Tis the Night Before Christmas...

Perhaps it is the caffeine from the Mt. Dew I drank for dinner, since I haven't had one in several weeks, that has me awake at 4:15AM on this Christmas Eve!?! Then again, maybe it is the words of the Lord that I read prior to falling asleep that has stirred my thoughts and emotions...

Several months have passed since I began the "To Live As Christ" bible study written by Beth Moore. The study, which looks at the life of the apostle Paul, has been extremely eye-opening for me in several ways. Last night as I was rereading a portion of the bible study, the RED words in Acts 9:15-16 caught my attention:

"But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Something really strikes me about this passage.

To understand this, a little context is in order. As my recent posts have alluded to, I am trying to better understand the roots of my beliefs. Not that I question them or am searching for answers - I am quite confident in that respect. However, I have not really been able to defend my faith when questioned by skeptics. Modern culture and skeptics echo the sentiment that Christianity is a crutch or a convenient social construct to standardize morals. Numerous movements seek to undermine the credability of the Bible or to prove that Jesus wasn't the risen savior. Neither of which have gained any significant ground in over 2,000 years worth of efforts...

With that said, the thing that strikes me about the Acts passage is the statement "I will show him how much he must suffer..." Whether this SHOWING refers to the few days that he was blind and praying, or over the course of his ministry, or both I don't really know. But the greater question is the thought of what man says "yippee" I get to be stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, mocked, ridiculed, etc., etc., etc. - and willingly do it for some social crutch or common moral construct? Especially since the 10 commandments had long since been in place if we were just looking for moral law!

I believe the only reason a man of Paul's stature (a Pharisee) would do such a u-turn is to have had a real encouter with the Lord Jesus. One that he could hear the words of the Lord echo day after day in his mind - one the continued to reassure him of the calling and purpose for which he was called. Something I'm sure he would have to have been reassured of frequently throughout his missionary journeys and the numerous trials.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, I'm going back to bed so I don't wake the mouse... :)

Merry Christmas and God bless!

The Hero Pattern

During a recent church service, the youth pastor at my church referenced the lack of uniqueness surrounding the birth of Christ. The point he was trying to make was that their has to be something more to our faith than a story - it has to be a relationship. Having never heard such a statement, about the birth of Jesus not being unique, I was dumbfounded. While my faith is not established on this point, It aroused an interest to understand the scope of what he was referring to.

Oddly enough, I ran across the The Blasphemy Challenge website that is encouraging folks to commit the unforgivable sin, video tape it, post it on youtube, and receive a free DVD. The DVD is titled The God Who Wasn't There. Out of curiosity I watched the provided trailer and the argument of Christ's birth lacking uniqueness, referred to as The Hero Pattern in the video, was used as "proof" that Christianity is a hoax. A quick google led me to the following site: http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcpa4.htm.

I'm curious what other people's perspective is on this topic?

On an aside, I think the basis for the Blasphemy Challenge is fundamentally flawed in their interpretation of what Christ was truly saying. The following page helped clarify the true meaning for me: Unpardonable Sin

Gasp! Politically Incorrect?

Can he say that? Won't that offend potential voters? Its refreshing to see that Huckabee is being true to his convictions in spite of his quest for the oval office...

"The Case For Christ" As An Objective Apologetic?

In my previous post - The Basis for an Objective Apologetic - I outlined my desire to find an objective set of criteria to evaluate the authenticity of the story of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the methodology employed by author Lee Strobel in the book “The Case for Christ” seems reasonable. Essentially Strobel, a former journalist for the Chicago Tribune and a once self-proclaimed atheist, uses the typical logic that an attorney would employ in any standard legal case.

The book documents a two-year period of Strobel’s life where he researched the historical, scientific, and religious aspects associated with Jesus Christ. All-in-all I think the book is very well written, and, for the most part, I agree with the conclusions he and many of those he interviewed, have arrived at. Specifics to follow in future posts...

The basis for an objective apologetic

Why do I believe what I believe? This question has repeatedly surfaced in my mind over the past few months. These questions, combined with the world’s ever increasing effort to undermine the validity of Christianity, has created a deep desire within me to analyze why and how I have confidence in the authenticity of Jesus and the Bible.

Having no formal theological training, unless you want to count the few bible classes I took in college -- knowledge from which I’ve all but forgotten -- I’m looking to create an objective set of criteria by which I can read various religious, historic, and scientific sources to be able to firmly explain why I believe certain things.

Historically, man has used written apologetics to outline their specific beliefs and then to defend those beliefs against critics.

Ask.com defines it this way “The term apologetics comes from the Greek apologia, which means "defense" or "answer." Apologetics is the task of defending a particular idea or belief system and answering its critics. The origin of the concept of apologetics lies in the beginnings of Christianity. Between the second and fourth century, a number of Christian teachers wrote defenses of Christianity against pagan critics.

Usually, apologetics occurs in a religious context, and involves giving reasons for adopting a particular religion as opposed to some other religion or no religion at all. Apologetic defenses are done of doctrines so fundamental to a faith that it is assumed that no members would disagree with them - thus, the defenses are created with external critics in mind.

Most apologists one encounters tend to be Christian apologists, because a great many Christians believe that it is an important part of their faith that they go out and convert others.”

That pretty much sums up where I’m at - desiring to define my beliefs (It helps to know why you believe something when defending it and sharing it) -- and wanting to understand why others are critical of the beliefs I hold.

Stay tuned for more from the prodigal pig.

Happily Ever After - Part 2

In a previous post I address how the lack of trials in ones life may be a sign of being on the wrong track....after further study of the ministry of the apostle Paul, I'd like to continue that though.

Is it possible that the absence of persecution in our life is a sign of ineffectiveness?

Observe the following pattern:

Pisidian Antioch
Acts 13:49 - "The word of the Lord spread through the whole region"
Acts 13:50 - "But the Jews...stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from the region."

Iconium
Acts 14:1 "A great number of Jews and Gentiles believed."
Acts 14:2 "The Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds.
Acts 14:5 "There was a plot ...to mistreat them and stone them."

Lystra
Acts 14:9 Paul performs a miracle for a cripple and people begin to worship Paul & Barnabas
Acts 14:18 The had difficulty keeping the crowds from sacrificing to them
Acts 14:19 "Jews from Antioch and Iconium" came and won the crowd....they "stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead."
Acts 14:20 "he got up and went back into the city."

Phillipi
Acts 15:15 Lydia and her household baptized
Acts 15:18 Paul casts out evil spirits from a slave girl
Acts 15:19-24 Paul and Silas sent to prison

Thessalonica
Acts 17:4 "Some Jews were persuaded....and a large number of God-fearing Greeks....and a few prominent women"
Acts 17:5 "But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd"

In each of these sequences Paul's ministry is shown as effective (persuading many to believe, performing miracles, baptizing many, etc.). In each of these cases persecution was encountered.
Now consider Paul's visit to Athens. In Acts 17:16-34 Paul attempts to persuade the people of city. No real persecution is encountered. The people seem receptive, however, Acts 17:34 says "a few men became followers." Its interesting that when Paul's ministry was effective, he was persecuted....and when he was ineffective, he suffered no persecution.

While this trend may not carry on throughout scripture, it certainly was the case for Paul.
Perhaps this is why Peter says the following:

I Peter 1:6-7

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Happily Ever After

Most fairytales end with the line "...and they lived happily ever after." Many people believe that this is how the life of a Christian should be characterized after accepting Jesus as their Lord and savior. I've know people in the past that would comment "there must be sin in the camp" when others would face difficult times or trials. As I continue to study the life of the apostle Paul its painfully obvious that a life free from conflict isn't part of God's plan. I've come to the conclusion that perhaps the converse is true....if your life is smooth sailing, perhaps you are not where you need to be in your spiritual journey.



Matthew 7:14 states "Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” This suggests to me that the way of a Christian will be filled with obstacles, isolation, and incomplete vision.

What the bible does promise is the following:
• God has a specific plan (Jeremiah 29:11)
• God provides a "flashlight" (Psalms 119)
• God provides power (Acts 1:8)
• God provides armour and weapons (Ephesians 6:10-17)

The Empty Tomb

The title of today's post, "The Empty Tomb", is not likely a new revelation to many. The resurrection of Jesus has long been a central tenet of Christian theology. However, with the recently published documentary "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," many may question the validity of this precious believe.



As I mentioned in "The Journey from Tarsus" post, I've been studying the life of the apostle Paul. I've been simply amazed at how entrenched the Pharisees had become in legalism. So much so that they could not recognize the very presence of the Messiah who was promised in prophecy by Moses. The gospels are filled with numerous accounts where Christ confounds the Pharisees as they try to apply religious legalism to the ministry of Jesus. The Pharisees, as Stephen points out in Acts 7:1-39, had become stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears. Their regimented life stlye and adherance to the legalistic doctrines that they and their forefathers had established led them to try and silence Christ and his disciples.



The last miracle performed by Christ, the resurrection of Lazarus, was "the straw that broke the camels back." Caiaphas, high priest of the Sanhedrin, and many other Pharisees sought to and were successful in having Jesus crucified. Of specific interest is that after his death Caiaphas and the Pharisees went to Pilate requesting that Roman guards be sent to protect the body of Christ.



Matthew 27:62-65



The next day, the one after Preparation Day,the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said,`After three days I will rise again.' So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the bodyand tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. 



This brings me to the point of today's post and the associated revelation I had. Considering the following points:

• The Sanhedrin and Pharisee's were concerned for the security of Christ's body
• Their desire was to silence the teachings of Christ and the christian "movement"
• Persecution of Christians documented throughout NT as Christianity spread

The Sanhedrin and Pharisees, who went to great lengths to have Christ crucified would have expended significant energy in locating the body of Jesus. What better way would there have been than to simply produce the body of Christ - effectively silencing all that Christ had accomplished. The fact is they were not able to find his risen body. Today, some 2000 years later, the secular and religious opponents to the message of Jesus continue to try and find the body of Christ.....

So today I have two conclusions:
1.) The Tomb IS Empty
2.) If they truly want to find Christ, I have his exact location:

The Journey from Tarsus

Over the past several months I have really developed a desire to learn more about the Bible. Perhaps in a future post I'll share more about the past few years of my life and how it has been almost stagnant in spiritual growth. Through the circumstances surrounding the birth of my 2nd child, where my wife and I saw God's mighty hand in action, I realized that I needed to invest more time and energy into my relationship with God.



Having not been raised in a christian home, I struggle with not really knowing how to study the Bible. To complicate matters, the ministers/teachers at most churches I have attended assume that those in the audience have a good foundation for spiritual understanding. The realization that I needed better, more focused, teaching led to significant changes in my family's lives. This included the desire to find a new church more geared to developing the spiritual foundation and understanding of it's members. Although this was not an easy decision, looking back it was certainly the correct one.



I recently came across the website for the Two Rivers Church (http://www.2rc.cc) located here in Knoxville, TN. After navigating around their website for a while I discovered that the pastor (Brad Brinson) made his sermons available for download. Further, in most cases, he also provides an outline to follow along with the message. After listening to several of his sermons regarding the topic of prayer, I came across a series he taught in early 2006 on the book of Ephesians (written by the apostle Paul). I found the series of sermons so fascinating that I committed myself to doing an in depth study of the life and ministry of Paul.



This weekend I visited the Cedar Springs Bookstore (http://www.cschristian.com/e/home.asp) to see what, if any, study guides or resources were available to assist me. I chose a study created by Beth Moore whom my wife says is an incredible teacher, based on several past studies she has completed. The title of the study is "To Live Is Christ: The Life and Minstry of Paul." (http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/eshopping_product_page/0%2C%2CM%3D201079&I%3D0767334124%2C00.html?R=779590)



The 10 week study begins with the assumptions made by the author regarding what the childhood of Paul must have been like. Tarsus is the city where Paul was born....thus, let the journey begin towards a better understanding............

What is a Prodigal Pig?

THE PRODIGAL:

According to Romans 3:23 "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I, of course, am no exception to this fundamental principle. The amazing fact is that despite the seemingly endless ways I have failed him, he forgives my transgressions.



In Luke 15:11-31 Jesus shares the parable of "The Prodigal Son." The story represents what God has done for each of us through the gift of his son Jesus. The Father has given each of us our inheritance - eternal life. John 3:16 states that "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."



During the course of our lives, we often end up in a place where we never wanted to be....In isolation from the creator and lacking the inheritance of eternal life. Romans 6:23 confirms that "the wages of sin is death." Therefore, we, in someway must reestablish communion with our heavenly Father. Jesus, through the way of the cross, provided this avenue.



I, being a prodigal son, love the words of Ephesians 3:16-19 as it sums up my desire for each of you. I desire that you may know the extent to which God loves each of us and that you understand that the provision of forgiveness has already been made. We just have to accept it in our hearts....thus, the focus and desire for maintaining this blog.



THE PIG:

Well, I love BBQ! Perhaps that is a slight understatement. A coworker recently commented that my personal modo seems to be “No Pig Left Behind.” I believe it is more accurate to state it as “No BBQ Left Behind” as I equally enjoy beef, pork, chicken, etc.

In my mind there is a great correlation between a spiritual journey and good BBQ. Good BBQ is only achieved when it is prepared "low-and-slow." My spiritual journey, like BBQ, has been a process that has taken time to fully develop. So, this blog will focus on what I consider to be biblical truths, my passion for BBQ, and the love I have for my amazing family.