Upholding Orthodoxy: The Journey of Faith and Grace

 

Summary

In our discussion today, we delved into the critical issues facing evangelical seminaries and the broader Christian community. We began by addressing the threat of open theism, emphasizing the necessity for evangelical institutions to uphold orthodox biblical theism. The natural drift of institutions towards secular accommodation was highlighted, stressing the importance of confessionalism as a safeguard against theological compromise. This was exemplified by the transformation at Southern Seminary, where a return to confessional roots led to a significant faculty turnover, ensuring alignment with foundational Christian doctrines.

We also explored the concept of sanctification, drawing from John Murray's insights. Sanctification is often perceived as a process, yet the New Testament frequently describes it as a definitive act that occurs at the beginning of the Christian life. This understanding shifts the focus from striving for victory to living from a place of victory already secured in Christ. The analogy of D-Day and V-Day from World War II was used to illustrate the Christian journey: the decisive victory has been won, but the full realization of that victory is still unfolding.

The role of the Old Testament law in the life of a believer was another focal point. The law serves as a mirror reflecting God's character and our sinfulness, driving us to Christ. It also provides a framework for living a life pleasing to God, revealing what delights Him. This understanding challenges the modern view of law as restrictive, instead presenting it as a guide for holy living.

Finally, we discussed the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper as means of grace. These are not mere rituals but profound expressions of God's promises and presence. They serve as reminders of our identity in Christ and are vital for our spiritual nourishment and growth in holiness.

Key Takeaways:

- The Threat of Open Theism: Open theism poses a significant threat to evangelical theology, necessitating a firm commitment to orthodox biblical theism. Without confessionalism, institutions risk theological drift and compromise. Upholding confessional standards ensures that core doctrines, such as the sovereignty of God, remain non-negotiable. [01:07]

- Definitive Sanctification: Sanctification is not merely an ongoing process but a definitive act that occurs at the start of the Christian life. This understanding empowers believers to live from a place of victory, recognizing that the fundamental battle against sin has already been won through Christ. [08:39]

- Role of the Law: The Old Testament law reveals God's character and our sinfulness, driving us to Christ. It serves as a guide for living a life pleasing to God, challenging the modern perception of law as restrictive. Embracing the law as a reflection of God's will enriches our spiritual journey. [19:11]

- Sacraments as Means of Grace: Baptism and the Lord's Supper are not mere rituals but vital means of grace. They are external signs of God's promises, providing spiritual nourishment and strengthening our faith. These sacraments remind us of our identity in Christ and His ongoing presence in our lives. [31:21]

- Living in Light of Victory: The analogy of D-Day and V-Day illustrates the Christian journey. While the decisive victory over sin has been won through Christ's death and resurrection, the full realization of that victory is still unfolding. This perspective encourages believers to persevere in faith, knowing that ultimate victory is assured. [13:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Open Theism
- [01:07] - The Importance of Confessionalism
- [02:08] - Transformation at Southern Seminary
- [03:19] - Revising the Baptist Faith and Message
- [04:22] - The Role of Seminary Leadership
- [05:29] - Imputed Holiness and Sanctification
- [07:26] - Understanding Sanctification in the New Testament
- [09:12] - Colossians and the Christian Life
- [11:12] - Romans 6 and Baptism
- [12:55] - D-Day and V-Day Analogy
- [14:35] - The Believer's Relationship to the Law
- [16:08] - Calvin's Threefold Use of the Law
- [18:09] - The Law as a Guide for Holy Living
- [19:46] - The Value of the Old Testament Law
- [22:23] - Teaching Christian Ethics
- [23:19] - Personal Testimonies and BSF
- [27:45] - Sacraments and Holiness
- [31:21] - The Real Presence in the Lord's Supper
- [35:30] - The Nourishment of Communion
- [37:29] - The Importance of Preaching and Sacraments

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 12:14
2. Colossians 3:1-16
3. Romans 6:1-14

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the threat of open theism to evangelical theology, and why is it considered a significant issue? [01:07]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of confessionalism in maintaining theological integrity within seminaries? [02:08]

3. According to the sermon, how is sanctification described in the New Testament, and how does this differ from common perceptions? [07:26]

4. What analogy is used to describe the Christian journey, and what does it signify about the believer's life? [13:15]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the understanding of sanctification as a definitive act at the beginning of the Christian life impact a believer's daily walk with Christ? [08:39]

2. In what ways does the Old Testament law serve as a guide for holy living, and how does this challenge modern perceptions of the law? [19:11]

3. How do the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper function as means of grace, and why are they vital for spiritual nourishment? [31:21]

4. What does the analogy of D-Day and V-Day reveal about the nature of the Christian life and the unfolding of Christ's victory? [13:15]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of God's sovereignty. How does the threat of open theism challenge or affirm your beliefs about God's nature? [01:07]

2. Consider your own spiritual journey. How does viewing sanctification as a definitive act rather than a process change your approach to overcoming sin? [08:39]

3. How can you incorporate the Old Testament law into your daily life as a guide for living in a way that pleases God? What specific changes might you make? [19:11]

4. Think about your participation in the sacraments. How do baptism and the Lord's Supper remind you of your identity in Christ, and how can you engage with them more meaningfully? [31:21]

5. The analogy of D-Day and V-Day suggests that while victory is assured, the full realization is still unfolding. How does this perspective encourage you to persevere in your faith? [13:15]

6. In what ways can you ensure that your church or community remains committed to orthodox biblical theism and avoids theological drift? [01:07]

7. Identify one area in your life where you feel restricted by God's law. How can you reframe your understanding to see it as a guide for holy living rather than a limitation? [19:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Upholding Orthodox Biblical Theism
The threat of open theism challenges the core of evangelical theology by suggesting that God does not fully know the future. This perspective undermines the traditional understanding of God's sovereignty and omniscience. Evangelical institutions are called to maintain a firm commitment to orthodox biblical theism to prevent theological drift. Confessionalism serves as a crucial safeguard, ensuring that foundational doctrines, such as the sovereignty of God, remain non-negotiable. The transformation at Southern Seminary exemplifies the importance of returning to confessional roots to align with foundational Christian doctrines. [01:07]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"

Reflection: In what ways can you actively support and uphold the core doctrines of your faith in your community or church?


Day 2: Living from a Place of Victory
Sanctification is often misunderstood as a continuous struggle for holiness, but the New Testament presents it as a definitive act that occurs at the beginning of the Christian life. This understanding empowers believers to live from a place of victory, recognizing that the fundamental battle against sin has already been won through Christ. The analogy of D-Day and V-Day from World War II illustrates this journey: while the decisive victory has been won, the full realization of that victory is still unfolding. This perspective encourages believers to persevere in faith, knowing that ultimate victory is assured. [08:39]

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Reflection: How can you shift your mindset from striving for victory to living from the victory already secured in Christ?


Day 3: The Law as a Guide for Holy Living
The Old Testament law is often perceived as restrictive, but it serves as a mirror reflecting God's character and our sinfulness, driving us to Christ. It provides a framework for living a life pleasing to God, revealing what delights Him. Embracing the law as a reflection of God's will enriches our spiritual journey and challenges the modern perception of law as merely restrictive. By understanding the law's role, believers can better align their lives with God's desires and grow in holiness. [19:11]

Psalm 19:7-8 (ESV): "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace the Old Testament law as a guide for your daily life, rather than viewing it as a set of restrictions?


Day 4: Sacraments as Vital Means of Grace
Baptism and the Lord's Supper are not mere rituals but profound expressions of God's promises and presence. These sacraments serve as reminders of our identity in Christ and are vital for our spiritual nourishment and growth in holiness. They are external signs of God's promises, providing spiritual nourishment and strengthening our faith. By participating in these sacraments, believers are reminded of Christ's ongoing presence in their lives and the grace that sustains them. [31:21]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: How can you approach the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper with a deeper understanding of their significance in your spiritual journey?


Day 5: Persevering in Faith with Assurance of Victory
The analogy of D-Day and V-Day illustrates the Christian journey: while the decisive victory over sin has been won through Christ's death and resurrection, the full realization of that victory is still unfolding. This perspective encourages believers to persevere in faith, knowing that ultimate victory is assured. By living in light of this victory, Christians can face challenges with confidence, trusting in God's promises and the hope of eternal life. [13:15]

Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to live in light of the victory already won in Christ, especially in areas where you feel defeated or discouraged?

Quotes

"Let me say the onset that evangelicals need to make a decision here pretty quickly as to how great a threat open theism is in my judgment we are at an I see a moment and if this is not judged rightly and if Orthodox biblical theism is not embraced and defended and explicitly defended against this heresy and I'll use that word very specifically then I believe we're going to see the dissolution of evangelical theology because if this is allowable anything is allowable." [00:00:50]

"The natural inclination of an institution because of the logic of institutionalism is to move to the left towards greater accommodation with the world it takes absolutely no energy whatsoever for a Christian institution to move leftward and that's why we see that the tragedy for instance says in the book the dying of the light by James Byrd's tale of how virtually every major Christian college and university has ended up disassociated from an alien to the churches that gave it birth." [00:01:29]

"Sanctification as an ongoing process and most literature most teaching on sanctification that isn't of the higher life variety is sanctification as a process and one of the things that if you would listen carefully to these verses and many other verses in the New Testament you would notice is that the the the verb to sanctify in the New Testament is almost always used in the past tense it's relatively rarely used to describe a process it's characteristically used to describe something that has actually happened to the believer." [00:07:02]

"The New Testament regards sainthood as definitive of what it means to be a Christian it means that you have been set apart for Jesus Christ and one aspect of that that Alistair was I think expressing last night is the idea that there is a sanctification which john murray speaks about us being definitive right at the very beginning of the Christian life and it's so important for us in making progress in the Christian life to realize the inner sense no matter how severe the battles are the war the fundamental war in the life of the believer has already been won." [00:08:06]

"Paul says is the first thing you need to realize is that you become a new creation in Christ he says you've to set your hearts and minds and the things that are above because you've died with Christ you've been raised with Christ in some sense when Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father you your true life ascended there with Christ and your life now is hidden with Christ in God and you're so United to Christ that when Christ appears he cannot appear but you will also appear with him." [00:10:12]

"The analogy a parallel a kind of miniature of that in the Christian life d-day was the day in which we were brought into the new creation the Dominion of sin was broken we're no longer under the snare of Satan but a presence of sin still there there's a lot of warfare going on we feel it all the more keenly but the progress that we make is in the light of the victory towards the consummation of the victory and glorification." [00:14:37]

"The first use of the law is to reveal the character of God and insofar as the law reveals the character of God it functions as a mirror to us that is Calvin said even holy men so to speak in ancient days as long as they kept their gaze horizontal bound to this world they could think of themselves as slightly less than demigods and flatter themselves for their great achievements until once they lifted their gaze to heaven and saw what kind of being God was then they would quake in terror as they were awakened to their sinfulness." [00:16:05]

"When I look into the mirror of the law it is the most profound mirror that reveals every wart and defect in my life and that is not only so initially and of course the second part of the first use of the law is the pedagogical use of the law where the law becomes the schoolmaster that drives us to Christ once the law reveals to us our sinfulness you know it flee and makes us flee for safety for refuge for redemption to the gospel so that's why we preach law and gospel because the law drives us to the gospel." [00:16:53]

"The law reveals what that which in which God delights and you read thee in the SAMS in the Old Testament there's first samuel first sam then there's the 23rd sam but all kinds of same thing where the where the samus says oh how I love your law and that psalmist who cries out oh how I love your law is a man who was justified by faith and by faith alone because Paul Labor's in Romans three and four the justification is the same way in the New Testament as it was in the Old Testament but godly people in all ages still meditate in the law day and night and they love the law of God because the law reveals what is pleasing to God." [00:18:17]

"Every time we see a baptism we are seeing not a magical act but we are seeing an external dramatization of the promise of God to his people and we call it a sign and a seal whereby the king of the universe puts his mark upon a person and in an external seal just like the spirit internally seals us to the day of redemption and it's like what st. Claire quoted from Luthor a few moments ago if really believe god's promises which are by faith and the world and the flesh and the devil assaults you and you begin to to to tremble inside and and and waver in your confidence it's time to look at those signs and look at those seals and say I'm baptized I have the mark of Christ in my body from the promise of God." [00:28:57]

"The celebration of the Lord's Supper doesn't just look backwards but it's also a sign and seal of God's promise of our participation in the wedding feast of the Lamb where we are can we show forth the Lord's death until he comes and until we sit down with him in glory at his table and in the meantime he is present with us I've believed deeply in the real presence of Christ and the Lord's Supper not in the corporeal sense but in the spiritual sense but it's real and so thank you we come together at the Lord's table and we meet with Jesus there and you say how important is that to your sanctification Wow I mean these really are means of grace means by which God strengthens our souls and strengthens our understanding of his word and of his promise by which we live." [00:30:38]

"The efficacy the power of baptism of our supper are not tied to the moment of administration any more than the efficacy of the wordless preach is tied to the hour in which we are hearing the world the efficacy of the preaching of this conference by God's grace will last on and on and on and in the same way the efficacy the the kiss of Christ to us in the Lord's Supper and in Baptism is something that lasts and lasts so much and that's why I think it's so important for our salvation." [00:36:21]

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Transcript
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