My Theological Journey

My seven years of being a Christian have been interesting to say the least.  I have been anywhere from "well fed" to "on my own" when it came to learning the scriptures.  In terms of fellowship, I experienced isolation and at other times close fellowship.  The closest Christian friendships I have did not originate in a church setting, oddly enough.  I met my best friend while I was working as a waitress, she was one of my customers.  And I met my boyfriend, whom I adore greatly, at school.  But in all my seven years as a Christian, I remained a Southern Baptist.

Many times I wondered if I should leave the denomination.  Such thoughts usually followed frustration over the lack of fellowship at the church I was attending.  It was this frustration coupled with my openness to changing denominations that caused me to go on my "theological journey".  

It began innocently enough, with me reading the belief statements of different churches and seeing if that denomination would be a better fit for me.  I soon found out about the whole Calvinism and Arminianism debate, and knowing about that made me want to study the scriptures even more.  It did not take me long to realize the many inconsistencies in my own theology: on one hand I believed that Christ died for the sins of the whole world and I was not going to listen to anyone who said otherwise, on the other hand I believed that faith is a gift from God and people's eyes are opened to the gospel solely because of God's grace.  I believed in something that I later found out to be called "monergism" which means that salvation is the work of God alone, He is the only "agent" bringing about regeneration.  So when I was getting ready to defend Arminianism, I thought twice about it.  I realized that Arminians did not seem to believe in monergism, and I was downright uncomfortable with the idea of discarding it.  I was equally hesitant to say that salvation was ultimately based on the free will of people.  I believed the contrary, since I believed that faith was a gift of God.

But it was hard for me to realize that I believed in something that "those Calvinists" believed in.  So there I was, an "Arminian", who was once close to subscribing to the doctrine that Christians can lose their salvation, and finding out that I was probably never an Arminian.  I believed in universal atonement, but I also wondered about that too.  In my seven years of being a Christian, occasionally the thought crossed my mind, 'How does salvation happen?...God gives people faith...but people choose Christ...that makes no sense, and I guess it doesn't have to'.  But last year, the thought crossed my mind again, and I was shocked at what I soon was faced with.  Soon after finding out about monergism and the fact that I been believing in it for a while, the thought crossed my mind again, 'If God elects people based on their faith in Him, and He is the one that gives people faith...then isn't that the same thing as...predestination?"  Then I thought, 'I am not a very good Arminian!  Oh no, I'm a Calvinist!'  I was not a very good "Calvinist" but I wonder at times if I was really some "sort" of Calvinist the whole time I was a Christian.  I even had my doubts about the whole dispensationalism thing too.  I remember making another Christian angry when I said that I believed that the true Israel is composed of the saints, both old and new testament saints. which trusted in Christ.  Not a fleshly ancestry, but a spiritual ancestry to Abraham, who trusted in Christ.  But the thought never occurred to me that I was not "just like the majority of people attending a Southern Baptist church".

After all that, I am a Calvinist.  Not by choice either!  I believe in the doctrines of grace, and even in a doctrine that I used to think was senseless, limited atonement.  But after finding that out, I still did not need to leave my denomination and I  now go to a "Founder's Friendly" Southern Baptist church!

Review: An Emergent Manifesto of Hope

Last week I went to the local Christian bookstore and took a look in their clearance section to see if there were any good books for cheap.  But I ended up with quite the contrary.  There were about four of the same book for sale, that I was glad to see that no one took an interest in them before they were demoted to clearance.  The book as you probably quessed is, An Emergent Manifesto of Hope, a collection of essays written by people involved with the ambiguous "emergent church movement" covering topics ranging from social justice to church and community to even postcolonialism.  The book was edited by Doug Pagitt, pastor of Solomon's Porch and Tony Jones, coordinator of Emergent Village.  

So far I read the introduction written by Tony Jones, "A People of Hope" by Doug Pagitt, and "Growing Pains" by Mark Scandrette.  The focus of the book seems to be friendship.  I could relate to fact that it can be difficult to build deep and meaningful relationships with people in the Church.  However friendship should not be our main focus, it should be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and what He has done on our behalf.  Not only are we to build friendships with each other, according to Pagitt we are to accept the "invitation to the Jesus way of life as partners with each other and collaborators in the work of God in the world" (pg 19).  Reading what I have read so far, I cannot begin to tell you what he means by the "Jesus way of life", the nature of the "invitation", "the work of God in the world", and how we can be "collaborators" with God.  As far as I know, it is a work of God that any one believes in Jesus Christ (Jn 6), and it is also a work of God that we can do any righteous deeds such as proclaiming Jesus to the lost.  Somehow, I do not think Pagitt has the same thing in mind as I do about "the work of God in the world", which is to save sinners through the redemption of Christ.  

The most disturbing thing in the book so far is the idea of "deconstructing" faith and the need to reconstruct it, which is found in the essay "A People of Hope".  Scandrette says that "deconstruction and reconstruction are regular rhythms in a life of apprenticeship to Jesus" (pg 26).  Sure there are things that we let go of as we mature in Christ, but I wonder if Scandrette has more in mind when he says this.  After reading Pagitts' ambiguous statement about the work of God in the world, Scandrette adds a little more by saying, "A central and reoccurring theme of conversation has been a renewed fascination with the present availability of the kingdom of God.  In terms of God's agenda to remake and restore all of creation, "good news" is something that is as much inhabited as it is believed" (pg 26).  Is this the gospel, the "good news", that God is in the process of restoring all of creation?  What about the fact that Christ, the Son of God, became flesh and dwelt among us, died on the cross at the hands of sinners, atoned for sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day?  What about our need to repent and trust in Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins?  Scandrette goes on to say that we should not separate our faith from everyday life, which is something that the Church tends to do at times.  I have to agree that separation of our faith from day to day living is not scriptural, since we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1).

All in all, the good news that this book seems to proclaim, is not the same good news that the scriptures present.  The good news is not the restoration of all creation or anything of the sort, but the gospel is Christ Himself and what He has accomplished on the behalf of sinners. 

Poll: Have You Ever Heard of Shane Hipps?

Answers, "Yes, and I think he is the coolest (co?)-pastor!"  No one answered with this.  Second answer that got one affirmative was, "Yes, and I cannot believe that heretic preaches in "Christian" churches!"  The third choice was, "No, who is that?"  Which got two responses.  Another choice was for anyone out that did not care about such things, "No, and I do not care to know either".  There were no such voters.  Another, for the more inquisitive in nature, "No, but it sounds like I need to know more about the guy."  There were no such voters.  Finally, the most interesting answer came from one voter who answered, "Yes, and I do not think his teaching is heretical".

As far as I can tell, based on having learned a few things about Shane Hipps, is that Christians need to steer clear of him.  Hipps was formerly a Pastor at Trinity Mennonite Church, and is now co-pastoring with Rob Bell at Mars Hill  Bible Church.  Hipps seems to believe in something called pantheism, which means that "god is everything, and all is god".  He also believes that each religion is a "sail" that is able to propel people into the presence of god.  Hipps believes that some religions are better than others at catching the spirit of god, but all have some capacity to do so.  (God and Spirit were all lowercase, because people can only come to the One True God through Christ, the Savior.)  A god that can be "taken hold of" by any manmade means is not the God of the Bible.  What makes Hipps dangerous is not only his theology, but also his popularity.  But be wary of him and warn other Christians about him.  You may be asking, 'What is his view of Christ?  If he believes in Jesus, he has to be okay, right?'  Wrong!  He believes in a "christ", one that came to "awaken us to the breathe of god that is within us; awaken us to the spark of the divine that is within us".  If that is not downright heretical, I do not know what is.

For more information about Shane Hipps, there is a sermon review by Chris Rosebrough, from Fighting For the Faith, on September 23 called, "Shane Hipps Pantheism Twin Spin".  The review begins on the second part of the program.  http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/2009/09/index.html       

Spiritual Gifts? Today?

The topic of spiritual gifts is certainly an issue that can cause a lot of bickering.  Many people wonder if spiritual gifts are in operation today.  On one side there are those who say they are and they go "all out" with it, while others say spiritual gifts ceased being given by the Lord after the last apostle passed away.  I am one of those that believes that spiritual gifts are given today.  Gasp!  A "Calvinist" that believes that spiritual gifts are in operation?  (At least when I was a "Arminian" I thought the two were not congruent.  And I even heard of one Calvinist that said it was rare to find a Calvinist that believes that spiritual gifts are in operation today.)  Before you tune me out completely.  I am no "charismaniac", a word I  use to describe those who believe in spiritual gifts, but many times seem to go overboard to the point where I know it is not God involved, if you know what I mean.  I simply believe that  spiritual gifts being in operation today is not out of the question.  For this, I go to the Scriptures which speak of spiritual gifts.

I believe that spiritual gifts are in operation today because God designed the Church to be mutually edifying.  We Christians, have been "predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29), and the Lord uses the Church as a means to bring this about.

Ephesians 4:11-14 "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."  

For those of us Christians that have not "gone to be with the Lord", we are still being sanctified, which I believe to be a reason for the continuance of the gifts.  The reason for the gifts is not to put on a show but for the edification of the Church, that we would mature in Christ and stand strong against false teachings.  Ephesians 4:15-16 goes on to say,

"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."  

Christians are built up through hearing the Word of God, and Christians are equipped to serve each other in love.

The idea that spiritual gifts are given for the common good of the Church is expressed more than once in the Scriptures.  1 Corinthians 12:7 says, "To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good".  The church at Corinth, certainly had their issues when it came to spiritual gifts and Paul pointed them to the reason for the gifts, the edification of the Body, "since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church" (1 Cor 14:12).

I believe that spiritual gifts are in operation today because even our service to God is a gift of grace.  I simply believe that spiritual gifts encourage us to rely totally on God in our service to Him, since it is by the grace of God that we serve Him in an acceptable way.  Just as our Lord Jesus says in John 15:5, "without me you can do nothing".  We cannot bear righteous fruit without Him, nor can we expect to serve Him without His grace.  Romans 12:4-8:

"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." 

The focus of our service should be genuine love.  We are not to be focused on  putting on a show, as the Corinthians seemed to do, but focused on the welfare of those in the Church.  We should also be attentive to those outside of the Church, by pointing them to Christ and even in orderly worship (1 Cor 14).

Finally, I believe that spiritual gifts are temporary...so long as the Church is immature and the "perfect" is yet to come.  1 Corinthians 13:9-12:

"For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.  When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

Do You Love The Church?

About two years ago, I was disenchanted with church, and the thought even crossed my mind that I should quit church altogether. For years, I tried to "fit in" at church, only to be on the "sidelines". I was almost a spectator when it came to attending church. I would show up and watch everyone having a good time visiting with one another. But whenever I tried to be included, it just did not happen. In fact, I attended a church for over a year and never got past, 'How are you?', with most of the people there. I complained to the Lord about it frequently and even to my best friend, whom I did not meet at church. But one day, the Lord spoke to me loud and clear. No, not in an audible way, mind you. But out of the blue, the thought crossed my mind, almost as if the Lord was saying, 'I love these people, I died for them. Why don't you love the Church? You are thankful for the grace I have shown you, but remember that it is the same grace that I show them.' That's when I began a long journey, that is continuing to this day, to see the Church the same way that God does. To see others in the Church with the love of Christ, and to treat others in the Church with grace. What about you? Do you love the Church? Or are you quick to complain about those for whom Christ died? When things do not go your way (i.e. they are not welcoming enough) are you quick to call it quits when it comes to loving them? I fall short in this too, but may we be encouraged to treat others in the Body with grace and love.

The Prophesied Savior Jesus Christ

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mk 1:15). Trust in Jesus, the promised Savior, who is both man and God. Christ became flesh, dwelt among us, died at the hands of sinners upon a cross atoning for the sins of mankind, and on the third day He rose from the dead, and He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus Christ is the long prophesied Savior, consider...

His deity:

Micah 5:2 "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days." Not only is the place of Christ's birth foretold, but His deity is proclaimed. Only God can come from "old, from ancient days".

During His earthly ministry Christ revealed His deity as well, contrary to what people want you to believe. He says in John 8:55-56:

"I know him [the Father]. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you [the Jews], but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my say. He saw it and was glad."

The Jews then asked him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have seen Abraham" (vs 57)?

Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am" (vs 58). The Jews got angry and tried to stone Him to death. They knew that Jesus claimed to be God. They heard about what God told Moses when he asked, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them (Ex 3:13)" ? God told Moses, "I AM WHO I AM...say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you" (Ex 3:14).

You may ask, 'Why must I believe in the deity of Christ? Why can't He be a "good example" to follow, some teacher that set a good example for me to follow? Why can't He be a created being?' Only a perfect, crucified and risen Savior, God in human flesh can save people from their sins. The death of Christ on the cross has been foretold numerous times, and Isaiah 53 is a spectacular prophesy of the crucifixion, the place where Christ died in the place of sinners. He died on our behalf, taking our punishment.

"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him striken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one-to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:4-6).

Psalm 22 is another prophesy of the cross, Christ's substitutionary atonement. "

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet--I can count all my bones--they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots" (Ps 22:16-18).

Also in this psalm is Christ's cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" (vs 1)?

Christ, who knew no sin, died on the cross for our sake, so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). Trust in Christ to save you from your sins. Apart from Christ, we have no righteousness,

"None is righteousness, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one" (Rom 3:10-12).

Isaiah says of the "righteousness" of mankind,

"We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you...(Isa 64:6-7).

Christ has long been promised to be our righteousness. Jeremiah proclaimed Him to be, "The LORD is our righteousness" (Jer 23:6). He even repeats this prophesy in Jeremiah 33:16. Do not trust in your own righteousness, it would never measure up to God's standard of holiness (Rom 3:23).

"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Rom 3:21-26).

I said it before, but I will say it again, trust in Christ, the Lord. All prophecy is meant to "point to Christ", for the "testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev 19:10):

Everyone fails to live up to God’s standard of righteousness. God is just and must punish sin, as the Bible says, “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). But the good news is “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 6:23) the Lord. Christ, the Son of God, became flesh and dwelt among us and lived a sinless life. So that sinners could be reconciled to God, Christ died by crucifixion by the hands of sinners, like you and I, dying in the place of sinners, and was buried, and was raised on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4). Proving His resurrection, Christ appeared to hundreds of people after He was raised from the dead (1 Cor 15:5-8). Therefore, repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for sins, and now offers you Himself as your Savior (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, etc). “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16)."