John Calvin On the Necessity of Godly Correction

When the faithful see that it is well with the wicked, they are necessarily tempted to be envious; and this is a very dangerous trial; for present happiness is what all desire. Hence the Spirit of God carefully dwells on this, in many places, as well as in the thirty-seventh Psalm, lest the faithful should envy the prosperity of the ungodly. The same is what Peter speaks of, for he shews that afflictions ought to be calmly borne by the children of God, when they compare the lot of others with their own. But he takes it as granted that God is the judge of the world, and that, therefore, no one can escape his hand with impunity. He hence infers, that a dreadful vengeance will soon overtake those whose condition seems now favorable. The design of what he says, as I have already stated, is to shew that the children of God should not faint under the bitterness of present evils, but that they ought, on the contrary, calmly to bear their afflictions for a short time, as the issue will be salvation, while the ungodly will have to exchange a fading and fleeting prosperity for eternal perdition.

But the argument is from the less to the greater; for if God spares not his own children whom he loves and who obey him, how dreadful will be his severity against enemies and such as are rebellious! There is, then, nothing better than to obey the Gospel, so that God may kindly correct us by his paternal hand for our salvation.

He draws this conclusion, that persecutions ought to be submissively endured, for the condition of the godly in them is much happier than that of the unbelieving, who enjoy prosperity to their utmost wishes. He, however, reminds us that we suffer nothing except according to the permission of God, which tends much to comfort us; when he says, Let them commit themselves to God, it is the same as though he had said, “Let them deliver themselves and their life to the safe keeping of God.” And he calls him afaithful possessor, because he faithfully keeps and defends whatever is under his protection or power. Some render the word “Creator;” and the term κτίστης means both; but the former meaning I prefer, for by bidding us to deposit our life with God, he makes him its safe keeper. He adds, in well-doing, lest the faithful should retaliate the wrongs done to them, but that they might on the contrary contend with the ungodly, who injured them, by well-doing.

From his commentary on 1 Peter 4:17-19

Martin Bucer On 5 Main Tasks of the Pastoral Office

Martin Bucer, the Reformer of Strasbourg and mentor to John Calvin wrote in 1534 a book which was intended to help coordinate and develop a direction for the role and duties of the Minister (and Ruling Elder and Deacon, Bucer was a proto-Presbyterian) now that the Protestant churches had grown enough to need to begin ordering the election and placement of Ministers in these new Protestant congregations. This book was really the first of its kind regarding how the Minister was to behave and what role he would have in the life of the Church. Listed below are what Bucer considered to be the 5 main tasks of the Pastoral Office concerning the true love of souls under their care.  To purchase the book (which I highly recommend, especially for young Ministers, those considering Ministry, and probably more importantly for search committees) see this link.

 

1) Lead to Christ our Lord and into His communion those who are still estranged from Him, whether through carnal excess or false worship.

2) To restore those who had once been brought to Christ and into His church but have been drawn away again through the affairs of the flesh or false doctrine.

3) To assist in the true reformation of those who while remaining in the church of Christ have grievously fallen and sinned. 

4) To Re-establish in true Christian strength and health those who, while persevering in the fellowship of Christ and not doing anything particularly or grossly wrong, have become somewhat feeble and sick in the Christian Life.

5) To protect from all offence and falling away and continually encourage in all good things those who stay with the flock and in Christ’s sheep-pen without grievously sinning or becoming weak and sick in their Christian walk

Calvin On Good Pastors

From John Calvin’s commentary on Jeremiah 3:15:

 

We hence learn that the Church cannot continue without having faithful pastors to shew the way of salvation. The wellbeing of the Church then is secured, when God raises up true and faithful teachers to proclaim his truth: but when the Church is deprived of sound teachers, all things soon fall into ruin. For God, no doubt, intimates by this promise that he would not only be the deliverer of his people, so as to restore them from exile, but that he would be also their perpetual guardian after the people had returned to their own country. It hence follows, that the Church of God is not only begotten by means of holy and godly pastors, but that its life is also cherished, nourished, and confirmed by them to the end. As it is not enough for civil order to be once set up, except the magistrates continue in their office, so nothing is more ruinous to the Church than for God to take away faithful pastors.

It cannot indeed be, that people will return to God, unless prophets be first sent: but God speaks here of a continued course of instruction, and of a well regulated government in the Church, as though he had said, “I will not only give you prophets to lead you from your wanderings to me, and to restore you to the way of salvation, but I will also continually set over you sound and faithful teachers.” But we must notice, that those who preside cannot rightly discharge their office unless they are endued with wisdom. God also intimates his paternal love, when he says, that good pastors would be dear to him.

 

July Pastoral Letter

 

Greetings in the Name of the Lord!

It is amazing to me that we are already at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year. Even more mind-boggling to me is that Lily will be beginning Kindergarten at South Jones Elementary on August 8th and Mackenzie will be starting pre-school at Laurel Christian School on the 9th. It only seems like yesterday that I was holding each of them in the delivery room at Magee-Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. If I am already affected by the commencement of their respective educational journeys I cannot imagine what it will be like when graduation comes down the line!

As we come to the close of our study of 2^nd Peter we have seen the Apostle’s dying concern for his flock. In 2 Peter 3:1 the Apostle Peter uses the word “Beloved” to describe the folks he has been instructing and warning concerning the many false teachers that are reaching out to them while he has been away. We are reminded by this the loving, tender relationship a true shepherd will have with his flock. A shepherd that does not care for the flock will not stay with the flock when wolves threaten but will run like the hireling Jesus mentions in John 10:12-13. Peter’s letter also reminds us that the Christian Life is not an easy one. The Scriptures require of us to follow the Law of God with a loving heart, seeing Gospel Obedience as a Gospel Promise and as a pleasure, not a duty. This can cause us hardships sometimes when the culture and/or even family or friends want us to do that which God Himself has called us not to do. In our next sermon series beginning August 14^th we will look at the trials and tribulations of a woman who had to make some very tough decisions that concerned following her earthly family and the god of the place of her birth or to go with her new family to the place the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had given to His People. Through Ruth’s journey we will also learn more about our deliverance and redemption by Jesus Christ as well as the reward given to those who persevere in faith and righteousness.

I again want to welcome you to join us for Sunday evening Bible Study at 5:00pm in the Pastor’s Study. We have been enjoying the study and hope that you will consider meeting with us. As always if there is anything I can do for you do not hesitate to give me a ring or stop by the study during the week. Brandy, Lily, Mackenzie, Iain, and I will be visiting Brandy’s family in Cincinnati and then attending my Father’s 60^th Birthday Party at my sister and brother-in-law’s home in Kingsport, Tennessee. We will be leaving after worship on the 31^st of July and will return on the evening of the 7^th. If you need anything while we are gone please contact one of the Elders.

In God’s Love,

 

Rev. Benjamin P. Glaser, M. Div.

Pastor, Ellisville Presbyterian Church (Independent)

www.ellisvillepres.org

Excellent Post On the Problems With Contemporary Worship Music

Read the Article Here

The catholicity of the Church demands that we not sacrifice our heritage for a passing trend, that we continually strive to make our tradition ever-vibrant through a deep knowledge of the past. It demands sacrificing our fickle desires on the altar of our Fathers’ wisdom

The author of this piece, Evan McWilliams, is the son of PCA Teaching Elder David McWilliams, long-time pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, Florida. Evan is working on a PhD in architectural history with a focus on church design and the practical implications of liturgy on planning and decoration.

The Problems With the Current Way We Educate Our Pastors

This is from an excellent little article from Colin Hansen at the Gospel Coalition asking a couple leading administrators and scholars about what would they change about seminary education.

Richard Pratt says,

“Can you imagine what kind of soldiers our nation would have if basic training amounted to reading books, listening to lectures, writing papers, and taking exams? We’d have dead soldiers. The first time a bullet wizzed past their heads on the battlefield, they’d panic. The first explosion they saw would send them running. So, what is basic training for the military? Recruits learn the information they need to know, but this is a relatively small part of their preparation. Most of basic training is devoted to supervised battle simulation. Recruits are put through harrowing emotional and physical stress. They crawl under live bullet fire. They practice hand to hand combat.

If I could wave a magic scepter and change seminary today, I’d turn it into a grueling physical and spiritual experience. I’d find ways to reach academic goals more quickly and effectively and then devote most of the curriculum to supervised battle simulation. I’d put students through endless hours of hands-on service to the sick and dying, physically dangerous evangelism, frequent preaching and teaching the Scriptures, and days on end of fasting and prayer. Seminary would either make them or break them.

Do you know what would happen? Very few young men would want to attend. Only those who had been called by God would subject themselves to this kind of seminary. Yet they would be recruits for kingdom service, not mere students. They would be ready for the battle of gospel ministry.”

Words of Wisdom for Pastors and Congregations From John Calvin

From John Calvin’s Commentary on Hebrews 13:17:

17. Obey them, etc. I doubt not but that he speaks of pastors and other rulers of the Church, for there were then no Christian magistrates; and what follows, for they watch for your souls, properly belongs to spiritual government. He commands first obedience and then honor to be rendered to them.

These two things are necessarily required, so that the people might have confidence in their pastors, and also reverence for them. But it ought at the same time to be noticed that the Apostle speaks only of those who faithfully performed their office; for they who have nothing but the title, nay, who use the title of pastors for the purpose of destroying the Church, deserve but little reverence and still less confidence. And this also is what the Apostle plainly sets forth when he says, that they watched for their souls, — a duty which is not performed but by those who are faithful rulers, and are really what they are called…

For they watch, etc. His meaning is, that the heavier the burden they bear, the more honor they deserve; for the more labor anyone undertakes for our sake, and the more difficulty and danger he incurs for us, the greater are our obligations to him. And such is the office of bishops, that it involves the greatest labor and the greatest danger; if, then, we wish to be grateful, we can hardly render to them that which is due; and especially, as they are to give an account of us to God, it would be disgraceful for us to make no account of them.

He further reminds us in what great a concern their labor may avail us, for, if the salvation of our souls be precious to us, they ought by no means to be deemed of no account who watch for it. He also bids us to be teachable and ready to obey, that what pastors do in consequence of what their office demands, they may also willingly and joyfully do; for, if they have their minds restrained by grief or weariness, though they may be sincere and faithful, they will yet become disheartened and careless, for vigor in acting will fail at the same time with their cheerfulness. Hence the Apostle declares, that it would be unprofitable to the people to cause sorrow and mourning to their pastors by their ingratitude; and he did this, that he might intimate to us that we cannot be troublesome or disobedient to our pastors without hazarding our own salvation.

As hardly one in ten considers this, it is hence evident how great generally is the neglect of salvation; nor is it a wonder how few at this day are found who strenuously watch over the Church of God. For besides, there are very few who are like Paul, who have their mouth open when the people’s ears are closed, and who enlarge their own heart when the heart of the people is straitened. The Lord also punishes the ingratitude which everywhere prevails. Let us then remember that we are suffering the punishment of our own perverseness, whenever the pastors grow cold in their duty, or are less diligent than they ought to be.