It has been far too long since I last posted a blog. I could make excuses but I won’t bother- I have simply not been motivated enough to write. This post has been long forming in my head and if I don’t get it down soon it may wander off somewhere else. I hope I do it justice.
Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
(Matthew 18:21-22)
This is a hard teaching for me and one that I am struggling with mightily. Within this and the ensuing parable we see a picture of grace that is somewhat reciprocal in nature. We, who have been forgiven much, should be willing to forgive the (comparatively) little slights that we endure in this life. Unfortunately, I have had to learn this lesson the hard way as is so often the case for me. Let me explain.
Over the past couple of years, the road that I have been on was not what I anticipated it would be. To say that it has been difficult spiritually would be an understatement. A series of events led me to leave the local church that I had been serving at for several years. Believe it or not, this may have been the single most difficult thing I have done in my life because I love the church that I had to leave, and the reasons that I left had to do with my responsibilities as a husband and father.
Since I left, I have been amazed at the love and compassion that I have been shown on my return visits. There are so many people there that are the embodiment of what the Church should be and I am thankful for that reminder in my life- for without it I am not sure that I could continue to walk in faith. These dear friends understand and embrace the above scripture far better than I can (and have) and I thank God for that. You forgave me well before I was aware of a need for forgiveness and that is what the Church should be like. This is what I need to hold on to and focus on as I move forward in life rather than focusing on the negative.
We all want to be the one on the receiving end of forgiveness. For ourselves we want mercy and for others we want and demand justice and fail to see the contradiction in our own lives. We are quick to pass judgment on others while failing to see our own hypocrisy. We see a problem in another person’s life and we try them without knowing the facts and sentence them without a hint of grace. They are guilty so we condemn them, ostracize them, ignore them, or unfriend them on facebook. Where is the forgiveness- and can somebody help me with the plank in my eye?
While enjoying the grace of being forgiven I have held some anger at a perceived wrong. Perhaps I have held onto the anger to justify my feelings of righteousness- but whatever reasons I may have had are insufficient for me to carry it any further.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A Light in the Darkness
When I was in college there were a series of tunnels that ran underneath the campus. These tunnels carried steam to heat the buildings and supply hot water. Although it was against school policy there were many times when I used these tunnels to get from one place to another especially if it was very cold. The real danger in using the tunnels was that it was often dark and you could easily stumble while walking and accidentally reach out and touch one of the steam pipes. Touching the pipes would result in severe burns as I learned on more than one occasion. The key while walking in the dark was not to stumble or else you would get zapped.
As a general rule in Old Testament times, the same held true for the Israelites and their relationship with God. If they stumbled they got zapped. A good example of this can be found in Joshua Chapter 7 where we learn about Achan. Achan coveted and stole a few items from Jericho that were supposed to be consecrated to God. For this he was stoned.
This happened shortly after the Israelites had spent 40 years wandering in the desert. The doubters of Moses’ generation had all died in the desert prior to them entering the Promised Land. The people that were left had all been provided for by God. He had been their pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night to guide their every step. He had provided them with the manna and guided their decisions. If ever there was a time when people were going to trust in God this was the time; and yet Achan failed. Unfortunately for the Israelites this was not an isolated incident but the beginning of a trend. God would forgive them and provide and they would turn away and fail and get zapped.
I guess there are a couple of ways that you could read these passages and unfortunately many people today have not learned from the Israelites and Achan. They read this passage and see the need for us to be perfect. We must do better than Achan or God will zap us. Don’t get me wrong- there is a definite call to holiness and I am not making light of that but counting on our own perfection will only lead to death. We can not obtain the perfection that we aspire to or that we need to be righteous on our own. We need a guide.
On one particularly cold night at college when I was returning from the other side of campus I went through the tunnels with a friend of mine that used them all the time. He knew the tunnels better than anybody I knew. We came up to an extended passage where the lights had been knocked out and it was pitch black. I did not see how I could make it through the passage without getting burned and then my friend turned to me and told me to hold on to him. He knew the way through the dark and as long as I held on to him I would be fine.
Often when we read a passage like the one in Joshua we are left with a feeling of hopelessness. There is no way we can make it through life without stumbling. The passage is long and dark and there are many obstacles along the way that can trip us up. One misstep and we will fall. However we still have hope even in the darkness. John tells us that Jesus is the true light that shines in the darkness and that the darkness has not overcome this light. In our darkest times our hope is not going to be found in our own righteousness but in holding on to the one who knows the way. As long as we hold on to Him we will be fine.
As a general rule in Old Testament times, the same held true for the Israelites and their relationship with God. If they stumbled they got zapped. A good example of this can be found in Joshua Chapter 7 where we learn about Achan. Achan coveted and stole a few items from Jericho that were supposed to be consecrated to God. For this he was stoned.
This happened shortly after the Israelites had spent 40 years wandering in the desert. The doubters of Moses’ generation had all died in the desert prior to them entering the Promised Land. The people that were left had all been provided for by God. He had been their pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night to guide their every step. He had provided them with the manna and guided their decisions. If ever there was a time when people were going to trust in God this was the time; and yet Achan failed. Unfortunately for the Israelites this was not an isolated incident but the beginning of a trend. God would forgive them and provide and they would turn away and fail and get zapped.
I guess there are a couple of ways that you could read these passages and unfortunately many people today have not learned from the Israelites and Achan. They read this passage and see the need for us to be perfect. We must do better than Achan or God will zap us. Don’t get me wrong- there is a definite call to holiness and I am not making light of that but counting on our own perfection will only lead to death. We can not obtain the perfection that we aspire to or that we need to be righteous on our own. We need a guide.
On one particularly cold night at college when I was returning from the other side of campus I went through the tunnels with a friend of mine that used them all the time. He knew the tunnels better than anybody I knew. We came up to an extended passage where the lights had been knocked out and it was pitch black. I did not see how I could make it through the passage without getting burned and then my friend turned to me and told me to hold on to him. He knew the way through the dark and as long as I held on to him I would be fine.
Often when we read a passage like the one in Joshua we are left with a feeling of hopelessness. There is no way we can make it through life without stumbling. The passage is long and dark and there are many obstacles along the way that can trip us up. One misstep and we will fall. However we still have hope even in the darkness. John tells us that Jesus is the true light that shines in the darkness and that the darkness has not overcome this light. In our darkest times our hope is not going to be found in our own righteousness but in holding on to the one who knows the way. As long as we hold on to Him we will be fine.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Chains, blood, death, and unworthiness
Perhaps we have lost our way…
I was reading Mark Chapter 5 the other day and I made what seemed to me to be an unusual discovery. Maybe I am mistaken. Perhaps there is nothing at all unusual about it.
When I left home and went to college when I was 18 I was looking for acceptance. In the world of an 18 year old there may be nothing that is more important than that. What I found when I got there was rejection in many forms. The fraternities were not that impressed by me. For the most part they found me to be unworthy of their approval. There was one that wanted me to join but for the most part I did not know the right people, make enough money, or have the right parents. I had a hard time making friends. It seemed that the same qualities that made me desirable (or not) to fraternities were in demand for friendship as well. I did not like my classes either. It seems that I chose poorly and did not realize it until it was too late. Everywhere I turned I found that I was unfit, unworthy, not desired, and not wanted. I was crushed.
This was not my first experience with being rejected. There were girls that I had asked out that had politely refused. There were sports teams that had declined to pick up my option. There were jobs that had found better applicants. Rejection was not an every day experience for me but I was certainly used to it by the time I went to college. Why did my college experience cause me so much more distress than the other rejections?
In retrospect, I think that I had unrealistic expectations of what life would be like when I was in college. I had wanted to go to the school of my choice for a long time before I was accepted there. I had idealized what it would be like and I was (quite simply) wrong. Looking back now it is easy for me to think that I should have adjusted my expectations. It would not have been what I wanted but I could have made due with what it was and got along OK. Rather than doing that I left- never to return and totally disillusioned with the whole experience. The real question is this: should I have had to readjust my expectations at all?
So what does this have to do with Mark Chapter 5?
There is a picture that is painted by the whole chapter that is not evident at first glance. We have the man possessed by demons roaming amongst the dead, the woman plagued by bleeding, and the dead girl. In each case Jesus stepped in and healed someone in a miraculous way. Each one of these people though would have been seen by the first century Jew as unworthy, unfit, unwanted, and unclean. Indeed, perhaps the central message of the Gospel is that each one of us is in our own way much like the central characters in this chapter. We are all unfit but Jesus has reached out to us and made us fit. We are all unwanted but Jesus desires us anyway.
I guess the question I have is why are so many of our churches today so ready to declare people unworthy and unfit and unwanted? This seems more in line with the message of the Pharisees that it does with the message of Christ. It seems to me that today we are still looking for reasons to exclude people from the good news rather than letting Jesus make them worthy. He does not make enough money. She is a liberal. He is a Jeff Gordon fan (joking). He drinks. She smokes. He cusses. Unclean, unfit, unworthy.
I heard a really good message the other day that included an allusion to Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was a crippled man that nevertheless was an heir to the throne of Saul. When David took over as king he called for Mephibosheth and told him that he was always welcome at the King’s table. Here is the reply:
And he paid homage and said, "What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?"
2 Samuel 9:8
Perhaps this is the response of every lost soul who has been found by the King. I know that it captures my sentiments pretty well. How can we so quickly turn from this wonder and astonishment to locking the doors to prevent any other dead dogs from wandering in? I imagine that many people today have an ideal of church that is not unlike my view of college. They would see church as a place where they could be accepted regardless of their flaws. My guess is that many who find this not to be true will likely leave- never to return. Can you imagine the demon possessed man returning to wander amongst the tombs once he had been healed? Somehow I don’t think that happened and yet people today are leaving churches to return the tombs they had escaped. We need to fix this.
What I found unusual about Mark Chapter 5 is that Jesus went to the unclean and made them clean. This was a scandal that eventually got Him killed yet He did it anyway. The church should be doing the same.
I was reading Mark Chapter 5 the other day and I made what seemed to me to be an unusual discovery. Maybe I am mistaken. Perhaps there is nothing at all unusual about it.
When I left home and went to college when I was 18 I was looking for acceptance. In the world of an 18 year old there may be nothing that is more important than that. What I found when I got there was rejection in many forms. The fraternities were not that impressed by me. For the most part they found me to be unworthy of their approval. There was one that wanted me to join but for the most part I did not know the right people, make enough money, or have the right parents. I had a hard time making friends. It seemed that the same qualities that made me desirable (or not) to fraternities were in demand for friendship as well. I did not like my classes either. It seems that I chose poorly and did not realize it until it was too late. Everywhere I turned I found that I was unfit, unworthy, not desired, and not wanted. I was crushed.
This was not my first experience with being rejected. There were girls that I had asked out that had politely refused. There were sports teams that had declined to pick up my option. There were jobs that had found better applicants. Rejection was not an every day experience for me but I was certainly used to it by the time I went to college. Why did my college experience cause me so much more distress than the other rejections?
In retrospect, I think that I had unrealistic expectations of what life would be like when I was in college. I had wanted to go to the school of my choice for a long time before I was accepted there. I had idealized what it would be like and I was (quite simply) wrong. Looking back now it is easy for me to think that I should have adjusted my expectations. It would not have been what I wanted but I could have made due with what it was and got along OK. Rather than doing that I left- never to return and totally disillusioned with the whole experience. The real question is this: should I have had to readjust my expectations at all?
So what does this have to do with Mark Chapter 5?
There is a picture that is painted by the whole chapter that is not evident at first glance. We have the man possessed by demons roaming amongst the dead, the woman plagued by bleeding, and the dead girl. In each case Jesus stepped in and healed someone in a miraculous way. Each one of these people though would have been seen by the first century Jew as unworthy, unfit, unwanted, and unclean. Indeed, perhaps the central message of the Gospel is that each one of us is in our own way much like the central characters in this chapter. We are all unfit but Jesus has reached out to us and made us fit. We are all unwanted but Jesus desires us anyway.
I guess the question I have is why are so many of our churches today so ready to declare people unworthy and unfit and unwanted? This seems more in line with the message of the Pharisees that it does with the message of Christ. It seems to me that today we are still looking for reasons to exclude people from the good news rather than letting Jesus make them worthy. He does not make enough money. She is a liberal. He is a Jeff Gordon fan (joking). He drinks. She smokes. He cusses. Unclean, unfit, unworthy.
I heard a really good message the other day that included an allusion to Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was a crippled man that nevertheless was an heir to the throne of Saul. When David took over as king he called for Mephibosheth and told him that he was always welcome at the King’s table. Here is the reply:
And he paid homage and said, "What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?"
2 Samuel 9:8
Perhaps this is the response of every lost soul who has been found by the King. I know that it captures my sentiments pretty well. How can we so quickly turn from this wonder and astonishment to locking the doors to prevent any other dead dogs from wandering in? I imagine that many people today have an ideal of church that is not unlike my view of college. They would see church as a place where they could be accepted regardless of their flaws. My guess is that many who find this not to be true will likely leave- never to return. Can you imagine the demon possessed man returning to wander amongst the tombs once he had been healed? Somehow I don’t think that happened and yet people today are leaving churches to return the tombs they had escaped. We need to fix this.
What I found unusual about Mark Chapter 5 is that Jesus went to the unclean and made them clean. This was a scandal that eventually got Him killed yet He did it anyway. The church should be doing the same.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The "Good" Son
"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'
(Luke 15:25-30)
I am not sure how many times I have read this parable and focused on the younger son. The one that was lost. I saw so much of him in my earlier life and was thankful to have a Father that had welcomed me back in spite of my failings. I am not proud of my time in a far off land but it is a part of my past.
As I grew in faith I wanted to be more like the Father in the parable. I wanted to demonstrate grace to others in my life even when they wished me dead. I wanted to be able to forgive no matter what they had done. I am afraid that I have fallen far short of the Father. It is not as easy to say all is forgiven as I had imagined. I pray when the time comes that I have the grace within me to say just that.
The “good” son is often overlooked in this parable. He comes across as ungrateful and I often associated him with people that I knew that looked down on others that were not as righteous as they were. He did not understand how the Father could forgive the “lost” son for the crimes that he had committed when he had been so faithful. He appears to believe that he has earned some part of his inheritance for his behavior.
When I look at this parable from a perspective of God’s grace I get a different picture than I used to. I now see that the “good” son was missing more than the gracious act of his father (toward the younger son). He was spending so much time and energy trying to earn the Father’s grace that he did not realize that he was walking in it all along.
It appears to me that I have become the “good” son of late and it breaks my heart that I have not appreciated the love the Father has for me. I have been stuck in a rut of self-righteousness where I have tried my best to justify why I deserve better than I have been getting. I am thankful for Godly advice from a great friend that has given me a time of refreshment.
And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
(Luke 15:31-32)
There is great comfort in these words for me. Despite all my failings of late, the Father still has great love for me. What I love best about this parable is how I can so often find myself somewhere in it. Now that I have recognized my own issues with self-righteousness I find that I have wandered to the point where I need to return back to my Father. In becoming the older “good” son it seems that I have realized that I actually need to be more like the younger “lost” son and return to my Father’s house. I still strive to be like the Father. I want to be able to demonstrate grace in all seasons. There is far too much ungrace in this world for me to contribute to it. I ask forgiveness from any that I may have hurt and pray for healing. Pray with me.
Love and peace-
Bruce
P.S. So now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
(Luke 15:25-30)
I am not sure how many times I have read this parable and focused on the younger son. The one that was lost. I saw so much of him in my earlier life and was thankful to have a Father that had welcomed me back in spite of my failings. I am not proud of my time in a far off land but it is a part of my past.
As I grew in faith I wanted to be more like the Father in the parable. I wanted to demonstrate grace to others in my life even when they wished me dead. I wanted to be able to forgive no matter what they had done. I am afraid that I have fallen far short of the Father. It is not as easy to say all is forgiven as I had imagined. I pray when the time comes that I have the grace within me to say just that.
The “good” son is often overlooked in this parable. He comes across as ungrateful and I often associated him with people that I knew that looked down on others that were not as righteous as they were. He did not understand how the Father could forgive the “lost” son for the crimes that he had committed when he had been so faithful. He appears to believe that he has earned some part of his inheritance for his behavior.
When I look at this parable from a perspective of God’s grace I get a different picture than I used to. I now see that the “good” son was missing more than the gracious act of his father (toward the younger son). He was spending so much time and energy trying to earn the Father’s grace that he did not realize that he was walking in it all along.
It appears to me that I have become the “good” son of late and it breaks my heart that I have not appreciated the love the Father has for me. I have been stuck in a rut of self-righteousness where I have tried my best to justify why I deserve better than I have been getting. I am thankful for Godly advice from a great friend that has given me a time of refreshment.
And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
(Luke 15:31-32)
There is great comfort in these words for me. Despite all my failings of late, the Father still has great love for me. What I love best about this parable is how I can so often find myself somewhere in it. Now that I have recognized my own issues with self-righteousness I find that I have wandered to the point where I need to return back to my Father. In becoming the older “good” son it seems that I have realized that I actually need to be more like the younger “lost” son and return to my Father’s house. I still strive to be like the Father. I want to be able to demonstrate grace in all seasons. There is far too much ungrace in this world for me to contribute to it. I ask forgiveness from any that I may have hurt and pray for healing. Pray with me.
Love and peace-
Bruce
P.S. So now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
What do I need to do to be saved?
Please God, I am begging you, just tell me what I need to do. Just tell me what box to check so I can check it. I want to check the box. I want to make sure that I have done everything that I can so that I can be with you when I die. I want to be sure and lately I have not been so sure.
Some have told me that I do not spend enough time reading your word. How much time is enough God? Is one hour a day enough or will thirty minutes be okay? Should I spend every waking hour that I am not at work or spending time with my family reading the Bible? Is reading Christian literature about the Bible and about you okay to read or should I only read your word? Just tell me how much so I can check off this box. I want to check the box but I am not sure if I have done enough.
Others have told me that reading is not enough. I must study your word as well. I need to learn the native languages so I can understand the verses in their proper context. Do I need to be fluent in these languages or is it enough that I look up the Greek or Hebrew for confusing passages? How much study is enough? I need to know so that I can check the box God, but I am unsure if I have done enough.
Some have told me that I must give of my finances in order to be saved. How much do I have to give? Is a tithe sufficient? Is that before or after taxes? Does all the money have to go to my local church or can I use some of it to support missionaries? Does giving money to the widow and the orphan directly count or must it go through my local church body? Does my time that I spend serving count? How can I know when I have given enough? I want to make sure that I have done enough so that I can check the box? Please God, can you help me?
Yet others have told me that I must share your word with others in order to show that I am saved. Does leading by example count or must I actually share the Gospel with words? Does it count if I share the word with those in the church so that I am making disciples or must I go to the unchurched as well? How about apologetics? Does refuting the arguments of those that oppose you and giving them a reason for the hope that is in me count? Please tell me how much I need to do so I can check the box.
And then there are the commandments. Must I keep them all or do I only need to keep the big ten? Can I still check the box if I repent of my sins when I am made aware of them or must I be perfect? What if I sin and die before repenting? Am I lost with no hope or does my previous confessions and repentance count?
When Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land he was very prophetic. He told them to choose that day whom they would serve. They chose to serve the Lord and Joshua replied:
In looking at my partial list above I realize that I am unable to serve the Lord. At various times in my life I have tried very hard and ended up feeling as if I was further in debt than when I started. I can not do what is necessary to check the box. Even in those moments when I come close I tarnish my efforts with my pride. It appears that there is no hope for me ever doing enough to be saved.
Strangely, at the end of my efforts when all hope in self is lost, faith can be found. Faith in the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. Faith in the words of the Son of Man. Faith that when He said “It is finished” that he meant it. Faith that His death on the cross was sufficient to overcome my shortcomings. Faith that His resurrection guaranteed victory over death.
It is here that the humble realization takes place that there is nothing you can ever do that will be enough. It is here that you turn to God again and whisper your plea- I can not do this, please help me. If I am ever going to be saved Lord it is up to you and you alone for I am incapable. Here you understand the meaning of “It is finished” and realize that He already has helped you. It is here that your faith in self is transformed into faith in God.
Every once in a while we need a reminder of this. In spite of the efforts and the tears I am thankful for the reminder. My hope is in you God for all hope is lost if it is up to my efforts.
Peace.
Some have told me that I do not spend enough time reading your word. How much time is enough God? Is one hour a day enough or will thirty minutes be okay? Should I spend every waking hour that I am not at work or spending time with my family reading the Bible? Is reading Christian literature about the Bible and about you okay to read or should I only read your word? Just tell me how much so I can check off this box. I want to check the box but I am not sure if I have done enough.
Others have told me that reading is not enough. I must study your word as well. I need to learn the native languages so I can understand the verses in their proper context. Do I need to be fluent in these languages or is it enough that I look up the Greek or Hebrew for confusing passages? How much study is enough? I need to know so that I can check the box God, but I am unsure if I have done enough.
Some have told me that I must give of my finances in order to be saved. How much do I have to give? Is a tithe sufficient? Is that before or after taxes? Does all the money have to go to my local church or can I use some of it to support missionaries? Does giving money to the widow and the orphan directly count or must it go through my local church body? Does my time that I spend serving count? How can I know when I have given enough? I want to make sure that I have done enough so that I can check the box? Please God, can you help me?
Yet others have told me that I must share your word with others in order to show that I am saved. Does leading by example count or must I actually share the Gospel with words? Does it count if I share the word with those in the church so that I am making disciples or must I go to the unchurched as well? How about apologetics? Does refuting the arguments of those that oppose you and giving them a reason for the hope that is in me count? Please tell me how much I need to do so I can check the box.
And then there are the commandments. Must I keep them all or do I only need to keep the big ten? Can I still check the box if I repent of my sins when I am made aware of them or must I be perfect? What if I sin and die before repenting? Am I lost with no hope or does my previous confessions and repentance count?
When Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land he was very prophetic. He told them to choose that day whom they would serve. They chose to serve the Lord and Joshua replied:
But Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good."
(Joshua 24:19-20)
In looking at my partial list above I realize that I am unable to serve the Lord. At various times in my life I have tried very hard and ended up feeling as if I was further in debt than when I started. I can not do what is necessary to check the box. Even in those moments when I come close I tarnish my efforts with my pride. It appears that there is no hope for me ever doing enough to be saved.
Strangely, at the end of my efforts when all hope in self is lost, faith can be found. Faith in the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. Faith in the words of the Son of Man. Faith that when He said “It is finished” that he meant it. Faith that His death on the cross was sufficient to overcome my shortcomings. Faith that His resurrection guaranteed victory over death.
It is here that the humble realization takes place that there is nothing you can ever do that will be enough. It is here that you turn to God again and whisper your plea- I can not do this, please help me. If I am ever going to be saved Lord it is up to you and you alone for I am incapable. Here you understand the meaning of “It is finished” and realize that He already has helped you. It is here that your faith in self is transformed into faith in God.
Every once in a while we need a reminder of this. In spite of the efforts and the tears I am thankful for the reminder. My hope is in you God for all hope is lost if it is up to my efforts.
Peace.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A Graveyard Visit
I stopped at the graveyard on the way home from picking her up from school. We were looking for a grave marker. Something that would tell us who was buried there. We wanted to find one that included the name Joseph. We took separate paths and looked for about ten minutes before finding it. A clear marker letting all know that Joseph was buried here. It is certain that those who knew Joseph well also knew where this marker was. They knew where the tomb was because they knew who Joseph was.
Sometimes when we are reading scripture we overlook simple details that are rather mundane. Below is one example of such a mundane detail:
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
(Mark 15:43-47)
There are a few things that we can note about this simple burial story. First to note is that Joseph was a member of the Council. This means that he was a member of the group that helped to send Jesus to His death. It is not likely that Joseph would have been a Christian invention. The resurrection claims could have been refuted quite simply with claims from the Jewish leaders that there was no such person. We do not have any records of such claims from the Jewish leaders.
In fact, we can go further to say that there are actually no competing burial stories at all. The silence of the Jews on this matter speaks loudly to the truth of the Gospel narrative. If Jesus were not buried in the tomb of Joseph then we would know. There would be some record claiming that He had been buried elsewhere but there are none. This may seem like a rather mundane detail but why is it important?
The earliest records we have are claims from the Jewish leaders that the disciples stole the body. Why would they make this claim? There was something that they were trying to explain. Something that they refused to believe but has given people hope for 2000 years. Think back to my trip to the graveyard. If the friends and relatives of that Joseph knew where he was buried, then how many more people would know where the tomb of a member of the Council would be? How many of them do you think went and checked the claims of the women and the disciples? How many of them were at a loss to explain how the body of a dead man could go missing? So they make up a story to try to keep the masses quiet.
Their story gives us a certain fact about the resurrection account. The lack of a competing burial story testifies to its truth. The standing of Joseph in the community completes our knowledge of one thing with certainty on that Sunday morning 2000 years ago.
The tomb was empty. Praise God, He is risen!
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Problem with Rob Bell
The Problem with Rob Bell
Don’t get me wrong. I actually like Rob Bell and I have no intention of bashing him in this blog. He is a truly gifted storyteller that comes across as being genuinely passionate for the lost. I do not think that he has written his latest book simply to make money or to lead people astray. In fact, I would go further to say that Rob Bell has at least done modern Christianity a favor by bringing a discussion to the table that most people are afraid to speak about.
I have participated in discussions with atheists and agnostics for a good number of years now. It is often easy to dismiss the questions and objections of both of these groups without giving it some serious thought. Serious thought leads to serious questions and apparently Rob Bell has at least been listening to this group. The first chapter in his new book is really not much more than a summation of arguments of an atheist acquaintance of mine.
These are serious questions. They are questions that should be addressed. I applaud Rob for bringing them to light. However, the wording of a question can often lead one to an emotional response. Rob has phrased these questions in such a manner as to create an emotional response in the reader. As a pastor and a voice in Christianity that many listen to, Rob should make his case from scripture for whatever point he would like to argue in favor of without manipulating the reader by emotional pleas. However, this is a minor complaint. He is not the only one to use such methods for persuasive purposes.
My real problem is actually the underlying message in the book. Believe it or not I am not talking about the universalism that is throughout the book. No, there is something else at heart here that needs to be addressed and universalism is merely a symptom.
Perhaps Rob has seen too much of Fred Phelps in the news and it has caused him to question the God of the Fred Phelps of the world. Perhaps this is what led him to write Love Wins. Surely God does not hate everyone that Fred Phelps hates, right? A God like that is not just. A God like that is not love. A God like that is not merciful. You see what really irritates people about Fred Phelps is that he judges everyone and it is not his place to say who gets to heaven and who does not.
Nor is it Rob Bell’s place to judge everyone and that is really the underlying problem for both Rob Bell and Fred Phelps (and ironically everyone who rushes to condemn either of them). You don’t see the similarity? Fred sees judgment and condemns. Rob sees love and pardons. Each is sitting in a place that is not theirs. It is God’s to forgive and to condemn and not ours and sometimes in the heat of the debate we forget this. Perhaps the largest component of faith in God is trust. Both Fred and Rob have assumed the role of judge and in doing so have abandoned trust in God.
There are questions about hell that should be addressed. It should not be a topic that is avoided like the plague. Rob actually asks some of the questions in his chapter on hell. However, he has also assumed his conclusions and then chosen scripture to support this conclusion. Once again, this shows (at least in my eyes) an underlying lack of trust in God.
I trust that whatever happens to me when I die that it will be a perfect display of God’s love and justice. I think that most people who have faith in God could agree with that statement. The great temptation for all of us is to assume that the same will not be true for everyone else. We see the tremendous acts of love in a friend and we have a hard time seeing how God could condemn anything that they do. We see an awful display of sin in someone and have a hard time seeing how God could possibly love such a person. This is because we are not God.
I imagine that this book will sell a lot of copies. If you are interested in reading it, I would recommend going to Barnes and Noble for a couple hours. It really is light material for the most part and an easy read. I hope that it fosters discussion rather than acrimony but I doubt that it will.
Don’t get me wrong. I actually like Rob Bell and I have no intention of bashing him in this blog. He is a truly gifted storyteller that comes across as being genuinely passionate for the lost. I do not think that he has written his latest book simply to make money or to lead people astray. In fact, I would go further to say that Rob Bell has at least done modern Christianity a favor by bringing a discussion to the table that most people are afraid to speak about.
I have participated in discussions with atheists and agnostics for a good number of years now. It is often easy to dismiss the questions and objections of both of these groups without giving it some serious thought. Serious thought leads to serious questions and apparently Rob Bell has at least been listening to this group. The first chapter in his new book is really not much more than a summation of arguments of an atheist acquaintance of mine.
These are serious questions. They are questions that should be addressed. I applaud Rob for bringing them to light. However, the wording of a question can often lead one to an emotional response. Rob has phrased these questions in such a manner as to create an emotional response in the reader. As a pastor and a voice in Christianity that many listen to, Rob should make his case from scripture for whatever point he would like to argue in favor of without manipulating the reader by emotional pleas. However, this is a minor complaint. He is not the only one to use such methods for persuasive purposes.
My real problem is actually the underlying message in the book. Believe it or not I am not talking about the universalism that is throughout the book. No, there is something else at heart here that needs to be addressed and universalism is merely a symptom.
Perhaps Rob has seen too much of Fred Phelps in the news and it has caused him to question the God of the Fred Phelps of the world. Perhaps this is what led him to write Love Wins. Surely God does not hate everyone that Fred Phelps hates, right? A God like that is not just. A God like that is not love. A God like that is not merciful. You see what really irritates people about Fred Phelps is that he judges everyone and it is not his place to say who gets to heaven and who does not.
Nor is it Rob Bell’s place to judge everyone and that is really the underlying problem for both Rob Bell and Fred Phelps (and ironically everyone who rushes to condemn either of them). You don’t see the similarity? Fred sees judgment and condemns. Rob sees love and pardons. Each is sitting in a place that is not theirs. It is God’s to forgive and to condemn and not ours and sometimes in the heat of the debate we forget this. Perhaps the largest component of faith in God is trust. Both Fred and Rob have assumed the role of judge and in doing so have abandoned trust in God.
There are questions about hell that should be addressed. It should not be a topic that is avoided like the plague. Rob actually asks some of the questions in his chapter on hell. However, he has also assumed his conclusions and then chosen scripture to support this conclusion. Once again, this shows (at least in my eyes) an underlying lack of trust in God.
I trust that whatever happens to me when I die that it will be a perfect display of God’s love and justice. I think that most people who have faith in God could agree with that statement. The great temptation for all of us is to assume that the same will not be true for everyone else. We see the tremendous acts of love in a friend and we have a hard time seeing how God could condemn anything that they do. We see an awful display of sin in someone and have a hard time seeing how God could possibly love such a person. This is because we are not God.
I imagine that this book will sell a lot of copies. If you are interested in reading it, I would recommend going to Barnes and Noble for a couple hours. It really is light material for the most part and an easy read. I hope that it fosters discussion rather than acrimony but I doubt that it will.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
A Challenge
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.
(Luke 10:33)
It was a brutally hot Atlanta day when we knocked on the door of the apartment building in the projects. It was only ten o’clock but I was already covered in sweat when the young mother answered the door. Unlike many of the other doors we had knocked on, this woman seemed happy to see us and gladly accepted our meager food supplies that we offered her. Much like at many of the other homes we asked if there was anything that we could do for her. She asked for me to pray for her that day and I had compassion on her.
We entered her tiny apartment and were immediately struck by the odor of rotting meat. The heat outside paled in comparison to the stifling, stale apartment. I saw her small children in their dirty clothes and unwashed faces. I saw the dirt and trash that littered her floor. I also saw in her face expectancy- a hope that did not belong there and a tear in her eye. I began to pray for her and I had compassion on her.
We completed our rounds through the other buildings and spent some time playing with the neighborhood kids prior to heading home that day. My favorite part was always playing with the children. They are easy to love and they return the love without question. One of the kids had part of a pop tart stuck in his shirt and grape juice stains on his face. As he extended his arms for me to pick him up I could not help but have compassion for him.
Today I am still troubled by that day. What has become of us that we can keep this clean and send a check to someone overseas and call it compassion? Should we sleep comfortable at night because we know there is a 6 year old in Uganda that has it better than her peers because we sacrificed a few pennies? Is this really what Jesus meant when he talked about loving our neighbor?
If we look at the text that leads up to the Parable of the Good Samaritan we see that the question being asked of Jesus is pretty straight forward:
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."
(Luke 10:25-28)
This seems to me to be a fairly important question and answer session with very simple answers. Love God and your neighbor and you shall live. The only real question I have is how do I know if I love God and how do I know if I love my neighbor? Fortunately we have the answers in scripture so we do not need to guess. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our love of theology that we can miss some very simple concepts. Jesus tells us that if we love him then we will do what he commands. This is a stumbling block for many- for our pride does not want to submit to the authority of God in our lives. However if we first examine what Jesus has commanded us to do, perhaps our pride will not get in the way.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
(John 15:10-14)
Now if you have read up to this point you may have come to the conclusion that all you really need to do is love your neighbor in a sacrificial way to fulfill the commandment of Christ. Could it really be that simple? Paul seems to think so:
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
(Galatians 5:14)
So now we have come to the point in the story where we all find ourselves at some point. We are like the lawyer before Jesus looking for some way out of loving our neighbor. Even when the law is simplified to this degree we look for a way out. We wish to redefine it so it need not be messy and dirty. We wish to remove the compassion from the equation and replace it with legal requirements met on paper. Jesus did not really leave us that as an option though did he? The definition of love has not really changed as much as some people would like to have you think. So, back to our Samaritan…
As he journeyed
The Samaritan did not even need to go out of his way to love his neighbor. The opportunity will present itself as we journey. There will be occasions where we come to where people are in need and we will have a choice. We can meet them in judgment as did the Levite and the priest or we can meet them in compassion as the one who was praised by Jesus did. Seems like a pretty simple choice to me but yet I still choose to be like the priest and the Levite more often than not. I hope that you will join me in praying that I can be more like the Samaritan this year.
He had compassion
There was recently an opportunity at my church to meet a need of someone who had been left for dead by the side of the road. A request was made by the pastor and the people had compassion and responded like the Samaritan. There was a physical need that we could meet or we could choose to judge. This day we chose to meet the need and it was met with enough left over to meet the need of another couple who had also been left for dead. To have compassion for someone means to suffer with them. We all have opportunities every day where we can choose to suffer with someone or we can choose to let them suffer alone. I hope that you will join me in praying that I can be more compassionate this year.
The one who showed him mercy
There is a tendency today to redefine love in such a way so that it removes mercy from the equation. It tends to sterilize the word and make it mean something that it does not. There has been much backlash against any type of social gospel where the goal is to meet the physical needs of the people. This runs contrary to what Jesus taught. In this passage there is no conversation to convict the poor beaten man of his sins. There is no gospel tract left to make sure that the man knows he is deserving of the punishment he received. Instead there is a man that meets the physical needs of someone that is in need and as a result he is lifted up as an example of how we should act. I hope that you will join me in praying that I can show mercy to others.
You go, and do likewise
So there it is in red letters for you. The words of our master commanding our obedience. Do you love him? Scripture is pretty clear that if we do love him then we will do as he commands us. His commands are not burdensome although they may lead us to sweat or to get dirty. As I was swinging my pop tart young friend around in circles I was not thinking about how hot it was or how hard it was. I was not concerned with how dirty he was or what a fool I might look like. Instead, I was sharing the love of God with him. The challenge before me is to go and do likewise more frequently.
"With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
(Micah 6:6-8)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
My Non-Resolution for the New Year
So 2011 is now here and with it comes all kinds of resolutions. I have a few but I have become more realistic as I have aged. Rather than resolving, I have downgraded these to "hopes" for the new year. A lot of these are the same typical ones that most people have. I hope to spend more time with family. I hope to lose a few pounds and get in better shape. I hope to visit friends that I have not seen in a while. Perhaps I will look back at the end of the year and see how I did, but probably not. I will probably have the same resolutions again next year and the same disappointment at the end of the year. That is- I will not have lost as much weight or spent enough time or visited enough friends. Perhaps you can relate for maybe you have been through the same thing.
I have also at various times in the past made the commitment to grow closer to God and to "do" more for Him. I am not going to make this commitment this year. It seems that in the past any time I have made such commitments that I have had one of two results. If I managed to be successful, then my pride got the best of me as I proudly puffed my chest and said "look at me". Pride is not the best attribute for those that are pursuing God so I do not think that outcome is desirable.
So if success leads to pride, where does failure lead to? What happens to me if I do not live up to my "commitments"? Guilt. Fear. Condemnation. This does not seem like the proper result either for one who is walking with God (or at least trying to). Guilt and fear are the things that drive people away from God and the goal is to grow closer. So if success leads to exalting myself and failure leads to avoiding God, I do not think that I should be making a resolution this year to grow closer to God.
So what should I do if that is actually my desired goal? If I want to grow closer to God, is there anything that I can do to give that possibility a better chance?
Surrender. I think that in America this is indeed a large problem. we love our independence and our self reliance. I think that plays a large part in our New Year's resolutions. Resolutions are all about us and what we can do to make ourselves better. We do not like to submit to others yet this is where the key lies. You see our relationship with God is less dependent upon our abilities and our commitments and much more dependent upon our submission. It is about submitting our will to His so how can we possibly think that we can impose our will and grow closer to God?
Surrender is an act that leads to our following the direction of another. If someone were to pull a gun on you in a dark alley, you would not ramble on about how you are committed to raising your hands or how you resolve to give him your wallet. No, instead you would simply submit to what he says. This is how we should act in our relationship with God. So in actuality there are some things you can do to help the situation.
First we can learn what it is that God would have us do. I would suggest that if you desire to know what God would have you do that you start by examining His word and how His son fulfilled it. However, it may be a tad too difficult to follow directly in the steps of Jesus so maybe you should start small and work your way up. A good place to start is by loving God and loving your neighbor. Some of the other commandments seem to have a way of tempting us into disobedience. However, loving God and others seems to come with a built in reward system that allows us to sometimes come close to following the command. So to put it simple, find out what you are supposed to be doing and do it. That is what surrender is about really.
So this year I do not resolve to grow closer to God. I am not going to commit to doing anything for Him. Instead I hope to humbly submit and pray that He helps me when I fail. Happy New Year and may God bless you, keep you, and direct you.
I have also at various times in the past made the commitment to grow closer to God and to "do" more for Him. I am not going to make this commitment this year. It seems that in the past any time I have made such commitments that I have had one of two results. If I managed to be successful, then my pride got the best of me as I proudly puffed my chest and said "look at me". Pride is not the best attribute for those that are pursuing God so I do not think that outcome is desirable.
So if success leads to pride, where does failure lead to? What happens to me if I do not live up to my "commitments"? Guilt. Fear. Condemnation. This does not seem like the proper result either for one who is walking with God (or at least trying to). Guilt and fear are the things that drive people away from God and the goal is to grow closer. So if success leads to exalting myself and failure leads to avoiding God, I do not think that I should be making a resolution this year to grow closer to God.
So what should I do if that is actually my desired goal? If I want to grow closer to God, is there anything that I can do to give that possibility a better chance?
Surrender. I think that in America this is indeed a large problem. we love our independence and our self reliance. I think that plays a large part in our New Year's resolutions. Resolutions are all about us and what we can do to make ourselves better. We do not like to submit to others yet this is where the key lies. You see our relationship with God is less dependent upon our abilities and our commitments and much more dependent upon our submission. It is about submitting our will to His so how can we possibly think that we can impose our will and grow closer to God?
Surrender is an act that leads to our following the direction of another. If someone were to pull a gun on you in a dark alley, you would not ramble on about how you are committed to raising your hands or how you resolve to give him your wallet. No, instead you would simply submit to what he says. This is how we should act in our relationship with God. So in actuality there are some things you can do to help the situation.
First we can learn what it is that God would have us do. I would suggest that if you desire to know what God would have you do that you start by examining His word and how His son fulfilled it. However, it may be a tad too difficult to follow directly in the steps of Jesus so maybe you should start small and work your way up. A good place to start is by loving God and loving your neighbor. Some of the other commandments seem to have a way of tempting us into disobedience. However, loving God and others seems to come with a built in reward system that allows us to sometimes come close to following the command. So to put it simple, find out what you are supposed to be doing and do it. That is what surrender is about really.
So this year I do not resolve to grow closer to God. I am not going to commit to doing anything for Him. Instead I hope to humbly submit and pray that He helps me when I fail. Happy New Year and may God bless you, keep you, and direct you.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Drawn to the Father
So I have still been reflecting upon the parable of the prodigal son. Recently I have been contemplating what led the son to return to his father. What about the father's character drew the lost son back home? Am I growing more into the type of person who draws people to God as the father in the parable did, or am I still more like the other brother? I can not help but think as well about two references to drawing in the New Testament that come to mind.
The first is in John 6:44. Jesus is speaking with the crowds after feeding the five thousand and they are asking for a sign. It always confounds me how the crowds could be so enthralled with Jesus one minute and so stupid the next minute. They are quick to point out that manna had been provided for the Israelites while they wandered in the desert. Yet, being just as blind to the works of God as their fathers, they fail to recognise what had been done already. Their fathers had rejected the manna and they would all too soon reject the real bread of heaven.
There seems to be a general presumption here of pride and entitlement. Show me and I will believe. Do something for me and I will follow. Yet in both cases of the Jews in the desert and the crowd present with Christ, they fail to see that something has already been done. The provision has been made.
It is interesting at this point to return to the parable of the prodigal son and see what it was that drew the son back.
Here we have Jesus telling us once again that the provision of bread is sufficient. The prodigal son was drawn back because the father had provided. Notice that the son did not have any grand thoughts of himself or any sense of entitlement. Maybe my father will allow me to be treated as a lowly servant. This is quite the humble approach compared to "show me a sign".
Here we have the second occurrence of the term drawing that I wanted to look at. Here it is Jesus, as an extension of the will of the Father, that is doing the drawing. What amazes me about this passage is the simplicity and the depth of it at the same time. One can easily relate this passage to John 3:14. Jesus must be lifted up. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert (Numbers 21:8-9) and in doing so provided a way for the sting of death to be removed, so the Son of Man would place Himself on the pole to remove the sting permanently for those that would turn and look upon Him.
Why was the bronze snake necessary? The Jews had rejected the manna and because of their rejection (of God ultimately), judgment had fallen upon them. Even while they had rejected Him, God had provided a way. So it was then, so it is now. God has provided a way.
For many, they will still look to the heavens and say "show me a sign". This is not the way. The way is found in humbling yourself and trusting in the one who has provided. Much like the son on the road, we must turn and come to our senses and see what has already been provided and trust that the Father will allow us to serve in His household. Perhaps He will even meet us partway on the road and clothe us in the best robe.
It is here that I must look at what I am doing to be more like the father in the parable. Am I providing for others? Am I showing mercy even when none is deserved? I am afraid when I look at my own life I see more accuser than Father. This needs to change.
The first is in John 6:44. Jesus is speaking with the crowds after feeding the five thousand and they are asking for a sign. It always confounds me how the crowds could be so enthralled with Jesus one minute and so stupid the next minute. They are quick to point out that manna had been provided for the Israelites while they wandered in the desert. Yet, being just as blind to the works of God as their fathers, they fail to recognise what had been done already. Their fathers had rejected the manna and they would all too soon reject the real bread of heaven.
There seems to be a general presumption here of pride and entitlement. Show me and I will believe. Do something for me and I will follow. Yet in both cases of the Jews in the desert and the crowd present with Christ, they fail to see that something has already been done. The provision has been made.
It is interesting at this point to return to the parable of the prodigal son and see what it was that drew the son back.
"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!"
Luke 15:17
Here we have Jesus telling us once again that the provision of bread is sufficient. The prodigal son was drawn back because the father had provided. Notice that the son did not have any grand thoughts of himself or any sense of entitlement. Maybe my father will allow me to be treated as a lowly servant. This is quite the humble approach compared to "show me a sign".
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
(John 12:32)
Here we have the second occurrence of the term drawing that I wanted to look at. Here it is Jesus, as an extension of the will of the Father, that is doing the drawing. What amazes me about this passage is the simplicity and the depth of it at the same time. One can easily relate this passage to John 3:14. Jesus must be lifted up. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert (Numbers 21:8-9) and in doing so provided a way for the sting of death to be removed, so the Son of Man would place Himself on the pole to remove the sting permanently for those that would turn and look upon Him.
Why was the bronze snake necessary? The Jews had rejected the manna and because of their rejection (of God ultimately), judgment had fallen upon them. Even while they had rejected Him, God had provided a way. So it was then, so it is now. God has provided a way.
For many, they will still look to the heavens and say "show me a sign". This is not the way. The way is found in humbling yourself and trusting in the one who has provided. Much like the son on the road, we must turn and come to our senses and see what has already been provided and trust that the Father will allow us to serve in His household. Perhaps He will even meet us partway on the road and clothe us in the best robe.
It is here that I must look at what I am doing to be more like the father in the parable. Am I providing for others? Am I showing mercy even when none is deserved? I am afraid when I look at my own life I see more accuser than Father. This needs to change.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
What love is this?
I have been reflecting on two passages in the Book of Luke recently. I would like to share some reflections from one of these passages with you today. First the passage:
And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
(Luke 15:11-32)
In this passage there are three central characters. It is often said that we are moving toward being one of these characters at any point in our lives. I am not sure how true that is but I do see that there would be some great improvement in my general character if I emulated the father more.
The common belief about this parable is that the father represents God the Father. Why is it that so many of us are more like the other brother? For ourselves we want mercy, but for others we desire nothing but justice. We are quick to point out our brother’s flaws and slow to notice the mercy we have already been given and the feast and joy that is available to us. We resent those that are not like “us” and are quick to label them as lost. Yet, we remain ungrateful for the treasure we already have and do not even take the time to enjoy it.
There is a passage in scripture that has often given me pause for I do not know how I can do what it says. It is during the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus tells us to “be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” I have often thought that this means that I must “do” more. I need to pray more, read more, study more, etc. I have to follow the Law better, I need to witness better, and I need to give more. But maybe I have been reading this verse wrong and out of context, after all Paul tells us “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations(?)”(Col 2:20)
Let me give you the preceding verse in Matthew so you will have the general context of being perfect:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matthew 5:43-48)
When I look at this passage after reading the parable of the prodigal son, it reads a little different. Maybe I have been going about this wrong. Maybe instead of beating my brother down, I should be helping him up. Of course true love for my brother cannot allow me to look the other way while he steps in front of a truck, but maybe it would be better if I took the time to attempt to pull him back from the traffic. After all- no greater love has a man than this, that he be willing to lay down his life for his friends.
And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
(Luke 15:11-32)
In this passage there are three central characters. It is often said that we are moving toward being one of these characters at any point in our lives. I am not sure how true that is but I do see that there would be some great improvement in my general character if I emulated the father more.
The common belief about this parable is that the father represents God the Father. Why is it that so many of us are more like the other brother? For ourselves we want mercy, but for others we desire nothing but justice. We are quick to point out our brother’s flaws and slow to notice the mercy we have already been given and the feast and joy that is available to us. We resent those that are not like “us” and are quick to label them as lost. Yet, we remain ungrateful for the treasure we already have and do not even take the time to enjoy it.
There is a passage in scripture that has often given me pause for I do not know how I can do what it says. It is during the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus tells us to “be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” I have often thought that this means that I must “do” more. I need to pray more, read more, study more, etc. I have to follow the Law better, I need to witness better, and I need to give more. But maybe I have been reading this verse wrong and out of context, after all Paul tells us “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations(?)”(Col 2:20)
Let me give you the preceding verse in Matthew so you will have the general context of being perfect:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matthew 5:43-48)
When I look at this passage after reading the parable of the prodigal son, it reads a little different. Maybe I have been going about this wrong. Maybe instead of beating my brother down, I should be helping him up. Of course true love for my brother cannot allow me to look the other way while he steps in front of a truck, but maybe it would be better if I took the time to attempt to pull him back from the traffic. After all- no greater love has a man than this, that he be willing to lay down his life for his friends.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Memories of Katrina
5 Years ago Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast causing the deaths of many people. I remember it well. We did some mission work here in Acworth collecting clothes and passing them out to refugees. But I wanted to be more involved. I wanted to help those that were hit the hardest. Those in New Orleans. My work offered a program where you could take a week off to work with any of the non-profit groups that were working in New Orleans. I was about to approach my boss about getting the time off when he called me into his office. He wanted me to go to New Orleans to get the trains back moving. I wanted to make a difference and use what I considered my gifts to reach people personally and instead I got to help thousands that I would never see by simply doing my job. What a strange feeling it was.
I have many memories from the days that I spent there. I remember the debris piled 20 feet high lining the streets of Slidell. I remember boats in trees and beside interstate. I remember returning to New Orleans just before Rita when the city had been evacuated again. We were the only cars on the road and I saw ducks in the middle of interstate along with a Rottweiler that was going the wrong way. I remember the warning given to me by the National Guard that we could go in but if we got stuck then we were on our own. I remember crossing back over the 11 bridge while a tornado was hitting the North Shore and being slightly terrified by not being able to see 20 feet in front of me.
I remember the 98 degree days with no relief except to get in my vehicle. I remember working 18 hours a day only to return to a camp that did not have a place for me to sit down and being thankful that I had a place to sleep. I remember being escorted into the city the first time by NS police and wondering if we were truly in danger. I remember getting stuck in the city one night past curfew and having to sleep at Oliver Yard.
However, among all these memories there is one that stands out above them. I remember the first house that I saw that did not have a zero in the fatalities part of the circle and x that marked the search efforts. In that house someone had died. I wondered if they had contemplated their death ahead of time and I wondered if they were surprised by it. I am guessing the latter. It is odd that we are all going to die- nobody gets out alive- and yet none of us really think about it.
So many of us ignore the warnings thinking that we will be the exceptions. We will live forever. We will not be affected by disease. We will never be in an accident that will claim our lives. It only happens to other people right? I am afraid to tell you that like it or not sooner or later death will claim you. Have you planned for this event?
(Rom 10:9-11)
I have many memories from the days that I spent there. I remember the debris piled 20 feet high lining the streets of Slidell. I remember boats in trees and beside interstate. I remember returning to New Orleans just before Rita when the city had been evacuated again. We were the only cars on the road and I saw ducks in the middle of interstate along with a Rottweiler that was going the wrong way. I remember the warning given to me by the National Guard that we could go in but if we got stuck then we were on our own. I remember crossing back over the 11 bridge while a tornado was hitting the North Shore and being slightly terrified by not being able to see 20 feet in front of me.
I remember the 98 degree days with no relief except to get in my vehicle. I remember working 18 hours a day only to return to a camp that did not have a place for me to sit down and being thankful that I had a place to sleep. I remember being escorted into the city the first time by NS police and wondering if we were truly in danger. I remember getting stuck in the city one night past curfew and having to sleep at Oliver Yard.
However, among all these memories there is one that stands out above them. I remember the first house that I saw that did not have a zero in the fatalities part of the circle and x that marked the search efforts. In that house someone had died. I wondered if they had contemplated their death ahead of time and I wondered if they were surprised by it. I am guessing the latter. It is odd that we are all going to die- nobody gets out alive- and yet none of us really think about it.
So many of us ignore the warnings thinking that we will be the exceptions. We will live forever. We will not be affected by disease. We will never be in an accident that will claim our lives. It only happens to other people right? I am afraid to tell you that like it or not sooner or later death will claim you. Have you planned for this event?
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."
(Rom 10:9-11)
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Radical Review- Chapter 9 (Conclusion)
I am concluding my review of David Platt’s new book Radical today with my review of the final chapter. The last chapter is entitled “The Radical Experiment”. One could make a good argument that the entire book is building the case for the final chapter. The experiment is summed up in five separate challenges.
The Radical Experiment
The first challenge is to pray for the entire world. This seems simple enough at first, but interestingly Dr. Platt chose a title for this section that does not really match with what he is suggesting. What he really wants is for you to pray that God will send workers to the harvest. This is not praying for the lost, but praying for the ones that are already saved to get out there and share the gospel. I found this to be a most effective challenge and who knows, the Lord of the harvest may even send me. Of course it would not hurt to pray for the lost as well, but let’s face it when the Word of God is preached people get saved. So what we really need is more people preaching the Word of God.
The second challenge is to read through the entire Bible in a year. I have done this challenge several times in the past and it is definitely a way to become more familiar with what the Bible actually teaches. Too many of us have substituted reading what others have written about the word for the actual word. As Dr. Platt notes, we are content for our Sunday sermon or a daily two minute devotional when we should be hungering to be filled with His word every day. Set time aside to do this. It will make a difference in your life and have an effect on those around you.
The third challenge is to sacrifice a portion of your income for a specific purpose. This is not simple giving but going beyond what you can part with into actual sacrifice. This is a hard one for Americans to swallow. We typically do not want to make any sacrifices and money may be the most difficult sacrifice for us to make. I am honest enough to say that I am not there yet on this one. I have specific needs that I give to with faces attached to them, so it means more than a deduction on my income tax statement, but it does not hurt. I do actually make sacrifices of my money that do hurt but they have only been for my family. Perhaps that tells me something.
The fourth challenge is to serve in another context. As Dr. Platt states, it is even more important for us to be radical in our going. I do not necessarily agree with him that we have to go somewhere far away in order for this to make a difference in our lives. I have been serving in downtown Atlanta recently and I can drive down there in 30 minutes and it has made a difference. The more important thing is to get off your chair and go. Serve in a different capacity than you have before. Feed the hungry, or help clothe the poor- and share the Gospel with them as you do. I had the great joy a couple of weeks ago of being invited into a young lady’s house to pray for her after I helped deliver food to her. I pray that Angela has trusted my savior and His grace. It can be uncomfortable at times but at the end of the day you have a good feeling inside that God maybe used you for something outside of taking up space for a day.
The fifth challenge is to commit your life to a multiplying community. The important thing here is to remember how this was defined earlier in the book. This is not just committing to attend some mega-church but instead finding a body of believers where disciples are being made. This is the fount from which the other four challenges will flow. If you are not currently plugged into a local church you will have a difficult time meeting the challenges alone. Find a place where you can serve and get yourself plugged in.
I enjoyed this chapter very much and I hope to complete all of the challenges within a year. Not because it is some new thing or because Dr. Platt says that I should but because these are all things that we as Christians should be doing already. I will also say that overall I enjoyed this book both the first time and the second. I am sorry it took me so long to write a review but I wanted to be thorough. I will say that I do not agree with everything Dr. Platt says in the book but I definitely found some things in it that were of benefit to me. I hope that you do the same if you read it. If anyone would like to read my copy, let me know and I will get it to you.
Blessings, Bruce
The Radical Experiment
The first challenge is to pray for the entire world. This seems simple enough at first, but interestingly Dr. Platt chose a title for this section that does not really match with what he is suggesting. What he really wants is for you to pray that God will send workers to the harvest. This is not praying for the lost, but praying for the ones that are already saved to get out there and share the gospel. I found this to be a most effective challenge and who knows, the Lord of the harvest may even send me. Of course it would not hurt to pray for the lost as well, but let’s face it when the Word of God is preached people get saved. So what we really need is more people preaching the Word of God.
The second challenge is to read through the entire Bible in a year. I have done this challenge several times in the past and it is definitely a way to become more familiar with what the Bible actually teaches. Too many of us have substituted reading what others have written about the word for the actual word. As Dr. Platt notes, we are content for our Sunday sermon or a daily two minute devotional when we should be hungering to be filled with His word every day. Set time aside to do this. It will make a difference in your life and have an effect on those around you.
The third challenge is to sacrifice a portion of your income for a specific purpose. This is not simple giving but going beyond what you can part with into actual sacrifice. This is a hard one for Americans to swallow. We typically do not want to make any sacrifices and money may be the most difficult sacrifice for us to make. I am honest enough to say that I am not there yet on this one. I have specific needs that I give to with faces attached to them, so it means more than a deduction on my income tax statement, but it does not hurt. I do actually make sacrifices of my money that do hurt but they have only been for my family. Perhaps that tells me something.
The fourth challenge is to serve in another context. As Dr. Platt states, it is even more important for us to be radical in our going. I do not necessarily agree with him that we have to go somewhere far away in order for this to make a difference in our lives. I have been serving in downtown Atlanta recently and I can drive down there in 30 minutes and it has made a difference. The more important thing is to get off your chair and go. Serve in a different capacity than you have before. Feed the hungry, or help clothe the poor- and share the Gospel with them as you do. I had the great joy a couple of weeks ago of being invited into a young lady’s house to pray for her after I helped deliver food to her. I pray that Angela has trusted my savior and His grace. It can be uncomfortable at times but at the end of the day you have a good feeling inside that God maybe used you for something outside of taking up space for a day.
The fifth challenge is to commit your life to a multiplying community. The important thing here is to remember how this was defined earlier in the book. This is not just committing to attend some mega-church but instead finding a body of believers where disciples are being made. This is the fount from which the other four challenges will flow. If you are not currently plugged into a local church you will have a difficult time meeting the challenges alone. Find a place where you can serve and get yourself plugged in.
I enjoyed this chapter very much and I hope to complete all of the challenges within a year. Not because it is some new thing or because Dr. Platt says that I should but because these are all things that we as Christians should be doing already. I will also say that overall I enjoyed this book both the first time and the second. I am sorry it took me so long to write a review but I wanted to be thorough. I will say that I do not agree with everything Dr. Platt says in the book but I definitely found some things in it that were of benefit to me. I hope that you do the same if you read it. If anyone would like to read my copy, let me know and I will get it to you.
Blessings, Bruce
Monday, June 28, 2010
Radical Review- Chapter 8
I am slowly moving toward the conclusion of my review of David Platt’s new book Radical. Chapter 8 sees Dr. Platt attempting to motivate us to go to the nations. This was not my favorite chapter in the book but it did have some nice points in it.
Living When Dying is Gain
The first suggestion in this chapter is to go where there is need. This is an excellent suggestion and I could not agree more. A great example of this locally is in downtown Atlanta. There are many needs and there are not enough workers. So many times we overlook what we can do right where we in favor of something more exotic or appealing. Knocking on doors and passing out food in the projects does not sound quite as appealing as going on a mission trip overseas and yet the need is right there. We should be going, but we should also be looking for needs to be met where we are as well. I do not have to focus my entire year on a one week trip 3000 miles away when I can focus 40 weeks locally at 1/10 the cost.
The second suggestion is that we should go into danger. I believe this is a bit misguided in its representation of scripture here. Dr. Platt is right to question that safety is exactly where God wants us, but suggesting that we intentionally seek out danger is flat out wrong. In fact later in the next section Dr. Platt quotes Jesus as saying “when you are persecuted in one place, flee to another”. Yet here he is suggesting that we intentionally seek out danger. Perhaps it could be better stated that our “going” could very well lead us into danger.
Dr. Platt is correct again in stating that we will not be loved for being radical followers of Christ. I have heard many people state that if more people were like Jesus then more people would come to Christ. Please remember that the 1st century Jews liked Jesus so much that they plotted to kill Him. There is a balance somewhere here and I am not sure where it is. The message of the cross is offensive but that does not mean that we must be as well. Truth in love requires tact that many of us are lacking and I am not immune to being tactless at times. Perhaps it is best stated that we should not be surprised to be persecuted but we should not intentionally be seeking out persecution either.
This chapter concludes with stories of heroes of the faith. People that have gone and paid heavy prices for their faith (Paton, Elliot, Studd) to make sure that some who had not heard of Christ would have the opportunity. Dr. Platt then relates the story of a modern martyr who died while she was in the mission field. This section is inspirational and leaves me questioning how much I would willingly lay down for Him. It is a good question to ask.
I have to be honest and say that I was a bit disappointed in this chapter overall although there were some high points that were worth reading. Most of this stemmed from the section “Go to Danger” and the reasons for this were mentioned above.
Living When Dying is Gain
The first suggestion in this chapter is to go where there is need. This is an excellent suggestion and I could not agree more. A great example of this locally is in downtown Atlanta. There are many needs and there are not enough workers. So many times we overlook what we can do right where we in favor of something more exotic or appealing. Knocking on doors and passing out food in the projects does not sound quite as appealing as going on a mission trip overseas and yet the need is right there. We should be going, but we should also be looking for needs to be met where we are as well. I do not have to focus my entire year on a one week trip 3000 miles away when I can focus 40 weeks locally at 1/10 the cost.
The second suggestion is that we should go into danger. I believe this is a bit misguided in its representation of scripture here. Dr. Platt is right to question that safety is exactly where God wants us, but suggesting that we intentionally seek out danger is flat out wrong. In fact later in the next section Dr. Platt quotes Jesus as saying “when you are persecuted in one place, flee to another”. Yet here he is suggesting that we intentionally seek out danger. Perhaps it could be better stated that our “going” could very well lead us into danger.
Dr. Platt is correct again in stating that we will not be loved for being radical followers of Christ. I have heard many people state that if more people were like Jesus then more people would come to Christ. Please remember that the 1st century Jews liked Jesus so much that they plotted to kill Him. There is a balance somewhere here and I am not sure where it is. The message of the cross is offensive but that does not mean that we must be as well. Truth in love requires tact that many of us are lacking and I am not immune to being tactless at times. Perhaps it is best stated that we should not be surprised to be persecuted but we should not intentionally be seeking out persecution either.
This chapter concludes with stories of heroes of the faith. People that have gone and paid heavy prices for their faith (Paton, Elliot, Studd) to make sure that some who had not heard of Christ would have the opportunity. Dr. Platt then relates the story of a modern martyr who died while she was in the mission field. This section is inspirational and leaves me questioning how much I would willingly lay down for Him. It is a good question to ask.
I have to be honest and say that I was a bit disappointed in this chapter overall although there were some high points that were worth reading. Most of this stemmed from the section “Go to Danger” and the reasons for this were mentioned above.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Radical Review- Chapter 7
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s new book Radical. In chapter 7 he takes on why we should feel a sense of urgency in taking the Gospel to the nations. I found this to be the most difficult chapter to review and I apologize if I am not as clear as I would like to be in putting my reasoning onto paper.
There is No Plan B
4.5 billion people. It is a staggering number. Dr. Platt appeals to this number of lost people in an attempt to motivate us to go to the nations and proclaim the Gospel. He uses 6 Biblical truths to illustrate his point:
1. All people have knowledge of God
2. All people reject God
3. All people are guilty before God
4. All people are condemned for rejecting God
5. God has made a way of salvation for the lost
6. People cannot come to God apart from faith in Christ
In light of these 6 truths, the message of Paul becomes clearer and the urgency more apparent:
Dr. Platt points out that although God could have chosen another path for the redemption of believers, He did not. He chose the path that commands us to go and make disciples of all men. What a joy and privilege it is to be able to serve God in bringing the Gospel to the nations! As the chapter is aptly titled, there is no Plan B. If we have a desire for the salvation of the lost then we must take the message that can save them, to them.
There is a large part of me that would like to simply give a large thumbs up to this chapter at this point and move on. Unfortunately for me, I could not simply read this chapter and treat it as if I have never heard David Platt preach before. He often preaches about the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. One good way of looking at is that salvation is all of God and sin is all of man. I am a firm believer that this is the correct starting point in theology. The problem in formulating a belief system beyond these two truths is maintaining both truths without sacrificing one at the expense of the other.
Perhaps the more common way this is done today is by emphasizing the responsibility of man too heavily. The end result of this is a theology that has man at its center and not God. It is quite possible that this chapter will be viewed by many as along these lines. Dr. Platt repeatedly emphasizes that we should go so that people can hear the Gospel and as a result, be saved. This would give you the impression that he believes that more people might get saved if the Gospel is preached to all nations but this is simply not so. Dr. Platt subscribes to a definite (limited) atonement and to irresistible grace. So why the sense of urgency? If it is really because we are being obedient in extending God’s glory then why appeal to the number of lost at all?
It appears to me that Dr. Platt would like to apply a Great Commission hermeneutic to his radical concept of taking the Gospel to the nations. I am fine with that. I just think that he needs to be consistent in his application. If he truly believes that there will be no impact on the number of those that are saved as a result of the Gospel being preached then don’t use the numbers to justify taking the Gospel to the world. However, if he believes that the Gospel can make a difference in people’s lives then he needs to clarify how this can be so in light of his beliefs in irresistible grace and limited atonement.
On the other extreme, some people emphasize the sovereignty of God to the point of removing the responsibility from man to respond to the Gospel call. The end result of this is causal determinism. For my friends that subscribe to this view I have a simple question. Do you think that you can argue effectively to the point of convincing me that you are correct in your beliefs? If so, is it because your arguments are logically coherent or is it because it has been determined that I will believe you? If it is the former then my believing you is based on logic and not determinism. If it is the latter then truth is defeated and has no real meaning.
Of course at the root of causal determinism is the problem of evil. If God is the ultimate cause of everything then He is ultimately the cause of the fall and sin as well. Some (Vincent Cheung, R. C. Sproul Jr.) have embraced this but I can not help but ask how this can be. This line of thinking leads to questions about the meaning of justice in relation to God and this is a major stumbling block for me. However, the larger problem here is the effect that it has on scripture. If God is the cause of sin then how can we have faith in the words of the Bible? If we must redefine just and impartial then I am left to wonder what other words we must redefine as well. A good friend of mine likes to say the Bible means what it says. If it says that God is just and impartial then I see no reason to redefine those terms.
So how do we maintain a balance between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man? It is a difficult question to address. I think there are a great number of people that desire to err on the side of caution today and as a result unwittingly remove the responsibility from man. I would say to these people that if we truly wish to extend the glory of God then we must be faithful to His words. If the exaltation of one of God’s attributes leads to the denigration of others then perhaps we need to reexamine what we believe. What I find most interesting is that it seems to me that when we try to exalt God’s sovereignty to the exclusion of His other attributes we actually place a limit on what God can do. Is it not possible that God accomplishes all that He desires and still allows for permissive acts? Better still, isn’t that what scripture affirms?
At this point you may be asking yourself how this can be. Although I do have an opinion on the matter, I will leave that for another day and a separate blog dedicated to that purpose. For now I would simply encourage you to affirm all that scripture teaches and not try to make scripture fit your presuppositions.
There is No Plan B
4.5 billion people. It is a staggering number. Dr. Platt appeals to this number of lost people in an attempt to motivate us to go to the nations and proclaim the Gospel. He uses 6 Biblical truths to illustrate his point:
1. All people have knowledge of God
2. All people reject God
3. All people are guilty before God
4. All people are condemned for rejecting God
5. God has made a way of salvation for the lost
6. People cannot come to God apart from faith in Christ
In light of these 6 truths, the message of Paul becomes clearer and the urgency more apparent:
For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
(Romans 10:13-15)
Dr. Platt points out that although God could have chosen another path for the redemption of believers, He did not. He chose the path that commands us to go and make disciples of all men. What a joy and privilege it is to be able to serve God in bringing the Gospel to the nations! As the chapter is aptly titled, there is no Plan B. If we have a desire for the salvation of the lost then we must take the message that can save them, to them.
There is a large part of me that would like to simply give a large thumbs up to this chapter at this point and move on. Unfortunately for me, I could not simply read this chapter and treat it as if I have never heard David Platt preach before. He often preaches about the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. One good way of looking at is that salvation is all of God and sin is all of man. I am a firm believer that this is the correct starting point in theology. The problem in formulating a belief system beyond these two truths is maintaining both truths without sacrificing one at the expense of the other.
Perhaps the more common way this is done today is by emphasizing the responsibility of man too heavily. The end result of this is a theology that has man at its center and not God. It is quite possible that this chapter will be viewed by many as along these lines. Dr. Platt repeatedly emphasizes that we should go so that people can hear the Gospel and as a result, be saved. This would give you the impression that he believes that more people might get saved if the Gospel is preached to all nations but this is simply not so. Dr. Platt subscribes to a definite (limited) atonement and to irresistible grace. So why the sense of urgency? If it is really because we are being obedient in extending God’s glory then why appeal to the number of lost at all?
It appears to me that Dr. Platt would like to apply a Great Commission hermeneutic to his radical concept of taking the Gospel to the nations. I am fine with that. I just think that he needs to be consistent in his application. If he truly believes that there will be no impact on the number of those that are saved as a result of the Gospel being preached then don’t use the numbers to justify taking the Gospel to the world. However, if he believes that the Gospel can make a difference in people’s lives then he needs to clarify how this can be so in light of his beliefs in irresistible grace and limited atonement.
On the other extreme, some people emphasize the sovereignty of God to the point of removing the responsibility from man to respond to the Gospel call. The end result of this is causal determinism. For my friends that subscribe to this view I have a simple question. Do you think that you can argue effectively to the point of convincing me that you are correct in your beliefs? If so, is it because your arguments are logically coherent or is it because it has been determined that I will believe you? If it is the former then my believing you is based on logic and not determinism. If it is the latter then truth is defeated and has no real meaning.
Of course at the root of causal determinism is the problem of evil. If God is the ultimate cause of everything then He is ultimately the cause of the fall and sin as well. Some (Vincent Cheung, R. C. Sproul Jr.) have embraced this but I can not help but ask how this can be. This line of thinking leads to questions about the meaning of justice in relation to God and this is a major stumbling block for me. However, the larger problem here is the effect that it has on scripture. If God is the cause of sin then how can we have faith in the words of the Bible? If we must redefine just and impartial then I am left to wonder what other words we must redefine as well. A good friend of mine likes to say the Bible means what it says. If it says that God is just and impartial then I see no reason to redefine those terms.
So how do we maintain a balance between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man? It is a difficult question to address. I think there are a great number of people that desire to err on the side of caution today and as a result unwittingly remove the responsibility from man. I would say to these people that if we truly wish to extend the glory of God then we must be faithful to His words. If the exaltation of one of God’s attributes leads to the denigration of others then perhaps we need to reexamine what we believe. What I find most interesting is that it seems to me that when we try to exalt God’s sovereignty to the exclusion of His other attributes we actually place a limit on what God can do. Is it not possible that God accomplishes all that He desires and still allows for permissive acts? Better still, isn’t that what scripture affirms?
At this point you may be asking yourself how this can be. Although I do have an opinion on the matter, I will leave that for another day and a separate blog dedicated to that purpose. For now I would simply encourage you to affirm all that scripture teaches and not try to make scripture fit your presuppositions.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Radical Review- Chapter 6
Radical Review- Chapter 6
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s new book Radical. Today we turn our attention somewhat to the American dream and the pursuit of stuff.
How Much is Enough?
At the root of the chapter is the question that we must ask ourselves. How much material wealth is enough? This is a tricky question. Too many Christians today have been taught that material blessings follow faith. This is explicitly taught by many prosperity preachers but Dr. Platt is quick to point out that it may underlie our own faith as well. After all, if I am following Jesus and doing what I am supposed to do doesn’t He want to reward my obedience? This is simply bad theology at best and borderline heresy at worst.
The question becomes tricky in its application. Does every follower of Christ need to sell everything to follow Him? Maybe not, but how do we know? Unfortunately this question is not addressed as well as it could be.
For most of the chapter Dr. Platt focuses on the abundance that we have as Americans and the lack of basic needs that so many are suffering from. I must say that I agree with Dr. Platt that there are needs and that we can not simply sit on our hands while the world is starving. The danger here though is to act out of compassion for the physical needs and export the same theology that has led to the American church losing her way. The focus should not be on feeding and clothing the poor but on bringing them the Gospel. Of course we must also be addressing their physical needs as well, but this is secondary to the message of the cross.
I will add that I think that the church needs to lead the way in taking up this challenge. It is no wonder that we have churchgoers that are focused on their bottom line when they attend churches that are more concerned with how much you give than they are with meeting your spiritual needs. We want bigger buildings and better productions and I must ask myself the same question for the church that I do of myself- how much is enough? If our primary outreach teaches the community how to balance their checkbook and not how to follow Christ, then what have we accomplished? Certainly not making disciples.
The past two weeks I have been participating in an outreach in inner-city Atlanta that seems to be on the right track. We have been going into poor neighborhoods and delivering food to people that need it and also praying with them and offering them love without judgment. The idea is to make disciples. There are many approaches but if we are not striving toward that, then we will not have the multiplying community that was the focus of the previous chapter.
What I found to be most interesting about this chapter is that Dr. Platt seemed to focus on our emotions when making his appeal for us to ask ourselves how much is enough. This appeal seems to be rooted in our humanistic tendencies. However, when we get to how his church has applied this thinking to their ministry I see nothing but Biblical responses. They have adopted within their community and sponsored churches overseas out of their abundance. This is the Biblical picture of using our abundance to extend God’s glory. I am not sure how he could have made his argument better but it seems that he could have. Especially considering how his church applied it to the needs that they saw.
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s new book Radical. Today we turn our attention somewhat to the American dream and the pursuit of stuff.
How Much is Enough?
At the root of the chapter is the question that we must ask ourselves. How much material wealth is enough? This is a tricky question. Too many Christians today have been taught that material blessings follow faith. This is explicitly taught by many prosperity preachers but Dr. Platt is quick to point out that it may underlie our own faith as well. After all, if I am following Jesus and doing what I am supposed to do doesn’t He want to reward my obedience? This is simply bad theology at best and borderline heresy at worst.
The question becomes tricky in its application. Does every follower of Christ need to sell everything to follow Him? Maybe not, but how do we know? Unfortunately this question is not addressed as well as it could be.
For most of the chapter Dr. Platt focuses on the abundance that we have as Americans and the lack of basic needs that so many are suffering from. I must say that I agree with Dr. Platt that there are needs and that we can not simply sit on our hands while the world is starving. The danger here though is to act out of compassion for the physical needs and export the same theology that has led to the American church losing her way. The focus should not be on feeding and clothing the poor but on bringing them the Gospel. Of course we must also be addressing their physical needs as well, but this is secondary to the message of the cross.
I will add that I think that the church needs to lead the way in taking up this challenge. It is no wonder that we have churchgoers that are focused on their bottom line when they attend churches that are more concerned with how much you give than they are with meeting your spiritual needs. We want bigger buildings and better productions and I must ask myself the same question for the church that I do of myself- how much is enough? If our primary outreach teaches the community how to balance their checkbook and not how to follow Christ, then what have we accomplished? Certainly not making disciples.
The past two weeks I have been participating in an outreach in inner-city Atlanta that seems to be on the right track. We have been going into poor neighborhoods and delivering food to people that need it and also praying with them and offering them love without judgment. The idea is to make disciples. There are many approaches but if we are not striving toward that, then we will not have the multiplying community that was the focus of the previous chapter.
What I found to be most interesting about this chapter is that Dr. Platt seemed to focus on our emotions when making his appeal for us to ask ourselves how much is enough. This appeal seems to be rooted in our humanistic tendencies. However, when we get to how his church has applied this thinking to their ministry I see nothing but Biblical responses. They have adopted within their community and sponsored churches overseas out of their abundance. This is the Biblical picture of using our abundance to extend God’s glory. I am not sure how he could have made his argument better but it seems that he could have. Especially considering how his church applied it to the needs that they saw.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Radical Review- Chapter 5
Radical Review- Chapter 5
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s book Radical. In the fifth chapter he takes on how to extend God’s glory.
The Multiplying Community
One might expect a radical plan in a book called Radical for fulfilling God’s plan to extend His glory. Perhaps we need to have bigger churches or have bigger shows to attract more people? Maybe we need to be more in tune with what is current and relevant? Thankfully, Dr. Platt does not suggest any of these options. Instead he recommends that we follow the example of Christ and simply make disciples.
Dr. Platt then turns his attention to problems with this plan for a multiplying community. The first problem is that most people do not know what it means to make disciples. When we look at what Jesus did it is not that difficult to see. He walked with His disciples. He prayed with them. He instructed and corrected them. It was a slow and tedious process, but in the end, it is what He thanked His Father for prior to going to the cross.
The second problem, although touched on only very briefly by Platt, is that we are a results driven country. We want the quick and easy way. We are constantly looking for ways to streamline processes and make them more efficient. Making disciples the way that Jesus did is a messy slow process and it may take a while to see results.
However, it is easy to contrast the way that we operate today vs. the disciple making process in the Bible and see the differences. Great shows with great speakers entertain us and leave us with a desire to be entertained again. This fills church pews and keeps the congregation happy. I must ask though, how many of those that are being entertained on Sunday are looking for ways to bring others to Christ? The vast majority are looking for their spiritual entertainment for the week so that they can feel good about being pious.
The slow process of making disciples has different results. It results in followers who are hungry for righteousness and eager for others to share their knowledge and love of God. I have been blessed to be part of such a small group where disciples were made. My good friend Dave Snyder started a Bible study in his house a few years ago and I think that this is exactly the type of process that Dr. Platt has in mind when he uses the example of the Cuban house churches.
Dr. Platt also related a story of him being a disciple of Jim Shaddix. He enjoyed following Jim to the point of actually going running with him despite not being a runner. I personally would have enjoyed the story more if Dr. Platt had been the runner and the one discipling him had been the one to go out of his comfort zone. As Paul states:
There is nothing wrong with the story that Dr. Platt relates but I would suggest that if we want to make disciples of others then we must be willing to find common interests with them.
Overall, I enjoyed this chapter and I appreciate the underlying math involved. If we have large congregations where nobody is being discipled then what are we really accomplishing? However, if one person can disciple two other people and those people learn from that and pass it on then we are quickly moving into exponential growth. This is what Jesus did and to think that we can improve on the model is not Biblical.
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s book Radical. In the fifth chapter he takes on how to extend God’s glory.
The Multiplying Community
One might expect a radical plan in a book called Radical for fulfilling God’s plan to extend His glory. Perhaps we need to have bigger churches or have bigger shows to attract more people? Maybe we need to be more in tune with what is current and relevant? Thankfully, Dr. Platt does not suggest any of these options. Instead he recommends that we follow the example of Christ and simply make disciples.
Dr. Platt then turns his attention to problems with this plan for a multiplying community. The first problem is that most people do not know what it means to make disciples. When we look at what Jesus did it is not that difficult to see. He walked with His disciples. He prayed with them. He instructed and corrected them. It was a slow and tedious process, but in the end, it is what He thanked His Father for prior to going to the cross.
The second problem, although touched on only very briefly by Platt, is that we are a results driven country. We want the quick and easy way. We are constantly looking for ways to streamline processes and make them more efficient. Making disciples the way that Jesus did is a messy slow process and it may take a while to see results.
However, it is easy to contrast the way that we operate today vs. the disciple making process in the Bible and see the differences. Great shows with great speakers entertain us and leave us with a desire to be entertained again. This fills church pews and keeps the congregation happy. I must ask though, how many of those that are being entertained on Sunday are looking for ways to bring others to Christ? The vast majority are looking for their spiritual entertainment for the week so that they can feel good about being pious.
The slow process of making disciples has different results. It results in followers who are hungry for righteousness and eager for others to share their knowledge and love of God. I have been blessed to be part of such a small group where disciples were made. My good friend Dave Snyder started a Bible study in his house a few years ago and I think that this is exactly the type of process that Dr. Platt has in mind when he uses the example of the Cuban house churches.
Dr. Platt also related a story of him being a disciple of Jim Shaddix. He enjoyed following Jim to the point of actually going running with him despite not being a runner. I personally would have enjoyed the story more if Dr. Platt had been the runner and the one discipling him had been the one to go out of his comfort zone. As Paul states:
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
(1Corinthians 9:20-23)
There is nothing wrong with the story that Dr. Platt relates but I would suggest that if we want to make disciples of others then we must be willing to find common interests with them.
Overall, I enjoyed this chapter and I appreciate the underlying math involved. If we have large congregations where nobody is being discipled then what are we really accomplishing? However, if one person can disciple two other people and those people learn from that and pass it on then we are quickly moving into exponential growth. This is what Jesus did and to think that we can improve on the model is not Biblical.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Radical Review- Chapter 4
Radical Review- Chapter 4
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s book Radical. As part of my review I am actually reading through the book a second time. The chapter I am reviewing today was not one of my favorites the first time I read the book. Perhaps there is a good reason for that.
The Great Why of God
The beginning of chapter 4 is somewhat shocking to me. The first time I read it I was appalled. Dr. Platt relates how while meeting with some church leaders and sharing some of his mission work, they related that they wished God would just annihilate the people. Surely there can not be people in the church that have such an attitude? A second reading of this chapter forced me to examine my own attitude concerning the lost (especially later in the chapter). Perhaps being appalled is the appropriate first step that leads to conviction.
Dr. Platt attempts in this chapter to explain why God has created us. He believes that there is a two fold purpose and that is to enjoy His grace and to extend His glory. He then goes on to examine what most Americans believe and contrast it with what we should believe. This is brought home by transforming the sentence “God loves me.” into “God loves me so that I might make Him known.” By doing so, we have changed the focus of the Gospel from ourselves to God. I would also add that focusing only on “God loves me” would be only enjoying God’s grace and not extending His glory.
The next section of the chapter focuses on the excuses people make to not take the Gospel to the nations. This ranges from “I’m not called to missions” to “I only feel called to local missions.” I have to admit that a second reading here led me to reexamine myself a bit. I have used the excuse that I have never felt God calling me to foreign missions before and yet His word plainly and clearly calls me. I am sure that I am not the only one who has been waiting for a special invitation and who has felt that missions in the US was more than adequate (a prideful I am doing more than most perhaps?), but the clear message is that we are to make His name known to all the nations. Local stuff is great- don’t stop doing that. Supporting those who are going is great as well- don’t’ stop doing that either. But still I am left with “How will they know unless someone tells them?” Perhaps it would be wise to join the list of someones.
Enjoy His grace. Extend His glory. I would be cautious to affirm that these are the sole reasons that God has created us, but I can certainly affirm that there is overwhelming Biblical support that these are at least among the reasons that He did. A second reading of this chapter convicted me more than the first time that my lack of action is no better than the words of the people the people that appalled me. Call it virtual atheism if you will. Perhaps this is why I did not like this chapter the first time around. It is easy to sit back and attempt to defend your actions. I love God; see how my actions here (locally) demonstrate my trust in Him? This is all well and good but our lack of action elsewhere shows us to be no better than the church leaders Dr. Platt met with. Perhaps we are even in a worse position for these leaders at least were honest about how they felt. It is something to think about.
This chapter also included (IMO) two of my friend Canyon’s objections. The first is the semi-appeal to a sort of social Gospel by working on our emotions and perhaps even guilting us into action. The reference to a poor woman in Honduras who was 8 months pregnant and living in a dump does tend to make us think about her physical needs. However, Platt clearly states that our purpose is to enjoy God’s grace and extend His glory. Our primary goal should be to make Him known to this woman but if we neglect her physical needs then what good is our faith?
The second objection is the appeals found in this chapter to “God told me to do this”. I have to question whether the mentions of this type of scenario are actual verbal communications with God or merely a way of communicating the conviction of the Holy Spirit that a person feels. I would also state that any conviction one feels should be weighed against scripture to see if it is Biblical. I must say that when reading this the first time, I took these references to mean the latter. A second reading has not convinced me otherwise. I certainly agree that one must be careful in telling others that God has told you to do something. Perhaps better phrasing could have been chosen that would have left little doubt in the reader’s mind. For example “When confronted with this abject poverty and in light of James 2:15-17 I could not help but feel convicted that I could be doing more with what God has given me.”
Overall I felt more convicted by this chapter when I read it again.
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s book Radical. As part of my review I am actually reading through the book a second time. The chapter I am reviewing today was not one of my favorites the first time I read the book. Perhaps there is a good reason for that.
The Great Why of God
The beginning of chapter 4 is somewhat shocking to me. The first time I read it I was appalled. Dr. Platt relates how while meeting with some church leaders and sharing some of his mission work, they related that they wished God would just annihilate the people. Surely there can not be people in the church that have such an attitude? A second reading of this chapter forced me to examine my own attitude concerning the lost (especially later in the chapter). Perhaps being appalled is the appropriate first step that leads to conviction.
Dr. Platt attempts in this chapter to explain why God has created us. He believes that there is a two fold purpose and that is to enjoy His grace and to extend His glory. He then goes on to examine what most Americans believe and contrast it with what we should believe. This is brought home by transforming the sentence “God loves me.” into “God loves me so that I might make Him known.” By doing so, we have changed the focus of the Gospel from ourselves to God. I would also add that focusing only on “God loves me” would be only enjoying God’s grace and not extending His glory.
The next section of the chapter focuses on the excuses people make to not take the Gospel to the nations. This ranges from “I’m not called to missions” to “I only feel called to local missions.” I have to admit that a second reading here led me to reexamine myself a bit. I have used the excuse that I have never felt God calling me to foreign missions before and yet His word plainly and clearly calls me. I am sure that I am not the only one who has been waiting for a special invitation and who has felt that missions in the US was more than adequate (a prideful I am doing more than most perhaps?), but the clear message is that we are to make His name known to all the nations. Local stuff is great- don’t stop doing that. Supporting those who are going is great as well- don’t’ stop doing that either. But still I am left with “How will they know unless someone tells them?” Perhaps it would be wise to join the list of someones.
Enjoy His grace. Extend His glory. I would be cautious to affirm that these are the sole reasons that God has created us, but I can certainly affirm that there is overwhelming Biblical support that these are at least among the reasons that He did. A second reading of this chapter convicted me more than the first time that my lack of action is no better than the words of the people the people that appalled me. Call it virtual atheism if you will. Perhaps this is why I did not like this chapter the first time around. It is easy to sit back and attempt to defend your actions. I love God; see how my actions here (locally) demonstrate my trust in Him? This is all well and good but our lack of action elsewhere shows us to be no better than the church leaders Dr. Platt met with. Perhaps we are even in a worse position for these leaders at least were honest about how they felt. It is something to think about.
This chapter also included (IMO) two of my friend Canyon’s objections. The first is the semi-appeal to a sort of social Gospel by working on our emotions and perhaps even guilting us into action. The reference to a poor woman in Honduras who was 8 months pregnant and living in a dump does tend to make us think about her physical needs. However, Platt clearly states that our purpose is to enjoy God’s grace and extend His glory. Our primary goal should be to make Him known to this woman but if we neglect her physical needs then what good is our faith?
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
(James 2:15-17)
The second objection is the appeals found in this chapter to “God told me to do this”. I have to question whether the mentions of this type of scenario are actual verbal communications with God or merely a way of communicating the conviction of the Holy Spirit that a person feels. I would also state that any conviction one feels should be weighed against scripture to see if it is Biblical. I must say that when reading this the first time, I took these references to mean the latter. A second reading has not convinced me otherwise. I certainly agree that one must be careful in telling others that God has told you to do something. Perhaps better phrasing could have been chosen that would have left little doubt in the reader’s mind. For example “When confronted with this abject poverty and in light of James 2:15-17 I could not help but feel convicted that I could be doing more with what God has given me.”
Overall I felt more convicted by this chapter when I read it again.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Radical Review- Chapter 3
Radical Review- Chapter 3
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s book Radical. This is part 3 in a 9 part series where I am giving a recap of the chapter and my thoughts on what Dr. Platt relates. One thing that I have begun to notice is that Dr. Platt may have been better served to use the subtitles as the actual titles for each chapter
The Importance of Relying on God’s Power
Dr. Platt begins this chapter by telling two stories of people relying upon the power of God rather than their own power. The first relates to a missionary who was in an unreached area and was called out by a witch doctor. The missionary could have used his physical powers to take care of the witch doctor but instead called upon God to be his defender and the man was struck dead. This may not have been the most radical response ever (to rely upon God) but it sure was a radical display of the power of God in the life of one of His believers. Imagine the witnessing opportunity- Let me tell you about the God who can provide breath for life and take it away as well!
The second example is Jericho from the Book of Joshua. Now if ever there was a case of radical obedience, this was it. Imagine what our reaction might be- “you want me to walk around in circles and blow some horns- then what? Are you serious?” Fortunately for us Joshua had a trust in God that allowed him to be obedient and to rely upon the power of God in this situation.
Chapter 3 is also where we are first introduced to the “American Dream” in the book. Dr. Platt shows how we as a country value our independence and success. He also explains how we can easily build a church that is successful by our standards and totally lacking in desperation for the power of God that was prevalent in the early church. As a nice touch, he also humbly admits how when he first took over the Church at Brook Hills he applied the “American Dream” philosophy to it. He wondered at all that could be accomplished by the power and talent assembled there rather than simply waiting on the Lord to provide the power. He then relates the story of George Muller and how much he accomplished by trusting in God and His power fully.
Dr. Platt then proceeds to talk about the power of prayer and uses the illustration of a father and child. I found this section to be very effective and I often return to the words of Christ telling me that I must have “the faith of a child”. I think many people think this is an innocent faith without knowledge, but I do not think that is what Jesus meant. Instead, when a child asks for something from his father, he trusts that his father will provide for him. To me this embodies the faith of a child. I also like the way that Dr. Platt summarized the gifts that the Father gives us:
I thought this chapter did a nice job of showing the disconnect between worldly success and kingdom success. We often think that by being more committed or more diligent we can do more for God. The reality is we can do more for God by relying on Him to do the work and surrendering to His will. Below is an excerpt by Adrian Rogers in his book The Incredible Power of Kingdom Authority of a conversation with Josef T’son that seems to capture the heart of the matter concerning the “American Dream”:
I would give a cautionary warning that committing to radical obedience is not quite the same thing as surrender.
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s book Radical. This is part 3 in a 9 part series where I am giving a recap of the chapter and my thoughts on what Dr. Platt relates. One thing that I have begun to notice is that Dr. Platt may have been better served to use the subtitles as the actual titles for each chapter
The Importance of Relying on God’s Power
Dr. Platt begins this chapter by telling two stories of people relying upon the power of God rather than their own power. The first relates to a missionary who was in an unreached area and was called out by a witch doctor. The missionary could have used his physical powers to take care of the witch doctor but instead called upon God to be his defender and the man was struck dead. This may not have been the most radical response ever (to rely upon God) but it sure was a radical display of the power of God in the life of one of His believers. Imagine the witnessing opportunity- Let me tell you about the God who can provide breath for life and take it away as well!
The second example is Jericho from the Book of Joshua. Now if ever there was a case of radical obedience, this was it. Imagine what our reaction might be- “you want me to walk around in circles and blow some horns- then what? Are you serious?” Fortunately for us Joshua had a trust in God that allowed him to be obedient and to rely upon the power of God in this situation.
Chapter 3 is also where we are first introduced to the “American Dream” in the book. Dr. Platt shows how we as a country value our independence and success. He also explains how we can easily build a church that is successful by our standards and totally lacking in desperation for the power of God that was prevalent in the early church. As a nice touch, he also humbly admits how when he first took over the Church at Brook Hills he applied the “American Dream” philosophy to it. He wondered at all that could be accomplished by the power and talent assembled there rather than simply waiting on the Lord to provide the power. He then relates the story of George Muller and how much he accomplished by trusting in God and His power fully.
Dr. Platt then proceeds to talk about the power of prayer and uses the illustration of a father and child. I found this section to be very effective and I often return to the words of Christ telling me that I must have “the faith of a child”. I think many people think this is an innocent faith without knowledge, but I do not think that is what Jesus meant. Instead, when a child asks for something from his father, he trusts that his father will provide for him. To me this embodies the faith of a child. I also like the way that Dr. Platt summarized the gifts that the Father gives us:
This is the great promise of God in prayer. We ask God for gifts in prayer, and He gives us the Giver. We ask God for supply, and He gives us the Source. We ask God for money, and he doesn’t give us cash; instead, so to speak, He gives us the bank!
I thought this chapter did a nice job of showing the disconnect between worldly success and kingdom success. We often think that by being more committed or more diligent we can do more for God. The reality is we can do more for God by relying on Him to do the work and surrendering to His will. Below is an excerpt by Adrian Rogers in his book The Incredible Power of Kingdom Authority of a conversation with Josef T’son that seems to capture the heart of the matter concerning the “American Dream”:
“Josef,” I asked, “What is the difference between commitment and surrender?”
He said, “When you make a commitment, you are still in control, no matter how noble the thing that you commit to. One can commit to pray, to study the Bible, to give his money, or to commit to automobile payments, or to lose weight. Whatever he chooses to do, he commits to. But surrender is different. If someone holds a gun and asks you to lift your hands in the air as a token of surrender, you don’t tell that person what you are committed to. You simply surrender and do as you are told.”
He said. “Americans love commitment because they are still in control. But the key word is surrender. We are to be slaves of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
I would give a cautionary warning that committing to radical obedience is not quite the same thing as surrender.
Radical Review- Chapter 2
Radical Review- Chapter 2
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s new book Radical subtitled “Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream”. In chapter 2 Dr. Platt turns his attention to the Gospel message.
Discovering the Truth and Beauty of the Gospel
Dr. Platt begins chapter 2 by explaining how he first came up with the idea for Secret Church. It arose from the desire of members of a real underground house church to have a better understanding of the Bible. This led to almost non-stop teaching by Dr. Platt through the Old Testament and eventually through the New Testament as well. Platt then relates how he has incorporated this practice into his own church. Six hours of no flash Bible study on a Friday night may seem like it would not go over well, but these events sell out well in advance.
The next sections of this chapter focus on who God is, who we are, and how we should respond. Platt does not dwell as long on who God is as I would like but he does a nice job of summarizing how we have minimized some of God’s attributes that may cause us discomfort. If you have never read Your God is too Small by J. B. Phillips, I would suggest that it does a more thorough treatment of the subject.
Dr. Platt is solid in his description of who we are and how we have fallen short although this is also briefer than it might have been. I will add that his story of the preaching professor that would take his students to the cemetery and implore them to try to raise the dead was a sober reminder that only the words of God can bring a man back to life. All of us need God to bring us to life and it is only through His words that this can be accomplished.
How should we respond to the news that God both loves us and is angry because we have offended Him? Dr. Platt takes the time to hammer home the warning in Matthew 7- not everyone who professes to be saved will be saved. This is a sobering passage. I agree that we should examine ourselves and make our calling and election sure, but I am a bit unsure of Dr. Platt’s recommendations after this.
Overall, I enjoyed chapter 2. However, there were a couple of sticking points for me that I would like to point out. I am afraid that in our rush to rid our church of “Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your lives” that we will actually stop telling people that God does love them and focus only on His wrath. Clearly this would be wrong and if you need an example just Google Fred Phelps. The second is one that I found prevalent throughout the book and I will touch on more later. Dr. Platt seems to want to apply a Great Commission hermeneutic to scripture and I do not take exception to this. The problem is that Dr. Platt struggles with it and you end up with a mixed message. This is highlighted in the section on how we should respond (subtitled Radical Revelation to be Radically Received). The message seems to be that the Gospel requires a radical response and we are incapable of making that response but we better do it.
I am continuing my review of David Platt’s new book Radical subtitled “Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream”. In chapter 2 Dr. Platt turns his attention to the Gospel message.
Discovering the Truth and Beauty of the Gospel
Dr. Platt begins chapter 2 by explaining how he first came up with the idea for Secret Church. It arose from the desire of members of a real underground house church to have a better understanding of the Bible. This led to almost non-stop teaching by Dr. Platt through the Old Testament and eventually through the New Testament as well. Platt then relates how he has incorporated this practice into his own church. Six hours of no flash Bible study on a Friday night may seem like it would not go over well, but these events sell out well in advance.
The next sections of this chapter focus on who God is, who we are, and how we should respond. Platt does not dwell as long on who God is as I would like but he does a nice job of summarizing how we have minimized some of God’s attributes that may cause us discomfort. If you have never read Your God is too Small by J. B. Phillips, I would suggest that it does a more thorough treatment of the subject.
Dr. Platt is solid in his description of who we are and how we have fallen short although this is also briefer than it might have been. I will add that his story of the preaching professor that would take his students to the cemetery and implore them to try to raise the dead was a sober reminder that only the words of God can bring a man back to life. All of us need God to bring us to life and it is only through His words that this can be accomplished.
How should we respond to the news that God both loves us and is angry because we have offended Him? Dr. Platt takes the time to hammer home the warning in Matthew 7- not everyone who professes to be saved will be saved. This is a sobering passage. I agree that we should examine ourselves and make our calling and election sure, but I am a bit unsure of Dr. Platt’s recommendations after this.
Overall, I enjoyed chapter 2. However, there were a couple of sticking points for me that I would like to point out. I am afraid that in our rush to rid our church of “Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your lives” that we will actually stop telling people that God does love them and focus only on His wrath. Clearly this would be wrong and if you need an example just Google Fred Phelps. The second is one that I found prevalent throughout the book and I will touch on more later. Dr. Platt seems to want to apply a Great Commission hermeneutic to scripture and I do not take exception to this. The problem is that Dr. Platt struggles with it and you end up with a mixed message. This is highlighted in the section on how we should respond (subtitled Radical Revelation to be Radically Received). The message seems to be that the Gospel requires a radical response and we are incapable of making that response but we better do it.
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