Nothing is by Chance

The following was written by Mike Emlet at the Christian Counseling & Educational Center. This is re-posted in its entirety except for a passage from the Heidelberg Catechism, which I will post next. The full post can be found here:

The COVID-19 pandemic is making statisticians of us all. Perhaps you, like me, have investigated where you fall in the mortality-by-age charts. (If you haven’t, don’t.) I’m 58 and, at least on the graphics presented last week, if I contract the virus my probability of death is somewhere around 1.3% (likely higher since the 60-69-year-old age group sits at 4.6%). Unfortunately, that number bumps up even a bit more due to an underlying health condition I have that is associated with a worse prognosis. Still, my 86-year-old mother fares far worse on the charts. How about you?

 

Are you tempted, if you’re young and healthy, to breathe a sigh of relief? To think, with a sense of optimism, “Even if I get the virus, I’ll be OK”? Perhaps you find the current social distancing policies somewhat draconian and are just itching for life to get back to normal.

 

Are you tempted, if you’re older and less healthy, to live each day with dread, wondering which object or person may bring illness to your doorstep? Are you resigned to the belief “If I get the virus, I won’t survive”? Perhaps you find the social distancing policies reassuring, but insufficient, and you’re attempting self-quarantine, still wondering if it will be enough.

 

Let me say, dear brothers and sisters, we shouldn’t find either our safety—or our doom—in numbers, statistics, and risk profiles. (I’m preaching to myself here, too!) Scripture turns our gaze elsewhere:

• The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Ps 23:1)
• Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Ps 124:8)
• All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Ps 139:16)
• The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (Prov 16:33)
• Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. (Matt 10:29)
• And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)
• And he [Christ] is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Col 1:17)
• He [Jesus the Son] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Heb 1:3)

Sit with these glorious realities for a minute. Read through them slowly. Let them soak into your soul. We don’t live by probabilities and chance. We live under the loving, wise, and sovereign rule of our Creator and Redeemer God. The result of that is true hope, which steers clear of both a naïve optimism or a resigned pessimism.

Many years ago, one of my seminary professors was diagnosed with cancer. He was quoted an 85% five-year survival rate with treatment, which he undertook. I remember him remarking, “Well, I don’t know about those numbers. I’d say my odds are either 100% or 0%. If the Lord wills, I will be here in five years. If not, I will be with him in five years.” Rather than putting his hope on a relatively encouraging 85%, or focusing on that still substantial 15% risk, he entrusted himself to the One who would keep him safe, body and soul, no matter what was to come.

Nothing is by chance. Everything comes to us by our Father’s loving and wise hand. Don’t live in these trying times unduly focused on impersonal probabilities, statistics, and risk assessments. They will prove to be an unstable foundation for true hope and reassurance. By all means follow the guidance of your local health authorities, but first and foremost, look to your faithful and loving God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who holds you in the palm of his hand.

There is a God

J. Gresham Machen was an early 20th century theologian who founded the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and left a legacy at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. He fought the good fight against modernist tendencies to disparage the truth of the Bible, and raise up human beings as the ultimate arbiters of truth and morality. Machen was hopeful that others would continue on after him.

In his book, 5 Minutes in Church History, Stephen J. Nichols recounts Machen's hope for the world. Machen wrote:

"There's only one alternative to this modernist worldview," this worldview that futilely attempts to push God out. Machen then simply declares: "The alternative is that there is a God. A God who in His own good time will bring forward great men again to do His will, great men to resist the tyranny of experts, and lead humanity out again into the realms of light and freedom. Great men above all who will be the messengers of His grace. There is far above any earthly mountain peak of vision a God high and lifted up, who although He is infinitely exalted, yet he cares for His children among men."

In the Day of Trouble, I Seek the Lord

I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
I said,[a] “Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
“Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

- Psalm 77

The Pursuit of Happiness

In chapter 29 of his book, 5 Minutes in Church History, Stephen Nichols reaches back to the early 17th century to help us understand the "pursuit of happiness." Famously stated in the Declaration of Independence, the pursuit of happiness has been variously defined over the millennia. In this chapter, Nichols explores the writings of Puritan theologian, William Ames. Ames believes that the study of theology is the source of happiness.

Theology is not just thinking toward God: theology is living toward God....Ames closely [follows] Thomas Aquinas [who argued that] theology is taught by God, teaches about God, and leads to God. Thomas will later expand on this idea of theology leading to God by telling us that theology leads us to worship God. The end of theology is worship.

Once Ames defines what theology is, with a little help from his friend Thomas Aquinas, Ames reaches all the way back to the days of the Greek philosophers. He reaches back to Plato and Aristotle and the age-old discussion of what constitutes the good life. What is happiness, and what brings happiness? To get at this, Ames uses two Greek words. The first is euzoia, and the second is eudaimonia. Now, euzoia means living well. We would simply say, the good life. And eudaimonia means living happily. We would simply say, happiness. And then Ames said theology is this. Theology is the good life and theology is happiness.

You want the good life? You want happiness? Be a theologian. Ames writes: "Theology therefore, is to us, the ultimate and the noblest of all the exact teaching arts. It is a guide and master plan for our highest end, sent in a special manner from God, treating of divine things, tending towards God, and leading man to God." Theology is living the Godward life, the happy life.

Everyone can be a theologian. Just spend time in the Word, read commentaries, and other resources. Be a student of God. The more we learn about God, the more we will live the life that He has set out for us.

More Than Evangelists

Recently, I finished reading a book by Benjamin L. Gladd, From Adam and Israel to the Church. I posted on this book awhile ago. It is a very good book. For some, it may be too theological, but I think the overall trajectory of the book is clear and his observations about the image of God in man are important for the believer to understand.

In the final chapter, Gladd sums up how believers can reflect God as kings, priests, and prophets. This "trivium" is well-known in Christian circles, but Gladd reminded me of its importance. For many Christians, the only reason we are on earth is to spread the gospel message, live out the Great Commission (Matthew 28). As believers, then, the only way we image God is by evangelizing.

But is that true? Given the kings/priests/prophets paradigm, I don't think it is, and neither does Gladd. Evangelism is certainly part of our purpose; in evangelism we serve as "prophets." Telling the world about God is what prophets of old did, and we should do that as well. Gladd writes, "The Bible is a storehouse of riches, and as prophets created in the divine image, we should be filled with excitement to learn more about our Lord" and share that excitement and truth with the world. As image-bearers, we need to share God's word with the world.

But we are also kings and priests. As priests, we are called to worship the true God. As Gladd notes, "Unbelievers are marked by worshipping everything except the triune God." He continues: "What characterizes God's people, though, is exclusive worship of him. God created us for his glory - not to glorify ourselves, our possessions, or our accomplishments." To be true image-bearers of God, we not only need to share the Gospel with the world, but we need to treasure God's word in our own hearts. Fathers need to serve as "priests" in their homes, guiding their families to grow in the love of the Lord, and raising their children ("Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" Ephesians 6:4). When we sacrifice ourselves for others, we reflect Christ's priestly role. All of us need to value obedience to God and worship of him, not just to prepare us for evangelism, but because by doing these things - by acting as priests - we roll back the effects of the fall and become truer image-bearers of God.

Finally, we are kings. As proclaimed in Genesis 1:28, we are to take dominion of this earth in preparation for when we will reign with Christ over the new heavens and earth (2 Tim. 2:11-12). When we work, we are in the process of taking dominion. When we create, we reflect the creative power of our God. When we are good stewards, we show how we can rule well and take care of what God has given us. When we take care of our families and lead them well, our homes become micro-kingdoms where we reflect the gracious and generous rule of our king, Jesus Christ.

So, while the Christian life is about sharing the gospel, it is not only about sharing the gospel. As kings, we are called to create, work, lead, and enjoy the life that God has given us. As priests, we are called to reflect the sacrificial life of our Savior, and find joy in worshipping him for no other reason than it is what humans were meant to be and do.

Be Anxious for Nothing

With all of the excitement churning over the Coronavirus, it's important for believers to remember that God is still sovereign. In a recent post by Alasdair Groves, he reminds us of the anxiety that the Israelites were experiencing as they camped by the engorged, churning Jordan River waiting to cross into the Promised Land (Joshua 3). Where is God in our lives when we stand before the unknown? Groves writes:

I’ll close with one last thought about how you and I can wait on the banks of this river, even as its flood is swelling:

Pour out your anxieties to your Father in Heaven. Do not churn fruitlessly inside your own heart with worries about school closings, travel plans, economic downturns, or the potentially infected surfaces you’ve touched! When you are afraid, turn to him. Cast your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. In fact, let handwashing or rubbing on hand sanitizer become a moment in which you consciously entrust yourself and the future of everyone you care about into his hands.

To spend our time frantically strategizing about how we’ll cross the flooded river is so instinctive, even though it is also foolish and needless. So do wash your hands, and do what is wise about working from home, or calling your doctor. But don’t let yourself for a moment forget where your true safety lies. After all, you don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but you do know the one who parts raging rivers…and who has already parted the last river for you, blocking its flow with his blood-soaked cross! That final crossing you will indeed find already open and waiting for you. And on the far side of that river you’ll fear and wait no more.

In 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt spoke these famous words in the midst of the American financial crisis, "There is nothing to fear but Fear itself." I still don't know what that means, but I do know that God has told his people, "Be anxious for nothing" (Phil.4:6a). Like the Israelites, this is not easy for us, especially when the world seems to be spinning in chaos around us. But at times like this, we have to trust Him with our lives. God does test our faith with life's struggles (James 1:2-4). It's at these times that we have to realize how much we need Him.

Popes and Feminists

I just finished reading, Popes and Feminists: How the Reformation Frees Women from Feminism, by Elise Crapuchettes. The author compares the Roman Catholicism of the Middle Ages with modern feminism, and argues that both distort what it means for women to live truly biblical lives pleasing to God. The former ascribed meaningful lives only to those spent in isolated service to God in convents, while the latter claims that women can only have meaningful lives if they pursue a career outside the home. Neither positions are biblical and the author spends the entire book providing examples of women during the Reformation who experienced lives that truly honored God.

In the last chapter, the author provides a thoughtful critique of the effect that feminism has had on our culture, both outside and within the church:

Many women are unaware of the impact feminism has made on the question of vocation, as I was. Feminism has
influenced our culture, and that trickles down to young women in the form of career pressure, and the American church at large has not handled this particularly well. The church seems to have unintentionally adopted the feminist principle that the only truly important work earns a salary outside the home.

Feminist culture can and has trickled down even to many Christian stay-at-home moms, who can be just as tempted by promises of self-fulfillment and living out their dreams. If they are staying at home with the kids as a means to that end, it’s still an idolatry of the self. As long as the ultimate goal is finding ourselves or feeling fulfilled, it doesn’t matter how we pursue it: we will always be disobeying God.

The other idol of our culture a study of feminism and the Reformation exposes is the idol of making a difference. Christians and unbelievers alike aspire to this, although they don’t have the same definitions of that goal. At first glance, how could this be an idol? The Bible encourages us to make a difference: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that
I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19–20). This passage makes sense to good Christians: We are supposed to lead people to Christ. The hard part is how and whom. As P.J. O’Rourke so aptly said, “Everybody wants to save the earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.” It’s fun to imagine leading some heretofore unknown people group to Christ, but it’s a lot more work to train up children in the way they should go all day every day. Humbling ourselves is hard work.

Just about everyone in our age wants to live a life worthy of future biographies (or, more likely, a video of our amazing
exploits gone viral), but the truth is, most of us just need to do the next thing, the one right in front of us. God sees our faithfulness, and that has to be enough for us. The best part is that God then takes our faithfulness in the small things, and uses it, as He did with the Christians at the time of the Reformation, to make everything new. The women in this book were only representative. Eighteen women did not change western civilization. There were thousands of people who turned to Christ, and God used all of them whether or not we know their names five hundred years later.

While some Christian women describe themselves as "Christian feminists" the term is an oxymoron. Feminism, at its core, claims that women must have full autonomy over their lives in order to be free and happy. No one has autonomy over his or her life - male or female. Scripturally, wives are subject to their husbands, and husbands are subject to the leadership of their church. And all of us are subject to God whether we acknowledge that or not. You can evaluate any "-ism" by taking it to its logical end. For feminism, it must lead to a woman's complete control over her body, which, to its logical end, means that she has the right to kill her unborn child. Therefore, feminism does not ultimately embrace a fulfilled life and freedom, but death and enslavement to sin.

Taken to its logical conclusion, Christianity leads finally to love.

Women do not need feminism to experience the life they ought to live. Biblical Christianity is sufficient for that purpose. It was enough in the Middle Ages, it was enough during the Reformation, and its enough today. Our wives, daughters, sisters, brothers, sons, and everyone else we care about in this life need to understand this:

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ." - Col. 2-8

You Shall Be Holy

My wife and I are reading through a devotional by Jon Nielson entitled, The Story. It will take us through the whole Bible and show us how the themes of scripture are woven throughout. We're in Leviticus 19. This chapter explores the type of horizontal relationships that believers should have with one another, relationships grounded in holiness. Here is an excerpt from the book:

The whole chapter is grounded on a key phrase from God in verse 2: "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." First, the holiness of God's people is meant to be demonstrated in their relationships with one another. God calls his people to leave fall crops and grapes on the ground in the fields they own in order to provide food for the poor among them, who could come and glean the extra. God's people are instructed against any kind of oppression, deception, hatred, or injustice toward others. In other words, God's call to his people is for all their relationships with the people around them to be characterized by justice - fair, righteous, good, godly treatment. Second, the holiness of God's people is meant to be demonstrated in their different behavior than the nations around them. Prostitution is to have no place in their community life, and sexual relationships outside marriage are dealt with very seriously. They are not to eat flesh and blood, tattoo themselves, tell fortunes, or even cut their hair in a certain way. God is calling his people to a way of life that is affected in every area by his holiness and his salvation....Because God is holy, he calls his people to live holy, set-apart lives as they respond to his salvation. This must affect the way we treat the people around us, and our lives must look different from the lives of those who don't know Jesus.

In the New Testament, Christ calls us to holiness among his people. We are to be set apart by how we treat each other (John 13:34-35):

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

The world will not know that we are Christians by the great size of our churches, or the fancy buildings we might build, or great films we might make, or business empires we might build. According to our Lord, what will make the world sit up and notice, what will make them see that we are different, what will set us apart as holy...is the way Christians treat each other. Non-believers are unable to love each other like the Holy Spirit allows us to love one another. We are commanded to demonstrate this love to each other. Backbiting, gossip, strife, anger, etc. among believers does not set us apart; we become like everyone else.

Love one another.

Feeling lonely

I usually don't just post a link to another article; I'd rather post it directly in my blog to make it easier for you to read. But this article is kind of long, and I think it's better to read on the originating website.

This article comments on Demi Lovato's Grammy performance and her new song, Anyone. It's a song about not having anyone to talk to, but, more directly, having no one who will listen. We've all been there. Those times can feel so empty and hopeless. The author of this article interacts with the song, the loneliness, God...and hope.