The OSJ started as a one person director in 1994 and expanded to an actual office in 2000. As such, the office is quite young at 22 or 16 years old depending on how you define its beginning. The OSJ website now lists a staff of 9 plus a fellow and another contract employee. In common parlance, that represents a multiplication of staff.
Given the forum that we are in, with the stated goal to "create...value by commenting, questioning, sharing, and helping each other", it seems sort of silly for you to say that it doesn't make sense to try to have a discussion in an online forum. If that is the case, just shut the joint down. The discussion you see here is not a series of sound bites, despite your derogatory description. What you see is people seriously and honestly grappling with issues in depth.
I too found the sanctification of this particular strain of uncertainty to be unhelpful. Beginning with the fact that faith itself is defined explicitly in terms of its certainty, I have observed a much stronger theme in the Bible in support of certainty in what God has declared than in support of uncertainty. Most often Scripture commends uncertainty in the things God has chosen not to reveal. I also hasten to add that certainty cannot be equated with pride (lest we all be guilty of pride for the very act of publicly declaring our sure faith), and uncertainty cannot be equated with humility.
Thank you for the post, Louis. I appreciate the way you point us to our own failing in light of the failing of the Isrealites. It is much to easy to think we would have (or do) welcome the Savior much more righteously.
Perhaps the associated picture is not of your choosing, in which case I direct this comment to the site editor(s): Please consider whether a confessional denomination should violate the confessions on their website(s). In light of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 96-98 where we confess in part "God cannot and may not be visibly portrayed in any way", I suggest choosing a different accompanying illustration. I recognize that representations of Jesus (however inaccurate and unwarranted they may be) are somewhat ubiquitous in our culture and indeed often in our churches, but that does not justify denominational approval and practice of the same given the content of our confession. I would also suggest that such images may be particularly damaging for those among us who have come out of the Roman Catholic church.
What a wonderful opportunity you have, but even more so, may God bless you and encourage you because of your soft, compassionate heart and desire to share the joy of your salvation.
I'm no expert in witnessing to Muslims, but I would suggest the following first: pray without ceasing. Pray for your friend's conversion. Pray for the words to say. Pray for the Spirit to be active. Pray for the impossible. Pray for continued courage and strength. Pray for peace of mind in knowing that it is not your responsibility to convert your friend.
It's not so much that there is more that you can do, but what the Spirit wills to do. Beginning with this recognition will help to remove anxiety and urgency in your efforts to witness effectively.
Of course, there are still better and worse ways for you to witness, and you also do well to attempt to be as effective as you can. I would suggest that a focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ will be most effective in continuing to draw a contrast with Islam and in inviting your friend to know and believe in Jesus as Savior. Also, stressing the peace, contentment, and assurance that is yours in Christ will go a long way toward contrasting with the endless striving and lack of assurance that is endemic in Islam.
May God bless, encourage you, strengthen you, and equip you for the task that he has called you to. And may God use your efforts for his glory and to accomplish the ends that he has ordained.
There are many hymns within the church that are derived from scripture, either loosely or strictly, but perhaps the most straightforward versification of the Bible is found in the Psalter. The Psalms were originally sung in ancient times by God's people and are still wonderful ways to worship. You can find versification of the Psalms in an of a number of Psalter hymnals, including ones used historically within the CRC (including the blue Psalter Hymnal, grey Psalter Hymnal, and Lift Up Your Hearts) and within other denominations (such as the Trinity Psalter Hymnal). You can find versions of Psalter songs on a number of online sources, such as https://gracemusic.us/psalter/.
Posted in: Five Steps to Denominational Renewal - Part 2
The OSJ started as a one person director in 1994 and expanded to an actual office in 2000. As such, the office is quite young at 22 or 16 years old depending on how you define its beginning. The OSJ website now lists a staff of 9 plus a fellow and another contract employee. In common parlance, that represents a multiplication of staff.
Given the forum that we are in, with the stated goal to "create...value by commenting, questioning, sharing, and helping each other", it seems sort of silly for you to say that it doesn't make sense to try to have a discussion in an online forum. If that is the case, just shut the joint down. The discussion you see here is not a series of sound bites, despite your derogatory description. What you see is people seriously and honestly grappling with issues in depth.
Posted in: Homosexuality and Holy Uncertainty
I too found the sanctification of this particular strain of uncertainty to be unhelpful. Beginning with the fact that faith itself is defined explicitly in terms of its certainty, I have observed a much stronger theme in the Bible in support of certainty in what God has declared than in support of uncertainty. Most often Scripture commends uncertainty in the things God has chosen not to reveal. I also hasten to add that certainty cannot be equated with pride (lest we all be guilty of pride for the very act of publicly declaring our sure faith), and uncertainty cannot be equated with humility.
Posted in: Homosexuality and Holy Uncertainty
Almost as strong as the idol of theological uncertainty.
Posted in: Palm Sunday
Thank you for the post, Louis. I appreciate the way you point us to our own failing in light of the failing of the Isrealites. It is much to easy to think we would have (or do) welcome the Savior much more righteously.
Perhaps the associated picture is not of your choosing, in which case I direct this comment to the site editor(s): Please consider whether a confessional denomination should violate the confessions on their website(s). In light of Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 96-98 where we confess in part "God cannot and may not be visibly portrayed in any way", I suggest choosing a different accompanying illustration. I recognize that representations of Jesus (however inaccurate and unwarranted they may be) are somewhat ubiquitous in our culture and indeed often in our churches, but that does not justify denominational approval and practice of the same given the content of our confession. I would also suggest that such images may be particularly damaging for those among us who have come out of the Roman Catholic church.
Posted in: Palm Sunday
Thank you Staci.
Posted in: Ex-Muslim's Suggestion On "How to Evangelize a Muslim" With Reformed Echoes
Hi Sarah,
What a wonderful opportunity you have, but even more so, may God bless you and encourage you because of your soft, compassionate heart and desire to share the joy of your salvation.
I'm no expert in witnessing to Muslims, but I would suggest the following first: pray without ceasing. Pray for your friend's conversion. Pray for the words to say. Pray for the Spirit to be active. Pray for the impossible. Pray for continued courage and strength. Pray for peace of mind in knowing that it is not your responsibility to convert your friend.
It's not so much that there is more that you can do, but what the Spirit wills to do. Beginning with this recognition will help to remove anxiety and urgency in your efforts to witness effectively.
Of course, there are still better and worse ways for you to witness, and you also do well to attempt to be as effective as you can. I would suggest that a focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ will be most effective in continuing to draw a contrast with Islam and in inviting your friend to know and believe in Jesus as Savior. Also, stressing the peace, contentment, and assurance that is yours in Christ will go a long way toward contrasting with the endless striving and lack of assurance that is endemic in Islam.
May God bless, encourage you, strengthen you, and equip you for the task that he has called you to. And may God use your efforts for his glory and to accomplish the ends that he has ordained.
Posted in: Ex-Muslim's Suggestion On "How to Evangelize a Muslim" With Reformed Echoes
Hello Veni,
There are many hymns within the church that are derived from scripture, either loosely or strictly, but perhaps the most straightforward versification of the Bible is found in the Psalter. The Psalms were originally sung in ancient times by God's people and are still wonderful ways to worship. You can find versification of the Psalms in an of a number of Psalter hymnals, including ones used historically within the CRC (including the blue Psalter Hymnal, grey Psalter Hymnal, and Lift Up Your Hearts) and within other denominations (such as the Trinity Psalter Hymnal). You can find versions of Psalter songs on a number of online sources, such as https://gracemusic.us/psalter/.