Instruments of God's revelation
While I'm not sure whether this is really a re-enactment of Albert Einstein the merit of the content is solid. Too often we as Christians flee from intelligent conversations about God, evil, man, etc. with our secular counterparts. Yet this is the opposit of what we should be doing. We should encourage these conversations, and even more importantly we should be part of them. Our goal is to gently instruct the opposition (II Timothy 2:23-25) so they may come to see God's presence and Truth. Now some may call these conversations foolish quarrels but when we as His crippled torchbearers have the goal in mind work toward them seeing God then they are instruments of Truth. Ironically our so called gentle instruction is nothing more than helping people to see the obvious. We aren't revealing God because He's already there. He is always right in front of us. We have no excuse. Furthermore if your curious about who can't see Him you only need to look at the direction of people's lives. Those who suffer from confusion and no sense of direction. They suffer from these things because they have traded God the creator for His creations. (Romans 1:18-32).
So remember these conversations aren't inane, foolish, or silly they are in fact important! They are eye openers; and we must be willing to engage them so that we may be instruments of God's revelation and their awakening.
Casualties of War
When we choose to accept and live as "prisoners of war" in our lives we automatically choose to accept the casualties of war. There is a war between good and evil. Do you accept Truth or Lies? Which does your actions choose for your children?
American idolatry...part 2
I couldn't get it out of my head "Demons don't care who you worship as long as it's not the Trinitarian God of the Bible". How many so called Christians are worshipping something other than the God of the Bible. They don't think they are because their idols seem to be good things (family, children, helping others, etc)- but they are!
What is faith?
Recently I've been in several deep conversations about faith. Faith to most Americans is passing comment to which we do not give any real thought. When asked about faith we rattle off taught descriptions "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen" or "if you only had the faith of a mustard seed" or "you faith can set you free". But what is faith? All of these are wonderful dimensions and descriptions but don't give a solid, viable definition that can be passed down. Up until recently my definition of faith has been "belief in action", however I have realized my definition was incomplete. Faith is "acting on belief without the possibility of another outcome". The "without the possibility of another outcome" is vitally important. It's not just about action or belief but both locked together without another possible outcome. This is why the centurion's servant or the woman with the blood condition were healed and commended for their "faith"; and this is why Peter failed at walking on the water. Faith isn't merely laying of hands to heal or believing- it's doing so with the peace, knowledge, and understanding their is no other outcome to your action. So the next time we say "have faith" or "we just need more faith" remember what that really means.
Mark 11-13: A walk we should remember
I wonder what Jesus would say if he walked through the “church” today. Would He say “Awesome job” or “Your doing it” or “Your on the right track”? Or would He say “Who are you” or “Why”? Obviously there’s really no way to know but I think there is some insight to be gained from Mark 11:27-13:8.
In these Biblical texts we see some important conversations- Jesus’ credentials (11:27-33); the vineyard (12:1-12); paying taxes to Caesar (12:13-17); the afterlife (12:18-27); the most important commandment (12:28-34); David and the Messiah (12:35-37); the widow’s mite (12:38-40); the destruction of the Temple (13:1-2); and things to come in the future (13:3-36). Amazingly these are often taught as separate stories that have separate meanings. However if you consider them as part of a whole you come up with a completely different perspective.
To validate the notion they are part of the same ongoing conversations let’s track the dialogue. First we seen the beginning scene “as they were walking through the Temple” (11:27-28). In this same citation Jesus is questioned about his credentials by the religious scholars. He answers them in verses 29-33 and we see the transition statement “Then Jesus started telling them stories” (12:1-2). Next is the story of the vineyard (12:1-12) and a transition “they got away from there as fast as they could. They sent some Pharisees…” (12:12-13). Next is dialogue about the afterlife (12:18-27) and the transition statement “One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer…” (12:28). Next is Jesus’ statements on the greatest commandments (12:28-34) and the transition statement “while he was teaching in the Temple” (12:35). Next is Jesus’ question about David and the Messiah (12:35-37) and the transition statement “He continued teaching” (12:38). Next is the story of the widow’s mite (12:38-44) and the transition statement “As He walked away from the Temple” (13:1). Finally Jesus proceeds to discuss the destruction of the Temple and the days to come.
Why go through all this? What does it matter that these stories be considered in the context of the whole conversation? It matters a lot! Rather than several unique or random conversations from which we can draw spiritual value from we need to consider the bigger picture. We must understand them not in part but in whole. Let’s examine the “whole” conversation.
Jesus goes to the Temple where He is confronted by the religious scholars of the day. They questioned His authority and He put them on the spot with questions they couldn’t answer. Next he began telling them the story of the vineyard where He describes workers who are filled with greed who have destroyed the master’s servants and son to take control of the master’s fields. The master then gives the field to others. Next Jesus is questioned about taxes where profoundly answers to Give God what is His and the world what is the worlds. Next He is questioned about the afterlife. Jesus’ answer is to correct their way of thinking and their foundations- they didn’t understand the Scripture or how God works. Next He answers with simplicity a profound statement of God’s priorities for man- the greatest and second commandments. Next Jesus stumps the religious scholars with question about the relationship between David and the Messiah. Next Jesus blasts the religious scholars and their actions especially their exploitation of the weak. Next he points out the actions of the widow giving her contribution to the collection. Finally Jesus when asked to consider the greatness of the Temple foretells its destruction and the future to come.
Have you noticed a trend? I did! Jesus is picking a fight with a bully. Consider the actions of Jesus-
• Jesus goes to the stronghold of the opposition
• The opposition questions His authority
• He answers them by giving them a “no win” situation
• Jesus tells a story that “taunts” the opposition
• The opposition can’t do anything about it
• They to trap Jesus between public opinion and law
• Jesus gives them the only answer they couldn’t handle
• The opposition tries to trap Him again
• He questions their intellect and reasoning
• The opposition questions His priorities and loyalty
• Jesus sets His priorities against theirs
• Jesus gives the opposition a question they couldn’t answer
• Jesus calls them out and shows them up in front of others
• Jesus points out their actions and intentions
• Jesus walks away and predicts their end
So who is the opposition? Who is the bully Jesus is picking a fight with? It’s religion. Jesus is vehemently picking a fight with the religious institution and its disciples. Jesus is pointing out their lack of knowledge, lack of understanding, abuse of power, loss of power, and eventual destruction. The bully here is the religious institution of the day- the Temple! Although originally chosen they had become something else. They had lost their priorities (God and neighbor), they sought after power and prestige, they oppressed those who needed God most, they had set themselves up in great buildings, and according to Jesus they had to be destroyed!
So what would Jesus say today? Think about it...He’s already said it!
In these Biblical texts we see some important conversations- Jesus’ credentials (11:27-33); the vineyard (12:1-12); paying taxes to Caesar (12:13-17); the afterlife (12:18-27); the most important commandment (12:28-34); David and the Messiah (12:35-37); the widow’s mite (12:38-40); the destruction of the Temple (13:1-2); and things to come in the future (13:3-36). Amazingly these are often taught as separate stories that have separate meanings. However if you consider them as part of a whole you come up with a completely different perspective.
To validate the notion they are part of the same ongoing conversations let’s track the dialogue. First we seen the beginning scene “as they were walking through the Temple” (11:27-28). In this same citation Jesus is questioned about his credentials by the religious scholars. He answers them in verses 29-33 and we see the transition statement “Then Jesus started telling them stories” (12:1-2). Next is the story of the vineyard (12:1-12) and a transition “they got away from there as fast as they could. They sent some Pharisees…” (12:12-13). Next is dialogue about the afterlife (12:18-27) and the transition statement “One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer…” (12:28). Next is Jesus’ statements on the greatest commandments (12:28-34) and the transition statement “while he was teaching in the Temple” (12:35). Next is Jesus’ question about David and the Messiah (12:35-37) and the transition statement “He continued teaching” (12:38). Next is the story of the widow’s mite (12:38-44) and the transition statement “As He walked away from the Temple” (13:1). Finally Jesus proceeds to discuss the destruction of the Temple and the days to come.
Why go through all this? What does it matter that these stories be considered in the context of the whole conversation? It matters a lot! Rather than several unique or random conversations from which we can draw spiritual value from we need to consider the bigger picture. We must understand them not in part but in whole. Let’s examine the “whole” conversation.
Jesus goes to the Temple where He is confronted by the religious scholars of the day. They questioned His authority and He put them on the spot with questions they couldn’t answer. Next he began telling them the story of the vineyard where He describes workers who are filled with greed who have destroyed the master’s servants and son to take control of the master’s fields. The master then gives the field to others. Next Jesus is questioned about taxes where profoundly answers to Give God what is His and the world what is the worlds. Next He is questioned about the afterlife. Jesus’ answer is to correct their way of thinking and their foundations- they didn’t understand the Scripture or how God works. Next He answers with simplicity a profound statement of God’s priorities for man- the greatest and second commandments. Next Jesus stumps the religious scholars with question about the relationship between David and the Messiah. Next Jesus blasts the religious scholars and their actions especially their exploitation of the weak. Next he points out the actions of the widow giving her contribution to the collection. Finally Jesus when asked to consider the greatness of the Temple foretells its destruction and the future to come.
Have you noticed a trend? I did! Jesus is picking a fight with a bully. Consider the actions of Jesus-
• Jesus goes to the stronghold of the opposition
• The opposition questions His authority
• He answers them by giving them a “no win” situation
• Jesus tells a story that “taunts” the opposition
• The opposition can’t do anything about it
• They to trap Jesus between public opinion and law
• Jesus gives them the only answer they couldn’t handle
• The opposition tries to trap Him again
• He questions their intellect and reasoning
• The opposition questions His priorities and loyalty
• Jesus sets His priorities against theirs
• Jesus gives the opposition a question they couldn’t answer
• Jesus calls them out and shows them up in front of others
• Jesus points out their actions and intentions
• Jesus walks away and predicts their end
So who is the opposition? Who is the bully Jesus is picking a fight with? It’s religion. Jesus is vehemently picking a fight with the religious institution and its disciples. Jesus is pointing out their lack of knowledge, lack of understanding, abuse of power, loss of power, and eventual destruction. The bully here is the religious institution of the day- the Temple! Although originally chosen they had become something else. They had lost their priorities (God and neighbor), they sought after power and prestige, they oppressed those who needed God most, they had set themselves up in great buildings, and according to Jesus they had to be destroyed!
So what would Jesus say today? Think about it...He’s already said it!
Truth: God’s Apologetical Consciousness
Clement of Alexandria once wrote “There is a difference between that which one says of the truth, and that which the truth says of itself [translated of course]”. His meaning is simply that there is often a gap between what we say or believe to be true and what truth reveals or shows of itself. Truth then is not merely an abstract, universal, or particular construct but rather something that has its own consciousness. Therefore real truth is not subject to human perception but rather to its own reality. It exists [if you will] in a continuum all to itself. So what is truth (to borrow from Pilate)? Ultimately since truth is only subject to itself our best attempts to understand it rely heavily on using anthropomorphic descriptions. We offer our best imaginative wares with statements like “truth is that which you believe” or “truth is what is real”. All the while inducing deeper questions related to belief, reality, and perception. My suggestion here is not these statements are correct or incorrect but rather incomplete. They are lacking because they are based on our limited understanding of truth. In attempting to understand truth we have reduced it to minute and miniscule remnants of its genuine self; and in doing so have lost sight of the living consciousness which exists in truth.
So what is truth? In it’s entirety that which is God. It is how we know and understand God. It is how He moves in and through us. It is the message of the Godhead. Jesus came to testify to the truth. A comforter came called the Spirit of Truth. Jesus and the Spirit both came to exemplify the living consciousness found in truth. This is no more evident than in the drastic alterations of God’s kingdom based on the life of Jesus and the work of the Spirit. God fundamentally desired for man to know Him through His agents of truth- Jesus and the Spirit. He desired an indwelling with man that would allow God to reveal Himself and man to awaken to truth. It doesn’t just stop with Gods revelation through indwelling. No! Truth begets truth. Because truth is that which is God is “lives and breathes”. Truth is not stagnant – it doesn’t stop- it grows- it multiplies- it desires to move from within and go beyond. Truth cannot stay indwelling but must flow outward. Why? Because truth is that which is God! We can no more contain God than we can contain truth.
There is an important lesson here. Truth is God’s! It is not subject of our view or our realities. It exists beyond our realm. It is not something we can bottle up and share in spurts. No it was meant to be shared in whole form. It isn’t the product of our words or even our actions. No these things are merely the fruit of the truth. Truth isn’t even shared by God. It’s something shared by God. It’s that piece of Himself that draws us to Him, and more importantly that piece of Himself that draws Him to us!
So what is truth? In it’s entirety that which is God. It is how we know and understand God. It is how He moves in and through us. It is the message of the Godhead. Jesus came to testify to the truth. A comforter came called the Spirit of Truth. Jesus and the Spirit both came to exemplify the living consciousness found in truth. This is no more evident than in the drastic alterations of God’s kingdom based on the life of Jesus and the work of the Spirit. God fundamentally desired for man to know Him through His agents of truth- Jesus and the Spirit. He desired an indwelling with man that would allow God to reveal Himself and man to awaken to truth. It doesn’t just stop with Gods revelation through indwelling. No! Truth begets truth. Because truth is that which is God is “lives and breathes”. Truth is not stagnant – it doesn’t stop- it grows- it multiplies- it desires to move from within and go beyond. Truth cannot stay indwelling but must flow outward. Why? Because truth is that which is God! We can no more contain God than we can contain truth.
There is an important lesson here. Truth is God’s! It is not subject of our view or our realities. It exists beyond our realm. It is not something we can bottle up and share in spurts. No it was meant to be shared in whole form. It isn’t the product of our words or even our actions. No these things are merely the fruit of the truth. Truth isn’t even shared by God. It’s something shared by God. It’s that piece of Himself that draws us to Him, and more importantly that piece of Himself that draws Him to us!
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