REFORMATION RESURRECTION 2011 - Friday Update

We are now into the last day of the conference and it has been a tumultuous experience for many of us. In a culture awash with feminist ideology, therapeutic psychology, and a Darwinian view of man, it is inevitable that an uncompromising biblical worldview will pose a vicious assault on those long held ideologies. And to say that Voddie Baucham's preaching is uncompromising would be to understate the obvious. Scandinavians tend to be people not prone to open outbursts of emotion and as such it can be difficult to discern the effect of the teaching at this conference on many of the attendees. But it has been definitely provocative to see these people exposed to an unyielding, uncompromised, and well developed biblical worldview on subjects like biblical manhood, biblical womanhood, male headship, and the discipline of children.

The challenge here is that this proclamation will lead to penetration and application (and no, I did not go to the Rick Warren School of Alliteration). When a Scandinavian person comes to saving faith or a proper understanding of the Gospel, there still remains the quantum leap of developing a biblical worldview and then applying it. It is for this reason that I am so pleased that I invited Dr Baucham to come and confront these idealogical strongholds.

The last two days of this conference have swept us through Ephesians chapters five and six. It is here that we are brought face to face with the realities of God's call on husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, and on wives to submit to their husbands as unto Christ. To not only preach these truths, but to preach them forcefully and unflinchingly had a provocative impact on many people. And provocation was very necessary. Equally, if not more, bold was Voddie Baucham's unyielding call on all parents to disciple their children instead of the state, and to discipline them with biblical means (yes, including spanking) instead of psychological methods.

In all of this, the reality is that these truths all stem from the Gospel and flow back into it. Psychology, at it's core, is a denial of human depravity and thus does violence to the Gospel. Undermining male headship in marriage ultimately undermines the Gospel because it horribly mars the beautiful picture of Christ's sacrificial love for His Church, and the Church's devotion to Christ. These things all matter because they are all so vitally connected to the precious once for all delved Gospel.

And since I don't have a notebook, I will make a note here on my blog to take Voddie's advice and get the following book from the middle eighteen hundreds called "Thoughts on Family Worship" by James Alexander for the discipleship of my children. Gotta run . . .

Oh, one more thing, we recorded everything, so we hope to post some of the meetings online as soon as possible.

Moving House

I´m moving house as I write today and don´t have any time to feed the readers today. Please pray for us as it is always a bit tumultuous as a family with three young kids moves house. One word of advice for those in the same boat - whatever instrument of discipine you use on your children, make sure it is the last thing you pack and the first thing you unpack. TTo give you a taste of the challenges we face and the remedies we will attempt to pursue in an apostate nation this interview with Paul Washer may be of interest to you . . .

Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 7)

The Savior

It has been said that as parents we spend the first two years of a child’s life teaching them to walk and talk and the next twenty years trying to make them sit down and shut up. But spanking done properly drives deeper than external behavior. It realizes that sinful external behavior is the fruit of a sinful heart. And only God is powerful enough to change that sinful heart. Rectifying behavior is a nice byproduct and a superficial goal. But if we approach discipline with an eternal perspective we will see something much bigger.

Every time that you discipline a child and every time that you decide not to discipline a child, you are telling that child something about God and you are hardwiring into that child lessons about God that are going to be there for the rest of the life of that child. (Russell D Moore – The Purpose Driven Paddle audio)

The heart of biblical discipline is to teach our children about God. It teaches them that sin has serious consequences. It reveals that sin is the fruit of their sinful nature and it cultivates a hunger for righteousness. Now we simply aren’t powerful enough to make our children righteous, but our loving discipline done right will point them to the only source of true righteousness – the Savior Jesus Christ.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (IICorinthians 5:21 ESV).

So don’t avoid that sacred cow called spanking. Trust the Maker’s Manual and
take it by the horns!

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Go Back To Part 1

Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 6)

The Scriptures

The big picture that hangs above this discussion is the authority of Scripture. What is most alarming about “Christian” parents who refuse to spank their children is not a low view of physical discipline, but a low view of Scripture. When you hear a friend utter the words “I know the Bible says this but . . . “ you can be sure that the rest of the sentence will be irrelevant. IITimothy 3:16 tells us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness”.

You might have seen the popular bumper sticker with the words “God said it, I believe it, that settles it!” But the fact of the matter is that when it comes to the necessity of physical discipline in child rearing – God said it and that settles it whether we believe it or not!

Concludes Friday with part 7 - The Savior

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Go Back To Part 5
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Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 5)

The Straw Man

A “straw man argument” is when an opponent’s position is misrepresented and then argued against. Modern psychology has employed this tactic to great effect in distorting what Scripture says about physical discipline. Heated rhetoric is often deployed in an attempt to portray the “rod of correction” approach to discipline as one of violence, anger, and physical harm. Many churchgoers buy into this lie and shun what Scripture clearly teaches. Author Tedd Tripp sheds much needed light on what the “rod” really is:

The rod is a parent, in faith toward God and faithfulness toward his or her children, undertaking the responsibility of careful, timely, measured, and controlled use of physical punishment to underscore the importance of obeying God, thus rescuing the child from continuing in his foolishness until death (Shepherding a Child’s Heart p104).

The godly parent understands that healthy communication works hand in hand with physical discipline. He never disciplines out of frustration, anger, or revenge and never to inflict physical harm. Famous Bible teacher John Piper had these profound words to say “you don't damage a child. You don't give him a black eye or break his arm. Children have little fat bottoms so that they can be whopped” (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/104/3594_Would_Jesus_spank_a_child/). Godly parenting sees spanking as a biblically mandated and integral part of lovingly raising children in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord”. Better still is the joy of reconciliation that follows the satisfactory punishment of rebellion.

Physical discipline is merely a shadow of the discipline that God metes out to His children. In fact, Hebrews 12 tells us that discipline from our Heavenly Father confirms that we are His children. What better way to reflect this truth to our children than by discharging our God ordained duty as parents who lovingly discipline.

Continues on Wednesday with part 6 - The Scriptures

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Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 4)

The Stakes

So how important is it to deal with the sinful nature? According to Scripture, the stakes are huge:

Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death (Proverbs 19:18 NASB). The imperative to discipline “while there is hope” certainly implies that a time is coming when it will be too late. “Do not desire his death” – it is clear that God sees discipline as a matter of life and death.

Thou shalt beat him with the rod and shalt deliver his soul from hell (Proverbs 23:14 KJV). Not only is discipline a matter of life and death, but physical discipline has eternal ramifications.

And if you love your children too much to spank them then consider this verse: Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him (Proverbs 13:24 ESV).

So why should spanking be an integral element of disciplining our children? Because God said so – that’s why!!!

Continues on Monday with part 5 - The Straw Man

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Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 3)

The Sinner

Recognizing our sinful nature should be a big no-brainer for any parent. It’s why doors have locks, banks have vaults, and jails are full. The Bible teaches that sin is transgression of God’s law (IJohn 3:4) and the Ten Commandments express this in our thoughts, words, and deeds. They reveal that our offences against God run much deeper than we can imagine, leaving all of humanity guilty before God (Romans 3:23).

The root of the problem goes way deeper than our sinful behavior. Scripture does not teach us that we are sinners because we sin, it teaches us that we sin because we are sinners. It is our nature. Nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of our children. We never have to teach them to lie, covet, rebel, or act selfishly - our little “angels” are all born with a PHD.

Continues on Sunday with part 4 - The Stakes

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Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 2)

The Stronghold

When it comes to child rearing and discipline it would seem that modern psychology has hijacked the discussion altogether. The general thrust of this approach is aimed at building a healthy self esteem in the child rather than pointing out the error of his way. There are only two problems with the philosophy of self-esteem; one, it’s unbiblical and two, it doesn’t work (other than that it’s ok). Nowhere does Scripture teach us to have a high view of self. In fact it consistently teaches the exact opposite. Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to lean on our own understanding.

Many secular “experts” insist that all forms of of physical punishment are abusive and seriously injurious to the psyche of the child. Some even claim that parents should use no form of negative correction with children – positive reinforcement alone is sufficient, they say. Scripture says otherwise. In fact, the Bible prescribes corporal punishment and says it is a necessary element of parental love. (John Macarthur – The Fulfilled Family p118-119)

Why doesn’t self-esteem work? It doesn’t work because it fails to recognize what lies at the core of human nature . . .

Continues on Friday with part 3 - The Sinner

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Spanking - Grilling A Sacred Cow (Part 1)

Have you ever seen the image of some sacred cow in an Indian village wandering aimlessly and unrestrained? The hungry villagers know the cow is there. They know that steak tastes good, but they would rather go hungry than rock the Hindu boat. To those of us who profess Christ the image is both offensive and ridiculous . . . . . or is it?? Do sacred cows roam the pages of your Bible, ignored and left alone? Are there doctrines you would rather leave untended? Do you shudder at the thought of wrestling with the hard truths of Scripture? Do you use Wite-out for a highlighter pen?

The prevailing wind of Modern Christianity has been a “consumer driven” approach to teaching and preaching. Potentially divisive subjects are either ignored or pushed to the sidelines in the pursuit of a doomed marriage between Scripture and Social Science. This consumer driven churchgoer is more comfortable hearing about hunger than hell, would rather focus on AIDS than abortion, and would sooner hear the virtues of self-esteem over spanking when it comes to raising his children.

It is this issue of spanking that has become a sacred cow in many modern churches and has become a subject so sensitive that many preachers just will not touch it. The Bible speaks explicitly on the subject so why the radio silence from the pastor in the pulpit to the person in the pew, and why has the discussion been blacklisted when parents compare notes? I believe it's high time that this sacred cow got carved up and grilled and served with a side of open dialogue!

Living in Europe it is seen as a huge taboo and something that secular humanist philosophy invalidates (by continually searching for and never finding any evidence for the innate goodness of man). Over the coming fortnight we are going to look at my six "s's" of the biblical case for spanking. The Stronghold, the Sinner, the Stakes, the Strawman, the Scriptures, and the Savior. Yes, I am a graduate of the Rick Warren school of alliteration and am very proud that I managed to begin each section with an "s".

Continued on Wednesday with part 2 - The Stronghold

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Sacred Cow Saturday - Episode 2 - Spanking Part 2

Continued from last Saturday where we heard from John Piper on the issue of disciplining and spanking children and why he is willing to go to jail over this issue.

One of the great priveledges in my life has been to meet Kirk Cameron who is well known for the lead role in the "Left Behind" trilogy and playing Mike Seaver in the hit late 80's/early 90's sitcom "Growing Pains". But I was excited to meet Kirk because I have learnt so much from him about witnessing and preaching the Gospel through the "Way of the Master" TV series and the radio show. There is nothing nominal about Kirk's Christianity - he's the real deal. I think of him as a preacher who can act.

Another thing about Kirk and his wife is that they are outstanding godly parents to their six children. Why can't one of these trashy Hollywood magazines do a story about how someone has held down a marriage for 17 years and is raising 6 children in the fear of the Lord? Kirk is dedicated to learning and growing in Christ and in turn discipling his children. So many people spoke so positively about Kirk that I became concerned (pondering Jesus' warning about beware when men speak well of you) but then the atheists took care of that with all their hate mail after Kirk and Ray Comfort's televised debate with the atheists (see my first post on this blog).

So when Kirk recommended a resource for raising children in a way that honors God and is faithful to Scripture I was all ears. And there is nothing Kirk recommends stronger than Tedd Tripps book and teaching series "Shepherding a Child's Heart".



One of the outstanding things about Tedd Tripp is that he does such a great job of expounding biblically on the taboo subject of spanking children. Here is an interview with Tedd on Way of the Master Radio where he discusses the issue of biblical spanking/discipline with host Todd Friel. The interview starts about 20 minutes into the program. Click here to download it.

I think this sacred cow has now been totally carved up!

Pro 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Go On To Episode 3
Go Back To Episode 1

Sacred Cow Saturday - Episode 1 - Spanking Part 1

Pro 13:24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Many people in eastern religions have sacred cows that they refuse to touch. But many in the west are no different. Subjects that are avoided in the name of "unity", diplomacy, political correctness, and ultimately the fear of man.

Here at The Bottom Line we love sacred cows and even think that they taste great on a barbecue. So much so that we plan to grill something every Saturday. In europe, among many churchgoers, the subject of spanking children is a very sacred cow. Due to many governments making it illegal, coupled with being heavily influenced by the secular humanist worldview, spanking is an "Area 51" as far as discussions go. Though Scripture speaks explicitly on the subject it is taboo in the pulpit and generally hushed up in private conversations - BUT NOT TODAY

It's high time this cow got carved up and served with a side of open dialogue. Who better to communicate truth profoundly, fervently and passionately than John Piper. John says that he's willing to go to jail over the issue - click HERE to hear

Pro 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Continued next saturday - Spanking Part 2 with Tedd Tripp

Go On To Episode 2

RECOMMENDED BOOKS - PARENTING

ADOPTED FOR LIFE
Russel D Moore
Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
Book reviewer extraordinaire Tim Challies pronounced this his book of the year for 2009. And with good reason. Russel D Moore has adopted children and has many helpful practical insights for those considering. But this book is so much more than that. This is a book that also transcends the subject of human adoption and soars in the clouds of the mystery of "as many as belived in Him, to them He gave the power to become the sons of God". Adoption ultimately points to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how we too can become "sons of Abraham" through the redemptive work of the Savior. This book will teach many practical helpful things about adoption, but it is ultimately all about the Gospel and how all these things point us to the cross. This book is not only for those considering adopting children, it is a book everyone should read.


FAMILY DRIVEN FAITH
Voddie Baucham
Category: Marriage, Parenting
Click Here To Order
More teens are turning away from the faith than ever before: it is estimated that 75 to 88% of Christian teens walk away from Christianity by the end of their freshman year of college. Something must be done. Family Driven Faith equips Christian parents with the tools they need to raise children biblically in a post-Christian, anti-family society. Voddie Baucham, who with his wife has overcome a multi-generational legacy of broken and dysfunctional homes, shows that God has not left us alone in raising godly children. He has given us timeless precepts and principles for multi-generational faithfulness, especially in Deuteronomy 6. God's simple command to Moses to teach the Word diligently to the children of Israel serves as the foundation of Family Driven Faith.


HOW TO BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO CHRIST
Ray Comfort
Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
Eighty-eight percent of children raised in evangelical homes leave church at the age of eighteen never to return. As a parent, you don’t want to suffer the heartache of your children rebelling against their Christian upbringing. While only God can save us and keep us, there are biblical principles you can implement to help prevent your children from tragically falling away from the faith. By countering the unscriptural belief that a child can be saved merely by “asking Jesus into his heart,” seasoned evangelist Ray Comfort shares time-tested principles to help you guide your children to experience genuine salvation and avoid the pitfall of rebellion.


REFORMING OUR FAMILIES
Peter Hammond
Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
The family is the basic building block of society. The battle for the family is in the very frontline of the World War of Worldviews. This powerful new resource for families is packed with positive and practical insights and strategies that fathers and mothers can use to raise God-fearing children. Reforming Our Families is a compendium including contributions from 8 different authors from a wide variety of backgrounds. Contributors include two young home schooled teenagers, one from America and the other from Africa; and parents from both sides of the Atlantic. The primary author is Lenora Hammond (wife of Peter Hammond) who is a home schooling mother of two daughters and two sons coupled with a wealth of missionary and ministry experience.


SAFE IN THE ARMS OF GOD
John Macarthur
Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
Every parent who has lost a child has dealt with disturbing, haunting questions. Why my child? Where is my baby now? Will I ever see my child again? Renowned Bible expositor John MacArthur tackles the question of infant death (in the womb or following birth) in his trademark style--with detailed attention to Scriptures that hold the answers. No death occurs apart from the purposes of God, MacArthur assures readers, just as no life occurs apart from the purposes of God. With a pastor's heart, he leads readers to an understanding of the eternal destination of these precious little ones. His conclusion: Babies - and anyone else who has not reached the condition of accountability - go to heaven when they die, and there will, indeed, be a time of blessed reunion with these souls. This is a beautiful and comforting apologetic on the eternal destiny of souls with an all too brief sojourn on this planet.


SHEPHERDING A CHILD'S HEART
Tedd Tripp
Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
Shepherding a Child's Heart is about how to speak to the heart of your child. The things your child does and says flow from the heart. Luke 6:45 puts it this way: "...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Dr. Tedd Tripp not only draws on his thirty years experience as a pastor, counselor, school administrator, and father, but he also shares insights gained in many years of teaching this material in conferences worldwide, providing more valuable help for parents. This book is outstanding and rare because it is Gospel centered, adresses the biblical truth of our children's fallen sinful nature, and how their awareness of that truth is to lead them to the Savior.


TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY
Lou Priolo
Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
This is an outstanding Gospel centered and Bible based parenting manual. John Macarthur had this to say about Teach Them Diligently: "There is far more to teaching your children the Bible than merely telling them Bible stories. Unfortunately, many parents feel ill-equipped for the task, so they neglect this vital aspect of Christian parenting. In doing so, they forfeit many of the greatest blessings of parenthood. Here's a valuable aid for parents seeking help. Lou Priolo's Teach Them Diligently: How to use the Scriptures in Child Training holds a wealth of practical and biblical advice for parents seeking to fulfill the mandate of Deuteronomy 6:6-7."


THE FULFILLED FAMILY
John Macarthur
Category: Marriage, Parenting
Click Here To Order
With traditional family values in decline and under assault, how can parents convey Godly principles and morals amid competing messages? In The Fulfilled Family, John MacArthur, respected Bible teacher as well as experienced father and grandfather, takes a look at strategy for families as outlined in Ephesians 5 and 6. What is MacArthur's secret to his successful family? "There's no magic. There's no formula. There's no gimmick," he says. "It's not about how many times we did something, or who was in charge of this or that, or what kind of processes or methods we used. It comes down to questions that have to start in my heart: Am I committed to obedience to the Spirit of God? Am I committed to the controlling influences of the Word of God? Am I going to live out a Christian life? Because you must first answer yes to all of those questions before you have a successful family."

WAR OF WORDS
Paul Tripp
Category: Church, Marriage, Parenting
Click Here To Order
Getting to the heart of your communication struggles. A biblical look at our words and our God. Few of us really think about the power, the blessing, the gift, the effect, and the dangers of our words." "Filled with searching, realistic & honest illustrations coupled with large doses of biblical truth. One thing we do daily is talk. Communication is the lifeblood of a good relationship and the deadly weapon of a bad one. If you've ever said anything you've regretted - this book is for you. Few of us really think about the power, the blessing, the gift, the effect, and the dangers of our words. War of Words is filled with searching, realistic and honest illustrations coupled with large doses of biblical truth. Learn about your words and your God. Obtain biblical insight and tools for change as you get to the heart of your communication struggles.


WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT PARENTING
John Macarthur
Category: Parenting
Click Here To Order
More than ever, Christians need to know what the Bible actually teaches about parenting, and put it into practice. In What the Bible Says About Parenting, pastor/teacher John MacArthure presents time-proven principles of biblical parenting clearly and carefully to help parents make sense of their duties before God and to bring up their children in the ways of the Lord. In addition to this new trade paper edition (previously titled Successful Christian Parenting), there is also a resource kit and two workbooks available to help Christian parents instruct their children in a godly manner.