Navigating Faith: Insights on Theology and Prayer

 

Summary

In this engaging session, I had the privilege of addressing a variety of questions from a diverse audience, touching on theological nuances, personal anecdotes, and practical Christian living. We began with a light-hearted inquiry about my golfing experiences, which set a warm and friendly tone for the discussion. As we delved into more profound topics, I shared my stance on Preterism, affirming my position as a partial preterist, which acknowledges the fulfillment of much of the Olivet Discourse in 70 AD while still anticipating Christ's future return.

We explored the concept of new theological insights, emphasizing the importance of caution and discernment when encountering purportedly new truths, especially after centuries of rigorous scriptural examination. The discussion on prayer highlighted the Trinitarian nature of our worship, where each person of the Godhead plays a distinct role in our communication with the divine.

The complexity of God's will was another focal point, where I explained the different aspects of His will, such as the decretive, preceptive, and will of desire, and how these manifest in Scripture. This led to a conversation about the depth of faith and understanding required to navigate life's challenges, as illustrated by a reference to "Pilgrim's Progress."

Theonomy and its implications for modern Christians were discussed, highlighting the movement's emphasis on the Old Testament law's relevance today. We also tackled contemporary issues like the church's response to homosexuality, advocating for a balance of truth and love without compromising biblical standards.

The session concluded with reflections on the importance of deep scriptural engagement for young theologians, the significance of the Sabbath, and the enduring value of classic Christian literature. Throughout, the emphasis was on grounding our faith in Scripture and historical orthodoxy while engaging thoughtfully with the world around us.

Key Takeaways:

- The Importance of Discernment in New Theological Insights: In a world where new interpretations of Scripture frequently arise, it is crucial to approach them with caution. After 2000 years of scholarly examination, truly new insights are rare, and we must be wary of accepting them without thorough scrutiny. This discernment helps maintain the integrity of our faith. [03:45]

- Understanding the Trinitarian Nature of Prayer: Our prayers are inherently Trinitarian, involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity plays a unique role, with Christ interceding for us and the Holy Spirit assisting in articulating our prayers. This understanding enriches our prayer life and deepens our relationship with God. [04:47]

- Navigating the Complexity of God's Will: God's will is multifaceted, encompassing His sovereign, preceptive, and will of desire. Recognizing these distinctions helps us understand how God's will operates in the world and in our lives, providing clarity and comfort in the face of life's uncertainties. [06:23]

- Balancing Truth and Love in Addressing Sin: When engaging with individuals involved in lifestyles contrary to biblical teachings, such as homosexuality, we must embody Christ's example of love and truth. This means showing compassion without condoning sin, maintaining the church's integrity while reaching out with genuine concern. [15:19]

- The Role of Classic Christian Literature in Spiritual Growth: Engaging with the works of historical theologians like Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin can profoundly impact our spiritual journey. These classics offer timeless wisdom and insights that challenge and encourage us to deepen our understanding of God and His Word. [48:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - Light-hearted Introduction
- [01:22] - Health and Well-being
- [01:58] - Preterism Explained
- [03:14] - New Theological Insights
- [04:47] - Trinitarian Prayer
- [05:33] - Understanding God's Will
- [10:10] - Depth of Faith in "Pilgrim's Progress"
- [11:21] - Theonomy and Old Testament Law
- [14:50] - Church's Response to Homosexuality
- [17:10] - Reformed vs. Dispensational Theology
- [20:09] - Significance of Biblical Names
- [22:25] - Arminianism and Salvation
- [25:30] - Supporting the Persecuted Church
- [30:31] - Advice for Young Theologians
- [35:10] - Street Preaching Guidance
- [41:07] - Worship: Mind and Emotion Balance
- [45:03] - Observing the Sabbath
- [48:11] - Value of Classic Christian Literature

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 24:1-35 (Olivet Discourse)
2. 1 Timothy 2:5 (Trinitarian Prayer)
3. 2 Peter 3:9 (God's Will)

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of the Olivet Discourse in relation to Preterism, and how does it relate to the events of 70 AD? [02:29]
2. How does Dr. Sproul describe the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in prayer? [04:47]
3. What are the different aspects of God's will as explained by Dr. Sproul, and how do they manifest in Scripture? [06:23]
4. How does Dr. Sproul suggest Christians should balance truth and love when addressing sin, particularly in the context of homosexuality? [15:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding the fulfillment of much of the Olivet Discourse in 70 AD impact a Christian's view of eschatology and the future return of Christ? [02:29]
2. In what ways does recognizing the Trinitarian nature of prayer enhance a believer's relationship with God? [04:47]
3. How can distinguishing between God's sovereign, preceptive, and will of desire provide clarity and comfort in navigating life's uncertainties? [06:23]
4. What are the potential challenges and benefits of engaging with classic Christian literature for spiritual growth? [48:11]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a new theological insight. How did you discern its validity, and what steps can you take to ensure you maintain the integrity of your faith? [03:14]
2. Consider your current prayer life. How can you incorporate a deeper understanding of the Trinitarian nature of prayer to enrich your communication with God? [04:47]
3. Think about a situation where you struggled to understand God's will. How can the distinctions between His different wills help you find peace and direction in similar situations? [06:23]
4. When engaging with individuals whose lifestyles differ from biblical teachings, how can you embody Christ's example of love and truth without compromising your beliefs? [15:19]
5. Identify a piece of classic Christian literature you haven't read yet. How can you incorporate it into your study routine to deepen your understanding of God and His Word? [48:11]
6. Reflect on your church's approach to contemporary issues. How can you contribute to a balanced response that upholds biblical standards while showing genuine concern for others? [15:19]
7. How can you encourage young theologians or believers in your community to engage deeply with Scripture and historical orthodoxy? [30:49]

Devotional

Day 1: Discernment in Theological Insights
In a world where new interpretations of Scripture frequently arise, it is crucial to approach them with caution. After 2000 years of scholarly examination, truly new insights are rare, and we must be wary of accepting them without thorough scrutiny. This discernment helps maintain the integrity of our faith. The importance of discernment in theological insights cannot be overstated. It requires a deep understanding of Scripture and a commitment to historical orthodoxy. By grounding our beliefs in the rich tradition of Christian thought, we can navigate new ideas with wisdom and clarity. [03:45]

"But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, ESV)

Reflection: What is a recent theological insight or teaching you've encountered that you need to examine more closely? How can you apply discernment to evaluate its alignment with Scripture and historical Christian beliefs?


Day 2: The Trinitarian Nature of Prayer
Our prayers are inherently Trinitarian, involving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity plays a unique role, with Christ interceding for us and the Holy Spirit assisting in articulating our prayers. This understanding enriches our prayer life and deepens our relationship with God. Recognizing the distinct roles of the Trinity in prayer can transform how we communicate with God. It invites us to engage with each person of the Godhead, acknowledging their unique contributions to our spiritual journey. This Trinitarian perspective fosters a more profound and holistic prayer experience. [04:47]

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate the understanding of the Trinity into your daily prayer life? What difference might it make in your relationship with God?


Day 3: Understanding the Complexity of God's Will
God's will is multifaceted, encompassing His sovereign, preceptive, and will of desire. Recognizing these distinctions helps us understand how God's will operates in the world and in our lives, providing clarity and comfort in the face of life's uncertainties. By exploring the different aspects of God's will, we gain insight into His divine plan and purpose. This understanding allows us to trust in His sovereignty while actively seeking to align our lives with His precepts and desires. It is a journey of faith and obedience. [06:23]

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." (Deuteronomy 29:29, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to understand God's will? How can you seek clarity and comfort by exploring the different aspects of His will?


Day 4: Balancing Truth and Love in Addressing Sin
When engaging with individuals involved in lifestyles contrary to biblical teachings, such as homosexuality, we must embody Christ's example of love and truth. This means showing compassion without condoning sin, maintaining the church's integrity while reaching out with genuine concern. Balancing truth and love requires wisdom and grace. It challenges us to uphold biblical standards while extending Christ's love to those around us. This approach fosters authentic relationships and opens doors for meaningful conversations about faith and transformation. [15:19]

"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." (Ephesians 4:15, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience both truth and love from you? How can you intentionally embody Christ's example in your interactions with them today?


Day 5: The Role of Classic Christian Literature in Spiritual Growth
Engaging with the works of historical theologians like Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin can profoundly impact our spiritual journey. These classics offer timeless wisdom and insights that challenge and encourage us to deepen our understanding of God and His Word. The role of classic Christian literature in spiritual growth is invaluable. It connects us with the rich heritage of faith and provides a foundation for theological reflection. By immersing ourselves in these writings, we gain new perspectives and are inspired to pursue a deeper relationship with God. [48:11]

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)

Reflection: What classic Christian book or author have you been meaning to explore? How can you incorporate their teachings into your spiritual growth journey this week?

Quotes


Dr. Sproul: Well, if new truth means new discoveries from Scripture, then they usually are heretical. It's not that we don't discover new things in the scientific enterprise every day as we explore creation. I think what Steve had in mind was new insights to Scripture like the new perspective on Paul and that sort of thing. [00:03:16]

Dr. Sproul: After 2000 years of the most careful and rigorous examination of Scripture by the world's best minds, it's highly unlikely that anything new is going to come forward that wasn't already discovered at some point in the past. And so it's a question that if somebody comes up with what's considered a new insight, we need to be very careful before we swallow it hook line and sinker. [00:03:45]

Dr. Sproul: We pray—our worship and our prayers and all of the attending things are Trinitarian from beginning to end. Now, when we look at the function of the different members of the Godhead with respect to prayer, we see that the second person of the Trinity, Christ, intercedes for us as our great high priest. [00:04:47]

Dr. Sproul: But also, the Holy Spirit assists us in articulating our prayers to the Son who carries them to the Father. And so we make that distinction. But remember, we're distinguishing among persons, three persons of one being. And so all that we do in this case is fully Trinitarian. [00:05:08]

Dr. Sproul: When we talk about the will of God, it gets rather complicated because in the New Testament, there are two different distinctive Greek words, both of which are translated by the English word “will.” It would be nice to say that if you wanted to know which kind of the will of God the text was speaking of in a given a situation—we look in the Greek and we say, well, if it's one word, it's that meaning. [00:05:33]

Dr. Sproul: But from the context of Scripture, we do distinguish amongst several different words with respect to the will of God. For example, we speak of His sovereign efficacious will. And we define that as that will which comes to pass by necessity from the very force of God exercising that will. Sometimes we refer to that as the decretive will. [00:06:23]

Dr. Sproul: And so to be loving and kind and respectful to people who are involved in what the Bible not only considers sin, but rather gross and heinous sin, we are to express a loving concern for them, but not at the same time indicating approval. Now, you mentioned that you were a member of a mainline church, and there are mainline churches who have, in my judgment, stopped being churches on issues just like this because they will not exercise discipline in the event of gross and heinous sin. [00:15:19]

Dr. Sproul: And in my judgment, I would say that you need to get out of it if you're in a church like that. Now, let me back up and just say, just yesterday, I was reading Calvin again. And Calvin was talking about how we ought not to leave a local church or a denomination on insignificant grounds. It would have to be something of a gross and enormous transgression of biblical Christianity. But I think this is one of those. [00:15:49]

Dr. Sproul: Well, I would say the advice is very simple; get in the word and get deeper in the Word, and stay in the Word, and live in the Word, and then get back in the Word and get deeper in the Word. And that your whole sanctification will be based as Jesus' prayer indicated in John 17 on the Word of God, which is truth. [00:30:31]

Dr. Sproul: I have a tendency to gravitate towards the great classics of Christian literature to the works of Augustine, to the works of Aquinas, to the works of Calvin and Luther, Edwards, Turretin—those are the people I keep coming back to again and again and again, because I think they’re the best that the Lord has given us in the history of the church and I commend them to you as well. [00:48:11]

Dr. Sproul: And so the best preparation you can have for any vocation that God calls you to, or your whole life in general, for your family and everything else, is to get the mind of Christ. And that comes through a serious, serious, diligent study of His Word. [00:31:20]

Dr. Sproul: And so I have a great appreciation for them though I'm not counted as a member of their camp. [00:13:55]

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Transcript
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