Heart Soul and Might

In this mp3 from the 2004 Reformission Conference, John Piper exhorts believers to glorify God by being satisfied in God. We learn in this audio, that by uprooting the sin that leads to false worldly satisfaction, and turning to the truth of the Lord, we will find the only real satisfaction in this life. As we love God with all our being he will be most satisfied in us because we seek the ultimate satisfaction in him. Loving God includes his attributes, that in contrast, open theism tries to ignore. Whatever undermines the truth and glory of God will undermine our joy in this life. Undermining the truth will also undermine all areas of life and ministry. Open theism distorts God’s truth and is a cancer in the evangelical world today. The practicalities in life and interpretation of scripture are a very slippery slope. The charge is to be aware of open theism and confront it.

Click here to download the audio track…

HT: Resurgence 

“Theology without trusting, submissive prayer is no longer good theology; it is merely an academic exercise which may itself pose as a substitute for the process of knowing God. Where this happens, the means has become the end in a kind of perverse idolatry.”

David Wells, “The Nature and Function of Theology”

HT: Between Two Worlds (Justin Taylor)

“Nothing is more important to your marriage than your theology (what you believe about God), and nothing is more important to your theology and hence your marriage) than the gospel.”

“When we grasp the depth of God’s love for us revealed in the gospel, when we rest in the joy of God’s forgiveness toward us in the gospel, when we experience God’s transforming power in us through the gospel, and when we begin to emulate the pattern of humility and obedience we see in the gospel, what a wonderful difference this will make in our lives and marriages! Nothing is more essential to a marriage, and nothing brings more hope, than applying the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Gary and Betsy Ricucci, Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace , pp. 21, 23

HT: Between Two Worlds (Justin Taylor)

Mark Dever posts a great article on Christianity Today here, unpacking the cross and Christ’s work of atonement in a wonderful way. He addresses opponents of the cross and provides sound ways to refute arguments against a correct theology of the atonement. It’s a great read.

Another great post on Together for the Gospel blog by Mark Dever. Taking a page from Martin Luther, he writes this:

“I have no use for cranks who despise music,
because it is a gift of God.
Music drives away the Devil and makes people gay;
they forget thereby all wrath, unchastity, arrogance, and the like.
Next after theology,
I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor.”

Martin Luther. (Quoted by Martin Marty, Martin Luther, p. 114.)

Continuing my March celebration of Martin Luther, aren’t his words about music here true?

After theology.

I love the spirit behind this quote. Music has a way of touching the affections that most other means don’t. As we often say, worship isn’t about music. It’s about God. It’s about combining truth with a multitude of means to bring ultimate glory to God and reflect all praise to Him. That said, there IS something special about the gift of music - and it is a gift from God. There are moments - and I’m sure most of us can remember one or two or more - where it is as if we’ve touched the face of God through music. What a truly incredible gift from the hand of the Father. Music isn’t worship. But music definitely is a means by which we are able to elevate our thoughts to the Father and express heartfelt adoration and praise in a way like no other.

After theology, of course.

(HT: Together For the Gospel)

If you’re like me, you like to know what others are reading, or have read. Reid Monaghan (Power of Change) provides a great resource on his blog and actually recently posted a reading list that you should check out. Reid is an apologist and is well read in the areas of apologetics, philosophy, church history, theology, discipleship, etc.