thoughts and ruminations while in exile (1 Pet. 2:11)

For those of you who actually follow this blog, you may notice that I decided to change the name of my blog again. Why would I do that? Well, I have always wanted something that is unique and makes a statement. At first it was called issues etcetera. I thought this might be a good name because I planned to would write about more than theological issues, i.e. politics, philosophy, and so forth. But in all honestly, though I have opinions regarding politics and philosophy, I don't want to devote my time to writing about those subjects; I'll leave that to the professionals.

Then I changed the name to Sacramental Piety. Why? Well, once again I was intending to make a statement. A comprehensive theological system consists of a theology, piety, and practice (as Scott Clark would say). As I understand it, this means that our theology consists of what we believe, how we practice that belief in our personal lives, and how that belief is expressed publically in our corporate worship. Since I am a Reformed Christian, my theology, piety, and practice is sacramental. In a nutshell, this means that God communicates his grace to us with physical signs and seals; he is not opposed to using nature to communicate grace. This view is in contradistinction to much of evanglicalism, which views the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper) as dealing primarily with us and our response (Read Clark's essay, "The Evangelical Fall from the Means of Grace"). Yet, I decided to change it because someone was already using that name over on wordpress.

Finally, and lastly, I changed the name to exilic thoughts (all lowercase on purpose). I chose this name because I believe it speaks to the Christian's place in this world. The verses I posted on the lower right serve to reinforce this truth. As God's people, our situation in this world is a lot like ancient Israel's in the wilderness (Exodus - Deuteronomy). Not only this, but it also parellels that of Israel and Judah when they were in exile (See the major and minor prophetic books). All of this teaches us that this world is not our home. In 1 Peter 2:11--the theme verse for this blog--Peter tells his readers, "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul." We are sojourners, we are exiles, we are pilgrims, "seeking a better country, that is, a heavenly one" (Heb. 11:16). Our heavenly citizenship is superior to our earthly citizenship.

This does not mean, however, that we fail to care for our neighbors, family, and "seek the peace of the city" (Jer. 29:5-7). Of course we do all of this; but we do it with an understanding that not all will be perfect in this life. After all, this earth is not heaven.