Posts

Posted on

In Praise of Faithful Ministers

While the world derides pastors and specific evangelical ministries target pastors, and while pointing out particular examples of pastoral malpractice alleviate the Church from its blemishes, we should be doubly invested in observing the faithfulness and perseverance of the thousands of pastors who shepherd quietly but steadily; who cherish their sheep without expecting rewards or recognition; who visit hospital beds, who comfort grieving parents, who preach and administer the sacraments, who love their families, and who refuses to lord over their people because of their title or status.

Yes, we must observe the thousands of faithful men who use their training to feed the flock in word and deed, joy and sorrow. They may be in small/medium/large churches, but they are everywhere.

Do not allow the belittling of pastors and their work to take away the honor reserved for those who fight the good fight of faith and awaken each morning with a deep sense of their calling before God and man.

Posted on

Baptism as Costly Grace

Baptism is never divorced from a life of repentance. Baptism is not cheap grace given as a guarantee of heaven but a promise of a heavenly life by faith. It is not sacerdotal, expecting the consecrated hands of priests to function ex opere operato. It is not ex nihilo (out of nothing) appearing as a magical manifestation. Instead, baptism is a costly grace. It is a gift of community that comes from the power of the Spirit through the baptized Messiah from whose sides flowed living waters. It is incorporation into the holy ones.

Baptism is not a rationale for sin to abound but for the forgiveness of sins to abound and grace to abound in a life of repentance.

Baptism is an act of God in the life of these little ones as it is an act of God to direct these little ones all their days. They are baptized this day into the very death of Christ and raised in the very resurrection of Jesus, their King.

These recipients of baptism come because these believing parents affirm the covenant promises of God. They affirm that the nurture of God begins in this baptismal act.

Baptism is an introduction to a new life–a life of faith, a life of holiness, a life of baptismal obligations from their earliest days to their last days; a life of grace upon grace.

So, far from cheap grace, baptism is a costly grace; a grace that cost our Lord his very life and a grace that is now given to these children of the holy covenant.

May their days be filled with awe at the coming of Jesus, and may they live by faith from their earliest days to the end of their lives so that grace may abound.

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Posted on

The Twitter Zealots

You can conclude with some degree of certainty that men who spend most of their time consumed with internet squabbles have a low view of authority. They rarely seek knowledge from within their ecclesiastical authorities but function as independent contractors of expertise. They often come through the theme of anonymity and can opine without regard, speaking carelessly, prolifically, and unrestrained.

They treasure their independence and ability to function, whether ecclesiastically or theologically. They are practical Anabaptists in their assessment of reality and, in many cases, fall easily into various winds of doctrine. Their resumes may include multiple churches and different theological trajectories within a short period of time, all of which they treasure, depending on which season they find themselves. They become consuming fires for their new-found faith, at least for a short season. Everyone becomes an enemy, even if he just held that same idea a few months prior.

These kinds of rough edges need to be worked out among youthful zealots. They need a history of consistency before they speak as interpreters. There is a season where they should be observers before political hermeneuticians.

Jude addresses this revolutionary spirit that seeks dissension within the church by using their voices to draw innocent parishioners to their cause. They even come to our love-feasts to persuade. Even if their intentions are noble, stemming from pure motives, they must be tamed by pastoral practice and discipleship.

These young men often do not provide stability to their spouses or children. They damage the cause of Christ and his Bride. We should watch out for such voices and pray that God would grant them discernment and humility.

Posted on

The John Piper Coffee Controversy

John Piper has reached peak-based on his latest post. He has garnered over 2 million views. Here’s the latest Piperian controversy:

“Can we reassess whether Sunday coffee-sipping in the sanctuary fits?” “Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28

That’s it! A call for reassessment with a Bible verse attached.

I only met Piper once and am trying to remember whether he was enjoying the benefits of the coffea plant or not. Still, the man is a ball of energy and one of the most productive humans who has managed to memorize a large portion of the New Testament and offer miles of literature to many on the doctrines of grace, missions, etc. In sum, Piper is a titan, and even when I don’t find him persuasive, I see him as an admirable father figure in our Reformed eco-system.

Now, back to our caffeinated discussion. I am certain there is a greater background to his comment for which he did not elaborate. Still, the reactions to his tweet were significant enough to garner attention from celebrities like Beth Moore, who encouraged Piper to join her new-found Anglican faith where there is much sitting and standing, sitting and standing, and no time for coffee-sipping.

Others chimed in, disregarding the grandfatherly Piper as legalistic, puritanesque, and scolding Calvinism for sucking all the joy away.

But I believe Piper is close to the truth. What he is addressing is not an antagonism toward coffee but the kind of worship where coffee could be sipped without interruption. He is addressing a certain passivity that allows you to see worship as an undemanding act.

Believe it or not, there are thousands of American churches discussing the virtue of church cafes. Here is a rationale for their side of the coffee aisle about why coffee is crucial to the Sunday experience

“The vast majority (82 percent) said that creating a pleasant atmosphere for parishioners was very important or critical. Additionally, encouraging young people to attend was a primary consideration for 93 percent. But — with a 100-percent response rate — the overwhelming motivation was to encourage fellowship and a sense of community.”

These congregations are highly motivated to bring people in, and the overwhelming sense of community is striking. These are good and noble things, but the idea behind it is to use coffee and all its lattes to provide a means to greater enjoyment. These flocks would all fall into some variation of Hillsong-style megachurches. That comes with a host of condemnatory espressos from me.

I am not expecting Piper to jump into sacramental concerns, but there is something deeper than the tweet itself, which he may have intended in the controversial statement. Again, two million views! People don’t want their coffees excoriated.

I suspect the idea he is fighting is an old war against the drivel of entertainment worship, a modern expression of the old seeker-sensitive model where the word and sacrament are the fellowship and that dark, black liquid.

Piper is a purist when it comes to these things, and as such, I try to read the best into such comments. It’s not that sipping coffee during a sermon is wrong, but that the culture where this is common offers a paradigm of ease and comfort where the afflicted is told to be a better version of his yesterday instead of repenting better than yesterday.

And, as I have written before, worship is hard. It’s hard to be sipping your Tall, Non-Fat Latte With Caramel Drizzle while singing “Crown him with many crowns!” and holding your squirmy two-year-old.

Again, we are assessing the drinking of coffee in the sanctuary, not the experience before or after. In my context, there is some validity to the concerns of America’s favorite Calvinist Arch-Bishop. And the fact that so many are overreacting to him is probably because they have not given him enough Calvinist credit.

Posted on

How to help my anxious child?

Your question is a really significant one and it most likely resonates with other parents and I want to broaden the audience. So, thanks for the inquiry.

The question is, “How do I deal with my anxious child?” You mention that your child worries about everything from what she eats and who she may meet, or what people think of her, etc. Many children suffer through these anxieties in silence. And that, in the long term, can be problematic in the development and formation of his/her Christian faith. I have often stressed that silence in the home is not a justified rationale, even if you are an introvert. Families participate in each other’s lives; families incorporate into each other’s lives, whether they feel that’s important or not.

Fathers–especially–should set the context of good conversations and much deliberation and many question-takers. Too often, we use our child’s personalities to excuse their silence. We say, “Well, he’s just really quiet;” or, “he doesn’t like being around people.” These kinds of statements don’t help in the pursuit of Christian virtues. Solomon tells us that there is a time for all sorts of things, and there is an enormous virtue in listening, which is not the same thing as silence. Good listeners often are the best contributors to the good life.

Now, back to anxieties and worries. These things can be paralyzing, especially for little souls. They overwhelm their sense of being, thus isolating their feelings and thoughts from everyone else. There is an enormous amount of information to unpack on anxiety. Still, I believe the prevailing factor in whether anxieties are perpetuated or not is to break the silence mode in your son/daughter.

Even if you think there is no turning back, I beg to differ. There is always a turning back, and there is always the Gospel hope of a new orientation. Thus, if you claim your child suffers under the magnifying challenges of anxiety, opening him up is a massive step in that process. If this endeavor takes the next five years, do it! If it means taking some additional time off, do it!

I’d recommend a couple of practical steps:

First, fathers/mothers spend an additional amount of time with that child. If you have six kids, divide and conquer. Sometimes, you need to invest more time in one child for his well-being for the sake of the family’s well-being. Families must come together for the joy of those who are suffering.

I would encourage planned time with that child at a park, zoo, or restaurant and open the environment so that he can find the freedom to participate in the conversation without fearing what others may think.

Further, writing down specific questions for discussion can be really significant as well. Inquire about his routines, what he cherishes, what thoughts are prevailing in his mind these days, etc. These can nurture the child and may cause him to open himself to sharing his concerns, ideas, fears, and trepidations with life and people.

The second element is incorporating a heavy dose of affirmation when he thrives under challenging areas. I remember a child who once feared playing in a concert. The fear made her quiet and tense, and isolated. There was no perfect solution, but when that dad sat down with her to hear her piece and expressed appreciation for her efforts, she suddenly became confident to play in front of others. What she needed was the approval of her father that what she was doing was good and worthy.

Anxiety is often a relentless exaggerator, and parents need to set an example of minimizing the high expectations we have for our children by adding points of praise in the good and in the perseverance in the good. Even the slightest word of affirmation can bear great fruit in the long term.

If your anxious child is overwhelmed by anxiety, then our goal is to overwhelm her with the promise of a gentle Savior who accepts her and who calls her to come unto him even in her deepest fears.

I hope to continue this conversation. Of course, this is only a sample of a larger conversation, and I am praying that your little one will find joy in life and navigate wisely–through your guidance and love–these difficult waters.

Sincerely,

Pastor Brito

Posted on

The Diligence of an Unknown Biblical Character Named Anah

I am working through Genesis and noticed a name that had not stuck in previous readings. His name is Anah. The reading in Genesis 36 references him in two verses:

These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah; he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he pastured the donkeys of Zibeon his father.

These are the chiefs of the Horites: the chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah…

Genesis 36:24, 29

He is singled out for his capabilities to be resourceful. Matthew Henry offers a lengthy praise for Anah in his Genesis commentary:

Particular notice is taken of one Anah who fed the asses of Zibeon his father (Gen. 36:24), and yet is called duke Anah, Gen. 36:29. Note, Those that expect to rise high should begin low. An honourable descent should not keep men from an honest employment, nor a mean employment hinder any man’s preferment. This Anah was not only industrious in his business, but ingenious too, and successful; for he found mules, or (as some read it) waters, hot-baths, in the wilderness. Those that are diligent in their business sometimes find more advantages than they expected.

Matthew Henry

The name itself. עָנָה  is probably translated “answer.” In Israel’s wilderness testing, he was their answer. He wasn’t content with the status quo, but went above and beyond as a leader/duke to provide for his people.

Posted on

The Bible Shouts His Name

The Bible is a book of stories. Every story whispers his name. True enough. But then again, we should believe that every story shouts his name also. Christ is there in the defeat of fat Eglon when the sword pierces his body, revealing that he is a man of dung. That was no mere whisper. It was there when Jael drove a tent peg through Sisera’s skull. That was no mere whisper.

Examples like these could be multiplied with little ease. This is more than a whisper; it’s a hallelujah ringing loud and clear. Jesus is the defeater of fat and evil kings and drives tent pegs through the skulls of his enemies, fulfilling the promise of Genesis 3:15.

Far from shyness, Christians should rejoice at such raucous occasions through sacred scriptures. Wherever our Lord goes, he produces disciples unto life or disciples unto death. There is no neutrality. There is no whisper but a loud shout of praise for the Lord our God omnipotent reigneth over all his enemies (I Cor. 15:24-26).

Posted on

The Case for Christian Education

One of the more audacious positions of Providence Church (CREC) is that it does not speak adoringly of public education. Our Book of Memorials says the following:

“Government schools tend to be, by decree and design, explicitly godless, and therefore normally should not be considered a legitimate means of inculcating true faith, holy living, and a decidedly Christian worldview in the children of Christian parents. Therefore, we strongly encourage Christian parents to seek alternative ways of educating their children, whether by means of Christian schools or homeschooling. In cases, where Christian education is an impossibility, parents must be active and diligent in overseeing the education of their children.”

In my southern context, most evangelical churches have a host of children populating local public schools. And as I understand it, opposing public schools is not the sort of topic that grants pastors awards in local ceremonies.

Now, mind you, we are not speaking here of the responsibility to bear witness by some mature Christian adults who sense a calling to instruct and minister in that environment. Indeed, I know many who do great work in the public corridors. I bless them with every ounce of my being.

What we are arguing against is the intentionality of sending covenant children to learn under almost always ungodly curriculums. The responsibility God places upon parents to provide a Christian education is too abundant (Deut. 6, Eph. 6), which means that indoctrination is a means of grace to our children. We teach in order to inculcate a particular form of training for our local collection of arrows (Ps. 127-128); the kind that pastes on their foreheads all thoughts of Jesus applied to the earthly terrain of Mathematics and Moravian culture. You may say, “But education is neutral; we can just train them when they get home at night.” Well, I applaud your enthusiasm, but there are intellectual corpses all over the Red Sea of those who followed that logic.

Of course, no education is foolproof. Education A does not necessitate Godliness A. But Christian Education A offers a type of godliness in learning, logic, and leisure that benefits the cause of Christendom. Now, I have been advocating for this for over 15 years. Back then, it wasn’t that popular, but in our day, some have come to the obvious conclusion that such opposition to public education is the right one because the Democrats are eager to give transgender students the option of choosing their bathrooms and locker room and are enforcing mask mandates on little children. If this caused you to jump on the Christian education train now, I am grateful. Whether for pragmatic reasons or not, do it. And the hope is that pragmatism becomes dogma. Find your local Christian school or homeschool co-op in your town and go for it with every Herculian strength you have left.

In our congregation, we try to live out these principles by dedicating some money to help parents follow what we believe to be biblical and true about education. So, if parent A says, “Look, you all are speaking from a position of luxury. We can’t afford to put our children in a Christian school or to bring mom back home to homeschool,” we offer some economic encouragement to aid members to make that decision much simpler. But the one thing we wish to also do if you think this is still an impossibility is to help you –assuming you inquire–to look at your financial priorities on the table and analyze whether that iPhone 12 pro-max is really worth more than a semesters’ worth of books, or whether that middle-age crisis vehicle is really as important as a faithful education for your offspring.

Obviously, there are some nuances to this conversation and some exceptions, but the bottom line is that the longer you look at the exceptions and nuances, your answer will always be the same. But if you begin to look at the principle as the thing you pursue doggedly, the exceptions and nuances suddenly become lesser things than they were just a day or two ago.

And speaking of nuances, if a family desires to keep their kids in the public school system for whatever reason but still love our body enough to endure my occasional meanderings about the dangers of public schools, they are welcome to join our church as members, so long as they eagerly seek the well-being of the body and are not divisive. In my estimation, what we are after is not adherents of Christian education, but adherents of Christendom who believe Christ died to make us whole as students and servants of the kingdom. Christian education best serves that purpose.