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Posts Tagged: Jesus
15
Dec 09
Jesus’ Date of Birth
When exactly was Jesus born? Mark Driscoll discusses this question at The Resurgence. His conclusion?
In the end, the year and date of Jesus’ birth are apparently not a significant issue because God did not find them valued enough to clarify in Scripture, which simply says it happened “in the fullness of time.
via theresurgence.com
Do you see the year and date of Jesus’ birth as a significant issue?
21
Jul 09
Fuzzy Math & the Gospel – Part 1
Jesus plus anything spoils everything.
Donald James Parker, a writer for the Sioux Falls Christian Examiner, wrote an interesting article on Sunday challenging this very idea. He begins the article by posing the following question about this statement:
Let’s see – what is the book-chapter-verse reference for that pithy little epigram?
Unfortunately, this question sets the tone for everything that follows as Parker picks and chooses verses (namely from the Gospels) that, he claims, challenge the notion that “We must only trust that the death of Jesus on the cross was all that was necessary for us to gain eternal life.”
Rarely do I write the type of post that is to follow – that is, a direct, negative response. However, due to the nature of the topic (the Gospel and salvation) and the implications of Parker’s conclusions, I am compelled to write. My collective response will take form over the next few Foolish Cross posts.
Jesus Knows Best?
As Parker states, Jesus is the best source of truth regarding this issue:
Who would probably be the best source for this type of information? Hmm. Let me take a wild eyed guess and suggest Jesus might be knowledgeable on this subject since it was His flesh that was shredded, His blood that was shed, and His name that was mocked by the Roman soldiers and the mob.
I agree with Parker in that Jesus is very knowledgeable on the subject of salvation. However, he seems to have placed a greater emphasis upon and weight upon the words of Jesus, forgetting that:
All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16, ESV)
All Scripture is God-breathed – not merely those words written in red letters. Further, the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life are not presented to us in a vacuum, but rather, in the context of the entire Bible. Therefore, one is certainly safe to use the entire Bible (and should use the entire Bible) in developing a theology of salvation. To limit oneself to four books is dangerous and can result in an incomplete picture. All of Scripture points to the incredible Gospel of Jesus the Christ!
Old Testament, for Example
Is not the Exodus a picture of the Gospel? Christians have been rescued from slavery just as the Israelites were.
Jesus referenced manna when calling himself the “Bread of Life?”
The Day of Atonement? Jesus is high priest, sacrifice, and scapegoat. His body broken, the curtain rent. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was the perfect Yom Kippur.
Abraham and the near-sacrifice of his son Isaac? The son of Abraham is spared, the Son of God is not.
The suffering servant in Isaiah?
What is lost if I disregard these illustrations? How has my understanding of the Gospel changed?
6 Reasons
Parker produces six examples of things that (Jesus said) one must do in order to attain salvation. In Part 2 I will begin to look at each these items.
Until then, feel free to comment below. Do you agree or disagree with my comments thus far? Let’s converse…
6
Jul 09
Struggling with All His Might
I was reading through Colossians this weekend and was struck by the final verse of the first chapter:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
(Colossians 1:24-29, emphasis added)
Paul struggled and toiled with Christ’s energy!
How often do I do the same? I must admit, the majority of my struggling is done by my own, insufficient energy. By doing so, I rob myself of victory. More importantly, I rob my God of his due glory in my life.
Questions to Consider
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Do I understand this energy?
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Do I realize the immense implications of his powerful work within me?
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How does this truth affect my actions and the way I live my life?
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It’s easy to talk about toiling “with all his energy that he powerfully works within me,” but how does one take this concept and put it into action, as Paul did?
Another Look
Perhaps there are some clues in 2 Corinthians 12:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10, emphasis added)
What about you?
Do you toil and struggle with all his energy that he powerfully works within you? Does the power of Christ rest upon you?
What does all this mean?
18
May 09
Accountability, Bailouts, and the Gospel
We have entered an era of bailouts. I have been thinking a great deal about this “new era” and a number of questions have come to my mind – questions I believe Christians in American should be pondering if we are going to adapt and reach future generations with the message of the Gospel.
Consider:
- Will the concept of the bailout play a significant role in the shaping of future generations of Americans?
- How will the American concept of accountability and justice change in an age of bailouts?
- What affect will the bailout have on Americans’ willingness to accept their need for a savior in the presence of a most holy and just God?
- Will it be more difficult to convince Americans of their sinfulness and depravity? Further, will it be more difficult for Americans to understand that their sin comes with wages earned: death?
Challenges and Opportunities
Ultimately, this discussion boils down to one question: Will this age of bailouts have an impact on the spreading of the Gospel in America? As I think about the above questions, I am convinced that there are challenges ahead. Opportunities await as well, however. Consider this passage from Colossians 2:
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:13-14, ESV)
What a great concept with which we might engage those around us! Use current events and news headlines to lead into discussions about the Gospel and the cancelling of our debt by Jesus upon the cross. Compare and contrast the worldly concept of a bailout with Jesus’ perfect act of atonement upon the cross.
Challenges or opportunities? All things considered, it is important to remember that God’s perfect and sovereign will is at work.
What do you think? Does an age of bailouts present challenges to the Gospel in America? Opportunities?
22
Jan 09
Rick Warren’s Inaugural Prayer in the Name of Isa
Let me begin by saying that the purpose of this post is not to pick apart Rick Warrens Inaugural Prayer. There are plenty of places in the blogosphere where these conversations are being held. I invite you to seek them out and post as many comments as you wish.
I would, however, like to focus attention upon one specific word used by Warren:
“I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus, Jesus (hay-SOOS)…”
A fair amount of debate and controversy has arisen over Rick Warren’s use of the word “Isa.” Isa, his critics claim, is a name (from the Qur’an) used for Jesus by Arab Muslims. Arab Christians, on the other hand, widely use the name Yasu’ for Jesus. Isa, a prophet, was not God-incarnate nor was he the son of God. He was neither crucified nor was he raised from the dead. Isa is not the Jesus of the Bible.
This is a problem.
By praying in the name of Isa, Warren has incorporated a Muslim concept of Jesus into a Christian prayer. Muslims have been allowed to define terms as they see fit while the Biblical truth of the nature of Jesus Christ has been lost in translation.
For the Jesus of the Bible is the son of God, fully human and fully divine. He was crucified and raised again, so that sins might be forgiven.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-20, ESV)
It is only by the blood of Jesus that Rick Warren and other Believers might approach a most holy God with their prayers and petitions.
Jesus, Yasu’. Not Isa.
Now seems to be a very appropriate time for me to point out that I am not an expert on this topic. If you have further insight to offer on either side if this issue, please include it in the comments below. Please also note any helpful resources you may stumble across.
19
Jan 09
Resource: Top 60 Church Blogs
Kent Shaffer of Church Relevance has released a list of the world’s Top 60 Church Blogs. These blogs cover a number of topics from ministry to theology. At the top of the list you will find:
- Tim Challies
- Between Two Worlds – Justin Taylor
- Stuff Christians Like – Jon Acuff
- Out of Ur
- The Resurgence – Mark Driscoll
Check out the entire list here.
14
Nov 08
J.P. Moreland on the Historical Jesus
Please consider taking the time to listen to this 1997 lecture given by J.P. Moreland: The Modern Search for the Historical Jesus. In the lecture, Moreland offers a brief introduction to modern attempts to reconstruct the historical Jesus. More specifically, Moreland confronts some of the ideas which haven arisen from the Jesus Seminar.
Here is Moreland’s stated outline:
- Give a brief statement of some of the assumptions of this, more secular, approach to the New Testament documents
- Offer a brief response to this approach
- Explain why the picture of Jesus in the New Testament is substantially reliable history.
The full-length audio file is available here for streaming or download. It is an hour in length, but well-worth your time.
Please feel free to react to Moreland in the comments.
13
Aug 08
The Olympic Games: 10 Thoughts
A few of my observations, thoughts and insights after the first few days of the Olympic Games:
- Opening Ceremony = Incredible
- After 11 gold medals, Michael Phelps’ mother still cries when he assumes his position atop the medal stand. I love my mom.
- USA Gymnastics – Different identities: The men accepted the bronze medal with shouts of joy while the women accepted the silver medal in disappointment. Do I live out of my true identity in Christ? Do I understand the importance of doing so?
- It’s good to see the Redeem Team taking care of business, but the United States needs the kind of redemption that cannot be delivered by NBA stars.
- I can’t help but feel happy for the Chinese…this is such a proud moment in their history. At the same time, I can’t help but feel sad and broken for the Chinese…the nation needs Jesus.
- The joy of receiving a gold medal pales in comparison to the joy of knowing Jesus. Do I truly believe that? Do I live it?
- Shawn Johnson is representing the Midwest well.
- As I hear about the great sacrifices Olympic athletes make as they train to be named among the best athletes in the world, I am given valuable insight into Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Do I run in such a way that I might win the race? Do I strive not to receive a perishable wreath, but an imperishable wreath?
- One must be careful not to covet another’s God-given talents and gifts.
- Is it just me, or does watching the Olympics make me feel like I need to work out more?
29
Jul 08
My Path to Christ – The Bridge
I ran across this piece of notebook paper a couple of weeks ago as I was sorting through boxes of ‘stuff’ left untouched since college. On it you will see the Navigator Bridge Gospel illustration that was presented to me by a fraternity brother of mine early in my college career. I can still remember sitting in the Student Union as he explained the Good News of the Gospel to me.
So much clicked that day…
Praise the Lord!
