In America, Christianity is often equated with safety and ease. Many "Christian" teachers actually proclaim that to be a Christian is to be kept safe, secure, and healthy by God. But this is not Christianity. In fact, spread throughout the history of Christianity, including the New Testament, are stories of those who paid the ultimate price for being Christians. Once upon a time, to be a Christian meant that you were in danger.
Why is that? Because once upon a time to be a Christian meant that you were dangerous. Christians throughout history have often posed a threat to the established "principalities, powers, and kingdoms of this present world." Today, on St. Patrick's Day, we honor an Irishman who was a missionary to Ireland more than 1500 years ago. It is reported that Patrick led more than 120,000 druids to Christ and planted more than 300 churches and used the three leaf clover to teach the Trinity. Patrick's evangelism style was to walk right into a druid village and speak to the chieftans. The chieftans knew that what Patrick was teaching would displace them as the leaders of their people, so they saw Patrick as a threat. In fact, Patrick and the Gospel message he was preaching was dangerous to the status quo. Because of this danger the chieftans tried to kill Patrick more than a dozen times, but eventually they were converted and gave Patrick the money to build his first church. Patrick was dangerous and in danger at the same time.
Let us honor Patrick today by being dangerous. Let us count the cost, but be willing to look into the face of danger and share the message of the Gospel for the glory of the King who has called us and sent us.
This video will help to drive the point home. The man speaking is Dr. Albert Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. My prayer is that God will make us all dangerous.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Meaning of Life
What is the meaning of life? What a question! A question that if asked to 100 different people would probably elicit 100 different responses. So how do we answer a question that has so many varied responses. Well...that's easy. We let Scripture answer it for us. In fact, Scripture has an entire book that has this topic as its main theme. The little book of Ecclesiastes written by Solomon gives a plain answer to the meaning of life. Solomon writes, "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13)." The meaning of life is a reverence for God (fear God) and love for God & man (keeping the commandments).
To understand this, we need to make sure that we understand what we mean by "the meaning of life." "The meaning of life" refers to that one life defining principle and purpose which influences how we view reality, ethics, truth claims, and death. "The meaning of life" is the basic presupposition upon which we base the "living" of our lives. All men have a belief about "the meaning of life," because all men are actively "living" their lives. If man did not have some sort of meaning, he would put an end to the "living" of his life. Philosophers call this nihilism, and history has proven that men will not live long as nihilists. Insanity or suicide soon prevails.
Now that I have defined what I mean by "the meaning of life," I will continue to explain Solomon's declaration that the meaning of life is wrapped up entirely in God. Solomon, at the end of a long and full life, is telling us that we should base our views of reality, ethics, truth claims, and death on what we believe about the God of the Bible. If the God of the Bible is there, and if He is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and if He created man in His image, and if He spoke through His prophets so that we could know Him and His commandments, then that should affect our lives in almost inexpressible ways. Solomon is declaring that if God is there, then a life lived as if He isn't is a life of foolishness. He proclaims that a life that acknowledges and reverences the Sovereign of the universe is a life that truly has meaning. The preceding twelve chapters of Ecclesiastes explores that a life lived with any other basic premise is a life that is meaningless and vain.
So what is the meaning of life? It's simple really. The answer...God. God is the meaning of life. Base your life on Him, and you will find true and real meaning.
To understand this, we need to make sure that we understand what we mean by "the meaning of life." "The meaning of life" refers to that one life defining principle and purpose which influences how we view reality, ethics, truth claims, and death. "The meaning of life" is the basic presupposition upon which we base the "living" of our lives. All men have a belief about "the meaning of life," because all men are actively "living" their lives. If man did not have some sort of meaning, he would put an end to the "living" of his life. Philosophers call this nihilism, and history has proven that men will not live long as nihilists. Insanity or suicide soon prevails.
Now that I have defined what I mean by "the meaning of life," I will continue to explain Solomon's declaration that the meaning of life is wrapped up entirely in God. Solomon, at the end of a long and full life, is telling us that we should base our views of reality, ethics, truth claims, and death on what we believe about the God of the Bible. If the God of the Bible is there, and if He is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and if He created man in His image, and if He spoke through His prophets so that we could know Him and His commandments, then that should affect our lives in almost inexpressible ways. Solomon is declaring that if God is there, then a life lived as if He isn't is a life of foolishness. He proclaims that a life that acknowledges and reverences the Sovereign of the universe is a life that truly has meaning. The preceding twelve chapters of Ecclesiastes explores that a life lived with any other basic premise is a life that is meaningless and vain.
So what is the meaning of life? It's simple really. The answer...God. God is the meaning of life. Base your life on Him, and you will find true and real meaning.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Why Blogging?
So why blog? I think that is a very good question. Am I blogging because I have a political agenda that I am trying to convince the world to accept? Am I blogging because I'm an egomaniac that wants everyone to know my name? Am I blogging because I'm really messed up and need an online diary so that everyone can know how messed up I am? Am I blogging so that I can join the theological fracas that takes place in the blogoshere on a daily basis? The answer to all of these questions is no.
However, please understand. I have a political view. I am prideful. You probably will hear about how messed up I am. And I'm sure there will definitely be some theological debate generated by my posts. But those things are not what motivate me to start a blog. I am motivated to start this blog in order to have an online location where I can teach Scripture and Scriptural theology. I want this to be a blog where we can discuss, debate, and even argue over truth. Because truth is important, and because two opposite ideas cannot both be true. I want to use this blog to give you an opportunity to ask me about the Bible, theology, philosophy, and life. I plan to post often on these topics.
My basic plans for this blog are to post the main idea from my sermon every week. I want you to discuss it with me. I want you to question me about it and let me know what you think about it. I want you to hold me accountable to Scripture. I also plan to post occasional articles on politics, ethics, philosophy, family, life, missions and meaning. When I do, feel free to jump in and let me know what you think.
This blog is for you. It is an opportunity for us to dialogue and reason together over what is right and what is true. I look forward to learning with you and from you on this journey.
However, please understand. I have a political view. I am prideful. You probably will hear about how messed up I am. And I'm sure there will definitely be some theological debate generated by my posts. But those things are not what motivate me to start a blog. I am motivated to start this blog in order to have an online location where I can teach Scripture and Scriptural theology. I want this to be a blog where we can discuss, debate, and even argue over truth. Because truth is important, and because two opposite ideas cannot both be true. I want to use this blog to give you an opportunity to ask me about the Bible, theology, philosophy, and life. I plan to post often on these topics.
My basic plans for this blog are to post the main idea from my sermon every week. I want you to discuss it with me. I want you to question me about it and let me know what you think about it. I want you to hold me accountable to Scripture. I also plan to post occasional articles on politics, ethics, philosophy, family, life, missions and meaning. When I do, feel free to jump in and let me know what you think.
This blog is for you. It is an opportunity for us to dialogue and reason together over what is right and what is true. I look forward to learning with you and from you on this journey.
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