In Him We Have Redemption

But what does redemption mean?

My dictionary defines redemption, used in the religious sense, as a synonym for salvation. But biblically, those are not exact synonyms. Yes, redemption is salvation, but it is salvation accomplished in a particular way.

It was my day to post at Out of the Ordinary, so I started a 3-post series on redemption, starting with it’s definition.

Thankful Thursday

Tonight I am thanking my heavenly Father

• for listening when I pray. 
• for sustaining my love for him.
• for giving me a body so I can work and walk and enjoy the universe he made.
• for keeping me healthy and strong.
• for providing me with a full fridge, full cupboards, and more in the pantry.
• for a comfortable and secure home.
• for friends and family, here and in heaven.
• for opportunities to serve him by serving others.
• for the promise of eternity with him.

I thought I was too tired and grumpy to write a thanksgiving post, but I did it anyway, mostly because I hate to have a day with nothing at all posted. I’m so glad I did. Nothing lifts the spirit like writing a list of thanksgiving items. I guess you could say I’m thankful for this weekly Thanksgiving Thursday exercise. 

Round the Sphere Again: Church History

Eleven Reasons
Don Sweeting lists some of the blessings of studying church history:

1. It reaffirms a Biblical value of looking to the past.
2. It  tells us the rest of the story.
3. It frees us from faddishness.
4. It is an antidote to arrogance.
5. It exposes us to some of the issues faced by the church in every age.
6. It helps us see further than we naturally can on our own.
7. It gives us insight into our own culture.
8. It provides warnings about what to look out for and what not to do.
9. It can be used to spark a longing for awakening and revival.
10. It Implants hope in dark times.
11. It offers company and help in difficult seasons of ministry.

Read the whole post for more explanation of these points.

Two Lectures
Last week I listened to these talks by Michael Haykin (Sermon Audio) and recommend them to you. If you don’t know much about church history, Haykin’s lectures are a good place to start.:

• Introduction to Church History
• What the Bible Says About History

Next up on my audio list is a biographical sketch of Thomas Cramner.

Update: In the comments, Juanita pointed me to a few messages on revival in 18th century England that Michael Haykin gave recently at a conference at her church.

One Book
Peter Leithart recommends Robert Louis Wilken’s The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity. He calls it “a substantial historical study,” but also one that “assumes little prior knowledge.” I’m thinking of buying it for my church library.