Author: Wick

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.

A concept that came up in my current read, that I would have to agree with even if I don’t agree with where he goes with it, is this:

There is a “neophilia of our culture that needs balancing with the celebration of the wisdom of the centuries precisely for the sake of faithfulness to the biblical text.”

In other words, many people these days are more in love with something new, doing something new/different, or seeing something in a new light; than actually being faithful to what is right/needed.

You see it/hear about it in ministry often, unfortunately. What is the newest or hippest church in town doing? Wouldn’t it be great if we could do this “new thing” that would “probably” bring in a lot more (young adults/teens/ethnic diversity/inner city people/rich people/families/etc.)?

“I can’t wait to (start my own church someday) so I can do it without serving all of these old traditions.” – Some pastors seem to say. I would agree only to the extent that yes, if you’re serving a tradition – stop. If you’re serving God or His people….then do what you do. 🙂

I’m in my late twenties. I’m in youth ministry. Some would probably assume I don’t like hymns, I think all church activities should be home cells of some sort, and follow Rob Bell or Mark Driscoll like they’re prophets of today.

Well, I like the hymns (even though it’s hard for me to lead singing them with an organ). I do think the Church should do more stuff in homes, but I also love the idea of getting together for a purposeful time within the space that is “set apart” as the Church building. And as for Bell and Driscoll…well, Bell has some neat stuff. But no author/speaker could take the place of Scripture.

I do enjoy many “new things”, but I do try and make sure it is not the “newness” of something that draws me to it. Of course, that will happen sometimes. That’s why I believe in doing ministry within a denomination that I love and commit to. We commit, as Pastors and as lay members, to keep each other accountable as we seek to follow Christ, the Word of God, and work towards His Kingdom coming.

May we get excited/refreshed/energized not by the “new things” we do…but by the new things God has been doing for thousands of years.

A lil’ over a week ago, I posted my intention to read a book by someone who disagreed with NT Wright. I’ve read about a third of John Pipers’ “The Future of Justification: A Response to NT Wright“.

So far, it’s mostly been him justifying how writing such a book entirely against one person is justified. Although he continues to defend that he’s not slamming Wright so much as he is “cautioning” those who read Wrights’ books of the slippery slope NT takes people down. You can tell Piper is pretty intelligent, more than me at least. I’m committed to reading all the way through, even though he continues to repeat himself. Here’s what his book boils down to:

Beware of NT Wrights’ concepts on Justification, in regards to: (he lists them as sarcastic questions, the way you might ask your 2 year old child “Oh, the clouds are made of cotton candy?” )

1. The Gospel is NOT about how to get saved? It seems to Piper, that the gospel is ONLY “good news” IF it refers to me being saved from hell. If I live against God, it becomes bad news simply because of what will happen to me.

2. Justification is not how you become a Christian? Very connected to the first issue.

3. Justification is not the gospel? Very connected to the first issue. Again.

4. We are not Justified by believing in Justification? I don’t get his disagreement here. The quote from NT Wright that he is against says, “We are not justified by faith by believing in justification by faith. We are justified by faith by believing in the gospel itself – in other words, that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead.” Um….I don’t get his problem…even after he explains it.

5. The Imputation of God’s Own Righteousness Makes No Sense At All? While Piper would like to believe we are given God’s OWN righteousness, Wright has stated he doesn’t believe Righteousness is a substance that can be “passed across the courtroom” as opposed to actually changing our identity/how we are viewed in Christ.

6. Future Justification is on the basis of the complete life lived? Piper takes a statement of Wright that talks about what an entire life says towards God (yes or no), and reduces what he is saying to accuse Wright of a “works based” justification.

7. First-century Judaism had nothing of the alleged self-righteous and boastful legalism? Throughout Wright’s works, he says things like “Judaism in Paul’s day….” leading to a lens to view things. Piper reminds readers that there may have been just as many views within Judaism as there are evangelical crowds today. I can get down with this one, even if I wouldn’t share his accusatory tone.

8. God’s righteousness is the same as his covenant faithfulness? For Piper, Wright focuses too much on what God’s righteousness DOES, instead of what his righteousness IS. (although it could be debated that his later explanation of this simply calls something God’s righteousness is doing, something that it IS)

Whew. That should do it for now. Looking forward to his repetition of each of these points, with only slightly better explanations. Err…kinda. At least, looking forward to hearing NT Wright’s words in response to many of these accusations. Not allowing myself to read them, until I finish this one though.