This chapter continues to discuss practical ways to explore the riches of God. More specifically studying in these following areas:
- Attributes of God
- Doctrines of Grace
- Doctrine of Sin
I personally appreciate how CJ gives us some recommendations for available resources through specific titles of books. One thing that I’ve been richly blessed was studying attributes of God through P. Sam’s Bible doctrine class. For example, studying God’s immutability and sovereignty in light of God’s election and suffering has really challenged my narrow perspectives of God. Also keep in mind that studying systematic theology is NOT JUST for full-time ministers or those involved in teaching. I would say that EVERYONE who desires to pursue God (i.e. Christians) should be open to learning attributes of God since it would only help us understand our Lord with more clarity. It can’t answer every question that you may have about God, but He is indeed mysterious and beyond our understanding (Deut 29:29) but it shapes our faith through understanding some critical attributes mentioned above. The problem for me is that I’m often too lazy and excuse myself with busyness of this world.
Lastly, studying the doctrine of sin has also been humbling to me. And this is a daily battle since my sinful nature is so prone to be entitled to God’s grace. But I encourage you to listen to John Piper’s sermon on TULIP or the Mortification of Sin by J. Owens to discover how sin is really THAT bad and how much we NEED God’s grace.
There are tons of articles on these topic so if you don’t want to purchase books, then you can check out Monergism website and find bunch of free stuff.
I’m think we should meet late August to discuss, pray and reflect together on what we have learned thus far through this book. We can either meet at my house or (somewhere quiet) for few hours. How about tentatively August 23 after 1 or 2PM at my crib?
Let me know your thoughts and if you happened to cross good articles/resources/books.
Thanks!
6 comments:
Sam,
I remember PSam saying in the class that the Stephen Charnock book was excellent concerning the Attributes of God... "the existence and attributes of God" (Ive never looked at it--it was big and thick!- and puritan.)
But, I think the Grudem Systematic is also a huge resource...
What about CJ's 4th and 5th pointsfor special focus?
4. Play Golf
5. Laugh often.
Great eh? Or do a hard sport like rockclimbing.. or surfing.
Chris
During each main session at WG conference, Mark Altrogge would satirically make fun of each worship leaders by commenting on their pictures from past, their CD/albums, etc. While it was really funny and comical, I believe their intent was to not take themselves so seriously (hence able to laugh about him/herself) but always in the view of taking God seriously.
I admit, I don't laugh often enough about myself due to my pride...i.e. at work, at Church, at praise practices, etc.
JC Ryle's book on Holiness has been a great resource for me and my wife... Great blog!
Hi Sam,
Yes I'm the worship pastor at Grace Church in Chapel Hill, NC. It's a great privilege! How about you?
hey guys.. cj mahaney also blogs about art monk and his humility here: http://sovereigngraceministries.com/Blog/
what a truly amazing and humbling speech. it's a great real world example of how Art gave glory to God and not himself. praise the Lord!
sammo
Yes the conference was fabulous. It was life giving and refreshing for my soul just to hear God's word preached from the Psalms and to worship him from in the congregation... God also showed me some things about my leading that I need to grow in.... A great weekend for sure!
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