Are You Born Again?

A tidbit from Brian McLaren...

I never know how to answer that born-again question. Obviously, in the way Jesus used the term, I would want to say yes. But to some people, the question means "Are you a judgmental, arrogant, narrow-minded, bigoted religious fanatic?" I remember one of my students once told me that he wanted to be a true follower of Christ, but he hoped he never became born-again. I asked him why, and he told me about another student who used to be a really nice person, but then she became a born-again, and now she is always criticizing everyone and has become so negative and stuck up, nobody can stand her. So the term has been pretty much ruined by modern Christianity.

How can something as good as the Christian faith make someone a worse person than they were before they had it? I'd like to say its not possible, but I've seen it happen. Something needs to change. What?

The Dreaded Doctrine

On the flight from Nashville to Denver (our layover on the way to Canada) I sat next to a lady from Oregon. She had been in town for a big Christian counseling conference at the Opryland Hotel. Naturally, we struck up a conversation about church. She attended a non-denominational church in downtown Portland. When she asked where I attended, I hesitated just a moment. I wondered if I should simply tell her that I also attended a non-denominational church and move on. I didn't want the name (and its associated issues) to be a stumbling block to the rest of our conversation. But I thought, "she's from Portland, miles away from the Bible Belt, she's probably never even heard of my fellowship." So I said, "I go to a Church of Christ."

When the words came out of my mouth she slowly raised her eyebrows and begin nodding her head. It was the kind of nod that people give you when they're trying to process something or when they're thinking something they know they can't say aloud. "Do you know anything about the Church of Christ?" I tentatively asked. "Yes," she said slowly, "A little bit. I briefly attended a school that was associated with that denomination." She paused. "And..." I prodded and she continued, "The only thing I remember is that you guys think you're the only ones going to heaven."

Aaaaarrrrgh! That dreaded doctrine. That's exactly why I hesitated to mention the name. For all the good that the churches of Christ have brought to the theological world, it embarrasses me that we are most known for this. It smacks of spiritual arrogance and Biblical ignorance. How did we ever convince ourselves that our fellowship was the only one to correctly interpret God's Word and therefore the only ones who are truly saved? I look back at my own history in amazement at how easily I discarded the faith of other believers because they went to a church with different name. I've since repented. I don't want this "we're the only ones" doctrine to be the lasting legacy of the churches of Christ. It's time we became known for something else. Like maybe our desire for unity with all who believe in Christ. After all, that was the original plea of our founder (see Jn 17:20-21).

Canadian Health Warning

WARNING: Eating gravy and fries on a consistent basis over a 3-4 day time span proves hazardous to weight loss. Studies have revealed that those consuming such gained back 2-3 of the pounds they worked so hard to lose.

{This message brought to you by the Recently Returned Traveler Who Weighed in This Morning After a Week Away from the Scales}

Second Day

A few things that are decidedly Canadian...

1. Cold. I've been chilled since we arrived. Then a front moved through last night and it was below freezing this morning. It was actually spitting a little snow. Of course the locals consider this to be pretty mild. In the winter it hits -30 to -40.
2. Accent. I've heard more than a few "not from around here eh?" Apparently my southern roots give me away. The waitress last night couldn't stop laughing about our pronunciation of the words "can" and "light."
3. Gravy. Everything you order comes with brown gravy, including french fries. In the States we smother our fries in ketchup, here it's brown gravy and cheese. And it's actually quite good. Lay's even has a potato chip flavor called "Fries and Gravy."
4. Wildlife. This is a hunter's paradise. Geese, ducks, whitetail, mule deer, black bear, grizzlies, elk, moose, etc. We've seen a few of them. We shot 20 ducks yesterday afternoon and got another 26 geese this morning. A few more pics...

First Day

Wow! That's my general reaction to day one in Canada. Not only is the country beautiful, but the hunting is unbelieveable. We got situated this morning before daylight in a barley field. We laid in "coffin blinds" parllel to the rows of recently harvested seed. Nothing stirred for about 15 minutes and then it was like someone turned on a switch. We killed our limit in less than an hour (32 geese). This aftenroon will try for ducks. Here's some pics . . .

O Canada!

Tomorrow morning I leave for the mighty North. I'm flying to Edmonton and then driving 5 hours north to Manning, Alberta. I'll be goose hunting for 3 days with my dad, brother, and brother-in-law. I have no idea what the lodge is like or whether or not we'll have internet access but a few "email-free" days don't sound half bad. I'll post a few pics when I get home. I'll miss Maury Hills tomorrow but the good news is my contribution will be there thanks to my handy-dandy bank draft. :)

Automated Tithing Machines

Recently our church added a bank draft option for weekly contributions. The response was mostly positive, but at least one of our members (a good friend of mine) was less than thrilled. He sent me an email that basically said, "I normally agree with your decisions, but not this one! What's next? ATMs in the church lobby?" I replied with something about "ATMs in the church lobby?! I don't think so. I've never heard of a church doing anything like that." Well, I have now...

Integrating new technology into a church building and controversy often go hand in hand. Perhaps no innovation demonstrates this fact like the ATMs-Automated Tithing Machines-that some churches have begun installing. Stevens Creek Community Church in Georgia, pastored by Marty Baker, has been featured by several national media outlets for their implementation of two "giving kiosks" outside their chapel doors. "We're just trying to connect with the culture," Baker told the Associated Press. Proponents of the ATMs say that most people no longer carry cash or checkbooks, meaning they're out of luck when the offering basket is passed down the aisle Sunday morning. And why not make it more convenient for churchgoers to tithe obediently? Meanwhile, opponents are uncomfortable with the commercialized statement the machines make and with the machines' ability to take credit cards. It's only a matter of time before someone finds a link between ATMs at church and the Apocalypse, but until then, keep an eye out for giving kiosks in a church lobby near you. (Collide Magazine)

The Competing Kingdoms

Life in the Kingdom

From Dallas Willard...

According to Gallup surveys, 94% of Americans believe in God and 74% claim to have made a commitment to Jesus Christ. About 34% confess to a "new birth" experience. These figures are shocking when thoughtfully compared to statistics on the same group for unethical behavior, crime, mental distress and disorder, family failures, addictions, financial misdealings, and the like. Of course there are always shining exceptions. But could such a combination of profession and failure really be the "life and life abundantly" that Jesus said he came to give? Or have we somehow developed an understanding of "commitment to Jesus Christ" that does not break through to his living presence in our lives? Without question, it is the latter that has occurred, and with heart-rending consequences.

He writes those words in a chapter about the Kingdom of God, a concept often mentioned by Jesus but rarely discussed in today's church. Willard's point is that if the Kingdom is "God's rule" then making a commitment to Jesus should also imply our willingness to allow God to rule our lives (i.e. enter the Kingdom). The question then becomes if God is ruling our lives why don't our attitudes and behaviors line up with that rule? Is it because we've adopted a form of Christianity that says Jesus serves to forgive my past and secure my future, but has little bearing on my present?

This is where we need to recapture an understanding of the Kingdom as Jesus taught it. Accepting God's rule in our lives does not just affect our future reality, it affects our current reality. When we allow God to rule, He doesn't just save us, He transforms us. He realigns our priorities, alters our attitudes, modifies our behaviors. In short, He makes us more like Him. That's what life in the Kingdom is all about--allowing God to rule.