Jonathan Edwards on Scripture’s Self-Authentication

Kirk E. Miller

In part III, section V. of Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections, Edward’s helpfully explains the Holy Spirit’s inward testimony to scripture’s divine origin. In short, Edwards argues that the gospel itself is directly “self-evidencing.” Namely, that the Spirit enables individuals to apprehend and taste the excellencies of God in the Gospel, which, when perceived, are direct evidence of its divine origin and thereby grants sure conviction of its truthfulness.

He goes on to say that (what we might call) more “evidentialist”-type arguments are helpful inasmuch as they are serviceable to “awaken unbelievers” or “confirm the faith of true saints.” Yet “there is no spiritual conviction of the judgment, but what arises from an apprehension of the spiritual beauty and glory of divine things.”

Below is a compilation of select quotations from this section of his book as they address this subject:

It is evident that there is a spiritual conviction of the truth, or a belief peculiar to those who are spiritual, who are regenerated, and who have the Spirit of God, in his holy communications, dwelling in them as a vital principle. … [This] spiritual conviction of the truth of the great things of the gospel is such a conviction as arises from having a spiritual apprehension. … [And this spiritual apprehension] consists in a sense and taste of the divine, supreme, and holy excellency and beauty of those things. So that then is the mind spiritually convinced of the divinity and truth of the great things of the gospel, when that conviction arises … from such a sense or view of their divine excellency and glory as is there exhibited. …

A view of this divine glory directly convinces the mind of the divinity of these things, as this glory is in itself a direct, clear, and all-conquering evidence of it. … He that truly sees the divine, transcendent, supreme glory of those things which are divine, does as it were know their divinity intuitively. … The manifestations of the moral and spiritual glory of the Divine Being (which is the proper beauty of the divinity) bring their own evidence, and tend to assure the heart. … Continue reading →

Navigating Technology — Discussion Questions

Kirk E. Miller

The following is a list of discussion questions composed for a CrossWay Community Church small group, Christ & Culture, for use in March of 2019. It is based on chapters 2 and 4 of James K.A. Smith’s book You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit.

A Theology of Technology

Jim Samra, Mini Theology of Technology  (from Gen 1-11)

Definition (broad) — “Technology includes all tools, machines, utensils, weapons, instruments, housing, clothing, communicating and transporting devices and the skills by which we produce and use them.”

  1. Technology is possible because man is created in the image of God (Adam and Eve — see Gen 1:26-30 — bearing God’s image; having dominion over creation).
  2. Technology often hinders our ability to recognize our need for God and can be used to attempt to render God unnecessary (Cain — killing Abel, ch. 4).
  3. Technology can free us to sin by attempting to shield us from some of the consequences of sin (Lamech — murder — and Tubal-Cain — forger of bronze and iron instruments).
  4. Technology is used by God to rescue us, to help alleviate some of the consequences of the fall, and to help us worship God (Noah, e.g., the ark).
  5. Technology is inherently dangerous because it is the product of purposive human activity, and we need help from God in limiting its use (Tower of Babel).
  • Studying the cross as a form of technology led to my recognizing that technology is dangerous inasmuch as it is constantly tempting us to imagine a better life available to us through technology: to covet and to put our faith in technology rather than God. The cross is associated with the Jewish leaders coveting a world without Jesus (Luke 20:9-19) and their idolatry in embracing Caesar rather than God (John 19:13–16).

Questions for discussion:

  • What do you find helpful here?
  • Is there anything you are not sure you understand, or you think you might disagree with?
  • Which points do you see rooted in scripture? … How so?
  • How do you see these things playing out today in our world with today’s technology?

Continue reading →

Death, Deliverance, and Divine Judgment (Acts 12:1-24)

Kirk E. Miller

Death, Deliverance, and Divine Judgment (Acts 12:1-24)
CrossWay Community Church
March 10th, 2019

Podcast link.

Race & Racialization — Discussion Questions

Kirk E. Miller

The following is a list of discussion questions composed for a CrossWay Community Church small group, Christ & Culture, for use throughout February 2019.

Defining terms (my best attempt):

  • Race– A grouping of persons which is (1) socially classified and perceived by certain select physical characteristics, (2) conceived of as an entity distinct from other groups of the same sort, and (3) viewed as an identity which is inherited and passed down generationally (note: a uniquely U.S. conception of race).
  • Racism– Prejudice, partiality, or mistreatment of another individual or group of people based on their race.
  • Racialization– The condition of a society in which significant disparities exist along racial lines wherein race matters profoundly with respect to life experiences such as relationships, opportunities, advantages/disadvantages, and outcomes.

Resource: “Is Black Lives Matter the New Civil Rights Movement?” by Mika Edmondson 

Discussion questions:

  • Bible & theology:
    • What does the Bible have to say about race? Does it? Racism? How does it apply to racism?
    • What might the Bible have to say about how we evaluate the concept and proposal of the existence of systemic racism (raised below)?
    • How does Christ and the gospel in particular provide a solution to racism and racialization?
  • Ideological & social-cultural analysis:
    • What is racism? Racialization? What’s the difference?
    • Does racism exist today?
    • Is our society racialized?
    • Does systemic (or structural) racism exist? What is it?
    • Is “white privilege” real? If so, what does it mean?
    • What is “reverse racism”? Is it a reality?
    • Is there a danger of emphasizing race or racism too little or too much?
    • What’s wrong with racial segregation? Is there a problem with it?
  • Intersections: How does race relate to the following subjects in our current dialogue, and how do we evaluate these connections / intersections?
    • Criminal justice?
    • Police brutality?
    • Housing?
    • Economics?
    • Education?
    • Political representation?
    • Immigration?
    • Incarceration?
  • Evaluating expressions of activism:
    • How do we evaluate current movements attempting to curtail or shed light on what they perceive to be racial injustice?
    • What do we make of contemporary activist movements such as #BlackLivesMatter? What’s good in them? What’s less than desirable, or faulty? (Or, likewise, seeming counter-movements such as #BlueLivesMatter?)
  • Ecclesiology & missiology:
    • What is the church’s role in fighting racialized- (or race-related) injustice?
    • What is the church’s role, or what should the church be doing, to help address racialization or race-related disparities and/or injustice?
    • Is there something wrong, or unhealthy, with an ethnically homogeneous church? If so, what can / should we do about it?
    • What does it look like to model racial unity in the church?
    • How does the church’s response to race and racial tensions relate to its witness?
  • Contextualization & application:
    • What issues does our particular setting/context (i.e., Milwaukee) pose with regards to issues related to race and racialization?
    • What can we do to be agents of change / difference-makers / “Christian neighbor-lovers” with respect to race-related issues — in our immediate context, or more broadly?
    • How can I resist and/or help change systems or realities that privilege me and disadvantage or discriminate against others?
    • How can I better listen to and understand those with different experiences than me on account of race?
    • Do I harbor any known or unknown racial prejudice or bias?

Gentile Pentecost (Acts 10:1-11:18)

Kirk E. Miller

Gentile Pentecost (Acts 10:1-11:18)
CrossWay Community Church
February 24th, 2019

Podcast link.