Gospel Centered

Reflections on the past Months

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:01:32 +0800

What forms our identity? What is it that characterizes who we are? How different would the answer be if said person is a Christian? Being a theological student, no question hits harder than the one of identity. From Wolfhart Pannenberg to John Piper, from Granville Sharpe to Ernest Colwell, from particles to participles, theology students can spend hours discussing and debating such topics. The danger for so many of us is that this becomes our joy and our sustenance. Should dissecting extra calvinisticum excite me more than explaining the gospel to a group of 7 year-olds? I hope it never does.

This is what causes me to stop and ponder in my mind when I hear people say they love to sit around and discuss theology. Don’t get me wrong, I wish more people everywhere will do that. The question that always recurs in my mind is where is your theology taking you to? Do we envision a greater understanding of God that will produce a greater rejoicing and thanksgiving in our heart when we sit around and discuss theology? I for one don’t enjoy discussing theology. As a theological student I am very much aware that knowledge can so easily outstrip obedience. As it is, I feel like I know so much more than I am capable of obeying. It is a precarious state to be in.

So often I am encouraged when I look at my own church. The most theologically astute person is not necessarily the most obedient Christian. Often it is the other way around. I have to constantly remind myself that knowledge only carries me thus far, and it is not very far indeed. High Distinctions in theology or exegesis does not reveal who I really am. If my identity and my worth is tied up with how much I know, then grim it must be.

This leads me to the question: What is a Christian? How many theological students will reply in a snap, a Christian is someone who believes in Jesus Christ...etc Or someone who trusts in Jesus Christ.... All this I know and will die for. The Westminster Catechism answers in reply to the question What is the Chief End of Man, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Am I doing that? Am I enjoying God? How do I enjoy God?

I am blessed to be in a church that faithfully preaches the Bible each Sunday. And through this the Gospel is taught and explained. Yet why do I feel I am not where I should be in terms of the Gospel? When I hear the great price paid by Jesus, yes I feel convicted and sorrowful and thankful. But you will hardly find me absolutely captivated to the utmost degree. Write an essay on lapsarianism? Easy. Hear the Gospel and confront my inability to ‘enjoy God?’ Now that’s difficult.

May God grant us all eyes to see and ears to hear.

E

What is the Consummation of All Things in Christ?

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 19:42:37 +0800

The consummation of all things in Christ is the renewal of the present world at the end of history, specifically after the Last Judgment. This essay highlights an approach that focuses on the question: What happens after the Last Judgment? It follows a close dialogue between Paul Tillich and Wolfhart Pannenberg on eschatology. The first section examines the relation between time and eternity. What is the end of history? What is eternity; and its corollary, eternal life? The Kingdom of God forms the second section, as it is taken up by both Tillich and Pannenberg as a motif for the consummation. The third section is a biblical and theological critique of both Tillich and Pannenberg. Finally, brief applications conclude the essay.

Read it HERE.

Book Review: Emerging Evangelism

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 22:34:05 +0800

Post-modernism has for years characterised western society and the Church has at times struggled to adapt to the seemingly mosaic culture. Emerging Evangelism by John Finney seeks to address this by analysing current evangelistic thinking and practice. The book begins with observations on post-modern culture as well as past and present evangelistic practices. It then reviews biblical texts such as Acts 13 and 17 in order to argue the book’s main thesis: The Church’s gospel needs to be broader and deeper. Finney also suggests new paradigms of church community to facilitate this new gospel. On first glance Emerging Evangelism is a strikingly good resource for its observations on culture. Upon closer inspection however, it argues for a gospel that extends beyond orthodoxy. Any application to be drawn from the book must then be well thought over, making the book a difficult read.

Read it HERE.