The simple answer is yes. Jesus was radical in his ministry and teachings. He questioned the rulers of the Jewish faith, he threw people out of the temple, he pronounced woe to the scribes and Pharisees, he performed healings and miracles on the Sabbath, his disciples did not fast, and even ate without washing their hands. His whole Sermon on the Mount turned the Jewish traditions and laws seemingly upside down. The simple answer is that Jesus was a radical; however, I don’t believe it’s that simple. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Christianity
I Hate Theology.
No, I’m not saying that I hate theology. “I Hate Theology” is the title of an essay that has been reposted at Internet Monk, and I got the chance to read for the first time. This is a link to the original post, here is an excerpt that gets to the heart of the message:
I hate this, and I am not ashamed to say so. Christ didn’t call theologians, he called disciples. Let’s follow Jesus, not just talk about the two natures. He didn’t establish a seminary or a library, but a church, which is a pretty down and dirty business that does a lot more than just stare at its confessions in wondrous rapture and awe. He didn’t give the great debate assignment, but the great commission. We’re on mission with a God who is doing great things in history. Or are we? Some of us are theologizing about ministry so much that we appear to be undermining ministry itself. It’s a great commission to make disciples of all nations, not a great commotion about who can be more literal about the elements of the Lord’s Supper.
I’ve written a lot lately about being the salt and the light, and I’m probably not done yet. This is what iMonk is saying; you can debate and discuss all the things that ministry should be and do, but then someone still has to do them. Discussing the salt of the earth and being salty are not the same thing. Jesus actually mentions this. Telling someone to go their way and be fed is not the same as feeding them.
This is just one point iMonk makes in his essay. You really should read the whole thing, and don’t get mad too quickly. It might not be what you think it is (the whole book by its cover sort of thing). I listen to a lot of preachers, I read lots of blogs. Very few things you hear or read are worth putting into practice in your everyday life. I’m suggesting this is one of them.
The Importance of the Gospel in the New Teastament
Paul wrote to the Galatians how astonished he was that they so quickly departed from the gospel that they were taught. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church that he wanted them to only know Christ and him crucified. Paul praised the church at Philippi for being partners with him in the gospel. And in what I think is the most obvious lesson of the importance of the gospel, in Mark chp. 1 Jesus preaches his first sermon, telling people to repent and believe the gospel.
Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
1 Cor. 2:1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Phil. 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Mark 1:14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus himself gave the example: the gospel is the most important thing that the world needs to hear. His earthly ministry was very short, and he had no time to waste. But in his very first sermon he preached the gospel (Greek for “good news” by the way). Recall the words of the Great Commission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” His first and last words to an audience was the importance of the gospel.
The Apostle Paul wrote about two-thirds of what we call the New Testament. It is clear on several occassions that he believed sharing the gospel was the most important use of our time and energy. I’ve said this before: If I could talk to every preacher, I would say above all else, “Preach the gospel.” The world needs to hear more than anything else Christians have to say that Jesus saves! He is the way, the truth and the life. God doesn’t just judge the world, he provides escape from judgement. God doesn’t just hand out rules, he provides grace because he knows we will all fail at the rules anyway. Our God is an awesome God, and the only way to come to him is by believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let’s make that what people see and hear when they listen to Christians or come into our churches, not all the other junk they see and hear and think we are about.
Be the salt, be the light, let’s cut the crap.
Mission Statements
This is not a paid endorsement for Wal-Mart, just an example of brand recognition. For years Wal-Mart has associated themselves with the phrase “Always low prices. Always.” It is common practice these days for every corporation and business entity to have a mission statement. Where I work is no different. I teach at a private Christian school, and the administration feels very strongly about each of committing our mission statement to memory. What is the value of the mission statement? It makes sure that everyone stays on the same page. Any organization can start off well, and forget what it is they are supposed to be doing. It happens in business, it happens to churches, it could happen anywhere. I’ve written before about what “God honoring, Christ centered” is doing in my banner. It’s more than a slogan or motto. It keeps me focused on what it is I’m doing here. That’s what every mission statement is designed to do; let everyone know, including the people working there, what the stated objective is. It helps people working together to focus.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to be on mission. Whatever your ministry is, we have a general statement of mission given to us all. In Mark 16:15 Jesus told his followers to go into all the world and preach the gospel. Four times in Revelation the people of God are described as being from every tribe, language and nation. We are to spread the gospel message to all people in all parts of the earth. If the good people at Wal-Mart know what their mission is, how much more should we the people of God remember ours?
Catholics, Protestants, and 400 denominations
When you meet a person on the street and say that you are a Christian, what you mean by that and what a stranger thinks may be galaxies apart from each other. Bill Maher has commented on how ridiculous it is to believe that a cracker turns into the body of a guy that’s been dead for 2,000 years, and your salvation depends on eating it. That’s one way in which the outside world views Christianity. And when other people hear that, that’s what they think of all Christians. The reference is to the Roman Catholic teaching of transubstantiation, and most Protestants find it ridiculous also; yet they break the bread and take the cup. That’s just one example of thousands where Christians disagree.
I wrote an article in April called Roman Catholic Christians in which I listed several things that Baptists and Catholics agree on, all having to do with the work and divinity of Jesus Christ. Recently there have been some new comments, and I’ve responded to those, but that’s so far back I decided to bring it up again. Continue reading
Jesus is God
I’m on vacation this week, and haven’t written much. I’m linking to an excellent post entitled Jesus is God Incarnate. The name of the blog is Fundamental Christianity. Maybe you are, maybe you’re not fundamentalist, but the centrality of Jesus Christ in scripture and his deity are not up for disscusion if you’re a Christian believer. Check out the post and see if you agree, I’ll be back in one week.
Give us a sign.
The Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign on two separate occasions, in Matthew 12 and again in Matthew 16. Both times Jesus replied that a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign. In the second case, Jesus had just miraculously feed a crowd of 4,000; but if he showed them one more sign, then they would believe. Continue reading
Son of God or cult leader?
We shouldn’t be surprised. Jesus himself told his followers that many would come in his name, claiming to be Christ. In my lifetime, I’ve witnessed the likes of Jim Jones and David Koresh lead hundreds of followers astray. This video is about a man in South Florida who calls himself “Jesus Christ Man,” and claims to embody the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Get a load of this guy.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Pearl of Great Value
It is important to remember what we have. There is an old saying that you don’t know what you have ’till it’s gone. I hope that’s not always true. I’ve known people that were getting ready to sell a car, and wanted it to look it’s best to fetch the best price they could get. After vacuuming and cleaning the interior, washing and waxing the finish, ArmorAlling the tires, etc. they decided to keep the car. Sometimes it’s tough to recognize what we are in possession of, but it’s more important for Christians to be able to than anyone else. Continue reading
“Evolution is a Proven Fact” -Dilbert
Defending Contending has tons of stuff like this. I couldn’t help it.
The Master's Table 