Theolatte
Nothing goes better with a steaming latte than an engaging discussion about theology and philosophy. Sit down with your favorite caffeinated beverage and peruse the thoughts of a pseudo-intellectual.
Author Archive
The Holy Notion of Justice (Part 1/3)
March 10th, 2010
The clock ticks down as Jack closes in on the bad guys. In a dark room dimly lit by a single bulb he clamps jumper cables onto the earlobes of a terrorist in an attempt of uncovering some sinister plot. Jack Bauer is one bad dude.
I’ll admit I watch it every week and I love just about every minute of it. I can’t help but thinking if Jack were to take a nap he would be out several episodes. But not Jack, that guy doesn’t need sleep (or food for that matter).
Thankfully he is resilient enough to quickly recover from knife and gunshot wounds so that he can evade death and execute justice. We get to see it all go down in a 24-hour time slot. That’s how I like justice: fast and furious.
In real life it doesn’t always work that way. We know that the guilty often go unpunished. This will not always be the case. Jesus spoke of a coming judgment that would be absolute. The guilty will one day receive their eternal sentence.
But don’t look for comfort in the Bible; it cuts like a double-edged sword. In the New Testament we find that WE are the guilty. As Paul writes, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” If there is a judgment that awaits every person upon death, then it seems that we should be more fearful of dying.
Conversely, Jesus says just the opposite:
“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
It seems that there is something much more terrifying than the prospect of death.
To be continued…
Nietzsche, Eugenics and the Imago Dei
March 5th, 2010
My title sounds like the punch line to a bad joke.
Trust me, this is no joking matter.
I first want to state that Nietzsche was right.
If God is dead as Nietzsche suggested, or if metaphysics is dead as Heidegger suggested, then we have no basis for an understanding of human significance, morality or purpose.
What I Love About the Messianic Metanarrative: The Power of the Gospel and the Limitations of Apologetics
March 4th, 2010
Some of the most transformative moments of the last decade of my life have taken place in Southern Seminary’s chapel.
In the Alumni Memorial Chapel Building I have been challenged by some of the worlds greatest preachers who have visited our campus: D. James Kennedy, John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, David Platt, Alistair Begg, R. C. Sproul, Adrian Rodgers, John MacAthur, and the list could go on and on…
Today’s chapel sermon will be added to the list of providential words that will forever be etched in my mind.
Dr. Russell Moore’s sermon from 1 Corinthians 3 and 4 resonated with my understanding of Scripture as well as my own lived experience. You can watch the video from his sermon here.
Today I was reminded that apologetics is important but insufficient.
Because we are clearly told to have an answer for anyone who asks about our hope in Christ, apologetics is an act of obedience and therefore a part of our sanctification. Because we see in the Apostle Paul a pattern of reasoning with his audience, we know that apologetics is a critical part of evangelistic endeavors.
But it’s not enough.
I believe defending our faith is important. But it’s not enough.
I believe understanding secular philosophy is important. But it’s not enough.
I believe challenging secular propaganda is important. But it’s not enough.
Only the clarity of the gospel aided by the power of the Spirit can open blind eyes and awaken dead hearts.
I believe there is a Messianic metanarrative that has the exclusive power to satisfactorily answer humanity’s questions and heal its heartaches.
Only the power of God working through the Spirit can convict hearts of the truthfulness of the gospel.
Your logic and ability to reason will help. But they are not enough.
We need the Spirit.
The Purpose Driven Atheist: What Rick Warren & Richard Dawkins Have In Common
March 3rd, 2010
Rick Warren and Richard Dawkins make for strange bedfellows.
I’m not sure if they’ve ever met, but I have a difficult time imagining the two of them hitting it off. I can’t see Rev. Warren in his short sleeve, button-up Hawaiian top palling around with the well-groomed, British scholar Richard Dawkins.
As such, I was surprised to read both of their names in the same chapter of Greg Epstein’s recent book Good Without God. Epstein reprimands one and recommends another. Can you guess which one received the glowing endorsement?
The Undoing of Death
February 26th, 2010
The whole thing was going downhill fast.
Things were beginning to unravel.
The darkness of the moment was palpable.
Jesus’ immanent death had been illustrated by the observance of the traditional Passover meal. Peter’s forthcoming denial was prophesied. The abundant life that Jesus had spoken so much of seemed to be very distant from this precarious scene.
In the fourteenth chapter of the gospel of John we see the Messiah speaking words of comfort to his disheartened disciples.
On the eve of his death he encouraged them with these words:
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.”
They would be able to endure the pain of seeing him brutally murdered because they knew there was more to the story. The grave would not be the end. His resurrection would provide the courage they needed to take the gospel beyond the city limits of Jerusalem at the risk of their very lives. Death was about to be undone.
I’m thankful for a disciple who is known for doubt. His name is Thomas. He asked a simple question in response to Jesus’ promise, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, how do we know the way?”
Jesus’ response is epic, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”
Perhaps the most abiding joy and confidence we can experience today will come as a result of grasping and being grasped by the truth of Jesus’ words. He alone is the way, the truth and the life. Our frail lives are but a vapor and death will come for us all. But in Christ death will be undone. One day we will be with him. This is joy and this is peace, to know the Undoer of death and the Savior of our souls.
Scripture taken from John 14:1-6, NASB