The Mist of Technology

I have a new computer at church!

It's a Dell Inspiron laptop. It comes with Windows Vista. I got a docking station for it. This new computer has all the bell and whistles. It's pretty sleek. I'm excited to have it.

The new computer replaces the old one that crashed. Nine years ago, that old computer was the hot new technology. Dell desktop. Windows 98. 15" monitor. Long ago, it was the latest and greatest. Now, it's all forgotten. It's destiny is the junk bin.

In our quest to get the latest and greatest technology, how many of us see that the shelf life of today's technology is a metaphor for our own shelf life?

James 4:14 asks, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."

I'm glad I have the Lord and the Lord has me.

Because I want to last longer than my new computer.

The Battle We Face

I read this quote by Ronald Rolheiser the other day and thought, "Wow, that captures the human condition:

"We want to be a saint, but we also want to feel every sensation experienced by sinners; we want to be innocent and pure, but we also want to be experienced and taste all of life; we want to serve the poor and have a simple lifestyle, but we also want all the comforts of the rich; we want to have the depth afforded by solitude, but we also do not want to miss anything; we want to pray, but we also want to watch television, read, talk to friends, and go out.

It's a small wonder that life is often a trying enterprise, and that we are often tired and pathologically overextended."

From Rolheiser's book, The Holy Longing: The Search for A Christian Spirituality

Struggling against opposing desires. I've been there. You too?

Baseball Uniform Magic

For five years, Dirk Hayhurst has been a right handed reliever in the San Diego Padres' farm system. By his own admission, he wonders if he'll ever make it to the major leagues. But he keeps dreaming and keeps playing.

And because he wears a baseball uniform, people think he's special:

A mother brought her son past the bullpen a few days back. As they approached, we instinctively acted as if our attention was wrapped up in the game; looking away from them, avoiding eye contact...

"Hello," said the mother. We said nothing in return and continued to act as if we couldn't see or hear her. She stumbled at our coldness, and cast hear eyes around sadly. She looked at her son, who never took his eyes off us, smiled, and then mustered enough courage to try again.

Fans can be pretty selfish and rude, but what happens next is pretty neat and goes to show how a sports uniform can create some magical moments in the life of a child.

Hayhurst may not be a top tier baseball player, but he's a darn good story teller.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Madness

I love the headline of today's New York Daily News:

The Evil Has Landed

That's an accurate description of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is New York City for two days. Ahmadinejad denies the historicity of the holocaust, openly espouses the destruction of Israel, believes he will usher in the Islamic version of the end times, is secretly trying to build a nuclear bomb, is fighting a proxy war with the United States in Iraq-- and for all this, he gets invited to speak at Columbia University.

The AP reports:

Columbia's invitation has drawn howls from politicians, religious groups and other organizations. But the university has not backed down, and its president, Lee Bollinger has promised to grill Ahmadinejad on subjects such as human rights, the Holocaust and Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Bollinger is president of a major American university, so I presume he's a pretty smart guy. But where is the wisdom in giving a forum to an evil lying fool?

Who is more stupid? The fool who speaks? Or, the person who thinks he can reason with him?

As the great social critic G.K. Chesterton once observed, "It's not that we don't have enough scoundrels to curse; it's that we don't have enough good men to curse them."

Ahmadinejad's visit to Columbia brings to mind a few choice Proverbs about fools who speak and fools who listen to them:

"Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool." Proverbs 26:1

"Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips." Proverbs 14:7

"Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words." Proverbs 23:9

"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." Proverbs 18:2

"He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin." Proverbs 10:10

C0lumbia is an Ivy League school?

I say, Poison Ivy.

10 Problems with Evolution

Highly respected Christian philosophy J.P. Moreland has posted at Christianity Today his top 5 books on apologetics-- that is, reasons that support the feasibility of Christian faith.

One of Moreland's recommended books is Dr. Jonathan Wells' "Icons of Evolution." While Wells belongs to Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church-- which most Christians recognize as a cult because its teaching are incompatible with Christian theology-- Moreland nevertheless is impressed with Wells' arguments that expose the problems of evolution and reveal the evidence of divine creation.

If you click on Wells' Amazon blog, you'll see 10 reasons why evolutionary theory is problematic.

Here are the first five. I especially like arguments 1 and 4.

1. The root of the controversy is not evolution, but Darwinism. Evolution can mean simply change within existing species, a fact that people have known for centuries. But Darwinism claims that all living things are descended from a common ancestor by unguided natural processes such as random mutations and survival of the fittest – and that what appears to be design in living things is just an illusion.

2. Intelligent design is not religion, but science. Intelligent design maintains that we can infer from evidence in nature that some features of the universe and living things are better explained by an intelligent cause than by unguided processes. It is not biblical creationism, but empirical science. Darwinists claim it is not scientific because it is untestable – but they also claim they have tested it and proven it wrong.

3. The evidence does not support Darwinism. First, the fossil record turns Darwin's theory upside down. Second, no matter what we do to a fruit fly embryo, the only possible outcomes are a normal fruit fly, a defective fruit fly, or a dead fruit fly; no Darwinian evolution. Third, comparisons of molecules such as DNA do not provide support for Darwinian theory, but lead to conflicting conclusions. Finally, no one has
ever observed the origin of even one species by Darwin’s process of variation and selection.

4. Darwinism has made no valuable contributions to biology. Darwinists boast that "nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution," but the major disciplines of biology – including anatomy, botany, embryology, genetics, microbiology, paleontology, physiology and zoology – were founded either before Darwin or by scientists who rejected his theory. Agriculture and medicine – the two disciplines that have provided us with the most practical benefits – owe nothing to Darwinism.

5. Biology and cosmology both provide evidence for intelligent design. The computer-like code in DNA, and the complex molecular machines inside living cells, cannot be produced by unguided processes but point to a designing intelligence. So does that fact that Earth is unusually well suited not only for life, but also for scientific discovery.

Read 6-10 here.

The Message Among the Noise

The other day I was at the nursing home reading Scripture to a resident.

We were in the lobby and there was noise everywhere-- the front door opening and closing, the receptionist greeting people, the telephone ringing, other people in the lobby talking, the TV booming. As I read, my voice got progressively louder trying to compete with the noise.

There's an analogy here. The Gospel of Jesus is one voice among the many in the world. Its message competes with all the others being made in the world.

And yet, God doesn't turn up the noise to get Himself heard. God speaks through ordinary means-- through His people, through pages of His Word, through His creation, and through His Spirit.

God speaks in hushed tones. Yet His message is undeniable.

Two Members of Congress Visit Little River

People who live in the big city rarely think about how that food on their plate reaches their store or restaurant. It just shows up, right? Fortunately, there's one influential member of congress from the big city who is thinking about the question.

Last Wednesday, Democratic congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut visited Little River, Kansas at the invitation of our congressman Jerry Moran. As chair of the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Subcommittee-- which oversees a $98 billion budget-- DeLauro came to see firsthand what Kansas farmers do.

Several area agricultural producers met the congressional pair at Cheryl's Cafe for lunch and then went out to visit the farm of Kendall Hodgson, whose a member of our church. Kendall is a no-till farmer who raises wheat, soybeans, milo, corn, alfalfa and also beef cattle. In discussing the challenges that Kansas farmers face, DeLauro also heard from local farmers Kenny Carlton, Nathan Olander, and Randall Olander.

Afterwards, Congressman Moran said in his newsletter:

"With rural areas losing representation in Congress, [DeLauro's visit] was a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between two members of Congress who represent two very different parts of the country. I wish there were more examples in Congress of representatives, regardless of party label, working together to solve problems and improve life for Americans. I am thankful for Congresswoman DeLauro’s interest, time and commitment to issues we care about in Kansas."

I too echo the appreciation. When Democrats and Republicans work together like this, it's a newsworthy event that deserves greater attention.

Kathy Griffin Un-Thanks Jesus

Kathy Griffin is getting her 15 minutes of fame.

She's already a well known comedian and actress, but after "un" thanking Jesus during her Emmy award acceptance speech, people like me who never heard of her before are doing so now.

Last night on Larry King Live she elaborated a bit on her speech:

"What I was making fun of is... I love these award shows... I watch them... I always think it's funny when the rappers and the starlets and the athletes... And they get an award and they thank Jesus, as if Jesus doesn't have anything better to do than make sure that someone got their People's Choice Award... and he also helps if you're trying to get a 3 pointer from the line. And he helps if your premiere is going to make $10 million this weekend... Jesus is not busy in Darfur. He's very busy helping Hollywood celebrities win awards."

On this point, she's on target and I'm laughing with her.

A rapper wins an award for his foul-mouthed, misogynist, violent filled video and then says, "I'd like to thank God for allowing me to win." What did a holy and righteous God have to do with that? Too often celebrities thank God for petty, self-centered, and vain accomplishments.

But Kathy, could you be admitting a bit too much here?

Is it possible that your accomplishments and your Emmy award... the one you said, "This is my God now,"... are also insignificant and ultimately irrelevant?

Kathy, I pray you'll discover a bigger God (one that doesn't need dusting) and a bigger purpose for life (more than just me, me, me).

You might look to that guy named Jesus.

25 Things Every Man Should Know

Popular Mechanics, a magazine I've never read much, has a list of 25 things every man should know how to do.

Here's the first 10:

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench

Ut oh. I'm in trouble. I'll blame this on my dad. He never taught me these things.

I never was much mechanically inclined. Some people make their living with their hands, some with their mouth. I use my mouth... and too often it's tongue tied.

The rest of the list is here. How do you rate?

Read This If You Went to Seminary

If you ever went to seminary-- quick! Go to this link before it's taken down.

It's the humorous and completely fake blog journal of well known and highly respected evangelical scholar D.A. Carson of Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Illinois.

In The Secret Diary of D.A. Carson, inspired by the fake blog of Apple genius Steve Jobs, "Carson" boasts about his badminton skills, coaches John Piper to be a better preacher, and loathes the emerging church movement. Here's a sample post in the form of Q & A:

"Hey, D.A.! Quick question: what's the 'A.' stand for?" -Alph

Well, originally my parents named me Donald Arthur, but I had the "A." legally changed to "Awesome" in 1978 shortly after I definitively defeated J.I. Packer in a game of badminton. Old goat never even saw it coming...

Apparently, Trinity Seminary isn't exactly pleased with the humor and is threatening to bring down the blog, which is written by four guys. In turn, the Evangelical Outpost wonders about the limits of humor.

Personally, I think its hilarious.

Applying 1 Corinthians 1-4

While I've struggled making sense of all that the Apostle Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 1-4, this much I do know:

The cross is central to my faith and theology.

My friend Dr. Dan Wallace of Dallas Theological Seminary says that too often believers organize their theological beliefs like dominoes. So if they begin to question, say their belief of how the end times unfold, they fear that everything else about their faith is also wrong.

Instead, Wallace suggests, and I concur, that we should arrange our beliefs in a concentric circle. In the center (or bulls eye) are the core essentials of the Christian faith. Toward the outside are less crucial aspects of the faith, like how the end times occur.

As for me, in the center of the center is the cross-- Jesus is God in human form who came down from heaven, lived a perfect and righteous life, died for our sins, and rose again on the third day. He ascended into heaven and will one day come again. Salvation is by grace alone, by faith alone, in Jesus alone. The cross is what sets Christianity apart from all the world's religions.

How Paul Addresses the Division at Corinth

The proud and divisive Corinthian church was on the brink of splintering apart.

How does the Apostle Paul appeal for its unity?

First, he calls on the people at Corinth to focus on their common destiny (1:1-9). God has chosen them for Himself, given them His grace, and will keep them strong, so that in the end, "you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1:8). God's own faithfulness assures all this (1:9).

Second, he urges Corinth to focus on how God brought them into this destiny-- Christ and his cross (1:18-2:6). It was not their superior insight or wise words that put them on track to glory. No, it is the atoning work of Jesus Christ that did it all. At the cross, everyone is on equal ground; everyone is needy. To the perishing, this message of the cross is foolishness. But to those who believe, the cross is God's wisdom.

Third, he calls on the Corinthians to focus on how the message of the cross was brought to them (2:6-3:23). God's ideas are shared by God's Holy Spirit. The message of the cross originated with God; it comes from Him, not the world. The cross-- where a humiliated and beaten man becomes the world's only hope for salvation-- is entirely God's idea-- God's wisdom. Such wisdom runs entirely counter to the world's notion that picking up yourself by the bootstraps makes you commendable to God or self-realization brings about escape/redemption. Those who proclaim a message void of the Holy Spirit will find out the insignificance of their words at the judgment, while those who proclaim the Spirit's message will see that it lasts.

Finally, Paul tells Corinth to put the role of speakers/preachers into proper perspective (4:1-21). Christian leaders are not in competition with one another. The goal isn't to win over a clique with flowery language and demonstrate how superior you are in wisdom. Rather, preachers are called to be servants of the congregation, under God. They are not be idolized, but they should be given due honor and respect. If you think a leader isn't doing a good job, don't worry. All leaders will face God's scrutiny.

In summary, Paul appeals for unity among the divisive Corinthians by urging them to focus on their common destiny in Jesus Christ, made possible by this foolish event called the cross, which is God's wisdom conveyed by the Holy Spirit.

I think Paul's point is this: The center of Christianity is Christ and his cross. The main thing then is to keep the main thing the main thing.

The Problem of Wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1-4

In the last post I confessed my frustration understanding the Bible, especially 1 Corinthians. It's difficult because we're reading one side of a conversation, without a full description of the problem facing the Corinthian church.

So what exactly is the problem that the Apostle Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 1-4?

Here's my best crack at it.

The problem at Corinth is that church members have divided themselves into different camps-- resulting in a petty game of who has superior knowledge. Each division is led by a skilled speaker who "represents" a Christian leader-- Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and even Jesus.

Part of the debate focuses on baptism, which explains why Paul says he's glad he didn't baptize many in Corinth. Much of the debate has to do with "wisdom," because Paul uses this term often-- many times turning the phrase against the Corinthians. And part of the problem has to do with the Corinthian church disrespecting Paul and special role God gave him as an Apostle.

Like knowledgeable football fans in our age, the people in Corinth (and Roman-Greek society) had training in what makes for good speaking. In our age, we have so many choices for entertainment-- TV, radio, I-pods, cell phones, video games, etc. But in Paul's era 2,000 years ago, public speaking and theater was the prominent entertainment of the day.

The speakers were members of the Corinthian church and had some skills in rhetoric, which explains their ability to draw a dedicated audience. These speakers were genuine Christians, yet the content of their speeches-- their nuggets of wisdom-- were taken straight from the world. It was a type of wisdom that opposed God's wisdom-- wisdom that Paul had shared via his Apostolic office. These speakers were immature in their faith, which explains the immaturity of their wisdom, looking to the world instead of God's revelation. The result of their speaking divided the church into splinter groups. Each one boasted of its peculiar wisdom. Each one thought of themselves as superior. Pride and pettiness was ruining the church.

So how does Paul appeal to the Corinthians to put aside their differences and reunite as a church? That'll be the next post.

My Confession about the Bible

I have a confession.

The Bible frustrates me.

Yes, I'm a pastor and all pastors are supposed to revere the Word of God, preach it faithfully to their congregations, and study it for themselves each and every day. In many ways, evangelical ministers are advocates for the reliability and truthfulness of the Scriptures. I do all these things, yet that still doesn't change the fact that sometimes the Bible frustrates me to no end. The Bible is truth without error, but that doesn't mean then it's easy to interpret.

Right now I'm preaching through 1 Corinthians. In chapters 1-4, the Apostle Paul is pleading with his young church in Corinth, Greece to put aside their petty divisions and be a united church. And yet, the way Paul pleads for unity-- to me-- is hard to appreciate.

What we're reading is a one sided telephone conversation. Paul is wholly familiar with the problem at Corinth (1:11), and we're given some details to the problem (1:12), but I'm still left scratching my head as to precisely the problem causing all the divisiveness.

Even more frustrating to me is what Paul says in response. He writes skillfully and persuasively, but also in stream of consciousness (1:16). His reasoning-- to me-- is obscure. As I keep reading chapters 1-4, I keep asking myself, "Why is Paul saying this? Why will this be the answer to end quarrels?" I comprehend the words, but I don't get why he's saying them.

And I have to preach this on Sunday?

Fortunately, there's people who are much smarter than me, or more patient than me, in reading Paul. And I've benefited a lot from their wisdom in discerning Paul. And because of those scholars, I have a small grip of what Paul is saying and why.

So if in reading you're Bible you come across something that causes you to scratch your head, don't fret too much. Do as Dr. Howard Hendricks says, "If something you read in Scripture is too difficult to figure out, just eat the meat and put the bones to the side."

State Fair Opens...Beating Those Carnival Games

The Kansas State Fair opens today and runs through September 16.

Even though it's always a fun day, I doubt I'll be taking the gang this year. You can't go without dropping at least $50 and frankly I need to spend the money elsewhere... like on golf.

Anyway, if you're going to the Fair, here's some insightful tips on how to beat carnival games.

What I Think About Evolution

What do you believe about evolution?

This question was asked by one of the youth in my church. Right now, evolution is the topic in high school science class. The teacher asked students to survey friends and family on a few questions.

Given all the recent debate within the Kansas Board of Education and the media hoopla, whenever evolution gets talked about in Kansas, its bound to create sparks.

In short, I believe that pure evolution is impossible. That is, Darwin's theory of absolutely random and entirely natural processes accounting for life forms is scientifically, philosophically, and theologically impossible. It's about as likely as setting a money down at a keyboard and expecting it to type out Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Something intelligent had to guide the creation process and I apologetically believe that someone is God. As Genesis 1:1 declares, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

I also believe that humans didn't evolve from apes. Scientifically, I don't think the evidence is overwhelming. Theologically, the Genesis text says repeatedly, "each according to its kind." While I don't subscribe to macro-evolution, I do believe in micro-evolution-- changes within species. If you're interested in further reading, a great book that exposes the shortcomings of evolutionary theory is Phillip Johnson's Darwin on Trial.

The next question among Christians is, "Do you believe in a young earth or old earth?" Was the world created in 6 literal days or over millions of years (6 days then being figurative)? First of all, it's important to say that this is not a core essential issue to the faith. As Vance at Euangelion says, no one should be dogmatic; this is an intermural debate. The two camps each have good arguments. I've heard Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis and I've skimmed books by Hugh Ross and William Dembski. Personally, I lean toward six days. I mean, if God wanted to create the earth in six literal days, why couldn't He?

While Christians argue vehemently over the meaning of six days, Eugene Peterson in his book, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, says believers are missing the point. The creation account in Genesis is a call to get involved in God's world. To love, create, and cooperate with God.

I'm gonna try and do that today.

Three Tenses of Salvation

Saved.

Years ago, singer-songwriter Bob Dylan made this confession and experienced a flurry of chaos-- critics who thought he was crazy and insincere Christians who wanted a piece of him. Dylan backed away from his remark, but one thing remains-- to be "saved" means something.

Interestingly, the Bible doesn't describe salvation as a one time event-- "yep, I got my ticket punched for heaven." Rather, Scripture speaks of salvation as a dynamic work of God with a past, present, and future. Asbury Seminary's Ben Witherington observes, "For Paul salvation entails a good deal more than the experience of becoming a new creature in Christ. That is but the beginning of the salvation process, which is not complete until the believer is completely redeemed and conformed to the image of Christ at the (final) resurrection."

Consider the following verses:

Past
Here, salvation is a fully accomplished, completed event-- made real because of the historical event of Jesus' death on the cross. Our future hope is guaranteed. As Dr. Harold Hoehner of Dallas Seminary says, "The Good News is not, 'Believe in Jesus and your sins will be forgiven. No, the Gospel is this: Your sins are already forgiven. Will you believe?'"

"...We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved..." --Romans 8:23-24 (NIV)

Present and Ongoing
In this tense, salvation is something we possess now and enjoy now. Believers are experiencing the goodness of God and have reason to celebrate. Interestingly, Newsweek writes in its September 10 edition about spiritual memoirs. From Augustine in 397 to Brian Welch of Korn and Stephen Baldwin in this age-- people have a testimony of God's grace. Another way to look at this aspect of salvation theologically is sanctification.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." --1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, and by which you are being saved..." --1 Corinthians 15:1-2 (NET)

Future
The Christian's salvation is right now, but it is also not yet. Writes Bruce Demarest of Denver Seminary, "Christ has inaugurated the new aeon, but it has not yet arrived in its fullness... Glorification thus concerns the final event in the salvation of true believers that began in eternity past with God's elective decision. It is the fitting conclusion to our spiritual journey in which God's glory is becoming progressively revealed." In glorification, our position in Christ (declared completely pure) and our experience of Christ (living completely pure) are wholly realized.

"And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." --Romans 8:30 (NIV)

"And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." --Romans 13:11

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." --Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." --Hebrews 9:27-28 (NIV)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." --1 Peter 1:3-5 (NIV)

Climbing the Rock

Sunday after church was my family's 2nd annual Labor Day weekend camp out at Kanopolis Lake.

We don't have a lot of camping gear and that's one reason we don't camp out much. It also makes our experience a little rougher. My gang slept soundly in the pup tent. Meanwhile, I was awake nearly all night in the minivan. But aside from me getting no sleep, we had lots of fun swimming, grilling, and hanging out together.

On Monday we traveled a few miles north of the lake to check out a unique Kansas site-- Mushroom State Park. There, you'll discover some of the strangest rocks you've ever seen.

The kids had a great time climbing the rocks-- especially David, my four-year-old son. Every time he reached the top of a rock, he acted just like Tarzan, beating his bare chest and yelling, "Ahhaaaahaaa!"

On one rock (pictured above in the foreground), I lifted David off the ground and was about to set him on top of the rock. There was no way he could climb it himself. But as soon as his feet touched the top, he started crying. He said, "I wanna climb it!" So I set him down and then held him secure as climbed his way up.

Afterwards I got to thinking: I could learn something from my son. He didn't want to simply be on top of the rock. He wanted the adventure and satisfaction of climbing it. Only then was reaching the top rewarding. How many people want the glory of "being on top," but aren't willing to put in the effort? Like basketball coach Bob Knight once said-- people love playing the game, but nobody likes to practice. But when you do the hard work, the rewards are that much more satisfying.

This week, go climb your rock.