World Views

Have you hugged your world view today?  What?  Are you kidding?  Oh, by the way, what's a world view?  And isn't this a little theoretical?

Well, maybe.  It depends on your world view.  I mean it depends on what you believe.  Or, it depends on your faith system.  In other words, the way you see the world and how you interpret things.  It defines who we are and what we believe.

The first thing we can say for certain is that everyone has a world view.  Just like everyone has a perspective on life or a faith of some sort.  And our world view can be pretty subjective depending on a lot of factors.  It can and will change through the course of our lives as well.  The world view of a first grader is quite a bit different than that of a college senior.  The world view of a poor person is usually much different than that of a rich person.  And the difference between how a Secularist looks at the world and how a Christian looks at the world is huge.  Especially if it's a biblical Christian.

Our world view is essentially a faith perspective but it also involves personality, circumstances, emotions, families, age, maturity, goals and disappointments or success.  And a world view is like an operating system in a computer, it directs or guides everything the computer does and will affect how we live our lives and make decisions.  With faith in God we see that life has an eternal or Spiritual realm that gives us meaning and purpose.  Yet without faith we will only see the temporal and mundane aspects of life and this can lead us to a drastically different view of reality.  Our world views can be modified or changed however depending on our willingness to change.

We probably are unaware of our world views on a daily basis and we also can get set in our ways as we grow older.  There are a lot of reasons however for those of us who are Christians to examine our world view and to consider changing anything that is not in accord with God.  The reason we should consider both our world view or faith system from time to time is to see if it is true.  This is a step in Spiritual growth to examine ourselves to say, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting", (Psalm 139:23-24).  The revelation from God of "the way everlasting" is the Christian world view.

Another good reason to know a little bit about our world view is because the world is changing at a tremendous pace away from Christianity.  We live in a technological and moral revolution that is destroying our culture and creating a monolithic secularist world view.  Young people today have so few examples of Christian family values, morals, work ethic and integrity.  Virtually everything in the entertainment world of TV and movies mocks Biblical truth.  And the result has been broken lives.

But the Christian world view centers on the existence of the God of the Bible.  The Bible teaches us the creation of the universe by God, and man made in his image.  Mankind has fallen into sin but God has sent his Son into the world to redeem and reconcile us to him.  The ministry of reconciliation is the great message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  And there is a consummation of all things unto the glory of God at the end of time.  This is the essence of the Christian world view.  This faith brings great significance, purpose, dignity and meaning to all who call on Jesus' name.  It brings us into a personal relationship with Christ, the Creator and Redeemer of all the world.

When you get caught up in the brokenness of this world, remember the Christian world view.  It is centered on the reality of the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He is alive.  Give this worldview a big hug Spiritually, for He is redemptive and calls us back to God.  In this faith we find salvation and we can be sanctified to become like Christ.  We can know God for eternal life.

Easter Proclamation

Easter is my favorite holiday for many reasons.  Possibly the greatest reason is that it defines Christianity.  Even more it verifies Christianity.  We find in the Christian message a multifaceted apologetic for an amazing reality, there is life beyond the grave.

Christianity is all about Christ, and he came to the earth as a human being in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.  The Christmas story is all about the Incarnation, truly a great doctrine in and of itself. From his very conception Jesus lived a sanctified life, he was set apart from the world.  But the life of Jesus was not without it's temptations and troubles.  He was a man of sorrows and there was nothing in him we would naturally be attracted to.  His life was a life without sin but with great Spiritual power.  His teachings were almost ironic for he taught the way up is down.  To gain our life we must lose it.  And to gain eternal life was greater than anything this life had to offer.

Also we see that the suffering and death of Jesus was foolish.  There's simply no other way to understand it in the eyes of the world.  Who in there right mind would accept "defeat" at the hands of his accusers so readily.  Just after accepting Peter's confession of him as the Christ in Matthew 16, Jesus prophesied to his disciples that he would be arrested and executed by his own countrymen.  Peter then protested with all his might at the very thought of such a foolish idea.  For clearly Jesus was gaining new popularity in Israel and could surely win the favor of the people to restore the Davidic monarchy.  But Jesus understood a much greater Spiritual victory and endured the cross, despising it's shame, and died at the hands of the Romans.

But, and this is the great proclamation, Jesus arose from the grave three days later.  Because of the Incarnation and the Life, there was the Resurrection.  Jesus wasn't just a man, he is the God-Man, the Son of God, the Messiah with eternal life.  Not only did Jesus fulfill all Biblical prophecy he resonates with our souls today.  For who does not seek life, and life abundantly?  Jesus declared in his teachings, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly," John 10:10.   Even more he declares, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live," John 11:25.

No other person in all the earth has ever had such a birth, life, teachings and resurrection. Surely our consciences speak to us that we want such a life and need eternal life.  We are mortal, sinful and unwise in our selves.  We need the immortality of Christ who has overcome the world.  The Easter message is absolutely relevant every day of the year, and we especially celebrate the life and resurrection of Jesus at Easter.

Born Again

One of the great themes of Christianity is being born again.  Today is the day I accepted Christ in 1976 as an eighteen year old college freshman.  This is the day I was born again.

As a biology major in a state university I was exposed to the theory of Darwinian evolution and challenged with a world view that had no God.  It startled me as I couldn't imagine what life would be like without a creator and a God who holds all things together.  This also caused me to ask questions of what life is all about.  Why are we here?  Where are we going?  What is the meaning and purpose of life? 

It was at this time of questioning life itself that I attended a church service at home with my family one Sunday.  The pastor knew me somewhat and wanted to ask me some questions after the service.  He asked me how I was doing in school and how life was going.  I told him fine, and "don't worry about me, because I believe in God."  I wasn't like the professors at the university, I thought.  He said that's good, but there was more he wanted to know.  

He then proceeded to ask me that if I were to die today, for some unforeseen reason, did I know for sure I would go to heaven?  I knew in an instant that I didn't know the answer, I wasn't sure where I would be if I died.  In fact, that was like the questions I was asking myself regarding the meaning and purpose of life.  And this was just like those questions, where will I be when I die?  

The pastor graciously explained that it's not just enough to believe in God, but the Bible teaches a person needs to accept Jesus as his Savior.  It is only through Christ that a person can be saved and go to heaven.  As Jesus describes in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  He explained that Christ came to the earth and lived a perfect life without sin so that he could pay the penalty of our sins.  He died on the cross and he became the substitutionary atonement for us.  Then after three days he rose again from the grave and he can give us eternal life after our death as well.  But we need to accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.

These words struck me like an alarm.  The pastor asked me if I believed it was true.  I sat there for what seemed like a long while as I thought about what he had said.  Could it be true that Jesus rose from the dead?  I had the image in my mind of the stone rolled away from the grave that I had seen as a kid in Sunday school, and I asked myself, is it true?  And I realized it is true, it couldn't have just been made up.  My conscience confirmed that God did exist and he did send his Son into the world to save people from their sins, for all who call upon his name.  

I really didn't know what to do at first after that day.  I kept a pretty low profile for some time as I wasn't sure if I understood it all, or if anyone else would believe me.  Today I can say after many years that indeed Christ is the Savior and Lord who has come into the world and we must be born again.  Jesus explained this to Nicodemus in John 3:3, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."  Jesus graciously gives people new lives of faith and eternal life if they call upon him and walk in his precepts.  Only he can give new birth to a Spiritual life, only he can cause a person to be born again.  And praise God that he did.  

   

Themes

The themes of these last few blog posts have to do with true Christianity.  It may not seem to make sense as I've hopped all around, but as I look at them I see a pattern.

At the start I discussed true truth, Veritas, as it relates to Christian faith.  So, first and foremost is the "Truly, Truly" foundation that Jesus describes.  In our postmodern world this just can't be emphasized enough.

Then I discussed "Technology and Theology" because I believe technology is a great connection to the order and structure design of the universe.  Technology is a witness to the truth of God's existence and creation.  Technology works because we live in an ordered and principled creation.

Then the next three posts were made to address the parable of "The Prodigal Son."  This is to address a contemporary trend in Christianity on the love and grace of God, which is glorious, but to miss the necessity of repentance and faith from a Christian.  The prodigal son first confessed, repented, humbled himself without conditions, and returned home to seek reconciliation with the Father.  This is the emphasis of the parable.  This is the spirit of true Christian faith.  And then God receives us in open arms.

So, the message of the Bible is often missed, but it's most often right there plain as day, and we must always ask, "what does text say, what does it mean, and how does it apply to life?"  The Bible is the word of truth and the focus of all our faith and doctrine.  It is inspired by God and brings inspiration and truth to Christians.  But we must interpret it through the lens of truth, just as it was intended.

As compared to a contemporary emphasis on grace, and even free grace, as it is often implicitly described, I also discussed Bonhoeffer's classic book, "The Cost of Discipleship."  True faith is costly sometimes to us, just as it was to Christ.  Simply saying we believe in Christ is not necessarily costly at all.  We must have true faith through obedience to all God's commandments.  Obedience is not legalism when living in the power of the Holy Spirit, it is true faith.

The truth of true faith brings great blessings.  My thesis is that good theology leads to good faith and good faith leads to good living.  Obedience to God's laws is good theology.  No one is perfect, but good theology is a necessary start.  The Veritas Fellowship is all about proclaiming true-Truth and the process of good "theology-faith-living," which leads to our sanctification into the image of Christ.

And this week I will add one more blog post on 3/21 if my schedule permits.  For on March 21, 1976 I became a Christian and this will mark my 37th anniversary of living in faith.  That's something to look back on.  Wow, is all I can say.  True faith brings lots of ups and downs, but faith is much deeper today than it was at the beginning.  We are saved by Christ, by grace and through faith.

Soli Deo gloria.

The Cost of Discipleship

Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic book, The Cost of Discipleship, is perhaps one of the most challenging books any Christian can read.  It is a challenging book because discipleship is a challenging subject, one that is at the center of our understanding of salvation in Christ.

The question of discipleship has to do with the relationship of grace and faith in the believer's life.  These two topics may seem at first to be one and the same and synonymous with each other, but the issue becomes a little complex as we understand the meaning of the words.  For saving grace is the work of God to regenerate our hearts and faith is the response we exercise as we walk obediently to him.  Grace always produces faith and so they are sometimes used synonymously.

Becoming a Christian means accepting Jesus Christ into our hearts in faith as the Savior and Lord of our lives.  It is an individual decision we must make based upon the belief that the Jesus of the Bible is who he truly claims to be, the Savior of all who call upon his name.  He alone can atone for our sins through his substitutionary sacrifice on the cross for us.  This belief that Jesus is Lord however must be manifested in obedience as walk with him.  Without our obedience our belief is worthless as James teaches us.  Faith without works or obedience is dead, and even the demons believe, and shudder.

With the faith and obedience that Jesus is Savior and Lord we see in Scripture that Jesus calls believers to himself to become disciples.  And what is a disciple but simply a follower or a student of somebody else.  A disciple in particular is a student who obeys the teachings and becomes like his teacher.  He is one who walks in faith and takes on the life that his Master exhibits.

The are many aspects of the Christian faith as we come to understand discipleship.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenges us with a view of faith that goes beyond simply saying we believe in Jesus.  He describes discipleship as a step of obedience that stands against the ungodliness of the world.  This obedience may cost us everything we have.  Or at least it is a call that will require us to relinquish our own selfish desires, and to grow in sanctifying grace as we pick up our own cross daily to follow Christ.

Discipleship is genuine Christian faith and transforms our lives to become like Jesus.  In this life of obedience and service we may suffer in this world, but we will discover the greatest joy in following Christ that we could ever imagine.  Bonhoeffer knew the peace of the Lord from this dying with Christ.  The cost of discipleship could cost us our very lives but the blessings of discipleship is our eternal fellowship with Christ.

The Bible

The Bible is the most important book in the world.  It's importance probably cannot be overstated but it's contents can be misinterpreted.  When it is understood correctly it brings Spiritual life.  And when it is misinterpreted it can cause much confusion and distraction.

First and foremost we must understand that the Bible declares itself to be inspired by God the Holy Spirit.  In its own content it clearly teaches that it is a book inspired, or authored, by God.  And thus we call it the word of God or the word of truth.

In 2 Timothy 3:16 we see, "All Scripture is given by inspiration from God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

The inspiration from God was first given to the men who were actually writing the individual letters or books within the Bible.  Also, we receive inspiration from reading the Bible, we can be inspired from God by reading this Book.  We can be inspired for "reproof, correction and instruction" towards righteousness and truth.  This Book inspires us not only to live in the righteousness from God, it also inspires us to the most abundant life we could possibly have.

Try reading the Bible with the understanding that this Book has been inspired by God.  And it can bring inspiration to us if we accept it.  The Bible can inspire us to a Spiritual life in Christ and it is the most important book in the world.

The Elder Brother

The parable of The Prodigal Son is primarily known for the younger son who rebelled against his father by leaving home and squandering his inheritance.  But we also see that the father in the parable is a key figure as it is he who welcomes his son home, forgives him, restores him to the family and also throws a big party to celebrate his return.  In addition, the elder brother is another important figure to recognize and understand.

Beginning with Luke 15:25 we see that the elder brother is working in the fields when he heard the party from the house and questioned one of the servants as to why there was a party.  The servant explained that his younger brother had returned home and that his father had killed the fattened calf to celebrate.  There was not only a big party but the best food was being served.  The elder brother however did not rejoice at the news of his younger brother's return.  As we see in v. 28, "But he was angry and would not go in."

At first glance we can understand that the elder brother was indignant because his father had given the younger son so much grace instead of punishment.  He knew he had himself been faithful and even diligent to serve his father in his work.  But with a second glance we may see that the elder son was hurt because his father had never given him a party even with so much as a goat.  The father-son relationship can be deeply hurt with even a hint of favoritism, and such lavishness of grace by the father to the prodigal could have been devastating.  For whatever reason, the elder son did not go to the house and join the celebration of his younger brother's restoration.

This parable is a fictional story Jesus tells to explain that there can be a rebellion that leads to waywardness and squandering an inheritance.  And just as deadly there can be a rebellion such as the elder brother exhibited that leads to pride and self righteousness.  Either type of rebellion can keep us from coming home to our heavenly father and being in fellowship with him.  The key to this parable however, I believe, is the repentance of the younger son.  As we know from v. 17, "he came to himself" and recognized his sin and foolishness.  And he repented with an unconditional return to his father.

Jesus interpreted this parable at its closing by saying to the elder son, v. 32, "It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found."  Jesus makes a clear contrast between the younger son's rebellion being a form of death and his repentance was his being made alive again.  This is the Spiritual life we all need for we all can identify with either the rebellion of the younger son or the self righteousness of the elder son.  Or both, at different times and in differing degrees. 

But the key to Spiritual life is first and foremost repentance from sin so that we recognize ourselves to be lost and to be dead outside of the grace of the father.  This was confessed by the younger son but not by the elder son in the parable.  And as we know from different sections of Scripture, God initiates grace to us, but we must receive Christ and the Spiritual life that comes from being restored to our heavenly Father.  It is this same repentance we must continue to live by as we live in faith and grow into the image of Christ.