Quotations on Q. 191. What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. In the second petition, (which is, Thy kingdom come,)

Peaceful Triumph . . . . we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be
Verbatim:
destroyed, the gospel propagated throughout the world,
Various Saints and Wiseguys the Jews called, the fullness of the Gentiles brought in;
. . . and that he would be pleased so to exercise the
Before God there remains nothing of which we kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best
can glory save only his mercy, by which, conduce to these ends.
without any merit of our own, we are admit- Westminster Larger Catechism
ted to the hope of eternal salvation: and before
men not even this much remains, since we can There have been great and glorious days of the gospel
glory only in our infirmity, a thing which, in in this land; but they have been small in comparison of
estimation of men, it is the greatest ignominy what shall be.
even tacitly to confess.
But our doctrine must stand sublime above James Renwick
all the glory of the world, and invincible by all
its power, because it is not ours, but that of the David was not a believer in the theory that the world
living God and His Anointed, whom the Father will grow worse and worse, and that the dispensation
has appointed King, that He may rule from sea to sea, will wind up with general darkness and idolatry. Earth’s
and from the rivers to the ends of the earth; and so rule sun is to go down amid tenfold night if some of our
as to smite the whole earth and its strength of iron and prophetic brethren are to be believed. Not so do we
brass, its splendour of gold and silver, with the mere expect, but we look for a day when the dwellers in all
rod of his mouth, and break them in pieces like a lands shall learn righteousness, shall trust in the Savior,
potter ’s vessel; according to shall worship thee
the magnificent predictions alone, O God, and “shall
of the prophets respecting His glorify thy name.” The
kingdom (Dan. 2:34; Is. 11:4; Unto us a child is born . . . the modern notion has
Ps. 2:9). Prince of Peace . . . . Of the in- greatly damped the zeal
of the church for
John Calvin crease of his government and peace missions, and the
there shall be no end, upon the sooner it is shown to be
throne of David, and upon his king- unscriptural the better
Since the Savior ’s advent in for the cause of God. It
our midst, not only does dom, to order it, and to establish it
neither consorts with
idolatry no longer increase, with judgment and with justice from prophecy, honours God,
but it is getting less and henceforth even for ever. The zeal nor inspires the church
gradually ceasing to be. with ardour. Far hence
Similarly, not only does the of the LORD of hosts will
be it driven.
wisdom of the Greeks no perform this.
longer make any progress, but Isaiah 9:7
that which used to be is Charles Spurgeon
disappearing. And demons, so
far from continuing to The Scriptures, both of
impose on people by their deceits and oracle-givings the Old and New Testament, clearly reveal that the
and sorceries, are routed by the sign of the cross if they gospel is to exercise an influence over all branches of
so much as try. On the other hand, while idolatry and the human family, immeasurably more extensive and
everything else that opposes the faith of Christ is daily more thoroughly transforming than any it has ever
dwindling and weakening and falling, the Savior ’s realized in time past. This end is to be gradually
teaching is increasing everywhere! Worship, then, the attained through the spiritual presence of Christ in the
Savior “who is above all” and mighty, even God the ordinary dispensation of Providence and the ministra-
Word, and condemn those who are being defeated and tions of His church.
made to disappear by Him. When the sun has come,
darkness prevails no longer; any of it left anywhere is A. A. Hodge
driven away. So also, now that the Divine epiphany of
the Word of God has taken place, the darkness of idols There will come a time when in this world holiness
prevails no more, and all parts of the world in every shall be more general, and more eminent, than ever it
direction are enlightened by His teaching. hath been since Adam fell in paradise.

Athanasius Thomas Brooks

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 1

 We find that Christ’s work of redemption truly has as The Gospel will be spread abroad over the seas and the
its object the people of the entire world and that His islands in the ocean, and among the people dwelling
Kingdom is to become universal. And since nothing is therein, who are called “the fullness thereof.” And that
told us as to how long the earth shall continue after word has been made good. For churches of Christ fill
that goal has been reached, possibly we can look all the islands, and are being multiplied every day, and
forward to a great “golden age” of spiritual prosperity the teaching of the Word of salvation is gaining
continuing for centuries, or even for millenniums, accessions.
during which time Christianity shall be triumphant
over all the earth, and during which time the great Hippolytus
proportion even of adults shall be saved. It seems that
the number of the redeemed shall then be swelled until “The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to
it far surpasses that of the lost. life, and those who find it are few” (Matt. 7:14).
“Strive to enter by the narrow door ” (Lk 13:24). Can
Lorraine Boettner such texts be reconciled with the picture of vast
numbers of people being converted to the Christian
“In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” faith during a future period of great revival? . . . The
Paul interprets this to mean that the seed of Abraham sayings concerning the narrow gate (Matt. 7:14), the
should be heir of the world . . . To this we can surely narrow door (Lk 13:24), and the few chosen (Matt.
relate the promise of Christ in the Sermon on the 22:14) are best understood in the context of Jesus’ own
Mount: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit earthly ministry. The “gate” or “door ” that leads to
the earth.” We do not honor God eternal life is narrow in several
by reducing the covenant respects. First, it is narrow
concept of “all nations blessed” theologically: Jesus, and Jesus
to a bare representation of all alone, is the door to eternal life
nations. We, under the grace and
They shall not hurt nor de- (John 10:7; Acts 4:12). . . .
power of Christ, are to make stroy in all my holy mountain: Second, the “gate” is narrow
disciples of all nations. This for the earth shall be full of circumstantially in that few of
means China as well as North the Jews responded savingly to
America; this means Africa as
the knowledge of the LORD, the Lord’s own earthly ministry;
well as Holland; this means as the waters cover the sea. indeed, he was “despised and
Russia as well as Scotland. And in that day there shall be rejected by men” (Is. 53:3).
a root of Jesse, which shall Many of the Jews were called to
J. Marcellus Kik the Messianic banquet (Matt.
stand for an ensign of the 22:14), but relatively few
“I will shake heaven, and earth, people; to it shall the Gen- responded to the Lord himself.
and the sea, and the dry land; and
I will move all nations, and the tiles seek: and his rest shall
John Jefferson Davis
desired of all nations shall be glorious.
come.” The fulfillment of this In the latter days, . . . the
prophecy is in part already seen, churches of Christ being
and in part hoped for in the end. Isaiah 11:9,10
enlarged and edified through a
For He moved the heaven by the free and plentiful communica-
testimony of the angels and the tion of light and grace, shall
stars, when Christ became incarnate. . . . So we see all enjoy in this world a more quiet, peaceable, and glori-
nations moved to faith; and the fulfillment of what ous condition than they have enjoyed.
follows, “And the desired of all nations shall come,” is
looked for at His last coming. For before men can desire Savoy Declaration
and wait for Him, they must believe and love Him.
We live in an era in which pessimism has become the
Augustine norm, rather than the exception. . . . Cultural pessi-
mism draws heavily on the philosophy of Friedrich
In [an] eschatology of predestined historical suffering, Nietzsche and on his sweeping condemnation of the
Christians are told to expect Christianity’s influence to European society of his day as “sick” and “decadent.”
diminish steadily through history. . . . [But] it is the “There is an element of decay in everything that
unshakable confidence of the Suffering Church that characterizes modern man,” Nietzsche wrote in 1885.
she one day will be the Victorious Church: “To him
who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give Arthur Herman
authority over the nations” (Rev. 2:26-28).
It’s always hard to see hope with a hangover.
Ken Gentry
P.J. O’Rourke

2 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

 Conquering Love Christ? What claims are made for it? What intention
was behind it? What was actually accomplished?
Douglas Wilson Beginning with a very famous verse indeed, the
Thema:
Bible says that God loved the world so much that He
gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believed
WE OFTEN APPROACH OUR DISCUSSIONS AND DEBATES in Him would not perish, but would receive everlasting
about the future of our world from the wrong life. “Ah,” we say, “there is the condition.” A man has to
end. We all have various eschatological theo- believe, and we know that most men do not believe.
ries, and so we think we should debate them in But this protest brings us to one of the most neglected
an eschatological setting. Thus we are all verses in the Bible . . . the next one. “For God sent not
identified as premill, postmill, amill, historic his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
premill, pretrib premill, and the rest of it. the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).
Having established our eschatological frame- Why did God send the Son to die on the cross? The
work, we then have a tendency to pack that answer is plain—in order to save the world.
framework along with us as we study other Every effective preacher seeks to do what John the
aspects of the Bible’s teaching. This happens Baptist did, which is to lift up the arm and point, and
even when we are studying the heart of our faith, say, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin
which is the cross of Jesus Christ. As a result, we tend of the world” (John 1:29). He does not say, “which trieth
to fit our understanding of the cross into some particu- to take away,” or “which attempteth in vain to take
lar eschatological cubbyhole. away.” Rather, the Lamb of God actually took away the
But this is backwards, and so we should forget our sin of the world. He did this through His conquering,
eschatologies for a moment. Instead of letting an effectual, glorious, and loving death. The death of
eschatology drive our understanding of the cross, we Christ was not a valiant attempt or a nice try. Our duty
should come first to an understanding of what the is to preach the conquest and repent of having preached
Bible says about the cross and the power of it. We may the attempt.
then look around and see if this has any impact on our This doctrine of an efficacious and conquering
view of the future of the kingdom of God. cross is found throughout the Bible. “And we have seen
The simple task should be to turn to Scripture, and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the
asking the question, “What does the Bible say that the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14). So why did Jesus
cross of Christ will do in the course of history to the come into the world? The answer is blunt—in order to
nations of men?” Two things are notable about this save it.
approach: it is not a direct question about “end-times,” We can summarize what the Bible teaches in the
and the answer to this question is remarkable in its following way: Jesus died on the cross in order to save the
uniformity and frequency throughout the Bible. world. In our unbelief, we have found two effective
Another “remarkable” thing about this biblical answer ways to keep this teaching in our Bibles, while at the
is the prevalence of unbelief in the teaching of modern same time denying the force of it. We must explain
evangelicals concerning it. away either the direct object or explain away the verb.
We have not been left in the dark. Jesus told us One group does not like the force of the verb, and
what would happen when He was lifted up from the wants to says that save really means “try to save but no
earth. “‘Now is the judgment of this world: now shall telling what free will might do.” The other group
the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted limits the meaning of the word world, and says that the
up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.’ This he world refers to that small tiny band of the elect who
said, signifying what death he should die” (John 12:31- will still be hanging on when Christ returns. But this is
33). Stated another way, Jesus said that His death not what the word world means.
would throw out the devil and draw the human race to Put another way, if the Bible says that Jesus came to
Him. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, save the world, then a follower of Jesus must say that
that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John the world will necessarily be saved. “And he is the
3:8; cf. Heb. 2:14). propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also
But we, having been taught better than this, prefer for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Propitia-
a different doctrine. Consequently, a commonplace tion means to turn aside wrath. This verse says that the
assumption among modern evangelicals is that the death of Jesus turned aside the wrath of God against
devil has not been thrown out, and that men will not the world. Conditions are not attached here. He is the
come to Christ. We are willing to admit that maybe propitiation, and He is the propitiation for the sins of
Christ appeared in order to try to destroy the devil and the world.
his works through His death, but the brave attempt Now the Bible says that Jesus died in order that the
apparently turned out badly. We think His “lifting up” world would not be condemned. Modern evangelicals
has secured the possibility that any man might come to say that the world, when all is said and done, will be
Him, but of course, he probably won’t. But a “possibil- condemned. The Bible says that He is the Savior of the
ity” cannot be found in these passages. world. We say that He is the potential Savior for a
What does the Bible say about the mission of

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 3

 world which won’t let Him be its Savior. The Bible says (Matt. 13:33). The rock has struck the pagan statue on
that Abraham and his heirs would inherit the world the feet, but the rock is not yet a mountain that fills
through faith. We say that Abraham and his heirs can the earth (Dan. 2:44). The trickle of living water has
go to heaven when they die. cleared the threshold of the temple, but has not yet
We must come to identify this reinterpreting become the river which cannot be crossed (Ez. 47:1-5).
tendency by its proper name—unbelief. We must come The Lord is seated at the right hand of the Father, but
to grips with the fact that this very common popular His enemies are not yet His footstool (Ps. 110:1). The
conception of the death of Jesus really is an anemic root of Jesse has been raised as an ensign for the people,
affair. For some reason we have desired to preach and but the stream of Gentiles coming to Him is so great
teach a watered-down and limited atonement. This, that we can honestly say that after many millions of
frankly, is unbelief concerning the nature of the converts, it has barely started (Is. 11:10). The Child has
atonement. This is a limited atonement through been given to us, but the increase of His government
unbiblical limitations placed on the verb. Jesus died on will have no end (Is. 9:7). In short, the Scriptures teach
the cross in order to “save” the world. that the taking of this dark world will be as slow and
But another form of unbelief tinkers with the methodical as it is sure and glorious.
extent of the atonement. This is the view which says Christ is our prince. He reigns in both heaven and
the cross is powerful to save something tiny when the earth, and the processes He set in motion are inexo-
Bible says it is powerful to save the world. This is a rable. All authority in heaven and on earth is His, and
limited atonement through unbiblical limitations on the basis of this authority He tells us to disciple the
placed on the direct object. Jesus died on the cross in nations (Matt. 28:18-20). He has been raised from the
order to save the “world.” dead, and therefore God has given Him the name that
The rejection of these limited atonements does not is above every name (Phil. 2:9-11). He has ascended on
lead to a fanciful universalism. The Bible high, into the throne room of the Ancient
plainly teaches that the death of Jesus did of Days, and at His coronation He was
not secure the salvation of all men given dominion, glory, and a kingdom,
distributively. Hell is a fearful reality. “I that all peoples, nations, and languages
am the good shepherd: the good shepherd should serve Him (Dan. 7:13-14).
giveth his life for the sheep . . . But ye The vision is a glorious one, and crowded
believe not, because ye are not of my with biblical images and phrases. The
sheep, as I said unto you” (John earth will be as full of the knowledge of
10:11,26). Had they been His sheep, He the Lord as the waters cover the sea. The
would have laid down His life for them, families of the earth will all name
and they would have believed. The cross Abraham their father, and by faith will
of Christ overcame the unbelief of Saul receive the blessing of Abraham. The
of Tarsus in a way it did not overcome nations will fear the name of the Lord, and
the unbelief of Judas. So while the cross all the kings of the earth will revere His
of Christ does conquer the world, this does not mean glory. The kings of the earth belong to God, and the
that it brings salvation to every last person who lives in nobility of all nations assemble as the people of the God
the world. But plainly, it does bring salvation to the of Abraham. All the ends of the earth will remember
world. The world, in short, will be saved. and turn to the Lord. All the families of all the nations
The response to this assertion is typical of unbe- will bow down before Him. Dominion belongs to the
lief—we look around at the world instead of looking to Lord, and He rules over the nations of men. The
the Word. We look around and see billions of unbeliev- nations are Christ’s inheritance, and the ends of the
ers, and so we reinterpret what the Bible must have earth are His possession. The kingdoms of men are
been trying to tell us. But what about all the unbelief shaken down so that what cannot be shaken may
we see in the world? The Bible does not say that with remain. And we are solemnly charged to take this
the death of Christ someone hits a celestial lightswitch gospel from the river to the ends of the earth.
and suddenly everyone is saved. The images of the Such triumphalism frightens us. The task frightens
coming of Christ and His conquering cross all teach us us, and so we feel the need to get away from what the
to expect exactly what we have seen happening Bible says. But unlike liberals, modern evangelicals do
throughout the history of the Church. The conquest of not feel the freedom to reject the words of the Bible . . .
the world and the overthrow of the devil happened at least overtly. And so we prod and squeeze, and
definitively at the cross, and this is progressively and exegete, and lop off, and hermeneut, and shape, and
increasingly manifested as the greatness of the great form, and publish journals, and tell one another what
commission is made apparent. the Greek word for this is, and figure out what already/
The sun has risen, but is not yet at its zenith (Mal. not yet is supposed to mean, and settle into our
4:2). The mustard seed has been planted, but the tree is eschatologies.
not yet full-grown (Matt. 13:31-32). The leaven of the Boiled down, our problem is that we are slow of
kingdom is in the loaf, but the loaf is not yet fully risen heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.

4 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

Credenda/Agenda is published Far as the Curse is Found
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A statement of faith is avail-
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Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 5

 From Us: laughter and the necessity of
discussing points with which I
preme authority of the Scriptures
in the original languages over
Sharpening Iron:
If you’ve ever cracked agree so heartily or disagree just as against popish claims for the
open this magazine heartily cause frequent vocal Vulgate and the Roman church.
before, then you might outbursts (I am a victim?). These They admitted the possibility—no,
notice that, with this issue, vocal outbursts are very interrup- the reality—of minor faults
we’ve changed our format tive to the others in the same or creeping into texts through
a bit. We got tired of our adjacent rooms. I will continue to careless copying or by other
former landscape and search the pages of your tomes for means.
wanted to wander into a appropriate advice. I tried a psy- Since the 16th and 17th centu-
new format frontier. Too chologist but could not find a ries, in the wise providence of God,
many fonts tried out for the therapy group for Credenda/Agenda hundreds of ancient copies have
roles, but the winners readers (is there a lesson here?). come to light, allowing us to
seemed to match our compare and analyze many small
collective personality the Larry Vincent differences. This has enabled
best. The strict engineers Crowley, TX believing scholars to demonstrate
among you will miss all further the reliability of the He-
the oppressive boxes and LAUREL LAURELS brew and Greek Bible text as “the
straight lines, but hey. Dear Editors, judge of controversies,” “a canon of
Starting next issue, our You guys are great! I love reading faith,” and the sure source for our
beloved Ben Merkle will your magazine. I have never read a true knowledge of the only way of
take over as the new magazine that is so committed to salvation. Our Bible was not
managing editor and will publishing reformed theology in corrupted early on but has been kept
do things like write these such a candid way (some times I roll pure by God’s sovereign care.
“From Us” notes, learn to on the floor). I am glad to see that So, where does that leave us?
fuss about em—dashes, you are uninhibited to teach the Arguing mainly over the story of
weed the parking lot, and milk the unadulterated Truth, and I look the woman taken in adultery (John
pig. We were so delighted when the forward to receiving your magazine 7:53–8:11) and the longer ending of
governor commuted his sentence. in the future. Keep up the good Mark’s Gospel. And what’s at stake?
Millennium is a very hard word to work. God Bless. Divine approval to handle snakes
spell. All across America people and drink poison without harm!
continue to try to sneak in only one Nathan Shurden Surely God’s infallible Word con-
“n” in the middle there. The stakes Laurel, MS tains far more important things for
were even higher for us when we us to know, believe, understand, and
wrote this issue which invoked that SALTWATER THANKS obey.
word so many times. It provided so Dear Editors,
many opportunities to fall into the A little salt on the wound, as it Don Poundstone
misspelling abyss. We intentionally left were. Your magazine is a much Temecula, CA
one use of millennium misspelled needed cold cup of water in the face,
deep within the cracks of these pages. refreshing and always appreciated. SCIENTIFIC ERASMUS
If you can find that one or any others, The humor the magazine brings Dear Editors,
then we’ll cut your subscription fee in necessitates the need for tummy A few observations from a glassy-
half and announce it in our upcom- exercises in anticipation of much eyed defender of the critical text:
ing national convention to spell laughter. Not in any way last, and First, Erasmus did the TR for
millennium correctly, or as we certainly not least, spiritual bless- money, for cash.
snappily call it: NCTSMC ings abound. Thank you! Second, Erasmus was a “priestly
scientist.” He was ordained, but he
uuu Ted Ryan never pastored a church.
Poulsbo, WA Third, Erasmus employed much
the same “suspect, modern method”
From You: PURE SCRIPTURE as today’s priestly scientists: he
PSYCHOLOGICAL HUMOR Dear Editors, compared the manuscripts that
Dear Editors, Your selection from Turretin on the were available to him, and, with a
Thank you for your magazine. Our purity of the Bible (Vol. 10, No. 1) few exceptions, chose the readings
family enjoys the articles, insights, suggests that the fuss over compet- that he thought were the best. (At
and humor that fills its pages. I ing Greek texts may be a tempest in least today’s priestly scientists don’t
have just one problem. How does a teapot. force readings into the New Testa-
one read your magazine in the Our Protestant forefathers were ment from the Latin Vulgate, as
presence of others? Bursts of concerned to establish the su- Erasmus did.)
 Fourth, Erasmus did particularly true of the TR after the But the TR should not earn its place
not have church approval
. . . Sharpening Iron: first two editions of Erasmus. For simply on the basis of Gutenburg.
to produce his New example, he inserted what we know Admittedly, the TR is much
Testament. In fact, he as 1 Jn. 5:7-8a into his third edi- better in many respects than the
deliberately rushed his tion—and every TR edition since Nestle-Aland text that is now
product to publication in followed him. This reading appears dominant. But if we are speaking of
order to beat out Cardinal in no Greek manuscripts. the original language text, the MT
Ximenes, who had gone The TR is not the text of the is unquestionably closer to provid-
through proper channels Church. The Church has not used ing us with the Bible of the histori-
and was awaiting final the TR throughout her history. The cal Church than is any alternative. I
ecclesiastical approval. large majority of Greek manuscripts apologize for the length of this
Erasmus knew he wouldn’t which have come down to us are letter. I recognize that these are
make as much money if he Byzantine. They come to us via the complex issues, but I raise them
had to compete with a text Eastern Church. The TR, on the because we need to be clear about
that had the Pope’s seal of other hand, has suffered emenda- the nature of the problem if we are
approval. tions from early on, apparently to have any clue concerning how to
Fifth, Erasmus believed because Rome (Erasmus’s church) approach it.
that John 8:1–11 was a was not kindly disposed to see Tim Gallant
spurious passage, and put it Vulgate readings go by the wayside. Gary, IN
into the text against his As you can see, there is only a
better judgment. (See limited appeal possible to church Editors’ reply: Our three letter writers
Schaff ’s History of the history. For we must ask: WHAT raise many good points, and though
Christian Church, volume church history? Since the Reforma- we would take issue with some
VII, page 413.) tion? That would be to ignore God’s things, we concur with much of what
Sixth, Pastor Wilson’s work of text-preservation for over they say. But this agreement still
position in effect freezes all 14 centuries. As you remind us doesn’t touch the central issue in our
investigation into the repeatedly, we may not dismiss the minds—textual matters cannot be
biblical text in the year medieval church in such a cavalier separated from the issue of authority.
1535, the year Erasmus’ last fashion. It is to them that we owe In other words, who is competent to
edition was produced. He is telling our text! But if we go back that far, answer these questions and any other
us to not look at any manuscript we are faced with a second ques- legitimate question raised? The
discovered after that year. What tion: are we to assume priority for answer must be the faithful Church.
should we do with these other the Latin tradition or the Greek? God entrusted the “oracles of God”
manuscripts? Burn them? The TR answer was to wed the two. to the Jewish church. He did not do
On a separate but not unrelated But only the Greek tradition this so that the Christian church would
matter, if you agree to join us now, I represents a carrying forward of the ignore the example and turn her
can promise you positions of original text in the original lan- sacred canon over to nonbelievers for
influence in our new world order. guage, rather than in a translation. mutilation and marketing.
Come, join us. Don’t be afraid. . . . And isn’t that the point? So the question is never whether
Even this does not close the “textual criticism” is to be done, but
Craig DesJardins matter. The manuscripts were hand- rather by whom and how. The center
Tacoma, WA copied, not xeroxed. Naturally, there of our critique is the insistence that
are variants. We may not appreciate secular academics and businessmen
the so-called neutral science of the must be shown the door.
MAJORITY RULES modern text critics, but we still
Dear Editors, must answer the question of what PIERCED LOATHING
I would like to express my apprecia- is going to be done with the vari- Dear Editors,
tion for your boldness in dealing ants. Simply saying that we will While I agree that one who would
with the text issue. It is refreshing adopt whatever reading the TR did have their tongue pierced is filled
to see the eclectic text’s modern is not a reasonable answer. Erasmus, with self-loathing, I did smile at the
monopoly challenged. Yet, I do not Stephens, Beza, et al., also had to thought of them trying to say so.
find your discussion entirely make such choices. (Note that they
satisfying. did not say, “Oh, an edition of the Herb Hofmann
You write that the TR is “a TR is already available—I guess Keizer, OR
collation of readings taken from the there’s no textual work for me to
majority Byzantine texts.” That is do”!) The printing press, of course,
only partly true. Although the TR meant that their own work was ALL Y’ALL’S STUDY BIBLE
leaned heavily upon the Byzantine preserved in the form they wrote. Dear Editors,
manuscripts, it also borrowed As a result, since the Reformation, In your last issue Doug Wilson
readily from the Vulgate. This is published texts reflect few variants. claimed that contemporary English

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 7

 has no distinction between the feel that I am just too picky, and I Wilson’s article was her insistence
singular and plural forms of you. have sometimes wondered, “Are that married women “should not
Around here contemporary English they right?” Thank you for help- have ‘men’ friends,” should not
recognizes ya’ll as the singular form ing me to say more comfortably, “go to coffee with men who are
and all ya’ll as the plural. Regret- “No, they are not.” For example, I not their husbands,” and not
fully, my NIV Unreconstructed am also tired of the refrain that “spend one on one time with men
Southerner ’s Study Bible does not sexual attraction should not be even if it is ministry.” I fully
observe this distinction. important. Not #1 priority, I realize the noble intentions Mrs.
agree, but the last thing my wife Wilson has in making these
Charles Garland deserves to hear me say is, claims, but they reflect a “slippery
Decatur, AL “Honey, you’re the greatest slope” fallacy and a poor applica-
despite the fact that you’re so ugly. tion of Christian liberty from a
A SENSITIVE AND GENTLE GUY I’m so glad looks weren’t important Reformed view. Given Mrs.
Dear Editors, to me when I married you.” Nor do Wilson’s line of reasoning in her
I enjoy visiting the Credenda/ I want my wife to feel that way article, one could easily say this:
Agenda website frequently. I also about me! “One should avoid the drinking of
enjoyed reading the article, “Bitter Eric J. Finley alcohol at all times because it
Husbands,” and was in general Phoenix, AZ MAY lead to bad behavior.” I could
agreement with its message. obviously give dozens of other
However, there was one remark in PRESCRIPTIVE ETHICS examples.
this article that offended me as a Dear Editors, My point is this: chastity and
single Christian man. This letter is in response to Nancy purity are important things that
“To some extent, one of two Wilson’s recent article in the need to be pursued and studied
things is happening. The first “Femina” column of Credenda diligently. However, there is a better
option is that the man is attempting Agenda titled “Chastity.” As I have way of doing that than prescribing
to get the woman into bed dishon- found with the articles written by an ethical normative that God
orably. The other possibility is that her husband, Doug, Mrs. Wilson’s Himself did not prescribe.
he is trying to do it honorably.” articles almost always reflect
This depicts even Christian careful insight and sound theology. David L. Bahnsen
men as self-centered sex fiends, and However, the recent well-meaning Internet
only serves to reinforce the “all men article on “Chastity” was sadly a Editors reply: Thanks for the thoughtful
are pigs” theme to our female poor reflection of good Reformed letter. We plan to have more on this in
readers. Some of us guys are really thinking. upcoming issues, but note for now our
sensitive and gentle, and are actu- Obviously no one can disagree agreement in principle. We do not
ally mature enough to look for with Mrs. Wilson that imagining want to say that certain things should
genuine companionship with a another person’s husband in bed is be avoided for what they might lead to.
woman—not just sex. sinful and outside the Biblical Our concern is not that one-on-one
mandate to be “chaste” (Matthew friendships could become unchaste,
Bryan Tucker 5). Dressing in a way that is pur- but rather that they are unchaste.
Internet posely intended to illicit the sexual
lusts of other men is also “un-
LOOKING FOR LOVE chaste,” as Mrs. Wilson wisely PRECIOUS COMMENTS
Dear Editors pointed out. However, the next Dear Editors,
I just wanted to write to tell you several examples Mrs. Wilson Your contrasting covers have made a
how much I loved the “Husbandry ” offered violated the line between point in our home. Whenever I go
department article from Volume 10, conscience and commandment, and to pick up the latest issue I find that
Number 1 (“Choosing A Wife” by ultimately implored an entirely the last reader has invariably left it
Douglas Wilson). It reiterated unreformed view of ethics. “Precious Moments” side down. As
everything I have long believed Watching a movie with a “bed usual it was an interesting and
about finding a wife but have scene,” or being interested in the discussion provoking issue.
sometimes doubted because I am way famous people dress, are not I keep looking, apparently in
almost 29, still single, and not actions in and of themselves that vain, for a VeggieTales stir-fry. Why
loving it so much. As much as I can be described as “unchaste.” If it has this obvious target escaped your
long for a wife, I have for a long violates one’s conscience, they skewer? I hope you at least devote
time said that I would still rather be should avoid such behavior (Ro- an editorial to it sometime.
single than be yoked with the mans 14), but the categorical Our household is thankful for
wrong woman, for that would be labelling of such things as “un- your humour and love for the truth.
far more miserable than being chaste” and thereby “sinful” is
lonely. Shouldn’t finding a woman completely unwarranted Scriptur- Jeff Kingswood
be a step forward? Some people ally. Most upsetting about Mrs. Woodstock, Ont. Canada

8 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

Anvil: Snake Oil and Traditional Medicine
Health care is very much a mundane issues . . . like that five ment is not made about this treat-
preoccupation of modern dollar bowl of jello on your last ment or that one, but rather con-
Americans—fully one sixth hospital bill. cerns the guiding principle which
of our GNP is spent on it. But the ethical concerns are the still exists at the heart of traditional
Whenever that many greatest problem here—traditional medicine, and which is regrettably
people spend that much medicine has abandoned its historic absent from alternative medicine.
money on something, at commitment to the preservation of Traditional medicine is still Chris-
least a few editorials should life. Why be shocked when people tian at the center, and alternative
be written about it. don’t want their cancer treatment medicine is unfortunately pagan at
With the full knowl- from the same institution that the core.
edge that the following dismembers infants? Some doctors The guiding principle is that of
contains some gross are outraged if babies die acciden- verification. The Bible requires that
generalizations, I would tally in the care of midwives but are every fact be verified in the mouth
like to divide medical tolerant and accepting when their of two or three witnesses. This
practice into two broad categories— colleagues kill babies on purpose. principle—that of independent,
traditional and alternative. And so, because of this great objective verification—is still alive
As reformational believers, we ethical apostasy in traditional and well in the world of traditional
should be interested in reforming medicine, many Christians have medicine. Consequently, science, in
everything that we do, bringing all turned away. But I want to argue the older sense of that word, still
things into line with the Word of that this turning away, while functions there. New treatments
God. Now, with this principle in understandable, is still to be re- may be learned, and old errors
hand, what are we to make of this sisted. jettisoned. But in the alternative
basic medicinal choices before us? Traditional medicine is like the world, when attempts at verifica-
For many Christians, alterna- papacy before the Reformation. tion are made, the effort is largely
tive medicine looks very attractive. Extending the picture, alternative anecdotal. The witnesses speak, but
Some defenders of traditional medicine is anabaptisitic. And our do not agree.
medicine may be mystified by this, desire should be to see reformation Put another way, recognizable
wondering why any believers have come to our hospitals, a very discipline still exists within the
any problems with the reigning important part of the great heritage world of traditional medicine.
medical orthodoxy. But the disillu- of the West. There is therefore hope for our
sionment of many Christians with Christians have an obligation to medical heritage.
traditional medicine is not hard to seek the reformation of traditional Such discipline is unfortunately
explain. The reasons range from medicine, and they should reject lacking elsewhere. When it appears,
profound ethical concerns to very alternative medicine. This state- so may we.
Douglas Wilson

Subtext of “Wag the Dog”

The comparisons were immediate, is the story of a President publicly showing that its faking of war is
but something was a little off. Word accused of molesting a teenage girl thoroughly unbelievable. It
has it, that the reporters covering at the White House. To distract the involves so many minor stage
the President at Martha’s Vineyard country from the scandal, his hands, subdirectors, and designers
were watching the film Wag the Dog consultants decide to create a war. all of whom are supposed to
just before the President made his Real wars are expensive, so they hire remain devotedly silent during the
announcement that the U.S. had a producer to fake a war Hollywood worldwide uproar. That would be
unilaterally attacked Sudan and style, and soon the country is impossible. And no one leaves the
some tents in Afghanistan. fixated on the “crisis in Albania.” film believing that such a faking
Around the country, few, if any, The film’s thesis shouldn’t be could be pulled off, but the film
newspapers and nightly news shows all that shocking. Civil govern- can then subtly apply that conclu-
failed to make some mention of ments have often worn the mask of sion to any doubts of State.
that satirical film. The military warfare to manipulate citizens. But Our public cynicism is permit-
insisted that the strike had been I can’t help thinking that the final ted to believe that Presidents
planned long before the President effect of this film is actually the sometimes act out of self-preserva-
“took responsibility” for overusing opposite. Instead of being a new tion but not that whole govern-
passive constructions. cynical high for film, it really has ments do. With that, Wagging the
Wag the Dog itself almost the effect of undermining those Dog sits quite comfortably within
entirely lacked art, preferring the who suggest that governments current establishment opinions.
poetry of falling boulders. The film ever conspire. It does this by Douglas Jones

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 9

 Literacy is Dangerous for Women
The wrestling match between a new disregard for the visual why is brutal patriarchy evil?
word and image has always been image, whose appreciation is More interesting, though, are
part of biblical culture. The second closely tied to the right [more the popular but confused distinc-
commandment shows us that feminine] hemisphere.” Shlain tions like masculine linearity vs.
words and images aren’t neutral suggests that “there’s good feminine wholism. When you
media. But in an interesting turn, evidence that a culture’s first really stare at such distinctions
critics are beginning to use this contact with the alphabet drives it they evaporate quite quickly. Take
contrast against Christianity. In mad. Hunter-killer values thrust an Aristotelian syllogism. Nothing
“The Curse of Literacy” (Utne to the fore, followed by national- is supposed to be more linear. Yet
Reader, Sept-Oct. 98), Leonard ism, imperialism, and bloody every syllogism sits embedded in a
Shlain, M.D. argues that the religious revolution.” And then thick nest of assumptions, com-
advent of literacy caused a dra- monster trucks. mitments, and rules. Nothing
matic imbalance in favor of the But he is optimistic. Our moves in the syllogism without
dominance of males. contemporary devotion to images moving a very wholistic, contex-
Shlain explains, “certain helps undermine masculine tual scene. Linear thinking is
masculine characteristics began to culture, including popular shifts simply a postmodernist fake.
characterize a society after a away from more left-brained, Similarly, wholistic thinking is
critical mass of its people had masculine sports like baseball for supposed to include nonlogical
learned to read and write. What more feminine “sports that are things such as feelings, images,
triggered this profound shift was more involving for the eye, such and the appreciation of music. Yet
literacy’s reliance on the analytic as football and basketball.” This graphic perspective and harmony
thought processes linked to the shift to images is a “balm bringing have a painfully strict logic
brain’s left hemisphere. Mean- about worldwide healing.” linking their linear parts. And like
while, the feminine traits associ- The apologetic answers to others, Shlain speaks in conflicts:
ated with the right hemisphere these charges are too easy, and I feminine thinking is wholistic
[e.g., wholistic thinking, emo- won’t detail them. But they would (one) yet concrete (plural); mascu-
tions, aesthetic appreciation] were deny the alleged peacefulness of line thinking is abstract (general)
systematically devalued. This goddess cultures and point to the yet survivalistic (particular). At
imbalance revealed itself in many irony of using nasty, analytic sundown, the linear-wholistic
ways, including a cultural decline brain science at the core of his division is like trying to slice
in goddess worship and the status argument. And given the con- water. Tell them to try again.
of women. Another outcome was straints of evolutionary folklore, Douglas Jones

Just a Simple Hey!

I don’t really have a detailed illustration is by Pauline Baynes, wouldn’t rack up larger bills with
argument here, just a beef. I have but I don’t remember ever seeing their therapists, but the altered
no hope that anything will be it before. But whoever drew it section is still a sight to behold.
done about this, just a desire to didn’t have a clue at the time they Imagine looking at a beautiful
vent a little. Somebody, I don’t drew it, and whoever published it, Persian throw rug, with a six inch
who, as a student of mine pointed viz. HarperCollins, didn’t have a band of orange shag thoughtfully
out, is messing around with C.S. clue either. There, that’s one. inserted in the middle, and you
Lewis’ Narnia books. And then, in The Voyage of the will get some idea of how this
In the HarperCollins version Dawn Treader (same HarperCollins edited section reads.
of The Lion, the Witch and the series), take a look at pages 188 And who knows what else has
Wardrobe, on page 143, there is an and 189. The Lord Rhoop has been been tinkered with? Keep your
illustration of Aslan walking with rescued from the Dark Island, the eye peeled. And who knows what
the White Witch. In it, Aslan is place where dreams, not day- changes will be made in the years
walking on his hind legs, with his dreams, come true. In earlier to come? Perhaps Lewis will
arms (!) behind his back. Huh, versions of the book, Lord Rhoop become a feminist?
says I. Hmmm, says you. Anybody asks a boon, which is to never be I would publicly call upon
who knows anything about these asked about his time there. Walter Hooper to do something
books knows that Aslan is not a Caspian grants the boon with a about this if I didn’t suspect that
man who walks on two legs—he shudder. he had something to do with it
is a true beast. Neither is he a But in the New Nineties already.
trained circus animal. The book’s Narnia, the whole exchange is Douglas Wilson
credits indicate that the offensive sanitized, probably so kids

10 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

 Hollow Men in the Pulpit because wandering aimlessly in the desert could be
called an activity that is seeker friendly. But not all are
Douglas Wilson enamoured with the new foolishness. We still have
Presbyterion:
plenty of traditionalist opponents of all this who
would lead us back to the ancient paths by preaching
HERMAN MELVILLE ONCE COMPARED THE PULPIT TO through their noses. God has done all of it, and may
the prow of a ship, setting the direction and God deliver us.
course of a society. We may protest, saying that This kind of language has far more hard and sharp
this might have been true in his day, but in edges than we like. We have heard too many smooth
ours, the pulpit does not set any cultural sermons from too many pretty boys to tolerate this
direction whatever. This is quite true, but kind of thing. “Oh,” we say, “God would never do that
beside the point, because it is also true that our kind of thing to His people. All our low self-esteem in
culture has no direction whatever. Politicians the pulpit, for that is what this problem really amounts
may talk glibly of setting a course for the to, just breaks His heart”—as though the Lord were up
twenty-first century, but this has about as in heaven wringing his hands over what He could
much directional content as determining to possibly do about those stinkers we preach.
fall down when dropped. All our scholars, Confronted with the hard evidence of the judi-
statesmen, politicians, bureaucrats, philoso- cially-imposed stupidity that stands in the pulpit today,
phers, musicians, painters, and anchormen we broaden the extent of that stupidity by refusing to
haven’t a clue. The bugle blows indistinctly, honor the Lord who has brought us to this point. We
and we all think it is a new form of jazz. either think the problem is not a problem, and sing
This malaise began in the pulpits of America, another chorus, or we think that the problem
and is maintained by the pulpits of America. Every is just happening for no particular reason. Our
Lord’s Day, thousands of temporizing (let us call stupor amounts to a rejection of God and His
them) preachers assume their place and begin to attributes. We are in love with our own
speak. But they are not preachers, for the simple notions of what God has to be like instead of
reason that they do not preach. They share, and loving Him as He has revealed Himself. This
chat, and tell anecdotes, and relate stories from the idol would be very nice if he existed.
heart which warm the heart. To acknowledge that this is from the Lord
A judgment of profound spiritual stupor rests is not to accuse Him. When God’s people are
upon our people—but this deep sleep must be hard-hearted their sin does not disappear
understood for what it is. “For the Lord hath simply because the Lord wields absolute
poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and control over it. “O Lord, why hast thou made
hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your us to err from thy ways, and hardened our
rulers, the seers hath he covered” (Is. 29:10). In righ- heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the
teous indignation and wrath, the Lord determined to tribes of thine inheritance” (Is. 63:17). The Bible makes
drive our nation into a covenantal stupor, and His it as plain as words can say that God remains God
instrument for doing this was to cover the eyes of the regardless of the circumstances, and that when the
church, the prophets and seers. The Church is asleep Church is drifting from one disaster to another, God is
because the pulpit is asleep. not standing helplessly by.
Who has given us all these pseudo-men, who caper Oysters always whistle out of tune, and we
so prettily on the stage for the televangelistic cameras? should not be surprised when men cannot accomplish
The Lord is clearly angry with us. Who was it that their own salvation. We should not marvel that men
decided that churches should start having Super Bowl cannot restore and reform the Church. How could
parties instead of the Word and sacraments? This is they?
nothing less than the hand of God upon us. The Lord We look to see if a man is asleep by looking to see if
did promise us that when we ask for bread, He will not his eyes are closed. As we look to see if the church is
give us stones. But what if we asked for the stones? asleep, we should do the same. The eyes of the Church
“They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his are the pulpit, and the eyes of the Church are sightless
counsel: but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and because the Lord has brought this spirit of moronic
tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their stupor upon us. The pulpit today is the central problem
request; but sent leanness into their soul” (Ps. 106:13- in the midst of that fin de siecle disaster that we like to
15). Our fists are full of what we wanted, and we have call our culture. With our indistinct mutterings, we
just this kind of leanness of soul. The Lord has done it: have “preached” our way into a culture that we de-
He is the one who made the determination that we serve. Because we are the problem, we cannot be the
would be so emaciated, while happily feasting on our solution.
own conceits. “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver,
God decided to inflict upon us the wasteland that is the Lord is our king; he will save us” (Is. 33:22).
the American pulpit today. The Lord has brought us
into this wilderness. Some might say this is all right

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 11

 Voucher Envy Why should Christians be excited at the prospect of
being robbed by the government in order to pay a little
Nathan Wilson Muslim kid’s way to an elite Islamic school where he
Magistralis:
will be taught to despise Christianity? Or is it only
because they think the Muslim is being robbed to pay
MANY OVERUSED PROVERBS AND CLICHES ARE FLOATING for their kid’s education that they are excited? Why do
around our life and times. One of these has to do we snivel and cry when our master takes our money to
with a camel, his nose, and an unspecified tent. give to a homosexual artist, but then play the part of
A long time ago our mutual friend—the govern- the grateful dog when we receive scraps stolen from
ment—stuck its nose under the edge of the tent someone else? Maybe it is because we have learned to
of education. Not many seemed to mind at the appreciate anything other than our usual beating.
time, but as a result we have been forced to live For a few years now, Christians have been com-
with the entire camel as roommate for over a plaining about the government in education. Now that
century now. The camel was somewhat bossy the idea of vouchers has been introduced, we can see
and took it upon himself to run things around who among us objected on principle, and who objected
the tent for us, and thankfully many people are purely because the quality of the stolen goods they
now fed up. So they currently want the camel were receiving wasn’t the greatest. Do we object
out . . . or so they have said. because we don’t think the camel belongs in the tent?
Consequently many private schools have Or do we object because we don’t like the way he’s
sprung up around the country. Many of the running things? One hundred years ago, when he first
older schools are thriving, and thousands of parents are arrived, the camel was running things, and running
homeschooling, all in various attempts at camel them comparatively well. The children under his
evasion. The private education movement has suc- tutelage received a good education, and yet there were
ceeded in forcing the camel’s nose back out the tent insightful Christians who objected on principle. The
flap. His backside remains, to be sure, but at least he’s government had usurped the authority of the parents,
pointed the right way. and it didn’t matter what kind of job it was doing if it
So the struggle for the control of education still was not the government’s job to do.
rages, but we have come to a turning point. Or, Those in the Christian camp in favor of
a little more pessimistically, we may consider vouchers can raise some practical Machiavel-
this a turning point if Christians around the lian points. Under vouchers, it is true that the
nation will cease being cheerleaders for vouch- level of education would go up for a time.
ers. For those just joining the discussion on And it is also true that the entire government
education reform, a voucher is government school system as we know it would probably
money apportioned to the parents of school- go under. If every parent were given the
aged kids for their use in tuition costs at the option of a good private school over and
school of their choice. A recent court decision against the local high school, enrollment in
in Wisconsin permitted the use of such vouch- Government High would plummet. The
ers, even at private religious academies. Department of Education would be forced to reinvent
But a private school which accepts vouchers from itself. Hooray for our side. The Dark Side of the Force
the government has given in on a key principle and would fall and we would forever live in peace and
threatens to undo all they have accomplished. Compli- tranquility. For about two weeks. Our children might
ant schools would hand what they won in pitched be in a different building with a different program,
battle from the government right back to it. It’s true controlled by the government via a different mecha-
that some kids would be able to attend good schools nism, but the camel would still be stinking up the tent.
that they couldn’t have otherwise, but they would only The government school system is failing as it is.
be good schools for a very short while. Right now, the Vouchers could tip the entire current system over the
only place where the government does not call the brink into oblivion more quickly, but that’s where the
shots in education is in the private sector which has government schools are going anyway. Vouchers
maintained financial independence from the govern- hasten the demise of the current statism, but also
ment. A voucher system would destroy that indepen- hasten the advent of a new kind of educational statism.
dence. Why would anyone want to give that up now? Socialism is when the government owns the industry
For some reason, many Christians who have been in question. Fascism is when the industry is privately
critical of government education are now applauding owned, but controlled by the government. Although
the use of government vouchers. For example, World they do not understand it this way, proponents of
magazine recently published an editorial praising the vouchers want the socialist schools to fall . . . so that
hard-earned freedom that vouchers would bring back we may have fascist schools.
to the American public (June 27, 1998). But vouchers And Christians have not yet gotten to the point
bring no freedom; they merely extend the slavery in where they want liberty in education.
new forms, and those schools which would accept
them have not yet gotten free of a slavish mentality.

12 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

 Gender Warriors the bones. Christian men still fight, and many of them
fight courageously and well. But almost no Christian
Douglas Wilson men understand what fighting means.
Husbandry:
A nation defended by her women is a nation no
longer worth defending. When women are placed in
THE AMERICAN MILITARY IS CURRENTLY ACTING THE the front line of defense, every Christian man should
part of a weak sister. The pressure is on to bring walk away from the cause of that nation as being
women into combat roles. Our military is beneath contempt. Taking this a step further, a nation
going along, in its inimitable and craven way, as far gone as to think that women in combat is a viable
with this declared intention to feminize the way to go is a nation which is no longer defensible in
armed forces. The military hierarchy is crush- principle—even if there remains a misguided desire to
ing any principled objections that might arise defend it. Men who understand their duties in this
within the ranks. And of course, as the current regard, or men who are willing to recover an under-
drill requires, the Church stands mutely by, standing of their duties, should recognize that the
wondering what on earth this might all mean. result of all our evangelical dithering about is that the
Probably a sign of the end times. Indications of nation which we call the United States has already been
our cultural dissolution are legion these days, lost.
but this one ranks in the top five. This means that men should begin to think
Not surprisingly, the problem can be traced through their responsibilities regarding the next round.
back to the condition of the Christian family. This statement is not made in a column on the civil
Men do not understand that when they take a wife, magistrate, but rather as an exhortation to husbands. A
they are to determine their subsequent duties from a man must protect his family, and in the coming years a
careful scrutiny of the Word of God. They are not to thinking man will be looking for a good hill to defend.
take their orders from the spirit of the secular age. How might that be done? Families should begin
Neither are they to catch the latest feel-good wave of congregating in communities where these duties are
revival excitement which is filling up our nation’s understood, and the men of those communities have
stadiums with barrel-chested panty- every intention of fulfilling those duties.
waists. About the only thing missing Christian men who are in the military
from the evangelical masculine should get out at the first lawful opportu-
renewal movement today would be nity and move to a community where
the breast implants. they may defend their families instead of
Understanding our enemy, and their current unwilling defense of the
then fighting him, never occurs to us. feminist agenda—which agenda appears at
Our culture can perpetrate the most present to be a desire to turn the US Navy
monstrous outrages against nature, into an offshore brothel.
and we evangelicals scurry around the When God brings judgment upon a
edges of the orgy, trying to give culture, that judgment is sometimes
somebody a tract. “Too busy right catastrophic. We sometimes debate among
now? Okay! Maybe later!” Brighten ourselves whether the coming judgment
the corner where you are. will be in that category or will be a divine
But this is not the source of the tap on the wrist. It does not occur to us to
problem. Even these things are look at what has already happened.
symptomatic. The broad failure of masculinity within Neither does it occur to us to consider biblically the
our culture is a failure within the home, and in particu- magnitude of what we have done.
lar, within each home. The prohibition to women in Deuteronomy 22:5 is
Masculine duties are manifold, but surely one of one which blindsides us. We knew abortion and
the central duties of a husband is to protect his wife homosexuality were abominations. But here we are
from harm. “Remember the Lord, great and awesome, told, no woman shall put on “the gear of a warrior ”—
and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, keli gabar. But why not? “The woman shall not wear
your wives, and your houses” (Neh. 4:14). When that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man
necessary, he does this in concert with other men who put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomi-
are defending their families as well. This is the divine nation unto the Lord thy God” (Dt. 22:5).
order established by God, and only impudence disputes We are far gone in our commitment to these follies.
it.† A commericial for the Armed Forces can come on the
This does not mean that the guys should fight television, and there we see a sweet little feminine face
when they are drafted by the collectivist state to lower peering out at us from the depths of her helmet, like a
the price of oil a few pennies per gallon. Rather, it lonely pea in a soup bowl. And still we sit quietly,
means that husbands should accept as part of their solemn as a judge.
central masculine identity the role of lord protector.
Not only must this role be accepted, it must be felt in

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 Midwifery another one of those issues that we must “bear with one
another ” in and not squabble about.
Nancy Wilson Whenever someone gets a bee in her bonnet and starts
Femina:
promoting her “method,” beware. At worst, this can cause
real division. At best, it can cause hurt feelings. These sorts
He will . . . gently lead those who are with young. of decisions are family decisions, and not the business of
Isaiah 40:11 the church . . . or church ladies. We must resist any
A S I SIT AT MY DESK TO WRITE, MY SWEET NEW grand- movement, be it in the midwife or hospital direction, that
son sleeps very contentedly a few feet away. God promotes itself as “more spiritual” or the “truly Christian”
sent him into the world just a few weeks ago, and way.
yet it seems we’ve known and loved him much Scripture does not forbid women to go to male
longer. doctors. Though the Bible does command Christian
A Christian brother and physician delivered women to dress and behave modestly, it does not address
Knox on May 25. A few days later, when Knox’s the case of being examined by a physician. The woman in
little heart was racing, he delivered him again; this Luke 8 with the issue of blood had spent much money on
time with the assistance of another Christian incompetent doctors; however, she is not condemned for
brother—my own brother—who is a pediatric cardiologist. going to male physicans for a menstrual problem. While
Now, thanks to the kindness and mercy of God through male doctors are not forbidden, some Christian women
the care and expertise of these men, little Knox rests would prefer a competent Christian woman. And that
quietly, and his heart problem has been diagnosed and is means advanced education for our daughters, which
being treated. should be encouraged.
As I watched my daughter ’s son being born, I mar- Ideally, a Christian woman should go to a Christian
veled at the wonder of birth and simultaneously marveled physician, whether the doctor is male or female. Women
at the mercy of God shown us through technology. My should be concerned about whether the physician is
husband always said he wanted our babies born with as respectable and behaves in a considerate, appropriate
many machines with blinking lights around as possible. But manner. Going to a doctor who does abortions should be
(thanks be to God), we never needed those machines with out of the question.
the blinking lights. But our grandson did. Neither does Scripture forbid women from using
Today a growing number of Christians have become midwives. But women must be just as selective when
fed up with modern medicine. Many in this number choosing a midwife as a doctor. Just the name
are physicians themselves, looking for alternatives “midwife” is not enough any more than a M.D.
to the bureaucracy and expense, and sick of the after a name is enough when selecting a physician.
God-hating philosophy so pervasive in the system. Is she a Christian? How many babies has she
And Christian women, who have so much at stake delivered? What is her reputation? How close are
in the whole area of childbirth, develop strong you to the blinking lights if something does go
opinions about care during pregnancy, how children radically wrong? Is she hostile or friendly to
should be born, and how they should be fed and medical backup? What is her training?
cared for. Many women can thank the Lord that their
Among many Christians, midwifery has babies are born very simply and with no complica-
become an alternative, and for many good reasons. tions. I have one friend who delivered her eighth
Twenty-five years ago, husbands weren’t allowed in and last child by herself! It seems women like this
the delivery room, drugs were routinely given for are ideally suited for homebirths. But we all know
pain, babies were separated from their mothers, women or their babies who needed exceptional
breastfeeding was not encouraged, and c-sections were too care either during birth or shortly after. The point is, one
common. And on top of all that, the bills grew to be size does not fit all. We all have different circumstances and
monstrous. So, many women opted out of the system, our own preferences. Like I said above, our household was
both Christians and non-Christians, and they can’t be committed to the hospital approach. Others feel very
blamed, especially since many Christians today want large strongly about homebirths.
families. We need to honor God in all our decisions, but the
But what is my point? Just like so many things in the decisions we make as families should be honored by all in
Christian life that have to do with family decisions, we the Christian community, even if we disagree with them.
must all get along. Those who use midwives must not This is simply graciousness. We should pray that God will
judge those who do not and vice versa. Those who prefer raise up godly men and women to be physicians in our
the blinking lights must not talk as though women who communities. And we should pray that God will raise up
use midwives are necessarily being irresponsible. If they godly midwives who can work alongside them, not in
truly are being irresponsible (taking huge risks that they competition with them. Our children and our children’s
know about), then the sister concerned should be spoken children are given to us as a blessing from God. And, thank
to, not about. And those women who use midwives must God, He gently leads those with young.
not run down their sisters for going the hospital route—as
though this were some kind of “compromise.” This is

14 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

 Bound in Relationship and other times the two work together in tandem to
produce a bad problem.
Douglas Wilson This problem is often what lies behind certain
Childer:
forms of compulsive behavior in children. Compulsive
behavior can be understood as submission to an arbi-
CHILDREN ARE BORN INTO A COVENANTAL RELATION- trary and sometimes irrational standard—detached
ship with their parents. Of course this relation- from the requirements of the parents who love the
ship is supposed to grow and mature over time, child, and detached from the Word of a personal God.
but whether it does or not, the fact of the Love is not only the fulfillment of the law, love is the
relationship is established at the beginning. ballast of the law. Without love (i.e. without relation-
When growth and maturity are missing, ship in covenant), any herculean achievements amount
the reason can always be attributed to sin. to nothing.
Whenever sin gets tangled up in any covenant The thing accomplished might be impressive
relation, its effect is always destructive. considered in itself, but Paul dismisses it as worthless
Clearly, when such sins as bitterness, resent- anyway. We often miss the point of his teaching on
ment, rebellion, and so forth are the sins this. “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the
involved, the destruction in the relationship is obvious. poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have
At the end of the process, parents and children find not charity, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Cor. 13:3). We
themselves unable to speak to one another, and every- tend to read this as saying that great accomplishments
one sees the problem. are worthless in the presence of
But another kind of sin is less obvious malice, spite, resentment,
in its destructive effects. This sin can hatred, etc. But this is not what
destroy relationships where everything he says. He says that these great
appears to be well-ordered, and everyone deeds are worthless when done
believes that all is fine. in the absence of charity. The
A very common error (and one man who feeds the poor here
therefore hard to see) detaches authority may have nothing against them,
from persons, and consequently comes up but his effort is still worthless
with a disembodied set of rules. This was because it was conducted in an
the error of the Pharisees who studied the abstracted realm of rules,
Scriptures because they thought that in regulations, duties, and obliga-
those Scriptures (detached from the One tions. This is a constant tempta-
who gave them) they would find eternal tion for “good” children.
life. Jesus rebuked the folly and said that When parents discipline in
the Scriptures bore witness to Him (John the personal way that they ought to, the obedience
5:39–40). This same error was embraced by all the they receive is cheerful because it proceeds from
unbelievers in the Old Testament who, for some personal loyalty. When parents allow the discipline to
reason, could not see Christ in the Law (Rom. 10:3–4). become something abstract and detached from cov-
Now the same thing happens on a smaller scale in enant, which is to say, detached from a relationship of
the home. When one of the parents says to do some- love, obedience becomes something hung from an
thing, this frequently does not carry as much weight as invisible skyhook. A man may grow up in a strict home
when a List of Rules have been promulgated, written and live that way himself, yet not have any loyalty to
up, and posted on the fridge. A certain kind of mind his father. Because things were strict, there was confor-
likes abstracted law. This is because when the law comes mity but no loyalty. But true obedience proceeds from
from “nowhere,” the person following it can be very personal loyalty.
scrupulous and tidy-minded about everything he does Therefore the rules in a Christian home should be
and yet, at the same time, not really be obeying anyone basic and should always be related directly to the
but himself. This is a veneered obedience—“with the relationships which God placed at the center of the
look of real wood”! home. This entire line of thought was suggested to me
Certain personalities like things in straight little by my son, who had observed it in a family of our
rows. When such a personality is born into a home, this acquaintance. All the rules of the household plainly
can certainly make life pleasant later on, at least in and obviously reduced to one—which was, obey your
some respects. The parent who does not have to father. The children involved found a great deal of
constantly get after a child to make his bed, or pick up delight in doing so.
his shoes, has one less daily task to hassle with. But this Just as a believer cannot look at the law without
behavior on the part of the child is not necessarily seeing Christ, so a child should not be able to look at a
obedience; it may sometimes be as willful and stubborn requirement of the household without seeing his
as outright defiance or rebellion. father. The law and the man should blur together. And
Sometimes children impose this process on the this is love.
workings of the home, sometimes the parents teach it,

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 15

 The Success of Redemption they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the
greatest of them.”
Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) There shall then be a wonderful unraveling of the
The Puritan Eye:
difficulties in the doctrines or religion, and clearing up of
seeming inconsistencies: “So crooked things shall be made
I WOULD SPEAK OF THE PROSPEROUS STATE OF THE straight, and rough places shall be made plain, and dark-
church through the greater part of this period. ness shall become light before God’s people.” Difficulties in
And in the general, I would observe two things, Scripture shall then be cleared up, and wonderful things
1. That this is most properly the time of the shall be discovered in the word of God, which were never
kingdom of heaven upon earth. Though the king- discovered before. . . .
dom of heaven was in a degree set up soon after (2) It shall be a time of great holiness. Now vital religion
Christ’s resurrection, and in a further degree in shall every where prevail and reign. Religion shall not be an
the time of Constantine; and though the Chris- empty profession, as it now mostly is, but holiness of
tian church in all ages of it is called the kingdom of heart and life shall abundantly prevail. Those times shall
heaven; yet this is the principal time of the be an exception from what Christ says of the ordinary
kingdom of heaven upon earth, the time princi- state of the church, viz. that there shall be but few saved; for
pally intended by the prophecies of Daniel now holiness shall become general: Isa. lx. 21. “Thy people
whence the Jews took the name of the kingdom of also shall be all righteous.” Not that there will be none
heaven. remaining in a Christless condition; but that visible
2. Now is the principal fulfillment of all the wickedness shall be suppressed every where, and true
prophecies of the Old Testament which speak of holiness shall become general, though not universal. It shall
the glorious times of the gospel in the latter days. be a wonderful time, not only for the multitude of godly
Though there has been a glorious fulfillment of men, but for eminency of grace: Isa. lxv. 20. “There shall be
those prophecies already, in the times of the no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that
apostles, and of Constantine; yet the expressions hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred
are too high to suit any other time entirely, but that which years old, but the sinner being an hundred years old, shall
is to succeed the fall of Antichrist. This is be accursed.” Zech. xii. 8. “He that is
most properly the glorious day of the gospel. feeble among them at that day shall
Other times are only forerunners and be as David; and the house of David
preparatory to this: those were the seed- shall be as God, as the angel of the
time, but this is the harvest. But more Lord before them.” And holiness shall
particularly, then be as it were inscribed on every
(1) It will be a time of great light and thing, on all men’s common business
knowledge. The present, are days of darkness, and employments, and the common
in comparison of those days.—The light of utensils of life: all shall be dedicated to
that glorious time should be so great, that it God, and applied to holy purposes:
is represented as though there should then every thing shall then be done to the
be no night, but only day; no evening nor glory of God: Isa. xxiii. 18. “And her
darkness. So Zech. xiv.6, 7. “And it shall come merchandise and her hire shall be
to pass in that day, that the light shall not be holiness to the Lord.” (And so Zech.
clear, nor dark. But it shall be one day, which xiv. 20, 21.)—And as God’s people then
shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor shall be eminent in holiness of heart,
night; but it shall come to pass, that at so they shall be also in holiness of life
evening-time it shall be light.”—It is further and practice.
represented, as though God would then give such light to (3) It shall be a time wherein religion shall in every
his church, that it should so much exceed the glory of the respect be uppermost in the world. It shall be had in great
light of the sun and moon, that they should be ashamed: esteem and honour. The saints have hitherto for the most
Isa. xxiv.23. “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the part been kept under, and wicked men have governed. But
sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount now they will be uppermost. The kingdom shall be given
Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.” into the hands of the saints of the “most high God,” Dan.
There is a kind of veil now cast over the greater part of vii. 27. And “they shall reign on earth,” Rev. v. 10. They
the world, which keeps them in darkness; but then this shall live and “reign with Christ a thousand years,” Rev. xx.
veil shall be destroyed: Isa. xxv.7. “And he will destroy in 4. In that day, such persons as are eminent for true piety
this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and religion, shall be chiefly promoted to places of trust
and the veil that is spread over all nations.” Then all and authority. Vital religion shall then take possession of
countries and nations, even those which are now most king’s palaces and thrones; and those who are in highest
ignorant, shall be full of light and knowledge. Great advancement shall be holy men. . . .
knowledge shall prevail every where. . . . Knowledge then (4) Those will be times of great peace and love. There
shall be very universal among all sorts of persons; Jer. xxxi. shall then be universal peace and a good understanding
34. “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, among the nations of the world, instead of confusion,
and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for

16 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

wars, and bloodshed. Isa. ii. 4. “And he shall judge among ity. Such a spiritual state as we have just described, has a
the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall natural tendency to health and long life; and that this will
beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into actually be the case, is evident by Zech. viii. 4. “Thus saith
pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against the Lord of hosts, There shall yet old men and old women
nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” It is dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his
represented as if all instruments of war should be de- staff in his hand for very age.” It has also a natural ten-
stroyed, having become useless: Psal. xlvi. 9. “He maketh dency to procure ease, quietness, pleasantness, and
wars to cease unto the end of the earth: he breaketh the cheerfulness of mind, also wealth, and a great increase of
bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder, he burneth the children; as is intimated in Zech. viii. 5. “And the streets of
chariot in the fire.” (See also Zech. ix. 10.) Then shall all the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets
nations dwell quietly and safely, without fear of any thereof.”—But further, the temporal prosperity of the
enemy. Isa. xxxii. 18. “And my people shall dwell in a people of God will also be promoted by a remarkable
peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet blessing from heaven: Isa. lxv. 21. “They shall build houses,
resting-places.” (Also Zech. viii. 10, 11.) and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat
Then shall malice, and envy, and wrath, and revenge, the fruit of them.” And in Mic. iv. 4. “But they shall sit
be suppressed every where: and peace and love shall every man under his vine, and under his fig-tree, and none
prevail between one man and another; which is most shall make them afraid.” Zech. vii. 12. “For the seed shall be
elegantly set forth in Isa. xi. 6–10. Then shall there be prosperous, the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground
peace and love between rulers and ruled. Rulers shall love shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew,
their people, and with all their might seek their best and I will cause the remnant of
good; and the people shall love their rulers, shall this people to possess all these
joyfully submit to them, and give them that honour things.” (See also Jer. xxxi. 12, 13.
which is their due. So shall there be happy love and Amos ix. 13.) Yea then they
between ministers and their people: Mal. iv. 6. “And he shall receive all manner of tokens
shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and of God’s presence, acceptance,
the heart of the children to their fathers.” Then shall and favour: Jer. xxxiii. 9. “And it
flourish in an eminent manner those Christian virtues shall be to me a name of joy, a
of meekness, forgiveness, long-suffering, gentleness, praise and an honour before all
goodness, and brotherly-kindness, those excellent the nations of the earth, which
fruits of the Spirit. Men, in their temper and disposi- shall hear all the good that I do
tion, shall then be like the Lamb of God, the lovely Jesus. unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the
The body shall be conformed to the head. goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.”
Then shall all the world be united in one amiable Even the days of Solomon were but an image of those
society. All nations, in all parts of the world, on every side days, as to the temporal prosperity which shall be ob-
of the globe, shall then be knit together in sweet harmony. tained in them.
All parts of God’s church shall assist and promote the (8) It will also be a time of great rejoicing: Isa. xxxv. 10.
spiritual good of one another. A communication shall then “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to
be upheld between all parts of the world to that end; and Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads:
the art of navigation, which is now applied so much to they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing
favour men’s covetousness and pride, and is used so much shall flee away.” Chap. lv. 12. “For ye shall go out with joy,
by wicked debauched men, shall then be consecrated to and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills
God, and applied to holy uses. . . . shall break forth before you.” Chap. lxvi. 11. “That ye may
(5) It will be a time of excellent order in the church of suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations:
Christ. The true government and discipline of the church that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abun-
will then be settled and put into practice. All the world dance of her glory.” Chap. xii. 3.
shall then be as one church, one orderly, regular, beautiful The Scriptures every where represent this prosperity
society. And as the body shall be one, so the members to be of long continuance. The former intervals of rest and
shall be in beautiful proportion to each other. Then shall prosperity, as we before observed, are represented to be
that be verified in Psal. cxxii. 3. “Jerusalem is builded as a but short; but the representations of this state are quite
city that is compact together.” different: Rev. xx. 4. “And I saw the souls of them that
(6) The church of God shall then be beautiful and were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, —and they lived
glorious on these accounts; yea, it will appear in the and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Isa. lx. 15.
perfection of beauty: Isa. lx. 1. “Arise, shine, for thy light is “Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no
come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” Isa. lxi. man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal
10. “He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as excellency, a joy of many generations.”—This may suffice as
a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a to the prosperous state of the church through the greater
bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” On these ac- part of the period from the destruction of Satan’s visible
counts, the church will then be the greatest image of kingdom in the world to Christ’s appearing in the clouds
heaven itself. of heaven to judgment.
(7) That will be a time of the greatest temporal prosper-

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 17

 Exegetica: Looking Unto Jesus selves from the heavy weights of our former way of
life, but thankfully “the things which are impossible
Hebrews 12:1–2 with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:22-28). God
grants to us the faith to follow Him, and by the riches
Jim Nance of His grace He rewards us when the race is through.
Peter left all to follow Christ; he shall “receive many
WE MUST GO THROUGH MANY HARDSHIPS TO ENTER times more in this present time and in the age to come
the Kingdom of God. This was true of the everlasting life” (Luke 18:30). Abraham left his father ’s
readers of this epistle, who were apparently house to dwell in tents, “for he waited for the city
about to endure chastening from God in the which has foundations, whose builder and maker is
form of “hostility from sinners.” It was also God” (Heb. 11:10). Moses forsook Egypt and its plea-
most certainly true of the great men of faith sures, “for he looked to the reward” (Heb. 11:26).
whom the author presented in chapter 11, men Those sins that so easily encompass and ensnare us
who were tortured and mocked, scourged and are to be laid aside, if we have taken them up, or they
imprisoned, stoned and sawn, tempted and are to be avoided if they are in our path. Even the
slain. Despite such hardships, these men have strongest runner is slowed by a great burden and is
obtained a good testimony through faith. We severely checked in a jungle of dense vines or a forest of
are now told what they testify to. thickets. Lay aside your sinful unbelief; flee from
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so immorality. John Owen writes, “Whereas the nature of
great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, this sin is to work by unbelief in departing from the
and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run living God, or the relinquishment of the gospel and the
with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. profession of it, we ought to be continually on our
12:1). God has set before each of us a watch against all its actings and arguings,
course which we must run. For each whereby it clogs and hinders us in our
the race is different: some must run constant course of obedience.Ӡ Be on your
during the burning heat of persecu- guard against the thorns and briers of sin,
tion, others in the cool hours of “whose end is to be burned” (Heb. 6:8).
relative peace. But we all must run it, As we run the race, we must be “looking
and we will all experience trials and unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our
temptations along the way which faith, who for the joy that was set before
hamper and discourage us. And so the Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
author now reminds us that faithful and has sat down at the right hand of the
men and women have already run the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). The athlete runs
race and have run it well, whose lives best who sets his sight on the finish line,
attest to the worth and effect of faith. rather than being distracted by the course
We are hindered, yet they remind us which is around him. We must set our sight
that by faith we can endure. We on Jesus, who is both the goal and our
stumble and fall even as they did, yet supreme example. Unlike those witnesses
they testify to us that by faith we can rise up and keep who ran the race and “did not receive the promise”
running. And not just a few, but a “great cloud of (Heb. 11:39), Jesus has finished. He ran the race,
witnesses,” a dense multitude, many named and a enduring the cross; the joy that was set before Him is
thousand others unnamed, testify to the triumph set before us as well. Christ sat down at the right hand
ahead for those who endure. All the defeats and of God, where we will sit when our race is done: “To
victories that we experience have been experienced by him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My
them, the victories being sanctified by faith to the throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My
gaining of eternal worth, the defeats being trans- Father on His throne” (Rev. 3:21).
formed by the coming resurrection. At that time the We have great confidence of this reward, not
Master of the race will give to each the reward due to because we rely on ourselves, but because we rely on
each, that we may say with Paul, “I have finished the Christ, “the author and finisher of our faith.” All the
race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for days ordained for us were written in His book before
me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). He who has
righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day” (2 Tim. written our faith in His book before we were born will
4:7-8; cf. Rev. 22:12). surely keep us and finish the work which He has
Those weights that slow us down, though they be begun. We did not author our faith; He is the Author.
not sinful in themselves, are to be laid aside—those Woe to us if it be our responsibility to create the faith
cares, riches, and pleasures of life which we too often that is the instrument of our justification. We do not
hold close, to our harm. The young ruler could not finish our faith; He is the Finisher. He alone is faithful,
leave his treasures behind, and he went away sorrow- who will keep us to the end.
ful, too burdened to follow the Lord. Indeed, by our
own strength none of us had the power to free our-

18 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

 Watch in the Handkerchief ling quietly to myself. After a few minutes of this,
Samuel and Jocko said, “What?” together.
Douglas Wilson
Similitudes:
I had an old watch in my pocket which I had
disassembled in preparation for just such an occasion. I
hauled it out, showed them the pieces, and then
“SAY, SAMUEL,” I SAID. “I HAVE A QUESTION.” wrapped the pieces up in a clean handkerchief. “Let
Samuel nodded, sagely. “Yes?” these pieces of a watch take up their residence in this
“Evolution requires an increase in com- handkerchief, which represents a closed system.”
plexity over time, does it not?” “Okay,” they said.
“Well, yes. That’s the point, actually.” “Now we are all agreed that in this closed system,
“Well, okay then,” I said. “Doesn’t that the pieces will not assemble themselves into a watch,
conflict with the second law of—” but will rather deteriorate over time—entropy increas-
Samuel interrupted. “—thermodynamics. I ing.”
know, I know. You creationists haul that “Maybe you are listening,” Samuel said.
chestnut out in every discussion I have ever “Now if I understood you correctly, you are main-
been in. And it doesn’t matter how many times taining that if we open the system and the pieces start
we answer it—you must have an emotional receiving energy input from the outside, the assem-
attachment to this so-called entropy argu- bling of a watch becomes possible and does not contra-
ment.” dict anything we know of entropy.”
Jocko looked back and forth between us, Samuel was looking a little more wary, but nodded
puzzled. “Entropy argument?” again. “Okay.”
Samuel waved a hand wearily at me, resigned to “All right. Let’s try that.” I turned to Jocko. “Do you
hearing it one more time. So I have a hammer?”
obliged. Jocko shook his head. “No.”
“The laws of entropy mean Fred’s Word Study “Well, this is a simple allegory.
that, over time, randomness and We should be able to come up with
disorder increase in a given “To the brethren who are of the a hammer somewhere.” So I
situation. The theory of evolution Gentiles . . . kairein.” So begins a rummaged around and had one
requires the reverse of this—over letter from the Jerusalem Coun- soon enough. I then walked over to
time, randomness and disorder cil in Acts 15. Kairein and its rela- the storm drain by the side of the
decrease as an organism becomes tives have several meanings—in- road and found a level stretch of
more complex. Thus what science cluding greetings (as above), hail, concrete. The other two followed
knows about entropy and what health, rejoice, be glad, be joyful. me. I laid the handkerchief and its
they think they know about Choose your own meaning for contents out on the concrete, stood
evolution are in conflict.” the following: “If anyone comes up, hefted the hammer in my hand,
“Whoa,” Jocko said. “That’s a to you and does not bring this and grinned. Then I said, “Well, let’s
good one.” He looked over at teaching do not . . . say to him, see about some energy input here.”
Samuel, who had a patronizing kairein; for the one saying to him I bent over, and hit the various
smirk. “Well, maybe it’s a good one. kairein shares in his evil work.” watch pieces ten or fifteen times
What do you say to that, Samuel?” Or how about Judas, in with industry and dispatch. I stood
Samuel took a long, deep, o-ye- Gethsemane, betraying Jesus up after a minute of this, and
of-little-faith breath, and then with a kiss and “Kaire, Rabbi!” I’ll looked down at the developing
spoke. conclude as did Paul in 2 shambles.
“It is quite true that entropy Corinthians 13, “Finally, breth- “Hmmm,” I said, “It seems to
increases over time in closed ren, kairete.” be going in the wrong direction.
systems. But with open systems, Looks less like a watch.”
with energy input from the “Hit it again,” said Jocko.
outside, all bets are off. Creation- Samuel muttered sullenly,
ists don’t know the difference between an open system “You don’t understand. You creationists will never
and a closed system, and until they learn such funda- understand.”
mental distinctions, they cannot be surprised that no “You are right about one thing,” I said. “I don’t
one in the scientific community takes the slightest understand how energy input will do anything other
interest in them or in what they have to say.” than increase the rate of entropy. I mean to say, look at
“Ouch. That’s hard,” said Jocko. “But clearly fair. my watch.”
Open and closed systems seems to be a crucial Jocko and Samuel both looked at the watch again.
disinction that we in the Church who are open to Jocko looked up at Samuel inquiringly.
scientific wisdom must learn to make.” He looked at
me, apparently wondering if I had learned the distinc-
tion.
We walked down the road further, with me chuck-

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 19

 Stauron: The Cross of the your strength out of Zion, rule in the midst of your
enemies!” (Psalm 110:1-2). This kingdom, in one
Reigning King respect, is a spiritual kingdom, which only those born
of the Spirit may enter (John 3:3-5). It is the kingdom
Jim Nance of God, the kingdom of heaven—spiritual and present,
not earthly and future. “Now when asked by the
Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He
God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both
answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not
Lord and Christ.
come with observation; nor will they say, “See here!” or
Acts 2:36
“See there!” For indeed, the kingdom of God is within
you’” (Luke 17:21). Its citizens are those whom God
JESUS OF NAZARETH WAS CRUCIFIED KING OF THE
has delivered from the power of darkness and translated
Jews, as the sign on the cross proclaimed. Some
into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col. 1:13), a
who read the message put their trust in Him—
kingdom of “righteousness and peace and joy in the
“Lord, remember me when You come into your
Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). This kingdom starts small
kingdom”—while others scoffed at Him
and grows, like a mustard seed growing into a tree, like
because of it—“If You are the King of the Jews,
a small amount of yeast working through the dough
save Yourself.” But it was to become King that He was
(Matt. 13:31-33), for not all of His enemies are put
born, as the angel declared: “The Lord God will give
under Him at once; not all His citizens enter together.
Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign
This kingdom will grow until it encompasses the
over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom
world, for God sent His Son into the world “that the
there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33, cf. John 18:37).
world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). As
Jesus, son of David, came to take His place on His
Isaiah prophesied, “Of the increase of His government
Father ’s throne.
and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of
Now, we recognize that as the Second Person of the
David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it
Trinity He has always reigned and always will reign as
with judgement and justice, from that time forward,
King of all (Isaiah 6:5; Psalm 47), and especially as King
even forever. The zeal of the Lord of
of His people Israel (Psalm 149:2; Isaiah 44:6).
hosts will perform this” (Isa. 9:7).
That kingship being exhaustive and eternal
The kingship of Christ is eternal, for
(Psalm 103:19), what is the significance of His
His church is His body and will always
gaining the throne of David? If, as God the
need its Head. Yet there is one respect in
Son, Jesus was, is, and always will be King of
which His kingdom will be given up, as
all creation, what is the purpose of His messi-
Paul writes: “Then comes the end, when
anic kingdom?
He delivers the kingdom to God the
To answer that question, however briefly,
Father, when He puts an end to all rule
we must consider God’s original purpose for
and all authority and power. For He
man. God created man to rule over the world,
must reign till He has put all enemies
to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:28).
under His feet. The last enemy that will
“What is man?” David asked of God. “You have
be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:24-25).
made him to have dominion over the works of Your
Jesus, at His resurrection, was given all authority in
hands; You have put all things under his feet” (Psalm
heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). He was given this
8:4,6). God purposed to give the kingship of the world
authority that as the Messiah He might have sovereign
to man under Him, a purpose which could not be
control of all things, in order that nothing could hinder
thwarted in spite of man’s sin and rebellion. In His
the growth of His spiritual kingdom throughout the
grace God covenanted with man, to bring him out of
earth. Knowing that He rules the universe for the good
sin and give to him the nations. God worked this
of His church, we can with confidence obey His
promise through the Jews, first through Abraham
command to extend His kingdom: “Go therefore and
(Gen. 22:18, cf. Gal. 3:8; Rom. 4:13), later through
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
David (2 Sam. 7:13; Psalm 89:35-36). A son of David,
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
son of Abraham, was to have the eternal throne. Thus
Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have
the King of the world came as King of the Jews. The
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to
Jews were His chosen people, chosen to be the
the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20). Christ’s return is
proclaimers of the kingdom and the means by which
the end of His reign over the universe, since His duties
He brought His King to the nations. Jesus reigns, not
in extending and defending His spiritual kingdom will
only as the eternal God, but as a Man. A son of
then be accomplished. His enemies will have been put
Abraham, one of us, is now King of all, seated on His
under His feet, and when that last enemy is destroyed
throne at the right hand of God.
by the resurrection of the dead, “then the Son Himself
God the Father promised this to His Son: “The LORD
will also be subject to Him who put all things under
said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make your
Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28).
enemies your footstool.’ The Lord shall send the rod of

20 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

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Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 21
 Isaiah’s Ruins Adam, our federal representative, who brought death
into the world which spread a culture of death to all
Patch Blakey mankind (Rom. 5:12). But Jesus Christ, the second
Repairing the Ruins:
Adam, came to save the world and recreate the culture
of life that the first Adam had forsaken (Rom. 5:18).
LUKE RECORDS THAT JESUS, ON A PARTICULAR Sab- Christ conquered sin and the powers of darkness on the
bath, went to the synagogue and stood up to cross (1 Jn. 3:5, Col. 2:15), an historical event. We have
read. The book of the prophet Isaiah was the assurance of new life, abundant life, eternal life,
handed to the Lord, and opening it, He read because of His resurrection, another historical event.
from the place where it was written, “The But I must stress again that the events of Christ’s
Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he has crucifixion, burial, and resurrection are not just
anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; isolated historical incidents. Christ entered the stream
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to of history dominated by sin and death, and radically
preach deliverance to the captives, and recover- diverted that stream so that it is now dominated by life
ing of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them and the restoration of all things (Jn. 10:10, Acts 3:21).
that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year In reading the particular passage from Isaiah that He
of the Lord” (Lk. 12:18-19). After He finished did, He was announcing the New Covenant, an ever-
reading, He sat down, and as the eyes of all lasting covenant (Is. 61:8-10), of which He was person-
were fixed upon Him, He said, “This day is this ally the fulfillment. From the context in Luke, it was
Scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Lk. 4:21). clear that the Jews understood His intent that the
Because God is sovereign, that is, He works passage referred to Himself. The day of vengeance (Is.
all things according to the counsel of His own 61:2) was God’s wrath against the Jews for rejecting
will (Eph. 1:11), there is nothing in history, in their promised King, and Christ himself condemned
time, or on earth that transpires just by those to whom He had just read (Lk. 12:23-37).
chance. All events, both great and small, for But Christ’s rejection by the Jews did not thwart
good or for evil, occur according to God’s good the sovereign will of God to bring about a nation of
pleasure which He purposed in Himself (Amos priests who would rebuild the sin-ravaged ruins of the
3:6, Eph. 1:9). In other words, history is not a world. In fact, even the treacherous act of wicked men
collection of random, unrelated events, but the very in crucifying the sinless Christ was according to God’s
outworking of God who does all things according to “determined counsel and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23).
the good pleasure of His will (Eph. 1:5). History, all of As a result, Christ, in suffering humbly and obediently,
it, is inseparably and inextricably integrated. History was exalted to the right hand of God the Father and
might be likened to a great river that is continually given a name above all names (Phil. 2:8-9). Christ now
flowing. What is upstream of where we are is the reigns with all authority from heaven over heaven and
future, and what is downstream of us is the past. earth (Matt. 28:18), including the course of history
History, like a river, is one steady flow. We may look at that He redirected by His dying to save the world. By
individual historical events, but we cannot correctly His omnipotent power, He is not helplessly allowing
evaluate them apart from the whole. history to continue unimpeded in its same hell-bent
When Christ chose to read the words written direction that it had since Adam’s fall. The power of
centuries earlier by the prophet Isaiah, it was not just a the gospel means a new world initiated by the New
matter of coincidence or a “neat passage” that the Lord Covenant in Christ’s blood (Lk. 22:20, Mk. 14:22).
had read in His “quiet time.” Christ Himself an- History has been radically altered by Jesus Christ,
nounced that that very passage had been fulfilled that and that for the better. This is not to ignorantly deny
very day in their hearing. It was history in the making! the great problems that surround us in our present
What is the significance of the passage that the world, but to recognize that the world is far better
Lord Jesus read? In announcing the acceptable year of today than it was 2000 years ago because of the gospel
the Lord, the passage also announced “the day of of Christ. And it will be far better 2000 years from now
vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to as the Church continues to conquer the world through
appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give beauty for the preaching of the gospel of salvation. The river of
ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of history is flowing in a direction that will glorify the
praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Is. 61:2b-3a). sovereign God before the Lord’s return, not as a result of
And why was all of this to happen? So that God’s His return, even as Isaiah prophesied, “For as the earth
people might be called “trees of righteousness, the brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the
planting of the Lord that He might be glorified” (Is. things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord
61:3b). And what was to be the outworking of this God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth
historical transformation? Those who were affected by before all the nations” (Is. 61:11). Christ came to repair
it would “build the old ruins, they shall raise up the the ruins, not preside over their further destruction!
former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined This truth has profound ramifications for Christian
cities, the desolations of many generations” (Is. 61:4). education.
And why were there ruins? Because of the sin of
Poetics: Tragic Pleasure: understand the causes of tragic pleasure and judge the
artistic achievements of various types of literature.
Aristotle on Film—Pt. 1 Plot refers to the combination of incidents in the
story. Aristotle thinks this to be the most important
Michael Collender feature of the tragedy. Characters clearly are those
whose actions and decisions move the plot. Thought
ARISTOTLE’S POETICS GIVES THE FIRST SYSTEMATIC refers to two things: first, to the content of the dia-
critique of dramatic art and literature. More logue, but also what is communicated by the several
than understanding the divisions of the art, parts of a tragedy as a whole.
Aristotle wants to understand what makes a These first three parts of a tragedy are primarily the
great story work. He presents a critique useful labor of the writer. Responsibility for the remaining
to the author and spectator. His comments three fall to those involved with the physical produc-
apply directly to film. tion of the dramatic art.
If American evangelicalism were surveyed Diction, the fourth part on Aristotle’s list, describes
about what makes a great movie, most would the actor ’s delivery of his lines. Spectacle encompasses
say, “When the hero is worth emulating, or when the all physical, visual manifestations of the drama—the
movie teaches me something good.” But according to faces of the actors, the sets, costumes, lighting, special
Aristotle, the purpose of poetics is pleasure. effects, and any thing else you can see. Even some
Heroes and aphoristic story morals have a place. sound effects may fit in this category. Finally, Melody
But literature without literary value is like a man points to the music used to underscore and highten
without a pulse. Christians may say that in a film the mood in the production.
“teaching” is most important to them, but look at their Now when we take Aristotle’s list and hold it up to
movie watching habits. Most Christian college stu- film, we see that film is merely a different type of
dents cannot quote lines from the latest Billy Graham Spectacle, a greater form of Spectacle. Following all of
film, but many can do large sections of The Princess Aristotle’s canons, film Spectacle beats tragedy Spec-
Bride. As a work of dramatic literature, The Princess tacle because of its shear complexity and versatility.
Bride is better than most “Christian” movies, even Consider Shakespeare’s Henry V on a stage compared to
though Wesley did not exactly follow the courtship Branagh’s achievement. Just the battle scene alone
model in winning Buttercup. should make the point. With film Spectacle, the
In Defense of Poesie, Philip Sydney states that the potential for a greater effect waits for the right hands.
purpose of literature is to please and to instruct, but its If there is still doubt in the reader ’s mind, just imagine
first goal is to please, as a sermon must first instruct. if Aristotle, fresh from the best Greek production of
Christians know that film will always teach, but film Oedipus Rex, was then transported to the 20th Century
teaches as it reflects the delights of the filmmaker and to see 12 Monkeys.
his insight into the delights of his audience. The Speaking of comparisons, how would Aristotle
pleasures of the author communicate his worldview. compare film with other literary arts? At the end of The
The pleasure of the play or tragedy is entirely Poetics he gives his reason for thinking that tragedy is
unlike a back rub or a box of chocolates. One may better than epic poetry. Chief among his reasons: epic
dislike the setting and characters in the story, yet poetry has Plot, Characters, Thought, and Diction, but
desperately want to know what happens next. no Spectacle or Melody. And film clearly beats the play
Aristotle’s view of “tragic pleasure” refers more to for Spectacle and in most cases Melody. The tragedy or
that cathartic thrill you got at the end of Braveheart. play can produce great tragic pleasure in a shorter time.
No giddy laughter or bumptious applause from audi- In fact, one can make many tragedies using different
ences at the end of that movie. Instead, a tragic story portions of the same epic story, thereby increasing
had played to its end, and the cathartic thrill of tragedy tragic pleasure.
punctuated freedom, bravery, and the command of We also must conclude that the epic poem is a
one’s convictions. greater art form than the novel. Compare The Odyssey,
Aristotelian tragic pleasure can be simplified but Dante’s Divine Comedy, and Beowulf to Austin’s Pride
also expanded. Think of it as story grip. One can be and Prejudice, which some have lauded as the greatest
afraid for a character and love every minute of the ride. novel ever. The epic poem is a greater achievement
The pleasure is that horror and fear that builds with because of its greater complexity, order, and richness in
anticipation in a Hitchcock film. The same genus of achieving the same goal of tragic pleasure, if we follow
pleasure is built and released for humor. In comedy it Aristotle’s canon.
can develop as two enemies war but release as they So it follows: epic poetry is greater than the novel,
walk away friends like Benedick and Beatrice in Much and tragedy is greater than epic poetry. Film is a higher
Ado About Nothing. art form than the tragedy, so it logically follows that, as
Aristotle categorizes the six basic parts of any an art form, the film is greater than the novel. Or at
tragedy as: Plot, Characters, Thought, Diction, Spec- least Aristotle would tell us so.
tacle and Melody. He says that there are no more than
these six. In considering these six elements we begin to

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 23

 Non Est: Wittgenstein’s Meaning simplistic theory of meaning, such as that of John
Locke, but his entire discussion lacks the subtlety of
Douglas Jones medieval insights.
Wittgenstein’s more famous constructive contribu-
tions are his arguments for the view that “the meaning
M EANING IS NOT IN THE HEAD. THAT SUMMARIZES of a word is its use in the language” (PI, 43). In place of
much of the thrust of the later Ludwig meaning as the referent or as a mental something,
Wittgenstein’s influential philosophy of Wittgenstein argues that our actual practice shows that
linguistic meaning. How did he get to that meaning is most closely associated with use, with
rather odd conclusion in the face of over two custom—“to be a master of a technique” (PI, 199). The
millennia of opinion to the contrary? meaning of “cream pie” is not the sticky object in the
After medieval Christian philosophy world or the less sticky image in one’s head, but the set
finally wrestled loose the Hellenistic grip on of customs agreed upon by a language culture.
knowledge, non-Christian philosophy had Wittgenstein has certainly made some helpful
little place to go for centuries except to lunge observations about use and custom, but as it stands this
into the egocentric predicament, that inescap- connection to use is quite incomplete. It creates more
able prison of mind. By the early twentieth problems that it solves. For example, getting us out of
century, philosophy had become sick of this subjectiv- our heads into the world of public verification was
ism of ideas and attempted an advance into objectiv- supposed to free us from the problems that occurred in
ism. Enter Wittgenstein and friends. relation to mind. Above we saw Wittgenstein complain
The early Wittgenstein had pictured the world as a that mental images aren’t sufficient because they need
collection of discrete individuals that clicked together further interpretation, but the same objection can be
neatly like a plastic puzzle. But the later Wittgenstein levelled against meaning as use. Like an image, no use
had become more relativistic, having traded his vision or custom in and of itself carries its own meaning.
of a puzzle world for a shapeless, jello world molded Customs may even need more interpretation than
differently by different cultures. His many arguments images. If the reply is that customs can be verified via
for these conclusions are subtle, creative, and often public language games, then a reply is that (pace one
ingenious. He will be remembered beyond his century, take of his Private Language Argument) the same can
though hopefully as a foil, not as model for Christian verify ideas and concepts, in ways we do quite com-
philosophy. monly every day.
Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations opens by Further problems lurk with use. Imagine if some-
criticizing Augustine’s theory of linguistic meaning as one just learning English asked, “What is the meaning
being too simplistic, being, it appeared, too much like of ‘cream pie’?” And we replied, “Well, it’s the mastery
Wittgenstein’s own earlier view. (Augustine actually of the following social conventions” and gave him a
has a far more sophisticated theory than Wittgenstein short performance. It would seem that we hadn’t really
ever interacts with.) He sees this “primitive” view as answered his question. “Cream pie” doesn’t mean a set
holding that “Every word has a meaning. This meaning of rules. It’s as if the questioner asked for the meaning
is correlated with the word. It is the object for which of “stop” and we just hand him a red octagon.
the word stands” (PI, 1). But, he claims, our philosophi- Wittgenstein seems to be answering a different
cal confusions stem largely from believing this mean- question entirely, confusing meaning with an indicator
ing to be some mental object separate from the word of meaning. He is involved with a basic category
(“Here the word, there the meaning” PI, 120). Instead, mistake. And it’s the sort of mistake that makes him
he urges us “not to think of understanding as a ‘mental start attributing mental features to language symbols
process’ at all. . . . Understanding is not a mental themselves. He (and many in the twentieth century)
process” (PI, 154.). speak as if words—mere physical symbols—can do all
To get to this surprising conclusion, he aims to sorts of magical things all by themselves like pointing,
show that images and internal experiences are neither referring, meaning, even creating entire worlds. But
necessary nor sufficient for understanding the mean- inert symbols can’t do any of that. Though minds can.
ing of a word. For example, images aren’t necessary Minds can refer and mean all day long.
since a great many images may accompany the under- Wittgenstein was right in fighting the egocentric
standing of a word on different occasions for different predicament, but he only plunged us in further. The
people. And some words have no associated images at history of philosophy shifted from Greek Forms to
all (“the”). On the other side, images, he says, are not minds to language as the grounds of objectivity. But
sufficient since an image itself cannot tell us the none of these will do. As the later medievals recog-
correct use of a word; it is uninterpreted or “semanti- nized, divine providence and a very strong doctrine of
cally inert” all by itself. For all their intrigue, these creation provide the best ground for a theory of linguis-
sorts of arguments betray a modern naivete at many tic meaning. The world isn’t jello. God has cut it into
points. For example, most of his arguments assume kinds and conserves it independently of our minds and
that everything mental is an image, which is quite languages. And He has given us lively minds that can
false. Wittgenstein may score points against a more know and talk about Him and His creation.

24 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

 Eschatology and the Gospel earth” (Gen. 9:11). God’s promise of redemption is
amplified yet further in His covenant with Abraham,
Patch Blakey “And I will establish My covenant between Me and
Doctrine 101:
you, and your seed after you in their generations for an
everlasting covenant, to be a God unto you, and your
ALTHOUGH VARIED IN MANY ASPECTS, EACH OF THE seed after you” (Gen. 17:7). Even the Law, given
three major millennial views (other than the through Moses, had a redemptive purpose in showing
postmillennial) is alike, in that they see the man his sinfulness and his need for a Savior. The Law,
world growing morally corrupt with the represented in the Ten Commandments, is also an
eventual triumph of sin over all cultures, until expression of God’s covenant of redemption, “‘Write
at last Christ returns to conquer evil and save these words: for after the tenor of these words I have
the world. Those who subscribe to one of the made a covenant with you and with Israel’ . . . . And he
first three views find themselves in a contra- wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the
dictory situation, obligated on the one hand to Ten Commandments” (Ex. 34:27-28). And again with
proclaim the saving grace of God through David, speaking of the Christ, the Lord promised, “He
preaching the gospel, yet simultaneously shall build a house for my name, and I will establish
firmly convinced that, despite the best efforts the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam 7:13).
of the Church, the world will still sink in However, someone might protest that Jeremiah
moral decrepitude because of the triumph of spoke of a new covenant. “Behold, the days are coming,
evil in history. says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant. . . . I
But what has eschatology, the study of the will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in
end-times, to do with the gospel? Plenty! The their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my
gospel is the “good news,” or “tidings of good things!” people” (Jer. 31:31,33). Granted. And Who is the
(Rom. 10:15). Christ Himself came to save the world, Mediator of the New Covenant? Christ (Heb. 9:15;
not to judge it (Jn. 12:47, 4:42, 16:33, 3:16). 12:24), Who fulfills the old covenant! (Matt. 5:17).
Did Jesus accomplish His stated purpose? On the “But,” someone may further object, “ the covenants
cross Jesus said, “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30). Was He of promise weren’t for the Church, they were for
simply confessing that His opportunity to save the Israel!” If that is the case, then we are all dead in our
world had passed, and He finally came to the tragic trespasses and sins, and the Bible is grossly errant, since
realization that He had failed in His God-ordained the Apostle Paul boldly asserted, “For the Son of God,
mission? Was He dejectedly acknowledging that the Jesus Christ, who was preached among you [Gentiles]
powers of darkness had thwarted Him and sin would by us...was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all
still prevail in the world because He had not conquered the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen,
it? Was sin to rule in the world until the end when He unto the glory of God by us” (2 Cor. 1:19,20). Paul also
would get His second chance to try and crush it? Does stated, “Now to Abraham and to his Seed were the
all this sound like “tidings of good things”? promises made . . . ‘and to your Seed,’ who is Christ, . . .
Now, I know of no one who professes Christ who And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed,
would willingly agree with any of the above paragraph. and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:16,29).
To the contrary, Christians would vehemently and So what has the gospel to do with eschatology? Is
rightly assert that when Christ said, “It is finished!” He the gospel that we preach one of hope or despair? Is the
was victoriously proclaiming that He had successfully gospel “the power of God unto salvation to everyone
accomplished His purpose. They would zealously who believes” (Rom. 1:16)? Is Christ indeed seated at
acknowledge that Christ conquered sin and the powers the right hand of God the Father (Heb. 8:1), having
of darkness (Jn. 1:29, Col. 1:13) so that sin shall no received all authority in heaven and earth, command-
longer have dominion over us (Rom. 6:14), and so that ing that His people, the Church, go and make disciples
the darkness is now passing away (1 Jn. 2:8). of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20)? Has Christ been
The gospel is the message of the long-promised and commanded to be seated until all His enemies are made
earnestly awaited hope of God’s redemption of His a footstool for His feet (Heb. 1:13)? Is God a man that
people. This promise began to be revealed immediately He should lie or the son of man that He should change
after the fall of mankind in Adam when God told the His mind (Num. 23:19) thus making His promises of
serpent, “And I will put enmity between you and the no effect?
woman, and between your seed and her Seed [Christ]; Therefore, in preaching the gospel of hope and of a
He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His victorious Christ, do we simultaneously find ourselves
heel” (Gen. 3:15). This was the initiation of God’s guilty of contradicting that gospel with an eschatology
covenant of redemption. of pessimism? Are we deprecating the efficacious,
God’s redemptive purpose is manifested further in atoning work of Christ on the cross by teaching that
His covenant with Noah to preserve mankind: “And I Christ only managed to save just a few as the world
will establish My covenant with you; neither shall all speeds on its downward spiral toward the victory of sin
flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; over history? How does your eschatology stack up with
neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the the saving gospel of Christ?

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 25

 Triumph or Tribulation? though God created a world of spirit and matter, the anti-
triumphalists insist on restraining the victory to the spiritual
Douglas Jones and Lee Irons
Disputatio:
side of things, almost as if matter and cultural celebration were
a little inferior and dangerous?
LI: Cultural activity is not inherently dangerous, for it is
HOW DOES SCRIPTURE CHARACTERIZE THE DEVELOPMENT part of God’s good creation (1 Tim. 4:4). However, “cultural
of life and culture after the Ascension? What social success” is an oxymoron. For our only success is not found
characteristics dominate? Triumph or tribulation or here in this passing world, but in the glory of the age to come,
something else? Though postmillennialism and which is eternal (1 Cor. 7:31; 2 Cor. 4:18). This age and its
amillennialism agree on much, they part ways over culture is corruptible; the age to come is incorruptible (1 Cor.
this question. In short, postmillennialism maintains 15:50ff). This age provides a temporary, earthly city; but we
that the New Covenant era is a radically new world, seek an unshakable, heavenly kingdom (Heb. 12:27-28;
the progressive, peaceful sanctification of individu- 13:14). Our treasure is not on earth, where moth corrupts, but
als and cultures over millennia, leading to the Second reserved in heaven for us (Matt. 6:19ff; 1 Pet. 1:4). Why do
Coming. Amillennialism denies this view as danger- you insist on defining “success” in terms of a corruptible
ous, and instead sees tribulation and suffering as treasure? Isn’t the hope of heaven good enough?
characterizing the period prior to the end and looks DJ: I must say that your particular division between
forward to the glorious perfections of heaven. “earthly” and “heavenly” certainly gives me the shivers. Doesn’t
In the following interchange, the managing edi- it have the scent of a gnostic divide of matter and spirit, as if
tor of Credenda/Agenda, Douglas Jones (postmillennialist), Christ can redeem spiritual things but can’t have an effect on
and Lee Irons (amillennialist) discuss these issues. Lee Irons corruptible, “fleshy” things? But the wonderful news is that
is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (B.A. God poured out His Spirit “on all flesh”( Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17) so
Greek) and Westminster Theological Seminary, California that we have been born again “not of corruptible seed but
(M.Div.). He is currently serving as the pastor of Redeemer incorruptible” in this age (1 Pet. 1:23) because God Himself took
Orthodox Presbyterian Chapel in the San Fernando Valley on a corruptible treasure, “flesh” (John 1:14). So why delight in
(California). Some of his essays critical of postmillennialism corruptible treasure? Because God does. He is redeeming His
can be found on his web page at http://members.aol. com/ creation and “will be exalted in the earth” (Ps. 46:10), not just
ironslee/ some Platonic heaven.
LI: The distinction between earthly and heavenly is not
DJ: Triumphalism has tragically become a dirty word. But mine but Scripture’s (Jn. 3:12, 31; 1 Cor. 15:44-49; Col. 3:1-
the confidence that Christ will ultimately win the world (not 2). However, this is not a Platonic division between matter
just a skulking minority) has been a prominent hope through- and spirit but an eschatological contrast between “this age”
out much of Church history. After all, triumph stands at the and “the age to come” (Matt. 12:32; Mark 10:30; Eph. 1:21).
heart of the Gospel; Christ vanquished His enemies, “triumph- Both matter and spirit are part of the creation, both old and
ing over them” (Col. 2:15). But some have argued that such a new. But the culture of this age will pass away in the age to
hope of worldwide Gospel success is downright dangerous in come: food (1 Cor. 6:13); marriage (Luke 20:34-36); material
that it undermines faith and confuses our priorities. But if holy possessions (1 Tim. 6:7, 19), etc. Enjoyment of culture is not
triumph always tends to undermine genuine faith, then every inherently sinful. Only, “those who use the world should be
material blessing swaddles a curse within it, and even more, as though they did not make full use of it, for the form of this
heaven too will have to contain plenty of suffering to dampen world is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:31).
the party planned there. DJ: No one denies that heaven and earth differ, but that
LI: Doug, I couldn’t agree more with your statement that alone doesn’t imply that this age decays inevitably. Your
the triumph of Christ stands at the heart of the Gospel. That’s citations force different contexts into one mold. Some speak of
precisely why I am not a postmillennialist. For if Christ’s the destruction of the Old Covenant system (Heb. 12:25ff),
triumph is defined according to postmillennial criteria, then others of persecution (1 Cor. 7), and others of the ethical
we must conclude that, so far at least, Christ has been degeneracy of worldliness (Matt. 6:19, cf. Jn. 17:13ff.; 1 Jn. 2:17).
miserably defeated. I can’t imagine a position more calcu- The error is to make one of these contexts—say, suffering—the
lated to destroy hope. But as an amillennialist I can truly sing, dominant characteristic of this age. But the victory of Christ
“Rejoice, the Lord is King,” even when I have no tangible also promises the restoration of “all things” (Matt. 17:11),
proof but His Word. My faith in Christ’s triumph is not “times of refreshing” (Acts 3:19), and “the times of restitution”
shaken just because the medieval ideal of a Christian society (Acts 3:21; cf. Isaiah 65:17ff) so that the Father might gather “all
is dead, never to rise again. things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on
DJ: Your criticism here involves a misconception. I’ve earth” (Eph. 1:10, cf. 1:21).
never heard any postmillennialist argue that visible success is LI: Are you saying that 1 Cor. 7:31 applies only during
the basis of our hope. We’ve always appealed to God’s prom- times of persecution? Anyway, the Bible clearly teaches that
ises, regardless of the century. A long line of amillennial critics, tribulation is the dominant characteristic of this age for
however, has repeatedly pointed to two world wars and the believers (Matt. 16:24; Jn. 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom. 8:18). To
nuclear threat as a reason to reject postmillennialism. Now teach otherwise is to miss the two-stage pattern of Christ’s
that’s walking by sight. There certainly appears to be a fear of life: sufferings first, then glory (Luke 24:26; Phil. 2:5-11). As
success lurking in the background of such views. Why is it that those united to Christ, we cannot expect anything different

26 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

(Jn. 15:20; 1 Pet. 2:21). We all agree that there will be times was present back then (Heb. 12:22), being a kingdom they were
of refreshing. But when? At the coming of Christ (Acts 3:19- “receiving” (Heb. 12:28). Thus we pray, “Thy kingdom come.
21; cp. 2 Thess. 1:7). We are to wait patiently for that day, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” Is tribulation, then,
setting our hope fully on the grace to be brought to us at His also the “dominant characteristic” of heaven?
blessed appearing (1 Pet. 1:13; Phil. 3:20; Tit. 2:13). LI: What’s so great about your Golden Age if it involves
DJ: But some of the texts you cite won’t allow Christ’s “struggle, earthly neighbors, and the threat of hell?” Your
earthly glory to be postponed (Acts 3:24; Rom. 8:22). The New anemic Golden Age will come to an end. Ours endures
Covenant marked the end of the old world and the beginning forever! Your decrepit Golden Age groans with death and non-
of the New. The prophets foretold a glorious restoration glorified bodies. Ours is delivered from the bondage of
starting in the “latter days” (Is. 2:2; Micah 4:1; Hos. 3:5; Joel corruption, death having been swallowed up in victory! Your
2:28; Dan. 2). And the apostles taught that their lifetime was gloomy Golden Age has struggling sinners threatened with
that “upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:11; hell. Hope you enjoy it, because that’s as good as it gets. My
7:31; cf. 1 Pet. 4:7; Heb. 1:2; 9:26; Acts 2:17; 1 John 2:18). Christ’s money is on Christ’s return and the resurrection of the body!
triumph initiated a New Heavens and Earth (2 Cor. 5:17; Heb. Having hijacked Rev. 21-22 in support of your really neat but
12:26ff.; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:5; Is. 65,66). Yet in the midst of this still imperfect earth, are there any texts left in your Bible to
celebration, amils and premils sit worrying about too much fun. take me to heaven?
Postmillennialists worry that you’re gutting the glory of the DJ: Help me if I’ve misunderstood, but it looks as if you’ve
New Covenant. abandoned exegetical arguments in favor of an appeal to
LI: Even assuming your wooden interpretation of “until personal taste, as if to say, “Scripture may teach postmillenni-
now” (Rom. 8:22), the text still doesn’t support your conten- alism, but I think it’s nasty.” You’ve again passed on addressing
tion, unless all groaning ceased in Paul’s day. The “latter some of my previous challenges—inconsistent literalism? res-
days” passages are of no help either, if you understand the toration symbolism? the Lord’s Prayer? And your “decrepit
already/not-yet dynamic of Biblical prophecy. Christ already Golden Age” objection itself confuses parts and wholes. Wheat
reigns from the throne of David, and yet the visible glory of fields (Matt. 13:24ff.) can have a minority of tares without the
Christ’s kingdom is still not yet. We are already raised with whole being “characterized by imperfection.” Christ’s kingdom
Christ, but the bodily resurrection is still future. Your proceeds by progressive sanctification, with Christ subduing all
reference to the New Heavens and Earth texts is easily refuted: His enemies throughout the millennia until the Second Com-
the NT clearly views Isaiah 65:17 as being fulfilled when ing, when only death still stands (1 Cor. 15:25,26). What’s so
Christ returns, not before (Rev. 21:1 and 2 Pet. 3:13). Your great about that? Christ says it’s a precious “treasure” (Matt.
reading of OT prophecy is dispensational in its literalism. 13:44).
DJ: Now this is a curious response. Earlier you interpreted LI: Postmillennialism is unbiblical because it teaches
your “corruption” verses with the strictest literalism (“this that this world is not passing away (against 2 Pet. 3:10-13; 1
world is passing away”), but now you want to exclude other Cor. 7:31) and that both the glory of Christ’s heavenly reign
readings for literalism. Which will it be? The passages I cited are in this present age (the already) and the glory of His return (the
gloriously figurative, but of what? You agreed that they symbol- not yet) are not enough (against Col. 3:1-4).
ize the New Covenant era, but then you ask us to believe that Postmillennialism’s impatient demand for something more
figurative language of earthly restoration, cultural blessing, and in between indicates a disturbing dissatisfaction both with
worldwide gospel triumph actually symbolize that “tribula- our Savior’s first coming and his second. Its need for this
tion is the dominant characteristic of this age.” That’s quite an world to improve in order for the church to be victorious both
elephant to swallow. And how can the New Heaven and Earth belittles her present heavenly-resurrection victory in Christ
“clearly” and only depict the perfection of heaven if it still and contradicts the apostolic command to “fix our hope
includes childbirth, death, and sin? (Is. 65:20ff.). fully” on the visible consummation of that victory when
LI: Your dispensational hermeneutic is evident in the Christ returns in power and great glory (1 Pet. 1:13).
fact that you prefer your literal interpretation of Isa. 65 over DJ: It appears that you’ve never moved beyond your
the authoritative interpretation of the apostles. You say that opening claims. I replied to your latest objections in my fourth
Is. 65:20ff teaches that the curse will still be present. John paragraph, but you didn’t engage my answers. Similarly, you
says that there will be no more curse in the New Heavens and have declined to give any answer to my charges that
Earth (Rev. 22:3). Which will it be—your interpretation or the amillennialism involves inconsistent literalism, context equivo-
apostles’? The irony of all this is that you worry that I am cations (“world”), and confused symbolism
“gutting the glory of the New Covenant” because I don’t share (restoration=tribulation). Amillennialists really need to ad-
your ardent thirst for a Golden Age characterized by imper- dress these sorts of questions in a credible way that avoids
fection, death, and sin. sliding into a veiled gnosticism. Any view that is forced to
DJ: I’d still love to hear how restoration language symbol- explain away “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” is
izes inherent corruption. Your claim about the apostles’ view highly suspect. Postmillennialism merely rejoices that the
just begs the question. Peter taught that “the end of all things Father is gathering “all things in Christ, both which are in
was at hand” (1 Pet. 4:7), and so the New Heaven and Earth was heaven, and which are on earth” (Eph. 1:10).
imminent (2 Pet. 3:10-14). Jude interpreted Peter this way too. Thanks so much Lee for taking part in this discussion.
Were they wrong? Like Isaiah, John’s vision contains more than Perhaps it will start others.
the final state, namely, the Incarnation, struggle, earthly neigh-
bors, and the threat of hell (Rev. 21: 3,7,8,24). The “holy city”

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 27

 Historia: Learning History—Pt. 1 ing through an important book—even if (or perhaps
especially if) that book should have been read back in
Chris Schlect high school. I don’t read efficiently when I read around
my children (so I also read at other times), but I still
value the effort. My three oldest children, ages five,
The local School Board in Spokane, Washing- three, and two, tell me they can’t wait to read the books
ton recently held a public hearing to consider that I read! If I want them to believe that history is
whether history should be included among the essential for everyone, then I need to show them so.
requirements for high school graduation. My son and I enjoy talking about baseball, bicycles, and
Many conservatives were gratified when, after Alexander ’s campaign into Asia. I am not too interested
some arguing, history was retained as a re- in “quality time” with my kids, but I am concerned
quirement. Others, like myself, were sickened about regular, usual time with them. History is an
(and amused, as I often am with the govern- important part of that time, because history is impor-
ment schools) that the question even arose. tant. Or rather, my kids are too important to me to
Indeed, through rolled eyes we mock those neglect my study of history.
who spurn history, but few of us are willing to Another benefit I’ve found from my study of
do anything about our own historical ignorance. history is the rich interaction it allows me to share
Many of you are like me: you slept through your with my wife. My wife reads literature, and studies the
paltry government education. Now you are grown, and historical contexts of authors and settings. She feeds
you feel robbed of your best years. Well, perhaps you me literary knowledge and the new history she learns.
were robbed of your best years. This fact offers no My own reading often provides me with something
reason why we shouldn’t start now. If you were robbed interesting to relate to her studies, and so the discus-
of your car, you would not consequently decide never sion might continue for a week or two. Husbands, do
to go anywhere again. Perhaps the alternative transpor- yourselves a favor: make sure your wife has time for a
tation isn’t as desirable as your car, but you would still good book. You might have to quit the bowling league,
go places. Likewise, you would be better off today if but it’s a small price to pay.
your best learning years hadn’t been stolen. Does this If you’re out of practice, where do you start? First,
mean that you should forego learning today? remember that starting is more important than starting
Perhaps you haven’t the time. At least you have somewhere. So start with what you’re most likely to stay
enough disposable minutes available to with. Choose what interests you. Perhaps you would
you to read this article. To learn like some perspective on Vietnam or Watergate. Does
history, you don’t need all the time church history interest you? Weapons and warfare?
that was available to you in your Technology? Popular Culture? Ancient Rome? The
school days. Your goal is improve- Titanic? Pick out a book and read it. Then pick out
ment—to start from where you are, another. Repeat the process.
not from where you think you should The second step is to start yourself on a program of
be. Be reasonable, and wade in from the shallows: shoring up your knowledge of the big picture. Pick out
attempt (perhaps) fifty pages this week. Set aside one a good college-level introductory text and begin
hour every other day until you reach fifty pages. Next reading. Start with the sections that interest you, then
month you’ll be up to a hundred pages per week. Going slowly move into the areas with which you’re unfamil-
slowly is much better than going nowhere, even if iar. Be careful: too many texts these days are either
your car has been stolen. shallow, intolerably postmodern, or just plain badly
If you wasted your first twenty years, you may written. Contrary to these, I am very pleased to recom-
think yourself to be a Lost Cause. Now you have mend two options: Western Civilization by Jackson
responsibilities that prohibit you from spending all Spielvogel (3rd edition, West Publishing), and The
your time in books. Perhaps you have a full-time job Western Heritage by Donald Kagan, Stephen Ozment,
and a family to provide for. Perhaps you are a young and Frank Turner (6th edition, Prentice Hall). These
homemaker, trying to dominate dirty diapers, meal titles come in pared-down, multi-volume versions
preparation, and laundry. You once had time, you say. (printed for one-semester courses). Buy the larger, more
But time, once lost, can never be regained; now you are expensive single-volume hardcover versions. They are
a Lost Cause. But Lost Causes must realize that brain complete, more durable, and the best value.
atrophy is a disease whose effects can be reversed. Is it too late for you to start? Recall Livy: “The
One reason I study history is for my children’s sake. study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind;
I want their education to be far better than mine was for in history you have a record of the infinite variety
(just as I want them to provide an education for their of human experience, plainly set out for all to see; and
children that is better than what I now provide for in that record you can find for yourself and your
mine). My children see my books on the shelf, and they country both examples and warnings; fine things to
see me pull them down. Sometimes I read in the living take as models, base things, rotten through and
room while they play at my feet. They constantly through, to avoid” (History of Rome I.i.10).
distract me, but it’s important that they see me labor-

28 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

 Shepherd of Hermas Most of these similitudes have to do with another rock
tower that is built by more hunky men and some
Ben Merkle virgins.
Patres:
Of course this is just a sketchy outline and there
remain many more nuggets of greatness in Hermas that
ALTHOUGH READING THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS CAN I have left unmined. These I leave for those readers
be often distressing (as it becomes very clear willing to trudge through The Shepherdthemselves.
how much more mature they were in their Another thing that should tip the reader off to the
understanding of Christianity than we are), it nature of this favorite of our early fathers is the fact
can also be rewarding to see the overwhelming that all of the prefaces and introductions to the story
progress the church has made over the last two begin by assuring the reader that the more times you
thousand years. For instance, in the latter half read it, the less repulsive it becomes. This reminds me
of the second century a writing called The of a promise I was once given regarding clams, a
Pastor of Hermas or The Shepherd had become promise that never held to be true.
fairly popular. This work was thought by Just who the author of The Shepherd is has never
many to be inspired and was read frequently in been settled for certain. Some have suggested that it
church services. The work was, however, never ac- was written by the Hermas referred to by Paul in the
cepted into the canon, for which we should praise Epistle to the Romans. This was attested to by many of
regularly the providence of God. the early fathers like Origen, Jerome, Eusebius, and
For those who have never had the misfortune of Irenaeus (who quotes it as Scripture). The other
reading The Pastor of Hermas, imagine Jim Morrison of prominent opinion, and the most popular one in
the Doors trying to write his own version of Revela- modern circles, is based on a fragment published by
tion, and you’ve got a good idea of the book. Muratori that describes Hermas as being the brother of
The plot goes something like this: In book one, Pius, Bishop of Rome, putting the writing of the story
named Visions, the hero of the story, Hermas, runs into around 160 A.D.
a beautiful woman bathing in the river Tiber and lends The Shepherd was written in Greek and, although it
her a hand to help her out. As he draws her out, he never caught on with the western Latin crowd, it was a
admires her beauty (only as a sister of course): “The best seller in the Greek east. Many have suggested that
sight of her beauty made me think with myself, ‘I in the early Greek church it played the same role that
should be a happy man if I could but get a wife as Pilgrim’s Progress would play much later in the church.
handsome and good as she is.’ This was the only Much of the story’s success can be attributed to the
thought that passed through me: this and nothing antagonism that The Shepherd directed towards the
more.” Later on he is walking along “magnifying the Montanists. The Shepherd helped to revive and encour-
creatures of God, and thinking how magnificent, and age a church that was being shaken by these charis-
beautiful, and powerful they are” (Herm. 1.1), when all matic heretics, and gave the beleaguered church a
of a sudden he falls asleep and is confronted by a vision footing to resist Montanist attacks. Tertullian, a
of the bathing woman who accuses him of thinking Montanist of sorts, condemned The Shepherd as adulter-
bad things about her. He starts to feel guilty, but the ous (Tert. 4.7:10).
watery tart disappears and is replaced by an old woman Although The Shepherd is stuffed with goofiness,
in a woolly chair who assures him that God wasn’t mad the writer has a healthy understanding of the Christian
about his treatment of the river girl, but the real life. Most of the story is an exhortation to believers to
problem was the state of Hermas’s family. The elderly conform their lives to God’s standard of morality. The
woman gives Hermas some advice and then is hoisted teaching on sin, prayer, confession, and such remains
off in her chair by four young men. Hermas ponders all very practical and, if you can get past the wackiness of
of these magnificent things, but nothing else happens it all, can be very convicting.
until the one-year reunion of their meeting when he is When considering the influence and significance
whisked off in the spirit again to meet the elderly that The Shepherd held for the eastern church, con-
woman in the woolly easy chair. She tells him again trasted with the utter repugnance it inspires in the
what a wreck his family is, and then they go watch the average modern reader, one thing becomes very clear:
hunky young men build a rock tower full of all sorts of we just don’t get it. The type of similitude that The
spiritual significance. Shepherd uses captivated the early audience, but only
Next begins book two, Commandments. Hermas repulses the modern reader. Our early church had a
goes home, but a man “of glorious aspect, dressed like a strange fondness for this sort of writing. It had a
shepherd,” comes in who is going to be Hermas’s beauty that was conveyed in a way no longer percep-
guardian from now on. He gives Hermas all sorts of tible to us. We shouldn’t be too harsh on the fathers for
commandments: believe in God, don’t sleep around or this. No doubt our culture enjoys idiosyncrasies that
marry women who do, don’t get mad very much. He will be scorned by our children in years to come.
continues in book three, Similitudes, where the shep- Besides, part of loving the fathers means appreciating
herd follows Hermas around for quite a while and their goofiness as well.
continually points out all sorts of similitudes to him.

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 29

 The Secret Life of Bill Clinton do a little media showboating, arrest the mad bombers
Ex Libris: by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in the parking lot, and be the heroes of the day. Mul-
Regnery-Gateway, 1997 tiple witnesses saw the bomb removal squad in down-
Reviewed by Douglas Wilson town OKC before the bombing.
When this sting operation went horribly, disas-
WE MUST BEGIN WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT THING trously awry, the bureaucracy did what bureaucracies
about this book, which is the credibility of the do best—stonewall and cover up. The received account
writer. Ambrose Evan-Pritchard writes for The of the bombing is nothing but a bunch of brightly
Sunday Telegraph, which is a highly respected colored deceptive threads woven into that Navajo
newspaper in Great Britain. This newspaper is throw rug we call an official explanation. The cynic’s
not a tabloid. Because he is a Brit, he doesn’t rule—never believe anything until it is officially
have that deep craving for mainstream respect- denied—has been validated yet again. This official
ability over here which is so characteristic of lying is not only demonstrable, it has been demon-
the blow-dried-haircuts-for-journalists that we strated repeatedly in this book.
have on this side of the water. He is one of the A great deal was made of the fact that the bombing
best investigative reporters alive today, and this occured on the anniversary of the Waco slaughter, the
is a book that will tell you more about our crowning achievement of Janet Reno’s tenure in office.
country’s political institutions than you wanted to Almost nothing has been made of the fact that the
know. bombing occured on the morning of Richard Snell’s
The book is divided into three sections. The first execution in the state of Arkansas. Snell was a neo-
section provides the first reasonable explanation of the fascist cult hero who died just a few hours after the
Oklahoma City bombing that I have seen anywhere. If bombing. The young Turks at Elohim City had worked
I may be allowed to speak plainly, the wild speculations themselves into a fury as Snell’s execution approached.
of some conspiratorialists have been, um . . . wild The action they took was predictable, and predicted by
speculations. Whenever anything remarkable happens, the federal informants. The prison deathwatch log
all the conspiratorial puppies and kittens come out to noted that Snell watched the early coverage of the
play. “Princess Diana was offed by the royal family,” bombing. The log noted: “News 4 special on the
and so forth. In the minds of some, nothing remarkable situation in Oklahoma. Inmate Snell watching news-
can happen without that becoming prima facie evi- cast, smiling and chuckling.”
dence of some kind of perfidiousness afoot. Not The feds were not responsible for the bombing
surprisingly, more than one right-wing loon took directly. We can thank the neo-Nazi cranks for that.
advantage of the bombing to accuse the feds of bomb- But Mr. Clinton’s ATF, his FBI, his Justice Department,
ing themselves. Alas, there are web sites out there his entire apparatus of law enforcement is heavily
maintained by men who type with their fists. involved in suppressing the truth about Oklahoma
At the same time, the official explantions of the City.
OKC bombing don’t pass the smell test either. These The second section of this book concerns the
explanations are just as unreasonable as those proffered murder of Vincent Foster. Here we also meet a pattern
by our conspiratorial brethren of excitable brain. Why of official lying and intimidation which is operating
were there no ATF agents in their building when the much closer to the White House—just down the road.
bomb went off? Why was the building bulldozed so Foster was not depressed, he did not own the gun in
darn quickly? Why did the feds prosecute their own question, his car was not where it was supposed to be,
informant Carol Howe after the bombing? Why was you can read the rest for yourself. In short, fewer
she acquitted? Why were no witnesses called in Timo- things are more obvious than the fact that Vincent
thy McVeigh’s trial who would place him in down- Foster did not commit suicide. But if Foster did not kill
town OKC at the time of the bombing? Why is there a Foster, then someone else did. And that means that the
grand jury in Oklahoma investigating the investiga- thorough “cleansing” of his office by White House
tion? staff right after his death becomes a lot more suspicious
Pritchard is an investigative reporter who investi- than it originally was, and it was bad to begin with.
gates, and who has published the results. This, in Throw in a forged suicide note, and the whole thing
general outline, is what happened at OKC. Eastern starts to stink.
Oklahoma contains an enclave of neo-Nazis called The last section of the book is a thorough expose of
Elohim City. Tim McVeigh had contact with Elohim Bill Clinton’s time in Arkansas, and the drug traffic
City, and shared with them a same general frame of that worked its way through that state. In short, this
mind. This enclave of kooks was penetrated by the book is full of names, dates, and places showing that
feds—at least two informers were situated there. One, our president has all the ethical restraint of Caligula,
the woman named Carol Howe, was on the payroll of and the system that surrounds him, whether conserva-
the ATF. The other, a German named Andreas tive or liberal, has been hopelessly corrupted. Any
Strassmeier, was well-connected with the U.S. intelli- conservative Christian who is still working hard trying
gence community. Because of these plants, the feds to salvage this dead republic needs to get this book and
knew a bombing attempt was coming. They decided to read the post mortem report.

30 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

The Truman Show raised with was the truly real. Someone changed the
Directed by Peter Weir movie. I suspect it was for economic reasons since the
Paramount, 1998 film would have made less money being preachy. But
Reviewed by Michael Collender someone with convictions may have decided they did
not want a 70 million-dollar sermon against God.
Two years ago my boss handed me this “great script” by Perhaps similarly, the X-Files movie featured Scully and
Andrew Niccol, telling me that Jim Carrey had been Mulder cussing profusely, but a Christian man respon-
signed for the lead. A few months later a Jim Carrey sible for the post-production sound decided to take it
fan friend of mine asked me if he could read it. He out. In the case of Truman Show, Christof still has
picked it up at 1 in the morning on a Saturday, hoping Godlike power in Truman’s life that he should not
it would nurse him to sleep, but he came to church have, but God is not reproached for His sovereignty. In
blurry-eyed. Now I had to read it. The Truman Show was fact at one point Christof speaks from the clouds with
a mystery: Its main character discovers his whole life a loud voice but he identifies himself as ‘the creator of
has been a TV show. The film in the theater was quite a TV show.’ Sylvia, now an advocate for freeing
different from what I had read. Truman from his televised prison, sits in front of her
The film opens announcing the mystery. As television seeing the conversation, and begs God that
Truman Burbank, age 30, goes to work a stage light Truman would make a certain choice. (I should not say
labeled “Syrus Major 9” falls in front of Truman’s car. more for fear of spoiling the movie.)
This is just one of the strange incidents that have The lack of hostility toward God allows for greater
suggested to Truman that his dramatic impact. In a
life is somehow out of kilter. universe without God, a
In his college years he met writer must come up with
Lorren Garland, who was some justification for
quickly dragged away after moral impetus, duty,
telling him that her name was justice, and the natural
actually Sylvia and that his well, from which spring
whole world was made for all the wonderful and
him. The man posing as her visceral infusions of life.
father tells him she’s going to In a world of random
Fiji. Even though married, he rioting atoms, a hero is
still has a crush on Sylvia. hard to find. Hollywood
Finally, on a drive to work, understands this to some
the radio skips channels and he degree. An early draft of
hears the production fre- The Hunt for Red October
quency broadcasting his features the political
location to the actors and officer putting down the
extras. He feels as though Bible with the use of
someone is trying to keep him vulgarity. The film of Red
cooped up. No matter what he October depicts a Captain
does he cannot escape his town Ramius whose wife was
of Seahaven, Florida. Finally he has an altercation with likely a Christian, making him a richer protagonist.
his prop wife who thinks he has gone mad and calls for General Hummel’s tragic flaw is his lack of discern-
someone to help as though someone could hear her in ment, and he dies saying, “What have I done?” The
their house. Truman Show, by not attacking God, demonizes
Christof, a man who guards his privacy, created this Christof by making him a hypocritical man who has
TV show. He controls the weather, the sun and moon, power no man should.
and the plot of Truman’s life. The clever concept and Some may object to Truman’s interest in a girl who
amazing ratings of the show have been able to justify is not his wife. But the ethic of his decisions within the
the expense of creating a huge dome, housing a set of contrived marriage does not ruin the film as a work of
the town of Seahaven in Burbank California. literature, in the same way that David’s decisions in 2
Before the film’s release I had planned to tear this Samuel do not ruin the literary value of that book.
film apart. The original screenplay had three TV Finally, I have one criticism of an otherwise great
executives: Christof, but also Moses and Roman. The movie. It should have developed the mystery like the
True-man was imprisoned in a pseudo-world by ‘of script. The script readers in Hollywood liked the script
Christ,’ ‘Moses,’ and ‘Roman.’ The script was a preachy because they got pulled into the discovery; for a few
slam on the theistic worldview. At the end Truman moments they were in Truman’s world trying to figure
realizes he is caged and escapes to see buildings higher out what was happening. But the film described by the
and a sun brighter than anything he has seen before. script could never be, since marketing it would be
The only thing keeping him from the real world was impossible. To sell the tickets, that secret had to be
his fears and the assumption that what he had been given away in the trailer.

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 31

 The Meander: Here and There and Mary, which is fine, and contributes regularly to
Christianity Today and Books & Culture, which is a
Douglas Wilson shame. But I suppose someone has to do it. She is also
in the final stages of editing an anthology for
homeschoolers published by Norton.
I am a grandfather now, and decided it was Oh, right, the book. The name of the novel is
time to begin muttering in my beard, chang- Though the Darkness Hide Thee, published by our friends
ing subjects abruptly, talking about the old at Multnomah. Thomas Clement, a young pastor,
days, and generally scattering about pointed accepts a call with a small country church in rural
but disjointed cultural observations. Virginia. His wife Amanda is from the town originally,
* and Thomas is in search of roots. The small town has
Harold O.J. Brown has written a clear- plenty of roots all right, but they are all twisted and
headed book entitled The Sensate Culture. bent. In short order a perplexing suicide and murder
Following the lead of Pitirim Sorokin, he reveal a true heritage of bitterness.
describes all human cultures as falling into one For a Christian to write a novel is difficult enough.
of three categories—ideational, idealistic, or Writing a novel in which the main characters are
sensate. The ideational recognizes the truth of explicitly Christian is even more difficult, at a higher
heaven as being the only truth. The idealistic order of magnitude. The ever present danger is that of
receives input from other sources, but still falling into a paroxysm of cliches, at the end of which
recognizes the supremacy of heaven. The seizure everybody gets converted. But Mrs. Bauer has a
sensate is materialistic, and recognizes no authority gift of anticipating literary cliches, and not only
above what we feel in our tingly little nerve endings. avoiding them, but also surprising the reader with how
As Brown ably points out, our culture is an overripe she does it.
example of the sensate, poised either to lurch into the *
abyss, or back to one of the other two options. Great Ann Douglas has written a book which shouldn’t
book, published by Word. be out of print, but it is. The Feminization of American
* Culture explains our history as few other books do. You
Speaking of great books, I also highly recommend can probably get hold of this book through using
Commodify Your Dissent, edited by Thomas Frank and bibliofind.com. I recommend reading it together with
someone else whose name escapes me. I loaned the Murray’s Revival and Revivalism, and Greg Singer ’s
book to someone and can’t check. The contributors are Theological Interpretation of American History. If you
a gaggle of leftists, who do a first-rate job dissecting the want to understand your nation, this book is a neces-
American commercial passion to shrink-wrap and ship sary part of your reading.
everything. These essays originally appeared in The *
Baffler, a magazine which is apparently unknown to One of the best rock albums I have ever heard is
everybody. When the essays address the corporate called Reconciled by The Call. This was brought to mind
packaging and marketing of “cool,” which is what they recently because I just reordered it on CD. Our family
mostly do, the book is wonderfully provocative. had worn the tape out and then somebody lost it. Upon
However, one essay by Frank, on how the twenty- reading this, one of my family will no doubt produce
somethings aren’t going to take it anymore, is marvel- the tape, but I wanted it digital anyway. Good rock and
ously bad, mostly because Frank shows in other places roll is like haiku. The form is so simple that when it is
that he knows better. There are also some places where done right, the impact is profound. When it is not done
that old leftist demon envy mugs it up a little, but he right, the result is the music of Neil Young.
can be readily ignored, and the rest of the book enjoyed. *
Frank has also written The Conquest of Cool, which is While we are on the subject of good music, may I also
also pretty good. commend St. Matthew ’s Passion by J.S. Bach? This
* oratorio is just simply one of the high points of West-
George Bryson is a very unusual non-Calvinist. He ern culture. Before we all forget what we have in
is able to describe the doctrinal position of Calvinism treasures like this, we among the ignorati need to call
without putting any extra eggs in the pudding. His for some books which provide good musical and
descriptions are fair and accurate, and he clearly knows textual commentary for such great works.
his subject. The first portion of the book, the place *
where he does all this, is very good. The second, where Since coming to the Reformed faith, I have had my
he turns to refutation, falls in another category. The mind changed on so many subjects, I am somewhat
name of this book is The Five Points of Calvinism: cautious about thinking it cannot happen again. But a
Weighed and Found Wanting. near universal Reformed practice still bothers me.
* Could one of our readers be kind enough to point me to
Turning to novels, I can heartily recommend a a written defense/explanation of the use of the honor-
recent one by Susan Wise Bauer. She teaches at William ific Rev.? Is there one anywhere?

32 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

 Answering Objections seen God at any time” (John 1:18). In fact, nobody
could survive a viewing of God, as God explained to
Chris Schlect
Whole Counsel:
Moses: “No man shall see Me, and live” (Ex. 33:20). But
Moses did see God—he even saw Him face to face (Ex.
33:11—note the close proximity to the contradicting
Unbelievers are just as dependent upon the verse 20!). Moses survived. Jacob saw God too, and so
Almighty as we are. They are able to walk, did Manoah. Though both thought they would die,
breathe, and argue against the Faith only they survived anyway (Gen. 32:30, Judges 13:22). How
because they live and move in God’s world. can it be true that nobody has seen God, when Jacob,
They use the faculties He gave them in all that Moses, and Manoah saw God? And how can it be true
they do. He has already rendered their so-called that nobody could see Him and survive, if these men
wisdom to be folly. The basic task of Christian saw Him and yet survived to tell about it?!
apologetics is not only to expose unbelieving 2. Is God tempted? The Bible equivocally represents
errors, but also to proclaim that God has God’s character. In one place the Bible says that God
already done so. cannot be tempted (James 1:13), and in another place it
We Christians too readily dismiss unbelief, says that Jesus was tempted (Hebrews 4:15). If Chris-
and so we miss out on a great means of edifica- tians would only take the Bible seriously, and believe
tion. When approached properly, unbelief what it says, if they would follow these points logi-
provides a great service to the faithful. It can cally, Christians should deny that Jesus is God. Instead,
startle us, and oftentimes it shakes us out of in their characteristic illogic, Christians affirm that
our lazy complacency and brings us back to Jesus is God.
what’s important. It can even help us hone our A sharp understanding of the Trinity and the
understanding of the faith. The fourth- nature of Christ removes both objections. Remember
century Arians illustrate the point well. The Arians that the Word—whom we call the Second Person of the
professed belief in only one God, and knew that this Trinity—is the Person through whom God speaks and
God was the “Father ” of the New Testament. They also reveals Himself. Scripture teaches that the
understood that Jesus was not the Father; Word is God’s clear and authoritative self-
thus, they concluded that Jesus was not disclosure. He actually became flesh and
God. Here they upheld their logic over dwelt among us (Jn. 1:14). While it is true
Scripture, for they had no answer to that no one has seen God the Father at any
Athanasius’ biblical case for the deity of time, God the Word—a different subsis-
Christ. Yet even while the Arians were tence, yet is of one and the same essence as
proven dead wrong on a great matter, their the Father—has disclosed Himself materi-
concerns were understandable. How could ally and visibly (and other ways besides)
monotheism be reconciled with an numerous times, as the Scriptures testify.
admitted distinction between Father and This distinction between Father and Word
Son? The answer came forward from the removes the first objection. We make a
three great Cappadocian fathers: Gregory related distinction in the person of Christ
of Nyssa, Gregory ’s brother Basil, and their fellow- that removes the second objection. Christ has two
laborer Gregory Nazianzen. These fathers articulated essences—a human and a divine. These essences subsist
the distinction between essence and subsistence in the in Christ without confusion, without change, without
Godhead—Christ and the Father are of one and the division, without separation as our fathers summarized
same essence, but the two are different and distinct at the Council of Chalcedon (a.d. 451). Christ was
subsistences (persons). This biblically-informed clarifi- tempted with respect to His human nature, but not
cation sealed the downfall of Arianism. Gregory with respect to His divine nature. (In the same way, He
Nazianzus was the second president of the Council of died in His humanity, but obviously not in His deity.)
Constantinople in 381, the council which secured The mechanism by which the one God is three
victory for the Nicene profession of Christ’s deity. persons is unknown to us; it is beyond our comprehen-
Most of the important logical objections levelled sion. Likewise, how one person can have two natures,
against the Trinity were advanced in the fourth cen- human and divine, is a profound mystery. But we do
tury, and they were answered by the Cappadocian know there is no contradiction here: God is both visible
fathers. But these old Arian objections rear their ugly and invisible not in the same respect, but in different
heads in odd places. Some of them I have recently seen respects; nor is His untemptability of the same nature
advanced by Michael Martin, the darling of today’s as His temptability. The Christian Faith is wrought
atheism. Their first-glance insights ought to arouse our with mystery, but it is clean of contradictions. Unbe-
attention, and they certainly deserve our contempla- lievers can bring us to reflect upon this, and come to
tion. But they’ve been answered before. Figuring out better appreciate the integrity of the Faith. This
the answers can help our understanding of the faith. I appreciation makes it even easier for us to expose their
offer two such objections below. contradictions.
1. Is God visible? The Bible says that “no one has

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 33

 Recent Releases
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This is an attempt to summarize the mainstream positions of the four millennial views, while recognizing that variations exist within each.

○
Postmillennialism Amillennialism Historic Premillennialism Dispensational Premillennialism

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○

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Hermeneutics Historical, grammatical. Context and Historical, grammatical. Context and Historical, grammatical. Context and Historical, grammatical. Strong

Eschaton:
○

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genre are important interpretive genre are important interpretive genre are important interpretive inclination toward literalism. Scripture
○

○
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considerations. Scripture interprets considerations. Scripture interprets considerations. Scripture interprets is divided into dispensations. Prophecy

○
○

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Scripture. Scripture. Scripture. is to be interpreted literally.1
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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

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Second Coming Christ’s Second Coming comes after Christ’s Second Coming comes after Christ comes before the millennium Christ comes before the millennium
○

○
the millennium (i.e., postmillennial) the millennium (i.e., “postmillennial”) (i.e., premillennial), but after the (i.e., premillennial). Christ comes and
○

○
and initiates general resurrection, the and initiates general resurrection, the tribulation. raptures the Church, followed by 7-
○

○
○

○
judgment of all men, and the eternal judgment of all men, and the eternal year tribulation, then He comes again
○

○
state for believers and unbelievers. state for believers and unbelievers. to establish an earthly kingdom.
○

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○

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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Kingdom, God’s kingdom is a present earthly God’s kingdom is a present reality that God’s kingdom is a present reality that An earthly kingdom will be established
○

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○

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Timing of reality that began at the first advent. began at the first advent. began at the first advent.1 during the future millennium. The
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kingdom is in no sense present today.2
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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

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Kingdom, The kingdom is spiritual in nature, The kingdom is spiritual in nature. The kingdom has come, but not with The Second Coming will establish the

Jack Van Deventer

Comparison of the Four Millennial Views
○

○
Nature of encompassing heaven and earth. It will The kingdom is growing in that the transforming power. Neither good nor kingdom suddenly and cataclysmically.
○

○
grow gradually as more and more turn gospel will reach every tribe, tongue, evil will prevail. Christ does not reign as king now. The
○

○
to Christ and are saved. God’s and nation.1 However, relatively few future earthly kingdom will be
○

○
○

○
kingdom will fill the whole earth. will be saved. primarily Jewish.
○

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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

○
Kingdom, Christ reigns now from heaven. His Christ’s reign is not an earthly reign, Christ reigns now in heaven, but His Christ will reign in a future millen-
○

○
Christ’s Reign in kingdom is on earth. He will continue but a heavenly one. Christ reigns in present reign is invisible to the world. nium in bodily form on the earth after
○

○
to rule until “He has put all enemies heaven over the souls of believers who Only Christians see it by faith. The the Second Coming. He will rule from
○

○
○

○
under His feet” (1 Cor. 15:25). have died.2 public manifestation of Christ’s glory a physical throne in Jerusalem. The
○

○
will not take place on earth until the kingdom has a political dimension to
○

○
millennium. 2 it.
○

○
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Millennium, We are in the millennium now. The We are in the millennium now, but The millennium is future. Christ will The millennium is future. Righteous-
○

○
the millennium will never become a rule with absolute control. It will be a ness will prevail. The O.T. Jewish
○

○
Description millennium will slowly, progressively
○

○
become a “golden age.” Some older “golden age.” The millennium is the time of righteous rule.3 economy will be restored. Temple
○

○
advocates believed that the millen- church age. After the millennium will worship, priestly order, and animal
○

○
nium proper would begin at a future be the Second Coming followed by sacrifices will be restored.
○

○
○

○
date, but most now hold that it began the eternal state, the latter being a
○

○
with Christ’s death and resurrection. “golden age.” 3
○

○
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

○
A prolonged period of time, greater A prolonged period of time, greater Generally (but not always) thought to Exactly 1000 years. The Second
Millennium,
○

○
than a 1000 years. The Second than a 1000 years.4 The Second be 1000 years. The Second Coming Coming precedes the millennium.
Duration
○

○
Coming follows the millennium. Coming follows the millennium. precedes the millennium.
○

○
○

○
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

○
Satan’s binding and At Christ’s death and resurrection, At Christ’s death and resurrection, The binding of Satan does not take The future Second Coming causes
○

○
current status Satan was bound, meaning his ability Satan was bound, meaning his ability place until the Second Coming.4 Satan to be bound 1000 years. Satan is
○

○
to deceive the nations was restricted, to deceive the nations was restricted. “[T]his age is a present evil age (Gal. 1: not bound now. Satan rules the
○

○
○

○
thus opening the door for worldwide Binding does not mean that Satan’s 4); Satan is its god (2 Cor. 4: 4).”5 kingdom of this present world3 and
○

○
evangelism. The preaching of the ability to deceive is stopped alto- controls the world system.4 “Satan is
○

○
gospel has a deleterious effect on gether. It means he cannot prevent the alive and well on planet earth.”
○

○
○

○
satanic activity. God, not Satan, nations from learning the truth about
○

controls world events. God.

○

○
○

○
 ○
○

○
○

○
○

○
○
Postmillennialism Amillennialism Historic Premillennialism Dispensational Premillennialism

○
○

○
○

○
○

○
○
○

○
Tribulation Culminated in A.D. 70. Roughly A.D. The church is in the tribulation now, A future 7-year period immediately A future 7-year period immediately

○
64–70, beginning with the persecution but the tribulation will grow progres- preceding the Second Coming. The preceding the Second Coming. The

○
of Christians by Nero. Was predicted sively worse.5 Christians must expect Church will go through the tribula- Church escapes the tribulation via

○
○

○
by Christ to be within a generation to suffer tribulation and persecution tion. 6 rapture. Jews who subsequently

○
(Matt. 24:34) and was experienced by during the entire church age.6 believe remain behind.

○
John (Rev. 1:9).
○

○
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Antichrist(s) “The Antichrist” is viewed in the past, There will be a future “establishment A future Antichrist (an individual) will A future Antichrist (an individual) will
○

○
○

○
as various individuals, a movement or of the kingdom of Antichrist over the inflict persecution on Christians before become the world dictator and
○

○
“spirit” (1 Jn. 4:3) of deception. John entire world.”7 The Antichrist is an the rapture.7 persecute both Jews and Christians. He
○

○
wrote “even now many antichrists individual. will reach his dominant political
○

○
○

○
have come” (1 Jn.2:18).1 position after the rapture.5
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

○
Rapture The rapture occurs at the end of the The rapture occurs at the end of the Posttribulation: rapture will take place Pretribulation: rapture will take place
○

○
millennium when believers who have millennium when believers who have at the end of a future tribulation but at the beginning of a future tribulation
○

○
○

○
just been raised from the dead, just been raised from the dead, before the millennium. and before the millennium. The
○

○
together with believers who have just together with believers who have just Church gets raptured out of the world.
○

○
been transformed are caught up in the been transformed are caught up in the Believing Jews remain and suffer
○

○
clouds to meet the Lord in the air. clouds to meet the Lord in the air.8 persecution.
○

○
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

○
The Temple The temple and the O.T. sacrificial The temple and the O.T. sacrificial The temple and the O.T. sacrificial The Jewish temple will be physically
○

○
system are done away with forever. system are done away with forever. system are done away with forever.8 rebuilt. The sacrificial system will be
○

○
reinstated.
○

○
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Israel The prophecies and promises to Israel The prophecies and promises to Israel The prophecies and promises to Israel God’s original plan to establish the
○

○
○

○
are fulfilled in the Church. Ethnic Jews are fulfilled in the Church. Jews will are fulfilled in the Church. There will kingdom at the first advent was
○

○
will ultimately be converted over time continue to be converted to Christ be a future salvation of Israel.9 thwarted when the Jews rejected
○

○
through the preaching of the gospel. until the Second Coming.9 Christ. The Jewish kingdom will be set
○

○
○

○
up at Christ’s Second Coming.
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

○
Israel & the Church The Church is spiritual Israel. It is “the The Church is spiritual Israel. It is “the The Church is spiritual Israel. It is “the Israel and the Church are separate and
○

○
Israel of God.” There is neither Jew Israel of God.” There is neither Jew Israel of God.” There is neither Jew distinct peoples of God. The Church is
○

○
nor Greek, all are one in Christ. nor Greek, all are one in Christ. nor Greek, all are one in Christ. an interruption of God’s program for
○

○
○

○
Israel brought about by Israel’s
○

○
rejection of the kingdom offer.6
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

○
The Church Over time the Church will grow and The Church can look forward to The world’s hatred of the gospel will The Church will eventually lose
○

○
flourish. The Great Commission to increasing apostasy, tribulation, and lead to “a last convulsive persecution influence, fail its mission, and become
○

○
○

○
disciple all nations will be fulfilled. persecution toward the end times. 10 that decimates the church.”10 corrupt.
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

○
Historic Optimistic. Prophecies of destruction Pessimistic. Only a small proportion Pessimistic. Unbelief and apostasy will Pessimistic. Unbelief and apostasy will
○

○
Expectation are viewed preteristically (in the past). of the world will be saved. The increase. Prophecies of destruction are increase. Prophecies of destruction are
○

○
Over time the nations will be kingdom of evil is growing. Apostasy viewed futuristically. The gospel will viewed futuristically. The gospel will
○

○
○

○
converted to Christ through the and tribulation will culminate in the be preached to all nations, but will not be preached to all nations, but will not
○

○
preaching of the gospel. The Great emergence of a personal Antichrist. be effective. be effective.
○

○
Commission will be fulfilled. The idea of widespread conversions
○

○
○

○
and societal improvements is rejected.
○

○
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○

○
The Hope of the The conversion of the nations through “The eternal state is held out as the The post-tribulation rapture. The pretribulation rapture.
○

○
Church† the spread of the gospel and the work future hope of the church.”11
○

○
of the Holy Spirit.
○

○
○

○
†
All millennial views see Christ’s coming as the blessed hope. Moreover, they place great hope in the anticipation of eternity in heaven. The hope listed here is the present and immediate hope of
believers as viewed from a millennial perspective.
 Mutterings on the
Regnant Follies
Cave of Adullam:
Hiawatha

State Church
Carol Mann teaches kindergarten in Augusta,
Georgia. She now admits that she made a
mistake when she threw away twenty-three
religious Christmas cards brought to school by
one of her students. Brooke Rollins had made
the cards on a computer with her mother ’s
help. She had then brought them to class to
give to all her classmates. She made her fatal
error when she asked her teacher, no doubt in a
sweet little voice, to distribute them. But
instead of winding up in the cute but sweaty
palms of the kinderkids, they ended up in the
TRASH!!!!! Carol was backed up in her deci-
sion by the principal of the school, who said
that the cards looked too much like religious
tracts to be distributed. Whoa. The cover of the
card portrayed the Nativity scene with an
ascending Christ with visible crucifixion wounds.
Man. Religious Christmas cards. Things are gettin’
ugly out there, man.

PushMePullYou
Amherst College is ensconced in Massachusetts and is
therefore liberal. The Spectator, a student paper at the
school, is not so liberal. During gay pride month some
sinner on staff with the paper took the homosexual
propaganda that had been distributed on campus, and
rewrote it. Whoever it was, he did it well. Replacing all
references to gay with straight and so forth, the work
was run in the paper under the heading of “Celebrate
Heterosexuality.” As a result, all funding to the paper
has been cut off. Those on the throne say that the
article was offensive and of course, homophobic. As
Ross Cohen, a Spectator writer put it, “We rewrote the
gay propaganda . . . as straight propaganda and they
didn’t like it.”
They ought to run the article again, this time substitut-
ing for all references to sexuality of any kind a more discreet
praise of guacamole dip.

38 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

 Quotations in Order of Appearance:
Verbatim:
1
Athanasius, On the Incarnation, trans. Religious of C.S.M.V. (Crestwood, NY: St.
Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1996) VIII, 55 (pp. 93,92).
2
John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, trans. Beveridge (Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans Publ., 1989), Prefatory Address (p. 6).
3
Westminster Confession of Faith (Glasgow: Free Presbyterian Publ., 1985) pp. 274,
275.
4
James Renwick cited in Iain Murray, The Puritan Hope: Revival and the
Interpretation of Prophecy (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991) p. xiii.
5
Charles Spurgeon cited in ibid, p. xiv.
6
A. A. Hodge, Outlines of Theology (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1983) p. 568.
7
Thomas Brooks cited in Murray, Puritan Hope, p. xiii.
8
Lorraine Boettner, The Millennium (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed,
1986) p. 29.
9
J. Marcellus Kik, An Eschatology of Victory (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and
Reformed, 1971) p. 20.
10
Augustine, City of God: Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, vol. 2; ed. P. Schaff
(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publ., 1995) 18:35; p. 381.
11
Ken Gentry, He Shall Have Dominion (Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian
Economics, 1997) p. 553.
12
Hippolytus, Ante-Nicene Fathers: Fathers of the Third Century, vol. 5; ed. A. Roberts
and J. Donaldson (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publ., 1995) p. 203.
13
John Jefferson Davis, The Victory of Christ’s Kingdom (Moscow, ID: Canon Press,
1996) pp. 78,79,80.
14
Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom, vol. III (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book
House, 1990) p. 723.
15
Arthur Herman, The Idea of Cultural Decline (New York: Free Press, 1997) pp. 2,7.
[O.K., myllineeum]
16
P.J. O’Rourke cited in the Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations (New York:
Oxford Univ. Press, 1995) p. 152.

Husbandry:
†
The exegetical basis for this is more completely laid out in my position paper
Women in Combat, available from us upon request. More information on the issue is
available from an organization called Hope for America. Contact Robert Miller at
hfa@aol.com

Exegetica:
†
Hebrews: The Epistle of Warning (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publ., 1985) p. 244.

Eschaton:
1
All millennial views see Christ’s coming as the blessed hope. Moreover, they place
great hope in the anticipation of eternity in heaven. The hope listed here is the present
and immediate hope of believers as viewed from a millennial perspective.
Postmillennialism
1
Kenneth Gentry, He Shall Have Dominion (Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian
Economics, 1992) p. 373.
Amillennialism
1
Jay E. Adams, The Time is at Hand (Greenville, SC: A Press, 1987) p. 44.
2
Anthony A. Hoekema, “Amillennialism,” in Robert G. Clouse, The Meaning of the
Millennium: Four Views (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1977) p. 169.
3
Adams, The Time is at Hand, pp. 9–10.
4
Hoekema, “Amillennialism,” p. 155.
5
William E. Cox, Amillennialism Today (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed,
1966) p. 139.
6
Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and The Future (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,
1979) pp. 150–151.
7
David J. Engelsma, “A Defense of (Reformed) Amillennialism (1), Introduction.”
See web site http://www.iserv.net/~prc/articles/amillennialism.html which is a reprint
of a series of editorials in the Standard Bearer from April 1, 1995 through December 15,
1996.
8
Hoekema, “Amillennialism,” pp. 182–183.
9
Hoekema, The Bible and The Future, p. 147.
10
Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1941) p. 718.
11
Adams, The Time is at Hand, p. 13.
Historic Premillennialism
1
Erickson, Contemporary Options in Eschatology, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book
House, 1977) p.106.
2
George Eldon Ladd, “Historic Premillennialism,” in Robert G. Clouse, The Meaning of
the Millennium, p. 32. Also, Erickson, Contemporary Options, pp. 101–102.
3
Erickson, Contemporary Options, p.101.
4
Ladd, “Historic Premillennialism,” p. 17.
5
George Eldon Ladd, See web site http://www.telalink.net/~goped/antic_trib.html
which is a preprint of a chapter called “The Antichrist And The Great Tribulation”
(pages 58-72) in The Last Things, An Eschatology For Laymen (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,
1978).
6
Erickson, Contemporary Options, p.145.
7
George Eldon Ladd, The Blessed Hope (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1956) p. 74.
8
Ladd, “Historic Premillennialism,” p. 26.
9
Ladd, “Historic Premillennialism,” p.28.
10
George Eldon Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans,
1974) p. 203.
Dispensational Premillennialism
1
Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today (Chicago: Moody, 1969) p. 88.
2
Robert P. Lightner, The Last Days Handbook (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1990)
p. 113.
3
John MacArthur, Alone with God (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1995) p. 69.
4
John A. Witmer, “A Review of ‘Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth,’” Bibliotheca
Sacra (July/September 1992) p. 272.
5
John F. Walvoord. Major Bible Prophecies (New York: Harper Paperbacks, 1991) pp.
373-374.
6
J. Dwight Pentecost, Things To Come (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1958) p. 201.

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 39

 When I was younger, I had painted over my
loneliness with hard work. I had tried to think that I
Swinging was going somewhere and becoming someone. Now,
Pictura:
Nate Wilson I had no lies left to tell myself. I was nowhere. My
life was over and I had gone no place. But what was
worse was that I had gone no place with nobody.
T HE PORCH SWING HAD ALWAYS BEEN OLD. IT Nobody. My image of Heaven was a place where
hung by the door and kept watch over the there was someone to talk to. Someone who would
silent house. If it had ever been painted, it listen to me play my guitar. But I’d been to church
wasn’t in this century. Chains rusted and before and I knew there was no such place. Now,
wood like bone, the swing stole your trust more often than listening to my neighbors and
and pleaded with you to sit and watch the pretending, I would listen and face the truth. My life
fields ripple in the wind and the heat bake was empty -- no meaning, and no joy. I would sit in
the grass. Here I sit and slowly rock, listen- my door and look around the cul-de-sac at the lit
ing to the creaking of the swing describe to windows, and I could hear the conversations that
me the house, the fields, the well and the make up relationships. And I would cry, for I had
trees. The swing knows all the stories. And while I neither of these things. I would cry until I was
sit and listen, I become part of them. afraid my neighbors might hear, then I would go
This is the house where my great granddad had back into my place and cry for the shame of my
been born a slave. From where I sit, I can see where wailing
he is now. This is the house where my grandma had I had lived this long. I had nothing better to do.
been married, lived, bore my daddy, and died. This is Somebody said that despair like I had is deadly for a
the house, and this is the swing. man, because it’ll kill his want to live. That’s not
I had come back to the house because I how it was with me. I was afraid of
had to. I’d worked in Boston since high emptiness. So I woke up every morn-
school. I had kept busy enough that at first ing scared, scared of the empty day
I never noticed my ache. I had no family, I ahead, and of the nothing it would
had never married, I had never vacationed, I bring. But that didn’t mean I wanted
had never lived. The guys at work had to die. I knew the empty I would feel
always invited me over for Thanksgiving six feet under would make my life look
and Christmas, and at first I had gone. exciting.
Now I hadn’t accepted the invitation in The day before my eighty-sixth
years. They’d done it because they pitied birthday I woke up knowing I was
me. I’d gone because I’d pitied me. Now I beat. I didn’t want to die, but I knew
was well beyond self pity. When I retired, death was all that was left for me. I
they had thrown a party. They gave me got up, ate breakfast, and went outside
beer, books, and had all chipped in and and watered my plants. When I came
bought me a TV. I never watched it. back inside I knew I was going to
For years after that I lived in a retire- run.I had to change something. A long
ment village outside Boston. My pension life was behind me, but I was still too
was small but so was my place. I would pay my rent scared to die. What I wanted was to
and buy my groceries and then I would stick the rest find somewhere that meant something. Something
of my money in a box under the couch. At first the for me. I put clothes into a bag with all the money
guys would still call me, but after awhile they from under the couch. I needed to say goodbye to my
forgot. I don’t blame them. They had families. After place and my neighbors, so I took my guitar outside
dinner sometimes I would sit outside and listen to and played. I played longer than I had ever played
the noises from the other places. I could hear couples before and a lady even came outside to listen. Then I
talking about health problems, pets and barbeques. I slung my guitar over my shoulder and, carrying my
could listen, but I could never talk. Some times I bag, I headed off for the bus station.
would sit outside and play my guitar. I could make it It had taken me a day and a half, but I had found
talk to me, and I knew it was talking to my neigh- the house. Still sitting back between the two hills, with
bors. They heard me play, and they knew that I was the big elms in front. Still surrounded by hay fields. It
there. My guitar kept me from talking to myself. was empty and dead to the rest of the world, but not to
On my birthday, I would walk down the street to me. The last time I sat in that swing, I’d been fifteen.
the little grocery store and buy a pint of ice cream. Come out of town to watch my great uncle get buried.
Then I would go home and listen to the noises of The swing still remembered me. It remembered my
my neighbors and eat my celebration. I could never daddy and my granddaddies.
finish it. During the day I would work in my garden. Now I sat in the swing. And I listened, just like I
(I had a garden. Sometimes I would play for it.) had listened to my neighbors, only they hadn’t been

40 Credenda “Things to be Believed” Volume 10 / Number 3

talking to me. I listened to all the stories and
watched the fields and the trees. I watched the hills,
and they listened too.
I heard about my great granddad, and how strong
he’d been. How he’d been so strong that his master had
him tug o’ war with one of the mules. And how his
master gave him five dollars when he won. I heard
and I laughed, and the trees and the fields laughed,
because they remembered. The swing told me about
how he’d met my granny, and how the master had
married them. It told about how he died fighting in
the hay field across the creek. And I was proud that
he was mine.
I sat in the swing and laughed. The swing rocked
and creaked, and told all it knew to its prodigal son. It
forgave me for coming so late and so did the house and
the fields. They forgave and embraced me. They told
me where I was from, and what I was, and to them I
was not empty. To them I was part of a picture. A
picture of joy and even of sorrow. But not of emptiness.
While I sat and laughed with the trees and fields,
while I listened to the swing creak its story, I loved. I
loved my granddad and his young bride. I loved my
great granddad and his courage, I loved my grandma’s
cooking and my momma’s dog. I loved my family and I
loved where I came from. I learned what it was to
sacrifice from my grandad and I wept at his death. I
learned what joy was and the meaning of sorrow. I had
no sorrow before. I had only emptiness.
Then the swing told me about me. It told me about
how I had tried to climb the big elm out front in my
Sunday best after Great Uncle Toby’s funeral, and
about the whipping I got for it. It told me about how
I’d fallen down the stairs in the back and lost two
teeth. It brought back old and long dead memories of
who I was. And then it told me about my momma’s
death and how my daddy had moved us to the city, so I
could get learning. It told sad stories of moves and
deaths, and then the quiet.
When it finished its stories, my eyes were swim-
ming but I wasn’t crying. Then I told them my story. I
got out my guitar and they listened. I looked out at the
fields blow while I sang. I watched the trees sway and
the wind climb the hills. The swing rocked gently with
my story. They listened to me, the same way they had
watched my granddaddy and my momma. And my
story wasn’t a sad one. I had a strong daddy, and a
strong great granddaddy. My momma loved me and my
granny could make the best strawberry pie. They
listened to my story, but my story had changed. It was
full. Full of love and joy for a family I was part of. And
when I’d finished my story, I just kept on swinging.
Now I sit and watch the sun set over the hills
where my granddaddy died, just another sunset in the
swing’s story, and I think about all the things that
happened here at this house, in this swing, beneath
those trees and on those hills. I think about all my
family, and I laugh. I know that death isn’t empty.

Agenda “Things to be Done” Volume 10 / Number 3 41