One step forward

Keep your servant also from wilful sins;  may they not rule over me.  Then will I be blameless,  innocent of great transgression. (Psalm 19:13 NIVUK)

This is the essence of a key conviction to be held onto by Christians - a healthy one. The possibility of avoiding wilful sin. This is one of the aspects of a full, sanctified life that the Holy Spirit would help us with.

The great Wesleyan doctrine of 'entire Sanctification' is founded in this reality. God does not 'take over' us by His Holy Spirit. As people indwelt by the Holy Spirit, Christians still have to make choices.  The Holy Spirit desires to strengthen and empower us, as well as lead us in, the way of Jesus Christ.

The more we choose to conform to what is right and to resist sin, the more sensitive we will be to the Holy Spirit's leading. Conversely, the more we allow sin to dominate us, then the less sensitive and aware we become of God's leading and presence.

Take a step forward towards holiness and sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit today. Repent and avoid repeating a flagrant sin that is there in your life right now: that is a good place to start.

Relinquishing Power

I am being immensely blessed through reading Glen Stassen's recent work, 'A Thicker Jesus'. Glen is a man of mature years, and Incarnate wisdom, like good wine, often does improve with age.

And I am hugely challenged by Glen's invitation to the disavowment and relinquishing of power. When I look at all social structures, I see people exercise power, in many different ways. In fact, that includes you, my reader. For we learn to survive by managing the power of others and using our own, albeit subversively.

But, as Glen points out, Jesus' counter-intuitive disavowment and relinquishing of power, as a manipulative or controlling force, is central to His exercise of ministry and teaching. Paul grasps this too, as witnessed in Philippians 2.5ff.

Wouldn't it be fitting if we grasped and embraced this the more as well?

ἡμεῖς γὰρ πνεύματι ἐκ πίστεως ἐλπίδα δικαιοσύνης ἀπεκδεχόμεθα. (ΠΡΟΣ ΓΑΛΑΤΑΣ 5:5 SBLG)

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (Galatians 5:5 NKJV)

If you were to ask me, 'what troubles you most?', the answer would be simple. I am not troubled by the state of the world: it is as I would expect it to be. It is a beautiful world, marred and spoilt by sin. Neither I am troubled by issues of sexuality and perversity. Read the New Testament: nothing new in present trends!

No, what troubles me is when people talk as if 'faith' can be had, or laid hold of, without first having something to hope for. For the Christian life can only begin with God's Promises, manifestly met with in Jesus Christ. Promises that find all their fulfilment in and through what comes to us, embraces us, covers us and fills us because of Jesus Christ.

I have no comprehension of what people mean, when they talk of a 'leap of faith' or 'just believing'. I have met with a God of love, mercy and immeasureable power come to us. A God who fully meets with and embraces us, in the tangible power of His Holy Spirit.

Because such a God would and does meet with us, I have hope. And because of this, I can seek to pursue a life of faith, expressing itself in love.

There is no other way, other than this way which is filled with longing and the pursuit of such hope.

IBTS

This has been, once again, a profoundly meaningful and enriching time as part of the community of IBTS - the international baptist theological seminary of the European Baptist Federation.

The first week of these Intensives was, as always, quite exhausting! The second week of chatting, reading, discussing was a good balance. Concentrated listening, analysis, response and interaction are good but need recovery time!  Yet the combined result is something that makes this environment quite unique. This is no school for learning a set of principles, a place for the 'right answers'. Frankly, people should have passed into and through that stage of their development long before they come to this decidedly post-graduate environment. 

IBTS is for people who, having learnt the basics of the Faith in their original cultures and context, realise that to develop as disciples and as effective Christian teachers, they must now face new questions and challenges. They realise they have to come to the Scriptures with fresh eyes. They know that humility and the place of listening is at least as important as hope and faithful preaching. To acknowledge that others they once refused to meet with might have, after all, some insights into the truth and life that is in Jesus Christ.

I am so thankful for my involvement at IBTS over the last 12 years. As it moves next year from Prague to Amsterdam, I am excited about future developments and opportunities. For this is a unique environment, a place to meet other, wonderful disciples from around the World who can and will impact and shape each others lives as we seek to move into the deeper, richer and life transforming power and perspectives of God's Word and Spirit.

Adam and Eve or Adam and Steve?

Glenn Stassen in his recent work, 'A Thicker Jesus', notes seven indicators of secularism from the work of Charles Taylor. That is, attitudes towards democracy; modern science; individualism; sin; the Cross; love; war.

Stassen notes that causes that affect systems are by nature complicated, and not reducible to single factors. 

Here are some initial reflections, with a view to a paper I will be presenting in a few weeks time with regards to sexuality; and the whole question of the sanctity of male and female components in that which God calls 'marriage'.

Democracy

Our early Baptist forebears would probably have distinguished, should they have known to do so, between liberal democracy and social democracy. An understanding of the dignity of the individual in the biblical narratives always sets that person within the social narrative.

Modern Science

Scientific theory now moves us to think in ways beyond a simple, mechanistic Deism: 'God's in charge of all that goes on'. Facing reality means facing up to an appreciation of complicated systems. And process and development is integral to our understanding of systems.

An understanding of God's sovereignty has to be worked out in the light of the fullness of divine revelation in Jesus Christ, as a journey with Jesus. It needs to be a journey of hope. It involves maturing and growing into completeness - Romans 8.20.

Individualism

If we can grasp that God is Trinity - three aspects of Persons integrally related within single real Personhood, then we should be able to grasp at least something of a biblical understanding of real persons as persons in relation rather than as atomised individuals. Individualism, frankly, is a foreign concept to Christianity. Isolated individualism and Christianity do not go together.

Sin

To state the obvious,  yet easily forgotten: a Hebraic understanding of sin is 'a violation of God's will, by a breaching social protocols and parameters laif down by God'. Jesus does not violate this truth.  Relationships matter to Jesus. Right relationships. There can be relationships that are, in God's eyes, simply a violation of His purposes for human society.

The Cross

A 'Punch and Judy' Debate, that is characterised by obsession with affirming or denying penal substitution, has obscured a deeper and wider understanding of the Cross for many contemporary Christians. I stand alongside the excellent new Testament scholar Michael Bird,  who taught at Highland Theological College, in this.  I have no problem with penal substitution; neither do I have a problem with NT Wright's insistence on wider implications of the Cross. I am happy with both Piper and Wright, even if they are not happy with each other!

The excellent work of the North American New Testament scholar, Michael Gorman, reminds us that the Christian life involves not only a message about the Cross but a call towards the way of the Cross. Where, in all the contemporary discussion, are God's call to mortification and repentance in the Christian life? Where is there a proper suborning  of persons' preferences for the sake of a transformed social order that we are called to work towards?

It seems to me that there might be not only a docetism expressed towards the Christ of the cross, but also a  docetic view of our humanity that fails to appreciate the need to harness sexuality and our humanity's appetites, immature and as yet imperfect as they are.

Love

Love is not simply an investment in the other as opposed to an investment in self. Love is an investment in the other in the context of the other belonging to the social fabric which defines them.

War

A renunciation of violence does not mean our renunciation of discipline. The war we wage is not one against others but against selfhood and self realisation at the cost of social integrity and social maturity.

These are my starting thoughts!

Whose Kingdom?

Some people think that the Christian church should seek to change society. This is not, from the perspective of those who think baptistically, what I see it to be all about. When I read the Book of Revelation, I cannot have that expectation.

We look towards a New Heaven and a New Earth. To be salt and light. To be light amidst the present darkness.

The mission of the church must surely be to bring  proclamation and presence of the Kingdom of God into this world, among sinners. A sign and invitation towards repentance and faith.

This invitation towards repentance and faith by all is for everyone. As is God's love. But we know that not all receive.

It's not about us setting up our Kingdom. Others have tried it. Our job is to witness to God's Kingdom. So let's keep the focus and keep the faith.

post Intensives

At the end of a very full week here, at IBTS, it is good to enjoy an evening of peace, quiet and solitude - the beginning of Sabbath.

At the very heart of our life in Christ, there is this need to allow His light and love the opportunity to flood in upon us. to rest in His presence. To relax enough that we let our guard down. Not simply to other people. Nor to the paliative of alcohol. But to Jesus, the Light of the World; the giver of Life.

And it is good.

DNA of the Jesus way

peace. powerlessness. advocacy. presence.

marginalised. poverty. 

service. care. 

All of these terms are integral to a the theory and practice of mission and ministry in a Jesus centred, God's Kingdom reality. Where Jesus really is the final authority on all things, then these terms need to be part of our vocabulary.

Leader. My gifts and my ministry. Power. Exercising control. 

I'm trying hard to listen and learn.

But I'm not so sure about these words. 

Lebanon - missional reality

4 million population in Lebanon

1 million refugees

This huge challenge inevitably effects how mission is enacted. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament emphasise the importance of caring for the marginalised, the stranger in the midst.

We need to support the church in the Lebanon, and learn from it.

Clarity in Prague

Good academic theology always points to reality and truthful engagement with it. We have been listening to doctoral students present reports today. Good projects. As we closed a session, Nancy Murphy - a faculty member at IBTS and also a Fuller Philosophy professor - commented, that if churches want to 'keep their kids and young people', they shouldn't ask how we might retain the kids, but instead look to engaging in mission ourselves and allowing our young people to be engaged in it.

This is why mission and ministry have to be held together. What we are - how we seek to reach out in serving - and the explaining and proclaiming of why we are the way we are and why we do the things we do - this is what draws in young people, who are looking for meaning, purpose and real engagement in life.

The congregation that asks, 'how can we continue as we are?' has lost the plot! Didn't Jesus say something about that? Such a congregation ceases to be Christian church. But the congregation that looks to expend itself and all that it has in meaningful mission? That sort of congregation is always growing into a glorious future.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 
(Luke 9:24 NIV)

Reality

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV)

Given that God wants to enter into the life of every man or woman in the world, we need to understand that what God wants to 'indwell' us. He wants to fill us with His uncreated, powerful light. To infill us with the living waters of His Holy Spirit.

Belief is an important door to entering into this experienced reality. Belief in Jesus, who declares Himself to be the door. But for vital Christianity, there must be our coming to the door and receiving from what Jesus gives. The power, presence and purposeful enabling of the Holy Spirit.

Understand that Jesus wants you to have far more than a 'belief' in Him. He wants you to long to be a temple, a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We are saved by grace. We are justified by faith. We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

Be clear. To enjoy eternal salvation, you need to know and experienced this power and presence of the Holy Spirit. There has to be a light within you. The light of the reality of God's presence.

This is what God wants. Make sure that you want it too.

TUNING IN

Recently, a new Christian wrote to me, asking about discerning the voice of God. Here is part of what I replied,

"Hearing from the Lord is like a TV channel 'tuning in': the signal strength can vary so much at times. This is due to us, not the Lord. Even as Christians, there is a lot of 'interference' that can come in and effect our lives. This is part of the challenge to holiness and consecration, in obedience and humility. which is part of the ongoing walk of discipleship.

This is a reality for us all. So I know that at times, where there is a hunger for the Lord in my life, combined with humility, holiness and obedience, the signal strength is likely to be strong. Sometimes I hear the Lord speaking so clearly to my heart! But I also know that I am still liable to sin, where rebellion, pride and sin can come into me: a struggle that continues throughout the Christian life. Certainly, the Spirit will and does liberate us from this; but we all, at times, are resistant to the Spirit and can slip back into at least partial bondage - whether we admit it or not!

This insight is especially important for us as born again Christians, where we take 'hearing from the Lord' seriously. The Holy Spirit is in our lives. We expect Christians to listen to God, and encourage all members of the church to share what they are hearing. So it is that we emphasise the importance of accountability to one another, and also the importance of discerning together, all part of the process of  'checking out' what the Lord is actually saying. My own experience over 37 years as a born again Christian is that we all tend to hear clearly in a 'percentage' way. So if I am hearing 70% right, then other Christians can help me see the bit I am getting right and also the bit I am getting wrong. And those appointed by the church to lead, such as pastors, are there to help us work out how much of the message we are hearing is really 'tuned in' with the Truth of Scripture and the way of Jesus Christ.

I am greatly encouraged by your humility and readiness to learn. May the Lord use you mightily. The process of discerning in a collaborative way is and should be exciting. Be prepared to be told, at times, that others think you have got it 100% right; 70% right; or even 100% wrong! But such a process gives us both freedom to share what we genuinely feel and also safeguards from misrepresenting the Lord. Embrace this approach, and you will be mightily blessed and used of God"

I will follow this with some more comments soon, for it it is a topic close to my heart right now. God really does speak to us! And the devil also really seeks to deceive us. There is a wisdom to be held on to here, that our forefathers were also well aware of and taught on.

As usual, there is nothing new under the sun .......

May you follow His path

May this be a blessing to you, as the New Year begins. That the road of Christ be found and walked upon. That you seek His presence and find it. For He is always closer than you realise. All it takes is sincere and genuine longing. And the light of his presence will come upon you, to lead you forward. May it be so, for you.

The endgame of Grace

In the season of Advent, it is good to reflect on the sheer beneficence of God's grace: His favour, freely and willingly bestowed, in love and mercy. Salvation and redemption brought to us in unmerited goodness gifted by God. The Kingdom of God and the wonder expressed and expounded into humanity in the coming of Jesus Christ.

This does not diminish the need for repentance, though. The gift of God's blessing upon us is not the end of the process. God blesses in order to ignite us in His love and mercy. To awaken us to His love and power. To immerse us in the reality of holiness.

But such refreshing and unmerited blessing is not, in itself, the endgame. The endgame is our restoration to effective living as the sons and daughters of God. Transformation and maturity into Christlike conformity.  This is what we hope and wait for.

For restoration to be ushered in, in the face of grace, there need be repentance. Just as Christmas must be followed by Easter, before Pentecost. Repentance leads to Restoration.

Enjoy grace at Christmas. But don't give up on repentance. If you really want to know and see God's full restoration. For that is the endgame of grace.

Another type of taster!

my old pals (and some not so old!) in the Edinburgh baptist fraternal.

Good to visit again for Christmas lunch together

A taste

A beautiful flight from Glasgow to Orkney,  looking down over the snow clad mountains and glens of Scotland. Visiting this weekend Stromness and Westray baptist churches.

I am enthralled with Orkney. This is my second visit within weeks, having earlier spent a wonderful weekend with the church in Kirkwall.  I am deeply attracted to these islands where community is both tangible and meaningful. Where people know on another. And where, living on an island, they can't escape from one another!

On Saturday afternoon and on Sunday morning, I was in Stromness, on the south west of the mainland of Orkney. A community of 2,000 people where the leader of our Union church, James, is also the community councillor. A growing community church that has been there for 10 years. Where the church people are part of the community and where there is an integral, missional presence in the life of the community. People see how you live. People see what you do. This is witness.

In the evening, I took the Ferry to Westray and visited Gavin Hunter and our church there. A community of 600 peole. Again, the same issue of life and witness. a committed community of born-again believers who are thoroughly involved and integrated into the wider community.

This is a different life from life in the Central Belt. And witness takes different form. To see interviews with both James and Gavin, visit my Facebook account or YOUTUBE and my uploads under 'drjimpurves'.

New book

Looking for a good read? My new book, 'How Theology Became Nonsense', is published today on Kindle by Amazon. All you need is a Kindle, or download a free kindle reader. Ideal present for Christmas? Enjoy!

Do you prefer big or small?

Here is a great way of seeing that, whether we prefer large or small churches, there is a way of building church that works with small, basic units. Here is a great presentation I saw by Andrew Clarke at a conference a week ago.

Click on the link below. You may need to load afree, 'prezi' reader; but it's worth it. http://prezi.com/dehsvoul2tm8/what-did-the-early-church-do-and-where/?auth_key=75efeac5f576773e8e7a7a3fa494e292de6ea22b

Orkney

It's been great to spend the last two days visiting here, in Orkney. These island are north of the Scottish mainland, visited either by flight or a 6 hour ferry journey. I've been the guest of Don and Maggie Currie and church in Kirkwall. A great time.

On an island of 8,000 people, church has to be done a different way than on the mainland, where there are millions of people. Witness and mission leads to an emphasis on an integrity, depth of spirituality and a level of intentional relationality that is demanding.

All of us have to ask the question, 'what are we trying to do?' before asking the question, 'how to do it?'.

Convictional or Inspirational - or both?

There is a difference between Convictional and Inspirational gatherings or communities. Convictional Community - in its essential simplicity, if it is to be Christian, needs to be small. This does not mean that there cannot be larger gatherings. Nor does it mean there cannot be gathered groupings of smaller units. But for Christian faith to find participational development in the lives of people, creatively rooted in Christ, it requires gatherings of people that are small enough for meaningful relationships and reciprocal accountability to be expressed, developed and realised through experimental Christian living. Only then can the essential, virtue indicators of Christian community - such as love, forgiveness and compassion - be  shaped and driven by the presence of Christ in the midst; and lead to practical and developed expression through intentional, relational living. 

Inspirational gatherings are  important. They confront and challenge, calling for decision and dedication. They can refresh and even reorientate. But they are gatherings where good preaching is performance and distinguishable from real teaching that always requires tutoring and evaluative feedback. Jesus embraced the inspirational. But his relationship with disciples in shaping the DNA of church was built through developing convictional community.

There was a time when formal, church gatherings could operate as essentially inspirational gatherings, with their praise songs, prayers and preaching. These resourced the intentional relationality of local communities that really were seeking to live out their lives in a Christian way. Accountable communities, where people knew one another well.

But real life is more complex today. People live in fluid, flexible communities. It is good to have inspirational gatherings that  inspire. That challenge. Even entertain.  Yet the heart of church? The DNA needs to be worked out in accountable relationships. This is what discipleship is really about. And without such discipleship, we reduce Christian gatherings to a charade and a parody of what church is meant to be.

To be real, it must be relational.