My Thoughts on White-Guy Roundtables...

I am sure that I may get some push back from this, but I simply cannot watch another round-table discussion, about some point of doctrine or ecclesiastical practice, where a bunch of white guys give their perspectives.  From the Elephant Room to the Gospel Coalition, it seems that all of the relevant words come only from the minds and hearts of white middle class men.  Sure, there is Chan and Thabiti, but, to be honest, I am highly reluctant to say that we are getting, from these sources, the full reflection of Christendom as it flourishes today.

A chocolate chip cookie with one chocolate chip is hardly a chocolate chip cookie.  And anyone who holds it up as a sample of such is simply not representing the goodness of mamma's kitchen.

I am not dogging these organizations, nor am I saying that they are maliciously racist in nature.  I love the Gospel Coalition as well as T4G.  But, I am coming to find, however, that a large portion of the church is limiting its libraries and RSS subscriptions to only white authorship.  This is simply dangerous.  To feast at these tables alone will ultimately lead us into a state of malnutrition.  Consequently, we will gradually lose our ability to feed anyone, being in need of food ourselves.

While there are many benefits that these roundtable discussions and conferences offer, I fear that we may be neglecting their handicaps.   More and more writers have (rightly) begun warning against the idolization of "super-star" pastors.  Perhaps, in an effort to curb those tendencies, these organizations should actively invite "ordinary" as well as the "diverse" pastors, that are relatively unknown, so that we may hear their take on pertinent issues.

And pastorally speaking, I'm not sure that super-star pastors alone are really the best source of practical pastoral information.  When your membership is in the thousands, and you are traveling every week to this or that conference, knowing your sheep well becomes something that drifts farther and farther from your pastoral reach.  I know that there are many exceptions to this rule - however, it doesn't take a genius to follow the logic.

Simply put, we, as a church, need to hear from the common man as well as the "conference man".  Even more, we need to hear the common black man and asian man and mexican man.  And may I even add women?  Yes.  We need to hear what women have to say as well.  As we make our way towards a non-white majority in this nation, we can no longer afford to target, download, and purchase communicators who look like we do.  This is not a call to leave out the white-guy roundtables; but a call to expand our tables so that we can invite more, diverse, voices to join us.

The Candy Shop - A Movie About Child Sex-Trafficking

Whitestone Motion Pictures has put out The Candy Shop, a film initiative to help fight against child sex trafficking.  See the trailer below; but you can also view the thirty minute movie here.  I plan on watching the movie tonight.  I must admit, however, that the trailer alone made my stomach turn.  There is a grossness and darkness to it that makes you want to be glad that its just a movie.  And then the message bends you back towards reality.   Its not just a movie.  As a matter of fact, it is far worse.

This is a nightmare that no dream can depict and that no movie can capture.  Right now, millions of girls are being sold and handled in ways that we can't, and wouldn't dare imagine.  When they cry "Stop!" no one listens.  When they cry for help, no one is there.  The last line of the trailer is also terribly sobering.

While we, as a culture, may attempt progress with decent intentions, we are mostly both ignorant and paralyzed when it comes to actively fighting against such evil in our midst.  The trailer captures this as well.  After watching and considering what you have just seen, you may sit there and ask, "What can I possibly do to help abolish the sex trafficking industry?"

Well, I am unsure of all vehicles of aid that are presently offered; but I do know one.  The Gospel.  Sex trafficking exists because people are rebelliously empty.  They must be filled with God in order to forsake feasting on small children.  We may think it is no big thing that we have allowed a few days/weeks/months or even years go by without sharing our faith with other individuals.  But I would propose that our neglectful laziness and disobedience is deadly.  We may restrain rebels with bars; but the gospel has the power to make slaves of righteousness.

John Newton, the writer of perhaps the most famous hymn, Amazing Grace, is a case in point.  Newton was a slave trader (human trafficker) himself, who would commonly rape and abuse women slaves.  He confessed this sort of behavior saying, "I was sunk into complacency with the vilest of wretches."  So when he wrote "wretch like me" in Amazing Grace, he meant it.  A changed wretch has produced fruit to feed millions.

And likewise, when we sing "wretch like me" this is the magnitude of crime that should come to our minds.

Pursuing and seeking immediate judicial consequence for those practicing and promoting the sex trafficking of women and children is absolutely necessary.  However, we, at the same time, must be making disciples of all nations.  Yes, Jesus can save a human sex-trafficker.  As difficult as it was for me to type that sentence, I must believe it...else, I would not belief that He saved a wretch like me.



The Candy Shop Trailer from Whitestone Motion Pictures on Vimeo.

(HT: Z)

Why Theologize?

I remember it very well.  It was my first month or so at seminary and I had just come home from this small group that regularly met to "talk theology."  I was a newbie for sure and grew quickly and frustratingly aware of the world of abstract theology as it whizzed by my ears.

Now, after seminary, and with a bit of history under my belt, I would, without too much reservation, place the discussion I observed that night in the category of modern scholasticism - or for short, discussion about God that leaves common people in the intellectual dust.

While I do not exempt myself from engaging in these types of discussions, I do try to avoid them.  My years in the mortgage industry before seminary sobered up some of the theological snobbery within me.  And my limited years in the ministry since seminary have served to do the same.  Most people do not ultimately care about truth that exists outside of their own common experience.

And rightly so.  Common experience is precisely where Christ shines.  But, if our theology stays outside the realm of practicality, so will our existential engagement.  In short, we may know theology, but we will be wholly ignorant of people.

One may rejoice in that they know the doctrine of total depravity.  But to stare total depravity square in the face, in flesh and bones, is no occasion for rejoicing whatsoever. We are immediately faced with the sobering necessity of wrenching our theology into practicality.

So why theologize at all?  I picked up John Frame's book The Doctrine of God again today.  Within the first fifteen pages he states so profoundly: "The very nature of theology is to take the language of Scripture and put it into other language, so that we can better understand the BIble and apply it to issues not explicitly mentioned there." And this he said echoing Calvin, "[the purpose of theology is] to show the applicability of the great doctrines to everyday life."

We should all hear these words with a sincere intent to apply their force.  God speaks.  And we must represent His Word faithfully and purposefully - that is, to get people to heaven.  Is there room and occasion for scholastic work?  Absolutely.  But the work must make it to the dying man, to feed his dying body, as he lives in a dying world, so that he may live, practically feeling the weight of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

High talk (about God or whoever) that is not brought low is not theology at all, but idolatry.  We theologize to show the "whosoevers" of our world the acceptance and satisfaction that is in Jesus Christ alone.

Love for neighbor has the ability to digest the intricacies of the Trinity into milk fit for babes.

Don't Take The Soul Out Of The Sinner

Doug Wilson says it well in his book Future Men: "Sin is parasitic and cannot function without some good attributes that it seeks to corrupt.  Consequently, faith must distinguish that which must be preserved and developed and that which must be abandoned as sin."  This truth is tremendously profound, and if understood and applied correctly, can be used to keep many from the follies of lawlessness and legalism.

Athletic events and concerts are simply a case of faithful worship gone bad.  Sin, as a slave master, has so corrupted the individual that the image of God within is used for evil ends.  As Christians who have been called to the ministry of reconciliation, we must, in a surgeon-like way, seek the mortification of sin while preserving/developing the person's faith and worship.

So when we see thousands screaming their heads off at a Dave Matthews concert, we should marvel at the desire, ability and capacity within each individual to worship another.  Their relentless faith in an individual provokes the sacrificial spending of time, energy, and resources.  I think of the stories of people who camp out for days just to get tickets!  How can we not see glorious attributes here built so deeply within the image of God?.   How can we not marvel at the strength of faith and worship?

What do we do?  We simply tell them they are stupid.  Why?  Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I can give a reasonable stab at it.  Its because most critical Christians are jealous.  We are being out-worshipped.  We only wish we had a taste for Christ that they have for Dave.

In short, to squelch the passion would be fatal, leading to an all-too-familiar stoic legalism.  To leave the passion unattended and without redirection would be fatal as well, leading to a reckless lawlessness.  We must only redirect the worship by proclaiming, in the Gospel, a superior Object of worship.  The gospel alone has the power to kill the parasitic sin while bringing life to the dead heart.  And the gospel alone has the power to restore and redeem the image of God in the individual, to draw their worship back to Christ.

But before we go out to proclaim that Good News, we should probably pray that the Spirit would ignite a passion within us that at least resembles the worship seen here (only the object of our worship would be Christ).

The Glorious Law of Liberty In The Shadow of Dating

Freedom is what everyone desires.  But we must understand the term.  Freedom is not found in the ability to do whatever we want.  Rather, freedom is having the knowledge and ability to do what God wants.  The Law is glorious in that it tells us how to love and glorify Him.  He is clear about what He likes and dislikes.

In any earthly relationship we desire to have, we long to know and do what the other person desires.  Just think of the beginning of any earthly relationship.  Should I bring her flowers?  Would she mind me calling right now?  What should I wear?  I wonder what she likes and doesn't like...Man! If I get this wrong, she will certainly reject me.  But O Man! If I get it right, just imagine the joy!

Until we know what the other person desires, we freak out, scrambling and stressing whether or not they will accept or reject us.  But after they reveal their desires to us - what is acceptable and unacceptable in their eyes - we rejoice and quickly begin a life of obedience in accordance with that revelation.  We are careful not to stray.  And before any action, we meticulously reference "the letter" to make sure we understand the object of our affection correctly.

These dating relationships are simply shadows that point us to the substance of our relationship with our Lord.

Again, true freedom comes when we have the knowledge and ability to do what our Creator desires.  When we lack either one of these, life is simply miserable - it is slavery.  But in Christ Jesus, we receive the grace that makes us able (Ezek 36; Jn 6) and the truth that directs us in the way that we should go - this is the wonderful Law of Liberty (Js 1:25).  This only is a life of freedom.

From Korn to Christ

This is an amazing testimony.  Brian "Head" Welch, a former band member of Korn, was saved by Christ. His real estate agent shared a verse with Him from the Scriptures.  Amazing.  I particularly love the last minute of the video when Brian says:

My dream came true way more than I dreamt about. I made more money. I played bigger shows. I mean, houses, cars…I tried drugs. I tried sex. I tried everything to try to get pleasure out of this life. And I thought I could fulfill my life with all of this stuff by having my dream come true. And it came true. But it didn’t fulfill. When Christ came in; that feeling he gives you - the gift of understanding life. Which is, everything was created for Christ and by Him. And we are created to be with Him. And its the most incredible feeling because you’re where you belong. And contentment is given to you in life, because you don’t have to look anywhere else; and you are exactly where you need to be. And the question about life is answered. I am Brian “Head” Welch, and I am second.



(HT: JT)

The Irony of NBA and Professional Sports

Note: I am finally back from General Assembly, which afforded little to no time for blogging.  But I'm back now and should resume my "normal" schedule.

For the last few years there has been an irony ever growing before me in relation to professional sports.  I see the reporters - grown men talking passionately, and even arguing, over how good a player is (or isn't).  I see the players, after a victory or defeat, sitting at the table answering questions about their performance.  I see the headlines, that a player has been offered an obscene amount of money to play for a certain team.  I see the time that individuals spend to include the game in their ever busy lives.  And I see the money spent every year on shoes, jerseys, tickets, pilgrimages, and pay-per-view.

All for a game.  A ball.  A net.  And a few young people trying to put the ball in the net.

The irony begs the question, "Why?"  So, here are a few of my thoughts on the issue in no particular order:

It is directly related to everyone's innate desire to observe superiority.  We don't pay big bucks to watch inferior athletes.  The best players draw the most money.  Every fan has a deep desire to gawk at Dwight Howard's shoulders or Dirk's sweet release or Derek's quick hops.  This could easily fall into the category of worship.  Quote stats...you got it!  Quote Scripture...uhhh...

Its directly related to everyone's desire to be united with that superiority.  It's why we buy the shoes and the jerseys.  We invest our time and money to carry our team's colors because we want to be connected to the team's life. And we want others to see the "sign" of our relationship.  Yes, in a way, its like a sign of our covenant.

Its related to everyone's desire to be more than less than perfect.  Getting lost in the game allows us to forget about ourselves; and being focused on such superiority, we, in a way, become superior to what we presently are.  That's why we take it personally when our team wins or loses.  That's one reason why people take offense when their favorite player is degraded.  We want to be victorious and not a loser.  We want to be righteousness and not sinful.

Now my thoughts on the irony...

Today's sports are superficial.  Again, its a game.  When kept at the level of entertainment, it retains its rightful superficiality.  Sure, enjoy it.  But when it becomes more than a game, people get hurt.  In our day and culture it's more than a game.


Consequently it's less than truthful.  Proclamation is more than vocal.  With our words and actions we proclaim with a loud voice, "Behold, God!"  It's simply not true.  Christ is not on the court.  We must repent and direct worship back to the only One worthy of it.

Beneath the surface, people are dying.  Just because these men are superior athletes does not mean they are superior.  How many times have we overlooked moral tragedies for the sake of athletic superiority, or even marketability?  How many wives and children have been neglected, all because the masses demand that their god perform?  And since when is giving a 19 year old millions of dollars (not to mention the praise of millions of people) a responsible idea?  When we worship people, we crush them.  I could go on, but you get the picture.

So, do we get rid of sports?  I don't think so.  Sports must be redeemed and used to direct people to Christ.  In our efforts to behold superiority, we must behold the Christ.  In our efforts to be united to superiority, we must understand our union with Christ.  In our efforts to be righteous, we must understand that by faith, we are righteous in Christ.  Why?

Because Christ is everything but superficial.  He is the Truth who is divinely superior.  And He alone brings life to all who bow before Him in worship.  People watch sports because they long for God.  It is our job as Christians to refrain from the idolatry while directing others to Jesus.

My Son with Whom I’m Pleased - by Phillip Holmes

Matthew 3:17

…and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

One of the most popular shows in the late 80s was ‘The Cosby Show.’ According to TV Guide, this one show “was TV's biggest hit in the 1980s, and almost single-handedly revived the sitcom genre. " While the Huxtable's were welcomed and appreciated by most, I think this show particularly drew in the Black community by depicting a family from our people group that was both affluent and stable.

I personally love this show, and just recently I realized why I love it so much. I watched how much Cliff loved his son.  We all know that Theo, especially in his teenage years, wasn’t your ideal kid. But Cliff always reminded Theo that he was proud of him, and that, despite his failures, he loved him.  As I watched this take place in an episode, I started crying.

I longed to have an earthly father, like Cliff, who would be proud of me.

I grew up in a single parent home but was raised by a fleet of women. My mom, grandmother and aunts in Pickens all had a part in raising me. So I longed for a male influence and later realized in college how unprepared I was for manhood.

While in college, I met a man by the name of Chad Smith who, at that time was the RUF Campus minister at Belhaven College.  Chad is probably the closest thing I’ve had to a father. He saw early on that I had deep rooted daddy issues. I slowly began to realize how much I was affected and hurt by not having a father who was there. Chad would tell me, “Phillip you’re longing to hear your father say he’s proud of you. Well guess what, he is. Your heavenly Father is proud of you.”

These words have stayed with me for years.

When I’m reminded of the Gospel and the fact that I’m loved because of the works and sacrifices of Another, it amazes me. I have been accredited the righteousness of Christ and for this reason my Heavenly Father is proud of me. How the Father could love a sinner such as myself, based on the goodness of Another, is a mystery to me. I find myself crying tears of joy because in the midst of my struggles with porn, bitterness, anger, envy, and so much more, the Maker of this world is saying, “This is my beloved Son with whom I’m well pleased”.

I am thankful for my good friend Phillip Holmes for his insights, honesty and transparency.  I have known Phillip for about four years now.  He is currently in seminary and pursuing college ministry with RUF.