In the subtitle of their book on spiritual warfare, authors Brian
Borgman and Rob Ventura promise to provide a perspective that is both
biblical and balanced. The prospect of a balanced approach is
immediately appealing, given widespread excesses in various branches of
modern Christianity on the subject; and I thought it a successful
endeavor in that regard. But what I found more striking, when I dived
in, was the “biblical” part of the equation. I say this by way of
confession: spiritual warfare is not among my list of favorite
theological topics to think about. In fact, whether it’s because of the
very common imbalanced perspectives a modern reader is apt to encounter,
or whether it’s simply because I have no military experience, and so
the analogy of warfare is a little foreign to my own history, I have to
admit a little distaste for the subject. However, by the time I finished
the introduction alone, I had to acknowledge that this is no small
theme in the New Testament, and that it has roots reaching clear back to
Eden. Which means that it allows for a biblical treatment, because it
is, in fact, a pervasive biblical motif. And this, further, means that
such a study as this book undertakes really is necessary if we are to
have a thoroughly biblical perspective on the Christian life at all. Continue at Reformed Baptist Fellowship
Showing posts with label Brian Borgman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian Borgman. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Spiritual Warfare: A Biblical and Balanced Perspective
In the subtitle of their book on spiritual warfare, authors Brian
Borgman and Rob Ventura promise to provide a perspective that is both
biblical and balanced. The prospect of a balanced approach is
immediately appealing, given widespread excesses in various branches of
modern Christianity on the subject; and I thought it a successful
endeavor in that regard. But what I found more striking, when I dived
in, was the “biblical” part of the equation. I say this by way of
confession: spiritual warfare is not among my list of favorite
theological topics to think about. In fact, whether it’s because of the
very common imbalanced perspectives a modern reader is apt to encounter,
or whether it’s simply because I have no military experience, and so
the analogy of warfare is a little foreign to my own history, I have to
admit a little distaste for the subject. However, by the time I finished
the introduction alone, I had to acknowledge that this is no small
theme in the New Testament, and that it has roots reaching clear back to
Eden. Which means that it allows for a biblical treatment, because it
is, in fact, a pervasive biblical motif. And this, further, means that
such a study as this book undertakes really is necessary if we are to
have a thoroughly biblical perspective on the Christian life at all. Continue at Reformed Baptist Fellowship 
Monday, July 18, 2011
My Pet-Peeves about Children's Ministries
Sunday School and VBS curriculum which trivializes and moralizes the Bible.
The Bible is a glorious book about God and His Son Jesus Christ. The
storyline is drama at its highest, best and most gripping. So why would
we diminish the power of redemptive history by making the events of
redemptive history about being strong or brave or good boat builders?
Why would we reduce the magnitude of the “Word became flesh” by turning
him into a cartoon figure who feeds His friends by teaching them to
share their lunch? Why would we minimize the maximal power of grace by
putting the Bible into little neat “be and do” categories? Sunday School
curriculum should point to the power and glory of the Gospel, whether
the story is about Noah or Samson or the feeding of the five thousand.
Our kids should be wowed with the greatness of God, not the supposed
genius of Bible characters, who in reality were sinners in need of
grace. Keep Reading...
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