your good pleasure (Mat 11:25-26[RH12] )."

FIRST HEAD: PARAGRAPH 9. Who teach[RH13] : That the reason why God sends the gospel to one people rather than to another is not merely and solely the good pleasure of God, but rather the fact that one people is better and worthier than another to which the gospel is not communicated.
For this Moses denies, addressing the people of Israel as follows: "To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today (Deu 10:14-15)." And Christ said: "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes (Mat 11:21)."

[RH1]Yes, there is no choice on the part of God in this teaching, there is only a human response.

[RH2]Yes.

[RH3]Agree. This teaching is a works salvation. If this were true, salvation would be to my own praise, because God thought I was so awesome in my act of faith that He wanted to grace me with salvation.

[RH4]So true!!

[RH5]Praise God!! I would be eternally lost without this, because I have no light within myself to illumine my mind to Christ--apart from the Holy Spirit’s regeneration; which is God’s work first, not mine.

[RH6]Paragraph 4, when read through carefully with the Scriptures open, causes spontaneous worship. I praise God for this response. Realizing the depth of my sin and the estranged and unregenerate condition my sin had placed me in, I can only glory in the cross of my Redeemer and in God’s sovereign purpose that bestows this grace on me. How I thank God for this, because it pulled me out of the depths of my sin and established my feet. God puts a new song in my mouth when I read this.

[RH7]Yes, election is in no way based on the merits of the elect. God did not choose us because we were searching for him.

[RH8]Yes!! We must reject this teaching. Again and again, election is based on God’s good pleasure to do so, not on my own merit. How could one believe that there is something resident within himself that causes God to smile on him? If God based election upon His foreknowledge of my choice of Him, I would never have been elect, because I never would have chosen Him.

[RH9]True

[RH10]A good summation of this view. If God elects, God will keep as well. Eternal security for those who are truly elect. Praise God the He perseveres us, because again, if it were up to me to maintain an election, I would lose it. Those who are elect will and must persevere because God causes them to do so. This is evidenced by love and devotion to Him, springing, not from within the elect sinner, but from the Holy Spirit who resides in the elect sinner.

[RH11]If I understand this right, this is a rejection of the teaching that you cannot know you are elect.

[RH12]While this one may grate against me, I cannot deny the Scriptural evidence. I do not believe, however, that a doctrine of Reprobation equals a doctrine of double election.

[RH13]It is obvious why this one is incorrect.

The Canons of Dort

I am working through the canons of Dort right now because I have been challenged not to reduce my theology to a flower, but to see the full field. I love the beauty of God's glory found in redemption, and I know that my walk with God will deepen as I search out these mysteries more and more.

My pastor has been very strong in exhorting me not to fall into the ditch of ascribing to something that I only partially understand. I respect and embrace his advice, and so I have committed to read through these and comment on my affirmation or denial of them.

Here are my thoughts. For those who silently read this blog, please feel free to challenge me whether in person or on the blog. I crave the mentorship and discipleship of godly men.

First Head of Doctrine.
Divine Election and Reprobation

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH1] 1. As all men have sinned in Adam, lie under the curse, and are deserving of eternal death, God would have done no injustice by leaving them all to perish and delivering them over to condemnation on account of sin, according to the words of the apostle: "that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God." (Rom 3:19). And: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Rom 3:23). And: "For the wages of sin is death." (Rom 6:23).

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH2] 2. but in this the love of God was manifested, that He "sent his one and only Son into the world, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (1 John 4:9, John 3:16).

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH3] 3. And that men may be brought to believe, God mercifully sends the messengers of these most joyful tiding to whom He will and at what time He pleases; by whose ministry men are called to repentance and faith in Christ crucified. "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?" (Rom 10:14-15).

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH4] 4. The wrath of God abides upon those who believe not this gospel. But such as receive it and embrace Jesus the Savior by a true and living faith are by Him delivered from the wrath of God and from destruction, and have the gift of eternal life conferred upon them.

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH5] 5. The cause or guilt of this unbelief as well as of all other sins is no wise in God, but in man himself; whereas faith in Jesus Christ and salvation through Him is the free gift of God, as it is written: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8). Likewise: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him" (Phil 1:29).

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH6] 6. That some receive the gift of faith from God, and others do not receive it, proceeds from God's eternal decree. "For known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world" (Acts 15:18 A.V.). "who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will" (Eph 1:11). According to which decree He graciously softens the hearts of the elect, however obstinate, and inclines them to believe; while He leaves the non-elect in His just judgment to their own wickedness and obduracy. And herein is especially displayed the profound, the merciful, and at the same time the righteous discrimination between men equally involved in ruin[RH7] ; or that decree of election and reprobation[RH8] , revealed in the Word of God, which, though men of perverse, impure, and unstable minds wrest it to their own destruction, yet to holy and pious souls affords unspeakable consolation.

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH9] 7. Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, He has out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of His own will, chosen from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault from the primitive state of rectitude into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom He from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect and the foundation of salvation. This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than others, but with them involved in one common misery, God has decreed to give to Christ to be saved by Him, and effectually to call an draw them to His communion by His Word and Spirit; to bestow upon them true faith, justification, and sanctification; and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of His son, finally to glorify them for the demonstration of His mercy, and for the praise of the riches of His glorious [RH10] grace; as it is written "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." (Eph 1:4-6). And elsewhere: "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." (Rom 8:30).

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH11] 8. There are not various decrees of election, but one and the same decree respecting all those who shall be saved, both under the Old and New Testament; since the Scripture declares the good pleasure, purpose, and counsel of the divine will to be one, according to which He has chosen us from eternity, both to grace and to glory, to salvation and to the way of salvation, which He has ordained that we should walk therein (Eph 1:4, 5; 2:10).

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH12] 9. This election was not founded upon foreseen faith and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality or disposition in man, as the prerequisite, cause, or condition of which it depended; but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc. Therefore election is the fountain of every saving good, from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to the testimony of the apostle: "For he chose us (not because we were, but) in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (Eph 1:4).
FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH13] 10. The good pleasure of God is the sole cause of this gracious election; which does not consist herein that out of all possible qualities and actions of men God has chosen some as a condition of salvation, but that He was pleased out of the common mass of sinners to adopt some certain persons as a peculiar people to Himself, as it is written: "Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she (Rebekah) was told, 'The older will serve the younger.' Just as it is written: 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.'" (Rom 9:11-13). "When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed." (Acts 13:48).

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH14] 11. And as God Himself is most wise, unchangeable, omniscient, and omnipotent, so the election made by Him can neither be interrupted nor changed, recalled, or annulled; neither can the elect be cast away, nor their number diminished.

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH15] 12. The elect in due time, though in various degrees and in different measures, attain the assurance of this their eternal and unchangeable election, not by inquisitively prying into the secret and deep things of God, but by observing in themselves with a spiritual joy and holy pleasure the infallible fruits of election pointed out in the Word of God—such as, a true faith in Christ, filial fear, a godly sorrow for sin, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, etc.

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH16] 13. The sense and certainty of this election afford to the children of God additional matter for daily humiliation before Him, for adoring the depth of His mercies, for cleansing themselves, and rendering grateful returns of ardent love to Him who first manifested so great love towards them. The consideration of this doctrine of election is so far from encouraging remissness in the observance of the divine commands or from sinking men in carnal security, that these, in the just judgment of God, are the usual effects of rash presumption or of idle and wanton trifling with the grace of election, in those who refuse to walk in the ways of the elect.

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH17] 14. As the doctrine of election by the most wise counsel of God was declared by the prophets, by Christ Himself, and by the apostles, and is clearly revealed in the Scriptures both of the Old and the New Testament, so it is still to be published in due time and place in the Church of God, for which it was peculiarly designed, provided it be done with reverence, in the spirit of discretion and piety, for the glory of God's most holy Name, and for enlivening and comforting His people, without vainly attempting to investigate the secret ways of the Most High (Acts 20:27; Rom 11:33f; 12:3; Heb 6:17f).

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH18] 15. What peculiarly tends to illustrate and recommend to us the eternal and unmerited grace of election is the express testimony of sacred Scripture that not all, but some only, are elected, while others are passed by in the eternal decree; whom God, out of His sovereign, most just, irreprehensible, and unchangeable good pleasure, has decreed to leave in the common misery into which they have willfully plunged themselves, and not to bestow upon them saving faith and the grace of conversion; but, permitting them in His just judgment to follow their own ways, at last, for the declaration of His justice, to condemn and punish them forever, not only on account of their unbelief, but also for all their other sins. And this is the decree of reprobation, which by no means makes God the Author of sin (the very though of which is blasphemy), but declares Him to be an awful, irreprehensible, and righteous Judge and Avenger thereof.

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE 16. Those in whom a living faith in Christ, and assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, a glorying in God through Christ, is not as yet strongly felt, and who nevertheless make use of the means which God has appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires devoutly and humble to wait for a season of richer grace.[RH19] Much less cause to be terrified by the doctrine of reprobation have they who, though they seriously desire to be turned to God, to please Him only, and to be delivered from the body of death, cannot yet reach that measure of holiness and faith to which they aspire; since a merciful God has promised that He will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed.[RH20] But this doctrine is justly terrible to those who, regardless of God and of the Savior Jesus Christ, have wholly given themselves up to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh, so long as they are not seriously converted to God[RH21] .

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH22] 17. Since we are to judge of the will of God from His Word, which testifies that the children of believers are holy, not by nature, but in virtue of the covenant of grace, in which they together with the parents are comprehended, godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom it pleases God to call out of this life in their infancy (Gen 17:7; Acts 2:39; 1 Cor 7:14).

FIRST HEAD: ARTICLE [RH23] 18. To those who murmur at the free grace of election and the just severity of reprobation we answer with the apostle "But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?" (Rom 9:20), and quote the language of our Savior: "Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own?" (Matt 20:15). And therefore, with holy adoration of these mysteries, we exclaim in the words of the apostle: "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?' 'Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory [RH24] forever! Amen." (Rom 11:33-36).

[RH1]Agree – this is total depravity, the total inability, the lack of desire for God upon the depraved individual.

[RH2]Yes – God shows his love in giving His son.

[RH3]Yes – Secondary causation. God uses men to accomplish His purposes. This is evangelism. God sends messengers to share the news. No room for a non-evangelistic Calvinism here.

[RH4]Yes – responsibility of men. There is a conscious choice on the part of the believer. However, his choice of God follows God’s gracious, effectual call (logically speaking).

[RH5]Yes, God is able to hold men responsible for sin, yet only God is held responsible for salvation.

[RH7]There is nothing special about the elect that causes God to chose them, He does it of His own good pleasure.

[RH8]Reprobation is for those who are passed over, it is not a double election, but a wholly separate decree.

[RH9]Yes!!!!

[RH10]Salvation is for the purpose of bringing glory to God. Therefore if you feel that the Word of God is the story of His salvation, it is also the story of His glory. God loves His own glory before He loves us.

[RH11]Yes, although I don’t really understand the need for this statement.

[RH12]Yes, foreknowledge is cognitive, not causative.

[RH14]Yes, a logical conclusion based on the decree of God, His Sovereign ability to preserve those whom He chooses, and His unchanging nature.

[RH15]Yes, the true faith in Christ being the first evidence.

[RH16]Yes, perseverance. This is our goal

[RH17]Yes, although I wonder what is meant by the “secret ways of the most High.” Why are they not to be investigated?

[RH18]Not a double predestination, but a decree of reprobation.

[RH20]I agree with this. Basically, those who have not obtained perfect holiness, but have a desire to be right with God, should not worry about being reprobate just because they are not holy, because sanctification is a process.

[RH22]I don’t think that I fully agree with this. I do think that we should not worry about those who die in their infancy. However, I do not believe that they are saved just because their parents were. This is where I would differ with something like the covenant of grace, which would include the children of the elect. There does not seem to be any support for inclusion of the children because they have not come to a personal faith in Christ – which God says is necessary for salvation. Sola Fide. This is something I choose to leave in that realm of the mystery of God.

[RH23]Yes!!!

[RH24]To emphasize redemption is to emphasize God’s glory.

virtual tour of the new hall house: part III

Sorry about the long wait on these. We have finally gotten around to taking some post renovation pictures. I have provided before and after photos so you can see the difference. Sorry that some of them are so dark...the house really isn't that dark. I guess if you really want to see what it looks like you can come and visit.

Our bedroom (notice the flashlight down next to the bed on the right side; that was our light in the room for a while) before:


and after:



an angle of the living room coming from the hallway before:


and after:


again the living room before:


and after:



Now this is my favorite. This is probably the most drastic change; we have the kitchen before:


and after:



This is also the kitchen looking from the living room in towards the sink
before:


also before


and after:


You can see how we totally changed the layout of the kitchen. We are thankful for God's provision to get these project done.

Up to this point we have knocked out the wall between the kitchen and living room to create a feeling of more space (with the help of Eric Lee); changed some of the wiring (thanks Jared); moved the washer dryer hookups; re-plastered the walls/ceilings; painted the walls/ceilings; installed new ceiling fans; installed new light fixtures; gutted the kitchen; and put new sink/faucet, cabinets, countertops and bar (high counter) in the kitchen (besides miscellaneous projects around the yard). Our next project will be the floors - we plan to tile the kitchen, and refinish the oak floors in the living room and dining room. In the hopefully not so distant future we would like to paint the exterior, redo the bathroom, and add central AC. Along the way, our plan has been to invest money in these projects, thereby increasing the value of the house for resale when we leave.

Thanks to all of the friends who have helped with this so far.