Logic, Politics, Consequences--and Truth

One of my favorite professors from my college days was the man pictured at right. Bruce R. Reichenbach is his name. He's still listed on the Augsburg College website.  He must be well up in years by now because I was at Augsburg more than 30 years ago... actually, almost 40 now.  The first class I took from him was in the fall of 1974.

Dr. Reichenbach strengthened within me a passion to follow the truth wherever it leads. (Here's a link to his webpage.)

There are many examples of how his teaching has affected my life and ministry. Particularly through classes such as "Logic" and "The Philosophy of Religion" I was introduced to an "logical fallacies."

Logical fallacies are tricks people use to get someone to believe something that is false. There are many fallacies - you can access a list on Wikipedia by clicking here.

Don't be tricked!  The devil is the "father of lies" and "logical fallacies" are one of the ways that he works in this world, coming to steal and kill and destroy.

One kind of fallacy is the "Association" or "Guilt by Association" fallacy.

This form of the argument is as follows:
1. Source S makes claim C.
2. Group G, which is currently viewed negatively by the recipient, also makes claim C.
3. Therefore, source S is viewed by the recipient of the claim as associated to the group G and inherits how negatively viewed it is.

An example of this fallacy would be "My opponent for office just received an endorsement from the Puppy Haters Association. Is that the sort of person you would want to vote for?"

(from an article found here.)

Here's a example in regard to the "Climate Change" issue from Climate Conservatives.  The author here is warning people to avoid the association fallacy.

Don’t Let Al Gore or President Obama Get in the Way

A climate conservative realizes that the positions taken by Al Gore or President Obama on climate change are irrelevant to the facts and should not shape the way conservatives approach the issue. Choosing to ignore a real problem simply because liberals acknowledged it first, is not conservative–and doing so limits options for addressing it to ideas proposed by liberals.

When it comes to how conservatives view climate change, Al Gore has been the 500- pound donkey in the room. Many conservatives are skeptical of climate change simply because Gore made it his pet issue. Conservatives should not give Gore, Obama, or any other liberal that kind of power over their thinking.

If Gore decides to champion the cleanup of a river that is clearly polluted, his advocacy does not make the river any more or less polluted, nor does it have any bearing on the merits of cleaning up the river. In the 1980s Gore sounded the alarm about ozone depletion, but it was President Reagan who pushed through the international treaty that actually did something about it.

(you can read the rest of this here)

Here's the point: You may be a conservative or a liberal or somewhere in between -- but please don't let your like or dislike of "messengers" keep you from examining the truth.

Another way that people often avoid the truth is through an "Appeal to Consequences."

People will use this fallacy in order to avoid having to make difficult decisions.

In the case of climate change, for example, if one were to come to the conclusion that climate change is caused by the way we human beings are using resources, there may need to be significant changes in the way we live our lives as individuals and as a society. Regulations and even multinational governmental action may be required. If you are already opposed to governmental or "United-Nations-like" intervention you may choose to not believe the science.  Or you or I may be selfish and resist anything that might affect our comfortable "first world" lifestyle.  Uff.

You can learn more about this "Appeal to Consequences" fallacy here.

Climate change, of course, is not the only area of concern where we can fall prey to lies.  I'm thinking about this today, in particular, because another climate change report was just issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. No matter what your opinion may be about "intergovernmental" work, I believe Christians--especially Christians--need to be paying close attention to this scientific work.  If not, we may promote the devil's agenda in this world.

www.equalsharing.com

These Days

Good evening friends.  It's the end of a long day.  Early today I was in a car accident -- I'm fine -- but my favorite car, a Honda Civic that I got from my uncle, has significant damage to the left rear.  We'll see if it's fixable.  It's in the hands of the insurance company now.

We got a rental car so we're not car-less, though we are down to one... our Ford Focus is being used by our son Dan while he's looking for another car himself because the van he was using (our "Dilly" a.k.a. "the wedge" see Toni's eulogy at right) gave up the ghost last week.  None of the options he's looking at have worked out yet.  We're helping the best we can, and part of that is letting him use one of our cars so he can get to work.

I'm back home now after youth (a great evening at JAM).  I'm listening to the news about the missing Malaysian airliner.  We've also been paying attention to the complex Crimean/Russian/Ukrainian situation.  And I'm getting ready to preach on the commandment "You shall not kill."  This business with cars is such a small thing.

For enjoyment I've been having fun with pictures that I took in two different Brazilian communities 30 years ago, scanned during Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year's break and have since uploaded to facebook.  Acquaintances from both areas are commenting and liking and sharing and "friending" me.  Honestly, it's so much fun to see the appreciation from these people, some of whom did not have access to photography back in 1983-84.  If I had some time I'd write personally to each one.  (If you want to see the pictures go here for the Ceilândia album, and here for Rio Pardinho.)

There's no ministry point to all of this today, I just wanted to get something written tonight.  I'm curious what God will do through it all.

God's peace to you tonight.

www.equalsharing.com

Flesh and Faith

It was a warm day.  Snow is melting even now at 10:00 p.m.  Looking at the forecast there aren't more highs predicted in the upper 40s, but it's nice to have this one.  Earlier today I connected downspouts and extensions to keep the melt water away from the house but will most likely disconnect them tomorrow since we'll be back to just above freezing days and well below freezing nights soon.  But spring is coming.

God cares about "nature."  Sometimes Christian believers forget how big our God is.  There are some spiritual philosophies that make it seem as though God wants to separate us from physical, natural life, but that teaching is not in harmony with what I read in the Bible.  Not only is God the creator and maintainer of all things physical, God chose to enter nature by taking on human flesh (in the "incarnation"), live with us in the man Jesus, experience suffering and death as a prelude to a bodily resurrection.  God cares about the physical "natural" world.

In our series of Sunday messages on the Ten Commandments we've been counting backward from the purely spiritual (coveting) to words (testimony) to possessions (stealing).  Next comes the area of intimate, physical, bodily relationships as in "You Shall Not Commit Adultery."  I'm preparing to preach on that on March 16.

One thing that has been highlighted for me as we've been going along though this series, especially last week as we talked about stealing, is that for God there is no separation between "faith" and any other part of our lives.  Our actions, good and bad, out attitudes, our "heart" and "mind," and our physical bodies go together.  It's not all about our thoughts and intentions. God cares about what happens in the real, physical world--and what happens in the physical connects with the spiritual.  Every time.

An example of this is found in First Corinthians 6.  In that chapter, beginning at verse 12, the Lord rejects the idea that what happens with our bodies doesn't matter to Him.  In verses 19-20 He says:

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

We also find this connection in scriptures about physical healing--verses that are sometimes connected with the forgiveness of sins.  I often think of the way that Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic before healing him--and of what the Lord teaches us in James:

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." (James 5:16)

Returning to First Corinthians 6:12 and following, we see that the sexual unions that we have with others are of great concern to God.  I plan to share more about this in the days to come as I prepare to preach on "You shall not commit adultery," but for now let's just say that it's obvious that physical sexual unions are never just "casual" or unimportant.  Verse 16 says that the physical union, even when there is no emotional or spiritual connection, still makes a person "one" in body with another.  Every sexual connection we have with another affects us--in a way that is deeper than we may realize at the time.

"All other sins we commit are outside our bodies, but the one who sins sexually sins against his own body... [which] is a temple of the Holy Spirit." (v. 18,19)

Bodies matter.  Your life in connection with others, especially in terms of sexual connections--it affects you very deeply.  God's plan for such unions is called "marriage," a way for man and woman to come together in a lifelong union where God's faithfulness is reflected and appreciated, and where new life may come to be as children are conceived and born.

There's lots more to say, but this is a start.  Pray that God will grant good counsel as we prepare for Sunday.

www.equalsharing.com

Scriptures for Lent and Every Season

I started writing this at about 5 AM - I'm getting back to it now at 11.  I've got a few minutes while I'm waiting for the "Team Sports" class to finish up their broomball game.

When I get up in the morning, either when the alarm goes off or, like today, an hour or so before that, I take some time to read and meditate on the Word of God.

I've done this regularly, according to a set pattern, only since sometime in 2012 when the Lord connected me with a group of pastors and others who gather for prayer on the phone at 6:30 a.m.  For about 2 years I regularly phoned in and was a part of that group.  (See the end of Praying These Days for more about that.)

My morning bus route has changed a bit since then so I don't connect as often on the telephone for prayer, but I have continued to accompany this group in the reading of scripture--readings that follow the "Moravian Daily Texts."

If you don't have a regular pattern of scripture reading and prayer that works for you, I invite you to join me in this practice for awhile.  You might want to do this beginning tomorrow, a day that is, for some Christians, recognized as "Ash Wednesday" -- the first day of the "western" church's observance of Lent. Or, if you don't observe "Lent," it's still a good day to begin reading the Bible and praying on a regular basis. 

(For more about "Lent" as an "option" for Christians, see Gray or Grey?  If you live in the Dassel-Cokato area you might want to come to prayer tonight and on other Tuesdays.  Another option would be to come alongside our high school youth for "JAM" tomorrow night at 7:00 PM.  Give me a call and I'll fill you in on where we're meeting and what you can expect.  Those are great way to grow spiritually during this season.)

Early this morning I was reading Psalm 33:1-5, Exodus 10 (the whole chapter), and Matthew 21:12-22 together with the following key verses:

• Watchword for the Day - "David found strength in the Lord his God."  (First Samuel 30:6)
• Doctrinal Text - "For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

It's good to begin the day with God's Word.  Beginning this way brings my mind into line with God. Without a regular practice of Bible reading and prayer we end up being driven by feelings, the people around me, or popular opinion.  When I regularly read scripture and pray, however, I'm less likely to just be tossed around by whatever is going on around me.  Even the questions I have when reading scripture -- and there are many! -- even those questions will lead me to be more open to direction from God.

http://bit.ly/1mTcKWZ

On Sunday (March 2) we handed out a "prayer guide" at Crossroads that provides an outline for a daily quiet time with the Lord.  This particular guide was especially provided for those who desire to observe the season of "Lent."  Download the "Lenten prayer guide" by clicking HERE.

At its heart you'll find the "Moravian Daily Texts" listed there for this week together with the following encouragements:

• Take time for the reading of scripture.
• As you read, don't rush.  Pause at words or phrases that catch your attention, words or phrases that push you spiritually or that make you rejoice.
• Ask God to speak to you as you read.
• When you have finished with your reading of scripture, take time for praise and intercession: praying for your own needs, for the needs of those you love, and for the needs of the world, that our Father God's will would be done everywhere.
  (Go here to see the Moravian Daily Texts for today.)

I don't personally identify strongly with any particular church denomination.  I appreciate the Moravian tradition of daily Bible readings, and the Lutheran focus on the Word of God, so this practice is pretty a good fit for me--though I'm not as "organized" as some... prayer flows right into the readings and the readings overflow into prayer.

I invite you to join me for this season.  Let me know you're doing so.  That will be an encouragement.

God's peace to you all.  Looking forward to seeing some of you tonight!

--------------------------

Added Wednesday morning - For some other ways to read scripture during this time before Easter - go to http://blog.youversion.com/2014/03/prepare-for-easter-share-in-god's-word-with-friends/.  There you'll find:

• Lent For Everyone is a devotional featuring a daily reading from Matthew and inspirational words for reflection from renowned New Testament scholar N.T. Wright. 53 days

• 40 Days of Lent chronologically traces Jesus’ last week on earth, through the New Testament gospel accounts. The seven Sundays are days of rest, according to tradition. 47 days

• Devotions for Lent from Holy Bible: Mosaic brings together quotes, readings, and Scripture to focus your mind on Christ. 46 days

• ReThink Life: 40 Day Devotional presents Scripture, key thoughts, and prayer to challenge you to “rethink” seven important areas in your life. 40 days

• Hillsong: 40 Days of Revival reveals attributes from history’s greatest revivals — presence, prayer, purity, power, personal sacrifice, and praise — to help you know God and His ways. 40 days

• The 40-Day New Testament Challenge leads you through the entire New Testament in just 40 days, taking off Sundays as traditional days of rest. 40 days

www.equalsharing.com

Caring About Winter

DC schools closing at 1:00 so Crossroads Youth & JAM will not be held tonight. 

Winter goes on and on.

"We rail against the weather in part because we understand that we are living in a world where the feel of sun on one’s face, the smell of damp soil, the sound of pounding waves, and the sight of a blooming hillside are truly gifts of a God who is warmth and growth and strength and beauty, and who, in bestowing such gifts on us, gives us himself."

Our daughter Naomi shared that quote from "Looking for God in a Long Winter" by Ellen Painter Dollar.  

According to the MN DNR we are now tied for tenth place of days at or below zero (in the Twin Cities)...  Tomorrow we'll move a tie for 8th place and Friday into 7th!  We may as well go for 5th!  Let's pass up the entire 20th century!!! 

As we celebrate making it through this winter, DO NOT FORGET THOSE IN NEED!  Let's care for one another, in Jesus' name.

Ranking of at or Below Temperatures in the Twin Cities
(Year listed is the winter ending year)
1981-2010 Normal: 23

Rank    Year    Total
---------------------
  1    1875    68
  2    1887    58
  3    1888    57
  4    1873    56
  5    1978    53
  6    1917    51
  7    1936    50
  8    1884    49
        1965    49
10    1883    48
        1899    48
        1904    48
        1962    48
        2014    48

(2014 will reach 5th place if we get below 0 each night through Monday -- the forecast says we will.)

 www.equalsharing.com

A Little Test

I was going to say "good morning" as I began this quick note (now at 12:15 p.m.) but I see that the morning is already gone.  There are a lot of things on my to do list right now but I wanted to stop quickly and say "hi."   I haven't written since Thursday and a lot has happened since then.

As I was writing that post ("Jealous?"), the snow was coming down.  I was out shoveling several times on Thursday and again on Friday morning as we went through a remarkable winter storm.  Our Thursday afternoon  message planning meeting was abbreviated and moved from North Heights to the telephone.  We were still able to get the spring message series ("Living the Dream") fleshed out, thanks to our network partners Todd Mathison and Eric Bluhm.  Work on the summer series will need to be scheduled later.

On Friday I was wondering, and praying, about how I was going to get things ready for Sunday morning.  I wasn't clear about what direction the message on "You Shall Not Covet..." was going to take and I was planning on leaving later that day for the men's retreat.  I'd spent significant time in prayer and study throughout the week (and before) but a good direction wasn't coming clear.  (There were too many things on the subject that I wanted to share.)

So, I was working and praying in the morning, not knowing if I'd even be able to go on the retreat.  But then God opened a door!  It occurred to me that I could gain some inspiration and organization for Sunday by listening to the message that had been already shared at one of our network churches.  (We're a running a week behind the other churches with this "Ten Commandments" series.)   I started listening to the recording of Per Nilsen's message and had the sense that this would be good for us to hear.

How good it is to work together!  So good not to be alone or to think I need to "do it all."  God provides brothers and sisters to come alongside, and the group that does this message planning work together is one evidence of that. 

But even more than working with the other people I mentioned in this post so far, what's remarkable is how GOD works together for good "to those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose." 

• Our area schools were closed on Friday because of the snowstorm, and that allowed me the time needed to prepare a study sheet that would help our people catch more of what Per had to share.  I did some more on Saturday during "free time" at the men's retreat. 
• On Sunday morning I finished it up before going to church but clicked the wrong option on my computer and lost it.  All that work--gone.  I screamed (out loud at home -- only me and the dog were here) and called Toni.  She and the worship team were praying -- and somehow I was given the ability to recover the work.  There was much rejoicing! 

Hopefully the study sheet was of some help to people -- but I, for one, can testify to God's goodness in this whole process.  And there are other things that God was doing over these days that I know about but haven't noted here.  Perhaps I'll add something later -- and I'll post the study sheet too.

From this little test God has made a testimony.  God provides when we trust, obey, and pray.  Thank you Jesus.

Time to head out for the afternoon school bus run now!

www.equalsharing.com

Jealous?

I've been thinking more about what I wrote earlier this week (see God Provides).  I briefly mentioned jealousy, saying:

As I talk about my life I think about the many people who might get jealous of all that we have.

I think about the many...

• who don't have the income or financial resources that we do.
• who live in crowded or noisy or unsafe places.
• who are unemployed or underemployed.
• whose family situations are difficult.
• who are constantly lonely.

I consider

• refugees
• those living in slavery
• the ones who suffer with constant pain or physical or mental illness.
• the desperately poor.

I also think about

• those whose reputations are tarnished because of past offenses or rumors.
• those who are hiding (or hiding behind) lies and addictions.
• those who are tormented by spiritual (demonic) forces beyond their understanding.
• those living under threats or abuse.
• the ones whose rulers are unjust, cruel, corrupt.

And especially

• those who don't know Jesus and his total forgiveness.

As I think of these people, I ask myself if it's bad for them to be jealous. 

• Is it bad for them to want the same advantages I have?  
• Isn't it good for them to long, to yearn, to deeply desire to move from where they're at to a new place, to a safer, healthier, and generally "better" situation?  

And I'll even go so far as to ask -

• Is it wrong for them to "covet" what I have?

Of course, coveting is a trap because it has no limits.  Once I start wanting more there doesn't seem to be any end to it.  For more on that truth see Elizabeth Norland's post here.

Even so, I'm thinking of these things (above) as I continue my preparations for preaching this coming Sunday.  I'm looking at an outline with a "message synopsis" and "talking points" that was put together by the "network" of church leaders that meet about every four months or so to sketch out ideas for preaching themes.  We're entering a series on the Ten Commandments, counting back from #10 "You shall not covet... anything that belongs to your neighbor," and ending with the first commandment right around Easter time.

This first message of the series, this "tenth" commandment--it's got me a bit stymied.  I'm stuck a bit as I consider the long list of people I know who are truly in need.  Does the commandment against coveting apply to them?  Or does it only apply to those who already have "enough."

It's interesting to note that one of the first things the Holy Spirit did when He came to live among us was to take away some of the inequality that can provoke jealousy, envy and covetousness.  The book of Acts says "there was not a needy person among them."  (And, of course, the prophets often speak against those who jealously hang on to the lion's share of the wealth.)

So, I ask:

• Is some of what I have actually that which rightfully belongs to the family of God instead of to me personally?  
• Is my desire to hang on to my middle class status a symptom of a deep seated unchallenged covetousness within me?  
• And, as I consider others around me and around the world, is my relative wealth the cause of covetousness for some?  
• Am I causing others to stumble?  See Mark 9:42-49. 

Please pray for me as I continue to pray and study.  I'll plan to write more on this subject as I prepare to preach this Sunday.

The video above is from a blog by Elizabeth Norland.
She wrote a extensive piece entitled "Covetousness--Rampant!"
at http://theimageofchrist.com/2013/08/10/covetousness-rampant/
Highly recommended!

www.equalsharing.com

God Provides

Toni and I are back in Cokato.  Yesterday was her birthday so after yesterday's potluck at Crossroads we went down to spend some time with Toni's parents.  We went together to a choir concert and then our sons and daughter in law joined us for the evening.  Toni and I spent the night, brought Jon & Breanna back to North Central, ran an errand and drove to Cokato.  I spent quite a while shoveling out the driveway, Toni went to get groceries and then went out to pick up Charlie the dog.

We've been home all evening.  I enjoy being home.  I give thanks often for this wonderful place where we live.  I often say that this house is bigger than what we need but, on the other hand, I believe God provided it to us.  I just want it to be used for good.

As I talk about my life I think about the many people who might get jealous of all that we have.  Not only do I have a nice home (on which we are paying a mortgage), we also have employment, paychecks, each other (Toni and I), a loving family, supportive friends, worthwhile things to do, two cars that run well, many tools for work (including this computer), money in the bank, some pension money (though not as much as we probably "should" have for our old age), health insurance coverage (that we're paying a LOT for each month), and so many, many more things.  And we do not have any debts (besides the mortgage).

Many years ago, when Toni and I had just gotten married, I remember when Toni's sister's father-in-law came up the stairs to the second-floor duplex we were renting.  I have a mental picture of him (John Abel) looking at our little kitchen and saying this:

"God's provision is His estimate of our need."

I remember him saying that and I remember thinking to myself, yes, it's true.  This apartment is what we need right now.  Not more, not less.  And ever since then God has continued to provide.  We've never been "without."  We've always had enough--and more.  I can't express how thankful I am for this life.  Wow.

I'm thinking about these things tonight in connection with a message that is planned for this coming Sunday at Crossroads.  The "network" of churches and pastors that I work with selected "The Ten Commandments" as the theme to be addressed in messages over the next few weeks--beginning with the last commandment ("You all not covet your neighbor's...") and working our way up to the first ("You shall have no other gods...").

In many ways the Holy Spirit has worked in me to make me content with what I have.  It's not very often that I honestly desire to have what someone else has, whether it's their house or their spouse or anything that belongs to them.  I say "honestly desire" because God has also given me wisdom--wisdom to know that not everything (or everyone) that 'looks good' to me at any given moment would truly BE good if I were to actually have it.  Surface desires and superficial fantasies don't go deep for me because I know, as the old proverb says, "All that glitters is not gold."  Knowing that truth doesn't always keep desire away, but it does keep me from acting stupid in terms of grabbing what isn't mine.  Thanks God, for that!.

I believe that God has indeed written this command on my heart.  When I find myself slipping into deeper desire for what God has not given me, I go to prayer and to God's Word, where I learn both the beauty of contentment and the dangers of covetousness.  And I am so thankful for the promises of God, that one day all desire will be focused where it should be, on Him and on what He chooses to give.  In the Kingdom of God (in heaven) all desire will be perfectly in tune with God's will.  Now I see that truth and experience it in part, but then it shall be complete.

Pray with me please that all God's people will be set free from covetousness so that we can use all our lives to praise and love our Lord--and to bless those who have far less.  And pray that we will see clearly about how this message can be shared in a helpful way this coming Sunday, Feb. 23, at Crossroads.  If you have insights that would be helpful, please share in whatever way works for you.

www.equalsharing.com

Active

God desires us to be active.  If we are handicapped or confined in some way, God calls us to do all we can.  We can do nothing to gain God's favor, and we can be secure in knowing God's saving love that comes to us without any effort on our part but we are not saved just to be taken out of this world.  God's plan for us is to be actively pursuing the kingdom of God in our lives here and now.

Two things got me thinking about these things in recent days -

1. An interview with Dr. John Arden that I ran into on "Shrink Rap Radio."  Dr. Arden is the author of The Brain Bible: How to Stay Vital, Productive, and Happy for a Lifetime  He spoke about five areas of our lives that we need to actively work on--five areas of life that can be remembered by the acronym S.E.E.D.S. - Social connections, Exercise, Education, Diet, Sleep.  Take time to listen to the interview if you can.  When we pay attention to the things that our bodies and brains need we honor our creator and make it more possible for us to serve the Lord long term in this life.  A description of the interview and a link to a recording can be found here.  Or, you can go straight to the mp3 audio here.
2.  Last night, at our amazing High School JAM time, we looked at the passage from the sermon on the mount in Matthew 7 where Jesus tells his disciples to Ask and Seek and Knock.  This asking and seeking and knocking is a regular, constant practice in our lives, not just a one time thing.  Like we breathe often, we pray, and we utilize the brains and bodies we have to keep up that process of seeking and searching for the will of God and keep doing whatever we can to "knock," that is, to make a fuss to some extent about what is needed.  It's interesting how the Lord doesn't expect us to just passively wait but tells us to be busy about this asking and seeking and knocking on a regular basis, using all our strength to do this without giving up.

Faith and action are two sides of the same coin.  Let us use all we have and all that the Lord gives us to proclaim God's kingdom.  Don't stay quiet.  Don't let the devil distract you through entertainment.  Too many of us spend too much time watching physical and spiritual athletes instead of doing what we can.  Too many of us have a poor understanding of the connection between "faith and action."

Let's pursue the truth about this... but, today, let's do something!  How will you respond to the call to faith in action today?

www.equalsharing.com

Men (and Women) in Christ

crossroadscokato.com/community-mens-retreat

Ten days from now I plan to be on my way to Camp Shamineau near Motley MN with many other men from the Dassel-Cokato area.  I have been blessed by these "Men's Retreats" in previous years and am looking forward to being up there again.  Some quick info that we put together is at crossroadscokato.com/community-mens-retreat.   I have tickets and we can share rides!

One thing that is always highlighted at these retreats is the important leadership role men have in the home.  I agree that men have a leadership role and I think that the men's retreat often helps men to stop retreating from their spiritual responsibilities.  (Pun intended. ;-)

I do not, however, believe that men are superior to women, in the home or anywhere else. 

Both men and women are made in God's image, equally, and both are redeemed by Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit in the same way.  There is no hierarchy in the home when it comes to men and women.  That's what I believe.  You may disagree.  I invite you to enter into conversation with me if you do.

Some would ask how I can say that when there are several passages in the Bible that seem to prefer men over women.  The discussion of this issue is complex and it can't be dealt with in a simple way.  Groups such as Christians for Biblical Equality have devoted much time and study and prayer to these issues.  Here I'm just letting you know where I stand.

Here's a short piece from an article entitled "What Is Biblical Equality" by Alan G. Padgett, published in 2002 in an issue of the Priscilla Papers.  This is not the only possible interpretation of scripture in regard to men and women that is faithful, but I believe this is one of those that is.

From "What is Biblical Equality" - click here for the article in full (pdf format).

"...Husband and wife alike are equally responsible to Christ, the true center of the Christian home. True, Paul does tell wives to submit to their husbands and says that men are the “head” of women. But these statements must be read in context, and interpreted in their own times. In the longest section on men and women in his letters, Ephesians 5:21–33, Paul begins with the duty of all Christians to submit to one another in the fear of Christ (v. 21). Those who focus only on what Paul has to say to women and slaves often misunderstand this point. The passage as a whole begins with mutual submission.

"What is mutual submission? It is nothing less than love in action. I see the need in my sister or brother and meet it from my own strength and gifting from God. Most of what Paul has to say in this passage is written to the husband, who must love his wife and give of his own life and power, just as Christ sacrificed himself for the church. The word head in Paul, when not pointing to a literal head, means the one who is “first” in some way, not some kind of authority or power figure. This point is often misunderstood. We must allow Paul to use the word in a variety of ways.

"In this passage it means being first in loving service. “The husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior” (v. 23, NRSV). Paul extends this teaching later (vv. 28–32) in the heart of this passage. Overall, he insists that husband as “head” cares for and loves the wife as his own “body.” Head in this chapter does not mean the man dominates and rules over the woman. True, wives are taught to “submit in everything to their husbands” just as the church does to Christ (v. 24). But this is in the context of mutual submission of all to Christ (v. 21). The force of the passage as a whole is calling husbands to self-giving sacrifice for their wives; that is, it is calling husbands likewise to submit to their wives (without saying it in this exact way)...

I invite your comments. Let's discuss together!

www.equalsharing.com

What Is Church More Like?

The following email went out yesterday evening.

Church Study Group and others -  (feel free to share this! Anyone who is a part of Crossroads and is a man or woman of prayer and Bible study is invited to come...)

Good evening friends, brother and sisters.  And good morning to those who receive this tomorrow!

This will serve as a reminder of this Saturday morning's study - 7:30 - 9:00 AM.

We have been considering the question of "What is the Church More Like..."  Attached (click here) please find a slightly updated version of a handout that we've been looking at.  (I can send it to you as a .doc file if that's more helpful.  Let me know.)

The questions at the top [of the handout] are key -- When it comes to what the church is "more like" (under the various categories) we are asking the following questions:

What Does the Bible Say?

What have we experienced?

Which direction is God calling us?

How will we get there?  How will we bring people along?

We've been looking at some Biblical analogies for the church... this week I'd like us to consider the chapter that one of Frank Viola's critics says is his most helpful - chapter 5 about the church as "The Family of God."  Please read it ahead of time if you can.  If you don't have a copy let me know and I'll send it to you.

Once we come to a consensus about what the Bible says about the church, consider what we have experienced (recently and in the past), we can ask "which direction is God calling us" and then move to the strategic questions "How will we get there?" and "How will we bring people along?"  Those last two questions will involve the discussion of leadership.

Looking forward to seeing you!  Pray for the enlightenment and peace of the Holy Spirit.

Steve Thorson

equalsharing.com

763-291-3499

Crossroads Community Church, Cokato

crossroadscokato.com

Fun and War

So last night, before JAM and THE TRUTH, our 6th-12th graders had some fun with an indoor snowball fight, otherwise known as a "Marshmallow War."  Here's a picture and a 10 second video clip

THANK YOU to all the adults who make these Wednesday evenings worthwhile--and fun!  Want something good to happen for the youth of your kids age group? Pray! Then step out with others you know! Don't wait for someone else!

www.equalsharing.com