Who's Driving?

Recently, my mom and dad, who live in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia, spent Thanksgiving week with our family here in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.  On one particular day, my dad and I had some errands to run.  As we walked outside and approached his pickup, I asked whether he wanted to drive or if he wanted me to drive.  Without saying a word, he held out his key-filled hand, released the key, then sauntered to the passenger door and climbed in.  I took my place behind the wheel and off we went to the hardware store.

There are three very good reasons why my dad should have driven, rather than me.  First, he has been driving twice as long as I have.  He has been driving for nearly 60 years, while I just broke the 30 year mark. Secondly, he is a good defensive driver.  On the other hand, according to my wife, I approach driving with a more offensive mindset.  Okay, so I sometimes think Interstate 81 is the newest NASCAR course, those Ford drivers irritate me, and Dodges cannot run with my 2003 Subaru Outback with 240,000 miles.  Put me at a traffic light on a highway and I think "Restart, baby!  Don't even think you are going to beat me on the green light.  Eat my dust, lady!"  Guess where I get my competitive streak from--my dad.  A final reason my dad would make a much better driver than me is because he has had fewer crashes (we won't count how many fewer). In my defense, all but one crash has been work-related, most on snow and ice-covered roads, and in only two was "Contributory Negligence" attributed to me.  And I have been crash-free for a decade now.

I say all that to say this:  when you have two occupants in a vehicle, there can be only one driver, and motorists can only hope that the more experienced, more defensive, more safe driver is behind the wheel. Who's driving is extremely important for numerous and obvious reasons.

When it comes to the life of faith (think of faith as our "vehicle"), there are two occupants:  the text and theology.  Here's a question to consider:  Which one should "drive" the other? Should the text drive one's theology or should one's theology drive the text?

Life is full of study:  There is archaeology, the study of past cultures (think Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom ); biology, the study of life (who can forget those fruit flies in high school?); oncology,the study of cancer (think Saint Jude's Children's hospital, Duke University Medical Center, or Johns Hopkins); psychology, the study of mental processes in living creatures (think Sigmund Freud...but not too much); technology, the study of the practical arts (think iPods, iPads, iPhones).   However, it is theology, the study of God, that has been called "The Queen of the Sciences." Education originated in the church, by the church and for the church. The modern university was a direct result of church-based education.  Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale were established to train ministers of the Word of God.  Thus the preeminence of theology. Some of history's greatest thinkers were in fact theologians--Saint Augustine of the early church period; the great Reformation thinker Martin Luther; George Whitfield of the Great Awakening renown; and modern theologian C.S. Lewis, author of the popular books, The Chronicles of Narnia.  Because of theology's passion and pursuit of the Divine, therefore, some might say, "Certainly, let theology drive."

The decision to let theology "drive" the text is perhaps made easier when one attempts reading through the ceremonial laws in the Old Testament book of Leviticus, the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, or Jesus' parables in the Gospel accounts.  Someone might say, "Come on!  Letting the text 'drive' in this situation seems a little...uncomfortable."  Still others might suggest that the text and theology can take turns "driving." This journey we call faith is a rather long trip, so wouldn't it be best if the "driver" was determined by any number of factors? Have you ever thought, "Sure, the Lord's Prayer is perfect for being text-driven, but let's allow theology to 'drive' the creation account, the covenants, the cross and the consummation of all things?  John 3:16? 'Drive, text, drive!' Romans 6-8?  'Theology, take me home!'"

It is my contention that neither of these approaches is the way to go.  In my estimation, the text should always drive one's theology.  Let me offer three reasons.

Reason #1:  it is the text (Scripture) that is inspired, inerrant, infallible, authoritative and sufficient.  Here is just a sampling:

• "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness...." (2 Timothy 3:16)

• "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is true, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."  (Psalm 19:7-11)

• Psalm 119 in its entirety

• "No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."  (2 Peter 1:21)

Reason #2:  God cannot be known apart from revelation.

God has revealed Himself through general revelation--creation (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:19-20) and through special revelation--primarily through Scripture and ultimately through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3a).  Yet all that we can know about Jesus comes from...the text.   How do we know that God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things?  The Scripture reveals that.  

How do we know that Jesus loves us?  The Bible tells us so. How do we know that Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection has paid the price for our sins?  The answer is found in the text.   Apart from the text we could not and would not know anything about God's character, His thoughts, His deeds, or His plans.

Reason #3:  Theology is both "unlicensed" and unwilling to drive.

My dad is licensed to drive, but he willingly handed me the keys on that day and allowed me to drive him. Simply put, God has not authorized ("licensed") our formulations and understandings of Him to trump what He has revealed about Himself in and through His Word.  Furthermore, this really comes downs to willingness. Theology realizes that it originates from the text.  No text, no theology.  Theology "driving" the text would be like my dad's 3 year-old great grandson or 1 year-old great grand daughter driving their Papaw Rose.  I would love to see all three of them in the same vehicle, but let's be realistic.  Allowing these "unlicensed" little ones to drive would result in disaster!  Sure, great grand kids make wonderful passengers, but they make unsafe drivers. Though a child might be willing to drive, theology is not, so it willingly hands the keys to the text and says, "You drive."

Don't think for a moment that theology is an unwelcome "occupant" in this vehicle we call faith.  On the contrary, theology is a precious and priceless passenger, just like my dad's great grandchildren.  There are no greater thoughts that can bounce around in our minds that thoughts about God.  He wired us this way. Scripture says, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). However, to force theology to "drive" the text would be like putting the keys to a car in the hands of a toddler.  May we never be that unwise, that unsafe, and yes... that unbiblical.

Who's "driving" your faith?

The Beauty of Bookends

In our home library, there are a number of bookends that keep the shelves orderly and appealing.  There is nothing special about the bookends themselves. They are thin metal, black in color, and each set cost about $10 at Staples. But they do make for a beautiful library!  

There are two "bookends," however, that are so beautiful and special to me that I think it important to share with others. Both "bookends" are named Becky, both died from cancer, and both have had a tremendous impact upon my life even though I never met them.

Becky May was the 3 year-old daughter of a childhood friend/classmate, Connie (Rowe) May.  Becky's story will tap deep inside your soul.  My family and many in our church family at the time took this journey with the Mays inasmuch as was possible over a distance of some 300 miles.  Our refrigerator held Becky's pictures, our prayers contained pleas for God's help, and my Bible and journal were stained with tears as we interceded on behalf of this precious little girl, her mom and dad, and everyone who knew and loved her.  On December 16, 2007 at 7:49 pm, Becky received her ultimate healing as she was carried into the arms of Jesus.

Never had I so followed in such detail someone's walk through the valley, never had I wept and prayed as I did in those days, and never had I come to love someone so much who I had never met (besides the Lord Jesus Christ).  The moment-by-moment grace given to Connie, Robert and their family was something to behold.  God used Becky May, and her family's willingness to share their journey with others, in so many ways in my life, but none more than to make me compassionate towards the hurting.

Becky Black was the wife of one of my former seminary professors, David Allen Black.  Becky's story, written in her own words, will stir your spirit.  Miss Becky and "Brother Dave" both invited others to join them on this journey, in which God's faithfulness was put on glorious display with each agonizing pain and answered prayer.  Never had I heard such honesty, seen such transparency, and known such resolve to trust the Lord, no matter how difficult the journey. Her focus was not upon her own body, but upon the body of Christ, especially her spiritual brothers and sisters in Ethiopia, among whom she was raised and had served for many years.  And even as her health deteriorated, she became impassioned for the people of India. Becky's heart burned for the nations, that they might know Jesus in the most personal and powerful way, and nothing, not even cancer, was going to extinguish this flame.  

Becky Black knew she was running to home base, and crossed the finish line on November 2, 2013 at 6:55 am, safe into the arms of her Redeemer and Healer. God used Becky Black, as well as Brother Dave's blog, in so many ways in my life, but none more than to make me committed to helping others follow Jesus.

Becky May was the first "bookend" in my life of truly interceding for others, what I call an ATM (Across The Miles) ministry.  Becky Black is the most recent. There are certain to be more bookends for my library because I absolutely love books, and there are certain to be more bookends for my life because God loves me...and you, and the world.  

Won't you allow the Lord to bring a "bookend" or two into your life?  Sure, you will hurt deeply, cry frequently, and plead fervently , but when all is said and done, if you will trust Him on behalf of the ones for whom you are interceding, you will learn to love people you may never meet this side of heaven, you will grow in Christ-likeness, and you will worship the One who is worthy to be praised.  And you will get to embrace your "Beckys" in glory!

Who knows, perhaps beneath our "trees" this Christmas we just might find some "bookends."  What a precious gift this would be!

 

AN ENCOURAGED AND EMBARRASSED DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST

As I read about and meditate upon the reality that disciples of Jesus Christ have always, at least in some places, paid a high price for following Him, I personally experience two realities:  encouragement (which is a good thing) and embarrassment (not so good).   It is not the acts of persecution themselves, however, that either leave me encouraged or embarrassed, but rather it is the response of Christ's followers.

When I read the price tags in the New Testament:

• They were arrested
• They were threatened
• They were beaten
• They were falsely accused
• They were put to death

...I discover the disciples

• rejoiced greatly
• prayed fervently
• worshiped heartily
• served selflessly
• and witnessed boldly

...even as they

• were pursued mercilessly
• suffered greatly
• and died brutally.

And when I read contemporary accounts of

• Syrian believers who choose to remain in hostile surroundings
• Pakistani Christians who forgive those who ignite bombs at the worship gatherings
• Nigerian disciples who, even at great risk, continue proclaiming "Jesus is Lord!"

...I am greatly encouraged.  What examples of gentleness, kindness, boldness, and forgiveness.

And then there is the American response to suffering for our faith.

It seems as though we think the following are examples of persecution:

• Protesters gathered outside our businesses
• Media campaigns opposing our biblical convictions
• Universities that forbid Christian groups from either gathering or holding to exclusive theological positions
• Removal of nativity scenes from public displays
• Television sitcoms that disparage our faith
• A federal judge's recent ruling that a tax exemption for housing allowances for ministers is unconstitutional

Numerous people are both speaking and writing (ranting really) about the ever increasing threat to our "religious liberty."  THEY CAN'T DO THIS!  WE WON'T TOLERATE THIS!  WE HAVE RIGHTS!!!

Where exactly is that in the Bible?  The only right I find is in John 1:12--"But to all who did receive {Jesus}, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God...."  No right to a pain free faith; no right to government-given perks; no right to proclaim ourselves to be followers of Jesus Christ without actually following His life of sacrifice, service, and suffering.  In the words of those great
"prophets" at ESPN:  "C'mon, man!"

It is this response to "persecution" that leaves me grossly embarrassed.  Scriptures calls us, not to revolt, but to rejoice; not to whine, but to worship; not to pout, but to praise; not to sue, but to serve; not to loathe, but to love.  We can learn much from our brothers and sisters throughout the world who know what real persecution is, but beyond that, know how to live like Jesus in the midst of rejection and reviling.  

I am also slightly embarrassed to even be writing about such a topic.  My own experience of suffering for my faith hardly deserves mention.  I merely believe realities are changing at a breakneck speed.  We become shocked when we hear that the price of a gallon of milk may rise to $7.00 or more per gallon in the near future.  Of course, this is all speculation.  What I can emphatically say is this:  The price of following Jesus WILL sharply rise.  This is based, not on economic projections or political speculation, but on the authority of the Word of God.  When it comes, God will be faithful, as He has always been to His people.  May we be found full of faith, full of hope, full of love.