"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."-Jim Elliot

My wife and I don't go see many movies (I may write on entertainment some day), but last night we made a date out of going to see "End of the Spear." The movie is a true story of five missionaries who went to the "Woadani" (wod-on-e) group of people in Ecuador. The five were all speared/macheted to death after the second day of their arrival and personal contact with the people. The movie is very powerful and it should move the American church to embrace suffering and shame in the name of and for the cause of Christ. I see it in my own life all too often, the fear of man. These five missionaries; Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Ed McCully, and Pete Fleming were simply obeying their Lord Jesus... And I say we should too.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

-Matthew 5:11-12

Strange words aren't they, "rejoice and be glad because of persecution and slander?"
Christ knew that:

For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison

-2 Corinthians 4:17

Christians, we have a treasure waiting for us in heaven and His name is Jesus Christ. O that we might risk the temporal to gain the eternal! Amen.

Isaiah 40 & Open Theism

I've been reading through a book titled "Beyond The Bounds: Open Theism and the Undermining of Biblical Christianity." It's a collection of writings from about twelve respected authors and ministers. Some of the more well known are Wayne Grudem, John Piper, and Mark R. Talbot. This is an excellent book. It has helped me in my understanding of and defense (and offense) against the "Openness" view of God.

Last night I was reading the chapter by Stephen J. Wellum. He shows how the "Openness" view destroys the doctrine of the inerrancy of Scripture. So necessarily, much of his chapter is an explanation of the "Openness" view. As I was reading through it I became somewhat overwhelmed and anxious (partially due to exhaustion) by the fact that this view of God is extremely logical. From a human point of view, it seems very logical that God cannot know a "non-existing" future human decision. I don't know the future decisions of even my wife, for how can I until she makes them. They don't exist. Isn't that the whole essence of having a choice (possibilities). So how can God know the future which is made up of free human decisions?

Well, I had to put the book down. I gave it a rest for a while and thought maybe I'd tackle the rest of it later in the evening. I haven't read the rest of the chapter yet, but God gave me a very clear answer and peace for my anxieties. Before I went to bed I decided I'd continue my journey through the Bible and read another chapter in Isaiah. I believe God had some providential mercy waiting on me. Isaiah 40 was my next read. It was so good to read such a God exalting chapter. Oh how high and lofty it describes our Lord. You'll have to read it for yourself, but I will say this:

To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?

Isaiah 40:18

We cannot ascribe to God, human limitations. For there is none who compares to Him. This was a great reminder to never bank on logic alone. Let us then search the Bible all the days of our lives considering the message of the whole.

One last thought concerning Open Theism. Past to present is easily measured, but past to the eternal future, never. Never say you found the limit of God's knowledge.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Psalm 147:5

Garbage In - Garbage Out

Today I was emailed my pastor's blog address and I enjoyed reading his posts. So I thought I might enjoy creating one for myself. I'll probably be writing to myself most of the time, but this will simply be my place to open the flood gates of my convictions, thoughts, and concerns. Whether much will flow out, I can't say. And if it will be of any value, I'm not making any promises. So here we go.