Newsletter of Eden Baptist Church
Volume 11 • No. 2 • October 2014
Theology of Rejoicing
JON PRATT
Theology of Rejoicing
page 1
•••
(Christians) At the Movies
page 1
•••
The Molecular Makeup of
Genuine Christianity
page 4
•••
Jesus Storybook Bible
Book Review
page 8
Everybody likes a party, and for those so inclined Luke 15 must rank
as their favorite chapter of the Bible. For it is here we find reference to
more festive events than any other chapter in Scripture. We learn of the
rejoicing of the shepherd when his lost lamb has been found (Lk 15:6), of
the woman who finds her missing silver coin (Lk 15:9), and of the father
when his prodigal son returns (Lk 15:22-24). Also, Luke 15:7 and 15:10
remind us that parties take place in heaven whenever one sinner repents.
So what can we learn about celebrations from Luke 15? Two points
come to mind: 1) smiling providences merit opportunities for rejoicing and
2) there must be a gathering of people in order to have a party, i.e. you
cannot have a party if no one shows up to celebrate. Is it possible that Paul
Continued on page 2
(Christians) At the Movies
ERIK QUEEN
While many movies on the big screen are repulsive to us Christians,
recently Hollywood seems to have taken notice of the Christian community
and has tried to make movies that might appeal to a Christian crowd. But
before we rise up and sing “Hallelujah!” we have to ask: “Do these movies
actually portray Christian truth and bring glory to God?” To answer this
question we have to watch these movies, not with amusement (i.e., without
thinking), but rather with a mind that is engaged and Bible-focused.
To answer that question, I have more questions. These will help us dig
deep into these films to see if their foundation is truth and their focus is God’s
glory.
Continued on page 6
Rejoicing, continued from page 1
had Jesus’ words in mind when he commanded
Christians to rejoice with one another (Rom 12:15; 1
Cor 12:26)? I think so, and he certainly would have
considered gatherings for rejoicing as one of the
ways Christians could obey these imperatives.
In this essay I would like you to consider
what it means to “rejoice with those who rejoice.”
To do so we need to consider two questions. First,
what are the implications of the command to rejoice
with another? Second, what does rejoicing with
others look like in our day? The first of these
questions deals with our knowledge and the second
with our actions.
The Implications of Rejoicing. We have an
obligation to be joyful with and in the presence of
our Christian brothers and sisters. But what does
being joyful mean? One theologian has defined joy
as “theistic optimism,” and this helps to distinguish
the idea of joy from the concept of “happiness.”
While happiness is often a byproduct of joy, it is not
a synonym, for one can rejoice in God even in the
midst of suffering (2 Cor 6:10 – “as sorrowful, yet
always rejoicing”). But even if we understand that
joy and rejoicing are not precise synonyms for
happiness, the contexts of Romans 12:15 and 1
Corinthians 12:26 certainly point us toward a more
positive emphasis in regard to the joy we are to
share with our Christian friends. In both verses Paul
contrasts rejoicing with weeping and suffering.
Certainly, he is advocating that we should seek to
encourage our fellow Christians by seeking to
partner with them in emotions and affections that
are opposite sorrow and sadness, i.e. to share with
them in happiness and merrymaking. At these times
of rejoicing we can encourage Christian compatriots
to direct their affections toward a greater optimism
in God—a greater joy.
Several ideas flow from these parallel
commands to rejoice. First, this rejoicing is part of a
number of the biblical calls to engage in inter-
personal relationships. The reader would find great
encouragement (and conviction?) if he or she took
time to study all of the “one another” passages in
the letters of Paul. These commands to rejoice with
others are just one of a larger number of texts
calling believers to be involved in relationships with
others. Some folks love to be around people; for
these types, spending time with others invigorates
and encourages. They are most happy when they
are connecting with others, so commands to rejoice
with others are seen as easy and agreeable,
whereas those more introverted may find such
commands difficult and personally draining. But
Paul leaves no room for excuses—rejoicing with
others requires relationships. Everyone finds some
commands more challenging than others. So if this
particular command to develop and build interpersonal relationships with others, especially in
times of rejoicing, proves burdensome, remember
that you have an advocate who experienced the
same temptations to isolation that you face (Heb
4:15), and he will help you to be victorious just as
he was.
Second, these commands indicate that we
direct our focus outward rather than inward. Jesus
made this point when washing the disciples’ feet in
John 13. Rather than focusing on our personal
needs, Jesus shows that we need to “wash one
another’s feet” (13:14). This doctrine is reaffirmed
in Philippians: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit,
but in humility count others more significant than
yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others” (2:34). Both Jesus and Paul recognized that we naturally
think of ourselves first, and this is why they
encourage believers to look away from themselves
to the needs (and joys) of others. In order to rejoice
with others, we must be looking outward, seeking
to be aware of the happy situations of our fellow
brothers and sisters.
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need to eat a lot; you don’t need to stay for two
hours; you do need to personally congratulate
the individual in whose honor the party has been
thrown), wedding and bridal showers, and
significant birthdays or anniversaries.
2. Special services at church such as our annual
graduation celebration, installation of new staff,
send-offs for missionaries (short or long-term),
and milestones in the history of the church
(individual or corporate).
3. Weddings or wedding receptions.
4. On a smaller scale, people may call a few friends
together in order to celebrate such things as a
job promotion, a new job, the purchase of a new
house, or the announcement of a pregnancy.
These ideas relate to invitations made by
those who have experienced a sweet providence
from God and who desire that others join them to
celebrate. But rejoicing with others may also be
expressed by throwing a party for the one who is
rejoicing. While the characters in Luke 15 were the
ones who called others to party with them, we can
also rejoice by calling the shepherds and women
among us to a party that we arrange in their honor.
Finally, we can obey these commands to
rejoice with others through gifts, cards, or other
tokens of joy to those experiencing happy occasions.
Solomon reminds us that God certainly brings
times of laughter and dancing into our lives (Eccl
3:4). Yes, they are balanced by occurrences of
weeping and mourning. But when those showers of
blessing fall upon the heads of our fellow brothers
and sisters, we dare not miss the ensuing party.
Indeed, these times of rejoicing are but a foretaste of
the far greater time of rejoicing that will commence
with the marriage supper of the Lamb in the
Millennium (Revelation 19:7). And that will just be
the beginning. No wonder John proclaimed, “Come,
Lord Jesus!”
Third, it is impossible to have a party if no
one shows up. When opportunities for rejoicing
with others become apparent to us (e.g. an
invitation in the mail, a public announcement in the
church bulletin, etc.), we ought to make every effort
to attend the event. Of course, life circumstances
will make it impossible to go to every announced
party. However, the demand to rejoice with others
calls for active participation in these happenings
unless providentially hindered. We should not
permit such excuses as fatigue, disinterest, or
busyness to hinder celebrating with others.
Fourth is the need for those who are
rejoicing to share the news of their joy with others.
Oftentimes, such news is easily disseminated
through general invitations to public celebrations.
But sometimes people fail to get the word out to
their Christian brothers and sisters who would love
to rejoice with them. Have you purchased a new
home, received a job promotion, learned of a
pregnancy, or experienced other noteworthy
situations? How many people have you informed
about your time of rejoicing? Indeed, it is difficult
for others to obey these imperatives if they remain
in the dark about your joy. In Luke 15 the shepherd
and the woman had no difficulty informing their
friends about their joy. We need to be equally alert
to opportunities to share our times of happiness
with others who would like to rejoice with us.
The Indications of Rejoicing. Now that we
have considered the implications of rejoicing with
one another, we need to think about the kinds of
activities in which fellow rejoicers might participate.
The types of ways Christians can rejoice with their
brothers and sisters is nearly endless. So I will
mention just a few ideas in order to invigorate our
thinking with regard to these commands.
1. Invitations to gatherings that mark special
events such as graduation parties (you don’t
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The Molecular Makeup of
Genuine Christianity
DAN MILLER
Water molecules are comprised of two hydrogen
atoms bonded to a single oxygen atom (H20). This
chemical compound abounds on our fair planet and
is vital to the sustenance and betterment of life.
We may liken Christianity to a chemical compound.
While water may appear in gaseous, liquid, or solid
states, any compound in which two hydrogen atoms
are not bonded to a single oxygen atom situated
between them is not water, no matter what one
may wish to believe. As a lake looks differently on a
hot summer day than it does on a subzero day,
likewise Christianity can take on distinct
appearances in diverse cultures. Yet, genuine
Christianity will always form a compound of three
bonded parts.
First, Christianity is belief in a unified system of
truth revealed by God. Many in our day deny the
possibility of an objective standard of truth.
Preaching that point, one erstwhile Christian
university recently hired an atheist chaplain!
Christian theologians beholden to this position
argue for the Bible as a collection of mostly
outdated religious sentiments, and against the Bible
as a unified standard of belief. While purporting to
follow Christ, they summarily dismiss as inauthentic
anything Jesus or his apostles said or did that fails to
support their agenda.
One such dismissal is found in John 17:17 where
Jesus prays to the Father in behalf of his followers:
“Sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth.”
Jesus here avows what the rest of the Bible
consistently teaches; namely, that Christianity is a
worldview based on historical, propositional truths
revealed by God. The Apostle Peter asserts that not
a single passage of Scripture was produced by
human will; rather, the authors of Scripture were
carried along by the Holy Spirit so as to compose
truth in written form (2 Peter 1:20-21).
Genuine Christianity firmly stands on a unified
foundation of belief rooted in historical acts of God.
Reflecting this conviction, the Apostle Paul
contends: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is
futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:17).
4
praise. Created to worship, our souls were designed
to find pleasure in, and to joyfully praise something
outside ourselves. We naturally set our affections
on that which encourages, motivates, pleases, or
inspires us at the deepest levels of our being.
Genuine Christianity is not reducible to belief and
ethical behavior. The compound includes a new
birth of heartfelt love for God that habitually erupts
in joyful praise. Vile and inordinate affections are
progressively expelled by noble affections for God,
his word, his people, eternity, justice, and goodness
(cf. Psalm 119:14-16; Matthew 22:37; Romans
11:33; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Happy are those whose spiritual life
is sustained by the inseparable
compound of belief, behavior, and zeal.
Self-professed Christians who deny fundamental
truths such as the bodily resurrection of Jesus
dabble with a compound of their own making.
Second, Christianity is a life of active, ethical
conformity to God’s revealed will. The Bible teems
with the claim that Christianity is a way of life.
Ethical behavior is the only genuine response to the
truths revealed in Scripture concerning God’s saving
grace. The Christian life is holiness and love in
action. Believers are not saved by performing good
deeds (Titus 3:5-6); but they are saved by the kind
of faith that consistently produces good deeds. The
Apostle Paul warned against false “doctrine that
does not agree with the sound words of our Lord
Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with
godliness” (1 Timothy 6:3). True doctrine promotes
godly living.
This three-fold compound of genuine Christianity is
indispensable to the salvation and transformation of
God’s people. It is concerning to witness individuals
who cook up their own religious brew in the
laboratory of personal life-experience and call it
Christianity, while what they propose is a
compound of another sort. Indeed, entire faithcommunities have come to promote the notion that
Christianity is no more than an individual’s
subjective, spiritual experiences encountered
through participation in religious ritual with no
connection to objective truth or godly behavior.
The decided purpose of God is not only to provide a
way of deliverance from the eternal consequences
of sin (Romans 6:23), but equally to “purify for
himself a people for his own possession who are
zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). Faith devoid of
works, the Apostle James insists, is dead (James
2:26).
Others have come to teach that Christianity is
merely one’s ethical conduct in society, apart from
truth and growing affections for God. Yet others see
Christianity as nothing more than mental assent to
official church doctrine. Happy are those whose
spiritual life is sustained by the inseparable
compound of belief, behavior, and zeal.
Third, Christianity involves transformed affections—
a zealous love for God, his purposes, and his people.
While involving emotions and feelings, affections
are something more. Affections are motivations and
promptings deeply rooted in the desires of the soul.
Our affections follow what our minds most highly
value, displaying themselves in adoration and
5
At the Movies, continued from page 1
1. Is the Gospel present in the movie? Nothing is
worthy to be called Christian if Christ is not a part
of it. As we consider Christ’s presence in the storyline of a movie, it is not just that his name is mentioned or that he is said to be loving. Rather, the
gospel must be there! As a “Christian” movie seeks
to bring hope and encouragement, there is no
hope and encouragement without the cross. If the
cross is absent, so is the hope it seeks to convey.
2. Is the movie founded on the truths of God’s
Word? Whether the movie is a re-enactment of a
Biblical story, or whether it is based in our day,
God’s Word should be there. In the case of Bible
stories, the movie should follow the account in
God’s Word. If it is a story in a modern-day context,
the characters should be portrayed as living their
lives based upon the truths of the Bible.
3. What lesson(s) does the movie teach us? We
cannot be so naïve to think that we walk away
from these movies unchanged. Characters’ belief
systems, motives, and their final outcomes do
affect the way we think. This is especially true if we
watch only with amusement and don’t think about
the ideas presented and how they affect our lives.
4. Does the movie have a good plot and storyline?
Are the actors portraying characters that seem
natural and developed? While this is certainly the
least important question, this is probably the one
we are most comfortable answering. Is it a good
movie? Is the acting cheesy? Is there any point to
the plot? Certainly we want a Christian movie to be
well-acted and produced.
With these questions in mind, I spent some
time watching and reviewing three recent
“Christian” movies that have been produced.
depth and change over the course of the movie),
making this an enjoyable movie from the story and
acting standpoint. But does this movie declare a
message God’s people can stand behind? Yes!
The gospel is spelled out several times in this movie.
This is not simply a statement that God is loving but
a description of that love poured out on sinners
through the blood of Jesus Christ. There is a stress
on a personal relationship with God brought forth
through trusting in the gospel.
This movie also offers a number of other
scriptural truths. Perhaps the greatest theme is that
of persevering in the midst of trials by trusting in
God. The movie seeks to demonstrate how God
uniquely works in each one. God’s sovereignty and
the Spirit’s working are woven into much of the
story, even if circumstances do seem funny, even
hokey at times. The pastor’s counsel to those in
various trials is rooted in scripture and edifying.
Though not theologically perfect, this movie
provides lessons that are biblically based. Add to
that a movie that is more dramatically engaging and
less cheesy than most, this movie is worth watching.
Noah
According to IMDb.com, Noah is categorized as an
adventure/fantasy movie. This could not be more
spot on. There is virtually nothing biblically factual
about this movie; it is indeed a fantasy! Since when
did Genesis 6 mention fallen angels who help build
the ark, a flood to save the innocent (animals) from
mankind, stowaways on the ark, Noah trying to kill
his family so that the curse would not continue, and
the decision for mankind to die off or to live was
solely in the hands of Noah? Was the flood to kill
everyone off so that Noah’s family might try harder
a second time? Do we see God being so unclear in
His instructions to Noah that he struggles over what
to do? And what about the promise of Genesis 3
that the offspring of the woman would one day
crush the head of the serpent? This is the Gospel!!!
How can we have the story of the flood without
God’s Not Dead
God’s Not Dead is the story of a freshman college
student standing up to his philosophy professor to
declare that there is, indeed, a God. The movie is a
vast improvement on some other “Christian”
movies in that the plot is more complex and there
are multiple, “round” characters (these have fuller
6
being reminded of God’s saving grace for his
remnant throughout history?
The only thing in Genesis 6 that ended up in
the movie was a man name Noah, a boat called the
ark, and a really bad rainstorm. The rest of the
story is a complete farce!
As we consider what we might learn from
this movie, some might seek to redeem it for its
moral lessons. It certainly mentions words like
justice, forgiveness, and love, but even these vital
terms are greatly misused. God is portrayed as an
absent God, unloving, and one to be resisted. The
creation account told by Noah is full of evolution.
The only positive thing in this movie relates to its
portrayal of sinful rebellion, from mankind
opposing Noah to the filmmakers’ production of
the movie itself, certainly sin rears its ugly head
throughout the film. In this there may be
opportunities for discussion. As one character cries
out to God, “I was made in your image, why won’t
you talk to me!” We certainly know the answer.
And while the movie offers no hope to grab onto in
our sinful state, thankfully we have God’s Word
that does give us hope in the darkness.
because God spoke mightily through his Word or
because he came to rest in Scripture by having faith
in what he does not yet see? No. He believes in
heaven because of his son’s experience.
This way of thinking is dangerous for
Christians. Once the words of Scripture lose their
authority, we begin to seek God on our own terms.
Given that we humans (including our feelings) are
fallible and God’s Word is infallible, it makes sense
to know God and his truth rather than trusting in
experiences. The fact that the pastor in the film is
encouraging experience-based views of God should
cause loud sirens to go off in our heads!
But what about the gospel? While the pastor
might be a few qualifications short of eldership, is
the gospel clearly presented? Again we are disappointed, but only if we are thinking seriously.
God’s love is mentioned numerous times in the film.
This might cause us to sigh with relief, but the
gospel is not just about God’s love. Is God’s love
seen through sacrifice? No, at one point the pastor
tells a church member that her son must have gone
to heaven because, since she loved her son and
God’s love is greater than hers, there could be no
possible alternative than that his current residence
is in heaven! This is nothing but a false gospel.
While the acting is well done and the movie
pulls at our heartstrings, this should not excite
believers. A movie that ignores the importance of
God’s Word and professes a false gospel is not
worthy to be called a Christian movie.
Some may say I have overdone this “movie
critique thing.” But we cannot naïvely believe that
the cinematic war for our minds will have little
impact on how we think or live. This is most
certainly true of movies that wave the Christian flag.
In all these movies we are given an opportunity to
engage in a discussion, one that should edify
believers. It also allows us to clarify true Christian
belief with unbelievers. In this we can plant the
seed of the gospel while holding up the truth that is
worthy of much more than mere screen time.
Heaven is For Real
If you find yourself depressed by the Noah movie,
perhaps you will gravitate to a more heartwarming
story, like Heaven is For Real. Many people have
seen this movie because of its encouraging story of
a young boy who survives a near-death experience
and a family who grows through the trials they
face. But before we celebrate this heartwarming
tale, we must ask, “Is this a movie that strikes at
our surface emotions or does it cause us to well up
with deeper affection for God because of the truths
we find here?” Get ready for disappointment.
The movie opens with the voice of the
father, a pastor of a local church, questioning
whether such things as the existence of heaven,
are even true. Later the pastor comes to declare
that he wholeheartedly believes in a heaven. Is this
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The Jesus Storybook Bible:
Every Story Whispers His Name
BOOK REVIEW BY MEL HENNEGAN
New York Times bestselling children’s
author Sally Lloyd-Jones has blessed the Church
with her illustrative ability to retell the stories of
Scripture through a Christ-centered lens. Her book
is a product of faithful teaching and preaching that
she has received throughout the years. In her
introduction she writes: “I owe an enormous debt
of gratitude to … Dr. Timothy Keller, whose
teaching informs every story and from whom I have
liberally borrowed: for his wisdom; for giving me a
vocabulary of faith; for opening my eyes to the
wonder of Grace.”
The Jesus Storybook Bible presents the
stories of the Bible as many little stories that are
overarched by the Big Story of the Bible—namely,
the Story of how God loves his children and comes
to rescue them through the person and work of
Jesus Christ.
Unlike many children’s Bible storybooks that
focus on individual stories of the Bible (i.e., the
story of Noah, Joseph, Moses, or David), the Jesus
Storybook Bible presents each story in a way that
fits into the overall grand narrative of Scripture,
centering around and ultimately being completed
in Jesus Christ. For instance, one of her stories
speaks of young David and his life as a shepherd; in
the same way that David took care of sheep, God
sent Jesus to be the ultimate Shepherd who would
lead and protect all of his little ones for all eternity.
Along with each story, every page of this
book is beautifully accompanied with colorful
pictures prepared by artist Jago Silver who is an
internationally published, award-winning illustrator.
Also, if you have a few more bucks to spare, I would
highly recommend purchasing the Deluxe Edition of
the book, which includes the whole book on Audio
CDs read by the distinguished Great Britain actor
David Suchet (pronounced soo-shay); he has an
amazing “story-telling” voice!
(Samples of the book can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCLRcA9mlQE
[the Story of Noah] or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2y2FJqsv_8
[the Story of Baby Jesus].)
The Jesus Storybook Bible will be a treasure
for all those who read or listen to it, both children
and adults alike.
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers
His Name
By Sally Lloyd-Jones (Zonderkidz, 2007)
$10.50 • Hardcover • 352 pages
Vox EcclesiaTM is a quarterly newsletter designed to edify the people of Eden Baptist Church.
Contributors to this Issue: Dan Miller, D.Min., Senior Pastor of Eden Baptist Church; Jon Pratt, Ph.D.,
Elder at Eden Baptist Church; Mel Hennegan, M.Div student and member of Eden Baptist Church; Erik
Queen, B.A., Elder at Eden Baptist Church
Jon Pratt, editor; Dan Miller and Paul Perdue, assistant editors; Rebecca Rosemeier, graphic designer;
Elaine Pratt, copy editor
A ministry of Eden Baptist Church, 1313 Highway 13 East, Burnsville, MN
952.890.5856 www.edenbaptist.org