We had a unique window into the real friendships that exist between these men. I am so pleased that such relationships are being used by God in the way they are. The discussions were witty, wise, and at times very very helpful.
CJ’s constant humility and amazement at being included in such an august panel was as instructive as the way the others clearly deferred to him as the master builder who has hewed out an entire family of churches which are doctrinally robust and thriving something none of the others have been used by God in doing.
Sadly, I couldn’t always tell who was talking but I loved this line from one of the brothers which was interjected as CJ told his story:
“So you actually learnt about the church from reading the Bible . . . and had the audacity to think you should go out there and do this.”
O for a generation of leaders for the Church with just such audacity!
Somebody quoted Sibbes as follows: “There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.“
There is enough fruit for meditation in that phrase for a week! In case you need more, how about this one from CJ: “Only those who are aware of sin and wrath with be amazed by grace.“
CJ also spoke about his own view of what we are aiming for as preachers: “. . . Effective preaching reveals to an individual where they have been influenced by the world . . . in thinking and in practice . . . Those who are preparing not only deal with the text . . . original intent of author to audience, but then think about how to transfer the content of that text to the individuals . . . .“
This interface between the Bible and the modern world this bridge building if you like- is the vital work of the preacher. Sadly so many preachers are happier in one of two worlds – either the world of the scholars understanding of biblical times or the modern world of the soap opera, management speak, and Hollywood. Why are so few able to bridge that divide? Why do so many forget that a successful sermon probably needs to start in the here and now to engage people, draw them back to Bible times, and then return to the here and now with a changed set of beliefs, values, and yes, behaviour that is understandable to the modern man who has never picked up a Bible, much less a commentary.
I also loved the way Mohler stuck the knife into the notion of a culture-bound Christianity: “We should be prepared to betray any earthly kingdom and any earthly king.”
The discussion of the T4G statement was helpful, and their motive for writing it was reported hilariously as to prove MacArthur was a prophet as he apparently had announced to the Shepherds Conference that they would be doing something like this at T4G! One of the guys took the joke even further when MacArthur indicated at the end of the session that he wanted to say something and said, “John MacArthur has a word”!!!! In fact, he was asking if he, too, could sign the statement, but the level of trust and security that allowed such joking to take place was most interesting.
This conference and this circle of friendship has the mark of something very different from the average lowest common denominator and committee-driven approach we usually see in attempts for believers from different backgrounds to work together. The relational spark is so strong and clearly is a major driver behind what these guys do together. Quite where this will all lead is of great interest to me, and I will continue to watch from the sidelines especially on the T4G blog.
This is not the end of coverage of Together for the Gospel for me, however. The competition to win free books for blogging through the T4G statement is still very much open, and now that I have completed these other posts, I intend to kick off with my own views on the introduction to the statement as soon as I can who else will join me?
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