Third-Tier or Golgotha, Which Is More Important?
“Instead of the Cross holding Jesus, in reality
Jesus upheld the Cross.” -W. Dembski, Research Professor of Philosophy, SWBTS
Amongst all the recent flare in so-called “third tier” issues that have caused uproar in the SBC, there is a principle that amounts to so much more than all of the hubbub that has come up from the mouth pastors and leaders in the wider church. Many seem to engage their entire day’s effort into these issues. Tongues, Private Prayer Languages, Spiritual Gifts and all those issues that can divide or unite believers have somehow blown past the message of such simple, life giving truth: Christ held up the Cross at Golgotha as His impassable divinity allowed his passable humanity to suffer in order that all who believe would be saved! To that, we tip our glass!! In a recent
Chapel Service (to view this chapel, click here then click “Chapel Video” on Wednesday October 19, 2006),
Dr. William Dembski, a leading expert (if not THE leading expert) on Intelligent Design, breathed out a phrase that caught me somewhat off guard. It was a twisted thought at first, but when my mind was allowed to wrap itself around it I understood just what he was going for. What’s the phrase? You’ve already seen it, but here it is again: “Instead of the Cross holding Jesus, in reality
Jesus upheld the Cross.” Notice the difference? Of course you do, it’s “Plain Jane” and right there in the open. But just to be certain, we’ll review; Christ held up the Cross at Golgotha as His impassable divinity allowed his passable humanity to suffer in order that all who BELIEVE would be saved! The question, though, is does our theology truly match up to this accurate understanding of Jesus Christ?
It may seem like I’ve just tossed a couple of issues together here and labeled a blog. There’s more going on here, though, at least in my attempt. There is an enormous clash (as witnessed by clicking
here , and
here , and
here ….you get the idea…) happening at this moment that seems to ignore the true point of our purpose. My intention is NOT make light of or display indifference towards these third tier issues as they do hold weight. I do, however, see that the foundation of our Faith system rests solely on something in which seems to be lacking in our conversations. I too am guilty of this; I point no fingers. I’ll admit it, “J.C. and the Gang” comes up very little in my conversations with the outside world even though it comes up all the time in my circle of believing buddies. I certainly must change that. (Confession Time is over now, let’s move along)
Christ was a bigger controversy than Private Prayer Languages WILL EVER BE!!! He came hitting on all cylinders and guns a blazin’!!! Sure he was about truth, sure he was about redemption, sure he served in love, sure he fought for peace…but it was these very issues that provided such controversy. All this to say Christ is the only redeeming factor and the only message that brings hope. He held up the Cross for the short few hours that he did because of a choice he made to serve God. He is the light, he is the love, he is the greatest controversy of all time. May we seek after His controversy to glorify the King and show mercy to all!
Silent Humility
A few days ago in our
Chapel Service (to view this chapel, click “Chapel Video” on Wednesday October 11, 2006 after clicking this link) the speaker, Dr. Jeffrey D. Johnson of Israel Today Ministries in Corpus Christi, TX acknowledged some folks who were so kind in helping him get situated prior to his speaking engagement here at the Seminary. One of those he thanked was a friend of mine. Joe (not really his name) has the responsibility, though it is really a privilege, of picking up the many incoming Chapel speakers from the airport and bringing them to the seminary. The speaker made a brief but heartfelt mention of thanks to him for his kindness in conversation and assistance; he thanked him by name before all the students and professors present. My friend happened to be sitting just across the aisle from where we were sitting. I glanced over at him knowing it was he who the speaker spoke of. Not to my surprise, his face indicated nothing... Allow me to make it clear that he had quite the possibility to make a slight nod or mention or anything that would indicate that he was the one the speaker thanked. In this world, it wouldn’t be too arrogant for him to have politely acknowledged the pastor’s thanks. It wouldn’t have been too self-righteous of him to simply smile. He made no nod; he smiled not. He did not indicate in any way that he was being thanked. Though I will say there was one thing for sure he “reeked” of, he might as well of had a sticker on his forehead that said: HUMBLE! Obviously, he didn’t. That would negate the very point I am making here. He was silently, and beautifully humble. Later, I asked him about it. I asked him, “Hey man, that was you he was talking about wasn’t it?” As peacefully and meekly as he could he said, “Yeah.” He immediately turned the conversation away from himself and asked me how my day was going. That was the end of it. I responded accordingly and we went on our ways.
This man’s humility amazed me. I was amazed that he was so inclined to be kind and respectful, Christ-like to say it best, to this stranger (the speaker) and then to be thanked by the speaker in front of a ton of his fellow students, humbly receiving it! I know this may be a “duh” kind of situation; this kind of things is “common” amongst our Christian brethren. I have to say though, there certainly seems to be a fair dose of arrogance floating around the Christian society, I certainly do not exclude Seminary folk. Now, I’m not saying everyone’s arrogant and self-centered or anything. I’m just pointing out that the level of intellect here at the Seminary, and the wider world for that matter, could easily have the “Big Head” syndrome. Anyhow, this fellow is to be praised for his humility, surely God was blessed and proud of His good and faithful child! May all of us be blessed with the willingness and desire to serve, most of all doing so in silent, worshipful humility…
Hallelujah Out Loud...Should I or Shouldn't I?
Hallelujah!...Today I sat outside
this book store reading
this book waiting on a buddy who had gone in to make a purchase. All of the sudden: a shout, no no, a scream...."Hallelujah!" I immediately looked up as it caught me off guard. A man was coming out of the bookstore and for no obvious reason yelled at the top of his able lungs, "Hallelujah!" I admit chuckled to myself as the thought ran through my head, "Goofy charismatic..." Later, it hit me! This man, for whatever reason, felt like lifting his heart and voice to God in praise and was certainly free of concern of someone else's hearing it. Wow. The very fact that I was "caught off guard" and had the thought "goofy charismatic" shows my inward attitude. A man praises God out loud in public and I call him goofy!? Umm, seems like I've got "goofy" placed on the wrong person. Shame on me. David obviously had enough reason to shout such joyous melody when he wrote, "My cup overflows with blessings. Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life," Psalm 23:5c-6. Who knows this man's reason to give such a shout? The fact is he was praising GOD with a seemingly honest heart!
Inward reflection...I'm not the type of person to be so outwardly open with my love and joy for our loving God and Savior. Frankly, unless I'm around someone or some group I feel "comfortable" with, I really wouldn't dare be so bold as to do what this man did just before he hopped in his car and carried on with his day. It leads me to wonder if there is a need for me, B.L., to be more vocal about my affection for God, His son, and the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. At this point I can honestly say that my conviction is not necessarily to shout the awesome name of God every chance I get, around every corner, and in every public place. My conviction is though to be a bit more open whenever I can be to God's "goodness and mercy, or unfailing love" to the point that if my heart all of the sudden bursts with joy, a shout of joy releases from deep within my soul, regardless of my "20". I wish I would have thought to run over to the man and say to him, "Sir, I just wanted to thank you for your openness to praise the Almighty Giver of Life with an open heart in an open place." Of course, the good things to do or say never seem to come until way after the given event. I will say on this World Wide Web with all of the electronic voice and heart I can possibly muster..."PRAISE GOD FOR HIS AMAZING GOODNESS AND MERCY!!!"
A Paper for Church History
The following is a paper I recently submitted for my Church History class:
COUNCIL OF NICAEA, 325 A.D.
Controversy between Arius the presbyter and Alexander the Bishop spawned a somewhat state of disillusionment for the fourth century Christian church in Alexandria. This circumstance compiled with Constantine’s gain of power to all of the Roman Empire made way for a certain meeting that would regain a bit of an axial relationship between the church that Paul sought after in the early days and the early fourth century church as it were. Linking what the church had become back to what Paul intended for the church was well needed because during the persecutions, interchurch communication was lessened quite a bit allowing for a rise in disharmony. A likening of minds was absolutely necessary. This meeting called by Constantine in roughly May of 325 A.D. was named the Council of Nicaea, also known as the First Ecumenical Council.
The church preached of in the New Testament was that of a Trinitarian belief system. This would prove both the full deity and full humanity of Christ, clearly verifiable by the New Testament texts. The issue that Alexander and Arius squabbled around dealt with the Trinitarian status of Christ and God and their relationship to each other. Constantine attempted to regain unity on the issue by writing and request a unity be sought after by Arius and Alexander but his attempt was unsuccessful. Therefore he saw fit to bring forth a general council to heal the divisions by settling authoritatively the different questions by which it was agitated. The resolution to the issue was that the Arians and their leader were exiled. As far as the teachings and beliefs, they were ridded of as well, “Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father.” This provides for the first and heaviest issue of the Council’s deliberations.
Another question on their table was which day to celebrate Easter. It was a practical difficulty in which several different calculations were being used to formulate the proper day of celebration for the Lord’s resurrection. The decision made by the Council was that it was to be celebrated by all Christians on the same day. This would give unity in practice. The day that was selected for the Easter celebration was the Lord’s Day directly following the Jewish Feast of the Passover.
The third issue covered was the Meletian Schism. Basically Meletius wanted a higher power. His greedy selfishness led to a split in the church. He did have some twenty-eight bishops under his leadership. The council chose to grant recognition to their ordinations against the trepidation of Alexander. Meletius was sent away satisfied with the decision and was ordered to ordain no one else.
Lastly, the contribution of the Council was significant though much has not come down through history in terms of texts. Though the Nicene Creed and twenty church discipline canons came forth from this meeting. This statement of the church, the Nicene Creed, was catholic in nature and meant to bring unity upon the believers of Christ as well as their leaders. Therefore, the creedal statements born of the Council of Nicaea declare the truths of scripture thereto and forever to be believed. While variations of belief and practice have come about, the Nicene Creed continues to set the stage for belief in the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ and the Father Almighty.
References
John Kaye, Some Account of the Council of Nicaea in Connection with the Life of Athanasius (London: Gilbert and Rivington Printers, 1853), 28.
John Kerr, Readings in Christian Thought, 2nd ed. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990), 76.
J.W.C. Wand, The Four Councils (London: The Faith Press, LTD, 1951), 4.
Elizabeth Sewell, History of the Early Church (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1860), 337.
