The Gospel Coalition

Rule #1: Don’t have anything wrong with you.
Rule #2: If you do, get over it quickly.
Rule #3: If you can’t get over it quickly, then fake it.
Rule #4: If you can’t get over it quickly or fake it, then stay away from me. I don’t want anyone to think I have it too.

from Empowered Church Leadership by Brian J. Dodd

“Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.”
- Jesus to Zacchaeus (Luke 19:9)

Zacchaeus was indeed a “wee little man,” and not only physically. He was a small man spiritually, a crook that ripped off his neighbors and pocketed his profit at their expense. One day, Jesus informed Zacchaeus that he would be staying at his house. It was a visit that forever changed the undersized tax collector. After Zacchaeus hosted Jesus in his home, he proclaimed exuberantly that he would repair all he had broken in the world, restoring everything he had ever stolen. Then, Jesus exclaimed that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ house!

Salvation came to Zacchaeus’ house because Jesus came to the house. Where Jesus is, there is salvation. Where salvation is, there is a renewal and restructuring of a person’s entire life. Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus led him to make restitution by paying back four times as much as he had stolen in his life. For Zacchaeus, repentance was not merely a feeling sorry for sin and a short, simple prayer. Repentance constituted a visible act that made amends and transformed evil into good.

When Jesus enters our lives, we cannot stay the same. Salvation cannot be reduced to our response to an altar call, or our filling out a decision card at church. True repentance reaches into our checkbooks and makes changes, shuffling our priorities. True repentance pushes us to our neighbor’s doorstep to ask for forgiveness for past faults. True repentance cancels debts, transforms our priorities, reforms our desires, modifies our dreams, and heals our hurt and the hurt of others.

It was only after Zacchaeus expressed his change of heart and yearning for restoration that Jesus exclaimed: “Salvation has come!” What sin is lurking in your life that needs to be dealt with? In what area have you not allowed God to fully have His way? What are you holding back? Make the necessary adjustments, and the fresh winds of restoration will sweep over your life. Then, Jesus can say: “Salvation has come to this house! Salvation has come!”

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

“God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary ideal of community demands that it be realized by God, by others, and by himself. He enters the community of Christians with his demands, sets up his own law, and judges the brethren and God Himself accordingly. He stands adamant, a living reproach to all others in the circle of brethren.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

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I usually don’t enjoy books that consist of a compilation of essays by several different writers. But Suffering and the Sovereignty of God defied my prejudice. The writers all share the same vision for the manifestation of God’s glory in human suffering, and each author knows personally what it means to suffer.

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God seeks to help others in their time of suffering, not by offering a theological treatise on the relationship of God’s sovereignty and human evil, but by walking together with the reader through the season of pain. Joni Erickson Tada contributes a chapter on the importance of hope. Steve Saint compellingly relates the story of his father’s missionary death and the sudden death of his daughter, and strongly affirms that both these terrible events were planned in advance by our wise and loving God.

Mark Talbot’s chapter is the most “theological,” as it wrestles with how God’s gracious hand can be seen in human suffering. (I do not think the word “ordain” is best when referring to human suffering, for it sounds too much like “God approves of” in a moral sense. Still, Talbot’s outline is helpful.)

The appendices are worth reading too. John Piper and David Powlison encourage readers to not ”waste” their cancer. And the book ends with a fascinating interview with John Piper. This book is highly recommended, not as a place to find all the answers you might have in your time of suffering, but a place to hear words of encouragement and comfort from authors who are not strangers to suffering themselves.

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

A few months ago, I wrote about the need for humble bloggers. C.J. Mahaney’s book Humility teaches that one of the key ways to develop humility is to look for evidences of grace in other believers. When we look at other believers, do we first see faults and things they need to change? Or do we see the evidences of God’s grace in their lives?

This has led me to look at the Southern Baptist Convention and to make sure I am not only looking for the faults of our great Convention, but also seeing the shining light of God’s grace that is indeed visible in our midst. What are some of the evidences of grace in the SBC today?

1. We went to the brink of liberalism and turned back.
      Thirty years ago, the Southern Baptist Convention was heading down the same path as many of the mainline denominations. God chose to turn around this denomination and to keep it on the path of biblical authority. We are the recipients of grace greater than all our sin.

2. Southern Baptists believe that theology matters.
     Some may see our Convention debates (Calvinism vs. “something like Arminianism, but we won’t call it that”, IMB policies on tongues and baptism, open vs. close communion, evangelistic methodology, drinking in moderation vs. total abstinence) as signs of weakness and division. Perhaps. But maybe these debates are only possible because we are united behind Scripture as our authority and believe it to be truth without mixture of error. It is precisely because we take the Bible seriously that we can have these discussions.

3. Southern Baptists are again beginning to realize the importance of the Cooperative Program.
      Last year’s election of Frank Page is a sign that Baptists are reaffirming their commitment to the Cooperative Program as an important tool for use in God’s Kingdom. As churches increase giving to the Program, we will see more fruit in our missionary endeavors.

4. Southern Baptists believe that Christianity should affect culture.
     Many of us are concerned that evangelicalism seems to be more and more wedded to the conservative Republican agenda in this country. However, we can be grateful that Baptist activism in politics reveals our belief that faith affects culture. We cannot and must not privatize our Christian faith until it is sealed off from other areas of life. Though we can disagree about how Christianity should influence politics, we all agree that these two spheres are not to be split apart.

5. Southern Baptists are running with arms outstretched to the places of deepest pain.
     I don’t know if I have ever been prouder of my Baptist identity than in the weeks following Katrina. Southern Seminary housed refugees from New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Southern Baptist relief agencies raced to the scene and offered help to all. In this situation, the government was shown to be impotent and Christ was shown to be all powerful. His mercy was extended through His people. And this happens time and time again in places all over our country and all over the world (even if the media rarely reports it).

Does the SBC have faults? Yes. But let’s remember the SBC also shows evidences of grace.

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches lays out the theological foundations for five different “emerging churches.” The book features five Emerging pastors explaining some of the core beliefs of their congregations. Mark Driscoll, John Burke, Dan Kimball, Doug Pagitt, and Karen Ward each contribute a chapter and responses to the other chapters.

Mark Driscoll goes first. His chapter is a no-holds-barred “This is what the Bible says and that’s what we believe” statement of faith. He focuses on three areas: Scripture, the Trinity, and the penal-substitutionary view of the atonement. He ends with a call for the emerging church to maintain belief in the traditional understanding of hell. Mark challenges the idea that theology must be changeable in order to reach a postmodern generation.

John Burke goes next. His chapter is a call to Christians to be involved in “messy ministry.” We are called to welcome people into our fellowship and lead them out of their brokenness. He, like Driscoll, believes Scripture is the foundation of all we do.

Dan Kimball also affirms Scripture as the ultimate authority for Christians, though he places more emphasis on the Nicene Creed than the others do. Where Kimball differs from Driscoll and Burke is in his call to humility and the embrace of “the mysterious.” He believes that the afterlife is mysterious, the ways God work are mysterious, and that we should not try to be people who have all the answers.

Doug Pagitt’s chapter focuses on “embodied theology” and epitomizes the current movement towards an “everchanging” theology that is never permanent. Within a few pages of space, he criticizes the Reformation, Augustine and the idea of Scripture as ultimate authority. He also leaves as an open-ended question the issue of sexual behaviors expressly condemned in Scripture.

Karen Ward goes last. Her chapter is the most creative, as it incorporates blog posts from people in her congregation. Of most interest in her chapter is her failure to mention “sin” as our biggest problem and her downplaying of the significance of preaching and the cross of Christ. Still, she has some good ideas to offer, such as seeing the idea of discipleship as a life-transforming apprenticeship.

I appreciate Robert Webber’s oversight of the book. He was right to choose pastors as contributors. I would’ve liked to see Erwin McManus and Rob Bell included, but I suppose there wasn’t enough room for everyone.

Theologically, I am closest to Mark Driscoll, (though with a somewhat different tone). Throughout the book, Driscoll sticks out like a sore thumb, but I’m not sure that’s necessarily a bad thing. I was surprised Mark would still fit the “emerging” category, but I guess it is difficult to ignore his incredible ministry to postmodern Seattle.

After reading Pagitt’s and Ward’s chapters, I was left scratching my head and wondering, “Why did Jesus have to die? And why is Christianity any better an option than the other religions out there?”

I predict that many of the more vocal and prominent Emerging churches and pastors will continue heading down the path of last century’s liberalism and that the Emerging pastors who hold to traditional theology will continue to distance themselves from the label. This is already happening in some circles. “Missional” is now a term for many who like the incarnational aspect of “emerging” but don’t want to be associated with all the sloppy theology.

Anyone who wants to know more about the Emerging Church should read this book. The debates are civil, and the conversations are enlightening. At the end, though, one sets down the book, puzzling over the profound diversity within this movement and wondering how long such diversity can be sustained.

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

I like Alfred Hitchcock movies. They are well-made. They make me think. They offer insights into the condition of fallen humanity. And best of all, they are memorable. Here is my list of favorite Hitchcock films. (Four out of the five feature James Stewart, so I guess you can tell who I like as an actor.)

#5. TORN CURTAIN

This 1966 film was a departure from Hitchcock’s standard fare. It features espionage and political thrills instead of his usual suspense. Julie Andrews and Paul Newman are fantastic in their roles. The jazzy soundtrack is memorable also. I like this one because it is pro-American, anti-Communist, and filled with political intrigue.

#4. REAR WINDOW

Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly are terrific in this movie. Their acting is so effortless that it is a pleasure to watch them. Rear Window is a movie that takes place in one single room. You can “feel” what it is like to be an invalid. The suspense builds and builds and climaxes with an unforgettable scene.

#3. THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH

Hitchcock made two versions of this movie. One came out in 1934 and the other in 1956. I prefer the later version, probably because it stars Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day. This is a movie that is beautiful to watch. The scenery and colors are great, and Jimmy Stewart does a great job, as usual.

#2. ROPE

This is not a movie that one “enjoys” in the normal sense. But I love how the truth that “Ideas Have Consequences” comes through so loud and clear. From a technical standpoint, the movie is of interest because it is filmed with one camera and the camera never breaks away. It is in “real time.” This was based on a true story. I especially love the moment when the teacher (played by Jimmy Stewart) realizes that the ideas he has taught his students have resulted in a senseless murder.

#1. VERTIGO

Vertigo is Hitchcock’s masterpiece. From start to finish, it is a classic work of art. Kim Novak’s talent is displayed by her dual role. Jimmy Stewart is older, but he is as talented as ever as he conveys his character’s insecurity and fear of heights with subtle intensity. The film features a twist that is more surprising than those in M. Night Shymalan’s movies. If you pick one of these five to rent, choose this one!

“Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am among them.”
- Jesus, to the disciples (Matthew 18:20)

Practicing church discipline isn’t for the faint of heart. After Jesus instructed His disciples about how to deal with those who were not living according to the Gospel, He gave them both a promise and a warning. Whenever two or three are gathered in His Name, He will be with them.

When we quote this verse by itself, our hearts are warmed by the assurance of our Savior’s presence whenever we meet together in His Name. Jesus’ promise to be with His followers “even to the end of the age” gives us hope and peace in the midst of any fiery trial that we face.

But when we look at the verse as part of the overall discussion on discipline, we feel our hearts warmed in another way – as a fire in our bones, or a flare shot up in the night from a ship in distress. The promise that Jesus is in our midst when we gather in His Name should cause us to shudder, because it means that He is indeed present, judging the intents and thoughts of our hearts.

When brought face to face with God’s glory, Old Testament heroes collapsed to the ground in awe and reverence. The first phrase uttered was usually, “I have sinned!” or “I am unclean!” When we understand the truth of Jesus’ presence, we should not experience a fuzzy feeling of companionship, but an awe that brings us to our knees in worship of our Savior.

No congregation is too small for Jesus’ presence. From the mega-church of ten thousand to the mission start-up of four, Jesus pledges to be there. His promised presence should not only comfort us, but also challenge us to purity and holiness. Even in the hard times, when churches must make tough decisions, when people must be disciplined or even excluded, Jesus assures us that He will be with us. His company should give pause to the ones who discipline, and stir repentance in those who have gone astray.

written by Trevin Wax. © 2007 Kingdom People Blog

One of my all-time favorite prayers! This one just overflows with praise… 

You are God: we praise You;
You are the Lord: we acclaim You;
You are the eternal Father:
All creation worships you.
To You all angels, all the powers of heaven,
Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise You.
The noble fellowship of prophets praise You.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise You.
Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims You;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
and Your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the King of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When You became man to set us free
You did not shun the Virgin’s womb.
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
We believe that You will come and be our judge.
Come then, Lord, and help Your people,
bought with the price of Your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.

- from The Book of Common Prayer

Truth without love is dogmatism.
Love without truth is sentimentality.
Speaking the truth in love is Christianity.

- Bob Russell

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