Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Coolest Hymn Ever
We spent a great Mother Day's weekend with my mother-in-law in Fairland, Oklahoma. During the worship service at First Christian Church, we sang the coolest hymn ever: Amazing Grace to the tune of Lynyrd Skynyrd's rock anthem Sweet Home Alabama. I would love to introduce it to the Contact Church, but I'm not sure we could pull it off without a band.
Friday, May 08, 2009
The Inerrancy of the Bible
It was brought to my attention this week that some people do not know what Bible-believing Christians mean when we say that we believe in the inerrancy of the Bible. Some have questioned its importance. Some have asserted that the doctrine is not biblical.
What do Bible-believing Christians mean when we say that the Bible is inerrant? In the Contact Church's workbook for potential new members, Discovering Contact Membership, we find a good description of the doctrine: "The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error" (p. 22).
The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy further clarifies the meaning of the doctrine: "We affirm the propriety of using inerrancy as a theological term with reference to the complete truthfulness of Scripture. We deny that it is proper to evaluate Scripture according to standards of truth and error that are alien to its usage or purpose. We further deny that inerrancy is negated by Biblical phenomena such as a lack of modern technical precision, irregularities of grammar or spelling, observational descriptions of nature, the reporting of falsehoods, the use of hyperbole and round numbers, the topical arrangement of material, variant selections of material in parallel accounts, or the use of free citations" (Article XIII).
In short, we believe the Bible in its original writings to be completely truthful, trustworthy, accurate, and reliable.
Is the inerrancy of the Scriptures a biblical doctrine? Some claim that the Bible never claims to be inerrant, because the word "inerrant" is not found in the Bible. However, the concept exists within the Bible. "All Scripture is breathed out by God" (2 Timothy 3:16), the God "who never lies" (Titus 1:2, English Standard Version).
Does the doctrine of biblical inerrancy matter? It would not matter if the Bible did not say that it was "breathed out by God." If it were merely a collection of human thoughts about God and life, its accuracy and reliability would not be very important. It would not matter if it did not claim that God "never lies." However, since it claims to be breathed out by the God who never lies, it matters. It gets to the heart of God's character. Is he trustworthy and reliable if you cannot trust his word?
This is not meant to be a detailed defense of the Bible's trustworthiness, but I hope it helped those who disagree with Bible-believing Christians to understand us a little better. We want to honor God by believing what he has told us in the Bible.
What do Bible-believing Christians mean when we say that the Bible is inerrant? In the Contact Church's workbook for potential new members, Discovering Contact Membership, we find a good description of the doctrine: "The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error" (p. 22).
The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy further clarifies the meaning of the doctrine: "We affirm the propriety of using inerrancy as a theological term with reference to the complete truthfulness of Scripture. We deny that it is proper to evaluate Scripture according to standards of truth and error that are alien to its usage or purpose. We further deny that inerrancy is negated by Biblical phenomena such as a lack of modern technical precision, irregularities of grammar or spelling, observational descriptions of nature, the reporting of falsehoods, the use of hyperbole and round numbers, the topical arrangement of material, variant selections of material in parallel accounts, or the use of free citations" (Article XIII).
In short, we believe the Bible in its original writings to be completely truthful, trustworthy, accurate, and reliable.
Is the inerrancy of the Scriptures a biblical doctrine? Some claim that the Bible never claims to be inerrant, because the word "inerrant" is not found in the Bible. However, the concept exists within the Bible. "All Scripture is breathed out by God" (2 Timothy 3:16), the God "who never lies" (Titus 1:2, English Standard Version).
Does the doctrine of biblical inerrancy matter? It would not matter if the Bible did not say that it was "breathed out by God." If it were merely a collection of human thoughts about God and life, its accuracy and reliability would not be very important. It would not matter if it did not claim that God "never lies." However, since it claims to be breathed out by the God who never lies, it matters. It gets to the heart of God's character. Is he trustworthy and reliable if you cannot trust his word?
This is not meant to be a detailed defense of the Bible's trustworthiness, but I hope it helped those who disagree with Bible-believing Christians to understand us a little better. We want to honor God by believing what he has told us in the Bible.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Take Up Your Cross
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."--Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:37-38).
During a Wednesday evening class at the Park Plaza Church last month, Harold Shank (http://www.haroldshank.com/) and Peter Cariaga shed some new light on these words of Jesus. I understood that Christ was calling on his disciples to be willing to die for him, but I did not understand how the original hearers would have processed this information. They probably would not have been looking ahead to Jesus' death on a cross as an example of taking up their crosses. They would have been looking back several decades to the days when the foreign terrorist Alexander Janneus ruled over Jerusalem.
The Jewish people hated the savage Alexander Janneus. When he arrogantly attempted to sacrifice an offering at the altar of the Temple, the Jews became enraged at his contempt for their God, pelting him with fruit. The idolatrous tyrant reacted by killing 6000 Jews.
After another rebellion by righteous Jews, Alexander Janneus ordered the crucifixion of 800 Jewish men. Crosses littered the landscape outside Jerusalem. While those men were slowly dying, their wives and children were brought to their crosses and slaughtered before their eyes. While faithful Jewish people were being murdered under his orders, Alexander Janneus was enjoying a feast with his concubines.
When Jesus called on his disciples to take up their crosses and follow him, he was calling them to exhibit a loyalty to him that rivaled the commitment of righteous Jews to their God in the face of a barbaric enemy. Christ was calling his disciples to follow him despite cruel opposition, pain, and torturous death. He wanted his disciples to embody a tough faithfulness. He promised that he was worth it.
Christ is calling for the same kind of faithfulness among his followers today. Let's not deny him or his words when opposition, pain, and even death await. He is worthy of our loyalty.
During a Wednesday evening class at the Park Plaza Church last month, Harold Shank (http://www.haroldshank.com/) and Peter Cariaga shed some new light on these words of Jesus. I understood that Christ was calling on his disciples to be willing to die for him, but I did not understand how the original hearers would have processed this information. They probably would not have been looking ahead to Jesus' death on a cross as an example of taking up their crosses. They would have been looking back several decades to the days when the foreign terrorist Alexander Janneus ruled over Jerusalem.
The Jewish people hated the savage Alexander Janneus. When he arrogantly attempted to sacrifice an offering at the altar of the Temple, the Jews became enraged at his contempt for their God, pelting him with fruit. The idolatrous tyrant reacted by killing 6000 Jews.
After another rebellion by righteous Jews, Alexander Janneus ordered the crucifixion of 800 Jewish men. Crosses littered the landscape outside Jerusalem. While those men were slowly dying, their wives and children were brought to their crosses and slaughtered before their eyes. While faithful Jewish people were being murdered under his orders, Alexander Janneus was enjoying a feast with his concubines.
When Jesus called on his disciples to take up their crosses and follow him, he was calling them to exhibit a loyalty to him that rivaled the commitment of righteous Jews to their God in the face of a barbaric enemy. Christ was calling his disciples to follow him despite cruel opposition, pain, and torturous death. He wanted his disciples to embody a tough faithfulness. He promised that he was worth it.
Christ is calling for the same kind of faithfulness among his followers today. Let's not deny him or his words when opposition, pain, and even death await. He is worthy of our loyalty.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
A Compliment and a Reminder
"Do all things without grumbling..." (Philippians 2:14, English Standard Version).
Last week, a friend gave me a compliment. "Terry, you have your faults, but whining is not one of them." I love honest compliments, don't you? (I'm just thankful that she can't read my mind. If she were able to read my mind, she would have stopped with, "Terry, you have your faults...")
I may not have time to post this on Monday or Tuesday, but I wanted to remind everyone about Trey Morgan's efforts to raise money to feed the dump people in Honduras. He will be raising money on Tuesday, May 5. Please check out his blog at http://www.treymorgan.net/, and give if you can. Thanks!
Last week, a friend gave me a compliment. "Terry, you have your faults, but whining is not one of them." I love honest compliments, don't you? (I'm just thankful that she can't read my mind. If she were able to read my mind, she would have stopped with, "Terry, you have your faults...")
I may not have time to post this on Monday or Tuesday, but I wanted to remind everyone about Trey Morgan's efforts to raise money to feed the dump people in Honduras. He will be raising money on Tuesday, May 5. Please check out his blog at http://www.treymorgan.net/, and give if you can. Thanks!
Saturday, May 02, 2009
The Blessings of a God-Glorifying Reputation
"Now the LORD said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing'" (Genesis 12:1-2, English Standard Version).
While the builders of the tower of Babel (Genesis 11) sought to make a name for themselves, Abram was simply living an ordinary life.
Apparently driven by pride and insecurity, they sought recognition in their achievements. Abram was not looking for recognition.
The builders achieved notoriety. God gave Abram a great name, a great reputation.
God did not give Abram a great name just to bless Abram. He gave Abram a great name so that he would be a blessing to others. God wanted other people to see his smile on Abram's life. He wanted them to see his work in the life of a man of faith. He wanted people to notice the difference he had made in Abram's life. He wanted them to share in Abram's faith so that they could be blessed, too.
"Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham...So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith" (Galatians 3:7, 9, ESV).
While the builders of the tower of Babel (Genesis 11) sought to make a name for themselves, Abram was simply living an ordinary life.
Apparently driven by pride and insecurity, they sought recognition in their achievements. Abram was not looking for recognition.
The builders achieved notoriety. God gave Abram a great name, a great reputation.
God did not give Abram a great name just to bless Abram. He gave Abram a great name so that he would be a blessing to others. God wanted other people to see his smile on Abram's life. He wanted them to see his work in the life of a man of faith. He wanted people to notice the difference he had made in Abram's life. He wanted them to share in Abram's faith so that they could be blessed, too.
"Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham...So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith" (Galatians 3:7, 9, ESV).
Friday, May 01, 2009
Jail Ministry, Old School Style
I am always looking for positive African American male role models, because I want Christopher to grow up with a vision of what a good black man looks like. I had not thought about looking in a jail cell...until now. At www.worldmag.com/articles/15341, I read the story of California minister Walter Hoye. Mr. Hoye went to jail nearly a month and a half ago for trying to offer an alternative to people who were on their way to abort their children. While in jail, he became a minister to the inmates. He serves as an excellent example of faith, courage, and compassion. If Christopher (or Janet or I) ends up in jail, I hope it is for similar reasons and with similar results.
How Can I Walk Humbly With God?
"He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
In order to walk humbly with my God, I need to ask myself these kinds of questions on a regular basis:
Can I ask for help?
Can I receive help from another person?
Can I accept correction from someone with less education?
Can I learn from someone who is older?
Can I admit that I am wrong?
Can I ask for forgiveness?
Can I grant forgiveness?
Can I accept my circumstances with gratitude rather than irritability?
Can I be supportive of someone who is doing the same job better than I can?
Can I do something good without letting anyone know about it?
Can I do something uncomfortable (but right and necessary) even when I know I could easily end up looking stupid?
Can I face rejection from the world (or even the church) for following Christ's instructions?
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
In order to walk humbly with my God, I need to ask myself these kinds of questions on a regular basis:
Can I ask for help?
Can I receive help from another person?
Can I accept correction from someone with less education?
Can I learn from someone who is older?
Can I admit that I am wrong?
Can I ask for forgiveness?
Can I grant forgiveness?
Can I accept my circumstances with gratitude rather than irritability?
Can I be supportive of someone who is doing the same job better than I can?
Can I do something good without letting anyone know about it?
Can I do something uncomfortable (but right and necessary) even when I know I could easily end up looking stupid?
Can I face rejection from the world (or even the church) for following Christ's instructions?
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