In his Review of Ecclesiastical History, John Newton provides a glimpse for us into his Christ-centered view of the Old Testament. To summarize Newton’s teaching:

• After Adam’s fall, both he and his posterity were corrupt, depraved, and sent into a perpetual state of misery.
• God immediately after Adam’s fall revealed the remedy to this desperate situation.
• The Lord Jesus was promised as the “seed of the woman.”  He would come as the great deliverer who would repair the breach made by sin and rescue God’s children from their ruin.
• In the OT, this revelation of a Savior was veiled under types and shadows.
• This revelation was like the coming dawn; it became brighter and brighter as the time of Christ’s manifestation drew near.
• Though this revelation was veiled in types and shadows, it was always sufficient to sustain the hopes and purify the hearts of all the true worshippers of God in the OT.
• In this sense, all the patriarchs and prophets from the OT were Christians; their joy and trust centered in the promised Messiah.
• This was the same faith in the same Lord as ours as demonstrated in NT passages such as Romans 6; Galatians 3:16-17; and Hebrews 11.
• Throughout the OT, God’s grace always preserved a spiritual people whose faith in the Messiah to come taught them the true meaning of the Levitical law and all the other shadows and types.
• The future advent of the Messiah had been revealed from the beginning and a remnant in every generation had faith in that revelation.
• The OT saints beheld Christ’s day from afar off and rejoiced in His name (John 8:56; see also, 1 Peter 1:10-12; Hebrews 11:13).

Newton demonstrates that the time of the coming of Christ – after many centuries of shadows, types, and prophecies – was not arbitrary. Rather, Christ came at the perfect time — a time that had been frequently predicted with increasing clarity and precision.

The coming of Christ was a wise and gracious appointment that put the truth of the depravity and helplessness of man, the mercy of God, and the truth of the Scriptures in the strongest possible light. It was at the time that most glorified Jesus Christ as the only remedy for sin and as the great Savior foretold through the ages that so many had already placed their faith upon.

So why, with Newton, should we be committed to seeking Christ in the Old Testament when He is so much more accessible in the New? Let me give you seven reasons to encourage you in this direction.

It strengthens our apologetics: Christ and His Apostles repeatedly used the revelation of Christ in the Old Testament to prove who Jesus was and why He came to this earth. They use the powerful argument that this Messiah was predicted with great frequency and precision long before His birth in Bethlehem. If we neglect this ammunition, we are defending our faith with one hand tied behind our back.

It encourages Christian devotion: When Christ showed himself in all the Scriptures to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the effect was “spiritual heartburn.” One reason why so much Christianity is so cold and dead is because we know so little of the spiritual warming that results from finding and enjoying Christ in the Old Testament.

It honors the whole Bible: If we neglect the Old Testament or never preach or teach Christ from the Old Testament, we are unwittingly undermining the Bible. It looks as if the New Testament is inspired by God and useful, but the Old Testament is really quite irrelevant or mistaken.

It exalts the sovereign wisdom of God: The most common response I’ve had when preaching Christ from the Old Testament is that it moves people to be in awe of God’s amazing wisdom and power in having the same plan in both Old and New Testaments, rather than Plan A in the Old and, when that didn’t work, Plan B in the New.

It unites us with Old Testament believers: If they were just theists who mixed up some faith with some sacrifices and some doing their best, we can have no fellowship with them. They are just a bunch of superstitious legalists. But if we understand that they were saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, then we are going to be comfortable sitting down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11).

It gives us an extra teaching tool: Many pastors and teachers are drawn to doctrine that is presented in logical, systematic, and dogmatic form (e.g. the Pauline Epistles). Although the Old Testament teaches the same doctrines of grace as the New Testament, it does so with pictures, poems, songs, narratives, and ceremonies. These often reach and connect with many people who are left cold and untouched by all our structured arguments.

It has many helpful precedents: We’re not doing anything novel by seeking for and preaching Christ from the Old Testament. Apart from following in the footsteps of Jesus and the Apostles, we can also follow the example of great men of God in church history. Newton’s  Review of Ecclesiastical History is one such example of a work that provides a number of biblical presuppositions to help us approach the Old Testament in a Christ-centered way.

Blogs

Help Me Teach the Bible: Graeme Goldsworthy on Biblical Theology | Nancy Guthrie, TGC
“In this episode of Help Me Teach the Bible, I sat down with Graeme Goldsworthy in his home in Brisbane, Australia, to talk about biblical theology and how it affects our understanding and teaching of the Bible. ”

Simple and Straightforward: Martin Luther on Preaching | Derek Thomas, Ligonier
“Luther’s insistence upon simplicity of language is, in part at least, a byproduct of the free delivery of his sermons; his sermons were extemporaneous rather than read from a manuscript. This fact alone almost guarantees that the language employed is simpler, ensuring that if a complex thought is uttered, sufficient explanation is given to elucidate it, drawn from (among other things) eye contact with one’s listeners that often reveals understanding or perplexity. One puzzled look from a listener, or clear signs that no one is actually listening, will urge simplicity of language—repeating a thought in different language until the point is made clear.”

Two Things Pastors Must Do BEFORE Leading | Mark Dance, Lifeway
“Sheep will let you lead them if you first love and feed them. This lesson is crucial for task-oriented pastors like me. This was Peter’s blind spot, which is why his post-resurrection restoration was such a pivotal moment in his life and ministry.”

3 Reasons Passion Is Greater Than Professionalism | Eric Geiger
“Passion trumps professionalism. Always. Every single time. Can we be both professional and passionate? Absolutely. But being professional must never trump passion. Here are three reasons passion is greater than professionalism…”

Trinity Western wins victory in fight to open Christian law school, limits on accrediting called ‘unreasonable’ | Geordan Omand, National Post
“‘A society that does not admit of and accommodate differences cannot be a free and democratic society — one in which its citizens are free to think, to disagree, to debate and to challenge the accepted view without fear of reprisal,’ says the 66-page judgment.”

Who Will Love My Child When I Am Gone? | Maria Cowell, ChristianityToday.com
“Parents of children with disabilities grapple with an uncertain future.”

3 Steps Anyone Can Take To Make His Email More Secure Than Hillary’s | Andrea O’Sullivan, The Federalist
“Hillary Clinton’s team taught us everything we need to know about having a negligent, insecure approach to online information. We can be smarter than them.”

The War On Wedding Vendors Is Ultimately A War On Free Thought | James Gottry, The Federalist
“To forbid people from articulating beliefs and peacefully acting consistently with those beliefs is, at its core, an attempt to forbid the beliefs themselves.”

8 Productivity Experts Reveal The Secret Benefits Of Their Morning Routines | Stephanie Vozza, Fast Company
“Productivity experts spill their secrets on what gets them going first thing in the morning.”

Master Your Time: 5 Daily Scheduling Methods to Bring More Focus to Your Day | Stephen Altrogge, Zapier

New Book

For your non-Kindle book buying needs please consider using Reformation Heritage Books in the USA and Reformed Book Services in Canada. Good value prices and shipping.

The Battle of Seattle by Douglas Bond

Kindle Deals

Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World by Steve Ham and Ken Ham ($2.99)

How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart ($3.99)

The Story of God’s Love for You by Sally Lloyd-Jones ($2.99)

Video

This video shows a Gospel-free approach to grief. For a biblical approach to grief, see this book by Nancy Guthrie.

“I’m tired and I’m broken and I just need some rest.” These were pastor Pete Wilson’s words when he recently announced his surprise resignation from Cross Point, a megachurch in Nashville. He went on:

Leaders who lead on empty don’t lead well, and for some time now I’ve been leading on empty. And so I believe the best thing I can do is to step aside from Cross Point. . . . More than ever I need your prayers, I need your support. We’ve said that this is the church where it’s okay not to be okay, and I’m not okay.

Although situations and statements like this make the headlines, similar stories are being replicated and multiplied all over the country. It’s not just megachurch pastors; it’s not just pastors; and it’s not just men. It’s men and women, young and old, leaders and followers, Christians and non-Christians, in all walks and at all levels of life, who are all arriving at the same wrecking yard — overwhelmed, burned out, empty, and broken.

Although no two burnouts are the same, as I’ve counseled increasing numbers of Christians through burnout, I’ve noticed that most of them have one thing in common: there’s a deficit of grace. It’s not that they don’t believe in grace. Many of them are well-grounded in “the doctrines of grace.” Many of them are pastors and preach grace powerfully every week. The “five solas” and the “five points” are their theological meat and drink. Yet grace is missing in five vital areas. There are five disconnects between theological grace and their daily lives.

Read the rest of the article at DesiringGod.org where I explain:

• The motivating power of grace
• The moderating power of grace
• The multiplying power of grace
• The releasing power of grace
• The receiving power of grace

Blogs

Shame on Me: Embracing Accusation | Lore Wilbert, Sayable
Lore explores the difference between shame and guilt.

Prepping in Biblical Perspective | Brian Cosby, Reformation21 Blog
The difference between Glen Beck prepping and biblical prepping

Yes, let’s remember who’s watching this conversation | Denny Burk
Denny Burk responds to Jen Hatmaker:

“I would simply encourage Jen to remember that they are indeed watching and listening to her. And she is leading them away from mercy, away from life, and away from everything that matters in this life and the next. Her public departure from the faith is not helping these dear people. It’s harming them.”

A Key to Great Writing: Make Every Word Count
Key to great publics peaking too:

“If I could teach only one key to great writing, it would be this: Make every word count. Use words sparingly, as if you were planting a garden one seed at a time—not throwing out handfuls of seed willy-nilly, hoping a few kernels might land in the right spot and take hold. Get the full value out of every word you write. Recognize the power of a single, well-chosen word. Trust it to do its work. As a rule, the more economically you use language, the more powerfully you will deliver your message.”

The Secret Productivity Booster I Mastered In Just One Week | Michael Grothaus, Fast Company
“Good posture, it turns out, is not only good for your body, but your brain and your productivity as well.”

Magnify Conference 2016 | TGC
“The Magnify Conference is a two-day conference at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan. This year’s conference is December 2-3, 2016. Magnify is a great opportunity to meet other brothers and sisters from mid-Michigan (and beyond) and hear excellent teaching. It’s also inexpensive–only $5 for students and $10 for adults! The keynote speaker this year is Ed Welch.”

Kindle Deals

For your non-Kindle book buying needs please consider using Reformation Heritage Books in the USA and Reformed Book Services in Canada. Good value prices and shipping.

Letters to My Daughters: The Art of Being a Wife by Barbara Rainey ($2.99)

Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals: Applying the Gospel at the Unique Challenges of Death by Brian Croft, Phil A. Newton ($2.99)

Pilgrim Theology: Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples by Michael Horton ($7.99)

New Book

A Puritan Theology Study Guide by Joel R. Beeke and Mark Jones

Learn more about the book at the video below.

In my Ministry class at PRTS, we’ve been examining the connection between pastoral visitation and powerful preaching. There may be a few exceptions to this, but usually there is an unbreakable connection. Here are a few quotes that establish and urge that connection. The first four are from W. G. T Shedd.

This kind of labour as necessarily forms a part of the ministerial service as preaching. A perfect clergyman, if such there were, would combine both the oratorical and the pastoral character in just proportions and degrees. The clergyman is liable to be deficient upon one or the other side of this double character. He is a better preacher than he is pastor, or else a better pastor than he is preacher. It should therefore be the aim of the clergyman to perfect himself in both respects.[1]

It is an error to suppose that these two offices are totally independent of each other, and that the clergymen can secure the highest eminence in one by neglecting the other.[2]

The degree of success in both instances is much increased, by cultivating a complete clerical talent. The learning and study of the preacher are needed to enlighten and guide the zeal and earnestness of the pastor, and the vitality and directness of the pastor are needed to animate and enforce the culture of the preacher. Instead, therefore, of regarding the functions of the preacher and the pastor as totally independent of each other, and capable of being carried to perfection, each by itself, the clergyman must perform them both, and with equal fidelity.[3]

If there were space, it would be natural here to enlarge upon the reciprocal relations and influences of these two clerical functions, particularly with reference to sermoniz­ing. It is obvious that such a regular and systematic interaction with his congregation will fill the mind of the clergyman with subjects for sermons, with plans and methods of treating them, and with trains of reflection. Nothing so kindles and enriches the orator’s mind as living interaction with individual persons. A preacher who is in the habit of conversing with all grades of society, and becomes acquainted with the great varieties in the Chris­tian experience and the sinful experience, will be an ex­uberant and overflowing sermonizer.[4]

Derek Prime

The functions of the shepherd are more likely to be neglected than those of the teacher. Responsibilities for teaching can be much more readily defined — for example, we know how many teaching responsibilities we have each week, and we can plan the hours we should devote to preparation. We may find a sense of achievement in completing our preparation and giving what we trust are God-given expositions of His Word. But the limits of pastoral work are much more difficult to define, and one week’s demands will seldom be the same as the previous or the next. Shepherding and teaching should not be separated. Preach­ing and pastoral work help each other. Visiting enhances our preaching in that it helps us to appreciate how our fellow-believers think, their problems and their temptations. When we preach to those we know well, and whose situations we understand, we apply God’s truth more relevantly, almost unconsciously — and probably the less-consciously the better. Our visits and counseling have greater relevance too because the members of the flock associate us with the Word they have heard taught and preached, and in one-to-one conversations we are able to apply that same Word more personally and in greater depth.[5]

Biography of Thomas Boston

It is when we see these two parts of his ministry combined and co-operating, preaching and pastoral visitation, all of course conjoined with prayer, that we can the more easily account for that rich harvest of souls which he was again and again called upon to reap.  Those tears of sympathy watered the good seed of the word which he had sown.  Those home visits, winning their affections and their confidence, invested his preaching with a double power, and opened the way for the entrance of the word. ‘The sheep knew their shepherd’s voice,’ and followed him.[6]

When his congregation saw him enter his pulpit on the morning of the Lord’s Day, they knew that they were looking into the countenance of one who had just come forth from intimate communion with God, and who was at once God’s ambassador and their friend.  Along with his devout and holy living, he united in himself two great influences — his preaching and his pastoral oversight, in which he ‘watched for souls as one that must give an account.’  But the minister who holds himself back from the latter of these functions, when it is within his power to use it, is like a man that is content to work with only one arm.  So long as his health continue unbroken, Mr. Boston delighted in this part of his sacred office, ready to face storm and rain and cold in visiting the dying and the disconsolate, even to the remotest parts of his parish; and it was only when advancing years came, bring with them decaying health and growing infirmities, that he reluctantly obeyed their unwelcome interdict to hold back.[7]

Blogs

Why Evangelicals Dislike and Distrust Hillary Clinton So Much
Ed Stetzer explains our gut.

Love Your Neighbor Enough to Speak Truth
Rosaria Butterfield responds to Jen Hatmaker’s recent acceptance of homosexuality and gay marriage.

“Today, I hear Jen’s words—words meant to encourage, not discourage, to build up, not tear down, to defend the marginalized, not broker unearned power—and a thin trickle of sweat creeps down my back. If I were still in the thick of the battle over the indwelling sin of lesbian desire, Jen’s words would have put a millstone around my neck.”

Eight Roadblocks to Spiritual Health
An exposition of John Owen’s list of sins which prevent spiritual thriving.

Eight Reasons Many Bible Belt Churches Are in Trouble
Not just the Bible Belt. Much for all churches to ponder here.

The Cracks Begin at the Bottom
Tim Challies: “Great ruptures in the church often begin with just one member gossiping about another or just two quarreling members who have no desire to pursue reconciliation.”

10 Suggestions for Bi-Vocational Pastors
5 to-do’s, and 5 not-to-do’s in an increasingly common model of ministry.

10 Internet Safety Rules to Teach Children Before They Go Online
Not Christian but wise.

Smartphones and tablets in bedrooms disrupt sleep even when switched off
Explains a lot.

Kindle Books

For your non-Kindle book buying needs please consider using Reformation Heritage Books in the USA and Reformed Book Services in Canada. Good value prices and shipping.

Faith of our Father: Expositions of Genesis 12-25 by Dale Ralph Davis $2.99

The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism by Don Carson $3.99

New Book

Leadership Mosaic: 5 Leadership Principles for Ministry and Everyday Life by Daniel Montgomery.