Loving Like Christ Loved

Last Wednesday night the men of Shepherd's Fellowship gathered and discussed 1 John 4 regarding the love which all true Christians will demonstrate for one another. I thought this quote by Jonathan Edwards was especially instructive as to what the love ought to look like.

He [Christ] thus loved us without any expectation of ever being requited by us for his love. He did not stand in need of anything we could do for him, and knew that we should never be able to requite him for his kindness to us, or do anything towards it; for he knew that we were poor, maimed, halt and blind, empty needy vagabonds, who could only receive from him, and could render nothing to him. He knew that we had no money or price; that instead of receiving anything from us, he must give us all things that we needed, or we should be eternally without them. Now how far shall we be from a selfish spirit, and how contrary to it, if we love one another after such a manner, or if there be the like spirit of love in us towards others which was in Christ towards us. Our love to others will not depend on their love to us; but we shall do as Christ did to us, love them, though enemies. We shall not only seek our own things, but we shall be in our hearts so united to others that we shall look on their things as our own. We shall look on ourselves interested in their good, as it was in Christ towards us. We shall be ready to forego and part with our own things in many cases for the things of others, as Christ expended and was spent for us. And these things we shall do without any expectation of being requited by them, as Christ did such great things for us without expectation of any requital from us.
~Jonathan Edwards~

Source: The Old Guys

Monergism.com Boycotts New Covenant Theology

I received an email update several days ago from Monergismbooks.com regarding a particular book they will not be carrying. Apparently they felt this book is a significant enough problem theologically that it doesn't deserve to be on their shelves. I saw the email, read it, sighed, and deleted it. Now I see it's causing quite a stir on various sites and blogs, so I am linking to the pertinent articles for the edification of those who stop by Grace in the Triad.

The text of the Monergism.com email reads:

"PLEASE READ"
As most of you already know, Monergism Books is dedicated to upholding a Christ-centered biblical theology, which we believe, Reformed/Covenant theology most closely reflects. If you have been following us for any amount of time you should know that we try, by the grace of God,  to carefully choose books and  resources to promote and warn visitors about books with theological problems. This is one of those times. We believe that Kingdom through Covenant both misrepresents Covenant Theology and promotes an unbiblical alternative. Of course we are not trying to decide for you what to buy, but rather, encourage you in the right direction when you have a choice in the books you read.
Some might be under the false impression that we oppose the theology in this book because it is Reformed Baptist. But this is not the case. Kingdom through Covenant is not a Reformed Baptist work or Reformed at all. Historically Reformed Theology has been synonymous with Covenant Theology. So-called New Covenant Theology is actually a reaction against confessional Reformed Baptists, Presbyterians and Covenant Theologians in general. We are not against it because it is Baptist. by no means.  In fact, We carry and encourage you to purchase Baptist Greg Nichols excellent work of covenant theology because we think that it accurately represents classic Covenant Theology from Baptist perspective. Just to clarify, we will not be selling Kingdom through Covenant or making it avaialble [sic].  We regard "New Covenant Theology" as a significant theological error ... but of course you are free to purchase it elsewhere.  We appreciate your understanding that we are taking a stand on this issue and we do appreciate your business ... even though it may not be for this particular book. :)

So we recommend Sacred Bond and Nichols book over Kingdom through Covenant

As most of you will know, the pastors of Shepherd's Fellowship of Greensboro unapologetically espouse New Covenant Theology, though we certainly do not agree on all points with everyone who chooses to self identify with that label.

Various blogs have responded better than I could here so I will simply link to them. (If you don't have time for all four, read AOmin and City of God.)

Alpha & Omega Ministries

City of God

A Blake White

Christ My Covenant

It is disappointing to see Monergism.com taking this position, but not altogether surprising. I haven't read the book, but I can assure you that as a result of all this, I will! Maybe you should too...

Update: The Gospel Coalition has an interview with the authors and is giving the book some good press. Check it out, it's worth a read.

The Primacy of Preaching

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
 Romans 10:12-15

Preaching is what makes the Church unique amidst all other organizations on the planet. There are country clubs that may provide more opportunities to mingle with the upper echelon of society. There are political organizations that may do a better job at eliminating social ills like poverty, hunger, etc. There are many other such para-church organizations that may be better equipped to meet specific needs of individuals like orphanages, hospitals, half way houses, etc. But the Church alone has been given the peculiar ministry of the proclamation of the Word of God. And only the preacher who stands before the world with the open Bible in his hands can dare to proclaim "Thus saith the Lord!" It is upsetting at best and tragic at worst that the Church has traded preaching for so many inferior pursuits. Today, it is in vogue to "start a conversation" or to "share your opinion" or even to teach from a particular passage your deeply felt convictions. But true preaching is rare; true preaching, in which the man who has been appointed and called by the Holy Spirit and the local congregation, gets up and dares to speak with the authority of an ambassador of Christ. It is the responsibility of the Church of Jesus Christ to make known the gospel of grace to men and women who are perishing in their sins.

Listen to Martin Lloyd-Jones,

        "My whole contention is that it is the Church alone that can do this, and it is the preacher therefore who alone can make it known. He is set apart by the Church, as I am going to show, to serve this particular function, to perform this particular task. This is the thing that is given primacy and is emphasised, and it must surely of necessity be the case. The moment we realise man's true need and see the only answer, it becomes clear that only those who are in possession of this understanding can impart this message to those who lack it."  Preaching and Preachers, p.40.

Lloyd-Jones isn't teaching anything new or novel. In fact those words, first spoken in the spring of 1969 harken back to the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 10. In short, the Church does not need a revival of "ministries," or programs, or stories, or conversations, or whatever else. The church in America is faltering and failing because of the abandonment of preaching for these other things. We need a revival of preaching! We need men who will stand and proclaim "Thus saith the Lord" as ambassadors of Christ. And we need men and women who will support them in prayer as they seek to do this greatest of works. Will you?