Dec 25, 2021 | Theology
No, it wasn’t Bethlehem and Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus and a manger, shepherds keeping watch by night, a choir of angels, a bright star or wise men from the east. Actually, that first Christmas was the fulfillment of something that came way before that, and if you want to know the true meaning of Christmas you have to start there, when Christmas became necessary. I’m talking about the story of Adam and Eve told in Genesis 3, and something we call “the fall.” That is where the first Christmas really happened. You’ll remember that the serpent deluded Eve into thinking being like God might be a good thing, and Adam the solid leader he wasn’t, went along with it. Bad move. At once they realized they were naked, and did what human beings have done ever since, sewed fig leaves together to try to cover their nakedness. No, people don’t use fig leaves anymore, but they do the same thing; with their own works they try to cover their nakedness, sin and death. That is no more effective then Adam and Eve’s effort. Human religion is futility in action. Then we get a picture into Christmas, and what was in effect the first Christmas: God promises, and we can take it to the eternal bank: (more…)
Dec 24, 2021 | Theology
In my previous post on the dysfunction that was much of Mars Hill church, I focused on The Church being full of sinners, saved sinners, but sinners nonetheless. So to be surprised when “stuff” happens, and sinners act like sinners, is silly. Even a cursory look through the New Testament makes it apparent that perfection isn’t in the cards for Christians, even though in the 19th century and part of the 20th there were perfectionist movements in the church that claimed just that. This was such an influential movement, as hard as that is to believe today, that the great Reformed theologian B.B. Warfield saw the need to write a substantial book on it called, Studies in Perfectionism. In fact, when I became a Christian in 1978 the idea was still such an influence in the church, even if not taught outright, that when I discovered his book in the mid-1980s it felt like a life saver. Fundamentalist Christianity, a version of which I was born-again into, has always had a tendency toward works righteousness, which was a burden I could not bear. (more…)
Dec 19, 2021 | Theology
If you’re unfamiliar with Mars Hill, I’m not referring to the place in Athens where Paul debated the philosophers in Acts 17. There, Paul made his case for Christianity to the philosophers in a place called the Areopagus, but it was also known as Mars Hill, thus its importance as a phrase implying taking a stand for the Christian faith. In the 21st century the phrase also came to be associated with a church in Seattle led by controversial pastor Mark Driscoll. Mars Hill was a phenomenon in the first decade or so of the century. The church grew, sprouted many campuses, and had an impact far and wide, driven by the intense and entertaining preacher who led it. Driscoll was also part of a movement called “Young, Restless, and Reformed,” and associated with the likes of Tim Keller, John Piper, and The Gospel Coalition, although his theology was all over the place. Behind all the growth and success, though, were problems that would eventually lead to the church’s demise, and Driscoll walking away from his crumbling empire in 2014. I didn’t know the half of it. (more…)
Nov 26, 2021 | Theology
I try not to get into politics here, but it’s hard to avoided in the current political and cultural climate, so sometimes in must be addressed, thus Brandon and Christianity.
Some of you may hear faint echoes of a famous saying by Tertullian in my title, one of the more well-known church fathers (155-220), and a tenacious early apologists for the Christian faith. In the context of fighting the paganism of his day he made the statement, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” The connection to my thoughts on this issue to that saying and what he meant in his context would take many blog posts, so you’ll have to trust me. That name, as most know, has come to represent more than a name. What should Christians think about all this, given the impetus behind it is a vulgar phrase directed to the current occupant of the White House, and more importantly, everything he represents? I thought the answer was obvious until I went to church Sunday, and learned that our pastor and elders don’t quite see things the same way I do. I will quote a portion of an insert in the bulletin about “Honoring God and Governing Authorities”: (more…)
Nov 18, 2021 | Theology
At my other blog I’ve been writing through the Bible the last seven plus years, from Genesis to Revelation (that might sound familiar to you hard core Genesis fans), and have made it to Revelation 4. I thought I’d share here a version of a post I did there about my initial encounter with that chapter because the way I approached it had apologetic implications.
Before I got to Revelation I knew it is way beyond my ability to interpret the strange language and bizarre images we find there. So as I make my way through I decided to read a couple books to help me out, with whatever resources I can find online. One of those books is called Triumph of the Lamb by Dennis E. Johnson. What stood out in what he says seems to me the point of Revelation. It is not that we are to understand everything, not to try to make sense of every detail. That isn’t possible for us, and wasn’t even possible for the ancient Jews who were steeped in apocalyptic literature. The objective, I believe, of God’s revelation to us in Revelation is to induce in us an awe in one so inconceivably great as our Creator God, who is also the sovereign ruler over all reality, spiritual and material. The other which flows from this, is to trust in him beyond our seeing and perceiving and understanding. I’ve quoted Isaiah (26:3) many times in this regard, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Perfect peace is of course impossible in this life in a fallen world, in a fallen body, lived among fallen people, but we can all get closer to perfect. The Book of Revelation will help us do that. (more…)
Oct 29, 2021 | Theology
Last week my son and I went to see the Christian band Mercy Me. Even though I’m not really a fan of the band, nor do I listen to Christian contemporary music (I don’t listen to much of any kind of music anymore), it was an enjoyable concert. It was held at the arena where I understand the Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightening play ice hockey (there were plenty of banners), and while it wasn’t packed, it was a substantial crowd. For a Christian band that’s been around for 27 years, I was impressed. The production, sound, and musicianship was impressive, and lead singer, Bart Millard, has a powerful voice and a winsome demeanor. His life was the inspiration for a hit movie staring Dennis Quaid called I Can Only Imagine, the name of a song he wrote after his father died. He is also clearly in love with Jesus, and the reason I write about it has to do with that. (more…)
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