"Could it be - Satan!"

I recently rented the movie "Ghost Town" which came out in 2008. I thought the following was an interesting exchange by the two primary characters:

FRANK: “Hey, when the devil shows up, you think he’s gonna have little red horns and carry a pitchfork? No, he’s gonna work for Amnesty international, and he’s gonna give all of his money to the homeless.”

DR. PINCUS: “Well, if he did all that, wouldn’t he lose the title ‘the devil’?”

Hmmm. . .I think he would still be the devil. Of course, Dr. Pincus's answer is revealing. It reflects the world's minimalist view of goodness - a standard far below holiness. If he is a "good person," he CAN be the devil.

"the LORD saves not with sword and spear. . ."

"The weapons of this warfare must not be carnal. . .The great apostles would not set upon the work of the ministry until they were 'endued with power from on high'. . .The Spirit will only work with his own tools." Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed, The Banner of Truth Trust, 2005, p. 34.

Though we often try, we can not win the war by wielding weapons of our own design. While they may seemingly defend against our foe for a time, they grow dull quickly and fail us. We must pick up those armaments forged by God's almighty hand - the Word, sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper), and prayer. Westminster Shorter Catechism - #88. Then, and only then, will the victory be the LORD's.

In my weakness. . .

"Far too often our concern with sin arises from how it makes us feel. Sinful habits, sometimes called 'besetting sins,' cause us to feel defeated, and we don't like to be defeated in anything, whether it's in a game of Ping-Pong or in our struggle with sin. . .sinful habits make us feel guilty and defeated." Jerry Bridges - The Discipline of Grace, NavPress, 2006, p. 149.

Just when I think my motivations are pure, I find myself once again caught by my own pride. How often am I more embarrassed about my weaknesses to a particular sin(s) and less about my insult to Christ's perfect work?

Colquhoun on Law and Gospel

"'The law and the gospel are the principal parts of divine revelation; or rather they are the center, sum, and substance of all the other parts of it. Every passage of sacred Scripture is either law or gospel, or is capable of being referred either to the one or to the other . . . If then a man cannot distinguish aright between the law and the gospel, he cannot rightly understand so much as a single article of divine truth. If he does not have spiritual and just apprehensions of the holy law, he cannot have spiritual and transforming discoveries of the glorious gospel; and, on the other hand, if his view of the gospel is erroneous, his notions of the law cannot be right.'" --John Colquhoun

Kingdom Confusion

Some of you may have heard of U. S. House Resolution 397 which designates the first week in May as “American Spiritual Heritage Week.” You can learn more about it here. I would propose a somewhat different resolution that might read as follows:

WHEREAS, Christians, just as all other Americans of religious or irreligious persuasions, shall actively participate in government as good citizens;

WHEREAS, although Christians shall be good citizens, they shall stop confusing the kingdom of God with the kingdom of man;

WHEREAS, Christians shall put down the sword and trust only in the power of the Gospel, and His sovereign hand, to bring about the fullness of His kingdom in His time;

I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

Once Bitten - Twice Shy

". . .they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:18 (ESV)

I saw a documentary about snake handling churches in West Virgina a few weeks ago. Apparently, West Virgina is one of the few states in which snake handling services are still legal. What I found particularly interesting was a comment from one of the old timers interviewed. He said that you didn't have to worry about being bitten because if you died you were assured you would go to heaven, i.e., since you acted in faith by handling the poisonous snake you would be saved. Assuming I was from the Amelia Bedelia school of biblical interpretation, that is not exactly how I would read it. If you were bitten, wouldn't that mean just the opposite? That is, you are not a believer. The passage indicates that true believers would not be been bitten.

Frankly, the story was very sad. This kind of theology can only flow from a people who are gospel starved. Undoubtedly there are some bizarre reasons why a few may be attached to such an odd worship practice. However, if you drill down deep, I bet most of them are in fact simply looking for that assurance that God loves them. I see the same longing acted out in more measured and subtle ways among modern evangelicals. Nonetheless, I submit the better and more faithful way to gain that assurance, is through word and sacrament.

P.S. I guess it is telling that I don't need the closed captioning when they are interviewing mountain folk. I understand them plainly.

The Dark Knight

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 (ESV).

I recently read that The Dark Knight was the highest grossing film of 2008 and the second highest grossing film of all time behind Titanic. The Dark Knight is more than a simplistic story of good versus evil. It explores several competing, and sometimes disturbing worldviews. Two of the main philosophies expressed are humanism and nihilism.

Although Batman is a very complex character, I believe he is best described as a humanist. He believes that the citizens of Gotham are basically good and, through their own strength and perseverance, they will build this utopian society. There is nothing that the human spirit can not overcome. The Joker, also a very complex character, could be labeled a nihilist. Life is without meaning and is void. Accordingly, he calls the people of Gotham to give up on the idea of civilization.

I have seen the movie twice now and I am as fascinated with it as I am disturbed by it. Ultimately, both of these worldly philosophies are Christ-less. Nonetheless, I have to say that the Joker’s approach seems more honest. Unlike Batman, the Joker, at least understands the hypocrisy of the humanistic world and, although he does not recognize it, he does not attempt to excuse his own depravity. In the Joker’s world, the thin veneer of a seemingly moral society only covers up the violence and chaos brewing just under the surface. Maybe that is why so many young people seem to be attracted to the Joker’s character. Perhaps they understand their sin better than their parents.

If it were not for the grace of God and His assurance of the forgiveness of sins, I might also be found in the nihilist camp. Fortunately, this foolishness will save those that believe.