The tragedy in Orlando should cause us all to mourn. But how can we HEAL this culture of violence?
Top 5 Church-Quaking Truths Your Pastor Won't Teach
Reformation is happening outside the gates of the local church as millions are leaving many organized churches. What is the general response in the American church? Nothing more than resignation that it's the signs of the times, or pressure to pray harder, fast more, become more relevant (seeker sensitive) and teach more evangelism classes.
How Saved Are We? The Truth About the Word "Saved"!
"You need to get saved!" thundered the fiery evangelist as sweat fell from his furrowed brow and uncontrolled spit leaped from his lips as he pounded the pulpit.
"You need to get saved!" wrote the angry man on Facebook to the one with which he vehemently disagreed. Of course it was followed by him saying "go to hell" in the next breath to the same person who denied his theology of hell.
Who is "in Christ"?
Is this an important question? Absolutely. Who is in Christ completely kicks Western theology out of its box and reorients it back to biblical-early church constructs affirmed by even the church fathers. But it is more important than breaking out of some ivory tower theological prison. It sets our personal experience and our "knowing God" back to the simplicity of the gospel of grace.
Major Transformation Begins with One Truth
I am speaking in particular here to Christians, believers, those maybe who grew up in organized church. I would usually say that the one truth that brings the most dramatic transformation in a person's life is the heart revelation that God is love. I still think that is true.
But then we go to a church. Then we pick up a Bible that was written in another place, another time in history, spanning thousands of years of insight, by approximately 39 different authors and in cultures very different than our own. Don't get me wrong. There is remarkable unity, progressive revelation, and clear teaching.
So how can we get this wrong: "God is love!"?
The Secret Recipe For Making Religious Monsters
Is God the Father of Us All?
I'm honored to travel to various countries around the world. I see different colored skin and many different belief systems. But a smile, laughter, hurt, desires, and love are universal. When we get out from under heavy religious threats and rise to a heavenly view of humanity, it is nearly inevitable to ask the question: "Is God the Father of us all?"
Did Jesus Fulfill the Law on the Cross? Yes and No!
Exposing the "Depart From Me" Myth of Matthew 7:21-23
This has to be one of the most confusing, fearful passages in the New Testament. It is used to scare the "hell" out of saints, and used as a threat against charismatics of all kinds. Some have gone so far to say that any gifts of the Spirit today would actually be demonic and rejected by God. But what does it really mean? Is Jesus talking about going to heaven? Is he saying that only those who perfectly do God's will, are permitted go to heaven? Is this a works salvation after all?
Abide in the Vine or Go to Hell?
Did Jesus threaten to throw you into the fires of hell if you don't abide in the vine? Abide in the vine or go to hell! Stay "in Christ" or burn? Did you put yourself in Christ to begin with? 1 Corinthians 1:30 says, "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus..."
That is really the implication of John 15:1-6 if we don't understand it. Many Christians and unfortunately pastors too, have misinterpreted this passage and placed a weight of fear on believers that they were never intended to carry.
The Justice Of God: Punishing or Restoring You?
Remember the Justice League of America? Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash?
From a very young age we have had the concept of justice deeply ingrained in us. A four year old knows its wrong for another boy to steal his GI Joe toy.
But if we don't allow the Bible to inform our hearts, we will miss what divine justice is all about! In fact, without understanding justice, we will not be able to accurately interpret scripture. Even worse, we will misunderstand the nature of God.
Yes There Were Gifts of the Spirit after AD 70
Are You Sure No One Knows the Day or the Hour?
Troubled times come throughout history, and unfortunately in recent history it is commonplace for some Christians to shout, "the sky is falling" and run for cover instead of being salt and light to the world. Other camps, in an attempt to be wise and in order to quell a premature cry of "wolf" will turn to the other and say, "Yes, but remember, no one knows the day or the hour." I'm thankful for this latter group's attempt at calm, but is that really true?
How Christmas Saved YOU?
Yes, of course what happened at the cross was vitally important, but if Jesus was simply going there separate from us, it would have resulted in religion.
Oh wait!! That is exactly what many people think. They weren't told that as a result of the incarnation, what Jesus did, he was doing for us us! Not in a separate sort of way, but as the Son of Man he represented all mankind. So whatever happened to him was happening for the whole of humanity!
Am I Safe With God or is He A Terrorist Too?
I recently sat with a new missionary friend who told me the story about a former Taliban terrorist he encountered in another country.
One night in Afghanistan this Taliban terrorist was planning another attack. Suddenly a stranger named Jesus walks into his room and sits at the foot of his bed. This stranger begins explaining the gospel to him in simple terms, with love and patience.
Am I Worth God's Attention?
What is Weird With God and You?
Am I An Outsider Trying to Get Into God?
I remember a time when I saw myself as an outsider trying to get into God’s presence. If my life was right, my prayers were fervent, and I was patient waiting on Him… eventually he would let me into that place of experiencing him. Instead of Jesus standing at the door and knocking, I was the one, knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door.
What's Your View of the Resurrection?
Did you ever really think about the resurrection? I mean the concept that one day your spirit will leave the perfect bliss of being in the eternal, incomprehensible joy of God’s presence in heaven, and suddenly come back to earth where the molecules of billions of people from all of history are reassembled into physical, albeit new, form? Suddenly graves will break open to the terrifying stares of unsuspecting people. It is called the resurrection, or at least a version of how the story goes.
Am I Far From God?
That is such a good question! I'm glad you asked. The answer is simple: He is closer than your very breath! This begins a new series of simple grace questions that many of us need answers to and those simple answers can very profoundly affect our lives.
Some worship songs, as sincere and heart-felt as they may be, subtly teach us that God is at a distance and he needs to be invited.