Last time I wrote that of the six false notions about Christianity numbers five and six are the most significant. For the sake of brevity, let's jump in.
Fifthly, Christianity is primarily about relationship (1 John 3:1-3), not religion. This is quite a statement, especially since finding good examples in the USA are difficult. I say the USA because the understanding of the faith in other countries is far more organic and authentic (unfortunately). In our country, there are far too many who put on Christianity like the three piece suit they wear once a week on Sundays. No, look at the example of Jesus in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and you will find that the faith he called us too is not squeaky clean, all dressed up, prim and proper. The ministry of Christ was characterized by dusty walks, spitting on dirt to make clay for healing a blind man, touching lepers (those with a flesh eating disease), writing in the sand, and fraternizing with outcasts, prostitutes, and the lowest dregs of society.
There is a radical transformation in a true follower of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). He leads us far beyond the reaches of our comfort zones. He calls us out of the boat to walk on the water (Matthew 14:22ff), and lifts us up when we start to sink. Again, many Christians have no idea what I'm referring too, b/c they are paralyzed by fear of the unknown. If you are bored with a life void of meaning, then step out in faith. Your life will change forever (John 10:10).
Sixthly, there are not multiple ways for a person to get to heaven (Acts 4:12). Many people today believe that God cannot be love if he does not save the majority of people. Now, because they want to believe in a God that lets most people into heaven they must say that people of other “faiths” are just as right in what they believe. All that matters in their minds is that people are sincere. This is the way many people think today. But, is it true? The logical answer is “no” and I will try to explain briefly. The Bible says that God sent his Son to earth to die to make a way—a bridge—to reconnect people with God (John 3:16). If this is so, why would God do such a thing if there was another way? That would be a very painful waste. Jesus tells us plainly, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” Those are perhaps the boldest words ever spoken by anyone. And, as far as love for people is concerned, God showed us the greatest act of love imaginable when he sent us Jesus.NEXT TIME: What Jesus said a Christian is.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Ultimate Questions (part 2)
In my last post I urged readers to consider these matters carefully and objectively. In this post I intend to address erroneous beliefs that I have personally encountered.
First of all, a Christian is not someone who claims to be something only because of a family tradition. Though I see this primarily in those who are 18 years of age and younger, adults are not immune. The Bible is very clear that nobody will enter heaven because of anyone else. Becoming a Christian is a very personal thing. 1 Corinthians 6:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him…” You are responsible for your own personal faith. In other words, Christianity cannot be passed down like your grandfather’s pocket watch.
Secondly, nobody can be a true Christian if they believe they can or must earn their way to Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly state: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Let me ask you a question. Can you earn a gift? Of course not. If you work hard for someone, how would you feel if they called the money they handed you a gift? That would be insulting! It is the same with salvation. There is nothing you can do to deserve God’s free gift of salvation.
Thirdly, nobody can become a true Christian simply by saying something that their heart does not mean. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As [a person] thinks in his heart, so is he.” Talk is cheap! The heart is very important and in the proverbial sense just mentioned it is referring to the will. (* see note at bottom) A true Christian knows this and acts on it. Jesus said in Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” It is very important to know that there are no magic chants or secret passwords that will get you into heaven.
Fourthly, nobody can truly be called a Christian if faith is just one of the masks they wear. Some people can look very convincing on the outside. They may have a Christian t-shirt from snow camp, they may have a Bible, they may even go to church, but none of those things are what a Christian is. 1 Samuel 16: 7b says, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” The heart is that part of us deep down inside where all of the things we really believe are kept. Those core beliefs are like roots, they feed all our actions and words. There are many people who hide what they really believe. They fake that they believe something to impress others and it fools some people sometimes, but mostly we just fool ourselves. And, honestly, trying to “fake” God out with words we don’t mean or actions that hide what we really think is ridiculous. God looks right past all that stuff to see what’s really written on our hearts.
First of all, a Christian is not someone who claims to be something only because of a family tradition. Though I see this primarily in those who are 18 years of age and younger, adults are not immune. The Bible is very clear that nobody will enter heaven because of anyone else. Becoming a Christian is a very personal thing. 1 Corinthians 6:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him…” You are responsible for your own personal faith. In other words, Christianity cannot be passed down like your grandfather’s pocket watch.
Secondly, nobody can be a true Christian if they believe they can or must earn their way to Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly state: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Let me ask you a question. Can you earn a gift? Of course not. If you work hard for someone, how would you feel if they called the money they handed you a gift? That would be insulting! It is the same with salvation. There is nothing you can do to deserve God’s free gift of salvation.
Thirdly, nobody can become a true Christian simply by saying something that their heart does not mean. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As [a person] thinks in his heart, so is he.” Talk is cheap! The heart is very important and in the proverbial sense just mentioned it is referring to the will. (* see note at bottom) A true Christian knows this and acts on it. Jesus said in Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” It is very important to know that there are no magic chants or secret passwords that will get you into heaven.
Fourthly, nobody can truly be called a Christian if faith is just one of the masks they wear. Some people can look very convincing on the outside. They may have a Christian t-shirt from snow camp, they may have a Bible, they may even go to church, but none of those things are what a Christian is. 1 Samuel 16: 7b says, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” The heart is that part of us deep down inside where all of the things we really believe are kept. Those core beliefs are like roots, they feed all our actions and words. There are many people who hide what they really believe. They fake that they believe something to impress others and it fools some people sometimes, but mostly we just fool ourselves. And, honestly, trying to “fake” God out with words we don’t mean or actions that hide what we really think is ridiculous. God looks right past all that stuff to see what’s really written on our hearts.
Next time I'll share the last two misconceptions I intend to cover, and I believe they are the most important.
*Note: The writer of Proverbs was not scientifically ignorant of the function of the brain in thinking processes. He combines the mind and the heart to illustrate that thought and action must be interlaced. Generally speaking, our actions betray what we really believe. See misconception #4.Monday, January 12, 2009
Ultimate Questions (part 1)
I am often asked about the means of salvation. I love this subject because it seems to me to address one of the most important questions anyone can ask. In answering the question I always refer to the Bible as the authority because I am no different than anyone else. If we seek to answer the profound questions of life and have naught but ourselves to appeal to, then we are left with the corruptible opinions of people. In such cases, people's choices are generally a matter of taste. It is as if there were a supermarket of ideas and each shopper selects a unique assortment of propositions to purchase. Few make their choices rationally; most look to justify their passions and maintain autonomy (I answer to me).
If you have been down the road of, "I did it my way," and have found it lacking I invite you to consider the message of the Bible. Join me, and you may find that the light gets stronger the closer you get to the truth. In so doing, you may need to clear your vision by unlearning all that you have learned about the Bible's message heretofore. If you have a Bible I encourage you to keep it close by to look up verses that I did not print.
Now, let us ask the question, “How can a person gain salvation?" Please note that I am framing the question in the classical Christian sense because it is the Christian faith that claims to follow the Bible. Notice also that I say this with the full awareness that many atrocities have been committed in the name of Christianity throughout the ages. There are no justifying words to excuse them. But those who commit such acts must twist and manipulate the Scriptures to justify their actions. Let me be clear, the Bible does not condone inquisitions, or crusades, or forced conversions, etc. Those who have done such things in the name of Christ will receive their just reward.
Skeptics love to point out the skeletons in the Christian closet. Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris (to name a few) are happy to use history to set up religion as the greatest evil in the world. But, let us not forget that the godless alternatives have their own closets full of bones. They are located in places such as Auschwitz and Stalingrad. The difference between the killing done in the name of Christianity and the killing done in the names of atheism or humanism (man as god) is that the actions of the Nazis and the Soviets were NATURAL OUTWORKINGS of their philosophy. It was Nietzsche's concepts of the will to power and the superman that gave rise to Hitler's master race. Hitler personally translated Nietzsche's writings into Italian and presented them as a gift to Bonito Mussolini. Furthermore, it was Frederick Engels, the good friend of Karl Marx that suggested he dedicate his Das Capital (his major work on economics) to Charles Darwin. Engels told Marx that Darwin gave him the foundation on which he could justify his philosophy and therefore deserved the honor.
I mention these things in an effort to encourage you to avoid the error of dismissing the message I seek to share because of its damaged packaging. Other faiths (including atheism and agnosticism) have damaged goods too. So please try to evaluate what I say objectively.
In my next entry I will begin to answer the question. And, the best way to answer it is to not answer it too quickly. I believe the answer is found within the teachings of the Christian faith, so long as it maintains fidelity to the Bible. So, I will begin by telling you what being a Christian is not.
(to be continued)
If you have been down the road of, "I did it my way," and have found it lacking I invite you to consider the message of the Bible. Join me, and you may find that the light gets stronger the closer you get to the truth. In so doing, you may need to clear your vision by unlearning all that you have learned about the Bible's message heretofore. If you have a Bible I encourage you to keep it close by to look up verses that I did not print.
Now, let us ask the question, “How can a person gain salvation?" Please note that I am framing the question in the classical Christian sense because it is the Christian faith that claims to follow the Bible. Notice also that I say this with the full awareness that many atrocities have been committed in the name of Christianity throughout the ages. There are no justifying words to excuse them. But those who commit such acts must twist and manipulate the Scriptures to justify their actions. Let me be clear, the Bible does not condone inquisitions, or crusades, or forced conversions, etc. Those who have done such things in the name of Christ will receive their just reward.
Skeptics love to point out the skeletons in the Christian closet. Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris (to name a few) are happy to use history to set up religion as the greatest evil in the world. But, let us not forget that the godless alternatives have their own closets full of bones. They are located in places such as Auschwitz and Stalingrad. The difference between the killing done in the name of Christianity and the killing done in the names of atheism or humanism (man as god) is that the actions of the Nazis and the Soviets were NATURAL OUTWORKINGS of their philosophy. It was Nietzsche's concepts of the will to power and the superman that gave rise to Hitler's master race. Hitler personally translated Nietzsche's writings into Italian and presented them as a gift to Bonito Mussolini. Furthermore, it was Frederick Engels, the good friend of Karl Marx that suggested he dedicate his Das Capital (his major work on economics) to Charles Darwin. Engels told Marx that Darwin gave him the foundation on which he could justify his philosophy and therefore deserved the honor.
I mention these things in an effort to encourage you to avoid the error of dismissing the message I seek to share because of its damaged packaging. Other faiths (including atheism and agnosticism) have damaged goods too. So please try to evaluate what I say objectively.
In my next entry I will begin to answer the question. And, the best way to answer it is to not answer it too quickly. I believe the answer is found within the teachings of the Christian faith, so long as it maintains fidelity to the Bible. So, I will begin by telling you what being a Christian is not.
(to be continued)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Beyond Riches
I told someone yesterday that if I had to choose between riches and more children, I would choose children hands down. I can't think of anything that could bring me more joy than my family. I have a beautiful wife, Amy, with whom I am perpetually falling deeper in love. Anna is a star from heaven. Her beautiful almond eyes are windows to eternity. Andrew's essence is super concentrated. He exudes both bravery and tenderness.
And now there is Peter. What will he be like? How has he been wired? To what heights will he soar? What mountains will he ascend? What battles will he fight? What losses will he suffer? What loves will he gain, and which will he lose? Only time can tell.
To Peter:
My son, may your life be like the music of the masters. May it rise and fall--gaining momentum--propelling you to culmination in a magnificent crescendo. And may the genius of your maker be seen in rhythm of your life.
My son, may your life be like the music of the masters. May it rise and fall--gaining momentum--propelling you to culmination in a magnificent crescendo. And may the genius of your maker be seen in rhythm of your life.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
For unto us a child is born!
There are some things in life that cannot be put into words. I have just experienced one of them. My son was born on Sunday afternoon and as I looked into his face, the world seemed to make sense. A flood of emotion came over me and I was overjoyed. I love him and I long to prove it to him.
His name is Peter. We gave him his name to show our love for the Scriptures. In the biblical book of John we read that Peter was the brother of Andrew, the first disciple to bring someone to Jesus. Now, two thousand years later, there is another pair of brothers with the same names.
His middle name is John, not just because of the biblical book, but primarily because Amy's grandfather had that name. He sounds like a man I wish I could have met.
His name is Peter. We gave him his name to show our love for the Scriptures. In the biblical book of John we read that Peter was the brother of Andrew, the first disciple to bring someone to Jesus. Now, two thousand years later, there is another pair of brothers with the same names.
His middle name is John, not just because of the biblical book, but primarily because Amy's grandfather had that name. He sounds like a man I wish I could have met.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Modern Thinker's Creed
In his book Can Man Live Without God? Ravi Zacharias includes a satirical commentary by Steve Turner. Turner is an English music journalist and poet who writes for a secular paper.
The Modern Thinker's Creed
We believe in Marxfreudanddarwin
We believe everything is OK
as long as you don't hurt anyone
to the best of your definition of hurt,
and to the best of your knowledge.
We believe in sex before, during, and
after marriage.
We believe in the therapy of sin.
We believe that adultery is fun.
We believe that sodomy’s OK.
We believe that taboos are taboo.
We believe that everything's getting better
despite evidence to the contrary.
The evidence must be investigated
And you can prove anything with evidence.
We believe there's something in horoscopes
UFO's and bent spoons.
Jesus was a good man just like Buddha,
Mohammed, and ourselves.
He was a good moral teacher though we think
His good morals were bad.
We believe that all religions are basically the same-
at least the one that we read was.
They all believe in love and goodness.
They only differ on matters of creation,
sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.
We believe that after death comes the Nothing
Because when you ask the dead what happens
they say nothing.
If death is not the end, if the dead have lied, then its
compulsory heaven for all
excepting perhaps
Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Kahn
We believe in Masters and Johnson
What's selected is average.
What's average is normal.
What's normal is good.
We believe in total disarmament.
We believe there are direct links between warfare and
bloodshed.
Americans should beat their guns into tractors .
And the Russians would be sure to follow.
We believe that man is essentially good.
It's only his behavior that lets him down.
This is the fault of society.
Society is the fault of conditions.
Conditions are the fault of society.
We believe that each man must find the truth that
is right for him.
Reality will adapt accordingly.
The universe will readjust.
History will alter.
We believe that there is no absolute truth
excepting the truth
that there is no absolute truth.
We believe in the rejection of creeds,
And the flowering of individual thought.
If chance be
the Father of all flesh,
disaster is his rainbow in the sky
and when you hear
State of Emergency!
Sniper Kills Ten!
Troops on Rampage!
Whites go Looting!
Bomb Blasts School!
It is but the sound of man
worshipping his maker.
The Modern Thinker's Creed
We believe in Marxfreudanddarwin
We believe everything is OK
as long as you don't hurt anyone
to the best of your definition of hurt,
and to the best of your knowledge.
We believe in sex before, during, and
after marriage.
We believe in the therapy of sin.
We believe that adultery is fun.
We believe that sodomy’s OK.
We believe that taboos are taboo.
We believe that everything's getting better
despite evidence to the contrary.
The evidence must be investigated
And you can prove anything with evidence.
We believe there's something in horoscopes
UFO's and bent spoons.
Jesus was a good man just like Buddha,
Mohammed, and ourselves.
He was a good moral teacher though we think
His good morals were bad.
We believe that all religions are basically the same-
at least the one that we read was.
They all believe in love and goodness.
They only differ on matters of creation,
sin, heaven, hell, God, and salvation.
We believe that after death comes the Nothing
Because when you ask the dead what happens
they say nothing.
If death is not the end, if the dead have lied, then its
compulsory heaven for all
excepting perhaps
Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Kahn
We believe in Masters and Johnson
What's selected is average.
What's average is normal.
What's normal is good.
We believe in total disarmament.
We believe there are direct links between warfare and
bloodshed.
Americans should beat their guns into tractors .
And the Russians would be sure to follow.
We believe that man is essentially good.
It's only his behavior that lets him down.
This is the fault of society.
Society is the fault of conditions.
Conditions are the fault of society.
We believe that each man must find the truth that
is right for him.
Reality will adapt accordingly.
The universe will readjust.
History will alter.
We believe that there is no absolute truth
excepting the truth
that there is no absolute truth.
We believe in the rejection of creeds,
And the flowering of individual thought.
If chance be
the Father of all flesh,
disaster is his rainbow in the sky
and when you hear
State of Emergency!
Sniper Kills Ten!
Troops on Rampage!
Whites go Looting!
Bomb Blasts School!
It is but the sound of man
worshipping his maker.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Nietzsche: An Honest Atheist
I heard these words from Madman the other day and was struck with how honest they were. Nietzsche was, in my opinion, gravely mistaken, but he was courageous. Unlike those who espouse pop culture atheism, he was willing to embrace the horrific ramifications of his philosophy. He knew that without God, there is no fixed reality to give meaning to all that is.
Here is the quote:
"Have you not heard of that madman who lit a lantern in the bright morning hours, ran to the market place and cried incessantly: "I seek God! I seek God!"As many of those who did not believe in God were standing around just then, he provoked much laughter. Has he got lost? asked one. Did he lose his way like a child? asked another. Or is he hiding? Is he afraid of us? Has he gone on a voyage? emigrated? Thus they yelled and laughed.
The madman jumped into their midst and pierced them with his eyes. "Whither is God?" he cried. "I will tell you. We have killed him—you and I! All of us are his murderers! But how did we do this? How could we drink up the sea? Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the entire horizon? What were we doing when we unchained this earth from its sun? Whither is it moving now? Whither are we moving? Away from all suns? Are we not plunging continually? And backward, sideward, forward, in all directions? Is there still any up or down? Are we not straying as through an infinite nothing? Do we not feel the breath of empty space? Has it not become colder? Is not night continually closing in on us? Do we not need to light lanterns in the morning? Do we not hear nothing as yet of the noise of the gravediggers who are burying God? Do we smell nothing as yet of the divine decomposition?—Gods, too, decompose! God is dead! God remains dead! And we have killed him!
How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives,—who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?
Is it any wonder he decended into madness?
Here is the quote:
"Have you not heard of that madman who lit a lantern in the bright morning hours, ran to the market place and cried incessantly: "I seek God! I seek God!"As many of those who did not believe in God were standing around just then, he provoked much laughter. Has he got lost? asked one. Did he lose his way like a child? asked another. Or is he hiding? Is he afraid of us? Has he gone on a voyage? emigrated? Thus they yelled and laughed.
The madman jumped into their midst and pierced them with his eyes. "Whither is God?" he cried. "I will tell you. We have killed him—you and I! All of us are his murderers! But how did we do this? How could we drink up the sea? Who gave us the sponge to wipe away the entire horizon? What were we doing when we unchained this earth from its sun? Whither is it moving now? Whither are we moving? Away from all suns? Are we not plunging continually? And backward, sideward, forward, in all directions? Is there still any up or down? Are we not straying as through an infinite nothing? Do we not feel the breath of empty space? Has it not become colder? Is not night continually closing in on us? Do we not need to light lanterns in the morning? Do we not hear nothing as yet of the noise of the gravediggers who are burying God? Do we smell nothing as yet of the divine decomposition?—Gods, too, decompose! God is dead! God remains dead! And we have killed him!
How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives,—who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?
Is it any wonder he decended into madness?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)