sábado, 16 de noviembre de 2013

Si en algo podríamos alabarnos...

“Mas alábese en esto el que se hubiere de alabar: en entenderme y conocerme, que yo soy Jehová, que hago misericordia, juicio y justicia en la tierra” (Jeremías 9:24).

Quedamos maravillados ante muchas cosas. Puede ser la destreza de un artesano, la belleza de una pieza de arte, el virtuosismo de un músico o la habilidad de un deportista. Para los que poseen esas capacidades, el peligro radica en el poder del orgullo. No son pocas las vidas de grandes cantantes y atletas que al llegar al estrellato terminan creyéndose dioses. Alcanzar un gran logro puede ser la piedra de tropiezo para la caída estrepitosa del que lo alcanza. Nos enorgullecemos de lo que somos, de lo que podemos hacer y de nuestro acceso a personas famosas. Sin embargo, tal orgullo es vano. En realidad no somos nada (los cementerios son un recordatorio de esto), toda habilidad nos ha sido dada y ha sido conservada por Dios (las podemos perder en un accidente o por enfermedad), y el tener acceso a famosos no resuelve todos los problemas. En otras palabras, alabarnos por esas cosas es vano.

En lo único que vale la pena alabarnos es en el conocimiento de Dios. Si existe una razón digna de alabanza es nuestra relación con el Dios de los cielos. Todo otro conocimiento desaparece al lado de éste.

“Y ésta es la vida eterna: que te conozcan a ti, el único Dios verdadero, y a Jesucristo, a quien has enviado” (Juan 17:3).

Crezcamos en el conocimiento de la esencia misma de la teología. Las demás doctrinas son importantes, pero la doctrina de Dios no tiene comparación. Conoce más de su ser, su naturaleza, sus atributos y sus obras. ¿Cuándo fue la última vez que te sentaste a leer teología?

Crezcamos en el arte de meditar en las obras de Dios. El texto dice que Él es quien hace misericordia, juicio y justicia en la tierra. Debemos desarrollar la habilidad de reconocer las huellas de Dios por doquier en el mundo.

Crezcamos en nuestro conocimiento experimental de Dios. Él es nuestro Padre, nuestra fuente de consolación, nuestro refugio. Conocerle será lo que nos ayudará a percibirnos de su presencia y compañía constante, especialmente en momentos de aflicción y necesidad. “No te desampararé, ni te dejaré” (Heb. 13:5b).

Si en algo debemos alabarnos, debe ser en estas cosas. ¿Estás creciendo en el conocimiento de Dios? ¿En qué te alabas y te enorgulleces?

jueves, 7 de noviembre de 2013

La nueva teología sistemática de John Frame

Ya está disponible la tan esperada Teología Sistemática de John Frame.

Aquí les dejo algunas de las recomendaciones:

“Few in our day champion such a vision of God as massive, magnificent, and biblical as does John Frame. For decades, he has given himself to the church, to his students, and to meticulous thinking and the rigorous study of the Bible. He has winsomely, patiently, and persuasively contended for the gospel in the secular philosophical arena, as well as in the thick of the church worship wars and wrestlings with feminism and open theism. He brings together a rare blend of big-picture thinking, levelheaded reflection, biblical fidelity, a love for the gospel and the church, and the ability to write with care and clarity.”
- John Piper, Chancellor, Bethlehem College and Seminary; Founder and Teacher, www.desiringGod.org
“This is a remarkable volume—a wonderfully clear, refreshingly insightful, profoundly biblical treatment of systematic theology. While reading this book, I felt as though I once again had the privilege of being a student in John Frame’s theology classes, the classes that so deeply influenced my thinking as a Westminster Seminary student forty years ago. But now the material has been enriched by a lifetime of further research and teaching. An outstanding achievement!”
- Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary, Phoenix, AZ
“Many times in the past I have grown in my understanding of Scripture and benefited in my practice of ministry as a consequence of John Frame’s written reflections on God’s Word. Now the opportunity to draw upon that thought from a work that expands and systematizes his reflections from a lifetime of study and devotion is a great treasure for the church and a great gift to all in ministry.”
- Bryan Chapell, President Emeritus, Covenant Theological Seminary
“This new systematic theology comes from one of the great theological minds of our age. John Frame’s contributions to theology are already massive and many, but now he has given the church a systematic theology. This is a very important book, and it represents a lifetime of consecrated theological reflection. This new volume promises to be an enduring contribution to evangelical theology.”
- R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Systematic Theology brings together, slims down, sums up, and augments all the wisdom contained in Frame’s four-volume Lordship series. It is a worthy climax to the life’s work of one who has only ever sought to be a faithful servant of Christ, teaching in his church. It is a privilege to celebrate its appearing and to commend it for serious study. I guarantee that the dividends of such study will be uniformly high. Thank you, John Frame, for this superb gift.”
- J. I. Packer, Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia
“John Frame is an esteemed colleague and one of the most important contemporary Reformed systematic theologians in the English-speaking world. His Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief reflects a half-century of distinguished teaching, prolific writing, and serious study. For that reason alone, especially in a day and age in which many evangelicals question the legitimacy of systematic theology, this volume commends itself to our attention. Frame (thankfully) encourages a Bible-centered approach to doing theology and (rightly) asserts that even ‘practical theology’ is a department of systematic theology. Here you will find the Professor Frame you have come to expect: clear, readable, restrained, and conversational in his presentation, and thoughtful, biblical, consistent, and careful in his views. Many years ago, Carl F. H. Henry suggested that we need a ‘recovery of Christian belief.’ May your engagement with this book serve to introduce you to and ground you in genuinely Christian belief.”
- Ligon Duncan, Chancellor and CEO, Reformed Theological Seminary
“It is always a joyous occasion when one of God’s faithful servants of his Word produces the fruit of his many years of labor into a full-fledged systematic theology. This is no small undertaking, but in the grace of God, we in our generation are the happy recipients of just such a work from Professor John Frame. He is, by all odds, one of the best known and most respected Reformed theologians in our day. It is a special joy to see this, the quintessence of a lifetime of his study of God’s Word, and now to commend it to all the body of Christ with thanksgiving to God for his gift of Dr. John Frame to the church.”
- Walter C. Kaiser Jr., President Emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
“When one thinks of modern Reformed theologians, John Frame is at the top of the list. He has the rare ability to explain complex theological truths in a manner that is simple enough for the layman and deep enough for the scholar. Moreover, his theological guidance is always wise, steady, and, more than anything else, biblical. And now we finally have the book that so many have waited for him to write—a systematic theology. This volume is a wonderful gift for the church. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
- Michael J. Kruger, President, Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte
“As one who has long admired—and learned so much from—John Frame’s contributions to Reformed life and thought, I am so pleased that we now have this fine volume that gathers together the insights of a half-century of serious theological scholarship. The biblical and practical nature of his perspective makes this a refreshing and much-needed resource for all of us who care about a vital Reformed theology.”
- Richard J. Mouw, President, Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary
“Clear, thorough, intelligent, and fair to opposing views, John Frame’s work will now be the standard within traditional Reformed theology.”
- Cornelius Plantinga Jr., President, Calvin Theological Seminary
“John Frame says that he is ‘immensely thankful to God’ for the opportunity to produce this systematic theology. He is not alone: I am immensely thankful that God gave him this opportunity as well. Frame is a deep thinker and a clear communicator—a rare combination among theologians of his stature. Here is a man who knows his church history, his philosophy, his theological systems; but he does not allow these to sidetrack him from pointing—again and again—back to the majesty of Christ in Scripture. Frame shows that theology is not an end in itself. Loving God is the goal. And Frame’s volume hits this mark.”
- J. D. Greear, Lead Pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC
“John Frame the author has in Systematic Theology captured comprehensively and with clarity what many of us have benefited from in the classroom through John Frame the professor and teacher. His biblical precision and personal passion are spread on every page, which you will quickly desire to turn in order to get to the next page as he allows and propels us to see the singular glory of the triune God revealed in his Word as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.”
- Harry L. Reeder, Pastor/Teacher, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham
“Hurray for John Frame! At a time when systematics has been shoved into a corner by biblical theology in many seminaries, John has published what I can only hope will be an alternative to that imbalance. Not since A. A. Hodge’s Outlines, Buswell, Reymond, and Grudem has a truly substantive systematic theology appeared. I expect Systematic Theology to become a classic, and I look forward to its publication with the greatest anticipation.”
- Jay E. Adams, Founder, Institute for Nouthetic Studies (INS), National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC), and Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF); author, Competent to Counsel
“John Frame has written a very big book—another one. Frame’s strengths are once again on display: vast scope, unshakable confidence in Scripture, carefulness and generosity, a deceptively casual style. What most stands out, though, is the open-mindedness of his project. Big as it is, Frame’s work raises questions even as it answers them, and as a result it opens ever-new threads in the ongoing conversation that is the Reformed tradition.”
- Peter J. Leithart, President, Trinity House, Birmingham, AL
“Here, at last, is John Frame’s magnum opus—the fruit of fifty years of teaching theology and training ministers of the gospel. Few other contemporary theologians have influenced me as much as Dr. Frame, and I am eager to see this culmination of his theological labors under the lordship of the triune God make its way into the heads, hands, and hearts of Christians around the world.”
- Justin Taylor, coauthor, The Final Days of Jesus; Blogger, Between Two Worlds

“This book by John Frame on systematic theology provides students of God’s Word with a tool designed to clearly understand and effectively explain the Scriptures. It is indeed a sterling treasure that is sure to stand the test of time.”
- Simon J. Kistemaker, Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando
“Those who have appreciated Frame’s contributions to theology in previous works, such as his Doctrine of God, will not be disappointed with his Systematic Theology. Adopting a strongly biblical perspective, Frame succeeds in presenting a comprehensive treatment of the various theological loci that also is highly accessible. This book will be of value for the specialist, student, and general reader alike. It marks a major milestone in Frame’s distinguished career.”
- Robert Letham, Senior Tutor, Systematic and Historical Theology, Wales Evangelical School of Theology
“John Frame sets out to be biblical, clear, and cogent, and succeeds splendidly. Steeped in the tradition of Geerhardus Vos and John Murray, he offers a work that is firmly rooted in exegesis, comprehensive in scope, and rigorous in methodology, yet easily accessible to all serious lovers of Scripture.”
- Donald Macleod, Professor of Systematic Theology (Retired), Free Church College, Edinburgh

miércoles, 6 de noviembre de 2013

La Convicción para Liderar

http://www.wtsbooks.com/conviction-to-lead-albert-mohler-jr-9780764210044?utm_source=sgomez&utm_medium=blogpartners
He estado leyendo el libro THE CONVICTION TO LEAD de Albert Mohler. He aquí algunas citas que captaron mi atención en el capítulo 1.

“EL VERDADERO LIDERAZGO COMIENZA CON UN PROPÓSITO, NO UN PLAN”
  • “Mi meta es cambiar la manera en que piensas acerca del liderazgo... Quiero cambiar fundamentalmente la manera en que se entiende y practica el liderazgo.”
  • “Administrar no es lo mismo que liderar.”
  • “Reconozco que Churchill no fue un simple administrador—fue un líder con un coraje para transformar el mundo. Cuando habló, se le dio esperanza y determinación a una nación para pelear una guerra que sencillamente tenía que ser ganada—en contra de probabilidades que hicieron que muchos de sus propios amigos y familiares estuvieran convencidos de que el futuro de Inglaterra ya estaba perdido.”
  • ”Reconocí que Ronald Reagan era un líder, y que su liderazgo era transformador. Sabía que él creía lo que estaba diciendo, y yo podía ver que persuadió a otros a creer junto a él.”
  • “En el seminario tuve que tomar clases que en ese entonces fueron llamadas ‘administración de iglesia’. Créanme en cuanto a esto—las clases tenían poco que ver con la iglesia y mucho con administración, pero no tenían nada que ver con liderazgo.”
  • “El mundo cristiano evangélico está cada vez más divivido entre grupos que podríamos llamar los Creyentes y los Líderes... Los Creyentes son impulsados por creencias profundas y apasionadas. Se han entregado fuertemente al conocimiento y son apasionados por la verdad. Se dedican a aprender la verdad, a enseñar la verdad y a defender la verdad. Se definen a sí mismos en términos de lo que creen, y están dispuestos a dar sus vidas por estas creencias... El problema es que muchos de ellos no están listos para liderar... Conocen mucho y creen mucho, pero les faltan las herramientas básicas para el liderazgo.”
  • ”Los Líderes, por el otro lado, son apasionados por el liderazgo. Están cansados de ver a organizaciones y movimientos morir o declinar, y quieren cambiar las cosas para bien... El problema es que muchos de ellos no están seguros de lo que creen ni porqué importa. Son maestros del cambio y de la transformación organizacional, pero les falta un centro de gravedad en la verdad. Se suben de programa en programa hasta que se les acaba el impulso. Entonces se preguntan, ¿y ahora qué?”
  • ”Yo quiero convertir a los Creyentes en Líderes, y a los Líderes en Creyentes.”
  • “Si nuestros líderes no están apasionadamente impulsados por las creencias correctas, nos dirigimos al desastre. Al mismo tiempo, si los creyentes no pueden dirigir, no iremos a ningún lado.”
  • “Mi meta es redefinir el liderazgo cristiano de manera que sea inseparable de creencias sostenidas apasionadamente, y motivar a aquellos que están profundamente comprometidos con la verdad a estar listos para el liderazgo... Quiero ver surgir una generación que simultáneamente dirija con convicción y esté impulsada por la convicción de liderar. La generación que lo logre, pondrá el mundo en llamas.”