Dr. Philip Ryken the new president of Wheaton College declares homosexuality to be the biggest challenge facing the church in the coming years. I couldn’t agree more with Dr. Ryken, and it’s exactly why we are discussing this issue next Wednesday night at Mulligan’s Pub for our monthly Theology Pub discussion. It’s also why I agreed to participate in a panel discussion last night on the campus of Colorado State University, called “faith and sexuality.” The thrust of the discussion was centered around the fact that the church should concede the theological truth that homosexuality is perfectly acceptable to God and that the any prohibition of the lifestyle is simply archaic tradition repressing people’s sexuality. The event went very well and I was privileged to represent Jesus and the gospel to a room full of college students. That being said this is a huge issue that is not going anywhere any time soon.

See Dr. Ryken’s article on the subject here

How has the Church handled the subject of homosexuality? Does God really hate gays as Fred Phelps and his ilk purport? In this video we ask Christians and non-Christians alike how they believe followers of Jesus have dealt with homosexuals. This video is in preparation for our upcoming discussion on the subject on March 10th at 7pm at Mulligan’s Pub.

There is a lot of talk today about “missional” vs. “attractional” church. This short video gives a bit of a synopsis as to the difference. Not that attractional ministry is wrong or ineffective overall, but evidence does seem to indicate that, the attractional model is struggling amongst younger generations who are looking for something authentic and relational.  If anything it demonstrates that attractional event driven ministry is not the only way to do church.

No matter what your beliefs regarding eschatology this should make you laugh and then cry…this is absolutely crazy on so many different levels. After the Rapture Pet Care…seriously? This is precisely the kind of stuff that makes all of us look bad – we are now enlisting non-believers to care for our animals after we get seized off the earth. If dispensational eschatology is correct our pets will have much bigger problems after the rapture than who is going to dole out the kibbles and bits and fancy feast.

At first I thought this was a Lark News joke, and if it wasn’t so sad it would be hilarious…well one thing is for sure, somebody is laughing all the way to the bank.

What say you?

The embedded video is part 1 of a series of videos that can be accessed here.

Earlier this month Missio Dei hosted an event, as part of our monthly Theology Pub, where we discussed the Biblical position on marijuana. It was a fascinating discussion that was not only provocative but challenging and fruitful. There were over 50 people at the event, many of whom did not share our worldview, but left pleasantly surprised as to how the discussion was led. If you weren’t able to attend the event we have provided some video footage of the discussion that can be accessed here.

Join us next month for Theology Pub as we discuss the Biblical position on homosexuality.

There is a lot of talk in Christian circles today about how the Church has emasculated (in the figurative sense of course) the men. And while I absolutely agree with that assessment, I’m not sure our idea of masculinity is all that accurate either.

Cole NeSmith wrote an excellent article for Relevant Magazine that I would like to share here.

Our concept of masculinity is more about culture than about Jesus.

Recently, I got an email from a guy who had read some of my writing, and he posed some good questions. In the email, he pointed out that I have spent some time deconstructing others’ thoughts on “manliness,” but what about constructing some of my own? He said this,

“I grew up thinking that if I were like ‘this’ or like ‘that,’ then I could find more acceptance from my extended family, but the older I’ve gotten, the more I realize that my interests and passions aren’t going to change, nor should they, to adapt to someone else’s view of what a ’masculine guy’ should look like … True masculinity. Godly masculinity. Comes from what? Results in what?”

Now first, let me clarify. This conversation is separate from the topic of gender roles. The idea of masculinity is something intangible. It’s most often described using words associated with attitude and activity to paint a picture of a standardized persona. I’ve spent the last week thinking about this in light of culture, life and, ultimately, scripture. And I’ve come to a few conclusions.

I was talking to my friend, Michael, yesterday trying to get another perspective, and he had some great insight. He said, “I think it’s interesting that I go back to my hometown, and the same people that made fun of me for wearing skinny jeans 4 years ago are the very people that are wearing them today.” I’m sure people of different generations could say the same thing about different stylistic trends—bellbottoms, long hair, earrings, even skirts.

Let’s use the simple illustration of a skirt as an example of the first point :

The things by which we often classify masculinity are not based on God or the Bible but, rather, culture.

From an American cultural perspective, our global understanding causes us to not think twice of a spartan warrior or an elderly Indian man in a skirt or even a modern day man of African descent on the steps of a building in a European metropolis.

But even I, while I’m writing this article about the illusion of masculinity, have a totally different reaction to a modern, seemingly American man dressed in a skirt. Something just seems … off. But what’s different here than in the other pictures? The man’s skin color, his country of origin and my cultural expectation of how he should dress.

In addition to dress, there are other seemingly benign factors by which cultures define masculinity. Let’s talk football for a moment. I’ll admit that it’s an easy target simply by the fact that it wasn’t being played until about 1842, and men were certainly existing fully before that time.

I could go on all day deriding cultural determiners of masculinity—career paths, eating habits, consumer practices, signs of affection—but that’s not the point of this article, and not all of the things we use to define masculinity are inherently evil. It’s just that they needn’t be a determiner of one’s identity.

That brings us to the second point:

Masculinity is an attempt to justify fighting for one’s own way rather than living a life of sacrificial love.

Our culture most often says it in the form of “boys will be boys.” Whether it’s violence, drunkenness, selfishness, sexual immorality or oppression, this phrase is used repeatedly to justify the actions of boys and men.

But when we look at Jesus, it’s clear that he shows us a new way to live. Not a life of competition. Not a life of self-centered indulgence.

Rather,
Jesus was gentle.
Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem, not on a horse, but on a donkey.
Jesus cried.
Jesus loved and nurtured children.
Jesus spent most of his time with the outcasts of society.
and ultimately,
Jesus chose others above himself.

I feel it only fair to offer the one display of Jesus’ ferocity. It was directed at the oppressors—those who thought they could control people using God as a tool. He wouldn’t have it, and it’s an important part of the story. It’s not the norm. It’s not the one example we are to use to justify our anger and short-temperedness. It is one small part of the character of Jesus.

So what do Jesus’ tears and love and gentleness and anger show us?

A true man is one that lives without fear of violating social norms for the sake of the gospel.

A true man is one who trades his selfishness for the fruit of the Spirit. One who displays love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

A true man is one who will shout out against the injustice of pornography. One who will embrace his brother in pain. One who will take off his tie to serve the poor. One who will cry in his brokenness. One who will kneel before his wife and children and wash their feet as a sign of humility.

A true man is one who is ready to stop trying to prove his worth to the world and be honest about his inadequacies.

A true man is not a man at all. He has left the smallness of the earthly and surrendered to the grand life of the Spirit of God.

Cole NeSmith is the Creative Director at STATUS, a campus of Discovery Church in Orlando, FL. You can read more at Cole’s blog, http://www.colenesmith.com.

What Does It Mean to Be Missional? from The Resurgence on Vimeo.

Pastor Matt Chandler was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor back in December…since then he has had opportunities to bring glory to God and advance His kingdom in ways that he would have never imagined. He wouldn’t have wished this trial upon himself but He has embraced God’s sovereign plan and in so doing he stands as a great example to us all.

The AP ran an article on Matt and his family and it’s being published around the world – pray that God uses it well.

Suffering Well: Faith Tested by Pastor’s Cancer

Jim Tyson who blogs at Redeemer’s City to City blog wrote this article about living missionally at work – it’s worth your read.

One of the challenges of pastoring people in a city center, is the amount of time people spend in their workplace. Unlike other parts of the country, people seem to live at their places of work. Rather than becoming frustrated that people are not available to serve in our church programs, we should see the time spent in a place of work as an opportunity to see the kingdom of God leave the confines of traditional church programming, come to the workplace, begin to do its work of industry and city renewal.

In order to move toward this vision, our church has been hosting industry roundtables for the last year for so. These roundtable discussions are designed to bring people from various industries together and help them form a theology of kingdom renewal for their respective career fields. Some of the questions we ask at these luncheons are…

What drew you to your industry?

What do you love about your industry?

What do you struggle with in your industry?

What ethical dilemmas do you often run into?

To what scripture do you turn to formulate a theology of your industry?

What are some of your doubts and uncertainties about how God could move in your industry?

What do wish that we as your pastors/leaders, knew about your industry?

How can the church help you live more missionally in your industry?

What is our church doing that is hindering you from being able to bring the kingdom of God to bear in your workplace?

I have been surprised and overwhelmed by the response of people in our church to these events. People have felt empowered, encouraged and have been given a new vision for what they do all week. Many of them now sense that it is making a vital difference in the world, and that it is important to God. I have also had several people comment on how good it is to hear that the church has a vision for something outside of itself, and how good it is to know that a pastor “gets” what they do Monday through Friday.

I have found that having an awareness of what it is people love, struggle with, are tempted by and need encouragement in, makes me a more effective pastor. My counseling is more empathetic, my preaching more informed, and the word of God more contextualized to do its work. I am not simply projecting my life and wishes onto their work-week, but am able to help bring the gospel to bear on the temptations, trials and joys they live in every day.

In order to really see a movement of the gospel through a city, it is going to take the equipping of our people to live and share the gospel where they spend most of their time: the workplace. Hosting an industry roundtable is a small step in that direction, but also an important one to see a local congregation begin this work.

Scott Thomas, director of the Acts 29 church planting network, answers this question in an article found here.

How Can a Loving God Allow Devastation in Haiti (and in my life)?

Pat Robertson doesn’t get it:Shortly after a devastating earthquake rocked Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, potentially killing half a million people, Pat Robertson said Haitians had made a “pact with the devil” and have been “cursed” ever since. A statement almost apologizing was made by CNN for Robertson’s current faux pas that seems to occur every time a disaster hits. Someone on his staff should figure this out.

Unfortunately, we have either Robertson or a worldview that excludes eternity and God to inform us how we can understand a tragedy or a pain point in our own life. We believe either that God is judging me and that is why I am suffering or there is no God or else he would not allow sufering. Both are wrong.

Currently in Acts 29 we are facing suffering among many of our pastors. Wives are struggling with health issues, pastors facing back surgery, suicide among our number, a baby needs a heart transplant and a pastor experienced brain surgery for a malignant tumor and is currently undergoing extensive chemo and radiation. Is God angry with these pastors? Is God judging Acts 29 and are they getting what they deserve?

Our response is to cry, to pity, to get angry at God. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said that we should not be surprised when we suffer. Some people get bitter and bail. It is not uncommon for couples to divorce after death of a child. Regardless, we may ask, “Why me, God?” We naturally see these things as attacks against us instead of as God working for us through our suffering. According to Romans 8:16-17, we are called to suffer as children of God until Jesus returns. We are also called to suffer well for His glory.

* The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:16-17) Emphasis mine.

Until I asked John Piper into my heart (joke…go ahead laugh), I did not understand suffering. When suffering came in my life, I only saw my pain instead of seeing God. Man meant it for evil, but God meant it for good (Gen. 50:20). John Piper taught me the Theology of Suffering and I am grateful. This content is actually driven from his teaching.

Three Ways we Understand suffering:

1.  All of Creation Suffers. ALL of creation groans and is enslaved to corruption (8:21) and is futile (8:20). Things break down; corrupt; decay; entropy.

* Rom 8:22 (ESV) 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

2. All of History Suffers (All of creation, including people have suffered and will suffer)

Suffering is in this present time

* Romans 8:18, 18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Suffering is in the past

* Rom 8:20, 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope.

Suffering is in the future: One day, without any assistance, creation will be set free

* Rom. 8:21, 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Until Jesus returns, we will not experience world peace, no matter how many beauty queens wish for it.

3. God Judicially Sentenced the World to Suffer

* Romans 8:20 (ESV) 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope.

Genesis 3 records the onset of sin into the world. Man disobeyed and willfully sinned. Judgment came on mankind and on the earth. God in hope cursed all of creation. He judged it with the hope that He will redeem it through His Son. To accept this, we must view God’s holiness way beyond the way we view it now. Believers will suffer as we wait for the redemption of our bodies. The already not yet of the Kingdom includes our bodies.

* Romans 8:23 (ESV) 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Six Promises Given to us while we are Suffering:

1. We Will Experience an All-Satisfying Beauty

* Romans 8:18 (ESV) 18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

When we are with Jesus, we will see all of His glory. Our current suffering is like paying a penny to have a million dollars. What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later. In addition to having the meaning of value, the phrase also carrries the idea of weight. Paul says, For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Cor. 4:17). It is not light in and of itself. Cancer is still present. Only compared with the weight of glory can it be light.

2. We will be Revealed in Glory

* Romans 8:19 (ESV) 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Creation (birds, trees, rocks and grass) is waiting with eager anticipation of our being revealed as sons of God. Just as in Genesis 3, the fate of creation is linked intricately with that of man. As we long to see God in all of His glory, to be free of pain, to experience peace like nothing we ever have, to experience pleasure like nothing else, the mountains and the hills are prepared to break forth into singing; the trees of the field are ready to clap their hands; the rocks are ready to shout out. (Isa 55:12; Luke 19:40). One day we will be like Jesus, our Redeemer (1 John 2:28-3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18). For now, we are all physically, emotionally, socially, verbally, mentally and sexually disabled.

3. The Design of Despair is Hope

* Romans 8:20 (ESV) 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope.

Our futility (completely ineffective bodies, kids, marriages, jobs, homes) demands our hope in him. Our hope is in the seed of the woman who will bruise Satan’s head. It is not that this world will be made right. Even when we are in the middle of God’s will, we suffer. Jesus was asked by his disciples, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Jesus said, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parent, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:2-3). Sanctification is not the end of suffering; glorification is (full, entire deliverance from sin). Sanctification is not our hope, glorification is.

4. All Creation will be freed from Suffering

* Romans 8:21 (ESV) 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

God will first redeem us as His first fruits and then redeem the rest of creation to all be brought into His glory. Failure to see this coming for us leads us to self-medicate to cope with our suffering. It also leads us to justify our sins in the suffering. It is like the man who steals bread because he is hungry. A wife may self-justifyingly find comfort in some other man because her husband does not treat her well. We try to bring heaven here because we don’t believe we will be set free. We will be baptized into Jesus Christ and we will be resurrected with Him. In Christ, we also suffer with Him and in Him we will be glorified with Him.

5. Miseries are not doors to death, but doors to life

* Romans 8:18, 22-23 (ESV) 18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

As we experience pain, we view this as a mom in labor that produces life, not death. Groaning in the maternity ward and groaning in the cancer ward generate two different responses. All of our suffering, including death, is a door to life. He is working all things for our good (8:28). The pastor with a brain tumor tweeted recently, “When the illusion of control disappears we become men and women of prayer.”

6. God cares about our suffering

* Romans 8:23 (ESV) 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

At times it may not seem that he cares, but the redemption of our bodies is coming. We have a great high priest who is able to sympathize with our suffering (συμπαθέω süm-pä-the’-ō: to be affected with the same feeling as another).

* “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:15-16)

Our healing may not come in this lifetime, but we are not living for life here and our healing will come in the life we long to see.

How should we respond?

1. Pray for those who are suffering. Pray with them. If you are suffering, pray and pray with others.

2. Remind yourself (and another fellow soldier) that we are in an all-out war for the souls of men and women and children. You can’t expect a war to resemble a resort spa. A soldier goes through the pain and suffering with the power of the Holy Spirit and for the victorious King’s glory. Jesus will be the only one who will end the onslaught of sin and suffering in our lives. There are no bread trucks in our mission field; only armored tanks and gurneys. Fatalities and injuries and suffering will happen all around us as long as sin is in the world and in our fellowship gatherings.

3. God breaks people when he is getting ready to do a great thing. He wants to use broken people so that we cannot take any credit in order that the works of God might be displayed. God is breaking us of pride and arrogance and subtle idols among us.

4. Let’s fight alongside one another. Encourage a fellow soldier. Stay in the fight. Listen to the commanding voice of the King and rest in His protection as we head into His mission field.

5. Keep your eyes on the cross. It is where our Redeemer suffered for the sins of all mankind. His suffering brought our hope. Our suffering brings Him glory.

* Romans 8:24-25 (ESV) 24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.