Is the Use of Musical Instruments Forbidden According to the Regulative Principle?

The regulative principle of worship (include in worship only what Scripture endorses, which was Calvin’s view) and the normative principle (include whatever is not prohibited in Scripture, which was Luther’s view who wanted to retain much of Roman Catholicism's rituals). Most churches use both principles to varying degrees. We must be regulative regarding the pattern seen in Acts 2:42-47. But normative with parts of our worship not directly addressed in Scripture such as announcements, length and order of service, sound equipment, technology, padded pews, and please don’t forget the nursery.

Does the regulative principle determine the use of musical instruments in a worship service or the style of music?

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Preaching through Books of the Bible

W. A. Criswell was pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas from 1944-1991. He demonstrated the importance of preaching through books of the Bible. In Why I Preach That the Bible is Literally True W. A. Criswell wrote that “Soon after coming to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, I made an announcement that I would preach through the Bible. It was my first intention to go through the Book much faster than I finally did. In fact, at first, I did preach rapidly through the books of the Old Testament. But as the days multiplied, I found myself going slower and slower and slower. Finally, I came to the place where I preached for several years on some of the sections of the New Testament. In all, from Genesis to Revelation, I spent seventeen years and eight months going through the Book. where I left off Sunday morning, I began Sunday evening; where I left off the previous Sunday night, I began the following Sunday morning.

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Heritage of Expository Preaching

Walter Kaiser, a leading evangelical scholar, issued a simple but striking statement in his commencement address at Dallas Theological Seminary in April 2000. “When a man preaches, he should never remove his finger from the Scriptures, Kaiser affirmed. If he is gesturing with his right hand, he should keep his left hand’s finger on the text. If he reverses hands for gesturing, then he should also reverse hands for holding his spot in the text. He should always be pointing to the Scriptures” (Steven J. Lawson, The Pattern of Biblical Preaching: An Expository Study of Ezra 7:10 and Nehemiah 8:1-18, Bibliotheca Sacra 158 October-December 200: 451).

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Top Three Commentary Sets

Andrew David Naselli gives an excellent review of the top three sets of commentaries for serious students. This review is in the Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal 12 (2007): 81-99 entitled A REVIEW ARTICLE PNTC, BECNT, and NIGTC: Three New Testament Commentary Series Available Electronically in Libronix

The three sets are Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC), Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (BECNT), and New International Greek Testament Commentary (NIGTC).

Here are some excerpts that give a general summary of the three sets just to whet your appetite to read the entire article:

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The Bible Interpretation Principle of Progressive Revelation

A. J. Jacobs gave what is now a well-known TED talk on My Year of Living the Bible in December 2007. He turned the speech into a book entitled: The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. This book was on the NYT bestseller’s list for three months.

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The First Major Theological Textbook of Western Theology

Like so many theologians, Peter Lombard’s writings originated in his classroom teaching.

Peter Lombard taught theology in the cathedral school of Notre Dame which evidently became The Four Sentences. Gregg Allison notes that The Four Sentences became “a standard textbook of theology until the time of Reformation.”[1] McGrath agreed when he wrote: The first major theological textbook of western theology is Peter Lombard’s Four Books of the Sentences, compiled at the University of Paris during the twelfth century, probably during the years 1155–8. In essence, the work is a collection of quotations (or “sentences”), drawn from patristic writers in general, and Augustine in particular.[2] Lombard later became a bishop in Paris in 1159.

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Review of Four Views on Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology (Chapter Four: A Redemptive-Movement Mode by William J. Webb)

For Webb “going beyond” the Bible means “be willing to venture beyond simply an isolated or static understanding of the Bible.” In a footnote Webb explains what he means: “A static understanding is reading the words of the Bible only within their immediate literary context, up and down the page.”[1] This is the historical-grammatical method well defined. Also, going beyond the Bible is progressing “beyond the frozen-in-time aspects of the ethical portrait found within the Bible.”[2]

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Pluralism, Inclusivism, and Exclusivism: Which Is It?

Tim Keller writes a book defending the faith entitled The Reason for God. Keller addresses seven objections, which skeptics fire at Christianity.

Exclusivity is the first objections. This objection has been thrown at me when discussing religion with unbelievers. The objectors usually say, with rising blood pressure, something like: “You are arrogant and intolerant to think you are right and all other religions are wrong,” or “Your superior thinking about your religious views is dangerous and detrimental to world peace.”

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The Prayer Life of Jesus

Luke who in his Gospel emphasizes the humanity of Jesus stresses the prayer life of Jesus.

1. Jesus SHOWED us how to pray (Luke gives 9 examples of Jesus praying)

   1) Jesus prayed before important occasions (Luke 3:21-22).

   2) Jesus prayed after a hard day’s work (Luke 5:16).

   3) Jesus prayed before important decisions (Luke 6:12, 13).

   4) Jesus prayed at ordinary times (Luke 9:18).

   5) Jesus prayed and was transformed (Luke 9:28-29).

   6) Jesus prayed and provided an example (Luke 11:1).

   7) Jesus prayed for others (Luke 22:32).

   8) Jesus prayed for strength (Luke 22:39-46).

   9) Jesus prayed before his death (Luke 23:46).

2. Jesus TAUGHT us how to pray

    A. Jesus taught us one lesson on prayer (the Model Prayer) (Luke 11:1-4)

          1) We first focus on God in worship (Luke 11:2)

          2) Then we focus on Man’s needs (Luke 11:3-4)

    B. Jesus taught us four illustrations on prayer

         1) The Parable of the Importunate Friend (Luke 11:5-10)

              God answers our intercessory prayers for others.

         2) The Parable of the Human Father (Luke 11:11-13)

              God answers our personal prayers for our spiritual needs

         3) The Parable of the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8)

               God answers our prayers for vengeance

         4) The Parable of Two Prayers (Luke 18:9-14)

              God only answers the prayers of the humble

(See Prayer in the Book of Acts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Biblcial Theology Argument against Abortion

In early 2019, the state of New York passed a new abortion bill that effectively legalized abortion right up until the moment of live birth. The new “Reproductive Health Act” even removed abortion altogether from the state’s criminal law, meaning that the murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child is now, in New York, only a single homicide—the murder of the unborn child is not considered murder at all.1. The Scriptures addresses this legislation in New York.

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The Sinlessness of Christ

Bruce Ware in his book Bruce A. Ware, The Man Christ Jesus: Theological Questions on the Humanity of Christ (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013) teaches the impeccability of Christ, i.e., that Christ in His humanity could not have sinned because of His deity. Bruce A. Ware says Christ could not sin because His divine nature dominated His human nature but Christ did not sin in His humanity totally depended on the Word, the Holy Spirit, and His Father. This is a departure from the way the impeccability has been defended in the past. Before we examine this new defense of Christ’s inability to sin, let’s ask, “What has this theological debate have to do with my struggle with my particular nagging sin?” I mean, you might be saying, “Just yesterday, I lost again the battle with this sin. Today, I am guilt ridden. I need help not a theological discussion of whether Jesus was peccable or impeccable.” Good point. Let’s back up and get a running start on this problem and make it personal.

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Review of Four Views on Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology (Chapter Two: A Redemptive-Historical Model by Daniel M. Doriani)

One way to go beyond Scripture, according to Daniel M. Doriani, is to go beyond biblical language as with words like Trinity and substitutionary atonement. Another way to go beyond Scripture is to ask questions that the Bible never addresses such as stealing “intellectual and digital property.”[1] Doriani provides a summary of the RHM: “The Bible doesn’t have narratives; it is a narrative.”[2] This view has different meanings. “If narratives present paradigmatic individuals whom the faithful should emulate or avoid, then we have guidance for proper conduct in areas that direct teaching never covers. This is going beyond the Bible. For example, can a Christian work for the government? is not directly addressed in Scripture. But from the narratives of Scripture we have the examples of Joseph, Nehemiah, and Daniel.[3] There are NT exhortations to practice this principle as in 1 Cor. 10:6-10.

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How can Pastors Follow the Example of Nehemiah by Tim Stallings

This is the second of two posts by two of my D.Min. students’ Discussion Board responses to the question “How can Pastors Follow Nehemiah’s Example” that he set in Nehemiah Five. The first was by Heath Faircloth and this post is by Tim Stallings.

As a pastor and leader in the church, we are constantly being observed in our approach to leadership. One of the areas to show unselfish leadership is to humbly be transparent and vulnerable about our own personal journey of faith. One of my favorite verses for ministry is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." I believe when a pastor/leader is transparent/vulnerable and shares about his own personal struggles and how he has received comfort, the congregation can see his humility and he can make a connection with the congregation.

In Chapter 5 Nehemiah was firm in his leadership but showed compassion and care for his people as they worked on the wall. He confronted the nobles and addressed their wrongdoings. He provided comfort and care for those who had been harmed.

Another area that a pastor/leader can be unselfish is by occasionally sharing his pulpit with others and allowing them to speak before the church. Personal testimonies from our congregation can be a powerful addition to our preaching. God uses these times greatly. Revelation 12 states that the enemy "is conquered by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."

How can Pastors Follow Nehemiah's Example? by Heath Faircloth

The next two excellent posts are by two of my D.Min. students’ Discussion Board responses to the question “How can Pastors Follow Nehemiah’s Example” that he set in Nehemiah Five. The first is by Heath Faircloth and the following is by Tim Stallings.

Admittingly, this topic isn’t quite as easy as one might suggest. On the one hand, as a pastor, I desperately want to be an example for others to follow in my life, but, on the other hand, there is a fine line between wanting others to see Jesus in me and being prideful in what Jesus is doing through me. Pride is a dangerous sin. Pride has been the downfall of many men in ministry and in the business world. No one is immune from its evils. Augustine said that “Pride is the commencement of all sin.”[1] However, it is equally as prideful when I am more concerned about how others view me than I am in helping them become more like Jesus. Bloom has well stated, “However, if there is something in my life that is exemplary that might help you, but I don’t say anything because I’m more concerned with how you view me than with helping you increase your joy, that’s just pride borrowing humility’s clothes. I love me more than I love you.”[2] Therefore, as long as my heart is pure, I must help others by being an example.

One way I have challenged people in the pulpit is through sacrificial giving, specifically for special offerings like Lottie Moon. While I do not share the amount that my family gives, I will often give the parameters by which we base our giving: no one gets a single gift bigger than what we give Jesus during our Mission’s offering. For several years, we gave more to this particular offering than all other Christmas gifts combined.

Secondly, I can tell stories of how I am serving others. It could be my neighbors that do not know Jesus. It could be something that happened at a particular outreach event or service project, but remind people that you are there and allow your example to be a way of leadership in these areas.

Next, and this may not always be in the pulpit, but I am a firm believer that the pastor is the worship leader. He may not be the one leading the singing, but he needs to set the example of worship. If he does exemplify a spirit of worship, it is doubtful that those he leads will either.

Finally, I can be an unselfish example by confessing my sin in an open, transparent way when I mess up. I’m not advocating for every Sunday to be an open confessional time, but from time to time, I need to remind my people that I mess up and am in need of repenting of my own sin. Hopefully, this will be a reminder to them that they too need to repent when they mess up and be an avenue that will help them to take sin serious in their own hearts.

[1] “Sin of Pride,” All About God, accessed at https://www.allaboutgod.com/sin-of-pride.htm

[2] Jon Bloom, “Imitate Me: Laying Aside the Weight of False Humility,” Desiring God, September 22, 2017, accessed at https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/imitate-me

 

 

Review of Four Views on Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology (Chapter One: A Principlizing Model by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.)

Chapter One: A Principlizing Model by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. (Colman M. Mockler Emeritus Distinguished Professor of OT and Ethics and President Emeritus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts).

Kaiser advocates applying specifics principles from the ancient text to the contemporary culture. Kaiser provides lists and defines six principles that expose euthanasia as wrong. Kaiser draws principles from different text in his opinion to justify women praying and prophesying. The next issue Kaiser deals with is homosexuality. Kaiser states that no one needs to go beyond the Bible to see that homosexuality is condemned in seven passages. Kaiser believes there are principles in the Bible, such as found in the book of Philemon, that teach slaves should be freed. Kaiser teaches that there are adequate principles against abortion and embryonic stem cell research that no one needs to go beyond the Bible.

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Don’t Waste Your Life (Psalm 127)

Solomon in the only Pilgrim Psalm (Psalm 127) he wrote, challenged us three times in two verses, not to live a “vain” or empty, worthless, or wasted life. John Piper wrote a book entitled Don’t Waste Your Life. In chapter three, he wrote of two women who some might consider to have wasted their lives. In April 2000, Ruby Eliason and Laura Edwards were killed in Cameroon, West Africa. Ruby was over eighty. Single all her life, she poured it out for one great thing: to make Jesus Christ known among the unreached, the poor, and the sick. Laura was a widow, a medical doctor, pushing eighty years old, and serving at Ruby’s side in Cameroon. The brakes failed, the car went over a cliff, and they were both killed instantly…. Was that a tragedy?

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God’s Protection (From everything that is not His will) Psalm 121

David Livingstone (19 March 1813 – 1 May 1873) the famous missionary and explorer of the continent of Africa, read Psalm 121 and which praises God for his protection as we journey doing his will. Livingston read Psalm 121 to his father and sister before setting out for Africa in 1840. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Moffat, wrote him at that Psalm 121 was always in her mind as she thought about and prayed for him.” (James Montgomery Boice).

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