Proof Text:What does it really prove?

The dialogue that takes place on blogs is one of remarkable fashion. I have been a part of major discussion and read major discussion from many blogs. Whether about racism, homosexuality, Calvinism or tithing there is room for a constructive debate. I just had a debate with some coworkers who are Christians about their stance that truth is relative. Which is easy target practice?

My point is that I provided proof text, after proof text to no avail. They still had the same mindset that was there before we started the conversation. I marveled at the fact they the held to their guns though from a scriptural standpoint they had no backing. Then I began to see the importance of the Holy Spirit in times like these. My pride and indignation started to rise because they were not getting what I was saying. I was slamming them with all that I knew but nothing was changing.

Why was I giving them proof text? Was I trying to bring my spiritual sword play to the debate in order to smash or was my heart really crying for them to understand truth. I quickly came to the conclusion I was out to smash and their heart was no where in the equation. This is a sad commentary and something that I think even those who are serious about evangelism must be mindful about. Just because you give a proof text does not solve the problem in some instances. Is it needed, yes….Does it always work, no.

1And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Cor. 2:1-5 ESV)

The Apostle Paul made it very clear that he did not come with superfluous wordplay but relied upon the Holy Spirit to come in and bomb where he needed. The interesting thing about it was Paul had the ability to do just that if he chose. He was smart enough where he could have killed them with philosophical rhetoric but he stayed true to his game plan which was to share the gospel. It is such a thin line I believe to stay intelligent or be intelligent in this anti-intelligent society that we live in. Where scholarship is reviled and frowned upon. But on the flipside you have the scholarly or theological astute frowning upon those who do not have the background but have a better faith integration.

So proof text gets thrown around and you have exegetical evangelicals calling revelational reverends heretics and  vis-à-vis,  when both are actually just trying to get the truth. Charles Spurgeon once said, “The word of God is like a lion. You do not have to defend it all you have to do is let it out of the cage and it will defend itself.”

Just my thoughts

Augustine as Mentor: Book Review

Introduction

In times where many search for a positive example to follow Edward Smither presents an unusual perspective on mentoring. In his book, Augustine as Mentor, he presents a model for mentoring that focuses upon the life of the great theologian, Augustine. With the intensity of a skilled artist, he carves out major concepts that proved valuable in the development of Augustine.

Content

Augustine as Mentor, displays patterns of mentoring develop from first century spiritual leaders up until the death of Augustine. What you find nestled within the context of the mentoring that took place during this time is a level of consistency and attention, to honor God and leaders. As you move to the third and fourth century, you find other leaders that had some influence upon the development of Augustine. The lifestyles of some of these spiritual leaders directly influenced Augustine in his life.(pg.24)

Pachomius, the cenobitic monk was one of those characters that brought a great level of influence upon Augustine. Pachomius displayed a lifestyle that was conducive to what he preached. Though he was an abba of all the monasteries he still lived a in a house where he had to “remained subject to a housemaster’s authority for his everyday needs.”(pg.47) This commitment to authority was also visible in the life of Augustine as well. When asked to deliver an unpopular message at a morning feast, you find Augustine handling the task with his common excellence and vigor as always.

Smither displays the connection of lifestyle and mentorship as he unfolds the truth of the genius of Augustine. Augustine believed that there was a direct correlation between sound teaching and correct living. (pg.240) This led him to always be in intense studying of the scriptures in order that he life would reflect his belief. Smither writes,” like his mother Augustine mentored others through a personal example of somewhat untainted by an ongoing struggle with sin.” This captured the essence of Augustine as he resembled the very thing he was trying to assemble.

Conclusion

As Augustine’s life comes to a close, we find those whom he mentored still left in a speechless moment trying to find words to express the impact he made upon their life. As a  theologian he was more concerned with giving others a “living faith” versus “religious propositions.”(pg.100) He lived his life before men with a major emphasis placed upon mentoring leaders. Augustine modeled the very concept that he shared with others. He was a student but constantly listened to those who were subordinate to him. Edward Smither states,” Augustine believed that imitating holy examples resulted in spiritual growth.” As great as Augustine became, he still followed patterns that were set before him by those he consider a mentor.  

Is it really that easy? (Being bumrushed by Matthew 21:22)

Now, I might be setting myself up for the kill but I have to wonder about my own theology. Has it come to the point that I have made the word of God of no effect because I have chosen to “learn more than I practice.” As I have wrestle the toils of life, I find myself in a place of need and looking for answer. Then I engage in conversation with the everyday believer- who could care less about who Origen, the Council of Nicaea or whether free will or predestination is the truth-but they have faith that God is all that the bible says he is. In a debate I would probably smash them but where it really counts, I fail in comparison.

The common answer that I get when faced with this problem is simply ask and it shall be given. Matthew 21:22 is plain and simple when you read it. I have read it in context and out of context but it still gets back to the same point-if you ask in faith you will receive. This is just to simple and logical not to see the masterpiece presented here from Christ. He has just told a fig tree to die and it withered away. The disciples begin to ask how did he do this great thing and his response was faith. He then precedes to tell them that you must ask and have faith and it will be  done. I know that all things will not be given unto us just because we have faith and ask but I still can’t understand why this is so hard.

Is it a timing issue or just a plan ole faith issue. Are we expecting God to move the moment we ask or we will not consider it done. Or is it the fact that we do not have faith to believe that he can do it. Let me go a bit further and say, maybe we do not believe he will do it ,so what is the need in asking. Whatever the case I am find this scripture to be a hard one to put into practice. We can call it the massive result?

The massive result comes from the fact that after reading about the sovereignty of God and understanding that he is in total control, I could not see a need to pray. So if I had a financial need, then God sovereignty will activate and what will be will be. So I am left to assume that I just play my position and let the chess game between God and the Satan run its course. So with that being said sometimes the pawn has to suffer for the sake of the King. Then I read where Moses prayed and God changed his mind(Exodus 32:9-14) and Hezekiah prayed and God extended his life 15 years.( Isaiah 38) Now was God sovereignty still in effect, most definitely but there is something to be said about asking in faith and receiving.

It makes no sense to me whatsoever how this works based upon my understand ing of scripture. I am blown away that a sovereign, predestine event can be changed by the simple elements of prayer and faith. Philosophically and logically this makes no sense. If god has declared a event was going to happen how does my prayer effect the outcome of the effect in all honesty. Are the prayers of the righteous that powerful or was the prayer already incorporated into the equation from the jump?

Is there a place for Black Liberation Theology? Part 2

There are six parts that you can watch on youtube.

About a week ago I had the opportunity to see the first half of Powernomics. Now this prove to be very disturbing to me for a few reasons:

1. I began to see the systemtic hatred that has been dumped upon blacks.
2. I really saw the gap between the opportunities for blacks and whites.
3. I saw the intentionality to keep blacks in a poverty stricken environment.

From these three points, I had to wrestle with if there was a need for Black Theology.  Now I came to some conclusion about my racist thoughts a while back in a post, The Done And Unseen. I truly did not think that my white brothers and sisters needed Christ. Now some of you may think that is silly or inane but I was dead serious. I had never share the Gospel with a white person because I didn’t think that they really needed a savior. I has experienced racism on a job and job interview so I understood that it was live and well. I understood that there were more opportunity, at least my mind, for whites looking for jobs than blacks.  From this I unknowingly viewed the Scriptures through the eyes of black culture and not to mention the only people that really engage me on the street were the Black Muslims.  They had a better integrated faith than any Christian that I had meet during that time. They lived what they believed and know it top to bottom. And they appealed to the black man. Eric Redmond gives 4 points that sum up the attraction for black brothers to the Nation of Islam,

• You have heard the leaders of local mosques be far more vocal on political issues that matter to you and to the majority of African Americans.
• You see drug dealers being run out of neighborhoods by the members of the local mosque, and you are appreciative.
• You are grateful for the cleanliness and productivity of young men you see selling bean pies and The Final Call as entrepreneurs.
• You have expereinced the brotherhood of the Nation behind bars. (Where are all the Brothers?, Eric Redmond pg.49)

The Christian church negligence to address some of the very ills that taint the clack community presents a disconnect to the faith. Whether you agree with Black Liberation Theology (BLT) or not it addresses the very same ills that plague the community. It presents Christ as a liberated to the oppressed from the hands of white supremacist. It calls for the liberated i.e. Jesus, to stand on the side of the oppressed and fight for their rights and honor.   BLT supposedly gives a sense of hope to those caught in the place of oppression.  James Cone asserts,

“Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community … Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love.” ( Black Theology of Liberation, James Cone pg. 27)

” … liberation is not a human possession but a divine gift of freedom to those who struggle in faith against violence and oppression. Liberation is not an object but the projectof freedom wherein the oppressed realize that their fight for freedom is a divine right of creation.” (God of the Oppressed, James Cone pg. 138)

“Black people who have been humiliated and oppressed by the structures of White society six days of the week gather together each Sunday morning in order to experience another definition of their humanity.” (Speaking the Truth, James Cone)

Cone’s presentation is a one of  a God who at all cost defends his own primarily based upon their race. The connecting factor with God is not due to his salvific nature but to his “I got your back  mentality.” God is out to help those oppressed, the blacks, with a his mighty hand. I just have one problem………..catch me later.

Top 5 Lyrics of the Christian Hip Hop scene:Fifth Place Timonty Brindle

 

Fruit Inspection

Chorus
Killing Sin is not a prescription of how to be forgiven.It’s a description of the Christian who is forgiven by trusting in the risen Christ who took our wrath and affliction.
Killing Sin is not a prescription of how to be forgiven but it’s a description of the Christian who is forgiven and the Spirit now convicts them to put off and kill their sick sin

It’s so strange how so many folks claim they’re born again when their lives are showing no change. Listen while I’m spitting, if you go about your sinning without conviction you should doubt  your christian. The devil tricks people that they’re saved when they’re sleeping in their grave still to evil they’re a slave. So examine yourself are you in the Faith or are you just a slave to sin’s glamour and wealth because you seek finer things and seem fond of sin but please read 1 John 3:9 and 10 because it’s a warning. It shows if you’re a fraud and that this is impossible if you’ve been born of God to live habitually sinful. It least hear it from Christ if you don’t wanna listen to Brindle. Please understand this – Jesus demands it. Those who really love him will keep his commandments.

I’m a make this as basic as can be. They say a saved saint is like a tree. Since their faith is in Christ, their root’s in the soil. So they’re saved for life and their fruit isn’t spoil. So it makes since that if the root is alive, the dead branches fall off but their fruits gonna thrive. But if there’s no evidence of a changed life, sin’s a claimed price so you’re still dead in sin. So, Jesus is Lord your lips confess, but killing sin is that confession’s litmus test. If perhaps the truth is that you’re lacking proof with absent fruit, the axe is at the root.So, let’s be specific. You say, “But God knows my heart.” Yeah, He knows that it’s desperately wicked. So, you can repent and accept the truth dude or else when you meet Christ hear, “I never knew you.” So let’s start from the top-Your heart is a rock. You must trust Christ’s death for your charges to drop.

So repent pretenders and present your members to Him who does contenders like fender benders. I ain’t saying that I’m flawless from sin. I’m saying when I fall I go to the cross and repent. And just because we believe in eternal security don’t mean we’re not concerned with personal purity because those who’ve been elected, chosen and predestined won’t rest till the day our souls have been perfected. So we’ll work out our salvation with fear and trembling but give God the glory knowing it’s His spirit’s rendering.