Often we find critiques of ministers or prominent religious figures. I think we should always look at the golden rule and judge any critique we read or write by the golden rule.
"Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself."
Often the teaching of Jesus is clearly broken in the critique of ministers and leaders in the church by other ministers and leaders in the church. They would cry foul if they where pressed on many issues on which they press others.
Maybe the feeling is that the spotlight on more prominent figures means that they are held to a higher standard. The bible does say that ministers are held to a higher standard but I do not think prominent ministers should be held to a severely higher standard than average pastors.
Maybe a good question for any critique of a prominent figure would be: would I feel uncomfortable if the pastor of my small local churches in my area were critiqued this way. Often the answer would be "no."
Too often the critique of prominent religious figures goes past reason. We need to always doubt ourselves and the motives of others who wish to critique any figure. It is not that critique is wrong but that it must always be done with care and thought.
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Sunday, November 1, 2015
The Church Is Not a Club
The church is the body of Christ in the world. It is to be a light unto the world bringing the gospel and living out its faith into the world.
Too often the church functions as a social club. This or that member is highly regarded because of the parties they throw or the social events they run. In a sense all of these things are good and well.
Good hospitality is an important part of the church. But too often hospitality begins to trump truth and reality in churches. You find hospitality which strains couples and their relationships.
I have seen more than one prominent figure in a church constantly throwing church social events seemly at the expense of their spouse. It is rare that the spouse so much indicates the fact, but you can sense that there is a strong imposition on them.
It is often those in the church who offer hospitality that are pushed into prominent positions such as eldership and deaconship or this or that committee. The issue of course is that the church often begins to judge members on who is a great event runner in the church rather than who is faithful to the teaching of God and Christian living.
There is of course a difference. Many people in the church who offer hospitality consistently are faithful to the teaching of God. But this is not always the case. It is not uncommon to see people engaged in a large amount of hospitality in the church who are spiritually bankrupt.
They throw great parties and events but if you speak to them about spiritual topics they have not the slightest clue of the Christian religion. Their gift is ultimately not a spiritual gift but a worldly one.
The church does well to realize its mission is a spiritual mission and judge accordingly. Not all that shines is gold.
Too often the church functions as a social club. This or that member is highly regarded because of the parties they throw or the social events they run. In a sense all of these things are good and well.
Good hospitality is an important part of the church. But too often hospitality begins to trump truth and reality in churches. You find hospitality which strains couples and their relationships.
I have seen more than one prominent figure in a church constantly throwing church social events seemly at the expense of their spouse. It is rare that the spouse so much indicates the fact, but you can sense that there is a strong imposition on them.
It is often those in the church who offer hospitality that are pushed into prominent positions such as eldership and deaconship or this or that committee. The issue of course is that the church often begins to judge members on who is a great event runner in the church rather than who is faithful to the teaching of God and Christian living.
There is of course a difference. Many people in the church who offer hospitality consistently are faithful to the teaching of God. But this is not always the case. It is not uncommon to see people engaged in a large amount of hospitality in the church who are spiritually bankrupt.
They throw great parties and events but if you speak to them about spiritual topics they have not the slightest clue of the Christian religion. Their gift is ultimately not a spiritual gift but a worldly one.
The church does well to realize its mission is a spiritual mission and judge accordingly. Not all that shines is gold.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Encouragement
The spiritual gift or discipline of encouragement is one of the more neglected gifts in the current day. We are called to encourage others.
To encourage them in their faith, in their faithfulness to flowing Jesus, and in all matter of importance of life. We are called to up build others around us.
The church is a place for sinners to grow in grace and in mutual up building. We do not have or lives fully together. No one does.
To the degree the church acts as if everyone in it's membership either has their life together or really should have their life together the church fails its membership. The pressure for perfection in the church often doesn't lead to perfection but a hiding of issues.
It is difficulty to grow in a place where people hide their sin. If the church is not a safe place to be honest than the church is not a safe place to have authentic relationships.
And this is the flaw in many churches. In encouraging community the community often is hollow and lacks power. Because community is only of real powerful benefit if authenticity is safe.
We have a God in heaven who is not confused about our state. We he knows our faults and beckons us to him. The question is if the church has learned the nature of God and is willing to have the degree of grace and understanding that God has?
To encourage them in their faith, in their faithfulness to flowing Jesus, and in all matter of importance of life. We are called to up build others around us.
The church is a place for sinners to grow in grace and in mutual up building. We do not have or lives fully together. No one does.
To the degree the church acts as if everyone in it's membership either has their life together or really should have their life together the church fails its membership. The pressure for perfection in the church often doesn't lead to perfection but a hiding of issues.
It is difficulty to grow in a place where people hide their sin. If the church is not a safe place to be honest than the church is not a safe place to have authentic relationships.
And this is the flaw in many churches. In encouraging community the community often is hollow and lacks power. Because community is only of real powerful benefit if authenticity is safe.
We have a God in heaven who is not confused about our state. We he knows our faults and beckons us to him. The question is if the church has learned the nature of God and is willing to have the degree of grace and understanding that God has?
Friday, September 25, 2015
The Authentic Truth Seeking Church
There are many things written today about drawing people into church. Should church be relevant or stick to tradition.
The answer is rarely easy. There are many authentic ways that a church can do many things.
But in all things the church must be authentic to itself and its call to be God's hands in the world. The church may reach out in many ways and there are many ways the church can authentically look.
But the church must always reach out in a way which is authentically biblical. The church is served by considering how to reach out, but always reaching out in an authentically biblical way.
The world will only be drawn to a the church if the church offers something the world cannot find outside of the church. The gospel is where the church stands or falls.
The church needs to learn to authentically preach and live out the gospel. To have the concern for truth that Jesus had without the harsh edge of judgement for those who seek truth.
To have the criticalness of the "members" of "the church" who do not seek the truth the way Jesus had of those only pretending to seek the truth.
The church must always look to the heart of matters. And judge spiritually, scripturally, and biblically.
The answer is rarely easy. There are many authentic ways that a church can do many things.
But in all things the church must be authentic to itself and its call to be God's hands in the world. The church may reach out in many ways and there are many ways the church can authentically look.
But the church must always reach out in a way which is authentically biblical. The church is served by considering how to reach out, but always reaching out in an authentically biblical way.
The world will only be drawn to a the church if the church offers something the world cannot find outside of the church. The gospel is where the church stands or falls.
The church needs to learn to authentically preach and live out the gospel. To have the concern for truth that Jesus had without the harsh edge of judgement for those who seek truth.
To have the criticalness of the "members" of "the church" who do not seek the truth the way Jesus had of those only pretending to seek the truth.
The church must always look to the heart of matters. And judge spiritually, scripturally, and biblically.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
The Gospel & Success
The gospel is what brings people to the church. The gospel is what unites us to Christ.
It is through faith that we are indwells with the power of the Spirit of God by which we can live out our faith.
The church succeeds if the gospel succeeds.
The church fails if the gospel fails.
We must always remember the one thing which makes all the difference. The one thing by which all other things find perspective. The cross.
How we relate to the cross makes all the difference.
It is through faith that we are indwells with the power of the Spirit of God by which we can live out our faith.
The church succeeds if the gospel succeeds.
The church fails if the gospel fails.
We must always remember the one thing which makes all the difference. The one thing by which all other things find perspective. The cross.
How we relate to the cross makes all the difference.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Evangelism & Relationships
Evangelism is about relationships. Relationships are often what often make or break the witness of Christ.
The Gospel is a call for mankind to have a new joyous relationship with God. And to enter into God's work in the world through God's church.
The Gospel is about a persons relationship to God, relationships to family, relationship to other Christians, and relationship to the whole world. Since Christianity is a call to right relationships evangelism should be mindful that the Gospel is not simply a message, but a invitation to relationship.
God calls us to enter into right relation to everyone in the whole world if it was within our power. Often it is outside of our power, but we are called to live at peace and right relation with all people so much as it is within our control.
The Gospel is a call for mankind to have a new joyous relationship with God. And to enter into God's work in the world through God's church.
The Gospel is about a persons relationship to God, relationships to family, relationship to other Christians, and relationship to the whole world. Since Christianity is a call to right relationships evangelism should be mindful that the Gospel is not simply a message, but a invitation to relationship.
God calls us to enter into right relation to everyone in the whole world if it was within our power. Often it is outside of our power, but we are called to live at peace and right relation with all people so much as it is within our control.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Unloving Advice
Often I see people give advice and tell another person that they are on the wrong path in this or that way. It is often that a person criticizes another's career path or direction they are taking, but offer no alternate path.
It is quite disheartening to be told that you are "on the wrong path" career wise or in another way but to not be told what the right path is. A critique with no superior solution is a worthless critique.
To say a solution is poor but to not have any idea of a better solution is at best a waste of breath and in fact more likely unloving. To criticize without giving hope is completely un-Christian in spirit.
We should build up others. If we cannot be building up and offering a better approach than it is best that we say nothing at all.
The church needs to lift its members up. For its members who struggle and seem to lack direction the church needs to be conscious to only provide uplifting support.
It is of no use for the church to tell members struggling with direction that their career path is suspect but offer no assistance. But in many churches today this is exactly what happens. No real help is offered to membership, but rather only judgement.
It is quite disheartening to be told that you are "on the wrong path" career wise or in another way but to not be told what the right path is. A critique with no superior solution is a worthless critique.
To say a solution is poor but to not have any idea of a better solution is at best a waste of breath and in fact more likely unloving. To criticize without giving hope is completely un-Christian in spirit.
We should build up others. If we cannot be building up and offering a better approach than it is best that we say nothing at all.
The church needs to lift its members up. For its members who struggle and seem to lack direction the church needs to be conscious to only provide uplifting support.
It is of no use for the church to tell members struggling with direction that their career path is suspect but offer no assistance. But in many churches today this is exactly what happens. No real help is offered to membership, but rather only judgement.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Keeping Focus in Christianity
Christianity has a core and a periphery. All truth is important, but not all truth is essential.
It is often forgotten in many churches what is of absolute importance and what while important is not essential. Our concern for the purity of the church should be more focused on what is of absolute importance than what is at the edge.
Often what is at the edge of Christianity dominates the discussion. Concerns about style in music or method of distributing the Lord's super or exact details of how this or that should look in the church dominate. All of these things are good and well, but they are always at the side.
The church's focus should always be at the heart of Christianity--the good news of the offer of grace to sinners because of Christ's perfect life, death, and resurrection. If we get the center of Christianity right everything else will fall into place.
It is our union with the risen Jesus which makes people better. Too often we see people trying to improve the behavior of their church by preaching law day in and day out.
Often the problem of behavior in church is not a failure to understand law, but to really grasp grace. It is grace which shows us the greatness of the love of God for us. Often we cannot truly grasp how far we are from righteousness until we see what perfect love is and perfect love does.
Often it is more grace that transforms us than law. We try to faithfully live out law because of and only because of grace.
It is often forgotten in many churches what is of absolute importance and what while important is not essential. Our concern for the purity of the church should be more focused on what is of absolute importance than what is at the edge.
Often what is at the edge of Christianity dominates the discussion. Concerns about style in music or method of distributing the Lord's super or exact details of how this or that should look in the church dominate. All of these things are good and well, but they are always at the side.
The church's focus should always be at the heart of Christianity--the good news of the offer of grace to sinners because of Christ's perfect life, death, and resurrection. If we get the center of Christianity right everything else will fall into place.
It is our union with the risen Jesus which makes people better. Too often we see people trying to improve the behavior of their church by preaching law day in and day out.
Often the problem of behavior in church is not a failure to understand law, but to really grasp grace. It is grace which shows us the greatness of the love of God for us. Often we cannot truly grasp how far we are from righteousness until we see what perfect love is and perfect love does.
Often it is more grace that transforms us than law. We try to faithfully live out law because of and only because of grace.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Fellowship and Community
I've been in a number of places that stress "fellowship" or "community." The words are meant to signify spending quality time together. More often than not, it simply plays out as a bunch of activities.
Unfortunately, it often ends up feeling empty, like words thrown around only for marketing purposes, or to make people feel like they are accomplishing these things.
The problem is true fellowship, if we mean getting to know others, doesn't happen only by spending more time with a person or group of people. Truly getting to know someone requires a heart that humbly desires to know others.
That's why the sermon and teaching at church are so important. The Word of God is powerful and helps us to see ourselves humbly, Christ's work for us, and the Holy Spirit's help in our lives to truly want to love others.
Pastors and churches prioritize what they will focus most on. For some, the sermon might drop to the lowest in the list, because they sense that is what people expect: more community time, which means less of one person talking. But the problem with this is that it's missing what helps create a true, warm community.
Also, often in situations where community is strongly stressed, people start to expect everyone has the same likes and thoughts, because any differences might hurt the "community" from always being a solid group. However, this is actually hurting community because loving someone requires respecting them and their thoughts and lives, even if those are different than yours.
Unfortunately, it often ends up feeling empty, like words thrown around only for marketing purposes, or to make people feel like they are accomplishing these things.
The problem is true fellowship, if we mean getting to know others, doesn't happen only by spending more time with a person or group of people. Truly getting to know someone requires a heart that humbly desires to know others.
That's why the sermon and teaching at church are so important. The Word of God is powerful and helps us to see ourselves humbly, Christ's work for us, and the Holy Spirit's help in our lives to truly want to love others.
Pastors and churches prioritize what they will focus most on. For some, the sermon might drop to the lowest in the list, because they sense that is what people expect: more community time, which means less of one person talking. But the problem with this is that it's missing what helps create a true, warm community.
Also, often in situations where community is strongly stressed, people start to expect everyone has the same likes and thoughts, because any differences might hurt the "community" from always being a solid group. However, this is actually hurting community because loving someone requires respecting them and their thoughts and lives, even if those are different than yours.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
The Church in Disbelief
The church is failing in the current day because it disbelieves Jesus. The liberal church believes Jesus' command to care for the poor and seek justice, but disbelieves Jesus' warning that the only way to the Father is through faith in himself. The Conservative church believes in the cross, but by and large in practice rejects Jesus' teaching on the poor and social justice.
The church in the current day finds the teachings of Jesus to be too radical or too inconvenient. We want Jesus in our way and often that is why we find that Jesus is no where near in the church.
The church struggles because it wants an easy religion. And this watered down religion offers little to the world. It is an inconvenient religion which fully grasps the teachings of Jesus on the need for salvation, care for the poor, and concern for justice for all that is a religion that will attract followers.
The early church did not grow so quickly because faith was convenient, but because faith was radically beautiful. Convenience is not the friend of true religion but the enemy.
The church in the current day finds the teachings of Jesus to be too radical or too inconvenient. We want Jesus in our way and often that is why we find that Jesus is no where near in the church.
The church struggles because it wants an easy religion. And this watered down religion offers little to the world. It is an inconvenient religion which fully grasps the teachings of Jesus on the need for salvation, care for the poor, and concern for justice for all that is a religion that will attract followers.
The early church did not grow so quickly because faith was convenient, but because faith was radically beautiful. Convenience is not the friend of true religion but the enemy.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Realistic Ministry
Often ministry has unrealistic expectations. Ministers expect that they can transform their congregations at speeds far past what is possible.
In many congregations the church begins to stagnate because the leadership has unrealistic beliefs about sanctification and spiritual growth. Instead of having a church full of sick people needing transformation there is now a church full of sick people who either hide their sickness or are unaware of their sickness.
The problem with unrealistic expectations by ministers is that people quickly feel judged. And they pull back from bringing up any issue in the church or their lives. The unrealistic expectations often have a highly negative impact on spiritual growth.
In ministry a balance is needed between expecting people will grow and also realizing the depth of the problems in the human condition. Jesus demanded growth but always met the truly authentic sinner with grace and compassion.
That should be the spirit of ministry. To not be surprised by the depth of sin in the world but to meet it with compassion and understanding and desire to transform us into the image of Jesus.
In many congregations the church begins to stagnate because the leadership has unrealistic beliefs about sanctification and spiritual growth. Instead of having a church full of sick people needing transformation there is now a church full of sick people who either hide their sickness or are unaware of their sickness.
The problem with unrealistic expectations by ministers is that people quickly feel judged. And they pull back from bringing up any issue in the church or their lives. The unrealistic expectations often have a highly negative impact on spiritual growth.
In ministry a balance is needed between expecting people will grow and also realizing the depth of the problems in the human condition. Jesus demanded growth but always met the truly authentic sinner with grace and compassion.
That should be the spirit of ministry. To not be surprised by the depth of sin in the world but to meet it with compassion and understanding and desire to transform us into the image of Jesus.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Protestantism Against the Spirit of Protestantism
The spirit of Protestantism is to always go back to scripture. It is not a call to think outside the context of the church, but to always test what the church says against scripture.
Unfortunately today we find many protestant churches who are developing extensive written and verbal tradition which they hold to be unquestionable. It is not that people should immediately doubt written or verbal tradition, but all tradition is subservient to the word of God.
No tradition can be unquestionable in itself. It only stands or falls in its relation to the revelation of God.
I personally feel that traditions in churches are not a detriment and are often a help to the church as long as the church realizes the traditions cannot be held in any absolute way. The issue is that often the traditions of the church begin to become indistinguishable from the teaching of God to the leaders of churches.
I have been in a number of churches where the eldership seems to believe certain pieces of generally good advice are commandments in scripture. I often search for the biblical basis of this good advice and cannot find any absolute grounding in scripture.
We should always distinguish between what is generally good advice and what is scripture. And what is tradition that our church appreciates and tradition which is mandated by scripture (i.e. baptism and the Lord's supper).
I believe non-biblically mandated traditions and general wisdom have a place in churches, but they can never be viewed absolutely or espoused as if they are scripture. We must always distinguish between the clear teaching of scripture and our culturally conditioned applications of wisdom and worship.
Unfortunately today we find many protestant churches who are developing extensive written and verbal tradition which they hold to be unquestionable. It is not that people should immediately doubt written or verbal tradition, but all tradition is subservient to the word of God.
No tradition can be unquestionable in itself. It only stands or falls in its relation to the revelation of God.
I personally feel that traditions in churches are not a detriment and are often a help to the church as long as the church realizes the traditions cannot be held in any absolute way. The issue is that often the traditions of the church begin to become indistinguishable from the teaching of God to the leaders of churches.
I have been in a number of churches where the eldership seems to believe certain pieces of generally good advice are commandments in scripture. I often search for the biblical basis of this good advice and cannot find any absolute grounding in scripture.
We should always distinguish between what is generally good advice and what is scripture. And what is tradition that our church appreciates and tradition which is mandated by scripture (i.e. baptism and the Lord's supper).
I believe non-biblically mandated traditions and general wisdom have a place in churches, but they can never be viewed absolutely or espoused as if they are scripture. We must always distinguish between the clear teaching of scripture and our culturally conditioned applications of wisdom and worship.
Friday, October 24, 2014
A Reason for Views
Often it will be of help to us in life if we have a reason for views. I believe that often the greatest mistake parents have in relation to their children is expressing judgments on activities which have no thought out rational.
You may see for example a condemnation of video games with the rational of "you wasted all weekend playing those games." Of course the parent may "waste all weekend watching TV." It is often in the church you find many people expressing preferences for things as moral absolutes.
If they like golf than it is fine way to spend a weekend, but it is wasteful to spend the weekend surfing. It is often that there are constant streams of viewpoints which contradict each other on principle because they are preferences and not the absolutes they are claimed to be.
Of course it makes sense how many viewpoints there are floating around which have no clear rational base. We tend not to like to think. And to the degree we do not thing the more the rationality of our judgments comes into question.
It is difficult to understand how the person who spends the weekend surfing is in question and the golfer above reproach for his use of time. Maybe it is that the surfer is assumed to have questionable friends while the golfer's friends must be above reproach? Maybe an answer can be found but often many judgments simply lack any rational basis.
And that is often the issue in parents and people in the church expressing claims about reality. If the claims have no rational base thought out they are likely to be off. The reality is often there is far too many viewpoints. We would be better off with far fewer viewpoints expressed after more thought.
You may see for example a condemnation of video games with the rational of "you wasted all weekend playing those games." Of course the parent may "waste all weekend watching TV." It is often in the church you find many people expressing preferences for things as moral absolutes.
If they like golf than it is fine way to spend a weekend, but it is wasteful to spend the weekend surfing. It is often that there are constant streams of viewpoints which contradict each other on principle because they are preferences and not the absolutes they are claimed to be.
Of course it makes sense how many viewpoints there are floating around which have no clear rational base. We tend not to like to think. And to the degree we do not thing the more the rationality of our judgments comes into question.
It is difficult to understand how the person who spends the weekend surfing is in question and the golfer above reproach for his use of time. Maybe it is that the surfer is assumed to have questionable friends while the golfer's friends must be above reproach? Maybe an answer can be found but often many judgments simply lack any rational basis.
And that is often the issue in parents and people in the church expressing claims about reality. If the claims have no rational base thought out they are likely to be off. The reality is often there is far too many viewpoints. We would be better off with far fewer viewpoints expressed after more thought.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
The Lord before the Church
As a Christian we must always place the Lord before the Church. Often the church gets a self importance about itself which is out of line. You often see in the Old Testament that God despised worship that in form seemed correct and yet the worship was totally apostate.
Often you find in the Old Testament that Israel had went very far astray and the few who remained faithful were considered dangerous outcasts. It is not always so radically different in the church today.
Often we find that the churches neglect many parts of biblical teaching. There are very few churches in the current day who have a conscious desire to teach on all of scripture. Many churches actively (consciously or not) seek to not speak on many topics in the bible.
One current preacher of high esteem committed to exegetical preaching said that he makes a point of never preaching on giving! How can such a position be tenable. Jesus had a great deal to say on the topic, and scripture through out has a great deal to say.
You see at least this preacher is honest that he will not preach on the topic instead of hiding the fact, but his commitment to exegetical preaching is compromised by a refusal to ever preach on a topic which the bible finds to be important.
Exegetical preaching is of course faithfully teaching scripture. We cannot faithfully teach scripture if we knowingly refuse the ever speak on topics scripture finds important.
Of course the topic of money in the current day is very difficult to speak of in our culture. But what that means is that more than anything it is a topic which demands to be preached on.
Often people suggest that sexual promiscuity is the great error in American culture. There is truth in this, but money and greed are more likely the largest issue in the American church.
I have heard a great deal of sermons in many churches on sexual purity, but almost never a sermon on money or giving. You see the proof of greed being the greatest thing undermining the membership of the American church is that the church cannot even speak on the topic.
All scripture is useful for teaching and instruction. If we wish to be truly faithful to scripture there are many hard things on which to preach which are not popular. The bible never really is entirely popular in any age because in each age it meets sinful man and tells him the way things are.
Often you find in the Old Testament that Israel had went very far astray and the few who remained faithful were considered dangerous outcasts. It is not always so radically different in the church today.
Often we find that the churches neglect many parts of biblical teaching. There are very few churches in the current day who have a conscious desire to teach on all of scripture. Many churches actively (consciously or not) seek to not speak on many topics in the bible.
One current preacher of high esteem committed to exegetical preaching said that he makes a point of never preaching on giving! How can such a position be tenable. Jesus had a great deal to say on the topic, and scripture through out has a great deal to say.
You see at least this preacher is honest that he will not preach on the topic instead of hiding the fact, but his commitment to exegetical preaching is compromised by a refusal to ever preach on a topic which the bible finds to be important.
Exegetical preaching is of course faithfully teaching scripture. We cannot faithfully teach scripture if we knowingly refuse the ever speak on topics scripture finds important.
Of course the topic of money in the current day is very difficult to speak of in our culture. But what that means is that more than anything it is a topic which demands to be preached on.
Often people suggest that sexual promiscuity is the great error in American culture. There is truth in this, but money and greed are more likely the largest issue in the American church.
I have heard a great deal of sermons in many churches on sexual purity, but almost never a sermon on money or giving. You see the proof of greed being the greatest thing undermining the membership of the American church is that the church cannot even speak on the topic.
All scripture is useful for teaching and instruction. If we wish to be truly faithful to scripture there are many hard things on which to preach which are not popular. The bible never really is entirely popular in any age because in each age it meets sinful man and tells him the way things are.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
The Image of God
We exist in life bearing the image of God. Often it is easy to feel that this person is important in this way or that. It is true that in worldly things some people are more important than others.
But in spiritual things we are all image bearers of God. It is tempting often in spiritual things to feel there are certain people which have more to offer to the church. I suppose this is true in some respect as some people are more faithful to living the Christian life based on biblical truth.
But often in practicality the church misses who is important in the church. I have met many figures in the church who are supposedly of great importance. I have found some of them to be very heavenly minded and wise, and I have found some to be more earthly minded than many elderly Christians I can find in any local church.
The reality is that people often judge by appearance. You will find that appearance is often wrong in spiritual things. You cannot judge a person's faith in a few moments. You may be able to judge a person's eloquence in speech and various natural abilities very quickly, but it is very rare to find people who can discern others' spiritually very quickly.
Always we should attempt to view all people as equally important to the plans of God. The more we prioritize this or that person as important or less important to the plans of God, the less we understand the nature of God and his work in the world.
But in spiritual things we are all image bearers of God. It is tempting often in spiritual things to feel there are certain people which have more to offer to the church. I suppose this is true in some respect as some people are more faithful to living the Christian life based on biblical truth.
But often in practicality the church misses who is important in the church. I have met many figures in the church who are supposedly of great importance. I have found some of them to be very heavenly minded and wise, and I have found some to be more earthly minded than many elderly Christians I can find in any local church.
The reality is that people often judge by appearance. You will find that appearance is often wrong in spiritual things. You cannot judge a person's faith in a few moments. You may be able to judge a person's eloquence in speech and various natural abilities very quickly, but it is very rare to find people who can discern others' spiritually very quickly.
Always we should attempt to view all people as equally important to the plans of God. The more we prioritize this or that person as important or less important to the plans of God, the less we understand the nature of God and his work in the world.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Wisdom with Errors
It takes wisdom to deal with errors or to know how to respond or not respond to errors in the church. Always in scripture there are two principles: unity and truth.
One proverb tells us to "answer a fool according to his error or he will be wise in his own eyes" another tells us to "not answer a fool according to his folly or he will be wise in his own eyes." Which is it? Of course it is a call to wisdom.
All errors are not the same. Some errors are very dangerous and some errors are of almost no importance at all.
We need wisdom when we see errors and issues in life. Certain interpretations of passages of scripture while wrong may be of little interest in arguing over.
Often you will find a person read into a piece of scripture a point which is not in the scripture text, but found throughout scripture itself. It would be a great folly to have a large disagreement over something which is a misinterpretation of a scriptural text, but in line with the whole teaching of scripture.
Even some errors spoken which are out of accord with scripture are of little interest. Not everything is equally important.
But some errors are of great importance. Issues around the nature of God, the nature of man, sin, the trinity, grace, and gospel are very central. Everything in the bible is of importance, but not everything of importance is equally important.
One proverb tells us to "answer a fool according to his error or he will be wise in his own eyes" another tells us to "not answer a fool according to his folly or he will be wise in his own eyes." Which is it? Of course it is a call to wisdom.
All errors are not the same. Some errors are very dangerous and some errors are of almost no importance at all.
We need wisdom when we see errors and issues in life. Certain interpretations of passages of scripture while wrong may be of little interest in arguing over.
Often you will find a person read into a piece of scripture a point which is not in the scripture text, but found throughout scripture itself. It would be a great folly to have a large disagreement over something which is a misinterpretation of a scriptural text, but in line with the whole teaching of scripture.
Even some errors spoken which are out of accord with scripture are of little interest. Not everything is equally important.
But some errors are of great importance. Issues around the nature of God, the nature of man, sin, the trinity, grace, and gospel are very central. Everything in the bible is of importance, but not everything of importance is equally important.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Revival
Often it is easy to feel discouraged looking upon the state of segments of the church. But often we are only one step away from a healthy church.
You find many groups in the bible in the depths of folly and then the word of God comes and they repent. You see it is only one moment that separates Paul who persecuted the church from the Paul who spread the gospels with all his might.
The moment is a meeting of Jesus at the foot of the cross. Each moment even the darkest fallen person is only one step away from glory if they look to God and admit they are in need.
God asks that we come to him. It is easy to feel discouraged looking at the state of things, but for each individual who is in need of God (whether they know it or not) they are only one moment away from forgiveness.
Revival is repentance and conversion on a large scale. Often people reject revival because certain groups misunderstand revival and see it happen when it does not. The term often is misunderstood, but the reality that God has and often does work on a large scale is undeniable.
Often in theology we irrationally wish to reject ideas because certain people have articulated them very poorly or completely misunderstood the ideas. It is not that something is wrong with the ideas but it's something wrong with us that we would wish to reject ideas simply because we do not like the teaching of many who express the ideas.
May God grant us revival where it is needed in the current day.
You find many groups in the bible in the depths of folly and then the word of God comes and they repent. You see it is only one moment that separates Paul who persecuted the church from the Paul who spread the gospels with all his might.
The moment is a meeting of Jesus at the foot of the cross. Each moment even the darkest fallen person is only one step away from glory if they look to God and admit they are in need.
God asks that we come to him. It is easy to feel discouraged looking at the state of things, but for each individual who is in need of God (whether they know it or not) they are only one moment away from forgiveness.
Revival is repentance and conversion on a large scale. Often people reject revival because certain groups misunderstand revival and see it happen when it does not. The term often is misunderstood, but the reality that God has and often does work on a large scale is undeniable.
Often in theology we irrationally wish to reject ideas because certain people have articulated them very poorly or completely misunderstood the ideas. It is not that something is wrong with the ideas but it's something wrong with us that we would wish to reject ideas simply because we do not like the teaching of many who express the ideas.
May God grant us revival where it is needed in the current day.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
The Church and the World
The Church always needs to adjust to the world. The Church and the world are never in harmony. A Christendom is only possible when the Church loses its vision in the world.
The response of the church to the world and engagement of the church to the world will always look different. But the church does need to engage the world and be in the world to some degree.
The call of scripture is to be "in the world, but not of the world." The most key words to many churches today is "in" the world. Many churches pull back from the world to a degree that they fail to really be "in" the world.
We must be active participants in society and are not called to isolate ourselves from society. Of course we must not be "of" the world. It is a great balance.
Most theological error is to pick one part of the bible and neglect another. You see much of the Christian teaching on life is a balance. Most error in relation to the bible is to affirm one teaching to the degree of in essence rejecting the other teaching.
The constant call of scripture to wisdom is because balance is needed in many things. Thought and prayer and wisdom are needed because there are many ways to become unbalanced in life.
We will fail fairly frequently in life. God knows this and loves us anyway. If we do not think we fail we have not understood the weight of the law of God. We constantly fail in life whether we admit it or not.
The response of the church to the world and engagement of the church to the world will always look different. But the church does need to engage the world and be in the world to some degree.
The call of scripture is to be "in the world, but not of the world." The most key words to many churches today is "in" the world. Many churches pull back from the world to a degree that they fail to really be "in" the world.
We must be active participants in society and are not called to isolate ourselves from society. Of course we must not be "of" the world. It is a great balance.
Most theological error is to pick one part of the bible and neglect another. You see much of the Christian teaching on life is a balance. Most error in relation to the bible is to affirm one teaching to the degree of in essence rejecting the other teaching.
The constant call of scripture to wisdom is because balance is needed in many things. Thought and prayer and wisdom are needed because there are many ways to become unbalanced in life.
We will fail fairly frequently in life. God knows this and loves us anyway. If we do not think we fail we have not understood the weight of the law of God. We constantly fail in life whether we admit it or not.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Sabbath Rest: What Does It Look Like?
Post by
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
I've heard some people say that Sabbath rest is for worshiping God, and they say that by worship they mean constantly praying or attending as many church services as possible on that day. That doesn't sound like rest but activity.
Resting properly leads us to not focus so intently on small details so that we then are able to focus more on the large picture and purpose that includes God. There should be times when we rely on God enough to feel like we don't have to work and do activities all the time to get to where we need to go or earn God's favor.
Rest can involve church activities. And Christians should aim to try to attend a service on Sundays if possible, but they shouldn't feel obligated to be at church multiple times that day.
Michelle Dowell, Contributor
I've heard some people say that Sabbath rest is for worshiping God, and they say that by worship they mean constantly praying or attending as many church services as possible on that day. That doesn't sound like rest but activity.
Resting properly leads us to not focus so intently on small details so that we then are able to focus more on the large picture and purpose that includes God. There should be times when we rely on God enough to feel like we don't have to work and do activities all the time to get to where we need to go or earn God's favor.
Rest can involve church activities. And Christians should aim to try to attend a service on Sundays if possible, but they shouldn't feel obligated to be at church multiple times that day.
Monday, August 18, 2014
The Church Reaching Out
The church is called to reach out into the world. Practically what this means is the church must seek and be willing to accept all who call upon God for the forgiveness of sins.
It is not an easy calling. God has a tendency to call all sorts of people to himself. He often calls people who we would not expect and some of whom may not be at the best places in their lives.
It is often difficult for churches who are over zealous for purity to accept such people. It is a common issue we find throughout scripture where the teachings of God on righteousness are misunderstood where the "otherness" of the believer begins to infringe upon the ability to relate with unbelievers or those struggling in their lives.
You see that our "righteousness" must not be more extreme than the righteousness of Jesus. We often see the error of the Pharisees, but we do not see that we might at times exemplify some of the errors. It is easy to wish to pull back from interacting with certain people with a bit of a rougher edge.
Really the error of the Pharisees in wanting to separate from the world continues in the church and is very prevalent in certain segments of the church today. It is often in less extreme forms but often the church pulls back and is far more cautious in relation the the world than is necessary.
There are of course segments of the church which go the opposite direct and lose a sense of the otherness a Christian should have in their attempt to evangelize. Sometimes they even lose a sense of gospel as the distinction between church and world becomes more and more thin.
It is always a balance. We must seek righteousness, but not at the expense of our ability to reach out into the world. But we must always maintain a separateness.
One Christian thinker said that as long as there were those who criticized him as being both a legalist and a law breaker than he had balance in theology. There is a lot of truth to this. You see often in theology we need to find a balance between two extremes. It is not easy, but complete loss of balance is the most common theological downfall.
It is not an easy calling. God has a tendency to call all sorts of people to himself. He often calls people who we would not expect and some of whom may not be at the best places in their lives.
It is often difficult for churches who are over zealous for purity to accept such people. It is a common issue we find throughout scripture where the teachings of God on righteousness are misunderstood where the "otherness" of the believer begins to infringe upon the ability to relate with unbelievers or those struggling in their lives.
You see that our "righteousness" must not be more extreme than the righteousness of Jesus. We often see the error of the Pharisees, but we do not see that we might at times exemplify some of the errors. It is easy to wish to pull back from interacting with certain people with a bit of a rougher edge.
Really the error of the Pharisees in wanting to separate from the world continues in the church and is very prevalent in certain segments of the church today. It is often in less extreme forms but often the church pulls back and is far more cautious in relation the the world than is necessary.
There are of course segments of the church which go the opposite direct and lose a sense of the otherness a Christian should have in their attempt to evangelize. Sometimes they even lose a sense of gospel as the distinction between church and world becomes more and more thin.
It is always a balance. We must seek righteousness, but not at the expense of our ability to reach out into the world. But we must always maintain a separateness.
One Christian thinker said that as long as there were those who criticized him as being both a legalist and a law breaker than he had balance in theology. There is a lot of truth to this. You see often in theology we need to find a balance between two extremes. It is not easy, but complete loss of balance is the most common theological downfall.
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