JOLLYBLOGGER: Every Christian Delights in Even the Smallest Point of Doctrine

Well, both Dan Phillips and my wife have told me I need to blog more. It's understandable when someone like Dan Phillips would say you need to blog more, but with all of that old talk we used to have of "blog widows" its unusual when the wifey says you should blog. So, anyway, if it's Dan and my wife that can only be a sign from God that I need to blog more.

Assuming I get back on track on this blogging thing I'll try to pick up on my last post with some more thoughts about healing and the like. For now I'll give you a quick update on my health and share something I read today which I think is important.

As to my health, it's good. There's no real change in the long term prognosis, but I am doing well and responding well to the chemo. The tumors are still shrinking so that's a good sign. Basically, the doc says that they want me to stay on this regimen of chemo as long as it is working. I am handling this regimen of chemo better than last year's. I did have a couple of episodes of stomach trouble a month or so ago but for the most part fatigue is my biggest problem, so I sleep a lot. I will definitely win sloth of the year award and the door on its hinges award. But the good news is that, as long as I get my sleep I'm able to function pretty well for several hours a day.

Some people will ask me from time to time if I am in good spirits and the answer to that is that I am in great spirits. I've already walked this earth about 15 years longer than Jesus did, so I've been in the bonus round for quite some time now. I am surrounded by a loving and fun family, a terrific church family and my temporal needs are being met. To be sure I have some sober and somber moments but as a Christian I lack for nothing and whether I live or die I am pursued and live in the realm of goodness and mercy every day of my life.

So, 'nuff bout me. I'm reading Walther's Law and Gospel, and I came across these good words today:

A person may pretend to be a Christian though in reality he is not. As long as he in this condition he is quite content with his knowledge of the mere outlines of Christian doctrine. Everything beyond that, he says, is for pastors and theologians. To understand as clearly as possible everything that God has revealed - all of that is irrelevant for non-Christians. However, the moment someone becomes a Christian, there arises in him a keen desire for the doctrine of Christ. If they have not yet been converted, at the moment of their conversion even the most uncultured peasants are suddenly awakened and begin to reflect on God and heaven, salvation and damnation, etc.. They start to wonder about the deepest problems of human life.
Just take the Jews who flocked to Christ - or the apostles. All those people heard Christ with great joy and were astonished because He preached with authority - in contrast to the scribes. But the majority of those hearers never advanced beyond a certain feeling of delight and admiration. The apostles too, were uneducated people, but they acted differently. They did not stop where the rest stopped but posed all kinds of questions to Christ. After hearing one of His parables, they said, "Explain to us the parable" (Matthew 13:36). The conduct of the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11) was similar. It is, therefore, quite true what the Apology says: "Men of good conscience are crying for the truth and proper instruction from the Word of God. Even death is not as bitter to them as when they find themselves in doubt regarding this matter or that. Accordingly, they must seek where they can find instruction" (Muller, p.191.)
Striving to obtain truth and divine assurance is a necessary requirement even of an ordinary Christian. However, with a theologian this is even more so the case. A theologian who does not have the greatest interest in Christian doctrines would be unthinkable. Even someone with only a budding faith in his heart regards even the smallest point as of great importance. To such a one every doctrine is as precious as gold, silver, or gems. God grant that this may be true for you too!