The Narrative Of Master's Eschatological Conversion

 The Rock Bear has covenanted to always inform you of those earth shaking or ground breaking moments in the life of my Master. It is in him that I take delight even as he takes delight in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Thus my now-appearing prose is an omen to you that something out of the ordinary has taken place. I have procured pen in paw because during the recent cycles of night to day and day to night an incident of magnitude has worked its way into Masters life. There has been a shaking, a change of sea with signs on the mountain. That which was, was and that which is, is. And that which will be, … yeah, you know, will be. You likely understand. But if not, the Rock Bear will now seek to impart to you knowledge and insight like you haven't been privy to since you last read your Bible. For your convenience I have divided this staggering happening into five non-premillennial dispensations. 

The Rock Bear Awaiting To Impart Knowledge & Insight

 

Dispensation One – Master Knows His Greatest Good Is To Be With Jesus

You may recall the impact that John Piper has had upon Master. A number of years ago according to God's Gloriously Great Grace (GGGG) to him, Master was able to somewhat grasp in spite of his sickening sinful sorry self (ssss), that tremendous truth that Piper talks about in a million and one ways. To remind you, that truth is, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” Or, like the Westminster Larger Catechism would say, “Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.” Or, as Jonathan Edwards expressed it, “God is their good. Their excellency and happiness is nothing but the emanation and expression of God's glory.” Or, as David sang, “You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Or, as Peter taught, “For Christ also once suffered for sins... that he might bring us to God.” Or, as Paul exclaimed, “I count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Or, as Jesus would pray, “I will that they also, whom you (Father) have given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which you have given me: for you loved me before the foundation of the world.”

Let the Rock Bear expound on this momentarily for I find it quite fascinating myself. If you, by the grace of God through faith in the redemptive work of Christ, find yourself in the good portion of the hereafter you will not be concerned with mundane things. Some think that when they get there they will be on vacation. All the pizza and ice cream they want will be theirs. Paul will visit with them and reveal what his thorn in the flesh was. High school acquaintances will be renewed and they will revisit the the good old days. There will be lots of time to spend playing dominoes with people on the block. And to break the boredom one can sit on a cloud and play the harp.

But that is not the way it is going to be. Seeing Jesus Christ will enthrall you. His love will reveal himself to you. Your whole being will be fixated on Him. Glory will surround you. No thing will have power to distract you. No other pleasure will entice you. No other joy will be joyous. With overwhelming continuous desire you will behold him and praise him.

As the Rock Bear understands it, you will be fascinated with Jesus Christ. Forever.

But as Master says, if you haven't started the process now, you won't be involved in the happening then.

But forgive me, I digress. I remind you of Master's greater understanding of this truth only as a basis for my revelation to you of Master's continuing experience.

Dispensation Two – Master Doesn't Want To Do The Millennium

So with Master seeing the purpose or goal of man as eternally beholding and rejoicing in Jesus Christ, he begin to think about the alleged 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth at the end of this dispensation. He had been trained from Sunday school to Bible college to think about such a thing. The idea was that when Jesus comes back he sets up a kingdom here on earth. While a new Jerusalem, the temple of God hovers above the earth, an old Jerusalem with its temple of God is set up as the capitol of a physical Israel. Someway animal sacrifices are re-instituted in the temple in old Jerusalem. Jesus may be in the old temple sometime and sometime in the new Jerusalem. Somehow the saints in the new Jerusalem help Jesus govern the world below.

Master has always had problems with this setup and other concepts related to it.

But what developed in his heart a few years ago was that he didn't want to get involved in the “millennium.” At the resurrection he didn't want to get incumbered with life on this earth even if it were a nice agrarian society. He didn't care about ruling over a bunch of earthlings. And he certainly wasn't interested in getting involved in outdated animal sacrifices, whatever the reason that was given for their re-commencement. He felt that if he were with Jesus, he just wanted to be fascinated with Jesus. I was sympathetic to him. Even though I am a Fierce and Mighty Rock Bear (FaMRB), I like nothing better than to be with Master as often as I can.

But how does one tell God that he does not like one thousand years of his plan? Master would have these thoughts about not liking the millennium and yet was hesitant to tell God he didn't like the idea. There was turmoil in Master's heart that he could not rectify and sometimes felt guilty about. The best he could do was mention to his Father in heaven that he was having problems with it and ask that God would correct his thinking and make him like the idea. But it just didn't seem to work out.

So things just kept going along as they were predestined.

Dispensation Three – Enter “The Woman,” Leading To Master's Conversion

Master's woman, aka The Woman, has long had diverse theological discourses with one of her sisters. Late last year said sister gave The Woman a book to read. It was something to do with eschatology. Master's woman read it and had questions that she wanted Master to answer. Master was not particularly interested. He had set aside eschatology a few decades ago and figured he would just muddle through life with his Unsettled Version of Premillennialism (UVoP). So Master's woman kept reading other related matter and her conviction grew that things were not right in their eschatological world. So once again she humbly approached Master with the request that he read an online book that was espousing the partial preterist approach to Matthew 24. By this time Master knew he must rise to the occasion, read the book and properly interpret and expose the errors thereof.

Now there is much I could tell you about those days. Master would read a few pages and come to me with concepts that even I, the Theologically Astute Rock Bear (TARB) was unaware. Day after day, I was approached by Master for help in assimilating and determining the accuracy of the information with which he was being confronted. I did my best but ultimately he had to cast himself upon God. Then over the next few months Master's eschatological sea and waves begin to roar. The dispensational powers of heaven were shaken. The premillennial sun and moon refused to shine for him. The stars fell from heaven and the earth was removed out of its place. And Master's Unsettled Version of Premillennialism (UVoP), similar to the glory of Charles Ryrie and the wonder of Dwight Pentecost and the marvel of Dallas Theological Seminary, was as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

This has resulted in Master having some really tough times and some really good times. But I dare say the good times have outweighed the bad times. And of course we know that God even makes good out of the bad times for all those who love him, to them that are called according to his purpose. That's just how wonderful God is. Even the Lowly yet Magnificent Rock Bear (LyMRB) knows this to be true.

So Master, realizing that she was even more of a blessing from God than he had previously given her credit for, got with his woman, i.e. The Woman, and ordered and read books on preterism, amillennialism, postmillennialism and the like. They watched teachers on youtube and read other articles on the internet. To this day they are seeking to understand the prophetic scriptures apart from the dispensational premillennialist model. I would say they are having a good time. They have a much better and more appreciative understanding of the Kingdom of God, said Kingdom now being ruled by the resurrected and enthroned Christ. They have less admiration for the current nation of Israel, understanding that Jesus Christ removed the kingdom from them and they are just like any other peoples, dead in their trespasses and sins and needing to repent and lay hold of Jesus as the Messiah.

“So where does all this go now,” I hear someone asking. The Rock Bear gives you an Official Rock Bear “Atta Human,” (ORB”AH”) for asking such an insightful question. After mulling this question over for a few seconds, I decree that it goes wherever the Good and Gracious Creator of the Rock Bear (GaGCotRB), Jesus Christ, predestines it to go.

Dispensation Four – The Way Master Now Sees It

But I will tell you about the latest insight that Master had on the subject, which insight prompted me to report this news. Master arises about 3:30 AM every morning and assumes his throne in the living room. It is not that Master is hyper-spiritual or anything that he does this but rather it is an affliction that apparently affects some old people. But when Master assumes his throne I can keep an eye on him through the window and watch his every move. He reads the Bible, books, looks to God, etc. until the throne reclines and Master falls back asleep. Then he is there until his woman gets up and makes him breakfast. This appears to be good and acceptable in the sight of God.

But about a week ago, I beheld and marveled as Master sat upon his throne with Bible in hand. I perceived that there was peace like a river and glory as of a flowing stream. The valleys were lifted up and the mountains were laid low. The crooked was made straight and darkness was made light.

Look Deeply Into The Eyes Of The Rock Bear

 

As Master later revealed to me, he was enjoying 2 Peter 3 and understanding it in a way that he never had before. The passage is about “the promise of his (Jesus') coming” (vs. 4). At that time there will be a bunch of scoffers doing what scoffers do, scoffing. But Peter assures his readers that God is not slow in fulfilling his promise (vs. 9). The day of the Lord, the day of the fulfillment of the promise, will come like a thief in the night and the heavens and earth will all be burnt up (vs. 10). Therefore Christians are always to be Christlike “looking for and hasting” that day when God torches everything (vs. 11, 12). Christians, “according to his promise” (Is. 65:17), “look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (vs. 13). Master grabbed my head with both hands and looking deep into my eyes, said, “Rocky, I am to be looking for, expecting, new heavens and a new earth, where there is only righteousness! I could feel his excitement.

This reminded Master of other scripture wherein he was exhorted to look for some thing or some one. He hastened to review those passages. There was 1 Corinthians 1:7 , the “waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” and Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Then there was Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Master recalled those Old Testament saints mentioned in Hebrews 11. Abraham

“looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” All of them saw the promises far off and “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” They “desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Master understood that they, like him, were to “look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Then Master called to mind Romans 8:19-23. The creation, having been subjected to vanity, is earnestly expecting the manifestation of the children of God. The creation is travailing in pain at this time and shall be delivered from its corruption “into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” And Christians are also groaning within themselves awaiting their adoption, that is, the redemption of their bodies. Why does the redemption, or resurrection, of Christians mean so much to the creation? Because the creation will also be delivered at the same time – a new heavens and earth!

The new heavens and earth turned Master's mind to Revelation 21:1-6. There he saw John's testimony of the new heaven and earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away. It was at that time too that John saw the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven and God declaring that at this time he was going to dwell with his people. Death, sorrow, crying and pain were gone and God wiped away all tears of his people. The Alpha and Omega, whose words are faithful and true and who makes all things new, spoke to John from his throne and said, “It is done.”

The glorious “It is done,” spoken by the Lord Jesus reminded Master of the end spoken of in the passage on the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:22-28. Christ, the firstfruits, was raised. Then, those who belong to Christ would be raised at his return. At this point comes the end. Christ delivers the kingdom up to God with all his enemies, the last one being death, having been conquered. (The Rock Bear tells you that Master is rejoicing about how wonderful and precious and simple this is).

Master hastened on to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. This is the teaching that when Christ returns he will transform/resurrect all believers and they will forevermore be with him. The Thessalonians are to be comforted by this. If you know Jesus Christ, you should be too.

This is followed by 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10. Master says Paul agrees with Peter that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. In Peter's account the scoffers are scoffing. In Paul's account “they” are saying “Peace and safety.” In 2 Peter 3:10 “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” Paul says sudden destruction comes upon them and they don't escape. Peter says because it ends like this Christians should be holy. Paul tells the Thessalonians that day is that for which they are to watch so that it does not overtake them like a thief. They can do this because they are not in darkness but are of the day, sober, having “the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” etc.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 Master desires to point out a few other truths about this event. It is a time when God will bring trouble to them that have troubled Christians. The Lord Jesus will come with his mighty angels, not previously raptured saints. It is in flaming fire that Christ will take his vengeance and will punish them eternally with “destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” at the time he comes to be admired and glorified in his saints.

For the most part it can be reasoned from the above scriptures that when Christ returns there is not much left to happen except replacing this creation with a new/revamped creation. Both Master and myself understand that there are those that wish to stuff a Jewish tribulation and another thousand years in there. We now affirm that it isn't going to happen. The tribulation they are looking for happened almost 2000 years ago and the millennium is happening as I write. How I would like to discuss that with you but that is another topic and I must return to the story of how all this impacts Master.

Master observed that there was a lot of waiting, watching, desiring or looking for what the scripture commanded him to do. But nowhere was he to wait, watch, desire or look for any kind of kingdom on this earth for Jews, Christians or anybody else. Jesus himself said that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) and it is impossible to see it unless you are born again (John 3:3). And if Jesus' kingdom is not in this world and one must be born again to see it, what is it with Jesus setting up another less glorious, earthy type kingdom? Been there, done that. If even old covenant saints were looking past an earthly kingdom and desiring the city that God had built for them (Heb. 11:16), who would want anything less? Would God, who made it clear that the blood of bulls and goats could never atone for sin and thus sent his son to be the ultimate sacrifice (Heb. 10:4-10), institute a new dispensation wherein the shadow returned? For what reason would we expect God, who through his beloved Son purchased a holy nation of royal priests (1 Peter 2:9), revert to a nation served by priests offering sacrifices that could never take away sins (Heb. 10:11)?

So the Rock Bear, with great delight, tells you that Master is no longer concerned about enduring an earthly kingdom of Jews in the last 1000 years of this world. He has joined Abraham and other old covenant as well as new covenant saints in looking strictly for the return of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and a new creation in which righteousness dwells.

Dispensation Five – SRBHM Summary

I am now going to enter Succinct Rock Bear Harmonization Mode (SRBHM) and pull all this together so that the least to the greatest of you can understand what has happened.

Educated particularly by the teaching of John Piper, Master had it in his heart to enter into full unbridled perfected fellowship with Jesus Christ at the resurrection. But he saw the premillennialist's millennium prohibiting that kind of fellowship since as a reward he would have to rule over a few acres of earth or at least ten or fifteen square feet. His heart was not at rest because of this and weakly cried out to God about it. Unknown to him providential events exhibited themselves, operating initially through his woman, to involve him in eschatological studies wherein he had never gone before. It was in this manner that he was led to know that he need have no concern for the teaching of an end of the world millennium for physical Israelites. Rather, his desire to forever be with Christ, unhindered, at the Lord's return would be bountifully fulfilled. And for this reason he would wait, watch, desire and look for the coming of the Lord Jesus and the new creation. 

Th Bone-Crushing Jaws Of The Rock Bear Adding The Last Few Crushes To Bone

Master and I have talked much about how this has come about in such good Providence. Others will disagree but that is okay. That is the way things go in this current happening. But Master sees upon himself the goodness of God in all the power of mercy and grace that is found in the Lord, Jesus Christ. And both Master and I, Rocky Bear, desire that you be found in love and joy and peace in the Holy Spirit at the coming of Jesus Christ.

If anyone adds to these words of the Rock Bear, the Rock Bear will add to him severe pain from the bone-crushing jaws of the Rock Bear. And if anyone takes away from the words of the Rock Bear, the Rock Bear will take away his part out of the good graces of the Rock Bear.

“The Life of Arthur W Pink” - A Book Report

You will be pleased to note that Master has recently read the above mentioned book which was written by Iain H Murray. Moreover it is the revised and enlarged edition published by The Banner of Truth Trust in 2004. Furthermore I’m here to tell you that if you read this report you are going to get some real understanding not only into this book, but into the wise discernment of Master in regard to it.

Arthur Walkington Pink

First, I, a Particularly Astute Rock Bear (PARB), will give you some behind the scenes insight into how this book report came to be. Master is a big fan of A.W. Pink. But not to long ago while Master was thinking thoughts, he began to wonder how such a person as Pink, who believed such unconventional churchy things as he did, could be a pastor and get away with it in the first half of the twentieth century.

To answer this question Master decided to see if there were a biography on Pink. Master found that there were two so he wisely chose the most recent and thorough one to purchase. When the day came that it arrived he began to read it a little each day. But Master’s woman likes to read biographies as well. A couple of times Master’s woman would be usurping Master’s new book and chair at Master’s predestined reading time. But I’m happy to report that everything worked out okay in God’s good providence.

As Master worked his way through the book he often confided in me the things he was learning. He seemed pleased with the book at first but as he neared the end my Rock Bear Discerning Accoutrement (RBDA) easily picked up that he was disturbed with some of the things being written. This culminated in the last chapter when the biographer began to…. Well, it would be inappropriate for me to get into that now.

My suggestion to Master was that he should write a report and summarize what he had learned about A.W. Pink and make pertinent comments. He agreed that it should be done. But both Master and I were well aware that with all his other obligations (working, sleeping, eating, daydreaming, etc.) he just didn’t have the time. It was then that he said that I should write the report, since he had told me the whole story and I had grasped the full connotations of it. Because Master put such confidence in my abilities I could not refuse. Thus you are now entering into the Succinct Rock Bear Harmonization (SRBH) of this book.

The Rock Bear In Succinct Rock Bear Harmonization (SRBH) Mode

On April 1, 1886 Arthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England. His devout Christian parents were Thomas and Agnes Pink. However, like all parents, they had imparted to him a godless sin nature. Thus at a young age he entered the cult of Theosophy. He even became a medium, one of those people that can get evil spirits to move stuff around and guess future events with limited accuracy. You know, the creepy, God dishonoring stuff.

And he was a sharp character too. Not only was he moving up to the top tier of the Theosophy Society in London, he had a business going at age sixteen.

One fine day in 1908, when our subject was twenty-two years old, there was a God-invoked Providential Event (GiPE) on his behalf. His dad who continually provoked him with scripture, provoked him particularly with Proverbs 14:22 - “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Arthur was on his way to his bedroom to write a speech for the annual meeting of the Theosophist. However, as the author puts it, he had an “appointment with a Holy Sovereign God.” On the evening of the third day he reappeared from the bedroom as a Christian.

He then gave his speech at the Theosophy meeting. It was about how there is salvation only in God’s son , Jesus Christ. That bought him a ticket directly out of the Theosophy Society. His new delight was the Bible. Some days when he had no obligations he would spend ten hours in study.

A.W. bounced around some churches and concluded that they were losing the commitment to Biblical Christianity. He didn’t perceive that there were any good schools in England so in 1910 he decided to attend Moody Bible Institute in the U.S. After six weeks at Moody he decided he was wasting his time and needed to enter the pastorate asap.

This was the beginning of a number of pastorates in various places. He spent a couple of years in a Congregationalist church in Colorado. Several months were then spent back in England. By 1915 he was at a couple of churches in southern Kentucky. It was while he was in Kentucky that God gave him his woman, Vera, who turned out to be just what he needed.

Pink was a writer as well as a preacher. He had a viable ministry at Northside Baptist Church in Spartanburg, Kentucky when he wrote the first edition of one of Master’s favorite books, The Sovereignty of God. Arthur expected that this book would not go over well considering his view of the state of the church in his day. He was correct. There was not much support from friends as he was writing it and when published it flopped.

It was during this time that Pink had a physical breakdown and the doctor put him on several weeks of complete rest and double food intake. The man was apparently a workaholic with his combined reading, writing and church ministry. Criticism of his book on God’s sovereignty, though expected, would certainly be detrimental. A.C. Gaebelein, a heavy hitter in that day condemned the book in total. It was becoming clear that he was no longer welcome at Northside Baptist but no other calls were forthcoming. He did resign in 1920 and went to visit some friends in Pennsylvania.

I should take a moment to tell you that the author of this book relies a lot on correspondence that the subject had with others to locate him at various places and events. But what is also contained is quotations of these letters that speak to A.W. Pink’s thoughts, doctrine and Christian life that is very revealing. Master said that this is good because you can gain a lot of spiritual edification from reading these. This is a reason for Master to like the book.

Pink got an offer to preach temporarily in California from a place he had been in 1913. He had $75 which would get him there but he was going to have to leave Vera behind. After a three day meeting in Brooklyn a lady gave him an envelope to give his wife. She opened it to find another $75. They had mentioned the need to nobody. Now both A.W. and Vera could go to California!

While in California Pink got hooked up with an evangelist who wanted him to teach the people coming to his tent meetings. It was a great time. There were 700 plus people nightly who were hungry for God’s word. At one point they were competing (not in a bad sense of the word) for people in Oakland with Harry Ironside, another heavy hitter in that day. Somebody gave Ironside a copy of The Sovereignty of God who then urged people to burn it. This of course led to a lot of confusion and dissension among the believers. The ministry continued on for several more months in spite of the conflict.

Later in 1921 they returned to the eastern U.S. where Pink would minister at different places in conferences, etc. There would be the publishing of other books. But of great importance would be the beginning of Studies in the Scriptures in January 1922. This was a monthly issue which initially included some writings from other authors but later would include Pink’s writings only.

There were increasingly few opportunities to speak. The biographer says there came a despair in 1923 that was an “Elijah-like concern that the cause of God itself was failing in the land.” Pink suffered a nervous breakdown and once again had to have complete rest.

The next big event was a trip to Australia. The manager of a Christian book store in Sydney wanted Pink to come for a Bible conference tour. So in 1925 A.W. and Vera found themselves in Australia. Pink was speaking as many as ten times a week. There was a measure of “spiritual stirring.” But as always there were many who took offense to God’s sovereignty and opposition to Pink built. Master began to see the pattern that developed everywhere Pink went. Truth was received with joy by many. As time went on some understood what was being taught and didn’t like it. Leadership in the church also didn’t like it and did not want anyone divisive or who would offend the wealthy. Pink’s invitations to speak would cease and he would be left with only a few individuals who understood and loved him.

However there was one church where Pink was welcomed to preach. This was a “Particular and Strict Baptist Church” at Belvoir Street. Pink eventually became the pastor of this church as they held to doctrines of sovereign grace. In time it came to his attention that some in leadership had not been appropriate in declaring that the belief of this denomination denied human responsibility. Of course, A.W. did hold to the truth that humans were responsible for their deeds. The church split with about forty percent of the congregation wanting Pink to start a new church. He pastored the new church initially but for reasons that seem fuzzy to Master he resigned. So after what appeared to be three and one-half of their happiest years the Pinks left for England.

The Pinks were in England less than a year before heading back to the U.S. in 1929. Master said it looked like a real disappointing time to him even though the Pink’s always trusted and rejoiced in God. In 1934 they were headed back to England. Remember that this is the time of the Great Depression.

Their fall into isolation continued when they returned to England. The speaking engagements were few amidst moving from place to place. Arthur’s parents had died and his portion of the estate would provide for them until their death. They lived very frugally. They never rented more than two rooms. They never owned or drove a car.

In 1940 A.W. and Vera made their last earthly move to the small town of Stornoway, located in the north-west corner of the British Isles. Their previous location was a recipient of Nazi air attacks. There were two Calvinistic congregations at their new location but the services were in Gaelic. A.W. indicated that the Scots were very clannish.

But this you must remember, A.W. Pink never stopped writing. I mentioned Studies in the Scriptures earlier. Though it was a struggle he never ceased its publication until his death. Consider that it endured the depression and WWII. The circulation was seldom above 1000 and sometimes much lower. It was the late forties to early fifties before it grew significantly. Pink rejoiced when he determined that at least 100 pastors were reading it.

The biographer has a chapter in the book entitled ‘Twenty Thousand Letters’. A.W. corresponded profusely with everyone who would write him. Those who read Studies in the Scriptures and had questions or comments were to get a personal reply from Pink. Yet, personal visits were discouraged in later years as it appears it disturbed his study, meditation and writing.

A.W. Pink died of anemia on July 15, 1952. His biographer writes, “Pink passed from his pilgrimage as unnoticed as much of his life had been.” Vera survived him by ten years, dying on July 17, 1962.

Master says that you can get a lot of facts from a report like this but you can’t get the heart. The heart is found in his letters and writings that are quoted. There you can see his desire for truth and love for the brethern and better determine the work of the Lord Jesus Christ to conform him into the image of Christ. Master knows that he himself tends to stress the sovereignty of God that Pink taught because others deny it. But he wants to make known that Pink had a total grasp of the Scriptures and taught them completely. Pink was not a one doctrine teacher. So read the book to see the heart of Pink.

It is interesting to note that Pink was a self-educated man. The biographer says that Pink was, “convinced that theological education, in the early twentieth century, was commonly a very poor preparation for faithful ministry.” He then adds, “He was not wrong. … Had Pink gone through the mould of formal training it is probable that he would never have become a ‘trail blazer’ for the recovery of historic Christianity.” Master marvels that Pink’s contact with the respectable heavyweights of his day like A.C. Gaebelein and Harry Ironside resulted in their condemnation of him.

If, in 1952, one would have stopped to reflect upon Pink at his death he would likely have concluded that he was a flop. However, the biographer tells us “that within twenty years after his death publishers would want practically anything he had written.” Master will take anything he has written, even though he has much of it already. Master says and I quote, “It may be true that a couple of his early books were not up to snuff. Pink discounted them himself because he had changed his views. But something like Gleanings in Genesis, which appears to be written by a student rather than a scholar, is still a worthwhile read.”

Three of Master’s top ten favorite books are written by Pink. First, there is The Sovereignty of God. This is one of Pink’s first books and the one that consistently made him anathema to most of the Christians of his day. Gleanings From The Scriptures - Man’s Total Depravity is a classic work on human depravity and impotence. This, as most others, is one of the books that a publisher formed from articles written in Studies in the Scriptures. The reality of man’s sin taught in this book is why Master rightly and utterly abhors himself. Exposition Of The Gospel Of John is 1154 pages of precious, lovely truth. Master didn’t want the book to end.

On pages 312-313 the biographer gives a worthy tribute to God’s grace and guidance of Pink which now results in blessing to the church:

We believe that God guided Pink in this stress upon a biblical catholicity and upon distinguishing the truths that most urgently needed recovering among Christians. … When he died unnoticed in the remoteness of the Scottish Hebrides the full meaning of this policy had not been seen. It was only as a new era dawned, as a deeper hunger for the Word of God reappeared in the English-speaking world, and as the Puritans and other older writers were rediscovered and reopened, that Arthur Pink became one of the leading teachers of a new generation. He served to inspire a vision which was wider, grander and more fundamental than what so many found in their own church situations. Readers turned to him, not because he was a Baptist or a Presbyterian, but rather because they found an unction in his words which moved their hearts with new zeal and love for Scripture. By the gracious providence of God, Pink’s books are now vastly more influential than was his ministry in the days when the cold shoulder of an unsympathetic generation reduced him to silence in conventions and in churches.

At the end of the biography, the author includes a chapter devoted to The Sovereignty Of God. Pink first published the book in 1918 and then revised it twice before the final 1929 edition. The biographer then argues that Pink changed his position in later years to a more orthodox position on man’s responsibility. He makes an acceptable case for this using the later writings of Pink. The biographer then makes the case for the abridged edition of The Sovereignty Of God as opposed to the original 1929 edition.

Master Telling Me To Buy Only The Unabridged Copy Of
The Sovereignty Of God

This tends to rile Master. I don’t like it either. The Banner of Truth Trust (BOTT) publishes the abridged edition. Master and I believe that they have taken liberty that is not theirs to take. Part of Pink’s teaching in The Sovereignty Of God is the truth that God does not love everyone. From this position Pink never recanted. He knew this position would cost him, saying, “ ‘My opinion is that my denial that God loves everybody will provoke the most criticism of anything in the book.’” Yet BOTT took it upon themselves to remove this argument in their abridged edition. Master says you ought to get the real unabridged thing. It won’t hurt you. Another friendly and concise view can be found at: http://reformedcovenanter.wordpress.com/2008/12/26/book-review-the-sovereignty-of-god/

Before I wrap this up Master told me to point out that Pink had an aversion to the hideous Xmess festival. In one of his letters to a friend in 1918 A.W. wrote, “I am glad the holiday season is nearing its close. …We are to go out and dine again tomorrow, D.V., and ditto again the day following, and then I hope there will be an end to these festivities.” In another part of the book it is stated that secondary differences were not dismissed by Pink “for such differences have to do with scriptural issues.” Then Christmas and Easter are given by A.W. as examples where forbearance is needed to maintain fellowship. These ideas appear to conflict and leave Master confused.

What can be ascertained is that early in life Pink was involved in Xmess festivities though it is obvious he didn’t like it. It is not possible to discern from the book at what time in Pink’s life the last statement about forbearance with regard to Christmas was made. Master thinks it would be early in his life as well. Not mentioned by the biographer is the fact that A.W. wrote a scathing article against Christmas titled Xmas. In it Pink states:

..."Christmas merrymaking" is entirely a thing OF THE WORLD, devoid of any Scriptural warrant; that it is a Romish institution, and now that you see this, you dare no longer have any fellowship with it (Eph. 5:11); that you are the Lord's "free man" (1 Cor. 7:22), and therefore you refuse to be in bondage to a costly custom imposed by the world.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/CHRISTMAS-AWPINK.htm

Although Master cannot determine the date of this article it is almost certain that it came later in time when A.W. would have fully realized the repugnant nature of Xmess. This would be in conformity to his increasing Christ-like character, Puritan reading and separation from the world as seen in the book.

Read the biography. Its strength is the quotations of numerous letters A.W. Pink wrote that reveal a heart from and for God. Its pages show a man determined to live and teach truth even if it cost him a big ministry. Its glory is God’s because Pink’s ministry is now bigger than he could ever have dreamed.

Master Makes Music

It has now been given to me to reveal the latest breaking news about Master. Most of you likely do not know how multi-talented he is because of the blessings of his God upon him. But you can always count on the Rock Bear to bring you into full disclosure of important truths at the appropriate appointed time. This is one of those elite times.

Master began writing poems and songs many years ago but did not persist at the effort because the world was not ready. His first song was Whup, Whup, Whup, Eiieeee, Whup, Whup, Whup Ohhhhh! It told the story of one of the many girls he fell in love with before he met his real woman. This particular song was about the girl who had a nose so long that “when she sat down, it would rest on the ground, and then she would scratch it with her toes.” You know, I wish I would have been there to see that. I can sit down and scratch my ears with my hind paw. But I’ve never really cared to scratch my nose.

Anyway, it is now revealed to all that last year it was appointed for Master to write some songs that would be true to scripture. There is a lot of so-called “christian music” which Master abhors because it is mushy unscriptural gobbledygook about Jesus and/or it is vain repetitions. Master wanted to show that lyrics should reflect truth as it is found in the Bible.

Master In His Music Creation Studio

One of the problems that Master has is that he knows very little about music. When he was in grade school he played the trumpet one year. He didn’t play it well. His other great experience with music is that his woman plays the piano. In spite of this limited background he determined he would write music because there was stuff floating around in his head that he wanted to get out.

Master figured out that he could accomplish his goal by using a program on the computer that would allow him to punch in notes that he would first play on his keyboard. Through trial and error and much perseverance he figured out how to make it work.

Thus Master punched in notes, wrote lyrics, contemplated, became frustrated, prayed, said unkind things to the computer, read the program manual, rearranged, repunched, rewrote, refrustrated, reprayed, etc. Hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month this went on. During this time I had to be very patient with Master and encourage him as best I could. I knew his effort would be worthwhile.

After the music and the lyrics were written there was the vocalizing. You would not have wanted to be here. I didn’t. Because I was here I wanted to howl like a dog. But rock bears have elevated character so I contained myself. Master’s woman would get out of the house and go ride around on the 4-wheeler.

Master knows he can’t sing that well and his feelings weren’t hurt when I told him. He confided to me he would much rather write than perform. I think he wishes that there would be a Christian Calvinist music group elated with the doctrines of grace that was worthy to play and sing his lyrics.

Nonetheless, Master made an all-around gallant effort that he and I both believe proceeded from the grace of God. And now I make known to you that Master, even with his limited musical expertise, has made his own cd!

And I’m going to let you in on some exclusive Rocky Bear knowledge. Are you paying attention? Okay, here goes. There are only 200 copies of this cd in the whole world. Yes, only 200 copies! Not only is this one of the most God glorifying compact disc in the world, but it may become a valuable collector item as well because of its scarcity.

How can you get your copy? Master is selling his cd for $300 each. I know that sounds kind of steep but it is worth it. However I convinced him to temporarily lower the price for what I call the Rocky Bear special. Just email Master and write this phrase in the subject line - “Rocky Bear is the good kind of bear.” Master will email you back and tell you how you can receive his cd for only $10. Remember, you are now indebted to the Rock Bear for this act of mercy.

If you wish to read the lyrics to this cd, go here.

The Demise Of The Ishtar Bunny

Rejoice! The Ishtar Bunny Is No More!

April 8, 2007

Dawn was about to break as I took my position in the edge of the woods alongside the meadow. It was at this place the previous year that my Rock Bear nose (RBN) had picked up the trail of what was apparently the Ishtar Bunny ( that hideous creature). He had traveled though Master’s property and it was my duty to defend said property. Master had long ago taught me about the evil and deceit this creature perpetrated on people, particularly little boys and girls.

I lay skillfully hidden beside a rotting log which would shield me from the sight of the little beast should he take this path again this year. Of course my desire was that he would. How wonderful if it were so ordained that I should be the Rock Bear that would be so privileged to remove this quasi-rodent from the face of the earth.

My thoughts returned to the truths about this time of year that my master had taught me. Easter is the celebration of the Babylonian “queen of heaven” that through the ages had morphed into a hodgepodge of gobbledygook (these are Rock Bear theological terms) in various cultures. Depending on the culture she might be called Astarte, Aphrodite, Eostre, Ishtar, etc. Eventually the pagan gobbledygook attached itself to and corrupted Biblical Christianity. Many think that Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ are one and the same. But that is gross error.

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the Spring equinox. The Biblical Passover is the 14th day of the first month (Nisan) in the Jewish calender. Jesus is the true Passover for Christians and He was raised from the dead three days later. There is a lot to this but I just want you to be aware that you should not confuse the two events.

Rabbits got into the gig because they procreate prolifically. Somebody, somewhere, sometime declared that rabbits laying colored eggs escorted Ishtar into heaven. Enter the Ishtar bunny into your life.

Indignation and wrath were building up inside of me as I mentally reviewed these things. It was at that moment that my sensitive Rock Bear ears (SRBE) picked up the distant sound of frolicking song. Immediately my sensitive Rock Bear nose (SRBN) also informed me of the gross stench of the approaching Ishtar Bunny.

I could make out the words of the song as he drew closer.

“Here comes Peter Cottontail,
Hopping down the bunny trail.
I’m so happy to be on my way.
Here’s the thing you can believe,
Everyone I will deceive.
Because this is the great Ishtar Day!”

Anger continued to well up inside of me as this horrid creature polluted the early morning atmosphere with his evil lyrics.

“I’ve got goodies in my basket,
That will make the children play.
And with the doctrine of Ishtar,
I will lead them all astray! YEAH!”

My moment was coming. Shortly the unsuspecting pest would pass by only a few feet in front of me. Then I would spring forth and crush him with my steel-trap-like Rock Bear jaws (S-T-LRBJ). It would be a merciful death for this less-than-fare hare.

“I am Peter Cottontail,
Hopping down the bunn….”

DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!

The sound was like an old-fashioned alarm clock going off in my ear. I knew at once that this rabbit had a mobile Rock Bear detection device (MRBDD). There was no doubt that he would immediately flee back down the path he had come. Without hesitation I sprang and cut to the left around the log I was hiding behind. The Ishtar Bunny had indeed turned and was racing away for his life.

My unique Rock Bear body (URBB) accelerated like a rocket in pursuit of him. There would be no problem catching up to him but I knew that like all funnywunnybunnies he would make an immediate ninety degree left or right turn at the moment I was close to him. It was the only talent he had. But it was up to me to discern what direction he would turn and when. My intricate Rock Bear mind (IRBM) immediately discerned that he would turn right. The reason I knew this was because he was carrying his basket of Ishtar eggs on his left. If he went left the basket would trip him up and he would get crushed hard-boiled eggs between his toes.

Having solved that mystery I now had to discern exactly when he would make his move. Would it be when I was three feet, two feet, one foot, or only inches behind him? Suddenly I had that answer also. He was headed directly for a large oak tree. His plan was to turn just before he reached the tree so that I would go crashing into it and meet my certain doom. Thus it was in such Divine Providence that the Ishtar Bunny’s plan and my counterplan was revealed to me!

I paced myself so that I would be only a few feet behind him when he reached the tree. Every breath I took as I gained on him was exhaled as deep guttural growl. But I knew that he did not really fear me because he had not dropped his Ishtar Basket. He was laughing to himself, thinking that in only a few seconds I would be a limp pile of smashed muscle and bone at the foot of the oncoming oak tree. In days to come he thought he would be boasting to his pagan pals about how he dispatched the feared Rocky Bear while delivering his dyed chicken eggs.

Live for a second more, you flea-bitten varmit.

Twelve inches behind him and five feet from the tree I curved gently to the right. Two feet from the tree he made his abrupt right turn. Three feet after his turn he intersected the open jaws of the Rock Bear. I spare you the details.

But I must say it was one heck-of-an exuberant Rock Bear moment. Master heard all the commotion and came out of the house to the sight of me flinging the varmint up in the air and letting it fall back into my open jaws. He grabbed his camera and got some pictures of me with my prize. I was joyfully complimented by him and gladly received not only a back scratching but a hairy chest rub as well.

Heck-Of-An Exuberant Rock Bear Moment

News of my great feat immediately made its way around the neighborhood. One might think that all would be joyful about the demise of this evil creature, but that is not the case. Parents quickly boiled and colored eggs to hide so that this element of the cursed Babylonian mystery religion should not be curtailed.

Him: Rocky Balboa, Me: Rocky Bear

Greetings to all who in the good providence of God have been entrusted to come and read the words of Rocky Bear. May you be enlightened.

Out of my busy schedule I have crafted a few moments to impart to you knowledge and wisdom I have received through experience as well as revelation. Hasten not to dismiss it.

But of immediate concern is something that I must clear up before it gets out of hand. Rumors are abounding and people the world over are becoming confused. It is incomprehensible to me that anything like this could happen, but lo, it has.

Therefore, I do hereby declare and certify that Rocky Balboa and I are not one and the same. We aren't even related. Consider these things. Rocky Balboa can only see in the light, but I see in the depths of the darkest night. I hear the sounds that he has never heard. I smell the thousand scents that waft through the burdened air and are never discerned by him.

Who could look at both of us and not marvel at my physique while at the next moment feeling pity for Mr. Balboa's frail body? And if we were to meet in a fight???.... What effect could his flailing fisticuffs have as I deftly wrapped my rockbear jaws of iron around the (probably tasteless) hide of some portion of his extremities and ripped it mercilessly from the bone in a portion of time that is so miniscule that it could not be measured?

Of course, I would never do such a thing nor would Rocky Balboa. Both of us are nice natured creatures. It is just that I must point out the obvious differences in our features and abilities in order that this rumor that we are one and the same be quickly dispelled. So please do pass on to your friends and neighbors this clarification. Him, Rocky Balboa. Me, Rocky Bear. You can tell them you got it straight from the source.