Culture contrary to godliness #5
You don't have to look far through the links on our sidebar to see that a great deal of "churches" have shifted in focus from eternal life to entertainment.
Dealing regularly with young Christians and non-Christian youth in my work, it is terribly difficult both to resist the popular usage of entertainment in ministry and also to find a legitimate place for recreation in fellowship that does not degenerate into hype-driven entertainment.
It is frightening that floodgates have been opened for this phenomenon to spill over violently into the wider church out of our youth ministries.
What is the problem with entertainment? It is, after all, a very normal and essential part of today's popular culture. Herein lies the beginning of the problem. What is important to the world should be far less important to children of God.
The main issue is that entertainment focuses on occupying our attention and stimulating positive emotions. In some ways it is totally opposite to worship, where we are completely focused on God with our mind and affections in devotion.
So, entertainment could be said to be permissable on occasion at best as a form of recreation, however it should not be the driving force of our lives and CERTAINLY NOT the central aspect of a church meeting.
I feel that often in my own life there is a drive to seek out entertainment for some kind of fulfillment. But if this takes over my life or yours, we need to make a change.
Another way entertainment detracts from godliness, is the forms of entertainment we indulge in. Secular comedians are almost always crude or at least insinuative and often take the liberty of slandering our holy faith. Secular movies are full of blasphemy, bloodthirstiness and worldly philosophies. Popular music is more and more sexually explicit in nature, with the catchy beats hooking people in to be subjected to whatever message the artist wishes to promote. Partying and revelry leads to drunkenness and worse situations and if believers involve themselves, they will get taken along for the ride.
But we all know someone who professes Christ and indulges in one or more of the above activities and most of us would not have to point the finger away from ourselves.
I think the early church found its satisfaction in communion and fellowship with their God and one another. When we meet our base desires for pleasure in forms of entertainment at church events, are we not substituting a deeper communion for a cheap thrill and quick fix for the flesh?
2 Timothy 3:4 tells us that in the last days men will be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. When entertainment replaces God as the center of a church community, we have surely seen this Scripture fulfilled before us.
Let us therefore strive for a new dedication to piety and devotion instead of chasing after every new fad and craze that sprouts up in the fallen world.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Here, there & back again
Well it's been two weeks since my last post. They've been quite eventful times, I had some house sitting to do and then went on a trip through a small portion (large by my own measure) of the state of Queensland. Visiting new places, ancestral lands and racing the floods back down was quite exciting.
I was busied today with many phone calls & trying to catch up with things now that I am finally home. One surprise waiting for me when I got up this morning was a visit from a pair of watchtower society tract distributors (hereafter JWs).
At my home, we almost never get visited by mormons or christadelphians despite their presence in the area, however the JWs will occasionally hazard a visit. I had not had visitors of this nature for many months and as usual was caught offguard by their appearance.
After raising a few questions in response to their pitch, I inevitably approached the issue of Christ's divinity. The important thing here is to remember that no matter how well you know the Word, always have a Bible at hand. I knew their corruption of John 1, knew their Bible retained Thomas calling Jesus "My Lord and my God!" in John 20:28 and a few other tricks, but had I had an open Bible I would have seen how atrocious their translation of 1 Colossians 1:15-6 was.
By changing "firstborn over all creation" to "firstborn of creation" & claiming all other things were created by Christ instead of all things, the New World Translation cements itself as a blasphemous and heretic corruption of the Holy Scriptures, designed to promote the ancient heresy revived by the watchtower society.
Is all this an issue for a site about eusebeia to be concerned with. Most definitely.
Eusebeia is all about correct and rightful reverence towards God, so we should all be precise about how much honour we afford to Jesus Christ. If Jesus was some super-spirit as they claim and we give Him adoration and glory, then He poses a threat to the worship of the True God. But if He is indeed that True God and we fail to give Him the reverence He deserves, we have failed in godliness.
Just as the nature of Christ is pivotal to all areas of the Christian faith, we see that in the case of eusebeia, no one can claim godliness without receiving it from Christ. Jesus gave us the perfect example to follow in giving honour to His Heavenly Father and ours. But we are mistaken if we fall into this deceitful trap of thinking that this reverence of the Father by the Son, somehow makes the Son less divine.
Philippians 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
I was busied today with many phone calls & trying to catch up with things now that I am finally home. One surprise waiting for me when I got up this morning was a visit from a pair of watchtower society tract distributors (hereafter JWs).
At my home, we almost never get visited by mormons or christadelphians despite their presence in the area, however the JWs will occasionally hazard a visit. I had not had visitors of this nature for many months and as usual was caught offguard by their appearance.
After raising a few questions in response to their pitch, I inevitably approached the issue of Christ's divinity. The important thing here is to remember that no matter how well you know the Word, always have a Bible at hand. I knew their corruption of John 1, knew their Bible retained Thomas calling Jesus "My Lord and my God!" in John 20:28 and a few other tricks, but had I had an open Bible I would have seen how atrocious their translation of 1 Colossians 1:15-6 was.
By changing "firstborn over all creation" to "firstborn of creation" & claiming all other things were created by Christ instead of all things, the New World Translation cements itself as a blasphemous and heretic corruption of the Holy Scriptures, designed to promote the ancient heresy revived by the watchtower society.
Is all this an issue for a site about eusebeia to be concerned with. Most definitely.
Eusebeia is all about correct and rightful reverence towards God, so we should all be precise about how much honour we afford to Jesus Christ. If Jesus was some super-spirit as they claim and we give Him adoration and glory, then He poses a threat to the worship of the True God. But if He is indeed that True God and we fail to give Him the reverence He deserves, we have failed in godliness.
Just as the nature of Christ is pivotal to all areas of the Christian faith, we see that in the case of eusebeia, no one can claim godliness without receiving it from Christ. Jesus gave us the perfect example to follow in giving honour to His Heavenly Father and ours. But we are mistaken if we fall into this deceitful trap of thinking that this reverence of the Father by the Son, somehow makes the Son less divine.
Philippians 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Conversations
Culture contrary to Godliness #4
II Peter 3:11 [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,
Ephesians 5:2-4 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Matthew 12:33-37 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Godliness, as mentioned in the post below, has everything to do with our attitude towards God and the life he calls us to lead (the link between godliness and holiness if you like).
I have noticed and indeed been guilty myself due to unwarranted passivity, a tendency for those called saints in the faith of Christ, often take delight in conversing about things that have nothing to do with our common salvation, Christian life or other issues.
Once again this is an issue that will be very easy for me to come across as legalistic, so let me say that I've no problem with Christians talking about general topics: weather, sport, politics, social issues etc; But if these things make up the sum and total of a fellowship's conversation, shouldn't it be of some concern?
To address the above Scriptures, I'm well aware, as someone may be led to point out, that the word conversation in the NT concerns broader conduct and interactions with others than mere talk, but naturally our narrow definition of conversation is contained within this broader one.
Holy conversation and godliness are essential to personal and corporate spiritual health as well as public testimony. So if the way we are conducting ourselves in both definitions of conversation is no different to that of the world, what message is sent to other Christians and non-believers alike. This is not all a holier-than-thou rant, but a call to consideration of what holiness and godliness mean in practical terms.
Looking at the Ephesians passage, this area of speech has often concerned me when in Christian company. When I deal with unsaved high-school students I expect sexually explicit speech of some sort, as well as racist, obscene and profane language at different times, but if this same speech emerges in Christian fellowship I wonder how many people have read Ephesians 5.
The reason I focus on these things: filthiness, foolish talking & jesting, is because they are culturally entrenched. I get accused often of telling lame jokes (as do almost all fathers and pastors I know!), but I take this lightly, because compared to the filth I spat out for humour in my teenage years, I know a lame pun is gentle and harmless even if it may be at the expense of being found quite as humourous.
I wonder if Christians insulting one another in a joking manner is included in this, as sometimes people do take this jesting to heart. Whether coming from a peer or a person in authority, personal jesting can be very destructive as a person may feel either unaccepted or perhaps merely not taken seriously by others. I must warn myself in writing this as much as anyone else. As I said, I am looking for things that are culturally entrenched. Things we partake in without thinking about, when we evidently should upon examination.
Finally, the warning against idle words is always sobering when preached effectively. We have all said utterly foolish things that are not productive and know that we could not possibly justify having said them. The scary thing is, this message is soon forgotten after it is heard by most people. In the context of the passage and in relation to the previous two, Christians should be bringing good things to bear through their mouths, while we would expect foul things to come from foul hearts.
Let that be a warning to us all.
I propose that the remedy to this is for us to bring the issue before our fellowship groups, however casual or organised, and remind one another when a conversation begins down this path. In this way, we might become more aware of our foolish speech and strive to avoid it and bring forth good things such as thanksgiving, encouragement and instruction from our mouths.
II Peter 3:11 [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,
Ephesians 5:2-4 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Matthew 12:33-37 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by [his] fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Godliness, as mentioned in the post below, has everything to do with our attitude towards God and the life he calls us to lead (the link between godliness and holiness if you like).
I have noticed and indeed been guilty myself due to unwarranted passivity, a tendency for those called saints in the faith of Christ, often take delight in conversing about things that have nothing to do with our common salvation, Christian life or other issues.
Once again this is an issue that will be very easy for me to come across as legalistic, so let me say that I've no problem with Christians talking about general topics: weather, sport, politics, social issues etc; But if these things make up the sum and total of a fellowship's conversation, shouldn't it be of some concern?
To address the above Scriptures, I'm well aware, as someone may be led to point out, that the word conversation in the NT concerns broader conduct and interactions with others than mere talk, but naturally our narrow definition of conversation is contained within this broader one.
Holy conversation and godliness are essential to personal and corporate spiritual health as well as public testimony. So if the way we are conducting ourselves in both definitions of conversation is no different to that of the world, what message is sent to other Christians and non-believers alike. This is not all a holier-than-thou rant, but a call to consideration of what holiness and godliness mean in practical terms.
Looking at the Ephesians passage, this area of speech has often concerned me when in Christian company. When I deal with unsaved high-school students I expect sexually explicit speech of some sort, as well as racist, obscene and profane language at different times, but if this same speech emerges in Christian fellowship I wonder how many people have read Ephesians 5.
The reason I focus on these things: filthiness, foolish talking & jesting, is because they are culturally entrenched. I get accused often of telling lame jokes (as do almost all fathers and pastors I know!), but I take this lightly, because compared to the filth I spat out for humour in my teenage years, I know a lame pun is gentle and harmless even if it may be at the expense of being found quite as humourous.
I wonder if Christians insulting one another in a joking manner is included in this, as sometimes people do take this jesting to heart. Whether coming from a peer or a person in authority, personal jesting can be very destructive as a person may feel either unaccepted or perhaps merely not taken seriously by others. I must warn myself in writing this as much as anyone else. As I said, I am looking for things that are culturally entrenched. Things we partake in without thinking about, when we evidently should upon examination.
Finally, the warning against idle words is always sobering when preached effectively. We have all said utterly foolish things that are not productive and know that we could not possibly justify having said them. The scary thing is, this message is soon forgotten after it is heard by most people. In the context of the passage and in relation to the previous two, Christians should be bringing good things to bear through their mouths, while we would expect foul things to come from foul hearts.
Let that be a warning to us all.
I propose that the remedy to this is for us to bring the issue before our fellowship groups, however casual or organised, and remind one another when a conversation begins down this path. In this way, we might become more aware of our foolish speech and strive to avoid it and bring forth good things such as thanksgiving, encouragement and instruction from our mouths.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Eusebeia 2008
Welcome to another year friends,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all those who've visited the site and taken the time to read some of the articles and posts. I hope it has been a blessing to you all.
Also, I wanted to clarify some terms to make the future of Eusebeian Way and the Eusebeia blog easier to move forward in 2008.
There are four words/concepts crucial to Christian life and the intentions of this blog that have some overlap in meaning and application and thus can sometimes lead to confusion.
I want to look at the meanings and implications of godliness (eusebeia), holiness (agiasmos), righteousness (dikaiosyne) & purity (agneia).
Godliness and it's meaning have been explored through various posts in the early days of this site. To summarise, it pertains mainly to our attitude towards God and our neighbour and whether we worship God in a way that is pleasing to Him and with sufficient reverence to His Majesty. Eusebeia comes from the greek words Eu (good/well) and sebomai (worship/reverence) and is also close in meaning to the English word piety in a positive, rather than cynical sense.
Holiness, often used synonymously with sanctification, is commonly simplified as the quality of being "set apart" for the service of God. It also conveys an idea of separateness, in that God's purity, excellency, majesty and other perfect attributes ensure His status and nature are quite distinct and separate from the created world. So too are we called to be holy even as the LORD is holy, and from the peculiar customs of the Israelite nation that separated them from the pagan nations, to the Way in which Christians walk and live, this distinction between God's people and the world is made evident.
Righteousness is doing that which is right in the sight of God and living according to His will.
Every Christian knows that they have failed to achieve this moral quality and lifestyle and in fact are naturally inclined to do the things that God despises, due to our sinful nature and imaginations. True righteousness has been manifested in Jesus Christ alone and the only way to attain that right moral and legal standing before God is through the justification of Christ.
Purity is specifically keeping ourselves clean from moral and spiritual filth. There are many things that would seek to taint our morals, our motives & our doctrines, but purity is emphasised in order to keep us white and clean before our God.
So as you can see, while there is definitely overlap, we have a need for more than just one blanket term to describe proper Christian living and culture.
I try and string them all together by saying we should aim for godly attitudes, holy lifestyles, righteous deeds and pure hearts.
I hope this is helpful for seeing how these concepts of the Christian life stand together and apart.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all those who've visited the site and taken the time to read some of the articles and posts. I hope it has been a blessing to you all.
Also, I wanted to clarify some terms to make the future of Eusebeian Way and the Eusebeia blog easier to move forward in 2008.
There are four words/concepts crucial to Christian life and the intentions of this blog that have some overlap in meaning and application and thus can sometimes lead to confusion.
I want to look at the meanings and implications of godliness (eusebeia), holiness (agiasmos), righteousness (dikaiosyne) & purity (agneia).
Godliness and it's meaning have been explored through various posts in the early days of this site. To summarise, it pertains mainly to our attitude towards God and our neighbour and whether we worship God in a way that is pleasing to Him and with sufficient reverence to His Majesty. Eusebeia comes from the greek words Eu (good/well) and sebomai (worship/reverence) and is also close in meaning to the English word piety in a positive, rather than cynical sense.
Holiness, often used synonymously with sanctification, is commonly simplified as the quality of being "set apart" for the service of God. It also conveys an idea of separateness, in that God's purity, excellency, majesty and other perfect attributes ensure His status and nature are quite distinct and separate from the created world. So too are we called to be holy even as the LORD is holy, and from the peculiar customs of the Israelite nation that separated them from the pagan nations, to the Way in which Christians walk and live, this distinction between God's people and the world is made evident.
Righteousness is doing that which is right in the sight of God and living according to His will.
Every Christian knows that they have failed to achieve this moral quality and lifestyle and in fact are naturally inclined to do the things that God despises, due to our sinful nature and imaginations. True righteousness has been manifested in Jesus Christ alone and the only way to attain that right moral and legal standing before God is through the justification of Christ.
Purity is specifically keeping ourselves clean from moral and spiritual filth. There are many things that would seek to taint our morals, our motives & our doctrines, but purity is emphasised in order to keep us white and clean before our God.
So as you can see, while there is definitely overlap, we have a need for more than just one blanket term to describe proper Christian living and culture.
I try and string them all together by saying we should aim for godly attitudes, holy lifestyles, righteous deeds and pure hearts.
I hope this is helpful for seeing how these concepts of the Christian life stand together and apart.
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