Book Burning 101

Senior Pastor Dr. Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida has declared September 11, 2010 as a date to burn copies of the Quran. This protest rides on the back of the recent debate over whether a mosque should be permitted to be built near the hallowed site of ground zero where so many lost their lives to Muslim terrorist. Dr. Jones is the author of a book entitled, "Islam is of the Devil." Though warned that his protest might endanger military and civilian personnel in Afghanistan Jones is adamant that we must fight the surging effects of Islam here and abroad. So… let’s burn their holy book asserting our right to demonstrate our rejection of their maniacal Muslim meddling mission to dominate the world. And as that was too much alliteration the very thought that burning books could demonstrate the Spirit of Christ is as abominable as it is immature. And the alert student in the back row raises his hand and defiantly blurts out, "What about Acts 19:19 when they burned their sorcery books publicly?" I’m glad you brought that up…

The public burning of expensive sorcery scrolls by their owners was an act of contrition evoked by the realization that the name of Jesus was not only powerful but Jesus was Lord. Burning books that you don’t agree with as protest does little to change the hearts of those who do believe. In fact, it does the opposite and incites them to reject your beliefs and entrench themselves in their own. If the Spirit of Christ is to impact the world around us it will do it not by the light of protest fires but by the light of truth that burns brightly in the heart of disciples who value and love all mankind. The Quran will only loose its effectiveness when it pales in the light of Holy Scripture demonstrated in the loving hearts and vibrant faith of the redeemed. Soldiers of Christ are not armed with torches but rather "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17)." The radical and awesome army of God is victorious by faith not playground retaliation tactics or barbed rhetoric designed to incite religious or political battles. If you want to lock and load like Jesus then pray for your enemies!

Here is what this all means to me –or in other words, this is what is burning in my heart: Standing up for my faith means that the only fire I’m concerned with is hearts set on fire by the Spirit of God. And I hope and pray that they all come to a knowledge of Jesus as Lord and embrace Him alone in salvation. We don’t need the Crusades again (or ever) what we need is revival sparked by the movement of the Spirit’s call to salvation. -DAN

The Spirit of Truth

Okay, by now you know that I have a few pet peeves (to which I usually say, "I don’t know what a peeve is but they make lousy pets…" however, peeve is a reference to the Renaissance word "peevish" that means fretful or vexing). So, I have a few things in my theological bag that vex me. One is our top weighted view of Acts two thirty eight that results in many baptisms where forgiveness of sins is highlighted and no mention of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Now, don’t get me wrong… I know there is no formal baptismal liturgy in Scripture but it seems to me that Peter’s impassioned plea to repent and be baptized so your sins may be forgiven is so he can underscore the promise of the Holy Spirit filled life is for those near and far. It was the Spirit that convicted that Pentecost audience of their sins and culpability in crucifying Jesus and it was the very same Spirit that would mark their lives with God’s seal of possession and promise (Ephesians 1:11-14). Forgiveness of sins is completed in the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-17). Jesus promised his disciples that he would not leave them orphans but that the Spirit of truth would be with them forever (John 14:16-21). Yes, take a deep breath… the Spirit of truth, of Christ, of God… the Holy Spirit lives within the believer. He is truly a counselor and comforter. He is at once mystical and practical for we will never be able wrap our minds around God living within us but we know we will never walk in truth without His lead.

Now, I said all that, not to give some definitive systematic treatise on the Holy Spirit but to delight in the moniker "Spirit of truth." Because, whether we see it as elucidating the Spirit’s role as "teacher of all things" (John 14:26) or the ethereal implication that there is a spirit of truth that the Spirit enables in the heart of the believer… well, both ideas are rich and delightful to feast upon. I don’t think I have an irrefutable perspective of Scripture and history but it seems to me that the Holy Spirit moves from miracle maker to heart shaper. That is, the Spirit through the ages has matured from authenticating God’s presence by signs, wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit to taking up residence in the heart of the faithful who rely on His lead and intercession. That is, He inspires a spirit of truth that embraces the gift of being children of God and the challenge to live holy lives by a righteousness that is not our own. Such leading by the Holy Spirit identifies those He indwells as Sons of God (Romans 8:14). And most importantly, the Spirit’s presence opens my heart to God’s truths and His promises!

What does the spirit of truth impel you to do or say? -DAN

Vitriol

I often listen to the "Rise Guys" sports talk show on the way into work. Recently, a caller was rewarded for using the word "vitriol" correctly in regards to the bitter and caustic press that has been targeted toward NFL quarterback Bret Favre. What sparked my imagination about this nod to a sophisticated vocabulary was the emphasis of "using the word correctly." It’s no secret that I have an ardent appreciation for a well turned phrase or an articulate and pithy adjective that brings life and meaning to the spoken or written word. I wholeheartedly believe that the languages and cultures of the Bible were orchestrated by the hand of God so that His will could be fully expressed. Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek are languages that are image driven and thus become eloquent by their simplicity and discerning by the depth of their denotation. Because the Word of God is tightly packed with meaning to be discovered it challenges us with the task to "use the Word correctly."

Now, don’t get me wrong… I don’t mean the twisted banter I’ve heard from some who wish to promote their own theological slant by excising sound bytes from Paul claiming one should "rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)." However, said passage is a wonderful example of exactly what I mean. Paul uses the Greek word "orthotomeo" translated "divide" but literally means "to cut straight." Paul as a rabbinical student would have naturally thought of such passages as Proverbs 3:6, that state, "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." His exhortation to Timothy is to become an "instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work (v.21)." That is, to "cut straight" the word of truth is to let God be the final word as we make every effort to discern His will and become malleable to the lead of His Spirit. Hymenaeus and Philetus according to Paul "had wandered away from the truth (v.18)." Their paths were obviously not the straight and narrow road of Jesus.

Last Sunday I told you about our hiking chatter when after an instructor had told her students all the ways they could determine where they were on the trail, I piped up and said, "Or you can just stay on the trail." What I didn’t mention is that the instructor did agree with me that the people that get lost while hiking are the people who wander off the trail. Stay on the trail… rightly divide… keep your eyes upon Jesus and acknowledge Him in all your ways and he WILL make your path straight! And may our earnest prayer be always, "Lord give me wisdom to use your Word correctly!" -DAN

Vitreous Humor

As you get older you liquefy… well, at least your vitreous humor does. Are you trying to say that as we age we loose our sense of humor? No, no, no, no… as our body ages the gel like substance in our eyes (vitreous humor) looses viscosity becoming more liquid like and often clumps of more solid vitreous humor float in the liquid and cast shadows on your retina. Thus, creating spots in our vision that are commonly called "floaters." Okay, I’m not an ophthalmologist (yes, I had to look up the spelling) nor am I an MD by any stretch of the imagination, but, I do have a wife who was concerned about her "floaters." So, I googled (and yes, I am a googologist). Now I can answer her questions and ease her mind. But I’m still not happy that I am liquefying!

I remember hearing my parents talk to their friends about all their aches and pains and "old people" disorders from arthritis to incontinence and making a solemn vow to never do that when I got their age. And now as if possessed by their spirit I moan and groan about the arthritis in my thumb and ask my friends if they’ll shuffle the cards for me. As my father use to say, "Never, say ‘never’!" Getting older is not for sissies. Who would have thought that from dust to dust would be such a dirty deal (Genesis 3:19)?

Now, I said all that to say this… "Aging should enhance our humor and temper our temperament." Spiritual maturity leads us to not consider ourselves better than others (Philippians 3:3) so that our humble perspective allows us to laugh at ourselves and trust in God’s providence and guidance. Yes, a world shrouded in death is full of pain, disappointments, deteriorating parts that fail, falter and fold-up on us but in the wake of a world doomed from dust to dust is the glorious light of grace. Grace that enriches the poor, comforts those that mourn, fills the hungry and thirsty and regales the meek (Matthew 5:1-12)! Grace that permeates our souls so that our speech is seasoned with graciousness (Colossians 4:6). Grace that reminds us that where sin increases grace increases all the more (Romans 5:20). And most importantly grace full of God’s mercy that in spite of our sinful prevailing hearts, a gracious God has seated us with Christ Jesus in the heavenly realms that secure our salvation (Ephesians 2:4-10). Now, if you see some of that sin floating around in your vision… just keep your eyes on Jesus who is the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)! -DAN

What Is An Elder?

I wrote the following words a decade ago during a time when we were looking for men to serve as elders. The search never tires for men who will rise up and serve.

What is an elder? He’s a man in his Sunday best playing tag with the kids on the church’s front lawn after services. He’s the silent man that fades into the background while a young couple reveals how they received a card of encouragement with a $50 bill and a note that read, "You deserve a break today -take the kids to McDonalds!" He’s the man who prays at the strangest times in the oddest places like at a stoplight where his "amen" is a cacophony of car horns blowing behind him signaling that the light is green. He’s the man who listens to you with eyes that are windows to his soul and invites you to pull up a chair for a good talk. He’s the guy with the infectious laugh that makes the shut-in forget for the moment their four-walled world. He’s the student with the beat-up bible that is stuffed with his own special filing system of miscellaneous, multi-colored, dog-eared papers peeking out of well-worn pages. He’s the last in line at the potluck and the first in line at a workday. He’s the haggard man with the droopy eyes because he was up all night praying for wisdom to help solve someone else’s problem. He’s big on enthusiasm and small on trivial matters. He’s manly even in a lacy apron cooking pancakes for a youth rally. He’s available even when he’s busy yet stops to pick wildflowers with the grand kids and with misty eyes gives the fragile bouquet to his perpetual bride and best friend. He knows his heritage rests in the Great Shepherd and the tender hearts that wept with the apostle Paul on a beach in Miletus. He knows that shepherding, overseeing and nurturing is an awesome responsibility that the Holy Spirit has called him to do. However, he knows that God will supply the wisdom he needs through ardent prayer and eyes focused on the cross.

Who will be an elder? It will be the man who seeks his perfection in Christ. It will be the tender soul who desires to serve with a willingness to sacrifice. It will be the man who takes heaven serious not himself and thus often laments his own worldliness. It will be a pioneer of powerful imagination to see that God has already secured the victories. It will be a champion who is God reliant on his strength to lead and his compassion to serve. And most of all it will be a man called by God to use his leadership talents to love on the people of God and the lost of this world! -DAN

A Huguette Problem

Now I know two ladies that are 104 years old. Minnie Whicker who is the sweetest, dearest Christian lady I know and Huguette Clark billionaire heiress. Well, I don’t really "know" Huguette but I did read about this eccentric recluse who is heir of a fortune that rivals the Rockerfellers with multi-million dollar properties and priceless art collections. Huguette has a 100 million dollar mansion in Santa Barbara, a 24 million estate in New Canaan, Connecticut and a 100 million dollar apartment complex on Fifth Avenue in New York that consists of the entire eighth floor and half of the twelfth floor in a building overlooking Central Park. However, Huguette does not live in any of these properties and they all sit vacant and are only visited by those whose job it is to maintain these opulent sentinels of loneliness. This is a Huguette problem!

The problem is not riches but the burden of such riches that crush a soul and consign them to being a recluse afraid of the greedy and paralyzed by imagined fears. Mrs. Clark’s entombment of wealth reminds me not of the aged but the rich young man who came to Jesus (Mark 10:17-31). Jesus request for him to sell all that he had and give it to the poor was too much for him to bear for the text says, "He went away sad, because he had great wealth." Jesus wanted him to see that wealth was not discovered in a bank account or properties but treasure laid up in heaven. That is, in the currency of love, sacrifice, compassion and mercy that has eternal value. Wealth at its best is a tool for accomplishing great benevolent and compassionate purposes… at its worst it is a roadblock to the heart and a millstone around the neck of spiritual awareness. Jesus sums up by saying, " many who are first will be last and the last first." Which brings me back to the beginning…

Do you want to be a Minnie or a Huguette? I’ll be a Minnie… mini in my desire to Lord it over anyone or anything… many as in the throng beneath the throne of God who worships Him in praise and many as in deeds that serve in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord! I’ll keep Huguette in my prayers hoping that God will find away to squeeze this camel through the eye of a needle! As Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." -DAN

The Key Called Promise

"Religion points to that area of human experience where in one way or another man comes upon mystery as a summons to pilgrimage (Frederick Beuchner)." The primary meaning of pilgrim is stranger or foreigner. Peter addresses his readers as "God’s elect, strangers in the world (1 Peter 1:1)" …that is, pilgrims. But I must admit when I hear "pilgrim" the first thing I think of is John Wayne. However, my second thought is really the power of the word because I think of John Bunyan’s "Pilgrims Progress," one of the most influential books written in the English language. It also is what Beuchner is talking about when he suggests that religion’s birth is when man embarks upon his life-long search for the mystery of spiritual destination. In Bunyan’s allegorical expose the main character, Christian, with his companion Hope (yes, Bunyan doesn’t leave you guessing who his characters represent) take a side road because it seemed easier traveling. However, they end up captured by the giant named Despair who taunts them and beats them and imprisons them in his castle. Suddenly, Christian remembers while in prayer that he has in his bosom a key called promise that will unlock the chains and doors so they can escape Despair’s dungeon. Yes, an important part of our pilgrimage and spiritual journey is discover that within our hearts is a key called promise!

I hope when you memorized Acts 2:38 to get your C of C membership jacket that you also digested verse 39 that gloriously recounts, "The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off –for all whom the Lord our God will call." Promise is the sole business of God who unlike mere humans, organizations, politicians or new and improved products makes promises that are sure. His ultimate promise of redemption is the key to life! It unlocks the door of mystery and reveals the love, grace and mercy of a Creator Who passionately pursues His children with the promise of eternal life. We come to know God by the surety of His promises and the immutable nature of His love.

Now, here is what I think is most important about this key… it has nothing to do with me but everything to do with me. Yes, I know that sounds like double talk but let me explain. God’s grace evidenced in His promises does not depend upon my understanding or approval but rather my submission and acceptance. The pilgrimage to discover the mystery of life and God is a journey that leads to the self-discovery that fulfillment, peace and happiness are not self-centered but Christ-centered. When pleasing God is more than motivation and becomes second-nature His promises become tangible reality and key to life! So, what’s in your bosom? -DAN