Heresy of the Free Spirit

I've been taking some time off to read the Westminster Confession of Faith with commentary by Williamson.

Having great enjoyment. I've also been saving my neck which got stressed by blogging on the notebook.

Hopefully, I can continue.

Here is the ending of Kevin DeYoung's post about Marguerite Porete. Having spent time learning and studying and applying the contemplative disciplines I have become more aware how they can draw you away from the classical approach. These areas are challenging to think upon.

Heresy of the Free Spirit..

Fourth, Marguerite’s theology exposes the fundamental flaw in mystical approaches to knowledge: she had no place for means. She claimed her insights could “be understood only by those to whom God has given understanding and by none other; it is not taught by Scripture, nor can human reason work it out…It is a gift received from the Most High.” This is akin to those Christians who think they can move beyond traditional devotional practices or the humdrum of the local church. But no healthy Christian ever moves past sermons, Scripture, Bible reading, prayer, sacraments, and the organized church. These are the God-appointed means by which we grow in Christ. When we reject these ordinary means laid out in inspired Scripture we not only invite the kind of spiritual elitism that flowed from Marguerite’s two-tier ecclesiology, we also show ourselves to be more “spiritual” than the Spirit himself.

This article originally appeared in the March 2011 issue of Tabletalk.

Equally good it the following.
Kevin DeYoung

Previous day..10:07 am CT

Pray for Your Pastors as They Prepare to Preach

John Newton:

I trust I have a remembrance in your prayers. I need them much: my service is great. It is, indeed, no small thing to stand between God and the people, to divide the word of truth aright, to give every one portion, to withstand the counter tides of opposition and popularity, and to press those truths upon others, the power of which, I, at times, feel so little of in my own soul. A cold, corrupt heart is uncomfortable company in the pulpit. Yet, in the midst of all my fears and unworthiness, I am enabled to cleave to the promise, and to rely on the power of the great Redeemer.