Ten Signs of the Emergent Church

[Facebook users: the video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Fr-FBstaE]

12-Year-Old on Abortion

After being threatened with disqualification (because of the topic), this 12-year-old girl from Toronto won a speech competition. She was initially disqualified by the judges, but after much disagreement and one of the judges quitting, the girl was declared the winner.

[For those of you reading this on Facebook, the video is here.]

Multiple Interpretations: A Problem?

In an ethics class I am in, the author of the book lays out many reasons within the first chapter as to why he believes religion cannot be the basis of a rational system of ethics. Among many of the ridiculous reasons given is the idea that religious people disagree and there is no criterion with which to determine the correct view. Specifically, he mentions that there are many differing interpretations of the Bible; the supposed problem is that we have no basis of deciding between them and cannot know which interpretation is correct. I have heard this and similar claims many times from a wide variety of people. When I hear it in person it typically follows a statement I have made based on the biblical text and is expressed in the form of, “Well, that’s your interpretation.” So, does the existence of multiple interpretations negate the possibility of biblical authority and provide grounds for its dismissal? Does the existence of multiple interpretations of a given passage prove those interpretations meaningless? Is there criterion by which an interpretation can be adjudicated?

It is my contention that this dismissal of the Bible stems not from a way to discern between interpretations, but from a presupposition that the Bible is not the word of God. If one starts with the idea that the Bible is not the word of God and that it is both fallible and false, then one may easily dismiss all interpretations of such a text as equally invalid - all the while thinking that disputes over interpretations are not decidable and frighteningly absurd.

On the other hand, if the Bible is presupposed to be the inspired Word of God, can the conflicts between interpretations be revolved? Assuming the Bible is the Word of God, let’s examine what it says about itself:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Romans 15:4 (ESV)

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Given that the Bible is profitable for reproof and correction, there must be things it is not saying. That is, there must be teachings and interpretations that are false and ergo correctable (see also 2 Peter 3:13-18). We can also see that Scripture was purposed for our teaching and instruction.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Job 42:1-2 (ESV)

Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

If God’s words and purposes will be accomplished, then the Bible must be able to teach, instruct, correct, etc. the man of God (see also Isaiah 46:9-10). This necessitates that there is a criteria by which the Bible can be correctly interpreted.

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

This implies that the Christian can and ought to interpret the Bible correctly, further implying that there is a means to do so. While I have not yet said anything about what the criteria is, I believe I have demonstrated that if one supposes the Bible to be the Word of God, then criteria exist for doing so.

So, if one does not believe the Bible to be the Word of God, then biblical interpretation and disputes over interpretation are rather worthless, but it is not because of a lack of criterion, rather a lack of truth and authority. On the other hand, if the Bible is the Word of God, then criteria must exist. Concerning the similar objection that “that’s just your interpretation”: if both x and y interpretations exist of a given passage, the existence of interpretation y does not invalidate interpretation x. The mere existence of differing interpretations does not make them all invalid.

I am going to suggest that because the Word of God was given by use of language that it has canonical context, a context within a specific book and genre, a context within each argument, and a construction within each sentence that contributes to meaning. Since it was given to specific people at specific times, I also suggest it has a historical context. It is then my contention that the grammatical-historical hermeneutic is the criteria for deriving interpretations from the text and deciding between them.

Resolutions for 2009

In light of the past year, I am going to make simpler resolutions for this year. There were times last year when I had forgotten entirely that I had made resolutions. I will once again borrow some from Jonathan Edwards, including the introduction to them:

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

1. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be most to God’s glory.
2. Resolved, to do whatever I perceive to be my duty.
3. Resolved, to accept rebuke with thankfulness.
4. Resolved, to pray believing God is omnipotent and sovereign.
5. Resolved, not to be unnecessarily argumentative.
6. Resolved, never to do anything that I would see fit to despise in others.
7. Resolved, to remember at all times that anything I do well, anything I do that is commendable, any thought that I have that is pure, correct, and right is only by God’s grace and his good pleasure.
8. Resolved, to create, maintain, and preserve peace except when doing so violates another resolution.
9. Resolved, to study frequently and steadily God’s Word and so meditate upon it as to better fulfill these resolutions and to better my love and service to God.
10. Resolved, not to buy a book except if it is a gift, required of me by school or church, or on my reading list (only 5 of which I do not own, and perhaps could borrow).
11. Resolved, to read over these resolutions once a week.
12. Resolved, that when I should stumble or fall in the keeping any part of these resolutions, that I repent of all I remember and submit my will to Christ once more.

Although I have borrowed some from Edwards, there are certainly differences between my resolutions and his (besides the number of them). For instance, Edwards’ resolutions were for life, whereas mine are for 2009. I certainly do not intent to keep number 10 throughout my entire life.

God and Ethics

“These are absolutely wrong, not wrong based on religion.”

I recently read these words, written by a friend of mine. I disagreed with much of what he wrote, but I believe these words to be illustrative of the source of our disagreement. He makes a distinct separation between religion and ethics. More than that there is the implication that there is an absolute nature to what I’m going to call the secular ethics and a subjective nature to the religious ethics. I think this sentiment is fairly typical in the western world.

Can a Christian Separate God and Ethics?

Perhaps my friend did not use either ‘God’ or ‘ethics’ in this phrase; however, the context provides that the religion in question is Christianity and it could be rewritten “not wrong based on the Bible” or “not wrong based on the belief in the God of the Bible.” So, is there a way for the Christian to call something ‘absolutely wrong’ by appealing to something other than God?

I think the obvious answer is no. If we consider the purpose of man this becomes rather clear. The Westminster Larger Catechism defines it as thus: ”Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.”¹ This corresponds with 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV): “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” and Colossians 1:16 (ESV): “For by him² all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him.” If man is created for God’s purposes and our chief purpose is to glorify him, then can we determine our success or failure without consideration of the God we are to glorify?

It is by God that we know right from wrong. Not that He simply informs us, but that he is the standard of goodness! God is held as the standard by which we are compared in Matthew 5:48³ and Romans 3:23⁴. If not God, by what standard are we then to call something absolutely wrong? What are we to make of Proverbs 3:5-7?⁵

Christians cannot separate God and ethics; they cannot appeal to an absolute right or wrong apart from acknowledging God. Man is always rebuked for merely doing what is right in his own eyes.⁶

Can a Non-Christian Separate God and Ethics?

The short answer is no. Given that Christianity is true, the unbeliever will have the same problem the believer has in this separation. Since God is the standard of good, appealing to anything else as the standard will only end in error. You might ask: why do many non-Christians seem to be such good, caring and moral people? It is not my intent to demonstrate that non-Christians cannot live up to human standards of morality. I contend that they cannot live up to correct standards of morality⁷, but even that is not my point. There is no basis for morality apart from God and all beliefs that are structured in attempt to build morality on top of another foundation will be incredibly arbitrary and inconsistent.

Conclusion

Ethics does not exist in a void. Ethics must have some sort of foundation and standard. Either God is the absolute standard of morality or he isn’t. Christians ought to remain Christian consistently throughout their thinking, which would mean acknowledging God as an absolutely necessity in determining right from wrong. Why would a Christian become secular in his thinking in this (or any) belief, when we are commanded to do the opposite by God’s mercy when presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice in Romans 12:2?⁸

1. Most people are likely more familiar with the Shorter Catechism, which reads “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” And, of coarse, there is John Piper’s assertion that it is better stated, “The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.” {John Piper, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. (Multnomah Books, 2003), 17-18.} [↩]
2. Jesus Christ [↩]
3. You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (ESV) [↩]
4. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (ESV) [↩]
5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away fro evil. (ESV) [↩]
6. See Deuteronomy 12:8; Judges 17:6, 21:25; Proverbs 12:15, 21:2. [↩]
7. as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” [Ps. 14:1-3, 53:1-3] “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” [Ps. 5:9] “The venom of asps is under their lips.” [Ps. 140:3] “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” [Ps. 10:7] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” [Prov. 1:16, 3:15-17; Isa. 59:7-8] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” [Ps. 36:1] Romans 3:10-18 (ESV) [↩]
8. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable, and perfect. (ESV) [↩]

Barack on Abortion: Children as a Punishment

(I don’t think that this will display the videos when it is imported into Facebook, so I’ll provide a link to YouTube below each of them.)

Children are a Punishment

Video can be found on YouTube here.

Punished with children? Obviously Barack is not saying that all children are a punishment. But those that are unwanted, those that were not intended by their parents are a punishment! Consider Psalm 127:3-5 :

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
   the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
   are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
   who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
   when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Even if children were a punishment, what Barack is saying is a horrendous idea!

At this point, one might bring up those who have been raped. While that is a tragedy that needs discussion, that is not what Barack was addressing. He was addressing a scenario in which a girl sleeps around and becomes pregnant, does not want a child that would burden her and decides to kill the child. Oh, wouldn’t the world love to sleep around and freely have sex without any consequences or responsibility!

Two Children; Two Mentalities: Life and Death

Video can be found on YouTube here.

As I watched this, I couldn’t help but think of an adopted child at my church, Trinity Baptist, who could be considered a ‘failed abortion.’ How such an atrocity can occur is beyond me! To take a child, yes a child, in a situation where even the pitiful excuse that it is not a person cannot be used and kill it!

Abortion is sickening! We are often lectured not to have tunnel vision, or to be a single-issue voters. I find this to be a clever way of downplaying the immensity of vile act of abortion. Could you justify voting for a pro-slavery candidate because you liked his economic policies, or his oratory skills, or his healthcare plan? I urge you to look at all of the issues and where each candidate stands (both in words and record), but to make sure to prioritize the issues and to give them due weight - lives depend on it.

What’s Your Theological Worldview?

What’s your theological worldview?created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Reformed EvangelicalYou are a Reformed Evangelical. You take the Bible very seriously because it is God’s Word. You most likely hold to TULIP and are sceptical about the possibilities of universal atonement or resistible grace. The most important thing the Church can do is make sure people hear how they can go to heaven when they die. Reformed Evangelical 100% Fundamentalist 82% Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 61% Neo orthodox 61% Emergent/Postmodern 25% Roman Catholic 18% Classical Liberal 18% Charismatic/Pentecostal 11% Modern Liberal 7%

Biblical Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Recently I read Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I would not recommend this book to anyone. The subtitle is “Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality.” It is mostly a narrative that bases its arguments on experience. As far as I can remember, it does not quote the Bible or reference it directly, it merely alludes to it a couple of times. I could hardly recommend a book on spirituality that barely mentions the Bible, let alone a book that is not based on the Bible.

“Actually,” I told him reluctantly, “I have always agreed with the idea that we have a sin nature. I don’t think it looks exactly like the fundamentalists say it does, ’cause I know so many people who do great things, but I do buy the idea that we are flawed, that there is something in us that is broken. I think it is easier to do bad things than good things. And there is something in that basic fact, some little clue to the meaning of the universe.” ^{[1: p 17]}

Miller doesn’t say exactly what he means by fundamentalists, but I don’t think it is far fetched to infer that he is saying that he doesn’t quite agree with total depravity. It seems he believes that sin nature is a flaw and a propensity toward evil. People can do good things (even great things), but it isn’t easy. What does the Bible say about man and his nature?

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? ^*

Psalm 14:1-3 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one. ^*

Luke 18:19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” ^*

No one does good, not even one! That’s is quite a bit different from what Miller describes.

A little later, in a chapter called “Magic,” Miller talks about “big haired preachers” and what they said about Christ.

I never liked it when the preachers said we had to follow Jesus. Sometimes they would make Him sound angry. But I liked the idea of Jesus becoming a man, so that we would be able to trust Him, and I like that He healed people and loved them and cared deeply about how people were feeling. ^{[1; 34]}

Jesus is angry. Is He loving? Of course, He demonstrated that on the cross. But that doesn’t mean He is never angry or that He is not angry with sin or sinners. John 3:36 says, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” ^* Or read about the Second Coming:

Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” ^*

Furthermore, why would we be more inclined to trust God as a man? We should trust Jesus, but not because He was made a man. And He did not become a man so that we would trust Him! He became a man to seek and save the lost - He became a man to be the perfect mediator between man and God - to save man from sin and Hell - to satisfy the wrath of God!

It also gives me little comfort to see Miller put quite a bit of stock in what he likes and doesn’t like, rather than what is true.

Starting on page 41, Miller speaks about Reed College saying, “I felt alive at Reed.” Also, “As odd as it sounds, having grown up in the church, I fell in love with the campus. The students were brilliant and engaged. I was fed there, stimulated, and impassioned. I felt connected to the raging current of thoughts and ideas.” Then, in the next paragraph, he says, “Many of the students hated the very idea of God, and yet they cared about people more than I did.” Wonderful.

Miller makes several snide remarks in this book. When talking about his writing career (on page 188), he makes this remark, “There’s not a lot of work in the Christian market if you won’t write self-righteous, conservative propaganda.” Really?! I used to work at Mardel (a Christian store, which does sell books); there are plenty of liberal books and many books that are fluff and so theologically vacuous that they can hardly be classified as liberal or conservative. And there is a plethora of conservative books that could hardly be called ’self-righteous.’ I find much of the ’self-righteousness’ in the liberal books, whereas the conservative books tend to recognize Christians have a righteousness that is not their own, but Christ’s.

In a chapter called “Money,” Miller writes about a friend named Curt who hates church, cusses, tells dirty jokes, and watches ‘South Park.’ Curt lectures Miller on tithing and Miller says, “I go over to Curt’s house to watch South Park, and I get a guilt trip from a fundamentalist.” So, Curt hates church, etc. but is a fundamentalist? What exactly is your definition of a fundamentalist, Mr. Miller? Is it simply someone disagree with? Is it anyone the slightest bit more theologically conservative than you?

I think the line that really caught my attention and really annoyed me was on page 115. “For me, the beginning of sharing my faith with people began by throwing out Christianity and embracing Christian spirituality, a nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced, but not explained.”

This idea that Christianity (or Christian spiritualism) cannot be explained is rampant throughout the book, as well as the emerging church. So, it did not surprise me to see this idea again in the beginning of the seventeenth chapter, “Worship.”

There are many ideas within Christian spirituality that contradict the facts of reality as I understand them. A statement like this offends some Christians because they believe if aspects of their faith do not obey the facts of reality, they are not true. But I think there are all sorts of things our hearts believe that don’t make any sense to our heads. Love, for instance; we believe in love. Beauty. Jesus as God. ^{[1: p 201]}

I stopped where I did because the paragraph that follows that is absolute nonsense. I would agree that parts of the Christian faith do not align with reality as perceived by Donald Miller. However, I would say that truth is defined as thet which corresponds to reality as perceived by God.

On the following page, Donald Miller relates trying to convince his friend that he is a mystic:

I asked him if he believed in the Trinity. He said he did. I asked him if he believed that the Trinity represented three separate persons who are also one. He said he did. I asked him if that would be considered a mystical idea. He just stood there thinking.
You cannot be a Christian without being a mystic. ^{[1: p 202]}

I think, more than anything, this shows that Mr. Miller does not understand the Trinity or mysticism. Now, I am not saying that anyone can fully understand the Trinity, or God. But there is an enormous difference between being a mystic and not have a complete knowledge of something. The Trinity is three Persons and one God; three persons in one nature, one essence. The Trinity is not three persons and one person.

Mysticism often refers to the idea that intuitive and immediate knowledge of ultimate reality (or in this case, God) is possible. That is, you can have knowledge of God that bypasses the intellect and cognitive abilities that is straight from God. If Miller means mysticism by this definition, then I would say the closest thing to this that Christianity teaches is the conscience, or rather, the innate knowledge of the Law. There is an experiential knowledge in Christianity, but it is no more mystical than the experiential knowledge I have of tasting a steak. All other knowledge of God is given to us through the Bible.

Now, I want to contrast Donald Miller’s atrocious ideas of truth and knowledge with what R.C. Sproul has to say about truth and knowledge. Here’s what Sproul has to say about the private interpretation of the Bible:

For the classic Protestant, though the individual believer has the right to the private interpretation of Scripture, it is clearly acknowledged that the individual is capable of misinterpreting the Bible. He has the ability to misinterpret Scripture, but never the right to do it. That is, with the right of private interpretation the responsibility of correct interpretation is also given. We never have the right to distort the teaching Scripture. ^{[2: p 43]}

And this is what Sproul says about truth:

As Christians, we must be intimately involved with and passionately concerned about the matter of truth. Because, we are told, Biblically, that God in His character (in His inmost being) is defined as a being who is altogether truthful.

We remember the banter between Pontius Pilate and Jesus during Jesus’ trial. Where Jesus spoke concerning the truth and Pilate suddenly wanted to become philosophical, and he said, “What is truth?” And at that very moment the Truth was standing right in front of him.^[3]

In John 14, Jesus calls Himself the “Way, and the Truth, and the Life.” He defined Himself as truth. The Christian ought to consider truth sacred. Contrast this with Satan. He is a deceiver; in the first time he is mentioned in the Bible, he is lying. John 8 says there is no truth in him.

R.C. Sproul continues:

Let me say something that may sound outrageous to you: Errors in doctrine are sinful. It is a sin to be wrong. It is a sin to be wrong about theology. It is a sin to hold a wrong view; it is an even greater sin to teach a wrong view.

Why do Christians differ in theology ad doctrine?

Because the Word of God is so obscure, so mottled, so mysterious that no virtuous person could ever really sort it out? Or is it because when we come to the Biblical text, we come with our prejudices, we come with our biases, we come slothfully, rather than diligently?

Is there anybody in this room that, since you got out of bed this morning, has loved the Lord your God with your whole mind? Is there anyone in this room who, for one full day, has given a perfect living sacrifice of your mind to a pursuit of the truth of God? ^[3]

This is radically different from Miller’s “nonpolitical mysterious system that can be experienced, but not explained.” Christianity not only can be explained, but should be. Scripture should be carefully examined. 2 Timothy 2:15-17a says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.” And if you back up a little bit, you’ll see 2 Timothy 2:2 “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” A little further and you’ll come to 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” ^*

Luke 1:1-4 says, “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” So Luke wrote his gospel so that Theophilus would know the exact truth? It seems so.

Look through Proverbs and you will also see that knowledge and wisdom are attainable and that it comes through the fear of the Lord and through God’s Word. It must be sought after, but you can receive it. Christianity can be explained and is not some mysterious, mystical thing you must experience. Can you experience Christianity? Yes. Are there mysteries (things we do not comprehend in its entirety) in Christianity? Yes. But it isn’t mysticism. Go read the Bible.

^{* New American Standard Bible © The Lockman Foundation.
1 Miller, Donald. Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality. 2003. Thomas Nelson, Inc.
2 Sproul, R.C. Scripture Alone. 2005. P & R Publishing Company.
3 Sproul, R.C. Renewing Your Mind with R.C. Sproul: Telling the Truth. Podcast. Dec 25, 2007. Ligonier Ministries.}

New Year’s Resolutions

I have recently read Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions and have decided to make some resolutions of my own. Several of these convictions have been working in my heart and in mind for some time and several coincide with Edwards’. And though I cannot articulate them as clearly or as eloquently as Jonathan Edwards, I find myself compelled to record them nonetheless. It is not my intention to merely take Edwards’ Resolutions and restate them, but he has influenced the order and phrasing of my resolutions regardless. Furthermore, I find I can write no preface to my resolutions so well as Edwards that I will use his introduction:

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ’s sake.     

1. Resolved, to do whatsoever I see will bring the most glory and pleasure to God without regard to cost, time, and energy. Resolved to carry out my duty to fear God and obey His commandments.
2. Resolved, to desire and find my pleasure and joy in Christ. To thirst after the living God. To delight in the character and nature of God.
3. Resolved, to study God’s Word, to search and meditate on the Scriptures, that I may better fulfill the first two resolutions.
4. Resolved, in my love of Christ, to have and grow a heart for the nations and for my fellow man. To love and serve my neighbors because Christ loved me. 
5. Resolved, in my love of Christ and my love for my neighbors, pursue excellence in the things I set out to accomplish, so as to glorify God, imitate Christ, and further the Gospel. That in my work I may be found approved and above reproach, with no need for shame, but walking in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
6. Resolved, that when I should stumble or fall in the keeping any part of these resolutions, when I am myself and of sound mind, that I repent of all I remember and submit my will to Christ once more.
7. Resolved, never to do anything that I would not do if I expected Christ to return within the hour.
8. Resolved, never to do anything that I would see fit to despise in others.
9. Resolved, to pray earnest, specific prayers, always expecting them to come to pass.
10. Resolved, to create, maintain, and preserve peace except when doing so violates another resolution.
11. Resolved, to battle and discourage heresy by clearly articulating and rightly dividing the Word of God and always doing so in love.
12. Resolved, to act as I think I should wish I had if I am damned in the end.
13. Resolved, when I am in pain, to think of the pains of Christ, of martyrdom, and of hell.
14. Resolved, never to spend money when I think that when looking back in a year’s time I will think it to be rash, foolish, stupid, selfish, dishonest, or imprudent. Yet also, in my giving, to be charitable, generous, and cheerful; always giving gladly when I can.

As I look back over my list, it occurs to me that it only makes sense that, after reading Edwards, I should borrow from some of his phrasing. After all, he, being widely held to be one of America’s greatest theologians (if not the greatest), would surely produce clear, concise, and meaningful resolutions; whereas I am more likely to butcher the use of our language in everything I write. In any case,  I have listed my resolutions and now the daunting task of carrying them out lays ahead. Will I break them? Most certainly. That is why I must rely on Christ and must never break the 6th resolution. And, if in my studying of the Bible, I find that a resolution is contrary to Scripture, then I will either fix or abandon it.