Genevan Opposition
At times during the sixteenth century, ecclesiastical holidays caused agitation in the city of Geneva. It seems to have been a difficult matter for a resolution, since any official action taken would stir up some element of the population.
The Register of Ministers in Geneva (1546) records a list of "faults which contravene the Reformation." Among the directives regarding "Superstitions" is the following: "Those who observe Romish festivals or fasts shall only be reprimanded, unless they remain obstinately rebellious. "[9]
On Sunday, 16 November 1550, an edict was issued concerning holidays; it was a decree "respecting the abrogation of all festivals, with the exception of Sundays, which God had ordained. "[10] This ban on festival days (including Christmas) caused an uproar in certain quarters, and Calvin was reproached as the instigator of the action.
Calvin's personal writings about holidays, in this instance, are somewhat ambiguous. He says he was not directly involved in the decision. In personal correspondence with John Haller (pastor in Berne), Calvin writes, "Before I ever entered the city, there were no festivals but the Lord's day." He added, "If I had got my choice, I should not have decided in favor of what has now been agreed upon."[11]
It seems that Calvin was initially uneasy about the edict to ban the festivals, because he feared that the "sudden change" might provoke tumult which could impede the course of the Reformation. Nevertheless, in the same letter to Haller, Calvin says, "Although I have neither been the mover nor instigator to it, yet, since it has so happened, I am not sorry for it."[12] ...
Thus, Calvin's writings on worship clearly enunciate the concept which has subsequently been called the regulative principle of worship: all modes of worship must be expressly sanctioned by God's word, if they are to be considered legitimate. Since Christmas observances, and other ecclesiastical festivals, are not commanded in the scriptures, they fail to meet divine approval, even if there were no additional objections to them.
Further, we should note Calvin's own pastoral practice as indicative of his convictions. The Reformer preached consecutively through books of the Bible, without regard to the ecclesiastical year. Surely if Calvin had adopted the attitude of modern Christmas-keepers, he would have felt constrained to abandon this systematic instruction of the scriptures, and deliver annual discourses from the birth narratives during the month of December. The fact that he did not comply with contemporary expectations speaks volumes.[16]
You can read Kevin Reed's full article here
...Read more
Showing posts with label more. Show all posts
Showing posts with label more. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Single Parenting
This year, more than any year in the past, has found me playing the role of single parent. A little less than 2 years ago we moved to Washington State to pastor. My mother in law moved with us, however she didn't have the luck of selling her home as quickly and so my first shot at the single dad gig happened when Jen and Nana flew back to moved the house stuff out. Again this week, they are in Colorado moving another set of things this way, with the possibility of a third trip. That is the context. Now on to the meat.
Up early, up late, some days only 2 meals because that's i misjudged the time it took to prepare them and breakfast went on at 10:30 a.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. I tried to keep up with the homeschooling thing to find that I could accomplish exactly half of what my wife does, as I was still responsible to work, albeit, I have the option to work from home. We did have a great week, we watched a movie each evening as a partial family, we searched for mushrooms yesterday and even went swimming, but I have a greater respect for the single parent as well as for my wife.
First for the single parent, I now understand why TV is such a part of their life. I was plum tuckered out by evening time and TV provided an oasis. I could be with my kids but essentially unresponsible for them. They got to cuddle and I got to rest. Their job never stops, but continues on and while I had many people offer to help, I never quite knew what help to ask for. These two insights bring me to my observation concerning the church. Churches need to do a better job of helping the single parent, we need to see their needs and provide for them, not just offer but actually do something tangible for them - a night off, set up alternate parent mentors for their kids, get them some meals, etc... These would go a long way to caring for some of the tangible needs. Even simply providing childcare at every event would be a great gift to many single parents.
Now for my wife. Taking the venue to give her kudos, she is awesome. I couldn't live without her, and frankly I forget to tell her this often enough. As spouses, we need to speak our appreciation in concrete ways to them. We need to understand how much they do to keep life moving and be gracious for every bit of it. Tonight I will thank my wife with a gift of flowers. How will you thank your spouse? ...Read more
Up early, up late, some days only 2 meals because that's i misjudged the time it took to prepare them and breakfast went on at 10:30 a.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. I tried to keep up with the homeschooling thing to find that I could accomplish exactly half of what my wife does, as I was still responsible to work, albeit, I have the option to work from home. We did have a great week, we watched a movie each evening as a partial family, we searched for mushrooms yesterday and even went swimming, but I have a greater respect for the single parent as well as for my wife.
First for the single parent, I now understand why TV is such a part of their life. I was plum tuckered out by evening time and TV provided an oasis. I could be with my kids but essentially unresponsible for them. They got to cuddle and I got to rest. Their job never stops, but continues on and while I had many people offer to help, I never quite knew what help to ask for. These two insights bring me to my observation concerning the church. Churches need to do a better job of helping the single parent, we need to see their needs and provide for them, not just offer but actually do something tangible for them - a night off, set up alternate parent mentors for their kids, get them some meals, etc... These would go a long way to caring for some of the tangible needs. Even simply providing childcare at every event would be a great gift to many single parents.
Now for my wife. Taking the venue to give her kudos, she is awesome. I couldn't live without her, and frankly I forget to tell her this often enough. As spouses, we need to speak our appreciation in concrete ways to them. We need to understand how much they do to keep life moving and be gracious for every bit of it. Tonight I will thank my wife with a gift of flowers. How will you thank your spouse? ...Read more
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Public Morality and Religious Belief
While reading the periodical Liberty, I ran across this quotation:
"In a pluralistic society a fundamental assumption of public policy is the recognition that everything immoral need not be declared illegal. The public morality that is expressed in law reflects a consensus derived from public debate...Social realities as well as religious principles must be taken into account in judging the wisdom of any legislation. Citizens who come to different conclusions are not necessarily immoral or unchristian. The tendency to so brand one's political opponents suggests a kind of moral fascism." -from an editorial in America dated 9/13/1980.
These sentences reflect a profound understanding of the Constitution's freedom of religion clause. Too often many religious and non-religious people have forgotten these truths. We live in a nation where every worldview is acceptable. The humanist, the Christian, the scientific, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, atheist, etc. All of these worldviews are essentially religious for each of them posit a claim to the manner in which Truth can be known. To some it is the teaching of a leader, to another it is the a person himself, and to still another a method of inquiry, but all of them are religious, for even to deny religion is a religious belief in itself which is as dogmatic as any faith commitment.
The struggle then becomes allowing each person to pursue their conscience freely and in a manner which doesn't force any other person to violate their conscience. This is where the rubber meets the road. Take for instance gay marriage. Personally I am opposed to it, but to deny another the ability to "marry" is to force my beliefs upon them. That said, to dictate that I must marry them and accept their marriage is to force their beliefs upon me. I am not opposed to gay marriage as much as I am opposed to telling an employer they are required to provide benefits to same sex marriages when those marriages violate their consciences. Or telling me that to speak in opposition of gay marriage is somehow a hate crime. It isn't, it is a matter of conscience. The road must go both ways, and that is a lesson many religious and non-religious folks forget. And regardless of the issue, the right and left inside the Church often forget it about one another.
The question then becomes - When can one person's religious liberty be forced upon another? When can one's beliefs become the norm by which all other beliefs must conform? The answer comes from Christ - "Love your neighbor as yourself." Only when you are willing to allow their beliefs to become your absolute, can you lobby for your beliefs to become their absolute. This simple lesson, if remembered would curb many of the political fights that exist today.
If you want to be able to deny someone benefits because of some choice they are making, then they have every right to deny you benefits because of some choice you are making (the number of children you have, for instance). If you want to fire someone, or hire them based upon their religious persuasion (you could also read political, environmental, socio-economic, etc.), then you must grant them the opportunity to do the same thing. Then and only then will we find out the true nature of our actions and the true motivations of our politics.
Under this schema, St. Paul's statement, taken out of context I realize, has some bearing. "All things are permissible, but not all are beneficial." When we grant liberty broadly, individuals will find out very quickly which choices are permissible and which are beneficial, then their "issues of conscience" will be shown for what they are religious freedom or religious fascism. For if they are willing to live with the consequences of their choice(s) and not impinge upon another's freedom, I would submit they are truly issues of conscience. However, if they are unwilling to live with the consequences and instead are willing to override another's conscience in order to have their own ways, then fascism, whether of the right or the left, is at play.
...Read more
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Is Social Security a good option?
Recently I have been reflecting on social security and its perceived benefits to society by acting as a safety net for retirees and other at risk families. I am increasingly questioning whether the notion of governmental insurance programs like social security are social and/or secure.
Following are my initial thoughts:
To begin, the idea of sociality is that a group of people come together and cooperate because it is in their best interest to promote each others welfare. Every society and culture is founded upon this notion. At its core, socialization allows individuals to become more human by cooperating with one another, not by withdrawing and separating. Unfortunately the effects of governmental insurance programs have been to separate people from those who are most interested in their success.
By turning to governments to fill needs in times of crises, people are actually made less social and relationships are destroyed as family coherence breaks down and the nuclear and extended family increasingly neglect their responsibility to care for their families needs (1 Timothy 5:3-4). Some may argue that my payment of taxes for such programs is proof of my concern for their welfare. Is that so? Show me when you visit these needy and neglected people. I have spent time in the retirement centers and those on social security are the neediest and loneliest of all people. Sending money is not the same are strengthening social bonds. Furthermore, the social function of the church is destroyed by taking from the church their God appointed place as those who care for the orphan and widow that others aren't caring for (1 timothy 5:5).
This is not to say that a government system can't coexist with a strong family and church social structure, the Amish are evidence that it can. What it does say, however, is that it is increasingly unlikely that in the midst of widespread government insurance for a family and church system to stand up and maintain integrity in caring for those under their care. Increasingly, denominations large and small, across the theological spectrum have encouraged their clergy not to opt out of social security claiming it is morally sound. Is it morally sound to destroy the social fabric of society for a few dollars?
That leads to my second thought. Is social security secure? As birth rates fall, and the older generations age, their are only three options for providing the required funds needed for the promises governments have made:Reduce the benefits these insurance programs pay, Tax the younger generations more, Inflate the currency. Historically, ruling authorities do not survive when they reduce benefits, and while taxing the younger generations may be a temporary solution, it cannot be a long-term sustained solution. As birth rates continue to decline, tax rates must increase in such a situation and there is a threshold which will inevitably be reached before revolution or black-markets take over, thus crippling the system even more. That leaves the third option, as the option most governments including our own have taken: Inflate the currency by printing more money. However this tack, actually penalizes the very people government has set out to help. As fixed income elderly and those in need, the very act of causing inflation is insecure, instead of secure.
Thus social security is neither social, nor is it secure for those who most need help. The answer, return to the primacy of the nuclear family and allow them to maintain as much of their income as possible in order to care for those the Word of God calls them to care for.
For a great book on the interrelation between governmental pensions, prosperity, population and family see
Juurikkala, O. (2007). Pensions, Population, and Prosperity. (Acton Institute:Grand Rapids, MI)
...Read more
To begin, the idea of sociality is that a group of people come together and cooperate because it is in their best interest to promote each others welfare. Every society and culture is founded upon this notion. At its core, socialization allows individuals to become more human by cooperating with one another, not by withdrawing and separating. Unfortunately the effects of governmental insurance programs have been to separate people from those who are most interested in their success.
By turning to governments to fill needs in times of crises, people are actually made less social and relationships are destroyed as family coherence breaks down and the nuclear and extended family increasingly neglect their responsibility to care for their families needs (1 Timothy 5:3-4). Some may argue that my payment of taxes for such programs is proof of my concern for their welfare. Is that so? Show me when you visit these needy and neglected people. I have spent time in the retirement centers and those on social security are the neediest and loneliest of all people. Sending money is not the same are strengthening social bonds. Furthermore, the social function of the church is destroyed by taking from the church their God appointed place as those who care for the orphan and widow that others aren't caring for (1 timothy 5:5).
This is not to say that a government system can't coexist with a strong family and church social structure, the Amish are evidence that it can. What it does say, however, is that it is increasingly unlikely that in the midst of widespread government insurance for a family and church system to stand up and maintain integrity in caring for those under their care. Increasingly, denominations large and small, across the theological spectrum have encouraged their clergy not to opt out of social security claiming it is morally sound. Is it morally sound to destroy the social fabric of society for a few dollars?
That leads to my second thought. Is social security secure? As birth rates fall, and the older generations age, their are only three options for providing the required funds needed for the promises governments have made:Reduce the benefits these insurance programs pay, Tax the younger generations more, Inflate the currency. Historically, ruling authorities do not survive when they reduce benefits, and while taxing the younger generations may be a temporary solution, it cannot be a long-term sustained solution. As birth rates continue to decline, tax rates must increase in such a situation and there is a threshold which will inevitably be reached before revolution or black-markets take over, thus crippling the system even more. That leaves the third option, as the option most governments including our own have taken: Inflate the currency by printing more money. However this tack, actually penalizes the very people government has set out to help. As fixed income elderly and those in need, the very act of causing inflation is insecure, instead of secure.
Thus social security is neither social, nor is it secure for those who most need help. The answer, return to the primacy of the nuclear family and allow them to maintain as much of their income as possible in order to care for those the Word of God calls them to care for.
For a great book on the interrelation between governmental pensions, prosperity, population and family see
Juurikkala, O. (2007). Pensions, Population, and Prosperity. (Acton Institute:Grand Rapids, MI)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Reflection on the Gospel and bondage
The last few posts have been rather personal as I have been reflecting on my own life in Christ. This morning I took 3 hours to pray and quietly think about life and God's plans for me. As a pastor I have this luxury and it is one that I cherish but unfortunately haven't made enough use of the past 2 years. What is coming out of this time is a reality that I have been living in bondage as opposed to freedom.
I have been so focused on my ideals of the devout life (service to the poor, simplicity, adoption, complete trust in God's promise to provide that we make no plans, nor save for the future...), the problems of the world and a personal sense of my responsibility to correct those errors in myself and others that I have been unable to enjoy the moments that God has put me in. I have been unable to enjoy a blessing or gift from others as I have seen it as a wasteful luxury. I have been unable to see how another person is actually being blessed by this luxury since it goes against my values and therefore their enjoyment and blessing would mitigate and cancel my values and ideals.
In short, I have become so self-focused on saving the world, that I have lost sight of my Savior and his work to set us free from the bondage, not only to sin, but also to other "patterns of living" which hinder us from enjoying all the redeemed world. I have confused working for a Utopian society as the Christian life. I have confused being God's child with specific actions that while consistent with loving others, is not the sum total of the Christian life, nor even the path that everyone is called to walk.
In 1 Corinthians 6:12ff, Paul writes, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything..." There is freedom and grace in Jesus Christ. There is the freedom to live unhindered, not being mastered, or controlled by anything except the Lord who owns us. For Paul goes on to remind the believers that they are "not their own. They were bought at a price." Paul specifically applies this freedom to not be mastered by our lusts, our sexuality, but this would also apply to me. For the freedom of Christ calls me not to be controlled by my thoughts or ideals, by other's needs or expectations, but rather to be controlled solely by Christ to whom I am united and joined.
Thus when the 'devout life' becomes the joyous life and the things we do are done out of obligation instead of from gratitude, the own who masters us is no longer Christ but our ideals and thoughts, or another's ideals and thoughts. Strangely, almost 7 years ago, I had this realization of the Gospel and the freedom it brings and the joy I have in Christ and the lack of obligation I have to act a certain way, or do certain things to maintain God's approval, but it has faded and once again I find myself having lived under the weight of a great law which God is opening my eyes to see. There is freedom in the gospel and Jesus died to free us from the law of sin and death. And certainly, a lack of joy in my life as I have lived the Christian life the past few years is death-like. I want to be free again.
So how is God going to release me? Oddly enough, the direction I had this morning from the Lord was to go and buy something nice for myself, my wife and my daughter (whose birthday is today). What kind of freedom is this? It is the freedom to release the grip that my idealized reality of money has on me and which has been keeping me from being able to enjoy the world which God has placed me in. Will I probably struggle with a sense of guilt as I do this. Most likely, for Satan wants nothing more than to oppress me and keep me in bondage to my idealized version of the devout life. But like Jesus, I can say, "Get behind me Satan. For I will love the Lord first and foremost and he has called me to freedom. And in his freedom he is directing me to release my ideals and that tangibly means enjoying the bounty he has provided me." ...Read more
I have been so focused on my ideals of the devout life (service to the poor, simplicity, adoption, complete trust in God's promise to provide that we make no plans, nor save for the future...), the problems of the world and a personal sense of my responsibility to correct those errors in myself and others that I have been unable to enjoy the moments that God has put me in. I have been unable to enjoy a blessing or gift from others as I have seen it as a wasteful luxury. I have been unable to see how another person is actually being blessed by this luxury since it goes against my values and therefore their enjoyment and blessing would mitigate and cancel my values and ideals.
In short, I have become so self-focused on saving the world, that I have lost sight of my Savior and his work to set us free from the bondage, not only to sin, but also to other "patterns of living" which hinder us from enjoying all the redeemed world. I have confused working for a Utopian society as the Christian life. I have confused being God's child with specific actions that while consistent with loving others, is not the sum total of the Christian life, nor even the path that everyone is called to walk.
In 1 Corinthians 6:12ff, Paul writes, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything..." There is freedom and grace in Jesus Christ. There is the freedom to live unhindered, not being mastered, or controlled by anything except the Lord who owns us. For Paul goes on to remind the believers that they are "not their own. They were bought at a price." Paul specifically applies this freedom to not be mastered by our lusts, our sexuality, but this would also apply to me. For the freedom of Christ calls me not to be controlled by my thoughts or ideals, by other's needs or expectations, but rather to be controlled solely by Christ to whom I am united and joined.
Thus when the 'devout life' becomes the joyous life and the things we do are done out of obligation instead of from gratitude, the own who masters us is no longer Christ but our ideals and thoughts, or another's ideals and thoughts. Strangely, almost 7 years ago, I had this realization of the Gospel and the freedom it brings and the joy I have in Christ and the lack of obligation I have to act a certain way, or do certain things to maintain God's approval, but it has faded and once again I find myself having lived under the weight of a great law which God is opening my eyes to see. There is freedom in the gospel and Jesus died to free us from the law of sin and death. And certainly, a lack of joy in my life as I have lived the Christian life the past few years is death-like. I want to be free again.
So how is God going to release me? Oddly enough, the direction I had this morning from the Lord was to go and buy something nice for myself, my wife and my daughter (whose birthday is today). What kind of freedom is this? It is the freedom to release the grip that my idealized reality of money has on me and which has been keeping me from being able to enjoy the world which God has placed me in. Will I probably struggle with a sense of guilt as I do this. Most likely, for Satan wants nothing more than to oppress me and keep me in bondage to my idealized version of the devout life. But like Jesus, I can say, "Get behind me Satan. For I will love the Lord first and foremost and he has called me to freedom. And in his freedom he is directing me to release my ideals and that tangibly means enjoying the bounty he has provided me." ...Read more
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Growing in my Ability to Relate to Others
I have never been a great enthusiast of psychology, counseling or personality tests. I have taken numerous tests for mission boards, employers, etc. I am an INTJ on the Meyers-Briggs, an Equipping-Releaser on the Grip-Birkman, a D on the DISC. Frankly none of these have been much help to me in the past, this is not to say they are useless, rather it is to say that I was not in a position to understand the need for such information nor how to use such information. I just finished reading Don Riso's Understanding the Enneagram, and for the first time I can see myself and my unhealthy responses to life and a healthy perspective for improving.
While many may question the wisdom of the Enneagram being used by a Christian pastor (I am one of those), I have found it very helpful by ignoring the spiritual new age overtones and looking strictly at the "self-help" information contained within. As a One on the Enneagram (The Reformer), I am an idealist. i live in the realm of ideals, I try to force those ideals on others because I feel the need to reform the world and correct its imbalances. My feelings arise within me in anger and frustration and frequently I can't enjoy the life we have on this world because it is so short of the ideal. This has gotten me in many troubles - from arguments with others, severe dogmatism as well as criticism. And unfortunately I have been falling down that hole alot recently - hence my struggle to encourage others in my preaching for I am trying to reform them not encourage them.
Riso directs my personality type towards more quiet centering and true thinking which will allow me to see the possibilities and to appreciate the present gifts of the world. This is the path out, the path toward true wisdom for the reformer, a path with others will be willing to take. As i reflect on my past ministry with InterVarsity, the years where I was taking a quiet retreat bi-weekly, my stress level decreased, my influence on others increased, my acceptance and empathy for others grew and life was good. However, when i stop these quiet reflections, my emotions get the better of me, my frustration at the world grows and nobody is able to meet my standards. This aligns with his exposition of the Enneagram. Great.
But the real test is whether it aligns with the Scriptures. Is there a call to sit at the feet of Jesus for the compelling doer. Absolutely - the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Is there a call to be thankful for the moment instead of living for an ideal? Absolutely - Paul's secret of contentment in Philippians 4:12ff and the call to give thanks in every situation, 1 Thes 5:18. Is there a call to bear with one another, exercising wisdom instead of harshly ruling? Again yes, Colossians 3:13 and 1 Peter 5:3.
Am I growing as a disciple? Certainly and is the freedom God brings through his Word and through unlikely sources like a textbook on personalities, liberating? It definitely is, may God be glorified as I love his people and learn to move from idealism to true wisdom for a real world. ...Read more
While many may question the wisdom of the Enneagram being used by a Christian pastor (I am one of those), I have found it very helpful by ignoring the spiritual new age overtones and looking strictly at the "self-help" information contained within. As a One on the Enneagram (The Reformer), I am an idealist. i live in the realm of ideals, I try to force those ideals on others because I feel the need to reform the world and correct its imbalances. My feelings arise within me in anger and frustration and frequently I can't enjoy the life we have on this world because it is so short of the ideal. This has gotten me in many troubles - from arguments with others, severe dogmatism as well as criticism. And unfortunately I have been falling down that hole alot recently - hence my struggle to encourage others in my preaching for I am trying to reform them not encourage them.
Riso directs my personality type towards more quiet centering and true thinking which will allow me to see the possibilities and to appreciate the present gifts of the world. This is the path out, the path toward true wisdom for the reformer, a path with others will be willing to take. As i reflect on my past ministry with InterVarsity, the years where I was taking a quiet retreat bi-weekly, my stress level decreased, my influence on others increased, my acceptance and empathy for others grew and life was good. However, when i stop these quiet reflections, my emotions get the better of me, my frustration at the world grows and nobody is able to meet my standards. This aligns with his exposition of the Enneagram. Great.
But the real test is whether it aligns with the Scriptures. Is there a call to sit at the feet of Jesus for the compelling doer. Absolutely - the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Is there a call to be thankful for the moment instead of living for an ideal? Absolutely - Paul's secret of contentment in Philippians 4:12ff and the call to give thanks in every situation, 1 Thes 5:18. Is there a call to bear with one another, exercising wisdom instead of harshly ruling? Again yes, Colossians 3:13 and 1 Peter 5:3.
Am I growing as a disciple? Certainly and is the freedom God brings through his Word and through unlikely sources like a textbook on personalities, liberating? It definitely is, may God be glorified as I love his people and learn to move from idealism to true wisdom for a real world. ...Read more
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Discipleship and The Seed of the Gospel
Recently, I have been forced to reflect on a number of things in my life: my preaching style, my congregations needs, how to disciple others, worship differences, etc. All of this is beginning to congeal in my mind due in large part to a good friend who meets with meet each week to discuss theology. As we were talking today about the gospel and what it is, we began talking about the parable of the woman who hides leaven in the batch of dough (Matthew 13:33).
Now, I asked, "If the gospel is the leaven, then what is the gospel at the moment it is placed in the dough?" After his response, I followed up with this observation, "After the leaven works throughout the dough, what is the gospel? Is it still the same seed which was planted or is it much more? Is there any way that the initial seed can be extracted?" These observations began to gel in my mind in relation to all of the topics I referenced above. Let me explain.
All of us have received the seed of the gospel (Christ's sinless life, his death in our stead, his resurrection to conquer death, his ascension to heaven in order to reign and his subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit in order to empower us to live the victorious Christian life - all of this is needed in order for an efficacious atonement to have occurred), yet it grows at different rates in each and every one of us. To some, the seed has multiplied many times and come to affect their politics, economics, charitable actions and family life; to others, the climate has been a little cooler, or the time since the seed has planted has been shorter and the seed may not have multiplied at all or only minimally. Yet both are gospel Christians, saved by the grace of God.
So, what happens if the person with the multiplied seed attempts to bring the gospel to bear on all the same areas - political, economic, social, charitable - in the life of another whose seed hasn't grown as much? They will reject it; to them, the gospel has no bearing on these areas yet, the seed hasn't grown for whatever reasons - some may be internal, others external. But if the larger lump of dough continues to force the smaller lump of dough, one will be crushed. It would be like trying to feed a baby of 2 months, the food of a 30 year old on cruise. The baby will choke, spit, cry and possibly die.
Thus it is in life. Each of us has places where the seed of the gospel has grown large, similarly we have places where the seed is still the same size in our life. We all have places where we are 20 or 40 or 80 years old, but other places where we are just a few months old. The solution is not for the older, larger lumps of dough to dish it all out. Quite the contrary, the solution is for the older to use wisdom and discernment to spoon feed little lumps so that the younger areas of our life can be nourished and grown up into the full stature of Christ.
While I have intuitively known this as I disciple folks one on one, my preaching has frequently majored on my strengths and the areas where the gospel has multiplied in my life, but at the expense of recognizing the needs of my congregation. I have tried to feed steak to people on milk; similarly, the congregation has tried to deal with me as one whose relational skills are well developed and whose intuition and feelings are advanced, when in effect I am only a babe. Our strengths and our weaknesses have been pitted against one another.
But thanks be to God for Elders, other pastors and friends who have graciously dialogued with me and helped me to grow and see the situation and to be attentive to God's leading in the parables. So what is the solution? The solution is for each of us to plant the seed of the gospel referenced above into the lives of one another, even into the specific areas of life we see lacking and then to sit back and pray waiting for God to cause it to grow and rise and leaven the whole batch, thereby becoming all the God intends. To God be the glory. ...Read more
Now, I asked, "If the gospel is the leaven, then what is the gospel at the moment it is placed in the dough?" After his response, I followed up with this observation, "After the leaven works throughout the dough, what is the gospel? Is it still the same seed which was planted or is it much more? Is there any way that the initial seed can be extracted?" These observations began to gel in my mind in relation to all of the topics I referenced above. Let me explain.
All of us have received the seed of the gospel (Christ's sinless life, his death in our stead, his resurrection to conquer death, his ascension to heaven in order to reign and his subsequent sending of the Holy Spirit in order to empower us to live the victorious Christian life - all of this is needed in order for an efficacious atonement to have occurred), yet it grows at different rates in each and every one of us. To some, the seed has multiplied many times and come to affect their politics, economics, charitable actions and family life; to others, the climate has been a little cooler, or the time since the seed has planted has been shorter and the seed may not have multiplied at all or only minimally. Yet both are gospel Christians, saved by the grace of God.
So, what happens if the person with the multiplied seed attempts to bring the gospel to bear on all the same areas - political, economic, social, charitable - in the life of another whose seed hasn't grown as much? They will reject it; to them, the gospel has no bearing on these areas yet, the seed hasn't grown for whatever reasons - some may be internal, others external. But if the larger lump of dough continues to force the smaller lump of dough, one will be crushed. It would be like trying to feed a baby of 2 months, the food of a 30 year old on cruise. The baby will choke, spit, cry and possibly die.
Thus it is in life. Each of us has places where the seed of the gospel has grown large, similarly we have places where the seed is still the same size in our life. We all have places where we are 20 or 40 or 80 years old, but other places where we are just a few months old. The solution is not for the older, larger lumps of dough to dish it all out. Quite the contrary, the solution is for the older to use wisdom and discernment to spoon feed little lumps so that the younger areas of our life can be nourished and grown up into the full stature of Christ.
While I have intuitively known this as I disciple folks one on one, my preaching has frequently majored on my strengths and the areas where the gospel has multiplied in my life, but at the expense of recognizing the needs of my congregation. I have tried to feed steak to people on milk; similarly, the congregation has tried to deal with me as one whose relational skills are well developed and whose intuition and feelings are advanced, when in effect I am only a babe. Our strengths and our weaknesses have been pitted against one another.
But thanks be to God for Elders, other pastors and friends who have graciously dialogued with me and helped me to grow and see the situation and to be attentive to God's leading in the parables. So what is the solution? The solution is for each of us to plant the seed of the gospel referenced above into the lives of one another, even into the specific areas of life we see lacking and then to sit back and pray waiting for God to cause it to grow and rise and leaven the whole batch, thereby becoming all the God intends. To God be the glory. ...Read more
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Why we are adopting...
A good friend of mine, Mark Ruiter, wrote this in response to a common misconception that adoption is another way to grow your family. Here are his thoughts and mine:
In May 2008 Rockelle and I starting talking and praying about adopting a child. Some people might ask “Why? When you have two beautiful children, at 38 years old, would you consider this?”
The answer is that we have been convicted that as followers of Christ we are called to it...Scripture is full, from beginning to end with commands concerning the poor, the widows, the orphans, and others who can’t care for themselves. God calls down judgment on those who ignore these commands as we see in the prophets. Jesus spends a great deal of time in caring for the poor. Most of His healing miracles were performed on beggars, lepers and other outcasts. Jesus commands us to “love one another…as I have loved you”… Jesus love for us was sacrificial. He gave everything, so that we could gain everything.
This is “the long answer” of why we are adopting.
The short answer is “Because God commanded us to.”
I offer as evidence of this calling, various scripture passages.
Throughout the Old Testament God calls the Israelites to care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. In Deuteronomy 10:18-21 God says:
18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. 20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
And in Deuteronomy 14:28-29:
28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
In Deuteronomy 27:19:
19 "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
In Psalm 68:5-6:
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
In Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
Through the Old Testament prophets he calls us to Justice
As in Amos 5:21-24
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
And in Micah 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
In Malachi 3:5
5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
As you can see, God both commands his people to care for the widow and orphan, and brings judgment on those who deny justice or help for them.
In the Gospels, Jesus continues as found in Mark 12:38-40
38As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
In Matthew 22:37-40
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
In Matthew 23:23-24
23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
In Matthew 25:34-40
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Mark 10:17-24
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
John 13:34-35
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Strong words from Jesus that leave little room for interpretation.
The writings of the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit continue in the same vein.
In Romans 12:13
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
In James 1:27
27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 2:14-17
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
1 John 3:16-18
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Finally adoption is one of the best possible images of our own salvation. Once we were destitute and completely without hope before an angry God, now we stand before Him as forgiven adopted Sons and Daughters, with all of the rights and responsibilities bestowed on a child of The King.
Deuteronomy 26:18
18 And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.
Deuteronomy 28:10
10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.
Isaiah 62:2-4
2 The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her),
and your land Beulah (married);
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
Romans 8:15-16
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Galatians 3:26-29
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4:4-7
4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
Titus 3:3-7
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Ephesians 1:3-14
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Scripture is full, from beginning to end with commands concerning the poor, the widows, the orphans, and others who can’t care for themselves. God calls down judgment on those who ignore these commands as we see in the prophets. Jesus spends a great deal of time in caring for the poor. Most of His healing miracles were performed on beggars, lepers and other outcasts. Jesus commands us to “love one another…as I have loved you”… Jesus love for us was sacrificial. He gave everything, so that we could gain everything.
This is “the long answer” of why we are adopting.
The short answer is “Because God commanded us to.” ...Read more
In May 2008 Rockelle and I starting talking and praying about adopting a child. Some people might ask “Why? When you have two beautiful children, at 38 years old, would you consider this?”
The answer is that we have been convicted that as followers of Christ we are called to it...Scripture is full, from beginning to end with commands concerning the poor, the widows, the orphans, and others who can’t care for themselves. God calls down judgment on those who ignore these commands as we see in the prophets. Jesus spends a great deal of time in caring for the poor. Most of His healing miracles were performed on beggars, lepers and other outcasts. Jesus commands us to “love one another…as I have loved you”… Jesus love for us was sacrificial. He gave everything, so that we could gain everything.
This is “the long answer” of why we are adopting.
The short answer is “Because God commanded us to.”
I offer as evidence of this calling, various scripture passages.
Throughout the Old Testament God calls the Israelites to care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. In Deuteronomy 10:18-21 God says:
18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. 20 Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. 21 He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
And in Deuteronomy 14:28-29:
28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
In Deuteronomy 27:19:
19 "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
In Psalm 68:5-6:
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
In Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
Through the Old Testament prophets he calls us to Justice
As in Amos 5:21-24
"I hate, I despise your religious feasts;
I cannot stand your assemblies.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
And in Micah 6:8
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
In Malachi 3:5
5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.
As you can see, God both commands his people to care for the widow and orphan, and brings judgment on those who deny justice or help for them.
In the Gospels, Jesus continues as found in Mark 12:38-40
38As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
In Matthew 22:37-40
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
In Matthew 23:23-24
23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
In Matthew 25:34-40
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Mark 10:17-24
17As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
John 13:34-35
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Strong words from Jesus that leave little room for interpretation.
The writings of the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit continue in the same vein.
In Romans 12:13
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
In James 1:27
27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 2:14-17
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
1 John 3:16-18
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Finally adoption is one of the best possible images of our own salvation. Once we were destitute and completely without hope before an angry God, now we stand before Him as forgiven adopted Sons and Daughters, with all of the rights and responsibilities bestowed on a child of The King.
Deuteronomy 26:18
18 And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.
Deuteronomy 28:10
10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.
Isaiah 62:2-4
2 The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her),
and your land Beulah (married);
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
Romans 8:15-16
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Galatians 3:26-29
26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 4:4-7
4But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
Titus 3:3-7
3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Ephesians 1:3-14
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Scripture is full, from beginning to end with commands concerning the poor, the widows, the orphans, and others who can’t care for themselves. God calls down judgment on those who ignore these commands as we see in the prophets. Jesus spends a great deal of time in caring for the poor. Most of His healing miracles were performed on beggars, lepers and other outcasts. Jesus commands us to “love one another…as I have loved you”… Jesus love for us was sacrificial. He gave everything, so that we could gain everything.
This is “the long answer” of why we are adopting.
The short answer is “Because God commanded us to.” ...Read more
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Reflections on the Atonement
Yesterday, I was in conversation with a friend of mine concerning the Atonement. Now, you might be thinking, what kind of friends sit around talking about the atonement? To which I would say, mine. Each week I have a wonderful conversation about spiritual issues ad theological doctrines. I cherish these conversations. Let me fill you in on some of the eye-opening conclusions we drew:
Typically the doctrine of the Atonement is limited to the the death and crucifixion of Christ. However, this is in error, for if the doctrine is thus limited without reference to the sinless life of Christ, the Resurrection, Ascension and subsequent sending of the Spirit then something less than an efficacious atonement occurred. (This is one of those points where the discipline of systematic theology is lacking by its compartmentalizing of dogma.)
What I mean is this, without a sinless life, Christ was unable to atone for others, much less himself. He would not have been the spotless lamb of God, sent to take away the sins of the world. Nor would he have been a pleasing sacrifice to God, rather his death would have been a just punishment for his sin, a punishment everyone of us should have to undergo an infinite number of times over. But as a sinless man, God was able to accept his perfect life given as an atoning sacrifice for every sin ever committed by any person.
Furthermore, to remove from the doctrine of the Atonement any mention of the resurrection, ascension and subsequent sending of the Spirit would be to cast humanity into a place of powerlessness with no hope of living a victorious Christian life over sin. If these three events are not taken to be integral to the doctrine of the Atonement then what would humanity's resulting atonement look like? I believe that without these three events, humanity would be cast back into a position very much like that of Adam. Sure our sin would have been covered, assuming of course Christ was sinless and died for us, but we would not have any power internal to ourselves to defeat the next temptation to sin. Thus we would perpetually be living a defeated Christian life, intent on reliving the 3rd chapter of Genesis over and over and over again. However, with the resurrection, ascension and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Christians' atonement is truly efficacious. It is powerful and the power to defeat sin becomes a power internal to our new constitution as a new humanity. We no longer are subject to the temptations and sins of the fallen order, we are now redeemed and able to live the new life, a life able to choose not to sin.
The doctrine of the Atonement is so much larger than simply the death and burial of Christ, it encompasses his entire life, so that it can affect our entire life. Live on in the power of the Spirit. ...Read more
Typically the doctrine of the Atonement is limited to the the death and crucifixion of Christ. However, this is in error, for if the doctrine is thus limited without reference to the sinless life of Christ, the Resurrection, Ascension and subsequent sending of the Spirit then something less than an efficacious atonement occurred. (This is one of those points where the discipline of systematic theology is lacking by its compartmentalizing of dogma.)
What I mean is this, without a sinless life, Christ was unable to atone for others, much less himself. He would not have been the spotless lamb of God, sent to take away the sins of the world. Nor would he have been a pleasing sacrifice to God, rather his death would have been a just punishment for his sin, a punishment everyone of us should have to undergo an infinite number of times over. But as a sinless man, God was able to accept his perfect life given as an atoning sacrifice for every sin ever committed by any person.
Furthermore, to remove from the doctrine of the Atonement any mention of the resurrection, ascension and subsequent sending of the Spirit would be to cast humanity into a place of powerlessness with no hope of living a victorious Christian life over sin. If these three events are not taken to be integral to the doctrine of the Atonement then what would humanity's resulting atonement look like? I believe that without these three events, humanity would be cast back into a position very much like that of Adam. Sure our sin would have been covered, assuming of course Christ was sinless and died for us, but we would not have any power internal to ourselves to defeat the next temptation to sin. Thus we would perpetually be living a defeated Christian life, intent on reliving the 3rd chapter of Genesis over and over and over again. However, with the resurrection, ascension and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Christians' atonement is truly efficacious. It is powerful and the power to defeat sin becomes a power internal to our new constitution as a new humanity. We no longer are subject to the temptations and sins of the fallen order, we are now redeemed and able to live the new life, a life able to choose not to sin.
The doctrine of the Atonement is so much larger than simply the death and burial of Christ, it encompasses his entire life, so that it can affect our entire life. Live on in the power of the Spirit. ...Read more
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Federalist Paper #31 - Taxation
There are a series of papers written by Hamilton on the general power of taxation conferred upon the legislative branch of the government. In the 31st paper, Hamilton repeats the argument of those opposed to this general power. Here is their argument,
"But an indefinite power of taxation in the latter (Federal govt.) might, and probably would in time, deprive the former (State govt.) of the means of providing for their own necessities; and would subject them entirely to the mercy of the national legislature. As the laws of the Union are to become the supreme law of the land, as it is to have power to pass all laws that may be NECESSARY for carrying into execution the authorities with which it is proposed to vest it, the national government might at any time abolish the taxes imposed for State objects upon the pretense of an interference with its own. It might allege a necessity of doing this in order to give efficacy to the national revenues. And thus all the resources of taxation might by degrees become the subjects of federal monopoly, to the entire exclusion and destruction of the State governments."
Unfortunately, Hamilton dismissed this critique as speculatory writing, "It should not be forgotten that a disposition in the State governments to encroach upon the rights of the Union is quite as probable as a disposition in the Union to encroach upon the rights of the State governments. What side would be likely to prevail in such a conflict, must depend on the means which the contending parties could employ toward insuring success. As in republics strength is always on the side of the people, and as there are weighty reasons to induce a belief that the State governments will commonly possess most influence over them, the natural conclusion is that such contests will be most apt to end to the disadvantage of the Union; and that there is greater probability of encroachments by the members upon the federal head, than by the federal head upon the members."
Has this dismissal proved true? I would submit that it has not, federal taxes are greater than State taxes, and how does the State make up the difference, by appealing to the Federal government for special funds, be it for Transportation projects, Education projects, Social welfare projects or whatever else is needed. The States do not support themselves. In fact, quite the contrary, if the Federal government were to cease providing funding to the States, much of the so called "projects of social benefit" would dry up, for the people would refuse to vote for such legislators. It is only in a Federal government that has subjected the State and the State government that has aligned itself with a great funding source that produces the inefficiencies we see in our present system. Sure, I concede that the system is not as bad as it could be, but neither is it what was envisioned either.
What do you think? ...Read more
"But an indefinite power of taxation in the latter (Federal govt.) might, and probably would in time, deprive the former (State govt.) of the means of providing for their own necessities; and would subject them entirely to the mercy of the national legislature. As the laws of the Union are to become the supreme law of the land, as it is to have power to pass all laws that may be NECESSARY for carrying into execution the authorities with which it is proposed to vest it, the national government might at any time abolish the taxes imposed for State objects upon the pretense of an interference with its own. It might allege a necessity of doing this in order to give efficacy to the national revenues. And thus all the resources of taxation might by degrees become the subjects of federal monopoly, to the entire exclusion and destruction of the State governments."
Unfortunately, Hamilton dismissed this critique as speculatory writing, "It should not be forgotten that a disposition in the State governments to encroach upon the rights of the Union is quite as probable as a disposition in the Union to encroach upon the rights of the State governments. What side would be likely to prevail in such a conflict, must depend on the means which the contending parties could employ toward insuring success. As in republics strength is always on the side of the people, and as there are weighty reasons to induce a belief that the State governments will commonly possess most influence over them, the natural conclusion is that such contests will be most apt to end to the disadvantage of the Union; and that there is greater probability of encroachments by the members upon the federal head, than by the federal head upon the members."
Has this dismissal proved true? I would submit that it has not, federal taxes are greater than State taxes, and how does the State make up the difference, by appealing to the Federal government for special funds, be it for Transportation projects, Education projects, Social welfare projects or whatever else is needed. The States do not support themselves. In fact, quite the contrary, if the Federal government were to cease providing funding to the States, much of the so called "projects of social benefit" would dry up, for the people would refuse to vote for such legislators. It is only in a Federal government that has subjected the State and the State government that has aligned itself with a great funding source that produces the inefficiencies we see in our present system. Sure, I concede that the system is not as bad as it could be, but neither is it what was envisioned either.
What do you think? ...Read more
Reflections on my struggle to pray
As I was reading an article challenging me to take seriously the warfare which occurs in a life of prayer, the author closed with 3 questions. One of them I hope to address here. The question is, "What strategies does the enemy use to keep you from praying?"
It would be easy to answer that question in the generic, but that would fail to bring it home personally and thus would allow me to continue in my struggles to pray. So I will answer it based upon my reflection. Busyness is the chief strategy employed against me. Since my life is available to others as a pastor, I frequently am up late reading or researching questions related to individuals and my church. This in turn causes me to be tired and unwilling to wake up early in order to pray. Then the day gets going and fills up with many appointments or tasks - visiting folks, studying for sermons, preparing for meetings, etc. Each of these things, I see as more important, or having a more immediate bearing and more fruitful harvest than prayer.
That observation leads me to the second strategy. The enemy has deceived me into thinking that activity is more important and beneficial than prayer. I have become a student of my culture and learned exactly what it has taught to me: Productivity is king. Yet this paralyzes a life of prayer, for prayer doesn't always equate to a tangible task being completed today. Rather prayer is a way of expressing dependence upon God and an inability to accomplish the tasks of life without the Father's involvement.
These two strategies have been effective for much of my life in keeping me from praying. But by naming them, and recognizing their use in my life I am becoming more aware and the choice is now clearly before my eyes. Slowly I am choosing a new way of living, a way in which prayer is an integral part of my daily life, but I still struggle. The simple changes I have made to overcome my struggle include ensuring that one meal each day is spent unhurried with my family so that we can pray and read Scripture. Additionally, I have begun carrying a prayer journal with me to record requests and answers and I seek to pray through its pages a few times each week. My goal would be daily, but I am only making it about 3 times each week at this time. Praise God, that is three times more than last year. These two changes are showing their fruit as prayer is integrating itself into my life.
So I close with the question I opened with, "What strategies does the enemy use to keep you from praying?" ...Read more
It would be easy to answer that question in the generic, but that would fail to bring it home personally and thus would allow me to continue in my struggles to pray. So I will answer it based upon my reflection. Busyness is the chief strategy employed against me. Since my life is available to others as a pastor, I frequently am up late reading or researching questions related to individuals and my church. This in turn causes me to be tired and unwilling to wake up early in order to pray. Then the day gets going and fills up with many appointments or tasks - visiting folks, studying for sermons, preparing for meetings, etc. Each of these things, I see as more important, or having a more immediate bearing and more fruitful harvest than prayer.
That observation leads me to the second strategy. The enemy has deceived me into thinking that activity is more important and beneficial than prayer. I have become a student of my culture and learned exactly what it has taught to me: Productivity is king. Yet this paralyzes a life of prayer, for prayer doesn't always equate to a tangible task being completed today. Rather prayer is a way of expressing dependence upon God and an inability to accomplish the tasks of life without the Father's involvement.
These two strategies have been effective for much of my life in keeping me from praying. But by naming them, and recognizing their use in my life I am becoming more aware and the choice is now clearly before my eyes. Slowly I am choosing a new way of living, a way in which prayer is an integral part of my daily life, but I still struggle. The simple changes I have made to overcome my struggle include ensuring that one meal each day is spent unhurried with my family so that we can pray and read Scripture. Additionally, I have begun carrying a prayer journal with me to record requests and answers and I seek to pray through its pages a few times each week. My goal would be daily, but I am only making it about 3 times each week at this time. Praise God, that is three times more than last year. These two changes are showing their fruit as prayer is integrating itself into my life.
So I close with the question I opened with, "What strategies does the enemy use to keep you from praying?" ...Read more
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
A Worship parable
Pastor bc cumings of Mountain View CRC wrote a D.Min. thesis a number of years ago on Worship. The thesis was titled Waterways of Worship. I would like to share one of his parables on worship with you. It comes from page 226 where he is discussing Worship as a rich relationship and not a ritual.
There was a prince whose massive estates were given to the care of certain stewards during an extended time of frequent absence. He was not always absent. From time to time he would return to visit his estates and the people who worked them. Both the master and his subjects seemed agreed that the visits were all too short.
As time progressed, one of the stewards became concerned with the manner in which the common people presented themselves to their sovereign. He took it upon himself to instruct the people as to when and how and in what demeanor they should address the Prince upon his returns. Instruction in protocol was regularly given and became the focus of his administration. He drew up entire books filled with stately etiquette and greetings of carefully worded grandeur. So effective was his training program that the common folk came to believe that they need only repeat the words written in their books of protocol to maintain good relations with the Prince.
On the given days and at the appointed times, the Prince would return to find the workers of this estate well-schooled in their etiquette. With pomp and pageantry they greeted his every visitation. The people came in their finest attire and they read blessings, eulogies, and litanies of great eloquence. The occasion always left the people and their prince with the impression that something lofty, gracious, and beautiful had happened—though perhaps they could not say what it was.
On other of the Prince’s estates, the steward was rather more personal and pragmatic. “I am not so much concerned with show as with reality,” he was heard to say. “Our great Prince deserves rich fruits, not fancy words.”
When the Prince visited this estate, he was greeted warmly and directly by people dressed in working garments. There was no pageantry, no ornate words. In fact, little by way of celebration at all. The work paused only long enough to allow for direct and simple words to be exchanged between the Lord and his people. Once the converse was over, it was back to the work and fruitfulness.
Finally the day arrived on which the Prince came into his kingdom. At his coronation the stewards arrived at the palace, each convinced that his administration of the estate was superior. Each anticipated that the people of his estate would receive the better commendation because of the administration under which they had served. Each secretly looked down a rather self-satisfied nose at the other.
The steward of the regal estates was confident his people were more pleasing to the new King because of the stability, propriety and respect of the words he had composed for them to say. At the same time, he was quite sure that the King would be displeased with the low-brow words and tattered apparel of the workers from the other estate. Certainly, the King of such a rich and influential domain was pleased only by the best of words, ceremonies and apparel.
The steward of the more folksome estates was also confident his people would fare better before the King than those of the other estate. Their words were not lofty, but they were genuine. They had not squandered precious time celebrating the King when he had been a Prince. They had remained at their posts—working the ground and bringing forth fruits for the coronation banquet. None of his people had presumed to read someone else’s greeting to their King. Their words were their own.
But when the King turned to the people of his estates, eh gave preference to neither the regal estates nor the common estates. Instead he judged each person concerning matters of the heart.
To one he declared, “Your words were not your own in composition, but you strove diligently to make them your own in significance. They became to you an occasion for raising the level of our discourse to loftier, more noble things. Well done.”
To another he frowned, “You spoke to me with high and lofty phrases but your heart and mind never rose above the pig sty. Thus your words were false to you and odious to me, filled with disdainful complacency. Was it not worth it to you to breathe life and meaning into your wonderful words and pretty turns of speech? You are unfaithful and fit only for my contempt.”
When the servants from the common estates approached the throne, they too found the King interested in deeper things than the manner of address and decorum they practiced.
To one he smiled, and bid him approach the throne, “My dear old friend, how I treasure the memory of our long discussions over the feed trough. You have no idea the good you did me by your forthright respect and ready service. I look forward to feeding and grooming the livestock with you again and again in the royal stables.”
Yet at the sign of another his face fell, “Oh, you,” He muttered. “You took my visits for granted and presumed to speak with me as if we were equals. Your so-called service to me was a wispy veil for your self-serving attitude. You were careless in your thoughts and actions toward me, I shall take very little care over what becomes of you in my kingdom.”
By the time the stewards approached the throne, their confidence had melted away. The steward of the royal estates had acted in good conscience for his attempts to dignify the communion of his people with their Master by lending them order and nobility. But he was suddenly aware that in the doing, he had traded away the honest and reverent intimacy his people might have known with their ruler. The steward of the common estates was glad for his emphasis upon service and fruitful labors, but suddenly felt denuded and inappropriate in the presence of such a magnificent King.
The King read the heart of each in their eyes. He said nothing, but under his gaze the stewards turned one to the other and tearfully grasped hands. “We have much to learn from one another,” they agreed.
As they turned to the King, and bowed low before him, no words were exchanged—only the smile of their Master and the prospect of many happy days setting the balance in the kingdom.
...Read more
There was a prince whose massive estates were given to the care of certain stewards during an extended time of frequent absence. He was not always absent. From time to time he would return to visit his estates and the people who worked them. Both the master and his subjects seemed agreed that the visits were all too short.
As time progressed, one of the stewards became concerned with the manner in which the common people presented themselves to their sovereign. He took it upon himself to instruct the people as to when and how and in what demeanor they should address the Prince upon his returns. Instruction in protocol was regularly given and became the focus of his administration. He drew up entire books filled with stately etiquette and greetings of carefully worded grandeur. So effective was his training program that the common folk came to believe that they need only repeat the words written in their books of protocol to maintain good relations with the Prince.
On the given days and at the appointed times, the Prince would return to find the workers of this estate well-schooled in their etiquette. With pomp and pageantry they greeted his every visitation. The people came in their finest attire and they read blessings, eulogies, and litanies of great eloquence. The occasion always left the people and their prince with the impression that something lofty, gracious, and beautiful had happened—though perhaps they could not say what it was.
On other of the Prince’s estates, the steward was rather more personal and pragmatic. “I am not so much concerned with show as with reality,” he was heard to say. “Our great Prince deserves rich fruits, not fancy words.”
When the Prince visited this estate, he was greeted warmly and directly by people dressed in working garments. There was no pageantry, no ornate words. In fact, little by way of celebration at all. The work paused only long enough to allow for direct and simple words to be exchanged between the Lord and his people. Once the converse was over, it was back to the work and fruitfulness.
Finally the day arrived on which the Prince came into his kingdom. At his coronation the stewards arrived at the palace, each convinced that his administration of the estate was superior. Each anticipated that the people of his estate would receive the better commendation because of the administration under which they had served. Each secretly looked down a rather self-satisfied nose at the other.
The steward of the regal estates was confident his people were more pleasing to the new King because of the stability, propriety and respect of the words he had composed for them to say. At the same time, he was quite sure that the King would be displeased with the low-brow words and tattered apparel of the workers from the other estate. Certainly, the King of such a rich and influential domain was pleased only by the best of words, ceremonies and apparel.
The steward of the more folksome estates was also confident his people would fare better before the King than those of the other estate. Their words were not lofty, but they were genuine. They had not squandered precious time celebrating the King when he had been a Prince. They had remained at their posts—working the ground and bringing forth fruits for the coronation banquet. None of his people had presumed to read someone else’s greeting to their King. Their words were their own.
But when the King turned to the people of his estates, eh gave preference to neither the regal estates nor the common estates. Instead he judged each person concerning matters of the heart.
To one he declared, “Your words were not your own in composition, but you strove diligently to make them your own in significance. They became to you an occasion for raising the level of our discourse to loftier, more noble things. Well done.”
To another he frowned, “You spoke to me with high and lofty phrases but your heart and mind never rose above the pig sty. Thus your words were false to you and odious to me, filled with disdainful complacency. Was it not worth it to you to breathe life and meaning into your wonderful words and pretty turns of speech? You are unfaithful and fit only for my contempt.”
When the servants from the common estates approached the throne, they too found the King interested in deeper things than the manner of address and decorum they practiced.
To one he smiled, and bid him approach the throne, “My dear old friend, how I treasure the memory of our long discussions over the feed trough. You have no idea the good you did me by your forthright respect and ready service. I look forward to feeding and grooming the livestock with you again and again in the royal stables.”
Yet at the sign of another his face fell, “Oh, you,” He muttered. “You took my visits for granted and presumed to speak with me as if we were equals. Your so-called service to me was a wispy veil for your self-serving attitude. You were careless in your thoughts and actions toward me, I shall take very little care over what becomes of you in my kingdom.”
By the time the stewards approached the throne, their confidence had melted away. The steward of the royal estates had acted in good conscience for his attempts to dignify the communion of his people with their Master by lending them order and nobility. But he was suddenly aware that in the doing, he had traded away the honest and reverent intimacy his people might have known with their ruler. The steward of the common estates was glad for his emphasis upon service and fruitful labors, but suddenly felt denuded and inappropriate in the presence of such a magnificent King.
The King read the heart of each in their eyes. He said nothing, but under his gaze the stewards turned one to the other and tearfully grasped hands. “We have much to learn from one another,” they agreed.
As they turned to the King, and bowed low before him, no words were exchanged—only the smile of their Master and the prospect of many happy days setting the balance in the kingdom.
...Read more
Saturday, August 15, 2009
26th Federalist Paper and Israel's request for a King
Recently I finished reading Alexander Hamilton's 26th Federalist Paper. In this particular text, the argument is made for restraining the powers of a strong standing army perpetually, but not limiting the legislative branch in their ability to call up an army. Hamilton argues that forcing the democratically elected officials to review a military budget every 2 years will bring to the people's attention the question, "Is this army really needed right now?"
He goes on to write,
"Schemes to subvert the liberties of a great community REQUIRE TIME to mature them for execution. An army, so large as seriously to menace those liberties, could only be formed by progressive augmentations; which would suppose, not merely a temporary combination between the legislature and executive, but a continued conspiracy for a series of time. Is it probable that such a combination would exist at all? Is it probable that it would be persevered in, and transmitted along through all the successive variations in a representative body, which biennial elections would naturally produce in both houses? Is it presumable, that every man, the instant he took his seat in the national Senate or House of Representatives, would commence a traitor to his constituents and to his country? Can it be supposed that there would not be found one man, discerning enough to detect so atrocious a conspiracy, or bold or honest enough to apprise his constituents of their danger? If such presumptions can fairly be made, there ought at once to be an end of all delegated authority. The people should resolve to recall all the powers they have heretofore parted with out of their own hands, and to divide themselves into as many States as there are counties, in order that they may be able to manage their own concerns in person."
Obviously Hamilton felt that the answer to each of his questions was "No." However, time would tell that, should our military,police and intelligence establishments decide to impinge on our liberties, their is nothing that the general American could do to repel such an infringement. His last statement stands, our only solution is to do away with representative government and move towards true democracy. But the problem with this is the fickle, changing opinions of people. We are so easily swayed to the left and then to the right, generally based on what serves our best interests. No, the solution is truly to be found in the kingly reign of Christ.
For Christ alone leads us in the way of self-denial, love and peace. He teaches us to give and not take. He alone, can bring us true security even in the midst of military infringements upon our freedoms. Christ is the solution to all our governmental woes, to cast ourselves at the cross and lament our desire to rule ourselves. Hey, this is starting to sound strangely like 1 Samuel 8 and the Israelite desire to have a King instead of allowing the Lord to rule them. Read the story and draw your own conclusions on the path forward. ...Read more
He goes on to write,
"Schemes to subvert the liberties of a great community REQUIRE TIME to mature them for execution. An army, so large as seriously to menace those liberties, could only be formed by progressive augmentations; which would suppose, not merely a temporary combination between the legislature and executive, but a continued conspiracy for a series of time. Is it probable that such a combination would exist at all? Is it probable that it would be persevered in, and transmitted along through all the successive variations in a representative body, which biennial elections would naturally produce in both houses? Is it presumable, that every man, the instant he took his seat in the national Senate or House of Representatives, would commence a traitor to his constituents and to his country? Can it be supposed that there would not be found one man, discerning enough to detect so atrocious a conspiracy, or bold or honest enough to apprise his constituents of their danger? If such presumptions can fairly be made, there ought at once to be an end of all delegated authority. The people should resolve to recall all the powers they have heretofore parted with out of their own hands, and to divide themselves into as many States as there are counties, in order that they may be able to manage their own concerns in person."
Obviously Hamilton felt that the answer to each of his questions was "No." However, time would tell that, should our military,police and intelligence establishments decide to impinge on our liberties, their is nothing that the general American could do to repel such an infringement. His last statement stands, our only solution is to do away with representative government and move towards true democracy. But the problem with this is the fickle, changing opinions of people. We are so easily swayed to the left and then to the right, generally based on what serves our best interests. No, the solution is truly to be found in the kingly reign of Christ.
For Christ alone leads us in the way of self-denial, love and peace. He teaches us to give and not take. He alone, can bring us true security even in the midst of military infringements upon our freedoms. Christ is the solution to all our governmental woes, to cast ourselves at the cross and lament our desire to rule ourselves. Hey, this is starting to sound strangely like 1 Samuel 8 and the Israelite desire to have a King instead of allowing the Lord to rule them. Read the story and draw your own conclusions on the path forward. ...Read more
Monday, August 10, 2009
Prayer thoughts
It has been a few weeks since I have written on prayer. Personally, I have been struggling in my prayer life, mostly from tiredness. It is amazing how our physical stamina affects our spiritual vitality. At the time when I would seemingly need to pray the most, in my tiredness and exhaustion, I actually pray the least. Praise God for our mediator Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for us when we can't intercede for ourselves.
I am so very grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and his immense concern for each of us, that he prays for our very union with God, as he is united with the Father. John 17:21-23 says, "21 [I ask] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Will you begin praying for union with God? Will you pray for others to be united to the Father? This truly is the greatest prayer we can pray and even when we aren't praying it, the Son is praying for us. To God be the glory!
...Read more
I am so very grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and his immense concern for each of us, that he prays for our very union with God, as he is united with the Father. John 17:21-23 says, "21 [I ask] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
Will you begin praying for union with God? Will you pray for others to be united to the Father? This truly is the greatest prayer we can pray and even when we aren't praying it, the Son is praying for us. To God be the glory!
...Read more
Friday, August 7, 2009
Questioning Classic Christianity #4
Here is our fourth round of emails. the format is the same, my friend's email and my response:
Friend wrote on July 14, 2009
Scott,
Ah summer. So many mountains to climb and so little time to engage in lengthy e-dialogue on matters of theological concern...
In brief, some thoughts on each of your main points.
First off, I have to say I do take scripture seriously and think on one level I approach it similarly to you. I believe that many of the stories in the Bible are powerful and useful for understanding the character of God, the complexity of the human condition, and the difficulty and beauty of our journeys of faith. I try to read it similar to how you describe, with an open mind to how God might be speaking to me in my present situation. That said, on another level, I apply a rigorous and critical eye to scripture and to text in general be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu, secular or whatever. I am an equal opportunity believer and an equal opportunity skeptic.
As far as absolute truths are concerned, I am more convinced of absolute truth than at any point in my life previous. I view faith as a constantly deepening friendship, and as I have befriended God more deeply with the years, I am more convinced of God's reality. And it's not something that I simply hold intellectually in my mind, it's something I know in my heart, and have experienced in my body! I view this knowing as a friendship that grows more and more deeply as God reveals more and more of himself to me daily.
At the same time, I'm skeptical of the vast majority of bullshit that masquerades as truth from all quadrants of society and which comes out of certain sectors of every religious traditions. I believe that the journey of faith requires both a childlike simplicity and a mature skepticism. I will happily claim the name of doubting Thomas. I need to feel the holes in Christ's hands, and the sensation of his skin for me to be convinced. My measure for accepting truth is whether I can experience it personally and directly, and not have merely to only take another's word for it.
As far as the issue of textual transmission and accuracy is concerned, I certainly have heard and am impressed by the wide proliferation of the Christian scriptures. I would just say that I have no doubt in my mind that the other historical and mythic texts you refer to have drifted far astray from their original textual or oral form. I'd also be interested to compare the numbers on copies of religious texts from the other major religions and see if they in any way compare to those of Christianity.
As for learning Greek, how I would love to if I had a few hundred hours to spare, but don't realistically see it as a priority at the present time.
A few questions for you, since I fear our conversation is really little more than two occasionally bisecting monologues.
By what authority do you accept the Bible as true? So far you've based the authority of scripture on certain scriptures. If memory serves me correctly, that's internal logic, which doesn't go too far with me since I don't accept the veracity of those texts you base your claims off of.
I've been impressed to hear of your cross-church collaborations, which sound like they're bringing a lot of new energy and insight to Hope in Christ. I'm curious what your connections look like across faith lines and whether you're engaged in dialogue and learning with people of other religions?
And I'm interested to learn more about your faith journey in general. What was the turning point in your questioning and searching that led you to the place where you're now at? And what are the faith questions you are still asking and wrestling with today?
I fear we could go on lobbing theological arguments at one another indefinitely and do little more than wear our keyboards out in the process. But to hear about your present journey with God, now there is something refreshing and vital I am interested to hear.
As always, thanks for your patience as I am a great procrastinator when it comes to my email, especially when the temperature reaches about 70. And yes, feel free to post on your blog, and as I come to think about it, feel free to include my name as well if you wish.
Best,
Friend
My reply dated July 28, 2009
Friend,
I appreciate your honesty and your willingness to dialog. Also accept my apologies for anything which comes across as an attack on your struggle with he faith, or a demeaning of your reading of the Scriptures. That said, there is a fundamental difference in your approach and mine. You used the phrase I try to read it to see "how God might be speaking to me." And then you go on to discuss your critical eye of any and all Scriptures. Therein lies, the difference. I come with a fundamentally different belief than you. I do believe this is the word of God and so I also believe that God is speaking to me through the text. This isn't an anthropological text, it is a divinely sanctioned theological text. Sure it describes the complexities of the human condition, and the beauty and difficulty of the life of faith, as you mention, but it is not "useful for understanding the character of God" it is the very revelation of how God has chosen to be revealed. This is fundamentally different.
As you describe your life with God, i am encouraged, but I am also reflective that Jesus said, John 20:29 “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” You draw an unnecessary distinction between faith and experience. For you, as I understand your letter, experience is the final arbiter, but Jesus had a different way of seeing it. He validated the realm of faith without experience, trust without reason. That said, I believe every true believer has both at work in their life.
Which is the set of questions you are asking me. What is the experience I have had to justify my belief. Let me outline it for you, but first a bit of history. I wasn't raised in the church, but came to Christ in late Jr. High after watching my parents accept Christ. There life was radically changed and so I entered in simply with the thought, "I'll give it a try." I began studying the Bible and took it as a self help book able to make me acceptable to God. That turned me into a class A hypocrite. I judged others who didn't make the grade and was lenient on myself. Classic phariseeism. Then in my freshman year of college, while studying and praying I asked God what he wanted me to do with my life. The response was audible and startling, "If you will follow me I will take you to the seven continents and you will have a tough life but you will enjoy it. If you don't follow me, you will just have a tough life."
I choose the former, not knowing what that meant but thinking I did. That led me to train to become a missionary in Africa. During that training I had a crisis of faith, and began questioning everything about the faith, including whether it was true or not. Here I was, preparing to go and teach people about Jesus and at the same time wondering if the Christian Gospel was true. I began exploring Orthodox Judaism and Buddhism. Both seemed more "achievable" for the disciplined soul and the adherents of each faith were far more moral and enjoyable a people to be around than most Christians. One day I cried out to God in the shower and said, "If I am to be a Christian, you better reveal to me what is true about Christianity before I finish my shower."
Now, I don't advise that line of interaction with the Almighty God, but He was gracious and in that moment I heard His voice again as He expounded the grace of the Gospel and the Love of the Father for me. He revealed how Christ completely atoned for all my sin past, present and future and made me full acceptable in His sight. That revelation, which is entirely consistent with the Bible, changed my person and freed me from having to be something to others. I was free in Christ to be whom God made me to be. I went and spent the year in Africa working with Animists and exploring their teachings and sharing Christ with them. The message is fundamentally different, as any animist will attest and as many did attest to me in the bush of Zambia.
Upon returning to the USA, I had another crisis of faith, mostly because I anticipated staying in Africa for 10 years but due to a variety of circumstances we were only there for 1 year. Sitting in the desert, I cried to God for direction and a future. This time, no voice, but a vision of stained glass which I recognized as my life falling to the ground and shattering, then a hand reaching in and picking up pieces of my life and remaking it into a new stained glass of His making. Not all the pieces were taken, many were left on the ground, but it was a comfort that my ways and picture of life was crashing in order for God's way and picture of life to be born.
Fast forward to the present. What am I learning? I am learning about a heart of thankfulness and seeing all the good that God has made available to us. I am also learning what it is to have God be silent. More than ever I know he is present, but more than ever he has quit answering my questions and is leaving me to simply enjoy his presence. To take direction from his word, for most of my questions can be answered from a study of the Bible. In fact, most of my questions about how to live, what to do or not to do are already expounded upon. Take for instance adoption. We are adopting, but i am questioning whether now is the right time. Truth be told, there is never a right time. But God has called his people to care for those at risk. You can read more about this in my earlier posting on Saul's rejection.
Or take my pride, my struggle with generosity. All of these I know the answer, deference to others and liberality with the gifts God has given. I don't need God to tell me what to do, I need to do it. Or maybe the next great question I have is how to raise my children to love the Lord. How to model a life of prayer to them, when I struggle with praying. These are all the questions I am struggling with. Totally different from you as a single person, I fear, but they are mine.
You ask by what authority I accept it as true. I accept it based on its own authority. Does it claim to be the word of God? Is it able to effect its claims? Yes to both. You may call it internal logic, but the simple truth is we always determine our authorities. One who doesn't claim it as authoritative does so on his own footing, with no more valid reason than his arrogance or intelligence or lack thereof. By what authority does anyone accept any authority as legitimate? It is by internal choice. For you to choose not to accept it means that you have set yourself up as the final arbiter of truth, a dangerous position since the human heart is easily swayed by our own desires, whims and fancies.
As far as current interfaith connections, I must admit that I am currently not involved in any people interactions with others of varying faiths. That is not to say that I have not been in the past. Before moving to Bellingham, I regularly met with 2 New Agers, 1 ex-catholic, and 2 agnostics. We had great friendship and discussion but frankly, we had very little in common related to spiritual faith. It looked like it on the surface, as far as hopes for peace, justice, etc. But the practice of these was vastly different. Peace is very different depending on the faith, and so is justice. Currently I read widely and am getting ready to start reading the Koran which I haven't read before.
As far as the textual history of other faith documents, I haven't done alot of reading myself on this. And I will now that you have raised the point. But my initial search for websites has led me to the following:
Related to the Koran
John Gilchrist's Jam' Al'Qur'an: the codification of the Qur'an Text ...Read more
Friend wrote on July 14, 2009
Scott,
Ah summer. So many mountains to climb and so little time to engage in lengthy e-dialogue on matters of theological concern...
In brief, some thoughts on each of your main points.
First off, I have to say I do take scripture seriously and think on one level I approach it similarly to you. I believe that many of the stories in the Bible are powerful and useful for understanding the character of God, the complexity of the human condition, and the difficulty and beauty of our journeys of faith. I try to read it similar to how you describe, with an open mind to how God might be speaking to me in my present situation. That said, on another level, I apply a rigorous and critical eye to scripture and to text in general be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu, secular or whatever. I am an equal opportunity believer and an equal opportunity skeptic.
As far as absolute truths are concerned, I am more convinced of absolute truth than at any point in my life previous. I view faith as a constantly deepening friendship, and as I have befriended God more deeply with the years, I am more convinced of God's reality. And it's not something that I simply hold intellectually in my mind, it's something I know in my heart, and have experienced in my body! I view this knowing as a friendship that grows more and more deeply as God reveals more and more of himself to me daily.
At the same time, I'm skeptical of the vast majority of bullshit that masquerades as truth from all quadrants of society and which comes out of certain sectors of every religious traditions. I believe that the journey of faith requires both a childlike simplicity and a mature skepticism. I will happily claim the name of doubting Thomas. I need to feel the holes in Christ's hands, and the sensation of his skin for me to be convinced. My measure for accepting truth is whether I can experience it personally and directly, and not have merely to only take another's word for it.
As far as the issue of textual transmission and accuracy is concerned, I certainly have heard and am impressed by the wide proliferation of the Christian scriptures. I would just say that I have no doubt in my mind that the other historical and mythic texts you refer to have drifted far astray from their original textual or oral form. I'd also be interested to compare the numbers on copies of religious texts from the other major religions and see if they in any way compare to those of Christianity.
As for learning Greek, how I would love to if I had a few hundred hours to spare, but don't realistically see it as a priority at the present time.
A few questions for you, since I fear our conversation is really little more than two occasionally bisecting monologues.
By what authority do you accept the Bible as true? So far you've based the authority of scripture on certain scriptures. If memory serves me correctly, that's internal logic, which doesn't go too far with me since I don't accept the veracity of those texts you base your claims off of.
I've been impressed to hear of your cross-church collaborations, which sound like they're bringing a lot of new energy and insight to Hope in Christ. I'm curious what your connections look like across faith lines and whether you're engaged in dialogue and learning with people of other religions?
And I'm interested to learn more about your faith journey in general. What was the turning point in your questioning and searching that led you to the place where you're now at? And what are the faith questions you are still asking and wrestling with today?
I fear we could go on lobbing theological arguments at one another indefinitely and do little more than wear our keyboards out in the process. But to hear about your present journey with God, now there is something refreshing and vital I am interested to hear.
As always, thanks for your patience as I am a great procrastinator when it comes to my email, especially when the temperature reaches about 70. And yes, feel free to post on your blog, and as I come to think about it, feel free to include my name as well if you wish.
Best,
Friend
My reply dated July 28, 2009
Friend,
I appreciate your honesty and your willingness to dialog. Also accept my apologies for anything which comes across as an attack on your struggle with he faith, or a demeaning of your reading of the Scriptures. That said, there is a fundamental difference in your approach and mine. You used the phrase I try to read it to see "how God might be speaking to me." And then you go on to discuss your critical eye of any and all Scriptures. Therein lies, the difference. I come with a fundamentally different belief than you. I do believe this is the word of God and so I also believe that God is speaking to me through the text. This isn't an anthropological text, it is a divinely sanctioned theological text. Sure it describes the complexities of the human condition, and the beauty and difficulty of the life of faith, as you mention, but it is not "useful for understanding the character of God" it is the very revelation of how God has chosen to be revealed. This is fundamentally different.
As you describe your life with God, i am encouraged, but I am also reflective that Jesus said, John 20:29 “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” You draw an unnecessary distinction between faith and experience. For you, as I understand your letter, experience is the final arbiter, but Jesus had a different way of seeing it. He validated the realm of faith without experience, trust without reason. That said, I believe every true believer has both at work in their life.
Which is the set of questions you are asking me. What is the experience I have had to justify my belief. Let me outline it for you, but first a bit of history. I wasn't raised in the church, but came to Christ in late Jr. High after watching my parents accept Christ. There life was radically changed and so I entered in simply with the thought, "I'll give it a try." I began studying the Bible and took it as a self help book able to make me acceptable to God. That turned me into a class A hypocrite. I judged others who didn't make the grade and was lenient on myself. Classic phariseeism. Then in my freshman year of college, while studying and praying I asked God what he wanted me to do with my life. The response was audible and startling, "If you will follow me I will take you to the seven continents and you will have a tough life but you will enjoy it. If you don't follow me, you will just have a tough life."
I choose the former, not knowing what that meant but thinking I did. That led me to train to become a missionary in Africa. During that training I had a crisis of faith, and began questioning everything about the faith, including whether it was true or not. Here I was, preparing to go and teach people about Jesus and at the same time wondering if the Christian Gospel was true. I began exploring Orthodox Judaism and Buddhism. Both seemed more "achievable" for the disciplined soul and the adherents of each faith were far more moral and enjoyable a people to be around than most Christians. One day I cried out to God in the shower and said, "If I am to be a Christian, you better reveal to me what is true about Christianity before I finish my shower."
Now, I don't advise that line of interaction with the Almighty God, but He was gracious and in that moment I heard His voice again as He expounded the grace of the Gospel and the Love of the Father for me. He revealed how Christ completely atoned for all my sin past, present and future and made me full acceptable in His sight. That revelation, which is entirely consistent with the Bible, changed my person and freed me from having to be something to others. I was free in Christ to be whom God made me to be. I went and spent the year in Africa working with Animists and exploring their teachings and sharing Christ with them. The message is fundamentally different, as any animist will attest and as many did attest to me in the bush of Zambia.
Upon returning to the USA, I had another crisis of faith, mostly because I anticipated staying in Africa for 10 years but due to a variety of circumstances we were only there for 1 year. Sitting in the desert, I cried to God for direction and a future. This time, no voice, but a vision of stained glass which I recognized as my life falling to the ground and shattering, then a hand reaching in and picking up pieces of my life and remaking it into a new stained glass of His making. Not all the pieces were taken, many were left on the ground, but it was a comfort that my ways and picture of life was crashing in order for God's way and picture of life to be born.
Fast forward to the present. What am I learning? I am learning about a heart of thankfulness and seeing all the good that God has made available to us. I am also learning what it is to have God be silent. More than ever I know he is present, but more than ever he has quit answering my questions and is leaving me to simply enjoy his presence. To take direction from his word, for most of my questions can be answered from a study of the Bible. In fact, most of my questions about how to live, what to do or not to do are already expounded upon. Take for instance adoption. We are adopting, but i am questioning whether now is the right time. Truth be told, there is never a right time. But God has called his people to care for those at risk. You can read more about this in my earlier posting on Saul's rejection.
Or take my pride, my struggle with generosity. All of these I know the answer, deference to others and liberality with the gifts God has given. I don't need God to tell me what to do, I need to do it. Or maybe the next great question I have is how to raise my children to love the Lord. How to model a life of prayer to them, when I struggle with praying. These are all the questions I am struggling with. Totally different from you as a single person, I fear, but they are mine.
You ask by what authority I accept it as true. I accept it based on its own authority. Does it claim to be the word of God? Is it able to effect its claims? Yes to both. You may call it internal logic, but the simple truth is we always determine our authorities. One who doesn't claim it as authoritative does so on his own footing, with no more valid reason than his arrogance or intelligence or lack thereof. By what authority does anyone accept any authority as legitimate? It is by internal choice. For you to choose not to accept it means that you have set yourself up as the final arbiter of truth, a dangerous position since the human heart is easily swayed by our own desires, whims and fancies.
As far as current interfaith connections, I must admit that I am currently not involved in any people interactions with others of varying faiths. That is not to say that I have not been in the past. Before moving to Bellingham, I regularly met with 2 New Agers, 1 ex-catholic, and 2 agnostics. We had great friendship and discussion but frankly, we had very little in common related to spiritual faith. It looked like it on the surface, as far as hopes for peace, justice, etc. But the practice of these was vastly different. Peace is very different depending on the faith, and so is justice. Currently I read widely and am getting ready to start reading the Koran which I haven't read before.
As far as the textual history of other faith documents, I haven't done alot of reading myself on this. And I will now that you have raised the point. But my initial search for websites has led me to the following:
Related to the Koran
John Gilchrist's Jam' Al'Qur'an: the codification of the Qur'an Text ...Read more
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Questioning Classic Christianity #3
Here is our third round of emails. My friend's post first, then my response.
On May 30, 2009, at 2:49 PM, Friend wrote:
Scott,
Let me kick off with the issue of scriptural corruption since I think that may be the crux of things at hand and the place where you're seeking more clarification of my views. I believe that much of the Bible is inspired text, composed by people who were in connection with the Holy Spirit. Who can read the words of Jesus in the gospel or Paul's passage on the primacy of love and not be convicted that this comes from something greater than the rational mind?
That said, many Biblical scholars (and not just ultra-liberal ones) will flatly tell you that some of the New Testament letters are frauds. 2nd Peter for example wasn't written by Peter, but by a later author who employed Peter's name to give the text an additional sense of authority. This was a common practice in the ancient world and wouldn't have necessarily been viewed as a deception (though I think the author's intent might be dubious). Several of Paul's letters are the same way.
Similarly, over the course of thousands of years of history, every single book in the Bible has gone through a process of editing and revision. If memory recalls, we don't have a single original text. They are all copies of copies of copies and many of which prior to being written down were preserved in the oral tradition for decades and even centuries. Through this process, the original wording and narrative has changed considerably in some cases. Numerous different communities with their own spiritual perspectives and agendas have handled these texts. I imagine many were sincere and handled the texts with the utmost veneration. Some were not so, and bended the text to serve their own political and spiritual interests.
Comparing the Books of Kings to Chronicles is one of the most poignant examples of this revision at play. Both pairs of books track roughly the same history of Israel, but in places provide very different descriptions and interpretations of events. I wish I could recall the exact verses, but in one place, Kings talks about how God sends a plague upon the Israelites for their sins. In Chronicles, recounting the exact same episode, it is Satan who perpetrates the action. How do you reconcile these differences, and other variations in the two accounts of Israel's history? The scholars I tend to trust say that the books were written at different times and reflect different perspectives on Israel's purpose and legacy. Kings is the earlier and more authentic text, and reflects a more critical and prophetic voice. Chronicles was written much later after the Babylonian exile, when Israel needed to renew a strong sense of national identity. Thus, it is a simplified and more patriotic account if you will.
You could apply a similar eye to the gospels. Four different accounts from four different communities. The gospels are in harmony in a number of places, but each has its own, voice, style, depiction, and interpretation of certain events in Jesus' life. Each reflects differing aspects of Jesus' life the authors deemed most important to understanding his nature and purpose.
Personally, I am no longer able to affirm that scripture as it is rendered in the NIV possesses absolute authority. The more I have learned about the process of authorship and transmission from generation to generation--about the politics often involved, and the differing theologies and world-views of revising communities--the less I can believe that all of these twists and turns have been guided by divine inspiration.
Thus the importance of experience in the mystical traditions. Again, according to the mystics, God is continually speaking--as powerfully today as God did 2,000 years ago in the time of Jesus, and 5,000 years ago in the time of Moses. There is no golden era of revelation, God is manifest in all times equally. Scripture reflects words written by people in touch with this inspiration, but then over the years, through the process of revision and political mangling, the text degrades. This is the nature of spiritual movements and human institutions in general. They rise, grow, stagnate, and then eventually crumble. And then from their ashes emerge new vital movements that are once again in touch with the spirit.
As far as experience goes, I agree with you that one has to be scrupulous. Spiritual experience can not simply be judged by the positive or negative feelings that arise from it. Rather, I find the test lies in how much the experience challenges me to grow and produces the spiritual fruit of love, patience, humility, perseverance, etc...
Yes, I believe that human efforts are futile if God is not at their center. And yes, I believe that Christianity is a vital faith that connects people with God. But I can't affirm that Christianity is the exclusive mediating faith for approaching the divine. Not all paths are the same, and certainly in my mind not all expressions of spirituality are authentic and beneficial. But fortunately there exists a wonderful spiritual plurality in this world that allows different individuals and communities to experience God in different ways.
Just as the strength and vitality of a forest is due to its ecological diversity, so to is our world sustained by its spiritual diversity. Frankly, I am skeptical of the line, "there is only one way" when it is spoken about any sphere of life, be it the environment, politics, culture, or religion, because I simply do not see this as in touch with the most fundamental principles of our world. I ask you to seriously consider if there's any other place besides in your life besides religion where, "there is only one way" actually reflects reality.
So there it is, I tried not to sugar coat anything for you, but let you know as plainly and authentically how I have come to view my faith and spirituality. I don't perceive my formation in the church as negative or harmful, but rather as an essential part of my spiritual growth and development. That said, I no longer find Evangelical Christianity and its model of discipleship as the vehicle for bringing me close to God and have embraced new channels for sustaining this connection.
Thanks for your patience waiting for my reply. I continue to enjoy this dialogue and look forward to your response when the opportunity presents itself.
Warmly,
Friend
Here is my response June 15, 2009:
Friend,
Starting from the end of your letter and working back, we share some commonality. I too believe that 'Evangelical Christianity and its model of discipleship' are woefully lacking and frankly distorted the message of Jesus. That said, I am not prepared to throw out the text of Scripture, or turn it into a buffet where I can pick and choose what is true, real, or unedited and ignore the rest. Instead, I have opted for a totally different path than you. I read it and take it seriously, instead of allowing one doctrine or dogma to trump everything else (which is what much of protestant Christianity has done. In the case of the liberal churches, love trumps holiness and social justice trumps piety, while in the conservative churches knowledge trumps lifestyle and one is saved even if their life bears not fruit.) I have sought to read the Bible and allow God to rigorously apply it to my life. Where sound thinking and good doctrine are called for (epistles), I ask God to reveal it and to transform my mind. Where lifestyle and action are demanded (read the prophets, sermon on the mount, end of most of the epistles) then I seek to live life accordingly by the empowerment of the Spirit, and when I fail, which is often, I repent and believe the good news that Christ came to forgive sinners and my actions don't make me acceptable to God, but are the fruit of a relationship grounded in Christ.
While I believe we share many things, the difference as I see it is the issue of truth. You are skeptical of it, an understandable thing for the average person raised in the late 20th century at the dawn of the cultural postmodern shift. However, there are absolutes in the universe, there are truths and a good lifestyle will not save anyone, as much as proper knowledge will not save anyone either. God, in his Scriptural Word and through the life of Christ, the living Word, has shown us that knowledge and action rightly joined together are the requirement for holiness and Christ alone, in all of human history, as the God-man, the incarnate Deity, as Emmanuel. He alone was able to perfectly wed the two, and we are invited to become part of that life, his life and share in his perfect union of proper doctrine and proper life. So, abandoning sound doctrine in order to get sound practice, is as fatal as abandoning sound practice in order to get sound doctrine. The two cannot be unjoined, and when they are then we can easily say that Christ is on the same plane as the Buddha or Muhammad or the Scriptures are on the same plane as the Koran, the Tibetan book of the Dead, the Bhagavad-Gita, etc. But when they are joined, as they were in the life of Christ, then he alone stands distinct and different from all others and his claims to authority and pre-eminence must be viewed as wholly different and distinctly unique. Christ is the only way unto God, as he says, "I am the way, the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me."
As for some of the side issues you raise about transmission, textual copies, not trusting the translation of the NIV, etc. These are valid thoughts Your search for truth has led you farther than most in a critical appraisal of the evidence. It is true that their are variations in the texts, however, when one looks at and studies them, it becomes quickly apparent that the differences are miniscule in the vast majority of them and sure, there are some out there texts like the Gospel of Thomas, etc... but these are aberrations in their own right and were never widely accepted by the churches across the geographic spectrum in the first place. Let's take for instance, Homer's Iliad, there are 643 known copies of the Iliad with the earliest ones from 400BC or roughly 400 years after the text was originally written, or Herodotus' History which has 8 copies the earliest at 900 AD some 1350 years after the original, then one could also look at Plato's works, 7 copies, 1300 years after the original. The list goes on with Demosthenes, Caesar's Gallic Wars, Livy's History of Rome, Tacitus' Annals, etc. The gaps are huge, and yet we read and trust them as sources of History, etc. Now the New Testament, has 5366+ copies, fragments, books, etc. with the earliest fragments coming from 50 years post writing, the earliest complete books, 100 years post. The scale of preservation of the text is incomparable. That doesn't even take into account the Syriac, Latin, Coptic, Gothic, Georgian, Ethiopic and Nubian texts, then there is all the early patristic quotations in their writings. The textual witness is greater than any other book in history. Are there differences, sure, do they change the message of the text - Christ is the God Incarnate, he alone satisfies God's demand for a sinless, holy life and he alone died as a substitution for your sin and mine, he alone was raised from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God...No. None of these texts negate this message, the differences come in words that are reversed, or in some slight things church teachings like baptismal practice, church organization, etc. But these things don't save anyways. Should we strive for solid understanding of them, yes, but should we allow these to determine our trust in the organic message of the text? No.
I would encourage you not to read the english texts. They are all translations and any translation is fraught with difficulty and bias as the translators seek to render the meaning into a target language. Learn Koine Greek and start reading the text in the original. Get a copy of the Nestle-Aland 27 or the UBS 4 with the critical apparatus that shows the textual variants and start reading as close to the originals as you can. Grab a copy of the Bruce Metzger's The Text of the New Testament: It's transmission, corruption and restoration, 3rd ed. It was published in 1992, and Metzger's text is the standard for introducing people to textual criticism, etc. He reviews the various manuscripts, papyri, etc and is a well grounded academic. You can take Greek at a number of the schools there in Seattle. I would recommend looking into Fuller Theological Seminary's campus in Seattle and taking the 5 greek courses they offer. The questions you are asking are the same ones I was asking 7 years ago. I started taking the Greek sequence in order to struggle through my thoughts, questions, etc. on the text. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Enough for now. I look forward to your reply.
p.s. I am really enjoying our conversation via email and was wondering how you would feel about me posting them on my blog. I would make you anonymous and erase any refs to your location, but the questions you are asking and raising are great and I think they would help many people in there own walk with Christ. if you are opposed, no problem, I wont put them up, if its ok, then thanks. ...Read more
On May 30, 2009, at 2:49 PM, Friend wrote:
Scott,
Let me kick off with the issue of scriptural corruption since I think that may be the crux of things at hand and the place where you're seeking more clarification of my views. I believe that much of the Bible is inspired text, composed by people who were in connection with the Holy Spirit. Who can read the words of Jesus in the gospel or Paul's passage on the primacy of love and not be convicted that this comes from something greater than the rational mind?
That said, many Biblical scholars (and not just ultra-liberal ones) will flatly tell you that some of the New Testament letters are frauds. 2nd Peter for example wasn't written by Peter, but by a later author who employed Peter's name to give the text an additional sense of authority. This was a common practice in the ancient world and wouldn't have necessarily been viewed as a deception (though I think the author's intent might be dubious). Several of Paul's letters are the same way.
Similarly, over the course of thousands of years of history, every single book in the Bible has gone through a process of editing and revision. If memory recalls, we don't have a single original text. They are all copies of copies of copies and many of which prior to being written down were preserved in the oral tradition for decades and even centuries. Through this process, the original wording and narrative has changed considerably in some cases. Numerous different communities with their own spiritual perspectives and agendas have handled these texts. I imagine many were sincere and handled the texts with the utmost veneration. Some were not so, and bended the text to serve their own political and spiritual interests.
Comparing the Books of Kings to Chronicles is one of the most poignant examples of this revision at play. Both pairs of books track roughly the same history of Israel, but in places provide very different descriptions and interpretations of events. I wish I could recall the exact verses, but in one place, Kings talks about how God sends a plague upon the Israelites for their sins. In Chronicles, recounting the exact same episode, it is Satan who perpetrates the action. How do you reconcile these differences, and other variations in the two accounts of Israel's history? The scholars I tend to trust say that the books were written at different times and reflect different perspectives on Israel's purpose and legacy. Kings is the earlier and more authentic text, and reflects a more critical and prophetic voice. Chronicles was written much later after the Babylonian exile, when Israel needed to renew a strong sense of national identity. Thus, it is a simplified and more patriotic account if you will.
You could apply a similar eye to the gospels. Four different accounts from four different communities. The gospels are in harmony in a number of places, but each has its own, voice, style, depiction, and interpretation of certain events in Jesus' life. Each reflects differing aspects of Jesus' life the authors deemed most important to understanding his nature and purpose.
Personally, I am no longer able to affirm that scripture as it is rendered in the NIV possesses absolute authority. The more I have learned about the process of authorship and transmission from generation to generation--about the politics often involved, and the differing theologies and world-views of revising communities--the less I can believe that all of these twists and turns have been guided by divine inspiration.
Thus the importance of experience in the mystical traditions. Again, according to the mystics, God is continually speaking--as powerfully today as God did 2,000 years ago in the time of Jesus, and 5,000 years ago in the time of Moses. There is no golden era of revelation, God is manifest in all times equally. Scripture reflects words written by people in touch with this inspiration, but then over the years, through the process of revision and political mangling, the text degrades. This is the nature of spiritual movements and human institutions in general. They rise, grow, stagnate, and then eventually crumble. And then from their ashes emerge new vital movements that are once again in touch with the spirit.
As far as experience goes, I agree with you that one has to be scrupulous. Spiritual experience can not simply be judged by the positive or negative feelings that arise from it. Rather, I find the test lies in how much the experience challenges me to grow and produces the spiritual fruit of love, patience, humility, perseverance, etc...
Yes, I believe that human efforts are futile if God is not at their center. And yes, I believe that Christianity is a vital faith that connects people with God. But I can't affirm that Christianity is the exclusive mediating faith for approaching the divine. Not all paths are the same, and certainly in my mind not all expressions of spirituality are authentic and beneficial. But fortunately there exists a wonderful spiritual plurality in this world that allows different individuals and communities to experience God in different ways.
Just as the strength and vitality of a forest is due to its ecological diversity, so to is our world sustained by its spiritual diversity. Frankly, I am skeptical of the line, "there is only one way" when it is spoken about any sphere of life, be it the environment, politics, culture, or religion, because I simply do not see this as in touch with the most fundamental principles of our world. I ask you to seriously consider if there's any other place besides in your life besides religion where, "there is only one way" actually reflects reality.
So there it is, I tried not to sugar coat anything for you, but let you know as plainly and authentically how I have come to view my faith and spirituality. I don't perceive my formation in the church as negative or harmful, but rather as an essential part of my spiritual growth and development. That said, I no longer find Evangelical Christianity and its model of discipleship as the vehicle for bringing me close to God and have embraced new channels for sustaining this connection.
Thanks for your patience waiting for my reply. I continue to enjoy this dialogue and look forward to your response when the opportunity presents itself.
Warmly,
Friend
Here is my response June 15, 2009:
Friend,
Starting from the end of your letter and working back, we share some commonality. I too believe that 'Evangelical Christianity and its model of discipleship' are woefully lacking and frankly distorted the message of Jesus. That said, I am not prepared to throw out the text of Scripture, or turn it into a buffet where I can pick and choose what is true, real, or unedited and ignore the rest. Instead, I have opted for a totally different path than you. I read it and take it seriously, instead of allowing one doctrine or dogma to trump everything else (which is what much of protestant Christianity has done. In the case of the liberal churches, love trumps holiness and social justice trumps piety, while in the conservative churches knowledge trumps lifestyle and one is saved even if their life bears not fruit.) I have sought to read the Bible and allow God to rigorously apply it to my life. Where sound thinking and good doctrine are called for (epistles), I ask God to reveal it and to transform my mind. Where lifestyle and action are demanded (read the prophets, sermon on the mount, end of most of the epistles) then I seek to live life accordingly by the empowerment of the Spirit, and when I fail, which is often, I repent and believe the good news that Christ came to forgive sinners and my actions don't make me acceptable to God, but are the fruit of a relationship grounded in Christ.
While I believe we share many things, the difference as I see it is the issue of truth. You are skeptical of it, an understandable thing for the average person raised in the late 20th century at the dawn of the cultural postmodern shift. However, there are absolutes in the universe, there are truths and a good lifestyle will not save anyone, as much as proper knowledge will not save anyone either. God, in his Scriptural Word and through the life of Christ, the living Word, has shown us that knowledge and action rightly joined together are the requirement for holiness and Christ alone, in all of human history, as the God-man, the incarnate Deity, as Emmanuel. He alone was able to perfectly wed the two, and we are invited to become part of that life, his life and share in his perfect union of proper doctrine and proper life. So, abandoning sound doctrine in order to get sound practice, is as fatal as abandoning sound practice in order to get sound doctrine. The two cannot be unjoined, and when they are then we can easily say that Christ is on the same plane as the Buddha or Muhammad or the Scriptures are on the same plane as the Koran, the Tibetan book of the Dead, the Bhagavad-Gita, etc. But when they are joined, as they were in the life of Christ, then he alone stands distinct and different from all others and his claims to authority and pre-eminence must be viewed as wholly different and distinctly unique. Christ is the only way unto God, as he says, "I am the way, the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me."
As for some of the side issues you raise about transmission, textual copies, not trusting the translation of the NIV, etc. These are valid thoughts Your search for truth has led you farther than most in a critical appraisal of the evidence. It is true that their are variations in the texts, however, when one looks at and studies them, it becomes quickly apparent that the differences are miniscule in the vast majority of them and sure, there are some out there texts like the Gospel of Thomas, etc... but these are aberrations in their own right and were never widely accepted by the churches across the geographic spectrum in the first place. Let's take for instance, Homer's Iliad, there are 643 known copies of the Iliad with the earliest ones from 400BC or roughly 400 years after the text was originally written, or Herodotus' History which has 8 copies the earliest at 900 AD some 1350 years after the original, then one could also look at Plato's works, 7 copies, 1300 years after the original. The list goes on with Demosthenes, Caesar's Gallic Wars, Livy's History of Rome, Tacitus' Annals, etc. The gaps are huge, and yet we read and trust them as sources of History, etc. Now the New Testament, has 5366+ copies, fragments, books, etc. with the earliest fragments coming from 50 years post writing, the earliest complete books, 100 years post. The scale of preservation of the text is incomparable. That doesn't even take into account the Syriac, Latin, Coptic, Gothic, Georgian, Ethiopic and Nubian texts, then there is all the early patristic quotations in their writings. The textual witness is greater than any other book in history. Are there differences, sure, do they change the message of the text - Christ is the God Incarnate, he alone satisfies God's demand for a sinless, holy life and he alone died as a substitution for your sin and mine, he alone was raised from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God...No. None of these texts negate this message, the differences come in words that are reversed, or in some slight things church teachings like baptismal practice, church organization, etc. But these things don't save anyways. Should we strive for solid understanding of them, yes, but should we allow these to determine our trust in the organic message of the text? No.
I would encourage you not to read the english texts. They are all translations and any translation is fraught with difficulty and bias as the translators seek to render the meaning into a target language. Learn Koine Greek and start reading the text in the original. Get a copy of the Nestle-Aland 27 or the UBS 4 with the critical apparatus that shows the textual variants and start reading as close to the originals as you can. Grab a copy of the Bruce Metzger's The Text of the New Testament: It's transmission, corruption and restoration, 3rd ed. It was published in 1992, and Metzger's text is the standard for introducing people to textual criticism, etc. He reviews the various manuscripts, papyri, etc and is a well grounded academic. You can take Greek at a number of the schools there in Seattle. I would recommend looking into Fuller Theological Seminary's campus in Seattle and taking the 5 greek courses they offer. The questions you are asking are the same ones I was asking 7 years ago. I started taking the Greek sequence in order to struggle through my thoughts, questions, etc. on the text. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Enough for now. I look forward to your reply.
p.s. I am really enjoying our conversation via email and was wondering how you would feel about me posting them on my blog. I would make you anonymous and erase any refs to your location, but the questions you are asking and raising are great and I think they would help many people in there own walk with Christ. if you are opposed, no problem, I wont put them up, if its ok, then thanks. ...Read more
Questioning Classic Christianity #2
If you followed my first post on Questioning Classic Christianity, what follows is my friend's response to that email and my response to his email.
On Apr 29, 2009, at 11:15 PM, Friend wrote:
Pastor Scott,
I'll just play my cards right off. Frankly, I have no problem with COL tapping into other religious traditions and being universalistic. I have found too much wisdom in some of these traditions and encountered too much love in people of other faiths to write them off as fruitless searches and seekers.
I have an incredible respect and love for Christianity and believe it is special amongst the world's faiths. That said, I can't affirm that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, though he may serve as a bridge that makes the path easier.
I understand that you place great emphasis upon the authority of scripture. I believe that many of the scriptures are inspired, but that some of them have also been corroded with time. Power corrupts, and sadly, I believe political authorities have all too often co-opted holy scriptures to serve their purposes and keep people from becoming truly free (this is an equally opportunity corruption, it seems that in time all religious traditions fall prey).
That's why I have been so enlivened by the mystical path. It exists as the spirit-filled core of spirituality which inspires scripture and from which religious life emanates. Scripture has a place in guiding spiritual practice, but to the mystic, direct experience of God trumps any written text or historical tradition. God lives in each moment equally and so we do not have to look back necessarily to ancient times for inspiration. Revelation is perpetual and immanent.
This hasn't just been what I've read and learned from hanging with mystical communities this past year, it's been what I've encountered these last years as I continue to be drawn into this story. Though I don't dismiss the authenticity of my religious upbringing, these past months I've encountered a power and love far greater than anything I've experienced while a member of orthodox Christianity. I can't deny this experience and so I continue to walk this path.
It's interesting that so many Christian mystics come to a point where their experience of God places them at odds with their orthodox convictions. I'm thinking of Meister Eckhart's famous, "I pray to God to rid me of God."
The mystical movement as I understand it is one towards an increasing sense of freedom and openness as prior boxes for God are bust open into greater and more wonderful realizations of the divine.
I will let you know that I'm in the process of moving on from the COL largely for the reasons I touched on above concerning power and authority. It appears that Father Peter Bowes is interested in manipulating mystical teachings in order to primarily draw his students towards himself. A true teacher points seekers back to the power and authority that resides within themselves.
I'll conclude with a poem by the sufi mystic, Hafiz, who I find a hell of a lot more poignant than my own feeble thoughts.
I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH
I have learned so much from God
that I can no longer call myself
A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim,
a Buddhist, a Jew
The truth has shared so much of Itself
with me
that I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel,
or even pure Soul.
Love has
befriended Hafiz so completely
it has turned to ash
and freed me
Of every concept and image
My mind has ever known
Look forward to continuing our conversation, and will pray that your ministry continues to bless Hope in Christ.
Friend
Here is my response:
May 13, 2009
Friend -
I have been reflecting on your letter for almost 2 weeks now and praying for wisdom as to how to respond. You state that you have "found too much wisdom...and encountered too much love in people of other faiths to write them off as fruitless searches and seekers." I believe this is the basic core which needs to be dealt with. No one is asking you to "write off" individual people; there is no doubt that humans are capable of great acts of compassion and justice simply because they are human. We are all created in the image of God as Gen. 1:27 tells us "God created humanity is his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them." Simply by being in God's image we are are loving and compassionate, capable of welcoming others and being welcomed, we are even capable of developing wonderful thoughts about the world and its workings and how to best live in it, "wisdom" as you call it.
That said, all our wisdom falls short and plays down the fundamental problems of humanity. We are sinners, the story of Adam and Eve bear witness to it along with countless other stories: Cain-Abel, Moses, Abraham the liar and one who can't trust God so he places his wife in danger not once but at least twice. In fact the entire Scripture records how the wisdom of men, continually corrupts true worship and trust in God and God alone. At some points it is money which is worshipped, at others it is national security, at times sexuality and countless other 'gods' and 'wisdom' are appealed to while the LORD is denied and refused. The LORD is placed on equal footing at times as in the case of the Samaritans, or the Israelites and Judahites and every time God chastises them and tells them he is a jealous God who refuses to share his name and his glory with any other would be gods. Isa 43:13 is one of many scriptures which state this, but it will suffice to quote only one or two "I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is no one who can deliver from my hand; I work and who can reverse it." "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth" (Isaiah 45:22).
This is foundational to the Christian faith. A failure to recognize sin as it is and to admit that we are all sinners prone to seeking other gods and calling out to these gods and assuming they can save us is the human problem. To state that Christianity is special, but to deny Jesus Christ as the only way to God, as God incarnate, is to deny this fundamental, foundational truth and assume that you can be saved by turning to something other than God alone for your salvation. But again God is clear in Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven, given to men by which we must be saved." Again, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Or Jesus' own words, "I am the way, and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." These words are not politically correct nor are they very palatable according to Pacific Northwest minds, but they are the truth, otherwise the entire Scripture must be thrown out for if they are not true in regard to their faith content, then they are lies and unfit for anything.
You mention the Bible as being inspired but corrupted. I would love to hear more of your thoughts on this and will not remark until I understand your concerns.
As I conclude, my thoughts continue to be drawn to your pursuit of experience in one place versus another. I would urge you not to set up experience as the standard by which you judge truth. It is enitrely possible for one to have a great experience and take in falsehood and false teaching - the Afrikaans and the Apartheid state had a "great experience" in their minds but were entirely deluded in their theology for example. Similarly it is possible to have a horrible experience but to know that what is said is true - the mother who must admit that her husband has sexually abused their children, for instance. But it is also possible to have a great experience and also be grounded in great truth - this I believe is what happens when one takes seriously the words of God in the Bible and also places them into practice. I may be wrong, but I believe what you are truly looking for is the experience of Christian discipleship to Jesus, not what you have seen or experienced in the past as "christianity" but what God truly desires for all who follow him.
Seek God but seek him on the firm foundation of His Word and his Son. I am praying for God to strengthen your faith in his Son and to draw you close through the Holy Scriptures.
Grace and Peace ...Read more
On Apr 29, 2009, at 11:15 PM, Friend wrote:
Pastor Scott,
I'll just play my cards right off. Frankly, I have no problem with COL tapping into other religious traditions and being universalistic. I have found too much wisdom in some of these traditions and encountered too much love in people of other faiths to write them off as fruitless searches and seekers.
I have an incredible respect and love for Christianity and believe it is special amongst the world's faiths. That said, I can't affirm that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, though he may serve as a bridge that makes the path easier.
I understand that you place great emphasis upon the authority of scripture. I believe that many of the scriptures are inspired, but that some of them have also been corroded with time. Power corrupts, and sadly, I believe political authorities have all too often co-opted holy scriptures to serve their purposes and keep people from becoming truly free (this is an equally opportunity corruption, it seems that in time all religious traditions fall prey).
That's why I have been so enlivened by the mystical path. It exists as the spirit-filled core of spirituality which inspires scripture and from which religious life emanates. Scripture has a place in guiding spiritual practice, but to the mystic, direct experience of God trumps any written text or historical tradition. God lives in each moment equally and so we do not have to look back necessarily to ancient times for inspiration. Revelation is perpetual and immanent.
This hasn't just been what I've read and learned from hanging with mystical communities this past year, it's been what I've encountered these last years as I continue to be drawn into this story. Though I don't dismiss the authenticity of my religious upbringing, these past months I've encountered a power and love far greater than anything I've experienced while a member of orthodox Christianity. I can't deny this experience and so I continue to walk this path.
It's interesting that so many Christian mystics come to a point where their experience of God places them at odds with their orthodox convictions. I'm thinking of Meister Eckhart's famous, "I pray to God to rid me of God."
The mystical movement as I understand it is one towards an increasing sense of freedom and openness as prior boxes for God are bust open into greater and more wonderful realizations of the divine.
I will let you know that I'm in the process of moving on from the COL largely for the reasons I touched on above concerning power and authority. It appears that Father Peter Bowes is interested in manipulating mystical teachings in order to primarily draw his students towards himself. A true teacher points seekers back to the power and authority that resides within themselves.
I'll conclude with a poem by the sufi mystic, Hafiz, who I find a hell of a lot more poignant than my own feeble thoughts.
I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH
I have learned so much from God
that I can no longer call myself
A Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim,
a Buddhist, a Jew
The truth has shared so much of Itself
with me
that I can no longer call myself
A man, a woman, an angel,
or even pure Soul.
Love has
befriended Hafiz so completely
it has turned to ash
and freed me
Of every concept and image
My mind has ever known
Look forward to continuing our conversation, and will pray that your ministry continues to bless Hope in Christ.
Friend
Here is my response:
May 13, 2009
Friend -
I have been reflecting on your letter for almost 2 weeks now and praying for wisdom as to how to respond. You state that you have "found too much wisdom...and encountered too much love in people of other faiths to write them off as fruitless searches and seekers." I believe this is the basic core which needs to be dealt with. No one is asking you to "write off" individual people; there is no doubt that humans are capable of great acts of compassion and justice simply because they are human. We are all created in the image of God as Gen. 1:27 tells us "God created humanity is his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them." Simply by being in God's image we are are loving and compassionate, capable of welcoming others and being welcomed, we are even capable of developing wonderful thoughts about the world and its workings and how to best live in it, "wisdom" as you call it.
That said, all our wisdom falls short and plays down the fundamental problems of humanity. We are sinners, the story of Adam and Eve bear witness to it along with countless other stories: Cain-Abel, Moses, Abraham the liar and one who can't trust God so he places his wife in danger not once but at least twice. In fact the entire Scripture records how the wisdom of men, continually corrupts true worship and trust in God and God alone. At some points it is money which is worshipped, at others it is national security, at times sexuality and countless other 'gods' and 'wisdom' are appealed to while the LORD is denied and refused. The LORD is placed on equal footing at times as in the case of the Samaritans, or the Israelites and Judahites and every time God chastises them and tells them he is a jealous God who refuses to share his name and his glory with any other would be gods. Isa 43:13 is one of many scriptures which state this, but it will suffice to quote only one or two "I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is no one who can deliver from my hand; I work and who can reverse it." "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth" (Isaiah 45:22).
This is foundational to the Christian faith. A failure to recognize sin as it is and to admit that we are all sinners prone to seeking other gods and calling out to these gods and assuming they can save us is the human problem. To state that Christianity is special, but to deny Jesus Christ as the only way to God, as God incarnate, is to deny this fundamental, foundational truth and assume that you can be saved by turning to something other than God alone for your salvation. But again God is clear in Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven, given to men by which we must be saved." Again, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Or Jesus' own words, "I am the way, and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." These words are not politically correct nor are they very palatable according to Pacific Northwest minds, but they are the truth, otherwise the entire Scripture must be thrown out for if they are not true in regard to their faith content, then they are lies and unfit for anything.
You mention the Bible as being inspired but corrupted. I would love to hear more of your thoughts on this and will not remark until I understand your concerns.
As I conclude, my thoughts continue to be drawn to your pursuit of experience in one place versus another. I would urge you not to set up experience as the standard by which you judge truth. It is enitrely possible for one to have a great experience and take in falsehood and false teaching - the Afrikaans and the Apartheid state had a "great experience" in their minds but were entirely deluded in their theology for example. Similarly it is possible to have a horrible experience but to know that what is said is true - the mother who must admit that her husband has sexually abused their children, for instance. But it is also possible to have a great experience and also be grounded in great truth - this I believe is what happens when one takes seriously the words of God in the Bible and also places them into practice. I may be wrong, but I believe what you are truly looking for is the experience of Christian discipleship to Jesus, not what you have seen or experienced in the past as "christianity" but what God truly desires for all who follow him.
Seek God but seek him on the firm foundation of His Word and his Son. I am praying for God to strengthen your faith in his Son and to draw you close through the Holy Scriptures.
Grace and Peace ...Read more
Questioning Classic Christianity #1
What follows are a series of emails between a friend of mine and myself. I think it is fair to say that he is questioning the classic formulation of Christianity and I am defending it. I have received his permission to post these email conversation but will protect his privacy, even though he has given me permission to use his first name. The first letter below was written by me in response to his request to visit the website of a church he had been attending.
14 April 2009
What I am going to write is probably not what you are going to want to hear. However, as a follower of Jesus Christ I am greatly distressed when I see wolves sneaking in and culling sheep with slick jargon and polished presentations, even using "christian" lingo but who deny the sole sufficiency of Christ and are intent on leading christ followers away into apostasy.
After reading all the links on the site www.centersoflight.org. I think this is a version of new age Hinduism mixed with universalism. These quotes from the website concern me significantly, for the word of God is placed as an equal to every other spiritual classic
All the teachings from all the world religions throughout time comprise the Ancient Wisdom Teachings. Those Master Teachers and Sages that have been sent by God to human beings over thousands of years have demonstrated and taught those who were open. These became the disciples of the Ancient Wise Ones and their lessons and teachings have been passed down through history. If you study these teachings from each of the world religions, you will note a common theme: love of God and love of neighbor.
Some Eastern religions do not have a direct conception of God, but do consider compassion and respect for all of life as very similar to the Western version of love of God. These teachings are universal and everyone who comes into a direct experience of the ONE understands anyone else who has this experience. In this unity of experience, we are all sisters and brothers in God.
While each religion shares something, since they are all the experiences of humans reaching out for God, Christianity is unique among them all for God in Christ reaches down to the world. This fundamental difference, sets Christ and all other teachers apart. They are not equals and while we can learn something about the spiritual quest from all people/faiths, it means nothing unless Christ's preeminence is maintained. I fear that the COL is not interested in such an endeavor. Here are some examples: The masculine/feminine emphasis appears to draw heavily from magik. While i believe God uses feminine language in the Scriptures to describe godself, the extreme the COL goes to make all feel ok, seems to border on what I have seen in Bahai. Or take this blatant violation of scripture: We know Jesus and Mary as co-mediators between God and human beings. The Bible teaches that there is only one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.
Then there are the soteriological (salvation deficiencies) from the article on Suffering:
Jesus taught that suffering was caused by separating from the love of God, disconnecting through negative thoughts, actions, and emotions that take us away from God. Essentially, Jesus taught that falling away from our real nature, our true being, causes us to suffer. In order to connect again with our real nature, we have to love God first and love all of our brothers and sisters without exception. Jesus further elaborated the way to get back into oneness with God through the simple teachings of the Beatitudes. This isn't what scripture teaches, sin is what causes suffering and the way back into God's presence is through Christ and Christ alone via the sacrificial death of Jesus, not doing something that makes all religions equal.
Then the other anomalies, like Father Peter who writes on astrology and how it jives with Christ. It is condemned in scripture as a violation of trusting God alone. Humans are called to look to God not the stars for direction and security. [Friend], I really hope you take these critiques seriously, their is a bit of truth in everything the COL states but there are also lies mixed in with it all and all lies come from Satan, the father of lies. Don't be sidetracked, seek Christ and Christ alone. i know that the reformed tradition you were raised and which i pastor has a great hole in what you or I would call Spiritual Formation. This has not always been the case, but in the last hundred years or so it has been exaggerated greatly. I would urge you to seek what you are missing through men and women sincerely devoted to Christ and Christ alone. I think Dallas Willard's, The Divine Conspiracy would be a great place for you to start, it is a look at the Sermon on the Mount and its call to the Believer. Or Richard Foster's Celebration of the Disciplines is a great work on Spiritual formation.
I would love to dialog with you about this more. Keep the lines open. ...Read more
14 April 2009
What I am going to write is probably not what you are going to want to hear. However, as a follower of Jesus Christ I am greatly distressed when I see wolves sneaking in and culling sheep with slick jargon and polished presentations, even using "christian" lingo but who deny the sole sufficiency of Christ and are intent on leading christ followers away into apostasy.
After reading all the links on the site www.centersoflight.org. I think this is a version of new age Hinduism mixed with universalism. These quotes from the website concern me significantly, for the word of God is placed as an equal to every other spiritual classic
All the teachings from all the world religions throughout time comprise the Ancient Wisdom Teachings. Those Master Teachers and Sages that have been sent by God to human beings over thousands of years have demonstrated and taught those who were open. These became the disciples of the Ancient Wise Ones and their lessons and teachings have been passed down through history. If you study these teachings from each of the world religions, you will note a common theme: love of God and love of neighbor.
Some Eastern religions do not have a direct conception of God, but do consider compassion and respect for all of life as very similar to the Western version of love of God. These teachings are universal and everyone who comes into a direct experience of the ONE understands anyone else who has this experience. In this unity of experience, we are all sisters and brothers in God.
While each religion shares something, since they are all the experiences of humans reaching out for God, Christianity is unique among them all for God in Christ reaches down to the world. This fundamental difference, sets Christ and all other teachers apart. They are not equals and while we can learn something about the spiritual quest from all people/faiths, it means nothing unless Christ's preeminence is maintained. I fear that the COL is not interested in such an endeavor. Here are some examples: The masculine/feminine emphasis appears to draw heavily from magik. While i believe God uses feminine language in the Scriptures to describe godself, the extreme the COL goes to make all feel ok, seems to border on what I have seen in Bahai. Or take this blatant violation of scripture: We know Jesus and Mary as co-mediators between God and human beings. The Bible teaches that there is only one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.
Then there are the soteriological (salvation deficiencies) from the article on Suffering:
Jesus taught that suffering was caused by separating from the love of God, disconnecting through negative thoughts, actions, and emotions that take us away from God. Essentially, Jesus taught that falling away from our real nature, our true being, causes us to suffer. In order to connect again with our real nature, we have to love God first and love all of our brothers and sisters without exception. Jesus further elaborated the way to get back into oneness with God through the simple teachings of the Beatitudes. This isn't what scripture teaches, sin is what causes suffering and the way back into God's presence is through Christ and Christ alone via the sacrificial death of Jesus, not doing something that makes all religions equal.
Then the other anomalies, like Father Peter who writes on astrology and how it jives with Christ. It is condemned in scripture as a violation of trusting God alone. Humans are called to look to God not the stars for direction and security. [Friend], I really hope you take these critiques seriously, their is a bit of truth in everything the COL states but there are also lies mixed in with it all and all lies come from Satan, the father of lies. Don't be sidetracked, seek Christ and Christ alone. i know that the reformed tradition you were raised and which i pastor has a great hole in what you or I would call Spiritual Formation. This has not always been the case, but in the last hundred years or so it has been exaggerated greatly. I would urge you to seek what you are missing through men and women sincerely devoted to Christ and Christ alone. I think Dallas Willard's, The Divine Conspiracy would be a great place for you to start, it is a look at the Sermon on the Mount and its call to the Believer. Or Richard Foster's Celebration of the Disciplines is a great work on Spiritual formation.
I would love to dialog with you about this more. Keep the lines open. ...Read more
Does Saul's rejection apply to me?
If I were to tell you the story of a man who knew God's will and yet struggled to implement it into his life, whose heart wasn't in God's ways and who merely went through the motions, you might identify. This morning I was reading in 1Samuel 15 the story of Saul. In it he is instructed to completely destroy the Amalekites, so he heads off to complete the mission but determines along the way, with the people of Israel, that they will not fulfill the task immediately but will keep some of the best to "sacrifice to the Lord." Samuel responds with the words "STOP!" and goes on to say in 1 Sam. 15:22 “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Now many of my readers are aware of our intentions to adopt a child or children. What may surprise you is that I feel like Saul. I know the Lord's intentions and heart for his people, the Church, to adopt the orphan and widow. I know how much God desires for his people to be a safe harbor for those in need. I know the calls to spend myself on behalf of the poor and yet, I don't want to do it myself. It hasn't always been this way, I have earnestly desired to adopt for some time but recently the costs associated with an adoption have become large in my mind, large enough to cause me to be wary. (By cost, I mean much more than simply the financial costs, but rather mean the familial and social costs.)
I have contemplated disobedience many times. I have tried to justify it by saying that "Scott you are called to motivate people to adopt, not do it yourself." I have tried to justify my disobedience by saying "another Compassion child would be a sacrifice in keeping with the spirit of God's instruction." And there are countless others thoughts that have run through my mind. Many times the thought has crossed my mind, "Christ died for me, if I disobey, that too will be covered and I will be fine." The thought is a very real thought in my mind, yet my blatant sin, my defiance of God's word, while covered by Christ, is evidence of a heart not in submission to the Lord.
Then there are the thoughts about leadership, "How can I lead if I myself am not willing to be led into this area? Would I be a hypocrite if I knew God's plan and failed, maybe refused is a better word, to live into it?" And the truth hurts; yes, I would be. But I continue to go through the motions with a heart outside of God's revealed word. I continue on in obedience to my Lord, but praying all the while for a heart that is changed and returned to a gracious acceptance of God's plans for His people. This, I believe, is the meaning of discipleship.
That brings me to the passage I was reading in 1 Samuel this morning. It was this passage that hit me both positively and negatively. God desires obedience, complete obedience from His people. He isn't concerned with the heart, and whether or not we think His ways are a good idea, or whether or not we have "better" ways of implementing His purposes. No, God wants, nay, God demands that we obey His will as revealed in His word. So I was comforted, obedience is a just form of submission to God. But then my heart was also pricked by the fact that Christ's obedience is the only obedience that matters in relation to God. His sacrifice was for all the times that my obedience was incomplete or lacking in any way, and certainly a heart not joyfully in God's will is sin. Thus I am cast back upon the cross as my sin is exposed, yet again.
But the question remains, Am I free from obeying God because Christ obeyed the Lord perfectly? Absolutely not. And praise God, I will not be rejected because of my disobedience. Saul's rejection doesn't apply to me as long as I am in Christ. Nevertheless, in gratitude I am called to obey my Lord even if I don't feel like. So my quandary about obedience is at least coming to resolution. I will obey and pray for the heart of flesh the Lord has promised to give to His new covenant people.
As I close this post, here are a few questions you might ponder:
1. Where do you know what God expects but your heart isn't in it?
2. How have you tried to justify your disobedience?
3. Do you desire to obey joyfully?
4. Are you willing to obey even if your heart isn't in it?
5. What steps must you take now to follow God into this new area?
6. Pray for God to change your heart into one that is joyful and exuberant in his will!
...Read more
Now many of my readers are aware of our intentions to adopt a child or children. What may surprise you is that I feel like Saul. I know the Lord's intentions and heart for his people, the Church, to adopt the orphan and widow. I know how much God desires for his people to be a safe harbor for those in need. I know the calls to spend myself on behalf of the poor and yet, I don't want to do it myself. It hasn't always been this way, I have earnestly desired to adopt for some time but recently the costs associated with an adoption have become large in my mind, large enough to cause me to be wary. (By cost, I mean much more than simply the financial costs, but rather mean the familial and social costs.)
I have contemplated disobedience many times. I have tried to justify it by saying that "Scott you are called to motivate people to adopt, not do it yourself." I have tried to justify my disobedience by saying "another Compassion child would be a sacrifice in keeping with the spirit of God's instruction." And there are countless others thoughts that have run through my mind. Many times the thought has crossed my mind, "Christ died for me, if I disobey, that too will be covered and I will be fine." The thought is a very real thought in my mind, yet my blatant sin, my defiance of God's word, while covered by Christ, is evidence of a heart not in submission to the Lord.
Then there are the thoughts about leadership, "How can I lead if I myself am not willing to be led into this area? Would I be a hypocrite if I knew God's plan and failed, maybe refused is a better word, to live into it?" And the truth hurts; yes, I would be. But I continue to go through the motions with a heart outside of God's revealed word. I continue on in obedience to my Lord, but praying all the while for a heart that is changed and returned to a gracious acceptance of God's plans for His people. This, I believe, is the meaning of discipleship.
That brings me to the passage I was reading in 1 Samuel this morning. It was this passage that hit me both positively and negatively. God desires obedience, complete obedience from His people. He isn't concerned with the heart, and whether or not we think His ways are a good idea, or whether or not we have "better" ways of implementing His purposes. No, God wants, nay, God demands that we obey His will as revealed in His word. So I was comforted, obedience is a just form of submission to God. But then my heart was also pricked by the fact that Christ's obedience is the only obedience that matters in relation to God. His sacrifice was for all the times that my obedience was incomplete or lacking in any way, and certainly a heart not joyfully in God's will is sin. Thus I am cast back upon the cross as my sin is exposed, yet again.
But the question remains, Am I free from obeying God because Christ obeyed the Lord perfectly? Absolutely not. And praise God, I will not be rejected because of my disobedience. Saul's rejection doesn't apply to me as long as I am in Christ. Nevertheless, in gratitude I am called to obey my Lord even if I don't feel like. So my quandary about obedience is at least coming to resolution. I will obey and pray for the heart of flesh the Lord has promised to give to His new covenant people.
As I close this post, here are a few questions you might ponder:
1. Where do you know what God expects but your heart isn't in it?
2. How have you tried to justify your disobedience?
3. Do you desire to obey joyfully?
4. Are you willing to obey even if your heart isn't in it?
5. What steps must you take now to follow God into this new area?
6. Pray for God to change your heart into one that is joyful and exuberant in his will!
...Read more
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