John 20.19-31

19-21     The impartation of 'peace' - שלךם - is also about establishing a place of rest: the gift of יהךה to His people. The bringing of the people to the place of 'peace' is the outcome of the Covenants of God. Getting to the place where God wants us to be. The place of fullness of righteousness and justice, healing and deliverance, faith, hope and love.

Here, there is the sense of the deeper, covenantal purposes of God through His people (Genesis 12.1-3), to bring blessing to all people in the world through Abraham.

The specific mention of both 'hands and side' evokes both the imagery of the paschal lamb (John 1.29 - the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world) and also that of the top lintel and doorposts smeared in blood (Exodus 12.1-3).

22-23     The act of 'breathing' the Holy Spirit evokes Deuteronomy 30.6 and especially Ezekiel 36.26-26 & 37.9ff., where the Holy Spirit's powerful presence and impartation brings restorative, reviving, renewing life and empowerment to God's people. 

 v 23 and its reference to forgiveness of sins may seem strange, unless it is taken with the preceding verses. To grasp the full sense of forgiveness we need to realise that forgiveness issues in reconciliation and restoration. We need to root our understanding of forgiveness beyond individualistic perspectives, into a fuller and more holistic OT way of thinking. It speaks of the calling of the people of God to bring God's wholeness and 'peace' to others. That the purposes of the people of God is to bring glory to God, to reflect His character and to exhibit His ways. It is the very ministry of salt and light into a world that is lost in savour and life. It is to be a people who are heralds of hope and harbingers of healing.

Now, this is about a message; but also a lot else besides. It is about who we are. How we behave. How we relate to others. Whether we Are interested in people as people at all.

24-31     A cause to live and die for?

27    -     μη γινου απιστος αλλα πιστος 

The text is clear. The challenge is, 'stop being unbelieving and instead, be believing'

So easily, we have a deficient understanding of the Christian life. Where it is diminished and debased into a philosophy,  a way of thinking, a perspective in understanding life.

But faith in Jesus is far more than an opinion or perspective on life. Faith to enter into a way of Being. It is a commitment to a cause, a response to a rallying call. 

Thomas understood this. he needed to be sure that the resurrection had actually happened. Because He realised how utterly radical and different from normal, religious living the Christian life of following Jesus truly is. There is a huge cost and disruption to normal living in becoming a disciple of Jesus: it is about purposely participating in his life, ministry and victory. And it is not a way that brings security and fulfilment according to the standards of this world.

the aftershock

So, Easter once more passes. And Pentecost beckons.

In what I do, issues of congregational politics, power and people in leadership are never far away. So I find myself reflecting. What qualities, in the light of Easter, are essential in Christian - and therefore, baptistic - leadership?

And I rather fancy the acronym, PHD, as a starting point.

PASSION that reflects the personality of God.
HUMILTY that heralds the heart of Jesus.
DEPENDENCY that relates into life with God with people around us.

None of them are easy. They come at a price. Easter.

A Blessed Easter

May the power of Easter come close to you and fill your whole being. The complete and utter expression of God's passionate love and purpose for humanity and the whole cosmos. It comes in, through and by death and resurrection. It is the key to meaning and the essence of your being.

Because of Easter, you have a hope and a future.

Because of Easter, faith is worthwhile.

It is God's gift to you, through Jesus Christ.

Discover a blessed Easter.

How do we die to self?

What is the biggest issue arising in the lives of Christians? It is pride. Wise words read this morning:

"How can I die to self? The death to self is not your work, it is God's work. In Christ you are dead to sin. The life there is in you has gone through the process of death and resurrection; you may be sure you are indeed dead to sin. But the full manifestation of the power of this death in your disposition and conduct depends upon the measure in which the Holy Spirit imparts the power of the death of Christ And here it is that the teaching is needed: if you would enter into full fellowship with Christ in His death, and know the full deliverance from self, humble yourself".

Andrew Murray, 'Humility: The Beauty of Holiness'

Authenticity

Is a demanding exercise. For it requires us to face the reality of who we are, in our dysfunctionality and pathologies. These are real. Sin, like weeds in the earth, quickly rises up in our lives. It is so easy for it to choke out the authentic, christlike movement of the Spirit into bringing us into conformity to Christ; and to  arrest and dampen our hunger and thirst to be more like Jesus.

An atheist friend today mentioned an 'atheist church' meeting. How can people imagine it is possible? Unless they have attended churches where there is but a charade of spirituality; an absence of seeking and meeting with the authentic presence of God.

Shetland

Just back from an inspiring visit among the four baptist churches in these islands, the most northerly extent of the UK. Where the nearest railway station is in Bergen, Norway! Yet quicker, house to house, in flying to there than taking the train to Aberdeen. A strange world we live in.

But as in Orkney, there is a stronger sense of community than in the Central Belt of Scotland. This is reflected in our baptist churches, where incomers - who comprise up to half the population - find a home and a family.

The pictures here are of the abundant wildlife; the traditional peat bricks stacked ready for burning; and a wonderful picture painted on an iphone during a service in Dunrossness, where I was preaching yesterday morning, by artist Paul Bloomer on the sermon theme, 'Uprootedness'.

Thank God for lively and vibrant baptist churches in the Northern Isles of Shetland.

Ambassadors of Reconciliation

Returning from a Conference on Conflict Mediation, I was struck by the wider implications of embracing the role of being Peacemakers. If we truly see ourselves called as ministers of reconciliation, then integral to being Christian is the activity of seeking to be bearers of peace into the world around us.

How significant it would be if Christian communities both modelled and sought to serve in this way. It would mean, firstly, that we understood how vital it is that we together embrace peacemaking within our church communities. A church with conflict that is not being positively managed; or where a pathology has developed out of the conflict, where there is no seeking to address the problems caused by the conflict, is a failed witness to Jesus.

But  a Christian community that is learning to both face and deal positively with conflict, is one that has a real ministry to wounded and hurt people, who need to know salvation.

What sort of community do you belong to?

Conflict

Here, in the great Anglican cathedral in Coventry, attending a conference, with members of the Conflict Resolution team. The speaker at this morning's session emphasised that:

1.     Conflict is normal. What we need to develop in conflict resilience and ways to manage it rather
        than try to flee from or fight it.
2.     Conflict should not define us, however. It is not our goal. But it can be used as a tool for
        development.
3.     Conflict 'has no umpires' - we are all protagonists, to a greater or lesser degree.

Conflict management and training for churches is something we will soon be offering. It will be a useful and important tool for church development of mission and ministry.

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 .......