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Theological Term of the Week: Logical and Chronological Order

Valerie Basham

May 9, 2016

Today’s term hinges on the points of last week’s term.

This week’s term: Logical and Chronological Order – Chronological means the order of events as they occur in time. Logical means the order of events as they relate to each other in cause and effect. While the teachers of the above orders of decree (see last week’s term, below) claim only to address logical order, there remains the likelihood that they regress to chronology. If this be true, whereas God is omnipresent, and His decree is singular, and there can therefore be no chronology of decree with God, the issues of Supra-, Sub-, and Inra- lapsarianism become supra-scriptural, and thus moot points. It should be duly noted that Sublapsarianism and Infralapsarianism vary only in the inversion of points three and four. They are very often considered the same.

Last week’s term: Lapsarian – A lapsarian is one who believes man fell from his first estate of innocence and holiness by the act of sinning. While various divisions of lapsarians are in error, this general view is Biblically accurate. The divisions of lapsarianism essentially address what they feel to be the logical (but not chronological) order of divine decree, as related to the fall of man thus:

The Supralapsarian Order of Decrees:

The decree to elect some to salvation and leave others in just reprobation.
The decree to create both the elect and the non-elect or the reprobate.
The decree to permit the fall of all men in the person of Adam.
The decree to provide salvation for the elect.
The decree to apply that purposed salvation to the elect.

The Sublapsarian Order of Decrees:

The decree to create both the elect and the non-elect or the reprobate.
The decree to permit the fall of all men in the person of Adam.
The decree to provide salvation for the elect.
The decree to elect some to salvation and leave others in just reprobation.
The decree to apply that purposed salvation to the elect.

The Infralapsarian Order of Decrees:

The decree to create both the elect and the non-elect or the reprobate.
The decree to permit the fall of all men in the person of Adam.
The decree to elect some to salvation and leave others in just reprobation.
The decree to provide salvation for the elect.
The decree to apply that purposed salvation to the elect.

Thanks for reading!

My Savior Lives

Valerie Basham

1 comment

May 4, 2016

We just celebrated Resurrection Day a few weeks ago. What a moment that must have been! I have thought of it many times over the years, how exhilarating it must have been to the few followers of Christ to come to the grave and find it empty! They came there saddened and confused, and then all of that vanished like fog on a sunny morning when the angel said, “He is not here, He is risen, just like He said.”

I have just come from Facebook. Most of my friends are Christians, in fact, probably all of them claim to be. Many of them have posted statuses like, “Disappointed”, “Depressed”, “sick”, “America will cease to exist”, etc. Why the widespread heartbreak? Last night Ted Cruz suspended his presidential campaign. He was the answer for us, and now he is done. Yes, that is depressing.

I have taken an interest in politics since I was quite young. I remember the fear that gripped me as young girl when Clinton took office. The night that George Bush (41) gave his concession speech, I wept. Preachers from all corners of the country had declared that life as we knew it would cease once Clinton took the oath. Amazingly, it did not. I graduated high school, got married and even had a child while Clinton was in office. I went to church, read my Bible, worked jobs, bought groceries, paid bills, and gave out gospel tracts. I talked about the Lord at work, at home, and at church.

How was this possible with such an evil man as President? How has it been possible with an even more evil man in office the last seven years? Because God is in charge, not Clinton or Obama.

And now, as so many grieve what will surely be the end of America, I want to offer some hope.

God is in control. Why didn’t He allow the Christian man to succeed? I don’t know. Maybe because too many Christians were making an idol of Mr. Cruz by placing upon his back the success or failure of the U.S. rather than placing that confidence in Christ? Maybe we are supposed to face persecution? Because, frankly, being a Christian in the U.S. has not been that difficult. I mean, really, the problems Christians face in America are nothing compared to those in China, Iran, or Iraq. When persecution comes, only those who know and hear their Shepherd’s voice will remain faithful.

But what if everyone is wrong? What if God can preserve our freedom no matter who is in the White House? Might He then get credit for it? Probably not, but such is human nature. Utterly and totally depraved.

I know many friends who love Ted Cruz will have a tough time in the days to come. I do not put much trust in any political figure. Yes, I have my opinions, I vote, and I pray, but that’s where it ends. No more tears. I suppose being duped about Clinton in ’92 is what changed me. That, and learning the Doctrines of Grace. Knowing that God rules and reigns and controls every single molecule in nature is an enormous comfort. Knowing that I will be with Him one day and all of this life will be past, is an even greater comfort.

I hope you know Him. If you do, you know He lives!

With love,

Spring Piano Recital {2016}

Valerie Basham

3 comments

May 3, 2016

It’s a musical time of year for us! Mitchell, Leslie, and Laci had their spring piano recital on Saturday, April 30. Their teacher, Mrs. Hall, is a sweet lady who not only teaches the basics of music, but also of hymn playing. Mitchell is our standby pianist at church, and he was needing to hone his skills regarding church music.

Leslie played her piece from memory and had a moment of forgetfulness, but she didn’t quit. She started again and did her best with poise. This was Laci’s first recital, so it was an extra special evening for her. Mitchell did very well, despite a few foibles. They all did their best and we are so happy they have the opportunity to learn music from such a kind, Christian lady.

They will be playing these same pieces for a music competition next Saturday, so this recital doubled as a great practice session before they face the judges.

It was a fun evening for our family, and if you’re interested, here are the videos:

Thanks for watching!

Theological Term of the Week: Lapsarian

Valerie Basham

2 comments

May 2, 2016

This week’s term: Lapsarian – A lapsarian is one who believes man fell from his first estate of innocence and holiness by the act of sinning. While various divisions of lapsarians are in error, this general view is Biblically accurate. The divisions of lapsarianism essentially address what they feel to be the logical (but not chronological) order of divine decree, as related to the fall of man thus:

The Supralapsarian Order of Decrees:

The decree to elect some to salvation and leave others in just reprobation.
The decree to create both the elect and the non-elect or the reprobate.
The decree to permit the fall of all men in the person of Adam.
The decree to provide salvation for the elect.
The decree to apply that purposed salvation to the elect.

The Sublapsarian Order of Decrees:

The decree to create both the elect and the non-elect or the reprobate.
The decree to permit the fall of all men in the person of Adam.
The decree to provide salvation for the elect.
The decree to elect some to salvation and leave others in just reprobation.
The decree to apply that purposed salvation to the elect.

The Infralapsarian Order of Decrees:

The decree to create both the elect and the non-elect or the reprobate.
The decree to permit the fall of all men in the person of Adam.
The decree to elect some to salvation and leave others in just reprobation.
The decree to provide salvation for the elect.
The decree to apply that purposed salvation to the elect.

Last week’s term: Eternal Decree – All things which God has eternally purposed, which must include all things that shall ever come to pass. We should never think in terms of divine decrees, but rather decree; that is to say, all things which God purposes are part of one singular and totally unified decree. Though the following issues properly belong to soteriological philosophy, and not to divine activities, Bro. Keener places them here, because they, relative to the fall, basically address divine decree.

Wanna read past terms? Go here: Theological Terms

The Symphonic Honor Band Concert

Valerie Basham

3 comments

May 1, 2016

On February 6, 2016, Lauren took a long-shot and auditioned for Southern Nazarene University’s homeschool symphonic honor band. I say, “took a long-shot”, because she has only been playing the trumpet for a little over a year. We knew the competition would be fierce, after all, homeschoolers from all over the state were auditioning! We were thrilled – ecstatic really – to hear that she made it! She was eighth chair out of nine total, but she made it!

On Friday, April 22, she and one other girl from our regional band went to Oklahoma City to practice all day with the honor band. They spent the night and then rehearsed all morning of the 23rd, to perform that afternoon! The only drawback was that none of our family could attend this exciting event with us. I was seated near the front and center of the auditorium to get good videos for our loved ones. Actually, Terry and I were both videoing at the same time just in case something went wrong.

Lauren is near the back of the group, so she is not visible to the camera. I couldn’t help but get a lump in my throat as I heard my dad’s trumpet being played in such a grand setting. His melody, charisma, and enthusiasm can still be heard through his granddaughter.

I think he would have been proud.

There was a slight glitch in our recordings, so the “Salvation” piece is in two parts. The second part is here:

I want to thank the wonderful people of Bethel Baptist Church for their tremendous encouragement to Lauren. They have invested in her life, in all our children’s lives, as if we were their relatives, too. But then, I guess we are family, the best kind of family, God’s family. From the bottom of this mother’s heart, I thank you.

With love,

Theological Term of the Week: Eternal Decree

Valerie Basham

no comments

April 25, 2016

We are beginning a new heading this week. The next seven terms will be Words and Terms Describing the General Activities of God.

This week’s term: Eternal Decree – All things which God has eternally purposed, which must include all things that shall ever come to pass. We should never think in terms of divine decrees, but rather decree; that is to say, all things which God purposes are part of one singular and totally unified decree. Though the following issues properly belong to soteriological philosophy, and not to divine activities, Bro. Keener places them here, because they, relative to the fall, basically address divine decree.

Last week’s term: Impeccability of Christ – The truth that Jesus Christ was not only innocent of sin, but incapable of sinning. That is to say, He was not, as is fallen man, a sinner by nature, making Him capable of committing the acts properly identified as sin.

Thank you for reading!

My Book Bag: Knowing God

Valerie Basham

1 comment

April 21, 2016

I have just finished reading Knowing God by J. I. Packer. It has blessed me more than I can aptly describe. As I sit to share my thoughts, however, I am aware that the points brought out in the pages of this book go against much of the teaching I received. Because of that, I feel sure that few, if any, of my Christian-Baptist friends, will read this book. I grew up being taught that if it wasn’t written by a Baptist, then it was inaccurate; if it quoted anything but the KJV, then it was of the devil. Such foolish thinking, and let me say, so very hard to change. Going against the grain of legalistic believers, most of whom I love with all my heart, has the been the greatest challenge to which God has called me. And yes, it has to be God Who has broken the stronghold of my own will, my own thoughts, and my own ideas. Until the Lord shattered my world with His own Word, I was following in lock-step with the very ones from whom I now depart. I can say sincerely that I am thankful for having been raised with a respect for God and the Bible, and I am comforted that God has used all of my life experiences to mold me according to His plan. His sovereignty over my life brings me immeasurable comfort.

If your past (or present) is like my past, I doubt you will want to this book, and yet, you are the one who will be blessed the most by it. It will draw you closer to God, or reveal to you that in fact, you do not even know Him at all. It will convict you, encourage you, and maybe even astound you.

It is divided as follows:

Know the Lord

The Study of God
The People who Know their God
Knowing and Being Known
The Only True God
God Incarnate
He Shall Testify

This first section takes you on a theological journey of sorts as you become familiar with the God of the Bible. The most gripping comment which I noted from this section was from page 42. Packer is discussing how mankind tries to think of God: “At best, they can only think of God in the image of man – as an ideal man, perhaps, or a super-man. But God is not any sort of man. We were made in His image, but we must not think of Him as existing in ours. To think of God in such terms is to be ignorant of Him, not to know Him.” These words were shocking to me. Let’s be honest, no one wants to believe that God is not like man. After all, if God is not like us, then we are quite wrong on many fronts, especially those relating to ministry. I was taught (intentionally or not, I do not know, but nevertheless, this was my perception) to view the pastor as a demigod: If I upset or displeased the pastor, then I was likewise displeasing God. As I now try to free myself from this false thinking, I find myself almost leaping too far the other way. I willingly attest that, in most cases, this proves harmless. But in its extreme, it can wreck lives. For an example, please notice First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana, and Hyles-Anderson College, following the accusations of the infidelity of pastor Jack Hyles, and the immoral and illegal behavior of his son-in-law and successor, Jack Schaap. Many blindly followed these leaders, and ignored their sinful actions, believing them to be in “God’s stead”. This led to great harm and loss.

Packer continues: “All images of God, whether molten or mental, are really borrowings from the stock-in-trade of a sinful and ungodly world, and are bound therefore to be out of accord with God’s own holy Word. To make an image of God is to take one’s thoughts of Him from a human source, rather than from God himself; and this is precisely what is wrong with image-making.” (p.44)

Behold Your God!

God Unchanging
The Majesty of God
God Only Wise
God’s Wisdom and Ours
They Word is Truth
The Love of God
The Grace of God
God the Judge
The Wrath of God
Goodness and Severity
The Jealous God

This is a fascinating section as you can see by the chapter titles. In “God Unchanging”, I was instructed greatly. I had always thought that when the Bible said, “The Lord repented…”, it meant God changed His mind. But this goes against the attribute of God’s immutability. Packer explains these texts: “The reference in each case is a reversal of God’s previous treatment of particular men, consequent upon their reaction to that treatment. But there is no suggestion that this reaction was not foreseen, or that it took God by surprise, and was not provided for in His eternal plan. No change in His eternal purpose is implied when He begins to deal with a man in a new way.” (p. 72) Without understanding that God is not like man, we cannot understand these passages. God is eternal – He is in eternity, above time completely! Packer comments, “Today, vast stress is laid on the thought that God is personal, but this truth is so stated as to leave the impression that God is a person of the same sort as we are – weak, inadequate, ineffective, a little pathetic. But this is not the God of the Bible!” (p. 74)

In “God’s Wisdom and Ours”, Packer makes this point: “This comforting presence becomes part of us: we feel sure that God has enabled us to understand all His ways with us and our circle thus far, and we take it for granted that we shall be able to see at once the reason for anything that may happen to us in the future. And then something very painful and quite inexplicable comes along, and our cheerful illusion of being in God’s secret councils is shattered. Our pride is wounded; we feel that God has slighted us; and unless at this point we repent, and humble ourselves very thoroughly for our former presumption, our whole subsequent spiritual life may be blighted.” (p. 95)

There is far more to add from this section, especially from the chapters about the grace of God and the wrath of God, but I would like to leave some treasures for you to discover, should you decide to study this wonderful book.

If God Be For Us…

The Heart of the Gospel
Sons of God
Thou our Guide
These Inward Trials
The Adequacy of God

The chapter about the gospel shows that one cannot understand the Bible at all without understanding the Gospel. He emphasizes “propitiation” in this chapter and explains it so clearly. He also encourages the reader to sit down and read through the book of Mark in one sitting. In “Sons of God”, Mr. Packer begins with this: “What is a Christian?” and spends the time answering just that. What a journey! He points out that we are adopted by God. But not the Santa Claus god that the world has imagined, but the Holy, wonderful, all-powerful God of the Bible! He says, “…were I asked to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be ‘adoption through propitiation’, and I do not expect ever to meet a richer or more pregnant summary of the gospel than that.” (p.194)

Page 207 contains the secret to the Christian life – but I’ll let you read that for yourself.

And there is so much more. I have highlighted and meditated on more passages than I can share here, and I shall try to go back through this book again, for I am certain it can be mined many times and great riches uncovered.

Even to the unsaved, or the one who believes he is saved by works, this book is most valuable. Mr. Packer asks more than once, “Do you know God? Are you His child?”

This book is replete with biblical passages and profound preaching and yet written in a smooth style.

Knowing God is guaranteed to change or encourage you. Or both.

With love,

Theological Term of the Week: Impeccability of Christ

Valerie Basham

no comments

April 18, 2016

This week’s term: Impeccability of Christ: The truth that Jesus Christ was not only innocent of sin, but incapable of sinning. That is to say, He was not, as is fallen man, a sinner by nature, making Him capable of committing the acts properly identified as sin.

Last week’s term: Temptation of Christ – The truth that Jesus suffered all the objective assaults that Satan ever hurls upon any man, but that He, not being a fallen creature, was never subjectively tempted. That is to say, He never felt any impulse or inclination to yield to Satan’s invitations.

Maintaining a High View of God at Home

Valerie Basham

2 comments

April 14, 2016

The status on Facebook said something like, “Aced my exam, bills paid, gas in the car, thanks, Big Guy.” I cringe at the words even now as I see them on the screen. It hurt me to read it all those years ago, and it hurts me still. The girl who wrote it was trying to thank God for her blessings. Her intentions were good, her follow-through was not. “Big Guy” might be what you call your son or nephew, but not the thrice Holy God of the Bible.

Today, however, God’s name and that of His Son, is bandied about as though it were a toy. I see it slung around on all forms of social media. The worst part about it is that I catch myself becoming desensitized to it also. I am trying to become more aware, as much as a mere human being can, at the reverence (or lack thereof) that I show the Lord. I am guilty of laughing at church humor on Twitter and Facebook, and I think that some of it can be laughed at without being disrespectful, yet, there is a time and place for humor, and there is a fine line between the two. I suppose at this point in my life, I’d rather err on the side of being “too serious” (though I’m a long way from that!) rather than being “too flippant”. This media-age is sickening though. People post photos of souls “they” have led to Christ, a person actually “praying the sinner’s prayer” with another, people praying at the altar with captions reading, “Look what God has done!” The problem with all of that is that you don’t really want people to see what God has done, you want us to see your part in what God is doing. You preached the sermon, or you sang the solo, or you invited him to church or “led” that soul to Christ – the emphasis is really on the created, not the Creator. And you know, if the one you invited to church wants to share on social media that you were a blessing to their life, then great! God’s Word says, Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. – Proverbs 27:2

As I have worked to become more aware of this problem in my life, I was startled several weeks ago at the poem which my daughter was supposed to memorize for her 11th grade English class. It was called “The Creation”. We use a Christian publisher for our homeschooling materials, and 99% of the time, I’m in agreement with the content. That day, however, as I heard her read this three-page poem, I gasped! Here is the part that stunned me:

Then God sat down

On the side of a hill where He could think;

By a deep, wide river He sat down;

With His head in His hands,

God thought and thought,

Till He thought, “I’ll make me a man!

I realize that there is a certain poetic license that is used freely in literature, but when writing about the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, it is not appropriate to invoke the image of Him in distress. God never sat down, with His head in His hands. He never had to “think and think”. God is not at all like man. God’s Word says man was made in the likeness of God, not that God was made in the likeness of man. He is far, far above what the human mind -even the greatest minds of our day! – could comprehend. I had Lauren skip this poem. It may seem minute, but I used it as a teaching moment. Granted, it’s not much of a lesson in a world replete with disrespect for our Lord, but it’s something. I am trying very hard to maintain a high view of God in my life, and in my home. I want my children to reverence their elders and I definitely want them to reverence the Lord.

With love,

My Book Bag: The Greatest Generation

Valerie Basham

2 comments

April 13, 2016

The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw has been a book I’ve been meaning to read for ages. As a history lover it intrigued me. I also really like Tom Brokaw, but then, who doesn’t? His unmistakable baritone voice came across the television many an evening at my house as he anchored the news. When Terry and I found a copy of this book at Goodwill, we snatched it up.

This book is broken down into the following sections:

Ordinary People – Ordinary citizens, like Brokaw’s own father-in-law, who did the extraordinary.
Home Front – Those who held down work at home while the men fought.
Heroes – Those who won medals, particularly the Medal of Honor.
Women in Uniform and Out – Women who served overseas and at home.
Shame – Minorities in the service, and their hardships.
Love, Marriage, and Commitment – Marriages that faced the test of loneliness and loss.
Famous People – George H.W. Bush, Ben Bradlee, Trudy Elion, Andy Rooney, Julia Child and more.
In the Arena – Mark Hatfield, Robert Dole, Daniel Inouye, George Shultz, and more.

While the headings are different, the theme in each is the same: The depression and World War II generation made incredible sacrifices both before and during the war then came home to live their lives honorably. Many of us would have been surprised at how many heroes we encountered daily at the post office, the super market, the bank, and maybe even next door.

My favorite story in the “Ordinary People” section was that of Dr. Charles Van Gorder. He volunteered to be part of a two-team surgical unit that was part of the D-Day invasion. They set up a medical unit behind Allied lines. When the invasion began, they were inundated with work. Dr. Van Gorder did every type of surgery there was. He says it made him a better doctor – no doubt! I can only imagine the stress and strain this man was under, trying to save the lives of our troops. When he returned home, he started a clinic and hospital in rural Andrews, North Carolina. He wasn’t a fighter, but he helped the cause and risked his own life in the process.

Many of the biographies echoed one another on their frustrations with the current generation. “It’s a little square to say you’re patriotic. I would like to think that if the United States were attacked we’d band together, but I’m not sure,” Claudine Lingelbach says. She served as a WAVE during WWII, delivering classified papers to the War Room at the White House every day. This book was published in 1998, three years before 9/11. I’m afraid her fears were valid. Rather than banding together, we have isolated ourselves more and more through racial sensitivity.

And what about the home? Claudine continues, “What concerns me most about the future is the breakdown of the family. We were willing to make sacrifices so that I could stay home with the children. Now couples both work so they can be more affluent. We would rather delay gratification to ensure that our children had a nice home environment.” Amen to that! I can remember buying all of our Christmas gifts with $100 in gift cards one year. Our meal was the free turkey from my husband’s job. Staying home with the children may not always be easy and comfortable, but giving them that “nice home environment” has been worth it. Incidentally, Claudine ended up living in Lawrence, Kansas, and was an avid Jayhawks fan. I may have passed her at the Hy-Vee when I lived in Lawrence -as of 2014, she was still alive.

I enjoyed reading the story of Mary Louise Roberts Wilson, a nurse who served in Anzio. Six nurses gave their lives while fighting to save the lives of soldiers in Anzio. On February 10, 1944, the battle came very close:

As Mary Louise Roberts supervised several operations underway, German shrapnel started ripping through their surgical tent. She says, “We had patients on the table and we wanted to at least get them off. I said something like, ‘Maybe we can keep going before this gets to be too bad.’ It went on for thirty minutes or so. We just kept on working.” Her superiors were so impressed with her coolness and inspirational personal conduct, they recommended her for the coveted Silver Star. She was the first woman to receive this honor. – p. 177

The book lists too many harrowing and ennobling stories to share here, though I wish I could go on! Some readers may find the “profile” style of the book repetitive and thereby, boring. I did not. I am encouraged by the stories of these fine men and women; indeed, I owe them a great debt.

To paraphrase the words of one man in the book, after going through the horrifying experiences of World War II, a bad day at the office didn’t seem as bad. Their stories have helped me put my troubles in perspective, too.