blurring the lines.

The Reformed tradition is one that is always striving to stick to Biblical truth. Everything we believe is rooted in the fact that the Bible is the infallible word of God. Our doctrine is rooted in Scripture alone, which hopefully makes it as close to the truth as possible.

In order for us to better understand the Scriptures, early Reformers wrote summaries and confessions such as the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort. These documents help us to learn and explain what they found to be the truth in the Word. These are wonderful documents, and can help us understand what we read in the Bible.

I wonder, however, if we sometimes put too much weight on these documents. No one in the Reformed Church will come out and say that they believe that the confessions are inerrant, but I think that sometimes we treat them as if they are. I say this because in the last few weeks I have been to several Youth Group Bible Studies or similar events where leaders would look to the Catechism or Belgic Confession before turning to Scripture in order to answer a question or start a discussion. Why do we not turn to Scripture first? Sometimes it is easier to look to the Catechism, because it is so nicely laid out, but it is so much more fullfilling when the knowledge comes straight from the Word, and we can be fully confident that it is 100% true.

What about Catechism classes? It is important for young people to know what they believe, and be able to defend it...but does it really make sense to memorize a book that was written by man? Why not go straight to the source? Catechism is a useful tool to teach the Scriptures, and it should be just that, a tool.

Here is another example: The Sunday before I left for Kentucky, I heard a sermom entitled "The Comfort of the Catechism". It was in the afternoon, so the Minister was using Lords Day 1 as a "text".

"Q. What is your only comfort in life and death? A. That I am not my own but belong with body and soul both in life and death to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ who, with His precious blood has paid for all my sins, freed me from all the power of the Devil, and so preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head. Yes, all things must work together for my Salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him."

I typed it out from memory, and I'm sure if you are Reformed you probably didn't need to read it.
These are beautiful words, but it is not the "Comfort of the Catechism" that we read here. It is the comfort of Scripture, as summarized in the Catechism.
My fear is that we have begun to blur the lines between summary and Scripture. It makes me uncomfortable when I hear these documents quoted, when Scripture verses are readily available.
Personally, I have never found any errors in any of our confessions, and I don't think anyone has for many years. I do, however, find it hard to believe that there are none. They are not inspired, and therefore should not be trusted to be 100% accurate.

I say this not to be controversial but out of a desire to serve God and study, learn, and teach His word in the best way possible-the way taught in Scripture.

yearm.

So it's exam time, and I have been left with a striking lack of things to say.

the spirit of rock & roll

Last night I went with a bunch of cool people to see Jars of Clay. It was fun. I am not a really huge fan of Jars of Clay. To be honest I haven't heard much of their music, maybe 4 or 5 songs. But they put on a really nice show, and even though I didn't recognize most of it, it was fun.

Now, I found out something about myself last night at this show. I found out that I am very critical. I knew this before to a certain extent, but it became really obvious to me during this show.
This band called NeedtoBreathe opened up the show. I didn't like them very much, and from the moment they came on stage I kept finding new things about them that I didn't like. The drummer was too loud, the guitar was too quiet, the bassist's pants were too tight, the vocalist sounded like he ate gravel for breakfast, and the keyboard was extremely cliche.
All these things were true, but it wasn't until after the show when I was talking to some friends that I realized how truly critical I have become of music, bands, and the people in them. While I was listening to a guitar solo thinking "dang...that guy has no subtlty, when is he gonna stop? Why is he so quiet? Doesn't he realize that he has poor technique?" my friend Ben is yelling himself hoarse because he is so stoked about the rock&roll.
When did I become like this? When did I become so preocupied with playing "well" and "tastefully" that I stoped caring about ROCK and putting your soul into something you believe in. For the entire show I couldn't let myself get carried away in the rock because I couldnt' stop judging the people on stage.

I have become a true music snob. I am unable to enjoy the true spirit of rock & roll.

I can't wait to get out of jazz school.

clap your hands say yeah.

so, i'm listening to Clap Yout Hands Say Yeah.

Either my headphones are broken, or that man has the most annoying voice ever.

I think I like it.