on some insight into the publishing world

An article explains some of the reality of Christian publishing:

What's Not Coming to a Bookstore Near You | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction: "Taylor explains the process. An agent approaches the publisher with a can't-miss book proposal by a big-name Christian author. The publisher likes the idea. The agent lets the publisher know that other houses want the book. This project demands a serious advance. Perhaps against better judgment, the publisher bites.

'So we get the deal,' Taylor writes. 'We pay the advance. The manuscript comes in. We begin to wonder why we paid so much for this average manuscript. We edit it and market it and sell it and process the returns. And at the end of the day we take a huge write-off. If we're lucky, the book earns a net contribution to overheads. But in most of these scenarios, the book generates a loss even apart from overheads. Competition (and perhaps some greed) has nearly killed us.'"

Articles like this remind me that most of those spouting off about 'why don't fundamentalists write more books' are totally clueless about how business works. The publishing business is affected by economics like any other business: risk and reward, supply and demand.

It is foolish to imagine that serious books by fundamentalists will gain much headway in the publishing world. A few excellent ones may emerge from time to time (like Jim Berg's Changed into His Image) but by and large, the Christian publishing world is dominated by market demands and is run by evangelicals who have no time for the fundamentalist agenda.

Those who spout off as if fundamentalism has failed because we don't produce enough books are simply ignorant of reality.

In order for fundamentalism to have a wider voice, fundamentalism needs to be wider. That means faithful preaching and teaching in local churches, evangelism and discipleship, building a larger and more faithful constituency. It means hard work. It means to get our eyes off worldly success as enjoyed by evangelicals and a willingness to serve in obscurity until the King comes, if necessary.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

on Dr. Thurman Wisdom and A Royal Destiny

Some friends of mine and I completed reading this book today. We had a good time of fellowship discussing it. Dr. Wisdom was the Dean of the School of Religion at Bob Jones University beginning in my senior year. I don't recall ever having a class with him but did have some acquaintance with him and of course delighted to hear his preaching in church services and chapel during my years on campus. My wife worked more closely with him and all the other deans during her six years in the University Records Office. Her recollection of him is that he was one of the finest defined group leading the university in those days. So it was with warm anticipation that I approached reading this book.

Essentially Dr. Wisdom is telling a story. He is telling the story of God's plan to fulfill his purpose in creating man and the universe in which man exists. He states the theme of the Bible this way:

These three dominant themes — Christ, Redemption, and the kingdom of God — are inseparably interwoven throughout the Bible. They are really one theme. The Bible is the story of the redemption and reign of man in God’s kingdom through Christ, the Savior and King. [9]

Dr. Wisdom explains the value of considering the Bible as primarily a story this way:

Stories live on. Outlines and analyses turn yellow and die when exposed to the breath of life. Analytical studies have their place, of course, but only as organ donors for the living. It may be unsettling to think this way; but outlines, paradigms, and critical analyses of Scripture have basically the same function in the religious world as cadavers have in the medical field. Their value lies wholly in the patterns of knowledge they yield that can be taken from the morgue to the world of the living. [xxiii]

Dr. Wisdom spends a good deal of time laying a foundation for the notion that the Bible develops the story of two competing kingdoms, one kingdom the original plan of God and the other kingdom a usurpation of that kingdom by men under the influence of Satan. The first seven chapters covering 97 pages lay the foundation by some careful discussion of the meaning of the first 11 chapters of Genesis.

The next four chapters give us "The Developing Story of the Kingdom", really a summary of the entire biblical message, laying out 'The Promise and the Establishment of the Kingdom' in the story of Abraham and Moses, then moving on to 'The Decline, Death, and Revival of the Kingdom' essentially the story of the vicissitudes of the nation of Israel, from the highs of Joshua to the lows of the judges and from the highs of David to the lows of Manasseh. The story continues with 'The Coming Kingdom Presented and Rejected', essentially a discussion of the kingdom as taught in the Gospels. It was at this point that a great deal of discussion erupted in our group since I don't agree with this aspect of dispensational teaching. I see no offer of the earthly kingdom to Israel during Christ's first coming. The passages suggested concerning this point are ambiguous at best and can be legitimately interpreted in a different way. I agree that Christ's coming is of course about the kingdom and he is the King but his first coming was about suffering and the cross, not about ruling and the crown. This section of the book concludes with a chapter called 'The Coming Kingdom Preached and Received'. In this chapter the story of the acts of the apostles and the victory of Christ at his second coming is summarized.

The next section of the book, chapters 12 through 22 summarize what Dr. Wisdom calls "A Prototype of the Kingdom Saint. This is the story of the concept of the two competing kingdoms as illustrated in the life of Abraham. Abraham seems to me to be a singularly apt choice for our consideration as the prototype of a Kingdom Saint. Abraham is the father of faith and the father of the faithful in the biblical record.

The final section of the book is entitled "The Final War". These chapters are really an excellent summary of the story of the key elements of biblical prophecy from Daniel and Revelation.

In some ways this book turned out not to be what I had expected. I had expected a more theological approach but was delighted to find instead a more approachable and spiritually profitable narrative. I think this book could be an excellent resource for the average layman to gain some understanding of one of the major themes of the Bible and how it all ties together throughout the biblical record. In some ways it is quite complementary to our own study of the Bible chronologically over last two years. While our approach was more historical and 'exhortational', Dr. Wisdom's approach is more thematic, meditative, and is more tightly focused on a unified message. I found to be very profitable personally.

I'd like to close with a few quotes from the book that particularly stood out to me. I'm putting them in the order that they appear in the book, not necessarily in order of importance:

The magistrate who keeps order in the world of language is Context. No word can live — really live — without Context, and those that try have to spend their lives incarcerated in dictionaries. [xiv]

~~~

Most of us tend to use our Bibles as we use daily food. We look for spiritual nourishment, something to satisfy the needs of our souls. Our default approach to the Bible is more analytical than comprehensive. As with our table food, we take our spiritual nourishment in small bites. Except when we are preparing Sunday school lessons or sermons, most of us don’t even stop to think of the Bible’s dominant themes, much less of its overall message. Unfortunately the same is largely true of Bible commentators. Focused on the details, particularly of the difficult or controversial passages, they generally relegate discussion on the overall message of the Bible to a line or two — or, worse yet, to a pronouncement — in the introduction. [6-7]

~~~

The salient points of this foundational revelation call for man to recognize three interdependent principles. If he is to fulfill his purpose in life, he must recognize (1) that God is absolutely sovereign over all realms of life in the universe; (2) that God made man in His image to reign with Him over His earthly kingdom; and (3) that the Creator is the Master we must imitate. [19]

~~~

Ideally, man might like to live as simply a good neighbor of God. That is, he would like to live quite independently of God, perhaps occasionally inviting Him over or seeking His advice, As a good Neighbor, though, God would respect his privacy and not interfere with his life; and he, of course, would do the same.

As long as this good-neighbor policy seems to be in effect, the man of the world can maintain a relatively congenial attitude toward God. Problems develop, however, when God begins to manifest His sovereignty. The Bible characterizes unregenerate men as “haters of God” (Rom. 1:30; cf. 8:7), and they are indeed all that this expression implies. But their hatred is only as clear as their perception of the absolute sovereignty of God — the jurisdiction He has over them. Our Lord declared, “Me [the world] hateth because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil” (John 7:7; cf. 15:24). [34-35]

~~~

Evolution, which professes to promote man’s upward development, is in fact a prime tool for his degradation. Consequently, unregenerate man is constantly toggling between the reality of his weakness and his inordinate ambition for exaltation. Only through Christ can the delicate balance of man’s constitution be restored, for Christianity humbles without degrading and exalts without inflating. [38]

~~~

Redemption is essentially a matter of the heart, and God’s revelation of the need for redemption appeals first to the heart. [107]

~~~

When you think about it, most of our sins are timing problems. God’s plan for His people includes all the things men fight and kill to obtain. If a man steals, he does so because he is not willing to wait for God to give him his desires. It is the same with all sins — and with all the passions and ambitions in which sin takes root. [132]

~~~

The man of the world is preeminently a user of people, He is typically interested in people, but his fundamental interest is self-interest. He takes pleasure in his friendships and does favors for his friends, but his friendships are essentially means of personal advancement. He sees his friends as subjects in his “kingdom.” He may not consciously view them this way, but his actions and attitude will eventually reveal his perceptions.

To the extent, for example, that his friends help him in the fulfillment of his desires, to that extent they remain friends. When his friends’ desires run counter to his, he either finds ways to subjugate them or looks for “better” friends. [167]

~~~

The great and awesome statue Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream, though it represented the kingdoms of many centuries to come, was one statue. It stood as one; and when it fell, it all fell together.

This tells us something about the nature of the kingdom of the world. Though it may exist on the earth in different forms in various ages, it is nevertheless one kingdom. It has, whatever form it may take, one ruling prince and one ruling philosophy. Its ruling prince is the Devil himself. Its ruling philosophy is that man, by means of the Tree of Knowledge, may reign as a god in his own right. If he will but submit himself to the prince of this world, he will ultimately come into his full inheritance. Its ruling impulses are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. [267-268]

~~~

When people lose sight of, or blatantly reject, the sovereignty of God, every man does that which is right in his own eyes — each mortal microcosm becoming a law and judge to himself. The starry-eyed promoters of the world’s kingdom would have us hear bells of freedom and songs of harmony in this system, but history has proven this score stubbornly dissonant. The rule is that the strongest takes all, giving only to those who will radiate his glory and promote his security. Everyone else must be content with dreams. [273]

[This particular one reminded me of my post referencing Despair, Inc.]

~~~

Just as the disciples were unable to comprehend our Lord’s announcements of His impending crucifixion, so they found it difficult to grasp heaven’s kingdom program. [304]

And on that last one, so do we …

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

on how deep the darkness

I want to highlight an article that appeared on the Religion News Blog sidebar I run on my blog:

Seekers are heading to the Amazon in search of esoteric highs. Are shamans the new shrinks?: "Deep immersion in a faraway jungle is the latest fix for those stuck in the cultural, spiritual or personal malaise that besets many in the 21st century."

The article is originally from The Times in England, describing the trends of some who are desperately seeking some kind of spiritual experience without God. It shows the deep need of man and the desperate hard-heartedness of men who will not submit themselves to God. I am not sure if anyone with whom I may have a chance to minister here in Victoria will ever go to these lengths for some kind of relief for their spiritual darkness, but the story does illustrate the deep depths of the darkness we fight in our secular city.

Here is a quote from one woman who has delved into this experience (which includes hallucinogens). You can see what I mean by the darkness and the need:

“I went to the Amazon because I felt my whole life needed shaking up, and I just didn’t know how to do that in England. I had everything I wanted, in terms of a stable marriage, lovely kids and a nice home, and although I knew I shouldn’t feel dissatisfied, I did. I wanted to reconnect with myself and the way I live before I got much older.”

May God stir us up to reach men and women who are falling into hell.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

on disciple making and church philosophy

A summary of last Sunday's messages is due...

Competent to Correct, again on the subject of Discipleship and Child Training, drew its theme from the second word for instruction in Eph 6.4, nouthesia - 'admonishment, warning'. The theme of the first message in this series centered around the notion that successful disciple making first of all requires that the disciple-maker be a disciple himself. This message builds on that by focusing on the challenge the disciple-maker faces in this world, leading another person from a mind that is dominated by the flesh (initially) and the world (eventually) to a mind that is fixed on Christ. The extent to which a mind is dominated by the world depends on the amount the natural mind is immersed in the world system, a combination of family environment and how old the person is when they become a Christian.

Regardless of extent, the challenge remains the same. A newly born babe in Christ still has a mind largely influenced by anti-God thinking. That thinking needs correction. Correction is the central meaning of the word 'nouthesia' - it is derived from the idea of 'putting or placing something on the mind', with a notion that the mind has got something wrong and needs to be disabused of its natural notions. God's Word is intended for that purpose, to give us WORDS that correct our thinking, either by narrative example, precept, proclamation, command, doctrine, or what have you. The Lord's church should be the incubator of this kind of correction as the members of the body in love and concern for one another correct blind spots and lead into deeper understanding of God's mind in his Word. This is the object of every Bible-believing pastor.

The application of correction must come by carefully chosen words, at the appropriate time [sometimes 'right now' is good], with a ministering spirit and considering the kind of ministry relationship one has with someone else. Every believer ought to be so concerned about other believers that he is willing to risk offering words of correction when needed, especially in a discipleship relationship, for the sake of building up the body of Christ.

~~~

The afternoon message was It's a Building, emphasizing the need for the people of God in this age to be the dwelling place of God and as such be organized according to His precepts for His glory in this world. I was not overly satisfied with this message. I felt like I had something I wanted to say, but didn't really get it across very well. I am trying to communicate in my series a Biblical philosophy of the church (as I understand it!) but I am afraid that this message was not as well thought through as I wanted it to be.

I don't think I said anything in it that was unbiblical (I certainly hope not!) but I don't think I said anything particularly profound either. I was glad when it was over, if only that it was over. Next week I plan to preach on It's a Body. May the Lord give grace, I hope that message is better.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

on a green bomb

At last, a weapon Greenpeace et al can sanction...

globeandmail.com: Russia unveils its ‘vacuum bomb': "'At the same time, I want to stress that the action of this weapon does not contaminate the environment, in contrast to a nuclear one,' Mr. Rukshin said."

Ok, Ok, enough of this. I'll get serious in the next post.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

on realism

I think...

Check out these posters. Perhaps more realistic than most of those 'success' posters you see around...

more: here, here, and here

There are more, but you will have to while away the time yourself.

The web-site is a satirical look at the self-assured corporate culture of today's world. This is from a page where you can design your own poster:

For over two decades, the multi-billion dollar motivation industry has unleashed untold suffering upon the workplaces, schools and civil institutions of the world- in the insidious form of the motivational poster. By the millions they have been sold and displayed- these dark instruments of corporate propaganda. While promising to stimulate "Hope", "Success" and "Teamwork", instead these tools of coercion and intimidation have inspired only grief, anger and nausea.

In 1998, one company dared to fight back, as Despair, Inc. introduced Demotivators®, satirical products reverse-engineered from the most powerful motivational posters ever inflicted upon mankind. And now, with the Parody Motivator Generator, we place those very same tools in YOUR less-capable hands.

And here is an article from an on-line magazine that explains what it is all about.

I am sure there is an Ecclesiastes sort of lesson in all of this somewhere.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

on a few more Paisley links

The Daily Express

The Belfast Telegraph

on the end of an era in Free Presbyterianism

wow!!

Northern Ireland leader Paisley to step down from helm of his Protestant church after 56 years - International Herald Tribune: "The Rev. Ian Paisley, who has angered many of his Protestant faithful by forming a Northern Ireland government with a former IRA commander, is stepping down as leader of the hard-line church he founded 56 years ago."

I wondered a bit on how things would fall out with Paisley after seeing a comment on Ivan Foster's web-page earlier this summer.

The position of the General Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian church on power-sharing with murderers is clear and unequivocal. It is not the present position adopted by its Moderator, Dr. Ian R K Paisley MP.

His agreeing to lead his Democratic Unionist Party into a power-sharing coalition with Sinn Fein/IRA is quite contrary to the political position he espoused just a very short time ago. However, given the propensity of politicians to change their minds and their manifestos, what is far more important is the fact that it is quite contrary to the position he and the Free Presbyterian Church have proclaimed as the teaching of the Word of God.

From a pragmatic standpoint, I can understand both points of view. Paisley is doing politically what he thinks he has to do for his purposes in Ireland. At 81, he is giving up his leadership of his denomination to pursue his course in Northern Ireland. I can also understand the opposition of his men, even loyal, long standing friends like Foster.

It is a sad state of affairs that leads to this breach, but I think I understand the motivations behind either point of view.

I have heard Paisley preach many times. There is no finer preacher on the person of Christ, in my opinion. I have heard Ivan Foster preach a couple of times. The first time I heard either of them was when I visited BJU as a 12th grader at their Bible Conference in 1975. I remember being impressed with both men, but especially with a sermon by Foster on the pierced ear of a Hebrew slave from either Ex 21.6 or Dt 15.17. I thought I had a tape of that message, but perhaps not... In any case, both Foster and Paisley made a big impression on me in those days. Both of them are godly men, in my opinion. (I am sure they have flaws!)

In spite of these differences, may God's word continue to be preached and souls saved through both men's ministries.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3