Collective Transformation

Bible study consumes a big part of my life. Yet I often pull my hair out in frustration. Alone, spiritual growth comes to me like my two-year old who just spotted a playground—not easily.

However, once I take my struggles and questions to other Christians the dust settles. Spiritual growth, for me, tends to happen in a group. A collective effort gracefully clears the hurdles that usually trip up a one-track mind. Why?

Others have endured different experiences than I have. They have arrived from different backgrounds, studied different disciplines and witnessed different events. Those variances offer new insight to a study, forcing me to open my eyes and see things from a different angle, unlocking the door that I couldn’t open before.

The Bible doesn’t discourage personal study and growth, but it does offer an alternative, and maybe better, approach. Notice “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Together, the new church pursued spiritual transformation.

The church should take seriously the importance of gathering around the table. Just remember, the menu isn’t limited to potluck.

Tell Me the Real Story of Jesus

Lately, I've tore through article after article, book after book trying to understand all the hype associated with The Da Vinci Code, The Gospel of Judas, et. al. I try to stay on top of this type of news. Anything undermining the claims of the traditional understanding of Jesus gets my attention.

I've discovered it helps to remember the following few points when considering the Da Vinci hype, Gnosticism or any other ancient text reported to debunk the claims of Jesus of Nazareth or supply a fresh spin on him.

The Gnostic texts like those in the Nag Hammadi Library, along with The Gospel of Judas, date later than the four gospels. In other words, they weren’t original teachings on par with the now canonical gospels, they came later--they represent offshoots of Christianity not origins. Jesus' followers embraced his divinity long before many of the Gnostic sects downplayed it (cf. Philippians 2:5-11).

Also, the Gnostic texts give little attention to the 1st century Jewish social context in which Jesus ministered. This seems odd if they are earlier than the four, which do. The "alternative" Christian texts offer up a type of platonic format of isolated sayings and disconnected teachings as opposed to the narrative style of the four canonical gospels. Just read them, you'll see the difference.

Not only are they later, they greatly contradict many of the teachings found in the earlier sources. They flip the script on the good news of Jesus (found in the four canonical gospels) and promote a kind of good advice offered up by a good, moral man. In fact, if these new discoveries represent origins of Christianity, one has to wonder what made Christianity such a fuss.

And, what stirred up Rome so much in the first and second centuries? Did Caesar feel the threat of a unique teacher offering some spiritual advice? Or, was it the message of a risen King to whom the world owed allegiance, a Jew who embodied divine nature? History details the brutal persecutions some Roman emperors unleashed on disciples of Jesus. Now, which story of Jesus do you think got under their skin?

You Choose

The world has witnessed a fair amount of manipulation and intimidation. World and religious leaders have used various cult-like pressures and propaganda to forcibly indoctrinate masses of people with their agenda. And those who feel such pressure to choose a choice not their own usually respond in rebellion. Typically, humans aren't forced into a mold easily.

The Christian God has received blame for this type of behavior. Through his brain-washed people, he plants fear and terror into the hearts of the world, leaving no choice but to serve his selfish and egotistical whims. He let's nobody think for themselves; just buy it, swallow it or else. Well...that's the charge. What about it, though?

Personally, I like freedom. I like to make up my own mind and not have it made up for me. I think some choices are better than others. In fact, some are flat out bad. Right exists and so does wrong. Which, by the way, seems obvious enough to simply state though you may disagree. God, then, has made himself available, approachable and findable. However, don't expect him to jerk you up by the collar, grab your cheeks and say "Look at me!" No, God's not that way.

If your desire is for him, if you realize he contains life's answers and that he offers the only genuine hope then go after it. You're on the right track. If not, though, nobody, not even God himself, will make you embrace something you won't embrace on your own. God invites, he doesn't pull.

The God of the Bible, of Christianity, isn't an intimidating terrorist (though, I admit, some have acted despicably in his name). He has laid out the truth. He revealed it in Jesus. But it's yours to accept. I haven't read about the God of the Bible wanting robotic, thoughtless conformity. He loves us enough to let us choose to love him (granted, he has given good reason to do so).

Power gathers slaves...love attracts willing devotion. Hitler had power. God is love.