"Buffet" Christianity

For those who do not know me, I did not become a Christian until I was 21 years old. I spent the previous 21 years living and doing whatever I felt like. I coasted through life and was a good person. I went to church on occasion, picked a bible a couple times and made attempts at reading it, and I always pray..........before my meals. When I became a Christian, I didn't have the language they use, I didn't (and still don't) know a lot of the "classic" worship songs that every Christian is supposed to know. I have my fair share of pastors that I respect and read, and I try as hard as I can to not do "bad" things. But what is my reasoning, my motivation behind all this? Its because someone changed my heart. Scripture says that our hearts need a change, that its deceitful and all it desires (wants) is evil (Refer to Jer. 17:9, Gen. 6:5, 8:21). I needed a heart transplant that came only through God himself. Jesus gives the details of the transplant in John 3, when talking with Nicodemus about being born again. I did not believe in a religion but a person (Jesus Christ). But the Jesus Christ I believed in, and so desperately want to know comes from the teachings of Him in Scripture.

Why do I write all this? A disturbing article was written by Martin Thielen at the Huffington post (article here). He wrote what he believed to be the things that a Christian can believe in and shouldn't believe in. The title is "What is the least you can believe in and be a Christian?"
The title itself gives you an idea of where this is going. Please read the article to gain a better perspective before judging it though.
Thielen describes what he believes to be open-minded faith, by describing the 10 things Christians do not need to believe in and later 10 things they do. He incites those who subscribe to anything on the list are a closed-minded faith. His article and I presume his book, describe something that the younger generation gets wrapped up in: that doctrine divides, a biblical mindset excludes therefore we need to be more "open-minded". Anyone who does or thinks this is a right-wing, fundamentalist, conservative nut.

In the article he states,
"...many people in the 21st century hunger for an open-minded expression of Christian faith.

Though his article has merit and the conservative church has erred in some ways of judgment and exhibiting a loving character, I cannot accept his notion of a "open-minded' church faith.

First, Thielen as well as others, believe that biblical doctrine such as hell, exclusivity to God, and the biblical concept of sin is NOT open-minded faith and should be excluded.
This is not healthy nor constructive for the believer nor the purpose of the believer: to glorify God with the gradual transformation of the believer into looking more like Christ and less like themselves. (Sanctification for the theology buffs) (Romans 12:1-2)

If by open-minded he means being loving, and being graceful with sinners (as Christ was to us), then I totally agree. Jesus loved the lowest of the low by hanging out with sinners, eating with tax collectors, and breaking culture barriers with Samaritans. But I take the position a great woman in college told me: "You can be open-minded, but not so much that your brain falls out!"

Though Jesus loved sinners, he also called out their sin: in Luke 13:1-5;(when he told those to repent or perish or Luke 12: 49-53, where Jesus says he did not come to bring peace but division to purify the earth or Mark 10: 17-30, where Jesus excludes the rich man because the sin of money was in his heart; and finally in John 8:1-11, where Jesus doesn't condemn the adulterous woman but leaves her with the most crucial statement; "Neither do I condemn you; go and from now on sin no more."

Jesus not only was around sinners, and loved them, he loved them so much he called out their sin.
Second, exclusivity doesn't always mean its closed-minded.
Jesus tells us in Luke 14:25-33, that if you do "not hate your father, mother, sister and even his own life cannot be a disciple" was he was just kidding? Or maybe when Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life, no one goes to the Father but through me." (Jn. 14:6) he just was saying it to appease the conservatives of his time? Or did he make an exclusive statement about himself and the method by which one reaches the Father? (Soap box I know) The point is Jesus was exclusive (there is only one God--therefore there are no other Gods (1 Cor. 8:5-6)) yet had an inclusive message.


I don't think people hunger for a form of Christianity with no accountability, no consequence and not realistic. I firmly believe people hunger for an authentic relationship with a God who not only loves, but transforms the very person you think you are, to serve, love, and give all you have!


Anyways, like the article, I decided I would make a list of things Christians DO NOT need to believe in:

1. That pastors never struggle, and are holier than lay people.
2. That God loves straight people and not gay people.
3. That God loves America and blesses only America and not other nations (like China, Sudan, oh dear!).
4. That God is overtly concerned with abortion and homosexuality MORE THAN divorce, adultery, gossip, murder, slander, or a lack of love and faithfulness from His church.
5. That Christians can't believe in science.
6. That it doesn't matter what you believe about God, but that its something.
(Cause something is always better than nothing)
7. That its not okay to doubt.
8. That it is okay to be judgmental, and obnoxious towards unbelievers.
9. That the church is all about you!


His solution for belief and Christianity is,
"Thankfully, a better alternative exists -- vibrant, open-minded, grace-filled, gender-equal, life-giving, centrist, moderate/mainline faith.

This is the same road they Emergent Church movement has drawn themselves into. They have sacrificed doctrine (which the definition is a set of teachings---which would be for Christians derived from Scripture) for the sake of relationships.
Watch John Pipers video on emergent church:



We cannot simply downgrade or dilute biblical teachings simply to not exclude people. If Scripture tells us that if we have given our lives to Christ (through confession as Savior, and acknowledging Him as Lord (master, owner), then our lives CONFORM to His word. We shouldn't be anywhere close to asking the question "how little can I believe or do and still be considered a Christian?"
Its about a loving relationship with the God of the universe, who made you alive in Christ, when you were dead, worthless and hungry for sin (Eph. 2:1-10). He created you, redeemed you, loved you that He was willing to die for you! So that He would transform your heart, so that you live for Him and Him alone. The sins that plagued you, that you so willingly ran to are no longer the priority but crucified because of Your God's act on the cross (Gal. 5:24). The cross is offensive, but that doesn't mean that we have to be. Scripture is clear, and it reveals God most clearly. We must as believers maintain a biblical mindset, not closed minded or open minded or where we pick and choose like a buffet line what we want to believe. We never were given that choice.

Be Blessed

Why I write!

Some people (including myself) probably wonder why in the world do I write this blog? I am sure that you spend your busy day wondering this, so I will give you an answer broken into two parts:

1. To make Christ known!
I believe that technology is a double edge sword. It can do magnificent things and has done awesome things for the Kingdom, and the spread of the gospel in digital format, as well as given people like me easy access to research on biblical texts, lexicons for language, etc... It also can be used for evil: pornography, stalking, gossip and slander.
I have chosen this vehicle to make Christ (who he is, what he has done, how he did it) known to those who read as an encouragment to them, and a light for those who stumble across it looking for something. THis is done mainly through topics God lays on my heart or an article I read that provoked Christ to be known in it.

2. To give clear biblical explanations
We all see the world through a lens. Some lens are fallible, broken and some are motivated by something bigger than themselves. As Christians I firmly believe that we must see the world's issues through Christ' eyes. If Scripture is the clearest vision of Christ, then we must start there. I read articles daily on the brokenness of relationships, experience and read about divorce both in the church and out, teen sex, broken homes, abuse, the poor, and total devastation of poor areas. Scripture gives us aid, and (should) motivate us to action, but most importantly it instructs on how to react, and handle these situations. God said he would teach, instruct, and counsel us..
Psalm 32:8-"
I will teach you and instruct you in the way you should go,
I will counsel you and watch over you."

Plus, there are crazy groups (that claim to be CHristian) who distort Scripture to fit their own opinions, and agendas. If we do not have a biblical viewpoint on topics and issues, then aren't we simply giving our opinion? (which clearly is not relevant in comparison to God's inspired Word)

3. My struggles
Sometimes I use this to illustrate where God is working on me. Sometimes God just says share this so that people can see Christ manifested in reality. Plus I never want to be one of those pastors who simply write all theology and no application in their own life. Seems too pious, and too unrealistic. I always pray that my struggles and successes can illustrate Christ and encourage others.

4. I can expose people to other pastors, leaders and information about Christ!
I love to put links to articles, videos, to help illustrate points 2 and 3. For example, recently there I found a great website that I am now subscribed to that has many resources for Christians, pastors and lay leaders. On it they have a list of things that the late Pastor Martyn Lloyd Jones learned as a pastor, teacher and Christian. Its a wonderful list and I think we can all relate in some way to what he learned and yet still needed to learn.

Here is the link [click here]

I hope and pray that this blog has been helpful for you. If not, maybe something to read or consider from a biblical standpoint.

Be Blessed!

Disconnecting with an Illusion of Connecting

I remember as a kid, I wanted to be an NBA star. I would spend countless hours playing basketball with friends so that I could be like Larry Bird (I know that I am giving my age here), and pretty much anyone on the Boston Celtics 1980's squad. When I got into high school, I spent lots of time socializing with my friends playing sports and hanging on the weekends. We would pull pranks, talk, and just hang out all the time. I built connections and friendships based on face to face interaction, and memories that required work, effort and time.

That era is coming to a close. We are now in the new technological era of facebook, twitter, and cellphones in the hands of 8 year olds. You can reconnect with old high school buddies, tweet something you just saw, or call and text to your hearts content. Whether we like it or not it has changed the landscape of relationships and obtaining of new ones: I would argue both positive and negative.

I will be the first as a pastor tell you that I text a lot, I use my phone all the time and it is extremely helpful. I can text youth, young adults and even adults (like my mom) to keep in touch, schedule hang out times, and just catch up (currently I am messaging my sister on facebook). It allows me to be up to date with information and yet at the same time it feels and seems like a lonely world.

The problem I have with it is that it seems to make us lonely and it can create tension within relationships. Even in my life I see where I have my phone in hand staring at it when I have someone sitting right next to me. Or I hear the little jingle of a text message and I really really want to answer it or see who it was.

ANother major problem is that people seem to want to deal with situations that they would normally be face to face and deal with it via twitter, or facebook, or text. Like breaking up with someone, or telling someone off, or even a serious conversation about life. Why? The argument is usually because its easier, but I think the problem is deeper than that. I think that it is a lack of emotional confidence to deal with a situation face to face.

Recently their was an article about this very subject and here is what MIT director and sociologist Sherry Turkle said about relationships and technology:

People would rather text than talk, because they can control how much time it takes. They can control where it fits in their schedule. When you have the amount of velocity and volume [of communication] that we have in our lives, we have to control our communications very dramatically. So controlling relationships becomes a major theme in digital communication. And that's what sometimes makes us feel alone together — because controlled relationships are not necessarily relationships in which you feel kinship.

So there is loneliness as we try to control all the relationships, therefore creating less of a connection or "kinship" with other people.

But what was most interesting to me (I know this is a biblical blog and wondering where the bible was going to come in) was what she said in context of youth but is absolutely applicable to you and I:

"On the one hand, they're so together that all they can do is text. And I identify with these teenagers, because it's the way we're all living our lives: you wake up in the morning, and you have 500 e-mails or 100 messages, and you say, "I don't have time to do anything but respond to this." So your life becomes completely reactive — you don't feel alone, but you don't feel connected.

What you certainly don't have time to do is experience solitude. One of the most important things that we're really losing is the ability to just be alone in a restorative way.

Scripture constantly tells us to take a time to worship God through stillness. Psalm 46:10, tells us to Be still and know that I am God." The meaning behind "Be still", is the notion of being weak and not an inability sort of way but a recognition that God is powerful, and in control of all things. We achieve this better when we spend a time with no distractions, no emails, text messages, tweets, calls, whatever it may be. Spending time in solitude with God is refreshing, restorative, and flat out awesome.

Lately to counter act my digital culture, I have been spending time getting up early to watch the sun rise and praying. Its relaxing and extremely productive in my busy schedule. Its followed by a time in the Psalms, reading, reflecting and praying on the things that God continues to work on me, and praising Him for simply being my God.

The Psalms alone mention meditation or musing over God's work or his law over 16 times!

Here is just two:

Psalm 1:2: "

Blessed is the one....

but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 77:12: "

I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Psalm 119 has meditation on God's law, work, decrees, precepts, 8 times!

What are you currently doing to experience solitude? Are you able to have a time of stillness, to be restored or filled up in His glory and peace? Feel free to share in the comments section.

Be Blessed.

New Years Resolutions

By now the presents are all open, the wrapping paper a heaping pile of trash. The tree may still be up but it doesn't have the same luster as before. Holiday sales are gone, the rush, the crowds have died down. The anxiety of trying to pick the right kind of gift no longer a problem. Then our second piggy back holiday New Years comes and passes. The confetti, the food, the drinks, the reflection on 2010 all become a distant past as we embark on the new 2011. Right now gyms across America are being bombarded by the swarms of people who are forever trying to sweat out holiday food and fat so they can get into shape for 2011. This is the time of year that people make resolutions for themselves or goals. The problem with New Year resolutions is that we don't really seem to keep them. A resolution is the the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action. So some people are determining that their course of action will be that they will work out, lose weight and be fit this year. Or they will stop smoking, or cursing, being unorganized or annoying. While I don't doubt that some people can achieve something they put their mind to ( I know this sounds like a kids motivational book--gross), these all seem characteristic of a deeper problem. A heart issue if you will.

Instead of focusing on your outside I hope and pray that you take a hard look at the inside: the condition and state of your heart. This can be done through evaluation of one's relationship with Christ through prayer and Scripture. (FYI this is not a works righteousness litmus test---your ability to want to be closer, and pursue avenues that will bring you closer is simply enabled by God's work and grace. See Philippians 2:12-13). Here is one that I pray for daily and not because it is the New Year.

1. I want to be more consistent in my time in the Word, and in prayer.
Psalm 119:10-11: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart.....do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
Psalm 119:14: I rejoice in following your statutes...

Here in one of the greatest Psalms we see a joy, a seeking, and longing for God's Word, decree, law, or statutes. It has been said by John Piper that, "God's Word most clearly reveals WHO God is." God displays his power and glory through nature (Psalm 19:1-5, Romans 1:19-20--i.e. General Revelation), but He is most clearly revealed in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ in which is revealed in Scripture (i.e. Special Revelation). Who says you can't learn a little theology?
The problem is we know (esp. as believers) who Jesus is, we have heard all the stories, the problem is we aren't consistent in areas such as worship, prayer, and word time. We tend to get too busy to fit in a time where we are not distracted by cell phones, TV, football, friends, family, that we tend to do the same with God (I will fit Him into to my schedule). If you ever read your Bible, you realize God doesn't just fit in to Your little schedule book??!!!
Yes you should have a time with God, but that requires 3 things:

1. Sacrifice: of your time-(getting up early, staying up late, changing your day around to do this) , of your energy (prayer, and pursuit of consistency requires an active mind, heart) , and of

2. Be organized: Meaning when you do spend time go in with a plan: what time, what place, what method (meaning memorizing Scripture, reading a particular book, etc... (John Pipers When I Don't Desire God book goes into great detail)

3. Shut up and Listen: We are always constantly trying to talk at God. It makes sense, we do with everyone else in our lives. We are talking about our jobs, our relationships, how hard life is, mix it with some complaining about how tired we are and our prayers and word time become complaint sessions. Now biblically, Jeremiah was a major whiner and complained several times, (hence he is called the Lament Prophet--basically a whiny baby), David also whines a lot in the Psalms, but these complaints were of a righteous nature. They cried out to God about the injustice and when He would kick everyone's butt, or take care of a situation. We don't get a well I work a lot God, and my schedule is booked, or I hate my job, or I wish I had more friends.

Instead, stop for just a second. In our busy world to be still is almost a miracle. We are in fast paced world, and being still is becoming extinct. You can give God your requests but stop talking at him, talk to Him. Tell Him what is on your heart. Being still can reveal quite a bit of what is going on in our lives, including the course we are currently on.

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God."

John Piper, reflecting on the importance of being still and in relation to his life, describes what the stillness before God while on a flight to Massachusetts did:

"What came clear in the stillness was at least this much: I want to leave behind four God-centered sons; I want to leave behind a loved and honored and cherished wife; I want to leave behind a strong, biblically grounded, Christ-exalting, radically obedient, God-enjoying church; and I want to leave behind a written testimony to the truth of God, and the supremacy of God, and the beauty of God, and the worth of God in all of life. And to that end I want to keep my life free from the love of money, and the praise of men, and the power of position, and any impurity that would dull my delight in God.

If you let yourself be still this morning and know that God is God, that he will be exalted among the nations, that his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, that your life here is very short, then you will see what your life is supposed to be. God will make your unique significance plain.

Be Blessed