The Christian Fight Song

Do You Sing The Christian Fight Song?

from Nathan W. Bingham Feb 07, 2012 Category: Articles

On January 23, 2012, Dr. R.C. Sproul spoke at Reformation Bible College’s chapel service on the subject of “The Wrath of God Revealed” from Romans 1:18. At the close of his message, he reminded us of “the Christian fight song,” saying:

“It goes back to the fourth century to the Arian controversy when the Arians were denying the Trinity. And part of the way they communicated their heresy was to make up bawdy songs that were insulting, and they stood on one side of the river and sang these insulting songs to the Trinitarians. And so the Christians came up with their own fight song.”

The Christian Fight Song

Here is the Christian fight song that the Trinitarians would sing back to the Arians.

Glory be to the Father;
And to the Son;
And to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end.
The attribute of glory that is the supreme attribute of deity, is to be given to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Will you sing the Christian the fight song?

Saved By God, From God, and For God

I want to share two beautiful quotes with you:

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
(Romans 5:6-11 ESV)

The other quote is from an article in Modern Reformation I read 15 years ago. That issue has stayed with me ever since.

Moved only by his own character, God sent his only Son into the world to save sinners from the judgment they deserve. At the end of the day, it was not the Jews who crucified Jesus or even the Romans. It was not even we who put him there, although it was because of our sin and guilt that he hung in derision. Ultimately, God crucified Jesus. “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,” not because God is sadistic, but because of his great love for those who would be rescued by this selfless act, “and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied” (Is 53:10-11). Although Jesus freely gave his life up to the Father as a sacrifice that he was not forced to give, it was a death penalty that God executed as the just judge of the universe. Turning his eyes from the mutilated body of his Son, now carrying the sins of us all, the Father abandoned Jesus Christ so that he would never have to abandon us in our deepest trial or most heinous sin. God saved us from himself in order to save us for himself forever.

– Michael Horton, Saved From God, Modern Reformation, March/April 1996

TWO VIEWS OF THE GOSPEL

TWO VIEWS OF THE GOSPEL
by Will Metzger

Man-centered	God-centered
View of God
Point of contact with non-Christians is love (God loves you). Therefore, God’s authority is secondary.	Point of contact with non-Christians is creation (God made you). Therefore God has authority over your destiny.
Love is God’s chief attribute.	Holiness and love are equally important attributes of God.
God is impotent before the sinner’s will.	God is able to empower the sinner’s will.
The persons of the Trinity have different goals in accomplishing and applying salvation.	The persons of the Trinity work in harmony – salvation accomplished for and applied to the same people.
God is a friend who will help you.	God is a king who will save you.
View of Humanity
Fallen, yet has the ability (or potential) to choose the good.	Fallen, and will not come to God by own will power.
Seeks truth but lacks correct facts.	Mind at enmity with God; none seek God.
Needs love, help, friendship.	Needs new nature (mind, heart, will), regeneration.
Makes mistakes, is imperfect, needs forgiveness.	Rebels against God, has a sinful nature, needs reconciliation.
Needs salvation from the consequences of sin – unhappiness, hell.	Needs salvation from guilt and the power of sin.
Humanity is sick and ignorant.	Humanity is dead and lost.
View of Christ
Savior from selfishness, mistakes, hell.	Savior from sin and sinful nature.
He exists for our benefit.	He exists to gather a kingdom and receive honor and glory.
His death was more important than his life.	His death and his life of obedience equally important.
Emphasizes his priestly office – Savior.	Emphasizes his priestly, kingly, prophetic offices.
An attitude of submission to Christ’s lordship is optional for salvation.	An attitude of submission to Christ’s lordship is necessary for salvation.
View of Response to Christ
Invitation waiting to be accepted now.	Loving command to be obeyed now.
Our choice is the basis for salvation – God responds to our decision.	God’s choice is the basis for salvation – we respond to God’s initiative.
We give mental assent to truths of the gospel – decision.	We respond with our whole person (mind, heart, will) – conversion.
Appeal is made to the desires of the sinner.	Truths are driven home into the conscience of the sinner.
Saved by faith alone – repentance omitted for it is thought of as “works.”	Saved by faith alone – saving faith always accompanied by repentance.
Assurance of salvation comes from a counselor using the promises of God and pronouncing the new believer saved.	Assurance of salvation comes from the Holy Spirit applying biblical promises to the conscience and effecting a changed life.
Sinners have the key in their hands.	God has the key in his hand.