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Take not thy Bible from us (John Rogers)

The following is one of my favorite stories. It recounts the words and actions of 17th Century Puritan preacher John Rogers as he pleaded with his congregation to love and heed the Word of God.

I have often tried to imagine what it would be like to see this event actually play out. I have often used this as an illustration against the view that the Puritans were dull (especially in their church services). I’ve acted the scene out for teenagers, and for my children. And I have often applied this story to myself when my desire to read and hear the Word of God is waning. The scene still affects me every time I read or imagine it:

Mr. Rogers was…on the subject of the Scriptures. And in that sermon he falls into an expostulation with the people about their neglect of the Bible…He personates God to the people telling them, ‘Well, I have trusted you so long with my Bible: you have slighted it; it lies in such and such a house all covered with dust and cobwebs. You care not to look at it. Do you use my Bible so? We you shall have my Bible no longer.’ And he takes up the Bible from his cushion and seemed as if he were going away with it and carrying it from them; but immediately [he] turns again and personates the people to God, falls down on his knees, cries and pleads most earnestly, ‘Lord, whatsoever thou dost to us take not thy Bible from us; kill our children, burn our houses, destroy our goods; only spare us thy Bible, only take not away thy Bible.’ And the he personates God again to he people, ‘Say you so? Well, I will try you a little while longer; and here is my Bible for you, I will see how you use it, whether you will love it more, whether you will value it more, whether you will observe it more, whether you will practise it more and live more according to it.’

The great preacher Thomas Goodwin was on hand for that sermon. An associate of his recalled the rest of Goodwin’s story:

By these actions (as the Doctor [Thomas Goodwin] told me) he put all the congregation into so strange a posture that he never saw any congregation in his life…the people generally…were…deluged with their own tears; and he told me that he himself when he got out and was to take horse again to be gone was fain to hang a quarter of an hour upon the neck of his horse weeping, before he had the power to mount, so strange an impression was there upon him and generally upon the people upon having been thus expostulated with for neglect of the Bible.

-from Peter Lewis, The Genius of Puritanism, pp. 22-23

  •  Amos 8:11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land- not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it.

The more you feast now the less danger there is of famine to come.

B.I.B.L.E. = Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth?

Put this one in the myths about the Bible category:

You might have heard this one before: Bible = Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

I’ve actually discussed this little phrase more than once with people in one-on-one conversations, but it came to mind recently in two situations. First, one of my teachers entitled a course syllabus as the ‘Course Bible.’ Second, one of my textbooks is known as ‘the Bible of _______.’  These two uses of the word propagate a false view of the Bible. That false view is epitomized in the ‘Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth’ idea.

So, what’s wrong with these uses of the word Bible? They portray the Bible as a book primarily of instructions, advice, and proverbs. But isn’t that what the Bible is? The Bible contains instructions and proverbs to be sure, but this is not what the Bible is.

The Bible is the story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. The Bible is the story of how a holy God reconciles a sinful people to himself, and will ultimately restore the entire creation to perfection, through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Bible is about Jesus – it is his story. The creation points you to him, the characters point you to him, the law points you to him, the proverbs point you to him, the prayers point you to him, the prophecies point you to him, the gospels declare him openly, the epistles apply his person and work to our lives, and Revelation encourages us to persevere in assurance that he is coming back, and bringing heaven with him when he comes.

The Bible is God’s revelation of his character, purpose, and plan, lived out in real history, told through story, applied to those to whom it is given. The Bible is God’s very Word, breathed out by him. The Bible is the revelation of the Savior of the world. It is not a handbook, it is a cosmic drama with real-life players. It is full of glory, and sacrifice, and blood, and betrayal, and failure, and redemption. So much for Basic Instructions…

If you use that phrase, I’d encourage you to reconsider your view of this great book. It is no syllabus. It is no manual. It is no handbook. It is God’s revelation of himself, and it is glorious. Can your textbook live up to that?

  •  Psalm 138:2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

Meekness: Bearing Evil, Forgiving Evil, Returning Good for Evil

Meekness and humility are closely related, but not identical. You cannot have one without the other, but they are not precisely the same thing. Meekness is not weakness. It takes a strong person (in the Lord) to be meek. Thomas Watson’s description of meekness, in my opinion, is as clear an expression of this as you will find – meekness is a disposition, granted by God’s grace, that allows us to receive evil, bear it, forgive it, and return good for it (see Psalm 37 below for biblical precedent for this definition). Here’s how he puts it:

Meekness is a grace whereby we are enabled by the Spirit of God to moderate our angry passions…First, meekness consists in the bearing of injuries…The second branch of meekness is in forgiving injuries…The third branch of meekness is in recompensing good for evil… (Thomas Watson, An Exposition of Mat. 5:1-12).

Add to that the Doctor’s description:

The meek man is not proud of himself, he does not in any sense glory in himself. He feels that there is nothing in himself of which he can boast. It also means that he does not assert himself. You see, it is a negation of the popular psychology of the day which says ‘assert yourself,’ ‘express your personality.’ The man who is meek does not want to do so; he is so ashamed of it. The meek man likewise does not demand anything for himself. He does not take all his rights as a claim. He does not make demands for his position, his privileges, his possessions, his status of life…the man who is meek is not even sensitive about himself. He is not always watching himself and his own interests. He is not always on the defensive…The man who is truly meek is the one who is amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do’ (Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, pp. 57-58).

How do we learn to be meek?

The example of Christ: Your king comes unto you meek’ (Matthew 21:5). Christ was the exemplar and pattern of meekness. ‘When he was reviled, he reviled not again’ (1 Peter 2:23). His enemies’ words were more bitter than the gall they gave him—but Christ’s words were smoother than oil. He prayed and wept for his enemies. He calls us to learn of him: ‘Learn of me, for I am meek’ (Matthew 11:29). Christ does not bid us (says Augustine) learn of him to work miracles, to open the eyes of the blind, to raise the dead—but he would have us learn of him to be meek (Thomas Watson, Ibid).

From the example of Christ we learn that the valley is the place of vision:

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision (from the Valley of Vision).

  • Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
  • Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
  • Psalm 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. 10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. 11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Snippets: The Mindset of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5-6)

  • Romans 8:4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1. Translation Issues
Romans 8:5, for the student of Greek, can be either a nightmare or a dream. I have just enough knowledge and ability in Greek to be dangerous, but even I can see that the translators have caused quite a bit of confusion through their work on this text. The phrase in question, which is used twice, is, as the ESV puts it, along with the NASB, ‘set their mind…’ Those of the flesh ‘set their mind’ on the flesh, those of the Spirit ‘set their mind’ on the Spirit. The KJV translates this phrase, instead of ‘set the mind,’ ‘being carnally minded’ and ‘spiritually minded.’

The obvious issue with these translations is that the quoted phrase includes a genitive definite article, and a genitive definite article expresses ownership. Thus the NET Bible translates the phrase more literally: ‘For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace.’ And I would offer up the translation, which I’m sure is not original:

  • ‘The mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.’

The issue in Romans 8:6, then, is not simply what the mind is set on, but what the actual paradigm of the mind is. What’s your basic point of view? What governs your way of thinking? The way you answer this will determine whether or not you are a Christian.

2. The Mindset of the Spirit vs. The Mindset of the Flesh
Those who are ‘of the flesh’ have a certain way of thinking which is opposed to the ‘mindset of the Spirit.’ Therefore we have to ask, What is the mindset of the Spirit?

The Mindset of the Spirit is a Gospel Mindset

For instance,

  • John 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you
  • Or consider the great outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. What does He do, what is His work? He causes men to praise God. He causes Peter to preach a sermon all about Christ and his gospel. He causes men to believe the gospel.
  • Or consider 2 Corinthians 3. The work of the Spirit is to enable us to behold the glory of Christ in the gospel and thereby be conformed to Christ’s image.

The work of the Spirit is to cause us to believe the gospel and be transformed accordingly into the image of Christ. Particularly relevant here are the great texts of the New Testament that point to Christ humbling himself, serving others, giving himself as a sacrifice, and offering, and granting, forgiveness to his enemies.

This was the mindset of Christ, and it is likewise the mindset of the Spirit. Is it yours? This is the real test:
Is your mindset built upon, centered upon, humility, selflessness, service, self-sacrifice, showing mercy to those who do not deserve it, making peace? Is your mindset that of the blessed man in the beatitudes – poor in spirit (humble), mourning (hating your own sin, lamenting the fallenness of the world), meek (forgiving others and repaying evil with good), etc?

The mindset of the flesh is ‘me first.’ It is a mindset of pride, of counting myself as the greatest, of looking out for my own needs, of begrudging those who don’t line up with my wants. It is the mindset of hostility, enmity, anger, bitterness, resentment, jealousy, and the like. That’s the way of the world in a nutshell.

If you would have the mindset of the Spirit you must possess the Spirit. The new birth is essential. Man will not naturally humble himself. He will not be inclined to put others before himself, to sacrifice, to serve, to forgive.

So which mindset is yours? If you would have the mind of the Spirit you must know the gospel, exult in it, meditate upon it, and return to it over and over. It must be the controlling paradigm of your thoughts.

One of my old professors likes to paraphrase John Owen’s comments about this verse (from The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded):

  • ‘What are you thinking about when you’re not thinking about anything at all?’

And to paraphrase Matthew Henry, we could say,

  • On what do you dwell with the most satisfaction?

What’s the default mode of your mind? What thrills you? What excites you? Is it, ‘Me, me, me,’ ad infinitum? Is it MY likes, MY desires, MY interests? MY team? What can I buy next? What TV show can I watch? What game can I play? Or is it, How can I glorify my Savior? Who can I serve today? Where can I bring peace? Where can I show mercy?  Who can I encourage with gospel encouragement?

This is the work of the Spirit in justification – to make us believe this gospel, and in sanctification – to conform us to this gospel from the inside out. To have the mindset of the Spirit is to have a gospel mindset, and a gospel mindset leads to life and peace.

Recent Reading: For All the Saints?, by N.T. Wright

I could gripe about this book, there’s no doubt (I disagreed with quite a bit of it). But that’s not why I write these posts. I write (see my ‘About’ page) to record instant impressions and applications. I like to think that any book on Christian doctrine can edify me in one way or another, regardless of how much, or little, I agree with.

Wright debunks the doctrine of purgatory quite well, which I appreciate. His take on prayer in relation to the dead has made me think. I’m still evaluating.

Most of all, I applaud Wright’s concern to remind Christians that heaven is not our ultimate and final destination. I’ve had issues with this in the past in dealing with folks. I once had a lady tell me that she didn’t want to live eternally if it meant she couldn’t stay in heaven for eternity. Earth – been there, done that, bought the shot glass, don’t wanna go back.

‘But the presence of Christ is the real issue,’ I urged. ‘He will be on the earth after his second coming.’ She didn’t care. She just wanted wings and a puffy cloud. ‘But the new heavens and the new earth will be glorious,’ I contended. But it’s still the earth. ‘No, it’s a new earth – no sadness, no sorrow, peace in the valley, and all that.’ Not only did she ‘disagree’ with me (though most of the time I was basically quoting Revelation 21), she got mad – really mad.

I fear this is the sentiment of far too many Christians (though it might not make them quite as angry).

I do not know if Wright himself coined the term (but he was certainly the first to bring it to my attention), but his phrase, ‘life after life after death’ is memorable and helpful. This is what the Christian is ultimately looking forward to – not simply life after death, but life after life after death, in the new heavens and the new earth. I will certainly use this phrase in the future. And were it not for that phrase I probably would not be taking the time to write down my thoughts.

I urge folks regularly to read Revelation 21 and 22, along with Isaiah 65 and 66 concerning the after life (which I can now call ‘life after life after death’, or perhaps, ‘life after the afterlife,’ why not?). And so, if anyone happens across this post who has been troubled by this issue, I would humbly suggest that you read those chapters.It also wouldn’t hurt to read The Chronicles of Narnia as well, especially The Last Battle (though I’m certainly not comparing it with the Bible). C.S. Lewis’ depiction of the ‘new Narnia’ is brilliant. All that is lacking in that book, in my opinion, is redeemed by the vision of the new Narnia, further up and further in. I can’t imagine the Chronicles without that vision.

A List of Benedictions

One noteworthy item about benedictions is that they should be distinguished from ‘doxologies.’ Doxologies are words of praise/worship, while benedictions are spoken blessings. In doxology we speak praise to God. In benediction we receive words of blessing from God. Hence the following is not a benediction, but a doxology:

  • Ephesians 3:20 ¶ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The list below is not exhaustive and has some benedictions which are not benedictions proper. Benedictions proper are strictly pronouncements, while others are spoken in the form of petitionary prayer (i.e. those beginning with the word, ‘may’) and thus are not so. I’m of the opinion that benedictions proper are essentially covenantal pronouncements, and are therefore authoritative and effectual to all those who participate in the Covenant of Grace. All quotations are from the ESV unless otherwise noted:

  • Numbers 6:24 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
  • Romans 15:13 ¶ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
  • Romans 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:11 ¶ Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
  • Galatians 6:18 ¶ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
  • Ephesians 1:2 ¶ Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Ephesians 3:17b-19 (NIV)  ¶ And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
  • Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  • 1 Thessalonians 3:11 ¶ Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ¶ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • 2 Peter 1:2 ¶ May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
  • Revelation 1:4-5 ¶ Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.
  • Revelation 1:4 (shortened) Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come…

Biblical precedent is giving for the lifting up of the hands of the one who pronounces the benediction:

  • Leviticus 9:22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them…

Note especially Jesus’ parting benediction to his disciples:

  • Luke 24:50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.