T4G- Bearing the Image

Session Two at Together for the Gospel was delivered by Thabiti Anyabwile. Here are the highlights.

Fundamental Premise: What we generally accept as ‘race’ – positing an essential biological distinction between persons- is completely unbiblical. Anyabwile will argue biblically against race as an essential ‘biological’ distinction from our 1) unity in Adam; 2) unity in Christ; 3) unity in the church; 4) unity in glory.

Great (provocative) quote #1: ‘What we call race, like unicorns, does not in reality exist.”

Great quote #2: “Race posits an essential biological difference between people; ethnicity is a fluid construct (not determined by skin color or biology).”

Great quote #3: “The Bible doesn’t speak of race theory and race difference at the fundamental level that we do culturally.”

Six Problems stem from seeing race as fundamental, biological differentiation:

1. The abuse of people and Scripture in the name of race.

2. It is a very short walk from admitting the category of race to racism. When we accept the notion of race and combine it with our sinful hearts we have potential for heinous racism.

3. Biological category of race hinders our engagement with others. Race is inherently ad hominem.

4. Race as a biological category undermines the sufficiency of Scripture.

5. In admitting the category of race we resist the Holy Spirit.

6. Race as biological differentiation pulls apart the very fabric of the gospel itself.

Great quote #4: “We are not to build ethnic shrines, but to be living monuments to the glory of God through faith in Christ.”

T4G- Sound Doctrine: Essential to Faithful Pastoral Ministry

Here are the basics of our first talk at Together for the Gospel last week. The message was delivered by J. Ligon Duncan. It was an excellent overview of the need for renewed doctrinal zeal and a fundamental grasp of systematic theology in our churches.

(Here is a great article by D.A. Carson on biblical, historical, and systematic theology. Carson provides a helpful definition of systematic theology:

"As its name suggests, systematic theology attempts to organize, to systematize, theological reflection. When the primary authoritative source for that theological synthesis and reflection is the Bible, systematic theology attempts to organize what the Bible says according to some system. The traditional tenfold division of topics is certainly not the only possiblity. But even to choose topics, to hierarchialize them, is to impose a structure not transparently given in Scripture itself. In any case, such theological reflection inevitably emerges out of one epistemology or another, out of a particular cultural consciousness, and such matters will become correspondingly more influential in the system to the degree that the theologian is unaware of them or holds, naively, that they have little or no influence." )

Fundamental Premise: We live in a decidedly anti-doctrinal, anti-theological age; and this spirit of the age has saturated the ethos of the local church. We must revive a love of sound doctrine and a knowledge of biblical and systematic theology in our pulpits and pews.

Great quote #1: According to John 17: 13,17 “truth is for joy; doctrine is for delight. . .
you’re a killjoy if you’re against doctrine”

Great point #1: Defending and promoting doctrine is biblical: Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Tim. 1:3-5; 1 Tim. 1:8-11; 1 Tim. 6:2-4; Titus 1:1

Great quote #2: “Theology is the science of living blessedly ever after” William Perkins

Great quote #3: “We need to meet postmodern uncertainty by celebrating truth and theology.”

Great point #2: Examples of ‘systematic’ theology in Scripture: Luke 24:25-27; Acts 18; Acts 17:2-3; Romans organized systematically;