The Paradox of a “Master of Divinity”

A “Master of Divinity” - It seems to be an odd combination of words. For even the amateur who has spent a small amount of time in the study of theology realizes that indeed the divinity cannot be mastered. It is almost an insult, a naivety to suggest that one can attain a high-order overview of God. Yet, to go to the other extreme of ignorance is just as ludicrous. “Throwing in the towel” because of the enormity of the task proves to short-change the purpose of mankind. Notwithstanding this paradox, history has seen countless of individuals who have devoted their life to the study of God. And, you are probably one of them but don’t even know it.

When we really break it down, we are all theologians; we all carry around with us a perception of God that is ever changing…one that is perhaps based on our understanding of Scripture, our experiences, our upbringing and even our relationships. Yet, if the divinity cannot be mastered, why even bother? Why go to church or read the bible or even worse, go to Seminary?

The other day I stumbled across a website that attempted to bring God down to our human level making him or “it” more manageable to comprehend. The “Church of Google” it was called. They believe that the search engine of Google is the closest thing that mankind has ever come to an actual deity. It is a sort of omniscient presence that sits stagnant in the invisible online world, a sum total of all knowledge that is accessible to anyone. In fact “Google” has made it into our everyday language now - If you don’t know the answer, you “Google it.” (Ironically, you just might “google” the “Church of Google” when you are done reading this) I like technology as much as the next guy, but I really don’t want to worship megabytes.

Interestingly, the Bible paints a different picture of this deity. Psalm 139 is perhaps one of the most enlightening Psalms in the whole collection. It talks about a personal God who is intimately involved in all the aspects of my life - Even aspects that I am not even conscience of! The Psalmist seems to be saying, “I am known by the God who knows!” Perhaps theology is not as much about me knowing God as much as it is about letting God know me. It is about opening myself up to the Creator, Sustain, and Redeemer of all, letting him come inside of me and commune with my soul. Perhaps that is why the Psalmist ends with, “Search me oh God and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting.” If there is one thing I have learned in my studies thus far it is that, it is possible to hide from God while doing theology. It is possible to use high sounding ideas as a “smokescreen” for evil in your own life, to confuse spiritual activity with spiritual depth. Am I the only one that has done that?

Maybe it is more important that God knows me, rather than I know God. Doesn’t Jesus warn me of that in his Sermon on the Mount? “Depart from me, I never knew you.” (Matt.7:23) In a book I read recently by Reggie McNeal The Present Future he asked, “Do you read the Bible or do you let the Bible read you?” Hmm..there it is.

Although the term “Master of Divinity” seems at the onset to be a paradox, it is one that I choose to embrace with my life. Perhaps it is not a statement about “arrival” as much as it is a statement about “process” - a process of continually opening myself up to the master himself – Jesus. It is a process that starts with him, ends with him and is ultimately all about him. And, it is a process that doesn’t end when I receive my diploma. I guess, when I really break it down, a “Master of Divinity” is ultimately about letting the divinity master me.   

Looking in the Mirror

Have you ever observed someone from afar and after a while realized you were looking at yourself?  And, you didn’t like what you saw? Perhaps you watched someone scold their child in an unproductive way and there was something all too familiar with their tone. Maybe it was the way someone handled their money or the way they treated others that caused this deja vu moment in your soul. Whatever it was, you felt a blush of red come over your face because there was something in that action that reminded you of… well….you. You were looking in the mirror and it wasn’t good.

I have been feeling a bit like that as I have been on my “Church Visitation Tour” this past year. Leaving full time ministry of eight years and jumping into seminary has proved to be a big transition for me. But, one of the things that it has allowed our family to do is visit other churches. While we are committed to a great church in our hometown, we also saw this time in our lives as an opportunity to visit other believers and learn from them. While in seminary we want to find out what God is doing in other parts of the country, to see how other people do church, and to know what it feels like to walk into a church for the first time. We have visited a number of churches this past year and sometimes I admit, I had that “Mirror Moment” where I didn’t like what I saw in my own life. I didn’t like how mechanical church attendance had become for me and, how my actions may have alienated some people from the church.

While not wanting to join the throng of superficial complaining voices that are quick to point out the church’s failings, I have decided to frame this in a way of how I will change. This is how I will do church differently from now on, this is how I will attempt to lead God’s church towards its redemptive potential.

The following 10 phrases were statements that have been going through my mind as I process my visits. This is how I will do church differently in the future.

1.    What on earth does that announcement mean? – Before giving an announcement ask, “What vital information do I need to convey?” or “Is this announcement only for 5 or 6 people?” What I announce and how I announce it shows newcomers what I value. Seek to use inclusive language that isn’t directed at the “in crowd” only.

2.    An inside joke needs to be explained – While an inside joke is a great way to build rapport with the congregation it alienates the visitors if it is not qualified or explained.

3.    Just talk to me! – Could you step outside your click for just thirty seconds and acknowledge my existence? There was a marked difference between the churches that were warm and friendly and those that were not. I realized that for some reason, I would not open up spiritually until I was comfortable socially.

4.    Holy perfume! – I know my allergies make me a lone ranger on this one but what happened to “no scents is good sense?” Perfume makes people with allergies sick. In fact, at some churches I had to get up and move mid-service because my body was repulsed. Are my actions hindering someone from worshiping God? Yes, even the odour from my body can be a stumbling block.

5.    Please don’t single me out from the stage – enough said.

6.    A nice building is a poor substitute for hospitality – A nice building may get someone to visit once but if I’m not prepared, or even halfway helpful, don’t expect people to return.

7.    Reassure me that my kids are in good hands – Every parent whether Christian or atheist are extremely concerned for the welfare of their children. Even though I have grown up in church my whole like, I kept asking myself in the back of my mind, “Can I trust this person?” Caring children workers are essential to any growing church.

8.    Expect my visit – Where is the sanctuary? Where is the children’s ministry area? Do the children sit in the service or is there children’s church? Is that coffee for anyone? Welcoming knowledgeable greeters make a big difference. I need to go to church every Sunday looking out for new people and how I can enfold them into the church.

9.    Update your website – What time does your church service start?  What do you value as a church? People want to come, they just aren’t informed. Social media and a strong internet presence is a must for any growing church.

10. Preach like there is eternity at stake – Do I preach because I need to say something or because I have something to say? – There is a big difference between the two. Go to my knees till I find the conviction to preach as if it is the very words of God.

Recovering from an Unusual Altitude

I once read of an exercise that fighter pilots go through in their training. Taking the jet up to a high altitude the instructor then places a bag over the trainee’s head. The instructor will then take control of the aircraft taking them both on the most intense “rollercoaster ride” ever – loops, dives, spins and turns getting the trainee all discombobulated. It is then that the instructor plucks the bag off the trainees head and gives him control of the aircraft. It is now the trainee’s task to return the plane to the original altitude and bearing. They call this exercise, “Recovering from an Unusual Altitude.” Heh, no kiddin!

You know, I think we all can identify with that trainee pilot. Sometimes, our lives are jam packed with so much activity, we are moving at breakneck speed, and perhaps feel like we are on a collision course with something. What we need is break, a pause from the rollercoaster ride.

There is this word all throughout the book of Psalms that is often overlooked. Amongst these ancient Hebrew worship songs is the word “Selah.” It basically means “pause.” The intent of the word was so that the music would continue to play and the singer could reflect on the words that they were singing. Sometimes we call this “interlude.” Rather than just charge through the song and check it off the list as sung, “Selah” allowed the weight of the truths they were singing to take root in the singers mind. Slow down, reflect, and pause.

I think sometimes we need to practice “Selah” in our lives more often.

This summer we as a family had the opportunity do some traveling and see some beautiful sights. Perhaps the most memorable moment was our visit to the Badlands in South Dakota. We stood on this point looking over the vast landscape of “savage beauty.” They compare this place to the face of the moon! We felt in this moment that we were not even on earth, we were somewhere else, somewhere far away. In a sense we stepped outside of our life and saw it from a different perspective. It was a pause, a stepping outside of the normal routine. And from that point God gave us perspective, refuelling and perhaps some adjustment. The ride home was where this all came together as we discussed our life and where we felt God was taking us as a family. And, this probably wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t paused.

I think sometimes we get addicted to the busyness of life and a pause seems like a waste of time. We would rather just swing harder with the axe rather than take time to sharpen it.  But what if that “pause” allowed God the opportunity to refocus and sharpen you in a way that was actually for the better? What if that “pause” gave you perspective that you never had before?

Have you paused this summer? Have you taken a break from the rollercoaster and reflected on the direction of your life? Have you allowed God to speak into the interlude? Perhaps “Selah” needs to be a part of your life. And perhaps, you need to recover from an unusual altitude too.

10 Months of Reading

Looking at my Library I am baffled at the amount of books I have read in the past 10 months. (Seminary has the tendency to do that) But, apart from much of the Bible, I read a few books - Some of them good, some of them not so good. And, some of them weren't the easy 200 page novel either...Here is a list of the best and the worst followed by an exhaustive list of all the books I have read.

Best Books I’ve read

Biblical – this book helped me see God’s redemptive plan throughout the whole Bible and how it is all about Jesus.

Theology – this book helped me understand the theology surrounding the Lord’s Supper and how we sometimes wander from the original intent of the meal.

Leadership – this book provided a crucial link for me between the two camps of “business minded” and the “bible only minded” people in the church.

Church – This book taught me that the church needs both the organized institution but also new forms of missional communities. The authors call it the need for “Gathering” AND “Scattering” communities.

Christian Living – This book taught me how to apply missional living to my everyday life, a must read for every church member.

Worst books I’ve read

This book confused the whole issue of spiritual formation and following Jesus. I call it “Agony and Intimacy”

This book was a guy complaining about the church but offering no real solutions to his perceived problems. Ironically, there was no “wind to catch.”

Here are the books I’ve read these past 10 months…all 45 of them.

Augustine, Saint. Confessions. Oxford University Press, USA, 2009.

Banting, Blayne A. Take Up and Preach. Xulon Press, 2010.

Barclay, William. The Lord’s Supper. London: SCM Press, 1967.

Barna, George. The Power of Team Leadership: Achieving Success Through Shared Responsibility. WaterBrook Press, 2001.

Barth, Karl. Natural Theology: Comprising “Nature and Grace” by Professor Dr. Emil Brunner and the Reply “No!” by Dr. Karl Barth. Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2002.

Baxter, Richard. The Reformed Pastor. CreateSpace, 2011.

Blackwood, Rick. The Power of Multisensory Preaching and Teaching: Increase Attention, Comprehension, and Retention. Zondervan, 2008.

Blanchard, Ken, John P Carlos, and Alan Randolph. The 3 Keys to Empowerment: Release the Power Within People for Astonishing Results. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2001.

Bloesch, Donald G. God the Almighty: Power, Wisdom, Holiness, Love. IVP Academic, 2005.

———. Holy Scripture: Revelation, Inspiration & Interpretation. IVP Academic, 2005.

Capes, David B., Rodney Reeves, and E. Randolph Richards. Rediscovering Paul: An Introduction to His World, Letters and Theology. IVP Academic, 2007.

Christians, the Twelve Apostles Early. The Didache. BooksAndSuch, 2009.

Cladis, George. Leading the Team-Based Church: How Pastors and Church Staffs Can Grow Together into a Powerful Fellowship of Leaders A Leadership Network Publication. 1st ed. Jossey-Bass, 1999.

Edwards, J. Kent. Effective First-Person Biblical Preaching: The Steps from Text to Narrative Sermon. Zondervan, 2005.

Foster, Richard J. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. Unabridged. Hovel Audio, 2007.

Gelder, Craig Van. The Essence of the Church: A Community Created by the Spirit. Baker Books, 2000.

Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Present Day. Prince Press ed. Prince Press, 1999.

Gros, Jeffrey, John R. Stephenson and Leanne Van Dyk and , and and Roger E. OlsonThe Lord’s Supper: Five ViewsEdited by Gordon T Smith. . Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2008.

Halter, Hugh, and Matt Smay. The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community. 1st ed. Jossey-Bass, 2008.

———. The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community. 1st ed. Jossey-Bass, 2008.

Harper, Brad, and Paul Louis Metzger. Exploring Ecclesiology: An Evangelical and Ecumenical Introduction. First. Brazos Press, 2009.

Hirsch, Alan, and Lance Ford. Right Here, Right Now: Everyday Mission for Everyday People. Baker Books, 2011.

Hirsch, Alan, and Debra Hirsch. Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship. Baker Books, 2010.

Johnson, Darrell W. The Glory of Preaching: Participating in God’s Transformation of the World. IVP Academic, 2009.

Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. An Introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, Historical & Global Perspectives. IVP Academic, 2002.

Lencioni, Patrick. Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable...About Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business. 1st ed. Jossey-Bass, 2004.

———. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. 1st ed. Jossey-Bass, 2002.

Li, Charlene. Open Leadership: How Social Technology Can Transform the Way You Lead. 1st ed. Jossey-Bass, 2010.

Mackin, Deborah, and Deborah Harrington-Mackin. The Team-Building Tool Kit: Tips and Tactics for Effective Workplace Teams. 2nd ed. AMACOM, 2007.

Malphurs, Aubrey. Leading Leaders: Empowering Church Boards for Ministry Excellence. Baker Books, 2005.

———. Values-Driven Leadership: Discovering and Developing Your Core Values for Ministry. 2nd ed. Baker Books, 2004.

McKenzie, Alyce M. Novel Preaching: Tips from Top Writers on Crafting Creative Sermons. 1st ed. Westminster John Knox Press, 2010.

McNeal, Reggie. Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church. 1st ed. Jossey-Bass, 2009.

———. The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church. Jossey-Bass, 2009.

Motyer, J. A. The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Osborne, Larry. Sticky Teams: Keeping Your Leadership Team and Staff on the Same Page. Zondervan, 2010.

Patterson, Kerry, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High. 1st ed. McGraw-Hill, 2002.

Purves, Andrew. Reconstructing Pastoral Theology. Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.

Ringma, Charles R. Catch the Wind. Regent College Publishing, 2003.

Rosell, Garth M. Surprising Work of God, The: Harold John Ockenga, Billy Graham, and the Rebirth of Evangelicalism. Baker Academic, 2008.

Schreiner, Thomas R. An Interpretation of 1 Timothy 2:9-15: A Dialogue with Scholarship in Women in the Church: An Analysis Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15. Edited by Andreas J Köstenberger. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2005.

Schreiner, Thomas R. Two Views on Women in Ministry. Edited by Stanley Grundy and James Beck. Fourth Printing. Zondervan, 2001.

VanGemeren, Willem A. Interpreting the Prophetic Word. Zondervan, 1996.

Willard, Dallas. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ - MP3. Unabridged. Hovel Audio, 2005.

Willimon, William H. Proclamation and Theology. Abingdon Press, 2005.

Witherington, Ben. Making a Meal of It: Rethinking the Theology of the Lord’s Supper. Waco, Tex: Baylor University Press, 2007.

Wright, N. T. Paul: In Fresh Perspective. 1st ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.

Chronological Snobbery

If there is one thing that annoys me about current Christian literature it is what I call “Chronological Snobbery.” By this I mean, the posture that everyone has had it wrong throughout church history up until this point and now the stated author is there to enlighten us all on the true path to God. They make sweeping judgements about church history as they now stand at the pinnacle of all enlightenment and have full understanding of how to do church. As if they would have done things differently if they had been living in the 1700’s or 700’s. After all we have air travel and IPad’s now. Thank-you for finally showing up on the planet mister author and finally “cracking the code,” now we can get on with church as it is supposed to be. Too bad the billions of others that have gone before us haven’t been able to learn from your insight…heh, are they even Christians?

We see this especially in those that long to return to the New Testament church. The argument will go something like this. In Acts 2 God established the church and there were amazing things that happened at that point. They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone had things in common selling what they had and no one was in need. In other words, they believe that it was the “Kum-ba-yah” moment on Thursday night at the end of camp where everyone is crying and fully devoted to God. And then from that moment on, man got a hold of this thing called the church and wrecked it. They raped and pillaged and destroyed this wonderful thing called the church eventually creating of all things structure, leadership and God forbid - programs! And, it is now mister author’s intent to return the church to the blissful incubator state outlined in Acts 2. They want to return the church to its roots and use the new evangelical buzz word “organic” in their attempt to justify this leap. Is that even possible? Meet every day? Sell all that you have…ah…you first. Which New Testament church should we try for, Corinth? Oh wait…

Perhaps church history has more to teach us than how not to do church. Perhaps there are Godly saints gone before us who read the scriptures just like us and truly sought to live out their faith in their context. And perhaps more pointedly, you wouldn’t have done any different if you grew up in their lifetime. Sure there might be the odd example of those going astray from the true teachings of scripture. But, does that mean we paint it all with broad strokes? We as a church stand on the shoulders of those gone before us. It is our duty to read and study about their life, teaching and thinking. Those in the high church tradition get this while we in the “free church” tend to pick and choose our heroes from the past.

In fact, most of this chronological snobbery comes from ignorance. Someone once told me that “for every two Christian books you read from an author that is living, read one from someone who is now dead.” It may be a more difficult read and may not be red hot relevant for your current longings. But, an understanding of your heritage will connect you with the larger story of Christianity. And, you may even learn something that shapes your understanding of the Christian life and application of church today. Good advice, let’s learn from our forefathers, they may have something for us.

Whatever You Do, Don't Mention "Jesus"

I knew of a Christian radio station once that had as its policy to never mention the name of “Jesus” on the air. Rather than delve into the controversial world of who Jesus is, they decided to offer a “positive message” with helpful tips on “how to get the most out of life.” They claimed that they did not want to scare people away from Christianity by proclaiming Jesus, but hoped that people would be drawn into a church because their “non-threatening” message. In a sense, without mentioning Jesus they were hoping that people would be indirectly drawn to him. Without seeing the irony of such a perspective they filled their programming with helpful tips on time management, useful trivia and clean jokes in place of any preaching, testimonies or discussion about Jesus. 

            It all came to a head for me when they started their jokes and jabs at political leaders of the day. Blatantly siding with one political party they started to shade the listener’s perspective of who should be in charge of this country. It was here where I saw an obvious discrepancy. They are willing to make comments about who should be in charge of this country but not of who is in charge of everything? They willingly delve into the controversial world of secular politics but never the controversial person of Jesus? 

I read this book recently called Proclamation and Theology by William Willimon. In it, the he claims, “Faithful preaching is always more than respectful conversation between the gospel and the world as we have received it. Though it is that, preaching is also confrontation, assault, announcement, and collision with the received world, all of which is painful.” He goes on to say “All faithful Christian preaching is in this sense “political,” because it is always involves a dispute over just who is in charge of our world and therefore our lives.”

Although a Christian radio station may not serve the same purpose as a Sunday morning church service, perhaps there are similar blind spots that the modern church has in regard to its own proclamation of the gospel. Can claiming to be Christian without ever broaching the subject of Jesus ever happen?

In an attempt to become relevant, approachable and non-confrontational like this radio station, perhaps the church’s proclamation has denied its life changing power.  Granted, Paul in Acts 17 does spend time building rapport with the Athenians when he talks about their “idol to the unknown God.” But, he moves on from there to talk about the resurrection of Jesus and thus calls people to make a choice between Jesus and this world. It is also easy to see the political overtones with Paul’s use of the term “good news” or “gospel.” He borrows this term from the Roman world where they used it to describe the works of Caesar. When he uses the term Paul is in effect saying that “Jesus is Lord and Caesar is not!”

If all proclamation of the gospel is always a political challenge, can proclamation that doesn’t involve a challenge to “who is really in charge” ever be considered preaching? Is there ever a place for respectful dialog without arriving at Jesus? Can we preach without conflict? While I’m not advocating burning Korans or picketing abortion clinics, perhaps there needs to be more of an edge to our proclamation. Perhaps there needs to be more of a call to come and die.

And perhaps our proclamation of the gospel must be willing to assert that the powers are not in power and Jesus is Lord over all. And maybe I should stop saying “perhaps” and just tell you how it is…

From "iPad" To "iDisciple"

The other day I went to my son’s “Student Led Interview” to see how he was doing in school. They used to call these things “Parent Teacher Interviews.” You remember those days don’t you? When the parents and the teacher got together and talked about your progress. Apparently this former way of doing things was all wrong as students may have felt “bullied” so now we have students there to defend themselves. Heh…The old way seemed to work but who am I to question these new psychological paradigms.

So, I found out in this “student-led interview” that my son was struggling in some area of school. We were shocked because we had never heard this before but even more shocked when the teacher turned to my son right there and asked him for a possible solution! He sat there drawing a blank. You might as well have asked him to solve an advanced math problem. He had no clue - because he is six years old! I find it laughable that he was supposed to solve this problem. That is why he is in school, because he needs teachers to teach him! How can he solve a problem if he has never encountered it before?

Here is the thing; I fear that this mentality maybe creeping into the church when it comes to discipleship as well. There is a line of thinking that attempts to “customize ones experience with God.” The idea is to ask a new Christian what they would like to see happen in their spiritual life much like a trainer would ask someone what they want to accomplish with their gym membership. The disciple then plans their own course, determines their own outcomes and goes about to fulfill their own intentions. Great idea, but not biblical and could actually stunt their spiritual growth.

My experience is that most Christians struggle to understand what a relationship with God is supposed to look like. That is not a put-down, just a reality.

There is a dangerous line of thinking creeping up in the church that places the individual in charge of their own spiritual development and worse, their own measuring rod of spiritual success. If I think I am growing than I am - right? Perhaps I need someone to speak into my life and tell me that I am focused on the wrong things or my theology is way off base. But as long as we make the individual the sole determiner of spiritual development then they determine if they are growing or not. The whole “iPray” and “iFaith” rip off from culture doesn’t help matters either. What is next?- The “iDisciple” program that is all about you?

Don’t get me wrong, “iPads” are great and I will get one soon. But, when using a friend’s recently, I did get the sense that the world is customized and formed all around me the individual rather than having something that I need to adapt to. What if discipleship is having to adapt my thinking and way of life to something transcendent and almighty? We have all heard the joke about the boy who shoots arrows at the barn wall and then goes and paints targets around them. By doing this he shoots a “bulls-eye” every time. Perhaps letting people customize their own discipleship sets them up for a similar fate.

The most spiritually forming times of my life were when someone rebuked me or showed me something about God that I had never known or seen before. It was times that I was pushed to read something that I might not have chosen naturally, or the times I begrudgingly went on a service project only to find my life by losing it. How does an individual’s plan allow for that? Perhaps, we need to somehow allow for the individual to be part of the process but not in charge of the process.

What if we saw spiritual formation and discipleship as a submission? What if we saw it as trusting someone to tell me the things I need to know and not presuming that I already know them? Paul unashamedly and repeatedly came out in is letters and said, “Follow my example.” Or “Put into practice what you saw me do.” Even though our postmodern North American minds are offended by this perceived arrogance, this modeling and mentorship is the biblical way. What would it do to your faith this week to say, “follow my example?” Or better yet, what would it do in the community of faith to see these mentoring relationships all throughout?

I don’t know about you but, I need someone older, wiser and more spiritually mature than me to say like the Apostle Paul, “Follow my example.” So what about you, are you plotting your own course spiritually or are you letting others more mature speak into your life?