BLOG Polity & Practice

#1 - January 4, 2010

Happy New Year

This is the first of what I have planned as 52 posts at this site. To get us off to a good start I am posting this material with the intent that it serve as credible guidelines for our deliberations. It is my thesis that there is far too much polemic discussion and not enough exegesis. For example, what is a credible and accurate resolution for these two passages of Scripture:

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25) ESV.

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him (Luke 17:3-4) ESV.

These two passages APPEAR to say that forgiveness is unconditional (Mark 11:25) and conditional (Luke 17:3-4). Which is it? The way we resolves such issues is a powerful commentary about our spiritual maturity and faith. I propose the following as one profile for resolution. This is the kind of exegetical protocol I believe we MUST bring to the table if we are to be credible, honorable, effective theologians and servants of the LORD Christ. I pray that we will apply this method through the course of our deliberation here in 2010. There are a multitude of ratty and thorny issues we need to address. Should be challenging, beneficial and just plain fun. Engage the Truth - honor Christ. For additional challenges in this realm follow this link http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/11536806/

Anyone who engages theological discourse in any Public Forum has been excoriated, abused or just plain trashed. Who perpetrates this abuse? The minions of Satan? The atheist that abound? The 'lunatic fringe'? None of the above.

Tragically it is often other professed believers who would also wish to be considered capable Christian Scholars. How sad. I address this topic with the motive and purpose of launching a MOVEMENT.

What will this require? Nothing more or less than 'Life in Community'.

Accountability is - - each one helping the other keep the commitments they have made to GOD on the basis of loving relationships.

Believers have a commitment to the NEW COVENANT. That covenant contains a very explicit communication protocol. When I write something that violates this covenant, you, ALL of you, bring that to my attention with precision and a call to repentance. You cite the error (sin) that I am guilty of and call me to confess and repent. It is a violation of our union with Christ to merely shrug and say - - "Oh, that is just Tom". Not acceptable. People who engage in ad-hominem attacks, shoddy scholarship and just plain ineptitude do so because the 'body' remains silent. This kind of abusive communication is the "Funny Uncle" in our living room. No more! Expose him and shine the light of Truth on his abominable abusive behavior.

Here are some characteristics I propose. These are the bare minimum that must shape acceptable communication that honors Christ and promotes open and honest consideration of the text of Scripture and the application of that text to life - Applied Theology.

1. Logical non-contradiction. (God is not schizophrenic and neither is His revelation of Himself).

2. Empirical Adequacy (exegetical substance/accuracy that supports the thesis I am promoting).

3. Existential Viability (what we are deliberating really matters in the real world).

4. Humility (if it is demonstrated that I am in error, I submit graciously to the Truth and modify my position to harmonize with Truth).

5. Civility (if we cannot agree on a position that is clearly preferable to others, we accept the impass and do not engage in immature and unkind exchanges).

6. Contact with the Principal (I address the issue with the primary participants, not through a circuitous collection of others to whom I disparage the other Principal in that exchange).

7. Collaborative Consultation (Both parties are receptive to the larger Christian Community and are willing to consider their contribution to the issue being deliberated).

8. Historic Orthodoxy (I acknowledge the historic perspective embraced through the centuries of church and draw effectively on the fruit of that history).

9. Exegesis not Polemics (Most exchanges are heavy on polemics and light on exegetical substance. The issue is 'what does the text say?').

I am praying earnestly that this profile becomes an operative and beneficial addition to understanding and applying Truth to life - - A MOVEMENT. Join this effort. Hold one another accountable. Remember Joshua & Caleb (Num. 14:36-38). They were true Leaders. The other ten were impostors. Together we can do this. God is honored by this endeavor and He will bring it to pass!

I close this post with the exhortation of Paul to Timothy. These words capture the heart of this process. If applied, Truth will reign supreme, God will be honored and we as His servants will benefit.

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Tim. 2:23-26; ESV).

Resources:

Exegetical Fallacies, D. A. Carson

Integrative Theology, Gordon R. Lewis & Bruce A. Demarest

The Unexamined BLOG

I’m sure you’ve read this quote before: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates said that at his trial for heresy. He was on trial for encouraging his students to challenge the accepted beliefs of the time and think for themselves. The sentence was death but Socrates had the option of suggesting an alternative punishment. He could have chosen life in prison or exile, and would likely have avoided death.

But Socrates believed that these alternatives would rob him of the only thing that made life useful: Examining the world around him and discussing how to make the world a better place. Without his “examined life” there was no point in living. So he suggested that Athens reward him for his service to society. The result, of course, is that they had no alternative and were forced to vote for a punishment of death.

There are a few investments that always pay significant dividends. One of those for me has been to utilize the last week of the year for evaluation. What did I do that was fruitful and effective? What did I do that was a bust? Where should I invest my time and energies in the new year? This BLOG is one area that I believe has significant potential.

Let me be quick to add that I do not believe my reward will be death as it was for Socrates. Some may desire that I die, but, they do not exercise fiat autonomy to execute that sentence so I will press on!

My life focus has been and is the Reformation & Renewal of the Evangelical Church in America. My focus will be toward accomplishing that objective. Only God can do this. However, He has chosen to use means. He has graciously permitted sinful mortals to participate in this glorious reality called "The Church". She is the Bride of Christ. He blesses efforts to adorn and beautify this Bride. I consider this a holy and honorable focus in which one may invest life's resources. So, we will do just that.

My profile will be to publish a weekly article on the Evangelical Church. Each article will feature an issue that I believe needs modification and/or correction for the church to be healthy and effective. In that same post I will include an antidote for that issue. My desire is that this BLOG not become a simple rant, always citing what is wrong but never offering any solutions. However, it is also true that if the issues are not defined and addressed, the slide into the abyss will continue. That statement is not hyperbole. Consult the work of David Olson www.theamericanchurch.org for a wealth of data that substantiates this thesis - - we are in a tailspin.

Finally, I quote from the work of Gary Johnson and Reginald Gleason, Reforming or Conforming:

The first priority of the church is not mission but confession. Any emphasis on being missional that is not already clear on what it means to be confessional will misrepresent the person and work of Christ and hinder the work of the church (p.235)

I plan to post this data each Monday. My prayer is that as you read these fifty-two posts on the church in 2010 that the insights offered are beneficial, exalt Christ and equip Shepherds (Andy Stanley not withstanding) to lead courageously and effectively. “ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda.” The church reformed and always reforming.

In Grace,
tcf
IgniteUS, Inc.
www.igniteus.net
info@igniteus.net
803 776 5282

Exegesis and Polemics

Recently the Evangelical world was rocked by the publication of the Manhattan Declaration http://manhattandeclaration.org/. The responses ranged from white hot affirmation to "what a crock". In recent years there also appeared a similar document titled The Evangelical Manifesto. The response to that publication was similar.

The focus of this post is not the examination of either of these documents. It is my purpose to address the methodology of such endeavors. We have become 'giants' in the realm of Polemics and 'midgets' in the realm of Exegesis. The former depends on eloquence and well crafted argumentation to achieve 'victory'. The latter depends on the accurate and precise exegesis of the special revelation God has graciously given and preserved for our well-being and walk of obedience. The former is transitory and fleeting. The latter is eternal and lasting.

The first and primary evidentiary case in Polemics is "Who signed it?" If a significant collection of "Evangelical Luminaries" have signed on, then it must be orthodox, accurate and binding upon the conscience and conduct of all Evangelicals. Right? WRONG!

The first and primary evidentiary case in Exegesis is,'does my conclusion(s) constitute agreement with the text of Scripture'? If it does, then it matters not whether the "Luminaries" agree.

I am well aware that exegesis is tedious, time consuming and difficult. This task cannot be engaged by the casual Apologist. It is for those who have invested years of preparation and study. It is for the diligent. It is for the plodder not the 'flash in the pan' participant.

The Reformation was birthed and continues to exist on the labors of serious exegetes. The fruit of that historical movement continues to this very day. My appeal is that we return to this profile. It matters not who signed on. It matters for all eternity whether or not my postulates and conclusions are "rooted and grounded" (Col. 1:23) in the words and their relationships in the text which give meaning to language and to our theology. This alone is the plumb line of orthodoxy and orthopraxsis.

Join me in this quest. It really does matter!

Those Who Did Not Believe

Though you already know this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe (Jude 5).

Who are these people today? Who are 'those who do not believe?' Scripture is timeless in its application. Jude had reference to specific people when he wrote. There are those today that would be identified as 'not believing' just as those in that first century.

The church has lost the capacity to discern and to act in the midst of such tragedy. She is not able to identify the culprits. When there is an identification, there is utterly no will to act and discipline such people. Worse, and repeatedly, the Leader with discernment who has the integrity and courage to identify those who have 'taken the way of Cain' (Jude 11) are maligned and labeled as rabble. They are set aside and denied any role in leadership of that assembly. How sad.

Truth is:

1. Revealed

2. Absolute

3. Transcendent

4. Propositional

5. Incarnate

What about the church in which you worship. Is there discernment? Is there the capacity to act with wisdom, compassion and according to sound exegesis of the text? If so, rejoice! If not, take immediate steps to begin a process of correction to this malaise. Secure a copy of Alexander Strauch's Biblical Eldership. Implement the identification, selection and affirmation of men qualified to serve in this role. Pray for them. Encourage them. Ask God to restore integrity to His church through this process.

Ultimate Authority and "Hate Crimes"

A Biblical & Exegetical Response to “Hate Crimes Legislation”

Purpose: This document is by design a statement of Covenant Obedience. Orthodox Christian Theism regards Scripture, The Bible (66 Books), as the Supreme Authority. This Authority is transcendent and universal, applying in every geographic locale and every culture (Ps. 47). The Bible is the final arbiter of faith and conduct (1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:12); cf. the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, 1978, http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago1.html . When there is conflict between Civil authority and the clear expressions of Scripture, Christians will honor Christ and obey Him (Acts 4:18-20). This posture has been the testimony of believers throughout history (Stephen, Acts 7; Paul, 2 Cor. 6; various unnamed saints, Heb. 11:35-38).

Context: Recent legislative initiatives in Washington D.C. (H.B. 1913) and at the United Nations have identified the clear declarations of Scripture as “Hate Speech”. Jesus Christ stated without ambiguity or apology that he came to ‘testify to the Truth’ (John 18:37). In that statement he also states that all who embrace this Truth ‘listen’ (πᾶς ὁ ὢν ἐκ τῆς ἀληθείας ἀκούει μου τῆς φωνῆς.) to him.

Thesis: Applying the assumptions stated above, it is not ‘hate’, but the purest form of love and compassion, to declare with uncompromised consistency the propositional statements of Scripture. This applies to all moral and social issues as addressed by the text of Scripture. God, not civil magistrates, determines what is sin. History is populated by humble and courageous people who understood and lived according to this proposition.

Therefore, when conduct and lifestyles are characterized as sinful by Scripture, Christians are obligated by their Covenant relationship to Jesus Christ as LORD to declare this with compassion and in love to those persons practicing such aberrant and sinful behavior. This is not done out of hate, but love. The consequences of such behavior are horrific and eternal (Rom. 1:26-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Rev. 21:6-8).

Conclusion: Persons who have surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ are obligated by that Covenant relationship to honor Him above all other authorities. Christians desire to live peacefully and strive to be good citizens of whatever country in which they may reside. However, when civil authority adopts legislation, postulates or laws, that are in conflict with God’s Law, we must obey God. We rely upon our God as the Sovereign of the universe to accomplish his purpose through our obedience.

We say with Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, “We cannot do otherwise. Here we stand. God help us! Amen”


(The following links take the reader to data on the Hate Crimes Initiatives.)

http://caymanpei.blogspot.com/2009/10/un-resolution-to-outlaw-hate-speech.html

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_hat37.htm

Truth - Trends & Tenacity

I recently participated in a poll posted by CT. The question being addressed focused on reaching a particular segment of society. What should be done to reach the people in that cultural category (Young Adults)? The option that received the greatest affirmation (62%) was:

The same way you reach out to others: teach the gospel faithfully!

I have long been troubled by all the adjectival designations for church; Equestrian church (if you do not have a horse, don't bother to participate; Biker church (if you don't ride a motorcycle, don't bother to participate; Gen X church; (if you are over 21/25(?) years of age, dont' bother to participate).

Read the book of Acts, the Magna Charta of The Church. The text and historical records indicate that people from every social strata, gender, age and economic condition were embraced as they came together daily. People were received as sinners redeemed by the grace of God. They were all recognized as equal at the foot of the cross. There was no such thing as segregating the body into special interest groups.

The "Homogenous" principle is applied in the church in America because it works, pragmatism. "Aviaries of similar plumage congregate"! Applying principles of attraction that are effective is wise and prudent leadership. Building an entire ministry on the basis of segmented social groups is a defective model and a denial of the oneness God's people inherently enjoy in Chirst.

Publishers have ceased publishing titles on the Emerging Church. Why? Because it is/was a fad, a blip on the panoramic continuum of church history. Also, many of the theological foundations of that movement (Generous Orthodoxy (sic)) are hertical if not utterly apostate. The recent publication of Deep Church by Jim Belcher provides a candid look into the poverty of the major tenets of that movement. He was part of that movement for a time so he writes 'from the inside'. He proposes what he labels a Third Way. (This is not an endorsement, simply noting this work).

Another example is the House Church movement promoted by Barna & Viola. Tim Keller recently offered a helpful grid for reviewing this attempt to classify some of these movements. He identified three groups; Willow, Reconstructionist and Traditionalist. Without question there is much that has become carved in stone that needs to be jettisoned. It is traditionalism not just tradition. Compare the recent fiasco at Coral Ridge, castigating the Pastor because he does not wear a robe or give altar calls! That is wholesome and legitimate tradition gone to seed (read my earlier post titled Polluted Polity on this battle)!

I titled this post Truth - Trends & Tenacity. It is my thesis that the most essential dynamic in the church of Jesus Christ is the exegetically accurate, passionate, compassionate and powerful declaration of the Truth. This is identified in the text as Preaching. I want to be quick to say I do not understand this to be a suited stodgy overweight and bellicose messenger shouting louder when his substance and exegesis is lacking!

I do mean the careful, accurate, sensitive in context unfolding and declaration of the Special Revelation God has graciously provided in the Bible. This tells us who he is, what he is doing, who we are and what he requires of us as his subjects. Rightly understood it is telic. We know what he is doing and that there is a glorious climax in history punctuated by the return of Jesus Christ to occupy the Throne of David for all eternity. The Word of God is authoritative, clear, necessary and sufficient. The systematic integration of this message into our lives puts us in good standing to receive His blessing and to accomplish His purpose.

If you read this and find affinity with what I have proposed, go to the link that follows and digest the substance of that article titled "Does Preaching Have A Future?" It is my settled conviction that the answer is a resounding YES. Preach the Word with tenacity.

http://www.beginningwithmoses.org/bigger/preachdj.htm

Resource:

Rest

Today is typically the "Sabbath" for Pastors. For Type A Leaders, rest is an issue that requires intentional and relentless effort. The call to "be still & know" is sadly a foreign exercise. I uderstand Sabbath to require:

1. Rest - a complete change of routine.
2. Recreation - engage those activities or not that refresh you in every conceivable manner.
3. Worship - Focused & intentional delight in the presence & person of our God.
4. Reflection - an honest and unhurried examination of all relationships; horizontal & vertical.

I do not wear a watch on Saturday. I sometimes do not even get 'dressed'. I enjoy dining on those culinary delights that I do not normally consume. I enjoy simple conversation with my wife on a whole variety of topics. I pray. I read the Bible (now on my Blackberry in multiple translations). I call friends that I can laugh with. I watch a squirrel try to drink from our pool without falling in.

Sabbath Rest. Fasting. Silence. Solitude. These are just a few of the Spiritual Disciplines that for me require focused intentional effort. So, how are YOU measuring up on this delightful piece of wisdom our God calls us to?

Now for my green recliner and a good nap. Now that is one fine exercise!!