Collaboration... all the rage

My day job (and sometimes evening, night and weekend job -- though rarely because our mail system usually "just works") is that of a network administrator. My primary responsiblity in that arena is that of email and groupware. In other words, how people work together to get a job done.

In fact, that is one of the main focii of scripture and one of the most important things a believing man needs to get hold of. We were made to be co-workers with God. That was the nature of Adam's post-creation walk with God in Eden. Paul ties back to the same idea for redeemed men in 1 Corinthians 3:9 and Jesus alluded to it in Matthew 11:28-30. This is where we learn about him, as we labor with him.

Letting the present define the past

One of the more comical examples of changes in language and perspective I have know of in the last few years -- especially in this election season -- is the reference to the friends of the paralytic who tried to bring him to Jesus. The King James version says that they could not get him close to Jesus "because of the press." So, they took him to the roof, dug through it and lowered their friend down in front of Jesus.

Now, as much as we all are aware of the media and the rich and famous, we can picture these men trying to bring their friend, but all the reporters and media types were crowded around Jesus and no one could get up close. But alas, those translators were using terminology that to them meant "because of the crowd". Modern ears hear the same word differently.

Humor aside, one mistake I see being made in the modern evangelical church is to define the scriptures in terms of "the way we do things now." Example: When we discuss the journeys of Paul, Barnabas and others, we typically frame it in some manner that is a direct correlation to modern mission agencies, etc.

Instead, we should scrape away our preconceptions and let the scripture tell the story to us freshly -- as if we might actually learn something -- and let it form and reform the way we do business as the Church in the 21st century.

Why would a man want to be here?

McDonald's targets the kids to get the adults in the door. Don't some Sunday School and VBS programs do the same? If the kids weren't nagging Dad to go to McDonald's would Dad go there by choice?

Since it is the father's responsibility to feed the family, it is circumvented unless you reach the men. Titus was charged to "put in order that which is lacking". As the letter proceeds, this means properly functioning authority in families (among other things). He also says that if this is not carried out, the word of God will be blasphemed. Can we connect the dots to how things are today between church and society?

The Sunday School bus picking up kids in hopes to finally get dad there delays what is really needed. I know that is an over-simplification, but you get the idea.

Telling God's Story

We've a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light,
A story of peace and light.

For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright;
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.

We've a song to be sung to the nations,
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
A song that shall conquer evil
And shatter the spear and sword,
And shatter the spear and sword.

For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noonday bright;
And Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.

We've a message to give to the nations,
That the Lord who reigns up above
Has sent us His Son to save us,
And show us that God is love,
And show us that God is love.

Psalm 78:1-8

1 An instruction of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law; bow down your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will speak dark sayings of old,
3 which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their sons, showing to the generations to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He has done.
5 For He set up a testimony in Jacob, and ordered a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should teach them to their sons;
6 so that the generation to come might know; sons shall be born, and they shall arise and tell their sons,
7 so that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments;
8 and might not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set their heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful with God.

This psalm, Psalm 78 (and other scriptures) brings to light the "generational-ness" of the God: "to you and your children" -- always multi-generational. Something that God required of his faithful people was to communicate him to their children:

The history of his covenant (God has always worked with mankind covenantally starting with Adam and Eve - he doesn't do it any other way)
The nature of his dealings with people based on his covenants
The requirements (law) of living in fellowship with him and each other
What do I mean when I talk about covenant?

An ecosystem (modern buzzword but a very good picture - everything is interrelated)
Like a colonial charter (how? King grants colony and terms under which life is to be conducted)
Like marriage, not just a legal agreement, but tangled up with all of life, decisions, etc.
Back to our song: "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations"

What have we done with the story?
The last couple of generations have made some mistakes with God's story
Some mistakes with the covenant life

We have started to think of God as someone who sits far off on the sidelines and only intervenes when we get in bind and decide to pray
We have broken the "mainspring" out of the clock and forgotten that it's purpose and function is in relation to the clock as a whole.
Worse yet, we have broken life into a bunch of pieces that have no relation to each other (compartmentalization) Example: I can be a serial adulterer but a great leader
Some mistakes with the message of salvation

We have tried to make God's story fit into a Four Spiritual Laws pamphlet
We have made it about following the right script (four points and a prayer) instead of trust and obedience and commitment
Some mistakes with the scriptures

We have tried to tell the "punchline" but didn't lay the foundation so it makes less sense
We have broken the story into bite sized chunks instead of doing the hard work of study
We have pulled out promises and principles and tossed out the rest like the gemologist
Some mistakes with discipleship

We have made being disciples "something extra" (an optional add-on for salvation)
We have made it activity-oriented (go and do and come home) instead of lifestyle (24/7)
What can we do about it?

Work at becoming "whole" in our thinking, perspective of life and actions
God's story didn't start at Christmas and it doesn't end at Easter
Many people think the message of the Bible is "how to get to heaven"?
It includes that, but it really tells me the past, present and future of man's relationship with God and how my own life fits in with that
There is a bodily resurrection and new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells and every believer will be there
Like your marriage affects all your decisions -- how you spend your time and your money, where you go, what you do and who you do it with -- if God's kingdom is real, and your relationship with him as King is real, it is the same way
Embody God's story

John 1:14 says "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us"
Jesus embodied and lived out God's every expression of God's law and promises perfectly
You remember the old saying, "You may be the only Bible a person ever reads..."
The apostle Paul said that "we have this treasure in earthen vessels"
Though we are not perfect, we can bring the word to life
Think of the difference between 2D vs 3D -- "in living color"
Remember the story of Yakov and Cimmerman

There is a magnificent story in Marie Chapian's book Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy. The book told of the sufferings of the true church in Yugoslavia where so much wrong has been perpetrated by the politicized ecclesiastical hierarchy. That which has gone on in the name of Christ for the enriching and empowering of corrupt church officials has been a terrible affront to decency.

One day an evangelist by the name of Jakov arrived in a certain village. He commiserated with an elderly man named Cimmerman on the tragedies he had experienced and talked to him of the love of Christ. Cimmerman abruptly interrupted Jakov and told him that he wished to have nothing to do with Christianity. He reminded Jakov of the dreadful history of the church in his town, a history replete with plundering, exploiting, and indeed with killing innocent people. "My own nephew was killed by them," he said and angrily rebuffed any effort on Jakov's part to talk about Christ. "They wear those elaborate coats and caps and crosses," he said, "signifying a heavenly commission, but their evil designs and lives I cannot ignore."

Jakov, looking for an occasion to get Cimmerman to change his line of thinking, said, "Cimmerman, can I ask you a question? Suppose I were to steal your coat, put it on, and break into a bank. Suppose further that the police sighted me running in the distance but could not catch up with me. One clue, however, put them onto your track; they recognized your coat. What would you say to them if they came to your house and accused you of breaking into the bank?"

"I would deny it," said Cimmerman.

"Ah, but we saw your coat," they would say," retorted Jakov. This analogy quite annoyed Cimmerman, who ordered Jakov to leave his home.

Jakov continued to return to the village periodically just to befriend Cimmerman, encourage him, and share the love of Christ, with him. Finally one day Cimmerman asked, "How does one become a Christian?" and Jakov taught him the simple steps of repentance for sin and of trust in the work of Jesus Christ and gently pointed him to the Shepherd of his soul. Cimmerman bent his knee on the soil with his head bowed and surrendered his life to Christ. As he rose to his feet, wiping his tears, he embraced Jakov and said, "Thank you for being in my life." And then he pointed to the heavens and whispered, "You wear His coat very well."

Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God, (Word Publishing, Dallas: 1994), pp. 101-102

We've a Savior to show to the nations,
Who the path of sorrow has trod,
That all of the worlds great peoples
Might come to the truth of God,
Might come to the truth of God.

Comments on First Corinthians - Part 8

1 Corinthians 8-10 (Part 2): "Rights" of a Christian.

Example: Paul himself. The Corinthians thought they had rights. Didn't Paul have "rights" as an apostle... to food and shelter, to take a wife with him. Soldiers don't pay their own expenses. Farmers eat from their own crops and herds. The oxen on the threshing floor get to eat from the grain they are threshing so they have strength to work. So, Paul had a right to expect what he needed from those he labored among -- from them. But... he purposely did not exercise that right, so that nothing would create an obstacle to the message of Christ.

More than that, Paul considered himself a servant of those he worked among, becoming whatever they needed to win them to faith. Paul was for the Body, not for himself and he made every choice with that in view. Winning was winning others, overcoming every obstacle -- not getting his own way. Paul said that if he did otherwise, he was in danger of forfeiting his life purpose and all he had worked for. Even Paul, with all the things endowed to him by God and all the "importance" of his role as an apostle, could lose and disqualify himself from God's work by living selfishly. His standard: I (we) win when the Body wins.

Example: Israel in the wilderness. They had been chosen for great blessing, for a great work. They had been set free from enslavement and provided for -- for what? To satisfy their own lusts? To desire evil things? To fool around with idols and false gods? To complain about what God had done and would do for them in the future? God made an example of them to us -- who have also had a great deliverance and given a great calling in God's purpose for the world. If we live for ourselves and "play both sides of the fence" we are in danger of being disqualified. God knows we live with temptation. God knows that no one has "unique" temptations. He will bear us up through it. He uses it to improve us, not disprove us. There is a vast difference between being tempted to sin and doing sin (living out the temptation).

Therefore, don't be arrogant with your "superior" knowledge, don't play with demonic things. If you eat some meat from the meat market, and it has been sacrificed to idols, don't worry about it since idols are nothing. However, if someone says, "This meat is special, it has been blessed by sacrificing it to Zeus" or "We're celebrating Gaia! Come join us in our celebration meal..." don't eat it for their conscience sake. More than that, if you join them in celebrating Gaia -- YOU are participating willfully with demons!

Comments on First Corinthians - Part 7

1 Corinthians 8-10 (Part 1): "Rights" of a Christian.

As someone has said, freedom isn't being able to do whatever you want, it is the power to do what you ought. Christians have gained truth that sets us free from things that harm and destroy life.

Intellectual knowledge is like cotton candy -- it gives the appearance of substance, but is really just a little sugar "fluffed up". Love (the action, not the "feeling") is substantial. As with the Corinthians, knowledge can become an instrument of individualism, separation, of competition. Instead of acting in the interest of their weaker brethren, those who had "knowledge" about the non-reality of idols and sacrifices to them used that knowledge to prove their "superiority" to those unenlightened ones who let those kinds of things trouble them.

To be clear, we are not to remain children and this concern for the weaker should not be construed as a reason to let the immature stay that way. It is the responsibility of the mature to lovingly build up the maturity of the weaker members. That may take time and patience but it is essential for the growth of the body.

Comments on First Corinthians - Part 6

1 Corinthians 7: Again, our bodies are not our "property". In the case of the marriage relationship, we owe physical, emotional, spiritual affection to our mate. It should be a debt we are glad to pay, but it is a debt nonetheless. This keeps the home fires burning in a wandering, immoral society. God didn't make us to be stoic or ascetic on the one hand or stray dogs on the other.

A married believer should not instigate a divorce from an unbelieving spouse, but especially a believing one. If so divorced, reconciliation or celibacy are the only options as long as both are alive. If an unbelieving spouse divorces a believer, let them go peacefully.

Unmarried believers who are considering marriage need to make the decision with their eyes open -- not "blinded by love". Singleness offers greater flexibility and service to Christ with fewer distractions. As Paul says -- and I think every married disciple would agree -- when we are married we have the additional desire to please our spouse. Just reality. Marriage is not a "second class" option to singleness, but it needs to be stripped of the phony expectations of our Cinderella and the Handsome Prince way of seeing it. When we make marriage vows, we are binding ourselves to God's purpose in marriage, with attendant covenantal blessings for obedience and cursings for disobedience.

Comments on First Corinthians - Part 5

1 Corinthians 5-6 Part Two: We quote the scripture that God has given us "everything pertaining to life and godliness." The scripture also says that the mature are those "who through practice, have their sensed trained to discern good and evil." In other words, the mature person listens to God's instructions, practices them and gains clarity and discernment. They are not clueless about "the right thing to do" any more. These are the ones that Paul says to go to for conflict resolution, not to judges that are spiritually clueless.

While God's standards must inform -- even condemn -- the world, the church "polices" its own, God deals with those outside. When we are "grown up" we will judge the world and even angels. Are we getting ready for that -- by studying and practicing -- or are we just "expecting it to happen" by and by? This was another area where the Corinthians were dishonoring the body. Instead of pursuing maturity and helpfulness toward the church, they were living just like those whom God condemns, preying on one another. People are either servants or predators. The Corinthians were being the latter.

For Christians -- and in the usage of Paul -- "the body" can either refer to an individual's flesh and bones, or to the corporate church. It would seem that those who dishonor one dishonor the other. That is definitely true throughout 1 Corinthians. Paul's warnings apply equally to both. A person's body is for Christ, not for immorality. The Church body is for Christ, not for immorality. God made both the stomach and food, but food doesn't rule the stomach, God does. Sexuality (or anything that tends to "control" people) doesn't rule the person or the church, Christ does. He owns the lives he bought. Beware of your appetites.

Comments on First Corinthians - Part 4

1 Corinthians 5-6 Part One: Tolerance of evil is not maturity. God created the body for holiness and that holiness is part of the testimony that his salvation is real -- not just "god talk". Those who practice evil need to be put outside the protective sphere of the church, for their own good and the good of the body. A father with an independent and rebellious son will not allow him to continue to stay at home, live as he pleases and disrupt the household. For the good of the son and the protection of the rest of the family, the father will make him move out and fend for himself. The father will still love him and try to work with him, but not in the home. There is no biblical evidence of the modern attitude "we'd rather have them in church."

Churches with no discipline are inviting ruin to the whole family. The notions of "whoever is without sin, let him throw the first stone" or "first take the log out of your own eye" do not apply to situations of habitual gross disobedience like this. We have allowed those principles to be mis-applied to the degree that they make church discipline toothless. Paul's rebuke to the Corinthians is also very clear that he and the church are given authority to "turn over to Satan" those who prefer sin over obedience. That's pretty serious authority for the church to have responsibility for. God's standard for the church is purity. It is not an elective for those who are "really serious" about their faith.

Comments on First Corinthians - Part 3

1 Corinthians 4: As said before, Paul took the Corinthians apparent liking to "one up" each other by the horns. He used himself and his discipling companion Apollos -- another one of their "superstars" -- to show the foolishness of that way of looking at things.

We start adding our own extras to give our position a little more pizzazz than the other guy. Paul urges them not to "go beyond what is written." The gospel is an equalizer -- everything we have that is good is a gift and no one is an earner. One of the pleasant characteristics of liturgical churches -- from my standpoint -- is that is doesn't focus on the preacher. Many evangelicals are like the Corinthians. "I think Pastor X is really dynamic." "No, Pastor Y is better!"

Liturgical worship, for all its formality, has the capability to focus on worship and reflect on the word of God, not on how much ga-ga the service has. We could learn from that.

The Corinthians took "ruling or reigning" in the same manner as the pagan rulers -- they wanted to be distinguished, esteemed, opulent. To Paul, reigning came by serving (just as his model -- Jesus -- said, "the one who rules must be servant of all") and he gave examples of how that manifested in the lives of his fellow apostles.

For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

Make no mistake, Christians are destined to rule, but it will not be by force, it will be by service.

Comments on First Corinthians - Part 2

1 Corinthians 1 and 2: The Christians at Corinth had "sided up" with different gospel superstars as if their stars had unique messages, but especially because they had different "styles". Paul's warning is that nothing spiritual originates in men and Christ's spirit does not divide himself up and represent himself differently through different people. He warns that the message is quite simple and "style" can only take away from it, the Spirit and the message are going to be the same no matter who is speaking. If it takes gimmicks or "pizzazz" to succeed, it is not success by God's definition.

Richard Dawkins and other extremists of the materialist faith accuse Christians of a "God delusion". Paul says that there is wisdom that is hidden from the eye, that materialists can't know. This wisdom is only revealed by the Spirit to the spirit. The things God has prepared for those who love him fall into this category. Only spiritual men, then, are playing with a "full deck".

Next: Chapter 3

Comments on First Corinthians - Part 1

I have been spending a lot of time reading and thinking about Paul's first existing letter to the Corinthian church lately. I don't presume to uncover anything new, but in the next few posts, I will briefly put some of my thoughts out here.

After reading the letter, there are many similarities to the modern (especially American) church. Lest we shrug that off, it was so serious at Corinth that some people were sickly and others had died as a result of their wrong-headed and careless approach to body life. In fact, the warnings of chapter ten about Israel's self-willed practices -- tying together with the warning about the temple of God and about the Lord's supper -- were obviously meant to be taken seriously by them, and by us.

This church is all about distinguishing oneself from others: "I'm better than the others because..." Their meetings were about "what's in it for me" and "I'd better get mine before others do." It was a sick body, the parts not working together in healthy way and the immune system down (chapter 5 -- allowing sin to openly go on which even pagans considered out-of-bounds). It was a far cry from the holy body God called it to be -- see Titus 2:14.

Next: Comments about chapters 1-2.