CHRISTIAN RESEARCH JOURNAL
The new edition of the Christian Research Journal - Navigating the Emerging Church Highway - includes my article How to Engage in Politics Without Losing Your Soul.
OBAMA’S VIEW OF “CHANGE” IS JOSEPH BIDEN?????
Obama is a good public speaker, but many have wondered what he has meant by his “change” message. Well, now we know. Change for Obama is Joseph Biden, a Senate lifer and a continous wanna-be president. This is the real odd couple. Biden likes to hear himself talk, and in my view, he totally pops Obama’s change myth. Obama’s greatest chance in becoming president was picking Hillary. If change is Biden, Obama is way over his head.
WHO WILL BE THE V.P. CHOICES?
These are my guesses: McCain will choose Mitt Romney (it will be a mistake if he does not in light of his choices), and Obama should pick Hillary, but probably won’t. It will likely be Biden, in my view, a bad choice.
Romney is a CEO and Mormon, which means he understands hierarchical loyalty, a functional value required for an effective V.P. Not to mention that Romney can bring some positives to the table, helps in Michigan, and he will be an articulate communicator. Hillary might be able to save Obama, but Biden is so full of himself that he will act like he is the president.
WILL RICK WARREN BECOME THE NEW SPIRITUAL ADVISOR TO PRESIDENTS?
Alan at RedBlueChristian.com provides an insightful post. I do think Rick’s civil forum at Saddleback provides a historical shift in Evangelical engagement in politics. Rick has strategically overshadowed Pat Robertson and James Dobson as the primary public Evangelical representative. The Robertson-Dobson era is ending, and the Warren era is beginning. I believe Warren has provided a new Evangelical independent standard and style that have marginalized Republican right-wingers like Robertson/Dobson or Democratic left-wingers like Wallis/McLaren. Thanks Rick!
OBAMA’S “LEAST OF THESE” EXCLUDES THE UNBORN
During the Saddleback Forum, Obama claimed that the greatest American failure is that we do not live up to taking care of the biblical “least of these,” the poor, marginalized etc. However, it was also clear that unborn babies are not included in Obama’s sphere of human rights or the weak among us.
TODD BENTLEY SEPARATES FROM HIS WIFE
Todd Bentley’s revival in Lakeland, Florida has been the latest “revivalist fad” since the Toronto Blessing. Pastors and Christians traveling from all over the world went to Florida to “get some of that fresh fire.” Well, a one-man revivalist show has never been God’s consistant pattern of church renewal throughout history. But for some reason the church often has lost touch with the lessons of our heritage and past. Sadly, Todd Bentley has now separated from his wife. We need to pray for restoration nd reconcilation in the marriage, and protection for their three children. And also, for wise, mature Christian leaders to provide some accountability to Bentley. Yet, most of all we need to pray that the reputation and character of God himself will not be damaged as a result. It is times like this that we all need to return to C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity.
BRIAN McLAREN’S PRO-OBAMA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
The Matthew 25 Network, a new pro-Obama political action committee, will be airing a TV ad entitled “Families” during the Saddleback Forum this Saturday. Brian McLaren has joined on, and is incouraging others to sign up. Now the so-called progressive Christians are becoming as entangled in partisan politics as the Moral Majority once did. Also, I doubt whether Obama’s pro-abortion (including partial birth abortion) stance will be mentioned. Abortion is a family issue isn’t it?
INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW JONES
A few of us interviewed Andrew Jones (A Kiwi who is tall and skinny) for GodBlogCon.com. He will be one of the speakers this year. You can listen to the interview here.
THE HARD STUFF OF LIFE STREAMING
Yesterday during our interview with Andrew Jones (TallSkinnyKiwi), we talked about life streaming. That is, our blogs and other new media stuff being vehicles where our lives are shared online.
Well, this is about my real life. My mom, the angel of my life, went into the hospital to have a valve replaced in her heart. During the operation, she had a heart attack which required another emergency operation.
Right now, my beautiful mom is in critical condition. The doctors say she has a 50/50 chance of living through the night.
The next 8 hours are crucial!
I am in shock. Please pray for life to rule over death in my mom’s body.
Thank you for standing with me during this time. I will be flying to Seattle in the morning.
This is the hard stuff of lifestreaming.
AMERICA’S TOUGH TALK NO LONGER HAS MORAL TEETH
President Bush blasted China for its lack of human and religious rights in a recent speech on his way to the Olympics. The problem is, America is in deep financial debt to China. We have no political will or ability to backup anything we say. The result is clear, the deepening debt of America has now emptied our political voice of any moral teeth. What about the human and religious freedom in Saudi Arabia or the fact that it is the money source behind much of the world’s Islamic terrorism? America is silent on Saudi because of our oil dependence. In light of America’s debt to many foreign countries, sadly, we have become an empty voice of freedom and democracy that is seen by much of our world as irrelevant.
PRAY FOR SWEDEN
I was messaging with a friend in Sweden this morning, and he made some alarming statements concerning the spiritual condition of Sweden right now. I quote:
“Sweden is in a strange place - it is secularized to a degree that the Communist world never was! People know nothing, and basically don’t want to know. If people don’t discount the spiritual realities they view them as subjective projections of the individual mind. The big thing is that there is no understanding of any kind, of any absolutes of any kind. It could be that God has to let the nation “run its course”, hopefully to realize at some hopeless end that they were mistaken.”
This seems like an assessment of much of the Western world right now.
Please pray for Sweden.
ON HOW THE CHURCH IS POLITICAL
Alan Bevere adds another great post at RedBlueChristian.com titled, “On How the Church is Political.” Instead of linking, I decided to present the whole post:
In the midst of another presidential election season, I have been wondering of late what it truly means for the church to be a political alternative to the world. How does the church as alternative look in the midst of the rough-and-tumble of election year politics. In this post, the reader will no doubt see that I do not have it figured out by any stretch of the imagination, so I will be long on the problem and short on the answers; but I do not think most Christians on the political scene have this figured out either. So, with few answers and an arsenal filled with critique, allow me to think out loud and hopefully not ramble too much.
By way of setting the context, I must reveal where I stand, at the moment, on the candidates and the two “Christian” options that appear to be given to those of us who follow Jesus.
First, I greatly respect both Senators McCain and Obama. I think that they are good and decent men who desire what is best for the country. I know that neither man is perfect. Each has made decisions and statements for the sake of political expediency, each man has his imperfections; and each man has views with which I agree and with which I do not. As I have said in previous posts, it is arrogant to attack someone’s character because his or her politics does not line up with mine. I try my best not to attach ulterior motives to either candidate. I will leave that to the partisan hacks on both extremes.
Second, I also have great respect for those on so-called “Religious Right” and the “Religious Left.” I believe that by-and-large they want what is best for the church community and the country as a whole. There is no doubt that the “Religious Right” has had its shortcomings and has rightly deserved a fair amount of the harsh critique it has received. At the same time, however, the “Right” has not been entirely wrong in its politics and has furthered the discussion in a way that is difficult to comprehend without their presence. One wonders if the so-called “Religious Left” could now be involved in the political realm in the way that it is without the trailblazing of the “Religious Right.”
This leads me to the so-called “Religious Left,” who avoid the term because they want to appear as truly being an alternative to the politics of the nation-state; but like the “Religious Right” one can rightly wonder if they can be such an alternative, when it is clear they line up, for the most part, with the Democratic Party. I must confess that as I have read and reflected on the views of the Religious Left, there is no doubt that they offer an alternative to the “Religious Right,” but it is by no means clear that they offer a kind of politics that can faithfully embody that polity known as “Church.” Nevertheless, they are not wrong on everything, and they have highlighted important issues that have been neglected by the “Religious Right.”
This brings me to James Dobson and Jim Wallis, the epitomical representatives of Christian politics from the “Right” and the “Left” respectively. As I respect Senators Obama and McCain, I have even greater respect for Jim Wallis and James Dobson. They have lived their lives faithfully, answering the call of God where God has led them. Over the years, I have learned much from both men. I have found much wise counsel in Dobson’s writings and Jim Wallis acutely raised my social consciousness when I was a young college student. His book, The Call to Conversion, completely reoriented my thinking. Have I also found points of disagreement with each man? Of course, I have; but that has not diminished the admiration I have for them and the influence each has had on me, my faith, and my ministry.
And yet, as I say this, I also say respectfully that I question whether the “Religious Right” or the “Religious Left,” whether James Dobson or Jim Wallis, offer the church a true political alternative to nation-state politics. While both men give us glimpses, I question whether what they are about truly embodies the Sermon on the Mount, reflects the unique polity that is the church, and provides a way to implement Kingdom politics.
James Dobson is an unashamed conservative– of that there is no doubt. When one reads his words and listens to him speak, one is left with the clear notion that God’s politics are the politics of conservatism and the Republican party (as he understands it). Can he really be serious about this? His recent inflammatory comments about Barack Obama’s understanding of the diversity of Christianity was not one of his better moments. If Jesus were here today, I seriously doubt that he would be a Republican.
And while Jim Wallis is not nearly as overt in reference to his connections to the Left, all one has to do is visit his God’s Politics website to know which way he clearly leans. In the top left corner of his blog there is the statement, “The monologue of the Religious Right is over and a new conversation has begun!” And yet, when one spends any time reading the posts and checking the links on the site, one wonders if he is really fostering a dialogue. It appears instead as if the monologue of the Religious Right has simply been replaced with a monologue of the Religious Left. Every site linked to God’s Politics is Left-of-Center, which leaves one with the clear impression that faithful Christians will lean Left politically. I also seriously doubt that if Jesus were here he would be a Democrat.
And yet, in spite of these criticisms, I am thankful to God for both men. They have helped us think about the great issues of our time in the context of Christian faith; and I wish each of them long life so that we will continue to learn from their wisdom.
But, I cannot help but think that something is amiss in all of this. It seems as if the ghost of the Emperor Constantine is still with us. It appears as if both the “Religious Right” and the “Religious Left,” James Dobson and Jim Wallis, assume that the political task of Christians is to rule, to be in charge; that the responsibility of Christians is to work to elect faithful (meaning “Left” or “Right” depending on your politics) Christians (or non-Christians who share certain views deemed as Christian) to the Oval Office and the halls of Congress. I have been wondering how all of this squares with the cross of Christ. As I said at the beginning, this post is not long on answers, but if I may quote myself as I say on more than a few occasions to my seminary students, “I do not know the answer, but I know something is not right.”
But this I most definitely do know– It is not a question of whether or not the church should be political; Jesus was crucified for treason with good reason. It is not a question of whether, but of how the church should be political. And while both Wallis and Dobson help us think through the “how,” I am doubtful that ultimately they are helpful, because what they are about is too wrapped up in the politics of the nation-state that is passing away. The more I work through this, the more I am coming to believe that the church should marginalize its agenda of control and recover once again the central signficance of the politics of witness. It is God and not the nations who rules the world; it is the church that is the most significant polity in human history, as it uniquely bears witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Yes, the ghost of Constantine remains with us. Perhaps it is time for an exorcism.
PASTOR GREG LAURIE’S SON KILLED
As the father of a son, this news really breaks my heart. Christopher, the son of pastor Greg & Cathe Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship, was killed in a car accident. You can find more information here. Let’s all keep them in prayer.
UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE = WaitCare & UnderTheTableCare
During my approximately 4 months in Turkey, it was interesting how often the horror stories I heard from people about their universal healthcare system. They complained about having to wait a long time to get care (WaitCare), and their requirement to pay the doctors under the table to get any sense of quality care (UnderTheTableCare).
While flying back to the America, I sat by a young Polish businessman. Surprisingly, he brought up the same experiences he had with the universal healthcare system. He told me some scary personal stories, including the birth of his son.
Would universal healthcare be any different in America? I am not sure, but I have my doubts.
INDEPENDENT CHRISTIAN PARTY FOR OBAMA
The Independent Christian Pary is endorsing Barak Obama. I am not sure how they can be independent. I suggest you take a look at another alternative at the Christian Independent Party. Sign up.
BLOGGING THROUGH TURKEY
No I have not been blogging through Turkey, but my cousin’s wife Linda has. She is a very good writer and photographer. Her blogging provides you with insights, pictures, and other experiences that we have had over the last four months journeying through this very unique land called Turkey. Here is her Turkey blog.
TONY SNOW’S DEATH & PUTTING HUMANITY AHEAD OF POLITICS
An exellent post by Allan, be sure to read it at RedBlueChristian.com.
KINGDOM THINKING AND WRITING
There are lots of books being generated today about the church, church models, how to do church, and more. You know, books like Barna’s Pagan Christianity and Revolution. I did my doctorate on church renewal movements under Dr. Richard Lovelace at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and so, I am tracking with the present focus on church revitalization and such. And, these are important books for generating conversation in a crucial time in the history of the church.
But I must say, for me anyway, these books are rather boring. I know that sounds odd. I guess I would rather continue to read Howard Snyder’s books over and over again. They seem so much deeper and stimulating. Anyway, in my thinking, the proper sequence of this ongoing conversation should start with the Kingdom of God and then move to the church. Without proper biblical thinking and understanding of the Kingdom of God (the new wine), all the pages being written on the church (wineskins) seem to dead end.
I have been asked to write on the church recently, but my heart continually leads me to the Kingdom of God, and that is what I am presently thinking about, and the topic I will be writing on in the near future. It was Jesus’ favorite topic, and so it also must be ours.
CHRISTIAN BLOGGERS NETWORK
There are many great Christian bloggers who are rarely known or read. I launched the “Christian Bloggers Network” Facebook group a few months ago to help bloggers get connected. There are now over 500 blogs listed by State or Country. Join up, it is free.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13679025366
THE CHRISTIAN INDEPENDENT PARTY
Providing a political alternative to James Dobson and Jim Wallis. I am sure that such an initiative will generate numerous questions, but that is a good thing in my thinking. We need some new political thinking by Christians.
THE GASOLINE QUESTION
MY REFLECTIONS ON 2 CORINTHIANS AND BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP
Biblical leaders are God-centered; revealing the being, nature, and characteristics of God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4a).
Biblical leaders put their trust in God abilities and not in their own abilities (2 Corinthians 1:9)
Biblical leaders conduct their lives and ministries in the holiness and sincerity of God (2 Corinthians 1:12)
Biblical leaders conduct their lives and ministries according to God’s grace and not worldly wisdom (2 Corinthians 1:12).
Biblical leaders speak a focused message of “yes” and “amen” in the promises of Christ, and do not speak a mixed and confusing message of “yes” and “no.” (2 Corinthians 1:18-20)
Biblical leaders stand firm in God as a result of the charis/anointing of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
Biblical leaders do not lord it over other people’s Christian faith, but see other Christians as fellow-workers and partners in the Gospel (2 Corinthians 1:24).
Biblical leaders see God as the true leader of their victories and successes, and give Him all the glory (2 Corinthians 1:14).
Biblical leaders live a lifestyle that produces the aroma and fragrance of the knowledge of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:16).
Biblical leaders handle and speak God’s Word with sincerity, and not as those who peddle the Word of God for profit (2 Corinthians 2:17).
Biblical leaders understand that their real credentials are the changed hearts of the people they minister too (2 Corinthians 3:1-3).
Biblical leaders recognize that their confidence and competence is rooted in God’s enablement and power, and they are not a product of their own efforts or accomplishments (2 Corinthians 3:4-5).
Biblical leaders are ministers of the new covenant in Christ, the Holy Spirit that dispenses God’s life, and the message of God’s righteousness, all of which brings attention to God’s glory alone and not to themselves (2 Corinthians 3:6, 8, 9)
Biblical leaders minister the Spirit of the Lord that results in freedom and internal transformation in people’s lives (2 Corinthians 3:16-18).
Biblical leaders present God’s Word plainly and clearly with a pure conscience, and strongly rejects all deceptive, manipulative, and distorted techniques (2 Corinthians 4:1-3).
Biblical leaders emphasize that they are servants of Christ, and preach Christ alone without self-elevation (2 Corinthians 4:5).
Biblical leaders understand that they are simply ordinary jars of clay, and that the positive results of their ministry is totally and completely the result of the treasure of the all-surpassing power of God working through them (2 Corinthians 4:7-8).
Biblical leaders realize that authentic ministry involves experiencing external and internal hardships and suffering by following Christ who was crucified in weakness, and rejects a self produced image of unbiblical forms prosperity and got-it-all-together triumphantism (2 Corinthians 4:81-12).
Biblical leaders fix their eyes by faith on the eternal heavenly glories in Christ (the unseen), and not on temporal earthly matters of big buildings, budgets, and crowds that so many Christian leaders believe are signs of success (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Biblical leaders know and live with a deep awareness of the fear of God, and that they will stand at the judgement of God and give an account of their lives and ministry (2 Corinthians 5:7, 10).
Biblical leaders live in the light, and their lifestyles are open to God and others. They do not privately coverup their sin and weaknesses, and in falsehood publicly act as if they are something more than they really are (2 Corinthians 5:11).
Biblical leaders are compelled to ministry out of God’s love experienced and dwelling in their hearts, and not out of duty, self-promotion, or personal gain (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Biblical leaders are ambassadors of the new creation in Christ, speaking and ministering reconciliation with God through the cross of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
Biblical leaders demonstrate that they are servants of Christ by engaging in a ministry that will make people spiritually rich in Christ, with the full understanding that it will result in troubles and distresses inside and out (2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 7:5).
Biblical leaders open their hearts and affections to those they minister to, and reject a standoffish and non-relational approach to minister (2 Corinthians 6:11).
Biblical leaders do not exploit, enslave, and use others for their own personal or ministry gains (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Biblical leaders exhort and challenge others for the purpose of repentance, and not to dispense condemnation or punishment (2 Corinthians 7:8-10).
Biblical leaders engage in spiritual warfare by utilizing God-empowered weapons of Spirit and Truth to overthrow strongholds and falsehoods, and reject the temptation to confront or fight according to fleshly and worldly techniques (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Biblical leaders use their authority as ministers to edify and encourage people to grow and mature in Christ, and and never to tear down or demean people (2 Corinthians 10:8; 12:19; 13:10).
Biblical leaders focus on presenting the simplicity and purity of the Gospel from a clear heart and conscience, and reject a prideful dependency on rhetorical techniques, skills, and spiritual manifestations to impress and stimulate their hearers (2 Corinthians 10:10; 11:3).
Biblical leaders focus on the essentials concerning the true Jesus, the true Spirit, and the true Gospel, and do not get caught up in wasting their energy and time on petty and nonessential arguments and religious niceties (2 Corinthians 11:2-4)
Biblical leaders are to make the object of their boasting their weaknesses (the difficult external circumstances, physical suffering, and internal pains as normative results of faithfully executing their ministry), and in so doing, reveal that their dependence is on the grace and power of God; and they reject all boasting in their foolish strengths (rhetorical skills, human wisdom, and private supernatural experiences) (2 Corinthians 11:30; 12:9-10; 13:4).
ISLAM IN INDONESIA
An update from Christianity Today. It is not getting better.
QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN CONCERNING WILLOWCREEK CHURCH
While Bill Hybels and Willowcreek Church has declared a mega-shift from attracting seekers to discipling Christians, there are remaining questions and some doubts. When David Wells was asked recently what theological difference Willowcreek’s change of direction would have, he responded:
“None. Bill Hybels has, I believe, the very best of motives, but he and his church are sailing rudderless in our cultural waters. Or, to change the image, he is like a CEO who shows up at the shareholders’ meeting with very poor bottom-line results. So, what does he do? Instead of carrying out a serious diagnosis of what has gone wrong, he simply rolls out a new business plan that, unfortunately, has many of the same inherent weaknesses in it. The bottom line outcome will be no different five years, or ten years from now, from what it is today.“
CHRISTIAN FADS AND PAGAN CHRISTIANITY
The history of Christian church is filled with faddish obsessions, I just became aware that in certain Christian circles there is a new focus on “interpreting dreams” that is apparently growing in influence. There are now schools and manuals to teach you how to interpret yours and others dreams. I don’t remember that being a spiritual gift listed by Paul. I plan to post on on this topic from a biblical perspective when I get some time. Also, Daniel had to first tell pagan king Neb what the dream was, and only then interpret it. By the way, God gave the interpretation of the dream, Daniel didn’t have to go to a school or refer to a how-to manual, unlike the magicians of that day.
Also, check out Ben Witherington’s ongoing review of one of the latest populist books on the modern church titled “Pagan Christianity” by George Barna and Frank Viola. Ben not only reviews, but does some valuable teaching as well.
POPULATION DECLINES IN EUROPE
There is a major natural population decline in Europe, but not in immigrants. Many of these immigrants are Muslims. Europe faces a shaking future.
VISITING LAODICEA
I made a long visit to the site of Laodicea today. It is located in the Lycos Valley, near Colossae. There is extensive archeological work being done on this once massive city. Actually, I am quite sure it is the site receiving the most money and attention in all of Turkey. We sat in the hot sun, and read the section of Revelation 3 containing the letter to the church in Laodicea, prayed, and asked God to make us rich in him. It was just a great day.
INFORMATON NEEDED ON CAMBODIA
I am in need of information concerning Christians or Christian agencies working in Cambodia. If you can help me out please send me an e-mail. Thanks.
SEMINARIES AND THE BIBLE LANDS
I am writing this post overlooking the beautiful Meander River valley in Aegean Turkey, at one end of this valley is Ephesus and at the other end is Laodicea. As I look over this green lush valley, I reflect on how important it was for me to study one-year in Israel, and to travel through the biblical land of Turkey for 19 years. Without question, it has greatly enhanced my abilities and effectiveness as a Bible student and teacher.
I am amazed and puzzled that our seminaries do not have a field requirement to visit the lands of the Bible, and study the Bible in its historical-geographcal context. Biblical languages are a must in seminary, but the Bible lands are often a non-essential or secondary in importance.
How can a pastor or Bible teacher properly exegete the Bible in its historical context without first-hand experience and exposure in the Bible lands? It is my hope that Bible colleges and seminaries will soon require an in-depth field study in the lands of the Bible as part of their degree programs. In so doing, I believe they would produce better and more effective Bible preachers and teachers.
THE DALAI LAMA IS MORE POPULAR THAN THE POPE
Now, this is interesting, but not that surprising. Based on an e-mail I received from Ask.com today, their recently conducted survey revealed that more people (18% more) performed an internet search on the Dalai Lama than the Pope.
It undergirds my thesis that the Dalai Lama is having a major spiritual and political influence in America, much more than most people would think. Although a thorough Buddhist, the Dalai Lama has learned how to package his traditional Buddhism in western New Age tolerant language that is communicated with a wide grin and funny giggle. If you want to hear the Dalai Lama in person, just ask your State colleges or universities when he will be coming, as he strategically makes the rounds.
By the way, I know of no book written on the Dalai Lama from a Christian perspective. Yes, another book I would like to write someday. However, for right now, I am in Turkey engaged in writing an in-depth book proposal for Islam Explained: What Muslisms Teach and Practice, which I hope Crossway will want to publish. Are there any other publishers interested?
Dr. Andrew Jackson's New Book on Mormonism