A Reformation for the Next Ten Years

During the Reformation, all of society was changing thanks to theological giants like Luther, Calvin, Melanchthon, and Zwingli. Today, with the multiplication of learning, knowledge and technology, theological trends are segmented and individualized. Consider Erickson's statement here:

Theology is now being done in a period characterized by, among other things, a "knowledge explosion." The amount of information is growing so rapidly that mastery of a large area of thought is becoming increasingly difficult. While this is especially true in technological areas, biblical and theological knowledge is also much broader than it once was. The result has been a much greater degree of specialization than was previously the case. In biblical studies, for example, New Testament scholars tend to specialize in the Gospels or in the Pauline writings. Church historians tend to specialize in one period, such as the Reformation. Consequently, research and publication are often in narrower areas and in greater depth.

This means that the systematic theologian will find it increasingly difficult to cover the entire range of doctrines. Systematic theology is further complicated by the fact that it requires a knowledge of all of Scripture and of the development of thought throughout the whole history of the church. Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1998), 66.

It's come to that. We need to study our Bibles MORE not less. We need to tell the next generation, ( Psalms 78:4, Deuteronomy 6:1-9, John 14:6 ) what a privilege and blessing it is to be a Christian and a servant of God. Don't let the Devil steal your knowledge of God by making Bible study, theology, and the study of doctrines sound boring. Learn what you don't know and discover that God is a God of grace and mercy. (Romans 5:1, 1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9-10) For this generation, and the one that is to come.

Opportunities in the New Decade

I have been teaching at SAGU for 17 years. Several years back now, our Vice President of Academics, Dr. Paul Brooks, spoke at a Spring in-service where we were trained on the latest technology for use in our University. He said this: "I would like to thank all of you for the effort you have made to "learn" all the new technology over the past decade, just to keep up." Initially I thought, "It's not that much", but as I continued, I discovered how right he was. I started at SAGU on December 7, 1992. It just so happens that I didn't know in 1992 how to use a computer. I had to be shown how to save a file. To this day I am convinced that one of the greatest technological achievements is "Save As". Within months I was saving everything to either a 5 and ¼" or a 3.5" disk. "Look how much you can save on a 3.5!" Then Windows came……. The narrative on the change and implications from that point would threaten the limits of my now ancient 2GB flashdrive. Just 10 years ago, all of western culture was fearful of the unknown…Y2K. If technology has taught us anything it is the power of change and necessity of learning.

In contrast to the accelerated pace of technology, Christianity has not changed. This frustrates some. Methods of course have to, unfortunately in church, like industry and education, the change is about 15 years behind culture. The truth, however, has not changed.

So what's a Christian to do at the close of another decade? Consider these simple facts:

1. The world is larger than it has ever been. There are more Christians AND more lost persons.
   
2. The Bible is now more available than ever, in more languages than ever.
   
3. The Power of the Holy Spirit is available to every Believer for the advancement of the Gospel. (Acts 1:8, Acts2:4, Acts 10:44-46)
   
4. Jesus IS coming back. (1 Thessalonians 4:12-18, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58)
   

We are living in the greatest day yet for God's church! The opportunities are limitless. What a comfort to know this promise of Scripture:

Hebrews 13:8 (NASB95)

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

What Are You Doing in 2011?

It's that time of year again, to make plans! Last year, using my high speed Bible Software, I set up a Bible reading schedule in the ESV to read the NT, OT, Psalms and Proverbs in 1 year. I made it to July. Driving home from a Christmas event, I mentioned to my family that maybe the thought of reading the Bible in a year is too lofty of a goal that discourages people. Our oldest, Alanna, was quick with an analysis (being the 17 year old senior at Kennedale High School that she is) "You can READ the Bible in a year, but if you STUDY it, it will take longer...." "Ahh! Out of the mouths of High School Seniors the Lord has perfected praise (translation mine). That's the reason I bogged down on my schedule! I'm an underliner and a note-taker. Of course, with Logos 4 that's too easy and fun to do anyway, and their reading plans are customizable, so I simply went back and restarted my plan to read the Bible in 104 weeks instead of 52, checked off what I had already read, and started with 2 Kings 5 on Dec 22! I have been set free from reading the Bible through in a year! Now for all the type A's out there who must read the Bible in a year, may the Lord bless you as you do that.....but as for me and My house, we are going to study the Bible!

I Won a Bible!

I love God's Word. When I graduated from Bowie High School in Arlington, my church gave all the graduates a New American Standard Bible. It was great. I read it often throughout my Bible College years at SAGU. I used it so much, the bonded leather cover began to crack and peel. Then when I graduated from college, that SAME Church gave all the College graduates a NASB....this time the leather was genuine. I carried that Bible proudly, and read it often, marked it up, all the way through Seminary. Somewhere on a guest preaching assignment in 1995, I left that Bible at a church....never to be seen again. I still have the first one, but now NIV was becoming popular so I bought a Thompson Chain Study Bible (my first of many study Bibles) at the Baptist Bookstore on campus for $10 on clearance. I was thrilled with all the helps. If you have cared enough to read this far, you're not surprised at what you've been reading. I was surprised however when I got the email last week that I had won a New American Standard Bible, calfskin, side reference, wide margin Bible in the www.logos.com Great Bible Giveaway. All I had to do was tweet, facebook, blog, put down a comment about it and add the www.bible.logos.com search engine to our Bethel Temple website. I just received it today and it is awesome! I might have never paid $150 for a Bible (although the revelation of God to man is worth that and more) I'm thrilled to have it. It's produced by the Lockman foundation and has a lifetime guaranteee. I intend to keep it and read it for a lifetime. So....you might be wondering....whither the ESV? In my humble opinion, the ESV is going to become the mainstream translation because it's the latest word-for-word translation (as opposed to the dynamic equivalence of the NIV which has been a blessing to the Evangelical/Pentecostal world for the past 25 years.) In a world where information and the Bible is available in every format available (www.logos.com) There is going to be a demand for up-to-date translations that are as close to the original wording as possible. The NASB has served with distinction still, but the ESV takes it to another level. May the Lord bless YOU as you find an understandable version that you will read and study.