According to an online dictionary, an apotheosis is the supreme example, the ideal, the quintessence.  That’s what Dr. Phil Ryken (pastor of Tenth Presbyterian in Philadelphia and one of the guys I like to read and listen to) calls the new ESV Study Bible in this post on the Reformation21 blog.  This really whets my appetite for the release of this new study tool in October.

Ryken notes that the ESV Study Bible will pay particular attention to the literary features of the Biblical text as well as give attention to the redemptive-historical themes of the Bible- that is, it will bring out how the entire Bible points to Christ and his work.  The Old Testament pictures and pre-figures Christ while the New records His life and work and the Apostles through their epistles explain and apply that work.

We use the ESV here at HLPC.  Why not add the ESV Study Bible to your “to be bought” list?

Robert Norris writes a great article for Tabletalk entitled “Praying for Church Leaders” that you can read HERE. These are sobering words reminding us of the truly spiritual battle that is ministry. Let’s pray for pastors, elders, deacons, and those in ministry leadership. Norris says in the article commenting on Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:19 (..and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ESV):

[Paul] saw that the work of the Gospel is an essentially spiritual work. [He] knew nothing of being dependent upon technique or program to accomplish his work, and his appeal was for spiritual support because he knew that he was battling spiritual powers that were arrayed against Him and were hostile to God and His purpose. Today it is easy to be seduced by the secular mindset into dismissing the spiritual nature of Christian ministry and fail to see that there is a combating of dark and hostile spiritual forces that can be met only with humble dependence upon God, diligence in the study of His Word, and devotion to the Gospel of Christ.

It is the role of the church leader to keep watch over the souls of God’s people. And to be effective in this role, as in all the other aspects of ministry, he needs the prayers of God’s people.

Connie and the boys have been chillaxing (combination of “chilling” and “relaxing”) in Florida this past week to attend her two nephews’ high school graduations and will get home today. I took the opportunity during their trip to get a major honey-do item out of the way by painting the bonus room over the garage. You need to realize it has maintained an unfinished look for what, a year?

Feeling like a real home improvement guy, I went to Lowe’s and bought paint and the necessary accouterments and spent Monday, my off day, painting the room in exceptional Auburn orange and blue. That was a big deal for a guy who isn’t exactly a Mr. Do-it-yourselfer.

I know, pride goeth before a fall. The downside is that if we ever need to sell this house, no Georgia or Bama fan will want it. At least Tech fans would have enough sense to know you can re-paint the room (hey, my father-in-law is a Ga Tech grad).

I was watching one of the news channels yesterday discussing the state of the Democratic Party contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The “expert” being interviewed was asked about the claims each were making in order to woo the so-called “superdelegates.” The interviewee responded in this way, “In Barack Obama’s reality, blah, blah, blah….in Hillary Clinton’s reality, blah, blah, blah.”

That type of language is all too commonplace. We can all have our own reality? In other words, we all have our own truth. This line of reasoning is not new, I realize. Some would call it post-modern (I’m still trying to figure out exactly what that means). If we all have our own reality then the term has no meaning at all. Think for a moment about the implications of each having their own reality. That may work in philosophical discussions, but if I’m in a restaurant I want the chef in MY reality. By that I mean, his reality may mean cyanide is a helpful spice. That’s not my reality. Of course, whether he believes cyanide to be a spice or not, does not change the reality that it’s poison.

This is where we are as a culture. It is what makes proclaiming the gospel that much more challenging and offensive to modern ears who do not believe in absolute realities, absolute truth. It is the growing challenge of the church to proclaim Him who is the way, the truth, and the life, in a world where people make stupid statements about “his and her reality” and get thoughtful nods, not puzzled looks, in response.