John Piper explains Bible arcing

Learn how to arc via our free, online, video-based tutorial called ARCING 101.

Review of Well Driven Nails by Byron Yawn

Before getting into my review of “Well Driven Nails” by Byron Yawn, I feel that I must point out a couple of details. First, I am reviewing the book of my pastor and I am glad to have the opportunity. Secondly, I review the book having witnessed the difference that this project has made on Byron Yawn as a man, as a pastor, and as an expositor, that preaches the Word of God every week. I would also like to note that this review is being written from a layman’s perspective which is important to note because “Well Driven Nails” is a work aimed at encouraging and exhorting pastors… preachers of the Word. So, why should anyone other than a pastor read “Well Driven Nails”? Well, for starters this reader/reviewer was encouraged and exhorted as a layman. The book also provided wonderful insight into the spiritual life of my pastor, as well as the men he writes about.

Well Driven Nails is the result of Byron Yawn’s D. Min. degree that focused on expository preaching. The idea for the book came from his desire to pinpoint what was missing in his preaching and address the issue head on. Byron proceeded to “pick” the brains of the expositors that he admires most to discover what they found was missing in their delivery. His criteria in selecting the interviewees were clarity, depth, and passion. The result is three great conversations with what the modern evangelical world considers giants of reformed theology, they also happen to enjoy pastorates that span decades for each: more than 100 years of pastoral and expository preaching experience between them. We hear from John MacArthur on clarity, R.C. Sproul on depth, and John Piper on passion. These men share what it is to empty their self as a pastor for the sake of the Gospel. It is not academics, it is life, and it is life and death. It would be impossible for me to relay through this review the depth of wisdom that these three men share in Well Driven Nails. I cannot even begin to express the impact that this project has obviously had on my pastor.

As a layman I recommend Well Driven Nails, first, to any pastor that is in that rut and is tired of going from one “church in a box” program to another. Your congregants will not be affected for Christ when, you, their minister, is living in that box. The time has come to preach the Word with clarity, with depth, with passion to be real for and with your congregation. For the layman, this book will help you to better understand the trials pastor’s experience that is difficult for them to talk about. It is important to take to heart the truths of Well-Driven Nails that will transform your approach to “expository listening”. The Word of God is a connection to the Christian life and pastors pour their own life out for the sake of the Gospel. We all need to thank God for the messages our solid ministers preach by showing them our appreciation by living a transformed life. For my fellow congregants at Community Bible Church, read the book not because Byron wrote it, but because he poured his heart and love for Christ and you into it.

Well Driven Nails by Byron Yawn

Response to Grudem and the Authority of Scripture

Session 2

September 14, 2010

Personal Response

Chapter 4 of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology is the first chapter dedicated to the characteristics of Scripture. This chapter deals with the authority of Scripture and the proof that its authority lies in its authorship. Grudem does a thorough job of demonstrating scripturally that the Bible is without question written by God. Grudem shows that the Bible claims for itself this authority and although this claim may be a circular argument it is acceptable since; “all arguments for an absolute authority must ultimately appeal to that authority for proof: otherwise the authority would not be an absolute or highest authority”. It is also demonstrated how the Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer to prove the authorship and authority of Scripture. Grudem also covers the various means used by God in writing the Bible. He finishes the chapter by demonstrating the truthfulness of Scripture and Scripture as our final authority.

I like the “Explanation and Scriptural Basis” given at the start of the chapter; “The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.” This statement alone should eliminate the argument of inerrancy for any true believer. Grudem points out (pg. 77) “Our ultimate conviction that the words of the Bible are God’s words comes only when the Holy Spirit speaks in and through the words of the Bible to our hearts…..” This fact alone leaves me to question how one can claim to be a Christian, yet claim that the bible is not inerrant. This would seem to be an ultimate contradiction. If the Bible is found to contain error in any way then, true faith is made much more difficult. After all, if we are able to find error in one thing, how could we ever be certain of the Bible as a whole? An inerrant bible affects not only our way of life as Christians, but also our witness for the salvific work of Christ on the cross.

Response to Grudem and General Revelation

Session 1

September 7, 2010

Personal Response

Beginning on page 122 of Systematic Theology, heading, “E” Furthermore, the Bible Is Not Necessary for Knowing Something About God’s Character and Moral Laws; Grudem begins explaining “general revelation”. Grudem defines “general revelation” as, “the knowledge of God’s existence, character, and moral law, which comes through creation to all humanity.”[i] Grudem goes on to explain that, “general revelation comes through observing nature, through seeing God’s directing influence in history, and through an inner sense of God’s existence and his laws that he has placed inside every person.

While general revelation is not foreign to me, I find it difficult to comprehend it from a non-Christian perspective. Having grown up going to “church”, the stories of the Bible have always been a part of my life. I have had a knowledge of biblical teaching, and the Gospel for as long as I can remember. I would find it interesting to discuss this with those that grew up with no biblical teaching whatsoever. What are the thoughts of such a person, knowing that there is a God, a creator of all things that they sin against? Do they really believe that it is no big deal? Do they believe that because they are not as bad as others that they are good? That they are good simply because they follow the laws of man? What does it take for them to realize they are lost, and have no hope if left to themself?

Understanding “general revelation” as a believer, also leaves me to ask; have I allowed myself to not be as diligent with sharing the Gospel simply because general revelation permits me to share common moral beliefs with those around me that are not saved? Do I not evangelize “friends” or co-workers, because they “go to church” so they must not need to hear the Gospel? How have I let this affect my prayers for them? How should my prayers for them be affected? These are questions that require serious prayer in order to be answered.

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[i] Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Leicester, Great Britain, Intervarsity Press; Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI

Reading has begun

I began reading “Ancient Word, Changing Worlds; the Doctrine of Scripture in a Modern Age” by Stephen J. Nichols and Eric T Brandt. The first chapter, Sacred Word in the Modern World: The Inspiration of Scripture, is about the work of B.B. Warfield, along with Charles Hodge, A.A. Hodge, and J. Gresham Machen in defending the doctrine that Scripture is in fact inspired (2Tim. 3:16) by God, therefore, it must be inerrant. As the authors put it in the conclusion of chapter one “They bequeathed to the twentieth century the fully formulated doctrine of the verbal, plenary inspiration of Scripture.” (p.38) Chapter one also details the efforts of those that would oppose the doctrine of verbal, plenary inspiration.

I am very much looking forward to working my way through the remaining 5 chapters before classes begin on September 7, 2010. The book chapters are as follows:

1. Sacred Word in the Modern World: The Inspiration of Scripture
2. In Their Own Words: Select Documents on the Inspiration of Scripture
3. Battling for the Bible in the Modern World: The Inerrancy of Scripture
4. In Their Own Words: select Documents on the Inerrancy of Scripture
5. Finding Meaning in the (Post-)Modern World
6. In Their Own Words: Select Documents on the Interpretation of Scripture

Appendixes

1. Doctrinal Statements on Scripture
2. Key Biblical Texts on the Doctrine of Scripture
3. A Guide for Further Reading

Look for titles from Appendix 3 to accompany future blog post for each of the appropriate topics.