Life. Faith. Jesus.

The following post comes from Reformation Theology’s website.

I have simply copied and pasted this content without direct permission. That is why the entire post is not it its full written form. Please go to Reformation Theology’s website to read full article. This is very interesting and worth reading. Very interesting and worthy of reading and commenting on their website.

— BEGIN ARTICLE —

Recently, I’ve been trusted

Everyone experiences that, yes? Someone, sometime, trusts you with something – something precious. Whether small or large, priceless or pity, when entrusted with something that your truster finds of value, you have found an unearned favor in the eyes of that person. I’ve been entrusted with many things in my life, and many times I’ve dropped the ball, while others I’ve not done too bad. One thing I have been entrusted with, to which the use of it is still too much for me to bear in and of myself, is the Word of God. For the Lord to have done a sanctifying and saving work in me is beyond my ability to reconcile. All I do at this point is trust He is good and wants to do a good work in me. Let Him be glorified forever, Amen.

I’m not sure if that was a tangent, but it seemed to fit into context.

Am I talking about salvation here? No. Recently me and a friend have been exchanging our thoughts and understandings of Scripture. Specifically speaking, we are discussing some theological doctrines that we have different views on. So what does this have to do with trust? Well, my friend has trusted me. This person has trusted me with their understanding of Scripture, and has welcomed mine, also. In exchange, I have done the same. To some, this can be a vulnerable area, and I am very grateful I have been given the opportunity to discuss theology. What is more is that we are both pursuing Christ, and both want to glorify God in our pursuits.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

There can be freedom in our conversation, because there is not a division of the Spirit of God. We are both in the Christian worldview; which excludes Jahova’s Witnesses, Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints), Masons, New Age Christianity, Church of Christ Scientists, Universalism, and many more. Basically, Christianity is exclusive. It stands alone from all other religions. Do not get this mixed up with denominations. As we are of different denominations, we are still under the Christian perspective, which is guided by the authoritative, infallible Word of God.

Vigorously debate, but do not divide

While we are not really debating, this can happen between brothers and sisters in Christ. It does not mean that it is bad. Actually, it can be good. I have another friend who I debated with and we are extremely good friends, because our purpose wasn’t to attack each other. If you are not ready for debating, or your Christian sibling is not ready for it, then don’t do it. The purpose is to glorify God, not self. So, Christians can debate “in house,” but please, do not let it divide.

Through this process I learn

I learn how my friend thinks, and they learn how I think. I am able to receive some objections to what I believe, and the same with them. We learn from each other, us Christians. There are some things within Christendom that are not negotiable. The major ones are:

• The centrality of Jesus
• The fallen nature of mankind
• The Trinity – or Triune nature of God
• The Oneness of God
• Salvation by grace alone, through faith alone; it is not earned
• Jesus, thus Christianity, is entirely exclusive
• Jesus is the only way to the Father
• Jesus, indeed, rose physically from the grave and is returning for his bride, the Church
• Jesus was born of a virgin

This is all I can think of right now, you may want to add to the list. What people do need to understand is that a person new in faith – a babe in Christ – who has not learned of these doctrines does not mean they are outside of Christian faith. They are simply growing – and this can be a long process. It is the utter denial of these doctrines that puts someone on the outside of Christendom.

So I am thankful

I have been entrusted with my friend’s understanding of some doctrine(s). I, too, put myself on a limb and share my understandings of Scripture with them. It is a wonderful thing when Christians can have as much grace with each other as they do with non-Christians!

Have you had the opportunity to reveal what you understand the Scriptures to mean? Have you had the opportunity to share your theological understandings? Find someone you can trust and give it a try! Give grace, receive grace.

- Jonathan J.

So, I finally read a book that has been beckoning me for a while

A friend of mine, Don, gave me a book some time ago. Actually, it was like a year or more ago. It is the book The Cost of Discipleship, written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I just began reading it and am through the first chapter and half way through the second. So far, I love this book. I wonder why in the world did I wait so long to read it.

I would like to give you an excerpt of one of my favorite parts thus far, among many others. First, I will give you the Scripture passage that this excerpt follows:(I cannot find which translation this is, but it is closest to the American Standard Version, ASV)

“And they went to another village. And as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, ‘I will follow thee withersoever thou goest.’ And Jesus said unto him, ‘The foxes have holes, and the birds of heaven have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.’ And he said unto another, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.’ But he said unto him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead, but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.’ And another said, ‘I will follow thee, Lord; but suffer me first to bid farewell to them that are at my house.’ But Jesus said unto him, ‘No man, having put his hand unto the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:57-62 ASV)

Says Bonhoeffer,

“The first disciple offers to follow Jesus without waiting to be called. Jesus damps his ardour by warning him that he does not know what he is doing. In fact he is quite incapable of knowing. That is the meaning of Jesus’ answer – he shows the would-be disciple what life with him involves. . . . The gulf between a voluntary offer to follow and genuine discipleship is clear.
But where Jesus calls, he bridges the widest gulf. The second would-be disciple wants to bury his father before he starts to follow. He is held bound by the trammels of the law. He knows what he wants and what he must do. Let him first fulfill the law, and then let him follow. A definite legal ordinance acts as a barrier between Jesus and the man he has called. But the call of Jesus is stronger than the barrier. At this critical moment nothing on earth, however sacred, must be allowed to come between Jesus and the man he has called – not even the law itself. Now, if never before, the law must be broken for the sake of Jesus; it forfeits all its rights if it acts as a barrier to discipleship. Therefore Jesus emerges at this point as the opponent of the law, and commands a man to follow him. Only the Christ can speak in this fashion. He alone has the last word. His would-be follower cannot kick against the pricks. This call, this grace, is irresistible” (60-61).

Wow, what a devotional commentary!

There are far more quotes that I have highlighted in this short 1 1/2 chapters I have read. But I thought this one may bless you today. So as I read this book, I cannot help but think of how great a discipleship book it is – that two or more people can get some good feedback with each other if they were to read it together.

Did you see it coming?

So, my question to you is if you would like to do some devotional writing on this. Would you? I understand that you probably don’t have the book, and I certainly cannot buy one for you, but I CAN highlight some significant thoughts of each chapter and write a brief commentary of those chapters here on SortingBeans. Then, we can discuss the ideas and have some devotional dialog. What do you think? If you think you would enjoy this, I will blog about it. There are like 31 chapters, but I don’t think it will take a long time to do the devotions.

This one’s up to you. The ball is in your court!

- Jonathan J.

Disclaimer: I do not fully know the theological supposition and framework of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Therefore, I cannot fully endorse all his views or words or theology as of now. Thus far, The Cost of Discipleship seems very solid. I will be certain to mention anything I have disagreements with in his exposition(s), as you are welcome to do the same. But remember, this is just a devotion.

In recent months, I have been reading a book for review for Thomas Nelson: Book Review Bloggers. The title is Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century, authored by Hank Hanegraaff. Hank Hanegraaff is the president of the Christian Research Institute (CRI), which broadcasts a radio program called, “The Bible Answer Man Broadcast.”

Hank Hanegraaff sets the pace by preparing his audience for what they are about to read. He goes through painful detail of exposing the heresies this century has unfortunately witnessed under the Christian symbol. Hanegraaff also goes through great scrutiny of the audible and written words of the contemporary false teachers. This book is designed as an informative resource for Christians in regard to the “Word of Faith” and other “Prosperity” gospels, which are no gospels at all. Hanegraaff also presents an apologetic to the movements of which he asserts are a “prostitution of the biblical concept of faith, a critical compromise respecting the nature of God, or a current con and cover-up” (Hanegraaff ix).

I find Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century to be a very useful resource. There are many times, though, throughout the book where quotes are often repeated, as well as the apologetic response to those quotes. I do not believe this is done to re-hash the content, rather it serves as a re-emphasize to the heresies in another light of the gospel, which in turn gives ample evidence to the assertions Hanegraaff makes. I find it a bit repetitive, mostly because I am familiar with much of the type of content the author is discussing – as well as the biblical response. However, I would be at remiss if I did not give this book a high-quality rating on fully examining, exposing, and rebutting the audacious heresies of these contemporary faith and prosperity teachers (Paula White, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, and more).

The book gets better more towards the end, as much of the first half – and possibly a little more than that – is centered around examining and exposing. The last approximate 25-30% is devoted to “Back to the Basics” (p. 281) type of material, which follows with equipping the reader with tools for effective Christian responses to such heresies. You’re emotions will be challenged, possibly some of your biblical suppositions, but you will finish this book with a sound knowledge of the essential Christian claims that face today’s American culture. This is my favorite part of the book; the icing on the cake.

I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5. If it weren’t for repetitive quotations, which made it at times difficult to stay interested, I would give the book a hands down 5 star rating. Follow this link for more information on making your purchase!

- Jonathan J.

I have allowed recent experiences to discourage me from blogging

It’s true, I can be discouraged. Within the past few months I have gone through some pretty rough emotional times. Certain things have happened in my life that has a direct affect on my family. Through the process, there have been wonderful friends and family that has encouraged and loved me through it. There are times, though, where it felt like I was being abandoned, discouraged, lied to, and relationally abused—all under the umbrella of ministry. Wow, I never thought I would ever experience things I have recently experienced. But things are what they are and focus needs to remain vertical. So, I focus.

So what’s called got to do, got to do with it? Read more