smerickson.com the personal website of steven m. erickson

As I was reading this weekend, I came across an amazing statement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the words of an unnamed early Christian writer – sometimes he is called “Mathetes”, but at any rate, this is what he wrote to a friend of his Diognetius.

“But when our wickedness had reached its height, and it had been clearly shown that its reward, punishment and death, was impending over us; and when the time had come which God had before appointed for manifesting His own kindness and power, how the one love of God, through exceeding regard for men, did not regard us with hatred, nor thrust us away, nor remember our iniquity against us, but showed great long-suffering, and bore with us. He Himself took on Him the burden of our iniquities, He gave his own Son as a ransom for us, the holy One for transgressors, the blameless One for the wicked, the righteous One for the unrighteous, the incorruptible One for the corruptible, the immortal One for them that are mortal. For what other thing was capable of covering our sins than His righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified, than by the only Son of God? O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! That the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors! Having therefore convinced us in the former time that our nature was unable to attain to life, and having now revealed the Savior who is able to save even those things which it was [formerly] impossible to save, by both these facts He desired to lead us to trust in His kindness, to esteem Him our Nourisher, Father, Teacher, Counselor, Healer, our Wisdom, Light, Honor, Glory, Power, and Life.”

Taken from The God Who Justifies by James White, pg 20.

There have been some who have asked me for me recent paper concerning Martin Luther’s understanding of vocation. I thought I would post it here for all who are interested. Below is a short abstract which covers the highlights of the paper.

Abstract Especially in collegiate circles, vocation is a word which is used quite frequently. This is not new; indeed the concept has been around as far back as the Reformation. There Martin Luther engaged in a critical rethinking of the doctrine, calling Roman Catholicism back to the Bible, the only sure rule of faith and practice in the life of the believer. Often times, today, vocation is used to refer to one’s occupation or career. This comes as a direct result of Martin Luther’s writings, and while this is a correct statement of what Luther said, it leaves out a considerable part of his focus on the topic. For Luther, vocation is a very broad term. Generally it refers to one’s station or situation in life; it is any place where one has the opportunity to server their neighbor. Therefore Luther speaks of marriage, familial life, civic or political duties, as well as occupation all as one’s vocation. In each of these an individual has the opportunity to serve their neighbor in love; this is what God calls men to do. The main reason why Luther wrote on this subject was because of the way Rome had set up the monastic life or priesthood above the life of the common man. They thought of their way of life as more spiritual and viewed the laity as a kind of second rate Christianity. Luther argued that this was not the case at all. Instead, all ways of life, if in accordance with God’s word, are to be viewed as equal. This is by virtue of the fact that all are justified before God only by faith and that faith is a simple trust in God’s promises in Christ. Furthermore, because all are justified before God on account of their trust in the work of Christ, the Scriptures refer to them all as priests. Therefore, it is wrong to hold the title of priest over the heads of the lay people as if they were not in proper standing before God. As a result, the good works which one does in their vocation are not to be thought of a something which is meritorious before God but should be directed at their neighbor. In Lutheran terms this removes the place of vocation from the kingdom of heaven and puts it in the earthly kingdom. The priest does not perform the duties of his office as good works before God, but in service to his community. Similarly, the mother does not try to earn her salvation by doing her good works, but teaches and cares for her children in love so as to tend to their needs.

A fresh look back at Martin Luther’s understanding of vocation has great implications for us today. First, it will help people recognize that they have a vocation where they are at in life. God has called them to serve their neighbor in love; this will inevitably include a paid occupation but should not be limited to just that. Second, a renewed understanding of vocation will correct the association we have today of paid work as our paradigm for other vocations. Third, it will help us to see the communal aspect of calling.

LINK: Martin Luther on Vocation Paper

In celebration of my return to Wheaton, I decided to put up a new site design. I hope you like it.

I’m kind of unsure of whether to post the following link or not. Mostly because I just don’t know what to do with it. There is a new movie coming out on May 28^th. It is called “Saved!”. It looks to be a mockery of Christianity. I’m not really sure how to resond to it, but I thought that I would at least make you all aware. I’d appricate any thoughts you have about this movie as well.

News article Official movie site

Well, I finished my last exam today, so that means that it is officially summer. For all you in Wheaton, I will be home on Sunday and look forward to seeing all of you. It has been a fun year and I look forward to having some time to reflect upon it in the coming weeks. But now, time for a little relaxing.

We have all heard the story of Jesus walking on the water a million times. The sad part is that usually means we miss out on what the story is really saying. That was the case for me, until today. As Pastor Dori, from Hamilton Congregational explained, this story immedialtely follows the feeding of the five thousand. After meeting with people for such a long period of time, the disciples get in their boat to cross the lake and Jesus goes up into the mountains to pray. A storm comes up which makes it difficult for the disciples to row across the lake. Then we get to verse 48ff: “And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified.” Did you catch the odd phrase in the text? It says that Jesus meant to pass by them. The NIV obscures this passage by saying that Jesus “was about to pass by them”. But the langauge of the Greek is stronger that that. Literally it reads that it was his desire to pass by them. What does that mean? Was Jesus trying to get to the other side without the disciples seeing him? No. Jesus was not passing by them so that they would not see him, but in order that they would see him. This is the NT version of Exodus 33! There Moses asks, “Please show me your glory” and the LORD responds, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘the LORD’.” This is exactly what takes place in this story in Mark. Just after the disciples notice the figure passing by them on the lake Jesus says to them, “Take heart; it is I” or better “I AM.” Jesus declares to them who he is; the God of the OT. So the point of this passage is not that Jesus walks on the water, but that it is an ephiphany or theophany; a revealing of the glory of God to mankind. I found this to be an amazing connection and wanted to share it with all of you.

Martin Luther Yeah, you have a way of letting everyone know how you feel, usually with Bible quotes attached, and will think your way through the issues, although sometimes you make no sense! You aren’t always sure of yourself, and you can change your mind about things, something you actually consider a strength. You can take solitude, especially with some music.

Here is a facinating article on a proposed “Academic bill of rights”. It seeks to protect academic diversity and promote a pluralism of ideas in the academy.

Academic Bill of Rights

This is such a vital question for us today: Does God care what we sing? Here is a great lecture given by Albert Mohler (President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) on that very topic. I recommend you listen to it.

Does God Care What We Sing?: Albert Mohler (Real audio required)

I have been sick since last Monday. This is really terrible. I just cannot seem to fight this cold. It is really annoying, especially in light of the fact that classes end on Wednesday and then finals begin. If you have any tips on how to get rid of a stubborn cold, please let me know; otherwise stay healthy.

Over the course of this year, I have had conversations with some friends concerning God’s sovereignty and evil. Each time, I am reminded of the amazing words of Jonathan Edwards on this subject. Edwards was a brilliant man; his knowledge of the Scriptures and his ability to preach and expound them are simply amazing. I commend this reading to all those who wish to have a better understanding concerning God’s sovereign control over all things, including evil.

Is God less glorious because he ordained that evil be John Piper and Jonathan Edwards

Also, for those who would like a deeper reading from Edwards on issues related to this, I recommend The End for Which God Created the World: Jonathan Edwards