The proper response of the gospel is to repent and believe, but this might be a bit deceiving. Our English vocabulary does not always mean the same as the original Hebrew or Greek. In this case, our word "believe" means less than the word used in Scripture.
Jesus' call to us is to have faith in him. That doesn't solve the problem for us since many people equate faith and belief, but the difference is that of merely holding a group of ideas in your head or becoming a disciple (the proper response to Jesus' invitation).
There are three components to faith: knowledge, assent, and trust. All three need to be present to say that you have responded to Jesus in faith.
The first is knowledge. This is a knowledge of what Jesus has done and what it means to us and the rest of the world. Without this basic knowledge, there is nothing to respond to. But how much knowledge do we need? We don't start with perfect knowledge, so you must respond to what you have, but this is why we see faith as an active, growing response to Jesus. As we walk with God, our knowledge will increase and so will our need to respond positively to God.
There are two responses that make up an act of faith. The first is assent. We need to accept the knowledge we have been given. This is the act of believing that what God has communicated to us is true. This is the part of faith that most of us understand.
The second response of faith (the third component) is trust. Belief is not enough, or at least the way we define belief today is not enough. We usually define belief as intellectual assent alone, but if our actions and our intellectual belief are at odds, then our intellectual belief is just a facade. We act on what we really believe.
This doesn't mean that our actions are perfect or consistent. There are always other factors involved (such as our weaknesses), but faith actively strives for perfection and consistency. This is what we mean by faithfulness.
Faith is not a one-time event in our life. Our knowledge should continue to grow. None of us know God's mind completely. Part of discipleship is to become a lifelong learner. This means that assent is not a finished act. As we learn, we must still decide to accept God's counsel. Trust is also ongoing. We are daily challenged to enter the life Jesus has won for us.
Without knowledge, we are just superstitious. Without assent, we are double-minded and confused. Without trust, we are aimless. Jesus promises that with all three we find life.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
A Biblical Imagination
"Discover what Scripture says about spirituality and immerse yourself in it. This is not a matter of hunting for a few texts, but of acquiring a biblical imagination - entering into the vast world of the Bible and getting the feel for the territory, an instinct for reality. The scriptural revelation is not only authoritative for what we believe about God and the way we behave with each other, but also for shaping and maturing our very souls, our being, in response to God. The Scriptures provide as much precision in matters of our being as they do in our thinking and acting. Spirituality that is not continuously and prayerfully soaked in the biblical revelation soon either hardens into self-righteousness or dissolves into psychology."
Eugene H. Peterson, Subversive Spirituality
The Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity that we interact with every day. Jesus left the earth physically so that he could have an even more intimate interaction with us through the Holy Spirit. Along with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit has been active in our salvation since the beginning, and His work isn't done yet.
So what does this have to do with Scripture and a biblical imagination? The Scriptures are a work of the Holy Spirit. He (Not "it." The Holy Spirit is a person not a thing), He worked through men and women to orchestrate the events that Scripture describe; He inspired the recording of those events so that God would be accurately represented; He illuminates the Scriptures as we read making the message known as He communicates to each one of us personally; and He shapes our lives in the process.
The reading and study of Scripture is a supernatural activity. It is meant to be an interaction with the living God. This does not mean that we demean the academic dimension of Bible study. Our minds and bodies are not separate from our spirit. We come to Scripture as whole beings. We still need to use the brains God gave us to make sure we understand the words on the page, but there is much more going on.
As the Spirit illuminates, He shapes and transforms us. He pulls away the veil and let's us see the world as it really is. He shows us the love the Father and the Son have for us. He shapes new dreams and goals for us that can free us from our destructiveness. He holds up a mirror that does two seemingly contradictory things. He shows us who we are--warts and all--so that we might realize our need. At the same time, He shows us the way the Father sees us--a love that is more powerful than warts and all.
A biblical imagination sees the world that God is building. Sees the possibilities in broken lives. Sees the value in love over busy-ness, authenticity over fame, servanthood over power. It inspires, frees, and shapes our being.
The world and your flesh will fight you on this one, but if you spend time with the Scriptures you will be transformed.
Eugene H. Peterson, Subversive Spirituality
The Holy Spirit is the person of the Trinity that we interact with every day. Jesus left the earth physically so that he could have an even more intimate interaction with us through the Holy Spirit. Along with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit has been active in our salvation since the beginning, and His work isn't done yet.
So what does this have to do with Scripture and a biblical imagination? The Scriptures are a work of the Holy Spirit. He (Not "it." The Holy Spirit is a person not a thing), He worked through men and women to orchestrate the events that Scripture describe; He inspired the recording of those events so that God would be accurately represented; He illuminates the Scriptures as we read making the message known as He communicates to each one of us personally; and He shapes our lives in the process.
The reading and study of Scripture is a supernatural activity. It is meant to be an interaction with the living God. This does not mean that we demean the academic dimension of Bible study. Our minds and bodies are not separate from our spirit. We come to Scripture as whole beings. We still need to use the brains God gave us to make sure we understand the words on the page, but there is much more going on.
As the Spirit illuminates, He shapes and transforms us. He pulls away the veil and let's us see the world as it really is. He shows us the love the Father and the Son have for us. He shapes new dreams and goals for us that can free us from our destructiveness. He holds up a mirror that does two seemingly contradictory things. He shows us who we are--warts and all--so that we might realize our need. At the same time, He shows us the way the Father sees us--a love that is more powerful than warts and all.
A biblical imagination sees the world that God is building. Sees the possibilities in broken lives. Sees the value in love over busy-ness, authenticity over fame, servanthood over power. It inspires, frees, and shapes our being.
The world and your flesh will fight you on this one, but if you spend time with the Scriptures you will be transformed.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Resource: The BioLogos Forum
I wanted to pass on a great resource that was recommended to me the other day.
Over the last few decades there has been a growing tension between faith and science. From the Christian side, most of this has originated from a reaction to those who claim that science invalidates faith. The most recent public attacks have come from the "New Atheists." Well meaning, but somewhat panicked responses have led to a distrust of science and a distortion of Scripture that actually strengthens the arguments of those who are trying to discredit believers.
Reactions have a tendency to do that. If we don't start with careful study of our own belief then the people we react to are given the driver's seat. Their statements trigger hasty responses that can led us down the wrong path. We always need to know what we are defending before we respond. Ill informed reactions have driven many students who love science away from their faith. The tragedy is that the tension is often based on misinformation that is presented as orthodox Christianity. The BioLogos Forum aims to help set the record straight.
The BioLogos Forum was founded by Francis Collins. He headed up the Human Genome Project and is now the Director of the National Institute of Health. A former atheist turned Christian he has worked to reconcile the perceived tension between faith and science. In his book, The Language of God, he explained to his friends in science why he believed, while explaining to his Christian friends how he could accept both Scripture and evolution.
I highly recommend the book as a starting point, but meatier content was needed. That's the purpose of the website. The site has resources for students, teachers, and pastors that address both scientific and Scriptural concerns.
For your sake and the sake of those you are sharing with, you should visit this site.
www.biologos.org
Over the last few decades there has been a growing tension between faith and science. From the Christian side, most of this has originated from a reaction to those who claim that science invalidates faith. The most recent public attacks have come from the "New Atheists." Well meaning, but somewhat panicked responses have led to a distrust of science and a distortion of Scripture that actually strengthens the arguments of those who are trying to discredit believers.
Reactions have a tendency to do that. If we don't start with careful study of our own belief then the people we react to are given the driver's seat. Their statements trigger hasty responses that can led us down the wrong path. We always need to know what we are defending before we respond. Ill informed reactions have driven many students who love science away from their faith. The tragedy is that the tension is often based on misinformation that is presented as orthodox Christianity. The BioLogos Forum aims to help set the record straight.
The BioLogos Forum was founded by Francis Collins. He headed up the Human Genome Project and is now the Director of the National Institute of Health. A former atheist turned Christian he has worked to reconcile the perceived tension between faith and science. In his book, The Language of God, he explained to his friends in science why he believed, while explaining to his Christian friends how he could accept both Scripture and evolution.
I highly recommend the book as a starting point, but meatier content was needed. That's the purpose of the website. The site has resources for students, teachers, and pastors that address both scientific and Scriptural concerns.
For your sake and the sake of those you are sharing with, you should visit this site.
www.biologos.org
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
My Judgmental Dashboard
All of us have those people in our lives. Those people who feel it's their place in life to monitor your life and give you their running commentary on how you're doing. One of those for me is my van's dashboard, and I find it very judgmental.
It always seems to be there whenever I climb into the van. It lights up and waves at me whenever I turn the key trying to get my attention and give me it's take on my life at the moment. It is constantly calling my attention to my speed, nagging me right up to that point I get pulled over. If I haven't stopped for gas lately, it criticizes me with a bright yellow light. I'd tape over the blighter, but I'm not fond of those late night walks to the gas station can in hand.
Of course, that's the point. The dashboard is there to make my life better. That oil gauge may seem somewhat meaningless most of the time, but it helped
me understand the white cloud that suddenly erupted from the back of my car alerting me to the blown oil seal just before my engine seized up forcing me to walk to the nearest service station. At that moment, I wished that oil seal had some kind of indicator. A ten minute warning sure would have been helpful. And if I paid attention to that speedometer, then I'd have less tickets and more money (don't panic! It's just an example. Your missions money is not going to the State Patrol. I have a good relationship with speedometer). Feedback and guidance are often a good thing.
That the primary way that God's guidance and discipline work in our lives. He communicates to us so that we don't break down on the road of life with an empty gas tank and a blown oil seal (pretty nifty, huh. I could do this all day, but I'll spare you). That's what it means when Scripture says God disciplines his children (Hebrews 12:7-11). God actively guides us away from disaster and toward growth that shows itself in wisdom, strength, joy, and peace. You can choose to tape over his indicators, but don't blame him for the results.
The community of Christ also assists in this guidance, but we need to be careful. The voice of a GPS is helpful when your lost and don't know where your going, but it soon becomes irritating when you can't shut it off. Being slow to speak is a virtue (James 1:19).
On the other hand, love includes accountability and the occasional rebuke. Otherwise, it's not really love. But these should be outweighed by encouragement, hope, service, intercession, and the willingness to help bear each other's burdens. The critic who has hard words but is never there to lift a humble, loving hand to assist is just a clanging gong, a stuck horn, a seal belt alarm that won't silence itself after you buckle up, a... (you get the picture).
God does judge, but mostly he disciplines. He guides and directs our paths. He also judges the fruit of our lives based on his perfect perspective. If our lives abuse and oppress others, then there is a point where his judgment can become harsh to bring relief to the suffering. God is patient, though, he prefers to guide and inspire and throw up stop signs when we head down a wrong path.
I invite discomfort and sometimes even disaster when I ignore my dashboard. That's true with God as well, but it goes a step further. I also miss a great deal of good in my life as well. God's discipline has my best in mind.
It always seems to be there whenever I climb into the van. It lights up and waves at me whenever I turn the key trying to get my attention and give me it's take on my life at the moment. It is constantly calling my attention to my speed, nagging me right up to that point I get pulled over. If I haven't stopped for gas lately, it criticizes me with a bright yellow light. I'd tape over the blighter, but I'm not fond of those late night walks to the gas station can in hand.
Of course, that's the point. The dashboard is there to make my life better. That oil gauge may seem somewhat meaningless most of the time, but it helped
me understand the white cloud that suddenly erupted from the back of my car alerting me to the blown oil seal just before my engine seized up forcing me to walk to the nearest service station. At that moment, I wished that oil seal had some kind of indicator. A ten minute warning sure would have been helpful. And if I paid attention to that speedometer, then I'd have less tickets and more money (don't panic! It's just an example. Your missions money is not going to the State Patrol. I have a good relationship with speedometer). Feedback and guidance are often a good thing.
That the primary way that God's guidance and discipline work in our lives. He communicates to us so that we don't break down on the road of life with an empty gas tank and a blown oil seal (pretty nifty, huh. I could do this all day, but I'll spare you). That's what it means when Scripture says God disciplines his children (Hebrews 12:7-11). God actively guides us away from disaster and toward growth that shows itself in wisdom, strength, joy, and peace. You can choose to tape over his indicators, but don't blame him for the results.
The community of Christ also assists in this guidance, but we need to be careful. The voice of a GPS is helpful when your lost and don't know where your going, but it soon becomes irritating when you can't shut it off. Being slow to speak is a virtue (James 1:19).
On the other hand, love includes accountability and the occasional rebuke. Otherwise, it's not really love. But these should be outweighed by encouragement, hope, service, intercession, and the willingness to help bear each other's burdens. The critic who has hard words but is never there to lift a humble, loving hand to assist is just a clanging gong, a stuck horn, a seal belt alarm that won't silence itself after you buckle up, a... (you get the picture).
God does judge, but mostly he disciplines. He guides and directs our paths. He also judges the fruit of our lives based on his perfect perspective. If our lives abuse and oppress others, then there is a point where his judgment can become harsh to bring relief to the suffering. God is patient, though, he prefers to guide and inspire and throw up stop signs when we head down a wrong path.
I invite discomfort and sometimes even disaster when I ignore my dashboard. That's true with God as well, but it goes a step further. I also miss a great deal of good in my life as well. God's discipline has my best in mind.
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