My Ideal Youth Ministry

This is a paper written for my Christian Ministry with Youth course at DTS. The assignment was to write your philosophy of youth ministry and include things like your essential theology, the purpose of youth ministry, and the structure and outcomes of your ideal youth ministry. It is intended to be used in interviews and applications for youth pastor jobs. If nothing else, it will give you a glimpse of what I think about how the church should be run and what the essential doctrines of Christianity are.

The Gate is Small (Pt. 2)

The following is a continuation of a story started in The Gate is Small (Pt. 1). I encourage you to read it first. 

I made my way across the bridge with growing confidence that the path I walked was a good one. I thought about the man so afraid of the height of the bridge that he forgot about the builder of bridges! All who hiked this mountain knew he was as trustworthy a builder as they come.

Dismounting the bridge on the other side I continued my hike along the trail. It wound around the mountainside, along a ridge for some time and then turned into little more than a goats path. It rested on the precipice of a steep cliff on the right hand side, and a steep rise on the left. I clutched at the wall-like rock on the left as I inched my way around the mountainside. More than once my foot slipped off the narrow path and I came close to plummeting down the cliff to who knows where! I knew I would not be happy if that happened, and yet it occupied my mind more than any other thought.

Baby Don’t Hurt Me: Four Things Love Isn’t

Let’s define love.

My absolute favorite extra-biblical definition of love comes from J. Budziszewski’s “Ask Me Anything.”

“Love is a commitment of the will to the true good of the other person.”

This succinct, profound, and jam-packed definition is my favorite because it clears up so many misconceptions about love that people have these days. Let me show you four of them.

The Gate Is Small (Pt. 1)

“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are they that find it.”

As I was hiking through the mountains, and following a pleasant little trail, I came upon a gate. It was small and unassuming as it sat alongside the trail; I had nearly passed it by. Wrought iron framed the parallel bars that ran up its middle and a small wooden sign hung on the gate. “To Life” it read, barely legible, in faded painted letters. I looked down the path, thinking that I couldn’t spare the time. There was so much more to see, and the path I was on was so beautiful and spacious.

To Be "in Christ": This is the Gospel

To Be “in Christ”

To be “in Christ” is a curious thing. It’s a distinctly Pauline idea. He seems to use it of anyone who is a believer in the gospel, as in anyone who has been saved by grace through faith in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save them from the penalty of their sins. Galatians 2 gives, I think, the clearest explanation of what he means by the phrase.

“Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

What’s he saying? He’s saying that having faith in Jesus to save you from the penalty of sin puts you in the camp of “in Christ.” He’s also saying that if you think you can work your way to perfection, you’re not in the camp of “in Christ.” Being “in Christ” means living by faith in the son of God, not by the works of the law. The law reveals sin, grace deals with it.

Introducing Theology: A Forgotten Essential

Below is a paper written for an Introduction to Theology class at DTS. It is a response paper to two introductory books about theology, but let me explain the picture.

I think theology is much more essential to Christian faith than the average Christian realizes. It's a forgotten essential, as this paper tries to prove. Hence, I show you a rusty old gear without which many a machine would cease to run. Theology is like that gear. We need it for Christianity to run, and you can hate it all you want, but without it, the Christian life goes no where.

 I hope you enjoy.

The Kingdom of God

This is my first graduate level paper... I think it's about the same as my other papers, but I haven't had time to write blog posts because I've been writing stuff like this. I hope you enjoy it! Ask yourself, "What do I think Jesus meant by 'the kingdom of God'?"

INTRODUCTION

The kingdom of God (KoG) is one of the few major biblical themes that literally spans from the beginning of the book to the end. It is in Genesis 1 and 2 that we see God creating a kingdom on earth to rule, and it is in Revelation 21 and 22 that we see the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem become the ultimate, perfect kingdom that God will one day rule from within, walking amongst his people once more. But in the Gospels Jesus is seen preaching, “the gospel [good news] of the kingdom of God,”[1] “the kingdom of heaven is like…”[2] and “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”[3]The questions that then spring to mind are similar to the following: Was Jesus preaching about a different kingdom of God than the one that spans the full bible? Is there a difference between “the kingdom of heaven” and “the kingdom of God”? If the “kingdom of heaven” was at hand then, is it still? Has “the kingdom of heaven” been established? What is the nature or substance of “the kingdom of God”, literal, spiritual, figurative, or all? Unfortunately, not all of the questions can be answered conclusively, and there isn’t space to give them all a worthy treatment. Instead, this paper will focus only on scratching the surface of the question, “What is the kingdom of God”? The main goal will be to define the concept. First, the basic components of any kingdom will be defined, then the concept of the KoG in the Bible as a whole, and then in Matthew in particular.

Partly Holy Christians

I’ve noticed that the blog posts I write that get the most views are the ones about controversial or touchy subjects. Not many read my posts on the philosophy behind God’s name as the present tense, first person, “to be” verb. I find it vivifying and exhilarating!

Not many read my post on gluttony. Who cares right? That’s a sin we’re okay with in our culture, and if we’re not, we just keep it to ourselves. I can’t tell you how many people didn’t read myposts about Progressive and Normative Dispensationalism. I bet most of you even skipped over those four words!

The posts people do read are the ones about sex, homosexuality, trans-genderism, drinking, and cussing. That’s the stuff we care about, or at least, that’s the stuff ya’ll read more often. The question is, why?

His Name’s Not Lucifer

I made an off-hand comment in a post that said, “If you want to know how to irritate me… say that satan’s name before he fell was Lucifer, but that’s the topic of another post for another time.”

That time has come!

Let’s be clear up-front. This is an incredibly non-essential point of theology. What we call the enemy, satan, is secondary to the fact that he is real and is against us.

The topic of this post is just a pet peeve of mine. However, this particular pet peeve stems from a deeper and more important point: Do you know why you know what you know?

To put it another way, do you question and test the things you are taught to see if they are true, or do you simply accept them? It all relates back to, “WHY do you believe what you believe?” While I’ll only be dealing with the minor question of, “Was satan’s name Lucifer before he fell?” the deeper question of, “How is and why is and just is what he says true?” should be looming at the back of your mind.

Do I give you good reasons, or don’t I? Do you agree with my reasons or not? WHY? These are the questions behind the answer to this non-essential point of doctrine.

On to the answer.

Christians and Booze

Were you to ask the Christian world, “Can Christians drink alcohol?” you would receive different Christian answers.

Your hard-core Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh-day Adventists, and others would shout, “No!” in glorious unison. Your Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Anglicans and others would scream, “Yes!” with equal fervor. Non-denoms, Lutherans, and Reformed guys would fill in the spectrum with generous helpings of “maybe”, “sometimes”, and “what do you mean by ‘can’?”

Dallas Theological Seminary recently changed their position on the subject, which has got me thinking about the whole question again. Is it ever right for a Christian to drink alcohol?

Well, as is always the first step, let’s look at the Bible. What references are there to drinking in particular? If there are any, are there any restrictions outlined or common to all? Are there any relevant biblical concepts that can be applied in the question of alcohol use?

Answer: Yes all around.

You're Just Another Klansman

In light of the recent decision by the Supreme Court, the one upholding the constitutionality of Obamacare, I thought I would share my thoughts on the ever increasingly important subject of words and what they mean.

With that in mind, I’d like to share a quotation with you.

“This is an institution of chivalry, humanity, mercy, and patriotism; embodying in its genius and its principles all that is chivalric in conduct, noble in sentiment, generous in manhood, and patriotic in purpose; its peculiar objects being:

First, to protect the weak, the innocent, and the defenseless from the indignities, wrongs, and outrages of the lawless, the violent, and the brutal; to relieve the injured and oppressed; to succor the suffering and unfortunate, and especially the widows and orphans of soldiers. Second, to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and all laws passed in conformity thereto, and to protect the states and the people thereof from all invasion from any source whatever. Third, to aid and assist in the execution of all constitutional laws, and to protect the people from unlawful seizure and from trial, except by their peers in conformity to the laws of the land.”

God Might Not Have Plans to “Prosper” You… Can You Live with That?

There are two passages in the Bible that get misapplied more than any others. The first is Jeremiah 29:11, the second is Deuteronomy 28:1-14. These two passages are routinely ripped from their context and abused by all types of Christians. Tall, short, skinny, hefty, rich, poor, it makes no difference. It seems that these two passages have been rendered defenseless against the advent of technology and the “single-scripture-written-in-whimsical-fonts-over-a-picture-of-a-river-forrest-mountain-or-beach-then-posted-on-instagram-to-seem-spiritual” craze.

Well, I’m here to bring the context kicking and screaming into view for you. If you want to know how to irritate me, say that you know God has good plans for you, then quotes one of these two passages as proof. (Either that, or say that Satan’s name before he fell was Lucifer, but that’s the topic of another post for another time.)

If that just hit too close to home for you, let me clarify: God does have good plans for you, but my definition of good often involves pain, poverty, and death. Jesus said that those who are poor and weak were blessed. The Apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to share in Christ’s suffering. Paul prayed 3 times that the thorn would be removed from his flesh, and each time the answer came back, “My grace is sufficient.” So God’s plans are absolutely good, but good in the ultimate sense. Good in the sense that he is glorified. Good in the sense that unity with Him is the best good, and that unity often comes through hardship. Good in the sense that if you are killed for your faith, you will be with Christ and the gospel will be preached.

Okay… I’ll put this particular rant on pause until I show you what I mean from the text.

Paul on Slavery

Introduction

The Apostle Paul authored almost half of the New Testament, and spoke authoritatively about the Christian perspective on countless subjects from the meaning of love, to the roles and duties of church officials. Much of Christian doctrine is based on the writings of Paul, but one particular issue appears to fall between the cracks in his writing: the question of slavery, its lawfulness, and its role in the Christian life. The crack into which it fell was large enough to fuel the American Civil War. Many Christians saw Paul’s writings as “pro-slavery” and were therefore willing to fight and die for their right to own other human beings. The purpose of this paper is to argue Paul’s view of slavery throughout the Bible as clearly as possible, and to pay particular attention to his view as expressed in Philemon.

The One Thing All Christians Should Agree On

The One Thing All Christians Should Agree On: 

Little Christs, Church Unity, and a Lesson in Christology

I heard someone in an argument say, “If there is one thing all Christians should agree on, it’s that abortion is wrong.” Now I quite agree that abortion is wrong, and I tend to seriously question someone who calls himself a Christian and supports abortion. They are pretty antithetical ideas. All the way from the beginning, Adam and Eve were told to “multiply.” They weren’t told, “Kill your kids if they’re inconvenient.”

Sorry, was I a little sarcastic there? I tend to think murdering children is a big deal.

But I don’t want to talk about abortion right now. I want to talk about the idea of Church unity, because as impassioned as I am about the abortion issue, it is not and should not be the central point of my faith.

Abortion isn’t the one thing all Christians should agree on. The one thing all Christians should agree on is Jesus.

Feasting or Gluttony: Which Are You Doing?

I’m eating barbecue with my friends on Memorial Day. We’ve just floated the Comal River and we are about to blow any kind of diet we had, then a joke gets made about gluttony.

Should we be joking about the sin of gluttony? Is it really a laughing matter? Does eating barbecue with your friends on Memorial Day, (way more barbecue than you’d eat on a normal day) even count as gluttony?

What is the line between feasting and gluttony?

People Have Sex, Words Have Gender

To those who support Jenner’s decision, I ask a single question of you:

If Jenner changes back, will you be equally supportive?

I’ve been thinking it through for days to be sure I don’t say something about this that I’ll regret.

C.S. Lewis Was Wrong!

C.S. Lewis was wrong.

I don’t say those words, in that order, very often.

Unless we’re talking about afterlife theories, eschatology, eternal security, or evolution, I put stock in what Lewis said. His work on moral law thinking, The Problem of Pain, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, they’re all spectacular. He has affected my way of thinking and my way of life more than any other writer, except perhaps the Apostle Paul.

Unfortunately, Lewis was very wrong about one particular prediction.

The Universe Can’t Tell You Anything

(Yes, I know that's a picture of a galaxy... throw me a bone here!)

I first noticed it on How I Met Your Mother. Ted appeals to “the universe” quite often and talks quite often about how “the universe wants this to happen.”

I thought it was funny at first, but it’s gone way beyond that. It’s become a way of life. It’s become a philosophy and a religion. People honestly and earnestly use the phrase “I think the universe is saying…” I’m calling it the “Consciously Reacting Universe Doctrine” or “CRUD” for short.

I am so tired of this CRUD. I am so tired of people treating the universe like it’s alive.

Let’s clear this up right now: the universe can’t tell you anything.

The universe can’t want things. The universe can’t do anything to, for, or about anything! The universe is an inanimate, humongous, space, sparsely filled with gigantic planets. It’s cold, and dark, and fairly freaky. We don’t everything about it, I’ll admit. It might have other living creatures. It might have an end. It might be cooling at a constant rate until it will ultimately run down and cease to expand outward as it currently does. One thing is sure though: IT will never cease to be an IT.

“It”s don’t think, “it”s don’t feel, and “it”s don’t speak.

“Who”s do.

This ridiculous trend of giving the universe anthropomorphic qualities is a reflection of the need for a higher power which is deeply embedded into the fabric of humanity.

Christians and Cursing

Can Christians curse? When, if ever, is it appropriate?

Some try to say that the Bible isn’t clear on the subject. Unfortunately this simply isn’t the case.

Sprained Ankles and Spiritual Pride

I’m going to give you a few pieces of this puzzle before I put them together for you.

Piece 1:

4 weeks ago I sprained my ankle… badly.

Most people don’t realize this, but sprained ankles are often more painful and take longer to heal than broken ones. I sprained my ankle in as bad a way as you can. What’s worse is that the doctor who originally diagnosed it and told me my treatment (wearing a boot and using crutches) was overly optimistic in the healing time.

The doctor said I would have 2 weeks on the crutches with a boot, 3-4 more weeks in the boot without crutches, and then I’d be walking normally again.

It’s been 4 weeks and I’m still on crutches.

A String of Flowery Phrases

To preface this, I need to point out that it was a school assignment. Flash fiction, if you don't know is a form of writing that blurs the line between a short story and poetry. The goal is to express a thought or idea as powerfully as you can in as few words as possible. It's very similar to slam poetry. One other flash fiction I wrote is titled "Hide and Seek with a Still Small Voice".

Could There Be Would Have Been?

I hear this argument all the time and I heard it the other day. “If you had been born in a different country, you wouldn’t believe what you do.”

The same logic gets applied in many different scenarios. The idea of “would have been” is quite popular to many people. It’s the “if only” philosophy.

If only I had gone to college I would have a better job now. If only I had been born with better parents I wouldn’t be as angry as I am. If only I had stayed a virgin I wouldn’t be stuck with a kid now. If only the other kids hadn’t picked on me in school. If only I hadn’t lost my sight. If only I could walk again. If only there were such a thing as would have been.

It wrenches the heart to consider some of these realities. In some cases the “if only” wished for is something the speaker had complete control over, it was their own choice. In other cases it was something done to them. They couldn’t have helped it if they tried.

The problem is there is literally no way of knowing if the second half of any “if only” statement is even remotely true. No one can know if you would actually have a better job if you had gone to college. No one can know if you would be less angry being born with different parents. No one can know if you would or would not be responsible for a child right now had you remained a virgin.

Maybe you’re right, but prove it.

I mean this in the most loving way possible, but there is no way to know what would have been and it does absolutely no good to dwell on it. There’s no such thing as would have been.

What Does it Mean to BE Gay?

Let me be clear up front. NONE OF MY STATEMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTLY APPLIED TO THOSE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. This is all that non-Christians need to read: You still have an old nature and need to hear the gospel (the good news) that Jesus died to take away the penalty of your sins and bring you eternal life. Jesus died because He loves you. God the Father sent God the Son to save you from the penalty of your sins because He loves you. Yes. You’re a sinner, and God loves you anyway.

Stop Inviting Your Friends to Church

           

Christians and Coffee

        

   I’m going to make quite a few enemies with this post, I know.

               I don’t drink much coffee. Let’s get that out of the way now. I don’t like the taste of it. When I do have the occasional cup I put so much cream and sugar in it that the progression of changing color reminds one of certain thrilling pop-singers.

I’m not addicted to the stuff. But some people out there are. In fact, most of those people wouldn’t even deny it! On the contrary, they are the first to boast about their addiction. (in a joking tone of course.) Phrases like, “I’m not myself til my first dose!” and “Cup number four is when I really settle in for the day” are common to the morning shift at the office.

               Let’s narrow the field now. How many Christians do you know who fit into this category? My answer: Too many.

Should She Stay or Should She Go? (An Analysis of Esther's Canonicity)

The Topic Of Canonicity

There are some books in the Bible that had a hard time getting there. Esther had the hardest time of all. A book’s canonicity, whether or not it should be accepted as Holy Scripture, is an extremely important issue for each book of the Bible. The New Testament Canon is a much easier subject to discuss than the old because we know a lot more about how it was formed. There are extensive records of the development of the New Testament Canon and we can point to many different Church councils that solidified the New Testament Canon. This is not the case with the Old Testament.