How to Process World Events

We are experiencing an unprecedented time of rapid change. These are times of war and upheaval. Starting with the death of NBA star, Kobe Bryant in January of 2020, the pandemic, the death of George Floyd, and a contentious election, we've been experiencing event after event of national and international upheaval. The events all over the world are no longer distant. They are happening in our nation as well. 

The One Thing You Must Do To Break A Bad Habit

Replace it with a good habit. Easy, right? Well, it depends.

When I was a kid, I had to deal with overt racial tension in school. So, life wasn't easy. I had learned to cope by waking up every morning before school to ruminate on how the day would go. I believed that if I could imagine the worst, it will help make the day go better.

The Bible Wasn't Written to You. But it was Written for You.

I needed to think about this aphorism for a moment. "The Bible wasn't written to me?"

This statement, when I first heard it, gave me pause. I was a little uncomfortable with it at first. However, the second sentence puts it into perspective. "But the Bible was written for me."

When we read the Bible, we ought not read it to get a personal message from God. The Bible wasn't written that way. However, that doesn't mean the Bible does not have messages that can personally apply to us. In fact, God does communicate to us by giving us understanding of who He is, and what He desires — even what He desires for us.

When we read the Bible we are reading literature that was originally addressed to people who lived at that time. Much of the literature contains lessons and wisdom that are intended to be passed on to future generations, including us. But they were not written directly to us.

Because the Bible is not a single book, but a collection of books written by different human authors, at different times, in different locations, we have the obligation to consider each authors' manner of writing, each type of writing, each historical context, and each original audience as we read any text in Scripture. We must read it well, before gleaning meaning we can use. Otherwise, we will not understand what we are reading.

When we read the Bible well, we will glean what is intended for us to glean. (And perhaps avoid reading into it what we want to get out of it.) And in doing this well, we will hear from God.

Photo by Wallace Chuck from Pexels

The Treasure Principle

Last time we looked at the false assumption that the Bible should be easy to read. We tend to feel this way because we Americans have a plethora of bibles and a consumerist approach to religion. This makes us susceptible to taking the Scriptures (the Bible) for granted. And, as a result, we may mistake God, Scripture, and the church as existing to please us. And many in our culture will find it difficult to believe we are even accountable to God.

Who Said Reading the Bible Is Suppose to be Easy?

I remember giving away Bibles during an outreach event in 2018. Many people either weren't interested in a free Bible because they have a bunch at home, or they wanted a Bible with larger type or a particular English translation. People were pretty fussy about it. 

Are You Hungry?

I believe many Christians want something better.

They are tired of the same old Bible teaching that focuses on trite sayings or rudimentary instructions like: 

God wants you to do the right things. You don't. You should. Amen. 

There's a Bible Famine in the Land

I am concerned that too many American Christians are disengaged from the Bible.

According to a 2019 Barna study, only 5% of the U.S. citizens surveyed actually engaged with the Bible in a way that it impacted their decision-making. And about 50% are disengaged. And according to a recent 2020 survey conducted by Barna and the American Bible Society, even fewer are engaging with Scripture due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

4 Bible Reading Attitudes Part 4

Previously I introduced 4 diverse attitudes Christians have about the Bible:

1. We don’t respect the Bible.
2. We respect the Bible, sort of.
3. We respect the Bible and use it to justify what we believe.
4. We respect the Bible as God’s very words.

Last time I talked about the attitude, We respect the Bible and use it to justify what we believe. People who have this attitude generally respect the Bible, but only when it serves their purposes. They fall short of making it authoritative over their lives.

4 Bible Reading Attitudes Part 3

Previously I introduced the issue of 4 diverse attitudes Christians have about the Bible:

1. We don’t respect the Bible.
2. We respect the Bible, sort of.
3. We respect the Bible and use it to justify what we believe.
4. We respect the Bible as God’s very words.

Last time I talked about the attitude, We respect the Bible, sort of. People who have this attitude generally respect the Bible's authority as God's very words. The problem is that they sometimes undermine that respect with habits and practices that run counter to what is being communicated in the text. There are several reasons for this, but most of the time it's a benevolent error.

4 Bible Reading Attitudes Part 2

Last time I introduced the issue of diverse attitudes Christians have about the Bible. The first attitude I discussed was the “We don’t respect the Bible” attitude. In it people who have this attitude would never admit they don’t respect the Bible. But they treat the Bible as inconsequential or non-authoritative when it contradicts current cultural values and practices.

4 Bible Reading Attitudes Part 1

I used to think that all Christians believed reading the Bible was essential to being Christian. But over the years I've discovered that Christians vary widely on the Bible's importance.

Three Questions Christians Need to Ask When They Vote in Elections Part 3

Last time I discussed the true nature of human beings. This is critical, because how a candidate values human beings determines how she governs them. But as was mentioned last time, this assumes we know where human rights come from. This leads us into our next question.

Three Questions Christians Need to Ask When They Vote in Elections Part 2

Everyone has a perspective on the big issues of life, and our candidates are no different. In my last article I discussed the first question we need to consider when voting as Christians. What is the primary reason or purpose of government? This naturally leads us into our next question to consider.

Three Questions Christians Need to Ask When They Vote in Elections Part 1

When it comes to elections, I don't typically pay much attention to debates, opinion polls, and news reporting to get accurate information. However, I do pay attention at times to guess at a candidate's point of view.  And it's instructive to hear from the candidates themselves, and to observe their actions over time. But I'm not simply trying to match a politician's positions with my own. Rather, I want to know their view of reality.

A Biblical Lifestyle: Money

One thing that marks authentic Christianity in the life of a believer is the way she thinks and how she lives her life. It affects how she views and handles money, personal and social responsibility, politics, and the environment.

The most obvious behavior is in how a person handles money. Even people who are unbelievers can have good money habits, but who — other than a genuine believer — would spend their money on the things of Christ. Here's an example:

Money

• Spend less than you earn.
• Give to godly causes in keeping with one's income. (1 Corinthians 8-9)
• Don't give what you don't own.
• Don't promise to give what you don't have.
• Don't give under compulsion.
• Pay your debts. (Proverbs 22:7; Proverbs 13:11; Romans 13:8)
• Take care of your responsibilities. (1 Timothy 5:8 and 6:17-19)
• Your family's needs.
• Giving to God's work.
• Savings.
• After taking care of your responsibilities, enjoy what you've legitimately earned, because it is yours.

If you see a believer who does these things, you get the good idea they just might be authentic.

What's The Truth?

I am not asking what is the nature of truth. I will assume that truth is the authentic nature of all things. Truth is the way things really are, and the basis for the way things are. With truth we arrive at solutions, deal with reality, and are capable of navigating the world the way it actually is.

The title question is something much different. It sets the stage for true discussion and genuine dialog. Rather than angry diatribes, ad-hominem attacks, and evil suspicions. The question follows the agreement that truth can be had or arrived at. We have the ability to know and abide by truth. Therefore, the title question is the natural result.

Since something is true about the nature of reality, what is that truth? What school of thought is in line with this truth? What way of living is consistent with this truth?

Let's Just Get Along By Skirting the Issue?

I know some folks want to skirt the issue by saying either there is no real truth, or that truth cannot be arrived at. My question to that line of reasoning is, How do you know? If you claim that you don't know, logically my evidence should trump your lack of any evidence. If you claim that you do know, then you have arrived at truth yourself. And you've just contradicted yourself.

So, let's leave this immature attempt at not accepting responsibility. For everyone has the responsibility to work at arriving at a consistent worldview, and live by it. This work involves dealing with real events, their consequences, and their implications. We need to deal with our observations of reality, and line those observations up with a consistent overarching principle. Even if someone were to believe there is no overarching principle, that in itself is an overarching principle &mdash by the way, is the principle of chaos.

The Fear of the Truth

The overarching principle is called a Story by some. But I don't think that is accurate. Stories tend to be subjective in interpretation. And when we talk about stories in this manner, we tend to personalize stories or meld them with our own personal stories. And we get weird ideas about culture and community that are wholly devoid of a unifying principle. This attempt tends to lean more toward a lazy communal-ism rather than a serious arrival at truth.

I understand people's reluctance to discuss matters of truth. For truth invites arguments about matters that matter. Truth invites pain and struggle. Truth resists error. Truth can be hard to face. And truth can split families and communities. That is an essential nature of truth. It excludes other claims to it.

But truth is also beautiful. Truth lights our path through life. Truth can give genuine hope. Truth can adjust our course. Truth gives us wisdom and a sound mind.

What's So Good About Good Friday?

Courtesy demondimum of MorgueFile.com.

Today is the day Christians celebrate the suffering and death of Jesus, the Christ. Although some people have chosen to celebrate Earth Day in lieu of this, believers from all over the world recognize the significance of remembering the day Jesus gave his life for the life of the world. However, some people celebrate with no real understanding of its true significance other than a powerful gesture of love. So, what sort of significance is it suppose to hold?

First of all, Jesus is God in human flesh. This is both an exclusive claim and an inclusive claim. It is exclusive in the sense that God is clearly only One God. There is no other. (Isaiah 45:5; Isaiah 45:14-22) God, Himself, discounts the existence of any other god besides Him. (Isaiah 44:8) He is the only Savior, and every knee will bow to Him. (Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 45:20-23) Yet, Jesus shares not only the glory of the Father, but His authority. And as such, holds a place of worship along side the Father. Jesus is fully God. (Philippians 2:5-11; Acts 4:8-12; Colossians 2:9-10)

It is also an inclusive claim because he came in human flesh. He shares our humanity, thus is a perfect substitutionary sacrifice (being fully man, and fully God). (Hebrews 1:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18) He identifies with our sufferings, our temptations, and our limitations. Yet, he was without sin or guile. (Hebrews 4:15-16) He understands what everyone is going through, and offers a hope and peace that he knows we need. He is the hope of the whole world. Yet, the world doesn't accept him.

Second, Jesus died to satisfy the wrath of God. As previously said, Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. Whether we have realized it or not, when we were non-Christians, we were God's enemies. (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21) We were at war with God. Yet, God loved us and every non-Christian. But God is not mocked either. There will be an accounting which we will all have to pay. And pay dearly. But, God made a way to both satisfy His righteous retribution and to offer us freedom from judgment. (Romans 8:1-2) So, upon Jesus, God in human flesh, He made a way out of no way. He sacrificed Himself in our place. The wrath of the Father upon His Son for the life of the world. (Isaiah 53:10-12) Now, for those who become disciples of Jesus — who place their total trust and allegiance in him — there is salvation..

Last, Jesus rose from the grave. This is one of the most attested to account in all of history. It is the most scrutinized too, because it sounds so fantastic. Yet, it is virtually undeniable that it happened. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8) This leaves a powerful testimony that Jesus is not only more than a mere man, but that he is telling the truth. (Acts 17:29-31; John 14:8-11) And this truth is that he is God in human flesh, giving his life for the life of the world. His followers may experience physical death, but they will never die. (John 11:23-25)

For some people Jesus is all about their organization, denomination, or affiliations. They place their hope in these things as a replacement for following Jesus. But Jesus is the hope. His sacrifice is the only act. His resurrection is the proof. And no organization or affiliation can do that for you.

Now, that's what I call good news.

No More Sacrifices Left

Courtesy clarita at MorgueFile.com

Many people are celebrating the Passover this week, which started yesterday. People are commemorating it in different ways. Some people see it as a time to annually watch The Ten Commandments. Some people view it as a time to look forward to the Easter celebration. And Jewish people see this time as a very sacred remembrance of God's deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. For them it also a time to remember the prophet Moses, God's deliverance through the Red Sea, and the giving of the Law. Even the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb has special significance. It is through this that the Jewish people are "passed over" when God strikes down all the firstborn of Egypt.

But around 2000 years ago, Jesus did something even his own disciples didn't fully understand at the time. During his last Passover on earth, Jesus told his disciples that, from now on, the Passover is all about him. He didn't focus on what God did in the past to deliver the Jews out of slavery. He didn't focus on Moses. He didn't even focus on the Law. He said to focus on his suffering and sacrifice. The giving of his body (his suffering) and the giving of his life (his sacrifice in blood). This sacrifice would bring to his disciples what no other sacrifice could ever bring: a new covenant of peace with God.

You see, this sacrifice supersedes all others, including the Passover Lamb, because it is greater and it is final. There is no longer any sacrifice for sins left because Jesus' sacrifice eliminates the final consequence of sin — eternal death in Hell. Jesus' disciples are "passed over," if you will, from sin's consequences by the blood of Christ.

So, whether it is the Passover season, Easter, or just another week, the Christian is always to remember how they stand — only by what Jesus did. And there is no other faith, no religious practice, no moral actions, or no deep desire that can save mankind other than the sacrifice of Jesus. His sacrifice is our only hope.

Marriage According to Jesus

Any questions?

An Inconvenient Christianity

Photo courtesy cohdra of Morguefile.com.

I was casually listening to a Christian radio talk show, when suddenly a woman called up with a problem that I found rather peculiar and unexpected. She said she had been a Christian for 17 years, but spent a few years in rebellion to Christ because of some personal problems. Now, she is in the process of being more dedicated to Christianity. However, she fell in love with a guy who is a Jehovah Witness. He is now asking to marry her, but her sister does not approve, saying it would be a very bad idea. Now she is confused as to what to do.

The radio hosts asked a series of questions. And she eventually admitted that the Jehovah Witness was not really committed to his faith, but believed hers was wrong for sure. She said she felt she could overlook that, since their love is so strong. But she was worried because of what her sister warned. And she wanted to know if she was making a mistake, or can she just overlook some of the differences.

The hosts went on to encourage her to investigate the beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses at the very least — whether or not he was committed didn't make a difference. Then they wanted her to look at the day-to-day problems of valuing different religious activities, and to consider what it means to be committed to a belief.

I'd have to admit that would go beyond this advice. I wondered if this woman actually believed more about Christ than in Christ. In other words, she may have believed the information, but she wasn't committed to the Christian faith. I went on to wonder, what does she thinks makes someone a Christian? Is it simply accepting information about Christ? Is it joining a church or a Christian community? Is it deciding to do Christian activities?

Then the very next day, my oldest daughter and I were reading a Bible passage in the Gospels where Jesus told the demons to be quiet while they were proclaiming that he was the Messiah. My daughter was confused by this. "Why would Jesus tell them to be quiet, if they are acknowledging who he really is?" I explained that Jesus wanted people to come to him by faith, and the demons didn't have faith, they just have accurate information. They know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the Christ of God — and they shudder at the fact. I went on to show her the passage in James that discusses this very problem. (James 2:14-26)

Then we ended up talking about the problem of confusing the Biblical, saving, faith with empty faith. Saving faith produces actions. Empty faith produces nothing. Saving faith prompts acts of faith. Empty faith produces no corresponding acts at all. The most I can say about empty faith is that it fools the one who has this type of faith. They think they believe because they have the right information. In fact, earlier in James, it says that people who read the Bible without doing what it says are deceived.

So, what's the point? Well, it's possible to be deceived about our salvation. If the fruit isn't there, there may be a problem. And the problem isn't solved by getting more religious. The problem is addressed by adjusting whom we trust, what we value, how we respond, and where we are headed. If we didn't become a Christian without this repentance, we are not Christians. But if we believe Christ, we will obey and follow Christ.