Weekend Fodder

Typically, I attempt to provide some chewing material on Fridays. However, I ran across the phrase below on a blog and wanted to get your thoughts. The context is in regards to Christianity and healthcare; more specifically, "How would God want us to deal with healthcare?". The post was written by Neale Donald Walsch. You can find it here.

Now here's the quote. The question is asked (bold type) and then Walsch's response.

What does God will in this question?
God's Will is our will. God wills for us what we will for ourselves. God is not some being separate from us, "willing" something that He cannot make us do, but wishes that He could. God is the Life that is flowing through us. We are God, physicalized. We are the physical manifestation of the Divine. And because we are Divine, we can create life any way that we want it on this earth. We have the collective power to do so. We can solve any problem that we face -- including the problem of health care. It is simply a matter of Will.

Any objections to what Walsch says? Any applause? Other thoughts?

Friday Fodder

Yaaaaaaaaaahooooooooooooooooooo!

Mcknight's The Blue Parakeet came in the mail yesterday. I look forward to reading the book and reviewing it here. Because of the responsibility I feel towards Scot and Zondervan, other books have been pushed aside for a short time. You'll note what I've read this year. I continue to reread A Community Called Atonement and N.T. Wright's Surprised By Hope among others.

On deck, I plan to read Frank Viola's Reimagining Church and Eugene Peterson's Eat This Book. Although I'm unaware of any patterns, you can see what I read and attempt to take in. Any suggestions?

"Election" in Acts

Today, we continue our study through the perspectives on election.

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. (NRSV)

Bruce Ware turns to his second text in Acts 13:48. Concerning the emphasized phrase above, Ware uses the Holman Christian Standard Bible and maintains, "One indisputable aspect of Luke's statement, 'All who had been appointed to eternal life believed,' is that God's appointment of those who would receive eternal life preceded the belief of these very people" (8). He goes on to say if those believed simply based upon their decision and no act of God, then why would Luke make so big of a point (ibid)? Ware maintains Luke is pointing out God's choosing. In other words, when the Gospel is presented to the Gentiles, according to Ware, it's because the Jews (as a whole) rejected the Gospel, whereas the Gentiles (as a whole) accepted the Good News. "In short, these Gentiles believed the Gospel, while Jews rejected the same saving message because God had chosen these very Gentiles to believe" (9).

The response to Ware is taken up by Jack Cottrell. As to this particular verse, Cottrell maintains the verb form of tetagmenoi "should be taken as middle voice, not passive" (60). In other words, Cottrell translates the verse, "As many as arranged themselves unto eternal life believed" or "As many as turned themselves toward eternal life believed" (ibid). How one translates the tense of the verb from the original language seems to make a difference.

Next week, we turn to the writings of Paul. Any thoughts in regards to the verse in Acts?

Holiness, Righteousness, Faithfulness

Deuteronomy 28 is what most would call "black and white". In other words, there are consequences for obeying God's Law and consequences for disobeying the same Law. Obedience leads to blessings. Disobedience results in curses and destruction.

The original readers were reminded of God's grace and mercy. Years prior, they were led from slavery in Egypt - a horrific way of life - to freedom and on their way to the land God had promised. Things would work out well if they valued their freedom and chose to honor the One who provides that same freedom. Again, it appears their future would be a result based on their decisions.

Since God sent His Son to die for the sins of the world (2 Cor 5:21, 1 Jn 2:2), we have lived under grace rather than Law (cf. Paul's admonitions to the Galatians among other texts). Although I want to make decisions that result in the blessings mentioned in Deut. 28, my flesh continues to drag me "south". And the Bible makes it clear this is going to be an issue until Christ returns and restores all things.

About this time, Romans 7 might have come to mind. There's a great post from a friend here. Kinney Mabry has a good post on the Law here.

Although we no longer live under the Law, the New Testament is clear New Testament Christians continue to have responsibilities. Consider Jesus declaring, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill" (Matt. 5:17 NRSV) or Peter reminding readers "For it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy" (1 Pet. 1:16 NRSV).

My decision today is to live for Christ. I know based on previous experience, I'm going to sin. I'm going to be selfish. I'm going to "miss the mark". But I'm not going to rationalize those things. I refuse to push them aside and just claim "That's just the way I am." I'll call them what they are - SIN. Then I'll go to Christ and repent, knowing "...he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn 1:9).

Anything you want to say?

Things Learned On The Road

The family and I had the chance to return to the Austin area last weekend. The primary reason for going back was performing a wedding; however, the visits we had with those people we love was unbeatable. Here are a few things learned or confirmed from the recent trip.

1. Somehow, the stress of a wedding (rehearsal, planning, order of service, weather, etc.) is always worth it.
2. Traffic in central Texas is definitely getting worse. With a few rare exceptions, people are in a hurry and their errand is more important than anyone else's errand.
3. The people who had become our family at a recent ministry (and allowed us to become a part of theirs) still love us. Sharing memories was priceless.
4. We stayed at friends house who also hosted evacuees from Ike. During the stressful time of watching the news coverage, I was reminded of how much I take for granted. It could all be gone tomorrow and insurance doesn't bring it all back.
5. There are 433 miles, 15 towns or cities, and 1,573,829,001 bugs between here and there. BTW, we hit all but 4 of the bugs.

It's good to be home!

Friday Fodder

Anyone at the church I pastor will tell you I'm BIG about discipleship. One of the things I've been convinced of the last few years is the church dumbing down the message we have for the world. In other words, why do people who claim to be a follower of Christ look the same as they did as before? Why is there no change? How important is discipleship? What's the difference between discipleship and someone going over the edge into legalsim? Should these things even be a part of conversation? Check out this video and then let me know what you think.

September 11 7#

Today marks the 7th anniversary that our country was so violently attacked. There will be several memorials throughout the day. Many people will have things to say and they will say them much better than I ever could.

For that reason, I would encourage you to check out their thoughts. Our study on election will resume next week.

God Bless America and America Bless God!