Oikodomē

The Precious Word of God

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:22:00 +0000

Here’s a clip of the Kimya tribe of Papua, Indonesia as they receive the first complete translation of the New Testament in their language. The overwhelming joy of receiving God’s word in their own native language. How much more should we (in the west) be thankful for.

Such a profound prayer by the pastor who is filled with much gratitude and thankfulness!

The month that you had set, the day that you had set, has come to pass today. Oh my Father, my Father, the Promise that you gave Simeon that he would see Jesus Christ and hold Him in his arms before he died. I also have been waiting under that same promise, O God. You looked at all the different languages and chose which ones will be put into Your Word. You thought that we should see Your Word in our language. Today, the day you had chosen for this to be fulfilled, has come to pass. You have placed it here in our land. And for all this, O God, I give You praise.

Christ & Contemporary Art

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:27:00 +0000

Being both an artist and a Christian (of which I am both, but not presenting them as two separate attributes) in this post-modern society is viewed as a dichotomy waiting to subdue or compromise one of the other. There exist this tension between both camps – as opposed to the harmony of poetic beauty of art and Christianity during the middle ages – and neither side will come in agreements with the other and usually if it does so, it comes at a cost, where it is met on a middle ground often by compromise resulting in a bizarre form of syncretism.

I don’t mean to make an error of hasty generalization, but it’s often the case that most Christians (stigmatized by the liberal emergent types) will view artistic pursuits, predominantly by Christian artist, with a higher degree of scepticism. Understanding that most scepticism arises due to the object of scepticism failing to meet a particular model resulting in a sense of mistrust that leads and carries on generations turning those mistrusts into dispositional prejudices, a Christian who wishes to pursue a particular genre of art (most of which arise from some sort of retaliation to a subduing grand narrative) and who wishes to contribute to the universal church is often overlooked as “non-functionary” and “unpractical” serving no purpose whatsoever to building the church. But I beg to differ, the potential for art to become an instrument in pursuing the great commission and building the universal body of Christ is still untapped and waiting to be accommodated.

Nonetheless, I encourage Christian artist (whatever genre and aspect) to anchor their ships to the harbour of the gospel and scripture. Withholding yourselves from settling to pursue your creative endeavours to mere abstractions and alien vernaculars which lay contrary to the vernaculars of sound biblical truths. This is not an anti-art proposition, but merely an expression to guide Christians to strive for excellence in maintaining the integrity of orthodoxy in their creations. Unlike artists who do not follow the Christian faith and whose mandate is primarily the deconstruction of conventionalism, a Christian artist should find peace knowing that what proceeds from sound ideas is therefore good and does not pose as a threat to distortion of truth. Thus, as opposed to finding meaninglessness, one will find the establishment of meaningfulness between the truth pertaining to Christ and the expressionism (don’t think Edvard Munch) of art and other fields that can be categorized under orthopathos (true emotions).

But on the other hand, let me no longer add to this issue but give to you Makoto Fujimura’s latest project (copy from crossway.org):

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In Celebration of the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible

Makoto Fujimura, one of the century’s most highly regarded artists, has illuminated the Four Holy Gospels. Fujimura is known for his use of traditional Japanese Nihonga techniques and his passion for reconnecting Christian faith with fine art. This will mark the first time in nearly 400 years that an illuminated book of the four Gospels has been undertaken by a single artist.

Fujimura - 4 Holy Gospels from Crossway on Vimeo.

The Four Holy Gospels is based on the ESV translation of the Bible and also coincides with the 400^th anniversary of the King James Version (KJV) Bible, published in 1611. The ESV is a direct descendant of the KJV Bible; first published in 2001, the ESV carries forward this classic Bible translation legacy.

Fujimura explains, “By using the ESV translation, we honor the King James Version by allowing contemporary vernacular to reflect the timeless truth of the Bible. This project brings a reconciled whole of the Gospels to a new century and a global audience.”

Editions of The Four Holy Gospels will be available January 31, 2011. An exhibition of the works featured in The Four Holy Gospels will take place from December 9 through January 9 at the Dillon Gallery in New York City. You may download the preview PDF here.

A Face-Lift

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 04:01:00 +0000

First off, I wish to apologize to all my readers for the lack of frequent updates with this blog. I’ve been quite busy looking for work and have dedicated much of my time to my portfolio/homepage (do check it out!).

Just to sort of kick start this hiatus that Oikodome went through, I’ve decided to give it a facelift. The new look is a lot cleaner, simpler, and modern. Although being a traditional snob, I hope to see the incorporation of orthodox principles through the form of a contemporary modernisation. The blog will still be dedicated to ensuring excellent posts as it already does.

Feedbacks are welcome!

- C.Varthoumlien

This Too Shall Pass, So Persevere!

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 01:42:00 +0000

“When we are foiled, let us believe we shall overcome; when we have fallen, let us believe we shall rise again. Jacob, after he received a blow which made him lame, yet would not give over wrestling (Gen. 32:25) till he had obtained the blessing. So let us never give up, but, in our thoughts knit the beginning, progress and end together, and then we shall see ourselves in heaven out of the reach of all enemies.” – Richard Sibbes

John Piper’s First Graphic Novel

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:49:00 +0000

Being an avid fan of the graphic novel genre, I find combining both Piper – who has equipped, and encouraged me abundantly in my Christian walk – and the upcoming release of “The Gadarene” would prove to be something I won’t be missing out!

God, Became Man

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 03:43:00 +0000

“Why art thou proud, O man? God for thee became low. Thou wouldst perhaps be ashamed to initiate a lowly man… He, since He was God, became man: do thou, O man, recognize that thou art [emphasis mine] man. Thy entire humility is to know thyself.” – St. Augustine of Hippo

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)

The Only Sufficient Motive For Evangelism

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:37:00 +0000

“Love for God is the only sufficient motive for evangelism. Self-love will give away to self-centeredness; love for the lost will fail with those whom we cannot love, and when difficulties seem insurmountable, only a deep love for God will keep us following his way, declaring his Gospel, when human resources fail. Only our love for God –and, more important, his love for us—will keep us from the dangers which beset us. When the desire for popularity with men, or for success in human terms, tempts us to water down the Gospel, to make it palatable, then only if we love God will we stand fast by his truth and his ways.”
- John Cheeseman (The Grace of God in the Gospel)

The Bible Is Primarily Not About You

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:04:00 +0000

If so, then what is it all about?

Dr. Tim Keller at The Gospel Coalition (2007)

"There is more of His glory in the Word than there is in the whole creation of heaven and earth" (Burroughs, Gospel Worship, 226).

Why is Christ the only answer to our problem of sin?

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:14:00 +0000

"Of all the great founders of religions, Christ is the only one who will come alongside us, claiming to be our Creator incarnate, come to deal with the problem of guilt of our sin by means of His sacrifice on the cross so that we can receive forgiveness and peace with God. To ask why we must think that Christ is the only way to God is to miss the point completely. For Christ does not, in that sense, compete with anyone for the simple reason that no one else claims to deal with this fundamental problem. He is the only one in the running. How can it be narrow-minded or arrogant to accept from Christ when no one else offers?”
- Dr. David Gooding

The Humility of Calvin's Calvinism by Burk Parsons

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:57:00 +0000

The following is an excerpt from John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine & Doxology edited by Burk Parsons

As the surest source of destruction to men is to obey themselves, so the only haven of safety is to have no other will, no other wisdom, than to follow the Lord wherever he leads. Let this, then, be the first step, to abandon ourselves, and devote the whole energy of our minds to the service of God. By service, I mean not only that which consists in verbal obedience, but that by which the mind, divested of its own carnal feelings, implicitly obeys the call of theSpirit of God.1? —John Calvin

It has not been my habit to refer to myself as a Calvinist; if memory serves, I have never done so, primarily because I don't think John Calvin would want me to. In fact, whenever another Christian asks me what I am (with the seeming hope of determining my particular denominational affiliation), I respond simply, "I am a Christian." Nevertheless, if I were ever truly pressed on the matter of being a Calvinist, I suppose I would respond by saying, "Yes, I am a Calvinist because I am a Christian, and I am a Christian because I believe the gospel."?

Continue reading the article here.

Thanks to Monergism ministry for providing and hosting the article.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain?

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:50:00 +0000

Written by Charles Wesley and first published in 1738.

“Expressing an inexpressible wonder,
I long to be released, so that I may cry;
”Holy is the LORD, who causeth hearts to thunder”,
and that I may be free, to express the oversupply.”
- C. Varthoumlien

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviors blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Tis mystery all: thImmortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Fathers throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adams helpless race:
Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and natures night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach theternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach theternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Forgiven Little?

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:12:00 +0000

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

[36] One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. [37] And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, [38] and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. [39] Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” [40] And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

[41] “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” [43] Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” [44] Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. [46] You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. [47] Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” [48] And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” [50] And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
(Luke 7:36-50 ESV)

The desire to love God even more is a blessing to a Christian, and many times people (including myself) have sought to see this emanating from their lives. But why is it difficult to grow in love for God? Jesus’ parable to Simon provides a clear solution: we need to learn and see the gravity of our sins by the foot of the cross. Hence, unless we learn that we are forgiven of much, much of our love will not be towards Christ our redeemer. For if we love little towards God, we have settled to be forgiven of little.

- C. Varthoumlien

(Video) What is the Gospel?

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:26:00 +0000

Brought to you by the guys at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The Titanic’s last hero: John Harper

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 05:24:00 +0000

A young Scotsman, who survived the tragic mishap, tells of an extraordinary story of how he was saved. He had been on the Titanic the night it struck the iceberg. Clinging to a piece of floating debris in the freezing waters, “suddenly",” he said, “a wave brought a man near, John Harper. He, too, was holding a piece of wreckage.

“He called out, ‘Man, are you saved?"’

“‘No, I am not’ I replied.

“He shouted back, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.’

“The waves bore [Harper] away, but a little later, he was washed back beside me again. ‘Are you saved now?’ he called out.

“‘No,’ I answered. ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.’

“Then losing his hold on the wood, [Harper] sank. And there, alone in the night with two miles of water under me, I trusted Christ as my saviour. I am John Harper’s last convert.”

Taken from Moody Adams, The Titanic’s Last Hero: Story About John Harper (Columbia, SC: Olive Press, 1997), 24 – 25.

A Pardoned sinner – Robert Murray M’Cheyne

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:54:00 +0000

“I often pray, ‘Lord, make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be made.’” - Robert Murray M’Cheyne

“I feel, when I have sinned, an immediate reluctance to go to Christ. I am ashamed to go. I feel as if it would do no good to go – as if it were making Christ a minister of sin, to go straight from the swine-trough to the best robe – and a thousand other excuses; but I am persuaded they are all lies, direct from hell. John argues the opposite way – ‘If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father;’ This is God’s way of peace and holiness. It is folly to the world and the beclouded heart, but it is the way.” - Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Abide With Me – Henry F. Lyte (1847)

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:27:00 +0000

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Book Recommendation – What is the Gospel?

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:15:00 +0000

What is the Gospel? A question which most Christians will answer based more on their personal understanding of it as opposed to what the Word of God actually says it is.

Forwarded by D. A. Carson and endorsed by a handful of other eminent Christians, comes a book that seeks to point Christians to the gospel –amidst the entire muddle –on what it really is as presented in the New Testament by the earliest Christians. Titled simply as “What is the Gospel”, Greg Gilbert who serves as an assistant pastor to Mark Dever at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC, presents the gospel that is very much centred on the cross. He summarizes the presentation of the gospel as noted from the apostles in Acts and in Romans by Paul as consisting of four central subjects which are: God, man, Christ, and a response. I highly recommend this book if you find yourself still confused on what scripture says is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here’s a video of him talking about his book.

Jonathan Rourke Impersonates C.J. Mahaney

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 06:24:00 +0000

Humour for the soul :)

Jonathan Rourke as CJ Mahaney from Resolved on Vimeo.

The Romans Road

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 04:43:00 +0000

I use this method of sharing the gospel quite often, considering that it is easily accessible (using my iPhone) and that it has strong biblical references all from Romans. You simple use the following verses from Romans and follow them in a sequence. Thanks to Matt Slick from CARM.org for the tip!

Rom. 3:10 “As it is written, 'There is none righteous, not even one...”
Rom. 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Rom. 5:12, "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned."
Rom. 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Rom. 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Rom. 10:9-10, "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
Rom. 10:13, "For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved."

Pray that it will be a blessing to you!

One Society, One Family

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 04:26:00 +0000

"Christ has brought it to pass that those whom the Father has given Him should be brought into the household of God: that He and His Father and His people should be as one society, one family--that the Church should be as it were admitted into the society of the blessed Trinity."

- Jonathan Edwards

Your “Testimony” Is Boring

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Sun, 30 May 2010 11:28:00 +0000

While working on my testimony for my baptism. I came across this article by Michael S. Horton titled “When Your ‘Testimony’ Is Boring”. It proved to be of a great help to me and definitely worth checking out if your baptism is coming up or perhaps practically any time when sharing your testimony. Horton, grounds much of the order of salvation to Christ, turning our ill notions of “how we came to know Christ” into something more Christ centred, giving all credit to him.

“The process [emphasis his] of repentance and sanctifying conversion is not a goal to which we strive, but a reality from which we live.” Horton

Link to the article

- C. Varthoumlien

The Prodigal

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Fri, 07 May 2010 06:44:00 +0000

One of my favorites from the album “Sons & Daughters” by Sovereign Grace Music.

“ This animation is built on 1 John 3:1, and a song by Sovereign Grace Music entitled Prodigal Which, in turn, is based on Christ's parable of the prodigal son. As humans we, by our nature, run from and hate God and anything that would bind us to Him - Yet in His great love He sent Jesus Christ to bear all our punishment and to bring us into the love filled, all satisfying arms of our Father God. Consider Him and His love for YOU as you watch this, that He would call us His own children.”

- actionJones

The Drama of Doctrine – Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:33:00 +0000

Kevin J. Vanhoozer (b. 1957) is the Blanchard Professor of Theology at Wheaton College Graduate School. He was previously Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) where he taught from 1998-2009. From 1990-1998 he was Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at New College, University of Edinburgh and previously taught at TEDS from 1986-1990. Vanhoozer received a B.A. from Westmont College, an M.Div from Westminster Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Cambridge University, England having studied under Nicholas Lash.

Vanhoozer's The Drama of Doctrine was named best book in theology in the 2006 Christianity Today Book Awards. In this book, Vanhoozer proposes a way of doing theology that corresponds to its subject matter: doctrine is direction for the fitting participation of the individual and the church in the ongoing "theodrama," the reconciling action of the triune God. Theology is faith seeking understanding of the theodrama, but understanding demands not only that we comprehend but that we also perform the Scriptures, the script that forms and transforms the people of God.

- Taken from Theopedia.com

Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer - "Gospel Theater: Staging, Scripting, Directing" from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.

Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer - Gospel Theater: Rehearsing, Improvising, Performing from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.

We Are Far Too Easily Pleased

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:44:00 +0000

Directed by Tristan Carnahan of Desiring God; excerpts from C.S. Lewis’ book The Weight of Glory.

“If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” (The Weight of Glory, 26)

It reminds me of a quotation by Malcolm Muggeridge:

"It is difficult to resist the conclusion that 20th century man has decided to abolish himself. Tired of the struggle to be himself, he has created boredom out of his own affluence, impotence out of his own erotomania, and vulnerability out of his own strength. He himself blows the trumpet that brings the walls of his own cities crashing down. Until at last, having educated himself into imbecility, having drugged and polluted himself into stupefaction. He keels over, a weary battered old brontosaurus and becomes extinct.”

A Critique of “The Five Love Languages”

noreply@blogger.com (Chelms Varthoumlien) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:58:00 +0000

I have been asked a couple of times this question: “what is your love language?” To be honest, I never knew how to answer them. It wasn’t because I didn’t know what these ‘languages’ were, but because I knew there was something more than what affinity people simply adhered to ‘naturally’. Gary Chapman, known for his best-selling book, The Five Love Languages, proposed a set of 5 love languages (henceforth, 5LL) which are: affirming words, quality time, gift giving, physical affection, and acts of service. Since the release of this best-seller (and the series that followed it), Chapman’s concept of this model has entered much colloquiality.

In a nutshell, the book shows us that we each have one primary love language, and we must become somewhat like a polyglot, speaking many different languages. We are to not only express and communicate which of the 5LL is our primary, but we must also learn to speak the languages of our loved ones.

Nevertheless, Chapman points out why such dysfunctions within relationships exist. We tend to love others by simply loving them the way we would want them to do for us, while still disregarding their interests completely. Thus, our simple attempts to love others still misfire. The 5LL, at its best, addresses this ignorance and clumsiness. Offering couples constructive and pragmatic advice. However, the whole model within its structured form of principles and methods, fails to address why our tank needs incessant filling in the first place. The root of relational problems cannot be treated pragmatically, but it must be dealt with deductively, meaning the root of the problem must precede the result of the problems. We ought to be fixing the why questions, before we fix the how questions.

David Powlison, in his article, “Love Speaks Many Languages Fluently”, summarizes Chapman’s philosophy as such:

I’ll find out where you itch, and I’ll scratch your back, so you feel better. Along the way, I’ll let you know my itches in a non-demanding manner. You’ll feel good about me because your itches are being scratched, so eventually you’ll probably scratch my back, too. [1]

According to Powlison, Chapman’s 5LL model “fails the class ‘Human Nature 101’. [And] Like all secular interpretations of human psychology (even when lightly Christianized),” says Powlison, “it makes some good observations and offers some half-decent advice (of the sort that self-effort can sometimes follow)”[2]. The 5LL doesn’t take in consideration the “perverse unwillingness and inability to love”[3] resulting from the radical falleness of the human heart; it “leaves fundamental self-interest unchallenged, [but] … plays to self-interest”[4].

“Chapman’s model”, says Powlison further on, “is premised on a give-to-get economy”[5]. A gloried form of the “I scratch your back, and you scratch mine” or rather, “I scratch your back (and then it’s likely you’ll scratch mine)”, where the hope of filling someone’s “love tank” is still contingent on yours being filled. It still views the problem through the “lens of ‘my needs’ (even if it reads a book teaching it to call itself a need)”[6]. This is unlike what Jesus instructed, “Expect nothing in return” (Luke 6:35).

Finally, Powlison in his article further dissects each of the 5LL and compares it to the love of Christ. Which being, “the greatest love ever shown [that] does not speak the instinctively self-centered language of the recipients of such love”[7]. Fundamentally, the love of Christ “speaks contrary to your ‘love language’ and ‘felt needs’”[8]. “Life in the kingdom”, says Powlison, “is much more complex than just lining up one abstract model against another abstract model”[9].

- C. Varthoumlien

_____________________

[1] (Powlison 6)

[2] Ibid., p. 5.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid., p. 7.

[7] Ibid., p. 9.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid., p. 10.