Ancient v. Modern

As a result of taking another Historical Theology class I came up with the goal to read The Early Church Father's, Calvin's Institutes, and Luther's Bondage of the Will this fall. Often times in our culture, and even in the church we want the newest, the hot off the press book on the Knowing God's Will. We look at what is the bestseller at the christian bookstore and think we just have to have that book.

The funny thing is, that particular book may be out of print in a couple of years and who will remember but used book store owners? We all as believers in Christ are formed into one body by the work of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:12-13) that unites us with every other believer in this world now, but also unites us with believers who have gone before. I might share a lot in common with Chuck Swindoll, we are American Evangelicals, who are children of the 20th-21st Century, and educated at Dallas Theological Seminary. The problem with only reading people you agree with or have things in common with is that your both susceptible to the same blind spots. Reading Ignatius' seven letters to the churches as he went to martyrdom is unlike anything Rick Warren could write and causes me to reflect upon my own devotion to our common faith. Consider also that the church fathers were discipled by the apostles. Isn't it possible that there teachings are more reflective of Christlikeness than someone of our era?These fathers of our faith can give us insights from a completely different time period, and different part of the world. The amazing thing is that the same Spirit that indwelt them, indwells you and me and the same battle we fight against a fallen culture, they fought against a fallen culture. I wouldn't suggest that everything I read in Calvin's Institutes is to be accepted as truth, but we as Evangelicals likely find our Protestant heritage in him and have much in common with his teachings, so why not read him to see if there is some truth he can teach us that others from our era and tradition overlook?

So I encourage anyone reading this post(mom) not to run out and get the latest book by your favorite author, without stopping to read something that has stood and weathered the test of time. And if you need a list of the Church Fathers that's understandable...

J

Older Brother

As the oldest brother in my family I can remember countless times where Mom & Dad would sit me down and talk to me about the importance of setting a good example for my younger brothers. These little "chats" would take place sometimes after I had messed up and set a poor example for my two younger brothers, or sometimes they would take place at relative highs, where my parents were proud of the example I was setting for David and Stephen. Its sometimes interesting to think what Jesus' childhood would have been like. If Joseph and Mary would have had these talks with Him as He set a perfect example, or sat down His siblings and said "Why couldn't you be more like Jesus."! Similarly we are all a part of one family in Christ. God the Father is over this household, with Jesus as the firstborn and we as adopted sons and daughters in Christ are called to follow His example as members of the household and family of God.

What an incredible thing to consider that for all who have come to faith in Christ, God has adopted them into His family, as children and heirs. Romans 8:16, 17 says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him." The Sonship of Jesus has nothing to do with His origin, for Christ has always been God, from all time He, the Father, and the Spirit have been One. Instead, Christ's sonship refers to the relationship that He and the Father share. As children and fellow-heirs with Christ, to a certain extent we thus look to Him as the eldest son in the family. As the firstborn (as Paul calls Him in Colossians 1), He has set the example that all those in the family are to follow.

A good example of this and one I have been considering recently is found in Philippians 2 where Paul exhorts his readers to "regard one another as more important than yourself," and then illustrates this point by turning to the example of Christ who regarded us and our interests as more important than His own. Christ has provided the example for us to follow, His humility in leaving heaven, becoming a man, and dying a death He didn't deserve is one that we are called to imitate with one another. But Christ has not only provided the example, He also provides the ability to be humble, be gracious, to love our neighbor as He sent the Spirit to indwell and empower us (see John 16).

I am undeserving of such grace and I prove it each day as I consistently fall short of His example. That's what makes adoption so special, that God has grafted me into His family not because He liked my sense of humor, or because I could catch a football, but simply because of His grace in Christ. Such grace motivates me to follow the example of our Lord Jesus, and hopefully motivates you to do the same...

the Rodeo

Earlier today I closed another chapter in my life by trading in my 1997 Isuzu Rodeo for a new Chevy Cobalt. I loved that Rodeo and had owned it for nearly ten years. It was a wonderful car that I've shared many memories in and with. I learned to drive a standard in it soon after I graduated high school (thanks Mom), took it on my first youth ski trip to Durango (it hardly made it up the mountain!) and took it to Shawnee to spend time with Jen while we were in college. It was my car when I got married, graduated college, and had Hudson. I've taken it to Dallas for seminary classes and on youth events.

The car wasn't anything special, it was a 4 cylinder 5-speed with no power locks, no power windows. It had 151,000 miles on it and had been in the shop over the last few years numerous times. I was genuinely thankful for it. God had graciously provided it as my parents bought it for me when I graduated high school and I really didn't want anything else. For me it serves as a wonderful reminder not to focus on what I don't have, but to be content with what God has blessed me with. The government may call it a clunker, but to me that Rodeo was a companion!