Christian evangelism, in my expert opinion, is extremely formula based. Pray this prayer, raise that hand, bow that head, close those eyes, don't look around or it may not take, use the cliche 'accepted Jesus into my heart', etc., etc. As much as I despise Christian conversionalism I find that I succumb to the same level of formula based evangelism all too often. O, not the classic 'Arminian' altar call... I would not think of such a thing. However, I do find myself in the sinking ship of classic 'Calvinistic' verbiage. Did you 'repent' of your sin? Did you 'trust' Jesus only for your salvation? 'Have you experienced the 'irresistible call of God in your life'? Maybe I do not impose conversion actions, I sure do impose conversion language.
It is interesting to me that in one of the most powerful conversion stories in all of the Gospels (again my expert opinion) we see great theology with no theologically imposed language. In Matthew, the tax collector and later disciple's conversion account, this is what we read. "'Follow me', Jesus said to Him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed Him."
For all of us good Presbyterian Calvinists we see plainly Unconditonal Election as well as Irresistable Grace. And for all of us good soteriologists we see repentance and faith clearly. But Jesus never imposes these beliefs or this language on Matthew. He simply says follow me and Matthew simply responds.
What do you ask has this to do with my goal of the 100 reads?
In A.W. Tozer's book 'The Pursuit of God' (my 2nd read out of 100) he has three references in his first chapter that speak to this explicitly. And it just so happened that I was reviewing his work after preparing a Sunday School lesson on the story of Matthew. Tozer states, "The whole transaction of religious conversion has been made mechanical and spiritless." To me this sounds like conversionalism. It even sounds a little like my judgment of students' testimonies. But it sounds nothing like the conversion of Matthew. You think Jesus did it right?
He goes on to say later in the first chapter, "The moment the Spirit has quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God and leaps up in joyous recognition." This is the barometer of judging a person's following after Jesus. And I dare say this characterizes Matthew quite accurately. Finally, Tozer states, "Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart." We have a lot of people being subjected to methods of salvation and appropriate theological language we and the Bible use to describe salvation and yet a lot of people devoid of the simple satisfaction that comes from knowing and following Christ. Matthew followed Christ, desired to know Him and make Him known.
This Sunday I will be teaching a group of high school students that the question is not how you encountered Jesus? The right question is 'what happened'? Did Jesus come to you? Did you leave everything and follow Him? According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke that is certainly enough.
Grace and peace...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
journey with aging parents
I am in the midst of a time in my life when I witness frequently and hear frequently of the time, energy, resources and sacrifices my mom and dad are making to care for their aging parents. I witness the countless hours they spend helping with finances, visiting with them, running errands for them, running them to and from doctor appointments and countless days and nights sitting with them beside a hospital bed. There is something remarkably Christ like in those actions and attitudes flowing from a humble, gracious, loving and kind heart.
It seems from Scripture that the religious leaders and/or Pharisees had devised a way around this seemingly God-given task. Jesus confronts them about this exact issue in Mark 7:9-13. It states, "And he continued, 'You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) - then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
What Jesus is saying is that the Pharisees instead of dealing with the time and energy it takes to care for aging parents (which I might add is a greater sacrifice than even the money), devised a 'religious' way out. The Pharisees could designate or devote a certain amount of money to the Temple to be used by the Lord as a gift and they were off the hook for helping minister to their parents. Jesus said this type of action was out of an attitude of arrogance and unkindness and completely nullified the teaching of God.
Now what, you ask, does this have to do with the Apocrypha, the 1st of the 100 books I am slowly making my way through? Well, where do the Pharisees traditions come from? Certainly not the Apocrypha. In the Apocryphal wisdom book of 'Sirach' (much like Proverbs) there is a short passage dealing with the issue of children caring for their parents. It states, 'My child, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives; even if his mind fails, be patient with him; because you have all your faculties do not despise him. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten and will be credited to you against your sins; in the day of your distress, it will be remembered in your favor; like frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.'
What a great word. One I witness nearly everyday of my life put into action. My prayer is that at the end of my parents life I will be God's instrument to show them the same kindness they have shown.
It seems from Scripture that the religious leaders and/or Pharisees had devised a way around this seemingly God-given task. Jesus confronts them about this exact issue in Mark 7:9-13. It states, "And he continued, 'You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) - then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
What Jesus is saying is that the Pharisees instead of dealing with the time and energy it takes to care for aging parents (which I might add is a greater sacrifice than even the money), devised a 'religious' way out. The Pharisees could designate or devote a certain amount of money to the Temple to be used by the Lord as a gift and they were off the hook for helping minister to their parents. Jesus said this type of action was out of an attitude of arrogance and unkindness and completely nullified the teaching of God.
Now what, you ask, does this have to do with the Apocrypha, the 1st of the 100 books I am slowly making my way through? Well, where do the Pharisees traditions come from? Certainly not the Apocrypha. In the Apocryphal wisdom book of 'Sirach' (much like Proverbs) there is a short passage dealing with the issue of children caring for their parents. It states, 'My child, help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives; even if his mind fails, be patient with him; because you have all your faculties do not despise him. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten and will be credited to you against your sins; in the day of your distress, it will be remembered in your favor; like frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.'
What a great word. One I witness nearly everyday of my life put into action. My prayer is that at the end of my parents life I will be God's instrument to show them the same kindness they have shown.
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