I had a friend ask me a question. Please see my response. The questions in blue below.
Brady,
You point out one of the hardest things for us Christians to do. Be a peculiar people! When you state "I wonder what would happen the American church if things turned the other way and it became rough to be a Christian. Many of us embarrassed to share our faith in appropriate ways at the work place because we want to fit in. This wanting to fit in starts when we are young and is something that compels many of us to act in certain ways." I too wonder what would happen, but even more. Why do most, and I have been guilty of this, Christians fail to openly profess their faith in Christ in the workplace? I know there are HR polices etc to prevent us from offending others, but in reality we are allowing those others to go to hell if we do not witness to them. On the flip side, most bible believing Christians want to keep their jobs, and I have been in that position.
Where then do we draw the line. We do not have not be yelling it down the halls and passing out tracts to everyone who will take one. We can witness by our actions, and by what we don't say or what we don't laugh at and just by bowing our heads in silent prayer before we eat. I do not have all the answers, but have been on both side of this topic. I have gotten bolder with age and through grace and knowing that I am not living for an earthly reward but a reward in heaven helps me!
How do we make our congregations understand that it is okay not to fit in on earth, but to want to fit in when the "roll is called up yonder" by being a peculiar person here on earth and professing Jesus Christ as our one and only Lord and Savior.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Peculiar People: the church as culture in a post modern society
A Review of Chapter 10 “The Church as Mission & Message” from the book of A Peculiar People: the church as culture in a post modern society By Rodney Clapp
As a Church, the body of Christ, we are called to go into the world for the mission of evangelism. In the early days of the church there was much persecution, which changes when the Roman government under Constantine became a supporter of the Christian movement.
Christianity has seen it dark days of evangelism in terms of forced conversion both by the Spanish Inquisition and that of the American Indians in the US. In relation to this evangelism, “except in its Anabaptist form the Protestant reformation did not break with the medieval understanding of the church and state and that animated Columbus and the conquistadors.” (161) As the author goes on to say “Who can deny their use of gunpowder against pagans in the burning of incense to Our Lord.” (162).
With the onset of Pietists we move from a Constantinian approach of Church and State to a state where “there are only individual Christians at the mercy of the state and the surrounding culture.
There is stark difference between the Constantinian approach to evangelism with the dark days of evangelism vs. that of the Pietists and our modern day thinking on evangelism. As we move beyond these approaches we must as the author states “understand it once again as the earliest Christians did, as “the persuading of people to become Christians and take their place as responsible members of the body of Christ.” (167)
We are called the body of Christ because through many we are one and are called to be in corporate worship and witness. “faithful and effective Christian evangelism can occur only as part and parcel of Christian culture.” (170)
Christianity cannot be forced and it can not be affected through any government. It must come from the love of one to another in the faith and discipleship of Jesus Christ.
As a Church, the body of Christ, we are called to go into the world for the mission of evangelism. In the early days of the church there was much persecution, which changes when the Roman government under Constantine became a supporter of the Christian movement.
Christianity has seen it dark days of evangelism in terms of forced conversion both by the Spanish Inquisition and that of the American Indians in the US. In relation to this evangelism, “except in its Anabaptist form the Protestant reformation did not break with the medieval understanding of the church and state and that animated Columbus and the conquistadors.” (161) As the author goes on to say “Who can deny their use of gunpowder against pagans in the burning of incense to Our Lord.” (162).
With the onset of Pietists we move from a Constantinian approach of Church and State to a state where “there are only individual Christians at the mercy of the state and the surrounding culture.
There is stark difference between the Constantinian approach to evangelism with the dark days of evangelism vs. that of the Pietists and our modern day thinking on evangelism. As we move beyond these approaches we must as the author states “understand it once again as the earliest Christians did, as “the persuading of people to become Christians and take their place as responsible members of the body of Christ.” (167)
We are called the body of Christ because through many we are one and are called to be in corporate worship and witness. “faithful and effective Christian evangelism can occur only as part and parcel of Christian culture.” (170)
Christianity cannot be forced and it can not be affected through any government. It must come from the love of one to another in the faith and discipleship of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A review of The Drama of Scripture- Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story
I recently read this book and have written a summary of the book from my perspective. For anyone who wants a good overview of the bible I reccommend reading this book.
A review of The Drama of Scripture- Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story Authors Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen.
Act 1- God establishes his Kingdom
Act 1 is an introduction into the creation story and how man and women are brought into a relationship with God.
Act 2- Rebellion in the Kingdom
Sin has broken the relationship man had with God and it has negatively impacted in a way that has brought separation between God and the people he created.
Act 3- The King Chooses Israel
The chapter discusses sin and its impact on the world which leads to a discussion of the flood and how it notes how God is “both a holy Judge and a gracious Redeemer.” (50). several pages of discussion around the covenantal nature of God including the Covenant with Moses and Abraham. The patriarchal Judaic fathers are discussed as well as the story Israel. A discussion of the great Exodus and the giving of the Law come in this book as well. Act 3 goes through the Old Testament rather wholly, in a cliff notes version, so that one can understand the essence of the Old Testament. Essentially, Act 3 is a summation of the most important historical facts of the bible.
Act 4- The Coming of the King
To understand the coming of Christ in the New Testament, it helps to understand the Old Testament and the expectation of a Messiah for the Kingdom of Israel. Act 4 discuses the Gospel with a discussion of Baptism, Jesus’ mission, his teachings, and ministry. We come to a better understanding of who Jesus is and his message. For example he says “The way of discipleship is costly”: it demands total commitment, complete devotion and allegiance to Jesus and the kingdom of Go.” (153) In the last part of the book we learn of the disdain the Pharisees and the Sadducees had for Christ and how the disliked each other but banded together to bring Christ to trail in which was crucified. Luckily for us, the story does not end with death but continues on with the resurrection and the commissioning of his disciples.
Act 5- Spreading the News of the King
Act 5 is an introduction into missions. Christ will come again, but until that time we have to spread the word and makes disciples of Jesus Christ. In the absence of Christ we received the Spirit and the “mission is first of all a work of the Spirit.” We learn what it means to be a light to the world and to follow Christ. Christ is coming soon! Come Lord Jesus Come!
Top 10 + Significant Issues Raised by the Author ( in my opinion and in the order they come in the book)
“God is the divine source of all there is.” (32)
“Men and Women are made for intimate relationship with God, and our earthliness is no obstacle to that relationship.” (36)
“We humans are made for relationship, but sins effect is to drive us apart.” (43)
The Ten Commandments are good news. They tell Israel how to live so as to please God and display to nations God’s creational purposes for Humanity.” (68)
“Worship of God is what Israel is all about” (71)
The people of Israel thought of history as being comprised of two very distinct periods: the present age and the age to come.” (122)
“Baptism is a vivid symbol of this new beginning, suggesting cleansing from sin. The people of God are (symbolically) crossing the Jordan once more, entering into the land cleaned and ready to take up their task again.” (133)
“He has come to seek and to save what was lost” (143)
“In his death Jesus will bring the new covenant, the forgiveness of sins, the kingdom of God for which Israel longs.” (158)
“The Church Looks at the cross through the lens of resurrection” (163)
“When one begins to look at the cross through the lens of the resurrection, what at first appears to be foolishness is really the wisdom of God.” (163)
“Chris rules over all creation and redeems all creation.” (192)
“Human beings were created to enjoy fellowship with God in full context of creational life.”(212)
“Jesus is coming soon” (213)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
I love snow and Alabama winters.
Another week has gone by. Last Saturday when I getting ready for bed they were calling for snow here in Alabama. I never thought it would happen. Well I was wrong. I woke up last Sunday with about 2" of snow on the ground. It was great and the kids loved it as well as me.
As a Virginia native, I miss snow, but I do love Alabama winters. Today it was 80 degrees, versus snow last week and today we were wearing shorts. Only in Alabama.
As a Virginia native, I miss snow, but I do love Alabama winters. Today it was 80 degrees, versus snow last week and today we were wearing shorts. Only in Alabama.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
US today
As I was reading a Lenten reader today, the following text from Jeremiah 5:20-31 was the text. Today is of course the first day after Ash Wednesday. We had a great service last night at church and we learned about our human existence and the fact the we are all doomed to death and will return to ashes one day. However, our everlasting life rest in our own decision to follow Jesus Christ and to be born again. The old will become new again.
Read the following Scripture and think about what it means to you. The text is from The Message
What can you learn from the above scripture? Does any of this sound familiar?
Key points which provoke questions for me.
Am I honoring God with my life?
Is my sin keeping me from fully knowing God and pleasing him? I am greedy and do I live as most Americans do or do I stand out in some aspect to be peculiar as God would have me to be. I am living my life as a radical disciple of Christ?
Our people, our country need to hear the Gospel. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, he lived a sinless life, was crucified, died and rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of God so that all who believe in him may have everlasting life. Praise God!
During Lent I will be more conscience of my life and how I live it. I want to be the radical disciple of Christ God calls me to be.
Read the following Scripture and think about what it means to you. The text is from The Message
20-25"Tell the house of Jacob this, put out this bulletin in Judah:Listen to this, you scatterbrains, airheads,With eyes that see but don't really look, and ears that hear but don't really listen.Why don't you honor me? Why aren't you in awe before me?Yes, me, who made the shorelines to contain the ocean waters. I drew a line in the sand that cannot be crossed.Waves roll in but cannot get through; breakers crash but that's the end of them.But this people—what a people! Uncontrollable, untameable runaways.It never occurs to them to say, 'How can we honor our God with our lives,The God who gives rain in both spring and autumn and maintains the rhythm of the seasons,Who sets aside time each year for harvest and keeps everything running smoothly for us?'Of course you don't! Your bad behavior blinds you to all this. Your sins keep my blessings at a distance.
To Stand for Nothing and Stand Up for No One26-29"My people are infiltrated by wicked men, unscrupulous men on the hunt.They set traps for the unsuspecting. Their victims are innocent men and women.Their houses are stuffed with ill-gotten gain, like a hunter's bag full of birds.Pretentious and powerful and rich, hugely obese, oily with rolls of fat.Worse, they have no conscience. Right and wrong mean nothing to them.They stand for nothing, stand up for no one, throw orphans to the wolves, exploit the poor. Do you think I'll stand by and do nothing about this?" God's Decree."Don't you think I'll take serious measures against a people like this? 30-31"Unspeakable! Sickening! What's happened in this country?Prophets preach lies and priests hire on as their assistants.And my people love it. They eat it up! But what will you do when it's time to pick up the pieces?"
What can you learn from the above scripture? Does any of this sound familiar?
Key points which provoke questions for me.
Am I honoring God with my life?
Is my sin keeping me from fully knowing God and pleasing him? I am greedy and do I live as most Americans do or do I stand out in some aspect to be peculiar as God would have me to be. I am living my life as a radical disciple of Christ?
Our people, our country need to hear the Gospel. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, he lived a sinless life, was crucified, died and rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of God so that all who believe in him may have everlasting life. Praise God!
During Lent I will be more conscience of my life and how I live it. I want to be the radical disciple of Christ God calls me to be.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Do you Judge?
I guess my short answer is yes. Should I? Absolutely not according to Matthew 7:1-5 which reads:
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Trying to not judge others or turning from judgement is hard. I too struggle with this. It came to fruition this past Saturday at an event at my church. The UMM (United Methodist Men) were serving breakfast. This young guy walks into the kitchen, he is wearing tight skinny jeans, a black t shirt, not sure what was on it, but I could not get past the lip ring, the black large earring cut into the actual lob of his ear and the all encompassing tattoos on both arms.
My first thought was who is this guy. My mind went and focused immediately on the tattoos and I couldn't help myself but thinking why would anybody do that to themselves? I thought about Scripture and that is says you should not tattoo yourself. See Leviticus 19:28 "You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD,"My second thought was Lord, I am not supposed to do that, that is judge! I find out that this guy was a member of the contemporary Christian rock band playing the event at church. Wow what kind of Christian am I? I am sure my plank is greater than his speck.
I guess my old school, rural church upbringing and my flesh got in my way of loving and accepting all no matter what. I guess one could say a little legalism came out of me. Have you ever had that happen to you? Do you Judge? As much as I hate to admit it, I do. I have to ask God to forgive me and open my heart to be accepting of all people no matter what. Jesus was!
Let's say this prayer:
Father, I come to you today, knowing that I am a sinner who is prideful and often judge others. I know that one day, I will stand before you and you will judge me as I have judged others.
Lord forgive me for my judging heart and help me to turn from my judgment of others. Open me to embrace the diversity of your people for Jesus loved all and I seek to be more like him!
In his name I pray!
Amen!
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Trying to not judge others or turning from judgement is hard. I too struggle with this. It came to fruition this past Saturday at an event at my church. The UMM (United Methodist Men) were serving breakfast. This young guy walks into the kitchen, he is wearing tight skinny jeans, a black t shirt, not sure what was on it, but I could not get past the lip ring, the black large earring cut into the actual lob of his ear and the all encompassing tattoos on both arms.
My first thought was who is this guy. My mind went and focused immediately on the tattoos and I couldn't help myself but thinking why would anybody do that to themselves? I thought about Scripture and that is says you should not tattoo yourself. See Leviticus 19:28 "You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD,"My second thought was Lord, I am not supposed to do that, that is judge! I find out that this guy was a member of the contemporary Christian rock band playing the event at church. Wow what kind of Christian am I? I am sure my plank is greater than his speck.
I guess my old school, rural church upbringing and my flesh got in my way of loving and accepting all no matter what. I guess one could say a little legalism came out of me. Have you ever had that happen to you? Do you Judge? As much as I hate to admit it, I do. I have to ask God to forgive me and open my heart to be accepting of all people no matter what. Jesus was!
Let's say this prayer:
Father, I come to you today, knowing that I am a sinner who is prideful and often judge others. I know that one day, I will stand before you and you will judge me as I have judged others.
Lord forgive me for my judging heart and help me to turn from my judgment of others. Open me to embrace the diversity of your people for Jesus loved all and I seek to be more like him!
In his name I pray!
Amen!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Matthew 16:24-26
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
This verse for me carries a lot of weight and makes me think about my life and what I am I willing to do to follow Jesus Christ! What does it mean to deny myself and take up my cross? For those who want to save their life they must loose it! Wow how powerful a statement is that! But, the last verse really hits you in the heart, especially today in this modern day era of prosperity preaching!
The treasures and possesions we gain here on earth are nice. Don't get me wrong, I have stuff and like most people desire more stuff, but why and does it make us happy or do we still long for something else! If you still answered yes then you are a normal human being. However, possessions do not make use happy. Though I have heard by grandfather say it might make is easier.
I am like you and struggle between needs and wants. God will provide our needs such as food, clothing and shelter, all else is gravy or icing on the cake! We, as a people, have lost our focus as a country and have gone over the top with materialism. Again, God does provide us with gifts and talents so that we may support ourselves and our familes. My point is materila items cannot be at the forefront of who we are or what we focus on. Materialism can in and of itself become an idol and do you remember the commandments?
I could continue to write on this topic, but will cease for now. Place your trust in Jesus and make him a priority in your life not the stuff on the shelves in the store or on the car lot, for when the roll is called up yonder, it will be just you standing before God for an account of your life and he won't care how much you owned, how big your house was or what kind of car you had! Did you deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus?
Seek to here these words! Well done good and faithful servant!
This verse for me carries a lot of weight and makes me think about my life and what I am I willing to do to follow Jesus Christ! What does it mean to deny myself and take up my cross? For those who want to save their life they must loose it! Wow how powerful a statement is that! But, the last verse really hits you in the heart, especially today in this modern day era of prosperity preaching!
The treasures and possesions we gain here on earth are nice. Don't get me wrong, I have stuff and like most people desire more stuff, but why and does it make us happy or do we still long for something else! If you still answered yes then you are a normal human being. However, possessions do not make use happy. Though I have heard by grandfather say it might make is easier.
I am like you and struggle between needs and wants. God will provide our needs such as food, clothing and shelter, all else is gravy or icing on the cake! We, as a people, have lost our focus as a country and have gone over the top with materialism. Again, God does provide us with gifts and talents so that we may support ourselves and our familes. My point is materila items cannot be at the forefront of who we are or what we focus on. Materialism can in and of itself become an idol and do you remember the commandments?
I could continue to write on this topic, but will cease for now. Place your trust in Jesus and make him a priority in your life not the stuff on the shelves in the store or on the car lot, for when the roll is called up yonder, it will be just you standing before God for an account of your life and he won't care how much you owned, how big your house was or what kind of car you had! Did you deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus?
Seek to here these words! Well done good and faithful servant!
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