Grant Us Wisdom

"I believe that today's lack of interest in guidance to God has resulted in a lot more questions about how to seek guidance from God. We simply don't know God as well as previous generations of believers did and . . . guidance from God is rooted in our knowledge of him. The more one knows of God's character and desires, the better one can live to be conformed to the image of Christ--and make the many daily decisions that must be made." (pp.19-20)

So writes James C. Petty in his book Step by Step: Divine Guidance for Ordinary Christians, published in '99 by P&R. I read this book earlier this year, and I benefited from it in many ways, not the least of which was the appendix that helps you assess your priorities in hourly, daily, and monthly life.

Overall, the book is well-worth reading, and I would give it a grade of 7.8/10 (9's and 10's are hard to come by with me). I found it a little uneven at times; some chapters (8, 11) are simply excellent, and other parts of the book are just ok. Here are some highlights . . .

Thesis: "we come to know the will of God by discernment, wisdom, and insight. The purpose of this book is to show that the Bible's answer to our need for guidance boils down to one very rich word: wisdom." (135)

"The path of wisdom is a lifestyle of repentance from serving functional gods like security, safety, control of situations, pleasure, power, ease, avoidance of pain, and approval. God will systematically expose any such rivals in our hearts that divert us from loving and worshiping him. We must be prepared for that and even search out such duplicity in our hearts." (179)

"The inordinate pursuit of entertainment can easily compete with the pursuit of wisdom." (185)

All in all, this book about wisdom is written by a wise man. Learn from him if you get the chance.

A Unique Conference

For parts of the past 3 days, I have enjoyed attending the "Promoting the Gospel" Conference at LaGrange Baptist Church, 25 miles outside of Louisville, KY. I have attended conferences before. At T4G (Together for the Gospel) last year, I joined about 5,000 other believers as we sat under good teaching and sang our hearts out together. I have been to the annual conference of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation outside of Philadelphia, where several thousand of us were priviledged to hear Ed Welch talk about fear, worry, and the God of rest. This was different . . .

Two days ago, on Monday, I pulled up to the church just a few minutes before the start of the first session; regular registration was about to be over. I pulled into the parking lot of the beautiful LaGrange Baptist building and only saw about 10 other cars! What was this?? Well, to cut to the chase, there were 20-25 men in attendance at the conference this week. Aside from the free night sessions, where about 50 people from the church showed-up, we spent our day sessions in the youth room of the church building--just 20 pastors (I was one of the few men there who is not currently serving in a pastoral capacity), Tony Rose (LaGrange head pastor), Paul David Tripp, and Justin Taylor.

I'm glad that I attended this conference. Most of the men, including myself, were greatly surprised at the turnout; why shouldn't we be with the caliber of speakers and the incredible marketing that LaGrange had undertaken to promote the conference? Nevertheless, the smallness of the gathering was to our benefit. We had an intimate time with the speakers, with each other, and with the gracious God of the gospel.

Reasons I Love Summer

1. Long, mostly sunny days

2. Reduced pressure (this one is in direct correlation to the fact that I've been a student most of my life)

3. Baseball season is in full swing.

4. Long, sunny days

5. Great time to hit the golf course, even if it means 9 holes from 7-9p.m.

6. Vacation

7. Great time to read whatever I want to read

8. Fresh corn from the farmer's market

9. Long, sunny days

The Founding of Harvard

Kristie and I were in Boston last month. This monument is in the wall of the entryway to Harvard Yard. I knew about its founding, but it was moving to see this up close.

Al Mohler and The Southern Baptist? Seminary, Pt. 2

James P. Boyce and the founders of Southern Seminary were in no way unclear in regards to their beliefs about Holy Scripture. Living, as they did, in a different age with a unique set of temptations to deny the full trustworthiness of Scripture (or miracles, or any aspect of historic Christian belief), these men did not waver. Nor did they see any inconsistency in summarizing in confessional form what they believed the Bible to teach. On the contrary, Boyce viewed such an action as altogether necessary to ensure the long-term faithfulness of a school that would belong to Southern Baptists themselves. He did not mandate that all Southern Baptists agree with the form of doctrine expressed in the Abstract of Principles - only that those who taught in the seminary should have no public or personal reservation in adhering to that statement.


The 1995 call for a new seminary was strange indeed. Knox clearly faulted Mohler for seeking to be true to the founding vision of the seminary. This founding vision did not meet the liking of Knox nor had it been faithfully upheld at many points in the seminary’s history. Yet, while the theology of the seminary’s founding fathers may be viewed as passé or irrelevant (which it is neither), it is a strange argument to say that such theology is inherently un-Baptist. In indicting Mohler and his adherence to the theology of the Abstract of Principles, Knox likewise indicted the very founding of the seminary he regrettably wanted to abandon.

Today, Southern Seminary continues to have the name “Baptist” on the sign out front. And this is no mere hat tip to a denominational identity that in reality has been shed in the days of the Mohler presidency. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary looks with gratitude to God for His providential guiding of men such as Boyce, John Broadus, Basil Manly, Jr., and William Williams. These men believed that, as important as the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer is to Baptist identity, it should never be turned into “freedom” to espouse things contrary to the revealed will of God. Baptists share certain beliefs in common with each other, and they share first-order beliefs in common with Christians from all generations. Both Baptist distinctives and articles of universal Christian confession are clearly laid out in the Abstract of Principles. President Mohler has led the seminary to stand upon this founding document, and it is because of this that the Southern Seminary of 2009 is a confessional and vibrant Baptist institution. We thank God that no new seminary is needed in this generation for Southern Baptists.

Al Mohler and The Southern Baptist? Seminary

In the next two posts, I will reproduce parts of an article that I wrote last year in light of Southern Seminary's 150th birthday in 2009. Enjoy. I am getting close to meeting my deadline with Crossway for the book-length treatment of the subject, to be released in 2029.

More than 150 years ago, throughout the latter half of the 1850’s, James P. Boyce trumpeted the need for a new seminary that would specifically serve the needs of Baptists in the South. The new seminary envisioned by Boyce would serve the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention. This would be faithfully accomplished by the seminary faculty’s adherence to a confessional document (Southern’s Abstract of Principles) and by the promise of academic excellence, comparable to Princeton Theological Seminary in the North.

Boyce and others in favor of such a seminary, after years of making their case for its establishment, finally saw the first class of preachers come to the Greenville, S. C. based school (later removed to Louisville in 1877) in the Fall of 1859. A new seminary was needed, and, by God’s direction, a new seminary was founded.

A strange call for a new seminary came some 140 years after Boyce first articulated the case for a school to train Southern Baptist pastors. This call, found in the April 25, 1995 editorial page of the Kentucky Baptist state newspaper, was made to elicit support from Kentucky Baptists for the idea of abandoning Southern Seminary. Marv Knox, then editor of the Western Recorder, wrote that, “We need a new seminary ‘for such a time as this.” Due to President Albert Mohler’s leadership and theology, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary had jettisoned its Baptist identity, according to Knox.

The Western Recorder editor held that Baptist identity was to be found in specific notions of freedom and individual autonomy. Knox wrote, “By forsaking the priesthood of the believer, Southern Seminary has committed denominational apostasy. The seminary paint crew ought to white-out ‘Baptist’ on the sign out front. Southern Seminary no longer is Baptist.” Mohler’s insistence upon returning the school to a place of fidelity to the Abstract of Principles and his unapologetic espousing of those truths articulated in the Abstract appeared to threaten what Knox held to be at the very core of Baptist identity. Thus, after laying out his case for why Mohler had deviated from cherished Baptist beliefs, he concluded his article with a less than veiled summons for readers to consider supporting a new school, a school that would counteract the apostasy at Southern Baptist’s flagship seminary – “But how can a non-Baptist seminary prepare fully-trained Baptist ministers? As we look to the future, we will need a theological school or seminary for preparing our ministers. Some will come from other free and faithful schools, but they will not produce enough. Will Kentucky Baptists step forward?”

Can you say Sesquicentennial?

That huge word has been thrown around a lot this year on the campus of Southern Seminary here in Louisville. The school is 150 years old as of 2009.

Last year, I had the privilege of serving as a research assistant to Dr. Greg Wills as he finished his work on the book you see in the picture. Published by Oxford Press, it should be released very soon (in time for the upcoming SBC Convention).

Dr. Wills is a friend, a very good historian, and a man of integrity. In the coming days, I hope to post an article that I wrote for the seminary's 150th.

Kentucky Derby Mania

(Kristie here)

Since it's easy to take something for granted when you're in the middle of it, I wanted to share an insider's view of how fun Louisville is around Derby season (to say nothing of how great this city is year-round). I say insider's as in "I live in Louisville," not as in "I'm in the know or I have enough money to attend the real live Derby" sort of way :).

Louisville really comes alive the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby, but most especially the two weeks preceeding the 'Run for the Roses.' Celebrities flock to town, restaurants and businesses run Derby specials and there is some type of Derby-related party or festivity happening every day.

It seems to me that the locals either love or hate the Derby. Some people get totally into it, like the women at my work who wore their derby hats yesterday. Others purposefully leave town or get grumpy because of all the traffic and road closures. That's an interesting reaction to me, because the Derby brings so many benefits (community-wise and financially) to the city.

Speaking of locals, something I never knew before I moved here was that most Louisvillians go to the Downs the day before the Derby for the "Oaks." They even cancel schools for it every year. I don't know much about it or how significant it is, but it's treated similarly to the Derby - complete with the hats and all.

As for the Randolphs, we participated in more Derby activities this year than we have in the past two years. Here's what we've done:

- Thunder over Louisville - a huge fireworks display over the Ohio River and city skyline.

- Balloon Glow - hot air balloons light up during the night.

- Half-marathon - I ran this year and loved it. You run through the inside track of Churchill Downs.

- Opening weekend of Churchill Downs.

- Watched the Derby winner garland of roses being assembled and John tasted Derby Pie.

Lastly, we actually contemplated going to the Derby this year. It's not going to work because John is bogged down with schoolwork, we didn't want to fork out $280 for the cheapest seats, and we decided against "woodstocking" it in the infield. The infield ($40 a piece) is basically a huge party where some crazy stuff goes on. Your chances of actually seeing a horse are little to none.

Here are a few pictures of our Derby adventures.

Balloon Glow at Waterfront Park.

John, me (post-13.1 miles), and my brother Tyler
who came in for a weekend visit.

Opening weekend at Churchill Downs.

Watching the Garland of Roses being crafted.
This baby weighs 40 lbs. and uses more than
400 roses...all hand-sewn into place.

John says, "I love Derby Pie."

She Did It!!!

Congratulations to mi esposa, Kristie, as she finished the mini marathon (13+ miles!) this past Saturday!!! She had a great time and kept a very good pace throughout the whole race.

I would've competed as well, but I was much too busy fasting and praying for her as she trained the past few months.

Jesus Christ

I am currently working on a paper for my Person of Christ class at seminary. I chose to do an exegesis of Phil. 2:5-11. I am looking at the background of this passage, its context, the text itself, and the theological implications drawn from it.

I have found the work on this paper to be very refreshing, even though it requires a lot of effort. I'm sure some of the refreshment comes from having recently finished a much more daunting paper and from knowing that this current paper signals the completion of my ThM work at Southern Seminary (assuming all else goes well). But, the main joy, no doubt, comes from the immersion in Scripture that goes with writing a paper like this. I thought of writing on other topics--Calvin's Christology as seen in the Institutes, or Athanasius' work On the Incarnation. I am very glad, however, that I forced myself to do a Scriptural analysis. What a way to end my time at seminary . . . soaking in the Scriptures, all of which point to our humble and exalted Savior!

MY BOLD PREDICTION

Or maybe not so bold . . . The Heels are very, very good.

UNC - 85
Mich. St. - 74

Sorry, Michigan residents. Your only hope now is the new American socialism.

Quatra-Fecta?

(Kristie here)

I think I just made up that word, but that's what happens when creation pummels your corner of the world four times in less than three years. Tornado? Check. Earthquake? Check. Hurricane? Check. Ice storm? Check. I think we're running out of options, though I did hear that a volcano is preparing to erupt in Alaska where my brother and sister-in-law live.

(photo by Larry Brannin, KBC)

Thankfully, we had power during the entire ordeal and had coincidentally already booked a trip to Florida to visit my newborn neice, Elisabeth. She's beautiful, and we thank God for her little life.

The Christian Life

1 Peter 1:8 has long been a favorite verse of mine - "and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."

I have been a Christian for the majority of my life, and from the time that I was converted as a child, I have always felt that this verse speaks volumes about the fundamental heartbeat of a child of God.

It is also true that joy inexpressible is not the only experience of a follower of Jesus. Like Him, we suffer and war against the devil. The Christian life is not a neat and clean type of deal; it is exhilarating, messy, hugely difficult, impossible, and worthwhile, to only mention a few descriptors. The Christian life is a fight of faith. It is communal, individual, intensely oriented towards God alone, and yet consumed with the good of others.

I love concise books on the Christian life. I am building a little collection of books to which I can continually return and which I can recommend to others, books that serve to illuminate the Scriptures and their place of primacy in the Christian's life. So far, my collection is as follows:


- Martin Luther on "The Freedom of a Christian"
- Charles Leiter's Justification and Regeneration
- Ron Julian's Righteous Sinners
- Milton Vincent's A Gospel Primer


Each of these books is pretty short, and each of them offers immediate benefit to the Christian who seeks to follow Christ amid the obstacles of the world, the flesh, and the devil. The gospel is at the heart of each of these books.

Lately, I have been helped by Calvin's Institutes and David Powlison's Seeing with New Eyes as well. Calvin's work is 1500+ pages I believe, but it was originally much shorter. It was always intended to serve as a helpful resource for the "average" Christian-a resource on doctrine and the Christian life. My reading of it so far dispels even my own suspicions about Calvin, not to mention the suspicion of those who largely disagree with the theology associated with his name. In other words, Calvin is imminently practical, refreshing, God-honoring, and readable.

So, what are your thoughts on the Christian life? What books do you think are wonderful companions to the Scriptures?

President Bush is a Bibliophile

I was intrigued to read the below article and discover that our current president loves books. Not only this, he actually reads a lot-about a book a week plus the Bible every year.

http://sec.online.wsj.com/article/SB123025595706634689.html

I am currently immersed in Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, etc. for a class on the Reformation. This makes for some great reading. Kristie and I are listening to a Wendell Berry novel on audio cd as we traverse the country this holiday season.

Christ our Righteousness

"But one day . . . this sentence fell upon my soul, 'Thy righteousness is in heaven'; and methought withal, I saw with the eyes of my soul, Jesus Christ at God's right hand; there, I say, as my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or whatever I was doing, God could not say to me 'He wants my righteousness,' for that was just before him. I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, 'the same yesterday, today, and forever.'

"Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed . . . Oh! methought, Christ! Christ! there was nothing but Christ that was before my eyes . . . Now I could look from myself to him, and would reckon that all those graces of God that now were green on me, were yet but like those cracked goats and four-pence-half-pennies that rich men carry in their purses, when their gold is in their trunks at home: Oh! I saw my gold was in my trunk at home! In Christ my Lord and Saviour. Now Christ was all; all my righteousness, all my sanctification, and all my redemption."

-John Bunyan