Why religion is silly…

“Religion is the default mode of the human heart”

– Martin Luther

You have heard me for years say that religion is silly and here is why. Religion seeks to answer a very important question, “How can we who are unholy and unrighteous be declared holy and acceptable in the sight of a holy and righteous God?” Religion asks the right question and provides the wrong answer. They say, “What should we do to make ourselves holy? What should we do to make ourselves righteous?” While asking these questions they miss Jesus, who makes them holy and makes them righteous. While they build traditions and rules and regulations in an effort to perform their way to pleasing God. I just wanted to show you the extreme version of religion in our world and how it just becomes silly. We’re all prone to go toward religion. And in varying ways, at varying times, to varying degrees, we’re all religious. So when we read about religious people, we can’t simply criticize them. We also need to examine ourselves.

“Religious paper apologizes for erasing Clinton from iconic photo” By Jessica Ravitz, CNN

(CNN) – Faith has outweighed fact at Di Tzeitung, a Hasidic newspaper based in Brooklyn, New York. The ultra-Orthodox Jewish publication ran a doctored copy of the iconic “Situation Room Photo” last Friday – you know, the one taken of President Barack Obama and his national security team during the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound. Scrubbed from the picture: the two women in the room. It’s as if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with her hand clasped over her mouth, and Audrey Tomason, director of counterterrorism, weren’t there and weren’t part of history.

Here they are for comparison:

[I]n a written statement issued Monday afternoon by Di Tzeitung, the newspaper said that its decision to leave women out of photos is religiously mandated and that the right to do so is protected by the U.S. Constitution. “The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. That has precedence even to our cherished freedom of the press,” the statement said. “Publishing a newspaper is a big responsibility, and our policies are guided by a Rabbinical Board. “Because of laws of modesty, we are not allowed to publish pictures of women, and we regret if this gives an impression of disparaging women, which is certainly never our intention,” it continued. “We apologize if this was seen as offensive.”

the Gospel

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures . . .”

–1 Corinthians 15:1–4

What is the Gospel? The word gospel simply means “good news.” The central message of the Bible is the gospel, or good news, about the person and work of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, Paul provides the most succinct summary of the gospel: the man Jesus is also God, or Christ, and died on a cross in our place, paying the penalty for our sins; three days later He rose to conquer sin and death and give the gift of salvation to all who believe in Him alone for eternal life. That is it!

Martin Luther rightly said that, as sinners, we are prone to pursue a relationship with God in one of two ways. The first is religion/spirituality and the second is the Gospel. The two are antithetical in every way.

Religion says that if we obey God He will love us. The Gospel says that it is because God has loved us through Jesus that we can obey.

Religion says that the world is filled with good people and bad people. The Gospel says that the world is filled with bad people who are either repentant or unrepentant.

Religion says that you should trust in what you do as a good moral person. The Gospel says that you should trust in the perfectly sinless life of Jesus because He alone is the only good and truly moral person who has and will ever live.

The goal of religion is to get from God such things as health, wealth, insight, power, and control. The goal of the Gospel is not the gifts God gives, but rather God as the gift given to us by grace.

Religion is about what I have to do. The Gospel is about what I get to do.

Religion sees hardship in life as punishment from God. The Gospel sees hardship in life as sanctifying affliction that reminds us of Jesus’ sufferings and is used by God in love to make us more like Jesus.

Religion is about me. The Gospel is about Jesus.

Religion leads to an uncertainty about my standing before God because I never know if I have done enough to please God. The Gospel leads to a certainty about my standing before God because of the finished work of Jesus on my behalf on the cross.

Religion ends in either pride (because I think I am better than other people) or despair (because I continually fall short of God’s commands). The Gospel ends in humble and confident joy because of the power of Jesus at work for me, in me, through me, and sometimes in spite of me.

HT: Mars Hill (Seattle)

so was it a Good Friday?

Earlier this week they were praising him, shouting “Hosanna!” as He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey colt. They were reaching out to him, pointing, and fighting for his attention. He had celebrity status. They called him “King” and “Savior.”, it was all good. No one seemed to notice what He was riding (donkey representing peace instead of a horse representing war) but everyone seems to have superimposed their expectation on Him. Very Quickly when things didn’t go they way everyone thought they should (namely destruction of the Roman Kingdom) things suddenly changed. Today they will murder him. Today is “good” Friday…the day we killed God. It is the day we commemorate the brutal death of an innocent God the Son [Christ] Jesus.

How can we call this day “good?” Is murder good? Are angry mobs good? Is making fun of, spitting on, or screaming at the Christ good? Is corrupt leadership good? If you really think about it, this was not a good day for anyone from the outside looking in. It is one of the most embarrassing days in history. The trusted religious authorities who were supposed to have it all together arrested and murdered the son of God. It was not a good day…it was tragic.

So…why do we call it “good Friday” if it was a day of such terrible suffering and tragedy?

In this case, Jesus’ suffering leads to our salvation. His suffering is in the moment. Our salvation is the fruit from the moment. We do not call it “good” Friday because Jesus died. We call it “good” Friday because his death gives us LIFE! Without HIS death we have NO life.

Perhaps you are suffering today. Maybe you have recently been abandoned, hurt, ignored, devastated…you are lonely, confused, depressed, anxious…perhaps those closest to you have hurt you. You’ve recently experienced a divorce, family feud or a break-up. If you could choose one word to describe your day today, it definitely wouldn’t be “good.” Heck you wouldn’t even describe this past month as “good.”
You feel like nobody cares. You are suffering and it is NOT good.

I implore you please, please look to Jesus and His suffering. Look to what our sin has done, look at the destruction we cause and know that we have a saviour that understands your suffering. Look to His suffering for your soul and receive Him!

He loves you more than you will ever know.

5 ways we treat the Bible

Daily I come across people who refer to the “good book”, they use it for so many things but not as their ultimate authority. The average American household has 3 Bibles in there possession, yet we don’t really know how to use them. This really goes for those who claim Christ as their saviour, we are the worst offenders by far. Over and over I have had conversations and pointed to the truth found in God’s word and the response is “I know, I know but ___________”. I am not pointing the finger solely at you but myself as well, so I wanted to look at five [common] ways we treat the Bible instead of our ultimate authority.

Hors d’oeuvres: Many people treat the Bible as a hors d’oeuvres tray. I recently was at a event for a friend of mine and she had hors d’oeuvres on the table. It was an assortment of cookies and I was elated, shortbread, coconut, upscale sandwich cookies, etc… man they were great. So if you know me I have this weird thing where I have eat most things in sets of 2 and I was looking over the cookie picking them out 2 by 2 with a childlike excitement, “I want this one, and this one, but not these….” or, “I really like this part in Philippians 4 about doing all things in Christ but I really don’t like this part about being crucified with Christ.” This is how a lot of people treat the Bible, like an hors d’oeuvres tray, remember the Bible is not your authority of you pick and choose what parts you like.

Hobbies: I have a few friend that have hobbies and they are interesting to say the least, sometimes they actually turn into careers. When I spend time with those friends I tend to get sucked into that activity with them (whether I like it or not). What happens is we get all fired up about said hobby and in a few years its gone and the only way you remember it is when you move and come across those old materials. Many people treat the Bible this way we say “Man there was a time in my life when I was so fired up about the Bible. I was digging into it and I saw things I never saw before, it was so satisfying to me and then somewhere along the line I just stopped using it. I mean I kept carrying it around…” Many of us treat the Bible like this.

Rental Car Insurance: Question: How many of you that read this blog have ever bought the rental car insurance? If you have, really? Here is my rational for NEVER buying it. I’m already being [price] gouged for the rental of this car and now they want me to spend the extra $40 per day to protect me from something that hasn’t happened in years. I mean what are the chances that I have an accident today? No seriously? A lot of people treat the Bible the same way. We say “What are the chances that I’m really going to need that thing today? I guess technically I should get up and spend some time in God’s word but I think I’ll just get some coffee and rush out the door.” We have this view because we look at the Bible as technically needed (or optional) but we think that chances are we will be alright without it.

Seat-belt: I have to admit something, I where a seat-belt NOT always because I want to. What about you? I consistently where it for 3 reasons:

The reminder bell in my car won’t shut off unless I where it (if I were skilled enough I might actually uninstall it)
The reminder light just keeps flashing, and flashing, and flashing, and flashing, and flashing…
Finally, the police. They are there to protect and serve (me tickets if i don’t click it).

I mean seriously, I press my clothes and look all nice and this stupid thing wrinkles everything! ARGH! Many of us treat the Bible the same way. We say “I read the Bible because its the Law, I have to read it because I can’t get the flashing and dinging (or guilt) to stop until I do. So in order to silence the alarm everyday I spend a few minutes in there just to satisfy my guilt.”

Algebraic Equation or x = [(√4ac+b²) – b]/2a: Ok we are all grown up here right (physically at least). When is the last time you actually used this equation in your daily life. We all had to study Algebra in High school and some of us in college and many of us (not all) do not use it today. It seemed like a waste of time then and it seems like a waste of time now. Since leaving the Information systems field I have not once had a use for any of these formulas and many of us look at the Bible in that same light. “It’s really complicated and I guess I’m supposed to need it sometime in the future. They also say it’s good for my mind but I have never really figured out what that has to do with my life.”

Listen, if you view as:

Hors d’oeuvres tray: Something to pick out what you like and dislike
Hobbies: Something to do for a while and then eventually put aside
Algebraic Equation: Something so complicated and convoluted that I’ll never use it again.
Seat-belt: Something I have to do (guilt)
Rental Car Insurance: Something I don’t really need so I’ll chance it

Then today is a great day to come back to the Bible itself. Come back to God’s word being the priority in your life and let it be your [sole] authority. Is God’s word your authority?

He could have let me drown

Gospel music can be an extremely broad term. Most of the attention is focused on music that sprung from the early African-American church and inspired a host of modern day choirs and contemporary gospel/R&B sounds. [Black] Gospel Music and soul music are inextricably linked from the smooth sounds of Sam Cooke to the dancing, acrobatic vocals of Kirk Franklin, gospel music does more than just sound sweet–it literally moves its listeners. Whether it’s swaying with the choirs, tapping along with the quartets, or simply raising hands to the rhythm of soul-stirring crooners, gospel is one genre of music that needs to be both seen and heard. Once narrowly defined as religious, gospel has transcended those limits to become a profound force in American music and popular culture.

Gospel music has a history which can be traced to the 18th century. During this time, hymns were lined and repeated in a call and response fashion and the spirituals/ work songs came on the scene. Enslaved Africans attended their masters’ worship services, which was the main influence on spirituals and work songs. At these services they would grow closer in their understanding of Christian doctrine and role that music played in that experience. The worship music (hymns) of the masters became the backdrop for the music the enslaved Africans would use at their eventual worship meetings. As we listen to gospel music today with its sometimes downtrodden themes, it continues to be curious how such beauty and richness can emanate from troubled times.

In the tradition of the [black] church, call and response in singing and in speaking has been and continues to be a foundation on which the gospel is delivered. Through this participatory delivery system beliefs are reinforced. There is an expectation that when there is agreement with either the spoken word or song because of either its content or its contexts that verbal affirmation will be given. Those who are witnessing, speaking, or singing are encouraged by the responses and those who are about to experience issues are empowered to be victorious.

Gospel music can stir many different emotions. The audience for this spiritually moving idiom continues to grow as do the types of venues where it can be heard. Gospel singers and listeners, making a joyful noise to the Lord is what the music is about and it invites the participation of all to come together, honor the past, look forward to the future, and through song, renew our faith.

Check out a great example below:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3L1mXV8UUA]

Rob Bell is not a universalist…

Update: A careful and devastating review of Bell’s book can be read here (it is a PDF file).

Note: I’ve added an update at the end of this post.

… let me explain. I know that many of you that read this blog are familiar with the name above. As a college student I was first exposed to Rob Bell and his thought provoking questions through his Nooma videos and multiple books. I remember when I first encountered Nooma I felt they were a breath of fresh air in what was (in my opinion) silly evangelical media. I remember being taken back by his speaking ability, his thoughts, and his creativity. Someone who thinks like me (way outside the box), is willing to challenge evangelical norms and not just accept what he was spoon fed.

I also remember when I was just beginning my theological education that multiple professors warned me about Rob Bell and other emerging types. I heard them, but I defended him and others vociferously and for the most part most of the pastors and teachers I defended have proven to be extremely orthodox in their theology.

Well if you have not heard (or just don’t care) Rob Bell is in the center of a pretty large brouhaha about where he stands theologically. Many people are throwing around the words “heretic”, and “universalist” and it is getting the attention of the likes of USA Today, Good Morning America, NY Times, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. Honestly, I think this is a good thing and not a bad one.

I also know many of us younger Christ followers barely have any stomach for controversy, let alone strong words about a serious topic. If there is no way to be simultaneously bold and humble; if there is no way to be a gentle, caring person while still speaking in clear tones about hurtful error; if there is no way to correct those who oppose sound doctrine without being a moral monster; if there’s no way to love truth and grace at the same time, then there’s no way to be a biblical Christian. Let me be clear, not every judgment is sinful and not every truth is cruel.

It seems that most people I talk have expierieced Rob Bell’s books and videos and this what makes this issue so pressing. Clarity on the important issues he raises (and misunderstands) is absolutely necessary. I think the clear and overwhelming rejection of Bell’s views by orthodox Christians (with very lengthy responses) indicates that this is clearly in error on several points. I think Lisa Miller of Newsweek frames this whole brouhaha in a simple format when she asked Rob Bell in their interview, “Aren’t you just a mainline Protestant posing as an evangelical? Aren’t you just saying what Episcopalians have been saying for fifty or sixty years?” (Be sure to read the whole interview here. I don’t think he answers the question she asked, but his answers and ideas are worth reading)

Bell has largely recast and tweaked the view that many mainline Protestants have held for a hundred years: that because of God’s love, he saves everyone, regardless. This is not new. This is not groundbreaking. This is not revolutionary. In many ways, Rob Bell’s Love Wins is simply mainline Protestantism with better haircuts and cooler music.

In the end Rob Bell is right about one thing: what you believe about heaven and hell says a lot about what you believe about God. That’s why theological error of this magnitude cannot go unchecked.

Checkout the video below for Rob Bell in his own words…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg-qgmJ7nzA]

Update: Based on some conversations I have had with friends I decided to clarify where I see Rob Bell standing in. Rob Bell is not a Universalist. He more clearly an “optimistic inclusivist” (some might say a “mostly” universalist or christian universalist, the latter is an oxymoron). Either way clearly is not within the stream of orthodoxy but defiantly along the line of the early 20th century mainline denominations. A Universalist clearly states that they believe that regardless what someone believes they will go to heaven, don’t pass go, don’t collect $200, just straight in. I know this is splitting hairs but it is important for us to be precise while criticizing anyone. Bell consistently says that God’s love will eventually win in light of Jesus Christ. My initial response is sorry Jewish people (Hitler), Russians (Lenin and Stalin), Cambodians (Pol Pot), Ancient Near Eastern world (Genghis Khan), and anyone who actually believed the Bible. This view reflects a morally repugnant diety who has no claim to Holiness, heterodox in thinking, and humanistic at best. Similar, better constructed, and clearer statements were made at the Parliament of World Religions in 1893 or later in Karl Rahner’s concept of the Anonymous Christian and I would rather refer you to those documents instead.