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Ragamuffin Gospel: #3 – The Ragamuffin Gospel

Chapterย 3

This chapter explores the love Jesus showed to the least in society as demonstrated by his actions. Much of the chapter focuses on the lowly position of children and the assertion that we must be like children when we approach Christ. Jesus taught this by His daily actions where he never held back from embracing those that were considered outcasts by the Jewish elite. The lowly status of children and the importance of dining with someone was very interesting to consider. We’ve talked a lot about children, but the cultural significance of having someone over for dinner provides aย key insight into the Pharisees hatred of Jesus.

It’s funny how most church activities revolve around food (at least they did when I grew up), breaking bread together involves being vulnerable. In Jesus’ time on earth, sharing a meal with someone was more than just having some food, it was sharing life together. It was a process to have a meal. I remember being invited to dinner in England (our neighbors) for the first time. What I learned quickly was this had little to do with the food, though it was fine, it had much more to do with getting to know one another. I don’t remember when the dinner started, but I do remember that it wasn’t officially over until 11pm! ย This makes me want to have people over more often, to spend time sharing a meal, cleaning the dishes, just hanging out, with people who are in our local church as well as those who are not part of any church. It seems my life has become too compartmentalized, too structured and scheduled. I pray that God opens these doors as I begin to get more involved in our community.

The last part of this chapter was really significant in my mind. The Alcoholics Anonymous buzzword: H.A.L.T. is significant. Too many times poor decisions are madeย when we are hungry, angry, lonely or tired.

  • Hungry: Most of the time we can fix the hungry problem by going to the fridge or pantry…most of us don’t have to worry about where the next meal is coming from.
  • Angry: The problem of anger is generally the result of not getting what we want or feel entitled to receive. It doesn’t really matter why we’re angry, what matters is how we deal with that. We need someone to confide in, someone who will listen without judging — and yes, we need to be that kind of person as well.
  • Lonely: I think we’re lonely a lot more than we realize. The “I can do it myself” mentality often leads to loneliness because we think we need to do it by ourselves. We think that asking others for help is a sign of weakness, something that reveals our inability. We really were meant to be a community of believers doing life together. The more we share the ups and downs of life together the more we avoid being lonely.
  • Tired: Oh my are we ever a tired people! Go, go, go! Where’s my list of things todo…rush, rush, rush! I’m tired just typing that! We will be tired because of the expectations and responsibilities. As parents this never ends. As employers, employees, pastors or parishioners, life makes us tired. What we do when we’re tired makes all the difference in the world. There’s no surprise that the 4th commandment is there for a reason. God knows we’re going to be tired. Plan on it and take a Sabbath weekly.

All kinds of problems happen when H.A.L.T. is violated. Lord I pray that we become a community that recognizes our weaknesses and learns to live together. Help us to turn to you in these times, for sure, but to learn to turn to each other, to be the cord of three strands that cannot be easily broken.

Jesus spent a disproportionate amount of time with Ragamuffins

  1. The least, the last, the lost and the lonely
  2. He related to the upper class as well, but not to gain clout or position

The kingdom belongs to
people who aren’t trying to look good
or impress anybody,
even themselves.

The Kingdom belongs to those who come like children

  • Odd story about a Zen monk, a tiger, some mice and a strawberry. The point is to focus on the here and now, but it’s a bit odd.
  • The past is crucified with Christ, victories and disgraces, all now have a new focus
  • Children in ancient Jewish society “had no status at all–they did not count.”
  • “Jesus gave these scorned little ones a privileged place in the kingdom”
  • The napioi were Jesus’ image for the uneducated and ignorant

Jesus deals the death blow to any distinction between the elite and the ordinary in the Christian community.

  • There is nothing we can do to earn any position in the Kingdom, it is all by the grace of Christ.

Sharing a Meal

  • “In the Near East, to share a meal with someone is a guarantee of peace, trust, fraternity and forgiveness–the shared table symbolizes a shared life.”
  • When Jesus met Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), He was judged by the Pharisees immediately–he broke their law.
  • By dining with these “sinners” Jesus took away their shame, humiliation and guilt–He restored their dignity.

Jesus feasted while John fasted Mark 2:18-19

  • Jesus demonstrated what it meant to live with joy
  • He laughed, cried, smiled — he lived on earth like a real human

H.A.L.T.

  • Hungry, angry, lonely or tired. An AA buzzword: “Don’t let yourself get H.A.L.T.”

 

ยซ Chapter 2

Chapter 4 ยป

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Notes:

1ย napioi, nฤ“pioi. ย Used 15 times in the New Testament in various forms. From Mounce: “an infant, babe, child, Matthew 21:16, 1 Corinthians 13:11; one below the age of manhood, a minor, Galatians 4:1; met. a babe in knowledge, unlearned, simple, Matthew 11:25; Romans 2:20.”

2ย eudokia. From Mounce:ย good will, favor, Luke 2:14; good pleasure, purpose, intention, Matthew 11:26; Luke 10:21; Ephesians 1:5, 9; Philippians 2:13; by impl. desire, Romans 10:1; Philippians 1:15; 2โ€ฏThessalonians 1:11.

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Ragamuffin Gospel: #2 – Magnificent Monotony

Chapterย 2

An intriguing title for a chapter that forced me to look for an appropriate definition. It seems that Manning wants to help us focus on the constant, consistent, even monotonous theme we find throughout the Bible: God’s love. He loves us through creation, through the Fall, in our sinful nature, in our best and at our worst.

Another recurring theme in this chapter is the call to prayer. From Isaiah’s paean of praise1 to the call to be men and women of prayer, Manning implores us to see the God of compassion, to stop blaming and see the love of God woven in the Gospel of grace and understand that grace is the active expression of his love.

Yet if we were truly men and women of prayer,
our faces set like flint
and our hearts laid waste by passion,
we would discard our excuses.

Manning provides several examples of how the legalistic interpretation of sin leads us nowhere. “If your God is an impersonal cosmic force, your religion will be noncommittal and vague…but trust in the God who loves consistently…a loving God fosters a loving people.” I love the example of Jonah’s reluctant call as a prophet and how his desire for God to fit his definition is completely ignored by God (funny how that works!). As kids, we recall the story of Jonahย as the man in the whale saved by God, but this misses the point. I am Jonah, the man who wants God to listen to me. I’m the hothead that calls God to strike down those who are worse sinners than myself! Thankfully God doesn’t react to my selfishness or that of billions of other people. God is love.

It’s interesting how we quickly read beyond the first three commandments, how we have convinced ourselves that we are not like the Hebrews that Moses led. When we shape God into the image we demand we are guilty right out of the gate. When we stop reading the Bible in Exodus because of guilt that we are reminded of by the legalists, we miss the point — God is the God of grace — read the whole story!

The Word we study has to be the Word we pray…from sitting still in the presence of the living Word and beseeching Him to help me understand with my head and heart His written Word.

Manning implores us to accept ourselves so we can begin to grow. There is some tension here, especially in our culture, because we tend to define success in terms of wealth and position, of power and popularity. There is no support for this notion in the Bible at all. Our call in this life is to “go and make disciples” not become wealthy and popular. We need to be attractive magnets to those who are far from Christ. The key ingredient is love. “Love is a far better stimulus than threat or pressure.”

I’ve told my wife, “I love you” a thousand times and I will likely tell her another thousand times. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t think that’s boring or monotonous. ๐Ÿ™‚ God tells us over and over again He loves us. This is a Magnificent Monotony. Thank you God!

ยซ Chapter 1

Chapter 3 ยป

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Notes:

1ย Paean, as in Isaiah’s paen of praise to the all-powerful Creator: song or lyric poem expressing triumph or thanksgiving.

 

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Ten Questions: #4 – Wasn’t he a wise teacher, why try to make Jesus into the Son of God?

Summary

  • Many people believe Jesus was given a โ€œdivine promotionโ€ after his crucifixion that he never claimed for himself.
  • Contrary to that belief, the dramatic explosion of devotion to Jesus points back to his teachings as the source.
  • The New Testament record affirms that Jesus was believed to be the Messiah and that Jesusโ€™ followers trusted in him, prayed to him and worshiped him as such.
  • Jesus made multiple claims to equality with the Father, and he never sought to change the perceptions of his listeners.
  • Jesus predicted that all his claims would be proven by his death and resurrection.

Introduction

  • The beginning of this chapter is quite interesting as Mittelberg takes time to describe how followers of Siddhartha Gautama, otherwise know as the Buddha, was transformed from a โ€œspiritual guide with unique insights and wisdomโ€ into a movement that became a major world religion.
  • Gautama did not want to be considered as a divine person, in fact, he was actually not interested in discussing the existence of God at all, but many Buddhists today treat the Buddha as deity and worship him as such.
  • The belief that Jesus was just a good teacher has been around a long time. Thomas Jefferson notoriously cut up a copy of the New Testament to remove all references to Jesusโ€™ miracles or his divinity. Many people take this approach today.
  • Muslims claim he was a great prophet, but assert he would never claim to be the Son of God.
  • Jews consider him a great teacher, but certainly NOT the Messiah.
  • Even some who profess to be Christians gravitate toward this positionโ€”this is a dangerous and slippery slope.

An Explosion of Devotion to Jesus

  • The common claim today is that belief in Jesus as a unique, divine person evolved over the first three centuries, not while eyewitnesses were still alive. Yet as it turns out, the best historical scholarship shows that simply is not the case.
  1. First of all, every New Testament writer refers to Jesus as the โ€œChrist,โ€ or Messiah; they were proclaiming that Jesus was the preeminent Priest-King sent by God to fulfill his promises.
  2. Second and Third, the earliest and the latest New Testament authors alike use the most exalted titles and divine honors for Jesus; there was consistency.

Hereโ€™s the key point to remember: there never was a time when the earliest community of followers of Jesus did not regard him as far, far more than a good teacher.

Just who did Jesus think he was?

  • Jesus referred to himself as โ€œthe Son of Manโ€ eighty-two times in the four Gospels (even more than the โ€œChristโ€).
  • This refers back to Daniel 7:13-14, where Daniels foresees โ€œone like a son of manโ€ being given all power and dominion.

Again the high priest asked him, โ€œAre you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?โ€

62ย โ€œI am,โ€ย said Jesus. ย โ€œAnd you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.โ€

  • This couples the title, โ€œSon of Manโ€ with the prophecy in Daniel and the frequent occurrences in the New Testament.
  • The reaction of the Pharisees confirms Jesusโ€™ claim.
  • There are numerous examples of Jesusโ€™ adding to the teaching with โ€œbut I sayโ€ฆโ€
  • Whatโ€™s interesting is that in all these cases Jesus had ample opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings about what he was really saying, but he did not. Instead he reinforced his claim to be the Son of God, true deity, and equal in nature to God the Father.

Evidence that Jesusโ€™ claims are true

  • Just what was it the convinced Jesusโ€™ followers he was the Messiah?
  • His death, which no one disputes, provides convincing evidence. But it was his resurrection that changed everything.
  • Christianity did no begin with a group of people trying to remember and follow Jesusโ€™ teachings, it began with the belief that God resurrected him from the dead.
  • Jesus told them in advance that he would die and then be resurrected by God

Reasons for believing the reality of the resurrection

Three facts to conclude that the Resurrection is an actual historical event:

  1. No responsible historian denies that Jesus died on a Roman cross
  2. The tomb in which Jesusโ€™ body had been buried was found empty
  3. People had experiences that thy were convinced were encounters with Jesus

Tips for Talking About This Issue

  • Remember that many opinions are based on incomplete information as well as fictional sources such as novels, movies and TV shows. Encourage them to take time to look into these matters, even to read the Gospels as a starting point.
  • Beyond the Bible, here are some good books to consider:
  • Remember the Gospels are at the very least a reliable historical record about the life and teachings of Jesus. Our friends can respect and learn from the Gospel report without first having to decide whether the Gospels are the inspired Word of God.
  • Even if our friends are skeptical, itโ€™s good to encourage them to keep an open mind and even to approach this with a simple prayer.
  • Itโ€™s important to remember, and to impress gently upon our friends, that if Jesus is who he claimed to be, then understanding and embracing what he taught is a really big deal.

Questions for discussion

  1. What did you believe about Jesus as you grew up? Have your views changed? If so, why?
  2. What is the most convincing evidence for you that Jesus truly is the Son of God, deity incarnate in humanity?
  3. What are the most serious challenges youโ€™ve heard to the teaching that Jesus really is God in human flesh? What did you do (or can you do) to address those challenges and bolster your own confidence?
  4. How might your answer to the previous question prepare you to help your friends understand the reality of who Jesus is?
  5. Imagine youโ€™re in a conversation with a friend who, after some discussion, finally acknowledges that Jesus seems to be more than a man and probably is the Son of God. What could you say next to help your friend take steps toward actually receiving Christ at as his or her own Savior?
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Ten Questions: #3 – Why trust the Bible?

Summary

The opening story in this chapter depicts what appears to be a conflicting account of a tragic accident. This is ultimately resolved to show how both parts of the story were correct and sets the stage for improving our understanding of how the gospel accounts are told from different perspectives and how this actually gives us more understanding, not less.

Seven examples are provided, each with some insight that helps us understand how we can be confident in the validity of Scripture. Here are a few key ideas:

  • We should begin by realizing that weโ€™re only getting limited perspectives on the storyโ€”with an incomplete listing of the details from eyewitnesses
  • Suspend judgment, live with the tension of differing accounts, trust the integrity of both people and seek to discover more information
  • Key point: During the centuries before the printing presses, scribes couldโ€”BUT DID NOTโ€”artificially harmonize variations in the Gospels.
  • Published Resources: The Big Book of Bible Difficulties (Baker Books, 2008) and New International Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties (Zondervan, 2001).

Often people who raise issues are repeating rumors, but donโ€™t know any specifics, just โ€œsound bitesโ€ from news or social media. This approach is used to avoid actually learning the truth (which takes time and effort). Study the facts and get the whole story.

We can take a positive approach by showing that

  1. The New Testament is a reliable historical document
  2. The historical record presents Jesus as the unique Son of God
  3. Jesus, the Son of God and therefore the One with real authority, taught that the whole Bible is the inspired Word of God.

Real Questions or Spiritual Smoke Screens?

  • Quite often people are just blowing smoke. Considering asking, โ€œIโ€™m curious, which ones bother you the most? What mistakes and contradictions have you found?โ€
  • Gently ask them if there may be some reason theyโ€™re hoping that the Bible isnโ€™t true. โ€œIs there something in your life youโ€™re afraid youโ€™d have to change or give up in the Bible turns out the be what it claimsโ€”the Word of God?โ€

Myths About Bible Myths

There is growing skepticism in our culture as news reports on moral failures, scams, etc. This actually creates misinformation and people donโ€™t often take time to investigate the issues for themselves.

Objection #1: The Bible is very old and was written by gullible, illiterate people; therefore, we canโ€™t trust it.

Discerning the Truth. The truth is that societies in any age have both gullible as well as discerning people.

Telling the Truth. Many people lost their lives because of their associations with Christianity. Who dies for something they know is false? Nobody.

Objection #2: The Bible was written too far after the events actually happened to be considered reliable.

Early Creed. Matthew and John were written by two of the original twelve disciples; Mark by the โ€œsecretaryโ€ of Peter. Luke was a companion of Paul, a kind of first century โ€œinvestigative reporter.โ€ Like the others, he wrote his account well within the life span of the companions of Jesus.

Not Just โ€œThe Bible Tells Me Soโ€ There are non-biblical sources that corroborate events of the early Christians.

Objection #3: Even if it was accurate at first, the Bible was copied and translated so many times that it surely has been corrupted.

The Facts About Translation. Most people donโ€™t really think about why they have this objection. Todayโ€™s modern translations come directly from the ancient texts, not intermediary translations.

Communication in the Ancient World. In an oral culture, people knew how to accurately retell stories; thatโ€™s how they communicated. The New Testament has some 20,000 lines of text, and of those, only about 40 lines are in questionโ€”none of which affect doctrinal issues.

Objection #4: The Bible has stories that sound like myths; maybe there is truth in there somewhere, like in Aesopโ€™s fables, but you certainly canโ€™t call it true in a historic sense.

Oddly enough, many who object to the Bible would support the idea of the Big Bang theoryโ€ฆthat sounds pretty open minded! (Genesis would support this theory as well.)

Those in Jesus day didnโ€™t argue that he performed miracles, they objected to him doing them on the Sabbath.

Objection #5: The New Testament consists of carefully chosen books, banning others that shed light on the real Jesus of history.

The simple truth is this: all those so-called gospels are much, much later than the Gospels in the New Testament. By contrast, the New Testament was completed by the apostles (or those they approved).

Objection #6: How can one religious book be right and all the others wrong? Isnโ€™t it more likely all contain some truth, and all contain some error?

The Bible goes far beyond giving good advice: It teaches us about a Savior, about the need to rely on his righteousness instead of our own.

The Bible has predictive prophecy, which was later fulfilledโ€”to the letter.

Jesusโ€™ crucifixion was described in detail before Roman crucifixion was even invented.

Objection #7: Since ancient mystery religions taught tales of dying and rising gods, isnโ€™t it likely Christians borrowed those ideas and invented a Jesus who claimed to do similar things?

Another reference to the fictional work, The Da Vinci Code, suggests that these ideas were projected into the Gospels. However, these ideas we refuted long before Dan Brown wrote his book. See: The Gospel and the Greeks: Did the New Testament Borrow from Pagan Thought?

Objection #8: Since you can make the Bible say anything you want it to say, why should we give it any special credence? Doesnโ€™t it all come down to subjective opinion, anyway?

This objection points to a real dangerโ€”our subjective opinions.

On a daily basis, people reinterpret the law to make it say what they want it to say (e.g., taxes and traffic tickets).

We cannot alter Scripture to suit ourselves. Instead, we need to humbly let the text alter us.

The Positive Case

  1. The New Testament is, at minimum, a reliable historical record
  2. The historical record presents Jesus as the unique Son of God
  3. Jesus, the Son of God, taught that the Bible is the inspired Word of God

Tips for Talking About This Issue

  • When people question the Bible, donโ€™t take it personally, donโ€™t get defensive
  • Not understanding something in the Bible means youโ€™re in good company, even Paul is quoted by Peter saying that, โ€œsome things that are hard to understandโ€ (2 Peter 3:16).
  • The Bible is a big book! No one can master it all!
  • Remember that people have been reading the Bible for centuries and itโ€™s still being debated
  • Suggest that they read one book (e.g., Mark or Luke) and jot down questions as they go. Agree to walk with them through the journey. Be patient.

Questions for discussion

  1. Have you ever been in a discussion with an unbeliever who argued against the validity of the Bible? How did you respond?
  2. Can you think of a time when two people recounted the same eventโ€”with two seemingly different scenarios? What is the best way to get at the real picture of what happened? How might this help you explain the so-called contradictions in the Gospel accounts?
  3. Have you ever seen someone use arguments against the Bible as a smoke screen to avoid the implications of its teachings in his or her life? How did you respond, or how might you in the future?
  4. The chapter quoted Mark Twain as saying, โ€œIt ainโ€™t those parts of the Bible that I canโ€™t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.โ€ What are some examples of biblical teachings that might intimidate people?
  5. Why do you think books that are critical of the Bible, such as The Da Vinci Code, have such an impact on peopleโ€™s opinions? How can you become better prepared to face these challenges?
  6. In the past, how have you faced questions youโ€™ve had about the Bible? What has most helped you?
  7. Paul wrote to Timothy, โ€œAll Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is rightโ€ (2 Timothy 3:16). How do these words affect your own commitment to learn and study Scripture?
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Ten Questions: #2 – Didn’t Evolution put God out of a job?

Summary

From Dawkins we read,

“Today the theory of evolution is about as much open to doubt as the theory that the earth goes around the sun” (The Selfish Gene, 1976) and “It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid or insane (or wicked, but I’d rather not consider that).” (Ignorance is no Crime, 2001).

  • The evidence for a creator is actually much more compelling than for a universe without one.
  • Evolution does not define the “trunk”, how “that being first came to life was beyond the scope of Darwin’s focus. Its existence was obviously implied, but never really explained.โ€
  • Things do change over time, no one denies that microevolution occurs.
  • If life began out of the proverbial primordial soup, where did the ingredients and recipe originate?

Three unaccounted for building blocks for Darwin’s theory:

  1. Matter matters. ย The formation of a universe in which all organic life would reside along with the “ingredients” it would consist of;
  2. the origin of the first life itself;
  3. the encoding of information that makes all organic life possible.

Matter matters:

  • To say evolution started on its own is a huge leap. ย “Randomly, without cause or purpose or outside help of any kind, it arranged itself into the exact elements and order necessary to cause self-replicating and upwardly evolving life to suddenly leap into existence.”
  • It’s possible to name an event (Big Bang, etc.) without explaining how or why it happened.
  • “Science and religion…are friends, not foes, in the common quest for knowledge” (Quarks, Chaos and Christianity, 1994)
  • In her 2010 study, Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think, Ecklund found 50% of the 1700 scientists were religious.
  • Science doesn’t have to be an atheistic endeavor. The Big Bang is a great argument for the existence of God, not against it! The fine-tuning (chapter 1) provides evidence that “has convinced spiritual skeptics that there must be an intelligent designer behind the physical universe; in fact, this evidence was instrumental in form atheist Patrick Glynn’s concluding that God does exist. (GOD: The Evidence)

The Origin of the First Life

  • Biochemist Klaus Dose concludes, “More than 30 years of experimentation on the origin of life in the fields of chemical and molecular evolution have led to a better perception of the immensity of the problem of the origin of life on Earth rather to its solution.
  • Mathematicians studying the fossil records conclude that life emerged suddenly and abundantly–bam! Even the simplest protein molecule requires immensely precise construction. Odds of this happening is 1 in 1×10^125
  • As Christians, I think we have a better explanation for that “random” occurrence.

The Origin of Information

How could nature, without intelligent guidance, take the massive informational jumps needed for life to originate?

  • Francis Collins, Human Genome Project (mapped the entire DNA sequence of the human species), describes DNA like this: “text…3 billions letters long, and written in a strange and cryptographic 4-letter code…that a live reading of that code at a rate of 3 letters per second would take 31 years.” Such a revelation prompted Collins to name his book, The Language of God.
  • The “Even if” approach
    • All three of these points powerfully demonstrate, from a scientific perspective, the need for an intelligent designer. ย I don’t think we necessarily have to change people’s minds about evolution itself in order to lead them to faith in Jesus.
    • In fact, trying to do so can actually put up an additional barrier for someone who might have been otherwise ready to hear and respond to the gospel message.

Remember, it’s not our job to change their minds about every conceivable question or topic we might discuss. ย Making disciples comes first, then the ongoing teaching.

Differing Christian Views

  1. Young Earth Creationism.
  2. Progressive Creationism (Old Earth Creationism)
  3. Theistic Evolution (Fully Gifted Creation)
  • Timothy Keller writes, “Since Christians occupy different positions on both the meaning of Genesis 1 and on the nature of evolution, those who are considering Christianity as a whole should not allow themselves to be distracted by this intramural debate.” (The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism).
  • For the Record: Darwin’s theory depends on God.
    • The fingerprints of God are all around us, the common thread all points back to His intelligent design
    • Over 150 years of research since “The Origin of Species” has yet to close any of the huge gaps in the theory.

Questions for discussion

  1. Why do people tend to separate God and science as if the two cannot coexist?
  2. The theory of evolution is just that–a theory that has never been proven in all its claims. Why, then, do so many people treat it as fact?
  3. Some have said that it takes more faith to believe that there isn’t an intelligent designer than to believe that there is one. What information from the chapter would support this statement?
  4. This chapter describes three “missing elements” that have to be in place for Darwin’s theory to even be a theoretical possibility: the origin of the universe (and all matter), the origin of the first living organism, and the encoding of information in DNA. Which of these could you best use to point your friends to God?
  5. React to the statement, “Our goal…is to lead friends to faith–not to initially change their minds about every conceivable question or topic we might discuss with them.” What other social or scientific topics might this relate to? In what ways can Christians focus on Jesus and salvation first?
  6. Briefly describe the differences between Young Earth Creationism, Old Earth Creationism and Theistic Evolution. ย How can we move past these differences when we talk to our friends who don’t know Christ?
  7. How would you describe the problems in the fossil records related to evolution?
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Ten Questions: #1 – What makes you so sure that God exists at all?

Summary

The chapter begins with Mittlebergโ€™s story of how he met his wife and their loving relationship over the course of 20+ years. I wasnโ€™t sure where he was going with that until he provided this insight: โ€œBut can I prove it to you? Can I show you our love for each other in a tangible way โ€“ one that you can see, hear, or touch? No, the love itself is invisible.โ€ Ahโ€ฆnow I get it.

The fingerprints of God are more evident today than ever before, if we are willing to search for them. Here are three of the many pieces of evidence:

1: The Existence of the Universe.

Scientists have solid theoretical evidence that the universe had a beginningโ€ฆit had to be started by something, some cause. The cosmological argument:

  1. Whatever begins to exist must have a cause for its existence.
  2. The universe began to exist.
  3. Therefore, the universe must have a cause for its existence.
  4. The attributes of the cause of the universe are the attributes of God
  5. Therefore, the cause of the universe must be God.

2: Our โ€œJust Soโ€ Universe

Otherwise known as the โ€œfine-tuningโ€ argument. Basically, there are so many factors that had to be โ€œjust soโ€ in order for our world to exist. โ€œThe probability of these factors converging is so infinitesimally small that many cosmologists and astrophysicists now admit that itโ€™s more reasonable to believe that a divine designer was involved than to assume it all happened by chance.โ€

How can we know heโ€™s a morally good creator?

3: Our morally good universe

On what basis is something considered good or evil, right or wrong? And where did this basis come from? Did it start with the Big Bang? Some may argue about the problem of evil in the world, but what about the problem of good? Did this motivation evolve?

  1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist
  2. But we know that objective moral values do exist.
  3. Therefore, God does exist

The cumulative case for Godโ€™s existence is more than sufficient for an open-minded person to believe that he really is there.

Conclusion

  • We believe in many things that we donโ€™t see or directly experience
  • We sense God is real in our lives
  • Whatever has a beginning has a cause
  • Our universe was fine-tuned by God
  • Without God, there can be no objective moral standards
  • Our experience points to the existence of an invisible God and itโ€™s explained in the Bible

Questions

  1. Why might someone think you should believe only in things you can see, hear, or touch? What are some other things you believe in, in addition to love, that you canโ€™t see or experience directly through your senses?
  2. What are some things you can talk about from your own experience that show youโ€”and might convince your friendsโ€”that God really exists?
  3. How does the fact that our universe had a beginning or the fact that itโ€™s fine-tuned with such exacting precision provide evidence for God?
  4. Do you think there could be objective morality apart from God? From where would it draw its authority?
  5. How has the evidence for God presented in this chapter affected your faith? Can evidence strengthen oneโ€™s faith?
ยซ Intro Intro Question 2 ยป
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Ten Questions: Intro

The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (with answers)

The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Askย (with answers), by Mark Mittelberg

Here are my notes on the referenced book to be used for group discussion.

Introduction

Right off the bat weโ€™re reminded of 1 Peter 3:15-16, โ€œโ€ฆdo this in a gentle and respectful way.โ€ Mark Mittelberg uses the analogy of a coach and professional athlete when he offers three keys: preparation, prayer and proximity.

  • Preparation:
    • Thereโ€™s no substitute for reading and reflecting on some key spiritual questions before you get into conversations.
    • It will be tempting, especially as you study and get increasingly ready to answer hard questions, to talk more and more but listen less and less. You must discipline yourself to do the opposite.
  • Prayer
    • Probably the single most important part of the process
    • Remember this is a spiritual battle
  • Proximity
    • Luke 19:10 โ€” โ€œseek and save those who are lostโ€
    • The Great Commission

Our Purpose

  • NOT to address every fine point or nuance
  • NOT to exhaustively satisfy our friendsโ€™ curiosity
  • Rather, we should learn to destroy obstacles โ€” โ€œWe demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of Godโ€ฆโ€ (2 Cor 10:5)

Our Motivation

Our purpose must be motivated by loveโ€ฆ.not just to win an argument.

  1. Question 1: What makes you so sure that God exists at all–especially when you can’t see, hear, or touch him?
  2. Question 2: Didn’t evolution put God out of a job? Why rely on religion in an age of science and knowledge?
  3. Question 3: Why trust the Bible, a book based on myths and full of contradictions and mistakes?
  4. Question 4: Everyone knows that Jesus was a good man and a wise teacher–but why try to make him into the Son of God, too?
  5. Question 5: How could a good God allow so much evil, pain, and suffering –or does he simply not care?
  6. Question 6: Why is abortion such a line in the sand for Christians–why can’t I be left alone to make my own choices for my own body?
  7. Question 7: Why do you condemn homosexuality when it’s clear that God made gays and that he loves all people the same?
  8. Questions 8 & 9: How can I trust in Christianity when so many Christians are hypocrites? And why are Christians so judgmental toward everyone who doesn’t agree with them?
  9. Question 10: Why should I think that heaven really exists–and that God sends people to hell?
  10. Conclusion: The questions our friends need us to ask them.

Question 1 ยป

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Ragamuffin Gospel: #1 – Something is Radically Wrong

Chapter 1

In this chapter Manning provides a strong argument that the institutional church in America is moving in the wrong direction, with the wrong message and misguided leadership. “The institutional church has become a wounder of the healers rather than a healer of the wounded.” Far too much emphasis is being placed on “what I do rather than on what God is doing.”

“At the heart we are practicing Pelagians.” (seeย definition)2 We’ve bought into the notion that we can do it ourselves! As a parent, I’ve heard this phrase so many times and yes, I’ve even encouraged our children to “do it themselves.” At its worst, this very typical behavior can lead to the unintended consequence of instilling a value system that suggests God is not required. Pelagius committed himself to this idea in the 5th Century and was ultimately excommunicated.

In our thirst to handle things ourselves we’re faced with the harsh reality that ultimately we are not in control. ย Manning quotes Eugene O’Neill’s play, The Great God Brown, so I checked out a book of his plays get the full grasp of the example. What intrigues me most is the concept of fabricating masks to portray who we want people to think we are and how this warps our reality into the form we want rather than being the creation God desires. A rather depressing play, perhaps, because it paints an authentic picture for many.

What we need to wrestle with is the concept that “God made sinners righteous through the forgiveness of sins in justification.” When we dwell on this notion, we simply must tell the world! God “has a single relentless stance toward us: He love us.” We can’t fix ourselves, God doesn’t expect that at all. He does expect us to understand our sinful nature and come to him.

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, โ€œWhy does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?โ€ย On hearing this, Jesus said, โ€œIt is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: โ€˜I desire mercy, not sacrifice.aโ€™ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.โ€ Matthew 9:11-13

The words of Christ are more important than anything we can write. Of all the scripture Jesus could draw upon, He chooses to quote Hosea when confronting the Pharisees. Hosea? Really? The guy God told to marry a prostitute? Through it all, God shows his unquenched desire and love for His people. That’s the theme of this chapter. ย Manning points out the Greek work kalein or kaleรณ in the text, to call, to summon, to invite. This word is found 148 times in the New Testament Greek. Maybe we should pay attention to the invitation??

It’s all a gift. Grace.

We have been given God in our souls and Christ in our flesh. We have the power to believe where others deny, to hope where others despair, to love where others hurt.

I really appreciate Manning’s description of how Luke paintsย a pictureย of children being worthy for the kingdom of God while the rich young ruler is found wanting and unable to comprehend the words of Christ (Luke 18:15-30). There is nothing we can do to inherit the kingdom. Children cannot because they are….children!ย Once we get this thought through our heads we must realize we can no longer โ€œdo it ourselves,โ€ we must surrender, submit, confess and accept Christ. But thereโ€™s more, we need to share that with others.

After reading this chapter the most recent version of It Is Well began to play in my mind, especially the reprise:

through it all, through it all,
my eyes are on you
through it all, through it all
it is well.
through it all, through it all,
my eyes are on you
it is well with me.

Not by anything I have said or done, but by the almighty grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

ยซ Intro

 

Notes:

1 Penitential Seasons include Advent, Lent, etc.

2 Pelagianism views humanity as basically good and morally unaffected by the Fall. It denies the imputation of Adam’s sin, original sin, total depravity, and substitutionary atonement. It simultaneously views man as fundamentally good and in possession of libertarian free will. With regards to salvation, it teaches that man has the ability in and of himself (apart from divine aid) to obey God and earn eternal salvation. Pelagianism is overwhelmingly incompatible with the Bible and was historically opposed by Augustine (354-430), Bishop of Hippo, leading to its condemnation as a heresy at Council of Carthage in 418 A.D. These condemnations were summarily ratified at the Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431).

3 The Great God Brown, Eugene O’Neill. See link. Throughout the play, these characters wear masks that serve several purposes. They help the characters hide and thus protect their vulnerable inner selves while, at the same time, allowing them to project pleasing public images in an attempt to restore their confidence in themselves. Yet, ultimately, the tensions that result from not being able to reveal their true selves cause the characters to suffer and further isolate themselves from each other. The Great God Brown presents a penetrating study of the inner workings of the human psyche as it struggles to cope with betrayal, failure, and a search for identity.

4 joie de vivre: exuberant enjoyment of life

5 Laicization is a process which takes from a priest or other cleric the licit use of his powers, rights, and authority. Laicization occurs automatically when a priest, deacon, or monk marries or joins the military without permission. Major clerics (priests and deacons) are directly laicized through their superiors by the penalty of degradation.

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The Ragamuffin Gospel: Intro

The Ragamuffin Gospel - coverMy first post of 2016 comes at a moment where I have very little understanding of what this year will bring (I could never have predicted 2015!). God is amazingly awesome and ever in the center of my thoughts, though I’ve been more human lately than I want to admit. In addition to reading the Bible this year, I have several books that will provide different perspectives on particular topics.

As I begin, let me say thanks to the super talented Beth Ehlert, Worship Pastor at Hope Fellowship, for the gift and challenge of Brennan Manning’s, The Ragamuffin Gospel. With all the blessings that God continues to pour on me and my family, I have to admit I feel more like a ragamuffin today than I have in a long while. At times it seems like to world is winning, but this is not reality and I know that without a doubt.

Michael W. Smith’s foreword reminds us that “grace abounded more because I could find it in the darkness as much as in the light.”

Grace Abounds More

Reading the brief testimony of Rich Mullins reminded me of Psalm 144:3, of the awesome, radical and absurd love that God has for us! If we can stop for just a minute and think of how ridiculous it is to say that the creator of the universe cares about us, we should be driven to share the Good News, the Amazing News, to others so they can see your relentless pursuit of all.

Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?

This past week Beth asked me to learn a song by David Moore, 139. In reference to Psalm 139 the words of the song highlight just how crazy God is about his creation, about you and me, that he would pursue us in the highest and lowest places, that he would “lead me home.” I’m an old guy who still has a song left in my heart and a desire to share music with others, but I’m not overly talented and certainly not trained. Yet I am assured by this book that the “bedraggled, beat-up and burnt-out,” the ragamuffins, are loved by God. For that I am ever thankful. I confess that I am wobbly and weak-kneed, I know I don’t have it all together and perhaps I’m just too proud to accept the handout of God’s amazing grace.

So here we go 2016. Another year to ponder the amazing words of Jesus Christ and hear the voice of God through the words of Scripture and perspectives of those who have committed their lives to understanding more than I can ever imagine. Teach me Lord, open my eyes and ears, make me an instrument of your peace.

Contents

Chapter 1 ยป

 

 

p.s., Happy Birthday Cynthia! No longer a teenager, but a beautiful daughter of God that I’m proud to call my daughter. May God continue to bless you as you grow in the faith and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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