The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt. -- Thomas Merton
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
A Desperate and Earnest Plea
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind,to set at liberty those who are oppressed... -- JesusPart of the work of Jesus in the world, and therefore part of the work of the disciples of Jesus, is putting an end to oppression (Luke 4:18, Matthew 28:19-20). The very first step in that cause ought to be for the disciples of Jesus themselves to be most certain they are not part of the bad news, the darkness, and the oppression. For most Westerners, this task seems easy enough, but proves to be much more difficult upon closer inspection. Yet, the closer inspection must be made if we are to push back the darkness in our day and age and be a part of the healing and restoration Jesus offers to the world.
On first glance it appears easy because most of us probably don't own slaves, we don't beat our women, we aren't involved in the sex trade, we aren't paying our workers unfair and unlivable wages, we aren't actively stealing much needed basic resources from the world's poor, we shun discrimination and ideas of racial inequality, and we don't view ourselves as warmongers. Case closed. Right? Well, in all honesty, this may give us some comfort and allow us to continue our present way of living unhindered, but it isn't the truth.
I would be willing to bet that most of us eat bananas at the expense of exploiting Latin American peasants. Or if not bananas, then we drink coffee to much the same effect. Or how about our clothes? Are they made in sweatshops where people are forced to work like machines for unthinkable stretches of hours for pathetically low pay? I have searched lately, and I can find precious little clothing that isn't made under these conditions. Similar charges could be levied against many of our appliances, bedding, transportation options, jewelry, medicines, tourism, household cleaners, and on and on. It can be almost overwhelming if you begin to take it all in and realize the amount of social injustice, inequality, and oppression that must go into keeping the vast majority of westerners "happy" and comfortable. In a world of limited resources, does our lust for comfort and prosperity mean the poverty of others?
If you buy coffee that is grown by peasants that are kept in poverty by low wages, then you are just as guilty of oppression as the landowner who sets those low wages. If you buy clothing made by people who are not treated like humans and who have overly strenuous work loads, then you are just as guilty of oppression as the corporation that created those conditions in the name of higher profits. In other words, voluntarily being a part of a system that creates oppression makes you just as guilty of oppression as the creators of that system because you are helping to perpetuate that system and the oppression it creates.
What I am making here is a desperate and earnest plea, in the name of God, for the followers of Jesus to begin moving towards a way of living that does not involve the oppression of our fellow human beings.
This is not an idea that I came up with myself, but a very ancient one that I am currently trying to bring my life into alignment with. Hear the words of Jesus:
'Depart from me, you cursed...For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
The point is clear: Jesus identifies with the poor and oppressed in such as way that failing to help correct an evil that you see is held in the same regard as if you were actually inflicting the evil on Jesus himself.
Hear again the words of God through the prophet Isaiah:
Is not this the fast that I choose:to loose the bonds of wickedness,to undo the straps of the yoke,to let the oppressed go free,and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house;when you see the naked, to cover him,and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Again the point is clear: the style of "religion" that our Creator desires is the type that produces mercy, justice, and an end to oppression.
I do not pretend that this path will be an easy one to tread, but is a journey that I feel we must make. It would be better to go about in your underwear and cause no suffering, than to be well dressed but contribute to injustice and inequality. Even if it was so bad that you had to make your own clothes, so be it. Even if you had to grow your own food to avoid a food industry that creates poverty, so be it.
Although difficult, this is possible. There are fair trade food products available. There are "sweat free" clothing lines. Become, in the name of love, mercy, justice, and Jesus, a conscientious consumer. Do your homework, do your research, and live in such a way that your life causes no injustice and no oppression.
King Solomon speaks well on this subject:
If you faint in the day of adversity,your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
It is not my intention that you would react to this from guilt, but from love and because of the hope set before you. What hope? Listen again to the prophet Isaiah:
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.May Jesus Christ, the Son of God and savior of all who call on him, make you an instrument of his peace and give you strength in this task.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Why We Need Artists
Since arriving here in Boulder, I have had the good pleasure of meeting and making good friends with a number of different artists (musicians, painters, screenplay writers, poets, etc.). During this time I have come to realize that artistis are not only a nice addition to a society, but are absolutely vital to any given culture. Why? Well, artists (if they are good ones) make it their business to spend a large amount of time thinking about and reflecting on deep and important issues. Things such as life, death, suicide, love, relationships, friendship, social justice, poverty, riches, and work are all the domain of the artistis. Artists spend lots of time ruminating on these things, and then put them in a form that those of us who don't have time or don't make time for such pursuits can recieve easily and profoundly. This is very important to a culture and society, and any society that doesn't have artists of some kind is bound to stagnate. So, my encouragment to all of us is to awaken the artist in ourselves, make friends with artists, and support the arts when we are able.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
The Souljourning Message Board
This blog has been a great for me in that it allows me to express things that I am learning and struggling with, but for all of that it has been missing one thing...discusion.
In order to facilitate discusion about the things that this blog is devoted to, and to keep this from becoming nothing more than "The Jason Show," I have created and am now launching the Souljourning Message Board.
The topics on the board are world issues, theology, and culture. I hope to see many of you there, and I am looking forward to what we can learn from and teach one another. Please don't be shy, and post away.
Here is the link:http://s11.invisionfree.com/Souljourning/, but the board can also be accessed through the link under "The Hookah Circle."
In order to facilitate discusion about the things that this blog is devoted to, and to keep this from becoming nothing more than "The Jason Show," I have created and am now launching the Souljourning Message Board.
The topics on the board are world issues, theology, and culture. I hope to see many of you there, and I am looking forward to what we can learn from and teach one another. Please don't be shy, and post away.
Here is the link:http://s11.invisionfree.com/Souljourning/, but the board can also be accessed through the link under "The Hookah Circle."
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Irish Blessing
May the blessing of light be on you...
light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great fire.
light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great fire.
Chew on This
"We can't solve today's problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." -Albert Einstein
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Emerging Thoughts
I have read D.A. Carson's book on the emerging church, I have read many of Brian McLaren's writings on the emerging church, and I have been involved in many discussions about the emerging church, but this may be the best thing that I have read concerning the whole emerging conversation/movement.
It is Scot McKnight's presentation to Westminster Theological Seminary concerning the emerging church during Westminster's Fall Contemporary Issues Conference, and it is worth every minute that it will take you to read it.
What is the Emerging Church? by Scot McKnight
It is Scot McKnight's presentation to Westminster Theological Seminary concerning the emerging church during Westminster's Fall Contemporary Issues Conference, and it is worth every minute that it will take you to read it.
What is the Emerging Church? by Scot McKnight
Monday, November 06, 2006
Missions Motivation Mondays
"I will lay my bones by the Ganges that India might know there is one who cares." - Alexander Duff
"And so I aspire to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named so that I would not build on another man's foundation." - Paul
"Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring" - Jesus
"Tell the students to give up their small ambitions and come eastward to preach the gospel of Christ." - Francis Xavier
"And so I aspire to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named so that I would not build on another man's foundation." - Paul
"Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring" - Jesus
"Tell the students to give up their small ambitions and come eastward to preach the gospel of Christ." - Francis Xavier
Police Violence Against Children in Papua New Guinea
(New York, October 30, 2006) – Police violence against children remains rampant in Papua New Guinea, despite recent juvenile justice reform efforts, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Children and others in police custody are often raped and tortured.
“Police rapes and torture are crimes, not methods of crime control,” said Zama Coursen-Neff, senior researcher for Human Rights Watch’s Children’s Rights Division. “These brutal tactics have destroyed public confidence in the police.”
Another problem, Human Rights Watch said, is that that police routinely lock children up with adults, even when separate space is available, placing them at risk of rape and other forms of violence. Police rarely provide children with medical care, even when seriously injured.
Although dismissals and prosecutions are not completely unheard of, they are so rare compared with the scale of violations as to nullify any deterrent effect. Papua New Guineans describe police violence as so common that they consider it normal; however, that does not mean that it is acceptable. People around the country have told Human Rights Watch that they want a police force that protects, not endangers, them.
“By choosing not to punish abusive police, Papua New Guinea’s leaders leave ordinary people as afraid of the police as they are of criminals,” Coursen-Neff said. “This problem will not diminish unless police perpetrators are prosecuted.” The violence may contribute to Papua New Guinea’s rapidly escalating HIV epidemic. With an estimated 140,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, Papua New Guinea has the highest infection rate in the South Pacific. Police abuse – particularly the targeting of sex workers and boys and men perceived to be homosexual, as well as harassment of people carrying condoms – may worsen the epidemic by undermining HIV prevention efforts.
Human Rights Watch found small signs of progress in the juvenile justice system in 2006. Police established a two-person unit to monitor police treatment of children, and a few individual police officers stepped forward to implement this system. In addition, several juvenile magistrates promised to implement checks on abuses. Outside of the government, some nongovernmental organizations are attempting to address aspects of police violence. Although these are promising developments, they have yet to produce demonstrable change in police treatment of children.
“Progress in juvenile justice is encouraging but extremely fragile,” Coursen-Neff said. “The government must do all it can to entrench these developments and avoid falling back to business as usual.”
Source
“Police rapes and torture are crimes, not methods of crime control,” said Zama Coursen-Neff, senior researcher for Human Rights Watch’s Children’s Rights Division. “These brutal tactics have destroyed public confidence in the police.”
Another problem, Human Rights Watch said, is that that police routinely lock children up with adults, even when separate space is available, placing them at risk of rape and other forms of violence. Police rarely provide children with medical care, even when seriously injured.
Although dismissals and prosecutions are not completely unheard of, they are so rare compared with the scale of violations as to nullify any deterrent effect. Papua New Guineans describe police violence as so common that they consider it normal; however, that does not mean that it is acceptable. People around the country have told Human Rights Watch that they want a police force that protects, not endangers, them.
“By choosing not to punish abusive police, Papua New Guinea’s leaders leave ordinary people as afraid of the police as they are of criminals,” Coursen-Neff said. “This problem will not diminish unless police perpetrators are prosecuted.” The violence may contribute to Papua New Guinea’s rapidly escalating HIV epidemic. With an estimated 140,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, Papua New Guinea has the highest infection rate in the South Pacific. Police abuse – particularly the targeting of sex workers and boys and men perceived to be homosexual, as well as harassment of people carrying condoms – may worsen the epidemic by undermining HIV prevention efforts.
Human Rights Watch found small signs of progress in the juvenile justice system in 2006. Police established a two-person unit to monitor police treatment of children, and a few individual police officers stepped forward to implement this system. In addition, several juvenile magistrates promised to implement checks on abuses. Outside of the government, some nongovernmental organizations are attempting to address aspects of police violence. Although these are promising developments, they have yet to produce demonstrable change in police treatment of children.
“Progress in juvenile justice is encouraging but extremely fragile,” Coursen-Neff said. “The government must do all it can to entrench these developments and avoid falling back to business as usual.”
Source
Indonesia: Pastor Murdered by Masked Gunman
On October 16, 2006, Pastor Irianto Kongkoli was shot and killed by two masked gunmen. He was 42 years old.
The attack happened at 8:15 a.m. local time. That morning, Pastor Kongkoli was shopping for tile with his wife, Mrs. Rita Arianti Kopa, and five-year-old daughter, Galatea. The trio took the family van to a local hardware shop. Pastor Kongkoli was browsing the store’s yard when two masked men shot him in the head at a range of two meters. According to witnesses, one of the men was on a motorbike. Following the attack, the masked men fled. Pastor Kongkoli’s wife heard the shots from inside the van and rushed to help her husband. Rita, who is a member of the East Palu police force, immediately took her husband to a hospital for aid. He died that same day.
Local police are following a lead on the two men suspected in Pastor Kongkoli’s murder. The suspects are also wanted for the murder of Pastor Susianti Tinulele, a pastor shot in the back of her head during a Sunday service, and the murder of an unidentified employee at a gold shop. Pastor Kongkoli actively worked to promote peace between Christians and Muslims. His body is to be buried in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, instead of Tentena, the Christian district, to prevent retaliation against his death.
Pastor Kongkoli is survived by his wife, Rita, and three children. Rita is not seeking retaliation against her husband’s murders, but plans to let local authorities handle the case. “It is God’s will,” she said. “He gives life and then He also takes life.”
Source
The attack happened at 8:15 a.m. local time. That morning, Pastor Kongkoli was shopping for tile with his wife, Mrs. Rita Arianti Kopa, and five-year-old daughter, Galatea. The trio took the family van to a local hardware shop. Pastor Kongkoli was browsing the store’s yard when two masked men shot him in the head at a range of two meters. According to witnesses, one of the men was on a motorbike. Following the attack, the masked men fled. Pastor Kongkoli’s wife heard the shots from inside the van and rushed to help her husband. Rita, who is a member of the East Palu police force, immediately took her husband to a hospital for aid. He died that same day.
Local police are following a lead on the two men suspected in Pastor Kongkoli’s murder. The suspects are also wanted for the murder of Pastor Susianti Tinulele, a pastor shot in the back of her head during a Sunday service, and the murder of an unidentified employee at a gold shop. Pastor Kongkoli actively worked to promote peace between Christians and Muslims. His body is to be buried in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, instead of Tentena, the Christian district, to prevent retaliation against his death.
Pastor Kongkoli is survived by his wife, Rita, and three children. Rita is not seeking retaliation against her husband’s murders, but plans to let local authorities handle the case. “It is God’s will,” she said. “He gives life and then He also takes life.”
Source
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Be Holy
More than the world needs the followers of Jesus to be cool, hip, trendy, or relevant, it needs us to be a holy people. It needs us to be holy men and holy women. The phrase "meet them where they are at" is often used as an excuse to bypass holiness, but in reality, most honest people will admit that they are not completely satified with their lives where they are at. These people are not looking for a manager, a marketer, or a cool person, they are looking for a "holy man/woman" or a "man/woman of God" The questions these people are asking are not, "Are you cool?" or "Are you clever?", but "Can you help me to find the Divine?", "Can you help me find meaning in life?", "Can you help me make sense of all the suffering and evil in the world?" More than this world needs us to know all the cool songs, be good at sports, be good orators, or be good leaders, it needs us to be a people who show them true love, redemption, a new way to be human, and the beauty of Jesus Christ, the Son of God....teacher, man, God, king, social activist, contemplative, healer, miracle worker, theologian, partier, savior, sacrafice, high priest, ascended, and returning.
Come soon Lord Jesus.
Come soon Lord Jesus.
Pitfalls in the Path
1. PITFALL: Falling in love with the present world.
PROTECTION: Think long and hard about the deadly poison of world-love and ponder the never-ending delights of the mountain spring of God's approval and fellowship and beauty.
2. PITFALL: Loss of horror at offending the majesty of God's holiness through sin.
PROTECTION: Meditate on the Biblical truth that all our acts are acts toward God and not just toward man, and that God is so holy and pure that he will not countenace the slightest sin, but hates it with omnipotent hatred, and that the holiness of God is the most valuable treasure in the universe and the very deepest of delights to those whose way is pure.
3. PITFALL: A sense of immunity from accountability and authority.
PROTECTION: Submit yourself to a council of Biblically minded, spiritually wise advisers.
4. PITFALL: Succumbing to itching ears as love of truth evaporates.
PROTECTION: Cultivate a love for truth, even in its smallest details, and turn a deaf ear to the desires of men to have their ears scratched with vague moralisms that massage them in their sin.
5. PITFALL: A vanishing attention to Scripture.
PROTECTION: Give yourself untiringly to the study, meditation and memorization of Holy Scripture.
6. PITFALL: A growing disregard for the spiritual good of all people
PROTECTION: Labor in praying and caring to stir up your heart to love all people.
7. PITFALL: Disregard for the Biblical mystery of marriage.
PROTECTION: Remind yourself repeatedly that your marriage is a living drama of Christ's relationship to the church.
8. PITFALL: Compartmentalizing of life.
PROTECTION: View everything—absolutely everything—as woven together by its relationship to the value of the glory of God.
9. PITFALL: A sense of being above the necessity of suffering and self-denial.
PROTECTION: Never forget the promise: "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). And never forget that the Son of Man had no place to lay his head (Luke 9:58). And develop a Biblical theology of futility and suffering, especially from Romans 8:17-30.
10. PITFALL: Giving in to self-pity under the pressures and loneliness of life.
PROTECTION: Embrace the essence of "Christian Hedonism"—the doctrine that no one who suffers the loss of any earthly blessing in the service of Christ will fail to be repaid a hundred-fold now (with persecutions!) and in the age to come eternal life (Mark 10:29-30).
Source: John Piper
PROTECTION: Think long and hard about the deadly poison of world-love and ponder the never-ending delights of the mountain spring of God's approval and fellowship and beauty.
2. PITFALL: Loss of horror at offending the majesty of God's holiness through sin.
PROTECTION: Meditate on the Biblical truth that all our acts are acts toward God and not just toward man, and that God is so holy and pure that he will not countenace the slightest sin, but hates it with omnipotent hatred, and that the holiness of God is the most valuable treasure in the universe and the very deepest of delights to those whose way is pure.
3. PITFALL: A sense of immunity from accountability and authority.
PROTECTION: Submit yourself to a council of Biblically minded, spiritually wise advisers.
4. PITFALL: Succumbing to itching ears as love of truth evaporates.
PROTECTION: Cultivate a love for truth, even in its smallest details, and turn a deaf ear to the desires of men to have their ears scratched with vague moralisms that massage them in their sin.
5. PITFALL: A vanishing attention to Scripture.
PROTECTION: Give yourself untiringly to the study, meditation and memorization of Holy Scripture.
6. PITFALL: A growing disregard for the spiritual good of all people
PROTECTION: Labor in praying and caring to stir up your heart to love all people.
7. PITFALL: Disregard for the Biblical mystery of marriage.
PROTECTION: Remind yourself repeatedly that your marriage is a living drama of Christ's relationship to the church.
8. PITFALL: Compartmentalizing of life.
PROTECTION: View everything—absolutely everything—as woven together by its relationship to the value of the glory of God.
9. PITFALL: A sense of being above the necessity of suffering and self-denial.
PROTECTION: Never forget the promise: "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). And never forget that the Son of Man had no place to lay his head (Luke 9:58). And develop a Biblical theology of futility and suffering, especially from Romans 8:17-30.
10. PITFALL: Giving in to self-pity under the pressures and loneliness of life.
PROTECTION: Embrace the essence of "Christian Hedonism"—the doctrine that no one who suffers the loss of any earthly blessing in the service of Christ will fail to be repaid a hundred-fold now (with persecutions!) and in the age to come eternal life (Mark 10:29-30).
Source: John Piper
Thursday, November 02, 2006
I Read Dead People
I read dead people, especially as it relates to following Jesus, faith, and theology. Reading dead people takes me to a place intellectually, sensually, and emotionally that is almost impossible to find or understand in today's politically correct and emotionally restrained society with all its rush and distractions. Of course there is a place for reading contemporary thought on following Jesus, but I have often found it to be watered down at best. There are a few shining examples (John Piper, JI Packer, Dallas Willard, Don Miller), but in general the "Christian writing" of our day is often lacluster or even downright unhelpful. I find reading dead people really gets my fire going when the wood is wet (if you know what I mean). It has been a source of much joy, inspiration, and renewal for me through my journey. We have many things to learn from the great men of our past, and I commend them to you. Here are a few of my favorites:
Saint Augustine
Charles Spurgeon
John Owen
Martin Luther
Jonathan Edwards
John Calvin
Thomas A' Kempis
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Hudson Taylor (biography)
Adoniram Judson (biography)
William Carrey
Enjoy, and I wish you well on your journey. May these great saints of old aid you along the way.
Saint Augustine
Charles Spurgeon
John Owen
Martin Luther
Jonathan Edwards
John Calvin
Thomas A' Kempis
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Hudson Taylor (biography)
Adoniram Judson (biography)
William Carrey
Enjoy, and I wish you well on your journey. May these great saints of old aid you along the way.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Celebrate
Those of us who believe that Jesus is God, king, teacher, human, and has the words of eternal life have several things to celebrate in the coming weeks.
First, Reformation Day. Reformation Day is a minor festival celebrated in remembrance of the Reformation. It takes place on October 31 and is an official holiday in many countries. On this day in 1517, Martin Luther posted a proposal to debate the doctrine and practice of indulgences. This proposal is popularly known as the 95 thesis, which he nailed to the Castle Church door. This was not an act of defiance or provocation as is sometimes thought. Since the Castle Church faced Wittenberg's main thoroughfare, the church door functioned as a public bulletin board and was therefore the logical place for posting important notices. It turned out that this action by Luther sparked a lot more than just a debate, but through the Reformation, many things that we all enjoy today (religious freedom, tolerance, removal of a theocracy, priesthood of all believers, access to the sacred writings of Christianity, restoration of God-centered theology, etc., etc.) came to hold sway in the world. So, nail a copy of the 95 thesis to your door, invite some people over, grill up some Brats, drink some German beer, say prayers of thanksgiving, talk about how you can be semper reformada (always reforming), and have a good time. The liturgical color of the day is red, which represents the Holy Spirit and the Martyrs of the Christian Church. Luther's hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God is traditionally sung on this day.
Secondly, All Saint's Day. All Saint's Day (November 1), also sometimes known as "All Hallows," or "Hallowmas" is a celebration of all the followers of Christ that have come before us. Halloween, or "All Hallows Eve," has part of its history in connection with this day. So, for the second day in a row, invite some people over, read stories about some of the great saints of the past, tell stories of Christians who have inpired you in your life,perhaps read Hebrews 11 and 12, say prayers for inspiration, and generally have a good time.
I commennd these festival days to you, and I think it is a shame that they have fallen into such disuse by many modern day Western Christians. We have much to remember, be thankful for, and celebrate on these days. May they spur all who celebrate them on to holiness, love, humility, the pushing back of darkness, and the honoring of Jesus.
First, Reformation Day. Reformation Day is a minor festival celebrated in remembrance of the Reformation. It takes place on October 31 and is an official holiday in many countries. On this day in 1517, Martin Luther posted a proposal to debate the doctrine and practice of indulgences. This proposal is popularly known as the 95 thesis, which he nailed to the Castle Church door. This was not an act of defiance or provocation as is sometimes thought. Since the Castle Church faced Wittenberg's main thoroughfare, the church door functioned as a public bulletin board and was therefore the logical place for posting important notices. It turned out that this action by Luther sparked a lot more than just a debate, but through the Reformation, many things that we all enjoy today (religious freedom, tolerance, removal of a theocracy, priesthood of all believers, access to the sacred writings of Christianity, restoration of God-centered theology, etc., etc.) came to hold sway in the world. So, nail a copy of the 95 thesis to your door, invite some people over, grill up some Brats, drink some German beer, say prayers of thanksgiving, talk about how you can be semper reformada (always reforming), and have a good time. The liturgical color of the day is red, which represents the Holy Spirit and the Martyrs of the Christian Church. Luther's hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God is traditionally sung on this day.
Secondly, All Saint's Day. All Saint's Day (November 1), also sometimes known as "All Hallows," or "Hallowmas" is a celebration of all the followers of Christ that have come before us. Halloween, or "All Hallows Eve," has part of its history in connection with this day. So, for the second day in a row, invite some people over, read stories about some of the great saints of the past, tell stories of Christians who have inpired you in your life,perhaps read Hebrews 11 and 12, say prayers for inspiration, and generally have a good time.
I commennd these festival days to you, and I think it is a shame that they have fallen into such disuse by many modern day Western Christians. We have much to remember, be thankful for, and celebrate on these days. May they spur all who celebrate them on to holiness, love, humility, the pushing back of darkness, and the honoring of Jesus.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Words from God
And God said, “Let there be light...Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters...Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear...Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth...Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth...Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens...Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds...Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." --Genesis 1:3-26
If God spoke creation into existence, then everything in creation is a word from God. We would do well to hear to those words, to listen to those words, and to learn what they have to teach us.
If God spoke creation into existence, then everything in creation is a word from God. We would do well to hear to those words, to listen to those words, and to learn what they have to teach us.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
The Nativity Story
One family. One journey. One child, who would change the world. Forever.
That is the intro to the official website of the movie The Nativity Story to be released by New Line Cinema this December.
From the website:
"The Nativity Story chronicles the arduous journey of two people, Mary and Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy, and the history-defining birth of Jesus."
Apparently, the film will follow the life of the Virgin Mary and Joseph over the two-year period leading up to the birth of Jesus, and then continuing several years afterward including the visit of the Magi and the vengeful rage of King Herod. My interest is definitely perked (Yes, I'm playing right into the hands of all those greedy Hollywood movie folks).
Wikipedia article about TNS
Unofficial TNS blog
That is the intro to the official website of the movie The Nativity Story to be released by New Line Cinema this December.
From the website:
"The Nativity Story chronicles the arduous journey of two people, Mary and Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy, and the history-defining birth of Jesus."
Apparently, the film will follow the life of the Virgin Mary and Joseph over the two-year period leading up to the birth of Jesus, and then continuing several years afterward including the visit of the Magi and the vengeful rage of King Herod. My interest is definitely perked (Yes, I'm playing right into the hands of all those greedy Hollywood movie folks).
Wikipedia article about TNS
Unofficial TNS blog
Indiana Jones, Eat Your Heart Out
The top 15 finds from Biblical Archaeology is a fairly interesting read for those who are interested in that sort of thing.
Friday, September 29, 2006
A New Tolkein Work to be Published
An unfinished tale by J.R.R. Tolkien has been edited by his son into a completed work and will be released next spring, the U.S. and British publishers announced Monday.
Christopher Tolkien has spent the past 30 years working on "The Children of Hurin," an epic tale his father began in 1918 and later abandoned. Excerpts of "The Children of Hurin," which includes the elves and dwarves of Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and other works, have been published before.
"It has seemed to me for a long time that there was a good case for presenting my father's long version of the legend of the 'Children of Hurin' as an independent work, between its own covers," Christopher Tolkien said in a statement.
The new book will be published by Houghton Mifflin in the United States and HarperCollins in England.
Source: here
Christopher Tolkien has spent the past 30 years working on "The Children of Hurin," an epic tale his father began in 1918 and later abandoned. Excerpts of "The Children of Hurin," which includes the elves and dwarves of Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and other works, have been published before.
"It has seemed to me for a long time that there was a good case for presenting my father's long version of the legend of the 'Children of Hurin' as an independent work, between its own covers," Christopher Tolkien said in a statement.
The new book will be published by Houghton Mifflin in the United States and HarperCollins in England.
Source: here
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Sacrafice v. Expression
One week down here at the Wilderness Medicine Institute. It has been a tremendous experience so far. Academically, it is a bit like drinking from a fire hydrant. There is a copious amount of information that comes at us, and we can't really afford to let any of it go because every word of it is information that may very well mean the difference between life and death one day. This weekend, I had my first rotation in the Emergency Room. The ER is a very interesting place. It is, at once, a place where the most amzing things happen, where people are pulled back from the precipice of death, and a place where the most tragic things happen, where people slip over that precipice never to return to life in this age again. Just walking away from one shift gave me a renewed sense of the vaporous life that I have been given to live, and the utter importance of making that life count for more than self experience and self expression.
The people here at the WMI are, for the most part, tremendous human beings who value people, relationships, and life. The lesson that has landed on me especially hard while here is that our culture does not value self sacrafice, it values self expression and self experience. These values are so imbeded in my heart, and I assume most everyone else's, that it is hard to imagine life without them. This, if we are not careful, could turn out to be most tragic because the Coming Kingdom esteems self sacrafice as one of the chief virtues. May our Great Father grant us the grace to be counted among those who live as those who "count others as more significant" than ourselves.
May the Peace of Jesus be upon each of you.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Bread for the World Sunday -- October 29, 2006
Bread for the World Sunday (October 29, 2006) is a time for churches to renew their commitment to ending hunger in God’s world. This growing movement on behalf of hungry people includes major church bodies, religious organizations, and congregations—all participating in an international effort to overcome poverty and disease in Africa, the United States, and around the world. Elected officials, business leaders, and celebrities are advocating increased investments in health, education, and agriculture so that hungry and poor people can earn a living and feed their families.
Hunger Facts
More than 852 million people in the world go hungry.
In developing countries, 6 million children die each year, mostly from hunger-related causes.
In the United States, 14 million children live in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. That means one in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger.
But we CAN end hunger.
We have the means. The financial costs to end hunger are relatively slight. The United Nations Development Program estimates that the basic health and nutrition needs of the world's poorest people could be met for an additional $13 billion a year. Animal lovers in the United States and Europe spend more than that on pet food each year.
"Is not this the fast that I choose... to share your bread with the hungry..."-- Isaiah 58:6,7
Hunger Facts
More than 852 million people in the world go hungry.
In developing countries, 6 million children die each year, mostly from hunger-related causes.
In the United States, 14 million children live in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. That means one in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger.
But we CAN end hunger.
We have the means. The financial costs to end hunger are relatively slight. The United Nations Development Program estimates that the basic health and nutrition needs of the world's poorest people could be met for an additional $13 billion a year. Animal lovers in the United States and Europe spend more than that on pet food each year.
"Is not this the fast that I choose... to share your bread with the hungry..."-- Isaiah 58:6,7
Find out more here.
Irish Blessing of the Week
May you have the hindsight to know where you've been,
the foresight to know where you're going,
and the insight to know what you're going for.
the foresight to know where you're going,
and the insight to know what you're going for.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
A fair trade?
Well, I had intended to camp out here in Lander, Wyoming for a few nights before the WMI started, but there is quite a bit of snow on the ground and I don't have a four season tent. So, I decided to stay here at the Maverick Motel ($35 cinderblock room with 1970s carpet and decor). Now, the dictionary definition of maverick is "an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party." Apparently my "Maverick" motel isn't going along with paint, sanitation, or the three decades since the 70s. I like to think of myself as pretty low maintenance so I din't think that was a big deal until...
I had just gotten out of the shower and was standing nude in the room staring at the TV wondering why Texas A&M wasn't beating the red, white, and blue out of Army when quicker than you can say "Touchdown!" I heard a key go into the lock and a strange man walked into my room with me wearing my birthday suit. Instead of retreating quickly he said, "Is this your room?" I don't know exactly what I said, but somehow I communicated that I believed that it was indeed my room. He then said, "Well, she gave me the key to this room." Again, I don't remember exactly what I said, but he relinquished his claim on the room and went back to the office. I sat on the bed feeling very violated.
A few minutes later nice "Mrs Bonnie" called the room and apoligized for giving a another man the key to the room, and said I could have a meal at the motel's resturant for free. I said "Thank You" and hung up the phone. I have spent the time since then trying to decide if it was worth letting a strange man have a full frontal to get a free meal at the Maverick Cafe. I still haven't decided. They might have good buffalo burgers.
I had just gotten out of the shower and was standing nude in the room staring at the TV wondering why Texas A&M wasn't beating the red, white, and blue out of Army when quicker than you can say "Touchdown!" I heard a key go into the lock and a strange man walked into my room with me wearing my birthday suit. Instead of retreating quickly he said, "Is this your room?" I don't know exactly what I said, but somehow I communicated that I believed that it was indeed my room. He then said, "Well, she gave me the key to this room." Again, I don't remember exactly what I said, but he relinquished his claim on the room and went back to the office. I sat on the bed feeling very violated.
A few minutes later nice "Mrs Bonnie" called the room and apoligized for giving a another man the key to the room, and said I could have a meal at the motel's resturant for free. I said "Thank You" and hung up the phone. I have spent the time since then trying to decide if it was worth letting a strange man have a full frontal to get a free meal at the Maverick Cafe. I still haven't decided. They might have good buffalo burgers.
Revelations
Today, I headed out from Rapid City, South Dakota for the Wilderness Medicine Institute in Wyoming. As I drove through a snow storm in the Bighorn Mountains I was jammin the new Audioslave album Revelations (don't worry, I was driving carefully), and I found some of the lyrics to the song Wide Awake to be very provacative:So come pull the sheet over my eyes
So I can sleep tonight
Despite what I've seen today
I find you guilty of a crime, of sleeping at a time
When you should have been wide awake
As I listened to the song several times in a row, I began to realize that this accusation could be true of almost any one of us. Despite living in a world with no shortage of starvation, injustice, dirty water, unreached people groups, AIDS, racism, greed, orphans, and darkness, we medicate with ultimately unimportant things like golf, skeet shooting, cars, houses, football, shopping, and new toys. Despite what we see each day, we continue to pull the sheets over our own eyes so that we can sleep at night. We are guilty of sleeping when we should be wide awake. God help us to wake up and stay awake. May we be people who push back darkness, and not just conveniently ignore it.
And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?" -- Matthew 26:40
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Can't Live With War; Can't Seem to Live Without It
People who start wars don't fight them.
People who fight wars don't like them.
At best, the peace that wars buy is temporary.
The suffering and injustice caused by war is often just as bad, if not worse, than the suffering and injustice the war intended to prevent.
(Note: I am not a pacifist, these are just some observations that I have made)
"You can bomb the world to pieces, but you can't bomb it to peace." -- Michael Franti
People who fight wars don't like them.
At best, the peace that wars buy is temporary.
The suffering and injustice caused by war is often just as bad, if not worse, than the suffering and injustice the war intended to prevent.
(Note: I am not a pacifist, these are just some observations that I have made)
"You can bomb the world to pieces, but you can't bomb it to peace." -- Michael Franti
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Michael Franti
Michael Franti is a singer, songwriter, folk musician, and peace activist that I stumbled across recently thanks to my beautiful girlfriend Jenny. His music is pretty dang good, and he also has a documentary that is worth checking out called I Know I'm Not Alone. He has toured with U2 and become something of a protest music icon. He signed for a little while with a major record label, but then retreated from the major label treadmill to recenter himself. He sings about justice, peace, the dignity of human life, international corporations, etc. etc. I think you get the idea. Check him out.
Health, Wealth, and Prosperity?
For those of you who haven't seen the cover of the recent Time magazine, here it is: "Does God Want You to be Rich?" If you are short on time, I'll go ahead and give you the short anwer: No! Even if He does want you to make lots of money, He wants you to give it away. If you want a longer answer, I think Al Mohler and Justin Taylor have some good thoughts.Don't buy into this "Live Like a King's Kid" deal. Remember, the King's Kid already came, and he showed us how to live, and it doesn't look anything at all like the things the Prosperity Theology Movement is spouting.
Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Is it my Birthday already?
All 25 years of John Piper's preaching are now available in audio form and are free. Booyah!
Into the Wild
Just a few days now until I head off to the Wilderness Medicine Institue to get certified as a Wilderness EMT. I am pretty excited about the whole deal because 1) I feel like it will be a rewarding skill to learn, 2) IT will be useful where ever I go for the rest of my life, 3) it will hopefully provide a way to begin paying off those darned school loans. Class starts Monday, and hopefully I'll have some fun stories to tell.
Friday, September 08, 2006
God's Powers and Meteor Showers
Of all the mind-blowing displays in God's creation, a meteor shower has to rank among the top. If you have never seen one, now is your chance. The Perseid meteor shower reaches full effect this weekend. Caused by debris shed by the Comet Swift-Tuttle in the early 1990s, the shower has been ramping up since mid July.
The bits of ice and dust left behind by the comet collide with the earth’s atmosphere as speeds up to 144,000 miles per hour! These collisions create ionize trails and sometime fireballs, igniting a display of brilliant streak and “shooting stars.”
According to the American Meteor Society, this weekend is the best time to view meteors this summer. Still, during this viewing time, the moon could cause problems; it was full only a few days ago, and while waning, will still cast a fair amount of light, thus potentially reducing the number of visible meteors.
On a good year, spectators could expect to see 60 to 100 meteors per hour, but the moon’s interference could reduce the visible activity by at least half, Robert Lunsford, operations manager for the American Meteor Society, told MSNBC.com.
Prime viewing time will occur after midnight both Friday and Saturday nights. The peak effect will be the night of August 12 into the morning hours of August 13. The American Meteor Society suggests viewing during the last few dark hours before dawn on August 12 for maximum meteor coverage.
The Perseid is the best-known meteor shower, according to MSNBC. But it is not the best. This year, the Geminids, which peak between December 12 to 14, should produce the best viewing shower.
May your imagination be expanded and your worship of the One God be deepened.
The bits of ice and dust left behind by the comet collide with the earth’s atmosphere as speeds up to 144,000 miles per hour! These collisions create ionize trails and sometime fireballs, igniting a display of brilliant streak and “shooting stars.”
According to the American Meteor Society, this weekend is the best time to view meteors this summer. Still, during this viewing time, the moon could cause problems; it was full only a few days ago, and while waning, will still cast a fair amount of light, thus potentially reducing the number of visible meteors.
On a good year, spectators could expect to see 60 to 100 meteors per hour, but the moon’s interference could reduce the visible activity by at least half, Robert Lunsford, operations manager for the American Meteor Society, told MSNBC.com.
Prime viewing time will occur after midnight both Friday and Saturday nights. The peak effect will be the night of August 12 into the morning hours of August 13. The American Meteor Society suggests viewing during the last few dark hours before dawn on August 12 for maximum meteor coverage.
The Perseid is the best-known meteor shower, according to MSNBC. But it is not the best. This year, the Geminids, which peak between December 12 to 14, should produce the best viewing shower.
May your imagination be expanded and your worship of the One God be deepened.
Church Burned Down in Indonesia
Voice of the Martyrs-Canada sources say a Muslim mob burned down the Indonesia Evangelical Mission Church building in the Singkil area of Aceh six nights ago. Word of a planned revival meeting spread amongst the radical Muslims in the community. The church is now meeting for worship in a local home. Earlier this year, the Indonesian province of Aceh became the first to institute and enforce Shariah law. Pray that the believers of this church will be steadfast in their service for the Lord.
The preceding information is from the daily newsletter from Mission Network News.
The preceding information is from the daily newsletter from Mission Network News.
Appreciate Preaching (Say That Ten Times Fast)
Mark Driscoll offers some helpful thoughts on how he prepares for preaching. If you are/want to be a preacher, then this is a good lesson. If you are not and don't want to be (most of you), this will help you appreciate preaching:
1. I prayerfully choose a book of the Bible (and sometimes a thematic theological series) that bites me and plan on spending months, sometimes years, studying that book in preparation to preach it. A book like Genesis will take me over 1,000 hours of work to study, write commentary, and preach.
2. I continually pray for the Holy Spirit to teach me His Word as I am studying the Scripture. No amount of theological training can overcome the deficit of a preacher who is not led by the Holy Spirit to understand and proclaim the very words that He inspired.
3. As I study, I wrestle with tough texts as Jacob wrestled Jesus. I find that preaching tough texts such as gender roles, the flood, hell, etc., are much like driving a car into a steep curve. If you hit the brakes in fear you will lose control, but if you accelerate into the tough turns, gravity actually slingshots you through smoothly. In the pulpit, momentum and authority come through accelerating into tough texts in the study and then driving the church through them.
4. As I study Scripture I steep in the verses/phrases/words/pictures that bite like tea flavoring in hot water. Too often the principles of Scripture are preached when the images and word pictures are far more impacting and memorable. For this reason other movements have even adopted the biblical images so that a dove now represents peace, not the Holy Spirit, and a rainbow represents gay rights, not the Flood, by which God killed people for sin (including sexual sin). I find that sermons are memorable if the images in the Scriptures can be drilled into the imaginations of people. Perhaps the master at this was Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who would not just describe a scene of Scripture, but actually put you in it through your imagination.
5. Only after I have spent considerable time in the naked text do I check my studies with trusted teachers to ensure that I have not come to heretical conclusions. I try not to pick up the commentaries until I have had many months in the Scripture I am preaching to ensure that I do not get lazy or simply rely on another man's walk with God. I will read it repeatedly in multiple translations, and read every decent commentary from every theological persuasion I can find to examine the book from every angle.
6. I live what I learn, teach it to my family, and spend a lot of time repenting of sin and seeking to obey God's Word by the grace He provides. Much of my sermon is simply explaining what the Scripture says, how that has changed my life, and how that is transforming my family and those people with whom I live in community. In this way I hope to demonstrate to my church what it means to come under Scripture; by talking about my own sins and flaws, they see me struggling through Scripture and not just preaching my tidy answers at the end of my studies. Because of this my sermons are long, anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half.
I find myself continually coming back to five questions that shape every one my sermons:
What does Scripture say?To answer this we need to check translations, do our word studies, and find out exactly what words best convey the meaning of Scripture.
What does Scripture mean?Here we need to interpret what is said, which requires commentaries, cultural background studies, etc. At this phase John Glynn's Commentary and Reference Survey is a must-have for every preacher and teacher as he rates all of the best commentaries and other reference material on various books of the Bible and theological topics.
Why do we resist this truth?Here we are assuming that people will not simply embrace God's truth but fight it with their thoughts and/or actions because they are sinners who, like Romans 1:18 says, suppress the truth. So, we attempt to predict their objections and resistance so that we can answer them and remove their resistance to get them to embrace God's truth for their life. This part of the sermon must be confrontational and often ends up in people walking out, standing up to argue, and sending nasty emails, all of which indicates you've hit a nerve like God wants you to. The real fight begins at this point and a preacher needs to come with his hands up looking for an opening much like a boxer.
Why does this matter?We need to connect all that we have said to a missional purpose for our lives, families, church, and ultimately God's glory. Something may be true but if people do not find it to also be important they tend not to act on it. On this point I like to connect Scripture a lot to the character of God, nature of the gospel, our mission in our city, and the quality of our lives both individually and collectively as a city of God within our city.
How is Jesus the hero?The Bible is one story in which Jesus is the hero. Therefore, to properly teach/preach the Bible we have to continually lift Him up as the hero and any sermon in which the focus is not on the person and work of Jesus will lack spiritual authority and power because the Holy Spirit will not bless the teaching of any hero other than Jesus.
1. I prayerfully choose a book of the Bible (and sometimes a thematic theological series) that bites me and plan on spending months, sometimes years, studying that book in preparation to preach it. A book like Genesis will take me over 1,000 hours of work to study, write commentary, and preach.
2. I continually pray for the Holy Spirit to teach me His Word as I am studying the Scripture. No amount of theological training can overcome the deficit of a preacher who is not led by the Holy Spirit to understand and proclaim the very words that He inspired.
3. As I study, I wrestle with tough texts as Jacob wrestled Jesus. I find that preaching tough texts such as gender roles, the flood, hell, etc., are much like driving a car into a steep curve. If you hit the brakes in fear you will lose control, but if you accelerate into the tough turns, gravity actually slingshots you through smoothly. In the pulpit, momentum and authority come through accelerating into tough texts in the study and then driving the church through them.
4. As I study Scripture I steep in the verses/phrases/words/pictures that bite like tea flavoring in hot water. Too often the principles of Scripture are preached when the images and word pictures are far more impacting and memorable. For this reason other movements have even adopted the biblical images so that a dove now represents peace, not the Holy Spirit, and a rainbow represents gay rights, not the Flood, by which God killed people for sin (including sexual sin). I find that sermons are memorable if the images in the Scriptures can be drilled into the imaginations of people. Perhaps the master at this was Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who would not just describe a scene of Scripture, but actually put you in it through your imagination.
5. Only after I have spent considerable time in the naked text do I check my studies with trusted teachers to ensure that I have not come to heretical conclusions. I try not to pick up the commentaries until I have had many months in the Scripture I am preaching to ensure that I do not get lazy or simply rely on another man's walk with God. I will read it repeatedly in multiple translations, and read every decent commentary from every theological persuasion I can find to examine the book from every angle.
6. I live what I learn, teach it to my family, and spend a lot of time repenting of sin and seeking to obey God's Word by the grace He provides. Much of my sermon is simply explaining what the Scripture says, how that has changed my life, and how that is transforming my family and those people with whom I live in community. In this way I hope to demonstrate to my church what it means to come under Scripture; by talking about my own sins and flaws, they see me struggling through Scripture and not just preaching my tidy answers at the end of my studies. Because of this my sermons are long, anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half.
I find myself continually coming back to five questions that shape every one my sermons:
What does Scripture say?To answer this we need to check translations, do our word studies, and find out exactly what words best convey the meaning of Scripture.
What does Scripture mean?Here we need to interpret what is said, which requires commentaries, cultural background studies, etc. At this phase John Glynn's Commentary and Reference Survey is a must-have for every preacher and teacher as he rates all of the best commentaries and other reference material on various books of the Bible and theological topics.
Why do we resist this truth?Here we are assuming that people will not simply embrace God's truth but fight it with their thoughts and/or actions because they are sinners who, like Romans 1:18 says, suppress the truth. So, we attempt to predict their objections and resistance so that we can answer them and remove their resistance to get them to embrace God's truth for their life. This part of the sermon must be confrontational and often ends up in people walking out, standing up to argue, and sending nasty emails, all of which indicates you've hit a nerve like God wants you to. The real fight begins at this point and a preacher needs to come with his hands up looking for an opening much like a boxer.
Why does this matter?We need to connect all that we have said to a missional purpose for our lives, families, church, and ultimately God's glory. Something may be true but if people do not find it to also be important they tend not to act on it. On this point I like to connect Scripture a lot to the character of God, nature of the gospel, our mission in our city, and the quality of our lives both individually and collectively as a city of God within our city.
How is Jesus the hero?The Bible is one story in which Jesus is the hero. Therefore, to properly teach/preach the Bible we have to continually lift Him up as the hero and any sermon in which the focus is not on the person and work of Jesus will lack spiritual authority and power because the Holy Spirit will not bless the teaching of any hero other than Jesus.
Tattoo Number Two
For my graduation present Jenny got me this tattoo. It is the Hebrew word ger which means pilgrim, sojourner, or stranger. I chose this particular tattoo because from this point forward I will no longer be a full time student and it will become more and more appealing to behave as if this world were my home. It is my hope and prayer that this tattoo will be a constant reminder to me that I am a pilgrim and a sojourner here, and I need waste no time building a little fiefdom for myself because one day I will die, be painted up like a clown, and covered with dirt. God grant me the grace to remember my true home.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Back in action
Sorry it has been a while since I posted. Ever since I finished college I have been spending quite a bit of time making up for lost time with my lover -- the beautiful Jenny. It has been one adventure, lesson, or romance after another for us lately, and as a result the blog has taken a bit of a backseat. Much has happened lately: new thoughts, a new tattoo, a new season of life, and a new place to live. But...I'm back and I'll be reporting on all of it as time permits. Thanks for your patience.
Microfinance, Kiva, and You
One of the biggest problems facing people in developing countries who are trying to get out of poverty is the first step out of the hole. Often enough, if a person had just a little capital to get themselves started, they could do the rest. Enter micro-loans, one of the most creative poverty reduction tools in the last 50 years. It has been very successful in many parts of the world, and provides those in poverty with that hand up (not hand out) that they need. But how can you and I be a part of all this? Enter Kiva:
This is a big deal. We're talking about letting the average Joe get involved with making a serious difference in the battle to eliminate severe or absolute poverty across the globe. You better get excited. Kiva (which is Swahili for unity) lets you loan to the working poor through unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.
Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, they gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Their partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva.org, partners upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them.
This is legit (endorsed by The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, the BBC, The Village Voice, and CNNMoney), unspeakably exciting, and has jaw-dropping potential.
www.kiva.org
This is a big deal. We're talking about letting the average Joe get involved with making a serious difference in the battle to eliminate severe or absolute poverty across the globe. You better get excited. Kiva (which is Swahili for unity) lets you loan to the working poor through unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.
Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, they gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Their partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva.org, partners upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them.
This is legit (endorsed by The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, the BBC, The Village Voice, and CNNMoney), unspeakably exciting, and has jaw-dropping potential.
www.kiva.org
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
If You Don't Die to Yourself, I Might Have to Kill You
"For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
-- Hebrew 12:6
-- Hebrew 12:6
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Choosing Our Words Carefully
I have become increasingly frustrated with Christians that I come into contact with who use the following sort of language:
"God told me to....."
"I heard God say to me...."
"...and then God told me..."
"God spoke to me...."
Etc. Etc. Etc.
For a long time I just tried to keep my mouth shut about the issue under the pretense of not being judgmental. Yet, after much prayer, study, and talking through the issue with friends from throughout the theological mosaic, I have decided that speaking in such language is very unhelpful for the most part, and downright heretical in the worst cases. Attributing the words you speak to the Divine is a serious matter, and shouldn't be taken flippantly.
(Before I go any further let me just say this: I am not a cessationist. I believe that gifts of all kinds are still available to Christians as God appoints.)
Speaking in such a way that would lead others to believe that God verbally spoke to you is unhelpful and not very wise for several reasons:
1) So far, in 100% of the cases where I have been spoken to in this way and pressed the person for explanation, it turned out that in fact, the person had not audibly heard the voice of God, but rather had a feeling strongly impressed upon them. In short, their choice of words was misleading at best, and lying at worst.
2) When a person says "God told me to...." or something similar, it removes the possibility that the person is wrong. They are speaking on behalf of God. Whatever that person just said must be taken to be 100% true, without error, reliable, and trustworthy. Well, often enough this isn't the case, and it either makes that person look like a fool or God look like a liar.
3) Often, this manner of talking can be used to manipulate weaker people into doing somthing that they otherwise wouldn't do because they don't want to disobey "God."
4) A plurality of people speaking as if they've had audible Divine revelation takes authority away from the Holy Scriptures.
5) If a non-Christian is spoken to this way, and the words don't come to pass, that person has been effectively turned away from God.
6) It is very often just plain confusing, epecially to younger Christians who begin to expect that they should hear God's voice audibly, and that if they don't they are junior varsity Christians.
So, I offer the following suggestion to people who feel strongly impressed that God is leading them to do or say something: Instead of saying "God told me to....", say "I feel strongly lead to...." This leaves the ability for your Christian brothers and sisters to weigh what you have said against scripture and be discerning, and it leaves open the possiblity that you are wrong without defaming God in the process. After all, there are forces other than the Divine wispering things into our lives, and with far darker motives.
C.S. Lewis was a huge fan of speaking and writing clearly. I am beginning to see why. Let's keep this "God told me to...." business from getting out of control any more than it already has. The way many people and churches behave, you would think that God was audibly communicating to thousands of people every morning. Judging by the way the world looks, I don't think this is true. If you haven't actually heard God's voice audibly speaking to you, then don't make others think you did. Thats all I'm saying. If you have, more power to you (unless you are a schizophrenic).
"God told me to....."
"I heard God say to me...."
"...and then God told me..."
"God spoke to me...."
Etc. Etc. Etc.
For a long time I just tried to keep my mouth shut about the issue under the pretense of not being judgmental. Yet, after much prayer, study, and talking through the issue with friends from throughout the theological mosaic, I have decided that speaking in such language is very unhelpful for the most part, and downright heretical in the worst cases. Attributing the words you speak to the Divine is a serious matter, and shouldn't be taken flippantly.
(Before I go any further let me just say this: I am not a cessationist. I believe that gifts of all kinds are still available to Christians as God appoints.)
Speaking in such a way that would lead others to believe that God verbally spoke to you is unhelpful and not very wise for several reasons:
1) So far, in 100% of the cases where I have been spoken to in this way and pressed the person for explanation, it turned out that in fact, the person had not audibly heard the voice of God, but rather had a feeling strongly impressed upon them. In short, their choice of words was misleading at best, and lying at worst.
2) When a person says "God told me to...." or something similar, it removes the possibility that the person is wrong. They are speaking on behalf of God. Whatever that person just said must be taken to be 100% true, without error, reliable, and trustworthy. Well, often enough this isn't the case, and it either makes that person look like a fool or God look like a liar.
3) Often, this manner of talking can be used to manipulate weaker people into doing somthing that they otherwise wouldn't do because they don't want to disobey "God."
4) A plurality of people speaking as if they've had audible Divine revelation takes authority away from the Holy Scriptures.
5) If a non-Christian is spoken to this way, and the words don't come to pass, that person has been effectively turned away from God.
6) It is very often just plain confusing, epecially to younger Christians who begin to expect that they should hear God's voice audibly, and that if they don't they are junior varsity Christians.
So, I offer the following suggestion to people who feel strongly impressed that God is leading them to do or say something: Instead of saying "God told me to....", say "I feel strongly lead to...." This leaves the ability for your Christian brothers and sisters to weigh what you have said against scripture and be discerning, and it leaves open the possiblity that you are wrong without defaming God in the process. After all, there are forces other than the Divine wispering things into our lives, and with far darker motives.
C.S. Lewis was a huge fan of speaking and writing clearly. I am beginning to see why. Let's keep this "God told me to...." business from getting out of control any more than it already has. The way many people and churches behave, you would think that God was audibly communicating to thousands of people every morning. Judging by the way the world looks, I don't think this is true. If you haven't actually heard God's voice audibly speaking to you, then don't make others think you did. Thats all I'm saying. If you have, more power to you (unless you are a schizophrenic).
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Drumroll Please...
Ladies and Gentlemen,The day you have all been waiting for (although you may not know it) is fast approaching. This year, on September 26, John Piper's new book What Jesus Demands from the World will be released. This is definitely one worth getting excited for. Apparently Piper was struck by Jesus' command in the great commission to "teach them to obey all that I have commanded you." He asked himself (as I have often asked myself), "What is all that Jesus commanded?" That question served as the impetus for the creation of this book. Check it out.
From the publisher:
The four Gospels are filled with demands straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ. These demands are Jesus’ way of showing us who he is and what he expects of us. They are not the harsh demands of a taskmaster. For example, the demand that we come to Jesus is like the demand of a father to his child in a burning window, “Jump to me!” Or like the demand of a rich, strong, tender, handsome husband to an unfaithful wife, “Come home!” What Jesus demands from the world can be summed up as: “Trust and treasure me above all.” This is good news!
In What Jesus Demands from the World, John Piper has gathered many of Jesus’ demands from the four Gospels. He begins with an introduction that puts the demands in a redemptive-historical context, then concisely examines each demand. The result is an accessible introduction for thoughtful inquirers and new believers, as well as meditative meat for veteran believers who want to know Jesus better.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Lessons from a Sarcastic Bulb
Call me a heretic with a warped sense of humor, but The Onion, a satirical "newspaper", continues to both amuse me and teach me important lessons on my journey. Although the newspaper is actually quite hostile to American Evangelicalism in general, I am again and again impressed by what I am able to learn from my "enemies." Those who set themselves against some person, cause, or belief system are most likely to spot any weaknesses, inconsistencies, or shortcomings. And so it is with The Onion. In its many attempts to mock Christianity, I have been confronted with many instances of unChrist-like behavior and attitudes in my own life and in the American Christian community at large. Obviously its jabs at Christianity are not all true, but none the less, they hold many lessons for those with eyes to see. So, enough of my babble...without further adieu, here are some of my favorite examples:
Poverty-Stricken Africans Receive Desperately Needed Bibles
Christ Kills Two, Injures Seven In Abortion-Clinic Attack
Important Christmas Lessons Already Forgotten
Area Pastor Likes To Inject A Little Humor Into His Sermons
Christian Right Lobbies To Overturn Second Law Of Thermodynamics
Christian Weightlifter Bends Iron Bar To Show Power Of God's Love
NFL Star Thanks Jesus After Successful Double Homicide
Poverty-Stricken Africans Receive Desperately Needed Bibles
Christ Kills Two, Injures Seven In Abortion-Clinic Attack
Important Christmas Lessons Already Forgotten
Area Pastor Likes To Inject A Little Humor Into His Sermons
Christian Right Lobbies To Overturn Second Law Of Thermodynamics
Christian Weightlifter Bends Iron Bar To Show Power Of God's Love
NFL Star Thanks Jesus After Successful Double Homicide
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Imago Dei
"We must not be hindered by the malice of men, but rather contemplate the image of God in them, which by its excellence and dignity moves and enables us to love them." - John Calvin
Monday, July 10, 2006
Missions Motivation Mondays: Missiology 101
What is mission work?
Obeying Jesus's command in the Great Commission.
What is the Great Commission?
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -- Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20
What is an evangelist?
A person who shares the gospel message with another person or group of people.
What is a missionary?
A person who carries the gospel and Christian teachings to an unreached people group.
What is a people group?
A people group is the largest group through which the gospel can flow without encountering significant barriers of understanding (language) and acceptance (culture).
What is an unreached/least-reached people group?
A people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize that people group.
My church doesn't currently support anyone working in an unreached people group, but we do support people working in reached people groups overseas. Aren't we still doing mission work?
Technically, no. You are probably doing evangelism, compassion/mercy work, or support work. These things are all incredibly important, and although they often go hand-in-hand with mission work, unless your church is supporting work among an unreached people group, then your church isn't involved in missions. Don't stop doing what you are doing, but find a way to get involved in reaching the unreached.
I think every Christian is a missionary, and that anytime you share your faith or advance the Kingdom you are doing mission work.
That is fine. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. But the fact still remains that you and your church should be involved with reaching the unreached. Call it what you want, but for the purpose of communicating clearly, I call it mission work. Some call it pioneer mission work, and I suppose that is fine too. So long as the Good News about Jesus, Salvation, and the Kingdom is going to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation...I won't argue too much over semantics.
How many unreached people groups are there?
Approximately 6,705
Should we expect all the people groups to eventually be reached?
Yes:
"...this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." -- Matthew 24:14
"...I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." -- Revelation 7:9
So it isn't a hopeless task?
Absolutely not. It is THE story of history. Get on board!
What should I do?
Pray about that very thing, and then...go, send, or disobey
Don't I need a "call" or something to be involved with missions?
According to the Great Commision, you already have one.
But I'm not really that interested in missions.
Repent.
Obeying Jesus's command in the Great Commission.
What is the Great Commission?
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -- Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20
What is an evangelist?
A person who shares the gospel message with another person or group of people.
What is a missionary?
A person who carries the gospel and Christian teachings to an unreached people group.
What is a people group?
A people group is the largest group through which the gospel can flow without encountering significant barriers of understanding (language) and acceptance (culture).
What is an unreached/least-reached people group?
A people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize that people group.
My church doesn't currently support anyone working in an unreached people group, but we do support people working in reached people groups overseas. Aren't we still doing mission work?
Technically, no. You are probably doing evangelism, compassion/mercy work, or support work. These things are all incredibly important, and although they often go hand-in-hand with mission work, unless your church is supporting work among an unreached people group, then your church isn't involved in missions. Don't stop doing what you are doing, but find a way to get involved in reaching the unreached.
I think every Christian is a missionary, and that anytime you share your faith or advance the Kingdom you are doing mission work.
That is fine. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. But the fact still remains that you and your church should be involved with reaching the unreached. Call it what you want, but for the purpose of communicating clearly, I call it mission work. Some call it pioneer mission work, and I suppose that is fine too. So long as the Good News about Jesus, Salvation, and the Kingdom is going to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation...I won't argue too much over semantics.
How many unreached people groups are there?
Approximately 6,705
Should we expect all the people groups to eventually be reached?
Yes:
"...this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." -- Matthew 24:14
"...I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." -- Revelation 7:9
So it isn't a hopeless task?
Absolutely not. It is THE story of history. Get on board!
What should I do?
Pray about that very thing, and then...go, send, or disobey
Don't I need a "call" or something to be involved with missions?
According to the Great Commision, you already have one.
But I'm not really that interested in missions.
Repent.
Happy Birthday John Calvin
Reformer John Calvin was born on this day 497 years ago in 1509 in France.
Friday, July 07, 2006
An Interview With a Great Pastor
This interview with Matt Chandler by Mark Driscoll comes from the Resurgence website today:
The Scouting Report identifies emerging pastors of innovative churches that haven’t yet gained much national attention. This month a good friend named Matt Chandler, who pastors The Village Church (www.thevillagechurch.net) in the great nation of Texas, answers 6 questions.
SUBJECT: Matt Chandler
AGE 31
AGE OF THE CHURCH: 30 years old
MEDIUM AGE OF THE CONGREGATION: 27 years old
LENGTH OF TIME PASTORING THIS CHURCH: 3 years
1) What growth has transpired in your three years as pastor?
168 to 2700 in average weekly attendance.
2) What three things have been most difficult for you?
(a) Managing such rapid growth, (b) figuring out how to theologically educate people of diverse backgrounds, and (c) putting the right people in the right places.
3) What things have been most helpful?
First, theological training—second, an understanding of culture.
4) Who do you look to for help?
My own team, Leadership Network, Mark Driscoll, and the resources of John Piper.
5) What resources have been most significant to you?
The library at Dallas Theological Seminary and www.DesiringGod.org.
6) What one piece of advice would you give to emerging pastors?
Let your wife worry about your clothes. Buy books and study. We don’t need any more well-dressed, hip, funny, heretics. Who cares how you say it if what you’re saying is wrong?
The Scouting Report identifies emerging pastors of innovative churches that haven’t yet gained much national attention. This month a good friend named Matt Chandler, who pastors The Village Church (www.thevillagechurch.net) in the great nation of Texas, answers 6 questions.
SUBJECT: Matt Chandler
AGE 31
AGE OF THE CHURCH: 30 years old
MEDIUM AGE OF THE CONGREGATION: 27 years old
LENGTH OF TIME PASTORING THIS CHURCH: 3 years
1) What growth has transpired in your three years as pastor?
168 to 2700 in average weekly attendance.
2) What three things have been most difficult for you?
(a) Managing such rapid growth, (b) figuring out how to theologically educate people of diverse backgrounds, and (c) putting the right people in the right places.
3) What things have been most helpful?
First, theological training—second, an understanding of culture.
4) Who do you look to for help?
My own team, Leadership Network, Mark Driscoll, and the resources of John Piper.
5) What resources have been most significant to you?
The library at Dallas Theological Seminary and www.DesiringGod.org.
6) What one piece of advice would you give to emerging pastors?
Let your wife worry about your clothes. Buy books and study. We don’t need any more well-dressed, hip, funny, heretics. Who cares how you say it if what you’re saying is wrong?
Quote of the Day
All teenage boys [when attempting to date your daughter] should be told 'We love Jesus and we know how to hide a body.'" - Mark Driscoll
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
A Wise Man's Thoughts on the 4th of July
Dear Pastors and Church Musicians:
I want to comment on Memorial Day and July 4th and how they overlap with the life of church music and Christian worship.
I am a very patriotic American. I cry when the planes fly over the football stadium and when we sing “America the Beautiful.” I pay my taxes with enthusiasm and, to my knowledge, have never missed an opportunity to vote in state and national elections. I would guess that the vast majority of the U. S. citizens in our congregations are also extremely patriotic. HOWEVER, as a local congregation, we choose NOT to use these national celebrations as an emphasis in our worship services. Here are our reasons:
1. It is just too easy to confuse what it means to follow Christ with what it means to be a loyal U.S. citizen. Especially when hard-hitting emotional presentations are made with flags and uniforms and pledges, it is too easy to get mixed up about where our allegiance should be. However, we ARE quick to pray for our country and for our leaders and we are quick to thank God for the freedom of worship that we enjoy. We are also faithful to pray for believers in other countries who do not enjoy the freedom to worship Christ openly.
2. We have many internationals in our congregations, many of whom are considering the Christian faith for the first time. We do not want to have the bold gospel of the Cross somehow confused in their minds with Uncle Sam and a particular form of government or foreign policy.
3. When a mood of patriotic celebration is present, it seems to be about two clicks away from partisan politics. While we strongly encourage citizens to vote, we are amazingly silent concerning how Christians should vote. If anything, we want believers who are committed to different views on social programs and public policies to be ONE IN CHRIST. There are some fine Scriptures that support this position.
FINAL COMMENT:
I am not saying this in any way as a judgment on other churches that pull out all the stops (and flags) for civil celebrations. I am just wanting to share with colleagues what makes me tick. May God’s richest blessings be on you and your congregations—and on our country.
Respectfully submitted,
Carl Stam
Director, Institute for Christian Worship
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
(Louisville, Kentucky)
I want to comment on Memorial Day and July 4th and how they overlap with the life of church music and Christian worship.
I am a very patriotic American. I cry when the planes fly over the football stadium and when we sing “America the Beautiful.” I pay my taxes with enthusiasm and, to my knowledge, have never missed an opportunity to vote in state and national elections. I would guess that the vast majority of the U. S. citizens in our congregations are also extremely patriotic. HOWEVER, as a local congregation, we choose NOT to use these national celebrations as an emphasis in our worship services. Here are our reasons:
1. It is just too easy to confuse what it means to follow Christ with what it means to be a loyal U.S. citizen. Especially when hard-hitting emotional presentations are made with flags and uniforms and pledges, it is too easy to get mixed up about where our allegiance should be. However, we ARE quick to pray for our country and for our leaders and we are quick to thank God for the freedom of worship that we enjoy. We are also faithful to pray for believers in other countries who do not enjoy the freedom to worship Christ openly.
2. We have many internationals in our congregations, many of whom are considering the Christian faith for the first time. We do not want to have the bold gospel of the Cross somehow confused in their minds with Uncle Sam and a particular form of government or foreign policy.
3. When a mood of patriotic celebration is present, it seems to be about two clicks away from partisan politics. While we strongly encourage citizens to vote, we are amazingly silent concerning how Christians should vote. If anything, we want believers who are committed to different views on social programs and public policies to be ONE IN CHRIST. There are some fine Scriptures that support this position.
FINAL COMMENT:
I am not saying this in any way as a judgment on other churches that pull out all the stops (and flags) for civil celebrations. I am just wanting to share with colleagues what makes me tick. May God’s richest blessings be on you and your congregations—and on our country.
Respectfully submitted,
Carl Stam
Director, Institute for Christian Worship
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
(Louisville, Kentucky)
My Thoughts on the 4th of July
Happy Independance Day! I've been watching The Revolution on The History Channel and I am realizing, perhaps for the first time, what an absolutely amazing piece of history the American Revolution is. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness...romantic ideas to be sure, and I am grateful to live in a country that has provided me with them. I am also grateful beyond words to those who came before me who have worked in many different ways to make sure that I had freedom and liberty when I arrived on the scene. Yet, America is far from perfect, and I hope we would not confuse patriotism with naivete. I would also hope that all the saints would remember that ultimately our citizenship is in heaven, and not in America. The American Revolution was certainly a glorious thing, but its glory does not even hold a candle to The Revolution begun by Jesus...The Revolution of love, humility, holiness, peace, reconcilliation, compassion, justice, truth, and mercy...The Revolution that marches on still to this day.
Also, as I think about my homeland, my thoughts turn toward the spiritual dynamic of America, particularly the American Church. There is, without a doubt, much out of order in the church of our homeland... materialism, churches that are run more like businesses, a straying away from holiness and discipleship, an ever increasing abandonment of truth, ears deaf to the plight of the poor and downtrodden, and a very hollow and shallow sense of awe and worship. Yes indeed, there is much work at hand for any American saint who has eyes to see, and yet the cause is not hopeless. There are many voices crying in the wilderness who are swimming upstream for the causes of Glory, truth, compassion, holiness, and humility: John Piper, Matt Chandler, Mark Driscoll, Justin Taylor, Steve McCoy, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, Franklin Graham, Beth Moore, Tim Keller, etc., etc. I could go on for quite a bit longer, but I'll spare you the lists and get to the point. The fact that I could write a list this long or longer reminds me of two things:
1. Although the American Church is far from perfect, there remain those who are contending well for the Gospel and the Church.
2. There are many places in the earth who have not a single witness to the truth and good news of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God, and the abundant life of forgiveness, love, compassion, peace, and joy that Jesus calls us all too.
It is because of those two things that I am yet again convinced that although there is much work to be done here in America, there is a vastly greater need among the unreached peoples of the world. I salute those who are working so steadfastly for Christ's bride here in the U.S.A., and I pray for God's blessing on all your efforts. But for the rest of us...those of us who have yet to find our place in this world...I can only hope that we would cast our gaze towards those still dark spots on the globe where the gospel of Christ has not yet gone. God bless the U.S.A., but God bless Iraq, and Iran, and Indonesia, and India, and China, and Cuba, and Venezuela, and Mexico, and North Korea, and Vietnam, and France, and Nepal, and Papua New Guinea as well.
Also, as I think about my homeland, my thoughts turn toward the spiritual dynamic of America, particularly the American Church. There is, without a doubt, much out of order in the church of our homeland... materialism, churches that are run more like businesses, a straying away from holiness and discipleship, an ever increasing abandonment of truth, ears deaf to the plight of the poor and downtrodden, and a very hollow and shallow sense of awe and worship. Yes indeed, there is much work at hand for any American saint who has eyes to see, and yet the cause is not hopeless. There are many voices crying in the wilderness who are swimming upstream for the causes of Glory, truth, compassion, holiness, and humility: John Piper, Matt Chandler, Mark Driscoll, Justin Taylor, Steve McCoy, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, Franklin Graham, Beth Moore, Tim Keller, etc., etc. I could go on for quite a bit longer, but I'll spare you the lists and get to the point. The fact that I could write a list this long or longer reminds me of two things:
1. Although the American Church is far from perfect, there remain those who are contending well for the Gospel and the Church.
2. There are many places in the earth who have not a single witness to the truth and good news of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God, and the abundant life of forgiveness, love, compassion, peace, and joy that Jesus calls us all too.
It is because of those two things that I am yet again convinced that although there is much work to be done here in America, there is a vastly greater need among the unreached peoples of the world. I salute those who are working so steadfastly for Christ's bride here in the U.S.A., and I pray for God's blessing on all your efforts. But for the rest of us...those of us who have yet to find our place in this world...I can only hope that we would cast our gaze towards those still dark spots on the globe where the gospel of Christ has not yet gone. God bless the U.S.A., but God bless Iraq, and Iran, and Indonesia, and India, and China, and Cuba, and Venezuela, and Mexico, and North Korea, and Vietnam, and France, and Nepal, and Papua New Guinea as well.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Compassion Fatigue and Touching a Soul
I crawled out of bed this morning, still a little tired from a good night out with friends, but rested none the less. After morning prayers, some nice time reading from the Sacred Writtings, and getting the old teeth brushed, I stolled into the living room and turned the TV on to CNN as I set down on the futon...
"A car bomb ripped through a packed Baghdad marketplace Saturday morning, killing at least 62 people and wounding 114 others..."
"Authorities on Friday found two human heads in front of a state government office in the Mexican resort of Acapulco..."
"Fighting this week between Chadian insurgents and government and African peacekeeping troops in Central African Republic left at least 33 people dead..."
"Gangs of young men hurled rocks at a camp housing refugees and torched houses in East Timor's capital Wednesday in a sign that weeks of crisis may not be over ..."
"A roadside bomb exploded Tuesday under a military truck packed with security officers headed to guard a school in Thailand..."
"Four days of heavy rains in Indonesia have triggered deadly floods and landslides, killing 200 people and leaving another 130 missing..."
There may have been a time in my life when this would have overwhelmed me, but not today. There may have been a time in my life when this would have brought me to tears, but not today. I got up off the futon, turned the TV off, and headed up to Sweet Eugenes House of Java to study Biochemistry. It didn't effect me at all. I have become numb. I have become callus to the suffering of my fellow human beings. I am suffering from what I suspect many other like myself suffer from...compassion fatigue. They don't touch my soul, and I don't touch theirs.
How did it ever come to this? Saint Paul in Romans 12:15 says, "...weep with those who weep." How is it that a follower of Jesus Christ could be so unmoved by the plight of the suffering souls the world over? How did I get this way, and what can I do...what can we do to turn around and be a voice of compassion, reason, and sympathy in this world?
How did we get this way?
1. We watch too much TV. -- even the most compassionate heart will grow numb from hours of exposure to violence, death, corruption, disaster, and tragedy.
2. We don't pray -- usually, at best, we just say "Isn't that awful?" and then go on about our business.
3. Our lives, generally speaking, are insulated from such horrific suffering and tragedy -- the TV is usually the closest we will get.
4. We don't take Jesus seriously -- we assume teachings about orphans, widows, prisoners, and "the least of these" only apply to people who are "called" to do those things.
What we can do to avoid compassion fatigue:
1. Don't watch so much TV -- Honestly, you probably wouldn't be any worse off if you threw that life sucking box out the window. But, in the very least, be careful where you get your news from. Try newspapers or websites. That way it doesn't come at you so fast. Maybe even read the Editiorial section. That way you get some commentary instead of just a straight regurgitation of the facts.
2. Pray -- alone and with others.
3. Get involved -- find ways to be an agent of change, to push back the darkness, and to be a light in a dark world.
4. Touch a soul -- seek out those who are suffering and hurting. Learn their names. Look in their eyes. Listen to their stories. Compassion isn't just sending money to a charity. That is pity.
5. Take Jesus seriously. Let Him change you and your priorities.
"A billion people died on the news tonight
But not so many cried at the terrible sight...
Why don't the newscasters cry when they read about people who die?
At least they could be decent enough to put just a tear in their eyes"
--from The News, a song by Jack Johnson
"A car bomb ripped through a packed Baghdad marketplace Saturday morning, killing at least 62 people and wounding 114 others..."
"Authorities on Friday found two human heads in front of a state government office in the Mexican resort of Acapulco..."
"Fighting this week between Chadian insurgents and government and African peacekeeping troops in Central African Republic left at least 33 people dead..."
"Gangs of young men hurled rocks at a camp housing refugees and torched houses in East Timor's capital Wednesday in a sign that weeks of crisis may not be over ..."
"A roadside bomb exploded Tuesday under a military truck packed with security officers headed to guard a school in Thailand..."
"Four days of heavy rains in Indonesia have triggered deadly floods and landslides, killing 200 people and leaving another 130 missing..."
There may have been a time in my life when this would have overwhelmed me, but not today. There may have been a time in my life when this would have brought me to tears, but not today. I got up off the futon, turned the TV off, and headed up to Sweet Eugenes House of Java to study Biochemistry. It didn't effect me at all. I have become numb. I have become callus to the suffering of my fellow human beings. I am suffering from what I suspect many other like myself suffer from...compassion fatigue. They don't touch my soul, and I don't touch theirs.
How did it ever come to this? Saint Paul in Romans 12:15 says, "...weep with those who weep." How is it that a follower of Jesus Christ could be so unmoved by the plight of the suffering souls the world over? How did I get this way, and what can I do...what can we do to turn around and be a voice of compassion, reason, and sympathy in this world?
How did we get this way?
1. We watch too much TV. -- even the most compassionate heart will grow numb from hours of exposure to violence, death, corruption, disaster, and tragedy.
2. We don't pray -- usually, at best, we just say "Isn't that awful?" and then go on about our business.
3. Our lives, generally speaking, are insulated from such horrific suffering and tragedy -- the TV is usually the closest we will get.
4. We don't take Jesus seriously -- we assume teachings about orphans, widows, prisoners, and "the least of these" only apply to people who are "called" to do those things.
What we can do to avoid compassion fatigue:
1. Don't watch so much TV -- Honestly, you probably wouldn't be any worse off if you threw that life sucking box out the window. But, in the very least, be careful where you get your news from. Try newspapers or websites. That way it doesn't come at you so fast. Maybe even read the Editiorial section. That way you get some commentary instead of just a straight regurgitation of the facts.
2. Pray -- alone and with others.
3. Get involved -- find ways to be an agent of change, to push back the darkness, and to be a light in a dark world.
4. Touch a soul -- seek out those who are suffering and hurting. Learn their names. Look in their eyes. Listen to their stories. Compassion isn't just sending money to a charity. That is pity.
5. Take Jesus seriously. Let Him change you and your priorities.
"A billion people died on the news tonight
But not so many cried at the terrible sight...
Why don't the newscasters cry when they read about people who die?
At least they could be decent enough to put just a tear in their eyes"
--from The News, a song by Jack Johnson
Friday, June 30, 2006
Here's to Hookah
"When you smoke a hookah, you have time to think. It teaches you patience and tolerance, and gives you an appreciation of good company. Hookah smokers have a much more balanced approach to life..." -- Ismet Ertep, a 71-year-old Turkish pensioner
"The important thing is not what you put in the pipe, but who is with you while you're smoking. In a cafe like this one, you find the good people, the old people, the interesting people. As long as there is a need for company and friendship, as long as people want to stop and think, there will be hookah cafes." -- Ahmed Metin, a 48-year-old Turkish sailor
"The important thing is not what you put in the pipe, but who is with you while you're smoking. In a cafe like this one, you find the good people, the old people, the interesting people. As long as there is a need for company and friendship, as long as people want to stop and think, there will be hookah cafes." -- Ahmed Metin, a 48-year-old Turkish sailor
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wear a Black Armband
On July 1st, the Chinese government will begin operation of its railway connecting the Chinese mainland to Tibet - a project that Tibetans fear will have a devastating impact. The Chinese government claims that this railway will benefit Tibetans and is a project that all Tibetans want. They tell the media and the world that the railway will bring progress and positive benefits to Tibetans. But the truth is this: China's railway to Tibet is not meant to benefit Tibetans and is only meant to consolidate Beijing's control over the region. Show your rejection of China's Tibet Railway by wearing a Black Armband today through July 1st. Take a photo of yourself wearing the black armband and send it to photos@studentsforafreetibet.org.
In the words of newly-arrived Tibetan refugee Yamphel from Rebkong County, "The Railway has become a matter of concern for all Tibetans, when older generation passes away, younger generations would be converted into Chinese." (Phayul.com, June 28, 2006)
According to Tsering from Chushur County, "No Tibetans like Railway coming to Tibet because many Chinese from Mainland China would come to Tibet and Tibet would be full of Chinese ... all these campaigns are to make room for Chinese settler when they arrive in Tibet." (Phayul.com, June 28, 2006)
Visit this website to find out more: http://www.rejecttherailway.com/
In the words of newly-arrived Tibetan refugee Yamphel from Rebkong County, "The Railway has become a matter of concern for all Tibetans, when older generation passes away, younger generations would be converted into Chinese." (Phayul.com, June 28, 2006)
According to Tsering from Chushur County, "No Tibetans like Railway coming to Tibet because many Chinese from Mainland China would come to Tibet and Tibet would be full of Chinese ... all these campaigns are to make room for Chinese settler when they arrive in Tibet." (Phayul.com, June 28, 2006)
Visit this website to find out more: http://www.rejecttherailway.com/
Hymn of the Day
Be Thou My Vision
Music: “Slane,” of Irish folk origin
Slane Hill is about ten miles from Tara in County Meath. It was on Slane Hill around 433 AD that St. Patrick defied a royal edict by lighting candles on Easter Eve. High King Logaire of Tara had decreed that no one could light a fire before Logaire began the pagan spring festival by lighting a fire on Tara Hill. Logaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance (or perhaps because of it), he let him continue his missionary work. The rest is history.
Words: Attributed to Dallan Forgaill, 8th Century
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Music: “Slane,” of Irish folk origin
Slane Hill is about ten miles from Tara in County Meath. It was on Slane Hill around 433 AD that St. Patrick defied a royal edict by lighting candles on Easter Eve. High King Logaire of Tara had decreed that no one could light a fire before Logaire began the pagan spring festival by lighting a fire on Tara Hill. Logaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance (or perhaps because of it), he let him continue his missionary work. The rest is history.
Words: Attributed to Dallan Forgaill, 8th Century
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Chameleon Snake Discovered in Indonesia
As if God's creation didn't impress me enough already, researchers scouring swamps in the heart of Borneo island have discovered a venomous species of snake that can change its skin color. The 1.6-foot-long snake was discovered in wetlands and swamp forests around the Kapuas River in the Betung Kerihun National Park in the Indonesian part of Borneo island. Scientists speculate it might only occur in the Kapuas River drainage system. The WWF, the international group formerly known as World Wildlife Fund, said 361 animal and plant species have been discovered since 1996 on Borneo, underscoring its unparalleled biological diversity. This is just another reason to be careful how we manage our environmental resources in the future. If you love the Creator, take care of creation.
Source: here
Source: here
A Delightful New Find
I've stumbled upon a diamond in the rough:
http://www.monergism.com/
Don't forget to check out the Monergism Bookstore link at the bottom... it's pretty naughty.
http://www.monergism.com/
Don't forget to check out the Monergism Bookstore link at the bottom... it's pretty naughty.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Nasty Nike
I am going to begin to do a series of company profiles with the intention of helping myself and others to orient purchasing and patronage around Kingdom values and to push back the darkness wherever it is found...including the marketplaces. So, without further delay, here is profile # 1.
Nike, Inc.
Beaverton, OR
Phone: 503-671-6453
Fax: 503-671-6300
Web: www.nike.com
Email: sales@nike.com
Employees: 22,000
Earnings: $589,700,000.00
Revenue: $9,488,800,000.00
Human Rights
Nike, Inc.
Beaverton, OR
Phone: 503-671-6453
Fax: 503-671-6300
Web: www.nike.com
Email: sales@nike.com
Employees: 22,000
Earnings: $589,700,000.00
Revenue: $9,488,800,000.00
Human Rights
- Nike has admitted that it cannot guarantee that it's products cannot be made without the use of child labor
- Nike factory workers in Vietnam were exposed to toxic fumes at up to 177 times the Vietnamese legal limit
- A former Nike factory worker said while Nike provided its workers with housing, they were crammed 12 to a room and slept on wooden floors with no pillows.
- Nike was the recipient of one of the National Labor Committee's First Annual Golden Grinch Awards, given to companies for outstanding sweatshop abuses and starvation wages. In a factory producing Nike apparel in the Dominican Republic, workers were given 6.6 minutes to sew one children's sweatshirt. Workers earned just $0.08 for each $22.99 Nike sweatshirt they had sewn, which amounts to 3/10ths of 1% of the garment's retail price.
- Phil Knight, CEO of Nike, withdrew a promised $30 million donation to the University of Oregon after the university joined the Worker Rights Consortium, a group that monitors conditions in factories that make clothing with college logos.
- Nike offered Ralph Nader, the consumer rights campaigner and presidential candidate, $25,000 to "take a light-hearted jab" at the company's poor human rights record in an ad. He said no.
It is my intention to boycott Nike until these conditions change. In an industry that only understands the language of money, the only thing I know to do is deprive them of my money. Obviously, that won't make a huge difference, but a lot of people withholding their money from Nike could make a substantial statement. It goes without saying that I cannot force you to do anything. Ultimatley, the call is yours, as are the consequences of your decisions.
"If you faint in the day of adversity,your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death;hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,'does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,and will he not repay man according to his work?" -- Proverbs 24:10-12
Source: www.badcorp.org
Today in History
In 1739 George Whitefield wrote, "Christ's servants have always been the world's fools".
Monday, June 26, 2006
Missions Motivation Mondays
"'Not called!' did you say?
'Not heard the call,' I think you should say.
Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face -- whose mercy you have professed to obey -- and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world. -- William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army
'Not heard the call,' I think you should say.
Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face -- whose mercy you have professed to obey -- and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world. -- William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Bad Corp
My gorgeous girlfriend recently alerted me to this website:
www.badcorp.org
It is certainly worth checking out.
www.badcorp.org
It is certainly worth checking out.
Saint Jack
Jack Housley is a good old boy from Tenessee. Nearly thirty years ago now Jack was working construction they way he had ever since he had been fortunate enough to marry the beautiful Janie, and he got the bulldozer he was operating stuck in the mud. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, and he relented to the calling that he had been feeling for quite some time...Jack was going to take Jesus' command to take the Gospel to all nations seriously...Jack was to be a missionary. Things happened pretty quick after that.
Jack and Jannie applied to New Tribes Mission, were accepted, and headed off for training. Training complete, Jack and his lovely wife headed off for what would be a lifetime of service in Papua New Guinea. Not long into their careers as missionaries, Jack realized that he was far from a gifted linguist. This was quite a blow for Jack. Language learning is among the missionary's most important skills. It would be impossible to present the Gospel to the many tribal peoples with their varied languages or to translate Scripture for them if he could not learn the language himself. This would have been a death sentence for most missionaries...but not for Jack. Instead of calling it quits, he devoted his life to supporting other missionaries, recruiting new missionaries, and leading short term trips into PNG.
Since then Jack has spent the better part of three decades running supplies up remote rivers in long canoes, hiking through the highlands to help build some new missionary's house, hacking through the swamps to repair another broken generator, tending to the sick, giving advise and counsel to the rookie missionaries, and hundreds of other behind the scenes jobs to support the advancing of the Gospel among the many unreached peoples of this island nation of primitive tribal peoples. All the while he raised a strapping family of boys and cared for his sweet Janie.
Jack is known among the missionaries on the island as a real "man's man." You don't have to hang around long before you start hearing stories about Jack. He fought and killed a Maruk (think ostrich with velociraptor claws) with a paddle. He climbed up in trees after snakes. He swam in crocodile infested waters. He's made friends with cannibals. He has weathered all manner of storms and dangers, and lived to tell about it. Yet, if you met Jack, you would be struck by his remarkable wisdom, humility, and down-to-earth attitude. He has done a thankless job, in dangerous circumstances, far from home, and with just basic necessities all because of his love of his Saviour, and I do not doubt that his reward in heaven will be great. While most of his contemporaries here in the States are beggining to plan their retirements, Jack is still in the wilds of Papua New Guinea doing his part, with the help of the Spirit, to push back the darkness. Jack Housley is the best example of a true disciple of Christ that I have yet come across in my young life. He has been a great inspiration for me, and I hope that he will be one for you as well. Whatever you do, do it with humility, with love, with a wild abandon to the Saviour's care, and with a single-minded devotion to the Glory of God. That is what Saint Jack taught me.
ESV Journaling Bible Released
I present the ESV Journaling Bible for your enjoyment. I think it is good for every Christian (especially if they don't know Hebrew and Greek) to own an essentially literal Bible like the ESV and a modern vernacular Bible such as The Message or even the Amplified Bible. It really helps things come to life.
More Rough Times for Indonesia
As if a tsunami that killed 200,000 and displaced 500,000, terrorist bombings in Bali that killed 23, an earthquake that killed 6,200, and a volcano on the blink were not enough, now there is major flooding on the island of Sulawesi that has killed at least 200 so far. I hope the absolute magnitude of the suffering of the people of this island nation doesn't escape us. It is easy to be numb to such reports, but if you try to imagine yourself grasping for the hand of someone you love, only for them to be swept away in a muddy river and never to be seen again it begins to hit home. You would scream, and pull out your hair, and nash your teeth. It would be devestating. Even further...if you try to imagine so many catastophic events grouped so closely together... it really does take your breath away. Pray for the people of Indonesia, pray for the relief work, and pray for the missionaries and Christian workers there...that they would persevere and demonstate a peace that passes understanding.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Book Review: Eat This Book
Eugene Peterson's newest work Eat This Book is certainly well worth your time. He begins the book by pointing out that the way we read the Bible in contemporary America is not only out of touch with the way most Christians through the millenia have read it, but it is also out of touch with the way the authors of our Sacred Writings intended for them to be read. Peterson, a pastor for 29 years and currently professor of spiritual theology at Regent College, proceeds in an almost poetical and prosaic tone to encourage the reader to do exactly what the angel of the Lord told Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and John to do -- "Eat This Book." His description of exegesis is of such a high caliber that I doubt a finer one could be written. He pulls the Holy Writ out of the ivory towered halls of academia, and brings it back where it was meant to be...in the rough and tumble of life. He does this, though, without criticizing scholars and theologians. Far from it, he actually shows us our incredible debt to such men. Through the course of the book Peterson introduces the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (roughly translated Divine/Spiritual Reading) which is a technique for reading the Bible that is aimed at putting yourself in a position to assimilate and live out the text of our Sacred Scriptures. The four parts to Lectio are Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, Contemplatio which means Read, Meditate, Pray, Contemplate...or even more contemporarily Read, Think, Pray, Live. Peterson then gives a brief history of the Bible and Bible reading, and then shows the reader how understanding to read the Bible rightly has impacted his life and spirituality. Incredible. This book is the finest book about the Bible I have yet to put in my hands, and I can't recommend it enough. By the end, you too will be wanting to "Eat Your Book." Bon Appetite!Tuesday, June 20, 2006
World Refugee Day
Today is World Refugee Day. I know, I know...it seems like they have a day for everything now, but this one is pretty important. There are 15 million refugees worldwide, and it isn't because they were having a good time at home. Take a moment (or hour) to pray for the refugees around the world, and for the followers of Jesus around the world to take some action. And for yourself...well, education is a good place to start:
http://www.refugeesinternational.org/
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/refugee.day/index.html
Monday, June 19, 2006
On Alcohol
"Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers." -- Luke 11:46.
Shame on you.
Shame on me.
There is shame on every one of us. That is a fact. The good news is (don't miss this) that Jesus came and took all of that shame, and set us free. What a tragedy, then, to behold the shackles from which we have been freed, only to set forth and load other burdens upon our back, or even worse...on the backs of others. I am here refering primarily to alcohol, but could be refering to any of a number of extra-Biblical rules, laws, and commands that Christians heap on themselves and others. I was born and raised in the southern United States in what is known as, for better or for worse, the Bible Belt. Many of you may not have experienced what I am about to describe, but where I am from the very consumption of alcohol is viewed as a sin, or in the very least it is handled as if you enter some 10th circle of holiness by abstaining from alcohol. As I have grown up in body and in spirit, I have become increasingly concerned with this belief, it's effect on the Christian communities in which it holds sway, and it's inablity to be squared with our Sacred Writings.
The first issue any thoughtful Christian is going to run up against if he or she wishes to promote the idea that alcohol is inherently sinful or that a person is more holy for abstaining from alcohol is the fact that virtually every major role player in our Bible used alcohol, and some even promoted it's use. From Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to Saul, David, and Solomon, and to Jesus, Paul, and the early church, all of them are known from scripture to have used alcohol with quite a bit of regularity. Melchizedek, a priest of God Most High, brought out wine to celebrate Abram's miltary victory (Genesis 14:18), wine was used as a drink offering in the Old Testament (Exodus 29:40, Numbers 15:10), God said he would bless the wine of His chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:13), it is said that God's people may use their money for wine or strong drink and consume it before God and rejoice (Deuteronomy 14:26), David says that God causes the earth to bring forth wine to gladden the heart of man (104:15), King Lemuel in Proverbs says to "Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress" (Proverbs 31:6), Jesus used wine in his parables (Matthew 9:17), Jesus made good wine when they ran out at a wedding celebration (John 2:1-10), Jesus was accused of being a drunkard (Luke 7:33), Jesus and his disciples drank wine at the last supper (Mark 14:23-25), Jesus drank sour wine on the cross (John 19:30), and Paul advises Timothy, a pastor, to drink wine (1 Timothy 5:23). In fact, the Bible has 247 references to alcohol: 17 warnings against abusing alcohol, 19 examples of people abusing alcohol, 3 references to selecting leaders, 1 verse advocating abstinence if drinking will cause a brother to stumble, 59 references to the commonly accepted practice of drinking alcohol with meals, 27 references to the abundance of wine as an example of God's blessing, 20 references to the loss of wine and strong drink as an example of God's curse, 25 references to the use of wine in offerings and sacrifices, 9 references to wine being used as a gift, and 5 metaphorical references to wine as a basis for a favorable comparison, 33 symbolic references ("the wine of His wrath," etc.), 21 references to vows of abstinence, 4 references to people falsely accused of being drunk, and 4 references which don't seem to fit a category. From this, it seems obvious that alcohol has uses other than evil, and that there is no prohibition of alcohol to Christians. John Owen, a Puritan theologian from the 17th century, said, "Only what God has commanded in His Word should be regarded as binding, in all else there may be liberty of actions" Yet, many still persist in insisting that all faithful Christians should abstain from alcohol. Why?
Well, arguments usually fall in one or more of the following catagories:
1) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it causes some to stumble or sin.
2) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it can cause harm to the body.
3) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it leads to drunkeness and alcoholism.
4) Christains should abstain from alcohol because the "wine" refered to in the Bible wasn't alcohol.
5) Christains should abstain from alcohol because in a culture that tends to abuse alcohol, it is easier and less confusing to just avoid it all together than to try to pick and choose when it is and isn't appropriate.
6) Christians should abstain from alcohol to be a good witness to others.
7) Christians should abstain from alcohol because the issue of alcohol causes division in the church.
I will here try to address each of these issues in short. I could probably say quite a bit about each point, but I would like to keep this from becoming a book.
1) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it causes some to stumble or sin. Well, I certainly realize that not everyone handles alcohol in a way that honors God, and that there are many people out there who are addicted to alcohol. There are, without a doubt, circumstances when a Christian drinking alcohol could cause someone to stumble into sin, and in those cases, I believe it would absolutely be a sin to consume alcohol. Shame on anyone who would go out for a few beers with a known alcoholic. Yet, to say that because there are circumstances where alcohol can be abused means that it should be avoided all together is silly, as well as inconsistent with the rest of life. Sex can be abused. Should we Christians stop having sex with our husbands and wives? Gluttony is a way that food can be abused. Should we stop eating? I admit this point is not my own. It was Martin Luther who originally said, "Do not suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused. Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we prohibit and abolish women? The sun, moon, and stars have been worshipped. Shall we pluck them out of the sky?”
2) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it can cause harm to the body.
Again, certain foods can be harmful to the body if eaten in excess. Should we not eat them? Cars kill thousands of people every day. Almost everyone of us know of someone who has been harmed or killed in a car wreck. Should Christians stop driving cars? Of course not. More than that, there have actually been many demonstrated health benefits that arise from drinking moderate amounts of red wine and a few other alcoholic beverages.
3) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it leads to drunkeness and alcoholism. Yet again, almost everything in creation can be abused and lead to problems. Abstaining from God's gifts is not the answer. You cannot legislate righteousness.
4) Christains should abstain from alcohol because the "wine" refered to in the Bible wasn't alcohol. In other words, the wine refered to in the Bible was really grape juice. This one is absolutely false, and a perfect example of how people will sometimes actually make up things to justify their position. If this were the case, why the 17 warnings against drunkenness in the Bible? Did the partakers of the Lord's table at the church of Corinth get drunk on grape juice? I have had my fair share of grape juice, and it hasn't done anything to me that could be described as "drunkenness." No, when the Bible says wine it really means (surprise or surprises) wine. A similar, but equally invalid, argument says that the wine of Biblical times had a lower alcohol content than modern wine. Whatever the alcoholic content of the wine of the Bible, it was of a sufficient level for there to be a need for warnings against drunkenness. It was, once again, real wine.
5) Christains should abstain from alcohol because in a culture that tends to abuse alcohol, it is easier and less confusing to just avoid it all together than to try to pick and choose when it is and isn't appropriate. If anyone became a follower of Jesus because they wanted easy, they are in for a rude awakening. "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household." -- Matthew 10:24-25. The Roman culture of Jesus' day abused alcohol as much as any culture that has ever existed, and Jesus did not find abstaining to be the answer. Why should we? What our culture needs is not Christians who will check out of the alcohol problem, but Christians who will demonstrate to the watching world how to use wine and everything else in a way that honors God. I shudder to think of all the people who have written off Jesus because of Christians who avoided drinking or being around alcohol. They called Jesus a drunkard, and it certainly wasn't because he avoided alcohol.
6) Christians should abstain from alcohol to be a good witness to others. Making up your own rules and then following them does not make you a good witness. It may, in fact, make you a worse witness. Also, this one has the built in assumption that drinking alcohol makes you a bad witness. If that is the case, then Jesus and the apostles lost their witness. The very idea of such a thing is almost laughable.
7) Christians should abstain from alcohol because the issue of alcohol causes division in the church. First of all, this is sad, and is more a testament to the destructive nature of man-made rules than of alcohol. Secondly, you are not doing your Christian brothers and sisters any favors by letting them remain in error. Would you avoid bringing a black person to a racist church, just to avoid dividing the church? I should hope not. You would call on them to believe the Bible, and to repent, and to live as Jesus would have them live, and not to errect artificial walls that alienate us from the very cultures and peoples that we are supposed to love.
It is not wise to prohibit that which God has given as a gift (Deut. 14:26; Ps. 104:15), or to functionally condemn the actions of Jesus (John 2; Luke 7:33-34; ) and Paul (1 Tim. 5:23). Alcohol can indeed be abused, and there are circumstances when it should be avoided. Yet, alcohol is not inherently sinful, nor does abstaining from alcohol make you in the least bit more holy than one who chooses, in their Chrisian liberty, to drink alcohol. C.S. Lewis said, "there is a special kind of bad person that cannot give a thing up without forcing everyone around them to also abstain." I pray that we, as followers of Christ, would not be that sort of people. Any follower of Christ may (not should) drink alcohol with a clear conscience, so long as
Shame on you.
Shame on me.
There is shame on every one of us. That is a fact. The good news is (don't miss this) that Jesus came and took all of that shame, and set us free. What a tragedy, then, to behold the shackles from which we have been freed, only to set forth and load other burdens upon our back, or even worse...on the backs of others. I am here refering primarily to alcohol, but could be refering to any of a number of extra-Biblical rules, laws, and commands that Christians heap on themselves and others. I was born and raised in the southern United States in what is known as, for better or for worse, the Bible Belt. Many of you may not have experienced what I am about to describe, but where I am from the very consumption of alcohol is viewed as a sin, or in the very least it is handled as if you enter some 10th circle of holiness by abstaining from alcohol. As I have grown up in body and in spirit, I have become increasingly concerned with this belief, it's effect on the Christian communities in which it holds sway, and it's inablity to be squared with our Sacred Writings.
The first issue any thoughtful Christian is going to run up against if he or she wishes to promote the idea that alcohol is inherently sinful or that a person is more holy for abstaining from alcohol is the fact that virtually every major role player in our Bible used alcohol, and some even promoted it's use. From Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to Saul, David, and Solomon, and to Jesus, Paul, and the early church, all of them are known from scripture to have used alcohol with quite a bit of regularity. Melchizedek, a priest of God Most High, brought out wine to celebrate Abram's miltary victory (Genesis 14:18), wine was used as a drink offering in the Old Testament (Exodus 29:40, Numbers 15:10), God said he would bless the wine of His chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:13), it is said that God's people may use their money for wine or strong drink and consume it before God and rejoice (Deuteronomy 14:26), David says that God causes the earth to bring forth wine to gladden the heart of man (104:15), King Lemuel in Proverbs says to "Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress" (Proverbs 31:6), Jesus used wine in his parables (Matthew 9:17), Jesus made good wine when they ran out at a wedding celebration (John 2:1-10), Jesus was accused of being a drunkard (Luke 7:33), Jesus and his disciples drank wine at the last supper (Mark 14:23-25), Jesus drank sour wine on the cross (John 19:30), and Paul advises Timothy, a pastor, to drink wine (1 Timothy 5:23). In fact, the Bible has 247 references to alcohol: 17 warnings against abusing alcohol, 19 examples of people abusing alcohol, 3 references to selecting leaders, 1 verse advocating abstinence if drinking will cause a brother to stumble, 59 references to the commonly accepted practice of drinking alcohol with meals, 27 references to the abundance of wine as an example of God's blessing, 20 references to the loss of wine and strong drink as an example of God's curse, 25 references to the use of wine in offerings and sacrifices, 9 references to wine being used as a gift, and 5 metaphorical references to wine as a basis for a favorable comparison, 33 symbolic references ("the wine of His wrath," etc.), 21 references to vows of abstinence, 4 references to people falsely accused of being drunk, and 4 references which don't seem to fit a category. From this, it seems obvious that alcohol has uses other than evil, and that there is no prohibition of alcohol to Christians. John Owen, a Puritan theologian from the 17th century, said, "Only what God has commanded in His Word should be regarded as binding, in all else there may be liberty of actions" Yet, many still persist in insisting that all faithful Christians should abstain from alcohol. Why?
Well, arguments usually fall in one or more of the following catagories:
1) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it causes some to stumble or sin.
2) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it can cause harm to the body.
3) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it leads to drunkeness and alcoholism.
4) Christains should abstain from alcohol because the "wine" refered to in the Bible wasn't alcohol.
5) Christains should abstain from alcohol because in a culture that tends to abuse alcohol, it is easier and less confusing to just avoid it all together than to try to pick and choose when it is and isn't appropriate.
6) Christians should abstain from alcohol to be a good witness to others.
7) Christians should abstain from alcohol because the issue of alcohol causes division in the church.
I will here try to address each of these issues in short. I could probably say quite a bit about each point, but I would like to keep this from becoming a book.
1) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it causes some to stumble or sin. Well, I certainly realize that not everyone handles alcohol in a way that honors God, and that there are many people out there who are addicted to alcohol. There are, without a doubt, circumstances when a Christian drinking alcohol could cause someone to stumble into sin, and in those cases, I believe it would absolutely be a sin to consume alcohol. Shame on anyone who would go out for a few beers with a known alcoholic. Yet, to say that because there are circumstances where alcohol can be abused means that it should be avoided all together is silly, as well as inconsistent with the rest of life. Sex can be abused. Should we Christians stop having sex with our husbands and wives? Gluttony is a way that food can be abused. Should we stop eating? I admit this point is not my own. It was Martin Luther who originally said, "Do not suppose that abuses are eliminated by destroying the object which is abused. Men can go wrong with wine and women. Shall we prohibit and abolish women? The sun, moon, and stars have been worshipped. Shall we pluck them out of the sky?”
2) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it can cause harm to the body.
Again, certain foods can be harmful to the body if eaten in excess. Should we not eat them? Cars kill thousands of people every day. Almost everyone of us know of someone who has been harmed or killed in a car wreck. Should Christians stop driving cars? Of course not. More than that, there have actually been many demonstrated health benefits that arise from drinking moderate amounts of red wine and a few other alcoholic beverages.
3) Christians should abstain from alcohol because it leads to drunkeness and alcoholism. Yet again, almost everything in creation can be abused and lead to problems. Abstaining from God's gifts is not the answer. You cannot legislate righteousness.
4) Christains should abstain from alcohol because the "wine" refered to in the Bible wasn't alcohol. In other words, the wine refered to in the Bible was really grape juice. This one is absolutely false, and a perfect example of how people will sometimes actually make up things to justify their position. If this were the case, why the 17 warnings against drunkenness in the Bible? Did the partakers of the Lord's table at the church of Corinth get drunk on grape juice? I have had my fair share of grape juice, and it hasn't done anything to me that could be described as "drunkenness." No, when the Bible says wine it really means (surprise or surprises) wine. A similar, but equally invalid, argument says that the wine of Biblical times had a lower alcohol content than modern wine. Whatever the alcoholic content of the wine of the Bible, it was of a sufficient level for there to be a need for warnings against drunkenness. It was, once again, real wine.
5) Christains should abstain from alcohol because in a culture that tends to abuse alcohol, it is easier and less confusing to just avoid it all together than to try to pick and choose when it is and isn't appropriate. If anyone became a follower of Jesus because they wanted easy, they are in for a rude awakening. "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household." -- Matthew 10:24-25. The Roman culture of Jesus' day abused alcohol as much as any culture that has ever existed, and Jesus did not find abstaining to be the answer. Why should we? What our culture needs is not Christians who will check out of the alcohol problem, but Christians who will demonstrate to the watching world how to use wine and everything else in a way that honors God. I shudder to think of all the people who have written off Jesus because of Christians who avoided drinking or being around alcohol. They called Jesus a drunkard, and it certainly wasn't because he avoided alcohol.
6) Christians should abstain from alcohol to be a good witness to others. Making up your own rules and then following them does not make you a good witness. It may, in fact, make you a worse witness. Also, this one has the built in assumption that drinking alcohol makes you a bad witness. If that is the case, then Jesus and the apostles lost their witness. The very idea of such a thing is almost laughable.
7) Christians should abstain from alcohol because the issue of alcohol causes division in the church. First of all, this is sad, and is more a testament to the destructive nature of man-made rules than of alcohol. Secondly, you are not doing your Christian brothers and sisters any favors by letting them remain in error. Would you avoid bringing a black person to a racist church, just to avoid dividing the church? I should hope not. You would call on them to believe the Bible, and to repent, and to live as Jesus would have them live, and not to errect artificial walls that alienate us from the very cultures and peoples that we are supposed to love.
It is not wise to prohibit that which God has given as a gift (Deut. 14:26; Ps. 104:15), or to functionally condemn the actions of Jesus (John 2; Luke 7:33-34; ) and Paul (1 Tim. 5:23). Alcohol can indeed be abused, and there are circumstances when it should be avoided. Yet, alcohol is not inherently sinful, nor does abstaining from alcohol make you in the least bit more holy than one who chooses, in their Chrisian liberty, to drink alcohol. C.S. Lewis said, "there is a special kind of bad person that cannot give a thing up without forcing everyone around them to also abstain." I pray that we, as followers of Christ, would not be that sort of people. Any follower of Christ may (not should) drink alcohol with a clear conscience, so long as
- they are not doing it to get drunk
- it isn't illegal (prohibition by law, under-age drinking, driving under the influence)
- they are not causing anyone to stumble
- they are not addicted
- they are not doing it to flaunt their Christian liberty
- they are doing it, and all things, to the Glory of God
I understand that there are people who choose to abstain from alcohol for various reasons, and that is wonderful so long as they are doing it to honor God and they do not look down upon those who choose not to abstain. I do not pretend that it will always be easy to know the way, but I do know that in the end, the law always kills, but it is the Spirit who gives life. I conclude with a word from John Piper and a word from the book of Colossians:
"I want to hate what God hates and love what God loves. And this I know beyond the shadow of a doubt: God hates legalism as much as he hates alcoholism. If any of you still wonders why I go on... after hearing all the tragic stories about lives ruined through alcohol, the reason is that when I go home at night and close my eyes and let eternity rise in my mind I see ten million more people in hell because of legalism than because of alcoholism. And I think that is a literal understatement."
"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ...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— 'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch' (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." -- Colossians 2:16-20-23
Sources of quotes, statistics, and some thoughts: The Derek Webb Message Board, Reformissionary, Alcohol and the Bible, Between Two Worlds, and Desiring God
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