“My Faith Dissected: the Journey” Messianic Pt 2 (The Law and the Gospel)

The Law and the Gospel

A new friend pointed me to The Resurgence website at http://theresurgence.com/2011/08/17/lets-get-it-started, when I was inquiring about blogging. It references “reverse engineering”, which means to start with the end goal in mind. But after this, it states the below:

Start with Jesus

Do what you do out of love for Jesus—not to be more wealthy, more popular, more admired, more successful, or more anything else!

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Be Bible-based, gospel-centered, Spirit-empowered and Jesus-honoring as you start well and aim to finish well!

This phrase hits at the core of my aim of my reading the Bible, researching the Truth, and all that I do. Of course, I get side tracked at times and confused at times and burned out at times. However, when I began this search, it was truly a search to see what the Bible said, be led by the Spirit, and honor Jesus. Additionally, I would emphasis the importance to stay Yeshua-centered; beginning, middle, end, and always

When I first started this study of Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Roots Movement, the question of Justification would come up a lot. However, I have not found anyone in this area that would not wholeheartedly agree with Ephesians 2:8,9, “ 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God ; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Like most Protestants though, if you see no fruit or work after salvation, you might doubt if they truly are saved. This category is what most people would call the sanctification area of salvation. That is the area that you continue to work in this life to become more Christ-like, with the help of the Holy Spirit. However, this kind of gets tricky because growing more Christ-like is not just being able to do a list of works but a heart being molded and a mind being transformed.

When I first started studying this topic, it was more of what do I need to do as a Christian. I know I’m to love G-D with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I’m to obey Yeshua and follow Him. What does this look like, though? Furthermore, if there is only One G-D and He gave commandments in the Old Testament and the New Testament, what am I to follow? I know that there is only One True G-D, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Son would never go against the Father. The Holy Spirit would never go against the Father or the Son. They are One!

These are the questions that I was asking when I wrote my research paper on this topic that I posted in a previous blog http://smoothcookies.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/the-church-and-the-law-and-the-gospel/.  I realized this was just the practical question of, “How do I live as a Christian?” What commands do I follow? What commands apply to me? In Judaism this would be called Halakha, which Wikipedia states, “Halakha guides not only religious practices and beliefs, but numerous aspects of day-to-day life.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halakha) It is these aspects of day-to-day living that most people in Messianic Judaism and a lot of Christians are concerned with. It really must have been a serious question in Paul’s day as well because he would start off with the theology and other items of his letters but in the end he would always list out a list of do’s and don’ts.   However, Paul didn’t go into much detail on a lot of the Old Testament commandments. These were normally the questions that I wanted to know about.

In my paper that I mentioned in the paragraph above, I found that many Christian scholars divide the law into three categories. Even the ones that don’t like to divide the law into three categories, they pretty much do once they get to the question, “What is binding on a modern-day Christian to follow?” It’s unavoidable when you take the further look at what applies to whom. They normally separate the law into the Universal, Ceremonial, and Civil law.

In my opinion, all of Christianity, Hebrew Roots, Messianic Judaism, and most non-believers would all hold to the Universal aspects of the law. Some may call it the natural law that you could reference Romans 1, 2 for. Some may call it the moral law. Whatever you call it, it is pretty much the same overall. However, a non-believer may not follow the sexual morality and drinking aspects of the Universal law, most would probably follow the rest or have a conscience about it at least. 

No one follows the Civil law in the modern world exactly but I would say that the Constitution of the United States of America pulled a lot from the underlying principles of the Civil law of the Old Testament. Some Reformed Christians believe that the civil law should be applied today in some similar fashion. But most of these laws were wrapped around the land of Israel, the people of Israel, and the Temple times. 

I really came into this movement studying the Hebrew Roots side of things, first. They are pretty much the One Law/Torah folks, which is deceptive kind of because the others believe in One Law also. It is just a matter of how it applies to each. As I came to know from the Bible and many studies, it applies differently to Kings, Levites, Priests, women, men, and even Israel and the Nations.

However, the Hebrew Roots folks are normally non-Jewish people who have found a love for the Ceremonial laws of the Old Testament and believe everyone should follow all of the laws the same. Most Messianic Jewish circles have more people with a physical Jewish descent or people who convert, a different mission that is to the Jew first, to have Jewish followers of Yeshua maintaining their identity, recognizing the difference of how the Ceremonial law relates to the Jewish people and the Nations, and trying to maintain good relationships with mainstream Christianity and Judaism, from my view. I relate more to the Messianic Jewish beliefs on this topic. 

Therefore, I labeled this component of my faith “Messianic”, even though I am not Jewish, as far as I know. Even the label “Messianic” is really by definition actually the same as “Christian”, it is just the transliteration of Christ from the Hebrew language versus the Greek.  However, I have not heard of any Christians that call themselves “Messianic”. Normally only gentiles part of the Hebrew Roots Movement or part of a Messianic Jewish synagogue use this term. Jewish believers in Yeshua will probably always just call themselves “Messianic Jewish” or “Jewish followers of Yeshua or Messiah”.

At one time it was so convincing to me that I started to think it were true that I needed to follow all the Sign Commandments, as many in Messianic Jewish circles call them. The mainstream Christian world would probably call them the Ceremonial Commandments. As I posted in my paper above in a previous blog, I had already studied the viewpoints of this in the Reformed circles, Evangelical, Dispensational, and mainstream Christianity.

My friends had vigorously pointed me to people in the fringes of Messianic Judaism, whom I would more call the Hebrew Roots folks. What they taught did not set well with me and I had a lot of issues with their teachings at first. It wasn’t until I read Aaron Eby’s book “Boundary Stones” and Daniel Thomas Lancaster’s book “Restoration”, both with FFOZ at http://ffoz.com/books.html, that my thoughts started to change on the so-called Sign Commandments of the Old Testament. I also listened to Lancaster’s series on Hebrews, which I thought was great at http://www.bethimmanuel.org/. The series has been taken off the web since then, though. Not to forget Tim Hegg at http://torahresource.com/.

I was evening starting to believe that everyone should still keep all the commandments in the Bible after years of struggling to harmonize or connect the dots between the Old Testament and New Testament. Then, FFOZ publicly came out with a change of their position back in 2009. They posted an article, “In Messiah Journal 101′s article, “‘One Law’ and the Messianic Gentile,” First Fruits of Zion transparently shared our theological journey regarding the relationship between Jews, Gentile believers and their respective obligations to the laws of Torah.” (http://ffoz.org/blogs/2009/09/reasoning_together_mj_101.html)

Basically, FFOZ had come to realize that they had made a mistake in believing that the commandments were the same for everyone. This sent me into further struggles to understand how I was to take these commandments. Tim Hegg was coming back strong with articles. At this time, I started to learn about UMJC, which Russ Resnik has a great response to Tim Hegg at http://www.umjc.org/resources-mainmenu-101/documents-mainmenu-110/cat_view/119-theology. I really respected that FFOZ could admit to being wrong in the face of the possibility to lose sales and their livelihood of ministry. I can not imagine the struggles they must have had with all the One Law, Two House folks slinging all types of anger and disappointment at them.

Additionally, I started to follow Derek Leman’s blogs at http://www.derekleman.com/musings/. He has a slew of posts on this topic but he has a main page labeled “Acts 15″ at http://www.derekleman.com/musings/acts-15/. There are several additional posts on the topic that can be searched on his site.

Furthermore, Daniel Thomas Lancaster did a sermon series on Galatians that FFOZ eventually turned into a book, “The Holy Epistle to the Galatians: Sermons on a Messianic Jewish Approach”. In May of 2010, I went to the Israel Mandate conference where Dan Juster spoke that continued to work on me. The conference lectures can be found at http://www.ihop.org/israelmandate/resources/. I read another book by Daniel Thomas Lancaster called “Grafted In”. 

All along this time having heated conversations with friends and family over this subject. In January 2010, I started going to Baruch HaShem Messianic Synagogue where I started a Hebrew language class. Plus, I read Marvin Wilson’s “Our Father Abraham” at this time. This part of my faith journey always makes me think of Proverbs 18:17, ” The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.”

Finally from reading and studying the scripture a lot, the debates, the conversations, the prayer, and a whole lot of thought, I came to line up most with mainstream Messianic Judaism on the role of the Sign Commandments for Gentiles or Non-Jewish people. This would pretty much line up with Derek Leman, UMJC’s leaders, Dan Juster, FFOZ, Daniel Thomas Lancaster, and Baruch HaShem Messianic Synagogue’s leaders, in my opinion.

Simply, I believe that the Sign Commandments such as the Sabbath, Biblical Holidays, dietary laws, and the such were given to Israel as a sign between them and G-D. These are not binding on the gentiles as Acts 15 states but the gentiles can take on as many as they choose in a respectful, loving manner of our Jewish brothers and sisters in Yeshua. Christians can learn very much about Yeshua through them and find much joy in doing them. By no means do I believe it is a sin for non-Jews though not to keep any of them, if they choose not to do so. On the other hand, I do not believe it is a sin or wrong for believers to do them in the light of Yeshua and in a non-legalistic manner.

However, this is where I would differ with mainstream Christianity. They would say no one has to do the sign commandments and in fact they were done away with. I do not see that in scripture. I still see the Jewish people keeping all the commandments or attempting to do so from a simple reading of Acts 15 through 28. This actually started to harmonize the whole Bible for me. I now was able to see that equality does not mean sameness. Much like Complimentarians can see this in the distinct roles of Men and Women. Furthermore, all Christians can see this in the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even though They’re One and Equal in essence. Israel and the Nations have distinct callings that G-D calls them to. 

For example, I do not believe the Christian establishment of Sunday worship replaces the Sabbath. I see no hard proof for this from Scripture nor Church History. Though, I would NOT agree with Tom Schreiner’s other conclusions at least he can recognize of the early believers that, “They worshiped the Lord on the Lord’s Day, the day of Jesus’ resurrection, but the early Christians did not believe the Lord’s Day fulfilled or replaced the Sabbath. ” (http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/10/14/schreiner-qa-is-the-sabbath-still-required-for-christians/). I do not see in Scripture where the Sabbath was done away with. It was never binding on gentile believers to follow to begin with but a continued observance for Jewish believers and a sign commandment to Israel. Acts 15 and 21 only reiterates this. In my opinion, Dr. Michael Brown has a better take on this at http://askdrbrown.org/ask-dr-brown/35-ask-dr-brown/76-should-christians-observe-the-seventh-day-sabbath.

Additionally, I see nothing wrong with Christians worshipping the L-RD on Sundays. However, I do not believe we should be legalistic and tell our Jewish brothers and sisters that it is wrong for them to continue keeping the Sabbath or any gentiles that want to participate in keeping it, as long as they understand it is not for justification and not legalistic about it.

I like how Daniel Thomas Lancaster put it, in regards to gentiles keeping any of the sign commandments, in one of his Galatian series sermons. He uses the analogy of a father who has two kids and assigns each of them chores. I’ll just make up names. Say for example the father assigns Tommy the chore to clean out the kitty litter box. But his brother, Bobby, decided to show his love for his brother and father by joining in with Tommy to help him clean out the kitty litter box some times. Now, Bobby doesn’t have to do this. He wasn’t assigned this task. However, Tommy would probably appreciate very much that his brother chose to share in this task with him. Furthermore, Bobby is learning new things by this task and is building a stronger relationship with his brother Tommy. I might have added a little more than Lancaster actually said but it was somewhat like that.

This may seem like a long post but really is just a short overview. It would take too long in this post to cover every scripture and argument on the Sign Commandments. However, there are many more resources on this topic besides the ones already mentioned above. I’ll write a few places to find some below.

Baruch HaShem Messianic Synagogue’s recommended books at http://baruchhashemsynagogue.org/?page_id=477. Plus, they have a nice Judaica shop that sells a lot of books in the Messianic Jewish circles at their synagogue. Which you can actually find some of Derek Leman and FFOZ’s books.

Derek Leman’s book “Paul Didn’t Eat Pork”, and he has a recommended book list at http://www.derekleman.com/musings/booklist/.

Dr. Seth Klayman’s congregation has a good recommended book list at http://www.entershalom.org/#/exploring/read-more.

I suppose that is enough I pray that those I have confused or hurt during the past few trying years or so will forgive me. Please forgive me if I came off arrogant, pushy, overly defensive, insinuating you were doing wrong by not keeping any of these commandments, reclusive, or stand offish. By the grace of G-D, even though we may still disagree on many things, the L-RD brought reconciliation to my two good friends, brother, and I through this time. I believe we have all learned to disagree with much more love, patience, humility, and understanding. Most the time

Grace and peace be with you,

In Messiah Yeshua,

Coley

Mission Trips to Mayan Country

 

2012 is around the corner. Many will be speaking of the Mayan prophecy of 2012 and the end of the world. I don’t know about that but I thought it would be a good segway into posting an account of memories from a mission trip in Mayan country a few years back.  I actually went on two mission trips to Yucatan, MX, one in 2007 and one in 2008. The first was great but I have to admit I was quite fond of the second trip. I met some loving people, saw some Mayan ruins, had a lot of laughs, a birthday cake smashed into my face, and an all around great experience. We helped build an orphanage old school style with big, indigenous boulders. It was a lot of sweat and sore muscles but very much worth it. We walked a lot but it was joyful walks that gave us time to have great conversations. It was as if we traveled back in time, lol   Nobody wanted to walk to the store with me when I got back to the good ole USA, haha. Anyways, I wrote the below when I came back.

Yucatan 2008 Memories

 

          The 2008 Yucatan mission team arrived in Merida, MX Saturday evening on August 9th  and stayed until the following Saturday, August 16th. The team consisted of 9 people from The Village Church. We had 2 members that were already awaiting us in Tekax, MX.

The missionary, whom we were helping, was awaiting us at the airport. He was accompanied with a deacon of the church at Tekax, a couple of pastors from different churches, and a few other people. We were headed to Tekax, MX to help build an orphanage and hold vacation bible studies. They greeted us, helped us load our luggage, and we were on our way to Tekax.

It would take a book to tell every detail of all the great moments we had inYucatan, MX. The jokes together, the talks together, the selflessness towards each other, the prayer together, the walks together, the meals together, the devotionals together, the serving together, the games played together, the travel together, the songs together, the Vacation Bible Studies together, and all that we did together.

So, I will tell you of one of my most treasured parts of the trip. The dirt road we walked to the work site traveled with brothers and sisters, in Christ, to help build an orphanage, by the grace of God.  This is straight from my journal on August 12^th, 2008.

          I just feel blessed the Lord has allowed me to come on this trip and be a part of His work. I definitely felt this was the will of God for me.

          I love the walk to the job site. We guys walk together, with our work gloves, water bottles, and talking. We walk around the corner and continue on this dirt road.

          It made me think we’re in a movie. I can’t help but think of when my brother, cousins, and I were kids walking to the store down from my Grandma’s house.

          We would be laughing, playing, or fighting. We might not have shirts or shoes on. I had gigantic glasses on. By the grace of God, I was able to have lasik surgery.

          I loved the walk down that dirt road with green trees, honey sickles, a pond, and a Toy Soldier awaiting me at the store.

          But it doesn’t compare to this walk down this dirt road on the outskirts of Tekax, MX in many ways. I’m no longer a fearful, prideful, angry, blind child. I’m a child of God, now. Back then I didn’t know who I was or my purpose. I had no peace, true love, hope, or even knew what faith was.

          Now, the Lord has revealed Himself to me by the work of the Holy Spirit. I have the peace of Christ. I live to glorify, worship, and praise my Lord Jesus Christ.

          I walk down this dirt road to work in my Lord’s ministry. I walk down this dirt road to give children hope in Christ Jesus. I walk down this dirt road to get more joy in Christ.        

          The sun is hot. The dust is covering my legs. My muscles are getting a little sore. My stomach is not quite right.

          But it is so beautiful. The work of Jesus. His love that moves me and my fellow workers. His Spirit that sustains us. His sovereignty that has led us all here. He is the Creator of this red dirt, these green trees, these friendly Mayan workers, this Yucatan mission team, of me, and everything visible and invisible. None compares to our God!

          O’Lord, Your love endures forever. You’re faithful when I’m not. You are gracious to this rebellious, fearful child.

          I awake only because You give me breath. I’m only alive for reasons You alone know. Thank You, O’Lord.

          I surrender all and submit all of me to You, Lord Jesus. O’Lord, please surrender and submit for me, if I’m not able. I know I’m a fearful, prideful man. May I fear the Lord alone! May I follow You all my days that You give me and on into eternity.

          I love You, Lord Jesus because You loved me first! All Glory and Honor and Praise to You, Lord Jesus!

 Psalm 37:23-24, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”

“My Faith Dissected: the Journey” Messianic Pt 1 (History/Jewish Roots of Christianity)

It was some time in 2007 that I was introduced to the Hebrew Roots movement and Messianic Judaism. The introduction came through what laws from the Old Testament are still binding on Christians. As hard as I could research, I could not really find a whole lot of information that countered what I was being introduced to, from my normal sources anyway. It was not something I accepted too well mostly because I couldn’t find where these laws were enforced on New Testament believers or where a lot of the pastors/teachers that I studied even really spoke about them too much. Furthermore, I really just didn’t understand it and was very fearful in being led astray. I’ve already touched on my beginnings in studying this area in a previous post http://smoothcookies.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/the-church-and-the-law-and-the-gospel/, where I shared a research paper that I wrote on “The Church and the Law and the Gospel.

Originally, I thought about starting this component of my faith off with the Law & Gospel but I thought I would first share some sources to study the history of Messianic Judaism and studying our Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith. Afterwards, I would like to write several posts on this component of my faith probably broke down with the following categories:

1. The Law & the Gospel

2.  The Church & the Israel

3.  OT & NT Continuation

4.  Biblical Holidays & Escatology (the Past, the Present, and the Future) 

These categories are the main areas that I learned much about during my journey through Messianic Judaism and still continue to learn. Before I dive into the other topics, though, off to our Jewish Roots and Messianic Judaism.

As I shared on a previous post, http://smoothcookies.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/my-faith-dissected-series-the-journey-preface/, Christianity began as a sect of Judaism. The Scriptures came through the Jewish people, the Messiah was born Jewish and ascended into Heaven as a 1st Century Jew, the Apostles were Jewish, the writers of the Apostolic Scriptures (New Testament) were all Jewish besides Luke, all the first believers in Yeshua were Jewish, and the land and nation that our faith began in were Jewish. These are not mere opinions but mere facts that can be found out with little effort.

Therefore, with the wealth of information and history and facts that our faith in Christianity began in Judaism, it makes sense to me that we should somewhat try to wrap our mind around Jewish thought, in order to see how they explained things. Not to mention the context of the culture and history they were in and came from, before we try to figure out how or what this means to a Western culture 2,000 years later. By no means am I saying that we disregard the past 2,000 years of the history of our forefathers in the faith, though.

However, we can always learn new things that perhaps our forefathers did not see. I believe the Reformers such as John Calvin did this, as they went against certain things that the Roman Catholic Church taught for over a thousand years. There was even a Counter Reformation within the Roman Catholic Church later on. It is too easy to say this is the way it’s been and not study it like the Bereans of Acts 17, I believe would have. Especially since we have more information at our finger tips than any generation before us of the Bible, 1st Century Judaism, and history.

Marvin R. Wilson’s book, “Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith”, is one of the best books that I have read on this topic. Wilson breaks down 5 major parts titled:

I A New People: Abraham’s Spiritual Children

II Church and Synagogue in the Light of History

III Understanding Hebrew Thought

IV Jewish Heritage and the Church: Selected Studies

V Toward Restoring Jewish Roots

It is a terrific book that I recommend to all on studying this topic of Jewish Roots. http://www.amazon.com/Our-Father-Abraham-Jewish-Christian/dp/0802804233

Another great book to read while studying this is Dr. Michael L. Brown’s book, “Our Hands are Stained with Blood: The Tragic Story of the ‘Church’ and the Jewish People”.  It is a book that any Christian attempting to evangelize to the Jewish people would benefit from. It covers the history of relationships of the Church and the Jewish people. Anti-Semitism , the Crusades, and many things that will bring any sincere believer to tears. I can resonate with Leonard Ravenhill’s plug for this book, “I was pained, provoked and profited as I read this book. It left me with scars-and with tears. Every true believer needs to read this vital work!” http://www.amazon.com/Our-Hands-Are-Stained-Blood/dp/1560430680/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324912412&sr=1-7

Don Finto’s book, “Your People Shall Be My People: How Israel, the Jews and the Christian Church will come together in the Last Days”, is another good book to read in regards to tackling thinking of Christianity as a replacement for Judaism. http://www.amazon.com/Your-People-Shall-Be-Christian/dp/0830726535/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324912292&sr=1-1 

As for the history of Messianic Judaism, Dan Juster does a phenomenal job with this in an Israel Mandate seminar in 2010 titled “The Development of the Messianic Jewish Movement” that can be located at http://www.ihop.org/israelmandate/resources/. It was given at IHOP in Kansas City, which I may not agree with everything they teach, however this lecture by Dan Juster is very good.

Dr. Seth Klayman’s congregation has a good little overview of Messianic Judaism on his site at http://www.entershalom.org/#/exploring/messianic-judaism. Which, they further point back to the UMJC website at http://www.umjc.org/resources-mainmenu-101/documents-mainmenu-110/cat_view/176-messianic-judaism, that delves into a more in-depth history. They actually begin in first century Judaism and work their way up through the rebirth of the Modern Messianic Jewish movement that began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Additionally, like always, Wikipedia has a great overview of the history of Messianic Judaism at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_Judaism.

Lastly, I should mention that this movement did not just bring me into a more understanding of the people of Israel and a heart to pray for them but also more of a respect and interest for the Hebrew language and culture. I took two semesters of Hebrew language at Baruch HaShem Messianic Synagogue http://baruchhashemsynagogue.org/?page_id=163. It was really neat to learn some of the prayers and blessings and how they played out in different  Messianic Jewish congregations. It is a beautiful language that I hope to eventually pick back up my studies of later on.

It has been an eye-opening experience, full of struggles, joys, new friends, reconciliations, and hopefully a life long pursuit of learning and growing, in Yeshua Messiah. In my next post, I hope to start to go into what I believe, in regards to the Law and the Gospel.

Grace and peace be with you,

In Yeshua Messiah,

Coley

“My Faith Dissected: the Journey” Grateful Believer

In the Spring of 2008, I went through a Steps Studies Recovery Program at The Village Church. It was an experience that I believe will stick with me the rest of my life. It is a biblical discipleship program that covers a multitude of struggles including pride, fear of man, sexual struggles, alcohol/drug addictions, and just normal life struggles. It is a program that battles to conquer sin. It is a ministry of reconciliation, sanctification, growing in holiness, and striving to be more Christ like. Of course with the help of the Holy Spirit. I like the way John Owen’s says it, “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” (page 50, “Overcoming Sin & Temptation: Three Classic Works by John Owen” edited by Kelly M. Kapic and Justin Taylor)

Before I started going through the Steps Studies, some times I would go to the Support Ministry, which is still part of the Recovery group but does not go through a steps program. The first half of the Support service would have worship and a teaching or testimony. The second half breaks up into small groups to give a forum to share struggles with a small group with similar struggles.

A lot of the testimonies would include, “I’m a grateful believer in Christ Jesus.”  That is I’m thankful that Jesus Christ, the Son of G-D, came to earth, dwelt in flesh, lived a perfect/sinless life, died for my sins, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven to be at the right side of the Father. He paid my debt. He took the wrath for my sins. 1 Corinthians 15

Therefore, I am a believer in Christ Jesus and a very grateful one at that. For I know that I am not perfect (Romans 3:23), however, I believe in the One that is perfect (Hebrews 5:8-10). I know that He is the author and perfector of my faith (Hebrews 12:1-3). In this life, I will not obtain perfection but it is my goal to press on towards that day I see Yeshua and receive my imperishable body and put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).

When I started this program, I felt like I had already had a lot of victory in areas of jealousy, anger, codependency, sexual lust, anxiety, and alcoholism. Although, that is not to say that I still did not or do not still have struggles with these at times. However, at this season, my biggest struggles were a pendulum swing between pride and fear of man. Later, in the Fall of 2008, I would learn that I had idols of being rightly understood, of knowing, and perfectionism.

This program took us through 14 steps/teachings, a daily devotional, small group meetings, and meeting with a sponsor to confess our sins and help us work through reconciliations. This was a deep time of self-analysis. At the end, however, it was a very freeing experience and like a gigantic weight lifted off my back. Up to this point, I did not really know if I could trust any followers of Jesus with the things that I had done. I feared that I would not be received with grace but grace I received.

During this time, I read another book that had a big impact on me, Edward T. Welch’s book “When People are Big and GOD is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man.” He worked at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) and Westminster Theological Seminary. The book opened my eyes to some scary things.

For example, on page 19 Welch says, “Regarding other people, our problem is that we need them (for ourselves) more than we love them (for the glory of God). The task God sets for us is to need them less and love them more.” It was wild to see how self-centered that I was and how this drove me to try to control every circumstance. I needed to learn to live out Proverbs 29:25, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” And this will be something that I will be working on the rest of my life, I know.

It is something that is learned as Welch quotes Psalm 34:9, 11 on page 102, “Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing….Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” Welch covers many more items in regard to the fear of man in his book.

Anyway, this program, the conversations with group and my sponsor, the teachings, and Welch’s book had an impact on my faith. The Village Recovery teachings can be found at http://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources/recovery-groups-steps/.

Furthermore, in the Fall of 2008, I took a Dynamics of Biblical Change class by David Powlison, who is part of CCEF http://www.ccef.org/faculty. It was a great class that made me think very deeply:) I took the class at Westminster Theology Seminary- Dallas campus, which is now Redeemer’s Seminary. Powlison’s X-Ray Questions really make you think and reveal a lot, http://www.monergism.com/X-Ray%20Questions.pdf.

One of the big things that I took away from Powlison’s class was what our primary reasons for ministry should be. Which, he pulled from 1 Timothy 1:5, “ But the goal of our instruction is love  from a pure heart and a  good conscience and a sincere faith.”

Another great teacher/Biblical Counselor is Paul David Tripp. He has several great books that are helpful as well. They can be located at http://www.paultrippministries.org/store.

Well, this is the season that I learned more to be a grateful believer in Christ Jesus. Next up is my season of learning the Jewish Roots of Christianity, meeting a melting pot of people who called themselves “Messianic”, and the many cultures and sects/circles of the Hebrew Roots/Messianic Judaism movements.

In ending, I like how Ed Welch ends “When People are Big and GOD is Small”, on page 239:

The LORD bless you

          and keep you;

the LORD make His face shine upon you

          and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn His face toward you

          and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26)

Grace and peace be with you,

In Messiah Yeshua,

Coley

“My Faith Dissected: the Journey” Christian Hedonism

Blaise Pascal (French mathematician and philosopher): “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.” (Penses, New York: E. P. Dutton, 1958 p. 113, Thought # 425)

“Desiring GOD” by John Piper is the primary book that started this underlying principle of my faith. It is a thought pattern that changed the way I look at everything. Admittedly, I forget this at times, but by G-D’s grace, I hope to remind myself of this over and over.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks the question, “What is the chief end of man?” It answers it, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” (http://www.wts.edu/resources/creeds/shorterchatechism.html) John Piper changes one word of this statement in “Desiring GOD”, on page 18, he writes, “The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.” How do we glorify G-D most? We glorify G-D most by enjoying Him forever. It is not a begrudging submission to G-D that glorifies Him most but a willful, joyful submission to the G-D of the Universe.

Piper summarizes Christian Hedonism into 5 statements at http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/seminars/desiring-god-part-1:

 A Summary of Christian Hedonism in Five Statements

1. The longing to be happy is a universal human experience, and it is good, not sinful.

2. We should never try to deny or resist our longing to be happy, as though it were a bad impulse. Instead we should seek to intensify this longing and nourish it with whatever will provide the deepest and most enduring satisfaction.

3. The deepest and most enduring happiness is found only in God.

4. The happiness we find in God reaches its consummation when it expands to meet the needs of others in the manifold ways of love.

5. To the extent we try to abandon the pursuit of our own pleasure, we fail to honor God and love people. Or, to put it positively: the pursuit of pleasure is a necessary part of all worship and virtue.

Piper goes on to quote a pivotal quote by C.S. Lewis:

The Pivotal Quote from C. S. Lewis

But the most obvious fact about praise-whether of God or any thing-strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honor. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise unless (sometimes even if) shyness or the fear of boring others is deliberately brought in to check it. The world rings with praise-lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game-praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars. I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds, praised most, while the cranks, misfits and malcontents praised least . . . I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise what ever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: “Isn’t she lovely? Wasn’t it glorious? Don’t you think that magnificent?” The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about. My whole, more general, difficulty about the praise of God depended on my absurdly denying to us, as regards the supremely Valuable, what we delight to do, what indeed we can’t help doing, about everything else we value.

I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed. (C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, [New York: Harcourt, Brace and World 1958], pp. 93-95.)

In Appendix 4 of “Desiring GOD”, Piper lists out some practical ways for us to fight for this joy.

1.) Realize that authentic joy in GOD is a gift.

2.) Realize that joy must be fought for relentlessly.

3.) Resolve to attack all known sin in your life.

4.) Learn the secret of gutsy guilt: How to fight like a justified sinner.

5.) Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see GOD for Who He is.

6.) Meditate on the Word of GOD day and night.

7.) Pray earnestly and continually for open heart-eyes and an inclination for GOD.

8.) Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.

9.) Spend time with GOD-saturated people who help you see GOD and fight the fight.

10.) Be patient in the night of GOD’s seeming absence.

11.) Get the rest, exercise, and proper diet that your body was designed by GOD to have.

12.) Make a proper use of GOD’s revelation in nature.

13.) Read great books about GOD and biographies of great saints.

14.) Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others- witness and mercy.

15.) Get a global vision for the cause of Christ and pour yourself out for the unreached.

Piper quotes many great theologians and pastors of history such as Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and more. To find your ultimate joy in glorifying G-D in life is an exhilarating thing that is hard to describe. There is no way that I can do justice of the extensive information and thought that Piper put into “Desiring GOD”; the scripture, the quotes, and joy expressed on this blog. Therefore, I highly recommend all to read this book.

Furthermore, Desiring GOD’s website has a series of teachings on Christian Hedonism at a seminar and teachings at Piper’s church in the past.

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/seminars/desiring-god-part-1

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/topic-index/christian-hedonism

In conclusion, may we all strive in life for the ultimate goal to glorify G-D by enjoying Him forever. A grateful believer is the goal of my next component of faith.

Grace and peace be with you,

In Messiah Yeshua,

Coley

“My Faith Dissected: the Journey” Complementarianism

This component of my belief can be a touchy one. In an age where equality and oneness equate to sameness,  this becomes a sore subject a lot of times. However, I believe it is clear from scripture and simply looking at nature that G-D created males and females different. He created them not to complete each other, but to complement each other. This is where I like to change Tom Cruise’s famous quote in Jerry Maguire from “YOU COMPLETE ME!” to “YOU COMPLEMENT ME!” Ha-ha, well it may not sound as cool but it gets the point across that only G-D can complete you. He alone can fulfill your needs and save you.

However, this does not mean that we were created to be alone, as Genesis 1, 2 lays out. Furthermore, the rest of the Bible is told about G-D’s story of creation, fall, redemption, sanctification, and glorification all in the context of growing together in a community of Israel, the Church, friends, and families.

Men and women have different roles, gifts, and talents. This is very much like how the church is gifted in different ways. Each individual is gifted in different ways. You could even break it down further that even brothers have different roles, gifts, and talents.

Men and women can equally have salvation in Christ, however there is a Biblical distinction still. This is very much like the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in essence, however, they have different roles. The Father leads, plans, and sends out the Son. The Son always obeys and follows  the Father’s lead. The Holy Spirit is sent out by the Father and the Son to help us in growing to be more like Christ. On a side note, I really like how Wayne Grudem defines the work of the Holy Spirit in his book “Systematic Theology”, on page 634, below:

The work of the Holy Spirit is to manifest the active presence of God in the world, and especially in the church.

So, they are all working together and are one, however, they have different roles.

Some things get distorted when speaking about men leading here. First, men are to lead with gentleness, compassion, and most of the time should be consulting their wives for any decisions made. The same goes for elders of a local church and their congregation. I really don’t like words like “domineering” and ”submission” because the meanings have been turned into negative connotations that normally make people think of the abuses and wrong use of power in leadership than what a Biblical meaning of the words are. We are all to submit to our L-rd Yeshua, however, no one thinks the same way about using the word “submit” in this context.

Women are to be patient, understanding, an encourager, and helper to their husbands as well, and not biting, attacking, or manipulating them to get their way.  Women may very well be more gifted at certain roles than men at home and church. However, the Bible calls men to take on certain roles, such as being leaders in their homes and elders in the local church body. The elders are held accountable for leading the Church and making final decisions, just as husbands are held accountable for leading their families.

Basically, complementarianism believes that only men should be elders of the Church and should be heads of their family. This looks a little different in each Church and family depending on the circumstances.

Wayne Grudem and  John Piper explain it thoroughly and well in Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, which can be found online at  http://www.cbmw.org/Recovering-Biblical-Manhood-and-Womanhood/. Furthermore, the website for The Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood has many resources and information to research this topic at http://www.cbmw.org/.

After researching this topic, I’ve found it a beautiful thing that G-D has created. However, everything created has been abused in some form or fashion. This gives us distorted pictures that makes us jump to negative conclusions. I would urge you to study it first.

The Village Church has some good articles on this topic, as well.

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/whatiscomplementarianism.pdf

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/husbandsastheprimarybreadwinners.pdf

I really think this article is great located at http://www.thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/article-womens-responsibility-and-authority-at-the-village-church.pdf. It breaks down very detailed roles of women’s responsibility at The Village Church. I hope this is encouraging.

I don’t really know how this works out in the areas of work and government. Personally, I do not see anything wrong with women leaders in the work place. It may be a hard thing and blur the lines of the family, if the woman is directly over her husband in the work place, though. I believe each married couple would need to discuss this depending on their circumstances. My hope is that we will grow in grace, hope, understanding, and love, in Christ Jesus.

This may be my shortest post:) Next time it is Christian Hedonism.

Grace and peace be with you,

In Messiah Yeshua,

Coley

“My Faith Dissected: the Journey” Reformed Baptist Pt 2 (Reformed Christianity)

There are a few denominations normally identified in the “Reformed” part of my beliefs. Some Baptists, Anglicans, and Dispensationalism fall into the Reformed camp. Most Presbyterians and Lutherans fall in the Reformed category, if not all of them. Furthermore, if you are looking at history, the Puritans would fall into the “Reformed” theological distinctions.

The three big reformers were Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation). Unfortunately they could not agree on certain theological positions and the Church continued to break into denominations. Most would say Martin Luther began the Reformation when he nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg, on the eve of All Saint’s Day, October 31, 1517 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ninety-Five_Theses). The Lutherans would come out of Luther’s movement. They may not have all the theological distinctions that Martin had in his day. The Presbyterians would come out of Calvin’s followers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyterian). The Reformers based a lot of their foundation for their arguments off of Augustine of Hippo’s theology (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustine_of_Hippo) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation).

John Knox, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, and more. Modern day teachers that are in the Reformed realm include John Piper a Baptist, Kevin DeYoung of the Reformed Church of America, J.I. Packer an Anglican, and even some Dispensationalism such as John MacArthur. Then there are many Presbyterians like Tim Keller, R.C. Sproul, and Sinclair Ferguson. You can find a page with some pretty cool cartoon pictures of today’s contemporary Reformers at http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/bio/contempreform.html.

Most all of them will line up on the doctrines of salvation including justification, sanctification, and glorification. Sovereignty is another big doctrine that the Reformed will align on. Of course that word that has been debated so much in the circles that I have walked in the last 8 1/2 years, “Predestination!”.  Let me go back to one of my first memories of when I first heard of this topic. I was in my first year of Christianity still probably.

My home group was at the Texas Rangers game. We were having a great time when some how my home group leader brought up that GOD chooses us and we have nothing to do with this. This came as a shock to me. I was like what do you mean, “I accepted to follow.” Furthermore, “we’re not robots!” My home group leader asked, “Haven’t you read Romans 9?”

It still amazes me how many times that you can read the scripture and see new things, even after reading it several times. So, now I read this again.  It is scary to me. I remember driving in my car wondering to myself are we just robots? It doesn’t make sense. What is the purpose?

But then I listened to a sermon from The Village that stated so much scripture that aligned with the doctrine of Predestination and went to studies and such. It took me a couple of weeks but eventually I just accepted that GOD is GOD and I am not. A book that really helped me grasp this thought is “Chosen by GOD” by RC Sproul.

The story of Lazarus presented on page 96 really helped me begin to understand.

Could Lazarus have stayed in the tomb when Jesus called him out? Jesus cried, “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43-44). The man broke out of his grave clothes and came out of the tomb. When God creates, he exercises a power that only God has. He alone has the power to bring something out of nothing and life out of death.

Earlier Sproul, had spoken of only being able to sin before rebirth. We would always choice sin unless G-D intervenes. Page 49 notes:

When we are born again, our bondage to sin is relieved. After we are made alive in Christ, we once again have the ability to sin and the ability to not sin. In heaven we will have the inability to sin.

These concepts made me think of the movie Frankenstein. Frankenstein was dead. Actually, he was not even a living creature. However, the mad scientist brought him to live. Then, he could speak, move, and make chooses. It’s not a perfect analogy because as an unbeliever chooses are still made but only for sin. It is not until the Holy Spirit gives you rebirth that you are able to choose to or not to sin.  

So, I believe like the Reformed do on the topics of salvation, justification, sanctification, glorification, and the sovereignty of GOD. Some great sites to further study this and really see what the scripture says are below:

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources/articles-papers/

http://www.desiringgod.org/searches/tulip?utf8=%E2%9C%93

http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Reformed-Theology/

Additionally, I believe like the Presbyterians as far as the local church should be governed by a plurality of elders.

http://www.monergism.com/directory/search.php?action=search_links_simple&search_kind=and&phrase=elders

One more thing that I would believe like the “Reformed” but a little more like the Presbyterians or Calvin is in regards to communion. I do believe like the Baptists that the bread and wine are symbolism of Christ’s body being broken for us and His blood shed. However, I do believe there is a spiritual presence of the L-RD in this ordinance.

http://www.the-highway.com/Calvin_supper.html

http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/lastsupp.htm- a good comparison on the different beliefs of the L-RD’s Supper.

However, I would like to use unleavened bread when communion is taken since it was in the setting of Passover. Once again, this normally is not my choice in a corporate setting:)

Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22

This pretty much concludes my Reformed Baptist component of my faith that I believe the Bible teaches. I should say that on each of my components of faith that I studied the Scriptures in-depth. I’m on my eighth time reading through the Bible and attempt to study the scriptures in context. I list these resources because they articulate the views better than I could, while pointing out the scriptures. Additionally, I do try to study the opposing views with an open mind somewhat. This can be hard if you have respected teachers that you believe love the L-RD. However, I have learned that even our respected teachers are human and may not be correct on every thing. I know that I definitely have not been right always and had to accept that I was wrong at times. Furthermore, I have come to believe two very well-studied Christian scholars can differ on points and still both dearly love the L-RD.

Predestination and the famous acronym TULIP were one of the hardest items for me to grasp but then again so was Christianity in general when I first became a believer:) Complementarianism and Christian Hedonism is my goal for the next post.

Grace and peace be with you,

In Yeshua Messiah,

Coley

“My Faith Dissected: the Journey” Reformed Baptist Pt 1 (Baptist)

In January of 2004, I stood up in a tank of water in front of a body of believers, a little fearful, adrenaline pumping, but excited nonetheless. My pastor gave a short testimony of what I had told him. He asked me something like if I had come to know Jesus as LORD and Savior, which I said I had. Therefore, he dunked me completely into the water saying that he baptised me in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It was a great moment. And that pretty much ends my biggest Baptist distinction alone. That is I believe in believer’s baptism and baptism by immersion.

My good friend, that was raised Presbyterian, and I have had some pretty good conversations over baptism by immersion. I arguing for it and he stating that it doesn’t have to be a requirement. After years of thinking on this, I personally prefer baptism by immersion still but I don’t know that I would require this for a local church membership, if I were ever to make it to the position of elder and had any kind of say in the matter. As for now, it is not my decision.

When I went to Dallas Baptist University, I was required to read ”Baptists and the Bible” by L. Russ Bush & Tom J. Nettles. I’m glad I did. I love studying Biblical Studies, Theology,  and Church History. It was great reading about the likes of missionaries like William Carey and Adoniram Judson. And pastors, writers, and teachers like John Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon, E.Y. Mullins, and B.H. Carroll. One of the cool things I did a few years back was visit Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where I saw a desk used by B.H. Carroll.

Bush & Nettles states on page 278 that Carroll, “was an amazing scholar, a self-taught theologian who could read up to three hundred pages per day without neglecting his other duties, and then years later recall the material-including the page references.”  Wow, I would love to be able to do that. Not only that from his picture on page 279, Carroll has to have one of the coolest beards in history:)

John Bunyan wrote one of my favorite books that I’ve read, “Pilgrim’s Progress” (page 67). It is a great allegory. Spurgeon has written countless books and devotionals. “Mornings and Evenings” sits on my stand beside my bed at this very moment. Some times I read it in the wee hours of the morning when I’m unable to sleep. I’ve read Spurgeon’s biography, also. He has an amazing testimony. He produced so much in the name of Christ Jesus.

Modern day, John Piper is really the only notable Reformed Baptist that I really look to for resources and admire in many of his teachings and life testimonies. He is the writer of many books and has many free resources at http://www.desiringgod.org/.

Of course, my church is affiliated with the Baptist still, as well.

Interestingly, a good friend of mine, enjoys reading Scot McKnight’s blog, who considers himself an anabaptist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scot_McKnight). He has a blog at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/.

People differ on the beginnings of the Baptists. Some will say it began from John the Baptists ministry. One of my college professors believed it began with Ulrich Zwingli’s disciples (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabaptist). A lot of these disciples died because their believe that one should be baptised after confessing faith in Jesus Christ, and did not believe in infant baptism.

So, what is believer’s baptism? John Piper’s church states it in their affirmation http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/what-is-baptism-and-how-important-is-it , “We believe that baptism is an ordinance of the Lord by which those who have repented and come to faith express their union with Christ in His death and resurrection.”  It goes on to state, “So our understanding of the New Testament is that the meaning of baptism includes the fact that it is an expression of the faith of the one being baptized. It is not something that an unbeliever can do. It is not something than an infant can do. That is why we don’t baptize infants.” They quote Colossians 2:11-12 for one passage that supports this. This makes sense to me.

Furthermore, they note that this is a commandment of Yeshua in Matthew 28:19-20 and is in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It signifies unity with Christ, per Romans 6:3-4,

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by  the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Finally, it is by immersion symbolizing death, burial, and resurrection in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:3-4, Acts 8:37-38, and John 3:23 are given for support. I know my Presbyterian friends will tell me that when the apostle John speaks of going down into the water that they could of just walked into the water that it didn’t nessarily mean immersion. However, the symbolism of being buried with Christ and risen with Him makes immersion a better picture of this to me.

The Village Church has a nice pamphlet that teaches on baptism at http://www.thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/baptism-booklet.pdf. I like how the summary is phrased.

SUMMARY:

While the timing and mode of baptism are not absolutely essential to the Christian faith, they are nonetheless important theological convictions that we hold firmly. We love and respect our Protestant brothers and sisters who disagree with believer’s baptism, but we believe and subsequently teach it as the biblical form of baptism.

Furthermore, it lists out some of the symbolism, as below.

As a symbol, baptism illustrates a number of significant realities:

1. Christ’s death and resurrection
2. The disciple’s union with Christ in His death and resurrection
3. The new life in which a disciple walks
4. Cleansing and washing away of sin

This is great. We can love and respect others or at least strive to without agreeing with them on every thing. May we learn to do that even better. May we see the beauty of this symbolism and commandment from the L-RD to do so.

It was my intention to write about the “reformed” Baptist distinctions of my faith but this took longer than I thought. Therefore, I will attempt to cover the “reformed” aspect of my faith on my next blog.

Grace and peace be with you,

In Yeshua Messiah,

Coley

 

 

“My Faith Dissected: the Journey” Protestant Christian

As my previous blog notes, I became a Christian in July of 2003, around a month before my 25th birthday. I didn’t really understand all the components of what this meant at this time besides Jesus, the Son of G-D, came down to earth, lived a sinless life, died for my sins, rose again, and ascended into Heaven. The Trinity was still hard for me to explain and is still mysterious to me to this day. It was mysterious how Jesus could be born of a virgin also but this for some reason was not as mysterious to me. A miracle indeed, but not so much mysterious.

Furthermore, I continued to research the reliability of the scriptures. I had a great fear and concern for my relatives and friends to come to know Jesus and avoid Hell. I could not and still do not like to think of anyone suffering for eternity in Hell. I had struggles with how evolution and the Bible could co-exist. However, I continued to study hard. I joined a home group around September 2003. I went to like a two-hour membership class at The Village, around October 2003.

The home group was very helpful in allowing me to be able to fellowship and ask questions of other Christians. I probably drove them crazy, a little.  I continued to study and learn what it looked like to walk as a Christian.

In the Fall of 2004, I began classes at DBU for a double major in Christian Ministries and Business Studies. This is where I really probably began to know the components of my faith better. In this blog, I want to share what I find almost all Protestant Christians find in common. For that matter, Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox do also. The components are the deity of Jesus, the Trinity, the virgin birth, Heaven/Hell, inerrancy of the Scriptures, the Resurrection of Jesus.

The Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons would not be considered Christians by many mainly because of their views of the Trinity and the deity of Jesus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism, . Jehovah Witnesses do not believe in the equality of the deity of Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit (“Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses: Subject by Subject” by David A. Reed, pages 95-100). They believe that Jesus is the archangel Michael (“Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses: Subject by Subject” by David A. Reed, pages 157, 158.

Originally I thought about writing apologetics for each component of my faith but for lack of time, I will just state what I believe. Furthermore, I can give resources that are way better at articulating and breaking down each component. Without further ado, the list begins.

1.) I believe that there is only one True G-D, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Most will simply say the Trinity. This is described in various ways but with a consistent message that the Scriptures testify that there is only one G-D revealed in three persons. The Father is G-D and is not the Son nor the Holy Spirit. The Son is equally G-D but not the Holy Spirit nor the Father. The Holy Spirit is G-D but not the Son nor the Father. Each person of the Trinity has distinct roles but one in essence.

2.) I believe Yeshua/Jesus is fully GOD/fully man, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for my sins, physically rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven.

3.) I believe Yeshua will return to gather His followers some day and bring in the consummation of His Kingdom.

4.) Inerrancy of the Scriptures

Some of my earliest and favorite resources in my faith, besides the Bible, are below.

“Knowing GOD” by J.I. Packer

 ”Systematic Theology” by Wayne Grudem

“Reason for GOD” by Tim Keller

Not to say my church, the Village http://www.thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/statement-of-faith.pdf

http://www.thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/whatisscripture.pdf

Other quick sources include http://www.monergism.com/ (great site to pull from a large bank of theologians from modern-day to the saints of old),  http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/09/28/the-doctrine-of-the-trinity-no-christianity-without-it/,

Sources countering Jewish objections and some Messianic Judaism objections to the Trinity (please note a lot of the knowledge to be gained is in the comments on the following blogs):

 ”Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus (4 vols.)” by Brown, Michael L,

 http://derek4messiah.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/the-nicene-creed-and-mj/,

 http://yeshuaincontext.com/2010/10/interpreting-the-temptation/.

I really like how Kevin DeYoung outlines the basic worldview of a Christian in this blog as well, http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/10/21/how-to-articulate-a-christian-worldview-in-four-easy-steps/.

What is the difference between Protestant and Roman Catholic? Denominations will vary on their differences but below are some common differences.

1.) The Eucharist/Communion- Roman Catholics believe that the actual body of Christ is in the bread while Protestants take the bread to be symbolism. Some Protestants believe there is more of a spiritual presence when taking communion, also.

2.) Indulgences- Roman Catholics used to have this more present in their faith but some may not have too many now.

3.) Mariology/Saints- Catholics will pray to Mary and dead Saints to pray for them.

4.) Authority of the Church- Protestants will hold Scripture as the ultimate authority of decisions while Catholics hold the church in this area at the same level or higher.

5.) Justification/Perserverence.

6.) Purgatory.

7.) Scripture- Roman Catholics include the Apocryphal books (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_of_the_Bible).

The Village Church has a great article on this that gives a good summary of some of the common differences (http://www.thevillagechurch.net/mediafiles/howdoourbeliefsdifferfromromancatholictheology.pdf).

What are the differences between Protestant and Eastern Orthodox?

A few are the same as the Roman Catholics but there are several. This website gives a comparison chart between Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant ( http://christianityinview.com/comparison.html).

The Eastern Orthodox broke off from the Roman Catholic church in 1054 C.E. over a few controversies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East%E2%80%93West_Schism). One of the main differences were over what is called the “filioque”. The Eastern Orthodox believes the Holy Spirit only proceeded from the Father where as the Roman Catholics and Protestants believe the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filioque).

I line up with the Protestant faith on these overarching components of the Christian faith. In January 2004, I was baptised at The Village Church. Furthermore, I came to believe a certain way about the parts of salvation in Messiah Yeshua in my first few years of becoming a believer, which I still hold to today. Therefore, it is my hope to cover the Reformed Baptist component of my faith in my next blog.

Grace and peace be with you,

In Yeshua Messiah,

Coley

“My Faith Dissected: the Journey” Agnostic Beginnings

Ever since I was a young child, curiosity filled my soul before I knew that I had a soul. I wanted to know what the purpose of this life was. Death terrified me. As a kid that worried a lot, migraine headaches were normal. By the time, I was in third grade, I had attended a Vacation Bible Study, where the pushy men in the suits scared me to death. I didn’t trust them. What of this GOD? What of this hell?

My parents did not attend church. Dad was an agnostic and still is to this day. Mom was raised as in a Catholic church but no longer practiced this faith she was raised in. Instead of church, I normally got sad drunken, philosophical conversations with my dad. I spent a lot of nights sitting in the back seat of a car with headsets on listening to Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Cinderella, and what was labeled heavy metal in the 80s, however it is hard rock now. There would be a cooler loaded down with beer in between my brother and I. If we got thirsty, occasionally we would just take a sip of beer. We shot pool, played darts, and shuffle boards in the bars while dad played cards or dominos. We went to family parties where the kids ran around while the parents drank it up.

So, when I went to VBS, a bus would come pick us up and take us home. They gave me a KJV bible back on May 3rd of 1987. I was eight years old. I remember walking around asking questions. What will happen to me if something happens to dad? Am I going to hell? If there is a GOD, how did He come into existence?

I would start reading Genesis over and over but I do not believe that I ever got past Genesis, until I was in my early 20s, and reading the Book of Mormons at the same time. However, I do not believe I finished reading at this time, either. My Mormon friend would explain a few things to me and ask me to pray over it, which I did but never believed it. It was an interesting epic, though. Years later I would ask a Mormon if they thought that it is possible that the Book of Mormons could be like “The Left Behind Series”. After all they already had the Bible. Joseph Smith could neither read or write in English, much less these Egyptian tablets that an angel came and took away.

Well, back to my agnostic up bringing. I would go to maybe two more VBS programs growing up at another church. By the time, I got into high school, I had learned to argue well and say what the hell and move on. This life was it. I didn’t know what happened afterwards. In high school, I learned of evolution.  This was hard for me to tie to the Bible years later.

By the time, I had reached 16, alcohol consumption had become a more regular part of my life. By the time I graduated high school, I was drinking pretty much like my dad where I would drink whisky and beer until my back was on the floor and the ceiling was spinning. I grew more and more into this party life style as I got into my young twenties, not really caring much about religion, ultimate reality, afterlife, or anything. It was all about the party.

September 1, 2001 would change my life forever. The day did not start too well. Ants had gotten into my dirty clothes through a crack in the wall. However, my friends and I were headed to an Aerosmith concert at Smirnoff Music Centre in Dallas, Texas. I had 4 beers on the way to the concert. Back then our crew would drink before we went somewhere, while we were there, and then looked for the after party. 

Well, we arrived at the concert and it was packed. We decided to try to take a shortcut, which involved jumping a fence. I was going to be cute and do a flip over the fence. However, when I landed, a sharp pain sprung up my leg and my back hit the ground, while I screamed in pain. One my friends yelled at me, “Coley, we’re not missing this concert, get up!” At least they helped me in. It was the most excruciating pain that I had ever felt. My foot swelled up to the size of a football. I didn’t know that it was even possible for that to get so large. I roughed it through the concert. A paramedic at the end of the concert said that I needed to have it looked at. Somehow I was still managing to walk on it with help.

Afterwards, we went to IHOP where I almost passed out in my plate from pain. I had to sleep on the couch that night because my ankle and foot were hurting so bad that I could not even use covers. My friend took me to minor emergency the next morning where I got x-rays, a bootie, and crutches. I actually thought about not going to the Pat Green concert the next day but I could not fathom missing the concert. It was going to be used for his first video. So, on crutches I went, in pain but I could drink it away. The crutches were too much for me, though. So, as Pat was singing “Carry On”, I was slowly striding with my crutches to the MacDonald’s, I believe on the corner, where I could sit and wait for my friends.

When I finally saw the specialist, he informed me that my two bones in my lower leg had torn apart, ripping the tendon up the middle of my shin. I had to have surgery with two screws being placed in my angle. I tried to go back to work but was not able because of the pain and I needed my foot to be propped above my heart. So, my mom and brother came and picked me up and took me back to Paris. I went back and forth between my dad’s house and my mom’s. They had gotten a divorce when I was 20 or 21.

While laid up on the couch, I saw the planes of 9/11 fly into the twin towers. It was a scary thing to me. Furthermore, my mom’s friend had loaned her ”The Left Behind Series”. I read them all. This began my serious search for the Truth and Purpose of this life. So, I began studying the world religions mostly on the internet. My friend’s mom was into Marylin Agee, a lady that would continue to try to come up with possible dates for the rapture and the return of this Jesus Christ.  Around this same time, my co-worker had given me a copy of the Book of Mormons that I started to read and discuss with him. And I found that KJV Bible that I received from VBS when I was eight years old. I was now 23 years old and searching.

By no means did I quit partying. However, I remember sitting on the couch after drinking the night before, hung over, bewildered, trying to piece together what I had done the night before, wandering to myself if there was any purpose in this life. Depression, suicidal thoughts rolling through my head. Braveheart came to mind often. I could imagine my head being cut off as William Wallace’s head was. I could find a tall building to jump off. I really liked heights and the thought of feeling like I could fly. But what if I didn’t die? I would be handicapped the rest of my life. Guns did not always work. I had seen a highschool friend get shot, which looked like it went straight up through his head but went out the side of his mouth. I couldn’t imagine cutting myself. No the risk of not getting it right terrified me even more. I guess it is a good think that G-D created me to be so analytical in some cases. My fears kept me from hurting myself or others. Anyway, that may be another blog.

Fast forward to around April or May of 2003, at a party at 4 AM in the morning, I had told a guy that I had been researching the world religions and really wanted to visit a church but didn’t know which one. He told me about Highland Village Baptist Church, now just The Village Church. I tried to find it the next morning hung over but couldn’t find it. About a week and a half later I found it, my friend from the party wasn’t there but his brother was. I was terrified of what these people might think of me but I had to find out about this Jesus.

The other major religions did not seem to hold water to me, at this point. With all due respect, I couldn’t believe that an angel visited this Muhammad in a cave but there was no one else that witnessed it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad). Nor could I believe in the lone Siddhartha of Buddhism, which you ended up just becoming nothing basically being a part of everything (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism). Hinduism was similar to Buddhism with attempting to reach this nirvana stage ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism). The Mormons story was similar to Muhammad of a single man stating he received revelations from an angel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism).

So, I began going to The Village Church regularly, feeling like the preacher was speaking right to me, trying not to look at anyone, hoping no one would mess with me. I only wanted to listen. Some raised their hands, I could not believe they really meant it. Was it a show? I hated the music. I dreaded the meet and greets but I came and listened. I feared what these people would say to me if they knew the things I did, much less the terrible thoughts that I thought. I would try not to look up. The preacher would say at the end to just ask something like, “If there is a G-D, please speak to me.” I started to say this prayer.

By the beginning of July, I had come to believe that Jesus was real and who they said He was. I had come to a point where I wanted to put my faith in this Jesus, who I believed from scripture and the sermons might have mercy on me. However, I still was skeptical of His followers. I grew up being skeptical of everyone, to be critical, and not to trust anyone. I had no Christian friends to speak to and was not going to go up to the front of the church, for sure. My mom and her second husband were taking a trip up to Minnesota to visit family. I knew that I would be partying a lot with family. So, I didn’t want to put my faith in Jesus, yet. I hoped He would allow me to after the trip. It was taking a chance but He was and is gracious.

When, I came back, I said the prayer at the back of a Bible over and over. I wanted to wait to say it until I could commit with my whole heart. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to detach from the life I was in. My loneliness only intensified when I had to move out of the party pad to try to escape that life style, in the next year. Friends and family mocked me. And I still had no Christian friends, at the end of July of 2003. It was around a month before my 25th birthday.  However, my faith journey had turned another corner. I no longer called myself an agnostic. I now was a Christian still full of fears and doubts but also purpose, faith, and hope. Not to say, I was beginning to learn the real meaning of love. I saw the world in a new light but still very much alone in my one bedroom apartment, trying to part from my bar room home where I could be myself, and where I was comfortable, into these stiff church circles not knowing what to expect. Actually, I admit I sometimes still feel more comfortable in a bar than I do in church but maybe it should be that way somewhat.

My Protestant Christian faith had begun. Praise G-D, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!!

Grace and peace be with you,

In Christ Jesus,

Coley