Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

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Religion of The Senses

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The reading for today in the devotional book that my wife and I go through together was the opening verses of Mark 14. In that chapter are recoded events which happened two days before Jesus was crucified.

In one story we are told that Mary poured Nard on Jesus’ head. This was an extravagant act, consuming a resource that was worth a year of a laborer’s wages. The bystanders are indignant over this waste, but Jesus confronts them, indicated that this anointing was in preparation for his burial.

Truth be told, prior to today, when I read this story, I struggled to understand why the pouring was not a waste. What is the point? I believed this act was a good thing because of worth of Jesus to receive such worship. Also, I believed it to be good because Jesus said it was. But the disconnect between my understanding and my belief caused my sentiments to be closer to those of the bystanders who criticized her act.

As I read these verses today, it struck me that when Jesus was being flogged, when he was staggering through the crowd carrying his cross, as he was being removed from the cross, that fragrance would emanate from him. I wonder if those who were witnesses to this event ever after were reminded of it when they caught a whiff of nard. Were the soldiers who taunted and beat him reminded of him when they smelled it? What about those along the route to the crucifixion site and those who removed Jesus from the cross?

We have been created as sensual beings. The creator has intended that those senses be used in the worship of him. For example, the communion table is rooted in the senses. The feel of the bread or the cracker, the smell of the wine or grape juice, the taste of both. All five senses are engaged as we partake at the communion table.

Perhaps you have had a particular smell remind you of a time an place that you had not thought about in a long time. Perhaps Mary was lead to anoint Jesus to give the witnesses to the crucifixion additional sensual input by which to remember the event.

In this I see the God who gave us the senses, appealing to those senses to reach out to us. I find comfort in that.

Thinking out loud – The Church and Political Process

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Political ProcessThinking out loud often gets me into trouble, but being slow to learn, I thought I’d record some thoughts prompted by a conversation.

Waiting in line to get some pizza at the Costco snack bar, we met a couple that we recognized from church but did not know well. We ended up getting to know each other better over a few slices of supreme pizza.

My new friend began to tell me how he is burdened by the American church’s lack of involvement in the political process and her seeming reluctance to speak out on issues that are affecting our society. He is especially troubled by the impact that current culture is having on the next generation. He would like to see church leaders of various denominations unite to rally the faithful as a voting block to demand change at the local, state and national levels.

To borrow a phrase from the book of James, I am double minded (literally double souled) on this topic.

On one hand, every time the church has gotten political power, it has gone badly for both the church and society. As Lord Acton observed, power corrupts and when the church has gotten political power, she attracts the bad men to which Lord Acton refers. Those who seek power then use the church toward their own ends rather than submit to the head of the Church, Jesus Christ. The wisdom of our forefathers to prevent America from having a state religion prevents the church from wielding this type of power; I see this as a good thing.

On the other hand, there have been times when the church began living out the truth of the gospel and society was changed as a result. When the church is living out the gospel she can then be used as a tool in the hands of God to bring about revival. A spiritual revival will change the way people vote and the types of candidates that are put in office. When the church becomes the Church (small “c” the visible church organization, large “C” the gathering of the redeemed), then good things happen. Spiritual revival in the Church brings reformation of the culture.

So how should the church proceed? How do we hold these things in tension? How do we find balance? Do we redouble our efforts to live out the gospel and make disciples? Do we get more active in the political process?

I think the answers to these questions will be different for each of us as we seek to be guided by God. I am glad that there have been men such as William Wilberforce who felt called to operate within the halls of power to reform society. Yet I am also glad that there have been preachers and pastors who have felt called to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

How think ye? Please share your thoughts on these questions below.

Rob Bell Comes [Somewhat] Clean – Transcript and Comments

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I was recently made aware of this statement by Rob Bell posted to YouTube. This is in response to the hubbub about his recent book Love Wins, which I have not read and upon which I cannot comment. I did previously make some comments about an interview that Rob did with Martin Bashir. My post containing the comments can be found at http://wp.me/pSrkv-43.

Here is the “confession” of Rob Bell:

A friend requested that I comment on what Rob says. So to make sure that my comments are accurate, I first thought I would transcribe what he says. By my count, he makes 16 statements as to what he believes. Here is what he says:

I believe:

  1. In Jesus
  2. Jesus is the way
  3. in Heaven
  4. in Hell
  5. the Bible is God’s word
  6. I’m not a universalist because I believe God’s love is so great he lets you decide
  7. in the communion of the saints
  8. the church is the fullness
  9. in the New Heaven and the New Earth
  10. in Healing
  11. in miracles
  12. in salvation
  13. in the power of prayer
  14. that God is alive and working
  15. that there has been a resurrection and there is a whole new creation bursting forth right here in the midst of this one
  16. it is best to only discuss books you’ve actually read

Comment 16 is unfair because the critiques that I read were in response to sections of the book and statements by Rob Bell that were released prior to publication to drum up interest in the book. Each of the critiques stated the source of the material they were criticizing and each critic allowed that the final version of the book might have rendered their critique moot.

I don’t have any issue with the rest of the statements as far as they go. None of these statements are in direct disagreement with Scripture. These statements are the theological equivalent of “motherhood and apple pie” statements in politics. There is nothing to take issue with.

The problem is, depending on how the terms are defined, cults could be in agreement with these statements due to their generic nature. I am not saying that any of these statements cause me to believe that Rob Bell is in error. I am saying that further definition of each of these items would have to be made to have a better understanding of what he really believes.

For example, Rob states that he believes in Hell. Does he believe in an eternal place of torment to which those who reject Jesus will inhabit? Is that what he means by Hell? It could be, but his statement provides insufficient evidence as to his understanding of Hell (which was the point in question in the critiques).

Being vague may be a valuable skill in politics, but it should not be the method followed in Christian ministry. I am willing to give Mr. Bell the benefit of the doubt, but I do wish he would be more precise in his statements and spend a little more energy in articulating a cohesive set of beliefs with Scriptural support for each belief.

Stop, Look and Listen – Three Steps to Better Communication

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communication I’m not naturally good at listening. Listening is a skill that has taken effort for me to develop. I have to force myself to slow down and take in what the other person is saying rather than focus on what I am going to say next.

Recently, in thinking about the skill of listening, the phrase “stop, look and listen” came to me. It seems applicable to developing the skill for listening, not just for trains, but in the midst of conversation. Here is why I think this phrase is helpful:

  • Stop – stop the self focused mental process so that I can hear and understand what the other person is saying. Decide to really hear.
  • Look – Look at the other person. Make eye contact. Observe his body language. Take in all the clues to communication.
  • Listen – By stopping and looking, I am now in a position to listen.

So, the suggestion to stop, look and listen will help you at a railroad crossing and in your next conversation.

What are some other suggestion you have for developing the skill of listening?

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