What is Necessary for Salvation?

March 16, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

There are countless doctrines in existence today within Christianity. Some doctrines are insignificant in terms of how they will impact individuals, while others are far more definitive of Christianity. The divisions between denominations often raised the question that the Emergent Church must now answer. One goal of Emergent is to “deconstruct” or rethink Christianity and get down to the bare bones. The question becomes, how far is too far? At what point does the stripping away of doctrines result in beliefs that are no longer Christian? What knowledge/beliefs are necessary to be considered Christian?

First we must establish an authority for our beliefs. Since God is the Creator He is the source of all things. God has chosen to communicate His truths to use through His Word. Every Christian must hold the Bible as the authority for belief because it is God’s standard for us (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Salvation involves God and us. Entailed in salvation is an understanding of our condition. All have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) and because of our sinful natures no one seeks God (3:11). Furthermore, our sinful acts condemn us to punishment (Rom 6:23). It is because of our condition that there is no work we can do to save ourselves (Eph 2:8-9). However we are to be saved must completely be an act of grace by an outside party (Rom 4:5).

Since salvation is an act of God, we must have some understanding of who He is. Necessarily, we must see that if Jesus were not both fully God and fully man His sacrifice would not have been effective for us (John 8:24). In being deity and human He took the place of our punishment (1 John 2:2 Rom 3:21-26). Paul said we must also believe Jesus was resurrected for “if Christ is not raised your faith is worthless” (1 Cor 15:17).

In summary the essentials include 1) our sinful nature 2) salvation by grace alone 3) the natures of Christ 4) Christ’s substitution on our behalf 5) the resurrection. I suppose someone may believe these things and not hold the Bible as our authority, but then we might question why someone would believe these things. There is perhaps some grace in just how much knowledge is necessary, for obviously no one fully comprehends any of these doctrines. This should be no excuse, though, for not pursuing the knowledge of God. We are to worship Him in spirit and in truth and this requires us to pursue truth.

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God is Never the Answer

March 15, 2005 Posted by Amy Hall

I recently watched a debate between Gerd Ludeman and William Lane Craig on the subject of Jesus' resurrection. In the midst of the debate, Ludemann made a very interesting case against belief in the resurrection. He simply dismissed the evidence that Craig presented and asserted that it is no help at all to propose the hypothesis that God actually raised Jesus from the dead as the best explanation for the facts at hand. (It makes it much easier to win a debate when you rule out the opposing position as a possible answer before you even begin!)

Ludemann, assuming his conclusion in his argument, stated categorically that any explanation involving a work of God will do nothing but distract us from what's really going on. He reminded Craig, “Nobody outside theological quarters is toying with the notion that God is acting or doing something in history. In scholarship, we have to look for the cause of things. We have to use the most sober explanation to account for a certain development.”

But this is clearly just foolishness when you think about it. What is “the most sober explanation” but the one that best explains the facts at hand? You can't just assert that only answers that don't involve God are possibly true, and therefore Craig's answer that God acted in history is false by definition, regardless of his evidence. That conclusion is, after all, the very thing they are trying to determine in the debate!

Scientists who are naturalists make this same error when they confuse science (the following of the evidence of nature to the truth) with naturalism (the philosophical belief that there is nothing outside the natural world), claiming that the hypothesis of an intelligent designer of the universe is outside the realm of science, so they must find some other explanation. However, if the evidence of nature points to the existence of a higher being, then the best explanation (based on science) involves that higher being. You can't simply cling to your philosophical beliefs, ruling out all other options because you don't like them.

You can see the silliness of this when you imagine a scientist studying nature out in the jungle. While setting up camp, he stumbles upon a strange artifact covered with complicated writings and drawings. He is amazed by the design and beauty of the object and begins to devote his life to exploring all of his many theories about how this artifact developed out of nature. When another scientist kindly points out that obviously a personal, intelligent agent created the artifact, the first scientist disdainfully responds, “My dear boy, I am a scientist. It is my job to find natural explanations, and that is what I intend to do. Do not bother me with your speculations of an unknown being, for that is no real answer at all.”

That scientist will spend the rest of his life chasing down an explanation involving the random forces of nature. We chuckle at his foolishness, and we would do the same with Ludemann if it were not so ultimately tragic.

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In Spirit and in Truth

March 14, 2005 Posted by Amy Hall

To truly worship God, we must find a balance between head and heart. The emergent church is attempting to bring more heart back into our worship of God, believing that a lack of heart has strained our relationship with Him. This is a commendable goal and a much needed correction in some circles. However, as these leaders undermine the nature of truth itself for their followers, they will ultimately destroy their goal (a deeper relationship with God) from the opposite direction. Without knowledge of the truth about the beauty, majesty, justice, goodness and grace of God, you can have no real intimacy with Him. As John Piper puts it in Desiring God, it's the truth about God that fuels our worship of Him. Piper describes the beautiful interplay of head and heart in a deepening relationship between God and man:

The fuel of worship is a true vision of the greatness of God; the fire that makes the fuel burn white hot is the quickening of the Holy Spirit; the furnace made alive and warm by the flame of truth is our renewed spirit; and the resulting heat of our affections is powerful worship, pushing its way out in confessions, longings, acclamations, tears, songs, shouts, bowed heads, lifted hands, and obedient lives.

When the fuel is taken away, the fire burns out no matter how many candles you light in your sanctuary.

[Tag-Team Post: added by Murdock 6:45 p.m.]

For any who may say this is not what Emergent is interested in, or that we've misunderstood something…

The advertising for Leonard Sweet's latest book stated, “God does not want to be known about, God wants to be known.” In the book he expands:

“Being a Christian is more about relationship with God than beliefs about God; more about the presence of God than the proofs of God; more about intimacy with the truth than the tenets of truth; more about knowing God’s activities than knowing God’s attributes. It is time to move from a religion that seeks to comprehend God to a relationship that seeks to encounter and be a home for God – to move from points and propositions and moralisms to mystery and paradox and participation in the divine life.” – Leonard Sweet, Out of the Question, Into the Mystery (p 195-196)

McLaren along similar lines…

“For me the ‘fundamentals of the faith” boil down to those given by Jesus: to love God and to love our neighbors. These fundamentals will not satisfy many, I fear. They’ll insist on asking, ‘Which God are we supposed to love?’ I’ll respond by saying ‘Whichever God Jesus was referring to.’ Then, still unsatisfied, they’ll probably ask, ‘What exactly do you mean by love? And who is my neighbor?’ At that point I’ll probably mutter something incoherent about Samaritans and walk away.” – Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy (p 185)

We're all for loving others and pursuing a genuine, meaningful relationship with God. Our complaint is that our relationship with God cannot be disconnected from a knowledge about Him. In fact, knowledge about God is necessary in order to have any sort of meaningful relationship with him.

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The Bible Vs. Beckett

March 12, 2005 Posted by Amy Hall

Read this blog entry to see a Christian who has followed postmodern thinking to its logical conclusion. The Bible has no particular importance in the forming of his worldview. The result? He and his church community study Waiting for Godot and discover that pain is meaningless and Christians need to give up living in their fantasy world where God works everything for good.

His catchy phrase is a familiar one in postmodern circles: “We consider ourselves to be quite biblical in our belief that it is the risen Jesus Christ, and not Scripture, that is the authoritative 'Word of God.'” Yes, Jesus is the Word of God, but who is Jesus? What is his character like? What does he love and hate? What does he desire for us? How should we follow him? Seek him? These are questions that can only be answered by God Himself in His written word. You are on dangerous ground indeed if you reject God's description of Himself and turn to Samuel Beckett for answers to ultimate questions.

(Hat tip, Brett Kunkle.)

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The Purpose of Church Part II: What is it for?

March 11, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

Now that I’ve outlined what the church is, it’s time to get into what the church is for. As I see it, the purpose and function of church is directly related to its identity.

The church is the body of Christ– Therefore, as we are responsible for the health and well being of our bodies we are also responsible for the health of the church body. Our bodies need nutrients and exercise, as does the church. Some need milk and some need solid food (1 Cor 3:2, Heb 5:12-14, 1 Pet 2:2). A healthy diet for the body of Christ consists of deep Biblical and theological training supplemented by the exercise and application into ministry. A body that only drinks milk and is apathetic towards exercise is not a healthy body of Christ.

The church is the bride of Christ– Therefore, as a bride is a symbol of purity and covenant, so should the church partake in purity and covenant. The church is made pure by the work of Christ so “she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:27). The sacrament for remembering Christ’s work is Holy Communion. The bread and cup represent the flesh and blood of Christ (1 Cor 10:16-17, Luke 22:19), so its dignity should not be diminished. Brides enter into covenants with their husbands, as so to does the church with Christ. Church is to welcome new members through a public covenant between people and Christ. This is the sacrament of baptism (Rom 6:3-5, Gal 3:26-27).

The church is the building of God– Therefore, as the temple of the Old Testament was a place of worship, so should the temple of the church be a place for the exaltation of God. Since the itself is a temple (Eph 2:21-22), the church points all believers God-ward through all forms of worship. In the Bible God is worshipped through dancing, song, prayer, the reading of His Word, and sacrifice (time, money, and attention), and so these forms are acceptable for the church. In order for the building of God to serve its purpose it must be focused on whose building it is.

The church is the family of God– Therefore, as families provide for one another’s needs, so should the members of the church provide for one another. This involves both internal and external ministry. Ministry is dependent upon the gifting of individuals and their willingness to use them to serve the family of God (Eph 4:11-12), as well as those outside the family (1 Cor. 12:4-11, Matt. 5:16).

The church is the flock of God– Therefore, we are to recognize that all of us were once sheep that went astray until the Great Shepherd called some of us back (John 6:37,44). We are also to recognize that God has chosen to use us as His tools to call his elect unto Himself (Luke 10:1-3, Acts 1:8). So the church sees as its mission to preach the truth of the Gospel so the work of the Spirit may go forth in the hearts of the elect (Rom. 10:14-17.

In summary, the purpose of the church is sound teaching, administration of the sacraments, worship of God, fellowship through ministry, and the preaching of the gospel. Since these purposes are based in the identity of the church, any body that fails in one of these fails to truly be a church.

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The Purpose of Church Part I: What is It?

March 10, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

In preparation for our Friday dinner and discussion group, The Ambassador’s Table, I’m blogging tonight on the purpose of Church. Before describing what the function or purpose of church is, I think we need to define what church is.

Church is sometimes divided into two categories: the visible church and the invisible church. The visible church typically refers to our local church communities, while the invisible church refers to the global body of believers who are God’s elect. Much of what is said about church refers to both forms.

The church is the body of Christ. It is the people called of God and incorporated into Christ’s body (figuratively, John 15:5). We are one body in Christ (Romans 12:5, 1 Cor. 12:27) and we participate in Christ’s body (1 Cor 10:16). Christ is also the head of the church (Eph 1:22).

The church is the bride of Christ. In Mark 2:18-20 Jesus speaks of himself as the bridegroom. The wedding is mentioned in Rev 19:7, and elsewhere the quality of the bride is described. Eph 5:27 “So that he might present the church to himself the splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Rev. 21:2 says the bride will be beautifully dressed.

The church is the building of God. Eph. 2:20 tells us the apostles and prophets are the foundation of the church while Christ is the cornerstone (see also 1 Cor. 3:11). This building becomes a holy temple, a dwelling place for the Lord (Eph 2:21-22). We become the living stones of the temple (1 Peter 2:4,5).

The church is the family of God. Romans 8:14-17 tells us we are children of God, heirs of God and heirs with Christ. The church is directly identified as the household in 1 Tim. 3:15.

The church is the flock of God. Christ is the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4) the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) and Overseer of our souls (1 Pet. 2:25). We are counted as His flock (1 Pet. 5:1-3) for whom the Good shepherd laid down His live (John 10:11).

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More on Emergent

March 10, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

Todd Wilken (Issues Etc.) interviewed Shane Rosenthal (White Horse Inn) Monday March 7th concerning Emergent .

http://www.kfuo.org/ie_main.htm

The file is available in Real Audio and mp3 format.

See also a review of one of Brian McLaren's books by Dr. Thomas Howe at http://www.whatsallthisthen.info/sespool.htm. Registration is necessary to access the 25 page PDF.

(Both HT: Jeff Downs from http://counter-cult.blogspot.com/)

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How Todd is Saving England: Part II

March 9, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

An update from a brother in the U.K….

“I also saw myself quoted in the current blog section, Wow! Thats really neat, I appricate that and most of all the call for prayer. By the way, it's working. God has been amazing here. I am still working on the American liberal christian girl and trying to show her that the scriptures give a clear message of Christ's exclusivity. But now I am mostly working on my character and actions because that speaks louder than my arguments.
These young people are hungry for meaning here, just as any of us back home. They all drink and party every night and it leaves them dry, phsyically and spiritually. They really don't seem to have the same bias about christianity as Americans do, they really don't seem to know much about it. I think it would be quite easy for an American to evangelize in this country, you just need to have the joy of Christ in you instead of loads of alcohol and women in your room. I have gone to pubs and clubs and start relationships with people and do my best to show them I am one of them and love them (as much as I can). And if the opportunity arises tell them where that love starts. This country is 'lost' but we as followers of Christ are no longer lost; this is facinating to those that struggle to find meaning. ”

I'd like to ask again that every one pray for Todd and the impact he's having. Prayer works

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Understanding the Times

March 9, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

Christianity in America has been anything but uniform. Among other things we’ve seen two Great Awakenings, Fundamentalism, and Evangelicalism. The next significant shift is undoubtedly the Emerging Church. This new movement is explicitly far less theological than it’s predecessors; it’s concerned mainly with practice and methodology. In this forum its adherents often raise good questions about how church has and should be done. However, it’s almost complete flippancy towards theology leads some outside what is usually considered orthodox Christianity. This movement has already had a profound impact on churches across America, and for that reason especially Christians should take the time to understand Emergent in both its good and bad forms. Here are some recent resources on the issues:

A New Kind of Christian– The blog of Emergent icon Brian McLaren. His new controversial book will hit shelves within the next 3 weeks.

The White Horse Inn (radio show). Last Sunday, Michael Horton and others discussed what Emergent is as well its strengths and weaknesses. Next Sunday they will have an interview with Brian McLaren.

Is a 'generous orthodoxy' truly orthodox?An updated review of McLaren's last book by Albert Mohler posted today.

D.A. Carson on the Emergent Church. Some lectures by Dr. Carson which are the basis for his forthcoming book, Becoming Conversant with the Emergent Church.

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Tides of Time

March 7, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton

It’s only been three years, but the memories seem like lifetimes ago. Tonight I visited the church I grew up at. It was such an eerie feeling, like an episode of Twilight Zone. Retracing steps I’d made countless times before, though perhaps in a different life. The service I went to was held in what use to be the High School ministry room. I returned to the place that was, at such an important time in my life, my family.

Not much had changed. The stage was on the other side of the room and they had a nifty new sound room. The people were mostly the same; only a few I didn’t know. Afterwards a group of us went to Starbucks and shared some memories. It felt like old times, but it wasn’t old times.

Changes that come in life through the tides of time can go unnoticed too often- old friends getting married, married friends starting families, etc. When they happen they come and go without much reflection. In retrospect we wonder how it all changed so fast and where all the time has gone. But some things never change. Some people are just as I remember them and some friendships span lifetimes. Some things we can count on and others we can’t.

We will see trials and blessings. Times when we wish we had good friends and times when we wish we didn’t know anyone. Through all the changes in life there must be some greater purpose and meaning. If we are only neatly organized clumps of cells then all our life experiences are ultimately meaningless. We could conquer the world or waste our lives watching T.V. and there would be no meaningful difference.

But if there is a God who is there, who has not been silent, then life has incredible value. Our trials produce perseverance, which makes us better followers of Christ. Our blessings produce gratefulness, which reflects the glory of God. If we seek meaning and purpose for our lives we must find it in the God who treasures change. Though He does not change, His goal for us is to be completely changed from the inside out. He made us in His image but that was distorted in the fall. Change at times will be pleasurable, at others excruciating, but in the end it is only meaningful if it is God’s work to re-create us into something beautiful.

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What is Necessary for Salvation?

March 16, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton