We Become What We Worship

Greg Beale titled his landmark book We Become What We Worship. His thesis is simple: “What people revere, they resemble, either for ruin or for restoration.” He traces the theme throughout Scripture to show that we are worshippers, and that our worship exposes us and changes us. We either revere the world and are conformed to the sinful patterns of the world, or we revere God and are progressively conformed into his likeness. 

Take the book of Romans. Beale points out that the Greek word for representation or image (εἰκόνος) occurs in two places (Romans 1:23, 8:29).

In the first reference, Paul begins with the objects and effects of pagan worship. The pagan worship of an image is an act of God-replacement. Idols are twisted versions of reality. Whenever we worship a created object or person or animal, we are acting unnaturally towards the Creator. And through this unnatural worship of a created thing, the life of the worshipper takes on increasingly unnatural characteristics as well — and that unnatural character is reflected in the unnatural sexual sins that Paul later describes.

The second reference to image is found in Romans 8:29, where Paul speaks of those who revere God. Those who “love God” will be conformed to the image of Christ. This is becoming true right now and will ultimately be fully revealed in glorification.

What Beale sees in Romans is that we are being molded into one of two images: either into the distortion of creation (an idol) or into the image of the Creator.  Continue at Tony Reinke

Biblical Eldership

I learned many things while at the Proclamation Trust last week but two stand out as particularly important.  First, there is nothing like talking to Paul Levy about Welsh mysticism, putting it to the sword and seeing his agony of soul as he watches, in his own words, his `theology turning into dust and blowing away' before his eyes, even as he tried desperately to defend it.  He left the conference a better, wiser, humbler soul.

The second was how important elders are.  Talking to friends ministering in Anglican contexts, I became aware of how lonely it can be without a group of good, supportive men who share the same vision for the church and for Christian nurture and work closely with the local pastor in the local church.  This is vital if the minister is to avoid discouragement and also to check false teaching and bring the congregation to spiritual maturity.   I am grateful for the men with whom I serve on session.  We may not always agree about every jot and tittle; but we share the same commitment to the church and take care of each other even as we take care of the church.

Greg Beale has a fascinating section on elders in his new A New Testament Biblical Theology, pp. 819-23.  Here he underscores the importance of the office for protecting the church from false teachers, especially those who arise within her ranks.  It is this internal struggle which is part, a significant part, of the tribulation of the church since the inauguration of the last days.  This is one reason why elders are necessary: they are the bodyguards of the flock; and the flock more often than not needs to be protected from the wolves in sheep's clothing who have sneaked in under the fence.   Keep Reading >>>

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