R.C. Sproul: “Once upon a time . . .” These words signal the beginning of a fairy tale, a story of make believe, not an account of sober history. Unlike beginning with the words “once upon a time,” the Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God….” This statement, at the front end of the entire Bible, introduces the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Old Testament, and it sets the stage for God’s activity in linear history. From the opening chapters of Genesis to the end of the book of Revelation, the entire dynamic of redemption takes place within the broader setting of real space and time, of concrete history. The historical character of Judeo-Christianity is what markedly distinguishes it from all forms of mythology. A myth finds its value in its moral or spiritual application, while its historical reality remains insignificant. Fairy tales can help our mood swings, but they do little to give us
History
100 Years in 10 Minutes
. 1911 – 2011 in 10 Minutes. . Our times are in His hand – Psalm 31:15
Lausanne Movement
The buzz is picking up for Lausanne 2010. Wondering what it’s all about? In short, the Lausanne Movement is “a worldwide that mobilizes evangelical leaders to collaborate for world evangelization.” And in October 2010 the third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization is taking place in Cape Town, South Africa. Here’s a brief history of the movement produced by the Lausanne Movement: (HT: The Gospel Coalition)
The Cosmic Drama of Redemption
“As the gospel spreads throughout the world, this new and variegated Christian community develops. It is as if a great drama is being enacted. History is the theatre, the world is the stage, and church members in every land are the actors. God himself has written the play, and he directs and produces it. Act by act, scene by scene, the story continues to unfold. But who are the audience? They are the cosmic intelligences, the principalities and powers in the heavenly places [Eph. 3:10]. We are to think of them as spectators of the drama of salvation. Thus ‘the history of the Christian church becomes a graduate school for angels.’” – John R .W. Stott, The Message of Ephesians (Downers Grove, Ill.: Inter-Varsity Press, 1979), 123-124. (HT: Of First Importance)
The Gospel is Historical
What does it mean when we say that the gospel is historical? Dr. Tim Keller explains: The gospel is historical . . . The word “gospel” shows up twice [1 Peter 1:1-12, 1:22-2:12]. Gospel actually means “good news.” You see it spelled out a little bit when it says “he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”. Why do we say that the gospel is good news? Some years ago, I heard a tape series I am sure was never put into print by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. It was an evening sermon series on 1 Corinthians 15. He clarified how the Gospel is based on historical events in how the religion got its start. He said there was a big difference between advice and news. The Gospel, he would say, is good news, but not good advice. Here’s what he said about that: “Advice is counsel about something that hasn’t
Jesus and Human History
. “God could have poured out judgment on mankind in the Garden, therefore the only reason there is any history is because God has purposed to send his Son into the world, to pour out judgment on him and thereby bring salvation. Jesus is the only reason there is human history, and therefore he is the goal of human history. Thus everything God says and does in history explains and prepares for the salvation of his Son.” – Timothy Keller, “Preaching the Gospel in a Post-Modern World,” 34. (HT: Of First Importance)
Already Not Yet 