(from Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoffer

Christians are persons who no longer seek their salvation, their deliverance, their justification in themselves, but in Jesus Christ alone. They know that God's Word in Jesus Christ pronounces them guilty, even when they feel nothing of their own guilt, and that God's Word in Jesus Christ pronounces them free and righteous, even when they feel nothing of their own righteousness. Christians no longer live by their own resources, by accusing themselves and justifying themselves, but by God's accusation and God's justification. They live entirely by God's Word pronounced on them, in faithful submission to God's judgement, whether it declares them guilty or righteous. The death and life of Christians are not situated in a self-contained isolation. Rather, Christians encounter both death and life only in the Word that comes to them from outside, in God's Word to them. The Reformers expressed it by calling our righteousness an "alien righteousness", a righteousness that comes from outside of us (extra nos). They meant by this expression that Christians are dependent on the Word of God spoken to them. They are directed outward to the Word coming to them. Christians live entirely by the truth of God's Word in Jesus Christ.

This afternoon I went to see les Misérables, the newly released movie version. It was outstanding. I can't judge the musical quality of the music, as I have had no musical education, but it was very powerful. The director's choice of going with actors as opposed to singers was a good one. The cinematography was first-rate. I really appreciated the close-ups as they were singing. The strongest aspect of the movie was the depiction of Law and Grace. The Law, as Javert showed, leads only to despair, while Grace leads to hope and redemption. Valjean is transformed by grace, and is used in the transformation of others. Valjean's grace to Javert leads to the latter's crisis. I would definitely recommend the movie, and have decided that I must read the book as well.

Catching up

I have not been reading blogs much for a while, but recently checked out REF21 again.

Carl Trueman has some gems:

Where Has Critical Appreciation Gone?

The Forgotten Insight & The God Of The Cross

Also, there is this from Paul Levy.

Have a blessed day.

Comforting the depressed

" . . . but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us . . . " (portion of 2 Corinthians 7:5-6)

Ecclesiastes, The Preacher

I finished reading Ecclesiastes this morning. As I thought over what I read it seemed to me that that is what I am living right now—the vanity and futility of everyday life. Yet there is hope, even in this book. It is the hope that is to be found in faithful obedience. My prayer for myself, and for all who might read this, is that we would be able to fill our lives with faithful obedience to the Word of God.

Remembering my Mom

My Mom died in March at the age of 82. I, my wife, my sister and her husband were at her bedside when she died. It was a difficult thing to do, but I am glad I was there. After she died we sat there in the hospital room with her body while we waited for the funeral home to show up. As I waited I looked at that dead body, but my thoughts went back to earlier, happy years. I remembered the times she held me when I was small. I tried to imagine my earliest years when she would have fed me with a small spoon in her hand, trying to get me to eat strained peas, or some such baby food. I remembered her in the kitchen, making cookies and cinnamon rolls and cake. I remember her bandaging my scraped knees and elbows. I was never really close to my Mom, the way my sisters were, but now that she is gone I miss her very much. She was a believer. She trusted in Jesus Christ alone for her ultimate salvation. She believed in . . ."the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting." I look forward to seeing her again!

Where has the year gone?

Here it is—15 July 2010. I fell like I have been sleep–walking for the last six months. Perhaps in a way I have . . .