Edwards on Preaching to the People's Needs

PART III. Wherein the zealous Promoters of this Work have been injuriously blamed.: "Though, as I said before, clearness of distinction and illustration, and strength of reason, and a good method, in the doctrinal handling of the truths of religion, is many ways needful and profitable, and not to be neglected; yet an increase in speculative knowledge in divinity is not what is so much needed by our people as something else. Men may abound in this sort of light, and have no heat. How much has there been of this sort of knowledge, in the Christian world, in this age! Was there ever an age, wherein strength and penetration of reason, extent of learning, exactness of distinction, correctness of style, and clearness of expression, did so abound? And yet, was there ever an age, wherein there has been so little sense of the evil of sin, so little love to God, heavenly-mindedness, and holiness of life, among the professors of the true religion? Our people do not so much need to have their heads stored, as to have their hearts touched; and they stand in the greatest need of that sort of preaching, which has the greatest tendency to do this."

Today we find ourselvs in an opposite situation: men have heat and no light. I wonder, then, if the "preaching which has the greatest tendancy" to recover the lost light is all pathetic and little reasoning, argumentation, proof, etc. I doubt it. I think the heat must be retained, with a renewed focus on light.

sin makes us both blind and cold to the beauty and glory of Christ Jesus. The Spirit opens eyes for light and opens hearts for heat; that we might see the Lord for who He is as revealed in Scripture (lest we worship an image: our imagination), and that we might be enflamed with love toward him. Even understanding this is meaningless if we "have no love for the Lord." We can have right knowledge and wrong affections. We can also have wrong knowledge and high passions. Those passions are unholy since they are evoked by an image made by hands; made by my mind-an imagination. Thier worth is measured by their object. They are weighed and found wanting.

In them ye have life

"Ye search the scriptures because ye think that in them ye have life. But they testify of me."

This is not so much an argument against scriptural authority as it is against a Christ-less reading of Scripture. I think his point is this: "They testify of me; if you're reading them and not getting me, then you're not getting life. I am the life!"

The difference isn't that they turn to a book and we turn to some inward mystical experience; the difference is that they read without understanding and we read with understanding: it's about Jesus Christ. I get that; they didn't. I, in my reading, will get life. Jesus is not standing in front of me today in person as he was for them. Until he returns, this Word, "which testifies of [him]," is the absolute best thing I could have. Peter affirms that the written word is "more sure" than experience and witness, "whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost."

Just a thought.

Quick Update

I've recently finished Elisabeth Elliot's God's Guidance: A Slow and Certain Light, and Garry Friesen's Decision-Making and the Will of God. The former was quite warm, and filled with experience. The latter was like a steamroller--528 pages that, strangely, read quite quickly.

I'm nearly convinced of Friesen's 'Way of Wisdom,' but not just yet. It seems too academic to me--almost completely non-relational. Who wants a relationship with a book?

I've also, I'm a bit ashamed to admit, moved back to Presque Isle for a while. I must admit it's nice to have a shelf for my books and a closet for my clothes. I've been living out of my car for about 2 months now, and it's nice to 'land.'

It's made me think a lot, though, about Matthew 8:20 and such verses. I, at least, have romanticized the life of the apostles. "It's not easy," he seems to say, "I am homeless, you know." It's been a real test of faith.

I'm about to watch Game 7 of the ALCS World Series. I care nothing about baseball. I may watch a movie at the same time. Regardless, one thing's for sure: I'm gettin' me some kettle corn.

A big part of me misses the pace and demands of youth pastoring. And, I do miss them terribly. But I didn't belong there. It's that simple.

Here's to the next step...

some (restful) thoughts.

Through Gates of Splendor

I finished Elisabeth Elliot's Through Gates of Splendor the other day. It was one of the best books I've read (do I say that about every book?). I think I broke down in tears and longing and prayer and 'doxology' a half-dozen times in the first chapter or two alone. It renewed my heart for missions and "ultimate thinking."

Interesting that one of the biggest things I gleaned was her application of scripture--the way of wisdom as I'm learning that Garry Friesen calls it--which was also in Edwards's RA. It's all coming together--it will be amazing, I'm sure, to look back on all that God is weaving and enjoy the panaorama of his masterful artwork in my life. It seems such a fog right now--especially today with no home and no job--but "I know him whom I have believed" and "he will guide me with his eye."

I also found out today that ELIC's program might be able to put US citizens into Tibet again. Had a great conversation with [] and a graduate admissions counselor today about my plans. I still am unsure whether to do the MDiv at WTS or the MA with ELIC first. (or if I should bother doing both at all--sounds like the MA Biblical Exegesis and later Doctoral work might be a promising route also--not to mention studying under Greg Beale).

One last note: this body (amazingly) has been taking a collection for me for a few weeks in order to get me a new laptop. Nearly unbelievable. My mouth is stopped, and my mouth is laid to the dust (and so there "may yet be hope!"). I am silence; humbled. Lord God, you have provided for me amazingly. I prayed recently that I needed to know you as "Jehovah-jireh" in this season--my provider--and you have and are answering that prayer overwhelmingly. $600 toward the car, and $1700+ toward a new laptop. I can only imagine what you're planning next, my Lord and my God!

Thank you. Thank you so much. Lead me to what I should write to your people next--and thank you for the opportunity to minister! Praise be to you for it!

Alright, one more. This weekend during the worship I was greatly moved by the thought of looking upon Christ. It was the lyrics (and, no doubt, the music) to Hillsongs' Hallelujah (from For All You've Done) that did it: and all I could think about was the vision of the revelation of Jesus Christ in Revelation 5, and the whole of creation rejoicing and praising and looking upon the "lamb that was slain" and all I could think or say was Oh, that I might look upon Jesus! Oh, that I might look upon the Lamb that was slain! It was the sweetest time of worship I've had in a long, long time. It was having and wanting, desiring and attaining, all in one. Addicting and fulfilling. I want more...

that's all for now.