Glorying in the Cross with T.T. Shields and Anne Steele

Glorying in the cross of Christ lies at the very heart of what it means to be a biblical Christian.(1) In the 1920s, during the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy, it was this glorying that was central to the difference between Fundamentalists and Modernists. The latter liked to think and talk of Christ’s death as chiefly an example of the Father’s love and Christ’s dying as that of a glorious martyr.(2) But it was men like Dr. T. T. Shields (1873-1955), the Toronto Baptist, who insisted that the death of the Lord Jesus had far richer meaning. The real significance of the suffering and death of the Lord Christ, he insisted, lay in the fact it was for sinners. He suffered and died in their stead. For sinners’ eternal good his sinless soul bore the wrath they justly deserved. And the salvation he consequently secured by his death is full and complete and lacks nothing. Glory—glory indeed!

It is well known, though, that Roman Catholicism has also focused on the sufferings and death of Christ.  Where does it differ then from the Evangelical witness to and glorying in the cross? Mel Gibson’s lavishly produced The Passion of the Christ with its intense concentration on the physical sufferings of the Lord Jesus well reveals the stance of traditional Catholicism. Yet it fails to enunciate clearly why Christ died and the importance of his spiritual sufferings. And here is seen the crucial difference between the Evangelical and Roman Catholic approaches to the cross.

Historically, Evangelical glorying in the cross has also meant an emphasis on a certain type of living. To truly glory in the cross is to no longer live for self and one’s ambitions and plans. It means to give all for Jesus and his glory. The eighteenth-century Baptist hymnwriter Anne Steele (1717-1778) put this truth in this way:

Dear Lord, what heavenly wonders dwell

In thy atoning blood!

By this are sinners snatch’d from hell,

And rebels brought to God.

 

Jesus, my soul, adoring bends

To love so full, so free;

And may I hope that love extends

Its sacred power to me?

 

What glad return can I impart,

For favours so divine?

O take my all, this worthless heart...

(1) Thus Philip E. Hughes and Frank Colquhoun, “Introduction” to Leon Morris, Glory in the Cross. A Study in the Atonement (1966 ed; repr. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1979), 6.

(2) See, for example, L.H. Marshall’s view of Christ’s death as cited by W. J. H. Brown, [“Modernism”] (Unpublished ms., W. Gordon Brown Papers, McMaster Divinity College Archives, McMaster University, Ontario), [p.4].

Anne Steele, "The Savior calls"

One of the very few of Anne Steele’s hymns that are still sung today was originally entitled “The Savior’s Invitation,” and was based on Jesus’ words in John 7:37, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (KJV). The Saviour calls—let every Ear Attend the heavenly Sound; Ye doubting Souls, dismiss your Fear, Hope smiles reviving round.

For every thirsty, longing Heart, Here Streams of Bounty flow, And Life, and Health, and Bliss impart, To banish mortal Woe.

Here, Springs of sacred Pleasure rise To ease your every Pain, (Immortal Fountain! full Supplies!) Nor shall you thirst in vain.

Ye Sinners come, ‘tis Mercy’s Voice, The gracious Call obey; Mercy invites to heavenly Joys,— And can you yet delay?

Dear Savior, draw reluctant Hearts, To Thee let Sinners fly; And take the Bliss Thy Love imparts, And drink, and never die.[1]

Based on Jesus’ open invitation to sinners to come to him and drink, that is, find eternal life, Steele urges “every Ear” to “attend” to Christ’s heavenly invitation. He calls all who are “thirsty” and “longing” to come to him, where they will find “Life, and Health, and Bliss,” in sum, “Springs of sacred Pleasure” that will ease every woe. This invitation is a command—“the gracious Call obey”—but Steele is also aware that “the thirsty, longing Heart” is not sufficient in itself to come to Christ. In the final analysis it is a “reluctant Heart,” filled with doubt and fear. Hence, she prays, “Dear Savior, draw reluctant hearts.”

Anne was an eighteenth-century woman, and much has changed since her day: fashion and food, technology and government. But the human heart has not changed and nor has Jesus—“the same yesterday and today and forever.” And so we pray the same for our family and friends and neigbours and those we have never seen.

[1] A Collection of Hymns Adapted to Public Worship (3rd ed.; Bristol: W. Pine, 1778), Hymn 145.

Toronto violence, Scripture, and William Ward

There was violence this past weekend in the streets of Toronto, a city well-known to me and one that I love. In fact, the staging ground for the beginning of the protest marches against the G20 that led to the violence was the Allan Gardens, literally right next door to Toronto Baptist Seminary. Thankfully, I have been told that no damage was done to the seminary. But a lot of damage was done to downtown Toronto stores and businesses by anarchists intent on disrupting the G20. When that could not happen, they evidently became intent on doing as much damage as possible. There have been questions raised about police over-reaction to the rioting. Personally, I am very thankful that we had so many officers of the law on the scene who did a very credible job of containing the violence. We live in a democratic society—for which I thank God—and there are proper channels to voice disapproval of economic policies. And it strikes me as the height of hypocrisy to smash the windows of small stores and cause heartache and problems for small storeowners—all in the name of striking at big C capitalism and “corporate bosses.”

Biblically, Romans 13—though I know it is not the only text of the Bible that deals with our relationship to the state—has to be the Christian’s guideline here. Developing an attitude of submission to duly-constituted authorities is central to the development of Christian character. Of course, when the state seeks to shackle men and women in body and soul, Christians must obey God rather than man. But that is miles away from being the case here. The charges of statism against our government or any of those in the West is merely empty rhetoric. These protestors need to go to Saudi Arabia or Iran or North Korea and see what true statism looks like.

If you want to see what true radicalism looks like ponder the life of William Ward (1769-1823), who, as a printer during his younger years, had been involved in radical politics. It was the era of the French Revolution, and for some in the British Isles that historic event sparked thoughts of similar events in England. But then God got a hold of his life and he went out to India to serve as a missionary. His hardcore commitment to radical politics he put forever behind him when he went out to India, for he was invovled in a much radical exercise: ushering in the Kingdom of the Lord Christ. Of course, his Christian witness had political ramifications. One thinks of Ward's role in the ending of sati and his prayers for and rejoicing in the end of slavery. But there was so much more: there was the freeing of the human spirit and the reconciliation of sinners to a holy God.

H C G Moule on Hebrews 13:7 and the need for church history

Handley C.G. Moule (1841–1920) was a descendant of Caleb Evans (see previous post). In his Messages from the Epistle to the Hebrews (London: Elliott Stock, 1909), chapter 12, he has this to say about the importance of church history: Hebrews 13:7 “consecrates the fidelity of the Christian memory. It assures us that to cherish the names, the words, the conduct, the holy lives, the blessed deaths, of our teachers of days long done is no mere indulgence of unfruitful sentiment. It is natural to the Gospel, which, just because it is the message of an unspeakably happy future, also sanctifies the past which is the living antecedent to it. Just because we look with the love of hope towards “our gathering together unto Him,” we are to turn with the love of memory towards all the gifts of God given to us through the holy ones with whom we look to be “gathered together.” “The exit of their walk of life” (ver. 7) is to be our study, our meditation. We are to “look it up and down” ([Greek: anatheorountes]) as we would some great monument of victory, and from that contemplation we are to go back into life, to “imitate their faith,” to do just what they did, treating (xi. 1) the unseen as visible, the hoped-for as present and within our embrace. Thank God for this authorization and hallowing of our recollections. Precious indeed is its assurance that the sweetness of them (for all its ineffable element of sadness, as eyes and ears are hungry for the faces and the voices gone, for the look and tone of the preacher, the teacher, through whom we first knew the Lord, or knew Him better) is no half-forbidden luxury of the soul but a means of victorious grace.”

Leadership in the Ancient Church

Over the past two hundred years it has not been uncommon for some historians of the Ancient Church to argue that formal leadership simply did not exist in the early decades of the church’s existence. Rather, they have maintained, things were quite fluid in the decades immediately after the resurrection of Christ and Pentecost. It was a period of charismatic leadership, when people who gave leadership to the church were regarded as leaders not so much due to any official recognition on the part of churches but because of their personal giftedness or because of the force of their personalities. Only with the passage of time did the church begin to have clearly designated offices of leadership like elders or bishops, and this marks a growing institutionalization of the church. From a fairly open fellowship of the Spirit in which all were equal, the church became more rigid and hierarchical. The only problem with this model is that the evidence of the New Testament clearly presents us with a different picture. As we look at the following texts, it will be immediately clear that leadership, ever vital to any group of people, was present from the very origins of the Church:

a. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, for instance, which, apart from possibly James’ letter, is the earliest book in the New Testament, Paul states that the “one who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches” (ESV).

b. Again, in 1 Thessalonians 5:12, also a very early text, Paul encourages his readers: “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you” (ESV).

c. And in Philippians 1:1, Paul and Timothy, greet not only “all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi,” but also the “overseersand deacons” (ESV).

The key question for the early Christians was not whether to have leaders or not, but what kind of leaders? Leadership was a given. The key question was: What model of leadership was to be promoted?

Andrew Fuller: the very model of a pastor-theologian

Broadman & Holman have been publishing a new series of monographs on the history of Baptists entitled "Studies in Baptist Life and Thought." These monographs explore Baptist life together and Baptist thought, and are vital reading for anyone who loves the truths that Baptists have lived and died for. Given the many significant changes that the world is undergoing in our day, Baptists are being tempted to divorce themselves from their theological and spiritual roots. Behind this series is the conviction that such would be suicidal and that the volumes in this series will provide a way in which Baptists can learn from the past how to live faithfully for God in the present. The latest volume in the series is Paul Brewster's Andrew Fuller: Model Pastor-Theologian, due out this summer or early fall. Brewster, pastor of Ryker’s Ridge Baptist Church, Madison, Indiana, and an earned PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, examines Fuller as a pastor and theologian and the way in which he was able to frame a theological perspective in the midst of a very busy pastorate.

In recent years, with the upsurge of interest in Reformed theology, there are a number of theologians who have been the focus of attention, Edwards, for example, or some of the Puritans like Owen. But when it comes to a solid model of Baptist ministry, who do we have? Spurgeon, without a shadow of a doubt. Well, after Spurgeon I would suggest that Fuller is a prime example of what a pastor-theologian looks like. Read Brewster's book and see for yourself!

You can pre-order from Amazon.com for $19.79.

Podcast Interview with Dr. Haykin about "Baptists and the Cross"

I (Steve Weaver) recently had the opportunity to record a series of podcasts with Dr. Michael A. G. Haykin.  The first of these is attached to this post.  It focuses on the Center's upcoming conference "Baptists and the Cross:  Contemporary and Historical Perspectives".  Forthcoming podcasts will feature a discussion of Dr. Haykin's upcoming book The Empire of the Holy Spirit and an interview by Dr. Haykin with Dr. Stephen Wellum about his upcoming presentation at our conference on "Baptism and Crucicentrism". Download Podcast

You can subscribe to this podcast in iTunes using this feed.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

"Baptists and the Cross" Discounted Conference Rates

The fourth annual conference of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies is scheduled for August 30-31, 2010.  The theme is:  Baptists and the Cross:  Contemporary and Historical Reflections. The conference will feature speakers such as Danny Akin (president, SEBTS), David Bebbington (professor, University of Stirling), Maurice Dowling (professor,Irish Baptist College), James Fuller (professor, University of Indianapolis), Tom Schreiner (professor, SBTS), Glendon Thompson (president, TBS and pastor of Jarvis Street Baptist Church), and Stephen Wellum (professor, SBTS).  For full bios of the speakers, see here.

Discounted registration rates are now available for the conference and there is a special rate for students.  Students may receive a discounted rate by using the code: "8051974".  For more information on the conference visithttp://events.sbts.edu/andrewfuller.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

New Site on "Biblical Spirituality"

We are pleased to announce the availability of a new website devoted to the study of biblical spirituality by one of Dr. Haykin's Ph.D. students.  Please note the letter from the maintainer of this website below:

Dear Brothers,

We have launched a new website called biblicalspirituality.wordpress.com especially devoted to the study of biblical spirituality (Puritan, reformed, and evangelical spirituality in particular).

One purpose of this website is to provide unpublished papers that deal with the subject of spirituality for researchers. Thus, if you have written any paper on the subject that has not yet been published, we encourage you to submit it to us, and we will have it posted here, so that others can also benefit from your work. The paper can be e-mailed to Brian G. Najapfour at najapfour@gmail.com

The ultimate goal of this site is to cultivate holiness in the lives of the believers, especially of pastors. We are convinced that the greatest need of many churches today is the holiness of their pastors. As Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1843) says, “My people’s greatest need is my personal holiness.”

Please join us in this endeavor. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated . Many thanks!

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

Registration Now Open for "Baptists and the Cross"

I am thrilled to announce that the conference webpage is now live and registration is now open for the 4th annual conference of the Andrew Fuller Center.  This year's them is "Baptists and the Cross:  Contemporary and Historical Perspectives." This promises to be a tremendous conference. Featured speakers include Danny Akin, Glendon Thompson, David Bebbington, Tom Schreiner, Stephen Wellum, Maurice Dowling, and James Fuller.

For more information about the conference, including a podcast interview with Dr. Michael Haykin discussing the conference theme and purpose, please visit:http://events.sbts.edu/andrewfuller.

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

New (old) Articles by Dr. Haykin Posted

I recently came across three articles written by Dr. Michael Haykin and published in the Churchman nearly twenty years ago.  The articles are as follows:

I hope you enjoy these great resources!

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.

The joy of our Readers' Circle.

Had our Readers’ Circle last night. What a joy and privilege to meet with these brothers and sisters (last night there were eight of us, including myself and my wife—there can be up to eighteen to twenty) once a month and study a Christian book. We went through C.J. Mahaney’s Humility last year as well as Tim Keller’s The Prodigal God. This winter/spring it is C.S. Lewis’ The Weight of Glory and last night it was the essay “Transposition.” This essay was not an easy read and really stretched us, which is a good thing, since we need Christians who can think. And as one of the brothers in the group, Steve Swallow, mentioned, the ideas in “Transposition” are central to Lewis’ other work, which I had not thought about before.

Papers from True Church Conference

Last week Dr. Haykin had the opportunity to speak at the True Church Conference hosted by Grace Life Church of Muscle Shoals, AL.  You can read about his own reflections on his experience at the conference here.  Dr. Haykin presented two papers at the conference.  The first on Hyper-Calvinism, and the second on Andrew Fuller.  Both papers are now posted in PDF format below:

Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.