I've delayed writing anything about the accusations against Georgia pastor Eddie Long, as it doesn't seem there is anything redemptive that can be said about the sordid situation. Long was one of several people I had in mind when I wrote this column more than five years ago. Anyone with an ounce of discernment who has observed Long's ministry could have seen this coming, as with nearly every moral failure among high-profile ministers that we've observed in the last few years.
Although the accusations against him have not yet been proven in court, the trajectory of a ministry characterized by false teaching, greed, manipulation, arrogance, lack of accountability, ethical ambiguity, etc. naturally leads to sexual immorality. Because both the American church and culture are fixated on sex, scandals like the one Eddie Long is facing attract morbid curiosity. However, this scandal is not about sex. We fumble around attempting to solve the "sex problem" in the church by setting up counseling programs, forcing pastors to take lie detector tests, initiating background checks, arranging accountability structures—anything to avoid having to address the root issue: idolatry.
When the treasure of Christ alone is replaced with the idols of religious activity, mystical encounters, superstar status, political power, financial prosperity, etc., God turns people over in judgment to their own affections. This is Romans 1:18-32 in action:
"... For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator ..."
05 October 2010
31 August 2010
Abrahamic Faith
Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice-President for Academic Administration of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, are living demonstrations of the theological diversity of the SBC. The former is an example of cultural captivity, the latter of biblical fidelity.
On Sunday, Moore posted on his blog a thoughtful and provocative piece on professing Mormon Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally on the National Mall the previous day. In it, he decried American evangelicals' dearth of discernment that has led them to embrace Beck's potpourri of religio-nationalistic rhetoric at the expense of the gospel.
On Monday, Land was interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered explaining why he spoke at the rally. He admitted that most evangelicals would not consider Mormonism a Christian faith and noted that he probably has more in common theologically with Barack Obama than with Glenn Beck.
But his most interesting statement came later in the interview when he noted, "I think perhaps the most charitable way for an evangelical Christian to look at Mormonism is to look at Mormonism as the fourth Abrahamic faith."
This was Land's way of connecting the historical roots of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Mormonism, but it's worth noting that neither Jesus nor the Apostle Paul share his view. According to them, there is one Abrahamic faith, unified under one common denominator (see Matthew 3:9, John 8:38-40, Romans 9:6-8, Galatians 3:7-9, Galatians 3:16-17).
On Sunday, Moore posted on his blog a thoughtful and provocative piece on professing Mormon Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally on the National Mall the previous day. In it, he decried American evangelicals' dearth of discernment that has led them to embrace Beck's potpourri of religio-nationalistic rhetoric at the expense of the gospel.
On Monday, Land was interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered explaining why he spoke at the rally. He admitted that most evangelicals would not consider Mormonism a Christian faith and noted that he probably has more in common theologically with Barack Obama than with Glenn Beck.
But his most interesting statement came later in the interview when he noted, "I think perhaps the most charitable way for an evangelical Christian to look at Mormonism is to look at Mormonism as the fourth Abrahamic faith."
This was Land's way of connecting the historical roots of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Mormonism, but it's worth noting that neither Jesus nor the Apostle Paul share his view. According to them, there is one Abrahamic faith, unified under one common denominator (see Matthew 3:9, John 8:38-40, Romans 9:6-8, Galatians 3:7-9, Galatians 3:16-17).
29 August 2010
The Moralist Cabal
I've become convinced that Mormon radio personality Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin and others are part of a moralist cabal, who drape their political goals in the language of religious revival, spiritual awakening and moral reform. I was reminded of this vividly while watching parts of Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally on the Washington Mall yesterday.
While this recent fervor has been orchestrated by a host of well-meaning Christians, Mormons and pagans of shared political views, the true "Organizer" for any campaign of societal moral improvement would be easily identified by Dana Carvey's Church Lady.
An ongoing theme throughout C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters is the more experienced demon's advice to his nephew to tempt his victim with the prospect of moralism, both personally and in society—all, of course, at the exclusion of and distraction from the gospel.
"We want very much to make men treat Christianity as a means; preferably, of course, as a means to their own advancement, but, failing that, as a means to anything—even to social justice," Screwtape writes to Wormwood. "... The Enemy [God] will not be used as a convenience. Men or nations who think they can revive the Faith in order to make a good society might just as well think they can use the stairs of Heaven as a short cut to the nearest chemist's shop."
Some of the causes trumpeted by the conservative movement in America are noble ones and worth advancing in the political sphere. But Christians must be careful not to confuse the advancement of political conservatism with authentic spiritual renewal. This conflation of causes leads to the use of the Christian faith to advance an agenda.
At its heart, the gospel is political, but not in any sense that would be comforting to those who put their faith in democracy. After all, the gospel announces the ultimate overthrow of human government and the rise of a monarchy led by a King who does not share His power.
While this recent fervor has been orchestrated by a host of well-meaning Christians, Mormons and pagans of shared political views, the true "Organizer" for any campaign of societal moral improvement would be easily identified by Dana Carvey's Church Lady.
An ongoing theme throughout C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters is the more experienced demon's advice to his nephew to tempt his victim with the prospect of moralism, both personally and in society—all, of course, at the exclusion of and distraction from the gospel.
"We want very much to make men treat Christianity as a means; preferably, of course, as a means to their own advancement, but, failing that, as a means to anything—even to social justice," Screwtape writes to Wormwood. "... The Enemy [God] will not be used as a convenience. Men or nations who think they can revive the Faith in order to make a good society might just as well think they can use the stairs of Heaven as a short cut to the nearest chemist's shop."
Some of the causes trumpeted by the conservative movement in America are noble ones and worth advancing in the political sphere. But Christians must be careful not to confuse the advancement of political conservatism with authentic spiritual renewal. This conflation of causes leads to the use of the Christian faith to advance an agenda.
At its heart, the gospel is political, but not in any sense that would be comforting to those who put their faith in democracy. After all, the gospel announces the ultimate overthrow of human government and the rise of a monarchy led by a King who does not share His power.
03 May 2010
This Is Your Brain on Religion
I wasn't surprised when I read this article that cited a study revealing that, "when we fall under the spell of a charismatic figure, areas of the brain responsible for scepticism and vigilance become less active."
The research used MRIs to examine the brains of believers and non-believers as they listened to pre-recorded prayers from someone posing as a faith healer. "Parts of the prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices, which play key roles in vigilance and scepticism when judging the truth and importance of what people say, were deactivated when the subjects listened to a supposed healer," the study noted.
This research is just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine if scientists were to explore the effects of certain subtle keywords and phrases, musical stimuli or hearing someone speaking in tongues. From experience I can say I have sat through Christian events and accepted things being said—only to later evaluate them in a more neutral (and biblical) light and realize that I had been completely hoodwinked.
Often in these settings, music was being played in the background, statements were prefaced with phrases such as "The Bible says ..." and "The Lord told me ..." or the speaker was introduced as "a pastor of a great church" or "a man used mightily by God." Of course, these are subtle—and mostly unintentional—cues that have become part of religious subcultures. However, in some settings, the manipulation is anything but subtle, as audiences are instructed to "shut down your mind" or "don't question what God is doing."
I've learned--sometimes the hard way--that any religious system that openly discourages discernment, critical thought or reflection and instead encourages us to evaluate truth based on our feelings and emotional responses should be avoided.
I would point out that this phenomena is not exclusive to flakey Christians. Have you ever sat through a visually-stunning film or listened to a moving musical performance, only to realize after the fact that you were manipulated into accepting the artist's worldview by the aesthetic appeal of their art?
The research used MRIs to examine the brains of believers and non-believers as they listened to pre-recorded prayers from someone posing as a faith healer. "Parts of the prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices, which play key roles in vigilance and scepticism when judging the truth and importance of what people say, were deactivated when the subjects listened to a supposed healer," the study noted.
This research is just the tip of the iceberg. Imagine if scientists were to explore the effects of certain subtle keywords and phrases, musical stimuli or hearing someone speaking in tongues. From experience I can say I have sat through Christian events and accepted things being said—only to later evaluate them in a more neutral (and biblical) light and realize that I had been completely hoodwinked.
Often in these settings, music was being played in the background, statements were prefaced with phrases such as "The Bible says ..." and "The Lord told me ..." or the speaker was introduced as "a pastor of a great church" or "a man used mightily by God." Of course, these are subtle—and mostly unintentional—cues that have become part of religious subcultures. However, in some settings, the manipulation is anything but subtle, as audiences are instructed to "shut down your mind" or "don't question what God is doing."
I've learned--sometimes the hard way--that any religious system that openly discourages discernment, critical thought or reflection and instead encourages us to evaluate truth based on our feelings and emotional responses should be avoided.
I would point out that this phenomena is not exclusive to flakey Christians. Have you ever sat through a visually-stunning film or listened to a moving musical performance, only to realize after the fact that you were manipulated into accepting the artist's worldview by the aesthetic appeal of their art?
27 April 2010
Reel Persecution
Somewhere, someone is being tortured, detained, falsely imprisoned, raped or murdered—simply because they are a follower of Jesus. Somewhere else, Stephen Baldwin is being denied the opportunity to be a movie star, apparently for the same reason.
There are so many things wrong about this site, I can only hope that Baldwin—an actor who professed faith in Christ about eight years ago—did not have a hand in creating it and soon requests that its creators shut it down.
From what I can gather, Baldwin has fallen on tough times financially (to the tune of several million dollars) and is facing bankruptcy. Apparently blackballed from Hollywood because of his outspoken faith, he has no means of earning an income in the field in which he formerly worked. Calling Baldwin a "modern-day Job", some of his fans are collecting donations so that he can regain influence in the entertainment industry.
"Hollywood worships money," the FAQ section of the site notes. "And without it you are seen as a loser and cannot be an effective influence to this group."
What is wrong with this picture?
There are so many things wrong about this site, I can only hope that Baldwin—an actor who professed faith in Christ about eight years ago—did not have a hand in creating it and soon requests that its creators shut it down.
From what I can gather, Baldwin has fallen on tough times financially (to the tune of several million dollars) and is facing bankruptcy. Apparently blackballed from Hollywood because of his outspoken faith, he has no means of earning an income in the field in which he formerly worked. Calling Baldwin a "modern-day Job", some of his fans are collecting donations so that he can regain influence in the entertainment industry.
"Hollywood worships money," the FAQ section of the site notes. "And without it you are seen as a loser and cannot be an effective influence to this group."
What is wrong with this picture?
06 April 2010
Quadrupled Gift + Free Book
I've been off Facebook, Twitter and blogging for Lent, so this appeal is late, but here goes:
Andy and I will be participating in Pioneers’ annual Walk for the World on April 10. We will each be walking five miles, along with others who serve Pioneers here in Orlando, and we’re looking for supporters.
What’s the money go to? Your investment will go to a fund that supports the ministry of our Orlando offices—that includes recruiting new people to serve among the unreached, training and caring for our 1,900-plus members serving in 90 countries around the world and raising awareness in the church of the needs of unreached people groups. For example, one piece in this puzzle is the Communications Team, which I serve. You can check out Pioneers’ newly-designed Website. If you supported us in last year’s Walk for the World, your generous investment was part of what made this site a reality.
This year Andy and I will again match any of your gifts that come in, and Pioneers has received a matching grant from a foundation. So, your gift this year will again be quadrupled. A gift of $25 will equal $100. But I want to sweeten the pot even more: For anyone who gives, I will send a copy of Don’t Waste Your Life, by John Piper. If you haven’t read it yet, it will rock your world. If you already have a copy, I’ll send you another copy, so you can give yours away. If you can’t support us and want a copy of the book, let me know. I’ll send you one. If you’d like to support us, visit http://www.pioneers.org/walk and type in “Matt Green” and the amount you’d like to give. Just arrange the laps to get the amount you want to give. (e.g. $1/lap x 25 laps = $25)
Can’t give now? We understand. Join us is praying that God continues to bless this growing ministry—and ultimately, that His name is glorified among those who have not yet heard.
Andy and I will be participating in Pioneers’ annual Walk for the World on April 10. We will each be walking five miles, along with others who serve Pioneers here in Orlando, and we’re looking for supporters.
What’s the money go to? Your investment will go to a fund that supports the ministry of our Orlando offices—that includes recruiting new people to serve among the unreached, training and caring for our 1,900-plus members serving in 90 countries around the world and raising awareness in the church of the needs of unreached people groups. For example, one piece in this puzzle is the Communications Team, which I serve. You can check out Pioneers’ newly-designed Website. If you supported us in last year’s Walk for the World, your generous investment was part of what made this site a reality.
This year Andy and I will again match any of your gifts that come in, and Pioneers has received a matching grant from a foundation. So, your gift this year will again be quadrupled. A gift of $25 will equal $100. But I want to sweeten the pot even more: For anyone who gives, I will send a copy of Don’t Waste Your Life, by John Piper. If you haven’t read it yet, it will rock your world. If you already have a copy, I’ll send you another copy, so you can give yours away. If you can’t support us and want a copy of the book, let me know. I’ll send you one. If you’d like to support us, visit http://www.pioneers.org/walk and type in “Matt Green” and the amount you’d like to give. Just arrange the laps to get the amount you want to give. (e.g. $1/lap x 25 laps = $25)
Can’t give now? We understand. Join us is praying that God continues to bless this growing ministry—and ultimately, that His name is glorified among those who have not yet heard.
01 February 2010
Obama and Emmaus
As I read this article about formerly supportive religious leaders now experiencing disappointment with President Barack Obama, I was struck by the similarity of these leaders with the first-century disciples who unknowingly encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus.
The so-called "religious left" in America is increasingly frustrated that Obama has failed to deliver on the theologically tinged promises of his campaign. The moral outrage he expressed at Guantanamo, the Iraq War, health care, corporate corruption and poverty has become tempered by the seedy reality of the Oval Office. Those who put their faith in him, expecting that he would restore their ideal of morality and justice to America, are seeing that their dreams were as elusive as the clouds of tobacco in the smoke-filled rooms where decisions really get made in Washington.
Similarly, the disciples on the road to Emmaus expressed their disappointment with Jesus to the mysterious Stranger who accompanied them: "We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). The mighty warrior on a stallion they were expecting had been a peasant carpenter on a donkey, who couldn't keep his mouth shut and got himself killed by a religious establishment in league with the Roman government.
Unlike the leaders of our day, with their unrealistic expectations of a human president, the disciples' expectations were set far too low. This unlikely hero had no intention of meeting their meager demands for national restoration. Instead, he would not be satisfied until he had conquered death and offered salvation to all of humanity.
In regard to Obama, any expectations are probably too high. In regard to Jesus, we cannot set our expectations high enough.
Note: Lest you think I'm just picking on Obama, if the McCain/Palin ticket had won, I predict we would be hearing similar whining from the religious right, as that dynamic duo miserably failed to restore morality and righteousness to this country in its first term.
The so-called "religious left" in America is increasingly frustrated that Obama has failed to deliver on the theologically tinged promises of his campaign. The moral outrage he expressed at Guantanamo, the Iraq War, health care, corporate corruption and poverty has become tempered by the seedy reality of the Oval Office. Those who put their faith in him, expecting that he would restore their ideal of morality and justice to America, are seeing that their dreams were as elusive as the clouds of tobacco in the smoke-filled rooms where decisions really get made in Washington.
Similarly, the disciples on the road to Emmaus expressed their disappointment with Jesus to the mysterious Stranger who accompanied them: "We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). The mighty warrior on a stallion they were expecting had been a peasant carpenter on a donkey, who couldn't keep his mouth shut and got himself killed by a religious establishment in league with the Roman government.
Unlike the leaders of our day, with their unrealistic expectations of a human president, the disciples' expectations were set far too low. This unlikely hero had no intention of meeting their meager demands for national restoration. Instead, he would not be satisfied until he had conquered death and offered salvation to all of humanity.
In regard to Obama, any expectations are probably too high. In regard to Jesus, we cannot set our expectations high enough.
Note: Lest you think I'm just picking on Obama, if the McCain/Palin ticket had won, I predict we would be hearing similar whining from the religious right, as that dynamic duo miserably failed to restore morality and righteousness to this country in its first term.
27 January 2010
Why False Miracles?
As you know, I've been following the Todd Bentley fiasco and attempting to reconcile the fact that people may be healed and miracles may happen in his services. How can he be a false prophet, if there is positive fruit in his ministry?
One explanation is that God is endlessly compassionate and responds to the sincere faith of His children, even when they are receiving ministry from someone on whom God’s calling and gifting no longer rest, because they have disqualified themselves through immorality or false doctrine.
But I think there's a better explanation for Todd Bentley. We know that miraculous signs, healings and even professions of faith are very poor indicators of whether someone is a true prophet, because Scripture predicts that in the last days false prophets will perform miracles and deceive even the children of God (Mark 13:22).
Therefore, is it possible that signs, miracles and healings in Bentley's ministry are being performed by the enemy for the purpose of validating the bad doctrine and lifestyle of a false teacher, so that weak believers may think that God does not care about morality, truth or righteousness?
Satan's ultimate goal is not the destruction of bodies, so allowing a healing or miracle here and there is no big deal to him. His targets are much larger: the supremacy of God’s word, the sanctity of marriage and family—the building blocks of the church itself and a reflection of God’s own Trinitarian nature. If he can give people the impression that God is not particularly concerned when a man cheats on his wife, leaves his children and marries his girlfriend, he will gladly risk people being saved, delivered and even healed through that man's ministry.
So, that's my theory. Any takers?
One explanation is that God is endlessly compassionate and responds to the sincere faith of His children, even when they are receiving ministry from someone on whom God’s calling and gifting no longer rest, because they have disqualified themselves through immorality or false doctrine.
But I think there's a better explanation for Todd Bentley. We know that miraculous signs, healings and even professions of faith are very poor indicators of whether someone is a true prophet, because Scripture predicts that in the last days false prophets will perform miracles and deceive even the children of God (Mark 13:22).
Therefore, is it possible that signs, miracles and healings in Bentley's ministry are being performed by the enemy for the purpose of validating the bad doctrine and lifestyle of a false teacher, so that weak believers may think that God does not care about morality, truth or righteousness?
Satan's ultimate goal is not the destruction of bodies, so allowing a healing or miracle here and there is no big deal to him. His targets are much larger: the supremacy of God’s word, the sanctity of marriage and family—the building blocks of the church itself and a reflection of God’s own Trinitarian nature. If he can give people the impression that God is not particularly concerned when a man cheats on his wife, leaves his children and marries his girlfriend, he will gladly risk people being saved, delivered and even healed through that man's ministry.
So, that's my theory. Any takers?
26 January 2010
Made for the Sabbath
Monday, I spent the entire day doing a final edit of the revised edition [available soon!] of When God Comes Calling, Pioneers' founder Ted Fletcher's biography. In it are many accounts of cross-cultural workers around the world. I couldn't help thinking of Jesus' words on the Sabbath in Mark 2:27 when I read this story:
Kyrgyzstan - One Saturday evening, Pioneers team members Kathy and Tom Sansera (not their real names) were working on their language study when there was a knock on their apartment door. One of their neighbors was inviting them to join the yearly clean-up of their apartment grounds—at 9:00 the next morning. Tom explained that they went to church on Sunday morning, so they wouldn't be able to help. The neighbor woman went away disappointed—and Tom and Kathay wondered if they had made the right decision. Wasn't God honored by their decision to testify to a stranger on His behalf, especially in this Muslim and secular nation? Then the Lord reminded them of the Good Samaritan, and the Sanseras realized their decision would make them like the priest who hurried to his religious duties instead of helping a needy stranger. The next morning, Tom ran down four flights of stairs to tell their neighbor that they had changed their minds. When she asked, "Why?" Tom had an opportunity to put his language study to good use. He shared the story about how a wounded Jewish traveler was helped by a despised Samaritan. The Kyrgyz woman listened intently to every word and then smiled. Tom and Kathy spent the morning picking up trash and sweeping the grounds with handmade brooms. By the time the finished, they had met every person in their apartment building. It wasn't the typical Sunday morning church service, but I believe God was very pleased with Tom and Kathy's decision. The friendships they made will surely help them reach their goal to plant a church in this Muslim country.
Kyrgyzstan - One Saturday evening, Pioneers team members Kathy and Tom Sansera (not their real names) were working on their language study when there was a knock on their apartment door. One of their neighbors was inviting them to join the yearly clean-up of their apartment grounds—at 9:00 the next morning. Tom explained that they went to church on Sunday morning, so they wouldn't be able to help. The neighbor woman went away disappointed—and Tom and Kathay wondered if they had made the right decision. Wasn't God honored by their decision to testify to a stranger on His behalf, especially in this Muslim and secular nation? Then the Lord reminded them of the Good Samaritan, and the Sanseras realized their decision would make them like the priest who hurried to his religious duties instead of helping a needy stranger. The next morning, Tom ran down four flights of stairs to tell their neighbor that they had changed their minds. When she asked, "Why?" Tom had an opportunity to put his language study to good use. He shared the story about how a wounded Jewish traveler was helped by a despised Samaritan. The Kyrgyz woman listened intently to every word and then smiled. Tom and Kathy spent the morning picking up trash and sweeping the grounds with handmade brooms. By the time the finished, they had met every person in their apartment building. It wasn't the typical Sunday morning church service, but I believe God was very pleased with Tom and Kathy's decision. The friendships they made will surely help them reach their goal to plant a church in this Muslim country.
22 January 2010
Was Pat Robertson Right?
It's only been in the last 200 years or so—and only in the Western world—that natural disasters have been entirely explained as the capricious whims of low pressure systems, the arbitrary shifting of tectonic plates or the random release of lava from volcanic pockets. The Enlightenment disabused the Western world of its archaic notions of divine judgment, along with the outdated mythology of angry river gods who flood villages and beneficent rain gods who water crops.
So, when an aging televangelist like Pat Robertson blames a devastating earthquake on a nation's apocryphal pact with the devil, both the Christian and secular world recoil in disgust and label him an insensitive and outdated buffoon. But is it possible that there is some proverbial meat left on the bones of Robertson's misled statement?
If we look at the biblical record, we will be hard pressed to find a natural disaster that does not have some spiritual dimension. Robertson's error was in his implication that a current crisis was judgment for an incident 200 years ago—and that we as humans are in a place to make these cause and effect connections.
In doing this, he falls into the same error as Jesus' undiscerning disciples who asked about the man born blind in John 9:2-3, "Who sinned, this man or his parents?" and the followers who inquired about the Galileans Pilate murdered (Luke 13:1-5).
In both incidents, Jesus turned their attention from idle speculation to worship ("Neither," he said of the blind man. "This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.") and repentance ("But unless you repent, you too will all perish.")
Robertson's comments were a distraction from the true spiritual reality of earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, famines and floods: The earth is groaning under the weight of a universal curse and waits expectantly for its redemption. Both sinners and saints equally suffer under this judgment—some in despair and others in expectation of creation's transformation into a new heavens and new earth (Romans 8:18-25).
So, when an aging televangelist like Pat Robertson blames a devastating earthquake on a nation's apocryphal pact with the devil, both the Christian and secular world recoil in disgust and label him an insensitive and outdated buffoon. But is it possible that there is some proverbial meat left on the bones of Robertson's misled statement?
If we look at the biblical record, we will be hard pressed to find a natural disaster that does not have some spiritual dimension. Robertson's error was in his implication that a current crisis was judgment for an incident 200 years ago—and that we as humans are in a place to make these cause and effect connections.
In doing this, he falls into the same error as Jesus' undiscerning disciples who asked about the man born blind in John 9:2-3, "Who sinned, this man or his parents?" and the followers who inquired about the Galileans Pilate murdered (Luke 13:1-5).
In both incidents, Jesus turned their attention from idle speculation to worship ("Neither," he said of the blind man. "This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.") and repentance ("But unless you repent, you too will all perish.")
Robertson's comments were a distraction from the true spiritual reality of earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, famines and floods: The earth is groaning under the weight of a universal curse and waits expectantly for its redemption. Both sinners and saints equally suffer under this judgment—some in despair and others in expectation of creation's transformation into a new heavens and new earth (Romans 8:18-25).
19 January 2010
Book Review: Housekeeping
I hesitate to recommend Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping, because—although it has been almost universally acclaimed as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century since it was published in 1980—I found it difficult to enjoy. It is a story of the generational effects of family dysfunction culminating in the emotional and physical abandonment of two young girls. Robinson's main character Ruth reflects on the consequences of the narcissism of parents.
"Then there is the matter of my mother's abandonment of me. Again, this is the common experience. They walk ahead of us, and walk too fast, and forget us, they are so lost in thoughts of their own, and soon or late they disappear. The only mystery is that we expect it to be otherwise."
Although the discerning reader can sense the underpinnings of a biblical worldview (Robinson is a deacon in her congregational church), any redemptive thread is buried in an overwhelmingly depressing plot. From a literary standpoint, it is a masterpiece. Robinson's wordplay will leave the aspiring novelist asking, "Why can't I write like that?" But I found more nuggets of theology in Sheriff Bell's internal diary entries in Cormac McCarthy's macabre No Country for Old Men and in the family tragedy of Leif Enger's transcendent Peace Like a River.
"Then there is the matter of my mother's abandonment of me. Again, this is the common experience. They walk ahead of us, and walk too fast, and forget us, they are so lost in thoughts of their own, and soon or late they disappear. The only mystery is that we expect it to be otherwise."
Although the discerning reader can sense the underpinnings of a biblical worldview (Robinson is a deacon in her congregational church), any redemptive thread is buried in an overwhelmingly depressing plot. From a literary standpoint, it is a masterpiece. Robinson's wordplay will leave the aspiring novelist asking, "Why can't I write like that?" But I found more nuggets of theology in Sheriff Bell's internal diary entries in Cormac McCarthy's macabre No Country for Old Men and in the family tragedy of Leif Enger's transcendent Peace Like a River.
12 January 2010
Case Closed?
My friend Rich passed on this fascinating article about a man who murdered a woman in cold blood in 1975, was converted in prison, served eight years of a sentence and now pastors an Assemblies of God megachurch in the Nashville area. Biblical accounts of redeemed murderers like Paul and David notwithstanding, here are a few of my questions about this story:
Just because Jesus says "case closed", does this mean an offender no longer owes a debt before God to society or to his/her victims? A man may be forgiven by God for abandoning his wife and children and marrying his girlfriend, but he still must pay child support and alimony. A woman may be forgiven by God for driving the getaway car in a bank robbery that claims the life of a teller, but she will spend time in prison for colluding in the crime.
On the flip side, just because a court says "case closed," does that mean the biblical demands of justice have been met? We must consider the possibility that God's demands of justice may not be equivalent to that of our legal system, which often metes out justice based on money, class and race, with little regard for God. A court may have a statute of limitations on when a victim of rape may no longer accuse her attacker, but a rapist is still accountable to God for his actions. A court may call someone "married", but this doesn't necessarily make them wed in God's sight, and a secular court's writ of divorce does not mean the covenant a couple made before God is no longer in effect. While we're on the topic, just because a court says a fetus is not a human being does not mean this is true.
I don't think there's any easy answer to these questions, except to say that the church often uncritically accepts our secular society's views of justice and accountability without considering that God's standards may be even higher. It is also true that biblical reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration are sometimes viewed as scandalously liberal from the viewpoint of modern society. Although biblical grace is radical in its demands both for the sinner and the victim, someone recently described the current Christian conception of grace as closer to someone robbing a bank, saying they're sorry and getting to keep the money.
One ironic note on the Nashville story: Within his denomination's restrictions (until they were changed several years ago), this pastor would have been unconditionally disqualified for ministry if he had divorced his wife and married another woman—instead of murdering someone—before becoming a believer.
Just because Jesus says "case closed", does this mean an offender no longer owes a debt before God to society or to his/her victims? A man may be forgiven by God for abandoning his wife and children and marrying his girlfriend, but he still must pay child support and alimony. A woman may be forgiven by God for driving the getaway car in a bank robbery that claims the life of a teller, but she will spend time in prison for colluding in the crime.
On the flip side, just because a court says "case closed," does that mean the biblical demands of justice have been met? We must consider the possibility that God's demands of justice may not be equivalent to that of our legal system, which often metes out justice based on money, class and race, with little regard for God. A court may have a statute of limitations on when a victim of rape may no longer accuse her attacker, but a rapist is still accountable to God for his actions. A court may call someone "married", but this doesn't necessarily make them wed in God's sight, and a secular court's writ of divorce does not mean the covenant a couple made before God is no longer in effect. While we're on the topic, just because a court says a fetus is not a human being does not mean this is true.
I don't think there's any easy answer to these questions, except to say that the church often uncritically accepts our secular society's views of justice and accountability without considering that God's standards may be even higher. It is also true that biblical reconciliation, forgiveness and restoration are sometimes viewed as scandalously liberal from the viewpoint of modern society. Although biblical grace is radical in its demands both for the sinner and the victim, someone recently described the current Christian conception of grace as closer to someone robbing a bank, saying they're sorry and getting to keep the money.
One ironic note on the Nashville story: Within his denomination's restrictions (until they were changed several years ago), this pastor would have been unconditionally disqualified for ministry if he had divorced his wife and married another woman—instead of murdering someone—before becoming a believer.
11 January 2010
Bentley's Curse
Todd Bentley recently began conducting "Outpouring Services" at Morningstar Ministries, where he has been undergoing "restoration" under Rick Joyner.
Several weeks ago, Bob Jones, a leader in the prophetic movement—and dead ringer for Cotton Hill—says he had a trance in which God instructed him to break off the "curse" that had been put on Todd by "well-meaning" but "disgruntled" Christians. These curses, Jones noted, have left Todd open to being "assassinated" and also affect those who "protected" Todd.
The "curses", of course, are the criticisms of those who questioned the legitimacy of Todd's ministry during the Lakeland revival and were concerned when he left his wife and children for a young intern on his staff.
Before laying hands on Todd and praying that God will give him a "clear conscience" and an even greater "anointing" than he had before, Jones warns listeners that the curses leveled on Todd could come back on those who spoke ill against him.
Several weeks ago, Bob Jones, a leader in the prophetic movement—and dead ringer for Cotton Hill—says he had a trance in which God instructed him to break off the "curse" that had been put on Todd by "well-meaning" but "disgruntled" Christians. These curses, Jones noted, have left Todd open to being "assassinated" and also affect those who "protected" Todd.
The "curses", of course, are the criticisms of those who questioned the legitimacy of Todd's ministry during the Lakeland revival and were concerned when he left his wife and children for a young intern on his staff.
Before laying hands on Todd and praying that God will give him a "clear conscience" and an even greater "anointing" than he had before, Jones warns listeners that the curses leveled on Todd could come back on those who spoke ill against him.
08 January 2010
Favorite Books of 2009
So Brave, Young and Handsome, by Leif Enger - It's not as good as his first novel, Peace Like a River, but Enger's trash is better than almost everyone else's treasure.
The Reagan Diaries, edited by Douglas Brinkley - Regardless of your opinion of our 40th president, this book will help you understand his heart.
Methland, by Nick Redding - An agonizing look at the sociological, demographic, economic and spiritual aspects of drug addiction in small-town America.
Not for Sale, by David Batstone - The global human trafficking crisis told through the stories of several of its victims. A stomach-turning must-read.
The Lost World of Genesis One, by John Walton - A readable exploration of how Genesis 1's Ancient Near Eastern readers/listeners may have understood the creation narrative.
The Language of God, by Francis Collins - The head of the Human Genome Project—also an evangelical—explores God's fingerprints in biology.
Finally Alive, by John Piper - An important exploration of the new birth that exposes modern evangelicalism's lack of precision in understanding God's work of redemption.
The Pianist, by Władysław Szpilman - You probably saw the Palm d'Or-winning film when it was released nearly a decade ago. The book is even better.
Tortured for Christ, by Richard Wurmbrand - The convicting, disturbing, inspiring memoir of the Romanian pastor and Voice of the Martyrs' founder.
Isaiah, by Raymond Ortlund Jr. - I read this commentary as I was working my way through Isaiah. Profound, pastoral, theologically sound exposition of the gospel in Isaiah.
The Reagan Diaries, edited by Douglas Brinkley - Regardless of your opinion of our 40th president, this book will help you understand his heart.
Methland, by Nick Redding - An agonizing look at the sociological, demographic, economic and spiritual aspects of drug addiction in small-town America.
Not for Sale, by David Batstone - The global human trafficking crisis told through the stories of several of its victims. A stomach-turning must-read.
The Lost World of Genesis One, by John Walton - A readable exploration of how Genesis 1's Ancient Near Eastern readers/listeners may have understood the creation narrative.
The Language of God, by Francis Collins - The head of the Human Genome Project—also an evangelical—explores God's fingerprints in biology.
Finally Alive, by John Piper - An important exploration of the new birth that exposes modern evangelicalism's lack of precision in understanding God's work of redemption.
The Pianist, by Władysław Szpilman - You probably saw the Palm d'Or-winning film when it was released nearly a decade ago. The book is even better.
Tortured for Christ, by Richard Wurmbrand - The convicting, disturbing, inspiring memoir of the Romanian pastor and Voice of the Martyrs' founder.
Isaiah, by Raymond Ortlund Jr. - I read this commentary as I was working my way through Isaiah. Profound, pastoral, theologically sound exposition of the gospel in Isaiah.
05 January 2010
5 Preachers You Meet in Hell
The Gnostic: He possesses secret knowledge that God has supernaturally revealed to him because of his access to levels of spirituality unattainable to the common layperson. When he preaches, he prefaces his remarks with comments such as, "You've never heard this before, but ..." or "The Lord revealed to me a new way of reading this passage ..." His phraseology and convoluted explanations turn the simple complex as he transforms the plain teaching of scripture into mystical codes that may only be unlocked by one person: himself.
The Tycoon: He envisions the ministry as a bottomless source of personal enrichment, using his spiritual influence to sell products and build a business empire. The gospel—if it is ever preached—is subsumed under layers of business-speak and assurances that financial and professional advancement are the inevitable fruit of godliness. The tycoon fashions himself as the model of the benefits that come with following Jesus, but the only one reaping any benefits from his corrupt brand of religion is himself.
The Politician: Because his preaching is empty of any transformative power, the politician must resort to leveraging the forces of public policy to transform society. The pulpit becomes a mouthpiece for partisan invectives—both left and right—as the preacher seeks the affirmation and recognition of government leaders and policy makers. He envisions himself as a catalyst for cultural change, but ends up serving as a pawn in the hands of political opportunists looking to legitimize their self-serving agendas with his clerical endorsement.
The Moralist: His motives could not be more pure, as he strives to give you the tools to live a more productive, moral, unselfish life. His sermons are laced with nuggets of truth and maxims of self-improvement. From child-rearing and handling your finances to setting goals and getting along with your co-workers, the practicality of the moralist's sermons is undeniable, but they are empty of the gospel. The moralist—whether the fundamentalist pulpit-pounder or the sensitive, liberal sociologist—is an expert in human nature, but ignores the only solution for transforming it.
The Comic: He genuinely believes that God is most glorified in you when you are most entertained by him. He can hold an audience in the palm of his hand with jokes about insightful babies and drunken Baptists. But these are merely a distraction from the real task that he cannot bring himself to perform: feeding his flock with solid meat.
"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." - 1 Timothy 4:16
The Tycoon: He envisions the ministry as a bottomless source of personal enrichment, using his spiritual influence to sell products and build a business empire. The gospel—if it is ever preached—is subsumed under layers of business-speak and assurances that financial and professional advancement are the inevitable fruit of godliness. The tycoon fashions himself as the model of the benefits that come with following Jesus, but the only one reaping any benefits from his corrupt brand of religion is himself.
The Politician: Because his preaching is empty of any transformative power, the politician must resort to leveraging the forces of public policy to transform society. The pulpit becomes a mouthpiece for partisan invectives—both left and right—as the preacher seeks the affirmation and recognition of government leaders and policy makers. He envisions himself as a catalyst for cultural change, but ends up serving as a pawn in the hands of political opportunists looking to legitimize their self-serving agendas with his clerical endorsement.
The Moralist: His motives could not be more pure, as he strives to give you the tools to live a more productive, moral, unselfish life. His sermons are laced with nuggets of truth and maxims of self-improvement. From child-rearing and handling your finances to setting goals and getting along with your co-workers, the practicality of the moralist's sermons is undeniable, but they are empty of the gospel. The moralist—whether the fundamentalist pulpit-pounder or the sensitive, liberal sociologist—is an expert in human nature, but ignores the only solution for transforming it.
The Comic: He genuinely believes that God is most glorified in you when you are most entertained by him. He can hold an audience in the palm of his hand with jokes about insightful babies and drunken Baptists. But these are merely a distraction from the real task that he cannot bring himself to perform: feeding his flock with solid meat.
"Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you." - 1 Timothy 4:16
04 January 2010
The Lost World of Genesis One
One of the books I read over my Christmas vacation was John Walton's The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate—highly recommended for anyone unsatisfied with the major interpretations of Genesis 1: Young Earth Creationism and the Framework, Day-Age and Gap Theories.
For instance, Young Earth Creationism (YEC) had become increasingly problematic for me, as I read about the geological and astronomical evidence for an ancient universe and began to ponder the theological significance of living in a cosmos that was created 14 billion years before my arrival. Additionally, I did not see an exegetical necessity for a 6,000-year-old earth and found increasingly problematic YEC's extreme attempts to reconcile scientific evidence with their biblical interpretation.
Although it is built on solid Ancient Near Eastern scholarship, Walton's book is brief and highly accessible to the average reader. The core of his argument is this: The author of Genesis 1 was not attempting to argue that God created the material substance of the universe—his ancient readers would have all assumed this to be true. Instead, Genesis 1 is an account of God's ordering and arranging the cosmos into a temple which would reflect His glory and from which He would rule. With this view, Walton argues, it is unimportant whether one believes the universe is 6,000 years old or 14 billion years old, because this is simply not what Genesis 1 is about.
For instance, Young Earth Creationism (YEC) had become increasingly problematic for me, as I read about the geological and astronomical evidence for an ancient universe and began to ponder the theological significance of living in a cosmos that was created 14 billion years before my arrival. Additionally, I did not see an exegetical necessity for a 6,000-year-old earth and found increasingly problematic YEC's extreme attempts to reconcile scientific evidence with their biblical interpretation.
Although it is built on solid Ancient Near Eastern scholarship, Walton's book is brief and highly accessible to the average reader. The core of his argument is this: The author of Genesis 1 was not attempting to argue that God created the material substance of the universe—his ancient readers would have all assumed this to be true. Instead, Genesis 1 is an account of God's ordering and arranging the cosmos into a temple which would reflect His glory and from which He would rule. With this view, Walton argues, it is unimportant whether one believes the universe is 6,000 years old or 14 billion years old, because this is simply not what Genesis 1 is about.
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