some of geoff’s thoughts this week.

some of geoff’s thoughts this week.

Since I’ve been sick and (completely) out of action the last few days, I’ve had some time to think, read, study, and write. Here are some thoughts I’ve had:

I read a new story about a man who was shot and killed in the country of Somalia for smuggling Bibles in to a town to give to an underground house church. The man boldly was silent when they questioned him and it cost him his (earthly) life. Sadly, I thought: I wonder how so-called Christians in America would handle this situation if, at gun-point, someone questioned them regarding their faith? Is it any wonder that Satan doesn’t seem to be attacking the American “church” (as much) because, I think, he probably doesn’t need to—he’s already won them over?

I’m doing a paper on Louis Berkhof. I’ve been tremendously encouraged and edified in reading this brilliant theologian. I agree with nearly everything he says until he gets to the topic of the covenants and covenant theology. I still have no clue how covenant theologians try to support their theory that Gen 3:15 is part of this covenant when, in the Scriptures, there is no mention of the Hebrew word berit at all. (The first mention of berit in the Hebrew Bible is Genesis 6:18 regarding the Noahic covenant.) It baffles me to no end and I reject covenant theology even more strongly than I did before I started this paper.

I’m preaching on Philippians 4:4-7 this upcoming week and I’m reminded that it is a sin to be anxious to the point that it causes a person to be overwhelmed or consumed with a particular issue. I can’t believe how many people think that a drug, medication, or some other self-help formula will alleviate the issue (they refuse to call it a “sin”) rather than recognizing it for what it really is;—a SIN—repenting of it, seeking Christ alone for guidance and help, and moving on with joy (which is the remedy in Phil 4:4-7). To me, Scripture cannot be clearer that “worry” and “anxiety” is a sin when Jesus says 3x in Matt 6:25, 31, and 34 “do not worry.” If we would encourage people to acknowledge anxiety as a sin, repent of it, confess it as what it is, namely, a sin of idolatry and disbelief in God’s sovereign goodness, and trust in Christ anew and pray to him when the temptation strikes again I think we’ll be better off.

This morning I was at a coffee shop studying and I heard a lady say in the booth behind me (yes I was eavesdropping) that her house was robbed this week. It reminded me of our house burglary last summer and how God so graciously protected us and our belongings because the things that were stolen were just that—things. It reminded me, again (because I need to be reminded over and over), that I must heed the command of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21 ¹⁹ "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

God is truly good to me and my family.