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/

Separation and Unity?

This past Sunday, I preached from Philippians 2:1-2. In these verses, Paul emphasizes the need for unity within the Church. Unity is very elusive within the context of Church history. From the Great Schism in 1054 (the division within the Catholic Church that led to the formation of the Roman and Eastern Churches) to the Protestant Reformation, many point to disagreement as a cause of disunity.

Does disagreement have to cause disunity? If not, how do we define unity in the Church? Why do we have so many denominations if we are to be unified? These are some of the questions I will attempt to answer in today’s blog.

Disagreements on theology and the application of our beliefs have always been present in the Church. Peter and Paul disagreed with each other concerning the necessity of circumcision for gentile believers (Acts 15). Paul writes more extensively than any other biblical author about unity in the body of Christ. Yet, he was willing to stand up when he disagreed with another believer. Is that unity? In a broad sense, unity is about our common purpose more than every detail of theology that may get us to that end.

Indeed, the early church recognized the need for standards of faith and practice. Those are outlined in the creeds developed through church councils. Each creed is a response to a heretical ideal that arose mainly in the first 1,000 years of Church History. Please read my last four blogs for details on some of these heresies. Often, disagreements in the Church brought about a return to our foundational doctrines (Orthodoxy).

Author Bruce Shelly, “Church History in Plain Language,” writes about the formation of denominations throughout his book. He writes in the opening words of chapter 32, “For decades critics have called them “a scandal,” “a blight,” and “a factionalism,” but denominations remain the institutional hallmark of modern Christianity.” To fully understand denominationalism, we must look to history.

First, denominations developed due to a lack of proximity. Let me explain using my theological tradition. The Pentecostal church developed from the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles in 1906. As people from across the US came to Azusa, they took the Pentecostal witness back with them. Over the next few years, Pentecostal denominations experienced significant growth. Here is a brief outline: The Assemblies of God developed in Arkansas and Missouri, The Church of God in Eastern Tennessee and North Georgia, The Church of the Foursquare in Southern California, and the Church of God in Christ, an established denomination in Memphis, TN, embraced Pentecostalism.

These groups did not emerge from disagreements in theology; more than 100 years later, we all essentially still hold the same core doctrines.

Second, denominations grew around shared beliefs. Calvinism led to the formation of the Presbyterian church in Scotland, and Lutheranism formed around a strong Orthodoxy and remains close in practice to Catholicism, without some of the Roman Catholic theology, such as the veneration of Mary. The Anglican Church grew out of King Henry VIII’s desire to divorce. Rome said no. Henry said, Fine, I will be the head of a new Church of England. They, too, adhere closely to the theology of the Roman Catholic Church, while, like Lutheranism, abandoning some of the practices they deemed unnecessary or unbiblical.

Third, churches developed around a structure. There remain two main structures within the Protestant churches. They are Episcopal (using the title of Bishops) and Presbyterial (using the title Presbyter). The Assemblies of God uses presbyters, while the Church of God uses bishops.

Do these differences cause us to be disunified? My answer has always been no. I believe separation brings unity. We do not sit around and argue with our counterparts. Instead, with our differences in approach, structure, and nuances in theology, we work toward the same ultimate goal—the glorification of Jesus Christ in our world and the propagation of the Gospel. This is the very foundation of being Ecumenical.

Yes, we have differences, but we all believe the words of the Apostolic Creed, and we all want to see people’s lives changed by Jesus Christ. Shelley later writes in that same chapter a key to this understanding.

Denominationalism, as originally designed, is the opposite of sectarianism. A sect claims the authority of Christ for itself alone. It believes that it is the only true body of Christ; all truth belongs to it and to no other religion. So by definition, a sect is exclusive. The word denomination by contrast was an inclusive term. It implied that the Christian group called or “denominated” by a particular name was but one member of a larger group -the church- to which all denominations belong.

I have great friends who I love dearly who serve or attend a myriad of denominations. We are united in our pursuit of Jesus Christ and the reaching of the world. How we go about it may look a little different, but in the end, we are unified in worship and purpose. Can separation bring unity? It seems that it can. I applaud your work. I desire your fellowship. I honor your faithfulness to our Lord, no matter what denomination you are a part of.

“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.” (Apostolic Creed)

The Dangers of Special Knowledge in Christianity

Over the past few weeks, we explored several heresies that arose in the early church. Each of them is still around today. Due to my schedule, I was unable to write last week, but I want to pick up where we left off.

Picture this! It is a beautiful sunny morning in the rural mountains of northern Appalachia. The little stream is bubbling, and the birds are singing their morning song. It is a beautiful place to commune with God. A young man is walking among the trees, crying out to hear a word from the Lord. His heart is tender, but his knowledge of God’s word is rudimentary at best.

Suddenly, an angel of the lord appears and reveals a secret message written a thousand years before. These messages are for this young man’s eyes only. No one else will ever see them, but in time, millions will take him at his word and follow this special revelation.

This is an illustration of Gnosticism, a heresy that the early church confronted. Gnosticism is from the Greek word gnosis, meaning knowledge. The word gnosis indicates a special or secret knowledge. Gnostics believed God revealed special knowledge to them. Therefore, they were at a higher spiritual level than those in the early church, including Paul.

Gnostics believed that the spiritual and the material were separate, and that salvation brought freedom from the material world. In other words, everything that is in the created world is bad. In one form, this would lead to the idea of mind over matter, Christian Scientism.

As it pertains to Christianity, Gnostics believed that an infinitely holy God could not come in the corruptible form of a human. Therefore, they denied the hypostatic union of Jesus (fully God and fully man). I touched on this in a previous blog titled, Understanding Arianism: The Danger of a Created Jesus.

Like most of these heresies, I could write a lengthy series, but time is limited, so let’s move on. As many of you may have recognized, the brief story I outlined at the beginning is that of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. Mormonism is shrouded in secrecy. No one has ever observed the gold plates or the magic glasses that Smith claims to have found. There has never been one shred of archaeological evidence that Jesus appeared in ancient Mesoamerica. Yet, this special knowledge continues to deceive.

Lest I only accuse the Mormons and Christian Scientists of this heresy, I will also point out that much spiritual abuse has occurred in the Church. Gnosticism, at its core, is special knowledge. Meaning, it is for me, not you. This, in and of itself, is spiritual manipulation, but on a broader basis, it denies the nature of the Trinity. God the Father longs for a relationship with humanity. Jesus, our Savior, came to reveal the Father to us and to redeem us through His blood. “Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?” (John 14:9) In addition, it is the Spirit’s job to reveal Jesus and to lead us into all truth (John 16:3).

I grew up in church and just passed my 26th Anniversary in full-time ministry. I have seen a lot in my life. A lot of well-meaning people who, out of exuberance, misunderstand what God is saying. I have seen many who want spiritual authority badly enough that they will manipulate spiritual gifts to gain “special knowledge.” In that way, they seek to gain control or authority over the local pastor. I want to affirm here that I am not enamored with my authority, but I will ask anyone to leave our service who attempts to usurp it, especially on the grounds of, “I’m a prophet or apostle, you’re just a pastor.”

So, then, how do we protect ourselves? It’s actually quite simple. Know the Word of God. If Joseph Smith knew the Word, he ignored it; if he didn’t know the Word, he should have.

  1. Gal 1:8-9 “Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.”
  2. Ps 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
  3. Deut 4:2 “Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.” Rev 22:18-19 “And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.”

Any of the four of these verses should have stopped Smith. He should have recognized that what is contrary to the Word of God is always wrong. The entire situation contradicts the revealed Word of God. “Special Knowledge” brings power to the one who possesses it and servitude to those who do not. That is the opposite of what Jesus lived and taught.

As a classical Pentecostal, I want to assure you, no matter what you have heard, read, or believe, we do not hold prophecy or the interpretation of a tongue to the same level as Scripture. Instead, we follow Paul’s admonition, “Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.” (1 Thess 5:20-21).  Does God still speak to His people? Yes! However, it should align with the Word of God and the doctrines we hold so dear. It should always be given in a spirit of humility. It should never be used to manipulate or to advance an agenda. Those who do such things are denying the very nature of Christ, which is the root of Gnosticism.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate comments, likes, and shares.

Understanding Arianism: The Danger of a Created Jesus

In my last blog, I wrote about Sabillianism. That’s a fun word. Say that with me. As a recap, Sabillius believed that the Trinity was not three parts but only Jesus. This gave birth to the “Jesus only” or “Oneness” movement. As I mentioned, I struggle theologically on whether this doctrine will keep someone from entering heaven. That is based on the definition of salvation in Romans. Either way, how do I say this? It is a ridiculous and unbiblical doctrine.

Today, I want to address Arianism. The early church grappled with both ideas. The church’s response led to the writing of the Nicene Creed and a few other lesser-known creeds. So, why is this relevant today? As with Sabillianism, Arianism is still present today, most notably in Mormonism. Let’s begin by defining Arianism.

Arianism is the belief that Jesus is a created being like everything else in our world. Arius struggled with the biblical term “begotten” as used in Scripture. He assumes that Jesus was “begotten” of the Father only if He was created. Let me be clear: while I may struggle with the eternal effects of the Oneness doctrine, I do not struggle with Arianism. Believing in a created Jesus is to deny His very nature. To deny His very nature is to believe in a very different Jesus than Scripture presents, and further calls into question His salvific work on the cross.

If Jesus is created, He is not truly divine, nor is He coequal to the Father and the Spirit. That opens the door to more theological challenges than I can put into a single blog. But think of it this way. If Jesus was created, is it possible for Him to be the perfect spotless lamb? How does His miraculous prophetic birth play into salvation history if He is not God?

This is not only a bizarre thought from human logic but absolutely contrary to Scripture. That is one reason why Mormons are Arians. They do not believe the Word of God is authoritative, but subordinate to the Book of Mormon. This leads us into another heresy, Gnosticism (special knowledge). It also leads to a created Jesus. That is a heresy for another day.

Johanan (John) writings are explicit in their teaching, especially John 1.

John 1:1-5 NLT

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

Denying Christ’s divinity is to deny His ability to save us. C. S. Lewis famously stated of Jesus, “He is either liar, lunatic, or Lord.” The God-man Jesus Christ running around claiming to be God would be insane and an affirmation of the accusations thrown at Him by the Pharisees. He is not created! He is eternal! He is fully God and fully man! He was there at creation and through Him all was created! The creator is not created.

One of my favorite quotes is from Terry Fullam (Time With God, Word Publishing, 1991, 3.) “He had to become man because man was the one who had sinned. He has to be God because God was the only One who could do anything about the sin of man.” The great truth of Christianity is that our God came to die for our sins. Jesus is not Satan’s brother as Mormonism declares. He is not simply a good man, as Islam teaches. He is God! In every way, He is God.

I do not worship a created being, but our eternal Savior. Thousands upon thousands of believers did not give their lives for a good person, but for God. This is the truth of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. This is the crux of the Gospel. Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, came to save us. For that, He is infinitely worthy of our worship, now and forevermore.

Revelation 5:13 NLT

“And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (Emphasis mine)

Deny the Denial

I know this may surprise some of you, but I do not have a tattoo. I know it’s weird for a modern pastor not to have a man bun, tattoo, and skinny jeans, but I don’t. Well, I do have skinny jeans. If I were ever to get a tattoo, it would be a Celtic Trinity knot or maybe my favorite name of God in Hebrew (I AM), but mostly the knot. I am of Scottish/Irish descent. I love the look and the affirmation that I am strongly Trinitarian.

I live in Kentucky, where there is a large group of Christians who deny the Trinity. These groups may be referred to as “Oneness,” “Jesus Only,” “modalists,” or the classical term “patripassianism.” (See The Story of Christianity Vol. I by Justo Gonzalez.) This is not a new belief. It originated from a priest named Sabillius who lived in third-century Rome. He believed that the Trinity is not three distinctive persons that make up the Godhead, but that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all expressions or manifestations of Jesus…thus the term Jesus only.

Sabillianism resurged in the early 1900s as a new wave of Pentecostalism spread from the Parham School in Topeka, KS, and even more so from the Azusa Revival in LA. Charles Parham saw the first person in modern history baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues: a young lady named Agnes Ozman. She was a student at Parham’s school. Later, William Seymour, the leader of Azusa, also attended this school. However, Seymour was not baptized in the Holy Spirit until later. (Prayer that Ignites Revival by Joe Oden.)

Though Seymour received formal training from Parham, it did not take long before the two broke apart. Why? Sabillianism! Parham began to question the doctrine of the Trinity and expounded the “Oneness” gospel. Seymour denied the denial, holding firmly to the historical, and I might add Biblical, approach to the Trinity. We can see the obvious representation of the Trinity at Jesus’ baptism. (For fun reading, find the Oneness explanation of that event 😊)

Parham is not necessarily regarded as the father of the Oneness church, but his doctrines did influence its later formation. The United Pentecostal Church International’s website states, “The UPCI emerged out of the Pentecostal movement that began with a Bible school in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901 and with the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California, in 1906. It traces its organizational roots to 1916, when a large group of Pentecostal ministers began to unite around the teaching of the oneness of God and water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.” The UPCI was formed in 1945 by merging two Oneness denominations. https://upci.org/about-the-upci/

So, can a Oneness Pentecostal be saved if the early church regarded Sabillianism as a heresy and worked to affirm Trinitarian doctrine? You may remember that I made a statement in the affirmative in my last blog. This is a very tricky question. There is more to Sabillianism than this single tenet, but let’s address the Oneness doctrine for a moment.

I sat under an amazing theology professor while in Bible College. Now, with the Lord, Dr. Purdy challenged us to think about this issue. Always the devil’s advocate, he would point us to two Scriptures.

Romans 10:9 says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Here we understand that salvation is through Jesus Christ. Granted, the Holy Spirit plays a role. The act of salvation is through the atoning work of Jesus and our faith and trust in Him. If we apply this verse to Oneness theology, we can see they are saved.

Lest you think it’s that easy, read Matthew 12:31-32 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.” From this verse, one could argue that not believing in the person and work of the Spirit is blasphemy. Unfortunately, Jesus does not give us any details to help us here. We do not fully understand the nature of the word “blasphemy” in this context.

So then, why would I say that I believe people holding a Oneness theology are saved? The short answer is Spiritual Fruit and a sense of God’s presence when I am around them or see a service, whether it is Charity Galyle or a service with the Pentecostals of Alexandria. Ultimately, I am very thankful that God has to make that call, not me. It does make me think of the scripture about sin…it’s another tough one. 1 John 5:16-17 “If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.” “Not every sin leads to death.” Is it possible that Oneness theology fits in this space? They genuinely seem to love and honor Jesus, but their theology is wrong, doctrinally and from Church history.

In the end, I will strongly and adamantly Deny their Denial! The Trinity is a sound and proven doctrine. I echo the theme of the Apostle’s Creed: our God is three in one!

The building our church now owns was originally a Oneness church. On the first service here, 20 years ago, I was leading worship. We closed with this beautiful hymn:

Holy, holy, holy!

Lord God Almighty

Early in the morning

Our song shall rise to Thee

Holy, holy, holy!

Merciful and mighty

God in three persons

Blessed Trinity! (Emphasis Mine)

That was, of course, intentional. We are Pentecostal, but we are also unashamedly Trinitarian. Sing it with me loud, “God in three persons, blessed Trinity!” Now and forever!

Where History and Theology Meet

My full-time job is as a pastor, but I moonlight as a professor of history and pastoral theology. Most of my students do not enjoy history; the same could be said for most of those sitting in the pew weekly. I’ve never understood this. A quote often credited to Maya Angelou states, “You can’t know where you are going until you know where you have been.” It likely predates her, but from an unknown source. Either way, I believe this about life and theology.

Christian tradition and history keep the Church grounded in the truth of the Word of God. Is it possible for a wrong theology to be espoused and repeated in this way? The answer is yes, but when the Church has grappled with a question for over 2,000 years and established a Biblically sound answer, straying from it is dangerous.

The Arian controversy erupted in the 300s AD, leading to the formation of what we now call the Nicene Creed (By the way, this creed is celebrating its 1,700th anniversary in June). Arianism is still around, most notably in Mormon theology. Essentially, and this is a straightforward explanation, Arius believed that Jesus could not be begotten of the Father and equal to him. Thus, Jesus must be a created being, not eternal. Arius made his conclusions from a position of human logic rather than the teachings of Scripture. John chapter 1 clearly and beautifully explains our doctrine of Christ’s eternality.

Historical theology, as a proper term, keeps us, the followers of Christ, grounded in theology and, yes, traditions of Church doctrine. The Gospel Coalition defines Historical theology as “the discipline of narrating the development of Christian theology.” I would add that this definition also encompasses the practices of our faith, thereby including orthodoxy (doctrine) and orthopraxy (practice).

Let me point out a few examples of where I believe the modern Church is missing it because we have moved from a historical position. I hope to write about each of these in the coming weeks. I will compile these in a list, along with a brief explanation, below. Many of these are what I term “extra Biblical,” meaning they are not outlined in the New Testament as required for our faith. They are not sinful, or necessarily wrong in some contexts, but are also unnecessary.

Celebrating Jewish Festivals as Gentiles – Granted, there is much we can learn about Jesus in all of the feasts. I preached a series on that years ago. I loved it, yet I recognize that Jesus did not sacrifice himself for me to remain under the law (Gal 3). The Jewish feasts should be honored, but requiring them of Christians is wrong and outside of Biblical instruction and historical application.

Pentecostal Expressions—I am a classical Pentecostal in theology and practice. In Western cultures, we live at a time when those churches that entirely reject Pentecostalism are gaining ground, and those who move to the extreme of Pentecostalism are also gaining ground. Those of us who seek to practice Biblical Pentecostal theology and practice are viewed as odd by both sides. I would like to focus on a few specific points here. Flags and shofars in worship are extrabiblical. Flags appear nowhere in Scripture. Shofars are another example of the push toward the law of the Old Testament. Again, nothing is inherently sinful about these practices, but when we examine the historical context of Pentecostal theology, they appear unusual and outside the norm. They are not needed.

Oneness or Jesus Only Theology—Though the doctrine of the Trinity has been attacked throughout Christian History, the Church has never wavered from it. The Apostle’s Creed, the Nicene Creed, and Jesus’ baptism affirm the Trinity. Though I believe those holding this theology are saved, I would argue that they are on a slippery slope. One of the churches in our community that has a lot of buzz is Oneness. They don’t talk about it from the pulpit. As a result, Charismatic/Pentecostals flock to their high-energy services. I scratch my head and wonder how so many can affirm a theology that contradicts biblical evidence and historical doctrine. As a side note, I have not lost many people to this church. I have friends who have left their traditional Pentecostal churches and joined this Oneness church. This gives me grave concern. If you can be so off on a foundational tenet of the Christian faith, what else are you off on?

There is a strong movement toward traditionalism, orthodoxy, and orthopraxy among Pentecostals in their 20s and 30s. Many are leaving the Pentecostal faith and entering the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Why? Too many Pentecostals reject the church’s traditions, both in doctrine and practice. I love our Pentecostal faith, but I also love the traditions of the church that have kept us grounded in the Word of God for 2,000 years.

I recognize that some of my readers may reject the idea of Pentecostalism as a tradition within the Church. I have made it a goal to learn about Pentecostal occurrences throughout history. Acts 2 never fully died out. It is easy to find if you search through history. This will be a blog soon. As a teaser, look at the Confession of St. Patrick, the official biography of Charles Finney, and some histories of the Moravians and Quakers. But, as I said, that is for another day and another blog.

Ultimately, we must hold the Word of God above all else, but we cannot overlook the influence of historical theology on our doctrine and practice. The safest way to be true to the foundations of our faith is to follow what has been for 2,000 years.

Dare I Have an Opinion?

The political and theological worlds are so intertwined these days that I am almost scared to have an opinion. For too long, those who disagree have decided it is a basis to hate someone with a differing opinion. How foolish. I find it funny that those who claim to be the most open-minded are often the most closed. Though I have strong opinions, if my politics get in the way of my ability to be a witness of Christ, I’ve missed something.

My mom was very politically active. She always took me to the polls when she voted. Yes, I was raised in the conservative tradition, both politically and theologically. Both of which I still hold. Those two things often go hand in hand. My mom adored Ronald Reagan and tolerated George H.W. Bush. Let’s be honest, I would not want to follow Reagan. Those were big shoes.

In our current culture, we are expected to take an extreme position, whether on the right or the left. My purpose in writing this blog is not to express my disagreement with liberal ideology. I’ll save that for a day if I’m bored or want to stir up trouble. My purpose here is to speak to those who, like me, are conservative, but perhaps unlike me, are overly vocal about every political topic. A wise man once quipped, “You can have an opinion about everything, but you don’t always have to share it.” (source unknown)

I have not yet touched on a specific topic; however, I’m sure some are already upset with my assertion. Stay with me. Within the Christian conservative tradition, I often hear that we need to stand up politically because if we don’t, we will lose our nation. I get that to a point, but I am reminded that Jesus never instructed me to stand up politically, but He did call me to pick up my cross and follow Him. He did tell me I would be persecuted and hated for the sake of His name.

We live in an upside-down world. Those who hold to the idea of traditional marriage, as outlined in Scripture, or hold to the concept of two genders, also outlined in Scripture, are the outsiders. Scripture tells us that right will become wrong and wrong will become right. (2 Tim 3) None of this should surprise us. However, we are told there has never been a time like this. That is a false assertion. Scripture refers to the end times by saying, “as in the day of Noah.” (Matt 24) Meaning, it will look like those days. I also point to Judges 17:6 “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” That sounds familiar.

When we read the account of Lot and the visitors to his city or the accounts of child sacrifice both in and around Israel, we recognize that sin has been present since the fall, and it always will be until Jesus returns and eradicates it. Please understand, I am not saying that Christians should not be politically active or even run for office, I am saying that we need to be careful how we present our opinions as believers.

No politician is our great savior, even if we appreciate his/her policies and accomplishments. Ultimately, it does not matter who is in the White House; every president moves us closer to Christ’s return. That, above all, should be our focus and motivation. I touched on a few things from the Old Testament. Let’s look at the culture of Jesus’ day.

Roman culture was about as ungodly as any. Abuse, divorce, homosexuality, child trafficking, prostitution, and idolatry were rampant. Paul even uses a word for homosexuality in his letter to Timothy that denotes an underage boy with an adult male. As a side note, many liberal theologians have attempted to reinterpret this and other words to prove that homosexuality is not a sin, but pedophilia is. In all actuality, both are sinful, as are affairs, sex outside of the confines of marriage, and sex with animals. (1 Cor 6)

The point is that Roman culture was depraved and overtly sinful. For further study, I encourage you to read the histories of the emperors Nero and Caligula. Again, my purpose here is not to give a list of sinful acts, but to show that Jesus lived and ministered at a time of deep sinfulness, both in Jewish and Roman cultures. Yet, Christ’s focus was the House of Israel, not the Roman government. In several places, the crowds around Jesus, even his disciples, hoped that Jesus had come to overthrow Rome. He did not. He came to overthrow sin.

Dare I have an opinion? The Church cannot legislate righteousness. Yes, I said it. Oh, I get it. We want our government to reflect Christian values. While that is all well and good, what we need is a revival that shakes the very core of our national spiritually. Christianity is currently on a downswing in America, yet it is exploding in communist China. Historically speaking, great revivals often come in moments of high persecution and turmoil, such as during and following WWI (Pentecostal Revival), WWII (Healing Evangelists), and Vietnam (Charismatic Renewal).

Ultimately, every Christian should vote based on Biblical principles, but we must preach Jesus more than politics. We’ve missed the point if every post we make is about the glories of a politician or a party. Paul reminds us that he will preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:22). No politician can save us. No political party will usher in spiritual revival. That can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit and a praying Church (sorry, Kingdom Now people). Christ will return at the appointed time. Not to throw in a new topic, but look at Jesus’s words, Matt 24:22 “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.” That does not sound like a happy time on earth, but it will be for us.

Dare I have an opinion? Yes, yes, I do. Stop posting so much and start praying more. Trust God with your today and your future. Seek to live out Micah 6:8 “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Believers worldwide are willing and called to give their lives for Christ. Why should the West be any different? The current administration will quickly end, and another will rise. All the while, the return of Jesus is nearer. I want to be a voice of hope. Jesus is coming, not to save us from our government, but because He loves us and wants to spend eternity with us. Let’s preach that!

Redefined

As I prepared to write this blog this morning, I heard a song by Tosha Cobbs that I’d never heard before. It is from her Royalty tour. Written by Travis Greene, the lyrics state, “I am royalty. I am who You called me. I believe I am Yours. Oh, yes, I am.”

The United States and, indeed, our culture is suffering from an identity crisis. After decades of rejecting God, we now stand confused and directionless. Biological standards that have existed from the beginning of time are now denied. Our nation struggles with direction and purpose, as fully illustrated by our government’s lack of unity on any topic.

The Church at large has also drifted. My friend and the leader of Assemblies of God US Missions, Pastor Choco De Jesus, often used the term “drift.” The Church has drifted away from its purpose and its mission. How can this happen? Because we have lost our identity.

These institutional problems do not extend from the institutions but the individuals working within them. Whether it is the government or the Church, drift begins in the heart of individuals. If our sense of meaning, purpose, and missions waver, the institutions we work within also waver.

Paul addressed our identity in his letter to the Galatians (3:26-29). Here is a brief outline of this section adapted from Dr. Warren Wiersbe’s Be Series. It shows six ways in which Christ should define us.

              V26 – You are defined as God’s Child.

              V27a – You are defined by baptism in Christ.

              V27b – You are defined by Christ as you clothe yourself in Him.

              V28 – You are defined by your unity with Christ.

              V29a – You are defined as Abraham’s offspring.

              V29b – You are defined as heirs to the promise.

We are often defined by our traits, experiences, or whatever we choose. Christ, above all else, must define your life. You are not, first and foremost, a person of a specific race, nationality, gender, socioeconomic class, or anything else apart from Jesus Christ. Human nature is to worship that aspect that defines us. Some worship their race above all else—some their gender. In our current culture, chosen sexuality supersedes everything else.

When you come to know Jesus, He is the only definition that genuinely matters. He is also the only thing I want people to see in me. I don’t want to be known as a short white guy with a PhD. I’m not, first and foremost, Jenna’s husband or Natalie, Micah, Joy, and Joshua’s dad. Above all, I am defined by Christ. From that place, purpose and mission naturally flow. I am His, and His purpose for me is well-defined. I live to worship and serve Christ.

You may be struggling with questions of identity, purpose, or mission. You may feel you are only defined by your past or the choices you are currently making. Jesus wants to bring you freedom. He wants to free you from all the ways the world defines you and how you define yourself.

When we welcome Jesus into our lives, He redefines us. Let’s be honest: His definition is far greater than anything I can come up with. I am a child of God, and that’s a pretty good place to be.

Grace Gifts

Generosity is not a moment. It is a way of life. People often comment that churches only talk about money. That shows a fundamental lack of understanding of Jesus’ teaching. He spoke on two topics more than any other, and they are closely related. Jesus spoke of the Kingdom and finances. Why? Because He recognizes that if God does not have our wallets, He does not fully have our hearts.

Tithes and offerings are an integral part of the growth of God’s Kingdom. We do not give to check a box, receive a tax credit from the IRS, or get a plaque with our name. We give because generosity should be in the DNA of every believer.

Paul writes about Grace Gifts in his second letter to the Corinthians.

Read 2 Cor 8:1-9

The term “Grace Gift” comes from the Greek word used in this passage. The word for giving here is the same as grace. In 2 Cor 8:1-9, Paul teaches us four principles. (adapted from Warren Wiersbe’s Be Series)

In verses 1 and 2, Give in Spite of Circumstances.

In verses 3 -5, Give with Enthusiasm.

In verses 6 and 7, Give to Excel in Generosity.

In verses 8 and 9, Give as Jesus Gave.

Paul encourages the Corinthians to add generosity to a list of Godly attributes. He also motivated them with the generous gift the Macedonian church gave, which included the city of Philippi. The letter to the Philippians includes many details about their trials, including poverty and persecution. Yet, Paul writes that they begged to give. The Macedonian church got it! Jesus had their hearts. Paul did not command the Corinthians to give. As the text states, he used this to test their faithfulness and love of the Lord and fellow believers.

Paul ends this portion by reminding them of the Grace Gift Christ gave when He came to earth. Verse 9: “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” In everything, Christ is our example.

If Christ was willing to give His very life so that we might live, indeed, we can give of our substance to spread the Gospel worldwide. What is Christ calling you to give? Sometimes, that call comes with a sacrifice. Perhaps God will ask you to forgo that cup of coffee or lunch to give more for the furtherance of the Kingdom.

Grace Gifts require us to think beyond ourselves and give generously and joyfully. Building God’s Kingdom should be our number one priority. Too often, and too many of us, live to build our own kingdom instead of Christ’s.

If you are plugged into a local church, give generously to reach those around your city and the world. If you are not connected to a body, find one. Get connected. Be generous. Give Grace Gifts with enthusiasm.