Rabbit Hill Baptist Church

The Whole Truth

2008-11-12T13:07:00.003-07:00

Small groups are a great place to learn and grow in your faith, to fellowship together over some good food, and they are also great place to ask those questions you've always wondered about. For example, last night in one of our groups, someone asked, how do we know that all of the books in the bible belong there? Is it possible that some are missing or that some of them should not be there? What about the gospel of Thomas, or Judas, or the Simpsons for that matter? OK maybe not, but it is an actual book.

The point is, these are the kinds of questions we need to ask and think about if we are going to truly grow and mature in our faith. Here then, is a quote from an excellent resource to read about how we got our bible in its current form. You can read the complete article by clicking here.

Even the most casual Bible student knows that there are more books in the Catholic Bible than in the one used by Protestants. Where did these differences originate? On what basis were some books selected to be in the Bible, and why were others rejected?

Upon reflection, we could expect that there would be some dispute regarding these matters. After all, the Bible did not come down from heaven bound in beautiful leather and adorned with gold gilded pages. It is a very human book that reflects the styles of the writers and the cultural setting of the times. Yet, it is also a divine book, inspired by God, and therefore free from error in the original manuscripts. Like Christ who was truly God and truly man, so the Bible has a dual authorship. Questions about which books meet this criterion are to be expected.

We have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

- 2 Peter 1:19-21 (ESV)

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Presidential Concern

2008-11-05T12:29:00.006-07:00

When I first heard president-elect Barack Obama speak four years ago at the Democratic National Convention I was impressed and very excited at the possibility that this African American man and self professed Christian would one day run for the highest office. Yet over the years, as I came to learn about his extreme pro-choice convictions, my excitement soon disappeared. Now don't get me wrong, I understand and appreciate the significance of his election and I praise God for what it represents in terms of racial reconciliation. Still, I am very worried about what this will mean for the lives of the unborn and the sanctity of life.

The following is a quote from a "Between Two Worlds" post by Eric Redmond that expresses this concern perfectly:

How I wish that the first time there was a probable opportunity for an African American candidate to reach the White House I could have cast my vote for such a candidate without any reservation. However, I am pro-life, and President-Elect Obama is the most anti-life senator to come to power in my lifetime. I also am pro-conservative justices (who limit legislating from the bench). I am pro-marriage— that is, pro-heterosexual marriage. In the end, I could not overlook these issues as I approached Election Day. But the temptation to justify voting for Obama was strong, for I did not want to be against the side of history—of an African American finally making it to the Oval Office.

However, if I have not learned anything else from the recent happenings at my (soon to be former) church, it is these two things: First, it is not virtuous to side with the majority because one does not wish to stand out among friends, or because one is unwilling to examine all information on an issue, or because one wants to dispense dislikes toward current leadership, in spite of righteous reasons to vote against the majority—in fact, under some circumstances, it can be a horrendous evil. Second, even if one is seeking to be consistent in humility and holiness individually, to abstain from voting on any matter is to allow the majority to speak for you. That same majority, with a victory, might make trouble for the greater populous by means of the evil(s) of which you sought to distance yourself by abstaining from voting.

So I made two very difficult choices: First, I chose to vote rather than stay home. Second, I voted for lives of the unborn rather than for approval from the vast majority of my own ethnic community. The latter choice took the risk of being reproached for the name of Christ, for I only voted for life because of the fear of my Lord (cf. Ex. 1:15-2:12). I know such a choice risks invoking the ire or dismissal of the overwhelming majority of the African American community. Yet, on a most historic Election Day, I could not allow my personal pro-life stance to crumble under the weight of being perceived as a traitor to the African American cause for victory, for that goes against all godly wisdom:

If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man according to his work?
Prov 24:10-12 ESV

I cast my vote in the hopes of rescuing those being taken to the slaughter. I could not vote in such a way that I would have ignored the blood flowing from fertility clinics, for I know that the Almighty would repay my cowardice. My hope in his word is that he will remember me and graciously and provide for my life, repaying me with mercy.

The Power of Words

2008-10-30T13:33:00.007-06:00

Practice what you preach... if you're going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk. We've all heard these kinds of things before, but do we live them out? Are we striving, by the grace of God, to consistently live out our faith, not just Sunday morning while we're sitting in church, but at work, at school, among our friends, and especially at home.

One of our small groups is going through the book Family Driven Faith in which the author reminds us that "my family is the primary place where my walk with Christ takes on flesh." It is the most important place our faith should be lived out, as it is modeled and practiced for our children to see... and hear...

Every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

James 3:7-10 (ESV)

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Questioning Our Investments

2008-10-15T11:08:00.005-06:00

In the face of such economic uncertainty it is important that we ask ourselves, in whom do we trust? When our investments plummet, the value of our homes drop, and when the world seems headed for a global recession, we should ask, where do we find true and lasting peace and security? Scripture has a lot to say about our attitude towards money, but all too often we feel uncomfortable talking about it.

Mainstream evangelicals are offended by "too much" talk about money, fearing that it may contaminate true spirituality. The real reason for seeking this silence, however, is subtle but clear: Too much emphasis on the spiritual necessity of giving as a matter of our salvation directly confronts our materialism and the individualistic privatization of our lives. The call to give is a call to flee the idolatrous worship of the Dollar and the Self by trusting in God's grace alone for our happiness and security. To talk about money is to talk about God.

Scott Hafemann, Second Corinthians, NIV Application Commentary

In an ever changing world, filled with insecurity and doubt, we must be absolutely clear about where we invest our eternal hope. The truth is that stock markets, real estate, government, even our personal health and relationships all fail us at some point. So again, the question is where do you put your trust, where do you find peace in the midst of life's uncertainty?

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)

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Gospel Centered Living

2008-10-08T12:00:00.006-06:00

As we have been going through our Sunday morning series on the book of Philippians, we have been talking a lot about how as Christians we are called to live Christ-centered, gospel saturated lives. For example, Philip. 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." and Philip. 1:27 "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ..." In order to help us better understand what this means, I used a quote from author/pastor Tim Keller. Here is a more extended version of that quote, followed by a short video.

We never “get beyond the gospel” in our Christian life to something more “advanced.” The gospel is not the first “step” in a “stairway” of truths, rather, it is more like the “hub” in a “wheel” of truth. The gospel is not just the A-B-C’s of Christianity, but it is the A to Z of Christianity. The gospel is not just the minimum required doctrine necessary to enter the kingdom, but the way we all make progress in the kingdom.

We are not justified by the gospel and then sanctified by obedience but the gospel is the we grow (Gal. 3:1-3) and are renewed (Col 1:6). It is the solution to each problem, the key to each closed door, the power through every barrier (Rom 1:16-17).

It is very common in the church to think as follows: “The gospel is for non-Christians. One needs it to be saved. But once saved, you grow through hard work and obedience.” But Colossians 1:6 shows that this is a mistake. Both confession and “hard work” that is not arising from and “in line” with the gospel will not sanctify you—it will strangle you. All our problems come from a failure to apply the gospel. Thus when Paul left the Ephesians he committed them “to the word of his grace, which can build you up” (Acts 20:32).

Christianity Explored

2008-09-23T15:44:00.008-06:00

Who is Jesus? Why did He come? What is so important about His death on the cross? Next month our church will be starting a discussion group to talk about questions like these called Christianity Explored.

What is it?

Developed over 10 years, Christianity Explored is an informal course for people who'd like to investigate Christianity, or just brush up on the basics. It explores who Jesus was, what his aims were, and what it means to follow him. You won't be asked to pray, sing or read aloud, and you can ask any questions you like. Or, if you prefer, you can just come along and listen.

Who is it for?

Christianity Explored is for anyone who wants to investigate Christianity informally with a group of other people. Whether you have previous experience of Church, Christians and the Bible, or none at all, this course is for you. Everyone is welcome - from the most sympathetic Sunday schooler to the convinced atheist. We will respect your background, culture and beliefs. Tell us as little or as much about yourself as you feel comfortable.

When is it?

We will be meeting every second week, starting in October, beginning at the church and then hopefully going to different homes. Coffee and snacks are provided, babysitting if needed. If you're interested in joining us either call the church or send us and email, we'd love to have you. Here's a clip from the DVD.

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.

- C.S. Lewis

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Singing the Blues

2008-09-17T10:11:00.016-06:00

I enjoy listening to (and sometimes even playing) lots of different kinds of good music, the operative word being "good", whether its jazz, bluegrass, rock or classical. Still, I am particularly fond of the blues... that is if one can actually say that they are "particularly fond" of the blues. In any case, this is why I was very excited to hear about a new book being released this fall that unites two of my biggest passions... theology and the blues. The book is called "Getting the Blues" and it is written by a bible college research professor named Stephen Nichols (who better to address this topic right?). Here is a short excerpt.

The blues artists sang out of frustration, even vengeance. The blues artists, however, sang, giving voice to their hope for deliverance, their hope that Sunday’s coming. The blues invites us not only to embrace the curse but also simultaneously to embrace the cross. To see the broken made whole, the lost found. We see the exile and stranger make their way back home. “I was blind, but now I see,” says the classic hymn. Not through some cheap happy ending, but in the identification and the defeat of all sorrow and sin in the Man of Sorrows on the cross, the most solemn minor key ever sounded in human history. In short, the blues helps us understand what theologians call redemption, all of the realities of life under the cross.

We live in a fallen world filled with pain, suffering and loss. The blues is a kind of music that, like much of scripture, wrestles with this reality with honesty. The bible does not gloss over the difficulties of life, instead it addresses them by pointing us to the cross. In Christ, God has used the worst possible suffering and injustice ever committed to bring about the greatest possible healing and justice to the world.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. - Psalm 34:6 (ESV)

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Choosing Life

2008-09-11T10:55:00.007-06:00

Three years ago my wife and I were challenged with the need to pursue adopting a baby with Down syndrome when we discovered, among other things, that the termination rate for mothers who test positive for having a baby with Down syndrome is between 80 and 90%. This past December the Lord answered our prayers with a beautiful baby girl named Emma, pictured here with her equally beautiful mommy.

Along with pursuing the adoption itself, we have been passionate about creating awareness of the issue here in Canada. The Lord first answered this need through a McLean's magazine article we were interviewed for a couple years ago. We have also tried our best to set up a website, which definitely needs more time and expertise, to draw attention to the issue. Recently though, God has been using a very different platform to shed light on this issue.

When I first heard about the selection of Gov. Palin as John McCain's VP running mate I was very excited because I knew a bit about her family, specifically her new baby, through an Albert Mohler article I read a few months ago. I knew that this would bring attention to this whole issue, but I had no idea about the kind of reaction that would follow.

This morning I read a post on Justin Taylor's blog (one that I vistit regularly and highly recommend) that has really upset me about the following comments made by Dr. Andre Lalonde in a recent Globe and Mail article.

...others fear Ms. Palin's emergence as a parental role model sends a different message. As a vocal opponent of abortion, Ms. Palin's widely discussed decision to keep her baby, knowing he would be born with the condition, may inadvertently influence other women who may lack the necessary emotional and financial support to do the same, according to André Lalonde, executive vice-president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
Dr. Lalonde said that above all else, women must be free to choose, and that popular messages to the contrary could have detrimental effects on women and their families.

"The worry is that this will have an implication for abortion issues in Canada," he said.

Well Dr. Lalonde, let me say that I for one certainly hope that this will have an implication for abortion issues in Canada. I hope and pray that God will use this family as a positive example of one woman's choice for life. That seeing this family love and embrace this beautiful baby boy will challenge and encourage others to do the same.

Getting With The Times

2008-09-10T12:08:00.004-06:00

We are a small country church who regularly sing from the hymnal with the occasional chorus or two, or three, off the PowerPoint screen no less. Still, it is time for us to step it up a notch. As such we have started auditioning some more contemporary worship teams, here is one of our top contenders:

Thanks to Justin Taylor for his inspiration.

The Blame Game

2008-09-03T16:35:00.004-06:00

From the beginning of time it has been our nature as human beings to try and pass the buck. As sinners, we naturally want to avoid taking responsibility for our actions. And so after disobeying their creator, when God found Adam and Eve trying to hide and asked them what happened, do you remember what they said...

The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." [13] Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." - Genesis 3:12-13 (ESV)

Not much has changed over the years. Today it is quite common to read about criminal defense lawyers claiming that their clients were either "temporarily insane" or that their actions were due to a "chemical imbalance". Take, for example, the attempted murder case involving Ryan Huppie that has recently made Edmonton headlines. Sun columnist Mindelle Jacobs makes the following observation in her piece entitled Crazy Like a Fox.

Why, the poor fellow didn't really know what he was doing, according to the defence. He was an automaton who should be found not criminally responsible as a result of a mental disorder, it was argued. Fortunately, the judge in the case realized that Huppie's claim of having been in a drug-induced psychosis was baloney and convicted him last week of a string of charges, including attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault.

All of this sounds very much like determinism... that our actions are determined by things like social environment, upbringing, biological makeup, etc. Now even though these things certainly may influence one's behaviour, the question is, does that negate their moral responsibility. In other words, if I have a predisposition to commit a certain crime does that free me from being morally responsible if I do in fact commit that crime. To quote the apostle Paul... certainly not!

The truth is we all have a "disposition" that affects our behaviour, it's called our sinful nature, and because of it we do things like lie, steal and gossip. And yet the bible makes it very clear that we will all be held responsible for our behaviour. If you're intersted in reading more on this, last week Albert Mohler wrote an article called The Delusion of Determinism... here is part of what he writes.

The subversion of moral responsibility is one of the most significant developments of recent decades. Though this subversion was originally philosophical, more recent efforts have been based in biology and psychology. Various theorists have argued that our decisions and actions are determined by genetics, environmental factors, or other forces. The diverse theories of determinism propose that our choices and decisions are not an exercise of the will, but simply the inevitable outcome of factors outside our control. As Scientific American explains, determinists argue that "everything that happens is determined by what happened before -- our actions are inevitable consequences of the events leading up to the action."

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)

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Rethinking Church

2008-08-26T11:23:00.008-06:00

Do we really need the church? Can't I be a Christian without being part of organized religion? Why should I have to listen to someone preach at me every Sunday? Isn't the church just a man made structure? These seem to be the types of questions that many spiritually minded people are asking these days and I have heard them from family, friends and even pastors. In fact, at our last annual association meeting one speaker challenged us with the need to rethink the entire way we do church.

This is also a popular theme in many Christian books that are being published these days. For example, recently Tim Challies reviewed a book entitled "So you Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore" by Dave Coleman and Wayne Jacobsen. Here is part of his conclusion:

Though Jacobsen does occasionally affirm that institutional churches may do some good, the theme of the book comes through loud and clear. In the appendix Jacobsen says, without any apparent trace of hyperbole, “I can tell you absolutely that my worst days outside organized religion are still better than my best days inside it.” And from cover-to-cover, the book is heartlessly negative towards the local church. Christians should, and perhaps even must, withdraw. But the case is made through emotion and through false comparison. Those who hold closely to Scripture may affirm some of what Jacobsen teaches in this book, but they must reject its overall message.

Is organized religion a thing of the past? Can I be a Christian without being part of a local church? If these are questions you are currently wrestling with, may I recommend the you take some time and listen to this message by Dr. Mark Dever entitled "The Importance of the Local Church". He does an excellent job explaining things from a biblical perspective.

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. - Acts 2:41-42 (ESV)

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Politics and Religion

2008-08-20T10:08:00.007-06:00

This past Saturday, pastor/author Rick Warren hosted and open forum debate at his church with the two presidential candidates. I wasn't able to watch it live, as I do not have CNN, but I have seen bits and pieces of the broadcast on youtube and it certainly looked like a very good program. In fact, on his blog Dr. Albert Mohler gives the following assessment.

With the press pushing the event as a "new face" for American evangelicals, I was not overly hopeful. Given the hype, I was positively unhopeful. But the event turned to be quite worthwhile after all. I still have deep reservations about identifying the event so closely with a church, but the conversations really did get to urgently important and controversial issues, and Pastor Rick Warren handled the conversations with aplomb, demonstrating both civility and candor.

Pastor Warren's questions ranged from the deeply personal to the overtly controversial. He often asked questions that made it difficult for the candidates to avoid giving direct and revealing answers. He let the candidates speak for themselves.

One of the questions asked had to do with their positions on abortion, what I believe to be the most important social issue Americans face. It is an issue not unlike the one William Wilberforce faced and conquered in British parliment 200 years ago. An issue that demands clear and courgaeous thinking. Here is how the two candidates responded...

Dr. Hymie Gordon (Mayo Clinic):

“By all criteria of modern molecular biology, life is present from the moment of conception.”

Dr. Micheline Matthews-Roth (Harvard University Medical School):

“It is scientifically correct to say that an individual human life begins at conception.”

Dr. Alfred Bongioanni (University of Pennsylvania):

“I have learned from my earliest medical education that human life begins at the time of conception.”

Dr. Jerome LeJeune, “the Father of Modern Genetics” (University of Descartes, Paris):

“To accept the fact that after fertilization has taken place a new human has come into being is no longer a matter of taste or opinion . . . it is plain experimental evidence.”

Source: First Things

Psalm 139:13 (ESV)

You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

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Highly Recommended

2008-08-12T10:19:00.006-06:00

This fall Crossway publications wil be releasing the much anticipated ESV study bible and I am very excited to read and recommend it. As such, I encourage you to take five minutes and watch the following video that talks about some of the features of this wonderful resource. As Jonathan Edwards once said...

You all have by you a large treasure of divine knowledge, in that you have the Bible in your hands; therefore be not contented in possessing but little of this treasure. God hath spoken much to you in the Scripture; labor to understand as much of what he saith as you can. God hath made you all reasonable creatures; therefore let not the noble faculty of reason or understanding lie neglected. Content not yourselves with...divine truth...you accidentally gain in conversation; but let it be very much your business to search for it, and that with the same diligence and labor with which men are wont to dig in mines of silver and gold.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righ teousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
- 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (ESV)
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Grieving with Hope

2008-08-07T10:11:00.008-06:00

It is never easy to lose someone you love. Death is a very painful reality that none of us can avoid dealing with in this life. It can cause a great deal of pain, anger and doubt to enter into our lives. Yet as those who have come to faith in Christ, we are given the ability to deal with it in a very unique way. Because of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, we are given a sure and certain hope that death is not the end.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. -1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

This does not mean however that we can not or should not grieve the loss of a loved one. As American author Bruce Barton once said, "Too many Christians feel that grief is wrong, that we're supposed to rejoice when a loved one goes to be with the Lord. While we can rejoice in their going home, we can also grieve our loss." Death is very painful and it rightly deserves our grief and anger, but as those who have been saved by grace, we have the ability of grieving with hope.

Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife recently lost their youngest daughter in a tragic family accident. In the following interview the couple shares their story and their pain in a very open and honest way. Yet they want to make it very clear that as incredibly painful as it has been, they still have the hope of one day being reunited with their daughter.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. - 1 Thes. 4:13 (ESV)

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Creative Thinking

2008-06-26T10:27:00.010-06:00

I had the privilege of attending a lecture on Evolutionary Creation (aka Theistic Evolution) by Dr. Denis Lamoureux at St. Joseph's College (part of the Univ. of Alberta) yesterday. It was by all accounts an excellent presentation on the subject and I would recommend it to anyone interested in this issue. Even though I did not agree with much of what was being taught, it certainly helped me to understand this theory that seems to be gaining popularity among evangelicals. For those of you who may not know, evolutionary creation basically teaches that God created life on earth indirectly through preordained natural processes. That is to say that God used evolution as a means of creating you and I.

Now there are to be sure a lot of theological questions/concerns that I have with this theory. For example, what about Adam and the fall? If man is the result of evolution, was there in fact one historical man named Adam? Why is this important? Biologist David H. Lane explains in his essay "Theological Problems with Theistic Evolution".

If Adam was not a historical figure and the Fall is not historical, then the typology of Christ as the last Adam (Rom 5:12–14; 1 Cor 15:22, 45–49) becomes meaningless, as do the doctrines of redemption, atonement, and justification. Furthermore Paul specifically related the historicity of Adam to the historicity of Christ’s resurrection, thereby laying a basis for the believer’s hope in the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor 15:12–23). The linchpin of the gospel (Christ’s resurrection) is anchored in the historicity of Adam and the Fall.

Again, there are many such theological concerns that are related to the theory of Evolutionary Creation. Still, the basic question remains, is the theory of evolution compatible with scripture in the first place? I personally do not believe it is. Instead I believe that Genesis clearly teaches that "The work of creation is," as the Westminster Shorter Catechism says, "God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good."

How then do I account for the apparent age of the earth? Perhaps, just as God created Adam as a grown (let's say 20 year old) man in one day, God also created a "full grown" (10 billion year old) earth in six. If you are interested in finding out more about what is called the "Mature Earth" view you can find it on p.113 of Vern Poythress' book Redeeming Science which you can read for free here.

In the end, as with any other issue, we need to remain in open dialogue with one another. This of course does not mean that we can not or should not have personal convictions or hold to a certain position with passion as Dr. Lamoureux thankfully does, otherwise it would have been a boring lecture. It simply means that as we do so, not only do we need to speak graciously, but we also need to listen to others sides of the discussion in order to interact with them and be informed. This is why I went to the lecture in the first place, and this is why I want to share the following video clip with you, as food for thought.

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. - Hebrews 11:3 (ESV)

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Cause for Concern or Not

2008-06-12T16:17:00.005-06:00

The National Post ran a story today about a youth pastor from Red Deer who was recently brought before the Alberta Human Rights Commission over his written stance on homosexuality. Now to be sure, this is an issue that the church has all too often handled poorly, frequently without any grace and humility, forgetting that we are called to speak the truth in love. Yet, the point is, we are clearly called to speak the truth, even when it is counter cultural. The question is, does this story represent just another blip on the proverbial radar or is it a sign of things to come?

The judgment of the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission (AHRCC) against the Reverend Stephen Boissoin, a Protestant youth pastor, is a direct violation of his religious liberty. Whatever his "guilt" --and who is not guilty before the human rights commission? -- the judgment requires him to write an apology abjuring his views on homosexuality, and prohibits him and the Concerned Christian Coalition from making "disparaging" remarks about homosexuals.
It is not specified what the AHRCC might consider "disparaging," but simply reading in public -- as in a sermon -- the Biblical admonitions against homosexual acts is not precluded. Indeed, the scope of the AHRCC order is so wide that it effectively says that Rev. Boissoin may not speak publicly on homosexuality ever again, unless he changes his opinion.
Given that the "offence" was a letter to the editor published in the Red Deer Advocate, the judgment by implication would apply the same restrictions to the newspaper itself. The offence was "causing to be published" the letter, which "was likely to expose homosexuals to contempt or hatred because of their sexual orientation." In order for something to be published in a newspaper, both a writer and an editor/publisher are required. Had the complainant in this case named the Red Deer Advocate in his charge, there is every logical reason to expect that the AHRCC would have slapped a perpetual ban on the newspaper publishing any "disparaging" stories on homosexuality.
Rev. Boissoin is not the only Alberta clergyman hauled before the AHRCC. In 2005, Frederick Henry, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Calgary, was brought before the commission for writing a pastoral letter against same-sex marriage to his own flock. Before the AHRCC had a chance to find him guilty, Bishop Henry clarified his remarks and the complaint was withdrawn. It is now clear that had it gone ahead, the AHRCC would have ordered the bishop of Calgary not to speak about same-sex marriage ever again.

To read the entire article click here.

Again, this is an issue that the church and its leaders must handle graciously, acknowledging that we are all sinners in need of God's mercy. Still, this story is somewhat concerning as we think about what the future may hold for the church in Canada. May we always be willing to stand up for the truth, yet may we always "do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame." 1 Peter 3:16 (ESV)

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Some Discernment Required

2008-06-03T09:32:00.007-06:00

Don't you hate it when you go through all that effort of choosing the perfect gift for your children only to discover, when they open it, those three dreaded words: some assembly required. Just when you thought that your work was over. Instead, you now realize that you will be spending the next hour carefully following the instruction as your kids repeatedly ask you, is it ready yet, is it ready yet?

Similarly, as Christians, we should never think that our work is over. That since Christ has purchased this great gift for us and paid for our sins, we can now simply coast through life reading, watching and listening to whatever we want. As Paul would say, certainly not. Instead, as we live out our faith from day to day, we should always heed the label: some discernment required. This means that we should be asking questions like is this good for me? Is this biblical? Is this helpful or harmful to my faith?

Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right.
C.H. Spurgeon

We all realize that there are lots of things in this world that are spiritually harmful and confusing that we need to try our best to avoid. But what compounds this problem of discernment is that some of it is found and promoted right at our local Christian book stores. Case in point "The Shack", the newest "life changing" best seller that has sold millions and reached the top ten in total sales, of all books, not just Christian, on Amazon.com. Even though it is a work of fiction, it conveys some very confusing theology to say the least. In fact, some have gone so far as to labeled it as heresy. As such, I would highly recommend that you access one, if not all of the following three resources to get an idea of what it's about and why there is so much concern about it's success.

First, you can read an excellent review of the book by Tim Challies at his blog.

Second, you can listen to Dr. Albert Mohler's radio program on "The Shack" here.

Or third, you can simply click on the video below to watch pastor Mark Driscoll share his concerns about it.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

Hebrews 13:8-9 (ESV)

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A Just Cause

2008-05-27T13:17:00.008-06:00

One of the things we continually need to remember is that our faith is about more than just having our sins forgiven and living right. As Christians, our faith in Christ should not be compartmentalized. Instead, it should flow into or affect every area of our lives, when we are at home, at work, at school, when we're watching the news or thinking about social issues such as abortion, homelessness and prostitution.

This is why agencies such as International Justice Mission are so important, because they help shine the light on global issues such as victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and oppression. But don't let their name fool you into thinking that these are things we as Canadians do not deal with. Rather these are very much issues that hit close to home as this article from Canadian Christianity reveals. Here is part of what it says.

When Vancouverite Donald Bakker pleaded guilty to 10 counts of sexual assault - seven of them under Canada's hitherto untested sex tourism law - much of the credit was due to a heroic group of Christian undercover investigators, who secretly tracked down his under aged victims and videotaped the Cambodian brothels where Bakker committed his assaults. But British Columbian men don't have to fly to Indochina for sex. A huge criminal enterprise has enveloped the globe, designed to deliver women and children to the customer's door. Most are illegal immigrants duped with the promise of jobs as restaurant workers, janitors or maids. The RCMP estimates 600 women and children are brought into Canada yearly, mostly to slake the sexual appetites of Canadian men; while 1,500 more are brought through Canada to the United States.

This is, of course, only the tip of the iceberg, the world we live in is filled with similar stories of injustice and abuse. The question is, how does one get involved? What is our church doing about it? Where do we, as individuals, start in this fight for justice? Well, to begin with, we can start by becoming informed. This Saturday night (May 31, 2008 @ 7:30pm) McKernan Baptist church is hosting an evening with Canadian IJM president Jamie McIntosh and Canadian recording artist Caroline Arends, to get tickets or to find out more about it click here.

Justice is close to the heart of God. The work of IJM gives the hope of justice to those who have been wrongfully imprisoned and detained. I applaud their work on behalf of the innocent.

- Charles W. Colson, Chairman of the Board, Prison Fellowship Ministries

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 82:3-4 (ESV)

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What is Reformed?

2008-05-21T20:46:00.004-06:00

There are, as I'm sure you know, many different types of churches and, for that matter, individual Christians throughout the world today. For example, there are those that are Catholic and Protestant, liberal or conservative, traditional or contemporary, charismatic, emergent and, of course, the much maligned fundamentalists, who seem to be less about the "fun" and more about the "mental", just kidding. In any case, each of these are defined, for the most part, by their theology or system of beliefs.

What then does it mean when a church or an individual Christian, like myself, is described as being "reformed". Reformed from what? If you are interested in reading a clear yet concise summary of reformed theology, I would direct your attention to either B.B. Warfield's classic essay here or for something much more recent, to Tim Challies web page here. If watching a short two minute video clip on the subject is more your thing, then here is an excellent answer to this question of what it means to be reformed from Dr. Ligon Duncan of Reformed Theological Seminary.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)

God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved.

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Expelling Worldliness with a New Affection

2008-05-14T15:55:00.009-06:00

This past Sunday we looked at John 17:6-19 and the challenge of being in the world but not of the world. This, of course, begins by having the natural love that we have for the world replaced with a new love that is centered on God. Sinclair Ferguson has written an excellent article about this that I want to share with you.

Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847) was one of the most remarkable men of his time—a mathematician, evangelical theologian, economist, ecclesiastical, political, and social reformer all in one. His most famous sermon was published under the unlikely title: “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection.” In it he expounded an insight of permanent importance for Christian living: you cannot destroy love for the world merely by showing its emptiness. Even if we could do so, that would lead only to despair. The first world–centered love of our hearts can be expelled only by a new love and affection—for God and from God. The love of the world and the love of the Father cannot dwell together in the same heart. But the love of the world can be driven out only by the love of the Father. Hence Chalmers’ sermon title.

True Christian living, holy and right living, requires a new affection for the Father as its dynamic. Such new affection is part of what William Cowper called “the blessedness I knew when first I saw the Lord”—a love for the holy that seems to deal our carnal affections a deadly blow at the beginning of the Christian life. Soon, however, we discover that for all that we have died to sin in Christ, sin has by no means died in us. Sometimes its continued influence surprises us, even appears to overwhelm us in one or other of its manifestations. We discover that our “new affections” for spiritual things must be renewed constantly throughout the whole of our pilgrimage. If we lose the first love we will find ourselves in serious spiritual peril.

Sometimes we make the mistake of substituting other things for it. Favorites here are activity and learning. We become active in the service of God ecclesiastically (we gain the positions once held by those we admired and we measure our spiritual growth in terms of position achieved); we become active evangelistically and in the process measure spiritual strength in terms of increasing influence; or we become active socially, in moral and political campaigning, and measure growth in terms of involvement. Alternatively, we recognize the intellectual fascination and challenge of the gospel and devote ourselves to understanding it, perhaps for its own sake, perhaps to communicate it to others. We measure our spiritual vitality in terms of understanding, or in terms of the influence it gives us over others. But no position, influence, or evolvement can expel love for the world from our hearts. Indeed, they may be expressions of that very love.

Others of us make the mistake of substituting the rules of piety for loving affection for the Father: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” Such disciplines have an air of sanctity about them, but in fact they have no power to restrain the love of the world. The root of the matter is not on my table, or in my neighborhood, but in my heart. Worldliness has still not been expelled.

It is all too possible, in these different ways, to have the form of genuine godliness (how subtle our hearts are!) without its power. Love for the world will not have been expunged, but merely diverted. Only a new love is adequate to expel the old one. Only love for Christ, with all that it implies, can squeeze out the love of this world. Only those who long for Christ’s appearing will be delivered from Demas-like desertion caused by being in love with this world.

How can we recover the new affection for Christ and his kingdom that so powerfully impacted our life-long worldliness, and in which we crucified the flesh with its lusts?

What was it that created that first love in any case? Do you remember? It was our discovery of Christ’s grace in the realization of our own sin. We are not naturally capable of loving God for himself, indeed we hate him. But in discovering this about ourselves, and in learning of the Lord’s supernatural love for us, love for the Father was born. Forgiven much, we loved much. We rejoiced in the hope of glory, in suffering, even in God himself. This new affection seemed first to overtake our worldliness, then to master it. Spiritual realities—Christ, grace, Scripture, prayer, fellowship, service, living for the glory of God—filled our vision and seemed so large, so desirable that other things by comparison seemed to shrink in size and become bland to the taste.

The way in which we maintain “the expulsive power of a new affection” is the same as the way we first discovered it. Only when grace is still “amazing” to us does it retain its power in us. Only as we retain a sense of our own profound sinfulness can we retain a sense of the graciousness of grace.

Many of us share Cowper’s sad questions: “Where is the blessedness I knew when first I saw the Lord? Where is the soul-refreshing view of Jesus and his word?” Let us remember the height from which we have fallen, repent and return to those first works. It would be sad if the deepest analysis of our Christianity was that it lacked a sense of sin and of grace. That would suggest that we knew little if the expulsive power of a new affection. But there is no right living that last without it.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. - 1 John 2:15 (ESV)
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Science vs. Religion

2008-05-07T12:59:00.007-06:00

Are science and religion compatible? Does believing in the one necessarily exclude any faith in the other? Recent developments in the writings of some new atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens would seem to suggest this. As would the traditional thinking of what we call fundamentalist bible believing Christians throughout the ages. But as Arthur F. Holmes rightly suggested, all truth is God's truth, and this includes science.

Since Darwin wrote his now infamous "Origin of Species" back in 1859, Christians have been debating about how to reconcile or refute his theory with what is revealed in the first two chapters of Genesis. On an academic level, this theory has been all but canonized with any questioning voices being either shunned or ridiculed. Recently a film has been made exploring this tension in our schools called Expelled. I have not seen it myself, as it has not yet been released in Canada, but from the trailers it certainly looks very thought provoking.

But what about Genesis 1 & 2? How can we, or can we reconcile what we read there with what we observe in science? Was the earth created in six 24 hour days? Or did God use evolution as a means of bringing about His creation? Personally I believe in what is known as the mature creation view. Here is how Vern Poythress explains it in his book "Redeeming Science" which is available online for free.

I suggest that the mature creation view offers an attractive supplement to the 24-hour-day view. It retains all the main advantages of the 24-hour-day view, by maintaining that God created the universe within six 24-hour days. It supplements this view with a clear and simple explanation for the conclusions of modern astronomy. The universe appears to be 14 billion years old because God created it mature. Moreover, the universe is coherently mature, in the sense that estimates of age deriving from different methods arrive at similar results. This coherence makes some sense. God created Adam mature. Why should we not think that Adam was coherently mature? It seems a little monstrous to think that Adam might have a heart that tested as twenty years old, and a hand with wrinkles that made it look a hundred years old.

But now the same approach can apply to geology. If rocks look millions of years old according to rubidium-strontium dating, we can say that they appear mature. Perhaps the whole geological structure of the earth is coherently mature. When fossils lie in older strata, the associated age is coherent apparent age. But then the fossils do not represent the remains of animals or plants that were actually alive millions of years ago. They represent a coherent mature structure that shows how God would have worked, millions of years ago, if he had started back then creating and extinguishing various kinds of animals over long periods of time. If we believe in the mature creation view, we can believe that such creation is utterly consistent and coherent. Of course, God as the sovereign has the right to leave inconsistent signs of age and of youth. But he also has the right to make the world coherent, and in some respects the coherence makes more sense. If one is going to produce some creatures in mature state, like Adam, why not do the whole thing the same way?

As Christians we do not have the liberty of separating our faith from things like science, business, or the environment. We need to think biblically about this world we live in. We need to remember that all truth is God's truth.

God's invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. - Romans 1:20

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Together for the Gospel

2008-04-30T15:22:00.008-06:00

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of once again attending the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville Kentucky. It has certainly been a great source of both encouragement and instruction to me and I thank the church for sending me. For those who are interested, I wanted to post a short video clip from it to give you an idea of the kind of teaching that we are blessed with. This excerpt is from Thabiti Anyabwile on what it means to truly be together for the gospel in our local churches.

Rev. 7:9-10 (ESV)

I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, [10] and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

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Full Circle

2008-04-22T13:31:00.006-06:00

After three years of patiently waiting and praying, and then a subsequent three months in the hospital, this past Sunday my wife and I finally had the privilege and joy of dedicating our new baby girl to the Lord. What made this event all the more special was that Dr. Loren Stark, the previous pastor at this church, was able to be here to do the dedication for us. This was very appropriate, not only because I started out in ministry with him, but also because Loren and his wife had themselves adopted a son through, as it turns out, the same agency who "happened" to contact us about Emma.

Furthermore, as mentioned in the previous post, three years ago the Lord used a sermon by Dr. John Piper on adoption to convict/call us to pursue special needs adoption. Well, last week I was returning home from the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville KY and guess who "happened" to be on the same flight as I was... John Piper. As a result, I was able to personally thank him for his ministry and let him know about how that message in particular had played a significant role in leading us to adopting Emma.

Looking back, things have certainly come full circle. It has been amazing to see how our heavenly Father has been weaving all of these stories together for His glory. Unfortunately, this is something we often overlook or simply fail to consider. That in everything, both big and small, God is working to bring about His purpose/design in our lives. In fact, the sovereignty and providence of God are biblical truths that we desperately and daily need to take comfort and assurance from. Ravi Zacharias has recently written a book about this called The Grand Weaver. Here, in part, is a brief description of it from his website.

How differently would we live if we believed that every dimension of our lives--from the happy to the tragic to the mundane--were part of a beautiful and purposeful design in which no thread were wrongly woven?

As Christians, we believe that great events such as a death or a birth are guided by the hand of God. Yet we drift into feeling that our daily lives are the products of our own efforts. This book brims with penetrating stories and insights that show us otherwise. From a chance encounter in a ticket line to a beloved father's final word before dying, from a random phone call to a line in a Scripture reading, every detail of life is woven into its perfect place.

In other words, we do not live on a planet that came about by accident, or share in some coincidental experiences or meet each other in chance encounters. God is in absolute control of everything that happens in this world. So that along with comfort and assurance, this truth should also lead us to a profound sense of gratitude and trust.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)

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Why Adopt

2008-04-02T14:43:00.007-06:00

To begin with, in terms of an update, our newly adopted daughter, Emma, will be having surgery in the next couple days to install a pacemaker. We were obviously hoping this wouldn't be the case, but are thankful for the care she is receiving and ask, once again, for your prayers. The procedure itself is fairly simple and we should, Lord willing, be going home in about a week.

One of the question we are always asked when we tell people our story is why would we choose to adopted a baby with Down syndrome. I've written a bit about this in the past but have recently come across a video that points to what I believe is the most important reason. God really challenged us with the need to adopt three years ago when we listened to a sermon by Dr. John Piper. Here is a five minute video that sums it all up:

Romans 8:15 (ESV)
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

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On The Other Side of Surgery

2008-03-25T09:36:00.009-06:00

It has been quite the roller coaster ride of waiting and stress leading up to our three month old daughter's open heart surgery. Yet after a couple of cancellations due to a lack of space in the pediatric I.C.U., Emma finally had her much needed operation on Tuesday March 18th. Since then, the doctors in charge of her recovery have been very happy with her progress and it looks as though we may be headed home in a few days.

Looking back, now that we are on the other side of the surgery, I have been amazed to see how God has planned/used even our weeks of waiting in the hospital to connect us with certain people and different experiences. Furthermore, I am so grateful for all of the care Emma has received through the many nurses and doctors at the U of A hospital. It is truly an amazing medical resource that we have free and open access to here in Edmonton, something that most people in most other countries simply do not have.

This leads to a very important theological question that should be asked and that can be summed up in two very simple words. Why me? Why should my family have this kind of care and attention and not millions of others around the world? We certainly don't deserve it any more than the next family. In fact, if I were to stop and think about all of the different circumstances and blessings in my life, my upbringing, my schooling, my family and health, all of this, everything that I enjoy in this world and every single day that I'm given, they are all ultimately a result of God's providence and grace. What do I mean by this? In his article entitled "The Providence of God" Loraine Boettner explains it like this:

God determines when, where, and under what circumstances, each individual of our race shall be born, live, and die, whether it shall be male or female, white or black, wise or foolish. God is no less sovereign in the distribution of His favors. He does what He will with His own. To some He gives riches, to others honor, to others health, to others certain talents for music, oratory, art, finance, statesmanship, etc. Others are poor, unknown, born in dishonor, the victims of disease, and live lives of wretchedness. Some are placed in Christian lands where they receive all the benefits of the Gospel; others live and die in the darkness of heathenism. Some are brought through faith unto salvation; others are left to perish in unbelief. And to a very large extent these external things, which are not the result of individual choice, decide the person's life course and eternal destiny. Both Scripture and every day experience teach us that God gives to some what He withholds from others. If it be asked why He does this, or why he does not save all, the only available answer is found in the words of the Lord Jesus, 'Yea, Father, for so it was wellpleasing in thy sight.' Only the Scripture doctrine of the fall and redemption will give us any light on what we see about us.

It is to be remembered that those who receive these gifts, whether spiritual or temporal, receive them through pure grace, while in regard to the others God simply withholds those gifts which He was under no obligation to bestow. Nations, as well as individuals, are thus in the hands of God, who appoints the bounds of their habitation, and controls their destiny.He controls them as absolutely as a man controls a rod or a staff. They are in His hands, and He employs them to accomplish His purposes. He breaks them in pieces as a potter's vessel, or He exalts them to greatness, according to His good pleasure. He gives peace and fruitful seasons, property and happiness, or He sends the desolations of war, famine, drought and pestilence. All of these things are of His disposing, and are designed for intelligent ends under His universal providence. God is no mere spectator of the universe He has made, but is everywhere present and active, the all-sustaining ground, and all-governing power of all that is.

The point is that we should never take things like our health, our family, the country we live in , the hospitals we have or even the food we eat for granted, they are all gifts of God's grace. In the end, we desperately need to be reminded of this truth, as a means of thankfulness, dependence and assurance. Everyday we are busy making our plans for things like surgery, and for our work, school and family, but it is God who sovereignly governs this universe we live in, not us. As it says in Proverbs 16:9 "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." And so not only do I thank God for blessing us with a beautiful baby girl but I also praise Him for all of the care and resources we have access to.

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