My recovery from back surgery due to a herniated disk is going well but much slower than I thought it would. Other problems like arthritis, another bad disk (but not herniated) and compressed vertebrae may not be helping.

I realize some of the posts here have been a little boring but many of the comments have been good.

The lapbook/notetop computer should be coming tomorrow and that will help things a lot.

I’m learning Greek and these paradigms are going to drive me (even more) nuts.

I’m just starting to learn BibleWorks 8 and this will go much faster on the laptop. An extensive review will be coming in a few weeks in addition to a book review or two, some posts on 1 Peter 1 and a surgery diary.

For a while things may remain a little slow. I’m taking the time to bother you on your blogs though, so watch out.

As Nick Norelli already mentioned, you can find 100 Enlightening Bible Study Blogs at Christian Colleges. They also posted their Top 100 Theology Blogs back in January.

In reading 1 Peter, for the first time I’m noticing the Spirit of Christ in 1 Peter 1:11. The only other instance in English (NASB) is Romans 8:9. Spirit of God is mentioned 24 times and Holy Spirit 92 times. πνεῦμα Χριστοῦ is the Greek. Does anyone have any insight as to why the inspired writers chose to use Spirit of Christ instead of Holy Spirit? Is there a difference?

I must say that it is not for nothing that we Orthodox quite literally venerate the Gospels as the ‘written icon’ of Christ. They are, in fact, the heart of the Scriptures, and everything else either points to them, or flows from them.

–Esteban Vázquez

William Mounce veered a little off topic at Koinonia and wrote about how people talk about and to each other:
Does Eph 4:29 apply to blogs? (Monday with Mounce 25)

I would add 4:30 onto this discussion. Here is something I posted a few months ago:

I was reading Ephesians 4:29-30 along with O’Brien’s commentary.

Ephesians 4:29-30 NIV (which O’Brien uses)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

O’Brien says:

The coordinating conjunction ‘and’ links this exhortation to the negative imperative of v. 29, so that the two clauses can be rendered: ‘let no unwholesome word come from your mouths . . . and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God’. This latter prohibition serves as a motivation for the preceding advice about speech … The Spirit, who is the divine agent of reconciliation and unity in the body (Eph 2:18, Eph 2:22, Eph 4:3-4), is especially grieved when unwholesome speech is uttered by member against one another.

As I am still breaking the habit of taking verses in isolation and linking these two together was extremely convicting. With tears, I stopped reading and thought about my own speech, including through the keyboard, especially “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”. This even applies to thoughts. I acknowledged my failures in this area and pray regularly that by His grace I will repent and over time learn how to communicate more gently. (See R-E-S-P-E-C-T, which I wrote shortly after God spoke to me about this.)

In a sermon by C. H. Spurgeon popularly titled A Defense of Calvinism, Spurgeon also speaks highly of his Arminian friends. There are some quotable quotes in this message that those who are Reformed (of which I am one) often rightly use, but I thought I would point out another quote that may get overlooked:

There is no soul living who holds more firmly to the doctrines of grace than I do, and if any man asks me whether I am ashamed to be called a Calvinist, I answer—I wish to be called nothing but a Christian; but if you ask me, do I hold the doctrinal views which were held by John Calvin, I reply, I do in the main hold them, and rejoice to avow it. But far be it from me even to imagine that Zion contains none but Calvinistic Christians within her walls, or that there are none saved who do not hold our views. Most atrocious things have been spoken about the character and spiritual condition of John Wesley, the modern prince of Arminians. I can only say concerning him that, while I detest many of the doctrines which he preached, yet for the man himself I have a reverence second to no Wesleyan; and if there were wanted two apostles to be added to the number of the twelve, I do not believe that there could be found two men more fit to be so added than George Whitefield and John Wesley. The character of John Wesley stands beyond all imputation for self-sacrifice, zeal, holiness, and communion with God; he lived far above the ordinary level of common Christians, and was one ‘of whom the world was not worthy.’ I believe there are multitudes of men who cannot see these truths, or, at least, cannot see them in the way in which we put them, who nevertheless have received Christ as their Saviour, and are as dear to the heart of the God of grace as the soundest Calvinist in or out of Heaven.

Of which I agree. It pains me when people say otherwise.

I hope this isn’t taken the wrong way. It’s a note of love towards my Arminian friends. If it sounds condescending in any way, which I imagine to some it could, that’s not how the posting of this quote was intended or understood by me.

In an interview with Dr. Sam Storms, author of Signs of the Spirit, in which he talks about Jonathan Edwards and his book about Edwards’ view of the spiritual life, he said that most people would recommend that people read Religious Affections for their first book by Edwards. He said this can be a little heavy for some and recommends Personal Narrative of Jonathan Edwards. This is a very short work of his own account of his early years and testimony to his own saving faith in Christ. It may be difficult to find in print but it’s a short read and is available online.

Careful handling of the Bible will enable us to ‘hear’ it a little better. It is all too easy to read the traditional interpretations we have received from others into the text of Scripture. Then we may unwittingly transfer the authority of Scripture to our traditional interpretations and invest them with a false, even an idolatrous, degree of certainty. Because traditions are reshaped as they are passed on, after a while we may drift far from God’s Word while still insisting all our theological opinions are ‘biblical’ and therefore true. If when we are in such a state we study the Bible uncritically, more than likely it will simply reinforce our errors. If the Bible is to accomplish its worth of continual reformation–reformation of our lives and our doctrine–we must do all we can to listen to it afresh and to utilize the best resources at our disposal.

D.A. Carson, Exegetical Fallacies

I just finished this book and found it excellent even if some parts were a bit over my head.

The above quote pretty much describes the course I’ve been embarking on starting about two years ago. I’ve barely scratched the surface and will probably not get much farther than that after a lifetime of study, but I hope I will be able to more correctly explain the word the truth (2 Timothy 2:15) as time goes on.

I have been keeping tabs on some Bible reviews:

• ESV Study Bible Reviews Roundup
  I believe Nick’s review is the most substantive and balanced.
• NLT Study Bible Reviews Roundup
• Review: The NLT One Year Chronological Bible
  At the end of my review you will find links to other reviews.

The back surgery was definitely worth it. I can stand up straight without pain for the first time in years and can even bend backwards a little already. However, even though it will be a while until I’m fully recovered, I realize that I just can’t sit at this computer as much as I would like because of other conditions and back problems.

So I’ve decided to get a notebook/laptop computer. Spending money isn’t exactly what we want to do right now after surgery, doctor visits etc. but I have some birthday and Christmas money, and some other money saved to go towards it. I’m getting a Dell Inspiron 1525, 3GB, 250GB, 15″ screen which was on special for $499.

There is a risk of spending too much time piddling around on it while sitting in the recliner. I know a lot of you have cut back on your internet time and taken temporary hiatuses from blogging. Blogging isn’t a problem for me, but if any of you have enacted any rules and guidelines for yourselves, I’d like to hear about it. I want to use my time wisely.

I received a review copy of BibleWorks 8. I plan on going all out in learning how to use it and will do an extensive review in a few weeks.

I’ve been writing and collecting some things on my other blog that don’t quite fit on this blog, which I like to keep more focused.

Cheerleading by Miles Van Pelt at Koinonia Blog

Saturday a’Machen: The Minister and His Greek Testament posted by Esteban Vázquez at The Voice of Stefan

The first post above has the quote shown below. I don’t understand the part that I have made bold. Could anyone explain that?

Feel ‘poured out’ over a great many interests with intense desire to do but so little power and time to accomplish . . . Hebrew: I can think of nothing I’d like better than to be able to pick up a page of the Hebrew Old Testament and read it at sight. Greek loses a lot of its challenge when one gets to know a little.

–Jim Elliot, College Journals

P.S. I’m still not posting much because of recovering from back surgery. It’s going well but slower than expected.

N.T. Wright, Interview with N.T. Wright – Responding to Piper on Justification

Trevin Wax: What is at stake in this debate over justification? If one were to adopt Piper’s view instead of yours, what would they be missing?

N.T. Wright:
[...]
What’s missing is the key work of the Holy Spirit in enabling the already-justified believers to live with moral energy and will so that they really do ‘please God’ as Paul says again and again (but as Reformed theology is shy of lest it smack of smuggling in works-righteousness again).

Michael A. G. Haykin, Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism (to be reviewed here in the future):

Historically, the Reformed tradition has had a passionate interest in the Holy Spirit. A key source for this pneumatological passion was John Calvin himself, who had ‘a constant and even distinctive concern’ with the person and work of the Spirit. B. B. Warfield, the distinguished American Presbyterian theologian, even spoke of Calvin as ‘preeminently the theologian of the Holy Spirit.’

In the English-speaking world, Calvin’s deep interest in the Spirit and His work was passed on to that Reformed tradition associated with the names of the Puritans and their successors, and the Calvinistic Dissenters and evangelicals of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In discussing the work of the Spirit, Calvin’s heirs emphasized the Spirit’s sovereignty in every area of the salvation of sinners. The early Stuart Puritan, John Preston, for instance, maintained that spiritual fortitude comes from the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, who is ‘the only means to strengthen the inward man.’ But he also could argue that there are various means of godliness that the Christian must be diligent in using to attain this spiritual strength, such disciplines as ‘hearing the word, receiving the sacrament, prayer, meditation, conference, the communion of saints, particular resolutions to [do] good.’

ARTICLE 24, Belgic Confession:

ARTICLE 24 – OUR SANCTIFICATION AND GOOD WORKS

We believe that this true faith, worked in man by the hearing of God’s Word and by the operation of the Holy Spirit,1 regenerates him and makes him a new man.2 It makes him live a new life and frees him from the slavery of sin.3 Therefore it is not true that this justifying faith makes man indifferent to living a good and holy life.4 On the contrary, without it no one would ever do anything out of love for God,5 but only out of self-love or fear of being condemned. It is therefore impossible for this holy faith to be inactive in man, for we do not speak of an empty faith but of what Scripture calls faith working through love (Gal 5:6). This faith induces man to apply himself to those works which God has commanded in His Word. These works, proceeding from the good root of faith, are good and acceptable in the sight of God, since they are all sanctified by His grace. Nevertheless, they do not count toward our justification. For through faith in Christ we are justified, even before we do any good works.6 Otherwise they could not be good any more than the fruit of a tree can be good unless the tree itself is good.7

Therefore we do good works, but not for merit. For what could we merit? We are indebted to God, rather than He to us, for the good works we do,8 since it is He who is at work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Let us keep in mind what is written: So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty (Luke 17:10).” Meanwhile we do not deny that God rewards good works,9 but it is by His grace that He crowns His gifts.

Furthermore, although we do good works, we do not base our salvation on them. We cannot do a single work that is not defiled by our flesh and does not deserve punishment.10 Even if we could show one good work, the remembrance of one sin is enough to make God reject it.11 We would then always be in doubt, tossed to and fro without any certainty, and our poor consciences would be constantly tormented, if they did not rely on the merit of the death and passion of our Saviour.12

1. Acts 16:14; Rom 10:17; 1 Cor 12:3. 2. Ezek 36:26-27; John 1:12-13; John 3:5; Eph 2:4-6; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:23. 3. John 5:24; John 8:36; Rom 6:4-6; 1 John 3:9. 4. Gal 5:22; Titus 2:12. 5. John 15:5; Rom 14:23; 1 Tim 1:5; Heb 11:4, Heb 11:6. 6 Rom 4:5. 7. Mat 7:17. 8. 1 Cor 1:30-31; 1 Cor 4:7; Eph 2:10. 9. Rom 2:6-7; 1 Cor 3:14; 2 John 8; Rev 2:23. 10. Rom 7:21. 11. James 2:10. 12. Hab 2:4; Mat 11:28; Rom 10:11.

Question 86, Heidelberg Catechism:

86. Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace alone through Christ, without any merit of our own, why must we yet do good works?

Because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit to be His image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for His benefits,[1] and He may be praised by us.[2] Further, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits,[3] and that by our godly walk of life we may win our neighbours for Christ.[4]

[1] Rom 6:13; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Pet 2:5-10. [2] Mat 5:16; 1 Cor 6:11-20. [3] Mat 7:11-28; Gal 5:22-24; 2 Pet 1:11-21. [4] Mat 5:14-16; Rom 14:17-19; 1 Pet 2:12; 1 Pet 3:1-2.

I had surgery a week ago. The surgery went well. Recovery has been very slow but any progress is good. It’s been painful but the pain med has been working well enough to make it tolerable for the most part. It makes me foggy and I haven’t been able to read anything that requires a great deal of concentration, but I’ve been reading a book on my Cowon D2 Personal Media Player (best Birthday and Christmas money purchase I’ve ever made) and using it for Scripture memory review and watching some YouTube videos. I started reducing the dose a few days ago so I will be less foggy as time goes on.

Still too early to tell exactly how much the surgery helped but I have at least 80% less pain down my leg already and I can bend backwards a little without pain for the first time in years.

Since I still can’t spend much time sitting here and I don’t have a notebook computer, I don’t think I’ll be posting much for another week or so. I could post some questions but I can’t sit and read the answers.

I haven’t been able to comment on other blogs but am starting to catch up with reading them.

On top of everything I’m getting a cold today which is extremely bad timing. But all in all it’s going well and I want to thank you for praying.

I will post a surgery diary on my other blog at some point but it’s all on paper right now so I have to type it out at some point.

2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.