Ben Stein’s Expelled

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Ben Stein has a movie coming out April 18th titled “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” which criticizes the way proponents of intelligent design has been laughed off, discriminated against, or ignored. Many Christians are optimistic this will open doors to discussions of intelligent design, creation, and theism or at least get people asking the right questions. I don’t know if this secular movie creates an opportunity for sharing the gospel or not, but many think it will. It at least challenges closed minded thinking that any idea other than evolution is laughable and that the book on that subject has long been shut. Here is an excerpt of a letter from Chris Bougie sent out to campus ministry leaders everywhere:

The evangelistic opportunity we're referring to will
be created by the release of the cutting-edge,
controversial documentary by the well-known and
brilliant Ben Stein.   Continue reading →

Jesus’s Example; preaching the Gospel

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“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15 (ESV)

All through the Gospels, Jesus gives us examples of how we are to be his followers, treat our neighbors, who our neighbors are, and how to minister to the world around us. Mark 1:14 is about the very beginning of Jesus’s public ministry. The first thing he does is tell his audience of Jews the time is fulfilled. Without going into an Old Testament history lecture, Jesus’s listeners would have known he was talking about the prophesies of the Messiah. Saying the “kingdom of God is at hand” probably got them thinking the wrong thing, namely that we was the military leader type Messiah that would throw out the Roman Empire and sit as king on the throne in Jerusalem. Yes, he was beginning to build the kingdom of God if that’s what you’re thinking; I also think he’s announcing the kingdom of God is close to them, close at hand, as in himself. Jesus is the way into the kingdom of God, so in a sense, the kingdom of God was within arm’s reach of the people listening. Then it gets really good. Continue reading →

Disciple the Nations

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“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” is how the Great Commission is recorded in Mark’s gospel (or “preach the gospel to every creature” for those brought up KJV).  Jesus says elsewhere to “Make disciples of all men,” but I can’t put my finger on that verse right this second.

I LOVE MY JOB.  Let me begin by saying that.  Some days I forget, but on those days God gives me the grace to keep my big mouth shut until I remember again.  Working at a Christian boarding school, with an average of 15 – 20% international students at any given time, allows me to minister to the nations without ever even getting in my car.  I can see my house from the window in the Campus Ministry Center.  It’s about a 10 minute walk.  I didn’t create this site to be about me, but that I could share with others my thoughts on the Gospel message and living the Christian life.  I tell this story for the glory and honor of God: in our small group Bible study (Sunday school class if you must) I was the only White Anglo-Saxon Protestant male in the room.   My wife is a W.A.S.P. female, and the only other person that came close was a white anglo-saxon Roman Catholic male.  The other students were from Guatemala, Nigeria, and China respectively.  Like anything else, when you see that type of thing happen everyday, you don’t notice any more.  I’m not kidding.  Every once in while, God blesses me by letting me realize how special that is, and to remember that the Kingdom of God will be made up of people from “every tribe, every tongue, and every nation.”  Hallelujah!

Sowing Gospel seeds

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I’ve written before about gardening, and I’m getting excited because it’s almost that time. I enjoyed the hours last summer I put in, but reaping the harvest was also nice. Ministry is not always like that. There are times we see immediate results, or perhaps see results of our efforts at length, but not always. I teach at a Christian school, and some of our students will leave us soon and never return. Many will graduate, and keep in touch for a while. After a year or two of college they get busy with new friends and activities, and that’s the normal way it should be. Some of our students will simply not return to us next year, either enrolling in public school or in some cases, a different private school. At any rate, in most cases we will not see the end result of our work in ministry. I am definately not the same person I was in high school, and realize that our students today are not the mature adults that (we hope) they will grow into. Paul said that he plants, another waters, but it is God who gives the increase. Our job is to sow the seeds of the Gospel, then let nature take it’s course. Sometimes we will see immediate fruit from our labor. Other times the “fruit” doesn’t come about until years later. We’ve all heard stories of an adult, perhaps with children of their own, introducing themselves as Sunday school or youth group members from decades past. In Jesus’s parable of the sower, he talks a lot about the type of soil, but seems to automatically assume that good seed is being sown. In his example, good seed is a given. When we sow good seeds of the Gospel message (and live the life that bears witness of the Gospel) it is not up to us to make the seeds grow. We can’t artificially speed up the maturation process. In my garden, I know the number of days each fruit or vegetable is expected to take to reach maturity. God’s time table often does not follow our guidelines, so instead of making demands, we really need to just move on planting seeds. The Bible teaches that the Word will not return void. We sow in the faith that the one who created seeds, soil, sun and rain knows what he’s doing.

Christ as foolishness

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Is it logical/illogical to believe/not believe in God?

The Bible itself, ladies and gentlemen, says that based on logic, reason and science, it is foolishness to believe in the cross of Christ. Is it logical to believe that one man dying on a Roman cross as thousands of others did can make a bit of difference what happens to me when I die 2,000+ years later? No. Do I believe it makes a difference? I’m betting my afterlife on it.

Paul’s letter we call I Corinthians says that the preaching of the cross is foolishness.  That’s a little KJVish, but it still comes out “folly” in the ESV.  It’s okay, it means foolish.  It actually says in Chp 1 v. 18 “…folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  We know that it sounds a little foolish to believe in the power of the cross; it’s because God designed his plan of salvation that way.  To “confound the wise of the world.”  Verse 21 says “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”  Saving knowledge of Christ requires a faith outside of reasoning and logic.  If we could prove through geometric proofs and scientific findings that God is real, exists, created and maintains the universe, then anyone open to reason would have to believe it.  Never gonna’ happen, folks.  Because in God’s plan, he’s looking for the faithful; people faithful to Him no matter what, including when having faith doesn’t make sense.  Verse 27: “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”  Christ’s death on the cross looks like defeat to the world; logic tells you that Christ’s work is done, his ministry cut short on Calvary.  But in Christ’s weakness, the plan of God for salvation was carried out.  If Jesus had appeared to Pilate with a fanfare of trumpets and flashes of lightning and said to his face “I told you so,” he would have had no choice but to believe.  God never leaves us with no choice.  He will save those of faith, and the unfaithful who rely on their own understanding will perish.

I think it’s reasonable to believe that God might exist, and based on my own research and experience, I believe the Christian God of the Bible is the right one (thanks internet monk).  It is illogical to say that no god could possibly exist.  But at some point the debate over reason and logic no longer applies, as the God of the universe exists beyond our ability to reason or even imagine.

A God “gene”

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Here’s what I believe: that God put in each one of us a tendency to look for God.  We want to understand things.  It’s pretty obvious that human nature is to worship; if not God, then sports figures, political icons, the moon and stars, perhaps Oprah, whatever.  God designed us with a space that must be filled, and only He really fits.  But the world keeps looking for something to fill the space, sometimes anything but God is what we want.  Humans are built by God to worship, but also naturally rebellious.   

Okay, let’s shake things up a bit.  I’m going to link a blog post from a professed atheist about whether or not “religious impulses” are encoded in our DNA, and if that gives some a Darwinian advantage. 

www.spaninquis.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/religion-under-the-microscope/

I came across this by chance (or design?), but I wasn’t sitting around trying to read some really good atheism, if that’s what you’re thinking.  Read the article, let’s discuss.  Note: if you would be offended by a sacreligious portrayal of the Last Supper (there’s a nude woman in the place of Jesus), then don’t go.  If you think your faith might be damaged by reading one atheist argument, then 1) don’t read it, and 2) your faith needs help.  If the only reason you clicked on the link was because I mentioned the nude woman, you have a whole different kind of problem.  I was just thinking it would be a fun discussion to have, or you could even reply to the Spanish Inquisitor.  I did, but of course he may or may not publish my response.  What do you think? 

Jesus’s Example: Washing Feet

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“For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

The above scripture is John 13:15. I am going to start a new category of blog posts called Jesus’s Example. The first one is going to be Jesus washing the disciples feet, as recorded in John 13. It’s one of those Holy Week events that I just didn’t have time to squeeze in. All scriptures are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV).

This particular lesson took place before the Passover was observed. Jesus and his disciples were gathered together, and had eaten supper. Jesus then takes off his outer robe, ties a towel around his waist, and begins washing the disciples feet. Washing feet was a normal part of first century culture. If you’ve ever worn sandals on the beach, or even just around your house in the summer, you know that feet get dirty quickly. Not just dirty, but ground into the skin, hard to scrub off dirt. Ordinarily it was the servants who washed the feet of your guest if you were hosting an event. There were people who washed feet, that part of the story shouldn’t be surprising. Keep the culture of the time period in mind. But Jesus was the disciples master, their rabbi. It was not his place to wash feet. Beginning in verse 12, he begins to teach his lesson. “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also would do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Jesus had already humbled himself by leaving Heaven and taking on the likeness of man. Philippians tells us that he did not think equality with God a thing to be grasped, and was obedient even to the point of death on a cross. Washing their feet, though, was a solid, concrete, tangible illustration that the disciples could see and feel. He was their leader, and also humble servant. If we follow Christ’s example, their isn’t much that we are too good to do. I’ve mentioned this briefly before. It’s hard to make excuses with Jesus standing there saying “You know, I washed feet.” The Apostle Paul testified before heads of state, and after being imprisoned was an ambassador in chains. Any one of us would accept an invitation to the governor’s mansion, but would we accept as quickly the invitation to a trailer park? Are there people you don’t invite to church because you’re afraid they would actually come? We are instructed in scripture not to think too highly of ourselves, and given an example by Jesus that’s hard to ignore. Jesus talked to Samarian women, whores, lepers, tax collectors, and even one of the thieves hanging by him on the cross. By his own admission, he was a criminal that deserved his punishment. But Jesus told him he would spend that day with him in paradise. Is there a job in the church we’re too good to take, or a person in need of Christ that we’re better than? Not if we follow Jesus’s example.

He cannot save himself.

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So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross and we will believe him. Matthew 27:41-42 (ESV)

As Jesus hung on the cross, obedient to the Father’s will even to the point of death, the crowds and the accusers still mocked him. Matthew goes on to say that the thieves acted this same way. In Luke’s account, one of them even says to him “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself, and us.” I am drawn to that statement “He cannot save himself.” Yes, he could.

The night before, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to God the Father. He knew what lie ahead, and he wrestled through blood, sweat and tears as he prayed. Even while he was tempted not to go forward with God’s plan (being tempted is not a sin) he prayed for the Father’s will to be done. Jesus could have saved himself that night, by not waiting for the guards to come and arrest him. He had foretold that Judas would betray him. Jesus knew when and where, and awaited the arrival of the Roman soldiers and his betrayer. He had escaped angry mobs before, but did not this time. Not because he could not, because God did not will it.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus was tempted by Satan. In all three instances, what was being offered was an easy way out. Jesus had been fasting, so in his hunger he was tempted to turn stone into bread. He responded with scripture. He was tempted to throw himself from a high place, and thus summon legions of angels. He again quoted scripture, responding with God’s truth. Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of this world if he would fall down and worship him. All three cases were the easy way out. If he would just accept Satan’s offer, he could reign right now, not years later after hard work and death on the cross. He was offered a short cut, not the long, slow plan that God had designed. He was offered instant gratification, a temptation we Americans know all too well. Jesus, however, took the long, slow, hard way that God had designed to bring salvation to mankind. Remember when Peter drew his sword in the garden, cutting off one man’s ear? Jesus response to “Get behind me Satan!” makes sense when you think about how Peter was offering an easy way out. That was what Satan had offered three times. Taking up the sword, battling their way out of the garden, Jesus could have saved himself. But that was not what he came to do. He came to die.

Jesus could have saved himself and come down from the cross – but it would have cost the lives of every Christian believer that has been since. The Bible clearly teaches that he came into the world to save sinners. He was offering himself as a sacrifice. He came to save us, not himself. He plainly states that no one can take his life, but that he gives it freely. His life was the ransom for many, the price of our redemption. Those same accusers that mocked him with “He cannot save himself,” Jesus was dying to save. He prayed a prayer of intersession for the very people crucifying him that day. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Christ led by example; he didn’t just tell us to love our enemies, and pray for those who use us. He did it himself with his dying breath.

I can’t stand to be mocked. I’m one of those people that has to always prove that I am right. Jesus example on the cross only illustrates how far each of us fall short of righteousness. He perfectly lived out the commands to love others, to think more of others than of self, to pray for those who use, and to bless those that curse. I could never have been that righteous in those circumstances I’m sure. None of us could. It’s a good thing we don’t have to; Christ did it for us. He is our righteousness.

Holy Week

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How many people will sit in churches on Easter Sunday and listen to a good sermon about the crucifixion of Jesus?  Don’t get me wrong; if you’ve read my previous posts, it’s certainly a good thing to hear the crucifixion being preached in the pulpit of any church.  Not every church in America has that anymore, Easter Sunday or otherwise.  But most every Christian that celebrates Easter is also familar with Palm Sunday.  Nearly as many know about Good Friday.  This entire week between Palm Sunday and Easter is known in many traditions as Holy Week, but it is not celebrated by as many Christian worshipers as it once was.

Palm Sunday reenacts the triumpful entry, the day Jesus rode into Jeruselum to shouts of “Hosanna,” or in effect “Hallelujah!”  Many were expecting him to proclaim himself Messiah, take the throne, and begin his reign as the king of the Jews.  By the end of the week, many of those same Jews who cried Hosanna would cry out “Crucify him” before Pontius Pilate.  On the Christian calendar, each day of this week has a title and special significance.  It was during this week that Jesus shared what we now know as the last supper with his disciples.  He took the Passover meal, the rememberance of how the sacrifice lamb saved the Hebrews while in Egypt from God’s judgement, and gave it new meaning.  He told his followers to still break the bread and take the cup, but to do it in rememberance of him.  This was the week that he washed the disciples feet as a lesson of humility and servanthood.  And in the Garden of Geseminee he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.  He was tried falsely by Pilate, and crucified on what we know as Good Friday.  All of these events before Easter Sunday, though leading up to that climax.

See, what I’m saying is that Easter isn’t about the crucifixion of Jesus.  Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  Holy Week is the time to remember his last supper, lessons in the vineyard, final words to his followers, and the events of his death and burial.  Saturday is the time to be sad; it seems evil has triumphed, Death has been victorious, the disciples are scattered, and Mary is mourning the death of her son.  On Sunday, it all changes.  The captive of Death is set free, Jesus rises in newness of life, and hope is given that as Jesus is raised so shall those of us who die in Christ be raised.  Easter celebrates the resurrecting power of God, who made all things in the universe which obey Him.  Easter Sunday is about hope, life, redemption, reward, and in short all things being made new.  Many others before and after Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, but he is the only one sitting at the right hand of God who ever lives to make intercession.

I know why it happens.  Many marginal Christian believers will come to church that day who will not be back until either Christmas or perhaps next Easter.  The pressure is on to get the Gospel out while the chance is there.  But the rest of us need to remember that Easter is not about the end of life, but the beginning of resurrected life.  It is the time to celebrate, and it’s why we meet on Sunday and not the Old Testament Sabbath.  Be gloomy on Saturday, but don’t forget that joy comes in the morning.  (And if you know about sunrise service, joy comes very early in the morning.)

Read my blog: or not

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I just read a post on Internetmonk entitled “10 Reasons I Don’t Read Your Blog.”  I just couldn’t say everthing I wanted to in the comment box.  Then I remembered: I have blog.  Perfect.

First, you can read the original article at internetmonk.com.  Secondly, I realize what he is trying to do. There’s a lot of junk out there on the internet, Christian blogosphere included.  Reading that article can help anyone write, manage, and post better.  He’s trying to make the world of Christian blogging a better place.  I’m an amateur blogger myself, and some of the information is useful.  I have no problem admitting that.  Now, with that in mind:

Part of the reason I started blogging was for me.  Last summer, I had the chance to grow a garden for the first time in years.  A 13 year-old boy from the neighborhood watched me pulled weeds from the gound one at a time while sitting on my knees.  He told me how I could do it faster.  I thanked him, but told him no thanks.  He offered to do it for me, for a price.  BIG no thanks.  I told him I enjoyed what I was doing very much.  He said it was boring.  I said “I know.  That’s what I like about it.”  At 13, you’re looking for constant adventure, something to keep your mind and body stimulated.  By 30, maybe too much adventure is not a good thing.  I teach high school.  Hand pulling weeds, rather slowly at that, got me outside, in the fresh mountain air and alone with my thoughts.  It did me more good than an hour on a phsychiatrists couch.  There was no pressure, no deadlines, no forms to submit, no one to answer to.  And except for this one kid (which I ignored) no one to tell me I was doing it wrong.  Therapy.

My garden turned out more food than 10 families could eat.  But in the end, it was the time I spent working in it that were worth more to me than the produce.  Lots of people got to enjoy the free vegetables, and I made more than a couple of caseroles to share.  The gardening, however, was good for me. 

Hopefully, there will be readers who enjoy my blog.  The Internet Monk is a wise and decerning reader.  Many people who use the internet are not.  (I don’t mean you, other readers.)  I think my posts help make the internet a better place because they’re at least better than garbage.  I think I can point a soul or two in the right direction.  I think I can open up a discussion from time to time that would be good for all of us.  But even if none of these happen, the work has been good for me.  You get out of something what you put into it.  I will always be looking for ways to improve.  I welcome advice.  I hope this really turns into something.  That would be kind of like the “produce” from my garden.  The bottom line though: I enjoy being the gardener.