Hi Guys and Gals
Since my aborted church-sitting exercise I have spent many hours in Bible study and seeking guidance for the future. As a result, I have made some adjustments to my plans and, as I reported in a recent post, I will become more focused on getting "the book" done in a much shorter time-frame.
Indeed I have now decided to write three books.
The Really Good News, Book 1, God Plans to Save the World. This describes how and when God will restore everything and have all His creation move into eternity with Him.
The Really Good News, Book 2, Government Secrets Revealed. This describes the Bible and how to read it so that God's purpose and plans can be correctly understood.
The Really Good News, Book 3, Government Positions Available. This describes the qualifications and job description of those who will govern with Christ in the kingdom age.
Book 1 has almost two chapters written since my journey north. I have become very determined to get this done.
The website I was planning will be developed in a different way and in a different order than first thought. I am writing the books in an informal style for the average reader, with little theology included. A 'Notes and References' section at the back of each book will include links to web-pages on the website which will develop the ideas in the books more formally/theologically, explain contentious points, explain opposing views and their deficiencies, etc. for those who want to study at a deeper level.
I am setting target dates for one book (and its corresponding web-pages) to be completed per year On this basis, the trilogy should be completed during 2012.
To lighten up the books for general readership, I want to include cartoons throughout and have plenty of white space on each page. I feel I have "seen" the final result.
As always any feedback is most welcome. Barry
Showing posts with label c0. Show all posts
Showing posts with label c0. Show all posts
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
How do we come to see truth?
After the pastor of the church I was supposed to look after returned, we had a very nice conversation over the events that had taken place in his absence. He is a lovely man with a lovely heart for God who now has the task of "restoring order" in the church.
In our two hour conversation we touched on many things, including my "offending" view that all would eventually be restored to the Father. Our discussion has prompted some topics for a few more posts on the blog.
Here's the first.
Although people might readily agree that God's purpose for the world is "to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ" [Eph 1 : 10], it is not always easy for them to get to the next step and agree that this means that all of humankind must be reconciled to the Father for that unity to be possible.
They cannot see that unity cannot be achieved if God is enjoying the sweet fellowship of some whilst overseeing the eternal torment of others at the same time.
What is the mental block here?
Or is it nothing to do with logic, but everything to do with revelation?
We only become believers as a result of God giving us faith, so maybe the only way we see God's truth on this issue (or on any issue) is when God opens our eyes to it.
What do you think?
What's the relationship between logic and revelation?
Or is there no relationship at all?
Barry
In our two hour conversation we touched on many things, including my "offending" view that all would eventually be restored to the Father. Our discussion has prompted some topics for a few more posts on the blog.
Here's the first.
Although people might readily agree that God's purpose for the world is "to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ" [Eph 1 : 10], it is not always easy for them to get to the next step and agree that this means that all of humankind must be reconciled to the Father for that unity to be possible.
They cannot see that unity cannot be achieved if God is enjoying the sweet fellowship of some whilst overseeing the eternal torment of others at the same time.
What is the mental block here?
Or is it nothing to do with logic, but everything to do with revelation?
We only become believers as a result of God giving us faith, so maybe the only way we see God's truth on this issue (or on any issue) is when God opens our eyes to it.
What do you think?
What's the relationship between logic and revelation?
Or is there no relationship at all?
Barry
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Shoot the Messenger
Here I am, back writing sooner than I thought I would be.
As you know I am interstate looking after a church while its pastors are away on holidays. I had four sermons to preach and I planned to use the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost sons from Luke 15 as their underlying theme. The four messages were to focus on (1) the loving and forgiving father, (2) the behaviour and fate of the two sons, (3) a more appropriate response from the elder brother (personal mission) and (4) the mission of the local church.
In my first message I aimed to paint the biggest picture of God I could and to invite the church to paint their own personal biggest picture.
I preached about the correct meaning of "prodigal" and how the father was so prodigal in his attitude and behaviour - recklessly extravagant with his love, forgiveness, grace, restoration, etc.
I applied this to God, while pointing out that most Christians don't see God with such prodigality as Jesus' parables paint Him.
To illustrate, I briefly described Calvinism and Arminianism, and showed how these two most common Christian positions fell short in their views of God compared with the views expressed in Luke 15.
I then shared my own view of God as a God of unconditional love and sovereignty who could and would do whatever was necessary to ensure that all of his children eventually returned home.
I finished by encouraging the church to create their own biggest view of God.
The response was interesting.
Several people clapped when I finished speaking.
Several others came and thanked me for a message they "really needed to hear".
A couple came and asked questions because the thought that God might eventually get all of his children home was new to them and they wanted to know more, and a couple of others came and politely said they disagreed with that view.
The elders requested me to attend a meeting as they said many people were upset with this idea, it had caused division in the church and some were not going to return to the church until I was no longer in the pulpit to share such ideas.
At the subsequent elders meeting, which was cordial and respectful, I was told I could not continue my preaching assignment and indeed, it would be better for the congregation if I didn't even attend the church in the remaining time I was in town.
After agreeing to these, and since there had been no discussion up to this point of my offending view, just that it had caused problems, I asked if we could discuss the view, or at least if I could share the Biblical basis for my view and was politely, but cautiously, given a short time to do so. Disappointingly, one elder, in reluctantly giving assent to my request, also said that whatever I said or showed him would make no difference to his opinion - a sad opening statement to a study of the Scriptures by the spiritual leaders of the church.
One elder recorded the verses I shared, one other said he would like to give them some more thought, the others remained fairly silent. I was asked a few questions, one of which was how this view of God and his possible success had changed my life, and I think they were surprised that my answer included my increased motivation for sharing the gospel with those who are currently lost. (I will put the verses I shared with the elders in a separate post, as this one is getting too long.)
The whole episode has been a sad and disappointing one, and given that "the length of time wayward children might spend in hell" is hardly a core belief-issue for Christians, I guess I was as surprised as I was saddened by the elders' dramatic response and the course of action they took without even discussing the matter with me.
I would have expected such a strong reaction and subsequent course of action if I had shared an idea that belittled God or discounted the work of Jesus on the cross in some way, but getting that response after sharing an idea that enhances our concept of God's love and grace and which gives Christ's work on the cross its fullest possible scope and effect really surprised me in a Christian church, and especially one that so openly and frequently preaches grace.
Why am I sharing all this with you?
As much as you may be convinced of the love and sovereignty of God, and of his success in restoring all his creation to himself eventually, there are many who find more comfort in a lesser and less successful God and will emotionally and vehemently defend that position no matter what.
If you are brave enough to publicly state your belief that Jesus does indeed save the world, as He came to do, be prepared to duck for cover if there are good Calvinists or Evangelicals nearby.
Personally though, although I have been so saddened and disappointed, I have had this incredible peace on the inside, which just has to be God's doing. Barry
As you know I am interstate looking after a church while its pastors are away on holidays. I had four sermons to preach and I planned to use the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost sons from Luke 15 as their underlying theme. The four messages were to focus on (1) the loving and forgiving father, (2) the behaviour and fate of the two sons, (3) a more appropriate response from the elder brother (personal mission) and (4) the mission of the local church.
In my first message I aimed to paint the biggest picture of God I could and to invite the church to paint their own personal biggest picture.
I preached about the correct meaning of "prodigal" and how the father was so prodigal in his attitude and behaviour - recklessly extravagant with his love, forgiveness, grace, restoration, etc.
I applied this to God, while pointing out that most Christians don't see God with such prodigality as Jesus' parables paint Him.
To illustrate, I briefly described Calvinism and Arminianism, and showed how these two most common Christian positions fell short in their views of God compared with the views expressed in Luke 15.
I then shared my own view of God as a God of unconditional love and sovereignty who could and would do whatever was necessary to ensure that all of his children eventually returned home.
I finished by encouraging the church to create their own biggest view of God.
The response was interesting.
Several people clapped when I finished speaking.
Several others came and thanked me for a message they "really needed to hear".
A couple came and asked questions because the thought that God might eventually get all of his children home was new to them and they wanted to know more, and a couple of others came and politely said they disagreed with that view.
The elders requested me to attend a meeting as they said many people were upset with this idea, it had caused division in the church and some were not going to return to the church until I was no longer in the pulpit to share such ideas.
At the subsequent elders meeting, which was cordial and respectful, I was told I could not continue my preaching assignment and indeed, it would be better for the congregation if I didn't even attend the church in the remaining time I was in town.
After agreeing to these, and since there had been no discussion up to this point of my offending view, just that it had caused problems, I asked if we could discuss the view, or at least if I could share the Biblical basis for my view and was politely, but cautiously, given a short time to do so. Disappointingly, one elder, in reluctantly giving assent to my request, also said that whatever I said or showed him would make no difference to his opinion - a sad opening statement to a study of the Scriptures by the spiritual leaders of the church.
One elder recorded the verses I shared, one other said he would like to give them some more thought, the others remained fairly silent. I was asked a few questions, one of which was how this view of God and his possible success had changed my life, and I think they were surprised that my answer included my increased motivation for sharing the gospel with those who are currently lost. (I will put the verses I shared with the elders in a separate post, as this one is getting too long.)
The whole episode has been a sad and disappointing one, and given that "the length of time wayward children might spend in hell" is hardly a core belief-issue for Christians, I guess I was as surprised as I was saddened by the elders' dramatic response and the course of action they took without even discussing the matter with me.
I would have expected such a strong reaction and subsequent course of action if I had shared an idea that belittled God or discounted the work of Jesus on the cross in some way, but getting that response after sharing an idea that enhances our concept of God's love and grace and which gives Christ's work on the cross its fullest possible scope and effect really surprised me in a Christian church, and especially one that so openly and frequently preaches grace.
Why am I sharing all this with you?
As much as you may be convinced of the love and sovereignty of God, and of his success in restoring all his creation to himself eventually, there are many who find more comfort in a lesser and less successful God and will emotionally and vehemently defend that position no matter what.
If you are brave enough to publicly state your belief that Jesus does indeed save the world, as He came to do, be prepared to duck for cover if there are good Calvinists or Evangelicals nearby.
Personally though, although I have been so saddened and disappointed, I have had this incredible peace on the inside, which just has to be God's doing. Barry
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Another Bunch of Hypocrites
We have all heard many times the excuse for not coming to church as, "The church is full of hypocrites." On hearing this, I would usually talk about our sinful weakness, even though we are saved, and the need for those in the church to be refined and matured towards God-likeness over time.
I still think this is true. Yet, I think mainstream christianity has a lot to answer for nevertheless.
I have seen books written recently with titles like "How to Quit Church Without Quitting God", "So You Don't Want to go to Church Anymore", "7 Biblical Truths You Won't Hear in Church", "I'm Fine with God ... It's Christians I Can't Stand", among others. I have read several of these and have agreed with much that is in them.
It's interesting that the mainstream religion of the Old Covenant era was described in a similar fashion. Isaiah reports that God accused Israel of being responsible for having his name constantly blasphemed.
Ezekiel was just as damning. "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, O House of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.'"
Those familiar with the Bible are well aware of the ways in which Israel profaned God's name, but we are often blind to the ways we have done so. We too, are guilty of the same hypocrisy they were. We say one thing, and preach or act in a quite opposite way.
Mainstream christianity says that God loves us unconditionally, but then preaches that this is true only on the condition that we love him in return.
Mainstream christianity says that we are saved by grace alone, but then preaches that this is not true, we are required to take some action ourselves, and right now by the way.
Mainstream christianity says that God is the Saviour of all, but then preaches that most people will not be saved but will be tormented in hell forever.
What do not-yet-believers make of all of this? How do they respond?
Confused. Frustrated. Cynical. Antagonistic. Disinterested.
I wonder why the mainstream churches are becoming empty and only the entertainment style churches are growing in the western world? Any thinking outsider is more likely to respond with, "I'm fine with God... it's christians I can't stand," than join God's latest bunch of hypocrites.
Boy doesn't God take a risk in allowing humans to represent him? Even when they are "his chosen" under the Old Covenant or "the saints" under the New. It's pretty sobering to realise that the heathen are not accused of profaning God's name, only God's people.
I have been reluctant to expose this hypocrisy and share these Bible truths strongly in the past. Why?
What would happen to the positions I hold, the respect of other christian leaders I enjoy or the close friendships I value?
I have my similarities with the first century followers of Jesus.
No-one would say anything publicly about Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles celebrations for fear of the Jewish leaders, the leaders of the mainstream religion of the time.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus' body secretly (probably at night) for fear of those same leaders.
On the evening of Jesus' resurrection, his disciples were meeting behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jewish leaders rather than proudly and publicly announcing the good news of Jesus being alive, having conquered death as he predicted he would.
So here I am with the good good news of God's unconditional love and extravagant grace that needs to be proudly and publicly announced and preached. How am I to do this is my big question?
I have now retired and no longer hold any of those precious mainstream church positions. Indeed, the more public I become about this, the more likely I am to remain retired. :-) The need to have the respect of other christian leaders is not as important as it was, and friendships will surely sort themselves out as being close or not.
The proposed book will be the end result of the website that will be generated mainly from this blogsite. The website and book will be widely advertised, even though the blog is only for friends. That's as far as I have travelled with this question.
Any suggestions? Using the comments section under this post for brainstorming this over the next few months would be appreciated. Barry.
I still think this is true. Yet, I think mainstream christianity has a lot to answer for nevertheless.
I have seen books written recently with titles like "How to Quit Church Without Quitting God", "So You Don't Want to go to Church Anymore", "7 Biblical Truths You Won't Hear in Church", "I'm Fine with God ... It's Christians I Can't Stand", among others. I have read several of these and have agreed with much that is in them.
It's interesting that the mainstream religion of the Old Covenant era was described in a similar fashion. Isaiah reports that God accused Israel of being responsible for having his name constantly blasphemed.
Ezekiel was just as damning. "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, O House of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.'"
Those familiar with the Bible are well aware of the ways in which Israel profaned God's name, but we are often blind to the ways we have done so. We too, are guilty of the same hypocrisy they were. We say one thing, and preach or act in a quite opposite way.
Mainstream christianity says that God loves us unconditionally, but then preaches that this is true only on the condition that we love him in return.
Mainstream christianity says that we are saved by grace alone, but then preaches that this is not true, we are required to take some action ourselves, and right now by the way.
Mainstream christianity says that God is the Saviour of all, but then preaches that most people will not be saved but will be tormented in hell forever.
What do not-yet-believers make of all of this? How do they respond?
Confused. Frustrated. Cynical. Antagonistic. Disinterested.
I wonder why the mainstream churches are becoming empty and only the entertainment style churches are growing in the western world? Any thinking outsider is more likely to respond with, "I'm fine with God... it's christians I can't stand," than join God's latest bunch of hypocrites.
Boy doesn't God take a risk in allowing humans to represent him? Even when they are "his chosen" under the Old Covenant or "the saints" under the New. It's pretty sobering to realise that the heathen are not accused of profaning God's name, only God's people.
I have been reluctant to expose this hypocrisy and share these Bible truths strongly in the past. Why?
What would happen to the positions I hold, the respect of other christian leaders I enjoy or the close friendships I value?
I have my similarities with the first century followers of Jesus.
No-one would say anything publicly about Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles celebrations for fear of the Jewish leaders, the leaders of the mainstream religion of the time.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus' body secretly (probably at night) for fear of those same leaders.
On the evening of Jesus' resurrection, his disciples were meeting behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jewish leaders rather than proudly and publicly announcing the good news of Jesus being alive, having conquered death as he predicted he would.
So here I am with the good good news of God's unconditional love and extravagant grace that needs to be proudly and publicly announced and preached. How am I to do this is my big question?
I have now retired and no longer hold any of those precious mainstream church positions. Indeed, the more public I become about this, the more likely I am to remain retired. :-) The need to have the respect of other christian leaders is not as important as it was, and friendships will surely sort themselves out as being close or not.
The proposed book will be the end result of the website that will be generated mainly from this blogsite. The website and book will be widely advertised, even though the blog is only for friends. That's as far as I have travelled with this question.
Any suggestions? Using the comments section under this post for brainstorming this over the next few months would be appreciated. Barry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)