Archive for the ‘Grace’ Category:
Risky Business: The “Self-Help” Gospel
A couple weeks ago, I attended a conference for small group leaders. It was at a large well-known church, so I will omit names. My hope is not to gossip, but make a vital point. There was much to affirm about the training, but I had a frustrating experience fairly early that illustrated a theme that was rampant throughout the conference.
The first session, titled “Good Questions, Great Listening,” highlighted the importance of listening and asking questions in teaching. So far so good.
I took my seat and listened as the speaker modeled this philosophy in his teaching by engaging the audience with questions. However, as time went on I became increasingly worried that this session was not even Christian.
Was it heresy? Not at all. But it was strictly business. The speaker did not include a single verse of scripture when the Bible has MUCH to say about showing love and respect in community. Here are some of the questions he asked the audience:
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If I’m Free From Sin, Why Do I Sin?
Lately I have been thinking on what it means to be free from sin. When mankind was created, we were sinless, but unfortunately we did not remain that way. Christianity believes man becomes perfect in God’s sight by Jesus’ death. By Jesus dying in our place, God is able to do so. But the declaration that we are righteous is not indicative of the way we behave. It is a judicial statement, like if a criminal was pardoned from their crime. I can praise God for this, but Jesus’ death means much more.
Sin’s reign in the life of one who becomes a Christian is ended. Check this verse out:
“We know that our old self was crucified with him (Jesus) in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” (Romans 6:6)
Knowledge, Wretchedness, and Jesus
Some Christians have opposed academic learning because they believe it promotes a spiritual deadness, and promotes arrogance. As I am surrounded by young men and women here on campus I can testify that this is sometimes true. However, knowledge in itself cannot be the problem. After all, knowledge is a godly thing. (Prov. 8:10)
When we simply know things about the Bible, or about God, we tend to use that knowledge to build ourselves up. One comes to analyze sermons merely academically. We begin to read the Bible so that we can have more of the “right answers” rather than reading it for spiritual nourishment. We lose any kind of humility that is talked about so much throughout the very Bible we claim to know. I have fallen into this before, and I know the utter arrogance one has in that state.
God Loves YouTube Too
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=wE_gSO7EnRc]
Our desire to consistently present the truth in love to anyone and everyone has led us to take this discussion over to YouTube. Sadly, my ugly mug is the one representing the blog, but hopefully that doesnt distract from the content too much. I would encourage anyone in the blogosphere to hop on YouTube and join in this discussion as well. The more the merrier.
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