Humans want a God who has limitless love but when God's love expresses itself in "I forgive you," we shriek and run for the shadows. God's love is redemptive not permissive. God's love is that of a disciplinarian, not an enabler.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Repentance and Love
Humans want a God who has limitless love but when God's love expresses itself in "I forgive you," we shriek and run for the shadows. God's love is redemptive not permissive. God's love is that of a disciplinarian, not an enabler.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Social Justice Warrior Terminology
Social Justice Warriors have a unique vocabulary. Perusing through the list will give you a better idea of what a Social Justice Warrior is and if you qualify as one.
Androgyny: Gender expression that contains both male and female elements
Androsexual/Androphile: Being attracted to males.
Advocate: Someone who supports a social justice cause. Social Justice Warriors avoid the term "Warrior." They prefer "advocate for social change."
Abelism: Discrimination against someone who is disabled.
Ageism: Discriminating against someone who is young or old.
Agender: Not identifying with a gender.
AFAB: Assigned female at birth.
Ally: Someone from a privileged group (men, white, etc) who fights against oppression and works to understand or check their privilege.
AMAB: Assigned male at birth.
Aromanticism: Someone who does not have any romantic attractions.
Basic: A word used to describe people who do not appreciate diversity.
Binary: The oppressive idea that genders should be divided into two: male and female.
Biphobia: Discriminating against bisexuals.
Bisexual: Attraction to people of your own gender and to people of different genders.
Bitch: A derogatory term now used by younger females who embrace their sexuality.
Boi: A young gay male or a young female who is expressing herself as a male.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Jerusalem and Lachish: A tale of two cities
Jerusalem and Lachish were the largest and most important cities of Judah in the 8th century B.C. Jerusalem still exists, Lachish does not. The earthen ramp the Assyrians used to breech the walls of Lachish is still visible. The Assyrians recorded the destruction of Lachish with word and picture. Sennacherib sits on his throne, surrounded by doting eunuchs while captives and loot are paraded before him. Sennacherib's destruction of Jerusalem was especially cruel. Officials were flayed and impaled. Mass graves filled with women and children have been found. Sennacherib's warning to the remnants of Judah in Jerusalem was clear. "Submit or else."
Shortly before the destruction of Lachish, Hezekiah sought to reform the land of Judah and he was somewhat successful in his efforts. Lachish was likely reluctant to accept Hezekiah's reforms. The prophet Micah traces the sins of Jerusalem from the northern tribes to Lachish (Micah 1:13). A fascinating archaeological discovery confirms what the Bible says about Hezekiah's reforms. It seems that Hezekiah destroyed one of Lachish's shrines and desecrated it by turning it into a toilet. The practice is alluded to during the reign of Jehu (2 Kings 10:27).
A study of the times of Hezekiah and the Assyrian crisis reveals a dramatic, complicated history filled with political intrigue. The kings of Israel and Judah shift alliances in response to Assyrian aggression. Hezekiah's father sought to placate the Assyrians which turned into a disaster. Hezekiah rebelled. This results in one of the most tense and dramatic moments in all of Scripture. Jerusalem is the last great city of the region of Palestine. The Assyrians, 180,000 of them, are waiting outside. The Assyrians are known to fillet officials, impale, enslave, castrate, and add the wives of kings to their harems. Hezekiah had two choices: submit and put your hope in Assyria or rebel and put your hope in God.
Isaiah prophesied hope. Hezekiah's father, Ahaz, had rejected Isaiah's message. Isaiah responded to Ahaz with the words, "The virgin will be with child..." Hezekiah sprawls himself out before the temple of God with the letter of the king of Assyria spread out before him. Isaiah approaches. "They will not shoot an arrow in Jerusalem," he says. That night an angel wiped out the Assyrian army. King Sennarcherib retreats.
Sennacherib would soon commission artists to carve scenes of victory into the walls of his throneroom. The gore and brutality of Lachsih's destruction is hard to miss. Strangely absent is Sennacherib's dealings with Jerusalem. In the Assyrian annals Sennacherib brags about how he destroyed the towns of Judah and left Hezekiah sitting in his city like a bird in a cage.
Jerusalem or Lachish? Which city do you belong to? I can't help but think of what they'd look like today. Lachish was cosmopolitan, wealthy and accepting of various religious ideas. Lachish fit in well with the surrounding Philistine communities which embraced various religious beliefs. Jerusalem had undergone a recent reform. Hezekiah must have been viewed as odd, out of touch, and old school. His desecration of the shrine in Lachish was probably seen as intolerant, insensitive and xenophobic. Jerusalem or Lachish, which city do you belong to?
Shortly before the destruction of Lachish, Hezekiah sought to reform the land of Judah and he was somewhat successful in his efforts. Lachish was likely reluctant to accept Hezekiah's reforms. The prophet Micah traces the sins of Jerusalem from the northern tribes to Lachish (Micah 1:13). A fascinating archaeological discovery confirms what the Bible says about Hezekiah's reforms. It seems that Hezekiah destroyed one of Lachish's shrines and desecrated it by turning it into a toilet. The practice is alluded to during the reign of Jehu (2 Kings 10:27).
A study of the times of Hezekiah and the Assyrian crisis reveals a dramatic, complicated history filled with political intrigue. The kings of Israel and Judah shift alliances in response to Assyrian aggression. Hezekiah's father sought to placate the Assyrians which turned into a disaster. Hezekiah rebelled. This results in one of the most tense and dramatic moments in all of Scripture. Jerusalem is the last great city of the region of Palestine. The Assyrians, 180,000 of them, are waiting outside. The Assyrians are known to fillet officials, impale, enslave, castrate, and add the wives of kings to their harems. Hezekiah had two choices: submit and put your hope in Assyria or rebel and put your hope in God.
Isaiah prophesied hope. Hezekiah's father, Ahaz, had rejected Isaiah's message. Isaiah responded to Ahaz with the words, "The virgin will be with child..." Hezekiah sprawls himself out before the temple of God with the letter of the king of Assyria spread out before him. Isaiah approaches. "They will not shoot an arrow in Jerusalem," he says. That night an angel wiped out the Assyrian army. King Sennarcherib retreats.
Sennacherib would soon commission artists to carve scenes of victory into the walls of his throneroom. The gore and brutality of Lachsih's destruction is hard to miss. Strangely absent is Sennacherib's dealings with Jerusalem. In the Assyrian annals Sennacherib brags about how he destroyed the towns of Judah and left Hezekiah sitting in his city like a bird in a cage.
Jerusalem or Lachish? Which city do you belong to? I can't help but think of what they'd look like today. Lachish was cosmopolitan, wealthy and accepting of various religious ideas. Lachish fit in well with the surrounding Philistine communities which embraced various religious beliefs. Jerusalem had undergone a recent reform. Hezekiah must have been viewed as odd, out of touch, and old school. His desecration of the shrine in Lachish was probably seen as intolerant, insensitive and xenophobic. Jerusalem or Lachish, which city do you belong to?
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Favorite Christmas Music
My top Christmas songs. Sorry, no Mariah Carey.
20. Wizards in Winter - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
20. Wizards in Winter - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Friday, October 21, 2016
Samaritans and Refugees
Is there a Biblical mandate to take in refugees? The pope recently declared that Christians who are against refugees and other religions are hypocrites.
Be good Samaritans. Support the refugees. Amen.
The pope shames others from behind his high Vatican walls dressed in fine linens and surrounded by luxury like the rich man in the story of poor Lazarus (Luke 16:19-21). The pope mentions that Jesus condemned hypocrisy more than other sin. The main hypocrites of Jesus' day were the Pharisees. They boasted about fasting, giving to the poor and following other religious rites to a tee. They dressed differently than everyone else. They were looked up to as an example pious living. They presumed to be an authority on the Word of God and lectured others on how they should live godly live. Sound familiar?
Okay, so the pope is a hypocrite. What about his claim about those defenders of the West who are against "refugees and other religions?" Consider the pope's words: "It's hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need of my help."
Has the pope considered that a Christian could be all about helping refugees while being against reckless refugee programs? A cautious approach to refugees is not the same as "chasing" someone away or "tossing" someone out. We also have a duty to our nations and to our neighbors in the West. The Good Samaritan found the wounded man on the road. He cared for his wounds and paid for his stay in the inn. He did not take the man back to his house and place him in a room across from his children. Christianity teaches us to love our neighbor, but it also teaches us to use discretion. You can care for the homeless but it does not mean that you have to let them sleep in your bedroom or have a say in the affairs of your household.
The pope also implies that the we should be accepting of all religions. Has the pope failed to notice that the heroes of the Bible smashed idols, expelled pagan worshipers, and cleansed the city of shrines dedicated to foreign gods? Has the pope failed to notice that some of the Bible's villains were leaders who allowed false gods in Israel? Leaders like Ahab and Ahaz tolerated the likes of Jezebel who in turn refused to tolerate the people of God. The religion of Islam carries such baggage as its participants are bound by the duty to support Sharia law, not only is Sharia law anti-Western but it is anti-Christian. The pope seems more interested in being the high priest of Babel rather than the high priest of the church of Christ.
I know of Christians who have reached out to refugee communities. New ministries spring up across the American landscape to serve both the physical and spiritual needs of refugees. They do this because they have been taught to love their neighbor as themselves. When we encounter them we love them as Christ loved us. We are also a citizen of a land, we have a duty to good stewards of our nations, we are to seek our nation's welfare and to pray for the authorities so that we may live in peace.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Victimizing Is Evil
Tell a child that her teachers hate her for no reason. Tell her that the school is out to get her. That it's unfair. When she doubts give a couple examples of abusive teachers. When she fails, blame it on the school. What will this accomplish? Nothing. She will rage against her teachers. She will take no responsibility for her actions. She will be ruined. In the end she will destroy herself. Rescuing a victim is an act of love. Telling people they are victims is evil. Victimizing is demeaning, divisive and it gives power to the peddler of the lie.
Adam played the victim card when he said, "The woman you put here with me..." Notice how God did not even argue with him. God questioned the woman and then cursed them both. Christians must reject victimizing because Jesus instructs his followers to remove the plank of wood from their own eye. Victimizing is about blame, not repentance.
Throughout the history of Israel the ruthless and cruel people of Assyria, Babylon, Greece and Rome exiled, oppressed, and abused the Jews. Yet the prophets did not blame the oppressors, rather they placed the blame on Israel's sinfulness. Jesus and his apostles refused to be brought into the petty position of "let's blame the Romans for all of our issues." Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."
If anyone should've played the victim card it should've been Jesus. There was no blaming or shaming from the cross, rather, a selfless cry for forgiveness on the part of his oppressors.
Adam played the victim card when he said, "The woman you put here with me..." Notice how God did not even argue with him. God questioned the woman and then cursed them both. Christians must reject victimizing because Jesus instructs his followers to remove the plank of wood from their own eye. Victimizing is about blame, not repentance.
Throughout the history of Israel the ruthless and cruel people of Assyria, Babylon, Greece and Rome exiled, oppressed, and abused the Jews. Yet the prophets did not blame the oppressors, rather they placed the blame on Israel's sinfulness. Jesus and his apostles refused to be brought into the petty position of "let's blame the Romans for all of our issues." Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."
If anyone should've played the victim card it should've been Jesus. There was no blaming or shaming from the cross, rather, a selfless cry for forgiveness on the part of his oppressors.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Why Millennials Hate Church
Why do Millennials avoid church? Here are some observations:
13. The Church of the "Try Hards."
Trying too hard is unbecoming. When churches employ gimmicks to make themselves look more relevant and attractive to Millennials it may have the opposite effect. Millennials can see through the marketing. Worse than that, too many churches are trying to change to fit Millennial standards. The church's message to the Millennial should be, "Repent!" Not, "What can we do to make you like us." Which would Jesus have said?
12. Shallow Christianity
Spiritual liberalism has created a superficial and vacuous Christianity. Millennials seem to enjoy the finer, more sophisticated things in life. For example, while the baby-boomers eat cheap garbage the Millennial would spend a few extra bucks of money that they don't have to eat sushi. Liberal denominations have cheapened Christianity and have emptied it of its depth. Christians ought to pursue doctrinal depth, biblical literacy, and a historical appreciation for the church. In the desire to be relevant Christianity has lost its richness.
11. Evangelical Subculture
Evangelicals are not just a denomination, they are an American subculture. Christians who take a more conservative approach to Scripture are lumped into Evangelicalism. Millennials are intimidated by Evangelicals and view them as a politically regressive force.
10. The Church of the Worker Bee
Baby-Boomers understood and appreciated hard work. While work-ethic is a good trait it can be very self-serving. A Baby-Boomer mentality may perceive church attendance as "putting in the hours." Go to church and God will give you a weekly credit. Go to church and your neighbors will think highly of you. Go to church and your neglectful parents will notice you and like you more. This mentality no longer exists among Millennials. They're not necessarily lazy, they just don't have the same stick and carrot.
9. The Church of the Family
Churches revolve around families. Churches dump countless resources into their children. The emphasis on family can alienate Millennials who are having fewer kids. Children have a way of getting young adults back into church. If Millennials don't have kids, don't expect to see them coming to churches that are dedicated to the family.
8. Seeds of the Enlightenment
This reason is more philosophical. Basically, the Enlightenment caused the church to take a back seat in society. The church was pushed out of the sphere of public and objective truth. As a result religion, faith and even morality became personal expressions. Europe has embraced this mentality longer than the United States has. The middle-class was somewhat protected from it until the age of the Millennial. The church must take a stand against relativism.
7. The Church of Straw
"New Atheists" have used the internet to volley a number of attacks on Christianity. Most of these attacks paint a false picture of Christianity. Rather than the church that fosters peace and stability it is the church of the crusades. Rather than the church that abolished slavery it was the church that practiced it. Rather than a faith that is anchored in the historical record of Christ and his resurrection as laid out in the prophetic record it's a faith no different than faith in a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Oh, and Hitler was a dedicated follower of the Jewish Messiah. Millennials are not necessarily more atheistic than other generations but they do have an aversion to the term religion. Religion is now a naughty word. "Call me spiritual."
6. Trophies for All!
Millennials have always been told how awesome they are. They've earned congratulations and trophies for accomplishing very little. Everyone wants them. Everyone tries to figure them out. Why should eternity be any different? If God exists and if there's a heaven I'm sure I'll get the trophy because I am awesome.
5. Church and State
Millennials haaaaaate the mixing of church and state. Progressives have done a good job of demonizing the religious right. However, progressives, social justice warriors and politically correct fanatics embrace the trappings of religion and look to legislate their own morality. Most Christians understand the value of separating church and state but it doesn't mean we ought to embrace a Marxist-like extreme or cater to the secular zealots. Marxists, whether they are economic or cultural, hate the church and it should concern most Americans that many of the college and university systems give off Marxist vibes.
4. Chronological Snobbery
When I lived in Asia I noticed how that the general population honored the elderly and held them in high esteem. While there is evidence that IQ scores are diminishing, many millennials seem to assume that they are the beneficiaries of some sort of evolutionary spurt that has given them an extra dose of enlightenment compared to all the morons of history. For a generation that is so sensitive to bigotry it is astounding at how bigoted they are toward the ancients. "Why should I care what the Bible says? It was written by a bunch of goat-herding bronze-age woman-bashing Neanderthals!"
3. Sex
There are a number of studies indicating that Millennials are not very sexual. Why? Well, in a world of instant gratification sex with another human being takes too much work. Nevertheless, for the Millennial it's very important that sexual freedom abounds. Self-control and self-denial have taken a back seat to sexual liberation. Biblically, the decay of religion is often combined with a sexual demand for freedom (see Romans 1) as the focus turns from the Creator to the created and procreation.
2. Privilege
Augustine once prayed, "You have put salt in our mouths so that we may thirst for you." Millennials have lived their lives with mouths full of honey. Millennials hate privilege and preach against it but fail to see that they are one of the most privileged generations in history. Jesus said that it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. The same is true with a wealthy and privileged culture. Godlessness increases as wealth increases. Those who are humble and in need tend to look for help from their Creator.
1. Human Nature
Millennials have a warped view of human nature. While the Bible, all of human history, and a toddler stealing a toy from another toddler demonstrate with out a doubt that there is something fundamentally wrong with humans, Millennials believe that humans are by nature good. Millennials naively believe that human misbehavior is a result of a corrupt system. This is why Millennials are socialistic, sensitive and take offense to a comical degree. "How dare you insult Holy I!"
I'm sure other reasons could be added to the list. They are not in any particular order of importance. Many of these reasons overlap and depend upon one another. Are there any that you would add? Oh, and if you feel offended or triggered by any of these observations - I don't care; I'm a grumpy Generation X-er.
13. The Church of the "Try Hards."
Trying too hard is unbecoming. When churches employ gimmicks to make themselves look more relevant and attractive to Millennials it may have the opposite effect. Millennials can see through the marketing. Worse than that, too many churches are trying to change to fit Millennial standards. The church's message to the Millennial should be, "Repent!" Not, "What can we do to make you like us." Which would Jesus have said?
12. Shallow Christianity
Spiritual liberalism has created a superficial and vacuous Christianity. Millennials seem to enjoy the finer, more sophisticated things in life. For example, while the baby-boomers eat cheap garbage the Millennial would spend a few extra bucks of money that they don't have to eat sushi. Liberal denominations have cheapened Christianity and have emptied it of its depth. Christians ought to pursue doctrinal depth, biblical literacy, and a historical appreciation for the church. In the desire to be relevant Christianity has lost its richness.
11. Evangelical Subculture
Evangelicals are not just a denomination, they are an American subculture. Christians who take a more conservative approach to Scripture are lumped into Evangelicalism. Millennials are intimidated by Evangelicals and view them as a politically regressive force.
10. The Church of the Worker Bee
Baby-Boomers understood and appreciated hard work. While work-ethic is a good trait it can be very self-serving. A Baby-Boomer mentality may perceive church attendance as "putting in the hours." Go to church and God will give you a weekly credit. Go to church and your neighbors will think highly of you. Go to church and your neglectful parents will notice you and like you more. This mentality no longer exists among Millennials. They're not necessarily lazy, they just don't have the same stick and carrot.
9. The Church of the Family
Churches revolve around families. Churches dump countless resources into their children. The emphasis on family can alienate Millennials who are having fewer kids. Children have a way of getting young adults back into church. If Millennials don't have kids, don't expect to see them coming to churches that are dedicated to the family.
8. Seeds of the Enlightenment
This reason is more philosophical. Basically, the Enlightenment caused the church to take a back seat in society. The church was pushed out of the sphere of public and objective truth. As a result religion, faith and even morality became personal expressions. Europe has embraced this mentality longer than the United States has. The middle-class was somewhat protected from it until the age of the Millennial. The church must take a stand against relativism.
7. The Church of Straw
"New Atheists" have used the internet to volley a number of attacks on Christianity. Most of these attacks paint a false picture of Christianity. Rather than the church that fosters peace and stability it is the church of the crusades. Rather than the church that abolished slavery it was the church that practiced it. Rather than a faith that is anchored in the historical record of Christ and his resurrection as laid out in the prophetic record it's a faith no different than faith in a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Oh, and Hitler was a dedicated follower of the Jewish Messiah. Millennials are not necessarily more atheistic than other generations but they do have an aversion to the term religion. Religion is now a naughty word. "Call me spiritual."
6. Trophies for All!
Millennials have always been told how awesome they are. They've earned congratulations and trophies for accomplishing very little. Everyone wants them. Everyone tries to figure them out. Why should eternity be any different? If God exists and if there's a heaven I'm sure I'll get the trophy because I am awesome.
5. Church and State
Millennials haaaaaate the mixing of church and state. Progressives have done a good job of demonizing the religious right. However, progressives, social justice warriors and politically correct fanatics embrace the trappings of religion and look to legislate their own morality. Most Christians understand the value of separating church and state but it doesn't mean we ought to embrace a Marxist-like extreme or cater to the secular zealots. Marxists, whether they are economic or cultural, hate the church and it should concern most Americans that many of the college and university systems give off Marxist vibes.
4. Chronological Snobbery
When I lived in Asia I noticed how that the general population honored the elderly and held them in high esteem. While there is evidence that IQ scores are diminishing, many millennials seem to assume that they are the beneficiaries of some sort of evolutionary spurt that has given them an extra dose of enlightenment compared to all the morons of history. For a generation that is so sensitive to bigotry it is astounding at how bigoted they are toward the ancients. "Why should I care what the Bible says? It was written by a bunch of goat-herding bronze-age woman-bashing Neanderthals!"
3. Sex
There are a number of studies indicating that Millennials are not very sexual. Why? Well, in a world of instant gratification sex with another human being takes too much work. Nevertheless, for the Millennial it's very important that sexual freedom abounds. Self-control and self-denial have taken a back seat to sexual liberation. Biblically, the decay of religion is often combined with a sexual demand for freedom (see Romans 1) as the focus turns from the Creator to the created and procreation.
2. Privilege
Augustine once prayed, "You have put salt in our mouths so that we may thirst for you." Millennials have lived their lives with mouths full of honey. Millennials hate privilege and preach against it but fail to see that they are one of the most privileged generations in history. Jesus said that it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. The same is true with a wealthy and privileged culture. Godlessness increases as wealth increases. Those who are humble and in need tend to look for help from their Creator.
1. Human Nature
Millennials have a warped view of human nature. While the Bible, all of human history, and a toddler stealing a toy from another toddler demonstrate with out a doubt that there is something fundamentally wrong with humans, Millennials believe that humans are by nature good. Millennials naively believe that human misbehavior is a result of a corrupt system. This is why Millennials are socialistic, sensitive and take offense to a comical degree. "How dare you insult Holy I!"
I'm sure other reasons could be added to the list. They are not in any particular order of importance. Many of these reasons overlap and depend upon one another. Are there any that you would add? Oh, and if you feel offended or triggered by any of these observations - I don't care; I'm a grumpy Generation X-er.
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