For the Skeptic

  (The following is an article I wrote for our local newspaper, the Mail-Journal) 

I am an admitted skeptic. It feels naturally ingrained but maybe I took all the “critical thinking” exercises too seriously in my education. Maybe life has taught me it is more fun to play the “devil’s advocate” role. 

This character trait can certainly make living into my vocation as a pastor interesting for sure. My own natural skepticism certainly makes me sensitive to those outside my Christian faith – and our world does not lack for critics and doubters of Christianity. Unfortunately, we Christians can provide them with plenty of ammunition unnecessarily with our failures, our stupidity, and our hypocrisy. On that front, my goal is to simply do my best to avoid those kinds of mistakes myself.

In cases of skeptics who question more fundamental aspects of the Christian faith, my goal is to listen to their questions and consider how I might answer or how the Church has historically responded to those issues.

Some Christians seem afraid of hard questions or apparent inconsistencies or irrational claims Scripture poses. I mean, walking on water? Who’d believe in that?

Instead of being afraid or avoiding skeptics, I find encouragement in the story of James in the New Testament. I’m not talking about either of the disciples who had that name, I’m referring to Jesus’ brother (Matthew 13:55). James goes through a pretty fascinating transformation if we trace his story through the New Testament.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James%2C_brother_of_Jesus

He and Jesus’ other siblings are described as concerned about Jesus’ early Messianic activities in Mark 3:31-35. They are even described as unbelieving in John 7:5. Yet as the story of the early Church unfolds in the book of Acts, James appears as a main leader of this new Christian movement (Acts 1:14, 12:17, Acts 15:13-21, see also Galatians 2:9-12).

So what do we make of the change? How did that happen?

We are not given all of the details, but it is pretty obvious what the inflection point was.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that after he rose from the dead, Jesus “…appeared to James, then to all the apostles”. We are not given any recorded details about it, just that it happened.

Incredibly, encountering the risen Jesus changed James from being a skeptic to a committed follower. He, along with the rest of his family are identified as participating in the disciples’ gatherings in the days after Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:14). His writings made it into the canon of Scripture (see the book of James). His character earned him the privilege to be the overseer of the church in Jersualem until his death in the early 60’s AD. Church tradition shares that he was such a prayer warrior, he was known to have “camel knees” – calloused from spending so much time in prayer.

Jesus’ resurrection may be the most “unbelievable” of miracles for any skeptic. But what if it is true? James’ testimony sure supports its veracity.

So for any skeptic out there, let me encourage you to look into Jesus’ death and resurrection. It won’t solve all your problems or answer every difficult question. But it will introduce you to the One who knows and cares about your problems and understands your questions. And he’s done something quite miraculous about those things.

Jesus Changes Things

 (The following is an article I wrote for our local newspaper, the Mail-Journal) 

One of the most powerful books in the Bible is also one of the shortest books in the Bible.

There are several short books in Scripture I could be referring to, but the one I have in mind is Philemon. It is a letter that I have grown to love, written by Paul to a friend named Philemon.

I call it one of the most powerful books for a few reasons. First, it contains the seed principles that led to the abolition of slavery in the modern world. Second, it deftly navigates a complicated and potentially combustible situation. And third, Paul navigates this successfully because he maintains a focus on Christ and what it means to follow him.

If you don’t know the background, Philemon had a slave in his household in Colossae named Onesimus who apparently stole from his master and ran away. Onesimus connected with Paul who was imprisoned in Rome. Onesimus came to faith in Jesus and was now returning with one of Paul’s representatives back to Colossae and his master.

Can you feel the tension of that situation?

Philemon could demand harsh punishment of Onesimus. Paul could demand Philemon obey his instructions. But we don’t get any sense of authoritative pressure or ultimatums from this letter.

Instead, we see Paul calling Philemon to remember the faith he professes and the Christian community he is a part of. Paul graciously highlights how Jesus completely changes how we relate to one another. Any demands he might make, any entitlements Philemon may assume – they are all set aside because of the unity and love we have for one another as followers of Jesus.

“I could order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love” is what Paul says in verses 8-9. Philemon shouldn’t view him as a servant any longer, “but better than a slave, as a dear brother…as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord” (vs.16). In verse 21 he adds, “confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.”

Jesus changes how we relate to one another. We should not demand all the rights we are entitled to over and against others. We should respond to offenses with forgiveness rather than revenge.

Warning: forgiveness like what is being called for here is NOT EASY. In theory everyone affirms forgiveness as a virtue. But to give grace to people who’ve materially or emotionally hurt us? That takes a work of God in our hearts and minds. And it usually takes time to process.

Justice may still be called for and consequences may still be necessary to enforce. Forgiveness and justice are not mutually exclusive. Notice Paul promises to repay Philemon for anything he has lost in vs. 19. But when sincere repentance is present, restoration and reconciliation can rebuild what has been lost or broken.

Jesus changes how we relate to one other. The labels the world applies, the records people keep, the rights others demand – all can be set aside when the transforming redemption of Jesus makes its presence felt in our lives.

 

 

Not as it seems...

"Don't judge a book by its cover."

"Appearances can be deceiving."

"Things are not always what they seem."

We have all heard those those common platitudes for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways. I think I found a new context for them though: Easter.

We are working through Luke's Gospel at our church and the way Luke has been portraying Jesus' final days - and even his death - has reminded me of how with God's plan, things aren't always how they appear to be. 

A couple parts stick out to me as "seeming" to be one thing but a totally different reality is true. 

Jesus' Trials - Who is in control?

This is certainly true of Jesus' arrest and trials (Luke 22:47-23:25). The Sanhedrin lead the way to apprehend Jesus and they do their best to trump up charges against him. Pilate and Herod also get their chances to evaluate him as political authorities. While they find him innocent, it is the crowds (compelled by the religious leaders) who stir things up so much that Pilate finds no other choice than to go against his judgment and send Jesus to the cross. 

In all of this, Jesus remains steadfast. He quickly shuts down Peter's attempt to fight the arresting party in the Garden. He affirms the truth even when it makes things worse for him. And as he hangs on the cross, it is Jesus himself who gives up his own spirit. His life is not taken from him, he relinquishes it on his own accord. 

He wrestled with his destiny in the Garden. Now, when his end draws near, he willingly and willfully completes his agonizing mission.

Appearances can be deceiving. The political powers may seem to be controlling these events but God is the one pulling the strings. As John records Jesus saying, 
"Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above."

Jesus' Death - An Unjust, Tragic Loss of Life?

From just the facts of this case, Jesus' execution by the Romans seems to be an awful travesty of justice. Herod and Pilate all find him innocent. One of the criminals hanging next to him recognizes his righteousness. And the centurion in charge of the crucifixion realizes Jesus was the guiltless Son of God. 

Even in the death scene itself, Luke describes a scene actually filled with grace, hope, and life. Jesus comforts (and warns) the mourners on his way to Golgotha (23:26-31). He forgives those who are killing him and grants salvation to the penitent thief dying next to him (23:32-43). 

Beyond the physical event, we know that spiritually his death purchases our redemption, satisfies God's justice, and provides eternal life through faith (Mark 10:45, Rom. 3:25, John 3:16). 

The cruel injustice that he endured provided our salvation. 

Saturday and Sunday - Dark Times of Sorrow?

Luke ends the Crucifixion account by mentioning the women disciples who were observing his death and his burial. He pivots immediately to the resurrection by describing these same women as they prepare to anoint Jesus' body after the Sabbath has ended.

Their actions/reactions are normal and honorable. And yet their grief is about to be transformed. 

For it was over Saturday and the early morning hours that God was vindicating his Son and redeeming humanity. By the time the women get to the tomb, Jesus was raised - and when he was raised, he once for all conquered sin and death. 

What seemed like a terrible loss was actually an occasion for the greatest victory God could have accomplished. 

The Passion Week and Easter itself offer so many examples of how God's plan included reversals, upended expectations, and reality not being how things appeared to be. 

Paul has this in mind when he says in 1 Corinthians 1:

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

I am used to the changes of moods that accompany this Holy Week. Christians appropriately transition from somberness, to lament, to celebration as we remember what Christ went through. However this year, these highlights from Luke's Gospel have given me a more consistent joyful perspective. We can be eternally grateful that in the apparent "defeat", God was working out our redemptive victory.

A Sermon Snippet about a Music Monday

 Ok, it's not Monday. But this blog started with two themes. I originally wrote either about stuff I found interesting in my sermon prep or about music.

Today, I dust off the mothballs of both of those subjects in a special combo post.

This coming Sunday I'll be preaching on Luke 14:1-24 which includes Jesus' parable about a banquet. The story he tells describes a man inviting his friends to a celebration. But the story takes a turn:

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.

The host then sends his emissaries out to gather up anyone and everyone to his banquet. Jesus then gives away some of the symbolism by concluding that "not one of those who were invited will be invited will get a taste of my banquet."

The story conveys God's fervent desire to bring in people to his future Kingdom banquet of blessing. But it also highlights the "good" excuses many employ to avoid committing to Christ and His Kingdom.

At face value, you wouldn't think this is a natural passage for a song. 

But you would be wrong. Thanks to my second and third grade education at Warsaw Christian School, I have this earworm permanently lodged in my brain:

It's catchy, memorable, and upbeat - even if the content isn't exactly truly happy-happy-joy-joy.

The cartoon animation artwork was not part of the presentation in the late 80's/early 90's but it's perfectly fitting to my memory. 

I have no deeper thoughts or comments, other than what I'll share in my message. But this is really 10/10, no notes. Cheers to the creative mind that took the challenge of putting this parable to music and authoring this little ditty. 

Book Review - Seventy Times Seven: A True Story of Murder and Mercy, Alex Mar Penguin Press (2023)

Let me quote the inside of the book jacket to introduce you to this story:

"On a spring afternoon in 1985 in Gary, Indiana, a fifteen-year-old girl kills an elderly woman in a violent home invasion. In a city with a history of racial tensions and white flight, the girl, Paula Cooper, is Black, and her victim, Ruth Pelke, is white and a beloved Bible teacher. The press swoops in.

When Paula is sentenced to death, no one decries the impending execution of a tenth grader. But the tide begins to shift when the victim's grandson Bill forgives the girl, against the wishes of his family, and campaigns to spare her life." 

As that introduction conveys, this is a compelling story in so many ways. There are twists and turns featuring side stories that themselves deserve their own novel. 

Full disclosure - I became aware of this book after the author called me as she was doing research. I am not quoted nor did I provide anything more than background information during our conversation, that if memory serves lasted between a half hour and an hour.

The reason Ms. Mar contacted me was due to my role as a Region denominational leader with The Brethren Church. And the victim, Ruth Pelke, grew up in one of our Brethren churches in the Wabash/Peru area (Center Chapel). The book incorrectly ascribes the church as belonging to our sister denomination, Church of the Brethren - but that is a common mistake. The book does accurately describe our foundational values of peacemaking, forgiveness, and desire to imitate Christ. These values became the driving force behind Bill Pelke's advocacy campaign on behalf of his grandmother's murderer.

The story can be summarized in straightforward ways like in the quote above. But Mar does an excellent job highlighting all of the complicated factors that contributed to this tragedy as well as the myriad of people and issues that that pulled it towards redemption. 

Be prepared though, this is a real life story and does not have a convenient fairy-tale ending. 

It is hard to give a concise review of this book because of its complexity. This is a fascinating story that features religion, politics, capital punishment debates, media hysteria, family trauma, and the prison industrial complex. 

Kudos to Alex Mar for her intrepid research and her gracious perspective in retelling this story. She confronts the good, bad, and ugly parts of this case with curiosity, honesty, and integrity. Extra credit from me for her end of book "A Note on Sources" that describes her own process and how she made certain decisions in approaching this project. Overall, she connects dots of various parts of this world in ways that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is an easy read and a book that in so many ways can be summarized by the simple label of "compelling". I highly recommend anyone to purchase and read this book. You will walk away from it challenged and changed.

It will stand as one of the favorite books I have ever read because it is so expertly written and because it is such a profound look at how hard it is to actually apply Jesus' call to forgiveness:

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." - Matt. 18:22

On Lament and Lamentations (pt. 4)

Lament has been called a "lost art" and it seems to be a spiritual practice we have largely neglected in modern Western Christianity. For the next few weeks, I'm going to share some of the key spiritual truths that the book of Lamentations has to teach us. They are lessons and truths that we might otherwise miss if we try our own shortcuts past suffering.

Lamentations is a book about wrestling. It wrestles with the pain of judgment. It wrestles with all that has been lost. It wrestles with the God who has sent the suffering. 

While turning to God as the only source of relief, the author of Lamentations never turns against God. 

Lamentations still portrays God as good, even if it doesn't feel that way. Look how the book ends:

You, Lord, reign forever;

    your throne endures from generation to generation.

20 

Why do you always forget us?

    Why do you forsake us so long?

21 

Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return;

    renew our days as of old

22 

unless you have utterly rejected us

    and are angry with us beyond measure.

(5:19-22)

God is still in control, he is still the one to make this right. He is still good...but the results are up to him. Lamentations reveals a genuine faith - a complete commitment to letting God be God. Ending it ambiguously, "unless you have utterly rejected us...", leaves us with the tension of waiting on God. And that's ok. 

God would step by step bring the restoration this book is so hungry for. They are restored back to their land under Ezra and Nehemiah. They are delivered in the inter-testamental period from their Greek aggressors. And finally, some five centuries later, Jesus arrives. The promised Messiah appears to restore the people to their God and inaugurate his Kingdom.

The story of Lamentations leaves things open-ended in the short-term because it leads us to Christ in the long-term.  God is still on the throne; he is still good and will make good on his promises to his people.

Lessons From Exodus

Over the summer, I led our church through a sermon series in the book of Exodus.

It is a record full of stories many are familiar with but a book many of us don't know as well as we think we do. 

I enjoyed it, I think our people did too. I titled the series "Our Deliverer is Coming" with a hat-tip to the Rich Mullins song. I chose that title because of the undeniable correlations the Exodus story has with the life and work of Jesus. 

After finishing the book, I put together a message on "Christian Lessons from Exodus" (credit to Tremper Longman's overview commentary for the inspiration. And in this post I'd like to write on that kind of idea but share some lessons that I'm cherishing in a more personal way.

So, here's three takeaways that I learned and grew to appreciate having studied this great book.

1) Monotheism???

One aspect of studying the confrontation between Yahweh/Moses and Pharaoh/Egypt was an alteration of my understanding of the Bible's concept of "Monotheism". God doesn't assert his exclusive divinity in a way I've learned it in systematic theology. No when you read of God confronting Pharaoh through Moses in  Exodus 3-12, it is put in almost polytheistic terms. 

The 'gods' of Egypt help Pharoah's magicians imitate some of God's plagues in 7:22, 8:7, 8:18-19. 
And before the final plague, God declares his coming victory like this: 

“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord.  13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." (Exodus 12:12-13)

Egypt certainly was worshipping supernatural powers of some (evil) sort. The Exodus was about establishing Yahweh's undeniable superiority over anything mankind could label a 'god'. 

This theme continues with the first of the Ten Commandments. Read them closely and you may be surprised at how God defines his own monotheism. Now, certainly we can deduce that no other powers deserve the title of "God" and I'm not here advocating for a polytheistic worldview. But I found it interesting how Scripture defines these things in these stories.

2) Sympathy for Israel

The problem with reading Exodus is that we let the rest of the Old Testament skew our perspective. I find myself having a greater sympathy for the ancient people of Israel after going through this book. The Golden Calf abomination of chapter 32 certainly is prescient of what unfolds throughout the rest of Scripture. But they also display corporate commitment and faith at a number of points (4:29-31, 12-13, 19, 24, 39:42-43). 

They were a people coming out of centuries of subjugation, abuse, and distress. They saw God powerfully work at numerous points and they follow God's leader - and that's to their credit, even if they were imperfect. 

3) The Beauty of Christ

There were so many instances in the Exodus story where we can't help but recognize the foreshadowing and precursors of Christ. 

• Moses stands as a deliverer who sets the stage for the Deliverer. 
• Israel's path of entering then leaving Egypt is symbolically followed by Christ in his early years (Matt. 2)
• The Law is fulfilled in Christ and he offers his own 'Law' via the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). 
• Jesus "tabernacled" among us, embodying God's presence with humanity in an even greater way than in Exodus (John 1:14 cf. Ex. 35-40)
• Jesus ultimately accomplished what the Law was only alluding to - full forgiveness and fellowship with God (Heb. 10:11-14)

There are certainly more I could list. If you read through Exodus and miss the connections to Christ, you have really missed the point.

Friday Personal-News Dump

So it's been awhile since I blogged - over a month! Yikes, clearly I have a lot to learn about building my brand. Friday afternoon is a popular time for organizations and governments and teams to release 'bad news' in what's been dubbed a "Friday news dump", when you want to attract as little cultural attention as possible. This is not the case with these things, but the timing is what it is.

But to the question of the day, "What have I been up to?"

So glad you asked - quite a bit it turns out. Here's an update complete with pictures and fun extra stuff. Apologies for some of the formatting stuff, I don't have the time or expertise right now to make it perfect.

Center for Pastor Theologians Conference

In late October, I spent three days in Chicago attending the Center For Pastor-Theologians annual conference. They intentionally address topics each year that the American Church is wrestling with. This year's theme was on "Reconstructing Evangelicalism" and it featured a terrific line up of speakers. 

The experts they brought in represented a diverse spectrum - from Kristin Kobes DuMez to Gavin Ortlund to Russell Moore to Walter Kim. I am still pondering some of the insights that were shared. I haven't sat down to really figure out my own conclusions, but the gracious-yet-assertive discussions offered many convicting truths and views. 

As with most of these kinds of events, the fringe benefits matched the direct purpose of going. I thoroughly enjoyed my time interacting with my denominational friends and peers. As we continue to consider our "Brethren identity", this conference assisted in helping us understand our place and station within American evangelicalism. The additional fringe benefit of constant access to the book publishers was worth it too. I came home with a bag full of resources and commentaries purchased at a discounted rate.

Milford First Brethren Fun Fair

Halloween is kind of a big deal in Milford Indiana. We're a smaller farm community but the townspeople turn out for the various holiday events on the calendar. Every year I've pastored here, our church has hosted a Halloween Fun Fair in our gymnasium. Kids do the ring toss, corn hole, Plinko and other games to get pieces of candy. I've arranged the games to give a subtle Gospel presentation though I'm not sure it kids really notice it. We do give out Bibles as part of our Grand Prize table. It's a fun way to connect with our community and redeem the holiday (even if in a subtle small way). 

This year, a highlight was adding a Face Paint station which allowed my son to be both Capt. America (in costume) and Spiderman via his paint.

Grandma Guiley's Funeral

On the other end of the spectrum was the home-going of my last remaining grandparent. Grandma Sue was a wonderful grandma and beautiful light for Christ. We had family come in from all over the country and it was neat to reconnect with aunts, uncles, and cousins who I hadn't seen in year. 

I'm grateful for my grandma's legacy and encouraged that we were able to celebrate her life and witness well. 

Miscellaneous

I would like to mention that I'm serving as chaplain for the Grace Lancers men's basketball team for the fourth year. It's been a good start to the season with some clear indications God is doing things in the lives of these young men. They are good people and good players - currently #3 in all of NAIA!

Please pray for our one true freshman, Hagen, who has been diagnosed with cancer and will be undergoing some surgery and treatments within the next month. 

And as I've alluded to in past posts, I have been listening to the old CCM records I got from my grandma. Some future posts reviewing the albums will be forthcoming.

Tuesday Theology Thoughts - When Not to Take the Bible Literally (?!?)

It is one of those verses that has always left me unsettled. I've heard it taught to be 100% true at face value for here-and-now and I affirmed that for a long time. 

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," - 2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV) 

Suffering and being persecuted for our faith in Christ is a common theme in the New Testament. See John 15:20, Romans 12:14, 1 Corinthians 4:12, the entire books of Acts and 1 Peter for starters.   

These passages cause my unsettledness to rise up in my gut like spiritual acid reflux because I look at my 42 years on this earth and I don't relate. I committed my life to Christ at the age of 4-5 and as long as I can remember have loved Jesus and wanted to live for him. I have not been persecuted. I have not had to suffer for Christ. 

Is something wrong with me? Am I not doing it right? Do I not desire to live a godly life enough? Was Paul wrong? 

All are questions that flash into my head as I try to figure it all out. I can't just dismiss 2 Timothy 3:12 as a verse out of context because there are so many others that imply the same thing. 

In preparing for this past Sunday's message on 1 Peter 3:13-22, I think an answer revealed itself that solves the interpretive tension (for me at least). And it all paid off by going back to the basics.

Whether you are interpreting, studying, or just reading the Bible, it is essential to remember that the Bible was written to people living in a world much different than ours. It was written for our benefit, but it's not a 1:1 proposition. 

There are differences to be accounted for. Principles to be discerned and applications to be made at the end of the process.

The differences to account for with 2 Timothy (or any of these other passages)?

• Christianity was a new emerging faith at the time 1 Timothy was written (likely early to mid-60's AD). 
• Christians were the cultural minority by a large margin.
• Christianity was drawing widespread suspicion and social hostility in the Roman Empire. Outright persecution of Christians was beginning to occur and would swell in the coming years thanks to Nero. 
• Christians faced the loss of their freedoms, livelihoods, social relationships, and even lives because they worshipped Jesus.

None of the above are true of the USA in 2022. 

Can we scour the headlines of the past twenty years or so and find some exceptions? I will grant that it is possible, but rare.

So I am now quite comfortable in concluding that suffering and persecution are not prescribed for us right now like it was then. Things could always change of course. 

And more importantly, while we may not have to suffer for Christ, we are called to other acts of obedience that may prove painful. We need to sacrifice for Christ for one. Our time, money, attention, priorities, and lifestyle are all things we are called to as disciples (Mark 8:34-38). Secondly, we need to surrender things in our lives for Christ like sinful habits and activities that hinder our spiritual progress (Hebrews 12:1-2). 

These things are not unrelated to suffering. I would compare them to this:

Surrender would be the outer ring. It is a voluntary decision to "suffer" in a sense. But it is not exactly what the NT speaks about when talking about trials, persecution, and suffering.

Sacrifices are also voluntary choices, but are often things we do or don't do in addition to the fundamental things we surrender to Christ when we are redeemed. These can be tough to commit to and experience but have a positive intent.

Suffering is the center of the target. These are specifically things we must endure that are not self-inflicted or personal choices. They come from the outside and are not thrust upon us for redemptive purposes or intentions by those directly involved. God does use them for good ends of course.

So when I encounter a passage like 2 Timothy 3:12 or 1 Peter 3:13-22, I should have enough humility to understand that this doesn't directly relate to me. It may apply to our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan or China but I should not totally equate my sacrifices to their sufferings. 

You may still be thinking, "But Lee, Paul says 'all' Christians seeking to live godly lives will be persecuted. Don't you take that literally? Doesn't the Bible mean 'all' when it says 'all'?"

Remember, he's writing to a particular audience at a particular time in history that is greatly different than today. 

Also take note that he does qualify to an extent in 3:13. 3:12 is not a finished sentence, Paul's full thought is,

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."  

He's not making a sweeping statement about the rest of history moving forward here. He is describing their current cultural climate and preparing Timothy to lead in it - see 3:14-4:5.

I find it rewarding when I can process through tensions I find in God's Word. I hope this all makes sense to you the intrepid reader who has made it this far. I may end up editing this later but I'd hope it might caution you from adopting the kind of "persecution complex" that is rampant in American Christianity today.

Lament

Yesterday saw another mass shooting, this time in an elementary school. Within the last two weeks, we've seen elderly people of color gunned down in supermarkets and Asian-Americans attacked in their place of worship. Yesterday was kids and teachers in a school.

We grieve, as we should. 

We get angry, as we should. 

We search for answers, as we should. 

But something is missing. 

We do not truly lament as we should. 

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This past weekend saw the Southern Baptist Convention release it's third-party report on it's failures to properly address abuse over the past several decades. 

This past weekend saw another pastor admit to egregious immorality. This time it was in my hometown.

We grieve, as we should. 

We get angry, as we should.

We search for answers, as we should. But something is missing. 

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Lament, as I see it in the Scriptures, is an inner and outer wrestling with the reality of injustice, pain, sin, and suffering. Not necessarily all of those at once, but allowing one or more of those things to set in your spirit, languishing with the trauma and not brushing it aside or pretending it doesn't exist. 

Lament involves grief and anger and answers, but it is more than that. 

Lament is facing the consequences of idolatry head on (see Lamentations).

Lament is part of repentance and healing. And I would argue it is such a vital component of each that you cannot repent or heal without true lament. 

Lament is the choice to confront your broken condition and broken circumstances and ultimately turn to Jesus - not for an explanation or answers but for his presence. It holds back no questions and lets out all emotions. It doesn't worry if it is "proper" to vent, it just does. 

Lament is Jesus' groan of anger and sadness at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:33,38).

Lament is Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem as he approaches it before His Passion Week (Luke 19:41-44).

We in the West have trouble lamenting like this. Those families and communities affected will lament, they have no real choice. But lament should be the response of the rest of us too. 

Instead we try to move on quickly. We find excuses why we should and why things should remain the same. It is easier to pretend the problems don't exist. It is easier to pretend it is enough to address the symptoms rather than the disease. It is easier to believe that since no specific solution will prevent all of these tragedies that we have to give up trying to do anything to prevent some of these tragedies from repeating themselves in the future. 

We need to Lament. 

Lament will bring healing, repentance, and change. It will lead us to Jesus.

I use this blog to often feature music I appreciate and enjoy. Here's a song of lament that I happened to revisit last weekend, I think it can be instructive in its own way. 

Sermon Snippets: The Bible Says What?

A common critique of the Christian faith in general and Scripture specifically is that Christians pick and choose what they want to believe and obey and what they don't. 

"You believe _____________ is a sin, but don't condemn wearing clothes of mixed fabrics as Leviticus 19:19 prohibits."

It is an oft-used "gotcha" by non-believers to point out our obvious and blatant hypocrisy.

Except it is an argument that doesn't hold water.

Almost every example critics use in their "gotcha's" comes from the Old Testament Law. And upon closer inspection, both the context of the Law and the content of the laws themselves reveals that we are not being hypocritically selective in what rules we follow and what rules we ignore.

The context of the Law reminds us that God gave Israel these commands to abide by after He freed them from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. The Law was meant to give them a national identity as they lived before Him, holy and set apart from their middle eastern neighbors. The broader Biblical context of the Law is also instructive. The Law is no longer determinative for those who follow Christ (Galatians 3). Jesus himself fulfilled the Law and becomes the true interpreter of the Law, able to define what continues to apply and what no longer has bearing on us (Matthew 5:17-48).

The content of the laws themselves is also important. While we aren't given every purpose, reason, or cultural backdrop behind these commands - we see the Israelites were repeatedly told to do these things to "be holy" (Lev. 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7,26, 21:8). And we also do know enough about their cultural background to know that many of their dietary restrictions and things like tattoo prohibitions were about avoiding the behaviors of pagan religious rituals of the nations around them.

Most of those realities are different for us 3,500 years later. Holiness still matters (1 Peter 1:16) but how it is lived out has changed. Thankfully we can eat bacon and lobster now because God has instituted the New Covenant to replace the Old Covenant that was founded on the Law (Acts 10:9-16). 

So yes, I probably do believe ____________ is wrong because the Bible says so and I am probably wearing clothing with mixed fabrics. But that doesn't make me a hypocrite. It makes me an informed follower of Jesus and astute student of Scripture.

For further reading on this, much of the above is indebted to Dan Kimball's recent book, How (Not) To Read the Bible (Zondervan 2020).

Faith and Doubt

I am 41 almost 42 years old. 

I've read the Bible since I was a kid and have seriously studied it since I was 17. And still there are times where I go, "Hmm, never seen that before."

The latest example came this week as I prepped for my sermon on the aftermath of the resurrection, in Matthew 28 - appropriately one week after Easter.

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Did you catch that? "they worshipped him; but some doubted." 

It is no secret that the disciple Thomas doubted (see John 20) and his story is instructive on its own. But this implies there were more "doubters". And Thomas' account is actually more about disbelief. The term used here is about uncertainty, hesitation, and being unsure. Without splitting too many hairs, these comments are not about unbelief-related doubt but about confusion-related doubt.

And who can blame them? They'd just been through a roller-coaster of a week, filled with hopeful celebrations and the starkest of traumas. The "too-good-to-be-true news" turns out to be real and they worship. Some clearly are still trying to process it all and have genuine doubts - unsure about what it all means, what has happened, and what is to come.

The incredible thing about this part of the story is Jesus' response. We know he graciously warns Thomas about "unbelief" but in this description regarding these doubts, he offers something different. He does not rebuke them for denying him (looking at you Peter) or abandoning him in the Garden (looking at the other 10 of you). He reassures them by focusing them on his supreme authority and empowering them for their mission: 

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

One takeaway from this new observation is that faith and doubt can go together. Some view doubt as an enemy or the opposite of faith. It is as if we must have all the answers to all the questions or we aren't right with God. I don't think so. I think doubt/uncertainty is inherent to faith. Like the father seeking healing for his son in Mark 9:24, we will honestly say sometimes "I believe, but help my unbelief". 

Jesus isn't threatened by our hesitations, confusion, or for that matter our unbelief. He offers us himself -  the supreme King of the Universe - not to give us all the answers, but to encourage us that he's in control. He has a purpose for us and he will be with us. 

There will always be an element of ambiguity to life of faith in Jesus. There will be things we don't know, can't know, and will never know. He will take care of that stuff - and take care of us. And he will welcome our struggle with doubt even if it gets mixed in with our worship. 

Our human nature won't like the tension of faith and doubt. If we turn it over to Jesus, we can learn to live with it.

Thursday Thoughts

We are in the throes of the Christmas season it would seem. 

With all of the extra programs and specials and events that churches tend to have around Advent, it can be a tiresome stretch for pastors. My church doesn't have too many extra things going on typically. But even just adding in family plans can pile stress on top of stress.

Pretty much every year there comes a point where I feel myself being drained by it all. Certain Christmas things can be reenergizing though. Near the top of the list is the music. But not all Christmas music. I find a few specific selections tend to refuel my tank. I'll probably feature several over the next week and a half, but here's one I've always enjoyed, Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant. It's a beautiful, simple song entreating the Lord for his grace and presence.

Wednesday Wisdom

 ANNOUNCEMENT: Given my changing personal schedule, it looks like I will be switching to either "Tuesday Thoughts" or "Wednesday Wisdom" from my traditional "Music Mondays" feature. I anticipate still incorporating musical thoughts, memories, and opinions but I will probably tackle a more diverse range of subjects here.

If you read my last entry, you know that I've started a sermon series going through The Sermon on the Mount of Matthew 5-7. I'm taking the Beatitudes one by one and last Sunday we studied 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy."

Mercy is a concept I know from growing up in church but it first registered in my mind from TV, specifically Uncle Jesse on Full House. 

  

From the show's inception, he employed the catchphrase "Have Mercy!" whenever something good happened or his girlfriend/wife Aunt Becky gave him some loving, family-appropriate affection.

It was funny but even as a kid I knew it didn't quite jive with what mercy actually is.

Later on, I learned the oft-cited definition of mercy as it relates to the concept of grace. Grace is "getting what you don't deserve" while mercy is "not getting what you do deserve."

When reading through Scripture, it becomes quickly apparent that the above definition is too simple. Mercy is more than the absence of something. Mercy is something that is active, demonstrated, given and received (Hosea 6:6, James 2:12-13, etc.).

Mercy is the Good Samaritan. Mercy is raising Lazarus from the dead. Mercy is operating a local food pantry. Mercy can even be lived out by getting a COVID vaccine. In his commentary on The Sermon on the Mount, Scot McKnight defines the merciful this way, "The 'merciful' are those who...because they have experienced God's merciful love, empathize and show compassion to others."

During this week, we've seen political and national turmoil chaotically descend on the nation of Afghanistan as our nation has withdrawn our military presence. Heartbreaking images have flooded the news and social media as people desperately try to flee the coming darkness that is Taliban rule. I pray that our government leaders change course and act in mercy towards those people. 

Outside of prayer, it feels like there's little someone like me can do to really make a difference in that situation. But the overwhelming scope of the latest tragedy should not stifle my impulse to be merciful. Instead, to quote Ernie Johnson, I'm going to ask myself "what can I do today to make someone else's life better today?"

Theology from Parenting

It's been close to a month since my last post. Life has gotten busy and no real strong music has come across my path for #MusicMondays inspiration.

Well, something did dawn on me the other day - kind of a half-baked theological idea - and I thought I might as well process it out via this post. 

See, I've found myself using the phrase "...because I don't want you to get hurt" as I've been redirecting our two toddler-aged boys. "Don't stand on your chair, don't climb up on the table - because I don't want you to get hurt." Our oldest especially is entering the stage where we can explain a little of the reasoning as to why we are saying certain things. Usually we have to keep it basic - both because of his level of understanding and our energy levels. So often I default to "because I don't want you to get hurt" just because it's an easy-enough generality and I know he can get that.

After saying this at some point last week, I realized there could be a spiritual lesson there. If parenting can teach me about how God is our Father (and it can), is this how our Lord sometimes communicates with us. Take away our tiredness, and I think it might. 

God doesn't always explain everything to us. His Word is comprehensive but it isn't always super-detailed. Sometimes he explains why his will needs to be followed. Other times he leaves it at the level of "I don't want you to get hurt". It is easy to question why God sets the standards he does because so often they go against what we naturally want. 

But God sees the bigger picture. He sees how a short-term fix might lead to long-term damage. 

Again, there are plenty of examples in Scripture where he gives rationale for his "rules". Often though it boils down to his fatherly love for us and wanting to prevent us from harm.

Another corollary to this that is not even half-baked (is quarter-baked a thing?) popped into my mind regarding this too. We just celebrated Easter, is there a connection from this idea to Christ's ultimate sacrifice and his resurrection?

In order to shield us from God's just wrath, our brother took our place out of his infinite love, in essence saying "I don't want you to get hurt". 

Still working these things out in my head at this point. If you agree or disagree I'd be happy to hear it in the comments below or via FB/Twitter.

It is not an entirely new idea to me - God wanting to protect us from harm. But it has taken on a new aspect now that I am a dad myself.

Sermon Snippets

I always try to "practice what I preach" but yesterday offered a perfect opportunity to test that out.

My sermon passage was Hebrews 4, which largely focuses on entering "God's rest". We all love our rest - who doesn't love a nap?

In context, "God's rest" is more than a nap of course. He references it in relation to the entering the Promised Land in the Exodus (4:1-2,9-10). But also connects it back to Genesis 2 when God finished his creating our world (4:4). He also implies that it is something we can experience or discover today (4:7). Some have seen it as our reward of heaven when we die, others believe it to be God's full realization of his Kingdom at the end of the ages. Others define it as a state-of-being we believers can enjoy now (See Guthrie's NIV Application Commentary on Hebrews, pg. 151-155)

So what is it? Which of those options best captures what "God's rest" is?

It may be a combination of all of them in reality. God's rest will ultimately be established in the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21-22). And except for the last generation, we will all have to experience death ourselves before we see that day.

And yet, Jesus promises "abundant life" in the here-and-now to those who follow him (John 10:10). Our burden of sin is relieved by faith in Christ. Our never-ending pursuit of significance is eliminated when we understand how Christ transforms our identity and has determined our significance. In that sense, God's rest can be experienced in the present. 

With this latter point in mind, I tried to enjoy some of God's blessings and "rest" yesterday. The day started with worship - and worship has always been part of God's Sabbath design. But beyond that - with the sun shining and a young family at home - God's rest looked a lot like this:

Steaks on the grill, marinated with my own special sauce concoction. I overcooked the a little, but sides of veggies and a baked potato made for a filling meal. Time with the boys and the wife was fun, if not also chaotic as it can be with two toddlers. Time for a nap did open up, which felt good. Some NBA All-Star basketball to end the night? Sure, I'll take it.

It wasn't a perfect day necessarily. It was a good day though. 

Enjoy the "rest" God provides. And be sure to heed the message of Hebrews 4, which is, be sure find that "rest" through obediently trusting God's Word. 

 

Music Mondays + Sermon Snippets

We are beginning a sermon series in Hebrews and I'm going to do my best to regularly highlight songs that fit the passage. I imagine this will be harder in some parts than others, but I guess we will see.

The winter storm forced us to cancel our service yesterday, though I still shared my sermon in truncated form with a co-starring appearance from our son. 

It was no surprise that Tate's presence was a little distracting, at least to this speaker. It's a little ironic given that our passage, Heb. 1:1-4, is all about tuning into Jesus as the only voice worth tuning into. 

One of the songs our worship team was going to lead us with was an "oldie" I remember from my college days. It's a simple chorus - one that fits the 7/11 repetitious stereotype. And yet, in it's simplicity, it fits the tone of the introductory verses of Hebrews. 

There are many other more popular and more loved songs that focus on Christ and elevate His name. But something about this one seemed just right. May all the other voices fade away and we commit ourselves anew to worshipping and obedience.

Music Mondays: DOWN WITH THESE CHRISTMAS HYMNS!

Last week, I shared some secular Christmas songs I can't help but like. 

This week, I'm going the opposite direction. Here are a few classic Christian Christmas hymns that I do not at all enjoy. I will say this at the outset, there are plenty of renditions I don't like of songs I actually enjoy. Christmas hymns seem to uniquely appeal to artists' desire to show off (cough, Pentatonix, cough). 

Please, by all means sing "O Holy Night" but I want to walk away from your performance worshiping the Lord rather than impressed by how great a voice you have. 

Anyway, this list is not about those kinds of songs. This list is comprised of Christmas hymns I consider inadequate that are probably considered classics by most.

3. "Mary Did You Know?" - Mark Lowry

First of all, it is kind of incredible that Lowry, who made his name by being a Christian version of Weird Al Yankovich, penned this song. My issue with this song is that it fails a basic theological review. I'll give Lowry benefit of the doubt, he seems to have written this out of a sense of wonder and curiosity about the Christmas story. Yet reading the early chapters of Luke, it is clear Mary could emphatically answer "yes" to a number of the questions he poses in the song. I remember preaching on this subject a few years ago, and after close study, my conclusion was Mary didn't know everything about how Jesus' life and mission would play out. But she knew plenty. 

2. "The Christmas Shoes" - NewSong

I liken this song to the movie, Schindler's List. Both are meaningful pieces of art. Both tell important stories. But I only needed to watch Schindler's List once and I was good. You listen to this song the first time, you let your heart feel things and you can move on. Since radio and movies are different mediums, you don't always have a choice about listening to this song. It's a morbid song that has been widely criticized for what it seems to imply and for the way it uses Christmas to make us sad. Shouldn't Christmas be about the joy of the birth of our Savior?

And no, I have exactly zero desire to watch the movie based on the song. I'd rather watch Schindler's List again.

1. "The Little Drummer Boy" - every artist known to man (orig. Katherine Davis)

If I were to believe the best about this song, as I did with Lowry above, I can see that this song tries to express humility and service to Jesus. But how often has that gotten lost within the many many covers of the song since it was written in 1941? And what to do we remember when we think of this song, the "pa-rum-pa-pa-pums", right? 

Even good versions like the one above can't quite do it for me. Btw, what's up with that video? Did the birth of Christ happen during the American Revolution? Did they go through a time-portal that I completely missed? 

Maybe I'm just channeling my inner Scrooge with this and these other songs. But they always pull me away from truly "getting in the Christmas spirit."

Making Golden Calves out of Bronze Serpents

In my sermon prep last week in 2 Kings 17-20, a detail popped out to me as I was working through the text. 

In describing the spiritual reforms King Hezekiah implemented, the author makes this note in 18:4

"He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan."

If that reference doesn't ring a bell, there's a short little story in Numbers 21:4-8 of the Israelites growing impatient on their Exodus journey to the Promised Land. God sends snakes in their camp as punishment - and then provides a solution, having Moses craft a snake made of bronze. Anyone who was bitten could look at the serpent and live. Jesus even references it to predict his own sacrificial death in John 3:13-15.

So here in the time of Hezekiah, we learn a) Israel had kept this item b) they had begun to worship it and 3) the King ordered it's destruction. 

What are we to infer from these things?

Well, with a), it was not inappropriate for them to have kept this "icon" that reminded them of God's grace. We know that the Ark of the Covenant was a physical item meant to portray (and seat) God's divine presence. And the Ark itself held other items of special notoriety, namely Moses' staff, manna, and the 10 Commandment tablets. 

Point b) and c) naturally go together as one causes the other. Technically, the passage stops short of stating that out-and-out worship was being observed in the presence of the bronze artifact. Yet the context is clear that Hezekiah was not going to stand for anything that went beyond Yahweh-prescribed worship. 

I find it fascinating how b) follows a) though. Maybe convicting is the better word. Doesn't this feel totally normal for the human experience? Human beings were given a visible sign as part of God's gracious assistance and they start to ascribe special value to the statue itself? Of course we did. 

Early on in church history, the Eastern Orthodox and Western portions of Christianity split over issues including the use of images and iconography. Roman Catholic cathedrals around the world feature exhibits (for lack of a better term) of various alleged items of significant objects of historical Christian events. Evangelical churches aren't often that direct. But we like to put a cross prominently on everything and often take great pride in our architecture and building environment. We often glorify experiences - camps, missions trips, the eucharist - making them the main thing rather than the actual experience of knowing God. 

I'm not equating these examples nor am I outright condemning them. To be honest, this is a half-baked idea. I'm not fully sure of what big application I want to make here other than, we better take care not to make idols out of symbols or memorials. Don't hedge your bets with other rituals or let good tokens of grace turn into superstitious lucky charms. Bronze serpents can easily turn into golden calves if we don't keep the main thing the main thing.

P.S. If I really wanted to stir up some stuff, I might question whether or not we Americans do this with our flag, i.e., do we worry about "disrespecting the flag" as an object instead of focusing on what the flag represents - freedom, independence etc?

Christians and Leaders and Christian Leaders

Having devoted much of my life to studying God's Word, I will occasionally stumble upon a randomly interesting observation. One such observation came up in my prep for yesterday's sermon and since it's been an entire month since I posted, I figured I would try fleshing it out some more here.

My randomly "profound" idea? 

Christians have often had a weird relationship with their leaders.

It is as if we are on a constant search for the person God is raising up "for such a time as this". Whether it be a political candidate or a new pastor/spiritual leader, we are often all-too eager to fall head-over-heels for someone. And the higher the stakes, the higher the pedestal we put them on. 

This then leads to leader-worship, where some start to believe that since God's hand is on that individual, since he sovereignly put them in that position, that makes them untouchable. They are infallible, impervious to mistakes, you can't really criticize them because God's favor has rested on them.

Maybe we don't theologically believe those things are absolutely true but practically we treat them as such. We will jump all over the smallest misstep of an opponent while turning a blind eye to exceptionally problematic issues with our leader(s). 

This is not a new phenomena. Israel's history is littered with kings who operated according to such beliefs. In the middle ages, there was the doctrine of "the divine right of kings". The American concept of "Manifest Destiny" can probably linked to this concept too. 

When we buy into this perspective that venerates our leaders, we fail to understand that God's favor is not some sort of force-field that makes them invulnerable and perfect. 

Even if God's divine appointment could be proven, it is not cover for anything and everything they might do or say. Read about David's life, especially the last part of his reign. Or Joash in 2 Kings 11-12. It is all too easy for imperfect human beings to lose their way. 

Only one leader in all of human history has a spotless record. And he was God-in-human-flesh. And he was crucified.

Let me just wrap this up by encouraging us all to do two things:

1. Pray for our leaders. Christians are commanded to (1 Tim. 2) of course. Yet we should do so because we realize they are put on a pedestal that comes with a heavy weight. We should pray because we realize how easy it is to trip up. 
   
   
2. Don't be blindly loyal to anyone but Jesus. If my favorite pastor or my preferred political candidate messes up, I should be wise enough to recognize it and give voice to my disapproval. Jesus alone is worthy of our complete allegiance because he has not and will not let us down.

We have often had a weird relationship with our leaders. Doing these two things will allow us to live within the tension of supporting those God has put over us but not blindly following them into whatever folly they may be chasing.