February 19, 202

     A few years ago, an article appeared in the Owen Sound Paper in which the author indicated that the New Testament does not condemn homosexuality. Then more recently I heard one writer talk about what he calls red letter Christians. These, he says, base all of their beliefs on the words of Jesus (those in red in some older translations). The reason they do this is that Jesus says nothing directly about homosexuality and so they feel they can follow him as practicing homosexuals. 

     For the most part those I am in regular contact with don’t spend much time discussing this issue. That’s because on one side those who are strong advocates of gay rights don’t care a thing about the Bible or the God it describes. Then on the other side are those who simply accept all of scripture as inspired by God and seek to live according to his will revealed in the New Testament. These take the teaching of Romans 1, I Corinthians 6, I Timothy 1 and accept that homosexuality is a sin along with many others. 

     So there are really only a few who want to accept, advocate, or practice homosexuality while at the same time claiming to follow Jesus. First it’s important to point out that anyone who gives any thought to the teaching of Jesus and wants to apply it to their life is engaged in a worthy effort. Second it must be pointed out that there are many who claim to follow Jesus while being unwilling to submit to his teaching on any number of issues. 

     Now to the crux of the discussion, the first important point that needs to be made is that someone who claims to follow the words of Jesus is only doing that if they follow the whole of New Testament teaching. Jesus explains the process of inspiration by saying that there is more he has to teach but that it will come later by the work of the Holy Spirit. He goes on to say that the Holy Spirit will reveal not his own message but Jesus’ message “He will take what is mine and declare it to you (John 16:12-15).” So, when we read what the New Testament writers have written we are reading the words of Jesus, just as if he were speaking them himself. Paul later reminds us of this point when he says “If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.”

     So point one we can’t claim to be following Jesus teaching if we are making a distinction between the gospels and the rest of the New Testament. 

     However there is another important point that is often overlooked. Jesus did speak to the issue of human sexuality, including homosexuality. I would urge the reader to look at Jesus teaching in Matthew 5:27-32, 19:1-12 and parallel passages. Jesus here teaches that marriage between a man and woman for life as the only acceptable place for sexual activity to take place. Jesus then does in fact teach clearly on human sexuality both in his full revelation contained in the New Testament as well as during his earthly ministry recorded in the gospels. 

~ Kevin Cleary

 

February 11, 202

We live in a time where thankfully many people acknowledge the inherent value of human life. Where we understand that all men are created equal and that value is not based on dollars in the bank impressive titles physical or mental abilities. Rather all souls are precious because they are from God who gives life. While we can be thankful that most in society agree with these truths we should also understand that this was not always the case. Some would argue that progress once made is sure and established but this is not the testimony of history. We live in a country where we have given up the sanctity of life if that life is just starting out, or if that life is uncomfortable, or sadly even if its just inconvenient. The Federal Liberal party recently tried and failed to pass a bill that would allow people dealing with mental illness to avail themselves of Physician assisted suicide. This time thankfully it failed. While we can be thankful for the mentally ill. Such is not the case for unborn babies who can be killed in Canada even up to the moment of delivery.

The equality and protection we enjoy is tenuous at best and losing it is the most logical implication of secularism. I want to turn your attention away from the sanctity of life to the equality of the sexes because this too is a principal that must be based on God’s creation. Notice that God placed man and woman above creation and said “Let them have dominion.” Consider below a short quotation from an Apologetics press article talking about the beliefs of Darwin.

The logical implications of Darwinism lead the honest thinker to the conclusion that equality for all humans is illusory. Not only did Charles Darwin admit that Darwinian evolution implies that certain races of people are inferior to others, with equal candor he concluded that women are inferior to men as well (see Lyons and Butt, 2009). In his monumental work, The Descent of Man, Darwin wrote:

The chief distinction in the intellectual powers of the two sexes is shown by man’s attaining to a higher eminence, in whatever he takes up, than can woman—whether requiring deep thought, reason, or imagination, or merely the use of the senses and hands…. [T]he average of mental power in man must be above that of woman…. [M]an has ultimately become superior to woman (1871, pp. 873-874, emp. added).

According to Darwin, males had evolved to a higher level than females. As evidence of his conclusion, he simply stated that males “attain to a higher eminence” in everything that they take up when compared to females. Using this line of reasoning, it would be impossible to condemn men for treating women as inferior, because, if men have the mental or physical ability to treat women as inferior, it must mean that men are stronger or more fit to survive and rule. It is ironic that the atheistic community, which is so enamored with Darwin, is suggesting that the Bible’s view of women is immoral. In reality, if their view of atheistic evolution is true, then all male-dominated societies are such because males are more able to dominate. And since survival of the fittest is desired, one must conclude that a male dominated society, in which women are viewed as inferior to men (as Darwin put it), must be at least one very prevalent natural order of things. Even if the skeptical community is right concerning its accusations about the Bible’s “mistreatment” of women (which it is not), how could the Bible be accused of maintaining an immoral stance, when that stance coincides perfectly with the Darwinian view of the “natural order of things?” In truth, those who propound atheism and Darwinian ideals have a much more thorny problem with the logical implications of their ideas as they relate to women, than those who teach that the Bible is the inspired Word of a perfectly moral God.

Sadly, most are not aware of what’s at stake and so run from God thinking that his moral imperatives are a restrictive fence when in fact they are a guard rail protecting us from a cliff.

This becomes just one more reason to share the Love and Truth of God with all who will hear.

~ Kevin Cleary

 

February 4, 202

I have a younger cousin who works as an engineer. While in school he learned lots of physics. One of the things he learned a lot about is the mechanics of air flow. When he got into the working world he didn’t take a job which directly dealt with air flow mechanics instead he works designing pumps. I once asked him “How did you end up doing that”. He pointed out that although he had little training in fluid dynamics but water moves in almost the exact same way that air does. He later took this same knowledge of the way water moves and combined it with his love of fishing to create a lure. All of this makes a great illustration of wisdom verses knowledge. 

     Knowledge you can get out of a book. Wisdom however is the ability to take what you have found in the book and apply it in new and different ways. Everyone who’s been in school knows how to study for a test verses how to study and learn the material. 

     When we study the Bible this discussion become paramount; The Bible contains everything we need for “life and godliness” such that we can be fully equipped for living the Christian life (2Pet 1:3; 2Tim 3:17). Some have considered these statements and thought; but wait, the Bible does not mention telephone fraud, or road rage. The right response to this is the Bible gives us all the knowledge we need to deal with any situation but God expects us to have the wisdom to apply it (Heb 5:14). 

     When we study the Bible then it is not to memorize material for a test. It is to learn and embrace knowledge that can be applied to real life. It’s to become so familiar with that subject of scripture “the Christ” that we become like him. This is wisdom, to take what we read in scripture and let it change us into his image.

~ Kevin Cleary

 

     Before you start reading this, I want to challenge you to think of the dumbest idea you possibly can. Maybe it’s something you witnessed in real life, more likely though it’s something you consider too dumb for anyone to ever attempt. Maybe it’s skateboarding down a ladder or peanut butter and baloney sandwiches (If you think this sounds good, stop reading now, you probably won’t enjoy the rest of the article). 

     If you’re still reading, then I want to dissuade you of your previously held notion that some ideas are obviously dumb to everyone. As a sometimes ski patroller and firefighter I can tell you that I have witnessed the aftermath of so many bad ideas that my faith in humanity has been eroded down to the size of a grain of sand. Sometimes human foolishness is tragic sometimes sad and sometimes funny. What I can no longer say is that it’s unbelievable. 

     We all know and can give examples of exceptionally foolish ideas that have led people into all kinds of problems. I know it’s often a cartoon joke, but I have seen someone cut the wall stud off that was holding their ladder. I have responded to car accidents where someone was eating while driving on ice in a blizzard and talking on the phone. These terrible ideas serve as an important reminder.

     Biblical truths like honesty, forgiveness, compassion, or sobriety seem painfully obvious yet often we struggle with these things.  Further, despite ample evidence and demonstrable pain and damage people continue to defend sexual promiscuity and legalize drug use. Along with many other worldly practices. 

     We have yet to consider those who claim to believe in scripture. I have heard those claiming to be Christians claim that Jesus was gay or trans. I have heard people defend the idea that the Bible teaches communism. On many, many, occasions I have had someone read the Bible for themselves only to say “well that’s just your opinion.” Unbiblical ideas proliferate in Biblical studies and theology. I would go so far as to say if you can identify any clear teaching of scripture, you can just as easily identify someone who claims to be a Christian opposing that idea. 

     Why do I say all this, it’s not to get you down but rather to prepare you. People are sinful and flawed and so will believe ideas that are sinful and flawed. We need to show these people compassion and do our best to help them discover the truth and how God’s love grace and truth offer a far better solution to the human condition than anything in the world. So, the next time you hear someone on the news or on social media say something dumb just remember that it’s par for the course and all we can do is share good ideas (God’s truth) to help a few not fall for whatever the current horrible trend happens to be.

~ Kevin Cleary 

January 21, 202

     There is a wonderful poem about the relationship between Jesus and the Christian called footprints it has inspired and encouraged many. Often seen this poem combined with a picture of footprints on a beach. Having spent some time on the beach a problem arises in my mind. If you try to follow footprints on the beach you can only go so far before the next wave removes all traces of the tracks you have been following. 

     I have been studying what is called the quest for the historical Jesus which seeks the footprints of Jesus in history. It wants to look behind the traditions and uncover the real Jesus. The problem faced by many who have tried to track Jesus in history is like the path on the beach. The trail is progressively eroded not by waves but by bias and imagination. Many have pointed out the tendency for scholars who pursue the historical Jesus to wind up chasing their tails. Repeatedly they have arrived at a description of Jesus that amounts to a self portrait. A good example is Albert Schweitzer who after pointing to this shortfall in others went and did the same thing.

     There is a key principle here that New Testament Christians need to consider. It’s not just scholars who have a tendency to imagine a Jesus who is like them. All Christians come to Jesus with biases which can erode the footprints they are trying to follow in their attempt to be like Jesus. 

     We need a better way than seeking footprints we need a path. Meaford is near the Niagara Escarpment and so we get many visitors who are hiking the Bruce trail which follows it.  The trail is not hard to follow because it has clearly marked signs guiding the way. This is what we need if we are going to follow Jesus. A clearly marked trail that will show us the way and this is exactly what Jesus has provided. In John 16:12-13 He promised his apostles that he would send the Holy Spirit who would guide them into all truth. Those same apostles wrote down the truths that Jesus wanted communicated so that they could be preserved for all who wanted to follow him (I Cor 2:6-16; Eph 3:3-5; II Pet 1:20-21). So in seeking to follow Jesus we are not left with footprints in the sand but a clearly marked trail.

     This trail is trustworthy (despite what you may hear from the Jesus Seminar) and assured. This should provide the Christian with great confidence. However the trail is not easy. In fact Jesus warned that following him costs (Luke 9:23-27;57-62). He warned that the trail is narrow and not many will find it (Matt 7:13-14). However hard the going may be though it is made easy by the fact that we know Jesus has gone this way before us (John 16:32). We also know the end of the trial is eternal life with the Lord we’ve been following (Jn 14:1-6). 

     My prayer for myself and Christ’s church is that we would commit ourselves to the trail left by our Lord. That we would go where he leads in this life so that as many as possible will find the trail and walk it with us. I would urge you to join me in this prayer and on this trail.

~ Kevin Cleary