Thursday, April 13, 2006

XM Radio The Torch 31

Although this is not a theological post PER SE, it is of Christian concern. For those of you who don't already know XM satellite radio has decided to cancel their edgier Christian rock station channel 31 The Torch. Please take a minute and sign the online petition and let XM know what you think of this decision. http://www.petitiononline.com/xmtorch/

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Salvation

What is God's intent for man's salvation? My experience is that most Christians think of salvation as a matter of heaven or hell. Salvation to them is only in relation to the eternal destiny of man's soul. My current study of the story of man's creation it seems to me that salvation is much more. In the beginning it appears God created man and intended for them to have a relationship. This relationship was broken by the disobedience of man. The intent of the Creator was then to restore the original relationship. This was done by making Christ sin for us. Christ bore our sin in his body and through acceptance of Him we can have a restored relationship with the Creator. If my thinking is correct salvation is for today not simply the future. It seems to me that salvation is for those who desire to have a relationship now with their Creator and not simply to get a "fire insurance" policy for the future.

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Catechism 13-15

I was preparing for our Adult Bible Fellowship and thinking about the Westminster Catechism questions 13, 14, and 15 which has to do with Adam and Eve and the first sin. At first it seems like the first sin was almost petty. It is like a child snatching a candy when he knows he shouldn't. But upon further reflection the first sin is tragic and not petty at all consider the following:

1. Man had the complete freedom to do right and obey God. He had no propensity to disobey and even Satan could not make him disobey but only cause man to doubt what God had said was correct.
2. Man was forewarned of the consequence of disobedience. It was not a surprise the he went and hid from God after he disobeyed. He knew what it was obey and instead he chose to disobey. When he disobeyed he knew what was coming so he went and hid from God.
3. The person man disobeyed was the person he knew to be God and the creator of everything, and everything God had decreed as good.

Because of these I have concluded that the first sin is surely tragic and not petty at all. Thankfully the second Adam, Jesus, came to obey and fully keep what Adam could not. Thanks be to God who has sent his Son who knew no sin to become sin for us.