The Cyber Kazbá

Biblical Theology of Soteriology - The Fall

2011-08-23T16:40:00.000-05:00

This blog post is in a series of posts that I am doing on a Biblical Theology of Salvation. It will make much more sense if you read the preceding posts before you read this one. You can find the posts here:

http://cyberkazba.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html

The Fall tells a story of man’s first sin. But what exactly is sin? We theologians throw this word around and often times people have one idea in their head when we theologians mean another.

I have heard one person say sin is any thought, word, motive or deed done in commission (doing something you shouldn’t) or omission (not doing the right thing) against the law of God. This I believe is a good starting point but it often is too wordy and many people are still stuck on the last three words. The Law of God, what is the law of God? Did Adam and Eve have the Law of God? Sure God told them not to eat from the tree, but does that mean they never had a selfish motive?

I think the Fall narrative gives us a clearer and even more simplified idea of what sin is. There are two important points in this narrative that will allow us the reality of sin as it took place in the Fall.The two keys I believe are the nature of the garden/cosmos and the nature of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

If you will remember in my previous point on creation that the heavens and the earth were created as a temple (dwelling place) for God. The earth was His sphere of reign, His dome of kingship, His Kingdom. This kingdom was declared by God as “good” and was characterized by Peace (heb. Shalom).

Peace, did not necessarily mean absence of war, or a quiet relaxing night (though certainly that was included!) but peace was how things are supposed to be; it’s when God’s kingdom is manifesting itself entirely.

Adam and Eve were to be co-rulers of this kingdom. They were to “keep” it. They were to reflect the relationship of the trinity to one another and to all of creation. They were to bring the glory of God by displaying it to all the earth as it reflected from their relationship with Him.

This is why Paul says: “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (rom. 3:23) Sin is in essence falling short of the glory of God in the manner that we no longer reflect it properly to others and the world around us.

Dallas Willard once said that a possible reason Adam and Eve discovered their nakedness was because the glory of God literally fell away from them. They stopped glowing.

So sin is anything that stands in contrast to character of God and properly transmitting it to creation. Or sin is anything that is in contrast to Shalom.

Also, the tree is a fascinating part of this story. Why did it have such a mysterious name? What exactly does it mean the knowledge of good and evil? Shouldn’t any moral responsible agent have access to the knowledge of what is good and what is not? Why is it so bad to have this knowledge that it will bring sudden death to the one who has it?

I would argue that in fact the knowledge of good and evil is not something a created being should have. For one thing, knowledge often times is much more than just intellectual gain of information. It is more often experiential. We say things like, “Yeah I know how that feels.” “Do you know how to drive a car with a stick shift?” etc. So experiential knowledge is not always something we should value. We should never have to know what it feels like to bury one of our children. Or know what it’s like to kill a man. etc.

But I would like to take this knowledge a little further than that even. Certainly it was not good for Adam and Eve to experience a fall from the glory of God. But even further than that is they did in fact gain the knowledge of good and evil.

The serpent in essence didn’t lie to them on that. They did become like gods in a sense here. They gained ability to decipher (for themselves) what is good and what is evil. And this, I am telling you, may have been the biggest disaster that occurred at the Fall.

The responsibility of calling the shots on what is good and what is evil is not a responsibility that a created agent can handle. First and foremost, humans’ perspectives are so limited. Its near impossible for us to decipher all the layers of motives, thoughts, actions and words that take place in one moral decision.

But never mind that we are convinced that our opinion is right or our cause is just. We rationalize and justify our actions so that we can declare them good. We judge others based on our own analysis and declare them evil. In essence we have seated ourselves on the throne of judgment on all that is good and evil. God is no longer consulted as we make decisions that are convenient for ourselves all the while we are mostly ignorant to almost everything but ourselves.

Perhaps the worst is when this “gift” of judgement enters into self-reflection. We judge ourselves either too well or far too poorly. Pride or self-deprecation are essentially the same thing. We make a judgment call based on our limited amount of information/experience and act like it’s the golden truth and often times we are trapped in it.

The knowledge of good and evil is like giving a package of C4 to a 2 year old.

Adam and Eve did not have this prior to the Fall. All of their judgement on reality was solely based off of what God declared to them. They had to accept these judgements not because they didn’t know anything different but because they had faith in them and trust in Him. The is why Paul can say; “Anything that is not done in faith is sin.”

So sin is not just an attack on Shalom but is also living without faith. Us humans who have the knowledge of good and evil have to learn how to not trust our judgments, and learn how to accepts God’s judgments of reality on faith.

We have to accept that many things we do are destroying ourselves and others. We have to stop pressing our judgments on others. We have to humbly release our seat on the throne of truth and submit to God.

We have to accept that we are made in the image of God and have incredible worth even when nothing in our mind/experience tells us this. We have accept that God loves us when we feel unlovable. We have to trust that God’s judgment on reality is the best thing for us because He really does have the proper perspective on everything.

This is salvation. When we are rescued from our own trap of reality that we have created for ourselves and submit it to the reality of God’s judgements. When we staring living in accordance with the Word of God by faith then we can begin to reflect His glory to the earth.

Biblical Theology of Soteriology - Creation

2011-07-27T17:36:00.001-05:00

The Bible begins with creation and thus so does our quest of outlining God’s plan of salvation. Immediately one may ask, Why are we talking about salvation in creation? Isn’t salvation relevant only after the fall? This, I would argue, is too narrow of a view of what salvation is.

I’d like to begin with a different question: Why did God create the universe anyway? Now I am by no means in a position to answer this question 100% conclusively. Who can know the mind of God??? Yet, I think I might lend some interesting thoughts to get the conversation starting.

First, we must assert that God is completely self-sufficient. In other words, He doesn’t need anything, apart from himself to exist, have meaning, and enjoyment. So He doesn’t need creation at all. Yet we know that God must relate to himself in some way in order for this self-sufficiency to be true.

God, who is loving, loves himself first, wholly and completely. His love is a self-sacrificial love. But to who does “sacrifice” to? God is worthy of all glory, honor and praise. But who is there to give glory, honor and praise to God? God shows kindness, compassion, and justice. Yet who is object of these characteristics of God?

In a strict Monotheistic/Unitarian view of God, one must conclude that God would “need” some creature/creation to manifest these characteristics to. Thus, a Unitarian God is not self-sufficient. In essence God could not BE God without some external creation.
The Bible teaches not a Unitarian God but rather a triune God, consisting of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. One God, three Persons.

It is not in the scope of this study to go into too much on the trinity here but it is necessary to mention it in the scope of soteriology and of course creation.

Because God is triune, He is able to manifest the fullness of His character utterly self-sufficiently. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit can express the character of God within themselves in a beautiful dance. Creation is not necessary in order for God to be God. Yet, it is in this beautiful expression of God being God with in the trinity that creates the occasion for creation.

Because God is love, and His love is often characterized by self-sacrifice; and because God so enjoys this sacrificial love He desires to share it. God then creates the universe so that His creatures can enjoy the same fellowship and love that occurs in the Godhead.

This is the occasion for creation, and the basis of salvation. Creation is thus, “saved” so long as it is expressing the nature of it’s Creator. When this happens creation fully enjoys the character of God and, in the case of Humanity, is able to mimic this character unto Himself and others.

So God creates the heavens and earth. I don’t have time to exegete all the interesting points of Genesis 1 & 2, nor do I have to patience to enter into the creation/evolution debate, but I would like to focus on two points.

The first point has already been touched on, this is the concept of the image of God. The image of God is assigned to only one of God’s creatures: Humans. As image bearers of God, Humans are to reflect the character of God, live in the character of God, and express the character of God to the rest of creation. Humans are not God, but rather Images of God who uniquely express God’s character in the realm of God’s creation. They are to submit to God, learn from God and act in accordance to God. Humanity is to think, feel and act like God. When this is achieved creation reaches its pinnacle of purpose and enjoyment.

The second point I want to mention in the creation narrative is the idea of God’s rest on day 7 of creation. Why does God rest? Is He tired? Did His rest ever end?

The language of the Old Testament and that of the Ancient near East is very different to modern conventions of communication. The creation narratives reflect language that is often connected to temples.

In the Ancient Near East (ANE) temples were the center of all religious, social and political endeavors. Temples were the places where the gods dwelt. Many temples took the form of a ziggurat, which looks like a flat top pyramid with stairs on one or many sides. People used to think that these were steps going up into heaven, but later archeology and cultural studies revealed that the stairs are not going up, but rather coming down.

The temple was the place where the god would descend from heaven and dwell in the midst of the people/land. When the temples were completed and “invitation” ceremony would initiate the arrival of the god to the temple. When the god took residence in the temple, he rested there.

The rest here does not mean sleep or relax. They didn’t believe that the gods were tired from their journey, but rather the rest of the god meant that the god was taking control of the people and the land for his own will and plan. It’s like entering the cockpit of plane and taking the controls in hand. This is how gods “rested” in the ANE.

So God creates the world as a temple for Himself. He is pleased with creation and calls it good and then takes residence there in order to carry out His plan for His creation.

Both the image of God in humanity and the idea that God desires creation to be His temple in order to dwell, express his character and carry out his will set the foundation of understanding what salvation is.

It is when Humanity is able to submit to the will of God, reflect God’s character to others and carry out God’s plan that Humanity is saved. Consequently, this also includes all of creation as Man is God’s viceroy in ruling the earth, he is to subject it to the reign of God. The role then of one who is/is being saved is manifest this picture and spread it around.

Salvation, therefore is not just limited to being saved from hell. It is much more than that. Salvation is bringing all things under the reign of God, where in which creation can enjoy the character of God and be truly blessed.

Biblical Theology of Soteriology - An Introduction

2011-07-27T17:34:00.001-05:00

Starting such a endeavor as to write a Biblical Theology of Soteriology seems to mix two academic exercises in one. In my field of study there is what we call Systematic Theology (or systematics) and biblical theology. The first is a study that entail developing “systems” of doctrine that are generally derived from the bible to be sure, but seek “fill” in some gaps as to how certain doctrines can be formulated and eventually practiced.

A good example of systematics is the Trinity. No where in the Bible is the word Trinity mentioned, yet it stands as a foundational doctrine for orthodox Christianity. The development of the ideas we have around a triune God are developed systematically once the text suggests such a principle. The exercise in systematic theology then goes into using proper language, principles, and logical outcomes of such biblical concepts such as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Biblical theology is limited to the text, and only allows the text to form and create concepts, ideas and doctrines. It is concerned with the literary, historical and cultural devices the text uses to outline God’s truth, actions, and plans. It seeks to place theology in the larger context of biblical narrative and God’s History.

I will start briefly with a systematic introduction to soteriology, and then proceed with biblical theological approach to this idea.

This idea of creating a biblical theology of soteriology came to me after I had finished my theological studies at two schools. I learned so much about the Bible and was very pleased with the quality of education that I received. However I often questioned why I had to go to a paid university to get such a degree.

The information and truths I learned were foundational to what most Christians should learn, think about and study. Yet what I saw in the church was that most Christians were very uneducated when it came to the Bible and Theology.

Very simple things like understanding the general flow of history through the Bible, who are important characters and understanding very basic ideas like covenant and justification were (and still are) foreign concepts to many in the church. Even to those who had been there for years!

So a quest to educate the people of church is sorely needed. I don’t know if a blog is a good place to start but its as good as any.

What compounded my urge to write this biblical theology is my fascination with the doctrine of soteriology. Which, by the way, if you don’t know what it means, means the theology of salvation.

Salvation is such foundational idea to all Christians. Yet, many haven't taken the time to sit down and understand what it means to be saved. What does it mean to be saved? From whom? From what? How is someone saved? What are the minimum requirements to be saved?

You may think that these answers are easy. I am saved from hell. I am saved by belief in the Lord Jesus. Are good answers to start. But when it’s pressed further, are there other forces/places/people I am being saved from? What does it mean to believe in Jesus? What exactly must I believe? If I don’t believe in the resurrection, am I saved? If I don’t believe in speaking in tongues, am I saved? How can I tell if I am saved?

When do I “get saved”? Is it something in the past? Does it happen in the future? What role do I play in my salvation? in the salvation of others? What role does God play in salvation? If I am saved do I “go to heaven”? Are humans the only creatures who are/will be saved?

Many more questions could be asked to confuse the topic, but I think you get the point. It’s not so easy. So instead of pontificating about the answers to these questions, as a systematic approach would be, I would like to look at the Bible as a whole and take a walk through it identifying the key points in the literature and history as it relates to God’s plan of salvation.

There are 16 areas, thus 16 blog posts (17 if you include this one) that I will look at when it comest to a biblical theological of soteriology:

1) Creation
2) The Fall
3) The Flood
4) Calling of Abraham (formation of Israel)
5) The Exodus
6) The Law
7) Judges
8) Prophets
9) Kingdom of Israel - rise and fal
10) Christmas (Incarnation)
11) The teachings of Jesus
12) The works of Jesus
13) The Work of Jesus (atonement)
14) Resurrection
15) The Holy Spirit
16) Eschatology (the end)

The aim is to educate and invite a conversation as we seek to understand God’s plan of salvation as its laid out in scripture as well as applying these ideas to our everyday lives. I also as we gain understanding of who God is and his plan for the world it might open up doors for us to share this with others who don’t yet know Him.

Marriage: It Changes Everything, It Changes Nothing

2009-12-27T09:39:00.009-06:00

When someone gets married it is no doubt that it's a life changing experience. That one ceremony symbolizes and realizes the lives of two people becoming one. A name change occurs, addresses change, tax brackets are adjusted, bank accounts are joined and even new family members are acquired. It's a lot to take in in just one day!

In this sense, marriage changes everything. You have a new legal status, spiritual status, relationship status, financial status, social status and in some cases a new citizenship/visa status. With all of these external changes in some one's life going on almost simultaneously its a wonder how we handle it.

Like the title of this post suggests, marriage changes everything. But, on the other hand, marriage doesn't change anything. Here is what I mean by this: Although there are a lot of external changes that happen in your life when you get married, internal changes don't occur in the same way.

This can be a really good thing and a really bad thing at once. It means that when you get married you are marrying the same person today as they were yesterday and as they will be tomorrow. This is a good thing, at least it should be. You fell in love with that person and one would hope that such drastic changes don't occur overnight so that they wake-up to be someone completely different the morning after the ceremony.

The nature of the relationship shouldn't change all that much either. Although it has gone to a far more serious and intimate role, the things that were done prior to marriage shouldn't stop once you are married.

I think for men this is really important to remember. Often times we men go into marriage thinking of it as a licence to let loose. "Well, I've won my prize, now I can just sit back on the couch, unbutton my pants and relax for the rest of my life." Though we don't necessarily think this way literally (though some do!) we think this way relationally. We no longer feel the need to woo or impress our wives because we already have and she is already wooed! Truth is, a woman's heart is in constant need of being wooed. Just because you're her husband doesn't automatically mean you've won it over today. Before we got married, us men, pulled out all the right moves to catch the attention and love of our girls. Why does it seem to change after the wedding? Go on dates, buy her flowers, wear cologne, take a shower and kiss her a lot! That's a start at least.

On the flip side sometimes we want change to occur but it just doesn't happen. Often times for men they think that being married will "make them into a man." This isn't true. If you're a boy on the day before the ceremony, no matter how much magic the pastor can muster, you'll be a boy the next day. What is manhood? I believe that will be a topic for another post...

But let me continue this thought a bit more. Some of us go into marriage carrying baggage of past hurts or past sins (or continuing sins) and we think that getting married will bury all of this. This also isn't necessarily true either. The sin you struggle with before you get married will still be there after you get married. One sin that you may not even know you had was selfishness, if anything this sin gets magnified after marriage.

Also, people often hope for a change in their mates. Let me recall a classical line I heard someone say, "If you want to alter her, don't bring her to the altar." The altar doesn't change the person, and if you're hoping it will, you will be in for a big surprise. In this sense marriage changes nothing.

The changes I have experienced in my marriage thus far have been good. I told my wife, it's like waking up every morning to Christmas! Right next to me is the most beautiful present I will ever get! I still have to work hard to maintain focus and try to impress my wife, too often I get lazy at this... I am glad that there hasn't been any really drastic change in my wife. I married her for who she is, and to me she's beautiful.

Apostille

2009-08-26T05:35:00.002-05:00

Being the procrastinator that I am, I put off everything that is important. This would include things pertaining to my wedding. Particularly the legal issues that surround it. Coming from a foreign land it isn't as easy to line up all the legal paperwork as it would be doing it in the homeland. So about 5 weeks before the wedding I find out that I need a special piece of paperwork called an apostille. This is a legal certification that attaches to the birth certificate (BC) and certifies it as legal document. I suppose to make sure there aren't any fake BCs going around.

The problem was that I had my BC but could only get the apostille in the USA. After some help from the family I found out I could just mail it in and the Secretary of State would mail it back to me. No problem right? I just send in my BC and get it back in about 2 weeks time leaving me 3 weeks of breathing room. Well... there was a problem. I sent my BC and it never arrived!

Now of course I am getting nervous because I can't married without this document. So if I don't figure it out soon we have a serious problem on our hands. Also, I heard a very interesting story that occurred in this country that raised my suspicion about what may have happened to my BC. Here is the story:

My friend (lets call him Andy) who is American and has been living in CZ for about 3 years. One night while he was on a tram, he gets jumped and three burly dudes who take his bag containing his passport. Meanwhile, my friend has another business partner/friend (lets call him John) who is actually quite wealthy and conducting some serious business here in CZ. John was awaiting a large sum of money being transferred from Canada. The bank was giving him the runaround and telling him that the transferred never cleared. He raises a big complaint because the money should be there. Well, after about 3 weeks the man gets arrested.

Here's where the story gets weird. My friend Andy goes to the US embassy to renew his passport. He is speaking with the lady behind the counter and going through the process, and he sees his (Andy's) passport sitting there next to the woman! On top of that the woman refuses the give him a new passport! As he (Andy) is leaving she smiles and slides through the window John's passport (the man who is now in jail).

Long story short, Andy spent 3 months in CZ without a passport until one day the US ambassador himself picks up Andy from his flat and police escorts him back to the embassy and issues him a new passport. Shortly after John is released from Jail, the ambassador retires, and the bank dealing with John goes down.

So what is happening with my BC? Here is how my friend "Andy" responded when he heard my BC has gone missing:
"Due to increased conspiracies involving Czech Republic, you are now officially named Boris Rusky and you have 5 mortgages 3 cars 2 business leases and 5 bankrupt hotdog stands in your name. If i were you i would lay low til the wedding!"

This had me laughing, albeit a nervous laugh.

The Good news is my mom being the hero mom that she is runs all over the Twin Cities Metro Area, gets a new BC, goes the Secretary of State's office, receives the apostille and sends it to me. Shortly after I receive it, get it translated and head to the government office. All goes smoothly there and my wedding is saved! :)

Ps. it has been approx. 22 days since I sent my BC and still hasn't arrived in USA

Doctor appointment 2.0

2009-08-04T04:22:00.004-05:00

So I went to my heart doctor again this last week. I have to say its a huge blessing to be in a country with universal health care. I paid less than $2 for what usually costs around $1,000 in US. I have an English speaking doctor who is under a team of cardiologists who are world renown.

Since this was only my second visit to this doctor I think she is still in the get to know the patient stage. And with the complexity of my condition and its long history (hallelujah) there is still a lot for her to go over. But upon my recent echo cardiogram she spotted something unusual. Now, when I say unusual I don't mean like an unusual cancerous growth, I mean unusual in a good way.

She said to me, "Now I know you don't have any blood going to your left lung, but I do see a possible connection that we could pursue."

I said, "What do you mean?"

"Well, there seems to be some sort of connection that would possibly bring blood to that side."

I said, "My doctor's tried something back in 1995 but it was unsuccessful. Are you seeing the same thing?"

"Not sure, but from what I see there is something definitely there. I'm going to bring this to my surgeon team to have a look."

Basically what she told me then is that, first the team will have a meeting to discuss what she is seeing. If they agree with her findings we may proceed with a catherization to get a closer look at the situation. If all goes as it seems we could proceed then with a surgery. Perhaps for the first time in my life I would use both lungs!

She told me that many of her colleagues are in and out of the office so an answer probably won't come until the end of August. But something to be praying about anyway. Could be nothing, could be something amazing!

Apart from this she said that basically nothing has changed since my last check-up, which is good. I feel good and am in good health. Praise the Lord!

Rings!

2009-07-17T06:18:00.004-05:00

So most people who read this (who am I kidding I have one reader) know that I am in the process of planning a wedding. Now usually this is a time where the couple gets their first glimpse of what the other is like in a pressure situation. This is a time of stress, planning, budgeting, shopping and organizing.

Now I know that most people view planning a wedding as a big project (and an expensive one!); imagine doing it in a foreign country! Not only is the coordination a bit more difficult because of the language barrier but there is also a balance of keeping traditions of the culture. Americans already have their share of the wedding traditions and can you imagine compounding those with another set of cultural traditions? Obviously it's not possible to do all the traditions at the same event, so some traditions have to be left out. For example groom's dinner and wedding rehearsal are unheard of here and these probably wont be a part of our big event. Also bridal showers are a foreign concept so despite Ola's best wishes I just don't see her bridesmaids getting it together.

Then there those cultural things that we evaluate and think OK we are not doing that because we can do this instead! Example, American weddings have usually between 150 and 300 people. When they have the reception, they serve a "meal" and when you leave the wedding you are probably starving and stop at McDonald's on your way home. In Czech their typical weddings have between 30 and 60 people. There is also a special meal that is served to the immediate family (sometimes to everyone depending on the size). This meal is supposed to be an intimate time for the families to be together after the ceremony to celebrate the union. And we are talking FOOD people! Not some skimpy, mass produced, semi-warm food, but a four course elegantly prepared meal that is sure to fill you up. And if that isn't enough food, there is usually an extended party/reception with dancing where they serve lots of food too throughout the night.

So for our wedding we had a bit of a dilemma. We want to invite around 60 people total (that is assuming that most Americans won't make it). But we don't want all the people to come to the family meal, yet we want everyone to come to the ceremony. I suggested to have the meal before the ceremony and I guess that was a ridiculous idea... So we are having the ceremony and reception in two different places. Everyone is invited to the ceremony, then the immediate family will travel to the reception place and have the traditional meal. After that the rest of the people will come later for the Party!!!

Now we get to the rings. And this is where I become a little ignorant. I thought that I was through with rings. You see I already got the beautiful diamond engagement ring, isn't that enough? I knew that I would eventually need a ring, but lets be hones I would be fine with a lifesaver as long as it stayed on my finger. But apparently we were not through with rings as the woman also wears not just an engagement ring but a wedding ring too!

As some of you know the diamond industry really isn't one of the burgeoning trades in the Czech Republic. The diamonds here seem to be lacking in quality, selection and price (way too expensive!) So when I got the engagement ring I actually bought it in London. When I realized that there was another ring involved I was a little nervous about buying another diamond... But Ola seemed be looking for something more simple- bless her heart.

We went to the a few places and it seemed that either the shop assistants didn't want to help us or worse they were rude! There was a time when Ola asked to see a set a diamonds under the glass and the sales person said, "Oh? But those are brilliant diamonds." As if there was no way we could ever even think about buying one. Ola, with as much smugness as she could muster replied, "I know, and so is this one." Pointing to the ring on her finger. Needless to say Ola was quite offended and we left rather quickly. Then one day we stumble into a shop and the lady was quite nice and even spoke English. She must have been a good salesperson because we left the shop after we placed orders for our rings. The salesperson said that Ola got a Ferrari ring, because its not one that you should be driving just anywhere. Mine will be a simple stainless steel band, its more like a KIA ring or something I guess. Needless to say we are both excited the time is getting closer and details such as these are wrapping up.

A New Perspective

2009-06-28T15:28:00.002-05:00

Ok so usually I write theological ponderings on this blog and for the most part I have really enjoyed it. But to be honest I know I do a terrible job at keeping it up. Part of it is that I'm busy and the other part is that it takes a lot of thinking and concentration to punch out one of my ideas. Not that they're so great but lately it has seemed like a lot of work to put one forth. Plus when no one comments it's a little demotivating. So I have moved my theological thoughts to a differnet blog where I won't be the sole author. Feel free to check it out, it's under the fellow bloggers list Concert of Thought. There is already a post there so enjoy!

So this blog will then become my way to update and entertain those who are curious about my life here in Czech Republic. I try to keep in touch with people as best I can and am not the best at it. Often times when I do communicate with them I leave out many aspects of life here in Czech. So I will do my best to try to update this blog with quips and updates from my expereince here.

Unlike in USA, I rely heavily on public transportation to get around. Not using public transportation much before coming to Europe my adaption to this lifestyle wasn't always easy. I couldn't just leave and go wherever I wanted whenever I wanted. I have to follow someone elses schedule; and forget about traveling anywhere far after 9:00 pm. You lose control to be on time as you have to hope that your bus or train arrives on time.

Sometimes this can drive me up the wall. Like today, we got up at 5:45 in the morning so we could catch a bus from Strakonice to Prague. We really wanted/needed to go to church so we could give some "homework" (or as I like to call it our 'relationship investment project') to the pastor who is giving us premarital counseling. The bus was scheduled to leave at 6:25 and the next bus was leaving at 10:00 am much too late to make it to church.

So, Ola's mom, bless her heart, woke up at the crack of dawn just to drive us to the bus station. When we arrived we are shocked that there is in fact a line of people already waiting for the bus.

Now it's quite common for lines to form waiting for the bus to Prague. In fact there have been many times when the bus was so full that I had to stand all the way there.... 90 minutes standing in a bus aisle is not fun.

But this morning there was a line, but not too many people, nonetheless I was quite shocked to see anyone there. So we waited... then we waited and waited some more. 7:00 still no bus. One by one the line dwindled down until it was just us. By that time we resigned our fate to going back home and getting some more much needed sleep. We called Ola's mom and she was ready to come pick us up. Just as the phone lines disconnected the bus came around the corner. There were floods in the surrounding cities and that caused the delay.

On top of all that can go wrong with public trasnport there is also a language barrier that I must overcome if I am to travel alone. Usually it's ok unless things don't go according to the plan. One of my favorite moments was when I was traveling alone to a town outside of Prague alone becuase of work. I boarded the bus and the told the driver where I needed to go and paid my fee. The bus driver gave me back double the change I was supposed to get, except I didn't realize until I sat down (near the back of the bus). Having my conscience pricked because I noticed the error so early I was compelled to go up there but a bit nervous as to how to explain in broken czech what happened. I was a little nervous how the driver would react if I just stuck money into his face again.

But I did and even though I don't understand czech that great I couldn't believe what I heard! Here is my translation of what happened:

Me: Excuse me sir, I have too much change .

Bus Driver: Huh, (seeing the money) Aha, ok good! I can see you're not a czech and you're not black, so that's great. Thank you very much!

Ransomed or Substituted? A new look at the crucifixion

2009-05-01T12:34:00.003-05:00

Finally I am going to take a crack at this; though I have to warn you that it may not be all worth all that build up.

For some time I have begun to re-examine the Christian faith and doctrines in many new and different ways. When I was in college studying theology I began my studies thinking that I had my beliefs pretty much figured out. Going to college was a way for me to just prove to everyone else that I knew what I was talking about. Little did I know that when I left college I had nearly abandon all theological systems I previously held to. I went through another similar change when I went through grad school and have never really been able to shake the trend since. I am constantly being challenged theologically to examine and re-examine what I truly believe and consequently how do those beliefs affect what I do.

One theological perspective that has kept with me, until as of late, has been the doctrine of the crucifixion. Simply, Why did Jesus die on the cross? For most of my life I think I would have given the answer: Jesus came to earth and died on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for my sins. Because I have sinned, fallen away from God and am incapable of bringing myself in a right relationship to Him, Jesus' blood sacrifice covers my sin and restores my relationship with God. Jesus substituted himself on the cross in my place because I deserved death and punishment. Because of Jesus' work on the cross I now have two choices: I can accept his sacrifice and he can pay for my sins, or I can reject this sacrifice and choose to pay for my own sins through eternal death and punishment.

So how did I do? Sounds pretty good? I left out some biblical reference but for the most part this is how I looked at the crucifixion; in academia they call this penal substitution atonement. This view I believed is very widely held in most parts of evangelicalism. It is this view that we usual use to evangelize and how most of us were converted. This view I believe is very accurate and true...in so far as it goes.

This view I would argue is a very narrow look at the work of Christ. It fits really nicely into our Western individualistic worldviews, where we (or I) fall into the center of our own universe. Jesus came for ME! :) The consequences of this view have turned many people's faith into a me and Jesus type of faith. Well, isn't that convenient that Jesus came just for me, I wonder what else He is doing just for me? Unfortunately the Me and my personal Jesus faith tends to change Jesus into looking like us instead of the other way around.

What about he bigger picture? Are there any cosmic reasons for Jesus' death?

When I was in theology class and my teacher was introducing theological views of the atonement one view always seemed a bit absurd. It was the ransom view of the atonement. It is the idea that earth in a sense no longer belonged to God. Through man's destructive choices he was leading the world to hell (Literally!!), and consequently into the hands of the devil. Somewhere along the line the ownership of the earth had changed hands. Therefore, in order to get the earth back Jesus had to come and offer himself as a ransom exchange for the world.

The reason that I thought it ridiculous at first is, if I'm honest, it kinda left me out of the picture. Also, I found it absurd that God ever lost ownership of the world, his most prized creation. How could an all powerful God let such a thing happen? It's impossible! Right?

Well, looking at the Bible and looking at reality, I started to grasp the possibility that indeed the ownership of the world had changed ownership. Over and over the Bible has names for Satan that show that this has happened: He is the prince of this world (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11); he is the ruler of the air (eph. 2:2); He is god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4); the power of this dark world (Eph. 6:12) etc. Also during Jesus' temptation in the desert, the devil offered all the kingdoms of the earth to Jesus. Why? Because they were his to give! :-O

Also we have other biblical evidence that points to saying that this was what Jesus was doing on the cross: 1 John 3:8 says, "The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" (NASB). The idea of ransom is in several passages regarding Jesus' death: Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Tim. 2:6; 2 Peter 2:1. There is also a beautiful picture of this in Revelation chapter 5; when the Lamb who was slain is the only one worthy to open the scroll with seven seals (the deed to the earth).

So if this has some truth to it what does it all mean? Well first of all the atonement has a much broader scope than just me and my sins. It is the defining moment of the beginning of the end. The kingdom of this earth no longer has dominion as it shrinks back against the kingdom of God. The work of the cross was not just about me and my sins, or even us and our sins, but rather the reconciliation of all of creation back to God. It thus becomes the mission of the followers of Jesus to continue the work of the cross by taking part in reconciling the world.

How is this done? Well thankfully we have the life Jesus as a perfect model. Everything he did was an act against the devil and furthering the kingdom of God: healing the sick, freeing the enslaved, opening he eyes of the blind, and forgiving sin. Calvary was the climax of all that Jesus did as he sacrificially gave everything in order to restore what he loved so much.

Homosexual Marriage

2008-12-12T11:54:00.003-06:00

It is usually against my habit to tackle such a publicly hot topic. This is because I would like to avoid meaningless arguments that follow such controversial topics. But I read an article earlier this week in the recent edition of Newsweek. Anyway this article got me thinking that there must be a better way to approach the issue.

As such hot, political and religious topics go, there are usually very strong opinions on each side of the spectrum. Usually, and sadly, neither side gives a rip what the other side thinks, says or does; unless it's "offensive" then the other side attacks. So let me lay some ground rules out first so that we can have a decent civilized conversation and not a barbaric name calling argument. Ground rule #1 I am speaking form 'within' the church and what I have to say is directed inward not necessarily outward. I believe when we project our ideas and opinions upon the 'opposing' camp this is were a discussion becomes very unproductive. #2. I think I have some credibility to speak 'within' the church because not only have I grown up in the church but I also hold a degree in Biblical Theology and another in Biblical Exegesis. That being said I know that everything I say is not automatically right, but I feel it should be respected. #3 Feel free to agree or disagree with anything but please don't be offensive and don't try to persuade others that are not in your ideological camp. It never works.

So with that being said, I would like to tackle two major issues. The first is wether or not the Bible indeed shows that homosexuality is a sin and an abomination in God's eyes. The second point will discuss what to do about homosexual marriage.

Believe it or not deciding wether or not the Bible rejects homosexuality as lifestyle is not as easy as it sounds. Many are quick to point out the Levitical passages that state quite explicit that homosexual sex is an abomination to God (Lev. 18:22; 20:13). It should be that easy and end of story, however these texts are couched with a lot of laws that Christian no long heed; to so many think this law is much like the rest. ( I disagree and think this is oversimplification, please read my blog entry Law collections and Law codes for my explanation on how to interpret the OT Law) For example the 20:13 verse says the sinners should be executed and not many people are even willing to go that far! So if we can't use the Leviticus passages what can we use?

The Genesis story is a beautiful example to show how the Bible intends humanity to function. As the common phrase states: It was Adam and EVE not Adam and STEVE! But all joking aside, Eve was created to be a helper to Adam and some better translations will say companion. Woman was specifically designed to be compatible with Man. The Divine blessing to be fruitful and multiply further highlights this point that man and woman are intended to be together to populate and care for the earth. Also the statement that Man will leave his father and be joined to his wife solidifies the bIblical idea of marriage between a man and a women.

The Genesis passage does a good job at outlining the intended structure of family but falls to outright restrict homosexual marriage. After the fall things on earth fell apart and nothing was the way it was intended to be. Adam and Eve stand as a good standard, but is there room for alternatives?

Lets look at another Genesis passage Sodom and Gomorrah. Here we have men begging to sleep with the men in Lot's house. Shortly after, the city is destroyed. Many deduce that because of the cities homosexual acts the city is utterly destroyed. However, some have questioned this and wonder if the men are being punished because they were homosexuals or because they were displaying other sexually inexcusable behavior such as rape. Though I understand this point of view I think it clearly misunderstands the text. The men were freely offered women for their sexual appetites and they rudely turned it down for the men. However it is still not a closed case as this story is in the OT and we are not sure if such stories are still applicable (I think they are but I am playing along).

So we go to the NT. Many will quickly point out that Jesus said nothing about homosexual behavior and this is true. In fact I think Jesus would show love if/when he encountered a homosexual. So our focus then turns to Paul. In my opinion Paul only addresses homosexuality once in all of his writings. (I believe 1 cor. 6:9-11 and 1 Tim 1:9-10 are too obscure and the greek isn't clear enough to show that he intended to include homosexuals in these lists of vices). So the only passage is Romans 1. In this passage Paul is outlining what the result is of when man rejects God. vv. 24-27 24 "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."

This passage is unique because it includes both women and men in homosexual acts. Clearly here homosexuality is shown to a sin right? Well some say that Paul is referring to specific Men the Romans would be familiar with i.e. the Roman caesars who were men of renown immorality ranging from murder to all kinds of twisted sexual acts.

Though the idea of a caesar allusion is very intriguing to me in this passage it still doesn't nullify Paul's universal statements all throughout chapter one. Yes the Caesars might be a nice test case but Paul's words apply to everyone. The result of turning form God is a corrupt life, and a corrupt life can lead to homosexuality.

Ok so believe it or not these are basically all the texts that deal with homosexuality. However, I don't think it is enough to proof text through the bible and establish some sort of concrete truth. Good biblical theology seeks to see the Bible in it's literary and theological whole. Though I raised many objections that people commonly bring up against the proof text I still think that biblical harmony reaches a conclusion that homosexuality is a something that was never intended to happen in human nature. The institute of marriage was established to create fruitful families that cover and care for the earth. The principals that we can gather from such an outdated text (being sarcastic) like the OT are clear that Man is not to lay with another man, nor his he to lay with an ox, or his daughter etc. Furthermore Paul's statements in Romans 1 run parallel with all other mentions of homosexuality in the Bible and that is that homosexuality is sin the result of a fallen human.

So now if we agree that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin, what do we do with the proposition of homosexual marriage. Well one obvious answer is to reject it! But such close mindedness leads us sometimes in the wrong direction. I want to point to a passage in Paul that deals closely with how those within the church should respond to sexual immorality outside the church.

See 1 Cor 5:12-13 Paul tells his readers not to associate with people who are sexually immoral. He explicitly explains though that this does not include those in the 'world' (often times Paul's word for those who are in the flesh i.e. those outside the church). He says (vv 12-13): "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the Church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside."

How can we who are within the church demand a biblical lifestyle from those outside the church? Really the movement to homosexual marriages should not come as a surprise at all. Of course fallen humans are going to fall into it, did not Paul tell us in Romans 1?

I am not ever going to tell you how to vote politically, and certainly as a citizen of your state you have every right to vote how you wish; however I think there will be a time soon when homosexual marriage will be more or less universally accepted (in terms of state law). And when this happens We as Christians must be prepared to deal with an homosexually married couple.

The homosexual topic I believe is so heated because the religious people like to pick out sins that they don't often battle and are clear to see. Really the legalization of homosexual marriages movement is not much different than the materialism movement that is choking out America as we speak. Yet you don't see any picket marches against Wal-mart!

We as Christians need to be extra cautious around such topics and be willing to show the radical love of Jesus in such situations. They should know us by our love not our picket lines and signs. We can't disengage ourselves from the culture; but rather engage ourselves in loving acts. Our war is not against the homosexuals, these are our friends, brothers, and sisters.

"Churches" and Religious Art

2008-10-20T14:04:00.004-05:00

I live in a part of the world that never ceases to amaze me. When I lived back in the USA I never really got to taste and experience history. In fact one could argue that the US really has no history. We are a country that is just barely older than 230 years. I live near a structure was constructed when Christopher Columbus was wearing diapers! I got the opportunity to visit one of the vast amounts of cities that litter the countryside of CZ that is rich in history. We were in a town called Klatovy. It has a large square with a tall clock tower that is also next to a Jesuit church. Very near the square is an Archeacon church. This church was built in the 1200's! (pictured above)

I was standing and just observing this church and I got to thinking about Churches and religious art. The detail that was both on the inside and outside of this church was astounding. Almost glamourous. Before you walk in you are captivated at the details of the statues and the stories they tell. Inside is like a throne room as things are covered in gold and masterpiece paintings are placed all around. There is in fact, in the center of the chapel a painting of Mary that has been said to perform miracles.

I put this in contrast to the churches that are very common within American evangelicalism. Our churches resemble shopping malls. Which may or may not be a commentary on the influence of culture.... Sure our buildings are state of the art...but that is sometimes exactly what is missing...art!

So what am I getting at? First of all on a theological side of things I completely understand that a "church" is nothing more than a building. It's very inaccurate, in fact, to call it a church when, in fact, the people are the church and the "church" just so happens to be the place where they meet. However, since we go through so much to construct these multi-million dollar "churches" do we at all stop to think about how they should look?

Let me take a break for a second and talk about religious art. I know that many evangelical warning flags are already flapping in the wind at the mere mention of the idea. Often times we associate religious art with some sort of idolatry. People travel for miles to see a statue of Mary that is bleeding, tortillas with the likeness of the Virgin sell on e-bay for thousands of dollars etc. We see people weeping and clutching relics and it seems that the emphasis is on the object rather than the Creator. So religious art often gets a bad rep.

Let me try to re-define religious art a bit. In some cases, yes, it's true idol worship is happening. Yet in others, the iconic image is nothing but a window into the divine. The God of the Bible is a God who wants his people to search him out with all of their being; he has implored us to holistic worship. There are sights and sounds even smells and tastes that are outlined in the OT law. Even the first century church followed suit with things like the Lord's Supper, singing songs, and baptism. All forms of worship that bring together all the senses.

So now it all comes full circle. Are the structures that we find ourselves in on Sunday mornings designed to bring about this holistic form of worship. Is what we see, smell, taste and even feel create a window to the divine?

I know that some people will be creeped out, even offended, at pictures of Jesus or Mary or some other "image" in our sanctuary; but are there any depictions that might strike a cord with you? A thirteenth century chapel will do me just fine. :)

Doctor's and the Problem of Evil

2008-10-09T08:30:00.003-05:00

So I went to a cardiologist today. Moving to a foreign country does at times have its moments of nervousness and inconveniences. So much more so when you have a congenital heart defect. Tracking down a good doctor who understands my situation, and one who speaks English was a daunting task. Thankfully with much help form people around me I was able to find a great doctor to do everything I needed. All has gone smoothly and I continue to be healthy! The best part it all costs less then $2... Can't get that service in the good ol' US of A

I was going through this process of a doctor's check up almost for the first time with my girlfriend. To me this is a usual process, my heart condition has become norm and a usual thing that I have to deal with, and usually without too much worry or even second thought. Not so, I guess, for those who are close to me. I've always been the one in the hospital bed, and not usually the one standing beside it. I sometimes wonder which side of the bed is more difficult to endure. I would argue the ones in the waiting room have it much harder...

But all this got me thinking about the problem of evil. That is... Why was I made this way? What did I do to deserve such an arduous load to bear? Also, why do those around me have to suffer so much as well? Why does it work out this way? Is it completely gratuitous, or some sort of cosmic joke? And not just me but the many people who are even far worse off than I am!

Well, I see such questions from a "cup is half empty" perspective, and I believe God sees it in a completely different perspective as well. Let me take you to one of my favorite passages in all of scripture. John ch. 9. Go ahead and read it. No really, this blog isn't going anywhere, besides it would do you some good to sit back and soak in some of God's word.

Ok so now that you have read it, there are clearly 2 perspectives going on here. Light and dark, sight and blindness. Jesus said this man was born blind so that the works of God could be displayed. And I truly think this captures the answers to a lot of my questions. For truly I am a living testament to the works of God. He has me to display his works to those around me. Here are his works:

-Born without a pulminary artery, turning blue within hours after birth
-Immediate exploratory and emergency surgery
-Two more sugeries to follow up and make 'temporary' fixes
-Surgery four, a breakthrough in technology, the conduit is placed in I go from purple little boy to boy with pretty pink lips
-Surgery 5 deemed 'unsucessful attempt to connect the left lung' yet health improves greatly
-Bout with deadly disease Endochriditus, Doctor says I 'dodged a bullet.'
-Surgery 6 replacement of Conduit followed by a great time of health

All in all a tough road, but God has been good, oh so good. I am healthy and live a beyond normal life. I live across the world and move around without problems. If you were to look at me you would never guess that I have been through what I have. I think that is the beauty of it. God doesn't sit and pout about how the world sucks; how everything is going to hell in a hand basket. He uses such instances to prove His glory. If everything was great and healthy who would need Him?

Its not that He delights in our plight, but rather chooses to take such a grim situation and pour His mercy down and totally change the outcome to be glorious. God is honored through those who are weak. His strength is made perfect in my defects.

The prognosis of my situation is really like everyone elses...it's unknown. Every breath a gift, every day a blessing.

Story

2008-08-25T15:14:00.004-05:00

Story in our day and age has a profound effect on us. The stories we choose to listen to and believe choreograph the story we write and tell in our own lives. I’m not just talking about the fanciful bedtime stories our parents used to act out in our bedrooms before we fell asleep. I am talking about the stories we hear and practice everyday. These are stories of importance, of life, of death.

If we listen to enough of the political stories that are going around these days, we might begin to believe and emulate a story of competition, domination and power. If we watch enough TV we might adopt a story of materialism. If we follow the news we might adopt stories of prejudice, racism and victimization. And if you try to avoid all of these mediums you probably have adopted an isolation story.

We hear stories, true or false, and they are powerful. Stories ignite nations, start revolutions, inspire Olympic athletes and direct everyday mundane lives. Stories can be very great but they can be very dangerous. What happened when people started to hear stories about the Jews in Germany? How many people changed their view on Islam after hearing the stories of 9/11? Who wanted to go for a swim after hearing the Michael Phelps story?

The gospel is also a story. It is I believe the most radical story. It is a story that goes above all other stories, not because it happens to be true, but because it actually fulfills what it promises. Stories that tend to be epic almost always promise peace and safety. If you just take this pill you will be thin and then you will be accepted. If you buy this iPhone then everything will be in control. If we just get rid of these people, then we will be secure. If I just avoid everything that is bad then I will be at peace.

Jesus usually packaged the good news with stories. His story was the Kingdom of God. He revealed the Kingdom of God in many different parables. For example: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matt. 13:44). I like this parable because it runs in contrast to all the other stories our world tells. Here we have a picture of giving up everything. Certainly giving up everything won’t give us peace or safety. But in fact, that is exactly what Jesus is saying.

What is tragic is when the gospel gets intertwined with some of these other stories. When Jesus is holding a machine gun, or promising wealth, or giving a path of escape, then the gospel fails to be that hope and security. The result to all of these stories is the same: tragedy.

The Gospel is a power-under, for others, servant orientated, love story. It doesn’t seek peace and safety for itself but for everyone around it. It doesn’t look to intimidate, shame, or avoid others. Rather it encounters others where they are at and seeks to love them. That story is certainly worth giving everything for.

What story are you writing?

Church Authority?

2008-02-18T15:55:00.004-06:00

A friend of mine was overly wrought one night when pondering the status of his church. He had been in a long discussion with a Catholic priest who was telling him protestant churches have no real authority and therefore are not really to be considered the Church. Of course my interest was piqued with such a statement made and I questioned my friend further of why this was bothering him.

The Catholic church has long been identified as an institution that relies heavily on tradition. The handing down of these traditions as well as the strict use and practice of these is what keep the Church the church. Of most important is the rite, or process by which church leaders are chosen/ordained/commissioned. The Catholic church holds to the tradition that their authority goes as far back as Peter; and the apostolic authority has been literally handed down through the generations. Their authority is grounded deep within historical roots and holds an amazing impact on how one responds to church authority.

I asked my friend what he means by authority of the church. He simply said the right or ability to tell me what I should do and how I should live my life. Which to me is the biggest amount of authority I guess you could give to anyone or institution.

So the question stands; how are protestant people go about establishing authority within their gatherings? In many situations around the world, a college or even seminary degree is not even within the possibility of the church leader/congregation. But does a degree from a Bible institute even give the right to have church authority? What measure must we compare to in deciding if one can carry the authority of a Bible teacher? Are we as protestants handcuffed by doctrines such as sola scirptora? or can we also trust in tradition?

I have many thoughts on this but would like to hear to what degree you give Bible teachers authority, and how you decide if someone can tell you how to live your life.

Jesus: Man with us?!?

2007-12-10T16:21:00.001-06:00

The birth of Jesus may be one of the most significant moments in human history. The unbelievable, the impossible, the unthinkable had occurred: God became a Man! :-o Most of us are familiar with the popular handle for Jesus during the Christmas season: Immanuel; which most people know comes from the Hebrew language meaning God with us. And truly such a title is both puzzling and awe inspiring. For how could Creator become creation? It’s like making a gingerbread house and then later transforming yourself into a gingerbread man just to live inside; and yet far more absurd than that even! I could go on and on about the mystery of the incarnation and many of us would do good to reflect much on this during the season. However I would like to inspect a different aspect of the incarnation that is usually overlooked. You see we always see Jesus as God with us, but what does it mean that Jesus was a human?

I submit that the fact that Jesus being human may be just as important, and eve more applicable than the fact that Jesus is God. What do I mean? Many of us lose sight of Jesus’ humanity and it may be to our disadvantage.

Stating the fact that Jesus is Man with us underlines the fact that Jesus was pure humanity. Jesus was the way in which humans were supposed to be. The way in which we live and experience humanity is merely a fallen and twisted form. Yet Jesus, taking on the form of human, and not just the form but the actually essence of humanity demonstrated the greatness of mankind.

Let me borrow an idea taken from a popular Xian artist: Humans, as we are now, see things upside down. We seek after riches, self fulfillment, comfortability and success. None of these things were valued by Jesus. He valued suffering, invested into others and saw the poor and afflicted as those who are blessed.

I sometimes wonder if we weren’t fallen humans that we might gravitate towards these similar themes. In our fallen state we have such a twisted perspective on reality. Though deep down we may understand that serving others, working through trials and taking on poverty are admirable and commendable actions. But naturally we are repulsed by these and too often we seek for our own personal gain and comfort.

Jesus, being the firstborn, the new Adam, transcends the standards for humanity in such a way that it shakes our very core purpose, goal and desires. Jesus as a human is calling us and challenging us into an existence that was always meant to be and is now able to be grasped.

The Lord's Table

2007-10-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

What do you think when you hear the words The Lord's Table? Most, I am guessing, begin to think about The Lord's Supper (a.ka. Communion). And I believe rightly so; but it is in our perspective of The Lord's Supper that I believe that our perspective of the Lord's Table is a bit underdeveloped.

Now much of this discussion is spurred from Fitz's old blog about the LS (Lord's Supper) Community. But I think its always a good idea to re-visit ideas that are powerful.

The experience that we have around the Lord's Table once a month (for most of us evangelicals); is often times a serious, contemplative and sobering experience. We are searching, sometimes, our most deepest intentions and motives as we draw out our last month's sin. To be honest the place looks and feels like a funeral. We dare not be caught taking this experience lightly as we know that we could possible fall ill or even drop dead.

Have you ever wondered if this is how it is suppose to be? Why are we acting like someone is dead? He's ALIVE for crying out loud! Perhaps if we inspect a little further about this idea of the Lord's Table we could maybe change our perspectives a bit and even our practice.

Now don’t get me wrong I am well aware of the 1 Cor. 11 passage that states: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” I see the emphasis on the Lord’s death here and that is maybe why we get a funeral at church every month; but I think we miss the point! You see it is the last part of the statement that we have totally forgotten when it comes to the Lord’s supper; “until he comes.” If we look back upon one of the narratives of the Last Supper we might get a better picture of what this looks like to take the Lord’s Supper as a preparation for his coming.

Luke 22:17-18 “After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Here Jesus tells his disciples that he will drink wine again; but the next time it will be at the consummation of the Kingdom. I don’t know what that occasion will look like but I can imagine it will be far from a funeral atmosphere. Oh to drink the sweet wine of the Kingdom of God at the Table with Jesus. Na Zdravy! (cheers).

So if our taking of the Lord’s supper is in anticipation of the return of Christ and the consummation of the Kingdom of God when/where we will drink wine at the Lord’s table; do you think it should bear the atmosphere of a funeral??? Heck no! It’s a party man!

I don’t mean to treat the Lord’s supper as one big random social gathering; but if we are to proclaim the one event in the history of the world that set every human being free from the captivity of sin; and hold this act in anticipation of our consummation supper with Christ; how should it look like?

Lastly, and perhaps more importantly is this idea of the Lord’s Table and Jesus’ command to his disciple that night to; “do this in remembrance of me.” I know many of you automatically think these might be typical last words of a dying man; something about remembering me after I die etc. And this is true but the dying man rarely ever wants you to dwell on their death, right? And so I imagine as the disciples are sitting there, these words came as a big surprise as they did not expect Jesus to die, let alone on a cross. So the cross and his death were probably last on their mind. What was on their mind was the LIFE of Jesus. What kind of life did Jesus live? What legacy did he leave?

Consequently; they were reclining at a table. This is one of Jesus’ common places; at a table. He was often found eating and drinking among friends. What kind of table was Jesus’ table? Who and what is the Lord’s table for? How did Jesus use the table as a way to reach out to others?

Here are my preliminary thoughts: The atmosphere at Jesus’ table was far different than a funeral. Even the Last Supper, I am willing to bet, was filled with laughter, enjoyment, and good food! Jesus used the table to get close to sinners. It was an intimate and safe environment where he could practically show the love of God. He could have been out teaching to the crowds or healing the sick; but many times he chose a table, to sit replenish, and commune with those who were rejected.

Isn’t the Lord’s table a place for such reconciliation? Shouldn’t the Lord's Supper not only be a place for saint and sinner alike? Shouldn’t it be a place where we celebrate the death of Christ in anticipation of the Kingdom? Shouldn’t the action of the Lord’s Supper spur us on to ministry in the likeness of the Lord’s Table not just once a month, but every day?

Jaxtr

2007-06-21T15:26:00.001-05:00

Ok so I got this jaxtr thing. I am really wondering if/how well this actually works; and what I need is a/some wiling souls form America to give it a whirl. Sign up, put me as one of your contacts and apparently you can call me for the same rate as calling your neighbor next door. And actually you are supposed to be able to call me (to my cell phone) even when I am not on my computer. They give you a special magic number that links our phones together via a local number. Got questions? Check it out at Jaxtr. Give me a call and at least try it!

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Law Codes, Law Code Collections, Functions and OT

2007-05-14T16:05:00.000-05:00

Most people when they pick up the Bible have a hard time bridging the gap between the OT and the NT. Not only does there seem to be some theological opposition but content and structure are very different too. One of the most puzzling pieces for scholars and lay people alike is the application of the OT law in light of the NT. It seems as if most if not all of the Mosaic law was subverted in the NT writings. We see Peter being told to eat unclean foods, we see Jesus working on the Sabbath. We no longer put to death those who dishonor their parents etc. The supreme theme of grace runs through the NT and seems to leave the strict legal obedience in the dust. Most of us when we think of the OT law we are trapped with thoughts of legalism, covenant fideism, cruel and unusual punishments, and boring Levitical chapter after boring Levitcal chaper. Well…just what is going on with the OT Law, is it something we can live without?

First I think we must restructure our thoughts on OT literature. Some have argued that there was a large difference between Law codes and Law code collections. The law code is the exhaustive explanation of the laws of the land/people/religion. The law code more or less is an ideal; usually in the biblical days, most people were not literate so the law code was passed on through oral traditions; and verbal proclamations etc. The Law code simply put is the law… The law code collections however are something quite different. The law code collections for the most part are samplings of the people’s laws. The law codes collections were found in very public places within the city. Since people were not believed to be able to read, why on earth were they there?

Lets look at the code of Hammurabi, one of the most famous and complete law collections ever found. The law collection itself may hint to the purpose of why it was written and on display. Hammurabi decrees to the gods that he was a just and righteous ruler, and he offers these laws as evidence to the gods that he was. The law code collection seems quite extensive (282 laws) but many say it is really incomplete and that a people could never live on these laws alone. The extensiveness of the collection is not to show the people what the laws in the city are but they stand as a testament to the gods that Hammurabi is ruling justly. There are examples of how justice was administered.

So how does this relate to the OT? Am I saying that the OT Law is incomplete? Well there are some major differences between the OT law and the other ANE laws, but also some shocking similarities. For example, in the ANE the source of the Law was from the gods, just like in Israel, but the purpose of the law was quite different. In the ANE the purpose of the law was to maintain social order, the OT law was not just to maintain social order but to reveal God’s holiness. Therefore ANE law collections were examples of justice, and the OT collection was examples of holiness. Thus, the OT law collection is not prescriptive but rather descriptive!

What I mean by that is this: The OT Law is not a section of Do’s and Don’ts; prescribing what should be done in each situation, but rather it is describing the holiness of God. Each law should then be taken under a process where by we could extract what is being revealed about God’s holiness.

Let me give you an example: In the OT it is stated that they are not to eat pigs (Lev. 11:7; Deut. 14:8). How does this reveal God’s holiness? Well, in biblical times it was rare to eat meat, it was very expensive and most people only ate meat at religious gatherings and sacrifices. Pigs were the most commonly used animal for sacrificing to demons. So in reality when God says don’t eat pigs, he may be saying don’t worship demons.

Even though the OT Law is descriptive it does not take away its obligatory force, in fact it strengthens it. All of the OT Law can be re-applied to any situation once the principles of God’s holiness are revealed.

Babel and Pentecost: An Odd Connection

2007-04-11T10:21:00.000-05:00

To make such a connection I think first we need to re-examine the Babel event and find out what is really going on. Most people don’t have a clue as to what the story is really about nor do they really know why it is in the Bible; other than to explain why there are so many different languages.

In the biblical text (Genesis 11:1-8) we read that the people gathered together to build a city and a tower to “reach the heavens” so that the people wont be scattered and that they could make a name for themselves. Then the Lord visits them and says that nothing would be impossible for them and he confuses their languages and scatters them abroad. So what is exactly happening here? Some of us might think that God doesn’t like tall towers, or that perhaps God was opposed to the people making a name for themselves. But I think with a little help from Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) backgrounds we could learn a lot about what is happening here.

The first thing I would like to discuss is the idea of a ziggurat. Ziggurats are ancient buildings located in and around Mesopotamia. These building were temples. Not temples in the sense that they were the place for public worship, but rather resting/dwelling places for gods. Most commonly these ziggurats housed the patron god of the city. The towers are shaped like a pyramid except flat at the top. Most of them look like a giant staircase leading to the heavens. It was thought that the ziggurat was built in such a way to invite/summonsthe deity to come and dwell among the people. In a sense some have argued that the “tower” of Babel is in fact a ziggurat of some sort. The tower of Babel was designed reach the heavens, perhaps not physically (i.e. a tower that is incredibly tall) but spiritually.

So now the story of Babel comes not primarily to describe how the languages were created, but rather to show the first sign of organized religion. What is interesting about the ziggurat set up is that man, is in control. If men do the right thing, say the right prayers, build the right building the god would in a sense be manipulated to comply with Man’s wishes. This organized religion was primarily made to make a special community; i.e. so that they were not scattered everywhere. The religion was also meant to give the people a name, fame, power, money? and who knows what else. So what did God do? He didn’t just create new languages, he destroyed the community. That I think is what is most important about the Babel story; the loss of human community in the face of man centered organized religion.

So now lets jump thousands of years later to Pentecost. I am sure now I wont have to explain this in so much depth as I guess you have probably made the connection. The first obvious connection is the elimination of language and the new creation of community. A community designed for all nations. In a sense Pentecost is the reversal of Babel not just with language but the re-creation of community.

But there is also one more point too that I would like to discuss. The religion in Babel was trying to get access to God, or the gods (I am not sure who) by performing certain tasks and trying to manipulate God/the gods. In a sense all was man initiated and controlled. Pentecost is God coming down not in some temple but the people. It was all directed, initiated and controlled by God. So Pentecost not only re-created community but also revealed true religion.

Baptism Of Jesus

2007-03-20T15:15:00.000-05:00

Ever sit and wonder about the baptism of Jesus? Ok, I understand you’re probably not like me and you sit around filling your brain with theological ambiguities and exegetical equivocations; but I am inviting you now into my path of thinking.

The first obvious question for me is what is baptism, what does it mean, and why do we do it? But I think at first these questions are too big to grapple and any answer I give would never really satisfy me. So I went to the source: Jesus. Jesus was baptized…why?

First let’s examine John the Baptizer (or Dipper). He was sent to prepare the way for Jesus and he was in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance. There are two things about John’s actions that are interesting. 1) If we relate the idea of baptism to the Jewish practice of ceremonial washing, John is doing a very peculiar action. I think there is good reason to believe that many who were baptized understood it in the context of Jewish ceremonial cleansing. Since there is no mention of Baptism in the OT and since there really isn’t any explanation as to why John is baptizing we may assume that this practice was somewhat common. Our closest resemblance to such an act is Jewish ceremonial cleansing. This is the cleansing required in order to make oneself clean before entering the temple or even the community. For instance if you get a disease (Lev. 14:8); or if someone contacts a woman who has her period (Lev. 15:21); or if you eat some dead animal (Lev. 17:15) you are required to bathe yourself. The interesting thing about John’s baptism is that he is pairing the ceremonial cleansing with the moral purity as well. Making an interesting link that also appears in the writing of the Qumran community. 2) It is believed by many that Jews practice proselyte baptism. That is, the Gentiles who wished to convert to Judaism were required to not only get circumcised (ouch!) but also get washed with water (ahhh). If John’s baptism is seen as similar to proselyte baptism then John is inaugurating a new community that even Jews were eager to join….

So then we also know for sure that John’s baptism was characterized by repentance. Repentance, that is turning away form sin, was one of John’s main themes in his teaching. So the question now comes…If John is preaching a baptism of repentance, why is Jesus getting baptized? Did Jesus sin? What is he repenting from? Well I think there are clues in the text that would show the answers to this and I think this might astound some.

I am focusing my concentration on the Matthew account (chapter 3), even though all four gospels record this event, I think Matthew serves my purposes the best. The narrative sequences are very important in order to understand what is taking place. It’s not enough just to do a word study on baptism and repentance and then sum up what is happening here in the text. So Jesus goes to John and gets baptized, essentially encountering water; then a voice comes from the heavens and declares that Jesus is God’s Son, and then Jesus is led into the wilderness for 40 days. These three acts alone should be triggering some OT buttons. First let’s do the most important, but maybe not the most obvious: The declaration of Jesus as God’s son. Did God ever call anyone else His Son? Yes! In Exodus 4:22, God calls Israel his firstborn son. And let me back up for a moment; let’s not forget that in Matt. Ch. 2 Jesus flees out of Egypt, in chapter 3 he passes through some water, he is called God’s Son, and then spends 40 days in the wilderness. Kind of sounds like Israel’s history doesn’t it?

So what’s going on? Jesus is assuming the role of Israel, not overtaking the role, but rather fulfilling the role, completely, the way God originally intended. So many times we get caught up in thinking that fulfilled prophecy is fulfilling some utterance about future events, but the NT authors saw Jesus’ life as fulfillment of Israel’s history and not just history but future as well. Jesus becomes the New Israel, and those who are in Christ are apart of this New Israel.

The Pain of God: How does an Almighty God get hurt?

2007-01-21T04:40:00.000-06:00

This first time my interest was pricked with this topic was when I encountered Jurgen Moltmann's writings. But even more so throughout my graduate studies, especially in my study of Genesis. At first, the idea of God hurting might not seem all that tricky, certainly as Christians we understand the pain that Jesus went through and we know that God is not a stranger to pain. But the question still remains, how can an all powerful, all knowing entity get hurt. The two ideas seem incongruent. Either God could be strong enough to overcome the pain or He could foresee the problem and stop it before it starts. Yet we see time and time again that God is hurt. The most explicit example (and I am sure there are many) is Genesis 6:6, where it not only states that God regretted that He made humanity, but also that His heart was filled with pain.

So what does this mean? It doesn't make too much sense that God regretted (repented, was sorry for, or however you choose to translate the Hebrew verb) any of His actions. A sovereign God would have been prepared for problems like this, how could he allow his heart to be filled with pain? Here in lies one of God's great mysteries and beauties. God creating us in His image (however you choose to understand that...) connected himself to humanity in such a way that He allowed Himself to be vulnerable. The absolute transcendence of God was eliminated in His awesome act of immanence. No longer was God unaffected by events and entities around Him; He entered Himself into something so precious and unique that forced Him to become susceptible. This precious and unique thing is relationship.

Some of us don't think of God as a risk taker, but that is exactly what He did with us. He risked the possibility of being hurt for the possibility of sharing a deep intimate relationship with His creation. Unfortunately, in Genesis 6 it looks like God risked everything and lost. I can't imagine what God felt like in that moment. But one thing comes to me that tells me His pain was exceedingly great. Its the truth that those whom you love can hurt you the most. This I know is true. It's one thing if some boyscout standing at your door selling cookies says "I hate you!" because you didn't buy anything, but it is another story when it is someone from your family, close friend, or spouse. I believe the pain we feel in these types of situations are just the tip of the iceberg compared to depths of God's emotions and pains. To feel utterly rejected by every part of your creation of whom you desperately love and opened yourself to. No wonder why God regretted His act of creation.

Thankfully it did not end there, God, in His infinite wisdom and understanding, created a way in which His creation could enter into a loving relationship with Him, a relationship that would come invulnerable to the pain He felt that day. Because all that pain was pent up for another day, when a carpenter was nailed to some wood and bore the pain of God.

If Home Is There.....Where Is Your Heart?

2006-09-17T01:31:00.000-05:00

About a week ago I moved to a foreign country. And to tell you the truth I don't know what to think of it. Its all been so surreal like I am just visiting and I will return home to the USA soon. But this isn't true, I am here for an indefinite amount of time and this will be my home. So what am I to do? So much of me is left back in the states; and I now find myself in a foreign land with foreign people who speak a foreign language. Can such a place really be my home. If home is where the heart is, why is some of my heart still in the USA?

I was stricken with theses thoughts (well as stricken as I guess I can get, because those who know me know that I don't really ever get stricken with anything) and I began to relate my problem with a common Christian Evangelical attitude, and that is of escapism... Escapism is the idea that this world is not my home and I just passing through. That Heaven will be so much greater than this hell-hole that I just can't wait to get there. The problem with such ideas is that like it or not this world is your home because God created it to be your home! Also I am not so sure that Heaven and this "hell-hole" are so distant from each other (spiritually and maybe even geographically). Christ came and ushered in the Kingdom of God, He spoke of it as if it was in our midst; growing like a little leaven all around us. Christ came to earth to bring heaven to earth not the other way around... And if we truly believe this, that the kingdom of God is all around us; it should produce two things (at least): worship and service. The coming and growing of the kingdom of God calls for great celebration and praise for what God has done, what he is doing and what He will do. Participation in the kingdom of God is bringing this news to the many who need to hear it; by helping the down trodden and the oppressed, releasing captives, and feeding the poor. All the while building a community that is focused on the Kingdom here and now.

So how does this relate to me moving to a foreign country and struggling to find a home? Its simple. It means that I am the number one recipient of the sermon I just typed. If home is where the heart is, my heart should be for the Kingdom of God; so no matter where I am, USA or CR, I will always be at home. Hopefully I can build a community here that is like minded because on my own it will be hard.

Fantasy Football.... An Apologetic

2006-09-04T00:20:00.000-05:00

Ok, I have heard the complaints, the arguments, the rational; and honestly I hear ya. Most people think that fantasy football is ridiculous. And had you asked me of my opinion of fantasy football 3-4 years ago you might have heard me say that the sport (can one even call it a sport? Lets call it an activity); the activity seems mindless and waste of time. I mean how can someone spend endless hours poring over a computer screen checking and re-checking statistics for their imaginary team, scoring imaginary points, to win imaginary glory? I mean is real football so bad that we have to create a fantasy football? Isn't it enough to waste 3-4 hours of your time on Sunday afternoon devoted to one team, but instead now there is interest in all of them. How can fellas who don't necessarily have much to say most of the time not stop talking when asked about their fantasy team? What is the draw? Why is it so fun? And who really cares?

I gave fantasy football a genuine try last year and I have to say it was more fun than I could have expected. From the pressures of the draft, to the taste of one's first victory, to the glorious appearing to the Toliet Bowl have to say it was pretty sweet. But to tell you the truth, had I done all of that with a bunch of scrubs online who I never knew nor met I would have to say it would be a waste of time... What I am saying is this, it is the people who make fantasy football worth doing. It's not the Shaun Alexanders, the LTs, nor the Larry Johnsons; but rather its the Andy Petersons, the Justin Winzenburg and Paul Sorensens (to name a few) that make fantasy all worth it. I am talking about genuine connection. This year's league will stretch all across the USA and into two other continents giving those who are away a great obligation to stay in touch with 13 other individuals thousands of miles away. And these aren't just ties with friends there are blood relative ties that will be bonded all in the name of fantasy football.

Ok, I know it sounds a little cheesy, and the first question that comes to my mind is...Isn't there anything else that could make this connection other than fantasy football? The answer is no; there is nothing else quite like it that is going to keep our genuine interests alive enough to check into each other lives. I know myself well enough that when I go away for the next year or so, the football season will be the only season that I will communicate with the most people on a regular basis. Sad maybe, but true. So let me hold on to my imaginary league for as long as I can so that I don't slip into my own imaginary world.

American Communism?

2006-07-25T00:19:00.000-05:00

I hope this article is more intriguing than it will be cynical. But here are some thoughts that have been on my mind lately. Have you ever been aware at the amount of nationalism and patriotism that goes on in our great country of the USA? To be honest I never really noticed it much, and if I did I just assumed that every other country in the world was just as enthusiastic about their country as Americans are about theirs. But having traveled across the globe to a few different countries, and especially those who are post-communistic I have come to realize that American patriotism comes frightfully close to the nationalism of Communists and other totalitarian regimes.

Take for instance the American flag… it is everywhere: Perkins, car dealerships, baseball fields, schools and even churches. When I was in the Czech Republic there were two places you could see the flag: the embassy and the border, and that’s it. Foreigners have brought it to my attention that the ubiquitous appearance of the American flag is similar to that of the Russian use when they invaded Eastern Europe. The flag is just one thing, but lets not forget the amount of occasions one could hear the national anthem, along with all the other songs dedicated to our country i.e. God bless America etc. And of course let’s not forget the seemingly brainwashing activity of the Pledge of Allegiance that occurs in grammar school all over the nation.

Patriotism is one thing, but I have also observed of how this patriotism has led to culture ignorance of the outside world. Many Americans think our country is so good they don’t bother to engage with the world outside. This too is a common characteristic of Communist countries: The government gets the people to believe that their situation is the best on earth and force the desire never to leave the country. The amount of passports issued to Americans is astonishing low, I think like around 20% or so; which means that 80 percent of Americans have yet to really engage themselves in the world around them. I mean, I was astonished how many people asked if there was ever snow in the Czech Republic (a.k.a Czechoslovakia); the country is about the same latitude as Calgary Canada!

Lastly, it has been especially interesting to me of how the church, primarily the evangelical church, has engaged itself in such patriotism. Certainly the privileges in our country have allowed the church to grow and be the church, but it is astonishing how now the church is playing a role politically. I could go on but I think this is enough for now. Once again please remember I am not being too cynical, I am NOT anti-America, I am an American, but these are just some interesting thoughts that could raise some good responses.

Do we ever want brokenness?

2006-06-23T23:11:00.000-05:00

I heard on Christian radio an artist singing that he wants brokenness. Upon first reflection, most (self included) think that such a statement is not only a correct statement of spirituality but also pious. But is brokenness something I (or we) truly desire or even should desire? For it seems that brokenness is the antithesis of the object of our desire. Brokenness is an event that occurs to us against our will, it’s when we come to the end of ourselves in glorious defeat. Brokenness breaks our desires and re-directs them. Furthermore, so much of brokenness is not necessarily this one event, but rather the journey there. The more arduous the journey the more dramatic and the deeper our brokenness will be. But if we spend the entire journey with a “desire” for brokenness how will we ever be broken? The journey of brokenness is not one that is, or should be sought after; rather it seems that brokenness finds us. It reaches down and pummels us in ways we never wanted; it surprises us, and invades us at the worst times; it is never convenient, nor is it enjoyable. If one does not experience anguish, self defeat, humiliation, and utter helplessness, has one truly been broken? How can we genuinely have a desire for such experiences? It seems that is impossible to break oneself, that brokenness comes from the outside; and a desire for such an experience would only prolong its arrival.

Now I understand that the aftermath of brokenness is usually blissful (in the end); and maybe that is what we are truly desiring when we say we desire to be broken. But how does one go about seeking genuine brokenness? Especially when one encounters passages in scripture where God demands brokenness form his people (cf. Joel 2:12-13). Maybe my lack of insight into such endeavors are from my deficient amount of experience with brokenness. What are your experiences with brokenness?