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The final episode of The Bible is over and thankfully, the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ was mostly accurate. Notice I said “mostly,” which means there are those who would say it is still heresy.
I reiterate what I said last week. All viewers of this mini-series should leave the series being prompted to read their Bibles, even read Bible commentaries and subject themselves to regular solid Bible teaching. Yes, this mini-series had flaws in presenting an accurate depiction of God’s Word, but when was the last time you or your children were encouraged to read the Bible after watching Glee or Honey Boo-boo?
The show opens with the trial of Jesus. Peter denies Christ three times when it seemed there was way too much daylight. I would’ve thought the rooster would be done crowing at this point.
Jesus is tried by Pilate. Pilate’s wife pleads with him not to do this because of the dream she had. I liked the actor who portrayed Pilate because he showed confidence and annoyance with the Jews, which seems historically accurate. His meeting with the high priest was good, and I liked the scene that showed the high priest crafting how to execute Jesus before meeting. It helps answer common inquiries people have about why the Jewish leaders decided to get rid of Jesus in this manner, and it yields to the prophecy of how Jesus was to die.
I also appreciated the liberty the producers took in showing Pilate’s exchange with his wife after the trial. In a week, he confidently tells her, this all will be forgotten… or so he thought. As I mentioned before, and as history would report, crucifixions were grossly too common at this time. The Romans may have taken more thought to swatting flies than the number of crucifixions they performed. So this played well in the shock and amazement of what happened after Jesus’ death, and during the time of His resurrection.
I am under the impression the producers did not think they could spare the time needed to show how it actually went down with Thomas doubting the appearance of Jesus. The “No, it can’t be you, Jesus!” interpretation was a farce.
I didn’t like the Day of Pentecost scene either. I know the sound of a violent rushing wind came and filled the house where the disciples were staying, but when they were speaking in different languages, I understood this to mean they were in a public setting, speaking to the multitude (Acts 2). Plus they didn’t show Peter preaching his famous sermon — another disappointment.
The stoning of Stephen was weak, lacking much content. I didn’t like the actor they chose to play Paul. During the early ‘80s, there was a TV movie called Peter and Paul, where Anthony Hopkins played Paul. I realize the Oscar-winning actor may not have been affordable at this time, but someone of his physical characteristics would be more suitable for the role.
Of course, Paul’s baptism was incredibly weak. Dousing him with a pitcher of water after he’s healed of his blindness? C’mon, he didn’t win the Super Bowl!
I could go on and on with my disappointments in this show. They sprinted through the events of Jesus’ disciples and Paul’s adventures. There’s no mention of Barnabas or Timothy, though the show features Luke. Paul is shown quoting I Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter, but no mention of passages he wrote that have a greater focus on the Gospel.
Probably one of the weakest moments is when Peter and John were saying a formal goodbye to each other. Before John departs, Peter says, “Good luck.” After all the experiences they had over a span of three and a half years with the Son of God, do you actually think Peter would have the mindset to wish John “good luck”?
Overall, I think the very first show of the mini-series was the best. It seemed like the quality of the shows that followed greatly depleted. Showing Christ being crucified and rising again is great. I give kudos for this.
Hopefully, the best part of The Bible may still happen, which is the seeds of Gospel it may have planted.
This month, I have been divorced for 5 years. Before that I was married for 5 years. I say that as a reference to you before you read any further. I don’t claim to know much of anything about having a successful relationship or tips on how to make a marriage work. However, as I said, I’ve lived half my adult life married and the other half single. So I have perspective on both. I’ve reached through the fence a few different times, thinking the grass was greener and turns out it’s not.
Here are my thoughts on this dilemma, today directed to the married folks….
For whatever reason, I’ve recently had conversations with several good friends (both guys and gals) about marriage and divorce. Not sure if it’s in the water or it’s something this storm is bringing in or what. But it’s a trend that disturbs me because of my personal experience with divorce.
As I said from the top, I have no advice that you can implement that will change your married life overnight. But what I can give you and what I describe to everyone I meet with about this topic is this.
Here is a picture of what your life will be like if you decide to get divorced…and specifically to those of you with children.
Be prepared to rarely; if ever tuck your kids in at night.
Have a lot of Kleenex the first 3 years. You will need them.
Get your story ready to deliver to your kids when they ask you why you left their mother/father.
Alone. Lonely. Defeated.
Say good-bye to waking your kids up and dressing them for school every day.
Get ready for most people to look at you differently.
Depressed. Discouraged. Constantly.
Get your profile pic ready for the dating site of your choice.
Get prepared to watch other women…. “mother” your children, dress your girls, love what was your spouse.
Embarrassed. Insecure. Distraught.
Don’t forget how many kids you have, because every potential suitor will ask. Then walk away.
Buy a football for the guy who will be teaching your boy how to throw it.
If you do find someone, get ready to be asked to pick one. Them or your kids.
Just be primed to say “it’s ok” when your kids call you the wrong name. Yes, I mean not mom or dad, but the other “persons” name.
The “rings” will come off, the lawyers will control everything and you will be served papers. Publicly.
Pick out which Christmas mornings you want to spend with your kids. You no longer get them all.
The thought of love will be sickening, yet you’ll long to have it back. Many will search for it for years with other people.
Failure. Desperation. Darkness.
I don’t share these intimate details in hopes of you inviting me to a pity party. In fact not all of these examples and emotions are from me. The list is more of a culmination of examples from my life and dozens of other divorced men and woman whom I’ve counseled. Friends who thought the grass was greener elsewhere. So why do I share? I share these specifics in hopes of slapping some of you across the face with the reality that will be your life if you break your vows. Five years after divorce I still deal with several of these issues and emotions on a weekly basis. Now, my life is what it is today and I believe God has grace that covers a multitude of sins. And that I am living proof that God does and can restore and make all things new. But it comes with a price, a very brutal and often times painful price that few people fully realize.
My message is this. Single or married. The grass is NOT greener elsewhere. You are where you are for a reason. Take charge of your marriage, claim your contentedness and grab some gratefulness for your situation.
Being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”Hebrews 13:5
But most of all forgive and love. …. just like you have been forgiven and loved.
“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” —Douglas MacArthur
Do you have a moment that just moves you back a bit in surprise? This happened to me in regards to President Obama appointing the very first woman to direct the Secret Service. Now, I am not political in any way, but this selection struck me for several reasons. First, it is my understanding that this agent, Julia Pierson, is a veteran of more than 30 years.
Recall this agency is coming off a scandal involving male Secret Service agents and prostitutes in Columbia last summer. While the former director was not involved in the scandal he ended up resigning in February of this year. I would be thinking, to walk into that kind of pressure situation as the new leader, “Wow, no thank you!”
While her reported qualifications for leading the Department seem to make her capable, I can only think of what struggles she will have to overcome. Pierson is not only in charge of thousands of employees, but is also tasked with protection; keeping Americans safe at major events, protecting leaders, including the President and his family, and, the one that really surprised me, a leading role in securing the financial system.
The burdens that Pierson will have to face and overcome provide an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the American people. Publilius Syrus, a former slave in 1st century BC, said “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” The Secret Service has not exactly had a calm sea this past year!
This is a very applicable verse for Pierson and her new appointment “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
I can only think that through this incredible opportunity to lead the third largest agency in the United States Satan will attack from all aspects leadership roles. I, for one, propose praying for Julia Pierson in these ways:
For her leadership to be above reproach
To lead with integrity and honor
To protect her from people who will challenge in negative ways
For the employees of the agency to respect Pierson’s leadership
For her to balance the demands of the job with having a life outside of work
The Christian faith revolves around the historical fact of Jesus’ bodily resurrection. In this brief article, I outline the historical evidence supporting resurrection faith. Simply put, Jesus’ resurrection is the best explanation for five established historical facts listed below. These facts are established historical data acknowledged by virtually all (more than 95 percent of) scholars (including non-Christian scholars).
Why do scholars affirm these historical facts? Historical knowledge derives from artifacts, particularly written documents. When historians study written sources for knowledge, they look for certain qualities. (1) Early Date: is the source written close to the time of the events it discusses? (2) Eyewitness Status: does the source contain eyewitness testimony? (3) Multiple Attestation: do multiple independent sources affirm the same basic account?
The historical facts listed below (a) are confirmed by multiple independent written sources which are (b) early accounts, written soon after the death of Jesus, of (c) eyewitness testimony. Early, multiple, eyewitness attestation explains why virtually all scholars agree they are not just beliefs, but historical facts demanding explanation. I submit that these can only be reasonably explained by Jesus’ bodily resurrection.
–Fact No. 1
Jesus Death Burial
Jesus’ tomb cannot be found empty (Fact No. 2) unless He is dead and buried. It is nearly unanimously affirmed that (1) Jesus was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, and died upon a Roman cross on the Friday of Passover week; and (2) Joseph of Arimathea gave Jesus an honorable (though hurried) burial before the onset of the Sabbath. No ancient sources question Jesus’ death and burial.
–Fact No. 2
Women Discover the Empty Tomb
After the Sabbath, a group of women (including Mary Magdalene) came to Jesus’s sealed tomb, only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. This fact alone (amongst those listed here) lacks virtually unanimous consent among scholars—about two-thirds of scholars agree that the empty tomb is a historical fact.
Why do most scholars agree the tomb was found empty? (1) Our ancient sources unanimously confirm the empty tomb. (2) Enemies of Christianity agree that the tomb was empty and accuse the disciples of stealing Jesus’s body (see Matt. 28:15). The fact of the empty tomb is undisputed; skeptics only question the cause. (3) Women discover the empty tomb, an unlikely scenario if the account is fabricated. Women’s testimony was considered unreliable (see, e.g., the disciples’ reaction in Luke 24:11). Imaginative Christians would place key disciples at the discovery of the empty tomb, not untrustworthy women. (4) The empty tomb is discovered in Jerusalem, and proclaimed in Jerusalem shortly thereafter (Acts 2). If the tomb was not empty, opponents of Christianity would have capitalized on that reality.
–Fact No. 3
Disciples Encounter the Risen Jesus
Scholars agree that the disciples had experiences they interpreted as encounters with the risen Jesus. Jesus’ resurrection appearances were unapologetically bodily (Luke 24, Matt. 28, John 20-21). Jesus appeared to individuals, small groups and large groups (see, e.g., 1 Cor. 15:5-8).
–Fact No. 4
Skeptic James, Opponent Paul
Encounter Jesus and Believe
Jesus’ brother James did not believe Jesus was the promised Messiah during His lifetime (e.g., Mark 3:20-32)—James was a skeptic. Nonetheless, James encountered the risen Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7), becoming not just a believer, but a key leader in the early church (Josephus, Acts 15). Paul was an active disbeliever and opponent of the early church before his encounter with the risen Jesus (Acts 7-9). Paul subsequently becomes a missionary to the Gentiles, and eventually is martyred for his faith (see Clement, Polycarp, Tertullian, Origen).
–Fact No. 5
Disciples Willingly Suffer and Die
for Resurrection Faith
Outside of John (and the suicidal Judas), the original disciples (plus Paul, Stephen, and others) are persecuted and ultimately martyred for their proclamation of and belief in Jesus’ resurrection. As critics often note, people die for false beliefs quite regularly. However, the disciples knew whether their resurrection faith was true or false. People die for false beliefs they believe to be true; but people do not willingly die for false beliefs they know to be false.
–Conclusion:
Fact or Fiction?
There is much more that could be said: the growth of the church; the transformation of the disciples’ worldview; worship of a crucified ‘Messiah’ as God; worship on Sunday instead of the Sabbath (Saturday). More supporting evidence could be mustered for each listed fact (see suggested reading below). What has been said demonstrates that the resurrection is not an article of blind faith—something believed despite lack of evidence. We have resurrection faith on the basis of solid historical grounds. We confidently and reasonably affirm and proclaim: Jesus is risen; He is risen, indeed.
For an in-depth readable treatment, consult Habermas & Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus; and/or Lee Strobel, The Case for Easter.
Ask most Christians to explain what salvation is about, and one can expect to hear an answer that probably sounds something like this, “Salvation is about believing that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins so that you might be forgiven and made right with God.”
Sounds pretty good; however, the problem with this answer is that it fails to address Jesus’ resurrection. This is a glaring omission that should trouble us when we examine how salvation is explained in the New Testament. For the New Testament authors, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was absolutely essential to an accurate understanding of what salvation is and what salvation brings about in our lives.
If we are to understand salvation rightly, we must begin by seeing it in terms of a transformation that is brought about in each of our lives, of being changed from a person corrupted by sin into a person who is pure and righteous. Paul states clearly that what is flesh and blood, what is perishable, cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 15:50).
Paul here is referring to what is unclean about our current state, and all of us, even as Christians, recognize that we, too, still sin and live in that corruption to varying degrees. While atonement has been made for our sins completely, our physical bodies and the unfinished transformation at work in them prevents us from entering into the kingdom of God fully transformed at this time.
If we do not appreciate our need to be changed, transformed from something sinful and wicked into something clean and holy, we will fail to understand the significance of Christ’s resurrection for our own lives.
With this in mind, we also recognize that, while that process of transformation is vital and necessary for us to pursue during our time here on Earth (the process of sanctification), it is impossible for us to achieve perfection and complete righteousness. Each of us will go to the grave unfinished. This is where the resurrection of Jesus makes a crucial difference.
Paul, in 1 Cor. 15:16, ties our physical resurrection to Jesus’ physical resurrection. He asserts that, since Jesus has been resurrected from the dead, that God both, can and will, do the same for us. We need God to be able to bring us back to life physically as uncorrupted, unstained, sinless people if we are to enter into the Kingdom of God.
Jesus’ resurrection is the clear evidence that God is able to do just that. This is why Christians can step out of this life with confidence and certainty, with hope, that their life beyond the grave is safe and in trustworthy hands.
While the work of Christ on the cross pays the penalty for our sin, that atoning work alone doesn’t remove the corruption that sin has brought to our bodies. We need the power of the resurrection to bring new life to us every day in place of the old life when sin had such power over us. The resurrection life that God is mighty to accomplish begins in the here and now of our earthly life. But it will completed and revealed via our resurrection from the dead in our perfect and glorified state. Therefore brothers and sisters, hope with great confidence, for our King has proven His power over death.
The resurrection is the foundation of much for Christianity. It has immense apologetic value for defending the truthfulness of Jesus’ claim to be God. It is, without question, the most persuasive argument for the reality of miracles. It provides a historical foundation for the Christian faith and Christian truth that is incomparable among the rest of the world’s religions. However, it is also at the heart of how Christians understand the Gospel and their own personal salvation.
When my son was in 4th grade he did what most 4th grade boys do in the summer. He played baseball. I noticed that he had a hard time hitting the ball so I did what any good father would do. I took him to the eye doctor. I mean, being my son, it had to be his eyes…right? Well his eyes were perfect.
Then I noticed whenever he was in the batters box and the pitcher threw the ball to the catcher he kept stepping out of the batters box while swinging. This I could fix. I mean after all… I was a good father and I wanted to help my son….right?? Several days in the early morning I would take my son to the baseball diamond when everyone else was asleep and we would work on “staying in the batters box.” But no matter what I tried…every time I threw the ball for him to hit, he did the very same thing. He backed up as he was swinging. I realized that until I could get him to lock his feet in the dirt he was never going to get a hit. I tried everything. I put blockades behind him. I promised him ice-cream Sundays. I even tried to bribe him with money but every time I threw the ball he started to back out of the batters box. So I pulled out all the stops.
I tried fear. I said, “Nathan, if you back out of the batters box one more time I am going to whip your butt! And it’s going to hurt a lot more than one of these baseballs. By the way, I promise you….I will through the ball right over the plate and it will not hit you.” (Don’t Judge me…I’m admitting I said this!)
With fear and trembling Nathan asked, “You promise?” I said with 100% confidence, “Yes I promise.” (You can guess what happened can’t you?) I wound up, threw the ball and…SMAK!!!! I hit my son square in the back (only because he turned in on me). I have never heard my son yell so loud!
“You promised!!!!!!!!”
…that rang through my ears the rest of the season. Nathan didn’t go out for baseball the next year.
It wasn’t that my son didn’t keep his eye on the ball…He was simply afraid of it. And I am certain I didn’t help. As I write this article it is Thursday and this coming Sunday is Easter Sunday. My question for you is this. What are you afraid of?
A baseball?
Darkness?
Evil Spirits?
Abandonment?
Death?
Failure?
Losing someone?
Trusting?
Because of Easter we no longer have to be afraid. Because of Jesus conquering the grave the victory is His. The next time you are afraid, look to the cross and to the empty grave! He has conquered death and everything that is evil and frightful! Easter is so much more than a religious holiday, for those of us who are true followers of Christ, it is our everything.
If Jesus had not risen from the grave, we are following an empty religion.
If Jesus had not risen from the grave, we are wasting our time.
If Jesus had not risen from the grave, we are following a false god.
If Jesus had not risen from the grave, we are misleading everyone we proclaim our message to.
If Jesus had not risen from the grave, he was a liar and false prophet.
If Jesus had not risen from the grave, there is no hope for humanity.
But…Jesus did raise from the grave and the tomb is empty! Look to the cross and empty tomb my friend. He is no longer there! He has risen! He has risen indeed!
If you’re like me, your head is virtually spinning from all the talk, Facebook icons and pithy slogans surrounding the gay marriage debate. As the Supreme Court faces a difficult decision that could send shockwaves throughout the cultural and religious landscape, it is not the argument on both sides that I find disturbing, but the conversation it seems we are not having.
The difficulty I see in taking arms for or against redefining marriage is that while people are talking about the re-definition, no one is talking about the definition.
So why add one more voice to the confusion? My aim is to help Christian readers define what it is we are actually defending. For those who will immediately dismiss my argument, I want us to recognize the fact that what we are differing over is not an emotive or equality issue, but is a division over biblical authority. What is being missed in large part on both sides of the debate is the understanding of marriage’s original definition and why some are so stalwart in opposing a re-definition.
This is not about “hate,” cultural neanderthalism or tradition. For those who believe the Bible is the true word of God, we trace marriage back to the very beginning.
“The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:20-25
From this passage, and the preceding creation account, we see that God is a God of separation, boundaries, and order. He separates light from dark. He separates land from sea and provides boundaries for both. He creates creatures for sea and creatures for land. He creates man and woman. He gives order, roles, and purposes.
Then the God who creates separation, boundaries and order performs a startling act. The one thing he reunites after separation is the man and woman in the act of marriage. God brings the woman to the man (v. 22). There is covenant language (v. 23). There is a pronouncement made (v. 24). The woman is then called his “wife.”
For Bible believers, this is the gift of marriage initiated, ordained, and purposed by God. This is the definition of marriage.
Biblically, marriage is to be a life-long covenant (Mal. 2:16, Matt. 19:6) between male and female (Matt. 19:4) and should not be separated (Matt. 19:6-8). It contains boundaries for the sexual relationship (1 Cor. 6:16). This purpose cannot be fulfilled by a male/male or female/female relationship (Lev. 18:22, Rom. 1:25-32) nor in a human/animal relationship (Lev. 18:23), nor incestual (Lev. 18:6-17), or polygamist (1 Tim. 3:2, 12).
This list is not exhaustive, but as you can see, there are biblical boundaries for marriage. Ultimately, Paul sums up the purpose of marriage in Ephesians chapter five. He says the marriage relationship is given by God as a representation of Christ’s relationship with the church. It is for mutual building up, humble service, love and respect. He again quotes the Genesis 2:24 passage as Christ does in Matthew 19:5 referring to the male and female counterparts of the marriage relationship.
This is what marriage is. It is the genesis and definition. I did not make it up. I did not define it. If you find it objectionable, you are not bound to participate in it. You have all the right in the world to say, “If that’s marriage, then I don’t want it.”
The difficulty stems from the fact that the government has borrowed the term “marriage” to offer governmentally sanctioned privileges such as tax breaks, hospital visitation and the like. The issue is, while these are governmental rights attached to marriage, they have nothing to do with marriage itself.
The government is free to give rights to whomever the government wishes, assuming the government is free to bequeath those rights. But the government has no right to alter the definition of marriage any more than it has the right to redefine baptism. This is because neither marriage nor baptism are given by the government. Their parameters are given by God. Therefore He stands as the judge and standard-bearer.
Whether or not the government should afford the civil privileges to a gay couple that they provide for heterosexual couples is an entirely different debate. However, the government cannot call those rights “marriage” or redefine the term to have civil implications that are not, or were not, originally attached to it nor coincide with its Author’s intent or design. They should not be officiated by a minister, but a senator or government official. They are not ordained by God nor do they honor Him as they are not in line with His purpose and design for what the Bible defines as marriage. It is something else entirely.
If you are for so-called gay marriage, hopefully this article provides some clarity on the discussion and its terminology. If the idea of marriage repulses you, you are not obligated to submit to it – just don’t use the term to describe something it is not. Biblical marriage is not simply “traditional” marriage since it is not tradition that gave us marriage. Biblical marriage is just that: biblical.
I believe we can aim the discussion more precisely when our terms are properly defined. When we are borrowing words and remaking boundaries that are not ours to make, the shouting match ensues and no one comes across clearly in a shouting match. May we be able to approach one another with love even as we disagree. I do not hate gay people. I am not afraid of gay people or homosexuality. What I do object to is anyone, gay or straight, misusing the institutions or words of God for their own agenda. Let the comments ensue and may they be graced with as much tolerance and love as we seek for ourselves.
“A nation that is arguing about whether to privatize lighthouses will not socialize medicine.” So argued the late William F. Buckley, Jr.
Buckley’s point was simply this: if a democracy is arguing about good ideas, it is more likely to avoid bad ones. Today, America is arguing whether to recognize so-called same-sex “marriage.” The very fact this is the central debate is a disadvantage to conservative Christians. Proponents of same-sex “marriage” typically use broad terms and ideals, such as “equality” to advance their position.
People often forget we already have marriage equality. Everyone can marry anyone, as long as the person is of the opposite sex, is not a relative and is not a minor. What is being demanded is a special right, a newly invented one at that.
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing two landmark cases that could change marriage policy in America. While Southern Baptists are hopeful the Supreme Court will do the right thing and uphold the biblical, historical understanding of marriage, we recognize that no government leaders—even the highest court in the land—can redefine what God Himself has established.
Why are Christians unwilling to change on the issue? Here are three reasons:
The Scriptures
No one throughout time spoke with more authority than Jesus Christ, and no one has spoken so clearly on marriage. Performing His first miracle at a wedding, Jesus often addressed marriage.
Quoting Genesis, Jesus said, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife” (Mark 10:7). Notice Christ did not say “man… cleave to his husband.” He also did not say “wives” (plural). In other places, the New Testament speaks clearly to God’s unchanging meaning of marriage (for example, Eph. 5).
Jesus walked among Rome where polygamy was widely accepted, to a culture that had made friends with divorce and cohabitation, and a civilization that was influenced by Ancient Greece which knew homosexuality well. In other words, Jesus and the Apostles spoke in a day not unlike our own.
So it is not that Southern Baptists are not willing to redefine marriage, it is that we cannot. Our consciences are captive to the revealed Word of God.
Nature
It does not take a biology expert to know the sexual union of a man and a woman leads to offspring and procreation, while homosexual acts do not. The primary purpose of marriage is the proliferation of the human race. Somewhere along the line, Christians forfeited that ideal, and today we are reaping a bitter harvest for it.
Building a home, let alone a society, on the notions of romantic love or attraction is like building a house on shifting sands. Much like the basic purposes of eating is nutrition, with good taste as an added pleasure given by God, the main purpose of sex is procreation, with pleasure and bonding as added benefits given by God.
The government has no public or practical interest in homosexual unions any more than they do in friendships. In other words, marriage, from the government’s viewpoint, is all about children.
Legal
One of the cases on which the Supreme Court will rule is Proposition 8, a California law passed by voters that defined, for California, marriage is between one man and one woman. Traditionally, marriage laws have been left up to the states. However, the nine justices could attempt to make Oklahoma (which has a marriage protection law of its own, passed in 2004) have our policy dictated by, say, Vermont or New York.
Even so, we Christians recognize that marriage is not something defined, it is something we observe. No state or sub-division of government has a right to redefine what God Himself has set in place.
The Supreme Court rulings reportedly will not be handed down until the summer. In the meanwhile, America will continue to argue this issue. As Christians, let’s make sure our side does so with gentleness, compassion and respect. After all, we do not just want to win the argument. We want to win the people.
There is no factor that motivates quite so strongly as the desire to be successful (except, perhaps, the fear of being unsuccessful). Everyone understands the ambiguous term of ‘successful’ differently, which makes it a peculiar bullseye for so many people to fixate on.
We are fixated upon it though. ESPECIALLY at the time of my writing, which is in the midst of final exams for college students.
Generally, if you ask someone what success is, he or she will say different things, from wealth to the company of lovers. Ultimately, though, most people define success as accomplishing a specific goal.
If success is simply a matter of achieving goals, why do we not aspire for goals that are easily achieved? Why do men stretch upward for riches when they could easily step down and be poor?
If we are honest with ourselves, we are trying to achieve goals that others have set for us. Success is not a matter of us reaching our goals so much as it is a matter of being viewed a success by others. It is for this reason men will sacrifice everything they have in order to achieve something they do not want. Success is just a matter of being perceived as a successful.
Another troubling aspect of success is how subjective it is. If I truly were to aspire for poverty, and acquired as much debt as possible while spending all the money I had to begin with, I could look in the mirror and tell myself ‘job well done’. But I would be surrounded by a society that pitied me and looked down their noses at me. I would proudly shout, “I am a success!” while they would whisper quietly to each other “Failure.”
So now we arrive at an interesting question: Who defines what we consider success? The answer to this question will point toward the person, whom you respect most, love most, and most desire approval from.
If you set your own goals, then success is nothing but a selfish game played in order to get yourself to the highest state. If society sets the goals, then success is an impossible attempt to please everyone with the goal always just beyond our reach.
There is, however, a third option.
Suppose man valued something more than society’s opinion of society. Suppose man valued something even more than himself. If God determined our success, and we valued His opinion above all else, would our lives be any different from the Sisyphean task society places upon us? Would it look the same as the self-centered success?
God does not shy away from saying what He expects from mankind. (This is where I expect the reader is sighing “Oh shoot, not those commandments again…) But God’s expectations are simpler than the 613 commandments in the Old Testament. What God expects can be stated in two verses:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
That’s it. That’s what God expects. Emphasis should be put upon that very first word, “Hear.” God does not want us to give him our ears but not our hearts. God wants obedience.
No matter if you are scorned, mistreated, maligned, slandered, beaten, discredited, cheated or spurned, if you are obedient to God then He will welcome you with open arms, and say, “Well done.”
For the Christian, success is this: Faithful obedience to God’s will.
It’s impossible to be obedient to God’s will without knowing God’s will. I cannot stress how imperative it is to be actively engaged in studying the word of God and praying. In order to obey God, it is necessary that we listen to what God is saying.
It seems entirely fitting that on the very day our federal Supreme Court was listening to arguments that would redefine the institution of marriage, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention would announce the appointment of Russell Moore to become its next president. As the issues before the Supreme Court attest, our country is in the middle a moral identity crisis. I can think of no one better suited to lead the ERLC and speak to these complex moral issues for Southern Baptists as well as a larger evangelical constituency than Dr. Moore.
Dr. Moore is uniquely qualified for this position. He is an impressive theologian, capable administrator, and passionately concerned about the issues which affect Southern Baptists. He brings a rich experience and background to the position from his time serving one of our seminaries as well as working in the political realm. Equally important, Dr. Moore is a committed family man who has spoken and written often about God’s design and purposes for marriage. He has been one of the primary leaders over the last decade of putting Christian adoption on the map for many believers, a movement he has not only written and spoken on but has also participated in as an adoptive father.
Moore will be 42 years old when he will begin leading the ERLC following the retirement of Richard Land. This fact, coupled with his winsome and engaging personality, allows Dr. Moore to speak to and connect with a younger generation of Southern Baptists and evangelicals. Each generation faces and must answer different moral challenges to our faith. Dr. Moore will be a defender of the positions staked out by Southern Baptists in the past on important issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage as well as newer challenges that need theological and biblical answers such as the need for adoption, bio-ethical concerns, and human trafficking. Moore will be a fresh voice to a new generation of Southern Baptists looking to continue our tradition of engaging the culture.
As the world’s largest protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention needs a dynamic and effective Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, an organization that will represent Christ and His word faithfully for many Christians in winsome, loving, unwavering way. The ERLC needs to be committed to being the Christian voice on issues that God’s word has spoken. The ERLC also needs to be an equipping center helping churches and Christians engage the culture with truth and the gospel. Dr. Moore seems to be God’s man to lead this essential ministry.
Congratulations to Dr. Russell Moore on his appointment as President of the ERLC and kudos to the search committee for seeking and following God’s leadership.
I tried fear. I said, “Nathan, if you back out of the batters box one more time I am going to whip your butt! And it’s going to hurt a lot more than one of these baseballs. By the way, I promise you….I will through the ball right over the plate and it will not hit you.” (Don’t Judge me…I’m admitting I said this!)
