In Essentials, Unity.

One of the great joys of evangelical Christian fellowship is the reality that we can disagree on non-essential doctrines and still maintain community.  The problem is that we also disagree on what is non-essential.  I have written on this previously, but as in most things, we need to have these issues brought to the fore, again and again.

Recently in several discussions various people have used the term with me: “It’s not a salvation issue.”  Actually that term is quite common in evangelical circles.  I wonder what they mean by that phrase.   At least in one instance they mean that this issue does not demean salvation by grace through faith.  I prefer the phrase that Dr. Albert Mohler has written on so well, e.g., “First-Level Theological Issues”.  By that he defines them as:

“First-level theological issues would include those doctrines most central and essential to the Christian faith. Included among these most crucial doctrines would be doctrines such as the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, justification by faith, and the authority of Scripture . . . These first-order doctrines represent the most fundamental truths of the Christian faith, and a denial of these doctrines represents nothing less than an eventual denial of Christianity itself.”

To use the term: “It’s not a salvation issue,” is to reduce the irreducible to an unacceptable level.  Secondly the term assumes that salvation by grace through faith stands alone.  It does not.  One would not be aware of salvation apart from the special revelation of God’s Word.  Salvation could not be accomplished other than through the Humanity and Deity of Christ.  Nor could it be accomplished apart from the Triune God.  Implied in all this is the incarnation, the Virgin Birth, sinless life, effectual atonement, physical resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  Nor is there salvation complete without the coming of the Kingdom and the restoration of all things new.

“First level theological issues” is a very helpful term.  We should consider it essential to our conversation.

In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity![1]

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[1] Often attributed to great theologians such as Augustine, it comes from an otherwise undistinguished German Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century, Rupertus Meldenius. The phrase occurs in a tract on Christian unity written (circa 1627) during the Thirty Years War (1618–1648), a bloody time in European history in which religious tensions played a significant role. (http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/essentials-unity-non-essentials-liberty-all-things/)

This One Thing I Do!

As I prepare for the Mother's Day biography on the life of Lilias Trotter, I am became more and more enthralled with the profundity of this woman of God.  She lived in a day devoid of television, radio, iPods, iPhones, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on.  Multitasking is a great management style but it's a horrible lifestyle.  For the Christian we need to be focused.

"Never has it been so easy to live in half a dozen harmless worlds at once -- art, music, social science, games, motoring, the following of some profession, and so on. And between them we run the risk of drifting about, the good hiding the best." It is easy to find out whether our lives are focused, and if so, where the focus lies. Where do our thoughts settle when consciousness comes back in the morning? Where do they swing back when the pressure is off during the day? Dare to have it out with God, and ask Him to show you whether or not all is focused on Christ and His Glory. Turn your soul's vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him." [1] [Emphasis mine]

Is there a "one thing I do" (Psalm27:4; Philippians 3:13) kind of focus in my life?  In yours? 

"If only one had twenty lives! But I suppose that to have the power of God concentrated on the one that we have would be better still!"  - Lilias Trotter

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1.  The Heavenly Vision, - Lilias Trotter (1853-1928).  

They Shall Not Eat Who Will Not Work

Joshua 17:14–18 (NLT)

¹⁴ The descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land as our homeland when the Lord has blessed us with so many people?” ¹⁵ Joshua replied, “If there are so many of you, and if the hill country of Ephraim is not large enough for you, clear out land for yourselves in the forest where the Perizzites and Rephaites live.” 

¹⁶ The descendants of Joseph responded, “It’s true that the hill country is not large enough for us. But all the Canaanites in the lowlands have iron chariots, both those in Beth-shan and its surrounding settlements and those in the valley of Jezreel. They are too strong for us.” 

¹⁷ Then Joshua said to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph, “Since you are so large and strong, you will be given more than one portion. ¹⁸ The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish, and take possession of its farthest corners. And you will drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”

Matthew Henry:  

"Men excuse themselves from labour by any pretence; and nothing serves the purpose better than having rich and powerful relations, able to provide for them; and they are apt to desire a partial and unfaithful disposal of what is intrusted to those they think able to give such help. 

But there is more real kindness in pointing out the advantages within reach, and in encouraging men to make the best of them, than in granting indulgences to sloth and extravagance. 

True religion gives no countenance to these evils. The rule is, They shall not eat who will not work; and many of our “cannots” are only the language of idleness, which magnifies every difficulty and danger."[1]

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1. Henry, M., & Scott, T. (1997). Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Jos 17:14). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems.

The Deathliness of Death

About 30 some years ago I attended a Merle Haggard concert in Winnipeg.  A little known, but rising star by the name of Reba McEntire open for this country music icon. Unfortunately due to excessive inebriation, Haggard could barely spit out a couple songs.   That doesn't matter, for Country Music connoisseurs, he was a great musician and entertainer.  Today, Country Music radio stations are filled with his songs in memory of his amazing career.


On April 6th of this year Merle Haggard died. Reading some Facebook tributes I read this statement: "This legend has passed . . .."   Now I'm not picking on the author of that update.  I hear this a lot lately. "So and so passed last night," etc.   What does that mean?  Objectively does that mean that they were facing an examination and rather than fail, they passed?  Or is there something missing from the sentence.  "So and so passed by the window!"  Of course I know what they mean.  He died.  But to say that "he passed" takes the edge off a very hard event.


To say that someone "passed" is ambiguous.  The sentence alone speaks of uncertainty.  It is an incomplete sentence.  Isn't that the point?  Many today don't understand death.  There are all kinds of theories about death.  So to be socially correct it's just easier to say, "He passed."   It takes the deathliness out of death.


But death is deadly. 


According to the Bible death occurs when the spirit vacates the body.  There is very little dignity in death.  I suspect that very few people get to simply fall asleep in death.  For most of us death will be a gradual, painful, expiration of life.  It is deathly.  Death is the result of sin.  We all die because we all have sinned. But death is not the end.  Every human being, at that moment of death, will instantaneously face the Creator of life.   For those that have placed their faith in the forgiving work of His Son, Jesus Christ, their after-death experience will be nothing short of glorious – unspeakable joy.   For those who have rejected the Savior of the world and the righteousness, joy and peace He offers there is unspeakable suffering.





For a person who is not a committed believer in the Lord Jesus Christ there is no such thing as rest-in-peace.  To calm the horror by suggesting that "they are in a better place" is a fantasy of unspeakable proportion.  I have little doubt that every unrepentant person who has died, would rather live with a lifetime of cancer rather than the torment of Hell.  But that reality can be completely reversed through genuine faith in Christ Jesus.



For someone who has realized their sinfulness and accepted the provision of salvation in Jesus, they can indeed say upon their impending death, "sing me back home, before I die."   I have no insight into the spiritual condition of Merle Haggard.  I do know this that he had ample opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel.  I hope he did. 


Haggard was created in the image of God.  His soul is more valuable than all the treasures of a billion universes.  He was gifted.  He was a great entertainer.  God created him that he might glorify God with his life and his talent.  I'm not sure if he "passed" yesterday.  I am sure he died.  I am sure he met God.  We all will.   


““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NLT)