A prequel by definition is "the earlier part of the story." Although Genesis means the beginning, it is not the beginning of everything. Genesis is the beiginning of God's revelation to us, but what was happening before us? As we begin to read God's story to us, it is appropriate to understand the prequel for it tells us more about God and ourselves. There are two important things for us to understand in the prequel to the story.
1. God's existance was perfect. God is an eternal being, self-sufficient and complete, with no beginning nor ending. As a result, God did not create us because he was deficient in any way. Psalms 90:2 says "Before the mountains were born you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." God was pefectly complete in Himself, independent of us. This also dismisses any idea that God is evolving. This idea is consistent with "Process Theology" and it is inconsistent with the eternal and immutable (unchanging) nature of God. Furthermore, God was complete in community with Himself. In other words, God exists as one God, yet made up of three persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is a perfect relationship God has with Himself, yet it is not narcisistic because God is not motivated by selfish-gain, but for our own good. God reveals to us in Genesis how He exists in this community. (Gen. 1:26, 3:22, 11:7)
2. God's story was planned. God's planned His story of redemption before creation. If we think about it, of course God would and could do this. Who would plan to create or even write a story without a plan? God's story was planned before creation. As part of God's plan, God chose us, and He knew we would not choose God, yet God knew He would in humility become human and sacrificially die for our rebellion in order to satisfy His justice. A. W. Tozer once said, "God has a voluntary relationship to everything God has made." This means God was not obligated to create us, yet did so, despite our rebellion against God; and this was voluntary on God's part, yet it results in God's glory and our own good.
Knowing these aspects of the prequel, may only serve to create more questions, such as "Why did God create us knowing we would rebel?" "If God knew this and will judge those who refuse God, then why would God create some to have a redeemed life and others not to?" We must be careful to avoid three things in answering these questions. First, we must avoid entitlement. God does not owe us an answer and we, as the created, are not entitled to anything by the Creator. Second, we must avoid pride. By asking certain questions, we believe we are capable of understanding the answers. In other words, as finite beings we cannot assume we would understand everything about an infinite God. Lastly, we must avoid living without faith. God calls us in response to his loving creation of us, to love God in return. God's love language, much like our own, is trust and grace. Yet God demonstrates He is fully trustworthy because He demonstrates in his own love, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. In other words, when we were at our worst, God gave us His very best, Himself slaughtered on a cross.
Given, God's demonstration of love to us by creating us and dying to redeem us, what is our demonstration of love towards God. The words of Moses are wise for us to remember. In Deuteronomy 29:29 he says, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." Given the prequel of God, the sequel to God's story lies not in asking more questions but in surrendering our lives to Christ our Lord.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Story or A Story
As our church begins to read through much of the Bible in chronological order and in narrative fashion, we are embarking upon a deeper understanding of an overarching story, God's story. We may not realize this, but our premise that God has an overarching story, that weaves together ancient history with modernity is quite brazen to a postmodern society. Our postmodern society rejects the notion of a "meta narrative," which means there is an overarching, grand narrative or theme to existance on earth. As a result, we are left to create our own meaning in life. In other words, noone can tell you what your purpose is in life, because there is no meta narrative, there is only a personal narrative, which each of us must create.
The ramifications of this aspect of postmodernity ripple into realms of morality and theology. For instance, since each of us must create our own meaning in life, then our morality and theology is subjective. This is evidenced in the popular notion of "What's right for you is right for you, but don't try to push your morals on me." Furthermore, religious pluralism has been birthed out of this aspect of postmodernity. Religious pluralist may vehemently react by asking "Who are we as Christians, or anyone of any religion, to suggest we are right and everyone else is wrong?" "We must be tolerant and accepting of all views." Unfortunately in our society, accepting other views means adopting all views.
These notions pose real challenges to Christians today. We are professing a universal theme or purpose to all life. We are also espousing universal Truths and morals which apply to all people. And we are advocating there is a singular path towards a relationship with God. All of these notions are more than just unpopular today, they are vehemently rejected. So as we embark upon this exciting adventure, let us be aware that our beliefs are largely rejected and it is difficult for contemporary society to disagree with a person's beliefs without discarding the person altogether. (just look at democrats and republicans)
So we have an opportunity not only to hold to our convictions but to hold on to them without responding to our culture in kind. As the world rejects our beliefs and possibly us in general, we are to follow Christ's example by extending grace, acceptance and love. Despite our age of tolerance and pluralism, these characteristics are universally welcomed and inherent of Christ.
The ramifications of this aspect of postmodernity ripple into realms of morality and theology. For instance, since each of us must create our own meaning in life, then our morality and theology is subjective. This is evidenced in the popular notion of "What's right for you is right for you, but don't try to push your morals on me." Furthermore, religious pluralism has been birthed out of this aspect of postmodernity. Religious pluralist may vehemently react by asking "Who are we as Christians, or anyone of any religion, to suggest we are right and everyone else is wrong?" "We must be tolerant and accepting of all views." Unfortunately in our society, accepting other views means adopting all views.
These notions pose real challenges to Christians today. We are professing a universal theme or purpose to all life. We are also espousing universal Truths and morals which apply to all people. And we are advocating there is a singular path towards a relationship with God. All of these notions are more than just unpopular today, they are vehemently rejected. So as we embark upon this exciting adventure, let us be aware that our beliefs are largely rejected and it is difficult for contemporary society to disagree with a person's beliefs without discarding the person altogether. (just look at democrats and republicans)
So we have an opportunity not only to hold to our convictions but to hold on to them without responding to our culture in kind. As the world rejects our beliefs and possibly us in general, we are to follow Christ's example by extending grace, acceptance and love. Despite our age of tolerance and pluralism, these characteristics are universally welcomed and inherent of Christ.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A Peaceful Economic Recession
Very few people enjoy conflict and some will go to extreme lengths to maintain peace. Their motto is peace at all costs. This motto can be dangerous because conflict is what enables us to grow, both personally as well as interpersonally. However, can we have peace at all times and amidst all circumstances which will also foster spiritual growth?
In the Bible, the book of Philippians, chapter four, verse four tell us to "Rejoice in the Lord always" and then in verse six we are instructed "Do not be anxious about anything..." How realistic is this? Is this not another form of denial and conflict avoidance evidence in our relationships, now being encouraged in our difficult circumstances?
I don't believe God's word is advocating denial and avoidance, but rather is advocating for faith in God's goodness, faithfulness and sovereign control. When we choose to be thankful and prayerful, even when times are awful, we will experience a disposition that is peaceful. In fact, that passage of scripture from Philippians, chapter four also tells us "in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the PEACE, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." This does not imply that we will feel warm and fuzzy with an abundance of joy all of the time, but instead that there will be a quiet trust and confidence amidst troubling times.
Jesus promised us that we would experience trouble in this world, but also, God's Word promises us peace amidst our troubled times. Therefore, if I am not experiencing peace, either God was wrong in His promise, or something is wrong with me. I tend to believe the latter is the case, and because I am lacking in my faith. So, whenever I complain that I am stressed, this is probably a statement that reflects my lack of faith, more than it is depiction of what is occuring in my life.
Does this logic make sense? Does it apply to you? Could the beam in our own eye be our lack of faith that needs to be removed, so we can more accurately view and deal with stressors around us? Does the economic recession stress you? Could the larger issue be a spiritual recession due to lack of faith. Could faith be the path toward peace?
The passage in Philippians tell us how to transform our stress into peace. The means of this transformaiton is through thanksgiving. In other words, as you pray to God about your stressors, thank God for his subsequent and always dependable faithfulness. This will result in greater peace.
Beams Away!
In the Bible, the book of Philippians, chapter four, verse four tell us to "Rejoice in the Lord always" and then in verse six we are instructed "Do not be anxious about anything..." How realistic is this? Is this not another form of denial and conflict avoidance evidence in our relationships, now being encouraged in our difficult circumstances?
I don't believe God's word is advocating denial and avoidance, but rather is advocating for faith in God's goodness, faithfulness and sovereign control. When we choose to be thankful and prayerful, even when times are awful, we will experience a disposition that is peaceful. In fact, that passage of scripture from Philippians, chapter four also tells us "in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the PEACE, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." This does not imply that we will feel warm and fuzzy with an abundance of joy all of the time, but instead that there will be a quiet trust and confidence amidst troubling times.
Jesus promised us that we would experience trouble in this world, but also, God's Word promises us peace amidst our troubled times. Therefore, if I am not experiencing peace, either God was wrong in His promise, or something is wrong with me. I tend to believe the latter is the case, and because I am lacking in my faith. So, whenever I complain that I am stressed, this is probably a statement that reflects my lack of faith, more than it is depiction of what is occuring in my life.
Does this logic make sense? Does it apply to you? Could the beam in our own eye be our lack of faith that needs to be removed, so we can more accurately view and deal with stressors around us? Does the economic recession stress you? Could the larger issue be a spiritual recession due to lack of faith. Could faith be the path toward peace?
The passage in Philippians tell us how to transform our stress into peace. The means of this transformaiton is through thanksgiving. In other words, as you pray to God about your stressors, thank God for his subsequent and always dependable faithfulness. This will result in greater peace.
Beams Away!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Christian-phobic
Recently, I communicated in a sermon, based upon the book of Second Timothy, chapter 3, verses 1-17, Christians will be persecuted by culture, but persecution must result in continual devotion to God's Word and integration of our culture. Furthermore, any persecution should not result in frustration nor a sense of victimization on the part of Christians. But, it appears that responding to victimization is proving to be quite effective.
Recently, an unprecidented Gallup poll indicated over 50% of the population agrees that gay and lesbian relationships are morally acceptable. Chuck Colson offers a compelling article on this survey at the following link, http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/14578. The homosexual community has had an agenda for contemporary culture to condone homosexual behavior. This agenda has been successful, in part, as they have portrayed themselves as victimized, often by Christians, who are "homo-phobic."
Ironically, Christians who still maintain that homosexuality is morally wrong are currently in the minority. I wonder if Christians will take a page out of the homosexual community play book and portray a victimized stance by homosexuals who happen to be "Christian-phobic." This would be an ironic turn of events, if not so tragic.
My suggestion for Christians may sound insincere and hypocritical to homosexuals, but I offer a different response for Christians. We should not see ourselves as against homosexuals. While homosexuality is still believed to be wrong by many Christians, homosexuality is no more or less wrong than any of the myriad of sins we Christians continue to commit. Thus as Christians we must never condone immorality, whether we commit it or someone else commits it. And, the only phobia, or fear that we need to maintain is not of homosexuals, but of God and God's instruction to creation. This is a reverent fear that enables us to walk humbly before God, be staunchly committed to God's Word, while clearly identifying what is immoral and living compassionately with one another.
Do these recent polls affect you in any way? If so, how? If not, why?
As a Christian community, let us consider how we feel about this increasingly favorable opinion towards homosexuality and the increasingly unfavorable opinion towards Christianity. How will we respond? Politically? Humbly? Indifferently?
Beams Away!
Recently, an unprecidented Gallup poll indicated over 50% of the population agrees that gay and lesbian relationships are morally acceptable. Chuck Colson offers a compelling article on this survey at the following link, http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/14578. The homosexual community has had an agenda for contemporary culture to condone homosexual behavior. This agenda has been successful, in part, as they have portrayed themselves as victimized, often by Christians, who are "homo-phobic."
Ironically, Christians who still maintain that homosexuality is morally wrong are currently in the minority. I wonder if Christians will take a page out of the homosexual community play book and portray a victimized stance by homosexuals who happen to be "Christian-phobic." This would be an ironic turn of events, if not so tragic.
My suggestion for Christians may sound insincere and hypocritical to homosexuals, but I offer a different response for Christians. We should not see ourselves as against homosexuals. While homosexuality is still believed to be wrong by many Christians, homosexuality is no more or less wrong than any of the myriad of sins we Christians continue to commit. Thus as Christians we must never condone immorality, whether we commit it or someone else commits it. And, the only phobia, or fear that we need to maintain is not of homosexuals, but of God and God's instruction to creation. This is a reverent fear that enables us to walk humbly before God, be staunchly committed to God's Word, while clearly identifying what is immoral and living compassionately with one another.
Do these recent polls affect you in any way? If so, how? If not, why?
As a Christian community, let us consider how we feel about this increasingly favorable opinion towards homosexuality and the increasingly unfavorable opinion towards Christianity. How will we respond? Politically? Humbly? Indifferently?
Beams Away!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Getting Political on You
This blog is devoted to applying the teachings of Jesus when he said to take the beams out of our own eye before we judge others. So let us consider some of our political beams in the interest of our own spiritual benefit, especially as some espouse we are currently engaged in a non-violent civil war in America.
Recently I came across this quote by William McKinley, our 25th President of the United States.
"Let us remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict; and that our real eminence (distinction) rests in the victories of peace, not war."
Do you think this has any relevance to the internal political party power plays between Democrates and Republicans? Is this a quote that has biblical underpinnings? Does it have practical Christian implications for you? If so, what? And finally, honestly, do you pray for our President and the political party which you disagree and perhaps even villify?
This sounds political, but I think it is really more spiritual than political.
Beams Away!
Brett
Recently I came across this quote by William McKinley, our 25th President of the United States.
"Let us remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict; and that our real eminence (distinction) rests in the victories of peace, not war."
Do you think this has any relevance to the internal political party power plays between Democrates and Republicans? Is this a quote that has biblical underpinnings? Does it have practical Christian implications for you? If so, what? And finally, honestly, do you pray for our President and the political party which you disagree and perhaps even villify?
This sounds political, but I think it is really more spiritual than political.
Beams Away!
Brett
Who Are You When You Are Really Looking?
I can't remember who it was that coined the question, "Who are you when no one is looking?" This question calls us to consider our behaviors when no one is looking as the true indicator of our character. I'd like to rephrase that in the form of another question - "Who are you when you are really looking?" Asking who we are when no one is looking, presumes that we are willing to look at ourselves honestly. When we do this, it is an indicator of our true nature. I have taken a hard and honest look at myself and I don't like what I see. But is this a bad thing?
Below is my conclusion about myself and I believe it can be extrapolated to all of humanity. Tell me what you think it means, if you agree and what the implications might be.
"If left to the discovery of the base of who I am,
It will lead to the bane of my existence,
And leave me irrovocably rebellious against God,
With a chronic restless and unrepentant heart."
Below is my conclusion about myself and I believe it can be extrapolated to all of humanity. Tell me what you think it means, if you agree and what the implications might be.
"If left to the discovery of the base of who I am,
It will lead to the bane of my existence,
And leave me irrovocably rebellious against God,
With a chronic restless and unrepentant heart."
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Graceful Living Can Be Dangerous Living
Please read below the response to my previous blog about extending grace to all at all times. The response captures so much of the difficulty of living by grace. I love the candor and question posed. I think we can all relate to it. Thanks to the person who sent it.
Ok, yes I believe that what you have said is very true, however, where is the thin line of "Self Preservation" come in especially in a world where 90% of the people you interact with do not hold the same standards. How can one conudct business with this same attitude, why you would be run over as all business is conducted in a world of law not grace. This one broad brush of grace approach gets much trickier in the world of business contracts etc. So, as a business person I struggle with this one way fits all thinking when it comes to our "personal faith and practice" and our "business faith and practice."
This is an excellent point and thanks again for bringing this up. Your point about a think line between self perservation and extending grace is something I believe we all feel, regardless of whether it is in a business context, our family relationships or otherwise. There can be all kinds of risks and costs when grace is involved. Jesus extended grace and he was crucified. Simply because graceful living is costly and risky it does not mean we don't live by grace, otherwise Jesus would never have died on a cross and His words to follow Him would be empty. Instead, Jesus' words to us are to count the cost when following him and that cost involves losing our lives for Him.
With this said, let me offer a bit of claity about what living by grace is and what it is not. Living by grace and extending grace to other does not mean extending trust to everyone. Graceful living is akin to fogiving; and we can forgive someone, but not necessarily be reconcilded to that person. A person who has offended or hurt us needs to be forgiven by us. However, if that person does not change, then we do not and cannot be reconciled to that person because it is simply not safe. This may not sound very Christian, but consider how this dynamic plays out in relation to God and creation. God, through Christ, extends forgiveness to all creation, but all creation (the offenders) is not reconciled to God. So gracefull living is not always reconciling, but it is always forgiving, while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Even Jesus, is recorded in the gospel of John to keep such a boundary. It says that Jesus would not entrust himself to men, because he knew what was in all men. Still, he extended grace.
This leads me to the question, "What is grace?" As we look at Jesus, we see that when we were at our worst, God gave us God's very best. This is what it means in Romans 5:8, that when we were powerless in our sin, Christ died ofr us. So in business or any context, when people give us their very worst, we in Christ are to give them our very best. This is graceful living. Perhaps because it is so dangerous to live this way in the business world is the reason why it is so imperative to follow Jesus by always extending grace in that context.
Thanks for the push back. This blog is an appropriate forum for push back. I love it, keep it coming.
Ok, yes I believe that what you have said is very true, however, where is the thin line of "Self Preservation" come in especially in a world where 90% of the people you interact with do not hold the same standards. How can one conudct business with this same attitude, why you would be run over as all business is conducted in a world of law not grace. This one broad brush of grace approach gets much trickier in the world of business contracts etc. So, as a business person I struggle with this one way fits all thinking when it comes to our "personal faith and practice" and our "business faith and practice."
This is an excellent point and thanks again for bringing this up. Your point about a think line between self perservation and extending grace is something I believe we all feel, regardless of whether it is in a business context, our family relationships or otherwise. There can be all kinds of risks and costs when grace is involved. Jesus extended grace and he was crucified. Simply because graceful living is costly and risky it does not mean we don't live by grace, otherwise Jesus would never have died on a cross and His words to follow Him would be empty. Instead, Jesus' words to us are to count the cost when following him and that cost involves losing our lives for Him.
With this said, let me offer a bit of claity about what living by grace is and what it is not. Living by grace and extending grace to other does not mean extending trust to everyone. Graceful living is akin to fogiving; and we can forgive someone, but not necessarily be reconcilded to that person. A person who has offended or hurt us needs to be forgiven by us. However, if that person does not change, then we do not and cannot be reconciled to that person because it is simply not safe. This may not sound very Christian, but consider how this dynamic plays out in relation to God and creation. God, through Christ, extends forgiveness to all creation, but all creation (the offenders) is not reconciled to God. So gracefull living is not always reconciling, but it is always forgiving, while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Even Jesus, is recorded in the gospel of John to keep such a boundary. It says that Jesus would not entrust himself to men, because he knew what was in all men. Still, he extended grace.
This leads me to the question, "What is grace?" As we look at Jesus, we see that when we were at our worst, God gave us God's very best. This is what it means in Romans 5:8, that when we were powerless in our sin, Christ died ofr us. So in business or any context, when people give us their very worst, we in Christ are to give them our very best. This is graceful living. Perhaps because it is so dangerous to live this way in the business world is the reason why it is so imperative to follow Jesus by always extending grace in that context.
Thanks for the push back. This blog is an appropriate forum for push back. I love it, keep it coming.
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