In the summer of 2010 I published my first book. Highly influenced by Puritan John Owen’s understanding of mortification (“Be killing sin or it will be killing you.”), the book centered around a sanctification rooted in the gospel. I thought it apropos for many reasons, not the least of which is that often what is presented as a strategy for growing in Jesus is little more than an overly burdensome, soul-crushing attempt to win God’s favor by our sweat equity. Instead of enjoying the freedom to serve God, following Christ devolves into merely duty without delight. I was tired of and tired by books (and sermons, songs, etc.) with that message. As a result, not only did I write a book to add what little weight I could to the gospel-centered side in the spiritual formation tug-of-war, I sought to deepen myself in grace-oriented discipleship. It was for that exact reason I chose to get my doctorate at Covenant Theological Seminary.

There are many fine seminaries around the world. I considered many of them in my search for a Doctor of Ministry program. With that said, for me, there was no doubt Covenant would be my ultimate choice. Their emphasis on gospel-centered sanctification stood out above the rest. Covenant’s President, Dr. Bryan Chapell, had written several books and articles on grace-centric spiritual growth. His book Christ-Centered Preaching was known as somewhat of a classic in preaching circles. It only took a few days in my initial two-week doctoral seminars to know (again, for me) I had made right choice. In those two weeks I heard three different seminars dealing with gospel-oriented approaches to ministry. In fact, one of the sessions Dr. Chapell led himself. It dealt primarily with preaching but ended with a brief purview of grace-based sanctification. I was blown away! It was exactly what I was looking for and presented in a way I could grasp. I thought to myself as I frantically took notes, “Don’t miss a thing here Yancey! This stuff will impact your personal growth and public ministry for the rest of your days!”

Holiness by Grace: Delighting in the Joy That Is Our Strength is that session with so much more!

First printed in 2001, but reprinted (with a new cover) this past September, Chapell introduces the reader to the fundamental truth of Christ-centered growth in reflecting on John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, “Our holiness is not so much a matter of what we achieve as it is the grace our God provides.” (8) The following chapters, which feel like extended sermons than merely didactic discourse, seek to expound, clarify, and deepen one’s understanding of grace-oriented sanctification. Indeed, it’s this sermonic quality which strengthens Chapell’s work as key principles and abstract thoughts are placed on the “bottom shelf” via insightful stories, helpful analogies, and pithy word crafting. Chapell also takes time to answer critiques to those who challenge the notion our sanctification is rooted in our justification, yet does it in irenic fashion.

I think Holiness by Grace would be worth the price if it only included the chapters on the believer’s union with Christ (“United for Life”) and joy-driven motivation (“The Power of Mercy”). It is in these wonderful sections that Chapell uncovers truths of sanctification that have, in many church traditions, either been obscured or neglected altogether. Throughout it all, the reader will likely find himself sensing a greater joy in his heart to obey in light of seeing again and again what God has done for him in Christ. This is a book about grace in us, for us, and through us!

While some might feel the chapters have more length in them than necessary (such is the plight of the modern reader), Holiness by Grace is an incredibly accessible, eminently readable book which should be a fundamental text in every disciple’s library. It will be a book I not only keep close by but one I shall refer to repeatedly in my life and ministry. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Here are the questions:

1. What claims are they making?
2. How do they defend those claims?
3. Is their thinking sound – logically, biblically, etc.?
4. How does their position interact with mine?
5. How do I defend my claims?
6. Is my thinking sound – logically, biblically, etc.? (for example, Does it grieve me because I know they’re wrong or because it contradicts what I currently do?)
7. Where do I stand after interacting with all of this?

Far too often we merely get angry at a contrary opinion because it confronts all we’ve ever known about something. But that is not a good enough reason for our displeasure. Opposing ideas may  expose our lack of discernment, shallow doctrinal depth, or (heaven forbid) our lemming-esque attachment to wrong ideas. That’s when facing a contradictory view is a good thing.

Working through these questions helps us think critically about what we’ve heard, what we know and what we need to do about it. I’m confident there are better questions to ask when confronted with contrary opinions/teachings, but I’m also confident not working through any will only leave many stunted and disadvantaged when it comes to engaging ideas of every shade.

Wait a minute! I thought you were supposed to baptize new believers sooner than later? Look at all the examples we see in Scripture – like the Ethiopian eunuch, the Philippian jailor, etc. You believe then are baptized.

That’s true. In the New Testament we see a pattern: belief then baptism (I kindly disagree with my Christian brothers and sisters who come from traditions which practice infant baptism. Hey, you can’t be right about everything ). Simply put, in order for someone to be baptized they should possess saving faith in Christ. Therefore, when a child desires to be baptized, the parents (who are the spiritual guardians of the child) should make a concerted effort to discover if authentic belief is in place.  Some denominations refuse baptism for children under 12 years of age, others say 16, still others give a different number. For me, I am less concerned about age and more concerned about genuine conversion. That’s why installing a self-imposed waiting period of a year after my child’s conversion has been our family’s practice.

While the desire to honor your child’s wishes of being baptized immediately may be strong, I believe the grace of waiting for a set period of time is the better course to set. Here are some reasons to wait:

1. It flees from giving false assurance. There are fewer things a parent can do as damning as baptizing their unsaved child. Yet I’m confident that happens in churches every Sunday around the world. When an adult can neither articulate what they believe about Jesus nor demonstrate any fruit of regeneration throughout their life (e.g., godly repentance over sin, love for God’s people, sense of gospel mission) but thinly points to a time where he ‘said a prayer’ and ‘got baptized’ as a child, it only further insulates him from genuinely embracing the gospel in the future. These are the things of which dead religion is made.
2. It allows time to see gospel growth. Kids can make a ‘decision for Christ’ for all kinds of reasons. Maybe they got manipulated by some well-meaning camp speaker (“Hey kiddos, who doesn’t want to go to hell? Raise your hand!“). Maybe they wanted to join their friends who walked down the aisle one Sunday. Maybe they wanted to make mommy and daddy proud because ‘becoming a Christian’ is the right thing to do. Maybe they thought baptism is cool and wanted to get dunked as well. Or maybe the God of the Universe opened their eyes by the power of his Spirit to see Jesus as Lord and Savior and they believed the gospel and now want to proclaim their faith and identify with the Bride of Christ by going under the waters of baptism. How can you know? While you can never be entirely sure, giving space to see the work of the Holy Spirit in their life over a dedicated stretch of time can’t hurt.
3. It reminds you salvation is God’s work. If your child genuinely received the gospel then he or she is God’s possession no matter when they get baptized. Far too often I’ve seen parents give a sigh of relief when their child is baptized as if to say, “Phew. Now I know my kid’s going to heaven!” Baptism is treated like some magical rite which opens the doors to Paradise regardless of the trajectory of the child’s life in the future. But true faith is a gift, given solely by God. It can’t be cajoled from the Almighty by stepping into water. Waiting for a period of time before you baptize your professing child should remind your heart that genuine faith is something only God does. And if he has done that good work in your child, he “will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6b)
4. It communicates to your child the heart-nature of faith. Waiting tells your child you believe Jesus really does change people. In fact, with each of our kids who professed faith in Christ, we sat them down immediately and shared our plan to wait a year before we baptized them. It gave us an opportunity to speak to them right from the beginning of their newfound faith about what God does in the heart of someone who believes. They understood faith is a great work of grace God begins inside of us – changing our passions, lifting our affections, directing our hopes – “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)

As I noted, waiting for an extended period of time between your child’s profession of faith and his or her baptism isn’t a panacea for false faith. It won’t guarantee that the young boy or girl who passes under the waters has truly been born of the Spirit, but it may help you better fulfill your God-given mandate to watch over the spiritual growth of those very children. Waiting to baptize your professing kids may be exactly the grace they need.

I’m a rebel and just wanted you to know it
- me being a rebel, that is.
Just listen to me and you’ll see how big of a rebel I am:

• I love Jesus but not the church. Pitting Christ against the local church is not only cool to do but it allows me to commit the sin of rebellion with impunity and still feel good about myself. Forget the fact that Jesus died for the church and empowered his people to plant, lead and commit to local churches. Why let the truth of biblical passages like Heb. 13:17 get in the way of my self-indulgence? It’s fun and it gives me my own brand of Christianity. Plus, I get to distance myself from those hypocrites that gather on Sundays. I’m definitely not a hypocrite. I’m a rebel. There’s a difference, you know. Let me explain. Just give me a second…or two. Okay, I’ll get back with you on that one.

• I don’t need any teachers but the Holy Spirit. I can’t stand Bible studies that take an issue and see what the Scriptures say to that topic in an orderly, thoughtful way. That’s such a crutch because you’re using a teacher. You know what that means, right? You’re using someone else’s thoughts about the Bible! Where’s the Holy Spirit in that? I only study Bible passages by themselves without any influence except God alone. (You’ll be lucky if I even join a ‘small group.’ C’mon, that’s so institutional!) I know it seems foolish to ignore the fruit God the Spirit produced in Christians over the centuries who’ve given their lives to understanding the Scriptures but surely I can divine Holy Writ as well as the next person. By the way, do you know of a good commentary for First Corinthians?

• I like to drop four-lettered words. I know I can’t really find much in the New Testament (or Old) about the saints throwing language around, but I feel it’s my mandate to show the world that cussing is truly a cultural phenomenon. I’m a rebel you know. Damn [pause for effect], restraining your tongue from profanity is probably a sign of legalism. I mean, just look at Jesus. Wait, scratch that. Nevertheless, I’m going to sprinkle just enough curse words into my speech to not only give the impression I’ve been set free from that cultural albatross (and treat it like it’s an essential belief – you know, like The Trinity or the Atonement) but also ensure language-teetotalers will feel uncomfortable when we fellowship together. Told you I was a rebel. And seriously, who wants to be known for a clean mouth?

• I need no accountability. Accountability is just codeword for someone else ‘policing’ my life. Remember, I’m a rebel. I don’t need anyone in the church (I don’t really care for ‘them’ anyhow) confronting me about anything – be it the elders, my small group members or other fellow Christians. Listen, if I want to put stuff on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media that would call into question my commitment to Jesus then so be it! It’s my life and I’ll do as I please! So do me a favor and keep your thoughts to yourself because there’s obviously no other reason why you would talk to me about the choices I’ve made outside of just wanting to make me uncomfortable. I’ll live for Jesus (or not) the way I want. Damn [again, pause for emphasis], you guys act like Jesus died for a group instead of just individuals!

So now you know; I’m a rebel. Deal with it!

Hey…come closer…can I tell you the real reason I like being a rebel? I like being a rebel because it gives everyone the impression I’m really moving forward spiritually when, in reality, I’m going backward. Thinking of myself as a ‘Christian rebel’ allows me to pick and choose what I like about Jesus – so all that stuff about accountability, submission, community, personal holiness, etc. can stay on the cutting room floor. I like being a rebel because I get to dress up like I’m spiritually mature when I’m not.

Okay. I’m done. I’m a rebel and thought you’d like to know. At least, I want you to feel like you need to know. Besides, following is so NOT me.

Now what is it Jesus wanted me to do?

The duty of correction.

1. See if fair words will win them from evil. This is God’s way with his children (Jer 25:4, 5).
2. Let those words you speak to them in your reproof, be both sober, few, and pertinent, adding always some suitable sentence of the scripture therewith; as, if they lie, then such as (Rev 21:8, 27). If they refuse to hear the word, such as (2 Chron 25:14-16).
3. Look to them, that they be not companions with those that are rude and ungodly; showing with soberness a continual dislike of their naughtiness; often crying out to them, as God did of old unto his, ‘Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate’ (Jer 44:4).
4. Let all this be mixed with such love, pity, and compunction of spirit, that if possible they may be convinced you dislike not their persons, but their sins. This is God’s way (Psa 99:8).
5. Be often endeavoring to fasten on their consciences the day of their death, and judgment to come. Thus also God deals with his (Deu 32:29).
6. If you are driven to  [corporal punishment], then strike advisedly in cool blood, and soberly show them, (1.) their fault; (2.) how much it is against your heart to deal with them in this way; (3.) and that what you do, you do in conscience to God, and love to their souls; (4.) and tell them, that if fair means would have done, none of this severity should have been. This, I have proved it, will be a means to afflict their hearts as well as their bodies; and it being the way that God deals with his, it is the most likely to accomplish its end.
7. Follow all this with prayer to God for them, and leave the issue to him: ‘Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him’ (Prov 22:15).

Lastly, Observe these cautions,

1. Take heed that the misdeeds for which you correct your children be not learned by them from you. Many children learn that wickedness of their parents for which they beat and chastise them.
2. Take heed that you smile not upon them, to encourage them in small faults, for your behavior toward them will be an encouragement to them to commit greater.
3. Take heed that you use not unsavory and unseemly words in your chastising of them, as insulting, name calling, and the like: this is devilish.
4. Take heed that you do not accustom them to many chiding words and threatenings, mixed with lightness and laughter; this will harden. Speak not much, nor often, but pertinent to them with all sobriety.

HT: Grace Online Library

For those who care, and I understand if you don’t: Today I quit being a Christian. I’m out. I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being “Christian” or to being part of Christianity. It’s simply impossible for me to “belong” to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten …years, I’ve tried. I’ve failed. I’m an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.

…I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of …Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.

Today she continued:

My faith in Christ is central to my life. My conversion from a pessimistic atheist lost in a world I didn’t understand, to an optimistic believer in a universe created and sustained by a loving God is crucial to me. But following Christ does not mean following His followers. Christ is infinitely more important than Christianity and always will be, no matter what Christianity is, has been, or might become.

On first blush there are things I like about Rice’s confession.

• I like the fact she is honest about the blemishes of the church throughout history. There is no question there have been seasons the church has been less then sterling in her work and witness.

• I also like that Rice wants to keep any one group from cornering the market on the faith. For example, I bristle when political parties claim Jesus as their own, thinking their political ideology is in the fat middle of the Kingdom of God.

Thus, I think there are things in Rice’s words to, at some level, affirm. But her sentiments also create caution in me. I don’t think she intends this, but her words can be construed to say, “I believe in Christ. I just don’t want to follow Him.” How do I get there?

Rice lists beliefs she obviously considers right no matter what “Christianity” – the collection of believers throughout history – says. They are dogma to her. But what if, in following Christ, she discovers that Christ holds beliefs in conflict with hers? What does she do then? It appears she may have already shown us: just write off the church. Blame them for being wrong in it all. Say they’ve lost their way and don’t have a grip on modernity. But what if, on some issues, that’s imply not true? What if she’s just at odds with the biblical understanding of an issue. Then maybe…

She really needs to write off Jesus?

The Gospel accounts show us that Jesus gave teachings which very well may conflict with our fallen, man-centered ways of seeing things. His very own disciples (the institutional church at the time, by the way) felt this sting of this truth. John 6:6-69 records:

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

The real question we should ask ourselves is, Who do you really believe has the words to eternal life? You or Jesus?

If, like Peter, you believe that Jesus is “the Holy One of God” then what he says about anything and everything is true…even if it conflicts with what you believe about life, gender, sexuality, politics or any other area. And believe me, Christ will say “hard” things – things we need to wrestle with, repent of and embrace. Can the institutional church get things wrong? Yes. For that, she should repent. But, if in finding through the Scripture rightly understood, we are the on opposite side of Jesus and his Word (which Jesus completely affirmed) on any issue, it is we who are to move, not him. Divorcing ourselves from “Christianity” isn’t the answer to the conflict. It’s helping to work with the church to make sure she is hearing God’s Word clearly and truly (see Martin Luther).

The truth is Jesus died for the church. He loves the church. And if we want to follow Jesus, we must love what he loves and believe what he believes. Picking and choosing what we like about Jesus and his Word – embracing what fits our preconceived notions and rejecting the rest – only shows us we want our version of Jesus but not the real Jesus. This warning is for you, me, Ms. Rice and anyone who considers themselves a Christian.

Because to believe in Jesus is to follow Jesus.

There is no question there will be more quality studies left off the list than are on it (so I apologize in advance), but this is merely a starting place for our groups. You will also notice our framework of spiritual formation called the 7G’s. These are the general areas of spiritual growth we emphasize for our people. I have recommended studies for each G, studies for more specific areas within those G’s (graded as well) and a list of Bible book studies.

Hope this can be a helpful resource for you: CCCC Recommended Studies 2010

1. We risk giving our kids the impression that Jesus  is someone we learn about for an hour one day a week (and that’s going to church weekly, which, truth be told, most Christian parents don’t do). Consequently, faith is viewed as something partitioned off from the rest of our lives. Christ isn’t seen as central in life but a footnote, and often a small one at that.
2. We cannot cultivate a heart for anything or anyone by merely one hour a week. For instance, how much time do our kids spend participating in sports each week? School? Gymnastics? Why? We know why. It’s because children (and adults) need both quality of time and quantity of time when it comes to growth in any area of life. Yet, this is just as true spiritually as it is physically or intellectually.
3. We can lead our kids to believe that the only people who really know about God, and thus, who should teach us about him are the experts - the pastors, directors and teachers at church. This feeling only gets reinforced when our kids ask us spiritual questions and we repeatedly reply, “That’s a good question. Let’s ask Pastor So-and-so.” It’s natural for kids to put us in tight places by the questions they ask, but when we continually put the spiritual ones off to the “Pastor,” all we’ve done is communicate to our children that the arena of faith isn’t a parent’s territory. Nothing could be further from the truth.

From the very beginning, parents have been central to the spiritual formation of their children. The words of Deuteronomy 6:4-9, known as the Shema to Jews around the world and foundational instruction for God’s people in the Old Testament, reads:

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Note the emphasis on the role of the parent, “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (6:7) Parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children.  It’s a mandate from God that hasn’t changed over the centuries. No wonder Ephesians 6:4 reads, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Helping our kids grow spiritually is our responsibility. And it should be intentional, strategic and ongoing.

That’s why I believe one of the best ways to begin the year is by sitting down with your spouse and developing a plan for how you are going to pour into your kids spiritually. It will look different for every family. In fact, if you’ve never done this before, never fear! Begin small. Start reading a children’s Bible to your kids each weeknight. Read just one story. It might take only five minutes, but if you’re faithful to do it, you have already begun in some small measure to create spiritual momentum in your home which may impact your family more than you could ever imagine!

Let me conclude by sharing what my wife and I plan on doing weekly with our children in 2010.

Mornings (When we rise)

• Read and briefly discuss one story from Egermeier’s Bible Story Book at breakfast
• Review Scripture Memory for the week from SojournKids Family Worship Guide
• Work through one question of the catechism (A catechism is an historic, time-tested Q&A approach to teaching children Bible doctrine and gospel tenets) adapted from SojournKids Family Worship Guide

Afternoons (When we sit in our house and walk by the way)

• Find moments throughout the day to highlight God’s work in the world and the goodness of the gospel
• Read Hymns for a Kid’s Heart and then listen/sing corresponding hymn over lunch
• Have the To Be Like Jesus CD ready in the car to sing when we drive around town

Evenings (When we lie down)

• Read and briefly discuss one story from The Jesus Storybook Bible
• Pray with kids, pray for kids.

Some will do more, others will do less, but this is simply our initial plan for 2010. My challenge to you, dear parent, is to just do something…something more than just taking them to church. Please understand, you can do this! Indeed, you are called to do it. And if God calls us to something, he will empower us in the undertaking of it. Let 2010 be the year that you took the reigns of responsibility for your kids spiritual development.

So, what’s your plan?

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