Author: Wick

For the sake of concise blogging, here are a few random updates that would have each been a bit too short for their own post:

1. A friend was at the zoo in Indy with their family. They overheard the woman near them call her son “Wick”. They commented on the name, and asked the woman where she got it. The woman then told her the story of going into labor DURING WHEEL OF FORTUNE, where she joked with her husband that if “that guy” won, they’d name their son after him. Well….I won. 🙂 I now have a Hoosier named after me. Woot.

2. I’m FINALLY GETTING ORDAINED!! That’s right, after 4 years of school, and over 6 years of active ministry and a few more classes to top it off……next Saturday, June 27th at 9am at the Greenville Free Methodist Church. You’re invited to come and hoot and holler (or wear a tie and pray fervently over me) – however you’re inclined to celebrate. 🙂

3. I finally watched the movie “Sleeping Beauty” in its entirety for the first time. One would assume I’d already seen such a Disney Classic at some point in my lifetime. I assumed the same thing. Until I started it for Addie, I realized I knew the basic premise of the story, but had never watched it. My opinion? I’m a bit offended.
For over two years now, my life has begun to dive into the depths of that “pink aisle” in every stores’ toy section. You know about it. If you have sons, or no children, you probably cringe a little when you see it out of the corner of your eye, and keep walking. That’s what I used to do. Now, it’s our favorite aisle.
I’ve learned a bit about every toy marketed to young girls. A large portion of which, have been “princess” themed dolls and their paraphernalia lately. Names being inconsequential, the characters are often reduced to the two-year old language of “Blue Princess”, “Pink Princess”, “Yellow Princess”, etc. We all know almost without thinking:

So I’ve finally finished with Piper’s book. Honestly, I’m glad I read it. It has quite a bit of decent study on scriptures relevant to the theme of justification, with a variety of approaches to each. But I was a bit disappointed still with how he went about the book. The repetition of statements, of quotes from NT Wright, assumptions he makes about what Wright “would say” about something, and his undercover slams on Wright (disguised as mere “cautionary”) – I really wish the two guys would have just gotten together and written a book on their differing views. It would have been more beneficial, at least to my opinion of John Piper.

If you want to read his book to take a wide array of texts and information and views on the scriptures where Paul or early Christians discuss justification – get it.

But if you’re simply looking for what the MEAT of his problems with Wright come from? Check out pages 174 and 175. The key text is 2 Corinthians 5:21. The key problem is how they both define/interpret “dikaiosune theou” (righteousness of God).

Looking forward to starting NT Wright’s book. Just looking at the table of contents gets me excited that this will be less about defending himself against Piper, or even accusing Piper of bad biblical interpretation and justifying himself, etc…..than it will be just straight up study and exegesis of important scriptures.

That will be refreshing. 🙂

Continuing to finish John Piper’s Book , I still think he repeats himself WAY too much. He also publishes the same quotes from NT Wright over and over and over again. Seriously. NT Wright should get some royalties off this book, for real.

But there have been a few things worth taking away so far. As I noted previously, he speaks some truth about neophilia becoming more popular these days.

It’s really tough to not skip ahead and grab NT Wrights newest book, (it’s on my shelf, waiting for me) where he defends much of his position on Justification. I try and think of what he may say in regard to much of Piper’s comments, and even scribble notes here and there. I told myself ahead of time I would read the book with an open mind. But the basic mind and heart positions of Piper influence so much of how he views/believes in things.

I would recommend getting Piper’s book, simply because it’s a great collection of some of NT Wrights best quotes.

Although it is beginning to talk about NT Wrights views on how “works” relate to the entire picture of Justification. Our post-post-modern and even simply evangelical protestant view of things emphasizes how much we are saved BY GRACE through faith, and not by works. I know NT Wright mentioned what we DO is very important in “Surprised by Hope“, but hadn’t known how exactly he meshes it all with justification. It’s challenging, but I think I find myself still agreeing with him – but in ways that aren’t easy, but are helpful….to what God is doing in and through me.

If that makes sense. 🙂

I’m sure I’ll post more before the book is completely finished.