Thursday, May 26, 2011

ΙΧΘΥΣ [Ickthoos] = fish [Koine Greek]


"And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people" (Matthew 14.19 NIV).

Ἰησοῦς - Yae-sue (Jesus)
Χριστός - Chris-tos (Anointed One)
Θεοῦ - The-ou (God)
Υἱός - Hui-os (Son)
Σωτήρ - So-ter (Saviour)

Collin Hansen over at CT writes a great article on the origins of this symbol of Christian bumper stick fame.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Proud of Our Troops!


A salute to my brethren south of the border!

Home, home on the range . . .

During the safety briefing, the Range Officer looks over at me and my companion "so uh, anyone here ever shoot a gun before?" As I looked around, I knew 2 in the party were newbs . . . so I raised my hand. With a somewhat puzzled look, the RO carefully studied me to read whether or not I was telling the truth. "Yeah sure . . . you a cop? Is this a safety check on our facility?" After confirming his insecurities with another party who also thought he was correct the RO continued with his firearms safety demo with a smile "just in case, I will be extra thorough in my demo this afternoon."


Aside from admiring the Steyr .50 BMG (single shot, no mag - that would be the M1) sitting in the showroom, it was a great afternoon date with a great pair: a Glock 17 and a "Die Hard" Beretta 92FS. Checked out the new Roni pistol/carbine conversion for the Glock 17 (and 23) as well, click here for a great video review, go here for the Roni in action. Inventive and clever system for close quarters combat; not to mention $$$ saver.

The Work of the Trinity in Regeneration

*Regeneration is a sovereign work of God (Jn. 1:12-13; 3:3-8; Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3) a radical work or total transformation (Ezek. 36:26-27; 1 Jn. 3:9) not just an addition.

- The SOURCE of regeneration is Christ (1 Pet 1:3; Eph 1:3, 2:4, 4:24; 2 Cor 5:17)
- The AGENT of regeneration is the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:3-8; Titus 3:5)
- The INSTRUMENT of regeneration is the Word of God (Jas. 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23, 25) which precedes and causes faith (Jn 6:63-65, 1 Jn 5:1, Eph. 2:5)

(*credit to John Hendryx for the above mentioned)

What is regeneration?

In his book, Concise Theology, Dr. J.I. Packer writes the following under the heading, "REGENERATION THE CHRISTIAN IS BORN AGAIN."

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." JOHN 3:3

Regeneration is a New Testament concept that grew, it seems, out of a parabolic picture-phrase that Jesus used to show Nicodemus the inwardness and depth of the change that even religious Jews must undergo if they were ever to see and enter the kingdom of God, and so have eternal life (John 3:3-15). Jesus pictured the change as being "born again."

The concept is of God renovating the heart, the core of a person’s being, by implanting a new principle of desire, purpose, and action, a dispositional dynamic that finds expression in positive response to the gospel and its Christ. Jesus’ phrase "born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5) harks back to Ezekiel 36:25-27, where God is pictured as symbolically cleansing persons from sin’s pollution (by water) and bestowing a "new heart" by putting his Spirit within them. Because this is so explicit, Jesus chides Nicodemus, "Israel’s teacher," for not understanding how new birth happens (John 3:9-10). Jesus’ point throughout is that there is no exercise of faith in himself as the supernatural Savior, no repentance, and no true discipleship apart from this new birth.

Elsewhere John teaches that belief in the Incarnation and Atonement, with faith and love, holiness and righteousness, is the fruit and proof that one is born of God (1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4). It thus appears that as there is no conversion without new birth, so there is no new birth without conversion.

Though infant regeneration can be a reality when God so purposes (Luke 1:15, 41-44), the ordinary context of new birth is one of effectual calling—that is, confrontation with the gospel and illumination as to its truth and significance as a message from God to oneself. Regeneration is always the decisive element in effectual calling.

Regeneration is monergistic: that is, entirely the work of God the Holy Spirit. It raises the elect among the spiritually dead to new life in Christ (Eph. 2:1-10). Regeneration is a transition from spiritual death to spiritual life, and conscious, intentional, active faith in Christ is its immediate fruit, not its immediate cause. Regeneration is the work of what Augustine called "prevenient" grace, the grace that precedes our outgoings of heart toward God.

Thank you Dr. Packer!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Quoting Myself

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Jesus of Nazareth, cf. Matthew 5.10)

"There is a difference between being persecuted for being ignorant versus being persecuted for righteousness." (JP circa. early 2000s)

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Spec-OPS Cooperate in N. Africa



Where is the UK (SAS) and France (Legion) in all this? Their operators are specifically skilled and familiar with the people and terrain.

For the record, my thoughts on Bin Laden's death are echoed and in full agreement with Dr. Mohler. I believe his thoughts reflect quite clearly my views on the situation.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Being Satisfied With Nothing Else


"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days" (Psalm 90.14).

What does "being satisfied by God's love" look like for those who profess to be followers of Jesus? Aren't we a culture satisfied by practices, methods, approaches, value systems, ideology and brands? A quick search on Amazon reveals the different types of Christianity that one could subscribe to . . . the different types of church or non-churches . . . types of eschatology . . . missional approaches . . . theologizing . . . central or decentralized leadership . . .

What does "being satisfied by God's love" look like for those who profess that Jesus is Lord and Savior of their lives?

Thursday, May 05, 2011

What's wrong with a little harmless idealism?



Since the world just received news of Bin Laden's untimely death ~ and witnessed the idealist response of an idealistic presidential administration. It is poetic and providentially-enriching to reflect upon the principles that caused the world's most wanted man to deviate from orthodoxy.

According to Eric Marrapodi's evaluation, Bin Laden was just another religious, idealistic, radical liberal in his own right. In his editorial entitled, "Bin Laden's Theology a Radical Break with traditional Islam" Marrapodi suggests that the core of what Bin Laden taught or ranted about was NOT Islamic orthodoxy - in fact, according to this CNN Blog Co-Editor, he was a down right, old fashion apostate. Bin Laden was just another liberal who fulfilled his liberal mandate of utopian pipe dreams and fantasy. Another guy who stepped away from orthodoxy and made his beliefs the law.

Apparently, when one no longer abides by their team's Holy Writ, and for example - adds spice with external sources and "good ideas" - they can potentially fall away from their team's perspective of truth and become just another infidel. In my circles we call this the inerrancy debate - substituting the advanced human brain for the infinite wisdom of a Holy God. Ironic? Think Emergent, Classical Liberalism & Radical Extremism. Try nailing jello to the wall for more luck. No accountability, no tracks to run on, no real dialogue and definately no acceptance. Not much different from each other.

Oh and by the way, did anyone else note the tab that this guy cost us? $2.5 trillion according to CNN. Yes, let's allow the idealists to shoot their mouths off now because our present inaction will increase in value when they bomb and shoot us later . . . and go on to destroy our economy of community and orthodoxy. Yes, let's respond to the "do gooders" with more useless idealistic stupidity . . . and hope that as we embrace the rhythms of contemplative spirituality something like a rainbow will pop out of some donkey's . . .

Osama said he would bring down capitalism while others have said they would bring down the North American evangelical movement. Similar principals? Oh yeah, you bet your momma's car on that! Everything starts somewhere . . . everything will come to an end . . . everything has a cost . . . everything draws us close to God or away. To choose to do nothing is a choice in itself.