Dynamics of the Spiritual Life

 

Christians who are no longer sure that God loves and accepts them in Jesus, apart from their present spiritual achievements, are subconsciously radically insecure persons – much less secure than non-Christians, because they have too much light to rest easily under the constant bulletins they receive from their Christian environment about the holiness of God and the righteousness they are supposed to have.  Their insecurity shows itself in pride, a fierce defensive assertion of their own righteousness and defensive criticism of others… They cling desperately to legal, pharisaical righteousness, but envy, jealousy and other branches on the tree of sin grow out of their fundamental insecurity…

 

[I]t is often necessary to convince sinners (even sinful Christians) of the grace and love of God toward them, before we can get them to look at their problems.  Then the vision of grace and the sense of God’s forgiving acceptance may actually cure most of the problems.

 

This may account for Paul’s frequent fusing of justification and sanctification.  

 

- Richard Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life

In Defense of Christmas Day

 

  

There is considerable debate concerning the birth date of Jesus Christ.  Many suspect he was born in April or May. Others suggest, and even celebrate, a January birth. 

 

Traditionally, of course, we cling to the 25th of December. 

 

The earliest recorded celebration of Christmas was in the year 86AD. It was about 40 years later before Christmas became a regular custom of the church, and even then it was only in some parts of the world.

 

Some people feel that celebrating Christmas at all is a prostitution of the event, citing both commercialism & possible pagan influence as reasons. 

 

A Roman holiday, Saturnalia, was annually celebrated from December 17-24, a week long celebration to Saturn.  This celebration marked the coming increase of daylight, and the diminishing of winter. It was the anticipation of Spring.  The people exchanged gifts, closed down schools & government offices. All official functions virtually ceased. And there was an increase of partying. 

 

With the excesses in gift giving and the antics at many parties during this season of the year, it is not difficult to sympathize with those who suggest that Christmas is no more than an attempt to “Christianize” a pagan holiday.

 

But, despite those non-Christians who rationalize that Christmas was just an attempt to copy & “Christen” Saturnalia; and the arguments of faithful Christians who want to determine a date more feasible to the world,  I cannot bring myself to accept that, in fact, Jesus was not born on December 25.   While I cannot be certain, I choose to accept the traditional date. 

 

Here’s why:

 

In the late 19th Century historian Alfred Edersheim wrote The Life & Times of Jesus the Messiah. It is sorta the standard for studying the life of Christ.  In Appendix VII Edershim offers a very interesting hypothesis of why it is most likely that Jesus was born on December 25. 

 

Let me summarize his reasoning:

 

We know that on August 5, AD70 the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman General Titus.  At that time, Jewish history records, and Josephus confirms, a group of priests, the Jehoiarib, was serving at the Temple. 

 

Some background: If you look back into OT history you will find that David divided the priesthood into 24 groupings – or 24 Courses – with each group serving for about two weeks at a time in the Temple.  This particular group – Jehoiarib – was the first Course. And they were serving at the particular time the Temple was destroyed. 

 

If you trace the service of the various Courses back through time, when you come to October a year before Christ was likely to have been born, you will find the Division of Abijah serving the first week of October. 

 

Now, who do we know that would be serving in the Temple with the Division of Abijah? 

 

Check out Luke 1.

 

We find that a certain godly priest named Zechariah, who had a wife named Elizabeth - but no children - served the Temple with the Course of Abijah. 

 

While serving at that time the Lord visited Zechariah, declaring that he & his elderly, barren wife would have a child.  Zechariah laughed at the very thought, and was struck speechless as a sign of the promise.  I suspect you know the story: Elizabeth did conceive and gave birth to John the Baptist. 

 

From Luke we also know that John the Baptist was six months older than his cousin Jesus. 

 

Now, if you begin in early October, add nine months, then add six months to that, it brings us to mid to late December of the following year. 

 

It is very possible Jesus was born December 25. So it is historically & biblically appropriate to celebrate Christmas on the traditional date

 

Just something to think about; an interesting historical note…

 

If you are interested, check out Edersheim: On the Date of the Nativity of Our Lord.  It’s a short chapter.

 

Universalist at Your Door

A Christmas Quiz

Test your knowledge of the Christmas Story using this quiz edited from LeadershipU & Probe Ministries.  A link to an answer key can be found at the bottom of the page. 

1. Can you name the parents of Jesus?

2. Where did Joseph and Mary live before they were married?

3. What was the name of the angel who appeared to Mary?

4. Where did Joseph and Mary live after their marriage?

5. Where was Mary when the angel appeared to her?

6. Whom did Mary visit immediately after Gabriel appeared to her?

7. How far along in her pregnancy was Elizabeth when Gabriel appeared to Mary?

8. How long did Mary stay with Elizabeth?

9. Why didn’t Mary stay to celebrate the birth of John?

10. How far along in her pregnancy was Mary when she broke the news to Joseph?

11. Why were Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem?

12. Why did Mary accompany Joseph?

13. What determined the city to which each Jew had to travel in order to be taxed?

14. Who, then, would be in Bethlehem?

15.  Why couldn’t Joseph and Mary find space in the inn?

16. Who were the first people to come to see Jesus according to Scripture?

17. What chorus did the angels sing to the shepherds?

18. What sign did the angels tell the shepherds to look for?

19. What was the manger?

20. In what way do the meaning of the Hebrew term for Bethlehem and the sign given by the angels prepare us for Jesus’ later ministry?

21. What are two reasons that Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem?

22. What are magi?

23. How many wise men came to see Jesus?

24. How many gifts did the wise men bring and to whom did they present their gifts?

25. What was curious about the star?

26. How did Herod use the star?

27. Where were Jesus, Mary, and Joseph when the wise men reached them?

28. How old was Jesus at this time?

29. In what year was Jesus born?

30. How long was Jesus in Egypt with His parents?

31. How did Joseph and Mary finance the trip to Egypt?

32. Where was Jesus raised upon His return to Israel?

 Click: Answer Key

 

Feel Free to post your scores in the Comments!

Obama Taps Warren for Invocation

So, Barrack Obama has tapped Saddleback’s Rick Warren to offer the invocation at the upcoming Inauguration.  That this selection irks those on the political and religious Left is no surprise.  (Click CNN, Politico & Atlantic) Left Wing biggotry has been rampant for years. It just seems to be culturally acceptable.

What surprises me is that some Conservatives, even Conservative Evangelicals, are spewing bitterness.  More than surprised, I am disappointed – deeply disappointed. 

Why would Warren not offer the invocation? If asked I would do it with no hesitation.

I am not an Obama apologist, by any stretch of an imagination. But he has asked Warren to pray for God’s presence on that day.  Would a better alternative be to not “invoke” God’s presence? Would it be preferable to ask someone who does not know God to pray?  While the synics say this is a political ploy, I applaud Obama for the selection and Warren for agreeing.

I applaud Warren because he is doing what I believe he is called to do in Scripture.  Does not God instruct us, through the Apostle Paul, to offer prayers for our leaders and those in authority? (See 1 Timothy 2.1-3)  I am very well aware that Obama espouses policies contrary to the revealed will of God. I am also aware that when our Lord inspired Paul to give this instruction to pray that the man in authority at the time was Caesar Nero – one of the most vile men to ever govern.  Even Obama haters should admit that he has a ways to go before he degenerates to the level of a Nero. And even if he does, that does not disqualify him from being recipients of our prayer!

What Rick Warren will be doing by offering an invocation is simply acting out publically what God has called him to do anyway.  It is not an endorsement of any particular policies. He will ask God to visit our new president.  How can that be bad?  Even if Obama’s profession of faith seems dubious, is God not capable of regenerating his heart?

I applaud Obama for his willingness to weather the criticism he had to know would come from the majority of those who elected him.  It would have been much easier on him to have selected someone more liberal or non-white.  But he chose a man who, while not Right Wing, is a Conservative Evangelical.  He chose a man who was Mike Huckabee’s seminary classmate! 

Again, critics on both side suppose this is just a political ploy to placate those in the political middle.  But from what I’ve read, Obama and Warren have a personal fondness for one another, even if they differ significantly politically.  Could there not be some affection that effected this selection?  Even more, could it not have been God who moved Obama’s heart to invite Warren?

Soon after the election I signed up for the Presidential Prayer Team. Each day since I have received an e-mail asking me to join others in praying for the transition of power, for President-elect Obama to seek God, and to be blessed with godly wisdom in his selections and decisions.  I have not appreciated everyone he has chosen for the various cabinet positions. Some I like more than others.  But in the invitation for Rick Warren to pray for him, I choose to believe God may be honoring some of my prayers.

I will never have the opportunity that Rick Warren has been given, to lead the Nation in prayer.  But I will continue to do in private what Rick Warren is doing in public: Obeying God by praying for those in authority over us.

Good for JoePa!

 

Good for JoePa!  I heard last night that Joe Paterno - at age 82! – signed an new three year extension to coach at Penn State.  I remember him saying last year that he would probably not coach more than another 10 years, so at least he’s making a solid start in that direction. 

After all those people tried to push you out Joe, it’s great to see you keep plugging along.  I hope you do make the whole 10 years.

Heisman 2008

In just a little while the 73rd Heisman Trophy will be awarded by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City to the player they deem to have been the most outstanding of 2008.  

It’s the year of the Quarterback, as evidenced by the fact that the DAC has invited only three QB’s to the presentation. But I thought I’d chime in. 

Here is what my ballot would look like, if I had a vote:

1. Graham Harrell - QB – Texas Tech – SR

Can anyone imagine where the Red Raiders would be without Harrell? Granted he has an All America WR to throw to, but it is Harrell’s throwing that make the other guy an All American. If the award went to the guy who was most outstanding and most valuable, Harrell would win hands down. But, alas, the geniuses who actually vote for the Heisman have ignored Harrell so, like others before him (i.e. Payton Manning) he cannot win the trophy he deserves.

2. Colt McCoy - QB – Texas – JR

Unbelievable completion percentage, and leads his team in both passing and rushing.  It is an injustice – albeit minor – that he is not in the National Championship game.  Even still, it is no fault of his.

3. Tim Tebow - QB – Florida – JR

The returning winner, and deserving again. In many ways Tebow is a much better QB than last year when he won the Trophy, even though the stats are down some.  His character is impecable, so if there is another two-time winner it would be great for it to be someone like Tebow. Almost single handedly carrid the Gators to the BCS Championship Game.  Only reason he is not top of my list is the other guys were just a little better this year.

4. Eric Berry - SS – Tennessee – SO

OK, accuse me of being a homer. But Berry dominated on defense, and led the Volunteer D to be one of the best in the land while the O was one of the ugliest anyone has seen in recent memory.  That’s tough to do.  And he became a two-way player, as a WR & QB.

5. Armanti Edwards - QB – Appalachian State – JR

Yes, I know this is not going to happen, but there is precedent for 1AA players making the Top 5. And there is not a more dynamic player in the country. He will win the Walter Payton Award, which he should have also won last season.

6. Daryll Clark - QB – Penn State – JR

Took the reigns, and his athleticism led the Nittany Lions to a Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl berth.  And like McCoy, the one loss was not Clark’s fault. He got them in postion to win, and the Kicker blew it. Otherwise Clrak would be playing for the NCAA Championship this year.

7. Sam Bradford - QB – Oklahoma – SO

Probably the favorite to actually win it. While deserving if he does, I see him as a system QB. At least that’s the explanation for his stats.  Others have been denied the trophy for that reason. And while the same could be said for Harrell, who I have first, Bradford QB’s a team that would be a powerhouse even with someone else at the helm.

Siamese Twins: Godliness & Prayer

[W]e know that prayer is the most important thing for a Christian to do from the example of godly men in history. It can be safely said that there never has been and never will be a truly godly man who does not pray.  Godliness and prayerfulness are Siamese twins; never is one without the other.

-Wayne Mack, Reaching the Ear of God

Momentary Humility

Another poignant insight from our friend WeakDave: 

Humility is a fruit of being unconditionally loved.

It’s impossible for a momentarily-humble person to be humiliated, ambitious, willful, agendified, intense, embarrassed, fearful, frustrated, or discouraged.   The momentarily-humble are the best lovers of others: it feels so good to be around them.  Our hearts go out to the momentarily-humble: it’s easy to love them.   It’s easy for nonChristians — especially the turned-off — to love momentarily-humble Christians.   

Momentarily-humble leaders are a delight to follow.  Momentarily-humble followers are a delight to lead.

How do I become momentarily-humble? 

I need a fresh dose of unconditional love.  And there is only one source of that on Planet Earth.  As I hang out with Jesus, asking Him to change me, He will send His Spirit, on His timetable, to freshly convict me of my sin of self-absorption, so it’s easy and natural to fix my eyes and thoughts on Him, so I momentarily experience His unconditional love, which changes me from being a naturally-proud person, to a momentarily-humble person, able to be fruitful with nonChristians, including the turned-off, and even the antagonistic.

 –UnhumbleDave, needing prayer for fresh conviction, of the sin of self-absorption/self-reliance, so he’s freshly undone, freshly in love with Jesus, and others

 

10 Questions to Ask at a Christmas Gathering

Do you have any Chrstmas gatherings to attend this holiday season?  My thanks to Don Whitney for suggesting the following questions to spruce up the conversation, especially at church:

1. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you since last Christmas?
2. What was your best Christmas ever? Why?
3. What’s the most meaningful Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
4. What was the most appreciated Christmas gift you’ve ever given?
5. What was your favorite Christmas tradition as a child?
6. What is your favorite Christmas tradition now?
7. What do you do to try to keep Christ in Christmas?
8. Why do you think people started celebrating the birth of Jesus?
9. Do you think the birth of Jesus deserves such a nearly worldwide celebration?
10. Why do you think Jesus came to earth?