NewLife Missions

“‘Declaration of Independence,” by John Trumbull

Interesting article I read this morning from the New York Times titled, “How Christians Were the Founders?” written by Russell Shorto.  Are you paying attention…did you catch the question mark at the end of the title. I’m always up for a well balanced article, or book for that matter that takes into account an issue from both sides. Not sure this fits the bill…you make the call.

In Shorto’s writings he discusses a polarizing issue in America which is the “separation of church and state.” I for one can see the danger in legislating christian morality, while at the same time I’m fully aware of the moral abyss engulfing our younger generation in America.  In response to this article my first thought is that of the sovereignty of God and the proper place of the American “church” within this context. What role / impact is the body of Christ, that being the Church making in your community? How often does the church open its doors and then go out to the community and serve those in need?

A few interesting quotes and comments to leave you with:

“When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it so that its professors are obliged to call for help of the civil power, ‘tis a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.” – Ben Franklin

‘Mr Ho Han NGAU, a devoted Christian the leader of the opposition party in the Malaysian Government emphasized that the main function of the church is to spread the gospel and evangelize all nations. If the church is hooked up with political parties,it will inevitably bring severe differences in views and the hostility accompanying of the parties. The process will jeopardize the church’s role of expressing love and fairness to all people. However if individual Christians serve in the political arena with a clear conscious and minimal self interests, politics can be an opportunity to serve the community – Christians can help raise a new social standard of fairness,kindness, justice, protection of the innocent and assistance to the poor in the social arena.’ – Promoting the Scripture, Renewing the City, Dr Mary Leung

Schindler’s List is not the type of movie you watch a few times a year with all your buddies and a big bag of popcorn. It’s too real and painful to watch more than once….unless you’re me of course. I just sat through Schindler’s list for the second time. All three hours and 10 minutes of it. Ever since visiting Israel last month I wanted to experience it again. This time with a new found understanding of the history and heart of the Jewish people.

I cant help but be reminded of God’s love for His people and how it must have hurt Him to see them suffer.

“Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.”

I look forward to the time God brings His chosen people back into the fold. If you haven’t read Romans 11 for a while give it a go. Think about the sovereignty of God and His never-changing love for His people.

The truth is, I never hear of the term apologetics until I went to college. It was never a word I heard in church growing up or at home.  Sure I remember hearing “apologize to your brother for hitting him with the legos” but that was about it.. When I first heard the term mentioned I thought “Apologetics” was another word for a sincere christian apology.  That’s what it had to mean..right?

So many of us within the church today are ill prepared to defend our faith.  Most arguments for the validity of scripture or a defense of our personal conviction as a follower of Christ are founded solely on experience and emotions. That’s not inherently a bad thing, only so when you shy away from a deeper understanding of “Why” it is that you believe what you do.

Here is an interesting article posted on CNN discussing some arguments of Bart Ehrman entitled, “Former fundamentalist Debunks Bible.” If you were approached by someone having read this article what would the ensuing conversation be like, or would there be one at all?  I cant say I have all the answers, but I’m sorry to say I need to do a better job understanding  Apologetics.

A (Not So) Brief Defense of Christianity

I taught a class over the weekend at my local church here in Illinois on Spiritual Gifts.  We talk about God’s view of service within the context of the church, take a spiritual gifts assessment and then share stories about how God has used our gifts for his work. One of the key discussion points during the class is around the concept of the “Body of Christ.”  What does it mean? Obviously if you are of a catholic tradition it means something completely different than a protestant.  Often we think of the “Body of Christ” along side our worldview. The Body of Christ for some may be limited to your local church or community. When Paul writes about the “Body” in Romans 12, he refers to all those who call themselves followers of Christ. With that reality, how does that impact you view and responsibility as a Christian. How should you be using the gifts God has given you on a global scale?

To date I’ve had at least 5 invitations to go on a missions trip, either with my church, or from family members and friends. Today I’m batting 0 for 5.

Have I been prayerful about the opportunities that have presented themselves…”Yes”. Have I been obedient…”No”. My home church goes on what I would deem “entry level” missions trips each year to South America. I’ve been invited to Croatia, and Macedonia each of the last two years. This fall I was invited to Israel…turned that down too. Are you seeing a theme here? No my name is not Jonah, although don’t be surprised to see me checking out the inners of a big fish in the near future.