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Your Church Is Too Small: Why Unity in Christ’s Mission is Vital to the Future of the Church

By: John H. Armstrong; ISBN – 978-0-310-32114-9 Zondervan Publishing

PRESENT (Part 2)

Restoring unity in the church today is the premise and discussion of part two in Your Church is Too Small and Armstrong almost immediately asserts that the Apostle’s Creed is a tool to help us reestablish unity. He goes on to cite Augustine, Luther, and Calvin as strong supporters of the Creed being a unifying bond and teaching tool for all Christians. Dr. Armstrong claims; “We find no other document in early church history, apart from the Bible, that served a greater purpose in uniting Christians in their common faith.”

In this age of questioning everything and the penchant for deconstruction of most orthodox beliefs, I found John’s points addressing the need for a confessional basis very appropriate and timely. He proposes that we need a way of grasping the basic intent and message of the Holy Scriptures. I think the questions he poses make excellent starting points to answer that bigger question. He asks; “What did the first Christians believe and why did they believe it?” And, another very good question; “Before there was a completed Bible, how did the church understand and confess the living message of Christ?” Great questions I think, and I agree with Armstrong’s assessment and confession as he concludes these thoughts; he writes:

“We never stand alone when we read and interpret the Bible. With a grasp of history and tradition, we are able to read the sacred Scriptures in communion with the ‘one holy catholic and apostolic church.’”

“Studying how the historical church understood the Scriptures greatly helped me, but it wasn’t easy. I had to learn to humble myself and truly listen to other voices outside of my cultural and generational context. My teachers included Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christians.”

Beginning with the final paragraphs of chapter eight, the first chapter of section two, Armstrong begins to point the finger at the destroyer of unity, sectarianism. He asserts that sectarianism is a work of pride and creates an attitude of exclusivity. Personally, and from my observation, I think his assertion is right on the mark. Chapter nine is used to flesh out the argument for sectarian attitudes being the chief cause for disunity in the Church with chapter ten being a wonderfully detailed presentation of data, observation, history, and thesis to support his case. I loved the humility and earnestness that Dr. Armstrong displays as he shared his thoughts regarding the text from Hebrews 12:14; he confesses, “Another text helped me discover fresh grace: ‘Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.’ I had to ask, ‘Was my effort to live in peace truly serious?’” This is a question we should all be sincere enough to ask ourselves and bold enough to answer honestly…that is, if we really believe that it was Jesus’ prayer and intent that we be “one” body.

Following the discourse on sectarianism, the flavor of section two in Your Church turns much more palatable and positive with chapter eleven and “thinking rightly about the church.” It is here that Dr. Armstrong begins to answer the question: “What is the church?” After carefully walking the reader through a number of negatives (what the church is not), we arrive at the following conclusion:

“The congregation is the church. One local congregation is as much the church as any other church. But the church is also the whole of all such congregations throughout the whole earth. So the church is both the local congregation and whole people of God.” (p.107)

Now, that will make some of us squirm. But, as Armstrong points out, what else are we supposed to do with Paul’s commentary to the Ephesians (Eph. 4:4-6)? I appreciated the diagrams and illustrations from Rex Koivisto’s work in One Lord, One Faith which helped me to see a visual representation of what it looks like to be the church working in unison with The Church. I think Dr. Armstrong puts words to Koivisto’s illustrations when he aptly states: “We are to be the church for them, not for us. We do this best when we begin to recognize the one church in our city. This concept would radically alter the ministry of almost every congregation I know if it were put into practice by the leaders.” I believe this. I really do. I cannot help but wonder what would happen in our society (and the global community) if we really started to live as the people of God, followers of Jesus Christ, choosing to deny ourselves and respond to our world as ministers of the reconciliation working with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength to restore the kingdom of God…what if… (2 Corinthians 5:19-21).

Chapters twelve and thirteen round out part two, The Present, with thought-provoking dialogue concerning the church and the kingdom of God and what role our history and tradition have in the convergence of the two. Although God’s kingdom and providential decree that “it will come” (His Kingdom) is sovereignly ordained, we (the church) are often quick to dismiss and/or neglect our partnership and role (which is also sovereignly ordained) in its work. This is a shame and I was deeply saddened as I was reminded how far we (the modern church) miss the mark of displaying the glory of our God before the world. Sadly, we spend way too much time, energy, and resources “straining at gnats and swallowing camels” when we have the ability and the mandate to be salt and light to the world. Sigh…I am reminded of Jesus’ remarks to his disciples (Matthew 17:17). I cannot help but think that we are missing an enormous opportunity to partner in blessing the whole world through the Body that is Christ’s, His glorious Church.

Tradition is the tie that binds the body; it is the objectivity of tradition that keeps us rooted and grounded in the story of God. Our pride and individualism show their bright colors (and ignorance) when we denounce tradition and refuse to acknowledge it as the gift that it truly is. Armstrong presents a wonderful case as he examines four components of Christian tradition: Biblical tradition, tradition in classical Christianity, the role of Scripture in tradition, and the wisdom of the church fathers. The sum of the evidence and examination of tradition’s role is best captured in these closing comments by Armstrong:

“The result of this schism is a small view of the church and a big view of our own importance. We have exalted our interpretations of the Scripture by boldly proclaiming: ‘My authority comes only from the Bible.’ Thankfully, many are waking up to the tragedy of this false individualism and are wisely looking for help from the three great classical Christian traditions and the scores of ancient writers who feed their hunger. This is paleo-orthodoxy, and it drives a growing number of us to embrace a much bigger view of the Church.” (p.130)

Part 3 - Future concludes our review tomorrow…

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Meditation #8  December 21, 2009

Advent Reflections: Reconciliation, Restoration, and Joy…

“Then I witnessed in Heaven an event of great significance… It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ.” (Revelation 12:1-10)

“Don’t be afraid…I bring you Good News that will bring Great Joy to all people. The Savior—Yes the Messiah, the Lord has been born today.” (Luke 2:10-11)

Reconciliation is here… Restoration beckons us to come. What was broken does not have to remain broken any longer. Reconciliation and restoration are here; the timeless Lord, and Savior of men, King Jesus is here. Salvation has come. How can we ignore or take for granted such a great and significant event? John the Revelator exclaimed; “I witnessed in Heaven an event of great significance… It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ.” Hallelujah! The threshold of reconciliation has been breached! We have life-giving relationship restored with Creator God! This is the Good News! This is the great Joy of the hallelujah chorus sung by the angels of Heaven’s armies.

Let us meditate on the following prayer compiled from an ancient Christian prayer, Psalm 80:1-7, and writings from the book Living the Christian Year.

O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display Your radiant glory. Show us Your mighty power come to rescue us! Turn us again to Yourself, O God. Make Your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.

We praise You, Father, invisible, Giver of immortality. You are the Source of Life and Light, the Source of all Grace and Truth; You love us all, and You love the poor, You seek reconciliation with all and draw them all to You by sending Your dear Son to visit them, who now lives and reigns with You, Father, and Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.

Therefore, we ask You; turn us again to Yourself, O God of heaven’s armies. Make Your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.

O Mighty One, You have done great things and Holy is Your Name; Your mercy is for those who fear You from generation to generation. May my heart and my life be that as the blessed virgin…here I am, O Lord, Your servant; let it be with me according to Your word. Come Holy Spirit enlarge Your presence in me this day, that I may bring into the world more of Your life and more of Your love. Amen

Reconciliation is here…Restoration beckons us to come – “it has come at last!!!—Salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ.” (Revelation 12:10)

Joan Chittister writes in her book, The Liturgical Year: the Spiraling Adventure of the Spiritual Life; “We come to Christmas looking for the signs of Jesus’ presence manifested in our own life and age, in us and in the world around us. Christmas is not about a baby, not about sentimental piety, not about Christian fantasy. Christ is a very adult feast. It stretches us far beyond a manger in Bethlehem. It brings us to recognize who ti is that we, like the people of Jesus’ own time, will, in everything we do in life this year, either accept or reject.”

Reconciliation is here…Restoration beckons us to come – “Don’t be afraid…I bring you Good News that will bring Great Joy to all people. The Savior—Yes the Messiah—The Lord has been born today.” (Luke 2:10-11)

On the day that God became flesh in the child named Jesus, Eternity was healed…time became no more. The rip in Creator God’s cosmic tapestry caused by the sin of one man was sewn together through the act of humble submission and eternal love by one man—the God-man—Jesus.

“Then I witnessed in Heaven an event of Great Significance…” Reconciliation is here…Restoration beckons us to come

Christmas is not merely a day like every other day. It is a day made holy and special by a sacred mystery. It is not merely another day in the weary round of time. Today, eternity enters into time and time, sanctified, is caught up into Eternity.

—Thomas Merton

Good News, Great Joy, Reconciliation, and Restoration — an event of Great Significance indeed. Praise You, Lord Jesus. Maranatha — even so, come now, Lord Jesus, come.

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Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional by Jim Belcher

I couple or more weeks ago I completed the book Deep Church by Jim Belcher. There have been a number of very detailed and thoughtful reviews for this book, so I don’t feel compelled to echo what has already been shared (Google Deep Church or check the amazon.com site for more in depth reviews). One thing I can say about this book is I connected with it in a big way…although I may have missed the point; maybe.

The book is about, in several ways, the history of the emergent-emerging church movement in North America; it is also about something more, and that something more is what appealed to me so much. The subtitle of the book is “A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional,” and many reviewers and much more knowledgeable people than myself have agreed that Belcher’s proposal in Deep Church is a “third way” (opposed to the traditional church and the emerging church). I, on the other hand, do not think of it as much as a third way as much as the way. Let me share my thoughts on why.

First, my thoughts and conversation may seem somewhat out of context to talk about without some knowledge of the book, so let me say that a working knowledge of the emerging-emergent movement as well as the orthodox evangelical movement is needed if you plan to track with my thinking.

Moving on…

Jim Belcher has done a wonderful job on the research end of this proposal. Much of the opening dialogue of the book shares Belcher’s personal testimony and “insider’s look” at the formation of the emerging movement. Not only does he share experiential insight, but Belcher is well-read and well-informed outside his personal experience. I find his (seemingly) unbiased and educated insight very helpful in filling in some gaps in my own understanding. The book is extremely well documented and the endnotes are a treasure trove of resource references.

More to my personal connection with Deep Church was the heart with which Belcher conducted his study. It seems, if I am not mistaken, that he has a deeply passionate love for the Church, the Living Bride of Christ. I do not know Jim, although I traded emails with him, but I get the impression his motivation is sincere and God-pleasing…with a desire to help grow the church into becoming the glorious spotless bride the Bible ultimately proclaims that She will be. Read the rest of this entry »

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Extraordinary: The Life You’re Meant to Live by  John Bevere

Book provided for review by WaterBrook Press a division of Random House Publishers

I had mixed feelings (have mixed feelings) about this book. I really struggled with the cadence of the story or writing style. First, it took me a while to get engaged in what John Bevere was trying to draw me into (and I’m still unsure if I ever fully engaged with this writing) . This alone was tough for me to push through; imagine, a book titled Extraordinary: The Life You’re Meant to Live which is almost so boring and pedantic that you want to put it down. This was my early assessment, but fortunately this being a review book from Random House and Waterbrook Multnomah, I pressed on and was rewarded (on occasion) with some great teaching points. I said “on occasion” which leads to my second point…

I mentioned the cadence of the book; it seemed as though I was on a rollercoaster ride or locked in some literary revolving door. Extraordinary would take me from the most elementary teachings of Christianity to deep and mature truths of Scripture with little or no bridge (like from paragraph to paragraph) with seemingly no rhyme or reason. It was as if I went off to school and my first period class introduced me to numbers (1, 2, 3…), the bell rings and I go to my next class and we study calculus, the bell rings again and we sit down to the next class where we discuss basic addition. The flow of the book just didn’t make a lot of sense to me and it was hard for me to stay focused.

I think, for a new believer or someone who has struggled with their faith, this might be a good book. I don’t know if I could give a hearty recommendation for anyone else. I don’t have any problem with the material or subject matter. I agree with the validity and truth of everything that John Bevere purports in this offering, but I think there are a number of books available that teach the same in a much more comprehensive and didactic flow. This is especially true when I consider other works by Bevere… such as The Bait of Satan, Under Cover, Affabel, and others…

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Title: If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil

Author: Randy Alcorn

Publisher: Multnomah Books

ISBN-10: 160142132X

I must admit, this one caught me completely off guard. Before I explain, let me say that I have not read cover-to-cover If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn, but I have had the time to get very acquainted with it. In my opinion, this book is monumental. I am aware of the many books that have been written on the topic of God, evil, and suffering; however, I have yet to come across one that is as broad, deep, and still conversational at the same time as this one.

As a pastor, I think this book can be (and should be) recommended for any congregational care leader and any person struggling with the questions of God and evil. I think it should also be a ready resource for the pastor-counselor. The way the book is written; topical and conversational, it would make a great small group study and it could probably serve quite well in the role of textbook for the Bible student or seminarian…it’s that good.

Did I say I love the layout and order of the book? Oh, and I said it caught me off-guard. No disrespect to Randy Alcorn, but I wasn’t expecting such an exhaustive work when I was invited to review the book. It is extremely well organized and extensively documented with scripture references, bibliographical citations, and a very thorough scriptural and topical index. I love that Alcorn gives as many sides (or the most popular arguments) to the debate as possible with each topic discussed. I think it helps to give a more unbiased presentation of the material and still allows the reader to decide.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I think it serves the budding apologist, evangelist, pastor, lay-leader, seminarian, Bible student, curious seeker, and doubter equally well. As much as it might be a reference book, it can also be read casually as one would a novel. I think it is a rare thing for a book to have both qualities, but I think Randy Alcorn has done just that with If God is Good. I don’t think this one is just a “must read;” it’s a “belongs on your shelf.” Thank you Mr. Alcorn, and thank you Multnomah.

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Why…?

Why is probably not the best question, at least not in the context that it is asked (I mean) that I ask it. I continue to be burdened repeatedly with my attentions drawn to a singular message in God’s Word. I respond to this “word” with affirmation; I believe… and I consider myself to have received said message with joy and understanding. It is with this understanding that I ask God “why;” why do You keep bringing me to these scripture lessons, why do You keep highlighting, underscoring, and bolding this message to me if I agree with it and believe it to be true? While I don’t want to make egotistical parallels to my own life, I can identify with the sentiment that this “…word burns in my heart like a fire; it’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” What is the message; this word?

The Way is narrow; this Jesus Way. The day is urgent and our time is running out…our lives are but a vapor and the call to become a true disciple of Christ continues to be marginalized, if not completely ignored. When I talk like this to my community, I am scorned. I’m asked to define the rules and parameters for this narrow way of discipleship. These questions make me realize the urgency of the message even more. The Way isn’t about rules. The Way is about foremost; putting God first in every nook and cranny of our life. Secondly, the Way is about love, AGAPE love…the Way is about community…defined by agape relationships. Jesus defined it by saying the most important commandment of the law was to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Then you must love your neighbor as yourself.” Our failure is to fully trust God at His Word. Most of us refuse to believe (this is a generalization, I know…) we can love in, and with, the capacity that God (Jesus) has called us to love. There is no wonder then, why we also don’t believe that we can truly live in Christian community with one another this side of eternity…since we cannot live in-with the definition of God’s love.  I not only believe we can, I know we can. A God… OUR GOD tells us that He has given us everything we need to live a godly life…to the point that we even share in His divine nature…His Holy Spirit indwelling and empowering us for walking the Jesus Way. But…we still refuse to believe.

I believe.

I am convinced or crazy, or both…that unless we enter into the path of agape appropriation (which entails believing that we can live today as agape-kingdom citizens), our eternal life may be in jeopardy. I am convinced that unless we strive (with agape-kingdom attitudes) for relational community with one another our eternal life may be in jeopardy. I am convinced that unless we enter into covenant agreement with the mandate to be missional-ambassadors in the ministry of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration… our eternal life may be in jeopardy. I have never felt more urgent and convinced of anything such as this in my entire life. It consumes me. I am overwhelmed with this Word. God invites us; everyone is welcome to participate and He does not desire anyone to be left out, but those who do not join in are (by their own volition) cutting themselves off from relationship with the Most High God. This terrifies me…for my family, for my friends, for a flock that God has entrusted to my care and oversight, and for legions of souls following the pied-piper of deceit, Lucifer.

Don’t get me wrong…I’m not pronouncing judgment or condemnation upon anyone and I’m not saying I have everything related to this Jesus Way figured out or mastered. I echo the words of the apostle Paul who writes; “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

What saddens me on top of these other concerns and fears is that not many wish to hear it. It is not a popular message and about the time I feel overwhelmed, the Lord speaks to me through one of many vehicles. This morning I was ministered to by the words of Origen, John Chrysostom, Ambrosiaster, and the prophet Isaiah; their words follow:

Origen: I think that any love without God is artificial and not genuine. For God, the Creator of the soul, filled it with the feeling of love, along with the other virtues, so that if might love God and the things which God wants. But if the soul loves something other than God and what God wants, this love is said to be artificial and invented. And if someone loves his neighbor but does not warn him when he sees him going astray or correct him, such is only a pretense of love.

Chrysostom: If you have love, you will not notice the loss of your money, the labor of your body, the toil of your words, your trouble or your ministering, but you will bear everything courageously.

Ambrosiaster: To be haughty is pride, which is how the devil fell… Solomon says that “God resists the proud.” Put pride aside and make other people’s cares your own so that you might be acceptable to God.

Isaiah 30:8-11 Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of time as a witness that these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention to the LORD’s instructions.  They tell the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” They tell the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies.  Forget all this gloom. Get off your narrow path. Stop telling us about your ‘Holy One of Israel.’”

…maybe I am crazy. Maybe I am overconfident in what I believe is true. I’m so convinced those are not the case, that I am not willing to take the chance otherwise. I shall press on.

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I started reading a couple new review books a few days ago; the first book is Experiencing the Spirit by Henry and Melvin Blackaby. The second book is The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. Unfortunately, I have not completed them and do not feel qualified to give them a full review. I promise to provide a full review for each of them in the soon coming days.

Sneak peek:

Like I said, I started the books, but haven’t finished them…I can say this about Experiencing the Spirit, if parts two and three are anything like part one, this is an awesome book. I recently finished reading Clutter-Free Christianity by Robert Jeffress and just loved what he had to say about spiritual transformation. This book by the Blackaby’s is a hand-in-glove fit and wonderfully affirming companion to Dr. Jeffress’ piece. Here’s a teaser quote from Experiencing the Spirit:

“Recognizing God is not the same as coming to Him. Hearing God is your heart is not the same as answering. Working for the kingdom of God does not mean living in the kingdom of God. Christianity is not believing the truths of the Bible; it’s acting upon them and allowing God control of your life. You must respond to God and make the choice to interact personally with Him.”

That’s good stuff; convictingly, inspiring, challenging, good stuff…and I keep finding page after page of the same. I look forward to being able to share a full review.

I’ve also started the Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn, but have not made my way very far past the introductory chapters. In fairness, I don’t feel prepared to share any comments until I have made my way into the “meat” of the book. As promised above, I will provide a full review within a few days. I have included summary statements from the publishers below. Read the rest of this entry »

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Clutter-Free Christianity: What God Really Desires for You by Robert Jeffress

I don’t know where to start with my review of this book; however, I will say that I think it will be one of the most impactful books that I will read this year. Quite the statement and needing some qualification I am sure. What makes it so impacting? You might wonder; “Is it profound and revelatory?” No, there is nothing profound…at least to my thinking, but there is page after page of affirming teaching. Most exciting is the succinct and down-to-earth delivery of Dr. Jeffress. One can sense the wisdom and years of pastoral experience coming through the delivery of this message. And what a message it is! Clutter-Free Christianity does not do justice to what resides beneath the title and between the covers. This book is about life…real life, ABUNDANT LIFE; the kind of life that our Savior Jesus Christ came to this earth to give us. This book is about redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. This book is about the invitation, acceptance, and participation of new life transformed into the image of the First-Born of many brothers. It is about imago-dei and the call to “be thou transformed.”

The subject and the context of the book are enough for me to do cartwheels of excitement over, but there are other technical merits that I’d like to give mention too. For starters, the book is an easy read. This doesn’t mean that it is elementary is sharing deep spiritual truths. It means that deep spiritual truths are shared in such a way that every person, regardless of education or Biblical training, will glean benefit…perhaps that is part of the “clutter-free” meaning behind the title. The book is not weighted down with heavy terms, definitions, and doctrinal treatise. This makes it an easy read. Second, Dr. Jeffress uses down-to-earth examples and illustrations that help the reader connect to the simple but deep truths that are being expounded upon chapter after chapter. Finally, I loved the inductive style of writing and the logical flow of the premise and thesis that carried the book from beginning to conclusion. I am sure that it will be helpful to me in my own efforts of teaching, writing, counseling, and preaching.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I will be ordering several more copies to put in rotation in my lending library. It will have a place of prominence on my list of “must read” books. Thank you, Dr. Jeffress, for a great read and a compilation of wonderful teaching and thank you WaterBrook Press for introducing me to this book.

I have included the review of my best friend and wife, Laurie Borden, below: Read the rest of this entry »

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40 Days Living the Jesus Creed [Day 23-25]

O God, who has given us the great and saving truths of Your gospel: grant us, we ask You, to live amid these things, to meditate on them and seek them; for one who goes on seeking, finds. Help us, therefore, to learn those things on earth, the knowledge of which shall abide with us in heaven. Grant this for Jesus Christ’s sake. [Amen] Give us strength with changed heart, O Lord, to love You with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength…and help us, O Lord, for Your namesake to love our neighbor as ourselves. [Amen]

“Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace-in peace because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

“Scriptural living comes from trust in the Lord. When our eyes are fixed on the Lord Jesus and we trust in His word, we will be steadfast and mature.” Deep-Rooted in Christ; Joshua Choonmin Kang

“Your decrees are my meditation…” (Psalm 119:99) Read the rest of this entry »

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40 Days Living the Jesus Creed [Day 15-17]

“You are the salt of the earth;

You are the light of the world…”

(Matthew 5:13, 14)

The past several days have been spent focusing on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (and for the next few days I will continue this focus). While this may be considered among the most straightforward of Jesus’ teaching in the Bible, there is nothing “simple” about it. When I read or hear these words of Jesus, I think; “Go and do…” However, at almost every point of the Sermon on the Mount, I am met with some measure of conflict. It is only by the Spirit and Grace of “Christ in me” that I am able to live this Jesus Creed…and I suppose that is the most significant of points that could be made…that is, it (the Life of Jesus) can be lived.

“In order to grow in God’s grace, we must first surrender to God’s grace…” Read the rest of this entry »

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