The Temple

Be praying for Pastor Dan Harty and our sister church Windsor Community Church (Missionary Church) in Windsor, Colorado. Yesterday a tornado destroyed their church building, check out the photos. If you want to help the church you can send a check to our district office (address below) made out the the “Missionary Church Western District” marked “assistance for Windsor”.

Missionary Church Western District
484 E. Los Angeles Ave., Suite #228
Moorpark, CA 93021

Michael Spencer at the Internet Monk has written a provocative and insightful post called “What Do Gays and Lesbians Hear?” on Evangelical challenges in rightly dealing with the issue of homosexuality.

Technorati Tags: Homosexuality, Evangelical, Internet Monk, Michael Spencer

Virgil Vaduva at Unfinished Christianity has an interesting post on What a Church Should Be.

Interesting how the parallels between the end of Isaiah and the end of Revelation can give us insight into the nature of the church. If heaven is no more tears, the church should be about removing the reason for tears, wiping away tears.

Michael Spencer writes a provocative and personal piece about church titled “On Going Back to a SBC Church.” I have been having discussions with different people about their impressions of their churches and their disappointments and joys. I would be interested in your views…leave a comment.

Technorati Tags: Church, church attendance

Maybe you have heard of it.

The Kenosis Theory has to do with the nature of Jesus. Orthodox Christian doctrine states that Jesus was and is fully God and fully man. Kenosis theory states that in his incarnation, Jesus gave up some of his divine attributes, typically his omnipresence, omnipotence and omniscience. The theory was popular around the turn of the twentieth century, finding it’s beginnings at the beginning of the 19th century. This doctrine diminishes the deity of Christ and has been dismissed amongst Christians. Not everyone has gotten the memo.

Typically this issue is raised with passages like Mark 13:32: “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Often the answer given is the Kenosis theory. Basically the Kenosis theory answer goes like this: Jesus laid aside his omniscience when he took on humanity and this is why he “doesn’t know.”

Now the word kenosis comes from the Greek word kenoo, which means “to empty.” It is used in Philippians 2 and based upon a bad interpretation of this passage, people have concluded that Paul is referring to the nature of Christ in this passage. He is not.

Now, I have heard one popular pastor/radio personality consistently and regularly use Kenosis Theory to answer this particular question. I have written two letters to him in the past (and received no reply), and will write him another with regard to this particular instance. But since he is so prominent (especially in my region of the country) and is on the radio here (one of the few options for Christian radio in our region) I am going public in this blog in pointing out that Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel) holds to the Kenosis theory. Some have called kenosis theory a heresy. In fact in an unfortunate juxtoposition of questions and answers, Chuck Smith referred his listeners to Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) to get information about Christadelphians in one call, then referred to Kenosis Theory in the next. CARM categorizes Kenosis Theory as a heresy and a dangerous doctrine (Click here for article on Kenosis at CARM).

I don’t know who Chuck listens to, obviously it isn’t me - but it needs to be pointed out to him. This is not a small error, it has to do with the nature of Christ. Years ago, Benny Hinn described God has being three trinities. Each person of the trinity is himself a trinity, there are nine of them.

Who disciplines these guys when they speak and teach things contrary to Christian doctrine? That is an important discussion that needs to happen in the church.

Technorati Tags: Kenosis Theory, Heresy, Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel

Reading the LA Times this morning in the doctors office. On the front page, bracketing the front page actually were two disturbing stories; stories that should not be on the front page. The Catholic Diocese in San Diego is filing for bankruptcy in response to or to preclude losses in another sexual molestation case against priests. Calvary Chapel finds itself embroiled in a lawsuit over the Calvary Satellite Network of radio stations that includes charges of embezzlement and sexual impropriety. Heartbreaking stories. We should pray for resolution and reconciliation and repentance in both of these instances. Somehow, even through this, may the name of Christ be glorified.

Technorati Tags: Calvary Chapel, Catholic, Calvary Satellite Network

I listen to all things Christian. Sometimes that is frustrating, though enlightening. I heard this on the radio recently, in response to a question on the Lord’s supper and the historical development of the ideas of transubstantiation etc. Basically, the host of the show, a well known pastor of a large Christian movement, did not know how to answer the question. In typical fashion, that ignorance was turned into a “sermon” on the evils of something, in this instance, the evils of church history:

“…church history really isn’t any good…look, I don’t have any defense for church history…I can’t defend church history…church history is really the history of men who have taken over a work of God and prostituted it and used it, made a religion out of if and missed really what the Lord was teaching and he rebukes them over and over again, very early. So, if the church moved that far away in the first 60 or so years it only moved further away as the history of the church continued - and so I don’t think that so - it is good that you are studying history but I think you need to see in history the failure of the church, not really the promulgating of the teachings of the New Testament and the practices of the church in the book of Acts. I think the only truly successful time in church history, where they really accomplished what the Lord was wanting the church to accomplish was IN the book of Acts. And there as they went out into all the world as Jesus instructed them to and took the gospel to the world we haven’t been able to duplicate that since that time and of course Jesus…uh, Paul rather in writing to the Colossians the word of the gospel as it has come to you as it is in all the world. Paul says we took the gospel to the whole world, we haven’t even done that today with our modern technology and capabilities through technology, we haven’t even taken the gospel to the world today, but they were relying on the Holy Spirit and directed by the Holy Spirit, and it wasn’t a man-made, man-governed, man-directed kind of a institution, but a God-governed institution and oh what to God that we could get to that once again…

I really couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Christians spouting revisionist history. The history of Western Civilization is replete with examples of progress and good, much of it done through the people of God, Christians who dedicated their lives to mission, and fulfilling the Great Commission.

There is not an era since Christ that has not had some influence from the church. The world-wide spread of the gospel is still exploding. There is not an area of our culture (art, education, law etc) that has not been influenced and shaped by Christianity. The above statement has got to be one of the most ridiculous statements I have heard in a long time with regard to the history of the church in the world. It is often said by unbelievers and critics of the church that more wars were fought in the name of religion, yada yada yada - understandably. But when this propaganda against the influence of the church in history is thrown out by believers it is incredible.

It has not always been the attitude of the church to self-deprecate and wallow in pessimism. We once believed the words of Jesus with regard to the mission and indefeasible nature of the church. The rise of dispensationalism coupled with the Civil War and WWI, the stock market crash and depression changed the optimistic perspective that was prevalent in the US to a pessimistic perspective with a doomsday expectation. That has crept into not only our eschatology but our ecclesiology. That as much as anything else has changed the focus and outlook of the modern church.

In a previous post called “A Good Episcopalian?” I talked about “new protestantism” being arrogant and looking down our nose at mainstream Christianity and also old Christianity. This is a dangerous posture for us to take. It is not good theology, Christianity or history to talk about how the only generation that got it were the church in the book of Acts, and apparently the few of “us” in the modern church who “get it.”

Arrogance makes you stupid.

Technorati Tags: Church History, Christian Radio, Christian stupidity, Arrogance

(When I Migrated from my previous blog, many of my articles were not exported, this is a reprint for those of you faithful old-timers, I am reprinting some of my previous VivaVoce posts)

One of the most dramatic differences brought about by Christ is the distinction between spiritual power and political power. Up until Christ there is no example of a religious institution where the religious powers and political powers were unattached. The charges of heresy and sedition were one and the same.

This still remains an issue for us today as we see the Muslim world become more and more a part of our discussion in everyday life. It also is beginning to raise its head in the discussions that surround our social and political context. As the church sees more and more issues raised in the political arena regarding moral issues (the ongoing abortion discussion and the recently heated gay marriage issues), many are calling the church to engage the body politic with its power with regards to these issues. Many would love to have America be a true Christian nation. I am not one of those people.

Christianity is unique in that it delineated between the power of the religious and the power of the political. All previous expressions of religion were inextricably linked with the governing power. The genius of Christianity (it still remains the genius of Christianity) is that Christ distinguished the nature of his kingdom as distinct from political power.

“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.”

“My kingdom is not of this world…it is not of this realm.”

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

The New Testament sees a clear distinction between the church and the government. They are not the same, and the church is not to become a political entity. The sword is not a tool for the church. And it is here that we are again being tempted in the USA. We would like to see the church influence and speak out much more in the political arena. Many are calling for pastors to “man-up” and address social issues and movements from their pulpits. This is a mistake.

I have an acquaintance who believes that Christianity is in a battle with Islam, and this battle is being lost by Christianity as Islam has a higher birth rate, that is, they are having more children than Christians. Therefore he is calling for Christians to procreate more. His family (not all natural offspring) has grown to 15 children. He is taking the Great Commission seriously, albeit mistakenly.

The church is to be an influence, a strong influence. The church must be vocal. We speak the truth. But our power is not in the sword or in the political arena. It is in engaging and transforming the hearts and minds of men and women. When we avoid being affiliated with a political party or an earthly kingdom, our message is free to permeate all parties and all kingdoms. Hence the genius. This is in fact the result of unsullied Christianity. So in light of this Christianity thrives in any and all contexts around the globe. There are no barriers to its influence and power. All other religions are ethnically or politically bound. Outside of those bounds they do not thrive or spread.

Our tools are not the tools of government: the sword. They are not the tools of warfare against people. Our tools are: truth; righteousness, the gospel; faith; the message of salvation; prayer.

The church needs to resist a resurrection of Constantinian Christianity, which is no better than Marxist-Leninist Communism, a religion bound up by the force of government.

Technorati Tags: Church Politics, NOTW, Power

Sometime last year Sunday’s LA Times Magazine featured an article on “Synaplex,” a Jewish Synagogue movement designed to attract more attendees at Synagogue on Shabbat. Not unlike the methodology of many churches in attempting to lure worshipers and potential worshipers to church on Sunday.

The goal, says Rabbi Hayim Herring, executive director of STAR, the organization that conceived of and funds Synaplex, is “to have the congregation become the place to be, no matter who you are, what you believe.”

“Halachically”—by Jewish law—”you don’t have to believe in God to be considered a good Jew,” says Herring. “Sure, it would be nice if everyone believed in God, but it is not going to happen. It hasn’t happened in the state of Israel, and they have a monopoly on the religion there. Getting more people to believe in God, that is not the goal of Synaplex. Getting more people to show up is not the goal. The goal of Synaplex is building community, because community-building has always been the genius of the Jewish people.”

Striking, isn’t it? That a Rabbi could possibly say that unbelief was compatible with Judaism is inconceivable. Maybe he hasn’t read the Old Testament where the fool is described as unbelieving. So here is the logical progression for Rabbi Herring to consider:

A: “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God” (Psa 53:1)

B: A good Jew can say: “There is no God.”

C: A fool is a good Jew.

What nonsense we endure for the sake of tolerance, and to attract a crowd.

An advertisement for the grand opening of a new church was seen in our local newspaper the last few weeks. In the ad, there is mention of the first five Sundays activities:

Sunday 1: Tailgate party, free hot dogs, portable grill give away and NFL games on jumbo screens!

Sunday 2: $100 shopping spree giveaway

Sunday 3: Kitchen appliances given away

Sunday 4: Win a Cuisinart grind and brew coffee maker

Sunday 5: Hyundai 32″ HDTV LCD given away.

When did church become a carnival? “The Music Rocks” and “the kids will have a blast at Kid’s Planet,” we are promised. Their motto is displayed: “Connecting Lives and Empowering Success for Every Generation.”

No where on the ad is any mention of Christ, God or anything that would connect a person to the spiritual content of the church. Oh, but they will have Starbucks and Krispy Kreme Donuts EVERY Sunday.

From the Website: “We’re a church that wants to be enjoyed not endured. We believe that if Jesus came to give us life, and we have that life, then the experience of Church should be a blast!”

I guess having a blast and creating community (two things I thoroughly enjoy by the way) have replaced the mission of the church: to make disciples. “Boring” sermons are replaced with soliloquies on dating, fashion, football, stress relief…with whatever might not be boring, like Luke chapter 5.

Frankly, the problem is that we have replaced the foundation of the church: the person of Christ and the revelation of Him in His word with exciting, TV style events with very little resemblance to proclamation of the truth. Secondly, the benefit of community is the outcome of our relationship with Christ, not vice versa. I find it objectionable to not even mention Christ on an advertisement for church, and place the word in a secondary position at the main meeting of so-called community. It might work, but it isn’t the best.

Soon, we may be saying: “You can be a good Christian without believing in God.”

To quote the boring apostle Paul: “May it never be.”

Whatever we do to improve the church’s outreach potential and community potential cannot be at the cost of truth and the centrality of Christ.  Check out this challenge to preaching in favor of artistic expression: Under the Iceberg

Technorati Tags: Relevant church, Church, Synaplex,

Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church talks about the Emerging Church. If you are unfamiliar with this terminology this is a good introduction. Basically the Emerging Church is trying to address the glaring need the church has in America to re-reach our culture. Another word you may be hearing is the word “missional”. The underlying assumption is that the American church must evaluate the strategy that we have to be the mission to America. Every believer must see themselves as mission oriented, ie missional if we are to revive the church in America.

For more info on the Emerging Church and being Missional see:

Mark Driscoll’s Blog: The Resurgence

and my good friend Dave’s blog: Missional Challenge.

Technorati Tags: Missional, Emerging Church, Mark Driscoll