Standing on the Finite

I was thinking about the world and how with every passing year economies get worse, people's lives get worse, the state of creation gets worse. Everything is devolving. In our modern world there is such talk of "progress", but what are we progressing towards? Progression is not always good.

Why then even attempt to fix problems like AIDS, hunger, poverty, genocide? The solutions will eventually be overcome with new evils, and new systems of control. The focus will then turn to other painful monstrosities, only to be met, further still, with even more problems.  It is only get to get worse, right? 

When presented with the statistics about poverty, homelessness, sex trafficking, even in our own country,I feel so hopeless. It is easy for me to question GOD's timing, and wonder what is taking so long, why hasn't the King returned yet?

But I was told a story by someone who was listening to my depressing thoughts, about a man on a beach. I guess this is a common story, so forgive me if you have heard it before, but man I love it.  

There was a man walking on a beach when he stumbled upon what seemed to be millions of starfish that were stranded on land. These starfish would dry up and die if they didn't get back to the sea. So, the man started throwing the starfish into the ocean, two at a time. After a while another man walks by and comments on the effort of the starfish thrower. He says, "There are so many starfish on the beach, you don't really think you are making a difference by throwing two at time, do you?" The tone of the question was so condesding and rude, which you or I would easily have responding with an equally nasty comment. The hero of the starfishes looked up at the man and replied after he threw another pair into the water, "I just made a difference for those two." He picked up two more and said "and those two as well." 

This simple story is so powerful for me. It reminds just how stupid, facts, statistics, and numbers can be. Above all else, numbers can take away the humanity of a situation. 

But the love of God goes beyond our understanding of numbers.

" Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the 99 in the open country to go after the lost sheep until he finds it? - Luke 15:3-4

This passage is about salvation, not about fixing social issues. Jesus goes on to talk about the joy and party that goes on in heaven when one person is restored into right relations with GOD. Furthermore, the passage shows so much about the quality and character of GOD. What would it be like if GOD said, "eh, it's alright, I still have 99 sheep?" It would be absurd! 

In the same way, let us not be overwhelmed with the numbers. Let us see each life as precious and worth fighting for. When numbers replace faces, we have lost our humanity.

Our task as believers is to bring GOD's Kingdom on Earth, not to wait for "our" reward. We have a lot of work to do! 

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This week was filled with some strong words. There was some big talk against the current theological climate of the American church. 

But the truth is, these thoughts are more about me than some big institution. You see, I became complacent. It is easier to write a check than get hands dirty and blistered. It is easier to sit in a comfortable room and discuss changing the world, than it is to actually do it! 

I became bloated in my own heart and walk with GOD. My once simply faith became chained down with cynicism, anger, despair, and a desire for knowledge. But, I hated it. The more I learned the less I knew. The more I read, the less I cared. Generally, reading is to become more intelligent on a subject. However, if intelligence is the end goal, then I have missed the point. Intelligence is a tool, not an end. Being like Jesus, doing the work of the Kingdom, these are ends.

The goal is pretty simple, follow Jesus. It might be incredibly hard to accomplish, but that doesn't change the simplicity of the goal. 

Change always, always, starts with the individual. Change must start within in me, through the God, before I can even think beyond myself.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Romans 12:2

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It is incredible to think about the creativity of the Maker. It would be a sad and hopeless life to think that even the simplest events, such as wonderful sunrises, are mere random acts by a random planet, spinning in a random universe. I am not saying the sunrise was "given just for me" or that there is a deep meaning behind it all.

But the purpose of creation is to bring glory to the Creator, and I think this picture does this on an infinite scale.

The Artist knows no bounds. 

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To continue the theme of purpose I want to look at a lengthy, but amazing, quote from Robert E. Coleman's Master Plan of Evangelism. 

"Merely because we are busy, or even skilled, doing something does not necessarily mean that we are getting anything accomplished. The question must always be asked: Is it worth doing? And does it get the job done? 

This is a question that should be posed continually in relation to the evangelistic activity of the church. Are our efforts to keep things going fulfilling the great commission of Christ? Do we see an ever-expanding company of dedicated people reaching the world with the gospel as a result of our ministry? That we are busy in the church trying to work one program of evangelism after another cannot be denied. 

But are we accomplishing our objective?"

Well, when I look at my community, my country, and the world, I see such promise in other countries; look at believers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. In the ol' USA, I think we need to ask, what was the objective again? 

To remind us. 

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19

The mega church structure - nope not in the objective. 

Fluffy books about a "better" life - nope not in the objective. 

Worrying about numbers and statistics - nope not in their either. 

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19

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In the last two posts I have ripped systematic theology pretty hard. 

I want to be clear, there is value it analyizing, critically thinking, and being able to properly explain the Christian faith. However, there are majors and minors of the faith. 

Theology is great and useful, until it moves beyond it's purpose. The purpose of theology is to glorify God, and heated, divisive, and angry discussions certainly do not glorify the Maker. Intellectualism, arrogance, and close mindedness are the layers the need removing. 

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Okay, a popular author, N.T. Wright has a great book called Surprised by Hope. I just like the play on words, and this as nothing to do with his book. 

I was thinking more about theology, specifically systematic theology. I am certain about two things 1) some of it is great, useful, and necessary; 2) a lot of it is just bloat, pages filled with big words and man made ideas. 

Don't get me wrong, it is important to be educated and know what is going on theologically, and I don't want to reinvent the wheel so to speak, although how could you reinvent the wheel, the actual wheel I mean, it is pretty amazing. 

I think we need to strip away some layers of this system we, over 2000 years, have created. I am not sure what needs to be removed to take the weight off of the Gospel's shoulders, but something has to change. It is a lot harder to run a good race with giant weights wrapped around your ankles. Finally, I am not certain here but my guess would be that the purpose of Christ's amazing, transforming, and radical message was not a system of intellectualism. 

The purpose of the Gospel was and still is, to transform this world! 

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I am in seminary. 

One thing I have noticed, theology gets heated. People don't always agree, which is fine. But I wonder if God really cares about issues of free will. I wonder what breaks the heart of the Lord more, theology or people dying physically and spiritually because we are too occupied with theological debates. 

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