The Terror of Sunday Afternoon

Living Under Law and Grace

The memory is seared in my mind. Maybe because of its frequency. Maybe because of its life impact. Whatever and however, I can see every detail. I can hear her voice. I can see the action that brought me terror. It was the same thing every Sunday. 

Upon entering my house following lunch, my mom would utter the words that make me shudder to this day. “Go upstairs and hang up your clothes.” Now, this was not the part that made me uneasy, but the words that follow. “I will be up to check in a few minutes.” I knew what that meant. I knew what was coming. 

Time passed slowly in the moments as I awaited the arrival of my Drill Sargent…I mean, Mom. I would wait in humble anticipation as she walked into my room, opened the closet, and checked my clothing. I was hopeful, every week hopeful, that this would be the day. Then the inevitable happened. She would say, “These are not hanging neatly, son. Take them off the hanger and do it again.” There it is. The dreaded words. Do it again.

I could take this blog in many directions from here, but I am going to focus on the ideas of law and grace. As I wrote a few weeks ago, I rejected the theological construct of dispensationalism while in college. I did so on this basis, dispensationalism does not clearly and easily define God for the average Christian. There are broad terms like law and grace, but what do they mean?

Over my entire life, I have heard people say, “Well, that was under the law; we are under grace.” In all fairness to dispensationalism, many details cannot be explained in a quick comment, but that is the problem. See, the average believer walks away from that comment assuming that there is no grace under the law and no law under grace. 

I want to take a quick moment to explain this concept if you are not familiar with it. In broad terms, the Old Testament is law and the New Testament is grace. This is illustrated by the giving of the Jewish law in the OT and the giving of Christ’s life in the NT. Of course, both of these are absolutely true. But, is it true that there is no grace under the law and no law under grace? The answer is a resounding no. 

I do not have time to write a detailed dissertation here, so please let an example of each suffice. First, there was grace under the law. King David experienced this when he sinned with Bathsheba. David committed murder and adultery, both punishable by death under the law.  Nathan the prophet states, “Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.” This sounds like grace to me. David deserved death, but God withheld it. 

In the NT, we see so much grace, but is it true that there is no law? 1 Cor 6:9-10 “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.” This certainly sounds like law to me.

In an age where everyone seems to be triggered by, well, by everything, let me assure you that my mom was an amazingly loving person, despite her German personality. No, I have not suffered trauma from my mom’s proclivity for neatness. In fact, this single Sunday tradition formed me in more ways than you’d imagine. I am a highly neat and administrative person because of my Mom. So, while some may read my hyperbole with an air of disdain toward my Mom, I do not. 

My mom had a wonderful balance of grace and law. My mom passed away 15 years ago this month. During her life, there was never a day that she did not hug me and tell me she loved me… stoic German that she was. Life is about balance. Oddly enough, I’m preaching on balance from a different perspective this Sunday.

In the end, we need law, and we need grace. The law keeps us safe. It teaches us appropriate boundaries. It gives us comfort in knowing what is and what should be. I function best when I clearly understand expectations. Grace is there when we make a mistake or step out of line. God abounds in grace. That is the beauty of following Christ. I try my hardest to do the right thing, but when I don’t, there is an infinite loving God ready to forgive.

So, thanks, Mom, for making me who I am today. My boss thanks you. My wife thanks you, and I thank you. Thanks for helping me live comfortably under the tension of law and grace. To my dispensationalist friends, I still love you and respect you; I disagree with you. I disagree with the idea of once saved always saved on the same basis, but that’s for another day and another blog. For now, I’m pretty sure I need to hang up some clothes. 

Current Events and Prophecy

This morning, we woke to an intense battle raging. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle that will determine the direction of our world for years to come. It is not just another moment in history, but a pivotal moment with far-reaching consequences. There is no escaping its connection to prophetic world events. It is both a physical and a spiritual battle. 

The world is awake and paying attention as events unfold across the Middle East. Iran will never be the same, nor will the balance of power in the Middle East. Is it possible for these events to be both fulfillment of prophecy and not at the same time? The answer is yes within the following context.

While prophets and many Christ-followers point to these events, we must be careful how we choose to interpret prophetic messages in Scripture in light of current events. Are these events fulfilling prophecy? In a broad sense, they are. All events in our world tie into God’s ultimate plan and victory. We know that events must occur that will shake the power structures of the world. Where we must be cautious is in connecting current events to specific prophecies in Scripture. We do not, nor can we truly know, if this event is the prophetic event in Scripture.

World War I shook the world due to its broad participation and devastation. New armaments defined a new era of warfare. This was the first time a bomb was dropped from the sky using  an airplane. The power of ground artillery reached the point that shells could be lobbed long distances. Tanks began to replace traditional cavalry (men on horses were still used in WWI). Gas and gas masks marked the hell of trench warfare. Around the world, such profound devastation was believed to be a sign of the end times. If nothing else, surely, this was the war to end all wars. We know that neither was the case.

A few years later, Hitler rose to power. The Central Powers of World War I reformed, though there were differences among the participating nations known as the Axis Powers. The attempted annihilation of the Jews of Europe marked what many believed to be the end times. 

Is it possible to connect these two occurrences with specific events in Scripture? The answer is yes, but not in the way people of that time believed. While many believed WWI and WWII would usher in the return of Christ, they did not. However, they did cause the creation of modern Israel (1948) which is a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. 

At the end of WWI, the Ottoman Empire was divided into independent nations or into territorial possessions of the victorious powers. The applicable example for this writing is England’s possession of Palestine. This set the stage for the creation of modern Israel at the end of WWII. Britain granted the Jews of the world a place to call their home. The British Mandate for Palestine was established to form the state of Israel. 

So then, did these two events specifically fulfill prophecy? They did, but not in the way those living at the time expected. In the same way, can we say that the current war in Iran and the Middle East will fulfill Scripture? The answer is yes. Can we further state that this current conflict is one outlined in Scripture? The answer is no. We do not know that yet.

Modern Christianity focuses too much on what could be rather than what is. Yes, I believe in a literal rapture of the Church, but I do not know when it will occur. For me, these current events point to the fact that we are in the season of Christ’s return. See His words in Mark 13, Matthew 13-14, and Luke 21. Do I believe we are in the end times? Yes, I believe we are in the season. Do I believe Jesus is coming tomorrow? I have no idea. 

Attempting to connect every current event to specific Biblical prophecy is dangerous. You may find yourself on the wrong side of that issue. (I point to 88 reasons why Jesus will return in 1988.) What we should do is live our lives in expectation. Celebrate what Jesus is doing in your life. Learn to love Him more deeply and keep your eyes on Him. I promise you, Jesus is not surprised by any current event. I also promise you that nothing, no power of heaven or earth, spiritual or physical, can keep Jesus from winning the ultimate and permanent victory. 

The most important question is not where we are in the timeline, but where you are with Him. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Let tomorrow worry about itself (Matthew 6:34). 

What We Really Want

Living in a Disingenuous Culture

It’s a quiet morning as I sit in my church office. I just completed this week’s message. There is worship music playing in the background. I hear a group of ladies praying in the distance. With my eyes closed and a prayerful mind toward God and a blog topic, I hear a song phrase begin to resonate. It starts quietly, but slowly builds to a rather loud voice echoing in my head.

“Yo I’ll tell you what I want, what I really really want. So tell me what you want, what you really, really want.” Thank you, Spice Girls. And, before you go too far in that song, only this phrase is echoing.

The theme of the song is authenticity in a relationship. In this culture of criticism and angst, I think I know what most Americans want. We want people to stop being disingenuous—our friends, our coworkers, our religious leaders, and certainly our politicians.

Disingenuous means not candid or sincere. It is highbrow, passive-aggressive behavior. We want people to be honest with us, polite, but honest. We want people to treat us as they want to be treated. It seems like Jesus commented on that. (Insert the Golden Rule here.) Treating people with kindness and respect is not difficult, but it does take effort on our part.

I believe much of the civility in our world is lost because of disingenuous behavior. I want to give a couple of real-life examples from the past few weeks. Let me say from the beginning that I believe both sides of politics play this game, pointing to themselves as innocent and everyone else as guilty.

This past week, it was revealed that two ladies on The View appear in the Epstein Files. Many on the left have asserted that if Trump is in the file, he is guilty. The View has not argued against these claims and, in many ways, continues to encourage that line of thought. However, when their names appeared, they were quick to state that a name in the file does not mean guilt. Disingenuous.

On the other hand, President Trump continues to make assertions that the portrayal of the Obamas as apes is not racist. Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of US race relations will understand that blacks in America were commonly portrayed as apes or monkeys during the ages of slavery and segregation. Whether he posted it or a staffer, or whether they claim not to be associating this with race, is irrelevant. Someone should be smart enough to recognize the stupidity of this post. To act otherwise is disingenuous.

When it comes to our spiritual life, the word disingenuous could be exchanged for the more common term hypocrisy. That is when someone does something they say they are not. It is disingenuous to look down on someone for something you are doing. This points to Jesus’ teaching about a splinter and a telephone pole (Matthew 7).

See, what we want, what we really really want is honesty and integrity in all areas of life. Here’s the thing, looking back to Matthew 7, that work must begin in us. It is easy to get frustrated when we live in a disingenuous culture, but have we stopped to ensure that we are not being disingenuous in areas of our lives? Maybe the hardest place to deal with this is when we are disingenuous with ourselves. Self denial and the lack of self awareness is dangerous to our spiritual growth. That is why Scripture often instructs us to “examine ourselves.” This is likely most widely known in the communion text of 1 Corinthians 11.

I beg of you to forgive me if I have ever been disingenuous with you. I certainly ask for God’s forgiveness if the same is true of my relationship with Him. What do we want in our nation? What do we want in our church? What do we want in our relationships? The answer is honesty and integrity. That is truly what we want.

Thank you Spice Girls for contributing to the question. Afterall, it would be disingenuous for me to take all the credit.

*No Spice Girls were harmed in the writing of this blog; however, dear reader, I do apologize for this earworm that is now in your head.

TikTok Theologians

Let me begin by apologizing for the extended period without writing. Though my readership is not large, I do appreciate you and enjoy the creative aspect of writing. Life since October has been a whirlwind of activity. So, dear reader, from the bottom of my heart, I promise I will not leave you again…unless of course life gets crazy ☺

There is a scene that plays out every single day in hundreds of places. The circumstances may be slightly different, but the situation is the same. Every day, millions of people around the world visit their doctor. It begins something like this:

Doctor: How are you feeling today?

Patient: Not good. I seem to have a pain in my lower left side. It gets better with ibuprofen but comes back again. I looked it up on the internet, and I am sure my appendix needs to be taken out. Well, that or a strained muscle. Also, one site said it could be a problem with my liver. Either way, I am quite sure it is serious. Can you confirm what the website said?

Doctor: (with a look of disgust on her face) Why don’t you let me take a look and decide what is wrong? After all, I went to med school for 7 years and have been in practice for 25, but hey, thanks for letting me know what Facebook thinks.  

We laugh at this scenario, but realize it is true. Maybe you have been guilty of selfdiagnosis…well internet diagnosis. Maybe you have suffered the scorn of your doctor. They do not say it, but their look says it all.

Those working in the medical field understand the depth needed to make a correct diagnosis, because symptoms can be the same and point to a wide range of problems. While we do understand this, we go to the doctor. Similarly, many in our society have become TikTok Theologians.  

To be candid, yes, I do have a PhD, and yes, I have had 27 years of experience in church ministry and Christian academia. Do I know everything? Certainly not. Yes, it is frustrating that everyone is an armchair theologian. Now, do not get me wrong. Christianity is a participatory faith. You need to know what you believe, why you believe it, and be able to share that knowledge clearly.  

One of the great challenges of the Church is the move for TikTok Theologians who have no experience, no formal education, no credentials to comment, and likely very little personal time in the Word of God. Rather, the expediency of quick theological quips is given to prove a political or social point and is all too easy. In other words, their theology is defined by their experience, rather than their experience being defined by their theology. Case in point: whatever you may or may not believe about Israel’s connection to the end times, defining your theology by a modern understanding of the Israelite nation and their grievances does not negate the theology of Scripture, held and prophesied about for thousands of years.  

Someone is now screaming, “dispensationalists are all alike.” Let me assure you, I rejected dispensationalism as a student in Bible College. Do not tell Finis Dake. Not for the overriding principles that it teaches, but the arbitrary deviation of time (dispensations).

My theological training and Biblical study are deep and long enough that I can separate what a government does from what its people do. Many of the kings of Israel were evil and led them into sin, but God always had a remnant. We cannot make an exclusive comment at this time. Scripture is clear throughout the Old and New Testaments: Israel has and will always play a part in God’s divine plan. Now, I do not believe Jews get an automatic pass into heaven. They need Jesus as much as the rest of us.  

This is, of course, one example of many. I welcome you to listen to the modern voices on TikTok, but balance that by reading the great Doctors of the Church, many of whom may agree with you on some points. I implore you, do not be a TikTok Theologian, be a Spirit-led Christ follower with a hunger for the Word and truth. Weigh what o you hear against the Word of God. If you land on the side of an influencer, so be it, if you weigh every possible diverging thought. As a doctor within the Church, I can assure you that is exactly what we are trained to do.

Embracing the Tension of a Sending Church

About a decade ago, an evangelist who was often used in the prophetic spoke a word over our church. He said that C3AG would be a sending church. In theory, that sounds like a great thing, but in practice, it is tough. In fact, there have been many times that I wanted to call that evangelist and give him a piece of my mind. He is now with Jesus, and honestly, his word for the church has come true repeatedly.

Being the pastor of a sending church is an emotional roller coaster. I live in the tension between excitement and dread. I am always excited when a new family comes to our church, but in the back of my mind, I wonder how long it will be before God calls us to send them out.

Though this tension exists in my mind, it is also fed by others in the American church who do not understand. They do not understand what God has called us to do. Right or wrong, the American church is obsessed with numbers. “How big is your church?” is a question believers and non-believers frequently ask me. I want to respond with, “Well, do you want the today number, or the number yesterday, before we sent out an entire congregation of our African brothers and sisters?” Tension!

Because we focus so strongly on numbers, we have wrongfully developed a belief that large things are always healthy and that small things are not. Health has many factors, and yes, it is true, numbers are a big part of that. I have had to shift my thinking…many times…many, many times, and will likely have to do so again. Over the years of my ministry, I have come to realize that true health in the body of Christ brings growth to the Kingdom, not just the local church.

In a recent teaching, one of my great friends reminded me that sending is an integral part of God’s plan for His Church. The church in Antioch was a sending church. It was a diverse church. It was a generous church. It was a Spirit-filled church. It was a healthy church that helped shape the spread of the Gospel across the known world. Essentially, it was a Kingdom-focused church. 

I recognize that many do not understand our approach to ministry, but I believe we stand on sound theology when we send out. Some of you may be wondering why this is a big deal. Well, we are not a large church, but over my years of being a pastor (12 as of today), God has called us to send out nearly 200 people, including groups, pastors, and missionaries.

If God has called you to send, send. Not everyone will understand. Not everyone will agree, but if it is what God has called you to do, be faithful, be willing, and be ready, because you will send out again very soon. 

Let me take just a moment to encourage you, Pastor. I know what it is like when a fellow pastor says that you are hurting your church by consistently sending out. I know what it is like to wrestle with God over numbers that you can’t seem to get to. You, like I, will live in tension. You are excited to see what God will do, but discouraged by the prospect of losing another faithful family. I know this firsthand, not just as a pastor, but as a dad. Several months ago, my wife and I sent our oldest daughter out to live on the other side of the globe. 

Pastor, be encouraged. Be faithful. Be honest with a friend when you are discouraged. Celebrate the sending. Embrace the tension. 

Christ’s Church is Multicultural:

Addressing the Politicization of a Biblical Concept

The term multicultural is getting a lot of attention these days. Some of that is good and some is not. From a social or even a political viewpoint, multiculturalism can lean into things like DEI and ensure that no culture is ever viewed as better than another. While there is value to some of these opinions, there is also a danger. We can easily fall into the trap of deconstructing our own culture while we raise the cultures of others. We may also believe that these things can be forced. Force may change a person’s actions, but it will not change a person’s heart.

Multicultural is not a new word or idea. At its core, it is not a political or social concept. It is a God concept. While humans try their very best to force equality, it is against human nature apart from God. In other words, multiculturalism is only truly attainable when Christ is at the center of it. Human nature will always gravitate toward the marginalization of someone or some group. That could be illustrated in our attitude towards those on the opposite side of the political aisle. Yes, Jesus died for them, too.

Think about this. If we want to value other cultures through a heart change, Jesus needs to be at the center. Why, because it is only through Him, in Him, and around Him that every person, no matter what color, race, ethnicity, or language, has infinite value. Multiculturalism in the body of Christ is not an artificial construct. It is a God construct found and rooted in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. (See The New Testament in Color for examples.)

So, let me take a moment to define multiculturalism from a Biblical worldview. Multicultural means that every person on earth should have access to the Gospel (the story of Jesus). It means that every person, no matter their race, has equal value in the Body of Christ, His Church. It means that one of the most fundamental functions of His body is to reach the lost, all over the world, in every nation and in every culture. We call this missions. It is loving a person who looks and sounds different from us, just as Christ loves them. It is raising the value of a person who is marginalized because of tribalism or disability. It is loving as Jesus loves. That is what it means to be Biblically multicultural.

While those in the media, politics, or any other facet of society demand equality, there is genuinely only equality in Jesus Christ. Paul writes one of my favorite verses to the church in Galatia. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28 NLT) Only when we love like Jesus can we truly value every person who is different from us. Let’s be honest, none of us has fully attained this as we are all works in progress.

Our church’s mission statement is simple: “One Church, Many Nations.” In these words, we see the unity that should be present in Christ’s Church. We welcome the nations that describe our goal of reaching the lost (those who do not serve Jesus) in every corner of the world. It sets a tone of hospitality and community that is so important in almost every culture in the world. It affirms that we want to be like Jesus, love like Jesus, and worship Jesus. He is truly at the center of who we are as a multicultural church.

The Connection Between Replacement Theology and Antisemitism

Last week’s blog explored the historical connection between Manifest Destiny and today’s Christian Nationalism. I mentioned at the end that I would write further concerning Replacement Theology (supersessionism). In a nutshell, this philosophy teaches that the Church replaced Israel as God’s chosen people. We will explore what that means, the result of this thought, and why I believe it is a heretical stance.

If you live in the Western world, you are keenly aware of the rise of antisemitism. In one way, that seems very odd, growing up in a post-World War II world. My grandfather fought in North Africa and Southern Europe behind General Patton. My generation is very aware of the horrors perpetrated against the Jewish people following WWI. Hitler partially blamed the Jews for Germany’s defeat in WWI. Couple that with the punitive blame placed on Germany following WWI, and you have the seed of fascism rise in Germany.

Hitler grew up in a nominal Catholic home. He was baptized in the church, but his family did not actively practice their faith. Perhaps the lack of theological training contributed to many of his misguided ideas and, indeed, his evil motives. Hitler was also a product of his antisemitic culture. Many within the Lutheran Church and other mainline denominations in Germany held to replacement theology. There is evidence that Martin Luther believed and taught this theology, which led to antisemitic accusations being made against him.

The crux of this theology is that the Jews rejected Jesus as their Messiah and in so doing, sent Him to the cross. While this is true, blaming the Jews for Christ’s crucifixion seems counterproductive at best. Yes, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day rejected Him, but many ordinary people embraced Him. Yes, the Jewish leaders played a significant role in Jesus’ crucifixion, but to blame them is not to view the entirety of Scripture.

Let’s break down a few of these thoughts. First, when Adam sinned, man needed a Savior. In actuality, God knew man would sin before He created Adam and Eve. Revelation 13:8 states, “And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.” (NLT) God’s redemptive plan existed from the beginning…no, before the beginning.

Second, to be angry and blame the Jews is counterproductive and, frankly, stupid. What would the alternative be? Jesus does not go to the cross. In that scenario, we are all still lost in our sin. I am thankful that Jesus was willing to go to the cross at the hands of the Romans or the Jews. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-4, his death is equal to my life.

Third, it is not valid or logical to assume that because God’s hand of blessing is on the Church, it can no longer be on the Jewish people/nation. That seems to limit God. I’m pretty sure He is big enough and powerful enough to bless the Church and preserve the Jews, especially in light of end times theology. The Nation of Israel cannot be separated from the return of Christ. The reestablishment of Israel following World War II and the subsequent migration back to their historical homeland all play into God’s ultimate plan for humanity.

Third, we are instructed to pray for Jerusalem, as seen in Psalm 122. Do I believe the Jewish people are saved simply because they are Jewish? No. They must come to know and accept Jesus as their Messiah and Savior, just as we do. There is a prophetic promise concerning Israel in the book of Romans. It says, “And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.” (Romans 11:26 NLT)

Finally, and perhaps most clearly, two verses before, Paul writes, “You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.” (Romans 11:24 NLT) The key word here is “grafted.” This is a horticultural term that is used when one plant species is connected to another and yet continues to grow. That is us. We are grafted into the tree of the Jews. We did not uproot them, nor did we replace them. We joined in the blessing of God that is theirs.

Replacement Theology is, at its core, antisemitic. It leads to the hatred of the Jewish people and, all too often, violent acts against them. Antisemitism has always existed. It was very evident in the 1200s (see the expulsion of Jews under Edward I in England), during the American Civil War, and during the WWI – WWII era, to name a few. It is sinful that crimes and hatred against the Jews came at the hands of “believers.”

In this atmosphere of rising antisemitism, the Church must support the Jewish people. That does not mean we support every policy and action of the Israeli government. Yet, history proves again and again, God will protect people. The Davidic covenant still stands. “Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16 NLT) The eternal King from David’s line is unmovable from His royal throne. Jesus Christ’s reign will remain forever!

For additional reading on Replacement Theology, see the following resources:

 Diprose, Ronald. Israel and the Church: The Origins and Effects of Replacement Theology, InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Grenz, Stanley J. Theology for the Community of God, Broadman & Holman, 1994.

Meyers, Jeff. Should Christians Support Israel?, Summit Ministries, 2024.

Many articles may also be found on the internet, both for and against.

Manifest Destiny: Historical Roots of Christian Nationalism

In our current political culture, we hear a lot about the idea of Christian Nationalism. Many ascribe this to President Trump and to many in the Christian right who seem to hold him as God’s ordained leader for this time. Let me begin by saying, President Trump is God’s ordained leader for this time, as was President Biden in his. The Bible is clear on this.

Romans 13:1 “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”

Daniel 2:21 “He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.”

No amount of cheating, trickery, or vote suppression can subvert God’s will. We may not always like it, but God is in control. Along the way, American Christians have always believed that America holds a special place in God’s plan. While that might be true to a point, I’m thinking of the number of global workers sent from the US; it is a challenge to prove that our destiny is greater than that of other nations. Every nation has a part to play in the plan of God. Different as they may be.

From a historical perspective, the notion that Christian Nationalism is a new phenomenon is not accurate. Indeed, the philosophical name may change, but the idea remains the same. The most understood ideal is that of Manifest Destiny. This originated in the 18th century, stemming from the belief that God ordained the US to play a pivotal role in the coming Kingdom of God. Yet, this philosophy predates the 18th century.

Pilgrim leaders such as William Bradford and John Winthrop wrote about God’s protection, provision, and blessing on the new land. They believed that God ordained a haven for them to worship God as they pleased—something they could not do in England. This is also seen in the name of Rhode Island’s Capital, Providence. Which, ironically, was the only colony that welcomed people of all faiths, mainly Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Jews.

The concept of divine blessing was later adopted by subsequent generations of Americans, who developed the idea of Manifest Destiny, which continues to influence today’s Christian Nationalism. In between, we had the Moral Majority, the Religious Right, and many other titles that conveyed the same idea.

I cannot elaborate too much here, but suffice it to say that this idea is not new. It has been around for centuries. So, if that is the case, and it is, why bring it up? There are undoubtedly many who will disagree with my opinions here, but what fun is blogging if you can’t make a few people mad along the way 😊

In a broad sense, I recognize that God has been at work in our nation. I pray He continues to do so. I fear that, as the nation of Israel and Judah in the Old Testament, when we turn our backs on God, He will remove some of His blessings from us. It is not a given that just because we are ‘Merica,’ we can do what we want.

I also chose to write on this topic for another reason. The concept of Manifest Destiny is closely tied to the theological/spiritual notion of replacement theology. Many Christians throughout history believed that the Church is a replacement for Israel. As such, antisemitic opinions prevailed, even among firm believers like Luther and the Pilgrims. I am not making the argument that Christian Nationalists are antisemitic. If anything, it is the opposite. Most born-again believers are very pro-Israel, seeing their blessing as a signal of the end times. Where this becomes a problem is our opinion and view of other nations in our world. Beyond this, there is an opinion that American Christians must be in power to bring righteousness back to our nation. This is Kingdom Now theology at its core and is NOT BIBLICAL.

I certainly get that notion. Israel’s history is replete with examples of both righteous and unrighteous kings. As the leader went, the nation went. As New Testament believers, we often overlook one crucial aspect: the fulfillment of prophecy. Ironically, those who shout the loudest about prophecy are the first to stand against it in the political realm.  When Scripture says we will be hated, wrong will be right, and right will be wrong, men will be lovers of self rather than lovers of others; we act as if we have to force righteousness. In doing so, we could be found fighting against God’s will.

No matter who is in the White House or the head of any other nation, God is in control of who rules. Beyond that, every leader, every event in our world, somehow plays a part in pushing us toward the return of Christ. So, yes, I am a conservative Christian. Yes, I vote in every election, and yes, I cringe when I hear so many Christian Nationalists at times express unbiblical opinions. I want our nation to prosper, but I also know that Jesus is in control. The end times will come when the moment is right and there is nothing we can do in the ballot box or the pulpit to stop or accelerate Christ’s return. We don’t want to stop it, unless, as Jesus said, we want it delayed for a bit longer so others can come to know Him.

This will be a two-part blog. Part two will focus on replacement theology and the current pro-Israel movement within the Church.

On the Rapids: Exploring Pentecostal Orthodoxy

The development of our theological belief is like navigating a long, winding river. At each turn, we discover something new about ourselves, and more importantly, something new about our God. As a theologian, a minister, a church historian, and a pastor, I navigate these waters consistently. There are others present with us in this boat called faith. They challenge us through discussion and help us form practical solutions to spiritual problems.

Every turn on the river introduces us to a theological question, and often a historical figure who aided in the development of our doctrines. We may encounter Augustine as we grapple with worldly excess and pleasure. In the next turn, we may encounter Luther, the great reformer, who emphasized that followers of Jesus live by faith. I loved the turn where I encountered Saint Columba and his priests. I learned a great deal about trusting in our God from them. The Desert Fathers teach us to answer questions concerning the mystic nature of our God and the practice of our faith. It is a lifetime of learning and traveling down this very long river.

When the water is smooth and flowing freely, it is easy to navigate and almost relaxing to learn from the past saints of the church. As is so often the case on a natural river, this spiritual river has rapids. These are moments when we grapple with theological questions that remain unanswered in our lives. As C.S. Lewis writes in “The Great Divorce,” concerning grass, one person’s rapids may be another person’s smooth water. In other words, I may grapple with what you have already settled in your mind.

About six years ago, I hit the rapids of some Pentecostal beliefs. I do not call these doctrines, as they are not connected to the fundamentals of faith. It is an interesting and sometimes confusing ride. I grew up in a fully Pentecostal church where it was common to see all the expressions of spiritual gifts as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12-14. We also, on rare occasions, saw someone run, people falling out (slain) in the Spirit was frequent, and at times, some dancing in the Spirit. These are part of my faith tradition, much like Quakers Quaking or Shakers Shaking.

In my lifetime, we have experienced a marked decline in some of these expressions. That does not bother me, as I do not think these are the most important indicators of whether God is at work among us. Before we are too hard on these expressions, think of the man at the beautiful gate who leaped and ran when he was healed. I think there is a natural response when God does something supernatural among us.

My concern is deeper than these expressions of joy. It is the belief system of some Pentecostals that has kept me on the rapids for some years. Without going into too much detail, I would rather not point fingers here; I will share the experience that led me into the rapids. For a time, I had two opposite opinions with strong voices around me. One was all in with any and every expression of the Pentecostal experience and encouraged me to lean in…or God would not move. At the same time, I had a trusted voice in my ear warning me that we needed to remain more reserved. I don’t want to overstate, but I also do not want to understate the significance and frequency of these two sides.

After a season of wrestling with these questions, I realized yet again that I am an Orthodox Pentecostal. That does not mean I am part of the Orthodox Church, but rather that I adhere to the foundational beliefs the church has always held. And, even in my Pentecostal belief and practice, I hold to the standard that Scripture must be the basis, not the other way around. One of the great dangers of being a Pentecostal is that we may easily move to experience defining our theology. I see and hear this often.

So, what do I not believe and what do I believe…you are free to disagree with me.

I do not believe a generational curse, as taught by many, is a biblical doctrine. I do not believe that a believer can be demon-possessed. I do not believe you must speak in tongues to be saved. I do not believe that only Pentecostals will be in heaven. I do not believe it is appropriate to test God by using snakes in worship (yes, sadly, this happens, though limited). I do not believe there is a magic formula to move the hand of God, be it flags, banners, shofars, or words. Those things become incantations rather than acts of faith. I do not believe that every spiritual gift, though outlined in Scripture, is appropriate for every moment in a service. I do not believe wildfire is better than no fire…why does it have to be one of these options… can’t a contained fire also be an option?

I believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I believe tongues are a gift for the believer to bring us a greater connection to God and greater boldness to witness. I believe all of the spiritual gifts are for today and should be evident in our church and lives as the Spirit directs. I believe in the five-fold ministry. I believe that healing was appropriated at the cross. I believe in God’s power to deliver from sin, addictions, and demonic possession/oppression. I believe that spiritual gifts must be practiced in an orderly manner. I believe it is okay to take medicine for sickness of the body or the mind. I believe speaking in tongues is both personal (prayer) and corporate (gift of tongues with interpretation). I believe it is appropriate to pray in the Spirit out loud in a service, as occurred on the Day of Pentecost…no interpretation is recorded here.  

I believe in the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I believe the same Spirit who empowers us can protect us.

I am an Orthodox Pentecostal!

The First Creed

My thought was to write today’s blog on the topic of why I am a Classical Pentecostal. However, as I studied for this coming Sunday’s message. I ran across an intriguing statement by the commentator William Barclay—his comment ties in so well with my blogs over the past few weeks. If you have not read them, I wrote about the multiple heresies that arose in the early church and the creeds that developed in response to them. Creeds are a statement of belief to counter heresy. I will let you look back to find those.

Today, I want to write about the very first creed and why it is the most essential creed ever written. It is not the Nicene or the Apostles’ Creed. It predates both. It is tucked into Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

In Chapter Two of that book, Paul explores the topic of Christ’s supremacy and His willingness to step out of heaven to live, walk, minister, die, and then be raised to life again, all among humanity. Every Christian creed honors Jesus, but most go on to proclaim other truths that we hold dear. All of which are important, yet there is a foundational truth on which every other creed is formed. I will take that further and state that this creed is the foundation of all Christian faith.

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD

This concise yet direct statement is found in Chapter 2, verse 11. Barclay writes:

              Philippians 2:11 is one of the most important verses in the New Testament. In it, we read that the aim of God, the dream of God, the purpose of God, is a day when every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord. These four words were the first creed that the Christian Church ever had. To be a Christian was to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.   

Our very faith is built on this single statement. Though I am not writing on the topic of being a Classical Pentecostal, let me assure you that this is part of that stance. So often, churches of all stripes deviate from this core foundational truth.  Our time, energy, and money are invested in secondary things. Good things, but secondary.

This statement serves as the foundation for all our actions, attitudes, and beliefs. If Jesus is Lord, then… I’ll give you a minute to fill in that blank.

Here are a few of mine:

              I give to missions because…

              I dedicate my kids to God because…

              I share my faith because…

              I tithe because…

              I volunteer at my church because…

I love because…JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

The statements can go on and on, but the answer remains the same. Paul simplified our lives as believers into a single, simple creed that we can easily remember. The very essence of salvation is found in these words.

When I was five years old, I knelt at the altar in First Assembly of God, Tipton, MO. I prayed a prayer asking for forgiveness and asking Jesus into my heart. In so doing, I lived the testimony of these words. I declared then at my public baptism, Jesus Christ is Lord of my life.

In Paul’s day, as in our own, people try to find a shortcut to heaven or hold to a belief that any road will get us there. Paul raises his mighty pen and says, “NO.” Only Jesus Christ is Lord.

Creeds are an exceptional part of Christian faith, doctrine, and history. They are wonderful to read and to quote. Perhaps it is fitting that I end this series, for now, with the first creed. Maybe this is what God is calling us all back to. I do not need all the extras that come into the church; what I need is a new revelation and understanding of Christ’s Lordship of my life.

I am reminded of the story behind the song “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” It is said that this occurred in North India, where a group of Baptist missionaries and local believers came under intense persecution from the local tribal leaders. These families were commanded to recant their faith. If they did not, their wives and kids would die. They stood and said, “I have decided to follow Jesus.” Their families were martyred.

They were commanded again to recant their faith, or their coworkers would die. They stood and said, “Though none go with me, still I will follow.” Their coworkers were martyred.

Finally, only the leader remained. Again, he was commanded to recant his faith. He stood and said, “The cross before me, the world behind me.” He, too, was martyred.

Why would someone be willing to give their life and the lives of those they love? For one reason only, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

You can read the complete account of this story here: https://renewaljournal.com/2017/11/29/the-true-story-behind-the-song-i-have-decided-to-follow-jesus/