Easy to drive or run or walk by.
But when you stop, get out, place your hands upon the clapboard, look at the framed PA history, read of keystone denotations and connotations, walk ridges limning the fort, and imbibe the accents from Dutch and German immigrants generations now Americanized, yet who retain their northern European proclivities and genetics, it’s heartening to be mit den Menschen.
A Picture and a Thought or Two about Shadows and Light: As we took off from the airport in Atlanta and headed north, the skies over Georgia were clear. I joked with a friend of mine that it was like a song lyric from the Who: “I could see for miles . . . and miles . . . and miles . . . and miles . . . and miles . . . ” I was sitting by the window in the right rear of the plane, and I looked out over a region I’ve flown over many times. I could see the mountains of north Georgia coming into view. And I could see the various lakes and rivers and creeks. The rivers and creeks snaked their way into larger bodies of water. The sunlight reflected off of them so that they came to look almost mystical in the light. Light and shadow played upon them, depending upon from what angle I viewed them as we flew north. At one point, I even saw another plane on a parallel flight path.
Light and Shadow Metaphors in Scripture: One of the most beautiful metaphors in Scripture is that the believer abides “in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). It’s such a beautiful picture if you think on it. The believer dwells in the shadow of God. How is that possible? Because God is sovereign, He covers His people. He rules all things. But He exercises electing providential care for His people. What it does not mean is that believers are sheltered from harm or sickness or disease, etc. Clearly not. This is a fallen world and all of creation groans, along with us–contingent and finite creatures (Romans 8:22-24). God’s grace and providence not only permit suffering but ordain it. Isaiah 45:5-7 is just one of countless places where God declares His sovereignty over all things:
I am the LORD, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I equip you, though you do not know me,
that people may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
I form light and create darkness;
I make well-being and create calamity;
I am the LORD, who does all these things.
God does not hide Himself or His rule over all things. This is one reason Psalm 91:1 is such a moving metaphor. The believer abides “in the shadow of the Almighty.” In other places, the image is of being under God’s wing. Again, the metaphorical language teaches the same thing–God’s sovereignty over every jot and tittle.
Speaking of Wings … My friend Jim loves birds as much as I love trees. And he is gracious enough to send me some of his bird pictures when he gets them. How anyone could gaze upon these winged beauties and deny their Creator is inexplicable to the intellectually honest person. Again Jim, thank you, brother.
Lastly, I had to include a picture of trees. I don’t know what it is about them, but if you’ve ever laid on your back under some of your favorite trees, and gazed up at the sky through the canopy of wood, bark, stem, leaf, etc. and not been moved, you and I are made of different stuff. This is Jim’s picture, so I take no credit for it at all. All I can do is say thank you. Again, it all seems to me more overwhelming evidence of the Architect of creation, or of who the New Testament calls the One who “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3, ESV).
Context: Today many churches were full. The church where my family serves and worships, for example, was. We had to put chairs in the lobby to accomodate the crowds who gathered. It was a beautiful thing to witness.
When scores of people assemble to listen to the history of the risen Messiah, the One who was prophesied in the Old Testament, the One who cast demons out, the One who restored sight to the blind, the One who was three days and nights in the heart of the earth as Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the great fish, the One who asked the unbelieving Jews, “Which one of you convicts me of sin?” (John 8:46), the One who was the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 and was “smitten by God, and afflicted” who was “wounded for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities,” it is beautiful to be among those who sing—not out of defeat but out of gratitude for the gospel. Yes, we sing songs focusing on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from that guarded tomb in Jerusalem, Israel.
A short history review: When Paul, formerly the Pharisee Saul of Tarsus but now the ransomed Christian and apostle Paul, was explaining the gospel in 1 Corinthians, chapter 15 focuses on why the historical bodily resurrection of the Christ was crucial. It’s “of first importance,” he wrote (1 Cor 15:3).
All that Jesus, the Christ, accomplished was of first importance. He did it all “in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:4). As was typical of Paul’s style when trying to persuade people of the evidence for Christ as the fulfillment of the promises of God (2 Cor 1:20), Paul kept saying in sundry ways the same truth: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:17). In other words, where people stand vis-a-vis the gospel is the determining factor of their damnation or salvation. If people refuse to come to Christ in repentance and faith, the wrath of God abides on them still (John 3:36). But for all who come to Christ in repentance and faith, they become the children of God (John 1:12).
Paul points people to the historical evidence of the empty tomb, to Jesus’ historical bodily resurrection: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20).
The firstfruits was a Jewish feast that pointed, like all the Jewish Old Testament feasts, to Christ, the fulfillment of those feasts. That is Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 15:23: “But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”
Then comes verse 58 of that majestic New Testament chapter of 1 Corinthians: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
Why verse 58 matters: When I am with those I love at church, when the Spirit of God is moving among us as we gather under the teaching, praying, and singing of the Word of God, where the triune God of the Bible is heralded, believers should rejoice in verse 58. “But why?” the skeptic might ask. Or “How can I rejoice?” another might ask, when he/she could easily say, “The world is such a mess, with men dressing as women, and Christian schools are being shot up by trannies, and drag queens are parading their reprobation in the government schools and taxpayer-funded libraries . . . .” and on and on.
Yes, that is true. That is what the unregenerate, fallen, depraved sinner wants. He/she hates the true God, hates the true Christ, hates the fact that Jesus was and is God in the flesh, that He was raised as the firstfruits for all who will see.
Verse 58 matters because it follows upon all that came before.
Believers are to be steadfast, immovable, and abounding in the work of the Lord because Christ was faithful in His life and in His death and through His resurrection. We have proof. Bodily proof. We have the history of the true church. We have the Scriptures. We have the conviction and direction of the Holy Spirit who points believers to the 66 books of inspired Scripture. This is why, I hope, all those who came today, assembled. Because verse 58 is rooted in the history of the One who both conquered the grave but who also authored the cosmos by speaking it into existence, the One who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).
It’s Steve Deace’s A Nefarious Plot. I finished it today in one reading while flying across the country. Great read. But very, very, very troubling. Why? Well, I don’t want to spoil it for you.
But if you’re aware that we’re in spiritually dark times, the book and film will move you, too.
Here’s the trailer:
The reviews are already rolling in as to how moving the experience is. And they’re formidable and positive, dark themes notwithstanding.
If you’re a reader, please read Deace’s book. Then give a copy to someone you care about.
If you can’t get folks to read the book, go with someone (or a group) to watch this film. 14 April 2023 is the national release date.
Yes, I know it’s bad grammar but it’s still a decent song.
I’m in a season where I’m flying back-to-back to minister to soldiers. And I love it.
Below are some pictures that probably do not do justice to the feelings I have as I go into and out of each place.
This one is of Kansas City, MO, just after taking off.
And this is over the storm clouds just below us as the pilots took us a few thousand feet above those clouds which, to my unscientific mind, looked like a floor of pillows.
And this one is of Arlington National Cemetery. It moves me each time I fly over it and still more when I walk thereupon.
Lastly, the Pentagon and the swamp on a descent into D.C.
Anecdote: In my current position, I have been able to play to my strengths. I am able to teach; I am able to minister; I get to have open and honest conversations with fellow soldiers; but perhaps what I love more than anything else are the opportunities I have to listen. Just listening to soldiers’ stories is an education that I have not gained from books of counseling, books of theology, books of history, books upon books upon books. I seem to never tire of reading and learning, and I’ve seldom discovered a bookstore out of which I could not excavate some treasures, but in listening to the stories of some of our soldiers, I sense multiple things have happened in our culture, and multiple shifts are still happening and will continue. And these shifts are signs of a diminution—a tragic lessening and attempted erasure of human dignity—but also perhaps the beginning of the birth pains that may give rise to a biblical revival. As Steve Deace has repeatedly said, the West is at a tipping point where it is “Revival or bust” (sic.).
Which is it—diminution or hope? My answer: Yes. I think it’s both. I don’t know how any intellectually honest person could deny that our culture is staggeringly coarse, staggeringly profane, staggeringly determined to turn everything sacred into the profane and everything profane into a demonic sacred. It’s upside down world. Men, we are told, are women if they feel like it. And women cannot be defined now, not even by a judge on America’s highest court, because she (a woman, wife, and mother, too) is “not a biologist.” I’m not either, but I sure know what a woman is.
Just today when I read a smattering of stories online, a ‘transgender pastor’ likened the woman who murdered six people last week in Nashville, TN at a Christian school to Christ. Here’s the article for you: https://www.foxnews.com/media/transgender-pastor-compares-marginalized-nashville-shooter-jesus-crucified
This is one example of what it means to be diminished. The cultural rotgut we’ve drunk is playing out as rotgut does—via sickness. As Isaiah wrote:
Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,
who draw sin as with cart ropes,
who say: “Let him be quick,
let him speed his work
that we may see it;
let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near,
and let it come, that we may know it!”
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight!
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine,
and valiant men in mixing strong drink,
who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
and deprive the innocent of his right! (Isaiah 5:18-23, ESV)
To speak plainly, this is what reprobation looks like. It is a world in consummate rebellion against God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) , against his Word (the 66 books of the Bible), against his incarnation (Christ), and against nature (general revelation). It is man as rebel. Man as exile from Eden. Man as Cain—mad, murderous, and marked. It’s upside down world, where what is truly good is now to be hated. Why? Because those who hate God say so. As if volume, crossdressing, and bodily mutilation were actual rational arguments rather than evidence of the lack of coherence and rationality. In short, this is diminution. It is man being reduced. It cheapens the value of human life and attempts to turn men into beasts. By attempting to erase the beauty that is women’s femininity, we’re seeing monstrous mutilation and attempts to erase the imago Dei. Instead of the glory that is the masculinity of men, we’re seeing a deracinated race of boys and men castrated and injected to resemble creatures like something from B-grade horror films from the 1950s. And it’s heartbreaking. Why? Because these are people made in the image of God, and the satanic forces rejecting God and his revelation are incorrigible in their determination to continue until every vestige of humanity is atomized. Diminution via secularism.
Signs of hope: Now back to stories from soldiers (and others). I was teaching recently. But when the prescribed courses had been covered, several soldiers opened up. They shared candidly about how they felt and about how they saw the world. I would never include names or anything like that out of respect for those with whom I serve, those whom I love, but here’s a sample of things I listened to, just over recent times. And bear in mind, these are soldiers from 20-years-old to their late 50s.
I could go on and on with questions I’ve been asked. Some were quite articulate and well-thought-out queries; others were less questions than accusations and/or frustrations with the spiritual trajectory they sense.
Here’s why I think it’s a sign of hope: If folks didn’t ask the questions, if they didn’t care enough, I think we’d be in even more danger. I do not wish to deny what I think is plain: we are under divine judgment. Why? Because we’ve told God to take a hike, that we would do things our way. And our way is the broad way that leads to damnation. But most folks seem resolved to go there as quickly as possible and the nation (and the West to a large degree) is erecting that hell on earth with a quickness and efficiency that would make the artisans of the Great Pyramids jealous.
But some are asking. Some do care. Some do have eyes to see and ears to hear. Some do know that men are men, that women are women, that men should not be in women’s sports, and vice versa. Some do care enough to speak the truth in love. Some do care enough to try and reach those they love with the truth that God is real, that he has spoken, that he is not silent, that his Word (the Scriptures) are his revealed will, that Christ is God incarnate, and that hell will not ultimately prevail—not over the redeemed bride.
There are, I say, signs of hope. We just have to listen to these signs of hope, stand firm in the truth of God, be of good courage, and be found faithful. Is that Polyannish? Is that sentimental? I don’t think so. Believe me, I know spiritual warfare. I know who the enemy of men’s souls is. But the Savior of men’s souls is also a warrior, a conquering king, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15, ESV). That, dear reader, is the reason to hope.
I thank God for Steve Deace.
The movie Nefarious hits theaters 14 April.
If you’re familiar with C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, you’ll have an idea of what Deace is exploring in his book and film.
If you are aware of spiritual warfare; if you know viscerally and not just existentially that good and evil, angels and demons, God and Satan are real–I commend Deace’s work to you.
Pastors, take your churches to see the film.
Have your schools read this book and watch the film. Bring a skeptic. Buy the book for somone you love and who will read the short novel.
It is that important.
Camouflaged as an angel of light: I remember watching a film many years back that I thought had one of the best lines ever in a movie: “The greatest trick the devil ever ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.” Great line. Solid theology. And one more reason to read this book and see this film.
After I graded some papers, my head was about to explode due to the poor grammar used by some students. My wife, knowing my temperament when it comes to all-things-grammar, said, “You need to go hike. Now.” So I heeded her advice and took to the hills.
I saw deer, felt the spring wind, met some fellow hikers, crossed the streams, and …. well, I’m just about ready to rejoin civilization. Well, not quite yet. Just a few more miles.
Now, about that grammar thing …
Have you ever hiked and had that feeling you were being watched?
So have I.
Enjoy.
MIND & MATTERS 