Not a Good Example!
As a Christian, I am in a church community that 'makes something' of a season prior to Christmas, called Advent. Advent means 'arrival', and points us to the arrival of Jesus at his birth, and the arrival of Jesus at his coming-appearing, at the close of history as we know it (the telos), and at the full unveiling (revelation) of the wholly renewed creation, where evil no longar has any place. A thrilling prospect!
One of the most helpful things to learn from John the Baptiser, is that he does not point to himself. He always points away from himself and towards Jesus. He cries out "Look! the Lamb of God. He takes away the sins of the world. I am not worthy even to untie his smelly sandals (or similar)". He is saying: 'Look how great this man Jesus really is.'
John 1:6-8 says:
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
How often the cliche` has been heard in Christian circles: 'we must be a good example to others'. I suggest the best way to do that is to 'not be a good example', but rather, to point to the greatness of Jesus, the Christ.
Set out to be good example, in, and of yourself, and you may find that you are not such a good example. What then?
The Apostle Paul, the Christian Paul, the new man Paul, still called himself the chief of sinners. And he said to imitate his example. And what was that?
Once again, 'we preach not ourselves' but Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Creation, Fall, Redemption, 1,2,3
Creation, the Fall and Redemption [1,2.3]
The way in which we understand the world around us depends largely upon the framework we have for our thinking, and actions. Communism is largely a failed framework for thinking. Atheism is quite popular, (even if failing to make anys sense of the question of purpose).
Hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure is a popular framework for thought. Again it does not address the difficult questions, and is essentially selfish. Also, I understand that - ancient Paganism is seeing something of a resurgence - an attempt to make sense of the world, dabbling with the occult, and yet failing to answer questions about Jesus.
Islam is a system, or framework for thinking, and actions [we sure have been reminded of the actions that flow from faulty thinking!]
The faith and understanding given to us by Jesus, and the Apostles, and built upon the law and the prophets is essentially a threefold framework:
1. Creation.
2. The Fall
3. Redemption
Of course, these 3 are all helpful when considered in relationhsip to Jesus Christ, and seeing His Lordship over each, as Son of God, and Son of Man.
The Eternal Son of God, is the Co-Creator (of Creation), the True Man (without sin and a Man who has not participated in "the Fall"), and the new Adam (the Redeemer) who reverses the horror of the Fall, by becoming a curse - for us. He rises from death, to bless us all in his redemptive power, so that God’s orginal blessing for Creation may be fulfilled.
When we encounter disaster, sadness, and deep disintegration of community within creation, we do well to remember that the Fall was a long fall, a large fall, an horrendous fall, and no small 'oops'. It was a tragic conspiracy to believe the lie, and to call down upon us the judgment of death, the curse of 'thorns and thistles' and 'pain in childbirth' - ways of speaking of the anguish of the curse. Disease, malfunction within creation - all flow from the fall.
There is however a Redeemer - the Creator of the world, and the only One able to 'make all things new'. This Redeemer is our hope. He HAS redeemed - in that Cross. We ever anticipate the grand outworking of his resurrection power.
Creation. The Fall. Redemption.
"This however you must know: I find that God made man simple; man's complex problems are of his own devising". (Ecclesiastes 7:29 - Jerusalem Bible)
Prayer: "Lord we praise you for the framework in which to truly think, and act, in life".
Cheers, Trevor
The way in which we understand the world around us depends largely upon the framework we have for our thinking, and actions. Communism is largely a failed framework for thinking. Atheism is quite popular, (even if failing to make anys sense of the question of purpose).
Hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure is a popular framework for thought. Again it does not address the difficult questions, and is essentially selfish. Also, I understand that - ancient Paganism is seeing something of a resurgence - an attempt to make sense of the world, dabbling with the occult, and yet failing to answer questions about Jesus.
Islam is a system, or framework for thinking, and actions [we sure have been reminded of the actions that flow from faulty thinking!]
The faith and understanding given to us by Jesus, and the Apostles, and built upon the law and the prophets is essentially a threefold framework:
1. Creation.
2. The Fall
3. Redemption
Of course, these 3 are all helpful when considered in relationhsip to Jesus Christ, and seeing His Lordship over each, as Son of God, and Son of Man.
The Eternal Son of God, is the Co-Creator (of Creation), the True Man (without sin and a Man who has not participated in "the Fall"), and the new Adam (the Redeemer) who reverses the horror of the Fall, by becoming a curse - for us. He rises from death, to bless us all in his redemptive power, so that God’s orginal blessing for Creation may be fulfilled.
When we encounter disaster, sadness, and deep disintegration of community within creation, we do well to remember that the Fall was a long fall, a large fall, an horrendous fall, and no small 'oops'. It was a tragic conspiracy to believe the lie, and to call down upon us the judgment of death, the curse of 'thorns and thistles' and 'pain in childbirth' - ways of speaking of the anguish of the curse. Disease, malfunction within creation - all flow from the fall.
There is however a Redeemer - the Creator of the world, and the only One able to 'make all things new'. This Redeemer is our hope. He HAS redeemed - in that Cross. We ever anticipate the grand outworking of his resurrection power.
Creation. The Fall. Redemption.
"This however you must know: I find that God made man simple; man's complex problems are of his own devising". (Ecclesiastes 7:29 - Jerusalem Bible)
Prayer: "Lord we praise you for the framework in which to truly think, and act, in life".
Cheers, Trevor
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
What are hierophants?
What are hierophants?
It is a term, once commonly used by the Greeks. It is regaining currency.
It is a person who interprets, unfolds and explains mysteries.
The Christian - Paul, the apostle, claimed to be a steward of the mysteries of God.
Hierophants - genuine hierophants - are of enormous help to the human race. This is particularly so, where they open the mysteries of God, creation, humanity, life, suffering, wisdom and purpose to human beings. They help us to proceed with a new sense of confidence. The greatest of hierophants - in my opinion - begins with Jesus of Nazareth.
'Never has anyone spoken like this' (John 7:46).
The list of hierophants - then burgeons out. It harks back to Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, David (Psalms) and Moses and Abraham - and then it ranges down through the teachings and peculiar insights of Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus), Peter, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew and so on.
Further on there is the genius of Athanasius, the great (though fallible) Augustine, Luther (although uncouth), Calvin, Wesley, Whitfield, Edwards, Kierkegaard, James Denney, R.W. Dale, P.T. Forsyth, Karl Barth, T.F. Torrance, James Torrance, N.T. Wright, Alister McGrath, Os Guinness, Leslie Newbigin, J.I. Packer, Eberhard Jungel, Geoffrey C. Bingham, Dean Carter, John Piper, Tom Smail, Baxter Kruger, Daniel Shayesteh and the list goes on.
Of course, to be more endearing to many readers, I should also have mentioned Miriam, Mary Magdalene, Timothy's mother Eunice, and grandmother Lois, Phoebe (Paul's fellow worker), Priscilla, Susannah Wesley, and the lovely woman with the 'pair of pig-tails', next to Martin Luther, my mum - Betty, my wife - Lynne, and so many others - not by way of tokenism, but by way of recognition as joint heirs in the grace of life. But... I mentioned those who have helped me most in terms of my reading, and the insights they have given through their teaching.
I wonder who the hierophants are, who have helped you most?
It is a term, once commonly used by the Greeks. It is regaining currency.
It is a person who interprets, unfolds and explains mysteries.
The Christian - Paul, the apostle, claimed to be a steward of the mysteries of God.
Hierophants - genuine hierophants - are of enormous help to the human race. This is particularly so, where they open the mysteries of God, creation, humanity, life, suffering, wisdom and purpose to human beings. They help us to proceed with a new sense of confidence. The greatest of hierophants - in my opinion - begins with Jesus of Nazareth.
'Never has anyone spoken like this' (John 7:46).
The list of hierophants - then burgeons out. It harks back to Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, David (Psalms) and Moses and Abraham - and then it ranges down through the teachings and peculiar insights of Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus), Peter, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew and so on.
Further on there is the genius of Athanasius, the great (though fallible) Augustine, Luther (although uncouth), Calvin, Wesley, Whitfield, Edwards, Kierkegaard, James Denney, R.W. Dale, P.T. Forsyth, Karl Barth, T.F. Torrance, James Torrance, N.T. Wright, Alister McGrath, Os Guinness, Leslie Newbigin, J.I. Packer, Eberhard Jungel, Geoffrey C. Bingham, Dean Carter, John Piper, Tom Smail, Baxter Kruger, Daniel Shayesteh and the list goes on.
Of course, to be more endearing to many readers, I should also have mentioned Miriam, Mary Magdalene, Timothy's mother Eunice, and grandmother Lois, Phoebe (Paul's fellow worker), Priscilla, Susannah Wesley, and the lovely woman with the 'pair of pig-tails', next to Martin Luther, my mum - Betty, my wife - Lynne, and so many others - not by way of tokenism, but by way of recognition as joint heirs in the grace of life. But... I mentioned those who have helped me most in terms of my reading, and the insights they have given through their teaching.
I wonder who the hierophants are, who have helped you most?
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