It is More than Just a Book

The Book of Eli is a remarkable film.  It delivers a remarkable message.

The Bible is more than just another book. This is the underlying message of the movie. The Bible is a book worth protecting; worth memorizing; worth knowing because its message has the ability to change lives and produce hope.

Sometimes this message was darkly twisted in the movie. Sometimes- unfortunately- protection equaled graphic violence in the post-apocalyptic setting of the film.

To me it is remarkable that such a movie with such a message would be made at all.

The Bible is more than just a book and its message is still impacting culture.

“What is Truth?”

This question is still as relevant as it was the moment Pilate asked it (John18:38).

Contextually we are light years from the time and place of Pilate, but really we are not so far away in terms of philosophical/theological culture. Pilate lived in a time of diverse thought with competing voices all jostling to define truth in their own way.

Fast forward to the 21st century pluralistic culture and it is remarkably similar. Truth is definitely a fluid concept in our postmodern times. 

For Christians this fluidity has proved quite the challenge. Our typical, systematic approaches to defining truth- while solid- appear to be unfortunately losing ground to other voices. Folks as a whole seem much less interested in a truth presented in formulas and steps.

So what do we do? How do we effectively present Christian truth to a postmodern world? What is the best way to get our voice about God heard in the cultural discussion?

“What is truth?”

How would you answer that in 2010?

A Fresh Vision of the Old Testament

What is your opinion of the Old Testament? Do you view it as merely some distant dusty set of laws? Do you see it as a collection of rather well-worn stories from a long ago era? Or maybe you simply understand the OT story as the prelude to the real story of the Bible- Jesus?

What is your vision of the God of the OT? Is he angry, distant, vengeful, or disturbing? Do you see any connection to him and the God of the New Testament?

Generally speaking, the OT we are comfortable with is highlighted by the great stories and people revealed in it and summed up by the Ten Commandments. We certainly know some of the history, appreciate some of the poetry but usually the prophetic voices remain somewhat of a mystery to us. Overall our vision of the OT is more often framed by the commentary of the NT writers (example- Galatians 3:23-25) than by the OT text itself.  And while the OT story did provide the backdrop for the New Testament- there is far more to it than just that.

A fresh look at the Old Testament is about: 

• A Creator God who desires a relationship with his creation. One of the surprises of the OT is that it reveals a wholly relational God. From the beginning when God made man is his own image (Genesis 1:27) God has consistently sought a genuine relationship with him. Every story throughout every point of history within the OT is God’s attempt at revealing his true self (“I am that I am”) to man for the purpose of relationship. He has always been a personal God and the OT chronicles this truth. The God of the OT is not an isolated God. He is out and about in his creation- in relationship- working though people to accomplish his redemptive will.
• The way of justice and mercy. As a part of this will and reflective of his own relational nature- God seeks throughout the OT for man to define his relationships God’s way which is the way of justice and mercy. Justice is an overarching theme of the OT which provides the background for many OT contexts.
• The history of God’s people and their land-gift. From the initial call of Abram and the land promise/blessing-all-nations covenant God made with him- the OT story traces God’s relationship with Israel and Israel’s relationship with land. Israel could not be Israel without the land and cannot be fully understood apart from the land. This land emphasis even has threads which transcend time and place and directly relate to us.
• God’s redemptive plan for all nations. The OT reveals a God out and about in the life of a surprising number of other nations. His concern was for all of his creation and not just chosen Israel. Even in choosing Israel to be a light to all nations we see his redemptive purpose for all people. Throughout every part of OT history God’s redemptive plan (and not just about a future Messiah) unfolds.

All of this is just the starting place! So jump into the vibrant history and contemporary messages that is the Old Testament. Blessings will flow!

A Theory?

I have a working theory that I would like to share and receive feedback about. The idea of authenticity in our expression of faith is getting much attention these days- and for good reason. For faith to mean anything it must be authentic. For us to make any difference at all in our faith-walk we must be sincere in that walk. This is really a no brainer.

But what does authenticity in expressing our faith really mean? Could it have different meaning to different folks? Likely, and it could very well be this that has caused confusion within the church. Consider this:

• For some older church members could authenticity mean adherence to a doctrinal system including a more traditional style of worship? This is what many were taught was primary in expressing faith. This is where many feel most comfortable. Any attempt at change challenges their idea of authentic Christianity.
• For the baby boomers could authentic mean a more expressive type of faith? Possibly in reaction to tradition many in this generation seem to equate authenticity with the freedom to worship more expressively. Much emphasis has been placed on a praise oriented style of worship and grace-centered teaching and for many in this generation authenticity is felt primarily in expressive worship.
• The next generation- that of the late 20s and 30s pose a challenge in defining authenticity. Could it be that they are not sure? From my observation these are the least plugged in among the entire church body and are still searching for what authentic faith means to them. Not coincidentally they were the generation that most felt the direct fallout from the conflict over the meaning of authenticity among the previous generations.
• The latest generation does not have any problem identifying authenticity. They not only know what it means to them, they are fully engaging it. The folks in their teens to mid-20s see hands-on ministry as the best expression of authentic Christianity. They enjoy Christian service that gets them into the streets- among the people- especially those in need. They do not seem to possess the worship style concerns of previous generations nor do they have the same sense of loyalty to a particular church as their parents and grandparents. While this alarms many, this group is not content to sit in the pews. There is an energy here centered less around an institutional church approach and more around a personal ministry approach. These would be among the first in our churches to volunteer for relief work in Haiti. (Please continue to pray for this hurting country.)

Now with any such theory, it is far from static. Certainly lines blur among the generations and other ideas of authenticity exist. But if this theory has any merit it could help us better understand and respect each other.  This then could create a healthier and trusting atmosphere in which we could all learn and grow together.

What do you think?

Sometimes There Are No Answers

Right now I have several friends and acquaintances who are undergoing tough spiritual times. Life has not recently been kind to them or those they care deeply about which has created tension within their faith journey.

They all are asking “why” and are not finding adequate answers. Occasionally they have gotten angry- angry even at God.

My only point of reference here was during my divorce. I did ask “why.”  I remember being so angry that I literally shouted at God. At times I thought about throwing in the towel- of quitting. I mean if God cannot help me when I need him most- what is the point, right?

Well- for me- I learned God was helping me when I needed him most. I learned his shoulders were big enough and he was graceful enough to handle my anger and even the shouting.  I learned he was tightly loving me through it all. I learned that he can take our hurtful situations and work for us and through us in them. (For a full treatment of this idea I recommend reading The Shack by William Young- but be ready- it is a little out-of-the-box.)

What I didn’t get though were answers to all my questions. Still don’t have them.  In my journey I learned that sometimes there really are no answers- and eventually I learned to live with that.

That was my journey, but I know for others it is not that simple.

So, below I offer an attempt at an answer of sorts to the “why moments” of life. This effort was a part of a “case-study”  assignment in a class I recently completed on Old Testament Theology. It may help deal with the “why moments” or it may not, but for what it is worth I offer it to my friends and whomever may be in the middle of these types of struggles.  I offer it knowing full well that theology (as I admit in the study) often feels cold and impotent in the midst of our suffering. But I do offer it- in love and respect and in hopes that maybe a word written here may somehow be helpful. (Warning- it is lengthy so it will take a bit of time commitment to read it)

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This case study is just another illustration of the long-felt tension between the actions of a God presented in Scripture as just, kind and loving and his interaction or perceived lack thereof in human events– which do not seem to reflect this revealed character. The study also underscores major theological challenges in adequately addressing this tension, not necessarily because theology cannot provide an answer, but because often the answer seems academic and distant from the emotions of the moment. It is usually takes time for deep pain to soothe and to process the understanding of how the Lord has chosen to act.

To address the questions raised by this case study I would begin at the very point of contention: that is, God’s nature. I would offer an assuring word that God is, in fact, just as he is revealed to be within Scripture. He is a God who is kind, loving and just; one who has entered into a relationship with us and therefore is a God who is deeply moved by our actions and sufferings, and one who will respond to them. His history with us demonstrates this (Job 38-42; Exodus 6:5-7; 2 Kings 20:1-6; Jeremiah 12). This history teaches us that he is not an indifferent or isolated God. He remains out and about in his creation in relationship with man working for his redemptive purpose. While this may not eliminate the immediate tension created by questions posed in this case study- it does provide foundational truths about God vital to any long-term theological understanding.

Even as we present these images of God, there will always be an element of mystery surrounding exactly how he is working in and among us toward his redemptive purpose. I do believe the ideas expressed in Isaiah 55:8-9 speaks powerfully to this discussion. Contextually speaking, there were- no doubt- similar questions of “why” being asked around Isaiah. Isaiah gave a reassuring answer to the cries but modified it with the knowledge that God acts and reacts in ways that at times are not completely comprehensible by us. We want results based upon our immediate needs, limited understanding and perceived idea of justice. God, on the other hand, is not limited in these ways and has an eternal perspective in mind. He must and will act according to his righteous nature and how he chooses to accomplish this remains a mystery to us based upon our limitations. So, while we may not be able to answer exactly why events do unfold, often unfavorably in our eyes, we can be comforted in knowing that God is working within them through his mysterious purpose to ultimately eliminate suffering from having the last word. He did it for Israel and he is doing it for us.

Like Israel he is asking us to trust. To me, this remains the central focus in offering answers to the “why” questions. It is because we will not be able to understand God’s mysterious ways; we must never cease to grow in our trust toward him. Prayer is a powerful tool in this process. The Old Testament is full of various lament narratives when people caught up in the “why moments” cried out to God and God responded. Interestingly, he usually did not respond when and how these people expected. Job demanded of God to answer his “why” questions. He got the response and in the process learned that he was totally incapable of fully grasping God’s mysteries. Yet he clung to God in his oppression and God rescued him. While in Egyptian bondage, Israel cried out to God for deliverance for generations and God moved to bring freedom (Exodus 6:5-7) but only when he through his mysterious will, knew the time was right. Daniel prayed and fasted for over three weeks before receiving the details of a revelation given to him (Daniel 10). He certainly could have given up because he got no immediate answer but he did not. He kept praying and trusting. Daniel lived during the time of Israel’s exile when thousands were lamenting their lost identity to God. God heard them and eventually restored their land because they kept praying and trusting. So we must keep praying and trusting if we are to process in a spiritually healthy manner the “why” questions of life. Ultimately God will reward this trust– he always has. He will deliver us from the oppression (emotionally and physically) such situations create. This may be here or it may be hereafter.

There also must be the acknowledgment that another element is at work in the creation to deal with the “why” questions. God put within his creation the element of freedom which Satan exploited to cause the sufferings generating most of the “why” questions. His exploitation of this freedom has done tremendous damage to God’s original purpose for his creation and God continues to work diligently to correct this damage in order to restore that original purpose. When full restoration occurs, we can be certain the “why” questions will be resolved and the tensions surrounding them erased as God will be fully known and understood (Jeremiah 33:31-34).  It is God’s promise of rescue again- which underscores further the need for prayer and trust.

Finally, it would be essential to this analysis to note that within his creation God has allowed for randomness. (Ecclesiastes 9:11). God has not created us with our lives all mapped out. Our futures can include different options based upon our actions and decisions (Jeremiah 22:1-5). This is part of the freedom God allows in his creational work and this freedom can often lead to suffering. Time and chance will happen to us all often as a direct result (but not always) of our choices which God freely allows us to make. Couple that with the continual effects of Satan’s exploitive work, not just in our personal lives but in all of creation itself, and it does provide a context in which the “why moments” will occur. Throughout all of this, God continually asks for our trust and he promises to reward it with rescue- as he has consistently done throughout history.

To me this is a proper way to engage the “why” questions. By putting them into a discernable context, we can emerge from the tension and pain they create into a stronger relationship with God. In the end the only meaningful way to resolve “why” challenges of life is simply to rest in the presence of loving, kind, and just God.