Thankful Thursday

Here are a few things I’ve been thankful for this week:

• Yukon-grown veggies, not only those from my own garden, but also the beets, parsnips, and turnips sold in my local supermarkets. There is more locally grown produce this year than ever before, and it’s a good gift from our good God.
• for my youngest grandchild, who, this week, reached out for me for the first time.
• for snow (We finally got some—although I’d prefer more.), and frequent walks in the snow, some with the dog and some with the grandchildren.
• for warm outdoor wear. Winter is so much more pleasant with proper gear.
• for a few new opportunities.
• that God spoke—in creation, in his word, and in his Son. The only way we know him is through his revelation of himself to us.

Theological Term of the Week

Fundamentalism
A movement that emerged following WWI in opposition to modernism and liberalism in Protestant denominations. “The name is taken from The Fundamentals, twelve volumes of essays published from 1910 to 1915 … defending core Christian doctrines … .”1 Currently, the term is commonly used with a negative conotation to refer to legalistic or combative conservative Christianity.  

• From Michael Haykin (Honoring Fundamentalism):

The term “Fundamentalism,” for many in our culture a word with exclusively negative associations, was birthed in the 1910s and 1920s in connection with a desire to affirm the Fundamentals of the Christian Faith in the face of the 19th and early 20th century liberal denial of various orthodox doctrines. As such, Fundamentalism points us to the important task that confronts the Church in every generation, namely, the vigorous assertion without compromise of such key truths as the Trinity, the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, his bodily incarnation and resurrection from the dead. The passion for the Truth gripped the early Fundamentalists and it needs to grip us as well. 

Alongside a passion for the Truth, early Fundamentalism was also shaped by a desire to know the reality of that text in Ephesians 5, where we read that Christ’s great work includes the sanctification and purification of the Church (verses 25-26). Early Fundamentalists were keenly aware that purity of doctrine was a key part of our Lord’s sanctifying and purifying work and that Christians cannot walk hand in hand with those who flagrantly deny the essentials of the Faith. In this connection, they were also desirous of heeding another related text, namely, that “pure and undefiled religion in the presence of God, even the Father, is this…to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27). These desires—seeking purity of doctrine and church reform as well as living holy lives—should also be central to our Christianity. 

Yet, as Fundamentalism pursued these passions, all too frequently it found itself getting sidelined in debates about tertiary issues and becoming a movement that fostered schism rather than reformation. At times it seemed to forget that theological orthodoxy in and by itself cannot revitalize Christian communities: the coals of orthodoxy are vital, but there must be the life-giving flame of the Spirit as well.

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Status Report: November

Sitting…on the couch in the living room. 

Drinking…a cup of tea.

Eating…leftover (but delicious) stew made from packaged meatballs and all kinds of Yukon-grown veggies. If it grows in the Yukon, it’s probably in my stew.

Half-watching…the Raptors play basketball. 

Noticing…how short the days are getting. We are only seven weeks, I think, from the shortest day of the year.

Liking…the layer of snow on the ground, but wishing we had more. Once we get to November, we need snow to brighten up the dreary landscape and gloomy sky.

Feeling…pleased to have lots of new blown-in insulation in the attic. My sons, son-in-law, and a friend put at least a foot more insulation up there last night. (The attic was the one big weak spot left in the insulation of the house.)

Anticipating…the return to the kitchen remodel scheduled for later this week. The big question: Will it be finished for Christmas?

Adjusting…to living alone in my home again. Youngest son moved out of here and into the cute little house in my daughter and son-in-law’s back yard. So far it’s not been much of an adjustment because son is still spending a lot of time here working on projects—and eating my food. (This move means I have no dog living with me either. Should I get one? Or should I be content with the three granddogs who visit me regularly?)

Wondering…if granddogs should be followed by who or that?

Reading…Covenantal Apologetics by K. Scott Oliphant. Yes, still. But I am getting toward the end.

Thanking…God for fresh snow and a warm house. And for the extra-long fall (for us), too.

Wishing…you a November full of thanksgiving for blessings from our heavenly Father. (If you’re on Twitter, why not use the hashtag #novemberthanksgiving to tweet some things you’re thankful for, too?)