Voice of the Sheep

I would not be just a nuffin’
My head all full of stuffin’
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry
Life would be a ding-a-derry
If I only had a brain…

To answer this question concerning natural ability and salvation, we must first define what is meant by natural ability. Covenant of Grace Church in MO says this on its website, “Jonathan Edwards made a distinction that is helpful in thinking about this issue. He distinguished between natural ability and moral ability. God provides certain natural abilities to members of his creation. For example, he provides the birds with the ability to fly. Fish have the ability to live under water and extract oxygen from the water through their gills. God provides the fish with fins and gills and the birds with feathers and wings. Human beings do not naturally have that equipment. Human beings, however, are given the natural ability to make choices. God gave people minds that can receive and analyze information. Man’s corruption in sin does not strip from him the ability to choose what he wants. In the fall, however, man did lose his desire for God and his inclination toward the good. In this regard, a person can intellectually understand the law of God and its obligations and he can understand the content of the gospel. The unregenerate person, however, does not want to obey God or to come to Christ. He could choose Christ and the things of God if he wanted them, but he has no desire for them. This is where Edwards makes the distinction between natural and moral ability. Man has the natural ability to choose God, but he does not have the moral ability to do it.”

John Calvin writes in his Institutes (2.2.17), “We see among all mankind that reason is proper to our nature; it distinguishes us from brute beasts, just as they by possessing feeling differ from inanimate things.”

R.C. Sproul says on p.60 of Chosen by God, “The will is a natural ability given to us by God. We have all the natural faculties necessary to make choices. We have a mind and we have a will. We have a natural ability to choose what we desire.” He goes on to ask the question, ‘What, then is our problem?”, and then proceeds to talk about the fallen, dead condition of man’s heart as being the reason why he cannot come to God.

So, what exactly is the issue with respect to whether or not natural ability is required for salvation? And what do I mean when I say that man has the natural ability to choose God? Well, it really is quite simple. Are you ready for the answer? Do you have pen and paper ready to take copious notes? Here goes…

Saying that man possesses the natural ability to choose God is simply stating that man has a brain (and yes, that natural ability is itself a gift from God). That’s it. That’s all there is to it. Even fallen man possesses the natural, cognitive, physical ability to choose what he wants, including God. The problem lies within the reality that he doesn’t want to choose God, and in fact cannot choose God and cannot come to Christ unless the Father draws him; not because he lacks a brain, but because his heart is wicked above all things, and because there is none righteous, and none who choose God, not even one.

It is interesting to note that BOTH the Westminster and 1689 Baptist Confessions agree with this position by having provisions in their sections on effectual calling that address those individuals who do not (or never do reach a point where they will) possess the natural ability to choose God. Both confessions state the following:

Elect infants, dying in infancy, are regenerated, and saved by Christ, through the Spirit, who works when, and where, and how He pleases: so also are all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.

NOTE: Please don’t hear what I am NOT saying. I have not said, nor do I believe, that man is capable of coming to God prior to regeneration, as some have accused me of. I think if you read some of my other posts on faith and being born again, you will see what I believe concerning God’s monergistic work of saving His elect.

If I was really deep in my theological musings, this post would probably be quite long and academic in the way it handles this subject. Thankfully, though, I’m just an amateur, so I will be shooting from the hip, as usual.

You may be wondering what I mean by describing seeker-sensitive worship as being equated with legalism. In fact, the first thoughts of many who ponder what usually goes on in a seeker-sensitive service will probably conclude (at least initially) that what goes on in that type of worship service is the opposite of legalism, because the mindset behind them is often one of doing anything that will draw people in to hear the gospel is fair game and not to be prohibited. Most would probably say that legalism is defined as a strict, literal adherence to the law or to a particular code (in fact, this is word for word from many online dictionaries for the word ‘legalism’). Most would probably say that seeker-sensitive churches obviously do not follow a strict, legal adherence to a law or code, and therefore cannot be legalistic in their worship.

Surprisingly to many, though, this is not what is meant by the proper use of the term when it relates to legalism in the worship of God. Legalism, plainly defined, is adding to God’s Word. It is requiring something of people that God Himself does not require. Put another way, it is going beyond what is written. Put another way, it is also what is known as the Normative Principle of Worship, which says that anything is fair game in worship as long as it has not been directly prohibited by God. Compare this with the Regulative Principle of Worship, which basically states that worship is to be governed by what God has commanded, not by what He has not prohibited (put another way: what is commanded by God is right, what is not commanded by God is wrong). It’s like when a church requires something of a member that God Himself does not require (like not drinking in order to be a deacon or elder, for example). It is adding to God’s Word. It is legalism.

What are some things that a seeker-sensitive church will do on any given Sunday during its ‘worship’ service? Movie clips, video montages, dramas, skits, lavish props on stage, rock concerts that pretend to act as worship music, driving motorcycles up on stage to make a point, anecdotal sermonettes rather than expository preaching, altar calls, little or no prayer, Lord’s Supper observed once a quarter (if that) just to remain ‘orthodox’, holding raffles for free gas, Nintendo Wii’s and anything else that might bring someone in the door, preachers dressed up like clowns or easter bunnies, and the list could go on and on, I’m sure.

These are the practices that you can find on any given Sunday in any given seeker-sensitive church that has the mindset, “If God hasn’t forbidden it and it draws someone in, then it is good to do”. These are the practices of thousands of churches across this country who have the best of intentions, but who are, sadly, steeped in legalism. They have added to God’s Word. They are requiring of those who would worship there to be subjected to a myriad of things which God has not commanded to be done when He is worshiped. That, quite simply, is legalism at its worst.

Now, compare the practice of seeker-sensitive churches who are happy to do and try anything new under the sun in their worship with those who seek and strive to worship God only as He has commanded Himself to be worshiped. Compare the tactics above to churches which, in their worship, only do those things which they see from Scripture: Reading the Bible (not just a verse or two before launching into a how-to lecture), Singing the Bible (songs, hymns & spiritual songs), Praying the Bible, Preaching the Bible (letting the point of the passage be the point of the message), and Seeing the Bible (regular observance of Baptism & Lord’s Supper).

Many would choose the second example of churches as the ones that are being legalistic because they are restricting - or regulating - what takes place during worship. They would see the first example of churches as being resourceful and creative with the gospel. Sadly, though, the first group of churches (the seeker-sensitive group) is steeped in legalism because they are the ones who have added (or gone beyond) what is written in God’s Word, while the second group of churches is actually quite freed up in its worship of God because they are worshiping as God wants to be worshiped, and not as man thinks worship ought to be.

I’d be interested in your thoughts on this.

This was the girl being presented at the revival…

This was Bentley being briefed prior to the night the girl was to be presented up on stage…

Comments from Dan Phillips on this so-called Florida Revival…

So now, HSAT, here is what I think about “The Florida Revival,” going in:

1. Believing in the sovereignty of God and having read (and believed!) Acts 2, I know that it is at best extraordinarily unlike that it will manifest any revelatory or attesting gifts that have not been in regular evidence among Bible-believing Christians over the last 2000 years (1 Corinthians 12:11) — which is to say, not any. For that reason…
2. I know that any claims to revelatory or attesting gifts will likely fall short of Biblical standards. This really, really matters to God (Deuteronomy 13:1-11; 18:20-22), so it should really, really matter to me. Specifically:
3. I know that if the majority of unbelievers aren’t, without any massaging or special sauce from the “revival’s” advocates, goggling in slack-jawed and clueless astonishment at undeniably supernatural events, and desperately scrambling for explanations, any claimed miracles are nothing like real miracles (cf. John 11:47-48; Acts 3:9-10; 4:16).
4. I know that if it doesn’t center on and exalt the person and work of Jesus Christ, it’s not Holy Spirit-breathed revival (John 16:14; Colossians 1:18).
5. I know that if it wasn’t produced by the preaching of the Word of God, it’s not Holy Spirit-breathed revival (Nehemiah 9).
6. I know that if it doesn’t produce greater conformity to the written word of God, it’s not Holy Spirit-breathed revival (Psalm 138:2; Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:31-32; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
7. I know that if it doesn’t produce holy living, which includes adorning behavior and specifically self-control, it isn’t Holy Spirit-breathed revival (Galatians 5:22-23).
8. I know that if the leaders of it aren’t men well-known for embodying/pursuing the pastoral traits of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9, and specifically for being in subjection to, and for soundly teaching, the whole Word of God, it’s unlikely to be a Holy Spirit-breathed revival.

PERSONAL NOTE: I (Brian) just watched another bit from one of the other videos of this Bentley guy who is leading this “revival”, and he said, “I’ve only preached three, maybe four times in three weeks.” What does that say to Phillips’ comment #5 above about whether or not this movement is the result of the preaching of the word of God?

Lightning bolts appear above and around the Chaiten volcano as seen from Chana, some 30 kms (19 miles) north of the volcano, as it began its first eruption in thousands of years, in southern Chile May 2, 2008. Cases of electrical storms breaking out directly above erupting volcanos are well documented, although scientists differ on what causes them. Picture taken May 2, 2008.

While watching the news the other night with my wife, a teaser came on for a news piece about some group that was giving away free gas somewhere here locally. Later in the broadcast, a reporter on location stood beside a big sign which advertised free gasoline and gave a phone number to call. He then proceeded to call the number, and was met with a voicemail informing him that in order to have a chance for the free gasoline (one of two $500 gas cards), he would have to attend a revival at a local mega-church here in Georgia. To mine, my wife’s and ultimately my parents’ dismay, we came to find out as we watched the rest of the story that it was my parent’s church which was sponsoring the gimmick to draw people in for a revival which began yesterday.

But the gas cards are just the beginning (actually the grand finale). Tonight they are giving away a free Nintendo Wii, tomorrow night it will be either an iTouch or a car, followed by the drawing on Wednesday night for the two gas cards. To make matters even worse, the church seems quite proud that they were highlighted on TV about this promotion, as they even provide a link to the article and video of the news piece directly from their site. I watched it live and then again before typing this post, and I must say it does not put them in the best of light, especially as a supposed local assembly of the body of Christ. Somehow, I just can’t quite picture our Lord and Savior being real thrilled about this bait and switch tactic. It’s bad enough (not to mention illegal) when a retail store advertises a name-brand computer at rock-bottom prices, only to arrive and find the only thing they actually have is an off-brand system that’s wasn’t worth the time to drive there, but for a church to play this mockery with the gospel, no less…my gut reaction tells me that if this is not an abomination, then I don’t know if anything is.

Why do we have so little faith in the evangel? Why do have even less faith in the only sovereign Lord of the universe? God have mercy on us for trivializing the once-for-all sacrifice of His only Son, and have greater mercy for the outright denial of the words of Christ that He would build His church. And I guarantee you right here and now (because His Word declares it) that it can and will be done without petty tricks and silly gimmicks as these.

We look foolish enough to the world as it is without having to deal with this kind of bargain basement peddling of the Savior.

NOTE: I do think it is only fair to point out that there are many who attend this particular church (including members, teachers and even some on staff) who are quite unhappy with these gimmicks to promote this revival.

Reader, if God has given you His only begotten Son, beware of doubting His kindness and love, in any painful providence of your daily life! Never allow yourself to think hard thoughts of God. Never suppose that He can give you anything which is not really for your good. Remember the words of Paul: “He who spared not His own Son—but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things” (Romans 8:32)

See in every sorrow and trouble of your earthly pilgrimage—the hand of Him who gave Christ to die for your sins! That hand can never smite you—except in love! He who gave His only begotten Son for you, will never withhold anything from you which is really for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in the darkest hour of trial, “This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well.”

J.C. Ryle (Do You Believe?)

Question 25: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

Answer: The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever.

Scripture: Galatians 3:13; 1 Timothy 2:5; 3:16; John 1:14; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9.

from A Baptist Catechism

Les Prouty, whose engaging AND gracious comments you may have seen on this site in the last few days (yes my friends, it is possible to actually have a discussion without accusing your opponent of being everything short of the anti-christ!), asked me a few short questions on his site concerning my beliefs revolving around baptism. They were good questions, and I thought you might benefit from the questions AND my answers. Here they are:

1. Are Baptist church members, who have been baptized after profession of faith, are these folks part of the new covenant?

ANSWER: Only if they have truly been regenerated, which means they have had God’s law written upon their hearts and minds, they know God, and they have had their iniquity forgiven and their sin remembered no more. If they have not been regenerated, but have been baptized, then they are merely part of the visible church, but NOT part of the new covenant, as Scripture clearly describes the state of those who are in the new covenant as possessing those things I mentioned earlier in this answer.

2. Are there people sitting in Baptist churches, having been baptized after their profession of faith who are nonetheless not truly regenerate?

ANSWER: Most definitely, and most sadly, yes.

3. Have baptized Baptists ever apostasized?

ANSWER: Yes, they have. Apostasy is a falling away, or a turning away…the formal abandonment or renunciation of one’s religion. A baptized baptist who later in life renounces that faith has, in fact, turned away from his profession. That’s what apostasy is. This is why a baptized infant who never professes faith cannot be an apostate, because they never claimed faith in the first place.

I also had this comment: “I think the major distinction between our positions is that Paedos equate those in the new covenant with the visible church, and Credos equate those in the new covenant with the body of Christ.”

Let me know what you think.

Within the following paragraph are the names of thirty of the books of the Bible. See if you can find them. I know they are there, because I did the exercise this morning.

There are 30 books of the Bible in this paragraph. Can you find them?
This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an
airplane seat pocket on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu keeping
him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much he passed it on to some
friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his
john boat. Another friend studied it while playing the banjo. Elaine Taylor,
a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly
newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving the puzzle
so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some
names that are really easy to spot. That’s a fact. Some people, however,
will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are
not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced
to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the
worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the
difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent
fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi
lemonade booth set a new sales record. The local paper, The Chronicle,
surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the
most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Hummana humbly puts it,
“the books are all right there in plain view hidden from sight.”
Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who
have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like
Timothy and Samuel may occur without there numbers. Also, keep in
mind, that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper
attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know
the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus, there really
are 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to
be found.

Some thoughts from Thomas Watson concerning the subject of our speech with one another…

A gracious person does not have religion only in his heart, but also on his tongue…’Tis the fault of Christians that they do not in company provoke themselves to set good discourse on foot; it is a sinful modesty…In worldly things their tongue is as the pen of a ready writer, but in matters of religion, it is as if their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. As we must answer to God for idle words, so also for sinful silence.

The world is a great inn; we are guests in this inn. When travelers meet in their inn, they do not spend all their time speaking about the inn; they are to lodge there but a few hours, and are gone. But they speak of their home, and the country where they are traveling. So when we meet together, we should not be talking only about the world; but we should talk of our heavenly country.

The discourse demonstrates what the heart is. As the mirror shows what the face is, whether it is fair or foul, so thy words show what the heart is.

A good life adorns religion; good discourse propagates it.

When men entertain bad discourse, Satan draws near and makes himself one of the company; but when they have a holy and gracious conference, Jesus Christ draws near - and wherever He comes, He brings a blessing along with Him.

from Heaven Taken By Storm