Oct
18
Book review: The Dawkins Letters
Filed Under Apologetics, Books, Culture, Current Events, Evangelism, Reading, Resources | Leave a Comment
After spending days sifting through all the kind comments from my birthday last week, it’s time to get back to blogging…today a book review:
There is a resurgent, muscular, in-your-face brand of atheism running about these days, especially evident on the bookshelves and best-sellers lists, where one can find Christopher Hitchens’ God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, Sam Harris’ The End of Faith and Letter to a Christian Nation, and Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon by Daniel C. Bennett. But the ideological alpha male amongst today’s atheist authors is Richard Dawkins, whose book The God Delusion has enjoyed a lengthy stay on the New York Times’ Bestsellers List.
Now perhaps you’re not dealing with aggressive atheists in your life right now. I must admit that Kosciusko is no hotbed of such ideas (In fact, at a county ministerial association meeting earlier this week, I discovered that no one at the meeting had even heard of any of the aforementioned books!) . Having said that, let me recommend a short book (125 pages in pocket-sized paperback) that lets you in on the discussion with intelligent, thoughtful Christian responses to the atheistic arguments (specifically interacting with Dawkins’ The God Delusion): David Robertson’s The Dawkins Letters: Challenging Atheist Myths (Ross-shire: Christian Focus, 2007).
David Robertson is minister of St. Peter’s Free Church, Dundee, Scotland (the same church Robert Murray M’Cheyne pastored in the 19th century). Robertson read The God Delusion and then decided to post an open letter to Richard Dawkins on the St. Peter’s website. Soon Robertson’s letter found its way onto Dawkins’ own website, where it elicited an enormous amount of response. As a result, Robertson expanded his critique into the ten letters which compose The Dawkins Letters.
Each of the ten letters addresses a myth that forms the basis for Dawkins’ appeals. What makes Dawkins’ arguments especially contemptible is that these myths (such as the “cruel” Old Testament God, the inherent evil of religion, the immoral Bible, the conflict between science and religion, higher consciousness among atheists) are presented under the guise of science, rationalism and empirical study. What is presented as reason is actually an appeal to anti-religious prejudice. Again and again Robertson points out the contradictions and hypocrisy evident in the atheists’ claims. Particularly strong is his response to Dawkins’ accusation that the religious education of children is a form of child abuse more harmful than the sexual abuse of children.
The final chapter in the book is a wonderful, serious, and warm-hearted explanation of why he believes that Christianity is true and why you should believe. Reading The Dawkins Letters will open your mind to some current issues and equip you to answer challenges without fear or embarrassment.
You can view a ten-minute video Robertson has produced which summarizes his point of view here.
Oct
10
Whether we are elected
Filed Under Christian Living, Evangelism, Justification, Resources | Leave a Comment
We are not saved because we believe that we are elect; rather, we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Listen to the counsel of the Second Helvetic Confession:
We therefore find fault with those who outside of Christ ask whether they are elected. And what has God decreed concerning them before all eternity? For the preaching of the Gospel is to be heard, and it is to be believed; and it is to be held as beyond doubt that if you believe and are in Christ, you are elected. For the Father has revealed unto us in Christ the eternal purpose of his predestination, as I have just now shown from the apostle in II Tim. 1:9-10. This is therefore above all to be taught and considered, what great love of the Father toward us is revealed to us in Christ. We must hear what the Lord himself daily preaches to us in the Gospel, how he calls and says: “Come to me all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Also, “It is not the will of my Father that one of these little ones should perish” (Matt. 18:14).
Let Christ, therefore be the looking glass, in whom we may contemplate our predestination. We shall have a sufficiently clear and sure testimony that we are inscribed in the Book of Life if we have fellowship with Christ, and he is ours and we are his in true faith.
Sep
24
Book Review: Blame It on the Brain?
Filed Under Books, Christian Living, Reading, Resources | Leave a Comment
Who needs a book that informs and equips people to minister biblically to people dealing with issues such as depression, dementia, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, and homosexuality? A better question is: Who doesn’t need such a book? We are blessed that such a book has been written: Blame It on the Brain? Distinguishing Chemical Imbalances, Brain Disorders, and Disobedience (P&R, 1998) by Dr. Edward T. Welch of Westminster Theological Seminary. Blame It on the Brain is part of the Resources for Changing Lives Series, published in cooperation with the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation of Glenside, Pennsylvania.
Welch’s book consists of two parts. In Part 1 he lays a biblical foundation for understanding brain-related problems. He begins by reaffirming the teaching of Scripture that we are a unity of material and immaterial substance–body and soul. In this discussion he also interacts briefly but helpfully with some of the history of Christian thought in this area. Welch sees four important emerging from his mind-body discussion: (1) The brain cannot make a person sin or keep a person from following Jesus in faith and obedience; (2) Each person’s abilities, including brain strengths and weaknesses, are unique and worthy of careful study; (3) Brain problems can expose heart problems; and (4) Sinful hearts can lead to physical illness, and upright hearts can lead to health.
In Part 2 Welch applies the aforementioned principles to common brain problems, such as diseases or damages which affect behavior, psychiatric problems, and behaviors that once were called sin but now are considered either sickness or normal. In these applications he seeks to provide the reader with a template for sympathetic counsel that distinguishes physical weaknesses from issues of the heart. He subdivides Part 2 into three sections: The Brain Did It, in which he examines dementia from Alzheimer’s disease and head injury, Maybe the Brain Did It, in which he explains principles relevant to psychiatric diagnoses such as depression and attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD), and The Brain Didn’t Do It, in which he focuses on homosexuality and alcoholism as behaviors that have long been considered sinful but recently have been reclassified as either normal (homosexuality) or the result of disease (alcoholism and many other addictions).
Welch provides a great deal of helpful information regarding the science of brain injury, as well as the still murky science of depression and psychiatric disorders. In cases of the latter, Welch argues that “it is neither sinful nor a sign of spiritual weakness to take medication [to treat depressive symptoms]“[126]. He points out, however, that there is no evidence that such medications treat specific chemical deficiencies that cause depression in people. Further, counsel fed and led by Scripture will help a person to distinguish between physical and spiritual symptoms and then address heart issues and personal suffering in light of the Gospel.
The Sweet Dropper considers this book essential reading for pastors and elders.
As a bonus here are the lyrics to the 1989 hit by the rightly-despised lip-synching duo Milli Vanilli, Blame It on the Rain (I know many of you have already been humming the tune while reading my review):
You said you didn’t need her
You told her good-bye (good-bye)
You sacrificed a good love
To satisfy your pride
Now you wished
That you should have her (have her)
And you feel like such a fool
You let her walk away
Now it just don’t feel the same
Gotta blame it on something
Gotta blame it on something
Blame it on the rain (rain)
Blame it on the stars (stars)
Whatever you do don’t put the blame on you
Blame it on the rain yeah yeah
You can blame it on the rain
Get
Ooh, ooh (ooh)
I can’t, I can’t. I can’t, can’t stand the rain
I can’t, I can’t. I can’t, can’t stand the rain
Yeah, yeah
Should’ve told her you were sorry (sorry) huh
Could have said you were wrong
But no you couldn’t do that. No, no
You had to prove you were strong ooh
If you hadn’t been so blinded (blinded)
She might still be there with you
You want her back again
But she just don’t feel the same
Gotta blame it on something
Gotta blame it on something
Blame it on the rain that was falling, falling
Blame it on the stars that did shine at night
Whatever you do don’t put the blame on you
Blame it on the rain yeah yeah
You can blame it on the rain
Cos the rain don’t mind
And the rain don’t care
You got to blame it on something
(Blame it on the rain)
(Blame it on the stars)
Whatever you do don’t put the blame on you
Blame it on the rain yeah, yeah
You can blame it on the rain
Girl
Aug
30
Sin, not skin; grace, not race
Filed Under Christian Living, Culture, Current Events, Ethics, Resources, The Church | Leave a Comment
More than forty years have passed since the landmark U.S. civil rights legislation of the 1960s, and race is still the most divisive social issue of our time. This week I read suggestions that NFL quarterback Michael Vick was the victim of racism. One proponent of this view offered as evidence of white America’s preference of dogs to African-Americans the fact that Nat King Cole’s 1956 TV show was canceled after six months while Lassie enjoyed a 12-year run (but who sold more albums?). Noxubee County, Mississippi, where I lived and preached for seven years, just reached the final settlement of the first-ever Justice Department lawsuit of a black majority violating the white minorities rights under the Voting Rights Act. And how can I count the many little daily ways these issues pop up?
The September/October issue of 9Marks ejournal is devoted to the matters surrounding the Gospel and racism. The link takes you to a 61-page series of heavyweight essays and discussions entitled “Is There a Race Problem?” I have not read every piece yet, but the ones I have read are thought-provoking, even if some of them are a bit over-the-top, as people usually become when addressing these issues. Anti-racism, like abolitionism, is a Western concept, and always tinged with progressive self-(or others)-loathing. But how does the Gospel speak comfort to sinners and speak a call to radical discipleship to us in these issues? That is the most important question. The 9Marks ejournal offers some good biblical insight and also raises many other questions.
Take, read…I’d be interested in any comments from those who dare to do so.
Aug
23
Say ‘ruminate’ around these parts, and people think about cows. That’s alright. OK, stop
thinking about cows for just a moment while I tell you about a quarterly arts and literature publication called Ruminate. It is a handsome, high-quality journal devoted to ‘faith in literature and art,’ the labor of some friends in Fort Collins, Colorado. And it is certainly worth a subscription and the time taken to drink it all in. The editors describe the Ruminate this way:
RUMINATE is a quarterly magazine for those who desire the space to share short stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, and visual art that resonate with the complexity and truth of the Christian faith. Each issue is a themed forum for literature and art that speaks to the existence of our daily lives while nudging us toward a greater hope. Because of this, we strive to publish quality work accounting for the grappling pleas, as well as the quiet assurances of an authentic faith. RUMINATE Magazine was created for every person who has paused over a good word, a real story, a perfect brushstroke— longing for the significance they point us toward.
My friend Richard Rieves, pastor of Grace Church Presbyterian in Fort Collins, gave me a free sample in June at the PCA General Assembly (full disclosure: he gave it to me like the proud papa he is, for his daughter Whitney is a reader for the magazine). I have carried it around with me for weeks in my bag as a ‘just in case I’m stuck somewhere with nothing to read’ kind of thing. Last week, though, I pulled it out of the bag and sat down with it a cup of coffee (yes, chicory, in case you were wondering). I’m urging you to sample with me, but brew your own coffee, because the coffee maker here at FPC Kosciusko isn’t very big.
May
18
Hymn Helps
Filed Under Music, Psalms, Resources, Worship | Leave a Comment
It’s been a while since I focused a post in on a great online resource. Today I wanted to briefly highlight The Cyber Hymnal. It is a website that specializes in all things concerning hymnody. Here are just a few things you can do there:
- Find the lyrics to your favorite hymns
- Find an audio file of your favorite hymn tune
- Find historical information on hymns, tunes, hymn writers, and tune writers
- In addition to this there are pictures, trivia, Scripture cross references, bibliographies, etc
You may be wondering who runs this site. The site owner(s) have chosen to keep that information private, saying,
This is a private Web site, doing our best to advance God’s kingdom, using the tools He gives us. We belong to the same denomination as Jesus: “Christian.”
In general, I consider intentional internet anonymity a red flag. However, I’ve used The Cyber Hymnal for years and have not found any objectionable material or ulterior motives.
How do I use The Cyber Hymnal? Let me give you two anecdotes.
Since today is Friday, I’m in the process of concluding my sermon preparation for Sunday. The end of that process usually includes me picking a suitable hymn with which to conclude the service. If at all possible I want that hymn to be a fitting response to what I preach. Often I will find a great hymn but am unsure whether the tune is one with which we as a congregation are familiar. Enter The Cyber Hymnal. I simply go over to cyberhymnal.org and listen to the tune. If the tune is easily sing-able I include it. If it isn’t, I pass on it for another hymn. This morning I passed.
I’ve also gotten into the habit of singing the psalms. I ordered a copy of the old Scottish Psalter. I went with that version because I’m not musically gifted in any way. Some of the tunes in the Trinity Psalter are intimidating to me. The Scottish Psalter puts almost all of the psalms to common meter. Put simply, I could sing every psalm to the tune of Amazing Grace if I had to. But I’d rather not do that. Enter The Cyber Hymnal. I simply searched for all of the tunes that are in common meter. I picked the ones I liked and continue to use them for my private devotional singing.
The Cyber Hymnal is the most useful online resource for those interested in the traditional hymns. It is certainly worth a glance. You won’t regret it.
