Theology Archives - Page 17 of 21 -

Category: Theology (page 17 of 21)

The problem with Bible stories for children

The problem with many Bible stories that we share with children on Sundays is that they’re not really for children.

I mean, the ones we share on Sundays are for children…but the ones found in Scripture aren’t. These are stories for adults. And if you made a movie out of them, they’d probably be rated R.

Take, for example, Noah and the flood. We like to share it with children because it has animals in it. And animals are cute. And kids like boats. But you know what really happened?

God killed the entire human race.

We also like to share the story of Moses, and the parting of the Red Sea. Pretty cool thinking about Pharaoh charging after Moses and the Israelites, Moses stretching his staff out, the waters parting, and the Israelites walking across on dry ground. Until we realize that thousands upon thousands of Egyptians died that day in the Red Sea. “Ok, kids…color that picture!”

Speaking of Moses, it sounds like a good idea to make a movie (or two or three) about the events leading up to the 10 commandments, right? Pretty cool to see the magicians trying to perform the plagues that Moses uses his staff to accomplish. Cute, no? Try ending your bedtime story with your children with, “And then all of the firstborn children died…” “Goodnight, my firstborn son…sleep tight!”

And it’s not that we shouldn’t tell our children the stories of the Bible. It’s just that we often rip out the parts that make the story what it is. I’m not all for sharing the gory details of these stories with my 2 year old. But the problem comes in when we as adults forget that there’s more to these stories.

Instead of engaging and true stories, we can easily equate them with the realm of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Great, well-told stories, but ultimately no more than a fantasy novel for children. And if we use that logic with Noah and Moses, what’s to stop us from using the same logic with the rest of Scripture? The adventures of Paul and the early church seem pretty far-fetched…speaking in tongues, healing people, the church growing by thousands when Peter and John would preach. The resurrection of Jesus? Fairy tale stuff. Jesus coming back to Earth to claim His Church? Nah…

I’m not against telling children the stories of the Bible. But I am against crafting a god that is safe, tame, half-hearted, and weak.

Let’s not let The Children’s Bible lull us, as adults, into sleep, thinking the Bible is full of fairy tales for children. The Bible is an intellectually robust, compelling story of God’s relentless pursuit of you.

Not just a fantasy novel.

A list of what God owes you

September 24, 2010 / Ben Reed / 8 Comments

Meaningless Talk

September 23, 2010 / Ben Reed / 0 Comments

My friends Steve Gladen and Bill Donahue talk about the fact that healthy, Biblical community is not full of meaningless talk.

Or, as Bill calls it here, vain janglings. To which Steve, like the rest of the world, says, “What?!?”

The problem with kittens

September 23, 2010 / Ben Reed / 2 Comments

Kittens are cute, right? I mean…who can resist a kitten?

They sneak, they pounce, they purr…and they’re just so cute and cuddly.

But there’s one glaring problem with kittens…they’re going to soon become cats.

Though it’s a longer discussion for another day, I could make a great theological argument why cats didn’t appear on the scene until after the Fall of man in Genesis 3 (j/k). And for the record, cats are never mentioned in the Bible (not j/k). Ever.

Why do I not like cats?

1. You don’t own a cat. A cat owns you. Which is a problem.

2. They don’t come when you call.

3. One day they love you, and the next day they act like they don’t know you.

4. Claws. I’ve been scratched by many cats. And it was in those moments that I wish I had claws so I could scratch those cats back.

5. Teeth. I’ve been bitten by a cat. Not the best day of my life.

6. I’m allergic to cats. I realize that this final reason is specific to me, but it’s enough of a deal for me to include.

I can put up with a kitten. All of the problems with cats above are small when the adult cat is just a kitten.

And the same thing could be said about our sin. Our sin, when it first starts, is rather manageable. Under control. Not all that damaging. “Acceptable” by you, and others.

But the problem is that, just like kittens, you can’t stop its growth. It’s inevitable that a kitten will grow into a cat.

A little bit of pride grows into hate.

A second glance at a girl becomes a life-altering struggle with lust.

A “little” lie matures into a difficulty with telling the full truth.

A tiny anger problem grows into an uncontrollable temper.

A little unthankfulness grows into greed.

When you notice sin in your life, take care of it before it has the chance to grow.

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. – James 1:14-15

At least it’s worse than mine

September 21, 2010 / Ben Reed / 4 Comments

Ever seen the show Hoarding: Buried Alive?

If you want to feel much better about the socks you have on your floor and your unmade bed, go ahead and watch this show. As my wife and I watched it, I honestly was blown away at the trash that has piled up in these people’s homes. It’s so visible to everybody else that there’s a problem here. But check out this quote from one of the people highlighted on the show:

I just found out I’m a hoarder.

My response to the TV (come on…I’m not the only one that talks to the TV, am I?) at that point:

Seriously?

The camera pans out to her living room, almost filled to the ceiling with stuff, with a pathway just barely wide enough to walk through to get from the front door to the kitchen. The kitchen table is so full that it can’t be eaten on (and hasn’t been for 6 years). In order to get into the bedroom, she has to move bags of more stuff and a cabinet. When the bedroom door opens, more stuff is piled nearly to the ceiling. Her husband hasn’t lived at home (because of the hoarding) for years, and her children are suffering as well, with one son saying lamenting the fact that he can’t ever have any friends over to hang out.

She’s just now realizing she’s got a problem?!?

Can I get a collective, “Wow. That’s sad. That’s so messed up.” Go ahead…everybody say it together…

Isn’t it so easy to notice someone else’s sin? It sticks out like a sore thumb (their thumb, not ours…if it were our sore thumb, we’d probably notice it). And it’s almost comical that they don’t see it themselves, right?

The flip side of that coin must be true as well…you have faults that are obvious to those around you, yet you go on not noticing them. Others look on and wonder, “How does he not notice?” … “Does she not even care?”

Why do we like to find people that have sins that are “worse” than ours? Because it helps us feel better about ourselves, easing our consciences. And it keeps our own struggles at bay. If there’s somebody out there worse than me, I don’t have to worry, because me and God…we must be good. Because God grades on the curve, right?

Which explains why in our churches, small groups, family gatherings, and circles of friends, it’s easier to say, “You’re not allowed” than to say, “I’ll walk this journey with you.”

We need others to help us see ourselves for who we really are…and are willing to say, “You’ve got mustard on your face.” Because our hearts are deceitful…even to ourselves (Jeremiah 17:9). We can walk through life thinking we’re pretty awesome…and other people are pretty rotten. And shows like Hoarding:Buried Alive only amplify that tendency. But if we have people in our lives that love us, encourage us, and are willing to walk through the junk with us…life’s much easier.

My sin’s not worse than yours. Yours isn’t worse than mine. We’re on this journey of the Christian life together.

And we’re better together than on our own.

Aging vs Maturing

September 9, 2010 / Ben Reed / 0 Comments

Growing older doesn’t guarantee you will grow in spiritual maturity.

Intentionally investing in your spiritual growth, though, does.

In our small group last night, we talked about the idea that as we grow older, there’s no promise that we’ll just fall naturally into godliness and spiritual maturity. It’s unnatural to do so.

The natural thing to do is to spend time doing things that distract us from our relationship with God and others. But just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s good. We brainstormed some things that aren’t evil (in and of themselves), but that distract us from a deeper relationship with God.

What are some things in your life that stall the spiritual maturing process? Can you begin to cut them out?

Because you can’t slow down aging…but you can slow down maturing.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:8-9

It’s like trying to find a diamond on a football field

September 7, 2010 / Ben Reed / 1 Comment

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. – Matthew 13:44-46

Kendall Langford, defensive end for the Miami Dolphins, lost a 2.5 karat diamond earring during practice on August 31st. (ESPN story HERE)

Without having insurance for the ring, you can understand why he spent an hour looking for it, then came back later (and got some help from his buddies) to try to find it.

You can watch the video HERE…but it’s just Langford and a few guys roaming the field, and finding nothing.

Nobody questions why Langford would spend hours combing the field for the diamond, do they? Nobody thinks, “Just let it go. Why even bother with it?” Why?

Because it’s valuable.

And if something is valuable enough, we’ll put the time in that’s necessary to find it.

Even to Langford, whose salary is beyond what most of us will ever make, losing a 2.5 karat diamond is enough to alter his plans for an entire afternoon. He probably had to give up some important meetings, had to put some people out, had to sacrifice other commitments…to find the diamond. And I bet he didn’t feel all that bad about what he had to give up, because the ring was that valuable to him.

We spend time doing, and bend our schedules around, things that are important to us.

Why do you spend time at the office? Because they give you a paycheck.

Why do you spend time watching a football game? Because you love your team.

Why do you spend time working on your golf game? Because you want to improve.

Why do you spend time watching a movie? Because relaxing is important to you.

Why do you not spend time working on your spiritual growth? Because it’s not that important to you.

If your own spiritual growth were more important to you, you’d spend more time developing it. You’d sacrifice other things. Put off other meetings and plans. Alter your life. Give up good things in favor of better things.

Your spiritual growth should be one of the most important things in your life. Why not give it a little more work?

What do you do to grow spiritually?

If you’re growing spiritually, where would you suggest someone who’s new to the faith should start?

The Battle

August 29, 2010 / Ben Reed / 1 Comment

The battle against sin is a tough one, isn’t it? The more and more we fight against it, the more and more it seems to keep creeping up on us.

And if you try to say you don’t really have any sin you’re dealing with, you’re fooling yourself. (See 1 John 1:8)

John Owen, a Puritan, in his book The Mortification of Sin, says,

“Indwelling sin always abides while we are in this world; therefore it is always to be mortified.”

Why is this fight against sin so tough? Because we’ve got flesh and bones…and a Spirit. And they don’t like each other. (see what I mean HERE)

The Apostle Paul understood that, and explained the battle well HERE.

Our battle with sin is a battle to the death. That besetting sin that keeps following you won’t give up until one of you dies. It’s relentless. It doesn’t take a day off. And the moment you take a day off, it’s ready to strike. Owen again rightly points out:

“Sin will not only be striving, acting, rebelling, troubling, disquieting; but, if let alone, if not continually mortified, will bring forth great, cursed scandalous, soul-destroying sins.”

If you’re serious about fighting against sin, why not do some real battling? Bring someone into your story. Confess your sins to someone other than God.

Setup boundaries. Understand your triggers. Know your weaknesses. But don’t try to go at this alone.

Eternity is worth it. And that’s what’s at stake.

I’ve been listening to Mumford & Sons a lot lately. Check out this video below…seems they’ve done some real battling against their addictions. I’ve posted some of the lyrics below it.

May you find a new resolve to fight against your sin.

The Cave

So make your siren’s call
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say

Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it’s meant to be

And I will hold on hope
And I won’t let you choke
On the noose around your neck

And I’ll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I’ll know my name as it’s called again

Don’t let it rot

August 25, 2010 / Ben Reed / 0 Comments

We went out of town last weekend, and came home to this in our garden.

If you leave a fruit on the vine too long, it rots. And rotting fruit looks, tastes, and smells disgusting.

Fruit was meant to be enjoyed by others. Not to rot on the vine and never be enjoyed.

The same is true with the gifts God gives the Church.

To individuals in the Church: If God has gifted you, and you’re not using that gift, there’s a great chance that the gift will rot and start to stink. If you’ve got a gift, use it! We (the Church) need you to.

To church leaders: Turn your folks loose to use their gifts. They’ll be honoring God, building the Church, and find themselves more satisfied.

This may lead to a bit of messiness, but the risk is worth it. Your church is full of people who have been gifted by God, and will be much healthier if their gifts are being utilized. Look for areas where people can use their gifts, and get them plugged in.

What gifts has God given you?

Have you been able to use them to build others up and honor God?

When it doesn’t go right

August 11, 2010 / Ben Reed / 2 Comments

Ever hit a rough spot in life?

The Bible’s full of people hitting rough spots.

In 2 Chronicles 32, it says that Hezekiah (the king of Judah in the early 700s – late 600s b.c.) had just finished doing what the Lord had asked him to do. In distributing food to the people, in following the laws and commands of the Lord, and in all that he did, he sought the Lord wholeheartedly. He was very successful. (2 Chronicles 31:20-21) Yet it was in the midst of this success that he was invaded by his enemy, the King of Assyria.

The people must have quickly lost hope. I’m sure some said, “We followed God, now this?!?” But Hezekiah encouraged the people with this:

Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.

So how should we view our circumstances? The ups and downs of life? Should we look at them as a door…opening and closing to different possibilities? Or should we look at them as an indicator of our spiritual health?

Here are a few things we can rightly say that circumstances are not:

1. Circumstances aren’t a good barometer for how you’re living your life. Hezekiah was following the Lord with all of his heart. He was seeking God wholeheartedly. Yet things were still crumbling around him. There can be a connection with how you’re living your life and the natural consequences you reap…but not always. I’ve heard people say that, when things fall apart, there must be some unconfessed sin in your heart that God’s punishing you for. Thankfully, I don’t think that God operates like that. If He worked off of a scale, and every sin I committed meant I got a given punishment, then my life would be a mess most of the time. I’m so thankful Christ has paid my ransom.

2. Circumstances aren’t a good barometer for how you should plan your life. If they were, then every time you failed a test, you could assume that God didn’t want you to finish school; every time you got sick, you could assume that God didn’t want you to do whatever you were set out to do; every time you were short on money, you could assume God wants you to do whatever it takes to get more money. Don’t plan your life around circumstances…plan them around what God’s called you to do. Circumstances are complicated. And if you’ll sit down and think through it, you could just as easily convince yourself that God’s leading you to do something as He is asking you not to do that same thing. Circumstances may help confirm the Lord’s work, but because of the work of Satan (which God allows…see Job 1.6-12), it’s hard to know for certain that a given situation is the Lord’s direct work.

3. Circumstances aren’t a good barometer for whether the Lord is with you or not. Hezekiah’s circumstances, from man’s perspective, looked pretty awful. He was being attacked! But the Lord was certainly with them. Just because you’re under attack doesn’t mean that the Lord has left you. In fact, He may have allowed you to come under attack so that He could rescue you. One thing he clearly loves to do. (see…the whole Bible)

If you find yourself in some difficult times, take hope that God’s not left you. He doesn’t do that. He works right in the midst of the difficulties.

I’ll post tomorrow about some things we can rightly assert about our circumstances. But until then,

Have you ever used circumstances, in and of themselves, to make a decision?

Have you found any of the above to be true in your life?