March 10, 202

     I remember one day as a kid, my friends and I were watching WWF wrestling and decided to make a dummy that we could fight. We got some old cloths and rope and some hay from the field behind my friend Jeremy’s house. 

     Once we had our dummy put together we set up a make shift ring and began practicing our moves. Apparently, our work was too good because a neighbour looking out their car window slammed on the breaks and ran out yelling for us to “stop hurting that kid.” We had to explain that it was just a dummy not a real person. 

     We have been watching a discussion on the necessity of baptism during our Wednesday evening bible study. One of the things that we have seen in the discussion is one side mischaracterize the other in order to criticize their position. 

     We might offer a couple of examples: one common objection to Calvinism is that “Calvinists believe infants are going to hell.” This seems like the implication of inherited sin as taught by Calvin however, he didn’t actually teach this and I have not come across any Calvinist who believed or taught it either. Just like the dummy I made with my friends, it’s easier to beat up on a fake person you made up than to fight a real person. So, when we make up a position that an opponent doesn’t actually hold then attack that made up position we are not engaging in fair honest debate. This debate tactic is called making a “straw man.” (I should point out that this particular example didn’t come up in the discussion we are watching but it is a common talking point raised in objection to Calvinist teaching.)

     Another example of this which did come up in the debate is the common claim that Churches of Christ teach that you must merit salvation. That is you must do something to make it so that God owes you, such that he must save you, because you deserve it. This is a mischaracterization similar to the one made above about Calvinists. 

     This is not the only time that we see this kind of thinking. Often various political positions are treated similarly: Liberals beliefs, Conservatives beliefs, Socialists beliefs are all often followed up with an overly simplistic description which is then attacked and dismissed.

     Biblical truth can also be treated this way. Sometimes when we are faced with a difficult teaching of scripture we are tempted to oversimplify it so that we can dismiss it. 

     It’s important that we recognize this tactic when others do it especially those we agree with and point it out so that if a teaching is wrong, it can be accurately described and then exposed as error. We also need to be aware of when someone else is doing this to us and point out that they are not accurately describing what we believe or what the Bible teaches. This can allow us to do a better job sharing the truth in love. It’s always better to do this by asking questions and seeking clarification than by making accusations. 

     While it’s often emotionally satisfying to get a zinger on some position political or scriptural that we disagree with it is usually not helpful in reaching people with the truth of salvation. Lets make sure we are fighting the good fight no making straw men for our own satisfaction.

~ Kevin Cleary

 

March 4, 202

Much of the discussion in our evangelism class reminded me about this article I wanted to share it ~ Kevin

Each year, Apple hosts the WWDC (Word Wide Developer’s Conference) at which time they roll out their newest and coolest upgrades and gadgets. Since I love technology I’m always anxious to see what new gadget or tweak has been done to make my life and work easier, better, more productive, or simply more fun. Whether it’s a new operating system, a new version of the iPhone, or simply some application tweaks, this conference is the culmination of a year’s worth of dreaming, planning, research, and development by the people at Apple. And as a result, each year I am “wowed” at some the new technology and left wondering, “what will they come up with next?”

Could it be that “the world” dreams bigger, plans better, works harder, troubleshoots longer, and advertises louder for things that will perish than God’s people do for that which is eternal?

But now, here’s my point. Do you remember the parable of the “Shrewd Steward” (Luke 16:1-13)? Jesus commends this steward, not for his dishonesty, but for his shrewdness, and then says, “For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light” (Luke 16:8). In other words, could it be that “the world” dreams bigger, plans better, works harder, troubleshoots longer, and advertises louder for things that will perish than God’s people do for that which is eternal?

What “wow” moments are we creating for the kingdom of God? What have we done to cause people to sit up and take notice? How much time are we spending as individuals or collectively with our congregations in dreaming, planning, and troubleshooting for the kingdom’s sake? Can you remember the last time you got together with fellow Christians for the purpose of brainstorming about the work of the church? Have you ever done that? Are you content to keep doing the same things in the same ways you’ve always done them? I’ll tell you this, Apple didn’t get where it is today by being content with the first generation of their products. They continually, dream, tweak, streamline, and enhance their product. Without changing the gospel, can we not; should we not; must we not tweak, streamline, jettison, and enhance how we do what we do as the church? Paul instructed Titus to “adorn” the doctrine of God (Titus 2:10). To adorn something is to make something more beautiful or attractive. What thought have we been giving lately to “adorning” the doctrine of God?

Friends, Jesus didn’t speak this parable for nothing. Don’t allow the sons of the world to be more shrewd than the sons of light. Don’t allow the sons of the world to work harder for that which is perishing than the sons of light work for that which is eternal. To borrow the words of Jesus, “Go and learn what this means…” One more thing. Don’t sit and wait for someone else to take the initiative. Don’t sit and blame your elders for having no vision. Don’t blame your brethren for being in a “rut.” If you understand what Jesus was saying in this parable, then get busy and obey it. If you understand the need to be shrewd, then take the initiative to pull people together and starting planning.

Just think how much more individuals and some congregations could do if they would just spend as much time thinking about the growth of the kingdom as they do planning their vacation or where to set the thermostat during worship.

Steve Higginbotham

 

February 25, 202

     We said last time that Jesus does have something to say about human sexuality. Jesus was concerned about bringing people to God’s will on every issue. God created us including our sexual identity as male and female. Jesus takes us back to creation for an understanding of how God intends us to function as sexual beings. 

     What he said to paraphrase is that God has designed a specific way for human sexuality to be expressed. It is between one man and one woman in a lifelong committed relationship (Mat 5:27-32; 19:1-12; Mrk 10:1-12). Any expression of sexuality outside of this God approved situation is wrong. This would include any number of scenarios from adulterous affairs, to unwed couples who engage in intercourse, to pornography. There is an important principle here that we need to keep in mind. When God gives a specific direction it excludes every other option. God specifically directs us to engage in sexual activity only within a marriage relationship between one man and one woman. Every other scenario is sin. This includes but is not limited to homosexual practices.

     I read a story recently about a person who bought a new table. They must have had a child like my own because someone stood up on the table. Not surprisingly the table would not bear the weight and broke. A young person fell and was injured. The parents brought suit against the manufacturer of the table because of its failure to hold their child. The manufacturer was not held responsible for the accident. Why? Because they argued and rightly so that the table was not being used as intended and so there could be no expectation that it would not fall apart. 

     When it comes to human sexuality it was designed by God and meant to be expressed in a committed marriage between one man and one woman. When we abuse our sexuality by not using it as intended and as we are designed to use it it’s a dangerous situation. We should not be surprised when pain, hurt, and even long term damage results. 

     It is not a sin to feel an attraction to another person or group of people. For someone to feel attracted to another of the same gender is not sin. Just as it is not sin for a woman to be attracted to a man or men in general. Both of these situations require the person to practice restraint and not act on their attraction by either lusting or acting out their attraction. The difference between these two is that homosexual attraction is unnatural in that it is not in keeping with how God has designed us. 

     One last point needs to be made in regards to feelings. Just because we feel a certain way does not make it right or natural. In fact we could list hundreds of situations where everyone agrees that acting on a particular feeling would be wrong. 

     As Christians especially and even just as humans we need to accept and embrace God’s plan for sexuality. We will be better off as a species and as individuals. When we encounter those who are not living as God intends in this or any part of life our attitude needs to be one of lovingly pointing people to God’s will just like Jesus did.

~ Kevin Cleary

 

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