Dwight on Theology
Why are we so afraid of questions?
Well it’s really not the questions so much as the possibility that we may not have the answers that really scares the crap out of Christians. Maybe it’s because we know Jesus is the truth (John 14:6) and that brings us to the conclusion that any lack of knowledge or doubt is an affront to our faith. Therefore we avoid any skepticism at all costs…including taking the gospel to the lost.
I personally think this refusal to wrestle with tough questions and admit our ignorance about some issues of Scripture or theology has lead unbelievers to tune us out.
I was reading Joe Thorn’s blog and he was talking about a ministry they’ve begun called Theology Pub. He meets with people at a local pub and they discuss matters of theology and faith. It’s an open forum where people can ask questions and he answers them in a loving and engaging manner.
I really like that idea. It’s time for us to lay down our need to have all the answers and to embrace the concept of dialoging with people instead shouting at them with a bull horn.
Plus Dwight from The Office thinks it’s a good idea and anything he says goes.
[youtube HV2cK0MsKMc]
The Life of Faith
What does it mean to live a life of faith?
Paul quoting Habukkuk declares that the “just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17). He doesn’t say that the justified shall put their faith in Jesus once and then move on to bigger and better things. He tells us that the justified shall continually walk and exercise faith.
In Colossians 2:6 Paul tells us that the way we recieved Christ is also the way in which we should walk in Him.
How did we recieve Christ? By grace though faith…therefore we should continue to walk with Jesus by faith.
Now for some reason we have this really warped view of faith. Everything from the TV dudes telling us to have faith in our faith…to us pastor types telling our people that the church is going to “step out in faith” to pursue a new building project.
Is that what it means to live by faith? Taking leaps into the darkness hoping everything is going to turn out ok.
No…this intepretation couldn’t be further from the truth.
Everytime faith is exercised Biblically it is attached to the revelation of God.
In Hebrews 11 we find several OT men and women who are commended for thier faith. But the faith we see them employing is not a blind leap in the dark. It is a choice to trust in the revealed word of God.
Example: God told Abraham to leave Ur and to make his home in Canaan. Abraham obeyed and dwelt in Canaan. God told Abraham he was going to have a son…Abraham, despite lapses of faith, trusted God and was even willing to sacrifice this promised son concluding that God was able to raise him from the dead. (cf Hebrews 11:8-12, 17-19)
This idea that faith is akin to bungy jumping or sky diving needs to be striken from our thinking.
What does it mean to live a life of faith…Hebrews 11 gives us some great insight.
The Life of Faith is Obedient (vs. 8 )
*Abraham obeyed God by leaving Ur and making his home in Canaan.
The Life of Faith is Patient (vv. 9-12)
*Abraham waited for God to bring His promises to pass.
The Life of Faith is Sacrificial (vv. 17-19)
*Abraham was willing to give up his promised son because He trusted God.
As I look at my life I see that I often fail in these three areas. But then I’m reminded of the fact that Jesus perfectly fulfills each of these three characteristics of the life of faith.
Jesus completely obeyed God’s will for His life…there was not one area of failure or disobedience. So when I fail to obey I fall into the arms of Jesus who is my Redeemer and Friend.
Jesus never failed to trust God in His promises. He patiently waited for the Father’s timing to come to pass. He was completely submitted to the will of the Father foregoing His own agenda and purposes. Therefore when I fail to patiently wait for God to act upon His Word I find hope in Jesus who is my Advocate and Mediator.
Jesus came not to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He willingly laid down His life for the Father’s plan and sinner’s redemption. In light of this when I fall short of God’s desire for me to “take up my cross” and live my life as a living sacrifice I approach His throne of mercy receiving the grace that flows from His cross in my time of need.
This post was inspired by a message I taught at the Preaching Practicum and at church on Sunday. You can listen to it here if you are so inclined.
blessings…ryan
Ridiculous
Have you ever noticed that God seems to function in the realm of the ridiculous?
At least from a human perspective. His very nature goes against the grain of what makes “common sense.”
“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Cor. 1:20)