Church Criticism and Consistency

I love how this guy thinks:

Kevin DeYoung, in Why We Love the Church (pp. 87-88, line breaks mine):

But then again, consistency is not a postmodern virtue. And nowhere is this more aptly displayed than in the barrage of criticisms leveled against the church.

The church-is-lame crowd hates Constantine and notions of Christendom, but they want the church to be a patron of the arts, and run after-school programs, and bring the world together in peace and love.

They bemoan the over-programmed church, but then think of a hundred complex, resource-hungry things the church should be doing.

They don’t like the church because it is too hierarchical, but then hate it when it has poor leadership.

They wish the church could be more diverse, but then leave to meet in a coffee shop with other well-educated thirtysomethings who are into film festivals, NPR, and carbon offsets.

They want more of a family spirit, but too much family and they’ll complain that the church is ‘inbred.’

They want the church to know that its reputation with outsiders is terrible, but then are critical when the church is too concerned with appearances.

They chide the church for not doing more to address social problems, but then complain when the church gets too political.

They want church unity and decry all our denominations, but fail to see the irony in the fact that they have left to do their own thing because they can’t find a single church that can satisfy them.

They are critical of the lack of community in the church, but then want services that allow for individualized worship experiences.

They want leaders with vision, but don’t want anyone to tell them what to do or how to think.

They want a church where the people really know each other and care for each other, but then they complain the church today is an isolated country club, only interested in catering to its own members.

They want to be connected to history, but are sick of the same prayers and same style every week.

They call for not judging "the spiritual path of other believers who are dedicated to pleasing God and blessing people," and then they blast the traditional church in the harshest, most unflattering terms.

Indeed, I have just been indicted....

HT: Between Two Worlds

What "Pro-Life" Really Means

Thanks to Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds for alerting me to this incredibly touching video. The video follows a couple giving birth to their first child, in spite of the fact that the baby is diagnosed with the DNA abnormality Trisomy 13 (guaranteed fatal).

The couple are Evangelicals and still believe in spite of the pain, that God is Sovereign over all.

The story is entitled 'Choosing Thomas.'

Why I am on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace etc, etc, etc,............

Interrogating the Legalist Within..

C.J. Mahaney is a great preacher. Be convicted by the following message:

Interrogating the Legalist Within from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Context

As I was stumbling around online I came across this impressive Jujitsu demonstration. As I continued to watch I realized that the demonstration was taking place inside of a church. On the back wall is a huge cross and what looks like an alter, or communion table, underneath. It seemed kind of ironic that this demonstration of self-defense was taking place in front of the symbol of our Lord who did not defend himself as he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb was silent (Acts 8:32 Isa 53:7) .

I'm not saying the martial arts are bad or sinful. Its just that seeing that cross and then what was being demonstrated made me take pause and think. How could we reinterpret the Lord's command to turn the other cheek (Matt 5:39). Instead of turning the other cheek it can say something like this: "If someone slaps you on the right cheek, kick them in the head then throw them on the floor and snap their neck."

Hmmmm, I don't know, just doesn't seem to fit does it?

First the Bad News...

I'm guessing most of you probably didn't see my article in the Daily Bulletin this last Saturday, so here it is:

First the Bad News…

Imagine being at the Doctor’s office for a routine check up. Suddenly, your Doctor bursts in through the door: “I’ve got great news for you!” The Doctor can hardly contain her joy; as a matter of fact you see her eyes welling up with tears. Quite mystified, and not sure how to respond, you ask, “What is it? What’s the great news?” She approaches you slowly, places her hands on your hands, and says with whispered tones, “I have found the cure for you.” Now you don’t want to be rude; you actually like the fact that she’s so happy. However, one question is pounding around throughout your head that you can’t seem to make go away: “Cure for what?!!!?”
Christians in their zeal to “proclaim the good news of salvation” are often times like this Doctor. They tell people of how they can “be saved.” “Jesus loves you,” or “Jesus saves” may be phrases that are thrown around by excited Christians. Unfortunately, as true as these statements are, without sharing what Jesus saves us from, what He cures us of, these words may just mystify the average person. Like the patient in the Doctors office, the person is right to ask, “Saved from what?” In order for a cure to be seen as good news we need a diagnosis, as hard as it may be to hear.
The Bible’s diagnosis: “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23). Sin is any imperfection; any disobedience to God’s holy law (Matt. 5:48). The consequences are dire: “For the wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23). What is death? Eternal torment in hell (Matt. 18:8). Since all have sinned, all people (including you) need a Savior, someone with the Cure. Now read these next words carefully: Jesus saves.
So you’re sitting in the Doctor’s office and the Doctor says, “You have cancer. It’s spreading all over your body and literally you would have a few days to live.” You feel like you’ve just been hit in the stomach, and your face has turned ghostly white. But then the Doctor smiles, places his hand on your shoulder and says, “Fortunately, for you I have good news…”

O' Jerusalem, Jerusalem...

O' Jerusalem, Jerusalem... from Erick Sorensen on Vimeo.

You can listen to just the audio here.

The Tragedy of the E.L.C.A.

Not many folks know all the differences between the various Lutheran Churches in America, but there are many. On the more traditional, orthodox side of things there are such Lutheran Churches as the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the Wisconsin Synod. On the more traditional (in practice at least), but unorthodox side (generally liberal theologically) would be the largest body of Lutherans in America, the E.L.C.A. I suppose somewhere in the middle of the two would be the Church I belong too (The Church of the Lutheran Brethren): Generally untraditional in practice (non-liturgical), but doctrinally orthodox. There are many more other strands, but for our purposes, this list will suffice.

As was reported recently on this blog, the E.L.C.A. gathered this week in Minneapolis to vote on whether to ordain practicing homosexuals into Pastoral ministry. Sadly, the resolution passed. A couple of things: 1. Although the leadership of the E.L.C.A. has taken this terribly unbiblical course, not all (maybe not even the majority of the members) agree with the leadership's decision. There are still many faithful saints in this Church Body (I know many) that are still fighting to save it.

2. The proper response to this is not to make fun of them or look down on them. The proper response to this decision is to, as John Piper said earlier today:

"Weep for them."

Pray for repentance, and reformation to come to the E.L.C.A.

Sacred Sandwich: Victoria's New Bible of Choice?

Note: The above is just a joke. No offense is aimed at fans of Chuck Norris or for that matter Walker Texas Ranger.

Painting to the Glory of Christ

Recently I came across an old buddy of mine on Facebook named Scott Erickson. Scott is an Artist, and generally (as far as I know) he paints for Churches during their Worship Services. I wanted to share a clip I saw of him the other day that just gives you an idea of how "all things can be done for the glory of God."

How did we get our Bibles?

During our Churches 'Q & A' Sessions I have noticed that often times people have questions about how we got our Bibles and why some books aren't included. For answers to some of these questions there are a number of great resources. Yesterday, I came across a short summary of the various issues at play and the great answers we as Christians have to the objections out there. The presentation was put together by Apologist Dr. Matthew Harmon. It's in PDF format here.

2 Billion Unreached and Counting...

Well done, informative video about the World Mission field. Whether you are in Asia, Africa, or Southern California, you are called to GO with the only message that saves...

Between Two Worlds: Avoid Legalism by Believing that Only the Perfectly Righteous Get into Heaven

Between Two Worlds: Avoid Legalism by Believing that Only the Perfectly Righteous Get into Heaven

The Narrow Way

Why Many Won't Be Saved from Erick Sorensen on Vimeo.

If you prefer, you can listen to just the audio here.

Should They Go To Jail?

A story was released this morning about a family on trial for accidentally killing a relative during an exorcism. It turns out none of the family will get any jail time. What I found interesting in the report was the judge's reasoning for his decision:

Janet Moses, a 22-year-old mother of two, died from drowning in October 2007 after members of her extended family forced water down her throat during a ceremony to lift a curse known as a makutu.

The High Court in Wellington imposed a curfew order and work sentences on the five, ranging in age from 36 to 52, although prosecutors had sought prison sentences of up to five years.

Justice Simon France said Moses' death did not occur because of a recognised ritual or "fanatical beliefs".

"Makutu did not kill her. She drowned," he said.

"It is undoubted that, at some stage, hysteria entered the room."

"The accused did what they genuinely thought was right. I have no doubt they believed that she was possessed by makutu and were trying to help."

So then, two questions: 1. Do you think someone in this situation should get prison time if something like this happens (for example let's say someone dies during a Christian exorcism)? 2. Whether you agree with his decision to let the family go or not, do you agree with the Judge's reasoning?

Worshipping God Part III: How to Worship

Acts 2:42-47: What true devotion looks like?

Biblically Faithful Ministry

Over at Between Two Worlds they linked to a story in Christianity Today about David Platt. Platt is a Pastor in Birmingham, Alabama. Here's how he's described:

"David Platt has preached for seven hours straight. He can recite Romans 1-8 on the spot. He delivered the most powerful sermon in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors' Conference. People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that his shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.
Okay, so the last item was Peter, not Platt. But enthused congregations are raving about the pastor of the Church at Brooks Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. Three years into his pastorate, David Platt is still only 30 years old. He earned his M.Div. and Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he served as assistant professor of expository preaching and apologetics."

Preaching for seven hours? That sounds about right.

The American Patriot's Bible

This week, through a few different blogs I became acquainted with the new 'American Patriot's Bible.' The bible (at least according to it's promo) seeks to show the connection between Biblical stories and America's history. The suggestion is that America in some sense is akin to God's 'new chosen people.' If you watch the promo I linked to above you will see first a picture of Adam and Eve followed by a picture of George and Martha Washington with the title linking them together, "First Families." Abraham Lincoln is just like Moses in that he is a 'Freedom Fighter.' Jesus and the twelve disciples sitting at the Last Supper, are interspersed with pictures of the Continental Congress. Their title? 'Founding Fathers.' The video then closes with the words 'Sometimes history does repeat itself.'

This is Evangelical theology at it's absolute worst! Nowhere in Scripture does it ever say that America is God's new chosen people. God's chosen people were the Israelites and ultimately has always been those who believe in the Promised Messiah. One of the things that Paul and the rest of the Apostles marvel at is that God in the New Covenant no longer chose to locate Himself among one group of people, but among all peoples!

America does have Christian roots in much of its history (but please remember many of the Founding Fathers were not even Christians) and I thank God for that. That shouldn't be ignored by historians. I do love my country very much and am very grateful for the many sacrifices made for the freedoms I enjoy. However to make the link between Jesus' and His disciples and the Continental Congress is complete and utter gibberish. I can love America with everything in me, but without the life, death and resurrection of Christ, I'm on a fast track to hell. Only Jesus saves. American Patriotism and Christianity are not the same, folks.

The Gospel and the Poor

I haven't watched this video all the way through yet, but it's Tim Keller, so I'm pretty sure it's good stuff.

Tim Keller: The Gospel and the Poor: A Case for Compassion from Here's Life Inner City on Vimeo.

Good Christian Song Writing

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States (4.7 million baptized members), will be having its annual convention this month from August 17-23.

The hot topic at this years meeting will be the subject of gay clergy. In a position paper released earlier this year the denominational leadership decided to support gay clergy, but ultimately leave the decision up to the individual churches. The term they use for this compromise is "structured flexibility." The Minneapolis newspaper Star Tribune published an article, and short video, earlier this year covering the story.

Of course, like the Episcopal Church's decision to support the ordination of gay clergy, the decision to support the ordination of gay clergy in the ELCA will most likely cause a serious split within the denomination. There is already an organization within the ELCA called CORE (Coalition for Reform) that sees its mission to uphold the authority of scripture in the ELCA. The members of CORE are urging all delegates at the convention to vote against the position paper.

This issue will continue to arise in any church body that does not recognize the authority of scripture. If we are not being informed by scripture regarding God's will, then what is informing us?

Your Papers Please

Recently a Pastor and his wife in San Diego were told they will have to obtain a permit from the county to continue to have Bible studies in their home. They were told that failure to obtain the permit would result in fines of up to $1000/wk.. Is this type of incident indicative of the future landscape for the Church in California and beyond?

Read the story here.
Watch the Fox News interview here.

Worshipping God Part II: 5 Facets of Biblical Worship

What is Biblical Worship? from Erick Sorensen on Vimeo.

For just the audio click here.

And for Q & A click here.