Surprisingly Hopeful...

I would like to take the time to recommend to everyone a book I just finished called Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright. Recommended me to by Stephen Durkota, this book did more to change my paradigm than any other book excepting the Bible.

The premise is that we've got life after death all wrong. Our perceptions of dying then being whisked away to a heaven that is nowhere near earth, without our physical bodies, is prevalent if not universal in today's Christianity. Wright presents a different picture as evidenced by Scripture, early Christian writings, and a narrative, big picture view of the word of God.

Wright, having debunked our former assumptions, proceeds to present a differing worldview in which, instead of a Platonic idea of our souls leaving our earthly bodies behind, our earthly bodies, after death, are raised at the last day to become like Jesus' was on his last few days on earth. Wright accepts the reality of heaven as "paradisio" or a time of refreshing, as when Jesus declares to the thief on the cross that, "today you will be with me in paradise."

I began the book with excitement mixed with not a little trepidation. It is right for us to approach cautiously when someone presents a completely different paradigm than that of which we have prescribed for a long time. And yet by the end of the book, Mr. Wright has almost convinced me. I am looking forward to doing more reading and being more fully confident to argue the position, but I believe that he's really onto something.

I can only speak for myself when I say that my view of what happens after death has been foggy at best since I committed my life to Christ. I guess I always assumed that I wasn't supposed to think of it yet-that what really matters is what I'm supposed to be doing in the here and now. But as I read through the scriptures Wright put forward (the most significant and telling probably being 1 Corinthians 15) I felt joy and hope growing inside me as I anticipated a judgment day where all faithful Christians rise with new and glorious bodies. And rather than leaving this beautiful world, looking forward to God bringing down Heaven to meet the flawed Earth, destroying its flaws, and renewing it in complete perfection like in the days of Eden. I look forward to being a steward of it in the future as Adam was in the garden.

Wright's argument concludes with the natural progression that if this world is going to be around, and we are not going to be whisked away somewhere else, we need to work for justice here while we can with the knowledge "that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." The dualistic argument that our souls will separate from our dead bodies was a central theme of both Plato and, later, Gnosticism. We do not know how much this Western viewpoint has affected our doctrine. And yet, in Judaism, of which Christianity sprung, the idea that the soul and body could not be separated was intrinsic. In fact, heaven to the Jews was not a separate spiritual dimension, but another physical place above the earth.

And the idea that we will be leaving the earth fits in well with fundamental Christianity's agenda, oft-touted as spiritual and Christian-like. If the earth will be destroyed, why work for justice? Make your money here and call yourself a Christian, and don't worry about what happens to the earth. Treat it as you would a temporary apartment that you will leave in six months, not a house that you have bought for your family, that you have invested so much into.

So I'd like to get some dialogue here, especially from anyone who really doesn't agree with the viewpoint presented here. How can we see the real picture of what happens after death?

Post-Modern Christians

I listened to a sermon series this week that really spoke my language. I think you guys might love it. It's a great description of the changing times and what the church can do about it.

It's called "When Past Meets Post" by Jonathan Stormant and Rick Atchley. The best way to get it is just to search for Richland Hills Church on I-Tunes. The series begins in Mid-March 2009. I think you might have to subscribe to the podcast... which is really worth listening to on a weekly basis anyway. So far every sermon I've heard has been intelligent, groundbreaking and challenging.

Happy Listening!

Reflection on the Screwtape Letters

I just finished reading C.S. Lewis' "The Screwtape Letters." Really good read. I wanted to share some thoughts and hopefully generate some discussion on the book, if anyone else has read it.

There were a few "aha" moments as I read through this renowned work. I think the reason that I enjoy reading Lewis so much is that he simplifies otherwise complicated arguments and dimensions. That does not mean it was always easy to read. I had to stop a lot of times and try to reorient my thinking with that of the tempter and the tempter's uncle.

The most fascinating thing for me as I read the book was the glimpse into the possible strategies that Satan might employ to take us out.

Lewis is always writing to surprise and often catch Christians off guard. At one point, the elder demon tells the younger that as the patient is slipping away from them to becoming a Christian, they still have hope for catching him in the most beautiful and evil of all sins-spiritual pride. As we remember on the gospels and Christ's persistence with the Pharisees, it is this sin which he seems to rebuke the most, and I appreciate Lewis for putting such an emphasis on it. Self-righteousness has the power to catch us all, and it brings such satisfaction and good feelings at the time of its conception in our hearts that for me, it often builds a nest without my knowledge.

Another thing that Lewis points out through his demons is the danger of acquiescence in human relationships, particularly that of the marriage relationship. The elder demon advises the younger that while they may have missed their window to get the patient to commit immorality with the woman he is courting, they still have a chance to trap them in marriage. The trap is this-both of them will, in their zeal to make the other happy, constantly give concessions to the other. For instance, "I don't want to do this, but he wants it so I must give up my own desires and fall prostrate to his." While noble sounding (and often touted as Paul's "quiet submission"), this kind of false humility actually serves the demons well as they produce in each the husband and the wife a type of self-centered martyrdom for the other person, thereby creating a chance for pride the next time a conflict comes up (i.e. "I gave a concession last time, he should concede to me this time).

As a newly married couple, my wife and I spoke of our desire not to fall prey to this kind of false humility and to state what we want in no uncertain terms and work from there. This kind of clarity and honesty in marriage is, I believe, what God desires-humble submission and love; not constant concession that breeds bitterness. Of course, this brings up the need for a Christian marriage post on the blog that I do not feel yet qualified to undertake (Wests?).

Anyway, if you haven't read "The Screwtape Letters," I highly recommend it. It's not an academic read and it's only a little philosophical but it's more practical and thought-provoking than anything (like much of Lewis).

I'm reading Bonhoeffer's "Ethics" right now. It's a monster. Probably won't finish for a while...good so far though!

Ways of Walking with God

A New Look at Spiritual Disciplines

Hebrews 12:14- Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

2 Corinthians 6:31b-7:1- For we are a temple of the living God. As God said: 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people.

Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.'

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates the body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

God has offered to walk among us, but he has a request: He wants us to be holy. So maybe we can look at holiness*, not as goal within itself, but a response-- to God’s offer and to our reverence for Him. Since we want to commune with Him, we work on perfecting our holiness, purifying ourselves and being separate.

These scriptures suggest that holiness does not come naturally. Spiritual disciplines are the different types of tools we can use to get there. (Ex: fasting, memorization, giving to the poor, meditation, Bible study, and solitude.)

In my part of this blog, I hope to explore how spiritual disciplines:

1. Help us to separate ourselves from the worldly/visual reality.
2. Help us to connect with the spiritual/kingdom reality.

I hope this study will demonstrate the wonder and excitement of spiritual disciplines and how they can deepen walk with God exponentially.

Methods, not requirements

We are a culture of checklists. I used to have one for my Christianity.

-Read Bible? Check.

-Pray? Check.

-Give to the needy? Failure.

(Admittedly, this is point I began feeling unsafe in my ability to please God. And others.)

I no longer believe that spiritual disciplines are a list of requirements. In fact, the Pharisees had a mental checklist and Jesus often rebuked them for it. Why? Perhaps because achieving the list allowed for self-righteousness. Failure to follow it could lead to worldly sorrow.

Does that mean I’ve thrown the disciplines out? No. Jesus participated in spiritual disciplines and so did his followers. Jesus was concerned with correcting the heart behind them. In Matthew 6, Jesus calls disciplines "acts of righteousness." He focuses on a few of them: Prayer, Fasting, Giving to the Needy, and Avoiding Materialism. He commands us to do them in secret, eliminating the temptation for self-righteousness and worldly sorrow.

Most disciplines are not commanded in the New Testament. I think that Jesus avoids this because he lived in a culture founded on works. There was no need to tell people to fast, pray, etc. Instead, Jesus would say "When you fast…" or "When you pray…" In contrast, our culture tends to be less methodological when it comes to Christianity, so it might be helpful to explore their benefits. And this is just my opinion, but perhaps Jesus did not focus on the methods because he did not want to limit us! Does standing on your head and singing Jesus Loves Me help you remain near to the Lord? I doubt that Christ would confine us to the methods mentioned in the Bible

*Exodus 3:5 and footnote: HOLINESS involves being consecrated to the Lord's service and thus being separated from the commonplace.

The Paradox of Prosperity

"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry
and you gave Me something to eat;
I was thirsty
and you gave Me something to drink;
I was a stranger and you took Me in;
I was naked and you clothed Me;
I was sick and you took care of Me;
I was in prison and you visited Me.'
Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?' And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.'

I don't think the message of Christ is primarily contained within the preacher's sermon on Sunday or the annual church picnic, or the thousand-attendee conference at the civic center. The building, chapel, sanctuary, or cathedral cannot contain God (Acts 17:24). And we all know Jesus' reputation for spending time with "sinners," the reviled, the despicable. I've never hung out with a prostitute. I imagine it would be a little unnerving, to say the least.

I'll get to the point I'm trying to make. Frustrated with my seemingly fragmented view of God, I spent the last year reading through the Bible, searching out God's character. I would read my little section each day and focus almost all my attention on what I could glean about God (or Jesus) from that passage, until I finished the Bible in December. As I progressed through the year, I learned I couldn't escape from this idea that kept being preached and taught through prophets, apostles, and Christ. I call it the paradox of prosperity.

The paradox of prosperity is all about the reversal of thinking from what the world values to what God values. Nowhere is this seen better or more directly than Jesus' beautitudes:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Here, Jesus presents his followers with what is really important-what his Father in heaven values. Though the rich and powerful seem to hold full reign over the earth, they are far from the kingdom of heaven, which will be rewarded to those at the bottom of the food chain. Those who lead sorrowful and trying lives will be comforted (as opposed to the comfortable, who, frighteningly enough, don't need any comfort from God). In a world of brutal war and military might, where the sword and chariot ruled all, Jesus declared that the gentle would be the final conquerors.

There are many other examples of the paradox of prosperity in the Bible. The prophets preached it indignantly to Israel, the wisdom philosophers spoke of it by warning against the chasing after riches and pleasure, and God's son lived it. From his birth in an odorous stable to his death on an ordinary tree, Jesus lived and died humbly, weakly, sorrowfully.

As Shannen has said, this nation is by name a Christian nation, full of Christians. And yet I believe our ideals are far from our practices. Specifically, American Christians are affluent, to say the very least. I was speaking with a Muslim friend the other day and he told me about a "mega-church" he had attended in the area. He said that while the preacher spoke of charity, giving, and service, he could see that the church was all about making money. Why? He said all he had to do was walk through the parking lot filled with shiny expensive cars.

As we redefine Christianity for our generation, it is imperative that we align ourselves with Jesus (1 Jn 2:6). What does that look like? We must sink to his level. As I read the gospels, so much of Jesus' ministry was with those living in poverty, the unattractive underside of the Roman empire. This requires great effort on our parts in this day, age, and nation. When I lived in Ukraine, it was much easier to see poverty than it is here. Now, I drive from my suburban home to my suburban job, then to my suburban church on Sunday. I am realizing that I must be proactive. I must seek out those who need help. Limiting our contact with the poor to our financial giving would be a grave mistake. There is a difference between dropping money in a tray and looking a poor person in the eye. Christ calls us to give a far more valuable gift in compassion.

As we live lives around the poor we mustn't make the mistake of compartmentalizing our Christian acts. I like what Sarah said about the necessity of being Christians all the time. In the same light, Jesus' ministry was all about letting people see the kingdom of God. Too often we say "I'm going to share my faith" and then "I'm going to serve the poor" in different circumstances. Jesus never separated these two endeavors. Through his servanthood, he shined his Father. Through his testimony, he bore witness to his Father. Everything he did was connected to letting God shine forth. Jesus testified to the poor while helping them. A study of the gospels shows he called for repentance, forgave sins, healed maladies, and taught about the kingdom all together. We need to imitate this. What we have to give is one big package, not a separated set of defined acts of service.

Let us live and give by our love. Christ's love did not care about what people looked like on the outside. In fact, a macro look at his life might even lead us to believe he targeted the downtrodden, the dirty, the poor of the world for his ministry. The kingdom of heaven is easily accepted by these types (Mk 10:25). It has hit me a lot lately that if I want to walk like Jesus did, my path will probably be a lot less comfortable than my earthly nature would like, and it will include the underbelly of society, the untouchables, the addicted, the poor, the widows, the orphans, the sinners.

I believe our redefinition must include and zero in on the poor-serving them, alleviating their suffering, spending quality time with them, showing them God's word as it works in our lives, and ultimately loving them, thereby showing them the kingdom of heaven and revealing and bringing glory to Him whom we are really serving (Jn 13:34).

It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous , but sinners.

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

The Spirit of the Soverign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners...

Response to It's All Relative - Thoughts From Sarah

I agree with everything you just said.

As someone that has grown up in a religious family, gone to the same church since birth, and has been an active member since she was 13, I find myself asking "What does it all mean now 14 years later?

We live in relatively religious community. We are governed with Christian principles. Most of us label ourselves as Christians, yet God is so distant to many.

During my years as a campus student, there were many ups and downs with my walk with God. I learned to love Him, His Word, and the Message it taught. I made forever friends who have loved me through the darkest of times. I was excited to be a part of a mega campus ministry! I was so happy and in love with the church family I was a part of. I cared deeply for others and served whenever I could. I shared my faith with everyone I could. I met strangers on the road specifically to tell them about Jesus. However, I felt a lot of guilt for many things. I worried what my fellow church members thought of me. I worried if I didn't "look the part" of a Christian. I worried that my clothes weren't cool enough, or my hair wasn't styled just right. I felt guilty when I did not share with the stranger on the elevator. I worried that I wasn't as spiritual as others. I desperately wanted the approval of everyone.
I do not say these things to blame my church or my campus experiences. I made many wonderful decisions, as well as some not wonderful decisions. I grew in my faith, my love for God, and my love for others.
Years later as I grow older in my Christian walk, much has changed. I do not constantly invite strangers to church on the bus. I do not feel guilty if I do not "talk about Jesus" to the cashier in the grocery store. I do not feel guilty for not sharing the Good News with all that I pass by. Sometimes I wear sweat pants and no makeup to church. I work hard to no longer worry what others think of me. I am in love with my Lord, and love sharing with others about Him. However, what drives me now is what my husband constantly reminds me of: People know who Jesus is. People know He died for them. People know the Message. My job, as a Christian is to constantly redefine who He is to me, as well as whom He is to others. I work now to show others a Jesus they didn't learn about in Sunday school on a felt board; but rather a Jesus who is full of grace, compassion, and mercy. The Jesus I know loves me in spite of who I am. He forgives me when I mess up, when I do not take time to read his Word, when I do not take time to talk to Him. No, my Lord is not passive or lukewarm. But, he forgives. He understands. He is free from guilt. This Jesus is the Jesus that I know and love. He is the One who gave me my life, my relationship with Him, an amazing Godly man, and the hope of one day raising children to love and serve Him! I am excited about this Jesus. While I no longer have the dream of being in the full time ministry, I see my ministry as the community I am apart of. My ministry is the people who live in my building, the people I work with daily, the people on my street. My ministry is in my favorite coffee shop, and bookstore. My ministry is to show my community who Jesus is through the love, gratitude, and servitude in my life. My ministry is to show others what life is like when you love God with no inhibitions. This is my definition of Christianity.

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast?
And have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands. You walls are ever before Me." Isaiah 49:15-16

It's All Relative

During the past few months I have found myself coming back to a particular conversation topic – how relevant is God and Christianity in 2009? As a Christian I would say that God is extremely relevant. But how relevant is God in America? By many accounts it would appear that God and Christianity are doing great in the U.S. We had a president serve for two terms who reportedly represented Christians across the nation. Christian radio stations and book stores are very popular. The former Heisman Trophy winner is an active Christian. I am sure the list of America’s Christian accolades could go on. By some standards it would appear that politics, media, and sports all have the seal of approval from God, and that our nation is accurately living as Christians.

I am not one concerned much with appearances, though. My concerns are not so much about the state of the world, but more so about the state of how Christians are influencing the world. Are we really sharing the truth about God and His plan by the way we live? Would Jesus really limit himself to a political party, or specific media outlets? Should God only be relevant in the lives of those who profess to believe?

As a Christian, I am charged by Jesus to share the truth about God with those around me. This seemingly simple call to action has proven to be very difficult. One of the reasons I have found this to be difficult is because we are living in a time where everyone in the U.S. has heard of Jesus, and everyone has formed an opinion. In many ways we are not only called to share the truth about God and His plan, but we are also obligated to correct misguided opinions of Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and what it means to be a Christian.

I do not believe that this generation is any further from God than previous generations. I do, however, believe that the world today has different obstacles to accurately see God than previous generations. Through means of travel and the internet our world has become much smaller. We have more access to information and ideas than ever before. The procession of technology is exciting and can be a great tool, but as Christians we need to find a way to keep the truth about God relevant amidst all the information the world has to offer.

Each conversation I have had about American culture and Christianity has left me with more questions than when I first began. Even the act of typing this blog was difficult because with each thought many more questions came to mind. The main reason I am focused on American culture is because I am American, and because I believe our country has a certain level of religiosity that it needs to reconcile with the God it claims to follow. I am on a quest to understand the obstacles that stand between American culture and God. I am not sure that I will ever have exact answers to many of the questions I have – I cannot begin to assume that I know God’s thoughts – but I do believe that looking into some issues deeper will be of some benefit, even if the benefit is as simple as stirring up conversation.