Offensive

I just can not get over how offensive the Gospel is. Of all the people that could be most offended by the Gospel I have to assume that God is the one who could even possibly occupy the position of "most offended" yet for Him, the death of Jesus of the cross was a means to extend love, glory, and honor to us in order that we might be reconciled to Him. He gave much in order that he might gain much, and this is not the same sort of "gain" that is established in our consumeristic society, rather it is the restoration of creation to its creator. I just can't get over the absurdity of this whole thing PLUS what's more is that we see this same sort of reckless abandonment in Jesus who is the exact imprint of God (Heb. 1:3) I am sorry if the use of the word "reckless" offends others in my reflection of God's sovereignty but lets save that for another blog. Now, lets think back to the 1st century. If you were seeking to start a religious movement in order to gain power wouldn't a mastermind have gone a completely different route? Wouldn't the followers of that day, who were losing their lives, have abandoned this campaign if their had not been some sort of experience? I contend that we relive that experience daily, but my approach is a bit difference in that I believe we experience the offensive nature of Christ (maybe you are more comfortable with conviction as opposed to "offense"?) If I am right then this offensive quality is a sign of His love- and His love(my bible says "kindness"- let that sit on your brain for a second) leads us to repentance!(Romans 2:4) The essence of Christ picks a fight, and goes to battle on absolutely every front of human existence. In this view we have to remember that the pacifism of Christ is kept within a certain confine(2 Cor. 10:3-4). It just amazes me how insane this whole thing is AND THEN I start to think about how often people wrestled with God in scripture, they struggled with His will for them and His people i.e. Jesus. Yet, so often we forget to stop and ask why? Why am I wrestling with this? I wonder if a considerable amount of this has to do with the reality that while Christ is in us, and we are in Christ, we still experience the offensive nature of the Kingdom of God? And I pray that we never become numb to that sting!



So, if ...



"Greater love has no one that this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."-John 15:13



... what can we assume about love if our model for love is Christ on Calvary? I say this: The very act of love is offensive in a 2 fold manner. 1.) It offends the evil of this world and it pushes back the Kingdom of this world in order to establishing the Kingdom of God. 2.) We have to accept the fact that when people love us that it will include some manner of offensiveness. There is a heresy going around that if you confront another that you don't love them ... in this manner you are to be a pacifist like Jesus- or so it is assumed. I can not tell you how offended I have been in my life by the motivation of love in others for me.



Without a predisposed offense, what good is humility in the life of a Christ-follower? In other words, why is the importance of humility fundamentally necessary in the life of the believer if we have not been offended by the love that has been extended to us?

Understanding

Time and time again it has been made very clear to me that peoples strengths are often times their greatest weaknesses. It is so easy to notice this sort of thing in everyone else's life but its a whole new ball game when we turn this perception on ourselves and view our strengths in light of a handicap. This is not to mention that the encouragement from others in regard to your strengths doesn't exactly help you to separate progress from destruction. I can speak from personal experience that while I had a whole group of people behind me pushing me in one direction it was ultimately the wrong direction for me and the "encouragement" of others made it hard to discern things clearly, be patient, and let the Lord lead. Often times people will encourage you in the direction of the obvious ... maybe "what is easiest" is more fitting? In fact, I have seen people measure "anointing" or "blessings" by the amount of ability an individual has. Now, just to be certain, our abilities, and in some scenarios, our talents, are gifts from God. But, this is not to assume that because someone is better at something that they are more anointed or blessed than another. Some people are born with a better ear than others and because of that we tend to attach our creative identities to a more audibly exuberant  expression of that creativity. Some of us are more skeptical, critical, and rational than others so we attach ourselves to a deeper outlook on the surreal and the relative- which, like all things, differs according to the individual. I also want to address the topic of "favor" right quick. I can think of multiple instances in scripture where the favor of the Lord was something that most people would not associate with a "blessing" but this is not to assume that by the assumptions of the general public that it is not in fact a blessing. Im just saying that maybe we all need to redefine these terms and we also need to be weary of how we label things in order to not discredit others in light of what we assume. Regardless, we are all seeking to express ourselves.

Im pushing a 2 fold point here, one is general while the other is personal. My first point (speaking in general) is that in light of the common language of the church I find terms like these to be important and intriguing- I want to understand them and what they imply. Most importantly I want to know how they reflect God and His love. I also find that to be ways that people build others up while tearing others down. One time we played at a church and afterwards the pastor asked the worship leader I was playing with to come up on stage. He told the congregation that "this boy has an anointing on his life, he has been called by God", to which the entire congregation started in with their steady proclamations of "amen". Now, while I believe that this worship leader has been called by God (He is a christian after all, saved by grace through faith) I had no reason to believe that his calling was any more anointed than anyone else's in the room. In fact, the people of this congregation, to me, seemed to be exalting his accomplishments in an attempt to put to rest the conviction that they too had been "called" by God. I do not want to fool anyone into thinking that any form of passivity in ministry is acceptable- especially because someone else is out there doing the work. Jesus after said "The harvest is plenty but the workers are few." Ultimately, in all humility, if someone ever praises me I am quick to remind them that I am just like them and that they to can do the things I do ... I am no more prized in God's eyes than they are. It is extremely important that we are reminded of this- including myself. I refuse to believe that someone with a pretty voice is anymore capable of advancing the kingdom than the individual with a tracheostomy, that now has to apply their finger to a valve in their throat in order to speak. At this point I worry that people have missed a huge lesson from scripture- our situations do not define us. Maybe I am biased, and a bit jaded on this topic because, I admit, the pastors comment hurt me because he ignored the strengths of the other guys who had lead worship in light of the guy who was singing. It just seems so counter productive to me, in view of the body of Christ and the Kingdom of God, that we maintain this sort of mindset. It almost suggest that fear is gripping people. Are people afraid to learn because they may wrestle with what they believe?

My more personal point I want to make is this- understanding is my greatest strength and my greatest weakness. I love to understand. I have an abundance of patience when it comes to learning and understanding. But, it is also a huge problem for me. Its a problem on a social level for me because when people do things that I do not understand I desperately want to understand, and if I cant- well, then I get upset. This is not to assume that just because I, or anyone, does not understand someone's behavior or mentality, in a positive light- based off of what I have seen in the individual- does not mean that I, or anyone, is at fault because our conclusion is not an uplifting conclusion. That in itself is another thing I don't understand- (enter the struggle) How are we to assume that all conclusions that people draw from us, and about us, are going(this is assumed so often) to be "good" or "positive" ... how is that model beneficial? And how did humility get ousted in all of this? Am I exercising humility in my discernment of others? Am I seeking to establish or destroy? What is the balance between understanding and humility- exhorting and admonishing? It probably feels like I am calling others to join in my weakness but I am asking people to join in this strength so that we can strengthen and sharpen one another. 

I raise all of these questions to make a point- understanding is crucial and in no way do I believe that individuals should compromise the desire to understand because "other people are doing that"... I believe the Lord wants us to understand Him deeper and deeper on a daily basis. While the desires of musicians, and poets, artist, and pastors may be gifted in their task it is NOT without understanding. God processes all wisdom and understanding and He extends that to us daily. The bible speaks so highly of the man who understands and the Bible also reaffirms God's lack of partiality. Riddle me this and riddle me that!  

Is the musician any less responsible for seeking the knowledge and understanding of God than the biblical theologian? Where did Jesus get his knowledge? Was Jesus not fully man and fully God? Didn't Jesus want his disciples to understand? Isn't understanding a work of the Holy Spirit?  What about Proverbs? Would not the beginning of knowledge, being the fear of God, imply all the more that God wants us to understand Him? thereby knowing Him deeper? Soooo many questions ...

"Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way"-Proverbs 19:2

I am trying to figure this all out still. When have I gone to far? When have I not gone far enough? Is this something I need to surrender? 

Only a man

I had fair warning from a dear friend that this was a powerful song. I came to a moment when I needed to be reminded of my position in all of this mess, and I say "mess" with full conviction that it is exactly that, a mess. I usually don't cry, not because I am "too tough for all that", I just usually hold my water ducts pretty well ... but lately I haven't had much luck keeping my composure. Amongst all of the other strife I endure on a daily basis I have just been under the wheel lately. First it was a sermon I heard about a boy with autism (I found that I had a lot in common with this kid), second it was hearing that a friend of mine took his own life (he wasn't a believer and that was sort of the fulcrum of our relationship, he had questions and I would always do my best to help him find clarity), and now this song. Im learning as I go, its not easy. In my attempts to help I usually end up rearranging the present messes. My mom used to get on to me as a kid because when I went to clean the house I just shoved everything into draws, closets, boxes ... well, I guess I am learning that lesson all over again. 


Only a man ...


I used to live my life in fear
Was worried all the time
From waking up to laying down
I had no peace of mind
The world became a darkened place
A struggle without end
Although bitter times those were
The days that I had began to understand
I was only a man

I grew up singing songs in church
With questions in my mind
Then turned my back and ran away
From God who gave me life
Then one night his presence fell
I wept and shook and then
I fell down and cried, Dear Jesus, rescue me again
I understand I am only a man

And He said, What will it be now?
Will you choose me or keep swimming up stream now?
I've been inside your head hearing you scream out.
Well here I am, just take my hand and I'll take out 
All of the pain and all of the fear
All of the fear

I'll give you my burdens (I'll give you peace)
All of my desires (I'll give you what you need)
Oh, what about these chains, Lord? (I'll set you free)
But they're so heavy (Lay them at my feet)
I'll lay them at your feet
Just promise you won't leave (I'll never leave)
So where do I go from here, Lord? (Just follow me)
(Just follow me)
I'll follow you (Just follow me) wherever you lead
Wherever you lead, wherever you lead


-Jonny Lang

Judgement

Yet again I find myself in my room on another beautiful sunny day peering out over my Bible, random books, my laptop, and oddly enough, my Sleeping Giant t-shirt that I am so very fond of that says "Don't you judge me!" This statement is taken from their song "Blame if on the Holy rollers" in which they sight Romans 8:31 as the backbone for opposition to such people thus mentioned in the song. The song is more or less a stab at conservative, "blue wig" christians. But, nevertheless, I feel that by pointing a finger ("don't point your finger" is a line from the song) at them, or faulting them for their "false and short sighted views that hold them back from the truth" I feel as if, by the definition thus proposed, they have in fact fallen victim to their own standard. All in all, I feel that as a whole, society has, and continues to, miss the mark! What I mean is that I am under the impression that most people don't really take the time to find out what Jesus was talking about when he said "Judge not, and you will not be judged"(Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37) The point of this blog is not to lay out my solution or my opinion, its rather just the gasoline that needs to be added to the fire ... time to get the wheels spinning.

Now, one thing is for certain, if Jesus was being literal (which I believe He was) when he said in the gospel of Matthew, "Judge not, that you be not judged" then we have some serious thinking to do on the subject of judging. But, we also need to expound this judgement on a higher level other than "judging others" because people automatically assume the worst of people when they hear the word "judgement" or "judge" in the Christian realm. The Bible speaks of discernment, it speaks of those who are deceitful, and it also speaks of preserving the TRUE Gospel, all of which imply a sort of judgement that will need to take place in order to "judge what is right." On that note, Jesus also spoke of judging what is right (Luke 12:57). Jesus seems to be pointing out the polarization's of following Him and following the law. Jesus was a true radical of his day, just about everything he said went against the grain of his day ... and people followed Him. If people, from a time period that was riddled with a religiously charged atmosphere of judicial laws and stipulations-despite all of this being upheld under the rule of the Roman authorities- then I am honestly struggling to understand why, in our predominantly "Christian"(or what others perceive as such) society, we can not understand, or seek to understand, what Jesus was saying? Much less, the apostle Paul or any of the other apostles. The point of interest to me is that while we are commanded "to judge not, that you may not be judged" Jesus goes on to ask: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teach, but everyone when he is full trained will be LIKE his teacher"- Luke 6:39-40

The interesting thing about Jesus is that he never condemned anyone but he judged people all the time! We are told also "You therefore must be perfect, as your father is perfect."... do I even need to mention the whole bit about trees bearing fruit?

So, in light of societies ( both christian and non-christian) view of judging, how do we find harmony with that definition in light of discernment? How do we eliminate the atmosphere of "judging" in order to "do what is right" if we are told to "judge what is right?" I am calling for a reevaluation of this concept so that we can move past this "religiously charged atmosphere" (which is finding a striking contrast to that on the first century) in order to love one another, confront sin, rebuke when needed, refute error, call people to repentance, be Christ-like .... all the while maintaining love, and compassion, and grace? (assuming the attitude of society, not Jesus) My answer to this? Rather, Jesus' answer to this? Forgetting that any of these things are ever not to be done as acts of love. Does that mean that they will always be done in love? Absolutely not ... but do not let your societal impression block you from seeing the truth, and love, and grace in these things! I understand that given the impression of society, half of which fall victim to what Jesus addresses in Luke 7:24(cited below), which even those who display these acts of love have to fight past in order to do it for the betterment of all, we may find this very very hard. But, nevertheless, Christ exemplified these things for us and His teachings have been given to us ... if we would just spend time with Him, instead of letting the world mold our impressions of such virtues. I am contending that there is a significant portion of society that really doesn't struggle with believing in God ... its finding Christ in this "christian" atmosphere that is also polluted with "religiosity and judiciary obligations" ... that in itself is another topic. I implore you to ask yourselves ... what is it to judge? what is love? what is grace? what is compassion? And ultimately, how are they different? 

"Do not judge by appearance, but judge with right judgement"-Luke 7:24

Evil

I have been reading recently on the topic of evil. My approach to this problem is from a theological and philosophical angle, precisely because I believe that that is sort of problem that it is, and ironically I also believe that the solution to that is truly grasped as you view evil for precisely what it is ... evil. I contend that our sense of postmodernity stems from our passivity in addressing that which is truly good, or that which is truly bad. The problem is that we are moving in an ill informed, and destructive direction.

In the nineteenth century there were philosophical attempts to rid the present existence of "original sin", which all the while seemed to affirm the reality there was such a thing as this original evil in us all. Most people of the time, and even today, are victims of a form of social darwinism that thinks that we are moving towards perfection, at whatever cost. The assumes that things are constantly moving towards a state of perfection. We have in fact, as a society, replaced evil with the idea of progress. Now in recent years our society has seemed to have come to grips with the present reality of evil, in fact, the dominant mentality in the west is that we have found both the sources and solution of evil. Our solution to this problem is nothing short of problematic and counter productive. Our solution to this problem you ask? Becoming the more dominant participant in this evil. Interestingly enough, while discussing this topic with a good friend last week he stated that "We live in a society where we have replaced doing good, or being good, with choosing the lesser of 2 evils," and I think my friend is exactly right. The biggest problem in all of this is that while, as a christian, the objective is to be Christ-like, to be "the light of the world", we have digressed into the socially strenuous mindset that has chosen the lesser of the two evils and dubbed it as "good." This assumes that this kind of good is the same kind of good that we associate with God. I contend that that is false and all together evil.

Recently I asked a group of students "Is there a difference between good and evil?" to which they all affirmed a resounding "yes". I then asked them if there was any middle ground in this scenario, to which they delayed a response but ultimately, as a group, voted in favor of "no". I implored them further "Is playing video games good or bad?" I knew most of them were avid players. The first response was "playing video games isn't bad!" The student, who I give a lot of credit to, seemed to have realized the error in his thinking as soon as he made his reply because he fumbled and made such remarks as "Isn't it?", "Don't you think?"I think that in this case my friend evidenced the mentality of so many people, that doing good is the equivalent to not doing bad ... my proposal is that this mindset is, in fact, evil.

I personally believe that the problem of evil predisposed the creation of man, not the creation of the heavens and the Earth. I believe that because of free-will, on an obvious angelic level, we see the engendering of such a possibility. I also believe that this "fall" has effected ALL of creation, even on a cosmic level. Now, whether or not you believe that Genesis is literal or figurative you have to agree that evil is a problem, in fact it is THE problem. This free-will, this possibility of bad, is ultimately what separated God from His people. So, in establishing the root of the problem of evil for me I ultimately step back and look at God's plan to "put the world to right" as NT Wright so often says, and ask myself "Is this plan intertwined with the same ideology of choosing the lesser of two evils?  To this end I have to affirm my narrow vision and understanding of this problem on this side of Heaven. I do however keep reuniting with the culprit of this whole mess, free will. So, while the actions of many will characterize God's essence to so many (I didn't say that this assumption was at all correct, I just affirm that it does happen) I have to look at my nature in the eyes and exercise my authority over it. Free will is both a beautiful and hideous thing, I think CS Lewis says it best:

“God created things which had free will. That means creatures which can go either wrong or right. Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot. If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having”

The biggest benefactor in this study is that it has really helped me solidify what good is and what bad is, and in fact it has lead me to a deeper understanding of ALL things. While I have many friends that I believe are christians I still cannot neglect to see the bad in them (as well as the good), and also in myself. I don't think we can do enough good to replace our passivity towards our own wickedness that will entertain the idea that that "bad" in us all will bleed itself out. I feel that that is a "salvation by works." Keep in mind as you live your life that good and bad are separate entities, the 2 NEVER intertwine! But, that is not to say that there is not a middle ground and we must not ignore it. I think the titles of 2 books I have read recently are 2 things we need to be reminded of.

1. God IS at war! "God at War" by Greg Boyd ( read "Satan and the problem of evil" as well)

2. God IS just! "Evil and the Justice of God" by NT Wright (in this book Wright balances evil between the crucifixion and the resurrection)