I am currently blogging at speedingup.wordpress.com -- visit me there.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Ecclesia semper reformada est
The church is always losing its relevance to the world around it. While the culture around it moves in light speeds, the church is often accused of being irrelevant and unable to adapt to the needs of people. What's popular one day is out the next.
The church often seems to be the antithesis to culture and change. And to some extent, this is good. Church often has a staying power in our culture that prevents it from being blown over by the changing tides. It is good for the church to stand out, but often it appears archaic and irrelevant to people in our culture, as if some notion of a previous, simplistic civilization.
The obvious downside to the stability of the church is its perceived lack of relevance to those outside it. Church doesn't speak to many people anymore. And those in the church often fail to speak wisdom and light into a culture. And many churches have walled themselves in from the culture around them, only to find the church's resolve and message shrinking.
The church is always losing its relevance. Constant reform is needed to keep the church relevant. The moment the church assumes it has succeeded, it has failed. If the church is not constantly on its guard, looking for relevance, it is irrelevant.
This is why the church must listen to the prophets. The church must be called into the streets, to reach out to people, to change society. The words of Jesus had little to do with religious practice, and everything to do with establishing a radical way of life and of dependence on one another. The church must follow the voice of Jesus, and of modern day prophets to remain effective in its mission.
The minute the church thinks it has arrived, it will probably lose its relevance. And so, the church must constantly be reforming itself to maintain its relevance.
Ecclesia semper reformada est
"The church must always be reformed."
The church often seems to be the antithesis to culture and change. And to some extent, this is good. Church often has a staying power in our culture that prevents it from being blown over by the changing tides. It is good for the church to stand out, but often it appears archaic and irrelevant to people in our culture, as if some notion of a previous, simplistic civilization.
The obvious downside to the stability of the church is its perceived lack of relevance to those outside it. Church doesn't speak to many people anymore. And those in the church often fail to speak wisdom and light into a culture. And many churches have walled themselves in from the culture around them, only to find the church's resolve and message shrinking.
The church is always losing its relevance. Constant reform is needed to keep the church relevant. The moment the church assumes it has succeeded, it has failed. If the church is not constantly on its guard, looking for relevance, it is irrelevant.
This is why the church must listen to the prophets. The church must be called into the streets, to reach out to people, to change society. The words of Jesus had little to do with religious practice, and everything to do with establishing a radical way of life and of dependence on one another. The church must follow the voice of Jesus, and of modern day prophets to remain effective in its mission.
The minute the church thinks it has arrived, it will probably lose its relevance. And so, the church must constantly be reforming itself to maintain its relevance.
Ecclesia semper reformada est
"The church must always be reformed."
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Where have all the prophets gone?
They're not in our church. They never were.
The real prophets are out on the street. The real prophets are being Christ to the world. They're leading our urban governments, they're leading our nonprofits. They're in rural Africa teaching sustainable development. They are creating social change and bringing justice to the world in a way the church never could have imagined.
Jesus understood the radical change necessary in our world, to remove the yoke of oppression from our fellow man and remove the chains of injustice while throwing away the religious garbage.
Sadly our churches just don't get it. We're too busy determining the color of the baptistry and ensuring we have the right color carpet. Modern day Pharisees.
I used to love listening to preachers, going to youth rallies. Those people could get me excited about God. It just doesn't work any more.
I guess it's why I don't listen to preachers much any more. I'm kind of skeptical about them. The real preachers, the real prophets, are out there on the streets.
The real prophets are out on the street. The real prophets are being Christ to the world. They're leading our urban governments, they're leading our nonprofits. They're in rural Africa teaching sustainable development. They are creating social change and bringing justice to the world in a way the church never could have imagined.
Jesus understood the radical change necessary in our world, to remove the yoke of oppression from our fellow man and remove the chains of injustice while throwing away the religious garbage.
Sadly our churches just don't get it. We're too busy determining the color of the baptistry and ensuring we have the right color carpet. Modern day Pharisees.
I used to love listening to preachers, going to youth rallies. Those people could get me excited about God. It just doesn't work any more.
I guess it's why I don't listen to preachers much any more. I'm kind of skeptical about them. The real preachers, the real prophets, are out there on the streets.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Africa v. America
The poverty of America is greater than that of Africa. Our poverty is not in the number of poor, but in the great disparity of our nation.
Like many other people, I've always been bothered by the wealth of America in contrast to the poverty of most third world countries, especially Africa. I've been on three trips to Africa -- bothered by poverty I have seen. My heart continues to go out to the needs of Africa.
But here's my beef: In third world countries, EVERYBODY's equally poor. You have a small upper-class with money, but the majority of people are at the same level, just trying "to survive." Most are subsistence farmers or merchants barely providing for themselves and their family.
In America, we've figured out a system that WORKS (supposedly). Everyone gets wealthy. But why do we have such great inequality? We have people who are incredibly stinkin' rich, and people who are over-worked and can't even sustain themselves. This bothers me, A LOT. Sure, the individual living situation of a poor perosn in America looks better than that of a poor African farmer living in a mud hut. But in Africa -- it's the norm. In America, it's not.
Why do we think we have the system completely figured out? We have the greatest level of income disparities of any nation in the world. In a society such as ours -- anybody who works should not be in poverty. Our problem is of greed, pride, and selfishness. We've got bigger problems than Africa.
Don't get me wrong. My heart still goes out to those in Africa and other areas of the world who do not have the same opportunities -- who are plagued by wars, rebel armies, ravaging diseases such as AIDS, drought and famine. I cry for justice for these people. And I am thankful for the people who have committed their lives to international development/aid work. My heart is very near to this mission.
But I think we have even greater injustices here. When some Americans are devoid of the opportunities that the majority of Americans have, there is incredible injustice. We must continue to take the blinders off and learn to fix our own country as we try to help others.
"So the youngsters, grows in ghettos, goes to prison
At an early age, already know it's against him
So in order for him to survive, one day he must
Open up his eyes to the set backs and rise
'Cause, everybody wants a shot, in this land of opportunity
Look at what this country's got
There shouldn't be nobody homeless
How can the president fix other problems when he ain't fixed home yet
The earth wasn't made for one man to rule alone
To all colors increases, to home it belongs"
-Nas (Rule)
Thoughts from this note were influence by Larry James at urbandaily.org
Like many other people, I've always been bothered by the wealth of America in contrast to the poverty of most third world countries, especially Africa. I've been on three trips to Africa -- bothered by poverty I have seen. My heart continues to go out to the needs of Africa.
But here's my beef: In third world countries, EVERYBODY's equally poor. You have a small upper-class with money, but the majority of people are at the same level, just trying "to survive." Most are subsistence farmers or merchants barely providing for themselves and their family.
In America, we've figured out a system that WORKS (supposedly). Everyone gets wealthy. But why do we have such great inequality? We have people who are incredibly stinkin' rich, and people who are over-worked and can't even sustain themselves. This bothers me, A LOT. Sure, the individual living situation of a poor perosn in America looks better than that of a poor African farmer living in a mud hut. But in Africa -- it's the norm. In America, it's not.
Why do we think we have the system completely figured out? We have the greatest level of income disparities of any nation in the world. In a society such as ours -- anybody who works should not be in poverty. Our problem is of greed, pride, and selfishness. We've got bigger problems than Africa.
Don't get me wrong. My heart still goes out to those in Africa and other areas of the world who do not have the same opportunities -- who are plagued by wars, rebel armies, ravaging diseases such as AIDS, drought and famine. I cry for justice for these people. And I am thankful for the people who have committed their lives to international development/aid work. My heart is very near to this mission.
But I think we have even greater injustices here. When some Americans are devoid of the opportunities that the majority of Americans have, there is incredible injustice. We must continue to take the blinders off and learn to fix our own country as we try to help others.
"So the youngsters, grows in ghettos, goes to prison
At an early age, already know it's against him
So in order for him to survive, one day he must
Open up his eyes to the set backs and rise
'Cause, everybody wants a shot, in this land of opportunity
Look at what this country's got
There shouldn't be nobody homeless
How can the president fix other problems when he ain't fixed home yet
The earth wasn't made for one man to rule alone
To all colors increases, to home it belongs"
-Nas (Rule)
Thoughts from this note were influence by Larry James at urbandaily.org
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Why I believe in Universal Salvation
That’s right, I’m a whacko – I believe everyone is going to heaven. Such is the stigma placed on universalists… kind of like when non-Christians think Christians are whackos.
Now before you write me off, I’d like to offer some of my reasoning and viewpoints in how I came to this crazy belief. I hope that you will consider my thoughts
First, I want to start out with some assurances. I don’t want to reduce the importance of scripture. I don’t want to diminish the importance of Christ’s death. I believe evangelism plays an important role and is still very necessary.
So what exactly do I believe before I set out to defend myself? I believe that all
men (women too) will be saved regardless of their state of belief at the end of this life. I also believe that salvation is found in no one but Christ. So how do these fit together? I also believe that this life is not the only opportunity for one to choose Christ.
Frankly, there’s a ton of scripture that could be used to support my view, and there’s scripture that looks like it is against my view (though many universalists will argue Greek meanings). The issue can seem somewhat gray, but I tend to see a majority of evidence in the direction of universalism.
So now like every good person in the church of Christ, I have a lot of scripture to cite. One of the passages that has influenced me the most is 1 Cor. 15. A couple of pieces that stand out to me in this passage: 1) Verse 22 says that “as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” Think about the symmetry of that verse. The word all is the same both times. If “all” in Christ is going to mean anything, it has got to be referring to the same “all” that was a result of Adam (everybody on earth). 2) There are going to be several stages in salvation (v22-25) – first, Christ (the firstfruits), second, those belonging to Christ, third, the stage in which Christ is bringing the world under his feet (This is the period I think will have the universal implications of salvation). 3) Verses 54-55 says that death with be swallowed up in victory, that death will have no victory or sting. I think this can only be true in the context of universal salvation. If some people perish, for not choosing Christ in this life, then death has some aspect of victory of God.
More on the “All”
There are several other verses in the Bible that related to the idea of “all” people.
Romans 11:32 says that God “bound all men over to disobedience, so that he may have mercy on them ALL.” (More symmetry there, too.)
Philippians 2:10-11 says that “at the name of Jesus, EVERY knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…”
Colossians 1:20 says that God through Jesus would “reconcile to himself ALL things”
Community
I think a failure of our current traditions is in individualizing salvation. I believe God cares for each individual, however, I think salvation is primarily discussed in the context of community. Looking at the “body” of Christ and many other communal references, I think we should view salvation in a communal context. God is concerned about saving community, especially the whole of creation. Romans 8:21-22 tells us that creation has been groaning since the beginning of time, waiting for it’s liberation. 2 Cor. 5:19 says that God is reconciling the world, not counting men’s sins against them. I think the example is that God is in the process of reclaiming what was lost – the world. In doing so, I believe that includes everything.
Awww Hell! God’s idea of Justice?
No discussion of Biblical concepts could be complete without a discussion of hell. References are all over the Bible about judgment day, hell, and punishment. As a universalist, I do believe in hell. Hell is very real. However, I see hell as temporary. For those that do not choose Christ in this life, hell will become serious suffering. But what is the purpose of hell? Does a God who claims he is love and loves every person really allow people to suffer ultimate destruction? Does a God who commands US to love our enemies not love his own enemies, and instead crushes them through eternal pain and suffering? Is that "love"?
What is the purpose of hell? Is it solely to punish those who failed to choose God? Either that cheapens God’s desire for all people to be saved or God’s not strong enough to achieve complete victory over death. I think hell has punitive aspects to it, but I think the purpose of hell is primarily corrective. Perfect love can cause pain. A God who loves his people so much can allow them to suffer short term in order to produce a better ultimate outcome. If you look at the various Bible examples, there is a strong case for God’s use of corrective punishment. Everything about Israel was corrective, an attempt by God to bring his people back to him. The example of 1 Cor. 5 in which Paul tells the church to hand a man over to Satan (because we was sleeping with his father’s wife) -- was God really giving up on the man? The man was handed over to Satan so that his flesh could be destroyed and his spirit saved. And later, Paul called him back into the church. Part of God’s mercy and justice involves corrective punishment – hell.
Many verses in English translations refer to hell as eternal. I have no experience in Greek; however, many people who do say that there is an issue with the translation of words used as “eternal” and often they simply mean of an age (time period). I think there is some valid scriptural dispute in this as to whether hell really is eternal, or is a time period that is meant for correction.
A problem of universalism is that it impinges on the idea of free will. I think that free will is not all its cracked up to be. Think about free will in its purest form – is every one of my actions purely independent and “free” from one another or are they based off of past experiences, prior determined events. I’m just trying to say that our choices are not completely “free” and independent – prior events are a type of determinism that leads us to make certain choices. So in the context of universalism, many people argue that some people may not choose God and rebel against him (free will). I will agree with that. In the current time, the god of this world has blinded many people (2 Cor. 4:4). However, in the context of the time in which Christ is subjecting the world, he will bind the powers of this world. Since evil will no longer have control over the world, I think the truth of Christ will be plain to all people for them to choose Christ.
IN SUMMATION (if you actually made it through), I believe that universalism is a very Biblical belief. Some things that univeralism is NOT: a blank check for sin, a belief in no consequences or punishment, a free pass on the need for evangelism.
WHAT IT IS (to me, at least):
1. God truly desires all people to be reconciled to him, which he WILL achieve
2. Salvation comes only through Christ
3. Christians must share the good news of God’s reconciliation and live like Christ
4. This life is not the only opportunity to follow Christ, but Christ will have a time (the 1,000 years debate) in which he will reconcile the world under his power
5. Hell is real and will be experienced by many people, but it’s not eternal and is meant as a correction that will bring people to Christ
In light of those beliefs, I don’t think grace is cheapened. The point of our lives is to model Christ and help others see the way of Christ. Because of the great news and the call of Christ, I don’t want to sit back and relax. The call of modeling Christ creates a sense of urgency and importance. As followers of Christ, we must lead people into lives transformed by Christ, and we should feel called to do that before the “correction” gets even harder. For many people who are in open rebellion to God, it may take the next life – but God will succeed with his will. Eventually his truth will win out.
I’m always open for a conversation. I promise I’ll try to respond quicker than the last time (a month it has taken me to answer why I believe). However, I remind you that just like any new Christian, as a new “convert” to universal salvation, I don’t have all of the answers. I am still searching and studying in an attempt to understand a Biblical view of universalism.
Much of the influence for this writing comes from Thomas Talbott and Dr. Richard Beck (ACU). If anyone is interested in reading more about it, check out Dr. Beck's blog-essay on universalism at: http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2006/11/why-i-am-universalist-summing-up-and.html
Now before you write me off, I’d like to offer some of my reasoning and viewpoints in how I came to this crazy belief. I hope that you will consider my thoughts
First, I want to start out with some assurances. I don’t want to reduce the importance of scripture. I don’t want to diminish the importance of Christ’s death. I believe evangelism plays an important role and is still very necessary.
So what exactly do I believe before I set out to defend myself? I believe that all
men (women too) will be saved regardless of their state of belief at the end of this life. I also believe that salvation is found in no one but Christ. So how do these fit together? I also believe that this life is not the only opportunity for one to choose Christ.
Frankly, there’s a ton of scripture that could be used to support my view, and there’s scripture that looks like it is against my view (though many universalists will argue Greek meanings). The issue can seem somewhat gray, but I tend to see a majority of evidence in the direction of universalism.
So now like every good person in the church of Christ, I have a lot of scripture to cite. One of the passages that has influenced me the most is 1 Cor. 15. A couple of pieces that stand out to me in this passage: 1) Verse 22 says that “as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” Think about the symmetry of that verse. The word all is the same both times. If “all” in Christ is going to mean anything, it has got to be referring to the same “all” that was a result of Adam (everybody on earth). 2) There are going to be several stages in salvation (v22-25) – first, Christ (the firstfruits), second, those belonging to Christ, third, the stage in which Christ is bringing the world under his feet (This is the period I think will have the universal implications of salvation). 3) Verses 54-55 says that death with be swallowed up in victory, that death will have no victory or sting. I think this can only be true in the context of universal salvation. If some people perish, for not choosing Christ in this life, then death has some aspect of victory of God.
More on the “All”
There are several other verses in the Bible that related to the idea of “all” people.
Romans 11:32 says that God “bound all men over to disobedience, so that he may have mercy on them ALL.” (More symmetry there, too.)
Philippians 2:10-11 says that “at the name of Jesus, EVERY knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…”
Colossians 1:20 says that God through Jesus would “reconcile to himself ALL things”
Community
I think a failure of our current traditions is in individualizing salvation. I believe God cares for each individual, however, I think salvation is primarily discussed in the context of community. Looking at the “body” of Christ and many other communal references, I think we should view salvation in a communal context. God is concerned about saving community, especially the whole of creation. Romans 8:21-22 tells us that creation has been groaning since the beginning of time, waiting for it’s liberation. 2 Cor. 5:19 says that God is reconciling the world, not counting men’s sins against them. I think the example is that God is in the process of reclaiming what was lost – the world. In doing so, I believe that includes everything.
Awww Hell! God’s idea of Justice?
No discussion of Biblical concepts could be complete without a discussion of hell. References are all over the Bible about judgment day, hell, and punishment. As a universalist, I do believe in hell. Hell is very real. However, I see hell as temporary. For those that do not choose Christ in this life, hell will become serious suffering. But what is the purpose of hell? Does a God who claims he is love and loves every person really allow people to suffer ultimate destruction? Does a God who commands US to love our enemies not love his own enemies, and instead crushes them through eternal pain and suffering? Is that "love"?
What is the purpose of hell? Is it solely to punish those who failed to choose God? Either that cheapens God’s desire for all people to be saved or God’s not strong enough to achieve complete victory over death. I think hell has punitive aspects to it, but I think the purpose of hell is primarily corrective. Perfect love can cause pain. A God who loves his people so much can allow them to suffer short term in order to produce a better ultimate outcome. If you look at the various Bible examples, there is a strong case for God’s use of corrective punishment. Everything about Israel was corrective, an attempt by God to bring his people back to him. The example of 1 Cor. 5 in which Paul tells the church to hand a man over to Satan (because we was sleeping with his father’s wife) -- was God really giving up on the man? The man was handed over to Satan so that his flesh could be destroyed and his spirit saved. And later, Paul called him back into the church. Part of God’s mercy and justice involves corrective punishment – hell.
Many verses in English translations refer to hell as eternal. I have no experience in Greek; however, many people who do say that there is an issue with the translation of words used as “eternal” and often they simply mean of an age (time period). I think there is some valid scriptural dispute in this as to whether hell really is eternal, or is a time period that is meant for correction.
A problem of universalism is that it impinges on the idea of free will. I think that free will is not all its cracked up to be. Think about free will in its purest form – is every one of my actions purely independent and “free” from one another or are they based off of past experiences, prior determined events. I’m just trying to say that our choices are not completely “free” and independent – prior events are a type of determinism that leads us to make certain choices. So in the context of universalism, many people argue that some people may not choose God and rebel against him (free will). I will agree with that. In the current time, the god of this world has blinded many people (2 Cor. 4:4). However, in the context of the time in which Christ is subjecting the world, he will bind the powers of this world. Since evil will no longer have control over the world, I think the truth of Christ will be plain to all people for them to choose Christ.
IN SUMMATION (if you actually made it through), I believe that universalism is a very Biblical belief. Some things that univeralism is NOT: a blank check for sin, a belief in no consequences or punishment, a free pass on the need for evangelism.
WHAT IT IS (to me, at least):
1. God truly desires all people to be reconciled to him, which he WILL achieve
2. Salvation comes only through Christ
3. Christians must share the good news of God’s reconciliation and live like Christ
4. This life is not the only opportunity to follow Christ, but Christ will have a time (the 1,000 years debate) in which he will reconcile the world under his power
5. Hell is real and will be experienced by many people, but it’s not eternal and is meant as a correction that will bring people to Christ
In light of those beliefs, I don’t think grace is cheapened. The point of our lives is to model Christ and help others see the way of Christ. Because of the great news and the call of Christ, I don’t want to sit back and relax. The call of modeling Christ creates a sense of urgency and importance. As followers of Christ, we must lead people into lives transformed by Christ, and we should feel called to do that before the “correction” gets even harder. For many people who are in open rebellion to God, it may take the next life – but God will succeed with his will. Eventually his truth will win out.
I’m always open for a conversation. I promise I’ll try to respond quicker than the last time (a month it has taken me to answer why I believe). However, I remind you that just like any new Christian, as a new “convert” to universal salvation, I don’t have all of the answers. I am still searching and studying in an attempt to understand a Biblical view of universalism.
Much of the influence for this writing comes from Thomas Talbott and Dr. Richard Beck (ACU). If anyone is interested in reading more about it, check out Dr. Beck's blog-essay on universalism at: http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2006/11/why
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Shalom
The word was always around me, but I just never realized how deep and encompassing it was. I have a friend who always uses it in greeting, and I always said it in return without really understanding it. Too much I pray for happiness, or joy, or for God to take my life and make it his. But yet, the words always feel lacking.
I keep thinking more and more about "Shalom". In its most basically accepted form, it means "peace" but yet few people really understand its full meaning. It has more to do with wholeness and well-being. I'm gonna stretch the definition with my own words, "completeness in God". That's what I'm gonna start praying for, in my life and in others' lives, wholeness in God and fulfillment.
I'm beginning to see more complete meanings in Hebrew words and and how they continue to open me up to the power and awe of God.
Shalom! May you be surrounded by the fullness and wholeness of God.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Sudan Presentation
Tonight at Highland, our team did a presentation on our three weeks of survey in Sudan. I think it was well received, and I think it raised many concerns about what is currently going on in Sudan. So who was our team...
Clockwise from the back left: Peter Lasu Ladu (a Sudanese church leader currently living in Nairobi Kenya), Dan McVey (long time missionary to Ghana, West Africa and now a missions professor at ACU), Stephen Lamb (ACU MDiv student), Brad Willits (Bible translator in Guinea, West Africa), Houston Shearon (ACU MDiv student), Bryan Harrison (ACU MDiv student), Libby Talley (ACU English student) Kelley Shearon (ACU MDiv student), Christian Nsoah (church leader from Ghana experienced in well-drilling), and finally... ME.
Clockwise from the back left: Peter Lasu Ladu (a Sudanese church leader currently living in Nairobi Kenya), Dan McVey (long time missionary to Ghana, West Africa and now a missions professor at ACU), Stephen Lamb (ACU MDiv student), Brad Willits (Bible translator in Guinea, West Africa), Houston Shearon (ACU MDiv student), Bryan Harrison (ACU MDiv student), Libby Talley (ACU English student) Kelley Shearon (ACU MDiv student), Christian Nsoah (church leader from Ghana experienced in well-drilling), and finally... ME.
SO I Got a Blog.....
Never thought I would open up a blog... I never really liked the idea. But I decided for now it would be a good way to share some information and pictures from my trip to Sudan this summer. Over the next few days, I hope to be putting up details from my trip, including a few pictures. So I hope you will keep watching this and see what comes up. Thanks, and God bless.
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