Someone Worth Dying For
by Mikeschair
You might be the wife, waiting up at night
You might be the man, struggling to provide
feeling like it's hopeless
Maybe you’re the son who chose a broken road
Maybe you’re the girl thinking you'll end up alone
Praying God can you hear me?
Oh, God are you listening?
Am I more than flesh and bone?
Am I really something beautiful?
Yeah, I want to believe, I want to believe that
I'm not just some wandering soul
That you don't see and you don't know
Yeah, I want to believe, Jesus help me believe
That I am someone worth dying for
I know you've heard the truth that God has set you free
But you think you're the one that grace could never reach
So you just keep asking, Oh, what everybody's asking
Your worth it, you can't earn it
Yeah, the cross has proven,
That you're sacred and blameless.
Your life has purpose!
I heard this song for the first time several months ago. On the initial run, it sounded good and had a positive feel to it. But as I listened closer to the words, I was struck by two powerful thoughts. Primarily, this is a very accurate, concise statement of the theology of 21st century evangelical Christianity—very self-focused and “me-centered”. Note that in just the verses and chorus that I have quoted above, the personal pronouns “I”, “me” and “you” speaking of the singer and listener are used 27 times as opposed to “God” or “Jesus” who are spoken of only 4 times. Are we a bit out of balance here or what? Like I said, this song is a synopsis of our theological viewpoint today. Jesus came to die to restore our self-esteem and make us feel better about ourselves and to give us happier lives. It’s all about us, right?
Secondly, what a contrast this song is from one of the most popular hymns in Christian history. You’ll know it as soon as you see the title. But don’t just let the tune reverberate in your mind. Read the words again anew and let their meaning sink deep in your soul to see the difference between what has been believed for centuries and what is being believed today.
Rock of Ages
by Augustus Toplady
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
Rev. Toplady had it correct. We are sinners, having no worth and hope in ourselves, to ever gain anything beneficial from the Lord. But He by His grace reaches down to “save us from wrath and make (us) pure.” The third verse is the one that speaks most powerfully to the issue at hand. We are the ones who are “naked...helpless...(and) foul”. We are far from “beautiful... sacred and blameless...worth dying for” as the previous song proclaims. To believe the latter removes the very essence and meaning of God’s grace. It also undermines the Biblical truth of our salvation. Jesus came to save sinners (rf. I Timothy 1:15), rotten in their hearts, rebellious toward God (rf. Romans 3:9-18), a people destined to eternity in Hell, not a group of individuals who needed a boost to their self-esteem. If restoration to the human emotional condition is what salvation is to some, then they haven’t yet experienced the wondrous gift that Christ died to impart. If the message of present-day Christian music is that Jesus’ work on the cross was for our self-edification rather than atoning for our sins and delivering us from our inherent wicked natures, it is grossly misleading as to what salvation is truly about according to the Bible. Christian music, like our theology, will need a complete overhaul if that is the case.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Authenticity and Intimacy: Are We Willing to Pursue These?
A decade is a long time and, yet, a period of years that appears to have passed in the blink of an eye. It just seems like yesterday my family and I arrived on the scene here in Evergreen to begin a new chapter in our lives as well as to open a new era of ministry at EBC. Now ten years later, it is quite apparent that a lot of water has, indeed, “flowed under the bridge”, so to speak.
I have always understood that the life of a church is much like the ways of the ocean tides at the beach. It has its ebb and flow, high and low points, as the church moves throughout its lifespan. However, it is not enough just to accept that fact. I have also sought the Lord as to the “why” behind it. Are there “triggers”, if you will, at the peaks of the high points that, when tripped, set off in the hearts and minds of the people an inevitable movement toward the low points? Could it be possible to not only identify the “triggers” but also replace them with “gates” that would usher in continued movement upward rather than being consigned toward a potential downward trend? I believe that the answer to both of the previous questions is a resounding “yes”.
For most churches that existed in the 20th century and were less than 500 in membership, the greatest overall barrier to church growth (Note: I hate using the term “church growth” because it has been so overused and the connotations now have been overtaken by business models.) is one of mindset. The older the member, the more ingrained the 20th century mindset. By the use of the term “20th century mindset”, I am referring to the belief in the ways and means that “worked” to grow churches in the 20th century (e.g. door-to-door evangelism, weekly visitation, programs held at the church most nights of the week, church as the social center of the community, etc.). Please do not misread me nor misunderstand what I am stating. This is not a slam against the older members of the church for their way of thinking per se. This mindset is not limited to those on up in age. It has no age limit, in fact. It is affirmed by entire church bodies as well as denominational leaders. And we wonder why we are having such a hard time actually connecting with those in our present day!
The reality is this: for many of us we are mentally living, practicing and desiring to engage others with a 20th century Christianity, yet we live in the second decade of the 21st century which has changed radically and fundamentally from the earlier time period. The Church overall no longer enjoys the place of respect and endearment that it did in the 20th century. In fact, our culture has successfully moved her from the center of American life to off-center, at present, in the hopes of actually pushing her completely off the map into irrelevancy. We have not helped this process any by holding on to methods and means of the past while the world has changed without a corresponding change in our own methodology to reach it.
How then does all this apply to “triggers” and “gates”? Our “trigger” at EBC in 2005 was the realization that with the amount of growth we were experiencing would come fundamental change in who we were as a church and what the future might be as a result. New people were coming in and becoming part of the church who were not “homegrown Evergreen” bringing new ideas and potential variance to the dynamic of the body. What resulted was a passive-aggressive response to any further growth for fear of such change to what has always been a community-based church. Implicitly, the message was clear that Evergreen desired to be the small rural church it has always been.
But the question remains: Is that what God wants Evergreen to be? Our desires are often not His desires for us. The fact that He provided the growth initially signaled His intentions for the church to be more than we may have ever dreamed possible. To that end, He wants us to replace our “triggers” (based on fears) with “gates” (based on faith). These “gates” are the ways and means to build the existing body of believers while ministering effectively to those outside the body with the Gospel of Christ. The churches who are doing that by the power of His Holy Spirit are operating by two principle concepts: authenticity and intimacy.
The 21st century folks are longing for both of these truths in their own lives. More importantly to us, they are wanting to see these truths operational in the lives of those who claim to follow Jesus Christ. It is not enough for them to just visit a worship service and listen to a sermon, being welcomed warmly by a few folks as they enter and exit the building. It is still not enough to receive a visit after filling out a visitor’s card (if they even do that—most don’t nowadays). What does mean a great deal to them is to be invited into a home for a small group Bible study. This communicates volumes because it shares with them the concept of intimacy, just as it did in Jesus’ time when being invited for a meal was the means of showing someone you really viewed them as part of the family. If the small group is rightly handled, the individuals within the group are able to be open about their faith, their struggles, their doubts and their need for each other as well as for the Lord and His Word. This shows authenticity as we are not only vulnerable but transparent, showing that this faith process is one that is growing within us. In this atmosphere, a person who has been invited to participate and with whom we are sharing the Gospel through word and example will experience the love of Christ over time, being nurtured unto that place of putting their faith and trust in Him unto salvation. This is the way that speaks to the hearts of the 21st century culture. It takes more vulnerability, time and energy on our part, but it actually is more reminiscent of the early Church methodology than what we were used to in the 20th century.
The question for us is a matter of willingness. Are we willing to exchange “triggers” for “gates”? Are we willing to do as the Apostle Paul states in Philippians 3:13, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead”, leaving the 20th century and its methods behind and embracing the 21st century with new and different ways of reaching out to touch lives for Christ? It is simply a matter of surrendering ourselves to the use and direction of His Holy Spirit? When we do, we will see Him move and accomplish great and mighty works in our midst?
I have always understood that the life of a church is much like the ways of the ocean tides at the beach. It has its ebb and flow, high and low points, as the church moves throughout its lifespan. However, it is not enough just to accept that fact. I have also sought the Lord as to the “why” behind it. Are there “triggers”, if you will, at the peaks of the high points that, when tripped, set off in the hearts and minds of the people an inevitable movement toward the low points? Could it be possible to not only identify the “triggers” but also replace them with “gates” that would usher in continued movement upward rather than being consigned toward a potential downward trend? I believe that the answer to both of the previous questions is a resounding “yes”.
For most churches that existed in the 20th century and were less than 500 in membership, the greatest overall barrier to church growth (Note: I hate using the term “church growth” because it has been so overused and the connotations now have been overtaken by business models.) is one of mindset. The older the member, the more ingrained the 20th century mindset. By the use of the term “20th century mindset”, I am referring to the belief in the ways and means that “worked” to grow churches in the 20th century (e.g. door-to-door evangelism, weekly visitation, programs held at the church most nights of the week, church as the social center of the community, etc.). Please do not misread me nor misunderstand what I am stating. This is not a slam against the older members of the church for their way of thinking per se. This mindset is not limited to those on up in age. It has no age limit, in fact. It is affirmed by entire church bodies as well as denominational leaders. And we wonder why we are having such a hard time actually connecting with those in our present day!
The reality is this: for many of us we are mentally living, practicing and desiring to engage others with a 20th century Christianity, yet we live in the second decade of the 21st century which has changed radically and fundamentally from the earlier time period. The Church overall no longer enjoys the place of respect and endearment that it did in the 20th century. In fact, our culture has successfully moved her from the center of American life to off-center, at present, in the hopes of actually pushing her completely off the map into irrelevancy. We have not helped this process any by holding on to methods and means of the past while the world has changed without a corresponding change in our own methodology to reach it.
How then does all this apply to “triggers” and “gates”? Our “trigger” at EBC in 2005 was the realization that with the amount of growth we were experiencing would come fundamental change in who we were as a church and what the future might be as a result. New people were coming in and becoming part of the church who were not “homegrown Evergreen” bringing new ideas and potential variance to the dynamic of the body. What resulted was a passive-aggressive response to any further growth for fear of such change to what has always been a community-based church. Implicitly, the message was clear that Evergreen desired to be the small rural church it has always been.
But the question remains: Is that what God wants Evergreen to be? Our desires are often not His desires for us. The fact that He provided the growth initially signaled His intentions for the church to be more than we may have ever dreamed possible. To that end, He wants us to replace our “triggers” (based on fears) with “gates” (based on faith). These “gates” are the ways and means to build the existing body of believers while ministering effectively to those outside the body with the Gospel of Christ. The churches who are doing that by the power of His Holy Spirit are operating by two principle concepts: authenticity and intimacy.
The 21st century folks are longing for both of these truths in their own lives. More importantly to us, they are wanting to see these truths operational in the lives of those who claim to follow Jesus Christ. It is not enough for them to just visit a worship service and listen to a sermon, being welcomed warmly by a few folks as they enter and exit the building. It is still not enough to receive a visit after filling out a visitor’s card (if they even do that—most don’t nowadays). What does mean a great deal to them is to be invited into a home for a small group Bible study. This communicates volumes because it shares with them the concept of intimacy, just as it did in Jesus’ time when being invited for a meal was the means of showing someone you really viewed them as part of the family. If the small group is rightly handled, the individuals within the group are able to be open about their faith, their struggles, their doubts and their need for each other as well as for the Lord and His Word. This shows authenticity as we are not only vulnerable but transparent, showing that this faith process is one that is growing within us. In this atmosphere, a person who has been invited to participate and with whom we are sharing the Gospel through word and example will experience the love of Christ over time, being nurtured unto that place of putting their faith and trust in Him unto salvation. This is the way that speaks to the hearts of the 21st century culture. It takes more vulnerability, time and energy on our part, but it actually is more reminiscent of the early Church methodology than what we were used to in the 20th century.
The question for us is a matter of willingness. Are we willing to exchange “triggers” for “gates”? Are we willing to do as the Apostle Paul states in Philippians 3:13, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead”, leaving the 20th century and its methods behind and embracing the 21st century with new and different ways of reaching out to touch lives for Christ? It is simply a matter of surrendering ourselves to the use and direction of His Holy Spirit? When we do, we will see Him move and accomplish great and mighty works in our midst?
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Christmas...Time
Time is a fleeting thing. I knew this to be true, yet in the past few years this fact has become a greater reality to me. I have watched my children grow into adulthood before my eyes and begin their journey into the realms that God has prepared “beforehand that they should walk therein.” I have attended the 30th anniversary gathering of my high school graduation class to see my peers having aged and expanded, some more or less, than I have in the span of three decades. I have completed ten years of service as pastor here in the beautiful hamlet of Evergreen, mentally reviewing the many lives, both deceased and still living, of those who have touched mine during that time period. It is astounding how, in all of the above instances, it literally seems “just like yesterday”...and yet “my how time flies” to find us where we are today.
This same reality check avails itself to the Christmas story. We read it in the Gospels as if it were so very long ago, so very far away. Yet, the message it conveys to us should be “just like yesterday”, as close as our touch, never far from our memories because of the impact the birth of Christ has made on our lives individually and personally. We see Him in the manger and remember that the very purpose of this innocent little baby boy being born was to grow into a man to die on the cross for sinners, for “His people” (rf. Matthew 1:21), His “sheep” (rf. John 10:11). The angels attending the birth proclaimed “good news of great tidings which shall be for all the people”, the declaration of the Gospel. The Jewish shepherds, like the Gentile magi, came to worship at His feet. They would return sharing boldly the truth of the birth of the Promised Messiah.
As we celebrate Christmas, especially in an increasingly secularized society and culture, let us never grow so complacent with the holiday that we forget its inherent meaning, especially the true purpose behind it. Time may be fleeting and our memories undependable, but we should not let the treasures of our Christian past become mere relics of a bygone day. Rather, may we become proactive in keeping the realities of our faith very much alive by carefully explaining what we believe and why we believe them, especially as they apply to important holidays such as Christmas. Then, when our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. take forward and pass on our faith legacies, they will do so with the full knowledge of what these celebrations mean in respect to the Scriptures, Church history and the important role they are to our own personal walk with Christ. Then maybe they will be engulfed in the desire to keep up the good work of “redeeming the time”(rf. Ephesians 5:16 KJV) that we’ve been given, fleeting as it may be.
This same reality check avails itself to the Christmas story. We read it in the Gospels as if it were so very long ago, so very far away. Yet, the message it conveys to us should be “just like yesterday”, as close as our touch, never far from our memories because of the impact the birth of Christ has made on our lives individually and personally. We see Him in the manger and remember that the very purpose of this innocent little baby boy being born was to grow into a man to die on the cross for sinners, for “His people” (rf. Matthew 1:21), His “sheep” (rf. John 10:11). The angels attending the birth proclaimed “good news of great tidings which shall be for all the people”, the declaration of the Gospel. The Jewish shepherds, like the Gentile magi, came to worship at His feet. They would return sharing boldly the truth of the birth of the Promised Messiah.
As we celebrate Christmas, especially in an increasingly secularized society and culture, let us never grow so complacent with the holiday that we forget its inherent meaning, especially the true purpose behind it. Time may be fleeting and our memories undependable, but we should not let the treasures of our Christian past become mere relics of a bygone day. Rather, may we become proactive in keeping the realities of our faith very much alive by carefully explaining what we believe and why we believe them, especially as they apply to important holidays such as Christmas. Then, when our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. take forward and pass on our faith legacies, they will do so with the full knowledge of what these celebrations mean in respect to the Scriptures, Church history and the important role they are to our own personal walk with Christ. Then maybe they will be engulfed in the desire to keep up the good work of “redeeming the time”(rf. Ephesians 5:16 KJV) that we’ve been given, fleeting as it may be.
Being Thankful to Serve and Enjoy God Forever
Thanksgiving...a celebration borne out of hearts full of thankfulness and gratitude, emanating from spirits of humility and subjection in personal responses to a greater Majesty who has shown unmerited and generous beneficence. Wow! When we think of Thanksgiving in such a fashion, it definitely puts a different “spin”, not only on the holiday, but on the perspective of being thankful. Yet, Biblically, this is the concept of thanksgiving. It is understanding who we are in the light of who He is as God, that the good gifts we’ve been given are not a result of our own hard work, but, rather, a result of His generosity toward us.
This is especially true to those of us who call ourselves, “Christians”. We of all people should rightly understand this concept of thanksgiving. It is based on the principle of “grace”, the unmerited favor of Almighty God, the very thing upon which our salvation is founded. Without His grace, we would be headed to a literal and actual Hell on a fast track, clueless as to the eternal ramifications, enjoying the pleasures and the scenery all along the way! However, because of the intervening love and grace of God, He “called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light” (rf. I Peter 2:9). He then continues in His grace to mold us and make us into the image of Christ (rf. Romans 8:29), the theological process that we know as sanctification, all of which is accomplished because of His work in us and not by any works which originate within ourselves (rf. Ephesians 2:8-9). Thus, we should be thankful.
As the Apostle Paul testifies in Ephesians 5, Jesus is making us, as individual believers, into one Body, His Church. While doing so, He is also purifying us, cleansing us, and preparing us to be presented eventually before Him as a bride before the groom at a Jewish wedding (rf. vs. 27). This is one of the reasons why we go through hard and difficult times individually. We are a part of the corporate “dross-lifting” process, when heat is brought to bear on the metal to relieve it from its impurities as they rise to the top and are scraped away. If we are truly members of His Church, we will endure this time and again while here on earth until we either die and enter into His Presence or are alive and join Him at His return at which time His Church is officially presented to Him clean and holy.
Why bring this up in the context of Thanksgiving? Well, notice how, according to the Apostle Paul, the Church is “to be subject to Christ...in everything” (rf. Ephesians 5:24) because “Christ...is the head of the Church” (rf. 5:23). The Church as well as every member of the Church (i.e. every believer in Christ) should be thankful for their individual salvation and, out of their gratitude, submissive to His Lordship and Headship in every area of their lives. However, many professed “Christians” today believe that Jesus is the one who is subject to them and to their desires, ideas, beliefs, etc. It is definitely a case of “the tail wagging the dog”. Let me give you an example.
In a recent advertisement for a new book, You Lost Me, by David Kinneman (co-author of UnChristian), the following quotes were given as examples by young people leaving the Church and their reasons why:
“I knew from church that I couldn’t believe in both faith and science, so that was it. I didn’t believe in God anymore.”—Mike
“When I write lyrics that not every Christian agrees on, I get hammered. What am I supposed to be using my talents for?”—Sam
Both of these quotes are designed to draw out emotional responses from the reader that will help you identify with those quoted. However, look beyond the emotions to the deep issues underneath. In both cases, Mike and Sam’s comments betray a belief that the Church is designed to dance to the tune of those who make up its constituency or, even worse, to adapt to the culture so that, in the first case, “science” (i.e. what is taught as fact in government schools) should be compatible with “faith” (i.e. Mike’s perception of Christianity) so as not to make one feel uncomfortable and, in Sam’s case, there should be no objective “Christian” standard against which lyrics should be judged so that anyone can write anything so everyone’s “giftedness” can be practiced with no limitations.
Again, how does this relate to Thanksgiving? Each of the above cases represents the reverse of what should be the proper attitude as followers of Christ. To cultivate thankfulness, we must practice submission and humility to Christ as individual believers and as His Church. We must remove ourselves permanently from the idea that Jesus and His Church exist to serve our individual interests and desires as well as what is popular or what is viewed as normative within the surrounding culture. Like the first entry in the Shorter Catechism states, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” We were created for God’s use and glory not visa-versa. The sooner we learn that truth, understand it, and practice it, the sooner we will grasp the true nature of thankfulness. Once gained, then Thanksgiving as a holiday will possess its full meaning in our hearts.
This is especially true to those of us who call ourselves, “Christians”. We of all people should rightly understand this concept of thanksgiving. It is based on the principle of “grace”, the unmerited favor of Almighty God, the very thing upon which our salvation is founded. Without His grace, we would be headed to a literal and actual Hell on a fast track, clueless as to the eternal ramifications, enjoying the pleasures and the scenery all along the way! However, because of the intervening love and grace of God, He “called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light” (rf. I Peter 2:9). He then continues in His grace to mold us and make us into the image of Christ (rf. Romans 8:29), the theological process that we know as sanctification, all of which is accomplished because of His work in us and not by any works which originate within ourselves (rf. Ephesians 2:8-9). Thus, we should be thankful.
As the Apostle Paul testifies in Ephesians 5, Jesus is making us, as individual believers, into one Body, His Church. While doing so, He is also purifying us, cleansing us, and preparing us to be presented eventually before Him as a bride before the groom at a Jewish wedding (rf. vs. 27). This is one of the reasons why we go through hard and difficult times individually. We are a part of the corporate “dross-lifting” process, when heat is brought to bear on the metal to relieve it from its impurities as they rise to the top and are scraped away. If we are truly members of His Church, we will endure this time and again while here on earth until we either die and enter into His Presence or are alive and join Him at His return at which time His Church is officially presented to Him clean and holy.
Why bring this up in the context of Thanksgiving? Well, notice how, according to the Apostle Paul, the Church is “to be subject to Christ...in everything” (rf. Ephesians 5:24) because “Christ...is the head of the Church” (rf. 5:23). The Church as well as every member of the Church (i.e. every believer in Christ) should be thankful for their individual salvation and, out of their gratitude, submissive to His Lordship and Headship in every area of their lives. However, many professed “Christians” today believe that Jesus is the one who is subject to them and to their desires, ideas, beliefs, etc. It is definitely a case of “the tail wagging the dog”. Let me give you an example.
In a recent advertisement for a new book, You Lost Me, by David Kinneman (co-author of UnChristian), the following quotes were given as examples by young people leaving the Church and their reasons why:
“I knew from church that I couldn’t believe in both faith and science, so that was it. I didn’t believe in God anymore.”—Mike
“When I write lyrics that not every Christian agrees on, I get hammered. What am I supposed to be using my talents for?”—Sam
Both of these quotes are designed to draw out emotional responses from the reader that will help you identify with those quoted. However, look beyond the emotions to the deep issues underneath. In both cases, Mike and Sam’s comments betray a belief that the Church is designed to dance to the tune of those who make up its constituency or, even worse, to adapt to the culture so that, in the first case, “science” (i.e. what is taught as fact in government schools) should be compatible with “faith” (i.e. Mike’s perception of Christianity) so as not to make one feel uncomfortable and, in Sam’s case, there should be no objective “Christian” standard against which lyrics should be judged so that anyone can write anything so everyone’s “giftedness” can be practiced with no limitations.
Again, how does this relate to Thanksgiving? Each of the above cases represents the reverse of what should be the proper attitude as followers of Christ. To cultivate thankfulness, we must practice submission and humility to Christ as individual believers and as His Church. We must remove ourselves permanently from the idea that Jesus and His Church exist to serve our individual interests and desires as well as what is popular or what is viewed as normative within the surrounding culture. Like the first entry in the Shorter Catechism states, “the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” We were created for God’s use and glory not visa-versa. The sooner we learn that truth, understand it, and practice it, the sooner we will grasp the true nature of thankfulness. Once gained, then Thanksgiving as a holiday will possess its full meaning in our hearts.
Compromise Not The Truth of God
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (rf. II Timothy 4:1-5)
If the Apostle Paul were present today, he would say the time of this prophetic word has arrived. The Western world, in particular, has fallen prey to the myths of self-indulgence and self-gratification. These are the things that are of foremost importance in the lives of most church-goers today—what pleases me, what gratifies my desires. It certainly is the predominant theme of the culture so it must be translated within the confines of the church. Thus, as the Apostle Paul puts it, the church body becomes adamant about “wanting to have their ears tickled”, their felt needs met, their self-esteem lifted, their egos stroked, so they feel better after having been to church, much like having gone to a sauna or received a massage, or, better yet, having attended a motivational lecture.
However, notice that the Apostle Paul does not equate these prophesied rising desires of the church masses to be originated by God nor driven by His Holy Spirit. He states clearly that this is a turning “away their ears from the truth” and a turning “aside to myths”. Anytime, we make a shift from God to self, it is not a positive move nor is it ever God-initiated. Again, if the Apostle Paul lived today he would be radically surprised and disappointed at how far removed we are from a properly Scriptural God-centered position. We need only to listen to the change that has taken place in contemporary Christian music in the last twenty years to see this reality. Two decades ago CCM used to be largely focused on giving praise solely to God for Who He is and what He is up to in the world. Now, most, not all, of CCM is centered on building the self-esteem of the Christian (or non-Christian) hearer, telling him/her how beautiful he/she is because of how God has made them and how Jesus can serve as the ultimate boy-/girl-friend. In making these comments, I am not being overly critical as much as I am being objective in listening to the actual lyrics and comparing them as a long-time listener of contemporary Christian music, ranging back to the days of Dallas Holm, Keith Green and Sandi Patti. I know from whence I speak (or write in this case).
CCM is only one example. The pulpit ministry is another. More and more ministers are being selected for service, not on the basis of calling, but whether or not they have “star” power. Denominations and churches have been overcome with the belief that entertainment value, powerful personalities, and dynamic visuals are the things that make successful ministries because they feel they must compete with a world and culture that is media driven. They have completely neglected the fact that it is Christ who is the Head of the Church and provides the people to serve within His fold according to the gifts needed at each location (rf. Ephesians 4:11-12; 5:23). It is all just another example of a people who have turned “aside their ears from the truth” and turned “aside to myths”.
The truth is exactly and is simply what the Apostle Paul shared in his encouragement to Timothy, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with... instruction...do the work of an evangelist, fulfill (the) ministry.” Jesus stated it plainly in the Gospel of John, “Thy Word is truth.” The Church must return to its roots of being grounded and centered on Scripture in all of its efforts and beliefs. That may sound simplistic, but it is what we are called by the Lord Himself to do. When we are obedient to that dictate, it makes us inherently distinct from the world and culture. Then, through this distinction and our reliance upon, as well as our disbursal of, His truth, we begin to see the lost in the world and culture come to salvation in Christ and become a part of the family of God. As long as we are faithful reflectors and proclaimers of His Gospel, He will use us to do “the work of an evangelist, fulfill(ing the work of the) ministry” to which He has called each of us.
Therefore, like Timothy, let us hold fast to His truth. Let us take this “solemn charge” seriously, repelling the culture, embracing the distinction, declaring the reality that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is central to every aspect of our lives as shown by all our words, thoughts and actions. May we be the starting point of God’s new work to revitalize His Church today!
If the Apostle Paul were present today, he would say the time of this prophetic word has arrived. The Western world, in particular, has fallen prey to the myths of self-indulgence and self-gratification. These are the things that are of foremost importance in the lives of most church-goers today—what pleases me, what gratifies my desires. It certainly is the predominant theme of the culture so it must be translated within the confines of the church. Thus, as the Apostle Paul puts it, the church body becomes adamant about “wanting to have their ears tickled”, their felt needs met, their self-esteem lifted, their egos stroked, so they feel better after having been to church, much like having gone to a sauna or received a massage, or, better yet, having attended a motivational lecture.
However, notice that the Apostle Paul does not equate these prophesied rising desires of the church masses to be originated by God nor driven by His Holy Spirit. He states clearly that this is a turning “away their ears from the truth” and a turning “aside to myths”. Anytime, we make a shift from God to self, it is not a positive move nor is it ever God-initiated. Again, if the Apostle Paul lived today he would be radically surprised and disappointed at how far removed we are from a properly Scriptural God-centered position. We need only to listen to the change that has taken place in contemporary Christian music in the last twenty years to see this reality. Two decades ago CCM used to be largely focused on giving praise solely to God for Who He is and what He is up to in the world. Now, most, not all, of CCM is centered on building the self-esteem of the Christian (or non-Christian) hearer, telling him/her how beautiful he/she is because of how God has made them and how Jesus can serve as the ultimate boy-/girl-friend. In making these comments, I am not being overly critical as much as I am being objective in listening to the actual lyrics and comparing them as a long-time listener of contemporary Christian music, ranging back to the days of Dallas Holm, Keith Green and Sandi Patti. I know from whence I speak (or write in this case).
CCM is only one example. The pulpit ministry is another. More and more ministers are being selected for service, not on the basis of calling, but whether or not they have “star” power. Denominations and churches have been overcome with the belief that entertainment value, powerful personalities, and dynamic visuals are the things that make successful ministries because they feel they must compete with a world and culture that is media driven. They have completely neglected the fact that it is Christ who is the Head of the Church and provides the people to serve within His fold according to the gifts needed at each location (rf. Ephesians 4:11-12; 5:23). It is all just another example of a people who have turned “aside their ears from the truth” and turned “aside to myths”.
The truth is exactly and is simply what the Apostle Paul shared in his encouragement to Timothy, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with... instruction...do the work of an evangelist, fulfill (the) ministry.” Jesus stated it plainly in the Gospel of John, “Thy Word is truth.” The Church must return to its roots of being grounded and centered on Scripture in all of its efforts and beliefs. That may sound simplistic, but it is what we are called by the Lord Himself to do. When we are obedient to that dictate, it makes us inherently distinct from the world and culture. Then, through this distinction and our reliance upon, as well as our disbursal of, His truth, we begin to see the lost in the world and culture come to salvation in Christ and become a part of the family of God. As long as we are faithful reflectors and proclaimers of His Gospel, He will use us to do “the work of an evangelist, fulfill(ing the work of the) ministry” to which He has called each of us.
Therefore, like Timothy, let us hold fast to His truth. Let us take this “solemn charge” seriously, repelling the culture, embracing the distinction, declaring the reality that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is central to every aspect of our lives as shown by all our words, thoughts and actions. May we be the starting point of God’s new work to revitalize His Church today!
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Historicity of Creation Account
Call me naive, if you will. One can definitely call me frustrated in the light of the latest trend in contemporary Christian academic circles. In one of the latest issues of Christianity Today magazine, the cover story highlighted the latest controversial debate to arise in our midst: the question over the historicity of Adam and Eve. Did they really exist? Or were they merely representations of the human race at large, especially in view of the theory of evolution?
You see the debate which started in the esteemed halls of academia now has arrived in the pews and pulpits of the church. This is due largely to the expanse of influence that the theory of evolution has made in the minds and hearts of God’s people who have accepted it as truth since they have been taught it now for at least two generations at the behest of the government school system. This theory (I emphasize “theory” because it is not a proven factual scientific modus operandi, mode of operation) which has been accepted on faith by the “secular” world is now the basis of all that is taught in every realm outside the church as well as endeavoring to undermine the relevance and receptivity of Scriptural truth. The sad fact is that most who claim to follow Christ are practical theistic evolutionists, believing that God used evolution to bring about creation, trying to harmonize two irreconcilable, contradictory theories to settle the issue. Sadly, it will not work because of the dynamic that they fail to consider, the discipline that stands in the way...theology...sound doctrine, as the Apostle Paul would put it.
As I stated at the outset, some may say that I am naive to believe this way, but, hey, Paul likewise said that he would gladly be a fool for Jesus Christ (rf. I Corinthians 4:10a; II Corinthians 12:10-11). I do not mind joining him, being tagged in like manner. You see, my starting point in this discussion is the Person and character of Almighty God, not the science or the supposed facts that have been discovered. Having studied the Scriptures now for better than thirty-seven years (with hopefully many more years to do so), I have realized that God is Who He says He is. He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere at once), omniscient (all-knowing), holy, just, all-loving, compassionate, all-righteous...His qualities and perfections go on and on. Indeed, words actually fail when trying to accurately describe Him. He is unlimited in power and scope, but limits Himself when it comes to His character by clearly stating that in His holiness and righteousness, He cannot sin nor perform any evil Himself. It is against His very nature. Wickedness cannot endure in His Presence. To allow anything unclean before Him, that thing must be made pure by His action. We have seen that truth operational in the lives of Isaiah (rf. Isaiah 6:5-7) and Joshua the High Priest (rf. Zechariah 3:1-7).
Referring back to God’s qualities, especially His omnipotence, it is amazing to me how quickly we as present-day professors of faith in Him relinquish this aspect of God in the face of a supposed scientific “evidence”. The one thing the theory of evolution must have, it’s required support mechanism, is time. Millions and billions of years are necessary for the theory to hold water. So, because we feel it necessary to reconcile our belief in God with this apparent truth of evolution, we conclude that God must have taken these needed millions and billions of years to create the heavens and the earth without regard to His omnipotence.
Yet, the Scriptures plainly teach “with God all things are possible” (rf. Matthew 19:26b) and “nothing will be impossible with God” (rf. Luke 1:37). Is it really too far fetched to take God at His Word, realizing how powerful He really is and simply believe He has the wherewithal to just speak the entirety of creation into existence at a whim? Is it beyond the scope of God’s power for Him to establish the 24-hour cycle of the day by taking each of six of the seven days as shown in Genesis 1-2 and systematically create the heavens and the earth with precision and beauty? Is that too much to grasp?
Or have we become too smart for God? Is that the real problem here? In our arrogance, have we reached the point of thinking that belief in a superior Being is intellectual inferiority because we have “evolved” beyond such juvenile behavior? Or is that He just doesn’t do the heart-stopping miracles and wonders that He used to do in the Old and New Testament times in order to “wow” us anymore, in order to give us reason to believe in Him anymore? I think these questions may be key to leading us to the “bottom-line” issue of it all.
The folks during the time of the building of the Tower of Babel (rf. Genesis 11:1-9) had the same attitudinal problem. They had grown prideful and arrogant. They believed that they didn’t need a relationship with God on a personal level. In fact, it was their understanding that they had the technology and intelligence to match God and so, to show that reality, they proposed to build this tower into the heavens so they could meet Him face-to-face on their terms. God knew their hearts, visited them in the midst of their efforts, and did to them what only God could do, something that they could not undo. He confused their language. The tower was left to ruin. The people dispersed, were dismayed and broken into various nations and new “tongues”. God once more showed man that He alone is God.
I am afraid, fellow believer, that this generation, specifically, this generation of His Church, is the Babel generation. God will not allow our pridefulness and arrogance to go unanswered. His silence is not to be construed as cowardice or compassion. Rather, He is giving us time to repent of our sin, to return back to the place of believing in Him in all His fullness, in all His qualities, in all His glory. He wants us to have full faith in His Word. We might not ever in this life understand all that is in His Word or how He accomplished all that He did in creation, redemption or even what He plans for the consummation. As He states, “His ways are higher than our ways..."(rf. Isaiah 55:9). This path that we walk, both in believing and in understanding, is still a matter of faith and trust. The science and facts will ultimately catch up with Him. It may take getting to heaven and having access to the mind of Christ before these paths actually converge.
You see the debate which started in the esteemed halls of academia now has arrived in the pews and pulpits of the church. This is due largely to the expanse of influence that the theory of evolution has made in the minds and hearts of God’s people who have accepted it as truth since they have been taught it now for at least two generations at the behest of the government school system. This theory (I emphasize “theory” because it is not a proven factual scientific modus operandi, mode of operation) which has been accepted on faith by the “secular” world is now the basis of all that is taught in every realm outside the church as well as endeavoring to undermine the relevance and receptivity of Scriptural truth. The sad fact is that most who claim to follow Christ are practical theistic evolutionists, believing that God used evolution to bring about creation, trying to harmonize two irreconcilable, contradictory theories to settle the issue. Sadly, it will not work because of the dynamic that they fail to consider, the discipline that stands in the way...theology...sound doctrine, as the Apostle Paul would put it.
As I stated at the outset, some may say that I am naive to believe this way, but, hey, Paul likewise said that he would gladly be a fool for Jesus Christ (rf. I Corinthians 4:10a; II Corinthians 12:10-11). I do not mind joining him, being tagged in like manner. You see, my starting point in this discussion is the Person and character of Almighty God, not the science or the supposed facts that have been discovered. Having studied the Scriptures now for better than thirty-seven years (with hopefully many more years to do so), I have realized that God is Who He says He is. He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere at once), omniscient (all-knowing), holy, just, all-loving, compassionate, all-righteous...His qualities and perfections go on and on. Indeed, words actually fail when trying to accurately describe Him. He is unlimited in power and scope, but limits Himself when it comes to His character by clearly stating that in His holiness and righteousness, He cannot sin nor perform any evil Himself. It is against His very nature. Wickedness cannot endure in His Presence. To allow anything unclean before Him, that thing must be made pure by His action. We have seen that truth operational in the lives of Isaiah (rf. Isaiah 6:5-7) and Joshua the High Priest (rf. Zechariah 3:1-7).
Referring back to God’s qualities, especially His omnipotence, it is amazing to me how quickly we as present-day professors of faith in Him relinquish this aspect of God in the face of a supposed scientific “evidence”. The one thing the theory of evolution must have, it’s required support mechanism, is time. Millions and billions of years are necessary for the theory to hold water. So, because we feel it necessary to reconcile our belief in God with this apparent truth of evolution, we conclude that God must have taken these needed millions and billions of years to create the heavens and the earth without regard to His omnipotence.
Yet, the Scriptures plainly teach “with God all things are possible” (rf. Matthew 19:26b) and “nothing will be impossible with God” (rf. Luke 1:37). Is it really too far fetched to take God at His Word, realizing how powerful He really is and simply believe He has the wherewithal to just speak the entirety of creation into existence at a whim? Is it beyond the scope of God’s power for Him to establish the 24-hour cycle of the day by taking each of six of the seven days as shown in Genesis 1-2 and systematically create the heavens and the earth with precision and beauty? Is that too much to grasp?
Or have we become too smart for God? Is that the real problem here? In our arrogance, have we reached the point of thinking that belief in a superior Being is intellectual inferiority because we have “evolved” beyond such juvenile behavior? Or is that He just doesn’t do the heart-stopping miracles and wonders that He used to do in the Old and New Testament times in order to “wow” us anymore, in order to give us reason to believe in Him anymore? I think these questions may be key to leading us to the “bottom-line” issue of it all.
The folks during the time of the building of the Tower of Babel (rf. Genesis 11:1-9) had the same attitudinal problem. They had grown prideful and arrogant. They believed that they didn’t need a relationship with God on a personal level. In fact, it was their understanding that they had the technology and intelligence to match God and so, to show that reality, they proposed to build this tower into the heavens so they could meet Him face-to-face on their terms. God knew their hearts, visited them in the midst of their efforts, and did to them what only God could do, something that they could not undo. He confused their language. The tower was left to ruin. The people dispersed, were dismayed and broken into various nations and new “tongues”. God once more showed man that He alone is God.
I am afraid, fellow believer, that this generation, specifically, this generation of His Church, is the Babel generation. God will not allow our pridefulness and arrogance to go unanswered. His silence is not to be construed as cowardice or compassion. Rather, He is giving us time to repent of our sin, to return back to the place of believing in Him in all His fullness, in all His qualities, in all His glory. He wants us to have full faith in His Word. We might not ever in this life understand all that is in His Word or how He accomplished all that He did in creation, redemption or even what He plans for the consummation. As He states, “His ways are higher than our ways..."(rf. Isaiah 55:9). This path that we walk, both in believing and in understanding, is still a matter of faith and trust. The science and facts will ultimately catch up with Him. It may take getting to heaven and having access to the mind of Christ before these paths actually converge.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Past Experience Affecting the Future Marriage Relationship
Whether we like it or not or even want to admit it, the past can have a definite effect on our present (and our future) if we allow it.
Take, for instance, in reference to relationships. If our parents had an overall positive marital relationship and we get married, we will enter into our marriage relationship with the perspective that this relationship is of greatest importance, worth every effort necessary to protect, nurture and strengthen it as the years go by. We will see our mates as the “apple of our eye”, the one closest to our heart, the one we first fell in love with, the one we will want to grow old with. This is the one who means more to us than even our children, if God has blessed us with any. The positive of the past relationships has poured forth more positive in the present and will likewise do so in the future as the generations continue to see the healthy example of what a true Biblical marital relationship should be.
However, just as the initial precept can be of benefit if approached positively, so it is true on the flipside...negatively. If one had an upbringing in a dysfunctional family situation, if abuse of a physical, sexual, verbal or an emotional nature were present within one’s parent’s marital relationship, a person tends to carry that baggage unwittingly into their own marriage relationship. Often times, this can show itself in one of two forms. (1) The person who has had a negative example of a marriage relationship can choose a mate much like the abusive mother or father, believing that by pleasing and submitting themselves to the abusive mate, they will be rectifying mistakes of the past as well as keeping this marriage together. This is officially called co-dependency. (2) Or the person with the negative past seeks to overcome it by ultimate control, making sure that the abuse witnessed in his/her parent’s marital relationship is not repeated again. Therefore, he/she diminishes or completely disengages from pursuit of a real relationship with his/her mate in the marriage, choosing to focus energies and attention on the children, if any, or hobbies, work, home repair, etc., while putting just enough care on the mate to keep the marriage going. Neither of these two responses to the past are healthy or Biblical.
God wants us to have the right perspective when it comes to handling the past in our lives. He is the God Who brings change when things of the past were negative and hurtful. He desires to take those “crooked” events and “straighten” them out so that we may experience the fullness of His will in our lives. Listen to His promise in Isaiah 42:16:
I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them.
I will make darkness into light before them
And rugged places into plains.
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone.
Especially when it comes to marriage, which is earth’s reflection of Christ’s relationship with His Church, He wants us to experience the joy and gladness He intended for husband and wife within His designed covenant. The love that they share is blessed of Him (as is referenced in Song of Solomon and I Corinthians 7) such that they are to be the focus of each other throughout their time together; all others, apart from Him, are to be secondary (rf. Ephesians 5:22-33). This is to be the legacy that they pass on to their children and so on for the generations to come.
So, in general, if yours was a past that affected you positively, literally, thank God for it. Especially, if you had parents whose marital relationship was uplifting, mutually-beneficial, and had the proper, Biblical priorities in place, you were blessed with a great example. Promise the Lord to carry forth that legacy into your own marriage if that is His design for your life.
And, if the above was not your experience at all, do not be dismayed or discouraged. Rather, be honest with yourself and God. He knows already so you won’t be telling Him something new. Understand His promise to take the “darkness” of past experiences and make them into “light” according to what He has designed, according to His Word. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Commit to begin today to create a new legacy with Him, one that your children will look back and say, “Thank you for giving me an example to live by.”
God has and will always be in the business of transformation, of lives, of marriages, etc. He delights in taking the apparently impossible and making it happen. Are you ready to see Him so work in your life today?
Take, for instance, in reference to relationships. If our parents had an overall positive marital relationship and we get married, we will enter into our marriage relationship with the perspective that this relationship is of greatest importance, worth every effort necessary to protect, nurture and strengthen it as the years go by. We will see our mates as the “apple of our eye”, the one closest to our heart, the one we first fell in love with, the one we will want to grow old with. This is the one who means more to us than even our children, if God has blessed us with any. The positive of the past relationships has poured forth more positive in the present and will likewise do so in the future as the generations continue to see the healthy example of what a true Biblical marital relationship should be.
However, just as the initial precept can be of benefit if approached positively, so it is true on the flipside...negatively. If one had an upbringing in a dysfunctional family situation, if abuse of a physical, sexual, verbal or an emotional nature were present within one’s parent’s marital relationship, a person tends to carry that baggage unwittingly into their own marriage relationship. Often times, this can show itself in one of two forms. (1) The person who has had a negative example of a marriage relationship can choose a mate much like the abusive mother or father, believing that by pleasing and submitting themselves to the abusive mate, they will be rectifying mistakes of the past as well as keeping this marriage together. This is officially called co-dependency. (2) Or the person with the negative past seeks to overcome it by ultimate control, making sure that the abuse witnessed in his/her parent’s marital relationship is not repeated again. Therefore, he/she diminishes or completely disengages from pursuit of a real relationship with his/her mate in the marriage, choosing to focus energies and attention on the children, if any, or hobbies, work, home repair, etc., while putting just enough care on the mate to keep the marriage going. Neither of these two responses to the past are healthy or Biblical.
God wants us to have the right perspective when it comes to handling the past in our lives. He is the God Who brings change when things of the past were negative and hurtful. He desires to take those “crooked” events and “straighten” them out so that we may experience the fullness of His will in our lives. Listen to His promise in Isaiah 42:16:
I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them.
I will make darkness into light before them
And rugged places into plains.
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone.
Especially when it comes to marriage, which is earth’s reflection of Christ’s relationship with His Church, He wants us to experience the joy and gladness He intended for husband and wife within His designed covenant. The love that they share is blessed of Him (as is referenced in Song of Solomon and I Corinthians 7) such that they are to be the focus of each other throughout their time together; all others, apart from Him, are to be secondary (rf. Ephesians 5:22-33). This is to be the legacy that they pass on to their children and so on for the generations to come.
So, in general, if yours was a past that affected you positively, literally, thank God for it. Especially, if you had parents whose marital relationship was uplifting, mutually-beneficial, and had the proper, Biblical priorities in place, you were blessed with a great example. Promise the Lord to carry forth that legacy into your own marriage if that is His design for your life.
And, if the above was not your experience at all, do not be dismayed or discouraged. Rather, be honest with yourself and God. He knows already so you won’t be telling Him something new. Understand His promise to take the “darkness” of past experiences and make them into “light” according to what He has designed, according to His Word. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Commit to begin today to create a new legacy with Him, one that your children will look back and say, “Thank you for giving me an example to live by.”
God has and will always be in the business of transformation, of lives, of marriages, etc. He delights in taking the apparently impossible and making it happen. Are you ready to see Him so work in your life today?
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