The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm is a children’s book. You might be wondering, what is In-Depth Studies doing in reviewing a children’s book? Admittedly, this is not the sort of book that I would typically review. To be honest, I am usually a bit disappointed at most children’s books. The reason for my disappointment is that children’s books tend to be theologically deficient. You might be thinking, why is it so critical to be theologically correct in a children’s book? The answer is that everything we do is supposed to be done in a manner that brings glory to our God (1 Corinthians 10:31). The Big Picture is a Bible Story book. The illustrations are wonderful and the book is well put together. The wording on the pages is minimal so that this book would work well for young children. But, the strength of this book is its handling of the Old Testament. It sees all the Old Testament as pointing toward the ultimate story of the cross of Jesus Christ.  All the stories in the Old Testament were guiding us to the greatest of all stories, the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross to pay for the sins of all those who were going to believe. I recommend this book to all parents and grandparents as a very useful tool to help you in your quest to ground those entrusted to you with the amazing message of Scripture.

]]> http://idsblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=209 0 http://idsblog.com/?p=204 http://idsblog.com/?p=204#comments Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:07:49 +0000 Geoff Volker http://idsblog.com/?p=204 James 1:13-15

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown , gives birth to death.

In this blog I want to explore the relationship between a temptation and a test in the life of the believer. In seeking to understand the relationship between these two concepts it must be pointed out that the same event can be for the believer both a temptation and a test. How can this be so?

In my previous blog on the problem of evil I pointed out that our God is the first cause of all things, even evil, yet when evil is done those who do the evil and they alone are to be blamed for the evil. God can never be blamed for the evil as he is a holy God (1 John 1:5). When a believer encounters a temptation he is being tempted to dishonor his God. The source of this temptation comes either from the remaining evil within the believer or from evil outside of the believer. So, from the point of view of responsibility God cannot be blamed for the temptation since temptation is only concerned with the enticement to do evil. But, from the point of view of God as the first cause of all things, the same event that has been described as a temptation is also a test brought into the life of the believer by a loving Father who would never bring anything into the life of the believer that was not motivated by his love and for their good (Romans 8:28). The test is brought into the life of the believer in order to build him up not tear him down.

A temptation is also a test and a test is also a temptation. It all depends on your point of view. When we are tempted to do evil we must resist this temptation for we are being enticed to do something that dishonors the God whom we love (Hebrews 12:4). But, from another point of view the temptation can be also viewed as a test that our Father in heaven has brought into our lives in order to cause us to become more Christ-like and to increase our love for Him (Romans 8:28).

The ultimate example of how Scripture handles the problem of evil can be seen in the event of the cross of Jesus Christ. The event of the cross is at the same time the greatest evil ever committed and the greatest good ever done. Jesus was the only innocent person to have ever existed (Hebrews 4:15). His going to the cross was the result of the sin of many folks (Acts 4:27) and therefore the greatest evil ever committed. At the same time his death on the cross is the greatest good since it resulted in the salvation of many folks (Hebrews 10:14). The death of Jesus on the cross was a determined event by the God of Scripture (Acts 4:28). God determines all things, including evil, yet when evil is done only those who do the evil are to be blamed.

Some older biblical writers use the word “permit” when they are talking about God and evil. When they phrase things in this way they are seeking to emphasize that man is truly responsible for his sin. But, while they are saying this they are also clear that in a way that we do not fully understand our God does determine all things and evil is a part of his predestined plan.

We are not allowed to blame a holy God even though he has determined the event. This is a true mystery in Scripture for the God of Scripture is not like us in his being. In only some ways are we made like him. He is not like us and he does things that we cannot do. We must affirm what Scripture says and not try to smooth out the problem. When asked to explain this beyond what I have already said I simply give them my “theological shrug” and that is the end of that. I love the God of Scripture even though and I cannot neatly explain him.

It has been a while since I have enjoyed a commentary like this one. Dennis Johnson, who teaches at Westminster Theological Seminary in California, has written a commentary on the book of Revelation from an amillennial point of view. This commentary is not difficult to read or to follow. Dennis does an excellent job in showing how the book of Revelation reveals God’s plan for the end in the form of visions. These visions, by there very nature, are not to be taken literally. He shows how the apostle John took imagery from Ezekiel, Zechariah, Daniel and the plagues of Egypt to teach us about the fulfillment of history from Pentecost to the 2nd Coming, the New Covenant era. It is true that Johnson, who is an advocate of Covenant Theology, is at times a bit handicapped in his understanding of how the Old relates to the New and especially the role of Israel in the plan of God. It would be better if he understood Israel as a temporary unbelieving picture of the people of God. But, do not let this criticism deter you from this quality commentary. 

One of the great strengths of Triumph of the Lamb is its handling of the book of Revelation as literature. Once you grasp that Revelation is a series of visions that are not meant to be taken literally and there order of appearance is not necessarily chronological you will begin to see the wonders of the unfolding plan of God.

I see the book of Revelation as first and foremost a devotional book. We live as it were in the “cheap seats.” Our ability to see the big picture is handicapped by our point of view. The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse behind the scenes. What we see is that our God has all of history under his control and that his plan is infolding right on schedule, a German train schedule. The children of God are protected and only experience what their Father in heaven, in his love, has determined for them. The wicked, contrary to what we typically see, do not get away with their sin. There eternal judgment is guaranteed and none get away.

BOOK REVIEW

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller, published by Dutton, 2008, 139 pages, clothbound.

I am not a big fan of writing a negative book review, but in this instance I am making an exception. The book Prodigal God is very popular in Calvinistic circles. And since I live in those circles I feel compelled to say a few words about the book. Tim Keller is a PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in downtown New York city. He is an excellent writer who is easy to read. He is a good communicator. He understands the necessity of the new heart in the life of a real believer. But having said all this I must now share my thoughts regarding his book

Prodigal God is a short book about the parable of the lost son or “prodigal son” in Luke 15:11-32. Tim Keller misses the point of the parable and spends the rest of the book addressing issues that have nothing to do with the parable. Let’s first discuss his handling of the parable. Parables are folksy stories from everyday life that all of Jesus’ hearers would understand. Every parable teaches something about the kingdom of God. In response to a question from his disciples as to why he taught in parables Jesus says that he taught in parables to hide these truths about the kingdom from the Israelites and fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9-10. It was God’s plan that Israel not believe (except for a remnant) and parables had a role to play in fulfilling that prophecy. Parables tell us something about the kingdom. The details of the parable are not relevant except that they do tell a story. Each parable has something to say about the kingdom. Unless Jesus interprets the details, as he does in two of the parables (sower and weeds) we cannot read into the details for we would only be guessing as what they might mean for us today. Scripture interprets itself, or to say it another way, God is his own interpreter.

The parable of the prodigal son is all about God rejoicing over one sinner who repents. In Luke 15 we have three parables that follow the criticism of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law regarding the time Jesus spent with tax collectors and “sinners.” Jesus response is to give three parables, the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Each of these parables says the same thing through three different stories. The point of the parables is that the repentance of one sinner causes all of heaven to rejoice and therefore that would explain why Jesus spent his time with those who knew that they were in great need. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law did not see their need.

Tim Keller seeks to show that the parable of the lost son is all about two different types of unbelievers, and he spends the bulk of this time on the “religious” unbeliever as represented by the elder brother. He then seeks to find signifcance from all of the various details of the parable. To try to get something from the details of the parable is to guess as to what the parable might be trying to say. There is no way to verify his conclusions. They are just guesses. He then goes on discuss various issues regarding the church that have no relevance to the parable of the lost son.

The book Prodigal God is a book that seems to be a forum for Tim Keller to share his views and is looking for a text to justify his conclusions. I cannot recommend the book. Tim Keller is a very good guy but his handling of Scripture is not very good. As I close I would encourage you to let God be his own interpreter and to resist the temptation to guess as to what a particular Scripture is saying. The parable of the lost son is a wonderful parable to remind us of that most important truth, that of entering the kingdom of God by saving faith, and this is what causes all in heaven to rejoice. That is why it says, For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)

The reason that everything works out for our good is because our Father in heaven is controlling everything that happens to us and he is motivated in what he does to us by this love for us and his perfect wisdom. Now it is important to understand that when we sin we and we alone are responsible for our sin (Acts 4:27-28). We are never allowed to blame our God for our sin even though in some way he is the first cause of all that we experience in our life (1 John 1:5). Therefore in light of all this we must come to the conclusion that whatever we experience in our life is the result of the work of a loving Father. If this is true, and it is, then we must conclude that whatever we experience in our life is exactly what our Father wants us to experience. That means that everything that has happened is an essential part of God’s plan for our life. His love for us has determined that we must experience what we have experienced. Nothing else will do. 

This means that our only biblical response which glorifies our Lord is one of true thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Ephesians 5:20). To give thanks is to embrace what our Father has done and to acknowledge that WHATEVER HE DOES IS RIGHT and we love him for doing it that way. We are acknowledging his perfect wisdom in what he is doing in our life. This truth is very freeing to the believer. It means that we are never the victim and there is absolutely no room for any self-pity. To indulge in self-pity is to indulge in unbelief. To look at life from a biblical point of view transforms our attitude and enables us to have true joy in all of life (1 Thessalonians 5:16). This is my confidence, this is my certainty, that whatever my God does in my life is motivated by his love for me and his perfect wisdom. Knowing this means that the only response that glorifies him is one of truly giving thanks for all that he has done. Whatever my God does is right!

But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (Hebrews 10:3)

First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you please with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, ” Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:8-10)

The author of Hebrews is making the point that the offerings and sacrifices were required by God in the Old Covenant era yet they did not secure the forgiveness of sins. What then was the purpose of those sacrifices? When we repeatedly read in Leviticus that the doing of the proper sacrifice or will bring about forgiveness (Leviticus 4:26) what are we make of this? It would seem that in light of the teaching passages in the New Covenant era on the subject of Old Covenant sacrifices and offerings we are to understand that the sacrifices and offerings never paid for the sin of the one who was offering the sacrifice. It did give them a right standing in the nation of Israel but not acceptance by the God of Israel. Only the death of Jesus Christ on the cross can accomplish the forgiveness of sins.  So, the sacrifices and offerings of the Old Covenant era functioned only as a picture of something that the death of Jesus on the cross would accomplish. If you only read the Old Testament that truth would not be very clear. Therefore we must read the Old through the lens of the New.

In the New Covenant era the subject of sacrifice is dealt with in a very different way. Jesus did offer himself as our sacrifice on the cross to pay for our sins. Yet we are told to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.

Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

The believer in the New Covenant era is not burdened with the tedious sacrifices and offerings that were the responsibility of the Israelites under the Old Covenant. Our Savior has made the perfect sacrifice for us and as a result of that we are unconditionally accepted by the Father. But there is a sense in which our lives are characterized by sacrifices. We are to be a living sacrifice to our Lord. All of life must be lived for Him. This is what we will desire to do if we have a new heart, and all those who have their sins forgiven will also have a new heart (Hebrews 10:14). So, in the New Covenant era sacrifice still dominates the people of God just as it dominated the lives of the picture of the people of God in the Old Covenant era. Only in this era the sacrifice that is required is a life that is motivated to do all things for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

So as you read the Scriptures please take the time to understand the significance of each portion. It all has meaning for us. All we need to do is to understand why it is there and our boredom will be extinguished.

Romans 9:24-26 9 (NIV)                                                                                                                                even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? As he says in Hosea:         I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people: and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved       one, and, It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they         will be be called ’sons of the living God.’

Paul is stating that the promise to Israel of future restoration is fulfilled by the coming of the New Covenant era and the establishing of the real people of God who are made up of mostly Gentiles. He is speaking of New Covenant fulfillment in Old Covenant language. Another way of saying this is that the only way that you would be able to understand the true fulfillment of these passages is interpret the old through the lens of the new. God is his own interpreter and he gives us the true meaning of his scripture.                                

Why would God give to Old Covenant Israel only part of the picture? It would seem to me that since Israel was only a temporary, unbelieving picture of the people of God they only needed to understand the passage as speaking of Israel as a picture of what God was going to do through the real people of God, even though they did not grasp the role of Israel as a picture of the people of God. We, on the other hand, who are believers this side of Pentecost in the New Covenant era need to grasp the full meaning of the promise. Therefore we are given the meaning of its true fulfillment. Paul was carefully handling the passages from the book of Hosea. He used these passages in a context that conveyed their true meaning in the New Covenant era.                                                                                                                                       

As we read God’s word we need to be careful to let God interpret his own word. We need to set aside our presuppositions and observe how the biblical writers handled Old Testament passages when they are quoted in the New. To say that since God gave the promise to Israel of its restoration the fulfillment of that promise must of necessity require a literal restoration of ethnic Israel is to impose on that scripture a requirement that God does not impose. God is his own interpreter.

“Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do your submit to its rules: Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” (Colossians 2:20-23 NIV) 

Holiness comes from the work of the Spirit in the life of the believer (Romans 8:5-14). The Spirit causes the believer to be discontented with those things that are displeasing to him (Titus 2:11-12). Whatever we do that is not done for the glory of God must not be done. There was a time in my early walk with the Lord that I could not play tennis to the glory of God since I was so competitive. There was nothing wrong with the game of tennis. I just could not manage to play it with a God-honoring attitude. This applies to the television, movies, etc. There are no foods that are off limits to us today. It would do no good to quote 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV) where it is said that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore we should honor God with our bodies, the context is about avoiding the sin of sexual immorality, not certain foods. 

It is true that during the Old Covenant era under the Mosaic Law there were holiness laws that restricted what you could eat (Leviticus 11). It was sin to eat something that was forbidden under the Mosaic Law. But this era was the time of the picture. Our God was illustrating through physical forms spiritual truths (Colossians 2:16-17). Now that we live this side of Pentecost in the New Covenant era we are no longer under the Mosaic law but under the law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19-21). In the Law of Christ there are no longer any restrictions regarding what we should eat or what we should wear. Now, we are to do all things in such a way as to bring glory to our God. To bring glory is to do everything in a manner that does not go against the law of Christ (Romans 12:2). 

Our Father in heaven has given to his children an amazing world that is to be enjoyed as long as we recognize our obligation to do all things for the glory of God. And in closing is should be noted that all believers have this work of the Spirit working in them that causes them to keep on loving their Lord which results in their having an ever increasing desire to do all things for his glory.

So enjoy certain foods and certain colors and appreciate the beauty that is around you, for you were created this way by the God of heaven and earth and he described his creation as VERY GOOD!

What can be done to become more faithful with our evangelistic efforts?  Much could be said in reply.  In the future, I hope to develop some further ideas on this.  First, I recommend reading several excellent books on doing biblical evangelism to help one understand and apply a biblical approach.   I have read each of the following books and found them very biblical, practical and encouraging.  None of us is born a faithful, zealous ambassador for Jesus.  We must pray that the Lord would change us as needed and then practice telling the gospel to others while depending on God to save sinners.  Here is my list of suggested books:

• “Tell the Truth”  by Will Metzger
• “The Gospel & Personal Evangelism”  by Mark Dever
• “Evangelism & The Sovereignty Of God”  by J.I. Packer

As a believer and ambassador, my goal is to live an “evangelistic lifestyle”.  I desire to “show and tell” the gospel at anytime and with anyone.  I am not at this point yet but God is changing me!  Will Metzger reminds us in his book “Tell the Truth” that evangelism must be God-centered and exalt God’s grace.  This must be communicated in a personal way to lost sinners.  He writes the following:  “God centered evangelism is a way of life.  It does not advocate a method but encourages knowledge of people and how to apply a macrogospel to the conscience and heart.  Witness should be natural, educational and bold.  It is something we are, not just something we do.  ‘Personal witnessing’ is the phrase that best describes the evangelistic life to which all of us are called” (p. 205).

This statement by Will Metzger has helped me over the years become more effective and faithful in my evangelistic efforts.  My focus is not on a particular evangelism method but on understanding and living out the gospel before a watching world.  My life is to be saturated with the glorious truths of Scripture and the gospel.  Biblical evangelism is centered on God and his purpose to rescue sinners from eternal punishment through the cross work of Jesus Christ.  The unbeliever needs to get right with God in order to escape the wrath to come.  My role is to bring this Good News to fallen people.  I must be involved with people and love people.  I am to proclaim the truth of the gospel but only God can bring results.  He alone has the power to save dead sinners. God saves sinners!  Thanks be to God!

In closing, I have a few encouragements to help you develop the “evangelistic lifestyle”.

1.  Immerse yourself in the glorious truth of the gospel and the cross of Christ (Col. 1:21-23).

2.  Evangelize for the glory of God (1 Pet. 4:11).  Desire to see God exalted in all things.

3.  Use your sphere of influence (home, work, family, neighbors, etc.) to build relationships with people and proclaim the gospel of Christ  (Phil 1:12-14).  God calls us to love others.

4. Rest upon the sovereign grace of God to rescue sinners while working to win people to Christ (1 Cor. 3:5-9).

5.  Bathe your evangelistic efforts in prayer.  We must depend on God and ask God to make us bold and zealous to see others reconciled to God (Col. 4:2-4).

May the Lord cause you to grow in your love for Him and the Gospel.  We have been given a wondrous privilege.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”     (Romans 1:18)