God's People (Doctrine of the Church)

THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH

I believe that the church is the community of God’s called-together people given life by the Spirit and sent to continue the disciple-making ministry of Jesus in the world (Jn. 20:21-22; Matt. 28:19-20). The universal church is comprised of people from all ages (Gal. 3:29; Heb. 12:23) who are reconciled to God and one another by the gospel (Eph. 2:16). As the people of God, the church exists to glorify Him and proclaim His greatness (1 Pet. 2:9-10). As the body of Christ, the church is held together by Jesus—the head of the church (Eph. 5:23-27, Col. 1:17-20) who is building the church (Matt. 16:18), leading the church (Heb. 3:1), and extending His life (Eph. 1:23) and ministry through the church (Jn. 14:12). As the community of the Spirit, the church is the people among whom and in whom God dwells (Eph. 2:22; 1 Cor. 3:16). The church is a mysterious trans-cultural community of people (Eph. 2:19, 3:6) called and chosen by the Father, purchased and sent by the Son, created and empowered by the Spirit to display the wisdom and glory of the Triune God (Eph. 3:10, 21).

I believe that the church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. The church is united in Christ (Eph. 4:4-6), set apart to become like Christ (2 Cor. 2:18), not limited by time or place (Heb. 11), and founded on the apostle’s teaching recorded in Scripture (Eph. 2:20). The church is distinct from the nation of Israel, yet closely connected (Gal. 3:29). Both play a significant role in the purposes of God (Rom. 11:17-24). The church is not the kingdom of God, but is integrally related (2 Tim. 4:1) as a foretaste of the coming kingdom (Rev. 21), a sign that it is already here (Mk. 1:15), and an outpost for the kingdom mission (2 Cor. 5:17-20).

THE LOCAL CHURCH

I believe that members of the universal church gather together in local communities—visible expressions of the invisible church. As members of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12), it is essential for every believer to be actively involved (1 Pet. 2:5, 4:10) in an organized yet organic community (1 Cor. 14:40; Rm. 12:4) that gathers regularly (Acts 2:46-47) for worship (Col. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 14) and edification (Acts 2:42, Heb. 10:25), and scatters actively, empowered by the Spirit joining Jesus on the mission of God (Acts 1:8, Jn. 20:21). Local churches are to live out the great commandment (Matt. 22:37-40) and the great commission (Matt. 28:10-20) as they demonstrate to the world what a community looks like when God is there (1 Cor. 14:25). Local churches are countercultural communities of love (Jn. 13:34-35, Col 3:12-14) who serve (Gal. 5:13), support (Gal. 6:2), honor (Rom. 12:10), exhort (Heb. 3:13), submit to (Eph. 5:21) and provide for one another (Acts 2:45). Local churches are to be communities of honesty (Col. 3:9) and encouragement (1 Thess. 5:11) where sin is confessed, people are prayed for (James 5:16), and loving discipline takes place (Matt. 18:15-18; Gal. 6:1). Members of local churches are to use their Spirit-empowered gifts to build up the body (1 Cor. 12:6-8; Rom. 12:6-8). However, not everyone who is part of a local church is a member of the universal church (Matt. 13:24-30; Jude 4).

I believe that God appoints qualified and competent elders (1 Tim 3:1-7, Tit. 1:5-9) to lead the church under the leadership of Jesus. Elders are men who shepherd the flock (1 Pet 5:1-4), keep watch (Heb. 13:17) and care for souls (Acts 20:28). They provide oversight and direction through preaching and teaching God’s Word (1 Tim. 5:17; 2 Tim. 4:2). They warn (Col. 1:29), encourage (1 Thess. 5:14), exhort and rebuke with Christ’s authority (Tit. 1:9; 2:15). The elders protect and guard against false teachers (Acts 20:29) and ensure that every member is equipped for ministry (Eph. 4:11-16). Serving alongside elders are qualified and competent deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13)—men and women called by God and appointed by the elders to serve as ministry leaders in the church (Acts 6:1-6; Phil. 1:1).

I believe that local churches are not defined by a building and can meet in homes (Rom. 16:5, 1 Cor. 16:19). They should also intentionally network with other churches in their city and region (2 Cor. 1:1) cooperating together in gospel ministry (Acts 15; 2 Cor. 11:9). In the gathering of a local church, Jesus has commanded that two sacraments be observed—baptism (Matt. 29:19) and communion (Lk. 22:19). These are means of grace that nourish spiritual life, and pictures of God’s work for us in the gospel. Communion should be observed regularly and orderly, remembering the cross and anticipating Christ’s return (1 Cor. 11:24-26). Believers should be baptized by immersion (Jn. 3:23; Mk. 1:9) as a physical demonstration of their new identity in Christ (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:4) and as a sign of their new life in new community—the church both universal (1 Cor. 12:13) and local (Acts 2:41).

God the Spirit (Doctrine of the Holy Spirit)

I believe that the Holy Spirit is a “He,” not an “it”—a person, not a force. He has a mind (Rom. 8:27), a will (1 Cor. 12:11), and emotions such as love (Rom. 15:30), grief (Eph. 4:30), and passion (Gal. 4:6). The Spirit is divine (Acts 5:3-4)—equal in essence with both the Father and the Son (Matt. 28:19) yet distinct in role. The Spirit is the person of the Trinity who is primarily at work in the world today (Jn. 16:7). He is the helper sent from the Father (Jn.15:26) and the Son (Jn. 16:7). He is the Spirit of truth (Jn. 16:13) who will be with God’s people forever (Jn. 14:16).

I believe that the Holy Spirit has been at work throughout redemptive history. In the Old Testament, the Spirit was active in creation (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:30), empowered supernatural activity (Jdg. 6:34; 1 Sam. 16:13), and spoke through the prophets (Neh. 9:30; 2 Pet. 1:21). There is an Old Testament promise that the Spirit will one day be poured out (Isa. 32:15; 44:3) and indwell God’s people in a special way (Ez. 36:7, 37:14). In the New Testament, the Spirit played a prominent role in the life and ministry of Jesus—conceiving (Matt. 1:20), leading (Matt. 4:1), filling (Lk. 4:1), empowering (Acts 10:38), and raising Him from the dead (Rom. 8:11). Jesus lived the perfectly Spirit-filled life—speaking through the Spirit (Acts 1:2), rejoicing in the Spirit (Lk. 10:21), and ministering by the Spirit (Matt. 12:28). In Acts, as the church began, the Spirit filled (Acts 1:5; 2:4) and empowered (Acts 1:8) those whom God chose to save. The Spirit also fueled gospel proclamation (Acts 4:8, 31), enabled radical suffering (Acts 7:55), and directed missional living (Acts 8:29; 13:4; 16:6).

I believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world today. He is bearing witness about Jesus (Jn. 15:26), always working to glorify Him (Jn. 16:14). The Spirit is convicting unbelievers of sin (Jn. 16:8) and regenerating souls (Tit. 3:5; Jn. 3:5-6). He indwells believers individually (Rom. 8:9-10, 1 Cor. 6:19) and dwells in the church corporately (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:16). At conversion believers are baptized by the Spirit (Acts 19:1-7)—indwelt and incorporated into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). Following conversion believers are repeatedly empowered and filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). The Spirit justifies (1 Cor. 6:11), sanctifies (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2), and glorifies (2 Cor. 3:18). He seals believers in the gospel (Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30), guarantees their salvation (2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5), and confirms their adoption as children of God (Rom. 8:16; 1 Jn. 4:13). The Spirit teaches and reminds of the gospel (Jn. 14:26), brings clarity to Scripture (Lk. 24:45), and enables supernatural understanding (1 Cor. 2:12-15). He walks with believers (Rom. 8:4) and leads them (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18), enabling them to walk in obedience to God (Ezek. 36:27), put sin to death (Rom. 8:13), and guard the gospel (2 Tim. 1:14). He motivates believers in the mission of God (Acts 1:8), directs them toward ministry opportunities (Acts 8:29), and empowers them to speak (Lk. 12:12). The Spirit helps believers pray (Eph. 6:18), delivers them from troubles (Phil. 1:19), and intercedes for them in their weakness (Rom. 8:26). He produces spiritual fruit in individual believers (Gal. 5:22-23) that radically affects their life together in community.

In the church, the Spirit builds counter-cultural Christ-centered community (Col. 3:12-17) with an atmosphere of both God-exaltation and body-edification (Eph. 5:18-21). The Spirit gives many diverse gifts to the church (Rom. 12:3-8). Some are miraculous while others are ordinary (1 Cor. 12:28). All the gifts mentioned in Scripture are active today (1 Cor. 14:39), but there are other gifts not mentioned in Scripture. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:4-27) that is to be used to serve the body and glorify God (1 Pet. 4:10-11).

God the Son (Doctrine of Christ)

I believe that Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, is truly God and truly man. He is one eternal person who has always been and always will be (Rev. 22:13). Jesus is God the Son (Jn. 10:33-36) who existed before time began (Jn. 8:58) eternally dwelling with the Father and the Spirit in triune community (Jn. 1:1, 17:21). Jesus is co-equal and consubstantial with God the Father (Jn. 10:30) possessing all the attributes of deity such as omnipotence (Rev. 1:8) and immutability (Heb. 13:8). Through Him all things were made (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16) and by Him redemption is possible (Rev. 5:9). Jesus is worthy of worship (Jn. 9:38; Heb. 1:6) for He is truly God (Rom. 9:5, 10:13; Jn. 20:28; 1 Jn. 5:20).

I believe that at a point in history, Jesus became truly man. He was sent by the Father (Jn. 5:23) to lay aside His glory (Jn. 17:5) and dwell among us (Jn. 1:14), retaining His God-ness while taking on man-ness. The eternal Son of God (Jn. 1:1-3) become flesh and blood (Heb. 2:14) and changed His way of living (Phil. 2:6-7) to share in the human experience (Heb. 2:17). Eternal deity became temporal humanity as well, not giving up any of His divine attributes but voluntarily choosing not to use them. Jesus emptied Himself of His divine prerogatives (Heb. 2:7-9) to live in submission to the Father (Jn. 4:34) in full dependence upon the Spirit (Lk. 4:1,14; Acts 10:38). He did this to display God’s glory (Jn. 1:14), rescue sinners (Matt. 1:21), and model a truly human life (Heb. 2:17-18). Jesus is God with us (Matt. 1:22-23), the image of God (Col. 1:15; Jn. 14:9), the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5). In Him, the fullness of deity dwells bodily (Col. 2:9). Two natures—deity and humanity—are forever united in the person of Jesus Christ (Jn. 20:24-28).

I believe that in His incarnation, Jesus was miraculously conceived and born of a virgin (Matt. 1:18-25; Lk. 1:26-35). He grew up in a lower class family (Lk. 2:7, 22-24) and developed physically, mentally, spiritually, and relationally (Lk. 2:40,52). In true human form, Jesus experienced hunger (Matt. 4:2), thirst (Jn. 19:28), and exhaustion (Jn. 4:5-6). He expressed a full range of emotions such as love (Jn. 11:3,5), compassion (Lk. 7:13), joy (Lk. 10:21), grief (Jn. 11:35), anger (Mk. 10:14), and anguish (Lk. 22:44). Jesus was beset with weakness (Heb. 5:2), learned obedience (Heb. 5:8), and faced suffering (Heb. 2:10). Though He took on the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom. 8:3) He did not have a sin nature (Heb. 7:26; 1 Jn. 3:5). Though He was tempted in every way (Heb. 2:18) He did not sin (1 Pet. 2:22; 2 Cor 5:12).

I believe that Jesus died (Mk. 15:37; Phil. 2:8), was buried (1 Cor 15:4), and rose bodily from the dead (Lk. 24:37-43). He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9) where He now reigns over all (Eph 1:20-21) interceding for His people (Rom. 8:34) as the unique God-man forevermore (Heb. 1:8). Having accomplished the mission of His first coming (Jn. 17:4), Jesus will one day come again (Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7, 22:7,12) to bring God’s great plan of redemption to its full and final culmination (Rev. 22:1-5).

I believe that Jesus is the prophet who reveals God, the priest who redeems man, and the king who rules over all. As the Ultimate Prophet, Jesus not only proclaims God’s word (Lk. 13:33), He is God’s Word (Jn. 1:14-18). God has spoken powerfully and clearly through His Son (Heb. 1:1-2). As the Great Priest, Jesus redeems mankind from sin (Heb. 9:11-15), reconciles them to God (2 Cor. 5:19), relates (Heb. 4:14-16), mediates (1 Tim. 2:5) and intercedes on their behalf (Heb. 7:25-27). Jesus doesn’t just offer the sacrifice, He is the sacrifice (Heb. 10:14). As the Anointed King, Jesus is seated in power (Eph. 1:20-21) ruling over creation in general (Col. 1:13) and God’s kingdom in particular (Lk. 17:21). One day God’s kingdom will come in full when Jesus returns physically (Acts 1:9-11) destroying God’s enemies finally and forever (1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:7-15). At the return of Jesus every knee will bow in worship (Phil. 2:9-11) as His rule is fully realized (Rev. 11:15).

God Is, God Acts (Doctrine of God)

THE NATURE OF GOD

I believe that God is (Exod. 3:14). He is the true (Jer. 10:10), living (1 Thess. 1:9), and only God (1 Cor. 8:4). Besides Him is no other (Isa. 44:6).

I believe that God exists eternally as Trinitarian community of mutual glorification (Jn. 17:5). God is one indivisible essence (Deut. 6:4) yet three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14)—interrelated within Himself (Gen. 1:26, 11:7), co-equal in nature yet distinct in roles (1 Pet. 1:2, Tit. 3:4-6). The three members of the Godhead are distinguishable, but not separable.

I believe that God is spirit (Jn. 4:24), invisible (1 Tim. 1:17), and without form (Deut. 4:15-16), yet is not a force. He is personal and relational (Exod. 3:13-14; Jas. 4:8). God is transcendent (Job 11:7-8) and separate from creation (1 Ki. 8:27), yet is immanent (Jer. 23:23-24), everywhere present (Ps. 139:7-10), and intricately involved in creation (Acts 17:27-28).

THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

I believe that from God’s nature flow a variety of attributes—incommunicable (possessed by God alone) and communicable (shared with humanity). These attributes display the infinite richness of God’s being (Job 11:7)!

God alone is self-existent—the ground of His being is in Himself (Jn. 5:26). God alone is eternal—without beginning or end (Rev. 22:13), outside of time (2 Pet. 3:8). God alone is everlasting—existing in an unending succession of moments (Ps. 90:1-2). God alone is omnipotent—infinite in power (Ps. 147:5), capable of anything (Matt. 19:26). God alone is omniscient—infinite in knowledge (Rom. 11:33-34). God alone is omnipresent—everywhere at once (Ps. 139:7-10). God alone is immutable—unchanging in essence, attributes, and decree (Mal. 3:6). God alone is perfect (Matt. 5:48). God alone is utterly incomprehensible (Ps. 145:3)!

Some of God’s communicable attributes are His holiness (1 Pet. 1:16), love (1 Jn. 4:8), faithfulness (2 Tim. 2:13), goodness (Nah. 1:7), righteousness (Ps. 89:14), justice (Rom. 3:25-26), mercy (Eph. 2:4), and grace (Exod. 34:6-7). God is the source of all these things, displaying them in profound perfection.

THE WORK OF GOD

I believe that God acts. He works. He is neither static nor passive. He decrees, elects, creates, and sustains. God does whatever He pleases (Ps. 115:3, 135:6).

I believe that everything God decrees comes to pass (Isa. 14:27). God ordains all things by the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11; Dan. 4:35) according to His purpose and plan (Isa. 14:24; Acts 2:23) to the praise of His glory (Rom. 11:36). God does not, however, ordain evil (Jas. 1:13), but does permit it, is not surprised by it, may interfere to stop it (Ps. 33:10), and works to bring about redemption through it (Gen. 50:2). God uses evil to serve His purposes, but always holds people accountable for the evil they do (Jer. 17:10; Rom. 2:5-6).

I believe that God has chosen some for salvation (2 Thess. 2:13-14). This election occurred before the foundations of the world, was according to God’s purpose and for God’s glory (Eph 1:3-6). It was not based not on human effort or foreknowledge of human decision, but solely on God’s grace (Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9). God has chosen to dramatically save some (Acts 9:3-16) while gently drawing others (Acts 16:14, 17:27).

I believe that God created all things (Isa. 40:28; Acts 17:24)—the heavens and the earth (Neh. 9:6; Isa. 42:5) and everything in them (Acts 14:15) visible and invisible (Col. 1:16). In God’s initial creation, He spoke (Gen. 1:1; Ps. 33:6) and out of nothing everything came to be (Heb. 11:3). Like all that God does, He created according to the counsel of His will for His own glory (Isa. 43:7; Rev. 4:11).

I believe that God’s creation is dependant upon His providential care. God governs (Dan. 5:21), rules (Ps. 66:7), sustains (Acts 17:25), and directs (Isa. 48:17) all things. Through this providential action, He holds the universe together (Col. 1:17) and keeps it aligned by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3).

GOD THE FATHER

I believe that God the Father, the first member of the Trinity, possesses the full nature and attributes of the Godhead (1 Cor. 8:6). He is the source of all the Godhead is (Jn. 1:18, 5:26) and the initiator of all the Godhead does (Jn. 5:19). The Father begets the Son (Jn. 3:16) and the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (Jn. 15:26). The Father is the composer of creation and the author of salvation (Eph. 1:3-6). The Father always sends the Son (Jn. 6:44) and the Spirit (Jn. 14:26) to accomplish His purpose and carry out His plan.

(more to come on God the Son and God the Spirit…)

God Speaks (Doctrine of Revelation)

I believe that through general and special means God reveals Himself to mankind so that they might know Him personally, glorify Him passionately, and enjoy Him eternally.

GENERAL REVELATION: CREATION & CONSCIENCE

I believe that God reveals Himself to all people in general so that they would seek and find Him (Acts 17:27). God reveals Himself externally through creation as it declares God’s power (Rom. 1:20), glory (Ps. 19:1-3) and goodness (Acts 14:17). God reveals Himself internally in every human conscience (Rom. 1:19) through an innate sense of morality imbedded deeply in the human soul (Rom. 2:14-16). General revelation is an evidence of God’s grace. It is a means by which all people can know certain aspects of God—namely, His divinity, glory, power, and law. Since general revelation is clear in creation and conscience, all people are accountable for their response to it. There is no excuse for refusing to know God (Rom. 1:19-20), and the consequences for distorting this knowledge and ignoring this God are severe (Rom. 1:18-32).

General revelation is used by God to strengthen the faith of those who know Him (Matt. 6:25-34), to fuel their worship (Ps. 148), and to under gird their evangelism (Acts 17:22-34). General revelation is also used by God to actively pursue those who do not yet know Him (Acts 17:26-27). It is, however, in and of itself unable to save. This revelation is clear, but not complete. It points to God as Creator, but not God as Redeemer. While general revelation may convict people of their smallness, only special revelation can convict people of their sin. General revelation, therefore, is an essential yet partial revelation of who God is and what He does.

SPECIAL REVELATION: REDEMPTIVE WORKS & WRITTEN WORDS

I believe that God reveals Himself more clearly through special means so that some people hear, see, and respond to His saving initiative (Rom. 10:14-18). Special revelation reveals God’s mercy, justice, and grace as it unpacks His glorious plan to rescue and restore sin-alienated humanity to Himself. Special revelation is a supernatural revelation that is only given and received through supernatural means (1 Cor. 2:12-13).

Throughout history, God has revealed Himself in redemptive works and written words. His works reveal His power to save (Ex. 14) and His words explain and interpret those works. Without the works the words are abstract story; without the words the works are forgotten history. Though God has spoken and does speak through other various means—direct speech (Ex. 3:3-5), angelic announcements (Luke 1:11-20), dreams and visions (Num. 12:6)—God has spoken most clearly through the person and work of Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:2-3) as it is recorded in the Scriptures. I believe that Jesus is the Living Word of God who incarnated into human history (Jn. 1:14) to accomplish the saving work of God (Jn. 3:16). In Jesus, we see the fullest revelation of God’s nature, character, and will (Col. 1:15-20).

SPECIAL REVELATION: THE BIBLE

I believe that the Bible is the Word of God that tells the great story of God’s work to reconcile the world through Jesus Christ. This sixty-six-book-in-one volume is the primary means by which God speaks to His people today. It is a perfectly preserved account of what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do.

I believe that all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16-17). That is, He providentially prepared (Jer. 1:5; Gal. 1:15) and powerfully moved human authors—motivated and guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:20-21)—to record exactly what needed to be said (Jer. 1:9) so that His people would know, enjoy, and glorify Him forever. Inspiration is verbal, extending to the very words of Scripture (Matt. 4:4; Jn. 10:34-35, Gal. 3:16), and inspiration is plenary, meaning that all the words in every part are inspired (2 Tim. 3:16, Lk. 24:44; 1 Thess. 2:13). Scripture is a one of a kind book—both human and divine.

Since all Scripture is inspired by God, it is without error (Ps. 18:30, 19:7) in its original writing. All that the Bible affirms to be true is wholly true.[1] As the inerrant word, Scripture is completely reliable (1 Pet. 1:25; Matt. 5:18; 24:35), utterly profitable (2 Tim. 3:16-17), and entirely sufficient to provide people with everything they need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). It leads people into salvation (1 Pet. 1:23; 2 Tim. 3:15; Jas. 1:21), enables growth in godliness (2 Tim. 3:16), and equips believers for every good work (2 Tim. 3:17). Scripture is the primary and final authority for all matters of life and faith (Rom. 15:4; Matt. 15:3).[2] Scripture is clear, understandable, and life changing, though not all Scripture is equally clear and easily understood (2 Pet. 3:16). Scripture is not meant to merely inform minds, but to transform lives. This happens as the Holy Sprit works to illumine our minds and penetrate our hearts (1 Cor. 2:12-13, Heb. 4:12). Those in whom the Sprit is not working (Jer. 5:21) can understand Scripture objectively in a literary sense, but cannot be transformed subjectively in a spiritual sense (1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 3:4). As we depend on the Spirit to teach (Jn. 14:26) and guide (Jn. 16:13), every believer must study Scripture diligently and apply its teachings daily (Jos. 1:8; Ps. 1:2) as they engage God together in Biblical community (Acts 2:42; 2 Pet. 1:20). Using careful grammatical-historical exegesis through a biblical-theological framework with a Christological focus (Lk. 24:27), believers should labor together in the study, application, and teaching of God’s Word (Ezr. 7:10). Those who preach and teach are especially called to such a task (Acts 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:17; 2 Tim. 4:1-2).

Through special revelation God has invited us into a story bigger than ourselves. Through the study and application of Scripture we understand that story and find our place in it. God has graciously revealed Himself through both general and special means so that we might know Him, glorify Him, and enjoy Him forever.

[1] The Bible, however, is not a science textbook and should not be treated as such. Also, Scripture often uses phenomenal language, summarizes content, and uses approximations in numbering. These apparent ‘errors’ do not discredit its inerrancy. It only points to the ingenuity of God’s communication methods—using human beings in contemporary culture and common practice. In cases of apparent error, the level of precision must be determined by the context.

[2] There are other authorities to which we must submit ourselves (parents, government, church elders, Holy Spirit, tradition, community together, science, wisdom, experience) but Scripture stand above and trumps them all.

Doctrinal Statements: Intro

I thought I’d post a series of doctrinal statements I've been writing in my theology classes at Western Seminary. They are brief statements of what I believe the Bible teaches about how God speaks, who God is, what God does, how we’re jacked up, how God saves us and works for us, in us, and through us. There are much better books written on these topics (one recommendation would be Doctrine by Mark Driscoll and my theology prof Gerry Breshears), but these statements are my attempts to articulate Christian theology clearly and concisely.

The goal of theology is to think God’s thoughts after Him so that we live out the life of God. May these doctrinal statements encourage us to think well and may we find ourselves living out the life of God!

Reflections on One Year in Texas

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been down in Texas for a year now. Time flies. Looking back over this year I’m grateful for the grace of God that has led me through seasons of both difficulty and excitement. Here’s a quick glimpse of what God has done…

My vision for the year was simple, but challenging: to grow in spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational health. Here’s how I sought to do this:

Spiritual & Emotional Health:

1. Soak regularly in Christ-centered teaching in Gospel-saturated community as a member of The Village Church
2. Connect with people in Recovery at the Village, learn to better fight sin, struggle well and live honestly
3. Serve in behind-the-scenes low-recognition ministries in the church (i.e. Parking Team, Kids Village)

Physical Health:

4. Work out regularly and eat better in order to honor God with my body

Relational Health:

5. Build friendships with all sorts of people—older/younger, male/female
6. Engage people at work, learn to listen well and serve as appropriate

By God’s grace, I’ve seen growth in all these areas. (Some more than others.)

It has been a joy to serve behind the scenes in the church and to work on developing friendships at work and beyond. God has been exceedingly gracious to teach and grow me this year! I pray that He would continue His good work as I learn to walk more regularly in joyful submission to Him.

When I left CT a year ago I was in a dark season of frustration, discouragement, and spiritual/emotional/physical exhaustion. (You can read about it here.) I was burnt out from working in the church, had become a ‘ministry doing machine' with little affection for Christ, and had developed a lot of bitterness and anger toward people.

Over this year the Lord has changed me. He has…

• deepened my love for the gospel
• convicted me of sinful brashness and arrogance
• humbled and softened my heart
• led me as a loving Father through a season of discipline in which a deeply rooted idol of control was exposed
• enabled a lot of freedom from habitual addictive sins
• provided me with some good friends and godly brothers in a new environment
• renewed my vision for joining Jesus on His mission to love and serve people

I'm grateful for His grace.