The following is an excerpt from John Owen’s The Glory of Christ. John Owen sheds great light on the theological and practical implications of the second commandment in the midst of a chapter explaining the difference between faith and sight.
Crucifixes, Images, and Paintings – An Imaginary Christ
I cannot refrain here from a necessary short digression. This transforming efficacy, from a spiritual view of Christ as proposed in the Gospel, being lost, as to an experience of it, in the minds of men carnal and ignorant of the mystery of believing (as it is at present by many derided, though it be the life of religion), fancy and superstition provided various supplies in the room of it. For they found out crucifixes and images with paintings to represent him in his sufferings and glory. By these things, their carnal affections being excited by their outward senses, they suppose themselves to be affected with him, and to be like him. Yea, some have proceeded so far as, either by arts diabolical, or by other means, to make an appearance of wounds on their hands, and feet, and sides; yea, to be wholly transformed into his image. But that which is produced by an image is but an image. An imaginary Christ will effect nothing in the minds of men but imaginary grace. Read the rest of this entry »
No Christian approves of worshiping idols or disapproves of honoring parents. No brother or sister will accuse you of being legalistic if you’re against stealing or are in favor of telling the truth. But I know many people who object to Sabbath keeping and approve of using the Lord’s Day for work or personal pleasure. We don’t argue about the other nine; why is the fourth commandment a catalyst for more heat than light?
These are some of the questions the Rev. Bruce Ray considers in his book, Celebrating the Sabbath: Finding Rest in a Restless World. Ray laments the low view of the fourth commandment in churches today. Churches today cater to the busy lifestyles of churchgoers by creating more services on more days for shorter periods of time. Ray uses the term “McSabbath” to describe the state of the Lord’s Day in most churches in America. Read the rest of this entry »
Christ the Center recently had the privilege of discussing credo-baptism with James Dolezal. There is a very interesting discussion currently underway in the comment thread. While this leans heavily toward the academic side, the baptism issue is an extremely important issue for families to think through. There is a helpful (and friendly) debate on the subject of paedo- versus credo-baptism during the last twenty minutes or so.
The word “catechizing” seems to elicit a multitude of reactions ranging from scorn to confusion. Whether someone envisages a family whose definition of fun is sitting around quizzing one another on their knowledge of 17th century cultural norms, or whether hearing this word leads them to say, “Cate-what?” there is no doubt that this practice of catechizing is at an all time low due to the ignorance of its nature and importance. Catechetical training is something that everyone does! The questions that should be asked are, ‘What are you catechizing your children in,” and “How are you catechizing them?” The failure to understand the importance of this discipline compelled Archibald Alexander–the first professor of theology at Princeton Theological Seminary–to author the small pamphlet titled, “The Duty of Catechetical Instruction.” In this pamphlet Alexander persuasively explains what catechizing is and why we must be serious about doing it in our homes and churches. “Catechetical instruction,” wrote Alexander, “must have been coeval with the human family. At first all knowledge was communicated orally, and handed down by tradition. The first man delivered a stock of important ideas to his children; and they again to theirs, with different degrees of ability and fidelity.” Read the rest of this entry »
Some reformed church members may find it difficult to know whether they should allow their children to partake of the Lord’s supper. Reformed churches vary on this important doctrinal issue. Christ the Center welcomed Dr. Cornelis Venema to discuss the issue of paedocommunion, or admitting non-communicant members to the Lord’s supper. Dr. Venema has written a book on the subject entitled Children at the Lord’s Table: Assessing the Case for Paedocommunion.
Christ the Center episode 56
