“Accept those whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” (Romans 14:1)
Division in the Church of Jesus Christ grieves me. A new Christian once asked me “Why are there so many different churches and denominations?” It was hard to answer! There is a lot of quarreling among different Christian groups.
“That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21)
Are you seeing that? I see some, but not as much as I would like. What did Jesus say would be the result of Christian unity? “That the world may believe.” Now, I’m not saying we should abandon the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. If we cannot unify around these, such as that Jesus was God, that He died on the cross to defeat the power of sin and death and make it possible for us to be reconciled to the Father, that He was resurrected, etc. then we cannot be in unity. The big question is, what is an essential doctrine and what is a disputable matter?
I believe that the role of women in the church is a disputable matter. My personal conviction is that women can Biblically take on a variety of roles in the church, including being a pastor, and I would defend my position with scriptural support. I know and am friends with other people who believe that women can Biblically take on only certain prescribed roles, also based on their understanding of scripture. I have seen some very severe division and fighting between the two sides over this issue. I wish both sides would agree to disagree on this issue so that we could be in unity “that the world may believe.”
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Faith in What?
Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22)
I was raised Presbyterian and am now a member of an independent charismatic church. I often feel torn between these two worlds, between “sola scriptura” (a statement of the Reformation that the Bible alone should be the authority), and the reality that God still speaks to us today (John 10:27). One of the aspects of some streams of the charismatic movement that has always bothered me is the emphasis on faith as a kind of tool to be wielded. The other day I read the following, which I found very helpful:
“In some Christian circles an unhealthy emphasis is placed on positive thinking or positive confession – the idea that whatever we believe or verbally affirm will become a reality. Although it is a mark of vibrant faith to maintain a Biblical optimism in the face of obstacles, an overemphasis on positive thinking may come perilously close to the New Age idea that thought controls reality and that we are masters of the world. This view overlooks the mystery of God’s providence, his final control of all events.”
Douglas Groothuis, “Unmasking the New Age”, p. 172
As Mark 11:22 says, our faith is in God, not in faith itself.
I was raised Presbyterian and am now a member of an independent charismatic church. I often feel torn between these two worlds, between “sola scriptura” (a statement of the Reformation that the Bible alone should be the authority), and the reality that God still speaks to us today (John 10:27). One of the aspects of some streams of the charismatic movement that has always bothered me is the emphasis on faith as a kind of tool to be wielded. The other day I read the following, which I found very helpful:
“In some Christian circles an unhealthy emphasis is placed on positive thinking or positive confession – the idea that whatever we believe or verbally affirm will become a reality. Although it is a mark of vibrant faith to maintain a Biblical optimism in the face of obstacles, an overemphasis on positive thinking may come perilously close to the New Age idea that thought controls reality and that we are masters of the world. This view overlooks the mystery of God’s providence, his final control of all events.”
Douglas Groothuis, “Unmasking the New Age”, p. 172
As Mark 11:22 says, our faith is in God, not in faith itself.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Two Emus
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only [Son], who came from the Father, full of grace and truth … Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14, 16-17, TNIV)
Truth without grace is judgment … grace without truth is license.
Dr. Henry Cloud, Changes That Heal
There are two emus that live in a field that I pass by on my morning walk. Since encountering someone else feeding them bread scraps, I have been bringing my own bread along to feed them. Sometimes they act disinterested as they slowly come up to the fence, and at other times they sprint across the yard towards me, which is thrilling. Their owner told me that they have no names, and I have been considering what to call them, as I enjoy calling out and talking to the various animals that line my walk (horses, dogs, emus, and at various times cats, a buffalo, a goat, pigs, and burros). One emu has a straight beak and is more assertive, the other has a twisted beak and is more shy. I have decided to call the former emu “Truth” and the latter emu “Grace” to remind me of the importance and balance of these two attributes, perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ.
Truth without grace is judgment … grace without truth is license.
Dr. Henry Cloud, Changes That Heal
There are two emus that live in a field that I pass by on my morning walk. Since encountering someone else feeding them bread scraps, I have been bringing my own bread along to feed them. Sometimes they act disinterested as they slowly come up to the fence, and at other times they sprint across the yard towards me, which is thrilling. Their owner told me that they have no names, and I have been considering what to call them, as I enjoy calling out and talking to the various animals that line my walk (horses, dogs, emus, and at various times cats, a buffalo, a goat, pigs, and burros). One emu has a straight beak and is more assertive, the other has a twisted beak and is more shy. I have decided to call the former emu “Truth” and the latter emu “Grace” to remind me of the importance and balance of these two attributes, perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
In Celebration of Narnia
My favorite passage from the Chronicles of Narnia: Jill’s first encounter with Aslan the lion in The Silver Chair. She has sought and found a stream, but the lion lies in her path.
“Are you not thirsty?’ said the Lion.
“I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.
“Then drink,” said the Lion.
“May I – could I – would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.
The Lion answered this only by a look and a low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.
The delicious rippling sound of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.
“Will you promise not to – do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill.
“I make no promise,” said the Lion.
Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.
“Do you eat girls?” she said.
“I have swallowed up boys and girls, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.
“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.
“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.
“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”
“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.
“Are you not thirsty?’ said the Lion.
“I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.
“Then drink,” said the Lion.
“May I – could I – would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.
The Lion answered this only by a look and a low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.
The delicious rippling sound of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.
“Will you promise not to – do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill.
“I make no promise,” said the Lion.
Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.
“Do you eat girls?” she said.
“I have swallowed up boys and girls, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms,” said the Lion. It didn’t say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.
“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.
“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.
“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”
“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.
Monday, April 14, 2008
A New Adventure Begins
I haven't posted anything in many months, having lost the momentum of wanting to write as well as being focused on completing my remaining nursing pre-requisites. I may start writing again when my current semester is over in May.
Meanwhile, I wanted to announce that I have just been accepted into upper division Nursing classes at ASU West; I will start the 16 month program in August. I have been working toward this goal for the last year and a half and am grateful for this opportunity. God is good!
Meanwhile, I wanted to announce that I have just been accepted into upper division Nursing classes at ASU West; I will start the 16 month program in August. I have been working toward this goal for the last year and a half and am grateful for this opportunity. God is good!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Complacency
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
I’m thankful that Jesus understands my weaknesses. I have a love-hate relationship with them; sometimes I’m frustrated with my weaknesses and want to change, other times I feel comfortable and complacent and don’t desire change. Complacency is one of the biggest temptations that we in the United States face.
I’m thankful that Jesus understands my weaknesses. I have a love-hate relationship with them; sometimes I’m frustrated with my weaknesses and want to change, other times I feel comfortable and complacent and don’t desire change. Complacency is one of the biggest temptations that we in the United States face.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Hard Lessons
“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:7-8)
Obedience and suffering are subjects that, like submission and waiting, are not the subjects of today’s popular Christian teachers. I find the above passage puzzling and intriguing: why would God need to “learn obedience”? It requires a better theologian than me to explain it. I can only speculate that it had to do with Jesus’ human nature. The flesh does not enjoy submission, suffering, and obedience, but as I reflect on my own experience I agree that they are great teachers.
Obedience and suffering are subjects that, like submission and waiting, are not the subjects of today’s popular Christian teachers. I find the above passage puzzling and intriguing: why would God need to “learn obedience”? It requires a better theologian than me to explain it. I can only speculate that it had to do with Jesus’ human nature. The flesh does not enjoy submission, suffering, and obedience, but as I reflect on my own experience I agree that they are great teachers.
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