Convinced by the Scriptures: A Look at Luther (vol. I)

"Your Imperial Majesty and Your Lordships demand a simple answer. Here it is, plain and unvarnished. Unless I am convicted [convinced] of error by the testimony of Scripture or (since I put no trust in the unsupported authority of Pope or councils, since it is plain that they have often erred and often contradicted themselves) by manifest reasoning, I stand convicted [convinced] by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God's word, I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us. On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."
-Luther at the Diet of Worms, refusing to recant true Christian belief

I'm almost certain that most people have at one time in their education read Luther's speech at Worms. It is a magnificent demonstration of a Christian showing backbone in a world that had lost it (much like the world of today). I think this speech, at least the conclusion of it, should be memorized by every Christian, taught to our children, and the fire within it, the Fire within the man, should spread throughout our ministries. O! That the fire of God would fill His people today as it filled the heart of Martin Luther!

Personally, I have never read any writer apart from the writers of Scripture itself that so greatly reflected the passion for the Truth and the desire for the glory of God as Martin Luther. Sadly, though, it is rare that I mention Luther and do not have to spend the following ten minutes explaining that I'm not talking about Martin Luther King. Thus, I'm writing this in order to share with you a taste of the writings of this man I hold in such high regard; it is my desire that you will read this and see in it what I see: a heart that rejoices in making much of its Savior! And, hopefully, it will inspire you to read more of Luther's works and pray for the fire that God placed in him.

First of all, then, let me direct you to a short, but excellent biography of Luther by one of my contemporary heroes, John Piper. Please read it, or listen to the audio before you continue on in this note:

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1470_Martin_Luther_Lessons_from_His_Life_and_Labor/


"In my sin, my death, I must take leave of all created things. No, sun, moon, stars, all creatures, physicians, emperors, kings, wise men and potentates cannot help me. When I die I shall see nothing but black darkness, and yet that light, 'To you is born this day the Savior' [Lk. 2:11], remains in my eyes and fills all heaven and earth. The Savior will help me when all have forsaken me."
-from a Christmas sermon on Luke 2:1-14

"Yet how many Jews do you think there were, though not having faith, were most wise, religious, and virtuous men, and men who strove with might and main to attain to righteousness and truth? Why, he frequently bears them testimony, that they have a zeal for God [Rom. 10:2], that they pursue the righteousness of the law [Rom. 9:31], that they earnestly seek night and day to attain to salvation [Acts 26:7], that they live blamelessly [cf. Phil. 3:6]. Even so they are transgressors of the law, because they are not Jews spiritually, and they stubbornly resist the righteousness of faith. What then remains but that free choice is worst when it is best, and the more it endeavors the worse it becomes?"
- from "Bondage of the Will"

"Where the heart receives the king with a firm faith, it is secure and does not fear sin, death, hell, nor any other evil; for he well knows and in no wise doubts that this king is the Lord of life and death, of sin and grace, of hell and heaven, and that all things are in his hand. For this reason he became our king and came down to us that he might deliver us from these tyrants and rule over us himself alone."
- from Luther's Church Postil

"If you believe in Christ and his advent (coming), it is the highest praise and thanks to God to be holy. If you recognize, love, and magnify his grace and work in you, and cast aside and condemn self and the works of self, then are you a Christian. We say: 'I believe in the holy Christian church, the communion of saints' (from the Apostles' Creed). Do you desire to be a part of the holy Christian church and communion of saints, you must also be holy as she is, yet not of yourself but through Christ alone in whom all are holy."
- from Luther's Church Postil

"36. Any truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without indulgence letters.

37. Any true Christian, whether living or dead, participates in all the blessings of Christ and the church; and this is granted him by God, even without indulgence letters.

***

92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, 'Peace, peace,' and there is no peace! (Jer 6:14)

93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, 'Cross, cross,' and there is no cross!

94. Christians should be exhorted to be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, death and hell.

95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven through many tribulations rather than through the false security of peace (Acts 14:22)."


That's all for now, but I'll be posting more soon. Soli Deo Gloria!

The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter (A Discussion) Part 1

In the upcoming days, that could become weeks I plan on posting challenges that arise while reading The Reformed Pastor by the great Puritan pastor Richard Baxter. Baxter began his ministry different that he ended it as the Lord revealed his weaknesses and he was transformed into the reformed pastor that he writes.  As I go along I will also give more information about Baxter himself as I give the challenges he shares with us in his book.

Section 1: The nature of this oversight

Baxter makes it clear that before we even attempt to pastor we must ‘take heed to ourselves.’ There are often times where ministry gets in the way of our own relationship with the Lord and we may offer something we do not have. There have been times where I have given biblical advice or counsel but have refused it myself when it was desperately needed.

Baxter said, “Take heed, therefore, to yourselves first, that you be that which you persuade your hearers to be, and believe that which you persuade them to believe; and heartily entertain that Saviour whom you offer to them.”

In reading this section, the nature of this oversight, there were a few key thoughts that I observed…

1. The pastorate can become more of a job or a duty.

The meaning of this is that one cannot look at the ministry just as something that we are giving or offering to others. Instead the bread of life that we hold we must take and eat or else we will famish with it in our hands. Baxter said, “Oh what aggravated misery is this, to perish in the midst of plenty! – to famish with the bread of life in our hands, while we offer it to others, and urge it on them!” Instead of urging the bread on others we must eat of it first so that we do not die of starvation. We must take of the work of the Gospel before practicing our duty of giving it to others.

2. Preach to one’s self before preaching to others.

Just like the latter, this thought comes with the idea that we must be concerned about our own faith. How has the Gospel affected you, the preacher? If the Gospel has not affected you then how can you preach? Baxter urged his readers to preach to themselves first: “If such a wretched man would take my counsel, he would make a stand, and call his heart and life to an account, and fall a preaching a while to himself, before he preach any more to others.”

3. Gospel ministry is effectual.

Again the previous thoughts play into this one as well. As one preaches to one’s self and eats of the bread of life one undertakes the knowledge of the Lord. In so doing one can preach a Savior that one knows personally. Talking of this fact Baxter continued that the preacher will “desire their earnest prayers to God for pardoning and renewing grace; that hereafter they may preach a Saviour whom they know, and may feel what they speak, and may commend the riches of the gospel from their own experience.”

4. The pastor must begin with God and theology.

In this Richard Baxter shared that before philosophy and before any other thinking or school that, “Theology must lay the foundation, and lead the way of all our studies. If God must be searched after, in our search of the creature, (and we must affect no separated knowledge of them) then tutors must read God to their pupils in all; and divinity must be the beginning, the middle, the end, the life, the all, of their studies.”

May the Grace of the Lord be with you,

Kelley

"Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; and afterwards for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which makes the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God's revealing His will unto His people being now ceased."
-The Westminster Confession

"The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious unto me according to your promise. When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law. At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!"
-Psalm 119: 57-64 (ESV)

Welcome to the Reformed Underground!

We are a group of college-aged men and women who, in the tradition of the Reformers, want to see the good news of Jesus Christ spread throughout our campus, our community, and the world in such a way that it reflects the true, inerrant teaching of the Word of God. It is our goal to accomplish this by teaching and encouraging young men to study, expound, and apply the Word to their lives and by reaching those who do not know the Lord with the wonderful Truth of the Gospel- that God became man, died on the cross for our justification, arose from the dead that we may one day rise, and dwells within all of His followers in the form of the Holy Spirit Who works in them their sanctification. We also want to encourage young men to get involved in ministry in local churches, on campus, and at home.

Primarily, we accept the Reformed theological tradition, as it is the most accurate statement of biblical theology. Included in this are what may be called the "solas":

Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone is the standard for Christian belief. (Psalm 119:18; Psalm 138:2; II Tim. 3:14-17)

Soli Deo Gloria: All of life is to be lived for the glory of God alone. (1CO 10:31; 1PE 4:11; REV 1:6; 2PE 3:1; EPH 3:21; REV 7:12; ROM 11:36)

Solo Christo: By Christ's work alone are we saved. (1TI 2:5-6; COL 1:13-18)

Sola Gratia: Salvation is by grace alone. (Ephesians 1:3-8)

Sola Fide: Justification is by faith alone. (Galatians 3:6-11)


Opportunities to get involved in our group (as of the time this is being written) include:
-a weekly, in-depth Bible study (Thursdays at 8:30 PM in Kleist chapel)
-the Dead Preacher's Society (Sundays at 8:30 PM at Seth Ellis's home)
-multiple opportunities throughout the semester for campus/local ministry
-spontaneous fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ

Come and take part in helping us glorify God by spreading the truth of His Word!

Grace and Peace,
Lucas