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Nothing Is New Under the Sun

I like to read biographies, but my choice is rarely that of a politician. I happened across Lomask’s incredibly well researched first of two volumes on Aaron Burr, Vice-President under Thomas Jefferson’s administration, and mostly known for his duel with Alexander Hamilton in Weehawken, New Jersey. The book focuses on the years between 1756 and 1805, tumultuous ones to say the least, in the forming of a new republic.

As I read the book, I was astonished by the facts of complex political intrigue, conspiracies, and political stratagem of the founding fathers steeped in securing personal gain, power, and frequent outright greed. It is far from the romanticism portrayed in history textbooks we encountered in elementary and high school—heroic narratives of selfless courage in the face of colonial oppression on behalf of the ordinary citizen. It is an entirely different story that made my head spin, the same response upon reading close narratives of the likes of Washington and Lincoln.

We can certainly make allowances for the country’s newness, and that the guys at the helm were experimenting with never before tried concepts of law and order. Nevertheless, it was a time marked by divisiveness entrenched in party affiliations to secure government positions and power, much like what we are witnessing in government two centuries later. John Quincy Adams wrote in his memoirs, “The country is so totally given up to the spirit of party, that not to follow blindfold the one or the other is an inexpiable [incapable of atonement] offense.”

The moral compass of leaders at the time of the founding of our nation was not much different from today. Each had positive character traits and exhibited passion for the nation to succeed in its fledgling years, but to characterize them as moral giants or paragons of virtue is pure fantasy. It was not uncommon for politicos to engage in scandalous affairs both moral and financial, to manipulate the power of the press with libelous writings, and to engage in plotting that came dangerously close to sedition. It is the fate of all nations—none are free from the squabbling over power.

It is a wonder, and I would go so far as to say miraculous, that we have survived our turbulent past to create a nation that has the eyes of the world upon it. We are a nation born out of revolution. We are most unified in times of deep distress and attack. We lay down our passionate differences and personal emolument for a greater cause—survival. As a nation, are we at that place of needing to unite against a common enemy once more?

As I ponder this big question, I am drawn to the source of divine wisdom in Ecclesiastes, a billboard for the foibles of humanity. “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Eccles. 1:2b NASB) and “That which has been done is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun” (Eccles. 1:9 NASB). History testifies to the truth of this statement, particularly when it repeats. This, I believe, is the power of the historical books of the Bible like 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. They reveal the character of flawed humanity, particularly in crisis, and the desperation for reliance on God for repentance, strength, direction, and restoration.

Our nation, our people, our way of life, and our freedoms are being challenged and our resolve is precarious amid the political voices regardless of party affiliations promising a new direction. Certainly more than ever in my lifetime, the future is at stake. What brings peace to the soul in times of unrest and gives us strength to endure with hope? If we lose hope, we are indeed finished. Our faith and hope cannot rest on the promises of humans, even those with good intentions, because they are subject to disappointment with the changing tides of events. We can, however, look to the rock of our salvation that gives us strength and assurance. We can stand on the immutable Word of the living God. We can seek His wisdom and direction to navigate the raging seas of a world that seems to have gone mad, with full confidence that He does not withhold any good thing from His children.

Ecclesiastes concludes with these words:

“But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writings of many books is endless, and the excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Eccles. 12:9–14).

 

 

Copyright 2105 by Eva Benevento. All rights reserved.

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Merry Christmas and Happy Winterfest

By now Christmas cards have been sent, homes elaborately decorated with lights and puffy inflatable characters, trees elegantly trimmed awaiting “oohs and aahs,” and presents wrapped to dazzle and tease their recipients. Special cookies are baked, tempting eager holiday revelers to overindulge. Santa Clause in all his versions with assorted elves, Rudolph and his reindeer cohort, and Frosty, before he melts, have made their appearances in malls and store displays.

Ridiculous Christmas ditties fill the radio airwaves like “When Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney,” and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” Parents dutifully sit through the “holiday chorus performance” of their cherubs singing holiday selections, all in compliance with school multicultural policies. Holiday parties with work colleagues have been dutifully planned and executed.

Literally hundreds of movies containing Christmas content are available for “holiday spirit” viewing with enough sappy emotional sugar to give you a mental coma. Can you miss one December without viewing some version of Scrooge, or Ralphie’s passion for the Red Ryder B.B. gun in A Christmas Story. Not to be outdone by Hollywood, workplace parties, family gatherings, and church celebrations have been planned with anticipation of much merrymaking, and in some cases, too much, outdone only by New Year’s Eve a week later.

Oh, and about the shopping—the economics of Christmas almost defies description. Retailers depend on a strong Christmas shopping season as the core of their yearly profits. Midnight on Thanksgiving Day is a frenzy of wild-eyed shoppers who trample each other in eagerness to grab bargains off store shelves and even from the arms of other shoppers. Phone videos have gone viral.

Gift lists are all about how much to spend and the quality of the gift for each person on the holiday roll call, typically based on an even exchange. “What would so-and-so think if I didn’t spend about the same for a present or even outdo them?” Re-gifting is a social taboo. Credit cards are burning through slides and debt will take all of next year to pay it off with interest rates higher than loan sharks. Hey, it’s all about the “Christmas Spirit.” Should you decide to tone it down, you would have to relinquish the validation of “Oh, you shouldn’t have,” for that expensive gift, even though they would be disappointed if you didn’t.

Imagine what would happen if everyone decided to take the same amount of money they spend on Christmas presents and give it to a favorite charity on behalf of the person to whom they would normally give a gift? Missionaries would not have to itinerate for support. There would be enough to do all of the great charitable work both religious and secular in our communities, and donors would even receive a tax deduction (at least until IRS decides to remove it). Feel free to take a hint here.

Is finding Jesus in the Christmas frenzy like “Where’s Waldo?” How much of what we do is Christ-centered, the whole point of Christmas, and how much is purely cultural tradition out of control? I’m not against celebrations. I like good food, a festive atmosphere, happy people, and gifts. I like outdoor decorations, but it seems that every Christmas we hear about some town’s conflict between putting up non-descript winter decoration like monstrous snowflakes instead of the creche that had been there for 30 years. It tempts us to tap the “like” button for the “Keep Christ in Christmas” Facebook memes sometimes posted by the very people who keep the holiday gerbil running on its wheel.

Here’s a thought: If all of the secular stuff that is called Christmas would be given a different name, the conflict between the sacred and profane would be eliminated and we would not be hearing rants about how we should be wishing people “Merry Christmas,” not “Happy Holidays.”  Let’s just call it Winterfest or some other euphemism that works for the season. Like Harry Potter, Santa Claus can remain as a fantasy character who slides down chimneys that don’t exist, deposits presents made in a toy workshop in a polar region visible only to imaginary friends, and eats cookies and milk on his way back up the chimney. Isn’t it ironic that the same people who object to the Harry Potter books perpetuate the Santa myth with their kids. Let’s not even go to the Easter bunny and Tooth fairy.

We can set a different date to celebrate the fact of Jesus’ birth in a more Christian context, even in a different season since most biblical scholars agree that Jesus was not even born in December. We could create completely new traditions that are more in keeping with the meaning of Christ’s arrival. We can keep the old ones that actually agree with Scripture. A real Christmas–what a concept! Back to reality.

Before I’m written off as a close relative of the Grinch, let me assure the holiday loving world that my annual family newsletter is printed, Christmas cards written and addressed, and all mailed on time hoping they are not mistakenly routed to the North Pole among the sea of letters to Santa. Cards and greetings I receive will be read and reread with smiles and gratitude before becoming part of the Christmas decor. The few decorations that have managed to survive multiple garage sales have been unearthed and put into place. If Christmas is still on for this December, I plan on baking Oma’s special cookies while listening to Bing Crosby’s Christmas album like I always do. I plan on inviting family and friends for a sumptuous meal, and purchase gifts without blowing next year’s manicure budget. I will also watch Bedford Falls pour their love for George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life and sneak a peek at Alistair Sim’s portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption. The Nativity Story will be read with joy, gratitude, and prayers for peace on earth and good will to humanity. Some traditions are worth keeping.

Whatever traditions we keep and maybe start new ones, let’s do them and pass them on with a glad heart and sane mind. I wish you a happy season of selfless generosity, warm company of family and friends, and in remembrance of the One who came to Earth for the sake of peace.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

May your Christmas celebration have as its centerpiece extravagant worship and joy in the presence of the King of kings, our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

 

Copyright 2015 by Eva Benevento. All rights reserved.

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Remember Who You Are!

A story is told about King Richard, the Lionhearted. Whether it is legend or truth, I do not know, but here is the tale. King Richard was in a battle facing defeat. He had not known defeat in battle, so sounding retreat was a difficult decision. He was just about to signal retreat when a close companion in war came to him and said, “Remember who you are.” Instead of calling for retreat, he ordered a charge and his army won the battle.

Winning the battle is great. We all love to win in the battles of life, whether they are large or small. But that’s not the message of the story. Our victories or defeats can be eventually traced back to what we believe about ourselves. Who am I? To whom do I belong?

The race we run as believers hinges on our identity in Christ. Battles are won, lost, or remain in stalemate in the the fight, and yet, we have been given the insider clues. Transformation of how we identify ourselves as disciples, sons and daughters, empowered ones, is a soul (will, emotions, intellect) issue and is critical in whether or not we are victorious. We are positioned for transformation by salvation, but the transformation–the change from the inside out–occurs continuously as we engage in the living Word of God, commune with Him, and receive Holy Spirit’s revelation. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2, NASB, emphasis added). The Spirit in us is given ascendancy and we are empowered for victories.

How you view yourself and your significant relationships is critical to how you approach your life’s situations and battles. You are what you believe you are, spiritually and psychologically. We all esteem ourselves based on early familial relationships and our history of validations. Self-esteem is the conclusion drawn from the accumulation of successes or failures we experience. The truth of those conclusions, however, may be a moving target. We make decisions in critical moments based on whether or not we believe we can win. People with low self-esteem have a history of lack of honest and positive validations and tend to make poor decisions because they do not believe they are worthy of better. We also make determinations on spiritual level based on what we believe about ourselves, to whom we belong, and what God has said in His Word.

Receiving Christ makes us a new creation. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:16 NASB). We have the opportunity to write a new book based on better promises and glorious validations. “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons [and daughters] by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:15 NASB). Remember who you are! You are no longer a disaster or a loser. You come to the battle of life as a child of the living God, accepted in the beloved (Eph. 1:6), fully empowered by His Spirit.

We are not alone or ill equipped in the struggles of life. We have direct access to God and the heavenlies. Jesus said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” (Heb. 13:5b NASB). Jesus also said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26 NASB). Sometimes we forget who we are and whose we are. We need reminders. Remember who you are!

King Richard had an army that was prepared and equipped to face the battles they encountered. It serves here to tell us that we need equipping and the tools to engage an enemy for victory. Our natural minds understand that. It is also true in the spiritual realm (Rom. 12:2). Ephesians 4 describes the equipping of believers and the sixth chapter tells of the armor of God we use to stand firm in the face of evil. Sandwiched in between is an injunction of how we are to behave towards one another so that we lead peaceable lives, and the epistle ends with a powerful statement. “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible” (Eph. 6:24 NASB).

I repeat once more, remember who you are!

 

Copyright 2015, Eva Benevento. All rights reserved.

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Does Theology Matter?

Does theology matter? Theology, in its most basic form, seeks to explain what we believe about God and His creation. The patristic period in early Christianity seems to have been a stormy world of “isms”—Docetism, Gnosticism, Donatism, Arianism, Pelagianism, Monarchianism, Apollinarianism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism, mostly named after their leader. It should be no surprise that issues were identified with specific clergy. They were the educated ones at the top of the ecclesiastical food chain pulling supporters for their doctrinal interpretations with intense conviction among the uneducated. (Donatists actually became violent until Augustine’s side prevailed). The resulted early creeds reveal the forefathers’ struggle to remain faithful to solo scriptura, while grappling over the essentials that make our faith distinctively Christian. Perhaps that is the real power of the Apostles Creed, which seems to have served the common ground for a long time.

Doctrinal arguments certainly did not end with the patristic times or establishment of Creeds. Over the centuries we find a long laundry list of isms— Pietism, Calvinism, Arminianism, Molinism, just to name a few. We identify ideologies with places, people, and revivals like the Moravians, Great Awakenings, Cane Ridge Revival, Azuza Street Revival, Toronto Blessing, Brownsville Revival. Within the past century, we use “isms” and movements virtually synonymously—Faith-Cure Movement, Latter Rain Movement, Charismatic Movement, Word of Faith Movement, Third Wave Movement. It has a less “schismatic” feel to it if we call it a movement. Predictably, waves of critical and rebuttal polemics always accompany revivals, awakenings, and movements, and current ones are no exception.

Eccumenicals like the idea that in spite of differing streams of thought, though some push the boundaries of common doctrine and even cross over now and then, they are “big enough” to embrace those who are polar opposites of their tribe. They like to believe we are one in Christ all moving in the same direction—the Kingdom, but somehow that never quite works in practice. Let’s face it, we tend to stay in our own stream and sometimes venture into ones that are close enough for comfort. But when or how does the stream become cut off from the headwaters to the degree that it is a completely different river? When does a theological “ism” wander so far into the heretical neighborhood that it no longer qualifies as Christian? Is it possible to accept certain heretical beliefs and still be Christian? If so, which ones? What are the defining beliefs that separate Christians from non-Christians? And foremost, what does Scripture say about the opposition to core beliefs?

Tomes have been written to these questions, but for the sake of brevity, let’s go to the core of the matter. To be Christian—a follower of Christ—means to be wholly committed to following Him and His teachings and to grow in grace and truth. It means that we believe what He taught; follow His example in worship prayer; and love as He did. Christianity is about who Jesus is and who we are in Him as disciples and family. Believing implies knowing what He said and did, and what He said about Himself.

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Col. 2:6—12 NASB, emphasis added).

The crux of the matter is said in these six sentences. Jesus—the fullness of Deity—is the head, the leader, and we walk in resurrection power through faith in Him. We are complete in Him, lacking nothing. As much as we honor His followers—the likes of Luke, Paul, Peter, and James, and even leaders of the faith up to the present—real ones always point us to Jesus as the model of our faith. Furthermore, we have the promise of the Holy Spirit. In the words of Jesus, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26).

Theology does matter when it comes to the heart of the faith. What we believe about Jesus determines how we navigate through this world and into the next—both Christian and non-Christian. So it has to matter. The “isms” we encounter that are about doctrines not related to the personhood and work of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, separate the river into its tributaries, but still may be part of the river system flowing from the throne of God. We can have differences of doctrines concerning how we interpret such things as the millennial reign (premillenian, postmillennial, amillenial) without departing from Christianity. We can differ in the baptism formula (in the Name of Jesus only, or in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and still call one another brethren.

For the Christian, Jesus is both human and divine (John 1:1—5). We believe He was crucified, died, was resurrected from the dead. We believe He ascended into heaven where He intercedes on our behalf. We believe in the parousia, the second coming. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who leads and guides the Church. These things are non-negotiable. If doctrines do not draw water from the same source—the head of the Church, Jesus—they are not in His river regardless of what the followers call themselves. Pretty straightforward stuff.

We need discernment guided by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, no doubt about it. The ultimate test, however, is what do you believe about Jesus Christ? It’s not that hard. The gospel (good news) is simple and was never intended to be complicated. How else would we be able to believe and understand? Keeping the essentials in the forefront helps us love and even appreciate one another when our kayak is paddling down a different stream from the barge that is floating down another tributary of the same river.

 

 

 

Copyright 2015 Eva Benevento. All rights reserved.

 

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Thoughts on Thanksgiving

Federal holidays that celebrate events tend to be fixed. Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of every November. Independence Day is always July 4th and New Year’s Day is January 1—you certainly can’t fudge the calendar on those days. Labor Day is always the first Monday of September. Veterans Day is always November 11 regardless of the day of the week.

Federal holidays that celebrate people seem to have fallen victim to a preference for weekend extension. Washington and Lincoln have been completely obliterated. Now it’s just Presidents’ Day, always on a Monday. Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, January 15th, is only celebrated on the 15th if it’s a Monday. Columbus Day, originally October 12th, is now only on Mondays where it is celebrated. In some states it’s totally ignored due to political correctness. I guess celebrating people is not quite as fixed as events. But this is about Thanksgiving, although sadly, some attribute it as Turkey Day. Just google Thanksgiving images and see what pops up.

Thanksgiving is a unique holiday in that it doesn’t celebrate an individual(s) or the importance of an event. It celebrates an idea, even though it has experienced metamorphosis over the years. It used to be that there was considerable remembrance of the Mayflower sojourners on the shores of Patuxet (Plymouth Colony) nearly 400 years ago. Attention was given to the kindness of the Wampanoag people who helped the “saints and strangers” survive their harsh beginnings and shared their blessed table. Thanksgiving celebrations during harvest times were common enough in the seventeenth century, and thankfulness was always directed to God, the provider of the goodness bestowed upon them.

I wonder to whom atheists give thanks, or maybe they just don’t. Never having been one, I can’t speak from personal experience. Believers in God still manage to hold on to at least some of the early heritage, but our secular world that once remembered the Pilgrims and Native Peoples has pretty much abandoned all resemblance to its beginnings. Football, cartoons of turkeys trying to escape the inevitable, and blitz shopping seem to have replaced the original meaning of the day.

The overwhelming barrage of advertising makes us much more aware about the degree to which people succumbed to the enticements of bargains. Have we replaced a celebration of the goodness of God with mobs of shoppers attacking shops and malls for that pre-Black-Friday-good-deal of the century? Obviously there are enough participating consumers for businesses to forego closing shop for a day, which formerly gave their employees time to be with their families. That’s really a tragic loss for civilization. Is there nothing left that is more valuable than separating frenzied shoppers from their wallets or credit cards on fire from sliding through machine slots?

No, God does not fall off of His throne if you go shopping on Thanksgiving. My intent was not to inject readers with shoppers guilt—well, maybe a little. I mostly want to redirect attention to the point of celebrating. Give some thought to the origins and meaning of the day. You have probably already made plans, but just in case you have a bit of extra umph and some cash, consider sharing your good fortune with someone who doesn’t. Invite someone to your table who might be alone. Send a special monetary offering to a legitimate mission that feeds the poor (I know a few if you need suggestions). Give some of your time and energy into serving. Really, you will be so happy you did. Remember to give thanks to the Holy One and have a blessed Thanksgiving.

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Shaken Out of the Magnolias

I love old movies, especially black and white films from the 1940s—before my time I must add quickly in case you may think it is a sentiment from my childhood. They were filmed before ratings but a pretty strict code of decency controlled the industry, much more so than today. Isn’t it amazing that you can make fabulous films without sexually explicit scenes and profanity.

My recent view was Watch on the Rhine, starring Bette Davis and Paul Lukas, an Academy Award winning WWII propaganda classic written by Lillian Hellman and Dashell Hammett. A line from the film caught my attention. Lucile Watson playing the role of Fanny says, “We’ve been shaken out of the magnolias,” when she learns of the evil political plot against her son-in-law and realizes the reality of war. I had a mental image of sitting in a magnolia tree and suddenly being shaken out by an unknown force.

I think we have all been shaken out of the magnolias this past week with news of the carnage in Paris. No words are adequate to express the horror as I watched the events unfold on news channels. It was not a movie where I remind myself that the killings are not real. It was not a military battle where I can somehow justify death by war if so inclined. People were simply going about their lives—having dinner, watching a sporting event, attending a concert, when they became the target of evil.

The coordinated assault on Paris is not about deranged gunmen or workplace violence. It’s a scenario that takes place over and over in the Middle East where war is not between armies, but between ideologies and belief systems in the midst of ordinary people going about their lives. The struggle for political power, societal control, economic dominance, and religious extremism all wrapped in one word—jihad—is a global threat that reaches beyond imaginary or porous borders. This is not simply somebody else’s issue in a far away land. Paris has shown that it is everybody’s issue.

How do we make sense out of it and how do we respond? Where do we stand firm and what are we willing to compromise for resolution? I vividly remember the many months of daily deaths in Vietnam listed on the news while politicians argued over the shape of the table for peace negotiations to everyone’s frustrations. Identifying the warring sides was much more apparent then. Now, who are the players? How do you war against an ideology when the leaders and groups are not discernable? Three years ago ISIS was not in the news. It was a group embedded in other groups. Suddenly they are in the forefront. Who else is in the wings waiting for recognition?

Ephesians 6:12 (NASB) states, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” I think these words best describe the source of this struggle, yet flesh and blood are used by evil to wreak havoc on the world. Most assuredly, the Western world has been shaken out of the magnolias. Our response as Christians who have been profoundly affected by this latest abomination should not be one of reaction, but rather one of response. It has to be one where we engage the warfare with spiritual weapons—the Word of God and prayer bountifully wrapped in love for God’s creation (yes, love even for our enemies).

When I speak of love, I’m not thinking “ushey-gushey” roses and candy. Love in this context to me means prayer for combatants to come to a saving knowledge of God and truth. It is only when the love of God in a personal encounter grips hearts that swords are made into plowshares. I’m not a pacifist and I do believe that governments should have effective military to protect its citizens, and that sometimes war is justifiable. I am also a staunch patriot when it comes to loving this country. That does not change how I view the Christian response to pray and love.

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing” (1 Cor. 12:1-3, NASB).

I believe God’s word that says love never fails (1 Cor. 12:8a). Love means to pray for the presence of God to prevail in the lives of our enemies; that they come to the knowledge of truth and the goodness of God; that they lay down their hate and receive the blessings of the eternal good God so that all may live in peace. I think this is what Jesus had in mind when He said to love your enemies so we all can enjoy the magnolias.

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Things That Make You Go Yikes!

People collect comic books, stamps, lunchboxes, or just about anything that captures their attention. I admit I do have my own collections. One of them is a list of ministers’ postings on Facebook regarding faith that makes me go “Yikes!” I collect them as examples of leadership gone awry, or examples of statement that are misleading at best and heretical at worst. I’m always amazed at the number of responses that affirm statements with “Yes! Amen! Preach it!” (usually with multiple exclamation points), no doubt out of loyalty to the minister, and all the while I want to yack.

For the sake of face-saving on behalf of the person who wrote the two examples, I quote them anonymously. Who posted them is simply unimportant and these two examples have been posted and hopefully forgotten quite some time ago. Furthermore, if it is a public post, it is fair game to discuss and believe me, these two quotes will not go down in history as deep or inspiring.

Okay, here’s one that made me shake my head more than once. “The devil took Jesus to the temple. Plan to meet the devil at church.” Seriously? The statement is a clear reference to the temptations of Jesus after the forty-day fast in the wilderness. Let’s break it down. According to Matt. 4:5 and Luke 4:9 Jesus was lead to the pinnacle of the Temple, not in the Temple, so although the precision is not there, at least it is close enough to locate the text. That’s where the best of the quote ends. The implication is that somehow devils occupy churches and like Jesus, who was tempted by the devil on sacred ground and defeated him by the Word of God, we will encounter a devil in sacred space and have to do the same. What utter nonsense.

First of all, why would anyone plan to meet the devil anywhere, much less at church where we gather to celebrate God in His presence? Is the presence of God not holy enough to clear the spiritual atmosphere? The incredible audacity of the statement’s author is to link the moment when Jesus made a critical declaration of faith in quoting Ps. 91:11-12 to silence the enemy and declare the glory of God (OUTSIDE of the Temple) with a negative criticism of the church as if it is the abode of devils.

The company of believers in a church is not perfect and may not even be sinless. Surely if an individual is demonized and needs deliverance, God’s power is available through believers to cast it out, but it would certainly not be a regular expectation when going to church. This kind of statement falls into the category of devil-chasing where there are none, something that I have little interest in doing. If I encounter one, and I have, I deal with it and move on to the things of God. I am much more interested in what God is doing in His Kingdom.

A bit later, the same minister posted, “Out of disaster God brings forth wisdom. From David’s adultery God brought forth a king.” Double yikes! The implication is that David’s actions, albeit sinful, had some redemptive value. In a failed attempt at being witty, the writer of this quote lacks clarity of thought for the benefit of doubt, not to mention biblical inaccuracy.

First of all, to set the record straight, the child that was conceived during David’s adultery died (2 Sam. 12:18). The Davidic lineage did not proceed from the adultery pregnancy. It was the next child of Bathsheba, Solomon, who inherited the throne and the lineage of Jesus came through David, then Solomon and his son Rehoboam (Matt. 1:7-8).

Next, I would ask, did God bring forth wisdom out of disaster in the case of David? Does anyone really believe that David did not know he committed sin? If we examine 2 Sam. 12, we see that the Lord send Nathan, the prophet, to bring David correction. Wisdom certainly came out of the prophetic words, and God’s love is so great that He brings His Word to deliver David and us from our mess. The point, however, is that God does not need our mess to do that. He has given us equipping to preempt sin and its consequential suffering.

Does God needs disasters to extract wisdom out of it for us? God forbid! God’s wisdom is given a number of ways—in His Word, the revelation from His Word by the Holy Spirit, through the supernatural gift of the word of wisdom, and/or communion with God in prayer. Can we learn something out of a disaster? Of course. We draw conclusions out of cause and effect. Wisdom could just as well come from the natural consolations of the ungodly after the fact. Why waste sufferings? The ultimate point is that that of theodicy. Bad things do happen, but they are never orchestrated by God to give us wisdom. God can surely reveal something out of the mess, but that is not God’s intent. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting (Ps. 138:1). ALL THE TIME.

I bring up these thoughts knowing full well that some readers are thinking, “Wow, how unloving,” or “Judge not.” To that I must say that the most loving thing one can do is to tell someone truth. Furthermore, I am not judging people, I am assessing statements, which I believe should be judged. If there were another inference, it would be that ministers need to think before they post. People take what ministers say seriously and assume that they speak from a position of biblical knowledge and understanding. I take the position that theology matters—a lot, and we are accountable for what we say, particularly as ministry leaders, and I include myself on that. We must be mindful that what we declare should be, to the best of our ability, the revealed truth found in God’s Word that edifies and inspires the reader.

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Give Me an R for Revival, Part 3

Revivals change people, communities, and even nations for the better. Every true revival in history has restored and improved such things as the moral compass of individuals, healing, care for the “lease of these,” business dealings, and even governments. Knowing what revival is (Part 1) and what not to do in stewarding it (Part 2) is important, but how do we get there in the first place? Revival is not something humans can conjure though no doubt some have tried. God is the originator and controller of the outpourings of His grace and supernatural moves, but is there something that moves the heart and hand of God? What can we do to position ourselves to petition for and to receive revival?

REMOVE THE HIGH PLACES

The high places in Scripture are places of worship, including worship of idols (Lev. 26:30). It’s easy to comprehend idolatry in the context of ancient paganism—Baal and Ashteroth. The idols of the twenty-first century are no less objectionable albeit subtle—entertainments, financial prowess, talents, celebrities, hobbies, excessive devotion to duties. These do not necessarily have to be things considered sinful. Even ministries can be idolatrous when they are more focused on doing good works than loving God. Good works must be the outcome of loving God, not the path to righteousness. Is there something occupies the center of your heart above the love of God? Is there something that draws your attention to the degree that communion with the Lord takes second place or gets short shrift? Idolatry is whatever takes your heart of adoration away from the lover of your soul. In that sense, it is much like adultery in a marriage as the metaphor of marriage betrayal is often used in Scripture to describe idolatry. Psalm 75:58 says, “For they provoked Him with their high places and aroused His jealousy with their graven images.”

RESPECT

Besides the deep love of God, the second great commandment is to love one another. Stored up offenses only end in building thick walls that keep others at arms length. We are called to love one another as Jesus loves. That means we must release offenses with forgiveness to free ourselves. Even when no offense exists, respect one another as fellow heirs of the Kingdom and have the humble heart of a servant. Humility is sometimes misunderstood. It is not feeling unworthy. Rather, it is a deep knowing that each person is fearfully and wonderfully made, worthy of being loved. Honoring one another then becomes less difficult. Humility also displays an attitude of serving rather than selfish grasping. It may come as a shock, but none of us is the center of the universe. If we are seeking revival, it is sustained for as long as God wills and as we have love for one another.

REPENT

Revivals are characterized by much repentance—change of heart, change of direction, change of loyalties, change of attitudes and opinions. Change is rarely easy, especially when it’s about a well-entrenched character issue. Nevertheless, who would follow someone whose character is shady? Nobody has to tell people who have a conscience what sin is. They already know even when they don’t want to admit it. God knows every human heart, weakness, and frailty. His mercy and grace helps us overcome them as they come to the surface. That is repentance. We have the capacity to make change in areas where we are weak if we allow the Holy Spirit to show us, guide us, and strengthen us to make changes that are pleasing to God.

REJOICE

Scripture gives us 240 places where the word rejoice is used. Rejoicing is often connected to worship, particularly in song, but worship is not just singing along to inspiring songs. It is returning to a place of joy (re-joy: rejoice) again and again to seek the face of God, desiring His presence above all things. It gives strength in the weary places as well as in the celebrations. Rejoice in speaking, in songs, in work, in prayer, in worship. Rejoice in the little things as well as the mighty miracles. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice (Phil. 4:4).”

REFLECT

Reflect on God’s character—His goodness, mercy, unfailing love, faithfulness, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence. Meditate on His Word and the richness it holds out for every situation. Pray without ceasing in divine communion in the secret place of the Most High. Selah.

I am convinced that revival starts as a seed in yielded individuals who have prepared the soil of their hearts to receive God’s grace. They allow the wind and breath of the Holy Spirit to overshadow them and fill them. They join with kindred hearts in pursuing revival and expressing it outwards to touch the world. May it be true of hungry hearts today seeking a new outpouring to bring light to this generation.

 

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GIVE ME an R for REVIVAL Part 2

In my last blog, I shared ingredients of revivals. My hope is that these elements stirred up greater desire to seek the Lord for His Will on the matter of revival. This Part Two is on the negative side of humanity and what we should avoid as we seek revival. Personally, I don’t think it is that easy to grieve God because He seems to tolerate a lot of immature stuff as we grow in grace and truth, but when God’s people act ugly, it does not please Him. God has shown us the path of love and we know the faith pleases Him. So when leaders of revival don’t take the love walk, you can be sure that faith is nowhere to be found and the outpouring of the Spirit will stop. How can the Spirit move freely when sin is in the camp?

Things that Hinder or Stop Revival

RANKLING

How many people do you know who are so annoying, you determine that at best, you will love them from a distance? My dad used to say that there are some people whose sole purpose on earth is to aggravate you. It was his way of lowering the blood pressure that wants to blow up. What if you had to work closely with such a person in stewarding a revival? Luke 6:31-33 says, “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” Instead of rankling with one another, we need to stay focused on advancing the Kingdom. God’s Word gives ample advice on how to deal with factious people while maintaining a heart of love, compassion, deference, and acceptance. This is absolutely essential in the midst of revival when things can get messy.

RANCOR

Lack of love among leaders is a death knell for revival. When a leader holds bitterness, unforgiveness, or resentment toward another, the leader brings that darkness to the table. It is very difficult to see the best in a person when looking through the lens of bitterness. It prevents the person from appreciating the gift in that person and even more so, prevents the person from wholeheartedly partnering in the stewardship of revival. If there be an unforgiveness of past injustices or betrayals, they must be released for the perpetrator, and even more so for the victim’s sake so that both can walk in liberty.

RESENTMENT

Lack of respect among leaders is a huge issue in the hindrance of revival. It seems that every revival that was halted had some of these elements: wanting to control who does what, wanting to control the eventual “messiness” of manifestations, dealing with abuses in an unloving manner, wrangling over extra-biblical doctrines, mudslinging in public venues. If leaders want to steward revivals to last as long as the Spirit desires, then they need to walk in the love that is described in Scripture—deferring to one another, praying for one another, valuing the gifts in each other to the edifying of the Church as a whole, exhorting one another to good works, bringing correction in a redemptive manner, exemplifying the love of God.

RETREAT

Retreating from the Church universal into one’s own little circle does not sustain revival. The kind of parochialism that says, “Us four and no more,” consigns the move of God to the few instead of the whole body. That never lasts.

RESISTANCE

The skepticism that only looks to find fault in the unusual is both a lack of faith and a hand grenade to revival. Of course that does not mean we blindly accept anything. This points to the need to be strongly grounded in good theology. We can point to some unusual occurrences in every major revival—shaking, weeping, shouting, leaping, rolling, swooning, and more. When something happens that is outside of the usual paradigm and does not violate God’s Word, we should seek God’s wisdom first instead of slamming it simply because it’s not how we like things or how we usually do things.

RESIGNATION

Pride wears different suits. It may want to present a front of concern for uprightness but with a motive of pushing one’s own agenda. Pride also can look like resignation—leaving without a fuss, but still bearing a heart of resentment. It can also look like strained cooperation—just going along with things but interior unexpressed disagreement–also known as passive resistance. These attitudes can be masked for a while, but the truth always comes out. If revival is properly stewarded, transparency among its leaders must be a high priority. How can two walk together lest they agree (Amos 3:3)?

RAPACITY

As numbers grow, the accountability for monetary stewardship also grows, and it requires people of character and integrity to maintain a pure heart to manage resources. It may seem obvious, but the rapacity for personal gain in money or in numbers of people can never be the motivation for revival or for any other ministry for that matter. That always leads to scandal and never ends well.

 

These hindrances are in our control. We choose to either walk in the love of God or not, and the consequences of our choices are either blessings or not (Deut. 28). The last of this three part series is about preparation—what we do to position ourselves for God’s outpouring.

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GIVE ME an R for REVIVAL: INGREDIENTS, Part 1

In its most basic form, revival means to make alive again something that was once alive and now is or appears to be dead. Someone who comes out of a faint or coma is revived. When it appears on stage again, a Broadway musical is revived from its earlier premier. Fashion designs that mirror past decades are revived with a new twist. Golden Oldies concerts feature revivals of the popular music of decades past.

Meaning of revivals in church contexts can get a little murky. We have individuals experiencing personal revival. Individual churches sometimes experience a spiritual outpouring. Denominational, non-denominational, and inter-denominational spiritual outpourings have occurred and are sometimes called revivals, sometimes awakenings, and other times renewals, which adds to the confusion. Resurgence of interest in things of the Spirit extending to non-churched and non-believing people in a society is also called revival, which is probably a misnomer because they had not been initially spiritually alive (hold on—I’m not jumping into that theological puddle just yet).

From the numerous monographs, articles, newspaper reports, and biographies on revival and revivalists I’ve read, I have come to think of revivals in terms of their effects, whether individual or corporate, more so than trying to define it by longevity or regional influence. I’ve devised a list of ingredients of revival in Part One of this series. My belief is that revivals are sovereign moves of God at His time for His purposes, but we have a part to play in earnestly seeking revival. Is it possible to hinder or stop revivals by what people do or don’t do. Things that hinder or stop revivals are in Part Two. Furthermore, if revival is something we long for, what are the things that position people to receive an outpouring of the Spirit, that is, when something dramatic and different happens to change people and paradigms? Things that position people to receive what God loves to give is in Part Three of the series.

Ingredients of Revival

RENEWAL

The language of revival can be a bit tricky. Sometimes a movement is called a renewal, especially in mainline denominations. It gives one the sense that what is occurring has happened before, has not really been forgotten, but just has not been given the attention it should. That’s pretty much the story of the Charismatic Movement within the context of denominations that embraced it. Be that as it may, the idea of renewing a relationship with the triune God that may have been neglected is a good thing and central to all revivals.

REPENTANCE

Feeling sorry, guilty, or regret for doing wrong is not repentance. It’s only the first step. A sense of shame, guilt, or regret can and should lead one to make a change. If it is only to stuff these feelings into the bag of low self-esteem, it only serves to hurt a person even more. Holding on to guilt, shame, and regret with no recourse is hopeless and fruitless. As Bob Newhart says in his classic and hilarious tv clip, “Stop it!” Repentance is a better way. The word for repentance is metaneo, means a change. It could be a change of direction, a change of thinking, or a change of behavior. Knowing the right direction and actually following it leads to transformation. Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 3:2).” In revivals, we find that repentance, change of direction toward God and His Kingdom, is frequently a theme and desire of multitudes. A deep awareness of the holiness of God in His Presence saturates the atmosphere.

REDEMPTION

In revivals, the person and work of Jesus comes to the forefront. Jesus, the Redeemer, the One who died, was buried, arose from the dead, and ascended to accomplish the redemption of humanity. Because of His sacrifice, we have direct access to the throne of heaven. It was Jesus “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). During revivals, the realization of the One who died on one’s behalf leads multitudes to receive His love, forgiveness, redemption, and welcome into God’s family.

RECLAMATION

To reclaim something is to take back what has been stolen. In revival, we have renewed awareness of what God intended for us and how far short we have fallen due to what the enemy of our souls has robbed. We come to a greater awareness of the extravagant love of God. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Revivals are our opportunities to reclaim the goodness of God that may have slipped away, and even take our relationship with God to a new and deeper place.

REFORMATION

With every revival, God brings a message to the Church, corrects a theological position, or gives a course correction that may have gone awry through tradition or misinterpretation of Scripture. Past revivals have emphasized salvation, holiness, the charismata (gifts of the Spirit), and worship. God has a wonderful way of using revivals to reform how the Church thinks and lives—what to add and what to drop. Major reformation of the Church took place in the sixteenth century, in the eighteenth century, and again in the twentieth century that changed theological perspectives, worship styles and just about every kind of Church life activity. Revivals have a way of reforming what we do, why we do it, and how to do it.

RESTORATION

Revivals also restore fundamental beliefs and doctrines, the basis of reformation. In this last century we have seen the restoration of the gifts, signs and wonder, miracles, healings, and revelation of the authority believers have in Christ. These things have always been available and in operation, but revival brings them to our awareness so that we can engage in what God has for us. It’s all good.

REVELATION

The realities of the Kingdom of Heaven are for us to know and live. The prophetic realm is about hearing from God and speaking forth according to His direction and guidance. It could be telling His Will according to what He has said in His Word (Scripture), confirming His Will, and it may even tell of His Will for the future for an individual, group, or the wider community both churched and non-churched. We can expect revelation because we can have intimate relationship with God where we commune heart to heart. During revivals, the importance of revelation is heightened and sought so that the move or outpouring of God can be properly stewarded to bless.

REVOLUTION

Lastly, past revivals have shown that they influence secular aspects of society. Business dealings are cleaned up, concerns for justice is increased, and greater attention is given to care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. A great example is the Norwegian revival led by Hans Nielson Hauge, where whole industries began that transformed the economic landscape of Norway. Of more recent times we hear of marketplace ministries where the supernatural power of God is taken outside of the church to bless communities. Revivals should change the church, but even more so, change society. As we see evil expanding, we desire God’s revolution to bring sanity and peace in a world gone crazy. Lights shine very brightly in deep darkness.

 

The next part of this series will deal with the components that either hinder or stop revival. As we understand what not to do, we may have a better shot at doing a better job of stewarding the gifts of God.

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