Tomorrow I will be traveling to Gaylord Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma to watch the 2006 Oklahoma Sooners kick off their season with UAB. My grandfather was an All American tight end for Oklahoma, and played in the first ever game held in the Cotton Bowl between OU and Texas.
Attorney Norman Lamb, who happens to be the Governor's liason for Veteran Affairs in Oklahoma and a dear friend of mine (not to mention a church member at Emmanuel), is taking me to a pregame function with Governor Brad Henry and some of my favorite Sooners of all time --- Barry Switzer, Billy Sims and the Selmon brothers.
Kickoff is at 6:00 and I'll lighten up my blog a little Monday by giving you a review of the events of Game Day.
Until then, enjoy Labor Day weekend and chew a little on the quote below, first published in the London Telegraph over 100 years ago from an excerpt of one of Charles Haddon Spurgeon's personal letters. Mr. Spurgeon is my hero in the ministry, and though I am not certain regarding the circumstances which caused Spurgeon to write the following, the wisdom in the quote is beneficial for every believer, in every age.
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"There is growing up in society a Pharisaic system which adds to the commands of God the precepts of men; to that system I will not yield for an hour. The preservation of my liberty may bring upon me the upbraidings of many good men, and the sneers of the self-righteous; but I shall endure both with serenity so long as I feel clear in my conscience before God." C. H. Spurgeon
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Have a great Labor Day weekend,
In His Grace,
Wade
31 comments:
Great quote, setting forth a great thought. Reminds me of a poem I heard some time ago, attributed to Col. John Pelham, for whom our town here was named. If I remember it correctly, it goes like this:
"With heart and mind
and conscience clear
Fear God, and know
No other fear".
I like that one, too.
Have a blessed weekend. I hope the Sooners score lots of runs.
Wade,
Spurgeon paraphrased the words of a GREATER MAN, “…teaching as doctrines the commands of men.” (Matthew 15:9)
Rex Ray
Brother Wade,
Enjoy the game, it will be a good one. I probably will have to channel surf in hopes of catching it here on the east coast.
Something else to think about as you meditate on this quote. "There is growing up in society a Pharisaic system which adds to the commands of God the precepts of men; to that system I will not yield for an hour." As Spurgeon waxed eloquently on this quote, wasn't he the same person that said "Calvinism is the Gospel"?
Blessings,
Tim
I read this quote in one of Spurgeon's books this week, too.
It struck me then as it does now.
I also read a quote today in Francis Schaffer's book, "The Great Evangelical Disaster" Chapter Two.
"The Bible is made to say only that which echoes the surrounding culture at our moment of history. The Bible is bent to the culture instead of the Bible judging our society and culture.
Once men and women begin to go down the path of the existential methodology under the name of evangelicalism, the Bible is no longer the Word of God without error - each part may be eaten away step by step...
...It was become what the liberal theologians said it was back in the days of the twenties and thirties."
It really makes me think...
Am I sold out to God, His Word, and His Will....
Or am I more concerned with man's traditions, culture and wishes?
imb m
I norally agree with you but this time we are at odds in the worst way possible. I am a UAB grad :) LET'S GO BLAZERS!!!!! Upset Oklahoma!
Ok, now that this is out of my system. We can be friends again!
Tim-
Is the comment that Wade quoted true or not? Is it applicable in our current SBC climate or not? How would you evaluate it's truthfulness within our situation right now?
Brother Marty,
I would probably say something like this. If you want to get into a quoting contest between theologians of the past I am certain I can look back a Spurgeon and find a quote applicapble to our current situation in the SBC that would place Wade in a bad light. The direction of Wade's qote of Spurgeon rests completely on the reputation of Spurgeon. That is the purpose of the quote. I merely point out that we cannot place authority in Spurgeon's quote to give credence to Wade's stand on the current situation we find ourselves in. Spurgeon was a fallible person and it is apparent from his quote; "Calvinism is the Gospel". While I am not against Spurgeon in any way, and value his writings as something from history we need to be familiary with, he was still just a man. A very intelligent and articulate man, but still just a man, who apparently gave as much credence to The Institutes as he did to Scripture.
In reference to the current situation we find ourselves in within the SBC. I am merely saying if there are wrongs that need to be righted, then the way to do that is different from tearing down the very convention to which we belong. From the beginning I was suspicious of this movement. Wade is merely revealing my suspicions. This movement is based on personality differences between some in leadership and some others, for whatever reasons, did not get positions they desired.
Blessings,
Tim
Brother Cameron,
Dude, Awesome!
Blessings,
Tim
Tim:
My observation of the goings on at present lead me to believe Spurgeon's quote is applicable, and I am confident that Wade's efforts are at correction of wrongs and not "tearing down the very convention to which we belong".
I'm trusting that's an overall observation at to some comments, and not a crtiticism directed at Wade.
Tim-
"[Spurgeon] apparently gave as much credence to The Institutes as he did to Scripture."
You are hilarious.
What about the quote in question? Wade said that it was worthy of contemplation and meditation. Is it not?
Suppose that Calvinism isn't the gospel, does that negate the statement in play? No.
Cameron-
How about the words used in Wade's post? Accurate or not?
I assume your chosen quote is placed on Wade's blog as a dissent to his stance on non-essential doctrine. Am I correct? Do you believe that there are any non-essential doctrines? Such as...
And I thought Saturday would be boring.
Tim-
Sorry for the split post, but I forgot one point:
"From the beginning I was suspicious of this movement. Wade is merely revealing my suspicions. This movement is based on personality differences between some in leadership and some others, for whatever reasons, did not get positions they desired."
To whom does this last comment refer? Has a person confided in you their frustration at not getting a position they desired? If so, name them for the world to see. If not, your broad brush comment is without merit and should be retracted.
Cameron-
Thanks for not forgetting about me; and thanks for not charging me for your addendum, 'cuz I ain't buyin'.
You can split the hair until there is nothing left but the knife and the truth remains the same. His statement applies in our context though spoken over a century ago.
I take your initial jab as intentionally humorous since your original statement played off Wade's Spurgeon quote, not his OU comments. For me to have dragged OU into it, without an obvious change of direction, wouldn't have made much sense, now would it?
My assumption is correct, then you question my assumption? I try not to assume what I wish, but I assumed based on your own Spurgeon selection. Turns out I was right, as you state.
Going to dinner.
Brother Marty,
There is a saying where I grew up. "The bite dog is the one that yelps."
Blessings,
Tim
I have a degree from UAB, but I'm not a Blazer fan since I grew up in Tuscaloosa. We Bama fans have a lot of respect for OU and your fans were great when they came to T-town a few years ago.
We've got a Blazer fan, we've got a Bama fan. I guess it's time for the other side of the state to weigh in.
Please be gentle to our neighbors from Birmingham!
We've had our own mini-campground forming here since last Tuesday for our own season opener.
War Eagle!
-- Scotte
Tim-
Don't keep it a secret, man; what are you talking about?
Tim Rogers,
Why did you not post this comment on your Blog???
My comment (“ “)
(“I'm a Food for thought kind of person, as I read a lot and like to share thoughts. The Word of God says it better than I can say it.
So forgive me for stepping on toes by using the Bible.
A Brother in Christ for Truth”)
Love
In Jesus Name
Sister Elizabeth, and Brother Marty,
One example--Wiley Drake! What was the reason he was Promoted for the position he was nominated for? Was it his clearly enunciated concern that SB's boycott Disney? I do not think so! Here is a quote from a fellow blogger's response to me when I suggested another of the vast number of candidates for 2ndVP. "If you have read my previous posts, you know I am really into "taking turns." In my opinion, its Wiley's turn."
The reason he was promoted for 2ndVP was because he had been passed over previously for committee positions. This is one example that was very public in May and June.
Blessings,
Tim
Pastor Wade, Charles Spurgeon is one of my favorite Baptist Pastors...One of his best quotes is..." I do not believe that any man can preach the Gospel who does not preach the Law...Lower the Law and you dim the light by which man perceives his guilt...They will never accept grace till they tremble before a just and Holy Law".....This mans teachings are timeless, just as his quote is that you posted today.....the SBC could use a Spurgeon today .........By the way, although I am David in Florida, I was David from Texas before I moved here, and yes, I am a TEXAS-EX....HOOK EM HORNS!!!!!!!!! I trust that this will not hurt our relationship. I did live in Edmond for three years between Texas and Florida and met many nice Sooner fans, but it was hard doing it.....................I have also noticed that since being saved and being a servant of The Lord Jesus Christ,( 20 years for me) going to sport events just isnt the same to me. Sometimes it just seems silly and a waste of time. I still pull for THE HORNS and all , its just not with that same passion....We can fill a stadium with people who will cheer and scream for men moving a pigskin up and down a grass field,how about having that passion for Jesus?
I have been pondering the musings of the wise and eloquent concerning the happenings this week at SWBTS.
I thing there is a mixture of irony and tragedy in our debates. We are either advocating for or ranting against religous liberty within the institutions of our convention. Therein lies the irony. Only in these United States could such debate be possible.
The tragedy is the fact that some are OK with censorship or obfuscation of "truth" of what happened at SWBTS last week.
Great scrutiny was brought upon SWBTS by the response. Right or wrong a different PR response could have softened the impact.
I believe Dr. McKissic's concscience is clear and he will endure the preceptual storm created by men.
How does someone look into someone else's head so eerily accurately and conclude, as one did here:
The direction of Wade's quote of Spurgeon rests completely on the reputation of Spurgeon. That is the purpose of the quote. I merely point out that we cannot place authority in Spurgeon's quote to give credence to Wade's stand on the current situation we find ourselves in.
It's funny, when we define what someone else says in a way that we believe we can then attack it, it makes it so much easier to do so. but i'm not sure it's really effective or honest.
Anyway, I just don't really understand why there is so much sparring here. I have had very little time to "blog" lately, and it just isn't fun to step back into it for the 5 minutes I found today and find little more than potshots.
Did anyone claim anyone was fallible other than God? I know I'm not. I know that even what I've written here may be a potshot and I'm frustrated with potshotters. :) perhaps it is just because it is 12:26, my Hogs flopped, and all I could really think about while watching the excesses of 75,000 fans screaming about a football game was that there are millions around the world who need to hear about Jesus.
So, we can sit around and debate what Wade meant by his post, when I really think he just wanted us to think about a well written quote, or we could try to figure out ways to get more resources, financial and human, to the mission field, the poor, the sick, widows, and orphans.
Maranatha. Bob, I enjoyed that quote of Pelham's. So much of what God teaches us through His word is to fear Him, not man, trust Him, not man, worship Him, no other...
Cameron-
You're probably right about our agreement and please forgive my errant assumption.
Bryan-
I just had too much free time on Saturday afternoon.
Brother Marty,
I need to apologize. I am not apologizing for what I said, but in the way I said it.
I stand by the words, but the way I said it was not a way to encourage debate. If I offended you in the way the words came across, please forgive me. I never intend to hurt or malign a Brother in Christ.
Blessings,
Tim
Cameron,
You wrote:
"I was just drawing a distinction between applying his words to our context, and acting as though our context was the meaning of his words. Before we claim Spurgeon for ourselves and throw all the weight of his name into our respective camps on various issues, it needs to be clear that he did not speak those words to Southern Baptists in the summer of 2006"
Respectfully, do you actually think there is someone who does not know the above to be true?
I have a hard time understanding your point.
Wade,
When the Word of God can't be understood by people and some of them feel it is a cub over their head and then they reject commits on their Blog's, they are not open To the Holy Spirit leading Them. IMHO
I'm a Food for thought kind of person, as I read a lot and like to share thoughts. The Word of God says it better than I can say it.
So forgive me for stepping on toes by using the Bible for some of my commits.
A Brother in Christ for Truth
Love
In Jesus Name Wayne
Reading this debate has put me in mind of something I heard many years ago about a mountain and a molehill.
Whatever Spurgeon may or may not have said about Calvinism and the gospel, I am pretty sure he never said "Boomer Sooner." But somewhere in the Sword and Trowel I am pretty sure I read where he once said "Hunker Down Hairy Dawg" in a sermon.
Nathan "Munson" Finn-
You're killin' me man! I remember listening to that stupid ballgame when I was a teen. Still can't stand listening to him in a broadcast.
Nathan:
I believe Spurgeon may have been talking about the famous
"Sooner Schooner" not the
"Boomer Sooner"
The "schooner" being referenced is a "prarie wagon pulled by horses" not "a tall drinking glass for beer"
:-)
To You People,
You debate the words of Spurgeon that Wade wrote; you debate if the words are for today. Why are you debating when the second comment on Wade’s post gave you the truth?
That Spurgeon’s words are Christ’s words in Matthew 15:9.
Are the Words of Jesus to be debated? Do His Words apply today?
Tim Rogers is wrong when he wrote, “The direction of Wade’s quote of Spurgeon rests completely on the reputation of Spurgeon.”
Bob Cleveland is right that “Spurgeon’s quote is applicable.”
Marty is right in saying, “His statement applies in our context though spoken over a century ago” because Christ spoke them 2,000 years ago.
I agree with Bryan Riley when he wrote, “It’s funny, when we define what someone else says in a way that we believe we can attack it, it makes it so much easier to do so, but I’m not sure it’s really effective or honest.”
I relate to what he said when J Thomas 899 asked, “Wade, will you take exception to Dr. Patterson being called a Pharisee?”
Wade replied, “I did not see it until I went back and read Rex’s comment again.”
So I was condemned for calling Patterson a Pharisee when I said, “I see McKissic as James; and Patterson ACTING like Pharisees trying to prevent, what they didn’t believe, to spread.”
We have all acted like Pharisees on some point in our lives.
There is a world of difference between being called a Pharisee and acting like one, and that’s how my statement got ‘twisted.’
I gave an explanation of this once before but there was no response from anyone. I feel like Paul in saying, “No one stood for me.”
I suppose I should have said, “I see McKissic as James; and Patterson as a “Self Appointed Watchdog.”
Wade called him that for exposing a thesis, so I suppose he could be called that for doing the opposite.
Rex Ray
That's more than hope, it's a mission, a calling.
It is the way to draw men to Christ and glorify the Father.
Amen and amen.
Thanks for the reminder of the mission.
Agape.
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