The Gospel Coalition

Sarah Lanier’s Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot – And Cold – Climate Cultures (McDougal Publishing, 2000) is a helpful little book for anyone involved in cross-cultural ministry. A seasoned missionary, Lanier recounts many stories that help provide insight into the reasons why people react in distinct ways in different cultures. The book describes some of the differences between what Lanier calls “hot-climate” and “cold-climate” cultures. 

Here is an example: cold-climate cultures are task driven while warm-climate cultures are relationship driven. We in the West tend to think about getting something done and getting it done on time. Those in warm climate cultures consider the entire event. In some places it is offensive to arrive to dinner on time (because it makes it seem like you are only arriving for the task and not the relationship). In other places it is offensive to arrive to dinner late (because it makes you seem like you are not respecting the other person’s time.)

Lanier also shows how the type of communication differs from culture to culture. After all, in a hot-climate culture, communication takes place indirectly. It seeks to maintain the atmosphere of friendship, whatever the cost.

The only weakness of Foreign to Familiar is also its strength. The strength of the book is its brevity and immediate accessibility. But in the interest of brevity, Laner makes major generalizations, and therein lies its only weakness. 

Still, as an introduction to understanding the differences between different kinds of culture, Foreign to Familiar is terrific. Pick it up and start learning how to navigate the murky waters of contextualization!

written by Trevin Wax  © 2008 Kingdom People blog

In celebration of Kingdom People’s second birthday, we’re recapping the previous year by listing the twenty-five most visited posts of the year.

11. Bedtime Prayers with our Children
August 12, 2008
A simple post laying out the reasons why it is good to pray with your kids every night. Also, a few practical tips to help you get started.

12. Joel Osteen’s Negative Message
January 28, 2008
“Like telling a clinically depressed person to “just snap out of it!,” Osteen is giving people burdened by sin, guilt and despair more reason to despair.”

13. American Idol – Shout to the Lord
April 10, 2008
The contestants of American Idol sang Hillsong’s “Shout to the Lord” twice last year. The first time, they changed the name “Jesus” to “Shepherd.” The discussion in the comments talked about the positive and negative aspects of singing a worship song on national TV.

14. McCain / Obama Debate Video and Transcript
September 27, 2008
This is the first time I have been in the United States during a presidential election season since 1996. Never do I remember there being so much talk and excitement about an election.

15. Bill Clinton Lashes Out at Pro-Lifers
February 21, 2008
A YouTube clip of Bill Clinton protesting some pro-lifers at a rally. “We will not see ultrasound legislation because for many politicians, losing the support of the abortion lobby is a greater tragedy than the loss of another generation through the slaughtering of the unborn.”

Check out yesterday’s summary of Biblical Christian Ethics (Baker Books, 1994).

In Biblical Christian Ethics, David Clyde Jones does an admirable job of laying a firm foundation for biblically-minded people to make ethical decisions. The title of the book is somewhat misleading, however, as it implies a broader subject matter than is actually discussed within its pages. Jones has not written a textbook about biblical Christian ethics. Instead, he has written about the biblical foundation upon which Christians can make ethical choices.

Only the last few chapters speak to practical matters of ethics. One wonders why Jones only addresses three major ethical issues: truthfulness, the family, and divorce. Where is the Christian voice on ethical matters relating to life, such as war and abortion? How does the Bible help us navigate the ethical dilemmas related to human cloning?

Jones admirably handles the issues he chooses to write about (marriage and family). Perhaps that is why the reader is left desiring a more in-depth treatment of other important issues that a biblically Christian ethic necessarily informs. Had Jones chosen to include other ethical dilemmas, the book would have been considerably longer. But under such a broad title as Biblical Christian Ethics, one wonders why Jones chooses to do little more than speak of the foundation for ethics.

Though readers may find the title misleading, the content of Biblical Christian Ethics helps Christian readers ground their ethical decision-making in the Scriptures. Jones helpfully writes about the Old Testament Law of Moses and how it relates to Christians today. He mediates between the different Christian interpretations of the Mosaic Law, showing how Christians have historically divided the Law into two or three parts (moral, ceremonial, and civil) (110-115).

Jones protests the theonomy movement which would hold to a presumptive continuity of the Mosaic Laws (113), however he does little to show from Scripture that this new movement is inaccurate. Simply stating the reasons why Christians have traditionally divided the Law in a tripartite fashion sounds more like an appeal to tradition than to Scripture alone. Jones could have incorporated more Scripture into his arguments against the theonomists. It might also have been helpful for him to demonstrate how some Jewish scholars interpret the different types of commands within the Mosaic Law.

Jones’ most helpful chapter is on resolving moral conflicts. Jones helps readers discern the different ways in which Christians have responded to the difficult question posed by conflicting ethical dilemmas.

In order to demonstrate how each ethical option works, he uses several common ethical choices (killing in self-defense, keeping a rash vow, etc.). Jones’ treatment of each Christian option is evenhanded, even as he disagrees charitably with the various types of consequentialism, tragic morality, and even hierarchicalism (127-136). Jones’ own view is a case analysis which assumes that a moral resolution is possible even if Christians cannot exhaustively research and come up with a moral conclusion for every possible scenario (140).

In the case of Jephthah, the man who made a rash vow that he would sacrifice whatever first appeared at the door of his house only to discover that his greeter was his daughter, Jones writes that “the vows should have been penitently repudiated” (142). Perhaps Jones is right about what course of action Jephthah should have taken. But the view he expresses in this chapter does not square with the fact that Jephthah receives an honorable mention in the “Hall of Faith” passage of Old Testament heroes listed in Hebrews 11.

The chapter on Scripture as the place where Christians find direction for the Christian life has a helpful summary of the different ways in which Scripture directs Christian behavior. Particularly helpful is Jones’ distinction between command and counsel. Scripture provides believers with principles that assist them in judging between right and wrong in the cases where no mandate or precedent has been set (64-66). Though Scripture is given the most emphasis in Jones’ book, the example of Jesus is also mentioned (68-70), as well as the Holy Spirit’s ministry (70-72) and the individual conscience (72-76).

Jones manages to uphold the primacy of Scripture, even as he devotes considerable attention to the other ways in which people receive direction from God. Especially enlightening is the skillful way in which he upholds his Calvinistic doctrine of total depravity while maintaining a place for the conscience to serve as a witness as to the goodness or badness of an action according to a person’s own moral consciousness (74).

Though David Clyde Jones’ Biblical Christian Ethics may not quite live up to the broad spectrum indicated in its title, this book succeeds in applying the basic, foundational teachings of the Bible to the realm of ethical behavior. By showing how the Bible directs our behavior, our motivations and God-given purpose, Jones shows how Christians can fulfill the biblical injunction to be and to do what God has called us to. A terrific primer on the foundational elements of biblical Christian ethics, Jones’ work deserves to be consulted by future generations of Christian thinkers seeking to make ethical decisions based on a biblical worldview.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2008 Kingdom People blog

Kingdom People turns 2 this week. In celebration, I am counting down the 25 most visited Kingdom People posts of this year.

16. Book Review: Surprised by Hope
February 27, 2008
An important book from a prolific author. This is the highest-ranked book review on my blog.

17. Book Review: Pagan Christianity?
January 2, 2008
My review of George Barna and Frank Viola’s book stirred up some interesting conversation in the comments section.

18. Interview with Justin Taylor about the ESV Study Bible (Part 1, Part 2)
September 24 – 25, 2008
Just weeks before the release of the much-anticipated ESV Study Bible, I interviewed the general editor, Justin Taylor about how this Study Bible was put together.

19. Can You Read 100 Books This Year?
January 1, 2008
On New Year’s Day, I issued a challenge to my readers to set a goal for reading this year. I am working hard to read (and review) 100 books this year so as to meet the goal I set for myself.

20. Luther versus Zwingli Series
February 18, 2008
Many people thought my series laying out the differences between Luther and Zwingli’s debate about the Lord’s Supper was a helpful overview of the issues at stake.

David Clyde Jones’ Biblical Christian Ethics (Baker Books, 1994) takes the basic, foundational teachings of the Bible and applies them to ethics, showing how Scripture informs the direction of our behavior, its motivation and purpose. Jones sets his discussion of ethical behavior against the backdrop of the practical, biblical question: “What is God calling us to be and to do?”

Biblical Christian Ethics mines the Scriptures in order to build a foundation of ethical behavior. Instead of devoting most of his time to specific ethical dilemmas, Jones builds a foundation for making ethical decisions and then discusses the difficult moral issues within the framework of biblical behavior.

Jones’ book can be divided into three broad sections.

1. First, he spends several chapters developing the biblical teaching about God’s intention for the flourishing of humanity. He writes of the goal of the Christian life (the glory of God), the motivation that drives Christians toward this goal (love), and the places where Christians find direction toward that goal (Scriptures, Jesus, the Holy Spirit).
2. Next, Jones turns to the biblical emphasis on love. He demonstrates how love forms the foundation of justice and mercy. He devotes considerable attention to the universal norms of love, especially how the Law of Moses reveals God’s standard of love to us.
3. The last three chapters of the book begin to delve into the practicalities of the Christian life. Jones shows how one navigates through difficult ethical decisions, when two standards appear to conflict with each other. The final chapters deal with the family life, particularly the marriage covenant and the sin of divorce.

Jones begins by discussing the goal, motivation and direction of the Christian life because he believes that “for conduct to be morally praiseworthy it must be good in all three respects, not least because end, motive, and means are not finally separable” (11). In other words, truly ethical behavior must be directed towards a worthy end, enacted from pure motivations, and pursued in a way that conforms to God’s moral standard. For Christians, the purpose of life is God’s glory; the motive is love for God; and the directing principle is God’s will revealed in Jesus and the Bible (16).

Jones believes the goal of the Christian life is best summed up in the words of the Westminster Confession: “to glorify God and enjoy him” (17). Though he appreciates the impulse in John Piper’s tweaking of the confession to “glorify God by enjoying him,” Jones writes that “the saints’ glorification of God cannot be reduced to their taking pleasure in him. God is glorified by the holiness as well as the happiness of the redeemed” (34). The practical application of the Christian view of life’s purpose is that people are not required to pledge allegiance to an impersonal law, but to the Giver of the Law (36).

Moral behavior must be accompanied by moral motives. Love for God (that is then expressed in love for neighbor) must stand at the center of morality (37). Jones sees a biblical precedent for affirming “self-love” as long as it is clearly defined in such a way that the selfish connotations are excised (56-57).

How are Christians to live the Christian life, which is best defined as “obedient love” (59)? Jones points to the Scriptures, which contain directives for all of life under the forms of prohibition (62-63), permission (63-64), mandate (64-65), counsel (65-66), precedent (67), and example (67-68). Outside of Scriptures, Christians have the example of Christ (68-70), the internal witness of the Holy Spirit (70-72), and the conscience (72-76).

The middle section focuses on love as the controlling motivation for Christian ethics. Jones demonstrates how love forms the basis for justice, mercy and faithfulness (77-95). The love expressed in these practices is made effective by the “cardinal personal virtues” such as discernment, courage, self-discipline and humility (95-101). The universal norms of human conduct (moral law) inform our vision of ethical behavior (103). Jones provides a helpful discussion of how Christians have distinguished between the different aspects of the Law (103-115) and issues a solemn warning against the varieties of legalism (122-124)

In the practical chapters at the end of Biblical Christian Ethics, Jones lays out the different options for resolving moral conflicts (127-144) and then offers practical advice on what to do in tough situations (144-151). Before tackling the controversial issue of divorce and remarriage, Jones helpfully lays out the biblical understanding of the family, namely its structure (155-158), its covenantal nature (158-165) and its purpose (166-175). After providing the biblical context, Jones lays out the ethical implications of divorce and remarriage (Chapter 9), representing the differing viewpoints on divorce with clarity and fairness.

Tomorrow, I’ll be back with some evaluative remarks regarding Jones’ Biblical Christian Ethics.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2008 Kingdom People blog

Congratulations go to author David Helm, illustrator Gail Schoonmaker and the good people at Crossway Books for putting out a book that I have read more than fifteen times this year!

If I could pick only one story Bible for my children, The Big Picture Story Bible would be the one.

Other Bible story books turn Old Testament stories into moralistic lessons. Joseph? Share your toys. Daniel? Stand up for Jesus. David? Be courageous. If these moralisms are your idea of a children’s Bible, you probably won’t like The Big Picture Story Bible.

But if you are like me and you have long hoped for a book that teaches children the biblical story from Creation to New Creation – a book that anticipates Jesus in the Old Testament and makes his crucifixion and resurrection the proper climax of the New Testament - then this book is for you.

This book is pure gold. Even the illustrations convey a message. The artist thoughtfully and strategically places a “star” upon God’s chosen representative, from Abraham to Isaac, from Jacob to David and Solomon. There are future glimpses of Jesus throughout the Old Testament.

The story itself contains one central plot aim: ”God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule.” This theme provides direction for every story in the book.

The Bible stories are told creatively. Take for instance the preface to Jesus’ birth:

Caesar, the Roman ruler, the king of the whole Roman world, began counting all his people to show everyone how great he was. What Caesar did not know was that… God, the world’s true ruler, the king of the universe, was getting ready to show everyone how great he was. And do you know how God was going to do this? Not like Caesar… not proudly, by counting all his people, but humbly, by becoming one of his people.

Some stories might be more abbreviated than you expect. (David and Goliath receives two pages within a longer passage about how God keeps his promises to his people. The prophet Daniel is only mentioned in the context of his prayers for the Messiah.) But whereas some of the excitement of individual stories gets left out, the growing anticipation of God’s people being under God’s rule more than compensates.

The Big Picture Story Bible does not shy away from theology. Of course, theological concepts are kept simple for children, but the author takes great care in pointing to Jesus through the Exodus, the kings, the prophets - reaching back to past events to fill in the meaning of the atonement. All of the stories ultimately point ahead to Jesus.

I fully expect that The Big Picture Story Bible will one day be considered a classic Storybook for children. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Our son loves it, and we do too. It has been a tremendous addition to our library.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2008 Kingdom People blog

Two years ago this week, I launched this blog. In the blogosphere, posts come quickly and disappear just as fast. For those of you who may be new subscribers to Kingdom People, I hope that this week will introduce you to some of the top posts from Kingdom People’s second year.

All this week, I plan on counting down the 25 most visited Kingdom People posts since last October. These are not necessarily the posts I would choose as my favorites. Instead, these are the posts that have enjoyed the most “hits” over the past year.

I’ll post links to 5 archived posts each day. I hope you enjoy “The Best of Kingdom People.” (Note to my blogger friends: I’d love to see some other blogs do this too.)

If you would like to see the top posts of Kingdom People’s first year, you can access them here.

21. Funniest Campaign Moments of Election 2008
September 12, 2008
A collection of YouTube videos that show the funniest gaffes from the campaign trail this election season.

22. Southern Seminary and Calvinism
March 11, 2008
Last Spring, I spoke out against the myth that Southern Seminary’s student population and faculty is primarily 5-point Calvinist.

23. Top Ten Moments in Reformation History
October 31, 2008
In commemoration of the 491st anniversary of Martin Luther’s protest of the Roman Catholic Church, I listed ten important moments in Reformation history.

24. My Ten Favorite Reads of 2007
December 27, 2007
Every year, I list the ten books that I most enjoyed reading during that calendar year. Last year’s ten were good. I’m looking forward to choosing ten again in 2008.

25. Liberalism’s Impotency in Dealing with Guilt
February 17, 2008
This YouTube clip from an ER episode called “Atonement” shows how liberalism fails to give people solid answers when facing death.

Make me hate evil and cling to that which is good.
Take from me my heart of stone
and give me a heart of flesh.
Deliver me from my idols.
Take from me the love of sin.
Put your Spirit within me,
and cause me to walk in your way.

- F.B. Meyer

This is a Catholic Vote 2008 video that expresses very well the evangelical belief that some issues (like abortion) are more important than others (like high gas prices).

God is the fountain of love, as the sun is the fountain of light. And therefore the glorious presence of God in heaven fills heaven with love, as the sun, placed in the midst of the visible heavens in a clear day, fills the world with light.

The apostle tells us that “God is love”; and therefore, seeing he is an infinite being, it follows that he is an infinite fountain of love.

Seeing he is an all-sufficient being, it follows that he is a full and overflowing, an inexhaustible fountain of love.

And in that he is an unchangeable and eternal being, he is an unchangeable and eternal fountain of love.

There, even in heaven, dwells the God from whom every stream of holy love, yea, every drop that is, or ever was, proceeds. There dwells God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, united as one, in infinitely dear, and incomprehensible, and mutual and eternal love…

And there this glorious fountain forever flows forth in streams, yea, in rivers of love and delight, and these rivers swell, as it were, to an ocean of love, in which the souls of the ransomed may bathe with the sweetest enjoyment, and their hearts, as it were, be deluged with love.

- Jonathan Edwards, Charity and its Fruits, 327-328.