The Sufferings of Christ Described in 1 Peter 3:18

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit." (1 Peter 3:18)


Christ's Suffering is...
1. Complete
2. Sin-expiating
3. Substitutionary
4. God-centered
5. Curse-absorbing
6. Victorious

(NOTE: This post is not yet done. I'll be updating this after some time. Just need to post the outline to be timely.) ^_^

Obvious-Yet-Often-Neglected Principles in Doing Church (Gleanings from 1 Timothy)

A. Doctrine is of Utmost Priority

Before going to Macedonia, Paul already urged Timothy to remove false teachers from the church of Ephesus. But once again Paul reminded him in this letter right after the greeting. (1 Tim. 1:3) "Doctrine" (Gk. "didaskalia") appeared 21x in NT, 15x in the Pastoral Epistles, 8x in this epistle. Instructions that pervade this issue were rampant (1 Tim. 1:3-11; 2:11-15; 3:2;9; 4:1-16; 6:3-5; 6:20-21).

B. Leadership is a Crucial Issue

Closely related to the significance of doctrine is that of leadership. Actually, the whole epistle was for an ecclesiastical "leader" (Timothy) in Ephesus (1 Tim. 3:14-15; 4:11-16). Pastoral ministry is crucial from doctrinal and moral standards (1 Tim. 3) to gender issues (1 Tim. 2:8-15; 3:2). That pastors should be "above reproach" (1 Tim. 3:2, ESV) or "blameless" (NKJV) is a high qualification. Selection is also crucial (1 Tim. 5:22). Even deacons must have difficult qualifications (1 Tim. 3:8-13).

C. Godliness Involves All Areas of Life

"Godlness" (Gk. "eusebia") appeared 15x in NT, 10x in the Pastoral Epistles, 8x in this epistle. The epistle was written for ecclesiastical concerns yet it addresses personal issues like clothing (2:9-10), managing house, growing children, marriage (1 Tim. 3:4-5; 5:14), supporting needy relatives (1 Tim. 5:4; 5:8) and even personal money (1 Tim. 6:17-18). The church must concern itself with promoting godliness in any aspect of life of any so-called church member so as to make him "godly and dignified in every way." (1 Tim. 2:2)

D. Indispensability of Godly Testimony for Mission
Church order (1 Tim. 2:8ff) always affects evangelism (2:3) because it's part of "godliness" (1 Tim. 2:10). Leaders should be "well thought of by outsiders" (1 Tim. 3:5) and "dignified... [with] good standing" (1 Tim. 3:10,13). Pursuing godliness determines our faith in the Savior which, consequently, affects how we present him to the world (1 Tim. 4:7-10). Godly submission of slaves impacts the church's Master's testimony and the church's teachings (1 Tim. 6:1).

These things are obvious not only in 1 Timothy but also in other NT books. But so often the modern church neglects them resulting to various maladies. 


Few Practical evaluations:
1. What programs does your church implement to promote and safeguard biblical theology among all its members? (sermon series? Bible-reading plans? Christian libraries? catechisms? doctrinal conferences?)
2. In what ways does your church check every biblical qualification for a pastor, elder or a deacon? Or is it too hasty to appoint leaders as long as they're willing?
3. Does the pastor try to check up every member's aspects of life through visitation, counseling, catechism, etc? What does your church do with the often ill-fated premature relationships of the youth? How about the very busy "businessmen"? Their families? Heretics?
4. Does your church emphasize the importance of godly living in evangelistic campaigns? Is it conscious of its testimony to the society? Does it worry over church members who continuously live in sin because that could blaspheme the Lord's name and the church's teaching?

The Biblical Warnings are Mine and Yours

I have at least five drafts of blog posts. I can hardly finish one. My time is being consumed by theologizing on a Pinoy Pastors' Theological Forum. My college life is about to end. I want to pursue theology more. But I know that something's wrong with my spirituality now. I thank the Lord for this video (although I might differ in some of Conway's points about assurance):

This video made me think of the place of the biblical "warnings" and how it fits with "assurance" and "eternal security".
  
I. The Comfort of Eternal Security

I always believe that true Christians who were saved by grace through faith will persevere to the end. No real Christian can lose his salvation. This is often called Eternal Security.

The realization of this security through faith produces assurance in us.

But don't get me wrong. I'm not an antinomian or a quietist. I believe that God's commands are ours to keep. Moreover, this video reminded me of the many warnings about losing our "faith". I remembered the fact that, although the genuine Christians will endure to the end, from the human perspective, some people in the visible churches are losing the Christian race. Those who fall perfectly portray the seeds who fell on rocky ground. We see them seemingly visibly just like us for a while (Mt. 13:20-21).

II. The Warnings against Falling Away

There are lots of these in the scriptures. Few examples are: 

"Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith." (1 Tim. 1:18,19) 

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Tim. 4:1)

"If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us." (2 Tim. 2:12) 

"We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." (Heb. 2:1)    

"Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it." (Heb. 4:1) 

"For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Heb. 10:26-29) 

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain" (I Corinthians 15:1-2)

Granted, conditionality does not imply eventuality but these warnings are meant to produce fear in the believers especially when they're starting to pace away from righteousness to sin.

III. Seeking the Balance
We know that if both I and II are biblical then we can reconcile them. The fear given by the warnings (II) does not contradict the assurance given by Eternal Security (I). It balances it. It complements it.

 Let me explain. 

 A. Evaluating Our Assurance
Our only ground of assurance that we won't lose our salvation and we're surely go to heaven is Christ's work on the cross (Rom. 8:1). Our only ground of assurance is Christ, not our works or our obedience to Christ. And we experience this assurance by faith alone. (1 Jn. 5:13)

 However, there are people who feel lots of "assurance" but will be condemned in the end. (Mt. 7:21-23) So how do we know we don't that kind of assurance? It's by evaluating our assurance through evaluating our faith. And since faith is invisible, we can evaluate our faith by evaluating its fruit. The book of 1 John (1 Jn. 1:6-10; 2:3-6; 3:16,19; 4:2; 5:18-19; etc.) and the book of James discuss this. We are to ask ourselves: "Is my assurance still grounded upon a true faith in Christ manifested by sound doctrine and godly living, or is it already being grounded upon a distorted faith in Christ manifested by my ungodliness? Is my assurance from a sin-killing, God-glorifying faith in Christ in my life or is it a faith that gives license to sin?"

 So the "assurance" in I and the "fear" in II are reconcilable because we have the tendency to get our assurance from a distorted faith in Christ. If we are already doing this (marked by our faithless ungodliness) then we should fear, take heed the warning, repent, and hold firm what true faith in Christ is.

 B. Secure in the Hands of the Shepherd
John 10 is one of my favorite chapter in the Bible. The believers' Eternal Security is very clear there:

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." (John 10:27-29)

If you're a true believer, you are Christ's sheep. And a sheep of Christ is safe in His hand, as well as in the Father's hand. "[The Father] is greater than all" suggests that there is no greater person or thing that may overpower the Triune God who secures His people.

There is security bringing us assurance. 

But, at the same time, the sheep here are not passive. They follow the Shepherd. They listen to the voice of the Shepherd. It is their nature to submit to the Shepherd. At times, the sheep may come near the pit or other dangerous places, but the good Shepherd warns them. He is even wise enough to strike them with the rod for their safety.

 There is warning bringing us fear. Yet such fear is part of God's securing grace. It is one of God's means to secure us. Our fleeing away from sin and hell is God's work in us, keeping us from dead faith and apostasy. 

When I'm into sin, it is just right to fear our holy God's warnings. It might shake my "assurance" for awhile but it will soon reaffirm true assurance and even strengthen it had I truly repented. I thank Christ whenever he strikes me and says "Sheep Donnie, where are you going? You're starting to go away from the pasture of communion with God in His word and prayer. You're getting away from Me through your sins. Yes, pursue theology but don't forget pursuing it for Me. Don't forget making Me the center of your life." The biblical warnings are indeed mine and yours.

Praise God for the warnings! Praise God for assurance! Praise God for His power to secure us and preserve us to the end.

"No, These Reformed Methodists are NOT Reformaniacs"

Yesterday was this blog's 1st birthday. Those who have already dug this must have already noticed my (and my fanged friends') inclination to what we call "Reformed" theology. And we're vocal. Yes, we are Calvinists. And, yes, John Wesley—the founder of Methodism—isn't. Though we would argue that, even by creed and heritage, we are accepted by the United Methodist Church.

We confess that we are passionate Calvinists but we deny that Calvinism is the primary concern of these Reformed Methodists in the blogosphere. We deny that one cannot be saved and/or godly without affirming Calvinism. We further deny that one is obliged to read the books of John Calvin, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, John MacArthur or John Piper to join our battle (though we would encourage everyone to try them). We are not Reformaniacs[1].

On the other hand, we affirm that our main concern is the vivification of TRUE United Methodism. Or, more specifically, the essentials for Evangelical Methodism, which Wesley himself enumerated in this popular quotation:

“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.”

There he pointed out Three Essentials for Methodists to remain as a living church rather than as a "dead sect": (1) Doctrine, (2) Spirit, and (3) Discipline.

Wesley explained the reason:

"The Methodists must take heed to their doctrine, their experience, their practice, and their discipline. If they attend to their doctrines only, they will make the people antinomians; if to the experimental part of religion only, they will make them enthusiasts; if to the practical part only, they will make them Pharisees; and if they do not attend to their discipline, they will be like persons who bestow much pains in cultivating their garden, and put no fence round it, to save it from the wild boar of the forest."

So by doctrine, Wesley was referring to intellectual understanding of biblical truths. He said that attending to this alone (knowledge) would make us forget the laws/commands of God (what he meant by "antinomians"), which should be practiced and kept with discipline.

By spirit, Wesley was referring to passionate, practical Christian living. He combined emotions and actions. Attending to "spirit" alone would make us either "enthusiasts" (ones who base their religion on emotions only) or "Pharisees" (ones who base their religion on rules only).

By discipline, Wesley was referring to corrective discipline that the church should establish to maintain both doctrine and Christian living. What is noteworthy also in that quote is that, unlike the first two, its importance is emphasized rather than the danger of isolating it. He compared it to a "fence" while the doctrine and Christian living to a "garden". Without it, false teachers and persistent sinners ("wild boars") would just destroy the other two.

Though Calvin's defining marks of a church is two-thirds different[2] from Wesley's, Calvin never undermined Wesley's.

Concerning doctrine and Christian living, Calvin said:

"Let us be warned to pursue our calling in fear and anxiety, to take the trouble to learn from good and useful doctrine, having above all this end: that we hunger to know nothing except what it has pleased God to reveal to us in his Scripture. Let us not subject the sacred Word of God to our judgments or lusts, but rather let us align ourselves entirely with what it says to us.” (Against the Fantastic and Furious Sect of the Libertines)

And concerning church discipline, he said:

"If no society, nay, no house with even a moderate family, can be kept in a right state without discipline, much more necessary is it in the Church, whose state ought to be the best ordered possible. Hence as the saving doctrine of Christ is the life of the Church, so discipline is, as it were, its sinews; for to it it is owing that the members of the body adhere together, each in its own place. Wherefore, all who either wish that discipline were abolished, or who impede the restoration of it, whether they do this of design or through thoughtlessness, certainly aim at the complete devastation of the Church." (Institutes, Book IV, Ch. 1)

I am far from suggesting that Calvin and Wesley always had parallel ideas about doctrines, piety and discipline. But I would contend that both are zealous for orthodox doctrines, serious Christian living, and courageous church discipline[3]—three important characteristics that modern churches (including many United Methodist churches) lack.

By orthodox doctrines, I refer to the essentials in Christian faith.

By serious Christian living, I refer to sincere godly lifestyle.

By courageous church discipline, I refer to bold and plain execution of admonition and excommunication of persistently erring church members.

Currently, The United Methodist Church is little by little departing from these, and this is where we want "Reformation" most. 

Disagree? 

1. Attend conferences and note how often "doctrine" will be discussed. Compare it to political issues.

2. Note one sermon from the pulpit. Did the preacher mention about any historical context of the main text? How many verses did he quote, anyway?

3. Ask at least five old members in your church what "Justification by Faith Alone" is. (How about just asking them to enumerate the Bible books?)

4. Evaluate the church members' handling of money and if it somehow conforms to "gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can".

5. Check your church membership records and compare the number of members to the active members in your church.

6. Find out if there are church members who are addicted to cigarette smoking or to liquor. Now, find out if there is anyone (perhaps, a pastor or an elder) in your church who already rebuked them.

7. Check this retired Methodist Bishops' Statement of Counsel concerning homosexuality.

The list can go on and on yet the point is: United Methodism is drifting away from the important things it once embraced.

Again, we are not Reformaniacs. But we are indeed crazily in love with the United Methodist Church, thus, we are shouting for reformation. Brothers in Christ, join us in this battle. 

Soli Deo Gloria.

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[1] Ones who are overly-passionate for Reformed theology; ones whose enthusiasm for Reformed theology equates their enthusiasm for the essentials of Christian faith.

[2] Reformed teaching holds doctrine, sacraments and worship as defining marks of a true church: "[The universal] church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible. And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them” (The Westminster Confession, Ch. 25, IV) And Calvin seems to say that preaching and hearing of pure doctrine implies true worship: “Wherever we find the Word of God surely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ, there, it is not to be doubted, is a church of God.”

[3] I would even argue that Wesley has nearer resemblance to Calvin's theology than to Contemporary Wesleyanism: http://www.drurywriting.com/keith/wesley.the.calvinist.htm

In a Relationship... Biblical Relationship!

In almost every aspect of life, Christians may have these two extremes: legalism and antinomianism. Legalism is trying to make a certain principle God's commandment for us when in fact it is not. Antinomianism came from the Greek words "anti" (= against) and "nomos" (= law). It is trying to make a principle as not God's commandment for us when in fact it is. Both are wrong and both dishonor God.

When it comes to premarital, romantic relationships, how can you avoid becoming either a legalist or an antinomian? The answer, of course, is by consulting the word of God.

I believe that Dr. Rick Holland[1] beautifully did. The following is a summarized part of his essay entitled "The Guided Path", found in Alex Chediak's Book, 5 Paths To The Love of Your Love[2]. You can read the whole essay here: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV.

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The (Single) Purpose of Premarital Relationships

"Premarital relationships should serve one purpose: to test the relationship for marriage. Let me say it another way: There is no good reason to have a girlfriend or boyfriend until a person is ready to get married! ... Readiness involves being old enough and mature enough to assume the responsibilities of marriage. No romantic relationship should ever begin unless marriage is the possible—even probable—outcome."

[The following are 10 biblical principles for romantic relationships useful to make you ready and/or to guide you when you're ready for a dating[2] relationship]

The Ten Principles for a God-Centered Relationship

1. The Character Principle

Meaning:

"The Character Principle is about being the right person more than finding the right person. If your character is being conformed more and more into the image of Christ, you will desire the right kind of person."

Biblical Basis: Titus 2:2-8

• godly character is a product of Spiritual Discipleship (example is mentoring)
• godly character is consisted of Qualities such as humility, (see Phil. 2:3-11) holiness (see 2 Pet. 1:14-16). godly love (see 1 Cor. 13:4-8), selflessness (see Jas. 3:14). the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25), Christlikeness (see Eph. 4:13).
• godly character is also the main character in Evaluating a person (see Prov. 31:30)

2. The Confirmation Principle

Meaning:

"The Confirmation Principle is the commitment to submit one's life and relationship to the spiritual scrutiny of God's authority, care, and protection represented here on earth."

Biblical Basis:

• Parental Confirmation (Exo. 20:12; Lev. 19:3; Deut. 21:18-21; 27:16; Mt. 15:4; Rom. 1:28-32; Eph. 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:1-5)
• Church Affirmation (see Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Tim.; 2 Tim.; Titus; Heb. 13:7,17)
• Friend Affirmation (Prov. 12:15; 15:22; 19:20-21; 27:9)

3. The Contentment Principle

Meaning:
"The foundation for developing a righteous relationship with a member of the opposite sex is the ultimate relationship — your relationship with God. If you are not happy with God alone, you will not be happy with someone else. ... Taking that anything other than God will bring satisfaction and happiness is to make that object an idol in one's life."

Biblical Basis: Phil. 4:10-13; 1 Tim. 6:6-7 

4. The Common Ground Principle

Meaning:

"A Christian should consider only another Christian for a romantic relationship and marriage."

Biblical Basis: 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 1 Cor. 7:39
"If wise King Solomon was ruined by relationships with unbelievers [1 Kings 11:4], who do we think we are imagining we can handle it?"

5. The Cultivation Principle

Meaning:
"Dating relationships need cultivating."
[It is best cultivated when...]

• you see each other first as spiritual siblings
• getting to know each other in groups first (parents, church leaders, spiritually mature friends).
  
  "Spending time together with no one else around is asking for trouble. The biggest danger in being alone is the temptation to express inappropriate physical... and inappropriate emotional affection."

Biblical Basis:

• Christians as spiritually related (Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12,17)
• The phrase "one another" used almost 40x in NT.

6. The Complementarian Principle

Meaning:

"The term complementary comes from the biblical teaching that men and women have been given different roles so they might complement each other. The complementarian position recognizes the uniqueness in God's creative order with respect to men and women."

"At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for, and protect women in ways appropriate to a man's differing relationships. ... 

At the heart of true femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive, and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman's differing relationships."  (John Piper)

Biblical Basis: Gen. 1-3; Eph. 5:21-33; Col. 3:18-19; 1 Tim. 3:4,12; Tit. 2:3-5; 1 Pet. 3:1-7
[To be ready for marriage...]

• Men need to learn to Christlike leadership. (see Eph. 5:22-33)
• Women need to learn wise submission to men worthy of this privilege.

"This means that a man should be the initiator in a relationship. Because a wife's role is clearly to follow the leadership of her husband, a single woman should allow a man to pursue her only if he is worthy of her submission."

7. The Companionship Principle

Meaning:

"God invented marriage because man was alone, not because he was lonely. From the very beginning, God has intended relationships to be about glorifying Him by purposeful companionship. So the purpose of marriage is simple: to serve, represent, and glorify God as a two-in-one team. Dating[2] serves as an arena for testing a relationship to see if it glorifies God enough to warrant marriage. This is the Companionship Principle."

Biblical Basis: Gen. 2:18

"A man should not judge a woman solely on how she looks without makeup; in the same way, a man should not consider only whether or not a man has good hygiene. Instead, both should determine if the other has a true heart for the things of God."

"Physical attraction should play a part of premarital attraction, but only a part. ... physical desire should be satisfied in marriage, but the satisfaction of companionship should be more important."

Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be always intoxicated in her love. (Proverbs 5:18-19, emphasis added)

8. The Commitment Principle

Meaning:
"Love is a commitment. It is a decision to be made and a promise to be kept. It is the way Christians care for one another. And it is the way a husband and wife reflect the glory of Jesus Christ. Real, genuine, sincere, biblical love endures all things and stays committed to an imperfect person. I am not suggesting that you can never break off a dating relationship—even if you have told someone you love him or her. Rather, in a romantic context, those words should be reserved for communicating a permanent relational commitment."

Biblical Basis: 1 Cor. 13:4-18; Eph. 5:22-23

9. The Communication Principle

Meaning: 
"At the core of every problem in marriage and premarital relationships is prideful selfishness. And nothing solves this problem more than communication. If you want to be successful relationally, learning to communicate biblically is nonnegotiable. ... God-honoring communication is the bridge that will take you to relational enjoyment and get you over the inevitable conflicts of relationships."

• The key is humility. Put the focus of your communication on the other person
• Let Jesus flavor what you say and how you say it.

Biblical Basis: Eph. 4:25-29; Lk. 6:45

10. The Chastity Principle

Meaning:
"Sexual sin is prohibited, uniquely offensive to God, damaging, against God's will, a violation of the Holy Spirit's presence, and a sinful use of your body that was bought by the blood of Jesus."
Biblical Basis: 1 Cor. 6:18-20; 1 Thess. 4:3-7

"Promiscuity before marriage refers to the robbing of the other of that virginity which ought to be brought to a marriage. The future partner of such a one has been defrauded." (Leon Morris)

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I believe that these principles are to be kept regardless of your method in premarital relationships. And we should honor them because they came from the word of God. May each of us learn to submit our love life to the Lord of heaven and earth.

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[1] "Dr. Rick Holland is the pastor of College and Student Ministries at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and an instructor at The Master's College and Seminary." (p.216)  

[2] My (Donnie) personal, theological view is the same with Rick Holland. But, practically, I adhere to the "courtship" method. See Joshua Harris' I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Boy Meets Girl. For me, it is the best method to apply the biblical principles.
[3] Holland here used the term "Dating" broadly. Synonymous to the process of doing premarital relationships.

Something More Sure: Scripture!

"For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," ¹⁸we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. ²¹For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:16-21, ESV)

Peter, in the previous verses, was encouraging the believers to pursue "godliness" given the surety of our beliefs ("knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ"). And in verses 16-21, Peter mentioned 3 "possible" bases of one's beliefs. And he picked one as the ultimate basis of our belief.

Three Possible Bases for One's Beliefs

1. Illegitimate myths (v.16a)

Here Peter put a negative: "we did not follow cleverly devised myths". The Christian faith is not based on invented stories of old, which would make the Christian faith false and untrustworthy.

2. Legitimate personal perception (vv.16b-18)

Peter contrasted "myths" with being "eyewitnesses". Peter is saying that he, along with the other apostles, witnessed the glory of Christ with their very eyes. Moreover, they also "heard" the voice of the Father confirming that Jesus is the Son of God. Peter even emphasized that they "were with him", as we can read in the gospel accounts, commonly called  Transfiguration. (Mk. 9:1-10; Lk. 9:28-36) Personal perception or personal experience is really a persuasive reason why we believe certain things to be true. And Christianity has much of this. However, for Peter, there is something superior to this, namely, the scriptures.

3. Superior Scripture (vv.19a,20-21) 

Peter said the scripture is "something more sure"*. It's above all our senses, above all human perception, experience, or even miracles. The ultimate basis of our beliefs is the Bible. Yes, experience has authority. Yes, tradition has authority. But none of these surpass or equal the scriptures. He described it as a "lamp shining in a dark place". That implies that one is lost in this dark world apart from it. It also implies that it is sufficient to guide us. The reason this is so is in verses 20-21. That is, that prophecy/scripture never came by the prophet's own interpretation** of things. It came through God's will. The Holy Spirit moved them and they spoke from God. The Scripture is superior because it is God's word.

Christians, according to Peter, will take heed to the scriptures "until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts". This refers to Christ's return or our glorification. Christ is also referred in the Bible as "Morning Star" (Rev. 2:28; 22:16 cf. Lk. 1:78, 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 5:14) and His return relates to an ending of darkness for believers (Rom. 13:12; Rev. 21:3-25). That he "rises in [our] hearts" means that His return will bring us comfort and joy. This is where "faith" and study of scriptures end because everything will be clear to us by that time.

Here are some application of the text:
1. You have the Scriptures. Do Not Turn to myths like fortune-telling, zodiac signs, Feng Sui, etc.
2. Scripture is something more sure. Do not esteem experience, traditions, or other authorities over it. 
3. Scripture is our lifetime lamp. Take heed to it until you meet the Author face to face.

"The faith of the Protestants, in general, embraces only those truths, as necessary to salvation, which are clearly revealed in the oracles of God. Whatever is plainly declared in the Old and New Testaments is the object of their faith. They believe neither more nor less than what is manifestly contained in, and provable by, the Holy Scriptures... The written Word is the whole and sole rule of their faith, as well as practice. They believe whatsoever God has declared, and profess to do whatsoever He hath commanded. This is the proper faith of Protestants: by this they will abide, and no other." (John Wesley)

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*NASB (and others) translates it somehow differently: "we have the prophetic word made more sure". That implies that personal perception/experience confirms scriptures. In any case, it just confirms it. Scripture is still above experience.
**Some translates it "origin". But the meaning of the Greek "epilupsis" is more likely less tied to its etymology. It has various meanings, one of which is "the act or process of explaining, explanation, interpretation."

MAGYC Part III: Divine Dividend Denied (The Simplicity of GOD)

(1) God is holy; (2) God is loving; (3) God is just; (4) God is all-powerful. 

Let's do some arithmetic here. Suppose those four are the only attributes of God, how will you divide God's nature (100%) by them?

a) 60% for Power, 30% for Love, 5% for each of the other two? (coz God is so powerful!)

b) 70% for Love and 10% for each of the rest? (coz "God is Love")

c) 25% percent each? (They must be equal)

d) Other: __________________ .

What's the correct answer? The illustration below gives a hint.

Highlight this to see the answer: none of the above! Yes, not even the letter "d".

Here's the explanation: God is simple. When we say that "God is simple", WE DON'T MEAN that God, His being, or His ways can be fully or easily comprehended. In fact, the Bible says the opposite (Job. 11:7; Rom. 11:33-36). What WE MEAN by "God is simple" is that God is not made up of parts (not composite). His attributes are not parts of His being/nature that make up the whole Him [see the left image]. Rather, each of His attributes is identical to His being/nature [see right image]. So, mathematically, God is 100% in each of His attributes (love, justice, holiness, power, etc.) so we shouldn't divide Him. His attributes are not a divisor, and God is not a dividend. This implies that God does not only have love. God is love (1 Jn. 4:8,16). God does not only have holiness. God is holiness ("God is light", 1 Jn. 1:5). And so on and so forth.

We should note however that the doctrine of the Simplicity of God (or Divine Simplicity) does not eliminate the differences in the attributes. Love is still not synonymous with holiness, and also with the rest.

So what does this have to do with the youth anyway? And why did I start with a characteristic of God that is not usually counted in discussing the attributes of God?

It's because Christians, even the youth, nowadays have the tendency to exalt one of God's attributes over another. So often you can hear them talk about God's love to the point of tolerating sins. God's holiness, righteousness, and wrath are being overlooked (Yes, we should be patient but we should also deal with our sins, not ignore them!). We love to emphasize that God is gracious and is our friend and Father. But we tend to forget that God is the King of Heaven and earth or that God is "a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29). Given Divine Simplicity, we shouldn't dare do this. We shouldn't think that God is more loving than He is just and sin-punishing. He is BOTH perfectly loving and perfectly just and sin-punishing. We should love each of His wondrous attributes because each attribute is, in a sense, Him! And as a consequence of doing so, we will increase in our knowledge of God, in godliness, and in joy.

Next time, we shall discuss the holiness of God. And, remember: he's perfect in that attribute, and also in the others. So treat each not as a part of God but as God's very nature viewed uniquely. ;)