It's One Or The Other: Gospel of Grace vs. Prosperity Gospel

We spent the final Sundays of August in Paul's closing to the Book of Philippians - verses 10-19.  It was no surprise that we had good interaction in the Q &A that followed those services on the "Prosperity Gospel" (PG)  In light of that, I thought I'd share some interesting recent resources from TheGospelCoalition.org website.

As I said in both sermons, the PG perspective is like the water a fish swims in: it's all around us and can have an unnoticed influence on us all.  Believers do well to cultivate a discerning heart and mind with regard to it, because "PG" is just a modern expression of what Paul would call a Different Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:6) which is really no gospel at all!

You can begin to sense you are in "PG" territory whenever you begin thinking of "Faith" as if it were a tool that you use to get what you decide for yourself you want - even if what you want has a Scriptural proof-text.  Often, it boils down to an "if/then" statement like: If I say/do/believe "this" enough, then God is obligated to respond with "that" for me.

You are deeper in to the territory when you feel like you are not receiving what you should from God because of a lack in your faith and so need to exercise more of whatever it is that you are lacking.  As this goes on, if you continue to "not receive because of your lack" you get depressed, and - perhaps even worse - if you should receive that it is that you are "believing God for," there begins to be a self-righteous pride that creeps in.  Bad stuff either way.

And very different from Paul who is able to face any circumstance -  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12-13) - because has placed his trust in the finished work of Jesus, and not in himself and the strength of his own faith.  Paul lives as he does - with contentment and generosity - not because he has "enough faith" to get what he wants out of God, but because he is content to receive whatever Jesus has for him in this moment.

The interesting thread that runs through these three resources is a pastor named Costi Hinn.  His uncle, Benny Hinn, is a high profile figure in Prosperity Gospel circles and Costi actually worked with him for years.  Then Costi came to understand the Gospel of God's Grace  and eventually left the "family business."  He now leads Redeemer Bible Church in Gilbert, Arizona

How Benny Hinn’s Nephew Rejected the Prosperity Gospel - CLICK HERE

This a review of Costi Hinn's book  God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies

Costi Hinn Exposes the Most Abusive Kind of False Teaching Today - CLICK HERE

If you like to listen, this is a 40 minute interview podcast with Costi and Gospel Coalition editor Collin Hansen.  Much of the conversation revolves around Costi's book, as well as further resources from other writers

God, Thank You I’m Not Like Those Prosperity Preachers - CLICK HERE

This is a helpful post by Costi himself that is helpful on responding to friends and family - ane ourselves - who are influenced by Prosperity Gospel thinking.

Praying As Bullets Fly

Like many people, I find myself struggling to cope with the sadness and horror of what now seems commonplace: mass shootings in the United States.  Our son was a student at Virginia Tech and on campus though not involved during the shooting there in 2007, so the pace and regularity of these events strikes us close to home.

I feel the same press to "Do Something, ANYTHING!" and  "do more than pray!" so I do have a number of legal and cultural steps I would like to see implemented.  But I do continue to know that prayer by God's people is an important part of the turn-around need to "fix" our national sickness.  Here are some prayer resources that have helped me:

Grieving The Tragedies in El Paso and Dayton - Click Here

From Heavenward - the Daily Prayer Post of Scotty Smith on Sunday, August 4
As Providence would have it, Mary Lynn and I were driving through Dayton, OH on our way home less than 18 hours after the shooting there.  There was an eerie sense of normalcy as we drove the sign directing people to the "Oregon District" - typically a local, social hotspot, but on that day a crime scene.

I’m a Shooting Survivor. If You’re Going to Pray for Us, Here’s How. - CLICK HERE

Posted August 4 on the Christianity Today site immediately following the El Paso and Dayton shootings. Talk about timely!  Author Taylor Schumann is a writer, shooting survivor, and contributor to the forthcoming book If I Don’t Make It, I Love You: Survivors in the Aftermath of School Shootings. She lives with her husband and son in Charleston, South Carolina.

Emanuel - The Untold Story of the Victims and Survivors of the Charleston Church Shooting

This is a critically important documentary that was developed in part with NBA star Stephen Curry’s initiative.  The film was publicly available for two days on the anniversary of the shooting this summer.  Mary Lynn and I saw it and were deeply, deeply moved as well as informed.  CLICK HERE for website.  At this point, the DVD is waiting to be released - CLICK HERE for pre-order - but I can whet your appetite with the trailer:

Emanuel – The Untold Story of the Victims and Survivors of the Charleston Church Shooting

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism - Resources

This Sunday, I referred to "Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism" and would like to make a number of resources easily available.  As I said at that time, I am increasingly convinced that MTD is the "Spirit of the Age."  I encourage people to prayerfully and thoughtfully cultivate the discernment to identify MTD's impact in their own life and in their circle of relationships.  No church advertises themselves as an "MTD Church," but all of us face it, many are unaware of its influence on them and some have - whether knowingly or not - let MTD replace the Gospel of Grace in their ministry.

Click Here for a previous blog entry of my own Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.

A Painful National Anniversary

It's been an interesting summer for anniversaries:  Fifty years ago some 400.000 people found their way to the Yasgur Farm in Woodstock, NY, the Beatles' Abbey Road album was released and Charles Manson began his murder sprees.

But go back four hundred years and you find the sad beginning of "man-stealing" in America.  Thomas Kidd, a history professor at Baylor University writes: In late August 1619, a shipment of “20 and odd Negroes” arrived on a ship to Virginia. They were not the first Africans in Virginia, but this human cargo is widely viewed as the beginning of slavery in the English colonies.  I am familiar with Kidd's work, and this article is well worth reading.  CLICK HERE  He goes on to say that recent archival discoveries indicate that these African prisoners may well have been familiar with the Christian faith through Jesuit missionaries in their land of origin.  Could it really be that slavery in America began through the kidnapping of fellow Christians?!?  

As we began our Summer Sermon Series in the book of Philippians, I pointed out that the form of race-based, chattel slavery practiced in the United States, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, was not to be connected with the slavery referred to in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  To put it directly: What was called "slavery" in the history of the United States, is called "man-stealing" in the Bible. This is the KJV wording, and It really stuns our modern ears.  "Man-stealing" is rarely referred to in Scripture, because it such a vile and reprehensible practice.  In Israel, those who did it were to be executed (Exodus 21:16).  In I Timothy 1:10, Paul includes "man-stealing" (the NIV translates the word "slave traders") in a list of behaviors that are "contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel."  

However we choose to translate the Greek word "doulos" - whether "slave" or "servant" - it is clear that Paul did not have in mind, and could not have even conceived of, the race-based slavery that began here in the United States four centuries ago.  And don't forget that Paul refers to he and Timothy as "doulos/slaves/servants" of Christ in Philippians 1:1.  In Philippians 2:7 he goes on to say that in the incarnation, God Himself took on "the very nature of a doulos/slave/servant."  Because of this, following Christ is no sort of dehumanizing oppression.  Instead, it is about a redeeming love that sets us free to lay aside the demands of our own self-interests and then freely act in the loving-best-interest of others, just as Jesus Himself did for us.

If you would like to dig deeper into both the Bible and American history on the issue of slavery in light of the Gospel of God's Grace,  I can recommend these four blog posts from the Gospel Coalition as a good place to start:

• Does the Bible Support Slavery?  CLICK HERE
• How and Why Did Some Christians Defend Slavery?  CLICK HERE
• A British Baptist on the Civil War and Slavery  CLICK HERE
• Why It’s Wrong to Say the Bible Is Pro-Slavery CLICK HERE

How Do I Pursue A Discipling Relationship? - July 14, 2016

This Sunday, we were preaching from Philippians 2:19-30 on the Harderwyk campuses and spoke to the "transfer of the gospel" that we see between Paul and his co-workers Timothy and Epaphroditus as Paul sends them to minister to the Philippians church in his absence.

On Monday I stumbled across a wonderful post by Aubrey Coleman on the Gospel Coalition website called "How Do I Pursue A Discipling Relationship in My Church?"  It is set in the context of women discipling women in the local church, so men can change the pronouns where needed, but I found it to be a helpful extension of Sunday, so I've excerpted it below:

How Do I Pursue A Discipling Relationship in My Church?

Aubrey Coleman

Though most of us would acknowledge the importance of discipleship, we often struggle to find and pursue those relationships in our own lives. As we think about someone in our church who might help us walk faithfully, obediently, and humbly with God, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Who Is Faithful?

When considering meeting up with someone, simply ask yourself, Is she faithful? Referencing Titus 2:1–7 is a great foundation for understanding what faithfulness looks like. Is she a member of my church? Does she serve faithfully in her season of life? Does she show up when she says she will? Does she encourage others? Does she love God’s Word?

You should be able to quickly identify faithful men and women in your church. If you’re having trouble discerning, ask your elders and pastors to recommend faithful saints you can reach out to.

Whom Do I Connect Easily With?

Among the many faithful, whom do you connect with? You may have a great connection with someone instantly. In some situations, you will naturally serve alongside other men and women who are already making a spiritual investment in you. Discipleship can certainly happen organically, but we can’t always expect it to happen that way. It may take more time and effort. It might even look a bit like taking someone on a date! Don’t be hesitant. Invite someone out to coffee and get to know her.

Were you encouraged by your conversation? Do you desire to learn from her? Is it easy to share your life with her? Is it easy to have spiritual conversations?

Just Ask

We may try to overcomplicate it, overthink it, or wait around to be sought out, but there’s no need to formulate a paragraph text or come up with an elaborate discipleship proposal. Just ask! If anyone comes to me discouraged about a lack of discipling relationships, I first ask: “Have you initiated with anyone?” More likely than not, when we reach out to others, they are encouraged by our pursuit. It is deeply rewarding and humbling to be asked to disciple someone.

This doesn’t mean everyone will be able to say yes, but that is the beauty of pursuing more than one discipling relationship. Our dependency for accountability shouldn’t rest on one person, but many members. If you’re a member of a church, you have committed yourselves to build up one another in the faith. Therefore, discipleship shouldn’t be an exclusive relationship among a few people but a normal pursuit among all members of the church.

CLICK HERE to read the entire post.

The Best Bosses Are Humble Bosses - June 30, 2019

This Sunday we looked at Philippians 2:1-11; the great hymn to the humility of Christ.  This article from the October 9, 2018 Wall Street Journal was passed on to me by Rod Brandsen who was preaching in our Fusion community.  I mentioned it in passing, but it is a fascinating reminder that the world - in this case the business world - really does value and need things that are a fruit of the work of the Spirit in the People of God.

CLICK HERE for the full article.

Several Excerpts:

• Organizations are making a push to hire and promote workers who lead effectively but don’t seek the spotlight
• Humility is a core quality of leaders who inspire close teamwork, rapid learning and high performance in their teams, according to several studies in the past three years. Humble people tend to be aware of their own weaknesses, eager to improve themselves, appreciative of others’ strengths and focused on goals beyond their own self-interest.
• Among employees, it’s linked to lower turnover and absenteeism. These strengths are often overlooked because humble people tend to fly under the radar, making outsiders think it’s their teams doing all the work.
• Humble leaders can also be highly competitive and ambitious. But they tend to avoid the spotlight and give credit to their teams, Dr. Sherman says. They also ask for help and listen to feedback from others, setting an example that causes subordinates to do the same.
• In interviews, he asks applicants to tell him about a time when they experienced a major failure.  “If they say, ‘Wow, let me think about this, because there are a lot of times when I’ve messed things up,’ that says a lot,” he says. “If they have to pick among a lot of humble learning moments, that’s good.”
• (Humility is) marked by a cluster of attributes that appear consistently in some people, including sincerity, modesty, fairness, truthfulness and unpretentiousness. The same people tend to avoid manipulating others, bending the rules or behaving in greedy or hypocritical ways.
• Teams with humble leaders performed better and did higher-quality work than teams whose leaders exhibited less humility, according to lead researcher Bradley P. Owens, an associate professor of business ethics at Brigham Young University.  The performance gains held up independently of how much team leaders exhibited other positive leadership qualities unrelated to humility.
• Companies with humble chief executives are more likely than others to have upper management teams that work smoothly together, help each other and share decision-making, according to a study of 105 computer hardware and software firms published in the Journal of Management.  Such companies also are likely to have smaller pay gaps between the CEO and other senior executives. These factors predict closer collaboration among all senior executives, which in turn leads to greater company wide efficiency, innovation and profitability, researchers found.

Humility: The Central Precept of Our Faith - June 30, 2019

I referenced this statement on Sunday.  Humility really must be central when it is affirmed by church leaders from the 5th century and the 16th century!

A saying of Chrysostom’s has always pleased me very much, that the foundation of our philosophy is humility. But that of Augustine pleases me even more: “When a certain rhetorician was asked what was the chief rule in eloquence, he replied, ‘Delivery’; what was the second rule, ‘Delivery’; what was the third rule, ‘Delivery’; so if you ask me concerning the precepts of the Christian religion, first, second, third, and always I would answer, ‘Humility.’ ”

But, as he elsewhere declares, Augustine does not consider it humility when a man, aware that he has some virtues, abstains from pride and arrogance; but when man truly feels that he has no refuge except in humility. “Let no man,” he says, “flatter himself; of himself he is Satan. His blessing comes from God alone. For what do you have of your own but sin? Remove from yourself sin which is your own; for righteousness is of God.” Again: “Why do we presume so much on ability of human nature? It is wounded, battered, troubled, lost. What we need is true confession, not false defense.” 

-- From The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - Book 2, Chapter 2 Section 11 - True Humility Give God Alone the Honor