(By Matt Waymeyer)

One of the most complex issues facing the student of biblical hermeneutics today is the significance of how the NT authors quote or allude to the OT in their writings. One popular view is that modern-day interpreters have a mandate not only to understand, but also to imitate the hermeneutics modeled by the NT writers in their handling of the OT.

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Thank you to Jim Newcomer:
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I was walking across a bridge recently. I spied this fellow who looked like he was ready to jump off. So, I thought I’d try to stall him until the authorities showed up. “Don’t jump!” I said. “Why not?” he said. “Nobody loves me.”

“God loves you,” I said. “You believe in God, don’t you?”

“Yes, I believe in God,” he said.

“Good,” I said. “Are you Christian or Jewish?”

“Christian,” he said.

“Me, too!” I said. “Protestant or Catholic?”

“Neither,” he said.

“What then?” I said.

“Baptist,” he said.

“Me, too!” I said. “Independent Baptist or Southern Baptist?”

“Independent Baptist,” he said.

“Me, too!” I said. “New Evangelical/Moderate Independent Baptist or Conservative Independent Baptist?”

“Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.

“Me, too!” I said. “Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Lose-Your-Salvation Arminian Conservative Independent Baptist?”

“Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.

“Me, too!” I said. “Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Historical Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”

“Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.

“Me, too!” I said. “Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or For Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”

“Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.

“Me, too!” I said. “Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Strict Separation of Church and State Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”

“Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.

“Me, too!” I said. “Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Anti-Disney Boycott Pro-Choice Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”

“Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist,” he said.

“Me, too!” I said. “KJV Only Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist or Modern Versions Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist?”

“MODERN VERSIONS Pro-Disney Boycott Pro-Life Unashamed Fundamentalist Against Women in Ministry Dispensational Premillennial Calvinistic Conservative Independent Baptist” he said.

“Auugghh!!! You heretic! What is this world coming to?” I said.

And then I pushed him over.

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In the church at Corinth, there was a sad disease in full bloom. It was the wicked tendency to choose sides and a “fearless leader” to march behind. In 1 Cor. 3:5-9, Paul reminds the believers that it really is not note worthy who is planting or watering, for it is God alone who can produce fruit. Therefore, it is to be God alone and His power that we rally behind, fight for, live for, and if need be die for. Paul’s admonition is a painful one, as we find ourselves sitting in the midst of a present day Corinth in some respects.

Now those of you who think you know where I am going with this, please keep reading. I won’t keep you long, but I may surprise you.

This past week at the Shepherds’ Conference I had the unique privilege to enjoy the fellowship of 30+ Fundamentalist pastors and leaders. It was a time of refreshment and tremendous edification. Discussions were plenteous, and I believe Christ was duly lifted high. As I walked, talked, sat, ate, and road in cars, I kept hearing the same question, “Hey, Bails, what do you think about all this discussion that is on the web?” I was expecting the question, and I had planned for the answer. I believe it may be a fitting word to you all, as well.

My Answer: I do not want to be found “preaching myself.”

I am forever indebted to the providential rearing I received in Fundamentalism. My Fundamentalist dad taught me that the Bible was inerrant and infallible in every possible sense. My Fundamentalist schools taught me to pursue purity and holiness at any cost. The Wilds taught me to have a filthy towel from washing feet—servant leadership as the highest pursuit. The Fundamentalist churches in which I served shaped my pursuit of expository preaching and Biblical theology. Do you men and women not see? It is not IN SPITE OF Fundamentalism that we are thinking through these difficult issues. It is, in many cases, ON THE BASIS of Fundamentalism that we are thinking Biblically at all!!

Be careful, my friends, to be found thanking the plowmen when the seed is bearing fruit. Be careful to thank the planter, as well, and be most careful to understand that God alone is to receive the glory. He alone grants the fruit, as it gives Him pleasure. We are facing a kind of reactionary loyalty today. While I believe that my own heritage placed far too much importance on the opinions of certain leaders, my own generation has reacted not by mostly re-focusing on God and His Word, but by often claiming new champions. Honor those who are due honor, no matter what their circle, for God has chosen to use these clay pots, but please don’t be found to be a disciple of a redeemed man. Be a disciple of the Redeemer of that man.

I do not want to wave the flag or be a mouth piece for controversy and dispute. I am fearful that we (Young Guns—you know who you are) are in danger of sacrificing the cause of our precious Savior on the altar of the “Issue-Driven Life.” Don’t get me wrong, we need to think and think hard about why we do what we do. I am all for iron sharpening iron, but we will stand before the Throne of God as stewards of time, energy, and giftedness. Will I be the one who presents the Master with a bunch of opinions about issues? Will I be the one who presents my loyalties to certain men, however Godly and useful they have been? Somehow this seems strikingly empty in light of the good fight that Paul and all of his descendents in the ministry have fought for the sake of the gospel for the good of the Church.

May we not be found to be of Piper, or of MacArthur, or of Holland, or of Doran, or of Bauder, or of Jones, or of Mazak, or of Davey, or of Sproul, or of anyone other than Christ. Many will plant, many will water, but the God of Heaven will produce any and all fruit. To God be the glory, for He alone is worthy.

My historical hero, Robert Murray M’Cheyne:

“I declare to you that I would rather be one hour with God, than a thousand with the sweetest society on earth or in heaven. All other joys are but streams; God is the fountain.” (Bonar—pg. 244).

Grace and peace.

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I should not be discouraged.

We are getting ready for three thousands brothers to come to our campus to be edified and strengthened at the Shepherd’s Conference. Al Mohler, RC Sproul, and Pastor John will be feeding us the Word of the Lord with power and integrity. Not only that, but I am fresh off of a weekend of Christ-centered singing and preaching at the Resolved conference (www.resolved.org). Rick Holland, CJ Mahaney, Steve Lawson, and Pastor John fed my soul with fifteen hundred other college students and singles from around the country. The clarity and unity that was experienced was amazing, as those who love and preach the gospel came together for a time of fellowship and refreshment—nine preaching session—exhausting!

Were there differences in practice and even points of theology among the speakers and attendees? Of course, there were differences. Well, you may ask, did that not utterly confuse the attendees? How can you have men of different denominations and practices and not have mass confusion?

Well, unity that is based upon the true gospel and the inerrancy of Scripture is never confusing. It brings tremendous clarity in a world of individualism! The real confusion is found when secondary issues are made to be as important as fundamental doctrines of the Scripture.

OK, let’s get down on the ground level, where the proverbial rubber meets the road. There are men who have shaped my theology and my passion for Christ, who are now refusing to speak, endorse, or even attend the God-Focused Conference (www.godfocused.org). One keynote has even dropped out of the line-up. This entire disturbance is based upon the inclusion of my friend and fellow-pastor Rick Holland in the list of speakers.

The issues, you may ask? I’ll take a whack:

1. Rick’s labors for your Christ with John MacArthur—a hero warrior for truth.
2. Rick’s labors for your Christ, while using modern music styles.
3. Rick’s labors for your Christ with 600 collegians, who don’t dress like they go to BJU.
4. Rick’s labors for your Christ without a formal “No Public Displays of Affection” policy.
5. Rick’s labors for your Christ, while doing so outside of Fundamentalism and its circles.
6. Rick’s labors for your Christ, while embracing the Doctrines of Grace.
7. Rick’s labors for your Christ, while…you fill in the blank. You know the routine.

This is not about Rick’s integrity in years of expository preaching. This is not about his freedom from accusation in character and family life. This is not about his high view of the inerrancy of Scripture. This is not about his devotion to Christ and ferocious obedience to the same Christ. This is not about his recent modesty series that put principles as the foundation to practice. This is not about his constant confrontation of collegians for purity in dating and friendships, nor his upcoming dating book. This is not about his pursuit of deep songs and self-ignoring musicians. This is not about his seemingly endless pursuit of clarity and accuracy in doctrine and practice. This is not about his praying with tears for the body of Christ locally and internationally.

Most of all, this commotion is not about the gospel or the fundamentals of the faith. It would appear that this is about party lines, and for that reason, my friends…

I am disappointed.

Sola Deo Gloria. Grace and peace.

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When I was in Greenville for college at BJU, Renee and I served at Community Baptist Church. I was newly exposed to the science of expository preaching and full of eagerness to grow. In God's kind providence, I was able to sit in the senior high Sunday-school class where Dan Cruver was the teacher. It was under Dan’s teaching through Hebrews 11 and the “Hall of Faith” that my heart was set ablaze for exposing people to the clear truth of God.

The Lord moved Dan to another church in town to be a Student Pastor, and eventually He moved Dan to Pennsylvania to teach college students at Baptist Bible College. He has been a consistent testimony of God’s gracious work of sanctification through trial, as the Lord took his son Daniel at the age of three. Throughout all the pain of refining fire, Dan has remained a constant champion for the sovereign kindness of God.

I say all of this to commend to you Dan’s blog at www.eucatastrophe.com. His writing is Christ-centered, God-glorifying, and Scripture-saturated. I trust it will be an encouragement to your heart, as it has been to mine.

Grace and peace.

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