[Compassionate Christianity] What are we so angry about?

I’m not a big fan of junk email. In fact, my habit of replying with the Snopes article on the email in question has earned me removal from almost everyone’s “forward to” list (except my mom’s, and I’m working on her…)
So the only time I see junk email is when my wife forwards one to me, usually with the question “Is this true?” So far, it’s 100% “no, it’s not true.”
But she recently sent me a letter, while incorrectly attributed to David Letterman and - per Snopes - Jay Leno before that, that bears repeating. I’m quoting the original article, posted by Craig Smith:

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way. Oh what a mean man I am. The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did … insane!
Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:
''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.''I suggest this Thanksgiving we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.

I recently was having a “bad day”. Money was an issue, because my car had just broken down. To be honest, I was angry at the world. Walking out of a store, I brushed off a guy asking for help. And then I realized – here I am worrying about money to fix our 2nd car and this guy not only has no vehicle, but needs a few dollars to get something to eat. And to top it off, he’s still probably better off than 90% of the people in third world countries. I went back and apologized for my rudeness, gave him what I could, and talked with him for a while. And I thanked God not only for the abundance He has given me, but for the opportunity to share it with others.

(http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=323}

[Compassionate Christianity] "Proof there is a God!"

This was the subject of a recent email I received from a well-meaning member of my church. The email contained pictures of a car wreck that a younger member of our church had been involved in. The gist was that not only had he and his friend walked away from a rolled vehicle with only minor injuries but that a preacher was the first one on the scene to help. Ergo - there is a God!
Both as a non-believer and now as a Christian, I have serious issues with these kinds of statements. The logical followup is that everytime someone doesn't walk away from a wreck, it proves there is no God.
(Don't misunderstand me - I've had God intervene miraculously on my life on a few occassions. And there was no denying that it was God - for me and the other believers involved. But how does this prove God exists? He showed Himself to me - but I already believe.)
How many people died in Cuba and elsewhere this week due to the hurricane? Yet I gurantee that if hits the US as hard as it has Cuba, there will be the "God saved me" stories.
Perhaps I'm too cynical this week. But all this seems far too self-centered. Does the (well-meaning) lady who sent this email believe the young man's life was that much more important than the half-dozen or so people who died violently in this area over the last few days? God loved the boy in the accident, so He made sure he survived. But the gang-banger that was stabbed to death near downtown yesterday - he must not have been as well loved....
I see the same thing with medical 'miracles'. I have some wonderful friends who have survived cancer against all odds - and I have others who have slowly and painfully died from cancer. Can we really call one of these cases a miracle? Was God not at work in the other?

(http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=320)

[Compassionate Christianity] Feeding the poor

Compassionate Christianity has posted a new item, 'Feeding the poor'
My thoughts on the August 2008 Synchroblog on poverty:

Echoes of "liberal" and "social gospel" ring in my ears. I've been told by so
many evangelicals/fundamentalists that our sole job is to tell people the "Good
News" (their version, of course, doesn't come off sounding so good). Feeding the
poor is OK, just don't let it [...]
You may view the latest post at
http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=282
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are
posted.
Best regards,
Jimmie
jimmie@compassionatechristianity.org

[Compassionate Christianity] Feeding the poor

Compassionate Christianity has posted a new item, 'Feeding the poor'

My thoughts on the August 2008 Synchroblog on poverty:

Echoes of “liberal” and “social gospel” ring in my ears. I’ve been told by so many evangelicals/fundamentalists that our sole job is to tell people the “Good News” (their version, of course, doesn’t come off sounding so good). Feeding the poor is OK, just don’t let it get in the way of the real deal - asking perfect strangers where they’ll go if they die tonight or giving someone a tract in place of a tip.

In The Know: How Can We Make The War In Iraq More Eco-Friendly?

In The Know: How Can We Make The War In Iraq More Eco-Friendly?

Not sure what I can say that would add to this....

http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=284

[Compassionate Christianity] In The Know: How Can We Make The War In Iraq More Eco-Friendly?

Compassionate Christianity has posted a new item, 'In The Know: How Can We Make The War In Iraq More Eco-Friendly?'

In The Know: How Can We Make The War In Iraq More Eco-Friendly?

Not sure what I can say that would add to this….

You may view the latest post at
http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=284
You received this e-mail because you asked to be notified when new updates are posted.
Best regards,
Jimmie
jimmie@compassionatechristianity.org

Why the Atonement?

While all Christians agree that Christ’s death was necessary, the bible does not spell out exactly why He had to die. The Church has developed, over 2000 years, several explanations. Before discussing what I believe, here are the 3 most common views:
Ransom theory – Jesus’ death was necessary to pay the ransom for our liberation

1. Adam and Eve sold the human race into captivity to Satan by their sin.2. Christ’s death paid the price for our liberation from Satan

Issues

1. Why does God need to pay Satan?2. Since Christ did not truly die, then is God a deceiver?

This view is seen in Aslan’s death in The Chronicles of Narnia – the Ice Queen accepts Aslan’s sacrifice as payment, but Aslan does not remain dead.Some scholars feel this was the predominant view throughout the first 1000 years of church history, though others argue for Christus Victor as the predominant view. This view is rejected by most today, but many in the Word of Faith movement do teach this.

Satisfaction theory – Jesus’ death was required to satisfy God’s judgment.

1. God is a Holy and Just God.2. As Holy and Just, God must punish sin.3. The only acceptable punishment for sin is death. 4. Christ voluntarily took our punishment to satisfy God’ sense of justice.

Issues:

1. Who requires God to punish sin?2. Why is the only acceptable punishment for finite sin an infinite death?3. Why is punishing the innocent and letting the guilty go free considered justice?

The first major proponent of Satisfaction theory was St. Anselm, though his theory differs somewhat from the modern view basically developed by John Calvin. The modern protestant view, the Penal Substitution theory, likens the Atonement to a court proceeding.It is the most common view of Protestants today and most “canned” evangelism methods make reference to this theory.
Moral Influence View – Christ’s death was necessary to show God’s mercy and love.

1. The suffering and death of Christ on the cross was to show God’s love to His people, softening their hearts to Him.2. Christ’s death was not directed toward God but toward man.

Issues:

1. This view does not account for scripture which tells us that Christ died in our place.2. This view ignores God’s anger toward sin.

This view is generally held only by liberal theologians.
These are the three most recognized views of the Atonement. It is very likely that all 3 have some element of truth in them, but that none fully explain why Christ had to die on the cross.
Christus VictorThe view I lean most toward is Christus Victor. The name was first coined by Gustaf Aulen when he argued that this was the predominant view of the early church. Eastern Orthodox churches still hold to this view. It is closely related to Ransom Theory, and Aulen argues that our modern views cause us to misinterpret the writings of the Early Church Fathers as supporting the Ransom Theory. But Christus Victor holds that, instead of Christ’s death paying a ransom to Satan, His death freed us from our self-imposed bondage to death, sin, and Satan.
Christus Victor is less a point-by-point explanation of the Atonement, but more of a narrative view of the bible. And before we go further, the reader should be warned – I am not a theologian. What follows is my layman interpretation of what I’ve read of others and of what I read in the bible.
God is the source of life. It is through Him that we live and breathe, that we even exist. Adam and Eve were created to have life in and through God, and this is what God had intended for all of us. But Adam and Eve chose to rebel against God and, by doing so, separated themselves from the source of all life. Thus death, both physical and spiritual, entered the world.
We, as the children of Adam and Eve, inherited the consequences of Adam’s sin; not the sin itself but the separation from God and the propensity to sin because we are separated from Him. But each of us not only inherits the consequences of Adam’s sin, we – each and every one of us – also choose to rebel against God. We not only inherit death but we earn death through our actions.
The Old Testament is a narrative of God’s attempts to reconcile rebellious man with Himself, to bring man back from death into life. But man is too separated from God, too bound to sin and death by our own choices, to reconcile with God. We are unable to conquer death and return to God.
And so we have the New Testament. God becomes man to reconcile man with God. As man, Jesus is as tempted to sin, to rebel against God, as we are. He is isolated from God the Father on the cross, as we live our lives isolated from God. And yet He still conquers death – despite the bindings of sin and death, Jesus rises from the dead. By His death and resurrection, He provides a way for us to conquer death.
Though He walked the earth as a humble, gentle man, Jesus was indeed the conquering King expected by the Jews. He did not come to conquer Caesar but to conquer the spiritual forces that hold man down. Sin, death, Satan – all were conquered on that third day
This is the reason for the Atonement. Not that God needed to pay a price that He Himself decreed, but that we needed to pay a price our own choices decreed; a price we could not pay. Jesus, God Himself in the flesh, rescued us from the captivity we ourselves had entered into.
Isaiah 61:1 tells us

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

We are the poor – Spiritually poor and bound by death, unable to afford the price of reconciliation.We are the brokenhearted – Broken by the power of sin.We are the captives and prisoners – Imprisoned in darkness, unable to see the light.
Christ Himself has brought us the Good News, healed our broken hearts, and freed us from captivity to sin and death. And He is life to all who will receive Him, to all who will reject the ways of the world that lead to death, to all that follow His pathway to death of self and glorious resurrection into new life!

(Originally published at http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=14)

Jesus is Lord, isn't He?

For some reason, there are many who claim to follow Christ that get upset about the idea that this is the essential part of the Gospel. I’ve had several people, particularly online, argue with me endlessly over this or even refuse to make the confession of Christ as Lord. One claimed to be a teacher at his church; another claims to be an avid evangelist. And both of these claim to be reaching people for Christ.
So why is proclaiming “Jesus is Lord” such a disturbing idea for some? Paul tells us in Romans 10 that confessing Him as Lord is what saves us. And Jesus Himself tells us we will die in our sins if we do not believe He is who He claims to be – and He claimed to be Lord.
Part of it, I’m sure, is the reluctance to admit that one may have been teaching the Gospel wrongly. If you’ve been telling people one thing for several years, then you may not want to admit that you may have steered people the wrong way.
But I think there is more to it than that. Many of the people I’ve discussed this with are of the in-your-face, “turn or burn” crowd. They believe they have fulfilled their “duty” by handing out a tract. And based on what I’ve read or seen from some, they feel they have done a really good job of “evangelizing” when a “sinner” gets annoyed with them – after all, “the truth hurts”. (I still can’t find that in my bible, and everyone seems to change the subject when I ask for a verse that says that.) And they eschew any thought of charity or acts of compassion – it’s far more important to tell people about Christ than to actually show love.
In other words, their lives don’t seem to reflect Jesus’ teachings on love, compassion, and charity. But if Christ is indeed Lord, if He is exactly who He claims to be, then we have to take all of His teachings seriously. We can’t pick and choose “preach the Gospel” and ignore the parable of the sheep and the goats. We can’t claim “persecution for righteousness” and ignore the rest of Matthew 5. We can’t feel justified when “the world hates you” but decide not “love even your enemies”.
The most radical part of the Gospel is not that we are sinners and Jesus lived, died, and rose again for our sins. It is that Jesus is indeed Lord and that we need to obey everything He taught – not just the convenient parts.

(originally posted at http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=21

A missional job description?

OK, so I am trying to finish up a little blog/lesson plan on ways to "10 ways to live missionally". I'm stuck on phrasing for a way involving money (our spending being not only reflective of our heart but also something others take notice of). So I decided to google "missional living".
A large portion of the hits were on living "green" but I expected that. Other links led me to some excellent blogs (3 added to my blogroll today).
But I did not expect to find this: Missional Multiplier Job Description
Yep, a "job description" for being missional! But it gets even better. Not only has reaching out to people been programmed into a few "You must do this" items, you can move beyond this into a "Missional Multiplier" - evidently, they're the guys that have got "missional" down pat.

Every student should, at the very least, be living missionally.What this looks like is -• Having intentional meals/coffee with classmates, work associates, neighborsand family initiating spiritual conversations trusting God for a Gospelopportunity.• Invite same people into the body, the church and CRU events,• Join other groups associated with a hobby, interest, or major and spendingtime to create relationships with the intent of having spiritual conversations.......
There are certain individuals that are Missional Multipliers (M&M) –• M&M’s are faithfully attempting the above missional lifestyle and alsomultiplying that lifestyle in the lives of others to raise up missionally minded students for the movement.• M&M’s disciple key students so that they are multiplying a missional lifestyle into others’ lives.• M&M’s are discipled by Staff members or other student leaders......

Admittedly, there are some good ideas in this list. But I see some issues: 1) We're not clones. To say that everyone must do exactly the same thing is silly, illogical, and unbiblical (did Paul and Peter reach people the same way?)2) If we, as Christians, create relationships with people just so we can have a spiritual conversation, then we have treated them not with love but as means to an end.There are other issues, but the primary one is reducing following Christ down to a handful of "musts".
Of course, this does come back full circle. By creating a list of ways to be missional, I could also be "programming" missional. It is our tendency to want to break everything down, to number it, to add some "musts" and "must nots" to the list. I like checklists and job descriptions. They help me know exactly what I need to be doing. But I hope I never limit anything of God to a checklist for myself or for other people. God is far bigger than any 10 ideas I could ever come up with.
I'll still finish my list of 10 ways, but they are simply suggestions for me and others. They are a starting point, something concrete to begin a life of following Christ.

(Please comment at http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org)

Come join the party...

As I read the Gospels, I've noticed that there were a couple things that made the scribes and pharisees angry with Jesus. The first, and most obvious, was His claims of deity. But another is the fact that He opened heaven/eternal life up to more than just the religious. He opened it up to whoever would come, even those that the Jews would have nothing to do with.
The issue of Christ's deity is not a big deal within the Church today. Even religions/churches most christians would reject recognize Christ's deity. But the issue of who gets in and who doesn't.... talk about stirring up a hornet's nest!
A recent discussion on one forum highlighted this. Someone wrote about a party in heaven, and that everyone was invited. But a pharisee showed up, clipboard in hand, to make sure that everyone who showed up was indeed invited. The keys to the kingdom were in her hands, as far as she was concerned, and she would make sure the riff-raff stayed out. How dare someone say everyone was welcome!
I posted an analogy of Jesus sneaking people past the pharisees and in the back door. Isn't this what Christianity is? We couldn't keep the Law (and get on the invitation list), so Jesus found a way to get us into the party anyway. Yet this analogy drew fire - even from a poster I respect.
Why is it so many people are more concerned with keeping the riff-raff out than with helping them get into the party?
The good news is that not only is there a party planned for us, it has already begun. But the bad news is that your invitation got lost somewhere and you'll never get past security (religion) at the front door. Don't feel too bad; I lost my invitation as well.
But Jesus is more than happy to sneak you into the party. Just follow Him in through the back door. It's a great party; it's a shame so many are missing it because they insist on checking names at the door.


(please comment at http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org)

Making the Most

The Book of Acts contains our best examples of biblical evangelism. It starts in Acts 2, where a large crowd was drawn by the activity of the Holy Spirit and Peter took the opportunity to tell them about Christ. And throughout the book we read that the apostles were accompanied by signs and miracles (the work of the Spirit) and that people listened to them because of this. The Spirit is still at work today, though the signs and miracles are less flashy today. Don’t get me wrong; I believe there is still supernatural physical healing. But I believe that we can see the Spirit at work everyday in the casting out of the demons of addiction or in the healing of a broken person. And those outside the Body of Christ do pay attention when they see these kinds of miracles – it is up to us to make the most of the opportunity to tell people the Gospel of Christ.
There are 2 examples of evangelism in the Book of Acts that have always stood out to me. Both involve less supernatural circumstances but definitely involved a believer making the most of an opportunity to speak.
In Acts 17:16-34. we read of Paul’s speech in the Aeropagus. This speech is a great example of apologetics and an inspiration for many of us who would share Christ with those of other faiths. But first Paul had to be given the opportunity to speak. How did he gain this? First, he saw the situation in Athens. The people were worshipping a large number of idols and Paul’s spirit, who we can assume was in tune with the Holy Spirit, was provoked. In other words, Paul was responding to the Spirit’s promptings.Second, he talked with the people around him. The bible doesn’t tell us how long Paul spent talking with the people in the marketplace before being given the opportunity to speak in the Aeroagus, but I imagine it was weeks, if not months. It is obvious that not only was he telling people about Christ, he was also listening and learning about what they believed as well – he will use their own beliefs as his starting point for his sermon.Third, Paul is respectful towards those he was talking to. He was respectful enough that they invited him to the Aeropagus so they could hear him speak more. Paul continues to show respect when he addresses the Aeropagus. Instead of condemning them for false beliefs, he makes the observation that they are indeed very religious. And then he goes on from there to tell them of the unknown God that many are already worshipping.So we can learn 3 things from Paul on making the most – 1) Let the Spirit guide you; 2) Sometimes evangelism takes time and effort; 3) Treat others with respect.The bible tells us (vv. 32, 34) that there 3 different reactions to Paul’s presentation of the Gospel. Some scoffed, some wanted to know more, and some became believers.
In Acts 8:25-40, we read of the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip’s discussion with him. The situation begins quite differently here – the Spirit doesn’t just prompt Philip but gives him direct instructions. The similarity with Paul at the Aeropagus lies in the fact the Spirit was at work behind the scenes; neither the Athenians or the eunuch see the Spirit at work except through their interactions with believers.The situation continues quite differently as well. While Paul had weeks or months to talk, learn, and lay a groundwork, Philip has to act instantly. The Spirit tells him “Go talk to him, now!”But Philip was ready. He made the most of this chance by asking the eunuch if he understood what he was reading. Though we only have a short description of the interaction between Philip and the eunuch, it is obvious that Philip was (like Paul) treating the eunuch with respect. The eunuch was a powerful man, yet he invited Philip to come join him and talk to him more. And later, the eunuch believes in the Gospel and becomes a follower of Christ.So the three things we learn from Philip – 1) Let the Spirit guide you; 2) Sometimes evangelism requires instant action; 3) Treat others with respect.

(original post at: http://jimmie.compassionatechristianity.org/?p=24)

Compassionate Christianity

Discussing Christ with compassion, love, and mercy. (My feeble attempts at a more missional, emerging Christianity.)

This blog will serve as a mirror for my main blog at http://compassionatechristianity.org. If you would like to comment (and hopefully you will), please do so at the main site.