A rainbow appeared over Tohoku on the 9-year anniversary of the Mar 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant disasters. (2 Cor. 12.9) #tohoku311
Photo credit: NHK Japan
Tag Archive: grace
Much has been debated recently regarding Singapore’s Penal Code, in particular Section 377A, following the recent decision by the Indian Supreme Court to rule in favour of decriminalising homosexuality. Several individuals (including prominent public figures) and groups have weighed in on both sides in print and online media platforms, and some have even been aggressively garnering support for online petitions either to support or repeal. What follows is a personal reflection on this pertinent and controversial topic, and by no means reflects our church’s official position. The intention here is also not to debate on a theological level, as if to prove or defend my position on 377A or homosexuality. Instead, my hope is that it will encourage reflection of our own personal response, suggesting a more balanced approach towards this and related issues.
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It was truly an honour and privilege to sit at the feet of Bryan Chapell these past 2 days at the PT Expository Preaching conference. I was expecting more discussion or focus on differences and challenges regarding handling passages dealing with law and/or grace, and how to balance our preaching not to be legalistic nor hypergraced.
Yet in the end, Bryan shared mostly from the perspective of the importance, value and place of Application in preaching, and also connecting, integrating his Christ-centered approach with the gospel of grace. It was indeed refreshing, aptly timely in my own life and ministry, and at the same time insightful, reflective and challenging.
I managed to catch a short chat with him towards the end of the conference. At the risk of coming across like a fanboy, I managed to get advice, suggestions from him regarding D.Min and Ph.D programs which support distance learning or intensive classes for international students, particularly from a Reformed perspective, and geared more towards pastoral or practical theology. Though he used to teach at Covenant, he actually recommended Knox, which currently he is on faculty amongst others. I also got the privilege of getting him to sign my Christ-centered Preaching book which we used during SBC homiletics days.
A beautifully written reflection by one of my core youth leaders on the grace of God.
Hebrews 10:26-31
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
It’s sad how today, so many people today call themselves Christians when they’re actions obviously show otherwise. GRACE GRACE GRACE. That’s what they tell themselves, as if Jesus’ blood on the cross and the grace he showed is an excuse for them to live anyway they want. We have severely cheapened God’s grace. And what does Hebrews tell us about that? If the people were so severely punished for rejecting Moses’ law, how much worse do you think they will be punished for cheapening the blood of Jesus.
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http://perichorus.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/lose-that-you-may-find/
perichorus discusses 10 areas or paradoxes that the Bible talks about, mainly on wealth, success-themed gospel and concept of grace.
- Reflections on money, sex and power
- The light side of wealth
- The dark side of wealth
- The paradox of wealth
- The snare of wealth
- Embracing the “riches to rags” story of Jesus Christ
- Finding through losing
- Weaknesses of the success-themed gospel
- Contrasts between cheap and costly grace
- The river of God’s grace
Read the full article here.
Thesis One: Sola Scriptura
We reaffirm the inerrant Scripture to be the sole source of written divine revelation,which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.
We deny that any creed, council or individual may bind a Christian’s conscience, that the Holy Spirit speaks independently of or contrary to what is set forth in the Bible, or that personal spiritual experience can ever be a vehicle of revelation.
Thesis Two: Solus Christus
We reaffirm that our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.
We deny that the gospel is preached if Christ’s substitutionary work is not declared and faith in Christ and his work is not solicited.
Thesis Three: Sola Gratia
We reaffirm that in salvation we are rescued from God’s wrath by his grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.
We deny that salvation is in any sense a human work. Human methods, techniques or strategies by themselves cannot accomplish this transformation. Faith is not produced by our unregenerated human nature.
Thesis Four: Sola Fide
We reaffirm that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God’s perfect justice.
We deny that justification rests on any merit to be found in us, or upon the grounds of an infusion of Christ’s righteousness in us, or that an institution claiming to be a church that denies or condemns sola fide can be recognized as a legitimate church.
Thesis Five: Soli Deo Gloria
We reaffirm that because salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God’s glory and that we must glorify him always. We must live our entire lives before the face of God, under the authority of God and for his glory alone.
We deny that we can properly glorify God if our worship is confused with entertainment, if we neglect either Law or Gospel in our preaching, or if self-improvement, self-esteem or self-fulfillment are allowed to become alternatives to the gospel.
See the full “Cambridge Declaration of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals” here. http://alliancenet.org/CC_Content_Page/0,,PTID307086CHID581262CIID,00.html
Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
http://www.alliancenet.org/
Skillful Shepherds 