'In a world marked by religious indifference and even by a growing aversion toward the Christian faith, a new, intense activity of evangelization is necessary," the pope said.
A new, intense activity of evangelization is necessary.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100125/ap_on_re_eu/eu_vatican_christian_unity
1.25.2010
1.16.2010
karma
I'll go ahead and state that I'm not a big fan of karma.
Yet, it is a very prevalent part of our nation and people's outlook around the world. There are even quite a few Christians who believe in karma principles. Since so many people adhere to karma like philosophies, we need to understand if we believe it or not, for it motivates a great number of people's actions in life.
It's important to examine karma because I think it does have half-truths rooted in the truth of the Bible, but it's very dangerous because it abuses or uses the truth of God to propel a false philosophy.
In considering if it is true or not, what does the Bible have to say, either directly or indirectly about the topic. Is karma a principle close to the heart of God?
Karma is basically the belief that your good or bad deeds will come around back to you in the future via good fortune or bad misfortune.
1. karma equates to self-salvation
Belief in karma predicates the thought that a person can alter his or her actions to be good enough to find salvation or comfort in life. "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17
I think this is an arrogant and ignorant view of the human heart. I think most people, secular or Christian, can identify with Paul in Romans 7 when he talks about struggling with sin. He wants to do what is good -- all of us do most of the time -- yet there is something, some junk that prevents us from living that out.
2. karma has no need of Christ - grace is gone
Related to #1, belief in karma calls for throwing Christ out of the picture. For CHRISTians who believe in karma, this is a clear contradiction of beliefs -- it's sort of one or the other. Believing in karma reduces Christ from Great Savior to enlightened teacher at best, some guy in history at worst. "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace that you have been saved." Ephesians 2:5
Believing in karma means grace is gone.
3. With no first love, how does karma work?
Throwing out Jesus by believing in karma throws out that God has incredible love, unfathomable love, for His created order. The understanding of God's love is just that, unexplainable. Through the ages, the best we can come up with is labeling our understanding of God's great love as "grace," and it's true, we're not even close to getting how much He loves us.
By not understanding God's great love for us, we attempt to be like Jesus and love others, and then it is when that we get acts of service in line with His Kingdom. We only breathe each breath, wake up each day, eat each meal by the grace of God and His love and mercy for us.
"We love because He first loved us." - 1 John 4:19
So without having a first, greater act of love from God, then how would karma proponents know how to do acts of "love"..."good deeds"? Do karma proponents believe in evolved moral standards? There seems to be a contradiction here.
When we get back around to it, I find it hard to believe that in the karma philosophy, there is something genuine that is the fuel, the underlying impetus, to motivate the good deeds. Here in lies a half-truth. Karma masks itself as being a genuine good act in the service of others, but based on the wrong motives.
Karma is meant to further the self. Jesus wanted us to further His kingdom, serve others, at the expense of self. Give our lives self-LESS-ly for the love of Christ and His people.
In that vein, karma can't exist.
Yet, it is a very prevalent part of our nation and people's outlook around the world. There are even quite a few Christians who believe in karma principles. Since so many people adhere to karma like philosophies, we need to understand if we believe it or not, for it motivates a great number of people's actions in life.
It's important to examine karma because I think it does have half-truths rooted in the truth of the Bible, but it's very dangerous because it abuses or uses the truth of God to propel a false philosophy.
In considering if it is true or not, what does the Bible have to say, either directly or indirectly about the topic. Is karma a principle close to the heart of God?
Karma is basically the belief that your good or bad deeds will come around back to you in the future via good fortune or bad misfortune.
1. karma equates to self-salvation
Belief in karma predicates the thought that a person can alter his or her actions to be good enough to find salvation or comfort in life. "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17
I think this is an arrogant and ignorant view of the human heart. I think most people, secular or Christian, can identify with Paul in Romans 7 when he talks about struggling with sin. He wants to do what is good -- all of us do most of the time -- yet there is something, some junk that prevents us from living that out.
2. karma has no need of Christ - grace is gone
Related to #1, belief in karma calls for throwing Christ out of the picture. For CHRISTians who believe in karma, this is a clear contradiction of beliefs -- it's sort of one or the other. Believing in karma reduces Christ from Great Savior to enlightened teacher at best, some guy in history at worst. "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace that you have been saved." Ephesians 2:5
Believing in karma means grace is gone.
3. With no first love, how does karma work?
Throwing out Jesus by believing in karma throws out that God has incredible love, unfathomable love, for His created order. The understanding of God's love is just that, unexplainable. Through the ages, the best we can come up with is labeling our understanding of God's great love as "grace," and it's true, we're not even close to getting how much He loves us.
By not understanding God's great love for us, we attempt to be like Jesus and love others, and then it is when that we get acts of service in line with His Kingdom. We only breathe each breath, wake up each day, eat each meal by the grace of God and His love and mercy for us.
"We love because He first loved us." - 1 John 4:19
So without having a first, greater act of love from God, then how would karma proponents know how to do acts of "love"..."good deeds"? Do karma proponents believe in evolved moral standards? There seems to be a contradiction here.
When we get back around to it, I find it hard to believe that in the karma philosophy, there is something genuine that is the fuel, the underlying impetus, to motivate the good deeds. Here in lies a half-truth. Karma masks itself as being a genuine good act in the service of others, but based on the wrong motives.
Karma is meant to further the self. Jesus wanted us to further His kingdom, serve others, at the expense of self. Give our lives self-LESS-ly for the love of Christ and His people.
In that vein, karma can't exist.
1.14.2010
Jesus = freedom
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
Paul was absolutely correct. In Christ, we find utmost freedom.
If you don't believe me, or doubt that yourself even a little bit, I'd offer this. Reading through Mark 5, Jesus heals a demon-possessed man. When Jesus exorcises these demons, they ask Him:
The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned (Mark 5:12-13)
Now you might say, well, that's not freedom, the evil spirits had to ask permission. Well, that view, no disrespect, is horribly arrogant. I think checking with Jesus for any request or decision is generally a good idea, since He created everything.
Really, think about it. Demons, yes demons asked Jesus to do something, they requested specifically to go into the pigs, and He gives them the freedom to do so.
So if Jesus gives great sovereignty of choice, does that mean He is not sovereign?
Not in the least, I don't think. In fact, I think it enhances His greatness. He doesn't have to be some autocratic, domineering totalitarian over what He created because He knows that love really doesn't exist in that way. He's obviously mature enough to know that the ones He created will rebel against Him and do stupid things.
Does Jesus get mad and quickly snap His created back in line?
No, just the opposite. He loves even more and offers even more grace. It's really quite counter-intuitive for what we're familiar with here on earth.
In a world that is deprived of all sorts of freedoms for all sorts of people and nations, Jesus offers real freedom from sin and the ways of the world.
Jesus means freedom.
Paul was absolutely correct. In Christ, we find utmost freedom.
If you don't believe me, or doubt that yourself even a little bit, I'd offer this. Reading through Mark 5, Jesus heals a demon-possessed man. When Jesus exorcises these demons, they ask Him:
The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned (Mark 5:12-13)
Now you might say, well, that's not freedom, the evil spirits had to ask permission. Well, that view, no disrespect, is horribly arrogant. I think checking with Jesus for any request or decision is generally a good idea, since He created everything.
Really, think about it. Demons, yes demons asked Jesus to do something, they requested specifically to go into the pigs, and He gives them the freedom to do so.
So if Jesus gives great sovereignty of choice, does that mean He is not sovereign?
Not in the least, I don't think. In fact, I think it enhances His greatness. He doesn't have to be some autocratic, domineering totalitarian over what He created because He knows that love really doesn't exist in that way. He's obviously mature enough to know that the ones He created will rebel against Him and do stupid things.
Does Jesus get mad and quickly snap His created back in line?
No, just the opposite. He loves even more and offers even more grace. It's really quite counter-intuitive for what we're familiar with here on earth.
In a world that is deprived of all sorts of freedoms for all sorts of people and nations, Jesus offers real freedom from sin and the ways of the world.
Jesus means freedom.
God's will
I was thinking, "God's will" in the context of the Christian church today is somewhat a twisted term. It's probably common to hear, "I wonder what God's will for my life is?" "Is God's will this or that, should I move to this or that place?"
When we say those phrases the way we intend them, and I have said them a great many times, we are acting incredibly self-centered, becoming the center of the universe.
I mean, really, God's will is God's will, the things He desires and the things that His heart cries for result in actions and decisions that course through our space time history.
Our will, when we decide to do this or that, move to there or here, those decisions are OUR WILL.
I was just feeling convicted that I was being quite self-centered when thinking about God's will for MY life. When I do that, I tend to start with me, think about my desires, whether they are wants or needs, and somehow pray about that, think about it, and then end up projecting that whatever it is is somehow God's will.
God's will is God's will. My will is my will.
When my will corresponds to God's will, which I will say, God's will is the unchanging, perfect, without compromise, absolutely pure will, when my will even minimally aligns with the Great Creator's will, then I'm on to something.
When we say those phrases the way we intend them, and I have said them a great many times, we are acting incredibly self-centered, becoming the center of the universe.
I mean, really, God's will is God's will, the things He desires and the things that His heart cries for result in actions and decisions that course through our space time history.
Our will, when we decide to do this or that, move to there or here, those decisions are OUR WILL.
I was just feeling convicted that I was being quite self-centered when thinking about God's will for MY life. When I do that, I tend to start with me, think about my desires, whether they are wants or needs, and somehow pray about that, think about it, and then end up projecting that whatever it is is somehow God's will.
God's will is God's will. My will is my will.
When my will corresponds to God's will, which I will say, God's will is the unchanging, perfect, without compromise, absolutely pure will, when my will even minimally aligns with the Great Creator's will, then I'm on to something.
12.27.2009
alone time
Many people in our culture consider it weird when people want to spend time alone, be by themselves or get away. Something is thought of as not right, or that person has issues because they can't be in community 24/7.
I think it's interesting that the Gospel authors point out multiple times of Jesus' alone time. As in our culture, Jesus' desire to be by himself, to get away from people, was quite strange for that day and age. Especially in a time where robbers free-roamed the territory, wild animals couldn't be defended against with modern weaponry...it was much more dangerous being alone and people didn't often do it.
Yet Jesus did, alot.
"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16)
"...Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed..." (Mark 1:35)
"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." (Luke 6:12)
"...Sit here while I go over there and pray..." (Matthew 26:36)
The key thing to notice is that Jesus didn't go be alone for the sake of getting away from people. He seems to have gotten away to have deep prayer time with the Father and reflect on His ministry and pray for God's will to be done. Before Jesus made major decisions, He went to be alone.
Ironically, Jesus' alone time seems to have strengthened and fortified Him for the times that He did interact with His community of disciples and the larger crowds full of thousands of people.
And so, just as Jesus was considered a complete weirdo for many of the habits He had and things He did, I think it's safe to say that we can also find intentionality in our times of solitude, for they are necessary to functioning well and living a life full of the Spirit for God.
I think it's interesting that the Gospel authors point out multiple times of Jesus' alone time. As in our culture, Jesus' desire to be by himself, to get away from people, was quite strange for that day and age. Especially in a time where robbers free-roamed the territory, wild animals couldn't be defended against with modern weaponry...it was much more dangerous being alone and people didn't often do it.
Yet Jesus did, alot.
"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16)
"...Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed..." (Mark 1:35)
"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." (Luke 6:12)
"...Sit here while I go over there and pray..." (Matthew 26:36)
The key thing to notice is that Jesus didn't go be alone for the sake of getting away from people. He seems to have gotten away to have deep prayer time with the Father and reflect on His ministry and pray for God's will to be done. Before Jesus made major decisions, He went to be alone.
Ironically, Jesus' alone time seems to have strengthened and fortified Him for the times that He did interact with His community of disciples and the larger crowds full of thousands of people.
And so, just as Jesus was considered a complete weirdo for many of the habits He had and things He did, I think it's safe to say that we can also find intentionality in our times of solitude, for they are necessary to functioning well and living a life full of the Spirit for God.
12.22.2009
Mark 8
It's great how Jesus asks rhetorical questions to cut straight to issues that really matter. He asks a few of them in Mark 8, and they're quite poignant for the current reality of my life. His questions are good are-you-living-the-gospel reality checks.
Here's one:
He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it." (Mark 8:12)
(notice Jesus sighed deeply before he said that, as if to communicate...you guys still really don't get it!!) I think a great number of Christians are always looking for a "neon sign" that points us to God's will. In life, we want signs or dreams or messages to tell us which big decisions to make that will properly line up with walking and serving God.
If we think about this for a second, this line of thinking is not really in the heart of God. He gives us an example and His word in Christ to know what His heart deeply cares about. God gives us freedom in our life to decide how to go about fulfilling that gospel magnetism with professed allegiance to Christ.
In this passage in Mark, Jesus just fed about 4,000 MEN the text says (more when adding women and children present)...so maybe about 10,000 people with 7 (SEVEN) loaves of bread. Jesus did this just after his disciples confessed their lack of faith "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?"
Their problem is the same one I encounter when it comes to gospel living. I proudly depend on myself, my faculties, my abilities when it comes to trying to live out the gospel.
The same thing happens with Peter later in Mark 8 (8:31-33).
Hence, it's fitting that Mark 8 closes with:
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
notice Jesus said this to the crowd AND the disciples. He wants this to be public knowledge.
He's telling us to get rid of ourselves and our pride. Forget the ways of the world. It's empty tired and broken. Pursuing its rewards is empty and full of despair.
Jesus is challenging us to live a life marked by free gospel living that is based on an everlasting devotion to His name, depending on His power and not ours.
Here's one:
He sighed deeply and said, "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it." (Mark 8:12)
(notice Jesus sighed deeply before he said that, as if to communicate...you guys still really don't get it!!) I think a great number of Christians are always looking for a "neon sign" that points us to God's will. In life, we want signs or dreams or messages to tell us which big decisions to make that will properly line up with walking and serving God.
If we think about this for a second, this line of thinking is not really in the heart of God. He gives us an example and His word in Christ to know what His heart deeply cares about. God gives us freedom in our life to decide how to go about fulfilling that gospel magnetism with professed allegiance to Christ.
In this passage in Mark, Jesus just fed about 4,000 MEN the text says (more when adding women and children present)...so maybe about 10,000 people with 7 (SEVEN) loaves of bread. Jesus did this just after his disciples confessed their lack of faith "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?"
Their problem is the same one I encounter when it comes to gospel living. I proudly depend on myself, my faculties, my abilities when it comes to trying to live out the gospel.
The same thing happens with Peter later in Mark 8 (8:31-33).
Hence, it's fitting that Mark 8 closes with:
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
notice Jesus said this to the crowd AND the disciples. He wants this to be public knowledge.
He's telling us to get rid of ourselves and our pride. Forget the ways of the world. It's empty tired and broken. Pursuing its rewards is empty and full of despair.
Jesus is challenging us to live a life marked by free gospel living that is based on an everlasting devotion to His name, depending on His power and not ours.
11.17.2009
failing to eagerly wait
I'm not sure if it's because I'm mostly a pessimist, but I have really been dropping the ball on eagerly waiting for the redemption of both the world and the New Jerusalem and my own redemption.
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 24:45-51 NIV)
Part of eagerly waiting for the appointed promise is to "give them their food at the proper time...". I take that to mean that we are to constantly be serving and encouraging fellow servants (other believers) as well as non-believers. We are to be in a constant mindset with the gospel on the tip of our tongue...always sharing it in word and deed.
After all, Paul writes that "The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." Romans 8:19. The specific 'creation' word in the Greek that Paul uses, ktisis, is taken to mean a "creature" of creation, as in Gentiles, non-believers.
Now that's interesting. Even non-believers are eagerly waiting for the redemption. Which I think makes perfect sense. Non-believers, whether they like it or not, admit it or not, I believe were originally created in the image of God to worship Him and reflect His glory. And when that doesn't happen, something is off and not right ("subjected to frustration"...Romans 8:20).
The point is, as believers in Christ, we have the vision and promise of Revelation 21, the New Jerusalem.
For living out my present faith, I would do good to more eagerly anticipate Christ's return and actually try to believe in His promise and listen to His words.
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 24:45-51 NIV)
Part of eagerly waiting for the appointed promise is to "give them their food at the proper time...". I take that to mean that we are to constantly be serving and encouraging fellow servants (other believers) as well as non-believers. We are to be in a constant mindset with the gospel on the tip of our tongue...always sharing it in word and deed.
After all, Paul writes that "The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." Romans 8:19. The specific 'creation' word in the Greek that Paul uses, ktisis, is taken to mean a "creature" of creation, as in Gentiles, non-believers.
Now that's interesting. Even non-believers are eagerly waiting for the redemption. Which I think makes perfect sense. Non-believers, whether they like it or not, admit it or not, I believe were originally created in the image of God to worship Him and reflect His glory. And when that doesn't happen, something is off and not right ("subjected to frustration"...Romans 8:20).
The point is, as believers in Christ, we have the vision and promise of Revelation 21, the New Jerusalem.
For living out my present faith, I would do good to more eagerly anticipate Christ's return and actually try to believe in His promise and listen to His words.
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