In light of recent events, Tim Challies might want to choose a different set of metaphors:
“How?” people ask. “How do we make this happen in our churches? I’ve always believed that prayerful, word-driven ‘vine work’ was the essence of ministry, and you’ve reminded me of that. But how do we get our people fired up to be doing that—to be ‘disciple-making disciples’?”
In other words, if prayerful teaching of the Bible is the basic method of ministry, by which God transforms people, then how (one wonders) might we see our people and our church challenged and changed and transformed to live a different vision of the Christian life?
The answer seems pretty obvious when you ask it like that: by patiently and prayerfully slashing away at each other’s dull, sinful hearts with the sharp, two-edged sword of the word of God.
This is how God changes people. Why would we imagine that our church would change in any other way? [emphasis OL]
Old Life 
Whether or not it’s appropriate, I always thought the biblical metaphor of Hebrews (and scripture) on sanctification was more akin to a doctor than a warrior. Isn’t the intent not to destroy (warrior/slashing) but to remove what is bad (doctor/dissecting)?
The only time we see “slashing” encouraged is when Paul tells the judaizers to emasculate themselves. That’s one way to achieve sanctification…
LikeLike
Nate, for me, it’s still a warrior, but a defensive one (see Ephesians 6.).
sin’s at war with us, even if we don’t want it to be that way..
doctor as well? mebbe, idk….
Peace.
LikeLike
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm
LikeLike
AB, why you gotta be so reasonable?
LikeLike
But if i honestly live a life neutral from reproach to those who self-appoint themselves as moral guardians of their church, then they get on my case for not setting up a Marshall Stack on a street corner and engaging in extroverted hardcore Evangelism.
LikeLike
Nate, you have a point, there.
LikeLike
AB, I went through that schtick 3 times in one after church fellowship at a near-Reformed church.
Now it’s about Word and Sacrament, not picking me apart for living a decent life and doing what is already on my plate.
LikeLike
Kent, marshall stack? I love it! Although your experience sounds rough, man..
this from heidelblog came to my attention from the same. at my little opc mission work, we started weekly Lord’s Supper for the last two Sunday’s and our pastor wishes to keep it that way. it reminds me of my first OPC experience while I was in college, that was the first time I went to a church with Lord’s Supper that frequent. I’m a fan, and would encourage others to consider as well, if they have the means. Point being, yes, big word and sacrament guy (SC 88).
Peace.
LikeLike
Patiently slashing?
This is Richard Smith-esque…
LikeLike
The mental makeup of self-appointed holiness cops is such that they usually end up in the police blotter for getting caught running naked through a city park, on the nightly news for getting caught in a prostitution sting, or in trouble with the Feds for having child porn on their computers.
Gravitate instead to the more low key members of your church if you need help pursuing holiness.
LikeLike
AB, been slaving in the financial district for decades and a few over time have set up a decent amp system to scream at every passerby about views on abortion and the gold exchange and other fun stuff.
LikeLike
AB, I like the weeks off from LS, gives me time to assemble my thoughts, sooooooooooo much to repent for…
LikeLike
I don’t doubt it, kent.
The current pastor I am under, this is the first time having weekly since 2004. I’m a very blessed man, too many good things to be thankful for. Our church website was fun for me to make (http://providencepresbyterianchurch.org/).
Have a nice weekend, bro.
LikeLike
don’t doubt the marshall stack.
that part about repenting, i don’t opine (and i wasn’t speaking about that). that’s between you and God, my friend.
peace.
LikeLike
Maybe the stack fell on the kook at just the right time in his diatribe… that would rock.
Have a blessed one yerself, Sir.
LikeLike
This type of discipleship is (‘prayerfully slashing away’…)…..is CULTIC!
LikeLike