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Ragamuffin Gospel: #10 – The Victorious Limp

Chapter 10

Keep Coming Back

The mature Christians I have met along the way are those who have failed and have learned to live gracefully with their failure.

One of my most consistent problems is taking on too much, too many things at once — overcommitment. Perhaps I lack the ability to set proper boundaries, but my response is equally consistent: when I am face to face with Jesus I want to be completely worn out because I did everything I could, every day, for everyone. That’s a bit unhealthy, I get that, but I would rather be stretched and fail than comfortable and content.

Tension mounts:

We settle in and settle down to lives of comfortable piety and well-fed virtue. We grow complacent and lead practical lives.

Complacency, accepting what has happened cannot be undone, our circumstance cannot be changed–the loss of hope.

The crucifixion on Black Friday, the real Black Friday, left the disciples hopeless. They scattered and immediately went back to their old ways. Their hope was tortured, killed and buried. We have the privilege of hindsight and the Bible to see that this wasn’t the end of the story, but they did not.

As I reflect on Peter, his denial of Christ, the voices that he heard and his incredible failures, I’m amazed by a God who not only reveals this failure in scripture, but comes to Peter and cooks him breakfast then reinstates him as the cornerstone of His church. How ridiculous is that?

What we struggle to see is our own story. We don’t get to skip a chapter and see how it ends. When we meet someone, choose to do something kind (or not), we don’t get to fast forward to see how God will use that encounter to advance His kingdom. We simply have to move on faith, daily taking up the cross. Inch by inch, moving forward, failing and getting back up again (hopefully learning in the process!).

Lord, help us to see failure as Your refining fire. Teach us every time we stumble and give us the faith and courage to keep coming back. Give us the wisdom to listen to your voice and understand what we should do every single day.

From the Chapter

  • Authentic disciples have a capacity for faithfulness. Buffeted by the fickle winds of failure, battered by their own unruly emotions…they kept coming back to Jesus.
  • At some point in each of our lives, we were deeply touched by a profound encounter with Jesus Christ…yet we did not get unraveled. Slowly we got caught up in the demands of ministry or career and the distractions our busy world offers. We began to treat Jesus like the old friend from Brooklyn whom we dearly loved in years past but have gradually lost track of.
  • Inattention to the Holy unravels the fabric of the diving relationship.
  • We settle in and settle down to lives of comfortable piety and well-fed virtue. We grow complacent and lead practical lives.
  • The sinner is accepted before he pleads for mercy. It is already granted. He need only receive it. Total amnesty. Gratuitous pardon.
  • The father of the prodigal son took him back just as he was. Abba just wants us to show up.
  • The mature Christians I have met along the way are those who have failed and have learned to live gracefully with their failure.
  • Risking everything on Jesus: The ragamuffin gospel says we can’t lose, because we have nothing to lose.
  • The willingness to keep growing: Unfaithfulness is a refusal to become, a rejection of grace (grace that is inactive is an illusion).
  • The readiness to risk failure: Many of us are haunted by our failures.

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Ragamuffin Gospel: #9 – The Second Call

Chapter 9

Halftime

This chapter reminds of Bob Buford’s book, Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance1. In October of 1995, I transitioned from the Air Force to civilian life–it was time to move into a new season in my life. The truth is, I’m still growing and trying to figure out what’s next, but this hasn’t prevented me from trying, failing, tripping and falling flat on my face.

As Manning explains, there is a point where we realize something needs to change. Most of the time it takes some significant event is required to jolt us from comfort to action. That’s why preachers and politicians search for words to stir emotions, wake us from our relative comfort zones. I’ve probably just offended a bunch of people by putting preachers and politicians in the same sentence, but sadly I’ve seen both use tactics to provoke people to action.

We must reach a point of holy discontent, of righteous indignation, a place where we know something inside us must change. How we arrive at this point matters if we want it to stick. It’s not a New Years resolution to lose ten pounds, it’s a lifestyle change that just happens to result in losing weight. More significantly, we must reach the point where we see the door closing, where we understand the words of Jesus in the parable of the wedding banquet and simply can’t sit still, Matthew 22:14: “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

The second journey begins when we know we cannot live the afternoon of life according to the morning program.

(After reading this, Chaotic Love (You’re The One That Really Matters) started playing in my head over and over again!)

In our cynical society we are reminded that one individual cannot make a difference, that we are insignificant. Over and over again, Satan uses such tactics to keep us down, to make us believe we’re wallowing in pride when we have a God-inspired idea. The Adversary wants us to be self-conscious about singing out, raising our hands, pouring our hearts out. Sadly, this is true too much of the time, but we have the antidote in front of us, printed in numerous languages and styles, God’s word is there for us to “grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18. Use the Bible to learn, to grow, but Lord teach us to get out of our comfort zones and into the world that desperately needs to see the word in action.

Lord, I pray that we become a people that understands from the deepest part of our being that “you’re the One that really matters.” And in that knowledge we find the faith, hope and love to act.

From the Chapter

  • The second call is a summons to a deeper, more mature commitment of faith where the naïveté, first fervor, and untested idealism of the morning and the first commitment have been seasoned with pain, rejection, failure, loneliness, and self-knowledge.
  • Three obstacles: a crisis of faith, of hope and of love.
  • #1 Faith.
    • God’s answer: The next time you preach about My love with such obnoxious familiarity, I may just come and blow your whole prayer meeting apart.
    • Evangelical faith is the antithesis of lukewarm news: It always means a profound dissatisfaction with our present state.
    • If we are criticized, let it be for the right reasons: because we are not emotional enough, because our emotions are puny, because we lack a deep, passionate, uncompromising affection for Jesus Christ.
    • We need to ask ourselves: Do I really believe the Good News of Jesus Christ? Do I hear His word spoken to my heart?
  • #2 Hope
    • Matthew 22 describes a feast. Do we really believe we are going to a wedding feast that has already begun?
    • Our hope, our acceptance of the invitation to the banquet, is based on the idea that we will triumph over pain and suffering (not escape it).
    • To really be a disciple of Jesus, one must be as committed to the message of the kingdom as He was, and to preach it whether or not the audience finds it relevant.
    • The issue is not whether the world considers it relevant; it’s whether it is true.
  • #3 Love
    • We must love and, even more, we must run the risk of being loved.
    • God wants us back even more than we could possibly want to be back.
  • One significant barrier: fear. We are afraid of failure.
  • We tend to think we have to project some image of perfection:
    • It’s simply not true
    • Keeps us from reaching the lost
    • it would be a shallow existence
  • Depth of character is achieved by one who has failed and who has learned to live with it.
  • God longs for someone daring enough to be different, humble enough to make mistakes, wild enough to be burned in the fire of love, real enough to make others see how phone we are.

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Notes:

1 Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance, by Bob P. Buford et al.

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Ragamuffin Gospel: #4 – Tilted Halos

Chapter 4

Saved Sinners

The subtitle for this chapter should be Saved Sinners as Manning uses this term several times directly and indirectly. The emphasis makes sense: we are all sinners, the distinction is only between those who have accepted Christ and those who have not.

One of my goals in life is to be an encourager, one who lifts others up when they’re down. I can only do this if I’m willing to accept that I am nothing without the saving grace of Jesus Christ. My aim is to listen well and be sincere–nothing contrive, no check marks on a list or notches in my belt, simply authentic.

In conversation, the disciple who is truly poor in spirit always leaves the other person feeling, My life has been enriched by talking with you.p.81

As we come to trust Jesus completely, we stop judging others because we understand our own position in this world–we are all saved sinners! This allows us to relate with everyone. The key is not to put ourselves first, but to always put Christ first, trusting that He will span the gap between us. Those who are truly humble “do not pretend to be anything but what they are: sinners saved by grace.”

I really appreciate Manning’s confession about his six weeklong Lenten “renewals” where he was called out by someone who acted as his “mirror.” Whether or not we have valid excuses for our actions, we need to remember that “to whom much is given, much is required”Luke 12:48.

  1. The foremost characteristic of living by grace is trust in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.
  2. Second characteristic is Poverty of Spirit: Blessed are the poor in spirit.
  3. The third characteristic is honesty.

The discussion of honesty reminds me of a Billy Joel song. Though distinctly not a Christian song, sometimes we can (and should) learn from the world (see Luke 16:1-15). From the song, “honesty is such a lonely word, everyone is so untrue.” We all think we need to wear masks, to put on our church face, to be something someone expects. The play Manning mentioned in the beginning of the book, The Great God Brown, was all about masks that allowed the actors to pretend to be someone else, to gain an advantage that ultimately was all vanity.

Yet honesty doesn’t mean being a tyrant! We can be honest and caring at the same time. The key is to be more concerned about our brother or sister than we are about ourselves.

The question the gospel of grace puts to us is simply this: Who shall separate you from the love of Christ? What are you afraid of?

Honesty is so important. We raised our girls with this truth: lies will always come back and bite you. I think this is quite true, but what we like to do is mask something as truth that is in fact a lie. We’re bombarded with political correctness, social expectations and other artificial pressures that all attempt to teach us that truth isn’t always the right thing. We know this isn’t right, but it’s so easy to just accept that we’re often afraid to speak the truth, even in love, because of the potential side effects.

Perhaps the term transparency is better at encapsulating honesty. I can be honest, but not say what I’m thinking. When I’m transparent, I don’t hide behind excuses like, “I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” I’m not suggesting we be insensitive because transparency works both ways! In any case, if we assume we’re on #3 because we have fully accepted #1 and #2 above, this should be a natural next step. On the contrary, if I’m wrapped up in my own little world, overly concerned about me, then I can’t possibly be honest with someone, let alone transparent.

All in all, our shiny little halos that we tend to polish as if we’re people that are just a little bit better than others need to disappear. We are given the gift of grace to share with others. Only then will we see what grace is all about!

From the Chapter

  • The tilted halo of the saved sinner is worn loosely and with easy grace. We have discovered that the cross accomplished far more than revealing the love of God.
  • The saved sinner is prostrate in adoration, lost in wonder and praise.
  • Thus the sequence of forgiveness and then repentance, rather than repentance and then forgiveness, is crucial for understanding the gospel of grace.
  • Do you really believe that:
    • the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is gracious
    • He cares about you?
    • He is always, unfailingly present to you as companion and support?
    • God is love?
  • You are wrong if
    • you have learned to fear this loving and gracious Father
    • you have learned to think of the Father as the judge, the spy, the disciplinarian, the punisher
    • you think Abba is our enemy
    • you believe Abba is intent on trying, tempting or testing us
    • you think Abba prefers and promotes suffering and pain
  • Trust defines the meaning of living by grace rather than works.
  • The deeper we grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the poorer we become–the more we realize that everything in life is a gift.
  • Honesty is such a precious commodity that it is seldom found in the world or the church.

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Ragamuffin Gospel: #2 – Magnificent Monotony

Chapter 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 Jonah 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. 🙂 God tells us over and over again He loves us. This is a Magnificent Monotony. Thank you God!

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Notes:

1 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: #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 we’re only getting limited perspectives on the story—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 could—BUT DID NOT—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 don’t know any specifics, just “sound bites” 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, “I’m curious, which ones bother you the most? What mistakes and contradictions have you found?”
  • Gently ask them if there may be some reason they’re hoping that the Bible isn’t true. “Is there something in your life you’re afraid you’d have to change or give up in the Bible turns out the be what it claims—the Word of God?”

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 don’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 can’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 “secretary” of Peter. Luke was a companion of Paul, a kind of first century “investigative reporter.” Like the others, he wrote his account well within the life span of the companions of Jesus.

Not Just “The Bible Tells Me So” 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 don’t really think about why they have this objection. Today’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; that’s how they communicated. The New Testament has some 20,000 lines of text, and of those, only about 40 lines are in question—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 Aesop’s fables, but you certainly can’t call it true in a historic sense.

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

Those in Jesus day didn’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? Isn’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 fulfilled—to the letter.

Jesus’ crucifixion was described in detail before Roman crucifixion was even invented.

Objection #7: Since ancient mystery religions taught tales of dying and rising gods, isn’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? Doesn’t it all come down to subjective opinion, anyway?

This objection points to a real danger—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, don’t take it personally, don’t get defensive
  • Not understanding something in the Bible means you’re in good company, even Paul is quoted by Peter saying that, “some things that are hard to understand” (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 it’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 event—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, “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” 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 people’s opinions? How can you become better prepared to face these challenges?
  6. In the past, how have you faced questions you’ve had about the Bible? What has most helped you?
  7. Paul wrote to Timothy, “All 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 right” (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.”
  • 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.  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.  “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.  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.  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.  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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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.” (see 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.  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, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.a’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 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.  Manning points out the Greek work kalein or kaleó 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 paints a picture 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! Once we get this thought through our heads we must realize we can no longer “do it ourselves,” we must surrender, submit, confess and accept Christ. But there’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.

« 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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“Triumphal” Entry into Jerusalem

As Jesus enters Jerusalem he is honored by crowds of people who have heard or seen the great things he has done.

  • “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew)
  • “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Mark)
  • “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke)
  • “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John)

Such appropriate honor and glory for Jesus’ triumphal entry! We grew up calling this Palm Sunday, the week before Easter. Waving branches and shouting “Hosanna!” in the typically peaceful church was great fun for the children and quite appropriate.

But there is a completely different perspective on this story as seen by the Pharisees, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. This was not a great entry, this was an insurrection, a travesty of justice, something that could not be tolerated.

  • “…they were indignant. Do you hear what these children are saying?” (Matthew)
  • “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” (Luke)
  • “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” (John)

The hindsight of the Gospel record gives us an overview of the situation. It records the good and the bad with the advantage of time and knowledge of events that surround each step of the progression. In the moment, as life unfolds, it’s not so easy to see the distinction. We see the unspoken reaction, but ignore it until the thoughts of those offended come to the surface. The whispers in the crowd develops into a counter-strike movement that divides people.

Lord help us to keep your perspective on all matters, to remember you first as we navigate the complex sea of emotions we call humanness. Help us to keep our personal agendas aside. This Christmas, let us be known as a people that have the light of the world to shine in darkness, a gift freely given to all. I pray this light will pierce the darkest of places as well as those places who are confused, who have generated their own light with their own thoughts and hands.

Bible Gateway Links:

Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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Arrival at Bethany

Just a week before Passover, Jesus arrives at Bethany. The Pharisees and chief priests are on high alert, looking for Jesus, wanting to arrest him and complete their mission to kill him. Apparently they have Lazarus in their sights as well.

Mary, the sister of Lazarus, pours expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus–crazy thing number one–then wipes it with her hair–crazy thing number two. The house is filled with a pleasing aroma. How Mary acquired such a large amount of perfume is not explained, but it must have been something that took a lot of time. Her loyalty to Jesus began before he raised Lazarus from the dead, an event that cemented her resolve beyond comprehension. I like to believe she was looking for the opportunity to do this crazy thing and the Holy Spirit prompted her to act in this place at this time.

Such extravagance sets Judas’ heart firmly against Jesus. In any ministry there are debates about what should be done, when and where, etc. Judas was probably the one that kept asking logistical, seemingly practical questions about their next steps. Time and time again, the other disciples, as well as Jesus, kept doing that which just wasn’t logical. The voice in Judas’ head must have kept moving him on a different path and this was just another example of how Jesus and “those disciples” missed the practical point of ministry. What is Jesus thinking? “Leave her alone,” Jesus replies. Judas’ mind must have been going in all directions like an OCD person playing pick-up sticks.

The crowds are continuing to swell as stories about Jesus grow. People want to see Jesus and Lazarus. The chief priests want nothing to do with this and are looking for ways to put an end to this “distracting” regime.

For on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Jesus sees it all. He sees Judas’ heart hardened completely in this moment. This has to be an incredibly painful moment for Jesus. God does not find joy in seeing the lost. I fully believe that God wants all to come to him, but there are so many who simply choose to go their own way.

Lord, during this Christmas season help us to see the plans you have for us, your plans and not ours. Show us how to take what we have, precious gifts or everyday attire and freely give them to you for your kingdom here on earth.

Bible Gateway Links:

John 11:55-12:11

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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James and John and Mom — Request for Honored Positions

In this passage we find the Zebedee’s approaching Jesus to ask for a privilege: the brothers, James and John, want to be seated to the left and right of Jesus–at his side. Why would they ask such a thing? Most of the times I’ve read this, I just think they are being foolish, even self-serving, but this morning, the day after Thanksgiving, I wonder if they just wanted to be close to their master at all times. Maybe I’m just feeling a little more compassionate today!

Jesus asks, can you drink from the cup I am going to drink? Their response is clear and concise: “we can.” By now they’ve heard the prediction of his arrest, death and resurrection at least three times, so they know what he’s referring to, at least in concept. They show some incredible faith with this answer. Whatever happens to you, whatever they do to you, we are willing to take that on ourselves. Jesus’ response is interesting, he doesn’t argue whether or not they can, really he affirms the statement:

You will indeed drink from my cup

Though their request is bold, even a bit arrogant, Jesus is patient with them and explains that this is one request that he simply will not grant. “These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

Jesus doesn’t say they are crazy for asking, but the other disciples aren’t so sure, they became indignant, so Jesus calls a meeting. Here he sets the record straight and reminds us all our duty is not to be served but to serve others:

…the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve,
and
to give his life as a ransom for many.

We are reminded of how Jesus served others every day, how he healed, spoke and taught–how he demonstrated servant leadership beyond human understanding. The subject of sitting on the left and right-side of Jesus in glory seems to be set aside quickly while the concept of serving others takes center stage. We’re not to argue with positional authority or pride, just serve others.

Lord, I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve! Please give me wisdom, strength and courage to do so without concern for fame and fortune, position or honor. Help me to keep you in the center of all things at all time.

Bible Gateway Links:

Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45

Commentary Links at BibleHub.com:

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