From 1 Corinthians
I am a fool. A weak fool. I am not of noble birth nor influential. I have not much about which to boast – save Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians reminds me that at have no cause for pride. I have done nothing to earn the assurance I own. It is easy to forget that outside of Jesus we are worthless, that we deserve death and hell.
“Of First Importance”
A response to someone’s question: “Is it necessary for the Christian to believe Jesus was actually raised form the dead?
Paul reminds his readers in no uncertain terms that the actual, physical, historically accurate resurrection of Jesus from the grave following his crucifixion is of first importance. The resurrection is Christianity, and without it there is none. Paul removes any doubt of his opinion in 1 Corinthians 15:14 when he writes, “And if Christ has not been raised from the dead, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” Without a resurrected Christ all of Christendom is moot.
From The Acts of The Apostles
Reading the Book of Acts a clear contrast surfaces between the early church and the American church of today. There is an exception that proves every rule, they say, so this opinion of mine is not meant to include every single church in the land, but I do believe it true of the lion’s share. The early church, as it existed before committees and business meetings, cantatas and 5th Sundays, steeples and Robert’s Rules of Order was motivated by two things: the discipleship of current believers and the evangelism of those who were not. The same holds true of today’s church (universal), on paper at least.
From the Gospel of Luke
Reading the Gospel According to Luke, my attention was captured by Jesus’ words in chapter 6. I will focus on those verses 27-36 and 37-42 here.
Jesus Paid It All
It is critical to understand that Jesus’ death on the cross was a voluntary surrender to redeem you and I. The willful self-sacrifice of Jesus is representative of how we must come to accept that salvation. That does not make it easy, mind you. Jesus knew why he had come, to do the will of his Father who sent him. Jesus alluded to his death, burial, and resurrection repeatedly during his ministry, but as the hour drew close he prayed that God would, if it were His will, take that cup from him. We do the same, you know. Only we are not facing our own execution for crimes of which we are innocent. We say, “God, please this.” and “God, I can’t do that. Something else, please!” Or worse, “God, I refuse.” I do not believe it wrong to ask God for another way, place, or time. Jesus did. We cannot ignore the remaining fact, however. Jesus asked if there might be another way, and then displayed plainly his motive when he prayed, “Not my will but yours be done.” Jesus told his Father that if there was another way he would be glad to hear it, but also stood resolute that whatever God’s will was, that is what he would do. When God again affirmed that the sacrifice of the cross was the only means to save mankind, Jesus willingly accepted. To understand that is to understand the salvation available to you and I. We must WILLINGLY accept what Jesus offers through his WILLING sacrifice. Jesus knew God’s will, but could have chosen to ignore it. (Aren’t I glad he did not…) We can know the facts of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, but if we chose to ignore it we have not salvation. We must willingly respond by, in light of his choice to redeem us with his own life accepting Jesus’ gift of salvation by making him Lord of our lives.
From the Gospel of Mark
The Gospel According to Mark, finding itself among the Synoptic Gospels is predictably similar to the Gospel of Matthew. Reading the Gospel of Mark this week I found my attention captured by chapter 5. Here Jesus and his lot have landed a boat only to find a demon-possessed man. This man had been tormented for a long time. The townspeople knew him well, and if verse 4 is any indication they were troubled by this individual. He was someone who frightened them, someone they shielded their children from. The people had tried chains and irons to control the man to no avail.
1 + 1 =?
Thought I would share a brief response I wrote to the question, “Why is it important that Jesus was actually fully God and fully man?”
It is critical to understand that Jesus is fully God and fully man. Does 100% + 100% add up? No, with the exception of Jesus. Jesus came to earth as a man. He hungered and thirsted. He was certainly tempted, in fact far greater was his temptation than yours or mine. I don’t know about you, but I have yet to be led into the wilderness by Satan for forty days…
If Jesus were not fully man he could not have died at human hands. He knew physical pain. When he knew the hour was near Jesus prayed that God might find another way. Yet only his sacrifice was worthy to redeem mankind, because he was also fully God. Jesus did not inherit the sinful nature that plagues each of us as he was born in a unique way, a miraculous way, of a virgin. If Jesus was not also fully God his sacrifice was meaningless, and we have no hope. Christ proved his humanity in death, and his divinity by raising again from the dead. Were this not true, our faith would be futile. Paul speaks to this in 1 Corinthians 15:19 when he says “If for only this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people to be most pitied.”
Book Review: The Blessing of Adversity by Barry C. Black
THE BLESSING OF ADVERSITY
TYNDALE was kind enough to send me THE BLESSING OF ADVERSITY by Barry C. Black, and I’ve just finished this book written by the Chaplain of the United States Senate.
The author comes from the humblest of beginnings which are outlined in his first book FROM THE HOOD TO THE HILL: A STORY OF OVERCOMING which I have not read. Since his poverty stricken youth he has lead an impressive military career in the U. S. Navy, serving 27 years and ending his tenure as Chief of Navy Chaplains, and a two-star admiral. Black has been awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, and two Defense Meritorious Service Medals. Follow all that with the reminder that this man has been Chaplain to the U.S. Senate for the past eight years, and you would certainly think that he has accomplished much, very much, in spite of significant challenges and adverse circumstances. The author would correct you however, and submit to you that his remarkable success has perhaps been because of and not in contrast to his life’s troubles.
This is an encouraging book that seeks to show that blessing can and perhaps should be found in life’s adversity. This is an encouraging and thought provoking book filled with first hand experience and scriptural evidence. A slogan popular with preachers says “Either you’ve just come through a great difficulty, you’re going through one now, or your about to.” This book can help you find help and hope in these times of brokenness, as well as guide you to discover just what God may wish you to gain through life’s trials.
As good as this book is, it is not what I would call a “page turner.” It does have a very text-book feel to it, and perhaps necessarily. I do not recommend attempting to read this book straight through in a brief time. I often read a book in a single sitting, but this book is best taken in bits and sections. Take your time and take it in, and this book will do you well.
This book has been provided by the publisher in exchange for this review.
Book Review: Radical Together by David Platt
RADICAL TOGETHER BY DAVID PLATT
Radical Together by David Platt is something of a sequel to his first book (and New York Times bestseller) Radical. Maybe continuation is a better word, although it does carry the same meaning… All that nonsense aside, here is what you need to know about Platt’s newest installment: READ IT.
I was awarded this advance copy of one of Christendom’s most anticipated books because of my review of it’s predecessor, and RADICAL TOGETHER did not disappoint. Rather, it continued to reveal that I am often the disappointment. In RADICAL, Platt challenges the church to take back our faith from the American Dream, something that hit me hard and left me changed. In RADICAL TOGETHER, the author intends to unleash the people of God for the purpose of God and draws our attention to the fact that we as the church, at least as it exists in our country, are often in our own way. Pastor Platt wastes no time, in the first paragraphs of chapter one which is subtitled,” The worst enemy of Christians is good things in the church” he says this:
“The last thing you and I want to do is waste our lives on religious activity that is devoid of spiritual productivity— being active in the church but not advancing the kingdom of God. We don’t want to come to the end of our days on earth, only to realize we have had little impact on more people going to heaven. Yet if we are not careful, we spend our lives doing good things in the church while we ultimately miss out on the great purposes for which we are created.
That’s why I say the worst enemy of Christians is good things in the church.”
That says it all. I cannot attempt to further explain this book, I can only tell you that if you are a Christian you should read this book, and then read it again.
This book was provided as an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for this review.
Book Review: Gray Matter by David Levy, MD
GRAY MATTER
Finished GRAY MATTER by David Levy, MD a few days ago. This is my first book to review for TYNDALE, and was selected because I had exactly two titles to choose from (Tyndale requires it’s blogger/reviewers to work their way up in the program). I do not recall the other book I might have chosen, but since this one appeared to orbit around prayer, I gave it the nod. Or click, I should say.
The sub-title is “A NEUROSURGEON DISCOVERS THE POWER OF PRAYER…ONE PATIENT AT A TIME.” The author, Dr. David Levy is a Jewish-born neurosurgeon who is also a Christian. Given the gravity of his work and the situations he and his patients face daily, Dr. Levy finds himself convicted to pray with his patients before his surgeries. This book is the first-person account of his experiences introducing prayer to his practice, and sharing it’s results for himself and his patients.
This is a fantastic book. Very readable, I found it difficult to put down. Levy shares incredible stories which give us some insight as to what it’s like to be a neurosurgeon, and tells stories we can both relate to and be encouraged by as believers who sometimes struggle to elevate prayer to the level in our lives in deserves. It is truly incredible the effect prayer has had on his life and career, and the lives of his patients. He shares how he has seen a brief prayer before a procedure literally changes lives. Read this book, you’ll not regret it.
Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review.
Book Review: The Next Christians by Gabe Lyons
Gabe Lyons is something of a household name following the success of his book, UNCHRISTIAN, which was based on extensive statistical research concerning christians, the church, and how modern society views them both. Lyons latest offering, THE NEXT CHRISTIANS: HOW A NEW GENERATION IS RESTORING THE FAITH seems a logical sequel. This book examines who Christians are perceived to be, and what a hypothetical new generation of Christians would look like were they to shatter the status quo.
I found this book to be a bit of a roller coaster ride emotionally. Don’t get me wrong, I was never reduced to tears or anything else less than masculine. At points I caught myself nodding in agreement, and others almost angry.
First the points of agreement. Christian America is on it’s way out, at least according to the trend. At best we are still, or becoming more so the “Silent Majority.” There is not much room for Christian ideals in the politically correct arena which contains, well everything. Some might argue that the term “politically correct” is actually “anti-Christian.” Regardless, Christianity is no longer the default. People are viewing Christians with more and more vitriol.
In this book, Lyons addresses this truth head on and explains that the “next Christians” will no longer fit the stereotype. They will live out the entirety of God’s story. The author insists that the standard issue evangelical today focus only on the cross, while giving no credence to the creation. They view salvation as an alternative to hell rather than the restoration of what was lost when man fell in the garden. He calls the next Christians “restorers.”
Gabe Lyons calls on the next Christians to change the world. To always be creating a positive. To not live life inside a Christian bubble, but out there with the rest of the world. To do life in community with everyone regardless of faith. What can we be doing to help, to restore?
I agree that the church needs to barbecue a few sacred cows. I found myself chuckling when Lyons poked fun at the Christian t-shirt crowd, inferring that no one was ever lead to Christ because your t-shirt judged them. I wonder if the author might have gone too far down a path paved with good intentions. He takes a troubling stance on the “gay movement” for example. Multiple pages are devoted to outlining the success of the gay movement’s campaign to take America’s view of homosexuality from disapproval to “hey, why not?” To be fair, Lyons does not openly embrace homosexuality and even states,
“I’m not suggesting we celebrate the rise of the gay movement. Perhaps you’re offended that I’ve even used it as an illustration.”
What is troubling is he leaves the reader feeling that he is not at all opposed to some of the information he references. Such as
“Within the cultural channel of the church, major denominations like the Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ opened leadership roles for gays and lesbians.”
Lyons elsewhere criticizes many Christians for choosing to vote against any political candidates who support abortion.
Gabe Lyons points out some very valid points in this book. Things we as the church universal are doing wrong. Things we should be doing but we are not. He calls us to restore, to love, to pray, read scripture, and observe a sabbath. Amen brother. I feel though he is perhaps too “progressive” in some ways however. I do not believe he places enough importance on salvation. I also believe the church must take a clear stand on some issues, amoung them abortion and the same gay movement Lyons calls “fun and engaging.” Should we love those we disagree with? Yes. Serve them? In any way we can. The way Jesus would, without judgement. One sinner to the next. We must remember though that we do need to have an opinion on important issues, a biblical opinion. We just need to be careful how we express it.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
delighted to share. 