Dear CJ,

As to the greatest threat, it is always the same.  It does not vary.  It is our prideful rejection of God, His ways, relating to Him as our holy and loving Creator and Judge.  This does not change from age to age.

Having said that, I'm sure that each age has special challenges--in some ways they are simply appearances of this ever-present challenge of pride.  That, I take it, is what you want reflection on from us.

The greatest threat to the gospel specific to today is the indirect challenge of pragmatism among evangelicals.  Let me give an illustration of this.

I want to suggest that evangelicals are particularly open to self-deception when it comes to counting converts, and, oddly enough, with the best of motivations--faithfulness to the great commission, love to God, love for the lost--our vision of the Gospel can be whittled away, and our churches degraded.  It happens like this.

1)  Great call to evangelize the community/nation/world.

2)  Numerical goal set of raising our numbers (of missionaries, evangelists, churches, baptisms, conversions, Christians).

3)  Excitement follows at the thought of the missionary force tripling (or something like that).

4)  Differences over what may truly be considered a Christian, a baptism, an evangelist, etc., are attacked as divisive and counter-productive discussions.  Sometimes this is accompanied by ad hominen attacks on those raising the cautions as unloving, lazy, disobedient, hyper-Calvinist, loving theology more than people, etc.

5)  Goal-setters ascend; gospel-definers are ignored; society changes; new challenges come.  The very people who could have helped us stay on track have been shut out.  Organizations promoting numerical goals rarely have increasingly defined ideas of what constitutes a Christian, or a church.  The gospel becomes more and more assumed and less and less articulated.

6)  Evangelists--from Schleiermacher to John R. Mott--resist traditional distinctions and Biblical clarity on the gospel.  Constituency widens, enthusiasm crests, goals are met but having no effect.  Organizational officials have interest in the organization continuing.  Falling enthusiasm.  Eventually declining organization.  Is this not the description of too many evangelical associations in the last few centuries.  They become the seed bed of theological liberalism.  They even become opponents of the very gospel they were established to spread.

So much more could be said.  It is the tragic history of the church awaiting Christ's return.

Let me be clear--I AM NOT AGAINST NUMERICAL GOALS.  They can be great motivational tools.  I think that they have dangers, and particularly severe dangers when allowed to hold firm in a culture of churches and church leaders that go less and less to Scripture and more and more to business, pscyhology, the health professions for pragmatic answers.  I could go on, but you all know what I mean.

While this is not in itself a complicated theological attack on the gospel, it acts in a complicated, multi-layered, subtle and unintentional way to degrade churches which are, in turn to proclaim, exemplify, define and defend the gospel. 

We can and should attempt great things for God, as Jesus' parable of the talents tells us.  We should give our lives, our time, our talents and our money self-sacrificially for the evangelization of the whole world (see Romans 10!).  But we can attempt great things for God, expect great things from God, and avoid the over- or un-wise use of numerical goals. 

And if you fear that will simply lead to inaction, stop, pray and consider.  Be careful of the charges you level against those who are more cautious about numerical goals.  Consider Him who called us to evangelize no less than "all nations." He never set a smaller goal.  And yet great fruit has come from His lasting challenge.  I pray that we all follow Him in spreading His good news to everyone.

C.J. and the T4G crew. Please forgive my non-response to your great questions. I've been buried under some pastoral issues here of late. C.J., your question is crucial - literally - and I really want to give a helpful response. Perhaps by Monday.

Meanwhile, feast on this insight from Bishop J.C. Ryle on true heart religion:

What is the first thing we need, in order to be Christians? A new heart. — What is the sacrifice God asks us to bring to Him? A broken and a contrite heart. — What is the true circumcision? The circumcision of the heart. — What is genuine obedience? To obey from the heart. — What is saving faith? To believe with the heart. — Where ought Christ to dwell? To dwell in our hearts by faith. — What is the chief request that Wisdom makes to everyone? "My son, give me thine heart."

I think Augustine said somewhere that the cross was a pulpit in which Christ preached his love to the world.  I can't remember (or just don't know) where he said this.  If someone could supply me with a reference (Lig?) I'd appreciate it.  Anyway, that expression is a succinct way of drawing our attention to the holiness of God (a sacrifice was needed), His love (he provided the sacrifice), our sinfulness (we've been separated from God by our sin), His provision in Christ (his life and death) and our response (we need to hear this word preached and respond to it in repentance and faith).  So there it is--the gospel is about our holy and loving God, creator and judge, His creation of us in His image, our sin against Him, His amazing provision of us in Christ, whose life, death and resurrection was for us.  He then calls all who hear this message to turn away from their sins and trust in Christ alone for forgiveness of sins, restoration of a relationship with God, and even adoption as His children, now and forever!

How's that for a start?

I love this title for our conference. There is so much communicated in so few words. We are friends because of the gospel. And given our diverse backgrounds and denominations (and athletic abilities), this is the only explanation for the rich friendship that exists between us. What has brought us together should bring all Christians together.

But sadly, given the doctrinal deficiencies present in American evangelicalism we cannot assume that the gospel is clearly understood. Confusion about the content of the gospel is evident across the evangelical landscape.

So, let me ask two very important questions and put you boys to work this week: What is the gospel? What is the most serious threat to the gospel in the evangelical church today?

Mark, I’m glad you asked who we are thanking God for today. I’m sure each of us has a very long list of those we simply cannot thank God enough for (1 Thess. 3:9), beginning with our wives.

Today is my son Chad’s 13th birthday and I am thanking God for my special boy. Chad, thank you, my son, for all the joy you bring to me. Thank you for the way you love the Savior, honor your parents, care for your family and serve the church. No father could be more pleased with his son. I love you with all my heart!

John Wesley  in 1787 (near the end of his life) mused on the future of Methodism:  “I am not afraid, that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America.  But I am afraid, lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.  And this undoubtedly will be the case, unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit and discipline with which they first set out.” [L. Tyerman, Life and Times of Wesley (Harper & Bros; 1872), III.519]. 

After spending several days in England, I'm reminded of how thankful I am to God for raising up the ministries of faithful men, and blessing them.

I am thankful to God for the ministry of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who went to be with the Lord 25 years ago this month.  Reading and re-reading some of his works in preparation for the conference I just returned from was nourishing and re-freshing.

I am thankful to God for the faithful ministries of both pastors and other Christians at that conference who have known and served the Lord for far longer than I have.

I am particularly thankful to God for Fred and Elizabeth Catherwood, and their long faithfulnesses stretching back almost 6 decades in so many areas of God's work.  Time would fail me if I began even to recite what I know of their work for God.

I am thankful to God for the ministry of Tim and Lucy Chapman, as they prepare to plant a new congregation.

I am thankful for the incredible ministry God has given Bruce and Lyn Winter over the last 20 years at Tyndale House in Cambridge.

I am thankful to God for many friends I saw there (old and new).

I am thankful to God for the ministry of John & Noel Piper, and the warm fellowship we shared (and the always-sharpening, hyphenated-adjective-filled  comments that John shares!).

I am thankful for fellow pastors here at CHBC--Andy Johnson working as a Trustee of the IMB, Thabiti Anyabwile going to care for a congregation in Grand Cayman, and Michael Lawrence faithfully feeding the flock here in DC.

I am thankful to God for Mary Mohler's kind care for 140 of our church's ladies on the women's retreat this weekend.  My wife said that Mary did a wonderful job speaking to them.

Finally, I am thankful that evangelical Christians do NOT only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.  I am thankful to God for how all these I've mentioned hold fast the doctrine, spirit and much of the discipline which God gave to those early Methodists.

Who are you guys thanking God for today?

Hey, guys.  I'm trying to type this on  a weird BTphone/internet thing here at Heathrow.  I've had little internet access this week.  Great time here at the Martyn Lloyd-Jones Conference, seeing old friends, and then showing John & Noel P around Cambridge yesterday.  More when I get home today (DV).

If you are wondering where everyone is today and what they are doing, here is my best guess:

Mark is in Cambridge, England, and you can be sure he's not thinking about March Madness.

Wherever Al is right now, he is doing at least 5 things at once and doing them all equally well. Don't even think about trying this. Mere mortals cannot do this.

Lig is no doubt leading a meeting somewhere (although he is thinking about March Madness). And no one leads a meeting more effectively than Lig, which is why Lig is the president of 16 different Christian ministries and counting.

And me, well, I am just happy as can be, because Duke lost last night.

On a serious note, let me take this opportunity to thank all the readers of our blog for your encouraging comments. Although we can’t respond to all of the comments (thanks for your understanding), we do read each one and your encouragement has been very meaningful.

In light of recent posts I’ve written for fathers and sons, there have been requests for similar practical advice for fathers and daughters. My wife, Carolyn, and oldest daughter, Nicole, wrote a book entitled Girl Talk: Mother-Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhood, and they asked me to address a chapter to fathers and daughters. If you are interested in reading this “Word to Fathers,” simply click here. I hope it’s helpful.

Did I mention that Duke lost? Oh happy day!

LSU 62-Duke 54

Lig, you are a rare combination of pastor, scholar and athlete, with a broad knowledge of sports. What a detailed forecast of tournament play you have provided for us! We are a unique full-service blog, are we not? Where else can you read conversations about the gospel interrupted by insightful predictions about the NCAA men’s basketball tournament?

Now, before I reveal my final four, I think it is important for me to state that I have not employed the gifts of the Spirit in the process of determining my picks. That wouldn’t be fair to my cessationist friends. So, my predictions are solely the result of my observation and not the fruit of the Spirit’s unique influence. The following picks were finalized before the tournament began:

• Boston College
• UCLA
• Connecticut
• I can’t bring myself to type the name of this last school. Let’s just say, I won’t ever buy a Chevy.

And I am predicting, right here and now on the T4G blog, that Boston College will win it all. Now, Lig, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that is a stupid pick. (Although, you wouldn't say this, because you are a humble and kind man.)

I understand your thinking. This is a stupid pick, or at least it appears to be. But look, any fool can pick UConn or that other team with the coach selling cars during commercials (Can anyone say, “Unfair recruiting advantage”?). But, if you go crazy and pick Boston College and they win, well, you look like a genius. So that’s my strategy. Actually, I just want any school to win other than the one school I don’t want to win. And even though I have tried again, I simply cannot bring my fingers to type out the name of this school.

Finally, in the interest of full disclosure, let me inform you that I’m in 7th place (out of nine) in my own family pool. My oldest daughter, Nicole, knows nothing about basketball, but she picked George Mason because she lives in Fairfax, Virginia and Georgetown because it is close by. My wife, Carolyn, is ahead of me because she picked Florida where she grew up and West Virginia because we have vacationed there. So, it appears to me that those with little or no knowledge of basketball have an advantage over those of us with a vast knowledge of the game. That is just another reason why it is appropriately called March Madness.

C.J., thanks for your great post on Sunday preparation, reminded me of M’Cheyne's words "A well-spent sabbath we feel to be a day of heaven upon earth . . . we love to rise early on that morning, and to sit up late, that we may have a long day with God" and also of Baxter's "What fitter day to ascend to heaven, than that on which He arose from earth, and fully triumphed over death and hell. Use your Sabbaths as steps to glory, till you have passed them all, and are there arrived."

I have delighted to see how droves of people have responded with appreciation to your posts (yes, we read all of the comments!). Now, in this post, I am responding obediently to your call for Final Four predictions (although this seems a precarious exercise for two athletically-challenged Southern Baptists and an increasingly pudgy Presbyterian). To engage you in the area of College hoops, given your knowledge, experience, skills and extraordinary gifting would seem to put us at a significant disadvantage!

Nevertheless, in the spirit of rushing in anyway, I offer the following. Much as I hate to admit it (because I'm an ACC guy, not a Big East guy), UConn and Villanova are proabably the two best teams in College BB (though UConn has yet to play a full game) this year.

Yep, Mark, I follow a similar approach in order to prepare Chad for the Sunday meeting at Covenant Life Church, only this event is much more important than basketball. Actually, as I understand it, parenting is all about preparation. I need to prepare Chad to fulfill his call as a man to serve and lead, and ultimately I must prepare him for the fast-approaching day of judgment.

My approach to preparing Chad for the Sunday meeting has been informed by the doctrine of the church as clearly taught in Scripture and the Savior’s love for the church as compelling demonstrated on the cross. I want to inform my son theologically about the church and demonstrate for him a passion for the church. I want to transfer to him my love for Covenant Life Church in particular.

Imparting a love for the church must begin with my example. Modeling precedes teaching. Before we teach, we must provide a genuine (not a perfect) example for our children. So, in order to effectively prepare Chad for Sunday, I must first prepare my own heart.

I build anticipation for Sunday by statements I make about Sunday. For many years I have referred to Sunday as my favorite day of the week. And I love Spurgeon’s description of the church as “the dearest place on earth.” That’s how I feel about CLC. So, as Sunday approaches, and finally arrives, I talk to Chad (and everyone else I come in contact with) about how Sunday is the best day of the week, when we go to the dearest place on earth.

Covenant Life Church on Sunday is also the happiest place on earth. There should be no happier gathering than the one where we are reminded of the Savior’s substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, where He satisfied the righteous wrath of God and secured our forgiveness and justification. Thus, preparing Chad for the Sunday meeting begins first in my heart and with my example. But there are certain grace-motivated practices I seek to model for Chad and inspire him to emulate each Sunday. The following would be a sampling:

• Greeting--I want Chad to serve others by cheerfully greeting them. This also helps him put to death selfishness and overcome the fear of man.

• Serving--Chad’s love for the church will grow as he serves in the church. At present, he serves on the children’s ministry administrative team, and together we hand out bulletins and greet folks as they arrive on Sunday.

• Encouraging--I want Chad to take special note of the army of folks joyfully serving each Sunday and express his appreciation to them. The Savior defines true greatness as humbly serving others for the glory of God. True greatness in the form of humility and servanthood is on display each Sunday at CLC, and I want Chad to discern and acknowledge true greatness. So, each Sunday I help Chad to be intentional about thanking folks for the different ways they serve. And I have him encourage whoever has preached that day. Yesterday, he thanked and encouraged Joshua Harris (my favorite Senior Pastor) for the outstanding message he preached from Luke 15.

• Singing--I want Chad to sing sincerely and passionately during worship. Singing is an appropriate response to the Savior for His amazing grace. Through singing, Chad is loving God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. A parent can discern a lot about their child’s heart by the presence or absence of participation and passion in worship.

• Learning--I believe in the importance of hearing expository preaching as a primary means of grace for the Christian. The preaching event must be a priority for our children. Therefore, listening carefully and responding appropriately to the sermon is very important. Both Chad and I take notes during the sermon. This helps us to listen carefully and is invaluable as we review the sermon together during the week. Yesterday, Chad told me he took seven pages of notes on Joshua’s sermon (his notebook paper is small). 

So this is what I do. I’m not suggesting you have to do the same thing, but every father must do something to prepare their sons (and daughters) for Sunday. Please don’t think that preparing my son for the Sunday meeting takes a lengthy period of time. It does not. Since we have discussed these practices at length, many times, I am able to remind him in just a few minutes. He is quite familiar with the question: “Chad, how are you and Dad going to please and glorify God at the meeting this morning?” This brief conversation can make all the difference in both our lives that day.

Before I conclude, I must mention the importance of review after the Sunday meeting. If all we do is prepare our children without review, there will be minimal application and therefore little effect. So, Chad and I have multiple conversations about the Sunday meeting throughout the week. It usually begins on the car-ride home, and is normally a part of the time we spend together each Monday afternoon. Monday is my day off, and Monday afternoon Chad and I hang out together. Unhurried conversation on a wide variety of topics is a part of this time, and we often review our experience of the Sunday meeting. If not during this time, we’ll go over the Sunday meeting when we have devotions together during the week. Much of my review with Chad involves encouraging him and celebrating how he has applied truth to his life. Discerning and celebrating evidences of grace in Chad’s life is a daily priority and practice for me as his father. I want my son to experience my affection and hear my encouragement each and every day.

Now this has gone on way too long and you shouldn’t have to devote an entire day to reading my post. But there is one more point I must make, so please hear me out. I am not an expert on fathering. Daily I am reminded of my weakness and sin, and I often need to ask for my son’s forgiveness. I am a fellow sinner and address all fathers from that perspective. And ultimately my confidence is not in my fathering skill or the aforementioned practices. My confidence is in God’s grace and His eagerness to reveal the gospel of grace to my son. Left to myself, I am in way over my head as a father. But God hasn’t left me to myself. He has called me to this holy task. He has given Chad to me as a gift and a holy assignment. Chad needs to be trained and I need to be sanctified. And God has promised to do both by His grace and for His glory.

My friends, I think we have a moral obligation to publicly reveal our picks for the final four as well as which team we think will win it all.

Mark, I’m assuming you have Cambridge winning it all, but this isn’t rowing, my friend. And Al, these can’t be Mary’s picks; they must be your picks. I had a friend suggest that if you didn’t have any help from a knowledgeable fan your final four picks would be Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge. And did you guys know that Lig conveniently scheduled minor surgery (surgery is minor only when it’s not you) for last week? You’ve got to admire a man who knows the optimal time of year for surgery. March is always the best time for a medical procedure, followed by extensive recovery time watching the madness.

Here’s the rule. Your picks have to appear by Thursday noon or they won’t be recognized.

So, who ya got?

Oh, I almost forgot--Al and Lig, given all your titles and positions, can’t you get us tickets to the final four? I’m questioning your actual influence if you can’t deliver tickets.

Dear CJ, Now that I know you ask Chad those questions EVERY time after a sporting event like a basketball game (I asked CJ on the phone, and he told me) my question is this-->do you prepare him like that for going to church on Sunday?  If so, how.

I'm serious.  You're gifted at practical edification.  Now edify us, please!

Thanks for the post on the CHBC Weekender, Mark, and for your reiterated invitation to me to tell folks about the Twin Lakes Fellowship. I had some surgery on Wednesday of this week, so have been out of the loop in terms of posting though I have checked the T4G blog regularly.

The Twin Lakes Fellowship is a ministerial fraternal for kingdom extension. We want to encourage church health and growth by commending the "ordinary means of grace." This year (April 4-6 in Florence, MS, at our church's conference center) we are delighted to have David F. Wells (doing an overview of his Above All Earthly Pow'rs and particpating in a roundtable discussion), R.C. Sproul, Mike Campbell (who preached for John Piper's conference this year), Doug Kelly, Derek Thomas, Terry Johnson, and more speaking at the TLF.

The Twin Lakes Fellowship was established about eight years ago by the elders of the First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS (and receives support and oversight from several other PCA sessions and ministers in Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina). This fellowship is designed to pursue a twofold purpose: (1) to encourage ministers and churches to promote the work of church planting through their local congregations and (2) to encourage ministers in their personal growth in grace, so as to maximize their effectiveness in promoting the work of the Gospel.

If I might express it another way, the Twin Lakes Fellowship aims to be an American version of the Crieff Brotherhood in Scotland, except with a specific, positive ministry focus: to encourage church planting through a variety of specific, practical means. The purpose of the Twin Lakes Fellowship is thus positive and Spiritual. It is also unique, in that it is concerned to promote some sense of common ministerial bonhomie, and renew our energy for historic Reformed theology and ministry.

How exactly do with aim both to encourage church planting and to encourage ministers? Well, for example, consider the following. As we gather annually, we attempt (on the church planting side): (1) to promote a heart for evangelism and church-planting among ministers through emphasis, exhortation and example; (2) to encourage some gifted pastors to consider becoming church planters themselves; (3) to encourage gifted seminarians to consider becoming church planters; (4) to encourage an ordinary means of grace approach in the Gospel ministry of church plants/ers; (5) to bring church planters into direct contact with ministers and elders from potential support churches; to church planters themselves opportunities to report, appeal and instruct, as well as to encourage them in their labors; (6) to bring potential church planters into direct contact with ministers and elders who are looking for church planters for specific works; (7) to bring missionary church planters into direct contact with ministers and elders from potential support churches; generally there will be one missionary church planting ministry represented and the rest will be North American church planting; (8) to address practical issues regarding the export of historic reformed theology and church life in a postmodern, multicultural and pluralistic society. (9) to hear from denominational servants and various presbytery spokesmen about church planting strategies and opportunities; and (10) to produce and disseminate literature and resources (books, pamphlets, video, audio, email list and distribution, and internet-available material) to foster church health and growth in the work of church planting.

On the ministerial encouragement side, we attempt: (1) to refresh ministers and glorify God through worship and the ministry of the word; (2) to promote a Gospel brotherhood in the work of Christian ministry through fellowship; (3) to encourage disheartened brethren; (4) to introduce to one another committed men with a shared theological vision; (5) to provide for a time of relaxation and recreation for servants of the Lord; (6) to encourage a pan-Reformed brotherhood by inviting like-minded men from various presbyterian and reformed backgrounds and denominations, both from the region and nation and from around the world; (7) to network with other bodies and organizations for mutual edification, encouragement and stimulation (like 9 Marks); (8) to address at least one critical theological issue per annum, via lecture and discussion, that is impacting the reformed and evangelical community; and (9) to promote theological ministry commitments which are biblical and reflective of solid Reformed convictions.

Hey, brothers.  I think I'm the only one posting right now, so I'll go on and use this space to ask you to pray for our "Weekender" we're having.  We started last night and it will go through Monday morning.  This is a time when we have ministers, seminarians, lay-leaders come in, sit through an elders meeting, do Q&A about our experience here, talk about the various ministries of the church, membership classes, service preparation, preaching, and much else.  It's a packed time.  We only do it 2 or 3 times a year, but do pray for us!  It's such a privilege to have these elders (& potential elders) here.  Thanks for your prayers.  (If you're reading this and you're interested, dig around in "events" on the 9marks.org website.)

As one weekender said this morning, "I'm kind of like a bull in a china shop.  I've come here this weekend to learn how to navigate the china shop!"  I pray we can be of help to him.

Lig, still waiting to hear about Twin Lakes!

Dear Al,  Welcome back!  T. T. Eaton used to always say that he could be in two places at once, and that he was working on being in three!!  I wonder if you've inherited his mantle?  (though, not his historical opinions!)

CJ,  outstanding post on sports & your son.  You are so . . . . . . deliberate!

Lig, isn't it getting to be Twin Lakes Fellowship time?  Can you tell us something about that?  We're hoping to send Paul Curtis (9marks editor) to be with you there for a sweet time of fellowship.

I'm working on 2 papers for England next week.  I'm to be at a conference considering the ministry of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.  I'm loving reading Lloyd-Jones!  I'm to speak first on MLJ and the church and then the next night on MLJ and "Modern Man" in evangelism.   As I've considered them, in one interesting way they've come together a bit.  Lloyd-Jones, according to Iain Murray, thought that  “. . . evangelism is pre-eminently dependent upon the quality of the Christian life which is known and enjoyed in the church,” (Lloyd-Jones biography, volume I.246).

My conclusion:  good ecclesiology helps good evangelism.

Thoughts?

I have been worried about C.J.'s obsession with Duke basketball.  I am worried that he is more happy for Duke to lose than for his beloved Maryland to win.  This is neither good nor godly.  What can explain it?

Maybe I have found the answer -- fear of the Devil.  It must be Duke's mascot theme, the Blue Devils.  Perhaps C.J. is just like Martin Luther, ready to expose the Devil and his nefarious ways, his evil deeds, and his conspiracy to rob God of His glory.  I am comforted by this thought of my brother, waging a war of wills against the Evil One -- a war extended to any athletic team that would claim his name, wear his imagined image, and cheer his victory.  Maybe this is all about theology.

If so, C.J. can take courage from Luther, who knew how to oppose the Devil.  Consider these statements from our German brother:

The devil, too, can quote Scripture and deceive men with it.  But his use of Scripture is defective.  He does not quote it completely but only so much as it serves his purpose.  The rest he silently omits. [LW 52:175]

_________

At all hours the devil is seeking to kill us all.  After you have been baptized, he will not let you have any rest.  If he could kill you in your mother's body, he would do it.  He is not satisfied to let us have one kernel of grain on the field, one fish or piece of bread, or anything good. Far less does he spare us who are exposing his shame, who rebuke him to his face, and preach what we should -- God's grace and the works of the devil. He would now rather break my neck than let me stand here and preach and storm his kingdom.  [LW, 33:408]

Martin Luther said much more about the devil, of course, and about devils too (many of these statements are not for the faint-hearted or the olefactory-sensitive).  Luther even spoke of "white" devils who appear beautiful in their deception, though I can find no Luther references to devils in any shade of blue.   

But, maybe for C.J this is really about resisting the devil and all who would serve him.  Maybe its really about theology.  Then again, maybe not.   

Lig, your care and comfort at this difficult time are much appreciated. I didn’t expect Maryland to be invited to the big dance and they didn’t deserve to be invited (neither did Air Force, George Mason or 4 teams from the Missouri Valley Conference). Maryland fans will comfort themselves with memories of our national championship in 2002 as we anticipate the sweet news of a Duke loss in the tournament. Sunday night after the tournament selections were announced, Chad and I continued our tradition of going out to a local restaurant and filling out our brackets together. I have Duke losing in every round. Thursday can’t come fast enough. Let the madness begin!

I will do my best to provide some answers to your excellent questions about fathers and sons and sports. It is certainly an area I have given some thought and attention to, because of my love for sports and my son Chad’s participation in sports. My son is not only familiar with my love for sports, he is also aware of my idolatrous devotion to sports prior to my conversion. For me, participation in sports growing up was a means of self-exaltation. But I want my son to glorify God and not himself when he plays. So from a young age I have sought to protect him from emulating my past sinful example while building into his soul an appreciation for playing sports as a gift from God. I attempted to address this topic in chapter twelve of Humility: True Greatness.

Playing sports holds great potential for growth in godliness for our sons, but only if we as fathers lead our sons theologically and strategically. I fear that all too often our sons devote significant time to playing sports with little growth in godliness. Here is where the example and leadership of a father can make all the difference. It is our responsibility as fathers to teach and prepare our sons with biblical priorities prior to a game (or practice) and not to assume that we have fulfilled our fatherly responsibility simply by attending the game. And after the game, we should encourage and celebrate evidences of godliness and not primarily our sons’ athletic ability or achievements. Our priorities for our sons’ participation in sports must be theologically informed priorities rather than culturally celebrated priorities. Fathers who aren’t theologically informed are more impressed with athletic ability, statistics and final scores than they are biblical masculinity and godly character.

So, prior to each practice and game (Chad plays basketball and soccer) I have a conversation with my son about how he can glorify God. Here is a sampling of the biblical priorities and practices I review with him:

• Humbly receive correction from your coach and ask your coach how you can grow in character as well as athletic skill.

• Thank your coaches for the way they have served you. And thank the referees after each game.

• Encourage your teammates for their display of godly character and athletic skill--in that order of priority.

• Encourage your opponents during and after the game. If you knock someone over, extend your hand to help them up.

• Play the game passionately and unselfishly. Serve your team by playing aggressive defense [his father never did this] and passing the ball on offense [again, his father never did this].

• Humbly respond when the referee calls a foul on you. Do not complain or disagree in word or by facial expression [his father never did this].

• No inappropriate celebrating after you score; instead, recognize that others played a role [his father never did this].

• Thank the team manager for the way he served and recognize the humility and servanthood he is displaying each game. True greatness is sitting on the end of the bench.

There is nothing original or profound about this list. But helping my son apply it to his heart and life can make a profound difference. So after each game, I review the above list with my son. I go over the game with him and celebrate any and all expressions of humility and godly character. I tell him that this is more important to me than how many points he scored or whether his team won the game (although we do play to win!). Remember, fathers, what you honor and celebrate, your son will emulate. Therefore, we must celebrate godly character more than athletic ability or achievement.

This applies to watching a game as well. So as Chad and I watch the tournament, I will draw his attention to any evidence of humility or unselfishness I observe, as well as any expression of arrogance or selfishness. I will celebrate the former and ridicule the latter. I don’t just watch the game with Chad; I seize it as a teaching moment to equip him with discernment about true greatness in the eyes of God.

My passion for my son as he plays sports is that he would please and glorify God. I want him to grow in godliness, not simply athletic ability. You see, Chad will never play professional sports. His participation in sports is temporary and meant to be preparatory. Like his father, he will inevitably grow old and only be able to walk for recreation or play golf poorly. But, by the grace of God, sports can help him grow in godly character and prepare him for manhood. His participation in sports can equip him to fulfill his calling as a man to humbly and courageously serve and lead in the home, church and culture. But for that to happen, a father must teach his son to discern and adopt biblical priorities and practices while playing sports.

CJ, sorry about the Terps. But, hey, they got an NIT #1. Only a Duke loss will be able to assuage and console you now. Speaking of sports, why don't you share with us your wisdom on the following: How have you used sports to cultivate biblical masculinity in your son? Given our culture's propensity to unduly and inappropriately elevate sports figures, how have you helped your son cultivate discernment and guard against idolatry? What are some of the things you say to your son prior to his athletic events? What are some other pieces of advice you would give to fathers regarding sports and character development in their sons?

Mark, I just finished listening to your 9Marks interview with Carl Trueman - excellent! Folks you don't want to miss this one. It's entitled "Was the Reformation a Mistake?" on the 9Marks CD (though the conversation is actually significantly broader than that topic). Mark is the best theological interviewer in the English-speaking world, and puts Charlie Rose, Larry King, and Tim Russert in the shade, IMHO.

I’m here, Mark, but I’m a little distracted because March Madness has begun! I am very concerned Maryland will not be invited to the big dance, but I am looking forward to Duke losing in the tournament. I will be sure to let you know when that happens.

Hey, I experienced quite the surprise on Monday when Al called me to talk about college basketball. On the way home from the conference he read Last Dance, by John Feinstein. I was stunned. There is hope for Al, but I’m afraid I have no hope that you will develop even the slightest interest in sports. You are missing out big time, my friend, especially at this time of year. Luther would have loved March Madness.

There were a number of topics I considered posting on this week. I still intend to do a post about the importance of a plan for reading and study. But I must first add my voice to the reflections on last week’s Shepherd’s Conference--an extraordinary conference indeed. I would like to briefly draw attention to one of the pronounced evidences of God’s grace I observed.

John MacArthur, Dan Dumas, and the members of Grace Community Church put on a clinic in the art of serving. Though the preaching at the conference was outstanding, the example of servanthood (truly the fruit of expository preaching) was compelling. Every individual I encountered, from the first moment I arrived to my final moment at the conference, served with excellence--and not only excellence, but cheerfulness as well. The hundreds of members of Grace Community Church who took time off work in order to serve us were a compelling illustration and demonstration of the content of the preaching we heard. True greatness as biblically defined was on display each day of the conference. Sadly, in time, I will forget much of the excellent preaching I heard, but I will not forget the example of servanthood that I observed. I hope John, Dan, and the members of Grace Community Church feel our gratefulness and more importantly, God’s pleasure.

I do, however, have one recommendation for next year’s conference. Athletic events should be added to the schedule. Given that the overwhelming majority of the men who attend this conference are athletically inclined, there must be some way to make this a priority. How about a late night basketball tournament? This could take place from 11:00-12:00 each evening. Actually, I have already formed and finalized my team for next year’s tournament. The following guys have agreed to play on my team:

Ralph Drollinger
Joey Penberthy (And Joey’s brother, Mike, if he is back from Europe)
John MacArthur
Adam Bailies
Kurt Gebhards

These are my guys, and we will take on any other team that would like to be schooled and humbled at the conference. Of course, I issue this challenge in the spirit of servanthood and ultimately for the glory of God.

Finally, Mark, one of the unique joys for me at The Shepherd’s Conference was the time I spent hanging with and learning from you, Al and Lig. Being with you guys is exhilarating and exhausting. You seem to have another gear you shift into after all the meetings are over. At around 11pm, you get a burst of energy that carries you into the morning hours. And after a few hours of sleep, you guys do it all over again. I try to keep up, but never succeed. Even though it’s Friday and the conference ended last Saturday, I am still tired. But I love staying up late with you guys. You men work hard serving the Savior and His church. You personify 2 Timothy 2:15, and you do so with joy. And what a memory it was to be included in the panel Friday night and honored along with you men.

"In [this city], churches are wealthy enough to market themselves a crowd (I am also guilty). And how do we market? By asking and supplying what people say they prefer for their church experience. Given that my community finds 'relevance' the most important value to hold, I have been feeding them human enrichment rather than eternal and powerful truth (I have been like Joel Osteen in style with a little SBC culture thrown in). I have grown a church of baptized pagans."

That's just a portion of a truly remarkable email I received today.  A dear brother, of exemplary humility and striking faithfulness in his pastoral labors shared with me the problems that he had created by following popular church growth methods.  External growth had occured, yes, but, he confessed, "I have grown a church of baptized pagans."

Consider what it means to have a church of baptized pagans.  I remember a few years ago, reading in Mohtama Gandhi's autobiography this frank admission:  “What I want to achieve—what I have been striving and pining to achieve these thirty years—is self-realization, to see God face to face, to attain Moksha (spiritual deliverance) . . . I have not yet found Him, but I am seeking after Him . . . For it is an unbroken fortune to me that I am still so far from Him . . . I have not seen Him, neither have I known Him,” (Gandhi, Autobiography, p. 252).

Too many of our churches are made up of too many people who know God as little as Gandhi.  Too many of our churches are too full of baptized pagans.

Lig, make sure folks hear this at Ligonier's national conference on the church!  God bless you while you're there!

CJ, are you still there?

Al, wasn't this blog your idea?

And can anybody help me get these fonts to match up!?

I'm in Orlando today through Saturday for the Ligonier National Conference (located on the campus of First Baptist Church, Orlando, FL). John MacArthur gave the opening address on Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church, and it was brilliant. John gripped our hearts from the beginning with the brave and tragic story of the pre-Reformation reformer, John Hus, and never let go. He pounded home the way this indisputably true doctrine is undermined in modern church practice, and showed the practical, pastoral significance of this truth. It was vintage MacArthur. Then, just afterwards, R.C. Sproul shared a little known story from the ordination of Luther that tied him to Hus. You need to hear this for yourself. Talk about sovereignty! Get the audio!

Sorry about the slow blogging this week. I've been at a dead run. And though I've had the fleeting pleasure of brief phone conversations with Mark, and email exchanges with C.J., we haven't been communicating much via the blog. Adrian Warnock has even raised the alarm on our absence in the comments! Well, here's a start at making amends.

Mark's Luther ecclesiology questions are good. I agree with Mark that Marty Marty has rightly assessed Luther's attitude towards the finer points of church polity. As to Mark's second question, though I have great sympathy with the spirit of Luther's view, I myself am committed to a jure divino [by divine command] approach to church government (as is Mark). That is, we believe that the Bible sets down certain unalterable principles of the government and order of the church, for all places and times, and that we ignore them to our peril. I believe that God has established a biblical form of church government, appointed the precise offices of the church, explained their jobs and qualifications, directed how the congregation is to relate to those officers, insisted that Jesus is the only head of the church, and more. The Bible doesn't tell us everything about the government of the church, but it does tell us the most important things.

OK, Al and C.J., chime in.

Was it a week ago I set out for California?  Time flies.  Tempus fugits.  I'm reminded by your ruminations Lig of much I have to thank God for in this past week.  The past always looks so past when it's past.  (Bet no one links to that line!)

Monday was flying out there.  Good time all week with Mike Law, who accompanied me.  Dinner that night with you, Al, Greg Gilbert & Mike was great.  Thank you for getting the ties.  Sorry I forgot.

Tuesday was all day down at Westminster California in Escondido.  Good to catch up with Mike Horton, Bob Godfrey, Scott Clark, the rest of the faculty and also meet the Jones'.  At night, again, was hanging out with you, Al!

Wednesday was Master's College.  This was the most impressive Christian college chapel I have seen.  Hundreds of students obviously eager to hear God's Word.  That afternoon was a good time with Tom Ascol over at Fuller Theological Seminary's Bookstore. That evening was dinner with Al, Steve Lawson & John MacArthur, and then hearing John M preach a wonderful treatment of Luke 15.  Clayton did an amazing job with the music that night, and all week.  That night it was hanging out in Al's room with CJ Mahaney on our laptops with me re-tooling my message after John's good work that night.

Thursday I was up first in the morning at the conference.  If you're reading this and you were there, let me just tell you that you guys were a GREAT congregation to preach to!  My thought on preaching on unbelief was that it is an interesting way to get to the gospel, and a way in which I hope pastors would particularly be helped.  That evening was dinner again with John MacArthur, Steve Lawson & Al Mohler.  Then I got the opportunity to introduce Al a little bit for the evening, and he did a wonderful job for us on Colossians 1, and the importance of preaching.  Later that night, I had a little time with Al, and some other friends.

Throughout the week Matt Schmucker (9Marks) & Paul Medler (Sovereign Grace) were there, getting expert help from Dan Dumas in preparing for the Together for the Gospel Conference.  If you don't know what that is, slow down on your way to this blog!!

Friday was Steve Lawson in the morning and R C Sproul in the evening.  Two excellent messages.  A late morning meeting with Dave Doran of Detroit.  Great conversation.  Lunch with Jim & Steve, on staff for evangelism at Grace Community Church.  Good fellowship.  Q&A panel that Friday afternoon, well-led by John M.  Then dinner with RC & Vesta Sproul, John & Pat MacArthur, Steve & Anne Lawson, Lig, John & Mel Duncan.  The afternoon was spent listening to RC talk about the Steelers and Lig & John Duncan rap.  That evening, a special after time organized by Dan Dumas & Eric Bancroft was fun, humbling & incredibly kind.  I kept thinking that there was some mistake, me sitting there being honored with CJ, Lig & Al.  Dan & Eric, thanks so much!  And then, later that night, a great couple of hours with just the 4 of us hanging out and talking.  Thanks for the fellowship.  Lig, Al, CJ, you are each providing tremendous leadership.  People are being blessed by you guys in ways they have no idea of!  I love to see something of how the Lord works for the good of His people!

OK, since it's March, here's another Luther matter.  Martin Marty in his little book (on p. 115) observes that  “As for governance, Luther judged that if a pattern of polity or policy did not stand in the way of the gospel there could be flexibility in church order.”  2 questions:  1)  Is this what Luther thought (I think it is).  2) Do you three agree with this?  (I do only sort of.  I think there are more givens than Lig thinks and probably than Al thinks.  I don't know how exactly to read CJ on this!)

It was an honor to be asked to preach by John M, and great to see you guys and so many others.

It was a blessing to be with John MacArthur and his team, and the good folks of Grace Community Church at this year's Shepherds' Conference. I have never been so well-taken care of in my life (thanks to Steve Hall to for carting me around everywhere!). The singing was marvelous. The spirit was joyous and encourgaing. I just wish I could have been there for more of the conference, and had had more time to spend with the brothers who were gathered there for this great pastoral confab.

Before some of the highlights slip my mind, I'll share them here:

* Dan Dumas is a genius at organization and a gracious host. Thanks so much friend for all you did and gave. I am your debtor.

* I was able to meet a colleague whom I have long admired but never met - Steve Lawson. What a dear, brave and godly servant of the Lord. Steve is just a few miles down the road in Mobile, and I hope to fellowship with him in days to come. BTW, I am now an unabashed fan of his wife Anne - who has been duly installed in my "Real Reformed Women's Hall of Fame" after hearing Steve speak about her, and meeting her for myself.

* R.C. Sproul brought his A-game and his message on Romans 1 on Friday night was powerful and timely.

* Al, Mark, CJ and yours truly - after a wonderful T4G dessert gathering on Friday night - were surprised to receive four handsome presentation pieces of Spurgeon (for CJ), Luther (for Al), Edwards (for Mark) and Calvin. How kind. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

* Al Mohler's Saturday morning talk was vintage Al. Densely packed exposition, deftly applied, which searching cultural analysis, engagement and critique. He just needed another hour!

* It was great to meet Phil Johnson in the flesh for the first time. Just wished we could have had more time to talk. He and my brother John got to have lunch on Saturday, I think.

* Seeing my brothers for a few moments. John and Mel both work for Ligonier Ministries. I even got to fly back from LA to Atlanta with my brother Mel, and walk to our next departure gate together. Fun.

* Staying up late talking with Mark, Al and CJ on Friday night. Can you say "more fun than a barrel full of monkeys"?

* Meeting Lance Quinn for this first time. He and I both serve on Peter Jones' CWiPP board, but are never there at the same time! I've admired and followed Lance's ministry for some time now, so what a privilege to meet him.

* Got to hug Tom Ascol.

* A number of you asked to whom I was referring in my last post when I mentioned CHBC and CLC and GCC and BBC as examples of strong Reformed churches with excellent evangelistic track records. Well, CHBC is none other than Capitol Hill Baptist Church - pastored by the finest preacher-theologian-evangelist of our time, Mark Dever. CLC is Covenant Life Church, where Josh Harris is now pastoring, and where C.J. Mahaney so ably served. SGM, or Sovereign Grace Ministries is a good example of a family of churches that are superb at the practice of evangelism and emphatic in embrace of the doctrines of grace. Grace Community Church is GCC - what more need I say?! And BBC is Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, where John Piper serves. These congregations take a back-seat to no one when it comes to church health, zeal for the lost, effective witness, commitment to the great commission and joyful embrace of reformed theology.

“I have no use for cranks who despise music,
because it is a gift of God. 
Music drives away the Devil and makes people gay;
they forget thereby all wrath, unchastity, arrogance, and the like. 
Next after theology,
I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor.”
Martin Luther.  (Quoted by Martin Marty, Martin Luther, p. 114.)

Continuing my March celebration of Martin Luther, aren't his words about music here true?

Tomorrow at CHBC we're to have a funeral of a dear sister whom the Lord called home last week.  She was 99!  No doubt, we will have some wonderful singing tomorrow (DV) "Like a River Glorious" "I Will Glory in My Redeemer" "It is Well with my Soul"! 

And how blessed we were by music today at CHBC!  This morning we sang "Jesus Paid it All" "What Wondrous Love" "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah".  Tonight it was "How Deep the Father's Love" "The Servant King" "Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal"!

This past week out at Shepherds Conference (where we all 4 were, so instead of blogging, we were talking to each other late into the night!) we have been treated to phenomenal singing, and wonderful performed music.  Can Jubilant Sykes sing, or what?!?!  And Lig Duncan can rap!

And as wonderful as the music was--the Haydn piece on Psalm 19, the cello & harp, the incredible congregational singing, here's the amazing thing.  God Himself is even more wonderful than our best experience ever of hearing him praised in song!!!

So, again, I'm with Luther!  "Next after theology,
I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor.”

After theology.

Thanks Mark. Can't wait to see you, Al and C.J. Hope to be there early afternoon. Full day here in Jackson, but had a blast teaching Covenant Theology at RTS this afternoon (a course I teach each Spring). Covered the Noahic covenant and started into the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12 and 15. Rich passages, filled with God's grace.

Mark, Al and Lig: I will be praying for you and cheering you on as you preach over the next few days at the Shepherd's Conference. It is a particular joy for me to attend the conference this week with two of my sons-in-law. We are learning a lot, eating In-n-Out burgers for breakfast and having a blast. John MacArthur, who hosts and leads this important and strategic conference, opened our time with two outstanding messages. And the way Grace Community Church serves the 3,300 pastors in attendance is simply world-class. True greatness (humility and servanthood) is on display everywhere I look.

Speaking of John MacArthur reminds me of something that took place Tuesday. At John's kind invitation, we played golf together. Now playing golf with John is a memorable experience. The man is an athlete. He doesn't merely play golf. He attacks the golf ball. Each time I've played with John, I've been on his team. And what a team we are! How do I humbly share the following information? We've never lost. No joke. Whenever we've played and whomever we've played against, we've always won. And wouldn't you know it, we won again. It's now Thursday, and I'm still finding humility to be an elusive experience. Please pray for me.

Dear Lig,

I'm out here in California with Al, CJ and thousands of others at the Shepherd's Conference.  John MacArthur & company are graciously hosting us.  I've had edifying conversations with many people.  I was down at Westminster California in Escondido on Tuesday, and at Masters College in chapel yesterday.  Last night, CJ, Al & I were all in his room typing on our laptops (with CJ & Al trading the kind of posts you can read immediately before this one!).  We're looking forward to you joining us.

The preaching here has been refreshing.  John M. preached a powerful message on the parable of the loving father and the 2 sons in Luke 15 last night.  I am reminded by fellowship and example here that  “A good expository sermon costs far more labor than any other, but it is also of far higher value to preacher and hearer.”  H. Harvey, The Pastor:  His Duties and Qualifications (Philadelphia, 1879), p. 55.

I conclude that we need more expensive preaching.  It is a joy to labor with you all in pursuing this ourselves and encouraging it in others.

Yep Al, back to theology, and our category is common grace:

Florida State 79-Duke 74

C.J., you finally break me down.  I wanted to play the trumpet or trombone, but my orthodontist made me play a woodwind that did not require a mouthpiece on the teeth. So, I played the clarinet.  It is not a matter of great pride, because my heart was not fully in it.  At first, my playing sounded like a nauseated duck.  I progressed to a somewhat healthier duck sound. 

Happy now? 

Can we talk theology again now?  Sheesh. 

Al, I am honored to be invited on your radio program but I cannot even consider this kind invitation until you answer my question about what instrument you played in the high school band.

C.J. is too busy to do my radio program tomorrow.  I'm not buying it.  If you think he should do the program, call him.

Mark, thanks for the Luther quote. It is so spot on for our situation today. It reminds me of Calvin's statement that he who would be Christ's disciple must first become teachable.

Now, still more of you out there in T4G-land have let me know that the Packer chapter from which I quoted is available online. Justin Taylor tells me that you can get it online here. Another T4G friend, Steve, wrote in a comment that it could be found here. Read and enjoy!

In earlier posts, I've mentioned that I read through a different theologian each month.  Last month was Augustine (I read De Magistro).  This month is Luther.  Here is a good word from a very young Luther about being a disciple, before you become a leader.

“In holy and divine matters one must first hear rather than see,
first believe rather than understand,
first be grasped rather than grasp,
first be captured rather than capture,
first learn rather than teach,
first be a disciple rather than a teacher and master of his own. 
We have an ear so that we may submit to others,
and eyes that we may take care of others. 
Therefore, whoever in the church wants to become an eye and a leader and master of others,
let him become an ear and a disciple first. 
This first.”
(Martin Luther, First Lectures on the Psalms II, Works II.245-246).