When I hate theology

Last night I was lying in bed waiting for Lynn to finish in the bathroom and I was having a mini-crisis. I've found myself really far behind in the reading that I'm doing for class in August. I started off good, but then I hit a book by a guy named Meredith Kline (yep, I bet he got beat up a lot growing up). The book, Kingdom Prologue, is focused on the book of Genesis and it is deep and hard theology. I've been reading it for two or three weeks now and have only finished 250 pages or so (and I've only gotten to Gen 9)!

So I was lying in bed thinking, maybe I'm not cut out for deep theology. Worse, I was thinking, maybe I don't really like deep theology. Then it hit me - this book isn't deep theology, it's technical theology. And it's dry. It's theology without doxology, which is awful. It's like soccer without the goal, football without the touchdown. I affirmed to myself that I do love theology when it is done worshipfully, not dryly. The apostle Paul does this so well. He writes deep and hard theology, and then in the middle of his discourse, he breaks out into doxology:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

"For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?"

"Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?"

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36

As you can tell, my wife takes a long time getting ready for bed, cause I had still yet another breakthrough waiting for her. I realized that the author is mildly to blame - he writes technically, but doesn't ever express in writing what these great truths are doing to him internally: is he humbled by God's power and sovereignty, is he in awe of his grace, does he fear because of his holy law? I don't know, because he doesn't say. But, truth be told, I bear a lot of the blame in this as well. I haven't been reading devotionally. I haven't been meditating on these truths - just filling my head with them. The three years I was in seminary were three of the best years for me spiritually. Why? Because I was reading things devotionally - which sometimes meant more slowly and frequently meant that I didn't get all the reading done for a particular class - but so be it.

I read this a few weeks ago and I need to remember it as I continue studying deep, technical theology: "Study to be a saint, not a scholar".

One final epiphany, one that came to me as I'm writing, not as I was lying in bed. I wonder how many sermons I've preached that I thought were deep theology, but were just technical. Hmm.

My Gluttony

Sovereign Lord, please grant to me
A disciplined will
so to choose what pleases thee.
But more O Lord,
Grant that I might not need it.
Give me a clean heart
with holy desires
right affections
and godly passions,
so that my heart beats with yours
and I desire what you desire
want what you want
pursue what you pursue
love what you love.
Let all my hungers, thirsts,
wants and cravings
be yours,
so that I may indulge
and be a glutton in them
for all eternity.

A Pleading Letter to a Brother

Today I received a letter inviting me and members of our church to participate in an interfaith prayer meeting in October that will be presided over by the Dali Lama. Here is my letter of response:

Dear Brother,

I am writing to inform you that I will respectfully decline your invitation to be a part of the Interfaith Prayer Service with the Dalai Lama, for the glory of my utterly unique Savior Jesus. To accept this invitation would compromise the uniqueness of Jesus and communicate to others participating and attending that Jesus is a peer with Allah and Vishnu, when in fact he is sui generis – in a class by himself. Such is the Biblical teaching that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, ESV), and that Jesus is “the only Son from the Father” (John 1:14, ESV).

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is to me too precious to risk tarnishing in this manner, and to intentionally or unintentionally communicate that Jesus is not entirely unique is to tarnish his glory and his gospel. To unite with others as though we worshipped and prayed to the same God is an offense to this gospel and to the God who offers his “one and only Son” for the forgiveness of sins and for life. Moreover, I believe participation in this event would confuse those seeking after God by communicating that any of the religions participating are equally valid paths to salvation and God. Again, the offer of the Gospel is life in Christ, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12).

In addition to declining, I am pleading with you as a proclaimed follower of Jesus Christ to reconsider your involvement in this Interfaith Prayer Service. I understand the desire to peacefully coexist with people of other religious persuasions. However, to cooperate in such a way compromises the Gospel and the Glory of Jesus Christ. To participate in such a service is always an act of syncretism, and a violation of the first commandment. Such was the opinion and ruling of the Council of Laodicea in 364AD. The ecumenical council condemned this practice, saying, “No one shall join in prayer with heretics or schismatics” (Canon 33).

I do hope this letter is received as a kind word from someone who desires to be a brother, but who also desires to preserve the beautiful uniqueness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Solo Christus,

Rev. Daniel L. Waugh Jr.

Cool Lizard

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originally uploaded by danwaugh.

This is one of the coolest pictures I've ever taken! It was taken at the Wonder Lab last week. The Lizard was striking a pose, making sure I got his good side.

The Gospel Coalition Web Site

The new website for The Gospel Coalition just went live a few days ago. Some of the 'Stakeholders' of this new coalition are among my favorite authors, professors, pastors out there, including: DA Carson (my academic adviser at Trinity), Colin Smith (the senior pastor at the first church I ever worked at), John Piper (a mentor, even though I've never met him), Mark Driscoll, Mark Dever, Philip Ryken, Ligon Duncan, Erwin Lutzer, Bryan Chapell, CJ Mahaney, and more. Check out the articles and the media sections for great stuff.