Theology Snack #2

Last week, we began a new study to define some of the terms we see or hear from time to time. Some are harder to grasp than others. I hope this series of posts will prompt you to think, possibly discuss, and most importantly grow in your knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Grace - the unmerited favor of God provided to His creation for the purpose of restoration.

Although Christians agree on the above definition, there are many disputes as to how restoration takes place, what caused the "divide", and what mankind can do about it (if anything). In the near future, we'll take a look at the times of grace and how God uses those times for His glory.

Anything you want to add here? Any stories of grace in your life you want to share?

The Meaning of Sovereign

I've been in dialogue with some friends in regards to the sovereignty of God. It's been good for me to hear opposing views and to learn how better communicate my beliefs. Most would say they believe in God's power being all encompassing. But the discussion goes much deeper. In other words, what does God cause and what does He allow? Is there a difference? etc.

Yesterday, Scot McKnight had a great post on the sovereignty of God. Let me encourage you to find it here and join the discussion.

Anything you'd like to add here?

A Living Faith

Those of you who know me know I enjoy sports. I enjoy playing them, watching them, or talking about them. I also like discussing religion, theology, and faith. And when the two mix, I'm "on top of the world."

People like former head coach of the Indiannappolis Colts Tony Dungy inspire me. Dungy is not afraid to speak about his faith. In fact, he's clear with everyone he comes into contact with that God has priority in his life. I look forward to his upcoming book Uncommon: Finding Your Faith to Significance.

There are other coaches or sports figures that have this kind of class. One of those was Coach Kay Yow. Yow coached the women's basketball team at North Carolina State for 34 years. Coach Yow passed away last week after battling breast cancer. According to those around her, Coach Yow had a way with people. She made huge impacts on her assistant coaches, her players, and others in life.

At the funeral, a video was played that was pre-recorded by Yow. Let me encourage you to watch it here. The most important thing for Coach Yow was her faith. Even at her funeral, she took the opportunity to encourage those around her with truth. Even though this wasn't the first occurence of cancer for Yow, her faith was so strong that despite a reoccurence, Yow's faith remained strong.

Sometimes, we think we'll know how we would act if tragedy struck close by. Truth is, we don't know how we would act in particular situations. I pray that when I pass away, people will look at my life and be able to say, "He really lived the way he taught. He really had faith. etc."

That's what will happen with people like Dungy and Yow. What about you? Is your faith strictly for Sundays? Is it something that your ashamed of? Do you know the message of the Gospel and yet you've never allowed it to change your life?

Perhaps today will be the day to allow God to restore you.

A Theology Snack

One of the things I hope God uses this blog to do is encourage readers (as few as they are) to learn something. I hope to start a mini-theopedia to provide a definition for theological terms. The definition I provide is by no means the end all. In fact, I'm going to rely on Van Harvey's The Handbook of Theological Terms among others. I won't post paragraph after paragraph. However, I do hope the discussion starters will lead to some healthy dialogue. Hopefully, this weekly post will educate and encourage.

So here goes:

Faith = Faith is seen throughout Christian thought in one of two ways. 1) belief in some truth or something about the past; or 2) an orientation of the total person that may include belief but is best defined as trust, confidence, or loyalty. Theopedia states that a Reformed definition of saving faith must include knowledge and an assent to an aspect of trust.

The writer of Hebrews is clear about faith (11:1, 6). These are definitely verses to be considered.

What would you add, subract, or modify, in regards to your own definition of faith? Any examples of where you used that faith or where your faith has increased?

Peace

Peace is something that seems to be less common than in previous days. Each one of us have trouble from time to time. Pastoring a church will make one humble. I hear problems that many will never know. I pray I will be wise enough to know when to offer advice and when to refer.

I have friends that are having a tough time experiencing peace. The challenges they're facing have caused some tears, late nights, and undue stress. These people are believers. They're faithful. They've specifically inquired of what they are supposed to learn from these latest challenges.

Scripture is clear that challenging times are opportunities for us to be better people because of them (James 1:2-12). When the challenges seem insurmountable, it's imperative to recognize the peace only Christ can give.

Mother Teresa is quoted as saying, "Let us thank God for His gift of peace that reminds us that we have been created to live that peace, and that Jesus became man in all things like us except in sin, and He proclaimed very clearly that He had come to give the good news. The news was peace to all men of goodwill and this is something that we all want - peace of heart."

I say, "Amen!"

Who's Your Friend?

I wanted to share something profound with you this week. So here goes. Enjoy!



Is Jesus your friend? :)

God Used a Whopper!

My wife and kids left recently for a doctor's appointment several hours away. They took the opportunity to use the weekend to visit friends and have a "mini vacation", before returning home. Needless to say, I had some time on my hands.

At one point during the weekend, I went to a fast-food restaurant where I'd planned to eat and read. Upon receiving my meal, I found a seat and opened my book. A gentleman from the next booth caught my attention and politely asked, "Excuse me. Can I ask what book you're reading?" He went on to say he had seen several people reading the same book in the last week and "didn't want to miss out."

The book I was reading was Sex God by Rob Bell. I began to explain to the guy that it probably wasn't about what he thought. I also told him how I didn't agree with everything in the book. But it really made me think. As most conversations with men, our conversation led to what we did for a living. He, a landscaper. Me, a pastor.

My new friend Julian has the opportunity to speak from time to time at a small church. He told me how the church had gone through some financial struggle before finally splitting. As always, the church split was hurtful. I encouraged him as much as I could. I gave him the book and promised to pray for him.

He said he would pray for the church I pastor as well. After his departure, I thought of how grateful I was for God-appointed times with others. This guy needed some encouragement. Because I was alone for the weekend, I could use some as well. There was no burning bush. I didn't hear any angels singing. And we weren't near a well in Sychar. However, God was there. He used a fast-food place to allow two believers to visit, encourage one another, and pass the peace. God is good!