Christian History

It's been a while since I've written a book review.  This is probably because with a baby, garden on top of everything happening at church, I haven't had time to read a whole lot.  What I have been reading is a Quicknotes version of Church History.  I decided it was about time I refreshed my memory of some of the things that are a part of our history as the church.  This isn't really a review of the book itself.  The authors/editors do a good job of giving a brief overview of primarily Western church history.  It offers a few value judgements of history, some of which I agree with and others I don't.

The history moves from the early, primitive church in Acts through the Roman persecution, theological developments, Middle Ages, into the Reformation, Great Awakening and finally ends with the 20th Century development of "Evangelical" Christianity in the West and also offers a look and guidance for the church in the 21st Century.

What comes to life is a twisted history in the institutional church.  The church begins as a movement of people trying to live as members of the kingdom of God.  They were persecuted by Roman and Jewish authorities at the start.  With Constantine, all of that subversive, underground, Christ-following movement becomes powerful.  Church and State become united and remain that way until the secularization of the Enlightenment begins.  There are major developments that occur in the theology of the church as it develops.

One thing I found interesting was the development of the Reformation.  Martin Luther is often credited as starting the Reformation.  This review of history also points out those that paved the way for the Reformation such as John Wycliffe and Jan Hus.  It also talks about the developing of state churches following Luther, Calvin or Catholicism.  The book also goes into some detail of the Radical Reformers which developed Anabaptism.  Anabaptists suffered persecution  under the state churches whether Lutheran, Calvinist or Catholic.

The book concludes by looking at the effects of the Enlightenment on the church.  It then  talks about the evangelistic movements of the 19th and 20th Century.  They also mention that eventually Evangelical Christianity began to divorce the social and spiritual Gospel.  For centuries the faithful church had sought ways to reform societies ills while also seeking to bring people to Christ.  They were one in the same.  During the 20th Century the church began to split the gospel.

Two things become clear by looking at church history.  The first is that the church with worldly power is really no different than the world with worldly power.  The only difference is that the church with worldly power assumes God has ordained it.  When the church identifies with the the outcasts and speaks prophetically to centers of power, then it is faithful and grows.  The church and state relationship  does not work.  The second thing that becomes clear is that the church has one Gospel to live out.  Jesus fed people with bread and told them he was the bread of life.  He cared for people's physical and spiritual needs.  One Gospel.  Jesus has come to change the world.  Physical or Spiritual.  Everything comes under Jesus.  The Church, then, must do likewise.  We look for ways to help the disenfranchised, poor and outcasts while reconciling people to Christ.  When the church tries to use the power of the state or fragments the Gospel it begins to turn away from faithfully following Christ.

Kingdom: Part 2

In Part 2 of my study of the Kingdom of God I want to look at some of the characteristics of the Kingdom. Perhaps this is nothing new, but it's helpful for me to see them all in one place.

• Kingdom will have no end (Lk. 1:33)
• Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 5:3, 10).  Interesting that in Luke's parallel (Lk. 6:20) he writes "Blessed are you who are poor (no spirit) for yours if the kingdom of God."  Also Jesus says "is the kingdom of heaven" and not "will be" indicating the immediacy of the kingdom.
• The entire Sermon on the Mount speaks to the characteristics of the kingdom.  It speaks of enemy love, giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, seeking the kingdom and more.
• Not just about a set of beliefs but also about action (Lk. 7:21)
• Parable of the Sower (Mt. 13:1-23; Mk. 4:1-20; Lk. 8:1-15) The kingdom grows like a seed.  Unfortunately it doesn't grow everywhere it's planted.  Like planting a seed and watching it grow, spreading the kingdom takes patience and care.  Mark especially points out this characteristic of being patient in the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mk. 4:26-29)
• Parable of the Weeds (Mt. 13:24-30)  In the kingdom the good and bad are allowed to exist for a while as the weeds grow in among the wheat.  God separates at the end.  Sometimes it seems like the church is in a hurry to get to this part and wants to start the separating before its proper time.  Our job is to bear witness to the love of Christ and be Christ to the world.  Let God do the separating when he's ready.
• Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mt. 13:30-32; Mk. 4:30-34; Lk. 13:17-19)  The kingdom starts like a small seed but grows.  In Jesus for President Shane Claiborne points out that growing mustard in a Jewish garden was forbidden.  Mustard starts small.  Slowly but surely it takes over the garden.  The kingdom certainly starts small with Jesus and his disciples but it grows and grows.  
• Parable of the Yeast (Mt. 13:32-34; Lk. 13:19-21)  The Jews were no big fans of yeast either.  Jesus says the kingdom is like yeast.  A little bit works it's way in and changes everything around it.  Jesus seems to have in mind the kingdom expanding and affecting everything around it.  We don't see a massive forced take-over, but a slow and steady spreading of the kingdom.
• Pearl of Great Price (Mt. 13:43-45) Kingdom is like a pearl that is worth giving up everything to pursue.  
• Parable of the Net (Mt. 13:47-50)  The kingdom draws in everyone and the good and bad are separated out at the end.
• Those that are teaching about the kingdom are talking about something new in the world and at the same time something that God has been building and is very old (Mt. 13:52)
• The greatest in the kingdom is like a little child (Mt. 18:1-3; Mk. 10:13-15)
• The Kingdom is a place of mercy and grace (Parable of the Unmerciful Servant in Mt. 18:21-35)
• Must be willing to give up everything to pursue the kingdom unlike the rich young man (Mt. 19:16-30; Mk. 10:17-31; Lk. 18:18-30) Jesus also talks about the renewal of all things.
• Parable of the Two Sons (Mt. 21:28-32) Jesus warns that "tax collectors and prostitutes" are entering the kingdom ahead of those who think they are in.  The parable warns us about saying we believe and actually following Jesus in our actions.
• Parable of the Wedding banquet (Mt. 22:1-14; Lk. 14:)  The wedding banquet is populated by people off of the street; those that were thought to be lowly, poor and outcast come while those who had been invited don't come.

There are other verses that could be added here as well.  These characteristics are taken from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke).  Let me add a few observations.  The kingdom is seen as a place that is expanding slowly but surely.  Unlike the kingdoms of this world which expand through force and subjugation of people, the kingdom of God expands through love and mercy and small mustard seed-like actions.  Several parables seem to indicate good and bad people existing in the kingdom for a while until God separates them.  Jesus warns about the dangers of assuming you're "in" and not following Jesus in action.  Instead the outcasts, poor and "sinners" are often seen joining the banquet.  The kingdom of God is something so unlike what normal kingdoms look like.  In my next post I'll take a look at what John has to say about the kingdom and John's introduction of one of the most powerful symbols of the kingdom.

The Kingdom

I haven't written in quite a while.  I've had a lot of stuff happening in the Grove and out.  I haven't been idle , however.  Recently I've been hearing so much talk about "The Kingdom."  It's a phrase we often use in Christianity.  I've heard and read it in different contexts and with different ideas as to what the Kingdom is. A few weeks ago I decided to start studying what the Bible has to say about The Kingdom.  I have been looking so far at the New Testament.  I have my own ideas but part of what's great about the internet and social media is the ability to interact on ideas with different people.  So this post is as much to get feedback and comments as much as tell you what I think.  So here goes...

I'm going to start with the Synoptic Gospels and add the rest of the New Testament over the next couple weeks.  I started by going to biblegateway.com, typing in "Kingdom" into the search and then noting every mention of the Kingdom in reference to the rule of God/Jesus.  The question I had going into this was, "Is the Kingdom primarily a future destination or a present reality?"  In other words should I be waiting to go to the Kingdom, or participating in the Kingdom that has already started.  I must confess by bias going into the study.  No one just reads the Bible and does what it says, even if that's what they claim.  We all interpret because we all come carrying our own baggage when we read the text.  We also have 2000 years of history to overcome to get to the original text.  I'm also reading an English NIV Bible so interpretation is just part of life.

One of the first things I noted looking through Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Synoptic Gospels) is the language used.  Matthew calls it "the Kingdom of Heaven" while the other two call it "the Kingdom of God."  Matthew is writing primarily to a Jewish audience who would not even write the name of God let alone speak it.  Mark and Luke, however, write to a more Gentile audience who are alright with writing God.  The three writers are all talking about the same thing as evidenced by the similarities in stories.  Matthew's "Kingdom of Heaven" is not so much a statement about the geography of the kingdom as it is where the Kingdom comes from, where its authority originates.

Matthew 5 (Sermon on the Mount) speaks of the characteristics of the kingdom.  The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 Jesus says, "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  I'm no Greek scholar, but my question here is if Jesus is asking for only God's will to be done on earth, or if he is also asking for the kingdom to come to earth as well.  Luke simply writes "Your Kingdom come."
There are several clear references to the Kingdom in the future but there are also references to the Kingdoms existence and presence now.  Jesus says in Matthew 6:32-34 (Luke 12:30-32) "Seek first His Kingdom."  I would assume Jesus is not telling them to seek the Kingdom unless the Kingdom has already broken in on the world.  Matthew 16:27-28, Mark 9:1-3 and Luke 9:26-28 Jesus says that some in the group listening to him will not die before they see the kingdom come.  The original audience to which Jesus spoke expected to see the Kingdom.

This is a start.  Enough to introduce the study and get me thinking.  Some theologians refer to the kingdom as "already but not yet."  The Kingdom has started and we can see glimpses of it but it is obviously yet to be completed.  I'm open to discussion, criticism, or other comments.  In the coming weeks I'll write some more about the Synoptic Gospels, look at the few references in John, take a look at Paul's view and lastly do a little with Revelation (although that's a whole other study that I've started).

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream

Back in the Fall I decided I should start attending the Men's Bible Study at Mechanic Grove.  The catch was that it meets at 7:00 Saturday morning, and I struggle to operate that early on Saturday morning.  But it turned out to be an incredible blessing as I began to meet and have conversations with men of different ages.

Our focus has been guided by "Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream" by David Platt.  The book focuses on how we were created to proclaim the glory of God.  Platt discusses how our pursuit of the American Dream and materialism has taken us away from our goal of proclaiming God to the nations.  Platt advocates for a reduction in our pursuit of material wealth and radical devotion to God.  He shares many stories of people in his faith community who have sacrificed their own pursuit of the American Dream in order to allow themselves to better proclaim God's glory to the nations.

One story he shares that hit me was about a business man who wrestled with what Platt was saying about giving up our stuff.  The man came to the conclusion that he couldn't see God telling him when he got to heaven, "I wish you would have spent more time building wealth for yourself" (my paraphrase).

Platt discusses how millions of people are dying every day of starvation, poor water and preventable disease.  Billions more are doing so without a knowledge of Christ.  He also bears witness to millions in the underground church who have a fire for God not found in comfortable "Christian" America.

The book has some very provocative ideas.  The discussion within the Bible study has been incredible and convicting.  It has been interesting for me to read this book.  The theology used to build his case is somewhat Reformed which is very different for an Ana-baptist audience.  But the living out is very similar.  I think the discussion of how materialism is taking over in the American church is one that needs to take place and Platt's book helps to advance that conversation.

One of the men in the Bible study is fond of reminding us, "It's just like the title says.  It's radical."  But maybe that's the way a disciple is supposed to be.

Go Fish

Recorded in the three synoptic Gospels is the story of Jesus calling the first disciples from their careers as fishermen to come and be "fishers of men."

Jesus calls these men who have been rejected from the educational system to be the people to take the Gospel around the world.  In the strict sense of the term they are evangelists, proclaiming the evangelion to the world.  Unfortunately the term "evangelist" has been co-opted by culture and by poor theology.

When we hear this word it brings to mind images of people yelling messages of hell and handing out pieces of paper telling us we're going to hell.  The message is often filled with condemnation and hate.  Or else, at best, we think of people whose sole purpose is to get us to pray that prayer and say those words that will get us to heaven.  If we properly walk through the 10 step process we get a believer in Christ.

I'm not sure what any of this has to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus came to proclaim freedom from oppression spiritually and physically.  He came to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven where things are radically different.  He proclaimed this message in love.  He never forced anything.  Jesus told us to go and make disciples.  There's a difference between "believer" and "disciple".  A believer intellectually agrees with something.  A disciples agrees and follows through with action.  Jesus calls us to make disciples.

This Sunday I'll be talking more about the calling to those fishermen and Christ's calling to us to "Go and be fishers of men."