11.23.2009
11.10.2009
Theology According to Mars Hill [Rob Bell's]
I visited the Mars Hill Church website, and was carried off to the "What We Believe" section. In conversation and study, I tend to be curious of what others believe about God and Scripture and such, and I was pretty impressed with this "Doctrinal Statement" by the guys at Mars Hill. God's Word to us is in narrative form, and it seems fitting to have your Doctrinal Statement presented in same fashion.
TAKE A LOOK:
“We believe God inspired the authors of Scripture by his Spirit to speak to all generations of believers, including us today. God calls us to immerse ourselves in this authoritative narrative communally and individually to faithfully interpret and live out that story today as we are led by the Spirit of God.
In the beginning God created all things good. He was and always will be in a communal relationship with himself-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created us to be relational as well and marked us with an identity as his image bearers and a missional calling to serve, care for, and cultivate the earth. God created humans in his image to live in fellowship with him, one another, our inner self, and creation. The enemy tempted the first humans, and darkness and evil entered the story through human sin and are now a part of the world. This devastating event resulted in our relationships with God, others, ourselves, and creation being fractured and in desperate need of redeeming.
We believe God did not abandon his creation to destruction and decay; rather he promised to restore this broken world. As part of this purpose, God chose a people, Abraham and his descendants, to represent him in the world. God promised to bless them as a nation so that through them all nations would be blessed. In time they became enslaved in Egypt and cried out to God because of their oppression. God heard their cry, liberated them from their oppressor, and brought them to Sinai where he gave them an identity and a mission as his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, a holy people. Throughout the story of Israel, God refused to give up on his people despite their frequent acts of unfaithfulness to him.
God brought his people into the Promised Land. Their state of blessing from God was intimately bound to their calling to embody the living God to other nations. They made movement toward this missional calling, yet they disobeyed and allowed foreign gods into the land, overlooked the poor, and mistreated the foreigner. The prophetic voices that emerge from the Scriptures held the calling of Israel to the mirror of how they treated the oppressed and marginalized. Through the prophets, God's heart for the poor was made known, and we believe that God cares deeply for the marginalized and oppressed among us today.
In Israel's disobedience, they became indifferent and in turn irrelevant to the purposes to which God had called them. For a time, they were sent into exile; yet a hopeful remnant was always looking ahead with longing and hope to a renewed reign of God, where peace and justice would prevail.
We believe these longings found their fulfillment in Jesus the Messiah, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, mysteriously God having become flesh. Jesus came to preach good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted and set captives free, proclaiming a new arrival of the kingdom of God, bringing about a new exodus, and restoring our fractured world. He and his message were rejected by many as he confronted the oppressive nature of the religious elite and the empire of Rome. Yet his path of suffering, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection has brought hope to all creation. Jesus is our only hope for bringing peace and reconciliation between God and humans. Through Jesus we have been forgiven and brought into right relationship with God. God is now reconciling us to each other, ourselves, and creation. The Spirit of God affirms as children of God all those who trust Jesus. The Spirit empowers us with gifts, convicts, guides, comforts, counsels, and leads us into truth through a communal life of worship and a missional expression of our faith. The church is rooted and grounded in Christ, practicing spiritual disciplines and celebrating baptism and the Lord's Supper. The church is a global and local expression of living out the way of Jesus through love, peace, sacrifice, and healing as we embody the resurrected Christ, who lives in and through us, to a broken and hurting world.
We believe the day is coming when Jesus will return to judge the world, bringing an end to injustice and restoring all things to God's original intent. God will reclaim this world and rule forever. The earth's groaning will cease and God will dwell with us here in a restored creation. On that day we will beat swords into tools for cultivating the earth, the wolf will lie down with the lamb, there will be no more death, and God will wipe away all our tears. Our relationships with God, others, ourselves, and creation will be whole. All will flourish as God intends. This is what we long for. This is what we hope for. And we are giving our lives to living out that future reality now.”
TAKE A LOOK:
“We believe God inspired the authors of Scripture by his Spirit to speak to all generations of believers, including us today. God calls us to immerse ourselves in this authoritative narrative communally and individually to faithfully interpret and live out that story today as we are led by the Spirit of God.
In the beginning God created all things good. He was and always will be in a communal relationship with himself-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God created us to be relational as well and marked us with an identity as his image bearers and a missional calling to serve, care for, and cultivate the earth. God created humans in his image to live in fellowship with him, one another, our inner self, and creation. The enemy tempted the first humans, and darkness and evil entered the story through human sin and are now a part of the world. This devastating event resulted in our relationships with God, others, ourselves, and creation being fractured and in desperate need of redeeming.
We believe God did not abandon his creation to destruction and decay; rather he promised to restore this broken world. As part of this purpose, God chose a people, Abraham and his descendants, to represent him in the world. God promised to bless them as a nation so that through them all nations would be blessed. In time they became enslaved in Egypt and cried out to God because of their oppression. God heard their cry, liberated them from their oppressor, and brought them to Sinai where he gave them an identity and a mission as his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, a holy people. Throughout the story of Israel, God refused to give up on his people despite their frequent acts of unfaithfulness to him.
God brought his people into the Promised Land. Their state of blessing from God was intimately bound to their calling to embody the living God to other nations. They made movement toward this missional calling, yet they disobeyed and allowed foreign gods into the land, overlooked the poor, and mistreated the foreigner. The prophetic voices that emerge from the Scriptures held the calling of Israel to the mirror of how they treated the oppressed and marginalized. Through the prophets, God's heart for the poor was made known, and we believe that God cares deeply for the marginalized and oppressed among us today.
In Israel's disobedience, they became indifferent and in turn irrelevant to the purposes to which God had called them. For a time, they were sent into exile; yet a hopeful remnant was always looking ahead with longing and hope to a renewed reign of God, where peace and justice would prevail.
We believe these longings found their fulfillment in Jesus the Messiah, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, mysteriously God having become flesh. Jesus came to preach good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted and set captives free, proclaiming a new arrival of the kingdom of God, bringing about a new exodus, and restoring our fractured world. He and his message were rejected by many as he confronted the oppressive nature of the religious elite and the empire of Rome. Yet his path of suffering, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection has brought hope to all creation. Jesus is our only hope for bringing peace and reconciliation between God and humans. Through Jesus we have been forgiven and brought into right relationship with God. God is now reconciling us to each other, ourselves, and creation. The Spirit of God affirms as children of God all those who trust Jesus. The Spirit empowers us with gifts, convicts, guides, comforts, counsels, and leads us into truth through a communal life of worship and a missional expression of our faith. The church is rooted and grounded in Christ, practicing spiritual disciplines and celebrating baptism and the Lord's Supper. The church is a global and local expression of living out the way of Jesus through love, peace, sacrifice, and healing as we embody the resurrected Christ, who lives in and through us, to a broken and hurting world.
We believe the day is coming when Jesus will return to judge the world, bringing an end to injustice and restoring all things to God's original intent. God will reclaim this world and rule forever. The earth's groaning will cease and God will dwell with us here in a restored creation. On that day we will beat swords into tools for cultivating the earth, the wolf will lie down with the lamb, there will be no more death, and God will wipe away all our tears. Our relationships with God, others, ourselves, and creation will be whole. All will flourish as God intends. This is what we long for. This is what we hope for. And we are giving our lives to living out that future reality now.”
6.22.2009
Regrets
I remember sitting and listening to a youth group leader give a talk many years ago—probably at least ten years by now. He shared how at that time, he had recently spoken to an older relative, and in that encounter he asked the older man what he thought about his life.
The man said, "I have no regrets."
I remember the youth group leader share how we should live without regrets... how on the Cross Jesus not only took away our Sin, but he took away guilt, and shame, and regret. That is wonderful news. But it doesn't seem "real" sometimes because in my life I don't feel it experienced. One of the most haunting areas of my life is my regrets. I don't at all regret situations that I have been in, or grades I've made in school, and I don't regret what others have done (or haven't done) to me. But I regret a great deal what I have done to others, and how my poor and selfish decisions have hurt others.
"But I am a worm and not
a man,
a reproach of men and
despised by the people."
Ps. 22:6
I do have hope that there is redemption... here, and now.
"I would have despaired
unless I had believed
that I would see the
goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living."
Ps 27:13
The greatest hope of all is that one day, we will live perfectly. There will be no sin, no pain... "no curse" (Rev. 22:3). We will be glorified into a state of perfection... and I can't wait for that day. We will be redeemed, together, with all those that we have hurt, those we have cast aside and forgotten, those with whom we have regrets.
But I am sorry for these regrets. I wish I did not have them; I wish I could say like that man did, those years ago: "I have no regrets." But as long as I am me, I will be unable to say such a thing.
The man said, "I have no regrets."
I remember the youth group leader share how we should live without regrets... how on the Cross Jesus not only took away our Sin, but he took away guilt, and shame, and regret. That is wonderful news. But it doesn't seem "real" sometimes because in my life I don't feel it experienced. One of the most haunting areas of my life is my regrets. I don't at all regret situations that I have been in, or grades I've made in school, and I don't regret what others have done (or haven't done) to me. But I regret a great deal what I have done to others, and how my poor and selfish decisions have hurt others.
"But I am a worm and not
a man,
a reproach of men and
despised by the people."
Ps. 22:6
I do have hope that there is redemption... here, and now.
"I would have despaired
unless I had believed
that I would see the
goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living."
Ps 27:13
The greatest hope of all is that one day, we will live perfectly. There will be no sin, no pain... "no curse" (Rev. 22:3). We will be glorified into a state of perfection... and I can't wait for that day. We will be redeemed, together, with all those that we have hurt, those we have cast aside and forgotten, those with whom we have regrets.
But I am sorry for these regrets. I wish I did not have them; I wish I could say like that man did, those years ago: "I have no regrets." But as long as I am me, I will be unable to say such a thing.
6.19.2009
4.11.2009
The Cost of Following Jesus
In Matthew 18:18–22 we get a glimpse at what the cost is to follow Jesus. If you really want to follow the Lord, you must consider the result. Jesus says that we will be hated by this world. Hated! We will not be famous, respected, loved, accepted... by this world. In fact, following Christ absolutely brings about a life of suffering and despair. But there is no other way to be a Christian—the "Christianity" that we know and which the world uses to define us, is not true. It is not even a reflection of what the word "Christian" should be—a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Just yesterday I heard an atheist on the radio say that "Christians do not believe what they say they believe; they 'worship' on the Sabbath and praise a God whom they have no passion for, or connection with at any moment for the rest of the week.
I don't want this to define me. I don't want this to define me.
Thus, we must count the cost (Luke 14:28). The first man approaches Jesus—he takes the initiative (Matthew 8:19). This man was overcome with excitement and zeal to follow Jesus. Jesus responded, "foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (v. 20). In essence, Jesus replied to the man's zeal by saying, you will lose everything, there is no worldly comfort in following me. All you get is Me, the only comfort you will find is My presence and word. But you will have no home... for you will never find your true home on this earth. And what was the man's reply? He had none...
With this first man we see that following Christ—being a [genuine] Christian—is not marked by zeal, or emotion. Discipleship is marked by consistency and longevity. Where is your heart? Are you a "Christian" because you can get "excited" about Him during worship music? Or, are you truly following the Lord of Lords, who calls you to leave everything to follow Him?
This first man is the plant that quickly sprouted, but had no root and was burned and killed in the scorching sun (Mark 4:5–6). Do you get excited about Jesus during camps, and retreats, and D-Now, and Summer Mission Trips, etc. etc., but rarely have any intimacy with Him otherwise? Are you really seeking Christ, or merely an emotional experience?
After this first man, we see the response of another to follow Jesus. The man said, "please let me go bury my father, then I will come follow you" (v.21). Most likely the guy's father was not literally dead, but instead, the man had strong ties with his family and wanted to wait to receive his inheritance. Once he had solidified some connections, and built up some security, then he would follow Jesus.
This man is the seed that fell amongst thorns (Mark 4:7). The things of this world are distracting him and preventing him from following the Lord. Jesus' reply to him was, "Follow Me... let the dead bury their own dead" (v.22). Jesus said, those who are attached to this world, even with wealth, or success, or sex, of family, or pleasure, or happiness, or vacations, or any other thing, they are still dead. The only life worth anything is one that is entombed to the teaching and way of Christ. Any other life has no life at all.
Are you one of these men? Or are you truly following the Lord? If you're honest with yourself, then you're probably just like me—too comfortable to let go of the things of this world; too prideful to bow low to Christ; too much attached to this world to to consider growing close to the God who tells us to forsake this world.
Just yesterday I heard an atheist on the radio say that "Christians do not believe what they say they believe; they 'worship' on the Sabbath and praise a God whom they have no passion for, or connection with at any moment for the rest of the week.
I don't want this to define me. I don't want this to define me.
Thus, we must count the cost (Luke 14:28). The first man approaches Jesus—he takes the initiative (Matthew 8:19). This man was overcome with excitement and zeal to follow Jesus. Jesus responded, "foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (v. 20). In essence, Jesus replied to the man's zeal by saying, you will lose everything, there is no worldly comfort in following me. All you get is Me, the only comfort you will find is My presence and word. But you will have no home... for you will never find your true home on this earth. And what was the man's reply? He had none...
With this first man we see that following Christ—being a [genuine] Christian—is not marked by zeal, or emotion. Discipleship is marked by consistency and longevity. Where is your heart? Are you a "Christian" because you can get "excited" about Him during worship music? Or, are you truly following the Lord of Lords, who calls you to leave everything to follow Him?
This first man is the plant that quickly sprouted, but had no root and was burned and killed in the scorching sun (Mark 4:5–6). Do you get excited about Jesus during camps, and retreats, and D-Now, and Summer Mission Trips, etc. etc., but rarely have any intimacy with Him otherwise? Are you really seeking Christ, or merely an emotional experience?
After this first man, we see the response of another to follow Jesus. The man said, "please let me go bury my father, then I will come follow you" (v.21). Most likely the guy's father was not literally dead, but instead, the man had strong ties with his family and wanted to wait to receive his inheritance. Once he had solidified some connections, and built up some security, then he would follow Jesus.
This man is the seed that fell amongst thorns (Mark 4:7). The things of this world are distracting him and preventing him from following the Lord. Jesus' reply to him was, "Follow Me... let the dead bury their own dead" (v.22). Jesus said, those who are attached to this world, even with wealth, or success, or sex, of family, or pleasure, or happiness, or vacations, or any other thing, they are still dead. The only life worth anything is one that is entombed to the teaching and way of Christ. Any other life has no life at all.
Are you one of these men? Or are you truly following the Lord? If you're honest with yourself, then you're probably just like me—too comfortable to let go of the things of this world; too prideful to bow low to Christ; too much attached to this world to to consider growing close to the God who tells us to forsake this world.
3.27.2009
Tying The Knot On A Tight Budget
Check out this video of Robbie and Maria—getting ready for the big day!
Copy this link:
http://www.14wfie.com/global/category.asp?c=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15032&topVideoCatNoB=135100&topVideoCatNoC=72953&topVideoCatNoD=129537&topVideoCatNoE=126152&autoStart=true&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3578369
Copy this link:
http://www.14wfie.com/global/category.asp?c=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15032&topVideoCatNoB=135100&topVideoCatNoC=72953&topVideoCatNoD=129537&topVideoCatNoE=126152&autoStart=true&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3578369
3.05.2009
Likeness to Jesus
"Above all things, cultivate your own spirit, Your own soul is your first and greatest care. Seek advance of personal holiness. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”
–Robert Murray M'Cheyne, 1813–1843
Scottish Presbyterian Missionary
–Robert Murray M'Cheyne, 1813–1843
Scottish Presbyterian Missionary
Total Depravity
We speak of the human race as being "Totally Depraved," at least those of us who are Augustinian, and not Armenian in our theology. But how exactly are we totally depraved?
It is from our ancestor, Adam. A literal human? The first of our kind, or a figurative story—a metaphor for the faith?
Are we sinful because:
(1) We sinned with Adam in the garden?
(2) We are sinful by our association with Adam?
(3) We are now sick (from something) because of Adam's disobedience—something was passed over, onto us?
(4) ...or something else?
Why am I sinful by nature?
It is from our ancestor, Adam. A literal human? The first of our kind, or a figurative story—a metaphor for the faith?
Are we sinful because:
(1) We sinned with Adam in the garden?
(2) We are sinful by our association with Adam?
(3) We are now sick (from something) because of Adam's disobedience—something was passed over, onto us?
(4) ...or something else?
Why am I sinful by nature?
2.10.2009
Pray For Australia
Australia is currently facing one of the worst wildfires in its history. The death toll exceeds 200, and thousands of homes and buildings have been completely destroyed.
We should be in prayer for those who have experienced tragic loss, and certainly for those who are still in danger. May this disaster come under control and soon end.
Below is a satellite image from NASA, depicting the Southern coast of Australia, and the white clouds of smoke rising from the out of control fires (shown in red).
Below is a rescue working helping an injured (wild) koala. Apparently the koala was harmed from the fire and this worker went to her aid—what an awesome photo!
We should be in prayer for those who have experienced tragic loss, and certainly for those who are still in danger. May this disaster come under control and soon end.
Below is a satellite image from NASA, depicting the Southern coast of Australia, and the white clouds of smoke rising from the out of control fires (shown in red).
Below is a rescue working helping an injured (wild) koala. Apparently the koala was harmed from the fire and this worker went to her aid—what an awesome photo!
(All images © Fox News, www.foxnews.com)
2.09.2009
Burch Vs. Beckham
Here's a clip of Marc Burch getting a red card against David Beckham. I played for a few years at Evansville with Marc, and I think he took my legs out once or twice in the same way... hmmm... actually I think he just megged me and flew by as I fell over, making me look like a little girl.
I know a little about how Burch plays, and I'm pretty sure he just wanted to get this hit in because it was against Sir Beckham.
I know a little about how Burch plays, and I'm pretty sure he just wanted to get this hit in because it was against Sir Beckham.
2.05.2009
Get On The Train!
At a normal, leisurely pace, it would take approximately 70 hours to read through the bible. But you know what, even if you double that number, because the Bible can be pretty difficult to get through!, it would still take us 140 hours to read through the Bible—the whole thing, Genesis through Revelation, even hitting things like Obadiah, Haggai, Amos, Jude. 140 Hours sounds like a long time, doesn't it?
Well check this out... in a given week, the AVERAGE American will spend ONE DAY (approximately 24 hours) in front of a TV. This includes News, movies, shows, games, etc. But it does not include a computer monitor... JUST THE TV! 24 Hours in one week. You can do the math if you want, but if we spent as much time reading the Bible as we did watching the TV screen, we could easily have read through the Bible, at a leisure pace in under a month and a half.
With ease. Wow...
So much TV... so little Scripture. Where are our hearts?
I am not proposing that we do this... I am, however, proposing something else quite radical. Check this out...
There are 1189 chapters in the Bible. If you divide that by the number of days in a year (365) you will get the number of chapters that you would have to read every day in order to finish the WHOLE BIBLE in one year. Do you think it's going to be a crazy-crazy amount that is just overwhelming!?
1189 ÷ 365 = 3.2575342...
That's it. If you were to read four chapters from the Bible every day... you would get through the Bible in under a year.
This is exactly what I am proposing. Start today... get through the Bible in under a year. If you are not already reading something for yourself from the Bible... then start today.
Deonna and I have already read Genesis 1–4. It took us under 20 minutes this morning, and we even talked a little about it.
Can you spare 20 minutes every day for a year, to read your Bible? Those might just be the most valuable 20 minutes of every day in 2009...
I would love for anyone who wants to, to join in on this journey. Start today... Genesis 1–4. Tomorrow... Genesis 5–8; and so on, and so on. This would give us some great topics for discussion when we meet up, and also, it will give us something to keep each other accountable. We could help each other through this journey, we could encourage and lift up one another... we can do it TOGETHER. As a a community... as disciples of Christ seeking to encounter the True God.
I'm certain that God will use this endeavor to teach us more about Himself... and to change anyone's life who accepts this challenge. There is no doubt, it will be a challenge. But the reward surpasses everything else... certainly anything else that could be obtained through a mere 20 minutes every day...
Who's in?...
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." Ps 118:8 (the exact middle verse of the Bible)
"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers." Ps 1:1–3
Well check this out... in a given week, the AVERAGE American will spend ONE DAY (approximately 24 hours) in front of a TV. This includes News, movies, shows, games, etc. But it does not include a computer monitor... JUST THE TV! 24 Hours in one week. You can do the math if you want, but if we spent as much time reading the Bible as we did watching the TV screen, we could easily have read through the Bible, at a leisure pace in under a month and a half.
With ease. Wow...
So much TV... so little Scripture. Where are our hearts?
I am not proposing that we do this... I am, however, proposing something else quite radical. Check this out...
There are 1189 chapters in the Bible. If you divide that by the number of days in a year (365) you will get the number of chapters that you would have to read every day in order to finish the WHOLE BIBLE in one year. Do you think it's going to be a crazy-crazy amount that is just overwhelming!?
1189 ÷ 365 = 3.2575342...
That's it. If you were to read four chapters from the Bible every day... you would get through the Bible in under a year.
This is exactly what I am proposing. Start today... get through the Bible in under a year. If you are not already reading something for yourself from the Bible... then start today.
Deonna and I have already read Genesis 1–4. It took us under 20 minutes this morning, and we even talked a little about it.
Can you spare 20 minutes every day for a year, to read your Bible? Those might just be the most valuable 20 minutes of every day in 2009...
I would love for anyone who wants to, to join in on this journey. Start today... Genesis 1–4. Tomorrow... Genesis 5–8; and so on, and so on. This would give us some great topics for discussion when we meet up, and also, it will give us something to keep each other accountable. We could help each other through this journey, we could encourage and lift up one another... we can do it TOGETHER. As a a community... as disciples of Christ seeking to encounter the True God.
I'm certain that God will use this endeavor to teach us more about Himself... and to change anyone's life who accepts this challenge. There is no doubt, it will be a challenge. But the reward surpasses everything else... certainly anything else that could be obtained through a mere 20 minutes every day...
Who's in?...
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." Ps 118:8 (the exact middle verse of the Bible)
"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the council of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers." Ps 1:1–3
2.02.2009
Super Bowl Fun
We had our first annual ABF Viewing of the Super Bowl over at Nicholas' house. Hopefully you were able to see the "Monsters vs. Aliens" trailer in 3–D, but if not, I'm sure that you can tell how awesome it was based on these pictures of our group's reactions:
This next one was a great picture. We decided we just wanted to take a "regular" picture, but it actually turns out that we turned in into a little game! It's kind of like "Where's Waldo," where you must find a particular individual. One of our group forgot to take his glasses off, so search carefully, and see if you can find out who it was!
Yep... it was David. Sneaky sneaky.
This next one was a great picture. We decided we just wanted to take a "regular" picture, but it actually turns out that we turned in into a little game! It's kind of like "Where's Waldo," where you must find a particular individual. One of our group forgot to take his glasses off, so search carefully, and see if you can find out who it was!
Yep... it was David. Sneaky sneaky.
1.30.2009
The Good 'Ol Days
Prior to moving to Dallas, Deonna and I worked as Youth Pastors at a Church in Evansville, Indiana—North Park Baptist Church.
Just thought I should share some of our memories from those, "Good 'Ol Days."
Watch how hard Zack hits his head...
Well, there you have it.
Just thought I should share some of our memories from those, "Good 'Ol Days."
Watch how hard Zack hits his head...
Well, there you have it.
1.29.2009
On Baptism
I just had a class with Dr. Pentecost. We were discussing the three passages of Jesus' baptism (Mt 3:13–17, Mk 1:9–11 and Lk 3:21–22). Dr. P alluded to an interesting point—the breadth in terminology of the word, baptism.
A lot of times those baptists (myself included?) enjoy getting themselves into heated arguments, and defenses on baptism: "there is only one way that it should be done", "it must be done in the church", "baptism is only legitimate if performed on a believer", etc., etc. However, Dr. brought up an interesting point:
When we talk about "baptism," we must distinguish which baptism we refer to, because there are more than one types.
In fact, Dr. P. argued, there are seven types. Take a look:
A lot of times those baptists (myself included?) enjoy getting themselves into heated arguments, and defenses on baptism: "there is only one way that it should be done", "it must be done in the church", "baptism is only legitimate if performed on a believer", etc., etc. However, Dr. brought up an interesting point:
When we talk about "baptism," we must distinguish which baptism we refer to, because there are more than one types.
In fact, Dr. P. argued, there are seven types. Take a look:
- Proselyte Baptism in the OT. In the ancient world, Gentiles could become part of the Jewish (Hebrew) faith by entering into the Covenant of Abraham, and the Covenant of Moses. They would enter a new lifestyle, learn the Law, the Customs, be circumsized, and go through a ceremonial bathing, or baptism. Significance: Baptism here symbolizes a change in identity.
- Baptism of Household Objects. This was done to make things ceremonially clean. Significance: They would be cleansed, or set apart through water. This, however, is not a cleansing of impurity or sin, but a separation from the mundane. The objects would be dipped (or sprinkled) with water, and were therefore set apart from the secular to the sacred. (ref. Lev 11:32)
- Indwelling (Baptism) of the Holy Spirit. This occurred once, on the Day of Pentecost, and is universal for believers. At the moment of genuine, redemptive faith, the believer is "baptized" in (or "by," or "with") the Holy Spirit. Significance: Those in the community of faith have something present that was lacking prior to the time of the Acts of the Apostles. (ref. Acts 1:5)
- Baptism Into One Body. Significance: Those in the community have an unprecedented reality of fellowship and union with one another. (ref. 1 Cor 12:13)
- Baptism Into Christ Jesus, into His death. Significance: This marks our association with Jesus and defines a reality, not an activity. Meaning this—this baptism is not when we get immersed in water, but it is a spiritual reality (just like points 3 and 4). (ref. Rom 6:3)
- The Baptism Of Jesus, in the Jordan River. This was not a baptism of repentance, nor for sin, as Jesus was without sin and in no need of repentance. Notice how John at first refuses to baptize Jesus (Mt 3:14). He does so because Jesus is not in need of the baptism which John had been performing up to this point. Jesus' baptism was something completely different... and singular in nature. Significance: Jesus' baptism was much like the High Priest of Old, placing his hand upon the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement. The High Priest would transmit all of the people's sin onto an animal, without blemish and pure. Jesus is going through this process at His baptism, He is associating Himself with humanity, in order that He might remove our sin.
- Believer's Baptism. This is the baptism commanded by our Lord in the Great Commission (Mt 28). Those who believe, out of faith are to be baptized in obedience to Jesus' command, and to be associated with the Church.
1.19.2009
1.14.2009
Interesting Sentence
The five boxing wizards jump quickly.
The sentence above is very special. It contains only 31 letters, but it contains every letter of the alphabet (26). Can you think of a shorter sentence that contains all the letters?
The sentence above is very special. It contains only 31 letters, but it contains every letter of the alphabet (26). Can you think of a shorter sentence that contains all the letters?
1.13.2009
The Preliminary Face-Off
Mark 1:12–13
The first time that we see Jesus in the Gospel of Mark is at His baptism. He goes down into the water, and upon His rising the Spirit descends to Him and the Father speaks: You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.
And then, Jesus gets sent out into the wilderness to have a face-off with the Devil himself. I tend to think of this story as follows. Satan is a funny looking, black creature that hops around and laughs at Jesus as He stumbles. Then of course, the Devil asks his three questions, or "temptations," Jesus overcomes and is triumphant, and the scene is over.
Jesus was triumphant, but we tend to overlook the significance of these two verses. Verse 13 says that Jesus was "in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan." Forty days, being tempted by Satan. Satan is not omnipresent like God. He cannot be everywhere at once; in fact, because he is a created being, he can only be in one place at any given time. Because of this, I tend to think that in my 24 years of life, I have most likely never had any encounters with the Devil himself. I am no threat to him and there are plenty other lesser-demons who can harass me and succeed in their purposes. And honestly, I am thankful that I have never had a run in with the Devil. I certainly would not be able to endure. I am weak; I would be absolutely terrified, even to encounter the Devil for a period of ten seconds.
But Jesus went head-on with the Devil for forty days. Forty days. Forty nights. Most certainly the Devil attempted everything possible to overcome Jesus. The Devil's purpose was to thwart the ministry of Jesus (as this event occurs just before Jesus' ministry).
And God's purpose was to unreservedly allow the Devil to haunt Jesus. It could have been for four days, forty days, or four hundred years. The result would have been the same. The Devil brought his most powerful attacks and terrors against God's Son. Most assuredly, these forty days endured by Jesus were more terrible and excruciating than any forty days lived by anyone.
Yet, Jesus was triumphant. He did not waver. He did not falter. He did not stumble.
This was not so much a "test" for Jesus as it was a "proof" for the Devil. God is proving to the Devil that Jesus is unmatched. Jesus has come for one purpose—to fulfill His purpose of living God's will. Nothing will alter Jesus' course.
If you read through Mark, you will notice that every time a demon comes into contact with Jesus, he falls flat and pleads for mercy before the Son of God. The word had spread. Jesus, the Messiah, had come, and nothing, not even the most powerful being of God's creation could have any impact on averting Jesus' aim. Jesus was, and is, triumphant.
The word had spread.
The first time that we see Jesus in the Gospel of Mark is at His baptism. He goes down into the water, and upon His rising the Spirit descends to Him and the Father speaks: You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.
And then, Jesus gets sent out into the wilderness to have a face-off with the Devil himself. I tend to think of this story as follows. Satan is a funny looking, black creature that hops around and laughs at Jesus as He stumbles. Then of course, the Devil asks his three questions, or "temptations," Jesus overcomes and is triumphant, and the scene is over.
Jesus was triumphant, but we tend to overlook the significance of these two verses. Verse 13 says that Jesus was "in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan." Forty days, being tempted by Satan. Satan is not omnipresent like God. He cannot be everywhere at once; in fact, because he is a created being, he can only be in one place at any given time. Because of this, I tend to think that in my 24 years of life, I have most likely never had any encounters with the Devil himself. I am no threat to him and there are plenty other lesser-demons who can harass me and succeed in their purposes. And honestly, I am thankful that I have never had a run in with the Devil. I certainly would not be able to endure. I am weak; I would be absolutely terrified, even to encounter the Devil for a period of ten seconds.
But Jesus went head-on with the Devil for forty days. Forty days. Forty nights. Most certainly the Devil attempted everything possible to overcome Jesus. The Devil's purpose was to thwart the ministry of Jesus (as this event occurs just before Jesus' ministry).
And God's purpose was to unreservedly allow the Devil to haunt Jesus. It could have been for four days, forty days, or four hundred years. The result would have been the same. The Devil brought his most powerful attacks and terrors against God's Son. Most assuredly, these forty days endured by Jesus were more terrible and excruciating than any forty days lived by anyone.Yet, Jesus was triumphant. He did not waver. He did not falter. He did not stumble.
This was not so much a "test" for Jesus as it was a "proof" for the Devil. God is proving to the Devil that Jesus is unmatched. Jesus has come for one purpose—to fulfill His purpose of living God's will. Nothing will alter Jesus' course.
If you read through Mark, you will notice that every time a demon comes into contact with Jesus, he falls flat and pleads for mercy before the Son of God. The word had spread. Jesus, the Messiah, had come, and nothing, not even the most powerful being of God's creation could have any impact on averting Jesus' aim. Jesus was, and is, triumphant.
The word had spread.
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