Back Again

I've been away for a long time but want to post a few thoughts as the work in Cleveland progresses. Yes, we are still at it and God has added a few more faces. I am working full time with Lake OPC mission now and still helping to develop new mission works across the presbytery as I am able. Check on our website often, we are working on securing a new meeting location but we have to wait for the city permits etc.

Lake OPC just started studying the book "Being Presbyterian" by Sean M Lucas. Its a good overview of the core beliefs, practices, and history of biblical Presbyterianism. I'd encourage you to check this study out. We meet on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM still at the Courtyard-Mariott in Willoughby.

The first chapter begins the section on beliefs or doctrines. Lucas takes up the issue of the sovereignty of God. That's a somewhat foreign term for Americans because we don't often speak about "sovereigns." The point is that God of the Bible reveals himself as the final authority and rules over everything. Lucas refers to Daniel 4 where Nebuchadnezzar, who conquered Judah by God's judgment, affirms God's sovereignty. Its a dramatic thought that a pagan king would submit to God's Lordship. Its a reminder that we all will one day be accountable to God (see 2 Cor. 5:10). Psalm 24:1,2 make this point clearly enough, and my own devotional readings of the minor prophets reveal God's kingship over his people.

While we may be uncomfortable with this concept and it may raise questions about the origins of evil and how man is still morally accountable, we find that God's sovereignty has practical implications for us. If God is not sovereign he really isn't God - not worthy of worship. If we are the result of chance then we as human beings have no purpose beyond ourself because chance is by definition devoid of purpose. If we only make our own realties how does that really square with our experience because we are not really in control of our lives, we are not self-existent nor independent.

Lucas reminds us that God's sovereignty estalishes our purpose (He gave it - Gen. 1:26ff) and his sovereignty is the foundation of our own moral responsibility and freedom. Read the book and see what Lucas says. Better yet join us for this discussion. Read Calvin's Institutes too!