Not only the gospel, but also…

“We modern teachers from the West are by nature and by training persons of restless activity and boundless self-confidence. We tend to assume an attitude of superiority towards all Eastern peoples and point to our material progress as the justification of our attitude.

“We are accustomed to doing things for ourselves, to finding our own way, to relying upon our own exertions, and we naturally tend to be impatient with others who are less restless and less self-assertive than we are. “

“We are accustomed to an elaborate system of church organization and a peculiar code of morality. We cannot imagine any Christianity worthy of the name existing without the elaborate machinery we have invented.”

“We naturally expect our converts to adopt from us not only essentials but also accidentals. We desire to impart not only the gospel, but also the law and the customs.”

From “Missionary Methods: God’s Plan for Missions According to Paul” by Roland Allen.



John Calvin and the light of truth

“Whenever, therefore, we meet with heathen writers, let us learn from that light of truth which is admirably displayed in their works, that the human mind, fallen as it is, and corrupted from its integrity, is yet invested and adorned by God with excellent talents. If we believe that the Spirit of God is the only fountain of truth, we shall neither reject nor despise the truth itself; wherever it shall appear, unless we wish to insult the Spirit of God” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Vol 1, p.288).

Especially prone when…

“Sin has corrupted everything. Our relationships, our behaviors, our identities, and our understanding. We get things wrong, all the time. Maybe we’re especially prone to getting things wrong when we are most certain that we are getting things right.” (Kristin Du Mez)

Temptations to which I am not exposed!

“Ever since I served as an infantryman in the First World War I have had a great dislike of people who, themselves in ease and safety, issue exhortations to men in the front line. As a result I have a reluctance to say much about the temptations to which I am not exposed…. I did not think it my place to take a firm line about pains, dangers and expenses from which I am protected.”

(C.S.Lewis, Mere Christianity, Preface)

Backward Christian Soldiers?

OK, I found these words online, a parody by George Verwer on the song Onward Christian Soldiers. Part of me wants to snicker, but another part of me is sad. Maybe the shock of the words is enough to make Christ-followers think about the ‘church’, about how others see us. You may be tempted to react negatively, but ask yourself, “how much of this is true”.

Please leave your thoughts/comments!

Backward Christian Soldiers

1. Backward Christian soldiers,

Fleeing from the fight,

With the cross of Jesus,

Nearly out of sight.

Christ our rightful master

Stands against the foe

Onward into battle, we

seem afraid to go.

 

Chorus: Backward Christian soldiers,

Fleeing from the fight,

With the cross of Jesus,

Nearly out of sight.

 

2. Like a mighty tortoise

Moves the church of God.

Brothers we are treading,

Where we’ve often trod.

We are much divided,

Many bodies we,

Having different doctrines, but

Not much charity.

 

3. Crowns and thrones may perish,

Kingdoms rise and wane,

But the cross of Jesus

Hidden does remain.

Gates of hell should never

‘gainst the Church prevail,

We have Christ’s own promise, but

we think it might fail.

 

4. Sit here then ye people,

Join our sleeping throng.

Blend with ours, your voices

in a feeble song.

Blessings, ease and comfort

Ask from Christ the King,

But with our modern thinking,

We won’t do a thing.

(reposted from July 7, 2007)

Reading the bible with Jesus: Psalm 15


This week I am focusing on Psalm 15 (Monday, Jul 20 – Sunday Jul 26, 2020)
Imagine sitting with Jesus and reading this passage with Him. How would you explain this passage to Him? What questions would you ask? What lessons would you glean?
If all scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17), then how is Jesus teaching, rebuking, correcting or training me through this passage?

Your comments will help me as I prepare my message for next Sunday (Jul 26, 2020).