Excerpts Christless Christianity

December 15, 2009

I started reading Michael Horton’s Christless Christianity last night. Wow! Get a cup of coffee and make sure your next two or three hours are clear, because you will not want to put this book down. Let me share a couple of startling excerpts from the book.

“As heretical as it sounds today, it is probably worth telling Americans that you don’t need Jesus to have better families, finances, health, or even morality. Coming to the cross means repentance–not adding Jesus as a supporting character for an otherwise decent script but throwing away the script in order to be written into God’s drama. It is death and resurrection, not coaching and makeovers.” 94

“The central message of Christianity is not a worldview, a way of life, or a program for personal and societal change; it is a gospel. From the Greek word for ‘good news,’ typically used in the context of announcing a military victory, the gospel is the report of an appointed messenger who arrives from the battlefield. That is why the NT refers to the offices of apostle (official representative), preacher, and evangelist, describing ministers as heralds, ambassasdors, and witnesses. Their job is to get the story right and then report it, ensuring that the message is delivered by word (preaching) and deed (sacrament). And the result is a church, an embassy of the Triune God in the midst of this passing evil age, with the whole people of God giving witness to God’s mighty acts of redemption.” 105

“When pastors are expected to be coaches sending in the plays and their parishioners are expected to be all-stars to take Jesus’s team to victory in the culture wars, the focus must necessarily fall on what we do rather than on what God has done, on our stories and strategies rather than God’s. But this means that much of our ministry today is law without gospel, exhortation without news, instructions without an announcement, deeds without creeds, with the accent on ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ rather than ‘What Has Jesus Done?’ None of us are immune to this indictment that we are losing our focus upon, confidence in, and increasingly even our knowledge of the greatest story ever told.” 106

“No longer threatened with hell or comforted with heaven, the new legalism is the upbeat and cheerful hum playing in the background. It’s still a form of works-righteousness, with its carrots and sticks. Follow my advice and you’ll really ‘connect’ with God’s best for your life. If you are not happy, perhaps you have fallen out of God’s favor and blessing. Only those who are ‘completely surrendered’ can be confident that they are in God’s Plan A. Now here are the steps to living the victorious Christian life. Are you following the steps? Do you have enough faith? Are you praying enough, reading the Bible enough, witnessing enough, serving in the church enough, loving enough? This diet of imperatives becomes just as burdensome and human-centered as the older legalism; it’s just Legalism Lite. And when we burn out on one program, there is always another best-seller, movement, or plan around the corner.” 123


Manahatten Declaration

November 23, 2009

Here is a strategic document penned by Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians. Prominent signers include Dr. Al Mohler of Southern Theological Seminary, Dr. Robert George of Princeton University, Dr. Robert Kreeft of Boston College, Chuck Colson, and many more.


Jim Collins on Peter Drucker

November 18, 2009

Matt at What’s Best Next offers a great quote today…

“There are two ways to change the world: the pen (the use of ideas) and the sword (the use of power). Drucker chose the pen, and thereby rewired the brains of thousands who carry the sword. Those who choose the pen have an advantage over those who wield the sword: the written word never dies.”


Articles Worth Reading

October 19, 2009

Cash for Clunkers Failure explained in the Wall Street Journal

Excellent idea - if you vote for any particular health care plan be willing to enroll in that plan

Great interview on the contributions of a capitalist


Gossip Comic

August 25, 2009

deardearASBO Jesus does it again!


6684 feet

August 24, 2009

Saturday I hiked with the Schlesinger brothers to the highest point east of the Mississippi River. Check out one of my pics from 6684 feet atop Mt. Mitchell.mt.mitchell blog

Some things I pondered…

  • Experienced hikers are fun to be around (thanks Garrett)
  • Long hikes with higher altitudes require thoughtful preparation (food, hydration, clothing)
  • Nauseating obstacles are there to be overcome
  • Leading required thinking about others (pace, staying on the trail, rest)
  • Followers have the pleasure of watching how the leader climbs the trail (roots, rocks, branches)
  • Ascending the steep terrain was demanding on my mind, heart, and lungs. This made it challenging to enjoy the landscape.
  • Difficult hikes require some breaks in order to restore energy supplies
  • How does a person who hiked up 3500′ feet  for three hours appreciate the summit view any more than the person who rode a motorcycle, car, or bus to the summit?
  • Balance was needed ascending and descending (roots, rocks, branches, trees)
  • Some spots are always slippery.
  • While descending was more demanding on my leg muscles and joints, my mind, lungs, and heart got a break. The landscape was much easier to enjoy.
  • Aches and pains today remind me of the enjoyable hike with spectacular views
  • Very anxious to hike another mountain

  • Identity Crisis

    August 20, 2009

    sameboatASBO Jesus offers another insightful thought. The crisis is happening at the micro levels as well.


    Calvin’s Distinctives Part 3

    August 19, 2009

    The Expository Genius of John CalvinSteve Lawson considers distinctions of Calvin that make him so influential in the book The Expository Genius of John Calvin. Over the next couple of days I want to record Lawson’s distinctions.

    Crafting the Delivery

    1. Familiar Words
    2. Vivid Expressions
    3. Provocative Questions
    4. Simple Restatements
    5. Limited Quotations
    6. Unspoken Outline
    7. Seamless Transitions
    8. Focused Intensity

    Applying the Truth

    1. Pastoral Exhortation
    2. Personal Examination
    3. Loving Rebuke
    4. Polemic Confrontation

    Concluding the Exposition

    1. Succinct Summation
    2. Pressing Appeal
    3. Climatic Prayer

    Calvin’s Distinctives Part 2

    August 13, 2009

    The Expository Genius of John CalvinSteve Lawson considers distinctions of Calvin that make him so influential in his book The Expository Genius of John Calvin. Over the next couple of days I want to record Lawson’s distinctions.

    Launching the Sermon

    1. Direct Beginning
    2. Extemporaneous Delivery
    3. Scriptural Context
    4. State Theme

    Expounding the Text

    1. Specific Text
    2. Exegetical Precision
    3. Literal Interpretation
    4. Cross-References
    5. Persuasive Reasoning
    6. Reasonable Deductions

    Calvin’s Distinctives

    August 12, 2009

    The Expository Genius of John CalvinSteve Lawson consider distinctions of Calvin that make him so influential in his book The Expository Genius of John Calvin. Over the next couple of days I want to record Lawson’s distinctions.

    When Approaching the Pulpit

    1. Biblical Authority
    2. Divine Presence
    3. Pulpit Priority
    4. Sequential Exposition

    Preparing the Preacher

    1. Diligent Mind
    2. Devoted Heart
    3. Relentless Will