The Theology of Lauren Daigle! “Look Up, Child!”

I think I’m in love. No, not with Lauren Daigle, but with her music! I’m deeply moved by her songs and think anyone who has ears and a brain and a heart ought to be as well. What I want to do in this series of posts is listen to and think about the theology her songs present. Comments welcome!

My comments:

Okay. Okay. These lyrics are a bit repetitive. But, sometimes that’s exactly what I need! When “darkness seems to win,” “when the world is crumbling,” “when all I feel is doubt” — that’s when I need to be reminded to look past myself, past the circumstances surrounding me!

He’s not threatened by war or the storm or our suffering. And the great thing about being a Christian is that He calls our name and He bids us to do one thing: to LOOK UP, CHILD!

Any comments?

 

The Theology of Lauren Daigle! “You Say!”

I think I’m in love. No, not with Lauren Daigle, but with her music! I’m deeply moved by her songs and think anyone who has ears and a brain and a heart ought to be as well. What I want to do in this series of posts is listen to and think about the theology her songs present. Comments welcome!

My comments:

What’s most important in life? Knowing the Lord — and listening to what He says. About Himself. About you and me.

If the real God of the Bible exists, then it is in Him that we find our worth, our identity!

What’s the place of our belief? If we don’t believe what He says, we are calling God a liar and are missing out on the truth itself.

I’ve been reading the gospel of John with a few friends. Here’s an assignment: read the gospel of John in a Bible you don’t mind marking up. And circle every use of the word “believe.” You’ll be astounded!

Any comments?

 

The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Belief)

ch871223

 

The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Math Atheism)

 

The Theology of Calvin . . . and Hobbes (Belief)

 

Ruminating on ROMANS! (Some Thoughts on Paul’s Great Epistle) #28 “What I DO Understand in Romans 11!” (A Study of Romans 11)

Many of you know that my New Jersey friend Frank and I are reading through God’s Word together (described here). We’re now in the book of Romans and are reading chapter 11 each day this week.

1. There are two categories of people: Israel and the Gentiles.
2. There are some clear advantages to being born a Jew (v. 1).
3. There is a remnant chosen by grace (that we may not be aware of) (v. 5).
4. Grace versus works is a fundamental conflict (vv. 5-6).
5. There were/are two categories of the people of Israel: the elect and the hardened (v. 7).
6. Somehow God is involved in the hardening of some (vv. 8-10), as predicted in the Old Testament.
7. But Israel’s “fall” was not “beyond recovery” (v. 11).
8. Israel’s transgression = salvation has come to the Gentiles (v. 11).
9. Somehow envy is important to the Lord (v. 11).
10. Israel’s transgression means riches for the world and their loss means riches for the Gentiles (v. 12).
11. But there is hope for their “inclusion” (v. 12).
12. Paul takes pride in his ministry to the Gentiles, as the apostle to the Gentiles (v. 13).
13. Somehow arousing envy in God’s people will save some of them (v. 14).
14. Their rejection brought reconciliation to the world (v. 15).
15. Their acceptance will bring life from the dead (v. 15).
16. We get the imagery of dough, firstfruits, and branches (vv. 16ff).
17. The Gentiles are a wild olive branch that has been grafted in (vv. 17ff).
18. The branches were broken off because of unbelief (v. 20).
19. We dare not forget the kindness and sternness of God (v. 22).
20. Israel’s “hardening” awaits the full number of Gentiles coming in (v. 25).
21. In some way all Israel will be saved (v. 26).
22. God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on all (v. 32).
23. God’s plan and purposes should drive us to praise (vv. 33-36).

 

Ruminating on ROMANS! (Some Thoughts on Paul’s Great Epistle) #27 “Spiritual Botany 101” (A Study of Romans 11)

Many of you know that my New Jersey friend Frank and I are reading through God’s Word together (described here). We’re now in the book of Romans and are reading chapter 11 each day this week.

I will be the first to admit that I know virtually nothing when it comes to botany. I was cursed with a black thumb (except when we lived in Manitoba and everything grew like crazy!).

Here in Romans 11 Paul is discussing Israel and the Gentiles. And he resorts to a botanical metaphor. Following are a few of my observations on this passage:

1. If the root is holy, so are the branches (v. 16).
2. Some of the branches have been broken off (v. 17).
3. The Gentiles are called “a wild olive shoot” by Paul (v. 17).
4. They, this “wild olive shoot” have been grafted in among the others (v. 17).
5. This grafted in shoot now shares in the nourishing sap from the olive root (v. 17).
6. There is no reason for that grafted-in wild olive shoot to consider itself to be superior to those other branches (afterall, it did not graft itself in!) (v. 18).
7. If that wild olive shoot does think itself superior to those other branches, it should be reminded that it does not support the root. The root supports it (v. 18).
8. The wild olive branch might say, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” (v. 19).
9. Okay, but those branches were broken off because of unbelief. And the wild olive branch is challenged to “stand by faith” (v. 20).
10. That wild olive branch is also challenged to not be arrogant, but to tremble (v. 20).
11. Why should that wild olive branch tremble? Because “if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either” (v. 21).

My takeaway?
As a “wild olive shoot,” I’m grateful for God’s mercy in grafting me in to the nourishing sap of this olive tree! I want to beware of unbelief in my life and I long to “stand by faith”!

 

 

Ruminating on ROMANS! (Some Thoughts on Paul’s Great Epistle) #26 “Ten Questions on Romans 10” (A Study of Romans 10)

Many of you know that my New Jersey friend Frank and I are reading through God’s Word together (described here). We’re now in the book of Romans and are reading chapter 10 each day this week.

1. What is your heart’s desire when it comes to the salvation of others? (v. 1).

2. How do people today seek to establish their own righteousness? (v. 3).

3. What does it mean to “submit to God’s righteousness”? (v. 3).

4. What are the two kinds of righteousness, according to vv. 5-9?

5. What is this bringing Christ down concept? (v. 6).

6. What are the two steps that lead to salvation? (v. 9).

7. Define the terms “believe,” “justified,” and “saved” in v. 10.

8. What are the critical four steps concerning salvation in vv. 14-15?

9. How does the testimony of nature fit into Paul’s argument in this chapter? (v. 18).

10. How does God treat Israel in His program of redemption? (vv. 19-21).

What questions do you have as you read this chapter?

 

Ruminating on ROMANS! (Some Thoughts on Paul’s Great Epistle) #25 “Metaphors of Belief” (A Study of Romans 10)

Many of you know that my New Jersey friend Frank and I are reading through God’s Word together (described here). We’re now in the book of Romans and are reading chapter 10 each day this week.

What does it mean to “believe”? Here are several ways Paul explains belief in this chapter:

1. Belief is a zeal based on knowledge (v. 2).

2. Belief is submitting to God’s righteousness (v. 3).

3. There is righteousness for everyone who believes (v. 4).

4. This righteousness is by faith and involves declaring Jesus is Lord with one’s mouth and believing in one’s heart that God raised Him from the dead (vv. 6-9).

5. One believes with one’s heart and that brings justification (v. 10).

6. One professes faith with one’s mouth and that leads to salvation (v. 10).

7. Scripture teaches that those who believe in Him will never be put to shame (v. 11).

8. Belief = calling on the Lord (v. 12).

9. The guarantee? Everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved (v. 13).

10. One needs to hear of the One to believe in Him (v. 14).

11. Belief = accepting the good news (v. 16).

12. Faith comes from hearing the message (v. 17).

13. Belief = seeking and asking for the Lord (v. 20).

 

Ruminating on ROMANS! (Some Thoughts on Paul’s Great Epistle) #25 “Nine Truths about Being Saved!” (A Study of Romans 10)

Many of you know that my New Jersey friend Frank and I are reading through God’s Word together (described here). We’re now in the book of Romans and are reading chapter 10 each day this week.

NINE TRUTHS ABOUT SALVATION:

Truth #1- Our heart’s desire and prayer to God should be for others to get saved! (v. 1).

Truth #2- Getting saved means submitting to God’s righteousness in Christ! (vv. 3-4).

Truth #3- Christ provides righteousness to everyone who believes! (v. 4).

Truth #4- God’s way is not a righteousness by the law but by faith! (vv. 5-8).

Truth #5- The guarantee of salvation is declaring Jesus is Lord with your mouth and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead! (v. 9). [Interesting verse re the “Lordship salvation” debate].

Truth #6- Both heart and mouth are integral to salvation: one believes with the heart; one professes with one’s mouth (v. 10).

Truth #7- Believing on Him and calling on Him brings salvation, whether one is a Jew or a Gentile (vv. 11-13).

Truth #8- One needs to hear the message of salvation in order to believe in it (vv. 14-15).

Truth #9- Not all who hear the message will accept the good news (vv. 16-21)