Theology Threads

Spirituality through study, ChatGPT sermons, two views on church discipline, and evangelistic methods

This will be a new article format we plan to regularly publish that has one simple goal in mind: to give you thoughtful, biblically faithful, encouraging resources that you can use in your devotional life to grow deeper in love with God and His Word. Think of them as a sort of “jumping off point,” or “theology threads,” if you will, for studying the topics they address. Parker and I encounter all sorts of resources in our studies on a myriad of topics, and we read a lot (because what else do you do in Seminary?). We want to curate the cream of the crop and send it directly to your inbox, so that you can learn along with us.

1 — B.B. Warfield on Spirituality Through Study

Starting off this week’s list is B.B. Warfield’s essay on “The Religious Life of Theological Students.” Warfield, addressing men training to go into pastoral ministry at Princeton over 100 years ago, illustrates the responsibilities and privileges that come with the task of theological study. Though he’s addressing seminary students in particular, everyone is a theologian. Thus, everyone would be wise to glean from Warfield the vital connection between theological study and spiritual devotion.

Do you prosecute your daily tasks as students of theology as ‘religious exercises’? If you do not, look to yourselves: it is surely not all right with the spiritual condition of that man who can busy himself daily with divine things, with a cold and impassive heart. If you do, rejoice. But in any case, see that you do! And that you do it ever more and more abundantly. Whatever you may have done in the past, for the future make all your theological studies ‘religious exercises’. This is the great rule for a rich and wholesome religious life in a theological student. Put your heart into your studies: do not merely occupy your mind with them, but put your heart into them. They bring you daily and hourly into the very presence of God; his ways, his dealing with men, the infinite majesty of his Being form their very subject-matter. Put the shoes from off your feet in this holy presence!

2 — On ChatGPT and Sermon Writing

It’s no secret that Parker and I love John Piper. The Lord has used many a Piper sermon or DesiringGod article in both of our lives to encourage us deeply and make us look more like Christ. While there’s a lot of talk nowadays about the impact of AI in our workplaces, our day-to-day lives, and the broader realm of entertainment and content, not very many are writing on the ethics of using AI.

In this article, Piper distinguishes between honest uses of AI as a helpful tool and wicked ones that seek to idolize efficiency, specifically as it relates to sermon prep. All the while, he holds the office of elder in high regard. It’s definitely worth the read if you have any interest in how AI is affecting church ministry.

This goes to the heart of God and the meaning of Christianity and the integrity of the church and her ministers. Neither God nor his people speak in a way so as to bring about in the minds of other people thoughts that are not true about us or what we say, or feelings in them that are not appropriate about us. That is, we do not deceive. We are people of truth and transparency and honesty through and through, or we are nothing.

3 — Two Views on Church Discipline

Church discipline is often left untouched in many churches today. Those who are called to practice it (church members) are usually kept in the dark by those who are called to administer it (church leaders). Church Discipline is a weighty topic since it deals with the seriousness of sin, but that’s where I think everyone can benefit from studying it. Indeed, Scripture calls us to warn each other (Hebrews 3:13) about sin’s seriousness. But how should the church respond to a member who sins?

In this article, two views on discipline are laid out: one Protestant; the other Roman Catholic. In a day where many around us are converting to Roman Catholicism (see Parker’s article from a few weeks ago), we would be wise to understand what Roman Catholics believe about penance vs. repentance.

We must take seriously as church members our role and responsibility to fellow church members in exhorting one another and charging each other to flee sin.

4 — William Carey on Evangelistic Methods

I wrote in a previous Substack article about the value of this pamphlet, but the point is that Carey’s words here eventually gave rise to the modern missionary movement. Carey asked: How many countries are yet unreached with the gospel? Are we obligated to reach them? How should we?

It’s a long read, not to mention just the title (An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathen), but if you have any interest in evangelism or missions it really is a must-read. Carey’s writing, ministry, and evangelistic fervor still encourages thousands of missionaries and believers today. My prayer is that you’ll be one of them.

and though we, living in a civilized country where Christianity is protected by law, are not called to suffer these things while we continue here, yet I question whether all are justified in staying here, while so many are perishing without means of grace in other lands.
…
What a treasure—what a harvest—must await such characters as Paul, and Elliot, and Brainerd, and others, who have given themselves wholly to the work of the Lord. What a heaven will it be to see the many myriads of poor heathens, of Britons amongst the rest, who by their labors have been brought to the knowledge of God. Surely a crown of rejoicing like this is worth aspiring to. Surely it is worthwhile to lay ourselves out with all our might in promoting the cause and kingdom of Christ

For His Glory

That’s all for this week! If you made it this far, thank you for reading. Parker and I both pray that you are encouraged. May the Lord be with you — in both your thoughts and heart — next time you study. For “great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” (Psalm 111:2).