Convert to the Church

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"In North America the invitation to become a Christian has become largely an invitation to convert to the church.  The assumption is that anyone serious about being a Christian will order their lives around the church schedule, channel their charitable giving through the church, and serve in some church ministry; in other words, serve the church and become a fervent marketer to bring others into the church to do the same.  In my denominational tradition I grew up with a telling euphemism used to describe when people became Christians: they 'joined the church.'  The reduction of Christianity to club membership can't be said better than that."

From The Present Future by Reggie McNeal, page 11.

Ecclesiastes

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I've started preaching through Ecclesiastes and expect to preach on it at least through Easter, maybe a few weeks more.  You can check out the commentaries and books I'm using on the left sidebar part way down.  Some are more helpful than others and I'm not "clicking" with any of them totally.  At least not yet.

Who wrote Ecclesiastes?  Ecclesiastes says it's "Qohelet" or the "assembler" probably pointing to 1 Kings 8 where Solomon gathers God's people at the Temple dedication.  It's a "Son of David" and a "King in Jerusalem" according to 1:1.  A lot of evidence points to Solomon, and most of the conservative, pastoral writers say it's Solomon.   

Many of the commentators say someone else borrowing the voice of Solomon.  I don't think we must say it's Solomonic since the writer of Ecclesiastes doesn't make that explicit claim, but I haven't read anyone who denies the fact that we are intended to have Solomon in mind.  And I wonder if Solomon would purposefully keep his name off the writing (though not his identity) because of how he lived his life as an idolater (1 Kings 11).

We need to keep our "solas" in place here and only demand what Scripture claims, but I don't see any problem with believing the writer is Solomon.  Sure there are internal reasons to wonder, like shifting from a "framers" perspective (Eccl 1:1-11, 12:8-14) to Qohelet's perspective.  But why must this mean dual authorship or the framing of someone else's writings?  As Peter Leithart writes on his blog about commentators who rejects Solomonic authorship: "The imagination of the commentator has not come near to reckoning with the imagination of the speaker."  In other words, it could very well be Solomon creatively writing for impact.  Why must we assume other authors/framers?

Solomon speaks much of life "under the sun."  To me it clearly points us to Genesis 3 where God is explaining what life is going to be like after the fall.  With Adam we hear there is going to be toil (hard work, even misery) and sweat.  Under the sun + toil = sweat.  Nice imagery in the linking of these writings. 

I think Ecclesiastes is about the best efforts of the best man with every privilege to make sense out of life under the sun (after the fall).  And last Sunday I told my people that the only hope we have "under the sun" is to know the One "beyond the sun."

IMB Policy Change on Baptism

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If you are in the SBC or are interested in keeping up with the discussion and disagreement on IMB policy changes, you need to be reading my other blog: Missional Baptist Blog.  Be sure to get into the comments as well.  We now have Hershael York posting to defend the changes, Ergun Caner giving him a "high five," and Tom Ascol pointing out that this policy tells our forefathers they weren't wet in the wight way.

MBB Posts...
Hershael York Likes the IMB Baptism Policy
Ergun Caner, IMB Policy
Ascol on York

Together for the Blog

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Can anyone deny that the Together for the Gospel blog has been a great addition to the blogosphere?  Well okay, I know some will try to deny it, but you are wrong.  I have been enjoying it and marveling at the fact that people I thought would never be blogging are putting up some swell offerings for us all to enjoy.  Take, this post by Al Mohler, or this one by Mark Dever, or this one by C.J. Mahaney, or this one by Lig Duncan as good examples.

It's GROUNDHOG DAY!

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Dsc_0054There aren't too many places to be on Groundhog Day, but I happen to live in one of them.  I'm in Woodstock, Illinois where the movie Groundhog Day was filmed (and yes, it was filmed almost completely in Woodstock).  We have all sorts of events in town around Groundhog Day, but of course the centerpiece is when Woodstock Willie emerges from his fake stump and pronounces his forecast for the duration of winter. 

Dsc_0074_2 Punxsutawney Phil, the more notable rodent, saw his shadow and predicted more winter.  But Woodstock Willie (who doesn't appear to have his own web presence) was more optimistic, to the delight of hundreds of onlookers this morning.  I had a nice chat with the glorified squirrel after the fact, and told him that he would be roadkill if he is just pulling our chain.  He assured me that his trick knee was in fact indicating the end of winter.  We'll see.

Here are some pictures I took of our Groundhog Day festivities with my daughter.

Driscoll's Apology and Question

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Mark Driscoll has now commented on Brian McLaren's post at Out of Ur...

Brian, as someone who has known you for many years I will, out of sincere and true love for you, ask one simple question and kindly request that you answer it.

Do you personally believe that all sexual activity between two persons of the same gender is always a sin?

I hope this question is simple, clear, and personal enough to result in an answer of either yes or no. Perhaps my attempt at some prophetic sarcasm which is commmon in Scripture was not well received. So, rather than repeating my tone I would like to simply ask your forgiveness if your have been wounded and get to the point of all this controversy. People like me who have known you, followed you, and learned from you for many years would simply like to know the bottom line for you personally with all of the other issues set aside for the time being. If you refuse to answer I am sure you can understand why accusations and concerns will be coming from both the right and the left and your answer will at least enable you to speak for yourself. So, with all respect would you please answer the question my brother?

(HT: KC)

Erwin McManus and Denominational Headway

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What do you think about Erwin McManus?  Just an open question for anyone who has read one of his books, heard him speak, been to his church (Mosaic).  I've appreciated his ministry and writings.

Baptist Press has an article today on McManus and a class he taught on leadership at GGBTS.  It's a nice introduction to him if you don't know much about him.  He will be preaching at the SBC Annual Meeting Pastor's Conference in June.

I really like McManus' approach to the SBC, in that he makes his noise with his church, his books, his speaking and it's a "building" mentality and not just tearing down.  It's all gospel and mission and zeal for Christ.

Desiring God Conf 2006

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Whoa mama!  I hereby declare 2006 the year of the mega-conference.  Together for the Gospel in Louisville, Reform & Resurge in Seattle, now...

Desiring God National Conference 2006

Theme: Above All Earthly Powers: The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World
Date: September 29 to October 1, 2006
Speakers: David Wells, D.A. Carson, Timothy Keller, Mark Driscoll, Voddie Baucham, John Piper

  • David Wells: "The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World"
  • D.A. Carson:  "The Supremacy of Christ and Love in a Postmodern World"
  • Timothy Keller: "The Supremacy of Christ and the Gospel in a Postmodern World"
  • Mark Driscoll: "The Supremacy of Christ and the Church in a Postmodern World"
  • Voddie Baucham: "The Supremacy of Christ and Truth in a Postmodern World"
  • John Piper: "The Supremacy of Christ and Joy in a Postmodern World"

(HT: JT)

McLaren Responds

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