An author once wrote of visiting a church where the Pastor made this bold statement. “There are three things in this church we will never do.”1 “We will never give a condemning message like some churches do. We will never make you uncomfortable or make you feel like you have to change. And we will certainly never emphasize holy living like so many legalistic churches do.”2 His words were met with thunderous applause.3 The pastor then stated emphatically, “we are a loving church not a militant one”4
In the day that we live there are two different views of God. There is the loving God who accepts and forgives all people while refusing to judge sin. And there is the militant God who judges those who do not do his will. These two views of God have split many a church and destroyed denominations. They have begun countless debates and probably ruined hundreds of relationships. But there is still no real consensus on which view is the right one.
The kind of church that is referred to in the beginning of this post clearly holds to the “loving God view”. This view basically believes that God gives to us unconditional love. This love does not have to be earned or deserved in any way. Those who take this view of God to the extreme believe that organized religion is wrong since it is a way of earning God’s love. “In this it appears that all religions are the same. They give God a name and then establish the rules that we must follow if we are to gain his favor and affection.”5 They see religions putting conditions before others as sinful because God does not do it. “When a religion is created on the subtle premise that God withholds his love and you must submit to the system to earn that love, I consider it the worst of corruptions.”6
Now most of those who hold this view today don’t feel religion is the worst of corruptions. I sincerely believe most if not all of those people are Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. But their focus is still on the unconditional love of God more than anything else. These individuals feel that a person must accept Jesus Christ as his or her savior. But following this there is nothing they really need to do for God. While this is not usually preached from a pulpit like in the church we saw earlier, this message is shared by the churches actions.
The problem with this loving God view is that there is no way to motivate Believers once they are saved. This is especially true of those who hold to the extreme view that believes religion is corrupt. So how do they remedy this problem? By contradicting their statement that God’s love is unconditional. Interestingly the author who believed so strongly in the unconditional love of God in another one of his books challenges Believers to be missionaries.7
He proceeds to share that churches have been too easy on Believers. This has resulted in, “apathy, disinterest, compromise, and even rebellion.8” Instead we must live according to the standard written in the Word of God. And specifically become missionaries to the lost souls around us. Now this looks totally different from the view of God that believes he don’t have to earn his love in any way.
The author does try to explain himself by saying that this challenge is not to what he calls legalism, or an unbearable yoke.9 Instead it is our way of bringing freedom to those who are in bondage.10 But no matter what this is called it still contradicts the God is unconditional love view.
I believe with all of my heart that God is loving. What I don’t believe is that his love is unconditional. Will God accept the sinner who comes to him? Of course he will! But that sinner must confess his sin, and live a holy life. The proof that the loving God view is incorrect can be found in those who follow it. The majority of them are unmotivated, and doing nothing in the lords work.
1 Eric Ludy, God’s Gift to Women, pg.165, par.5, ln.1
2 Eric Ludy, God’s Gift to Women, pg.165, par.5, ln.3
3 Eric Ludy, God’s Gift to Women, pg.165, par.5, ln.7
4 Eric Ludy, God’s Gift to Women, pg.166, par.1, ln.1
5 Erwin McManus, Soul Cravings, entry 10, par.3, ln.1
6 Erwin McManus, Soul Cravings, entry 10, par.8, ln.3
7 Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force, pg.202, par.4
8 Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force, pg.202, par.5, ln.1
9 Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force, pg.207, par.7, ln.1
10Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force, pg.208, par.1
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
A Weak Foundation
Every professor or pastor who has ever taught theology is faced with this same question. “Why do I need to know theology if I am not called to be a pastor or missionary?” It is true that an intense study of theology in a college or seminary is normally reserved for those called to full time christian work. And theology can be very hard for those who have not studied it to understand. But that in no way means that the lay people in churches don't need to know theology.
Today the need for teaching theology is greater than ever before. This is because much of what is done in the church is based upon an incorrect theology. Since I am beginning a teaching ministry in local baptist churches I decided to start reading books on church ministry. The books that I read were written by pastors of what would be called mega churches in the United States. What I found as I read those books was that these pastors had very good methods of ministering in the church. But their theology was horribly wrong.
In a post directly below this one I tell the story of a pastor who realized he was trying to achieve the worlds view of success. His challenge was to pursue what God calls success instead. That story spoke to me and impacted my life. Sadly the theology that is found in the rest of his book is totally wrong. He has good stories and methods, but they are built upon a wrong theology.
His whole view of doctrinal truth is based upon the fact that, “the bible is open ended”.1 Instead of coming to God to teach us his truth through the illumination of the Holy Spirit we rely upon our emotions. Feelings and the arguments of others decide what God is saying instead of Scripture.
Some people may not feel that this view is important. But it opens the door for all kinds of other wrong beliefs. Like referring to interpreting the Bible literally as, “warped and toxic.”2 Or we should not confront sinners or believers about their sin.3 Or that since all things are reconciled to God (Colossians 1:20) there is no such thing as saved or unsaved people.4 Or that there is no such place as real Heaven or Hell. Hell instead is, “living out of sync with how God created us to live.”5 So that means the aids crisis in Rowanda is the true meaning of Hell.6 Therefore we can bring Heaven on earth by curing the social ills of our society.7 And because of that litter and pollution are two of the biggest sins we could ever commit against God.8
The book that I am referring to in this post, and the one directly below it symbolizes many church ministries today. They have Godly goals and methods (Death to Superpastor) but the theological foundation the ministry is built upon is very weak. Today more than ever before we must be discerning of the theological beliefs held by the ministries we are involved in. And discernment can only come by having an understanding of theology.
1Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.46, par.3, ln.1
2Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.53, par.5, ln.2
3Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.138, par.8, ln.1
4Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.146, par.5
5Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.147, par.2, ln.2
6Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.147, par.6
7Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.148, par.5
8Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.158, par.3
Today the need for teaching theology is greater than ever before. This is because much of what is done in the church is based upon an incorrect theology. Since I am beginning a teaching ministry in local baptist churches I decided to start reading books on church ministry. The books that I read were written by pastors of what would be called mega churches in the United States. What I found as I read those books was that these pastors had very good methods of ministering in the church. But their theology was horribly wrong.
In a post directly below this one I tell the story of a pastor who realized he was trying to achieve the worlds view of success. His challenge was to pursue what God calls success instead. That story spoke to me and impacted my life. Sadly the theology that is found in the rest of his book is totally wrong. He has good stories and methods, but they are built upon a wrong theology.
His whole view of doctrinal truth is based upon the fact that, “the bible is open ended”.1 Instead of coming to God to teach us his truth through the illumination of the Holy Spirit we rely upon our emotions. Feelings and the arguments of others decide what God is saying instead of Scripture.
Some people may not feel that this view is important. But it opens the door for all kinds of other wrong beliefs. Like referring to interpreting the Bible literally as, “warped and toxic.”2 Or we should not confront sinners or believers about their sin.3 Or that since all things are reconciled to God (Colossians 1:20) there is no such thing as saved or unsaved people.4 Or that there is no such place as real Heaven or Hell. Hell instead is, “living out of sync with how God created us to live.”5 So that means the aids crisis in Rowanda is the true meaning of Hell.6 Therefore we can bring Heaven on earth by curing the social ills of our society.7 And because of that litter and pollution are two of the biggest sins we could ever commit against God.8
The book that I am referring to in this post, and the one directly below it symbolizes many church ministries today. They have Godly goals and methods (Death to Superpastor) but the theological foundation the ministry is built upon is very weak. Today more than ever before we must be discerning of the theological beliefs held by the ministries we are involved in. And discernment can only come by having an understanding of theology.
1Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.46, par.3, ln.1
2Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.53, par.5, ln.2
3Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.138, par.8, ln.1
4Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.146, par.5
5Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.147, par.2, ln.2
6Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.147, par.6
7Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.148, par.5
8Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.158, par.3
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Death to Superpastor
I was recently reading about a pastor who began a very succesful church in the United States. The first service at the church was attended by 1,000 people. Less than a year later the attendance had grown to 4,000 each Sunday. At this point they did not have enough room for any more people. So the church purchased a mall and used its facilities for their services. After being at the church for two years 10,000 people attended the church for one of its three sunday morning services.
It is amazing to think about pastoring a church of 10,000 people. Most pastors could only dream of accomplishing such a feat. But the pastor of that massive church felt differently. In the book I was reading he told the story of hiding in a closet before the second sunday morning service. In that closet he wanted to totally walk away from the church. His only thought was how far away he could get before the second service began.
What could possibly posses a man to walk away from such a successful ministry? In the pastors words he was trying to become “superpastor” in his ministry. In other words he wanted to do everything on his own without anyones help. And like so many other ministers he ended up burned out and discouraged.1
Later the pastor went to counseling to help him deal with the stress of his job. While there the counselor made a statement to him that dramatically changed his thinking. “Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be. And anything else you do is sin and you need to repent of it.”2 He then suddenly realized the source of his frustrations came because of a wrong goal. It was not God's goal for him to become “superpastor”. Instead it was the will of God for him to become like Jesus Christ.
We all dream of what we want our lives to look like. It is not wrong to dream. The problem comes when those dreams become the most important thing in our lives. Because God does not decide how succesful we are by our riches or fame. He bases his view of succes on how much like Christ we are. That is why the process of sanctification is far more important than become “superpastor”, “supermissionary”, “superbusinessman”, or any other people who are successful in the worlds eyes.
I have a dream of what I want my ministry to be. That dream comes from the vision that God has given to me. But personal growth is more important than making that vision a reality. That's why I am trying to make sanctification my focus. And the day that changes I must be willing to do what the pastor who I read about did. He took superpastor out back and put him out of his pathetic existence.3
1Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, Pgs.96-104
2Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.114, par.5, ln.1
3Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.116, par.1, ln.1
It is amazing to think about pastoring a church of 10,000 people. Most pastors could only dream of accomplishing such a feat. But the pastor of that massive church felt differently. In the book I was reading he told the story of hiding in a closet before the second sunday morning service. In that closet he wanted to totally walk away from the church. His only thought was how far away he could get before the second service began.
What could possibly posses a man to walk away from such a successful ministry? In the pastors words he was trying to become “superpastor” in his ministry. In other words he wanted to do everything on his own without anyones help. And like so many other ministers he ended up burned out and discouraged.1
Later the pastor went to counseling to help him deal with the stress of his job. While there the counselor made a statement to him that dramatically changed his thinking. “Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God has made you to be. And anything else you do is sin and you need to repent of it.”2 He then suddenly realized the source of his frustrations came because of a wrong goal. It was not God's goal for him to become “superpastor”. Instead it was the will of God for him to become like Jesus Christ.
We all dream of what we want our lives to look like. It is not wrong to dream. The problem comes when those dreams become the most important thing in our lives. Because God does not decide how succesful we are by our riches or fame. He bases his view of succes on how much like Christ we are. That is why the process of sanctification is far more important than become “superpastor”, “supermissionary”, “superbusinessman”, or any other people who are successful in the worlds eyes.
I have a dream of what I want my ministry to be. That dream comes from the vision that God has given to me. But personal growth is more important than making that vision a reality. That's why I am trying to make sanctification my focus. And the day that changes I must be willing to do what the pastor who I read about did. He took superpastor out back and put him out of his pathetic existence.3
1Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, Pgs.96-104
2Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.114, par.5, ln.1
3Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.116, par.1, ln.1
Friday, July 20, 2007
Practical Theology
Recently I began to read a few books on systematic theology. Instead of reading chapters at a time I cover four or five pages a day while taking notes. While reading Lectures in Systematic Theology by Dr. Henry Thiessen I found a statement that really made me think. Dr. Thiessen in chapter one discussed some wrong views concerning theology. One of those beliefs is that theology has a “deadening effect on the spiritual life”.1
This view holds that theology is not really important because it does not help a person grow spiritually. Some who believe this feel that theology is only for pastors or missionaries, and not lay people. Dr. Thiessen agrees that theology can have a deadening effect spiritually. “Merely intellectual acceptance of a set of doctrines is insufficient to produce spiritual results, and unfortunately, and unfortunately many people have nothing but an intellectual loyalty to the truth.”2
Following his confession that merely knowing doctrine can not truly transform a life came the statement that meant so much to me. “That theology has a deadening effect upon the spiritual life is true only if the subject is treated as mere theory. If it is related to life theology will not have a deadening effect upon the spiritual life, it will, instead, be the guide to intelligent thinking about religious problems and a stimulus to holy living (italics added)3”
That sentence was impressed upon my mind as I read it. God has placed upon my heart a burden to help young people choose his own will instead of their own. Specifically this would be done through a teaching ministry. The question was what should I teach to those youth? There are countless Bible studies for small groups and teens today. They cover a huge variety of subjects from purity, leadership, and relationships, to discouragement, courage, and discipleship. I honestly did not what the Lord wanted me to teach until I read that sentence in Lectures in Systematic Theology. And suddenly I knew what kind of lessons God wanted me to develop.
Though I am not sure when God will open the door for me to start teaching young people again I am already beginning to write the lessons. I am doing my best to take what I learn from a classic work of systematic theology and develop it into a lesson that is clear and practical. For it is only after young people see a clear picture and themselves that they will separate from their own will.
1. Thiessen, Lectures on Systematic Theology, pg.5, par.2, line2
2. Thiessen, Lectures on Systematic Theology, pg.5, par.2, line8
3. Thiessen, Lectures on Systematic Theology, pg.6, par.2, line1
This view holds that theology is not really important because it does not help a person grow spiritually. Some who believe this feel that theology is only for pastors or missionaries, and not lay people. Dr. Thiessen agrees that theology can have a deadening effect spiritually. “Merely intellectual acceptance of a set of doctrines is insufficient to produce spiritual results, and unfortunately, and unfortunately many people have nothing but an intellectual loyalty to the truth.”2
Following his confession that merely knowing doctrine can not truly transform a life came the statement that meant so much to me. “That theology has a deadening effect upon the spiritual life is true only if the subject is treated as mere theory. If it is related to life theology will not have a deadening effect upon the spiritual life, it will, instead, be the guide to intelligent thinking about religious problems and a stimulus to holy living (italics added)3”
That sentence was impressed upon my mind as I read it. God has placed upon my heart a burden to help young people choose his own will instead of their own. Specifically this would be done through a teaching ministry. The question was what should I teach to those youth? There are countless Bible studies for small groups and teens today. They cover a huge variety of subjects from purity, leadership, and relationships, to discouragement, courage, and discipleship. I honestly did not what the Lord wanted me to teach until I read that sentence in Lectures in Systematic Theology. And suddenly I knew what kind of lessons God wanted me to develop.
Though I am not sure when God will open the door for me to start teaching young people again I am already beginning to write the lessons. I am doing my best to take what I learn from a classic work of systematic theology and develop it into a lesson that is clear and practical. For it is only after young people see a clear picture and themselves that they will separate from their own will.
1. Thiessen, Lectures on Systematic Theology, pg.5, par.2, line2
2. Thiessen, Lectures on Systematic Theology, pg.5, par.2, line8
3. Thiessen, Lectures on Systematic Theology, pg.6, par.2, line1
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Choosing God's Road
I will never forget the turning point that came in my deputation ministry. I had been involved in deputation for almost three years. I worked very hard during that time but could not raise the support needed to leave for the field. I just did not see the results that I expected to after three years. In the fall I took part in a missions conference at my brothers church. It was a great time of fellowship and encouragement with other Believers. But I did an absolutley horrible job with my presentations. If the church itself had burned down while I presented my ministry it would not have gone any worse! It was then that I realized something had change with the way I did ministry.
My first thought was to develop a new strategic plan for the deputation ministry. While strategic plans are not a bad thing God challenged me to do something very different. That was read books which would help prepare me for ministry. So I began a routine of spending a few hours reading at my parents kitchen table every day. I started out with books on leadership, and soon had read all of the books I had on the subject.
Over the following months I read books on relationships, growth, counseling, church planting, spirituality, strategic planning, and teaching among many others. As I read those books God began to give me a clear understanding of what it was he wanted me to do in my deputation ministry. It was then that I realized why my deputation ministry was not growing. I was using my own wisdom to make decisions concerning the ministry itself. And as long as I relied upon my own wisdom God could not bless me in the way he wanted to.
So as I read God's Word and other books I slowly changed the way I did ministry. This time instead of walking in my own wisdom, I did things the way God wanted me to. The result was amazing. In one year I raised almost the exact amount of support that had taken me three years to raise. This was not because of my confidence or enthusiasm, or words. Instead it was because I chose to walk God's road and obey his will instead of walking my road and obeying the sinful nature.
My first thought was to develop a new strategic plan for the deputation ministry. While strategic plans are not a bad thing God challenged me to do something very different. That was read books which would help prepare me for ministry. So I began a routine of spending a few hours reading at my parents kitchen table every day. I started out with books on leadership, and soon had read all of the books I had on the subject.
Over the following months I read books on relationships, growth, counseling, church planting, spirituality, strategic planning, and teaching among many others. As I read those books God began to give me a clear understanding of what it was he wanted me to do in my deputation ministry. It was then that I realized why my deputation ministry was not growing. I was using my own wisdom to make decisions concerning the ministry itself. And as long as I relied upon my own wisdom God could not bless me in the way he wanted to.
So as I read God's Word and other books I slowly changed the way I did ministry. This time instead of walking in my own wisdom, I did things the way God wanted me to. The result was amazing. In one year I raised almost the exact amount of support that had taken me three years to raise. This was not because of my confidence or enthusiasm, or words. Instead it was because I chose to walk God's road and obey his will instead of walking my road and obeying the sinful nature.
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