The Church

You have probably heard or maybe even recited the words "one holy catholic and apostolic church." But what does that statement from the Nicene Creed mean and is it true? What does the Bible teach about the church? Is it any place where multiple Christians are assembled or is there more to it?

Tuesday, February 18 is when we will discuss these questions and engage chapter 17 of Pilgrim Theology. Come eager and ready to dialogue.

*We will continue discussing chapter 17 and the church on Tuesday, February 25.

The Work of Christ

And now for the crux of the matter which is the work of Christ! Both the active and passive obedience of Christ are in view in the first half or so of ch.8 (pp.191-208). We will cover this on Tuesday, November 5th. We will NOT be discussing the whole chapter. Such grand themes considering the grandeur of the grand one, Jesus Christ, the righteous!

Everyone's a Theologian!!!

In light of our discussions Tuesday, we know that even fundamentalist atheist Richard Dawkins is a theologian. After all, everyone has beliefs about God regardless of how out of touch such beliefs are with reality. With an aim toward aligning our understanding with reality, our discussion Tuesday, Sept. 10 will be "Knowing God" (chapter one of Horton's Pilgrim Theology). Read the chapter and engage in the discussion.

Jesus Wants You to Attend

The next installment of Theology for Breakfast is about to break. So why miss some precious sleep to talk theology with other guys on Tuesday mornings at 6:30? One of the countless reasons to join Theology for Breakfast is because Jesus wants you to attend. OK, not exactly, but in a roundabout way. According to our Lord, each of us is to love God with all of our faculties, including our minds. This is worship. This is avoiding idolatry. This is right thinking paving the way for right acting. This is a good idea! So secure a copy of Pilgrim Theology by Mike Horton, read the opening section (pp.14-23), anticipate the superb aroma of Peet’s coffee, and show up at Omaha Bible Church Tuesday morning, September 3^rd to engage.

Irrationality LOST

"God has not been so sparing to men to make them barely two-legged creatures, and left it to Aristotle to make them rational" (John Locke). Oh, wait, the dude from Lost didn't say that, it was the guy from the 17th century. Silly me. But you will find that quote in the reading for next time and it will deal with loss of reason. Instead of reading from Pushing the Antithesis for Tuesday, March 5, please read Tools for Apologetics by Bahnsen (parts one and two). These also appear in his book Always Ready which I have found to be a much more readable book than the one we have been working through. As always, come ready for some edifying discussion. 

The next book will be Holiness by Grace by Brian Chapell. It is a helpful and hopeful change from a "just do more" and "just try harder" approach to spiritual growth. One line from the intro will give you a good taste--"True grace produces joy and promotes godliness" (13). Looking forward to learning more together about such grace!

Collision (part 2)

No reading for Tuesday, February 26th. What, no reading?!?! That's right, theology for breakfast can be productive, though slightly less, without bound paper and ink. We will watch the second half of Collision: Is Christianity Good for the World? and discuss apologetic methodology. 

The Lion of Princeton

B.B. Warfield was affectionately known as "the Lion of Princeton." The moniker underscored his academic and theological prowess. Benjamin taught theology at Princeton from 1887 to 1921 where he seemingly never backed down from opportunities to promote and defend the truthfulness of Scripture, the supremacy of Christ, and gospel of sovereign grace. For the next five weeks we will work through The Plan of Salvation which is "A study of the basic and essential differences between various interpretations of the Christian religion" (the publisher). Have the first chapter ("Differing Conceptions") read for Tuesday, November 6th. The book is free here, 99 cents on Kindle, or available at the OBC bookstore.

If you want a good seat...

We are off to a great start with week one under our belts. Nothing like a packed room indulging in some good theology for breakfast.

Read chapter two for Tuesday (pp.33-47). With chapter one's preview behind us, VanDrunen will now establish the crucial theological structure for moving forward. First on the list is a biblical "Adam theology."

Here's a foretaste: “If we do not understand the biblical theme of the two Adams and its corresponding doctrine of justification then it is impossible to hold a biblical view of Christianity and culture” (Living in God’s Two Kingdoms), 34.

Fall Kickoff

Its time once again to start up Theology for Breakfast. Our first meeting for the fall will be Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at Omaha Bible Church from 6:30-7:30 AM. Living in God’s Two Kingdoms: A Biblical Vision for Christianity and Culture by David VanDrunen is our text. Have the first chapter read by Tuesday the 11^th and if you want an audio introduction to the book, here is an interview with the author. The book is available at the OBC Well, Amazon, etc. Coffee will be ready so read, bring a friend, and be ready for some good interaction.

*David VanDrunen is scheduled to be at OBC in the fall of 2013 to speak on matters of Christ and culture.

"How Dare You!"

Chapter 8 of the Gagging of God offers some compelling reasons why drawing lines "is utterly crucial" even if it is rude. It is one of the easier reads in my opinion and is quite helpful. May God use it to inform, stir conviction, and equip. Couldn't resist the classic Harrison Ford line from Clear and Present Danger.

WEEK OFF

Theology for Breakfast will not be meeting Tuesday, March 6th. Catch up on your "Gagging" (reading that is!) and enjoy a little extra shuteye. Carson is getting more concrete now that we are further into the book so take courage and be of good cheer. Chapter five is on the plot-line of the Bible. The chapter is excellent and important. Here's a zinger from the section called "God is offended" to get you started:

"It is not going too far to say that the Bible would not have a plot-line at all if there were no wrath. From the perspective of the religious pluralist, this stance is unpardonable; from the perspective of the biblical story-line, the pluralist's position is equivalent to idolatry, for it allows other gods to be raised to the status of the one true God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the final Judge, the universe's Sovereign, the One to whom we all, finally, must give an account (Hebrews 4:13)" (234).

Do You Renounce Satan and All His Works???

Who should be baptized? What happens at communion? Is Mark 16:16 authentic? Does the Bible teach baptismal regeneration? What's the gospel got to do with it? Consider these questions as you read chapters 25,26, and 27 for our next meeting (12.20.11). As much as I like our friend Louie (Louis Berkhof that is), we will agree to disagree on some baptismal issues. Thankfully he knows better now (smile). The new book study will be from The Gagging of God by D.A. Carson and will start the first Tuesday of February (2.7.12). Secure the book and prepare to think.

Accepting Jesus & Ditching His Wife?

"Jesus Christ is the only hope for the future; the local church is a human institution that God may or may not work through." So says religious pollster George Barna. On Tuesday, December 13th we will consider Jesus' assessment of the church that will lead in a distinctly different direction. This will be in the context of considering the Nature and Government of the church (Berkhof chapters 23-24) are up next. Berkhof comes from a slightly different perspective on matters such as these, but also has a lot to offer for our consideration so read with an eye for both.

The Falling Church

The doctrine upon which the church stands or falls is justification by faith alone. Likewise, it is the doctrine upon which the individual stands or falls spiritually. So let's get this one figured out and more significantly, let's know the Savior who justifies. Help can be found at theology for breakfast on Tuesday, December 6th. Read chapters 21-22 on justification and sanctification in Berkhof.