Biblical Theology

Mondays with Marty

2012-01-23T09:00:00.002-05:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther notes the dangers of human reason:

6572 Human reason either abandons hope or becomes too cocksure. Where it abandons hope, those die without the cross and without the light. Where it is presumptuous, they are deceived and the result is the same. (p. 302)

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2012-01-16T10:45:00.000-05:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther marvels at the fact God entrusts his message to preachers:

3492. It is an oddity that God entrusts us preachers to the office of His Word, with which we are to rule over the hearts of people which we cannot see into. But it is the office of our God, who says to us: "Go, preach, I will make you successful, I know the hearts of men." That should be a comfort to us, even when the world laughs at our mission. Just as it is related that Maximilian once burst out laughing heartily at himself, and he explained later: "I laugh to think God has entrusted His mission to a drunk and disagreeable cleric, who climbs into the pulpit like a goat." (p. 223)

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2012-01-09T10:17:00.000-05:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther exhorts us to pay careful attention to God's Word:

6004. You must diligently study God's Word, and learn to make careful distinctions; for there are, namely, two types of people in your congregation: the callused, for whom the Law, examples of God's anger, the flood, the fire of Elijah and the destruction of Jerusalem, must be held up to as examples. They need to be attacked directly and frightened. On the other hand, those who are already in terror of their souls need only the promise and the Gospel; you need to keep the examples of God's compassion before their eyes. (p. 234-35)

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2012-01-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther reveals the secret to defeating our greatest enemy:

3643. Do you want to learn how to defeat the greatest, most heinous and most destructive enemy; the enemy who would otherwise devour you and destroy both body and soul; against whom one would spend all his money to purchase all available weapons; spend his last penny just to learn this skill? It is a sweet, dear little herb called patience!

Yes, where can I find such a medicinal herb? My answer to that is: "Take to heart Belief, which says that no one shall bring you harm without the will of God." And if it does happen, then it is a result of God's friendly, merciful will, and your enemy will bring upon himself a hundred times more harm than you. Only love flows out and says: "I will do nothing but good to him in return for evil, and let him collect fiery coals upon his head." Those are the weapons on which conquer the enemy, who appear as big as mountains, and whom cannot be otherwise conquered or destroyed with iron and steel. (p. 135)

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-12-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther reminds us of the dangers of wealth:

1475. Great treasures bring great miseries. I'm rich, even though I do not have much, because I can enjoy what I have. I don't have any concerns about concealing my wealth from others. The worry about how to hang onto one's money is the worst servitude. (p. 105).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-11-21T08:44:00.004-05:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther reminds us of the way that God works:

1233. In comparison to the devil, we are nothing, like the seeds of the dandelion, which children blow away. Nevertheless, God triumphs over the devil through weakness [2 Corinthians 12:9]. (p. 254).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-11-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther explains how he feels about dreams:

801.I have prayed to God for Him to spare me from dreams' they are deceitful and full of double meanings. He does not have to reveal to me any signs of supernatural powers; I cannot take on the responsibility of interpreting such things, nor is it necessary. for God has already given me His Word, which I now have. That is what I cling to, that is what I believe in. (p. 250).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-11-07T09:02:00.000-05:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes the great exchange of the gospel:

5598. In regard to how a faithful soul should talk with Christ, Martin Luther said: I am Your sins, You are my salvation. Therefore I am joyful and without worry. For my sins have no power over your redemption, nor will Your salvation allow me to remain a sinner long. Praise be to God! Amen! (p. 376).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty - Reformation Day Edition

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

Since today is Reformation Day, I have assembled a special collection of clips to celebrate:

Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms (2003 movie edition):

A Reformation Day Polka:

A Reformation Day Rap:

On a more serious note, you can find a listing of the 95 Theses here and a good description of the Five Solas of the Reformation here. Now go celebrate the rediscovery of the Gospel through the Reformation!

Mondays with Marty

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes three kinds of people:

5956. There are three types of people: 1. The majority of people, who are completely self-confident and live without the slightest pang of conscience and have no sense of God's wrath. 2. Those whom God has frightened with the Law, who flee and are ringed with dougt, like Paul. 3. Those who in their fear suddenly hear the preaching of the Gospel of merciful forgiveness of sins and accept it. (pp. 297-98).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-10-17T08:41:00.000-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther extols the value of music as a balm for melancholy:

3955. The optimum restorer for a depressed individual is music, even when played with very nominal skill. As [Virgil] said: "You raise your horn and blow, I will sing the verse." You sing the notes and I will sing the text. (p. 139).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-10-10T08:56:00.000-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther laments the suffering that grain experiences at the hands of people:

851. Grain suffers a lot from people. For first of all, it is thrown onto the ground, so that it will germinate. Finally, when it is grown and ripe, it is cut up or torn out. After that it is threshed and sifted, then we grind it and brew beer or near beer from it, which farmers guzzle and then give it back above and below and tinkle on the fence. (p. 99).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-10-03T09:30:00.004-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes how a believer should speak to Christ:

3188. If someone laments that he was so troubled by a sermon that he had to leave, comfort him so: "God receives two kinds of offerings, one is praise, and the other is a shattered heart." (p. 221).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-09-26T08:23:00.000-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes how a believer should speak to Christ:

5598. In regard to how a faithful soul should talk with Christ, Martin Luther said: I am Your sins. You are my salvation. Therefore I am joyful and without worry. For my sins have no power over Your redemption, nor will Your salvation allow me to remain a sinner long. Praise be to God! Amen! (p. 376).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-09-19T08:49:00.003-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes what lies inside people when they gather for church:

2563a. His wife said: "Oh, it was so full in church that it really stank!" Luther responded: Yes, there certainly is a pile of dirt at times, which is usually hidden within them, and it is always best when they bare their souls. (p. 333).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-09-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

This week for Mondays with Marty, Luther explains the importance of knowing the original languages of Scripture:

“In proportion then as we value the gospel, let us zealously hold to the languages. For it was not without purpose that God caused his Scriptures to be set down in these two languages alone – the Old Testament in Hebrew, the New in Greek. Now if God did not despise them but chose them above all others for his Word, then we too ought to honor them above all others. . . . Let us be sure of this: we will not long preserve the gospel without the languages. The languages are the sheath in which this sword of the Spirit is contained; they are the casket in which this jewel is enshrined; they are the vessel in which this wine is held.”

HT: Ray Ortlund, Gospel Coalition

Labor Day

2011-09-05T11:40:00.000-04:00

Since today is Labor Day, rather than our usual Mondays with Marty I am reposting something I wrote for Labor Day several years ago:

Today we here in the United States celebrate Labor Day, a holiday originally created in the 1880s to commemorate the efforts of trade and labor organizations. Today, however, the day is largely seen as a final day of vacation that marks the end of the summer. People often celebrate with cookouts or road trips, all of which are great.

But this year Labor Day has provoked me to think about a Biblical view of labor/work. Here in the United States many people regard work as something to be avoided or endured until the next opportunity for recreation. This attitude has resulted in an unbiblical view of retirement as a time to indulge oneself with a life of comfort and leisure. Sadly, such flawed views of work have infiltrated the church, where many have the same view of work that our culture does.

So what then does a biblical understanding of work entail? A blog entry is no place for a fully developed treatment, so all I can offer here are a series of claims about the biblical nature of work that I regard as essential.

1. God created Adam and Eve to work in the Garden (Gen 2:15). Some Christians (whether consciously or unconsciously) have the impression that work is a result of the Fall rather than a part of the created order. But Gen 2:15 makes it clear that God placed Adam in the Garden to "cultivate and keep it" and then created Eve as his helper in the task (Gen 2:18). This work was part of Adam and Eve's mandate to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it" (Gen 1:28). So work is part of who God has made us to be; it is part of the original created order that God designated as "very good."

2. Adam and Eve's rebellion resulted in work becoming difficult (Gen 3:17-19). God curses the ground as a result of Adam and Eve's rebellion. Suddenly work became difficult as the curse altered the created order. At the risk of repetition, it must be reiterated that work is not the result of the Fall; it is the difficulty of work in a fallen world that is emphasized.

3. God instructs his people to rest from work regularly (Exod 20:8-11). God establishes the pattern of our work by instructing his people to rest regularly from their work so that they may focus particularly on worshiping him. However one understands the Christian's responsibility to keep the Sabbath, we can all agree that God enjoins his people to rest regularly from their work.

4. All work is to be done for the glory of God and the advancement of his kingdom (Gen 1:27-30; Exod 19:5-6; 1 Cor 10:31; Col 3:23). Although I think this is implied at several points in the OT (particularly the kingdom of priests notion), this principle is most clearly seen in the NT. In Gen 1:27-30, the idea that God creates man in his image is at least in part explain by the task he assigns them. This implies that reflecting God's image is central to a biblical view of work. Paul applies this principle to tasks as mundane as eating and drinking in 1 Cor 10:31, while in Col 3:23 he exhorts his readers to do all work as to the Lord. If the ultimate goal of the kingdom is for the glory of the Lord to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14).

5. Christ through his active obedience perfectly accomplished the work the Father gave to him (John 17:4; 19:30). As the Son of God who obeyed where both Adam and Israel failed, Christ did everything his Father commanded. The climax of that work was his sacrificial crucifixion, triumphant resurrection, and glorious ascension that accomplished the redemption of his people and inaugurated his reign.

6. Christ commissioned his followers to work for the advancement of his kingdom until he returns (Matt 28:18-20; John 17:18; 1 Pet 2:9-10). Jesus stressed that he was sending his disciples into the world just as the Father had sent him. After his resurrection Jesus specified the nature of that commission as making disciples, while Peter applies the language of kingdom of priests to believers. These different perspectives all contribute to the reality that Christ commission his followers to work for the advancement of his kingdom in anticipation of his return.

7. In the new heavens and new earth God's people will continue to work (Rev 22:3). In the final chapter of the Bible, John paints a stunning picture of the new heavens and the new earth. One of the lenses he uses is a new Eden. In that new Eden, God's people will serve him. This may come as a shock to some Christians who perceive the eternal state as nothing but recreation. Part of what makes the new heavens and the new earth so beautiful is not the absence of work, but the absence of the curse that makes work difficult. Can you imagine being able to serve the Lord without any hindrance from sin, fatigue, frailty, or anything else that limits our ability to serve God?

I don't claim that this is the last word on a biblical theology of work, but I trust that it may serve as a useful first word. May we all take seriously Paul's words to the Corinthians:

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor 15:58)

Mondays with Marty

2011-08-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther extols the value of the Psalms:

3416. One should always have the Psalms on hand and constantly and without interruption reflect upon them, because we can never adequately appreciate their splendor unless we read them diligently (p. 343).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-08-22T09:37:00.000-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes the necessity of variety in preaching:

234. A preacher is like a carpenter; his tools are God's Word. Because the audience, upon whom he is to work, is diversified, he should not continuously teach in the same tone, rather, in respect of the differences in his congregation, comfort for a while, frighten, scold, offer reconciliation, and so on. (p. 209).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-08-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes our tendency towards idols:

3407. Those who don't trust in God, trust in creation; the papists in their works; the pagans in their idols; the greedy in their possessions; others in their princes, and so on. The world wants and insists upon having an idol, for it belongs to the devil, who wants to be so honored. Therefore, do not be disturbed by their ungratefulness and evil, carry on. (p. 277).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-08-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes his dislike of talkative people:

2401. I hate people who talk a lot. Because most of the time, when it sounds like they have something really important to say, they are telling lies. For the truth, however, with which they are rarely acquainted, they use few words. (p. 110).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

When the Going Gets Tough... (Exodus 6:2-27)

2011-08-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

This past Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at Christ's Covenant Church. I continued our series in Exodus, which is entitled "From Slavery to Sonship." You can find the audio of the message here.

Mondays with Marty

2011-08-01T14:16:00.000-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes the devil:

724. The devil is no doctor of theology, but he is experienced, and no one stands against him except Jesus Christ. The devil can imitate God and say [Matthew 4:9] "I will give you all these [all the kingdoms of the world] if you worship me." But Christ called him by his correct name [Matthew 4:10]: "Get yourself away from me Satan." (p. 320).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-07-25T09:05:00.000-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther extols the value of the Psalms:

3416. One should always have the Psalms on hand and constantly and without interruption reflect upon them, because we can never adequately appreciate their splendor unless we read them diligently (p. 343).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.

Mondays with Marty

2011-07-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

In this week's installment from Off the Record with Martin Luther, Luther describes his Bible reading habits:

1877. The doctor said: For some years now, I have read the Bible through twice annually, and if I compare the Bible to a large and majestic tree, and all the words the small limbs, I can say I have knocked them all about to see what they were and what they meant. (p. 326).

DISCLAIMER: The views reflected in this quote do not necessarily reflect those of the author of this blog. This quote is shared in the interest of edification, education, and/or humor.