As I have been meditating and prayerfully preparing for the coming year, I believe First Corinthians 4:1-5 is a strong text for followers of Jesus to consider for the upcoming year.
There has been so much speculation and sensationalized theories about 2012. Everything from an economic meltdown to the apocalypse and the end of the world scenarios.
Here are five powerful truths from God's Word to consider for this upcoming year:
1. Above all, we are servants of Christ and we are to take His gospel to the world (verse 1).
2. For 2012, be faithful to God (verse 2).
3. Let God alone judge things. Don't even judge yourself (vv.3-4).
4. Do not make premature judgments. Judge nothing before its time (v.5)
5. God will expose the hidden dark things in us and God will reveal our hearts (v.5)
Maranatha!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
N. T. Wright on Jesus
N. T. Wright latest book "Simply Jesus" tries to take up where "Simply Christian" left off or maybe more accurate, tries do something similar in presenting Jesus to the modern world in a way that simply makes sense. I actually like "Simply Jesus" better than Wright's earlier work. I am only about half way through it but Wright gives so many insights into Jesus teachings, that alone is worth the price of the book. Wright is known for keeping things close to the Jewish culture of Jesus day and has an engaging way of us possibly getting a glimpse into the mind of Jesus in the ways he looked at things from a Jewish perspective.
Some of the engaging ideas that have huge discipleship implications is looking at the world with an apocalyptic vision, reading the Bible as a kind of "resistance manual" and living way in such a way that heaven and earth connect. When it comes to God's heavenly kingdom on earth, don't miss it!
Some of the engaging ideas that have huge discipleship implications is looking at the world with an apocalyptic vision, reading the Bible as a kind of "resistance manual" and living way in such a way that heaven and earth connect. When it comes to God's heavenly kingdom on earth, don't miss it!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Evolution Revisited:
I watched the new "Planet of the Apes" movie this summer and I thought it was the best sci-fi movie of the year. The special effects were great and the story was good. The difference of the new movie with the original was monkeys are given a serum that makes them smarter in this new movie. The future will be man against the apes. The original story line was simply monkeys evolved into apes which did not have a major part in this new movie.
I find it interesting that so many people put their faith now into science to solve all our problems and evolution is viewed by many as a fact and not just a theory any more. Many people have told me they did not want to see this movie because it was about apes. If evolution is a fact, why not go then? If many Christians have separated their spiritual life from their secular life, I can't help but wonder if many evolutionists have not done something similar? They believe evolution is true but live their life in such a way that ignores its implications?
While many modern Christians have no problem any more connecting science to their faith or making their faith very scientific, the problem of lack of discipleship and Christians living a disciplined life for the Lord seems to be really losing ground these days. One would think if science is really the solution, why are our spiritual lives not getting any better? Maybe surivival ethics versus a love ethic make strange bedfellows?
I find it interesting that so many people put their faith now into science to solve all our problems and evolution is viewed by many as a fact and not just a theory any more. Many people have told me they did not want to see this movie because it was about apes. If evolution is a fact, why not go then? If many Christians have separated their spiritual life from their secular life, I can't help but wonder if many evolutionists have not done something similar? They believe evolution is true but live their life in such a way that ignores its implications?
While many modern Christians have no problem any more connecting science to their faith or making their faith very scientific, the problem of lack of discipleship and Christians living a disciplined life for the Lord seems to be really losing ground these days. One would think if science is really the solution, why are our spiritual lives not getting any better? Maybe surivival ethics versus a love ethic make strange bedfellows?
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Current Discipline
I have needed to post but have not. My current discipline these days is... Standing!
After September 7th, I read these post about love (in order of my reading): For the Guys, Introduction, For the Girls on the Burnside Writers Collective. I found it through the site the Merry Monk after one of his essays was posted there.
Anyway, in the article by Jo Hilder for the guys really struck a cord with me, especially this section:
This completely has been my discipline for the last couple of years and I did not even know it. Perhaps we think of it as perseverance, but in some respects, the metaphor of standing is better. Interestingly to me, I started standing at work back in July and I can tell you from the physical standpoint, it is one of the best things I have done in a long time! No longer do I have the afternoon lull (read: No nap calling anymore).
When Jesus wept over Jerusalem, he was standing (This can be inferred by the style of writing - When he looked over Jerusalem, etc.). When Stephen was stoned in Acts 7, Jesus was standing. Hm, God standing...
We are the part of creation that stands, that looks out, that sees far off into the distance and to the future.
In none of these thoughts do I think of sitting.
After September 7th, I read these post about love (in order of my reading): For the Guys, Introduction, For the Girls on the Burnside Writers Collective. I found it through the site the Merry Monk after one of his essays was posted there.
Anyway, in the article by Jo Hilder for the guys really struck a cord with me, especially this section:
I don’t mean by this “stand for something.” The things you stand for may change over time, as your life weaves in and out of friendships, communities, workplaces, churches, neighborhoods and even families. This is because what we think is important when we are with some people can change when we leave them. Take families of origin for example. One of the first things you do when you leave your folks may be to work out your own priorities, separate from your parents’. As you and your wife move house, change church, leave towns, take new jobs, have children and grow older, what is important to you will evolve, or perhaps become clearer. One of you may even lose faith. This is why it’s more important to be someone who can stand than it is to be someone who can stand for something. You must be able to do it, even when you do not understand why, or what you’re standing for.
- Be a person who stands
There will be times when everything you have believed in is lying in pieces. There will be times when something will happen and you will not know what to do about it. There will be times when the conflict, the grief, the loss, the betrayal, the fear and the unknown will feel overwhelming, and because you are the man, everyone will be looking to you to do something about it. It’s all very well to say that the man has to dream the dream, see the vision, keep the faith, hold the fort, fight the fight and know the stuff. But while you are certainly a man, you are only human. That’s why you need to know how to stand when everything is crumbling around you, including your own vision and ideals.
Standing counts for a lot when everything is falling down. Standing, even if you don’t do or say anything, gives the people in your family a place to go when they feel they are about ready to give in. Standing is what you need to do when your wife is railing at you in anger or crying in pain in your arms. Standing is what you need to do when your child is hurt, and when your teenager hasn’t come home. Standing is what you will do when they tell you all is lost, and when you have to apologise to someone else because you let them down. Standing is often what must you do when you feel like running, hitting, yelling, driving away, breaking something or leaving.
Standing is where your wife needs to find you when she is looking for her place in the world. It will be beside you, facing everything it’s got to throw at the both of you.
This completely has been my discipline for the last couple of years and I did not even know it. Perhaps we think of it as perseverance, but in some respects, the metaphor of standing is better. Interestingly to me, I started standing at work back in July and I can tell you from the physical standpoint, it is one of the best things I have done in a long time! No longer do I have the afternoon lull (read: No nap calling anymore).
When Jesus wept over Jerusalem, he was standing (This can be inferred by the style of writing - When he looked over Jerusalem, etc.). When Stephen was stoned in Acts 7, Jesus was standing. Hm, God standing...
We are the part of creation that stands, that looks out, that sees far off into the distance and to the future.
In none of these thoughts do I think of sitting.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Deconstructing the Church by the Gospel
The church has created a salvation culture and Scot McKnight argues in his "The King Jesus Gospel" that the gospel needs to deconstruct the church. He lists five ways this is to happen:
1. We have to become people of the story. Let God's Word shape us.
2. We need to immerse ourselves more into the story of Jesus (read, study, digest the four gospels).
3. We need to examine more carefully how the story of Israel, Jesus, and the church by the Apostles transformed the next generation and culture and the connection of that generation all the way to our generation.
4. We need to reframe and contrast our story against the myriad of false stories.
5. We need to disciple and live as transformed people by the gospel story.
1. We have to become people of the story. Let God's Word shape us.
2. We need to immerse ourselves more into the story of Jesus (read, study, digest the four gospels).
3. We need to examine more carefully how the story of Israel, Jesus, and the church by the Apostles transformed the next generation and culture and the connection of that generation all the way to our generation.
4. We need to reframe and contrast our story against the myriad of false stories.
5. We need to disciple and live as transformed people by the gospel story.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Evangelicalism: Is it still worth fighting for?
I am looking forward to reading D. A. Carson's new book "Evangelicalism." Evangelicalism is neither dead or over but many are seeing great glaring problems or holes in the bottom of the boat that desperately need to be fixed. One of the reasons I understand Carson wrote the book was his disagreement and critique of Mark Noll's book "Is the Reformation Over?" Noll in contrarian fashion answers with a "yes" and a No." Yes in the sense of how Catholics and Protestants understand the gospel and salvation (justification by faith) but no in the sense that the Protestant vision of scripture checking tradition and gospel checking contemporary practices of the church are still needed. I suspect Carson still views the Catholic Church vision on salvation as still defective but I will have to wait and see?
What Reformation churches need to come to terms with (and this is not just a Catholic critique) but self-criticism from within it's own ranks is how the Reformation shifted theology from the early church focus on Christology to Soteriology (Salvation) and how the gospel has also mutated and shifted from the story of Israel, Jesus, and the church to the a simple four or five point exercise called "the plan of salvation" or what Scot McKnight calls "the gospel of Soterians."
Christianity today in the Western Church has become a gospel of salvation without discipleship and a private enterprise disconnected from real life (the sacred and secular split). What we continue to see is what Bonhoeffer called "cheap grace" or what others call "powerless Christianity." Either way the corporate dimensions of faith, the heart of discipleship, and transformation and missions must once again come to the forefront of Western Christianity if it is going to go out with a bang and not simply more and more disappear with a whimper.
What Reformation churches need to come to terms with (and this is not just a Catholic critique) but self-criticism from within it's own ranks is how the Reformation shifted theology from the early church focus on Christology to Soteriology (Salvation) and how the gospel has also mutated and shifted from the story of Israel, Jesus, and the church to the a simple four or five point exercise called "the plan of salvation" or what Scot McKnight calls "the gospel of Soterians."
Christianity today in the Western Church has become a gospel of salvation without discipleship and a private enterprise disconnected from real life (the sacred and secular split). What we continue to see is what Bonhoeffer called "cheap grace" or what others call "powerless Christianity." Either way the corporate dimensions of faith, the heart of discipleship, and transformation and missions must once again come to the forefront of Western Christianity if it is going to go out with a bang and not simply more and more disappear with a whimper.
Monday, October 10, 2011
The Great Reversal
"ONE PEOPLE SHALL BE STRONGER THAN THER OTHER, AND THE OLDER SHALL SERVE THE YOUNGER" - Genesis 25:23b
The Bible from cover to cover is full of reversals. The oldest son is to have the greatest blessings in the Jewish culture. Here we see twins, Esau and Jacob and the youngest gets the spriritual inheritance while the oldest sqaunders it for a pottage of stew. Can it be that we often look at things from the top down when God says his order is just the reverse of ours?
Does not scripture tell us that its the weak who are strong, that the foolish are wise, the poor are rich, and the meek shall inherit the earth. Do we really believe that? Scripture is about reversal after reversal. The great day of the Lord as a day of judgment is suddenly in Acts chapter two a day of salvation. "This is that" but it's not like anything we expected. Death looks like the end but then we have resurrection, the greatest game changer and biggest reversal of all.
When Jesus told parables and stories, the bad guys often become the good guys and the good guys don't look so good in the end. Can it be that when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we still have things backwards? Discipleship should come before evangelism and not the other way around? Should we not emphasize Jesus Lordship even before a person comes to term with Jesus as Savior? Can it be that the first really shall be last and least and forgotten become the greatest?
The Bible from cover to cover is full of reversals. The oldest son is to have the greatest blessings in the Jewish culture. Here we see twins, Esau and Jacob and the youngest gets the spriritual inheritance while the oldest sqaunders it for a pottage of stew. Can it be that we often look at things from the top down when God says his order is just the reverse of ours?
Does not scripture tell us that its the weak who are strong, that the foolish are wise, the poor are rich, and the meek shall inherit the earth. Do we really believe that? Scripture is about reversal after reversal. The great day of the Lord as a day of judgment is suddenly in Acts chapter two a day of salvation. "This is that" but it's not like anything we expected. Death looks like the end but then we have resurrection, the greatest game changer and biggest reversal of all.
When Jesus told parables and stories, the bad guys often become the good guys and the good guys don't look so good in the end. Can it be that when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we still have things backwards? Discipleship should come before evangelism and not the other way around? Should we not emphasize Jesus Lordship even before a person comes to term with Jesus as Savior? Can it be that the first really shall be last and least and forgotten become the greatest?
Monday, October 3, 2011
To Protect and To Serve
The new courageous movie has a little of everything. A great script, humor, action, and a great challenge to fathers who want to be the men that God has called them to be. The movie is not just about the challenges and courage of policemen but also the behind the scene challenges of life and family struggles. I saw grown men weep at this movie and I needed a few tissues myself. For a well done movie in every way, I highly recommend the new movie "Courageous." If there is something missing in many Christian homes and families, it is courage under fire!
There are also workbooks that men and women can work through called "Resolution." This ais another way discipleship can work within the context of families. I still remember the impact the movie 'fireproof" had on families, but even more the fireproof book was a tool I saw literally saved several marriages that were crumbling. If husband and wives are not doing some kind of discipleship study togetether, I would recommend this one to couples.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Decisionism versus Discipleship
MUCH OF WHAT CHRISTIANS AND THE CHURCH PROCLAIM IS NOT WHAT JESUS AND THE APOSTLES PREACHED - Scot McKnight
I had said recently that I have come to the conclusion that church membership diminishes discipleship. Why should people choose the difficult way of discipleship when the easy road of church membership already has them "in" the church. It's like handing a college graduation certificate to students and telling them "we hope you take the classes." How many college students would do the hard work if they were told they already have the completed degree in their hands?
Scot McKnight new book "The King Jesus Gospel" raises some hard questions that the church today needs to answer. Questions like:
1. Is the gospel we are preaching the same gospel of the Scriptures and how is it shaping you into a disciple of Jesus?
2. Is the focus on making disciples in our evangelism or is it simply on getting a decision?
3. Is the "sinners prayer" or "accepting Jesus into our hearts" really spiritually transforming people's lives? Is this the approach that the early Apostles took?
4. Is the gospel and salvation the same thing? If they are not interchangeable, then how are they different?
So McKnight asks the big question: What is the gospel?
How would you answer?
I had said recently that I have come to the conclusion that church membership diminishes discipleship. Why should people choose the difficult way of discipleship when the easy road of church membership already has them "in" the church. It's like handing a college graduation certificate to students and telling them "we hope you take the classes." How many college students would do the hard work if they were told they already have the completed degree in their hands?
Scot McKnight new book "The King Jesus Gospel" raises some hard questions that the church today needs to answer. Questions like:
1. Is the gospel we are preaching the same gospel of the Scriptures and how is it shaping you into a disciple of Jesus?
2. Is the focus on making disciples in our evangelism or is it simply on getting a decision?
3. Is the "sinners prayer" or "accepting Jesus into our hearts" really spiritually transforming people's lives? Is this the approach that the early Apostles took?
4. Is the gospel and salvation the same thing? If they are not interchangeable, then how are they different?
So McKnight asks the big question: What is the gospel?
How would you answer?
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Favorite Song
First John says not to love in word or in talk, but in deed and in truth. I have been meditating on what that means for a couple of weeks, especially the in truth part. Knowing deeds is the easy part. As far as "in truth," I am beginning to think of this as from the heart and in the intentions.
This leads me to this: I can remember from at least my teenage years being conscious of seeking the perfect song. Now, when I listen to music, I do not just listen to the words or the sounds, I listen for the mood, the spirit of the song, if you will. I really did not understand this until recently. In fact, I can think of times in my life where the song had a direct spiritual impact (not saying good or bad as each time could be either or a little of both). Another similar thought would be about the principle of something is the spirit of it(side note).
The end of 2008 and into 2009, something amazing was happening to me in terms of God that I cannot speak of much yet, but I can say that in May of 2009, I found the song that is the most intimate, pertinent song to me that I have ever heard. It is the song that you might say is my Anthem. Interestingly, I have known of the band and this particular album since at least 2003. It is the song This Love by the Christian Rock band Stavesacre. The album is Speakeasy and is available, but I could not find a youtube with the whole song, but this video has it at the beginning. So what's amazing about the timing for me to hear this song. Not only in terms of my own life, but it seems the lyrics are really speaking to the times in which we live. Example:
Revolution is just a word
it loses more each time its heard
won't mean a thing until it hurts
is anyone out there
Passion hoping to find
Someplace safe for it to rise
This love is real
it's pure, this love endures
in burning hearts
taking sides
it sends and it divides
it awakens you
or you sleep as others do
This Love
Now, they are speaking about God's Love, but love by definition, to impose it onto my favorite quote, is unkillable (Truth is unkillable, Balthasar Hubmaier, Anabaptist Martyr). Do we take love as deliberate action as the most powerful force in all of creation? If love cannot be defeated, then what else is there? Evil by definition cannot prevail as since it takes life instead of increasing it, it is temporary. Evil may seem to be more prevalent, but is it not more that it is more overt, whereas love is quiet and persistent and willing to go beyond itself for the sake of the other? Well, these are just some random thoughts...
This leads me to this: I can remember from at least my teenage years being conscious of seeking the perfect song. Now, when I listen to music, I do not just listen to the words or the sounds, I listen for the mood, the spirit of the song, if you will. I really did not understand this until recently. In fact, I can think of times in my life where the song had a direct spiritual impact (not saying good or bad as each time could be either or a little of both). Another similar thought would be about the principle of something is the spirit of it(side note).
The end of 2008 and into 2009, something amazing was happening to me in terms of God that I cannot speak of much yet, but I can say that in May of 2009, I found the song that is the most intimate, pertinent song to me that I have ever heard. It is the song that you might say is my Anthem. Interestingly, I have known of the band and this particular album since at least 2003. It is the song This Love by the Christian Rock band Stavesacre. The album is Speakeasy and is available, but I could not find a youtube with the whole song, but this video has it at the beginning. So what's amazing about the timing for me to hear this song. Not only in terms of my own life, but it seems the lyrics are really speaking to the times in which we live. Example:
Revolution is just a word
it loses more each time its heard
won't mean a thing until it hurts
is anyone out there
Passion hoping to find
Someplace safe for it to rise
This love is real
it's pure, this love endures
in burning hearts
taking sides
it sends and it divides
it awakens you
or you sleep as others do
This Love
Now, they are speaking about God's Love, but love by definition, to impose it onto my favorite quote, is unkillable (Truth is unkillable, Balthasar Hubmaier, Anabaptist Martyr). Do we take love as deliberate action as the most powerful force in all of creation? If love cannot be defeated, then what else is there? Evil by definition cannot prevail as since it takes life instead of increasing it, it is temporary. Evil may seem to be more prevalent, but is it not more that it is more overt, whereas love is quiet and persistent and willing to go beyond itself for the sake of the other? Well, these are just some random thoughts...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Who Goes to Hell?
"THERE ARE THREE PLACES WHERE RACIAL DIVISION STILL PERSISTS: BARS, PRISONS, AND THE AMERICAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH" - Francis Chan
The church has often focused on the unchurched as those who are going to hell. What is refreshing of Chan and Pringle's book "Erasing Hell" is the self-critique style and looking at oneself first before they consider looking at others.
They list several ways from Jesus words on why we should take a hard look in the mirror:
1. Our words can condemn us. When we call people fools and condemn others, we are not showing God's kingdom but are actually unwittingly participating in hellish ways. We either speak words of life or death. We speak words of hell that demean others or heaven which esteems others.
2. When we don't help the poor may be an indicator that we are on the road to hell. Chan and Pringle write, "Yet many hellfire preachers are overfed and overpaid, living in luxury while doing nothing for the majority of Christians who live on less than two dollars a day (p.121).
3. Jesus did not warn drunks, thieves, or adulterers about going to hell but he did warn teachers who taught God's word. Teachers of God's Word should take the teachings of hell most seriously since it particularly pertains to them.
4. The lukewarm are in danger of hell. People who confess Jesus with their lips but deny him by their actions that the Bible gives it's strongest warnings to.
As I have been reading the fifth chapter of Chan's and Pringle's book, they sum it up by saying, "Racism, greed, misplaced assurance, false teaching, misuse of wealth, and degrading words to others are the things that damn people" (p.124).
They end with these strong words, "I want to shock my enemies with Christian love."
Now that's a shock that more people could use!
The church has often focused on the unchurched as those who are going to hell. What is refreshing of Chan and Pringle's book "Erasing Hell" is the self-critique style and looking at oneself first before they consider looking at others.
They list several ways from Jesus words on why we should take a hard look in the mirror:
1. Our words can condemn us. When we call people fools and condemn others, we are not showing God's kingdom but are actually unwittingly participating in hellish ways. We either speak words of life or death. We speak words of hell that demean others or heaven which esteems others.
2. When we don't help the poor may be an indicator that we are on the road to hell. Chan and Pringle write, "Yet many hellfire preachers are overfed and overpaid, living in luxury while doing nothing for the majority of Christians who live on less than two dollars a day (p.121).
3. Jesus did not warn drunks, thieves, or adulterers about going to hell but he did warn teachers who taught God's word. Teachers of God's Word should take the teachings of hell most seriously since it particularly pertains to them.
4. The lukewarm are in danger of hell. People who confess Jesus with their lips but deny him by their actions that the Bible gives it's strongest warnings to.
As I have been reading the fifth chapter of Chan's and Pringle's book, they sum it up by saying, "Racism, greed, misplaced assurance, false teaching, misuse of wealth, and degrading words to others are the things that damn people" (p.124).
They end with these strong words, "I want to shock my enemies with Christian love."
Now that's a shock that more people could use!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Take Heed, I have told you all things beforehand - Mark 13:23
"A DREAM IS AN ANSWER TO A QUESTION WE HAVE NOT THOUGHT TO ASK"
(from the X-Files)
We struggle with so many concerns and decisions without realizing that God has many of them handled if we have eyes of faith to see. There are several scriptures that show how God also lets us know some things ahead of time. Like a Father wanting to let His children know what is coming next, God has a way of revealing things before they come about.
The other night I had a dream that is so big and so out of my control that I believe God gave me this idea to pursue. All I know is I have no power or any way of pulling off the idea. Only God can bring it about. I have such a sense of peace and strength knowing that God is going before me and all I have to do is rest in him.
(from the X-Files)
We struggle with so many concerns and decisions without realizing that God has many of them handled if we have eyes of faith to see. There are several scriptures that show how God also lets us know some things ahead of time. Like a Father wanting to let His children know what is coming next, God has a way of revealing things before they come about.
The other night I had a dream that is so big and so out of my control that I believe God gave me this idea to pursue. All I know is I have no power or any way of pulling off the idea. Only God can bring it about. I have such a sense of peace and strength knowing that God is going before me and all I have to do is rest in him.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Scripture or Tradition?
There has been an ongoing discussion between Scripture and its relation to tradition and how our pre-concieved ideas, church dogmas, and repetition of stories in the Bible and how that effects our understanding of the meaning of Scripture. But let me give a few examples of what we have been taught and does what we believe really come from scripture or a subculture of interpretation and tradition about these texts?
1. Doubting Thomas: Why do we refer to Thomas as "doubting Thomas" when there is only one text that shows this failure? Why don't we call the disciples "betrayers of Jesus" or "denying Peter?" Are we not selecting one instance and universalizing it in this instance and not others who do similar things? If Thomas died a martyers death for Jesus, why do we continue to refer to him as the 'doubter?"
2. The Prodigal Son: The Prodical supposedly squandered his inheritance on wild parties and wild women? But how do we know this? Does the Bible actually say this is what the Prodical son did or is this an accusation by the older brother? If there is so much sibling rivalry here, why take the older brother's word for it? The son surely squandered his inheritance but the biblical text actually does not say how he did it?
3. The inn keeper in the birth of Jesus story: How many times have we heard not to be like the innkeeper who had no room for Joseph and Mary in the Inn. Is the innkeeper a negative or positive model in the biblical text? Most people assume bad but where in the text does it say he was bad? Should the innkeeper throw paying customers out? Did Jewish hospitality demand he go the second mile and provide for this young pregnant couple with the place he did provide? Can it be we have heard the story of the bad and cruel innkeeper for so long that we can't see him any other light?
4. Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night: What about the cowardly and fearful Nicodemus who does not even have the courage to come to Jesus in the day but comes at night. Is there anything in the text itself that says that Nicodemus was cowardly or fearful? Were most meetings held at night and could not the night more show the spiritual darkness of Nicodemus for one who was supposed to have been enlightened? How is Nicodemus portrayed in the rest of scripture? Fearful or brave? Cowardly or courageous?
Do not all of us bring some baggage to the biblical text? Is that what the Bible really says or is it something someone else told us it says?
1. Doubting Thomas: Why do we refer to Thomas as "doubting Thomas" when there is only one text that shows this failure? Why don't we call the disciples "betrayers of Jesus" or "denying Peter?" Are we not selecting one instance and universalizing it in this instance and not others who do similar things? If Thomas died a martyers death for Jesus, why do we continue to refer to him as the 'doubter?"
2. The Prodigal Son: The Prodical supposedly squandered his inheritance on wild parties and wild women? But how do we know this? Does the Bible actually say this is what the Prodical son did or is this an accusation by the older brother? If there is so much sibling rivalry here, why take the older brother's word for it? The son surely squandered his inheritance but the biblical text actually does not say how he did it?
3. The inn keeper in the birth of Jesus story: How many times have we heard not to be like the innkeeper who had no room for Joseph and Mary in the Inn. Is the innkeeper a negative or positive model in the biblical text? Most people assume bad but where in the text does it say he was bad? Should the innkeeper throw paying customers out? Did Jewish hospitality demand he go the second mile and provide for this young pregnant couple with the place he did provide? Can it be we have heard the story of the bad and cruel innkeeper for so long that we can't see him any other light?
4. Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night: What about the cowardly and fearful Nicodemus who does not even have the courage to come to Jesus in the day but comes at night. Is there anything in the text itself that says that Nicodemus was cowardly or fearful? Were most meetings held at night and could not the night more show the spiritual darkness of Nicodemus for one who was supposed to have been enlightened? How is Nicodemus portrayed in the rest of scripture? Fearful or brave? Cowardly or courageous?
Do not all of us bring some baggage to the biblical text? Is that what the Bible really says or is it something someone else told us it says?
Interesting economic views
I found these interviews the other day entitled the "Looting of America" )Part 1 of 4 - but the blog I found them on had 5 parts) and they are worth listening to.
I study Catholic Distributism and Anabaptist communitarian leanings. Even though I am "stuck" right now, I envision localism as the answer to much of what our problems are economically.
If God's Kingdom is about the ultimate reality and foundation of all things, then certainly there is a real economy based on that reality. As a whole, it will result in using less technology. This is too brief to go into any detail, but I think the basic lesson is that the level of society that can best handle a certain thing, that is the preferred level to which that said thing should be produced from.
I study Catholic Distributism and Anabaptist communitarian leanings. Even though I am "stuck" right now, I envision localism as the answer to much of what our problems are economically.
If God's Kingdom is about the ultimate reality and foundation of all things, then certainly there is a real economy based on that reality. As a whole, it will result in using less technology. This is too brief to go into any detail, but I think the basic lesson is that the level of society that can best handle a certain thing, that is the preferred level to which that said thing should be produced from.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Luther
"HERE I STAND, I CAN DO NO OTHER!" - Martin Luther
I watched the movie "Luther" today with several other ministers. I could not help but wonder what it would be like to see one movie made by the Catholics and the other to be made by the Lutherans and then compare and contrast the two accounts? This movie was made by the Lutherans showing their perspective on the one who ignited the Protestant Reformation.
Luther is viewed in this film as meloncholy, manic-depressive at times, and full of wit and boldness. Luther is somewhat of an enigma to me. His courage to stand up for truth is daring but his quick temper and sharp tongue showed little mercy towards those he disagreed with. What the movie does is want you to cheer for the rightness and reforms that Luther was pressing the Roman Catholic Church to respond to. One is tempted to simply hurray the courage to break away and start another church but I for one am saddened when catholicity is thought so little of today and division is seen as normal and sometimes preferable to unity.
Jesus last prayer was for unity and I believe many of the early apostles to other church leaders throughout history have literally died for unity. Are we as quick to fight for unity as we are for truth? Are we as quick to surrender ourselves to others as we are to defend ourselves and condemn others? Which way is really the way of Christ?
Luther is viewed in this film as meloncholy, manic-depressive at times, and full of wit and boldness. Luther is somewhat of an enigma to me. His courage to stand up for truth is daring but his quick temper and sharp tongue showed little mercy towards those he disagreed with. What the movie does is want you to cheer for the rightness and reforms that Luther was pressing the Roman Catholic Church to respond to. One is tempted to simply hurray the courage to break away and start another church but I for one am saddened when catholicity is thought so little of today and division is seen as normal and sometimes preferable to unity.
Jesus last prayer was for unity and I believe many of the early apostles to other church leaders throughout history have literally died for unity. Are we as quick to fight for unity as we are for truth? Are we as quick to surrender ourselves to others as we are to defend ourselves and condemn others? Which way is really the way of Christ?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Working Class Hero
On the Merry Monk's blog he put a video of John Lennon's Working Class Hero on for Labor Day. It does have a couple choice words on it, but through that I found a more recent version by Green Day here(Official Video) and here(live on American Idol) - these two do not have any choice words.
Anyway, and here is where it hits me, the official video, which Green Day put together for an album to support the stop of genocide in Darfur (sp?), is perhaps one of the greatest music videos I have watched. I have not seen a band put so much of their heart and soul out there and in the live version there is much the same emphasis.
Which leads me to another thing. They have survivors talk about some experiences and the emotion in the whole video is truly from God's heart... A question that I have been asking and having to live in for the last few years is this, and I cannot hold a candle (no pun intended from the end of the video) to the experiences that are talked about on the video: How do we hold onto the flame for life when (and the words from John Lennon even hint at the fact that things in life try to take our spirit) we go through difficult to impossible circumstances. You can see it on their faces... This desire to conquer by the good rather than by evil.
I love how they end the song both in sound and visually. Truly humble in my opinion...
Anyway, and here is where it hits me, the official video, which Green Day put together for an album to support the stop of genocide in Darfur (sp?), is perhaps one of the greatest music videos I have watched. I have not seen a band put so much of their heart and soul out there and in the live version there is much the same emphasis.
Which leads me to another thing. They have survivors talk about some experiences and the emotion in the whole video is truly from God's heart... A question that I have been asking and having to live in for the last few years is this, and I cannot hold a candle (no pun intended from the end of the video) to the experiences that are talked about on the video: How do we hold onto the flame for life when (and the words from John Lennon even hint at the fact that things in life try to take our spirit) we go through difficult to impossible circumstances. You can see it on their faces... This desire to conquer by the good rather than by evil.
One of my favorite stories is from the book Desert Wisdom and the link I posted earlier to this Orthodox Writing has the quote from the book at the end of the article. Here it is for emphasis:
"Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said: Abba, as much as I am able I practice a small rule, a little fasting, some prayer and meditation, and remain quiet, and as much as possible keep my thoughts clean. What else should I do? Then the old man stood up and stretched out his hands toward heaven, and his fingers became like ten torches of flame. And he said: If you wish you can become all flame." (Nomura, 2001, p. 92)
Whatever you do, do to the glory of God eh? What does that not mean except what is exemplified here? To seek first the Kingdom of God (within) that is the flame that lights up all of our lives? I want you to think about this: We are born into this world kicking and screaming against our wills. Life appears to be against us from the very start. But greater is the will to live forever (eternity, is it not calling to us?) than all of that.
Rabbinic Stories for the Christian Soul
I am really excited for my first book to be published. This was a work in progress that took many years. If you would like a copy of the book, you can get it at:
www.createspace.com/3660907
I wrote this book with the Bible in one hand and the Talmud in the other. The Rabbinic stories are so powerful and beautiful that they alone are worth the price of the book. There are 40 chapters that reveal how these two ancient writings overlap and complement one another. I am reminded of Abraham Heschel's inspiring words, "The Bible is primarily not man's vision of God but God's vision of man. The Bible is not man's theology but God's anthropology."
www.createspace.com/3660907
I wrote this book with the Bible in one hand and the Talmud in the other. The Rabbinic stories are so powerful and beautiful that they alone are worth the price of the book. There are 40 chapters that reveal how these two ancient writings overlap and complement one another. I am reminded of Abraham Heschel's inspiring words, "The Bible is primarily not man's vision of God but God's vision of man. The Bible is not man's theology but God's anthropology."
We See As We Are
WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO RECREATE JESUS IN OUR OWN IMAGE - Francis Chan
We are quick to point out the many cultural distortions that lead to idolatry. Every kind of ism from nationalism, sexism, racism, militarism, and consumerism. But what about the many ways we make Jesus into our own image? We do like the first chapter of Romans says and turn the Creator into the creation or we return the favor at the beginning of the Bible and "make God into our own image."
Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle deal with the problem of finding in the Bible what we want to find in the Bible. If we want to find hell in the Bible then it is there. If we don't want to find it then it is not there (at least the dark grueling apocalyptic imagery that scares the hell out of us if we believe in hell at all).
I remember many years ago when the owner of a Christian bookstore told me that Jesus was a Republican. She said unashamedly, "Doesn't everyone know that Jesus was a Republican!" This tells me more about the person making such comments than it actually does about Jesus. We like to think Jesus is just like us, all the way down to the flag we raise to our voting preferences.
Chapter two of Chan's and Sprinkle's book is provocatively called, "Has Hell Changed? Or have we?
Good question . . . .
We are quick to point out the many cultural distortions that lead to idolatry. Every kind of ism from nationalism, sexism, racism, militarism, and consumerism. But what about the many ways we make Jesus into our own image? We do like the first chapter of Romans says and turn the Creator into the creation or we return the favor at the beginning of the Bible and "make God into our own image."
Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle deal with the problem of finding in the Bible what we want to find in the Bible. If we want to find hell in the Bible then it is there. If we don't want to find it then it is not there (at least the dark grueling apocalyptic imagery that scares the hell out of us if we believe in hell at all).
I remember many years ago when the owner of a Christian bookstore told me that Jesus was a Republican. She said unashamedly, "Doesn't everyone know that Jesus was a Republican!" This tells me more about the person making such comments than it actually does about Jesus. We like to think Jesus is just like us, all the way down to the flag we raise to our voting preferences.
Chapter two of Chan's and Sprinkle's book is provocatively called, "Has Hell Changed? Or have we?
Good question . . . .
Friday, September 2, 2011
A Discipleship Question
Everyone has questions for the Bible but how often do we listen to the Bible question us? In this vital area of discipleship which prepares God's people for mission and unity, here is a striking question that comes from God's word to us today.
"God's Word says in the last days there will be great tribulation and persecution and many Christians will even die for their faith. How are we preparing God's people to go through this?"
I will be praying and reflecting on this more but it seems to me one group of people who are living this out is the persecuted global church around the world outside of western Europe and North America. How they are doing it and how they are being trained, equipped, and prepared for a kind of "last days" ministries is a burning question that should haunt each one of us until we begin discovering the answer for ourselves and for those around us.
"God's Word says in the last days there will be great tribulation and persecution and many Christians will even die for their faith. How are we preparing God's people to go through this?"
I will be praying and reflecting on this more but it seems to me one group of people who are living this out is the persecuted global church around the world outside of western Europe and North America. How they are doing it and how they are being trained, equipped, and prepared for a kind of "last days" ministries is a burning question that should haunt each one of us until we begin discovering the answer for ourselves and for those around us.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Spiritual Resilience
I read a lot about economics and current economic trends. I read Anabaptist literature, Catholic Distributism, and Austrian economics. Without caricaturing it, I believe Inside Catholic blog follows a more libertarian/ republican slant, which is fine. I read this article last night and I think the author is spot on. Both of my Grandmothers lived through the great depression so I am familiar with what he is talking about as I am sure a lot of people are as well. I would say one was more affected than the other in some respects.
Anyway, while reading the comments, one quote really resonated with me: "I think the key to survival may soon be spiritual resilience. That’s an unconventional thought at the moment, but it soon will become conventional."
This last couple of years, God has been gently moving me to seek His courage. The bible character that He particularly used was Joseph of Arimathea. His part in the burial of Jesus is in all four gospels. In them, one says he (ESV version) took courage (other translations might use boldly) and in another says that he was afraid. In another, this is the point in which Pilate directs the soldiers to report whether they are dead or not - perhaps Joseph was at the crucifixion and witnessed the final moments of Jesus' death... Can you imagine being God's undertaker. Where were the disciples? Joseph took a huge risk as he was a pharisee and a secret disciple.
So what is this spiritual resilience and courage going to look like? I will offer my sense and understanding, which is still forming. This is the sense that no matter what kind of circumstances or difficulties we encounter, that our sense about who God is and what life is in reality, we do not reduce ourselves to the level of animals. We would rather die than to deprive others of life. We will Seek First the Kingdom of God and do what is in our ability to do consistent with God and His nature. It is not "every man for himself" but "every man for every man."
Here is the rub, the commenter mentioned thought. My sense is that this is something that needs to become intentional and sought after. We are not going to be resilient if we do nothing. We need to order our lives in such a way that the conditions for us to grow into this, and it is the old word fortitude (see Thomas Aquinas in the Summa for some understanding of that word in the 1200's), is possible.
All for now.
Anyway, while reading the comments, one quote really resonated with me: "I think the key to survival may soon be spiritual resilience. That’s an unconventional thought at the moment, but it soon will become conventional."
This last couple of years, God has been gently moving me to seek His courage. The bible character that He particularly used was Joseph of Arimathea. His part in the burial of Jesus is in all four gospels. In them, one says he (ESV version) took courage (other translations might use boldly) and in another says that he was afraid. In another, this is the point in which Pilate directs the soldiers to report whether they are dead or not - perhaps Joseph was at the crucifixion and witnessed the final moments of Jesus' death... Can you imagine being God's undertaker. Where were the disciples? Joseph took a huge risk as he was a pharisee and a secret disciple.
So what is this spiritual resilience and courage going to look like? I will offer my sense and understanding, which is still forming. This is the sense that no matter what kind of circumstances or difficulties we encounter, that our sense about who God is and what life is in reality, we do not reduce ourselves to the level of animals. We would rather die than to deprive others of life. We will Seek First the Kingdom of God and do what is in our ability to do consistent with God and His nature. It is not "every man for himself" but "every man for every man."
Here is the rub, the commenter mentioned thought. My sense is that this is something that needs to become intentional and sought after. We are not going to be resilient if we do nothing. We need to order our lives in such a way that the conditions for us to grow into this, and it is the old word fortitude (see Thomas Aquinas in the Summa for some understanding of that word in the 1200's), is possible.
All for now.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
If it is not in the Bible, it is of the Devil
THE DEVIL DOES NOT PRODUCE LOVE FOR THE TRUTH AND REVERANCE FOR THE WORD - Michael Brown
"Where in the Bible does it say that?" often gets translated by some biblicists to mean something then must be either wrong, evil, or of the Devil. Where is the historical precedent for that in the Bible? That doesn't fit with my understanding of God's Word so it must be wrong! If Jesus did not fit current expectations of the Messiah, can we be wrong about some of our expectations today of God? If Jesus was viewed as crazy, a false prophet, and against Moses which means against God's Word, could we do the same today with God working in ways that are outside of our current knowledge or experience?
Here would be some ways I'm sure the religious leaders of Jesus day knew that Jesus could not have been from God because he did not fit their understanding of Scripture:
1. Jesus first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding party. Does not Proverbs 20:1 teach, "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler? whoever is lead astray by them is not wise."
2. Jesus family thinks he is crazy and he making deals with demons (remember the story of the Gerasenes man?). Where do you even see demons being cast out of people before Jesus came on the scene?
3. Jesus says if we are going to follow him then we must hate our parents. My Bible says honor your parents and love them.
4. Jesus says if we are going to inherit eternal life, we must drink his blood and eat his flesh. No one has ever said such outrageous things before!
5. Jesus said he was going to suffer and die on a cross but every good Jew knows that the Messiah is going to be a reigning King and not a dying criminal!
"Show me that in the Bible!" Where are we told in Scripture to marry a prostitute like Hosea did or walk around naked like Isaiah did? The larger issue is not if there is a historical precedent or it's not in the Bible but is the practice or issue contrary to the Word of God! We certainly need wisdom and discernment on such issues but isn't the underlying issue whether or not something is in clear contradiction to God's Word?
Just asking . . . .
"Where in the Bible does it say that?" often gets translated by some biblicists to mean something then must be either wrong, evil, or of the Devil. Where is the historical precedent for that in the Bible? That doesn't fit with my understanding of God's Word so it must be wrong! If Jesus did not fit current expectations of the Messiah, can we be wrong about some of our expectations today of God? If Jesus was viewed as crazy, a false prophet, and against Moses which means against God's Word, could we do the same today with God working in ways that are outside of our current knowledge or experience?
Here would be some ways I'm sure the religious leaders of Jesus day knew that Jesus could not have been from God because he did not fit their understanding of Scripture:
1. Jesus first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding party. Does not Proverbs 20:1 teach, "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler? whoever is lead astray by them is not wise."
2. Jesus family thinks he is crazy and he making deals with demons (remember the story of the Gerasenes man?). Where do you even see demons being cast out of people before Jesus came on the scene?
3. Jesus says if we are going to follow him then we must hate our parents. My Bible says honor your parents and love them.
4. Jesus says if we are going to inherit eternal life, we must drink his blood and eat his flesh. No one has ever said such outrageous things before!
5. Jesus said he was going to suffer and die on a cross but every good Jew knows that the Messiah is going to be a reigning King and not a dying criminal!
"Show me that in the Bible!" Where are we told in Scripture to marry a prostitute like Hosea did or walk around naked like Isaiah did? The larger issue is not if there is a historical precedent or it's not in the Bible but is the practice or issue contrary to the Word of God! We certainly need wisdom and discernment on such issues but isn't the underlying issue whether or not something is in clear contradiction to God's Word?
Just asking . . . .
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Bible Made Impossible
WE NEED TO DISCOVER THE DEEPER SPIRITUAL MEANING THAT CAN BE SEEN TO BE THE FULFILLMENT TO WHICH THE LITERAL POINTS
Christian Smith may not be a well known name but his book "The Bible Made Impossible" is certainly stirring some conversation between people who want to assert the full authority of Scripture while dealing with the problem of many diverse interpretations of the same biblical texts. How Christians read the Bible is becoming more and more problematic rather than building unity and consensus among faithful believers. Christian Smith wants followers of Jesus to take more credible steps when it comes to scripture, church, and tradition. Here is a list of some of the ways Christian biblicists try to deal with the knotty issue of interpretive pluralism.
1. Biblicists rarely know how to handle texts that frankly everyone ignores because no one lives by them.
2. Some problem texts are explained away by appeals to cultural relativity.
3. Some passages in the Bible are so strange that they are better left alone.
4. Some texts seem to contradict or are incompatible with other biblical texts.
Here are how some of these problems are handled by biblicists according to Smith's study:
1. Ignore the problem texts (a kind of ostrich stick your head in the sand approach).
2. Interpret the problem texts to say things the texts actually do not say.
3. Build huge and complex analogies and illustrations to rescue the texts but in actual life make no practical sense.
Christian Smith proposes what I call a Catholic-Evangelical approach that takes Christ the living Word as the key to solving many of the problems and letting the Bible be the Bible rather than trying to turn it into something it is not. Smith proposes a post-biblicist approach to reading and understanding the Scriptures. He does not believe this will magically do away with interpretive pluralism but he does believe it will have much better results than what we have currently seen with Evangelical biblicism.
I tend to agree that a more humble approach that has Christ as the focus and which understands progressive revelation and the role of the Holy Spirit in more dynamic and flexible ways can be several steps forward in the malaise of global interpretive pluralism.
Christian Smith may not be a well known name but his book "The Bible Made Impossible" is certainly stirring some conversation between people who want to assert the full authority of Scripture while dealing with the problem of many diverse interpretations of the same biblical texts. How Christians read the Bible is becoming more and more problematic rather than building unity and consensus among faithful believers. Christian Smith wants followers of Jesus to take more credible steps when it comes to scripture, church, and tradition. Here is a list of some of the ways Christian biblicists try to deal with the knotty issue of interpretive pluralism.
1. Biblicists rarely know how to handle texts that frankly everyone ignores because no one lives by them.
2. Some problem texts are explained away by appeals to cultural relativity.
3. Some passages in the Bible are so strange that they are better left alone.
4. Some texts seem to contradict or are incompatible with other biblical texts.
Here are how some of these problems are handled by biblicists according to Smith's study:
1. Ignore the problem texts (a kind of ostrich stick your head in the sand approach).
2. Interpret the problem texts to say things the texts actually do not say.
3. Build huge and complex analogies and illustrations to rescue the texts but in actual life make no practical sense.
Christian Smith proposes what I call a Catholic-Evangelical approach that takes Christ the living Word as the key to solving many of the problems and letting the Bible be the Bible rather than trying to turn it into something it is not. Smith proposes a post-biblicist approach to reading and understanding the Scriptures. He does not believe this will magically do away with interpretive pluralism but he does believe it will have much better results than what we have currently seen with Evangelical biblicism.
I tend to agree that a more humble approach that has Christ as the focus and which understands progressive revelation and the role of the Holy Spirit in more dynamic and flexible ways can be several steps forward in the malaise of global interpretive pluralism.
Whose Will? Which God?
PERVASIVE INTERPRETIVE PLURALISM IS THE PROVERBIAL MASSIVE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM OF EVANGELICAL BIBLICISM THAT NOBODY TALKS ABOUT
- Christian Smith
I am currently reading Christian Smith's "The Bible made Impossible" which is about why biblicism is not truly the best way for Christians to read the Bible. Biblicism is to be the knock down answer to all questions and problems we face in life. Whatever the issue or problem, the Bible has the answer. Biblicism often is guilty of prooftexting the Bible because of its own latent dogmatism. Christian Smith's thesis is simple. If biblicism is true, why are there so many diverse and plural interpretations of the Bible? Smith is unswerving to let the reader know and beware that no matter how one tries to duck or get by this issue, the problem still persists nevertheless.
This brings me back to Francis Chan and Preston Springle book. An interesting illustration to apply to discipleship and life questions is following God's will. Chan and Springle make a remarkable illustration of how Samson broke God's "moral will" by loving a pagan woman but followed God's "decreed will" which prompted Samson to fight against the Philistines (see Judges 14:4). But doesn't this sound like we are pitting God's moral will against His decreed will? And where does one find these kind of distinctions and divisions within Scripture itself?
Although I find Chan's and Springle's observation here intriguing, I can't help but wonder if foreign categories and a some kind of systematic theology is leading the interpretation of Scripture rather than Scripture leading our systematic theology. And how does this bear out in life? God's decreed will trumps His moral will at times? It seems like there are a whole lot of baggage being brought into this discussion that actually isn't from Scripture itself. So coming back to Smith's interpretative pluralism, doesn't this become just one more interpretation among many others of the same biblical text? Biblicism always sounds good but it does appear when the rubber hits the road, the problems are legion.
- Christian Smith
I am currently reading Christian Smith's "The Bible made Impossible" which is about why biblicism is not truly the best way for Christians to read the Bible. Biblicism is to be the knock down answer to all questions and problems we face in life. Whatever the issue or problem, the Bible has the answer. Biblicism often is guilty of prooftexting the Bible because of its own latent dogmatism. Christian Smith's thesis is simple. If biblicism is true, why are there so many diverse and plural interpretations of the Bible? Smith is unswerving to let the reader know and beware that no matter how one tries to duck or get by this issue, the problem still persists nevertheless.
This brings me back to Francis Chan and Preston Springle book. An interesting illustration to apply to discipleship and life questions is following God's will. Chan and Springle make a remarkable illustration of how Samson broke God's "moral will" by loving a pagan woman but followed God's "decreed will" which prompted Samson to fight against the Philistines (see Judges 14:4). But doesn't this sound like we are pitting God's moral will against His decreed will? And where does one find these kind of distinctions and divisions within Scripture itself?
Although I find Chan's and Springle's observation here intriguing, I can't help but wonder if foreign categories and a some kind of systematic theology is leading the interpretation of Scripture rather than Scripture leading our systematic theology. And how does this bear out in life? God's decreed will trumps His moral will at times? It seems like there are a whole lot of baggage being brought into this discussion that actually isn't from Scripture itself. So coming back to Smith's interpretative pluralism, doesn't this become just one more interpretation among many others of the same biblical text? Biblicism always sounds good but it does appear when the rubber hits the road, the problems are legion.
Erasing Hell
GOD HAS A RIGHT TO DO WHATEVER HE PLEASES . . . WE NEED TO ASK GOD TO HELP US THINK RIGHTLY ABOUT HELL - Francis Chan
There are so many response books coming out on Rob Bell's book "Love Wins." Obviously Bell's book hit a nerve within the Christian community. One of the more popular books I am currently reading is Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle's "Erasing Hell." I for one after reading Bell's book would like to say that Rob Bell did not erase hell, but he did soften it and possibly tried to empty it of its finality. Does hell matter? Chan and Sprinkle certainly think so and say it does matter. One may wonder if this doctrine actually effects a person's personal salvation or not but how we practice our faith in regards to others around us may very well impact their salvation!
Where Bell's book convicted me the most is the hypocrisy of the traditional viewpoint that doesn't seem to stir people to witness to other people about their faith in Christ anymore than it does people who profess faith in Christ and do not believe in hell. Bell's book is a 'wake up" call for anyone who wants to think deeply about these issues rather than simply ignoring them or not thinking about them at all.
There is a profound humility and honesty in Chan's and Sprinkle's book which is refreshing. They may deal with history and biblical exposition on contested biblical passages better than Bell but there still seems to be a popularized version of Evangelical interpretation of history that I for one find problematic.
For example, Origen's universalism is so different than later eighteenth century enlightenment thinkers that it is really not fair to link them together in some way. Origen is an early Christian martyr and early church father. Again, I find it troubling to link the condemnation of later Origenists (who miscontrued Origen's teachings) to somehow to Origen himself (which the early council did but the long history itself actually tells a different story). One of the ways to learn from Origen in being a disciple of Jesus is how intellectually credible Origen made his Christian views to the people of his day and even how he was willing to be torutured and killed for his Christian faith. How many Christians are willing to risk all for the gospel of Jesus Christ? If Origen is a universalist, I wish there were more like him! Where are those Christians who take a more tradititional take on hell when it comes to sharing one's faith and laying one life down for others?
I would love to hear a conversation between Rob Bell and Francis Chan because I cannot help but wonder if they are not talking past each other on some of these very important issues.
There are so many response books coming out on Rob Bell's book "Love Wins." Obviously Bell's book hit a nerve within the Christian community. One of the more popular books I am currently reading is Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle's "Erasing Hell." I for one after reading Bell's book would like to say that Rob Bell did not erase hell, but he did soften it and possibly tried to empty it of its finality. Does hell matter? Chan and Sprinkle certainly think so and say it does matter. One may wonder if this doctrine actually effects a person's personal salvation or not but how we practice our faith in regards to others around us may very well impact their salvation!
Where Bell's book convicted me the most is the hypocrisy of the traditional viewpoint that doesn't seem to stir people to witness to other people about their faith in Christ anymore than it does people who profess faith in Christ and do not believe in hell. Bell's book is a 'wake up" call for anyone who wants to think deeply about these issues rather than simply ignoring them or not thinking about them at all.
There is a profound humility and honesty in Chan's and Sprinkle's book which is refreshing. They may deal with history and biblical exposition on contested biblical passages better than Bell but there still seems to be a popularized version of Evangelical interpretation of history that I for one find problematic.
For example, Origen's universalism is so different than later eighteenth century enlightenment thinkers that it is really not fair to link them together in some way. Origen is an early Christian martyr and early church father. Again, I find it troubling to link the condemnation of later Origenists (who miscontrued Origen's teachings) to somehow to Origen himself (which the early council did but the long history itself actually tells a different story). One of the ways to learn from Origen in being a disciple of Jesus is how intellectually credible Origen made his Christian views to the people of his day and even how he was willing to be torutured and killed for his Christian faith. How many Christians are willing to risk all for the gospel of Jesus Christ? If Origen is a universalist, I wish there were more like him! Where are those Christians who take a more tradititional take on hell when it comes to sharing one's faith and laying one life down for others?
I would love to hear a conversation between Rob Bell and Francis Chan because I cannot help but wonder if they are not talking past each other on some of these very important issues.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Christ Room
Some time ago, I read an exert from John Chrysostom about Christ Rooms. One of these days it might come back to me. However, last night I had a chance to read some from the distributist review. In this particular article, he mentioned the Christ Rooms in reference to Dorothy Day. So I searched under Christ Rooms and here was an interesting old article from her. I had a chance to read it today and now there is another book I need to read/buy... Of course, I hope to find a first edition from 1937 which I think will be possible. Anyway, given what is going on in our world today, is this not something that needs to be a focus of every home?
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Mystic, Counselor, Friend
Jerry Park was the most annointed-gifted counselor I have ever met. Jerry could listen to you for a few minutes and start telling you things about your life that you never told him. He was an amazing friend and most known for his friendship with God. "Jerry, you will be greatly missed. This is not goodbye but just we'll meet later dear friend!"
By Chris Criminger
By Chris Criminger
Remembering Tombstone
Wyatt Eerp: Why does Ringo do all the bad he does?
Doc Holiday: Revenge! Revenge for being born!
There have been several great movies made about the gunfight at the O. K. Corrall but one of the best westerns ever was the movie "Tombstone" with a great story, cinematography, and cast like Kurt Russell, Van Kilmer, Sam Elliot, and Charleston Heston to name a few. This is not only a great western but has great theological remarks throughout this film.
Kurt Russell plays the famous Wyatt Eerp and Van Kilmer does the most remarkable acting job of his career playing Doc Holiday. The movie raises theological issues such as justice, vengeance, sin, evil, and why should we do good? Doc Holiday says things like "its not about vengeance but a day of reckoning." There are apocalyptic hints throughout the movie like what happens after you die and is there really justice in this life (or the life to come?).
One of my favorite parts of the movie is where Kate, Doc Holiday's woman is constantly pushing him to extreme behaviors of drinking, gambling, and sex. Doc learns he is dying and he has to give up these things if he is going to survive his sickness. Kate presses her body against Doc Holiday, puts a cigarette in his mouth and fills his whiskey glass. She says, "I've been good to you . . . Haven't I been a good woman?"
In an unforgetable moment, Doc Holiday looks at her and says, "It appears you are a good woman OR you might be the Anti-Christ!"
Wow, does evil come clothed in the beautiful and the subtle? Maybe the contemporary song has a point that the Devil often comes in bluejeans?
Doc Holiday: Revenge! Revenge for being born!
There have been several great movies made about the gunfight at the O. K. Corrall but one of the best westerns ever was the movie "Tombstone" with a great story, cinematography, and cast like Kurt Russell, Van Kilmer, Sam Elliot, and Charleston Heston to name a few. This is not only a great western but has great theological remarks throughout this film.
Kurt Russell plays the famous Wyatt Eerp and Van Kilmer does the most remarkable acting job of his career playing Doc Holiday. The movie raises theological issues such as justice, vengeance, sin, evil, and why should we do good? Doc Holiday says things like "its not about vengeance but a day of reckoning." There are apocalyptic hints throughout the movie like what happens after you die and is there really justice in this life (or the life to come?).
One of my favorite parts of the movie is where Kate, Doc Holiday's woman is constantly pushing him to extreme behaviors of drinking, gambling, and sex. Doc learns he is dying and he has to give up these things if he is going to survive his sickness. Kate presses her body against Doc Holiday, puts a cigarette in his mouth and fills his whiskey glass. She says, "I've been good to you . . . Haven't I been a good woman?"
In an unforgetable moment, Doc Holiday looks at her and says, "It appears you are a good woman OR you might be the Anti-Christ!"
Wow, does evil come clothed in the beautiful and the subtle? Maybe the contemporary song has a point that the Devil often comes in bluejeans?
Books I am reading
The book that I am going to be primarily reading for hopefully the next year - I have been a very slow reader the last number of years, is the book entitled Mystical Elements of Religion by Friedrich von Hugel. Volume I and II can be found online for free. This is my philosophy on my library: I buy books predominately, and I am foolish enough to know that I will make exceptions, that I want to not only read, but to be able to access whenever I want to. However, with this book, for where I am in my life, this is a book I really want to finish soon. He started to write a biography of St. Catherine of Genoa, but ended up writing a book broader in scope.
Romans 8:28
I have been thinking about Romans 8:28 for some time now. Last week or so, I did a search under meaning when I had a little time because I was particularly thinking of what Greek word for love is in that verse. What I found as the first link was actually very interesting. It is written from a Mennonite perspective. Now, one of the areas of Christianity that I study is the Anabaptist and the Reformation. When it comes to salvation and life, I am synergistic, or one who believes in the cooperation in our life between God and us to accomplish the work of our salvation. Therefore, I am comfortable with the coexistence of our free will (although limited) and God's absolute sovereignty/control/origination of all things. Unfortunately with the Wikipedia article linked, it begins with a what I consider an incomplete beginning by starting with the Reformation as in reality, the early church's position in my opinion, prior to Augustine, was synergistic. So to me, the correct "organization" if you will of the Wikipedia article would be to begin with the oldest traditions and then move historically forward.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Farewell, Friend
Chris and I lost a friend a week and a half ago, Pastor Jerry Park. Here is an obituary. Follow the link to the guest book for notes from people who knew him! I only met him March of this year, but a more dedicated follower of Christ I have not met. I knew he was ready at any moment.
On Pain of Heart
I joined a forum site on Christian Mysticism. On the site is a page of interesting videos. One of the videos is with an Orthodox Priest who I think is from Indianapolis, IN (We are in Southern Indiana!). Anyway, the interviewer mentions St. Mark the Ascetic and Pain in the Heart (something like that). When I searched Google under On Pain of Heart, I found this site. Today I was looking for it and found some other sites that mention it.
Anyway, why this calls to me is the idea that when following God, there is an interior suffering (suffering defined as something done to you against your will). An example is suffering against yourself such as when your will is crossed by another.
Anyway, why this calls to me is the idea that when following God, there is an interior suffering (suffering defined as something done to you against your will). An example is suffering against yourself such as when your will is crossed by another.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
"YOU'RE TRYING TO CONTROL THINGS THAT ARE NOT MEANT TO BE CONTROLLED"
- from the movie "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
I remember loving the original Planet of the Apes movie with Charleston Heston. One thing I forgot was how the first movie was so anti-Christian. This is not true of this latest remake which is a prequel to the first movie. One sees a quick picture of a spaceship flying into outerspace to catch the quick reference that this was supposed to represent Charleston Heston and his original crew. What one finds in this prequel is a clever story of how man created his own worst nightmare. Doing something good like finding a cure to altizmer leads scientists to invent a drug that causes a plague that wipes out most of mankind while it gives exceptional intelligence to apes. One also sees the apes also need a kind of savior and one who will lead them out of captivity into the freedom of the jungle once more.
Issues such as good and evil, freedom and slavery, evolution and creation, morality and mores are contrasted in the response of those in the movies as well as the viewers. I have heard several people tell me they are not going to see a movie about apes. But this kind of creative sci-fi genre has a larger story to tell for those who have the time to go see this movie for themselves.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Excellent article on Ancestral Sin
Here is an excellent article entitled "View of Sin in the Early Church" written from an Orthodox Reverend.
I am thoroughly of this viewpoint.
Truth is Unkillable
I am thoroughly of this viewpoint.
Truth is Unkillable
Anam Chara
I have been looking at Mysticism for some time and while viewing some books on Amazon about Mysticism, I came across this author and went and looked at his website.
Interesting Occurrences
So I listened to two awesome new songs this week. On Wednesday, I found this one: Heaven Come My Way by Abandon Kansas from their album Ad Astra Per Aspera (Latin - To the Stars through difficulties - apparently a motto for a whole bunch of different people and one I have not heard but love!)
Yesterday I found this song which I linked in this post as well: Coming My Way.
These two songs are very uplifting!
Truth is Unkillable
Yesterday I found this song which I linked in this post as well: Coming My Way.
These two songs are very uplifting!
Truth is Unkillable
Book Trailers
I have not posted any as I have not made the time too. However, I intend to change that slowly and small as God leads and right now, I am going to begin to post links and such to items I find on the internet of value and interest. I will let Chris carry the banner of original content for now!
Lately, and I am not sure when people started doing this (I am not afraid to admit that I do not follow trends so book trailers appear to have been around for a couple of years at least), I have seen some book trailers that are very profound. Probably the first one I watched was some months ago, Rob Bell's Love Wins, and while I am not going to offer my own opinion about the controversy as I have not read the book, I will say that it was very moving to me.
A couple of weeks ago, I was looking on the internet for just a book of the gospels. This is what I found: The Four Holy Gospels.
Probably close to finding the one above on the four gospels was this book by Jon Tyson and Darren Whitehead: Rumors of God. Ironically, when I went to link the trailer, I found out the book released basically this week.
So yesterday, I went to the merry monk's website (He produces Steve Brown's radio programs - I will tell a personal story about Steve Brown later) and on it was this video: All is Grace. Now what is interesting on this video in addition to the words, is the song! The City Harmonic Coming My Way.
I would be remiss if I did not mention four other book trailers (I bought all four books eventually) that I remembered a few minutes after I was going to go read! I viewed two of these in 2010: Unchristian (Not sure if it is the official book trailer, but it is a preview nonetheless!), The Next Christians (Actually, I follow this author's stuff on the internet so I bought the book at the end of October 2010 so I cannot actually remember if I viewed a book trailer of it or not). The next two I did view the book trailers: Veneer and Quitter
Disclaimer: These are not meant to be advertisements or anything. These all moved my heart.
Truth is Unkillable
Lately, and I am not sure when people started doing this (I am not afraid to admit that I do not follow trends so book trailers appear to have been around for a couple of years at least), I have seen some book trailers that are very profound. Probably the first one I watched was some months ago, Rob Bell's Love Wins, and while I am not going to offer my own opinion about the controversy as I have not read the book, I will say that it was very moving to me.
A couple of weeks ago, I was looking on the internet for just a book of the gospels. This is what I found: The Four Holy Gospels.
Probably close to finding the one above on the four gospels was this book by Jon Tyson and Darren Whitehead: Rumors of God. Ironically, when I went to link the trailer, I found out the book released basically this week.
So yesterday, I went to the merry monk's website (He produces Steve Brown's radio programs - I will tell a personal story about Steve Brown later) and on it was this video: All is Grace. Now what is interesting on this video in addition to the words, is the song! The City Harmonic Coming My Way.
I would be remiss if I did not mention four other book trailers (I bought all four books eventually) that I remembered a few minutes after I was going to go read! I viewed two of these in 2010: Unchristian (Not sure if it is the official book trailer, but it is a preview nonetheless!), The Next Christians (Actually, I follow this author's stuff on the internet so I bought the book at the end of October 2010 so I cannot actually remember if I viewed a book trailer of it or not). The next two I did view the book trailers: Veneer and Quitter
Disclaimer: These are not meant to be advertisements or anything. These all moved my heart.
Truth is Unkillable
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Communion Meditation
"JESUS CAME TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL" - John 3:8
I love the story in 2 Samuel 2:13-17 where David asked for a drink of water from the well of Bethelehem which was totally surrounded by the enemy army of the Phillistines. Three of David's mighty men fought their way through the enemy's camp and brought back David a drink. David was so moved by their willingness to lay down their lives for him that he could not even take the drink given him. These three mighty men of David remind me of three powerful truths for us today.
1. You must know who you are as God's warrior. David's men were completely loyal to David and would do anything for him.
2. To conquer the enemy, you must enter his territory. David's men had the courage to go over to where the stronghold was the toughest and fight.
3. You and God make a majority. David's men knew David and the God he served and they accomplished an impossible task because God went with them into the battle. Three men against the whole Phillistine army!
When it comes to Jesus death and resurrection, we too need to know Jesus is our divine warrior. Jesus overthrew the gates of hell and even conquered death. Jesus knew who he was as God's warrior. Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness and said, "If you are the son of God." Jesus knew he was God's son. Jesus entered Satan's domain. His whole ministry was one of casting out demons, healing the sick, and raising the dead back to life. Jesus came not only to seek and to save the lost but also to destroy the works of the Devil. Finally, Jesus conquered the grave. Not even death could hold Jesus back! Jesus died on the cross so that you could meet his Father.
I love the story in 2 Samuel 2:13-17 where David asked for a drink of water from the well of Bethelehem which was totally surrounded by the enemy army of the Phillistines. Three of David's mighty men fought their way through the enemy's camp and brought back David a drink. David was so moved by their willingness to lay down their lives for him that he could not even take the drink given him. These three mighty men of David remind me of three powerful truths for us today.
1. You must know who you are as God's warrior. David's men were completely loyal to David and would do anything for him.
2. To conquer the enemy, you must enter his territory. David's men had the courage to go over to where the stronghold was the toughest and fight.
3. You and God make a majority. David's men knew David and the God he served and they accomplished an impossible task because God went with them into the battle. Three men against the whole Phillistine army!
When it comes to Jesus death and resurrection, we too need to know Jesus is our divine warrior. Jesus overthrew the gates of hell and even conquered death. Jesus knew who he was as God's warrior. Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness and said, "If you are the son of God." Jesus knew he was God's son. Jesus entered Satan's domain. His whole ministry was one of casting out demons, healing the sick, and raising the dead back to life. Jesus came not only to seek and to save the lost but also to destroy the works of the Devil. Finally, Jesus conquered the grave. Not even death could hold Jesus back! Jesus died on the cross so that you could meet his Father.
If God can raise the dead, He can raise an army
"YOU CANNOT COMBAT A STRONGHOLD OF THE ENEMY IN OTHERS IF THE SAME STRONGHOLD OF THE ENEMY IS IN YOU"
When Jesus washed the disciples feet, he told them that one of them was going to betray him and one of them was not clean. If we are going to be used by God, we must be clean vessels to go forth and do battle in God's power. The church is often weak and compromised because the enemy has infiltrated the church rather than the church infiltrating enemy territory. If we are going to be battle ready and put on the whole armor of God then we need to understand that Jesus is our divine warrior. When I pray to put on the breast plate of righteousness, I know Jesus is my righteousness. When I put on the belt of truth, I know Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. When I put on the shoes of the gospel of peace, I know Jesus is my peace. When I put on the helmet of salvation, I know Jesus is my Savior and redeemer. On and on it goes, Jesus is my joy. Jesus is my strength. Jesus is my all in all!
[picture of Michael the Archangel]
When Jesus washed the disciples feet, he told them that one of them was going to betray him and one of them was not clean. If we are going to be used by God, we must be clean vessels to go forth and do battle in God's power. The church is often weak and compromised because the enemy has infiltrated the church rather than the church infiltrating enemy territory. If we are going to be battle ready and put on the whole armor of God then we need to understand that Jesus is our divine warrior. When I pray to put on the breast plate of righteousness, I know Jesus is my righteousness. When I put on the belt of truth, I know Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. When I put on the shoes of the gospel of peace, I know Jesus is my peace. When I put on the helmet of salvation, I know Jesus is my Savior and redeemer. On and on it goes, Jesus is my joy. Jesus is my strength. Jesus is my all in all!
[picture of Michael the Archangel]
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Church Behind Enemy Lines
CHRISTIANS ARE RESISTANCE FIGHTERS FOR CHRIST, WE ARE COMMANDO UNITS BEHIND ENEMY LINES - Andrew Walker
Our real enemy is not other people but Satan and his demonic cohorts. We need to start thinking of the church as a milatary base to train people in spiritual warfare and not just a hospital ward for sick people. If the church is a hospital, it is battlefield medic center where wounded soldiers are helped to get battle ready for their next mission.
Often the enemy attacks the hardest when we are growing spiritually for God. Where God's work is most evident, it is here the counterattack from the enemy takes place. Satan uses the same old tricks like distraction or false evidence appearing real (fear) or simply getting us to not enter into the fight so that things will go easier or better for us in the present moment.
But if you are going to conquer the enemy, you must enter into his territory. What God wants from each of us is to die to our self-centeredness and walk in God-centeredness where we know and understand both our sinful weaknesses and God's mercy and power for living.
Our real enemy is not other people but Satan and his demonic cohorts. We need to start thinking of the church as a milatary base to train people in spiritual warfare and not just a hospital ward for sick people. If the church is a hospital, it is battlefield medic center where wounded soldiers are helped to get battle ready for their next mission.
Often the enemy attacks the hardest when we are growing spiritually for God. Where God's work is most evident, it is here the counterattack from the enemy takes place. Satan uses the same old tricks like distraction or false evidence appearing real (fear) or simply getting us to not enter into the fight so that things will go easier or better for us in the present moment.
But if you are going to conquer the enemy, you must enter into his territory. What God wants from each of us is to die to our self-centeredness and walk in God-centeredness where we know and understand both our sinful weaknesses and God's mercy and power for living.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Supernaturally Natural
THE QUESTION NOBODY SEEMS TO BE ASKING IS WHEN WE GET TO HEAVEN, COULD IT BE THE EARTH RESTORED TO ITS FULL BEAUTY?
T. S. Eliot, a Christian poet words reminds me that poets can also be prophets. T. S. Eliot said,
"To believe in the supernatural is not simply to believe that after living a successful, material, and fairly virtous life here one will continue to exist in the best possible substitute for this world, or that after living a starved and stunted life here one will be compensated with all the good things one has gone without; it is to believe that the supernatural is the greatest reality here and now."
Do you believe this?
T. S. Eliot, a Christian poet words reminds me that poets can also be prophets. T. S. Eliot said,
"To believe in the supernatural is not simply to believe that after living a successful, material, and fairly virtous life here one will continue to exist in the best possible substitute for this world, or that after living a starved and stunted life here one will be compensated with all the good things one has gone without; it is to believe that the supernatural is the greatest reality here and now."
Do you believe this?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Avenger
IF YOU HAVEN'T MET THE DEVIL TODAY, IT'S BECAUSE YOUR'E GOING IN HIS DIRECTION
I am taking my two boys to see the new Captain America: the First Avenger movie tommorow. The story is about a weak and powerless man who is turned into Captian America who courageously fights evil and darkness where ever it is found. I love these kind of superhero movies but I can't help but wonder that in the end, these movies still promote a kind of war mentality and violence can be redemptive. Jesus took all the violence of the world upon himself so that we could lay down our physical arms and pick up his spiritual weapons. If we look to our technology and weapons of mass destruction to save us, then this becomes another form of idolatry.
War is not our true enemy but it is often a tool that the enemy uses to cause incredible amounts of division and destruction in its path. But what we see in the natural does reveal in the spiritual the true place where Christians must battle the enemy Satan. If we are not entering into the place of spiritual conflIct where God wants to use us the most, we end up fighting among ourselves rather than the One who is the true enemy of faith in Christ. We must never forget, that vengeance is not ours but God's!
I am taking my two boys to see the new Captain America: the First Avenger movie tommorow. The story is about a weak and powerless man who is turned into Captian America who courageously fights evil and darkness where ever it is found. I love these kind of superhero movies but I can't help but wonder that in the end, these movies still promote a kind of war mentality and violence can be redemptive. Jesus took all the violence of the world upon himself so that we could lay down our physical arms and pick up his spiritual weapons. If we look to our technology and weapons of mass destruction to save us, then this becomes another form of idolatry.
War is not our true enemy but it is often a tool that the enemy uses to cause incredible amounts of division and destruction in its path. But what we see in the natural does reveal in the spiritual the true place where Christians must battle the enemy Satan. If we are not entering into the place of spiritual conflIct where God wants to use us the most, we end up fighting among ourselves rather than the One who is the true enemy of faith in Christ. We must never forget, that vengeance is not ours but God's!
Prayer After God's Heart
O GOD, YOU ARE MY GOD; EARLY WILL I SEEK YOU . . . TO SEE YOUR POWER AND YOUR GLORY (Psalm 63:1)
Vindicate me by your strength or Lord,
for I am powerless without you.
We pray for change because if we do not
change, then it shows we do not fear God.
Lord, be our deliverer and help from trouble.
Why? Because the help of man is useless.
You are my rock and fortress Oh Lord,
In you do I trust.
(my reflections from the Psalms)
Vindicate me by your strength or Lord,
for I am powerless without you.
We pray for change because if we do not
change, then it shows we do not fear God.
Lord, be our deliverer and help from trouble.
Why? Because the help of man is useless.
You are my rock and fortress Oh Lord,
In you do I trust.
(my reflections from the Psalms)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Jesus and the Victory of God
WHEN PEOPLE DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE AT HAND, THEY CANNOT RECOGNIZE JESUS - Gordon Dalbey
How many times have I witnessed Christians attacking N. T. Wright rather than his ideas? Is not N. T. Wright a friend of the church and not a foe? I heard one Christian say this week that he was against the movie "Soul Surfer," (a movie he has not even seen) because it promoted lust and women in bathing suits? I could not help wonder if this did not say more about the man protesting the movie than the movie which I saw which was a powerful movie about having an overcoming faith over one's difficulties and seemingly impossible circumstances of life.
When Christians misfocus on each other as the enemy rather than the spiritual principalities and powers, they have missed Jesus. When the larger church is so shamefully divided and often blind to the true nature of spiritual warfare, they have missed Jesus.
I am reminded of Gordon Dalbey's powerful words from his book No Small Snakes:
"The people of Israel did not recognize Jesus, therefore, not because they had wrongly expected the Messiah to be a warrior king, but because they did not recognize the war He had come to win" (emphasis his, p.57).
How many times have I witnessed Christians attacking N. T. Wright rather than his ideas? Is not N. T. Wright a friend of the church and not a foe? I heard one Christian say this week that he was against the movie "Soul Surfer," (a movie he has not even seen) because it promoted lust and women in bathing suits? I could not help wonder if this did not say more about the man protesting the movie than the movie which I saw which was a powerful movie about having an overcoming faith over one's difficulties and seemingly impossible circumstances of life.
When Christians misfocus on each other as the enemy rather than the spiritual principalities and powers, they have missed Jesus. When the larger church is so shamefully divided and often blind to the true nature of spiritual warfare, they have missed Jesus.
I am reminded of Gordon Dalbey's powerful words from his book No Small Snakes:
"The people of Israel did not recognize Jesus, therefore, not because they had wrongly expected the Messiah to be a warrior king, but because they did not recognize the war He had come to win" (emphasis his, p.57).
Of Hawks, Doves, and Snakes
THERE IS A SNAKE IN MY BOOT - Woody from TOY STORY
My Dad is a WW 2 vet and I come from a long line of veterans and warriors. I disliked fighting so much as a kid, that when someone wanted to fight me, I told them to fight my twin brother. He looked just like me so what difference did it make? They always took me up on my offer and I avoided a lot of fights in my younger years.
As a young man, I supported every war and thought every Christian should fight in them. I was too young to fight in Vietnam and after that war, I questioned all wars. Why should Christians fight and kill? Why was our country acting like a theocracy since it fought it wars for its own national interests rather than the interests of God? As a Christian pacifist, I could kill people with my tongue who supported or fought in wars even when I promoted an ethic of love and non-violence. I did not see my own hyprocrisy of the violence in my words and deeds towards others I differed with.
Even though I believed Christians should fight evil, I struggled with surpressing the warrior spirit within me. Somewhere stuck between the bully soldier and the doormat pacifist, I knew there was still something missing deep within my soul of being on the front lines for God.
Somewhere in the debate and outright assaults between hawks who support war and doves who don't, the snake of Satan has cunningly won more of these battles in the end and mocks us in the process. God who is our divine warrior assaults all of our self-prescribed idealogies and pretensions and unmasks them for the idols they are!
Firepower and disarmanent are both idols when we trust more in them than we do God. God does not care about our human fabrications whether they are political or religious. What God wants is faithfulness to Him and Him alone!
Is it possible that God is calling us to a spiritual battle and to be on His frontlines rather than armed milatary conflict or passive do-nothingism? Is it not more accurate biblically to talk about Jesus bringing heaven to us rather than us going to heaven? Is it possisble that all the talks and endless chatter of the problems of this world and Hawks and Doves is another sly maneuver of the enemy to slither past us and into God's camp? To truly be God's peacemaker, then we must have the courage and boldness to be warriors for the kingdom of God.
My Dad is a WW 2 vet and I come from a long line of veterans and warriors. I disliked fighting so much as a kid, that when someone wanted to fight me, I told them to fight my twin brother. He looked just like me so what difference did it make? They always took me up on my offer and I avoided a lot of fights in my younger years.
As a young man, I supported every war and thought every Christian should fight in them. I was too young to fight in Vietnam and after that war, I questioned all wars. Why should Christians fight and kill? Why was our country acting like a theocracy since it fought it wars for its own national interests rather than the interests of God? As a Christian pacifist, I could kill people with my tongue who supported or fought in wars even when I promoted an ethic of love and non-violence. I did not see my own hyprocrisy of the violence in my words and deeds towards others I differed with.
Even though I believed Christians should fight evil, I struggled with surpressing the warrior spirit within me. Somewhere stuck between the bully soldier and the doormat pacifist, I knew there was still something missing deep within my soul of being on the front lines for God.
Somewhere in the debate and outright assaults between hawks who support war and doves who don't, the snake of Satan has cunningly won more of these battles in the end and mocks us in the process. God who is our divine warrior assaults all of our self-prescribed idealogies and pretensions and unmasks them for the idols they are!
Firepower and disarmanent are both idols when we trust more in them than we do God. God does not care about our human fabrications whether they are political or religious. What God wants is faithfulness to Him and Him alone!
Is it possible that God is calling us to a spiritual battle and to be on His frontlines rather than armed milatary conflict or passive do-nothingism? Is it not more accurate biblically to talk about Jesus bringing heaven to us rather than us going to heaven? Is it possisble that all the talks and endless chatter of the problems of this world and Hawks and Doves is another sly maneuver of the enemy to slither past us and into God's camp? To truly be God's peacemaker, then we must have the courage and boldness to be warriors for the kingdom of God.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Miracle
We are on family vacation and are in the beautiful Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. My wife and I watched a wonderful Christian musical called "The Miracle." The miracle had some powerful contrasts between the battle between Jesus and Satan; the contrast between Peter and Judas betrayal; and a beautiful song about forgiveness by Jesus towards Mary Magdeline and Nicodemus. Miracles happen every day and are all around us.
I see the miraculous all around me in the beauty of nature. I hear the miraculous in the wonder and laughter of my children. I see the miraculous in every testimony of answered prayer and the many small ways God provides for us every day. Some people are amazed by big miracles and yet I believe miracles happen every day for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear and a heart to receive all that God gives us.
I see the miraculous all around me in the beauty of nature. I hear the miraculous in the wonder and laughter of my children. I see the miraculous in every testimony of answered prayer and the many small ways God provides for us every day. Some people are amazed by big miracles and yet I believe miracles happen every day for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear and a heart to receive all that God gives us.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Why You Might Want To Be Left Behind
On the less serious side, I think people might want to be left behind for several reasons:
1. You love to eat breaded locust.
2. You always wanted a fly circus.
3. The moon turning red is your favorite color.
4. I would rather eat a scroll than read a scroll any day.
5. Hey, I love apocalyptic movies so the real thing should be better.
6. I saw the grapes of wrath on Veggie Tales and I thought they were cute.
7. If the seas turn to blood, no more blood mobile drives! Yeah!
8. I like big bon fires!
9. I always wanted to see death and hades get theres in the end!
10. I've always been an introvert and preferred hiding in caves!
I mean, who reads the book of Jude anymore? All that cryptic stuff about hell, fire, judgment, and angels roasting on an open fire. But notice the angels who face everlasting judgment did not keep their proper domain because they LEFT their own abode (v.6) The angels are taken to judgment because they left behind heaven. Besides all the judgment talk in Israel being taken into captivity and judgment, the Bible is full of stories of those left behind and those taken.
Most of us have been taught since childhood that the good people will be raptured away to heaven and the bad people get stuck on earth since we know earth is hell or hell is coming to earth. But God's Word does not treat creation with contempt but with dignity. The earth is good and does need restoration. Just like there is a new heaven coming, there is also a new earth coming. Almost all the Bible commentators say that those who get left behind are the bad people while the good ones get taken up into heaven. This is why we cannot trust Bible commentaries! Often what is popular and contemporary at the moment gets presented as ancient biblical truth. But can it be that God has new light to shed on His word for us today? Luke 17:31-36 is about two groups of people who are either left behind or taken. Can it be that those who are taken are taken into judgment rather than bliss? Can the ancient Jewish view actually be right that God wants to restore paradise on earth or bring heaven down to earth? The two examples given are Sodom's destruction and the global flood in Noah's day. In Matthew 24:38-39, the ones taken away were those who were swept away into God's judgment by the flood!
Many people today are rightly concerned about being left behind and thinking they won't get raptured much less have to go through the great and terrible tribulation period. But if the rapture and escapist thinking are not correct, maybe we have been reading God's Word from the wrong persepctive? Maybe its just opposite of what we have always thought and those who get taken away get zapped and those who are left behind are blessed? If this is the case, then this may be why one should be more concerned of getting left behind rather than getting taken away into judgment.
1. You love to eat breaded locust.
2. You always wanted a fly circus.
3. The moon turning red is your favorite color.
4. I would rather eat a scroll than read a scroll any day.
5. Hey, I love apocalyptic movies so the real thing should be better.
6. I saw the grapes of wrath on Veggie Tales and I thought they were cute.
7. If the seas turn to blood, no more blood mobile drives! Yeah!
8. I like big bon fires!
9. I always wanted to see death and hades get theres in the end!
10. I've always been an introvert and preferred hiding in caves!
I mean, who reads the book of Jude anymore? All that cryptic stuff about hell, fire, judgment, and angels roasting on an open fire. But notice the angels who face everlasting judgment did not keep their proper domain because they LEFT their own abode (v.6) The angels are taken to judgment because they left behind heaven. Besides all the judgment talk in Israel being taken into captivity and judgment, the Bible is full of stories of those left behind and those taken.
Most of us have been taught since childhood that the good people will be raptured away to heaven and the bad people get stuck on earth since we know earth is hell or hell is coming to earth. But God's Word does not treat creation with contempt but with dignity. The earth is good and does need restoration. Just like there is a new heaven coming, there is also a new earth coming. Almost all the Bible commentators say that those who get left behind are the bad people while the good ones get taken up into heaven. This is why we cannot trust Bible commentaries! Often what is popular and contemporary at the moment gets presented as ancient biblical truth. But can it be that God has new light to shed on His word for us today? Luke 17:31-36 is about two groups of people who are either left behind or taken. Can it be that those who are taken are taken into judgment rather than bliss? Can the ancient Jewish view actually be right that God wants to restore paradise on earth or bring heaven down to earth? The two examples given are Sodom's destruction and the global flood in Noah's day. In Matthew 24:38-39, the ones taken away were those who were swept away into God's judgment by the flood!
Many people today are rightly concerned about being left behind and thinking they won't get raptured much less have to go through the great and terrible tribulation period. But if the rapture and escapist thinking are not correct, maybe we have been reading God's Word from the wrong persepctive? Maybe its just opposite of what we have always thought and those who get taken away get zapped and those who are left behind are blessed? If this is the case, then this may be why one should be more concerned of getting left behind rather than getting taken away into judgment.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Transformers
"WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED" - I Corinthians 15:51
I spoke these words once to a group of people and told them this verse should be put on the nursury door! A few giggled and I thought after that they forgot about it. One person did not forget and they beautifully embroided these words on a piece for the church's nursury. Babies are not the only ones that need to be changed. Many grown-up followers of Jesus still act like children that still need spiritual milk rather than spiritual food which they still can not chew on yet.
I saw the new transformers movie which was the best one to date even though I thought it was too long of a movie. The movie is about these robot aliens that can transform themselves into cars and trucks and all kinds of electronical devices. These good transformers try to rescue and save the world from bad transformers. This reminds me of the need for tranformational discipleship in the church today. Will God's people be transformed by the Spirit of God into the likeness of God's Son or will we be transformed by the world into the likeness of the dark powers and spirits that rule this world? We all become what we worship and the question is what do we really worship?
I spoke these words once to a group of people and told them this verse should be put on the nursury door! A few giggled and I thought after that they forgot about it. One person did not forget and they beautifully embroided these words on a piece for the church's nursury. Babies are not the only ones that need to be changed. Many grown-up followers of Jesus still act like children that still need spiritual milk rather than spiritual food which they still can not chew on yet.
I saw the new transformers movie which was the best one to date even though I thought it was too long of a movie. The movie is about these robot aliens that can transform themselves into cars and trucks and all kinds of electronical devices. These good transformers try to rescue and save the world from bad transformers. This reminds me of the need for tranformational discipleship in the church today. Will God's people be transformed by the Spirit of God into the likeness of God's Son or will we be transformed by the world into the likeness of the dark powers and spirits that rule this world? We all become what we worship and the question is what do we really worship?
Rob Bell Again:
I was on vacation and there was a Sunday School class which was dealing with Rob Bell's book "Love Wins." The teacher's approach was to give a few quick sound bytes of Bell's most controversial statements. Nothing positive was given about the book but simply Bell's book was used as a kind of foil of what's wrong with Christian theology today. The church was in the same state as Bell's and some people in the class had even attended Bell's church. Several people alluded to Bell as a false teacher who will experience the reality of hell someday. Others felt sad for Bell for going so far off the beaten Evangelical track and yet none of them said they had even read Bell's book nor could the teacher really say adequately what Bell really believed? Is Bell a universalist? Does Rob Bell believe in Hell? And what about all the scriptures Bell did not quote in his book that were against his view?
Here are my quick responses to these questions about Rob Bell. Bell says he's not a universalist so can we believe what Bell actually says about himself? I would hope Christian charity would give Bell the benefit of the doubt or we end up putting beliefs on others which they categorically deny. Does Bell believe in Hell? Yes he does! Although I also disagree with some of Bell's use of Scripture, I typically have problems giving critical book reviews where people are rebuked not for what they say but for what they do not say. Can we simply stick to what people say?
Rob Bell's book actually challenges me in my own hypocrisies and apathy towards those we perceive as people who do not know God or have separated themselves from God's love. So when it comes to discipleship ethics, I hope Christians will do a lot less stone casting and show a lot more charity towards those with whom they disagree. If orthodox Christians are not careful, they may end up siding with hell against those whom they think are too soft on hell. Just a thought!
Here are my quick responses to these questions about Rob Bell. Bell says he's not a universalist so can we believe what Bell actually says about himself? I would hope Christian charity would give Bell the benefit of the doubt or we end up putting beliefs on others which they categorically deny. Does Bell believe in Hell? Yes he does! Although I also disagree with some of Bell's use of Scripture, I typically have problems giving critical book reviews where people are rebuked not for what they say but for what they do not say. Can we simply stick to what people say?
Rob Bell's book actually challenges me in my own hypocrisies and apathy towards those we perceive as people who do not know God or have separated themselves from God's love. So when it comes to discipleship ethics, I hope Christians will do a lot less stone casting and show a lot more charity towards those with whom they disagree. If orthodox Christians are not careful, they may end up siding with hell against those whom they think are too soft on hell. Just a thought!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Is Jesus a Christian?
Rubel Shelly's new book says he liked Jesus before he was a Christian but he also says that Jesus was the original Christian? Was Jesus a Christian? How about Paul and Jesus disciples? Church history tells us that the Romans named these early followers of Jesus "Christians" which was an insulting derogatory name. I quess you could say the name stuck. We also know in the Bible they were first called Christians in Antioch. These early followers of Jesus were called all kinds of names. Was Jesus really starting a new religion or was he simply reforming the Jewish faith? There are many provocative questions we could ask but here is another one that Shelly asks. Would Jesus join your church? Would he? Is God a Christian? Desmond Tuto's new book title asked this one. Good question!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Breakout Churches
I am beginning to see a mustard seed transformation. It may be small but the ramifications of it are great. What is it? In the local church I serve in, they are breaking out to helping and loving and serving the poor, the down and out, the hurting, the sick, and the dying. In the midst of crises a whole new group of people are coming into God's church.
I am also seeing a whole new move of God happening where churches in this area will be coming together to minister to people on the streets. Churches are breaking out of the sanctuary and onto the streets! What happens in all this is yet to be seen but we worship such a great God that God already knows what's coming even if we don't.
What do you see God doing in your area? Are there churches in your area that are breakout churches?
I am also seeing a whole new move of God happening where churches in this area will be coming together to minister to people on the streets. Churches are breaking out of the sanctuary and onto the streets! What happens in all this is yet to be seen but we worship such a great God that God already knows what's coming even if we don't.
What do you see God doing in your area? Are there churches in your area that are breakout churches?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Church On the Way to God or the Church in God's Way?
LORD, SAVE US FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS - A bumper Sticker
Rubel Shelly provocative book "I knew Jesus Before He was a Christian . . . And I liked him Better Then" captures the feelings of many within the church, the unchurched, and the de-churched. So many Christians today want to cop out and say, "Don't look at me, look to Jesus." But the Apostle Paul said, "Follow Me as I follow Christ." We are either imitators of God or we are not!
I was at a restraunt today and my son said, "Look at that man's shirt Dad." His shirt said, "Christ or Hell." My son asked me as a young Christian what's up with that? Well, I told him there is a difference between being a witness for Christ and advertising for Christ. Secondly I told him one way to take it is the man was saying he was a Christian and others were going to Hell. But the main thing I told my son was Jesus never told sinners they were going to Hell. He told that to religious leaders!. Somehow we have turned Christ into the great condemner of the world rather than the great Savior of the world. Something to think about!
Rubel Shelly provocative book "I knew Jesus Before He was a Christian . . . And I liked him Better Then" captures the feelings of many within the church, the unchurched, and the de-churched. So many Christians today want to cop out and say, "Don't look at me, look to Jesus." But the Apostle Paul said, "Follow Me as I follow Christ." We are either imitators of God or we are not!
I was at a restraunt today and my son said, "Look at that man's shirt Dad." His shirt said, "Christ or Hell." My son asked me as a young Christian what's up with that? Well, I told him there is a difference between being a witness for Christ and advertising for Christ. Secondly I told him one way to take it is the man was saying he was a Christian and others were going to Hell. But the main thing I told my son was Jesus never told sinners they were going to Hell. He told that to religious leaders!. Somehow we have turned Christ into the great condemner of the world rather than the great Savior of the world. Something to think about!
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