Why should we know God's Word?

In our day and age where anti-intellectualism runs rampant in the visible church, it is not surprising to see poll after poll verify what students of scripture have known for many years. The visible church does not know much about the scriptures they profess to believe in. This is sad considering many saints during the Reformation period lost their lives for the sake of being able to read and study God's word. Not to mention the many passages in scripture that speak as such:

Isaiah 66:2 This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Psalm 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

The posts on this blog will address essential Biblical doctrines of the Christian faith. You can find much of the background for the posts here. My prayer for these posts is that the people who read them will be encouraged to open their Bibles and not just read a verse or two, but learn them and indeed, be transformed by them. As Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17). This is my prayer as well.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

The Achilles Hill

Great warnings from Piper below. I would also add to his list of "loose wires" the following along with an example or two:

First, a lack of concern for compromise on the creation account in Genesis 1-3. For example, a number of reformed leaders accept the false notion that Genesis is not a historical account but figurative or allegorical.

Second, a lack of discernment in false ecumenicism. For example, the Manhattan Declaration was signed by many big-name reformed leaders.

Third, tolerating heretics or not calling them what they are, wolves in sheep's clothing. For example, Piper himself inviting Rick Warren to his conference and many treating him like a brother in the Lord, as opposed to a false teacher. Also, NT Wright is treated as a brother by many as well, who is just misguided or confused on the gospel, but he is a teacher of a false gospel. No matter how nice, brilliant or how many orthodox doctrines you hold to, to miss the gospel is to miss the truth that sets you free. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Piper brings out a number of other good and wise admonitions.


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