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Thursday, August 07, 2014

Roman Synod on the Church, Evangelicals and Pentecostals

Bishop Denis Madden

1. The Changing Landscape of Catholic Evangelical Relations


The Second Vatican Council of the mid 1960’s marked a watershed in the Catholic Church with regard to her relationship with other Christian communities in the United States, as was true throughout the world. In the years immediately following the Council, the Catholic Church ventured into emerging and deepening relationships with many of the historical mainline Protestant Churches. But dialogue between the American Catholic community and the American Evangelical community seemed the furthest at reach. Separated by years of difficulties and mistrust built atop strongly held differences on doctrine, there appeared little immediate hope toward warming relationships between the two communities. An illustrative example is Harold Ockenga, the first president of the National Association of Evangelicals, who lead the effort to stop John F. Kennedy from being elected president on the basis that he was Catholic. 1

Yet the tumultuous years of the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, with the vast social changes transpiring on America’s cultural landscape, brought an unforeseen consequence. Evangelicals and Catholics increasingly found themselves as players on the same field, and often each other’s most like-minded and dependable ally. There were a number of factors that contributed to this phenomenon.

a. The sexual revolution and Roe v Wade.

The sexual revolution of the 1960’s and 70’s brought radical social change in the US, iconized in the 1972 landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Many mainstream Protestant churches embraced the legalization of abortion and an ever-widening liberality of sexual expression and practice as the cultural norm in subsequent years.

Rooted in strong convictions about the sanctity of human life, sexual morality, and the role of the family in educating children, Catholics and Evangelical found themselves heavily engaged in related social issues, and in one another a partner with political and social will. Everyday Evangelicals and Catholics were encountering each other on the picket-lines in front of abortion clinics, on the streets of Washington DC marching for life, and before the public square defending the nature of the family. A rising cooperation between Catholics and Evangelicals in the public square over values we both held dear was becoming the new norm.

b. The Growth of the American Evangelicalism

Evangelical Christianity experienced a demographic burst in the US throughout the 1970’s and 80’s, bringing an increasing numbers of highly educated Evangelicals to positions of greater political, social and intellectual leadership in the US. As a result, the Evangelical community began searching for deeper philosophical traditions and legal language to enhance its argumentation in defense of a Christian world view. They found much forage in Catholic social doctrine. Evangelicals were the first to comment on their surprise at the discovery.

Similarly, many Catholic activists found in the vast Evangelical social institutions, such as Focus on the Family, The Family Research Council, and the Evangelical home-schooling movements, energy, enthusiasm and models from which to borrow, learn, and imitate unhesitatingly.

c. Rise of the Catholic Charismatic Movement-

Since the 1960’s the Catholic charismatic movement has had a presence in the United States, perhaps reaching a climax in the 80’s and 90’s. While retaining a commitment to Catholic teaching, doctrine, and sacramental life, the charismatic movement introduced to the mainstream of the Catholic Church forms of worship and expression that appeared far more akin to Pentecostal revival movements than the liturgical traditions of our Church, emphasizing baptism in the Spirit and the immediate presence of the Holy Spirit and his gifts in the life of the Christian. In this shared experience, Pentecostal, Evangelical and Catholic communities were unexpectedly side-by-side with one another once again, this time in that which is most intimate to the Christian, in his worship. Pentecostal and Evangelical pastors spoke of their surprise to find a growing number of Catholics attending charismatic worship services on Sundays, only to arrive late or leave early because they were rushing to or from their Catholic Mass. Eventually, Protestant charismatic communities began to include well-known Catholic charismatic speakers in their rosters alongside protestant speakers, and vice-versa. 2 This dialogue of shared worship and spirituality went a long way to thaw age-old misconceptions and mistrust between members of the two communities, more easily able to recognize the person in heartfelt worship at their side as a fellow Christian imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit.2


Many Catholic bishops and pastors raised their eyebrows in concern over the emergence of the Catholic charismatic movement. But as the years went on, the presence of the charismatic movement in the US proved to be a force of revitalization in the Church. In many places the charismatic renewal gave birth to a new kind of “dynamic orthodoxy” distinguished for fusing the energy and evangelizing spirit characteristic of the Evangelical churches with a deep love for Catholic tradition. This became particularly attractive to the youth, yielding a new generation of faithful, theologians and vocations in every area of Church life. A phrase has been coined with increasing frequency in young Catholic circles: “Evangelical Catholicism.” Appearing in pastoral programs of dioceses and youth or university student movements around the country, the term is meant to describe a fusion between a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an enthusiastic commitment to the spreading of the Gospel, both characteristics of American Evangelical Christianity, with a love and appreciation for Catholic traditions and life. This year, George Weigel published his most recent book by the title “Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st Century Church”3, in which he describes the future era of Catholicism with a vision that resonates with the same spirit.

2. Historical Moments in Our Relationship

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops held official dialogues with the Southern Baptist Convention from 1978 to 2000, engaging in theological discourse over topics such as the environment, poverty, racism, sickness and healing, scripture and salvation. Blessed John Paul II’s historic visit to the United States in 1987 was facilitated by Billy Graham who provided the platform and set for the papal event in the University of South Carolina stadium, and who attended the ecumenical service.

The 1994 document “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” 4 and its 1998 counterpart, while not an official documents representing the United States Bishops but works of independent Catholic theologians and Evangelical colleagues, were landmark documents spelling out the need for Protestants and Catholics to deliver a common witness to the modern world on the eve of the third millennium.

Evangelical and Pentecostal individuals have joined Catholic individuals in sustained conversations on sociological and political research and theology. Jesuit Father Tom Rausch edited a book with help from Richard Mouw and others, Catholics and Evangelicals: Do They Share a Common Future?5 Ronald Sider and Dianne Knippers edited a volume, Toward an Evangelical Public Policy, which included one Catholic voice. This was an important volume because it contained the statement that became the National Association of Evangelical’s policy statement, “For the Health of the Nation.”6

Institutes such as the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Dialogue of Baylor University and the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology of Loyola University in Baltimore have emerged, producing ongoing scholarship on Evangelical-Catholic relations. Georgetown University was host to the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on the Common Good and Public Policy from 2008 through 2013, convened by two of America's most prominent religious leaders; Pastor Rick Warren and Theodore Cardinal McCarrick.

Last year in Rome, Dr. Lamar Vest, President of the American Bible Society, became the first Pentecostal to address the Synod of Catholic Bishops on the New Evangelization, the 25th session since Pope Paul VI established the synod in 1967.7 Also addressing the synod was an American representing the Baptist World Alliance, Dr. Timothy George, Dean of the Beeson Divinity School of Samford University.8 While hardly a comprehensive study, these developments can be seen as signs of the times of a rising tide of Catholic- Evangelical relations in the United States.

3. The Primary Issues Catholics and Evangelicals Face Today

There continues to be an ever-growing list of issues which are of common concern to Evangelicals and Catholics in our nation today. We continue to be strong partners in the fight for a right to life from conception until natural death. We have stood together in the defense of traditional marriage as between one man and one woman. We collaborate on many social justice issues combatting poverty, discrimination, and injustice. And recently we find ourselves side-by-side in an increasing battle to protect the first amendment right to religious freedom in our nation, and a human right for religious freedom abroad.

4. Continued Obstacles to Catholic Evangelical Relations

There are still issues of real concern to our individual communities regarding one another. One such issue that comes to mind is the question of converts and how we relate to one another as fellow Christians. For the Catholic Bishops there is concern over the loss of Catholic identity in immigrant communities in the United States that are traditionally Catholic, as well as among the faithful in largely Catholic developing nations.
Catholics read scripture with critical tools and in light of a long tradition of commentary and application of scripture to daily life, acknowledging the teaching office of the church. Evangelicals hold to a belief in the inerrancy of scripture. This is a point of deep historical difference between us. While Vatican II may not have resolved the issue of the relation between Scripture and Tradition, it clarified it to the satisfaction of those Protestant scholars who were watching its outcome carefully, that it was moving forward from a position that was reactionary to the Reformation’s emphasis on Bible to one acknowledging a serious need for better study and scholarship. In recent years,

Protestant and Catholic scholarship in cooperation has made available better translations and resources.

As we look toward the horizon of Catholic-Evangelical relations in the United States, we can emphasize the positive if we allow ourselves to delve deeper in what we truly hold in common—the Word of God, our love for Our Lord, and our desire to see Him reign in the hearts of all men and in society at large. Differences in theology should not continue to be an obstacle to our warm and congenial collaboration as fellow Christians who, motivated by the values of the Gospel we hold dear, meet together side-by-side in the public square to combat secularism and relativism while building a more just and charitable society on solid Judeo-Christian values rooted in the natural law, with respect for human life, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion as non-negotiable foundational tenets.
---------------------------------------------------
End Notes:

1 Mark S. Massa, S.J., Anti-Catholicism in America: The Last Acceptable Prejudice (New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 2003), 77-78.
3 Weigel, George. “Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st Century Church” Basic Books, 2013.
4 http://www.firstthings.com/article/2007/01/evangelicals--catholics-together-the-christian-mission-in-the-third-millennium-
2 Olson, Roger E. “Catholic-Evangelical Dialogue” March 4, 2012.
5 Thomas P. Rausch, ed., Catholics and Evangelicals: Do They Share a Common Future? (New York: Paulist Press, 2000).
6 Ronald J. Sider and Diane Knippers, Toward an Evangelical Public Policy (Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Baker Books, 2005).
8 See the paper by Bro. Jeffrey Gros, “The New Evangelization: Unity in Proclamation and the Proclamation of Unity,” soon to be published. Vest’s intervention can be found here:
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_25_xiii-ordinaria-2012/02_inglese/b07_02.html#INTERVENTION_OF_THE_SPECIAL_GUEST_DR._LAMAR_VEST,_PRESIDENT_OF_THE_AMERICAN_BIBLE_SOCIETY_(UNITED_STATES_OF_AMERICA).
George’s intervention can be found here: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/sinodo/documents/bollettino_25_xiii-ordinaria-2012/02_inglese/b19_02.html#-_Rev._Dr._Timothy_GEORGE,_Dean_of_the_Beeson_Divinity_School_of_Samford_University_(UNITED_STATES_OF_AMERICA)_

Headed nowhere, but making record time?

Now, consider this—
“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”— Lewis Carroll

***


The last few days my thoughts have riveted on Paul’s comment to young Timothy, when he wrote—
 ‘[If] I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth’.” (1 Tim. 3:15)

I guess that one of the reasons that the verse has captured my attention is that it is a pretty inclusive statement. The church, not scripture, not theological discourse or philosophical opinions; but rather, the Church is the pillar and bulwark of the truth.

Now, the sobering fact is, if that be the case then you and I have the heavy responsibility to embrace that church—which, however, we find out is us. Yes, us. We are that mystical body—or the ekklésia, that is, “the people called out from the world and to God” as the Greek indicates. Of course, the first question that comes to mind is ‘Where is that Church?’ Once you ask that question, however, you will be surprised how many people will step up and claimed to have found it. One of those knocked on my door yesterday and handed us a tract which had a lot of amazing things to say about their church—which, just happened to be the Jehovah Witnesses. The Mormons came by days earlier, and of course we just recently received a nice little invitation in a pretty envelope to check out the new Episcopal Church just down the road from us. That I did, and quickly exited when I discovered that not only were they will but they were also eager to sanction same-sex marriages.

So back to square one. What or where is that church—that pillar and bulwark of the truth?

Well, one thing for sure, it is Biblical, but then that all depends on who is interpreting the Bible, doesn’t it? When I was a boy, we used to sing that old song, ‘A Glorious Church’ that was without spot or wrinkle. Remember that one? Here the first stanza and the chorus, just to refresh your memory—

Do you hear them coming, brother
Thronging up the steeps of light,
Clad in glorious shining garments —
Bloodwashed garments pure and white?

Refrain
'Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.
'Tis a glorious Church, without spot of wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.
 (Written by: Ralph E. Hudson)

Now, after singing that chorus over a few times, most often some sister or brother who had been washed would begin to get happy, and they were not ashamed to let everyone around them know it either. Some of the times these happy souls were content with just shouting out a few hearty ‘Amens’ or ‘preach it brother.’ Other times, however, some would breakdown and start crying or laughing, and, of course, being Pentecostals a smattering of  ‘tongues’ going off throughout the congregation was a common thing. Don’t see much of this happening these days, though.

Excesses? Of course, there were excesses. That was nothing new, however. The church in Corinth had that, too. So, it was excused. Pastors were not apt to clamp down too hard on the excess, though, because ‘tongues’ seemed to be the authenticating mark. This was the church without spot or wrinkle. But, was it? No, not really. It was the church, but a soiled one at that. Oh, they had been washed. They were forgiven and on their way to Heaven, but spotless? Hardly.

So, what’s the point? What are you driving at, Jim?

Simply this—truth cannot be soiled with excesses; otherwise, it would not be truth, would it? Now, while you put that in your thinking cap let me say this. You will never find a perfect church, but you will find perfect truth in an imperfect church. Spiritual imperfection is not heresy, it is simply immaturity.  We’re not talking morals here, we’re talking practice. So, least we get sidetracked, let’s keep in mind that we ‘blood washed’ saints don’t have all the answers, but we do have the truth. We have Christ, and Christ in His fulness. And, really, in the long run, that’s enough.

So, since I know where I am going, any road is not good enough for me.

Now, to be honest with you, this is precisely why I have stuck with my denomination which I believe has been guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) as it was revealed to His Apostles and Prophets which are the foundation of the Church with Jesus Christ himself as the Chief Corner Stone (Ephesians 2:20).

Thus, in a real sense, I am a restorationsist and fully aware of the challenges inherent in that position.
Remember, we’re in this journey together,


Jim/--

Friday, July 25, 2014

Roman Catholicism by a former Catholic

This evangelical ministry by Dr Joseph Mizzi is dedicated to Roman Catholics who desire to know how to be saved. It is our sincere desire to proclaim to you the Good News of Jesus Christ, because the Gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.

Life has its ups and downs, its turnarounds . . .

Malachi 3:6 declares, “I am the Lord, I change not.” So with the poet we prayerfully say,

Change and decay in all around I see—
O thou who changest not, abide with me!
— Henry F. Lyte

Life has its ups and downs, its turnarounds—that's for sure! Jesus was a great optimist. Even with the whole world crumbling around him, His faith in the future never wavered. Think of it, with the cross casting a shadow of doom and doubt over his disciples he had the courage and foresight to turn to the dying thief and promise him paradise, and to entrust His own mother to John the Beloved for safekeeping. Yes, He knew there would be a tomorrow, and He was confident that His Father and ours would see Him through this terrible ordeal, and that He would rise yet on another day to live forevermore.

Life here on earth can be tough, but we needn't worry—it's passing. It's like a vapor, James says. And, for those in the know, there's a better day coming.

No, that's not morbid thinking, that's reality. Our only permanency now and in our tomorrows is God and the sooner we learn that the better. We may never know what a day will bring but we know who is in charge. It was with this confidence that Moses said to the children of Israel,

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deut. 3:16)

Friends, I must tell you that the longer I live the more see change and decay, the rise and fall of great men and women, the total futility of placing faith and hope in the transiency of anything this old world has to offer. So, you are fortunate enough to own the Clippers basketball franchise and cavort with whores then fain mental illness and sell the club for a cool 2 billion dollars, what good will that do in the long run?

I am reminded once again of the words in the first stanza of that great poem by C.T. Studd, the famous cricketer and missionary, which reads,

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Friends, we must focus on that. Let’s not be lured into complacency comforts of life or discouraged with the hardships.

As always, I am with you on the journey,





Thursday, July 24, 2014

Discouraged? Read this . . .

Back in 1973 E F Schumacher wrote a best seller called Small is Beautiful: a study of economics as if people mattered which I read with great interest. Schumacher was a minimalist, that’s for sure. More than that, however, he was also right. Small is not only beautiful but it is Biblical as well. Take for instance when Jesus declared—


 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom.” 
  (Matt.5:3)

In other words, pride won't cut it in the Kingdom. Pump your ego up with all the positive self-help pep that you wish and you are still at square one as far as God is concerned.

The Beatitudes intended to deflate our puffed up ego, don’t they? In other words, Jesus was saying in the verse quoted above, ‘You think you are a hot shot? Well, you’re not. Get rid of all that hot air, and only then will you be ready for the kingdom.”


In other words, ‘You want to be great? Then, become small for small is beautiful.’

In case one objects, just consider that before Jesus himself became great, he became small. “He emptied himself,” Paul says in Philippians, “and took on the very nature of a servant.” (Phil. 2:7)

Jesus was saying to the world in essence that small is beautiful.

Interestingly enough, however, for most, including most Christians, the rule of thumb is ‘more is better, and more than that is great. I need all I can get!’ There comes a point in most men’s life, however, that needs subtly morph into greed; and unlike old wine, greed does not improve over time.

Now, mind you, greed comes in all shapes and forms. The most severe form and harmful at that is documentary series on A&E called “The Hoarders”, which portrays the real-life struggles and treatment of people who suffer from compulsive hoarding.

‘That’s not greed’ I hear someone protest, that’s a mental illness. True, but chances are it did not start out that way, it developed over time. And, furthermore, if it is not a choice they make—compulsive or not; why then do they respond to counseling intervention? Really in some ways these poor souls are no worse off than billionaires cutting billion dollar contracts and amassing manipulative fortunes that can even make congress dance to their tune. Nothing satisfies them. There’s never enough. Nothing wrong with wealth, mind you. But, we will however, be judged on how well we manage it. ‘To whom must is given, much is required’ is as true today as it was the day Jesus spoke the words.

Life is all about choices, isn't it?

I am yours for the journey,

Jim R/




Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The aliens among us . . .

Now, consider this—

Walking to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants recently, I notice a short little Mayan looking lady scurrying along behind me. Just before I arrived, I noticed that she went down a side alley and then through the back door of another eatery. Dishwasher or perhaps a cook, I thought. Wonder if she has a green card? I mused. I didn't dwell on that very long, however, since I could tell by the cautious look on her face and the colorful Latino blouse and skirt she had on, plus the handmade sandals that chances were she didn't even know what a green card was.

Later that same evening, I was watching the evening news and a lady from Honduras with her child in tow hurried towards a border agent and asked if she was in America. When told that she was, she fell on her knees and begged the agent to let her stay. It was a touching scene; one that brought tears to my eyes.

Friends, I am well aware that we cannot take every stranger in that wants to live in America, and I don't have the answer to the immigration problem, but I do know that God will hold us accountable for how we treat these desperate people. I know something else, also, we are not getting it done with a congress that continues to haggle with a do-nothing administration that can find enough money to bail out corporate America but no enough to seriously tackle illegal immigration. Now, mind you, I am not of the opinion that snatching these poor immigrants as soon as the cross the border and hustling them back to the crime ridden stench and poverty from which they came is the answer either. Something more fundamental than that must be done, and done with a strong resolve tempered compassion that results in more than just pity.

Personally, I commend the efforts of the Catholic Relief organizations, but privately wonder what we Protestants—yes, including the Assemblies of God are doing about it. Tragedy comes in many forms: tsunamis, hurricanes, drought, and medical epidemics. These are not the only form of tragedy, however; the border crisis is one, also. Yes, we can pray, and I certainly believe in the power of prayer, but we need to put some real legs to our prayers and do something constructive to help solve the problem. What a golden opportunity to show the love of Jesus by helping these poor people. So, let’s get busy.

Well, as usual, this is only one man’s opinion; but in this case I am pretty sure that God is of the same opinion, too.

Remember, we're not alone on this journey,

Jim


P. S.  Several of my national friends from North East India would love to attend the Assemblies of God 100 Years Centennial Celebration that is scheduled for AUG 5-6, 2014, in Springfield, Missouri. Please pray for these men and if you wish to help let me know. Thanks!!

Monday, July 14, 2014

Who were the morning stars that sang together, and all the sons of God who shouted for joy at creation? Job 38:7


Question:
When God created the universe HE was in trinity, but then, who are the ,'' When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?'' (KJV)?

My Answer:
Couple of observations here: One, what is a son? Apparently, a created being can be a son (as was Adam and prior to that the angels, including Lucifer); and men can be adopted as sons (as are we); there can be an only begotten son (as with Jesus). So, the word son is not a static term; it has multiple meanings. Some speculate that the phrase: "In the Beginning God created" as a process, which obviously it was. The heavens were created first, apparently, and this would indicate all those that dwell in Heaven were part of that process which would include angels. However, I prefer accept the fact that we can push rational thinking beyond rational limits if we are not careful.

Consider for instance, where did God come from? Who created him? Well, obviously we do not know; although logic and reason alone would tell us that He did not create himself. We do, however, accept the fact that only belief in a God or an intelligent Being can account for creation. The law of irreversible atrophy alone informs us that creation is incapable of regenerating itself. Scientist will tell us that the earth or the cosmos is winding down and even if it were to implode and start the Big Bang all over again eventually it would reach the limits of doing just that.

So back to where did God come from? The answer is nowhere since that is by definition not His nature; nor is it a natural retrogression. However, it is our nature and that of creation to have come from somewhere. The point being, I don't have to posit God to believe in God that I can do intuitively. As with angels, I do not have to posit them, either, other than we know that nothing was created without Him, including angels. So, these sons of God of reference were His sons in a creative and spiritual sense, but not like His Only Begotten who proceeded from the bosom of Father or like we Born Again Christians who have be adopted into the family of God through His Spirit. (Romans 8:15)

In your opinion, does Ephesians 4:11 speak of a five-fold ministry or a four-fold one?

Your Question:
In your opinion, does Ephesians 4:11 speak of a fivefold ministry or a fourfold one? In other words, does ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους (pastors and teachers) refer to one office or two?

My Answer:
When we read in Ephesians 4:11 is that "he gave…some, pastors and teachers." Here "pastors and teachers" refer back to the single "some," describing two facets of the same work.

Now, the big question is: Who were these apostles and prophets? For we find that the Church was "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Eph. 2:20 and further, even more disturbingly for we Protestants is that very Church is called "the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15 Not, the Scriptures, mind you, but the Church.

So, I've got to be honest with you. When every Tom, Dick and Harry is a magisterium of one, I get a little nervous. Perhaps, it would do us all good to do a little research into church history and see what Christians before us taught; and please let's not start at 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses onto a Wittenberg Church door.There's more history before that, than afterwards.

Could we possibly learn something from our Catholic and Orthodox, yes, and Anglican brethren? What about the Apostolic Fathers— Clement of Rome or Ignatius of Antioch or Polycarp of Smyrna? What about the Greek Fathers—Irenaeus of Lyons or Clement of Alexandria or Origen of Alexandria or Athanasius of Alexandria? What about the Cappadocian Fathers—John Chrysostom or Cyril of Alexandria or even John of Damascus? Oh, my, we can’t skip the Latin Fathers, either. There’s that old tongues speaker Tertullian and oh yes, another one called Hilary of Poitiers . . . whew, I am running out of breath. Oh, did I fail to mention St. Augustine, a favorite of both Luther and Calvin?

The point is, we don’t have to scratch out our theology like chickens in a barn yard. Most of it has already been packaged for us and is there for the taking.

Now, as far as the Greek goes believe me I have terrible trouble with a God who expects me to ferret out these truths when we have perhaps over 4,000 manuscripts to choose from, and again every Thomas, Richard, and Harold has his opinion on that, too. Surely, there must be a teaching magisterium besides old Tom, and old Dick, and old Harry. We have better resources that just that of someone with a correspondence school diploma from Podunk Hollow pontificating on every nuance that suits their fancy.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

101 Uses For Cow Dung

Now, consider this
 "Yesterday's just a memory; tomorrow's never what it's supposed to be." 
Bob Dylan


Dear Partners in Missions—

I don't know about you, but some days just don't turnout like I think they should. Life if full of little annoyances, that's for sure! It's not those, however, that throw me for a loop, it's the big bad surprises. Like, sitting in a doctor's office, thumbing through an outdated Time magazine one minute, and in the next sitting across the doctor's desk and him gently breaking the news to you that you are full of cancer. Or picking up that annoying phone with a frame of mind to absolutely give that solicitor off, only to hear that one of your best friends has been killed in a car accident, or a relative has had a serious moral failure.

The truth of the matter is, however, we've all been there, and as Solomon said,
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun. (Eccl. 1:9 NIV)

So, bank on it, bad things will happen. The real test for us as Christians is what do we do when bad things come our way? You've all heard the old cliché "If you are served lemons, make lemonade." Well, that's good advice, but you and I can just drink so much lemonade. After a while, we get tired of the stuff. What then?

Want the answer? Here it is, find out new ways you can use the lemons. You would be surprised at that number of things lemons are good for, but I'll not bore you with those details. I would rather talk about cow dung.

Cow dung? Yep, cow dung. Now, I'll tell you why. There was nothing I hated more, when I was a kid than to step in a pile of the stuff. I absolutely hated anything remotely connected with cow pens, milking and such—not that I did a whole lot of it, but when on the few occasions that I was asked to help, I went squealing.
So, imagine my surprise, and curiosity when I got to India and found out that cow dung was a precious commodity. Villagers use it to polish their dirt floors with; burn for fuel; fertilize crops with; insect repellent; insulation for their houses; as an antibaterial agent (believe it or not); as a matter of fact one blogger list 101 USES FOR COW DUNG. Yep, 101 uses.


So, what's the point? Simple this, "If life serves you up something as unpleasant as a pile of cow dung, then get busy figuring out what you are going to do with it. Because, there is a little bit of good in every bad thing that happens."

Why do I say this? I say this from experience, and experience has taught me that I can not let the bad things that happen to me define me. How do you think someone gets called an old grump? I'll tell you why, it is because he or she has allowed the bad things in life to define who he or she is. I've got to be honest with you, I never felt compelled to get up before a congregation and brag about the stupid things that I have done in life and top the sweet little testimony off with, "But, I am glad Jesus saved me from all of that!"

No, I don't have any deep dark secrets. Sure, I've lied before; and so have you. But, I am not going to let lying define me, I better than that. And, if I thought hard enough I could probably come up with some more petty—as the Catholics say, venial sins; but I refuse even to let those define me. So what am I saying? I am saying that none of these things define me, but what I do or did with them does.
Making a mistake can either define you, or make you a better man. The choice is yours. The same goes for the bad things that happen to you, too. 


Remember, we're all on this journey  together,

Jim
P. S.  Several of my national friends from North East India would love to attend the Assemblies of God 100 Years Centennial Celebration that is scheduled for AUG 5-6, 2014, in Springfield, Missouri. Please pray for these men and if you wish to help let me know. Thanks!!

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Some thoughts on Ephesians 4:11

When we read in Ephesians 4:11 is that "he gave…some, pastors and teachers." Here "pastors and teachers" refer back to the single "some," describing two facets of the same work.

Now, the big question is: Who were these apostles and prophets? For we find that the Church was "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Eph. 2:20 and further, even more disturbingly for we Protestants is that very Church is called "the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15 Not, the Scriptures, mind you, but the Church.

So, I've got to be honest with you. When every Tom, Dick and Harry is a magisterium of one, I get a little nervous. Perhaps, it would do us all good to do a little research into church history and see what Christians before us taught; and please let's not start at 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses onto a Wittenberg Church door.There's more history before that, than afterwards.

Could we possibly learn something from our Catholic and Orthodox, yes, and Anglican brethren? What about the Apostolic Fathers— Clement of Rome or Ignatius of Antioch or Polycarp of Smyrna? What about the Greek Fathers—Irenaeus of Lyons or Clement of Alexandria or Origen of Alexandria or Athanasius of Alexandria? What about the Cappadocian Fathers—John Chrysostom or Cyril of Alexandria or even John of Damascus? Oh, my, we can’t skip the Latin Fathers, either. There’s that old tongues speaker Tertullian and oh yes, another one called Hilary of Poitiers . . . whew, I am running out of breath. Oh, did I fail to mention  St. Augustine, a favorite of both Luther and Calvin?

The point is, we don’t have to scratch out our theology like chickens in a barn yard. Most of it has already been packaged for us and is there for the taking.

Now, as far as the Greek goes believe me I have terrible trouble with a God who expects me to ferret out these truths when we have perhaps over 4,000 manuscripts to choose from, and again every Thomas, Richard, and Harold has his opinion on that, too. Surely, there must be a teaching magisterium besides old Tom, and old Dick, and old Harry. We have better resources that just that of someone with a correspondence school diploma from Podunk Hollow pontificating on every nuance that suits their fancy.

Focus: The Key to Success



 

Now, consider this—

When Bill Gates first met Warren Buffett, their host at dinner, Gates’ mother, asked everyone around the table to identify what they believed was the single most important factor in their success through life. Gates and Buffett gave the same one-word answer: “Focus.”


Dear Friends, prayer and financial partners

Let's admit it, just a whole lot of usmissionaries, pastors, and laity alike have a strong case of what I like to think of as spiritual ADHD. Let me explain.

When I was a boy, raised in South Texas, of course, my mother used to say, "Jimmy, stay focused. Stop running around like a chicken with your head cut off!" (Of course if you have never seen a chicken's head cut off, and for them to get up and run around around headless until they bled out, you will not understand the idiom. But, believe me, it does happen.) In any event, mother's advice was just what a young fellow with ADHD (before we even had the term) needed. Now, mind you, I was smart enoughhad test enough to prove that, but focused I was not!

Staying focused has taken years of self-discipline; and every once in a while the old attention deficit disorder takes over. Ample proof of which is in the number of books laying around in my office that are only half read. Oh, I'll read them, after I get over the boredom, that is.

How about you? Any unread books laying around? Not fully reading a book is one thing; however, running around like a chicken with its head cut off is another thing altogether. Let me explain.

Once I was invited to speak to a group of missionaries, and stayed in the home of one of the families. During the course of the week I noticed that the gentleman spent well over 50% per cent of his time chauffering about, picking up groceries, running a family member here and there, standing in long lines to clear customs in order to pick up a package from the post office--in other words, running around like a chicken with its head cut off, and never really accomplishing anything worthwhile as far as  I could see. I said to him, "Friend, no disrespect, but how much would it cost to put someone on a rickshaw to do most of these things?" Less than a quarter, I was told. "And, what would it cost to hire someone to do this?" That came to about $10 dollars a month. Then, I asked, "Why don't you just hire someone to do this?" The reply? "They'll pad the bill and I don't like anyone cheating me."

"Okay, I said, let's take this one step farther. How much could they pad the bill daily?" That came to somewhere in the neighorhood of another quarter. I said, "Friend, you spend more on gas than they steal from you. So, stop it!"

By the way, he's still my friend, but I don't think he ever stopped it!

Well, so much for advice. But, you get the point.
Blessings, and remember— I am with you on this journey,

Jim

P. S.  Several of my national friends from North East India would love to attend the Assemblies of God 100 Years Centennial Celebration that is scheduled for AUG 5-6, 2014, in Springfield, Missouri. Please pray for these men and if you wish to help let me know. Thanks!!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder hits epidemic proportions among 80% of church goers!


“We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first.” – Oswald J. Smith

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is more frequently diagnosed now than ever before, I believe because medical science has in more recent times come to a better understanding of the behavior. And, the truth of the matter is that some kids are not just being mean or naughty because they want to, but because they have to--yeah, you read me right.

Now, if you have the patience (which is a polite way of saying, if you don't suffer from a severe case of ADHD) perhaps it would be helpful to read a good definition of the disorder. Here it is –

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a problem of not being able to focus, being overactive, not being able control behavior, or a combination of these. For these problems to be diagnosed as ADHD, they must be out of the normal range for a person's age and development.

Boring, isn’t it? Yet, I dare say that more poor innocent souls (particularly that of children) have been harmed by those in authority not understanding the problem. Parents get frustrated. Even some pastors scold unruly kids from the pulpit—but since that is not the politically correct thing to do these days, you see less of that; although, most will admit that usually the first thought that enters their mind if they are entirely honest  is, ‘We have a moral problem here. Someone needs to sit that kid down and give them a good scolding.’ There was a time, when there was a problem years ago, that in severe cases so-called demons were cast out once nothing else seemed to work. According to a most recent documentary that I watched on one of the news channels, exorcism is still practiced on kids in countries that I prefer not to name as it is simply not fair to do so. Reminds me of the Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts colonial back in the late 1700's. Wrong then, and wrong now—that’s for sure.

Why is it that we religious often—perhaps, most often—have a tendency to demonize any and every thing that appears to be just a little bit off center from our worldview? Well, in my opinion, it is because we don’t really want the responsibility or take the time to understand the real cause. Then if we do—here I go again—ADHD sets in. Yep, that’s right, but this time it us.

Ask the average professing Christian (now, I’m talking about that statistical 80% of church goers who just sit on the sidelines as spectators and do nothing, or very little at the most) and you will get a blank stare and then have to listen to a fumbled excuse as to why they cannot at this moment get involved … perhaps, later, but not right now.

Am I right on target? Sure, you know I’m right.

Years ago, I preached a sermon which I entitled, ‘Commission Immunity.’ The thought was that just like in medicine we find that immunity sets in when Christians are over exposed to the challenge of missions. Mention missions, or a new building program, or launching a new evangelistic effort to reach the lost, support a feeding program or minister to derelicts wandering aimlessly on our city streets, and you get that stare—that 80% stare which ends up with a lame excuse that says, “I want to. I know I ought to. But I am really too busy, right now. Perhaps, later.”

Attention deficit disorder, pure and simple. What is really being said is, “I really can’t multitask because I can stay interested or committed long enough to do so. Got too much on my platter.” So, what do they do? Well, at best they throw a few extra bucks in the offering plate, hoping that that will atone for their negligence. But don’t get your hopes up, it’s only pocket change. Thank God for pocket change, however. It will put a gallon or two worth of gas in some missionaries or church vans fuel tank. Every little bit helps. But that is not the point. The point is that we cannot buy our way out of our God ordained obligations.

Now, please understand that I am not attaching hardworking skilled laborers, moonlighting just to make ends meet. No, not at all. And, I don’t have that focused entrepreneur in mind, either. This is not a generic blanket thrown out there condemning each and every one that on surface appears to fit snuggly into that proverbial 80% that I mentioned. Again, no not at all! I am not talking about or asking anyone to fit into my mold of what I think is the proper level of involvement that you or they should be involved in. As a matter of fact, there are many hard working Christians anonymously involved in any number of worthy causes. And, I must say that as a father I am tremendously proud of our children who—if the real truth were known—have never sought the limelight but have contributed significantly in both time and money for some very worthy causes; yet for the most part have do so under the radar of public recognition. That goes for some wealthy businessmen that I happen to know who down through the years have worked and given to charitable causes anonymously down through the years. I commend them for that. This also goes for those dear souls with limited income who give what they can, and pray as they ought.

What I am saying however—really as more of a caution, than a rebuke—is take care, stay focused, or as the old Texas saying goes, “Keep your hand on the plow. Your eyes on the row ahead. And keep plowing.” Eventually, if you do, you will get the job done, and missions and the church will be the better for it; and for certain, so will the rest of the world, including you.

I am yours for the journey,



Will someone please give me a break!

Consider this –
“I have never been lost, but I will admit to being confused for several weeks.”—Daniel Boone, American Frontiersman

Often when listening to the lame excuses some of our political leaders give us, particularly on such crucial issues as the recent incursion into Iraq by the al-Qaida linked Islamic terrorist group is mind boggling. I sit in total amazement as our Secretary of State with a straight face mouths off the words,
"[While, I am] not taking anything I hear to the bank … there is a capacity to have a new government that could be a unity government that could reflect a greater capacity for success."
Good luck! Mr. Kerry. The last time I remember anything that could match this is when way back in 452 AD Pope Saint Leo the Great negotiate terms with Attila the Hun; and believe me Attila had nothing on these guys.

Well, in any event, we have to give the Secretary of State credit for trying to beef up the image of a failed policy; but unfortunately if history has taught us anything, it’s a lost cause. Shiites and Sunnis—along with a few Kurds thrown in for good measure, have fought for centuries, and I suppose still will until the end of time. One would think that after a while these factions would self-destruct, but they haven’t. Ever wonder why? I have, but I don’t have the answer except to say in the words of Scripture—
“And you know what restrains him [speaking of the old Devil, of course] now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming …” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8)
Oh, some say, that just religious metaphor. Really, then you haven’t a clue who that man of sin is. There’s just a whole lot that I don’t agree with Hal Lindsey on, but he got one thing right—Satan is alive and well on planet earth.” So, as much as I would like to think differently, I cannot help but see dark clouds on the horizon. Therefore, once again, in the words of Scripture—
 . . . encourage one anotherand all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb. 10:25b)
Now, I am yours for that journey,


Monday, June 23, 2014

What do the words, "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" really mean?

 Recognize these words?  –
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. 
Sure you do. They are from The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776). And, I have been told—and believe it to be so—that these words, form the most well-known sentence of the American language. We all know them. These words are fighting words, too. Blood has be shed on battlefields around the world protecting what these words mean to us as Americans. Our country is also flooded daily with people risking their lives to cross our borders in pursuit of the dream of a better place, a better home—a place where these words can be realized. Few of us, however, stop long enough to really understand what these words mean. In this case, when the object of liberty is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, we should point out is not the pursuit of pleasure. 

Why is that, some may ask?

Well, the answer is a simple one. Pleasure is only a means, in fact pleasure is only a pursuit of happiness. And really, you can't pursue a pursuit. The pursuit of pleasure ends up being a pursuit of unhappiness. Need proof, read the book of James. Or, perhaps, better yet, turn on your television, go to the celebrity news channel—what do you see? Happiness? No. you see the pursuit of pleasure. Not happiness.

Isn’t it amazing that in our egalitarian world--democracy, if you please—we seek happiness through pleasure . . . the pleasures of a bigger house, of riding in a big yacht, or visiting the sites of France or Micronesia or some exotic place—wherever, it seems for some is better than home. 

Friend, when we make pleasure an end in and of itself, we find not happiness, but unhappiness. A bigger home, or a bigger car, or designer clothes, and trips abroad may bring pleasure but in the end they will never bring happiness.

Oh, you’re preaching to the choir. Oh, no, not really. Our pews are filled with people that don’t know the difference. Feed them a gospel of prosperity, and some of them might even get rich, but please don’t tell them that this is happiness, because in the end they will learn differently, and be the worst for it.

Wise old Solomon said years ago –
Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. (Proverbs 17:1 NIV)
And, you know what? He’s right.

So, mom and dad, children and grandchildren—all the family, July 4th is just around the corner, so why not take a little time out before then to reflect on these words—
“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”
And, ask yourself, what do they really mean, and am I really in pursuit of Happiness? If you are, we all know where you can find it. That place is at the foot of the Cross.

Now, I am yours for the journey,