Desires, Demands and Idols of the heart
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
“At the heart of most conflicts are desires – either good or bad – that have become controlling demands. We can break free from conflict by renouncing those demands and asking God to help us find all of our security, joy and fulfillment in Jesus Christ alone.” These words from Ken Sande are right on. But, how do you know when a desire, even a good one, has become a demand? Use the formula, “I will not be happy unless ___________!”
Do you ever sound like that? I know I do.
Going through the Peacemaker curriculum has been a life changing experience for me. I have been learning so many helpful skills about dealing with conflict in healthy ways. I really hope to see our whole church do this helpful study.
I recently expressed that thought in a group and a dear friend asked a thoughtful question. Her question was, “is the church experiencing some conflict that moves me to think this study is necessary right now?” My answer was, “No, I don’t think so.” In fact I believe our church is experiencing a season of profound blessing. We have no major conflicts brewing that I am aware of. For the first time in our brief 8-year history our giving has exceeded our budget. Earlier this month we began a new season of discipleship classes that are all full and staffed. We are feeling the anticipation of moving into a building that is almost complete, and we are supporting a significant missionary work in Nigeria that I will be visiting in one month. So, why do we need the study?
Well, let me answer this way. What would you think of an athlete that did not train for competition until the night before the first game? Or, what would your opinion be of a soldier who did not train until the day before he was shipped out to war? You probably would think this was unwise. In the same manner if you wait for a crisis of conflict to arise, it is too late at that point to implement new strategies. Training in peacemaking must occur before the conflict comes just like an athlete trains before the game or a soldier trains before the war.
So, let’s turn back to those desires we were discussing at the top. Ken Sande says that when our desires become demands those demands are the birth of an idol. Yes, even good desires, when they become demands, they become idols. Even pastors can experience this with their ministry. Speaking as a pastor, most pastors want their churches to be a certain way. Theologically sound, God-centered, peaceful, scriptural, growing, financially strong and a good reputation are all descriptions of good desires. However, there can be obstacles to these desires and the pastor has to be careful how he treats those who seem to be in the way of his desires. Now, I know cannot forsake standing for the truth and having convictions and all that, but if I believe that I cannot be happy unless I pastor a church that looks like what I described above then I have made my image of what the church ought to be an idol in my life. And so I pray, Lord help me break free from conflict by renouncing those demands and asking You to help me find all of my security, joy and fulfillment in Jesus Christ alone.
I challenge you. Examine your heart and life this week. Do you have desires that have become demands? Those demands may be at the center of the conflicts you have in your life. If so, renounce those demands and seek your security, joy and fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Making Peace Together,
Pastor Andy
Atheism Remix: A Short Review
Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Atheism Remix is a new book written by Al Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In this book Dr. Mohler seeks to make Christians aware of a new group of atheistic scholars known as the “New Atheists.” In addition to this, he is calling on all Christians at this time to make a robust defense of the faith.
The “New Atheists” are Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. Each of them is well-respected in their area of study. These are not your average atheists, however. As Mohler points out, “the New Atheism is not just another example of marketing an idea in the postmodern age. The New Atheists are, in their own way, evangelistic in intent and ambitious in hope.” What makes them different from atheists of the past is that “They see atheism as the only plausible worldview for our times, and they see belief in God as downright dangerous . . .” (Emphasis mine). Worse than this, “They see science as on their side and argue that scientific knowledge is our only true knowledge” (Emphasis mine). In reality this is not science, but rather a view known as scientism.
Throughout the book, Mohler suggests that parents must make a concerted effort to teach their children about this movement. This is due to the fact that these atheists “know that the most important audience is the young.” They are specifically targeting teenagers and college students. They want to influence the next generation. In fact, Richard Dawkins suggests that parents who desire to pass on their own religious convictions to their children are engaging in illegal behavior.
As for the structure of the book, Mohler begins by giving a brief historical outline of how atheism came to be an acceptable worldview. From there he tells readers a little about the New Atheists and why Christians should take them seriously. After that, he points out the Christian philosophers and theologians who have done a good job in confronting the New Atheists, namely, Alister McGrath of Oxford University, and Alvin Plantinga of Notre Dame. Mohler applauds both McGrath and Plantinga for their efforts. In fact, he goes so far as to say that Alvin Plantinga is “the most important Christian philosopher of our day.” As for McGrath, he says that he is the one man equipped to take on the New Atheists. McGrath holds two earned doctorates from Oxford: one in molecular biochemistry, and one in theology. Also, he was a one-time atheist! Praise God that He has raised up the right men for our time.
After all of this, Mohler makes his final appeal: “Christians must summon the courage to respond to this challenge with the full measure of conviction and with a bold assertion of biblical theism.”
Newcomers to this subject should not be afraid to pick up this book. It is only 108 pages and can be read in a matter of hours. It is not a difficult read. The book is aimed to reach all audiences. I highly recommend it for those seeking to gain a basic understanding of this present challenge.
Joseph Romeo
Reformed Charismatics: A True Anomaly?
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Reformed Charismatics? Can there be such a thing? I am back to share some thoughts on this growing movement within evangelicalism. Though Dr. David Wells, as well as others debate whether or not the term “Evangelical” is safe to use anymore, seeing as how the term has lost much of its saliency, I will use it in its broader sense (See “The Courage to be Protestant “for Wells’ analysis of the term).
In the May issue of Christianity Today there is an article written by James K.A. Smith, professor of philosophy at Calvin College entitled “Teaching a Calvinist: In Pentecostal worship, my Reformed theology finds its groove.”
While on many issues Reformed theology and Pentecostalism are at odds with one another, many seem to like the blend. For example, there exists presently a Reformed Charismatic denomination of sorts. Visit the website http://www.charismaticreformed.org/ for more details.
In addition to this, C.J. Mahaney, and his Sovereign Grace ministries also share a common identity in having a strong Charismatic Reformed affection. I am not here to debate whether or not Charismatic theology and Reformed theology are antithetical to one another, I am simply pointing out that this connection seems to already exist.
While I am sure many would say it is impossible (at least logically) to be Reformed and be Charismatic, Professor James Smith says “being charismatic actually makes me a better Calvinist; my being Pentecostal is actually a way for me to be more Reformed.” How can he say such a thing? Smith continues: “Pentecostals live out a spirituality that takes [the sovereignty of God] really, really, seriously.” If you read the article you will find that what Smith means by this is that, because God is so sovereign, he believes God can speak to him anyway he pleases (I’m assuming he means outside of Scripture here) and that the Spirit will move in a way that will “surprise you.”
Speaking to this, Smith says “In Pentecostal spirituality, the Calvinist conviction about the sovereignty of God is extended to worship in a way that makes us open to and even expectant of the sovereign Lord surprising us.”
Smith notes that when you are in a confessionally reformed church, most likely the services (and the sermon for that matter) will be a bit cerebral, with not much attention given to the role of the Spirit. As a Reformed Christian, I will be the first to admit that our services can have a tendency to be a bit cerebral. This is nothing new. I have heard it said in the past that our services are too erudite. Jokingly, I have heard a fellow Reformed guy say that the attendees of a reformed church will need a master’s degree to understand the sermon!
This may be an area of weakness that should be addressed. At a point in the article, Smith says:
“I’ve always found it a bit strange that Reformed worship so often treats human beings as if we’re brains-on-a-stick. All week long we talk about how good creation is, how good embodiment is. But then we have habits of worship that merely deposit great ideas in our heads, making us cerebral disciples.”
Again, I understand where Smith is coming from. However, in defense of Reformed worship, I would say that one must understand the theological grounds which undergird the liturgy in the worship. The fundamental difference between Pentecostals and ALL other traditions within Christendom is their pneumatology (i.e. their doctrine of the Holy Spirit). After all, this is what makes Pentecostals . . . Pentecostals. At the core of who they are, they believe that the Holy Spirit works outside of Scripture. Classical Protestantism never has, and (Lord willing) never will. As Alister McGrath says, “Classical Protestantism holds that God’s will and purpose are revealed only through the written text of the Bible” (Christianity’s Dangerous Idea, 433).
All this being said, I am not surprised that many enjoy Pentecostal worship services. There is nothing wrong with wanting to express our love to God through heart-felt, passionate worship. However, the problem comes when one starts to think that Pentecostalism is the only true form of worship. I have often heard Pentecostals say that they don’t like such and such a church because “that church doesn’t believe in the Spirit.” For starters, if a church doesn’t believe in the Spirit, then they are not Christian. The doctrine of the Trinity is essential to the Christian faith (i.e. the co-eternality, co-equalness, and consubstantiality of the Godhead). It must be a correct view of the Trinity. Not the heretical understanding espoused by the oneness pentecostals. For an accurate description see the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds.
So what is the appeal of Pentecostalism? I think the appeal is what Alister McGrath calls “the immediacy of God ( Christianity’s Dangerous Idea 429). McGrath notes:
“The feature that both characterizes and distinguishes Pentecostalism from all other forms of Christianity is it insistence and emphasis upon an immediate encounter with God through the Holy Spirit and the ensuing transformation of individuals” (Christianity’s Dangerous Idea 424).
From another perspective, in Pentecostalism, a persons spiritual empowerment “is not determined by their sociological location or their intellectual ability, but by their gifting by the Holy Spirit” (427).
When Pentecostals look at the Reformed community, all they see is a bunch of people with their noses in books (the stereotype), who are too busy studying, and therefore, are not experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. In Pentecostalism, a “living faith” (as Pietists called it) “is not about doctrinal rectitude or theological precision, but about the experience of God as a living reality in the believer’s soul” (428).
An expert on the history of Pentecostalism, Walter Hollenweger says this about Pentecostalism:
“[Pentecostalism] is an oral religion. It is not defined by the abstract language that characterises, for instance, Presbyterians or Catholics. Pentecostalism is communicated in stories, testimonies, and songs….When you become a Pentecostal, you talk about how you’ve been healed, or how your very life has been changed (Quoted in McGrath, 428).
Because Pentecostals view other denominations, especially the Presbyterians, as being so focused on the cerebral aspect of the faith, Pentecostals of the past are somewhat suspicious of too much studying. McGrath comments:
“Such reflections led an earlier generation of Pentecostals to be suspicious of academic study and to wear their anti-intellectualism as a badge of honor” (428)
All in all, what attracts many to Pentecostalism is the immediacy of the Spirit and the thought that everyone can have a direct experience with God. Thus, “Pentecostalism eschews the aridity of dogmatic theology and sets in its place the personal renewal of the believer through the Spirit–something that can be narrated and proclaimed rather than logically dissected and analyzed” (431).
“Pentecostalism declares that it is possible to encounter God directly and personally through the power of the Holy Spirit. God is to be known immediately and directly, not indirectly through the study of a text” (431).
The last sentence is key to understanding Pentecostalism. It is not about studying, it is about experiencing. I do not say any of this in a pejorative sense. Many contemporary Pentecostals have said the same thing, and are doing their best in trying to focus more on the studying aspect. There are now many scholarly Pentecostals. Gordon Fee would be a great example of this.
While we may certainly disagree with Reformed Charismatics, and Pentecostals in general, it is important to do so in a loving and Christian manner.
Joseph Romeo
A Culture of Peace II
Monday, October 6th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Can you remember any conflict you were a part of where you felt you just didn’t know how to resolve it? I think we all have. That helpless feeling one gets in the face of interpersonal conflict is good evidence that we could all use some insight when it comes to finding peace in our relationships with one another.
I am so thankful that God is a God of peace. Romans 5:10 summarizes for us how God made peace with us, “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Building on this great work of peacemaking the Bible tells us that, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). So, the big question is, “How do I do that?”
Ken Sande gives a helpful diagram in his book Peacemaker that explains the Biblical responses that are available to us along with their dangerous counterparts. Imagine that the arc below is a mound and you are standing at the top of the crest. In the middle, where it is safe to stand, there are six biblical peacemaking responses colored in brown. We should employ these responses when we have a conflict: 1. Overlook the offense 2. Reconciliation 3. Negotiation 4. Mediation 5. Arbitration 6. Accountability. The three responses on the left side of the brown area involve the other person and me and the three responses on the right side of the brown area involve using a third party to help resolve the conflict.
If you respond with any of the responses in the blue area (denial, flight, suicide), you begin to walk where it is more difficult to keep your footing. Therefore, Sande calls it a slippery slope. If overlooking is a method you rely on frequently with a person, you may be in denial about a real conflict, which is actually a negative response that pushes you toward fleeing when the conflict gets really bad.
On the other end of this slope is what Sande calls attack responses. These are assault (verbal or physical), litigation, and murder. Isn’t it interesting that both extremes end in violence and death? This helpfully illustrates that escape responses as well as attack responses are equally sinful. Neither leads to anything positive.
What you should do is ask yourself, “Which end of the slippery slope do I tend to move toward?” The answer to that question can be very helpful to learning how to make peace with others. In future articles, we will take a more in depth look at the peacemaking responses. However, for now take some time to examine your responses to conflict. Do you attack? Or, do you try to escape?
Let’s work together to make peace with those around us. Let’s be ready to overlook that which can be overlooked. And, let’s be ready to be reconciled to one another as well as negotiate how we will relate in the future. If need be, let’s get a third party involved. Be assured, conflicts will arise, and it will be important for us all to be prepared to put off our old ways of handling disputes and to put on some new responses that will be productive and honoring to God.
Making Peace with You,
Pastor Andy
The MTV Generation
Thursday, September 25th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
I don’t think I have to ask if you have heard of MTV, do I? Everybody knows what MTV is and who they are. MTV plays such a vital part in this generation and in our culture. I can remember coming home and turning on MTV, even though I didn’t necessarily watch what was on the screen. You would just turn it on because that was the channel.
MTV is the channel to which our culture listens. It is the channel by which junior high, high school, and college students are influenced. But are there views and the messages they dispense, things that we should be listening to? Are their T.V. shows portraying lives consistent with biblical principles? So much of what is seen on pop-culture television presents a view of success and happiness that is tragically skewed.
Though there are a number of television shows that currently present a twisted view of reality, one that I have seen has provoked some thoughts: MTV’s “The Real World.” Some of my concerns are the lives that they portray as being “the real world.” What should the Christian’s thoughts be when we encounter situations like these coming across the T.V. screen? What’s more, how do these views hold up in light of what Scripture says?
I have noticed that on “The Real World,” the epitome of “fun” is getting drunk, engaging in pre-marital sex, living the fast life, then, waking up the next day, and doing the same thing over again. What does the Bible say about all of these issues? Though some might like to think that people in biblical days faced none of these issues, they are sadly mistaken. The city of Corinth was world renowned for its wickedness and sexually debauched culture.
In light of the way MTV portrays “the real world,” I believe Paul, being inspired by the Holy Spirit has written some words in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 that can help us tremendously when confronted with what our culture deems normal.
While pop-culture says we should live life carefree, and have all the fun we can now since we only have one life, God’s Word clearly says otherwise.
3 unbiblical views MTV portrays as being okay that clash with Scripture
1. Casual sex
For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3)
Notice Paul’s first words are, “This is the will of God.” These are extremely important words since many people ask the question, “What is God’s will for me?” So what is God’s will? Paul says, “your sanctification.” Sanctification means being set apart from sin to a life of holiness. In the context of these verses it means being set apart from sexual immorality. So while the world says it is okay to have sex before you are married, God says He wants us set apart from sexual sin.
2. Lack of self-control
That each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor (1 Thess. 4:4)
Next, Paul says we should know how to possess our own vessel. All that means is that we should know how to control our own body. God gave us this power when we were saved, so for the believer this is one of the fruit’s of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
3. Lust
Not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God (1 Thess. 4:5)
Love and lust are something our world confuses big time. You might have heard it said before that “love is a verb,” and that is true. Love is an action. Love doesn’t “say” something, love “does” something. Lust doesn’t do this. Lust takes and never gives. Lust is self-seeking. Paul says Christians should not live like “the Gentiles who do not know God.” The word “Gentile” is used here to represent unbelievers (i.e. “those who do not know God).
The implications of this behavior
And that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. (1 Thess. 4:6)
This verse discusses the spiritual implications involved in sexual sin. Notice the text says, “The Lord is the avenger.” This means God will judge all those who engage in such behavior. Hebrews 13:4 says- Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Believers should be different
For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification (1 Thess. 4:7)
When Paul uses the words “called us” it refers to God’s effectual call, which always results in salvation. God has not saved us for the purpose of impurity, but “in sanctification.” At salvation God has justified us, which means He has declared us righteous. God has credited the righteousness of Christ to our account. Since Christ has justified us, He will sanctify us. Sanctification is the process by which God makes us like His Son.
We see from just a cursory reading of these verses that what the Bible teaches flies in the face of what this world teaches. While this show portrays fun as doing things that the Lord clearly condemns, many are led to believe that this will fill the void in their life. Sadly, many are headed down this road. If this happens to be where you find yourself, or someone you know at this time, know you will not find happiness by indulging in sin. God has created a void in all of our hearts that only He can fill. The sad thing is that many attempt to fill a spiritual void with physical pleasure.
The Body of Christ has the antidote for the world’s sickness. Let us live the lives God has called us to live. Let us remain unswervingly loyal to Christ in this dark world. Remember, we are the light of world, but “if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matt. 6:23)
Joseph Romeo
A Culture of Peace
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Thinking Grace September 10, 2008
A culture of peace
As I make preparations for a new men’s Bible study in our church, I can’t help but think that the material we have chosen needs to be shared with every member of the congregation. Therefore, I have chosen to take small, bite sized portions of the lessons and disseminate them through a devotional thought on the church’s new blog.
I have invited Joe Romeo to assist in responding to your comments and questions, and he will be posting his own thoughts for you to respond to as well.
Grace Community Church is a body of believers who desire to experience intimate fellowship with one another, a fellowship that is infused with the grace of God. Some time ago a fellow pastor asked me, “what is a ‘community church’?” I told him I wasn’t sure what others meant by the term, “community,” but for us it had to do with experiencing God’s grace with other believers. Our church is a community. We are people sharing the common experience and unifying experience of God’s grace. In many ways community is a helpful, alternative translation of the Greek term koinonia, which is usually translated as fellowship or partnership.
Human beings seek to find community in many ways. We seek to share our passions with others because our lives are not naturally connected to one another. People rarely know their neighbors and only speak to co-workers while at work. However, people go to great lengths to share their passions with like-minded folk. One example of what I am describing is the commitment people express by joining clubs in order to share their sporting passions such as running, volleyball, basketball or hiking and camping. In these clubs or societies people find community. They discover common experiences and delights that connect them to other human beings. That is community. At Grace Community Church we believe God has given us the highest and best reason to come together, which is our shared experience of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are passionate about Christ because we have had our sins forgiven and been restored to a personal relationship with our creator. When we come together to delight in and share this common experience, we get to participate in the best community, the community of the redeemed.
However, even with all this unity and fellowship, conflict can spring up. When conflict does occur, it is helpful to know why. Ken Sande, in his book Peacemaker (the one our men are now studying), says that conflict occurs for four basic reasons:
1. Misunderstanding or poor communication (Joshua 22:10-34)
2. Differences in values, goals and expectations (Acts 15:39, 1 Cor. 12:12-31)
3. Competition over limited Resources (Genesis 13:1-12)
4. Sinful habits and sinful attitudes that lead to sinful actions and sinful words (James 4:1-12)
When we know what our goal is and when we know what the obstacles to achieving that goal are, we can take the right steps to avoiding or overcoming those obstacles and achieving the goal. The goal of our existence as a church is to glorify God by spreading a passion for his glory and his gospel to all peoples. Let’s not lose sight of this, so that as we come together to work for this goal out of our shared experience of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, that same grace and faith would help us maneuver through our misunderstandings, differences, perceived competitions and most importantly those sinful habits and sinful attitudes that lead to sinful actions and sinful words.
Experiencing God’s Grace with you,
Pastor Andy