This is a GREAT post by John Piper from the Desiring God Blog. He shows one of the most loving, humble conversations I have ever read between a Calvinist and an Armenian. It is so encouraging to think about how the gospel can unit the church in every way, even when theology differs.
Read the post here
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Normal Christian Life, part 3
2. The hot and cold vs. lukewarm Christian
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked…” Revelation 3:15-17
Dr. Carson preached a sermon in which he discussed archeological evidence from Laodicea that brought such new and wonderful insight into this passage for me. The town directly north of Laodicea was known for having hot springs that produced fresh, hot water and the town directly south of Laodicea was known for having delicious, cold water. Laodicean’s water source came from the Lycus River, which was muddy and undrinkable—so the town had aqueducts that brought water from the hot springs five miles away. This produced lukewarm, disgusting water. There are even extra-biblical historical writings (see Josephus) where Alexander the Great wrote a letter to a friend mocking how how disgusting the water tasted in Laodicea.
Too often, Christians explain this passage to mean that there are three options when it comes to the Christian life: 1) be hot (meaning committed/on fire) 2) be cold (meaning distant/uncommitted) or 3) be lukewarm. We often describe the first two as acceptable to God and the third as unacceptable. This is not what was being said to the Laodicean church. What was being said was: I wish that you were either hot or cold (or useful for drink), but since you are not, I will spew you out of my mouth. There are not 3 options, but 2 options. This passage is not a pass to be a “cold” or distant believer for a season of life. This passage is not a statement that within the church you will find three types of believers and it is okay for some of us to be “cold” while those special leaders can be “hot/on fire.” This passage is a warning that you and your church are to be useful to the kingdom of God.
If we find ourselves living lukewarm lives, then we need to seek the Lord to make us “hot/cold.” The rest of this passage in revelation continues and says:
“…I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked…” Revelation 3:15-17
Dr. Carson preached a sermon in which he discussed archeological evidence from Laodicea that brought such new and wonderful insight into this passage for me. The town directly north of Laodicea was known for having hot springs that produced fresh, hot water and the town directly south of Laodicea was known for having delicious, cold water. Laodicean’s water source came from the Lycus River, which was muddy and undrinkable—so the town had aqueducts that brought water from the hot springs five miles away. This produced lukewarm, disgusting water. There are even extra-biblical historical writings (see Josephus) where Alexander the Great wrote a letter to a friend mocking how how disgusting the water tasted in Laodicea.
Too often, Christians explain this passage to mean that there are three options when it comes to the Christian life: 1) be hot (meaning committed/on fire) 2) be cold (meaning distant/uncommitted) or 3) be lukewarm. We often describe the first two as acceptable to God and the third as unacceptable. This is not what was being said to the Laodicean church. What was being said was: I wish that you were either hot or cold (or useful for drink), but since you are not, I will spew you out of my mouth. There are not 3 options, but 2 options. This passage is not a pass to be a “cold” or distant believer for a season of life. This passage is not a statement that within the church you will find three types of believers and it is okay for some of us to be “cold” while those special leaders can be “hot/on fire.” This passage is a warning that you and your church are to be useful to the kingdom of God.
If we find ourselves living lukewarm lives, then we need to seek the Lord to make us “hot/cold.” The rest of this passage in revelation continues and says:
“…I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”
The Normal Christian Life, part 2
Where do we see differences in how Christians are referred to in Scripture? What does this mean for us as believers?
1. The baby/mature believer
I have heard this phrase used countless times as an excuse for why some Christians are just not “ready” for ministry, or need to be in a place where they hear “shallow” sermons, or don’t study their Bibles, or continue to treat their families and others in ungodly ways. But this implies that there are two types of Christians, instead of one type of “normal” Christian. A “normal” Christian is “born” as an infant and instantly seeks the nourishment needed to steadily grow up (funny how brand new believers / “infants” are often deeply hungry for spiritual truth and changed lives vs. old Christians claiming to still be “babes in Christ”).
Scripture compares believers as baby Christian, needing spiritual milk and full grown, mature believers, able to eat “meat”. In 1 Peter 2:1-5, Peter uses the analogy not to indicate that they are immature in their faith, but that they are to long for the word of God. He tells his audience that they are to long and crave for pure spiritual milk, “like newborn infants”…but it does not end there. He tells them to crave it “so that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
The other places in scripture do not look highly on those in need of “milk.” The idea of a baby believer is not a pass for someone to be this way their entire life. If you were to see a full grown man breast feeding, you would be very concerned…that is what scripture compares spiritual immaturity to. In Hebrews 5:11-14, the author calls those breastfeeding adults “dull of hering” “unskilled in righteousness” a “child”. If we meet someone who has been a believer for years and they still act and live as though they are infants, then we should question if they are truly in Christ (as well as examine ourselves if we have been using that excuse for a long time). This is not judgmental, Paul does it himself. In 1 Cor 3: 1-3 Paul actually tells the Corinthians that he can’t even address them as spiritual people, but needs to address them as unbelievers (people of the flesh) since they are still not ready for “solid food.” Paul questions if the Corinthians ever really heard the gospel because they had been entrusted with such great truth, yet were still living in a way that was not honoring and pleasing to God. Just like in nature, no where in scripture is there the idea that it is “okay” to be a five-year old infant. As we “grow older” in our faith, the “normal” Christian is called to also grow deeper (and up) in their understanding of the word of God, in loving others, in caring for others, in theology, etc. A “mature” believer should not be an exception, but expected.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets the evangelists, the pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, to building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God, to mature manhood, to the measures of the same stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning by craftiness in deceitful schemes…” Ephesians 4:11-16
1. The baby/mature believer
I have heard this phrase used countless times as an excuse for why some Christians are just not “ready” for ministry, or need to be in a place where they hear “shallow” sermons, or don’t study their Bibles, or continue to treat their families and others in ungodly ways. But this implies that there are two types of Christians, instead of one type of “normal” Christian. A “normal” Christian is “born” as an infant and instantly seeks the nourishment needed to steadily grow up (funny how brand new believers / “infants” are often deeply hungry for spiritual truth and changed lives vs. old Christians claiming to still be “babes in Christ”).
Scripture compares believers as baby Christian, needing spiritual milk and full grown, mature believers, able to eat “meat”. In 1 Peter 2:1-5, Peter uses the analogy not to indicate that they are immature in their faith, but that they are to long for the word of God. He tells his audience that they are to long and crave for pure spiritual milk, “like newborn infants”…but it does not end there. He tells them to crave it “so that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
The other places in scripture do not look highly on those in need of “milk.” The idea of a baby believer is not a pass for someone to be this way their entire life. If you were to see a full grown man breast feeding, you would be very concerned…that is what scripture compares spiritual immaturity to. In Hebrews 5:11-14, the author calls those breastfeeding adults “dull of hering” “unskilled in righteousness” a “child”. If we meet someone who has been a believer for years and they still act and live as though they are infants, then we should question if they are truly in Christ (as well as examine ourselves if we have been using that excuse for a long time). This is not judgmental, Paul does it himself. In 1 Cor 3: 1-3 Paul actually tells the Corinthians that he can’t even address them as spiritual people, but needs to address them as unbelievers (people of the flesh) since they are still not ready for “solid food.” Paul questions if the Corinthians ever really heard the gospel because they had been entrusted with such great truth, yet were still living in a way that was not honoring and pleasing to God. Just like in nature, no where in scripture is there the idea that it is “okay” to be a five-year old infant. As we “grow older” in our faith, the “normal” Christian is called to also grow deeper (and up) in their understanding of the word of God, in loving others, in caring for others, in theology, etc. A “mature” believer should not be an exception, but expected.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets the evangelists, the pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, to building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the son of God, to mature manhood, to the measures of the same stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning by craftiness in deceitful schemes…” Ephesians 4:11-16
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Normal Christian Life, part 1
I read a book in my late teens called “The Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee and it shaped much of my understanding of Christianity. Honestly, I don’t remember a lot of the book now and really should re-read it; however, the title sums up the most important idea of the book. The theme over and over was that there are no “levels” of Christianity. Too often, we explain the Christian walk like there is a ladder—we start on a rung very far away from God and then we climb up it as we “mature” getting “closer and closer” to God. Pastors and missionaries are called to a “higher” standard of Christianity then the rest of us “normal Christians.” There are Christians who are “on fire” and committed and Christians who are just not in a place to be involved in ministry.
But when we look at scripture, we do not see these levels of Christianity. There is one type of life that each of us are called to live and that is the “normal Christian life.” Pastors are not called to a higher standard then someone who has been a believer for a few months or ten years. We are all called to the same standard.
Over my next few posts, I will look at the places in the Bible where we do see Christians referred to in different ways (baby vs. mature, etc.) and what those passages are saying about Christian living. I will also post what I think scripture defines the “normal Christian life” as.
But when we look at scripture, we do not see these levels of Christianity. There is one type of life that each of us are called to live and that is the “normal Christian life.” Pastors are not called to a higher standard then someone who has been a believer for a few months or ten years. We are all called to the same standard.
Over my next few posts, I will look at the places in the Bible where we do see Christians referred to in different ways (baby vs. mature, etc.) and what those passages are saying about Christian living. I will also post what I think scripture defines the “normal Christian life” as.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
3 Ways to Benefit From "Boring" Passages
I often hear that it is very challenging to read through the Old Testament because there are parts that can be "boring." Here is a great post from Desiring God's blog about how to benefit from these passages that are sometimes difficult to read.
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1997_3_ways_to_benefit_from_boring_passages/
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1997_3_ways_to_benefit_from_boring_passages/
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
The Joys of Disciplining Children
I really enjoy disciplining my children. I always thought that would be the worst part of parenting; however, I have quickly learned that it is a great privilege.
Obviously, I enjoy my children so much more when they are obedient, kind, and pleasurable to be around. I would take that over their disobedience, acting out, complete defiance, screaming, yelling, and crying any day. On the other hand, I find myself thankful every time I have a chance to discipline my children. I am thankful because it provides and endless amount of opportunities to bond, deepen our attachment, and most of all—teach them how to live and think in this world.
1) Children are born with a desire to follow every wish and desire that they have—which means their defiance or acting out is not a direct assault on who I am as a person. My children were born with every fiber in their body aching to meet their own desires and needs above anything else in this world. To treat my children as though, left to their own will, they should be anything but completely sinful is to act as though they are better then the gospel itself. When I have an opportunity to discipline them, I have a chance to teach them that they cannot follow their way and must submit to God’s way. Their disobedience is a wonderful opportunity to explain grace, mercy, justice…and most of all—the gospel. I’ve had such wonderful conversations with the kids during these “time out” talks.
2) I get to teach my children how to be adults. I often ask Niko to think about what would happen if he were an adult and made the same choice he just made…he often is able to describe the type of person he would grow up to be. He hit Mya out of anger once. I sat Niko down and asked him, “Do you see anyone in our family hit anyone else?” “No” he responds. “What would happen if you grew up and hit your friend, wife, or kid because you were angry?” Niko’s eyes got very wide and he seemed scared as he described that he would grow up to be a “bad guy” that hurt others. He hasn’t hit anyone since.
3) The price tag is much smaller when they are under my care. If my child chooses to throw a tantrum, act selfishly, complain needlessly, etc and I am still responsible for caring for them, then I get to walk through an incredible learning opportunity with them. As a parent, I can set up safe consequences. If they do not have an opportunity to learn with me as their teacher, then they will still be acting that way as an adult. The consequence will be much greater when they are a teenager or adult making negative or sinful choices then when they are a child.
4) The Bible doesn’t describe discipline as a negative thing, but something that a loving parent does to a child. When I am disciplining Niko and Mya, they often ask, “Do you love me?” I explain to them that it would mean I did not love them if I let them do whatever they wanted…because those actions would lead to a very bad, unhappy life. I tell them it is because I love them, that I need to teach them how to live and act.
Psalms 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law…”
Proverbs 29: 17 “Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.”
5) I am able to touch their hearts. Parenting provides many, many opportunities for behavior modification, but this is not discipline. Changing my child’s behavior only gives the parent temporary relief from the child’s embarrassing behavior; however, it does nothing to impact the child’s belief systems about how they should relate to this world. Of course, there are times when I have no choice but to ensure that my child is practicing instant obedience and I need to make sure I get the correct “behavioral” response (For example: when I yell “stop” as she is about to dart into traffic), but the best part of parenting is being able to then instruct their hearts—to explain the “whys” and “how comes” and to paint a picture that looks different then the way they are currently viewing it.
So when you’re child is throwing a full on screaming, yelling, meltdown in the grocery store isle…I won’t think less of you (as long as you actually take the time to discipline your child, instead of trying to plead with them to behave or erupt violently because they are “embarrassing” you).
Obviously, I enjoy my children so much more when they are obedient, kind, and pleasurable to be around. I would take that over their disobedience, acting out, complete defiance, screaming, yelling, and crying any day. On the other hand, I find myself thankful every time I have a chance to discipline my children. I am thankful because it provides and endless amount of opportunities to bond, deepen our attachment, and most of all—teach them how to live and think in this world.
1) Children are born with a desire to follow every wish and desire that they have—which means their defiance or acting out is not a direct assault on who I am as a person. My children were born with every fiber in their body aching to meet their own desires and needs above anything else in this world. To treat my children as though, left to their own will, they should be anything but completely sinful is to act as though they are better then the gospel itself. When I have an opportunity to discipline them, I have a chance to teach them that they cannot follow their way and must submit to God’s way. Their disobedience is a wonderful opportunity to explain grace, mercy, justice…and most of all—the gospel. I’ve had such wonderful conversations with the kids during these “time out” talks.
2) I get to teach my children how to be adults. I often ask Niko to think about what would happen if he were an adult and made the same choice he just made…he often is able to describe the type of person he would grow up to be. He hit Mya out of anger once. I sat Niko down and asked him, “Do you see anyone in our family hit anyone else?” “No” he responds. “What would happen if you grew up and hit your friend, wife, or kid because you were angry?” Niko’s eyes got very wide and he seemed scared as he described that he would grow up to be a “bad guy” that hurt others. He hasn’t hit anyone since.
3) The price tag is much smaller when they are under my care. If my child chooses to throw a tantrum, act selfishly, complain needlessly, etc and I am still responsible for caring for them, then I get to walk through an incredible learning opportunity with them. As a parent, I can set up safe consequences. If they do not have an opportunity to learn with me as their teacher, then they will still be acting that way as an adult. The consequence will be much greater when they are a teenager or adult making negative or sinful choices then when they are a child.
4) The Bible doesn’t describe discipline as a negative thing, but something that a loving parent does to a child. When I am disciplining Niko and Mya, they often ask, “Do you love me?” I explain to them that it would mean I did not love them if I let them do whatever they wanted…because those actions would lead to a very bad, unhappy life. I tell them it is because I love them, that I need to teach them how to live and act.
Psalms 94:12 “Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law…”
Proverbs 29: 17 “Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.”
5) I am able to touch their hearts. Parenting provides many, many opportunities for behavior modification, but this is not discipline. Changing my child’s behavior only gives the parent temporary relief from the child’s embarrassing behavior; however, it does nothing to impact the child’s belief systems about how they should relate to this world. Of course, there are times when I have no choice but to ensure that my child is practicing instant obedience and I need to make sure I get the correct “behavioral” response (For example: when I yell “stop” as she is about to dart into traffic), but the best part of parenting is being able to then instruct their hearts—to explain the “whys” and “how comes” and to paint a picture that looks different then the way they are currently viewing it.
So when you’re child is throwing a full on screaming, yelling, meltdown in the grocery store isle…I won’t think less of you (as long as you actually take the time to discipline your child, instead of trying to plead with them to behave or erupt violently because they are “embarrassing” you).
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Frustrating
Chris Brown just got an hour in the spot light for beating up his girlfriend.
Can you please explain to me how it is the year 2009 and a guy can get on national television and talk about beating his girlfriend as a “mistake?” A “mistake” is when I’m clumsy and drop a big can of soup on someone’s foot…leaving “visible marks” on your girlfriend is abuse and assault. How does someone get convicted of assault and only get 5 years probation?
The worst part is this guy gets in front of a camera and acts sorry and remorseful and people will still buy his next album. Somehow, our culture buys it. A guy can tell some sob story and we think it was just an “accident.” The men I know who aren’t abusive would never make a “mistake” like that. And if he really were sorry, he’d begin to admit that he is an abuser and is in desperate need of help.
Can you please explain to me how it is the year 2009 and a guy can get on national television and talk about beating his girlfriend as a “mistake?” A “mistake” is when I’m clumsy and drop a big can of soup on someone’s foot…leaving “visible marks” on your girlfriend is abuse and assault. How does someone get convicted of assault and only get 5 years probation?
The worst part is this guy gets in front of a camera and acts sorry and remorseful and people will still buy his next album. Somehow, our culture buys it. A guy can tell some sob story and we think it was just an “accident.” The men I know who aren’t abusive would never make a “mistake” like that. And if he really were sorry, he’d begin to admit that he is an abuser and is in desperate need of help.
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