Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
Lesson 1:
Introduction,
The Mascot, and
The Therapist
Introduction
Do we sometimes even turn Jesus into an idol??
Martin Luther:
“So it is with all idolatry. For it happens not merely by erecting an image and worshipping it, but rather it happens in the heart. For the heart stands gaping at something else. It seeks help and consolation from creatures, saints, or devils. It neither cares for God, nor looks to Him for anything better than to believe that He is willing to help. The heart does not believe that whatever good it experiences comes from God.”
– The Large Catechism, Part 1 “The First Commandment”�Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions
“Christ the Redeemer”
Mount Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Credit: Google Images
Introduction
What is an Idol?
A statue of Buddha, credit: Google Images
Why are we studying this?
Acts 4:12�“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
Exodus 20:2-4:�You shall have no other gods beside me. You shall not make any carved image for yourself or a likeness of anything in heaven above, or on the earth below, or in the waters under the earth.
Psalm 42:8�I am the Lord; that is my name.� I will not give my glory to another,� nor my praise to idols.
Jeremiah 10:8�They [the wise men of the world] are stupid and foolish, because they are instructed by worthless idols made of wood.
For Ourselves:
Our own sinful hearts love to create idols, and it is easy for idolatry to creep in without us even realizing it is there. Only when our own idolatry is shown to us can we repent of it and turn to the real Jesus for forgiveness.
Why are we studying this?
Matthew 7:15-16:�“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. You do not gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles, do you?”
For Our Church:
Together as the body of Christ, we must be on guard against false teaching in the church so that the Gospel of the real Jesus is preached.
Why are we studying this?
1 Peter 3:15-16:�Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.
For Others in the World:
Our calling is to share the message of the real Jesus with the world. As we reach out to others, being able to understand their (false) ideas of Jesus will aid us in sharing the Gospel message with them.
How to study this topic
Pastor Richard breaks his book into 12 chapters, each providing a case study of an individual that typifies a worshipper of a false christ. Using those people, we will meet encounter 12 false christs:
How to study this topic
Before Class You May Want To:
During Class We Will:
How to study this topic
Our standard of truth is the Scriptures!
We will contrast the beliefs in each false christ (based primarily on philosophy) with the revealed truth in the Bible.
An Apologetical Approach
Our goal is always to open a door to confess God’s truth to others.
An Evangelical Approach
Making an Idol
Reason #1:
Free Will?
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
– “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Agree/Disagree: People have free will to choose to do good or to choose to do evil.
The Myth of Free Will
Definition: Free will is the concept that we can choose to do good or that we can choose to do evil.
Before the Fall: While Adam and Eve did indeed have free will, they lost their ability to choose good the first time they chose to do evil.
After the Fall: Now we can only choose to do evil (Gen 6:5). Even the things that we do that appear to be good are displeasing and sinful before a righteous God (Mt 23:27).
Genesis 3:6-7�When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was appealing to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate ... The eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked.
Genesis 6:5�The Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that all the thoughts and plans they formed in their hearts were only evil every day.
Matthew 23:27�“Woe to you, experts in the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of dead people’s bones and every kind of uncleanness.
The Myth of Free Will
How does the idea of free will impact people’s understanding of Jesus?
If we are free to choose what we wear, what we eat, where we live, what color our car is, etc., it stands to reason that we should also be free to choose what parts about Jesus we believe.
The Real Jesus does not subscribe to such a belief!
Matthew 28:18-20�Jesus approached and spoke to them saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.”
Making an idol
Reason #2:
Cognitive Dissonance
Question: Can a person hold 2 conflicting points of view at the same time?
Cognitive Dissonance
Definition:
Cognitive dissonance is caused when people are forced to hold two conflicting sets of information at the same time. The mind is forced to distort one or both sets of the information to resolve the problem.
An Example from Modern Life:
Consider 2 statements:
These two beliefs are incompatible, resulting in cognitive dissonance. People therefore try to reconcile them:
Cognitive Dissonance
How does the idea of cognitive dissonance impact people’s understanding of Jesus?
When the biblical Jesus conflicts with our own ideas, we are forced either to deny our own ideas by repenting of them or to reshape Jesus to fit our ideas.
Consider Peter’s response to Jesus after he makes his great confession in Matthew chapter 16.
Matthew 16:21-24:
From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised again.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “May you receive mercy, Lord! This will never happen to you.”
But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a snare to me because you are not thinking the things of God, but the things of men.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
Making an idol
Reason #3:
Worldview: Postmodern Relativism
“You eat what you like and I’ll eat what I like”
– Yukon Cornelius
Postmodern relativism is the pervasive philosophy in American education, and especially higher education.
Credit: NBCUniversal Television Distribution
Worldview: Postmodern Relativism
Definition:
Sophism is the belief that mankind is the measuring stick for truth. Each person can recognize the truth from his perspective of the world, and such truths might not agree.
Postmodern relativism is the current version of the Sophists’ idea that truth is relative to the understanding of each person.
Postmodernism believes that there is no universal or objective standard of truth, but that everyone perceives truth from their own experience.
Relativism extends the idea by saying this perception of truth is completely influenced by the groups/culture/society in which people exist.
Worldview: Postmodern Relativism
How does the idea of postmodern relativism impact people’s understanding of Jesus?
“Practically speaking, in postmodern relativism, everyone can have whatever view of Jesus they want; everyone is right, for there are no objective rules. However, if a person points out differences, they are immediately told they are not being very loving and should stop judging. Furthermore, postmodernists may ask: ‘What gives you the right to religiously control my personal spirituality?’”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
The Mascot
Chapter 1
Jillian, the Ethical Hedonist
Credit: Jason Chan/The Badger Herald
Meet Jillian
Profile
Jillian is: “a typical Midwestern woman in her late twenties or early thirties … married and a mother of three.
Jillian says: “‘Lately, I have had all sorts of issues with Jesus. I don’t want to. But I do. And I don’t care for that, and I don’t like what I feel are contradictions, and I don’t believe some of it, and I feel bad about all of those feelings.’”
Jillian’s history: “Jillian had grown up in a small rural town, attended the local church, participated in youth group, and was homeschooled. In her early twenties, though, she had drifted away from consistent church attendance. The busyness of life, college, marriage, and three kids had brought about her uneven church attendance, and she had never seemed to recover the consistency that she once had. Although Jillian grew up in a fairly small conservative Midwestern town and in what appeared to be a very stable family, she found great conflict with her family upbringing and some of the teachings of Jesus. Her parents’ values and beliefs had not changed—they still attended Jillian’s childhood church faithfully each week, where her dad was on the board of trustees and her mom was very active in the altar guild.”
WTRJPSU, p 1-2
Meet Jillian
Struggles and Questions
Jillian’s struggle: “Jillian was unable to reconcile how she got to the point where she and her family were on different sides of the aisle on so many things—things like sexual ethics, God’s Law, and the doctrine of hell. Furthermore, she was unable to understand why she was at odds with Jesus. When Jillian’s parents and childhood pastor talked about Jesus, it seemed that Jesus was too stern, too critical, and talked about hell too much for her liking. Not only was Jillian a bit offended by this but she also felt disenchanted and confused. Why had Jillian become so different from her parents and those around her if she was raised with the same values and taught the same things? Why did she struggle with Jesus when she once felt so comfortable with Him?” – WTRJPSU, p 2
Jillian’s not a hater: “You know what I’ve come to really hate lately—and I hate the word hate? I hate when people are judged, because it is so sad to be judged. It just hurts me and makes me feel tense, gloomy, and kind of angry. But, I also know when something is right and when people should not be judged. Okay, so here is how I know what is right and what is wrong. When something is good, I just know with every fiber of my being that it is not sinful. Yes, when something is good—truly good—I’m 100 percent passionate about it, and my heart and soul and mind are in a really positive and good place.” – WTRJPSU, p 5
Meet Jillian
Sin and Hell
Jillian’s thoughts on sin: “But then there is a problem. Some of my Christian family members and longtime friends will talk about Jesus and talk about the Bible and morals and stuff . . . and in my heart and mind of my own ideas, what they are telling me is the farthest thing from Christ I could imagine. We used to agree on everything. Now I don’t know what to think about this totally, and I don’t want to stop wrestling with this, but I just know that there are certain things I can no longer believe. There are certain things that I know Jesus would never support. The Jesus I know is not like these other people’s Jesus.” – WTRJPSU, p 5-6
Jillian’s thoughts about hell: “I know Jesus talks about hell in the Bible, but maybe Jesus wasn’t sure about hell. Or maybe the people writing down the Bible were wrong about hell and didn’t accurately record Jesus correctly. Maybe hell isn’t that bad; maybe it is exaggerated or misworded or something like that. Could hell maybe be like a lesser heaven; could it be not as good as heaven but still okay?” � – WTRJPSU, p 11
What Are Jillian’s Presuppositions?
An aversion to negativity and favorable to positivity
Everyone knows people who are positive and negative, and there is some rational sense to wanting to be a positive person.
Jillian’s presuppositions go the next step though, and equate a moral significance to positivity and negativity:
Pleasure is the ultimate good
If positivity is good, then doesn’t it make sense that pursuing things that are make us feel good/positive would be the ultimate best thing that a person should do?
In this worldview, pleasure becomes the thing that the individual most desires and strives for. Pleasure becomes the person’s god.
Ethical Hedonism
Jillian’s worldview has a name: Ethical Hedonism
Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure
Ethical is the idea that the pursuit of pleasure is limited to things that (supposedly) don’t harm others
Ciro Ferri: “Triumph of Bacchus,” 17th century
Hedonism is not a new idea
Hedonism as a system of philosophy was well established by the time of Jesus. Epicurean philosophy was contemporary with Plato in about 300 BC. It is sometimes (maybe incorrectly) identified with the rallying cry “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”
We don’t have to look to the Greeks though; Hedonism goes back all the way to the Garden of Eden!
Luke 12:18-20�He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and goods. And I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your soul will be demanded from you. Now who will get what you have prepared?’
Genesis 3:6�When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was appealing to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate.
False christ #1: The Mascot
Jillian has blended her Christian background with her ethical hedonist worldview and created an idol for herself: The Mascot, or the cheerleader
Question: What are the primary characteristics of The Mascot?
Can a Christian pursue happiness?
The American Dream?
Happiness and pleasure, as expressed in American culture, are rooted in oneself. People strive for them so that their psychological and physical beings can feel great about themselves. People often congratulate themselves for the feeling of happiness they get from some accomplishment.
Or the American Nightmare?
As with the striving for money, the striving for happiness can become a person’s god. Happiness is transitory. The smile of today can become the frown of tomorrow when winning turns to losing and being “on top of the world” is replaced with being “at the bottom of the barrel.”
Can a Christian pursue happiness?
Christian Joy
Christian joy is not centered in us, but in the Giver of the good things that have been received by ourselves and others. Christians recognize that the good we have in this life is a gift from God. Christian joy accepts these gifts with a grateful heart rather than with a boastful spirit.
Matthew 5:11-12:�Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. In fact, that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you”
Philippians 4:4-7�Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The Mascot
Lawlessness
The Law and the Gospel
The Law and the Gospel are the central teachings of Christianity. The Law, summarized in the Ten Commandments, shows us our sins. It brings our total corruption into view. The Gospel shows us our Savior, Christ whom God sent to redeem us. It is totally about God’s grace.
The Mascot: Lawlessness
Romans 3:20�“For this reason, no one will be declared righteous in his sight by works of the law, for through the law we become aware of sin.”
Hebrews 4:12�“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to the point of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, even being able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.”
Why does the Mascot need to reject God’s Law?
The Mascot: Lawlessness
Galatians 3:21-22�“Then is the law against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given that could give life, certainly righteousness would have been derived from the law. But Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ would be given to those who believe.”
What do we make of The Mascot’s claim that Christians are under grace, and therefore there is no law?
The Mascot
No consequence for sin
The Mascot downplays the existence of hell
The hedonist is in a constant battle to avoid pain/discomfort. What could be more painful than an eternity of punishment. This is simply incompatible with a worldview that is seeking pleasure.
It is also a logical result of Lawlessness. If we get to decide what is right and wrong, then who would ever do anything “wrong?” If there is no wrong, then why would we ever be punished?
The Mascot: No consequence for sin
Paul addresses the ultimate results of sin in Romans 6:22, “the wages of sin is death, but the undeserved gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
David gives us some additional context in Psalm 32:5 when he writes “I said, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord,’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
Punishment
We receive the punishment we deserve
We Sin
We commit the sin
Guilt
The guilt (responsibility) of the sin rests on us
The Mascot: No consequence for sin
Punishment
We receive the punishment we justly deserve
We Sin
We commit the sin
Guilt
The guilt (responsibility) of the sin rests on us
Eternal Life
Not subject to death
Jesus
Lives a perfect life
Righteousness
Blameless before God
The Mascot: No consequence for sin
Punishment
Jesus receives the punishment for our guilt
We sin
We commit the sin
Guilt
The guilt (responsibility) of the sin rests on Jesus
Eternal Life
Not subject to death
Jesus
Lives a perfect life
Righteousness
Blameless before God
Responding to The Mascot
The pleasure/pain trap
When everything that causes pleasure is good, then people want the reinforcement of hearing that their view is correct, and they want to do things that are good because they give pleasure. Their Jesus is a mascot that goes along with this idea.
When everything that causes pain is evil, then people do not want to hear opposing ideas because they cause pain, which is evil. The real Jesus causes pain and is therefore evil.
Responding to the Mascot
It is first necessary to ask whether things that at first seem good can turn out to be evil and whether things that at first seem to be evil can turn out to be good. Sharing things in one’s own life that looked good and turned out bad or looked bad and turned out good can help to weaken the good/evil worldview.
If the person becomes less sure of themselves, have a Law/Gospel presentation ready that is appropriate to the situation. Each of us are sinners who sometimes get drawn away from good behavior to doing evil. When this happens, we have a waiting Savior who will forgive us. He will not excuse, but he will forgive.
It is not necessary to redefine Jesus if one is willing to repent.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The Mascot
The Mascot is a phony Jesus who cheers us on to happiness, to success, to all the good things in life.
He, however, is unavailable when things go bad. He cannot share one’s tears and sorrow because he is a being of happiness. Eventually all of us meet sorrow, either at the death of someone who is important to us or as we deteriorate and approach our own death. Jesus the Mascot will not be there when he is needed most.
The Real Jesus
The real Jesus is a God for all seasons. St. Paul wrote, “Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching. For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:2,3).
Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
Questions About the Mascot?
Moving Beyond Jesus: Heb 6
Approach 1:
Immediate context
TODO: Review Richard’s thought experiment
Moving Beyond Jesus: Heb 6
Approach 2:
Broader context
TODO: Does any other Scripture support or refute Wendy’s view
Moving Beyond Jesus: Heb 6
Approach 3:
Grammatical Study
TODO: Review the Greek grammar. GR: “logov” is an accusative (object of the verb “leave standing”), and the “arxns” and “Xristou” are genitive nouns that modify “logov”
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
Lesson 2:
The Therapist,
The Option Among Many,
The Good Teacher
The Therapist
Chapter 4
Wendy, the Life Coach
Dr. Phil, Credit: Google Images
Meet Wendy
Profile
Wendy is: “a vibrant and enthusiastic woman in her midfifties. She was a member of a prominent church in town and had garnered a reputation for being a Christian woman whom younger women looked up to. She had four adult kids: one was a doctor, one was a school teacher, one a stay-at-home mother, and the other was recently accepted to a prestigious university. Wendy also had a very loving husband, and though it was never said publicly, many envied their marriage. She was one of those people who seemed to have the right amount of joy in her life while still being able to gracefully handle her busy schedule. Her schedule had become even busier as of late. She had just been certified as a life coach from an online educational institution that provided self-directed studies.”
WTRJPSU, p 53
Meet Wendy
Carnal and Spiritual Christians
Wendy is a “spiritual Christian:”
Wendy said, “You may have big obstacles in your life, things that you cannot seem to overcome on your own. The good news, though, is that you are not alone, for the most powerful one, Jesus, is at your side. If you truly yield yourself to Jesus and let go of your attempts at overcoming these obstacles, then Jesus will fill you and take you to a whole new level. Dear sisters—and brothers, empty yourselves so Jesus can fill you. Jesus will take you from being a carnal Christian to a spiritual Christian. Jesus has something better, something greater in store for you. With Jesus, you have a destiny to fulfill, something no one else can accomplish.”
– WTRJPSU, p 54-55
Meet Wendy
Moving Beyond Christ
Wendy is moving beyond Christ:
“Dear sisters, do not merely be a Sunday-only Christian! It is good to go to church, and it is good to attend on Sundays, but wouldn’t you rather be more than an ordinary Christian? You don’t want to be like all those other lazy and normal Christians—do you? You need to move beyond being saved. Leave the elementary doctrines of Christ and go on to maturity! Step out of your traditions and comfort. There is so much more waiting for you. Don’t just merely abide, but blossom where you are planted. Furthermore, you don’t want to have an ordinary marriage or an ordinary life—do you? Step out and let the Lord fill you so that you can be taken to a whole new level. You have greatness awaiting you; Jesus will take you there if you yield to Him this day.”
– WTRJPSU, p 57
What Are Wendy’s Presuppositions?
A two-tiered Christianity
Wendy believes that there are two groups of Christians, “carnal” and “spiritual.”
Jesus is the means to an end
Jesus becomes, like Wendy, a life coach. He sits on the sidelines of our life, and when we need him to give us some advice, we reach out to him and he gives us some coaching on what we ought to do.
Wendy has blended her presuppositions with her �Christian faith to create: The Therapist
False christ #4: The Therapist
Question: What are the primary characteristics of The Therapist?
Keswick Theology
Wendy’s worldview has a name: Keswick Theology, sometimes called the “Higher Life” movement.
Some key ideas from Keswick Theology:
There are shared influences of Keswick Theology in Methodism (Wesleyanism) and Pentecostalism. Preachers like Billy Graham have continued preaching these types of Keswick ideas.
St. John’s Church, Keswick, England
A two-tiered Christianity
The Trap of Keswick Theology
Keswick theology emphasizes sanctification at the expense of justification.
Sanctification for the Christian is a long and tortuous process which is never completed in this life, but there is no second level.
Keswick theology is what results when someone get fixated on one particular doctrine of Christianity and shapes the rest of the doctrines to fit with the fixation.
1 Corinthians 6:11�“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God”
A two-tiered Christianity
Is this for real?
While Keswick theology is rooted in an old movement, it is still very much alive and well.
“Let Go and Let God” sounds like positive theology, but it is really a prayer to a false christ to lead you to surrender yourself to God and take that second step toward sanctification.
Moving Beyond Jesus
Getting on the ladder
If you are going to climb a ladder, you need to get on the first rung.
Moving Beyond Jesus
A false road
Keswick theology claims to be rooted in the Scriptures. Remember Wendy’s quote:
“You need to move beyond being saved. Leave the elementary doctrines of Christ and go on to maturity!” WTRJPSU, p 57
How would you respond to this verse from Hebrews chapter 6?
Hebrews 6:1
“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God” (NIV)
“Therefore, leaving the beginning discussion of Christ, let us press on toward matters that require greater maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, of faith in God” (EHV)
Responding to the Therapist
One needs to ask the life coach where the Bible speaks about a two-tiered Christianity. You want the coach to produce clear passages such as those that exist for other doctrines. The passage from Hebrews 6 does not meet that criterion; it is merely encouragement to study biblical doctrines more. You must raise doubts that such passages exist.
Point out that Christians’ real goal is to better understand sin and grace so that we stay close to Jesus. He has never promised us perfection in this life, so it is not a good thing to spend our time chasing it instead of studying God’s word. Jesus told us to search the Scriptures; he never encouraged us to move to a higher plane of Christian faith.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The Therapist
The Therapist is a phony Jesus who leads us on a wild goose chase for temporal happiness. He promises us a pot of gold, but he cannot get us over the rainbow to collect it. The things of this world are never going to sustain us.
The Real Jesus
The writer to the Hebrews wrote, “Let us get rid of every burden and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patient endurance the race that is laid out for us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the author of our faith and the one who brings it to its goal” (Hebrews 12:1–2). Look to Jesus and only to Jesus.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The Therapist
The second tier must be kept illusionary because if it were ever reached, then what? Does one sit there and do nothing but bask in the glow of temporary success? What is the next goal worth striving for? Might there be yet a third level where the benefits of Christianity are even better?
The Real Jesus
Peter warned us to beware lest we fall away from Jesus by trying to find a better situation in life than just being a believer in Jesus. He wrote, “Dear friends, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you do not fall from your own firm position by being led astray through the error of the wicked. Instead grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17–18)
Questions About the Therapist?
The Option Among Many
Chapter 2
Tamar, the Religious Pluralist
Credit: Google Images
Meet Tamar
Profile
Tamar is: “in his mid to late twenties … soon to be married … [and] he identified as a spiritual person, but definitely not religious, even though his parents and grandparents were devout Armenian Orthodox Christians.”
WTRJPSU, p 22
Meet Tamar
Non-exclusive
Tamar has: “a gut feeling that all the religions of the world lead to the same place I mean, they are all totally different approaches, but the all lead to the same place. Every dude goes to heaven or whatever the end looks like.”
WTRJPSU, p 22
Meet Tamar
View of Jesus
Tamar believes: “Jesus? He is for sure the real thing, just like all those other spiritual gurus. The way I see it, all these dudes like Jesus, Muhammed, and Confucius are superspiritual guys who have their own spin on the human experience and the way to the afterlife. Jesus is just one option among many.”
WTRJPSU, p 23
Meet Tamar
Tolerance and Love
Tamar is: “totally passionate and sold about Jesus’ acceptance of all. People forget that Jesus is all about tolerance and not hate–after all, that’s what he taught. So, yeah, I guess I subscribe to the non-hater Jesus who accepts everyone.”
WTRJPSU, p 26
Meet Tamar
Universal salvation
Tamar believes: “everyone will be in the afterlife since there is no such thing as hell. You see, hell doesn’t exist; it’s made up. Why would a loving God send people to hell? Jesus wouldn’t do that because he is love.”
WTRJPSU, p 29
What Are Tamar’s Presuppositions?
A humanistic worldview
Humanity is the pinnacle of existence.
Pluralism
All religions/beliefs are equal.
Belief in love
Generic love and tolerance, not hate.
Universalism
Everyone will eventually go to the same afterlife: heaven, nirvana … whatever.
False christ #2: The Option Among Many
Question: What are the primary characteristics of The Option Among Many?
2016 interfaith peace gathering in Assisi, Italy Photo by CNS/Paul Haring
Humanism
“Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.”
Humanism
The Humanist Manifesto III
Humanism
The Humanist Manifesto III
“Humanists are concerned for the well being of all, are committed to diversity, and respect those of differing yet humane views. We work to uphold the equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties in an open, secular society and maintain it is a civic duty to participate in the democratic process and a planetary duty to protect nature’s integrity, diversity, and beauty in a secure, sustainable manner.”
Source: American Humanist Association, https://americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/manifesto3/
Humanism
Humanism and Culture
Pluralism
Pluralism is the idea that all religions are equally valid, and that members of each religion should be free to practice their religion in whatever manner (within reason) that they would like.
Image: https://nomadic-nerd.com/2018/10/20/book-review-animal-farm-george-orwell/
Pluralism: The Obvious Problem
God and Salvation:
The Source of Doctrine:
Pluralism: Efforts at Unification
Ecumenicalism in America
Tolerance and Love
A contemporary example
In a mere 20 years, the idea of tolerance has changed from “don’t ask, don’t tell” to “if you don’t actively endorse what I want to do, you are a bigot and evil”
Tolerance: A Christian View
In civil matters:
A Christian will treat others with respect, even when we disagree … and even when we are not treated in kind.
“Stop judging, so that you will not be judged.” � Matthew 7:1
“For what business is it of mine to judge people outside the church?”� 1 Corinthians 5:12
Tolerance: A Christian View
In matters of doctrine:
The Christian church cannot be tolerant because false teachings lead people to hell.
But we do this in love
“But I have this against you: You allow that woman Jezebel, the one who calls herself a prophetess, to deceive my servants and to teach them to commit sexual immorality and eat things offered to idols”� –Revelation 2:20
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we would in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head” – Eph 4:15
Christian Love
Love is the fulfillment of the Law:
“If you love me, hold on to my commands”� – John 14:15
Christian Love
Love causes us to treat others as we would want to be treated.
“Love does no harm to a neighbor, so love is the fulfillment of the law”� – Romans 13:10
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven”� – Matthew 5:44–45
Universalism
“We’re all gonna end up in the same place”
Universalism is the belief that, just like “all roads lead to Rome,” ultimately all paths that people choose in life lead to a good afterlife.
Universalism
Binary pairs in the Scripture:
“If the Lord is God, follow him. If Baal is God, follow him” � –1 Kings 18:21
You cannot serve both God and mammon” – Matthew 6:24
“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils” – 1 Timothy 6:10
Universalism
Belief and unbelief are always presented as polar opposites, and sadly, with deadly consequences
“The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, God’s wrath remains on him” – John 3:36
“The one who believes in him is not condemned, but the one who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.” – John 3:18
Responding to the Option Among Many
Remember: The pluralist has reconciled the differences in teachings of other religions in their mind.
Our goal (in love): Reintroduce cognitive dissonance.
How we do this will depend on the situation, and may require a bit of research on other religions.
For example:
“Those who say, ‘Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary,’ have certainly fallen into disbelief. The Messiah ˹himself˺ said, ‘O Children of Israel! Worship Allah—my Lord and your Lord.’ Whoever associates others with Allah ˹in worship˺ will surely be forbidden Paradise by Allah. Their home will be the Fire.” – Quran 5:72
does not reconcile with
“There is salvation in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The Option Among Many
This is a phony god who promotes “love” without providing any help
The Real Jesus
An exclusive God who says: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” – John 14:6
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The Option Among Many
He leaves the details to man, and gives no real help or comfort as mankind fumbles toward a nebulous afterlife.
The Real Jesus
A God of action that acted when mankind was helpless, so to secure heaven for sinners: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time” – 1 Timothy 2:5,6
Questions About the Option Among Many?
The Good Teacher
Chapter 3
Mr. Darby, the Possible Atheist
“The School of Athens” by Raphael, 1511
Meet Mr. Darby
Profile
My Darby is a: “professor, [who daily] would take some subtle, yet intentional, jab at Christianity. It was like he couldn’t help it. Or maybe he could. Maybe he spent the evening before thinking of the jab he would take.”
WTRJPSU, p 27
Meet Mr. Darby
A possible atheist
Mr. Darby’s view on Jesus: “It is my view that there was probably a guy named Jesus who inspired the Christian religion. Jesus most likely existed, but He was no different than all the other religious leaders of the day. I don’t doubt that He was probably a profound teacher; however, that was all He was. He was nothing more than a good teacher who taught people good things.”
WTRJPSU, p 38
Meet Mr. Darby
A possible atheist
Mr. Darby’s view on God: “God is dead, which means all your beliefs and traditions and morals are pointless. Because there is no God, your ideas are meaningless. Jesus was a historical figure—a man—no different than any of the other influential teachers of the past.”
WTRJPSU, p 39
Meet Mr. Darby
A higher critic
Mr. Darby’s view of the Bible: “You should not read those Bible accounts literally; I don’t read the Bible literally, for those miracles defy the laws of science and nature. It simply is not reasonable to believe in a godlike Jesus who performed miracles. Not everything in the Bible is true, you know”
WTRJPSU, p 39
What Are Mr. Darby’s Presuppositions?
Rationalism
Mr. Darby is a higher critic whose reason is allowed to be judge and jury
Humanism
Like Tamar, humanity enjoys an exalted place in his worldview
Atheistic Tendencies
Belief that there is no God, or is at least uncertain about the existence of God
False christ #4: The Good Teacher
Question: What are the primary characteristics of The Good Teacher?
The Atheist
“God is dead” – Nietzsche
Atheism
The Word became flesh
Jesus claimed to be God incarnate:
“I and the Father are one” – John 10:30
“The one who has seen me has seen the Father” – John 14:9
The disciples claimed Jesus to be God:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him everything was made, and without him not one thing was made that has been made”� – John 1:1–3
Atheism
The Word became flesh
The early church knew Jesus to be God incarnate:
“This gospel is about his Son—who in the flesh was born a descendant of David, who in the spirit of holiness was declared to be God’s powerful Son by his resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ, our Lord” – Romans 1:3,4
“For this reason, he had to become like his brothers in every way, in order that he would be a merciful and faithful high priest in the things pertaining to God, so that he could pay for the sins of the people” – Hebrews 2:17
Responding to the Good Teacher
When the intellectual makes statements contrary to the biblical teaching, we can ask why he believes his statement is true. We can present to him biblical statements that might challenge his view. We might ask him how much of the Bible he has read and make suggestions if he has read little or none of it.
In interaction with an intellectual, we try to learn how he thinks and why. By a thoughtful interchange we may find the place where he is open to hear more.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The Good Teacher
This is a convenient god phony for those who believe themselves to be smart and to have something they would like to teach the world to improve it.
Does not help or forgive sins, only gives rules to live by.
The Real Jesus
“Though he was by nature God, he did not consider equality with God as a prize to be displayed, but he emptied himself by taking the nature of a servant. When he was born in human likeness, and his appearance was like that of any other man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross” - Philippians 2:6–8
Questions About the
Good Teacher?
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
Lesson 3:
The Giver of Bling,
The National Patriot
The Giver of Bling
Chapter 5
Jim & Stacy, the Blessed
Credit: Google Images
Meet Jim & Stacy
Profile
Jim & Stacy are: “were in their late forties, had older children, owned their own business, and attended the local non-denominational church in town … and were fairly well respected in the greater community. After hearing the news of Olivia’s illness, the Jaeger family … organized meals, helped orchestrate several fund-raising benefits, and even began a prayer support group for the Schneiders. They rallied support for Olivia.”
WTRJPSU, p 69
Meet Jim & Stacy
The role of faith
Jim & Stacy teach: “‘We all just need to feed our faith and then our fears will begin to starve to death.’ To this comment, another parishioner responded, ‘Yes, we need to stay positive about Olivia. We need to speak positive words about her being healed. We need to put these positive words into practice and plug them into the powerhouse of heaven with prayer. Olivia will be healed, oh yes; she will be healed because we have faith!’”
WTRJPSU, p 70
Meet Jim & Stacy
Present blessings
Jim & Stacy claim: “You’d better get your faith in line with what Jesus says! There is no room for defeatist talk, especially right now. We need to claim the healing that already belongs to Olivia. Now is the time to have faith that is storming for heaven, not doubt”
WTRJPSU, p 73
Meet Jim & Stacy
Suffering
Jim & Stacy believe: “Jesus is triumphant; we are triumphant. He has borne our diseases; by His stripes, we are healed. Victory is on its way for Olivia, which means we’ve gotta plan for the increase, restoration, and a comeback for Olivia’s health and prosperity.”
WTRJPSU, p 73
Meet Jim & Stacy
The relationship with God
Jim & Stacy conclude: “‘Olivia died because we did not have enough faith.’ [It] was concluded by the Jaegers and the prayer group that individuals in the community did not have enough faith—as they had—and that was the reason for Olivia’s death. It was as if the Giver of Bling would have gladly kept her alive had our words been more direct, our prayers more fervent, our hearts more devoted—if we would have been ‘real’ Christians and not some subpar second-class Christians.”
WTRJPSU, p 78-79
What Are Jim & Stacy’s Presuppositions?
An exalted view of faith
Faith is a work of man for the purpose of gaining God’s blessing
A Quid Pro Quo relationship
Man and God are on a level playing field: if we do x, then God does y
A premature eschatology
Applying God’s future promises to events in the present time
A theology of glory
An aversion of the reality and purpose of suffering in this life
The Scriptural Role of Faith
What is Faith?
What is the Source of Faith?
What Does Faith Require?
What Power Does Faith Have?
An Exalted View of Faith
God’s reply through Paul:
“It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8,9.
For Jim & Stacy, faith is more than a passive channel to receive salvation.
An Exalted View of Faith
“The force of faith is released or activated by words. Faith-filled words put the law of the Spirit of life into operation.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, saint of God, healing is the will of God for you. Never, ever, ever go to the Lord and say, ‘If it be thy will…’ Don’t allow such faith-destroying words to be spoken from your mouth. When you pray ‘if it be your will, Lord,’ faith is destroyed. Doubt will billow up and flood your being. Be on guard against words like this which will rob you of your faith and drag you down in despair. It is His will. Jesus said, ‘I will’”
For Jim & Stacy, speaking faith-filled words taps into the power of God
An Exalted View of Faith
Let me tell you a story:
Dave says, “Michael, you’ve just gotta have faith.”
The Quid Pro Quo View of Faith
Jim & Stacy have put themselves on equal footing with God
Credit: Google Images
The Quid Pro Quo View of Faith
Jim & Stacy put on a faith performance to “manage” God
God is then enabled(!) or obligated(!) to respond in kind
What a Hopeless and Wretched Existence This Must Be!
A Premature Eschatology
God’s promises about a Christian’s future reward (especially post-judgement day) are taken out of that future context and brought back to the present day
For example, how would someone with a premature view of the eschaton understand Rev 21:4:
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain, because the former things have passed away.”
Theology of Glory
In a theology of glory:
Those with a “theology of glory” mindset take their premature eschatology thinking to its ultimate conclusion
Theology of the Cross
He called the crowd and his disciples together and said to them, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. After all, what good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? In fact, whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”� – Mark 8:34-38
Theology of the Cross
Observations on Mark 8:34-38 by Prof. Daniel Deutschlander, from his book The Theology of the Cross
“Jesus makes the cross for his followers a consequence, not a cause, of discipleship.”
“The cross for the Christian is a consequence of discipleship. It is a necessary consequence. No cross, no Christian! It is the cross that marks the Christian as a Christian.”
“The cross is heavy and painful. The pain and even the awareness of the cross may change from year to year in the Christian’s life. But nevertheless a cross there is; a cross there must be. A sermon from the pulpit or a lesson from the classroom, therefore, that tries to make Christianity sound painless, effortless, easy, entertaining, or just a Sunday morning jaunt to the happy place of souls is counterfeit Christianity.”
Prosperity Gospel
When these 4 presuppositions are combined, you end up with something that is called the “Prosperity Gospel”
Note: This is not a specific denomination, but rather a movement within Christianity in general
AKA:
This is what the book refers to as…
False christ #5: The Giver of Bling
Primary characteristics of The Giver of Bling:
Credit: www.thefrugalfellow.com
Prosperity Gospel: Sample Beliefs
“We Believe … the entire Bible is inspired by God, without error and the authority on which we base our faith, conduct, and doctrine.
… Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins. We believe that salvation is found by placing our faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross. We believe Jesus rose from the dead and is coming again.
… every believer should be in a growing relationship with Jesus by obeying God’s Word, yielding to the Holy Spirit, and by being conformed to the image of Christ.
… as children of God, we are overcomers and more than conquerors, and God intends for each of us to experience the abundant life He has in store for us.”
Joel Osteen Ministries www.joelosteen.com/ourministry/what-we-believe
What Does a Prosperity Gospel Sound Like?
Do Believers Have a Right to Bling?
God Promises Blessings
God said, “You shall serve the Lord your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from your midst” � – Exodus 23:25
Give freely to him, and do not feel resentful about giving to him, because on account of your giving, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and whatever you put your hand to” � – Deuteronomy 15:10
“Yes, you bless the righteous, Lord. You surround them with your favor as a shield” – Psalm 5:12
“The earth will yield its harvest. God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him” – Psalm 67:6,7
Do Believers Have a Right to Bling?
God Promises Adversity
Job said, “If we accept the good that comes from God, shouldn’t we also accept the bad?” -Job 2:10
“His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that God’s works might be revealed in connection with him’” – John 9:2,3
“We sent him to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one will be shaken by these trials, for you know well that we are destined for this” – 1 Thessalonians 3:2,3
Troubles with the Prosperity Gospel
#1 - It is based on a worldly standard
The prosperity gospel is rooted in the American Dream, not in the Scriptures. It takes its terminology from the Scriptures, but its ideas are from the world of marketing.
It cannot handle the bad things that happen in this world. It blames them on personal lack of faith and the evil unbelievers in the world for any ills that befall Christians.
Troubles with the Prosperity Gospel
#2 - It is at heart a works-based religion
The prosperity sought is ultimately the responsibility of the person. The individual must act first, and then God is moved to action by the sincerity of the faith.
Troubles with the Prosperity Gospel
#3 - Where your treasure is…
The real need of forgiveness of sins is little more than table stakes in the prosperity gospel. The primary emphasis is on having your best life now.
Jesus responds: “Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21
Troubles with the Prosperity Gospel
#4 - It disregards the Lord’s discipline
The Lord sometimes allows us to pass through a course of suffering to strengthen our faith and sometimes He removes us to the heavenly realms.
Solomon wrote, “Do not reject the Lord’s discipline, my son, and do not despise his warning, because the Lord warns the one he loves as a father warns a son with whom he is pleased” – Proverbs 3:11,12
Responding to the Giver of Bling
The evil root
When faith and prosperity are linked in a cause-and-effect relationship, it is natural to assume that more and better faith will yield more and better prosperity.
Because positive words build and actuate faith, it is important to use them whenever possible and to ignore reality by avoiding negative words and assessments of a situation.
What to say?
We need to challenge the status quo of positive theology thinkers. If their faith is working for them, why have they not advanced further in their careers? Why are they not richer? Why have their children not done better in school or in their careers?
It is easy for them to blame other people’ problems on their lack of faith, but it is hard for them to accept the idea that their lack of faith is the cause of their failures, so this must be emphasized.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The Real Jesus is not about the glory of this world. He gave up the glories of heaven to come to earth to take our place and be despised.
Jesus’ suffering had a purpose, and so does ours, although we may not know it yet.
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man who knew grief, who was well acquainted with suffering. Like someone whom people cannot bear to look at, he was despised, and we thought nothing of him”
– Isaiah 53:3
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The Real Jesus also took our place to endure God’s punishment so that we would not have to.
He endured all to give us a gift far greater than any bling He could bestow upon us.
“He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed”
– Isaiah 53:5
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
Because Jesus saved us from our sins and made us His siblings, we should look to where He is rather than being obsessed with where we are.
We need to patiently endure and await His call.
“Therefore, because you were raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things
– Colossians 3:1,2
Questions About the
Giver of Bling?
The National Patriot
Chapter 6
Jack, the theocratic American
Credit: Google Images
Meet Jack
Love of God and Love of Country
Jack: “was yelling that moving the flag was unpatriotic and that America was a Christian nation, possibly God’s new Israel. He said that Jesus had a special blessing for America, so we shouldn’t be concerned about the altar being so close to the flag.”
…Continues
Meet Jack
Love of God and Love of Country
“Jack sure let Pastor Larry have it in the fellowship hall; he said that Pastor Larry was unpatriotic and un-American and that he was falling prey to the atheistic agenda to secularize our country. As Jack left the building, he mumbled something about the flag always being a part of the church’s décor and that he could not figure out why anyone would want to change this.”
WTRJPSU, p 86-87
Meet Jack
Church and State
Jack believed: “an altar without the American flag meant Christianity separated from America. He could not fathom America and the church in two distinct and separate categories, for God blessed America, and, according to Jack, America was a theocracy just like Israel was in the Old Testament. In other words, the separation of America from Christianity—for Jack—was the destruction of the manifest destiny of America being a new Israel—an America that had a special divine favor from God.
Continues…
Meet Jack
Church and State
“To separate America (i.e., the state) and Christianity (i.e., the church) would be equal to denying that America had God’s special divine favor. Furthermore, if the state and the church were in two separate spheres, Jack may feel like he would have to choose between his allegiances with America and Christianity.”
WTRJPSU, p 88
Agree/Disagree
“America is God’s Special Creation.”
What Are Jack’s Presuppositions?
Misunderstanding of God’s Two Kingdoms
God rules both the church and the state. Both do His bidding, but in different ways and for different purposes.
God’s Two (3) Kingdoms
Thy Kingdom Come
When theologians refer to the ruling activity of God, they sometimes talk about his three kingdoms:
1.) The kingdom of power
2.) The kingdom of grace
3.) The kingdom of glory
God’s Two Kingdoms: Power
Through Agents
God can also work indirectly through human agents.
Through Direct Power
Often when dealing with nature, God directly applies of His divine power to objects that do not have a soul.
God’s Two Kingdoms: Grace
Represented by the Visible Church
Purpose
Civil Government
The Kingdom of Power
A Key Text: Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. For no authority exists except by God, and the authorities that do exist have been established by God. Therefore the one who rebels against the authority is opposing God’s institution, and those who oppose will bring judgment on themselves.
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to evil. Would you like to have no fear of the one in authority? Do what is good, and you will receive praise from him, because he is God’s servant for your benefit.
Civil Government
The Kingdom of Power
A Key Text: Romans 13:1-7 (concluded)
“But if you do wrong, be afraid, because he does not carry the sword without reason. He is God’s servant, a punisher to bring wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore it is necessary to submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of conscience.
For this reason you also pay taxes, because the authorities are God’s ministers, who are employed to do this very thing. Pay what you owe to all of them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed.”
Civil Government: Establishment
Civil Government Is God’s Other Kingdom
Because it was established by God, government and its officials deserve our honor and respect
Civil Government: Purpose
Punish Wrongdoers
The “sword” is used to execute criminals or to defend against foreign wrongdoers by the army
Collect Taxes
To carry out the work of commending, terrorizing and punishing
Commend Those Who Do Good
The specific “good” that government commends is left undefined by Paul
Terror to Those Who Do Wrong
Emphasis is on the outward control of those who “do” wrong
Civil Government: Our Respect
But what if the government does evil
God does not always state his “whys.” Sometimes he just states the “whats.”
He puts no qualification on his command that we submit. He gives us our responsibility, and we place the rest in his providence.
We Submit Because of Conscience (v 5)
We submit and obey because God wants us to, since the creation of our conscience is the work of God
We submit not only to “good” government
Rebellion against the state is always wrong
Christ’s Rule over Civil Government
He rules without personally revealing himself
Nations are typically ignorant of God acting in their midst
He rules without their consent
When he is revealed, the nations generally oppose him, but he is victorious anyways
He does not explain how he rules
We leave that to God, knowing his control is always in the interest of his believers (Rom 8:31-39)
He calls on believers to trust him
Whether or not we see it, we trust that God is in control, and we are therefore obedient subjects
Christ’s Rule in the Kingdom of Grace
The church desires Christ’s rule
In faith, the church follows Christ’s lead (John 6:68-69)
Christ bonds himself to the church in love
Through Word and Sacrament, Christ builds a special relationship with his church (Rom 6:4)
Christ reveals himself to us
In his Word he shows himself and invites us to him (Mt 11:28)
Christ rules by giving
He gives the gift of eternal life and establishes his rule in our heart by that gift (John 11:25-26)
False christ #6: The National Patriot
Primary characteristics of The National Patriot:
Washington Crossing the Delaware
Responding to the National Patriot
A Different Role
The church seems like a perfect agent to coerce the government to do as God demands in the Scriptures. However, the role of the church is not to moralize society. It is to preach the Gospel for the salvation of souls. Civil righteousness does not save.
The Politicized Church
People have always wanted God on their side. Moreover, the Old Testament gives us plenty of examples under Israel’s theocracy where God demanded that the government punish those who disobeyed His moral Law.
Responding to the National Patriot
Choosing between church and state is a false dichotomy
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
Jesus was quite clear when he said:
“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here” John 18:36
Paul preached obedience to God emphatically (Rom 13), but he did not mix it with the message of salvation. He did not call for a “holy war” to force the state to enact Christian principles or destroy the forces of evil.
We pray for our government, but we do not use the church to leverage it.
Questions About the
National Patriot?
The Moral Example
Chapter 8
Ruby, the moralist
Credit: Walmart.com
Meet Ruby
We’ve heard all that before.
Ruby: “But why not go on Pastor? We get that Jesus died for our sins; we’ve all heard that. So, let’s go on and focus on how Jesus lived as a source of inspiration! We need to live a life of obedience, a life modeling the life of Jesus.”
Meet Ruby
Gospel … or Law?
Ruby: “Pastor, what I mean is that you are not giving us enough practical examples so we can be like Christ. You are good at talking about justification by faith; however, you need to move on to Christian living. We are not hearing the full Gospel.”
Meet Ruby
An incomplete Law?
Ruby: “Well, yes, you did, but the Law was too negative, and you seem to be too hard on us women because when you preached the Law, you made it sound like we can’t fulfill the Law.”
Meet Ruby
An incomplete Gospel?
Ruby: “As far as the Gospel, well, the Gospel was incomplete too. You told us about Jesus’ death on the cross, but you did not teach us completely about Jesus’ obedient life. How are we to know what sin to throw off and how to walk in obedience unless we can model our lives after Jesus?”
What Are Ruby’s Presuppositions?
Role of Original Sin
Original sin was dealt with and has no continuing impact on her life
Sins as discrete mistakes
Sins are “separate … naughty events … avoidable with some effort”
Low view of the Law
Man is able to keep the Law (at least to some extent)
Man is in a morally neutral state
Man is free to choose good or evil, but needs a moral example to keep that freedom in check
Original Sin
Agree/Disagree:
“We were born with original sin, but it was forgiven at our Baptism.”
Original Sin
A better definition
“All who are naturally born are born with sin [Psalm 51:5], that is, without the fear of God, without trust in God, and with the inclination to sin, called concupiscence. Concupiscence is a disease and original vice that is truly sin. It damns and brings eternal death on those who are not born anew through Baptism and the Holy Spirit” – AC II.1-2
Original Sin in the Life of a Christian
“Certainly we know that the law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not keep doing what I want. Instead, I do what I hate. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. But now it is no longer I who am doing it, but it is sin living in me.”
Note the tense that Paul is using in this section: “I am unspiritual” … “I do what I hate”
Original Sin in the Life of a Christian
“Indeed, I know that good does not live in me, that is, in my sinful flesh. The desire to do good is present with me, but I am not able to carry it out. So I fail to do the good I want to do. Instead, the evil I do not want to do, that is what I keep doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who am doing it, but it is sin living in me.”
Paul confesses that original sin continues to plague him
Original Sin in the Life of a Christian
“So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is present with me. I certainly delight in God’s law according to my inner self, but I see a different law at work in my members, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me captive to the law of sin, which is present in my members. What a miserable wretch I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
The life of a Christian is spiritual warfare, and it is a battle to the death.
Thanks be to God that he provides a Savior for our wretched state!
Sin as a Series of Discrete Mistakes
Agree/Disagree
“People are basically good, but sometimes make bad choices.”
Sin as a Series of Discrete Mistakes
Are you totally depraved?
Ruby’s view of original sin leads her to think that her only problem is the actual sin that she commits
Sin as a Series of Discrete Mistakes
The Service: Setting One �(CW21 p 154)
“Holy God, gracious Father, I am sinful by nature and have sinned against you in my thoughts, words and actions…”
At the beginning of a Lutheran worship service, we confess our total depravity to the Lord, along with our actual sins
Sin as a Series of Discrete Mistakes
Question:
To Ruby (the moralist), what are the implications/consequences of believing that sin is just a set of poor choices?
Sin as a Series of Discrete Mistakes
Compare/Contrast:
In this regard, how is Ruby (the moralist) similar to Wendy (the therapist)? How are they different?
A Low View of the Law
Agree/Disagree
With Ruby’s desire to live a life in accordance with Jesus’ example, she exhibits a high view of God’s Law.
A Low View of the Law
There was a man who came to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing should I do that I may have eternal life?”
Jesus said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only one is good. But if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man asked him.
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 19:16-22
In the Parable of the Rich Young Man, we encounter another individual with a low view of the law.
Note his questions and his answers. Compare this to Ruby’s attitudes and presuppositions.
A Low View of the Law
The young man said to him, “I have kept all these. What am I still lacking?”
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had many possessions.
Matthew 19:16-22
Like Ruby, the man believes that he can keep the Law.
Note Jesus’ response - strong law.
Strong Law/Weak Law
Strong Law
Weak Law
Strong Gospel/Weak Gospel
Strong Gospel
Weak Gospel
Strong/Weak Law/Gospel
GOSPEL
LAW
Weak
Strong
Weak
Strong
A Low View of the Law
Compare/Contrast:
In regard to the Law, how is Ruby (the moralist) similar to Jillian (the the ethical hedonist)? How are they different?
Moral Neutrality and Lawlessness
Agree/Disagree
The result of too much grace is lawlessness.
Moral Neutrality and Lawlessness
What is the missing element?
When people are converted to Christianity by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit changes their hearts to want to serve Jesus to the greatest extent possible, in the same way as when someone really loves another person, he or she will want to strive to please that person.
It is the changed heart and not some form of quid pro quo that causes Christians to want to avoid sin and serve God.
St. Paul wrote,
“For example, someone might say, ‘If by my lie the truth of God increases all the more to his glory, why am I still being judged as a sinner?’ And why not say (as some slanderously claim we say), ‘Let us do evil so that good may result.’ Their condemnation is deserved”
– Romans 3:7,8
Moral Neutrality and Lawlessness
Moralism seeks to limit the Gospel so that it is not too free
Moralism seeks to shortcut the Gospel as it tries to improve the church (and society) with the Law
Responding to the Moralist
Question:
Where do you encounter the Moralist?
Responding to Ruby
Many nominal Christians get led astray believing that Jesus is essential to getting them into the proper relationship with God, but then he can no longer do anything directly to help them. He has done his part.
Phase two of Christianity is for them to do their part. To do this they need guidance from Jesus the Moral Example. He led the good life that they need as their example so that they can live the God-pleasing life. Sections of the Gospels like the Sermon on the Mount are especially useful for this.
Being a “pretty good” Christian is completely inadequate to restore us to a status of holy before God!
Responding to Ruby
We need to challenge the idea that Christians can lead God-pleasing lives based on Jesus’ examples. In Romans 7:7-25, Paul laid out the struggles he had living the Christian life that he was certainly committed to. Being called to faith changed his status before God, but it did not give him the power to avoid sin.
Christians remain active sinners. St. John wrote, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Our Old Adam loves to sin and will continually find ways of enticing us to do what is evil in God’s eyes.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The real Jesus came to die for us because we cannot keep the Law of God.
When he said, “Indeed I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and experts in the law, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20), he was not urging them to try harder, but to realize that they would have to have a righteousness so good that even the best performers could not attain to
St. Paul reaffirmed this when he wrote, “For if there had been a law given that could give life, certainly righteousness would have been derived from the law. But Scripture imprisoned all things under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ would be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:21,22)
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
Lesson 5:
The New Moses,
The Social Justice Warrior, and
The Feminized
The New Moses
Chapter 9
Walter, the legalist
Meet Walter
A concerned neighbor
Walter: “It’s worse than you think, Pastor. I just minded my own business walking in the alley on my way to this here potluck. And lo and behold I happened to look off to my right, and there is Ted finishing mowing his lawn and . . . a cold one. Yes, he was drinking a beer.”
Meet Walter
A strict moral code
Walter: “Any Christian—especially a leader—should never appear to endorse alcohol. The idea that we expect Jesus to smile along with us as we drink in moderation … is reprehensible! Let me ask you, Pastor, what does this teach people about what it means to be a Christian? What does it teach our youth?”
Meet Walter
A poor example
Walter: “If anyone saw Ted drinking, they could conclude that there is no harm in drinking and that it is an acceptable thing for Christians, so if they are at a party they will get drunk because they saw Ted drinking, and then they begin the downward spiral with drugs, cigarettes, porn, and everything else in the same category. We can’t justify this! You and I know Jesus would not approve of Christians drinking. Ted needs to stop. He is not acting the way a Christian should act; he should know better.”
What Is Walter’s Main Presupposition?
Role of Tradition
In Walter’s worldview, his traditions are on an equal footing with the Holy Scriptures in terms importance
The New Moses
Compare/Contrast:
How is Walter similar to Ruby? How is he different?
Tradition
Agree/Disagree:
“Upholding our traditions is extremely important for the church.”
Tradition
Historical Role in Lutheranism
Augsburg Confession
Article XV
“Our churches teach that ceremonies ought to be observed and may be observed without sin. Also ceremonies and other practices that are profitable for tranquility and good order in the Church (in particular, holy days, festivals and the like) ought to be observed.”
continued…
Tradition
Historical Role in Lutheranism
Augsburg Confession
Article XV
“Yet the people are taught that consciences are not to be burdened as though observing such thighs was necessary for salvation [Colossians 2:16-17]. They are also taught that human traditions instituted to make atonement with God, to merit grace, and to make satisfaction for sins are opposed to the Gospel and the doctrine of faith. So vows and traditions concerning meats and days, and so forth, instituted to merit grace and to make satisfaction of sins, are useless and contrary to the Gospel.”
Tradition - Mark 7:1-13
“The Pharisees and some of the experts in the law came from Jerusalem and gathered around Jesus. They saw some of his disciples eating bread with unclean (that is, unwashed) hands. In fact, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they scrub their hands with a fist, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions they adhere to, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and dining couches.”
Mark 7 gives Jesus’ commentary on the role of tradition
Tradition - Mark 7:1-13
The Pharisees and the experts in the law asked Jesus, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead they eat bread with unclean hands.”
He answered them, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites. As it is written:
These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
They worship me in vain, teaching human rules as if they were doctrines.”
The Pharisees looked like they were doing good and holy things
The issue is not one of external appearance, but of the heart
Tradition - Mark 7:1-13
Jesus conclusion is not that we should abandon traditions, but that we should not abandon what God has commanded.
You abandon God’s commandment but hold to human tradition like the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.” He continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside God’s commandment to keep your own tradition … So you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. You do many things like that.
How is Righteousness Obtained
Through grace
True Christians recognize that they are inherently no better than the unbelievers at keeping rules. It is rather that they have been declared righteous before God through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, not by anything they have done or can do.
St. Paul wrote, “Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Through works?
No matter how Christian the legalist claims to be, he or she nevertheless believes that his or her standing before God is affected by how well he or she keeps the rules.
In the mind of the legalist, being Christian is being morally superior to unbelievers. Christians must act out this superiority by following a more rigorous set of rules.
Legalism Today
Question:
Where do you encounter legalism today? In the church? In society?
Responding to Walter
To the longtime member
To new Christians
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The real Jesus fulfilled the Law given through the first Moses so that we do not have to try to do what we cannot. St. Paul wrote, “God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5).
Being justified by grace through faith, we do not need the rules of a New Moses.
Jesus quoted Isaiah when he said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching human rules as if they are doctrines” (Matthew 11:28–30). People who make up their own rules are false worshippers.
The Social Justice Warrior
Chapter 7
Simon, the liberation activist
Meet Simon
Wrong Theologically
Simon Says: “If Luther and Calvin were alive today, they would not be able to deal with the issues we are facing in our society—things like gender inequality, racism, poverty, homosexual bigotry, a women’s right to choose, transgender rights, and global warming. They could not speak to these modern issues because they were wrong theologically”
Meet Simon
Identifying the Oppressors
Simon Says: “Well, they failed to listen to the Bible with openness and they did not read the Bible through the eyes of the victim being oppressed … They didn’t get Jesus, what He was really about. They did not understand that He was about liberating people from unjust powerful systems; that He was about standing against the inhumanity of those who oppressed the poor and struggling. It is a sad irony that Jesus got crucified by these oppressive monsters—those Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Meet Simon
Confronting Oppression
Simon Says: “To love God is to love those who are persecuted. To serve God is to work to bring about a change in the systems that abuse. To be Christian is to be like Jesus and to fight for a just society. A person can’t simply stand on the sidelines; they must get alongside those being oppressed and make a difference, changing people’s attitudes and hearts! Only when these abusive systems and tyrannical oppressors are overcome by Christian action is a victimized person made whole.”
What Are Simon’s Main Presuppositions?
Identify the Guilty Party
In this system of thought, it is of key importance to identify the oppressors
Christians Should Be Activists
After identifying the guilty, the social justice Christian will take action to change society in order to make it more just
Oppressor and Oppressed
Simon’s worldview takes a binary view of humanity: a person is either part of an oppressive group or an oppressed group
The Social Justice Warrior
Compare/Contrast:
How is Simon similar to Ruby? How is he different?
How is he similar to Jack?
Liberation Theology
Simon’s worldview is often referred to as “Liberation Theology:
“The theology of liberation is a combination of Marxist philosophy with certain biblical motifs. It argues that we should reconstruct the whole of Christian theology by seeing it through the ‘axis of the oppressor and the oppressed.’”
– From “Liberation Theology” by John Frame� https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/liberation-theology/
Liberation Theology
The mid-20th Century saw the movement develop in at least 3 main branches
Liberation Theology
Contemporary Examples
Source: Mission of the UCC, www.ucc.org/mission :
Purpose Statement:
To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves.
Vision Statement:
United in Christ’s love, a just world for all.
Mission statement:
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
Liberation Theology
Contemporary Examples
Black Liberation Theology
An interview with James Cone, author of Black Theology And Black Power
https://www.npr.org/2008/03/31/89236116/black-liberation-theology-in-its-founders-words
Liberation Theology: The Main Problem
Agree/Disagree:
Jesus wants Christians to stand up to the powerful on behalf of the oppressed
Consider your answer in the context of Matthew 26:47-54
Liberation Theology: The Main Problem
Matthew 26:47b, 50b-54
With [Judas] was a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. ... Then they advanced, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him. Suddenly, one of the men with Jesus reached out his hand, drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, because all who take the sword will die by the sword. Do you not realize that I could call on my Father, and at once he would provide me with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”
Liberation Theology: The Main Problem
Questions:
What impact does the oppressor/oppressed dichotomy have on a person’s understanding of salvation?
What does a spirit of activism do to the mission of the church (think: “Great Commission”)?
Responding to Simon
Need for a Savior is bigger
Acknowledge Oppression
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The real Jesus was not interested in just helping the oppressed, but all people. St. Paul wrote, “He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves but for him, who died in their place and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).
The real Jesus was not interested in overthrowing earthly order but overthrowing Satan who held the whole world in bondage. The writer to the Hebrews noted, “[Jesus] also shared the same flesh and blood, so that through death he could destroy the one who had the power of death (that is, the Devil) and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14–15)
The Feminized
Chapter 11
Eva, the feminist
Meet Eva
A feminist
Eva: “I work with a non-profit group on the east coast, and our goal is to free women from male-dominated corporations and institutions. We have accomplished so much, and it’s just upsetting to see that the church is stuck with male sexism! It’s frustrating to see that Christianity is so entrenched in the old European male-dominance structure. It is a continued injustice that girls and women are facing inside the walls of the church. It all needs to be torn down.”
Meet Eva
Separating Jesus from his masculinity
Eva: “this whole idea of God becoming a ‘man’ is fundamentally sexist and opens the floodgates of oppression … What I am saying is that the maleness of Jesus should be separated from His divinity. Jesus was divine, but not divinely male. We shouldn’t have to understand Jesus in terms of male leadership, male power, and male-domination. Instead, he is a person who goes to the downtrodden to give them encouragement and compassion in the face of oppression.”
Meet Eva
Masculinity necessarily is oppressive
Eva: “the masculinity of Jesus promotes an image of male superiority in the church, which, in today’s culture, is simply unacceptable. I believe with all my heart that God is calling women out of spiritual imprisonment in the church. The glass steeple of the church is cracked and needs to be broken so women can finally be freed of the chains that limit and oppress them within the walls of their own churches. God has unlocked every prison gate for there is neither male nor female in the church; we women just have to be brave enough to stand up, get out, and leave the darkness behind!”
What Are Eva’s Main Presuppositions?
Egalitarian feminism
Eva is an egalitarian, 3rd wave feminist who wants to eliminate gender differences
Male structures & characteristics need to be eliminated
To enforce this egalitarianism, the feminist needs to remove any trace of masculinity from … well, anything
Masculinity is oppressive to women
In Eva’s worldview, masculinity is synonymous with power that is necessarily used to oppress women
The Feminist
Compare/Contrast:
How is Eva similar to Simon? How is she different?
Feminism
A Possible Definition
Eastern Kentucky University
Dept of Women & Gender Studies
“Feminism is an interdisciplinary approach to issues of equality and equity based on gender, gender expression, gender identity, sex, and sexuality as understood through social theories and political activism. Historically, feminism has evolved from the critical examination of inequality between the sexes to a more nuanced focus on the social and performative constructions of gender and sexuality.
Feminist theory now aims to interrogate inequalities and inequities along the intersectional lines of ability, class, gender, race, sex, and sexuality, and feminists seek to effect change in areas where these intersectionalities create power inequity.”
Feminism
A brief history
Three (4?) Waves of Feminist Thought
Feminism: First Wave
When:�1848 to early 1900’s
Who:�Elizabeth Cady Stanton; Susan B Anthony
What:�Main focus was on political equality of women: voting and property rights.
Feminism: Second Wave
When:�1960’s - 1990’s
Who:�Gloria Steinem; Betty Friedan
What:�Main focus was on social equality of women: sexual liberation, workplace issues (equal pay), etc.
Feminism: Third Wave
When:�1990’s - 2020’s
Who:�Kimberle Crenshaw; Naomi Wolf; “riot grrrls”
What:�Main focus was on a redefinition of femininity; complete female autonomy (the only rule is that there are no rules); rise of intersectionality and identity politics
Feminism: A Fourth Wave?
When:�2020’s - ????
Who:�#MeToo, etc.
What:�Main focus is on digitally-enabled activism; trans-inclusivity; deconstructing systems of white male power
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
Lesson 6:
The Feminized (conclusion)
The Mystic Friend
The Teddy Bear
Feminism
Themes in Modern (3rd/4th wave) Feminism
Recurring Themes
Feminist Themes: Egalitarianism
Egalitarian Feminism:
Agree/Disagree: Galatians 3:28 supports this view of egalitarian feminism
Galatians 3:28
“There is not Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one and the same in Christ Jesus.”
Feminist Themes: Egalitarianism
Egalitarian Feminism:
Agree/Disagree: Galatians 3:28 supports this view of egalitarian feminism
Galatians 3:26-29
“In fact, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is not Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, for you are all one and the same in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants and heirs according to the promise.”
Feminist Themes: Social Constructs
Societal Constructs:
To live within the same region, people need to get along with each other.
Common social constructs are forms of governments, types of fashions, official language, highway regulations, and social organizations.
God’s Constructs:
God has established physical constructs in His act of creation:
God has also established marriage and other types of social constructs among people for their benefit.
Feminist Themes: Patriarchalism
Historical Development:
For survival, families & clans acted as a unit
Often an elder (a patriarch) was selected to lead the clan and prevent infighting
This system is still in place today in various parts of the world
The Patriarchal Family:
The feminist caricature
God’s directives:
Feminist Themes: Patriarchalism
Agree/Disagree:
Ephesians 5:22 (“wives, submit to your own husbands”) establishes marriage as an oppressive, patriarchal, male-dominance structure
Ephesians 5:21-25
“[Submit] to one another in reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he himself is the Savior. Moreover, as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, in the same way as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”
Feminist Themes: Intersectionality
“Intersectionality is the acknowledgement that everyone has their own unique experiences of discrimination and oppression and we must consider everything and anything that can marginalize people – gender, race, class, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc.”
Quotation credit: https://www.womankind.org.uk/
Image credit: Sylvia Duckworth (www.cultivateall.com)
The Feminized
Question:
What is the end result of feminism? Is it simply to eliminate gender altogether, or is it to feminize everything that would be considered masculine?
The Feminized
Modern feminism results in eliminating traditional male characteristics and structures from society.
When this is done to Jesus, it changes how he behaves and acts.
This is the part that creates the false christ
The Feminized?
How does John 10:7-18 change our view of a feminized Jesus?
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired man, who is not a shepherd, does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. Because he works for money, he does not care about the sheep.
The Feminized?
John 10:7-18 (concluded)
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me (just as the Father knows me and I know the Father). And I lay down my life for the sheep. I also have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. This is the commission I received from my Father.
https://www.deviantart.com/willustration
The Feminized?
John 2:13-16
The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers sitting at tables. He made a whip of cords and drove everyone out of the temple courts, along with the sheep and oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those selling doves he said, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a place of business!”
The Feminized
How does this feminized false christ impact the church?
The Feminized
All I Really Want by Lincoln Brewster
Lord I love the way You love me�And how You move me deep within�Lord I love the way You hold me�And draw me into You�Lord I love the way You bless me�And how You look into my heart�Lord I love the way You lead me�Right into Your arms
God I praise Thee�You amaze me�Take my life�And let Your light shine through�Jesus Savior friend of sinners�Fill me up�'Cuz all I really want is more of You
Responding to Eva
Dealing with Power Inequality
Acknowledge Oppression
However, can we engage on the question of whether masculinity is always bad?
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The real Jesus is manly enough to deal with all the powers of hell, but he also comforts and sustains. Isaiah wrote, “Surely he was taking up our weaknesses, and he was carrying our sufferings…The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4). Matthew recorded, “He [Jesus] had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14)
The real Jesus is the real God who created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). As such, he has the power to give us everything we need and protect us against all danger. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of the divine nature. He sustains all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).
The Mystical Friend
Chapter 10
Zach, Mindy & Stephanie, the mystic pietists
Meet Zach & Mindy
A subjective question?
Zach: “After everyone located the correct page, the sound in the room decreased and Zach read the opening question, which contained a couple of verses from the Epistle of James. After a brief moment of silence, Zach said, ‘Now that we have read our opening question, what do these verses mean to you?’”
Meet Zach & Mindy
Coincidence? I think not!
Zach: “I have found that Jesus’ voice comes not in an audible voice, but as a spontaneous thought. Not just any old spontaneous thought, but a thought that seems to light up the inner soul. For example, just the other day I was thinking about praying for a person who had been struggling, and lo and behold, two minutes later they called me on the phone to simply see how I was doing. Now, you better believe it, that was Jesus telling me to pray. That was a Godcedence!”
Meet Zach & Mindy
A still small voice
Mindy: “I once had a direct encounter with the Lord that sort of awakened me to the inner freedom to let go of some of the ways that the church has limited Jesus. I came to know Jesus dwelling behind all the rituals and doctrines, and I came to know Him through that still small voice within. I saw Him through the eyes of my heart!”
Meet Brady
Looking for answers
Brady: “Brady looked down. It was apparent that he was rather stressed out about this decision. He said, ‘I have wished that the Lord would just reveal to me what I should do. I have been praying like crazy and have been getting nothing. However, while we were praying tonight, I think the Lord told me to take this new job.’”
Meet Stephanie
Dead letters, life together and giving grace
Stephanie & Mindy: “Stephanie smiled, ‘This is my new church, here with you all! The Sunday sermons at my old church were okay, I guess, but not exactly what I needed.’ Mindy leaned in and touched Stephanie’s arm, ‘I know exactly what you mean. I got so tired of that dead letter preaching. What is really important is doing life together with Jesus and that is what this small group helps us with. We are here to give each other grace.’”
What Are The Mystics’ Main Presuppositions?
Mystical knowledge of God
Revelation comes directly to the individual and can be heard by listening to one’s thoughts & ideas.
The spiritual is more important than the material
God meeting the Christian in his/her soul is key. Physical things (like sacraments) are of limited value.
God’s will is disconnected from Scripture
God will for the Christian comes through signs and thoughts and not through the Scriptures.
Christian experience supplants the Means of Grace
Holy living effectively becomes the means of grace – to the exclusion of preaching and the sacraments.
Mystics and Enthusiasts
Agree/Disagree:
When looking at a passage in Scripture, the most important thing to ask yourself is “what does this section of Scripture mean to me?”
Mystics and Enthusiasts
Mysticism is a belief that individuals can have a direct connection with and receive direct revelation from God
Practical implications of mysticism:
Mystics and Enthusiasts
“The term Enthusiast is a catch-all for Protestant teachers and churches that place internal emotion and the personal motion of God in their life above or as a replacement to the external Word and means of God. This means they believe God works and communicates personally to the individual rather than through Scripture and physical means.”
Source: www.1517.org, “Enthusiasm and Enthusiasts,” Caleb Keith
Mystical Knowledge of God
Based on the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans, how does God speak to us?
Romans 10:14-17
So then, how can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one about whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news of peace, who preach the gospel of good things!”
But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who believed our message?” So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through the word of Christ.
Mystical Knowledge of God
What additional insights does God provide into his view of mysticism and enthusiasm according to 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians 1:21-24
Indeed, since the world through its wisdom did not know God, God in his wisdom decided to save those who believe, through the foolishness of the preached message. Yes, Jews ask for signs, Greeks desire wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified—which is offensive to Jews and foolishness to Greeks, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Mystical Knowledge of God
It is not just Paul that teaches this. Note the agreement of the Psalmist and Peter.
Psalm 119:105
Your words are a lamp for my feet� and a light for my path.
1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not from perishable seed but from imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Mystical Knowledge of God
Sola Scriptura
The understanding that God speaks through the Word is foundational for us as Christians.
It is also practical for us in our daily lives.
Spiritual or Material?
Agree/Disagree:
The physical world is not important. What matters is that Jesus is living in my heart.
Spiritual and Material
In The Old Testament
The Israelites recognized that man had a soul as well as a body because we often read that someone was “gathered to his people.”
Other OT Scripture shows a consistent understanding that man is both body and soul.
Job 19:25-27
“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the end of time he will stand over the dust. Then, even after my skin has been destroyed, nevertheless, in my own flesh I will see God. I myself will see him. My own eyes will see him, and not as a stranger. My emotions are in turmoil within me.”
Spiritual and Material
In The Old Testament
The Israelites recognized that man had a soul as well as a body because we often read that someone was “gathered to his people.”
Other OT Scripture shows a consistent understanding that man is both body and soul.
Ecclesiastes 12:7
“The dust goes back into the ground—just as it was before, and the spirit goes back to God who gave it.”
Spiritual and Material
In The New Testament
Jesus himself testifies that man is one being with both body and soul – and that both are significant.
Matthew 10:28
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”
Spiritual and Material
In The New Testament
Jesus bluntly affirms the resurrection and also the present life of believers, including those who have fallen asleep.
Matthew 22:31-32
“Concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you never read what was spoken to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Spiritual and Material
In The New Testament
Far from the physical realm being unimportant, Jesus describes that people will physically see his coming and he will bring living and dead as a unified whole.
Matthew 24:30-31
“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
Christ “In Us” or Christ “For Us”
Christ In Us
While Jesus is to live in our hearts, he does not work through our hearts or through our reason to give us his message.
Ephesians 3:17
“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”
1 John 3:19-20
“This is how we know that we are of the truth and how we will set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything”
Christ “In Us” or Christ “For Us”
Christ For Us
Jesus’ work to save us was done outside of us. He acted “for us” to earn our salvation. Love for Jesus is now planted in our hearts from the outside by the Holy Spirit. Everything comes to us through the Word of God.
Titus 3:5-6
““He [God] saved us—not by righteous works that we did ourselves, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior”
Knowing God’s Will
Agree/Disagree:
The modern world is so complex, and we have so many choices. It is simply not possible that we can know what God’s will is for our lives unless God gives us some special sign.
Knowing God’s Will
Question:
How does Isaiah help us to understand how to respond when someone says “I wish God would give me a sign” like Brady does?
Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony! If people do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them.
Christian Living as a Means of Grace??
The final presupposition of the followers of the mystic friend separates Christianity from the means of grace and the church.
Instead, they turn the encouragement of like-minded believers (with a “Christ in me” focus) into a pseudo means of grace.
Question: What are the obvious problems with this approach?
Mystics and Enthusiasts Today
Question:
What are some examples where you have encountered the Mystic Friend?
Responding to Zach, Mindy, et al
Are Their Feelings Constant?
Are They Really In Control?
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The real Jesus has a body and a soul just as we do. He has lived life as we do, and he will be there for us. As the writer to the Hebrews noted, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus is solid. He is always there in His Word and Sacrament. He has found us; we do not need to grope about within our sinful hearts to find Him. He said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
The Teddy Bear
Chapter 12
Gary & Amber the glory theologians
Meet Gary & Amber Pederson
Too much cross
Gary: “It seems like we focus too much on the cross and not nearly enough on the resurrection … Don’t we limit the the Christian faith and the message of Christianity when all we do is talk about the cross? … Why does everything have to be so heavy?”
Meet Gary & Amber Pederson
Spiritual, not religious
Amber: “I want Norah to be spiritual, Pastor, not religious. I don’t want her to be full of a bunch of head knowledge because that will cut away at the very heart of Christianity”
What Are Gary & Amber’s Presuppositions?
Theology of Glory
As we discussed with the “Giver of Bling,” a Theology of Glory takes God’s future promises of glory for the Christian and places them into the current day.
Anti-Intellectualism
At least as far as Christianity goes, experiencing the Christian life is more important than doctrine and Christian teaching.
Theology of Glory
Why Do Glory Theologians Have a Problem with the Cross?
Suffering is a result of sin (Genesis 3). A glory theologian concludes that since Christians are sanctified, they should be (relatively) free from sin. Therefore, they conclude, a Christian should be free from suffering too.
Theology of the Cross
In this life, we are guaranteed suffering and the cross. Glory will come, but only in the time that God alone has determined.
Matthew 24:9�“Then they will hand you over to be persecuted, and they will put you to death. You will be hated by all nations because of my name”
Hebrews 12:5-6�“Do not regard the Lord’s discipline lightly, and do not become weary of his correction. For the Lord disciplines the one whom he loves, and he corrects every son he accepts”
Anti-
Intellectualism
A Religion of the Heart?
A religion of the heart is a religion based on feelings.
Jesus pointed out how our hearts betray us. He said, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimonies, and blasphemies. These are the things that defile a person” (Matthew 15:19,20).
Anti-Intellectualism
Does Doctrine Matter?
The Gospel does produce an emotional response within a person.
However, we dare not substitute that emotional response for the teaching of Scripture!
2 Timothy 4:2-4�“Preach the word. Be ready whether it is convenient or not. Correct, rebuke, and encourage, with all patience and teaching. For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires. They will also turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Responding to Gary and Amber
Challenge their safe world
Do they really feel safe in the world? How safe will their children be when they go off to college and face all the harmful things that the parents have been trying to protect them from? Will they not need to have been prepared?
The real world
They crave a simple faith which allows them to ignore the ugly in the world and see only what makes them feel good. We must bring the real world into the childlike world that the glory theologians are trying to perpetuate.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up
The real Jesus is indeed someone who can give comfort in distress. He said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28,29).
Moreover, the real Jesus could also handle everything that the forces of evil threw at him. Isaiah wrote, “It was because of our rebellion that he was pierced. He was crushed for the guilt our sins deserved. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).