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Archive for the ‘Gospel’ Category

In Defense Of The Pharisees

In Gospel, Life, People on February 27, 2010 at 9:10 pm

by Elizabeth K

I should start this post with a long-avoided confession:  Throughout my 40 years, much of it devoted to the institutional church system, I have found myself on all sides of the fence – or very thick, solid concrete wall rather.  I have been the cold-hearted Christian, as well as the voice that exposes the lies of religious legalism, and often at the same time… all the while, totally blinded by the facts.

There is a continual pattern of jumping around to another perspective when I realize my folly, yet always cutting myself off from other views because of that solid, thick wall. I assume that one side must know what they’re talking about, only to find more limited ignorance. But with all of this humbling and bouncing around going on, this is how I’ve learned.

Jesus promised that the Vine-grower will be sure to always prune us, so that we will grow, and I am a living testimony of this analogy. And who isn’t? It’s all good, even when we make dead mistakes that need to be cut off and burned in the fire, and then make those same dead mistakes again and again.

The problem with Phariseeism is not necessarily that we are wrong, but that we think we are right – totally right, that is. It’s the most intelligent illusion possible, I think, to nestle in safe with God’s own words, God’s own people and then be deceived by them. The realm of God is the place we would least expect to find a lie. In the same way perhaps, the Garden of Eden was the last place Adam and Eve expected to find death.

So, moving on, in the next order of events, I finally accepted as true the lie I had always been warned against, which is tolerance and acceptance. This was not just another side of the wall.  I finally got the bright idea (and courage) to stand on top of the wall so that I could have a full view of all human perspectives. What I found up there was not the chaos of relativism which supposedly leads to doubt and hopelessness, but something else quite absolute and wonderful. Read the rest of this entry »

Who Are The Dogs Outside Of God’s Kingdom?

In Bible, God, Gospel, Heaven, People, Theology on February 24, 2010 at 7:14 am

by Elizabeth K

In the last book of the Bible, in the last chapter, after it’s all said and done, this is what we read:

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”

Elsewhere we read in the Bible that no unrighteous person such as drunks, people who get angry, the envious, those who idolize something or someone other than God, etc. (Gal 5:19-21) will inherit the kingdom of God.

I’ve noticed in my Facebook discussions that Christians tend to quote these special verses when the subject of unconditional grace arises….

In light of the fact that God is love, how are we to understand Bible scriptures which seem to portray God as being so holy, that no unrighteous person can get near Him, unless they are covered by the blood of Christ (after his father killed him, that is.) Although that last statement is full of absurdities, it seems to be partly why the above quoted verses cannot be logically reconciled with unconditional love.

Let us first understand that God is not what is so commonly understood to be as a heartless tyrant who demands to be worshiped, plays favorites, wipes born-sinners out of existence if they screw up and tortures souls with unimaginable and unthinkable suffering without escape for eternity. That is man’s idea of God, I believe, and you can find this human perspective all the way through your Bible if that is what you think about Him. Read the rest of this entry »

Can we Preach the Gospel without Hell?

In Bible, Church, God, Gospel, Hell, Jesus on September 4, 2009 at 6:14 am

By Marc

Most Gospel presentations today will begin with, or at least include, the idea of Hell whether explicitly or implicitly. The strategy of good “old-fashioned” Gospel preaching requires that the preacher first convict the audience of Sin and then offer Jesus as the solution. The conviction is accomplished by highlighting the fact that all humans do sin and attempting to show that a perfect God must punish these offenses (perhaps infinitely). John Piper (The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World) says:

Because God is holy, we are sinful, justice is beautiful, and God will not be mocked, we must contend for the conscious, eternal torments of hell and invite everyone to avoid its clutches by turning from sin to Jesus, who speaks of hell more than anyone in Scripture. (p 139)
…
If you strip that [hell] away from Jesus, he’s a local guy. He’s just no big deal. (p161)

Even preaching which focuses on God and His Holiness, will eventually come around to Man’s sinful state and will often fail simply because the Conviction was not convincing – the challenge to produce a problem (guilt) and a need (forgiveness) which post-modern people do not, of themselves see is often too great for our preachers. Certainly any mention of Hell is bound to have a critical audience thinking: “What kind of God sends folk to hell for not believing?”. Read the rest of this entry »

Is Protestant Christianity Biblical and Faithful To Jesus?

In Bible, Church, God, Gospel, Jesus, Life, People, Theology on August 24, 2009 at 8:47 am

by Marc

The question is provocative but important and needs continually asking as we are called to first be self-critical before we critique others. We must ask ourselves: What is a true Christian according to Jesus will as taught in the Bible? We could answer this question by asking an even more risky one: what would happen if all the people who stopped being Christians nevertheless continued being disciples of Jesus? Is that possible? Well, it is clear that there are such people, who have rejected key doctrines, yet nevertheless live more like Jesus than much of the Church is doing.

The fact is the world would be a better place if most people lived as Jesus taught and lived than if most people were simply good Believers. Whereas the Christian Faith has been reduced to belief in certain creeds and doctrines, Discipleship is submission to Jesus as a teacher and master, a life led His Way. What began as “The Way” has become “The Faith”. What began as a walk became a teaching. At times, the Protestant Church borders on Gnosticism (saving knowledge) and yet we wonder why it’s in decline. Read the rest of this entry »

Christianity in China

In Church, Gospel, People, Politics, Uncategorized on June 23, 2009 at 11:44 am

We get a great deal of mixed signals in the West concerning Christian persecution in China. I decided to ask my good friend Ashton who lives there, how he experiences life as a Jesus-follower in the East and what he knows about the religious freedom China offers.

Christianity in China

By Ashton Fourie

Let me start by setting the basic scene. The Roman Catholic church and three Protestant Church denominations, or maybe one denomination that sort of has 3 flavours, translated roughly as the 3 Self Church, or the 3 Self Churches, are allowed to operate in China, but their doctrine is government controlled.

Then there is the so-called underground church, which seems to be made up of groups of people all over the place meeting at houses, in buildings, offices, under bridges – you name it. Violent persecution in our area seems to be non-existent. Lecturers had been asked to leave universities for being too outspoken before – but it is our understanding that they were actively and openly evangelising and running Christian meetings on campus. On the other hand, the Dean of English in our school teaches a subject called “Stories of the Bible” where she just tells Bible stories as part of a programme to “familiarise the kids with Western culture,” and she seems to get away with it. Another friend of mine who is an assistant professor, teaches Biblical studies from the perspective of the impact the Bible has had on Western culture and the English language. This seems to be perfectly acceptable. According to this same professor, the government interference in church doctrine is minimal. They monitor for any teaching that would seek to slander the Communist Party. The gospel with all its attached truth in the way that Jesus presented it, which is a spiritual, and not a political message, is acceptable, and preached. Read the rest of this entry »

I Don’t Think God Meant For Christians To Be So Rigid

In Church, Gospel, People on May 25, 2009 at 5:08 pm

by Elizabeth K

Not only do many Believers seem to have high standards for becoming and remaining a Christian, but churches seem to each have their own set of requirements.  These fluctuate and range between logical, biblical and extra-biblical – such as (unofficial) dress codes, acceptable terminology, social conduct within a church sanctuary, or church membership rules.  Depending on which church history era one resides, it may or may not be okay to drink alcohol, smoke cigars and swear as a Christian.

Bible memorization, ministry involvement and tithing are highly encouraged and, since “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” sins are not socially acceptable.  Actually, there are some sins which seem to be openly rebuked, usually sexual sins, while others are rarely confronted.  Arrogance (in the name of confidence and authority), legalism (often seen as righteousness) and unhealthy living (in the form of caffeine and refined sugar pastries to promote “fellowship”) are examples of very awkward, and rarely beneficial, situations for those who dare to confront their clergy.

Usually for the sake of accountability, a concept not found in the Bible in certain terms,  and because of specific scriptures, church attendance is mandatory in the minds of most Christians.  One who discontinues to show up on Sunday mornings for three months or longer is often seen as anathema. Read the rest of this entry »

The Hole in our Gospel

In Church, Gospel, Jesus, People on May 15, 2009 at 6:11 pm

by Marc

Ever since I heard Tim Keller explain that the root of all problems is failure to believe the Gospel I’ve been fascinated by discovering just what exactly “The Gospel” is and how it is the “power of salvation”. What fact could there possibly be which, when believed, saves and totally transforms a person? Part of my discovery came from listening to N.T. Wright argue persuasively that the Gospel is, quote, “Jesus is Lord” and that most of what we consider to be Good News is a consequence of this.

In the evangelical world the Gospel is taken to be the radical and indeed life-transforming truth that we are justified by faith alone apart from works. Implicitly or explicitly we are told, works are bad because they insult the work Jesus did. I’ve discussed why I disagree with this view in Which Gospel and my realisation is that this is a shrunken, individualised and subjective good news which encourages passiveness and occludes the royal announcement of Jesus’ Kingship which is for the whole world to hear.

The Gospel is indeed Good News and not Good Advice but Jesus said “go and make disciples of all nations… and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you“. Read this, the sermon on the mount and Matt 25 and tremble oh ye “christian” – myself included. Indeed the “work of God is to believe in the one he sent” but this entails and does not preclude works as we’ve been taught to read Paul since Luther.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Simple Answer To The Christian Culture Dilemma

In Church, Gospel on April 30, 2009 at 4:23 am

by Elizabeth K

The latest buzz in the church world, at least in the conversations of the emerging church is the issue of Christians relating to contemporary culture.  The diagnosis has been proposed:  we are not reaching the world in the way that Christ taught and exemplified.

Why is this?  My unprofessional theories are 1) We justify our attitude of “To hell with Non-christians”  2) We don’t want to get too close to them because they are so dangerously contagious or 3) We’re right and they’re wrong.  End of discussion.

In my opinion, the modern-day church, throughout history, is the one that has always been dangerously contagious.  We draw our air of superiority from our numbers, traditions, beliefs… our own little culture.  And well, this is just a turn off to the outsider.

This isn’t true for every Christian who attends church but we do have a fairly poor reputation as a group.

The answer seems simple enough to me and it’s one that we all know so well:  Love.  All of the Bible’s commandments really hang on only two.  Love God and love others. Read the rest of this entry »

Can We Engage Western Society and Remain True?

In Church, Gospel, Life on April 21, 2009 at 11:34 am

By Marc

Let’s face it, the Church is not really making headlines nowadays. Sure, the Pope gets a fair hearing and evangelical Christians pop up in debates over Evolution in the classroom but Christians are manifestly not shaping society. It seems we are merely running a kind of irrelevant, amusing, subculture. Church attendance is declining in western society and Christianity is generally seen in a negative light, something the modern world has largely, and thankfully, shed as it became enlightened and tolerant.

On the surface, much seems to be going on. Firstly, within the Church, there is a kind of resurgence (not to be confused with theresurgence.com) in issues of faith, theology and apologetics. Indeed there is quite a buzz in terms of books published, blog articles and debates between atheists and Christians. Secondly, in secular western media, conspiracy theories, alternative Gospels are still all the rage, or at least well impregnated in popular consciousness: we cannot know the real Jesus and the version we see on the latest Fox TV special is as historical as any other. Read the rest of this entry »

The Gospel for a Rich Post-Modern Couple

In God, Gospel, Life on March 30, 2009 at 7:51 pm

By Marc

I had the opportunity this week of visiting a terminally ill man in hospital, playing a few songs and speaking to him and his wife about our hope and belief. It was a strange discussion because, although the husband had perhaps a few days left to live, the wife insisted on being his mediator and interrupting the discussion. Even though her husband was clearly interested in what we had to say she would speak on his behalf and constantly send the signal “that’s not for us“. Very reminiscent of some characters in The Great Divorce.

Having said that, it was an interesting and moving evening and we touched on most of the objections a western, postmodern, well-to-do person can come up with. That means we hardly spoke about evidence for God at all but rather about whether God is existentially satisfying, a nice guy, egalitarian and democratic, worthy of being my God etc.

Hell became an acceptable destination if God can’t “take me as I am” after all, “he apparently made me as I am”. If God doesn’t want me then I don’t want God and I won’t be alone in Hell. I’m not a bad person! And isn’t God in everything as our Yoga instructor taught us? Jesus, Buddha it’s all the same.

Read the rest of this entry »

Which Gospel?

In God, Gospel, Jesus, Theology on February 28, 2009 at 9:36 am

By Marc

Consider the following two candidates for the title of “The Gospel”:

  1. Jesus died to pay for your sins so that you can go to heaven and escape hell apart from moral attainment.
  2. Jesus is the Messiah, God’s anointed King. Through Him God is restoring and renewing all creation.

As Christians we believe both these statements but which is the “Gospel” Jesus and the apostles proclaimed? Both these messages are, in different senses, good news. Let us consider both messages from a Christian (believing) perspective. Read the rest of this entry »

No Salvation Apart From Works

In Bible, Church, Gospel, Jesus, Theology on February 11, 2009 at 8:13 pm

by Marc

We often hear that salvation, Christian-style, is apart from works. This is however a muddling of terms. The Bible, in particular, Paul’s writings actually teaches that justification is by faith apart from works of Torah [1].

For Paul, justification is God declaring a person a covenant member wile salvation is the ultimate rescue from evil. They are not the same thing and Paul does not interchange the terms (see e.g. Rom 10:10).

I think it’s equally clear that works of Torah (circumcision, food laws etc.) were marginalised if not done away with in the New Testament because the gentiles were coming in and ethnic markers were dissolving. But surely good works were raised higher than ever by Jesus and his successors! Why then do we still equate the two and assume salvation is apart from good works?
Read the rest of this entry »

The God Who Came in Disguise

In Gospel, Jesus, People, Theology on February 7, 2009 at 1:43 pm

By Marc

Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
 - Mark 1:34

Such passages puzzle us: did Jesus not want the world to know who he was? How often did he command people not to tell of their healing? Sometimes he advertised (Lk 8) but sometimes he acted in secret (Jairus’ daughter). Why did he not present himself to the chief priests, perform a miracle or two and get their PR-engine on his side?

Read the rest of this entry »