Playing the Fool
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV)
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Tip of the Iceberg
Icebergs are interesting things. I don’t know what it is, exactly. After all, they are just giant chucks of ice adrift on the ocean. But something about their shape and nature gives them a rare beauty. But more than that, there’s one aspect about icebergs that has got me thinking over the past few days.
You see, it’s normal for icebergs to be a lot bigger than you think. In fact, the part of the iceberg that we can see normally (the part of above the surface) can some times be just a cheap clue to the rest of its mass beneath the surface. What me might see floating by our boat might look like an overgrown ice cube, when in reality if we were to see the whole iceberg, including the parts beneath the water, we’d realize that it’s more like an entire mountain of ice.
I suspect that such a thing is the origin of the phrase, “Just the tip of the iceberg.” But, you know, it’s not just icebergs that share this trait.
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Veritas
This week, during my study time, I’ve been watching Focus on the Family’s the Truth Project. If you’re not familiar with this program I would really encourage you to check it out. It’s really interesting stuff.
As I was watching, however, I was struck by a point that the teacher, Dr. Del Tackett, made regarding the relationship between the concepts of truth and Christian salvation. And, as we have been discussing the theology of Christian salvation on Sunday morning in our Adult Bible Class, I thought I would share with you some of the conclusions I’ve reached in this regard. You might have heard me reference this passage and thoughts before, but this opportunity is too good to pass up.
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A great article that mirrors some of the implications of a recent study of mine in 1 John and the specifics of true Christian salvation. Worth the read.
To illustrate the basic point of my recent post Deeper Water, I thought I would share a clip that perfectly illustrates the futility of baptism on it’s own. (Get that corn outta my face!!!)
Deeper Water
I know this is a long one. But please, bear with me.
I want to say something. It’s not going to be easy to hear for some of you and comes with the danger of turning a few of you away. But, nevertheless, it needs to be said…
We need to stop teaching baptism.
Now, I understand that’s a hard pill for many to swallow (for me too), but hear me out. I’m going to try and make myself as clear as possible.
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Needful Things
This past week millions of people all around the world observed Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent - 40 days of Fasting in the effort to touch the experience of Jesus in the wilderness. As members of the Church of Christ, we do not observe this high holiday, however, it has got me thinking about the concept of fasting in general. I thought this week I’d share some of my observations…
One of the reasons that Churches of Christ do not observe Lent is because, though encouraged, we are never commanded to fast. In fact, even discussion about fasting is rare among our brethren. And you know what, that’s a shame.
Why are we not commanded in scripture to fast? Because, simply, a fast that you have to do has no real meaning. Fasting is when one decides to willingly abstain from any given practice or habit, usually food or drink. For the Christian, this is usual done to refocus the mind and spirit back to dependance on God by removing distractions. If one is forced to do this instead of willingly volunteering, they can be resentful of losing something they enjoy or have a habit of doing, thus removing the purpose of fasting.
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There Is No Answer But…
This week for my article, I thought I would share a poem I’ve run across that really touched me. It has impacted my prayers and my studies this week and I thought I would share it with you. I was written by Wendell Barry…
To my granddaughters who visited the Holocaust Museum on the day of the burial of Yitzak Rabin, November 6th 1995
Now you know the worst
we humans have to know
about ourselves, and I am sorry,
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The Hard Choice
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I want to talk about love this week. With that in mind, let me share with you a story I just read from a preacher named Melvin Newman…
An actor takes a job playing Jesus in a Passion Week play in the Ozarks. Opening night, as he’s carrying the cross up the hill for the crucifixion scene, and man in the audience raises his voice and starts to heckle him. He starts saying some pretty hurtful things and continues until the actor playing Jesus can’t take anymore. So, he drops the cross, runs over to the man who was heckling him, and punches him in the face.
After the play, the director told the actor, “You can’t behave like this. I know that guy deserved it, but you’re playing Jesus! He would never have retaliated.” The actor agreed and promised never to do it again.
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Glory
Recently I’ve been asked a lot of situational questions. Things like, “Jarrod, is it sinful for me to do/think/be involved with _____?” Don’t read that wrong. If you were one of those who asked me such a question, please feel free to keep asking them. I eat them up. Keep um coming. But, in regard to such questions, I thought this week I would share with you my general answer.
The truth is that we make getting into heaven a lot harder than it actually is. And when we struggle with issues like “Is it sinful to dance?” or, “Is it okay to watch R rated movies?” that’s what we’re doing. Making it more difficult. Now, I want to be clear that I am IN NO WAY advocating sexual dancing or graphic movies. However, these two topics perfectly illustrate what I like to call “situational spirituality.” When we try to nail down the specifics of things like this and find how far is too far, we miss the point of a Christian lifestyle.
