Someone is Wrong...

Thanks to Mike DeBusk for posting this. It was too good to pass up.

Asking the Right Questions About the Church

As we think about the church, we need to ask the right questions.

One of the most basic questions is, "What is the church?" I will not try to give an exhaustive answer to this question. Many other people have already provided better answers to this questions than I could give. The point I'm trying to make is that in order to find the answer to this question, we almost all ask the question, "What does the bible say about what the church is?"

It is always important that we ask what the bible says about _______.

There is another important issue where we are not as consistent in the questions we ask. That question is, "What does the church do?"

We certainly look to scripture to see what it commands in this area. I hope we would all agree to follow the biblical commands about what the church is supposed to do. If we are not willing to do this, then we have some serious issues related to biblical authority.

It is at this point that we run into some serious differences of opinion related to what the church should do. I'm speaking specifically to what is modeled in scripture. It may not be commanded, but it is displayed for us to read about.

This is closely related to the issue of whether or not what we see is prescriptive or descriptive.

So, what question should we ask? We could ask, "Why not follow what is modeled?" We could also ask, "Do we have freedom to not follow what is modeled?"

Let's follow each of these two questions to their end points. First, we may ask, "Why not follow what is modeled?" If we answer by trying to follow what has been modeled, we will obviously only do the things that the apostles gave approval to. For example, we would celebrate the Lord's Supper as a full meal like the church in Corinth. We would not, however, turn the Lord's Supper into a carnal free-for-all like the church in Corinth.

The benefit of asking this question is that we will end up living the life of the church according to practices that were approved of by the apostles. They certainly would have understood better than anyone else what Jesus would have wanted His church to do.

Now to the second question (which is asked very frequently today). That question is, "Do we have freedom to not follow what is modeled?" It can get difficult in a hurry in trying to answer this question. If we assume that we have freedom where the bible is silent, then we will end up doing various things in the life of the church that are not in the bible. These practices are unbiblical in the sense that they are nowhere to be found in scripture.

The problem with this question is that we cannot know for sure whether or not what we are doing is approved by God. Let's take an example: Children's Church. The bible nowhere speaks specifically to this issue. Therefore, many churches have a Children's Church. Is this pleasing to God or is it not? We just don't know.

When we ask this second question over and over, we may end up with numerous church practices that we cannot be certain about. Simply put: we won't know whether God, who is the head of the church, is pleased with what we are doing in His church.

We must be careful to ask the right questions. If we ask what the early church model was and try as best we can to follow this, then we have much more certainty that what we are doing is pleasing to God.

On the Importance of a Humble Attitude Regarding Both Salvation and the Church

While at seminary, the two things that brought the most controversy and/or conversation were the two topics of salvation and the church.

Regarding salvation, the discussions focused upon God's sovereignty and how it relates to man's responsibility. Some would call this Calvinism vs. Arminianism, but that is too simplistic.

As for the church, the big arguments stemmed not so much from what the church is. We were all in agreement that the church is the people of God. No one said the church is a building. The discussions/conversations/controversies were related to what church life looks like.

The troublesome thing was that these topics often generated a lot of negative emotion. I still see this today and I do not understand it. Two Christians will be discussing these issues and become angry. Why?

I suppose the answer is that these are important issues. That was an understatement. Of course they are.

Why, however, do we have to fight over them?

We should, as brothers and sisters in Christ, be able to sit down with our bibles open and discuss in a loving manner what the bible says about these issues.

One problem in all this is that people do not like to give up their traditions. Especially as it relates to church life, people have a comfort zone. When one person challenges another's tradition, the result is often anger.

These are great topics to discuss. My hope is that more Christians will want to talk about them. We can sharpen each other as we look to the bible for answers. We must be willing to be corrected in humility and correct others in love.

I'm sure I do not have everything figured out when it comes to salvation or the church. I'm willing to learn and be corrected. I sure hope that happens.

May we all be humble people who enjoy conversation, correction, and challenge. May we let the bible change what we think - even what we hold dear. May we not become angry, but rather be thankful when a brother or sister shows us where we may are wrong.

"Knowing Scripture"

I think we have all run into many scripture passages that we have struggled to understand. Much of the difficulty for me comes down to how to correctly interpret the passage.

We would agree that understanding how to interpret the bible is of utmost importance. However, how do we in fact do this?

R.C. Sproul has written a helpful little book on this topic. In Knowing Scripture, Sproul tackles the subject in an easy-to-read manner that would be helpful for any student of the scriptures. I would be pleased to recommend this book to anyone interested in biblical interpretation.

In reading this book, I appreciated most what Sproul had to say about what he refers to as creation ordinances. In dealing with how to interpret cultural issues, Sproul writes, "Appeals to creation ordinances reflect stipulations a covenant God makes with humanity. The laws of creation are not given to a Hebrew person or a Christian person or a Corinthian person, but are rooted in basic human responsibility to God. To set principles of creation aside as mere local custom is the worst kind of relativizing and dehistoricizing of the biblical content. Yet it is precisely at this point that many scholars have relativized scriptural principles." (pg. 125)

This book would be a good addition to any library. It is worth the short time it will take to read.

Mariolatry Anyone?

I recently took these photos with my phone while standing outside a local hospital here in Savannah. Photos 1, 2, and 4 are of the Virgin Mary. Photos 3 and 5 show people bowing before Mary. These statues make me feel very uncomfortable because there seems to be much more represented here than simply respect for Mary. Can you say Mariolatry?

Meeting and Eating Together

My friend Alan at The Assembling of the Church has written an excellent post describing his church family's latest gathering. This church is near-and-dear to my heart because it is the church we were a part of while we lived in North Carolina for me to attend seminary. I'm so happy to see how healthy (biblical) this church is being. In their latest gathering, they came together for bible discussion, fellowship, and eating - at the same time! It sounds fascinating and exciting. Click here to read about it.

This Book Beat Me Up

I purchased my copy of Pagan Christianity? several months ago. I have to confess that it was so challenging that after I read a few chapters I put the book on my shelf with no intent of ever finishing it.

Well, after recently reading House Church, I decided to give Pagan Christianity? another try. I finished it this time (and I'm black-and-blue for it).

It's not that the writing style is difficult. Rather, it is what the author, Frank Viola, has to say that is so challenging. Basically, Viola takes a look at many of our church practices and shows that they have pagan roots. This is startling to read and difficult to digest.

The most impressive aspect of this book is the research that went into it. Viola backs up his claims with both the biblical record and church history. He shows that much of what we do in modern, Western Christianity came out of Roman pagan practices. After Emperor Constantine made Christianity the preferred religion in the empire, the pagans brought numerous practices into the life of the church. We still use, with some alteration, many of those practices today.

Viola spends each chapter on a particular topic. Reading these struck me blow-by-blow, as if in a boxing match. The author tells how (for example) the church building, the modern worship service, the modern sermon, and the modern preacher all have pagan backgrounds. By contrast, Viola looks at the biblical record to prove that the early church met in homes, gathered in a participatory manner, took turns speaking during meetings, and looked to Christ for leadership.

Since I'm currently serving as pastor in a traditional, Western church, you can see how this book challenged me a great deal. I'm struggling to know what to do with all this. It is a good struggle, but a struggle nonetheless.

For me, the issue comes down to whether or not the church practices we read about in the New Testament are designed to be prescriptive or descriptive. In other words, is the example we read about in Acts, I Corinthians, etc. what we are supposed to follow (a command) or do we have freedom in this areas (a possibility of what we can do).

I've grown up believing that what we read in the N.T. is simply descriptive. However, the more I study the more I'm beginning to think it may be prescriptive.

What do you think?

Back to Pagan Christianity? - I highly recommend it. Read it (if you dare).

To go to the book's homepage, click here. To order the book, click here.

On the Importance of Strong Pastoral Leadership

"I believe in strong pastoral leadership."

This was a statement that I heard quite a bit while in seminary. Not surprisingly, those who said it were all headed toward being pastors (or at least they hoped so). So, basically they were saying this: they should be strong leaders and treated as such once they were hired by churches.

I also believe in strong pastoral leadership. There is a key difference, however, between what I mean and what those pastors-to-be meant. They key difference focuses on who that pastor is.

While the seminary students were thinking of themselves, I'm talking about Jesus Christ. I believe in the strong pastoral leadership of Jesus Christ over His church. He is the one, and only one, who should be the strong pastoral leader.

Peter makes this abundantly clear in I Peter 5:1-4:

1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

The English word for "pastor" comes from the Greek word used for "shepherd." We see Peter use a form of this word twice in this passage. In 5:2, Peter uses the word as a command to elders. Interestingly, Peter instructs the elders in 5:3 not to acts as lords or be domineering over those in the church. Instead, elders are to be examples.

Who, according to the bible, will exercise strong pastoral leadership? Peter addresses this as well. The person in charge of the church is also the one in charge of the shepherds. He is called the "Chief Shepherd" in 5:4. He is the one who is the one strong leader.

In this passage, it is clearly Jesus Christ who is the Chief Shepherd. He is the strong ruler of His church.

While "strong pastoral leadership" is common among human pastors when referring to what they do, they are being unbiblical when they say and do this.

Jesus is the only real strong pastor of the church. He alone is the Head. He alone has the right.

Most of us other pastors need to get out of the way so the church can see its Chief Shepherd and strong pastor - Jesus Christ.

Walking Savannah in Photos

My daughter (Mary) and I walked through all of Savannah's historic district yesterday. We focused on the city's 24 squares. It was a lot of fun as we enjoyed the architecture, trees, flowers, and statues. These photos that I took provide a feel for our wonderful Southern city.

My Favorite Flowers

These are my favorite flowers. Anyone know why?

St. Patrick?

As we walked Savannah yesterday, we wandered through the local Roman Catholic cathedral. We were greeted by this odd statue of who I presume to be St. Patrick. I especially like the clover in his hand. Sigh.

A Parking Space for All of Us

I took this photo yesterday while walking around in Savannah. The clear intention in to provide a parking space for whoever the set apart member of the clergy is. However, if we want to be biblical, we'll realize that all Christians are ministers (or at least are supposed to be). In light of that, I guess we all get to park here.

It All Hinges on This...

"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." I Cor. 15:20

Does the Old Testament Predict the Crucifixion?

Yes. Two primary examples are Psalm 22:14-18 and Isaiah 53:4-6.

Psalm 22:14-18

14 I am poured out like water,
And all My bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It has melted within Me.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death.
16 For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet;
17 I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me.
18 They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.

Isaiah 53:4-6

4 Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

What Did Jesus Do on Friday?

Colossians 2:13-14, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross."

Preaching to a Captive Audience (Literally)

Yesterday I had a wonderful experience with a captive audience.

Let me back up a bit. A few weeks ago I received a phone call from a chaplain at a local jail here in Savannah. He asked me if I would preach during one of their Easter week gatherings. I told him that I would be honored. At the same time I realized that I didn't really know what to expect.

I arrived at the jail yesterday and was reminded that this was not the comfortable halls of a church building. I had to show my diver's license to prove my identity and could not take my phone into the jail with me. The chaplain met me a few minutes later, and proceeded to escort me through a series of heavy metal doors. This was some serious security.

We walked into a gymnasium that had chairs and some bleachers set up. There were about six of us there at that time (4 chaplains, a man who volunteered to lead the singing, and me). As I thought about it, I figured that I'd be speaking to 20-25 men. I'm not sure where I came up with that figure.

That's when the chaplain told me that I'd be speaking to women. This surprised me. For some reason, I thought the crowd would be male. As I was processing this, about 80-100 ladies came walking in. They were clearly inmates: they all wore the same green outfit that said "inmate" on the back. I had no idea what to expect.

I'll say this - I ended up having a far better time than whatever I was expecting. It was clear from the beginning of the service that most of the ladies there love Jesus. I don't know what they did to get in there and I don't really care. I'm just as much of a sinner as they are. We are equally guilty of breaking all of God's law.

The man who led the singing was fantastic. He was enthusiastic and humble at the same time. He clearly loved Jesus Christ. After several songs that involved a lot of standing and clapping, everyone was ready to hear God's word proclaimed.

I was intimidated at first. Then I remembered that God's word is powerful by itself. I decided to just try to get out of the way of the word. The passage I preached on was the Christ Hymn (Philippians 2:5-11). I wanted to emphasize that at Easter we should think upon the entire work of Christ - all of His humiliation and exaltation.

As I was speaking, I saw before me ladies of different ethnicities, skin colors, backgrounds, educational levels, family dynamics, and, yes, crimes. They all, like everyone else, need Jesus Christ. Based on their reactions to what I was saying, I could tell that some have been saved already, some are interested, and some don't care. I suppose this is what we run into in church every Sunday as well.

As I spoke, the ladies responded vocally. They were agreeing with what Paul said in Philippians 2. As I emphasized that they have hope in Christ no matter what they have done in the past, they began encouraging me.

As usual, I set out to encourage others and instead was encouraged by them. Many of these ladies, who may be in that jail for a long time to come, have a greater zeal for and hope in the Lord Jesus than I do.

I came away both edified and convicted. Their love for the Lord encouraged me and built me up. Their desire for Him made me ask myself what I long for most deeply.

Although I've used the term "captive audience," they were actually much more of an "encouraging gathering." There are a number of ladies there who, despite what their current location may suggest, are great saints of the Lord.

I look forward to returning to speak again. I'll get more out of it than I put into it.

When Should a Church Split? Only if the Gospel is at Stake

Church splits are a scourge upon Christianity. They happen far too often over trivial issues. On top of that, we have so many denominations that I can't even keep track anymore. The divisions are wrong, plain and simple.

Jesus clearly prayed for the unity of His church in John 17:20-21, saying, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."

This begs an interesting question: Should a church ever split? The answer is yes, but only if the gospel itself is at stake. I would also say that this should only occur after much discussion between all parties involved. Those who see themselves as defending the gospel must be certain that the others are rejecting it and not simply using different terminology or emphasizing different aspects of the gospel. Christians should not divide from other Christians.

That said, there are times when churches are forced to split because some of the people reject the gospel itself. When this happens, what is really going on is that those who are of the church are splitting from those who are not of the church. Only those who are saved by the gospel of Christ are part of the church.

We have a situation like this going on in Savannah. I have written previously about Christ Church Savannah. Christ Church is Georgia's first church. Interestingly, both John Wesley and George Whitefield served as rectors there.

A few years ago this church split over the gospel itself. I admire the courageous attitude and actions of those who departed from the Episcopal Denomination in favor of the biblical gospel.

This, sadly, is where things get confusing. There are now 2 (!) groups of people that claim to be Christ Church. First, there is Christ Church Savannah that meets in the historic building downtown in Savannah. These are the folks who believe in the gospel and have left the Episcopal Church. To see how their beliefs differ from the Episcopal Church, click here.

Second, there is Christ Church Episcopal. These folks also claim to be the mother church of Georgia, with the same heritage as Christ Church Savannah. I'm sad to say that these people hold to the beliefs of the Episcopal Church. Despite their rejection of core aspects of the gospel, they still see themselves as Christ Church.

To make things worse, these two groups are embroiled in a court case over the historic building.

The entire situation is a mess. I feel badly for the people of Christ Church Savannah because they were forced into this by the umbilical drift of the Episcopal Church. What were they to do? If they remained, they would be supporting a denomination that rejects the gospel. If they leave, this ugly situation arises.

This is a good lesson to us to be very careful whenever division arises. Let us strive for unity. Let us only divide over the gospel. When we do divide, let's be ready for things to get ugly for a while.

As for Christ Church Savannah, I'm thrilled that they are standing fast on the gospel. I just don't know if a building is worth fighting for.

In the end, they made the right decision. The gospel is worth taking a stand.

What Did Jesus Do on Thursday?

I'm still amazed that the God of the universe washed His disciples' feet.

Missional Yodeling?

Here is an important announcement from my alma mater. I suppose each person must follow God's call upon his life. We also know that we are to go to all people groups. So, maybe this does make sense.

Ha-ha.

Savannah's Secret Gardens

I love living in Savannah.

The best part about residing here is visiting the historic district. While many southern cities lost their historic buildings during the civil war, Savannah's remains. When General Sherman concluded his infamous "March to the Sea," he decided that Savannah was too beautiful to burn.

I enjoy wandering around the historic district, gazing at the old buildings, numerous statues, Live Oaks, Azaleas, and multiple parks. Every time I go downtown I see something new.

One aspect of Savannah that is easy to miss is what I'll refer to as "secret gardens." I'm not talking about the movie from the early 1990's. Rather, I'm describing small, highly cared-for gardens that sit quietly between the various historic residences. Today I took the above photo of a garden I had not seen before (I apologize for the lack of picture quality; I took it with my phone).

The gardens add a tranquil, subtle, and beautiful quality to the city. They are areas where people have spent time in cultivating God's wonderful creation. Not only do the home-owners get to enjoy the scenery, but so do the locals and tourists.

Finding these gardens requires qualities lacking in much of our society. For one thing, our loud and crass society no longer appreciates things that are subtle and quiet. Also, in order to find the various gardens, you actually have to walk. Not so many people want to get out of the car anymore. Lastly, since you can't actually enter many of the gardens, most folks won't want to bother.

These gardens are a reminder of a quieter time when society was much more modest. I look forward to discovering new gardens in Savannah.

Come for a visit.