The Lord's Day or Sabbath: Prescriptive, Descriptive, or Just a Matter of Christian Liberty? Part One

The Lord's Day or Sabbath: Prescriptive, Descriptive, or Just a Matter of Christian Liberty?

I have gathered some thoughts here after reading many books on this topic.  Sadly, a growing many in Evangelical Christianity treat this day like any other day of the week.  Consider your church attendance, which service is the most attended?  Least attended?  Is there a dramatic drop off on Wednesday night (assuming there is still a prayer meeting/Bible study still held)?  Ever wondered why?  Perhaps your the victim or proponent of the latest post-modern fad: small groups.  We will address this topic in another article.  But for now just consider it in relation to the Lord's day.

Just by way of reminder, prescriptive texts are more command based in nature.  Descriptive texts showed what was going on in that point in history.  Christian Liberty and conscience is greatly affected by these two categories.

As we begin consider the view of our past.  Chapter 21, para. 7 of the Westminster Confession of Faith: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day,

"As it is the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in His Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, He hath particularly appointed one day in seven, for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto Him: which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week, which, in Scripture, is called the Lord's Day, and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath."

Lets not forget, this one of the main driving forces causing the Pilgrims to flee all they knew and come to the new world.  Packed on the Mayflower sailing across the ocean, for one of many reasons: the liberty and license of practice displayed on the Lord's day (and that was nearly 400 years ago).  I'm sure they would role over in shame for what goes on in many evangelical churches in the name of worship on the Lord's day.

This is how good and godly men thought of this day.  How do we think of it today in 2016?  What do we offer up in the name of worship on this day?  I would simply like to overview the scriptural data on the subject, because quite frankly most people have not be taught concerning this subject.  On the other hand, many others know its content but are governed by another principle known simply as Christian Liberty (which is appropriate in Biblical proportion but unfortunately today is simply another category under the title of grace).

So with that aside, let's consider some basics of the Biblical data.  This is the first area of debate: the origin of the Sabbath.  And yes this has been disagreed upon throughout church history (the puritans and reformers didn't even agree on this one).

Is it based on the original creation?  "And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made" (Genesis 2:2-3).  Is this the foundational text needed to establish that sabbath existed before the giving of the Mosaic law (which could then be dismissed as only a civil or ceremonial law)?  To be fair with those who see no connection, there is no command in this verse to observe the sabbath.

Consider two different study Bible comments here, first the ESV Study Bible (Zondervan), "These words provide the basis for the obligation that God placed on the Israelites to rest from their normal labor on the Sabbath day."  Notice how the notes don't make any application directly from this text, not even a principle for humanity, but tie it to Israel and the Mosaic law.  On a similar note the KJV Study Bible (Zondervan), "The first record of obligatory sabbath observance is of Israel on her way from Egypt to Sinai (Ex 16, and according to Neh 9:13-14 the sabbath was not an official covenant obligation until the giving of the law at mount Sinai."

Notice the opposite from the notes from the Reformation Heritage Study Bible, "The principle of setting apart one day in seven for rest and devotion to God is a creation ordinance" and then again later "the establishment of the Sabbath at creation shows that its moral obligation was not limited to the law of Moses, but abides as long as creation."

Note the key difference: when does the obligation begin for humans.  Does it begin in the creation account (Gen 2) or in the giving of the law (Ex 20)?  I would suggest based on Ex 16:22-30, the principle for a day of rest has started before the giving of the Mosaic Law.

I would suggest this fundamental disagreement finds itself later played out in applications toward the Lord's day, especially worship services and liberty of conscience.  There are many texts and topics to discuss in relation to this issue.

We will pick up this topic next in relation to the giving of the Decalogue (the ten commandments).  Especially the fourth commandment, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exo 20: 8).

Comments and discussion encouraged.

The Prescriptive Authority of the New Testament Epistles in Determining Local Church Polity (Part Four)

Series Part One       Series Part Two        Series Part Three

The Prescriptive Authority of the New Testament Epistles in Determining Local Church Polity

Part one of this series focused on the passages directly related to the authority or responsibility relegated to or practiced by the local church congregation (the majority of these references were in relation to church discipline issues).  Part two of this series focused on the passages referring to the idea of having multiple pastor/elders within one local church (three from Acts, four from the epistles).  The third article focused on the interpretive struggle between identifying descriptive and prescriptive texts.

Ultimately, these concepts will have to be reconciled with each other.  As to how they are reconciled shows up more practically in our local church polities (which coincidentally appears to fall along denominational lines, but not exclusively). 

Consider the options, church polity can place some, most, or no authority with the local congregation (this option also brings into account other issues such as the priesthood of the believer and the perspicuity of scripture, or all the church discipline passages).  Another option would be to have one primary pastor/elder with no authority given to the local congregation.  Perhaps a third option would be to have some form of relationship entailing both the congregation and the pastor/elder.  But even with a melding of these two ideas, it leaves untouched the idea of how to handle the passages seeming to teach multiple elder/pastors within one congregation.  Even after solving this issue, we still have to address the role and purpose which the New Testament assigns to the elder/pastor.

It is this dilemma (if there is one) which necessitates a focus upon the descriptive and prescriptive texts.  Which texts in relation to church polity merely described what they did in the first century but are no longer binding upon local churches today (the descriptive position)?  Or which texts addressing this issues directly related to us today either by command or by principle/precedent (the prescriptive position)?  Don't forget how you relate these two texts together will shift the weight of authority to one of these two categories.

 

Let's consider the four possible options: (in relations to church polity—this seems to come close to a special pleading)

First, the narrative passages in Acts are prescriptive and the epistles are descriptive.  Second, the narrative passages in Acts are descriptive and the epistles are also descriptive.  Third, the narrative passages in Acts are prescriptive and the epistles are also prescriptive.  Fourth, the narrative passages in Acts are descriptive and the epistles are prescriptive.  A fifth possible option which shows how hard this issue is would be that Acts and the epistle both contain descriptive and prescriptive passages (which is probably the best option).

The title of this post tells you where I personally believe the biblical weight should be placed in understanding these five potential options.  This position enables the epistles themselves to interpret what is applicable for today.  This position also allows for keeping the authority in the text but also reaching different conclusions on this issue.  By way of digression, please understand that as you look at your NT you are not seeing the order in which the books of your NT were written.  A quick glance at the dating of the books will help the reader see that the NT epistles were individually written throughout the narrative of the book of Acts (some even after the events of Acts).

Before directly addressing the texts under debate, consider some of the options (if you were asked directly) as to how they weigh in on related issues:

1.  Should we ordain homosexuals as pastor/elders in the local church?  (I'm not asking you what your position is on this, but on what actual texts do you appeal to on this issue--where are they located?).

2.  Should we ordain both men and women as pastor/elders in the local church? (If you quickly think of 1 Tim 3 or Tit 1, what ramifications might there be if the epistles are only descriptive, or worse case only Paul's opinion on the issue, or only addressing a first century situation)?

3.  Should we financially support every pastor/elder the local church ordains?  If so on what basis do you make a distinction between paid and unpaid pastor/elders?

I would like to offer some thoughts on the key texts related to this issue of a plurality of elders within a local church (not necessarily answers, but contrary thoughts to those dogmatic on this issue):

1 Timothy 3:1-2, 8, 12

    a.  The focus on the the overseer here is for the office identified in the singular and with the article.     b.  Depending on the position you are trying to defend, this will determine the function of the article seen in the text.

    c.   Taking this into account, deacons appears in the plural twice (vv. 8, 12) in contrast to "the overseer" (v. 1).  How does this affect the article appearing before overseer but not before deacons plural?  What article usage will be applied and why?

1 Timothy 5:17 "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."

This text hinges on the function of the word "especially."  Think of these two primary options:

     a. Does it mean that all elders "rule well" and only some of these "labour in word and doctrine?"  Think as though one group is a sub-set of the whole group.  You could do a word study of how the Greek term translated "especially" occurs in the NT (this might help avoiding theological based options).

     b.  Does it mean that all the elders "rule well" and this same group are the ones "who labour in the word and doctrine?"  Technically think of an appositional relationship, "the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, (that is) they who labour in the word and doctrine."

2,  Tit 1:5 "that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee"

 a.  For this text to bear weight on the plurality position, the understanding would need to be there is only one local church in each city (of which there is no reason to believe there is only one church in each city, especially considering the number of house-church settings mentions in the NT).

  b.  This text only supports the idea that Titus is to ordain elders in each city (there is no reference to whether there should be one or more elders in each local church).  You would have to equate city with the word church to get help for plurality in this text.

3.  Acts, 14, 15, 20

      a.  All these passages in Acts depend on the fact that they are prescriptive and not just descriptive for the plurality of elders in each local church to have weight.

      b.  The plurality of elders position must still wrestle with the house-church model presented in the NT, the potential understanding of "church" as the universal and not local church, or perhaps even if "the church" should be understood collectively for the local churches in that particular city.

These are some general thoughts categorizing what I am seeing in print on these issues.  Some even to the point of calling congregational polity "satanic."  The last articles in this series still need to address that actual biblical function and/or role pastor/elders have in the NT.  Also if the "plurality" texts in Acts are the actual model, what would then be the hierarchy among them?  Who decides?  Unfortunately, wrestling with the prescriptive and descriptive concepts is not always easy, but to think it doesn't exist or doesn't help is not being academically honest.

Just some ideas to consider.

Hope this helps some on this issue.  More to come.

Drop a line and tell me what your thinking.

Book Recommendation: Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness By Kevin DeYoung

Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness By Kevin DeYoung 

This book was a rather refreshing read several years back.  It is a welcome reflection upon a great deal of false teaching in the area of progressive sanctification (that is assuming you believe your sanctification can progress) in growth.  Many do not.  Many chaff at the idea of imperatives, holiness, godliness, and piety.  It is much too easy for way to many people influenced by today's trendy authors to whip out the straw man, ad hominems (you know: legalism, judgmental, etc...).  

I recommend this book to any seek how to grow in holiness and sanctification.  Yes, there is more to sanctification than rehearsing some indicatives over and over and over.  Far too many churches today have the doctrinal ducks in a row but the way they live.  Well if you didn't know otherwise, you wouldn't know they were followers of Christ at all (and that's putting it charitably).

I am including a very meaty and detailed outline from the text.  Please fell free to comment on the issue of progressive sanctification.

1.      Chapter One: Mind the Gap

1.1. Holiness is the New Camping

1.2. Who Says?

1.2.1.      Is Our Obedience known to All?

1.2.2.      Is Our Heaven a Holy Place?

1.2.3.      Are We Great Commission Christians?

1.3.Why so Holey?

1.4. But he (may) have this against you

1.5. Chapter One Study Questions

1.5.1.      What come to mind when you hear the word “holiness”?  Are your thoughts primarily positive?  Negative?  Encouraging?  Discouraging?  Burdensome?  Freeing?

1.5.2.      Growing up, how did your church, family, and friends speak of holiness?

1.5.3.      Is the holiness of heaven of delightful thought for you?  Does it equal the delight you have in thinking about heaven as a place of love, peace, enjoyment, and happiness?  Why or why not?

1.5.4.      Why does there appear to be a “hole in our holiness” today?  Which of the reasons given by the author resonate with your own struggles with holiness?

1.5.5.      What have been the major themes of your Christian life?  Has holiness

2.      Chapter Two: The Reason for Redemption

2.1. A Necessary Good

2.2. A Necessary Explanation

2.3. Chapter Two Study Questions:

2.3.1.      What reasons come to mind when you think about why God saved you?

2.3.2.      What are some passages in Scriptures that have impacted your life of holiness?  Why do these hold significance?

2.3.3.      Do you find the pursuit of holiness intimidating?  Why or why not?

2.3.4.      Does it seem disagreeable to stress personal holiness?

3.      Chapter Three: Piety’s Pattern

3.1.Got and still growing

3.2. Cheap Imitations

3.2.1.      Holiness is not mere rule keeping

3.2.2.      Holiness is not generational imitation

3.2.3.      Holiness is not generic spirituality

3.2.4.      Holiness is not “finding your true self”

3.2.5.      Holiness is not the way of the world

3.3. The Real Deal

3.3.1.      Holiness looks like the renewal of God’s image in us

3.3.2.      Holiness looks like a life marked by virtue instead of vice

3.3.3.      Holiness looks like a clean conscience

3.3.4.      Holiness looks like obedience to God’s commands

3.3.5.      Holiness looks like Christlikeness

3.4.Chapter Three Review Questions

3.4.1.      What assurance and confidence does definitive sanctification give?

3.4.2.      Where has the church in previous generations gone wrong in its pursuit of holiness?  What errors do you see today?  Are some of them present in your own understanding of holiness?

3.4.3.      As you read through the list of virtues and vices in this chapter, what are some of the vices in your life that you need to get rid of?  What are some of the virtues you see and need to continue to encourage?

3.4.4.      Of what things in your life would you have trouble saying, “I can thank God for this?”

3.4.5.      Do you know the Ten Commandments?  Do they shape your living?  How?

4.      Chapter Four: The Impetus for the Imperatives

4.1.What’s Left for the Law?

4.2. The Grace of Law

4.3. The Law of Love and the Love of Law

4.4. The Medicine for our Motivation

4.5. Chapter Four Review Questions:

4.5.1.      Do you delight in the law of the Lord?  Do you see the law as an expression of God’s grace?  Why or why not?

4.5.2.      What motivations for holiness listed in this chapter are currently the “best medicine” for you?

4.5.3.      Which motivations for holiness have you seldom heard in sermons or within the church?  Why do you think that is?

4.5.4.      Think of a sin you are struggling with.  Which biblical motivations for holiness provided in this chapter are an encouragement to you to pursue holiness and to mortify this sin?

5.      Chapter Five: The Pleasure of God and the Possibility of Godliness

5.1. A Gospel-Centered Pancake

5.2. Imagine the Possibilities

5.3. A Perfect Storm

5.4. Filthy Rags or Fully Pleasing?

5.5. The Hazard of Moral Equivalence

5.6. Sons, not Illegitimate Children

5.7. Feeling Clean

5.8. Chapter Five Review Questions:

5.8.1.      Has your pursuit of personal holiness been short-circuited in certain ways?  How?

5.8.2.      When you are told that the Scriptures teach that righteousness is possible, that you truly can do good works, and you can please God, what is your reaction?  Does it surprise you?  Encourage you?

5.8.3.      Do you allow yourself not only to be convicted while reading the Scriptures, listening to sermons, and reading Christian books, but also to be encouraged at the progress and “success” within your Christian life?

6.      Chapter Six: Spirit-powered, Gospel-driven, faith-fueled effort

6.1. Holiness by Holy Spirit Power

6.2. Good Deeds based on Good News

6.3. Standing on the Promises

6.4. Effort is not a Four-letter word

6.5. Chapter Six Review Questions

7.      Chapter Seven: Be Who you are

7.1. Jesus Christ and Union Station

7.2. Union Confusion

7.3. From Being with Christ to Being Like Christ

7.4. Making the Reality Real

7.5. The Other Romans Road

8.      Chapter Eight: Saints and Sexual Immorality

8.1.Run, Baby, Run!

8.2. Members of Christ

8.3. Holiness in a Hookup World

8.4. Not even a hint

8.5. Fit for a King

8.6. A Pastoral Post-script

9.      Chapter Nine: Abide and Obey

9.1. Union and Communion

9.2. Keeping Commandments, Abiding in Love

9.3. Four Practices for Oneness with Christ

9.3.1.      We pursue communion with Christ through prayer.

9.3.2.      We pursue communion with Christ through the word of truth.

9.3.3.      We pursue communion with Christ through fellowship with other Christians.

9.3.4.      We pursue communion with Christ through partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

9.4. Extraordinary Holiness through Ordinary Means

10.  Chapter Ten: That All May See Your Progress

10.1.        Repentance as a way of Life

10.2.        What Kind of Grief?

10.3.        Growing into a Good-Looking Christian

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible: (Beeke, Barrett, Bilkes, Smalley)

Ever wondered how some of the more popular Study Bibles handle interpretive issues in their notes?  You'd probably be surprised that it is not a novelty to acknowledge both divine sovereignty and human responsibility are both truth.  Even more important, even the editors of these Study Bibles are willing to put into published form as not having to be dogmatic (well at least not all the time).

I would like to recommend a new study Bible published in 2014 by Reformation Heritage Books.
As you would've guessed its the Reformation Heritage Study Bible (KJV translation).  It is currently my study Bible of choice.  I will hold off to my favorite feature of this study Bible till the end section.

Allow me to recommend some of its features:

From almost the first page the reader is challenged to read the scriptures "experientially."
A list of ten considerations is provided as tests for seeing whether we read our Bibles this way or not (xii).

This is followed by a lengthy introduction to the King James Version text (xiii-xix).  Quite frankly I still enjoy memorizing and studying from my KJV.  I fully understand the liberty of conscience, translation theory and a whole list of other variables for using other English translations.  I have made a choice based on where we live in farm country USA to continue using a translation that is being used in the local churches around us, is least likely to cause offense and division, and this is for me personally actually more loving to put translational liberties aside.

Well after that little digression.

Each book introduction has the standard topics of discussion: authorship, date, theme, purpose, and outline.  The introductory notes are noticeably different than other "evangelical" study Bibles in that they are remarkably conservative.  They have no qualms identifying people and their positions as "liberal."  This is a refreshing contrast to the often repeated refrain "some scholars believe..."in other more popular Study Bibles in evangelical circles.

The following is a sample of some of the study Bible notes:

Gen 1:25, "All the land creatures are made on the sixth day--this includes dinosaurs which we know from fossils existed in the past."

Jud 11:26, "A crucial number for Jephthah's argument.  This would date the exodus to the fifteenth century BC."

1 Kin 6:1, "If we assume that the 480 years to be taken literally (and there is no contextual warrant to assume otherwise), adding 480 years gives the date 1446 BC for the exodus."

1 Tim 3:1, "However, this desire must be based upon biblical grounds and not one's own subjective will."

In addition to the thousands of conservative evangelical study notes, the best feature in my opinion is the "Thoughts for Personal/Family Worship" accompanying every chapter.  As far as a daily reading and challenge is concerned these thoughts are excellent in exposing sin and focusing on repentance of sin.

Consider Exodus 10:

(p. 104) "The Bible reveals both God's total sovereignty over all things, and man's real resonsibility for his willful choices....Even if we do not understand how these fit together, we must believe them both."

(p. 1632) "We should believe the doctrine of God's sovereign predestination on the testimony of Holy Scripture.  It is not incompatible with evangelistic concern, however difficult it may seem to reconcile the two."

This study Bible also includes articles on every major doctrine of systematic theology (Trinity, Justification, Repentance, etc...).  It also includes the major creeds and confession of church history (in full, yes even all from the Larger Catechism).  There is a rather lengthy section of Christian living (which won't be to friendly to the antinomian stripe, "Worship, Fellowship, Affliction, Criticism, Serving, Leisure time, etc...".  It also includes a nicely written survey of the first twenty centuries of church history (about one page per century).

I wish all was perfect but I must warn of some concerns:

1. There are no middle column cross references.  Prophecies are marked in the notes and similar concepts.  But I do find it strange that they left out a middle column full of cross references.

2. KJV English (good or bad, you decide).  It is as of today, only available in the KJV.  For those who use other English translations, this may be a road block.  For me personally, no big deal, I memorize from it anyway.

3. KJV clarity appears in the notes.  Whenever there is an archaic (think 1600s English) the notes tend (in my opinion, haven't checked them all yet), tend to modernize the KJV gloss not necessarily the underlying Greek or Hebrew term.

Overall, I highly recommend this study Bible.
Especially to those of a Reformed Covenant persuasion. 

Then again, having your soul and mind challenged with the applications for every chapter from Genesis to Revelation in my thought is worth the price.

Descriptive or Prescriptive Passages: How do we know when? (Church Polity Rabbit Trail) (Part Three)

Series Part Two          Series Part One

Descriptive or Prescriptive Passages:  How do we know when?
(Important rabbit trail for more than just church polity issues)

Believe it or not we all do this when reading and interpreting the scriptures?  Consider the following questions:
1.  How do we know when a passage only applied to the first century audience?
2.  How do we know when a passage also applies to us today? (Think universal applications, timeless truths, whats it mean to me, etc...).

Consider some scenarios (not designed to be straw men but consider the large scale ramifications):

1.  Did God command you to build a large wooden ark to be rescued from a flood?
2.  Did God command you to save up money and build a large temple for worship?
3.  Did God tell you to cross the river and conquer cities in the land of Canaan?
4.  Did God command us to only sing the Psalms?  We have a whole book full of them.

Leap forward in history.  Again how do we know when God is giving a command directly to us as New Testament believers?
By way of reminder again, descriptive passages "describe" for us what was actually happening in the context of the passage.  Prescriptive passages actual give us exhortations or commands to follow today (By way of reminder, don't be upset if textbooks on exegesis and/or hermeneutics disagree).

The dangers here are multitude.  Consider how many passages you've heard or read about that don't apply anymore because that only applied to a first century situation.  On the other hand, consider the number of "universal" applications that have materialized from any given text.  Consider some practical applications:

1.  Do we go out in pairs of two to share the gospel door to door?  (It happened in the gospels and Acts).
2.  Do we go around healing people as part of gospel message?  (It happened in the gospels and Acts).
3.  Considering this church polity series: Do we ordain multiple pastor/elders in each local church?  (We have a couple proof texts for this in Acts).

It is this last bullet #3 and the book it draws from that are battle grounds today.  Without yet mentioning what I think is a strong case for determining descriptive/prescriptive boundaries (the epistles), please consider the battle ground in the book of Acts (yes this one book all by itself):

1.  How should we view the events of Pentecost and later references to miraculous gifts?
2.  How should we view the references to faith and baptism in this book (very important for the Baptist denomination)?
3.  How should we view the references to apparently multiple elders in a local assembly (only a couple of times in select cities)?
4.  How should we view the concept of missions/missionaries found in this book?
5.  How should we view Christians still attending a synagogue and a local church?

Hope this gets the brain gears turning in 2016.  We have to apply the scriptures to our lives.  However the framework by what applies and what does not is not as easy as you would think.

Comments encouraged.

New Year and Scripture Memory

Memorizing Scripture in the New Year.

One means in which God uses in the process of Progressive Sanctification is scripture memory.  The Holy Spirit can not bring back to mind what you never read or put in your mind and heart.

When struggles come with employment, relationships, or temptation in multiple forms what comes to mind?  Worldly wisdom or God's word?  Have we hidden away nuggets of truth to help in these times of struggle?

This is nothing new, radical, and certainly not worthy of the ad hominem (legalism).  This has been the practice of the church for hundreds of years.  This is not just a new years Bible reading plan.  This is actually taking the time to purposefully put God's word into your heart.  Tools to be used in the hard times.

Consider from Westminster Confession of Faith and the London Baptist Confession (Of Sanctification), "by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them" or later in the LBC 1689 "in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King in His Word hath prescribed to them."

Consider a portion from a local church fellowship under the topic of sanctification, "a gradual conformity to Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit through the means of the Word of God and prayer"

Note both the earlier mentioned confessions are nearly 350 years old.  The value of using scripture has not changed.  Consider some direct Biblical statements:

Ps 1:2 "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

Ps 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

Ps 119:16 "I will not forget they word"

Ps 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth"

Please consider some reasons people give for not memorizing scripture (this is not an all-inclusive list):

1.  I don't have time.  (But I do have time for facebook, sports, tv, movies, etc).
2.  I can't memorize well.  (I bet you can if you tried).
3.  How about some more "spiritual" sounding excuses:
     a. I just need to live by grace alone.  (Church history mentions "means of grace."  One which is scripture).
     b. I just need to keep preaching the gospel to myself over and over. (And where will you find this gospel content?  Which parts will you preach to yourself?  Only the indicatives? "promises").

These are just some of many references to the value of scripture.  Read it.  Memorize it.  I'm glad I was challenged in the past to memorize scripture.  With time and patience verses, chapters, and eventually entire books of the Bible will be hidden in your heart.

May God give you grace to read and memorize His word.

Book Review: Always On (Language in an Online and Mobile World) By. Naomi S. Baron

Always On (Language in an Online and Mobile World). By. Naomi S. Baron (Oxford University Press: New York), 2008.

This book is one of many I have come across over the years in studying preaching, teaching, and modernism.  Many of these I have poured through touch on the emerging and missional mindset in broader Christian circles.  I will add books of this sort from time to time.

Many of these chapter titles should be a reminder to us how attached our society is to the world of electronics.  Social media is a part of life.  Businesses, churches, and even individuals have websites telling more than you wanted to know.  I (and most likely you as well) interact with nearly all these chapters on a daily basis.

Consider the topics covered:

1. Email to Your Brain Language in an Online and Mobile World.

2. Language Online The Basics.

3. Controlling the Volume Everyone a Language Czar

4. Are Instant Messages Speech?  The world of IM

5. My Best Day Managing "Buddies" and "Friends"

6. Having Your Say Blogs and Beyond

7. Going Mobile Cell Phones in Context

8. "Whatever" Is the Internet Destroying Language?

9. Gresham's Ghost Challenges to Written Culture

10. The People We Become The Cost of Being Always On