Description

(from amazon.com)

D. A. Carson, one of today’s most notable Bible scholars, introduces the irony, scandal, and greatness of the work done on the cross.

How are Christians to approach the central gospel teachings concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus? The Bible firmly establishes the historicity of these events and doesn’t leave their meanings ambiguous or open to interpretation. Even so, there is an irony and surprising strangeness to the cross. Carson shows that this strange irony has deep implications for our lives as he examines the history and theology of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection.

Scandalous is the latest addition to the Re:Lit series, which highlights important theological truths in accessible and applicable ways. Both amateur theologians and general readers will appreciate how Carson deftly preserves weighty theology while simultaneously noting the broader themes of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Through exposition of five primary passages of Scripture, Carson helps us to more fully understand and appreciate the scandal of the cross.

Learn more about the book

When Do We Start?

We will begin discussing on Wednesday May 23rd.  The assigned reading is Chapter 1.

Where to Buy

Here are a few places to buy online.

Amazon.com

Crossway

Monergism Books

We hope that you’ll decide to join us!

Reading as a Lifetime Vocation

Good Reading: A Conversation with Tony Reinke

We come to these closing chapters of the book and we find that both speak to us as to what we are commanded to do in light of what we have read in all of the preceding chapters. I feel as though we should begin this discussion with a big THERFORE. The foundation that these last chapters are built upon is no less than Gods absolute control over every aspect of the created order and in everything that he has made. Therefore we are to trust Him in all things (chapter 13) and give thanks in all circumstances, (chapter 14) for we have been shown in all that we have read that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) and “He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32) and “who can separate us from the love of Christ? the answer not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39). These Gospel truths and all that we have read persuade us to trust and give thanks to Christ who is no stranger to us, for who would trust someone they do not even know, or give thanks in all circumstances, the good as well as the bad, to someone we did not believe had our absolute good in mind. In addition, we should respond to adversity with thanksgiving, worship, humility, forgiveness, prayer, and a heart seeking only God’s Glory.

In Conclusion, these two chapters teach us that our trusting and showing thankfulness is not what comes naturally to us. Rather we only want to trust in ourselves and thank no one. This is our natural inclination, our sinful selves. Yet we have been shown that these are commanded of us to do, we are to trust and give thanks by choice, and I would add not with a reluctant heart but a grateful and dependent heart. yet We have all experienced to some degree that we do not feel like doing these thing when circumstances are not what we expected or seem not to be fair or are unplanned. So what can we do? First do not let your subjective feelings make you slaves to them but rather choose to believe (act of our will) in the objective truths of God’s word (we have been shown many of these truths these past weeks in our reading) and continue to seek all those things that our loving and faithful God has promised us in Christ Jesus through the word in the power of his spirit.

Finally remember that all of God’s commands are possible with God and that God is the decisive factor in making us what we should be. This prayer that is often quoted and attributed to St. Augustine sums up this truth, “Lord command what you will and grant what you command”

I would like to recommend this article in Justin Taylor’s blog; Between two Worlds, it captures the essence of motivation in light of the truth of God’s word: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/05/03/imperatives-indicatives-impossibilities/ or just go to the blog and search imperatives-indicatives.

Questions for further reflection:

1. Do you tend to forget to trust in God when things are going well? Explain

2. Are you more able to trust God and give thanks now then when you began this study?

3. How might you explain to an unbeliever why you choose to trust God?

4. How does Romans 8:28 help us fulfill 1 Thessalonians 5:18?

5. How would you say 2Peter 1:3-4 sums up the power to overcome our natural  inclinations not to trust and not to give thanks in all circumstances?

6. How does High Point Baptist Church contribute to our trusting in God?

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
― C.S. Lewis from “The Problem of Pain”

“Some of you have suffered. Some of you are suffering. And some of you will suffer. It is inevitable. You will suffer at some point in your life! Basic discipleship means tribulations.” – John Piper: 2008 Desiring God Regional Conference (Austin, TX) “Job: When the Righteous Suffer”

Why do we suffer or experience adversity?

And, what should be our correct response to suffering or adversities?

I remember attending that Desiring God conference and being incredibly encouraged and challenged to think about the wonder and love of God through adversity or affliction.  As Piper led us through Job, by the end of the conference I saw that Job’s suffering was a means of grace that caused him to see himself and God more clearly.  One of the most profitable things we can do is to have a rooted, unshakeable biblical doctrine of suffering/trials/adversities so that when the winds of life blow we don’t believe wrong things about God.

Using James 1:2-4, Bridges reminds us, for the believer, trials are ultimately working for our maturation.  Though not a popular doctrine and very hard to grasp for many Christians, we must, by faith, believe what God has revealed to us in the Scriptures, which are for our instruction.  Romans 8:29 tells us that we were predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son and Bridges captures that truth by saying:

We can be sure that the development of a beautiful Christlike character will not occur in our lives without adversity. Think of those lovely graces that Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. The first four traits he mentions – love, joy, peace and patience – can only be developed in the womb of adversity….Adversities spoil our peace and sorely try our patience. God uses those difficulties to reveal to us our need to grow, so that we will reach out to Him to change us more and more into the likeness of His Son. (p.186)

And this is why we are called to rejoice (Romans 12:12). We don’t rejoice at the trial, but rather we rejoice because the trial or adversity is working for our benefit and God’s glory.  Adversities and trials have their unique ways of doing what comfort and ease could never do – expose particular sins in their various forms and cultivate Christlike character.

Bridges uses the last half of the chapter explaining how God uses adversities to prune us, to grow in holiness, to grow in dependence on God, to develop perseverance, to serve others, to experience deeper fellowship with other believers and ultimately Christ.

Questions

1. Bridges likens adversity to the pruning process (John 15:2). What keeps us from seeing that God’s pruning is a good thing?
2. Adversity exposes our indwelling sin seen in our reactions and attitudes. Why don’t we rejoice in that?
3. The Lord gave Paul a thorn in his flesh, a messenger from Satan, to keep him from becoming conceited (2 Cor. 12:7-10) and to cause him to rely on His strength.  Do you see God’s wise love in this?  Can you see God’s wise love in your affliction?
4. Romans 8:28 says that for those who love God all things (including adversities) work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Do you believe this as you’re going through _________________? (fill in the blank with your trial or adverse situation)
5. How should Hebrews 12:2 encourage us in our fight to believe God and rejoice in adverse times?
6. How does Joseph’s life and his response to his brothers cruel treatment help us see God and adversities? (See Genesis 45:1-17, 50:20-21)
7. What implications do our responses to adversities have on the gospel?

As part of our desire to engage unbelievers with the gospel, High Pointe will be launching Christianity Explored on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm.

This is an informal 7-week course primarily for people who’d like to investigate Christianity. Looking at Mark’s gospel, it explores who Jesus is, why he came, and what it means to follow him. This course is a great opportunity to attend with an unbelieving friend or family member.

Please contact the church office for more information.