Mormonism and Presuppositional Apologetics

I've talked much with our Grace Church group about trying to defend the faith (apologetics) at a worldview level. Rather than trying to list reasons why Christianity is true, or list reasons why particular tenets of other faiths are flawed, the best approach is to paint a panoramic picture of the Christian worldview, demonstrating how it alone comprehensively explains all reality, while also forcing proponents of other worldviews to defend their "mental maps" with which they navigate through life. A former professor of mine, Russell Moore, demonstrates this kind of reasoning in this great blog post found here.

Indelible Grace IV: A Review

I recently received Indelible Grace's fourth album, Beams of Heaven, in the mail, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. From time to time on this blog, I want to share some of my favorite albums with you. This is definitely one of them.

For those of you unfamiliar with Indelible Grace, the ministry began in Christ Community Church of Nashville. Kevin Twit, the church's college minister (R.U.F.) at nearby Belmont University, had a vision of taking old hymns and wedding them with modern tunes. His first album, entitled Indelible Grace, has been followed by Pilgrim Days, For All the Saints, and our current disc of discussion, Beams of Heaven. Each disc features songs of rich, God-centered lyrics with ultra-cool tunes. On each album, Twit plays most of the guitars, but he utilizes a wealth of young Nashville talent-- from his college students and from some of the city's brightest young stars. Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Andrew Osenga, and Dan Haseltine have been featured on one or more of the Indelible Grace albums.

"Come and Welcome," (Thomas Haweis) features new music by Matthew Perryman Jones. He also performs the track. This is an energetic song, perfect for a "call to worship," not only for its lyrical content, but also for its driving, joyful melody. This is a powerful proclamation of the gospel accompanied by a passionate call for believers to flee to Christ.

"More Love to Thee" (Elizabeth Prentiss) is a Twit tune performed by his right hand man, Matthew Smith, on the disc. This song, like the first clip, and like most on the CD, is peppy. Unlike most modern worship, however, the lyrics aren't goofy. "More Love" is a great congregational prayer put to music.

"I Asked The Lord" (John Newton) is performed by Emily Deloach. Laura Taylor authored the music. Newton's lyrics are amazing. He works from a man's prayer for growth in Christ to Christ humbling him through trials to that man seeing those tribulations as means to his sanctification. The tune is nice. The lyrics are stellar. How well this would function as a congregational number, I'm not quite sure.

Derek Webb of Caedmon's Call fame sings "His Love Can Never Fail," a tune written by Christopher Miner (E.S. Hall). I'm biased toward Webb, I know, but this song rocks! And talk about a "God-centered" tune! It's all about God-- about how our walk as Christians depends upon His love and not our effort.

"Who Is This?" (William How) is another Miner rewrite sung by Sandra McCracken. I am one to think that she sings much like the angelic hosts. The song she sings is pretty great, as well. The song moves from the humble birth of Christ to the humiliating death of our Lord. But it doesn't just focus on the morbid. It speaks also of Christ's victory.

Who is this that hangs there dying while the rude world scoffs and scorns?
Numbered with the malefactors, torn with nails, and crowned with thorns?
'Tis our God who lives forever, mid the shining ones on high,
In the glorious golden city, reigning everlastingly.

"Jesus, Lover of My Soul" (Charles Wesley) is retuned by Greg Thompson and is performed by Matthew Perryman Jones. This is one rewrite of the classic that I really like. The second part of each verse does a great job of taking the worshipper upward musically.

A guy I had never heard of, Tyler Sorensen, rocks out on "Lead On, O King Eternal" (Ernest Shurtleff), a song rewritten by Jeff Pardo. Sorenson reminds me of Bono. This song, if performed like the CD, would freak out your grandparents, but hopefully they would appreciate the lyrics. Wow.

"Begone Unbelief" (John Newton) is another tune by Twit. Jason Feller sings it. This is not my favorite on the album, but let me say that my least favorite Indelible Grace tune is much preferred over any modern Maranatha recording, so don't let that make you skip this track on your CD player.

Rachel Briggs sings her new tune on "Come Ye Disconsolate" (Thomas More). I like this song much, but I'm not sure how singable it would be at the congregational level. I buy the IG CDs primarily for church singing. Not sure how this one would fly.

"Father, Long Before Creation" (Chinese hymn translated by Francis Jones) is sung by Matthew Smith. Its tune was penned by Caedmon's Call's Andrew Osenga. This is perhaps my favorite. And it's my 2-year old son Hadley's favorite, too. He angrily mumbles the title (or something like it) each time the song ends, not-so-politely requesting that we play it again.

"To Christ The Lord" (Samuel Stennett) is sung and penned by Laura Taylor. This is truly beautiful-- her voice, the tune, and the lyrics. I can't wait to sing this one with my church.

Osenga sings track 12, "Lift Up Thy Bleeding Hand," a tune he wrote (Cecil Alexander). This tune focuses on the death of Christ. It has a Caedmon's feel. It seems very singable.

Jeremy Casella sings "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" (William Williams). He also wrote the tune. This is nice, but not my favorite on the album (see comment on track 8).

McCracken sings "Jesus The Lord My Savior Is" (William Gadsby). I love her voice, as I already mentioned. The "bridge" on this song is musically great. It really functions in the song like a chorus, or at least it should.

The final track, "Beams of Heaven," is performed by Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay. This is a Charles Tindley song retuned by Christopher Miner. I like Haseltine's voice. He makes every song sound like a Jars song (big surprise). This song is nice but seems like it would be difficult to do congregationally.

Well, as you can see, my reviews of each song are getting shorter as this white boy grows weary. Bottom line: buy the album. In a world of CCM, "me-centered" tunes, Indelible Grace offers God-centered, gospel-focused songs put to great music. Plant team, buy this or my wrath will fall on you. :) Buy it here.

5th Downs and the Baby Jesus

Just about an hour ago, I watched ESPN's SportsCenter and saw the "top ten sports gifts" of all time. Number five, I believe, was Colorado's infamous "fifth down," given to them in 1990's matchup in Columbia against the Tigers. For those that have forgotten, Mizzou had Colorado stopped at the one yard line, and the refs mistakenly gave the Buffaloes another shot, a fifth down. On that extra down, they were awarded a touchdown, although video replays and still shot photographs clearly showed that the Colorado player was stopped short of the goal line.

I was on the sideline on that day. In fact, I can be seen anytime you see a replay of those last few plays. I am the guy in the pink shirt (I'm embarrassed to say) who jumps up and down when we stopped him on down five. I was working as a volunteer for the sports information department in that, my freshman year. I got to stand on the sidelines, acting as a liason between the trainers and the press box. Basically, I helped keep the radio team up-to-speed on injury conditions on the Missouri sideline.

They got an extra down. They didn't score on the extra down. Colorado got a gift. Missouri got robbed. Growing up as a coach's son, I have struggled off and on throughout my days with making sports an idol. God has taught me over the years (particularly as a Mizzou fan) that football (and basketball) can't satisfy. In fact, nothing in this world can satisfy-- money, fame, women, education, and the list goes on. What are your idols? What do you get excited about? Things of this earth will leave you disappointed, much like the 60,000 fans were on October 7, 1990.

C.S. Lewis once said, "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." He was right. Don't celebrate things that will disappoint. Celebrate the baby Jesus this December, the child who would grow up to defeat His enemies and reign forever with his people. Be one of those people that will be with him in that "other world." There will be an end to fifth downs there.

Greetings from SW MO!

This afternoon, I'm posting from Springfield, my former home in the southwest corner of the Show-Me state. I'm hanging with the out-laws for the weekend.

I wanted to take the time to wish all of you faithful readers (both of you) a Merry Christmas! I am so grateful to all who have helped us in our quest to plant a God-centered, missional congregation in Columbia. I am especially grateful to our plant team-- for their hard work, great attitude, and love for God and us. God bless you this Christmas season!

I would also like to recommend a site to you. It's www.bloglines.com. This is a cool new site that allows you to keep track of all your favorite blogs (like mine). You can set up an account, subscribe to blogs, and then, each day, see which blogs have been updated and read them. Check it out!

Belief in the Balance

I have recommended to many of you the book Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey. She argues that the Christian worldview provides truth about all of reality and not just matters of faith. The faith/fact distinction is unhelpful, not allowing people of faith to speak to matters of science, while denying that other worldviews (like Darwinism) attempt to present total truth, as well.

Anyway, in last weekend's Columbia Tribune, an article by Seth Ashley demonstrates exactly what Pearcey is talking about. Read it here.

Dr. Mohler On Intentional Childlessness

Dr. Albert Mohler was on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 last night, debating a woman who celebrates intentional childlessness. Read the very short, but enlightening, transcript here.

For the record, let me tell you that my life would be much easier right now if we were childless. I am trying to plant a church while working another part-time job. I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 7 week old. But do I want to take the easy way out? Do I want to avoid growing up? Do I care about the future of this world and the spread of God's kingdom? Also, do I want to miss the joys of parenthood? Easy decision.

Meet my second home, the Cherry Street Artisan

Some Mizzou J-school students have put together an excellent series of articles (and a video) about my place of employment, the Cherry Street Artisan. I'm extremely proud to be a part of this place. Everything in the article is true-- and then more. Read it and visit the joint when you're in town. You hear?

Backbroke Mountain and Male Friendships

Dr. Albert Mohler has written an excellent article here about the movie Backbroke Mountain. He quotes extensively from Anthony Esolen, English professor at Providence College, about how society's acceptance of homosexuality has resulted in the breakdown of male friendships.

I will never forget, as a single man living with two male roomates, how a rommate of mine, whom I will not embarrass, used to be embarrassed to walk in the mall or eat at a restaurant with me, for fear we would be labeled as gay. Now, as a church planter, I give my guys a hard time when they're nervous to give me or another man a hug. Mohler and Esolen are right. This acceptance of homosexuality has led to a skepticism regarding male friendship. Now emotional or spiritual intimacy, true camaraderie among males, is looked at, by heterosexuals, as possible homosexuality.

My passion here in Columbia, Missouri is to raise up strong men-- those who can lead their families and churches. This will only be accomplished by men gathering together, sharing together, and praying together. Columbia needs men who encourage one another in the gospel of grace. We don't need more belching and farting and high-fives.

Before the new Johnny Cash film, Walk the Line, a preview ran for Brokeback Mountain. After the preview, in this progressive, quite liberal, college town, the crowd erupted in laughter. Brothers, we can't allow this laughter to prevent us from standing together, as males, confident in our sexuality, building brotherhood with one another for the sake of the gospel and the glory of God. Let us show the city and the world what true masculinity looks like.

Darwinism and Straw Man Arguments

Douglas Groothius writes a helpful article in yesterday's Rocky Mountain News. Check it out here.

Mohler on Narnia

Dr. Albert Mohler has some great comments about the new movie, "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" found here.

Key Worship Music Convictions of Grace Church

Below are some key convictions I have gained over the years regarding worship. I probably forgot things. This is a rough draft. But read them, and let me know what you think.

God-centered orientation: The service in general, and the songs in particular, should point people to God, not self.

Gospel focus: The service and songs should remind participants of the gospel—that they are sinners saved by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Theological richness: Songs should not only be doctrinally true, but theologically rich. Preference will be shown to modern hymns, and shallow, repetitive songs will be avoided.

Historical Connection: The great hymns of the faith should be sung, either with their original tunes or with modern revisions of them, allowing today’s worshippers to be connected to their brothers and sisters of the past and their depth of expression.

Modern Expression: The best of today’s worship songs should also be used, allowing for modern expression of ancient truths, while still preferring God-centered, gospel-focused, and theologically rich songs.

Indigenous style: The “feel” of worship music should suit the place in which the church is found, allowing the people of that community to give appropriate voice to their praises.

Liturgical flow: The structure of the worship gathering should have a certain flow, ushering people through the gospel to the throne of God. To say the gathering is liturgical speaks more of the thought put into the service than the feel produced by it.

Diverse Instrumentation and Involvement: Diverse instruments and different believers (ethnically, generationally, etc.) should be utilized to lead all the saints in praise, while keeping a stylistic “center” to the gathering.

Participative Nature: The goal of worship music is to engage and lead the saints in worship. Therefore, arranging, playing, and mixing of music that encourages a performance-spectator mentality will be avoided. The voices in a worship gathering should be the main instruments.

God-Glorifying Excellence: The music leader and team will strive to lead in such a way that God is glorified, and that the saints will not be distracted either by their mastery or by their inability. This will be accomplished partially through weekly rehearsals.

Musical Beauty: God-glorifying lyrics must be matched with fitting, beautiful music that images the beauty of the Creator God who invented music.

Non-Negotiable Importance: As singing is commanded throughout the Bible and serves as the most supreme voice of amazing truths, its importance must be taught and modeled by church leadership. “I don’t like to sing” is an unacceptable statement for a believer of Christ.

Lifestyle Understanding: Worship encompasses all of life—certainly more than Sunday morning, and especially the Sunday singing time. Singing is just one aspect of a worship service, and calling it “worship” confuses the people of God.

Gifted Leadership: As the song leader sets the tone for the gathering of God’s people, he must be a gifted musician, passionate worshipper, and loving servant who can plan and lead God-glorifying singing times.

Elder Involvement: The final responsibility for the songs sung during the worship gathering falls to the elders, so they must be involved closely with the planning of services. They must not completely delegate this responsibility due to the critical teaching component of corporate singing.

Believer Orientation: Singing in corporate worship gatherings should be geared to facilitate the worship of believers, not appeal to “seekers.” Worship can only be truly done by believers in Christ.

Multi-Generational Appeal: A diversity of songs should be sung that appeal to all of God’s saints, not just a certain age group. However, a congregational “center” should be ascertained, enabling for an indigenous expression of worship by the bulk of the congregation.

Multiple Settings: Small groups, family devotions, and youth groups, just to name a few, are other venues that should encourage musical worship.

Corporate Emphasis: Believers should be encouraged to worship God primarily as a corporate body, not as individuals, during the weekly corporate worship gathering. This will affect songs chosen (preference for “we” songs over those “I”) and prayers uttered (“God, forgive us,” over “God, forgive me.”), as well as numerous other aspects of the meeting.

Passionate Expression: Christians must be taught to desire strong affections in worship. Hypocritical, heartless singing is to be avoided, while heartfelt passion is to be pursued.

Loving Deference: Church members must put the desires of others above themselves, not fighting to see that their musical preferences are honored as best.

Unified Voice: The unity of the local body must be pursued in worship gatherings. This is achieved, first of all, by having all the believers gathered in one room, with one voice. Multiple worship gatherings, and multiple, different-styled worship gatherings will be avoided.