2007 in Review

"I am afraid to trust him, consequently it makes it hard to seek him." 

In June, when I started my pilgrimage toward spiritual renewal, those were my words. That was my greatest difficulty. That is what caused me to waiver and step off the path. Where am I today? That's a good question.

If I were to summarize the past five and half months, I would put it in these terms. Cautiously optimistic. Not so much about my faith per se, but about how I flesh that out. I am more analytical than I was in my former days. I am more cautious and quick to question what I see, hear, and read. However, in all of that I am still moving forward.

Examining things is not a bad thing. I think someone should know why the believe what they believe and understand its foundation. Some of the most profitable times during these past few months have been sitting and talking with my wife about some of the basic issues of "the faith".  There is also my friend Jon who has been a great example and encourager. Since I see him and talk to him often, or can call him with thoughts or ideas, he has been a valuable "resource".

There have been others in my circle; Jerry, Todd, CW, Nurmi, all of which have been praying for me and encouraging me with phone calls and e-mails.

Bottom line, I am still walking and talking. I am still growing. Part of me wants to run to the deep end, climb up the high board and plunge in. The other part of me - the stable part - says, "Take your time and do things right."

What God has in store, I do not know.  How I fit into His long-term universal plan is yet to be seen.

So right now I will continue doing what I am doing watching for the  time to push it to the next level.

Thanks to all who have participated directly or indirectly in this process. Whether it's reading this blog and commenting, or just being there when it has been necessary.  I thank you!

Happy New Year!!!

Thus Says the LORD

Discernment was a concept I mentioned in an earlier post. It is a difficult concept to grasp and a hard principle to employ. Some would say it is a selective gift given only to a few. That may be true for a special kind of discernment.  However, when you see passages like the one noted below one tends to think otherwise.

"Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. 'For who has known the mind of the LORD so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ."  (1Cor. 2:14-16)

"...But be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good, acceptable and perfect."  (Romans 12:2b)

In the mid chapters of Jeremiah there is a constant "struggle" between those prophets who say "thus says the LORD" and get it wrong and Jeremiah who says "thus says the LORD" and apparently gets it right.  All the while there is this tension between what God wants and what the people perceive to be His will.

A good example is God's instruction for them to be at home in Babylon. To take wives, give their sons and daughters in marriage, build houses and plant gardens, etc.  This would seem so contradictory to what God seemed to want earlier. Times when they were to annihilate the foreigners and not participate in their culture in any form. Not only that, those who did not participate in the exile would be annihilated themselves. (Jeremiah 27-29)

Israel will be in captivity seventy years. Hard to imagine that they would accept that when someone else is offering them two as a result of "thus says the LORD". (Chapter 28) So it is easy to see how they might convince themselves that what this prophet is saying is better than what that other prophet is saying.

Discerning "God's will" and the truth of scripture is not an easy thing. It is not an attribute that comes naturally. There have been multiple times in my life when I have discerned incorrectly. Times when I wanted a certain course of action so desperately I convinced myself that my responses were a result of "thus says the LORD". Then when things did not work out like I thought, it was easy to say apparently this is what "thus says the LORD" meant.

Some people I know provide simple solutions for discerning God's will. Does it comply with scripture, does it violate God's character, does it lead you to do something that is morally questionable, WWJD, etc. All are nice and helpful I am sure, but it is still my opinion that discerning God's will is the most difficult aspect of the Christian life. We don't get much "thus says the LORD" anymore other than through scripture. There are many preachers who may think they intercede for that, but I suspect that they will get theirs soon enough.

In this new year, I am hoping to be within the scope and will of God. I am not certain I will know that is happening other than by walking the path I see before me one step at a time.  If I am successful doing that, then I believe God will be satisfied.  Perhaps I will see you on the journey.

Happy New Year!

Uhm???

I am not usually in the habit of posting BS except my own, but this has to top even that. A transcript from al-Qaida regarding the recent assassination in Pakistan.

If any one believes that, than I have a bridge to sell in N.Y.

Our God

I think about God a great deal. Whether that makes me godly or just one who has bizarre thoughts, I am not certain. Nevertheless, I think of Him often.  How often do you think about God?

There seems to be a lack of godly thinking these days. It seems that most people just take what they are given, or blindly read what they read without any attempt to dissect what they hear or read. That is not a good thing. Even Jeremiah talks about good prophets and bad prophets. Those who say "thus says the LORD" and those who say, "thus says me." If we are not astute enough to determine the difference it can lead to a great deal of confusion.

Discernment is not something that is talked about a lot these days. However, it is something that is necessary. Whether it is reading the daily paper or reading the latest novel, discerning truth from error is critical. It is critical to enhancing our worldview or slowly destroying it.

Some of the teaching I have heard lately has caused me to sharpen my discerning tools. It has prompted me to think outside the box as they say. Knowing that two people can look at the same scripture and have different interpretations is confusing if not alarming. Without discernment, it would be easy to get seduced into either loose interpretations or down right heresy.

Did I mention I think about God a great deal? Well I do. It is not because I am godly, it is merely because I want to know Him. To know what He might be like in order to properly worship Him. To understand "salvation" and what my responsibilities are within the scope of that experience.

Christmas seems like a good time to ratchet that thought process up a notch or two because it is the season of the incarnation. Yes, I know that Jesus was most likely not born this time of year. That is not the point. The point is - God incarnate.  Is it God's last resort or His ultimate gift?

Happy New Year!

In the Saddle Again

Well we are back. I thought perhaps I could keep things going during the Christmas break, but our family did not have a computer that worked properly, so I just let things ride and soaked up the benefits of family.

It is nice to spend time with those you love and simply spend time talking and sharing - kids included. I think I spent a total of zero minutes watching actual TV. We did watch The Bourne Ultimatum, which was a gift, but other than that, I stayed away from the TV and read, talked, played with Eli, or just sat and enjoyed the company of family. It was rather nice.

We attended a Christmas eve service at a nearby church - Keith and Audrey have not landed on a church home yet - and it was rather unusual.

As part of their service they were doing the Lord's Supper. That struck me as odd since the chances of having a great number of visitors was pretty high.  That part of the service had a "common cup" and large loaves of bread. You would go down, tear off some bread and dip it in the cup. It was probably very close to what Jesus and the Apostles did, but it was a procedure I had not done before. I don't think I liked the process but cannot say for certain.

I also managed to get several chapters read in Jeremiah. It is a hard book. Not so much regarding content, although that is difficult at times, but rather keeping things straight since his ministry covered such a large period of time and the book may not be in chronological order.  One thing I did note is that God has done some serious "relenting" so far. Not only that, the people of God make some rather bizarre choices when confronted with options.

Making bizarre choices may be something we all do. For apparently no serious rationale, we make choices to our detriment rather than for our good. I suppose some of it has to do with temporary pleasure to the sacrifice of long-term good. A sort of "it feels good now" mentality with a willingness to endure the consequences later thinking "they can't be that bad." When in reality the consequences are severe. However, once we discover that it is too late to retract our earlier choice. Some of us do not even learn from those who have gone before us and attempt to point out our error.

With the New Year approaching, many of us will make some "resolutions" that have to do with critical choices in our life. Certainly some of them will be just like the year before, unfulfilled, but that will not deter us from making new ones. And a few weeks in or a few months in to the new year, we will abandon our efforts. We will do that primarily because the "old way" is more comfortable. The new way is awkward and often difficult. The consequence is we do the same thing with the same results.

I believe I will be a bit more cautious about my "choices" this year. I would like to have different results in some areas of my life.

What Kind of Gifts

Each year there is a mind struggle that my wife and I engage in called "what to get you".  She wonders what gift to get me and I wonder what gifts to get her.  There have been times when we have had certain hobbies like cycling, running, or the Vette, where gifts related to those things were easy to determine.  But that is not the case right now. So we struggled, until...

We decided that we would give in a broader range this year. Now this is not to thump our chest or pat ourselves on the back, it is just an awareness thing. It was our decision to give outside ourselves this year. So we made extra donations to some ministries we support, gave foodstuff to the local food drive and made a significant donation to the Salvation Army.  That all seemed much more appropriate to the season then simply giving ourselves more things we did not need.

Of course that did not negate our gifts to our kids or other family members. We still purchased gifts for them, but not to the extent that we normally might have. (I hope they don't mind.)

I am not sure why we turn inward so much during this time of year and become consumed with "what shall I get..." I expect the advertisers and marketing companies have a hand in that. Consequently a new Lexus becomes a "gift" or diamond jewelry that the wife/woman friend would not wear but maybe once a year - usually the annual office Christmas party. Or kids "want" I-Pods, XBoxes, and flat screen TVs.

Do not get me wrong. I'm not having a Scrooge attack. I am simply reflecting how perhaps my age and "worldview" have changed my outlook on such things.   If I had kiddos in the house, I might think much differently. 

Nevertheless, if nothing else, pausing and realizing that there are those living around me who may simply wish that their husband or wife would come home safe from Iraq; that there are those who have no one to gift them; there are those who have lost a job - it all makes my mind want to evaluate this stuff.  So I did - we did.

Merry Christmas! 

Do You See What I See

In spite of the title on this blog, it does not necessarily have a Christmas theme. Although one could make application to the carol of the season.

I am not sure when it was exactly when I first began to loose my normal vision. It was definitely in the 90s after I had finished my graduate work. I blamed it on reading one to two thousand pages a week during seminary, sometimes more. That kind of toil could take its toll on the best of eyes.  Nevertheless, I found I needed glasses. Like many, I started with bifocals and then my vision slowly degenerated to the point where I now wear trifocal lenses.  I still do not like it and wish it were different.

The thing about wearing glasses is a small phenomenon of grime. If you wear glasses you can identify with this. Over a period of time the lenses become filthy. Yet, somehow, I continue to look through them as though they were clean. It is not until I take them off and hold them to the light that I become appalled at how dirty they had become.  Once I clean them, I realize how nice clean lenses can be.

When reading Jeremiah, it seems that in the beginning chapters this can be an analogy of what the people called Israel had become.  They were so accustomed to their rebellion toward God and their chasing after idols, that they failed to realize how dirty their vision had become. They had not only turned their face away from Yahweh, they had turned their back to Him in whoring after other gods. (2:27)

In their lack of clear vision, they apparently wanted to contend with God that things were really not as bad as they appeared. In spite of how dirty their vision had become, they said, "I am innocent, surely his anger has turned from me." (2:35) However, we know that that is not the case at all.

I get the same way with sin in my life. I am so used to seeing it or living with it that I can no longer perceive its danger or its ultimate penalty.  It is only when I clean the spectacles of my heart, that I see how dirty it has become.

Do you see what I see? Perhaps not. Nevertheless, you might find if you hold your lenses up to the light of God's Word, you could be surprised.

Jesus said, "The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness." (Matthew 6:22-23 ESV)

Do you see what I see?

Father, let me keep my lenses clean. I want to see clearly what it is that keeps me from enjoying full fellowship with You.

Fear The People

It is an interesting experience to read about the death and resurrection of Christ during the season that we celebrate his birth. Nevertheless, that is the portion of my reading today as I finished the Gospel of Luke.

There are a great many things I saw in the final chapters of Luke which had not captured my attention before. But those notes are for another time. What is of interest, during this season, is the stealth of the chief priests and scribes.

Luke tells us in 22:2 that the chief priests and scribes began their plot to kill the Christ in secret. Why? Because according to Luke's notes, "they feared the people."  They feared the people. They had no sense of the fear of God, simply the fear of what the people would think or do. Even their binding together did not give them courage.

All too often I find myself fearing what people will think or do should they be approached with the gospel, or even with the true meaning of Christmas. For the past few years the on-going controversy between Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays is hoisted upon businesses by Christians. Yet, how often do we follow that "protest" with a testimony to what Christmas truly means to us and to the world?

My wife and I have a tradition where we hand out candy canes to clerks and other people that we contact while out and about during this season. You would be amazed at how a simple little candy cane and a "Merry Christmas" touches people's lives.  Seldom do we have the opportunity to follow up with any meaningful conversation. Nevertheless, simply taking time to look into their eyes, give them a simple gift, and wish them a heartfelt greeting evokes some amazing reactions . We have even seen tears as a result of that simple gesture.

Does that make us courageous and bold in our witness - of course not. But it may be a seed planted which someone else may harvest. Nevertheless, we have no fear as we carry out this little tradition. 

"They feared the people." Thank God that we are not to a point yet in our society where we must fear our testimony to the Christ child.  Nor should there ever be a time when we fear men over the Messiah.  However, it won't be long before we are faced with that choice.

Merry Christmas!

His Words

There is an interesting phenomenon that occurs when a person takes a serious look at the Gospels. We see several times where Jesus is "teaching" or "preaching" regarding the Kingdom of God, yet we get very little detail of what the content was. Then there are the parables, which by their very nature are word pictures of the message Jesus intends to convey. Messages designed to be hidden to some and obvious to others.

What I find compelling is what Jesus does not say, more than what he does say. However, when it comes to his actual content we see that the people who were hearing it "were hanging on his words." (Luke 19:48 ESV)

When Jesus was finishing his earthly ministry, he told his disciples to spread his message - to make disciples of every nation, "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:20) In other words, tell people what I told you. Therefore, as ear-witnesses to his content, their obligation is now to propagate that message.

The message they heard is of course reflected in much of what they write in the narratives of the Gospels. However, it is intriguing that not one of the Gospel writers seem to give us insight into what Jesus was teaching in those "private" moments with them, or even sometimes to the multitudes.  That is, unless, we see it reflected in their recounting Christ's ministry.

Discounting all of that, at least for the moment, the fact that those who heard the Christ hung on his every word is somewhat indicting. I find myself much too often just reading to be reading my Lord's words. The only "hanging" I do is hanging on to one chapter in order to make it to the next.

Is what Jesus said important? Is what the gospel writers pen for us significantly reflective of our Lord's teaching to them? (Luke is the exception here.) Then perhaps I should strengthen my grip and learn to do more "hanging on his words."

Lord, I am not sure why I often tend to pass through your words rather than pause on your every word.  If I am to be more like you, than it is imperative that I "learn of you".  Teach me to strengthen my grip on the Gospels.

What Measure?

It will be next year and I will have been a "Christian" for forty years. That does not mean the I have the maturity of a disciple that has been in line that long, it simply is a chronological measure.  However, I have been a fairly consistent student of scripture for most of that time.

What bothers me is that my mind does not work like it use to work. I don't hold on to things like I once did. Perhaps it is because I don't have active dialogue with others regarding what I read. Then again, it could simply be my mind is dulled by years difficulty and  countless medications. Nevertheless, I plug away.

In our recent quest to understand a different theological base, that of Calvinism, I have done copious amounts of reading both in and out of scripture. I keep coming to the same conclusion in spite of a clear teaching by the pastor at the local PCA. My conclusion is fairly simple. There is no rational - I did not say logical - reason to find that theology in the NT unless you bring it with you.  Every time I read the proof text for the positions of Calvin, I find if one continues to read the context, the proof text falls apart.

Now I know there are great minds on the side of Calvin. There are great minds on opposite side as well. I do not count myself among the "great minds" of either side, simply a student of scripture.  In reality that is all any of us can be - students of scripture and we must let the text speak for itself. There is great danger in re-defining words in order to make something fit a belief system. 

Besides, if "great minds" are our measure there are great minds that believe in Mormonism, great minds that are atheists, great minds that believe in Darwin's theory of evolution.  If were merely basing something on the measure of who is whose side, then we have an even bigger issue.

It could be that I don't understand because I am not part of their elect.   It could be that I do not understand because I am not capable. It could be that I do not understand simply because I do not have that bent. Or it could be that I do not understand merely because the TULIP theory is not a sound position. 

How can I say that? Because, as I indicated, we are all students of scripture and capable of understanding the text as it stands. Archeological and biblical scholars have spent years interpreting the text and providing a clear and complete translation of what is there. There is little need for men like me to parse it differently. It can stand on its own.  Therefore we should let it stand on its own.

If we are disciples of the Christ, we must be students of his teaching not just is "personality".  And we must be students of his "theology" not just his warm and fuzzy sayings.  Christ and his teaching should be our first measure for building a belief system. It is unlikely that we will error when we have that as our foundation.

God bless the reading of His Word!

'Tis the season, so Merry Christmas!

Just Imagine

Some of us suffer certain conditions of health, both body and mind, that prevent us from functioning fully. Whether it is privately or in "society" at large, those impairments or handicaps minimize our ability to interact with life and enjoy its benefits.

Such was the Gerasene demoniac mentioned in Luke's gospel. This man, naked and living among the dead, was subject to and tormented by demons. Whether they were in his mind as a part of his imagination or haunting is very being as a part of his reality, he was declared not fit to be among society. At least, that is what those around him felt.

Just imagine - no, we cannot even begin to imagine what that kind of existence could be like, unless of course, you have been there.  Nor would any of us, save for a select few, dare to identify with this man in such a manner that we would be in his presence. But Jesus had no fear of him. He knew what was troubling the man and exactly what to do about it. He knew that the chains that confined that man in his own coffin-of-the-mind, could be broken by the love of God. And indeed, it was love that set him free.

When the man was made new, clothed and in his right mind, those who had bound and secluded him marveled at his transformation! Actually they did not. They were more fearful of what Jesus had done, then the man they had bound.  So much so that they asked Jesus to leave.

Jesus obliged their request, but before doing so he told the "new man" to go and tell. Even though this man so desperately wanted to follow the Christ who had made him whole, Jesus said no; Go and "declare how much God has done for you." (Luke. 8:39)

Just imagine - no, we could not. Those people who had isolated you from society have now become your audience for the testimony of what God had done. 

The people wanted no part of this Jesus who could do such miracles. Yet now, on a daily basis they would be reminded of his power by a man who was once powerless in his mind. How ironic.

I wonder, would they have thought the man who was now dressed and in his right mind, was crazy about this Christ and chain him up again? Did the man himself have doubts about his own mind?

Just imagine...

Flip the Switch

Apparently New Jersey is the first state to do away with the death penalty. What will be interesting is how many states follow their lead.

This is an unfortunate move and one that sends a clear signal to those who commit violent and heinous crimes. That does not necessarily mean that the death penalty, as carried out here in the US, discourages that kind of behavior. It just means that now we have the luxury of supporting violent criminals for the balance of their natural lives should they be convicted in that state.

I am not sure where you stand on the issue, but it is fairly clear that scripture supports the death penalty for "murder". Not only that but Jesus seemed to indicate that he had no problem with the practice, nor did Paul.

There are a variety of arguments, no doubt. Instead of me rehashing them, I will point anyone who is interested to a couple different articles on the subject.  Here is one -- and here is another.  Each are interesting reads and provide some interesting points as well as scriptural support.

Of course, since Christians are to love and forgive, we often cringe at the issue of killing people who kill people. However, the government's role is a different matter. 

Of course those Calvinists out there would have no problem since God already chooses to condemn people based on random selection anyway. We would just be hurry the inevitable along.  :)

All in all, it will be interesting to see how our government, locally and nationally handles this issue and whether or not any action is taken at the national level.  Until then, NJ can be one of those "cities of refuge" for those who choose to do the unspeakable.

275 Million

Think about it, we have millions homeless, probably millions more go hungry every day not to mention, those without any type of medical care. But somehow, some way a human being who plays baseball thinks his skill is worth 27.5 million dollars a year for the next ten years, plus bonuses.

If that does not say something pathetic about the sports industry in this country what does?

Who, anywhere, anytime is worth that kind of money to run around bases, throw and catch a baseball and walk up to the plate three or four times in a game?

Does A Rod have no shame? No sense of self esteem? Regardless of how much he might give away, there is no justification for this kind of money.  Does Baseball have no sense of shame?

What is even more embarrassing is that people will pay 50, 75, 100 dollars or more to sit and watch this game and fund his lifestyle. 

Give me Little League any time. At least until they start doing steroids and asking for more ice cream and pizza at the end of a game!

Miracles

I received an e-mail from a friend regarding someone they know who has cancer and is scheduled for chemotherapy.  The request in the e-mail was to pray for a miracle.  Here is some of what she said

We believe God works miracles. We are not kooky, foolish people. We just believe God's Word is for today, for our lives, and works to help meet our needs. Is anything too hard for the God of all creation?

While I read the patient's blog and their comments, I began to think about this whole miracle thing. Not that I do not believe in miracles today, it's just that often times we pray for miracles when in actuality our prayers should be for God's will to be done. After all, isn't that what will happen anyway?

If we pray for a miracle, what we are really praying for is that God would change His mind regarding this person's condition. They have cancer, it is terminal even with chemotherapy, so is it God's sovereign will that she die now. That her "time is up", as they say. If nature ran it's course the answer is obviously yes. So praying for a miracle is praying to change the mind of God and postpone things until a later time.

Now I have no idea what is going to happen. I certainly have no idea of the mind of God. His plan may be to bring people together in a sense of unity and love - take away the woman's cancer, which was His will in the first place - and teach others of His sovereignty - His eternal power over life and death.  Then again, in spite of all the prayers and all the petitions to God, the woman dies.

If she dies, does that then mean that God does not do miracles? That He chose to ignore the prayer's of His children? That He would not and could not change His mind? That miracles are for "then" not "now"? That the people praying did not have enough faith?

This is hard. There is nothing easy about it? Would the victory be in the "miracle" or is the victory and real testimony in how the woman faces her death? It is a mystery indeed.

If you are interested in following the story, you can do so here.

"Oh give thanks to the LORD for He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"  (Psalm 107:1)

Sometimes Ya Just gotta!!

I know it's not polite to be one-uppity, but hey, when it's 75 degrees on December 10th, ya gotta brag somewhere to someone!

Imagine, full sunshine, calm breeze and temps in the high 70's. If I didn't know better I would think I was in the tropics.  Of course, we'll probably "pay" for all of this down the line, and I would LOVE to see some rain. But overall, no complaints!

Calvin and Arminius

It seems that we are in the middle of this discussion with some consternation. Not that I chose it necessarily, but because the church we are attending is a reformed PCA church and we happen to be attending a LEAD class on Sunday mornings.  This class is originally intended to indoctrinate their prospective leaders and teachers - those who will be elders or deacons, or who may be in some form of leadership in the future. But it was open to all.

Alice and I took the class for a couple of reasons. One, we wanted a deeper understanding of the PCA belief system. And two, we thought, if we could hang in there, we might be able to do some "service" down the road.

We are learning about Calvinism and the particular method that PCA has for interpreting scripture. Which is intriguing in itself. But I must say, I have not experienced anything similar to this in all my almost 40 years of being a Christian. I must have been sleeping during my school studies when we went over all of this, because much of it is "new" in the sense that, "gee, I didn't know you could interpret that verse that way!"

I understand that there are some really smart scholars on both sides of these two belief systems. Nevertheless, up to this point, here is my evaluation. If someone were to approach scripture without having been influenced by either of these "five points", it is highly unlikely, almost impossible, that one could emerge a Calvinist. 

I say that because, after almost 20 some hours reading their support text, it seems apparent that you need help in interpreting the scripture a certain way, if that help is not there, than the text speaks for itself and there is very little of the text of scripture that could support Calvinism.

Does that mean Arminius was 100% right. Absolutely not. But it does mean the biblical text seems to support a majority of his positions.

These kind of "discussions" are fun and exciting. Of course, history says there will be no final answer, at least in this class we are taking. But talking and learning about it all is a great joy.

Speaking of JOY - it is the Christmas season. So, JOY TO THE WORLD and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Rise Again

Coming to the end of Matthew's gospel is somewhat of a relief. Not that I don't enjoy reading it, it is just that Matthew does not seem to have the same writing skills as the other three gospel writers. His agenda seems to always interfere. At least it seems to me that is the case.

Nevertheless, as with the other gospels, the end of Matthew deals with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Christ. Now Matthew includes a few one-of-a- kind comments in his Gospel that intrigue me. However, none like we find in Matthew 27:51-54 where at the moment of Jesus death, not only is there an upheaval in the earth and the temple curtain torn in two, but apparently something more significant is about to happen. Somewhere, or in many places around the city, the text says that, "The tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised..."  (28:52)

Now Jesus was chided about a lot of things during his trial and crucifixion. During his crucifixion, they even mocked him and said, "...Let him come down now from the cross and we will believe in him." (Matt. 27:42)  That would have been something!  No doubt Jesus would have gotten their attention at that point. Yet, that is not what happened.

What did happen is apparently there was a mini-resurrection of some type, other than Jesus', that took place after Jesus' resurrection and those who came out of their tombs "went into the holy city and appeared to many." (v.53)  That has to be the next best thing to Jesus coming down off the cross that night, but apparently, it goes relatively unnoticed. Matthew comments on it, but none of the other gospel writers mention it. I wonder why you would ignore such an eye-opening event!

After the resurrection, Jesus visits the twelve and the women, these other saints go into the city. Since we have no other evidence, apparently they said a "hello" to their family and friends. Then what? Did they die again and go back into the tomb. Or were they translated into the heavenly kingdom of God.

One must admit this is a rather significant event in the scheme of things. After all, resurrections from the dead are not a daily occurrence. However, apparently this event goes somewhat unnoticed and unrecorded as to its effect.  Then again, you can understand why, imagine showing up at the family meal after Synagogue with Phineas in tow, knowing that someone is going to say, "What the heck! Didn't he die last year in a camel accident?"

Scripture is not always easy to understand when you see events like this occurring in isolation. Especially when they seem to be such a significant event. I suppose when we get to heaven we can ask Matthew why he chose to put this there - or Luke, Mark and John, why they chose to leave it out.  Or another option, maybe it just didn't happen they way Matthew thought it did or wanted it to happen. I don't know.

Does that impact how I look at the rest of his story. Not at all. Does that change the veracity of scripture, not at all. It could very well be that everyone was rightly focused on Jesus and the rest of these folks, now no longer at "rest", simply took a back seat.

Does that mean keeping your eyes on Jesus may cause you to miss "significant events" going on around you? Perhaps, but then maybe they are not that significant after all.

Merry Christmas!

In The Holiday Spirit

My office is cleaned up and rearranged. I live in an area where 60 degree temps in December are not that unusual. I have a wife who loves me unconditionally and a dog that thinks I am wonderful. Plus, Santa Claus is coming to town. How could I be anything other than in the Holiday Spirit?

This month I am reading the Gospels again. I am just about finished with Matthew. Of course, I am having new insight on passages that may have slipped by me in previous readings. So it is fun.

My wife and I were talking the other night about some of what I have been reading and we began discussing the disciples. Their selection (not election) was a rather odd experience. Jesus simply saw them and said, "Come and follow me," and they basically dropped everything to follow him. Of course, there may have been something that transpired before Jesus spoke those words, but not one of the Gospel writers gives us a hint of that. Jesus said, "come" and they came.

Naturally, it took quite some time for the disciples to settle in their minds that they were indeed following the Messiah. That being the case, what in the world prompted them to drop everything and follow this unknown man. If you or I did that today, or a friend of ours, it would be viewed as an act of an unstable mind. In fact, if one of our children were to do something similar, we would call it "cultish".

Different culture and a different time, I suppose is the primary answer. We have no other indication. Not even Matthew, one of the twelve, tells us he was "lead by the spirit" or a "voice from heaven spoke to him saying 'follow this man' you won't be disappointed."

During the Christmas Season, I wonder how many people will encounter the Christ and hear him say, "Come, follow me." Then, without any question or delay, simply say, "yes!"

Would we make them go back and walk down the "Roman road" to make sure they did it the right way?  Would we ask them if they said anything other than "yes" - since it is a fact one must include the "sinner's prayer" in order for salvation to be effective. Or will we simply say - "Great! Welcome to the family." Then begin to nurture them in their new faith relationship.

What a wonderful time Christmas is. What a wonderful gift we have in Christ.

Merry Christmas!

The Message of Scripture

When I was cruzin' the streets of the Tri-Cities, WA there was this song which was a big hit in the summertime of the late 60's. It was by the Lovin' Spoonful called "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind". Here is the first stanza:

Did you ever have to make up your mind
Pick up on one and leave the other behind
It's not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind

I thought about that song as I finished my morning scripture reading and found myself wanting to pray for a clear understanding of what I was reading. I was thinking - "I have got to make up my mind about some things."

Then I caught myself and thought - "Why do I need to pray for a clear understanding? Isn't there this idea of perspicuity - that scripture is plain in what it teaches and has no intent to deceive or mislead?" Of course it does. (The Blue Letter Bible has a nice discussion on it.)

My wife and I are currently attending a PCA church. This is a first for me and a repeat for her - at least from her younger days. I have never been totally familiar with the PCA so it's been a real learning experience for me. The big plus is that we are right now taking a "LEAD" class - a leadership class that is going over the major doctrines and teachings of the PCA. The class is intended for future deacons, elders, teachers, etc. However, it was a class that was open to anyone, so we decided to go and learn. And what a learning experience it has been!

The second week in, we dealt with this concept of perspicuity. Of course nothing could be further from the truth if you look at it realistically. If people truly believed that idea, then Calvin would have been dismissed years ago as well as Arminius, I suppose. Nevertheless, those two men continue to influence the "doctrine of salvation and justification" to this day.

In the Westminster Confession, here is what it says about perspicuity:

II. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all:[15] yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.  (Section 1 VII)

It seems, at least to me, that this idea is rather narrowly focused only to "salvation" and not to a clear understanding of scripture as a whole. Which is an accurate description for the PCA since they are rather convoluted when it comes to other areas of scripture, predestination and the elect being just a couple.

Nevertheless, I have entered the study of these things with a fairly open mind. But I must say, when I read the text - the whole text of scripture simply for what it says, I find it very difficult to see how they devise the things they devise in terms of their understanding. But they must do a good job of it, since greater minds than I will ever have subscribe to their doctrine and theology and millions of people are apparently in the elect and many others are simply doomed by GOD to eternal destruction, no questions asked.

Well, I suppose I could ask one question, but then their trump card of sovereignty goes on the table and their eyes glaze over.

Update

This is a follow up and frankly probably not of real interest to many, but it is of interest to me. It has to do with the "virgin text" I spoke of a month or so back. I had purchased a new Bible, an English Standard Version, and was attempting to read it without marking in it. I have a tendency to do a great deal of underlining, note taking, marking in my Bibles.

It is time to confess. I did pick up a pencil after a few weeks and start making tick marks here and there. Then I started underlining words, not sentences mind you, just a word or two here and there. And I made an occasional " < " in the margin to signify something important.  To satisfy my deeper need to take notes, I read with a steno-pad beside me and make notes there.

What I would like to "note" is this...it is actually quite revealing to read a clean text of scripture. I am seeing things that I had not seen before and I am able to retain my focus on the text and not the markings to think about why I may have made that mark or note in previous readings. It really is fun and quite rewarding.  In fact it is reshaping my theology it a great degree.

We all come to the text with certain preconceived notions of what we believe about certain doctrines or theologies. There is nothing wrong with that. However, if we force those beliefs on the text that is wrong. On the other hand, if we let the text kick those beliefs around a bit and reshape them into more accurate truths, then that is a good thing. At least, I believe that is a good thing.  Let me give you a rather innocuous example.

In Matthew 12:38-42 Jesus is having a discussion with the scribes and Pharisees about signs. They "wish to see a sign from (him)". Of course Jesus said no sign will be given except the "sign of Jonah". He goes on to say two things about two OT figures, "something greater than Jonah is here" and "something greater than Solomon is here." 

What caught my attention is the "something". Why didn't Jesus say someone? He is obviously referring to the persons. However his greater reference is to the event of judgement. Now your study Bible or a commentary may point you in that direction, but it is much more fun when the text does it!

Well, it obviously doesn't take much to excite me. So I reckon I'll just move along and keep this to myself from now on. Unless of course, there is a revelation from God that just must be shared.

Oh yes....

Merry Christmas!!!

Miracle Birth

Each child emerging from the womb of their mother is, in some sense a miracle.

That human beings can recreate themselves at all truly is miraculous when you think about it. Mere cells, eventually dividing and developing into a fully developed replication of their donors.  Wow!

Now, if you throw a birth into the mix that makes no sense according to the rules of nature - a woman conceiving without the benefit of a donor male - well there you have something extra ordinary. A virgin birth.

I cannot speak for anyone else, but I have a tendency to just take that notion in stride. As though it were a common everyday occurrence. Or perhaps, it is so unbelievable and so other-worldly, that I write it off and simply go with it because to try and make sense of it makes no sense.

At the Christmas season I sing O Little Town of Bethlehem, The First Noel, Away in a Manger, etc., and give the words very little thought. That is because I have sung the songs for years and heard countless renditions. They are what they are - unless of course you get wowed by a really good choir. Then - well then, it can really come alive. But that is more "how" it's done, not necessarily the song's content that moves me - anyway.

Pondering the virgin birth takes a great deal of discipline. I suppose we could just accept it and move on. But it really is a one-of-a-kind miracle. Not that other miracles are that ordinary. But this one is special. It is hard to duplicate this one - even harder to make sense of it, let alone explain it to someone else. In one regard, everything hinges on this miracle.

Oh my....at times I can't decide whether to have a bagel or cereal for breakfast. What in the world am I doing pondering the virgin birth?

Truth

What is it that makes truth, truth? In John 8:32, Jesus said that we would know the the "truth" that it would make us free.  Part of the idea of truth is conforming to fact, being accurate and well, being truthful. Yet, what I am finding is that, at least, the pursuit of truth is anything but freeing. It can be quite cumbersome and binding in many respects. At least for me.

In my discipleship journey, I am having occasion to stop at many different venues to explore methodologies and curriculum used in discipling people. I am also putting in to practice some of these principles myself. Consequently, I am learning things that are quite interesting. One is primarily that of Bible study.

When it comes to the study of scripture and doctrines related to scripture, or the "church" for that matter, often discipleship programs script the curriculum. The goal is to actually teach people what they should believe, not so much how how to study the scripture for themselves - how to discover truth for themselves. This of course does two things; it perpetuates the internal "faith" and it prevents people from asking too many questions.

I am watching this in action at the church we are attending now. It's a PCA church. Not that PCA is a bad thing. However, in the discipleship class, which is also a leadership class, it is pretty well a "this is what you shall believe" class. I may be the only vocal decenter in the group. That does not mean I do not agree with what is being taught, it just means I have serious questions and there are other options. Options that may be "true".

Nevertheless, our teacher is like everyone else, when you hear something long enough, loud enough, and spoken by people you trust, you believe it and pass it along as truth.  All disciplines do it. We see it in government with welfare or healthcare issues; in our schools with the perpetuation of the Darwin myth; in science with misinformation about global warming, etc.  All have elements of truth, but none may be true. And yes, the church is the same way.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." (Jn. 14:6) And God desires "all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth." (1Tim. 2:4) So, without stealing Pilate's thunder, "what is truth?"