Anyways,

I started on Shattering the Christ Myth -and so far it is really good, which is not surprising

I look forward to watching the D’Souza vs. Richard Dawkins debate next week. Should be interesting

I think apologetics and defending the faith (the equipping) is something that is something that is missing largely in most churches. For where I go, there is some, but I do think that we could do much better in it. I an sure that there are lots of churches out there that don’t really do it at all. Some would say that apologetics is a critical part of discipling believers and I agree. Albeit, apologetics isn’t the only thing to Christianity.

There are many reasons why people become Christians. Some people are emotionally moved and make a decision based off some sort of experience, and others are convinced of the truth/evidence of the Bible, creation, etc. Those are the basic 2 mediums. I know that there are others which may include both.

This may seem like I’m knocking the first form, which I am not. While being part of an experience is great, I don’t think that should be the only thing that constitutes their faith. Emotions are usually the primary components of making the decision. When this happens, great we have a new Christian in the faith. However, there is so much more. I think it’s okay that the church has an okay focus on getting people through their problems, and helping them out. However, they are not equipped to answer the questions that are out there–that these new believers have. These questions will also come up with people they talk to. There is at least one problem with not being able to defend the faith. When I say ‘defending the faith’ I am not talking about giving your testimony. Your testimony is important, I will say. It can be effective when witnessing but that’s not the only thing you should have.

We tend to think of our experiences as true and therefore make it true. “Nobody can refute your experience”. That may be true. Many experiences can be interpreted different ways too. Experiences don’t define truth either.

It may surprise you but the first century Christians did not evangelize using their personal testimonies(provide the scripture and I will change my view). They preached the resurrection and defended it. That’s the central argument of Christianity.

Even to the church that I go to (and churches across the world):

We are told what to believe, but we aren’t told why we should believe. It is just assumed. I may be wrong, but this generation may have the most Christians that are ill-equipped to defend the faith. I am part of that, but I am trying to change.

I am not denying my experiences in my past, and I am sure that God was involved in them. However, my experiences aren’t authoritative for my faith and for it to be real, and it shouldn’t be for any Christian.

Other than that, I might add some thoughts on other things as time goes along.

I’m currently reading Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and Ministry Formation by David deSilva. It’s a good book, it’s just really really long. It’s informative, but I have a terrible memory so the more I read it the more I forget. I am over half way through it, and it will probably take me months more to get through the next 400 pages. I am not sure if I could ever get through another college textbook

I will conclude and give a review of the book as a whole.

It was a very good book. The author made a lot of sense and I could relate to what he was writing about. He shows the insufficiency of the traditional view and how it is not in the Bible. Here are just a few things to consider

1) The traditional view is a modern idea
2) Bible does support the idea of individual will of God (as normative for every believer)
3) God does not lead through our inward impressions

4) The early Christians did not expect for God’s special guidance and did not consider it normative. Wisdom was used by the apostles/prophets/etc when no specific direction was given.

5) God’s will is fully revealed in the Bible

It’s interesting how such a broad topic can be so elucidated. Because of this new view, I am no longer under pressure to find that dot that God has for me. This does not mean that I am not to seek God, but with the new knowledge I have, I must wisely choose how to best live my life for Christ. There are several questions that the book gives, for example, when it comes to the moral command of making disciples of all nations: “Where or how would I most be effective in fulfilling this moral command?” or “How can I best serve the Lord through my life and my career?.” Knowing what your strengths, weaknesses and gifts are can help in deciding.

If you’ve thought about what was written and aren’t sure what to think or aren’t convinced, keep doing what you’ve been doing. I don’t exactly expect you to change your mind. Search the Scriptures for yourself, and if you become convinced of what I wrote, then it’s time to change.

We don’t consult God on 90%+ of the decisions we make everyday. God has given us the freedom and responsibility to choose. His moral will for us affects every part of our life–our attitudes, motivations and behavior for every decision we make.

If one statement could sum up the process for decision making:

Make wise decisions and trust that God will sovereignly work out things for the good.

The apostles received revelation, but it was revealed and delivered to them in a ‘supernatural’ fashion.
These aren’t normative experiences. Acts is full of this type of stuff. It also wasn’t written over a matter of days.

As for the OT prophets, yes, they had special revelation from God. These special revelations can help accomplish(or reveal) the sovereign will of God. We tend to think of the apostles and OT prophets as average believers, but they were not. This is not to say that they are ‘better’; just think of how much more responsibility they have on their shoulders to do what God told them to do.

God had a sovereign will for Israel.
God also had a sovereign will for the church and its early growth–hence the supernatural revelations in Acts.

The apostles did not consult God on the individual decisions they made. You will find Paul using the way of wisdom for his decisions. They used reasoning and wisdom to make their decisions, unless directed otherwise by a direct revelation.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith.

Philippians 2:25-26

25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

According to the book, the question: “How can I know the will of God?” may be a pagan notion. “Ancient kings consulted oracles to obtain guidance from gods. They derived their plans and directions by vague and illusive counsel. The worshipers could read into the enigmatic responses of the oracles and did what their hunches told them to do.”

The moral will of God will affect every aspect of your life. He gives us much freedom to live life and choose what we want to do. We obviously have to be obedient to God’s moral will. Fulfilling God’s moral will really examines the intent and attitude of every action we have.

God’s will is clear and you don’t need to look any further for moral guidance than Scriptures. It’s unmistakable. If God wants to specifically direct you in a decision, then there will be no mistake about it. God directs/directed people’s specific decisions through supernatural revelations, not through our hunches, impressions or emotions. If I am wrong, then show it to me in the Scriptures.

I realize that such truth can cut both ways in people’s life. It can cause a great sense of relief, yet at the same time produce much disturbance in a person’s life. For those that are looking for the will of God and are sincerely seeking it, it will be a big relief. For those that don’t like making decisions, it may be something that isn’t very good news. God isn’t as concerned with what we do with our lives than he is concerned about how we live our lives. As long as you’re within the moral will than you are good. Trying to gauge an impression is difficult when there is no standard. For the average believer, it is not normative for God to specifically direct you in a path.

This is one of the most important decision one has to make, and many people actually wait for a sign from God telling them that the relationship is okay/ or that this is the ‘one’. Again, as I’ve talked about circumstances, they provide a context for making decisions but they do not prove that its God’s individual will. The only thing binding to the believer is that the person is a Christian. Obviously, you should be wise in choosing your mate (Proverbs 31; yes, that means that God hasn’t chosen the one for you.)

The problems with the traditional view are many.

1 Corinthians 7 outlines what Paul says about marriage.

“39A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.”

First, we see that “she is free to marry anyone she wishes.” after her husband’s death. She doesn’t expect to look to God’s individual plan because they don’t expect such revelations. In fact, remaining single is her choice (which Paul asserts his opinion on the matter). Again, we seem to equate inward impressions with the command and will of God.

When the matter is that the impressions are just thoughts and feelings towards somethings and are pretty much based on our emotions. Why do we think that God works His will and reveals it through our emotions?

As I keep reading, I keep remembering all of the times when I had sought out the will of God, it really never made sense. The only way that you can be certain that you’re doing the will of God is that you’re

1) Inside the moral will

2) You’re at peace

3) Circumstances are lining up

4) Good results are a sign that you’re in the will/ sometimes bad results can be interpreted that you’re not

So far from everything I’ve read, there doesn’t seem to be a ‘will’ of God, and furthermore, there doesn’t seem to be a guideline for interpreting the will via circumstances. The precedent that is in the Bible for making decisions is wisdom.

The great thing about this view is that I’m not really confused about some of the things that have happened in the past. It makes so much sense.