"C S Lewis' doctrine of hell--that hell is merely the inevitable outworking of sin on the human psyche, and thus completely self-chosen rather than imposed by a wrathful God--has been growing in its popularity among evangelicals.  Although this idea of hell is obviously very useful in apologetics, it is unbiblical.  John Piper has drawn attention to some of the problems with Lewis' doctrine of hell in this recent article:

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2009/4368_How_Willingly_Do_People_Go_to_Hell/

Bill continues,

As I've grown in my knowledge of the Reformed faith, I've come increasingly to appreciate the Heidelberg Catechism. In its exposition of the Ten Commandments, the Catechism wisely notes that the first commandment requires shunning "all idolatry" (Q94). When it defines idolatry, the Catechism states that it "is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed himself in his Word" (Q95). Such an understanding has not only served to make Old Testament texts understandable, it actually reveals the basic problem in the human heart: our tendency to trust in other things alongside or in place of the God who has come near to us in Jesus.

Not only has the Heidelberg Catechism proven useful for me in this regard, but Tim Keller's new book Counterfeit Gods has also served as an excellent resource in thinking about idolatry and how it remains the basic problem of the human heart. In less than two hundred pages, Keller helpfully unpacks heart-idols, especially our fundamental trust in money, success, power, and love. He also deals with cultural idols such as racial superiority, national excellence, or religious accomplishment.

The book concludes with a discussion of how to deal with idolatry. Keller pastorally gives suggestions for how to identify heart idols; but he especially assists in recommending how to deal with this most basic human problem: by falling more in love with Jesus which, in turns, leads to deeper and more thorough repentance. "Rejoicing and repentance must go together," Keller observes. "Repentance without rejoicing will lead to despair. Rejoicing without repentance is shallow and will only provide passing inspiration instead of deep change. Indeed, it is when we rejoice over Jesus's sacrificial love for us most fully that, paradoxically, we are most truly convicted of our sin" (p. 172).

Obviously, no book is perfect. I wish that Keller had spent two or three chapters expanding the gold found in the concluding epilogue on "finding and replacing idols." I found myself longing to hear how God's grace triumphs even in the face of my persistent idolatry. (Maybe there is a future Keller book that will do this.) And yet, I found this book to be wonderful companion this past week in my morning worship. I will use this in my ministry, read and re-read it for my own benefit, and recommend it highly to others. 

Above all, Keller's book helped me in keeping the first commandment in the way the Heidelberg Catechism suggests: shunning all idolatry and "sincerely acknowledge the only true God, trust him alone, look to him for every good thing, humbly and patiently, love him, fear, him, and honor him with all my heart." I'm very thankful for this book and its contribution in helping me understand my basic problem and the real solution.

As usual, the workshop will feature lectures on preaching, model expositions, and (this is the heart of the experience) collaborative workshops working through biblical texts with fellow-pastors, developing expository skills.  Mark Dever will be the keynote speaker, with a focus on Romans 1 to 5.

The dates are February 3 to 5, 2010.  For registration, go to www.simeonworkshops.org.

Hardened rebels against God rest easy in a prayer said at Vacation Bible School, or a card signed at confirmation class. And guilty consciences stand paralyzed outside, fearful that Christ can only save those who look or dress or speak a certain way. And, through it all, American Christianity has become a vast conspiracy to sell one another products.

The combination of the damning power of cheap grace with the accusing agony of performance-based righteousness before God exists in every wing of the church. That's because it's not a medieval problem, but a primeval one.

"Morality is how I feel too, because in my heart, I could feel it. You could feel what's right or wrong in your heart as well as your mind. Most of the time, I always felt, I feel it in my heart and it makes it easier for me to morally decide what's right and wrong. Because if I feel about doing something, I'm going to feel it in my heart, and if it feels good, I'm going to do it."

For more on the consequences of doing what your heart feels, consult Jeremiah 17:9. 

WRESTLING JACOB

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

COME, O Thou Traveller unknown,

Whom still I hold, but cannot see,

My company before is gone,

And I am left alone with Thee.

With Thee all night I mean to stay,

And wrestle till the break of day.

I need not tell Thee who I am,

My misery, or sin declare,

Thyself hast call'd me by my name,

Look on thy hands, and read it there,

But who, I ask Thee, who art Thou?

Tell me thy name, and tell me now.

In vain Thou strugglest to get free,

I never will unloose my hold:

Art Thou the Man that died for me?

The secret of thy love unfold;

Wrestling I will not let Thee go,

Till I thy name, thy nature know.

'Tis all in vain to hold thy tongue,

Or touch the hollow of my thigh:

Though every sinew be unstrung,

Out of my arms Thou shalt not fly;

Wrestling I will not let Thee go,

Till I thy name, thy nature know.

My strength is gone, my nature dies,

I sink beneath thy weighty hand,

Faint to revive, and fall to rise;

I fall, and yet by faith I stand,

I stand, and will not let Thee go,

Till I thy name, thy nature know.

Yield to me now--for I am weak;

But confident in self-despair:

Speak to my heart, in blessings speak,

Be conquer'd by my instant prayer,

Speak, or Thou never hence shalt move,

And tell me, if thy name is LOVE.

'Tis Love, 'tis Love! Thou diedst for me,

I hear thy whisper in my heart.

The morning breaks, the shadows flee:

Pure UNIVERSAL LOVE Thou art,

To me, to all, thy bowels move,

Thy nature, and thy name is LOVE.

Contented now upon my thigh

I halt, till life's short journey end;

All helplessness, all weakness I,

On Thee alone for strength depend,

Nor have I power, from Thee, to move;

Thy nature, and thy name is LOVE.

Lame as I am, I take the prey,

Hell, earth, and sin with ease o'ercome;

I leap for joy, pursue my way,

And as a bounding hart fly home,

Thro' all eternity to prove

                        Thy nature, and thy name is LOVE.