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I’ve been on a path of trying to discover the real POINT of most of this Christianity thing. I mean, what is the one thing we should be doing? What’s the real point of all this? I’m coming (or have come) to the conclusion that our goal is Kingdom – and Kingdom means transformation of our world. This is our goal, to spread a message of real, unconditional love (not judgement) to the world and transform it by transforming hearts.
Consequently, I’ve realised that the christian life is NOT about sin avoidance. Really. When we make it about sin avoidance, we become too introspective and never get around to doing anything– becoming quite useless to the world, in fact. And totally irrelavant. Secondly, we impose our ‘morals’ on others and that is just not cool… or a good idea.
We’re not supposed to impose our ‘morals’ but to simply be who are — salt in this world. Salt it something that preserves, and that brings out the taste. That’s what we’re supposed to be for others, what Kingdom is all about. Transforming our world. Unfortunately, I think a heavy emphasis on holiness has produced two things
1) Christians who are paralyzed and never really make a difference in this world.
2) Non believers who want nothing to do with church or christians, because christians are just overjudgemental.
Let’s look at number 1 first. The church is so ‘law-driven’ that Christians are usually on a mission to save their own souls, and that’s all. we think that by doing good things we’ve earned our way into heaven. Some think that by saving more people we go to heaven. It’s ridiculous. The Bible doesn’t say this – it says we believe on Christ and we’re saved! Then, we work towards transforming our world – not avoiding sin. Consequently, we will end up not sinning (the only way we can transform our world is through real love and not through sinning – sinning usually involves hurting others) but the goal is transforming our world and advancing the Kingdom. That’s it. The goal isn’t even to know God better, but – once again – we will, and we do, as we get along with the mission God has for us.
Number 2. Non-believers (and I struggle classing a whole lot of people with the word ‘non’ in front, but I use it for lack of a better term) don’t understand christians because non-christians have probably, in many ways, ‘gotten it’ a little better and realised that there is work to do. True, many non-christians are just happy to live their lives and as long as they’re comfortable it’s ok. I know christians who are the same. Too many, in fact. But many non-believers are involved in trying to change things a heck of a lot better than Christians. We can definately name a few christian guys who have been incredibly successful at changing our world – William Wilberforce is a good example (abolished slave trading, and set up the SPCA!) but most christians are too busy trying to focus on ’staying saved’ and working towards being more sanctified and holy, that they’re greatly missing the plot.
I’ve decided to stop trying to avoid sin, but rather get on with the job of transforming our world for the better. I’ve realised that sin is not some cosmic kryptonite for God. He can deal with sin in my life. And he will. And he will transform me as I get on with the mission. Ushering in the Kingdom is what it’s all about, changing our society, our world, by engaging it!! Not by trying to escape it! One of the reasons why I can’t really get my mind around ‘pre-trib rapture’ theology is it has led to many Christians saying “Yeah, well the world can go to hell, my hiny is saved and Jesus is coming back and then I’m outta here!”
Hardly the attitude of Jesus, if you ask me.
Many have said our point of existance is to give glory to God – I have no issue with that. Advancing the Kingdom gives God glory, so get on with it. Some have said the point of our existance is to KNOW God. I have no problem with that. Ushering in the Kingdom is what will get us – and others – there. In fact, in Genesis God told Adam to tend to the garden. I take it to mean that God has always wanted us to transform our world, to build this wild place into a city. And he is doing that, regardless of sin that has come into the world. God is achieving the original plan even through sin and death and sadness. He didn’t tell Adam that the point of his existance was to avoid the tree of knowledge of good and evil (interestingly enough, it wasn’t called the tree of sin… think about that 
)
I’m finding that focusing on the mission of advancing the kingdom is bringing me nothing but joy in my life. It’s awesome! It’s so great knowing I don’t have to work for my salvation anymore, and I don’t have to worry about what sins i’m supposed to avoid today. I can just get on with the work, and God sorts out the details.
I’m no nitpicker when it comes to certain things, especially Bible translations. I love the colour of the translations and the different take on things.
However, I’m becoming more and more convinced that a literal translation of the Bible is probably the most helpful kind of Bible to have as your ‘main’ Bible, and you can use the other translations just to get a different angle. The King James is actually a literal translation, and I’m finding it’s a rather good one at that!
Let’s look at two examples. Firstly, check this scripture in 1 John 5:19 in the NIV :
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
Ok, so this tells me that the world is in the control of the evil one… but this doesn’t line up with the rest of what the Bible is saying about the evil one.
See it here in the authorized King James
”And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
Whoa… am I the only guy who sees a HUGE difference here? Let’s see another literal translation (the Young’s literal translation) to check it out :
“we have known that of God we are, and the whole world in the evil doth lie;”
Still, this isn’t saying that the world is under the control of the evil one!
What a terrible mistake to make! When I spotted this I was pretty disgusted with the NIV. For the first time in my life, I’m on the verge of being a purist in this area! This kind of mistake, IMO, is really inexcusable.
The NIV and most modern translations are translated dynamically and literally. ie, word for word and idea for idea. When the sentence structure won’t make sense (translating it word for word) they translate idea for idea. But, here we see two translations advocating opposed ideas. Makes you think, doesn’t it?
Here’s another, check this out:
Gal 2:16 (NIV)
“know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”
Gal 2:16 (KJV)
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Sheepers, can you spot the difference?? The faith OF Christ in the KJV and faith IN Christ in the NIV.
Actually, I have to say that the KJV reads easier here. The NIV seems somewhat confused. The sentence structure doesn’t make sense to me (too many ‘ins’)
I brought this ‘of and in’ issue to my friend Shaun Mackay, and it appears there is somewhat of a debate within Christian scholarship whether it should be rendered ‘of’ or ‘in.’ ‘In’ has won the day in most modern translations (including the New King James) but I’m still not decided on this. I think the ‘faith OF Christ’ may carry some merit when it comes to living a life of faith and miracles etc. Ie, I believe in Christ, and he fills me with his faith to perform miracles (the same faith he had when he was on the earth.) I think I may be onto something, but also I need to be careful here. But listen to what the KJV is saying here : we’re justified on the basis of Christ’s faith. Even we have believed IN Christ, to be justified by the faith OF Christ. This helps to see why ‘faith’ can’t really be classified as a ’work.’
Am I the only one who sees a sharp difference here? Perhaps, if modern translators would AT LEAST put a footnote in their Bibles that it COULD be translated OF, we would all be in a better place to understand the gospel a little more correctly.
So? I’ve downloaded pocket E-sword for my PDA and am going to use the KJV from now on in my studies. Pocket e-sword also helps me do comparative reading without needing to get all my Bibles out. This will be incredibly interesting for me, let’s see if the KJV of theology produces more miracles, fruit and healings (Well, to be sure, only the Spirit can produce all that but let’s see if the KJV helps to renew my mind a little better at least!) Especially in the light of absolute, free, unconditional grace! This gospel is awesome, man.
Do some comparative studies of your own at www.biblegateway.com.
For a while now God has got me on this path of discovering grace more and more (and I suspect that this will be a life thing.)
In particular what has been bothering me is trying to understand the sinful nature. In trying to study this thing (because of sins in my life that won’t seem to go away) I’ve been led into trying to understand our relationship – as Christians – to God’s law and moral codes. Shaun Mackay was to ‘blame’ for setting me on that path – and for that Shaun I am so grateful!
What I’ve been finding is better news than I thought he Gospel ever was! That we have NO RELATIONSHIP with the law whatsoever!! None! I mean, absolutely none! Many people have accused this idea of being ‘greasy grace’ or ‘cheap grace’ and I’m finding that grace is actually even more than just cheap – it’s absolutely free!!!
Whether you agree or disagree, I’d highly recommend you listen to Rob Rufus’ series on grace at the link below. Download the MP3’s in the BLUE block (they’re free- like grace… he he.) Take a listen and feel free to comment here if you would like – agreements or disagreements.
As a personal testimony, the more I’m discovering how free and easy grace is, the less I am sinning (sins that I know about, at least.) Coincidence? I think not. Grace means that God’s Spirit is free to move! Here’s the link
See Christian writer Brian Mclaren’s little 3 min video about the “worship industry” (a term we all cringe at, I’m sure) here at http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/index.php?ct=store.details&pid=V00246.
This has very much been my heart about this for a while now.
1) Worship music is too safe, lyrically and musically (some new songs I can guess the next line easily- “I lift my hands to you my King, and with my voice I sing…” Before I even know the song I know what the lyrics are going to be… not cool! And most lyrics are not honest enough, but very hype driven, IMHO.
2) A lot of music is too safe, musically. Although I can understand that difficult songs musically make it difficult for the congregation to follow. But I don’t think it’s something complex musically that’s the problem, it’s only melody. You can have complex music with a great melody. Melody is how people remember easily.
Man, and lets not talk about the magazines, record companies, internet sites etc. that promote the “next rising worship stars.” I mean, making an industry out of art has always been a problem but here it gets mixed up with a personal relationship with the Almighty God and Saviour of the world. It’s just wrong on so many levels!
Free to discuss here at my blog – some further discussion is also here – http://www.emergentvillage.com/weblog/brian-mclaren-on-the-worship-industry#c001109
Well, I think it’s been officially a month (or maybe more) since I last posted on my blog. I suppose maintaining a blog is a lot less inspiring than I thought it would be! Well, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t really had anything to say or write about. In fact, since my new job is now a full-time writer I find I have a lot to write about! But mostly, I doubt you’ll be interested in a company profile or whatever here.
Me changing jobs and now being able to work for myself is — might I add — the best thing ever in my life. Well, I suppose if I was getting married that would be the best thing ever. Or rather, let me say this (and quite seriously) that knowing Jesus closely is the best thing ever. We’ll make that number 1, my wife (please email me your phone number if you’re reading this) number 2 and maybe my job number 3. Although, I do think that music is also the best thing ever. Ah, nevermind.
Ok, enough time-consuming banter. The real point of this post is to share a rather complexing growing ‘thing’ inside of me (for lack of a better word) where I am realising just how important relationships are. I’m not referring to the obvious here. I mean, just how central relationships are to the entire functioning of the universe. Everything is about relationships – and relationships is where we fall short all the time isn’t it? We’ve fallen away from our relationship to God, and as a result can’t relate properly to each other. Everything becomes about control, or us, or security etc. and we could probably write 5 million books about the subject.
What I really want to talk about here is how important it is for us to have relationships in the church. Really. I am so grateful that I have friends in the church of God. And not just friends, but fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters. Having fathers in my life has been a huge blessing for me, as they have been able to give me direction and maturity as I learn from their maturity. Not that I’m so mature! But you get what I mean (I hope?)
I’m starting to see many Christians who don’t have this priviledge and it’s scaring me quite a bit. Guys are honestly out there on their own, with no one they can rely on or seek counsel from, or actually just feel like they can be accepted. Truly. I know what it feels like, too, I was there once. But it’s important for our relationship with our church leaders to also have US doing something about it. Ie, I wouldn’t have a fantastic and growing relationship that I do with my church elders unless I also came ‘to the party’ so to speak and decided to work on this thing as well. And there is truly blessing in this.
Which, for anyone reading this, is really what I want to say today. If you have problems with your church leadership ask yourself — How commited are YOU to this relationship? Are you expecting them to be the only guys who make an effort towards it? Are you making a REAL effort? Are you seeking your security from God so you can actually also be an encouragement for them, as much as you would like for them to be for you? It might strike you as a surprise, but they also need encouragement. They need to know that they don’t need to be ’super pastor’ but just need to be themselves. THAT, I’m sure, takes a huge load off their shoulders.
Unfortunately, us as ‘non-leaders’ (guys who aren’t leading a church and have a job at the office or at home or whatever) are not exempt from being Christians. Or actually from being leaders where we are right now. And not exempt from being Christians to our leaders either. And not exempt from being serious about all our relationships, including this one.
Well, sorry for the heavy, but it was just on my heart today. Maybe someone out there needed to hear it.
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