The Crux of Faith-Part 1

No doubt, all Christians face numerous critical moments of faith as a result of suffering, tragedy, disappointment, and so on. We have faced them before and we will face them again. These moments are the “crux” of faith. It’s those moments where there is nothing left to do but trust God or give up. This is what makes faith, faith and the amount of times I have been hanging here personally over the last two to three years is remarkable. In this regard, God is killing me through Exodus right now as I study the story of His people beginning their journey with Him by faith out of Egypt. Particularly, chapter fourteen exposes where I am in this struggle and what God is up to in these difficult if not agonizing moments of faith.

In this passage the ex-slaves have been delivered from bondage in miraculous fashion and are now on their way out of Egypt led by Moses. While no doubt battered and weary, I can imagine the people of Israel are rejoicing at their liberation and the reality of God fulfilling His promise to His people. How awesome it must have been to see the wonders of God in Egypt and be constantly led by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire during the night after decades of brutal oppression from Pharaoh and apparent silence from God.

But even at the very beginning of their journey God begins to act in a surprising way. As they are traveling, God gives Moses instructions to “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea” (Ex. 14:2, ESV). Further, God says to Moses in verses three through nine that Pharaoh will witness this rerouting and conclude that the people are wandering and God will subsequently “harden Pharaoh’s heart” and convince him to change his mind and pursue the people of Israel. And that’s exactly what Pharaoh did.

Do you see what God is doing here? He is purposefully redirecting the people to a vulnerable location easily positioned to be destroyed by Pharaoh and his army. In other words God ordained for this to happen. Moses didn’t take a wrong turn. God led them on a detour from their original path to a location at which they would eventually be trapped and simultaneously convince Pharaoh to change his mind and pursue the people. To the naked eye, utter destruction was certain. The people of Israel were at the crux of faith, with nowhere to turn but to God.

Why? What was the reason? God tells us in verse four, “‘And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.’ And they did so.” The point cannot be clearer. God ordains circumstances of suffering and peril for His purposes, and in this passage specifically, His glory. God desired to get glory over Pharaoh. The true God sought to get glory over one who thought he was a god. In addition to Pharaoh, God wanted the entire Egyptian empire to know that He is the LORD, and no one else. At the people’s crux of faith, God wanted to get glory.

As we read this passage and as we face trials of our own, doesn’t it seem like God is doing the opposite of what we think he should be doing? “Surely, this can’t be right”, we say. “I just don’t understand why this is happening?” “Doesn’t God realize what is going on here?” “Does God even care?” “Do you see this God, really?” Yes, Yes and Yes. This is EXACTLY where He wanted Israel and this is EXACTLY where He wants us. Something has happened and we are at a loss as to its purpose and in pain, disappointed, even terrified. We just cannot conceive how God is at work. Let that sink in for a minute. In times like this God has you exactly where He wants you.

This is the first part of the crux of faith. What should we believe? Of which truth(s) should we remind ourselves and rest in? God gets great glory when He works in ways which are inconceivable to us. God gets great glory at the display of His power that goes beyond our own understanding. This almost always involves waiting and periods of seeming spiritual “drought.” In these moments I have been reminded of an uncomfortable grace from God. During these times, God is at work when it feels like He’s nowhere near. These moments should be crystal clear reminders of God’s sovereign hand working in our lives. God is near in the hard times and painful experiences. I am reminded of what James says about suffering. Through it all the Holy Spirit is working in me and producing a more Christ-like, God-glorifying person. As uncomfortable and mind-boggling as it may be, God is working and His is at work through ordaining circumstances of suffering, disappointment, pain, uncertainty, doubt, etc., in our lives and sovereignly displaying His glory through it all.

I’ll end this section with a personal example. Two years ago my family and I faced a terrible tragedy. My aunt (my Dad’s sister) and great aunt (my Dad’s aunt) were murdered by my great aunt’s roommate. If there was ever a test of faith, this was it. This was something we watched reported on the news a million times in the past, but now happening to my family. If there is anything that can undo a person, it’s a tragedy like this. To what or to whom can one turn to for hope, peace, and joy? Nothing in this world. But so many turn to different but unsuccessful means to help cope or forget. Why? So how can God get glory? Well here’s one way. God gets glory when the world sees Christians facing tragedy and yet still possess a supernatural, unshakable joy. This cannot come from anywhere else. Onlookers see something that’s inexplicable yet desirable, a joy in the most painful experiences in life, sustained by God no matter what. Here God gets glory at the display of His power that goes beyond our own understanding.

So does it feel like God is doing the opposite of what He should be doing in your life? Just like the people of Israel, are you facing disappointing, uncertain, painful, even tragic circumstances? We know the rest of the story in chapter fourteen. God conquered Pharaoh and delivered His people in a mighty way. God was on a mission to display His glory through His people to the nations of the earth. But Israel didn’t know this was going to happen at the time. Neither can we foresee what God is going to do in times like these. At this crux of faith, He is teaching you an eternally important truth, that He is sovereignly at work in your life to display His glory and He has the power to accomplish whatever He wills.

And do you know what else God ordained on your behalf? God ordained the suffering and death of His Son Jesus in your place as His greatest display of His glory. Through our repentance and faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can be forgiven and made righteous before God. Jesus suffered. He knows our suffering. He felt every bit of it from the slightest tingle to the deepest blow and just as God sovereignly displayed His glory though the suffering of His Son, He will do the same in your life. He is worthy of all the glory, honor and praise. Amen.

Teen Faith (Part 1)

My youth group and I returned from Summer camp a few days ago and I always try to debrief and identify specific movements of God in my life and my group’s life as well as other significant moments and highlights. Each year is unique in many ways with our group and individuals learning and experiencing different things. God is always at work in many different ways in each soul.

However, some things never change. There are certain truths and issues all teenagers and adults wrestle through. In my own life as a teenager and in my twelve years of student ministry most Christian teenagers (especially in a camp setting or another profound spiritual moment) experience confusion and doubt regarding their salvation. Teens lacking assurance of their faith (and adults for that matter I guess) is likened to standing in the water at the beach. There will be moments of peace and stability but before long a wave is going to come that knocks you off balance. You will regain your balance, then later, another will come.

I believe there are a few primary things that bring about the struggle of assurance that they are saved.

THEY MAY NOT BE

The longer I serve in the church and in student ministry the more clearly I realize the number of unsaved students in the church is greater than I may think. I think of what Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many. For the date is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (ESV). Later in verses 21-23 Jesus also said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many might works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’ (ESV).

Many, MANY will be convinced that they will be received into the Kingdom of Heaven only to realize, when it is too late, that they will be cast out. A primary application of these passages is that there are many, MANY in our churches and youth groups who believe they are saved and are not. Many teenagers struggle to possess assurance of saving faith (and they should) because they do not possess saving faith at all.

CONVICTION OF SIN

A common struggle with teens in their faith is how to handle conviction of sin. Most Christian teenagers when they experience conviction of sin automatically doubt their salvation. They incorrectly reason, “True Christians don’t sin that much, therefore I might not be a true Christian”, or, “Why am I committing the same sins on a regular basis? I must not be saved. My profession of faith when I was younger didn’t ‘take.'” Many also interpret the deep feelings that may accompany conviction such as sorrow, embarrassment, humility, regret, shame, etc., as proof of their lack of salvation. This is one reason why many young people find themselves “asking Jesus into their hearts”, or making another profession of faith, or “rededicating” their lives to Jesus numerous times. They reason that each time they feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, it must mean he or she is being prompted to trust Christ for salvation and become a Christian.

IGNORANCE

Unfortunately, many students question their salvation because of their lack of understanding of what saving faith is and how to actually possess saving faith and its assurance. They simply don’t know, period. They have not been taught well, if at all, what the Bible teaches. They have grown up confused, ignorant, and basing their conclusions on weak doctrine at best and false teaching at worst. They will consistently struggle because they do not have clear biblical answers to their questions. This is not always the church’s or youth pastor’s fault, but too often it is. Much responsibility also lies with Christian parents to teach their children well. Unfortunately, many parents are just as confused and unsure as their children are.

In some following posts, I will address each of these issues in greater detail. What do you think? I know these are pretty broad. Did I miss any?

Old Hymn #2

This hymn is a old one written by Isaac Watts in 1719. It’s a great “call to worship” or “beginning of worship” hymn.

1.Early, my God, without delay, I haste to seek Thy face; my thirsty spirit faints away, without Thy cheering grace.

2.I’ve seen Thy glory and Thy power through all They temple shine; My God, repeat that heavenly hour, that vision so divine.

3.Not all the blessings of a feast can please my soul so well, as when Thy richer grace I taste, and in They presence dwell.

4. Not life itself, with all its joys, can my best passions move, or raise so high my cheerful voice, as Thy forgiving love.

5.Thus till my last expiring day, I’ll bless my God and King; thus will I lift my hands to pray, and tune my lips to sing.

Watts writes the singer as thirsty, in desperate needs of God’s grace. Isn’t this our condition every day and as we gather with the Body each week? We don’t gather as people who are trying to impress or appease God. We gather as a parched people in need of a drink of God’s grace.

Not only are we in such need, what God supplies for our thirst is greater than any other remedy in this world. The greatest feast this earth can present is nothing compared to the spread of God’s grace available to us. Nothing can motivate our desires and wills like God’s fountain of grace.

In response, the grace-filled heart will worship the gracious God until the end.

Amen.

Old Hymn #1

I grew up in a church that preached the Gospel and sang the Gospel. However, it wasn’t until I was much older that I recognized the richness in theology and clarity of the Gospel in many of those old hymns. Many of the hymn writers back in the day were pastor/theologians and they wrote hymns that were Christ-centered and Gospel-saturated.

Singing those hymns is like drinking from a Gospel water hose. Gushing from the hose is glorious, rock solid, crystal clear doctrine of God’s grace and even though we’re trying it’s impossible to take it all in. I wish such songs were a mainstay in church but unfortunately vague and fluffy songs have made their way in. I want songs that will do work on the soul through the power of the Holy Spirit. I want songs that will make the Gospel crystal clear to me as I sing them. I want pastors and worship leaders to create song lists with the aim of building the church just like they want their sermons to.

With this in mind, from time to time I want to post such a hymn, and jot down a few of my thoughts. Like me, you may even recognize an old hymn you have sung for a long time and and get a fresh glimpse of the Gospel.

Today’s hymn is a classic that was sung so much I memorized it early and you may have too.

There Is Power in the Blood (Lewis E. Jones, 1865-1936)

Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood; Would you o’er evil a victor win? There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Would you be free from your passion and pride? There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood; Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide; There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood; Sin stains are lost in its life-giving flow; There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

Would you do service for Jesus your King? There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood; Would you live daily His praises to sing? There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r in the blood of the Lamb; There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r in the precious blood of the Lamb.

After reviewing this hymn, I noticed something for the first time with greater clarity. The hymn-writer, Lewis E. Jones, writes this hymn as four questions with the Gospel as the answer to each. How do we have freedom from the consequences of sin? It’s the Gospel! What sanctifies us in the presence of sin? It’s the Gospel! What gives us the motivation and power to serve Jesus? It’s the Gospel! This wonder-working power of the Gospel does the miracles in our souls to bring about and accomplish God’s will in all of life, at conversion and beyond.

How Important Is Theology? Part 3

Many youth pastors make the mistake of “dumbing things down” in an effort to to make their messages appealing and understandable to their audience. Hence, the hidden assumption that a theological rich, sound message and an appealing, understandable, “relevant” message are mutually exclusive.

When I say “dumbing it down” I am thinking of the act of removing the essential “meat” of the truth and vaguely covering it instead. The audience is left with light explanation and defense and application of the truth.

This way of thinking reveals an assumption about teenagers. It assumes that teenagers simply cannot understand sound doctrine and that such preaching and teaching would be “over their heads.” Teenagers are more resilient than many think. I have found that theologically rich teaching and preaching actually inspires thinking and questions from even the youngest of teenagers. They are capable of pondering heavy things and difficult concepts. They are capable of sitting and listening to a message that is biblically sound and teaches accurate doctrine. But because of this oversight, many youth pastors develop weak and vague messages that contain little solid ground upon which teenagers can stand in the name of relevance, appeal, understanding, and even entertainment.

So what do we do? We understand that we can preach theologically rich and biblically sound messages that are appropriate and relevant and appealing. It’s not either one or the other. It’s BOTH. It’s a must. It is possible to lead a preaching/teaching ministry that is theologically sound but is also not “over their heads.” It is possible to preach a sermon that captures your teenage audience and also captures their hearts with Holy Spirit-inspired, rich, theological, truth. It is possible, and I believe, imperative to preach the excellencies of Jesus and the glory of the Gospel in a fruitful way.

“Yeah, but they’re teenagers!” Yes, we must use wisdom and we must consider our audience. We do want to make our teaching “appropriate.” In other words, there are degrees of teaching and preaching that are inappropriate for teenagers. There actually is a way to teach the doctrine of the Trinity to teenagers that is engaging and capturing. There is also a way to teach the doctrine of the Trinity to teenagers that will leave them bewildered. I might teach this doctrine on a certain level to students but on a different level to adults. There is a way to preach sound sermons and conduct deep Bible studies that connect with teenagers and there is also a way to do these things that fall on them as incomprehensible. Wisdom must be used to discern how to do it best with your audience. I have found that when this work is done, the Holy Spirit creates a hunger in students for more truth.

My encouragement is to do the hard work this requires. Do the extensive study to make sure you are helping your students build their house on the rock. Do whatever it takes. Create the time you need to study and pray over your messages if you don’t have it. Don’t be afraid to bring in teachers and preachers who are better than you to serve your ministry. Don’t give in to the practice of preaching weak messages with little substance. Don’t cave to the idea that you must preach very entertaining but weak messages if you want to keep a crowd. You can keep the crowd and preach solid messages at the same time. Do it. Just do it.

How Important Is Theology? Part 2

In Part One I gave a brief definition of theology and and critiqued the question, “How Important Is Theology?” In the posts to come I want to further demonstrate its importance particularly in student ministry.

Theology and “Student Ministry” Are Not Mutually Exclusive

To make sure we’re still thinking correctly, again, let’s make sure to not make the error discussed in the last post. Many think “theology” and “student ministry” are mutually exclusive. “How in the world is theology relevant to teenagers and student ministry?”, you might ask. But as I mentioned in Part 1, if you have a correct definition of theology it will be the foundation of your ministry and what drives your ministry. It will also be beautiful, better said, God will be beautiful in your ministry.

Rock or Sand?

When thinking about theology in student ministry my thoughts turn to Jesus’ illustration in Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus has just concluded the Sermon on the Mount which clearly taught the people what it means to live as a true follower of God. To summarize Jesus’s illustration, He says hearing His words and obeying them is like building a house on rock. In that area, builders knew that to have a solid foundation they must not build their house directly on the sand but must dig deep to find the solid bedrock that would be a suitable foundation. Builders want to build their houses on the most solid of foundations so their houses can withstand the inclement weather that will come. Jesus says such a builder is “wise.”  

To apply the illustration, we all are builders and the “house” we are building is our faith. The person who listens to the words of Jesus and obeys them will have a sturdy foundation for life. Such a foundation will be needed because “inclement weather” will come and threaten the integrity of the “house.” Tragedy, loss, sin, injustice, illness, pain, and other crises will approach and “beat against” our faith. The only faith that can withstand is the faith that rests only on Jesus. And we demonstrate that we have faith in Jesus (built our house on rock) when we listen to Him and obey. 

Jesus also says a “foolish” builder is one who builds their house on sand. The house built on sand obviously has a very weak support. Sand shifts easily in wind and water and under weight. Sand is not a good foundation for a house. When the inclement weather came, the house was easily destroyed. The house may have been built well and look nice but without a solid support structure, it will fall. Anyone listening to this illustration would have agreed with Jesus.

To apply the illustration here, someone whose faith rests on anything or anyone other than Jesus is foolish. Any foundation other than Jesus is sand. Why? Because as soon as “inclement weather” comes, their faith will crumble. Jesus is saying that believing in anything or anyone else will not support you in the “storms of life” or even when seeking truth. To build your faith on the unstable foundation of self-righteousness is foolish, Jesus implies. A weak faith shifts with the changing culture, crises, and external, surface-level religion. Jesus is the only wise foundation upon which we should build our lives and He is calling on His audience to determine upon which kind of foundation will they build their faith.

Truth to Build Their Lives On

A pastor I used to serve with often said that one of the primary things teenagers need most is “truth to build their lives on.” Students need truth. They are searching for truth whether they tell you they are or not. They are wrestling with truth all the time. In his book, Gospel-Powered Parenting, William Farley cites Puritan preacher William Gurnall, who said that children’s minds are like spiritual gardens (Farley, 179). They are taking in life and absorbing knowledge and experience. They are making big and small decisions, forming a worldview, and becoming theologians as they walk through the streets in our city and halls of our ministry. What is being planted and growing in the hearts and minds of our students? Right now, teenagers are building their house.

So what does this have to do with theology? Let’s make sure we understand the connection between Jesus, His teaching, truth, and theology. I am arguing that our response to the Bible, Jesus’s life and teaching, is theology. What we say and do based on God’s truth is theology. The conclusions about God that we draw and His purposes for His creation is theology. The truth or foundation we teach our students to build their lives upon is a result of theology.

As their shepherd, what kind of foundation are you helping them lay? Based on your leadership, upon what kind of foundation are the teenagers entrusted to you being taught to build their “faith?”  Sound theology is central to the task of guiding teenagers to build their house upon the rock.

PBS (Personal Bible Study) Matthew 15:32-39

One of Matthew’s tasks in his gospel is to demonstrate what true faith or true “religion” really is to his readers. In his gospel Matthew explains that faith in Jesus of Nazareth, the promised Messiah, is what pleases God, not mere external religious acts meant to impress Him and the community.

Matthew records a number of stories that demonstrate what this faith looks like. Recall the story of the faith of the centurion in Matthew 8:5-13. Here the centurion has such great faith in Jesus that he humbly but confidently believes that Jesus can heal his son remotely. Matthew records Jesus as astonished and clearly noting that the faith of this gentile centurion is greater than any Israelite. 

In 9:27-31 Jesus heals two blind men because they believed in Him and that He had the power to do so. Jesus asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” The blind men replied, “Yes, Lord.” Then Jesus said, “According to your faith be it done to you.”

Matthew also gives his readers the grounds for having such a faith in Jesus. Matthew records Jesus demonstrating His deistic power proving that He is the Son of God, about whom the Scriptures foretold. Matthew highlights Jesus’ miracles and the astonishment of the crowds throughout his account.

In 15:21-28 Matthew records the story of Jesus and the Canaanite woman. Here the woman shows persistent yet humble faith in Jesus that He can heal her daughter and because of her faith Jesus heals her daughter instantly. 

It was the faith of the centurion that moved Jesus to heal the centurion’s son and the two blind men and the Canaanite woman’s daughter. Matthew wants his readers to know that this is what pleases God, an humble but confident, unflinching faith in Jesus. Yet even though a centurion, two blind men, and a Canaanite woman had such faith, we see in today’s passage that many of Jesus’ followers, including those closest to Him, His disciples, still did not. 

We must note Jesus’ compassion on the crowd and their most basic physical needs by being concerned about their lack of food and the journey they would have to take back home in their current famished state. In fact Jesus is “unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way” (v. 23). Jesus knows what He’s going to do, and of course, that He has the power to do it. However, Jesus has a lesson in mind for those closest to Him, His disciples. With His concern for their hunger and His desire to provide food for them, Jesus presents the problem and exposes His own disciples’ lack of faith in Him.

This seems baffling to the reader. Jesus has just previously healed the Canaanite woman’s daughter because of her great faith and thereafter healed a great number of people with all kinds of sicknesses and disabilities at the Sea of Galilee (15:29-31). And yet the disciples doubted that Jesus could provide food for the multitude of people. They witnessed Jesus heal crippled people and make blind people see but they questioned Jesus about meeting the need at hand. 

I am like the disciples. We all are like the disciples. Even though we have witnessed God do great things, impossible things, things that are hard to believe, our faith still falters, especially when the situation involves us personally. Jesus presented the problem to the disciples and they quickly started thinking about how they were going to scrape together enough food for thousands of people. To them, it was laughable, insanity, to believe that they could get enough food together for everyone. 

Too often, that’s my approach. In big things and even in little things, I quickly turn to my thinking, my knowledge, my abilities, my means to solve the problem. And if I think it’s impossible then I get discouraged and give up. In such times, my small faith is exposed. What a weak faith I have! O ME of little faith! As Matthew reveals the omnipotence of Jesus throughout his gospel, God also intends for me to learn that the power of Jesus is available to me as He accomplishes His purposes for and through me. True faith in Jesus is a humble but confident, unflinching, faith in Jesus.

 

Jesus Christ, the merciful, compassionate, omnipotent Son of God desires for me to trust in Him in all things and humbly yet confidently rely on Him at all times. Jesus has the authority and power to meet all of my needs in all of my circumstances according to His will. My faith is weak and I am idolatrous when I look to myself or other things for comfort, provision, wisdom, and solution. A true follower of Jesus has an unflinching faith in HIM like the centurion or the Canaanite woman trusting God to provide no matter what, in the miraculous and the mundane. 

The point is to worship Jesus. The point is to trust Jesus. The point is to believe Jesus. The point is to be drawn to Jesus and nothing else. The all-powerful, merciful, compassionate Son of God.

How Important Is Theology?

The Big Question

“How important is theology?” Several years ago I was asked this question in the context of a discussion on student ministry and the local church. It had not been the first time I had participated in such discussions and it has not been the last.

Usually, lying behind this question is an assumption or belief that in the grand scheme of things theology is not that important when it comes to the real, practical, day in and day out ground work of student ministry. To begin, I want to briefly define what “theology” actually is and then mention several problems with thinking on “theology” and student ministry this way.

Definition of Theology

Theology comes from “theos” (god) and “logos” (reason, word, discourse, order).  Theology is simply the discourse of, reasoning, studying, thinking about God.  Any time we think about God, who He is, His nature, what He does, His character, His attributes, and His relation to the world, we are actually thinking about or “doing” theology. McGrath says that, “Theology is discourse about God…” (McGrath, 141).

In a theology class students are usually systematically studying theology with the goal of developing a more cohesive and ordered understanding of the nature of God and His purpose for and mission in the world according to the Scriptures. Erikson writes, “…that discipline which strives to give a coherent statement of the doctrines of the Christian faith, based primarily on the Scriptures, placed in the context of culture in general, worded in a contemporary idiom, and related to issues of life” (Erickson, 23). 

So theology is the thinking about, study of, talking about God which can be and is highly developed into systematic, rigorous, scholarly study. My aim however is to keep in mind the average teenager (or even the average adult church attender for that matter) in this discussion. With this understanding in mind here are a few problems with thinking about theology as unessential and unimportant.

Two Problems

Problem 1. All of us, not just some of us, are theologians. A “theologian” is not just a professor, renowned author, or pastor. A “theologian” is not an occupation or title for a few people but an innate part of all people. Everyone is a theologian whether they realize it or not. Youth pastors are theologians. The students in our churches and cities are theologians, all having different beliefs and assumptions about God.

Think about it. Every teenager, every human being has beliefs about God. Every teenager in your city has beliefs about their souls, purpose in life, relationships, the Bible, eternity, Heaven, Hell, Jesus, the Gospel, sexuality, sin, and truth. They are being taught and believing various things and will enter eternity with them.

This is the REAL problem here: There are good theologians and bad theologians. A good theologian is one whose theology is in accordance with the Scriptures. A bad theologian is one whose theology is not in accordance with the Scriptures.

Problem 2. Many see “theology” as separate and unnecessary and therefore unimportant to student ministry.  For many, when thinking about theology, visions of 600 page text books, term papers, and boring seminary professors appear. These see “theology” as an independent, distant, and irrelevant subject having little to do with “real” ministry. Again, this is where a correct definition of “theology” and “theologian” is essential.

Since all students and youth pastors are theologians and all of us are “doing” theology, this has huge implications on our ministries. We are always teaching the Bible (hopefully), teaching about God, Jesus, sin, salvation, relationships, Heaven, Hell, pride, humility, the Gospel, character, the church, missions, etc. When we counsel students and parents, when we share the Gospel, when we evaluate our ministries and programs, when we respond to student and parent feedback, when we establish our vision, goals, and objectives, when we read the Bible and have our personal Bible study, no matter how we feel about “theology” it is a huge part of our lives and ministries and not separate from them. We are always teaching and demonstrating it. We are always doing theology.

Start Thinking Correctly

I’ll now confess that I left my above definition of theology short. I did that for two reasons. One, so I could conclude with my central point. Two, so I could demonstrate a central error when thinking about theology.

William Ames defined theology as “…living to God” (Ames,  The Marrow of Theology, 77-78). Theology is ultimately defined  as how one lives which is determined by what one believes about reality, truth, and God. Here lies the disconnect for many: many cannot see the essential connection between theology and life. Many see theology like we see Algebra 2 or Trigonometry, having very little if nothing to do with real life. However, with a correct view of theology we will see that theology is life and life is theology and vastly important to student ministry.

A correct definition of theology and theologian helps us see what’s really happening behind the question, “How important is theology?” Those who have a negative view are not defining theology correctly. If one thinks theology is a list of facts about God in a 600 page text book or a semester-long series of boring lectures then yes, most would have a negative view of theology. But that’s not theology. If theology is defined correctly then theology will not be boring but beautiful as the glory and grace of God is revealed in the Scriptures. Theology defined and “done” correctly will lead to glad worship of God.

In the next post I will discuss further the definition of theology, more problems, and its value in student ministry.

 

Hard Thoughts About God-In Parenting, C.J. Mahaney

In his recent sermons on Jude, C.J. spoke about the tendency of Christians to have an inaccurate view of God the Father and to have “hard thoughts about God.”

In the first message C.J. said, “I have interacted with many Christians over the years who are not certain of God’s love for them. They can be reluctant to admit it, but they aren’t convinced in their heart and mind that God loves them. In light of their sin and the holiness of God they wonder whether God does indeed love them.”

After the message C.J. received an email from a father who fears that he is unintentionally introducing to his children these hard thoughts about God. He wants to know what to do to model the grace and love of God to his children. Here is the email exchange between C.J. and John (not his real name).

———————

Hi, C.J.—

Thanks for your message from Jude on Sunday. It is always a privilege to hear God’s Word through you. I am reminded of His grace to me through the truths preached by you over decades now.

When you noted how we often have hard thoughts of God and fail to appreciate His initiating love, I immediately thought of my example and communication about God to my kids. And when you asked at the end, “What are you most worried about?”, I think it is that I will hinder my children from knowing that God not only rightly expects their obedience and submission—a bar they cannot possibly reach—but also that he loves them as a Father so deeply that He sent His son for them.

I am afraid they do have hard thoughts of God and that’s largely because of my own sinfulness (anger, impatience, anxiety), which I am eager to continue killing by the Spirit. But apart from that, the question I have is, how do we as parents insist that our children obey us in the Lord without cultivating hard thoughts of Him?

Grateful for any thoughts you would have on this.

John

———————

John,
 
This a great question that I can’t possibly cover fully in one email. But here are a few thoughts that I hope are helpful.

• You have the privilege of introducing them to God the Father and describing the ways in which he is different from you, different from all sinful fathers, and how in any way you are like him it’s only because of grace that you reflect him. See Luke 11:11–13.

• Your honest confession of your sin to your children will protect them from having hard thoughts about you or God.

• Communicating your affection for them—and joy when you are with them—promotes both good and accurate thoughts about God.

• Initiate time with them at both planned and spontaneous times. Don’t leave them with the impression that they get most of your attention when they disobey. Let them know you are so grateful for them and love being with them as much as possible.

• Bless your children with many gifts in many forms! See Luke 11 again. Study your children in order to discern what gifts would genuinely bless them and then purpose to surprise them as often as possible.

• Requiring appropriate obedience does not promote hard thoughts about God. This only happens when we do so in self-righteousness or anger. See point 2 again.

• Frequently preach the gospel to them (and not at them). Reveal to your children just how far God has gone to show his love for sinners like us.

My friend, if you follow the example of our gracious God, your children will not have hard thoughts about him. They will have accurate thoughts about him—and a deep love for you.
 
I hope these brief thoughts help, John.
 
C.J

Parents Are Off the Hook…

Follow the link below to a good article on parenting and the sovereignty of God.

http://www.outwalking.net/2010/02/god-children-and-the-limits-of-parental-sovereignity.html