Posts Tagged ‘christianity’
Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 10, Section 3
Friday, September 4th, 2009
This confession deals with a difficult and sensitive issue. As we dealt with effectual calling, it is the outward call, the preaching of the Gospel and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. What happens to people who are not capable of making a decision for Christ die, like infants? What is their eternal destiny?
This confession really hit home recently when a family friend lost their four month old baby girl. This confession is a great comfort to the grieving by revealing the great mercy of our God.
This is a sensitive topic because we know that all man is born into sin, this includes babies. If we are all born under sin, and salvation is by faith in Christ (which infants do not seem to have the mental capacity to exercise), then it might at first seem that no infants can be saved. However, that would be a premature and unbiblical conclusion.
The difficulty is then how do we reconcile God’s justice with his mercy and compassion?
Scripture does not say very much about the eternal destiny of babies. Ephesians 1:4 says that “He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” God in his great love has predestined his people, the elect to be saved in Jesus Christ… that includes elect persons who are not capable of grasping the outward call like infants who die in infancy.
It is important to emphasize that God is not saving infants because they are innocent. He is saving them because, although they are sinful, God is true to His name when He says that He will be gracious to whom He will be gracious and will show mercy on whom He will show mercy.
This truth underscores the greatness and the depth of God’s love and mercy when an infant He has chosen to be part of His family is allowed to die even before she is able to publicly confess her faith in Christ, God is still able and willing to save from hell.
As we comfort one another, especially those parents who lost their little ones, we turn them to Jesus Christ and allow them to see how truly merciful and compassionate our God is.
Confession of Faith 10.3 Elect infants who die in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who works when, where, and how he pleases. So also are all other elect persons who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.
Tags: christianity, salvation, westminster confession of faith
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Prodigal God
Friday, June 19th, 2009
Been listening to the Tim Keller audios from The Prodigal God. He talks about a new community and how when we turn away from God, we are actually breaking fellowship and community. There’s a nice twist to the well known parable by looking at it from the point of view of community/family/society…
Tags: bible, christianity, other brother, prodigal god, prodigal son, tim keller
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Christianity Sweeping China
Thursday, March 5th, 2009
Christianity Sweeping China Chicago Tribune.
This is a good summary of the changes happening in China. Many of the photos are from the PBS documentary mentioned in a previous blog.
The Beijing’s Haidian Church was one I visited many years ago but has grown and expanded much, much more. Located near Beijing University, it caters to many of the student and young adult population. May God continue to bless His people in China.
Tags: china, christianity
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Jesus in China
Saturday, June 28th, 2008
PBS Frontline has a new documentary chronicling the rise of Christianity in China. Or put another way, how the Gospel is transforming China. It gives a look into the rise of both the underground, house and the government churches. The documentary interviews many of the leaders of the Christian movements. China truly is being transformed in all areas… even MBA and business people are attributing rule of law and trust as basic principles that need Christian foundation.
Check out more at the PBS site .
Tags: china, christianity, Jesus
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Chinese Christianity Network TV
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
A pastor friend introduced this site to me. Chinese Christianity Network TV. Has the latest Christian news, church and current events in Chinese with a Christian worldview. It also includes streams various seminary/theological classes, including some courses taught by Dr. Samuel Ling and others. For more information, check out the website.
Tags: china, chinese television, christian, christianity, church, samuel ling, seminary
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Globalization: Coming Christendom
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
A look at religion on the world. Christianity is growing in the world, not just Islam. A new reformation, caused by globalization. A shift in the center of power.
Many think the 21st century will be the main force that religious influence on human affairs and attitudes to political liberty, war, conflict, etc. A Christian revolution that is happening and this is not suburban Christian. Worldwide, Christianity is moving towards supernaturalism, a return back to orthodoxy, and the ancient worldview in the New Testament (Jesus overcomes evil forces), people are believing the bible is true, overcoming demonic powers, sickness and calamity.
The global south is expanding. Third world countries are reproducing like crazy. 480 million in Latin America, 360 million in Africa, 315 million in Asia, compared to 260 millions in North America. A catholic scholar calls the Third world as the Third Church. The west is not getting it. Religious power is shifting towards east and south. Very few people in the west recognize the potential of the rise of southern Christianity. Christian west is shrinking except for evangelical. Liberal west (shrinking) and growing west (growing). Christian centers are shifting to Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The growth in Africa is relentless. Today the Christian in Africa total 360 million or 46% whereas 100 years ago, it was only 9%. That number is likely to rise due to population growth. The industrial countries are experiencing a birth decline.
2.6 billion Christians in the world, which will be by far the world’s largest religion. By 2025, 50% Christians will be in Africa and Latin America, 17% in Asia. By 2050, United States will have largest single contingent as a country, all other leading nations will be southern ex. Mexico, Congo, Philippines, Nigeria, Brazil, Ethiopia.
Population shift in the catholic world, Europeans will be minorities, 16 million in 1915 now 120 million African Catholics. Demographic change will have implications for theology, society and politics. Theology and morality will be more conservative in the south than in the American version. Thriving in the south are traditional and reactionary to consumerism. Catholics in Asia and Africa looks more like Pre-Vatican II. Understands authority and charisma, not consultation or democracies. Nigerian cardinal Arems might be in the running for Pope. Conservative biblical.
Shift in Pentecostal Christians, they are buddying up with Catholics in South America. Revelation override biblical authority. Most successful southern hemisphere church preaches orthodox faith, communal, mysticism, Puritanism, and obedience to spiritual authority. Prophecies are an everyday reality. Scholars to religions of the south call churches – prophetic churches.
The northern institutions are fragmenting. Progressive sides are holding to dear life. It is only a matter of time before they fall altogether. Experience in the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. Conflicts over gender and sexuality, the south wants to re-evangelize Europe and America. They view the northern church as close to heresy or heretical. Ordination of women and homosexuality has met objections from African and Asian churches and worldwide communion. Nigerias have more practicing Anglicans than any other country, Uganda is not far behind. In 2050 – large majority of Anglicans will not be white or English. AMIA – Anglican missions in America – sponsored by Africans.
One of the most important services the American churches can do is assisting in education and training of southern countries clergy. And so this is what we must do. The southern churches are praying for us. We must pray for them.
Tags: christendom, christianity, church, globalization, religion, world
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Unity between the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of believers
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Recall Resurrection and Redemption by Gaffin. The unity – What we will surely appreciate is that nothing is more fundamental to Paul’s understanding about the resurrection of Christ in all of its distinctiveness and particularities, nothing is more important, than the unity between the Christ’s resurrection and the resurrection of the believer.
1 Cor.15:20 – now Christ is raised from the dead, firstfruits of those fallen asleep, for since through man came death, also through man resurrection through the dead, as Adam died, so Christ is made alive. Each in his own order, Christ as firstfruit and then when he comes, those in Christ. “Firstfruits” is a thesis in itself, it is an agricultural term, a term that describes sacrifices that Israel provide at the beginning of the first grain harvest ie. Ex3:19, Lev23:10-11, it doesn’t just provide temporal priority, but an organic connection, it is the beginning, but it represents the whole, it is a symbol, it is an act of worship representing the whole.
The resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of the believer cannot be separated, because Christ’s the resurrection is the firstfruit of a resurrection harvest. The resurrection of non-believers is not in view of this passage, the focus is a soteriological focus, between Christ and his resurrection and the resurrection of the believers. To get the full impact of what Paul is saying. Christ’s resurrection is a guarantee of ours. It is eternal promise, it doesn’t go far enough… Christ’s resurrection is a guarantee of ours is nothing less than the actual beginning of the general epochal event. The general resurrection event, Paul is saying, in which believers share begins with the resurrection of Christ.
When will the resurrection occur? The eschatological resurrection harvest has become visible in Christ. The resurrection has already begun in Christ. Christ’s resurrection is not an isolated stupendous event in the past. The great event of the resurrection is inaugurated by the resurrection of Christ, that is in unity with the resurrection of the believers. We then see it not as two resurrections, though temporary distinct, they are two episodes of a single event. The beginning and the end of the same harvest. They are not two separate events, but two phases of the one event. Similar to the coming of Christ.
1 Cor.15:12-19 – if it is preached that Christ is raised from the dead. How is it that some are saying that there is no resurrection of the dead, neither is Christ raised, and if Christ is not raised, then our preaching is empty, then our faith is vain, then we are false witnesses of God, for we are false witnesses that God raised from the dead, then our faith is futile… we are of all men most miserable, most to be pitied.
Paul says if the resurrection of Christ, then there should be no question of the resurrection of the believer. He reasons about the resurrection of the believer with the resurrection of Christ. The two resurrection are so intimately related, you can’t have one without the other. Paul to Agrippa: God is the God who raises the dead. The cross is an offense to unbelief, an offense to the ancient world, that God raises the dead.
Colossians 1:18 – he is before all things, and all things consist in him and he is the head of the body, the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, in order that in all things, he might have pre-eminence. This expresses the same thought as the firstfruits of 1cor.15, though first born does not bring out the organic connection as firstfruits does. But the combination with the firstborn of those who have died, there is a solidarity or unity with the dead believers. There is a group of the dead that Christ is the first born. The resurrection of Christ as a birth process is not quite the right interpretation. Against the background of the usage in the OT, the term does not represent the one who is first, but the special dignity of the firstborn. For instance, Ex.4:22, Israel, is called the Lord’s firstborn, Psalm 89:27 ???? denotes headship or origin. Gen 49:3, and Deut21:17. Romans 8:29, Christ may become firstborn among many brothers. It is more specifically the resurrected Christ that is in view.
2 Corinthians 4:14 – the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us with Jesus will present us with you. The resurrector of Jesus will raise us. Paul also speaks of the resurrected body, already being raised with Christ. Ephesians 2:5-6, Colossians 2:12-13, 3:1, Romans 6:4, Galatians 2:20 – How are we to understand that the believers are already been raised with Christ? How are we to understand? Christ as representative is true, but what needs to be pointed out further is this, careful reading of this passage, when Paul says we have been raised with Christ. He talks not about his representative resurrection, but also to our involvement, which has experiential or existential, involvement, something that has taken place with the life history of the believer. What are the grounds for saying that? Ephesians 2:5- Paul says when you were dead in your transgressions, he made us alive with Christ and raised us up with Christ Jesus. In the backdrop of being dead in our sins. In this passage a key word is “walk” describing a way of life. This is a our former walk or pre-christian way of life, walking dead, then when we get to the other side of the passage, we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works in which God prepared in advance so that we may walk in them. This is a 180 turnaround, from sin to good works. This existential turn around, what can we explain it? The answer lies in the middle of the passage… Eph2:5, God made us alive, raised us up with Christ. The walk in the old aeon with the walk of the new aeon. Colossians 3:1 – the resurrection is made the basis for our life and holy living. When Paul speaks about the resurrection of the believer in the past tense, the resurrection is real and actual, existential and takes place in the actual existence of the believer. The primary reference of the once for all, of redemption applied that is by faith. The reality of the not to the history of salvation, but to the order of salvation.
The unity of resurrection of Christ and believer is that the resurrection of believer consists of two episode: one is past and one is future, yet to be realized. As we put it that you may appreciate how the formal structure of Paul’s eschatology the overlap between the two aeons, is related to the resurrection of the believer. Both these aspects of the believer’s experience, the already, realized and future are integrally related, all factors that make up a whole. Unity involved here is that Jesus’ resurrection is refracted into the life of the believer in a two fold distinction, temporal/historical? How do you account for the resurrection? Bodily and non-bodily distinction, the resurrection that has already taken place is non-bodily, the problem with this is negative connotation… visible/invisible; secret/open; all are useful and have liabilities. Especially the visible and invisible. Another problem in the spiritual/ physical distinction. When we use spirit in Paul’s usage, we need the capital Spiritual. But he later makes clear in 1Cor15, that the resurrection is Spiritual, so the distinction would be Spiritual/Spiritual… so there is still a problem. The best way of distinguishing, is that Paul describes in 2Cor4:16 – wherefore are we, don’t give up, even though our outer self undergoes corruption, our inner self is understood renewed day by day. The outer is the body, which he describes the inner person or the heart, spirit. The distinction anthropological distinction in Romans 7:22, Ephesians 3:16. Paul is not factoring human person into two parts, two entities within a person, he is seeing aspects of the whole person. What Paul is saying here applies, so far as you are inner man/self you have already been raised. So far as you are outer self, bodily existence, you are still to be raised. It is true in the body, but not true for the body. According to the teaching of Paul, if you are believer in Jesus Christ, consider at the core of your being, you will no more be resurrected than you already are.
Bring under consideration statements in Paul that refer to the resurrection, express the truth and fact of resurrection. And when these statements are brought together, there is a pattern, ?????? – raise up.
a. Active, Christ is the object and God is the subject. Romans 10:9 if you believe that God has raised him. 1 Cor15:15, Acts 13:30-37, Jesus can be the object, the one who raised Jesus. Romans 4:24; Col2:12.
b. God the Father: Gal1:1; 1 Thess1:9-10, passive,
c. Christ is subject, aorist passive, Romans 4:25; 2 Cor5:15 or perfect passive 1cor15:20; 2 Tim2:8. God in his identity raises Jesus and Jesus is passive in his resurrection. This is a viewpoint that is held consistently with Paul. No where does Paul teach that Christ was active in his resurrection, Paul does not teach “Jesus rose from the dead” but that “Jesus was raised.” Christ is the beneficiary, the theological significance of this pattern how we are to understand, reflects his understanding as firstfruits with those who slept. Solidarity with the dead. How are we to see this Pauline teaching with the overall unity of the NT.
d. The conclusion Paul says Jesus as passive in his resurrection, but how does this correlate with Jesus stating that he actively rose from the dead? John 2:19 – destroy temple and in three days will rise it up. John 10:17-18 – I lay down my life in order that I may take it again. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it again. Note: these are not in conflict they are complementary. Council of Chalcedon (451) – The reflections of Christ are helpful, based not only on Chalcedonian formulation, drawn by the reformers, correlatives: ‘anything that is true either of Christ’s nature (divinity/humanity) in distinction of the other, is true of him as a person.’ Paul sees the resurrection as the Adamic identity of Jesus, as the last Adam and the genuine humanity he shares with believers fully in the state of humiliation. In John’s gospel and elsewhere, is Jesus deity in relation to the father as son. As we reflect on this mystery, there is no contradiction. [economic and ontological trinity]
In view of the uniform stress, it is clear that for Paul, the primary significance of Paul does not lie where the difference is between Christ and his people, his stress is where they are in common. Not to prove Christ’s deity, rather for Paul to show the vindication of the incarnate Christ, the vindication of Christ incarnate and his obedience to death. The powerful transformation of his humanity, the resurrection constitutes him as firstborn among many brothers and firstborn among the dead. The adamic character of the resurrection. The resurrection of Christ is a messianic event just as his suffering and death. At the resurrection, his humanity is no longer of importance… 2Cor5:15 – Paul says Christ as the one who for us died and was raised.
Tags: believers, biblical theology, christ, christianity, gaffin, resurrection
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The Center of Paul’s Theology
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008
Paul’s theology has a center. In his teachings, some things are more important than others. At the same time, each is not equally important or controlling to him. There is a large circle of interest. Within that circle, each interest is more or less central. Safest ground is best when we identify passages where he is more or less clearly providing summaries that have an overview sweep in his own words or utilizing formalizations of his core concerns.
1 Corinthians 2:2 in the context of 1:18-3:22. Paul’s concern is his defense of his apostolic ministry. “For I did not judge to know anything except Jesus Christ and this Jesus Christ crucified.” This is his basic theological epistemology. He wanted to know nothing except the crucified Christ. In a similar vein, 2 Timothy 2:8 “remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead, this is my Gospel.”
In 1 Cor. 15:1-4 Paul recounts the gospel he preached to them. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. The resurrection of Jesus is not just an aspect of his teaching, it is his teaching in its entirety. This disposes us to say that Paul’s theology is his gospel. Paul preaches a gospel-theology. Or if we view things as concentric circles, the center of these concentric circles is Christ and his death and resurrection.
Tags: biblical theology, christianity, new testament, Paul's theology, resurrection
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American Youth Culture
Saturday, January 12th, 2008
This is a list of characteristics made by sociologists about the state of America’s youth in relation to religion. This is a helpful resource for youth ministers and those involved in youth ministry. Some of the things they noted on the list is quite surprising. Though, just thinking about the youth these days, just shouldn’t surprise me. Religion at large as observed by sociology of religion.
1) U.S. youth are not irreligious or a-religious. They are religious.
Religion is a significant presence in many young adults. Most have not drop out of their religious congregations. They are regular participants. Many asserts faith is important in their lives and have influence on their moral views. But they have a hard time articulating their beliefs. Categories they have are influenced by culture.
2) Very few youth are not involved in a spiritual quest.
Most teenagers allow the right to others to pursue quest, but very few do it themselves.
3) Teenage religiosity is conventional.
They are not rebellious. They are quite content to follow in their parents footsteps. Most youth feel positive about religion. They talk about the positive and benefits to individual and society.
When it comes to teenagers and religion, they are happy to go along with the flow.
4) Youth are not religiously diverse.
The diversity represented by teens and adults right now is same as it was in prior generations. The vast majority identify themselves as Christians. Most of the non-christians are nominal, non-religious, mormons, Jewish. The world says Americans are vastly diverse in religion, but that is false, we are clearly Christian.
5) Religious vitality and strength
When it comes to religious vitality and strength, mormon teenagers appear to have healthy balance of faith and life, then comes conservative protestant youths, mainline protestant teens, catholic, jewish, then non-religious.
6) The greatest influence
The single most important social influence on spiritual and religious lives is the parents. Stereotype, we think youth pastor, mentors, culture, grandparents, etc were influential, but it was the parents. This should influence how we do church.
Note: You might be the most dynamic influential pastor in the world, but the parents are still the key.
The strongest predictor of a child’s spiritual life will mirror what their parents spiritual life looks like.
7) Second greatest influence:
Supply side dynamic youth – the greater number of religious programs, relationships, activities, challenges, opportunities- the more vested they will be to remain in religious. When religious communities are not invested in youth, the youth are most likely not going to be invested in their faith. Churches will get back what they invest.
What should we do? Pleasantly overwhelm them.
Deep religious practice being mimicked. Parrot effect. Unreflective nature – apathy begets apathy.
Subjective consciousness level, youth understanding is very weak regarding faith. Most U.S. youth have a very difficult time explaining what they believe, what it means, and its implications. They reflect their parents. If their parents are biblical unreflectiven, that would be mimicked as well. For them religion is important but not a priority. Value but not invested.
When preaching or teaching. Repeat things over and over again. People do not listen. Boil everything down to a sentence. And repeat this sentence. Illustrate. Illustrate. Illustrate. Find something to get their attention.
Do you want to be a seminary professor or love people? Right exogesis but boring, or getting people attention with illustration with good theology? Jesus preached using parables, after parables. Make the text as alive as possible.
9) The religion of America reflected in the youth: MTD – Moralistic, Therapeutic, Deism.
This is the mainstream religious faith of the youth are individualistic, consumer, capitalistic society. Deistic – distant god with minimal involvement, but be moral. Moralism – be good to be happy. Therapeutic – focuses on one’s own subjective happiness. MTD is the religion of the day
10) Cultural and social forces shape their lives
Their lives are shaped by cultural and social forces of therapeutic individualism, mass consumerism, digital communication revolution, scientism, structural disconnect with world of adults, and the only connection with adults are adult problems like divorce,
11) Outcome: Religion makes a positive difference.
Despite religion is weak in subjective consciousness, most teens can hardly articulate coherent, unfocus background in social life, many cultural forces that try to undermine.
Observation that sizable and significant differences in a variety of life outcomes of religious teens in the U.S. Highly religious teens are doing more than non/less-religious teens. Religious life leads to better more constructive life contrary to the secular.
Conclusion
As adults, we need to look at children not as aliens. We need to look at the generation gaps as superficial differences. Contemporary youth have bought into the mainstream social system. They are well socialized to enjoy the consumerist benefits of U.S. society. Most problems and issues children face are directly linked to adult world problems. They cherish their relationships with the adult-world ties. They don’t need to be segmented out. Religious congregations have a unique role to strengthen ties between adults and teenagers. All need to be involved. Embracing youth. Your investments are not immediate, payoffs are not immediate.
Sources:
- Wade Clark – Group spiritual marketplace,
- Withnells – America religious diversity
- Christian Smith – Soul searching.
Tags: christianity, church, culture, religion, youth
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Christ and Culture
Saturday, January 12th, 2008
Quick overview of Richard Neibuhr, theologian of the Cold-War, German reformed neo-orthodox. Culture is derived from the language of gardening – the taste that rule the culture, elite, pop-culture, etc.
Neo-orthodoxy tries to capture reformation back from the liberal orthodoxy (Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man). We need to return to the God of scripture. Neo-orthodoxy (must be brought back to the reformation, uphold God’s transcendence, man’s sinfulness, personal experience, revelation is God revealing himself in Christ, and must be approached with faith).
Culture is fluid, so Christians should take temperature of where it is headed. Niebuhr teaches five options as how Christ interacts with Culture:
1. Christ against culture
What does Jerusalem have to do with Athens? – Tertullian
Antagonistic towards culture
Sectarianism – Tertullian, Kierkegaard, Anabaptists
2. Christ of culture
Jesus gets absorbed in the culture, Classical liberalism (fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man)
Accommodation of Christ to culture
Gnostics, Sadduccees, Liberation theology
3. Christ above culture – synthesis
Instead of antagonism, or accommodation, this one is synthesis.
Fundamental issue is the Christ and the world, but between God and humans,
World is not cursed, not in opposition to God. Leans towards #2
Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, faith and reason, relationship between faith and philosophy
Leads towards social conservatism and Christ of culture
4. Christ and Culture in PARADOX
Instead of synthesis, dualism – two spheres that don’t relate
Rejects Christ above culture to synthesis, rules out the transformation of culture,
City of God and City of Man, dualism
Reinholt, Luther, Apostle Paul
5. Christ the transformer of culture
Now but not yet. Do not suffer under the illusion that this world will transform to paradise but are eager to see God’s hand in advancement of science, arts, medicine, etc.
Don’t stand on the sidelines and watch, they want to be God’s agents of reform around him. Redemption extends to culture not just individuals. God is king and sovereign over culture
John, Calvin, Wesley, Augustine
Christians transforms culture, but culture transforms Christians as well.
Response
Resident Aliens – Hauerwas – #5 collapsing to #2 constantine social strategy, while we are aliens transform this land
Alien – Volf – The church doesn’t prop up the government, keeps the integrity of the church in faith, morality. Paradox: one’s best in changing the world, when one’s not of the world.
Kuyperian approach – Neo-Calvinists, rediscover Calvin in Dutch theology – Antithesis #5, #4, #1 – antagonism between Christian and non-Christian – common grace, God gave man common grace to live lives… momentary synchronistic
Tags: christ, christianity, church, culture, niebuhr
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