Monthly Archives: March 2013

Passionate commitment

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In Albury-Wodonga, the weekly free newspapers used to include a column of reflections. They were written by local  ministers, or similar (authors included a local Baha’i leader, as well as someone from the local humanist society branch). I don’t know why they stopped. Equally, I don’t know if they achieved anything!

Cleaning up my computer, I found a few of mine. In the interests of recycling, I will re-release them on this blog.

Have do you describe a good argument? How about a worthless argument?

Watching the new freeway opening made me ask these questions. I think they’re good questions to ask! Let me explain why.

It’s been fascinating watching the new freeway take shape, and now begin to flow. One thing the border can never forget is the range of opinions people had. And still have!

We saw this in the Border Mail history of the freeway. The television news pictures from the last decade were just as informative. A number of Albury-Wodonga houses still have signs demanding where the road should go. During construction there was the odd bit of graffiti protesting developments.

What most struck me about the early debates is how passionate people were. Arguments were fiery. Opinions strong. Emotions high. A number of folk had a lot of their life invested in these decisions.

Now, roads are useful. But there are more important matters.

Likewise, commitment is great. But the best commitment is commitment to the best causes.

Easter gives us a hint about the best commitment, the best argument, and the best passion.

The best model of passion is the man who went through the Passion, Jesus Christ. His passion – his suffering, in other words – was the perfect expression of love. Jesus’ love for people proved his great love for God’s ways.

What they said at the time was right, ‘zeal consumed him.’ Jesus’ zeal to do good and bring forgiveness cost his life. That’s why so many people not only remember Jesus’ death but also commit to following him in every area of life.

So what arguments will you get involved in this week? I hope they’re about lasting matters: life, forgiveness, love, truth, … Perhaps even about whether you can follow Jesus as we approach Easter.
March 2007

 


 

Grace & karma

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A quick thought about grace and karma. Definitions are not hard to find for each. Those below are from Dictionary.com. (OK, I changed it to English spelling. I can’t seem to write ‘favour’ without the ‘u’.)

Grace: the freely given, unmerited favour and love of God.
Karma: Hinduism, Buddhism the principle of retributive justice determining a person’s state of life and the state of his reincarnations as the effect of his past deeds.

It strikes me that grace and karma both share a humility and a confidence. They are humble and confident, however, in different ways. Karma relates these primarily to the individual. Grace considers these primarily in relation to God.

  • To one in trouble or suffering, karma humbly says: I do not know what you did.
    Yet with confidence adds: I do know you deserve it.
  • Grace says: I do not know the way of God here.
    And: I do know God is in control for his good.

If I have this right, many consequences flow. And it helps explain the practice of different faiths. I suggest, for example, that Christianity has a history and reputation for compassion that is not the same as for Buddhism. On the other hand, Christianity always faces the question of theodicy – justifying the ways of God – that is not an issue for the believer in karma.

Both of these fit the ‘humble confidence’ sayings above, I think.

What do you reckon? And can you think of other outcomes of these different views of justice and reality?

 


 

Gideon testing God

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Gideon is famous for testing God.

In the book of Judges, while Israel was under Moabite oppression, Gideon was frightened enough to hide in a winepress to beat out wheat. (I bet there was not much breeze for winnowing in there!) In the winepress, the Lord appointed Gideon as the man to save Israel.

Gideon was hard to convince, and came up with a two-stage test to see if this really was God’s command (Judges 6:36-40). First, while keeping the ground dry, please drench a fleece with water. Second, “let me test just once more with the fleece” (verse 39), please wet the ground while keeping the fleece dry. God came through both times.

Gideon’s test appears impertinent. Will man really test God? The tests mentioned so far in Judges are from God: the nations test Israel’s faithfulness to walking God’s way (see 2:21-22, 3:1-6).

The Lord seems to accommodate Gideon, with a touch of playfulness too. Once Gideon finally is convinced, he raises an army of 32,000. God then takes a two-stage approach to work on Gideon and the army. God uses water. And God calls this a test.

Notably, the Lord uses a different word for test. The testing of Judges 7:4 is the testing of metals – purifying and refining.

God says, “You who were scared and hid in a winepress, release all the soldiers who are scared.” And 22,000 soldiers wander home. God then says, “You who wanted proof from water, take only the soldiers who lap water like dogs.” And Gideon was left with 300 men.

Of course, the Lord uses Gideon and his tiny army to save his people. Their jars contained no water, but fire. The army gave up hiding to instead trumpet their opposition to Midian. (Read this part in Judges 7:15-22.)

What does the ‘testing’ show?

Gideon thought that he was testing God. But all along, it was God testing Gideon and Israel. Can a weak, scared man lead this people? Yes. Can a puny army defeat the oppressor? Of course.

Who tests whom? Do humans really put God to the test? Of course not. It’s God who tests and purifies and refines and saves his own people.

 


 

Reasons not to believe

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In Albury-Wodonga, the weekly free newspapers used to include a column of reflections. They were written by local  ministers, or similar (authors included a local Baha’i leader, as well as someone from the local humanist society branch). I don’t know why they stopped. Equally, I don’t know if they achieved anything!

Cleaning up my computer, I found a few of mine. In the interests of recycling, I will re-release them on this blog.

What’s a good reason to not be a Christian?

As a minister, I regularly ask myself this. After all, I don’t want to waste my time if the Bible, prayer and church are empty. There are many suggested arguments against Christianity. Of all the reasons, there is only one that might stick.

Some reasons are about weak Christians. Perhaps you know a Christian with a short temper, or you’ve been to a church that did not feel as friendly as it could.

These are weaknesses, but hardly reason to ignore Jesus. Jesus said he came to call sinners, so I expect them at church. Having wrongdoers at church is just like having sick people at hospital – perfectly normal.

Other reasons against Christianity are about the Bible. Maybe you have said, ‘It’s too hard to understand.’ Or, ‘I want to read it one day, but haven’t got around to it.’

These aren’t convincing either. It’s a big surprise to me to find men and women who are experts in their work, but whose understanding of Jesus is at the level of a ten year old. They’ve never read the Bible as adults and rely on half-remembered school scripture from 20 years ago!

So what is the one good reason to stay away from Christianity?

As we’d expect, the reason is all about Jesus. Specifically, if Jesus is not alive from the dead then ignore all Christians.

Lots of leaders have died unjustly, even heroically. Yet none claimed that they would come back to life after three days. Jesus did.

Many religions spread their leader’s teachings. Followers of Jesus have always announced that Jesus’ tomb is empty. A ridiculous message. Unless it’s true!

If anyone could prove to me that Jesus did not rise and that he is not alive, it would change everything. This alone would convince me Christianity is bankrupt.

Yet, as we approach Easter, I am ever more convinced that Jesus is alive. That’s why I keep following him. What do you say about the living Jesus?
March 2006

 


 

I believe in good

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Sometimes I am convinced that Christians promoting ‘good works’ do not think that the works they promote are good. How bizarre!

Here’s why …

As a minister, I hear people explain the reasons they get involved in good things: local charities, caring for people, volunteering, etc. As a minister, I receive many glossy mail-outs from well-run organisations seeking to promote good things: water in dry places, micro-finance schemes, freeing women and children from indentured labour, anti-malaria bed nets, etc.

There are so many good things to do in the world. And it’s very Christian to care for people in these ways. Witness Paul’s wonderful words in Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Christians – those saved entirely through the work of Christ, who live only by faith – have no reason to boast. We do not naturally achieve good. We do not have power to save ourselves by right living. Salvation is entirely a gift, the work of God, the new creation through Christ.

This message has a minor cost to our pride, but an enormous benefit to our confidence. Since it is God who saves, we are totally secure – God’s work does not fail!

This salvation has a clear purpose. According to verse 10, this purpose is for believers to walk in good works. Doing good is a result of salvation. Being snatched from the powers of evil and death (see Ephesians 2:1-3), God has a life of good for his children.

This exalts good works, because good works have no purpose. Good works are an end in themselves – not a tool to get somewhere else. They do not achieve anything. My good works don’t save me. And though a good thing will help others, the Bible does not tend to speak of good works as a means to an end. Good works are the result of a changed world, not the cause of a changed world.

That’s a kind of definition of good: good is good, because it’s good.

Good is not good because it’s productive, it’s productive because it’s good. Good does not usher in the kingdom of God, it is a sign that God has brought his kingdom into the world. Consider the (sad) joy in the works of the late Tabitha, in Acts 9:36-43. The widows showed Tabitha’s handiwork to indicate Tabitha’s goodness, not ‘that she made a difference.’

‘Good’ is convincing, all on its own. Consequently, this is the kind of thing I want to read in those glossy brochures:

  • We promote digging wells, because it is a good thing to do for needy communities

But too often I read appeals that don’t think ‘good’ is good enough:

  • We are dedicated to bringing in the Kingdom, so ask you to provide a goat for a family

This latter appeal is, for me, entirely unconvincing. I think, ‘Why do you need to push so hard to convince me? Why the sledgehammer argument to crack this nut? Don’t you believe in good?’

I do believe in good!

 


 


 

Church & football (OK, soccer)

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Source: http://flic.kr/p/cGGisb

For readers who are part of a church, have you ever thought that your church is just like a soccer team? Because I have.

In a soccer team, everybody gets to put foot to ball. We all work so our team can score. In other words, the small skills are the same (kick!) and the big aim is the same (score more goals!).

Sure, there are differences. Left-footers, right-footers, and ambidextrous freaks. Some run faster, some defend better. But whatever position you are on the team, you kick the ball.

This reminds me of church because everyone who trusts Jesus has the same tasks: live in godliness and speak about Jesus. One might struggle with greed and another with anger – but both seek the Father’s help to struggle well.

And, I’m convinced, God wants us all to speak. Here are some of the types of speech: prayer in Jesus name (private or in groups); singing that encourages faith and gives thanks to God; answering questions about ‘God-stuff’; teaching Sunday school; preaching; leading a Bible study group; sharing a Bible passag to encourage a friend; door-knocking the neighbourhood; teaching your own family the Bible; etc. Some speech is more flamboyant – like the flashy football striker. Some is really high pressure – like taking a penalty. Some is essential but almost unseen – like the hard-working defender. Yet it’s all speech for Jesus.

Now, every soccer team has one odd-bod. The goalkeeper. The keeper also gets to kick the ball. And the keeper has the same aim – that the team score and win. But they also get to handle the ball, and wear funny clothes. They’re a bit different. Just like paid ministers (that’s me). There are many similarities between goalies and ministers/pastors.

  • Most kicks take place away from the ‘keeper: church is not about ‘the minister’, but everyone taking every opportunity
  • A keeper does not take the most kicks, but these kicks are often set-pieces and kind of predictable
  • When a keeper makes a mistake, the consequences for the team are usually immediate and severe
  • Have you seen the funny clothes we ministers sometimes wear?
  • In the end, the goalie is just another player

Words for all team members, from Colossians 3:15-17:

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.