tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post5950035171013216463..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: The Patience of JobPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-68472158959801204372011-08-15T15:49:31.945-07:002011-08-15T15:49:31.945-07:00I too think this was on eof your best posts ever! ...I too think this was on eof your best posts ever! It was so timely for me. I was able to share it with many others. Thank you!Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15601521875931115842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-24036154085688710232011-08-14T23:30:18.095-07:002011-08-14T23:30:18.095-07:00I imagine it would be pretty hard for any of us to...<b>I imagine it would be pretty hard for any of us to understand how he felt, how much it hurt, and how bitter the whole experience tasted.</b><br><br />I know <i>exactly</i> how he felt.<br>Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079209570434305168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-86813011936771395442011-08-13T17:24:45.116-07:002011-08-13T17:24:45.116-07:00Phil, I think this was one of your best posts ever...Phil, I think this was one of your best posts ever. Amid the many golden doctrinal & theological reminders was the pleading of a pastoral heart for the saints. Thank you again for your unwaivering faithfulness to Truth.<br />~SuzannenorthWordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00938074261657256560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-46836755451069243172011-08-13T11:25:53.128-07:002011-08-13T11:25:53.128-07:00Bravo! Excellent post!
Phil,
You have such a gi...Bravo! Excellent post!<br /><br />Phil,<br /><br />You have such a gifted and beautiful way of expositing God's words and bringing His truth to light inspite of the attempts of the darkness to put it out.<br /><br />God bless you brother.<br /><br />If I may also ask for prayers to go out to a friend of mine that has just lost her father last night. Pray for her and her family in this difficult time.<br /><br />God bless all of my brothers and sisters in Christ!<br />I love you all so very much.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05403774585080385927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-57365089263577176012011-08-13T10:22:57.050-07:002011-08-13T10:22:57.050-07:00Actually the hymn words were from the pen of Lawr...Actually the hymn words were from the pen of Lawrence Tuttiett, 1864. Sorry.donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-4961331230009509652011-08-13T10:16:23.554-07:002011-08-13T10:16:23.554-07:00Hey Christophe,
Excellent Word of God. I'll ha...Hey Christophe,<br />Excellent Word of God. I'll have to remember those words.<br /><br />here's a hymn, by Matt Redman, that may encourage you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx9MWpMUMu8<br /><br />"Not from sorrow, pain, or care,<br />Freedom dare I claim."donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-20900846852514559192011-08-13T09:53:08.833-07:002011-08-13T09:53:08.833-07:00Thank you all for your prayers.
1 Samuel 2:6–9
h...Thank you all for your prayers.<br /><br />1 Samuel 2:6–9 <br />http://biblia.com/books/esv/1Sa2.6-9<br /><br />SDG,<br /><br />C.Christophehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04391703199474194433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-25340132455109439072011-08-13T09:07:04.754-07:002011-08-13T09:07:04.754-07:00Christophe:
It sure is a tough row to hoe. May G...Christophe:<br /><br />It sure is a tough row to hoe. May God guard you and protect you, and be with you to lead you through this; and praise Him that He has sworn to do just that very thing!Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-13619782938623240482011-08-13T09:00:19.792-07:002011-08-13T09:00:19.792-07:00Thanks, Phil. Truly Biblical thoughts on Job are f...Thanks, Phil. <i>Truly Biblical</i> thoughts on Job are few and far between in popular media.<br /><br />One fact is often overlooked: Even though Satan clearly had been licking his chops over Job (<i>"Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side?"</i>) and therefore it is Satan that is responsible for the evil he did to Job, this whole thing was God's idea from the get-go - <i>"Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"</i><br /><br />These are hard concepts; who can hear them?Robert Warrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03174579068882302654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-34402238973916030272011-08-13T08:34:06.659-07:002011-08-13T08:34:06.659-07:00Just a quick note to say 'thank you', Phil...Just a quick note to say 'thank you', Phil. God, in His sovereignty and goodness (in particular), knew I needed to read this today. Thank you for your obedience to Him to write it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-21042049028869590992011-08-13T07:20:21.970-07:002011-08-13T07:20:21.970-07:00This is a really good piece & I wholeheartedly...This is a really good piece & I wholeheartedly agree that we need to focus on these 3 great traits of God in times of distress. Job certainly began with an embracing of these facts of God’s justice & goodness, as stated in the first chapter, but I do not concur that Job continued faithfully believing these ideals. He clearly began to doubt God’s right judgment over him in the later chapters. <br /><br />Job 27:6 I hold fast <i>my</i> righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days.<br /><br />Job 32:1-2 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. (2) Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.<br /><br />Job 40:1-2 And the LORD said to Job: (2) "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it."<br /><br />Job 40:6-8 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: (7) "Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. (8) Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?<br /><br />The lesson of Job is <i>starting</i> the race strong is not nearly as important as persevering & <i>staying</i> strong though to the end, resolutely believing in God’s sovereignty, justice, & goodness despite much seeming evidence to the contrary.Zoareanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09168939985782643012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-70475705917771539612011-08-13T06:40:53.042-07:002011-08-13T06:40:53.042-07:00Christophe,
I've prayed to the Lord asking Hi...Christophe,<br /><br />I've prayed to the Lord asking Him to grant you employment so that you can work and support the family He has given you in accordance with His will.<br /><br />Be a shining light for Him wherever He places you.<br /><br />In Christ,<br />CDCoram Deohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504564435400500996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-47872194230274921092011-08-12T23:59:07.306-07:002011-08-12T23:59:07.306-07:00It was good to read the abiding truth expounded so...It was good to read the abiding truth expounded so plainly. I know a thing or two about suffering and impossibility to stop it on my own. I have been unemployed for a prolonged time with kids in family and despite multitude of serious and advanced attempts in the end all I hear is "no". The one thing that holds me is understanding of God and His providence as exposed and expressed by the Doctrines of Grace so intrinsic in the Word of God, especially here in the ancient Book of Job dealing with suffering so fresh and so present to many. Although Job was doing much better job(sic)than I... I am engulfed by the same truths of the same Loving, Good and Almighty God. Thank you for this post.Christophehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04391703199474194433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-7645963554125160722011-08-12T22:01:32.778-07:002011-08-12T22:01:32.778-07:00This is a very fine and succinct exposition on Job...This is a very fine and succinct exposition on Job, Phil; well done!<br /><br />In Christ,<br />CDCoram Deohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03504564435400500996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-60860974450593835142011-08-12T19:27:10.057-07:002011-08-12T19:27:10.057-07:00Skully: "Would you see this view as "hyp...<b>Skully:</b> "Would you see this view as "hyper-Calvinism?"<br /><br />No, I said essentially the same thing in the article above.<br /><br />We believe God decrees by His sovereign fiat whatsoever comes to pass (even allowing evil agents to act according to their inclination). That fact ought to be clear from Job's story.<br /><br />But what I criticized as hyper-Calvinism is the notion that God's sovereignty functions in such a way that He Himself is the ultimate agent and efficient efficient cause of whatever evil occurs.Phil Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-18233894610351219682011-08-12T16:48:56.249-07:002011-08-12T16:48:56.249-07:0010 comments in and no one indignantly exploding ov...10 comments in and no one indignantly exploding over the notion of Job being a Calvinist. This place just ain't what it used to be.<br /><br />Great article by the way. In the midst of suffering is not the time to start hammering out your theodicy.Gordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14527530618839981892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-29042144990800821092011-08-12T14:37:11.221-07:002011-08-12T14:37:11.221-07:00Thank you Phil! Your exposition on the suffering ...Thank you Phil! Your exposition on the suffering of Job, and the "intimate" providence of God is very helpful. Just a thought about God's sovereignty, and the presence of evil. Gordon Clark suggested that when the Reformers engaged the reality of God's sovereignty and the presence of evil they said that<br /><br /> "If an act could be both sinful and inevitable... there must be no contradiction between moral responsibility and inevitability/predestination/foreordination. This insight implies the historic Reformed answer to the problem of evil: [that the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-good God planned for evil to occur and uses it for His own good purposes.<br /><br />Would you see this view as "hyper-Calvinism?The Varsity Prephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12666877944871142138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-33336629213207895532011-08-12T14:23:29.218-07:002011-08-12T14:23:29.218-07:00I love posts like this, so full of truth and edify...I love posts like this, so full of truth and edifying. God’s sovereignty is such a fortress in times of deep sorrow and pain. I cling to it not just in bad times, but just for the pure joy of mulling over it, time and time again, and it just keeps getting better and better with each new reflection. If we enjoy the Lord this much now, THINK what it will be like when we see Him face to face.<br /><br />I Can Only Imagine! MercyMe ;)<br /><br />Awesome post, Phil! To God be the glory!Mary Elizabeth Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08915438088186414796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-76143341335002274042011-08-12T12:33:57.867-07:002011-08-12T12:33:57.867-07:00Timely and exquisite, Pastor Phil.
When darkness ...Timely and exquisite, Pastor Phil.<br /><br />When darkness seems to hide His face,<br />I rest on His unchanging grace.<br />In every high and stormy gale,<br />My anchor holds within the veil.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-79302170205793511922011-08-12T08:59:07.748-07:002011-08-12T08:59:07.748-07:00A very, very good and edifying lesson to read on t...A very, very good and edifying lesson to read on this beautiful summer morning!<br /><br />How we apply our theology to the challenges of life is really where the rubber meets the road, isn't it? Heaven knows I've had to learn that the hard way.<br /><br />God's sovereignty, justice, and goodness; His grace and mercy; His steadfastness and lovingkindness; His faithfulness to His covenants; the blood of Jesus Christ shed for our sins upon the Cross...all these can end up being mere points of academic curiosity, unless and until we are forced to cling to them and learn how real they are in midst of a crisis!<br /><br />In fact, my wife and I has just come out of a year and a half of great difficulty and uncertainty, out of which our marriage has been utterly transformed for the better, along with our spiritual life, our jobs, and even our finances—in fact, my wife finally just got hired yesterday, after months of fruitless searching!<br /><br /><b><i>None</i></b> of it has happened by our choice, and it was painful to go through—but now we are seeing the fruits of God's faithfulness and mercy, and He has brought us closer together than ever before, and drawn her closer to Him than ever before.<br /><br />At the end of the day, this has been a lesson in practical theology. There were many days when the only thing that seemed to be sustaining me was clinging to the knowlege that God's word is true, that He keeps His promises to sustain His people, and that He is faithful to those with whom He makes His unconditional, blood-bought covenant (e.g., <a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Isaiah+43%3A1-3" rel="nofollow">Isaiah 43:1-3</a>; <br /><a href="http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Jeremiah+31%3A31-37" rel="nofollow">Jeremiah 31:31-37</a>).<br /><br />Where before I could rattle off God's sovereignty, goodness, justice, grace, mercy, providence, and lovingkindness as a list of attributes I'd learned in Calvinism 101, now those principles <i>really mean something, viscerally.</i><br /><br />And it's all for His Kingdom and His glory, and for the sake of our King who will return in power and glory to reign upon His throne.Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-15333037945793226442011-08-12T08:41:30.646-07:002011-08-12T08:41:30.646-07:00Wow Mr. Johnson, exceedingly edifying.
This is ex...Wow Mr. Johnson, exceedingly edifying.<br /><br />This is exactly what and where I had hoped to bring my sisters understanding to prior to her suicide. She had endured the pain of losing her husband to suicide and I knew if only she could understand God as revealed in the story of Job we could maybe effect the process of restoring her emotional peace and joy.<br /><br />You have definitely hit the nail on the head in your statement “Human emotions don't help us make sense of these things. If you want to sort through the problem of evil, you have to think sensibly, and theologically, and biblically, and not let your emotions rule your mind.”<br /><br />We will never know God exhaustively but what He has revealed to us will sustain us on this side of eternity. And it all begins here and now through men such as you bringing God’s truths to light.<br /><br />This is a valuable truth and lesson the church needs to hear today with all the pain and suffering debate which is going on.jrcannedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15520074823998239445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-47115939473179913172011-08-12T07:14:12.324-07:002011-08-12T07:14:12.324-07:00Timely post as I'm preparing to preach my 5th ...Timely post as I'm preparing to preach my 5th message in Job this Sunday. I am struck with the magnificence of this book. Job begs for a day in court and an arbiter in court to help him. What a powerful beginning to God's Word (as I believe Job is the 1st book written)! God shows Himself merciful and gracious to Job by using him as the primer for the rest of the Bible. Job needs specific revelation and not just general revelation mixed with human wisdom--God provided us will His Word. Job needed a day in court--God provided (i.e. Isaiah). Job needed a helper in court--God provided JESUS! These truths are changing the way I face suffering. Clearly God's plan in all things is infinitely beyond my understanding.Bryan Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05885237668385733433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-18721482253577658322011-08-12T06:14:21.602-07:002011-08-12T06:14:21.602-07:00Marvelous teaching from God's Word. Very edify...Marvelous teaching from God's Word. Very edifying. And we certainly need this doctrine deep in our hearts for the days ahead of us, don't we. Pain is a certain portion of our lives. Perhaps not as severe as Job's, or Paul's, but pain shall rip into, and through, our souls at times as we walk with Christ in this devil filled world.<br /><br />Thanks for such a packed full of good doctrine post. A lot there to take in, and yet the bottom line, as Matt Chandler has also said, is that God is sovereign and good.<br /><br />Have a great weekend and especially fine Sunday, our day to worship our Lord and our Father corporately. All for the Cross. Gal. 6:14<br /><br />Here's a song that is rare in our day, which tries to speak to pain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGPS8sa-bRQ&feature=relateddonsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-76734402610382742992011-08-12T04:52:29.568-07:002011-08-12T04:52:29.568-07:00Particularly helpful is the explanation that evil ...Particularly helpful is the explanation that evil is not a substance or thing God created. <br /><br />I think of it as the absence of good. Or as you said God removed the restraints from Satan. <br /><br />Also, everyone has a theology of suffering and evil, and God's sovereignty. The only question is whether it's biblical. When it's not biblical people can become hardened, bitter souls. They're thinking becomes "What has God done for me/you?" <br /><br />But when things go well, suddenly, God is "back". He's there, He's praiseworthy.Pierre Saikaleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09409964448078910855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-65407009746182867902011-08-12T04:40:43.296-07:002011-08-12T04:40:43.296-07:00Thank you Phil, this was an excellent article.
I ...Thank you Phil, this was an excellent article. <br />I lost an only child in 1999 in an auto accident. Job's sorrow has been a place of meditation for me-most especially the end of the book when God comes to Job and questions him. I have realized that the question of suffering is not the why-but the Who.<br />I have a friend who, with her husband, has been in an arminian Church all of their lives. They have had to leave that Church because of some of the emergent tendencies. They have come to my Church which is Calvinist-and they are struggling so much with the goodness and love of God in light of election. She called me the other day and we talked for along time-she really is tempted to judge God as not loving by her feelings and emotions. This is a great article for her and her husband-I will have her read it.<br />I am getting ready to read "The difficult doctrine of the Love of God" by Carson. I wonder if it will help them. I will know after I read it. <br />Is there any book written that you can think of-that can help people like this couple understand the Doctrines of Grace better? I believe I have John MacArthur's book on the love of God-but it has been a long time since I have read that one. That may be a starting place for this couple-since JM is so clear and understandable. <br />Thanks again for this post.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01112932411051059792noreply@blogger.com