Realigning Christianity

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ who has declared His Lordship over your life, accepted His Word as the source of truth, and received His Spirit as your guide, then this post is for you...and me!

We are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that we should show forth the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9).  We have been "saved and called to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace" (2 Timothy 1:9).  We have been commissioned "to go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Therefore, as God's chosen, called and commissioned people we are urged to "offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" and are warned to "not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:1-2).  As such, our lives become His and His ways become ours.  Our hearts beat after His and His mind is in us.  Our desires are submitted to Him and His will becomes ours.  

As fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, we are to "have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather he made himself nothing by taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:5-8)

However, against this biblical framework of Christian faith...

There is an emerging form of Christianity where words like sacrifice, submission and service are being exchanged for a self-centred humanistic theology that seems more strongly influenced by popular opinion than being inspired by divine revelation!

• Some Christians pursue their HAPPINESS instead of God's HOLINESS
• Some Christians defend their RIGHTS ahead of God's RIGHTEOUSNESS
• Some Christians place their PREFERENCES over God's PATTERN
• Some Christians value their OPINIONS more than God's TRUTH
• Some Christians consider EQUALITY with the world greater than SUBMISSION to God's kingdom order
• Some Christians seek TOLERANCE of all views at the expense of OBEDIENCE to God's commands

This emerging form of Christianity unwittingly or maybe willingly flirts dangerously close to Paul's warning to Timothy:  "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Timothy 4:3).

This emerging form of Christianity is out of alignment with the relationship Jesus demonstrated with His Father and the life He modelled to His followers.  It has created a false dichotomy between God's love and justice, compromising truth for tolerance.  Jesus, on the other hand, "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14), reframed God's law and love in such a way that His justice and mercy hold together in perfect harmony.  Jesus, "full of grace and truth", redefined religion as a relationship that fully reflects God's character.  Jesus, "full of grace and truth", restored God's image in broken humanity by setting us "free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2).  Jesus, "full of grace and truth", "condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:3-4).

Grace without truth is licence to do what is right in your own eyes.  Truth without grace is legalism to enforce your version of truth.  However, to be truly Christlike, grace and truth are the incarnational posture for humility and holiness that brings Christians into full submission to the One whose name we bear.  This is the only posture where the Spirit of Christ dwells and His transforming power prevails.  Anything less makes us a "slave to the law of sin", not the law of God (Romans 7:25).

At this time, when there is so much confusion and compromise in the church, our opinions and desires as Christ followers must be fully submitted to Jesus Christ if we are ever to regain our voice as effective witnesses in the world and be the generation to fulfill the Great Commission!

My Daily Prayer #2

Dear Lord, earnestly I seek You and ask that

You will...

CLEANSE my heart

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

RENEW my mind

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

ALIGN my soul

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37)

 


So that I might...

DEEPEN my resolve

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

STRENGTHEN my resilience

"We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

BROADEN my reach

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19)

In the powerful name of Jesus I pray!

Amen

Cross-Cultural Ministry

"The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian
Church.  Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission
is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination."

The Salvation Army International Mission Statement

As a part of this international movement I not only see the internationalism of The Salvation Army expressed in various nations from a distance but up close through diverse cultural expressions in my own ministry context in Australia.  This creates a rich and complex cross-cultural mission field for me and my church.  

While I personally have a culturally diverse heritage, with Maltese blood and Italian and German grandparents, I am Australian born and was spiritually raised in an English speaking, mono-cultural church in a working-class suburb in Melbourne.  Yet, growing up, my best friend was Croatian and some of my class mates were from a Lebanese, Egyptian, Turkish and Greek background.

Our training as Salvation Army Officers was alongside an Indonesian cadet who trained with us in Melbourne. Our first appointment was in the Northern Territory where we engaged with the Indigenous community and hosted a number of YWAM discipleship training teams from south-east Asia and Europe.  Through successive appointments we have led short-term mission trips to Chiang Mai in Thailand, and Denpasar, Jakarta and Palu in Indonesia.  In our current appointment we have an active ministry to asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Egypt; conduct English classes for a diverse range of nationalities; participate in inter-faith dialogue with Pakistanis from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community; provide facilities for local Christian Indian prayer groups; and have a large multi-cultural volunteer base.

It is any wonder that God has birthed within us a passion for cross-cultural ministry!  However, despite our passion, how do we effectively lead and minister in this space?

Most of our cross-cultural ministry has been accidental, providing us with steep learning curves that have demanded far more intentional responses.  Our growing awareness of other cultures has led both me and my wife into formal learning pathways to educate and equip us to navigate this culturally diverse ministry landscape.

Recently, I was asked to make a presentation to our Growing Healthy Corps group about some cross-cultural ministry insights we have learned along the way.  We are far from experts and feel at times we have little clue about what we are doing in a very complex and fluid environment.  Nevertheless, our journey so far has instilled within us four fundamental beliefs and three missional convictions about cross-cultural ministry.

Cross-Cultural Ministry - 4 Fundamental Beliefs

1. The Creator reveals Himself to ALL humankind (Romans 1:20)
2. God's desire is for ALL to be saved (2 Peter 3:9)
3. Holy Spirit is preparing hearts for salvation (John 16:7-15)
4. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation (Acts 4:12)

These four fundamental beliefs enable me to interact with different cultures and other faiths from a different position than from my evangelical upbringing.  First, we don't need to take God anywhere, He is already present, providing all people with a partial revelation of the Creator God through His creation.  Second, no culture or religion is outside of the scope of God's salvation.  Third, Holy Spirit is at work long before us, therefore, our role is to 'join in on a conversation that has already begun.'  Finally, a full revelation of God can only be seen through Jesus Christ.

Cross-Cultural Ministry - 3 Missional Convictions

The Apostle Paul's interaction with the men of Athens (Acts 17:16-34) has given form to my fundamental beliefs by providing a biblical framework that has produced my missional convictions about cross-cultural ministry:

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. (Acts 17:16-17)

Conviction #1 - Look for where God is already present

"Cross-cultural witnesses need to look for such indications of God's prior working in whatever societies they go to and work in continuity with them."

Charles H. Kraft, Anthropology for Christian Witness

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. (Acts 17:22-23) 

Conviction #2 - Listen for gaps in their revelation of God

"As we work with the people, we need to find out what kinds of questions they are asking for which they are unable to find answers within their culture."

Charles H. Kraft, Anthropology for Christian Witness

 

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ (Acts 17:26-28)

Conviction #3 - Learn how to share a revelation of Jesus

"It is very significant to me that Jesus was a storyteller.  

We westerners are sermonizers, and there is a big difference between the effectiveness of a storytold message and a sermonized message."

Charles H. Kraft, Anthropology for Christian Witness

These three missional convictions are not only a three step process for sharing the gospel in a cross-cultural context but in any context.  They create a posture of looking, listening and learning that fosters what Clark Pinnock calls a dialogical relationship, which is foundational to effective cross-cultural ministry.

"We should watch for whatever Spirit may be teaching and doing among them.  This posture creates the possibility of a dialogical relationship.  We can enter into the faith of others and acknowledge truths and values found there.  These are our fellow human beings, seeking truth as we are.  God is reaching out, and people are responding.  So let us watch for points of contact and bridges of communication." - Clark H. Pinnock, Flame of Love

Paul personified a dialogical relationship with the men of Athens that enabled him to recognise where God was at work, identify a gap in their knowledge and evoke from them a relational response, "We want to hear you again on this subject" (Acts 17:32).  The result?  "Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed."

This has completely changed my approach to evangelism in all contexts, especially cross-culturally!  As a cross-cultural minister I should maintain the attitude of a fellow learner who is also on a faith journey.  As a cross-cultural minister I need to tune into the universal work of the Spirit and share it's unique expression in Jesus Christ.  As a cross-cultural minister my role is to join in on a conversation that has already begun.  

"We have to say both yes and no to other religions.  On the one hand, we should accept any spiritual depth and truth in them.  On the other hand, we must reject darkness and error and at the very least see other faiths as insufficient apart from fulfilment in Christ.  The key is to hold fast to two truths:  the universal operations of grace and the uniqueness of its manifestation in Jesus Christ." - Clark H. Pinnock, Flame of Love

Who Is Jesus?

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  “But what about you?” he asked.  “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  (Matthew 16:13-16) 

The question of the identity of Jesus is still being asked in one form or another in contemporary society as people wrestle with their own spiritual identity.  Is Jesus a man to be admired, a myth to be disputed, a mystery to be explored or the Messiah to be followed? 

Such a thought provoking question demands a thoughtful response... 


Response #1 - Revelation 

Within the pages of Scripture we have a written record of a man named Jesus who is revealed to be so much more than simply a historical figure who once walked the earth. God’s ‘self-revelation’ through the “witness of the New Testament” brings us “face to face with Christ in his wholeness as God and man” (Torrance, 2008: 3) and confronts us with His redemptive plan of reconciliation for humankind through the life of Jesus.

His birth was supernatural as He was born to a virgin mother, which was foretold by the prophets (Isaiah 7:14) and announced by an angel (Luke 1:28-37).

His being was unique as He was “truly and properly man and truly and properly God” (The Salvation Army, 1998: 37), that is, God taking on the form of a human being and living among us (John 1:14).  This unique characteristic of Jesus was affirmed by the Apostle Paul who is on record as writing, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9).

His name is powerful:  Jesus means ‘Saviour’ (Matthew 1:21, Luke 1:31-32) and Christ means ‘Immanuel’, that is, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23).  The power of Jesus’ name is declared by God Himself, who “exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

His life was extraordinary as Jesus cast out demons (Luke 4:31-36), healed the sick (Luke 5:12-26), raised the dead (Luke 7:11-17), calmed the storm (Luke 8:22-25), fed the multitudes (Luke 9:10-17), interpreted the times (Luke 12:54-59), liberated the oppressed (Luke 13:10-17), announced the coming of the kingdom of God (Luke 17:20-35), and presented Himself as the King of kings (Luke 19:28-40).

His death and resurrection are transforming - “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed…Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12). 


Response #2 - Evidence 

Within the pages of other historical and religious writings we also find Jesus presented as a man who is like none other; a man to be honoured and revered!  The evidence found in a variety of sources can reasonably lead us to the same conclusion of the Roman centurion witnessing Jesus crucifixion, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).

Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus (born A.D. 52-54) referenced the influence and death of Jesus:  “Hence to suppress the rumor, he falsely charged with the guilt, and punished with the most exquisite tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities.  Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius: but the pernicious superstition, repressed for a time broke out again, not only through Judea, where the mischief originated, but through the city of Rome also” (McDowell, 1990: 82, quoting from Annals XV. 44). 

Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (born A.D. 37) recorded:  “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.  He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles.  He was the Christ, and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him” (McDowell, 1990: 82, quoting from Antiquities XVIII. 33).

The prophet Muhammad revealed in the Quran, “When the angels said, 'O Mary, ALLAH gives thee glad tidings of a son through a word from HIM; his name shall be the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, honoured in this world and in the next, and of those who are granted nearness to God;” He also recalled, “Remember when God said, ‘O Jesus! Verily I will cause thee to die, and will take thee up to Myself and deliver thee from those who believe not; and I will place those who follow thee above those who believe not, until the Day of Resurrection” (Quran  Surah 3:38-48). 


Response #3 - Experience 

Within the pages of my own life story I can speak of encounters with God through Jesus Christ that transcend rational explanation and reasoned arguments into the realms of faith.  But don’t be mistaken to think that the realm of faith is a baseless ideology!  Jesus puts flesh on my faith, providing a living expression of God who is spirit, so that what is unseen can be seen and known by those who put their faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 4).

As a child I received a vision of Jesus which was a profound encounter with God that transitioned me from my parent’s faith to a personal faith.  This was the beginning of a faith journey that took on form as I explored the life of Jesus through the pages of Scripture and sought to emulate His character and integrate His teaching.

As a man, Jesus inspires me.  Just like other heroes of the faith because of their impact on humanity.  For example:  St. Francis of Assisi - his vow of poverty and life of service, John Wesley - his life of holiness, William Wilberforce - his abolition of slavery, Henry Venn - his missionary strategy, Oscar Romero - his liberation theology.

As God in human form, Jesus transforms me.  His Spirit lives within me; changing my heart to care about what breaks God’s heart, renewing my mind to conform to God’s likeness, and empowering my life to pursue God’s calling.  No other person in the past or present has had that level of influence or impact on my life.

Jesus Christ has given me a new identity as a child of God who is created in His image to live in relationship with the Creator according to His pattern and purpose.  Reciprocating this relationship has become the primary purpose of my life so that others “would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us” (Acts 17:27).

While you can debate historical evidence or deny biblical truth concerning the divinity of Jesus Christ, no argument could cause me to doubt the transforming impact His story has had on my story. 


Summary of Responses 

The question 'Who Is Jesus?' presents us with a question of identity which defines the way we see Jesus and interact with Him.  If Jesus is just a man to be admired, then He would be little more than an inspiration.  If Jesus is a myth to be disputed, then He is a controversy to be avoided.  If Jesus is an unresolved mystery, then God can never really be known.  If Jesus is Messiah, as I’ve sought to establish through three different responses, then He is the Saviour who reconciles us to right relationship with God.

A response based on revelation begins with Scripture as the foundation for a revelation of Jesus Christ.  The evidence for the identity of Jesus is formed by what is presented through God’s self-revelation in the prophets, gospels and other writings contained in the Word of God and interpreted through a Christian worldview.

A response based on evidence looks to other factual sources to provide written evidence for the existence and uniqueness of Jesus as a man who made an indelible mark on history.  When these accounts are consistent with the biblical representation of Jesus, they contribute to the argument of Christian claims about Him, even if the evidence is interpreted differently through other worldviews.

A response based on experience provides a faith perspective that may not be justified rationally, rather presents a relational actual encounter with the truth being argued. While this position is driven more from a platform of faith than fact, a person’s experience of Jesus Christ is as real and tangible as any empirical evidence.

The ‘revelation’ and ‘evidence’ responses presents truth about Jesus that appeal to the religious and rational person, however, the ‘experience’ response presents truth about Jesus that makes a relational connection with a wider audience.  I believe all responses help to form a solid case for the identity of Jesus Christ, but to be able to connect His story with our story through an encounter with Jesus moves our audience beyond the rational where they are informed about Jesus into the relational where they can be transformed by Jesus.

Song writer Scott Dyer penned the following lyrics that capture this conclusion:  

You ask me how I know that God is real and why it is that I believe

Is there some truth that I’d reveal that might convince you to concede

And can I prove it.  Can I quantify it?

And where’s the evidence of Christ in a world that’s in decay

And can I prove He really died and that the stone was rolled away

Cause you’re not quite convinced you’d really buy it.

Well I could tell you of the prophecies that Jesus has fulfilled

And I could talk of archaeology and the proof that it’s revealed

But the greatest evidence that I could give you is the change He’s made in me.

“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound” may seem a tired old cliché

“I once was lost but now I’m found” might sound simplistic now a days

But that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

He took my hardened heart of stone and put a heart of flesh in me

He gave me peace I’d never known and a soul that’s full and free

And it’s a miracle that God could do it.

Well I could speak about eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ

And I could preach of how those followers believed enough to give their lives

But the greatest evidence that I could give you is the change He’s made in me.

And I could tell you how the love of God has turned a sceptic into saint

And I could talk of how historians back up the Bible’s claims

But the greatest evidence that I could give you is the change He’s made in me.

After my investigation I concluded it would take more faith

For me to hold onto my unbelief

But even with this revelation by far the strongest evidence I’ve seen

Is what Christ has done in me.

I wanna tell you how the love of God turned this sceptic into saint

And how His mercy and His sacrifice washed away my guilty stain

But the greatest evidence that I could give you is the change He’s made in me. 

Words and Music by Scott Dyer

© 2001 Ever Devoted Music (ASCAP)

ANZAC Day Memorial Ride

After attending and participating in two very moving ANZAC Day services in our local community this morning I took my Fixie out for a reflective memorial ride along the Melbourne coastline to the city, stopping at war memorials along the way.  My destination was the Shrine of Remembrance in the Botanic Gardens where I met my family for a final tribute to the fallen.
 

As I rode along the shoreline of Port Phillip Bay I began thinking about what the ANZAC's were defending as they landed on the shore of Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli peninsula.  Their invasion of a foreign land was not to deny the sovereignty of one nation but to defend the security of all nations.  It was not a demonstration of paternalism but a display of partnership with allied forces.

Today, as I looked over my shoulder at the beaches, reserves and foreshores that lined the coastline, I had a deep sense of appreciation for the freedom I have to enjoy such places and couldn't help but notice the diversity of others who were enjoying the same freedom.  Each home, business and community centre that I rode past are a living expression of this freedom.

Then my mind wandered to the border protection policies of our government and I felt a contradiction with all that ANZAC Day represents. Australia enjoys freedom because men and women were prepared to fight against overwhelming odds to secure it.  Yet, men and women who are fighting the same battle today for a taste of what Australians defend so strongly, find closed borders blocking their access to that freedom. 

Along my memorial ride I wrestled with these challenging thoughts and the words "Lest We Forget" became as much about the present as the past.  Lest we forget the price that people from all over the world are still paying today to leave tyranny and oppression for a life of freedom and peace as some seek to call Australia home!

Legacy Of A Leader

Today, as I gathered with a crowd of Salvationists at the Melbourne Town Hall to celebrate the life of General Eva Burrows, the following exhortation by the writer to the Hebrews who gave testimony to a long list of men and women of faith resonated deep within my spirit...

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

I was indeed among a "great cloud of witnesses" on this historic occasion giving testimony to a faithful woman of God and extraordinary world leader who "[ran] with perseverance the race marked out for [her], fixing [her] eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of [her] faith."

 

The Lord Mayor of Melbourne gave witness to a recipient of a Companion of the Order of Australia who loved and served the most vulnerable people of our city in her retirement.

The Corps Officer of Melbourne 614 gave witness to the then territorial leader of the Australia Southern Territory who spoke words of encouragement into his life as a young man.

The current Territorial Commander gave witness to a spiritual leader whose life conviction and theme was in everything for Christ to have supremacy.

The current General of The Salvation Army gave witness to a courageous and compassionate leader who was equally comfortable talking with world leaders and walking with common people, earning her the affectionate title 'the people's general'.

As one among many, I add my voice as a witness to the legacy of a leader who encouraged a 12 year old boy by signing my Bible while visiting my home Corps when she was a Commissioner and who believed in the vision of a Corps Officer by endorsing my book as a retired General.

“You must read this book. It is alive with the Spirit of God sweeping through a group of believers from many churches who united together in response to a vision of what God could accomplish through prayer. They discovered the mighty, transforming power of prayer for themselves and for others. It’s like a scene from the book of Acts, but set in a modern suburb in South Australia, and alight with the same fire-power and faith to achieve wonders in His name.” - General Eva Burrows AC (Rtd), Former International Leader of The Salvation Army

The years in between these two encounters have given me a vision of Salvation Army Officership that personified a shared covenant of those "Called by God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...to love, trust and serve Him supremely all my days; to live to win souls and make their salvation the first purpose of my life; to maintain the doctrines and principles of The Salvation Army and, by God's grace to prove myself a worthy officer."

 

Worship & Justice

"If we don't cry, we shouldn't sing.  The connection between lament and justice is an oft-neglected relationship.  Engagement in justice and our worship and knowledge of God are inextricable."

Ken Wytsma, Pursuing Justice

Today, as we celebrated Palm Sunday, I experienced the relationship between worship and justice as I participated in both praise and protest throughout the day with our church at Cranbourne Salvation Army.

During our worship service we sung songs of praise to honour Jesus who rode into Jerusalem declaring the majesty of God.  Our worship together was full of joy as we sung with the congregation, "Hosanna to the Son of David!  Hosanna in the highest!"

After our worship service we marched in solidarity with refugees through the streets of Melbourne calling for the justice of God.  Our walk together was full of lament as we shouted with the crowd, "Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here!"

The words we sung this morning - "may injustice bow to Jesus, as the people turn to pray" - took on flesh as we marched this afternoon.  If our worship is truly about magnifying the worthiness of the Creator then surely that includes advocating for the worthiness of His creation.  Worship and justice are indeed inseparable!

Making Things Right

Over the past couple of days I have been enriched and challenged at the Surrender:15 Conference in Melbourne as I interacted with a diverse group of Christians passionate about social justice.  Such a conference created a variety of spaces to explore a biblical basis for justice in the church and a practical expression of justice in the community.  Through prayer, bible studies, worship and workshops we were invited to journey together as the gathered community of God with the theme of justice under the title - Making Things Right!

The bible study I chose to attend captured my attention on the program because it focused on the life of Oscar Romero, one of my heroes of the faith, to give a context to the biblical theme of justice being studied.  However, the actual study challenged my expectations, presenting a very different learning style and interactive space that took me way outside of my comfort zone.  I resisted the temptation and desire to attend a different study on the second day because Holy Spirit challenged me to remain in this space to allow myself to be stretched through a different learning experience.  I'm glad I stayed!

Together, we journed through Romans 12:1-8, which coincidently is also one of my favourite passages of Scripture and has featured many times in my devotional life and preaching ministry. 

However, reading this passage through a lens of social justice instead of personal holiness or corporate worship or even spiritual gifts, reframes the context of what it means to live more fully "in view of God's mercy" as a "living sacrifice" in the world.  

Below are some reflective thoughts and questions that emerged for me from this study... 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 

• What is your understanding of sacrifice? 
• Why is it that some people/groups are sacrificed more than others?
• Offering yourself as a living sacrifice changes the dynamics of power relationships.
• Romero was sacrificed while offering the elements of the Eucharist representing the sacrifice of Christ.
• Some people need to sacrifice for the good of others.
• The old sacrificial system required a blood offering - blood is the life of the body, so my 'blood offering' is literally offering my LIFE; that is, the way I live brings life to others.
• Reversal of sacrificial system - something or someone has to LIVE in order for others to experience the fullness of life.
• "In view of God's mercy" - Mercy must be seen for Justice to be expressed.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

• What is the world specifically to you? - cultural, generational expectations and patterns; worldview and theology; exploitation; social structures? 
• We are a part of each other's transformation.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

• A part of Romero's transformation was seeing the abuse of his people - what was once seen as acceptable and good to society was no longer.   
• This led to religious and social conflict that he could no longer ignore.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:  Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,

• Injustice is the abuse of power - a higher view of self over others.
• Has the church thought more highly of her position in the community than she ought?
• Are we overly obsessed with protecting our reputation at the expense of sacrifice?

but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 

• Sober judgement helps us to more effectively engage the gifts that have been given to the body of Christ.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.  If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.  (Romans 12:1-8 NIV)

This study of Romans 12:1-8 may not have been a thorough exegesis of the passage but it was a thoughtful reflective journey through a different set of lenses.  The lens of justice made me look more deeply at God's mercy and more inclusively at God's world.  It redefined what it means to be a living sacrifice in a world of suffering.  It reframed personal transformation in the context of community transformation.  It challenged power relationships when one person or institution is elevated over another.  It put spiritual gifts in their right place to administer God's mercy and justice.  It restored righteousness and justice as an inseparable relationship to "Making Things Right!"

It also transformed me as I was challenged to engage in a space that took me out of my comfort zone and into community with other followers of Jesus on a mutual journey of discovery.

Dear Prime Minister...

Dear Prime Minister Tony Abbott, 

I take serious issue with what you presume on my behalf.  You may "think Australians are pretty sick of being lectured to by the United Nations."  However...

As an Australian, I am sick of political manipulation and abuse of vulnerable people!

As an Australian, I am sick of the lack of accountability by your government!

As an Australian, I am sick of your arrogance that dismisses any credible report or review that exposes your blatant disregard of human rights!

As an Australian, I am sick of our national values being violated in the name of national security!

As an Australian, I am sick of hearing about how you have 'stopped the boats' when we continue to perpetuate the conditions that drive people onto them in the first place!

As an Australian, I am sick of our country being misrepresented to the rest of the world!

As an Australian, I am sick of misinformation and missing information dividing our nation about our common humanity!

As an Australian, I uphold the value of a "fair go" and as a Christian I uphold the biblical principles of "justice and mercy."  Neither of which are dependent upon where people come from, how they got here, or your government's political agenda!   

Signed, a very unhappy Australian.

Transposing The Gospel

In an attempt to effectively communicate the gospel message in the modern age, I have often heard people suggest that we need to make the gospel more relevant.  While the intention is to make the gospel more accessible, this suggestion can infer that the gospel is no longer adequate or compromise the integrity of the message.

I hold a strong conviction that the gospel is always relevant and entirely adequate with its message transcending time and culture for all generations!  The only inadequacy it faces is our ability or inability to communicate it effectively.  This is the space where the relevance of the method often gets confused with the truth of the message.

We can attempt to translate the message, which runs the risk of changing its form and altering its original meaning and intention.

We can attempt to transfigure the message, which runs the risk of embelishing parts to appear more attractive or palatable to our audience.

or...

We can attempt to transpose the message, which transfers it to a different place or context without changing its original state.

The word transpose is most often used in the context of music to describe the process of changing the key or the sound of the music while remaining true to the structure of the original score.  A thoughtful transposition of a piece of music preserves the integrity of the original compositon, compliments the gifts of the musicians performing the arrangement, and makes a meaningful connection with the target audience.

When it comes to effectively communicating the gospel today, the idea of transposing the message, like with a piece of music, seems to fit well and resolves the conflict between the message and the method; preserving the integrity of the former while promoting the innovation of the latter.