This post is the first of five we will do throughout the summer series. We will cover parts of Christ's atonement that are in the book, Death by Love, but not covered in the sermons. This is the first of them covering the early church's favorite: Christus Victor.
The chapter in the book follows a troubled young women who really just wanted her father to protect her. Instead in her teenage years she filled this void with the approval of sex with boys. This led to many other problems and complications in her life. But through Christ she experienced much redemption and now has a godly husband and a wonderful family. Despite all the victory she still struggles with the shame of it all and the hope of every gaining victory over the lies of the enemy. Her story seems to have really started with demonic oppression that told her lies feeding off of the neglect of love and protection from her father.
Our society is very secular. The modern rise of science has eliminated many superstitious beliefs and relegated the supernatural to ridiculous TV shows hunting for ghosts with electronic equipment. The realm of the paranormal or supernatural is largely considered a figment of people's imagination. A secular society enlightened by modern science has no room for such silly beliefs as ghosts, angels, and demons. Even some scholars have secularized phrases in scripture like "rulers, powers, and authorities" as merely cultural forces set against God. They are only half right. Rulers, powers, and authorities is both spirits and world forces. WWII was as much spiritual conflict as political conflict. They are missing an important part of the Biblical worldview: the reality of spiritual beings that exist as angels and demons.
Angels and demons are not psychological disorders. They are not cultural forces. They are not the ghosts of dead people. They are not imaginary creatures to rule over the simple minded with. They are not gods, demi-gods, or the like. Biblically speaking, angels are messengers created by God. They are finite personal spiritual beings but without a physical body. Demons are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion against God and were cast out of heaven (Ezek. 28:12; 2 Pet. 2:4). Some cultures have considered them as intermediaries between humans and God. Hence, shamans will seek the power of spirits for either good or evil. Biblically, spirits can cause physical ailments but they are not all-powerful, all-knowing, or ever-present. They are finite limited beings that are created beings. Their greatest trick however is lies. Satan himself did so in Genesis 3 where sin entered into humanity.
Like the woman in the chapter, we all have a problem in that we are blind to the schemes of Satan and his demons. We hear a lie whispered in our head or told from someone else and we believe it. We are tempted and enticed with pleasures of this world or false saviors and we take the bait. The enemy has power over us only because we lack faith in God and give in to sin.
Perhaps you think this is all rubbish or that such things only occurred in the ancient world. It is very real and scripture says our battle is not against flesh and blood "but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12, NIV). I would submit to you that no one encountered demons more than Jesus. Satan tried to kill him when he was born. He tried to deceive Jesus in the wilderness. He thought he won when he influenced Judas to betray Jesus. However, in the wisdom of God the death of Jesus on the cross was our victory and Satan's defeat.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ shows that Satan and demons have no power or authority over sinners or the world. Jesus defeated sin through his sinless life and by paying the penalty for our sin on the cross. He proved his power over Satan, sin, and death by his resurrection. The doctrine of Christus Victor teaches that Christ set us free from the power of Satan and his demons over us (Col. 2:13-15; Eph. 6:10-20; 1 Pet. 3:22). Some in the early church believed that Satan was owed something by God which Christ had to pay, but that is not what scripture teaches. The legal demand canceled was the debt owed to God which Satan used to shame us, guilt us, and entice us to sin.
Christians apply the truth of this victory in Christ in two ways. One, Jesus gives all authority on heaven and on earth to his disciples (Matt. 28:18). Therefore, demons can be rebuked for their lies in the name of Jesus and they must stop. Two, a Christian must resist sin and live in the power of the Spirit to be holy (Rom. 8; Eph. 6:10-20; Jam. 4:7-10). The armor of God is not a magical invisible suit one puts on. It is clothing oneself in the truth of the gospel and living a life of Christian character by faith in Christ. It is an act of faith to trust in one's righteous status before the Father through Christ and in the power of the Spirit. The heavenly Father loves us and unlike negligent earthly fathers has fought for us and defended us by provided His Son in our place. Rejecting the lies of Satan and believing the truth of God combined with resisting sin is what spiritual warfare is all about. This is done in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
No matter what your story is, or how Satan and his demons have been trying to way you down, know that Christ defeated him with his death and resurrection. The loving Father has adopted you in Christ and giving you his Spirit as a seal of your adoption (Rom. 8). Have faith in your status before God and do not listen to the lies of the enemy. The Father loves you tremendously and sent his one and only Son Jesus to set you free. Live in light of the victory of Jesus Christ!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Keeping the Gospel in the End
Those who know me well, have had the displeasure of hearing me talk what the Bible says about the "end times" and know I have more than a few bones to pick. I must confess, I have always had some problems with end of the world scenarios. I have not always been a Christian. My parents took me to church but little sunk in besides a vague belief in God and morality. That's it. When I became a Christian in college the first two books I read were Mere Christianity and Left Behind. The latter only because it happened to come out near the time I was a believer and a close friend gave it to me. I didn't think about it much. But then I saw the effects of a preoccupation with the rapture. I saw coworkers pushed away from faith in Christ because they were essentially told, "God loves me and will take me and all the good people off the earth while he destroys you and everyone and everything on it because you are so bad." Early on, I sat in on a church class that was an outreach to non-believers and someone asked about the rapture. One of our pastors was from Britain and he started laughing and said, "That is a purely American theology." These brought up questions and a general thought that I was missing something, and many North American Christians are missing something. Shouldn't Jesus returning be a good thing? Shouldn't it inspire faith and not scorn? Shouldn't it give hope? If we can proclaim the grace and mercies of God from any part of scripture or Christian theology should we not also be able to do the same on this subject? Can it be winsome?
Let me introduce a new word into your vocabulary that is essential for studying this subject: eschatology. The Greek word eschatos means "last things" and every english speaker should know if it is connected to -ology it means "study of." Thus, eschatology is the theological subject of the last things, or more commonly (thus revealing our bias) end times. This is a rich and dense subject that is extremely important to the Christian faith. Here is a good quote on its importance:
“From first to last, and not merely in epilogue, Christianity is eschatology, is hope, forward looking and forward moving... the eschatological outlook is characteristic of all Christian proclamation, and of every Christian existence and of the whole Church.” - Jurgen Moltmann
Perhaps Moltmann overstates his case as I understand he is prone to do. But he is essentially right. Eschatology is about the hope of the gospel. It is about God being victorious and making everything right. But I believe eschatology has been hijacked by a bunch of ridiculous silliness that is borderline heretical because it is not gospel centered.
Consider the impressions placed on non-Christians about God rapturing the church. "We are good and you are evil. So we will be spared and you will suffer wrath. So you better believe so that you are spared." That is not the gospel. Judgment is a part of the gospel, but it denies some central tenets. All that God created is good, the earth, people, and everything in it. Our view of the end must not deny this fact, implicitly or explicitly. Everyone and everything is affected by sin, which means no one, including Christians, are sinless or without the stain of sin. No one can claim to be good except God alone. God loves his people and his creation but he must deal with sin and remove it. The story of redemption is about God removing sin from creation while not destroying it. God accomplishes this through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, where the Son of God enters into creation. The climax of God's redemptive move is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the firstfruits of the new creation (1 Cor. 15:20). The implications are that God's means of redeeming creation is by recreating people through faith in Christ. God does not destroy creation, he redeems it and recreates it. Religious, legalistic, self-righteous, moralistic Pharisees says things like "God is going to take us good people away while he destroys everyone else." The gospel is we all have been infected by sin, it is a cancer that is inescapable. But God sent his one and only Son to die the horrible death cancerous sin brings to demonstrate his great love for the world... "not because it is so big, but because it is so bad." (DA Carson). God demonstrates his victory over sin and death by raising Jesus Christ from the dead to an eternal glorious reign in a recreated and incorruptible body. God reconciles all things to himself through Jesus Christ blood on the cross (Col. 1:20). The gospel is that God has done this in Christ Jesus and the only means by which we experience the recreative act is through the work of Jesus Christ who is the only one to be victorious over sin. Faith in Christ alone gives us access to God's work through the Holy Spirit to recreate us. Eventually, God will renew all things through the Spirit who completes God's creative work (Gen. 1:2; Matt. 1:18; Rom. 8:11) once all things have been placed under subjection to Christ (1 Cor. 15:25). Praise be to God, Amen. (Okay, so I just had a Pauline gospel side track.)
So let us go to a very popular passage on the "end times," specifically the rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5. People do read context. It takes 5 minutes to read the whole letter of 1 Thessalonians. I encourage you to do it, to do otherwise is actually extremely lazy.
Chapters 1-3 is essentially Paul giving his longest and most glowing encouragement to the Christians of Thessalonica for their eager reception and obedience to the gospel. He offers further encouragement to maintain sexual purity (4:1-8) and to love each other well (4:9-10). Interestingly, he strongly encourages them to work hard (4:11). Then immediately he discusses their concern about the resurrection, that those who have passed away already have missed out on it. Paul instructs them that those who are already dead will actually be raised first before those who are alive will be transformed into their resurrected bodies (4:15-17; cf. 1 Cor. 15:23, 50-53). Two words are extremely important here. The word here for " the coming of the Lord," is parousia, (also in 1 Cor. 15:23; 4x in Matt. 24; and elsewhere). It means appearance, become present or be present. Its background is very important. It was used of a coming dignitary, king, emperor, or even a deity making an appearance in a town. There was a lot of pomp and circumstance that came with it just like when the President of the United States shows up in a city. Its a really big deal, everyone knows about it and cannot escape it. Jesus Christ's coming is the appearance of a King and a God that everyone will see. The second word is "to meet" or apantesis which is only used elsewhere in Matt. 25:3 & Acts 28:15 (look up how it is used and compare). It is also full of coming dignitary connotations. This word referred to a welcoming party for a coming dignitary and would go with him immediately into the city. This is the word often summarized by the rapture. But, this passage does not teach the church will be removed from the earth when Jesus returns. It also teaches one coming of Christ, not two, as if to come get Christians, judge the earth and then come back later when they are resurrected. It is one single event. We will join him in his arrival on earth and meet him like a coming dignitary, whether dead or alive in Christ. We will be transformed in the twinkle of an eye and we will immediately come down with him to reign on earth. While not said in this context, other things occur when Jesus returns - the resurrection, the judgment of all humanity, the kingdom of God (Rev. 19-22).
But lets move on in 1 Thessalonians. Notice what Paul says next. First, you don't need to know times and dates! It will come suddenly but it shouldn't scare the Christian. Second, let us be "sober" (a Paul term meaning think like a Christian, live in light of the gospel). What does that look like - live a life of faith, love, and hope. DO WHAT YOU WERE DOING! (1 Thess. 5:11). Live the Christian life. Love people deeply and be faithful to God. Be people of hope! Third, get to work! Notice, before and after this section Paul says we should not be lazy and stop going to work knowing the end is near. Jokes about quitting our jobs, or not showing up for school or work because Jesus may come is the EXACT opposite of what Paul says we should do. You should work hard now knowing Christ may return at any moment! Why? Because to work hard in the Lord (Col. 3:18-4:1) is a reflection of living under his lordship. It is also a witness to nonbelievers that you love Jesus and have integrity. It is also you last chance to witness to people and to love them. We need to get to work living the Christian life in full view of everyone or else we will not hear "Well done, good and faithful servant," but "Away from me you wicked servant."
Knowing the end is near, Christ did not flee to the mountains. In fact, he went into the heart of the city. Paul himself, knowing the end was near, did not retreat to the wilderness but went right into the hand's of his enemies in the city, Jerusalem, then the heart of it all, Rome. Christ didn't stock up canned food and water in a bomb shelter and gather his family in it. Christ didn't quit his job, sell his house, spend money frivolously, "party like it is 1999," or anything else. He didn't tell everyone they are wicked evil people but said "Forgive them for they know not what they do." And he sure as heck didn't predict a date for the end of the world (Matt. 24:36ff; Acts 1:6-9).
What did Christ do, Paul do, and so should you? Loved and proclaimed Christ's victory over sin through his death and resurrection until it killed them. Live out the gospel in word and deed. Love until it kills you. This is keeping the gospel in the end. Eschatology is about Christian hope that enables us to live faithful NOW, in the present because Jesus is coming soon. Praise the Lord, Jesus is coming soon.
Let me introduce a new word into your vocabulary that is essential for studying this subject: eschatology. The Greek word eschatos means "last things" and every english speaker should know if it is connected to -ology it means "study of." Thus, eschatology is the theological subject of the last things, or more commonly (thus revealing our bias) end times. This is a rich and dense subject that is extremely important to the Christian faith. Here is a good quote on its importance:
“From first to last, and not merely in epilogue, Christianity is eschatology, is hope, forward looking and forward moving... the eschatological outlook is characteristic of all Christian proclamation, and of every Christian existence and of the whole Church.” - Jurgen Moltmann
Perhaps Moltmann overstates his case as I understand he is prone to do. But he is essentially right. Eschatology is about the hope of the gospel. It is about God being victorious and making everything right. But I believe eschatology has been hijacked by a bunch of ridiculous silliness that is borderline heretical because it is not gospel centered.
Consider the impressions placed on non-Christians about God rapturing the church. "We are good and you are evil. So we will be spared and you will suffer wrath. So you better believe so that you are spared." That is not the gospel. Judgment is a part of the gospel, but it denies some central tenets. All that God created is good, the earth, people, and everything in it. Our view of the end must not deny this fact, implicitly or explicitly. Everyone and everything is affected by sin, which means no one, including Christians, are sinless or without the stain of sin. No one can claim to be good except God alone. God loves his people and his creation but he must deal with sin and remove it. The story of redemption is about God removing sin from creation while not destroying it. God accomplishes this through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, where the Son of God enters into creation. The climax of God's redemptive move is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the firstfruits of the new creation (1 Cor. 15:20). The implications are that God's means of redeeming creation is by recreating people through faith in Christ. God does not destroy creation, he redeems it and recreates it. Religious, legalistic, self-righteous, moralistic Pharisees says things like "God is going to take us good people away while he destroys everyone else." The gospel is we all have been infected by sin, it is a cancer that is inescapable. But God sent his one and only Son to die the horrible death cancerous sin brings to demonstrate his great love for the world... "not because it is so big, but because it is so bad." (DA Carson). God demonstrates his victory over sin and death by raising Jesus Christ from the dead to an eternal glorious reign in a recreated and incorruptible body. God reconciles all things to himself through Jesus Christ blood on the cross (Col. 1:20). The gospel is that God has done this in Christ Jesus and the only means by which we experience the recreative act is through the work of Jesus Christ who is the only one to be victorious over sin. Faith in Christ alone gives us access to God's work through the Holy Spirit to recreate us. Eventually, God will renew all things through the Spirit who completes God's creative work (Gen. 1:2; Matt. 1:18; Rom. 8:11) once all things have been placed under subjection to Christ (1 Cor. 15:25). Praise be to God, Amen. (Okay, so I just had a Pauline gospel side track.)
So let us go to a very popular passage on the "end times," specifically the rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5. People do read context. It takes 5 minutes to read the whole letter of 1 Thessalonians. I encourage you to do it, to do otherwise is actually extremely lazy.
Chapters 1-3 is essentially Paul giving his longest and most glowing encouragement to the Christians of Thessalonica for their eager reception and obedience to the gospel. He offers further encouragement to maintain sexual purity (4:1-8) and to love each other well (4:9-10). Interestingly, he strongly encourages them to work hard (4:11). Then immediately he discusses their concern about the resurrection, that those who have passed away already have missed out on it. Paul instructs them that those who are already dead will actually be raised first before those who are alive will be transformed into their resurrected bodies (4:15-17; cf. 1 Cor. 15:23, 50-53). Two words are extremely important here. The word here for " the coming of the Lord," is parousia, (also in 1 Cor. 15:23; 4x in Matt. 24; and elsewhere). It means appearance, become present or be present. Its background is very important. It was used of a coming dignitary, king, emperor, or even a deity making an appearance in a town. There was a lot of pomp and circumstance that came with it just like when the President of the United States shows up in a city. Its a really big deal, everyone knows about it and cannot escape it. Jesus Christ's coming is the appearance of a King and a God that everyone will see. The second word is "to meet" or apantesis which is only used elsewhere in Matt. 25:3 & Acts 28:15 (look up how it is used and compare). It is also full of coming dignitary connotations. This word referred to a welcoming party for a coming dignitary and would go with him immediately into the city. This is the word often summarized by the rapture. But, this passage does not teach the church will be removed from the earth when Jesus returns. It also teaches one coming of Christ, not two, as if to come get Christians, judge the earth and then come back later when they are resurrected. It is one single event. We will join him in his arrival on earth and meet him like a coming dignitary, whether dead or alive in Christ. We will be transformed in the twinkle of an eye and we will immediately come down with him to reign on earth. While not said in this context, other things occur when Jesus returns - the resurrection, the judgment of all humanity, the kingdom of God (Rev. 19-22).
But lets move on in 1 Thessalonians. Notice what Paul says next. First, you don't need to know times and dates! It will come suddenly but it shouldn't scare the Christian. Second, let us be "sober" (a Paul term meaning think like a Christian, live in light of the gospel). What does that look like - live a life of faith, love, and hope. DO WHAT YOU WERE DOING! (1 Thess. 5:11). Live the Christian life. Love people deeply and be faithful to God. Be people of hope! Third, get to work! Notice, before and after this section Paul says we should not be lazy and stop going to work knowing the end is near. Jokes about quitting our jobs, or not showing up for school or work because Jesus may come is the EXACT opposite of what Paul says we should do. You should work hard now knowing Christ may return at any moment! Why? Because to work hard in the Lord (Col. 3:18-4:1) is a reflection of living under his lordship. It is also a witness to nonbelievers that you love Jesus and have integrity. It is also you last chance to witness to people and to love them. We need to get to work living the Christian life in full view of everyone or else we will not hear "Well done, good and faithful servant," but "Away from me you wicked servant."
Knowing the end is near, Christ did not flee to the mountains. In fact, he went into the heart of the city. Paul himself, knowing the end was near, did not retreat to the wilderness but went right into the hand's of his enemies in the city, Jerusalem, then the heart of it all, Rome. Christ didn't stock up canned food and water in a bomb shelter and gather his family in it. Christ didn't quit his job, sell his house, spend money frivolously, "party like it is 1999," or anything else. He didn't tell everyone they are wicked evil people but said "Forgive them for they know not what they do." And he sure as heck didn't predict a date for the end of the world (Matt. 24:36ff; Acts 1:6-9).
What did Christ do, Paul do, and so should you? Loved and proclaimed Christ's victory over sin through his death and resurrection until it killed them. Live out the gospel in word and deed. Love until it kills you. This is keeping the gospel in the end. Eschatology is about Christian hope that enables us to live faithful NOW, in the present because Jesus is coming soon. Praise the Lord, Jesus is coming soon.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Encounter with the Real Thor
I just came across a brief description in a book that reminded me about a real historical encounter with "Thor" of norse mythology.
Wynfrith of England, aka Boniface Apostle to the Germans (680-754), was a Christian missionary to Germanic tribes who at the time worshipped the pagan god Thor. Part of this was reverence for an ancient sacred oak dedicated to Thor. Boniface did was is often described as the rare tatic of a "power encounter" much like Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. Before a large crowd of pagans he chopped down the mighty oak tree declaring Thor to be a false god and Jesus Christ to be the one true God. The tree crashed and broke into four pieces. The pagans were cursing him, but then were converted convinced Thor was as powerless as a fallen tree. His act was a clear gospel presentation of the validity of the Christian faith in terms his audience could clearly understand.
So as you go to enjoy the contemporary rendition of Thor based on the Marvel comic, remember Boniface, Missionary to the Germans who demonstrated it is in fact a myth.
Wynfrith of England, aka Boniface Apostle to the Germans (680-754), was a Christian missionary to Germanic tribes who at the time worshipped the pagan god Thor. Part of this was reverence for an ancient sacred oak dedicated to Thor. Boniface did was is often described as the rare tatic of a "power encounter" much like Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. Before a large crowd of pagans he chopped down the mighty oak tree declaring Thor to be a false god and Jesus Christ to be the one true God. The tree crashed and broke into four pieces. The pagans were cursing him, but then were converted convinced Thor was as powerless as a fallen tree. His act was a clear gospel presentation of the validity of the Christian faith in terms his audience could clearly understand.
So as you go to enjoy the contemporary rendition of Thor based on the Marvel comic, remember Boniface, Missionary to the Germans who demonstrated it is in fact a myth.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Problem with Rob Bell's method
It seems appropriate to speak on the biggest issue in Christendom right now (at least its North American wing), which is whether Rob Bell is a universalist.
I haven't read much of Rob Bell. I couldn't finish Velvet Elvis. I watched many of his nooma videos early on and initially loved them. However, eventually I found that something was off. It was extremely subtle. He was engaging, asking great questions, persuasive, seemed to capture the heart of God for people, etc. But there was one piece that first stuck after watching "Dust" for the third time. The line was something like, "You can be like me. You can do what I do." He ended with, "May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi."
Over time, I have heard many critiques and have thought many of them were reactionary, overly harsh, and reeked of superficial dogmatism. At the same time, I haven't bothered to read much more of Bell and I don't really care too. In fact, I am upset I might have to read Love Wins in preparation for a sermon on hell this year. My thoughts have been that there is something many of the pundits are not really getting at. Bell quotes scripture and so do his opponents. Why is one side right and the other side wrong? That little move at the end of dust tells you what you need to know.
The move is the same move made by classic Protestant Liberalism. The move is that Jesus is our ultimate example and we should be inspired to be like him because of his self-sacrifice. What is not said outright is a denial of substitutionary atonement. It is simply understated and put outside as difficult for modern ears. The problem is a lack of clarity on what Christ's atonement actually accomplishes objectively... our atonement for sin. We can't be like Jesus because we are sinners. I think I can rightly say Jesus is only an example for those who place their faith in him and have received the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 3:21). He becomes my example when he becomes my Lord who died in my place for me and accomplished for us what we could never do.
All of that is to turn you to the best explanation and critique I have read of Rob Bell's erroneous theological method. If you want specific criticism of specific points and flawed exegesis just go to DeYoung's 20 page review. I am sure he is thorough and I trust his exegesis. But here is a brief and well articulated article on why Rob Bell is in the tradition of Schleiermacher to Tillich.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/april/lovewins.html
I haven't read much of Rob Bell. I couldn't finish Velvet Elvis. I watched many of his nooma videos early on and initially loved them. However, eventually I found that something was off. It was extremely subtle. He was engaging, asking great questions, persuasive, seemed to capture the heart of God for people, etc. But there was one piece that first stuck after watching "Dust" for the third time. The line was something like, "You can be like me. You can do what I do." He ended with, "May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi."
Over time, I have heard many critiques and have thought many of them were reactionary, overly harsh, and reeked of superficial dogmatism. At the same time, I haven't bothered to read much more of Bell and I don't really care too. In fact, I am upset I might have to read Love Wins in preparation for a sermon on hell this year. My thoughts have been that there is something many of the pundits are not really getting at. Bell quotes scripture and so do his opponents. Why is one side right and the other side wrong? That little move at the end of dust tells you what you need to know.
The move is the same move made by classic Protestant Liberalism. The move is that Jesus is our ultimate example and we should be inspired to be like him because of his self-sacrifice. What is not said outright is a denial of substitutionary atonement. It is simply understated and put outside as difficult for modern ears. The problem is a lack of clarity on what Christ's atonement actually accomplishes objectively... our atonement for sin. We can't be like Jesus because we are sinners. I think I can rightly say Jesus is only an example for those who place their faith in him and have received the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 3:21). He becomes my example when he becomes my Lord who died in my place for me and accomplished for us what we could never do.
All of that is to turn you to the best explanation and critique I have read of Rob Bell's erroneous theological method. If you want specific criticism of specific points and flawed exegesis just go to DeYoung's 20 page review. I am sure he is thorough and I trust his exegesis. But here is a brief and well articulated article on why Rob Bell is in the tradition of Schleiermacher to Tillich.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/april/lovewins.html
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Theological Teenagers shouldn't preach
I began reading a very short little book that was a gift from my wife for Christmas. It is a rather obscure book that I had on my wish list from seminary. It is called “A little exercise for young theologians” by Helmut Thielicke. In this book he discusses for both the lay person and trained minister how to approach theology. So far it has been great. But this one really hit me.
There is a hiatus between the arena of the young theologian’s spiritual growth and what he already knows intellectually about this arena. (p. 10)
He depicts a first semester seminary student who before his formal training, teaches or preaches with what little he knows and his full of life. It is good because of its liveliness even though it may lack theologian depth and exegetical precision. However, they then become a student and now become filled with knowledge that often stifles and intimidates the lay person. The problem is they lack spiritual maturity to match their knowledge. As the scriptures say, “knowledge puffs up but love builds up” (1 Cor 8:1-3).
The caricature he lays out I found all too true and convicting. Seminary students often are all too ready to offer their profound insights and are simultaneously blind to their own lack of character. They identify with a particular theologian, or great saint of the past, assuming they have shared their experiences and know what they are talking about. It often makes the faithful Christian with no formal training feel inferior because they do not possess the same “knowledge,” as if you can only grow in Christ if you have been to school. Unfortunately, those with vast amounts of knowledge are sometimes allowed to teach and preach in churches. And this is where Helmut Thielicke offers his penetrating conclusion.
“Speaking figuratively, the study of theology often produces overgrown youths whose internal organs have not correspondingly developed. This is characteristic of adolescence. There is actually something like theological puberty. Every teacher knows that this is a matter of signs of natural growth over which there is no need to become excited. Churches must understand it and must have it explained to them in every possible way.
It is a mistake for anyone who is just in this stage to appear before a church as a teacher. He has outgrown the naivete with which in young people’s work he might by all means have taken this part. He has not yet come to that maturity which would permit him to absorb into his own life and reproduce out of the freshness of his own personal faith the things which he imagines intellectually and which are accessible to him through reflection. We must have patience here and be able to wait. For the reasons I have mentioned I do not tolerate sermons by first-semester young theological students swaddled in their gowns. One ought to be able to keep still. During the period when the voice is changing we do not sing, and during this formative period in the life of the theological student he does not preach.” (p.12)
Oh Lord forgive me for the times I have taught without true knowledge! I have often taken pride in my own intellect and failed to see where my life does not correspond. Forgive us for living off of the faith of saints we admire. May we live by your very word and may our love exceed our knowledge. Let your Spirit sanctify us and conform us to the likeness of Christ, that by your grace we may teach as ones with authority. Amen.
____________________________________________________________________
Helmut Thielicke. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1962.
There is a hiatus between the arena of the young theologian’s spiritual growth and what he already knows intellectually about this arena. (p. 10)
He depicts a first semester seminary student who before his formal training, teaches or preaches with what little he knows and his full of life. It is good because of its liveliness even though it may lack theologian depth and exegetical precision. However, they then become a student and now become filled with knowledge that often stifles and intimidates the lay person. The problem is they lack spiritual maturity to match their knowledge. As the scriptures say, “knowledge puffs up but love builds up” (1 Cor 8:1-3).
The caricature he lays out I found all too true and convicting. Seminary students often are all too ready to offer their profound insights and are simultaneously blind to their own lack of character. They identify with a particular theologian, or great saint of the past, assuming they have shared their experiences and know what they are talking about. It often makes the faithful Christian with no formal training feel inferior because they do not possess the same “knowledge,” as if you can only grow in Christ if you have been to school. Unfortunately, those with vast amounts of knowledge are sometimes allowed to teach and preach in churches. And this is where Helmut Thielicke offers his penetrating conclusion.
“Speaking figuratively, the study of theology often produces overgrown youths whose internal organs have not correspondingly developed. This is characteristic of adolescence. There is actually something like theological puberty. Every teacher knows that this is a matter of signs of natural growth over which there is no need to become excited. Churches must understand it and must have it explained to them in every possible way.
It is a mistake for anyone who is just in this stage to appear before a church as a teacher. He has outgrown the naivete with which in young people’s work he might by all means have taken this part. He has not yet come to that maturity which would permit him to absorb into his own life and reproduce out of the freshness of his own personal faith the things which he imagines intellectually and which are accessible to him through reflection. We must have patience here and be able to wait. For the reasons I have mentioned I do not tolerate sermons by first-semester young theological students swaddled in their gowns. One ought to be able to keep still. During the period when the voice is changing we do not sing, and during this formative period in the life of the theological student he does not preach.” (p.12)
Oh Lord forgive me for the times I have taught without true knowledge! I have often taken pride in my own intellect and failed to see where my life does not correspond. Forgive us for living off of the faith of saints we admire. May we live by your very word and may our love exceed our knowledge. Let your Spirit sanctify us and conform us to the likeness of Christ, that by your grace we may teach as ones with authority. Amen.
____________________________________________________________________
Helmut Thielicke. A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1962.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Rules from the Playground: Nice only goes so far
Recently I offered my spare time to a neighborhood youth soccer coach. I have been looking for opportunities to get involved somewhere and I enjoy the game immensely even though I am not good at it. But I suppose it depends on how you measure the quality of one's play. Anyways, I decided I would help coach soccer even though I have never coached at all. Coach David was cool though and just glad someone from the community cares. Immediately, I was caught off guard by two things, how well coached the under-10 team was; as well as how underprepared I was for the under-14 kids. At some point they went from being hard working angels to kids who are unmotivated and lack discipline in more ways than one. My only aim is to be humble, learn, and make some connections in the community all for the sake of Jesus.
Being a part of this world clearly demonstrates to me that I am truly in an alien world. I am a white guy who grew in Colorado, hasn't spoke spanish since High School. I had a career as a engineer, when they see my bike they know its expensive, guess the price and are not even on the same planet. They have played soccer since they were kids and I haven't played since I was kid. How in the world am I supposed to do this?
So here is the scenario: The regular coach is out of town for a month. The other assistant coach works with the U-10 team. I, by default, get the U-14 team. Since coach is gone, they just do a scrimmage and I don't know what to do. We scrimmage and one of the kids, who is the most difficult because he is mouthy and has ball skills, finally finds out I am not a good soccer player. So practice ends with him saying to me, "You suck." I play nice, just like I did as a kid on the playground. He basically leaves shortly thereafter blaming his team's performance on my goal keeping (which I do suck at) instead of his refusal to play defense and play on a team.
What is truly revealed in all of this is that playing nice only goes so far. Playing nice does make you a better coach and it sure doesn't make anyone else a better player. Playing nice might not offend anyone and it might make a few friends, but it is powerless against all kinds of sin, whether individual or systematic. What was highlighted in this practice was not my inferior ball skills but my sin of playing nice.
The truth is Jesus didn't play nice. Jesus loved people they way they needed to be loved and he calls his disciples to love like he does. "A disciple is not above his teacher. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant his master." (Matt 10:24-25, ESV). In this passage, Jesus tells his disciples to proclaiming that the "kingdom is at hand." He says that when they do so they will be persecuted but they must persist. He says they will be flogged, the will be ridiculed, they will be told, "You suck." This is what Jesus and all the prophets of God before him went through. It is what the apostles went through. It is to be expected the way of life for the disciple of Jesus, for the Christian. Nice people don't get persecuted. People who have the guts to point out the real sin, the real savior, and the real kingdom get persecuted. Nice people don't keep the peace either. Nice people just make sure they are at peace while others continue to be affected by sins of omissions and passivism.
The truth is I do not suck at soccer. The truth is we got scored on a lot because no one played defense and the kid with all the ball skills never ever passed and never got back on defense when a player took the ball from him. The truth is the biggest mouth with best ball skills is the worst player on the field. But how will he know unless someone tells him? How will he know unless someone has the guts, the gall, to dish out some tough love? On the playground, the nice kid continues to get pushed around and watches his friends get pushed around. The nice kid, this nice kid, needs to repent of cowardice. Jesus didn't always play nice, though he was always humble and always loving, but he wasn't always nice. It is His kingdom and he alone reigns over it. His reign demonstrates the weakness and the powerlessness of the arrogant, the powerful, the bullies, and transforms the weak into the courageous and the prideful into the humble.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Real St. Patrick
St. Patrick's day is no doubt one of the most popular holidays for partying during the entire year. I have always had an affinity for this day because the strongest roots I have are Irish since my Great Grandpa was Irish. Yet that is about the depth of my appreciation earlier in life. I remember once in college going to a pub in Boulder, CO to participate in having a pint of Guinness with millions of others to break some Guinness World Record or something. It has become an excuse to get drunk, drink terrible green beer (its gross trust me) and get stupid. Ironically, this probably resembles Ireland prior to St. Patrick than after him.
In Seminary years after the Guinness incident, I had to read two books on St. Patrick of Ireland. I was inspired and he became a new hero. His letters Confessions and Letters to the Soldiers of Coroticus are the earliest documents in Ireland, amazingly humble and exalting of God's work in Jesus Christ. In these letters we find a man of real faith who was rebellious as a teenager, endured oppression through enslavement by an Irish tribe (Patrick was a Roman-Briton), and courage in following God's voice to flee back home. Despite all this, and the general impression that Ireland was the edge of the civilized world, full of marauding lunatics and half-human barbarians, he responded to God's call to go preach the gospel to the very people who enslaved him. Amazing, most cry for justice and destruction, yet Patrick cried for mercy in Jesus Christ.
He was likely a contemporary of St. Augustine at the time of late 300's to early 400's. St. Patrick's day is supposedly the day he died. Patrick was not the first to go to Ireland as a missionary, it was Palladius of Gaul who failed and died after a year and said the "wild men of Ireland wound not listen to him." Patrick responded to God's call to return voluntarily to Ireland and spent the rest of his life where he reached 30-40 of over 100 Irish tribes and planted 700 churches. The legend of him driving out snakes in Ireland is actually a symbolic story of him driving out the pagan Celtic beliefs and practices that would make even San Francisco blush.
As a result of Patrick, the Irish became the leaders in sending missionaries for the several hundred years later. They planted churches in even Palladius home of Gaul (France) and beyond. They became leaders in Christian art and music and are still quite influential to this day. "Be Thou My Vision" is a classic Celtic Hymn and perhaps why I like it so much. Some argue it was the Celtic missionaries who saved Europe in the Dark Ages.
Above all, we see that St. Patrick and his Irish disciples were not about drinking beer into a stupor, but recognized their fallen humanity and their great savior Jesus Christ.
Here is Patrick in his own words, this is the first section of his letter, Confessions. Immediately you see his heart, I encourage you to read it here or his denunciation of slavery long before anyone else through the condemnation of Coroticus's actions.
I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many, had for father the deacon Calpurnius, son of the late Potitus, a priest, of the settlement [vicus] of Bannavem Taburniae; he had a small villa nearby where I was taken captive. I was at that time about sixteen years of age. I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people, according to our deserts, for quite drawn away from God, we did not keep his precepts, nor were we obedient to our priests who used to remind us of our salvation. And the Lord brought down on us the fury of his being and scattered us among many nations, even to the ends of the earth, where I, in my smallness, am now to be found among foreigners. And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son. Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders before every nation under heaven. For there is no other God, nor ever was before, nor shall be hereafter, but God the Father, unbegotten and without beginning, in whom all things began, whose are all things, as we have been taught; and his son Jesus Christ, who manifestly always existed with the Father, before the beginning of time in the spirit with the Father, indescribably begotten before all things, and all things visible and invisible were made by him. He was made man, conquered death and was received into Heaven, to the Father who gave him all power over every name in Heaven and on Earth and in Hell, so that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, in whom we believe. And we look to his imminent coming again, the judge of the living and the dead, who will render to each according to his deeds. And he poured out his Holy Spirit on us in abundance, the gift and pledge of immortality, which makes the believers and the obedient into sons of God and co-heirs of Christ who is revealed, and we worship one God in the Trinity of holy name. He himself said through the prophet: ‘Call upon me in the day of’ trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.’ And again: ‘It is right to reveal and publish abroad the works of God.’ I am imperfect in many things, nevertheless I want my brethren and kinsfolk to know my nature so that they may be able to perceive my soul’s desire. I am not ignorant of what is said of my Lord in the Psalm: ‘You destroy those who speak a lie.’ And again: ‘A lying mouth deals death to the soul.’ And likewise the Lord says in the Gospel: ‘On the day of judgment men shall render account for every idle word they utter.’ So it is that I should mightily fear, with terror and trembling, this judgment on the day when no one shall be able to steal away or hide, but each and all shall render account for even our smallest sins before the judgment seat of Christ the Lord.
Also check out my fellow Irish-American's blog, O'Driscoll...
Happy St. Patrick's day from one sinner turned saint by the grace of God to another.
In Seminary years after the Guinness incident, I had to read two books on St. Patrick of Ireland. I was inspired and he became a new hero. His letters Confessions and Letters to the Soldiers of Coroticus are the earliest documents in Ireland, amazingly humble and exalting of God's work in Jesus Christ. In these letters we find a man of real faith who was rebellious as a teenager, endured oppression through enslavement by an Irish tribe (Patrick was a Roman-Briton), and courage in following God's voice to flee back home. Despite all this, and the general impression that Ireland was the edge of the civilized world, full of marauding lunatics and half-human barbarians, he responded to God's call to go preach the gospel to the very people who enslaved him. Amazing, most cry for justice and destruction, yet Patrick cried for mercy in Jesus Christ.
He was likely a contemporary of St. Augustine at the time of late 300's to early 400's. St. Patrick's day is supposedly the day he died. Patrick was not the first to go to Ireland as a missionary, it was Palladius of Gaul who failed and died after a year and said the "wild men of Ireland wound not listen to him." Patrick responded to God's call to return voluntarily to Ireland and spent the rest of his life where he reached 30-40 of over 100 Irish tribes and planted 700 churches. The legend of him driving out snakes in Ireland is actually a symbolic story of him driving out the pagan Celtic beliefs and practices that would make even San Francisco blush.
As a result of Patrick, the Irish became the leaders in sending missionaries for the several hundred years later. They planted churches in even Palladius home of Gaul (France) and beyond. They became leaders in Christian art and music and are still quite influential to this day. "Be Thou My Vision" is a classic Celtic Hymn and perhaps why I like it so much. Some argue it was the Celtic missionaries who saved Europe in the Dark Ages.
Above all, we see that St. Patrick and his Irish disciples were not about drinking beer into a stupor, but recognized their fallen humanity and their great savior Jesus Christ.
Here is Patrick in his own words, this is the first section of his letter, Confessions. Immediately you see his heart, I encourage you to read it here or his denunciation of slavery long before anyone else through the condemnation of Coroticus's actions.
I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many, had for father the deacon Calpurnius, son of the late Potitus, a priest, of the settlement [vicus] of Bannavem Taburniae; he had a small villa nearby where I was taken captive. I was at that time about sixteen years of age. I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people, according to our deserts, for quite drawn away from God, we did not keep his precepts, nor were we obedient to our priests who used to remind us of our salvation. And the Lord brought down on us the fury of his being and scattered us among many nations, even to the ends of the earth, where I, in my smallness, am now to be found among foreigners. And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son. Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders before every nation under heaven. For there is no other God, nor ever was before, nor shall be hereafter, but God the Father, unbegotten and without beginning, in whom all things began, whose are all things, as we have been taught; and his son Jesus Christ, who manifestly always existed with the Father, before the beginning of time in the spirit with the Father, indescribably begotten before all things, and all things visible and invisible were made by him. He was made man, conquered death and was received into Heaven, to the Father who gave him all power over every name in Heaven and on Earth and in Hell, so that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, in whom we believe. And we look to his imminent coming again, the judge of the living and the dead, who will render to each according to his deeds. And he poured out his Holy Spirit on us in abundance, the gift and pledge of immortality, which makes the believers and the obedient into sons of God and co-heirs of Christ who is revealed, and we worship one God in the Trinity of holy name. He himself said through the prophet: ‘Call upon me in the day of’ trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.’ And again: ‘It is right to reveal and publish abroad the works of God.’ I am imperfect in many things, nevertheless I want my brethren and kinsfolk to know my nature so that they may be able to perceive my soul’s desire. I am not ignorant of what is said of my Lord in the Psalm: ‘You destroy those who speak a lie.’ And again: ‘A lying mouth deals death to the soul.’ And likewise the Lord says in the Gospel: ‘On the day of judgment men shall render account for every idle word they utter.’ So it is that I should mightily fear, with terror and trembling, this judgment on the day when no one shall be able to steal away or hide, but each and all shall render account for even our smallest sins before the judgment seat of Christ the Lord.
Also check out my fellow Irish-American's blog, O'Driscoll...
Happy St. Patrick's day from one sinner turned saint by the grace of God to another.
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