Dear Friends,
With Thanksgiving Day almost upon us, and pictures of Pilgrims often still thrown into the mix, I send out this “thought” to try and correct a common yet widespread misconception or generalization that often goes completely unchallenged, even in many churches. It’s the misconception that all Puritans (and Pilgrims were separatist Puritans) were judgmental, hyper-critical, pulpit-pounding preachers, who loved to make their people squirm under their hellfire-and-brimstone sermons depicting an angry God. Not to say there is not a bad apple in each bunch, but interestingly, I've found that overall negative view voiced by people who have never even read one Puritan book in their lives!
I don’t have the time or space to go over how that mostly unfair caricature came to take root to the point that it often goes completely unchallenged. That would take a substantial volume! All I can say is that in doing my doctoral dissertation on the Puritans, and reading over 50 of their books, I was surprised to find how loving, grace-based, and tender-hearted most of them were. In fact, it was reading the English Puritans that softened some of the rougher and harder edges in my own life and theology.
So today I share a devotional thought by a Puritan named Thomas Watson (1620-1686) from his book entitled, “Glorifying God.” In reading this entry on Oct. 27, it was hard to picture him as one who falls under the normal (yet mostly unfair) caricature held by so many about the Puritans, both inside and outside the church. Agree or disagree? Enjoy.
“A Monument of Free Grace”
“The cause of Jesus being made flesh was free grace. It was God’s love that sent Christ, and love in Christ that He came to be incarnate. Love was the motive. Christ is the God-man, because He is a lover of man. Christ came out of pity and indulgence to us. Christ’s taking on flesh was free grace and a pure design of love. God Himself, the Almighty, was overcome with love. Christ incarnate is nothing but love covered with flesh. Christ’s assuming our human nature was a masterpiece or wisdom and a monument of free grace.
With Thanksgiving Day almost upon us, and pictures of Pilgrims often still thrown into the mix, I send out this “thought” to try and correct a common yet widespread misconception or generalization that often goes completely unchallenged, even in many churches. It’s the misconception that all Puritans (and Pilgrims were separatist Puritans) were judgmental, hyper-critical, pulpit-pounding preachers, who loved to make their people squirm under their hellfire-and-brimstone sermons depicting an angry God. Not to say there is not a bad apple in each bunch, but interestingly, I've found that overall negative view voiced by people who have never even read one Puritan book in their lives!
I don’t have the time or space to go over how that mostly unfair caricature came to take root to the point that it often goes completely unchallenged. That would take a substantial volume! All I can say is that in doing my doctoral dissertation on the Puritans, and reading over 50 of their books, I was surprised to find how loving, grace-based, and tender-hearted most of them were. In fact, it was reading the English Puritans that softened some of the rougher and harder edges in my own life and theology.
So today I share a devotional thought by a Puritan named Thomas Watson (1620-1686) from his book entitled, “Glorifying God.” In reading this entry on Oct. 27, it was hard to picture him as one who falls under the normal (yet mostly unfair) caricature held by so many about the Puritans, both inside and outside the church. Agree or disagree? Enjoy.
“A Monument of Free Grace”
“The cause of Jesus being made flesh was free grace. It was God’s love that sent Christ, and love in Christ that He came to be incarnate. Love was the motive. Christ is the God-man, because He is a lover of man. Christ came out of pity and indulgence to us. Christ’s taking on flesh was free grace and a pure design of love. God Himself, the Almighty, was overcome with love. Christ incarnate is nothing but love covered with flesh. Christ’s assuming our human nature was a masterpiece or wisdom and a monument of free grace.
Christ took on our flesh that He might take our sins upon Himself, and so appease God’s wrath. The weight of the whole world’s sins was upon Him.
Christ took on our flesh that He might make human nature appear lovely to God and the divine nature appear lovely to man. When we fell from God our nature became repulsive to Him. No vermin is as detestable to us as human nature was to God. It was so vile to God that He could not endure to look upon us. But Christ taking our flesh makes this human nature appear lovely to God. As when the sun shines upon a glass and it casts a brighter luster, so Christ, being clothed with our flesh, makes human nature shine and appear pleasant in God’s eyes. And Christ, being God incarnate, makes the sight of the Deity, not one that is formidable to us, but delightful to us.”
In light of Thanksgiving this week, I would also like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving celebration! May your travels be safe, your time with family and friends enjoyable, and your gratitude overflow to God for the bounties you will get to enjoy. And may you remember those who are less fortunate – maybe with a gift to your local food bank – since sharing is an expression of a truly grateful heart.
Give Thanks Thursday (and Every Day) with that Grateful Heart, Pastor Jeff
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